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THE SOUTHERN WORLD, AUGUST 16, 1882,
3
before commencing the afternoon's labor.
A moderately hearty supper of easily digest*
ible food should be taken about “ dark ” or
a little later, and with clean dry sleeping-
garments, slumber will be sound and re
freshing.
What wo have written is intended to
apply not alone to the man who labors regu
larly with his own hands day after day, but
eqnaily to him who actively superintends,
and also, to the “brain-worker.” The old
Masonic rule is to “ divide the twenty-four
hours of the day into three periods of eight
hours each, whereby we have eight hours for
refreshment and sleep, eight hours for the
service of God ora worthy distressed brother,
and eight hours for our usual avocations.”
Ten hours is considered a good days labor,
and it is so provided by the laws of most of
the States. Tills rule is generally adhered
to in cities and towns by those who are em
ployed in mechanical or other manual labor.
Professional men who can regulate their
habits, generally limit their labors to eight
hours per day. Six hours is the outside
limit of the school day. Yet many hard
working farmers work from day light until
dark, regardless of the season, often
amounting to twelve hours in one day.
We are no advocate of idleness, but we
believe more effective work can be done by
working properly not more than ten hours
per day, during any given period of a year
or more, than by working twelve hours per
day during the same period. K.
DeKnlb County Agricultural Society.
The writer was honored with an invitation
to attend the annual holiday and barbecue
dinner of the above club, which was cele
brated at the club rooms and grounds near
Col. A. L. Pitts’ in “Mill” district. Seated
behind a good team with Mrs. "R." by our
side, we took the road from Edgewood and
drove leisurely along through a gently un
dulating country, which constantly increased
in beauty and in fertility of soil as our road
lead away and down from the “Chattahoo
chee ridge” upon which Atlanta is built.
We soon reached the appointed place and
found quite a large number already on the
ground and busily engaged in.enjoying and
preparing to enjoy the pleasures of the day.
On one side of the grove was an almost im
promptu display of choice fruits, vege
tables and products of the field and dairy, in
cluding wheat, oats and other grains, which
well illustrated at once the skill of the hus
bandman, the productiveness of the soil and
the generous seasons of rain and sunshine.
Premiums ranging from fifty cents to two
dollars in amount—notin giltor plated ware,
but in solid coin of the United 8tates, were
distributed, later in the day, for the best ex
hibits according to the judgment of the
several committees. This was the first ex
periment of the Society in the way of a fair
exhibition, and we believe it will prove to
have been the beginning of new era of pros
perity for the furmers of this section of the
county. The Society should, by all means,
keep up the plan, and as they increase in
numbers and ability, enlarge the scope and
increase the piemiums until these annual
fairs will become a prominent feature. There
is nothing so stimulating to intelligent ef
fort as friendly competition between neigh
bors in illustrating the capacity of the soil
under skillful management.
On the other side of the grove were the
long tables already commencing to “groan”
under the weight of eatables lit for the feast
of a king, while the traditional “pits” close
by were yielding their quota of steuming,
sputtering, juicy and spicy joints of lamb,
kid, pig, etc. The dinner gave proof that
the old time skill and hospitality for which
Georgians have long been noted, still has ex
emplars among the honest grangers of Pan-
thersville.
After dinner the company assembled in
the Society Hall and was called to order by
the President, Robert McWilliams, Esq.,
and the premiums were announced and de
livered by the Secretary and Treasurer, Dr.
p, p. H. Akers. The writer was then called
out for an impromptu address and did the
best he could under the circumstances, tak
ing for his line of remarks the importance
of soil fertilization, green manuring and
high culture.
