cV 



Subscription $2 Per Annum in Advance. 



TO CEUBS OF FIVE OR MORE, $1.75 EACH. 



ESTABLISHED IIST 1840 



TIKIE SOTJTSZEI^lsr 




DEVOTED TO 



Agriculture, Horticulture, ai Rural Affairs. 



L. R. DICKINSON Editor and Proprietor. 



RICHMOND, VA. 



DECEMBER, 1877. 



No. 12. 



003STTKJSTTS. 



Page 

The State Fair— Letter from Mr. 

Loring 753 

Prof. Page's Experiments at the 

University 757 

" Closing In" for Winter 758 

^n Important Movement — The 

•■ Grape and Wine Interest in Va.. 760 

A Medley of Suggestions to Farmers 765 

Remedy for Fly in Wheat 767 

Letter from Mr. E. G. Booth— The 

State Agricultural Society, &c. ... 768 

Some Observations _ 771 

Toads 771 

Shipment of Apples 772! 

Stock Department : 

By the Editor :— The Galloway Cat- 
.tle ; Analysis of Fertilizers ; Fish 

&nd Game; Items 773 j 

Stick- Farming in the Southside 785 j 

A Possible Remedy for Glanders.. 786 j 
Be Agreeable at Meals 788 | 

Editorial— Farm and Garden 789 

Tuckahoe Farmers' Club "795 

Hrr«E Department 796 



Page 



Editorial — General 

The Public Fisc ; Time to Awake ; 
Virginia Fish and Game Protec- 
tive Association ; Southern Plan- 
ter and Farmer ; The Tobacco 
Tax ; Cigar Tobacco in Virginia ; 
The Tobacco News, Louisville, 
Ky. ; Southern Trade Abroad ; 
The Election ; Dependence on 
the North ; Drisd Fruit Again ; 
"The Farmer and Mechanic," 
Raleigh ; Senator Johnston, of 
Virginia, Engaged in the Impor- 
tant Work of Inviting Immigra- 
tion to our State ; The Virginia 
Educational Poor House ; Wheat 
Statistics at Richmond ; The Pal- 
metto ; Richmond ; Royal Sweet 
Potatoes; The Virginia Riding 
Club ; Errata; The TobaecoOut- 
look; Astounding News ; Fores 
try ; Salty Butter ; Senator Mor 
ton; The Flood; The Canal 
Dr. Thomas Pollard ; The Reli 
gious Herald ; Lisburn Farm 
The Watt Plow; To Our Sub 
scribers ; Special Announcement 
— Premiums, &c, &c. 



SOLUBLE PACIFIC GUANO. 

THIBTEBlsTTH TEAB. 

We again offer this standard, trustworthy Guano to planters and farmers 
as having stood the test of Twelve Years' use in our State on all varieties of 
soils, and in good and bad seasons. The fact that its reputation is better and 
the demand for it greater than ever before is, we think, conclusive proof of its 
excellence, and that it is sold at a price which enables the Planter to make a 
handsome profit by its use. 

Every Bag is GUARANTEED to be of STANDARD Quality. 

ALLISON & ADDISON'S "STAR BRAND" 

Complete Tobacco Manure. 

This preparation made by ourselves, is of exceptionally high grade, and is 
intended to be a complete fertilizer for tobacco. It is carefully prepared of 
the purest and best materials known, and so proportioned as to make the best 
crop the soil and season will admit of. It has been in successful use for many 
years, and has met the unqualified approbation of nearly every planter who has 
used it, the general report being "it is all you claim." 

We solicit a trial, if but a single bag, in competition with any other fertilizers. 

ALLISON & ADDISON'S "STAR BRAND" 

Flour of Raw Bone. 

WARRANTED PURE. 

We have a supply of this standard pure bone, prepared expressly for use on 
Tobacco and Corn. It will be found quick in action and lasting in its effects. 

THIS BONE is not equalled in fineness and purity by any other 
bone on the market. We GUARANTEE it in EVERY Respect. 

We think one or the other of these fertilizers will be found exactly adapted 
to every quality of soil, and a trial will show that they have few equals, and 
no superiors. 

fl^g^These fertilizers are for sale by our agents 
throughout Virginia and North Carolina, at Richmond 
prices, , with drayage and freight added. 

ALLISON & ADDISON, 

Ap — tf Richmond and Petersburg, Va. 



(Rose of Sharon). 

Breeders of high-bred Short-horns will do well to avail themselve 
of the services of this magnificent young bull at twenty-five dollars 
a calf. Good care taken of cows at one dollar and fifty cents per 
month ; but all risks entirely with the owner. 

I have a constant apprehension, that some Kentucky man will 
offer a price for this animal which we cannot decline. Address 

tt. ssa&s&SY, 

Farmer, Virginia A. & M. C. Farm, 
feb — tf Blacksburg, Virginia 



"-•'*:'•■: 




Dr. THOMAS POLLARD. 



THE SOUTHERN 

PLANTER & FARMER, 

DEVOTED TO 

AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS. 

Agriculture is the nursing mother of the Arts. — Xenophox. 
Tillage and Pasturage are the two breasts of the State.— Sully. 

L. R. DICKINSON, Editor and Proprietor. 

Vol. XXXVIII. RICHMOND, VA., DEC., 1877. No, 12. 

THE STATE FAIR— LETTER OF MR. LORING. 

We intended, as was proper, to write something about the Fair ; indeed had 
prepared it, when we encountered the following letter from Mr. Loring, one of 
the President's party, addressed to his constituents. The letter is pleasantly- 
written, and gives such a truthful accouat of the products, of all kinds, our folks 
had to show, that we adopt that part of it without reserve. [Mr. Lorixg has 
great standing at home (New England) as an agriculturist.] His description of 
the sincere cordiality, with which the President was received, is also the fact. 
As to the remainder, (referring, say, to Sambo), we must expect some sniveling, 
as sentimental humanity has long been a large element in the stock in trade of 
New England. So, outside of the reference to the exhibition itself, and the 
manner of the President's reception, the letter must be taken by our readers for 
what it is worth. In everything but the fact that its territory has a place within 
the domain of the United States, New England is as foreign to us in the South 
as Russia ; and we think it would be well that it should ever remain so : 

Washington, D. C, November 3, 1877. 
The difference of opinion existing among Republicans with re- 
gard to the course pursued by the President towards the South 
gives, as I think, peculiar and unusual value to all events therewith 
which he is in any way connected, and to all observations of the 
popular feeling growing out of the disposition he has manifested to- 
ward that section of the country. I had the pleasure of accom- 
panying the President and those of the Cabinet who attended him 
on their recent visit to Richmond, and I was so deeply impressed by 
what I saw then that I feel under obligations to give an account of 
it for the benefit of those who are interested in the work now going 
on for the permanent pacification of the country. I have no desire 
to express any opinions with regard to the aspect of affairs as pre- 
sented to my mind, and I think to the minds of all who were pre- 
sent on that occasion ; nor am I engaged in an argument for or 
against any past or present Southern policy. I feel called upon to 



754 THE SOUTHERN [December 

state facts alone, and to have every man who reads them to draw his 
own inference. 

The journey of the President to Richmond was remarkable for 
the cordiality with which he was received by all assemblies and indi- 
viduals with whom he was brought in contact. He traversed a 
country battle-scarred in every direction. The heights of Frede- 
ricksburg, the house in which Stonewall Jackson died, Aquia creek, 
the approach to Richmond — all brought back with deep intensity the 
memories of the war, moving the pride of victory and the bitterness 
of defeat. But all these memories were evidently subdued by the 
event of the day, and without regret over the delay, without dispo- 
sition to discuss the past, without reflections on one side and the 
other, the people welcomed the Chief Magistrate of a country in 
which all evidently realized that they had an equal interest. The 
same spirit was manifested by the committee of the city government 
of Richmond, composed, as I understood, of men of different opin- 
ions, but all united in the belief that sectional conflicts should be 
buried, for a time at least, beneath a common civilization based on 
the equal rights of all citizens under the law. 

The reception of the President at Richmond was equally cordial. 
I expected to find, or I had been told rather that I should find, an 
air of triumph on one side and a corresponding air of depression on 
the other ; that those who had opposed the election of the President 
would proudly and complacently claim- that he had been captured by 
them, and that those who supported his election would indicate in 
an unmistakable manner that their rights had been surrendered. 
But I saw nothing of this. Gratitude for something which the 
President had done seemed to fill the minds of all, and to.rise supe- 
rior to every other thought and feeling. I should not have known 
that there were different races, or different parties, or that there had 
ever been other social relations than those now existing, from any- 
thing I saw and heard there. The streets were thronged by a 
grateful people'. From the windows of the best residences he re- 
ceived a warm welcome. The warehouses were draped with the 
American flag in honor of his presence. The colored population, 
who were also represented in the military escort, followed the pro- 
cession in crowds, and eagerly sought the hand of the President and 
that of Mrs. Hayes, expressing in most earnest terms their thanks 
for an era of good feeling, in which they were delighted to share, 
evidently believing that their rights would be more freely accorded 
as a voluntary act than as a tribute received and sustained by force 
and reluctantly given as a necessity. This feeling was everywhere 
manifest. The colored people shouted it in the streets ; the girls 
sang it in the tobacco factories; the great assembly called together 
at the reception of Governor Kemper expressed it in word and act. 
A poor man, walking by the carriage in which were riding Mrs. 
Hayes and Mr. Evarts, pointed to the spirited and beautiful eques- 
trian statue of Washington and said, " There is the statue of the 
greatest man who ever lived ; but the man who has given us this day 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 755 



is entitled to one a hundred times grander." An old Confederate 
army surgeon gave me a most graphic account of the condition of 
Richmond and its hospitals during the war, and of the trials which 
fell upon the wasted city in the early years of peace ; and he re- 
joiced, without complaining of the past, that all classes of the people 
could enjoy their possessions and protect each other in a, well-ordered, 
peaceful town. His estimate of the sanitary influences of the re- 
moval alone of the inevitable weight of despair following the close 
of the war astonished me, and he was a man of keen observation 
and high scientific attainments. A cultivated lawyer remarked to me 
that Washington had been further from Richmond than Japan for 
fifteen years, and now he rejoiced that the chasm was closed up. 
When I asked the reason of this sudden change of feeling in con- 
nection with recent events under the administration of President 
Hayes — events which had their parallel in the withdrawal of troops 
from Mississippi and Arkansas, and the appointment of Longstreet 
and Orr to high office under the administration of President Grant, 
out of which no feeling of reconciliation had grown — I could get no 
more definite reply than that " the pear was not ripe." In fact, the 
state of popular feeling was looked upon by all who- witnessed it as 
one of those remarkable political phenomena whose causes are not 
entirely within human control. The political consequences of all 
this were hardly discussed. The existing facts seemed to be satis- 
factory to Democrats and Republicans alike, so far as 1 could as- 
certain ; and the incalculable benefits of the policy to the material 
prosperity and popular elevation of Virginia appeared to outweigh 
all political considerations in the minds of those who considered 
thoughtfully the existing state of affairs. I often heard the political 
future of the negro discussed, and always with a full recognition of 
his rights under the Constitution, and often with the assurance that 
he would manifest just as much sagacity in exercising the right of 
suffrage as the white man. Perhaps I may properly state that I 
have warmly advocated all measures calculated to protect the freed- 
man in the rights secured to him by the war, and have witnessed 
with grave apprehension, not only now, but on many former occa- 
sions, the adoption of any policy which might possibly leave him un- 
protected. Without any change in my desires for his welfare, and 
with the firmest belief that a sacred obligation rests upon the coun- 
try to see that he shall enjoy all the rights of citizenship under the 
amended Constitution, I state what I saw and heard respecting him 
while I was in Richmond, without undertaking to say how perma- 
nent and wide-spread this state of things may be. 

The demonstration at the Fair Grounds was as impressive and 
significant as that within the city. The assembly which gathered to 
hear the speech of the President was as imposing as any I have ever- 
witnessed. On the balcony from which he spoke he was surrounded 
by many of the leading men of Virginia, including the Governor,- 
the officers of the Agricultural Society, many influential citizens 
from various parts of the Union, and those of his Cabinet who ac- 



756 THE SOUTHERN [December 



companied him. A large and intelligent crowd stood in front of the 
stand, extending as far as the voice could reach ; and by those 
around him and by the audience below there was a warm response 
to every sentiment of equal rights, justice and humanity. The 
suggestions made by the President bearing upon the preservation of 
peace and concord, and touching the material prosperity of the 
State — suggestions which, by the way, no report has been given as 
forcibly as he stated them — were received with keen appreciation, 
and with an enthusiasm by no means common to agricultural 
audiences. The pacificatory utterances of Mr. Evarts, the practical 
truths set forth by Mr. Sherman, the sharp appeals of Mr. Thomp- 
son, and the elegant recitals of the relations existing between Vir- 
ginia and Massachusetts by General Devens, were all received in the 
heartiest manner, and my own discussion of the peculiar character 
of the American system of land-holding, with the civil rights and 
opportunities which go with it, met with a most cordial approval 
from those to whom it was addressed. Neither in the speakers nor 
in the audience was there any reservation with regard to the topics 
to which I have alluded. The tone of the meeting was entirely in 
harmony with the best and most liberal and humane sentiments of 
the times. The assembly may have been divided on other questions, 
but not on these. 

As an illustration of the material condition of the State the Fair 
was most interesting and encouraging. I have been for many years 
a close observer of the industrial products collected on such occa- 
sions, and I have never witnessed more striking evidences of agri- 
cultural and mechanical skill and thrift. The cattle were of the 
highest order, the Shorthorns, which always stand first on the list, 
being represented by animals not easily surpassed either in this 
country or in England ; and the Devons and Jerseys, many of which 
were imported, being of the best quality. I have not seen so good 
a display of Shorthorns and Cotswolds for years, nor of the many 
breeds of swine. The collection of draught and driving-horses 
surprised me. Fresh from that splendid exhibition of eastern 
horses at Portland, Maine, at the New England Fair in September 
last, I was not prepared for a successful rivalry at a single State 
show. But I must acknowledge that in well-balanced, well-bred, 
strong and powerful roadsters, Virginia stands as near the head at 
least as New England ; and in the matter of heavy-draught horses 
a little nearer. The exhibition of implements of husbandry indi- 
cated that the manufacturers found a good market in Virginia. And 
the crops indicated that the farmers found a good soil. To witness 
this exhibition there were gathered on the grounds the third day 
more than 30,000 people — neat, orderly, and apparently prosperous. 
At the rates charged for admission they had paid into the funds of 
the Society more than fifteen thousand dollars, and the value of the 
exhibition itself was undoubtedly more than two hundred thousand. 
The exhibitors and officers were among the largest landholders and 
farmers of the State ; and I have nowhere witnessed a more thorough 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 757 

and substantial representation of the business of agriculture, as 
among the great industries of the world, than I witnessed in the 
exhibition itself, and in the character of those who had collected it 
from their large and prosperous farms, and had come together to sit 
in judgment on its merit and value. I have been somewhat par- 
ticular in describing this exhibition because I think it is entitled to 
careful consideration, as illustrating that industrial prosperity in 
which I am sure Virginia is bound to be conspicuous. 

Now, I have stated as accurately as possible what I saw and heard 
during my trip to Richmond, because I think the people of this 
country are entitled to know enough of each other to secure mutual 
respect, esteem and confidence, wherever they can be inspired. I 
have not discussed political results, about which I have very decided 
opinions, because I think they are subordinate to the great ques- 
tions of peace and prosperity and the establishment of society' and 
the State upon the firm foundation of "equal and exact justice to all 
men," popular education and universal rights. Whether the state 
of affairs in Virginia means this, those can judge who saw. 

George B. Loring. 



[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 

PROF. PAGE'S EXPERIMENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY. 

I have just received a copy of Prof. Page's wheat experiments at the 
University of Virginia, but, valuable as they are, I think they require 
fuller explana ion before they can be of use to the average farmer. How 
is the value of the crop deduced ? To be of anv comparative value, the 
grain, straw and chaff should be valued at one standard throughout. 
For instance, compare section 3 with section 9. Judging by the total 
profit given^ No. 3, with outlay of $9.50 for fertilizers, gives a profit of 
$3.69 per acre above that realized by the $6.90 outlay of No. 9. Now 
compare the crops and the valuations: 

No. 3.- -Wheat, 171 bushels; straw, 1,500 pounds; chaff, 252 pounds; 
valued at $30.55. 

No. 9 has I of a bushel more wheat, 100 pounds more straw, and 98 
pounds more chaff, valued at $24.31. 

Also. No. 7, with only about i of a bushel more wheat than No. 9, 
and with considerably less straw and chaff, is valued at $31.14 — an ex- 
cess of $6.83 in favor of oue of two crops practically identical in value. 
Add this $6.83 to the profit of No. 9, and you have the best returns of 
the whole series, viz: $17.57. 

In fact, I see but little use in the figures — value of crop and expenses.- 
The former varies each season, and the latter on nearly every farm. 
Given the amount and cost of the fertilizers, and the returns in grain 
and straw, &c, each farmer must estimate for himself the cost of pro- 
duction and market price of produce. The increase over normal capacity, 
set against cost of fertilizers, will show which are the most profitable. 

Probably I have missed some point iu the mode of valuing, and will 
be glad to be set right. 

Orange county, Va. Arthur Davenport. 



758 THE SOUTHERN [Deeembe* 



[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 

" CLOSING IN " FOR WINTER. 

In compliance with my promise to write an occasional article on prac" 
tical farming for your valuable journal, I do not know that I could in- 
troduce myself to your numerous readers better than to indite a few 
words on the above seasonable subject, although what I shall say will 
apply more particularly to the Middle States. 

As the business of Fall seeding is now pretty well over, the attention 
of the farmer is necessarily directed to such other work on the farm as 
requires to be done before " closing in " for Winter. His potato crop, it 
is to be hoped, has already been dug and put away ; but his corn has 
yet to be shu *,ked and housed, and the fodder secured; the stabling for 
his work animals and milch cows to be seen to and, if necessary, ren- 
dered more secure and comfortable ; his Winter's firewood to be provided, 
and a score or more of lesser jobs, impossible to be foreseen or enumerated, 
to be attended to before hard weather sets in. Of these latter may be 
mentioned cleaning out ditches, shrubbing off ditch banks, scraping up 
and throwing into one or more piles all the manure about the barn- 
yard, ashes, cleanings-out of the hennery and other places, and covering 
the same with a good sprinkling of plaster and a few inches of earth to 
absorb and hold the ammonia and other enriching gases, which might 
otherwise escape — such piles to remain so until Springs when their con- 
tents will be found as powerful in their effects as the best Peruvian 
guano or any other concentrated manure, either for top-dressing small 
grain or applying to corn in the hill. 

But to return to the shucking: If corn has been cut off at the ground 
and shocked in the usual manner, hands should now be set to work 
shucking it out, and the work paid for by the barrel. In this way, the 
amount of wages will depend on the amount of work done, and conse- 
quently nothing gained by skulking. But as many of the freedmen 
have not been accustomed to shucking from the shock, they need direct- 
ing, and will find the following the most expeditious way of doing the 
work: when a shock is approached, half of the same should be spread 
out on the ground in a straight row, placing the stalks side by side and 
as near each other as possible, with the butts near to and facing the half 
shock left standing. Then the shucker, kneeling down on the edge of 
the prostrate half-shock, commences shucking, and gradually moving 
forward as he shucks, and leaving the shucks on the stalks, so continues 
until the half shock is completed, when the other half may be proceeded 
with in the same way — the two half shocks lying butt to butt. When 
two shuckers are engaged on the same shock (and which is much better, 
as the two can complete the reshocking better than one by himself), they 
can divide a shock between them. As each shock is shucked out, the 
stalks should then be tied into bundles of a stout armful each, with 
wisps of straw taken along for the purpose, and the fodder of three 
shocks be condensed into one. The proper way to make one of these 
shocks is to first lay a bundle flat on the ground, and another directly 
across the centre of and at right angles with it, in and around the hollow 
angles of which all the bundles of the three original shocks are to be set 
up compactly, so that each will support the other, and the whole then 
be securely bound around near the top with a twisted band of straw pre- 
pared for the purpose, and which (with the two prostrate bundles acting 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 759 



as a sort of cross-tie) will hold the shock firmly together till wanted 
for use. 

The long corn is then to be hauled to the crib, and the short corn put 
away, to be fed out just as it is or ground into meal (cob and all ) for the 
stock. The fodder shocks may then be either put into ricks or left stand- 
ing in the field, to be hauled out as needed and fed on the field intended 
for corn or wheat, as the case may be. It is on this field also that all 
the refuse and trampled straw from about the ricks where the cattle are 
wintered should be hauled and scattered, as it accumulates through the 
Winter, and the fodder strewn thereon — the best portion to be eaten by 
the cattle, and the refuse, together with the underlying straw, to remain 
so until the plow is introduced to break up the field preparatory to the 
succeeding crop of wheat or corn. If for the latter, it will be found of 
greater service than if a like amount of such material had first been de- 
posited in the barn-yard and afterwards applied to the land in the shape 
of well-rotted manure; and if for the former, the advantages are still 
greater, not only in the vastly increased amount of pasturage afforded 
by the mulched clover or grass as it persists in pushing its luxuriant 
growth up through its warm and moist covering, but in the incalculable 
benefit done the land itself in protecting it from the scorching rays of 
the Summer's sun. 

Then there is the stabling for his horses and milch cows to be seen to, 
and, if necessary, the proper repairs made, not only for the better com- 
fort and thrift of the animals themselves, but to save a large percentage 
of food which would otherwise be required to carry them safely through 
the Winter. And then, let the wintry winds howl as they will, the 
owner can lie down at night with the conscious assurance that all around 
him are as happy and contented as himself. 

The Winter's firewood, too — the greater portion of which should have 
been cut the Winter previous, to allow it to season — should now be 
hauled and stacked up on end in some place convenient for use, and 
which can be done when the ground is too wet to plow, or there is not 
much other out-door work to be done. It is well, too, to have a portion 
of green wood hauled to mix with the seasoned, so that the fires will not 
require replenishing so frequently as is the case when made entirely of 
dry or seasoned wood. 

The above principal jobs having been gotten through with, then, and 
not till then, can the farmer be said to have " closed in " for Winter. 

Middlebrook, Md., October 31st. G. 0. P. 

[It is not often we hear from Lord Baltimore's dominions, brother Sands, we 
fear, holding a monopoly there; but G. C. P. knows so well whereof he speaks, 
that we pray him nor. to stop here, but let our Tuekahoe folks hear from him of- 
ten. This article was intended for our November number. — Ed.1 



Gov. Colquitt, in a recent speech at Columbus, Georgia, forcibly 
appealed to his people to make an effort to regain their former pros- 
perity and social customs. This, he contended, could only be done bj 
raising their supplies at home, paying out of debt, having full cribs and 
smoke-houses again, and building up once more homes in which they 
could take a pride. 



760 THE SOUTHERN [December 



AN IMPORTANT MOVEMENT— THE GRAPE AND WINE 
INTEREST IN VIRGINIA. 

We take the following from the Richmond Dispatch of the 6th ultimo : 

A meeting of persons interested in grape and wine-culture was held at the 
office of Dr. Thomas Pollard, Commissioner of Agriculture, in pursuance of a 
notice previously given. Dr. 0. A. Crenshaw was called to ihe chair. 

After some preliminary discussion and interchange of views, Mr. Louis Ott, of 
Nelson, introduced and read for the consideration of the meeting a paper con- 
taining valuable hints on the subject of grape and wine culture, and furnishing 
the outlines of a plan for the organization of a company with the view of concen- 
trating capital and combining enterprise to develop a branch of that industry, 
whii'h the meeting believed important for the promotion of temperance and 
health, as well as for the accumulation of wealth. 

On motion, the thanks of the meeting were tenderrd Mr. Ott for the valuable 
suggestions and reflections contained in the paper referred to; and, on further 
motion, it was 

Resolved, That a committee, consisting of Dr. Thomas Pollard, Mr. Louis 
Ott, and Dr. 0. A. Crenshaw, be appointed for the following purposes r 

1. To open and conduct a correspondence with persons interested in the ob- 
jects of the meeting, with the view both of obtaining the co-operation of grape 
and wine culturists and persons of capital. 

2. To call, when they shall deem it suitable, an adjourned meeting, to be held 
at some time and place to be indicated by the committee, with the view of further 
promoting and maturing suitable plans for advancing the interests of grape and 
wine culture in Virginia, and for the purpose of considering and acting on such 
matters as the committee may then place before the meeting; and 

3. As auxiliary to these purposes, to cause to be published in the Southern 
Planter the paper introduced by Mr. Ott, and to give such additional circulation 
to the same as may be practicable. 

Adjourned. 

The following is the paper of Mr. Louis Ott, referred to in the foregoing : 
Mr. Chairman and Fellow Wine- Culturists : 

I do not intend to weary you with a treatise on the cultivation of 
grapes and the manufacture of wine. I will speak of the business in 
general, and of the way to make it a success in Virginia. 

I am almost at home in all the prominent wine countries of Europe, 
and I can state that there is absolutely none the inhabitants of which 
are not at least in comfortable circumstances; in many of them they are 
very wealthy. This is the best proof that the business is profitable. 

That the climate of Virginia is adapted to the cultivation of grapes is 
so much an acknowledged fact that a discussion of that matter is super- 
fluous. In reality, there are but two countries on the globe which can 
compete in that respect with Virginia, and they are France and Cali- 
fornia. Besides that, there is such an abundance of first-class localities 
for the purpose in our State that, if they all could be brought into play, 
Virginia would soon be the equal of France in wealth. The indestruct- 
able wealth of that country is known, and was proved by its surprisingly 
rapid recovery from the immense Josses caused by the late French- 
German war. It is also known that that wealth is, to a considerable 
extent, due to the colossal revenues derived from the vineyards. 

It was generally believed that our native varieties of grapes were not up 
to the European standard, in consequence of which experiments were 
made to acclimate foreign varieties in the United States ; but they have 
failed — at least on this side of the Rocky Mountains. I am not con- 
vinced yet that foreign varieties could not be acclimated in Virginia; 
but I deny the necessity of that, holding that some of our native varie- 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 761 

ties answer all the requirements which can be asked of good wine-grapes* 
The correctness of that opinion, which I have defended ever since I cam e 
to this country, was lately confirmed by an authority which cannot b 
disputed. The Academy of Sciences of France (the first authority on 
any question on the globe) has declared that the experiments made in 
France with American grapes have proved that some of them — and 
above all, the Norton's Virginia — produce wine of the first quality (vide 
Southern Planter and Farmer, October, 1877). 

Too much importance is attributed in thfci country to the varieties of 
grapes, and hardly any to the selection of suitable localities for vine- 
yards. This is so much the case that comparatively few of the vineyards 
now in operation in Virginia are in suitable localities. There is more 
probability of producing a tolerably good wine of an inferior wine-grape 
in a first-class locality, than of the very best grape in an unsuitable 
locality. One of the most enthusiastic grape-growers of Virginia claims 
to have a new variety of grapes which makes a wine similar to the cele- 
brated Johannisberg brand. But the excellency of the Johannisberg 
wine is not due to the variety of grapes of which it is made, but to the 
situation and the soil of the vineyard, to the scrupulous attention given 
to its cultivation, and to the care and skill applied to the making and 
the treatment of the wine. The same grape-r-the Riesling, of which the 
Johannisberg wine is made — is cultivated all along the Rhine river, and 
the quality of the wine made of it is so different that its value ranges 
from twenty cents to twenty dollars a gallon, according to the locality 
of the vineyard in which it was produced. We cannot begin to make 
costly wines like those of Johannisberg in Germany, Clos Vougeot and 
Chambertin in Burgundy, Chateau Margeaux, Lafite or d'Yguene of 
the Medoc district of France, before we select the very best of our best 
localities — Ibefore we can make up our minds to go to so heavy an ex- 
pense as, for instance, to protect a vineyard from injurious winds by a 
stone wall 20 feet high, as is done in the Johannisberg vineyard ; to 
trench the s'oil five feet deep with the spade before planting; to cover 
the land 20 inches deep with soil hauled miles from the place; to select, 
in wine-making, not only the ripest bunches out of a crop of grapes, but 
to pick the ripest berries out of the bunches. I beg my fellow wine- 
culturists not to become frightened at that statement. I do not, propose 
to them to imitate such a course. The time to make costly wines in 
Virginia, worth $20 a gallon, has not yet come, but I hope and trust it 
will come some day, even after we all have gone. What we have to do 
now is to start at the beginning by producing, first, a light and cheap 
wine for home use and the local demand ; and, second, a wine which is 
chiefly intended for the markets outside of Virginia. 

The first kind — the light and cheap wine for home use and the local 
demand — can be produced almost in all sections of the State, even in 
localities in which our first-class grapes do not flourish. The Concord 
and similar grapes answer that purpose. It may be made of the pure 
juice of the grape, strengthened with alcohol or sweetened with sugar to 
suit the taste of the consumers for whom it is intended. There is hardly 
a farm in the State without a locality suited to produce a pleasant and 
healthy drink for home use, and I advise all those who can do it to avail 
themselves of that great comfort. Some people in this country are afraid 
of the derogatory effect the introduction of the habit of drinking wine 
would have on the morals of the population ; but I can give them the 



762 THE SOUTHERN [December 

comforting assurance that in my extensive travels I found that there is 
no drunkenness in those little French, German and Italian villages where 
the inhabitants, without regard to age, sex, rank or occupation, drink 
their light, home-made wine so freely. The people of wine countries are, 
more than any other people, merry, lively and social, but also peaceable, 
industrious and sober. They have no use for temperance societies. But 
I comprehend the necessity of such organizations since I have been liv- 
ing in countries where no wine is produced, and where the inhabitants 
have no other choice but either to take a pledge of total abstinence and 
drink nothing but water and buttermilk, or to kill themselves with 
poUonous whiskey and brandy. 

I suppose that we ought not to content ourselves with producing 
merely a pleasant and healthy drink for home use. We would in that 
way solve only a very subordinate portion of our problem. The more 
important fea.ture of that is to produce a wine which will readily sell in 
the markets outside of Virginia, and bring money to our State — au arti- 
cle which, we all know, is very much in demand with us. Such wine 
has to be of prime quality, in order to stand the competition of foreign 
wines. It can be produced only in first-class localities and of our first- 
class wine-grapes. It has to be made by wine-ma'kers by profession 
and of the pure juice of the grape, without the addition of alcohol, sugar 
or anything else. 

I have spoken of the location of a vineyard before; but I want to add 
to what I^said, that a first-class locality is that in which the first-class 
grapes not only ripen to perfection, but also the other elements which 
are essential to make an exquisite wine, as the flavor, taste, &c, are de- 
veloped in the grape to perfection. Such loca;ities are to be found in 
Virginia exclusively, but in great abundance on the southern slopes 
of the Blue Ridge mountains and its spurs from Loudoun county on to 
the North Carolina line. 

The expense of planting a vineyard of the first-class varieties is very 
little more than that of olanting a vineyard of Concord or similar infe- 
rior grapes. The first-class grapes make just as much wine to an acre as 
the others, but of a quality which brings twice as much in the market. 
It is therefore an unpardonable mistake to plant a Concord where the 
Clinton, Catawba or Norton's Virginia grow to perfection. 

Wine intended for the markets outside of Virginia has to be made by 
wine-makers by profession, and of the pure juice of the grape. No 
wine has been made, and comparatively very little has been used, in 
Virginia heretofore. It can consequently not be expected that the Vir- 
ginians know how to make it — particularly a wine which has to suit 
the tastes of other people. Experiments made by persons who do not 
know that wine is the fermented juice of grapes, and nothing else, and 
who do not admit that the addition of alcohol, sugar, or anything else, 
is a very objectionable adulteration, can have no other effect but to 
destroy the reputation of Virginia wine, and consequently our prospects. 
The theory of strengthening weak wine with alcohol, and sweetening 
sour wine with sugar, is irrational. Our problem is to make wine which 
is not so weak and sour as to need strengthening and sweetening^ If 
there is any country on the globe where this can be done, it is Virginia, 
where nature has favored us so bountifully with her assistance. 

