Subscription REDUCED lo SI. 50 Per Annum in Aavance. TO 8 FamUy Department 469 Editorial — Notes for the Month 470 State Agricultural Society ; Pomona Granges 472 The Planters' ConventioD; Ten Good Hints 478 Georga»Watt ^ 474 To our Patrons 476 Who will do Likewise 476 Dr. Nichols' Patent Portable Fence.477 Visit to Belmont Stock* Farm 478 Letter from James Leigh Jones 470 Various Notes , i •( THE BTJRDETT OUaA-ISr. "MATCHLESS" BURDETT ORGANS. , We are now Agents for these celebrateji Instruments, and are prepared to furnish them to Sunday Schools, Churches and Families at the lowest market rates. The best judges pronounce them the "embodiment of grace, beauty, sweetness and fulness of tone. Illustrated Catalogues and Price Lists furnished free. STEINWAY PIANOS. These instruments, unquestionably, lead the Piano market, having ob- tained the highest honors ever awarded to any Piano manufacturer in the world. We are SOLE AGENTS for them in Virginia and North Carolina. We also represent the BRADBURY PIANO, So distinguished for brilliancy, sweetness and power. SEVEN FIRST PREMIUMS received at State Fairs in the short space of POUR WEEKS. ... Illustrated Catalogues and Price Lists furnished free on application. STAEKE & KTLAND, Agents, 913 Main Street^ Richmond , Va» LOOK! LOOK! LOOK!!! It knows norival— was the first introduced into the household for general use, and the number now in daily use, viz: more than 1,000,000, place it beyqnd a doubt foremost in the list of Sewing Machines. The new Nos. 6 and 7 Machines, adapted especially to heavy work, are now in the market. We extend a cordial invitation to all to come and see if our representations ire not true. The Allef;retti "Iceberg," a refrigerator which maintains a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit is now on exhibition and for sale at our office. Don't fail to see it. WHEELER & WILSON, Manufacturing Company. O. L. RADWAY, Manager, Corner Ninth and Franklin Streets, Richmond, Va. 4^A^^^ THE SOUTHERN PLANTER & FARMER, DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS Agriculture is the nursing mother of the Arts. — Xenophon. Tillage and Pasturage are the two breasts of the State.— Sully. L. R. DICKINSON, ...--- Editor and Proprietor. New Series. RICHMOND, VA., AUGUST, 1875. No. 8 [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] COST OF FENCING. [The following article is on an important subject to our farmers, and we hope to hear from others on the subject. We think we can safely say that our excel- lent correspondent, ex-Governor Wm. Smith, of Fauquier, will give us his views in our next issue. — Ed.] When I look around me in this enlightened nineteenth century, with my political economy study cap on, and see the stupendous fol- lies of people, for want of what they always claim to have to a high degree, a little common sense, and the want of sensible concurrent action to achieve important results, I have no hope of a millennium in agriculture or anything else, and believe the '■^dies irx'' will come and find the fool-killer's work not half accomplished. In this day of degenerate politicians, however, who never attempt to enlighten the people, but follow in the wake of crude public opin- ion, as sharks in the wake of a vessel, who listen for the " vox popuW with ears as erect as a wild Indian who catches the sound of his game upon the passing breeze, who are all for personal success, and nothing for principle or the common weal — there is no hope for us but to await a change in the tide, and hope almost against hope, that a better day will dawn. Some year or so ago there appeared in an agricultural paper the broad assertion that the cost of fencing in the State of Pennsylvania was equal to the whole value of the live stock in the State. This was so remarkable a statement as at once to attract our attention. To make some approximate estimate of the cost of fencing to the people of Virginia is the object of the present article, and whilst the data are insufficient or not sufficiently accurate, perhaps, to arrive at a high degree of approximation, low estimates have been advisedly taken, that the actual costs shall rather exceed than fall short of the results obtained. 1 392 THE SOUTHERN [August From the statistics of Agriculture in 1870, we find that in the State of Virginia as at present organized, there were 73,849 farms of all sizes, and that of improved lands, exclusive of wood lands, and other unimproved lands there were 8,165,040 acres. This gives 110 acres as the average size of the farm of improved lands necessi- tating a fence. If we add ten acres additional to cover the wood and other lands under fence, we may safely assume we think that the average farm in our State requiring to be enclosed is about 120 acres, or 1200 square four-pole chains. If we suppose this farm to be in the form of a square, which of quadrilaterals, gives the mini- mum fencing for the area enclosed, the side of the square would be 34.64 chains, or as a very close approximation 762 yards. If divided into six rectangular fields, the amount of fencing required would be seven times as much, or 5,334 yards. Allowing 40 rails for every hundred yards of an ordinarily good fence, we have to enclose properly the average farm, 21,336 rails. The rails are worth per hundred in both the timber and mauling about $1 10 say, upon an average through the State, though as we have no means of verifying this hypothesis, it may be not be a very near approximation, yet the true value would probably exceed the amount assumed as our basis, as 100 good rails would make a cord or more of wood, and the cost of mauling is from 50 to 75 cents per hundred in different sections. This gives say, 235 dollars as the cost of the rails necessary to enclose the average square farm. But this being the most economical form of enclosure for four-sided areas, and not adhered to in prac- tice, we may safely assume in consideration of the crooked fences and irregular forms of our fields 250 dollars as a still closer approxi- mation. Now comes in the additional expense of hauling and fenc- ing. We suppose at the average distance for hauling rails at dif- ferent seasons of the year, nine loads per day with a two-horse team, and 33 rails at a load would be a sufficiently high estimate. This would make 300 rails per day. If we assume the cost of hauling and the additional expenses of fencing the 300 rails to be two dol- lars, a low estimate, the cost of fencing the 21,336 rails would be 142 dollars, and allowing the small amount of eight dollars for the irregularity of fields as above 150 dollars. Thus we have 400 dollars as an approximate result for the outlay necessary to fence in 120 acres of land with a good new enclosure into six fields. It would therefore require an outlay to enclose the 73,849 farms in the manner and upon the basis adopted, $29,539,600, or twenty- nine and a half millions of dollars. The value of all the live stock in the State by the same census was $28,187,669, over twenty-eight millions. Even if a four-field enclosure be adopted, the expense would be 8ix-8evenths as much, or it would do away with only one division line, and the cost would be over twenty-five millions. We may safely as- 1875. PLANTER AND FARMER. 393 sume, then, that the cost of good new enclosures for all the farms of the State equal the value of their live stock. Granting that these enclosures require, to be replaced every twelve years, we have here a little item of nearly two and a half millions of annual expenditures sunk in fences to keep out stock, two millions of which could be saved by requiring all farm stock to be fenced in, in standing pas- tures, or by moveable fences that could be durably constructed. It should be observed also that the smaller the farm the greater the relative expense, as it requires just half as many rails to enclose 25 acres as prescribed, as it does to enclose 100 acres. The poor man and small farmer is thus much more interested in this matter than he has ever been taught to consider, but as we said before, our public men and law-makers never attempt to teach the people up to economic laws, but rather mount the rostrum to teach them how to vote. We omit here the losses incident to our agriculture from successive droughts, which by some are supposed to be due in part to the de- struction of our forests. This is, however, controverted. Though we have paid no special attention to this subject, either as to its philosophy or statistics, if there are any reliable — which we doubt. Yet one fact is worthy of consideration, and that is, that waters which fall to the earth are rapidly collected into streams and move off to the ocean presenting very little surface for evaporation, whilst the immense amount of water caught and held for evaporation by the great forests of a continent, can be better appreciated by the little urchin, who inveigles his playmate under a tree to shake down a heavy shower upon him, than the philosopher who has forgotten his boyish tricks. But we leave this to the philosophy that rides upon the wings of the wind, and shoulders all responsibilities upon the gulf stream. What say the editorial fraternity of your city, yourself included. We believe they all speak ex cathedrd on kindred subjects, and En- glish Grammar. C. J. Kemper. [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] A LETTEK FROM MISSOURI. Allow me to greet you from across the "Father of Waters," and pay my compliments to your most excellent Journal. I have just finished reading the May number, one of the best yet, several articles in it being worth to the practical farmer each a year's subscription. I cannot help drawing a comparison between the Planter and Farmer of to-day and that of ante helium times. Then it was filled with learned dissertations on the art of Agriculture, which but few could understand and none practiced ; now it commends itself for the entire practicability of all its communications. Its writers are evidently men who practice what they so ably set forth. I have B94 THE SOUTHERN [August been induced to write a short article from reading the one on "Irish Potatoes" in May number. I have raised a crop of Early Rose this season with half the labor I ever did before, and with better results. I will give the mode as taken from my dairy. Would like for others to try it. Ground being well prepared plant as early as possible in furrow, laid off, with a long sharp shovel, a little over three feet apart ; cover with same, running close on each side of row. This leaves the ground in a succession of sharp ridges. When the first potatoes make their appearance above ground go over with a sharp harrow, if possible the Thomas smoothing harrow;' this completely kills the young weeds and the potatoes now come up rapidly. When well up plow closely with a long bull-tongue, three furrows to the row. In a short time young potatoes will begin to form ; then lay by with the shovel. Very little hoe-work will be needed, as this is sufficient hilling for early potatoes. And now a word about the labor question. I have worked with slaves upon a farm, with freedmen, and with native white labor. All as a general rule worked well when the employer himself set a good example, but for other reasons in addition to those "Powhatan" has given, I prefer the blacks. They are skillful in the cultivation of Southern crops and the use of tools, which foreign labor is not. Think for instance of attempting to raise and market a crop of tobacco with a set of raw foreigners. Plenty of native white labor can be procured here in the West, but those who have never tried it do not know the annoyance attending it. If I were a man of family, sooner than subject my wife to the annoyance and my children to the contaminating influences of ^hired boys, I would work fewer acres, or else adopt a different system of farming. Of course there are some noble exceptions. Would say to Virginians, do not be in a hurry to move West. What with the grasshoppers, chinchbugs and drought, there are hun- dreds now all over this country who wish they had remained satisfied at home. I believe honestly, that all things considered, Virginia has no equal among the States for the farmer. What she lacks in fertility of soil is made up in natural advantages, and her soil, a .great deal of it is as good, or can be made as good, as any in the West. The same economy practiced there will, in the end, reap as good results as here. I suppose this would be considered disloyal to my adopted State, but it is nevertheless true. Last year we had a drought of unexampled severity. This year we are drowned out, corn terribly washed on steep lands, a result of the miserable check- ing system on hillsides. And now the army worm is upon us. God save us. Harvester. It is easier to bear up under our misfortunes than to survive the comments of our friends ofl them. 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 395 fFor the Southern Planter and Farmer. 1 THE FAIRS OF THE {STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY I have read with interest the article of " F. W. C," in the Planter of the current month under the title, " The last State Fair and the next," and I like it. The writer is evidently an intelligent and ap- preciative farmer, and his timely suggestions are worthy of attention. His inquiries as to what has been done in the past may be answered, and what may be done in the future will, I trust, remove all causes for criticism. His question, why are larger premiums offered for Short-horns than other thorough-bred cattle, may be answered by the fact that high-bred animals of this class are more costly than those of other classes, arid a higher premium isnecessary to cover the risk of transportation and induce breeders to take that risk. F. W. C, if I mistake not the person whom the initials indicate, is a spirited breeder of Devon.s, which are much better adapted to the large district of Virginia east of the Valley to and including Tide- water, than Short-horns, and are, therefore, really of more value for that region, just as the South-down sheep is more valuable in a large portion of our State than the Cotswold ; but a Devon bull will not bring one half the price of a premium Short-horn bull, whilst the premium offered for the former has not the same relative proportion. The breeders of Short-horns have complained of this as being too slight a discrimination in their favor, but the Society has done the best it couVl, and the present practice in this matter has prevailed since the first inauguration of our Fairs. I may add, that in making up Jihe premium lists the work is usually referred to sub-committees of the Executive Committee, or rather the Advisory Board of the different departments, and the six members constituting the Board for the animal department are all gentlemen of high character and intelligence, who represent different sections of the State, and are familiar with stock-breeding, in theory if not in practice, and but one of them, so far as I know, has any personal interest in the breed- ing of Short-horns, and the premium list as published is the unani- mous result of their action after due revision by the whole com- mittf^e. It cannot, therefore, be fiiirly said that the Society is "run in the interest of Short-horns to the exclusion of all other breeds ;" but the other breeds,, with their grades, have, as we suppose, due consideration, and it certainly is not the intention to make any un- just discriminations. Hoping that this may be a satisfactory response to the question of our friend F. W. C, I now pass tt) another part of his article which every true friend will endorse. It is too true, as he states, that our past exhibitions since the war have not been full in respect to farm, garden, orchard, and tlomestic products, but the reason for this may be seen in the bad seasons which have prevailed ; and yet he very justly rebukes the farmers anc^ their wives in the body of the State when they fd.il to exhibit samples of their products, and 896 THE SOUTHERN [August permit the bulk of the premiums to be taken bj those who resid near the city of Richmond. He very pertinently remarks, " that there is no department of the Fair which could be so well supplied and with so litile cost or trouble to the exhibitor.'* Having been blessed this year with fine seasons and crops, this reason will not be good at the approaching Fair, and it is hoped that the suggestions of F. W. C will be duly heeded, and that the display of these pro- ducts will be grand and telling from all sections of the State. F. W. 0. next mentions " an annoyance which should be dispensed with — the introduction of fat- women, big babies, deformed animals," &c. Our reply to this is, that the rules forbid all demoralizing exhi- bitions, games of chance, betting on speed trials, &c., and only those shows which are innocent in their character are admitted, and they are taxed to an extent which yields a good income, which, added to other receipts, make up the fund from which the premiums are paid. And there is another view to take of this matter. Fairs will not suc- ceed without visitors^ and whilst many persons attend them with a view to instruction and profit, yet, probably a larger number go to be amused and entertained. Everything, therefore, which can legiti- mately contribute to both instruction and amusement will add to the general success. This principle is too well established by experience obtained from all popular gatherings to justify efforts to counteract it ; and there are no good grounds for the belief that the Society at its Fairs, or the people who ought to be benefited by them, are in any way damaged by it. On the whole, F. W. C. has done the Society good service, and I hope that the public will not only hear from hira again, but that* he will be on hand at the next Fair with a good herd of Devons, and other things which may be contributed from his well regulated farm. W. C. Knight, Prest S. A. S, [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] WHY CANNOT WE SAVE OUR OWN SEED? It is estimated that from twenty to fifty thousand dollars are ex- pended in Richmond yearly for garden seed. There would be some excuse for this if we could not grow these seeds ourselves. So far as my knowledge extends, the Early York Cabbtige and the Cauli- flower, are the only vegetables not bearing reliable seed in this lati- tude and climate. For many of our seeds we have learned not to rely on the North, for example, of melons, cymlings, sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas, navy beans, peach blow potatoes and late corn. But for nearly every- thing else we send North, because it saves us time if not money. There is a point in regard to the saving of seeds that must be borne in mind. We must know what class of plants will mix through the bloom. For example : You must not set for seed plants, a ruta 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 397 baga turnip near a flat dutch, or other variety. The best of seed vegetables is not very extensive, but it is sufficiently so to make » knowledge of them necessary in order to have your seed unmixed. Some correspondent skilled in Botany will, I hope, give us some in- formation on this point. I suggest that neighbors form an association for mutual aid in this matter — one agreeing to have seed of theruta baga only for instance, and another of the red top only, and mutually exchanging ; and the same of other sefeds that mix when planted in too close proximity. . There are 'jertain insects that destroy seed. Snap beans and black- eyed peas are destroyed by a bug that bores out of them. The egg is laid while they are green and soft ; is hatched in due time. The worm eats enough of the bean or pea to affect its power of generation. To prevent this the usual plan is to plant late — save seed from this late planting The seed of the early crop may be preserved by fill- ing any air tight vessel entirely full of the beans as soon as they are fully dry. Keep the vessel tightly corked until seeding time. The corked vessel contains so little air that the insect when hatched can- not live. With regard to the early rose potato, thousands of bushels of which' are sold here for seed, it has been answered in the Plctnter, that seed may be grown from the tuber of the same year planted in July. I myself have tested that the present season. Am now eating potatoes grown from seed planted from last year's crop which ripened in July, was planted and dry in October. G. G. Minor. Henrico^ June 16, 1875. [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] BLUE GRASS, &c. SMYTH COUNTY, VIRGINIA, FARMERS' CLUB. . The regular June meeting of Smith county Farmers' Club took place at the residence of Mr. C. W. Beatie, on the 24th, and was an interesting occasion to those in attendance. The President being absent, Vice President James M. Byars, oc- cupied the chair. After the usual call to order, and ordinary preliminary business disposed of, Mr. A. T. St John from committee for examination of farm last visited, read his report. The farm was that of Capt. Jas. M Byars, and for grazing takes rank as one of the best in this sec- tion, lie has upon it a small herd of superior thoroughbred short- horns, among which maybe mentioned the following: The young bull "Royal Briton," Jr., the