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2 THE SOUTHERN WORLD, JULY 15,1882. Written specially tor tbe Southern World. COMETS. The Phenomenon of their Tails—Why Hew Ones are Constantly Discov ered—(heir Origin and Purpose. The accepted opinion of a comet’s compo sition is that it is an agglomeration of nebu lous matter—that is, mass in a less condens ed state, more gaseous or attenuated, than is that of a planet. Some are of opinion that they are bodies in a state of disintegra tion. It wonld appear more reasonable to regard them os bodies in a state of conden sation giving an idea how this planet on which we move and have a being began to exist. A comet’s tail is composed of very atten uated substance; perhaps, made more so than its immediate surface mass by solar heat, as tbe body approaches it, to perihelion. The theory of the tail as now understood Intimates that the surface matter of the comet is driven off and out into space by a propulsive force on the near approach of tiie body to the center of light and heat. The propulsive force theory of the matter driven oil* can be accepted as philosophical, and yet the theory &f the foundation of the tail rejected. What becomes of the matter driven millions of miles out from the nu cleus by this propulsive force? It is cer tainly not lost. Absorption is hinted at. How, or in what manner is it absorbed? No theory of this process of absorption has ever been presented, and how could the matter be absorbed in the passage of peri helion when the process of projection is at work and increasing in power; for it is at this point we wish to know what becomes of the driven-off matter? We know that the tail is projected at great lengths in oppo site directions in a brief interval. In other words the tail of a comet exactly reverses its position in a few days in its passage of the sun. What becomes of the luminous particles driven off and always composing its tail from the one point of opposition to the other of this appendage? According to the accepted opinion the tail is either successively absorbed and driven out, or swings around in front of the body as it passes the sun. The idea of absorption of the particles must be rejected for obvious reasons, which it is not essential to consider. There is greater plausibility in the opinion that the tail is projected to a greater length as it swings around to suit the various positions of its primary to the sun. But when we come to analyze this swinging motion in a curve of such dimensions os is required to till the conditions of this theory in so brief a time, we are almost as ready to accept the idea of a constant new formation and as constant a loss of the old one, as it. In other words, the theory of a comet’s tail as, at present understood, does not possess the elements of clearness, nor is it supported by such facts as remove all doubts from It. In somo scientific suggestions fifteen years ago, I presented the theory of the propulsive force alluded to above; but though I had never seen it urged in explanation of the phenomenon before, I did not know who originated it, nor do I now know. My faith in it was greatly shaken last year by my observations of comet C (1881.) I saw that body early on the morning of June 23d, 1881, as it was coming up from the sun with a tail in front of it as straight as a wedge. This appeared so inconsistent that I began to reason about it. My ideas were quickened by information that I received from a friend, who had not seen the comet nor heard of it, except from me, and who asked me if I had witnessed the southward movement of me teors a night or two before tbe comet's ap pearance. I immediately determined that if those meteors belonged to the cometary rings or drifts, in a few nights I would ob serve a change in their direction of motion. This I actually witnessed for a number of nights in succession, and the meteors ap peared in abundance. When comet C(1881) was announced I kept up a regular observation for the first appearance of its meteors and their direction of motion. I was not disappointed either. The meteors were as readily distinguished as the two bodies themselves. Those of comet B were large, brilliant and sometimes almost a transparent blood-red. Those of comet C were smaller, pale-blue, and mostly feathery or haze-like. The latter kind were more numerous and sometimes hardly per ceptible. 1 watched these from their first appearance moving southward until they had entirely reversed their course and moved almost around the north from west to east, and at last going down Into the west after the flying comet. Whatever bearing those meteors may have on the solution of the problem of a comet’s tail, the one thing clear to my conviction is that they belong to the comets, and time will prove the declaration I now make that all these bodies of sufficiently attenuated mass to support a tail are engirdled by large, or extended volumes of this cosmical matter whether gathered in space, or thrown off as they near the sun, I claim of no importance now to consider. But these facts in connec tion with others that might be given, sug gests a new theory of a comet's tail. The substance we observe extended out from be hind the body as it approaches the sun and immediately in front of it as it passes our luminary, undoubtedly, in considerable amounts surrounds the comet. In space this matter is invisible and is only rendered vis ible by contact with the earth’s atmosphere, when separated from a condensed mass. It is hardly ever observed in the direct moon light when it descends upon tbe earth. The colors of the rain bow, the solar streamers of the evening and morning twilights, the red glare of the sun-set, and the gaudy glow ing beauty of the clouds, are all illustra tions of solar refraction. In the direct light of the sun, darkness may ensue. In tiie refracted rays, a glowing light may be imparted to this substance. This refraction may be produced by the passage of the sun’s rays through the layers which sur rounds the nucleus of the comet. In other words as the body approaches