The Georgia grange. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1873-1882, June 30, 1877, Image 2

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Hate*. Hfalready nambertng m' roWshtp of forty thou wfpfand rapidly increasing from day to day, presents BSCver y class of our ci tile ns, both in Georgia nd <S*e- KTere one of the roost efficient and valuable adtertis [ffir mediums In theland. It will circulate in ertry Bounty In the State, and trill doubtlcia come under the Byes of a hundred thousand persons. All Interested Should not tail to take notice of thlsfact. ™ Our advertising rates are as follow*: TwoDollarsper square each insertion. . , Eight lines make one square. Large cuts and heayy lettering double price. . - All transient adtertisements roust be paid tn ad ranee ; regular advertisement* quarterly. Terms of Subscription. One Year ,l 00 Addresa letters and communications to GEORGIA GRANGE PUBLISHING CO., P. O Drawer J 4, Atlanta,Ga. ##& Official Organ of the Patrons of Husbandry. ATLANTA GEORGIA, JUNE 30, 1877- The Fair Aasoclatlon of Allmu j, <>a. We see in the Albany News a highly interesting letter from that gifted andi accomplished farmer of Lee county, Dr J Stevens. The Doctor never speaks or writes foolishness, hut speaks to the point, and writes with vigor and to the understanding. He discusses at length the great ne cessity of establishing a “Fair Associa tion” at Albany, and points out ;he great benefit which has accrued to the people of Thomas county, from the per sistent course they have pursued in keeping up their Fair Association. We second the motion of the Doctor, and would throw out influence in favor of this scheme, and urge our friends and patrons and subscribers, who live in reach of Albany, to go vigorously .to work at once anjd build up that section of the State through this medium. We know what the country is capable if developing, it ifropprly handled. _IV_ GodHsp’eisd. CbaTaa, A writer in the Keowee Courier, signing himself “ F. M. M.,” raises his warning voiee to all who are cultiva ting the chufa. Ho says: “I have concluded to ease my consience of all future crimination on this behalf, by giving to your readers, with your permission, my experience with the wonderful 4 chufa.’ ” He then, in an article of some length, relates his experience—having tried the chufa in his garden some years ago, and now the garden is infested with the worthless growth, “ the power to multiply increasing as they become valueless.” He concludes by saying: “ Root it out, and save trouble in the future.” We have advocated the cultivation of chufa in the columns of The Grange, not from very much personal experience, but from the experience of the very best farmers of the State. We were a little shy of the “nut” ourselves, from the fact that we had much expe rience in the “ nut grass," (not as “ F M. M.” terms it, the “grass nut ”) when we lived in Beaufort district, South Carolina. From our knowledge of the nut grass, though it makes a good pasture for hogs and cattle, we consider it a bane to any plantation, and especially in sandy soil. We have had hundreds or acres of good fertile sandy land rendered valuless —except for pasturage —by* being infested with the nut grass. And if “F. M. M.,” or any other person, can prove to us that the chufa degenerates into this pest, we would say to the readers of The Grange never to allow another chufa to como within sight of the farm. One of the editors planted, a few years ago, in his garden, in the town of Forsyth, Monroe county, a few chufas, but not a sprig is now to be seen, although they made a good yield the first year. We hop3 that those of our sub scribers who have had any experience in the cultivation of chufa for the past few years, will let us hoar from them on the subject of its disposition to spread and degenerate. Of the public school domain of Texas, the-e are said to be 20,000,000 acres now in or to go into the market for the next eight or ten years, at the minimum price of $1,50 per acre, which will make a school fund of $30,000,000. J Sat J&ifr Doubtless as incon sistent as the average of mortals, and in nothing do they evince that unde sirable characteristic more than when discussing the “dog question.” Econo my, convenience, and it may be added, necessity, demand the presence of the dogs as an adjunct of pastoral sheep husbandry. Under certain circum stances he will do the work of two or three men, and do it quicker, while occasionally his speed and sagacity can be depended upon for results beyoud the power of any man to accomplish. All this with the proviso that he has been well trained, and is subsequently properly controlled. Under these con ditions he is all that the fancy of the poet or the enthusiasm of the shep herd paints him. His movements are such that the sheep are not crowded upon each other, or frightened into a run when they should be allowed to move quietly. In short, the well trained dog, under proper management, will do the right thing, in the right way, at the right time. The half trained dog can be depended upon to do the reverse of this, and his presence will prove a constant expense. Where