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4 v 7 \ ■ •■ - ■•■ __J\ " ; ; 1 hw ATLANTA, GEORGIA, JANUARY, 1875. Work lor the Month. It is a difficult undertaking to say to our fanning friends what they should do this month,with such a sooty canopy hanging nearly to the top of our heads, and the rain coming down as if it meant to reduce the entire earth to a state of navigable fluidity. But by docking ahead we can believe that this state of things must alter, and that again we stand on jerra Jirnia. Well, then, in that expection, we will say take care of the stock. If possible, keep it housed from the pelting rains like the one now descending upon us as we write. It is not only cruel, but most unthrifty management to keep exposed to our inclement winters. A cow that <•om.es out of the month of March in fair condition will give the next sum mer better milk, and more of it, than one which is hardly able to stand up after her winter’s fight with starvation and death. If a cow has one gallon of cotton seed, with just a small por tion of salt and bran given her each day and has a range in the woods, she can find her own “ roughage ’’ if better cannot be done for her. In win tering stock we find cotton seed at 20 cents a bushel by odds the cheapest food we can use. And if the manure is properly saved, the seed lose but little in passing through the stomachs of cattle. Let stubble lands intended for cotton be broken up right off. As a general thing we think a great many dollars are thrown away in Georgia by winter breaking of land. Our hard, packing winter rains, as our experience tells us, will run the soil together, and by March or April will look as if we had helped it very little by our winter work on it. But this does not apply to stubble land that has been in grain and has a full coating of vegetable fibre re maining on it. Lauds, too, that are to go down in spring oats it would be well to break now. In the meantime go on with the hauling in of any rough litter for coating the cow pens and bedding the stables. While on the subject of manures we give another first rate for mula worth a great deal of money. We charge nothing for it, only a great deal of good will to The Grange: 2,000 pounds of good stable manure; 1,000 pounds of plaster; 500 pounds of dirty salt; 1.000 pounds of Etiwan dissolved bone; 1,500 pounds of cotton seed ; 50 pounds of muriate of potash. Wet down the cotton seed with brine made of the salt, mix layer by layer the plaster, bone and manure with the seed and let the pilp stand for six weeks it possible. Apply 300 pounds per acre. This manure will cost about sl7 per ton, and we think cannot be beat. ■—— 1 •« • The State U range Meeting. The State Grange meeting promises to be one of unusual interest. As the subject of reduced representation will be decided by limiting same in all fu ture meetings, the coming session promises to have the largest attend ance the Grunge will ever have. Upon those who are entitled to receive it, the Fifth Degree of Patrons of Husbandry will be conferred. We trust as many of the Brotherhood as can attend will do so. and let them counsel together for the good of our Order and the up building of our languishing farming interest. Our railroads have displayed their usual liberality in transporting our delegates at reduced rates, and the hotels and boarding houses of the citv of Macon proffer us like liberalitv. Elsewhere will he found the tick-1 ar rangements of the railn ads, fare of Imt ‘ls, t’.me and place of meeting, etc. Business men are shrewd, and thev are tins winter vicing with each other in securing the trade amin • d will f ■ ... tagoods . f i ike .li>s< .uaou «.. tl.e Ord- .. and oui .-euni s i m.t lay the ilaitoiin, unction to the sou! that the sv s tim U y l.a’.e so cordially is short lived. ► ♦ Mom: tli in 12,000 new Granges have been organic J during the last year in the United uni t'auada. THE GEORGIA GRANGE. New Year’s Greeting. We extend cordial greetings of the New Year to the readers of The Grange. May kind Heaven bestow upon you, and each of you, the blessings of peace and increased prosperity. From the errors of the Old let us gather wisdom and experience for the conflicts of the New. Thanks to a merciful God, and the teachings of The Grange regarding the one-third system, our granaries arc more nearly satisfied, in creased area of small grain sown for the New Year, and more than all,.we are learning not to want. Under the oft-repeated injunctions of our noble Order, to practice economy in all thipgs, temperance in all things, let us, and each of us,learn to sav of every idle luxury, “ I can’t afford it.” This emi nently behooves us under tlje contingen cies of impaired credit, and chances for earning a livehood for ourselves and families. Beloved readers, may the fond hopes of the checkered Old Year be abund antly realized by you throughout the Now ! ' The Fint Annual Report of the Com missioner of Agriculture, Dr. Thomas P. .janes, the Commis sioner of Agriculture, has just com plete!, and handed to the Governor, the first report of bis Department,which we have been permitted to look over be fore going to press. We regret that we are not able to lay it entire before the readers of The Grange in this issue. It will soon