It is said that the character of the wine which we have to make de- 
pends upon the taste of the consumers whom we desire to supply. This 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 763 

is a grave misapprehension. It is not in our power to choose what char- 
acter of wine we want to make. The Almighty Creator has decided that 
for us. The character of wine which we can make does not depend upon 
our own taste, nor anybody else's, but solely upon our climate and the 
character of the material which is at our disposal to make wine of. It 
is, for instance, not in our power to make a sherry wine in Virginia. 
Those consumers who want sherry wine cannot expect to procure it 
from Germany, France or Virginia, where it cannot be produced, but 
from Spain; while those who want Virginia wine cannot procure it from 
France, Germany or Spain, where it cannot be produced, but from Vir- 
ginia. All we can do and have to do, in order to bring the business into 
successful operation is to make a Virginia ivine in the most skilful, but 
at the same time in the most natural way, without regard to its having 
a similarity with 'the wine of any other country or not. I am filly 
acquainted with the wine markets, and have not the least doubt that 
wine of the character which can be made in Virginia will find admirers, 
and consequently a market. But we have to work for that. The 
market does not come to us; we have to search for it. Upon the 
auspicious solution of that problem depends principally the prospects of 
a business which promises to bring annually millions of dollars to our 
State, to enhance the value of the land of a large section at least a hun- 
dredfold, and to make its now destitute inhabitants prosperous and 
wealthy. That problem cannot be solved by individual efforts, but by an 
organization, which must be set on foot and conducted by men whose 
names are a guarantee for its solidity — an organization which works 
equally for the interests of its stockholders and those of the grape- 
growers. That organization has at the same time to lighten the burden 
of the grape-growers by giving them reliable information about their 
business, and by taking the making of wine off their hands, the most 
expensive and troublesome part of the business, which in reality no more 
belongs to the province of grape-grow T ers than the manufacture of chew- 
ing and smoking tobacco and cigars belongs to the province of tobacco- 
planters. 

I will now lay before you the outlines of a plan for such an organiza- 
tion, which I consider will fill the bill to perfection : 

The organization should be established on the joint- stock company 
plan, under the name of " Virginia Wine Company," and its seat should 
be at Richmond. 

The company should establish vine-yards in first-class situations, lo- 
cated in different sections of the wine districts of Virginia. The main 
object of these vineyards is to serve as patterns for other grape-growers 
to work by; they have consequently to be carried on in the most per- 
fect style. In connection wiih these vineyards, the company will have 
to erect press-houses, provided with presses, &c, and to build cellars 
sufficiently large to store one year's crop of these vineyards, and the 
wine made of grapes which the company will buy of grape growers in 
the vicinity of these establishments. The company should also buy the 
crops of grape-growers whose vineyards are located at a greater distance 
from these establishments, provided the grape-growers furnish press- 
houses, presses and cellars. These cellars need not be costly structures; 
a cellar built under ground, with rough stone walls covered with a rough 
shed, containing presses, &c, will serve the purpose. 

It is well to mention here that wine has to be made so close to the 



764 THE SOUTHERN [December 



vineyard in which the grapes are raised that they can be brought to 
the press-house in the boxes in which they are gathered. If shipped in 
large vessels a great distance, the well-ripened grapes would become 
mashed and sour before they reached the press-house. 

The company should also buy wine of those grape-growers who prefer 
making wine to selling grapes, provided the wine is of suitable quality. 

All the wine produced in the different ways I have mentioned, after 
the first fermentation is over, should be shipped to the main cellars at 
Richmond. 

The company shall effect the sale of the wine by extensive advertising 
and the distribution of price-lists and circulars by agents in the different 
cities, and by encouraging responsible persons to undertake the sale by 
retail. 

It would certainly be to the interest of such a company to encourage 
the planting of vineyards as much as possible. This could be done most 
effectively by giving to those who intend to enter into that business, 
promptly and gratuitously, all the information they may need ; by raising 
plants of the different varieties and selling them at a fair price — pay- 
able, if need be, out of the first crop of the vineyard; by giving pre- 
miums, consisting of plants, to those grape-growers who attend best to 
their vineyards and furnish the best grapes to the company. 

The company should pay a good price for well and uniformly ripened 
grapes, but refuse peremptorily to buy poor grapes of neglected vine- 
yards under any circumstances. 

The foregoing is the picture of a perfect organization of a wine com- 
pany. There are several similar establishments in very successful 
operation in the Northern States, particularly in the State of New York, 
but none of them, besides offering to capitalists a chance to invest money 
in an enterprise just as safe as profitable, are calculated to benefit the 
population of so extensive a section of country, and such a measure, as 
my scheme promises to do. 

But that plan is susceptible of a considerable modification. I admit 
even that it cannot well be brought into operation in any other way but 
by degrees, even if the times were not as hard as they are at present. 
However, what may be done in that direction, no matter how small the 
beginning may be, has to be done well and with a view to and as a part 
of the perfect organization of which I was speaking. But I deny posi- 
tively that the times are so hard that nothing can be done in the matter. 
Hard times are the times to act in order to better them. 

I think we ought to know now that it is in vain for us to expect help 
from immigration, legislation or political changes. We have to rely on 
our own personal exertions; we have to put our own shoulders to the 
wheel. But, nevertheless, we are not forsaken; we yet have friends else- 
where who can assist us, and will do it, if we show them that we are 
willing to do more than to wait for events to turn up, which may save us. 

There is no better way to work for the relief of our State from its des- 
titute condition than by promoting and patronizing home industry. My 
scheme is pre-eminently qualified to promote home industry. I can do 
no more than hint at it, leaving its realization to more influential men. 

Note by the Editor. — Our friends will give us the credit of keeping before 
them the importance of this great interest. We know what its prosecution has 
done for other countries. With the great advantages we possess, should we 
not have our full share? The organization now effected provides a rallying 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 765 

point, and we ask our friends all through the State to give it the benefit of their 
countenance. You see who the committee are. The post-office of Dr. Pollard 
and Dr. Crenshaw is Richmond; of Mr. Louis Ott, Greenfield, Nelson county. 
They will gladly answer all questions on the subject. 



[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 

A MEDLEY OF SUGGESTIONS TO FARMERS. 

After a continuation of declining years since 1865 in all that gives 
profit and encouragement to the masses, and particularly the bone 
and sinew of the country, there seems to be good ground of hope that 
we may be at the foot of the hill and that we may, if w T e will, start 
upward, and with industry, sobriety and economy, and putting our 
hands and hearts to the work, may encourage others; and with con- 
cert and home appreciation of our wares, wives and children and 
their schools, lands, climate, stock of the improved kinds, and 
of rational not extravagant keep, and then be careful in its selection 
and development, especially with far-fetched things and experiments, 
and our truly landed advantages, to be found out too late for our purses 
and good service, we should do well. Our people must learn to spend 
less and have less useless labor ; do much and do much better than is 
done by the "hired help," the term to us unusual and from a people who 
use them as help— they taking a lively part in all that is being done and 
showing each one the shortest and best way to.accomplish each hour's 
work " from early morn to dewy eve; " when the owner.is present 
to feed and see fed his stock to suit the season, sheltering or housing 
in bad weather, distributed well and judiciously, and the animals 
classified and fed to suit their ages and kind and the weather, going 
through, and the weather you may expect to encounter before grass 
comes again. It is well to divide the kinds of stock, crops, &c, so 
that each day has its appropriate work to be done and each child, as 
well as hired hand, may be appropriately employed when not at 
school. The great revolution we are passing through demands this 
of us, and we can't avoid it if we would. It is better to find employ- 
ment if we can for the labor around us, and we should be careful not 
to pay prices that we cannot afford to pay for labor ; and as far as 
practicable and safe, give constant employment, and where there are 
families, encourage them in feeling identified with the employers in 
their interest, and induce them to make their homes comfortable; 
be just but rigid in rules and discipline, and encourage their 
families to work when you can find proper employment for them ; al- 
low no visiting on your premises during the week, and give no per- 
mission for them to attend courts and to find ways and means to rove 
about and neglect their work and lose the time, as dockage is un- 
pleasant to both ; find in-door work on wet days, and thus be well 
occupied and in place at home. As far as practicable keep good 
stock and not adopt breeds unsuited to the section of country your 
lot is cast in, and take rational care of it, and if not able or decided 
as to the kind to breed from, by all means breed from pure bred sires 
that they may control in the impress on the grade stock. This ap- 



766 THE SOUTHERN [December 

plies in all animals and should be strictly adhered to. How far the 
farmers may be able to carry this out, they must judge from their 
situation and plans for the future. The style and kind of horses in 
better days are not as well suited to our present condition as those 
adapted to more uses. The running and trotting stock south 
of Maryland answers but limited wants, and we should breed and 
use horses of heavier and more useful kinds, nearer the horse " of 
all work " and heavy draught uses. 

Cattle of various breeds are. desirable according to wants of the 
region they are desired in ; and wherever grass is found in fair quan- 
tity and quality, the Shorthorns stand without a rival ; next Here- 
fords and Holsteins : though but little known in the Tide-water coun- 
try and lean pastures, the Devon, and even there they are rare ; 
Ayrshires in the same districts, and probably as dairy cattle they 
may excel the' Devon, except in oxen ; in that, as far as size will al- 
low, they are superb and beautiful, and occasionally fair milkers. 
Jerseys, Alderneys and Guernseys are delicate cattle and natives of 
the islands of these names between England and France ; light in 
frame, and furnish little that is valuable but a reasonable quota of milk, 
and usually richer than that of those which give larger quantities, but 
wholly unfit for the yoke and almost so for the shambles. There is 
a great and rapidly increasing demand for the best beef (and if ex- 
ported to England alive, the Shorthorn cattle only can set up a claim 
to shipment), dead or alive, to compete with English beef, and the 
sooner we put ourselves in the position of raising this world-renowned 
breed, which, too, are good milkers, good oxen, early to mature and a 
year sooner than other breeds, and then will average (and also high 
grades) about one dollar per hundred gross over the fair-raised and 
fatted cattle of the country, and at the same age will weigh as beef 
two to three hundred pounds more. If both are well raised and fatted 
alike the better it will be for us. 

Sheep are valuable on most farms, and what breed should be kept 
depends much on the locality. Some farmers should avoid them, and 
many should make it a large part of their stock, and others breed 
few and very select to sell as breeders ; and with these facilities in- 
creased the demand will become active. We should have from five 
hundred to one thousand to one kept now and from the sea shore to 
the mountain tops. In this breeding, it is probable no stock improves 
more rapidly in crossing pure bred bucks on the average wild scrub 
Western ewes, and no sheep breeder should be without pure bred 
bucks of whatever kind of sheep their situation may find it best to 
adopt. Of swine, much depends on location ; and range or not, and 
if to be starved or " root little pig or die," then take the smallest and 
hardiest kinds, and wait on them till two years before fattening the 
little bundle of muscles for tough chewing. If a woods range and a 
little grain to keep them gentle, to be able to find them when they 
are hungry, and mast is scarce or gone, then the " landpike" may do. 
Next, the Berkshire and other improved breeds ; but all these kinds 
must have food, and the more the better/or early maturity ; and if of 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 767 



early maturity kinds, say Chester Whites, Poland-China, Berkshire 
and Essex, and these breeds judiciously crossed often do well ; but 
when good of any kind, it is idle to destroy the purity of a good 
thing and carry stock back to mongrels. So of fowls; and most of 
the improved kinds are better than the old scrub kinds. 

It is clear in breeding, a good kind is best; but if no better, be 
sure to breed from pure bred males, never grades, and then the im- 
press will tell in the first cross. In all, if it must be, cheap care and 
feed is well, but better will do more marked good, and those who gen- 
erally seem most liberal get the best paying returns, and then with 
mixed incomes, mixed and persistent attempts to better our condition, 
and we shall come nearer success than those who plod along as their 
fathers did in earlier days, and too often then but to live well if "to- 
morrow they die" and leave bankrupted estates and wives and children 
unfitted to produce for themselves in future. 

Albemarle Co., Va. S. W. Ficklin. 

Note by the Editor. — Col. Ficklin has a fine estate, and knows how to keep 
it fine ; and he has no beggarly showing of fine stock. With all this, and gray 
locks on his temples, he has a double right to advise, and this is the more ac- 
ceptable when we think of what a remodelling of things our new economy in- 
volves. In nothing have we so much hope as the deep interest in this work 
our elderly men are taking, as witness the constant efforts of such men as Col. 
Ficklin, Col. Beverley, Maj. Drewry, Col. Barbour, Capt. Watkins, and— but we 
might fill this page with their names. [When we say "elderly" we hope they 
will pardon us ; our wife seems a little dubious if we even hint that way as far as 
she is concerned.] As to utilizing the labor we have with us, we do not know 
of anything better to improve its tone than a premium or two in each county, 
like that in Louisa, and written about in our October number. As to the proper 
kind of stock to breed, what is the use of our " Stock Department " if that does 
not lend our folks an efficient hand, and Col. Ficklin often appears there, we are 
thankful to say. But when sheep are mentioned, the inevitable dog forthwith 
pokes in his nose, rousing our ire against the unhappy people in the Legislature. 
[We have often wondered what the thickness of an average legislator's hide was, 
for if it is anything less than that of a rhinoceros, it is simply a miracle that he 
lives through a session, considering the numerous licks, and rough ones too, he 
gets. We admit that we have had a hand in laying some of them on.] Our 
friends will not charge us with neglect to point out ways in which Virginia may 
" better her condition ; " in fact, we do little more than think of these thi 
and if our readers will not tire, we propose to keep faithfully on the same 
This work is only suggestive on our part; but we have our rich reward : 
suggestions grow into tangible fruit anywhere within our borders. 



REMEDY FOR FLY IN WHEAT. 

Editors Dispatch: I hear there is much "fly" in the wheat that 
was sowed early this Fall. To correct this evil I offer the following 
remedy, which I and others have successfully tested for a good many 
seasons: Sow of air-slaked or water-slaked lime, one to two bushels 
per acre broadcast over the wheat in the early morning on the dew, 
or over night on a clear evening, when there is reason to expect dew 



768 THE SOUTHERN [December 

or frost. As it dissolves it will form a ley, which will follow the leaf 
towards the root, and destroy the egg or chrysalis of the fly near 
that point. 

The sower must always sow with the wind, else the lime will be 
blown back into his face and eyes and on his clothes. And he must 
grease his hands, face, and nostrils with lard, which renders contact 
with the lime innocuous. If two or more sow they should sow en 
echelon, at such a distance that the rear shall cast no lime on the 
front. 

A very good but not indispensable plan is to use tea-scoops — di- 
minutive sugar-scoops — that will hold a double-handful. It enables 
one better to take up and measure the quantity to be applied. 

This is an application so simple and cheap as to discredit it with 
the many who are often looking to be told "some great thing." I 
can only say that I know it to be effectual as a remedy, and that in 
no case can it do any harm. 

As we make now in all of cismontane Virginia Lot more than, if 
as much as, one-tenth of the wheat we made before the war, it would 
seem that we ought to take pains to get all we can from what we sow. 
Respectfully, Frank G. Ruffin. 

November 5, 1877. 

Note by the Editor. — As will be seen, we take the above from the Richmond 
Dispatch, and we thank Col. Ruffin for writing it. Mr. Haxall tells us that we 
cannot possibly do a better service to our people than to impress upon them the 
necessity of raising more wheat. We have done our best in that way this Fall, 
and will be glad to know that our words have not gone unheeded. 



[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 
LETTER FROM MR. E. G. BOOTH^THE STATE AGRICUL- 
TURAL SOCIETY, &c. 

Though long delayed, I have not been unmindful of your request that 
I should contribute to your valuable journal a communication referring 
to the commencement and progress of that enterprise, and incidental 
topics and results of interest to the agricultural community and the 
general welfare of the State. 

Whether a Northern or a Southern sun shall shed its beams around 
me, I can never forget that this is "rav own, my native land" — that 
distance only lends enchantment to the view, and her tribulations and 
afflictions only increasing solicitude for return of prosperity. I believe 
I served through the entire terms of Presidents Ruffin and Cocke, and 
can testify to the devotion, faithfulness and success of their patriotic 
efforts. Indeed, I believe I can truly say that the continued success of 
the Society is mainly attributable to the fortunate selection of Presidents 
and officers throughout its- entire career, and that today it is about 
the only enterprise that has maintained its ascendancy and importance 
amidst the shadows, clouds and darkness enveloping most every other 
operation, imparting at least a golden edge to gild the future. While 
all deserve the highest admiration and commendation, there are none 
who can contest the palm of superiority of the late Edmund Ruffin, to 



1877.] 



PLANTER AND FARMER, 



769 



whom the agricultural community and the State generally owe a debt of 
gratitude difficult to repay. 

It is said that he was about to leave the State in despair, when his 
attention was turned to the renovation of the soil by the use of marl — 
hog only inducing him to remain, but many others, and thus greatly in- 
creasing the fertility and productiveness of the soil. The comparative 
increase of such production has frequently been published in the columns 
of the Planter — such product not always accurately reported, uuless 
under accurate measurement. I well recollect when once, at my native 
home in Nottoway county, and when viewing a lot in wheat, he re- 
marked: " That is the best growth of wheat I have ever seen. I ask, as 
a favor,- that you will carefully measure an acre and its product, and 
report to me." I faithfully complied, and was myself greatly astonished 
when such product was reported at 34 bushels, having so frequently 
heard of so much more. 

I am here reminded of an anecdote of a gentleman who was boasting 
of the great product of his land. He was asked if he carefully measured. 
His reply was, ''No; I never measured but one crop, and lost half by it, 
and I never intend to measure another." 

This, however, is very essential in all such reports. It may be true 
that the day of such improvements has comparatively passed; that "old 
things are done away, and all things have become new"; that the 
blazing fireside, the hearty and bountiful welcome, the hospitality which 
made strangers forget they were guests, may be somewhat impaired; 
but this is the greater incentive to increased zeal and ardor. There can 
be no doubt that many of these clouds have passed, or are passing away; 
that the beams of returning prosperity are dawning and brightening.' I 
may here enumerate the general pacification of the sections, so indispen- 
sable to such prosperity and exciting such general congratulation and 
commendation. 

If my house is on fire; if I am sinking beneath the surging billows; 
if my family is suffering for necessaries, and any one comes to my relief, 
I shall not ask his name, his party, his color or former condition, to 
command ray appreciation. This should greatly cheer and comfort us. 
We have great cause to rejoice in the general abundant crops incident 
to almost every section of the country, and as long as physical suffering 
can be averted, there is hope in the future. 

There is little doubt that the agitation of the subject will result in 
some satisfactory disposition of the public debt, so essential to immigra- 
tion, and thus so important to the interest of general agricultural pros- 
perity — a subject so appropriately and extensively discussed in your 
pages. The sentiment of the country is so concentrating and con- 
verging, that retrenchment and economy, some increase in the subjects 
of taxation, some reduction of interest, from increased security and cer- 
tainty, may result in satisfactory arrangements to all concerned, without 
increase of present taxation. This incubus removed, immigration may 
require our surplus lands and afford product and capital. 

I may also refer to the higher appreciation of the "dignity of labor," 
substituting that which has been lost. If I ever feel my inferiority, it is in 
passing one of these sons of toil, earning his bread by the sweat of his 
brow. By labor we do not always mean manual labor in the cultivation 
of the soil. Every occupation and profession requires labor — the physi- 
cian, the merchant, the lawyer. The brilliant and distinguished John 
2 



770 THE SOUTHERN [December 

Sergeant is said frequently to have exclaimed, " Oh, for a week of Sun- 
days I" (days of rest.) Who labored more assiduously and with more 
distinguished and dignified success ? — thus embellishing labor with honor 
and distinction. 

Some increased, attention to the construction of houses and conveni- 
ences in cooking, &c, can unite the " utile et dulce " — the useful and orna- 
mental — and thus extract benefit from injury. All thi3 is certainly better 
than a life of murmuring and repining' over what cannot now be helped. 

I must, however, return to my latitude and departure in the history 
of the origin and subsequent success of your State Agricultural Society. 
It indicates no deterioration in its present excellent management and ex- 
hibits encouraging signs for the future. Its funds being so largely 
invested in real estate of increasing value, an earnest appeal has been 
made for an increase of life-membership, affording about the best invest- 
ment for the amount now attainable. The advantages of travel, admis- 
sion, and other privileges and perquisites, far transcend the interest on 
the amount, and members have the satisfaction of contributing to the 
most important interests of the State. Let all, then, with one accord, 
dismiss the past, embrace and utilize the future, asking nothing of the 
Government but equal laws, and of heaven rain and sunshine, and quietly 
await the dawn and full meridian of such unfailing aspirations. 

Philadelphia, October 3, 1877. E. G. Booth. 

P. S. — To recapitulate: My position is, that the whole debt and in- 
terest should be paid, or made satisfactory to the bondholders, and that 
it can be by retrenchment and economy and some new sources of income, 
without any increase in present taxes. The State has interests — espe- 
pecially in the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad — that might 
much increase her income. Not believing that all these expedients and 
auxiliaries will be developed, and that inaction is practical repudiation, 
it is evident that the interests of all concerned require some adjustment. 
The most feasible and -reasonable suggestion is in some increase of 
security and certainty, justifying some reduction of interest — still paying 
the whole amount. 

The General Government issues bonds at 4 per cent., commanding a 
premium, and exposed to wars and irevo utions. Pennsylvania 5 per 
cents command a premium of 81 per cent., and recently 11 per cent. — ■ 
though the State once repudiated, reducing her bonds below 40. Phila- 
delphia 6's command 13 per cent, premium, while the city has an enor- 
mous debt and high taxation. Delaware county, Pa., lately issued 5 per 
cent, bonds — all bought up before general information, and now in de- 
mand at a premium. Virginia can make her bonds as good, and benefit 
the bondholder, whose coupons are worth only 85 cents, and bonds much 
less, and thus put* all her bonds on an equal footing and pay all, or make 
arrangements to that effect. The State will thus remove a cloud, or at 
least brighten it by a golden border. E. G. B. 

[Quoting Father Ritchie : "nous verrons.''' — Ed.] 



General A. C. Jones, who recently made an extended Southern 
tour, under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, reports 
that the entire South bears evidence of prosperity. Trade is reviv- 
ing, planters are industrious and thrifty, and the colored population 
are well paid and happy. He predicts that the South will, in a short 
time, supply the markets of the world with its staple productions. 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 771 

[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 

SOME OBSERVATIONS. 

I note two articles in the September number of the Planter. " Voter " 
gives us an interesting account of his liming his laud, but does not say 
now much he sowed to the acre. Please ask him. 

"Spotsylvania" suggests " another retrenchment and reform," which, 
as far as it goes, is acceptable ; but it don't go quite far enough, though 
even so mueh as he desires is probably unattainable. Still, it is well 
that he and others should say what they think should be, even though 
at present not to be looked for. Universal suffrage cannot at present be. 
overthrown ; an elective judiciary may throttle us for a season; public-, 
schools, and all the rest of the hell-born brood of communism, may op,-- 
press us for the time (God forbid it should be forever!), but it is yet our 
privilege, and, I think, our duty, to say what we think should be, notwith- 
standing the fear that it may be at present unattainable. I therefore 
venture to amend " Spotsylvania's " motion, and to suggest that no. com^ 
pensation whatever be paid to our members of Assembly. This is the 
English system, and works better than our system does. Our mobocracy 
might be checked, in some measure, by this brake which English con- 
servatism, for nearly six hundred years, has found to be a good cheek on 
legislative demagogueism and corruption, however the remedy may have 
failed, sometimes, to be effective. 

If we could have the two houses of Assembly composed of those who 
should receive no compensation — no per diem, salary nor expenses — few 
would seek an election from lower motives than those of public duty or 
a generous and just ambition. The demagogues would be mowed down, 
in great numbers by such a system. Give us this and the viva vwe bal- 
lot, and we may yet hope for good government, in spite of the commu- 
nistic principle of taxation for the benefit of public schools, and in spite 
of universal aud barbaric suffrage. 

Louisa comity, Va. Mercer. 

[We thank "Mercer" for the above, and can only say, "Lay on, Macduff! " 
Ed.] 

Toads. — There is a very common prejudice against the toad. By 
many he is looked on with loathing and disgust. He is regarded as 
an ugly, uncouth and worthless nuisance, that should be abated at sight. 
But this prejudice is ill-founded and unjust, as the toad is not only 
harmless, but quite useful to farmers and gardeners. They should, 
therefore, be regarded as friends, instead of enemies . The eggs of the 
toad are usually laid in the water, but at times, when this is not acces- 
sible, they are laid in damp, dark places, and in such cases they do not 
pass through the tadpole state. While in the tadpole state they live on 
vegetable food, but as toads they live upon insects, spiders, etc. They 
are exceedingly well adapted to catching insects, having a tongue of 
marvelloi s construction. It is quite long, and may be projected six or 
eight inches, the tip of it being so directed as to reach the object, and 
being covered with a viscid, gummy substance, that causes the insect to 
adhere to it, it is thus conveyed to the mouth of the toad nnd buried 
alive. The movements of the tongue in taking a fly or a bug are so 
rapid that they cannot be followed by the eye. The number of insects 
that a toad will eat is almost incredible. A few of them in a garden will 



772 THE SOUTHERN [November 

keep it well rid of bugs, plant lice, etc. They generally spend the day in 
some dark, secluded spot, often a hole under a sod or clod or the side of 
a rook, and in the evening they come out and hop about in search of a 
supper of live insects. They may be induced to take up their residence in 
the garden by confining them two or three days to the place, when they 
will become quite well contented. A board laid about two inches from 
the ground is just the kind of hiding place that suits them. They are 
are long lived, being often known to be twelve to sixteen years old, and it is 
said one lived to be 36 years old. On account of their propensity for 
destroying insects, toads should be encouraged to become permanent 
residents of our fields and gardens. — Ohio Farmer. 



[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 

Shipment of Apples. — According to the Boston Commercial 
Bullentin, the shipments of American apples to Great Britain during 
the last season were as follows : 

To Liverpool, 276,529 barrels. 

London, ,.,.„...... 25,065 do. 

Glasgow, 83,703 do. 

Total, 385,297 do. 

The shipments began about the end of October, with a weekly 
average of 8,000 barrels, increasing in -November to 17,000 barrels 
per week, and in December to 27,000 and 28,000. During the 
month the sales in Liverpool were over 90,000 barrels. The im- 
proved condition and quality prevented decline in prices, which 
ranged from $3 25 in October to $3 75 in November. Poorer 
fruit, in small lots, sold at $J.62 to $3. Towards Spring, the ship- 
ments were cheifly Baldwins and Russets, the best of which sold for 
$4.50 per barrel, and at the close of the season sales were made as 
high as $5.50. 

The London Field, in an article on the subject, speaks of the dif- 
ficulty of shipping in warm weather on account of the liability to de- 
cay, and gives the following scientific explanation of the process : 
"There is a time when the growth of the fruit is completed, and 
when it will receive nothing further from the tree. It is then to be 
picked. The after-ripening is a chemical change, and the starch, so 
abundant in green fruit, is transformed into sugar. It is then in 
the best condition for use. Almost immediately after, putrefaction 
sets in, dissipating the volatile aroma, destroying all delicacy of 
flavor, converting the sugar into an unwholesome acid, and consum- 
ing the tissues of the fruit." We then have what farmers know as 
"rotton apples." A cool dry air will retard the process for months. 

[Should Virginia keep out of this rich field, or has she enough money now to 
"lie on her oars?" Our friends must make the auswer. — Ed.] 



Refutation of an Old Proverb. — A man who bumps his head 
against that of his neighbor, is not apt to think that "two heads are 
better than one." 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 773 



jPtwlt department 

CONDUCTED BY DR. M G. ELLZEY, AGRICULTURAL AND ME. 
CHAN1CAL COLLEGE, BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA. 



THE GALLOWAY CATTLE. 

Among the beef breeds of cattle, which have been imported into the 
United States, are the hornless Scotch breed, known as Galloways. 
These cattle are rather small in size, mostly of a black color, with plenty 
of hair and good handlers. The barrel is round and well ribbed home, 
and tne quarters are long, but there is no prominence of the hip bones, 
and they are rather narrow in the twist As milkers, they are confess- 
edly poor, the quantity of the average cow being small and the quality, 
though good, inferior to either Devons or Jerseys. One thing these cat- 
tle have to recommend them, and that is, their extraordinary gentleness, 
even the bulls being very quiet in disposition and seldom savage or 
troublesome, whereas the absence of the horn renders them less capable 
of mischief. They have long been celebrated as profitable grazers and 
feeders; and when fully matured, are always favorites with English butch- 
ers. The bone is fine, the meat well marbled, sparkling and juicy. The 
proportion of oiTal and coarse parts being small, whereas they are deep 
fleshed and roomy in all the prime parts. Latterly, the Galloways have 
taken a sudden and rapid advance with the British public, and the breed- 
ers are obtaining profitable prices for them. The fact that the celebrated 
Charles Colling, made a cross of these animals with one branch of his 
Shorthorn herd has been made much of, and many very superior modern 
Shorthorns confessedly trace to this so called alloy branch of Colling's 
herd. However, only the name and the tradition remain. Not one two- 
thousandth part of the Galloway blood is found in any Shorthorn of the 
present held to be of any value. It has been swallowed up and obliterated 
by the later crosses; nor are we one of those who attribute any good ef- 
fect to that cross ; we look upon it as a mere freak of Colling, and attach 
to it no importance whatever. There is one thing which we think 
will always stand in the way of any rapid advance of any breed of cat-, 
tie in favor with the American farmer, and that is confessedly poor 
milking qualities, for the average farmer in this country wants not only 
a cow that brings a good calf, but one that, at the same time, gives plenty 
of good milk. The business of breeding, especially for the grazier and 
butcher, is as yet on a very limited scale in America, whereas a majority, 
perhaps, value a cow either solely on account of her milking qualities 
or make' the production of beef a secondary matter. What may be 
called the cow of general utility, is what the average farmer wants. 



774 THE SOUTHERN [December 

The specialists are nearly all in the dairy line. They go for milk for 
market, or "gilt edge" butter or cheese. We do not, therefore, anticipate 
that the Galloway breed will make much headway in America, excel- 
lent as they are undoubtedly in their line ; that is to say, for graziers 
and feeders outside of the profitable Shorthorn range. They will be 
rather light for profitable exportation when that trade is good ; and how- 
ever they may be valued in England, we do not anticipate that they 
will ever gain strong foothold in other countries. 



ANALYSIS OF FERTILIZERS. 