sheep are handled in small flocks, as on the average farm, the necessity for employing a dog is much diminished, and, in a majority of cases, ibis presence is an actual detriment. Unless constantly together, the sheep and dog become unfamiliarized, and the consequent fright of the one, and haste and heedlessness of the other, aggre gate detrimental results that have little compensation iu any supposed advan tages. Further than this, where a farm is fenced into different fields, as is us ually the rule where mixed husbandry is pursued, the iuclosures are small, and the sheep soon become so familiar with them that little or no driving is necessary. If properly taught, they will pass from one field to another at the call of the owner —in which a few handfuls of salt will be found a valua ble incentive. In the foregoing we have purposely overlooked any detriment that is quite too likely to result from a lack qjf'con fHo.nl. eirj,foment the average sheep dog. His active dispo sition makes him more dangerous than the majority of his genus when from under proper restraint. All who have had experience concur in this conclu sion. Then, again, no dog should be kept by the farmer without some ne cessity exists for his presence, that will pay the expense of keep, and compen sate for such losses as are quite cer tain to result from his mistakes and less amiable eccentricities. The diatribes against the multitude of “worthless curs” that constantly emanate from the luckless farmer, who is smarting under some recent result of their depreda tions, would have additional force ii backed by the knowledge that the ex ample of the preacher waß consistent with his precepts. A large majority of dogs are not only useless, but they are encsmously expensive; and as sheep owners oftener and more forcibly real ize such fact than other classes, so should they he foremost in observing the rule suggested, which seems the only remedy outside of the temporary relief afforded by the ballet and bait. . % Agriculture mid Prouptrlljr. While our manufacturing and com. rnercial interests languish in some sections of the country, it is a notable fact that the agriculturist is compara tively prosperous, finding a ready sale at paying prices for all his products. While it is the most primitive, farming is the most independent calling a man cau engage in. But it is especially like any other business in that it must he learned. The merchant or mechanic that concludes he will go t3 farming on the supposition that anybody can mauage a farm usually pays dearly for bis experiment, but no more so than the farmer who concludes to start a factory or run a steamboat. The pres ent army of school teachers, lawyers, shoe makers aud editors will not make successful fanners. The boys must be taught that of all callings that of a farmer is the surest as well as among the most honorable. Let the boys understand that while all other pur suits are precarious, to the fairer the means of living are always The farmer may not bo able in a given year to sell his surplus crops at a remuner ative price, but short of general famine, the food and shelter are sure. He is certain of the prime essential of life, food, for he makes it himself, and is not obliged to earu money to buy it. He grapples, hand to'h%iu, with the elements of human Jj£|£ 4 ' and makes them his own, and(oy,{fulfilling his part of th 9 great contraei which man kind holds ’ with nature; hinds her to his support. This is aftWue of the small farmer who aims Ay at com fortable competence withefl endeavor ing to amass wealth. In Hhe case of large agricultural operations, under, taken as speculative ventures, it would be hard to show that, whAe of course more risky than the class above referred to, they rest on a surer foundation and are more certain of success than most speculative schemes. . - • - ►- management or Fruit Trees. 1 -. What may be now a teri ler, quick growing sprout, will, in 0< ober, be a strong, woody branch, ani perhaps a branch just where it is not ’anted, and which must be removed use of a saw or strong knife. At thj right time the shoot could have been Tubbed off, aud not only the trouble by removing the branch avoided, but lie useless growth would have been wrected to parts where it was needed. Lf If one has a careful eye tokkis young trees he can, by rubbing bud or shoo* here, and pinching a shoot there, so direct the giowth that hfthe time the trees come into bearing ihey will be of proper form, and very little work will be required of the priffnng saw and chisel. If large limbs are to be removed from neglected trees, this month ortiext (ac cording to locality—at any rate, when the spring growth is made and the leaves have obtained full size ifYid sub stance) is by many preferred for the work, as wounds low heal /apidly. Cut all large wounds with a drawing-knife and cover with khellac varnish, melted grafting-wax or thick paint. & Borers do not breed in the trees, as some suppose. Every' borer in the tree went in. The parent winged insect laid the egg on the bark. The borer hatched out, at once bored its way into the tre°, and there it will stay until it comes out a perfect