last male calf of ''Royal Briton," Sr., "Elvina 3d," dam of the younger ''Royal Briton," also, "Ringlet" and "Milk Maid." The last named animal commenced giving milk in good quantity and quality at the age of nine months, and con- tinued on 80 up to the time she had her first calf at eighteen months 376 THE SOUTHERN [August of age ; she was then milked freely for two years longer, near the time for dropping her second calf. These animals are from the herd of Mr. Coffin, at Muirkirk, Mary- land, who owned "Roy Briton " when he died. After reading the report, Mr. St John called particular attention to a large boundary of old pasture land where the blue-grass sod ap- pears, to be giving way, and its place occupied by common cinque- foil (potentilla reptano) and suggested an inquiry naturally arising as to what should be done with it ? To plow the fidd would destroy much valuable blue-grass sod, and to fence oif that portion, lying as it does in the very centre of the field, would be expensive. The question he thought one worthy of investigation, and might bring to notice some fertilizer by which the growing plant might be destroyed, at the same time improve the soil. Mr. John L. Sanders believed it would be best to plow up the whole field, and thereby put the land in a better state of cultivation. The old sod was wearing out and needed resetting. Here a con- siderable length of time mjght elapse before a profitable sod of blue grass could be made to grow upon the land, but other grasses, known unto us as cultivated grasses di^ contradistinctive to blue grass^ which grows spontaneously, could take its place in a much shorter space of time. He was one of those who believed that we had several other kinds of grass better adapted to our wants, which, after a few years of thorough cultivation of this land would take readily from sowing the seed and yield a larger profit, both for grazing purposes and for hay. The idea once so common that we should never plow an old sod had exploded. If we desire to add substantial improvement to our lands they must be judiciously cultivated, and then reset in grass. To plow up this entire field would not be loss but rather gain. Many places were now almost useless, and the whole field must soon become so, unless a change is brought about in some way. Let the land be put into cultivation, observing a proper rotation of crops, and seed in clover, timothy or orchard grass, or what is better perhaps, a mixture of several of these grasses. Upon the same area in a short time there would be more grass of a kind preferred by the animals, and hence a larger amount of fat will be the result. We know, even on rich land, several years are necessary to secure a good l)lue grass sod, while upon poor land it can scarcely be grown at all. The chair (Mr. Byars) believed the question raised in the outset necessarily involved a discussion as to the relative merits of different grasses, and he was gratified to find so much interest manifested in the matter. He had been taught in early life to believe that blue-grass food at the head of the list for grazing purposes ; the older it was the better; and was now unwilling to^give up that it was not deserved- ly so. He desired to ask the question, which produced most fat? Called attention to a piece of old sod within the bounds of his own farm, upcn which he usually kept his best cattle, and which af- forded the ample supply of superior grass for a larger number, and 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 399 for a longer time than the same area upon any other portion of the fan I.. Mr. Sanders, resuming his leuiarks, said in answer to the question, that he knew it was not generally conceded, but he was of the opin- ion that he could put on more fat with cultivated grasses than with bhie grass, as we have it here. With the former tlie animal wa^j more bountifully supplied and partook of it more freely and conse- quently in)prov(Hl more rapidly. That cattle have a preference for the former, is shown when the stock are in the same field. They eat the blue grass last. The pasture referred to by the chair is no doubt one of the finest in the country, and so long as it remains in that condition ought not to be ploughed. While it is a good sod, the character of the land is almost incomparable — certainly the best on the farm. If this sod fails, plow it up and put no other grass, or sow blue grass, which has not been the 'custom heretofore in this section, and a large profit must result. If we class our lands first, second and third quality, we give to blue grass the first because of its spontaneous growth, leaving the second and third classes for what we have to-day, called "cultivated grasses." Mr. R. B. Snapp remarked that when blue grass has a good stand, and the season is favorable, it will no doubt graze more cattle than other grasses mentioned by Mr. Sarulers, but will not produce as many tons of hay. These, if allowed to get full grown, will afford excellent grazing, but the blue grass, being more permanent, will last longer, though it does not stand drouth well. I find, too, that old pastures will run out; worms get into them; the ground, from being constantly trampled, becomes packed ; the grass roots matted together, so that none but continued rains can wet the earth. When this obtains, it is all important to plow the land and impart new life to the soil. On my own plantation, a field of some fifty acres be- came almost impenetrable to water. Worms cut off the grass, apd this season I have had it thoroughly plowed preparatory to reset- ting. On being asked by the Chair if he could not restore it without plowing, said he thought not — that this was the best thing that sug- gested itself Mr. J. Look, of Rich Valley, in this county, who was present as a visitor, being called upon for an opinion, said : Blue grass on sandy soil seems not equal to those mentioned by the gentlemen as cultivated grasses. In his section of the county there were many old blue grass pastures, on high grouned particularly to enjoy it as a desirable change to them. It is a good appetizer, and its properties very fattening ; and for soiling purposes no grass is better adapted. With proper cultivation it can be made to yield from two to three tons per acre. But it is neces- sary to remark that the Hungarian Grass may be classed as a "heavy feeder," but upon the other hand it will repay this attention. The land should be in good condition and freshly manured at the time of seeding. Finally, we suggest to the members the seeding of one or two acres as an experiment, which will likely lead them to introduce it more largely, and retaining this green hay for their own use, they will be enabled to sell more largely of clover and timothy. J. A Lynham, J. G. Beattie, 1} Committee, REMEDY FOR SMUT IN WHEAT. A farmer in Ireland whose wheat was much afi'ected by smut, suc- ceeded in remedying this evil by adopting a simple preventive which he learned had been practiced successfully in Flanders for many years. The remedy is a steep composed of sixty pounds of quick lime and thirty pounds of salt made into a solution sufficient to cover 600 pounds of wheat. In order to test this remedy, he procured the worst smutted wheat he could find, and after steeping for different periods, he sowed 112 pounds, divided into four equal parts, on equal portions of land. No. 1, merely steeped so as to cleanse it. No. 2, steeped in the solution 12 hours. No. 3, steeped 24 hours. No. 4, steeped 48 hours. At reaping time No. 1 was dreadfully black. No. 2 had a good deal of black in it. No. 3, none at all. Nos. 3 and 4 swelled very much, but did not burst. No 2 swelled also, but not so much. See- ing that No. 3, which was steeped for 24 hours, succeeded as well as No. 4, he has practiced steeping for 24 hours, and has continued to do so with perfect success for thirty-two years. He has not had the slightest appearance of smut in his wheat since he commenced using this remedy. After taking the wheat out of the steep he lets it lie in a heap to drain. In brDken weather he has kept it after being steeped for ten days, turning it every day, without any bad results. 406 THE SOUTHERN [August TOO MUCH COTTON. Writers have harped upon this old hackneyed thenae without effect, until many have laid aside their pens in despair; but they should hope on, hope ever, and never give up their faith. Many ministers have preached to the same people for successive years, without any apparent effect, until tempted to believe that they — the hearers—^ were as hard-hearted as the granite rocks that sprinkled their native hills ; but finally, a great revival would break out — and 0, what a change for the better ! Southern planters have been in the habit of planting too much cotton, and unfortunately the habit remains ; even at tne present writing, little rabbit-eared cotton adoi*n our hills and besprinkle our valleys — and what are the fruits now in May, 1875? Many are going about trying to buy a little corn, without either money or credit ! 0, ye cruel greenbacks, why have ye forsaken us ? Horses and mules that looked fat and sleek in March, now begin to adver- tise their backbone and ribs so clearly, that " he who runs may read." Hogs, fat in March, have lost their energy, and lie up in the fence corners, afflicted with the dry rot or red rust, I don't know exactly which. Pigs are drawing up and swelling about the stomach, which I guess has become filled with gas. Even the faith- ful old chanticleer has apparently quit crowing; while snakish look- ing, hide-bound curs — that our patriotic legislators are afraid to tax for fear of losing votes — are prowling about beneath the stars, kill- ing sheep and tearing up hen coops ! But still, to make things worse, bacon is "« rising^'' and flour's '"' gitting up,'' while cotton is hardly paying the expense of making it. It was once thought if we could get rid of the " carpet baggers," that everything would work right. Well, this patriotic band of gentry has disappeared. Some have gone to the North — others to a warmer clime ! But still, something else seems to he needed. It was once thought if we could get laws enacted to prevent debt- ors from paying their just obligations, and make men possessing brains support those deficient in that important element of success, that all would be able to prosper and live ; but this game has about played out, and capitalists and factors are shutting down the gates — and something else seems to he needed. It was once thought that the cause of hard times may be found in the fact that many of our laborers, having no brains to direct their muscles, labor and manage to a great -disadvantage. There is much truth in this, but it is not the something needed. Finally, the something needed is more brains and less cotton, in reference to the whites. " They have had line upon line, and pre- cept upon precept," without effect, apparently; but necessity's iron arms are now around them ; they must capitulate to common sense, or the very life will be pressed out of them. Strange, remarkably strange, that the South could support herself 1875.J PLANTER AND FARMER. 407 while vast armies devastated her territory with fire and sword, and while her strong, vigorous sons were nearly all upon the tented field, and now can scarcely do it, though peace reigns and genial showers fall. But the secret is easy to discover. Too much cotton ! Too MUCH COTTON ! Since engaging in agriculture, I have invariably planted as much corn as cotton, and this year have nearly as much land in oats as cotton. — Jas. H. Oliphant, in Southern Cultivator. [For the Seuthern Planter and Farmer.] THE PREPARATION FOR WHEAT. The preparation for wheat is a subject which our farmerg have to consider and decide upon during this month, if they have not already done so. For some years past the weather has been so unfavorable for sum- mer fallowing clover or sod land, that many farmers have stopped try- ingt make that preparation for wheat ; but plant corn onland that they would have reserved for that crop, and sow on the corn stubble the next year. Along with this abandonment of summer fallow, there has been a great falling ofi" in the yield of wheat ; and the corn being planted on sod or clover land, there is a great increase in the complaints to that crop from cut and bore worms. Oats having for some years brought more money per pound (often double) than corn, I would suggest that it would be more profitable to substitute oats on all highland that is at all liable to be washed by the heavy summer rains, in the place of corn, and especially on all such hill land as will not bring, in a moderate good season, seven or eight barrels of corn to the acre. The oats on such land, after deducting the difference in cost of cultivation, would probably bring as much or more net money than the corn crop; a less weight would have to be hauled to market, and the great loss of fertility to the land, from the washing done by every heavy summer rain would be probably avoided, which last is gene- rally greater than would be caused by the successive removal of several heavy crops which do not cause or permit such a destructive denudation of the soil. If, then, it be found in any summer that the clover cannot be fal- lowed in time for wheat, or if there is a sod field which would be left for summer fallow, but for the almost certainty that there will not be seasonable weather enough to plow it in, if we wait, instead of plant- ing in corn, especially if it is hill land or at all liable to wash, sow it in oats, even though you have to shorten your projected corn crop considerably to do so. Put the labor thus saved on your bottom or level land corn, and on your tobacco, and you will find that though the area cultivated may bo considerably diminished, yet the crop will not be so very much shortened, and the oats will make up the difference or more. 2 408 THE SOUTHERN [August As soon as the oats are cut — and don't be too careful about saving what grows on the poor spots, where the oats require as much time and trouble to save as thc^y are worth — haul them up land start your plows on the stubble, and sow some buckwheat on the freshly plowed land before a rain has fallen, if you can. There will always be oats enough left on the ground to seed it pretty thickly, and they, with the buckwheat, will spring up with the first rain ; and, in an ordinary season, by the middle of Septem- ber, will cover the land with a thick growth of green vegetable mat- ter. The ground having been plowed in the winter or spring pre- vious, will plow easily, when a clover or sod field would be impene- trable. About a week before you wish to sow the wheat, cross-plow the land, or, if impracticable, lay off the plow-lands so that the plow will not run in the old furrows, and if the growth is heavy, put on a chain so that it may be well covered. Just before sowing, level with a harrow; the week's interval, will give time for the oats, whose roots were exposed by the plowing, to die, so that they will not revive on being covered afresh by the harrow, and the harrowing, besides leveling the laud for the drill will kill or cover the oats, whose roots were not exposed by the plow. The greater part of the growth not covered up, will, by that time, have so withered and shrunk, as not to prove an impediment to the drill, while the two plowings and harrowing will leave the land as fine as an ash-bank. This is not theory, but my own experience on about twenty acres of land, which I thought too poor to bring a paying crop [of corn, or even oats, but as I was anxious to improve it, and get rid of the running briers, with which it was covered, I tried the above men- tioned treatment. I only got about ninety bushels of oats, but the hill was not washed, as the hills in corn were, and in September it was clean of briers, and hid by a growth of green matter six inches high. After turning under, &c., I sowed about 28th, 30th of Sep- tember, one bushel wheat to the acre, with two hundred pounds Eu- reka guano on half, and the same quantity of Guanahani on the rest ; being one ton of each on the twenty acres. The soil is mostly pure red clay, with some gravelly places, such as is common along the southwestern mountains, naturally good, but badly worked down by eleven years tenant's cropping. The Eureka cost $50 per ton, cash; the Guanahani, $40 cash, making the cost per acre for guano, five and four dollars respectively. I have not threshed the wheat yet, but would not.take ten bushels per acre for it. I think it may yield twelve bushels. Adjoining land of the same quality which was sowed in wheat the year before, after a late oat fallow, without the second growth being re-fallowed and fertilized with 200 pounds of Eureka, brought only six bushels per acre, and has no clover on it, except in the depres- sions, and very little there. This year the land re-faUowed,_&c., has 1875]. PLANTER AND FARMER. 409 a tolerable sprinkle of clover, in spite of the cold spell in April, and subsequent dry weatiier, which was so destructive to our grass crops. If the diflference is owing to the green stuff turned under, it will show that green manuring is worth more to such land than guano. I watched the growth and general appearance of this wheat pretty closely all through the season, as I considered it a pretty fair test of the relative merits of the two fertilizers, the land being of pretty uniform quality, and all sowed in about three days. Until late in the spring there was no perceptible difference in the wheat, but be- fore harvest the heads, where the Eureka was sowed, seemed longer and the straw larger ; and, I believe, there is a difference of about two bushels per acre in favor of that guano. Putting the wheat at one dollar per bushel net, and deducting the extra cost per acre of the Eureka, over the Guanahani, it gives me a profit of one dollar per acre, for the land on which the Eureka was used, over that on which the mme quantity^ net value, of Guan- ahani was sowed. I am inclined to believe that if I had used the same value per acre of each, viz : 200 pounds of Eureka, and 240 of Guanahani, there would be no perceptible difference. Considering the trouble of hauling and handling the greater weight, the Eureka, at $50, is cheaper, I think from my experiment, than the Guanahani, but if the price of Eureka has been raised to $57.50, as I was informed last spring to be the case, then my experi- ment, I think, demonstrates that Guanahani, at $40, is the more profitable guano to use on such land as mine, if the company keeps up the standard, which is not always done after a fertilizer makes itself a reputation. 