Our recent brief article upon this subject has been referred to by some 
of our friends and correspondents as a reply to Col. Macdonald's letter, 
published in the Whig ; and on the other hand, Col. Macdonald's article 
has been spoken of as a reply to us. The truth is, neither of us knew 
anything of the others' views. Let ' us explain, if our audience please, 
that there is no man whom we hold in higher esteem than we do Colonel 
Macdonald. He is a dear friend, and we hesitate not to say that we hold 
him to be one of the best and ablest men in Virginia. It is, however, 
very evident that, plainly and simply as we tried to write, our friends 
have not everywhere understood the true intent and meaning of 
our positions. We realize fully that our audience is, in the main, 
composed of men unlearned in science, and we endeavor so to write 
that the most unlearned man may comprehend us. We have never meant 
to say that a chemist cannot tell in what form the elements of any fer- 
tilizer exist. We have some personal experience in aaalysis, and we 
think we know what an analyst can and what he cannot do in this 
business. A substance which occurs in two different fertilizers, in the 
same percentage by weight, and in the same chemical form, is by no 
means necessarily of the same agricultural value. In one case, the sub 
stance may be ground coarse, in the other ground fine, and the latter is 
the more valuable, but this physical condition, upon which so much de- 
pends, does not reveal itself to the analyst. Again, the nitrogen in or- 
ganic compounds is valued as "nitrogen yielding ammonia," and upon the 
source from which this nitrogen is derived depends its value ; for, from 
one source it "yields ammonia" promptly, while from other sources slowly 
and only after the lapse of many seasons, when exposed to natural con- 
ditions in the soil. Certainly no chemist will maintain that the kind o 
organic matter " yielding ammonia, " reveals itself to the analyst. As 
Mr. Lawes has recently, in a public lecture, so forcibly remarked in this 
matter of nitrogen "yielding ammonia :" "Caustic alkalies and red-hot 
crucibles level all distinctions, and the farmer is left in profound igno- 
rance as to the time when this happy event is to take place in his soil.'* 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 775 

Yet the nitrogen in all forms of organic matter "yielding ammonia/' 
in the regular analysis and valuations, is valued at one and the same 
price, and at one and the same price with the nitrogen in ammonia itself, 
and the salts of ammonia, and in nitric acid and nitrates. We venture 
to suggest this to the farmer, that he beware of that most convenient 
phrase of the analyst, "yielding ammonia." Many a farmer has Jong 
ago buried his money in those things "yielding ammonia," and the am- 
monia has not yet been yielded unto this day. Is there no telling when 
he will get his money back ? None. "It may be for years, and it may 
be forever." Somethiug like what we are trying to say, in a way not 
difficult to be understood, is what we meant in our former article, good 
friends, not as some of you seem to think that we ever said, or meant to 
say, that a chemist cannot tell whether nitrogen exists as nitric acid, or 
as ammonia, or as nitrogen in organic matter ; the schoolboy can tell that 
But if it be organic matter, what sort is it which is capable of "yielding 
ammonia" to caustic alkalies and red-hot crucibles, and will it "yield am- 
monia" in the soil, and if so, when ? No chemist can answer these ques- 
tions to save his life. But it is nitric acid ; how then is it combined ? 
Well, this fertilizer is a very complex mixture ; there are several bases 
and several acids here besides the nitric acid, and the particular combi- 
nations of acids and bases are, in this case, in some degree a matter of in- 
ference, and then when this complex mixture is applied to that other 
complex mixture, the soil, the final disposition of the acids and bases 
becomes still further a matter of inference. And when the chemico-vital 
energies of the roots of growing plants enter the problem as a factor, the 
result becomes yet more obscure, and when the meteorological conditions 
are taken into the account, still more obscure. "But," says the farmer, 
"I am told that nitric acid is very apt to leach out of the soil, and out 
of some soils much more rapidly than others, and ver}^ rapidly in com- 
bination with some bases, and with others, perhaps, not at all. Are all 
these things so, and can you tell me what I must do to retain this nitric 
acid in my soil, and to prevent its leaching away as far as possible ? And 
now here are two fertilizers which you say contain equal amounts of ni- 
tric acid. Obviously that one the nitric acid in which is less liable to 
leach out of my land and be washed away, is the one most valuable to me 
as far as this ingredient is concerned. Can you tell me which one it is ?" 
If the farmer is dealing with an honest and competent chemist, what an- 
swer shall he make? "My dear sir, unfortunately in the present state of 
knowledge, I can throw but little light upon these matters. In the first 
place, I cannot be positive how this acid is combined in this complex 
mixture, nor can I tell what changes may take place, in this respect, 
when it is brought into contact with other acids and bases in the soil. In 
the next place, I am ignorant of the composition of your soil, I am ig- 
norant of its physical texture, of its natural exposure, of its natural drain- 



776 THE SOUTHERN [December 

age, of its capacity for moisture, oi its temperature as compared with the 
temperature of the air, of the nature of the subsoil, of the general charac- 
ter of your seasons, of the average rain fall, and of many other matters 
material to this question, {par parenthesis, here is scope for the analyti- 
cal proclivities of Agricultural Bureaus) ;and if I knew all these things 
I must confess that so complex a problem would be difficult of satisfac- 
tory solution." "I am further informed," says the farmer, "that am- 
monia may escape from the soil by volatilization, and that it may be 
converted in the soil into nitric acid, and leached out and so lost. I sup- 
pose, then, that the conclusion of the whole matter is that the volatiliza- 
tion of ammonia and leaching of nitric acid depend largely upon the partic- 
ular combinations in which they are found in the fertilizer, and the changes 
which they undergo, in this respect, in the soil, and that, therefore, the 
value of these materials to me will depend upon the other substances 
in the fertilizer along with them, as much as upon themselves, and upon 
the peculiar character of my soil as much as upon either. " To all of 
which the chemist must make reply, "undoubtedly so." The only thing 
then left to the farmer will be to try these two fertilizers, side by side, 
in his field and note the effect, and after having so tried them through a 
.series of seasons, he will have sense enough to take that which jyays kirn 
the best returns for the outlay., and he will pay not the slightest regard 
thereafter to the opinion or the analysis of the chemist. Certainly the 
chemist may discover how much of material, known to be positively in- 
ert, exists in any given fertilizer, and he may discover that it is an arti- 
cle positively fraudulent in its character. Further than this, in our 
opinion, he cannot go. But you will hear some say, the chemist can teU 
us how much the materials cost the manufacturer, and what exorbitant 
profits he is making out of us poor farmers. In the first place, the 
chemist can tell no such thing at all, and if he could, he has no manner 
of right to do so. The price the manufacturer pays for his materials is 
his business, and none of the farmer's. The price the farmer pays 
the manufacturer is his business, and not the business of any officer of 
the law any more than it is the sheriffs business what the farmer pays 
for his boots or his breeches. The question the farmer has before him 
is, does this thing pay me a reasonable profit over what 1 have to pay 
the manufacturer for it ? Does it act well on my land and my crops?* 
We close this article by calling attention to the fact that the " worth 
of anything," "is but the money it will bring," and that all attempts a* 
interference, on the part of the Government, with prices, have invariably 

*In the last bulletin of the "Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station," a 
sulphate of potash is valued by the "Station" at $67.68 (selling price, $65.), when 
by its use in the field, it was shown to have "ruined the potato and melon crop to 
which it was applied." This "valuation" by the Station is a very poor comfort 
to the farmer who used the article. To his mind and pocket it was worse than 
valueless. 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 777 

made matters worse. We are a strong advocate of Government confin- 
ing itself to its legitimate functions, minding its own business, and let- 
ting, nay, requiring every man to attend to his own business, and let 
other men's alone ; which last is the great function of government after 
all, that is to say, securing to every citizen the right and the opportunity 
to manage his own affairs in his own way ; for whatsoever in government 
is more than this "cometh of evil ; " cometh, namely, of the desire of one 
man to obtain the assistance of Government to enable him to get the ad- 
vantage of his neighbor. As, for instance, in the matter of one man get- 
ting his child schooled, as he supposes, at the expense of another, which 
appears in Massachusetts, for example, very naturally to have led to 
the well nigh universal attempt to get clothed and fed in the same way. 



FISH AND GAME. 

[The following address was prepared for the meeting, during Fair week, of the 
representatives of the various Fish and Game Protective Associations through- 
out the State. The pressure of other matters prevented the holding of this meet- 
ing ; but, that the interest may be maintained, this address is presented in the 
pages of the Planter, with the earnest hope that what it urges may take shape 
everywhere in Virginia in associations whose honest effort will be to see that 
this great work is made to prosper.] 

Mr, President and Gentlemen, — Let me endeavor to speak to the 
point briefly and simply. The business before us is the protection of 
fish and game. Without protection, it is clear that every valuable 
species will soon be exterminated. There are those who look upon the 
whole subject as trivial, and regard the angler and sportsman as vaga- 
bonds wastiug their lives in puerile pursuits. Such persons mostly 
regard the mere getting of money as the only rational or respectable 
employment, and from this point of view it is not unnatural that they 
look down with contempt upon the sports of the field. He who possesses 
not the skill to cast a fly ; nor the nerve to steady a rifle ; nor the vigor 
to follow the pointers over the frosty hills; nor the muscular energy and 
promptness of will to make a successful snap-shot at a woodcock quiver- 
ing over the tops of the alders in the full robustness of his autumnal 
plumage; nor the yet more remarkable combination of powers needed 
to keep his legs under him in a pitching b:>at and wield a fifteen or 
twenty-pound gun with sufficient power and accuracy to stop a canvass- 
back in his flight of eighty or hundred yards, sweeping down the south- 
west wind at eighty or ninety miles an hour; and is not to be blamed if 
he holds in contempt the prowess of others ; nor can we wonder that he 
who never ventured to mount a horse, and who must be left at home 
with the children when the hunt is up, looks upon him who rides with 
the hounds as a hair-brained fool. We who have taken part in all these 
glorious sports, view the matter in a different light. It appears to us 
that he who works must have recreation, not mere rest, more irksome 
than toil. Human nature craves with an insatiable craving some form 
of pleasurable excitement. The libertine seeks his in wine, women and 
cards ; the miser finds pleasure in counting his gold ; the fop is delighted 
with fashionable and costly clothing ; the speculator delights to "wager 



778 THE SOUTHERN [December 

and venture and hunt down his fortune ;" the soldier seeks glory in the 
cannon's mouth ; the statesman is athirst for fame ; we find relaxation 
from the toils of business in the wild freedom of nature and the health - 
giving and manly sports of the field. We seek to promote and encour- 
age the field sports because they lead to select rather than vicious com- 
pany ; to pure associations rather than dens of infamy ; to courage, high- 
miudedness aod health, rather than to riotous living and disease. Some 
pleasures lead to purity, others to defilement and brutality. I speak in 
solemn earnestness, one or the other men 'will have. 

One of the most substantial grounds on which we defend the propaga- 
tion and protection of fish and game is, that it tends to bring to our 
State immigrants of the best class, and, what is of far greater moment to 
us, to keep at home our own sons, to the end that the honor of Virginia, 
unblemished in all the past, may be preserved inviolate in all the time 
to come. By this means we add many a charm to rural life ; we keep 
alive the love of the old homestead in the hearts of the young men ; we 
bring healthy, vigorous and .manly sports within reach of the yeoman, 
and choice luxuries for his table at every poor man's door. Whatsoever 
tends in any degree to lighten the dark path the poor must tread is 
worthy the thoughts of the Christian statesman. I speak not in mockery 
and derision of notorious knaves, but of the man, whoever he may be, 
who having reached exalted station, yet serves God and loves his neigh- 
bor. That which cheapens food for the hungry poor and yields an op- 
portunity for the enjoyment of health-giving and elevating sport is a 
great charm in any land. " Dives " may be left to choose his own share 
of the good things of this life. But why should not the fish and game 
of the State be protected ? No man is able to advance a single valid 
reason why. How, then, shall wise and equitable protection be carried 
into effect? What is the experience of the oldest countries of Europe? 
Nearly all of them have protective laws, but they are for the most part 
entirely unsuitable to our wants and irreconcilable with our institu- 
tions. It is little to be wondered at that the early settlers of America 
viewed with distaste everything that looked like abridgement of the 
rights and privileges of individuals ; they looked back with detestation 
upon the tyrannies and oppressions from which they sought to escape by 
burying themselves in the wilds of an unexplored continent. They had 
found an asylum where all men were free. They possessed a country 
abounding, to great and marvellous profusion, in every species of fish 
and game. Why, then, should any man be hindered from taking and 
killing, when, where and for what purpose he pleased ? Time passed, 
primeval forests vanished, villages and towns sprung up, cities arose, 
the haunts of wild game and wilder men became the dwelling place of 
civilization and industry. Factories and mills also multipled marvel- 
lously, shutting off" the fish from their spawning grounds aud poisoning 
their native waters with refuse ; and to meet the demands of wealth for 
luxuries and varieties for the table, waters once choked with astounding 
multitudes of fishes were now hedged and obstructed by thousands of 
seines, nets, pounds and traps of every conceivable device, so that which 
way soever any fish would pass he would be taken. Day and night, week- 
day and Sunday, in season and out of season, an indiscriminate aud 
reckless war of destruction was waged upon the finny tribes. The pot- 
hunter also greatly multiplied in the land, cruelly butchering all that 
came in his way. So that thoughtful men saw plainly unless this state 



1877.] 



PLANTER AND FARMER. 



779 



of matters could be checked soon, every valuable species would be ex" 
terminated ; and under their influence a few local and imperfect laws 
(all they could get) were passed, soon to become a dead-letter because 
nobody saw any use in them. 

This brings us down to the outbreak of the civil war between the 
States, and the dark and bloody period of its continuance brings us 
within a decade of the present day. Let that pass. "Let the dead past 
bury its dead." A few years since, public attention once more began to 
be directed to the rapid destruction of our fish and game and their 
threatened extinction. It was necessary that public opinion should be 
educated up to the point of protecting them by law. A few of us en- 
tered upon the work. The cause has rapidly gained adherents, and is 
now suDported by several ably edited, widely-circulated journals, of 
which, facile princeps, is the Forest and Stream, and I esteem it the best 
and most useful paper of the kind ever published in any country. Edu- 
cation of public opinion is still the work to be done and the appropriate 
work of associations like ours. We need standing committees to keep 
at work on the habits of species and revision of the laws. All local as- 
sociations should have such committees to co-operate with the Committee 
of the State Association, which should be a consulting and advisory 
body. No change ought to be made in the laws until the committee is 
assured they have them right, so that frequent changes may thereafter be 
avoided. 

These laws, like all others, to work successfully, must be founded on 
the laws of nature, and the natural close season for every species, and 
embrace the breeding period of that species, including protection for 
the young until they are legitimate game. This matter has by no means 
been so fully determined by naturalists and sportsmen as is desirable. 
Working committees on habits of species will be able to develop much 
of interest and value to science. The protective code should be simple 
and, as far as possible, non-technical, and not hard to be understood, and 
the mode of enforcement prompt and cheap. One feature of such laws 
let me protest against. Pay no part of the penalties and fines to in- 
formers, for I, for one, do utterly despise and abhor the paid informer 
and spy. It appears to be clear that common carriers transporting fish 
and game out of season are amenable to the law as having the game or 
fish in unlawful possession ; but it would be well to increase the penal- 
ties with regard to these companies for having in possession and trans- 
porting the protected species unlawfully. Great mischief would thereby 
be prevented. We now come to a branch of the subject which is of 
great interest, that is to say, what species require protection ? It may 
be laid down as a principle, that all migratory species, breeding beyond 
the limits of our State, are in season whenever they are with us. A 
question of great interest here arises with regard to the woodcock — the 
nnest of all game birds — which breed with us to some extent, but for 
the most part to the north of us. That this noble bird is on the highway 
to a not distant extinction, is beyond dispute. Can anything be done to 
prevent it ; if so, what ? If we abolish Summer shooting which involves 
the destruction of the young broods before they are fledged, that would 
be a great help ; but my own view is, that the shooting of them in the 
Southern States by means of lights at night, is the true cause of their 
decline in number. Ought not this " fire-hunting " to be everywhere 
abolished by law ? It has been urged against the sportsman that he de- 



780 THE SOUTHERN [D ecember 

stroys the insectivorous and song birds, as well as those properly ranking 
as game. No true sportsman, even in mere wantonness, does anything 
of the sort. Here I enter a plea for their protection, not simply be- 
cause I love them, but because if you take out of nature their wild, 
sweet melody, their lively and interesting habits, their brilliant and beau- 
tiful plumage, you deprive her of too large a share of her charms, and 
because, as friends of farmers and gardeners, in the destruction of their 
insect enemies, the value of these sweet, little innocents, is be)ond com- 
putation. The law should prohibit their destruction and the molesta- 
tion of their nests everywhere and at all times. 

But there will be some who ,will ask for results. What have you 
done? What has been actually accomplished ? We have one example 
close at hand. Everywhere above Kocketts, in the waters of the great 
river on whose banks this glorious and beautiful city stands, until within 
a few years past, happy was the angler if his most patient and skilful 
efforts were rewarded with a few suckers and sun-fish, and haply an oc- 
casional eel. Now, from yonder rapids to the mountain sources of that 
classic stream, the black bass are caught in great numbers, affording not 
only sport to the angler, but money and food to the poor. . A friend re- 
ports that as far up as Buchanan he met a poor man with sixty taken 
in one day, weighing from a pound to four pounds and a half each ; 
food enough for his family for a week, and food fit for the gods. Whether 
for food or for sport, few species excel the bass. These splendid fish 
also abound in the Potomac, the Rappahannock, and the Roanoke, 
where they have been introduced into well-nigh barren waters by the 
fish-culturist. We believe that we have succeeded in planting the Cali- 
fornia salmon in the waters of the State, which, to the poor, will prove 
a boon indeed, and to the angler " a joy forever ;" for to him this fish is 
a "thing of beauty." We have also introduced the land-locked salmon, 
a splendid species, not a sea-going fish, larger and much more prolific 
than the trout, and less exacting as to water and other conditions of 
life. Next year we are promised a supply of the European carp, suc- 
cessfully introduced by Professor Baird, and doing well in the Druid 
Hill Park, in the care of the accomplished and efficient Maryland Com- 
missioner, Major T. B. Furguson. But shad and herring were hitherto 
the great food fishes of Virginia. From reliable data, Professor Baird 
concludes that the catch of these fish in the Potomac thirty years ago, 
in a single season, amounted to six hundred and thirty millions of 
pounds ! Now, those great fisheries are nearly all abandoned because it 
don't pay to fish them. Of what use can it be to hatch a few boxes of 
shad spawn in that river, and place no restriction upon the fishing ? It 
is no better than child's play. Nothing but excessive fishing has de- 
stroyed the fisheries ; nothing but restraint of the fishing can restore 
them. The season must be shortened, and during the fishery there must 
be two days and nights in every week when all pounds shall be taken 
up, and every seine and net taken and kept out of the water ; nothing 
less will do any good. 

There are many other valuable kinds of fish which may be introduced 
profitably and propagated at will. For thousands of years the greater 
part of the animal food of the enormous population of the Chinese Em- 
pire has been the product of fish culture. Great fisheries have been 
created, and exhausted ones restored in many countries of Europe. 
Valuable species of game will also be introduced as soon as there is as- 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 781 

surance that law will afford protection to enterprise in this direction* 
Finally, we should appeal to the landholders to assist us in carrying out 
our views, aud the law should be so framed that they may obtain the 
benefit of its provisions. They should be authorized and empowered 
to arrest persons violating the law on their own lands, and take them 
before a justice for sentence, and to destroy summarily all illegal nets, 
traps, &c, found on their premises. 

In conclusion, I submit that old Virginia, or the remnant of what was 
old Virginia left to us still, asks of every true and loyal son that he 
shall do everything and neglect nothing that in any remote degree may 
add to her charms and improve her condition in these necessitous times. 
Let not the superserviceable demagogue, nor the self-dedicated apostle 
of any new-fangled creed pluck up the ancient land-marks of our own 
civilization. We may proudly remember that in all the agonies of the 
past the honor and fair fame of our State are untarnished by any act of 
voluntary self-degradation. While we cling to the traditions of our 
fathers ; while we honor the memory of our dead — and we shall best 
honor them by living up to the principles they died to defend — yet, we 
turn to the future nut as men without hope. We ask of History, with 
her iron pen, the severe and exact justice of truth, and henceforth we 
would live in charity with all men. 



ITEMS. 

Our friend. General Meem, has just returned from Kentucky with 
fifty very superior Cotswolds, embracing prize-winners of the present 
season. The lot is highly commended by Kentucky papers. They were 
selected by the General in person ; and there are few better judges of 
the long-wooled sheep. We suspect that he is actuated in this purchase 
by views not in conflict with our last issue on the question of the rela- 
tive hardiness of imported stock and the descendants of the best im- 
ported strains, skillfully handled in this country. He has heretofore been 
an importer, and he has now r bought acclimated sheep from several of 
the best American breeders of this type. Experience is the best teacher. 
Will General Meem be so kind as to give us the benefit of the faith that 
is in him ? We are acquainted with no locality in the United States 
better suited to this very fine breed of sheep than the lower Valley and 
the best pastures on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge. Cotswolds do 
not do well on low wet lauds, and they, like Shorthorns, thrive only on 
rich pastures and in the hands of good farmers Those who are accustom- 
ed to surround themselves with "lean kine," unless they mean to turn over 
a new leaf in farming, had best stick to the native and the scrubs whose 
long-suffering resistance under mean and parsimonious treatment, to the 
overtures of starvation and the approaches of death, is both marvellous 
and melancholy to behold. The great benefactor is not he who makes 
"two blades of grass grow where formerly but one was found," but he 
who fills a country with good stock formerly occupied by bad and un- 
profitable sorts. Success to General Meem in his enterprise! 



782 . THE SOUTHERN [December 



The "Tape-Line Theory" in Breeding. 

Mr. H. Y. Helm continues his articles on the subject of breeding 
trotting horses, and still presses the utility of his measurements. The 
views of this gentleman have been much ridiculed, and for no good 
reason : he has undoubtedly gone too far in concluding that the peculiar 
measurements are as constant as his writings would appear to suggest in 
some families. It is, however, perfectly clear that a well-proportioned 
machine will work with less expenditure of force than an ill-arranged 
one, whether the force which works it be steam or that peculiar power 
which drives the motor levers of the horse. If these motor levers, viz., 
the legs of the horse, be badly proportioned, it will require a greater 
expenditure of that mysterious force than if said levers were arranged 
in accordance with correct mechanical principles. Moving the ful- 
crums of these complex levers a fraction of an inch in the wrong direc- 
tion, doubtless adds very greatly to the expenditure of force necessary 
to move them effectively. Certainly some animals possess so great a 
degree of vital energy as to work a bad mechanism very effectively, and 
others possessing perfect mechanism are so deficient in power as to cut 
but a sorry figure on the race-course. As all qualities are hereditary, 
the wise horseman will study form as well as "instinct," so-called, and 
will seek to perpetuate not only speed, but also a correct model of size, 
style and form. When Mr. Helm states that a horse whose hocks are 
placed low and far from him, naturally trots, and that if the hocks were 
as low as his ankles, he could not gallop at all, we must say we don't 
know about all that. How does Mr. Helm know? If this be true of 
the horse, it is true of other animals; of the grey hound, for instance. 
According to this notion, the grey hound, whose hocks are nearly as 
low as his ankles, ought to trot mightily ; yet we have frequently ob- 
served that these dogs appear often to pace rather than trot, whereas 
the grace and speed of their gallop is world-renowned. But the ani- 
mal whose hock is lowest and farthest from him, of all others, is the 
hare, and we believe they cannot trot at all, but every small boy knows 
they can gallop. We believe that the manner of going or speed of a 
horse cannot be approximated by any mode of measurements or inspec- 
tion. Very much will depend on the size and organization of the cere- 
bellum — the governor of the muscular movements of all animals of the 
vertebrate sort. Yet we would be glad if the measurements and weights 
of all horses were recorded with their pedigrees ; and if we kept the 
Stud Book we would require them as a part of the record iu all cases. 



Six Imported Eussian Trotters sold recently for $3,205. Early 
in the season $20,000 was refused for the lot ; a heavy decline of values. 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 783 



The Woodlawn Farmers' Club held an exhibition in Alexandria 
recently, which was highly creditable, and led to making arrangements 
for a permanent exhibition there, which, we hope, may prove fully suc- 
cessful. Especially in the fruit, trucking and dairy departments, there 
is no town in Virginia which will be able to present a better exhibition. 
Loudoun, the banner county of the State in agricultural productions, is 
in double daily communication with the city, and so is Fauquier. Old 
Fairfax, herself, is not excelled as a fruit-growing region, and capable j 
as we think, of an astonishing development in agriculture in more di- 
rections than one. Prince William has already gone forward rapidly 
in dairying; and the stimulus of a good exhibition would not, we think, 
be lost upon the surrounding region. Such of the County Fairs as 
we have heard from have been successful, and the indications are that 
life and energy exists in old Virginia yet. If the voice of the dema- 
gogue can be silenced, we think there will be a great future for Virginia 
agriculture. 



At the State Fair. 
Our occupation with business was such that we saw but little of the 
stock on exhibition, and such was the pre-occupation of everybody else 
with the Prescient and the military, that we could find out but little as 
to whom animals belonged to or what they were. In the Shorthorn class 
of cattle there was a falling off in the character of the animals ex- 
hibited. Bulls over three years, Mr. Palmer took first with Oneida 
Chief, and in the Sweepstakes, Major Bentley took the blue ribbon with 
Illustrious Airdrie. This animal, if he lacks anything, lacks length in 
the middle piece. In the crops he is the best bull we have ever seen 
at the State Fair. He has been pronounced by most competent judges 
to be a better animal than the celebrated Joe Johnston. The Devons 
were improved in character and numbers, and were represented by three 
fine herds, of which the judges thought the herd of Mr. Kermon the 
best, though Mr. Chiles and General Lee both had fine herds. The 
Devon class has never been so good at the State Fair. There was a 
very good herd of Ayrshires on exhibition, and Judge Fullerton showed 
his Holsteins, whijeh last attracted much attention. The show of swine 
was hardly up to last year's exhibition, but the sheep were unusually 
good. Poultry not very numerous, but some very fine birds in the 
Game and Light Brahma classes ; who they belonged to did not appear 
on the exhibition card, and we found no person to tell us. We did not 
have an opportunity to see anything at all of the races, and have, there- 
fore, no comments to offer. The Roadster cup of the Virginia Riding 
Club, a splendid trophy (three mile heats, best two and three, trotting 
under the saddle), was very cleverly won by Wyanoke, ridden by our 



784 THE SOUTHERN [December 

friend, Mr. Hewit. This is, to us, the most interesting contest of the 
Fair, as it tends to call out vigor and skill in horsemanship on the part 
of young gentlemen, and to develop speed and endurance in the horse 
at his best and most useful gait. A flat race of a mile or mile and a 
half, in our view, amounts to nothing; let it be four miles. Trotting in 
harness mile heats tends to develop great speed to the exclusion of other 
and far more valuable qualities. The vast crowd drawn by that strong 
impulse, idle curiosity, to see the President and the members of his cabi- 
net, helped to pay the expenses of the occasion ; and the brilliant dis- 
plays of the Army Association, Historical Society, etc., utterly over- 
shadowed all interest in any matter relating to agriculture. As an Ag- 
ricultural Fair, the occasion was very much like the play with the lead- 
ing character left out ; and there were, indeed, very few country people 
there. Loudoun, the banner agricultural county of the State, was rep- 
resented, as far as we know, by three persons, and not an article on ex- 
hibition. After the State Agricultural Society gets out of debt, we hope 
to see it resume some agricultural features. At present it has none, 
and to the earnest farmer it possesses no attractions, offers no advan- 
tages. 



The Lee Models. 
Along with some other countrymen, we found our way to the great 
Military State Fair and Presidential Exhibition, and with our compan- 
ions went to see the Lee models on exhibition in the Senate Chamber. 
Why was not a poll-book opened for an expression of the public judg- 
ment on those models ? General Lee was a most finished modern gentle- 
man, and had the most superb seat on horseback of any rider this writer 
ever saw in the saddle. He was never guilty of any vulgar display or 
exhibition of any wild antics ; calm, self-poised, dignified always, in the 
midst of the most tremendous scenes and events ; he was a grand 
horseman, but his was the grandeur of severe simplicity. In view of 
these facts, we ruled out at a single glance every model representing the 
hero of the "Lost Cause" otherwise than in accordance with the facts, 
and thus quickly narrowed down to two. The best of which was found 
to be the work of Valentine and the other of Miss Viuuie Ream. Miss 
Ream's model presented in the head and face a correct likeness of our 
great soldier, but here its superiority ended. To begin with the horse, 
his jowl was much too narrowed, and the head set on wrong. In the 
right hind leg the round bone is placed too low, and this necessitates a 
wrong shape of the quarter, a sickle-shaped ham and other defects ap- 
parent at a glance. Standing a yard or two in front of the right should- 
er and glancing back over the croup, the whole hinder part of the horse 
is like a Bsrkshire pig. The fore leg is set so far under the horse that 
every horseman knows at a glance he must be a stumbling, falling^ 



1877.] 



PLANTER AND FARMER. 



785 



down beast ; on the same side General Lee's leg is much too large in the 
calf, and wabbles outward ungracefully. Our great commander is rep- 
resented as equipped for the field, holsters and other trappings in place, 
field-glasses at his side, and in the act of viewing the field of battle and 
making his dispositions for the fight. Why, then, should he be bare- 
headed ? Why should his hat be grasped with energetic force after the 
manner of a drawn sword ? Is he about to assault the enemy and beat 
them down with his felt hat ? The place for that hat is on General Lee's 
head, where he wore it. Valentine has it so, and that is right. Valen- 
tine has General Lee's seat on horseback ; Miss Ream has it not. Sh« 
has put him too far back in the saddle. Valentine's horse is correct in 
his anatomy. He has been pawing a little with his left fore foot, and 
slightly checked by the rider; he rests the foot lightly in its extended 
position, arches his neck and slightly everts his muzzle ; a little impa- 
tient to the bit —all perfectly natural. The artist does not give us a 
likeness of General Lee's features as Miss Ream does. If the gentle- 
men, as they seem disposed, give this work to Miss Ream, let her re- 
model that horse, and set the rider on him right and put his hat on his 
head. None of your conventionalities and rules of art. Bring him near 
to the hearts of the people. 



Sex in Breeding. 
We observe that a great deal of stir is being made in the journals 
about the matter of regulation of sex in breeding. No physiological 
fact is known which throws any light on the subject of sex production, 
and the general result is that, among quadrupeds, in the long run, the 
number of the sexes is about equal in all climates, in all localities, un- 
der all systems, and in the hands of all breeders. That is to say, "no 
fellow can find out" about that. 



The Fish and Game Protective Association are canvassing 
the question of a " Bench Show " at our next State Fair in Richmond. 
These dog-shows have proveu very attractive to the public, and we trust 
the views of the Association may be successfully carried into effect. 
Doubtless the Society will contribute to the premium list. 



STOCK-FARMING IN THE SOUTHSIDE. 

No man is doing more to develop the resources of Southside Virginia 
than Major A. R. Venable,of the Edgewood Stock-Farm, in this county. 
Major Venable has proved to demonstration that stock-farming can be 
successfully carried on in this section, which has advantages over the 
Valley and Southwest as regards cheapness of lands and labor, and ex- 
cellence of climate. Major Venable's display at the Richmond State 
3 



786 THE SOUTHERN [December 

Fair elicited warm commendation from all beholders, and was thus 
referred to by the Whig : 

" We have selections of Berkshires, Essex and Poland-Chinas from 
the pens of Messrs. Venable, Fulford, Bowman, Pratt and Chiles, and 
whilst among so many fine specimens of these breeds it is difficult to 
select, yet one cannot refrain from noticing- specially the Edgewood 
stock-farm herd of Berkshires, which we regard as the best exhibition 
from one establishment we have ever known to be exhibited in Virginia. 

" This farm is owned by Major Venable, of Farmville, a gentleman 
well-known to most of us, and an enthusiast in the Berkshire business. 
His Sniper sow, over two years, was awarded the first premium, and well 
she deserved it— having already taken a sweepstake premium at the Illi- 
nois State Fair. England's pride — his two year-old boar — carried off the 
blue, and he has just returned from a competition in Canada, (with sev- 
eral sows and others), in which he beat the celebrated " Cardiff," im- 
ported "Grange Court," "Tom Punch," "Sambo," " General Scott," and 
" Zeilida." Each were awarded first premiums, as also his Essex boar, 
" Edgewood Prince," and second on sow under two years." — Farmville 
Messenger. 

At the Raleigh State Fair, Major Venable was the most successful of all the 
exhibitors of stock, and was awarded eight different first premiums. There is 
not a more reliable or conscientious breeder of stock and public-spirited gentle- 
man in the country than Major Venable. — L. R. D. 