This meeting of the Society as well as pre
vious ones, and those of other live clubs
throughout the country, well illustrates the
value of co-operative and competitive effort
in developing the spirit of progress and im
provement. This year some farmer was
awarded a premium for the best acre of
wheat or oats, another for the best bushel of
wheat or rye, or potatoes; Mrs. 8mith or
Brown, bore away the blue ribbon for the
best butter, or other produot belonging to the
household departmentof the farm. Of course
the methods of culture, the varieties of grain
sown, the management of the dairy, etc.,
are reported, and the result is, the ideas and
expei ience of each individual become com
mon property and available to all. Next
year the competition will be sharper, the
general average of merit will be higher, fur
ther improvement and new ideas will be
contributed, and so knowledge increases,
progress is developed, comfort and happiness
are promoted and the general welfare of the
community gradually and surely advanced.
There is no means of development more cer
tain in its benefits than the organization and
work of agricultural societies or clubs or
local fairs. We consider them as of even
more importance than State Societies and
the huge State fairs which are attended by
such a small percentage of the practical
farmers of the country. We believe that
one of the great wants of the day—in the
South at least—is thoroughly good county
and district organizations for educational
purposes. We need good academies; at least
one of high grade in every county. We
need—not less college education, but better
facilities for home education. County agri
cultural clubs bear the same relation to the
State Society that academies bear to tile col
leges and universities of the country. The
county organization and the county acad
emy are available—more or less—to all the
citizens alike.
The State Agricultural Societies cannot do
a better work than to encourage the estab
lishment of neighborhood and county far
mer’s clubs throughout the South. Indeed,
these local societies constitute the only true
and enduring basis for the State and Nation
al organizations. Such a system is in accord
with the theory and practice of representa
tive government. R.
Is this Bermuda T
Editor Southern World—Enclosed I send
you a smample of grass which has been
growing in small patches in Harris county,
(where I live) for twenty or thirty years, and
has been known us Bermuda gross by the
people of this section; but I have decided
that it is not Bermuda. If it is not Bermuda,
what is it? What is its value ? It will stop
gullies or small branches, and is very hard
to eradicate, taking root at every joint and
maturing very few seed. Answer in the
Southern World. W. A. Poer.
West Point, Georgia.
Answer.—The specimen is not Bermuda,
nor a variety of Bermuda. A very casual
examination of the two grasses, side by side,
would enable any one to decide that they
are separate and distinct. Not skilled in
Botany ourself, we submitted the specimen
to Mr. P. B. Goulding and Rev. T. G. Pond,
botii of whom are accomplished in that
science, and they agree in the opinion that
tlie scientific name of the grass is Paspalum
Distichum. Mr. Pond-ays: “Thu specimen
of grass sent (which I return) is Paspalum
Distichum, you will find five descriptions of
it in Elliott, Chapman and Wood. It has
the appearance and habits similar to the
"Bermuda" (Cynodon Dactylon), and so will
be likely to mislead the “ Laity ”—but, to
the eye of a Botanist, the glumes, pales and
one-sided raehies are unmistakable.”
It is probable that the grass in question is
the sume us the variety of which W. H. J.
wrote iu the Soutuern World of July 15th,
under the head of “Bermuda Grass Seed,”
and which be atUrmed to be the veritable
Bermuda. It is possible that W. II. J. has
both species growing together, if, indeed, he
has the genuine Bermuda. R.
Bermuda Urmia Seed.
Editor Southrrn World.—As there seems
to be a dispute as to Bermuda grass coming
from seed, I send you some choice heads
that you inay test the matter.
June was very dry and suited our cotton,
but injured early corn on hills and low
lands. July was wet in many localities and
the cotton grew fast and worms have ap
peared on many plantations, but have done
no damage yet. Should August be dry, we
anticipate a good yield of cotton—many
plantations now have a bale per acre in
sight. I find red clover does well on Red
river and hope I can make it a paying crop
in future. German millet is much sown
here, but the best lands can be soon ex
hausted by it. This has been a dear year
for planters. Com and meat can be grown
here, still the rule is to buy it Caddo.
Shreveport, La.
P. S. I send you a sprig of Bermuda—
this you may revive. Here it grows to per
fection and is easily destroyed in the fall.
After Bermuda, the ground works well in
any crop.