1 hope some of your other readers will give us their experience in the preparation of land for wheat, and use of fertilizers, in time for us to be guided by it in sowing the next crop. I would like to have been able to give you exact measure, instead of my estimates as to results, but if I put off writing until I thresh my wheat, you would not be able to publish the results in time to be useful to the farmers this season. H. M. Magruder. Charlottesville, July 14th, 1875. [We hope our correspondent will, if possible, weigh or measure the products of the two fertilizers separately, and report to us, as we think, such results ought always to be given to the public. — Ed.] [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] PLAIN TALK TO FARMERS. Wherever I go the cry of hard times assails our ears, until I could wish to be entirely destitute of hearing, and but for feeling a good share of it myself I might not send you this brief article. Last week it was reported that the banks in New York were overflowing with money on deposit and interest at two and half per cent, per 410 THE SOUTHERN [August .annum, and the Federal Government about to issuo $60,000,000 more in coin. This looks a little strange, and yet is in striking contrast with the want of money all through the South and West. If people will buy moretha,n they sell, the result is the same; money will accumulate in the North and the cry of hard times will continue. With the issue of more money, goods are immediately/ inflated, but land is the last thing to feel the influence of an increase of money, and if there was a guarantee of holding and keeping money in the South and West, a little more or a good deal more would be very acceptable. But I doubt the prospects, and the surest way is to try and live within one's means. If our income is $500 or $1,000 it is better to reduce expenses and pay as you go. Let us come more plainly to the matter. Try a dairy farm and attend (not pretend) to it. If the farmer has boys or girls or a wife, let the milking and churning be done by the family. If cooking can be done without producing prostration of body and sickness, and doctors' bills, let that be done also ; and the $150 in hire and food can be saved, and each member of the family practically educated in household duties. If the members of the family attend to fheir own rooms there is the saving of another $150. If the head of the family can do without a horse there is a saving of $150 in food which the horse eats. If there is $oO or $100 spent in ardent spirits there is a saving in everi/ .respect. If the members of the family can do their own sewing there is a material saving. If the family have no sewing or washing machines let them enter the Grange and buy a number one Whitney Sewing machine for $35.00, or a superior Washing machine at 50 per cent, discount from regular rates. By doing their own work they will save several hundred dollars in money, will acquire habits of in- dustry and economy, and build up a bodily constitution, out of which doctors cannot get the chance to make bills. Suppose we go a little farther and look into the grocery items. Stop buying jellies, and preserves, and pickles, and lots of other things which ought to be made at home. If any money be left let it be spent in adornment of your house and in the purchase of useful books (not trashy novels) instead of the decoration of the bodies of the children and grown ones in tinsel and all the gew-gaws of the changing fashions. If farmers would educate their children to cultivate their brains and their hearts instead of their pride, more domestic happiness and more money would abound. This is where the shoe pinches. The old absurd notions of bodily labor being degrading has to be uprooted entirely. It is no more disgrace for a wife or a daughter to do her work in milking the cow, cooking, sewing and all manner of house- hold work, than it is for the husband and son to chop wood and cul- tivate the land. . If farmers would carry out these views many of them might save themselves from bankruptcy ; but they must try to keep up appearances and pretend to be supporting their families when in most cases they are living on other people. The disastrous failures of merchants, &c., are owing to the large unpaid bills of 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 411 farmers, whose families have been too proud to labor, and whose legacy is generally a life time of grinding poverty and domestic un-- happiness. Such a course followed tliroughout life by any family will save thousands of dollars, and will redound to the industry, in- telligence and health of each member — constituting what ought to be of first importance, "" Sana mens in corpore sano.'' If fanners will continue to mimic the fashions and fooleries of people far above their means, the cry of hard times will be continually heard, and what is worse, they will not be able to meet with any success in their calling. They will starve their land and starve their stock, and in the end will starve themselves. Who has the great want of the times — the courage to stop their household expenses before poverty comes in at the door, full banded and drive the family out of doors to log huts and dirt floors. C. R. C. [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] TO THE LITTLE FARMERS OF VIRGINIA. Had we little fellows been cutting our garments in everything since the war, strictly according to our cloth, how vastly different now would be our condition and the general prosperity of Virginia ; and the sooner we now begin the better for us all. Learn to do with- in ourselves all we can ; quit buying and go to making for ourselves. Make your own peas, buckwheat and rye for fallows. Buy agricultural lime, salt and plaster, they are cheap, and we know them good and re- liable. Use them together freely and you will never regret its use. I speak from experience. I have made from the pea fallow 10 bushels of wheat from one seeded; from buckwheat fallow eight for one ; from the high price manures made at the Charlottesville manufacturing company, three for one, all seeded in time send farmer like, the very best preparation in my life, and all the same year, as fair and honest a trial as was ever made any where and by any one. Now count the cost and profits and decide for yourselves. I am in receipt of a letter written on the 9th from near Fredericksburg, Va., which says, " After oat harvest last year he seeded buckwheat for a fallow for wheat that day, the 9th of July, he had threshed out 25 bushels of wheat to the acre." How many buyers of high price manures can say the same. Then count the cost. I contend with peas and buck- wheat as a fallow with two bushels oyster-shell lime,. a bushel of salt and a bushel of plaster, per acre, I can beat one half the manure buyers I have seen, and if the dose will be repeated in January or February, it will beat them all. Now let all we little fellows try an acre if no more, and report honestly next fall through the Southern Planter and Farmer^ give it a fair trial, and all Virginia will go to it in full faith next year. Then will old Virginia begin again to unfurl and hoist to the breeze her gay, cheerful and prospering colors to an admiring world. I got some agricultural paper sent me from somewhere, I can't say 412 THE SOUTHERN [August from where, as in my feeble condition I am unable to find it^ or I would send a copy of the well written article to your Planter. The article says all his money was laid out in a rather poor farm, and stock to work it; had no' money to buy manure, too uncertain to extend his credit, he resolved to try a standing lot in tobacco, around his tobacco barn near his dwelling. He raked up all the manure he could and applied it to his lot, and put it in tobacco ; the crop was megre, owing to the thin application of wasted and spent manures. When giving it the last working he sowed rye and a bushels of plas- ter per acre. Next May and first of June he plowed in a good • crop of rye, harrowed in good nice order, reversed the colter in its beam and marked off very slightly in checks, drew up a small flat hill and worked the tobacco without disturbing the rye which gave mois- ture and food for the crop which kept green and grew during a dry season, when manured lots failed. Made a good crop and thus con- tinued the rye and plaster without any other manures.; and the crop of last year was the fourteenth crop, which was the best crop he ever made and of better texture than any he ever saw from manured lots, and never had a cut worm. All his manures were applied to other crops and lots, and he had made better crops and improved his lands and his own condition more than any one of his neighbors. Now the rye he made, the bushel of plaster he bought, count the cost on his tobacco lot, and the high price manures others have been buying, and go do like him, and you will, like him, do well. There is so much good practical sense in this article, I shall make my tenants try the rye this crop ; on its last working will add two bushels of lime and two of salt on the rye in January «and February, or on the rye at the time of plowing it in. The salt I know from experience to be good for tobacco • have seen it prevent its firing in the field. Now little fellows, for there are more of us than one would suppose, let us all try a little of pea and buckwheat for our wheat crop, and rye for the tobacco, and report, and let us all try to rally from our long line of little fellows to what we are to be thrifty big fel- lows. Great luck to all sensible little fellows who will wisely try it. Yours truly, Job Littlefellow. ["We are Happy to find Job a man of wisdom as well as of patience. There is a good deal of common sense and wholesome advice in his article. — Ed.] [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] THE WHEAT CROP AND SHEEP RAISING. Here, on the Atlantic slope, the wheat crop has become so preca- rious and uncertain, and prices so low, that the conviction is forcing itself upon us, that we must either discontinue its cultivation in a great measure, or so modify and change our present system as to make its cultivation more remunerative. Under present conditions the farmers of Virginia are sinking money in the cultivation of wheat. There is no doubt about this, which a plain statement 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 413 of facty will show. The average yield of wheat in Virginia is about eight bushels per acre. At $1.10 per bushel, which is about an average net price, the gross product per acre, including the straw, would be about $10, every cent of which will be covered by the cost of culti- vation, leaving other incidental charges with which the wheat crop is justly chargeable, a dead loss. What is best to be done under this state of things, is an important practical question at this time. The first and most natural conclu- sion would be to discontinue the cultivation of wheat entirely as a leading staple crop. But extreme conclusions either way are generally erroneous, and a little reflection will convince us that it would be unwise to adopt so radical a change. We are bound to keep up its cultivation, but upon a system much modified and changed. We must cultivate smaller crops, and only upon such lands as will yield from 20 to 25 bushels per acre. Here, in the tobacco-raising regions, our main chance for making wheat is from the tobacco lots and clover fallow. Wheat scarcely ever fails to grow well on tobacco lots, and by applying from 200 to 400 pounds of some good fertili- zer per acre, in addition to what was applied to the tobacco, a pay ing crop may be made. And in the case of a clover fallow, if a good crop of clover can be turned under, the fallowing done early, sa}^ in July, and a thorough preparation made and seeded in time, remunerative crops may be also had from the clover fallow. The old practice of cultivating ordinary corn land in wheat, either with or without fertilizers, is simply ruinous, and should not be thought of any longer. Let the corn land remain for oats in the spring. This radical change in our system of wheat cultivation, will make it necessary to supplement the wheat crop by something else. And the first and best chance is sheep husbandry. Here, in Virginia, where there are such vast quantities of open lands not cultivated, immense numbers of sheep might be raised and at so little cost as to make this branch of industry exceedingly profitable. The climate of Virginia is most admirably adapted to sheep rais- ing. Our winters are often so mild that sheep may be subsisted almost the entire winter without feeding. A few years since, the writer carried his sheep through the whole winter with only one day's feeding. The only obstacles in the way of sheep raising in Virginia are, negro stealing and dog-killing. These two obstacles make up the universal standing excuse for the neglect of this very important in- terest. Now, in the first place, there is no branch of business cither in connection with the farming interest or any other, that is not at- tended by its own peculiar difiiculties and drawbacks, and those in- cidental to sheep raising are no worse than others. But there are none of them that cannot be overcome by the proper care and atten- tion, which are indispensable to success at anything In the next place, there is a remedy for thin soils attending sheep raising, and that is to pen them every night, and keep a sharp look out for the dogs 414 THE SOUTHERN [August and sheep stealers. Suitable enclosures should be provided, as near the homestead as possible, and it should be made the business of some one on the farm to pen them every night. Until a few years back, the writer, in common with others, was a constant sufferer from these depredations from dogs and rogues. But about three years ago, he determined to try this remedy of fencing, and the result has been that he has not lost a sheep in this way since. And for the benefit of others I will give my plan of management. For this pur- pose I have two small lots of two to three acres each enclosed, very near my dwelling-house. On one of them is a large comfortable shelter, closed up on the north and west sides, and open to the east and south. During the winter months the sheep are penned regu- larly, and fed when necessary. In the spring they are taken off of this lot, which having been manured and enriched by the droppings of the sheep during the winter, is ploughed up and cultivated in vegetables. The sheep are then penned on the other lot, and con- tinued then until the fall, when they are returned to the winter lot. The second lot has been put down in grass and furnishes the sheep with grazing during the night. This lot is also eniiched by the drop- pings of the sheep, and my plan is to put it in turnips every third year. This plan might be improved upon by having three lots instead of two, so that the two summer lots might be alternated by grass and turnips. Here, in Virginia, where there is so much vacant land, every farmer should keep a flock of sheep, for it would not only enable him to live better and make more money, but it would also enable him to improve his land. Again, here in Eastern Virginia, there is too much reliance upon bacon as a diet, which is not only more costly but is also unhealthy. Beef and mutton are much cheaper and vastly more wholesome. In regard to the dogs, I keep none myself, and make it a rule to shoot every one that comes on my premises unaccompanied by the owner. In order to show how remunerative sheep raising may be made, I will mention a few examples. For the first I refer the reader to Col. Ruffin's letter upon the subject, published in tLe January num- ber of the Planter and Farmer for 1874. Col. Ruffin states, that in 1872, he realized a profit of 237J per cent upon the cost of his flock for that year. I will farther give two other examples that have come under my own observation. A gentleman of my county a few years ago, com- menced with less than a dozen sheep. He has ever since been grad- ually increasing his flock and his yearly profits until the present year, when he has sold lambs and wool enough to bring some six or seven hundred dollars. A near neighbor of mine a few years ago purchased 100 sheep, for which he paid $300. The first year thereafter, he sold very nearly enough lambs and wool to pay for the whole flock. There is no doubt of the fact that sheep husbandry might be made 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 416 exceedingly profitable in Eastern Virginia, and it is the strangest thing in the worM that our farmers should not put sheep on the poor lands, instead of cultivating them with hireling labor, or allowing them to grow up in old field pines and broomstraw. SOUTHSIDE. [For the Soutliern Planter and Farmer.] LETTER FROM ALBEMARLE. Your very kind favor of the 6th, with its accompanying good papers, reached me on the evening of the 7th, for which please ac- cept an old friend's heartfelt thanks. The time at which they reached me seemed so appropriate, for I was then feebly reclining in my old arm chair, slowly recovering from a very severe and almost fatal at- tack, caused by a visit to my farm, which proved to be far too much for the little strength remaining to me from the attack of paralysis one year ago from the fifth of this month. I was at the time silently musing over the happy, prosperous times the good old Planter and its many prosperous writers and readers then so much, enjoyed, and so generously divided with all, coming from everywhere — then when the good old Viiginia hospitality was a familiar household word the world all over. Alas ! whore now are so many of its cheering and instructive writers and its kind, warm-hearted readers? Gone where you and I must shortly go. How sadly different now is everything in Virginia to what it then was. It is, indeed it is, a most sad and sickening picture for any, but more especially for we Virginians, to contemplate; but clothed in the dark drapery as Virginia's pros- pects seem of late to have been, I cannot help thinking, believing, and most fondly hoping there is a far better and more prosperous time in the overflowing lap of an early-coming future to cheer up we desponding sons and daughters of our noble old parents of 1776, by which our spirited, noble young Virginians may and will be en- couragingly stimulated not only to rebuild, but to far excel, any point of prosperity Virginia has yet known. God gave to our noble old ancestors a most glorious country and climate on wjiich to operate, and well did they faithfully perform their whole duty, and most liberally and lavishly did we, their de scendants, enjoy and divide with all and every one, coming from any and everj' where. It is now lost to us, and sad was its loss, and most grievously felt by the world. No wonder so great a shock should have thrown us all into the great confusion which has thus reduced us to what we now are. But, my dear sir, is it not our duty to our God, to our country, to ourselves, and to those dear ones coming after us, even trembling as many of us now are upon the very verge of our graves, to wake up, arouse and rally to our mightiest effort, to find out and establish some firm foundation of imj)rovement which all may safely follow and by which all can surely prosper, and so train those so dear to us all to act and do for them- 416 THE SOUTHERN [August selves that we may have the sweet consolation on our death beds of believing that they can and will make our dear old State what we all so well know Virginia can and ought to be — the bright, cheering, happy home of the truly good and the great. We Virginians still have our fine productive lands, our pure water and invigorating climate, and we are still a warm-hearted, generous, clear-headed people. All we now have to do for a full development of Virginia's great resources, is simply to give all of these our well known blessings a fair chance. We of Virginia and the sunny South were reared in those grand old times of almost universal pros- perity, to look almost exclusively to the Bulks, which in those thrifty times were generally so entirely satisfactory as by them to be fully able so to cover over all of these little deficiencies as rarely, if ever, to be annoyed by them. But ah, it is not so with many of us now. We sadly feel and clearly know it. Then let us honestly acknowledge and wisely act upon it; for those cheering, grand old Bulks, when now ever made, are too often like the Indian's gun- cost more than it comes to; and, these thousand and one little things rise up thickly on every side to oppress and worry us. In truth, we southerners have committed many great and grievous blunders ; but so did our great and good Gen. Lee, the sainted Jackson, and the many thousands of their brave and generous compeers. The great wonder is we all had not committed greater and more of them. One great and sweet consolation is, we all did our very best. Now that the echo of battle has been hushed and its smoke cleared away, and we have become a calm and reflecting people, do let us resolve to show to an admiring world what they have a right to ex- pect of us — that we are Virginians still, and that we can and will make our dear old wState, rudely misused as she has been, Virginia again. What a great and thrilling incentive to us all to rally and do our very best; and may our wise and good Heavenly Father aid and bless us all to the full accomplishment of fully reinstating Vir- ginia at least to what she once was, the good, wise, and great elder sister of the world's wide renowned, the gallant Old Thirteen (13). To effect which we must bring our clear Virginia brains to a calm and manly reflection, correctly calculate our liabilities and fairly es- timate our resources, and then honestly meet our creditors and come to a good old Virginia honest, fair understanding; then, like Vir- ginia men and women, boys and girls, go to work, and by the bles- sings of God we all will soon find it an easier, more pleasant and successful road than going to law with the troop of hungry, heart- less lawyers yelping us into a disgraceful and ruinous defrauding of those we justly owe, by which we too often find the creditor but lit- tle if benefitted at all, we are ruined, and the lion's share divided between the clerks, sheriff", and lawyers. My dear sir, in those good old times for which we now so often and uselessly and sadly sigh, was there not (to secure success) such an indispensable article as Preparation ? Have we been, or are we 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 417 even now, prepared for the great change which has come over almost all and everything left us? I fear we are not. Then our great success and ample means placed us far out of reach of any and all the little things ; but now there is so rarely fluch a thing as success in the greater things, and we are left too often sadly floundering helpless and alone amid the troubled waves of little things thickly gathering all around us, have not our agricultural writers committed a mistake in writing too glowingly of the few isolated instances of high success, thus tempting too many to try and do likewise where so few were able, and thus more deeply involving so many? Why tell a Virginia farmer of the high pressure farming of our successful countryman, Mr. B. H. Brenhan, of Carlton ? He has the means, and well and wisely is he using them for the amusement and profit of himself and children, and to the perfect and beautiful develop- ment to all observers what Virginia can and will do under proper care and effort. But, alas ! who of us can do likewise ? None — no, not one. Then, whilst we with grateful hearts ask a God speed to him for all his noble, generous eftbrts, hadn't we little fellows better be wisely turning (at least until we can do better) our attention more closely to the little things upon which we and ours now so much de- pend for peace, happiness, and