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Subscription and -Advertising Kates. Thf Georgia Grange, representing and advocat- • T Vk imprests of the Patrons of Husbandry in this sute already numbering a membership of forty thou- Mate, ane. J increasing from day to day, presents *> ever" cla« of 'our citizens, both in Georgia and else where one of the most efficient and valuable advertis ing mediums in the land. It will circulate in every PAnnti-in the State, and will doubtless come under the eves of a hundred thousand persons. All interested should not fail to take notice of this fact. Our advertising rates are as follows: Two Dollars per square each insertion. Eight lines make one square. Large cuts and heavy lettering double price. . All transient advertisements must be paid in ad vance ; regular advertisements quarterly. Terms of Subscription. One Year 9° ToClubsof ten and upwards . »1 w Address letters and communications to GEORGIA GAANGE PUBLISHING CO., P. O. Drawer 24, Atlanta, Ga. Georgia State Agricultural Society. NOTES BY THE SECRETARY. The Next Semi-Annual Convention of the State Agricultural Society. Our next Convention will be held, in the town of Thomasville, on the 2d Tuesday in February, 9th day. In order that all may know who are duly accredited members of the Con vention, and all societies may know how many delegates to elect, the fol lowing extract from the Constitution on that subject is given—to wit: Article 111. — Members. — The body is com posed of delegates from lesser societies, life members, and the officers and all ex-Presidents of the Society. 1. Delegates from any society or club here tofore connecred with this Society, shall be ad mitted on the following basis of representation, viz: One delegate for any number of members from ten to twenty ; two delegates for any number of members from over twenty and not exceeding forty ; three delegates for any num ber exceeding forty members; provided that not more than three delegates shall be admit ted from any one county. Such delegates to be elected at the January meeting of the society or club, for one year. The credentials of dele gates to be signed by the President and Secre tary of the society or club, and be accompanied by a report of the number of meetings held in the preceding six months, and a list of officers and members. We hope, through the liberality of the railroad companies, to continue to get free passes for the delegates, both ways, and to this end the returns of all societies should be received at the of fice of the Secratary in Atlanta, by the 25th January, at farthest. Programme. So far, we have arranged for the fol lowing addresses at the Convention. We hope to add others before the time, if possible. First, then, the exercises will be opened with an Agricultural Ode or Pastoral Poem, by James A. Stewart, Esq., of Atlanta. 2. Report from the Experimental Farm, by Dr. E. M. Pendleton. 3. Green Soiling, with report of ex periments relating thereto, by Dr. E. C. Hood, Columbus. 4. Cotton Seed, its’agricultural value and uses, by Dr. W. L. Jones, Athens. 5. The Moon, its influence upon vegetation and animals, by Col. W. Leßoy Brown, Athens. 6. Gardening, R. If. Hardaway, Esq., Thomasville. ► ♦ The Cost of Producing Cotton. We understand from a gentleman who has been corresponding on the subject with*several farmers, that Mr. David Dickson," of Hancock, says it takes, under the present system of la bor, sixteen cents to produce a pound of cotton. Dr. Lavender, of Pike county states, from his own expesience, that last year, it cost him seventeen cents per pound, and the year immediately after the war eight cents. Mr. Hard awav, of Thomasville, says it costs twelve cents, based upon calculations taken from his own books. We beg to call attention to this verv important question touching the farm ing interest, and should like to see it considered and discussed generally, as well as that which is of more import ance, viz., “the means of raising cheap cotton.” —" » ■ ■ - < ■ Do Plants Feed Directly on Humin) This is an undecided question, and on it rests the whole theory of green soiling. But whether plants feed di rectly upon hunu’s or not, it seems to be a very generally admitted fact that humus acts very beneficially and pow erfully a? an incidental fertilizer, as a retainer of heat and moisture. This involves, too, the question of whether or net plants feed on carßm through their roots, (hr.mis being chiefly car ’■!.' a •'■'int 'ttv universally denied I ; -h Dusts. A se'. i‘s of exp'iiments reportcit'' the St ' Mountain Con vention (August, I<7D by Dr. E. C. Hood, es C 'lumbus, would go to show that humus was in all probability a direct fertilizer, as well as being a sol vent and prom 'ter of ferti’ir.ition in an indirect way. Dr. Pendleton contends ■hmSRS SEOEiWA AEANfiE— that the benefits derived from humus, or vegetable matter in the soil, and hence green-soiling are due to its power and property of retaining heat and mois ture, and that plant food does not and cannot be derived immediately from it. This question will come up at the next Convention. It is an interesting and important one, and we hope to see it fully elaborated. Premiums on Field Crops. We present herewith the premiums offered for field crops at the next State Fair of 1875. Our farmers can thus have an opportunity of beginning to prepare for them this winter: FIELD CROPS. PROVISION CROPS—CEREALS. Best five acres of upland corn SIOO Best one acre of upland corn 25 Best live acres of lowland corn 100 Best one acre of lowland corn 25 Best five acres of wheat 50 Best one acre of wheat 20 Best five acres of oats 50 Best one acre of oats. ....... 