insect, qr is cut npt, e<f if pnn^ticdin But please observe, no'patent stuff that is to be laid in the crotch of the tree, no stuff that you may paint on the trunk, no “invigorator,” or anything that you apply to the soil, to he taken up by the roots and thus poison the borer, will he of any earthly use. While you are fussing with such treatment the borer is quietly at work, perhaps stop ping now aud then to laugh at the folly of the performance. Cut with knife and punch with wire. The slug, so-called, hut which is really a caterpillar, will appear, especially on the pear and cbprry leaves, aud, unless checked, often makes sad work. It is a dark green, leech-like creature, that leaves a slimy trail. Slaked lime, dusted from a course bag at the end of a pole, will soon end it. In a dry time, fine dust from the road may be thrown into the trees with good effect. Col. ITI. C. Fullou. Brother Fulton, always good and true to the cause, writes us the follow ing letter. Will our brother Patrons read this letter, aud ‘‘govern themselves accordingly I must have The Grange ; can’t do with out it. Don’t (ail to send The Grange. 1 wish you would say in The Grange that I will be glad to visit any Grange in my dis trict, when notified or requested, and will council with the brethren for the good of the Order. I cannot promise set speeches, as 1 have not time to prepare them, but will talk to them The fact is, I don’t feel like prom ising anything more, for 1 can’t make speeches. Fraternally, M. C. Fulton. Stonewall, June 16th. The American Agriculturist very justly says: “Cows are now in their prime, and justice should be done them by using care and skill in the dairy. June butter is the best of the season, aud may be packed so as to keep per fectly for a year. Use only the best quality of salt, the price of which is really no object, considering that only one ounce of it goes to a pound of butter, and the difference in the quality of the salt may easily make five or ten cents a pound variation in the value of the butter.” The United States Department of Agriculture reports that during the last twelve months, not less than 4,- 000,000 hogs, of all aget, valued at more than $20,000,000, have fallen vie* tirns to various diseases. Oue fifth of the whole was lost by Illinois, latest Virginia being the lightest loser. —The rice crop is in splendid con dition, and a large crop is expected. The Orange Revival. The Mission of our Order—Support your Jour nal—A Strong and Interesting Letter, from the W. of the State Grange Ooonek, Ga., June 26, 1877. Bros. Georgia Grange —The rapid return to our fold of so many dormant Granges, as reported in your last issue, is indeed cheering. With the earnest efforts of our Deputies, Masters, Secre taries and members, as also our organ, we may confidently expect to see our organization revived, and your paper filled weekly with reports from working brothers, reorganizing and revivifying our noble work. Organization is a universal index of development; indi viduals, separate and doubt less, have power, but when united under an organized association —thinking to gether, working together—they become a power capable of accomplishing won ders,and it is gratifying to see and know that the tillers of the soil—that class that feeds the world and clothes the same, and fills but few offices, but elects the officers that fill’ them, from the smallest to the greatest positions—have organized themselves so far as to co operate and wield their power; they unite will and understauding, in a con centrative manner, in order that they may, by unity of action, by unity of intellect and judgment, as also by the unity of knowledge, show a front that will startle the world and bring about a reform that the times so loudly call tor,and correct the thousands of ills that now curse our land. To do this, who doubts the impoitauce of the farm ers combining in an organization, even if it is called the Grange ? DISTINGUISHED FARMEHB. Who is there in our organization that will admit they are tired of the Grange, though it would not be surprising if there could be found such, for in this uncharitable world there are some men tired of living, their existence is bur densome to them, yea, even tired of the birds sweet songs of the lovely ami beautiful flowers, the bright and invig orating sunshine, as well as the re freshing showers. The great and good Lord in His infinite wisdom has failed to make a world or a paradise, it would tlysJ could H satisfy men Though we may have some such among us, let us not he a sham ell of our calling as farmers; great, good and wise men long* ago, took upon themselves our vocation. Adam was a farmer while in paradise, and after his fall was com manded to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow. The honest, upright and patient Job was a farmer and his en durance has passed into a proverb. Socrates was wedded to his calling as a farmer ; Burns was a farmer, and the muse found him at the plow, aud filled his soul with poetry. The father of his country, Washington, the noblest ol them all, was a tanner, who retired from the highest eaithly position to enjoy the quietude