be printed, and we hope every farmer in Georgia will care fully read it. V» . believe it will be very beneficial to planters and the cause of agriculture. In it the Commissioner treats of the organization and objects of the Depart ment, a hand-book for each of the several counties of the State,(which the Act creating the Department requires him to prepare,) soil and mineral ana lysis, agricultural statistics, farm labor, general farm economy, entomology, sheep-husbandry, and fertilizers and their inspection. These interesting subjects are dis cussed practically. The report shows that Dr. Janes has brought to bear, in discharging the duties of bis office, the same eminent practicability which so characterized him as a /urmer, having been one of the most successful in the State. He inherited considerable wealth, and but few persons among us have re ceived a more thorough education in all the sciences. He chose farming for his occupation, and made it pay. He is energetic and untiring in his habits, and possesses great executive and finan cial ability. He is thoroughly posted in the most advanced stages of the sciences of agriculture, ami the report shows that he knows how to make scientific ami other knowledge available to every farmer in the State. W<) trust the people of Georgia wil foster and encourage this State Depart ment of Agriculture, and in the mean time we earnstly invoke a careful pe rusal of the report, which will soon be printed and distributed. <'<>ii*ql idal ion ol Granges. We have cheerful indications result ing from the consolidation of our nu merically weaker Granges all over the State. In our haste to have the State thoroughly organized, manv Granges were brought in with minimum num bers, and probably with but limited material around from which to aug ment their strength. Hence, co-oper ation in such Granges was shorn of its power, and lukewarmness ensued. As a proper and legitimate remedy, several instances of consolidation of Granges have occurred with very beneficial re sults. Granges similarly conditioned, would derive increased benefit from a like course. Hymeneal.—lt was our pleasure, on December 22J, at the residence of Job. E. Taylor, of Monroe county, to attend the marriage ceremony, by Elder A. L. Moncrief, of that bonne homnie gentle i man and orthy Master Jack Smith I Grange, Macon Warthen,of Wasliing -1 ton county, and the ac -ompl.shed Miss i Georgia E. Carden, of Monroe county, , and former Ceres of Grange No. 13. •■• i st . y, tin i lai party returns 1 to Id 'Washington, where warm h-arts • ‘ *■ '• >*a. gre t.ngs ,;W..it d tLua. - t “Baity Pate” wou.d win a good Granger, and so he did. His loving bride has never wav ered in her allegiance to our principles. Wo w ift them our earnest adieus, ami may clouds of sorrow ever cross [ their onward, upward pathway. A Retrospect. Certain periods appear suggestive of the propriety and duty of retrospec tion The conclusion of a year is uni versally regarded as appropriate ‘to this purpose, and, now, as the last hours of 1874 are moving to the bosom of the past, we turn to ponder a mo ment upon its events. A glance through the departing year results in a view of commingling causes of sorrow and joy, which, as usual, have played their parts upon the human heart. By some, the period will be cherished as replete with happiness, while others remember it as the meas ure of time which, to them, has been most fraught with bereavement and sorrow. It would be an endless task to gather, and weigh in the (balances the details of its effects upon individ ual life. In a political point M view,. 1874 may be truly declared a glorious period for our country. It marks the decline of misrule and oppression ; the resto ration of peace and, fraternity ; the re turn of the people to a true conception of our form of government, and a appreciation of civil liberty, and givety promise that the republic shall .con tinue to exist as the home of the free. The night of gloom and oppression that succeeded the strife, in which our cause was lost, was full of evil to the States of the South. The blindness and prejudice of our conquerors, heaped upon us wrongs whose pressure was intense. Our only power consisted in the privilege of heroic endurance. Well and nobly have we illustrated this virtue, and now we stand in the light of a splendid political redemption, waving a grateful adieu to the passing yerr with hearts cheered by the hope of a glorious future. The industries of the country have been generally blessed with abundant fruits. The arts and sciences are con tributing, annually, new discoveries to lighten the burden of labor and in crease its rewards. In Georgia the hand ofs cience is actively devoted to the groat interest of agriculture, and we have reason to anticipate many benefits from the workings of our new created Agricultural Bureau. Its enlightened chief is assiduously per forming his duties, and we predict that the energy and muscle of our husband men will feel a most profitable influ ence from intelligent guidance and direction. The classification of the soil, with an expose of the peculiar adaptation of its different kinds to cer tain productions, together with the particular fertilizers required for each soil and product, will be found