20 Best five acres of rye 25 Best one acre of rye 10 Best one acre of barley 25 HAY CROPS. Best five acres clover hay SSO Best one acre of clover hay, minimum 2A tons 20 Best five acres lucern hay 50 Best one acre lucern hay, minimum 2| tons 20 Best one acre of native grass hay, mini- mum, 2j tons 25 Best one acre of timothy hay, minimum, 2 tons 25 Best one acre red top or Herd’s grass hay, minimum, 2 tons 25 Best one acre pea vine Lay, minimum, 1 j tons 25 Best one acre corn forage, minimum, 6 tons 25 ROOT CROPS. Best one acre of sweet potatoes $ 20 Best half acre of sweetpotatoes 10 Best acre of Irish potatoes 20 Best quarter acre cf Irish potatoes 10 Best two acres of turnips 30 Best quarter acre of turnips 10 Best one acre of ground peas 20 Best quarter acrcof ground peas 10 Best one acre beets 20 Best quarter acre of beets 10 Best acre of chufas 20 PEA CROPS. Best five acres field peas $ 20 Best one acre field peas 10 Best one acre beans 20 Best quarter acre beans 10 MONEY CROPS. Best five acres of cotton $ 50 Best one acre of cotton 25 Best one acre of tobacco 25 Best one acre of Southern cane 40 Best quarter acre Southern cane 10 Best acre of rice, unland 25 Best acre of rice, lowland, minimum, GO bushels 25 Best acre of broom corn 25 Messrs. Cary, Adams, Lawton, Hahn, Browne, Committee. Transactions of the Fair. We have received from the press, and are now sending out the “ Transactions of the Georgia State Fair, at Atlanta, October, 1874.” Any one desiring a copy can get one by addressing the Secretary, at Atlanta. We trust it will be found a useful and instructive pub lication. How to Make Money by Fanning. Much labor is done on farms that is not farming in its true sense. By such labor no money is ever made. A man may support himself and family, keep out of debt, and have a few dollars in his pocket by practicing the most rigid economy. If he is otherwise than in dustrious and sober, he is on the down grade with loose brakes, and the end is soon reached. But farming in its true sense is a profession equal in dignity to the law or medicine, and needs equal study, mental capacity, and intelligently di rected labor to command success in it. The principles which underlie the prac tice of the true farmer must be well understood, and a steady, consistent course of operations must be followed. Having thoroughly learned the nature and capacity of the soil he possesses, and chosen the rotation most suitable, and the stock to be most profitably kept on it, he doos not swerve from his ehoson course, but in good markets and bad, raises his regular crops, and keeps his land in regular increasing fertility. No special cry tempts or affrights him. He does not talk dairy this sea son and crops the next, but, doubtless, if and particular product be in demand and brings a good price, he has some to sell, ami reaps his share of the advan tage. He saves as much money as some men make, by care ami c ' nomy in pur chasing and t reserving tools, so.'ds. an I machines, and his busin ss habits an i constant rt'ivlir.css tor all ■' i-ici.s hi - ••• s irib gain tfht eff’'ts of adv rs* seaions a l bad weather. Always prepared, he is r. 'ver too late; always calm, he is never too soon ; and thus, “taking time by the forelock.'’ he has the stern uld tyrant at his e unmand, an I turns him at his will. He has no losses, and his gains are steadv. We have already published several essays on “Diversified Farming,” and on other subjects, in The Georgia Grange, either of which is worth to the reader five times the cost of sub scription. We make no invidious com parisons as to the merits of these pub lications ; they have been gotten up by men of experience and men of known ability, and are all so worth the attention of every farmer in Georgia that we do wish they could not only be read but carefully studied by all the yeomanry of the land. In this issue, the essay of Col. Sam Barnett appears. We want all to remember that Col. B. is not only a writer on agriculture, but a practical farmer. He was, a few years ago, the Commissioner for the State Agricultural Society, and did more to enlighten, the people by his lectures, all over Georgia, than any man in it. The publishers of The Georgia Grange desire now to give to the public, through its columns, all the theory and practice we can obtain from such men as Col. B. and his peers in th : s great agricul tural work which is to redeem the State from its poverty, and raise it to the ele vated position of the Empire State of the South. While on a visit, a short time since, to the house of Col. Barnett, we were invited by the Colonel and his intelligent and polite farmer son, Mr. Frank Barnett, to walk into the farm, near at hand. After pas sing through a magnificent grove of sturdy old oaks, we arrived at the gate of the farm. The first thing that attracted our eye, was an acre of cot ton which had been cultivated entirely by the Colonel’s youngest son, a lad fifteen years old. This cotton will make at least a bale