success, and humbly learn therewith to be content? Do this, and we will have well secured the ticket which will safely and surely land us at the desired depot of a clear conscience, good spirits, and ample success. Now, ray dear sir, will you and your many readers kindly forgive an old friend for writing of facts he saw with his own age-bedimmed eyes on the last three visits to one of his farms, anxious to know how my clover and the grass seeded on the wheat land had taken. Feeble as I was, I slowly walked over the field, and was surprised to see the seedsman could then be traced by the deeply-impressed foot- prints as he varied in width, from fancy or inattention. The land had not all been seeded, because the seed had given out, owing to too thick sowing. I had directed a lot to be seeded at the rate of two bushels of orchard grass per acre, and a lot to be seeded in Randall grass at the rate of a half bushel to the acre (thicker than I had ever sown it before) for seed another year. The orchard grass and Randall grass were continued at the rate of two bushels or more per acre until all was thus wasted. I had directed, after the two lots were seeded at the rates above stated, the remainder of the seed should be applied at the rate of a half bushel of orchard grass, a gallon of Randall grass, and a half gallon of clover seed per acre, for hay and pasture. The clover seed made on the farm was (pugy) mixed with the oat chaff, with which I had directed the chaflf from the orchard and Randal grass seeds to be well mixed for the pur- pose of sowing about 70 acres of land my tenants were to have prepared and seeded with winter oats. The gentlemen renters were absent, and their three hired frcedmen were hauling out and seeding a field of 70 acres, seeded the spring before, which had been badly 418 THE SOUTHERN [August injured by chinch-bug and drouth, because my tenants had failed to prepare the oat field. I rode down and was surprised to see them throwing it out from the wagon as if carelessly trying to fill gullies. I halloed to and stopped them. It was the last load but one. I showed them how to sow them ; how long they continued as I di- rected, they may know; I do not. The seed, which was ample for the 70 acres, was thrown in dabs over from two and a half to three acres, and of course thrown away. Query : May not the failure of our grass stand since the war be justly attributed to this carelessness, inattention, and often thefts? My last visit was on a Saturday. The orchard grass seed had been cut on the morning before, and the dew hardly had time to dry out of the bundles, in dozens as it was. My good tenant said he was going to haul it up that evening. I advised him not to do it, for he had more hay then spoiling from not being timely secured than he could well attend to that evening, and let the orchard grass seed alone until Monday ; then take a sheet and shake and knock each bundle with a small stick, ^nd he could save more good seed than if he were then to haul it to the machine, and damp as it was it might spoil; and I could clean it better by the wind than with the wheat fan, and it would then do to put away in the boxes. I was too feeble to do more than advise. I heard they were hauled up, and, from the yield, fear the best were lost. Now, it is these and other little things that keeps so may of we little fellows' noses to the grindstone, of which I will more fully write in my next, if de- sired. A widow lady uses an empty flour barrel and saves them all; she runs the head of the bundle in the barrel. She keeps a boarding- house for the students at the University of Virginia. She put a single head of fresh fish in the corn hill in her garden. I counted eight shoots on one stalk — frequently seven. Those under which none were put was not half so high or luxuriant, and no shoot de- veloped. If the farmers of Virginia would take a lesson of her, repudiation, hard times, and croaking would soon give place to cheer- ful prosperity. Yours truly, Gr. C. Gilmer. [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] ORCHARD GRASS. I have written several articles on orchard grass, but as I consider it a subject of the greatest importance, I hope- 1 may be excused for keeping it constantly before the public. ' AH things considered, there is no grass that can rival orchard grass as a general farm grass. What are the uses of grass on a farm ? Hay, pasturage, improvement of the soil, and grass seed. There is certainly no grass that will make as many pounds of hay to thejacre and yet be equal to it in quality; it is fully equal to timothy in quality, and will always make more hay. As a pasture grass it 1875 ] PLANTER AND FARMER. 419 is fully equal (and I think superior) to our native blue grass, which is hard to excel. As an improver I consider it better than clover, for this reason, it forms a heavy compact sod, and the bulk of vege- table matter will weigh three or four times as much as the clover on the same ground. This though not eijual in quality, as an improver it excels in bulk more than enough to make up the difference. Good land well set will produce from 15 to 25 bushels of seed to the acre, and as it costs but a few cents a bushel to cut it and thrash it, it is one of the most profitable crops we can raise. No one can fully under- stand the value of orchard grass, until they have used it a few years. If you have a field set in orchard grass, you are certain of some hay, let the season be wet or dry, hot or cold. There are thousands of farmers in the United States who do not know what orchard grass is. My advice to them is to get twenty pounds of good clean seed, sow it on an acre o^ good land, wait until they make the crop the second year, (it never makes much of a crop the first year) when I think they will be disposed to sow a field or two. I sow in August or March. If you want it for seed, sow no clover with it, otherwise, sow twenty pounds of orchard grass and one gallon of clover to the acre. W. F. Tallant. [We are disposed to place orchard grass above every other grass for Eastern Virginia, and fully agree with our correspondent in his estimate of it as a hay or pasture grass. But we must dissent from his opinion of its value as a fertili- zer. Nothing in the shape of a green crop can equal clover in this respect on land where it will grow, and any land that will produce a good cover of orchard grass will also produce a good stand of clover. On any such land we believ© that the roots of clover alone after cutting the crop off would be worth more than the whole crop of grass if turned under when at its greatest bulk. From seven to twelve bushels of seed per acre has always been considered a good yield, and it will more frequently fall under the lower figure than go above the higher. — Ed.] FARM TOOLS AND MACHINES. Tools are required on every farm, and on most farms of any size machines are all used. Consequently every farmer is interested in the subject of this article; he is probably aware that his success or his failure in business will in part depend upon the kind of tools and machines which he employs. With poor tools and inferior machines he cannot successfully compete with his neighbor who uses the very best. Yet it is probable that he has never carefully considered hmo much difference it makes with a farmer's work whether he has poor tools or good ones. Take, for example, a common shovel; set a hired man at work with one that is thick, heavy, dull and rusty, and, if he is faithful at his work, he will get tired out long before night, and wdl not have accomplished as much, by at least a fifth, as he would if he had been provided with a nice, bright, sharp shovel. If be is not a good man to work, he will take' advantage of the old 420 THE SOUTHERN [August shovel to shirk as much of his labor as possible. In either case, a man will do enough more work in a few days with a good shovel, to pay for it, and not be near as tired as he was with the old one. With machines, the difference is still more striking. A man with two horses and a second-class harrow, can, in time, fit a ten-acre field for sowing to wheat. But the same man and team with a first-rate pulverizer will fit the land much sooner, and do it so much better, that it will produce from five to ten bushels more grain than if fitted with the old harrow. By using the very best' styles of reapers and threshers, the time and labor of one or two men can be saved, as they do not require as much help and attention as the older and poorer patterns. These facts would seem to make it an object for farmers to use some care in the selection of their tools and machines; too often they buy what the agent brings, without making any special inquiry concerning its merits, and find when it is too late that they have made a serious mistake. It is a far better way to examine the diff*erent styles of machines before buying. In selecting a machine, the buyer should try to get one with as many merits and as few defects as pos- sible. It should be as light as possible, yet possess the requisite strength, and should run easily. A heavy, clumsy machine is hard to move or to use. * Light running machines are generally made on better principles than those which run extremely hard. It should also be durable. Some machines will last as long again as others which cost as much, or more. And prices are so high that it is an object to get those which will last a long time. But it is not only important to have good tools and machines, but it is also necessary to take care of them, otherwise they will remain good but a short time. The best shovels, hoes and rakes, the finest reapers and mow- ers, the nicest threshers in the world, if badly used, and constantly exposed to the weather, will soon become very poor. Ill usage and exposure spoils more tools and machines than are ever worn out by use. A good shed in which to keep all the farm implements, is a building which ought to be found on every farm. The farmer who has none, will find the money expended in building one invested bet- ter than it would be in government securities. It would save him from constant and heavy losses, and prevent a great deal of scolding about old machines which constantly fail when wanted for service, but for which failures the owner alone is to blame. Machines are often injured by not being properly oiled. A reaper or thresher will run very much easier if frequently oiled, and will last for a long time. But if the oihng is neglected, it will run hard and wear very fast. Oil costs but little, and should be freely used. Let no one imagine that I favor throwing away all the old tools and machines, and buying new ones to take their places. Far from it. The farmer who has good tools, even if they are old, can much better use them than to buy new ones. The same is true of machines. If they are in good order, do not run very hard, and do the work well, they should be kept a while longer. If, however, they are badly worked, 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 421 run extremely hard, and are in danger of breaking every time they are used, it will be economy on the part of their owner to lay them aside and obtain better ones to fill their places. And when buying a machine, I claim it is economy to *'get the best," even though it costs a little more than one which is not as good. What I have said about the care of machines, applies alike to the new and old. No tool or machine which is fit to use, is too poor to be taken care of, and if proper care were taken of them, there would be much less trouble with all kinds of farm implements. — Live Stock Journal, THE FUTURE OF THE POTATO CROP. Will the beetle destroy the potato crop and make the growth of this important edible either impossible or greatly restricted? We give a decided No to both these questions, frequently asked of us personally, and almost every day suggested by the fears of our ex- changes. The potato is far too important a crop to be stamped out of exist- ence by the beetle. Intelligent and enterprising farmers would find means of growing potatoes enough for general use were the difficulties fourfold what they are. Possibly the price of potatoes might be doubled, or even trebled, but the use of the vegetable would not be discontinued, and its production would be more profitabe than ever before. Potatoes have always been too easily grown. Hence the price has been low and the farmer has not had fair pay for the hard work which handling a potato crop implies. Henceforth, by doing some additional light work in destroying potato beetles, by planting on better soil, and giving better culture, the crop will be larger, the price better, and the receipts perhaps trebled, at a slight additional cost per acre. The potato beetle will, without doubt, increase the price of potatoes somewhat, and in this the consumer must suffer ; but farmers who knoAv how to deal with the enemy can and will make more money from potatoes than ever before. The potato is hence- forth transferred to the lisf^of crops not easily grown, and therefore always most profitable. It is skill and patience which best pay in farming and not brute strength, and these are what potato culture needs. So long as it was a busine&s that mainly employed strong arms and backs in digging and securing the crop, potato growing was not a very inviting occupation, however profitable. Now, by the perfecting of machines 'for planting and digging potatoes, the man- ual labor has been reduced 50 per cent. It is now a question of moral and intellectual qualities, and only those farmers will succeed who are able to see what is needed and have the perseverance and patience to do it. In less words, potato growing is to be in fewer hands until a larger proportion of American farmers are more thorough and successful in their business. The potato beetle, in common with most insect enemies, will prove a blessing in disguise to American Farmers. Many of them may 422 THE SOUTHERN [August not see this now, but ten or twenty years hence they will. The midge in wheat compelled farmers to prepare their ground better, to put in seed more carefully, and to manure better than ever before; and we believe the potato beetle will ultimately have as good an effect on growers of the potato. There is neither reasoa nor religion in despondency. Reason and experience tell us that when any insect becomes too numerous, something is sent to check it, and we are told in the Good Book that while the earth endureth, summer and winter, seed-time and harvest shall not fail. — Rurgl New Yorker. THE STEAM PLOUGH AT WORK. The Vicksburg Herald gives the following account of the working of a steam plough on the plantation of General Wade Hampton, near Skipwith's Landing, Miss. : The apparatus consists of two portable engines, which are so made that they run themselves without the aid of horse power over any road or field. The engines are placed at opposite sides of the field, and by means of wire ropes, four hundred and three yards long, draw a gang of ploughs from one side to the other. The ploughs cut the soil to any depth required, and at a rapid rate, faster than a man can walk. There are different sets of ploughs, for deep and shallow ploughing, for subsoiling, for extracting roots, and for making cotton beds. The latter is the most interesting, and makes a complete cotton bed of over five feet wide at one operation. They plough on an average of twenty-five to thirty-five acres daily, and can do even more on loose soil. The engines are also useful for much other work. The General has a large saw-mill, which these machines take with them to the woods to cut lumber and make fenc- ing. The heavy and broad iron wheels of the engines help to make good roads, and there is no better road in the country than the one through Hampton's Walnut Ridge plantation, five miles long. A few days ago one of these engines came down to the wharf-boat at Skipwith with six large wagons in tow. These were placed on the boat, heavily laden with lumber, and the '' train " then started for home at a lively rate, crossing one of the levees. It would have taken twenty-four good mules to have pulled those loads. Another time the engine was "hitched" to a good-sized house, and moved it back from the river bank several hundred yards in about twenty minutes, as fast as the men could keep the rollers under it. It is the intention of General Hampton to make these engines haul all his cotton to the river this season when the weather is favorable. Farmers should remember that the warm season is the time to put flesh upon their wethers and other sheep, intended for sale. A little grain fed in pasture will be, repaid fourfold. The pasture will keep up condition and the grain will lay fat. Grain is worth two prices fed in warm weather. The best time to feed grain to sheep is in October, No- vember and December. 1875 ] PLANTER AND FARMER. 423 [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] AGRICULTURAL CLUBS. I know not what better service I can render to my brother farmers, than by urging them, and, if possible, inducing them, to form agricul- tural clubs in every neighborhood, after the manner and for the purposes of many organized in this county before the war, and revived since. A simple statement ot' the modus operandi, and the results that have followed, will constitute the strongest argument I can urge for the adop- tion of the plan. I. From twelve to twenty of us meet in rotation every month at the residence of some one of the members (Ihe place fixed at the last meet- ing), at 10 o'clock A. M. As soon as a quorum is present, the club is called to order by the president, and a committee of not less than three is appointed, who proceed at once, with such other members of the club as may choose to accompany them, to make a careful and minute exami- nation of the farm, cattle, hogs, sheep, outbuildings, fencing, gates, gar- den, farming implements, style of cultivation, condition of the crops, &c., and thereupon to make a report in writing to the club, wherein "they nothing extenuate or set down ought in malice." The report is then open to any comment that any member may choose to make. The benefit to be derived from this course of proceeding is obvious. The member knows before hand that his whole management will be scanned and criticised, when there is evidence of want of skill, attention and judgment, while if his farm, cattle buildings, &c., display the exer- cise of these qualities, he will receive a due need of praise. Now what can influence our conduct more than the desire to escape just criticism, and to obtain commendation ? Then these two torces will be constantly operating on the members to " keep there households in order," knowing that soon a "chiel will be amang them and faith he'll print 'em." What a spur this is in the sides of the member to give proper care and atten- tion to the farm and everything go on at proper time, and thus consult economy and profit, knowing by practical experience that '* a stitch iu time saves nine," and abandoning the too usual custom of " putting oft' till to-morrow, what should be done to-day." But you will inquire, have these visitations of the club worked this revolution of management and products in the case of any of your mem- bers? I answer, yes. I will confine myself to the specification of one of the cases, without giving name. More than eighteen months ago, for the first time, the club met at his house, he is a farmer on a pretty good scale for our region, with some 1500 acres of land, and some fifteen or twenty horses, mules and colts, &c., &c., and other things corresponding, a man of intelligence and highest worth, but who, engaged in other matters, left the farm mainly to others' management. When the committee read their report, I really sympathized with what I knew must be bis mortification under such an excoriating report — stock quite numerous — of cattle, sheep, hogs all iu bad order, and showing want of proper care and attention ; crops of all kinds, indifterently and ])adly cultivated, stable and grounds around in very bad order, &c., «fec. At the conclusion of the report he very quietly remarked, he reckoned that it was a iust and candid one ; and that now that the disease was known, he would look out for remedies for a cure. 3 424 THE SOUTHERN [August Well, a little more than twelve months after, in regular routine, the club again met at his house. I was one of the committee to examine and report. We went over the farm and examined stock, crops, &c., &c. Remembering our last visit, we were no little surprised voila tout est change ; everything is changed, the crops in fine order, wheat, oats, corn, all, and a good crop ; sheep, cattle, horses and hogs, all, in fine condition ; pasturage good ; barn, stable and barn yard, all showing admirable care for the accom- modation and comfort of stock; fencing, outbuildings, &c., &c., all right ; garden ditto. I carried the report into the parlor, after reading it to the club, and read it to his family, when they exclaimed, how gratified we are, for father was much- annoyed by your last report, he has frequently referred to it, and told us he would see what could be done by the time of your next visitation, and we are as much pleased as we know he is, at his having succeeded so well. It is as true in agriculture as in politics, that vigilance and care are as much the price we have to pay for success in the former as for liberty in the latter. And this reference to the impor- tance of our consciousness, that our work has to undergo the examina- tion and criticism of others, reminds me of the conduct of a very intelli- gent and successful farmer of our county. Col. Lindsay, now dead — con- duct, which, at first blush, may seem injudicious, but my own experience and observation has impressed me as eminently wise. At a very advanced age, he was taken sick, and being satisfied that it would prove a linger- ing " sickness unto death," he sent for his son-in-law, and requested him to go and settle with his overseer and discharge him. He remonstrated with him, saying, " why, father, you always had an overseer when you were in health and was able to ride over your farm yourself and see that its afiairs were properly managed, and now when you cannot do so, how can you dispense with your overseer ?" "Ah ! my son," said he, " I have lived long enough to learn that an overseer is a very useful auxiliary, when he has somebody to supervise him, but if he has not, he is worse than none ; I would rather trust to the servants who do feel some interest in me and my concerns, than to a hired employee, who no longer feels any sense of responsibility and no* interest save in his wages, and having as good a time as possible." And it is equally true with us proprietors of farms, our care and attention are much stimulated by the consciousness that our entire management is periodically to be scanned, criticised and remarked upon. This report, too, is required to be copied by the Secretary of the club and sent to the County Association (of which I will say some- thing presently) lor the inspection of members of other clubs of the county. II. Our next order of business is, for the members seriatim to present their views on the subject selected for discussion, which subject is always chosen at the preceding monthly meeting, so that members may have time to consider and reflect upon it, and give their views considerately and advisedly — such questions as the following : " The proper time for sowing clover seed, and should they be covered in any way, and if so how V or any other of the thousand questions interesting to the practical farmer. By this means, the information and the experience of all the members are thrown into the common stock and made the special prop- erty of each individual member. 