the sun, its envelop-layers may be so expanded as to permit the passage of the solar rays modi fied by the refraction which takes place so as to render the thrown off substance im mediately opposite the sun luminous, and as the comet moves round the sun the tail is exhibited in thevariousdirectionsaround the whole volume, as it were, if this nebu lous out-lay of extremely attenuated mass. Immediately in the neighborhood of the nucleus there is undoubtedly greater den sity or unity of particles, but the whole volume is much more illuminated than we are apt to imagine from observation. Towards the outer boundary the particles are, perhaps, thousands of miles apart, so that at a distance of a few millions of miles the earth might pass through the whole mass without our being conscious of it un less the fact were suggested by the phenom enal increase of meteors in our atmosphere at the time, Our planet unquestionably touches the meteoric peripheries of both comets B and C (1881). When comet A (1882) was announced I trusted its distance to the earth would be such as to justify observa tion for a further corroboration of my opinion of the meteoric out lay that I held attended these wonderful creations of outer- space; but its distance was too great to re veal any thing certainly to those who had not made the test under more favorable conditions. I witnessed its meteors, which I had called the attention of a friend to, and after their appearance, I pointed to him the course they would probably take in April and May. Though, as compared with those of comets B and C (1881), comet A’s meteors were not so numerous, their direc tion of motion was easily made out night after night as it changed from northeast to northwest around under the pole. Sup posing the new* theory of the comet’s tail to be correct, as it approaches the sun it would appear to throw off the luminous substance behind It, or out from it, accord ing to position, very rapidly, due to the in creasing margin of expanded layers about the nucleus, so that a wider, longer and bet ter defined tail would be presented than when the layers were more condensed at a greater distance from the sun. The phenomenon of the flashes up and down the luminous streams, attributed to electrical causes at the nucleus, could be explained by excitement among the layers Incident to the work of condensation and expansion going on there, instantly shut ting off and letting on the light of refrac tion in the agitation of the surface mass that must ensue from solar disturbance. The phenomena of the beards and horns of comets, might be due to deflection of re fraction. This , is explained by supposing an interruption of the passage of direct re? fraction by more solid or condensed sub stance in opposite layers. The fan tailed comets present a strong argument in favor of this theory and this phenomenon is easily explained by supposing a fluid of this attenuated matter surrounding the body and that some parts of its envelop- layers are in a greater stage of condensation than other parts, so as not so readily submit to a passage of solar refraction. Assuming the natural deflections from a direct passage from these causes; streamers at different angles, according to the position of impact of solar rays, might, and I have but little doubt, do result in this way. But this article has extended beyond the limit I intended, and I must defer the most important consideration connected with the subject to a future time. Geo. R. Cathir. Ashville, Ala. Growlwg Oranges by Express. A correspondent of the Express Gazette, as we learn from the Orange Counts/ Reporter says: “An association is to be formed exclu sively of expressmen, representing 1,000 shares, each share to be assessed $1 per month for five years, excepting for tbe first month, when $1 per share will be added to defray the expenses of printing, postage, etc. No more than five shares to be issued to one person, the money thus raised to be invested in property in the State of Florida, suitable to the culture of oranges, as the board may select, tbe purchase to be made at the expi ration of the first year. Property to tbe value of $50,000 to be purchased, paying (12,000 down, balance to be paid yearly, or semi- yearly, as tbe board shall decide; (10,000 to be held as a reserve fund for paying taxes, salaries, interest, etc.; the proceeds from the products to be used in making improve ments. No permanent organization will be effected until the close of the first year, then all who have their money invested will be anxious to sec the society succeed. The officers then elected will be the same as is usully chosen to govern similar bodies. Stockholders will be notified in sufficient time before the election, so that all may have a voice. The collecting of assessments and all other necessary labor, will be per formed for the first year by one person known as secretary, who will receive and immedi ately deposit tlio amounts from each share, With some reliable bank, subject only to the order of the board of officers to be chosen as mentioned. The said secretary will have published in the Express Gazette each month, a statement from said bank, to the effect that the amounts so received by him were depos ited. The amount invested will not be so large but most any employe can take one share at least, others the full limit. It will be a volu ble investment if but one-half can be real ized that is assured. Persons desiring to join the. association will please send their name aiid address, and also the amounts for the shares desired, to R. W. Wales, Secreta ry, Toledo, Ohio, who will issue temporary certificates for each share, to be replaced with others signed by the officers to be elect ed at the expiration of the first year. This is open to all express employes, and as there is a large number ready to take the shares, it will be advisable to apply at once. The only objection we see to this project is the great number of persons who are to be come interested and the small amount of in dividual investments. It would be better for five to