of 500 pounds of lint. We found a fine crop of oats growing in this cotton, which had been sowed during the last ploughing. Ve| next came to the corn patch. We estimated that the corn would make twenty-five bushels per acre. Across the fence and over in the .pasture, we wore attracted by the appearance of a fine mare and colt. Mr. Frank told us that the colt was only seven months old. It is cer tainly one of the most completely de veloped animals of its age we have ever seen. We saw the whole of this beau tiful little farm, consisting of about 100 acres in cultivation, perhaps twenty of which is in corn, and thirty in cot ton, and the remainder in stubble, from which Mr. Frank Barnett took twenty seven bushels of oats per acre last spring. All of the cotton Will make a bale per acre, and the whole, cotton and coin, has now on it a splendid stand of oats, which will be ready for harvesting next spring, without further trouble, other than thrashing down the old stalks of corn and cotton during the winter. We have made this statement, be cause men arc too willing to condemn those who write and lecture on farm ing as “book farmers,” and not prac tical workers. This old idea has been exploded, and men who would succeed must read or they will live and die in ignorance, and to meet this want, we present to them The Georgia Grange, a paper which has received the plaudit of “well done” from almost every writer and reader of Agriculture in its scope. At the recent meeting of the Conven tion of Patrons and Farmers, the Mas ter of the State Grange, Col. T. J. Smith, urged upon every one present to go home and send subscribers to the paper. IL 1 stated that it had now be come a necessity ; as for himselt, he must have an Organ, and The Georgia Grange he preferred to all others, for tho simple reason that it was the advo cate of the Order, and the true friend of the farmer. A resolution to the ef fect that ail present would endorse the paper, and procure as many subscribers as possible, was unanimously passed. We cal! the attention of our brethren, to these facts, and hope that at the meeting of the Georgia State Grange, this month, at Macon, that some de cided action will be had on the subject of the circulation and support of the paper, so that in a very short time we may commence a weekly issue instead of monthly, as it now exists. The Georgia Grange will be .-“nt free for one year to anyone who will send a club of five or more snbscriliers. with the •r.Will not the Masters <•.;• StcreUiri s o' 1 cal Granges etch send us acluV' and let ::s hive the weekly. The Grangers' f Arkansas are petitioning the I. 'gislature of th.it State to exempt from tax ition capital invested in mining and m imitactaring enterprises. A M. Hardin, Esq., has received the ap pointment of Agent, in St. L >uis, of the LouiMAiia and Mississippi >:ate Granges. Not an Idle Recommendation. The address of Worthy Master Lang to the Patrons of Texas, which we find in a recent issue of the Waco Examiner, is worthy the thoughtful perusal of farmers in every section of the country. It sets forth very clearly the errors of the past, and points out the duty of Southern farmers in matters pertaining to their material welfare. Col. Lang was in attendance at the Cotton States Congress in this city last spring, and made many warm Georgia friends. Prominent and active among the peo ple of his State, he is doing much good. We are informed that the policy of the Texas State Grange, and the Worthy Master, in recommendingutter and absolute economy in expenditures to the members of the organization, has not been idly or carelessly received by them, as is abundantly evinced by the very observable shrinkage in expen ditures as compared with those of the corresponding season last year, and had the cotton and other crops been up to an average yield, the condition of the farmers of the State would have been enviable indeed. As it is, however, they are much more independent, much more favorably situated with reference to future agricultural operations, than they would have been, had the same reckless system of expenditures which characterized the years past, been pur sued last season. While Texas farmers, as a rule, have small balances, if any, in their favor, they most certainly have no debt pushing them ; crippling and chilling their efforts and hopes. The wisdom of the Grange in recom mending and enjoining upon the mem bers of the Order the most rigid and careful economy in all things pertaining to them as farmers and citizens, has been, as we have remarked before, abundantly established. The duty, as we understand it, does not stop at the mere expenditure of money, but it includes time as well. The farmer has fewer hours out the twenty-four to lavish on amusement or self-indulgence, than any other worker. Time is more surely money to him than any one else, and he is far from being economical who wantonly wastes the precious hours which should be devoted to labor. He may fail in this quality of economy, by bad, faulty or partial cu lt«p it ion. of his land, or by neglecting to plant it all, or secure its cultivation by leasing it, where he has more than ho can manage by his own exertions. It is the worst sort of extravagance to own and pay taxes on large bodies of unproductive lands, worse still, if possi ble, to have them fenced