of ma terial benefit to agriculture. The increase of our manufactures is a gratifying feature in the review of the year. The people seem to be awaking to the importance of convert ing their raw material into manufac tured articles. Our cotton, our iron, and our timber, is destined, in the fu ture, to find larger home sales for home manufactories. Material additions to our factories and foundries have oc curred during this year, and progress is written plainly in favor of this depart ment of industry. The mines of gold, copper, and other minerals, which have slept undisturbed in the bosom of our soil, have the promise of earlv development under the intelligent direction of our State Geologist. What has been done in this department, hitherto, has embar rassed the reputation of our mines. The blind application of money and labor to their development has, gen erally, resulted in failure, which has impressed distant capitalists with the belief that their value has been over rated. Georgia, and indeed tee whole coun try, has been saved from the visitation of desolating contagions and epidemics. Unusual healthfulness has prevailed, for which the hearts of the people should feel profound gratitude. In every portion of the republic God has blessed His people with the reviving influences of his Holy Spirit. From Maine to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, the same glorious tidings come. The zeal, faith an 1 devotion of ministers and •r. inkers have been increased: thous ands who were strarg< r° to God's love have been converted to His service; and the church- s feel th t they have been greatly strengthened. The re ligious events of 1574 abound in con solation to true Christian hearts, and the year will be long celebrated for the enlargement of th«> Master's kingdom in the world. The songs of the missionaries in every land beneath the sun, join with the joyous refrains of our own land, and pronounce 1874 a period for the special manifestation of the reviving and converting power of God. Turning from this hasty retrospect, we perceive much to give us hope for the future, in all that pertains to the welfare of the church and State. Let us do our duty as citizens and Chris tians, looking to our Heavenly Father, by a living faith, for the blessings of His providence. Juda* I*cariot*. Those who are opposed to the Grange movement are very naturally inclined to make prominent notice of those who, by treachery and dishonesty, have pre judiced the financial interests of cer tain divisions of the organization. These occurrences are remarkably sel dom, considering the vast moneyed in terests under the control of the Order. We remember but two instances of di rect, palpable villany in the entire his tory of the organization, and in one of these instances the property of the de faulter, which was opened to attach ment, proved ample to cover the entire deficit. In the other, and later in stance, it has not transpired whether there will be an ultimate loss. Notwithstanding the above facts, the enemies of the Order will use the few instances of dishonesty as a foundation for serious admonition against the Grange. It is very certain that all hu man associations embrace some who are unworthy of confidence, and who will betray the confidence reposed in them when the time comes for doing so with financial profit. Even the church has its Judas Iscariots, who love money more than correct principles, and who will win the bag of silver at the cost of the most extreme sacrifices of right and honor. The danger of fraud is ever present with every society, and if this should be regarded a just argument against the Grange, it would prove sufficient to dissolve all charitable and even religious institutions. We may thus far proudly point to the record of honesty which is pre sented in the history of our Order. Out of thousands of fiduciary officers only two or three have fallen before the power of temptation. This is a most splendid exhibit, which will bear com parison with any association in this or auy other age or country of the world. The Freedman’* Bank. If the corruption which is concealed in the secret history of the Freedman’s Bank conld be revealed, even the poor confiding negroes whose hard earnings have gone to pamper the avarice of its officers, would begin to doubt the sin cerity of yankee professions of regard. Whether the revelation will ever be made remains to be seen. The result of the management of this institution convinces ail unprejudiced minds th it it was conducted with the one idea of plunder, and what is worse the plundering of a class of beings, who, by reason of their natural imbe cility and general ignorance, were help less to avert the consequences. The branch of this concern in our city, gathered into its vaults many a hard earned penny of the confiding ne groes. The poor deluded creatures de posited with the expectation of future enjoyment; but, alas ! not a dime is likely to be returned. The little rem nant of assets which has been gathered from the wreck, will doubtless be ob sorbed in the payment of the commis sioners engaged in winding up the affairs of the Bank. If this institution had been placed under the control of Southern gentle men, very few negroes would have de posited in its vaults. A necessary fea ture to render it popular with that race, was the fact that its interests were to be under the control of Northern men. The poor, ignorant, deluded an 1 duped creatures imagined, vainly, that their former masters were their enemies,while the cunning yar.k- e held the position of unquestionable friendship. The wholesale villany practiced in this • nterprise is well cilculated to teach the victims a healthful 1. ssmi. Tln-v ought to begin to realize the truth that their former mast-* 1 ..