SOUTHERN PLANTER (1882) VOL. 45 1884 MISSING: NO. 2-3, 6-7, 9, 11 THE Southern Planter DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, LIVE STOCK AND THE Office, 26 Wilterson's Hall, Nint h Street. HOUSEHOLD. T. W. ORMOXD. W. C. KNrGHT, V- C. JACKSON, Proprietor. Editor. Advertising Agent. 43th Year. OCTOBER, ,88 4 . Prof. Page on Chess Seed Degeneration... Bermuda Grass. Wheat and Chess.... Good Yieidsof Wheat How to Foretell Weather'"".'. .'.' , Field Culture of Hops lop Dressing. Meadows .' Kape Harvesting Buckwheat". »"'.'". '.'.".' rarm Life • Wheat and its Culture.' '.'.'.'.'".'.. ll r l v f on of c, '« ar Tobacco";;;; agriculture ■ Cultivation of RmaCe ReviyiZ •' •••»"'" -jetter from Col. Harrison rn g "" ; "' fae World's Exposition ' C ° mm,88, °°er of Agriculture..".; No. pl to , , VU1 - ^larnso Hie World 's Exposition.... tor— Ppa/1,,,.*: ••• - ••••.. ... Wheat ,.'" c: „"■'" ° ^xposmo ^er-Production.. »eed of I mproved Seed' Wheat lees at the State Fair Editorial: rchardsand n- f o; ng . E&IT0RUL\,6fE S • Bee-Keeper's Convention at State F a i r . ... 477 ... 480 ... 482 .. 483 ... 484 .. 486 .. 487 .. 488 .. 490 ,. 492 ,, 493 . 494 . 496 . 498 . 500 . 501 . 503 505 506 509 512 614 517 522 .518-521 a Name ; New Ad- .524-529 Elckmoad : PURCHASING DRY GOODS by MAIL FOURQUREAN, Through the systematic workings of our Mail Order Department, shopping by mail is rendered easier, and is often more satisfactorily done than in person. The arti- cles ordered are selected by experts who have thorough knowledge of their business, and faithfully obey their letter of instruc- tions, or when left to their judgment, will display taste and skill in , choice of fabrics and trim- mings. Letters of inquiry QD IOC are promptly responded to, P [1 1 ll L ■ an(1 samples cheerful- ly s e n t on applica- ■ tion. Our stock is the largest and most complete in the South. Our. price strikingly low. We claim unequaled advantages in our TJN- DERWEAR DEPARTMENT, embracing as it does every arti- cle known in that line, and of GUARANTEED WORKMAN- SHIP, and possibly cheaper than can made at home. SILKS, VELVETS and BROCADES in beautiful designs and endless shadings. Specialties: BLACK SILKS and, MOURNING GOODS. Domestics of every description at the very lowest prices. Estimates given for Bridal Trousseaux, Traveling Outfits, School Girls' Infants' Wardrobes, and also Furnishings for rooms and houses. Transportation charges on any cash order amounting to $20, will be prepaid by us. 429 E, Broad and 206 N Fifth St , Richmond, Va. [aug tf ] TEMPLE & CO. Super- phosphate OF— LIME MANUFACTURED BY Atlantic and Virginia Fertilizing Co. WORKS AT RICHMOND, VA., AND ORIENT, L. I- One of the oldest and best of the high-grade brands of the country. Each year adds to its popularity and proves it to be without a superior, and as we have never sold a ton not manufactured by ourselves, we can vouch for its standard being always maintained. Send for Circular, and see what some of the best farmers in Virginia, lennessee and North Carolina say of it on wheat and grasses. We can also furnish, on best terms and of best quality, Dissolved Spjit' * -u-olina Phos- phate, Sulphate of Ammonia and Pure Ground Pish Scrap, of our manufacture ; also Nitrate of Soda (of our own importation), Plaster, &c, &c. CONSULT YOUR INTEREST AND COMMUNICATE WITH US BEFORE BUYING ELSEWHERE! Address WW. G. CRENSHAW, or S. D. CRENSHAW, Sec't'y. Offices, 6 and 7 Crenshaw's Warehouse, Richmond, Va. ■ All orders and communications will receive prompt attention. au3t ■THE- SOUTHERN PLANTER. DEVOTED TO Agriculture, Horticulture, Live Stock and the Household. Agriculture is the nursing mother of the Arts. — Xenophon. Tillage and pasturage are the two breasts of the State. — Sully. T. W. ORMOND, - - - - Proprietor. W. C. KNIGHT, Editor. 45th Year. RICHMOND, OCTOBER, 1884. No. 10. PROF. PAGE ON CHESS. Mr. Editor, — "Without the slightest intention to enter into the con- troversy, " Whether Wheat Degenerates into ' Cheat' or 'Chess,'" I beg leave to state, in the interest of scientific truth, the following facts : Professor Asa Gray, who is acknowledged to be one of the ablest botanists in this or any other country, calls cheat or chess, " Bromus," and puts it in the " Grass Family," "Sub Tribe," 2d. Agrostidoe," species 37th, "Bromus or Brome Grass," of which he describes three varieties as follows : 1st. Bromus Secalinus [cheat or chess]. — Coarse grass common in grain fields and barren and waste grounds. 2d. Bromus Racemosus [upright chess]. — Found in the same places. 3d. Bromus Nollis [soft chess], — Found in the same places under similar circumstances. AH of these are coarse grasses, annuals or biennials, and have been introduced from abroad. (See Gray's Manual of Botany, page 566.) The late Dr. "William Darlington, than whom there is no better au- thority in this country, says, in his work on "American Weeds and Useful Plants," that the two varieties most commonly found in our wheat fields are "Bromus Secalinus " [cheat or chess] and "Bromus 478 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October Racemosus" [upright chess]. After giving the botanical description of the plants, he says : " This foreigner is a well known pest among our crops of wheat and rye, and occasionally appears in the same fields for a year or two after the grain crop, but, being an annual, it is soon choked out by the perennial grasses, and the fallen seeds remain like myriads of others until the ground is again broken up or put in a fa- vorable state for their development. The best preventive of this and all similar evils in the grain field is to sow none but good, clean seed. Among the curious, vulgar errors which infest the minds of credulous and careless observers of natural phenomena may be mentioned the firm belief of many of our farmers \_some of them, too, good practical farmers'] that this troublesome grass is nothing more than an accidental variety or casual form of degenerate wheat, produced by some untoward condition of soil, or unpropitious season, or some organic injury, though it must be admitted, I think, by the most inveterate dejender of that faith that in undergoing the metamorphosis the plant is surprisingly uniform in its vagaries, in always assuming the exact structure and character of Bromus." [Italics mine.] "A similar hallucination has long prevailed among the peasantry of Europe in relation to this supposed change of character in the grasses. But in the Old "World they were even more extravagant than with us, for they believed that wheat underwent sundry transmutations ; first, changing to rye, then to barley, then to bromus, and finally from bro- mus to oats. I believe the most credulous of our countrymen have not been able yet to come up with their Trans-Atlantic brethren in this matter. This grass has been cultivated within a few years [1860] as " Willard's Bromus," and the seed sold at a high price. The farmers found that they not only did not get a valuable grass, but were really propagating a worthless and pernicious weed, being thus doubly cheated." These are the words of William Darlington, M. D. — [Work Ameri- can Weeds and Useful Plants, second edition, page 386.] And such is my reverence and respect for his opinion on such subjects that I would not say a word more except that the position I occupy demands that I should. Briefly, then, I would say, that I knew my brother, the late Col. Powhatan R. Page, to dibble in adjoining rows tail-end wheat, cheat and inferior oats, and that each came true to its kind, and I have carefully analyzed all the above varieties of Bromus taken from the wheat field and out of the wheat field where no wbeat was ever planted, and I have always found each variety botanically true. Flint, in his work on Grasses and Forage Plants, says: "Notbing more clearly illustrates the want of accurate knowledge of subjects intimately con- 1884.] SOUTHERN PLANTER. 479 nected with agriculture and immediately affecting the farmer's interests thau the history of the introduction and propagation of this worthless pest to our grain fields." "I have examined it with care with strong magnifying glasses, and, to avoid the possibility of mistake, submitted specimens of it to Professor Asa Gray, of Cambridge, and to Professor Dewey, of Rochester, both of whom, after examination, pronounced it genuine chess or cheat." This was said of Bromus Secalinus or Wil- lard's Bromus. Note the fact that such distinguished botanists as Gray, Dewey and Flint ignore entirely the idea of transmutation from wheat and oats to Bromus, and Darlington mentions it simply to correct a traditional error of inaccurate observation. If it can be truly shown that such transmutation ever takes place, it will go farther to establish the "Darwinian Hypothesis" of the " Origin of Species" than anything yet made known. But, think you, that 6uch a natural phenomenon would have escaped the grasp of the gigan- tic mind and world-wide observation of Charles Darwin, of whose thirst for knowledge on such subjects it might well be said, as Pollok said of Byrou, He — " Drank from old and fabulous wells, And plucked the vine that first born prophets plucked, And mused on famous tombs, and on the wave Of ocean mused, and on the desert waste, The heavens and earth of every country saw, Where'er the old inspiring Genii dwelt, Aught that could rouse, expand, refine the soul, Thither he went and meditated there; Drank every cup of joy, heard every trump Of fame, drank early, deeply drank, drank draughts That common millions might have quenched; Then died of thirst because there was no more to drink." In the foregoing article I make no positive denial of the possibility of the transmutation of wheat into cheat or oats into cheat. I only state what is known and believed by the most eminent botanists in this country, and in doing so, I throw the burden of proof upon those who affirm that such transmutation takes place. Let them prove it by such a series of experiments and observations as will stand the scrutiny of men trained in scientific methods of research. Very respectfully, &c, Jno. R. Page. University of Virginia. [We fear that the readers of The Planter are tired out with the question of the origin of chess, but we are glad to get Dr. Page's communication, as his position entitles him to speak on the subject. Whilst he appears to take sides with the scientists, as we think it natural he should do, yet we must say that nothing he has quoted from learned bot- anists has weakened our faith in the theory of degeneration. As we have before said, we have the greatest respect for science, which has done, and is still doing, so much for 480 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October the advancement of the business, happiness and wealth of mankind, but the scientists have their vagaries and even superstitious errors, which are not less absurd than that they denounce as such in respect to the question now in hand. We might mention the matter of lunar influences on the tides and on the weather of the earth's surface, to say nothing of crops that are to be planted, for success, in given lunar periods. Even our lexicography is, to some extent, based on a similar superstition, for the word lunacy is defined by Webster thus : u Luna, the moon, strictly the condition of an insane person who has lucid intervals, which formerly were supposed to depend on the phases of the moon." When scientists look deeper into this chess question they will know more about it. We cannot admit that a large majority of intelligent and observant farmers are wrong and they are right. The degenerated chess plant is, doubtless, correctly classified under the genus Bromus by the botanist, but this does not answer the enquiry as to the origin of this species of the genus. Species are ever multiplying by cross-impregnation, and how is it logical to say that there can be no degeneration? Read carefully the state- ments made by intelligent farmers on pages 415-16 of the August number of the Planter, and let the scientists say how they can be accounted for. — Ed. S. P.] SEED DEGENERATION. Editor Southern Planter : Bear Sir, — I feel like apologizing for writing on a subject which many of our prominent agricultural papers have refused to re- open, and do so only that facts may be put before your readers which may have never occurred to them. In your August issue you suggest that the oat seed may, or does, degenerate into cheat. I ask, in the cases brought forward as evidence of this fact, whether the cheat seed grew on an oat plant or a cheat plant, as it is important? For I can testify to the fact of cheat seed growing on a cheat plant, but I never saw one growing on an oat plant. As the two plants are so very different, they are easily distin- guished from each other as soon as the blade appears and long before the seed stalk appears. One peculiarity, my impression is, being that cheat never stools; but oats rarely fail to do so, even on poor ground. Mr. Pollard says, in the September issue, that Fall-seeded oats showed cheat, but not Spring-seeded. Two reasons can be assigned for this: First, Cheat, like wheat, requires Fall seeding to come to maturity; and again, the Fall-seeded oats may have been Winter killed so badly as to show more plainly the cheat, which I hold must have been seeded with the oats. He says again, near the barn the fowls depredated on the oats, and nearly all was cheat. This ca^e, a9 with cases of cheat-growing round stacks, may be readily accounted for by the fact that fowls and birds will not eat the cheat seed or plant, but will eat the oats and oat plant; thus the latter was eaten and the 1884.] SOUTHERN PLANTER. 481 former left to mature. He further says, he does not think cheat will germinate. Let Mr. Pollard gather the cheat seed when wheat is harvested and plant at the same time wheat is seeded, and I think he will reap at the next wheat harvest what he sowed in the seed time. I purchased thirty bushels Fultz wheat from Pennsylvania, and when it arrived found so much cheat seed in it that I concluded not to sow it; but it was so late in the season I was unable to get more and sowed it. The crop following was so full of cheat that I would not use the wheat again for seed ; and that field still has cheat on it. A portion of this article will answer Mr. Pettit. If we admit that wheat and oats will degenerate into cheat, where are we to stop ? for a friend recently told me that he seeded a portion of his low grounds on James river to timothy by itself, and the next season he found that it had nearly all turned to cheat. I told him to wait another year and it would all turn back again, and so it did, and made a fine timothy meadow, but only because the timothy was pe- rennial, and the cheat being an annual was choked out. Another farmer reported his seeding of Orchard grass as having turned to cheat, but, for reasons above stated, it turned back again the following season. But unless care is taken the oat or wheat crop planted on that land in future will, in favorable seasons for cheat and unfavorable for wheat or oats, turn to cheat, for the seed is in the land waiting for its turn. Again, if cheat grows on wheat and oat plants, and also on its own stem, there must be two varieties of cheat. But I think, on a proper examination of the subject by every farmer who has a cheat experience, the peculiarities of the case can be clearly reasoned out, and he will find his seed wheat or oats had cheat seed amongst them, or he had a previous cheat experience, and the seed had never become eradicated from the land. Our imaginations can hardly stand the stretch of believing that the poor, forlorn little cheat seed, which neither chickens nor cattle will eat (either seed or plant), if they can get anything else, has the power of transforming itself promiscu- ously into wheat, oats, timothy, Orchard grass, or any other plant, either as plant and seed, or plant alone or seed alone, and that if such was the case, that we had better "hang up shovel and hoe" and em- bark in a profession where chance has no hold to cheat us out of reap- ing at harvest what we have sowed in the seed time. Yours, &c. W. Gordon Merrick. [That plant3 and seeds will degenerate is not a questionable fact. Wheat and oats have an apt tendency to degeneration. This is marked as well by the grain as the 482 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October physical structure of the stalk and blades. Whether these changes extend to transmu- tation is the real question. Our opinion, before expressed and still entertained, is, that there are causes existing in nature, not understood, which favor and produce changes in plants of one class into something of a like class, either better or worse, and nearly always the latter. Upon this principle the flora of the world is vastly multiplied, so that with a given genus the skill of the botanist is taxed to fix and discriminate between species. Fruits and grains have a similar tendency, and the work of the scientist is to ascertain causes, and so control and direct them as to prevent degeneration and ad- vance the improvement of products. We have not the time or the inclination, now, to enter into an argument with our correspondent on this subject, as our pages now, and for several issues past, contain so much of the views of others. We will say, however, in reply to the last paragraph of his communication, that there is a falacy in the idea, or suggestion, that chess will ever turn back to wheat or oats from which it may have degenerated. The tendency of all things in nature is downwards and never upwards. Man, uninfluenced by the laws of civilized life, reverts to barbarism. All the products of the earth are best utilized when restrained and directed by proper culture. What reply can be made to the several articles printed in the Planter more than thirty years ago, and reproduced in our issue for August last, pp. 415-16? These are direct experiences, and cannot be gotten over except on the belief that the authors are un- truthful.— Ed. S. P.] BERMUDA GRASS. JEditor Southern Planter : In reply to " Enquirer's " letter in your last issue, I do not believe that '•' Bermuda" grass will stand the "Winters of Virginia. This grass (about which there seems to be some ignorance and doubt in this country) is not a native of Bermuda, but was introduced there from the East Indies. From Bermuda it was first brought to the Southern States some ten years ago. It is the Cynodon Dactylon (Linn.), and in India is known as Durbha or Doab grass. In Australia, where it is largely grown on race-courses, cricket grounds, etc., it is called " Couch " grass. It forms a handsome, carpety turf, and is of a pecu- liar bright pea-green color when growing, its blades somewhat re- sembling the well known Thrift or Sea Pink (Stalice Armeria). In dry weather it turns brown, and in cold weather dies off completely. It seeds freely. The seed is small, round, and of a greyish-brown color, weighing forty pounds to the measured bushel. That offered in this country is generally imported from Sydney, N. S. W. I think it would be of little value for preventing washes, or for any other pur- pose in this country north of Savannah, Ga., as our Summer droughts and Winter frosts would kill it. It would have to be treated as an annual. It has been often confounded with two totally different species of grasses, which are also called Couch. One of these, called in England 1884.] SOUTHERN PLANTER. 