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 425 III. Next, special experiments are assigned to different members, who are to try theip, and make report of the result in due time to the club, for example: " to apply lime, mineral and oyster-shells separately to land, grey and red, in different qualities, varying from ten to fifty bushels to the acre, and report the results, on say, turnips, wheat, and the grasses after it. IV. — After disposing of these subjects, if there is time, it is competent for any member to present any matter on which he may desire the views of the Club, for his instruction and guidance, and it is considered ac- cordingly. Now, that the proceedings may be properly and profitably conducted, it is important that you have the proper man for your presiding officer one intelligent and firm, who will hold the members to the subject to be considered, and see to it that each one acts well the part assigned. We are fortunate in having had one for several years, well known through- out the State, for his intimate scientific, as well as practical acquaintance with all the branches of agriculture. Col. T. J. Randolph, who, though at a very advanced age, yet has as much life, energy and buoyancy, and feels as deep an interest in all that concerns the welfare and prosperity, and honor of the old Commonwealth as any young man of twenty-two. Now can any one doubt, that great good will result to any neighbor- hood, where such a Club is formed — in the increased interest that will be taken in farming, increased care and attention, and superior management, and the necessary resultant — better crops — and to show how important care, attention, skill and wise management are, and how they tell on products and profits, I will give the result of two crops of tobacco made in this county by two friends of mine. It so happened that each planted 21 acres in the same range of country, on the Eastern slope of our South- western mountains. The one possessed of skill and judgment in the management of the weed, and exercising care, diligence and attention, and always doing the right thing at the right time. From his 21 acres he raised 19,000 pounds and sold at an average of $17.25 per hun- dred. The other, equally intelligent on general subjects, but with little special knowledge of the cultivation of tobacco, entrusted its entire cul- ture and management to others. He raised 9,400 pounds and sold at an average of less than nine dollars. And thus it is in all departments of business. Nothing good or valu- able is attained without pains, care, labor and good management. "As we sow so shall we reap." And is there not everything to animate and encourage the Virginia farmers. Abundance of lands, fertile and productive, or capable of being made so, by proper care and management ; adapted to every vari- ety of fruits and other products needed by man or beast ; pure and healthy air, and water for transportation ; and above all, with a people, who, for intelligence and worth, and all virtues that ennoble our race, have a reputation unsurpassed by any state in the Union. *• Let us. then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate, Still achieving, still pursuing,^' And the best results cannot fail to crown our efforts. Fanners of Virginia, realize your high and honorable position. You 426 THE SOUTHERN [August are the owners, the lords of the soil, to you Virginia belongs ; all others depend upon the cultivation of the soil for subsistence. Remember there are some 80,000 proprietors of farms here in this good old State, with some 250 or 300,000 others engaged as our employees on them — exceeding by some five to one the number engaged here in all other pursuits. What can we not do if we set to work with a will ? We have too long looked for foreign aid in the way of immigrants, with their capital, to buy portions of our lands and to start our factories. They don't come in sufficient numbers and amounts to make their presence felt. Let us wait for them no longer, but look to our own labor and skill, and judg- ment, and economy, and by our own strong arms, with the blessing of that Providence who always helps, those who help themselves, we will work out our own deliverance and again see our beloved State rise Antseus like from her late prostration with renewed life and vigor. I omitted to mention in proper order that we have also a county asso- ciation, composed of the several local clubs, who meet every two months at our county seat. This association is formed for the purpose of secur- ing concert and co-operation, and a kind of union of all the farmers of the county — and then to bring about like concert and co-operation throughout the State, we send delegates to the Farmers' Council, com- posed of delegates from all parts of the State, holding an annual meeting in Petersburg. We take no position of antagonism with the Patrons of Husbandry. So far as we understand their objects, we can act in harmony together. We are told they mainly direct their efforts to cheapening the arts of transportation, and the prices of fertilizers, agricultural machinery, charges of middlemen, &c.; in all of which we have a common interest, while we begin at the foundation, and strive to make every particular farmer produce "two blades of grass where now only one grows" — pur- suing a plan of action which operates for good upon every individual farmer and farm, so that there is no danger of collision by crossing each others orbits, but one may be considered as supplementing the other. B. H. Magkuder. [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] GOV. SMITH ON COMPLETE MANURES. Having sent you a copy of my letter to Professor Mallet of the 9th March last, and also of his reply of the 16th of the same month, which appeared in the April number, it was my intention to follow with another, having the same object in view ; but the press upon my time, coupled with the fact that I am my own overseer and manager, delayed me, and even now I ain so hurried that I can- not do it justice, were I fully competent to do so. In my letter to Professor Mallet, my aims were to awaken the agricultural public to the importance of acquiring a thorough knowl- edge of a few elementary principles, absolutely essential to success- ful farming, and to show, by the highest authority, that this essential knowledge was restricted to a very narrow field of enquiry, entirely '«^rithin the capacity of any intelligent farmer. In the brief space 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 427 of time at my command I shall follow up this purpose, not so much to instruct others, for I am myself a student, as to excite enquiry. I suppose I may say, that it is settled that the whole animal and vegetable world consists of but fourteen materials, to wit : carbon, nitrogen or azote, hydrogen and oxygen, which are' called " the organic elements," because they are found in every living thing, animal or vegetable ; and phosphorus, sulphur, chlorine, silicium, iron, manganese, calcium, magnesia, sodium and potassium, which are called "" the mineral elements," because they belong to the solid crust of the earth. « Now, from these materials comes the wheaten loaf, the staff of life, and the poison which destroys it. They are charmingly termed by the celebrated Ville, the Alphabet of the Language of Nature. Public instruction aims to teach all our people the alphabet of our own language, it surely can be hardly less important it should teach us this. But the weight of authority establishes that ten of these fourteen materials are found in sufficient abundance in all soils, so that we have only to provide four of them, to wit : nitrogen, or as it is fre- quently termed azote, potassa, phosphate of lime, and lime, which, if applied in sufficient quantities, will surely, with thorough prepara- tion of the land, and timely seeding, secure an abundant crop. Nitro- gen is produced by any decaying substances, whether of an animal or vegetable character. Potassa, the ash element — every fire we make to cook a meal produces it — should be preserved for farm use, and not for the housewife, as she can make her soap with soda, a cheaper article. Phosphate of lime is ordinarily understood to be made of animal bone, broken up fine or ground, and made soluble by sulphuric acid, or by a proper application of unleached ashes, or by composting it with fresh horse dung, or by atmospheric and other agencies ; the latter, however, is a slow process. And lime, with which we all feel acquainted, but which we must nevertheless use in compost with intelligent caution — indeed, as a composting element, it should give way to sulphate of lime, (plaster). Having satisfied ourselves as to the fertilizers we should use, we must next satisfy ourselves as to the quantity we should apply per acre. We must not forget that the last 200 or 300 pounds of fer- tilizer is the paying portion of the investment. Taxes, interest, labor and seed are the same whether you make ten bushels or forty per acre. Two or three hundred pounds of fertilizer may or may not secure ten or twelve bushels of wheat per acre, [which does not pay,) and a good set of grass, but a feed of fertilizer fully up to the wants of the growing crop, is certain of a paying return, and a strong and satisfactory set of grass. How much then of the four fertilizers to which I have referred, should be applied per acre. This depends upon the thoroughness of the preparation of the field to be sown, its present fertility, and the time of seeding. I hold that no field is thoroughly prepared as a seed-bed, unless 428 THE SOUTHERN [August broken up at least eight inches deep, harrowed, rolled, re-plowed, re-harrowed, and when the crop is sown, rolled again. The advan- tages are, that, with such a preparation you will have no winter kill- ing in your crop, nor weeds, nor foreign grasses to embarrass its vigorous growth. Again, the crop must have some weeks for fall growth, that it may meet the winter in vigorous development, with a strong, broad leaf, &c. The broader the leaf the more carbonic acid it draws from the atmosphere in which it abounds, and the greater the certainty of a fine crop at harvest time. These advan- tages will justify the farmer in materially diminishing the quantity of fertilizer, with which he should otherwise dress his crop. Again, he should know well the existing fertility of his field. Has he been experimenting with a view to inform himself ? Should he have as- certained that his field has a plenty of nitrogen, but wants potash, and has lime, yet wants phosphate of lime, he will only purchase the articles in which it is deficient, and so save himself from the use of those with which it is already sufficiently supplied. But should the field be poor, that is, without the food necessary to the produc- tion of a paying crop, it must be supplied or the attempt to raise a crop should be abandoned. Ville, after many years of trial and ex- periment, adopted ^the following formula, which he denominated "a complete manure," because its proper application to the field invari- ably produced a remunerative crop. Its composition is as follows : The complete manure for which No. 1 Acid Phosphate of Lime, 355 lbs. Cost in France, $5.40 In U. States. $6.11 Nitrate of Potash. 177'' " " 10.47 " " 15.93 Sulphate of Ammonia, 222" '•' " 9.50 " '' 11.10 Sulphate of Lime, 312" " " .59 " " 1.01 1066 $25.96 $34.15 This dose to an acre of land, which, like the worn out land of this part of Virginia produced a most satisfactory crop. See Miss How- ard's translation of Yille, page 36 as follows : The above Complete Fertilizers gave a crop of 56.44 bushels of wheat. " " without lime, 53.33 " " " " " potash, 40.44 " " " " " phosphate, 34.66 " " " " " azotic matter 18.88 " " Without any fertilizer, 15.88 While this experiment at Vincennes, France, shows that all the ingredients of the fertilizer were necessary to a full crop, yet it also shows that the land was more deficient in azote or nitrogen. It will not escape attention that the cost of Ville's Complete Fer- tilizer is materially more in this country than in France. But tHe cost can be greatly reduced with us. One of the most considerable items of expense with us, in the composition of the "complete fertilizer," is the potash, costing nine cents a pound. But the 177 pounds of potash may be substituted by 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 429 328 pounds of sulphate of potash, containing 54 per cent, of actual potash, which can be bought in New York at 2| cents a pound ; thus reducing materially the aggregate cost. The sulphate of am- monia may give place to Peruvian guano, or to nitrate of soda, or to dried or ground bone and meat preparation, either of which will supply the requisite azote or nitrogen, as well as the sulphate of am- monia ; and I think for a less price. The phosphate for which I have estimated at ?3o a ton, is the South Carolina article known to me to be prime, and said by the great English farmer and chemist, Lawes, to be the best in the world, and which, he says, ought to be furnished to us at $20 a ton. So that we may expect soon, and, if not oUierwise, through the Grange, to get ''Ville's Complete Fertilizer" as cheaply at least as it is supplied to the farmers in France. I have thus thrown together these hasty views and forward them to you by way of reply to your card, with the privilege to dispose of them at your discretion. In great haste, yours truly, Wm. Smith. N. B. — I was honored by Miss Howard, of Georgia, with a copy of her most admirable and intelligible translation of Ville's Celebrated Lectures and Appendix. As far as I can judge, it is infinitely superior to the Boston translation of the same work. I earnestly commend it to the agricultural public. W. S. Warrenton^ Fa., July 17, 1875. [We understand that Gov. Smith has been experimenting with fertilizers. We hope he will send us the results. — Ed.] [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.! FERTILIZERS. I have had it in my mind for some time to give you an article on fertilizers. My mind was called to the subject by an article in your February number, written by " Keaster," on the bad effects of fer- tilizors. From the first introduction of Peruvian guano into this country there have been many advocates for the stimulant theory, as it is called, which supposes that all those articles of manure that make Peruvian guano a basis of preparation are mere stimulants, just as brandy is to the human system. I am greatly astonished that any one who has the least pretension to a knowledge of the teachings of science should for one moment countenance such a wild and erro- neous theory — one so well calculated to do injury to the farming interests. Whilst I am an advocate for home production of every thing that can be produced, especially of every atom of manure that can bo made or saved, I hold it as an axiom, that all you can do with a farm, by its own production, is to keep it to its then condition of fertility, and in order to this, every atom of material taken from 430 THE SOUTHERN [August the soil must be returned in some form ; for it is a fact beyond dis- pute, that every growing crop extracts from the soil an amount of fertilizing material equal to its own weight. How, then, can you make rich, by its own resources, any exhausted highland farm ? I will admit, that if you have a large proportion of rich bottom lands, kept so by overflowing, you may enrich your uplands by taking from these and applying to them. But my point is, take the ordinary farms in this Piedmont region, and you cannot enrich them without foreign material. Then take it for granted you must have help. What shall it be ? I hold that Peruvian guano, as a basis, is the best, and those articles that are nearest to it next best. But these theorists say, it is a mere stimulant, it will ruin your land. Mr. Editor, I would just as soon say good fat meat would ruin the laborer ; one is about as much a stimulant as the other ; as one brings strength and' nerve to the laborer, so does the other bring strength and vigor to the soil. To prove this is easy : 1st. What are the elements necessary to compose a rich soil ? Silica and silicious sands, alumina, oxide iron, oxide manganese, lime, magnesia, potash, soda, phosphoric acid, sul- phuric acid, carbonic acid, chlorine and humus. These, in a greater or less degree compose all fertile soils, and are in various combina- tions with the primary elements, and in combinations one with an- other, such as the silicate of lime, magnesia, &c. Now, unless these elements are contained in the soil in some suitable quantity, you need not expect a full yield, however well you may till the ground, or however good the season. What elements compose Peruvian guano? Analyses made by many of the most distinguished chemists agree as to the ingredients contained in it. These are urate of ammonia, oxalate ammonia, oxalate lime, phosphate ammonia, phosphate magnesia and ammo- nia, phosphate lime, sulphate potash, sulphate soda, and sal ammo- niac. Now compare this with stable or horse manure, and you have almost the same, with the exception of the vegetable matter mixed with it. Here lies the difficulty, Mr. Editor. These would-be theorists sow down guano on the land, then cultivate three or four crops with- out rest, until all the vegetable matter in the soil is exhausted (without this no soil can or will produce), and then say the guano exhausted it. But, if the better plan of rest, with clover, were pursued, there would be an entirely different conclusion. My argument is in such a condensed form that the casual reader will not see its real import. I might add, that my experience with fertilizers fully confirms the view I have taken, having made rich a small farm by following this reasoning. 