[The grass sent is the true Bermuda-
Cynodon Dactylon—with seed vessels appar
ently perfect (to ordinary observation) but
they contain no seed, and therefore, we cannot
make the experiment of sowing the seed as
suggested. It has not been denied that Ber
muda throws up seed stalks and that it
flowers, but we have not seen any seed per
fected in Georgia. It is possible that in the
Bermudas and West Indies it may produce
seed and that the imported seed might vege
tate in our climate. We have not yet the
proof. R],
A Pasture for twenty-live years, Winter
and Hammer.
Editor Southrrn World—Thirty years
ago I had the native “ crab-grass” to
die on clay land, a hot, dry summer, whilst
“orchard gross” remained green. It is said
this grass was first found in Virginia, taken
East, thence to England, across to France,
thence to the far-east, and considered, wher
ever tried, to be the best pasture grass, soon
est recuperating after a close bite, hard
weather, dry or cold, and among the earliest
to make spring growth, and has been known
us continuous in use, part of the time as
meadow and part as pasture, over thirty
years. With this recommendation, be there
a reader or his mother-in-law, who will pre
pare to receive and entertain so valuable a
friend ? No more doubt that a pasture or
meudow will pay a better interest on an ex
travagant outlay of $50 per acre, than will
the production of cotton, even on most fa
vored spots, cultivating and preparing for
market considered. If for meadow (liny) I
prefer Bermuda to any other grass I have
known, still orchard gross will pay as I say.
Whether a first-class pasture, or best hay is
considered, it is best to have a variety of
grasses, unless wanted for a livery or hotel
stable, (you understand livery or hotel sta
ble-keepers charge by the feed, of course it
is not very desirable to induce horses to eat
too much). Animals do better and eat more
if a variety, therefore 1 should mix the
grasses. Orchard gruss will form tussocks,
thus all the surface is not covered unless
thickly sown, and even then a variety will
give not only better, but more food, whilst
one grass will take its peculiar wants, anoth
er will do well and get its wants supplied,
whereas, if all are one kind, it would not be.
I propose one bushel of orchard, one of Herd's,
one half peck each, of blue and Tall upland
meadow oat gross. The latter was sent out
from Gen. Iverson’s oat grass about forty
years ago; some was sent me by Mr. I., and
'a boon it was, for the “Tall” was unknown
to me in Mississippi.
I advise the use of the best subsoil-plow,
two good mules, and run as deep os practi
cable, at least one foot upart, then best to
cross with same. Suppose it is five dollars an
acre, it is one working for ten or thirty
years. 1 believe one-fourth or one-half ton
of fresh cotton seed per ucre will be a good
outlay, sowed before the plow, then harrow
in with a heavy two-horse harrow or rake.
Sow the seed and brush in with a willow
brush with a weight applied to press the
limbs to the earth. All should be done be
fore the first frost in the fall. If a favorable
fall you can graze calves before Christmas
and certainly in March.
To have full pay whether as meadow or
posture, it will certainly pay to give a top
dressing every three or four years in the fall
of cottou seed or oil meal, and every five or
six years run u subsoil plow and follow by a
roller. We must prepare both pasture and
meadow, and he who does both earliest and
to the largest extent, will reap largest and
earliest reward.
One Who Comes to Stay.
Oata alter Oats.
Editor Southern Wootd.—In your issue
of the 15th of June, thero is an article with
the abo\ c caption, by a subscriber asking for
information in regard to planting “ Oats
after Oats." My experience is that there is
no risk to run in planting “oats after oats,"
for a succession of years. My plan has been
(I have planted the same piece of land in
oats for the last ten years) say plant the oats
in the fall, scattering over the land at the
samo time 25 to 50 bushels of green cotton
seed, and plow all in together, deep with a
two-horse plow or turning shovels. After
harvesting the oats, graze the land; after the
first rain or when the ground is in a suita
ble condition for plowing, lay off the land
in rows three feet apart, bed out and plant
the whippoorwill or speckle peas 1M or 2
feet apart in the water furrow, running an
extra furrow with a straight shovel in the
water furrow first—cover with two scooter
furrows, barrow off, the list. In the fall
pick what peas you need, graze the land
again, and when the time arrive to plant
oats, repeat with the same quantity of cot
ton seed. It would be better not to plant
the oats before the weather turns cold, for
fear the cotton seed might sprout and the
benefit of them be lost. I have not failed In
the last ten years to make fine crops of oats and
peas on the same piece of land—the same year.