483 " Twitch," or "Couch," is Triticum Repens, a wild wheat, with fleshy stolons, and a great pest to the farmer, as it cannot be eradicated ex- cept by burning. This would be valuable for stopping washes, &c, on river banks, as its roots form a dense mat. Another grass, called Couch, is the "Dog Bent," or "Wire grass" (Agrostis Canina), also a great pest in some parts of this State ; is similar in its properties to the Triticum, and could also be employed on banks, etc.; is propa- gated best by roots. Cynodon Dactylon seed can be purchased for about two dollars per pound ; Triticum Repens, for about one dollar per pound, and Agrostis Canina roots for planting at one dollar per bag. They can be supplied by Mr. T. W. Wood, seedsman, of this city. W. G. W. Richmond, Va., August 16th, 1884. REPLY TO MR. CARPENTER ABOUT VIRGINIA LANDS. Editor Southern Planter : In your editorial suggestions, on page 467, to Mr. Carpenter, you omit one most essential matter, and that is the careful study and pe- rusal of a Southern agricultural journal as a means of acquiring gump- tion. I presume that Mr. C. is an Ohioan and familiar onl} with Ohio farming ideas. These serve for that State, but are in particular un- suitable for Eastern Virginia. General principles apply alike to all sections, but they are so often modified by the changed conditions of soil and climate in various localities as to compel radical differences in the handling of crops and soil. In no way, in my judgment, can an immigrant better realize the difference between Virginia and bis na- tive Northern State, and acquire the knowledge requisite to accommo- date his practice successfully to overcoming the difficulties necessarily arising through these differences than to study the teachings of a well- edited Virginia farming magazine. An Ohioan myself, my advice to Mr. C. is to subscribe for the Southern Planter back to July, 1882, the time it took its present form; farther back would be all the better; and study the articles therein of Dr. Pollard, Dr. Ellzey and other able writers, who are, by long practice and experience, thoroughly conver- sant with the needs and capacities of Virginia soils and means of their improvement. I would specially commend, in addition, the recent letters of General Wickham on sheep, and that of Mr. Stacy on wheat fertilizers, page 465. No Ohio farmer can easily go amiss who clings to sheep as indicated by General Wickham, and who ties to clover as laid down by Mr. Stacy. Such valuable guides as these to success, I believe, cannot be had by any new-comer outside of the Southern 484 SOUTHERN" PLANTER. [October Planter. There is enough agricultural gospel in the articles of these clear-headed farmers to save any Yankee from that ruin which seems to follow the usual course of trying to make Virginia soils and climate conform to Northern modes. In a former article I stated that the Northern man, in order to succeed in the South, must, as a rule, adopt Southern ways. The best way is that of broadly successful, level headed men, such as I have named above. If there be a better plan to ascertain their modes and to get true Virginia farming wisdom than by reading the Southern Planter back to July, 1882, 1 am not aware of it. If I were, I should warmly commend it to all new-comers. Inasmuch as I was reared on an Ohio sheep farm, and am most fa- vorably inclined to sheep as the principal stock of a farm, my prefer- ences for land in Virginia run naturally to those counties which per- mit their permanent growth. All the foot-hills of the Blue Ridge west of the line drawn from here to Danville are the best of grazing lands for sheep, and Mr. C. should give them a careful observation before locating in the flat counties. But no matter where he pitches his tent he should pin his faith and his practice to the teachings of Ellzey, Pollard, Wickham, Stacy and other able correspondents of the Planter. Washington, D. 0., September 1st, 1884. R. S. Lacet. A VISIT TO NAG'S HEAD. During the sultry season when the farmer has little else to do but to let nature take care of the maturing crops, a trip to the sea-shore is about the best thing he can do to get cool and enjoy himself generally. And Nag's Head is just the place for such a recreation. It is situated, as you know, about mid-way on that long stretch of sand beach be- tween the ocean and the North Carolina Sounds, and is a part of Dare county. One of the finest railroads in the country connects Norfolk with Elizabeth City, a quaint old North Carolina town of four thou- sand inhabitants, quietly reposing under the shade of willow-oaks, elms and cypress, on the banks of the Pasquotank river. The cars run along-side the wharf, and the fine steamer Shenandoah takes you down the river into the broad waters of Albemarle Sound and lands you at Nag's Head Pier. " Before the war," as we say now when we wish to bring to mind the scenes of other days, Nag's Head was to the North Carolinians what Joe Segar's "Hygeia" was to the Virginians of the past genera- tion. It is still the favorite resort of the sons and daughters of Tar- boro', Edenton, Plymouth, Elizabeth City; and the tobacco-growing regions about Henderson and Greensborough, and.the cotton fields of distant Mecklenburg send their brave sons and fair daughters here to 1884.] SOUTHERN" PLANTER. 485 enjoy the ocean and the wild waves. Our experience leads us to ven- ture the opinion that a more agreeable resort for its size cannot be found along the Atlantic Coast for bathing, hunting and enjoying one's self with rational satisfaction. Among the sand hills in the neighborhood of the hotel, reside a cu- rious population, known thereabouts as "Bankers." They are what would be called on the Florida coast " Wreckers." Their ordinary occupation is fishing and hunting the wild fowl of the waters of the Sound. Their cottages are surrounded by small patches of sandy loam, yielding them their^supply of vegetables and corn. These people are remarkable for their honesty rnd simplicity of character. In plain view from the hotel is Roanoke Island, where the first Eng- lish Colony in the New "World was planted in 1584 under the auspices, if not under the personal direction, of the celebrated Sir Walter Raleigh, after whom, as a perpetual historical memorial of the event, the capital of the State was named. The island is nearly as large as Nantucket, and much better cultivated. It has a thrifty agricultural and fishing population of nearly two thousand. On the western side of the island are the remains of the fortifications so gallantly defended by the Richmond Blues when Burnside's Expedition was landed there in 1862. It was here that the Captain of the Blues, the brilliant and lamented 0. Jennings Wise, was killed, with many of bis brave men. The principal productions of Bare county, besides alligators, snakes and musquitoes, are corn, wheat, cotton, peanuts, fruits and vegetables in abundance. The people are healthy, robust and cheerful, marked by practical good sense and abounding in hospitality. If you have never ventured among them, Mr. Editor, I would advise you next year to solace your labors by a visit in person to the farmers of this highly- favored region of the Old North State, enjoy the cooling breezes of the shore, and take a drive about Roanoke Island with Captain Brink- ley, who will take pleasure in telling you what he knows about farming and fishing. From the broad piazzas of the hotel you have a magnificent view of the Ocean on the east side, and of the Sound on the west. This is the only resort on the Atlantic Coast where the sun rises and sets in salt water. Steamers from Elizabeth City, Edenton and New Berne touch at the hotel pier every day. If you are fond of "wantoning with the breakers," the sea-girt shore wooes you to its enlivening em- braces, and if you prefer the more quiet enjoyment of bathing in placid water, you can take a dip in the Sound with nothing more for- midable to disturb you than the crabs nibbling at your toes. H. 486 SOUTHERN" PLANTER. [October WHEAT AND CHESS. Editor Southern Planter, — I differ in conclusion from Mr. Langstaff, p. 407, August issue of Southern Planter, thOugb my experience witb wbeat and chess has been similar to his. There is a deal of truth in the ancient maxim that nature abhors a vacuum, and we see it nowhere more strongly exemplified than in her covering waste places with vege- tation. "When wheat is killed out by frost, some useful plant, or weed, will surely spring up. One year it may be chess, another year rag weed; in one instance coming under my observation a most luxuriant crop of poke, or wild hellebore, took entire possession, and so on throughout the category of vegetation. The earth is literally full of seed germs, which await only the proper conditions of heat, moisture, etc., to spring into life, and I would as soon attribute the growth of one species in transmutation as a sequence of the accidental absence of wheat as the other. "When hard wood is cut off the land up here in my part of Virginia, and after being worked a few years is then thrown out, field pine follows, and it in turn will be followed by hard wood. As a rule, after pine has occupied a tract long enough for the soil to recuperate, and is then removed, all kinds of hard wood spring up. In the Rocky Mountains, where the pine is removed either by fire or the miner, harder woods soon occupy the ground. In one place I saw a new growth of aspen literally cover a whole mountain side clear up to timber line — the line at which timber of any kind ceases to grow — inside often years after the original growth of pine was cut and burned down, yet no other denuded mountain in that locality threw up aspen. It appeared that each range or canon had its own particular species. Little trouble is experienced in Iowa in securing wood lots. Breaking and working the prairie sod for a few years fits the soil for profuse spontaneous growths of all kinds of hard woods. Mr. Lawes, in England, experimented with fertilizers upon a lawn known not to have been broken or plowed within four hundred years, and found that each one induced growths of grasses, differing, not only from the others, but from the permanent grass of the sward; in some instances differing from any known grass of the locality. A division of Federal soldiers occupied my farm in 1865, and from all their nu- merous sink holes, poke subsequently grew in rankest profusion, but nowhere else on the farm. It has of late, however, wholly disappeared. I found in Jefferson County, East Tennessee, that the soil taken from cellars or wells possessed surprisingly strong fertilizing qualities where- ever applied to the surface, being followed by poke or other weeds, which demand strong, fresh soils. I speak of these matters simply to show the profusion of nature — the why she exhibits it or preserves the 1384. J SOUTHERN PLANTER. 487 vitality of seeds is not essential to our argument. When we grant that she has literally filled the earth with her germs, which grow whenever some particular conditions of climate or circumstance obtain, it does seem to me that we are not forced into assuming transmutation in or- der to account for the presence of cheat on a frosted patch in a wheat field. Did she always throw up cheat on these spots, as she does rag weed on the unfrosted places after the wheat is taken off, we might ap- ply transmutation thereto. In my experience cheat is not by any means a sequence of a Winter's heaving, and, in my opinion, it demands cer- tain conditions precedent precisely as does poke, field pine, hard wood, tropical or arctic growths. The fact that cheat may not have ever been seen in any particular field, and then unexpectedly appears in a frosted wheat spot, proves absolutely nothing. The frosting is the natural condition or requisite precedent to the appearance of the cheat, just as the application of special fertilizers by Lawes induced the growth of grasses foreign not only to the lawn, but to the country itself. Kill the wheat and some other plant will occupy its place. It may be cheat ; oftener it will be ragweed. Transmutation seems wholly unnecessary, for nature's law is that the fittest shall survive, and cheat is certainly more tenacious of life than wheat. On the site of an old barn on my father's farm cheat was perennial, and crowded out all other grasses for years. The vitality of seeds covers an inexplicable problem to me. No matter what changes occur to the soil or in climate, nature is ever ready with old, or with wholly distinct and unknown varieties and spe- cies of vegetation to occupy it. How much or how little of the root from which the tree may sprout in future years, or ages even, is essen- tial to be preserved under nature's law, is unknown to me. I realize simply that no waste place will be permitted, and that too without the intervention of transmutation. R. S. Lacet. GOOD YIELDS OF WHEAT. Southern Planter, — Enclosed please find check for $2.50. Sorry I have not paid you before, but it was not because I did not appreciate your paper. I consider every Virginia farmer ought to have it. We had a fine wheat crop this year. I had a field of twenty-two and a half acres that made 690 bushels, and made from two acres measured by wheat drill forty-two to the acre, eighty-four from the two acres — many farmers making twenty-six and twenty-eight. One lady, Mrs. James S. Gilliam, made forty-six to the acre from three acres. One farmer, Mr. W. A. Hudnall, made over 400 bushels from ten acres. Yours respectfully, II. H. Blackwell. Wieomieo Church, Va., July 28th, 1884. 488 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October HOW TO FORETELL WEATHER. Mr. Editor, — In your August number of the Planter an article with the above caption was read with much interest. It is proposed to ex- plain for the benefit of "country members" the different clouds as understood by meteorologists. The following varieties and sub-varie- ties are recognized, viz. : 1. Cirrus. This is the most elevated of all the forms of clouds; is thin, long drawn, sometimes looking like carded wool or hair, sometimes like a brush or broom, sometimes in curl-like or fleece-like patches. It is the " cat's tail." 2. Cumerlus. This form is somewhat elevated, and appears in large masses of a hem- ispherical form, or nearly so, above, but flat below, one often piled above another, forming great clouds, common in Summer, and pre- senting the appearance of gigantic mountains crowned with snow. This cloud often aflbrds rain and thunder gusts. 3. Stratus. This form is moderately high, and appears in layers or bands, extending horizontally. 4. Nimbus. This form is moderately high, and is char- acterized by its uniform grey tint and ragged edges ; it covers the sky in seasons of continued rain, as in easterly storms, and is the proper rain cloud. The name is sometimes used respecting a rainy cumulus or cumulo-stratus. 5. Cirro-Qumulus. Very high, and consisting like cirrus of thin, broken, fleece-like cloud, but the parts are more or less rounded and regularly grouped. It is properly called "mackerel sky." 6. Cirrc- Stratus. High, and having the patches of cirrus, coalescing into long strata, between cirrus and stratus. 7. Cumulo- Stratus. A form of cloud between cumulus and stratus, often assuming at the horizon a black or bluish tint. Eog is a cloud motionless, or nearly so, lying near or in contact with the surface of the earth, and storm-sand is cloud lying quite low, without form, and driven rapidly with the wind (west). So much for the classification of clouds. If one could read the signs, each day foretells the next; to-day is the progenitor of to-morrow. When the atmosphere is telescopic, and distant objects stand out unusually clear and distinct, a storm is near. We are on the crest of the wave, and the depression follows quick. It sometimes happens that clouds are not so indicative of a storm, as their total absence. In this state of the atmosphere the stars are unusually numerous and bright at night, which is also a bad omen. It appears that the transparency of the air is prodigiously increased when a cer- tain quantity of water is uniformly diffused through it." "Moun- taineers predict a change of weather when, the air being calm, the Alps covered with perpetual snow, seem on a sudden to be nearer the observer, 1884.J SOUTHERN" PLANTER. 489 and their outlines are marked with great distinctness on the azure sky." This same condition of the atmosphere renders distant sounds more audible. There is one redness of the East in the morning that means storm, another that indicates wind. The first is broad, deep and angry; the clouds look like an immense bed of burning coals; the second is softer and more vapory. At the point where the sun is going to rise, and in a few minutes in advance of his coming, there rises straight upwards a rosy column, like a shaft of dyed vapor, blending with, and yet partly separated from the clouds, and the base of which presently comes to glow like the sun himself. The day that follows is pretty sure to be windy. It is uncertain to what extent birds and animals can foretell the weather. When swallows are seen hawking very high, it is a good in- dication, because the insects upon which they feed venture up there only in the most auspicious weather. People live in the country all their lives without making one accurate observation about nature. The good observer of nature holds his eye long and firmly to the point, and finally gets the facts, not only because he has patience, but because his eye is sharp and his inference swift. There are m^ny signs, the result of hasty and incomplete observations, such as for instance the way the milky way point3 at night indicates the direction of the wind the next day; so also every new moon is either a dry or a wet one. There are many other stories about the moon too numerous to mention. Again, when a farmer kills his hogs in the Fall, if the pork be very hard and solid he predicts a severe Winter, if soft and loose, the opposite, overlooking the fact that the kind of food and the temperature of the Fall make the pork hard or make it soft. Numerous other instances could be cited to prove that the would-be-shrewd farmer does not interpret nature in the right way, and that his conclusions being hasty and incomplete, are wrong, and until he studies nature understanding^, using a little common sense, so long will he be more or less under the ban of superstition and ig- norance. M. Manuring with Clover. — Almost any one who has not thought of the matter will be surprised at the quantity of broken clover leaves, stetQ3 and blossoms that will be left on a field after the hay is cleared off. This is excellent but expensive manure, and it3 amount is greatly enhanced if the clover has been wet and has had to be handled fre- quently in curing. In a heavy rain much of the value of clover hay is washed out and goes to fertilize the soil. 490 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October FIELD CULTURE OF HOPS. It is much to be regretted tbat this valuable product is increasingly perverted, year by year, from the manufacture of bread to tbat of beer. The adulteration of baking powders with alum, ammonia and other injurious substance threatens ultimately to cause the total disappear- ance of wholesome stale bread from this country, and those who have been in Europe will recall with regret the almost universally prevalent hopraised bread of the Continent. Hops succeed well on any soil suitable to Indian corn, yielding best like that plant, on a rich, mellow, dry loam of alluvial origin. It is scarcely worth while to attempt their cultivation on sterile or wet soils. They require deep and thorough plowing — first in the fall, then again in the spring just before planting, the plow to be followed by the har- row until a root-bed is prepared as fine as a garden. Owing to the great width apart at which the furrows are laid off, as for watermelons, manuring in the hill is practicable and advisable; and I have found well rotted chip dirt an excellent dressing for hops. The ground having been thoroughly pulverized, the marking off may be done with a two-runnered sled, the driver riding on it to insure a sufficient depth to the mark. If the furrowing is done with a plow, it is well to lay off a land with stakes wide enougli to contain four, six or eight furrows — some even number — then furrowing to stakes, split- ting the land each time across in the middle until the furrows approach each other as closely as desired. It is easier to make straight furrows this way than to work without stakes. When the driver has a furrow on only one side of him, he is less likely to do good work than when heis " splitting out the middle" between two which are equi-distant. The furrow should be about eight feet apart, and, if possible, running east and west and north and south. If manured in the hill, a shovel- ful is deposited in each cross. The roots, consisting of pieces with two or three joints each cut from old hills, are dropped at each cross, three in a place. The chip- dirt may be thrown from a wagon directly on the roots, covering them to a depth of two inches; or it may be deposited previously, and the roots dropped beside it and covered with a hoe. As the hop is dioecious, it requires the planting of a certain propor- tion of male roots — say one hill in a square of ten or twelve. To in- sure accuracy on the part of the droppers, it is nest to take every twelfth row, and at every twelfth hill thereon drive a small stake or in some other way make it conspicuous before u f planting commences: these twelfth hills are for the male roots. These male roots are essential to the securing of the best results, as they promote a greater secretion of the valuable characteristic principle of the hop, the lupuline. The first year the plantation is not expected to produce anything. The vines will trail over the ground, but they must be kept out of the way sufficiently to allow of careful cultivation with the shovel plow or cultivator between hills, and with the hoe closely around them where the roots lie near the surface. In autumn it is well to gather the vines 1884.] SOUTHERN" PLANTER. 