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 431 I am now making some experiments with a sample of Piedmont guano presented me bj my friend Col. Wait, of Virginia, which I will report to you. L. B. S. Win8ton8, K C. [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] A LETTER FROM HALIFAX. Your readers wish something original, and something fresh ; and I, like a certain gentleman 1 have heard of, am afraid there is nothing original about me excepting original sin. " Does Farming Pay?" has long been discussed; *' The Labor Question" long since decided, and we have written appeal after appeal to our Legislature to give us relief upon " The Dog Question," and to secure us upon the " Fence Law " question. As to the dog question, the people must take the law in their own hands, and raise sheep whether or no ; and as to the fence-law question, it is simply impossible for that ever to be changed in this county. The people, white and colored, have no fences, and it would take at least a fourth of what little wood land they have to fence in — besides, they haven't the means or time to spare from their crops. The majority are sat- isfied of the fairness and the benefit arising from the present law, but under the pressure of the present hard times it will be impos- sible to change it. It is absurd that Virginia, struggling under her embarrassments and trying to pay cff her indebtedness, cannot have the benefit of a tax that would accrue from taxing the numberless horde of dogs that roam from place to place seeking what they may devour — infesting every log-cabin, every field, every street, every store, house, sheepfold, or brick yard — doing damage wherever they go, besides preventing a revenue to the State by keeping down the sheep interest. But aint the Grangers going to arrange all these matters for our farmers ? We look to the Grangers. We have long hegged for our rights — let us now in solid column demand them ! " In union there is strength !" This is the colored man's secret. Let them agree on any measure, and they are one for that measure. Let us take a lesson. Let us but unite, let us resolve to put our hands to the plow, to have more confidence in each other, and to make our old mother State the " State of States " she used to be. Some writer complains of " The Loneliness of American Farm Life." We work about thirty hands in the brick yards of the Messrs. Cosby, Owen & Co., at South Boston and Wolf Trap depots, and I assure you before Saturday comes I often wish I could know something of the loneliness of farm life. We long to get out of the rabble, the noisy, business crowd, and to feel something of the quiet serenity, the almost perfect peace, that dwells under the roof of that little farm house that is by the wayside. Even my horse, as he turns in at the gate, seems to know that in there is quiet, and that in there the jarring, and bustling, and jolting discord ceases. 432 THE SOUTHERN [August Of course our farmers, if they have time, should visit each other more, and should be more sociable ; but how can any one be lone- some on a farm ? Why, there we can have the sweet flowers and the glorious fields of grain for our companions, if we have been in- dustrious enough to deserve them ; and then we have the wild flow- ers, the woods, the fields, the brooks, &c., free to us, ramble where we may. How can we complain ? Let us only make our homes more attractive; let us only interest ourselves in them, and we shall not have to complain of loneliness. What more enticing or beneficial to health than to rise with the lark, draw in the fresh, pure air of heaven, see the glorious sun rise, our fields clothed in fresh beauty, administer to the wants of our animals and receive their almost human gratitude, take a walk amongst our garden of promising vegetables, and then to be called to a breakfast of fried chicken, ham, eggs, biscuit, and ice-cool but- ter and milk, all of our own raising and industry ! Who could re- fuse to relish such a breakfast, especially if presided over by a little girl with rosy cheeks and cherry-red lips ? And who, after partak- ing of such, could refuse to go to his work in the growing fields with ready hands and a thankful, joyful heart? He can work in the cool of the day, and with his newspaper rest in the shade. And in the fall, when rest is needed and deserved, when old winter is coming on, our crops, &c., all secured, and everything in its place, and a place for everything, then we can take our families down to our old mother State Fair, procure our winter supplies, &c. But a farmer may enjoy numberless blessings which I cannot enumerate here. May the time soon be when a farmer knows how to appre- ciate his many blessings. Pardon me for this long, disconnected, disjointed and tedious harangue, written amid many interruptions, and I w^ill try and do better next time. H. W. Cosby. [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] PEA GATHERING. I observe that some of your readers wish to know the cheapest mode of gathering peas. I will give you my plan, but don't say it is the best that can be devised, but it is one that pays. Your cor- respondent objects to the pea on the ground that it does not mature its seed simultaneously, which is well founded, provid3d they could only be gathered by hand, but such is not the case. Gathering peas by hand for feeding purposes was necessarily abandoned when the institution of slavery was abolished. We can afl'ord to gather in small quantities by hand for planting, but not for feeding purposes. A cheaper way of gathering for seed is to pull or cut vinss and all, and thrash or tramp out, which will leave a pretty fair article for forage. Gathering by hand would make the pea one of the most ex- pensive crops we grow. 1875.J PLANTER AND FARMER. 433 If your correspondent will plant corn and peas as suggested in a previous article, and feed off peas with hogs, beef cattle, (in fact all kinds of stock may run in pea fields and get fat or in good condition for the winter,) he will find that his farm will not require more than two-thirds th(i amount of corn that is usually consumed. All prac- ticle farmers know that poor animals when fed on corn at the market price in the South will eat tlieir heads off (or so nearly so that there will be little left to balance expense of raising) by the time it is pre- pared for the tub ; and this is the great bug bear that scares many farmers off the road that leads to prosperity and independence. If our people could be induced to plant and sow peas in the right way and at the proper time, a sufficient amount of pork, beef and butter could be produced to supply our wants at a nominal cost. My pork cost me 8 cents per pound in 1^73, and not exceeding 3| cents in 1874, (these figures may appear very small to some but they are in excess, if anything, of the real amount,) which could only have been done in this country by pursuing the plan named above. Now, farmers, which is it better for us to produce, our pork at a trifling cost or give liens on our crops, and pay from 15 to 25 cents per pound for bacon and all other supplies, in the same proportions. I, for one, have resolved to try to live at home as much as pos- sible, let others do as they may ; still it would be very gratifying to me to see my brother farmers enjoying the peace, prosperity and independence consequent upon a full corn-crib, smoke-house, flour- house, barn, kc, &c. J. Unionville, S. C. [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] " COTTON IS KING." Cotton was proclaimed king about the year 1854, I think, though really it reigned virtually farther back. That cotton is king, and an exceedingly fickle and capricious monarch, I am ready to concede, and of his potency, his tyranny, no one need doubt. He fattens and pampers thousands of his subjects, whilst he oppresses and tyranizes over many other more deserving and fully as loyal. This potentate enriches those mainly who idolize him most, be they noble or igno- ble, honest or thieves. We see the railroad magnates in solemn conclave over their sovereign's business, and we see the dirty dray- man all eager to serve his master — both fiitten. The warehouse men, they begin to smile about the first of September when their master expects to pay them his annual visit, and they too begin to think of oysters and canvass-backs. The fire insurance man sits in his dusty office and smiles at the coming harvest, and contemplates immediate deliverance from cobwebs and dust, and that long torpid state in which, by necessity, he hag lain. The importer of bagging and ties, (a grand monopoly), he too prepares to sing peans to this monarch of the civilized world. The mercantile marine is now ready 434 THE SOUTHERN [August to crowd their white wings into every one of his majestic ports, and the fat old ship-owner, as he sits in his old oaken chair in Liverpool or Boston, shakes his ponderous sides as he contemplates the good time ahead. The factor, bless the Victor, I would not forget him — he now begins to put on new life, and begins to organize his forces, his dray- men, his storage-men, his weigh-men, his marking-men, his samplers, his menders, his salesmen, his book keepers, errand boys and porters. He rubs his hands in very glee at the harvest of drayage, storage, hand-hire, weighing, insurance, city tax, pickage^ commissions, &c., &c.,and lays out plans for a fine, new residence to be built and furn- ished, and the turn out for the young ladies — it all comes looming up before him in beautiful expectation, and he raises hosannahs to the king and shouts, great is cotton the king. The spinners, dear souls, they are in great perplexity. They wish to shout to the great chorus, but these "strikes," and then there is general stagnation, but some how, they always manage to make good dividends. All these, and thousands not thought of, live, thrive, fatten upon this great staple (to drop the allegory) cotton, and only he who pro- duces it, he that toils night and day the year round to bring forth this vast treasure, reaps nothing but loss. The question is, why is this? It can be answered in a few words. Too much cotton and too little corn. To much land and too little manure. Too shallow breaking, and too deep culture. The first step to prosperity is to get out of debt, and that cannot be done unless we stop this everlasting peace destroying process of credit. When we make plenty of corn and meat at home, (and we can do it easily) then we get clear of debt, and when we get out of debt, this grand army of "middle-men" will have to look for other pastures. Virginia will soon be ranked a cotton State, but let me here warn that people never to permit cotton to get such a hold on them as upon us, to cause them to locate their cribs and smokehouses in the West instead of on their own premises. Let cotton (yes, and to- bacco, too,) be ihQ dessert — it is not the staff of life — corn, wheat, oats, peas, potatoes, and all things for man ahd beast, are the ham and cahhage (that good old Virginia dish), and roast-beef and tur- key. Cotton is ice-cream, syllabub and floating island. Yet what would the millions do without it ? It suppresses mobs in old Eng- land and New England. It gives bread to thousands who could get it by nothing else. It creates a circulating medium for the civilized ■world. It brings into play more commercial talent than any other article of production known to man. It has a mighty influence in the destiny of nations — in fact. King Cotton is the most powerful monarch that has ever reigned in this earth, and we Southern plant- ers have it in our power to bring him at our feet and monarch him and all his votaries by a judicious and patient course, and that in two years from date. 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 435 I find from sad experience that a large area of cotton and many laborers will not pay. I am now paying off a large debt accumu- lated for several consecutive years by cultivating a thousand acres annually, with less than one fourth of that quantity of land. One may naturally ask, if one plow makes five hundred dollars clear money a year, why will not twenty plows make ten thousand ? In the first place, no one man can give that attention to fifty hands that is absolutely necessary to make it a success ; and to have overseers is only to add to your losses and aggravations. I have tried it effect- ually. And then the crop is too precarious to risk such large ex- penditure. The labor, too, is too vacillating to hazard so great an outlay. A neighbor of mine has at this time six hundred acres in cotton, and it is fine, and he expects two hundred and seventy-five bales ; he is an energetic, intelligent gentleman, has a good manager, and yet he tells me, even at last year's prices, and realizing the crop as stated above, he will lose money. Among the thoughtful and intelligent planters, this seems to be the course hereafter : Rent all they can to such tenants as can sup- port themselves — making it binding on them to manure, keep up fences and rotate — and to hire a few of the best laborers for a small farm, and make that rich. Then, by making every year enough corn to last eighteen months, hogs, cattle, and sheep can be produced, thereby rendering ourselves independent of the West. As to the cultivation of cotton, every man has his own theory. My experience tells me to break up my land deep, prepare it well, manure heavily, either in the drill or broadcast, keep it clear of grass, and the result will be satisfactory. Land that will produce ten bushels of corn to the acre will bear cotton rows as close as three feet three inches — poorer the land the closer the bed, especially with the improved seed. "Cotton loves company," and the seed I use, of my own improving, requires not over three feet apart in ordinary land ; and in such land I have not failed to make a bale to a bale and a half to the acre for the last five years. My land is stiff, consequently I bar it, chop it out, put the dirt back in a day or two to protect the young plant, and after that I use the sweeps ; \x\kt if you let the grass get the start of you the sweep must be dis- pensed with and the ''buzzard " taken up. I keep the sweep going until I begin to pick. I think it best — others differ. Cotton should always follow corn or other grain. In October and November a good picker, man or woman, ought to pick on an average two hun- dred pounds. I have two old women who have picked as high as five hundred pounds each per day. One of them can do it now. Crops can be and ought to be gathered and ginned up by the middle of December. Cotton picked after that is hardly worth the picking. Good gins add to the value of the staple, and a good intelligent gin- ner is indispensable. Tallow packed in the gudgeons prevents heat- ing — oil should never be used except a little when the gin is first 436 THE SOUTHERN [August started. Matches should never be allowed in the field when picking. A good, strong, glass lantern about the gin-house, in careful hands, is also indispensable. "Whang" leather for strings, and a punch must always be at hand — also a hatchet. Nails or bits of iron should never be allowed about the cotton or gin-house. A nail or stone passing through the saws will set the lint-room on fire. These little directions may be of service to some new beginners. Old cotton planters are set in their ways, and allow no innovations on former usages — to such I do not address myself. You have my views (at your request) Mr. Editor, hastily thrown together, and if they are worth anything, you and the public are welcome to them. I will say in conclusion, that cotton, though the most fascinating of all products, because of its portability, and its adaptability to mankind, yet it is a dangerous article financially and otherwise, unless sensibly and judiciously handled. AUington, Burke county, Ga. S. Wyatt. [For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] WASTE. In mechanical parlance waste is the tangled and useless residue of thread from the spindles in cotton mills, used to clean and wipe the black and gummy oil from machinery, until recently this ma- terial, used by the handful, when it became saturated with oil and filth, was thrown away. One of our leading railroad managers con- ceived the idea of saving it by washing, and thus from handfals of waste, accomplished a saving of over eight thousand dollars per year for the company. No occupation is more prodigal of opportunities for wastefulness than that of farming, and no one needs more to watch and save than the farmer, in every possible and conceivable way, and especially in the important item of manure supply from which to draw nourish- ment for his crops. It has been stated by Boussingault, and endorsed by Liebig, that the liquid and solid excrement of one man, will yield in a year over sixteen and a quarter pounds of nitrogen, or an amount equal to that contained in 800 pounds of wheat, more than would be necessarily added to that obtainable from the atmosphere to thoroughly fertilize an acre of ground. It has been established after repeated experiments, by equally em- inent authority as cited above, that humus does not, as a fertilizer, furnish plant life with carbon by being absorbed at once, or to any appreciable extent by vegetation, but by presenting a slow and last- ing source of carbonic acid, which is absorbed by the roots, princi- pally at a time when the young plant destitute of leaves, gets the least sustenance from the atmosphere; if this can be accomplished or followed by the volatilization of ammonia, we have the main sources of the life of most plants. Notwithstanding, as is practiced by almost 1875. PLANTER AND FARMER. 437 all farmers, we increase the humus in our lands by the application of straw, pine-tags, wood trash, and other vegetable and carbonaceous matters, all-be-it that they are in a measure combined with some an- imal excrement. Our lands with all the literary efforts of good theo- retical and practical farmers in their behalf in writing up manures, are in the main, fast: all, to a greater or less extent losing those of their constituents that go to the production of the seeds, roots, and leaves of the plants raised upon them, gathered from them, and taken away to sustain our communities of non-producers, who consume and never return any compensating nourishment for a repetition of the production of the soil. lu short, with our present system of city sewage, the city is constantly sustained at the expense of the coun- try. This has all been talked over, written about, and lectured upon many times, and too much, before, by farmers and others. It is suggested here, that perhaps farmers could do more by ex- ample to lecture city consumers into saving for them, if they would first investigate the probability of a beam in their own optic, before they scan too closely the keen business eye of their city neighbor. Probably, not upon one farm in a hundred is there any notice taken of the source of manure supply, in a family of four persons, perhaps upon one farm in fifty, once in a long time. The edifice set over a cees-pool near the house, and in close contiguity to the well, is tipped over upon its side, upon a day selected when the wind is blowing from the house, all hands with noses stuffed with cotton are engaged in a long dreaded and a most disgusting job of cleaning out a mass of putridity, to be hauled off, and dumped in some gully or put on some abandoned field, or used "because manure was scarce that spring and it wanted cleaning out any how." Or worse, the edifice is removed, the cess-pool filled up, another one dug near by, and the building reared over it; the putrid mass just covered to be left to continue to sweep through the soil, and in some cases to con- taminate even unto the dissemination of disease and death the very spring from which the family daily drink. So long as farmers indulge in this custom at home, it will be in vain that any reform shall be attempted in the sewage system of our cities. If the farmers will reform their own system of sewage, and let the metropolitan money hunters sec that there is a cash value to their waste, be it ever so little, and there will not be a want long for some keen eyed financier to sound the tocsin of "There's millions in it!" and "presto!" we shall have plenty of helpers, over head and ears in cheap manure, that will feed our hungry lands, and take the place of the exorbitant priced imported and manufactured compounds of (in many cases) questionable value or efficacy. The excrement of one individual adult, solid and liquid, will aver- age from actual experiments, over a pound and a quarter per day, for a family of four persons, over five pounds, a ton a year ; this in 438 THE SOUTHERN [August the state that it is voided is largely composed of water, but water holding in solution, so to speak, the very essence of plant life ; could all of this be saved, there would be but an inappreciable amount of waste, but what would be appropriated by the soil and vegetation to the benefit of the farmer. The smell is offensive ! and to the taste of the delicate and fastid- ious, the idea of using it is repugnant, granted in its present form; yes. What shall we do with it? bury it? exactly, the idea is sug- gestive, bury it under the dry earth mould, that is in humus ; this has been done for ages, and is the customary way of disposing of all decaying and putrid substances. Therefore, if to dispose of this ton of excrement by burying it, we reduce the burying process to a daily system, we have the very re- form for the farmer that it is the object of this paper to advocate ; to be definite, tbe earth closet on the farm is the desideratum, and should be the rule, and not the exception. Fence corners, behind bushes, out of the way waste places inaccessable for cultivation, should be abolished as places of deposits for valuable compounds. Upon every farm a proper and convenient place should be pro- vided, and every member of every family, young, old, master and hireling, should be influenced, or compelled to use it regularly as a measure of health, always as a means of saving, and to respect it as a comfort and convenience, not only to the individual, but to the community around them. It has been suggested that an idea that earth closets are a patent- ed and expensive luxury, prevents their general use, quite the con- trary. A system of daily burial of the excrement of a farmer's family can be inaugurated with no outlay of money, and but little expense of labor or time. The usual cheap outhouse is necessary, with but little difference in manner of construction, viz: the building should be raised about sixteen or twenty inches, with two steps from the ground, to mount into it, the seat should be just high enough to admit of placing an ordinary barrel under it, it should be made wider than ordinary, to allow the barrel to be pushed well forward so that the opening may be over the centre of the mouth of it, in order that it may catch all the liquid excrement, and not allow any drip on the outside to create unpleas- ant smell. A box or ^ub, with a scoop or hand shovel should be provided, and placed at hand, (on the seat at the side, or on the floor behind the door are convenient places,) this. should be kept supplied with rotten wood, dry mould or humus. All persons using the privy should be instructed to throw a scoop full or two of the contents of the box in the barrel, both before and after occupying the seat; before, because the previous occupant may have been neglectful, and too, to prepare a dry surface to receive the foeces, and after to cover them and absorb all moisture, and prevent any unpleasant efiluvia from rising, &c., &c. When the barrels are filled, they can be removed from the back of 1875.