[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 

A POSSIBLE REMEDY FOR GLANDERS. 

I beg pardon for trespassing on the domain of my friend Dr. Ellzey. 
But as I have not time to submit the following to his approbation, I 
trust his good nature will excuse me, in view of the importance of the 
subject — the cure of glanders. 

I heard, a short time ago, that this disease was in Richmond ; and 
since then, upon enquiry, 1 have heard it again. I do not like to spread 
false reports, but I have seen such dreadful loss to owners of horses, and 
such suffering to the poor brutes themselves, from this dangerous disease, 
that I have thought I ought to give at least such warning as would put 
people on their guard — especially when I have a remedy to suggest that 
may be efficacious. 

I first saw it prescribed eight years ago in the September number, for 
18(39, of that excellent journal, the Southern Cultivator. I at once 
clipped it for insertion in the Planter, but mislaid it; I then wrote for 
it, and the editor sent me a copy: That the then editor of the Planter 
lost. But when I heard of the re-appearance of the glanders as above 
stated, I was induced to apply for it again through a friend, and it has 
.once more been kindly furnished me. 

In 1805-6, having had to procure a complete supply of horses for my 
farm, the Yankees having got from me all of my stock but three, I pur- 
chased at the Yankee sales and bought twenty-seven before I established 
my number of twelve, the far larger part of the decedents being victims 
to glanders or farcy. But, in 1809, I had got rid of it, and having 
been clear ever since, I have had no occasion to look for a remedy ; and 



1877.] 



PLANTER AND FARMER. 



787 



cannot, therefore, speak from personal knowledge of the sufficiency of 
the one I now offer. 

But I have — or rather had, for he is dead — a very thorough personal 
knowledge of General Brandon, and can confidently endorse anything 
that he recommended or advocated. He was a large and success- 
ful planter in Wilkinson county, Mississippi, who had developed 
such military tastes and instincts that he came within a vote or two of 
being elected over Mr. Jefferson Davis to the Colonelcy of that cele- 
brated Mississippi regiment whose achievements in Mexico first brought 
him prominently before the general public. At the commencement of 
the Confederate war, though then not less than sixty years of age, and 
having three grown sons in the army, he came to Virginia at the head 
of a fine company of infantry, from which he was immediately pro- 
moted and soon became Colonel of one of the best regiments from his 
State. Still higher honors would have been awarded him, but he lost a 
leg leading a gallant charge in the battle at Malvern Hill, and was 
thenceforth disqualified for field duty, or at least adjudged to be. No 
part of the Confederacy offered a knightlier gentleman or finer soldier 
to the service than this personal friend of mine, and of my father before 
me; whose splendid courage and admirable presence of mind once saved 
my life at a very critical period. This much I could not help saying in 
justice to him and to my own feelings upon the only public occasion 
where I have ever mentioned his name, even though in doing it I risk 
the charge of bathos, when I descend to so common place a matter as his 
remedy for glanders in horses. 

Richmond, November 20, 1877. Frank G. Ruffin. 

"Tartar emetic is also said to cure glanders in horses. This disease 
has been considered from time immemorial the opprobium of horse doc- 
tors! And they all agree that the only cure is an ounce of lead through 
the brain. To the contrary, notwithstanding, Mr. John Walworth, an 
eminent citizen of Natchez, Mississippi, who occupies a high position 
there, as a man, and a christian gentleman, says positively that tartar 
emetic will cure it. He told me soon after the surrender, that many 
years before the war, he had established a plantation in Arkansas, 
stocked it with the finest mules and horses the market afforded, built 
fine barns, stables and lots, and employed an experienced overseer, at a 
high salary. In June, he visited his plantation with high expectations, 
hoping to find everything progressing finely. To his great disappoint- 
ment, he found the glanders amongst his mules. His overseer and 
neighbors all advised him to shoot the mules, and bum up the improve- 
ments. This he declined to do; returned to Natchez, and laid his trouble 
open to Mr. Frederick Stanton, who was a large planter, as well as cot- 
ton factor. Mr. William Stanton, who was a large and experienced 
planter near Natchez, was present. He told him the glanders could be 
easily cured with tartar emetic, if taken in time. He advised him to 
return at once, and all the mules that had the button farcy, to have 
killed and burned, that their case was hopeless, the disease had become 
constitutional, and the animal would be of no use if cured. To the 
others give each a teaspoonful of tartar emetic three times a day for six 
days consecutively ; then discontinue it for six days. At the expiration 
of that time, repeat the treatment on all that were not well. To continue 
to feed and work them as usual, it would be good for them. Be careful 
and suffer no stock, that had not been exposed to the infection, to go into 



788 THE SOUTHERN [December 



his stables, that glanders was not very contagious, and not apt to be com- 
municated in the open air, but in stables, where the disease had become 
epidemic, all horses that went into them would contract the disease, and 
if any of his people had sores on their hands, or skin abraded, and suf- 
fered the matter from the glandered horse to touch the raw surface, they 
would certainly die a most wretched death ; to keep his stables well 
ventilated, and use disinfectants freely. He also advised not to sepa- 
rate the healthy animals from the diseased, as all must now be infected 
that had been exposed. He returned by the first boat and found some 
two or three mules with the button farcy, those he had dispatched, and 
gave the tartar as directed to the balance that had the disease, and did 
not so lose another mule. The new cases that occurred yielded readily 
to the treatment, and had it but slightly. He kept his stables clean and 
used lime freely, and though it was some three months before it went 
through all, yet he had no farther trouble, and lost noiie after he adopted 
the tartar treatment. Mr. Wra, Stanton directed his brother to write 
down the directions, as I probably would not understand or remember 
it, as I was new to the business. This he did, and here it is — taking out 
his pocket-book, he held up a small slip of paper, which he told me he 
had carried ever since, and would do so until the day of his death, for it 
had saved him from the loss of thousands of dollars. I have mentioned 
this to many persons, and several who knew the parties, told me that 
they had often heard Mr. Wra. Stanton say glanders was easily cured 
with tartar if given before the disease became constitutional. I urged Mr. 
Walworth to publish his treatment for glanders; he appeared to agree 
that it ought to be done, but has never done so. I hope he will excuse 
me for bringing him so prominently before the public ; he is a gentleman 
of retiring disposition, and, I fear, may not like it ; but I have done so 
for the public good, and at the urgent solicitations of others. 

W. L. Brandon." 
Arcole Plantation, near Fort Adams, Miss., July, 1869. 



Be Agreeable at Meals. — Every one can do something to add 
to the social life at the table. If one cannot talk, he can listen or 
ask questions and draw out others who can talk. Good listeners 
are as necessary as good talkers. Never argue at the table; but 
tell pleasant stories, relate or read anecdotes and look out for the 
good of all. Sometimes a single anecdote from a paper starts a 
conversation that lasts during the meal time. 

A family table ought to be bright and cheerful, a sort of domestic 
altar, where every one casts down his or her offering, great or small, 
of pleasantness and peace ; where, for at least a brief space in the 
day, all annoyances are laid aside, all stormy tempers hushed, all 
quarrels healed; every one being glad and content to sit down at the 
same board and eat the same bread and salt, making it, whether it 
were a rich repast, or a dinner of herbs, equally a joyful, almost 
sacramental meal. — Dr. Holbrook. 



1877.] 



PLANTER AND FARMER. 



789 



(JMttflriat— Javm-<Savdcn awl Jvuit 



CONDUCTED BY DR. THOMAS POLLARD, COMMISSIONER OF AGRI- 
CULTURE OF VIRGINIA. 



We are now in the last month of the year — the twelfth in our calen- 
dar, but only the tenth (Decern, ten) in the Roman calendar, reckoning 
from March. The farm work for the year draws to a close, and almost 
the only holiday for the Southern farmer approaches — dear old Christ- 
mas; dear to us as being transmitted to us froai our ancestors of " Merrie 
old England " (the greatest people in the world) ; dear to our child- 
hood's memory, and dear to us for our children's sake, in whom we are 
living over our boyhood again. But the close of the year has its duties 
as well as anticipated pleasures. We should now review our operations 
for the past twelve months ; cast up accounts, make an estimate o* 
debits and credits, and find out whether we have been doing a paying or 
losing business. If we have been losing, the cause and the remedy 
should be sought for. If there has been bad farming, or waste and imper- 
fect cultivation of crops, the resolution must be formed and carried out to 
correct the error, husband resources, save crops carefully, make more 
manure, end leave no stone unturned to do better for the next year. If 
one crop has been unprofitable, let another be tried — unless the fault has 
been ours in bad cultivation, wrong time of planting, imperfect hus- 
banding, &c. If too much time and land have been devoted to one crop» 
let the products be diversified, taking care to raise all the supplies neces- 
sary to the farm. Many a discreet farmer has tound out that he should 
not devote all his labor and land to tobacco and cotton, and trust to 
buying all his supplies with money derived from these staples. It is 
much easier to buy than to sell, as many a poor debtor has found out 
too late. If we are forced to buy our supplies, we must pay the current 
price, be it ever so high, and cannot wait for a fall. To do this we must: 
go in debt, or frequently sell the cotton and tobacco at ruinously low 
prices. If we go in debt, waiting for a rise that may never come, per- 
manent embarrassment may follow; whereas if the supplies were raised 
on the farm, we could afford to wait for a rise, and if it did not come, we 
should only have less money to spend in luxuries, and style, and dress, 
and diamonds, and other foolish extravagances. We remember our 
cotton-planters in old times. The farmer commits frequently the error 
of cultivating too much poor land instead of cultivating less and de- 
voting more of his time and labor in improving what he cultivates. The 
farmers of Virginia have much surplus land which they had better sell 
at a small price, if possible, diminish their taxes in doing so, and devote 
the money received to improving the remainder of their farms. Immi- 



790 THE SOUTHERN [December 

gration is a great desideratum of Virginia — immigration of people who 
have means to buy lands and become farmers. Every wise citizen will 
use his endeavors to promote it, and every farmer in Virginia, in our 
opinion, owes his thanks to Senator Johnston for the effort he is making 
to bring purchasers of lands to our State, 

In reviewing the past year, we are afraid that many will find they 
have wasted their time from home, and have failed in strict attention to 
the farm, in watching over labor, inspecting everything;, and taking care 
of everything. Let us, then, honestly review the year which is " going 
out/' and prepare for that which is "coming in " by our increased ex- 
ertion and observation, and resolve to do better in the futnre, whether 
we have been successful or unsuccessful. If the former, then try to do 
still better; if the latter, strive to remedy our mistakes and conquer suc- 
cess by perseverance, industry and economy. 

Gathering Corn — if not done before, should be no longer delayed, 
for it will waste in the field and be stolen. Put in the house with shucks 
on, and shuck in rainy days. Corn is less troubled with rats if put away 
with the shuck on. We have good crops of corn in Virginia. In some 
sections drought has shortened the crop very much, and in some few 
localities almost destroyed it. The farmers in these sections have our 
sympathies, for stock do not thrive on farms where corn has to be bought. 
With plenty of corn, everything "laughs and. grows fat;"' with de- 
deficiency or none, as happens to some farmers, everything is lank and 
lean, and sad and long-faced. Did the farmer ever notice how his 
" Berkshire" grows " short in the face" with his chubby cheeks, as he is 
plied with plenty of corn ? 

Plowing must be pushed every good day in this month for tobacco 
and corn. This is very important in stiff lands and lands with much 
cover, or that has been standing in "sod " for some time. The freezing 
disintegrates and makes friable every particle of soil, kills the insects, 
and during the warmer spells in the winter the material has time to rot. 
For very light lands, with small cover, there is no advantage in plowing 
in the Winter, or until Spring, except to economize time. After the 
plowing is done, put the plow under shelter, after having cleaned it off 
and greased or whitewashed the iron portion of it, and on the wood-work 
it is well to apply crude petroleum (which may be obtained from the 
wholesale apothecaries). 

Lime may well be applied now on fallowed land, if it is designed to 
use it at all. We regard it as very important on all lands not supplied 
by nature, and on all lands not destitute of vegetable matter. Apply 
from 50 to 100 bushels to the acre, according to the quality of the land? 
the quantity of vegetable matter upon it, the supply and cost, and the 
ability to purchase. If it is not convenient to apply the full quantity at 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 791 

once, apply a smaller quantity, and repeat each year as circumstances 
justify it. Oyster shell lime is preferred by some, under the opinion 
that it may contain some animal matter (with nitrogen) and a little 
phosphate of lime. " Gas-house" lime near the cities is, we think, a very 
desirable form to use it, on account of its cheapness (not more than two or 
three cents a bushel), its containing, after exposure, some gypsum (plas- 
ter of Paris) and a minute quantity of ammonia. When just from the 
works it sometimes injures vegetation, but if exposed to the air a month 
or so before applied, or before the crop is planted, there is no danger in 
this respect. We have applied it to oats at the time of seeding, with no 
injurious effects, but with very good results on the oats and excellent ef- 
fect on the clover sowed at the same time (just after the oats, we mean) 
in the Spring In tidewater Virginia this is frequently a good month 
for applying marl, and we are surprised that the farmers are not using 
it more extensively. In some localities it is too expensive, but in many 
places it crops out near the surface and in places where there is not 
much hill to overcome to get it to the fields. The " green sand marl," 
which usually coniains 10 per cent potash, some carbonate of lime, and 
sometimes some phosphate of lime, is very valuable and will justify con- 
siderable outlay to obtain it. The objection to its use is the necessity oj 
" pitting " for it and the danger that the pits will be filled with water by 
rainfalls before the marl can be obtained. It just occurs to us to sug- 
gest that this might be obviated by having a movable roof constructed 
to place over the pits while the marl is being removed, to prevent the 
flooding by rains. This it occurs to us would be effectual, if at the fame 
time small drains were made all around the pits to prevent the access of 
water on every side. We are sure farmers in Eastern Virginia, (tide- 
water) are neglecting too much these deposits of lime and potash which 
nature has placed in their way. 

Root Crops that are not taken care of now, must be at once attended 
to. Turnips must be put in frost proof cellars, or pitted out, the dirt 
carefully raised over them in a well-shaped pyramid and ventilation af- 
forded by withes of straw, or boards nailed together, or drain-tile, if they 
are at hand, taking care to plug the end of the ventilator with hay or 
straw. 

Ruta bagas will generally keep well in the open air until this time, 
but it is better to take care of them now. 

Cabbage should be kept in the ground until hard weather comes, and 
thea put away. 

We gave directions about protecting celery the last month. 

A large crop of wheat has been seeded, in good time generally, and is 
looking well, though we have more than the usual amount of complaint 
of " fly." In the Dispatch, during the month of October, appeared an 



792 THE SOUTHERN [December 

article by Col. F. G. Ruffin, advising air-slaked lime to be applied over 
the wheat as a remedy, and we have no doubt it is a good one. It is to 
be sowed on the wheat while the dew is on, or over night, that it may 
catch the moisture and the lime be carried down to the base of the wheat 
leaf, where it comes in contact with the larvae and destroys it. The 
hands must be greased, and the person who applies it must walk with 
the wind. [Col. Ruffin 's article appears in this number.] 

The crops for the present year are probably the largest in the history 
of the country, and the farmer and every one dependent on him (and 
who is not) is to be congratulated on the prospect ahead. Surely better 
times are near at hand, and that in all probability, in spite of what leg- 
islation may be in regard to "specie resumption" and " remonetizing 
silver," though wise measures, in this respect, will hasten the long-hoped 
for time. According to an estimate emanating from the " New York 
Produce Exchange," the harvest of 1877 is the greatest that has ever 
been gathered in this country. It amounts, in round numbers-, to 325,- 
000,000 bushels of wheat and 1,280,000,000 bushels of corn. The largest 
yield of wheat in any previous year was 309,000,000 (in 1874), but the 
corn crop then amounted to only 844,148,500 bushels. Compared with 
last year, the wheat crop shows an increase of 39,000,000 bushels. At the 
seaboard, tn.king the ruling price in October, the value of the wheat crop 
may be set down at $400,000,000, and the corn crop at $700,000,000. 
The immense increase in our wheat exports is already draining the gold 
from the " Bank of England " to America, and it is impossible that this 
great addition to the wealth of the country will not have a permanent 
effect upon the trade and business of the whole Union. The real and 
tangible effects will not be prominent until the crops of 1877 have been 
marketed, but the Spring of 1878 will witness the revival of trade in 
every branch of business. The outlook for the farmer is very encour- 
aging, as it is for the country, but we regret that the tobacco-raisers 
will probably get a small price for their staple. As an evidence of the 
large shipments of farm produce going on from this country to Europe, 
we clip the following from a late number of the Country Gentleman: 

Large Shipments of Farm Produce. — Whole fleets of large steamships are de- 
parting every week loaded down with American farm produce. Sometimes 
500,000 bushels of wheat go on a Saturday. The steamship " England " of the 
National Line alone took 65,000 of wheat on October 8, equal to 3,900,000 lbs., 
or nearly 2,000 tons ! The eight steamers on that day carried 363,000 bushels 
of wheat (16,780,000 lbs.), 9,150 ban els of flour (1,930,000 lbs ), 8,000 bushels of 
corn, 32,000 bushels of rye, 3,850 bales of cotton (1.925,000 lbs.). 2,465 boxes 
of bacon, 21.000 boxes of cheese, 4,500 packages of butter, 1,450 tierces of lard, 
about 2,000 pounds clover seed, 4,500 cases of canned meats, 1,530 bales of hops, 
about half a million pounds of fresh beef in quarters, besides large quantities of 
tobacco, apples, tallow, salted pork and beef, oil cake, cotton seed oil, starch, 
1,200 bags of ivory nuts, 477 slabs of rubber, grass seed, etc., etc. By and by 
we shall get the official figures for these autumn months; they will show our 
estimate last month of $500,000,000 received from abroad for our surplus farm 
produce this year to be under the truth. 



1877.] 



PLANTER AND FARMER. 



7C3 



P. S.— Exports in ten and a half months, 1877: Fresh beef, 36,132, 730 pounds; 
value, $8, 000, 388. Same time, I860, 10,000,865 pounds ; value, $1,755,101. Live 
cattle, 1877, 10,250; value, $1,450,350. Fresh mutton, 1,883,850 pounds ; value, 
$123,000. Live sheep, 12,400; value, $81,350. Total value of live and dressed 
beeves and sheep exported January 1 to October 13, 1877, $11,460,320, against 
$1,755,101 in 1876. 

We give the following to complete the list of fruits given last month. 
We omitted to advise, in setting out trees in the Fall, to make a mode- 
rate embankment around the tree. It is important to keep the tree 
from being bent out of position and loosened by the winds. It also helps 
to prevent the mice from injuring the trees, sometimes girdling and de- 
stroying them. If this embankment is made and the ground firmly- 
pressed around the tree, it will obviate, in a great measure, the use of 
the stake. In the Spring the ground around the tree should be levelled, 
and if the soil is a dry one, or the season dry, it is well to make a small 
depression around the tree. 

Of Cherries, we advise the old May cherry, May Duke, Napoleon 
Bigarreau (which is a variety of wax cherry), Early Richmond (old 
cluster cherry), Black Tartarian and Morello. The soil must be good — 
either gray or red, though the first is best. We suspect they do best 
on cherry stock rather than on mahaleb. We have been told by an ex- 
perienced Virginia nurseryman that they are very apt to die on the 
latter just as they come into bearing, and we have found that the case 
on two Napoleon Bigarreaus planted out eight or nine years since. 

Of Plums, plant Green Gage, Jefferson and Washington. Try the 
Wild Goose plum, as it is said to escape the curculio; but it is of second 
rate quality. 

Of Grapes, plant Concord, Delaware, Ives, and Norton Seedling. 
Some of "Rogers' Hybrids," particularly No. 1 and No. 4, are worth 
planting. They are not very productive, but are large and fine looking, 
and very good table grapes. Concord is the grape "for the million " in 
Virginia, and makes quite good wine. Norton is the great wine grape. 
Ives is early and is profitable for market. Delaware is an excellent 
table grape, but requires good land, of clay subsoil, and then is not very 
productive. The Catawba does well in Piedmont and the mountain re- 
gions. Grapes generally do best on light land with southern or south- 
eastern exposure. 

Of Gooseberries, Houghton's Seedling is the best for this latitude. 
There are many larger, but not so productive, and so free from mildew. 

Of Raspberries, Philadelphia, Clark and Mammoth Cluster have been 
most relied on in Virginia, but Brandy wine is now thought best by those 
who have tried it. 

Of Strawberries we spoke in the October number of this journal. Wil- 
son is thus far, we think, the best market berry. Charles Downing, 
Lady Finger, Triomphe de Gaud and Kentucky are better table berries 



794 THE SOUTHERN [December 

for family use. Triomphe de Gand is the best of all of them, we think, 
but is a very poor bearer. We are trying Mouarch of the West, Duchesse 
(early), and Duncan, and will report on them another season. 

There are doubtless other varieties of fruit than those we recommend 
which deserve propagation; but the variety from which selection is to 
be maoe is much too great, and indiscriminate praise is bestowed upon 
almost everything which is new in the fruit line. A great mapy useless 
kinds have been planted, particularly of apples. The old kinds of ap- 
ples planted by our fathers are, in a general way, much superior to the 
modern, and few of the Northern apples succeed well in Virginia. The 
rule should be observed in this matter — to buy from responsible nursery- 
men. 

With regard to forest trees, we have not space to enumerate the kinds 
we think most desirable. For one, we think the " Sugar Maple " should 
be more planted than it is. It is a beautiful tree, and if the farmer 
would plant groves of them, he might make his own sugar. The preju- 
dice against the Ailauthus and Otaheite mulberry we think unfounded* 
They are both valuable and hardy trees — the Ailanthus, because of its 
rapid growth, hardiness, and the value of its timber ; the Mulberry, be- 
cause it is extremely hardy (being of the few trees which will stand the 
reflected heat of the streets of the cities), its quick growth and excellent, 
dense shade. Our native elms (smooth bark), ash, maple and popfkr 
are all valuable shade trees; the latter should not be set out until Spring, 
after the buds begin to swell considerably. 

Protecting Stock. — We must again remind our readers to give their 
stock good protection against the cold weather. It is a very important 
thing — will keep up the flesh of the stock and save feed. It is particu- 
larly necessary for sows with their pigs. 



REPLY TO DR. ELLZEY ON THE 

" We think the reasoning and the facts are on the side of analysis. Al- 
most everything human may have some objections made to it, for there 
is nothing done by man which is perfect, as " there are none perfect." 
As man is fallible, so his works are fallible. But others think the rea- 
soning is against analysis, and we must bring authority vs. authority, as 
what we deem facts are questioned. We have recently received from 
Dr. Voelcker, chemist to the " Royal Agricultural Society of England,' ' 
a letter on this subject, in which he says no manufacturer of chemical 
manures who understands his business in ever so moderate a degree 
buys any fertilizing material except on the basis of an analysis. Why, 
then, should the analysis of fertilizers be of great value to manufacturers, 
and of no value to the farmer? The agricultural and commercial value 
of artificial manures mainly depends upon the component parts and the 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 795 

relative proportions of the chief fertilizing ingredients, and the state of 
combination in which they occur can be determined by any good chemist 
with quite sufficient precision to indicate the comparative value of dif- 
ferent fertilizers. Chemical analysis, in fact, is the only means of ascer- 
taining with certainty whether a manure is good or worthless, &c. — the 
whole letter being a very strong endorsation of analysis of fertilizers by 
this distinguished chemist. 



TUCKAHOE FARMERS' CLUB. 

At the request of Col. Thomas Branch, the Tuckahoe Farmers' Club 
held their November meeting at his house in the city. Col. Branch? 
being quite an elderly gentleman and having much other business to 
occupy his time, wished' to sever his connection with the Tuckahoe Club, 
of which he has been a member almost since its formation. Although 
Col. Branch's time is principally taken up in the city, yet he finds time 
to cultivate and improve his very beautiful country seat, situated two 
miles from the city on the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad. 
That Col. Branch is a good, farmer, his crops and farm work attest. 
Taking under his management his present farm about six or seven years 
ago, when it was poor and in bad order, and incapable of producing any 
remunerative crops — now under his improving system of cultivation his 
crops, particularly grass and clover, compare favorably with many of 
the best to be found in the country. 

At a former meeting of the Club, Mr. Branch advocated strongly that 
the farmers of Henrico should raise beef; if not beef to sell, beef for the 
use of their own families. In his experience this could be done very 
easily. He has done so himself, as we can attest. 

Although it is not customary to elect honorary members in the Tuck- 
ahoe Farmers' Club, the members of the Club, wishing to express their 
regrets at Col. Branch severing his connection with them, unanimously 
made him an honorarv member, and desired him to be present at every 
meeting when he might find it convenient to do so. 

As a splendid specimen of the ideal Old Virginia Gentleman, Col. 
Branch has very few peers. Though the frosts of seventy-five winters 
have made his locks as driven snow, the storms of life have dealt kindly 
with his person, and when we meet him on the street with his round, 
full face, ruddy with health and glowing with the smile of a warm and 
generous nature; when we look upon him clad in the vestments of 
ye olden time, yet so rotund and bouyant as not to seem out of place even 
on our busy streets, we cannot but wish that the rush and hurry of the 
present day had left us a few more such specimens of manhood to point 
our youth to and bid them pattern themselves after such exemplars. 
No one could meet Col. Branch, even in the most busy crowd, without 



796 THE SOUTHERN [December 

being struck at once with his appearance; and his manners and con- 
versation are equally calculated to impress a stranger. ■ 

For many years Col. Branch has been identified with Richmond as a 
merchant and banker, and his fine business qualities, his indomitable 
energy and enterprise, his liberal views and high-toned honor, have 
made him a leader. Indeed, in every position in which we find him he 
always perforce comes to the front. As a Christian gentleman he ranks 
among the foremost in his Church, and naturally takes his place beside 
the bishops. Indeed, we often think what a splendid bishop the Church 
has lost. Yet we do not know but that as it furnishes the means of a 
generous charity, it is best after all. We are sorry to part with him as 
an active member of the Club; but as he still lives amongst us, we can 
have the benefit of his example; and in bidding him adieu, we wish him 
years of enjoyment of a green old age in the peacefnl shades of his beau- 
tiful country home. • 



§j[0we §tyixtmmt. 

CONDUCTED BY MRS. G. JULIAN PRATT. 



OUR OWN. 

If I had known in the morning 
How wearily all the day 
The words unkind 
Would trouble my mind, 
I said when I went away, 
I had been more careful^ darling, 
Nor given you heedless pain ; 
But we vex " our own " 
With look and tone 
We may never take back again. 

For though in the quiet evening 
I may give you the kiss of peace. 
Yet it might be 
That never for me 
The pain at the heart should cease ! 
How many go forth in the morning 
That never come home at night! 
And hearts have been broken 
By harsh words spoken, 
That sorrow can ne'er set right. 

We have careful thought for the stranger, 
And smiles for the sometime guest, 
But oft for u our own" 
The bitter tone, 
Though we love u our own " the best. 
Ah! lips, with curse impatient! 
Ah ! brow, with that look of scorn ! 
'Twere a cruel fate 
Were the night too late 
To undo the work of the morn. — Home Journal. 



1877.] 



PLANTER AND FARMER. 



797 



The prominent objects of interest among farmer's families for the past 
mouth have been the fairs — provincial and State. It was my privilege 
to attend the latter at Richmond, and while others write of the fine dis- 
play of stock, implements, and the immense throng of people, my dot- 
tings must be confined to the " Ladies' Pavillion." The exhibition here 
was equal to that in every other department, and the whole was said to 
be a success never before reached in the history of the Society. 

What a medley was presented to the eye on entering ! but turning to 
the right as directed by the marshal, and making a slow tour of the 
buildings, a tolerably clear idea was gained. The needle work was of 
the finest and most elaborate character, followed by worsted work of 
every description, from the handsomest afghans, three yards square, to 
a little specimen from the inmates of the Williamsburg Lunatic Asylum. 
Bead work, shell work, spatter work. Applique (in every style), rustic, 
wax and hair work, were represented. It will give me pleasure at some 
future time to take these up in detail, for the benefit of those who had 
not the opportunity of personal inspection. Among the quilts was one 
made by a little girl not eight years old, and one made and designed by 
a little boy of a strikingly original character. Among the novelties, 
Madame Harding occupied a window, making her " Liquid Flowers." 
To a looker on, she seemed to have the power of " creating," so rapidly 
did they grow under her experienced fingers. Just opposite to her, a 
stand was occupied with shell and sea-bean ornaments from Florida. 
There was also on exhibition some ornaments made of " fish scales," 
alike admirable for beauty and durability, and specimens of silver fila- 
gree work. 

The household department made a useful exhibit of bread, cake, jel- 
lies, preserves and pickles, that could not possibly be excelled. The 
butter department was poorly represented, though the first premium ar- 
ticle was very superior, also a firkin of packed butter from Mr. G. W. 
Palmer, of Virginia. The poverty of the exhibition in this class will no 
doubt continue until the Society are aroused to the importance of this 
product to Virginia, and appoint judges who will serve and who can ap- 
preciate a genuine article, and not rule out butter colored by the cream 
of Jersey cows alone — " as 'a spurious article colored with carrots ;" a 
fact that has occurred more than once in the last five years. 

Going into a lower room, we were met by fragrance of flowers, and a 
wilderness of beauty was revealed. Growing plants and cut flowers in 
every variety of design from leading florists and individuals were exhi- 
bited. 

The many excellencies of various washing, sewing and other machines 
were urged by their several energetic and polite agents. Cases of mille- 
nery, furs, hats and saddlery were displayed ; and as we passed out at 
the last door, we felt amply repaid for the fatigue and personal discom- 



798 THE SOUTHERN [December 

fort experienced, by the insight we had gained of the thrift and enter- 
prise of Virginia represented in this single department of our State 
Agricultural Fair. 



Sensitive Children. — Extreme sensitiveness in children may be 
either a misfortune or an advantage, according to the influences which 
are brought to bear upon them. A hasty temper is the prevailing fault 
of sensitive children; it is their quick involuntary protest against what- 
ever offends them, and it should be treated with moral medication, and 
as tenderly as a deformed foot or curvature of the spine. Little by lit- 
tle self-control can be taught, and infiltration of such ideas and motives 
and sentiments made in the child's mind as will enable him to outgrow 
and overcome his infirmity. Time cures a great many things; children 
outgrow infirmities and faults, and if right principles of action and feel- 
ing are instilled gently, constantly, wisety, the results will ultimately 
appear. It is mere cruelty to make the weak points of a child a source 
of teasing and ridicule, as is often done in schools and families. If he 
is born with a deformed foot, with defective sight or hearing, how care- 
ful are we to try. and make up to him what nature has denied. A de- 
fect in one's mental or moral organization should certainly be as tender- 
ly and judiciously treated as a bodily deformity. A quick temper, an 
irritable or timorous or teasing disposition requires far more tact and ju- 
dicious management than any physical infirmity. When grown to ma- 
turity our sensitive children become the poets, musicians, artists, writers, 
leaders of their time. — New York Tribune. 

WHO ARE THE BLESSED? 

Blessed is the man who minds his own business and attends only to 
his own affairs, and not the affairs of his neighbors. 

Blessed is the woman who never says to her husband, " I told you so." 

Blessed is the man who can sew on his buttons when the baby is crying. 

Blessed is the mother-in-law who never reminds you that you married 
above your station. 

Blessed is the rich relation who never looks down on you — when you 
are in the gu iter. 

Blessed is the poor relation who never looks up to you — for money. 

Blessed is the old maid that don't hate old people and children. 

Blessed is the old bachelor that don't hate cats and canary birds. 

Blessed are the married people that don't wish they were single. 

Blessed are the single people that are contented to remain so. 

Blessed is the husband who never says his mother's pies were better 
than his wife's are. 

Blessed is the wife (formerly a widow) who never calls up the virtues 
of her " dear departed " for No. 2 to emulate. 