491 together in a buuch on each hill as a mulch. I never knew moles or meadow mice to molest the roots. Poles must be planted the second year, two to each hill, one on each side, 18 inches apart, meeting and bound together at the top. If planted east and west, the two will brace each other against the most prevalent winds. In this section iron-wood furnishes the best and cheapest poles. In the rich, moist soil of northern slopes among the river hills, this tree will be found growing in vast numbers, tall and straight. This is especially the case where the undergrowth had been grubbed out and the forest trees left. After one cutting of poles has been taken off another set will spring up and reach sufficient size by the time the first wears out — if they are properly housed in winter. The ordinary crow-bar is heavier than necessary for use in setting poles. The upper three feet of the imple- ment may be of gas-pipe, welded below to a prod suitable for the pur- pose. In a new plantation, all the vines should be encouraged to grow, and be assisted by being tied to the poles if necessary. The tying ought to be lightly done with ravelings from old gunny sacks or hop- baling, or with common grocery twine; the two ends of the strings being simply twisted between the thumb and finger until they will kink down loosely. Thorough cultivation is continued throughout the season. Of the various methods of harvesting, I consider the Bavarian the best; in this system the vines are cut close to the ground at maturity and left on the poles until the strobiles or hops ripen. At any rate, any one who has ever quaffed beer from one of the tall stone mugs of the old Hofbrauhaus of Munich will not hesitate to accord superiority to it. It is important to harvest the hops before the frost touches the vines, and also before fall winds and rains set in, as these agitate the catkins and cause a considerable loss of the rich yellow powder or lupuline, which constitutes the chief element of value. If the vines are cut up before the poles; are drawn, it preveuts laceration of the roots. It is well to have a large dry goods box of a height adapted to the size of the pickers — boys or men — with a flap of a gunny cloth stretched across the top leaving an opening at one side through which the hops can be dropped into the box. This guuny cloth prevents leaves and dirt from falling into box, so permitting the poles and vines to be laid across the top of it for the convenience of the pickers. From the box, the hops are crammed into sacks or bales for the kiln. A good size for the sack is five feet in length, by half that width. The hops should be pressed in loose, to prevent heathing and spoiling. No beginner in the business should try more than an acre of hops- the first year, and he may find difficulty in finding help to pick even this amount, unless he lives close to a town or village. — S. P., Wash- ington County, 0., Country Gentleman. For some time after new potatoes come into market the old will, if well kept, be superior in quality, if not in price. ISTew potatoes are watery arid lack the starch essential in mixing with flour for bread. 492 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October TOP DRESSING MEADOWS. Few American farmers know what a perfect meadow is. We do not give the requisite preparation of the ground ; the adequate amount of seed, the proper quantity of manure, or the right varieties of grass to make a permanent and profitable meadow. The English farmers un- derstand this business well and practice it liberally; consequently American travellers noting the deep verdure and luxuriant herbage of an English meadow, are astonished at the difference between it and an American field, and suppose there are insuperable obstacles in the soil and the climate, to which are owing the brown and bare appearance of our grass lands. But the English farmers frequently spend more than the whole value of an American farm in laying down one of their fields to grass, and they have a common proverb among them that " it breaks a man to make a pasture." But they acknowledge that the soil returns all favors of the kind granted to it by also believing that " it makes a man to break a pasture." Until we have these ideas in regard to meadows we shall continue to have the poor apologies for them which are so common, and which are better fitted to plow under for a corn crop than for any other use, and yet the greatest need of our agriculture is permanent grass lands, and such meadows as will yield four or five tons of hay per acre or fatten one bullock to the acre. It is a mistake to think that our climate for- bids it. There are some few fields of this kind that have been made, and thousands that have made themselves by an indigenous growth of the famous blue grass of Kentucky, and where one attempt succeeds others may. These considerations are timely just now when the hay has been cut and taken in, and the meadow is left without protection from the heat and drought and without food to make up for the ex- haustion of the crop which has been taken off. Our grass seedings are make-shifts and merely incidents in a short rotation, in which the sod is plowed under to begin a new course, and in this case its value is no more than that which has been given to it in its preparation. We cannot get something from nothing, and if we want a grass field to last 40 or 50 years we must lay out in its preparation more work and value than for one which is exhausted in three days. It takes time, however, to realize all our hopes and desires in this direction, but much may be done by caring for such grass as we have in a better manner than is usual. And we may profitably make a beginning by top dressing the meadows now, to enable them to make a quick recovery from the cutting and to strengthen the roots against the Winter. — New York Weekly Times. Drought in India — American farmers will be interested in knowing that they need fear no competition from India in the wheat markets of Europe, for a twelve month at least. The drought that has prevailed in India is likely to make this one of the famine years, when food mast be imported rather than exported. 1884.] SOUTHERN PLANTER. 493 WHAT BECOMES OF FERTILIZERS WHEN APPLIED TO THE SOIL? A NEW THEORY. I once believed that guano on wheat should be applied in the Spring. My reason was that if applied in the Fall at seeding time the constitu- ents of the guano, being soluble, would be dissolved and carried away by the Winter rains, particularly when these rains are abundant. I have since discarded that belief as utterly false. After thinking over the matter and reasoning about it, I have come to the conclusion that the great Architect of the Universe would not have made the rain to destroy what is essential to plant growth; in other words, the food of plants. I hold now that the true theory is that whatever fertilizes the soil soon becomes fixed by a law of assimilation as a part and parcel of the soil; that it cannot be separated by the solvent action of water from the soil ; that fertilizers applied to the soil can be lost only when the soil is bodily washed away ; that neither wind, nor water, nor sunshine can, in any way, waste or damage the fertilizer when once the soil has taken fast hold of it and completely assimilated it. I will illustrate my meaning by saying that you may take a ton of the best Virginia soil and filter water through it for a year without diminishing, in the least, its productive capacity. If this were not so, how does it happen that creek beds and mill-ponds are always so fertile? If it be said that this is the result of vegetable decomposition, then would not the soluble products of this decomposition be sent adrift at every freshet when the water comes tumbling down with so much ve- locity ? "With the accumulated wealth of fertilizing material, and that entirely soluble, it seems to me that in every instance it would pass off with the current and leave the creek bed or mill-pond comparatively poor. I hold that this is not so ; that whatever loss occurs is a loss of soil bodily with all this fertilizing matter locked up in it. After assimilation takes place, then nothing can rob the soil of its fertilizing constituents except the roots of plants. It seems to me that this arrangement is so wise as to wear the impress of Deity. If this theory be true, then fertilizers should be applied in the Fall, so as to allow sufficient time for perfect assimilation by the soil. Nor do we take risk in fertilizing heavily, for what is left after the crop has ma- tured is permanently fixed in the soil for the benefit of crops yet to follow. The capacity of the soil for assimilating and fixing plant food must be very great. I have on one of my fields, an old-house place, that has 494 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October been in cultivation thirty years. The last time I had the field in culti- vation the yield was very poor — far below the cost of production — ex- cept this old house plaec, and on this the yield was very heavy. Land once made rich will remain so a long time, because only the roots of plants can rob it of its fertilizing material. I am aware that the view I have presented is at war witb the accepted theories of science, but I think it has some foundation in reason and common sense. I shall be satisfied if it begets and awakens investigation by thinking men, competent to determine whether it be true or false. Peter Puryear. Boydton, Va. SUGGESTIONS TO FARMERS. [For Southern Planter.] In this essay it is the object of the writer to set forth his views as to the most important needs of the farming class. It is impossible, in an article of this length, to treat the interests of this class, who are the bone and sinew of the nation, as fully as they deserve ; indeed, it would take volumes to do that, for agriculture is a business of such vastness and complication that its various branches each demand separate dis- cussion. But if the following suggestions should prove of benefit to any struggling tiller of the soil, the object of the writer will have been attained. As the primary and fundamental qualification for success, I should recommend a small area of land. In the time of slavery much larger farms could be worked than since, for a very obvious reason. But when the slave property was wrested from us by dint of arms — a bless- ing in disguise — we were unable to comprehend at once the changes in our policy and conduct rendered necessary by the altered condition of our affairs. This was perfectly natural, and it would have been phe- nomenal had it been otherwise, for " it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks." Consequently, after the war our Southern farmers continued to cultivate, as before, the same broad but not always fertile acres, with scarcely any capital, and with trifling free labor. Thus they continued year after year, with all this territory encumbering them like a mill- stone about their necks, and devouring with an insatiate greed all their resources and energies. If they used bought fertilizers, it was over such a large area as to preclude the possibility of remuneration. For in order to derive substantial benefit from the use of guano, it must be applied in a sufficient quantity to overcome the sterility of the soil ; a 1884.] SOUTHERN PLANTER. 495 thin application is much less profitable than a heavy one. But let us return to the post helium farmer. Unable to superintend in person the large and time-claiming expanse of fields, the ardent but overtasked disciple of Cincinnatus was compelled to employ a manager to assist him, which still further weakened his emaciated purse. This state of things continued until an order of court commanding the sale of all or a portion of the farm far debt put an end to the battle against odds which the farmer was making. Alas ! how often, oh ! how often, have we seen this very state of things in Virginia and the South since the war ! The energetic but unfortunate, the toiling but thriftless, the meritorious but ill-requited farmer, with despondent mien and sickened heart, sees his goods and chattels and his land melt away under the hammer of the auctioneer. He is burdened with debt ; debt contracted by store orders to the army of hands necessary to till his large planta- tion. Debt — due for fertilizers which, even if of any value, could not possibly yield profitable returns from the large space to which they were applied. Debt, due to the commission merchant, and lastly, his taxes unpaid. AVith such facts au. t if less highly season- natural occupation and ought to find life .^g^ h S jf ow can a ed than any othe, He alone strictly ' W ta g» ^ his history up0 n man take root and thrive ^^^0^7 e has ! His friend- bis field. How many ties, ^ow many resources n 8atisfaction ship with his cattle his tea* , his dog and ^.^ ^ Nature , inhtBg^ngor^intaBimiw™ elemen tal forces; his cooper- bird and beast, and with the quicKening h _ ation with the cloud, the seasons heat ^^ h X dty and artificial i ?g will take the .various ^*£^JX__ and iving contact life breed out of a man lira iarimug Vmmhlea him teaches him with the soil. It draws out the poison I ^les tarn , tea 1884 -] SOUTHERN PLANTER. 501 WHEAT AND ITS CULTURE. Something more than two-thirds of the wheat grown in the United » ates is of the Winter variety, and in the large extent of country shon?r] ™wh r ^ ^ 1S an im P ortant crop, preparations for seeding ll Z tl u lJ \ aCtlVe P~g re88 - While it is not' considered necessa fVJ a wh ° le /eason in P re P a ™g the seed bed for wheat, there is thesamenecessityforgettingifinthebestpossiblecondition. The differ- ence between former practices and present methods is that knowing desTrpL e p?l riet? S T hat 18 re( l u } ve . d > fari *er 8 are able to accomplish thl desired result with less waste of time W S e J and T St be u clea , u - Not on ly do live weeds choke the wheat «n ll X c ?? b l r tb f ground ' and when P lowed under make the JS K°? 3 that Jt ab 1 8 °" bs a vast amount of water in Fall and Win- throw, tl. TT g , an . d tha f m S, expands the soil, snaps the roots and oil * J , Wh f xS aDt ° n . the 8Urface ' Jt is i0 the fa «t that heavy clay lw f J * J Pervious to water that their advantage in holding hold L r ?Wth ' ^\ rm l re sometime8 8a J that the roots get firm thl t t ^ey cannot be thrown out. No matter how firm the hold ?ron^r Jget ' f T Wll i breaktbem thou S h they were tenfold as strong as they are. A good growth of wheat is a help, not by making Proteo?Sf^m epe S I hj eove ^Sthem so that they will be partially Sentwl l 8U i den f f e l mg and thawin ^- Under a sod > frost never doe tW '^ 7 r * nd . wheu ? U ? fr ° Zen ear1 ^ in the Winter the 80 * nletl v L 5? 1 SpnDg - • A Cl09e matted S rowth of wheat, com- pletely covering the roots, is in this respect very like a sod. «Jr£ tb V mpor ; ant P° int8 in wh eat culture is to obtain a large C ng . bu DOt ta ] ? rowth of the wheat plant in the Fall. This wf5 insure a similar condition of the wheat roots, while a tall growth not Zt£?t?i Ca - ea ?S thG r °°l 8 W Stra * k inward father han Zt ?£f horizontally near the surface. It is desirable to secure a large leaf growth in the Fall, provided it be of the right kind. In a l\hift:7 h S :i W l eat makeS 8UC 5 a gr ° Wth - In hot g weather espec" Labi cntltl It* a Pf arance of wheat is no indication at all of its pro- TwLX subsequent Spring or of the yield at harvest Snta J „7l 1S ' great v f. ie \°f pinions among farmers as to the ad- riSfS arg ? g r °wthin the Fall, those who have secured it of the uteed Intt I 6 : ^iT* * ^ j ra P orta ^ while others say they can rpp:rran J ce St b a efoTe e wfniT ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ plaUt ba ^ ™ L itS betT^to L n ° invari f i e ™ le as to the date for sowing wheat. It is far ho wheat JZT^ K J the Weathen S ° long at U « ontiDue8 ^ a » d iolobr P, "? b t 8 ° Wn ' • ° matter if 8uch weather continue un- til Uctober But after heavy rain or a succession of rains, followed bv cooler weather (and all the better if there has been some frort) it is a/o e°arl7; 7a"i ^ "?*• e0me > as lt did in ma ^ localitiefi year ■ c^dit"nV?h«^ em i ber " }* lsa u fter ear] J wheat seeding under (nek w n ° v \ ] l rge8t and best cr °P 8 of wheat are grown. The Winter wheat crop this year is generally conceded to bi very large 502 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October although the Winter was everywhere unusually severe. The fact is owing to the favorable growth of the wheat plant, which enabled it to endure the severe cold without injury. Something also depends on the mechanical condition of the soil and where its fertility is placed. The best farmers no longer plow under manure for wheat, nor do they attempt to make the soil in fine tilth to any great depth. Two or three inches of the surface is sufficient to enrich or to make fine for the seed bed. If we go deeper it is only with the effect of discouraging growth where it is wanted and encour- aging it where it is not desired. It is for the purpose of compacting the soil that the roller is often and justly commended to wheat growers. But the fault of the roller is that it only compacts the surface. The lower soil, where firmness is most desired, is rather made more loose and friable. Rains and time will compact soil ' better than any other means. It is to secure these natural aids that land intended for wheat should be plowed as early as possible and only cultivated on the sur- face until ready for seeding. One of the very best implements for this purpose is the smoothing harrow, whose slanting teeth press the soil downward while sufficiently pulverizing the surface. After the wheat is up in the Fall something may be done to induce a spreading habit of growth. It is well known that checking the first leaves will induce the plant to spread at the root and send out three or four and often more in place of one. Pasturing wheat with stock in dry weather is seldom hurtful, and often beneficial to subsequent growth. Sheep are better than cattle for this purpose, as they will not trample the ground sufficiently to destroy the plants, and what manure they drop will be so divided as to be a benefit rather than an injury. But sheep gnaw closer to the root than is good for the plant, and at the best they will only eat in patches. Something that will cut the leaves of the young wheat plant when three to five inches high, cut them uni- formly and without too much tramping of the ground, would undoubt- edly be beneficial to the crop. On a level, smooth surface a light mow- er will cut off the ends of the young wheat leaves most effectively. With such treatment on rich soil and with a good growing season wheat may be made to nearly cover the ground before Winter, and the danger of Winter killing can influence results. Harrowing and rolling wheat ground after the plants are above the surface will serve the same purpose to same extent, though the bruising of the wheat leaves which these operations effect more injurious to the plant than a a clean cut of the leaves with a mower. The experiment of clipping the leaves of wheat in the Fall is well worth trying on a small scale, whether it can or cannot be made practicable for large fields. — New England Farmer. Fall plowing. — If land is to be Fall plowed for any purpose the earlier it is done the better. If a growth of annual weeds start they will not have time to ripen their seeds if the plowing is done in Sep- tember. All the seeds thus germinated help to make the land cleaner and by their decay richer. 1884.] SOUTHERN PLANTER. 