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 439 \ the house where a door or opening should have been left for the pur- pose, and their contents emptied in a bin or in a pile under shelter, if there is any. unpleasant smell or moisture perceptible upon empty- ing the barrels, dry earth should be thrown on to cover and absorb it, as there should be afterward, if moisture appears upon the surface of the pile. It will not be long before the system will work smoothly, especially if one person takes interest sufficient to devote half an hour per week to see that a supply of deodorizing material is kept on hand, and there will be no difficulty in keeping up the practice. The results at the expiration of the year, will be for every four persons, at least two tons of as good, if not superior manure, to the many high fla- vored, loudly lauded compounds that are sold from $30 to $7 per ton. It may seem difficult to keep up a supply of dry deodorizing ma- terial during winter and prolonged wet weather. It would not take a half day upon most farms during the dry days of summer, to collect and haul from the log-beds in the woods, fifteen or twenty barrels of fine, clry, rotten oak wood, nor would it take long to burn a coal-pit ; besides the charcoal would more than pay the expense. The calcined clay from the top of the kiln, and the coal dust from the bottom, or the rotten oak from the wood, stored, and kept dry, are all excellent for the purpose, as disinfec- tants and absorbents, but special labor and expense seemed to be in- volved in obtaining a supply of either, to avoid which is most desira- ble in advocating a trial of any new system. If in obtaining the usual supply wood for the families a constant practice is cultivated of picking up the decaying branches, cutting up and saving old logs and laps, and hauling the wood up, with as much of the adherent decaying matter as is possible, the trash pile from the wood if it is sheltered and kept dry (which will be a benefit to it) will furnish an abundant supply of the deodorizer needed. A simple slatted screen (as for sifting sand) provided, and five minutes a day used in screening the fine humus from the coarse chips and trash, the supply will be constantly augmented, and the expense and trouble not noticed, except to be repaid by the improved condi- tion and appearance of the wood land, that will be gratifying at least to the cattle, that will find good accessible browsing in place of jungles of brush, and tangles of logs and laps. In the use of the earth closet the application of the deodorizer should be liberal, and in quantity, so that neither to the sense of touch or smell, can any trace of the foeces be perceived. If in try- ing the experiment you have produced such an inoffensive mass of material, that you gue containing testimonials of those who have used it, &c. WATT & CALL, Sole Manufacturers, aug 1402 Franklin Street^ Richmond^ Va- " THE BEST CHAIN, SEED & FERTMfflG DEL. EC. M. SMITH & CO., Agents for Richmond. 11^=^ Send For Circular. liim PATENT SELF-REGULATING Grain Sepralor, Cleaier anfl Baipr. H. M. SMITH & CO., Post-office Box No. 8, RICHMOND, VA. General Agents for Eastern Virginia and the States of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia- This is the most convenient, portable, and best made Thresher and Cleaner now in use. It thresiies rapidly, and cleans more perfectly than any other pat- tern. It has a Self-Regulating Biast, which makes the blowing over of Wheat an impossibility. THE MOUNTED VIRGINIA HORSE POWER Is especially adapted to run the Geiser, and the two together make the best threshing outfit in the wriii.. The r'^ports from the Mounted Power are all like the following unsoiiciied testimony: Charlotte, N. C, July 24th, 1873. Messrs. H. M. Smith & Co.: ^ Gentlemen, — Mr. J. R. Wollnr poys of the '"Mounted Power," it is all you claim for it ; that if you will make and send a Wagon Jack, the thresherman need not lift more than a bushel of wheat during the season; and that sort of work which has been heretofore so laborious would become only play and pas- time. When I hear from the rest I will report. Very respectfully, . WM. F. COOK. REBUILT!! H. m. simiTix <£ CO., MANUFACTURERS OF TO OUR PATRONS: Having rebuilt our machine shops, which were destroyed by fire Oct. 1874, aud fully equipped them with uew aud improved machinery and tools, we are better prepared than ever before to supply your wants in our line, and thanking you for past favors, we solicit a continuance of the same, pledging our best endeavors to the satisfactory filling of all orders. Send for a Catalogue. THE MITCHELL yJiLlLUSjIiAJJll FARM AND FREIGHT WAGONS, AND THE STUDEBAKER FARM WAGONS. AVe are the General Agents of these celebrated Wagons, aud solicit orders from the trade, and individuals. ADDRESS H. M. Smith & Co., p. 0. Boi 8. EIOHMOND, VA. RICHMOND, VA. The Session of 1875-76 will open September 22d, and close 22d June. The Institution embraces eight independent schools, under the following ZF^OTJUiT-Y": EDMUND HARRISON, A. M., Professor of Latin. H. H. HARRIS, M. A., D. D., Professor of Greek. RODES MASSIE, A. M., Professor of Modern Languages. J. L. M. CURRY, D. D., LL. D., Prof, of English and Acting Prof, of Philosophy. E. B. SMITH, M. A., Professor of Mathematics. C. H. WINSTON, M. A., Professor of Physics. B. PURYEAR, A. M., Professor of Chemistry. Expenses per session of nine months, embracing matriculation and tuition fees, fuel, lights and washing, $118. Good board in messing clubs costs $10 per month ; at the College boarding houses, $13. About $90 will be needed on matriculation ; $35 1st February, and the remainder at intervals through the session. The expenses of a day student per session are $87.50. The College Buildings, situated in the most beautiful and healthful portion of the city, just within the corporate limits, with thirteen acres of land attached, are ample for the accommodation of at least two hundred and fifty students. The Institution offers to the student every facility necessary to his comfort, convenience and success, and is thoroughly equipped in all respects for dispensing liberal education, on terms unusually moderate. For Catalogues, giving full information in regard to all the departments of the College, address . B. PURYEaR, Chairman of the Faculty, FERTILIZERS! PACIFIC GUANO AND FLOUR OF RAW BONE, Undoubtedly the best, cheapest and most popular Fertil- izers now offered for the Wheat and Grass Crops. A supply of the above standard and popular manures will be kept during the season, to which we ask the atten- tion of farmers. PURE PEUUVIAN GUAHO ALWAYS ON HAND. For further information and supplies, address, ALLISON & ADDISON, (Richmond, Va. COED'S BONE PHOSPHATE, £3€(tCil3lijSli.od izx 18^S. And has sustained its high reputation for Thirty Years. I Letter from Commodore Charles Lowndes.] Easton, Talbot county, Md,, July 16, 1S75. Andrew Coe, Esq., Baltimore Md. Dear Sir : I applied your Phosphate to wheat, at the rate of 200 pounds to the acre ; the result proved satisfactory ; I deem it a good Fertilizer. Respectfully, CHARLES LOWNDES, [From the Purchasing Agent of Augusta County Grange.] Staunton, Augusta county, Va., July 17, 1875. Andrew Coe, Esq., Baltimore, Md. I have used your Phosphate for the last fiVG years and it has never failed me ; for one or two years I tried other standard fertilizers, but yours always excelled. Yours I am sure is better adapted to my land, and it has always been kept up to the standard, I shall use it again, aug— It W. H. PEYTON. 7 BELMONT STOCK FARM, Breeds Thorough-Bred Horses, PERCHERON NORMAN k BLACK HAWK STOCK, SHORT-HORISr GUTTLE, Cljester White & Berkshire l^ogs, AND DARK AND LIGHT BRAHMA FOWLS S. W. FICKLIN, JVear Charlottesville, Va. FARMERS AND DEALERS PURE BONE FLOUR, PURE DISSOLVED BONE ASH, Pure Dissolved Raw Bone. 66° Oil Vitroil, German Potash Salts, Pure Chemicals for making Superphos- phate at the lowest market price. Call at K. J BAKEK&CO'S. Aug— ly CHESTNUT GROVE Stock Farm and Poullry Yards, McKEAN & HULIOH, EASTON, PENN. Fine Bred and English Draft Horses, Asiatic Poultry and Fancy Pigeons, Li^ht arid Dark Bramas, Buff, Partridge and White Cochins, Antwerps, Carriers, Barbs, Owls, Magpies and Almond Tumblers. POULTRY took fifteen Society and nine Special Premiums on Fowls and Chicks, and seven on Pigeons at Lehigh Valley Poultry Exhibition, 'held at Al- lentown, January, 1875. FOR SALE tine Bred and Draft Stallions, Gold Dust and other Colts. Eggs, Chicks and Pigeons in season. RICHLAND STOCK FARM, NEAR QUAKERTOWN, PA. THOMAS Ii. McKEAN, Proprietor, P. O. Easton, Pennsylvania. PURE BRED SHORT-HORN CATTLE, JUBILEES, LOUANS, YOUNG MARY'S, &c. The above stock has been removed from Chestnut Grove Farm, and on hand and for sale at reasonable prices. Parties wishing to examine the Herd will be met at Quakertown Station, (which is one and a quarter hours ride from Phila- delphia, via N. P. R. R.) by writing in advance to the Proprietor, at Easton, Pa. 'Catalogues and Circulars upon application. Aug — tf Notice to Wheat Growers. Reduction of Price of CELEBRATED Amoniateil Bone Sniier Fbosglate, Unrivalled for the wheat crop. For sale by agents and dealers throughout the country. PRICE, $4500 per ton, at Baltimore. "Dissolved Bone Super Phosphate" supplied to manufacturers and dealers at low figures. We are prepared to furnish Granges with an " Ammoniated Bono Superphosphate of a standard quality, adapted to grain crops, at very lowest price. P. ZELL & SONS, Manufacturers, I |aug— 3t 30 South St., Baltimore, Md. GRKAT SALiS -OIF- THE LAEGEST SALE THAT EVER OCCURRED in the Western country, at public auction, embracing nearly three hundred head of highly bred animals, will take place at the Nashville Fair GroundSy adjoining the city of Nashville, Tennessee, August 18th, 1875. The stock will consist of Thoroughbred and Trotting Horses, Short-Horn and other varieties of Cattle, Fancy Sheep and Swine of the different breeds. The thoroughbred horses are the get of such sires as imp. Bonnie Scotland, Brown Dick, Jack Malone, Vandal, Pat Maloy and others. The trotters, the get of Chieftain, Mam- brino, Patchen, American Clay, Enfield, Woburn, Alhambra and others. The Short-Horns by the 8th Duke of Thorndale 8,030, Derby 7,800, Duko of Richland 9,940, and other noted bulls. The sheep and swine bred with great care, from recent importations. Those desirous of purchasing first-class animals, either for breeding or track purposes, will do well to embrace this opportnnity. Cata- logues ready Jfor delivery in June. Address either of the under- signed at Nashville. John Overton, B. *F. Cockrill, M. S. Cockrill, Ewing & Williams, and others. aug — tf G. W. ROYSTER. J. B. LIGHTFOOT, Jk. «» Cominission Merchants, Solicit Consignmsnts. of Tobacco, Grain, Flour and Produce Generally Refer by Special Permission to J. W. Lockwood, Cashier National Bank of Va., Richmond; Isaac Davenport, Jr., Pres. First National Bank, Richmond. Grain Bags furnished on application. L^ISrr> FOR SA.LE. For Sale one of the finest Estates near the University of Virginia. It will be sold as a whole, or subdivided as may be preferred. Address GEO. C. GILMER, University of Va. [Mr. Gilmer proposes to sell the above land at a very low price. The prox- imity of these lands to Charlottesville and the University, with its intrinsic worth, makes it one of the most desirable farms in Virginia. — Ed]. Aug — tf Chester Springs High School, Sii miles of Sontli Boston Depot, Ricliinonil and Danyille R. R. T. OSCAR ROGERS, Principal and Proprietor. Testimonials from Patrons, Professors of University of Virginia, where the Principal graduated, and from the Professors of three colleges com- TTunding the careful preparation of certain young men who are at those Colleges from this school. Charges comparatively very low, viz : $88 for each term of twenty weeks. Address, T. OSCAR ROGERS, aug — It Black Walnut, Halifax county, Va. IVOTIOE TO FARMLERSI REDUCTION IN PRICE OF BAUGH'S RAW BONE SUPER PHOSPHATE OF LIME. STANDARD nV <|UAMTY KTKICTLY MAIKTAIKED. While we announce a reduction in the price of our RAW BONE SUPER PHOSPHATE, we would respectfully represent to dealers and farmers that its standard of quality has been strictly maintained. The proportions of soluble and precipitated Phosphoric Acid, Ammonia and Potash, have never been higher than tliey are in the article we are now selling our customers. This statement we make as a binding guarantee. PRICE $46 PER 2000 POUNDS, packed in good strong sacks of 200 pounds each. BAVGH A KONS. No. 20 South Delaware Ave., Philadelphia, No. 103 South St., Baltimore, Md. Aug— It mHE AMSDEN PEACH again -L provt'S the earliest largest and best. Red freestone. Buds safely bv mail or E.x. per 100, $1 ; 1000 88. Also 1 and 1 year old trees. Circular free. L. C. AMSDEN, Carthage, Mo. Aug— It PTSCOPAL FEMALE INSTI-I TUTE, Winchester, Va. Rev. J. ! C. Wheat, A. M., Principal, (formerly i of Staunton, V'a.) For circulars stating , terms, &c., address J. C. Wheat, Win- chester, Va. References, The Bishops and Clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Va. Aug — It The Frnit Eecorder and Cottage Gardener will MONTHS ^ FREE. UPPER JAMES REAL ESTATE AGENCY. BY WJLLIAM HOLMAN, Cartersville, Va. Who offers for sale upwards of 20,000 acres of land, lying in one of the most desirable regions of Eastern Virginia. Catalogues sent on application. [Mr. Holrnan is one of the most relia- ble farmers in the State. Those wishing to buy land should send for his Cata- logue]. Aug— tf be sent, free 3 months to all who WONTHS r.lT"tr;reTa^ postage, as law now requires prepay- ment of po 8 tag e. We do not ask any ^ one to subscribe for Our paper until they know what they are to get. It speaks for itself. Price only 61 per year. Purdy's Small Fruit Instructor is a work of 154 pp. that tells in simple language just how to grow fruits in abundance for home use or PURE .IKRSEV lULI. "GOLDSTICK." (5r.> Herd Register of American Cat- tle Club.) Dropped .luly, 1870. Is in 6ne condition and perfectly gentle. Tt» be had cheap. Pedigree and full par- ticulars on application to J. PATERSON, 729 Main St., Richmond, Va. MILLERS! MILLERS!! A rare chance to buy a No. 1 Merchant Mill with Saw Mill attached, immediately on the Valley Railroad 22 miles from Harrisonburg, Rock- ingham county, in the very heart of the Shenandoah valley of Virginia. Located in a large wheat-growing region, and complete in all of its ap- pointments. ''This Mill offers an opportunity rarely met with to thosejde- siring to purchase Mill property. Full information will be furnished on application to Rev, D. H. LANDIS, aug — 1 1 P. O. Box 53, Harrisonburg, Va. PERUVIAN CUANO. ^IJntil further notice, Peruvian Guano, guaranteed to contain 10 per cent, of Ammonia, will be sold by the Under- signed or their Agents, in lots of not less than Ten Tons, at SIXTY DOL- LARS CURRENCY per Ton of 2240 pounds, full weight at the time of deliv- ery. A liberal discount will be made to dealers or others on the entire amount bought during the Spring or Autumn seasons. B4IBSOX, n-VRTADO & €0., Agents of the Peruvian Government. July 1st, 1875. New York. AGENTS: B. F. VOSS, Baltimore, Md. G.W.WILLIAMS &CO.,CharlestonS.C R. G. LAY, Savannah, Ga. Terms Of atetisin of Flanter and Farmer, One square, 10 lines or loss, one insertion.„$2 OO 1 square of ten lines for six months 10 00 1 square of ten Hues for oiae year.... 15 00 i^page six months J:}0 00 % page one year 55 OO 3^ page six months „ $55 00 1J4 page one year ^ 100 OO 1 page, single insertion _^ 20 00 1 page, six months 100 Oo 1 page, one year 180 OO FRESH GARDE .^ and FIELD SEED At the old stand cf Palmer & Tarpin, 1626 Main street, Ricbmoad, Orchard Gras8, Timothy, Herds, Clover, Kentucky Blue Grass. Send for Catalogue, feh-tf W. H. TURPIN. White Sulphur Springs, 177E:ST VIRGIIffIA, Famous for its Alterative Waters and fashionable company, is open, and the following, schedule of prices adopted : FOR JULY AND AUGUST. Monthly $2 85 per day. Weekly 3 00 per day. FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER. ; Monthly $2 00 per day. Weekly 2 50 per day. Important and expensive improvements have been made in Build- ing and Lodging accommodation, including new Spring Beds, &c. Descriptive pamphlets obtained of Messrs. Purcell, Ladd & Co., Richmond, Va. aug — tf GEO. L. PEYTON & CO. R. SINCLAIR & GO.^ MANUFACTURERS OF iiiTTmiTiiiir Tiurm nmrniTnKi » < ALSO, GROWERS AND IMPORTERS OF GARDEN AND FIELD SEEDS, Dealers in FRUIT TREES and PLANTS Would call the special attention of our friends and customers to the following first-class Machinery and Implements, which we guarantee to be equal to any arti- cle of the kind made in this country, being all of our own manufacture. We name in part, such machines as are required by the Farmer and Planter for the Winter and Spring seasons, viz: SINCLAIR'S PATENT MASTI- CATOR, of which we make four sizes, viz: Hand, Steam and Horse Power. Sinclair's Patent Screw Propeller, Hay, Straw and Fodder Gutters, of -vhich we make four sizes, viz . Light Hand Power, Hand Power, several sizes, and Horse Power three sizes. All of the above-named Cutters are our own Patents and Manufacture, and are such as we can recommend. Reading's Patent Horse-Power Corn SheUer, with Fan Attachment. Sheller, plain. Double Spout Hand or Power Sheller Single Spout Shellers— «11 kinds. Corn and Cob Mills, Grist Mills, for Farm and Plantation use. WHEAT AND CORN FANNING MILLS. '* Anderson's " Agricultural Steamer, for preparing feed for Stock. The best in use. Threshers and Separators— different kinds and sizes. Horse Powers, all sizes and patterns. Ox-Yokes and Bows, Horse Power Road Scrapers, Hay and Straw Presses. Plow's, difterent kinds and sizes, Harrows, Cultivators, and all kinds of Farming and Horticultural Tools. Address, ^'-p'^ R. SINCLAIR. & CO. . 62 Light Street, Baltiniflre, Wil. IMPI@TE Xm\ STOCK. FOR SALE — Alderney and Durham Cattle. Cotswold and Shropshire Lambs, and Berkshire Swine. PRRWIITIVI AI.I>ERNEV KVI.I. "EZRA'' three years old. Siro Imp. Hannibal (618); Daro Lily (500). Price SlOO. PHKI»Iirn AT.DERNEY FULL "GOLD DIST" two years old. Sire Imp. South- ampton (117); *Dam California (344). Price §80. ALDERNET BULL CIYATHAM, eii?hteen months old; now fit for service. Sire Sudbrook (1262); Dam Imp. Rose Harebell (3243); solid color, black points Price $80. ALDERBTET BULL CALF ACCIDENT, three months old. Sire Saladin (447); Dam Minerva i341); one of the best Jersey cows in the State Price $">0. All the above are from Herd-Book Stock, and can be entered in next volume of Herd Book. HEKDRDOK ALDEKNEY RULL NVDBKOOH (1262), nine years old ; bred by .1. Howard McIIenry ; one of the finest biill> in the State. Price 8lO?. preiHivsi alderney bull hannibal four years old. Sire Imp. Hannibal (61S); Dam pure Alderuey Cow, but not registered ; took 1st Premium State Fair 1873. Price S80. e. . DURHAM BULL StONEWALL, hrwl by .lames Cto wen of Pennsylvania, roan color, of fine size, and splendid form. Price $100 worth twice the money. TWO DURHAM CALVES (Heifer and Bull), four months old, roan color. Price ftw each. COTSWOLD AND SHROPNHIRB LAniBS, at from $10 to $15 each. BERKSHIRE Pl«!4, from best stock in the State. Price $8 t'k H. Hamilton, M. D., L, L. D.