Blessed is the man who gives his wife ten cents without asking her 
what she is going to do with it. 

Blessed is the woman who don't scold when the stove pipe falls down 
on the dinner table and — blessed is the man who can fix it up without 
swearing. 

Blessed is the friend who never requires the loan of your umbrella. 

Blessed is the neighbor who is so busy with his own affairs that he 
has no time to pry into yours. 

Where are the blessed? 

Echo answers, "Where?" 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 799 

The origin and meaning of the word " woman " having been quite re- 
cently under discussion in the pages of the London Notes and Querie8,9, 
Dublin man sends the following old verse which he lately came across 
in his readings : 

When Eve brought woe to all mankind, 

Old Adam called her woe-man; 
But when she woo'd with love so kind, 

He then pronounced it woo-man, ; 
But now with folly and with pride 

Their husband's pockets trimming, 
The ladies are so full of whims. 

That people call them whim-men. 

To calcimine a good sized room with two coats, take ten pounds of 
whiting, dissolved in boiling water ; a quarter pound of glue (soaked in a 
pint of water from the night before), may now be melted slowly on the back 
of the stove, stirring frequently. To color a beautiful tint, take two 
ounces of ultramarine blue and one ounce of Venetian red ; mix sepa- 
rately with soft cold water, and strain through a stocking or thin cloth, 
each in a separate vessel. The whiting may now be stirred well; if too 
thick, add more hot water and strain through a flour sieve into a good 
sized pot. Add some of the blue and red alternately, till you get the 
shade desired, as shown by drying a little of the mixture on a pie^e of 
paper. When the color is determined, pour in the glue. After mixing 
well, apply the wash hot to the walls, brushing in any direction, as it 
mixes better than if put on too carefully. On white walls two coats are 
necessary ; but after the room is once done, a single coat is sufficient* 
Should the ceiling have to be done, put on the whiting alone first, then' 
re-heat the wash and add the paint and glue, the latter to be light-col- 
ored if the walls are to be white. Common glue will answer for a painted 
wall. 

Keeping Roots. — To keep roots sound and plump, Mr. Benjamin P. 
Ware, of Marblehead, a successful gardener, cuts off the fine roots close 
to the body, and pares away the crown of the turnip or beet sufficiently 
to destroy all bads or rudiments of buds. The thus doctored roots are 
then placed in barrels of sand or covered' with earth in the cellar to pre- 
vent wilting. Kemoving the buds and rootlets prevents that corkiness 
so common with these roots when kept till late in Winter, which is caused 
by the support of sprouts and rootlets using up much of the more tender 
and edible substance of the roots. Turnips and beets thus treated are 
as nice for the table in late Winter or early Spring as when first har- 
vested. -- 

The value of dry earth in the hen-house, more especially where 
wooden floors are in use, is not generally appreciated. Any kind of 
clean loam, or clay soil, will answer. But it should be gathered now, 
before the Fall rains render it heavy and soggy, and plentifully stored 
away in a corner or heap, inside the poultry-house. 

Occasionally, a portion of this fresh earth may be thrown around the 
floors, or scattered under the roosts. A compost heap may shortly be 
begun. Mix the droppings from the roosts where the fowls pass the 
night with some of this. Rake it away once or twice in a fortnight — 
and, next Spring, you will have a rich mass of mauure for your vegeta- 
ble garden, or top-dressing for the grass or lawn around the house, that 



800 THE SOUTHERN [December 

cannot be excelled for its quality. It will cost you nothing but a little 
easy labor once a week. The earth will help to keep your house-atmos- 
phere pure, and, if you add the fallen leaves around you to the mass, it 
will be improved when they rot away during the Winter. 

To Protect Molten Lead from Explosion. — Molten lead, when 
poured around a damp or wet joint, will often convert the water into 
steam so suddenly as to Cause an explosion, scattering the hot metal in 
every direction. This trouble may, it is said, be avoided by putting into 
the ladle a bit of rosin the size of a man's thumb, and melting it before 
pouring. 

An iron wash for woodwork can be made by taking fine iron filings 
one part, brickdust one part, and ashes one part. Put them in glue 
water, warm, and stir well together. Use two coats. 

How can I give shirt bosoms the polish and stiffness obtained by shirt 
manufacturers? Ans. Rub one ounce best potato starch up with a lit- 
tle cold water, so as .to reduce all the lumps ; add a tablespoouful of best 
loaf sugar, an equal quantity of dextrin, a little soluble indigo, and a 
lump of pure paraffin about the size of a nutmeg. Then add a pint of 
boiling water, and boil, with occasional stirring, for half an hour (not 
less). The starch should be strained through a linen cloth before using. 
Scientific American. 

[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 
The following is the recipe of the premium ham at the State Fair given to Mrs. 
Robert Crump : 

Curing Hams. — Quarter pound of saltpetre, quarter pound of black 
pepper, one-eighth pound red pepper, two pounds common brown sugar 
(to two hams) to be mixed with salt enough to cover hams well. Pack 
them in tubs with skins down ; let them remain six weeks, turning over 
occasionally (if they should become mouldy during that time, rub off the 
mould with same mixture). After six weeks, hang up and drain one 
week, then smoke with green hickory wood moderately for two days. 
Keep in a dry smoke-house, and smoke your meat during damp spells 
and it will always be free from insects. 

[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 

Process of Baking Hams. — Put a ham in a pan with a small quan- 
tity of water, and bake one and a half hours ; then take it out and skin ; 
dress with cracker dust and eggs, adding a small quantity of black pep- 
per. Beat the eggs and spread it over the ham, and sprinkle the cracker 
dust thickly over that ; return it to oven and bake hour and a half more. 

[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 

Col. Ficklin's Recipe for Curing Hams. — Select well fatted pork, 
that has hung up to cool well one night. Round the hams short or 
lengthy according to size and wished for weight in hams; trim smooth, 
avoiding gashes in the flesh ; take off the feet at the bottom joint below 
the knees with the heel of a knife, and the bone, too, from each ham that 
connected them, and salt quite lightly one or two days to draw out what 
blood it may. To each one hundred pounds of ham, use eight to ten 
pounds salt, two ounces saltpetre, two pounds brown sugar, one ounce 



1877.] 



PLANTER AND FARMER. 



801 



red pepper, dissolved and mixed in tubs with of about four to five gal- 
lons water and poured over the hams packed in a tight barrel or hogs- 
head, intending just to cover the hams and chines and shoulders that 
there may be room for if desired. To be sure the brine is strong enough, 
and as a test, it should float a fresh egg. After four to six weeks in 
brine, hang by the skin at the end of the leg, and smoke gently several 
weeks with green hickory or other wood till dry and colored to suit the 
fancy and of a light brown, and before any balmy days in March that 
flies may start, wrap each ham in a newspaper and have a bag for each 
made from any coarse bags, and deep and narrow enough to put each in, 
hock end downwards and erect, resting mainly on the ends, and the bags 
and strings should last an age. With twine some fifteen inches, and 
with the ends tied to form double, and thus a loop around the mouth of the 
bag, and hang the loop over a nail to wait to August and September to 
become bacon, and for a year more it should be all that may be wished ; 
greater age is no improvement to arrive at. Hams cured in this way 
with care will bring several cents over common and Western cured, and 
will be sought for by epicures and judges of good bacon. 

[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 
Col. R. H. Hancock's Recipe for Curing Hams — I prefer pure 
Berkshire hogs "from fifteen to eighteen months old, and believe the 
breed has much to do with the ham. I feed in a barn lot, about two 
acres, with plenty of running water, what corn the hogs will eat 
clean from four to six weeks. Kill the usual way, and use about one 
bushel of salt to a thousand pounds of pork. Trim the hams close, and 
let them lie in salt from four to six weeks ; then spread them in the 
meat house a day or two to dry. Make a mixture of black pepper 
(ground) and common molasses made into a thick paste, and spread 
HiorougJdy over the hock and flesh part of the ham. Hang them up 
and smoke with hickory chips till dry. Let them remain hanging till 
wanted for use. 

[For the Southern Planter and Farmer.] 
Col. Robert Beverley's Receipt for Sugar Cured Hams. — 
For one thousand pounds of hams take one-half bushel of fine salt, two 
pounds of saltpetre, four pounds of brown sugar, one gallon of mo- 
lasses ; mix all thoroughly, and rub the mixture on the fleshy side well 
and pack in tight casks, and every eight days take out and change top 
pieces to bottom for six weeks, and the first time taken up, sprinkle a 
small quantity of ground alum salt on the mixture first applied ; and, at 
the end of six weeks, must be taken up and well smoked ; and by the 
middle of February, or first of March at farthest, must be taken down 
and rubbed with ground black pepper and molasses and canvassed and 
whitewashed ; after whitewashing, a little smoke for a day or two to dry 
the canvass. Hang up early so as to escape the fly ; put but one piece 
in a sack or canvass. It is bast to have the sack large enough to stuff a 
little hay or straw between it and the ham, which will effectually pre- 
vent the fly getting to it. 

Above is receipt you asked for, which is by far the best I have ever 
seen used. 

To the Boys and Girls who read the Planter and Farmer: 

As intimated in the last number of this Journal, I feel that the Home 

Department would be incomplete without the interest of the children, 
4 



8W THE SOUTHERN [Deeembei 



and hope our goad natured editor will accommodate us with room for 
our occasional greetings. I have faith in the boys and girls who are 
scattered among our country homes, and want them to take a personal 
interest in our Virginia journal. 

Any information or amusement in my power will be cheerfully given, 
and I solicit unrestrained correspondence from them on any subject of 
geuwi interest. Mrs. G. J. P. 



FATHER AT PLAY. 



Such fun as we had one rainy day, 

When father was home and helped us play I 

We made a ship and hoisted sail, 
And crossed the sea in a fearful gale — 

But we hadn't sailed- into London town , 
When captain and crew and vessel went dowo. 

Down, down in a jolly wreck, 

"With the captain rolling under the deck. 

But be broke out again with a lion's roar r 
And we on two legs, and he on four, 

Ran out of the parlor and up the stair, 
And frightened mama and the baby there. 

Bo mama said she'd be policeman now, 

And tried t' arrest us. She didn't know how„ 

Then the lion laughed' and forgot to roar 
Till we chased him out of the nursery door $ 

And then he turned to a pony gay, 
And carried us all on his back away. 

Whippity, lickity, hickity. ho! 

If we hadn't fun, then I don't know J 

Till we tumbled off and he cantered on, 
Never stopping to see if his load was gone. 

And I couldn't tell, any more than he, 
Which was Charlie and which was me, 

Or which was Towser — for all in a mix 
v You"d think three people had turned to six. 

Till Towser's tail was caught in the door ; 
He wouldn't hurrah with us then any more. 

And mama came out then the rumpus to quiet, 

And told U3 a story to break up a riot. — Youth- s Companion. 

CHILD MARIAN IN MISCHIEF. 

What golden days they were — those early Summer days in the Aus- 
trian, capital, and what sights we saw, and what adventures we had, and 
how lovely Marian grew in the bracing air, and how we loved her more 
and more as the weeks went on! Well — no — we didn't mind her mis- 
chief very much, because, you see, she never meant to be mischievous, 
and that makes all the difference in the world. She generally thought 
she was doing right — and her little pranks were almost always mere er- 
»oft» ,o£ judgment. 



1877.] 



PLANTER AND FARMER. 



803 



She would never have cut off Harry's long hair, but that she thought 
it would be more becoming and comfortable short. She would never 
have pinned red stripes to the shoulders of my dress coat — which I wore 
to a court reception, and wasn't aware they were there until a fellow- 
countryman asked me if they were a pair of young shoulder-straps. And 
I'm sure she didn't mean any harm when she put a box of toilet pow- 
der into the hat of a distinguished United States officer who came to call 
on us, and he, poor man, who was nothing if not dignified, and much if 
he was, felt very angry when his red face and bald head and black coat 
received a white shower. We were very much mortified at this, and 
Aunt Elinor looked very severe and said : 

" Marian — Marian, why did you do it — it was very naughty and 
thoughtless!" And the little lady replied that she had only hidden it 
there for a moment from Harry, and forgotten to take it out — and she 
continued : 

" It didn't hurt him a bit, and it wasn't half as bad as Harry did — for 
he stirred up our mucilage pot with the old gentleman's umbrella-handle, 
and didn't wipe it off again. Harry was just going to wipe it off, when 
he came out of the parlor so mad about the powder-box, and seized his 
umbrella right out of Harry's hands, before we could tell him — and — O, 
my ! didn't it stick to his gloves ! " 

Aunt Elinor groaned, and no wonder. 

And I looked very stern and said : 

" Children, I'm surprised, when you know I charged you to be especi- 
ally good while that gentleman was here." 

" Well," said Marian, beginning to cry, " we tried to be good, and we 
went down into the court-yard to keep out of mischief, and his carriage 
was there, and we climbed in, and we would have staid there till he came 
down, only the pins gave out." 

" Pins — what do you mean?" asked Aunt Elinor. 

" O, we had a paper of pins, and we stuck them all in the carriage 
cushions, and spelt words with the heads : we wrote ' Old Boy ' with pin- 
heads way across the front seat, and it looked so well we left it for him 
to see." 

Aunt Elinor groaned again. 

" And we made a cat on the back seat, and then Harry made a fence 
all 'round her to keep her in — a lovely fence ! We lifted up the linen 
cover of the seat, and stuck the pins point upwards — and I do hope he 
noticed it before he sat down." 

I didn't wait to hear more, but I seized my hat and hurried off to the 
gentleman's house — and found him looking very flushed and angry, and 
as if he might be just on the point of striking our names off his visiting 
list. I did the best I could with an apology, but the old gentleman 
worked himself into a towering passion, and said: 

" It's outrageous, sir, outrageous. I shall not be able to sit down with 
comfort for a week." 

I told Marian and Harry what he said, and both children looked very 
sorry — but surely did the best they knew how to mend the injury, for 
when, a few days after, I went to search for my court-plaster case, Marian 
looked guilty, and said, very beseechingly : 

" O, don't be angry with me, dear Uncle Will — I sent it to General 

with such a nice note." 

" ! O ! ! ! I ! " I groaned, and &lt like tearing my hair. 



804 THE SOUTHERN [December 

" Don't feel so badly, dear Uncle Will, 'twas a very nice note — I have 
a copy of it here ;" and she produced a letter that read as follows : 

Dear General — We are very sorry that you hurt you when you sat 
down. We send you some court-plaster, and hope it will do you good. 
We didn't mean to be outrajus, and we don't think it was much trouble 
for you to get the powder out of your hair, because you have so little 
hair on top of your head, and it will brush out of that little fringe 'round 
the edges easy enough. Harry says he thinks your head very pretty be- 
hind ; it looks just like a ostriches egg he saw in the museum. 

Did you see what we wrote on your carridge cushing — while your 
cotchman was drinking beer with our porter? Please send the pins back 
again when you get time. 

" Don't you think that is a pretty good note?" 

" Yes, Marian, it is well enough of itself, but you ought not to have 
done it — you are very naughty to do such things without asking leave." 

" What do you suppose the man thinks ?" said Aunt Elinor, hardly 
knowing whether to cry or laugh. 

"0," I said, trying to comfort her, "he thinks the children wrote it, 
and, I dare say, had a good laugh over it." 

" I don't think he did," said Marian. 

" Did what, Marian ?" 

" Did think we wrote it," said Marian. 

"Why not, dear?" 

*' Because, Uncle Will, I thought he wouldn't think it much account 
if he thought we wrote it — and so I signed Aunt Elinor's name to it." 

"How could you — how could you, Marian?" and Aunt Elinor for a 
moment thought she would cry a little, and then she saw how funny it 
all was, and she laughed a little instead, and then it seemed rather awk- 
ward, and she turned to me and asked what she should do. 

" Do? why, there is only one thing to do, and that is to go to the Gen- 
eral's and apologize " — which we proceeded to do forthwith, but not till 
Marian had promised never, while she was with us, to send another note 
without telling us about it, and never, never to put anybody's but her 
own name to her letters. — Wm. M. F. Hound, in October Wide Awake. 



Where the Greatest of the John Smiths is Buried. — Opposite 
Newgate is St. Sepulchre's church, of which John Rogers, the Smithfield 
martyr, was Vicar, chiefly modern, but with a remarkable porch which 
has a beautiful fan-tracery roof. Many are the Americans who visit the 
interior to see a gray gravestone " in the church choir, on the south side 
thereof," with an almost obliterated epitaph which began : 

" Here lies one conquer'd that hath conquer'd kings! " 

for it covers the remains of Capt. John Smith (1579-1631), "some time 
Governor of Virginia and Admiral of New England," and author of 
many works upon the history of Virginia. The three Turk's heads whi 
are still visible on his shield of arras, were granted by Sigismund, Duke 
of Transylvania, in honor of Smith's having, in three single combats, 
overcome three Turks and cut off their heads in the wars of Hungary in 
1602.— Good Words. 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 805 



POULTRY EXHIBITION. 

Office Virginia Poultry Association, 
Richmond, Va., 
November 21st, 1877. 

The first exhibition of poultry by this Association will be held in this 
city on Wednesday, Tuesday and Friday, the 9th, 10th and 11th of 
January, 1878. We cordially invite all fanciers and breeders of poul- 
try, pigeons, birds and rabbits to exhibit their stock. Our premium 
list will be ready after December 1st. 

For further information, address H. Theo. Ellyson, Sec'y, 

A. M. Bowman, President. Box 73, Richmond,. Va. 



MxUxM — (&mml 



"I pledge myself that South Carolina will pay punctually every dol- 
lar she owes, should it take the last cent, without inquiring whether it was 
spent wisely or foolishly. Should I in this be by possibility mistaken — 
should she tarnish her unsullied honor and bring discredit on our com- 
mon country by refusing to redeem her plighted faith (which I hold im- 
possible) — deep as is my devotion to her, and mother as she is to me, 
I would disown her." — John C. Calhoun. 



THE PUBLIC FISC. 

The following is a comparison of the condition of the Treasury, November 1, 
1876, and November 1, 1877: 

Balances. 1876. 1877. 

Currency $12,901,326 $15,950,632 

Special fund for the redemption of fractional 

currency — 9,444,569 

Special deposit of legal tenders, for redemp- 
tion of certificates of deposit 40,670,000 37,620.000 

Coin 75,967.027 131,022,843 

Coin certificates 33,283,100 -33,543,200 

Coin, less coin certificates 42,683,927 97,479,643 

Outstanding called bonds ~ 1,692,950 26.290,900 

Other outstanding coin liabilities 5,146,389 4,864,414 

Outstanding legal tenders 367,535,710 354,492,892 

Outstanding fractional currency 28,555.478 18,352,574 

Outstanding silver eoin 21,913,408 36,651,850 

Total debt lesseash in Treasury 2,088,878.436 2,047,350.700 

Reduction of debt for October 3,338,139 4,236,554 

Reduction of debt since July 1 10,560,908 12,807,522 

Market value of gold 109 102 

Imports (twelve months ending September 

30) 435,427,270 468,131,788 

Exports (twelve months ending September 

30) , 619,173,350 667,403,577 



806 THE SOUTHERN [December 

We hold that for every calamity in this world a compensation of some sort is 
provided. The times since the panic of 1873 have been desperately hard, but 
the economy they enforced will make a firm foundation for our prosperity 
in the future. That this economy is real, the excess of exports over imports 
amply demonstrate. The figures above are all exceedingly interesting, but none 
so much so as the two lines at the bottom. We there see this gratifying result : 
Exports in excess of imports, year ending November 1, 1876, $183,746,080; 
same time 1877, $199,271,789 ; total excess for two years, $383,017,869. And this 
is bran-new wealth. If products are merely, exchanged in the same country, 
the increment of wealth consists in what is consumed of home material not before 
available ; what is sold to other people is that portion of this material above 
the ability of home consumption to dispose of; and to command a surplus of this 
kind with regularity, if large in amount, must make any people possessing it very 
rapidly rich. 

This country only needs reasonably decent government, and no man can tell 
to what limit her wealth will go. The following, which we take from the Neio 
York Herald, will show something in this direction : 

"The United States Consul at Leeds, England, has forwarded to the Department 
of State a report on the export trade of that place with the United States. Wool- 
lens and linens are the principal manufactures of Leeds and high tariff and home 
manufactures have almost completely closed the markets of the United States 
against these goods, only a small quantity of the very highest class of woollens 
to meet the demand of that class who will have foreign goods at any price, and 
a somewhat larger quantity of the very cheapest being now exported hither. The 
exports of woollens from Leeds to the United States during the year ending Sep- 
tember 30, 1876, amounted to $1,142,112, being a decrease, as compared with the 
preceding year, of $1,351,960. The English manufacturers seem to have given 
up all hopes of ever again being able to supply the American market with their 
goods, and have become thoroughly indifferent about our requirements. They 
are not sure now that even complete free trade would enable them to recover 
lost ground. The decline in the British export trade and how to regain their man- 
ufacturing supremacy, are the leading topics among the thinking people of Eng- 
land. 

The Consul believes after a full investigation that no effectual remedy can be 
applied, but that British commercial interests must continue to decline, and 
American interests will be affected in inverse ratio. The perfection of our ma- 
chinery, the style and finish of our goods, the results of the inventive genius of 
our country, together with the acknowledged fact that American artisans will do 
twice as much work in a given time as the English artisans, thus equalizing the 
rates of wages in both countries, have not only shut out British manufactures from 
our markets, but have enabled the United States to become a formidable competi- 
tor with England for the trade of the different countries. While the export trade 
of England to the United States is rapidly declining her import trade from the 
United States is increasing year after year, and these imports are goods which 
she must have, while her exports are goods not actually necessary to us. 

During the year I860 England imported from the United States $84,700,000, 
and exported thereto $122,000,000, a balance of trade in favor of England of over 
$37,000,000. During the year 1876 she imported from this country goods to the 
value of $367,352,000, while her exports hither amounted to only $98,000,000 
($24,000,000 less than in 1865), showing a balance of trade in favor of the United 
States of over $265,000,000. 

The Consul at Leeds concludes his report as follows : — 

It is apparent that the United States is destined to be the only country on the 
whole globe where all requirements, both necessaries and luxuries, can be pro- 
duced, being dependent upon other countries for nothing in exchange for her sur- 
plus productions, so that there must be constant accumulation of wealth " 

When the balance of trade is so enormously in favor of the United States, as 
these figures show, we can understand why the Bank of England should advance 
so rapidly the rate of discount. When she cannot send goods here in return for 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. mi 

what she buys, she must either return us the bonds she holds of ours or send 
gold. She takes care of herself, in a business way, and when she worked for the 
abolishment of slavery in our Southern States, it was not so much in obedience 
to a sentiment reprobating slavery", as it was to break dowu American cotton pro, 
duction and American cotton manufacture both at once. It cost much to ga} n 
India, and cotton is India's chief staple production ; it cost no less to make Lan- 
cashire the spinner and weaver of cotton (as she hoped) for the world, and it was 
not desirable that this provision should be made either valueless or subject to the 
competition of any serious rival. She failed utterly to accomplish her purpose, 
indeed 'builded better than she knew; " for no more will cotton manufactures 
be confined to New England in this country. Before the war the South was an 
agricultural people by distinction, and all of her surplus went into negroes. Now 
it goes into trade and manufactures, and if any one supposes that the Southern 
mind is unfit for business pursuits, he will be like that Georgian who said that 
"if anybody fried him for a fool he would lose his fat." White men make cotton 
now in the South, and the crops are larger than in the best days before the war, 
and cotton mills are going up, with the utmost regularity, and right by the eot- 
ton fields. But, in every direction, new enterprises are springing into existence. 

When we consider the advantages of the South, over every other part of this 
wonderfully favored country, we are overwhelmed with the contemplation. What 
a field for the energy of every man of us, and how worse than childish is the man 
who will not make that energy available. We are on the tide that leads to for- 
tune ; and the determination to steer our own boat will bring us to a haven of 
prosperity the like of which we never dreamed of. Will not our mothers, filling 
the souls of their sons with that spirit which made Virginia glorious in the past, 
urge them to the accomplishment of the great work before them. The day for 
croaking and folding of hands is gone by ; work now is the watchword. 

"The London Telegraph, commenting upon the opposition shown in Germany 
and other countries to the introduction of free trade principles, observes that a 
dispassionate view of the situation enforces the conviction that in Europe the 
commercial horizon wears a somewhat gloomy aspect. Pursuing the sublect, 
the Pall Mall Gazette says : ' Our interests are inseparably bound up with the 
development of commerce,' and protective barriers erected in various directions 
against the introduction of our trade must inevitably inflict serious injury upon 
our mercantile interests. Unhappily, too, the Board of Trade returns for the 
last two months still leave us, as regards the revival of our industry and com- 
merce, in an attitude of vague expectancy. We have now reached the anomalous 
position of buying from foreigners exactly twice as much as we sell them. 
American calicoes are reported to meet with increasing acceptance in Manches- 
ter. The saws and cutlery of Philadelphia and Pittsburg are sometimes preferred 
to similar manufactures produced in Sheffield. The machine-made watches of 
Waltham threaten to supplant the solid horologic workmanship of Coventry. 
Leather from the United States evokes from the tanners of Bermondsey the con- 
fession that they are no lotiger able to sell the same material of a certain quality 
against the Transatlantic product. Agricultural implements bearing the trade- 
mark of a New York company are to be found exposed for sale in English hard- 
ware shops. Nevertheless, the Telegraph has unbounded confidence , in the fu- 
ture of British industry.'" 



TIME TO AWAKE. 

Virginia is passing through a fearful struggle — straining to recover from the 
disintegrations of the war, and to enter the race with the busy communities that 
are driving the plow and plying the hammer as men rarely ever toiled before. It 
is a busy age — doing in a decade the work of a century — effecting in a genera- 
tion the transformations reached through painful and protracted periods of ordi- 
nary history. North of the Potomac up to the realm of snow, where the reindeer 



808 THE SOUTHERN [December 

"wandered fifty years ago, and from tbe palaces of Fifth Avenue to where the sun 
sinks behind tbe golden rocks of the Sierra Nevada, active brains and cunning 
hands are procuring and preparing into new forms the materials which contribute 
to the comfort and gratification of man with an intensity that rarely ever charac- 
terized the pursuit of wealth elsewhere. Roused from tbe slumber of three- 
quarters of a century, awaked by the rude menace of degradation and want, un- 
sustained by mere appeals to fading memories of the past, a brave and really 
sturdy race asks for the long-neglected implements of labor, and sets about the 
task, we hope, of redeeming their broken fortunes by downright work. State- 
craft has been the chief occupation of Virginia in tbe past. She has been mak- 
ing constitutions when Massachusetts was making calicoes ; defining the theoret- 
ical powers of the State, while New England was acquiring that solid power 
which rests on the improvement of her soil, r.he development of her manufactures, 
the growth of her commerce, and tbe bettering of her labor by the education of 
her laborers. 

He was a brave, polite gentleman, but your Virginia farmer of 1860 had hardly 
a correct opinion on any subject whatever connected with sociology, political 
economy, or business. He believed that "niggers," 7 as be called them, were a 
source of wealth ; that South Carolina was richer than Pennsylvania ; he believed 
that there was no benefit to be derived from a geological survey of the State ;: he 
regarded railroads as mischievous in their influence, and general education for 
the masses as a mere Yankee invention, that only resulted in the Websterian 
spelling and a nasal pronunciation. Cities he regarded as sores on the body pol- 
itic. His idea of a Terrestrial Paradise was Eastern South Carolina — about 
Georgetown or Beaufort — where the negroes were in tbe proportion of about 
eight to one as compared with the whites ; and no science, no art, no commerce, 
no manufactures, no schools, no newspapers, no literature, no roads, no machi- 
nery. This is no overdrawn picture ; it is only necessary to go amongst the old 
regime to hear these sentiments now. 

Our New Virginia must improve her soil, develop her stores of mineral wealth, 
educate her masses so as to have intelligent labor, improve her country roads, 
complete her lines of transportation. Richmond is the heart; from the capital 
must go forth the lessons and the example to the rest of the State. Whatever 
benefits Richmond will beneBt the State ; and when the State improves, Rich- 
mond will improve. 

The great want of Virginia — of all languishing communities, with a good popu- 
lation and government — is adequate transportation facilities. 

Let us illustrate : It is said that all the way from Lynchburg to Richmond, 
down the James river valley, there is a development of iron of the very finest 
quality and in great abundance. Considerable investments of Northern capital 
have, we believe, already been made here. The rare magnetic and specular ores 
which are now obtained from only a few parts of the world, are found here. 
Does any Virginian suppose that if these iron deposits were in the Valley of the 
Kennebec, or the Connecticut, that they would remain unutilized tv/elve months? 
And there is the whole story. We are dead, and they are alive. We are poor, 
and they are rich. We eke out a scanty subsistence ; they live like princes — with 
palatial establishments, beautiful grounds, splendid equipages — die, and leave 
their millions. 

Attention has been called to this wonderful iron field, right under the nose of 
Lynchburg — not far from Richmond — for the past two or three years, and yet 
what has been done? 

If they had the fuel there, pig iron could be made between Richmond and 
Lynchburg for $14. 

Now, "what constitutes a State? 77 What is the source ofEngland\s greatness? 
What constitutes the wealth of Pennsylvania? Everybody knows that it is coal 
and iron. 

Of coal and iron there is as much, it is believed, between Richmond and the 
Big Falls of Kanawha, as between Philadelphia and the Monongahela. 

We reproduce the above from the State newspaper, and need hardly say that 
it is from Capt. Chamberlayne's brilliant pen. We are by no means an old fogy, 
still we do not long for the rush that has characterized the North and West for 
some years past. Unless society is made happier, by what is known as modern 
progress, it has failed of its end. The tendency of this rush is to break up farni- 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 80 > 

lies, and as the family tie loses strength the country loses unity. England owes 
all she has to her conservatism, and her conservatism is due to the maintenance 
of the family. As ugly as the right of primogeniture looks to us, it has not done 
entirely ill for her. If under the old regime in the South, we were happy and con- 
tent, who should complain ? With things changed as they are now, and as necessary 
as it is for us to fall into the new current, we still hope that its drift will never 
take a direction that will leave our traditions behind — in other words, destroy 
Virginia character. 

The State speaks well when it points out what Virginia ought to do, in the 
matter of developing what nature has vouchsafed her, barring, of course, any 
reference to public schools; and it dwells specially on " adequate transportation 
facilities." This latter is a grievous business to think about. Instead of all roads 
leading to Rome (Richmond), they rather lead away from her. No blow has ever 
been struck her so serious, no matter how viewed, as the consolidation known as 
the A. M. & 0. R. R. The trade of Southwestern Virginia and East Tennessee, 
pouring through Richmond before the war, did more to help her growth than any- 
thing else. The consolidation referred to having its end elsewhere, Richmond 
is simply ignored on that railroad ; and her trade along its line is a mere baga- 
telle compared with what it ought to be. Baltimore having command of the Vir- 
ginia Midland Railroad and the railroad in the Valley, freights are against Rich- 
mond to such an extent as to prevent her making any material headway in the 
country traversed by either. 

We are getting along gradually with the work on the James River Improve- 
ment, and would get along much better if our folks in Congress would press for 
larger appropriations than have heretofore been granted by Congress in its aid. 
If New York harbor is entitled to millions to help along the commerce of that 
city, it is wretched trifling for our people to be content with the crumbs thus far 
allowed to us. If the United States will allow Virginia a very small sum per 
acre on the grant she made to them of the domain which embraces Kentucky, 
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota, she will ask 
no odds of anybody; and not only the James river but every other highway 
in our limits will be put in serviceable order. This claim, any how, should be 
pressed always when appropriations are asked for our internal improvements. 

While on this matter of transportation, we cannot do better than reproduce the 
following memorandum of the late Gov. Wise on the feasibility of making our 
Tidewater country available to the trade of Richmond : 

Ship canal between Richmond and Washington city and Alexandria : 

1. Connect King's and Queen's creek at Williamsburg — 2 miles ; or, connect 
the Diascund with York river — 3J miles. 

This will let the lumber of Mattaponi and Pamunkey rivers come to Richmond, 
with the marketing that now goes to Baltimore. 