503 CULTIVATION OF CIGAR TOBACCO. Planters should cater to the wants of the trade if they wish to PROSPER. away with the old and adopt new ideas. Most of the growers of tobacco have their own peculiar methods to which they seem to be wedded. It is difficult to change their methods, as we found' recently in trying to iustill our views into the head of a very intelligent neighbor, as to the desirability of putting less seed in the hill for potatoes than a full grown potato to each hill. When I told him of late years that I was in the habit of cutting my potatoes, and was satisfied that two or three eyes to the hill were better than a larger amount of eyes to a hill, he quietly replied, "that his father had followed that course for many years, and he thought that his father knew how to raise potatoes." This settled the whole matter, and nothing more needed to be said. This is the case with many tobaccogrowers. You may tell them manufac- turers desire a finer wrapper, and one that burns well, and probably the growers will say in reply : " Well, our tobacco is fine enough now, and don't weigh anything as it is." As though they would like it if it was as heavy again. To its burning qualities., these same men will say : " I guess it will burn well enough," hence the growers will decline to buy lime or do any thing to get a good burning leaf. This is all wrong. The idea of following old time fashions, such as putting a stone in one end of the bag of grain to make it balance on the horse's back, should be out-grown. WHAT THE CIGAR TRADE WANTS. The trade demands, at the present time, a fine silky leaf, of good fragrance and of good burning quality, and the grower who proceeds counter to the demands of the trade will have to accept of low and unremunerative prices at harvest. The day has gone by when tobacco of the Irishman's lot, who, in describing it, said that "the leaves were as big as a barn door and as thick as his coat," will sell. DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF TOBACCO CONTRASTED. In contrast with the above described lot, look at the Sumatra leaf. I have seen bales of it carrying nearly 150 leaves to the pound, while twenty and twenty-five leaves of thick seed leaf, and sometimes even less, will weigh a pound. The pound of Sumatra is worth $1.50 to $1.90, while this large, Connecticut leaf is worth only about ten to fourteen cents per pound. Our growers now have a variety known as Havana Seed, of which I have tied up hands taking 108 leaves to weigh a pound. Ordinarily, sixty leaves will weigh a pound. Now, suppose we take fifty leaves as an average. Fifty leaves will make 100 first wrappers, and fully an equal number of second wrappers. Thus one pound wraps 200 cigars; or five pounds to the thousand, and when used the veins are very small, and the cigar is beautiful, commanding a higher price than the coarse ones usually made from heavy wrappers. 504 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October The fine ones sell readily, while the others are disposed of only at low figures. TO PRODUCE FINE, DESIRABLE LEAF. Again, we find fine tobacco selling readily and at remunerative prices, while the other is a drug on our hands. To produce fine, desirable leaf, we should fit our land well, supplying such plant food as will pro- duce the quality of leaf desired and to have it in abundance at the proper time. A sufficient number of plants should be set to the acre so that a great overgrown leaf may be avoided. I think somewhere about 6,500 to 7,000 plaints to the acre is the most desirable number. Constant attention in the growing season should be given to the crop, so as to induce a rapid growth, that there may be abundant time for ripening properly. It is all idle for growers to. say that these atten- tions are of small avail in getting what is desirable. It isn't all luck in producing a good crop. There is a necessity for an intelligent ma- nipulation of the crops for us to produce what we most desire. Frequent hoeing is of great advantage. It keeps the crust broken, lets heat and light and moisture into the ground, and thus hastens the growth. Hoeing oftentimes disturbs the cut worm. I do not think that so much time should be expended on the hoeing as was the case in olden times. Some growers would pull away all the earth from the plants, often disturbing the roots in so doing, finally pulling up clean fresh earth about the plants, I prefer to leave the plant wholly undis- turbed if possible. I have seen a man work all day on a third of an acre, while another grower would do an acre in the same time. I prefer to spend the time in hoeing it over again, and think better re- sults will follow such a course. THE BEST TIME FOR TOPPING. The question of the best time for topping tobacco is settled by dif- ferent growers according to their own preconceived opinions. Much depends on the fertility of the soil, the amount of manure in the soil to throw out the upper leaves and fully develop the lower ones. If the land is in high coudition and the season is propitious, I prefer to let the blossoms show pretty well before topping. The upper leaves are apt to leave a whiter ash, and attain a larger size. Again, the grower can usually top a larger portion at the time he goes through the field the first time. The true Havana seed is liable to blow over, produc- ing crooked, uncouth looking plants, and this is a strong objection to letting it stand long after the seed buds make their appearance. The weather, too, has something to do with it, if very dry. I don't care to exhaust any of the resources of the plant and hence top earlier. I will be seen there are many circumstances which come in to modify any and all rules. — Farmer's Home Journal. Deep-sea Fish. — These fishes are all flesh eaters, with well-develop- ed dental systems; the absence of light prevents the growth of ma- 1884.] SOUTHERN PLANTER. 505 rine algse in these depths, and as a general rule the fish found below 150 metres are of necessity predatory. These deep-sea fishes, as Dr. Gunther reminds us, do not belong to any peculiar order, but are chiefly modified forms of surface types : some of these modifications being no doubt very extreme, but serving as indications not only of the struggle for existence, but also of the forms.to adapt themselves to the extreme conditions under which they live. The most remarkable phenomena in connection with their deep-sea life is doubtless the tre- mendous pressure which has to be borne. No one seems to doubt that these deep-sea forms live as active a life as surface forms; indeed their very appearance seems to indicate a swiftness and energy of movement not to be surpassed by surface swimmers; and we may believe that the abyssal pressure has a great deal to do, with keeping their feebly cal- careous bones and delicate muscular system compact and in a condi- tion for effective use. The placid state of the water at these depths must also be borne in mind — no storms affect them, and the extraordi- nary attenuation of some organs may be directly ascribed to this phe- nomena. AGRICULTURE. Every day you can hear it said that the South will cease to be agri- cultural. If by this is meant that mining, manufacturing and smelt- ing will be, as in New England, the nearly sole occupation of our peo- ple, it is a mistake. If it means that there will be great diversification of industries, so that corn, wheat, cotton and tobacco, rice and sugar shall not be the main reliance of our people, it is true. While these are large money producing crops, they already furnish less than half the money value of the production of the South. Beyond all doubt our people have, in the last ten years, learned more of the real money producing value of their section than they ever learned since the settle- ment of Jamestown, and more than the most sanguine since the war thought they could attain. Our people are becoming saving people — laying up, accumulating, investing. Take Piedmont Virginia. We shall always make tobacco, but it will be better in quality and produc- ed on a smaller acre. We shall raise as much wheat, but it is already raised on much less land, and this will be so of these standard crops. We shall, in fact we are, raising more hay and less oats, and so we are increasing our cattle, sheep and horses, and probably hogs, dairy pro- ductions, vegetables and fruit, as money producing crops have greatly increased. More is everywhere sold, from all good plantations — cer- tainly much more in proportion to cost. So far, therefore, from agri- culture ceasing or declining, our lands are improving and producing more money to the area cultivated than ever before. True we shall have a great area of waste or uncultivated land, but the increased activi- ty in sheep and cattle raising and fruit, and the canning of fruits and vegetables is making an inroad on the old fields. The State of Vir- ginia is too valuable for its products to be given up. Its productions range from the frigid zone to the tropics in fruits, flowers, trees, grain 506 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October and grasses. We shall some day astonish the world in our exports, and they will be the production of " forest, field and mine" — valuable for their quality, and profitable for their abundance. We can afford to foster aud push manufacturing and mining, lumbering and milling. Our lands are wide enough for all. And if we are Wise we will so ad- just these diversified industries that one shall help the other, and all combine to render Old Virginia independent, prosperous and content- ed. — Lynchburg Advance. A Bird's Appetite. — Dr. Wood says: "If a man could eat as much in proportion as a bird, he would consume a whole round of beef for his dinner. The redbreast is a most voracious bird. It has been cal- culated that to keep a redbreast up to its normal weight, an amount of animal food is required daily equal to an earthworm fourteen feet in length. Taking a man of average weight, and measuring bulk for bulk with the redbreast, I tried to calculate how much food he would consume in twenty-four hours, if he ate as much in proportion as the bird. Assuming a sausage nine- inches in circumference to be a fair equivalent of the earthworm, I find the man would have to eat sixty- seven feet of such sausage in every twenty-four hours. I mention this in order to illustrate the amount of work which is done by insect-eat- ing birds." CULTIVATION OF RAMIE REVIVING. Every one interested in American agriculture and textile industry will no doubt learn with pleasure that the Ramie production is reviv- ing in the United States. A. N. Y. Ramie manufacturing company is now offering a good price for the crude bark. The cultivation of that valuable and prolific plant, suspended for want of an outlet and regu- lar market, is now certain to become a very profitable adjunct to the American agriculturist, also to the textile industry. Owing to a new process suppressing the clear scraping of the plant heretofore required from the farmer, the crude Ramie bark is now in demand for textile manufacturing, and at the very remunerative price of five cents per pound. As already known there is no cultivation so easy and so luxuriant as that of Ramie, even in the Northern states, since the plant is a nettle and not a semi-tropical growth as formerly understood. This fact was so conclusively demonstrated in New Jersey, after the Centennial Exposition, that the government of that state of- fered a liberal premium to eneourage the production of this remarka- ble textile. But the bill signed in 1878 by General McClellan, gover- nor of the state, became inoperative, for the reason above stated, viz. : the plant was to be scraped, decorticated, and prepared for manufactur- ing, as done by hand in China. Though many inventors offered in- genious contrivances as substitute for the hand work of the Orientals none reached the point of perfection and economy required. 1884] SOUTHERN PLANTER. 507 The natural obstacles are the chlorophile and thick gummy matters increasing the fibre. No scraping machine can reach the inner filament without great expense and waste. This explains why the various prizes offered, principally by the British government of India, during the last fifteen years, have never been won. Departing from that erroneous theory, a textile specialist of New York has, after several years of study, found a perfect process to dis- integrate and prepare ready for spinning the crude Ramie bark, which can be furnished by any Ramie grower. This process, which is also effective on any fibrous plant, has been licensed to the " ramie fibre manufacturing company," now buying the same bark in question. The production of this Ramie will be very profitable, since it is per- ennial, and when well planted from roots, yields two crops of one too each per acre in the North and West, and three or four in the south,, also in some parts of California. At the rate of five cents per pound for the bark farmers may easily get §200 per acre annually. It can be produced in almost every state of the Union, but whenever the winter is severe the roots should be covered with straw. It is well known that when Ramie is planted with fragments of roots,, in rows and distanced as potatoes, it grows fast and thick, drives away weeds and keeps the soil shady. It therefore requires less labor than other crops. After each cutting numerous fresh sprouts shoot forth, and a constant production of roots permits a continuous extension of the field. Ramie grows close and straight from four to five feet high. It is full of sap, and the crude bark is removed as easily as that of basket willow, and more quickly by simply crushing. This simple crude bark dried and baled is to-day the product in demand as above stated. We must add that the leaves and woody part of this plant make excellent manure for the soil. The crude Ramie bark, when treated by the pro- cess in quection, is disintegrated and bleached ready for spinning the finest yarn. This valuable transformation system, unknown elsewhere, and used only by the "Ramie Fibre Manufacturing Co.," is secured in the Patent Office, and will no doubt be the agent of great evolution in the textile industry. COMBING AND SPINNING OF RAMIE. Doctor I orbes Watson of the British India office has recently pub- lished an interesting report on the Ramie or Rhea question. This ex- haustive report, reviews the story and the struggle of that textile plant in connection with the industry. Vast sums of money have been sunk in the attempt of scraping the green plaut by mechanical agencies, and for preparing the fibre by the flax method of scraping the green plant by mechanical agencies, and for preparing the fibre flax method of combing. The result has been and will always be unsatisfactory. The most curious part of Doctor Watson's statement is that he still 508 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October clings to the possibility of solving the problem through the same con- demned principles. He recommends another decorticating and scraping machine, which is not different from its numerous predecessors. It is evident now that the Ramie fibre will never be adopted by spinners unless it is cheap and completely prepared for combing. Even the best preparedJRamie, or Chinagrass from the Chinese is unin- viting; for the reason that it is so gummy that few manufacturers can prepare it conveniently. Those who did attempt to use it had to look for a special chemist to ungum it, and to special combers to card it. After all this trouble and expense the Ramie yarn of England has nev- er been up to the standard of a vegetable silk as intended. The reason for this shortcoming is that the silicious or gummy mat- ters always crystalized fast on the scraped filament, cementing the fibre bundles so closeiy that a violent combing or carding was required. Consequently the long silky fibre, being broken or cut, makes the yarn hairy and unglossy. Hence the inferior values of the result, though the fine, strong and silky fibre of Ramie gives higher expectations. We have good reasons to believe that these high expectations will soon be realised by the American textile industry. A new departure in the treatment of Ramie fibre is inaugurated, as above mentioned, and the manufacturer will have the staple cheap, radically ungummed, and prepared for the finest spinning. Doing away with the old dfficulty, a new method extracts and divides chemi- cally the fibre from the raw bark, and in such a superior condition, that no violent combing will be necessary. In order to preserve its length and lustre, the Ramie fibre, thus pre- pared, should be combed by the worsted system, and made into slivers applicable to any purposes, such as tassels, dress-cards, passementerie, shoe thread, sewing thread, blankets, table linen, window curtains, plush, velvet, ehenille, etc. The Ramie fibre mixes very well with wool, with silk, flax, etc. It is the finest, the strongest and the glossi- est fibre after silk, and as it takes dyes readily, its application is unlim- ited. — American Textile. Agricultural inventions. — A peanut planter has been patented by Mr. Christopher C. Boykin, of Ivor, Va. The invention covers a com- bination with slides having cups, of adjustable plates, adapted to be set nearer to or farther from the same, to regulate the capacity of the cups, with various other novel features to improve wheeled planters for planting peanuts, peas, or other seeds. A cultivating harrow has been patened by Mr. Joyeux Collins, of Tyro, Ark. This invention covers a novel construction, so the harrow can be drawn along a row of plants to cultivate both sides at the same time, or the space between two rows, so as to cultivate their ad- jacent sides at the same time, the side parts of the harrow, in either case, adjusting themselves to the inclination of the sides of the ridges. — Scientific American. 1884.] SOUTHERN" PLANTER. 509 LETTER FROM COL. HARRISON, COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. Richmond, Va., September 5th, 1884. Editor Southern Planter, — My engagements having been pressing, I have delayed until now to publicly acknowledge the invitation of your esteemed correspondent, Col. Normand Smith, through the Planter, p. 370, to have "this (his) soil analyzed, aud recommend what fertil- izers should be used to insure a paying crop." First thanking Col. Smith for his public-spirited offer (experiments of that sort are risky, expensive and troublesome), I beg leave to say, in reply, that soil analyses for practical purposes in the line under con- sideration have long since been conceded to be useless, because — The proportion of fertilizing matter of certain soils needed to make land productive is so small that chemical science may well be unequal to the task of making a quantitative analysis of each element, even though it be present in sufficient amount to make good crops. This is no reproach to the chemists, or to the science of which they are the exponents, and which has reached a high degree of advancement and usefulness; it only means that there are things too minute for human methods, for weights and measures. For example: An acre of average soil one foot in depth weighs in round numbers four millions of pounds; if of so-called "light," i. e. sandy soil, much more; if of "stiff" land, considerably less. Now suppose 300 pounds of super-phosphate, containing thirteen per cent, of phosphoric acid, evenly distributed through this mass, we have thirty-nine pounds of phosphoric acid mixed with four millions of pounds of earth, less than one pouod in a hundred thousand, or one ounce in 6,666 pounds — one ounce to three and one-third tons of earth. Take out of this the aver- age sample that the chemist works upon, one hundred grammes, and it would contain an amount of phosphoric acid too minute to be deter- mined, although it may under certain circumstances produce a marvel- ous effect in the crop which has received just that dressing. If we take nitrogen instead of phosphoric acid, the difficulty is still greater. Except Peruvian guano, few of the standard fertilizers con- tain as much as four per cent, of nitrogen, and yet we know that on certain soils as small an application as two or three hundred pounds of ammoniated fertilizer will have a striking effect — far beyond what is produced by one containing no nitrogen — so that an application of eight or ten pounds of nitrogen to the acre will show in the deep-green and vigorous growth of wheat or other crops. It would be incredible, 38 510 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October if experience had not established the fact, that a pound or two of nitro- gen mingled in a million pounds of earth can be hunted up and appro- priated by the rootlets of plauts and the evidence of their having found it clearly shown in the growth of the plant, but probably there is no chemist on earth who could detect by analysis any difference between a sample of earth which had received no fertilizer and a similar sample from an adjoining plat on which eight pounds of nitrogen to the acre had been evenly distributed. It is true that there are many things concerning soils which are easily determined by analysis. Ofteu lime and potash are present in large quantities, and sometimes nitrogen, but this latter is not of fre- quent occurrence, and we are now considering cases where fertilizing principles may be present in quantity appreciable by vegetation, but not by analysis. For this reason, and for others which cannot be given here, I would not undertake to recommend a course ot treatment based upon soil-analysis. But I have formed a conclusion from the facts stated that the land wants nitrogen, although that should not be the case with an "old pas- ture." The product of each plat seems to have been in proportion to the amount of nitrogen in the fertilizer applied in every case. My experience is that except on very rich land it is hard to get a paying crop of wheat after com. If you use fertilizers, the