- are better fi iei.ds to them than they will ver fin 1 am ng th ia minting yaiikt s, a I in stead of s tt ' . ■ • - t the latter, it wo il I be wiser to repose confidence in the former. This rule will apply in every instance which requires a display of bom r, good policy •?r common honesty, whether it be a financial or political question. i Meeting of the National Grange in (Jliarleaton The National Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of the United States, will commence its annual session in Char leston, on the first Wednesday in Feb ruary next. It will be a great occa sion for that city, for the State of South Carolina, and for the South generally —indeed, we may say, for the whole country, since it will promote, as noth ing else could, the true unity of the Republic and fraternal feeling and kindliness among the people of all parts of our land. It will bring here repre sentative men from every State and Territory of the Union, and from the British Provinces, all working together for the common good and all bound to each other by the most sacred obligations and the closest brotherly ties. The spec tacle will be impressive and its signifi cance of the gravest import. The re presentatives of the Granges assemble for work, and that work will be of the most serious and important character. We trust it will be wisely performed. But we believe in recreation as well as in work, and the Patrons of Charleston and of the State, as we learn from the Hural Carolinian intend to provide such means of recreation as will make the visit of our brothers and sisters from abroad as pleasant as we have no doubt it will be profitable. Next month we hope to be able to give the programme of reception and entertainment in full. In the meantime, brothers and sisters of the North, the South, the East, and the West, be assured that a warm, hearty, fraternal welcome awaits you in this famous and historic “ City by the Sea.” t The Farmer’s Mass Meeting. The mass meeting of Georgia farmers, at Atlanta, on the 16th December, 1874, was or ganized by calling Col. D. E. Butler, of Mor gan county, to the chair, and Mr. Malcom Johnston to the Secretary’s desk. Only fifty three delegates were present. The first busi ness was the following resolution : Hesolvcl, That the recommendation made by the Cotton States Agricultural Convention, that one-third of land be planted in corn, one third in small grain, and one-third in cotton, be adopted by this convention; and that a committee be appointed to draft an address appealing to all planters to carry out this sys tem this year. This question was discussed by Dr. Lawton, Lewis Smith, M. C. Fulton, and A. S. Atkin son. Gen. Colquitt offered as an amendment: That the Commissioners of Agriculture be requested to issue a circular, embodying the views of the foregoing resolution. The resolution as amended was adopted. On motion, the committee was made to con sist of nine, one from each Congressional dis trict. This disposed of the first topic of con sideration. The second subject, that of fertilizers, was then taken up and discussed at much length by various members ; each one giving in his ex perience with regard to the use of fertilizers. But nothing was said about beautifying homes or increasing the permanent value of lands. At the afternoon session the following reso lution on fertilizers was adopted : ile-tylved, As the sense of this Convention, that it is the policy of the farmer to collect and save all the available manure of every charac ter upon his farm, and to compound the same with other ingredients, having in view proper chemical relations, in reference to using strict ly commercial fertilizers. And especially would we commend, as a fertilizing agency, green soiling with lime. After some remarks on direct trade by Gen eral Colquitt and others, the following resolu tion was passed : Resolved, That the people of the Southern and Southwestern States are invoked by con sideration of the most enlarged patriotism, as well as of our enlightened self-interest, to foster every attempt to establish direct trade with Europe. Resolved, That we will encourage and pa tronize the enterprise set on foot by the Patrons of Husb.ndry under the name of the Direct Trade Union of the Patrons of Husbandry. Tiie meeting then tackled the usury question, and adopted these resolutions : Resolved, That it is the sense of this Cover.