2. This section will build out of its profits the section from Poropotank cr^ek 
to the Big Dragon, head of Piankatank — 3^ miles. 

3. The above two sections will connect Big Dragon with the Rappahannock 
river — 33- miles. 

4. The above four sections will connect the Anjamoy reach of the Potomac 
with the Rappahannock — 3J miles. At most — 14 miles. 

Has Richmond live men enough in her limits to carry this work through for 
her local trade? 

Henry A. Wise. 

Baltimore commands this trade now; and without some arrangement like 
that suggested, or otherwise, she bids fair to hold it indefinitely. 

Prof. Rogers executed a geological survey of the State ; but as no provision 



810 THE SOUTHERN [December 



was made to put in shape what he had done, the material remains with him to 
this day. Why should we not avail ourselves now of this data? It would be 
much less costly to work on this basis than to begin the survey afresh. We are 
persuaded that a Commission appointed to wait on Prof. Rogers would be able 
to secure this material on terms satisfactory to both sides. 



VIRGINIA FISH AND GAME PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION. 

The officers of this Association at Richmond made all the arrangements neces- 
sary to have a meeting during Fair week, of everybody who took an interest in 
the enforcement of the laws made and provided in this behalf. It was called for 
Wednesday night; but what availed the pibroch when the clans would not listen 
to it. It turned out that on that very night several other things took place, to- 
wit : 1. The meeting of the Southern Historical Society; 2. The State Agricul- 
tural Society; and 3, but not least, by any means, the President held his recep- 
tion at the Governor's; and, of course, everybody wanted to be there. Sc the 
fish and game folks, of whom the writer was one, found themselves to be a very 
small squad in a very big hall ; and thereupon, like decent men, adjourned. It 
was agreed, however, that the call should be repeated, and Friday night be the 
time for the meeting. That night came ; but, the bulk of the folks having gone 
home, the assembly showed no particular increase in numbers over the first 
night; and so it adjourned, this time for good, as far as this year was concerned. 
The truth is, everything like work, during the progress of the Fair, was literally 
knocked into a cocked hat; and it is a question whether it is good to have the 
legitimate business of such an occasion made secondary to anything, even though 
these " outside issues " do help the fisc of the Society. Properly pushed it would 
help itself, and the matter of agriculture, for which it was erected, receive the 
benefit it deserves. 

It is nevertheless gratifying to inform our readers that Virginia has now four- 
teen working associations in this great business ; and we have every hope that, by 
another year, the number will be four times as many. We observe a great deal 
of interest throughout the State on the subject, and this interest is bound to crys- 
tallize into something substantial. 

The Richmond Association has created a committee of gentlemen, represent- 
ing all sections of the State, whose business it is to thoroughly overhaul the laws 
on the subject, and so arrange them that everybody (the- pot hunter, of course, 
excepted) will be satisfied. It is not to be presumed that the same provision of 
law will suit the circumstances of all parts of the State ; hence, the necessity for 
the formation of such a committee. Capt. John S. Wise, of Richmond, is its 
chairman ; and he has never been noted for having many lazy bones in his body. 
When this revision is completed, it will be presented to the Legislature for adop- 
tion. The committee would be glad to have the fullest advice from all quarters ; 
the letters will be addressed to Capt. Wise. 



SOUTHERN PLANTER AND FARMER. 

We love to write all the name — each word in full. We greet this monthly witk 
more earnestness and pleasure than any that comes to our sanctum. We almost 
think we are in the country seeing the broom straw wave over red galls that in 
imagination disappear before the yellow wheat and purple clover, of which we 
are reading. This ought to be the richest publication in the South. What right 
has a man to call himself u an eminent farmer" if he does not take and pay for 
the Virginia text book of his profession. This volume is all good reading. Our 
friend Slaughter Ficklin became u one of them literary fellers," and wrote the 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 811 

" Death of Black Hawk," big sterling old horse. Professor Ellzey's Stock Depart- 
ment is, as usual, very interesting, and while we differ with him in many respects 
on the school question, we admire the style and spirit of t$e article on the "Pub- 
lic Debt and Public Schools." The report of the committee of the Smythe 
County Farmers' Club on the dog tax is worthy of the attention of every Virginia 
agriculturist, and shows where much of their money goes. Every good farmer 
can afford $2 per year for this magazine." 

We are very much obliged to Brother Whitehead, of the Lynchburg News, for 
the great kindness that runs all through the foregoing. 

Our good people in Virginia (m/ist we say it?) have always had a greater fancy 
for foreign than for home productions. Some time ago, a very large farmer was 
asked to buy a certain Virginia product, when he replied, "I will buy when you 
folks can compete with the North in this line." Now, how, in the name of sense, 
one can compete if people don't give him encouragement enough to compete, is a 
problem altogether too hard for us to solve. So far from the Planter being the 
"richest" publication in the South, if the actual truth were known, we fear we 
would be rated as the " poor relation " of " Job's turkey hen." 

With only reasonable encouragement from our people,there would be no diffi- 
culty in our procuring plenty of pictorial illustrations for the articles with which 
we are favored by our friends ; indeed, in all respects, we feel sure we would be 
able to "fill the bill." The New Year is at hand. It has been said that a cer- 
tain forbidding place is paved with good resolutions. We hope that the good 
resolution on the part of every one of our readers, to make us a Christmas gift of 
five new subscribers, will not take that road. 



THE TOBACCO TAX. 

The Hon. George C. Cabell, Member of Congress from Virginia, is doing 
good service, in connection with his colleague, Hon. John Randolph Tucker, on 
the Tobacco Tax. We give below the text of Mr. Cabell's bill, lately presented, 
on this subject. We do hope that neither he nor Mr. Tucker will sleep until 
something is done to relieve us of this grievous burden, at least in part. We 
tried to show last month (article " Another Aspect of the Tobacco Tax,'' 1 ) how 
this tax bore upon the manufacture of tobacco in the South ; and that it was only 
a question of time how long, under its operation, we could sustain ourselves. 
Our material interests now must be the business of our members of Congress; 
the day is passed when our people will be content with a regimen no more sub- 
stantial than " wind pudding. " 

Mr. Cabell, on leave, introduced the following bill : 
A BILL to reduce the tax upon manufactured tobacco, and to regulate the tax 

upon dealers in, and producers of, leaf tobacco. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States 
of America in Congress assembled, That there shall be levied and collected on 
all chewing and smoking, all fine-cut, cavendish, plug, twist, cut, and granulated 
tobaccos of every description ; on tobacco twisted by hand, or reduced into a 
condition to be consumed, or in any manner other than the ordinary mode of 
drying and curing, prepared for sale or consumption, even if prepared without 
the use of any machine or instrument, or without being pressed or sweetened; 
and all fine-cut shorts, and refuse scraps, clippings, cuttings, and sweepings of 
tobacco, a tax of twelve cents per pound : Provided, That all tobacco shipped 
out of the manufactory after the passage of this act shall be taxed at the rate 
hereby fixed ; And provided further , That every manufacturer or trader in to- 
bacco who has paid the former tax rate of twenty- four cents upon his unsold to- 
baccos prior to the passage of this act shall be entitled upon such tobaccos, either 



812 THE SOUTHERN [December 

in his own hands or in the hands of his agents, factors or jobbers, to a drawback 
of such taxes paid, to a sum aud amount equal to the difference between the tax 
rates of twelve and twenty-four cents ; the same to bf had or recovered under 
regulations to be prescribed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. 

Sec. 2. That no license tax or special tax, as a dealer in leaf tobacco, or as a 
retail dealer in leaf tobacco, shall be assessed against or collected from any 
farmer or planter for selling or disposing of, to any person or persons, leaf to- 
bacco of his own production, or tobacco received by him as compensation or 
rent, from tenants or others who have raised the same upon his lands or lands 
under his control, to an amount and value not exceeding one hundred and fifty 
dollars; Provided, That the same shall be sold by such planter or farmer or his 
agent on the premises where produced ; And provided further, That where said 
farmer or producer shall make sale of the tobacco raised by him, or obtained 
from tenants as aforesaid, elsewhere than upon his own premises, such sale or 
sales shall only be made in market overt, or to duly licensed dealers in leaf to- 
bacco. 

Sec. 3. That no sheriff, marshal, or other officer acting under the order or pro- 
cess of any court or magistrate, no executor or other representative of the estate 
of a deceased person, shall be required to pay a special tax for, nor to obtain a 
license to make sale of tobacco which came to his or their hands as such public 
officer or personal representative ; nor shall any person or persons be assessed 
with, or held liable for, specific or other taxes, for or on account of the purchase 
of leaf tobacco at sales made by such officers or fiduciaries as hereinbefore pro- 
vided. 

Sec. 4. That any planter, public officer, or fiduciary availing himself of the 
provisions of the second and third sections of this act shall keep an account of 
the tobacco sold by him, the parties to whom sold, the time of sale, and the quan- 
tity or quantities sold to each person or firm, which account in case of need can 
be referred to by the proper collector or deputy collector of the district wherein 
said planter, officer, or fiduciary resides. 

Sec. 5. That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with the provisions of this 
act be, and the same are hereby, repealed. 

Sec. 6. That this act shall go into effect from the date*of its passage. 



CIGAR TOBACCO IN VIRGINIA. 

We noticed last Spring, at the time of it3 issue, a document published by the 
Southern Fertilizing Company, Richmond, entitled " Tobacco in Virginia and 
North Carolina.' 1 '' That Comoany, believing the time had arrived when the mat- 
ter of cigar tobacco could be considered with profit by our people, presented, in 
the document mentioned, a map showing the spots throughout the State where 
the cultivation of this .type of tobacco gave the greatest promise. This map was 
accompanied by a description of these spots, prepared by Maj. Jed. Hotchkiss, 
Topographical Engineer, Staunton, and two essays on the cultivation aud curing 
of cigar tobacco, one written by a grower in the Connecticut Valley and the other 
by a grower in Lancaster county, Pa., both of which regions are noted for the 
excellence of their product. This document, we understand, was very generally 
distributed through the tobacco country of Virginia and North Carolina. 

We mention the matter now, because the season is at hand when our friends 
will determine what they will do in the tobacco line the coming year; and we 
beg that those of them who have preserved the document referred to, will ex- 
amine it, and where their farms are located in the spots marked on the map, 
take steps to try say the eighth of an acre in cigar tobacco. Messrs. Allison & 
Addison, Richmond, we are persuaded will be able to procure them the proper 
seed for the purpose. When the samples of the product there grown are ready 
to be sent forward, if our friends will take the trouble to address us, we will ar- 
range with Mr. John F. Allen, of John F. Allen & Co., Richmond, to thoroughly 
examine and report on them. Mr. Allen is an ; ' old stager " in this character of 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 813 

tobacco ; indeed, we learn that he supplies most if not all of our cigar manufac- 
turers with the leaf they use. 

We cannot tell what we can do until we try ; and this is a most inviting field. 

Virginia and North Carolina can only hold their own in tobacco, by diversify- 
ing the types as much as possible. We see what an enormous element our 
"fancy bright" tobacco is now in the market; and it is, comparatively speak- 
ing, a new product. Our latitude ought to enable us to grow a cigar tobacco of 
equal excellence. Certainly the matter should not miscarry because we refused 
to look thoroughly into it, and see for ourselves what it involved. 



The Tobacco News, Louisville, Ky. — This is a weekly journal of twelve 
pages, published in the tobacco interest, and conducted by Alexander Harthill? 
one of the best posted tobacco men in the world. The type is clean and ot good 
size, and the substance well arranged. The tobacco interest in the country is 
certainly large enough to sustain a first-class^ journal ; and we are acquainted 
with no man in this line, and we^believe we know them all, who is better able to 
do the work acceptably than Mr. Harthill. Its contents will be found not less 
interesting to the planter than to the dealer ; and we accordingly bespeak, both 
in Virginia and North Carolina, a good patronage to the enterprise. The price 
is $3.50 per annum (postage paid). 

While on the matter of tobacco, we will say that we have advice from Dr. Benj. 
Rush Senseney, of Chambersburg, Pa., that he is about to issueTrom the press a 
practical work on tobacco. From an inspection of some of the proof-sheets, 
which he has submitted to us, the book will prove a valuable manual to the to- 
bacco grower generally throughout the country. When the book itself comes to 
hand, we will give it the fullest notice its merits deserve. 



SOUTHERN TRADE ABROAD. 

"It is stated that seven steamships are loading with cotton and grain at New 
Orleans, taking 222,000 bushels of wheat. The Baring Brothers are said to be 
interested in the new grain movement from that port, which is looked upon as 
the beginning of Eads's commerce." 

We have heard it urged that New York is full grown ; and that her future, in 
fact, will be one of gradual decline. She has, it is true, one great internal draw- 
back ; we refer to the immense cost of her maintenance. Her debt is as large 
as what that of a whole country ought to be, and her city administration is noto- 
riously corrupt. If all the people who are licensed to do business there had all 
their property within the city limits, the general average of taxation would be 
materially lightened ; but every man who can live out of the city takes good care 
to do it. The burden on what is found in the city is grievous to be borne, and it 
appears to be impossible, under the operation of "manhood suffrage," to provide 
any remedy. We wonder if any salvation is provided for the authors of that atro- 
cious humbug; for of all the curses invented to afflict men that of universal suf- 
frage is the chief. But even this, as bad as it is, will not hinder the career of 
New York, nor will the diversion of trade to other points, one of which we observe 
in the item above. The natural location of the city, as the best distributing point 
in the country, and, by consequence, its real money centre, will enable her to 
keep the foremost place always. She ha3 lived long enough ^to have many re- 
tired merchants, and these men have had the benefit of other schools as well as 
that of the counting room. They form the body called the Chamber of Commerce , 
and give shape to the schemes necessary to the city's advancement. Trade divert- 



814 THE SOUTHERN , [December 

ed to other cities must work two ways to be of any real damage to New York. 
These cities must not only be able to ship produce abroad, but they must have the 
means of distributing return cargoes to better advantage than New York. It will 
not do, for instance, to ship grain from New Orleans, and let the return cargo go 
to New York for distribution. New Orleans is looking, with a longing eye, to the 
trade of the West Indies and South America, She wants to be the distributing 
point of the products from those countries to the States of the Northwest. Of 
course, we want her, as a Southern city, to get this trade if she possibly can ; but, 
as against the capital and facilities of New York she is bound to find the road a 
rough one. We know how Norfolk has grown as a cotton port : but to this time 
her gain is confined to what may come of the handling of the raw cotton sold and 
shipped from there. She has no return cargoes to distribute. So, we see, to 
grow in wealth with any rapidity, it is not enough to be only a forwarding point. 
We will find that generally, in the South, our advantage lies not so much in our 
trade, as it is in turning into manufactured articles the crude materials of all kinds 
with which our section so much abounds ; and we are delighted to see that more 
and more attention is given to this fact. This begets trade. Our State govern- 
ments, being now in our own hands, enterprise will no longer be taxed out of ex- 
istence. As much as the average Northerner sentimentally loved the negro, he 
had too much sense to put his money where negro and carpet-bag legislators 
could lay their vile hands upon it. Now he will come ; and we will see that the 
flow of capital that has so long set to the West will change to the South. We 
can at last say "the good times are coming." 



The Election. — We are not disappointed at the result. It did not take the 
wisdom of Solomon to understand that this would come of the timid policy of Col. 
Holilday. No man ever had a greater opportunity than he enjoyed ; no other 
party candidate in the field, and two-thirds of the largest convention ever held 
in Virginia utterly opposed to "readjustment." He had nothing to do but at 
once put himself on the high ground Virginia held when she incurred her debt, 
and say that, as far as he was concerned, this debt would have to be paid 
to the uttermost farthing. The platform, it is true, might have been drawn by 
Machiayelli; but as it admitted of a construction consonant with our ancient re- 
nown, the candidate for Governor could have stood on it, and firmly too, backed 
as we have shown him to have been. He chose to "hold his peace, " while 
the demagogues worked like beavers ; and so he comes into office having the con- 
fidence of neither side. A Governor without a reasonable following in the Legisla- 
ture is a figure-head indeed. 

What will be the issue of this business the future must determine ; we are un- 
able to foretell it. We hope for the best ; and shall be swift to chronicle our 
agreeable disappointment if an arrangement honorable to the State is settled upon. 
The market-price of our bonds is a perfect ,index of the public regard for our 
faith, and they have been steadily declining even since the election. Of course 
all private credit suffers. It is needless to protest against this estimate on the 
part of other people ; for credit, like a woman's virtue, must 'be above suspicion. 



Dependence on the North. — "Concord cassimeres are largely worn in this 
city." 

This item is from a Georgia newspaper, and tells its own story ; but it will not 
be said many years longer. The enterprise that has brought into existence the 
magnificent cotton mills at Columbus and Atlanta, Georgia, will not stop with 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 815 



them. The world wa-5 not made in a day, and the time will come when as fine 
woollens will be made in Georgia as are now produced at Charlottsville, in this 
State. Before the Yankee is done with us he will curse the day that he ever 
shouted for the abolition of slavery. We have got him badly on the hip, and we 
are not men if we do not press our advantage to the utmost limit. The South 
has been on the bed-rock now for a long time ; any movement must be to advance 
her fortunes. With peace in the land, our time is not all taken up as it was in 
thwarting the machinations of the scoundrels put on ua by Grant, but every man 
now may think only of hoeing his own row, and there is every reason to believe 
that he will do the work well. 



DRIED FRUIT AGAIN. 

"The quantity of dried fruit sent from the mercantile house of Messrs. Pleas- 
ant, Ragan & Co., at High Point, this season, has reached the enormous quantity 
of twenty-five car loads. This firm is said to have bought from two families in 
that section the large quantity of 4,488 pounds of dried fruit of their own dry- 
ing, of which Dr. J. G. Ector furnished 2,287 pounds, and John T. Poe, 2,001 
pounds. These figures show what can be done in fruit drying in this section of 
the State." 

The above item appeared in the Greensboro' (N. C. ) New State; and we note 
all such' facts with the sincerest pleasure. The little things help to fill up as well 
as the big ones, and there are so many more able to share in small industries 
than in large ones. When we have, as was shown by us sometime ago that we 
had, customers abroad to take all the dried fruit we could furnish at a good 
price, we cannot have any more perfect inducement to produce it. It behooves 
our influential men, at all points in Virginia, not to allow any of their neighbors 
to enjoy the luxury of croaking, seeing that we have so many means at com- 
mand, if we will only use them, to keep busy the boiling of the pot. A certain 
farmer of small possessions in Nottoway owed his store-keeper a debt of $59 
that the short tobacco crop of last year prevented his paying. He bewailed his 
ill luck sorely, when his creditor asked him if he and his little boys had time to 
gather some sumac ; for if they had, he would be glad to take it at the market 
price. [The gathering of this article now reaches a figure in Virginia, as nearly 
as can be ascertained, of 82,500.000 annually.] The farmer said they had the 
time, and would do the work sooner than let the debt stand and longer gather 
interest. It was jlone in a week's time ; and the leaves being duly cured were 
delivered and the debt cancelled. When he got his acquittance, he remarked : 
"I will never say again that I cannot pay my debts." This was no great matter ; 
but the lesson taught was a wholesome one to that humble household ; and one 
they will never forget, 

A chief business with all of us in Virginia is to cheer one another up ; and 
where means are discovered, however small in themselves, .which, pushed to 
their end, help us out of our embarrassments, we have done a good work, lifted 
a weight off of our hearts, and seasoned our prayers with sincere thanksgiving. 

"THE FARMER AND MECHANIC," RALEIGH. 
This is a handsome, eight-page, weekly, printed in the interest of agriculture 
and mechanics in North Carolina. It is well arranged, and does not lack either 
for good contributors or a lively, well-informed editor. We are glad to see 
that Prof. Kerr is lending a hand to make it the more interesting. The resources 
of North Carolina are, perhaps, without a parallel, in variety, anywhere in the 
world} and we know of no one better able than the Professor to tell exactly 



816 THE SOUTHERN [December 

where and what they are. North Carolina is happy in such an officer ; we wish 
we in Virginia were as well off. And then Colonel Polk, the Commissioner of 
Agriculture, who also helps the columns of this journal, "is no sardine," by a 
good deal. He is fall of energy, and his efforts are bound to bear good fruit. 
We wish, in few words, our brethren of the Farmer and Mechanic all manner of 
good fortune, and trust the folks in North Carolina will stand up to the support 
of this venture in a way to enable it to be of the highest usefulness to the State. 
It is hard for. one to be patriotic on an empty stomach. Our army retreated 
from Williamsburg in the night ; the sky was black and lowering, and the rain 
pouring down. The men were wet, cold, hungry and forlorn ; nothing was heard 
in the road but splash, splash, few having any disposition to talk about anything. 
At last an infantryman, getting on solid ground in a fence corner, brought down 
his musket with a vim, and said : " I'll be damned if I ever love another coun- 
try." Take heed, therefore, good friends, if you expect the Farmer and Me- 
chanic to be spry on anything but a full larder. The price is but $2 per an- 
num ; and we know of nothing our Virginia people in the country could add to 
their list that would give them greater pleasure. The interests of Virginia and 
North Carolina are identical, and what will advance the one surely will not leave 
behind the other. The il boys " stood side by side in war ; let them not be 
strangers in peace. 

Senator Johnston, of Virginia, Engaged in the Important Work of Inviting 
Immigration to our State. — We have recently received from this gentleman a 
letter giving an account of his trip to Pennsylvania in behalf of immigration to 
Virginia. He says he was surprised at the crowds which came to hear his ad- 
dresses, and he feels so much encouraged that he designs making another visit to 
the North, if time is allowed him, between the extra and regular session of Con- 
gress, in prosecution of this desirable object. He is also thinking of making a 
trip to Europe the next Summer to carry on the good work there. We hear 
many commendations of Senator Johnston's patriotic and unselfish endeavors in 
behalf of the interests of Virginia. He is a person admirably fitted for the work, 
his candor and high standing giving weight and authority to everything he 
says. Besides, when it is known that he is making these efforts and these trips 
at his own cost, no one can refuse to award him double praise. In Pennsylvania 
and New York, there is a large class of renters, but, the land ruling so high, the 
rent per annum is enough to buy a respectable farm in Virginia. These are 
steady men, and would prove a valuable accession to our population. 

If a " United States Commissioner for Virginia" is to be appointed to the 
Paris Exposition' in 1878, we know no one who could more suitably fill this ap- 
pointment than Senator Johnston. We make this suggestion without any consul- 
tation with this gentleman, and without knowing that he desires it. 

The Virginia Educational Poor House.— In the report, just published, of 
the Superintendent of the public school charity, we observe the following items, 
and they must be comfortable reading to not a few in Virginia : 

For pay Of Superintendents. .... ,. ... $46,360 55 

For pay of Treasurers „ 25,268 04 

For pay of District Clerks 15,793 93 

Expenses of Central Office 5,819 50 

They foot up $93,242.02; and show handsomely for a people who talk of re- 
adjustment, and perhaps something worse. It will be observed that they cover 
mere machinery, the teaching being done by other people. 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 817 



Not only is the work done by this charity, especially in the country, notori- 
ously valueless, but the existence of such an institution prevents the opening of 
private schools. 

When it is considered that this charity is supported solely by cheating our 
creditors (for, if we paid our debts we could not maintain it), the spectacle is a 
lovely one ; it puts a stain on the honor of Virginia that can never be erased. 

WHEAT STATISTICS AT RICHMOND. 

The Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce has submitted to the Board of Di" 
rectors a statement of the offerings of wheat on 'Change in this market for the 
past ten years. The statement embraces the period from the 1st of July to the 
•8th of November in each year, and shows the highest prices on the latter date. 

Years. Bushels. Years. Bushels. 

1867 310,459 1873 337,720 

1868 412,121 1874 327,483 

1869 617,591 1875 438,180 

1870 650,217 1876 489,997 

1871 446,905 1877 774,594 

1872 542,178 

From the above it will be seen that the offerings of wheat have been larger this 
year than at any time within the past ten years. It is highly probable that they 
are larger than they have ever been in this market. 

Prices on the 8th of November of each year were as follows : 

1867— Prime white, $2.65; prime red, $2.45. 1868— Prime white, $2.35; very 
good red, $2.07^. 1869— Very good white, $1.50; very good red, $1.32£. 1870— 
Prime white, $1.622- ; very good red, $1.42^. 1871 — Prime white, $1.70 ; very 
good red, $1.60. 1872— Prime white, $2 ; very good red, $1.95. 1873— Very 
good white, $1.70; good red, $1.50. 1874— Prime white. $1.38; choice red, $1.38. 
1875 — Prime white, $1.45; prime red, $1.45. 1876 — Prime white, $1.40; prime 
red, $1.40. 1877— Prime white, $1.48; prime red, $1.45. 

With a grain elevator at Richmond we would see a showing very different from 
the totals given above. We observe that the interest in this matter does not 
abate, some one appearing, from week to week, in one or other of the newspa- 
pers, urging its provision. This agitation will not be bootless ; the time has come 
when an elevator is absolutely needed at Richmond ; and we do not expect 
another year to go by without seeing the foundation laid for its erection. 

The Palmetto. — '.'The palmetto has been considered one of.the most worth- 
less trees of Florida. A gentleman from Volusia now comes forward with a dis- 
play of brushes, mattings and ropes made from the inner bark, and contemplates 
the building of a manufactory at Volusia." 

Every little helps. Our resources in the South are practically endless. All 
we require is the determination all round to make them available. And we are 
charmed to observe that this spirit is abroad everywhere amongst us. Let it 
grow and flourish. Poverty and strength do not go together, and we must be 
rich if we would wield the influence our surroundings so amply authorize. 

Richmond. — f 'We have labored for a long time to convince our people that 
manufacturing our own raw material will immensely advance the interests of the 
State and that it alone will raise our towns into cities. Richmond is the only 
city in the State in which the capitalists have pushed manufactures — reached out 
for the raw material of the State and worked it up for the benefit of their own 
trade. It is alleged that Richmond has a powerful influence over the legislature 
— more than she is entitled to wield. If so she well deserves it. The State of 
Virginia has a right to be proud of her capital, proud of its record in war and in 
peace. We have encouraged every scheme to advance our capital city, and hope 
to see-it the Queen City of the South." 



818 THE SOUTHERN [December 

The Lynchburg News, and we cannot enough commend the spirit of this excel- 
lent sheet, holds the above language, and nothing could be more sensible. There 
is no room for jealousy, by any city in the §>tate, of Richmond ; she being the 
chief market, what helps her helps them, and vice versa. The main thing for us 
all to do is to work in harmony ; the world is big enough to give e?ery one of us 
a living if we will only strive industriously to gain it. No man is so absurd as 
he who wastes his time in watching his neighbor. 



Royal Sweet Potatoes. — It was our good fortune to specially examine the 
magnificent sweet potatoes exhibited at the State Fair by Mr. Adolphus Tinslet, 
of Hanover. We doubt if anything as fine as these potatoes has ever been seen 
before in this State; we certainly never saw anything like them; and, in this 
judgment, Col. B. Johnson Barbour fully agreed with us. And to think of a 
yield of 245 bushels to the acre ! Mr. Talley had also a fine collection of the yam 
family at the Fair. 



The Virginia Riding Club. — The young gentlemen composing this Club have 
given liberally of their money and time every year, gladly, to make the State Fair 
more attractive. This service seems to have utterly failed of appreciation by the 
Executive Committee, opposition to allowing them any privileges, beyond the 
mere matter of free individual admission, being made every year. The Club, we 
understand, has done its last work in this behalf; and will not accordingly appear 
again on the Fair Grounds to enliven any future Fair. We certainly regret it. 



There will be found iu our advertising columns, the card of Mr. Alex. M. Ful- 
ford, of Belair, Md., who comes before many of our readers, no longer as a stran- 
ger personally, since he had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of hundreds 
of our subscribers at our late State Fair ; where, the display made by his thorough- 
bred Berkshire swine, was one of the principal attractions. Mr. Fulford's herd, 
composed largely of animals of his own breeding, was chiefly to be noted for the 
very high quality of all the individual animals composing it, which is something 
seldom seen in so large an exhibit. Short, dished faces and fine ears were shown 
in every case ; while the more important points were developed to perfection. 
We were especially attracted by a pen of very choice three-months old pigs, sired 
by bis noted imported boar Smythe — to-wit : They were said by many persons, 
who have the means of knowing, to have been the best pen of young pigs ever 
exhibited on our Fair Grounds. One of them, we are pleased to say, fell into the 
bands of Mr. T. L. Payne. Mr. Fulford informs us that he has more of the same 
breeding and quality at home, it being his especial aim to produce just such ani- 
mals. For further particulars, see his advertisement. 



Erratta. — Tn the essay on "Raising Cattle for Market," as published in the 
November number of the Planter, are some errors and omissions. 1st. For more 
thoroughbred males, should read none but thoroughbred males. 2d. By success- 
ful crops, should read by successive crops. 3d. From producing by young stock, 
should read from poaching by young stock. 4th. Its digestive and assimilative 
stage of growth, should be its digestive and assimilative functions are most active 
and during the active stage of growth. 5th. On grass as above, should read on 
grass alone. There are some others which the reader could correct. 

James A. Reid. 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 819 

* ■ - 

The Tobacco Outlook. — The stocks on hand, both in this country and Europe, 
are heavy; but the bulk of the tobacco in these stocks is undesirable. In con 
versation we had with a large plug manufacturer, a week or two since, he said 
the past season was the most unsatisfactory one he had ever seen encountered. He 
had been living, as it were, "from hand to mouth," because he could not com- 
mand the character of stock necessary to maintain the integrity of his brands. 
He iooked, with great pleasure, to the probable excellent turnout of the crop 
raised this year. Now, it seems to us that when this new crop comes on the 
market, it will be bought on its own merits, that is to say, without reference to the 
stocks on hand, (that go for little more than the name of tobacco,) and will bring 
a paying price to the planter. What is to become of these old indifferent to- 
baccos in stock is more than we can tell. We wish we could. It would be a 
service to the whole tobacco interest if the "King's Pipe" at Shockoe Warehouse 
smoked now as it did in colonial days. We know of no better road for this ac- 
cumulated trash to take than to make ashes for manure. 

In the matter of the tax on manufactured tobacco, we understand that Mr. Lo 
rillard would not object to its being raised to 50 cents per pound. Of course, 
he wouldn't ; for the destruction of all small manufacturers would then be com- 
plete. 

P. S. — Since writing the above, we have received the Tobacco Circular of W. 
A. & T. G. Maxwell & Co., dated Liverpool, November 1st, and find in it the fol- 
lowing: "The glowing accounts of the new crop [in America], which has been 
safely housed, are of course made usa of to depress prices; but, while admitting 
that this is not likely to enhance values, it seems to be overlooked by some that 
the crop being so fine, there may be keen competition for it, and stemmers com- 
pelled to pay high for or go without it." 



Astounding News. — "He administered the government with moderation, 
generosity, wisdom and success, and his place in history, as a civil magistrate, 
will be among the foremost. After sixteen 3 ears of such labor as few men could 
endure; after such success in war andpeaceas few men ever attain, he seeks 
recreation in many lands\ and an opportunity to compare the institutions of his 
country with the civilization and the forms of government in the Old World." 

We could hardly believe our own eyes when we read the above. It is Noyes 
on Grant at Paris. One has certainly got to go away from home to learn about 
th'ngs at home. Who would recognize these sweet words as the picture of the 
''drunkard of Galena," and the creature of "Boss Shepherd^?" Grant, if he had 
any wisdom, showed it when he left the country on this jaunt to Europe ; for the 
contrast between that country's condition, under his tyrannical rule and the be- 
neficent rule of his successor, would have utterly sunk him out of sight. 