cost thereof eats up all the present profit; the reward must be looked for in the improvement of the land, and in the stand of grass or clover which may be due to the fertilizer. Col. Smith "fails to see any profit in any of his experiments except the manure." Now that seems to me the most losing one of all, unless he credits it very largely by the improve- ment of the land. He has strangely omitted to charge anything for hauling the sixteen loads of stable manure from Richmond and spread- ing it on the land. Unless I am widely mistaken as to the distance hauled, fifty cents per load would not be an over-estimate of the cost of carting and scattering, even with a manure spreader. This charge, added to the cost in Richmond, would put the manure plat much the lowest on the debit side. It is my belief that 250 or 300 pounds of Peruvian guano, with seven per cent, or eight per cent, of ammonia, would have given as good a crop of wheat, at less cost, but would not have improved the land nearly as much. I much regret that Col. Smith did not state more particularly all the facts bearing on his interesting experiments; the texture of the soil, whether light or medium (he merely states that it is " gray, underlaid with stiff yellow clay"), how long it had been pastured and how long 1884.] SOUTHERN PLANTER. • 511 since the pasture had been broken up, how the stable manure was ap- plied (I presume it was harrowed in with the wheat, but this is not stated). The cheapest way for Col. Smith to supply nitrogen, which I think his experiments show to be the element lacking in his land, is, as I be- lieve, by the use of clover and peas. Peas act well as an ameliorating crop in all this region. I would commend to Col. Smith's attention the article of Mr. Stacy, of Amelia, in the last Planter, though no doubt he has observed it. While I have your ear, Mr. Editor, let me say a word through you to the public as to the cheapest way to destroy the smut germ in wheat. Each morning take about enough wheat to suffice for the day's sowing; empty on the barn floor, sprinkle with water and dust with slaked lime, stirring the mass until the grains are well coated with lime. It takes very little lime to do this, although the wheat will much increase in bulk — probably one-fourth or more. This is much less troublesome than dipping in bluestone or lime, and equally effectual ; but it will only answer for wheat to be sown broadcast. I would not attempt to put it through a drill. And now indulge me a little longer while I say a few words more about the "chess " question, only because my name has been mentioned by a gentleman whose ability as a lawyer and general intelligence en- titles his opinions to great weight — one whom I am sorry to see up- holding what I consider a mischievous error. At the same time he does me no more than justice in making the distinction between " sug- gesting a doubt" and "denying" that wheat or oats degenerate into chess. It would not be becoming in me to deny the possibility of what so many far wiser than I believe implicitly, but I assuredly do not believe it, and have never seen any testimony (well authenticated) that when carefully considered did not seem to me to amount to noth- ing as proof of a case of transmutation. The facts given on pp. 426, 427, to my mind prove nothing, and I am surprised that an acute law- yer set them down as evidence. The statement in brief is this : "Oats sowed rather late — succeeding Winter unfavorable — most of his neigh- bor's oats killed out — but his were not." (Just here is the fatal flaw in the chain of evidence. I hold that his oats were killed just as his neighbor's were, and that what he took to be oats was "chess" ab initio.) " When heading out time arrived, it was found that instead of oats the growth was nearly all chess." I am unable in this to see anything that in the least strengthens the position of the advocates of " degeneracy." Capt. Pettit asks : " If 512 SOUTHERN" PLANTER. [October what thus came up did not spring from the oats, what became of the oats?" He has answered the question (to wm/, satisfaction) — "killed" — like his neighbors'! Where did the seed of the chess come from? He has answered that question too, or furnished a solution of the diffi- culty. The land had previously been in cultivation and had grown up in old-field pines. It had probably gotten infected with "cheat," the seeds of which, like some others, are almost imperishable, under certain circumstances, but will stay in the ground ready to germinate when proper influences are brought to bear. Being very hardy, the "cheat" lived while the oats were killed. The writer asks : " What farmer of observant mind has not noticed the thick growth of 'chess' where oats or wheat had been stacked the previous year?" My answer to this is s That if your grain is infested with "chess " you will see it growing around the old stock-yards, other- wise not. There is very little growing in that way on my farm, because there is little in my wheat. And I think the man who does not believe in the transmutation will have, other things being equal, less of it than the man who does believe will have. In this view the question assumes practical importance ; aside from it, it is only a matter of speculation. There is plenty of weed growth around my stock-yards — mostly cresses and dock — if there is cockle in the wheat, I find that too. Sim- ply cases of " entangling alliances." Another writer lays great stress upon the fact that "chess " was found in Winter oats but none in Spring sowed oats. The explanation of that is, I think, that these hard seed require, like partridge-pea, cold weather to make them germinate. Your friend, Randolph Harrison. THE WORLD'S EXPOSITION. Tha Address of the State Board of Control — A Strong Appeal. The Board of Control of the State's interest in the World's Exposi- tion at New Orleans, at a meeting held on the 2nd of September, 1884, directed that an address be issued explaining the progress and purposes of the Board, and appealing for instant and earnest co-operation from the people of this State who take an intelligent interest in its prosperity. The Exposition, in grandeur of display and extent of space, will exceed any ever made on the continent. It is held in the finest city in the South, and will attract millions of people. It has been announced in public proclamation by the President of' the United States, and Con- gress has aided it with over a million, of dollars. Mexico has appro- priated $200,000; Louisiana, $100,000; the city of New Orleans, 1884.] SOUTHERN" PLANTER. 513 $100,000, and her citizens §500,000 ; North Carolina, $20,000 ; and other States about $500,000. The principal building will cover thirty-three acres, and is the largest ever built. It seemed to us a great opportunity for Virginia to show her kindli- ness of feeling towards a sister Southern State, and to exhibit to the world the attractions, and the wealth, and the progress of her people. We thought it fortunate that our Legislature had met in special ses- sion, and at our request the Governor, without hesitation, sent a mes- sage recommending an appropriation of $10,000. To our great sur- prise the committees of both houses refused to report any bill. They adjourned to meet on the 22nd day of October, only eight days before our exhibit must be prepared. We were compelled either to abandon the attempt or go forward without the aid of the State, and without delay. We determined to make our appeal to the corporations and people of the State for help. The great railroad corporations have responded promptly. The Chesapeake and Ohio, the Richmond and Danville, the Norfolk and Western, and the Richmond and Alleghany are already at work calling exhibits from along their lines, which will cost them many thousands of dollars. The merchants and manufac- turers of Richmond are devising plans to make a fine display for that city. The miners of the Southwest are first in the field with offerings. The railroad lines give us special transportation rates. We have received from New Orleans the first instalment of $5,000 guaranteed us to help in the emergency. With this encouragement we feel war- ranted in completing our preparations. The United States Commissioner has appointed five assistant com- missioners to look after the interests in the separate departments of mines, manufactures, agriculture, and stock. We have appointed agents in all parts of the State, and established depots at principal points. We have appointed a committee to ask financial aid from municipal corporations and individuals, to be refunded in case the Leg- islature makes an appropriation. There are only fifty-six days for preparation. It is impossible for this Board alone to make or secure a considerable exhibit. It is pos- sible for the people of this State, heartily co-operating, to make, with all the treasure and energy they have at command, the Virginia section a place to which every Virginia visitor shall go with pride, and any other visitor with wonder. At this moment it is not thought best to seek for great variety, but to secure the best of every class to make the whole display massive, simple, and striking. We ask for correspond- ence and suggestions, and for volunteer help. Articles delivered at the depots and passing the examining committee, will be sent and returned free of charge to the exhibitor. All communications should be addressed to the nearest agent or to secretary. By order of the Board. W. W. Finney, Secretary. Organization. — United States Commissioner, J. M. Bianton; Alter- nate, J B. Pace; Mills and Furnaces, R. E. Blankenship; Manufac- tures, Norman Randolph; Tobacco, P. H. Mayo; Mines, Jed. Hotch- 514 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October kiss; Agriculture, Randolph Harrison ; Live Stock, William E- Stuart. Board of Control : His Excellency William E. Cameron, J. M. Blan- ton, J. B. Pace, V. D. Groner, Randolph Harrison, L. Lottier, H. C* Parsons, A. H. Drewry, C. R. Boyd. Agents : Richmond. Thomas Christian ; Petersburg, Dr. D. M. Brown; Danville, W. T. Sutherlin; Lynchburg, Peter J. Otey ; Nor- folk, John L. Roper; Charlottesville, R. T. W. Duke; Staunton, W. A. Burke; Lexington, W. H. Barclay; Roanoke, Joseph H Sands; Winchester, Hon. F. W. M. Holliday; Alexandria, Herbert Bryant; Abingdon, Walker Armistead ; Fredericksburg, Joseph Scott; Crip- ple Creek district, Andrew Porter — post-office. Speedwell. Executive Committee: His Excellency W. E Cameron, Governor of Virginia; Hon. J. M. Blauton, United States Commissioner; Hon. Randolph Harrison, Commissioner of Agriculture. Principal Depots: Richmond, Danville, Staunton, Roanoke. OVER-PRODUCTION. [For the Southern Planter.] There seems to be a conspiracy of factors operating in the physical world to create over-production in every department of human industry. Starting with the fact that there was 80,000,000 bushels of last years 7 crop of wheat carried over into this year, with the present as the largest yield ever made in this country, with the assurance that the crops of England and all Europe are better than they have been for eight years past, and the additional facts that Egypt, Turkey and India are just putting themselves in position and condition to grow wheat for the markets of the world, and the promoters of this industry in these countries are fully alive to the fact, that to be made profitable it must be cultivated in the most improved manner, with the best implements to save labor and cost, and that transportation facilities must equal the best anywhere, or there can be no profit earned for the capital invested. The outlay necessary to push the industry wherever made necessi- tates its most thorough and exhaustible perseverance for the following reasons: The amount of capital seeking investment has passed be- yond the boundaries of profitable employment. This is demonstrated by the wild-cat stock speculations so frequently and so generally in- dulged in. If opportunities to earn fair profits in legitimate indus- tries were plentiful, capital would not gamble so frequently as now. Hence, wherever there is a fair opportunity for making a profit, by the liberal employment of all the best known facilities, though they aie complicated and expensive, the industry will be pursued and pushed to completion. 1884.1 SOUTHERN PLANTER. 515 It will not be possible in the future to pursue these industries in dis- tant countries just when prices are high and abandon them during a period of low prices, because the investment necessary to succeed is no longer the primitive methods of the East, but the complicated and ex- pensive methods of the "West. Hence, to be made profitable, they must be persistently continued and the newest and best labor-saving methods continually incorporated, or the investment must be aban- doned. From this outlook it must be manifest that there is no possible pros- pect of prices ever recovering from their present status permanently. What, then, shall we of the South do? It is manifest that where transportation and the necessary charges for marketing wheat amount to twenty-five cents per bushel, there wheat cannot be grown; that is, wherever wheat will not net over fifty cents per bushel, it cannot be grown. This will be the case all through the Great West. I learn that the cost of fallowing and seeding a crop of wheat is at least $3.50 per acre; that interest on land and taxes amount to $4.50; that to make an average of twenty-five bushels per acre, either farm- made manure must be handled and hauled out, or fertilizer applied, and in either case it cannot be accomplished for less than $3 per acre. It will cost to harvest, handle and thresh at least $2 per acre. Now, put these together, and you have $13 as the cost of an acre of wheat, without anything for the wear and tear of implements, buildings, &c. If the farmer succeeds in averaging twenty-five bushels per acre, which nets fifty cents per bushel, he would be minus fifty cents per acre of the cost of production. Wherever these figures apply, there wheat must cease to be a staple money crop. It must be supplemented by meat, which will bear transportation and other charges. In my own locality I am perfectly satisfied that we can make our inexpensive lands produce twenty-five bushels of wheat per acre. I know that I am met with the statement that Charleston rock has been used and no effects manifest, but as yet I have found no one who has failed to get a good crop of clover on the land where they have used the rock liberally, and put the land in fine pulverent condition when they seeded the clover. If any have failed to get clover, having com- plied with the reasonable conditions of success, I would like them to report through the Planter. I want the truth in the premises. We need the truth upon this point at this time. I am persuaded that Charleston rock is our panacea. It will give us the command of the wheat market, at least so long as our lands cost so little in interest aud 516 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October taxes, and we have the command of transportation at about six to eight cents per bushel. It will not do to say that Charleston rock gives no results till you have used it for tbe special purpose of producing clover and it has failed you. I will not ask the same consideration for it tbat what is sold for raw bone and other fertilizers are conceded. I know that several of my neighbors have been using bone and other raw bone wheat ferti- lizers liberally for years, but they have little, and some of very scrubby, clover. I ask not that the application of equal amount of Charleston rock shall give equal result with these standard bone fertilizers, but I claim that it will give better results ; and I am sure wherever bone will give clover, there Charleston rock will. It is the phosphoric acid that gives the clover, and the rock yields it most abundantly. It will not do for those who get clover from bone to say the rock won't give it. Try it fairly before you pronounce your judgment. But here, lest it should be thought that I have some interest in the sale of Charleston rock, let me say once for all, I have none at all. But I am deeply interested in the welfare and success of my fellow farmers, and am frequently grieved to see how persistently they continue the use of expensive dissolved and ammoniated fertilizers, while they can produce so much better results by the use of the inexpensive rock. For the present I would simply say, cheer up, my brothers ; the price of our product will induce at least double the domestic consumption than ever before occurred. It will enter into the rations of our domes- tic animals much more largely than ever before, and we will thus find a home market for the surplus we have been shipping abroad. If the prices are low, we will retain much more of its fertilizing properties on our lands, and on the whole the change will be found advantageous. If we can grow twenty-five bushels per acre, as I am certain we can, we can grow it to a profit and live by it. To do this every farmer must make himself a master of his business. He must learn to handle the most complicated machinery and to use everything that will reduce the cost of production. "We are engaged in a competitive race for superior skill and capacity to handle our inheritance. Will you suffer yourselves to be distanced in the race? Shall the South be put to the blush and acknowledge that she is inferior to her brothers in other sec- tions of the country ? I am confident I may answer for you — No ! G. B. Stacy. 1884.] SOUTHERN PLANTER. 517 NEED OF IMPROVED SEED WHEAT. The lack of success in the culture of wheat south of the thirty-third degree of latitude, is due to several causes, the principal ones being soil and seed. As a rule, the rich lands in the locality named are by no means as suitable for wheat as the heavier clay soils of the high lands. A rank growth of straw is not desirable, even in the more fa- vorable localities. What is most needed, in order to attain even a fair degree of success, is a variety that is comparatively rust-proof. Of all the varieties that have been disseminated, the Dallas is now the most "popular. The Dallas has a full, plump, amber-colored berry, with stiff straw and good heads. The Nicaragua variety, which was introduced and tested in Campbell county, Georgia, did not meet the expectations of the growers on account of the poor quality of the flour produced from it. If not misinformed, the anti-rust wheat advertised in another col- umn is the genuine " Bill Dallas" wheat. At all events, there is an unusual demand for it, which is likely to continue for several years. Another variety, which is known as the Early Red May, is quite popular in the lower portions of the wheat-growing belt. It has a short head, short straw, and small berry. It varies much in yield, ranging from twelve to twenty-five bushels to the acre. A prime qual- ity which it possesses is that of early ripening; another, is that of pro- ducing a certain crop when other varieties fail. It originated in Vir- ginia, and soon became quite popular in Central Georgia and Alabama. There is need of more persistent experiments in the producton of rust-proof varieties that will surpass any of those yet introduced. There is no variety but what has some defects, which, by careful se- lection of seed, ought to be eliminated. An early-maturing, heavy- yielding variety, and one that will surpass all others in quality and quantity when manufactured into flour, is the variety that is needed, and one that, we feel quite confident, will soon be forthcoming. — Farm and Fireside, Louisville, Kentucky. Soil Analysis. — Not so much is said now as formerly about the ad- vantage of analyzing soil to learn what fertilizers are needed. It is a very uncertain and unpractical method of finding soil deficiencies. If crops are poor in favorable seasons it is evident that some element of plant food is deficient. The lack is more likely to be phosphoric acid than anything else. Try that. Then if it does not produce the de- sired result, add nitrogen and potash. These will invariably bring a crop if applied in large enough quantity, however barren the soil. Liquid Manure. — Labor is too dear in this country to profitably use liquid manures. If the soil is kept well fertilized, frequent cultivation will supply crops with moisture more cheaply than it can be drawn on the land and distributed. 