and otherwise improved, and then suffer them to lay idle, and non-producing at the same time ; the owner is paying taxes and keeping up repairs upon them. Every farmer knows what is meant by th-? phrase, “over cropping ourself,” but few of them have stopped long enough to consider that under this phrase is hidden r spirit of wasteful and unreasonable extravagance. The labor necessary to prepare the ground, the time consumed, the seed, the imple ments, the horse-power and all that, is uselessly and reckless thrown away- In this age of “tight times,” it is necessary for the farmer to make “ every edge cut,” and we but show where effort mav be thrown away, where an “ edge” may be held against one, and instead of proving of value, may become a means of positive disadvantage. There are some indulgences which are as culpably blameable, as would be the act of throwing money away, by the handful. Thtye are some whistles that always cost too much, and this one of owning and attempting to cultivate more land than is practicable is one that never varies. It is always “ too dear.” The Grange mill at Waterford, Min nesota, has proved an undoubted sue- i cess. Since the 26th of January last, it has exchanged with the farmers 12,- 000 bushels of wheat, equal to 387,500 lbs. of flour. It is now turning out 140 barrels of flour daily, which is shipped direct to Chicago, and com mands a ready sale. Receiving from ' to 2.00 > bushels of wheat a Jar, at $1.04 a bushel, and ex>-L.angii.g I-’ to 200 bushels, equal to thirty :S. barrels of fl-ur. the i xcha. _• There may be live Granges with : members in them, but tber- car. ’ ■ :.■> dead Granges with iiv • mem’ ers t • then* A half dozen iiv.*, vigorous, Patruns will 1; ep any Grange o intry in a healthy nditi i and are worth a whole regiment ofc ' 1. lukewarm, half -nd half members. Practical Suggestions. To the Editors of The Georgia Grange : The time for the annual session of the State Grange is near at hand, in which event all good Patrons of xlus bandry doubtless take a deep interest. The great objects of our Order are the restoration of agriculture to prosperity, the good and happiness of one another, and the welfare of our State. In all our proceedings, then, how important to keep an eye single to their accom plishment, and to regard not only “ wisdom, justice and moderation,” but co-operation and union in all we do. There are many things of moment, which will demand the attention of the State Grange at its next session, and it behooves every one who may attend it to lay aside all personal, selfish or am bitious motives, and devote themselves to the good, harmony and unity of our Order. Such a spirit will vouchsafe discreet and wise counsels in all our proceedings, and tend greatly to estab lish our organization as a permanent power in the land. We should iet noth ing, therefore, divide us, or alienate our hearts from one another, or the good worlc we have in view. It would be out of place to name the order of business here, or to allude to many questions which will necessarily occupy the atten tion of the State Grange, but a sug gestion on the subject of the election of officers for the next two years will not be out of order or violation of any es tablished precedent. In my humble judgement, our suc cess depends greatly upon our having good and true men in office, whose hearts are thoroughly enlisted in the welfare of our Order ; men who have no selfish or ulterior motives to subserve by seeking these high positions of trust in the State Grange. Let us be on our guard here, and allow no political as pirant for office, nor any man who is indifferent to our success to occupy any official position in our Order. I think it would be a safe rule to officer our State and subordinate Granges with strickly agricultural men. Our Order is, or ought to be, strictly agricultural, and it is eminently fit and proper our officers should be men who are devoting themselves to that pursuit in life which we are trying to build up and restore to prosperity. Let this rule be observed, and, my word for it, we shall make few mistakes in the selection of our officers. Beware of the men who are trying to ride our Order into office and power. They may be our friends, but they are not the men for us to put on guard. This without any disparagement to any of our present corps of State Grange offi ceers, for so far as I know they are all worthy, good and true men, and I shall vote for their re-election as at present advised. I wish, in this connection, to suggest the unanimous re-election of our worthy Master, T. J. Smith. Col. Smith is strictly an agricultural man and has devoted himself with great zeal and fidelity to the inauguration and building up of our organization in Georgia for the past two years. He has spent his time and money in the good work ; has proved himself worthy of the high trust reposed in him, faithfully discharging all its duties with a fidelity that no man will dare question, and de serves the emphatic endorsement of the Order, and in my humble judgement, re-election without opposition. Hoping that you, Messrs. Editors, and the brethren generally, will agree with me in the foregoing views. I am, fraternally, etc., T. A Word to Patrons. —Now is your time to work in securing new members to the Grange. The winter months will fly rapidly, the