ten men to combine in such a ven ture, and let each one represent a larger pe cuniary interest. This would keep the ob ject aimed at more conspicuously in the minds of the parties Interested, In fact, make it the aim and object of their efforts. They would keep the project better in band, and would know at all times the exact condition of their venture. By employing a reliable and competent man to take charge of their purchase, and give their trees constant at tention, there would be no danger of failure, and the results certainly would be altogether satisfactory. By this plan, not only express- men, but railroad men, postal clerks, all sorts of men who work for salaries, could have a savings bank of their own, owned and controlled by themselves, which would not only accumulate a compound Interest, but would double up the principal invested every year from the time it was fairly inaugurated. There is no 8tate in the union which offers such inducements for this sort of co-opera tive effort as Florida does to-day. By small combinations more can be Accomplished than by individual effort. Men of salaries can save their surplus and put it where it will secure a competence to them and their families in a few years. A mechanic who is thrifty and prudent can make a five-acre grove while he is following his avocation in the North. Railroad and expressmen can, by prudence, do the same thing, and in a few years their five-acre grove will bring them an income of a thousand dollars a year. Where and in what else can they secure so much for so little. Our lives should be like the days, more beautiful in the evening, or like the spring, aglow with promise, and like autumn, rich with golden sheaves, when good works and deeds have rlpehed in the field. JforiiittUttiinl jHwartnwit. Yellow Lupine. Editor Southern World—I notice that your correspondent. A. G. Jordan, July 1st, enquires after yellow lupines. I have culti vated both the yellow and the white lupine in this vicinity, and found them greatly in ferior to our well-known Southern field or stock peas. The lupine does not climb or run, being in growth similar to the whip poorwill pea, viz: bunch or bush. Compar ing tbe two together, I would not give a bushel of the peas for five bushels of the lu pine ; in fact, the lupine is not worth plant ing in this climate. In this connection I will venture to state that no country is blessed with a greater number of shading and soiling plants than tbe Southern States. Besides some twenty or more varieties of the stock or field peas, which I consider one of the most important productions of the South; we also have the annual clovers— such as California or Spotted Medick, Crim son Annual and Sweet Melilotus; also the perennial clovers, to wit: Kentucky Red, Saplin, Aisike, White Dutch and Lucerne or Alfalfa. The peas to be sown late in spring, tbe an nual clovers early in fall, and the perennial in either fall or spring. The Crimson annu al mentioned above, is also known as Italian (tre/olim incarnatum), and is ono of the most valuable hay plants we have and a truly magnificent sight when in bloom. Planting of this should begin in August, when the weather is not too dry. Beg pardon for taking up so much of your space, I only intended to advise your readers not to invest in lupines. Mark W. Johnson. Talk about Bermuda Gram. Clarksville, Tennessee. Editor Southern World—My communica tion, in which Bermuda grass was mentioned unfavorably, lias been noticed by more than one of your correspondents, one of which states that I evidently knew nothing about Bermuda grass. I confess that my knowl edge upon the subject is limited, and has been obtained from others. My information coming from those who claimed to have con tended with it extensively in Virginia and Alabama. I have had several years experi ence witli clover, orchard grass, Red-Top and Timothy, and have endeavored to gain a general knowledge of other grasses adapted to this climate. My investigation of Ber muda grass led to the conclusion already ex pressed. Is it possible that so many persons who have had practical experience with this grass, with whom I have talked, have judged of It erroneously, and that it is yet to prove a great blessing to the South? Verily “ the stone which tiie builders rejected has be come the head of the corner I” If Bermuda grass can bo kept within bounds and furnishes the rich pasturage, which several of your correspondents assert, then much of the uplands in the South, which are at present worthless for naught else, could be made remunerative if set with it. There is a small patch of this grass which I see very frequently, but it has never exceeded three or four inches in heighth and has never presented a luxuriant appearance. This, however, may be from the fact that the soil is very poor. I seek for further in formation and shall be pleased to find that my conclusions as to the nature of Bermuda is erroneous. Will you give us information as to its propagation, cultivation, etc.? Where are the roots to be procured? How must the soil be prepared? What quantity of roots required per acre? What is the price, per bushel, for the roots? When is the season, in this latitude, for sowing it? Our wheat crop has been harvested and the yield is above the average. Oats are looking well and, with a few days of dry weather, a large crop, for this locality, will be saved. Corn was retarded somewhat by the cold weather in May, but it is now in fine condi tion, and an excessive crop is confidently anticipated. Tobacco, which is the chief product of the country surrounding Clarks ville, has been greatly favored, and the pros pect for a big crop are very flattering. We have been blessed with refreshing showers, seasonable rains and fine growing weather during the month. We have the finest climate in the world, with soil as productive as can be found in the South and West; yet Middle Tennesse is neglected and immigration seeks the West and Southwest where glittering wealth la offered by the rich railroad corporations whose interest It is to distribute to the world