- tion, that the repeal of the usury law by the last Legislature of Georgia was unwise, and has resulted in wide-spread disaster to the ma terial progress and prosperity of the country. Resolved, That we earnestly request the ap proaching General Assembly to re-enact a wise and stringent usury law. Resolved, That a committee of nine, one from each district, be appointed to memorialize the next Legislature on the re-enactment of* the usury law. The resolution was adopted. Gn motion, General Toombs was made one of the committee. ■ The committee appointed consists of the fol lowing gentlemen: M. C. Fulton, chairman; J. B. Mulligan J. B. Jones, Dr. Cook, E. C. Hood, R. A. Alston, E. Steadman. G. N. Les ter, J. 11. Christy, R. Toombs from the State J at large. Mr. Carmh hj.J, of Coweta, offered the fol- Ijv ii g. which was adopted. , I • b appointed to memorialize the L gislaturc !«■ prohibit the p -u:e, r leliverv ; a .farm products i'. -ween -uns-.t and sunri-e. The committee on usury w re ii.-‘.ii:cte 1 to ' i: Ind • this resolution in eir memorial to the Legislature. On the subject of labor there was consider- i able discussion, but no resolution- were either ; oSered or adopted. w- -• Ohio i- going to send to ‘he centennial ' show a cheese weighing fourteen tone. 1 Visit the Brethren. Q There are numbers of Patrons who j really take a great interest in the ft Order, who * are almost always present at the meetings, but who have never stepped inside any lodge-room except their own. These members do not realize how much of enjoy ment and actual, tangible good they are losing by not visiting neighboring Granges. If you always stay at home, and especially if you get your knowl edge of the outside Granges fiom the local press, you go on from week to week working in your little home pen, not being able to realize that your Grange is only a link in the vast chain of Granges that stretches all over the country. If you remain isolated, you are simply a local agricultural society, good enough in its narrow sphere, but falling far short of its possible destiny. During the winter months, when farm work is not confining, the Patrons should make it a point to harness up once a week and visit the brethren and sisters in the Granges about them. Their presence will prove pleasant to the visited as well as the visitors, and much can be learned as well as enjoyed by comparing experiences, and culti vating a more intimate acquaintance ship. The negro population in Georgia will be gradually reduced by emigration to the West The machinations of hired agents will have their effect. Native Georgians, who are their truest friends, may advise againste xpatriation for the negro’s good, but many will, neverthe less, annually leave our borders to re turn no more. This gradual, but certain emigration constitutes a serious drain upon our labor, and common prudence dictates the adoption of some policy that will meet this consequence. There are vari ous opinions in regard to what would best subserve our proposes undsr the circumstances. Some favor the intro duction of white laborers from Europe, and others propose to induce the im migration. of a class who are possessed of the means to purchasa and improve such lands as may supply their neces sities. We regard the latter proposition as promising the best results. Indeed, we have no hope of permanent relief from the introduction of European men ials, possessed of neither property nor honor. These characters are altogether unreliable. The question which is most embar rassing is, “ how can the frugal and worthy foreigner be induced to cast his lot with us ? ” It is impossible to answer this definitely, and with a sug gestion of a single plan. The only so lution is to be found in persevering experiments until success results. In some States land owners propose to divide their real estate into small tracts, and to donate every alternate division to actual and permanent white settlers. This, it seems, would prove effectual if foreigners were advised of the great advantages which the country would afford them. But it must be re membered that a vast majority of such as may be disposed to emigrate are igno rant of the character of the South, and, owing the presence of the negroes,’are likely to follow the great tide of emi gration westward, unless special efforts to inform them and lure them to this section, are put in operation. Reliable agents in Germany, Sweden, France, England and Scotland, and also, in New York, could accomplish much to bring us the right kind of emigrants; and, unless, agencies at these points—and perhaps others—are created, the State will find herself with labor depleted and lands lying waste. Georgia is possessed of so many ad vantages that she can compete with Mississippi and Louisiana (States in which the proposition to give alter nate tracts has been made,) in bringing emigrant settlers, and charge reason able prices for lands. Climate, soil, varied products, schools, churches, lib eral laws, and quiet citizens, are them selves, when known great inducements. Agents might be induced to undertake this matter in the European countries mentioned for a small salary and a per centage on land sold through their in- | strumentalitv. The New York agent j shotil l receive an ample cash salary so i as to feel p- rfectly independent in his ' movements. Som/thing mast be done. The Georgia Grange will be sent free for one year to anyone who will send us a Ki club of five or more subscriber. 0 , with the Q money. Wil! not the Masters or Secretaries Jp of local Granges each send us a’clubr and M 2 let us have the weekly.