Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-09-12
FOR THE ADVERTISER.
LIGHTNING AND GRASS.


Messrs. Coulter 8r Scooter IL do not re-
collecthaving seen anything in your colamns
on the effects of lightning on cotton or grass.
There can be but little doubt that electricity
has considerable to do with the growth Of
cotton as we'll as grass. 1t is said that the
rain when attended with thunder and light:
ming is more nourishing and fertilizipg than
showers without it, but wont say whether
it is so or not. But I have lately seen in
my cotton patch, when looking about for
the whereabouts of streak of lightning,
that occurred recently very near my house,
circle Of about twenty-five yards diameter,
including twenty.one or more rows Of cot.
ton, which was quite destroyed by lightning,
having burnt or parched appearance. In
the circumference of the circle stood per-
simmon tree, twenty-five or thirty feet high,
which had the bark, for about six or eight
feet of the lower part of the trunk and on
opposite sides rent in longitudinal fissures
of foot or so long, with occasional inter;
missions in the line where the bark was not
iniured-the wood was not injured in. tex.
ture in any part. The only sign of violence
in the soil was hole about knee.deep in the
centre Of the circle.
Was this tree struck with lightning Or
was it the effect of the electricity going from
the centre of the circle from the ground to the
and clouds, causing such rarefaction of the
atmosphere as to relieve the bark of the tree
from the ordinary pressure Of the atmos.
phere, thus causing the bark to burst open :
Or is this the usual cause Of the splitting of
trees and other bodies under the effects of
lightning
Well, furthermore, if the cotton was killed
so dead, I suppose that by the rule of three,
you would calculate or philosophize it out
some way that the grass was all dead in
the same circle--but, sirs, you are very
much mistaken: it is as fourishing as ever.
1t is easy for bystanders to make observa.
tions on our having grassy crop this year,
but when we see the blighting effects of
lightning fail, we do not wonder that the we'll
aimed blows of hoes, and them dull too,
should come little short of killing exactly
all. FRANKLIN.
P.S.--Please print this in the paper of
our school.fellow, old DR.. BURT, as we want
to hear what he says about it.
Art OF M1LKINe.-The art of milking
well is not taught in hurry. 1t requires
long practice to milk properly, and therefore
all the young people on a farm ought to be
shown how the labor should be done. 1t is
quite important that this branch of the dairy
should be particularly attended to, for a
good mixer obtains at least quart more
from the same cow than poor milker.
The first lesson to be taught to young
people is gentleness and kindness to the
COW. They never need be treated harsbly,
in case the business is properly commenced.
Cows that have been caressed and uniform.
ly we'll treated, are fond of having the milk
drawn from the udder at the regular time OF
milking, for it gives them relief from the dis.
tensions of the milk ducts.
Let young people be put to milking the
farrow cows first, or such as are to be soon
dried, and then the loss from bad milking
will be less injurious. The hand should ex.
tend to the extremity Of the teats, for the
milk is then drawn easier.
Young people should be taught to milk as
fast as possible. More milk is always OBJ
tanned by rapid mixer than by slow one.
They should therefore be- taught to think of
nothing else while milking, and no conver.
sation must be permitted in the milk yard.
They should sit up close to the cow and
rest the left arm gently against her shank.
Then il she raises her foot, as she sometimes
will, merely to change position, she will not
be likely to put it into the milk pail.
In case of disposition to kick, or rather
to raise her foot on account of pain occasion.
ed from soreness of the teats, the nearer the
mixer siIs lv her, and the harder he presses
his, left arm against her leg the less risk will
be run Of being injured.
Cows m". be taught to give down their
milk at orcs-and they may be taught to
hold it long while and to be- stripped indefi.
nitely. The best way is to milk quick and
not use the COW to a long stripping, or an
after stripplng.-Northern Farmer.
A Trial Of Reaping Machines, at the
Industrial Fair, in Paris, has taken place,
and as usual, the American machines carried
off the palm from the French and English
machines. Already the wealthy farmers
from all parts Of the country are coming to
Paris to see these machines. Amore lively
interest is taken in them than was anticipa.
ted, and no difficulty whatever will be ex.
pcrienced in their introduction into general
use.
How TO PREVENT THE TuRNIp FLY'--A
correspondent informs US that two ounces Of
sulphur, commonly called -four Of brimstoue,
mixed with pound Of turnip seed, will
effectually prevent the f1y from DESTROYING