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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