Forestry. — The National Forest Association petitioned the Senate to-day to 
send a commission to Europe to examine the forest system of the Continent for 
the purpose of protecting and increasing the forests of America by the informa- 
tion obtained thereby. 

A most excellent move, and it has not been undertaken one moment too early. 
We have tried, from time to time, to point out to our friends what the destruction 
of our forests was fast bringing us to. We can no longer afford to act in this 
matter with the thoughtlessness of children. No man's bones can rest easy who 
is cursed by his posterity. 



820 THE SOUTHERN [December 

Salty Butter. — The Abingdon Standard says : " To our country friends who 
ship their own produce, or dealers in produce in Southwest Virginia, we simply 
say, if you w?nt to get the most money for the least produce, make your produce 
worth the most money. If you are packing and shipping butter, don't try to sell 
your salt at the same you would like to get for your butter, but ship butter only, 
and you will not be dissatisfied. If you want to get "the highest market price," 
make yellow butter and roll it, wrapping each roll in a nice white cloth, and in- 
stead of selling for less, it will bring from two and a half to five cents more per 
pound." 

Ah, it does not stop with the salt ; it goes sometimes (we blush to say it) to the 
extent of a cabbage-stalk in each roll, and now and then a cobblestone. We 
do not refer to any particular locality. That these " accidents " do happen the 
butter-vendors in the city markets know to their sorrow. We trust that such 
gullies in the road of honesty will be filled up, and the good advice of the Stand- 
ard be the exponent of the general practice. If the devil should get us it woul d 
be disgraceful that he won his prize through a fraudulent roll of butter. 



Senator Morton. — This man is dead ; and we will not play the hypocrite by 
saying that we feel the least sorrow at his going. He manifested, in his life, one 
chief moving spring, namely, the bitter persecution of the Southern people ; and 
that they are not utterly ruined is not because he did not do his very best to com- 
pass it. He was one of the "bottom rails" brought to the surface by the surges of 
civil war, and he could only exist while this condition lasted. Hayes ended it, and 
Morton died. To call such a man a statesman is to give to the word a meaning the 
lexicographer never intended ; and to cover his name with glory, now that the earth 
is closed over him, is to drag Fame from her pedestal, and make valueless the 
reward only due to a life of noble purpose and generous deeds. 

The Flood. — When Chicago was laid waste by fire, a friend of the writer there 
(a man of large property) wrote: "We have lost everything but our pluck." 
What that town has accomplished since verifies fully our friend's assertion. 
Fire nor anything else but absolute death could take that away. Now, in the 
face of the fearful calamity that has just come to so many of us in Virginia, 
through the flood that has hurt so badly our farms and our factories, we must 
have recourse to the same excellent friend, our pluck, and, thanking God that 
the trouble was no worse, go to work like men. 

Since 1861 we have had to encounter an army of drawbacks, and some of them 
big ones, and yet none of us have perished for food or shelter. We have not 
been wholly bereft, blessings, neither few nor trivial, coming to soften our trials. 
As ease too often ruins men, trouble as often makes them. 



The Canal. — The flood of 1870 was bad enough in its effects on this ancient 
line; the present one will doubtless batter it even worse. It is a serious ques- 
tion whether any more money should be spent upon it beyond what may be neces- 
sary to keep the water-power intact and the dock in Richmond serviceable. We 
stood by the Canal as long as there was any hope in it, and we have thought much 
about it since the struggle last Winter over the lease. Our judgment on its merits 
has been materially modified. So far from its having been any real advantage 
since the railway system became developed, it has proven, in fact, a real dis- 
advantage — certainly as far as Richmond is concerned. The railroads had to 
come through the State, and, for fear they might damage the Canal, they have 
gone almost everywhere else but to Richmond — that is, the roads draining the 
country Richmond should supply. 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 821 

The real question now is, not so much to maintain the water line as it is to 
supersede it altogether by a railway down the James River Valley to Richmond, 
of which line the Buchanan and Clifton Forge railroad is but the beginning. It 
will no longer do to count on these floods coming once in a hundred years; we 
have had two in seven years, and we may have another next year. The enor- 
mous delay and expense attending the fixing up of the water line is something 
the patience and the purse of the present time cannflt much longer stand. Rail- 
ways are repaired in a few days, at most, and if the expense was the same, we 
would have at least the gain of time, and time is money. We think, therefore, 
the sooner our people determine upon this change of base, the better all hands 
will be off. 



With this No. we send out a ll Supplement," which we will thank our readers 
to examine and show to their neighbors. We beg at the hands of our present 
subscribers their good offices in bringing the claims of the Planter to such of 
their neighbors as are not now subscribers. A little effort on the part of our 
friends would soon double our subscription. Will you do so f 



Many of our subscribers' time of subscription expires with this issue. We will 
be greatly obliged to them if they will remit their subscriptions promptly. 



DR. THOMAS POLLARD. 

It is always with pleasure that we bring before our readers the lives of men 
who have been really useful. By far the larger number of individuals pursue the 
various avocations of life with an eye single to the pecuniary profit which they 
expect to realize; and while we admit this as a laudable object, yet we cannot 
fail to appreciate more highly the work of a man who, for love of a pursuit or 
profession, devotes himself enthusiastically to its prosecution. It is with feel- 
ings of this kind that we present the following brief sketch of our esteemed friend, 
Dr. Thomas Pollard : 

He was born in the county of Hanover, and was reared upon a farm. Differ- 
ent mpuibers of his family were for many years clerks in various counties of 
Eastern Virginia, and were noted for their probity and fine business qualifi- 
cations. In those days it was a high honor to hold from year to year and gene- 
ration to generation the position of county clerk. 

Early in life Dr. Pollard was sent to Hampden-Sydney College, where he 
graduated and received the degree of A. M. He taught for two years after 
graduation, and then made choice of the medical profession as the one best suited 
to his taste. For ten years he practised his profession in the lower end of Hen- 
rico and the neighboring portions of Charles City and New Kent, residing in the 
mean time on a farm in Henrico, which he greatly improved by marling and 
good culture, including the use of clover. During this period he sat upon the 
bench as one of the justices of the county of Henrico, under the good old county 
court system of the old regime. 

He spent some time in 1851 travelling in Europe, and in December of that 
year returned and located in the city of Richmond. Here he pursued the prac- 
tice of his profession with the most satisfactory success until 1868, when, his 



822 THE SOUTHERN [December 



health failing, he again travelled in Europe, and on his return, removed to a good 
farm in the western suburbs of the city, where he now resides. Here we find 
him in the character in which we wish to present him to our readers. 

As soon as he found himself upon a farm his, love for improvement developed 
itself in the most wonderful manner. The whole aspect of the place was changed. 
Beautiful plantations of trees and flowers were made, the fields improved by the 
application of manures and drainage. The finest fruits, in great profusion and 
almost endless variety, were planted; choice stock was bought and bred, and 
everything gave token of energy and enterprise. Nor did it stop here. From 
that time to the present the most unremitting attention has been given to the 
cultivation and dressing of his orchards, vineyards and berries, and he has to-day 
some of the finest and thriftiest' specimens of trees and vines, and in season can 
show as great a variety of first-class fruit as any individual within our knowledge. 

Dr. Pollard not only is practically a,nd successfully acquainted with all the 
details of farming, fruit-raising and gardening, but he possesses the happy 
faculty of imparting it to others, and, as editor of that department of the Planter, 
has done a great deal to enlighten our readers upon these various subjects. He 
is eminently practical and draws from the rich store-house of his own expe- 
rience, so that he is to be relied on as few editors can be. 

When the Legislature authorized the appointment of a Commissioner of Agri- 
culture for the State, Gov. Kemper selected Dr. Pollard as the man of all others 
best suited to the position, and experience has proven the choice a happy one. 

Though considerably advanced in life, our friend has much of the vigor and 
enthusiasm of youth, which, joined with his great experience and excellent 
natural judgment, and withal a thorough devotion to the cause of agriculture and 
the prosperity of the grand old State, makes us very hopeful that aJarge and use- 
ful career is still before him. 

THE RELIGIOUS HERALD. 

We take pleasure in referring to the advertisement of the Religious Herald, 
which appears in our columns this month. For fifty years it has been the organ 
of the Baptists of Virginia, and its influence has gradually spread, until it may 
be called the organ of the Baptists of the South. But, though ranking among 
the foremost of the denominational papers of the country, this is not its chief or 
greatest merit. It is only in its social aspect as a family newspaper that we com- 
mend it to our readers. For entertaining reading for families of grown adults 
and children, it is excelled by none of the religious, and certainly not equaled by 
any secular paper published in the South. The original articles are all chaste, 
novel and entertaining, both in style and matter; and the selections are culled 
from the very best sources. The news and notes column is the raciest melange 
of news and humor we meet with among our exchanges. 

It has a farmer's column, which is well conducted, and always contains one or 
more articles of practical value. Of the personnel of the editorial staff we 
need not speak. The senior editor has long occupied a position which, elevating 
him above denominational landmarks, has placed him among the leading Divines 
of his lay, and the ubiquitous junior is known throughout the South, almost in- 
variably turning up wherever the Baptist people meet to hold an association or 
organize a church. And just here we must remark that to this wonderful activi- 
ty of the junior, the Herald owes a great deal of that extensive circulation which 
has made it the most popular advertising medium in the South. 

Though perhaps one of the oldest Baptist papers in the country, the Herald is 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 823 

still in the heyday of youth, and is brimfull of life and enterprise, and has before 
it a future as brilliant as its most ardent admirers and warmest friends could 
wish. . 

LISBURN FARM. 

We regret to learn that our valued friend, Dr. J. G. Beattie, is losing some 
of his fine Essex pigs from pleuro-pneumonia, contracted from exposure in open 
pens during the State Fair, the weather being cold and rainy. Dr. Beattie de- 
serves better luck. He is one of the most enterprising among our citizens. Since 
he came amongst us a few years ago he has shown a public spirit that entitles 
him to the respect and gratitude of our people. To him more than to any one 
else, if not more than to all others, we are indebted for the condition of the 
Grove Avenue, by far the handsomest and most. pleasant and fashionable drive 
about our city. 

His private grounds he has adorned with beautiful plantations of shade and 
ornamental trees, conspicuous among which we notice many fine specimens of 
the sugar maple. He has also planted profusely the very choicest fruits, includ- 
ing among other trees, 1,000 pears, dwarf and standard. His farm management 
is good, and he has greatly improved his lands by underdraining and manuring. 
He has a good deal of choice stock. Of horses, he has some 20 head, brood mares 
of the blood of Planet, Australian, Orion, King Lear, Wickliffe, Hamiltonian 
and Imported Consternation, and a fine Stallion by Bonner's Edward Everett 
and of a mare by Imported Constirnation. 

Among his cattle we find some nice grades and crosses of Jersey and Shorthorn, 
though as yet he has no thoroughbred cows. He uses thoroughbred Shorthorn 
and Jersey bulls. From a mixture of these breeds and the common stock of 
the country he has produced some splendid milk stock, the process of inter- 
breeding has not been carried far enough to establish a type. His Essex 
pigs, of which we made mention in the first part of our article, are very fine, be- 
ing descended directly from imported stock and very carefully and highly bred. 
The Doctor seems to have a weakness for crossing, as he has bred the cross of 
the Essex on the Berkshire. This seems very much like gilding refined gold ; 
but as the Doctor breeds for amusement and instruction, we suppose he will find 
himself repaid. We hope he will continue his efforts to improve our stock, and 
that the example of enterprise which he has set may not be lost upon our people. 

His farm and residence, on Grove Avenue, is one of the most beautiful in the 
vicinity of the city — is immediately in the line of city improvements, and must, 
in a few years, be almost invaluable. Persons who are fond of fine stock and 
who have a taste for the beautiful in trees and planting, will be well repaid by a 
visit to Dr. Beattie's farm. 



THE WATT PLOW. 

North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh. — Seven First Premiums over the best 
plows from all parts of the country. For five successive years, the Watt Plows 
have swept the field at these fairs : 
. Weldon, N. C. — Four First Premiums over all competitors. 

Atlanta, Ga. — First Premium. 

Lynchburg, Va. — Three First Premiums. 

South Carolina State Fair, Columbia. — All Premiums awarded on each size. 
At the plowing match, every plowman contending for the prizes, selected a Watt 
Plow with which to show his skill. 



824 THE SOUTHERN [December 



Orangeburg, S. C. — First Premiums. 

Virginia State Fair, Richmond. — Three First Premiums for best Turning Plows, 
also for best Subsoil Plow ; best Flexible Chain Harrow ; and Diploma for great- 
est variety and best display of plows on the grounds. 

The plowing match came off on the grounds. The working of the Watt Plows, 
the ease with which they are handled, and their peculiar manner of pulverizing 
the soil, complete burial of weeds, &c, lightness of draft and freedom from 
choking, show their superiority in every essential point. No uncut soil is left 
between farrows, and no furrows half turned. The two-horse plow ran almost 
the entire length of the furrow, with no one touchiug it, and was thrown out only 
by the roughness of the ground. 

After the trial of plows, a flexible harrow, recently invented by Mr. Watt, a 
most valuable implement, was put to work, and its performance excelled any. 
thing of the kind ever seen. Harrowing the ground once, put it in a condition as 
finely pulverized as though a garden rake had been used; and though the hairow 
used was intended for two horses, it was found by actual trial to pull easier with 
one mule than a common one-horse harrow. It is so perfectly flexible as to 
adapt itself to every inequality of the ground ; breaks all clods, pulverizes the 
earth, and smooths the surface-soil perfectly. It is made of all sizes for har- 
rowing and cultivating, and can be used between rows of corn, cotton and to- 
bacco, breaking the crust, eradicating weeds, and leaving the ground perfectly 
mellow, without breaking the roots or checking the growth of plants. 



TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS. 

This number of the Planter ends our efforts for the year 1877. We have tried 
both to please and instruct our readers, and have not stinted them in the quanti- 
ty offered. Now, all this can't be done without money, and money must come 
to us from subscriptions. We hope, then, that whether our patrons are in or out 
of the Grange, the Planter will have free course, and show such an array of 
names, for the new year, as will put gladness in our heart and strength in our 
hd,nd. Good wishes are by no means unacceptable to us, but they must season 
the deed, which is, that all who love us will add to their own several orders the 
names of at least four others. It is astonishing what a handsome thing such an 
aggregation will be, and how it will inspire us to work our very finger nails off to 
see that "value received " is rendered. If your subscription is due, please remit 
at once. We are greatly in need of it. 

Christmas is near at hand. If we have said aught to give offense to any of our 
readers, we beg their forgiveness. We are unfit to sit in the place of an editor if 
we fail to express our honest convictions. It is certain we will compliment no 
man if his deserts do not command it. 



SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT— PREMIUMS. 
Wm. N. Armstrong, Esq., Attorney at Law, of New York city, encloses us 
$100, with the following letter : 

57 Broadway, New York, Sept. 8th, 1876. 
To the Editor of the Planter and Farmer : 

Dear Sir, — I hereby authorize you to offer, through your journal, premiums 
amounting * hundred dollars, in the manner as follows, to-wit: 

j ,ue best essay on the true method of farming one hundred acres of land 
in Tidewater Virginia, on the plan of diversified production, TWENTY- 
FIVE DOLLARS. 



1877.] PLANTER AND FARMER. 825 

II. — For the best essay on the true method of farming one hundred acres of land 
in Southside Virginia, on the plan of diversified production, TWENTY-FIVE 
DOLLARS. 
III. — For the best essay on the true method of farming one hundred acres of land 
in Piedmont Virginia, on the plan of diversified production, TWENTY- 
FIVE DOLLARS. 
IV. — For the best essay on the true method of farming one hundred acres of land 
in the Valley or Southwestern Virginia, on the plan of diversified produc- 
tion, TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. 
It is desired, in few words, to show the capabilities of a one hundred acre farm 
in each of the several localities mentioned. 

The conditions, in respect of these premiums, are as follows : 

1. The competing essays will be delivered to the editor of the Southern Plan- 
ter and Farmer on or before the first day of January, 1877, and by him be de- 
livered to the Executive Committee of the Virginia State Agricultural Society. 

2. The said Committee will determine the relative merits of the essays in such 
manner as they may deem just, and to the author of the best essay, respectively, 
they will award the premium. 

3. The successful essays will be given, in the first instance, to the Southern 
Planter and Farmer for publication. 

Wishing Virginia a most prosperous future, 

I am, yours, &c, Wm. N. Armstrong. 

The above essays must be delivered at this office by the 5th of January, 1878, 
when the Executive Committee will pass on them. The successful essays will be 
published in the Planter. 



Mr. F. W. Chiles, Tolersville, Va., reports sales of following stock since 1st 
August 187f : To Maj. J. W. Morton, Charlotte Co., Va., one Devon bull, "6th 
Duke of Clifton," one Southdown buck; Mr. J. F. Layton, Surry Co., N. C, 
five Southdown Sheep and two Poland-China pigs; Mr. H. B. Howe, Pulaski 
Co., Va., three Leicester ewes and two do. bucks, one Poland China pig ; Mr. H. 
P. Jones, Hanover Co., Va., one Southdown buck; Mr. E. P. Cary, Orange Co., 
N. C, two Devon heifers and one bull; Mr. Curtis 0. Ives, Norfolk Co., Va., 
one Essex pig; Mr. Sykes, Norfolk, Va., two Poland-China pigs; Dr. 0. A. 
Crenshaw, Richmond, Va., two Poland-China pigs; Genl. Richard Swinewick, 
(U. S. Army.) Williamsburg, Va., two Berkshire pigs; Mr. E. L. Mansfield, 
Louisa Co., Va., one Berkshire pig ; Mr. 0. H. Eaton, Charlotte, N. C, one De- 
von bull calf and three Poland-China pigs; Mr. Z. C. Daniel, Spottsylvania 
Co., Va., one bull calf and one heifer calf; Mr. F. H. C. White, Crawfords- 
ville, Ga., two Poland- China pigs and one Southdown buck; Miss Nannie D. 
Montjoy, Columbus, S. C, two Berkshire pigs; Mr. J. Henshaw, Louisville, 
Ky., one Leicester buck; Mr. Frank Ford, Johnson's Depot, Tennessee, one 
Devon bull calf and two heifer do.; Mr. Frank T. Lee, Lynchburg, Va., 2 Devon 
heifers; Mr. J. M. Miller, Lynchburg. Va , one Devon cow and one do. calf; 
Mr. Geo. J. Hundley, Richmond, Va., Devon bull, Royal George, Devon cows, 
"Fairy" and "Delphia;" Mr. A. J. Chewning, Richmond, Va.,two Essex pigs; 
Mr. H. C. Taylor, Petersburg, Va., one Poland-China boar pig; N. B. Watson, 
Esq., Egypt, Chatham Co., N. C, two Berkshire pigs; Mr. Wythe G. Bane, 
Giles Co., Va., one Poland-China pig; Mr. Thos. Fauntleroy, Campbell Co., 
Va., two Berkshire pigs and one Essex pig; Mr. E. T. Faunt, Frederick, Md., 
who Poland-China pigs ; Col. D. Burton, Baltimore, Md., one Poland-China pig. 



ESSE 

Tkoroufk 



PIGSI 





ctAT mJESim 



These Pigs have been bred with great care. Only the choicest ani- 
mals being kept for breeding, and are bred from stock im- 
ported from England in 1868. 



ICES. 

Pigs six to eight weeks old, $10 per pair; four to five months 
old, $20 to $25 each; six to eight months old, $25 to $30. 

Address 



Nov— tf 



J. G. BEATTIE, Lisburn Farm, 

Richmond, Va. 



Wilber's Direct Draft 

mem 

CUTS SIX FEET 

WITH 





LIGHTER DRAFT 



THAN ANY FOUR FOOT SIDE 



. „ ig* a «W"iPP»»«»* CUT MOWFIR MADE. 

Farmers save twenty-five per cent, in gathering their Hay Crop by using the 

Professor John H. Winston, , agent, Bristol, Tennessee ; Look & Lincoln, 
agents, Marion, Va. ; Fox & Ewald, agents, Wytheville, Va. ; Graham & Robin- 
son, agents, Graham's Forge, Va. ; John D. Noble, agent, Dublin, Va. ; P. L. 
Terry, agent, Big Lick, Va. 

Send for Circular. 

GEO. D. DAVIS' SONS, 

General Agents tor Virginia. ■ 131 Main Street, Lynchburg. Va. 



FOR THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 
AND FARMER. 

Knowing, from experience, the dis- 
advantage under which country ladies 
labor from having no one of their own 
sex to conduct their " shipping " busi- 
ness, Mrs. John Wilkinson, upon her 
romoval to Richmond, offers her ser- 
vices in that connection. Her arrange- 
ments will enable her to make cash 
purchases of shoes, millinery and every 
description of dry goods to the best ad- 



vantage : and all articles will be selected 
by herself. Special attention paid to 
orders for suits made by the most stylish 
and fashionable dress-makers. The 
terms are a commission of 4 per cent., 
and cash to accompany all orders. 
Terms to the wives and daughters of 
Patrons of Husbandry, as specified in 
Confidential Circulars. 

Mrs. JNO. WILKINSON, 

308 east Main Street, 
Nov-tf Richmond, -Va. 



CHARLES SPEAR, 

85 WEST ST., NEW YORK. 

IMPORTER OF 

"KainiV 

Or Gernjan Potash. Salts, 

MURIATE 

— AND— 

SULPHATE OF POTASH. 

MANUFACTURER OF 



And Animal Matter, and Ag-ents for the 
sale of Fertilizing- Materials Generally. 
Ground and Crude Phosphate Rock, Bone Black, 
Ground Bones, Bone Meal, Acids, &c. All goods 
warranted as represented. Orders promptly ex- 
ecuted at the lowest market rates. sept-3 t 

"for sale. 

REGISTERE D JERSEYS from choice stock 
Bulls, Cows and Heifers. Calves of both sexes. 
Prices reasonable. 
Catalogues furnished on application. 

GEO. A. QU1NBY, 
Loudoun Stock Farm, 



sep-ly 



Aldie, Loudoun county, Va. 



Belmont Stock Farm 

I am breeding and have for sale Tho- 
roughbred Horses, Trotting and Ri- 
ding Stock, and from Imported Per- 
cheron-Norman and Clydesdales Draft 
Horses, and have Stallions to sell or 
let ; and it offers to Clubs and Granges 
the cheapest and best mode to get the 
services of the horses for the times ; 
also have Shorthorn Bulls for similar 
purposes, and all ages of the males and 
females of pure and the most fashiona- 
bly bred Shorthorn cattle, and Chester 
White and Berkshire Swine at prices 
to suit our depreciated values. Persons 
interested in good stock, will please 
send for a new catalogue. 

S. W. FICKLIN, 

Aug-ly near Charlottesville, Va. 




Habit Cured 



A Certain and Sure Cure. Large 
reduction in prices. A trial bot- 
*t~ 1 fi "Pi* t* p* 

Mrs! J. A. DROLLINGER, 

La Porte, Ind. 
(formerly Mrs. Dr. S. B. Collins.) 

Box 1038. Oct 3t 

BE8KSHIRES FOR SALE. 

A fine lot of 
Pigs, Boars 6 Months Old, and a Few 
Brood Sows. Address 

DR. 0. A CRENSHAW, 
Aug-tf Richmond, Va. 



CWESTf ALADDIN 
.& sons' [Security Oil, 

THE BEST HOUSEHOLD OIL IN USE. 

Warranted 150 Degrees Fire-Testi 

WATER WHITE IN COLOR. 
Fully Deodorized. 

WILLftOT EXPLODE 

HIGHEST AWARD 

AT 

Centennial Exposition 

For Excelleat.ee of .Manufacture 

AKD HIGH FIRS TEST. 

Endorsed by the Insurance Companies,, 

Head this Certificate — One of Many. 

Howard Fire Insurance Co. of Balti- 
more, Baltimore, Dec. 23d, 1874.— Messrs. C. West 
d- Sons, — Gentlemen: Having used the various 
oils sold in this city for illuminating purposes, I 
take pleasure in recommending your "Aladdin. 
Security Oil" as the safest and best ever used in 
our household. Yours truly, 

[Signed] ANDREW B.EESE, President. 

Manufactured Tby 

Co WEST & SOWS, Baltimore. 

Try it s and you will use no other. 
Oct-6 t 

A SOUTHERN LADY OF EXPE- 
rience, taste and discrimination, 
and now a resident of New York City, 
will make purchases of all kinds of 
Dress Goods, Millinery, Children's 
Wear, Books, Music and Musical In- 
struments, (Pianos a specialty), Furni- 
ture, Carpets, &c, without commission 
from the person ordering. Circulars, 
containing full particulars, with refer- 
ences of the highest order, sent free, on 
application enclosing stamp. Adrress 
Mrs. HELEN M. DECKER, 
oct— Box 5345 New York Cit y 

Mrs. Decker is a widow who lost her 
husband in the Southern Army. We 
can confidently recommend her to our 
patrons.-— L R. D. 

TDERKSHIRES FOR SALE. 

I have some good Berkshire Pigs of 
different ages, and two Berkshire Boars 
tweivt months old, for sale. Prices 
moderate. Address 

Dr. THOMAS POLLARD, 

oct — tf Richmond, Va. 



(£j"| o a day at home. Agents wanted. Outfit 
1^)14 and terms free. TKUE & CO., Augusta, 
Maine. jan-ly, 



HOLBROOK PLOW COS 



culars Free.) 




New Swivel Plows, 1, 2 & 3 
horse, avoid dead and back 
furrows, and have peculiar 
advantages over all other 
iwivel Plows. Prices low. 
E. Chatham Bow, Boston. Mass. 



Oct 



HIGH-BRED AND TROTTING STOCK FOR SALE AT FAIR- 
LAWN STOCK FARM, LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY. 

I offer, at private sale, eighty head of High-bred Trotting Stallions, Colts and 
Fillies from one to five years old, most of them sired by Almont, who has sired 
more winners of contested races than any trotting stallion of his age that has 
ever lived. 

Fairlawn is strictly a Breeding Farm, with seventy Highly-bred Trotting 
Brood 31 ares used for breeding, with the noted Trotting Stailions Almont and 
Cassius M. Clay, Jr., in use as private Stallions. 

The Southern States should diversify their industry and the breeding of highly- 
bred stock, for which their soil and climate offer peculiar advantages — should be 
largely engaged in. and will constantly pay large profits if properly conducted. 

Liberal terms of payment will be given responsible parties. 

For Catalogues, which give descriptions and pedigrees of the stock and lowest 
prices, or other information, apply to 

WM. T. WITHERS, 

feb — ly Lock Box 392, Lexington, Kentucky. 



HOUDANS A SPECIALTY. 



fcSIIS: iz-jp^jeuds, to select fpioovc- 



As a Table Fowl, Unequalled. As a Layer, Unexcelled, 



Fowls. Prices. 

Single Cocks, $4 to $ 8. 

Pairs, 7 to 14. 

Trios, 10 to 20. 



Chicks. 
Single Cockerels, $2 to $ 5 
Pairs, 5 to 10 

Trios, 8 to 15 



I have one of the finest collections in the country, and am continually 
improving it. 

Birds delivered free of charge at Orange C. H. or Fredericksburg,Va. 



WM. L. BRADBURY, 



sept- 



Montclair Stock Farm, 
Orange C. H., Va. 



IMPROVED STOCK. 

Thoroughbred Shorthorn Cattle, 
Merino Sheep and Berkshire Pigs 
bred and for sale at very moderate 
prices by 

S. S. BRADFORD. 

Aug-ly Culpeper, Va. 



ALDERNEY 

HEIFERS and COWS 
:fo:r. sale. 

Served by a 

REGISTERED JERSEY BULL. 

B. H. JOHNSTON, 
Aug-2t Alexandria, Va. 




Tlie largest and" most complete Stork of 
Fruit sand Ornamental Trees in tlie U. S. 
Priced Catalogues sent as follows: Mo. 1, 

Fruits, with colored plate, lScts.; plain, lOcts. No. 2, 
Ornamental Trees, e c, with plate, 25 cts.; plain, 15 cts. 
No. 3, Greenhouse; No. 4, Wholesale, and No. 5, List 
of New Roses. FREE. Address, 

ELLWANGER * BARRY, Rochester, N. Y. 




SI TOI WAT f fi©W 



AND 
REDUCTION 



YOU WILL 
IN PRICES. 



HAVE NO 
CHEAPESi 



OTHER. 

11 PLOW MADE. 




Unequaled in every essential of Strength, Durability, Ease of Draft, Ease to 
Plowman. Perfect Pulverization of the Soil, Complete Burial of Weeds, Grass, 
&c. Simplicity of Construction, Entire Freedom from Choking. 

Wherever tested by the side of any other, they are pronounced the BEST 
FOR ALL PURPOSES. They are guaranteed to work in Sandy, Clay and 
Hard Land, in Sod, Stubble or Weeds of the heaviest growth, with Less Draught 
than any Plow in use : and without Choking. 

THEY LEAVE NO UNTURNED SOIL. 

Making some fifteen different numbers, we are prepared to furnish any size 
wanted. If you want a Plow that pulls easy to the team, works easy to the plow- 
man, does its work well, covers up all vegetation, and does not choke, get a 
Watt Plow? 

We do not ask you to buy these Plows on the strength of what we or others say 
of them. We only ask a trial. Test them to your satisfaction, and if they do not 
do what we claim, return at our expense, and price will be refunded. We warn 
you not to be deceived by Plows claiming to be an improvement on the Watt 
Plow. Get none but the Watt, each of which has our firm-name and trade-mark 
branded on the beam. The attention of those who have used our Plows is called 
to our new sizes, recently constructed. 



XWJK 




In buying duplicate castings for this Plow all 
parties are warned to use only those bearing this 
TRADE MARK. 

All genuine Points, Slides, Moulds, and Stand- 
ards have it. All without it are Spurious, and 
are made and used in violation of law. All genu- 
ine are warranted. 



RTATT & CALL, Sole Manufacturers, 



1518 and 1520 Franklin Street, 

RICHMOND, VA. 



■-?_-. :-?r— 



25 



Fashionable Cards, no 2 alike, with 
name, 10c. 20 Scroll, with name, 
10c. post-paid. Geo. I. Reed & Co., 
Dec-ly Nassau, N. Y. 



25 



Elegant Cards, no 2 alike, with 



20 styles, 10c, post-paid. 

Dec-ly J. B. Husted, Nassau, N. Y. 



BERKSHIRE STOCK 

For Sale. 



Sows, with pigs, nine cents per pound, 
gross weight. 

Pigs, $8 per pair. 

C. R. CULLEN, 
1305 Main St., Richmond, Va. 
Dec-tf 



BERKSHIRE PICS, 



I offer for sale BERKSHIRE PIGS, of all ages, not to be surpassed in breed- 
ing and quality by any in the country, as will be attested by the following record : 
At the State Fair of Alabama, a YOUNG BOAR, bred by me, took 1st prize, 
and three of his sisters were 1st prize winners at the Georgia State Fair, at At- 
lanta ; while at the latter place a THREE MONTHS BOAR PIG, bred and 
sent by me, was "the admiration of all who saw him." All the above were sent 
out to customers, in the usual course of business, without any special selection 
for showing purposes, thus proving the general high qualities of my shipments. 
At the Maryland State Fair, my herd took six 1st prizes, outstripping every com- 
petitor ; while at the State Fair of Virginia, they won three 2nd and three 1st 
prizes in the face of very heavy competition, showing against animals bred by 
some of the best breeders, both in this country and Europe, some of which had 
already taken sweep-stakes prizes in the Western States and Canada. 

Parties who have seen my stock at home, or at any of these Fairs, need no 
further reference. To them, and to those who have bought from me, I refer 
persons wishing to purchase who have not time to call and make their own 
selections. 

ALEX. M. FULFORD, 



dec- 



BEL AIR, Maryland. 