518 SOUTHERN" PLANTER. [October Editorial. ORCHARDS AND GRAFTING. Nothing contributes more to the comfort of a farmer's family than a good orchard, which should mainly consist of apples, peaches and pear3. Grapes and the small fruits, such as raspberries, currants, gooseberries, &c, should also have attention. An orchard of well selected fruits, properly cared for, brings its profits also. On average farms these profits may be small, but will afford ample pin-money to the wife and daughters of the household, and the fruit which will fall from the trees, and are otherwise worthless, will go far towards fattening a few pigs, so called by our Northern friends, or hogs, as we say. The Summer and Pall varieties of apples are especially desirable for this purpose, and the sound and perfect fruit should be dried by the evaporating pro- cess, to be ready for a market at a large profit on the labor expended. This labor the household can perform, without disturbing the farmer whilst engaged on his field crops. The fruit of Winter varieties should be gathered at the proper time and stowed away for use in the family during the Winter, and the surplus beyond a liberal family consump- tion may be sent to market, and if carefully assorted and packed, will command a good price. In respect to the Summer and Pall apples we have omitted to mention that the cider and vinegar which may be made from them supply other comforts and necessaries in a family, and a fur- ther source of profit from a surplus of either. We now propose to give some few practical directions as to starting and caring for an orchard. What we may say is mainly our own prac- tical experience, after having grafted with our own hauds the trees necessary for two orchards, and nurtured them into bearing; and these orchards, after the lapse of about twenty years in one case, and about thirty in the other, are^now in full vigor, except as to one from some neglect after it had fallen into other hands. The land selected for an orchard should be a naturally drained soil, having a porous subsoil which will not retain water longer than is ne- cessary for the healthy use of the roots of trees or plants which grow in it. If it is contemplated to plant the trees in the Spring the land should be well plowed (and better if subsoiled) in the Pall, and then well enclosed and kept so, to prevent all injurious depredations. The next thing is to secure the catalogue of a reliable nurseryman, and note on it the number and kinds of fruit trees to afford a proper variety, and to fill the ground allotted to them. Then arrange that the trees 1884.] SOUTHERN" PLANTER. 519 are to be delivered in good condition not later than the middle of the following March. At the first spell of good weather nearest^to this period the land should be harrowed and cross-harrowed to a good tilth, and then checked off at right angles with a single shovel plow at dis- tances of thirty feet for apples and twenty for peaches and pears. A greater distance would not be objectionable if the allotted space for the orchard will allow it, as trees, like other plants, thrive best with ample room. At each intersection of the check-rows a tree is to be planted by scraping out with a hoe enough of the surface soil to receive the roots, after the removal of the tap root with a sharp knife. The tree, as placed, should be aligned both ways, and then fine earth must be sifted with the hands between the roots, which, after being covered, may he jostled a little to ensure close contact; and then the soil drawn out is returned and pressed firmly by the foot. At the time of planting out the trees early Irish potatoes may be planted in as much of the orchard space as can be devoted to them, and these if manured in the hill or drill will advance the growth of the trees. If the whole ground is not required for potatoes, the balance may be left for cornfield peas to be drilled and cultivated, or sown broadcast, but in the interval of time before the sowing or planting of the peas the ground should be occasionally harrowed to prevent the growth of grass or weeds; and we may here urge the precaution that when a plow is brought into a newly planted orchard great care should be taken not to run so deep or so near as to interfere with the roots or to jostle and bruise the bodies of the trees. An orchard should be cultivated each year until it comes into bear- ing in such crops as potatoes, peas, beans and turnips, but never in corn or small grain. The manure applied to these crops will give vigor to the young trees. In place of these crops some orchardists advise buck- wheat to be sown, as it takes but little from the soil, and when fallen affords a good mulch to the land and adds to its fertility. The cultiva- tion of an orchard should cease after it gets into bearing. The land may be then set with orchard grass, and after a good sod is formed calves and sows and pigs may be pastured on it, but no horses or grown cattle should ever be allowed inside of an orchard enclosure. "We have assumed, so far, that the trees for an orchard are to be pro- cured from the nurseries, but it may be that a number of farmers can- not conveniently spare the money to procure them, and that there are others so situated in respect to railway stations as to make transporta- tion inconvenient and expensive. To such we would advise grafting^ as we did in the two cases mentioned, when reliable nurserymen were 520 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October not as convenient, and transportation facilities as good, as they aye now. If grafting is determined on, the first step is to procure the scions,_or grafts, of the best fruits in the surrounding country. These are twigs of the last growth cut from a fruit-bearing tree, to the length of about fifteen inches and about as large as an ordinary lead pencil. _ JNo one having a good orchard of choice fruit will object to permitting a few twigs to be cut from each tree. These scions may be collected at any time during the Winter, from November to February, and as col- lected should be tied in bundles and properly labeled. They are then to be placed in a box and covered with sand and stored in a cellar or eo protected that they will not freeze. It is best that the sand when put in the box should be dry, so that it will readily fill the spaces be- tween the twigs, but afterwards it should be slightly moistened and kept so, to prevent the twigs from perishing by becoming too dry With the first mild and open weather in March a plat of ground should be selected in the garden and deeply spaded, or hoed up chopped and hand-raked until a good tilth is obtained. The day before this work is done the roots to which the scions, or grafts, are to be attached are gathered. This is done by going to any old and worthless apple, peach and pear tree, and with a grubbing hoe or pick dig a few feet from the body of the tree, and when a large root is found trace it outwards and cut from it all the rootlets attached to it, and place them in a large basket or sack to be taken home. A few hours work will be sufficient to secure rootlets enough for five hundred grafts. Select a comfortable position in a south porch or shed, and proceed to arrange the roots for the reception of the grafts. Take such as con- form in size to the scions and reduce their length with a sharp knife to about six inches, and leave attached all the smaller and fibrous roots One root as taken from the original tree will sometimes bear several cuttings of this kind. As this trimming goes on lay the shortened and selected roots in a pile and keep it sprinkled with water. When these amount to the number of grafts intended to be planted out, then bring forth the box containing the scions, and proceed with the work in this manner: Each bundle of scions should be worked up separately, that the varieties may be noted and so planted that they may be known With a sharp pocket knife cut the scions into lengths of about four inches and have only two buds left on each. At the lower end give a long (one inch) sloping cut, and take a root of corresponding s 1Z e and T^ upper end give a similar cut, then fit the two together as a mitre 1Z bark of the root and of the graft fitting snugly. With a woollen string, such as is used for knitting coarse socks,. tie this lap firmly by 18S4.] SOUTHERN PLANTER, 521 wrapping the entire length of the lap, and the graft is then ready to be set in the garden plot prepared for it. It is most handy to proceed with the grafting until the desired number of each variety is made up. Then go to the garden and stretch a line across the prepared ground, and with a planting trowel, or a sharp wooden paddle, open a hole under the line deep enough to receive the root of the graft, and to cover with the earth the lap and tie, and possibly the lowest bud of the scion. The fine earth must be gently placed by the hand to the root, and the grafts should be about twelve inches apart in the row. Place small stakes between the varieties and number them, so that a written memorandum may be kept. After all the grafts have been planted out place straight fence rails, or poles of same size, on the sides of each row to protect them from disturbance until a union is formed. When the grass and weeds begin to appear the rails are taken off and replaced after the ground has been made clean by a careful scraping. When the grafts have grown a foot in height the rails may be removed, but the young trees should be kept clean during the growing season. In a favorable soil and with proper care they will attain in one year the height of five to seven feet, and will be ready to be transplanted in the orchard the next Spring, and there managed as before described. We have thought it probable that it might interest some of the read- ers of the Planter to have some practical suggestions as to starting and managing an orchard, and the Fall is the proper time for plans to be laid and for commencing the work, hence we give these suggestions now. BEE-KEEPERS' CONVENTION AT STATE FAIR. At the State Fair, the 22d, 23d and 24th of October next, it is ex- pected that there will be an unusually fine display of everything in the apiarian line ; a great variety of bees and queens, smokers, hives, swarms at work, &c. The wax-working department will be fully shown, from rendering the comb into wax, refining, making into sheets, with samples of wax from the wax extractor from the crude to the sheets ready for the hive, together with the outfit of a full-working apiary. The Agricultural Society is doing what it can to render this depart- ment an interesting feature of the State Fair, and by this means to supply the best practical information to persons desiring to raise bees, either as a business or to provide themselves with honey for home-use. To carry this intention more fully into effect, the Society propose that the Bee-Keepers of Virginia and other States shall hold a Bee- 522 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October Keepers' Convention on the third day of the Fair, October 24th, for the full discussion of every matter connected with bees — food, hand- ling, preservation, apiarian implements and hives, best varieties, &c, and as this industry has now become of wide extent and importance, it is expected that there will be a large assembly of amateurs as well as professionals, and as the meeting will be open to all, much valuable in- formation will be imparted to those who attend for the purpose of ob- taining knowledge on the subject. To make the Convention as success- ful and large as possible, we hope that our exchanges will make men- tion of it in their next issues. [For Southern Planter.] BEES AT THE STATE FAIR. To the Bee- Keepers of the South and all interested in this branch of rural economy : One of the principal attractions at the coming State Fair at Rich- mond, October 22d, will be the Bee and Honey Exhibit. This feature will be shown under a mammoth tent, forty by sixty feet, with an annex twelve by twenty. Every bee-keeper in the South should turn out and witness this display and the wonderful workings of these little busy bodies, which will be shown in glass cases so arranged that the transfor- mation from the larva to the full-developed queen or mother bee can be fully studied. One exhibitor will show eighteen cases of living bees, representing twelve species or varieties, with their queens and progeny, which alone will well pay any bee-keeper to attend the Fair. In ad- dition, one of the latest and best systems of queen breeding will be fully demonstrated and explained. In fact, the display will be a model apiary, conducted on scientific principles, by one of America's bee- keepers who has spent over thirty years in the study of the bee. The science of transferring from box, hive or "gum" to the mova- ble frame hive, and all the manipulations necessary to conduct a first- class apiary, with a view for profit, will be fully and practically illus- trated. Ye olden time broom-straw and box-hive adherents, turn out in force and witness this exhibit, and when you return home, it will be with the satisfaction of having spent the most profitable day in your existence. Think of the "sample box" of luscious nectar placed on exhibition by a lady who has managed thirty swarms this season, and, as her reward, over 3,000 pounds of honey that will readily command $600 for her three months' work. Every lady in the land can handle bees just as well as this dame; and such "pin money" is not to be sneered at. Let every lady visiting the Fair inspect this exhibit. 1384.J SOUTHERN" PLANTER. 523 Another exhibit will be a pyramid of honey, raised by a prominent Virginian, representing over three hundred pounds, the product of one swarm of Bellinzona bees this season. Several other exhibitors will contribute machinery, wax, honey and bee-keeping appliances, making the exhibit the finest ever seen in this country. A collection of hives of the very latest design for profit and ease of working will repay the trouble of inspecting by any bee-keeper of the South. A Bee-Keepers' Convention will convene during the Fair with a view of forming a National Association, to be conducted for the inter- ests of the bee-keeper. Prominent talent will be invited to address the meetings, of which due notice will be given hereafter. L. Tomato Sauce. — Tomato sauce which will keep well is made of one dozen perfectly ripe tomatoes, two teaspooufuls of the best powdered ginger, one head of garlic chopped fine, two tablespoonfuls of vinegar, one dessertspoonful of ceyenne pepper and one of salt. Put the toma- toes into a stone jar and let them stand in a hot oven until they are tender. When cold remove the skins and mix the above named ingre- dients with the pulp and juice in the jar. Then put it away in bottles and seal tightly. This sauce is said to keep well for years. The to- matoes should be in the oven for several hours, and become thoroughly cooked. Brine Pickles. — Take a stone jar and sprinkle some coarse rock on the bottom ; then put in a layer of cucumbers, then a layer of salt, until you have the jar full. They will make a brine for themselves. As they settle down, fill up if you wish to. When wanted for use, take out what is required, and pour boiling water over them; soak until fresh enough, then put into vinegar. To keep pickles free from scum, they must be washed clean and the little black pickles removed. Canning Peas. — Peas may be prepared for canning by simply cook- ing as for the table, leaving out the seasoning, and filling the cans quite up to top while boiling hot. Have the peas rather young and tender. Add the seasoning when you open the cans to use them. Keep them in a cool, dark place, free from dampness. Chow-Chow. — Tomato chow-chow is made of six large tomatoes, one large onion, one green pepper, one tablespoonful of salt, two of brown sugar, and two small teacups of vinegar. Peel the tomatoes, cut them into small pieces, and chop the onion and pepper very fine ; stew gen- tly with the vinegar, etc., for an hour. 524 SOUTHERN PLANTER. [October The Southern Planter. SUBSCRIPTION : $1.25 a year in advance, or $1.50 if not paid in advance. TERMS OF ADVERTISING. PAGE RATES. One-eighth page One-fourth page One-half page.. One page 1 Mon. 3 Mons. 6 Mons. $ 2 00 3 50 7 00 12 00 g 5 00 9 00 15 00 30 00 $ 9 00 16 00 30 00 50 00 12 Mons. g 15 00 27 00 50 00 90 00 COLUMN RATES. 1 Mon. 3 Mons. 6 Mons. 12 Mons. Three inches Half column $ 1 00 2 00 3 00 3 50 7 00 $ 2 50 4 50 8 00 8 50 15 00 9 4 50 8 00 14 00 15 00 27 00 $ 8 00 14 00 25 00 27 00 50 00 type. ■ Special rates for cover. ■Beading notices, 25 cents per line, of brevier EDITORIAL NOTES AN APPEAL. Our subscribe™ must pardon us for again calling their attention to bills which were rendered with the July issue. These bills covered arrearages from January last and prior thereto. Not more than one in twenty have been paid. This is occasion- ed, we are sure, more from inattention than from indifference; but from whatever cause, the burden falls heavy on the inter- ests of the Planter. It cannot be reason- ably expected that it must pay cash for printing, paper, free postage, office rent and other expenses for the naked privilege of going to its subscribers. The Planter, under its present management, has never owed a cent to any person, and it wants to live in this way. Whenever it becomes necessary to contract debts, then it must stop; or, to ourtail expenses, drop from its mailing list the name of every subscrib- er who is more than six months in arrear. Should such a step become necessary it will be with the hope that all whose names are dropped will pay up arrearages and renew their subscriptions ; and if they do not, their bills must be sent to legal col- lectors in their respective localities. This is plain writing, but none too strong for fair-minded men. The Planter is doing its fair proportion of work for the agricul- ture of the country, and so has the right to claim what is legitimately due it. If bills have been mislaid, subscribers will please remit for one or two years, as they may judge their accounts to stand, and due credit will be given and receipt re- turned. THE HARVEST MOON— WHAT IS IT? This question is asked us, and at the first blush of it the reply appeared simple enough, but we found ourself in the con- dition of knowing and not knowing; and this may be the ease with a laige majority of people. A little investigation put us all straight, and the reply is now given: It is thus called because it is an irregular luna- tion which occurs each year early in Sep- tember about the time of the English har- vest. It is the nearest full moon to the equinox, and by reason of the small angle which, at this time, is made by the eclipt'c and the moon's orbit with the horizon, it rises for several consecutive days very soon after sunset. More continuous light from the moon is therefore given at this precise period of the year than at any other. The harvest moon appeared this year on 5th September on its full, and for three nights before there were but about thirty minutes difference in time of rising. A GOOD IDEA. Many persons using ensilage are at a loss for material with which to weight tbeir silos, particularly in lower Virginia, where stone is scarce. A friend tells us that Major Nowland, upon his King William plantation, has adopted the plan of weight- ing with his Winter supply of fire wood. This he cuts green during the Summer and with it weights the ensilage as the silo is filled, and will reap the double advantage of accomplishing his present purpose with 1884] SOUTHERN" PLANTER. 