aud peace attendant upon rural life, and who presents to the world a grand spectacle of human greatness. To these great and honored names many more might he added of equal fame and greatness; and many noble men and women I could mention, of the present day, are seeking peace and repose iu mother earth ; and these, the material combined, form the Grange organization, some of the leading ob jects of which is to promote, as far as possible, a spirit of brotherly love among the tillers of the soil; to elevate the farmers to a higher standard iu agriculture; to adopt a heller aud wiser system in the cultivation of our crops ; to disjiense iu part with the services of our army of oppressive extortioners ; to make farm life more attractive by beau tifying and adorning our homes; and last, but mot least, to make our farms self-sustaining. To cany these objects out, who will be so silly as to question the importance of the Grange, and who so silly as to he ashamed to advocate these objects ? NOT ON THE DECLINE. Often is the remark made that the Grange is on the decline—that, like other projective movements, it was lim ited to the correction of certain abuses, and this done, its great mission is ended; and, iu the opinion of many, the organization is greatly on the ebb. To our miud there is not that eyidence of decay inside of our gates that the outside world claims. We acknowledge that some who united themselves with our organiza tion in its incipiency have fallen by the wayside, that very many of them entered our gates from motives foreign to the good of our organization—from mere selfish motives—and left our fold. But it has proven a blessing to our flock — stripped of such material as has re tarded oui progress, our organiza tion to-day is composed only of such material as never intend to wit ness the death and burial of our noble organization. The accessions being made to our ranks to-day come from such material as will aid in building up as well as strengthen our work, and make it the means of perma nent usefulness to the agricultural world. We should be firm, and like true men earnestly determine, In spite of clouds and tempest roar In spite of false lights on the shore, to keep the helm true to the chart and compass —not to think for one moment of giving up the ship, for our cause is one of justice, and if we stand united and firm, a better day awaits us. We should earnestly labor to occupy the highest standard,in our grand move ment, among other States. Let it not be said of Georgia that it is a laggard in the great race to redeem the land. We may, and will, encounter difficul ties ; overcome them, remembering that difficulties are but opportunities to test our abilities. SUPPORT YOUR ORGAN. Now, brethren, the task is before us. Who *ran do most to accom plish the desired end ? The reply comes from all, support our organ. To sustain, to build up our organization, we are furnished with a medium, The Georgia Grange, which we have wisely adopted as our organ, the subscription of which has recently been reduced to the low price of one dollar per annunii to meet the stringency of the times, and place it within the reach of every Patron. Brethren, is it worthy of your patronage ? The voice of all that read The Georgia Grange loudly replies, it is—not a number of it but furnishes val uable information and advice, which, if heeded, would amply remunerate the reader beyond the pitiful sum of one dollar. The Georgia Grange has not only reduced its price of subscription, but has added to its editorial columns Colonel Clarke, so well and favorably known in the newspaper world, thereby materially adding interest as well as a. 11 i'. V’, !*x p • s-* to r en, 6fh8.1l we not demolre^r^^W:>ul , ap preciation of the wise and earnest ef forts made by our brethren to furnish us a first class agricultural paper at so low a price, and when so much needed by the agricultural world ? Every Pa tron should subscribe tor The Georgia Grange. They should read one agri cultural paper, and The Georgia Grange being our organ, and our me dium of communication with our broth erhood, keeping them informed of the workings of our organization, as well as agricultural progress, thev should subscribe for that paper. I be. speak for our organ a liberal patron age, thereby giving it power and influ ence to accomplish much good. I cannot close this hasty communi cation without again reminding our brotherhood that we have a competent and faithful agent (Mr. J. H. Ketner, of Atlanta), whom we recommended at the last meeting of the State Grange, aud who stands ever ready to serve us in the purchase of any article, however small, and for him, like our organ, I bepeak a liberal patronage. By unity of action in carrying out all these sug gestions, our organization will take a position in our Order worthy of our old Commonwealth. Fraternally, T. J. Smith, Master Georgia State Grange. ♦ ♦ Brother J. G. B. Erwin. —We had the pleasure of a call last week from our highly esteemed brother, J. G. B. Erwin. We are always glad to see him. He is one of the best friends of The Grange, and stands prominent among the most ardent and efficient Patrons in