The lund I have been planting in the mean
time has perceptibly improved and is what
In termed here table land of a reddish cast
and some of it sandy hill sides—been in
cultivation some 50 or CO years constantly.
Near Selma, Ala. R. Rurus Kino.
Cotton Planting In 1848 and 1888.
Editor Southern World—I send you the
enclosed relic of the past, a reminiscence of
the price of cotton and the result of over
production in 1848:
ACCOUNT SALES
of eight square bales cotton by Bustin &
Walker for account of Henry P. Jones.
8 bales to Henry F. Russell,
4G0 454 402 4G3
452 460 455 404—3,670 lbs. @ 4)$...$105.15
Charges—storage (2, sample $2, mend
ing 25 c '. 4.25
(160.00
Dear Sir—Above find account sales of
eight bales your cotton at i'A cents, being
best price we could obtain. The quality
middling and our market very depressed.
We quote extremes 4 to 5%, most sales \%
to 4%. The accounts from Liverpool to 21st
October, are very unfavorable. The cotton
market continues to decline.
Bustin & Walker.
Augusta, Georgia, November 8, 1848.
This was rot an extreme case; ordinary,
sandy or what would be called now dog-tail,
was slow of disposal at any price. These
classes met the derision of both commission
men and buyers. It was cotton of this type,
doubtless, that an Alabama planter, after a
days disgust with the market in Columbus,
backed his wagon to the river and dumping
his load into the Chattahoochee, went home
satisfied to feed his family and slaves on his
home-raised hog and hominy until such time
as the world might need his cotton.
Your correspondent was of sufficient age
to appreciate the results and depression
brought about by the over production of cot
ton during these several years—good crops
being the result of extensive Western soils
given too rapidly to the growth of this
plant. The cotton craze was as contagious
as an epidemic. Still food crops was made
by most planters, and there was no real want,
but real independence with a majority.
Those who were over-avaricious and all-cot
ton men did become embarrassed, sold out
and moved to Texas.
I was well acquainted with the man who
sold these eight bales of cotton and he
thought he was doing the best he could. He
had made8ome property in previous years
by feeding stock (cattle, hogs and sheep,) for
market. When the West opened up its
cheaper provision supply, his occupation
was deflected to planting more cotton. He
had tenantry, but declared that while they
could raise a little cheap cotton they could
not raise provisions.
At the present era, with the great staple
commanding prices three times as great as
during the years of depression, it would
seem that the change would have produced
wealth, competence and agricultural success.
But the question of plenty and cheap food
presses as heavily now as in 1848.
It is a sore burden to the freedmen of
lower Georgia as to the white residents of
the hills and mountains, where wheat and
grass and white men ought to associate com
fortably together. The parallel between
1848 and 1882 ought to suggest to us our path
of duty. W. B. Jones.
Utrndon, Georgia.
Carp Hexes,
Editor Southern World—Can you not get
some one posted in carp culture to give in
The World the differential points in the
sexes. It is a matter of great importance to
be able to distinguish between the male and
female at all seasons of the year. I have
been able to get nothing on that point in
any writing on the subject. Yours, etc.,
W. L. Moore.
Cyruslon, Tennessee.
Answer.—So far as we know or have heard
there is no means of distinguishing between
the sexes of carp (live fish) until shortly
before the time before spawning, when the
female may be readily known by the greater
fullness of the abdominal region. (In the
South the carp spawn at two yearsold.) On