525 least labor and securing a supply of well seasoned wood for Winter use. GRASS FOR A NAME. "We have received from a subscriber in Fauquier County, this State, two samples of grass to be named. We think there can be but little doubt that they are two species of foxtail, genus Alopecurus pratensis, which abound all over the State and come into head about the middle of August. It is a grass which has no value whatever, as stock of no kind will eat it. It is simply a pest, but not so much as some other grass- es, as its roots are small and do not pene- trate the soil more than an inch in depth, . and does not appear in cornfields until the crop is laid-by, and it often puts up thickly in havfields after mowing. It is an an- nual and less objectionable on that account. THE TARIFF. We have several communications on the subject of the effect of a tariff for protec- tion to agriculture; and strange enough, one from the Dominion of Canada giving the writer's views of its effects there, and his argument that the effects in the States must be the same as in Canada. This is a subject for the political journals, but we inadvertently admitted two articles in our August and September issues on the prin- ciple that they discussed the question in the abstract without regard to political parties. It is so difficult to de this, that we see the propriety of remitting the ques- tion of the tariff in all its bearings to the political and partisan papers. RAMIE. We have received from the "Ramie Fi- bre Manufacturing Company," 422 West Fifteenth Street, N. Y., a sample of the stalk of the Ramie plant, with the skin, or bark, partially stripped therefrom, and also a sample of the prepared fibre, which is beautifully white and glossy, showing its value as a fibre plant. We also give in our present issue an article copied from the American Textile on the subject of the cul- 39 tivation, management and profit of this crop. THIS AND THAT. The Lynchburg Advance says this : The Best. — We have the August num- ber of the Southern Planter, Virginia's agricultural paper. This number is very interesting, and from it we shall take the liberty of clipping freely. This number is worth to any intelligent farmer the sub- scription for one year, $1.25. One of the most prominent of Virginia's livestock breeders says in a private letter, dated 2d August, 1884, that: "I regard the Southern Planter as the best advertising medium in the South. I have sold a great deal of stock from my Ad. in it this year." H. A. S. Hamilton, Fishersville, Va. THANKS. We acknowledge complimentary tickets for self and lady to the Indiana State F tir, held at Indianapolis on September 29th, 30th, and October 1, 2, 3, 4. Robt. M ob- eli, President; Alexr. Heron, Secreta The same to the Fair of the Shenand Valley Agricultural Society, to be hel Winchester, Va., on October 14, 15 16 and 17. H. L. D. Lewis, President. The same from Maj. Hill, Chief Mar- shall of the Albemarle Agricultural So- ciety, to be held at Scottsville, Va., on October 8, 9, 10. The same to the Second Annual Celebra- tion of the Order of Cincinnati, which takes place in Cincinnati, Ohio, on 17th September, with compliments of L. A. Leonard, Editor of Times-Star. Our Newspaper.— According to Edwin Alden & Bro.'s (Cincinnati, 0.), American Newspaper Catalogue for 1884, there are 14,867 newspapers and magazines publish- ed in the United States and the British Provinces. Total in the United States 14,176; in the British Provinces, 691; dil vided as follows: Dailies, 1,357; Tri- Weeklies, 71; Semi Weeklies, 168; Sun- days, 295; Weeklies, 10,975; Bi- Weeklies 39; Monthlies, 1,502; Bi-Monthlies, 26J Quarterlies, 83; showing an increase over the publications of 1883 of 1,594. Th e 526 SOUTHERN PLANTER, [October greatest increase has been among the Weekly Newspapers of a political charac- ter (?) while it has been least among the class publications. The book is very hand- somely gotten up and contains some 850 pages, prinled_ on heavy book paper, ele- gantly bound in cloth. It will be sent to any address, prepaid, on receipt of $1.50. We present the following as — The Military Feature of the Fair. — The military feature of the State Fair this year will be specially attraciive. The pro- gramme was arranged to-day as follows: Thursday. October 23d, 1884— Infantry —First prize, $1,000; secoud, $300; third, $100. Opt-n to all white military compan- ies in the United States. Friday, October 24th, 1884— Artillery- First prize, $300; second prize, $200. Open to all white companies in the United States; three or more batteries to enter. Cavalry— First prize, $300 ; second prize, $200. Open to all white cavalry compan- ies in the United States; two or more com- panies to ent?r. Infantry - First prize. $400 ; second prize, $200. Open to all white companies in the United States from the country or from towns and cities of less than 30,000 inhab- itants; three or more companies to enter. The judges in all the contests will be three United States Army Officers. BOOKS, &c. We have received from Sir J. B. Lawes, Bart., of England, a book of 105 pages, with this title: "On the Composition or the Ash of Wheat-Grain, and Wheat-Straw, Grown at Rothamsted, in Different Seasons, and by Differ- ent Manures. By Sir J. B. Lawes, Bart., LL. D., F. R. S., F. C. S., and J. H. Gilbert, Ph. D., LL. D., F. R. S., V. P. C. S., from the Journal of the Chemical S your blood vitiated by derangements ««■* of the digestive and assimilatory func- tions? is it tainted by Scrofula? or does it contain the poison of Mercury or Contagious Disease? T&J? leading physicians of the United I tlC .states, who know the composition of Ayek's Sarsaparilla, say that nothing el-e so good for the purifica- tion of the blood is within the range of pharmacy. UllLY possible for a person who has corrupted blood to attain sound health and prevent transmission of the de- structive taint lo posterity. TSUnPrSISfSW^ V effective renovation S rSU51UiJtar6i.Y ofthesystem must include not only the removal of cor- ruption from the blood, but its enrich- ment and the strengthening of the vital organs. DTI IADI E" witnesses, all over the nC.LIADL,& world, . testify that this work is better accomplished by Ayek's Sarsaparilla than by any other remedy. that is corrupted through dis- ease is made pure, and blood weakened through diminution of the red corpuscles is made strong, by Ayek's Sarsaparilla. jir»»3|s||(r» the blood and building arYIPSbl up the system require time in serious cases, but benefit will be derived from the u^e of Ayek's Sarsaparilla more speedily than from anything else. RJI™ for which like effects are t%&, falsely claimed, is abun- dant in the market.' under many names, but the ohlv preparation that has stood the test of time, and proved worthy of the vvorld's confidence, is Ayer 's Sarsaparilln, PREPARED by Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co., Lowell, Mass. Sold by all druggists : Price 1 ; six bottles for $5. PUR Eeceivea MeM EIGESS1 AWAED STEAM' ENGINES, A,B.FAEQUHAB,Tork,Pa.. Cheapest and best for all pur- poses — simple, strong, and du- rable. Also Horse Pow- ers and Gin Gear. Saw, Geist astd CoBarfl Hills Gins, Peessss P aid Machiiteey gener- answered. OF MESlT n *t £.■ CENTENNIAL. Send for Catalogue, SAWMILLS (specialty. VerticalEngines.witn orwithout a S- eg "Wheels. T7AT»T7 i. r.T,,-o-nt_ _^s*w ^~ "^ O wheels, very tonveni- ent, economical and complete in every de- rail, best and ___ _._> cheapest Vert- /J 35 M icaliathe//s fl.Vrh world. Fig.* 1 / > V 1 is engine ' ; inusa.Fig. VOW , ._;.; g ^Jxeady for \^ The Farqufcar Separator (Van-anted) Tort, Ta. L'fhtat draft QWt durabi; economic ! Bad perfect i: AND S: 322S3? fSISS AWARBEI SEPARATORS TUB SILVE3 MEBAL AT Paris Exposition, 1 for innatrated Catalogue. Ai&rwtA.B. Farquhar, Yerk,P* Dana's White Metallic Ear Marking Label, stamped to order with name, or name and address and num- bers. It is reliable, cheap and convenient. Sells at sight and gives perfect satisfaction. Illustrated Price-List and samples free. Agents wanted. C. H. DANA, West Lebanon, N. H, Order through the Southern Planter. Rockfqrdwatches Are unequalled in EXACTING SERVICE, ■ ^—r/T^fc—^-'z s-\ Lsed bjr the Chief feW- S»3'3L©/^^»-^dvJ Mechanician of the by the Admiral commanding in the U. S. Naval Observ- atory, for Astro- nomical work ; and by Locomotive Engineers, C on- ductors and Rail- ' ' ^naympii. They are :/ hiffi recognized as tor all u-t-s in which close time and durability are re- quisiteg. Sold in princijial cil ies arid towns l>y the t((M- P ANT'S exclusive Agents (leading jewelers, ) who give a Full Warranty. T9 I B" Is not Poisonous or Corrosive. War- H *■ ranted to cue SCAB. Mixes perfectly IB1= with COLD WATER. S i'e to use iL COLDEST HlTS* SI WEATHER. It is a sure rare for all f , 1 1 ' IB Hiiu Diseases, 1 nsect Posts, and U *•»*»&# Worms of domestic ani- in. us. For Sheep, leaves I** is Tf" f* D the wool like silk. Every farmer W JI I I* K should keepit. In the Household, »«« I »»l» destroys all bad smells. No infectious malady can | exist where tnis Dip is employed as a Disin- fectant. For its various uses in detail, and prices, send postage stamp to T. W. LAWFO^D, Gen'l Agent, 2S6 E. Chase St.. Baltimore, Rid. icon \JJ o asp [augtf] THE NEW ENGLISH COMPANY, FOR THE Sale and Purchase of Laud in Virginia, Have many enquiries for the purchase of farms and real estate, and have already made extensive sales at good prices. Those wishing to sell or buy land, or farm prop- erty, should apply at once to G. B. Lynes, Ivey depot, Albemarle county, Va. Parties wishing to look at farms can be boarded by advertizer. ^:~ "^1 G. B. LYNES." sep 6t THE BEST CATTLE FASTENING. Mil's Self-Aj]flstiDg Swing stanchion. , The only practical Swing Stanchion in- vented. Thousands in use. Illustrated circular free. Manufactured by C. D. BROOKS, Addison, Steuben Co., N. Y. myly The Virginia Hog Cholera Cure is the only absolute cure for Hog Cholera, as testified to by raisers and shippers. It completely eradicates the disease. Send for pamphlet of particulars. BUTLER, WINSTON & CO., Manufacturers, Norfolk, Va. Agents wanted in every county in the Southern and Western States. je ly o, "sat. johstes, DENTIST, Office: No. 807 Fkanklin St., bet. Eighth and Ninth. Elegant rooms ; uses best materials ; gentle, quick and thorough work ; long experience, and prices re- duced. Uses gas and chloroform in extracting teeth. iiov ly VIRGINIA CO-OPERATIVE STOCK FARM, FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA. Registered Jersey Cattle, of best batter strains a specialty. The largest herd in Vir- ginia, and most successful at State Fairs, kept on four farms. The Imported Farmer's Glory Bull, Telegraph (9457), and Imported Bull Cetewayo, 2d (6214); Imported Bull Cetewayo's Pride (8241). and the Imported Bull, Jersev Express (5771), all premium Bulls, are at the head of each herd of imported and other registered Jprsey cows and heifers of the Coomassie, Farmer's Glory, Cetewayo, and other noted strains. Stock for sale. Blooded Swine, Improved Sheep and Pure Bred Poultry. Send for Catalogues. Address, A. P>. or M. R. ROWE, sep 3t Lock Box 34, Fredericksburg, Va. THE UPPER JAMES RIVER VALLEY. All things considered, the advantages of this section cannot well be over-estimated. The advantages are, viz. : Health and salubrity of climate, good and productive soil, abundant supply of pure water, excellent timber, an inexhaustible supply of the staple minerals (coal and iron), accessible to the best markets with rapid transit. These lands are now cheap, yet must rapidly increase in value, and make sure and speedy fortunes to those who secure them at present prices. Send stamp for pamphlet, giving full particu- lars. Address Lock Box 47, Richmond, Va. W. A. PARSONS. mh rsv< f HELM OUT STUD' & m Was commenced in 1847, and has been continuously improved, and two grazing farms added, with the kind of stock my experience has adopted as best suited to our country's wants. I have bred only from stallions or mares of my breeding or importation, and suited to the wants of any section, and will sell any of above of three years old and over, and in plain, unpampered condition, will let stallions, if not. sold on safe business terms, for seasons of 1884. I have bred of several breeds of Cattle, but of late years only the Pure Shorthorns, and have all ages for sale, especially young Bulls, Heifers and Calves. I breed only the best Berkshire Swine, and have a number of Boar and Sow Shoats and Pigs for sale ; also, White Brahma Fowls and their Eggs. There may be other stock as good, or better, but my experience has settled on these, and I feel that I am doing a pub- lic good to forward the propagation of these improved breeds. S. W. FICKLIN. Near Charlottesville, Va., Jan. 1st, 1884. ap lv The Session begins on the FIRST OF OCTOBER, and continues until the Thursday before the fourth day of July ensuing. The Institution is organized in separate Schools on the Eclectic Svstem, embracing FULL COURSES OF INSTRUCTION IN LITERATURE AND SCIENCE, and in. the PROFESSIONS OF LAW, MEDICINE, ENGINEERING AND AGRICULTURE. THE EXPENSES of the student (except such as enter the practical laboratories) ex elusive of the cost of text-books, clothing and pocket money, a e trom S356 to $391, ac- cording to Schools selected; or, for those who economize by messing, these expenses are from $260 to $300. No charge for tuition candidates lor the ministry unable to meet the expense. Apply for Catalogues to W. A. Winston, Secretary, P. 0. University of Virginia, Al- bemarle county, Va. JAMES F. HARRISON, M. D., Chairman of the Faculty. seply Intel's Clipper Hay Press Is Claiming the a Broom ted to take it. Bales 10 tons a day. Loads full weight In cars. Address, GEO. EKTEL, & CO., Quincy, Til. jy tf ^ OH FA.1J Li PIiAWTIUff Gr. na B^ an pen The largest assortment in the country TRFFk 11 th - lc = ; °-' j ar - d -'•-" Fru " a -"i _■ "^ ^" *a« ISP On mental Trees, Shrubs, Pteonies, Hedge Plants, Grape Vines, Small Fruits, etc. Abridged Cata- logue mailed free. D f\ & C Si A Superb Collection. Carefully compiled ■ » ** CP Ei W ■ Catalogue describing test Old and Actu varieties mailed iree. New Illustrated Catalogue, cor.tain- ts ot the choicest bulbs, at low- est prices, now ready and mailed free. NEW GOOSEBERRY. TA e now offer a very valuable new variety. Circular giving full description and price, t -ether with a handsome colored plate, and New Catalogue ofSmall Fruits, free. Address, KLLWAK6EH & BARRY, Mount Hope Nurseries. Rochester, N. Y. -~ : r this pane BULBS » NEwer/ai&Tia ^COI/SCWATOr^OF/AlISIG Ffe?hIi?S'<[uaje Boston THE NEW EWGEAND CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC Furnishes Tmeotialed facilities for instruction in Piano, Organ, Viol in, Voice, all Orchestral Instrument <, an 1 Tuning. In the ART De- partment for Drawn.-. Painting, Modeling an 1 Portrait- ure. In Modern LArSUCAGES, German. French and Italian, with the best native teachers. In English Branches, Common and Higher. In the College of ORATORY in Vocal, Technique, Elocution, Kne- torfeal < irat.ry. Forensic and Lyric Art. In the 1\ EVV HOME excellent board and nicely furnished rooms. ■with light, heat, et"., can be had from $45 to S75 per term oftenweefes. i'uiti"n from 85 to S20for ten weeks in classes of four. Private Lessons in any Department. New Ctlenlar, beautirnlly illustrated sent free. FALL 1ERJI be sins Sept. 11th, 1884. E. TOTJRJEE, Director, Franklin Sq„ Boston. Sep 2t PATPMTQT Thomas P. Simp- ■ *^ ■ Ei II I O > sod, Washington, I). C. No pay asked for patent until obtained Write lor inventor's guide. sep 3t SOMETHING UNEXPECTED. Of Ten Different Breeds to be divided as premiums among those geting up the THOROUGHBRED SHEEP! largest clubs for m National fool-Growers' Quarterly, The official organ of the National Wool-Growers' Association. These sheep are donated by leading breeders of the United States, to aid in securing an immediate and immense circulation for The Quar- terly in every Stale and Territory. A handsome 64-page magazine, only 50 cents a year in clubs of ten ; single subscriptions, 60 cents. For particulars, cash commissions, etc., address at once, The National Wool-Growers' Quarterly, sep tf Pittsburgh, Pa. Product of 200 Acres SEED WHEAT. Beady for Shipment July 20th. GROWN EXPRESSLY FOR SEED. Comprising these hardv arcl productive varieties: TUSCAN ISLAM), T*LLF.T, MARTIN'S AMBER, KEO RUSSIAN. HYBRID M«l II" R«A EAX. I. AKDRFTH'S NEW WHITE. CANADIAN AMBER, OSTI'R'S AMBER IM1"» I.ANCASTER REI>, A o. dEiS^f*! k i ftCCCD Sample of each, price, OrElflAL UrrCH history, description, and my "Treatise on Wheat Growing, or How to Grow 50 Bushels per acre," sent on receipt of 6 cents in postage siamps. uAMUllL WILoUrl, Mechanics'le, Bucks bo.,Pa. ' sep 3t edical College OF VIRGINIA. T*,IO HT 1VC 1ST ID . The Forty-Seventh Session begins Octo- ber 1st. For catalogue, address M. L. JAMES, M D., sep 3t Dean of the Faculty. ORIENTAL PEARS! a specialty. 200,000 EeConte and Jiiefler Pears. Equal in pro- ditto the Orange. Really blightproof only on their own roots. Catalogue, with facts, Free, Peen To and Honey Peaches. A large, gen- eral assortment of Fruit Trees. Address W. F. H KIKES, Man- ager, Huntsviile Nurseries, IIUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA. sep 3t PATENTS Ha/id-Book FREE. _ R. S. & A. P. LACEY, Patent Att'ys, Wasf^ngtoa, D. C. sep 6t American Agriculturist. 100 Columns and 100 Engravings in each issue. 43d Year. $1.50 a Year. Send three 2c. stamps for Sample Copv (English or German) of the Oldest and Best Agricultural Jour- nal in the world. ORANGE JUDD CO. DAVID W. JUDD, Pres. 751 Broadway, New York. EARD WOOD ASHES as a Fertilizer 150 car-loads for sale. Can be delivered at any railroad station in the Eastern, Middle, or Southern States in car-loads of 14 tons. Dry, nnleached ashes from 25c. to 30c. a bushel ; leached ashes from 15c. to 18c. a bushel, according to location. JAMES HARTNESS, jy 3t Detroit, Mich. "THE BEST IS CHEAPEST." TI4RFQMFRQ SAW-MILLS, inLOnCnO Clover Hullers Horse Powers (Suited to all see! ions. ) Write for fk ee Illus. Pamphlet and Prices to The Aultman & Taylor Co., Manslield, Ohio. novl2t We -will sena you a watch or a chain BY MAIL OR EXPRESS, V. O D., to be examined before paying any money and if not satisfactory, returned at our expense. We manufacture all our watches and save you 30 per cent. Catalogue of 250 styles free. Every Watch Wariuntsii. Addeess STANDARD AMERICAN WATCH CO., PITTSBURGH, l'A. oct ly Send Ten Cents and get a sample copy of the Southern Poultry Guide A monthly journal devoted exclusively to Fancy Poultry, Pigeon and Pet Stock." It is interesting to both old and young, and should be read by every one interested in the improvement of poultry. To adverti- sers it offers extra inducements. The cir- culation ts large, and it is the only journal of the kind published in this part of the Southern States. The subscription price is only $1.00 per year. Address E. B. McARTHUR & CO., tf Meridian, Miss. C LUMSDEN & SON, 823 Main Street, Richmond, Va. Fine Watches, Jewelry, Clocks, Spectacles, Wedding Rings, &c. [ap ly] assortment of II- au3t M. T. PHILLIPS, UPHOLSTERER AND PAPER HANGER, 205 Broad St., Richmond, Va. Keeps always on hand a full and elegant assortment of Carpets, Oil Cloths, Mat- tings, Shades, Lace Curtains, Cornice, Rugs, Mats, &c. A fine luminated Paper. Great Norton and Southern Nursery. Catalogues Gratis.— Showing how and what to plant, with much valuable iulbrmatiou. For Fall of 18S4, my stock will be full and unusually fine. A full line of Peaches and extra long keeping Ap- ples, Keifer and Leconte Pears, Japan Persimmons, Reas Mammoth and Champion Quince, Small Fruits. Ornamental Trees, Fruit-tree Seedlings Grafts put up to order, and all stock usually found in a first- class Nursery. Prices low for reliable stock. au6t Randolph Peters, Wilmington, Del. E. J. Gregory, Late U. J. Gregory <£■ Co. E. H. Simpson, Late Ins. Pub. Warehouse. Gregory & Simpson, (Successors to E. J. Gregory & Co.) GENERAL COMMISSION MERCHANTS, 1206 Gary St., Richmond, Va. Prompt personal at'ention given to all produce consigned to us. LEAF TOBACCO, COTTON and GRAIN— Specialties. t^' Liberal Advances made on Consign- ments in hand. au3t Address, TAYLOR MFC. CO. 'J>lease Mention this Paper.) Chambersburg. Pa. my ly — alt 60BD0\SV1LLB FEMALE COLLEGE GORDONSVILLE, VA. Seventh Session begins about the middle of Sep- tember, 1884. Located in the finest climate in the State. Mountain air. but free from the severe changes of the more elevated regions. A full faculty, thorough instruction, good fare. Charges very moderate. F'or catalogue address Prof. J. WADK SHKLBUKNE, Principal. T. H. Blenus, Ass. Principal. jy tf SSO REWARD will be paid for any Grain Fan o£ same size that can clean and bag as much Grain or Seed in one day as our Patent MONARCH Grain and Seed .Separator and Bag- ger, which we oiler to the pub- lic a I a low price. Seocl for circular and price list, which will be mailed frkk. NEWARK MACHINE CO., Newark, Ohio, U. 8. A. Sawing Made Easy. JKQK&BSS LIGHTNING SAWING MACHINE SENT oasr For logins: camps. wood-yards t farmers getting 1 out stove wooi, and a]i sorts of log- -out ting— it is unrivaled. Thousand? sold ymriy t a boy of 18 can saw lo^s fast and *asy. Immense saving' of labor and money. "Writs for elejraiitly illustrated catalogue in 6 brilliant colors, also brilliantly illuminated poster in 5 colors. All free. Agents Wanted. F.n money -m-.de quicldy. MONARCH MI?'G CO., iA)206 State St., Chicago, ILL OC 6t W. C. SMITH, Manufacturer of Carriages, Buggies, CARTS AND WAGONS. Substantial work at lowest prices. Re- pairing of all kinds done promptly. A call solicited. Factory, 314 N. Fifth St., Richmond, Va. COMBINATION SALE WEDNESDAY, NOV. 12, 1884, we will sell publicly at Richmond. Ky , 50 HEAD of FINE JACKS and JENNETS, the very best that Kentucky affords. For catalogues, apply to WALKER, WATTS & COLLINS, 0^ 2t RICHMOND, KY. BSShotGun RZ H Revolvers, Rifles, Etc. J. W. RANDOLPH & EN0L3SH, :r i a :h: 3vn o isr id , Besides all the books used in the Private and Public Schools (also Warrants for the County, District and State School Fund at $1), offer on the best terms the largest as- sortment in Virginia of books in all the departmerts of literature. S@uCatalogues of 5,000 New and Old Works with prices from 10c. to §50, mailed to any address. oc It FOB SALE 1 THOROUGHBRED HORSES AND SHORTHORN CATTLE. PURE COTSWOLD SHEEP And BERKSHIRE PIGS. Address, R. J. HANCOCK, oc 12t Overton, Albemarle Co., Va. JJ A Valuable Book on Hillside Drainage. Every farmer should r»ad it. Shows the enormous loss of plant food from soils by surface washing and leaching. The true principles of Hillside drainage discovered at last by David Nickols, who stands with- out an equal on this subject. Book sent to any address on receipt of one dollar. Ad- dress DAVID NICKOLS, Drainage Engi- neer, Atlanta, Ga. oc It Jl.o.jE( _ newearltpEak,bakti,ett size, Ripe, latitude 42°, 20th July The earliest and most beautiful pear known. Sold Wholesale in New York at $8 Jier bushel V3~ Send for Full Description. Address. J. S. COLLINS, SlOOIiESTOWJV, New Jersey. OC It ^w^ PSAR HEADQUARTERS. W-jr » I'EACif *.