BRED 



jora 

PURELY FROM 



C3r O 

IMPORTED 



STOCK. 



My flock of ANGORA GOATS has now been kept in Virginia for eight years. 
are thoroughly acclimated, prove hardy and prolific. They are /very fond of 
weeds, brush, briers, &c, and will therefore live and thrive on the poorest of land, 
and in clearing and improving such land, they prove invaluable. They shear 
yearly from four to eight pounds of mohair as white as snow and as fine as silk. 
Specimens from my flock have never failed to take first premiums at all Fairs 
where they have been exhibited. Goats bred in this country are even superior 
to those imported from Asia Minor, which proves how thoroughly they are 
adapted to this country and climate. To any person wishing to procure stock of 
this kind, strictly pure and first class, I offer an opportunity at a lower rate than 
can be had any where else in the United States. Address, F. S. FULMER, 
Importer anfl Breeder of Pure Angora Goats. Spring Mills, Appomattox Co., 
Va. Please state that this notice was seen in the Planter and Farmer, dec-ly 



"W\ "W\ ESTILL, 

LEXINGTON, EX, 
Proprietor of 

ELM WOOD FLOCK of 
COTSWOLDS, 

From Imported Stock. Young Stock 
For Sale. 
Dec-ly 

^^ TuiiMMim iM n i n niima iiM— — n— a^ 

<&££ a week in your own town. Terms aid $5 
iJ>V\J outfit free. H. HALLETT & CO., P6rt- 

Jan-ly 



and, Maine. 



H. THEO. ELLYSON, 

BOX 73, 

RICHMOND, V-A-. 
Breeder of High Class Poultry, 

Light Brahmas, Dark Brahmas, 
Partridge Cochins, Plymouth Rocks 
and Black Hamburgs. 
Also, 
Pekin, Rouen and Cayuga Ducks. 
My birds are bred from the best stock 
and are kept in separate yards. Eggs 
for Hatching in Season. Write for 
what you want. dec. — tf 



W. 0, VIRG. MIDLAND & G. S. R. R. 

JOHN S. BARBOUR, Receiver. 



On and after Sunday, Nov. 11, 1877, Passenger Trains will run as follows : 



SOUTH BOUND. 


EXPRESS. 


MAIL. 


ACCOMDN. 


Washington le 

Alexandria. 

Gordonsville 


2 55 a. m. 

3 25 " 

7 03 " 

8 00 " 
10 35 » 

2 29 p. m. 
2 35 " 


8 10 a. [m. 
8 40 " 
12 45 p. m. 
1 50 " 
5 00 " 


6 50 p. m. 

7 20 " 
a 11 55 " 


Charlottesville .. 

Lynchburg ar 

Danville 


Conn't to 

Richmond 
& Hunt- 




ington. 




NORTH BOUND. 


EXPRESS- 


MAIL. 


ACCOMDN. 


Dundee le 


1 30 p. m. 
1 35 " 
4 15 " 

7 20 " 

8 10 " 
12 00 night. 
12 30 a. m. 


9 45 a. m. 
12 35 p. m. 
2 Q5 " 
6 05 " 
6 35 " 


Connect 

C. & O. 


Lynchburg 

Charlottesville 


East & 
West. 


Gordonsville 


1 3 30 a. m. 
7 25 " 


Washington 


7 55 " 



All trains daily on main line. 

The EXPRESS SOUTH bound connects at Lynchburg for the West and 
Southwest, and at Danville for the South, South East and South West. 

The MAIL south bound connects with C. & O. East and West, and at Lynch- 
burg for the South and South West ; at Manassas for Strasburg, except Sunday. 

For WARRENTON 8 10 a. m. daily. « 

GORDONSVILLE LOCAL leaves Alexandria 9 40 a. m., and arrives at Gor- 
donsville 7 00 p. m. daily, except Sunday. Leaves Gordonsville 4 40 a. m. ,and 
arrives at Alexandria 2 40 p. m. daily, except Saturday and Sunday. 

Passengers for MANASSAS LINE leave Washington daily, except Sunday, at 
8 10 a. m., and Alexandria 8 40 a. m. Returning, leave Strasburg 5 00 a. m., 
and arrive at Alexandria at 2 15 p. m. 

North bound trains make close connection with Balto. & Ohio and Balto. & 
Potomac trains to Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York, and to all points 
North and Northwest. 

The Express Train has SLEEPING CARS through, without change, between 
New York and Lynchburg, and between Washington and New Orleans. 

Through tickets to the South and West. \ 
J. M. BROADUS, G. T. A. 



S. SPENCER, Supt Transp'n. 
dec 



BELLEVUE STOCK FARM. 

LARGE ADDITIONS FROM THE BEST HERDS AND FLOCKS 
IN ENGLAND AND AMERICA. 

The large additions, both by purchase 'and otherwise, to my sup- 
ply of Improved Stock, eDables me to offer a quality of stock rarely 
found in our Southern States, or t-hat is seldom equaled, and never sur- 
passed even by the most distinguished breeders at the North. I offer 
fine specimens of 

SHORT-HOEW BULLS & HEIFERS, 

bred from my Premium Cows, and the magnificent Bates bull, 5179 
Fidget's Oxford Twelfth, 23152, now at the head of my Shorthorn herd 

Berkshire, Essex and Poland-China Pigs 

From my best Imported and Premium Sows (some of which have never 
been beaten in the show-ring), and the get of first-class Premium and 
Imported Boars. My Berkshires are from the best herds in England. 
My Essex from the importations of Harris, Thorne & Brown, of New 
York ; and my Poland-Chinas have just been received from the best 
breeders in Illinois. Fine crop of Pigs now ready to ship. 

SOUT'HDOWltf SM1S13F. 

I have just completed arrangements with Mr. John D. Wing, of New 
York, by which I have secured the larger portion of the celebrated 
"Maple Shade Flock," a number of which were imported from the flock 
of Lord Walsingham, of England. This flock will be bred jointly by 
Mr. Wing and myself — using nothing but the best imported rams. A 
number of fine rams constantly on hand for sale. I also offer a limited 
number of ewes, bred to the celebrated ram " Imported Royal Man. 
Chester 2d." 

Dark Brahma, Houdan and White-faced Black 
Spanish Fowls, Bronze Turkeys. 

Don't send North for stock, when you can get the same already 
acclimated from me, and save transportation charges. My motto is 
to keep up with the improvement of the age ; and I do not intend 
that anybody shall excel me. Fair dealing and satisfaction in all 
cases ! For my new Catalogue, just issued, with pedigrees, prices 
and other information, address 

A. M. BOWMAN, 

feb — ly — Aug Waynesboro, Augusta co., Va. 



ifisbnllUU SiULK. !M1. 




THE LARGEST AND BEST HERD OF 

IMPORTED BERKSHIRE® 

IN THE SOUTH. 

From the pens of the most celebrated breeders in England, Messr 

Ileber Humfrey, Capt Arthur Stewart and Russell Swanwick. 

I have now on hand, and offer at reasonable prices, a beautiful lot of 
Pigs from my Imported SOWS, bred to the most celebrated boars 
owned by the above-named distinguished breeders. Also a number of 
Choice Pigs out of my Thoroughbred SOWS, by first-class boars, 
as good as any offered by any breeder in the North or South, 

Will sell several choice Berkshire Sows in pig to IMPORTED "TIM 
PINCH," and two boars, "Gen. Scott" and "Gen. Johnson," now ready 
for service, and suitable, in breeding and points, to do credit to any 
herd. 

I also offer a few Choice Animals (young bulls and heifers) from my 
superior herd of 

•A."5t:rs:e3:x:r,:e3S, 

Many of them prize winners, and selected from the best breeders in 
America and Scotland. Also, 

PURE BBEB ESSEX FIGS, 

And 

Thoroughbred and Grade Jersey Cattle. 

I have just added to my herd 

LIVERPOOL'S SMITHEREEN 

Son of Old Lady Liverpool (Sallie 6th) and by Smithereen. 

Special attention is called to the fact that I am breeding from three 
boars and fifteen sows, and can furnish pigs not related on either side, 
which, in my opinion, no other breeder in the State can say. 

Address A, R VENABLE, Jr., 

sept — Farmville, Fa. 



Agricultural and Mechanical College. 

SHORT-HORN CATTLE 

— AND— 

For Sale at the College Farm. 

The Swine are bred directly from recent importations, and from the stock of 
Maj. J. T. Cowan, and A. M. Bowman, Esq. At the head of the Shorthorn herd 
is the Bates Bull, Raleigh, bred by Maj. Cowan ; sire and dam both bred by 
Abram Renick, of Kentucky, and both of the celebrated Rose of Sharon family. 
This Bull is believed to be equal in breeding and quality to any in the State. 
The cows are from the herds of Messrs. William A. Stuart, George W. Palmer, 
and John T. Cowan, and are animals of good pedigrees and excellent qualities. 
Stock will be sold at prices and on such terms as will enable farmers to obtain 
them. Correspondence invited. 

Address Col. NORBORNE BERKELEY 

July — tf Blacksburg, Montgomery County, Va. 



WALMJT ami FARM 



THOROUGHBRED AND GRADE JERSEY CATTLE, BERKSHIRE, 
ESSEX and POLAND-CHINA SWINE, 

SOUTHDOWN SHEEP, from the best importations— Ewes in lamb 
to rams bred by Mr. Cornell, of New York, and imported ''Royal Man- 
chetter 2nd," bred and used by Lord Walsingham, England. 

Walnut Grove stock received its share of Premiums at the diiferent 
State Fairs this fall. 

Prices moderate. Satisfaction guaranteed. Address 

G. JULIAN PRATT, 

ju-tf Waynesboro' Va. 

B. H. JOHNSTON, 

EVERGKENE STOCK FaRM, NEAR ALEX- 
ANDRIA, Virginia. 
Breeder of Jerseys and Aldemeys, 
registered and unregistered, from the 
best butter stock. Also Berkshire Pigs 
bred from best imported stock. Prices 
reasonable. mh-ly 




Two months old $10 per pair. 

CRANBERRY VINES, 

$2.50 per thousand; $10 per barrel. 
C. R. CULLEN, 
1305 Main st., 
Richmond, Va. 



CENTEN- 
NIAL. 



Commission House of Hull & Scot- 
ney, 346 N. Water st.„Phila. deal- 
ers in Vegetables, Fruit, Produce, 
Furs, <&c. Marking Plates, Tags, 
Price Lists, etc., on application 



$5 to $20 M. 

CO., Portland, Maine. 



at home. Samp e 
free. STINSON & 
jan-ly 



ALBKBNRY BU.U F®1 SALK. 

Four years old ; regularly registered. Price, $150, or will exchauge 

r two cows. Address 

Dec— tf Dr. THOS. CROXTON, Tappahannock, Va. 



SAUL'S NTJKSERIES, 



isMftffton. B, dL 



The undersigned offers a fine stock of the following at low rates : 

PEARS — Souvenir du Congress, Pitmaston Duchess, and other new 
sorts, &c; a heavy stock of fine trees. 

NEW PEACHES — Alexander, Amsden June, &c; also the fine, 
new late varieties. 

FRUIT TREES— Of all kinds ; an extensive stock, viz : Plums, 
Cherries, Apricots, Apples, suitable to the South, &c. 

GRAPE VINES — Strawberries, Raspberries, &c; new sorts. 

EVERGREENS— New Ornamental Trees, new Shrubs, &c, Small 
Signs suitable for Nurserymen, as well as large stock in 
great variety. 

DUTCH BULBS — Large importations direct from the leading 
growers in Holland ; First Quality Bulbs, Hyacinths, Lilies, 
Tulips, &c. 

New and Rare Greenhouse Plants, Winter Blooming, &c. 

PELARGONIUMS— A large stock of the new choice varieties. 

NEW ROSES— Duchess of Edinburgh, Perle des Jardins, &c, 
with an immense stock of finest varieties grown in pots or 
open ground. 

NEW WISTERIAS— New Clematis, Geraniums, Primulas, &c. 



Catalogues mailed to applicants. 
sep-3t 



JOHN SAUL, 

Washington* D.O. 



SEEDS! FERTILIZES S! 

We have a fine line of specialties for 
the Southern trade. We can fill all 
seed orders from our Southern friends 
for new crop after October 1st. Prompt 
shipments of fertilizers and seeds. Cor- 
respondence solicited. Circulars. 
CHARLES J. WESTALL, 

Nov-6t 88 Warren St., N. Y. 



"\70UNG 1HOROUGHBRED JER- 
X SEY(or ALDERNEY BULL) for 
sale. Descended from imported "May 
Flower," a cow that yielded seventeen 
pounds of butter in a week, and sold 
for $400. Pedigree furnished on ap- 
plication. Address 

Thos. A. Smith, Gish's Station, 
Nov-lt A. M. & 0. Railroad. 



ill 

Oct 



e?r rfarvest for Agents. "We send free, 
our new 40-page illustrated catalogue 
of Jewelry and Watches, with instruc- 
tions how to make money. Address, 
M. CRONE GH & CO.", Philadel- 
phia, Pa., or Milwaukee, Wis. 



JW. REYNOLDS, Cuckoo, Vir- 
v ginia, will sell one pair Black 
High-flying Tumbler Pigeons for $5; 
one pair Mottled Tumblers for $3 ; one 
pair Black Baldheads for $5 ; also first- 
class Fantail Barbs and Pouters cheap ; 
one pair White Polish Fowls, $7 ; Game 
fowl of the best strains. Price, accord- 
ing to quality. A few Silver Spangled 
Hamburgs, Todd's strain. Correspond- 
ence solicited and carefully answered. 

Nov-lt 



The FARQUHAB SEPARATOR 

/fr A,B.FARaUHAR 
For*, Pa. 




One Celt only. 



Threshers and Horse Powers of all 
Kinds a Specialty. 
Send for new Illustrated Catalogue. 
' ' A. B. FARQUHAR, 

££i£— — — ^ — ■ „X2._ -_^ «. 

r i^WROUGH^^FES^FpTas"FOR 
SALE, bred from Prize Winners 
at the State Fair of 1876. 
This family of Essex is a cross of the importa- 
tions of Joseph Harris and Samuel Thorne, and 
is of the most superior quality. A trial of t hem 
will convince the most incredulous that the Es- 
sex is the best hog for the Virginia farmer. 
Prices to suit the times. 

R. H. FIFE, 
may — ly Ch arlottesville, Va. 

ELLERSLIE FARM.— 
THOROUGHBRED AND HALF BRED 

HORSES 

Pure Shorten Cattle ^Berkshire Pigs 

For sale. Address 

R. J. HANCOCK, 
ja n Q vertoi t i , Al be m arle co . , "Va. 

Breeder of ITKoroucjKlbrcci Stock, 

I am breeding thoroughbred Poland China 
and Essex Hogs, Bronze Turkeys, Light Brah- 
mas, White Leghorns, White-faced Black Span- 
ish and Dark-crested Ducks, all carefully boxed 
and delivered at depot,with feed for destination. 
Satisfaction guaranteed. 

Bronze Turkey Eggs, $3 50 setting 12. Light 
Brahma Eggs, §2 00 setting 15. White Leghorn 
Eggs, $2 00 setting 15. White-faced Black Span- 
ish Eggs, $2 00 setting 15. Dark-crested Duck 
Eggs, $2 00 setting 15. 

Eggs for hatching carefully boxed and deliv- 
ered at Express office. For further particulars 
address Z C. DANIEL, 

Twy man's Store Postoffice, 

jan-ly Spotsylv ania count y, Ya . 

Mfc tn 1 r T r ri7lMW7rei < r cr T?7Tir»iTrtTiKTO'.^^ 



Dp. F. DAVISON, 

711 Grace Street, between 7th and 8th. 
Office hours from 9 A. M. to 5£ P. 
M. july-ly 

TROTTING & HARNESS HORSES 

•JERSEY CATTLE (herd register), 

SHETLAND PONIES, 

SOUTHDOWN SHEEP AND BERK 

SHIRE PIGS. 

For sale by 

CAMPBELL BROWN, 
Spring Hill, Maury co., Tenn. 
-ly | ,.„._„._ 

Week to Agents. Samples free. 
H IP * * P. O. VICKERY, Augusta, Me. 

sepl — „.,..,„ 

our name printed on 40 Mixed Card 
for 10c. STEVENS BROS., Northford,Con 



sep- 

52 $77 



T AGER BEER, ALE and POETER 
ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE TRADE 

AND THE 

PUBLIC GENERALLY 

I have erected, in connection with the 
James River Brewery, an establishment 
for the bottling of 

LAGER BEER, ALE AND PORTER, 
and am now prepared to fill all orders 
in quantities to suit customers. 

Having adopted the latest and most 
important improvements in the manu- 
facture of these healthful beverages, 
(recommended by the medical profes, 
sion) I can furnish as good an article as 
can be found anywhere, at the lowest 
prices. 

$^° All GOODS delivered to any 
part of the city and to all depots, free 
of charge. 

D. G. YUENGLING, Jr., 

july-ly Richmond, V a> 



PURE BRED 



SHORTHORN CATTLE, 

tEokwofi ana* Southuoum Sheep 

AND BERKSHIRE PIGS, 

For sale at "CLINCHDALE," Bean's Station 
Grainger county, Tenn. 
jan-ly J. T. & W. S. SHIELDS. 



Y 




THOBQTOHBRED STOCK. 

I am breeding 

DEVON CATTLE, LEICESTER, 

SOUTHDOW r N and MERINO 

SHEEP. POLAND-CHINA. 

BERKSHIRE AND ESSEX PIGS. 

My Cattle, Sheep and Hogs took many first 
premiums at Fiedmont, Lynchburg and Rich- 
mond Fairs. All bred from the most noted and 
fashionable strains of Prize Winningstock. Se- 
lected with great care from the best herds in^the 
United States. Send for price list. Address 
F. W. CHILES, 

jan-ly Tolersville, C. & O. R. R., Va. 



THOROUGHBRED 

BERKSHIRE PIGS 

IFOR S-A-I^E- 

Bred from stock imported by T. S. 
Cooper, of Pennsylvania. Prices, pedi- 
grees, &c, upon application to 

JOHN M. PAYNE, 

Aug-ly P. O. Lynchburg, Va, 



Xj us us * o 

Prepared Agricultural Lime 



FOE THE 



A Complete Revolution in Fertilizers! 

The Lowest Priced proves to be the Best ! 
It Prevents Smut! 

I have not heard of a single complaint of Smut where it 

was used. Whereas, on the same farm, and 

from the same Seed, the Crop was 

materially injured where 

it was not used. 

When properly used, its results are superior to fertilizers costing 

four times as much! 

I have the results from farmers from the Tidewater and Piedmont 
sections of Va., and from various sections of North Carolina, showing its 
superiority over other costly fertilizers for Wheat. 

Jno. B. Davis, Esq., President of the Planters National Bank, has 
been using it by way of experiment for the last two seasons, and is so 
well pleased with its results on all his crops, especially on the various 
grasses, that he says he will use it altogether this fall in preference to 
any other fertilizer. 

Owing to the Eastern war, foreign freights have advanced, thereby 
causing an advance in the material ; yet, I will not abate one particle 
from the standard, nor advance the price, but continue to sell it at the 
low price of $12 per ton cash. 

J&zBT' Farmers will consult their own interest by buying, so as to have 
it on hand for return loads while delivering their crops of wheat. 

S^° Send for Circulars containing certificates as to its results on the 
last crops of wheat. 

A. S. LEE, Richmond, Ya. 

AGENTS.— N. M. Tannor, Petersburg; Warren Paulett & Co., 
Farmville, Va.; Moon & Bro., Scottsville, Va.; R. T. Knox & Bro., 
Fredericksburg, Va.; J. M. Norvell, New Canton, Va.; Acree & 
Walker, Walkerton, Va,; Wm. A. Miller, Lynchburg, Va. 
Aug — tf 



Peruvian Guano Guaranteed. 

By this Brand is designated Pure and Genuine Peruvian 

Guano, &i which the lumps have been crushed, stones (when found) 
and all other impurities, removed : — it is, threfore, sold in purer Con- 
dition than when landed from Peru, 

Put up in bags of 200 pounds each, on which the guaranteed' 
analysis is printed, and the retail price per ton of 2,000 pounds 
clearly marked. 

The retail price is fixed according to the analysis, at the following rates, which 
are considerably below those adopted by Inspectors of Fertilizers in this country, 
or the trade in Europe, thus making the Guaranteed Peruvian Guano the cheap- 
est Fertilizer in the world. 

For Ammonia 17Jc. per pound. 

" Soluble Phosphoric Acid 10c. " 

" Reverted " " 8c. " 

" Insoluble " " 2c. " 

" Potash (as Sulphate) 7£c. " 

None genuine unless put up as above and bearing the following Trade Mark 
of the undersigned, Peruvian Government Agents in New York, and Lead 
ifpljVIAN Gil* Seals— on which the Monogram of the Trade Mark_ is 
PEp"- — ^^""""^^Ito stamped — attached to the extremities of the twine with 
fk ^Ui n\^ which the mouth of the bag is sewn, to guard against 
VA ►jPiH W adulteration. 

^TTa — ~~ £ r l£0 ^ s a s P ec i men °f Analysis and Price of Peruvian Guano 
*MR4NTH»-^ Guaranteed, we give those of two cargoes, now on sale, 
respectively designated A and B. 

CARGO A. PRICE MARKED $56. 

Ammonia 6.80 percent $23 80 

Soluble Phosphoric Acid 3.80 " 7 60 

Reverted " " 11.50 " 18 40 

Total available Phosphoric Acid 15.30 " 

Insoluble Phosphoric Acid 3.00 u 120 

Potassa 3.70 " 5 55 



Estimated Retail Price $56 55 

The commercial value of the above Guano is $79.40 per ton, at the rates lately 
adopted for valuing fertilizing ingredients, by Hon Thomas P. Janes, Commis- 
sioner of Agriculture of Atlanta, Georgia, and State Inspector, Prof. Win. I 
Land, Chemist of the Department of Agriculture, which are as follows : 

For Ammonia 18£c. per pound. 

" Available Phos. Acid, (Soluble and Reverted) 15£c. " 

u Insoluble Phosphoric Acid 4£c. " 

" Potassa 6}c. " 

Thus, the commercial value of the above Guano b is fully 42 per cent, in excess 
of the selling price, $56 per ton. 

CARGO B. PRICE MARKED $70. 

Ammonia „ 11.50 per cent $40 25 

Soluble Phosphoric Acid 5.40 " 10 80 

Reverted " " 10.00 " 16 00 

Total available Phosphoric Acid 15.40 " 

Insoluble Phosphoric Acid 1.70 " 68 

Potassa 2.30 " 3 45 



Estimated Retail Price $71 18 

According to the rates adopted by the Agricultural Department of Georgia, al- 
ready referred to* the commercial value of this Guano is $93.83 per ton, conse- 
quently, 34 per cent, above our selling price, $70 per ton.. 

We invite Agriculturists to test the value of Commercial Fertilizers by our 
Standard, and to compare the result with their selling prices. 

Litoeral Discount AlloTveci to Dealers. 
For further information, Circulars, &c, apply to 

HOBSON, HTJRTADO & CO., 

—6m Agents of the Government of Peru, No. 63, Pine Street, N. Y. 




TI3CEZ 



VIEGINIA 




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. 

July— tf No. l^^O Main. St., Rioti wnoiicl, Va M 

FALXi STYLES, 1874. 

CHARLOTTESVILLE WOOLEN MILLS 

SAMPLE CARDS 

Are now ready for mailing. Our assortment embraces 

TWENTY-FOUR PATTERNS. 

Merchants desiring samples, will please address, 

CHARLOTTESVILLE WOOLEN MILLS, Charlottesville, Va. 



N. G-UILBERT, 

Evergreen Farm, Gwynedd, Pa. 

Importer and Breeder of Improved 
Blooded Live Stock, Horses, Cattle, 
Cotsworld and Southdown Sheep, Ches- 
ter, Berkshire and Yorkshire Pigs, Tou- 
louse, Bremen, Hong Kong, White 
China and Wild Geese, Cayuga, Rouen, 
Aylesbury, Fekin and Musk Ducks, 
Bronze, Blue, Buff and White Turkeys, 
Dorkings, Brahma, Cochin, Guinea and 
all other Fowl. Deer, Swans, Peacocks. 
Pigeons, Fggs, &c, at low prices. Best 
Breeds of Dogs and Maltese Cats, Rab- 
bits, Ferrets, Guinea Pi?s, White Mice, 
&c. Song Birds of all kinds, and Shet- 
land Ponies. Fine Milch Cows always 
on hand. 

Fewfoundland Pups of Centennial 
First Premium Stock. 

Dec-tf 



Full particulars of 
this cut and merits 
of the best Knitting 
Machine will be sent 
on application. 




Branch Offices: fWd. 



Chicago, 

Cincinnati, 

Philadelphia 

San Francisco. 



Lamb Knitting Machine Co., Cbicopee Falls, Mass, 



A 



GET THE BEST 




^foScraarara-g 



BEST HOLIDAY GIFT 

For Parent, Child, Teacher, Pastor, Friend, 

"The best practical English 
Dictionary extant."— LondonQuar- 
terly Review, Oct. 1873. 

" August 4, 1877. The Dictionary 
uaed in the Government Printing Office 
is Webster's Unabridged." 

"Indispensable to every student of 
the English, language." — M. K. Waite, 
Chief Justice United States. 

Published by 

G. & C. MEKRIAM, 

Dec-It Springfield, Mass. 

50 Elegant Mixed Cards, 
with name, 13c. ; 20 En- 
graved, 10c. ; 25 Fun Cards, 10c. ; 12 
Model Love Letters, 10c. ; 20 Snow- 
flake, 15c. ; 25 Birch Bark, 15c. ; 25 
flowered, 15c. ; 20 Transparent, 15c. ; 
20 Devil Cards, 15c. ; 25 Comic Enve- 
lopes, 15c. Agent's Outfit, 10c. 

SEA VY BROS., 
Dec 3t Northford, Ct. 




OIC 



My annual Catalogue of Vegetable 
and Flower Seed for 1878 will be sent 
FREE, in January, to all who apply. 
Customers of last season need not write 
for it. I offer one of the largest collec- 
tions of vegetable seed ever sent out by 
any seed house in America, a large por- 
tion of which were grown on my six 
seed farms. Printed directions for culti- 
vation on each package. All seed sold 
from my establishment warranted to be 
both fresh and true to name ; so far, 
that should it prove otherwise I will re- 
fill the order gratis. As the original 
introducer of the Hubbard and Marble- 
head Squashes, the Marblehead Cab- 
bages, and a score of other new vegeta- 
bles, I invite the patronage of all who 
are anxious to have their seed directly 
f om the grower, fresh, true, and of the 
very best strain. New vegetables a 
specialty. JAMES J. H. GREGORY, 



dec— 4t 



Marblehead, Mass. 



Each Number contains Thirty-two 
Pages of reading, many fine Wood Cut 
Illustrations, and one Colored Plate. 
A beautiful Garden Magazine, printed 
on elegant paper, and full of information. 
In English and German. Price, $1.25 a 
year; Five copies. $5.00. 

Vick's Flower and Vegetable Garden 
50 cents in paper covers ; in elegant 
cloth covers, $1.00. 

"Vick's Catalogue, — 300 Illustrations, only 2 cents 
dec 




MMZDI 

2 cents. Address, 
JAMES VICK, Rochester, N. Y. 



^:,^^ 



^ \if 



$2*^ 



Premium Chester 
White, Berkshire and 
Essex Pigs, bred and 
for sale by George B. 
Hickman. 
| Also Fancy Poultry. 

West Chester, Ches- 
ter County, Penn. 

Send Stamp for Circulars and 
Price List. sep — ly 



K,. I?. JLilDDJBETITEtt, Oolu.mt>ia, Tennessee, 

Breeder and importer of Berkshire Hogs and Black Spanish Fowls, nn& 
general live stock agent. Pigs, the get of imported Othello second, and the great 
Longfellow, Choice Sallie and Sambo Pigs. Send stamp to ensure an answer 
to inquiries. se P — ly 



* 



THE GREAT CLOSING-OUT SALE. 

STOCK MUST BE REDUCED. 

Prices Reduced so as to work off Stock. 



Black Silks at 60, 75, 85, 90c, $1.25, $1.35, $1.50, $1.75, $2, $2.25< 
$2.50, $2.75, and $3 per yard; 

Wide Black Lining-Silk at 35c per yard worth 75c; 
Gray-and-Black Striped Silks at 70c worth $1 per yard ; 
Black-and-Blue-and Brown-and-Black Striped Silks at 75c per yard 
worth $1; 

Brown-and-Black Striped Silks at 90c per yard worth $1,25; 
Black and-White Plaid Silks at 75c per yard worth $1 ; 
Black-and-White and Black-and-Gray Striped Silks at 75 and 90c per 
vard worth $1 and $1,25; 

Gray-and-Black Plaid Silks at 90c and $1 worth $1.20 and $L30 ; 
Colored Figured and Striped Grenadines at 5, 61, 8i, and 10c per yard 
worth more than double the money ; 

Black Striped Grenadines at 12} and 16fc per yard worth 20 and 30c ; 
Black Iron Grenadines at 20c worth 30c, at 25c worth 40c at 30c, 
worth 50c, per yard; 

Handsome Lawns at 10, 121, 20, and 25c ; 
Jaconets at 15c per yard very handsome styles; 

Calicoes at 5, 61, and 8£c. per yard — all less than the wholesale prices ; 
Knickerbocker Printed Cambrics at lie per yard — cost lHc by the 
case ; 

Domestic Ginghams at 8J, 10, and 12}c. per yard worth 12J, 15, and 
16fc per yard; 

Wash-Poplins at 6ic, Plaid Poplins at 8ic, Striped Delaines at 12ic, 
and a general reduction in all kinds of Fancy Dress Goods for ladies 
and children ; 

Double- Width Black Alpacas at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50c, and up to 
$1.25 per yard; 

Chinese Grass-Cloth at 6£ and 10c per yard worth 10 and 161c per 
yard ; 

Australian Crepe at 45, 50, 60, and 75c per yard, worth 25c per yard 
more ; this is the cheapest mourning goods manufactured ; 
Bargains in Cashmeres, Tamises, Bombazines, Delaines, and other Dress 
Goods suitable for mourning ; 

Lace-Striped Victoria Lawn at 12£c. worth 20c per yard ; 
Checked Muslins at 18 and 25c per yard worth 30 and 45c ; 
Real French Pique at 25c per yard reduced from 75c ; 
Genuine Turkey-Red Table-Damask (or Wine-Cloth) at 75c per yard 
worth $1 ; extra qualities at $1 and $1.25 per yard worth $1.25 and $1.75 ; 
Goods sent by express C. O. D., or upon the receipt of the cash or its 
equivalent. Parties ordering goods to be sent by mail will please en- 
close sufficient to pay the postage. 



1017 JLNTD 1019 iMZ^ITsT STBEBT 
Aug.— tf Richmond, Va. 






H. W. L. R ASIN & CO 

Chemical Fertilizer Manufacturers, 

32 SOUTH STREET, BALTIMORE. 



Are now preparing the following popular brands of fertilizer for 
cotton and tobacco, containing all the essential elements necessary to 
the growth of those important crops '• 

SOLUBLE SEA ISLAND GUANO, 

Well known and of undoubted excellence. 



A high grade fertilizer of known merit. • 

Ammoniated Alkaline Phosphate, 

An article especially prepared for cotton and wheat, and sold on 
satisfactory terms to Grangers. Endorsed by the patrons who have 
used it for the past four years. 

For sale by Grange Agents at Richmond, Norfolk, Petersburg, 
Alexandria, Lynchburg and Baltimore. 

HI, SllfflD AI fl&BLVD BODIES, 



In store and for sale. 



Hggf^Special compounds prepared on orders. 

R. W. L. EASIN & CO., 

Southwest Cor. South and Water streets, 
jy — tf Baltimore.