spring will slip away before you know it, and then no more can be done until next winter. Be alive. There is scarcely a brother or sister who cannot influence one oY more neighbors to join the Grange. Let the revival reach every neighbor hood. Have meetings, invite speakers, have the neighborhood come in and hear ; have songs, and once in a while a feast, and let the world outside the jates know and feel that the members of the Orde-r are happier than they have ever been before, and that they love an . Ord r to which they be- - .ii ‘i, th • r.ink.s v/here desert- L tve lit gaps in them. Up and to r £ while it is c ille 1 to-day. _. ' ~ i hl ' lEor.. ;ia < Grange will lie sent free I f -r < ni- year to anyou? who will send us a I b < f five or more subscribers, with the m Riey. Will not the Masters or Secretaries ' f local Granges each send is acli b? and L-t us have the weekly. — Have c c.Sdence in each other and in the Caiir**? you represent. System in Farm Labor, The amount of muscle that can be saved by a little brain labor is wonder ful. And \et the science of doing every thing in proper season and place, in fact, properly, is something that agri cultural papers or farming bookp cannot teach. Experience, calculation, fore thought arc the mentors. A month before a piece of machinery is to be used, a glance at it will show where it is defective. A rainy day, a spare hour a chance to take it to town to be mended without going on purpose. These present themselves to the intelligent farmer, and when the harvest is ripe, or the corn ready for the cultivator, there will be no delay for the mending of damaged machinery. There is no such laziness or wicked waste of time and opportunity as the man practices who never has time to do anything properly. He goes to town with three errands, and comes back with only one finished ; he had no time for the others. He'plows for fifty acres of corn, but only time to get in forty. He plows with a dull plow and chops with a dull ax for lack of time to sharp en them. All these are the results of forethought and system. A neglect to use the brain that God has given him to shape and direct and save the muscle. An ox will do the work, but he cannot plant. The horse is powerful but he is controlled by Lis master, and his power utilized. Man’s labor is but brute strength, and the strong brain force that is brought to bear upon it the more surely every stroke tells, and the more grand will be tho results. Our IMilcl, Cows. There is no animal that desires to be held in higher appreciation than the cow that furnishes our milk and butter. Her daily contributions for the support of the family are by no means inconsid able in quantity, value or quality. Nothing, in our opinion, is more enjoy able than good milk and butter. Very little in addition will constitute a repast of which a royal household might well be grateful. With the above facts patent.to every one who is the fortunate owner of a good milch cow, it is strange, but true, that no animal is move ungratefully or cruelly neglected. A majority are ex pected to yield tho needed supplies of milk and butter as a clear profit to the proprietor, and are, therefore, left to gather their food from the uncertain treasury of the woods, if in the country, or if in the city to filch a meager sup port from market wagons, from sample articles at the door vs groceries and supply stores, or glean from the leakage of ware-houses, etc. Thus they be come noted as public nuisances, and re ceive many a blow from stick and stone, which are more appropriately due to their stingy, unappreciative and cruel masters. This is not all—the poor, faithful creatures are left in a majority of instances unprotected from the winds, the rains, and the snows of winter. The horse has his stable, the hog finds a shelter at pleasure, and even the worth less cur is invited to shield himself from inclement weather, but the cow that contributes so much to our com fort is left out in the chilly winds or pelting snows. This is neither just to man or the beast. Every milch cow should be provided with a warm stable in winter. Give her this and you will be largely repaid in the increased supplies she will furnish. It is vain to calculate on either a good quantity or quality of milk when the cow is left to shift for herself, cither as to gathering her food or finding shelter. ■—► • * - At a regular meeting of Mercer Grange, No. 601, of Fulton county, held at Adamsville, December 19,1874, the following officers were elected for the present term : A. B. Davis, Master; Henry Bankston, O; Thomas Knight, L; Premascus McDaniel, S; James Knight, A. S.; Rev. A. 8. Smith, Chap.; John Pope, Tres.; Andrew Smith, Sec.; Tilman Knight, G. K.; Miss Fannie Davis, Ceres; Miss Lou Davis, Pomona; Miss Olena Knight, Flora ; Miss Ma hulda Knight, L. A. S. The f-ixth annual convention of the Ver mont Dairyman’s Association, will be held in the village of Georgia, on the 19:h, 20th and 21st in.-ts. The previous meetings of this or ganization have been of great interest, and largely attended by men of science as well as pr.te.ical dairymen and farmers. Other States have been liberally represented at these anni versaries and will no doubt be at the one now in anticipation. It is a fact that roaches will not remain in a house if alum is sprinkled about the floor. 5