Georgia. Brother Erwin left with us two specimens of fine wheat, onethe“Pultz,” of which he has twenty acres that will make twenty-five bushels to the acre; the other is “Clanson’s Winter White,” seed for a trial patch of which having been by the Commissioner of Wash ington. Both iugly fine, and prove the success that can be accomplished in wheat culture in our favored State. W. M. Smith’s Letter. —We pub lished last week the able letter of the Secretary of the State Grange. This week we have the pleusure of laying before our readers the long aud inter esting letter of the Worthy Master. We call especial attention to it, aud beg that every subscriber read carefully every word contained in his letter. Potatoes for Cows. We*do not think the partial experi ments updfa this matter are properly interpreted, even by those who have made them. It has been found“hat a large feed of potatoes lessens the per centage of hay digested ; but we think the large amount of starch contained in the potato causes a looseness of the bowels, and thus impairs the digestive functions. We have often fed potatoes to cows in milk, with great benefit. Our plan ha 9 been to run potatoes through a root-slicer, and feed four quarts at a time, mixed with cut hay and a pint of oil meal or pea meal, or a quart of oats. And since the exper iments mentioned, we have again tried this mode of feeding and found it to work admirably well. The potato is a very imperfect food alone, being prin cipally starch, having too little nitrogen and phosphate of lime to make milk; but it is the richest root raised on the farm, and when fed in small quantity raw, will regulate the bowels aud have a similar effect to green grass. It is a very laxative food in the raw state, and that is, probably, the cause of its pe culiar effect upon the digestion of hay. When the potato is cooked the effect is quite different and its value is greatly increased. A small quantity of pota toes, say four quarts as a feed, will increase the yield of milk nearly as much as so much grain, provided they are fed with other food rich in the constit uents of milk. The American dairy man is prone to feed one thing-at a time, almost wholly, instead of giving variety in food which will furnish all the elements required in the proper proportion. We found an objection to the use of oil meal when fed above two pounds per day to a cow, as it is too laxative. We found one quart per day the most profitable, and have also found one peck of potatoes per day in two feeds, the most profitable. C. H. Williams, E3q.—We co, ied yesterday from the Hamilton Journal an editorial supporting this gentleman in his candidacy for the Secretaryship of the Constitutional Convention. The reasons given in favor of his election were strong agd weighty, and we hove mat" filler'* w considered”lfl| the members of the (iimvention.totomS not simply because of late editoml as-| sociation that we desire the election of Mr. Williams, but because we know liis efficiency, and his fidelity to any work which he may undertake. He is thoroughly impressed with the impor tance of retrenchment, and especially in the clerical work of the Convention and the Legislature. Should he be chosen Secretary, we have nodoubt that his administration of its work will ex hibit such economy as to furbish an excellent beginning in the reform which the people require, and that the duties of the position will be performed in a manner to give entire satisfaction.— Columbus Times. Corn. Of all the crops raised, probably none is of such vast importance to farmers as the corn crop, and on no account should it be neglected. Did you ever know any farmer to fail whose cribs were filled with corn ? Did you ever know a man to emigrate whose cribs were filled with corn ? Did you ever know a man to complain of hard times whose cribs were filled with corn ? Did you ever know a man sold out by the sheriff whose cribs were filled corn ? Did you ever know a man whose houses and fences were all in good or der, and that such other evidences of prosperity crowned him, whose cribs were not filled with corn ? Did you ever know a planter proud of himself, loved by his neighbors and happy in his family, whose cribs weve not filled with corn ? Did you ever know a man who had fat horses and mules, hogs, cattle, sheep and poultry, whose cribs were not filled with corn ? Did you ever know a man who did not raise it at home, whose cribs were filled with corn ? Be it Remembered. —Those who joined the Grange thinking when once ‘■within the gates they would have nothing to do but sit down and fill their pockets, of course have been dis appointed. The Grange is no friend to laziness ; it has no need for idleis. But for true, earnest, thoughtful men and women it ever extends a helping hand. It recognizes the fact that those who try to help themselves are deserving of help; and “he who would be free must strike the blow.” Such members both give and receive encouragement wherever to be found. In Monroe county the pork pros pect is fifteen per cent, above an aver age. Three per cent, of the sheep of the counly was destroyed by dogs, and ten per cent, died from disease.