- Other ERI/1T TREES. | Cl :\ New and old varieties of BERRIES. | " VA Early Cluster rn RlnrUomi .HayKing Strawberry. nldLKJerl J'. Marlboro ltan|>berry. Currants. Grai es, fir. ratal. ^'ueEree JO-i^s S. OOL..LENS, Mojl'estJwn.N. J. oc 7t , 2806Lbs,Wg't jp of two OHIO IMPROVED -CHESTER HOCS Send for description of this famous breed. Also Fowls. L. B.SILVER,Cleveland,"0. Ostery Seed Wheat—A White Variety. The Department of Agriculture describes this wheat thus: "This wheat was imported from Ostery. Russia, in 1876, and since that time has been grown upon the College Farm, at Columbia, Mo. It is a beardless white wheat, straw stiff, very hardy and pro- ductive. The average yield during the last five years has been thirty-two bushels per acre; average weight sixty three pounds per bushel. In 1882 the weight was sixty five pounds per bushel, being the beft of more than one hundred varieties grown on the Col- lege Farm. The grain is quite hard, and millers who have, ground it pronounce it of very superior quality for fl>ur." We have grown this excellent variety for two years It has yielded more than forty bushels per acre tor us. It i» as early as any wheat grown here. We have fifty bushels for sale. Price F. 0. B. two dollars per bushel. oc I t ___ G - B - STACY » Amelia C. H., Va. Corner of Ninth and Grace St., Richmond, Va. STRICTLY FIRST-CLASS IN ALL ITS APPOINTMENTS This Hotel fronts upon the beautiful Capitol Park — the most elevated, central and fashionable portion of the city. TERMS: $2.00 AND $2.50 FEB. DA'S". STEPHEN HUNTER, - - Proprietor. Standard Plant-Food for alLCrops. [Established 1866.] SOUTHERN FERTILIZING COMPANY, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, Manufacturers of STANDARD FERTILIZERS for Tobacco, Cotton, Wheat, Com, Oats, Clover, Grass, Pea-Nuts, Potatoes, Turnips, Garden Trucks, Grape Vines and Fruit Trees, For the FALL TRADE is presenting the following: o Ai n ^ cl r? r Brand l° r w£ ea J' i Ammoniated. 2. Old Dominion for Wheat, f ^ A " i " v " i ™^ v *« 3. " B. P." (Potash Mixture.) 4. " F. B" (Flour South Carolina Bone) And line of goods so full and complete as to meet every shade of demand. Chemically a mechanically perfect, and sold at bed-rock figures. 8gp"If no representative is handy to you address the Company direct. Aug— 3t. nrieii^ Jtzvu Gxle»iu. Opening December 1,1884; Closing May 31, 1885. UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE — United States Government, $1,300,000, Appropriated by the General Government. $500,000, Contributed by the Citizens of New Orleans. $200,000, Appropriated bv Mexico, ,vr vr vr, Appropriated by the State of Louisiana, $100,000, Appropriated by the City of New Orleans. From $5000 to $25,000, Appropriated bv Innumerable States, Cities and Foreign Countries, Every State and Territory i n the Union represented, and nearly all the Leading Nations and Countries of the World. The Biggest Exhibit, the Biggest Building and the Biggest Industrial Event in the World's History. trrUCATtOHB FOK EXHIBITS AI.KKADY KKI'KIVKI) COVKR MOItKSPArjK AND A OltKATh 1: V'Al'IKl Y OF SUB.IKCTS THAN THOSE OF ANY EXPOSITION KVKK II KI.D. The cheapest rates of travel ever known in the annals of transportation secured for the people evervwhere. For information, address E. A. BI'KKE, Director Ger<"-' W. T & C. C. E., •ns. La. rURCELL HOUSE, Norfolk, Yl Conveniently located and all modern improve- ments PHILIP F. BROWN & BRO., Prep'rs. Blue Ridge Springs, 7a., BOTETOURT CO., VA. The celebrated Dyspepsia Water and charming summer resort. jet' PHIL F. BROWN. $66 a week at home. $5 outfit free. Pay absolutely sure. No risk. Capital not required. Reader, if you want business _ at which persons of either sex, young or old, can make great pay all the time they work with absolute certainty, write for particulars to H. Hal- lett & Co , Portland, Me. f e ly DEDERSCK'S HAY PRESSES. the customer keeping the one that suits Order on trial, address for circular and location oi Western and Southern Storehouses and Agents -■ P. K. DEDERICK & CO., Albany, N. Y. myly Dr. GEORGE B, STEEL, 723 Main Street, Richmond, Va. Chas L. Steel, M. D., D. D. S., Assistant, oct ly Chester White, Berkshire and Poland-China Pigs, Fine Setter Dogs. Scotch Collies, Fox Hounds, Bea- gles bred and for sale by - A. PEOPLES & CO., West Chester, Chester county. Pa. Send stamp for circu- lar and price-list. f e ly Established 1883. THEX)NLY ONE IN VIRGINIA f Subscribe for the Virginia Live Stock AND Poultry Journal, A large 20-page Monthly, ably edited,, well illustrated, large circulation, national in character, and only 50 cents per year. Sample copy, 10 cents. It offers great inducements to advertisers. Address JOURNAL PRINTING CO., maytf Box 6, Louisa, Va. THE SCIENCE OF LIFE. ONLY $1. BY MAIL POSTPAID. KNOW THYSELF. A Great Medical Work on Manhood. Exhausted Vitality, Nervous and Physical Debili- ty, Premature Decline in Man, Errors- of Youth, and the untold miseries resulting from indiscretion or excesses. A book for every man, young, middle- aged and old. It contains 125 prescriptions for all acute and chronic diseases, each one of which is in- valuable. So found by the Author, whose expe- rience for twenty-three years is such as probably never before fell to the lot of any physician. 300 pages, bound in beautiful French muslin, embossed covers, full gilt, guaranteed to be a finer work in every sense — mechanical, literary and professional — than any other work sold in this country for Sf'2.50, or the money be refunded in every instance. Price only $1 by mail, postpaid. Illustrative sample, 6 cents. Send now. Gold medal awarded the author by the National Medical Association, to the officers oi which he refers. This book should be read by the young for instruc- tion, and by the afflicted for relief, li will benefit all. — London Lancet. There is no member of society to whom this book will not be useful, whether youth, parent, guardian, instructor or clergyman — Arcinnakit. Address the Peabodv Med'' al Institute, or Dr. W. H. Parker, No. 4 Btilrini.li N re t, Boston, Mass., who may be consulted on all d s s>'S requiring skill and experience. Chronic and '> i unto diseases that have baffled the skill of all yP » I other physicians a specialty. Suc h u% iZt f\ Li treat- ed successfully without TP* 11 ^^ g* E* I ET an instance oi' failure. I IHI ¥ Qua far Mention this paper. ap ly FAY'S CELEBRATED t» WATER-PROOF * MANILLA ROOFING Resembles fine leather; for Roofs, Outside I Walls, and Inside in place of plaster, i Very I °l ArPLES ' PEACHES, CHERRIES, To dealers wec»noffer stock on favorable terms, and the best facilities for packing "and Catalogues mailed on application. s FRANKLIN DAVIS & CO., Office : 1013 Main St., RICHMOND, VA. shipping. sep 6t HARNESS THE WIND BY "USING- THE MANVEL WIND ENGINE, sm Used by Farmers, Dairymen, Hotels, Private Residences, or any place I^llT ^ 8UPP1 ? ' ? r T ir6 ^ - YearS of ex Perience, a specialty of wind mills, with our trained mechanics, enables us to contract to deliver water from well or spring to any desired point. Automatic in Action Simple m Construction, Noiseless in its Work a IS requiring neither food, fuel nor instructions. WiU it Pay ? Do yoTwaS water E ered atthe house through milk tank to the stock. Write, giving^atariT of work von Tf^ASm. FUherviUe, Z*£SS$?** & °°" kI '™ ' g£ AA1 ps* for the working class. Send 10 cents 1 for postage, and we will mail you free If I la royal valuable box of sample goods \f %J Bb Isf that will put you in the way of mak- ing more money in a few days than you ever thought possible at any business. Capital not required. We will start you. You can work all the time, or in spare time only. The work is universally adapted to both sexes, youog and old. You can easily earn from 50 cents to 85 every eveniDg. That all who want work may test the business, we make this un- paralleled offer : to all who are not well satisfied we will send $1 to pay for the trouble of writing us. Full particulars, directions, etc., sent free. Fortunes will be made by those who give their whole time to the work. Great success absolutely sure. Don't de- lay. Start now. Address Stinson & Co., Portland, Me. fe ly .Grind your own Bone, Meal, Oyster Shells and Corn in the $5 HAND MILL (F Wilson's Patent). 100 per cent more made in keep- ing poultry. Also, Power Mills and Farm Feed Mills. Circulars and Testimonials sent on application, sep 3t - "WILSON BROS., Easton, Pa. H. E. Magruder, Pres. O Reierson, Sec. & Tr. E. T. W. Duke, V. Pres. G. Arnand, Supt. Monticello Wine Co. Monticello Wine Company makes abso- lutely PURE GRAPE WINES AND BRANDY. Norton's Virginia, Clinton, Ives, Virginia Claret (Concord) Del- aware and Catawba. Address the Company, or OSCAR REIERSON, Sec, sep 6t Cnarlottesville, Va. SedgwJckSfeofWire Fence lithe only general purpose Wire Fence in use, being a Strong Net- Work Without Barbs. It wi 1 1 turn dogs, pigs, eheep, and poultry, as well as the most ricious stock, Without i nj ury to either fenoe or stock. It is j ust the fence for farms, gardens, stock ranges and railroads, and very neat for lawns, parks, school lots and cemeteries. Covered With rust-proof paintfor galvanized) it will laBt a life-time. It is Superior to Boards or Barbed Wire in every respect. We ask for it a fair trial, knowing it will wear itself into favor. The Sedgwick dates, made of wrought- iron pipe and steel wire, defy all competltionin neatness. Strength and durability. We also make the best and Oheapest All Iron Automatic or Self-Opening Gato, also Cheapest and Neatest All Iron Fence. Best Wire Stretcher and Cost Auger. Alw; nianufae- ture Russell's excellent Wind Engines for pumping water, or geared engines for grinding and other light work. For prices and particulars ask ■Vudware dealers, or address, mentioning paper. •EDO WICK BROS. Mf'rs.. Ricbmond lad. je ly OPIUM andWHISKY 11 A 15 ITS cure*, at home without pain. .Book of particulars sent Free. B. M. WOOLLEN. M.D., Atlanta, Ga. We continue to act assolicitorsfor patents, caveats, trade-marks, copyrights, etc., for the United States, and to obtain pat- ents in Canada, England, France, Germany, and all other countries. Thirty-six years' practice. No charge for examination of models or draw- ings. Advice by mail free. Patents obtained through 11s are noticed in the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, which has the largest circulation, and is the mostinfiu- cntial newspaper of its kind published in the world. The advantages of such a notice every patentee understands. This large and splendidly illustrated news- paper is published WEEKLY at $3.20 a year, and is admitted to be the best paper devoted to science, mechanics, inventions, engineering works, and other departments of industrial progress, published in any country. Single copies by mail, 10 cents. Sold by all news- dealers. Ad dress, Munn & Co., publishers of Scien- tific American, 261 Broadway, New York. Handbook about patents mailed free. DIXIE SHIRTS! "AOME J} DRAWERS PINE DRESS SHIRTS a specialty. UNDERWEAR of all kinds ready made or to measure at short notice. Write for prices and printed blanks for self-measure- ment. We employ the most experienced cutters and skilled operators. We use the most improved steam machinery in our factory. We guarantee the quality and fit of every garment that goes from our factory. Cor- respondence solicited. H. T. MILLER & CO., MANUFACTURERS, Cor. Ninth and Main Sts„ RictooM. Va. [oct ly] ap ly THE PURE, EXTRA-CLEANED JOHNSON SRMS SEED WHICH YIELDS FROM Three to Six Cuttings Each Year, WITH PRODUCT OF Four to Eight Tons per Acre, making the Best of Hay and Grazing in the World, can be had of the undersigned. Send for descriptive pamphlet to JOHNSON GRASS, HE ^ E] ? T f^ST' (Sorghum Haiatense.) Aug— 3t. Postburg, Dallas County, Alabama. AX«I*ISON & ADDISON. MANUFACTURERS OF "STAR BRAND" SPECIAL COMPLETE MANURES FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING CROPS : TOBACCO, WHEAT, COTTON, CORN, OATS, VEGETABLES AID GRASS, Pure Flour of Raw. Bone, AcidiPhosphate, Ground Phosphate Rock, Sulphuric Acid. — DEALERS IN — German Kainit or Potash, Nitrate of Soda, Plaster, Jtc. OPFICE-J 322 Cary Street. 1 DBOUMABUn \i A FACTORY-Opposite Hocketts, J 1111/11 IWl XjVttJy V Mb ■ All orders and communications promptly attended to. fe tf Through the mails at same prices as in person. Write for samples or any information to BUY YOUR DRY GOODS JULIUS MEYER & SON, 601 and 603 Broad Street, Richmond, Va. Everything in the Dry Goods line, and lowest prices guaranteed. Dress Goods, Mourning Goods, Silks, Shawls, Cloaks, White Goods, Linens, Domestics, Cassimeres, Ladies, Gent's and Children's Underwear, Hosiery, Gloves, Corsets, Notions, Fancy Goods, Druggist's Sundries, Carpets, Mattings, Umbrellas and Parasols. Importers Lyons celebrated Gold and Red Border Black Silks. Special facilities for filling mail orders. Refer to Editor Southern Planter, Central Presbyterian, Christian Advocate, and Planters National Bank, Richmond, Va. my6t VIRGINIA STATE INSURANCE COMPANY. OFFICE: 1006 MAIN: STREET, RICHMOND, VA. INCORPORATED I2ST 1865. CASH CAPITAL, - #200,000. Insures Dwellings, Stores, Merchandize, and other property against loss or damage by fire DIRECTORS.— J. L. Bacon, President ; Thos. W. McCance, Vice- 1 resident. Win. H. Haxall, James Alfred Jones, Thos. Atkinson. Ko. E. Richardson, See. Jno, B. Grant, Jr., Ass't Sec. W. G. Maury, Solicitor. OS-Agents in all the prominent Cities, Towns, and Villages of Virginia seply OF THE TETST LARGEST Life Insurance Companies according to the official report of the New York Insurance Department, for 1883, THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL — SHOWS — 1. The highest rate of interest realized on its assets. 2. The smallest percentage of interest overdue. 3. Not one dollar loaned on stock or other fluctuating securities. 4. The lowest ratio of losses and expenses to amount at risk- 5. The lowest rate of mortality. 6. The smallest, percentage of policies ''not taken." 7. The largest surplus earnings for the past seven years. The above strong points explain the fact that THE NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL is furnishing the cheapest insurance to its members. We invite the fullest investigation of its claims, and will furnish estimates of cost at any age, for either Life or Endowment, Tontine or Semi-tontine insurance, on application. JOHN B. GARY & SON, Gen'] Agents, sep 3t Corner 10th and Bank Streets, Richmond, Va. D ™±S™' S HORSE TONIC FOR IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF HORSES, MULES, CATTLE, HOGS AND POULTRY. Giving them an appetite, glossy coat of hair, and can be left off after the animal is im- proved, without his falling back to his first poor condition. We have certificates froc representative men from all sections of the State of the great value of this remedy in the various diseases to which the horse is liable ; and also in Hog Cholera and Chicken Cholera. Circulars containing certificates will be sent on application. Prepared only by E. P. REEVE, Druggist, Sold by Druggists Generally. 602 E. Marshall St., Richmond, Va, june tf FARMERS OS* ORCHILLA GILO The BEST and CHEAPEST for ALL CROPS. That ORCHILLA GUANO positively and permanently enriches the land; that it in- creases the crop and improves the quality of the land; and that it never fails to ensure a' luxuriant growth of grass for succeeding years, are facts which 10,000 farmers, who are asing it in the States of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania are willing to testify. This guano is found on the Orchilla Island, in the Carribbean Sea, and comes to us di- rect by vessels, and all we do to it on arrival is to screen out the lumps and bag it. We guarantee Orchilla to contain from 35 to 45 per cent. Bone Phosphate Lime. And not only does it furnish, in high percentage, this niost valuable of all fertilizing elements, but (unlike acid Phosphate, which has its sole merit in the small percentage of phosphoric acid which it contains), Orchilla furnishes, as shown by an exhaustive analy- sis by Prof. J. W. Mallett, of the University of Virginia, a number of other valuable fertilizing substances, comprising Magnesia, Chloride Sodium, Chloride Potassium, ' Sesqui Oxide Iron, Carbonate Lime, Sulphate Lime, and others, making up the entire on i hundred parts; giving Lhe farmer 2,000 pounds of actual fertilizer in every ton he buys; and in a combination, formed in nature's laboratory, that cannot be attained by ,<\. any manipulation. !|J£.- THE CHEMISTS ENDORSE IT. Every cargo of Orchilla is analyzed before leaving the Island, that we may be sure that none is brought away below our guarantee ; and this analysis is verified by another anal- ysis after the arrival of the vessel in port. These analyses have always been confirmed by the State Chemists, and others who have analyzed it subsequently. We refer to Doctors Gascoyne and Taylor, of Virginia ; Dabney, of North Carolina ; White, of Georgia, and Leibig, Lehman, Williams. Toney and Wilson, of Baltimore, who have all made separate analyses of Orchilla. - , ORCHILLA lis LOW-PRICED— because we have left off the cost of manu- facture. ORCHILLA IS SUCCESSFUL— because it is Nature's own provision for her exhausted fields. And by its wonderful clover-producing qualities, it converts the cheap and barren high lands, like those of Eastern and Southern Virginia, into soil as fruitful as the Valley of the Shenandoah. All who have ever used Orchilla say, that as a grass grower it has no equal. ORCHILLA FOR WHEAT. For years the farmers of Maryland and Virginia have been testing Orchilla for wheat, side by side with the high-priced ammoniated goods, and the constantly-increasing de- mand for Orchilla shows how well it has stood the test. Not only has it made as much wheat (for less money), but it has left the land covered with grass and permanently im- proved. Give it a trial. Respectfully, IL4*W@@MfMi ^ m BALTIMORE, 3VED. TUAVERS, SNEAD & CO., Importers' Apt, 1326 Cary St, Bichioni, Va, We sell Orchilla at a low price. Send for our LITTLE BOOK, giving testimonials of ■"iers who have used it for years. nov ly BICatORD HUFFMAN GRAIN AND CU A N O DRILL. FAVORITE i Money and time .juts it with the grain with a Drill is prot (re saved by the use of a good Drill. It puts the grain in regularly and covers it nicely d from the winter freezes. Sows perfectly, Corn, Peas, Small Grain, CLOVER and other GRASS SEED. It wastes no fertilizer, but Grain put in A reputation which endures and increases with the progress of time, and after the lapse of years, is more wiiely and firmly established than ever before, can only be founded upon superior merit. This is briefly the history of the — American Fruit Evaporator, of whi ft we have the General Agency for Vir- ginia and North Carolina. Our patrons will confer a favor if they will furnish m the address of acquaintances and fmrl -growers who could use an Evaporator profita jiv, and we will send them circulars ?uid price-!: •: .--. Wc r. ho in this market, in addition to the above implements, which are each unri- valle a in i!s ciass, the following machinery, which needs no other praise than the reputa- tion xt r.s < slablisbed Iroia long use : The Lane Steam Saw Mill, The Peerless Portable Steam Engines, The Porter Manufacturing Co's Engines, The Peerless and Porter Steam Saw Mills, The New Monarch Wheat Drills, The Dederick Perpetual Presses. We have also the agency for THE RANDALL HARROW, THE THOMAS HARROW, THE ACME HARROW, THE PERRY HARROW. All of the above celebrated Harrows are handled by us for this market. Also T."li© OLIVER CHILLED PLOWS "The Best Plow in the Market." This Plow is sold with that easily understood guarantee, and the purchaser is allowed to be the umpire. Catalogue for'1884, 208 pages, sent to all farmers, and to dealers in Agricultural implements on application. It is the most complete Implement Catalogue now published. Address H. M. SMITH & CO., Manufacturers, P. O. Box 8. RICHMOND, -V'