„ late Professor of Surgery, Bellevue Hospital Med ical College, New York. J. L. Cabell, M. D., Professor of Physiology and Surgery, University of Ya. Isaiah H. White, M. D., Demonstrator of Anatomy, Med. Col. of Ya. James B. McCaw, M. D., Prof. Practice of Medicine, Med. Col. of Ya. J. S. Wellford, M. D.. Prof. Materia Medica, Medical Col. of Ya. O. F. Manson, M. D., Prof Physiology and Pathology, Med. Col. of Ya. HuKTER MCGVIRE. M. D., Prof. Surgery, Med. Col. of Ya. Landon B. Edwards, M. D., Editor Va' Medical- Monthly, Richmond, Ya. N. B. MORRISON & CO., Gen'l Agts., New Orleans, La ii EIURKK A ?? Imoniatefl Snperiiliospliate of Lime, MANUFACTURED BY The Atlantic and Virginia Fertilizing Company, Near OltlENT, L. L, Always proves to be the best fertilizer when accurately tested, i. e. by the applica- tion of equal values, by the side of any other, whether on tobacco, wheat, corn, cotton, grass or vegetables. See the report of Mr. A. M. Bowman, President of the Baldwin Augusta Ag- ricultural Society, to the Virginia State Agricultural Society, published in this number of the Planter and Farmer, and note the fact that the " Eureka " is not only much the best of the six fertilizers he tried, but that it was also the cheapest , and bear in mind that at the time he tried it he did not even know who was manu- facturing it; and followed his example in ascertaining what is the 6e5^ and also in letting the farmer know which is the best. The value of accurate experiments, and the purchase from reliable manufacturers, cannot be overestimated. WM. G. CRENSHAW, Pres. FRANK G. RUFFIN, Supt. State of Va. If there is no agent for the sale of "Eureka" in your immediate neighbor- hood, write to any of the following General Agents : W. N. RUFFIN, Rich- mond, Va.; JNO. ARRINGTON & SONS, Petersburg, Va.; HOOE & JOHN- STON, Alexandria, Va.; JOSHUA WALKER, Baltimore, Md.; WILLIAMS & MURCHISON, Wilmington. N. C; W. C. COURTNEY & CO., Charleston, S. C; J. W. LATHROP & CO., Savannah, Ga. JB®*Send for Circular. :bottoi-£ totjoheid. Dry Goods at Lower Prices than Ever. Money sayed liy Myii your Dry Goods M Leyy Brottiers, Who havR made large purchases since the recent decline. Fiincy Grenadines at 8J, 10 and \2hQ. per yard, worth ItJit) 20 and '2')c.; Rich Styles Fancy Grenadines at ir.^, 20, 25, 30 and o5c., worth from 25 to oOc; Black Grenadines in all qualities from l'2^c. up to $2.25 per yard— this era- braces not only the cheapest, but best assorted stock ever offered in this city ; Kcru Linen Ti ssore Suiting at 8jo. per yard, worth lOjjc; at 12^c., would be a bargain at 2oc.; at 16ifc., worth 80c. — these goods must be seen to he appre- ciated ; Silk- Warp Japanese Stripes and Plaids at 30c. per yard, worth 50c.; Jai)anese Cloth at 12ic., worth 25c.; Wash Poplins, best goods manufactured, at 12^,c. and 15c., worth lOj and 25c.; Debeges, at 25, 30, 35, 40 and 50c. These gOf)ds can be had in all the new shades ; New style Plaid Dress) Goods from 25 to 50c; per yard— a reduction of from twontv-five to fifty per cent, has been made in these goods ; Fast-Colored Lawns at 8:^,'l0, IfJtt, 20; 25, 30, 37i and 50c.; Also, at the lowest prices, Pongees. Mohairs, Japanese Silks, Jaconets, Cam- brics, Linen Lawns, and all other styles of fashioriable dress goods ; Black Al- pacas at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, GO, 75, 85, 90c., $1 and $1.25 ; Australian Crepe at 50, 60 and 75c., worth Goc, 75c. and 81; Yard- wide Printed Percales and Cambrics at 12^ and lOgc. per yard — regular prices, IGf and i5c.; Victoria Lawns at I65, 20, 25 and 30c.; also. Piques at lO^j, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40(', — all remarkably cheap ; Swiss Muslins from 12^c. up to 50c. per yard — all very chea|) ; Checked and Striped Nainsook Muslins, Checked and Striped Swiss MusUns ; Corded, Striped and Figured Piques — all at extraordinary bargains ; Lonsdale Cambric, first quality, one yard wide, at IGjf per yard; Knight's Cambric, 33 inches wides, at 10c. , would be a bargain at 12ic.; Utica Sheeting, 10-4 wide, in remnants from two and a half up to ten yards, at 40c. per yard ; 50c. is the regular price everywhere ; Remnants of Dress Goods of every description to be sold at less than half value ; Black and Colored Silks at lower prices and in greater variety than at any other establislnnent in this State; Embroidered Curtain-Muslin, one yard wide, at 25c., •worth 37 Ac; Hamburgh Net for Curtains, at 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50c., and up to $1 per yard ; Hamburgh Lace Curtains from $4 to $30 per set for two windows ; Hamburgh Lace Lambrequins, from $2 50 up to $5 a pair — all very cheap and desirable ; Window-Shades in great variety, among which will be found an exact imitation of lace shades, now so fashionable : A large assortment of Curtain Fixtures, such as Cornices, Bands, Loops and Hooks ; Black. White and Ecru Hamburgh Nets, at a reduction of 50c; A full assort- ment of Laces suitable for trimming ; A large assortment of Silk Neck Scarfs and Ties ; Also, Black Lace Scarfs and White Lace and Muslin Scarfs ; Ready-Made Dres.ses for ladies in all of the latest styles, from $3 to $25 ; A full assortment of Under-Garmcnts at extraordinary low prices;; A large assort- ment of Ducks and Drillings for boys' and men's wear; Sash Ribbons at 25c., 30c., 35c., 40c. and 50c., and up to $1.25 per yard— all extraordinarily cheap; A full assortment of Ribbons from a half-inch up to seven inches at the lowest prices ; Gauze Shirts for men and women — some as low as 40c. for men ; Bustles in all the new styles ; also, Hoop Slcirts and Balmorals ; Matting, Oil- Cloths, Rugs, Carpets, Mats and Hassocks; Rubber, Jet and Gold Plated Jew- elry in great variety ; Summer Shawls, Lace Points and Jackets ; Black Grenadine Shawls at $3, worth $4 ; Laces and Embroideries in endlej?s variety at low prices; Goodrich & Barnum's Tuckers at 75c.; Machine Needles at 4 and 5c.; Machine Oil in large bottles at 15c.; Clark's and ('oat's Spool Cotton at 70c. per dozen : And thousands of other articles not enumerated in this advortisoment. Prompt attention to orders. July— tf LEVY BROTHERS, Richmond, Va. ESTJ^BLISHIEID 1839. TO FARIVIERS,PLANTERS and GARDENERS MANUFACTURED AND FOR SALE BY JOHN ETJLLOCK & SOIT, Factory: Washington Road, Baltimore, Md, Store: No. 61 S. Gay Street, Baltimore, Md, P. 0. Box 636. For more than thirty years we have been engaged in the manufacture of "Pure Ground Bone , our crude stock being gathered daily from the butchers here, with whom we have yearly contracts. We have com- pleted our new factory, and with the additi'^n of the latest and most ap- proved machinery, will be able to fill all orders sent to us at short notice and guarantee at all times to the purchaser a first-class krticle at^the lowest market price. Respectfully JOHN BULLOCK & SON. 86 — ly MORO FHII.UFS. MANUFACTURING CHEMIST, MANUFACTURER OF mm hm ht^ier mmMiuu. ■:0: MORO PHILLIPS' SUPER-PHOSPHATE, Price $50— the best grain producer in the market. MORO PHILLIPS' PURE PHUINE, Price $50— the Lest fer- tilizer for truckers we know of. MORO PHILLIPS' TOBACCO INVIGORATOR, Price $60 ; prepared especially for Tobacco. SERENA GUANO, a natural organic deposit. r 110 S. Delaware Av., Philadelphia, Pa. For sale at Depots < (95 South Street, Baltimore, Md., And by trade ji;enerally. Discount to ileal ers. ap-6t G. P. WATSOM'S RICHMOND. Having timber tracts n this State sufficient to last several years, with a complete hunbering rafting, and saw-mill organization of tilty men, together with one of the most complete facto- ries in the country located in this city, can furnish Poplar and hard wood (no soft pine) low- priced FURNITURE as cheap as any factory Noth or West— and fine Walnut FURNITURK cheaper. A stock of one million feet of lumber insures seasoned work, warranted iu this and every respect. Manufacture MATTRESSES of all kinds. Lumber-mill, Indiantown, Va. ; Factory, Rocketts street; lumber-yards, Ash and Poplar streets; wareroom-s, No. 18 Governor (Thirteenth streets,) Richmond. apl MRMBE8 AND dUUM PURE BONE FLOUR. PURE DISSOLVED BONE ASH. PURE DISSOLVED RAW BONE 60° OIL VITRIOL. GERMAN POTASH SALTS. Pure Chemicals for making Superphosphaoj at the lost market price. Call at B. J. BAKER & CO S. 76 SOUTH ST., (Mitrance on Maiden Lane,) NEW YORK CITY. IMPORTERS OF ENGLISH, FRENCH AND GERMAN PORTLAND CEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING BRANDS : t fJ. B. WHITE & BROTHERS, "^ f FRANCIS & CO., g I KNIGHT. BEVAN & STURGE, % j HOLLICK & CO., S I BURHAM CEMENT CO., S | EASTWOOD & CO., ^ i BROOKS, SHOOBRIDGE & CO., ^ i REBINGTON, y I PETERS BROTHERS, 2 I TINGUEY, t; GILLINGHAM CEMENT CO., t, \ LEVBTT & CO., fS ILONGUETY & CO. f£ LDYCKERHOFF. 3farble and Interior Decoration— VARIOUS KINDS. KEENE'S (Superfine and Coarse.) PARIAN CEMENT do. DYCKERHOFF'S (Black Cement) MARTIN'S do, ROMAN CEMENT (English & Scotch) SELLARS' Gas Cement. The attention of Architects, Engineers, Owners, Builders, Gas and Water Com- panies, is respectfully called to these importations. Remit 6c. postage stamp for Treatise on Portland Cement. July ONE THOUSAND transplanted Arbor Vitse 4 to 8 inches ^]high, DELIVERED free to any part" of the United States for only iFiFTEEN Dollars. 500 ARBOR VIT^ (transplanted) 4 to 8 inches high, free |to any part of the United States for only Ten Dollars. 15 ARBOR VIT^ and 10 WEEPING SPRUCE, nice 10-inch plants, delivered free to any part of the United States for only One Dollar. EVERGREENS — how, when, and where to plant- mailed free for stamp. Remit money by draft, registered letter, or money order on Portland . Address, WM. MORTON & SON, ap — tf Allen's Corner, "Cumberland Co.',' Maine Stean] Engines aijd olljer Jjacljinery For Sale. In addition to a full line of New Engines, Saw Mills, and other Machinery of our own improved build, which we keep constantly on hand or build to order, we have now For Sale the following Second-Hand Machinery, all in perfect order, which we will sell at very low figures, viz: Double-lToisting Engines, 80-horse power, with drums and other hoisting gear, complete. 4-hor.se Stationary Engines, good as new; Fluc-Boilor 20 feet long, 42 inches diameter, with 2 flues, 14 inches diameter, iron front and other fittings complete; loO-horse power Stationary Engine; Tubular Boilers, 50-horse power each ; 30-hor8e power Sta- tionary Engines; 8-horse Portable Engine, as good as new; of our own make; 16-horae Stationary Engine with new vertical boiler; Several steam Pumps and Fan Blowers of various sizes ; Engines for threshing, grinding and ginning, mounted on wheel tar not, as may be preferred by the pur- chaser; Repair Work Solicited. WM. E. TANNER & Ca, mar-«^t MetropolitAn Works, Richmond, Va THE "vii^ca-insiTJL AND CIDER MILL Is superior to any MILL now made, and more sold annually in this market than of all other kinds combined. It does not grate, but thoroughly crushes every fruit cell, insuring all cider the apples will yield. Send for Catalogue. CHAS. T. PALMER, jy-ly 1523 Mai>i Street, Richmond, Va. Farmers who are short ot Hay can now sow Hungarian and Millet Seed, Which produce a very Fine Crop, also, FOR, SALE BY G, B. ROGERS^ 133 Market Street, PHILADELPHIA, PA. CHARLOHESVILLE WOOLEN MILLS SAMPLTC OA-RDS Are now ready for mailing. Our assortment embraces TWENTY-POUR PATTERNS. Merchants desiring samples, will please address, CHARLOTESmLE WOOLEN MILLS, CHARLOTTIiJVILLE, VA. SOLUBLE PACIFIC GUANO, FOR TOBACCO, CORN AND OTHER CROPS. After ten years' continuous use, throughout Virginia and the South, Soluble Pacific Guano has acquired a reputation for reliability equal to that foi-merly enjoyed by the Peruvian Guano, and the quantity used annually exceeds that ol any other fertilizer. It has been the aim of all connected with this Guano to produce the best possible fertilizer at the lowest possible cost, and we claim that the unusual resources and facilities of the manufactu- rers have enabled them to approach this more nearly than has been done in any other fertilizer with which we are acquainted. Those who have been using it unite with us in the opinion, that by its use the consumer gets THE GREATEST BENEFIT PROM THE SMALLEST OUTJJSlY. We offer it with great confidence for use on the Tobacco and other crops to be grown in 1875» with the assurance that it is, in all respects, equal to what it has been in the past. 1 PURE PERUVIAN GUANO, AS IMPORTED. We have a full supply of Wo. I C^nanape Peruvian Gwano, from the Governmert Agent in New York, selected from one of the finest cargoes ever imported. It is dry and in beau- tiful order, and contains within a fraction of 13 per cent, of Ammonia, which is within two per cent, of what the old Chiucha Peruvian used to contain— in fact, it would be difficult to tell one from the other. We offer these standard and thoroughly tested fertilizers for Tobacco, Corn, and all Spring Crops, and are prepared to sell them at such prices as will make it to the interest of consumers and dealers to purchase their supplies of us instead of sending their orders to Kew York, or elsewher*. For further information and supplies, address, ALLISON & ADDISON, mar— tf Sefed and Guano Merchants, Eiclimond, Va SIP® j'^Aiyi^s* sc^n^s^f. Pleasantly located on Twelfth IStreet, facing Bank Street and the Capi- tol Square. In the centre of the business portion of the city, within one square of the Post Office and Custom House, it is, by its retired location opposite the southeast corner of the beautiful park surrounding the Capitol of Virginia, the most quiet hotel in Richmond. The proprietor having had a life long experience in hotel business — first at the Everett House, New York, and afterwards as proprietor of the Spotswood Hotel, Richmond, in its best days — and now assisted by Mr. JOHN P. BALLARD, the popular veteran hotel-keeper of Vir- ginia, assures visitors of the ST. JAMES that no effort on his part will be spared to make them comfortable and to keep the house in first-class style. Coaches will attend the arrival of all trains. Elegant carriages are at all times at the service of the traveling public. June T. W. HOENNIGBR, Proprietor. THE C}JREE]« SPRIXCJS ACADEmT, LOUISA COUNTY. VA. This pleasantly situated private School for Boys and Young Men preparing for College, will resume recitations October 1st, 1875. Persons wishing to send their sons to school are requested to ap- ply to us at once. We wish to have only a small school of some twenty-five scholars — one that can be well taught. For reference, apply to editors of " Religious Herald" or to Pro- fessors of Richmond College. Address C. R. DICKINSON & SON, jy-3t TreviliarCsj Louisa County ^ C. & 0. E. B., Va. ^W. C, SMITH, MANrKACTURFR OF SPRING WAGONS, BDGGIES.&C I have on hand and make to order on short notice Carriages, Buggies and Spring Wagons, with special reference to the wants of farmers. Light running and strong, of any desired capacity. Workmanship and inaterial guaranteed. Prices lower than the same quality of work can be bought at in this or any other city. Orders solicited. Letters of inquiry promptly answered. Kepairing promptly and reasonably done. W. C. SMITH, iuy-6m 308 Fifth Street, Richmond, Va. wssoHsi w&m&mm The subscriber has on hand . wm&Bm§ mm® ©sis^g of various descriptions, that he Avishes to dispose of on very mode- rate terms, and is still manufacturing others, and solicits a call from all in want of any article in his line, and he guarantees good work- manship, and first-rate material. A. B. LIPSCOMB, my 1I6 Carv Street, between Adams and Jefferson. CHESAPEAKE AWD UHIU JR. K, On and after SUNDAY, June 13th, 1875, passenger trains will run as follows : FROM RICHMOND : Leave Richmond, 9.30 A. M. 9.10 P. M. Arrive at Gordonsville, 12.45 P. M. 12.30 A. M. Arrive at Washington, 7.33 P. M. 6.33 A. M. Arrive at Charlottesville, 1.45 P. M. 1.24 A. M. Arrive at Lynchburg, 4. 50 P. M. 4.50 A .M. Arrive at Staunton, 4.10 P. M. 3.30 A. M. Arrive at Goshen, 5.56 P. M. 5.14 A. M. Arrive at Millboro', 6.17 P. M. 5.36 A. M. Arrive at Covington, 7.51 P. M. 7.06 A. M. Arrive at Alleghany, 8.59 P. M. 8.14 A. M. Arrive at White Sulphur, 9.15 P. M. 8.32 A. M. Arrive at Hinton, 12.15 A. M. 10.35 A. M. Arrive at Kanawha Falls, 4.20 A. M. 1.25 P. M. Arrive at Charleston, 6.15 A. M. 3.25 P. M. Arrive at Huntington, 8.30 A. M. 5.45.' P. M. Arrive at Cincinnati, 6.00 A. M. Train leaving Richmond at 9.30 A. M. runs daily, (Sunday excepted) stopping at all regular stations. Train leaving Richmond 9.10 P. M. runs daily stopping at all regular stations west of Alleghany. Accommodation train leaves Richmond for Gordonsville and all intermediate stations daily (Sunday excepted), at 4.;^0 P. M. Pullman Sleeping Car runs on 9.10 P. M. train between Richmond and White Sulphur. tor further information, rates, &c., apply at 826 Main Street, or at Company's offices. CONWAY R. HOWARD, General Passenger and Ticket Agent. W. M. S. Dunn, Engineer and Sup't Transportation. jy BAUGH & SONS, High Grade Manure for Tobacco ^ Grain BAUCIS'S RAW BONE^p;,DE MARK SUPER-PHOSPHATE of LIME. The old established jp^^^^^m^ article sold under a guaranteed analysis. Also, Pure JF^^mH Ground Bones, Pure Bone Meal» and a full line of chem-^l' Y ^*W icals for making super-phos BAllOH & SONS, ap— 6t No. 103 South Street, Baltimore, Md. MassillonHaryester Buy the Best. TWO men bind Ten Acres daily. Binders can SIT? or STAND. Ad- dress, EDWIN BAYLISS, MassUlon, O. WALNUT GROVE FARM. THOROUGHBRED and GRaDE JERSEY CATTLE. BJ:RKSHIRE and ESSEX SWJNE. BRONZE TURKEYS and BRAHMA FOWLS, I took 1st premium on Thoroughbreds, (Male and Female,) and 1st premium on Grade Jerseys, also, 1st on Bronze Turkeys at Va. State Agicul- tufal Society, 1874. " . < Prices moderate— Satisfaction Guaranteed. Address, G. JUIilAIIf PRATT, mar — ly Waynesboro^ Augusta co. , Va. BLATCHLEY'S Improved Cucumber I Wood Pump is the ae» Jknowledged Standard 'of the market, by pop- ular verdict, the best pump for the least .money. Attention is invited to Blatchley's Improved Bracket, the Drop Check Valve, which can be with- drawn without disturbing the joints, and the copper chamber which never cracks, scales or rusts and will last a life time. For Sale by Dealers and the trade generally. In order to be sure .that you get Blatchley's Pump, be careful and see that it has my trade mark as above. If you do not know where to buy, de- scriptive circular, together with the name and address of the agent nearest you, will be prompt- ly furnished by addressing with stamp, CHAS. G. BLATCH LEY, Manufacturer, mar 506 Commeree St., Philadelphia, Pa. TO FARMERS, Boweij & HJercer's Super Pl^osp^ate REDUCED TO $40 for single ton ; $38 for five tons and over ; $35 for ten tons and over.. JOS' Warranted Equal to any Manufactured. Send for pamphlet of testimonials, BOWEN & MERCER, mar — ly S. Gay Street, Baltimore. TIN WIRE mncBl HV/'^'fl-rn .«. .. ^OHH Sort-. ttco. Hardware Dealers sell them EiEger,$l; l?in Rings (100) eoc; Coppered Einps. 60c . — -.^ Tongs, ei.25 ; by mail, poB& DCCATUIf.ILL paid. Circulars free. Ul-bT AMI UlKAl'tsT lA LSE, Have taken over S«0 Premiums at rs throughout the South. Send for illustrated Cataioguewith Price List,and certificates of planters who use them. SOLB MANtPAOTURERS: BRiNLY, MILES & HARDY Louisville, Ky. * ThoMiirei Stock for Sale. I am breeding Thoroughbred Devon Cattle, Poland China, and Essex Hogs, South Dovs^n Sheep, &c. Also Light Brahttia Fowls, and have for sale seve- ral pairs of White and Black Guineas. Persons ordering from me can rely on getting as good stock as any in tbisf country. My herd of Devons are of the most improved strains. They took 7 first premiums at our last Virginia State Fair. For further particulars, F. W. CHILES, feb— 6m Louisa C. H., Va. CANCER ! mm ! ! Attention is called to the great suc- cess which has been achieved in the per- manent cure of this loathsome disease, by the use of Bendpirj Enreka Cancer SalTe. Hitherto it has baffled the best medical skill, and the poor unfortunates with this leprosy, clinging to their bodies and eating out their vitals, are left to drag out a miserable existence. Testimonials of the most convincing character are accumulating daily, and many heretofore incredulous, are now entirely satisfied as to ita Inestimable value. F. H. ROBERTSON & SON, Index-Appeal Office, Petersburg, Va., are the General Agents, to whom all letters for information, and orders for Salve should be addressed. March tf Stand to your Home Manufactures. Taxes are not reduced by sending your money out of the State ! cs 0(1 ANCHORS /l^l >BRAND. PATENTED :AT FiiTllLlliE PREPARED BY THE SOUTpRN FERTILIZING COMPi^NY, RICHMOND, VA. This standard Fertilizer is now ready, and arrangements have been made to place it at all convenient shipping points throughout the wheat growing region. Price $50 Per Ton. The Grain Circular issued by this Company will show the stand- ing and prospects of Virginia on the wheat question. w^iRT^Emmm'mm.m Soluble Sea Island Guano, ESPEeiALLT PREPARED FOR THE WHEAT CROP. Ammoniated Alkaline Phosphate, The Granger's Manure. This Manure has Ijeen used by them for the past two years, with great satisfaction. Bone and Meal Fertilizer. This article is combined with Potash, and contains all the elements necessary for the growth of plant, and maturity of grain. BALTIMORE: AND TEXAS FERTILIZING COMPANY'S Flour of Bone and Bone Meal, From our Extensive Factory at Fulton, Texas. Ammoniacal Matter, Of uniform quality, prepared from the flesh of cattle, at our Texas Factory — an ammoniate superior to Peruvian Guano. Dissolved Bone. Bone Phosphate dissolved in Sulphuric Acid, containing 13 per cent, of Soluble Phosphoric Acid. Potash Salts Of our own importation. Sulphuric Acid, And all necessary articles to make a good Fertilizer. For Sale at Corner of South and Water Streets, - - BALTIMORE, R. W. L. RAISIN & CO.