Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-05-02
The STANDARD.
Letter from Mai. John t. Gilmore.
foo,cLUDrD FROM FOURTH pAcE.)

I,uShRT-IHute H0QT f1og-Oour LdAe
Wate,s-Ant Hitls-Cod Reather-6 ame1Le0-
,ar1 Bear-Panther or Mexican Lioa--I6ee-
Woses- FiLd Cat-C atamOuat--4Ks roy
Scorpion iSpider-Prair Dog-Cdpt. Staas-
bur5s ReDort-B Bishop Pierces, Letter-Agricut
tu,al Fair an Observation-Disclosures Address
iS.,ornp Lands in the Counties near the Cape
Fcar-RailroGd to the Codyfehts
In one of the counties above this, l have also
seen the wild Oats, none of which have | seen
in our State. Many of the remaining grasses to
which have above alluded considered excellent,
but not having been identified BY name, ain COM
peIIed to pass them over. In addition to theSe,
there are a few coarse grasses, which are common
here and in n. c. also Of al the grasses, howeF-
er which have attained the highest reputation in
the State, would mention the Meskeet which pre-
walls chiefly in western Texas, of which there arc
two varieties, if not more. The Meskeet grows
generally from twelve to eighteen inches high, and
has grain very similar to the cat, though not so
large This grass either dry or green is excellent
for stock. The Running Meskeet called also the
iointed Meskeet and sometimes the curly Meskeet,
is likewise very superior grass and excellent food
for stock, whether used in green or dry state In
fact it is SAID to be more nutritious when dry. 1t
is short grass, and does not generally attain the
hight of six or eight inches. Both these grasses
belong farther to the west and extend to the west
ern confines of the State. 1t is upon these, the
Buffalo grass and some others that emigrants IN
that region depend for supply OF food for their
stock The dryness of the climate allows these
grasses to cure their places and remain without
depreciation until it rains in which event vegeta-
ton is renewed, and thus a sufficient supply of
food for stock is always on hand. Some few spots
of ground in this section Of the State are being
set with this latter grass 1t is thought by many
that it has been brought hither by the cattle The
people here appreciate it very much, and are desi-
rous of its propagation. Although a very short
L.,
sessed Of that great and everything merit capaci
ty to resist the hoof and not tread out" 1t will
maintain its ground even upon Travelled road. 1t
receives the various names | have mentioned be-
cause it is running grass, has many joints, from
which it puts forth roots aid when the baoes dry
up they present curley appearance. 1t resembles
very much that which is known in some localities
as the Bermuda grass in Cumberland and Ilarnett
rs the Cane grass, and in your county, the Wire
grass; which last think is decidedly msnomer,
and am of opinion would be so decided by any Ag-
ricultural society. Because We have in our State
another grass bearing the same name, from which
brooms and baskets manufactured, and whose
stem resembles very much the article from which
its name is derived. l will, however, adourn this
question until see you.
From what have already said elsewhere it may
now, perhaps appear useless to repeat that cotton
is the staple production of this section of the State
There are many different kinds of cotton planted
here, but that in most general use is the Petit Gulf
When in Raleigh Mr.. Fab HutchiEs asked me toselect
him some cotton seed ] have, therefore. procured
some for him, and some likewise for BledSoe of the
same sort which, for the want of better name,
shall denomnate the Trinity Cotton. | made this
selection because believed it best adapted to our
climate. 1t does not grow so tall as the Petit Cult
but bears very full and has good staple. 1t, how
ever does not stand the drought of this country
we'll those kinds of cotton which have fewer bos
but inasmuch as it does rain in Wake sometimes at
least, that objection will be removed We have had
several good varieties of State heretofore
but they were soon allowed to run out, and this re-
mark applies with equal force to many other articles
of production. When the cotton begins to opeD
those stalks should be selected which bear the great
est impress of purity, and the seed selected from
these should be planted to themselves In addition
to thu, sufficient supply of seed should be kept
hand to plant every other year, that is the
seed raised in the fall of 1860 should be planted in
the spring of 1862, ard on. This process con-
tinued annually will preserve them in their purity,
and render importations of seed quite unneces-
sary. Without this they must degenerate. | gath
cred most of this cotton myself in order 20 obtain
the seed their original purity and should my
two friends fail to give it fair trial and good atten
ton, you may bet your bottom dollar" I'll gather
no more cotton seed for them. Ny old friend John
Hutchins said to me one day that he would like to
have a cotton which would not fall out of the boil
but remain until he ready to pick it. sug-
gested that perhaps it might be better if it would
also jump into the basket but he said it would be
quite sufficient if it would only wait until he sent
the basket round. So whilst ! was here and my
hand was in, | determined to accommodate him also
l have, therefore, got cotton which is said, by
those who plant it, to grow of good size, to bear
well and to have fine staple. That it will demand
q cent per pound more than any other upland cot
ton and that the winds OF this country will not
blow out. In fact that you may let the first and
last boil ripen, and when you send round to pick
the cotton you will find it all there think this is
coming quite up to his mark. But make it a rule
to take everybody's opinion, and find that those
who do not plant this cotton swear they would not
have it at all. Whilst they admit everything have
said in relation to above and especially its capac-
ity to resist the wind they say in the energetic
language of the country, that you scarcely blow
it out with double-barrel gun. Thus you see there
are two sides to every question: even in Texas
However, have got this seed, and if my good old
friend is not suited it will be his fault certainly not
mine.
have seen it stated in well authenticated writing
based upon tradition that the devil was once an IN
habitant of Spain. That after having devoted three
months to the study of the Basque language, he
made failure; whereupOn, presume he quit that
country and settled in Texas, which, at that time
was department of Mexico, and the latter colo Y
various places, he was finally driven out by the
Texans And as most persons, in leaving country,
are unable to carry off all their goods and chattels,
and especially when driven out in haste, so it was
with him. whereupon he left behind MIN several of
his pin cushions. As he was never known to slight
his work, they are always abundanty provided with
pins and needles, and wo be unto the man who puts
his foot thereon Travellers from time to time, in
passing over these vast praires have occasionally
found them, and although low in statue, are still in
iourishing condition, and standing forth as veget
able monuments of skill and ingenuity. plucked
the seed from one of these which are herewith en-
closed. Give five to Fab. Hutchins five to Bledsoe
five to Sylvester Smith, five to Wilson, and keep the
balance yourself. Whatever may be thought of this
matter by some, feel assured it will be properly an
preciated by Wilson and yourself; for if mistake
not, there is attached to your establishment the
printers devil or the devils printer, and see no
sensible reason why there should not be pin cnsh