American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-06-12

EDITOR HERALD The Drinci-
plies of American chronology NAV
seem Of little Importance to the
Southern planter, but where it is
Known that the cotton crop alone is
often diminished one-third in guam.
tity and value by "a single insect
the cotton which almost
yearly" sweeps over our fields like
destroying pestilence," at one fell
swoop picking the pockets of the
people of some .tfty million dollars,
in becomes to him a matter of great
personal interest and concern to
learn the form assumed and the
place inhabited by this insect during
the winter, that he may be able to
devise some intelligent and certain
method to accomplish its destruction.
Without this knowledge, he gropes
in the dark and strikes at random;
for it matters not how frequent and
vigorous his blows, lie but beats the
air and has his trouble for his pains.
Should he fail in this, he must not
remit bis exertions, but, by the use
of every known appliance and others
which art and science may reveal,
Ne must wage "a war of extermina.
ton against it on every field and
under every phase in which it shall
make its appearance.
This is but one Of the many in.
sects that infest the cotton plant and
combine their ravages for Its destruc.
ton. The boil worm, to which we
have barely made allusion, is an
other formable foe of the cotton
planter. 1t has been overlooked in
the investigation, not from its in
significance as a depredator, buC
from the overshadowing Importance
attached to the destructive power of
the caterpillar. No species of field
crop, or fruit or vegetable is exempt
IRON depredations OF more than one
terrible enemy. When we consider
the enormous amount of wealth -
estimated at $500, 900, 900 in the
United States annually distracted
from the pockets of the scientific
world as insects" the study of
chronology as a science looms TO
gigantic Importance.
Other questions than those which
we have discussed in the progress of
the present series, no less important
to~tlSe interest of the Southern plant.
or, require solution in order to
thorough understanding of the
principles involved in the science of
agriculture. Their Importance de
mands more than ordinary study and
reflection. Thei open a wide field
for research to the enquiring mind,
and never before in the history OF
the South, with slavery destroyed
andpthe presence of the devOuring
worm in our fields, have these dues
tons been invested with such mo-
lnent0us interest. Cotton is no
longer king-although struggling to
regain his lost empire--and old
methods of farming have become to
u great extent Improbable, and
should be thrown aside as absolete.
The times have changed and we
should change with them, SO as TO
adapt ourselves as speedily as posi-.
hle tO.the vicissitudes of our various
and ever varying f0rtane A di- |
versity of agricultural products, the
introduction of labor-saving nipple
ments, and knowledge of the dis |
rnetiSe habits and modes of propa-
S1e"Ors-VF sisN aifs~----I - =
sects that prey upon and annually
destroy large per centum of the |
fruits of our fields, orchards and |
gardens constitute the great desid |
"ratum Of the Southern planter. |
The Northern and Western farmer.
not enjoying one half the natural
Iacllities that bountiful Providence
HAS, vOuchsafed to us, realizes, from
the practice of wiser and better
policy, a far greater average of net
income from the same amount of
capital and labor than does the
southern planter with his broad
acres, imperfec. cultivation and dc
terloratlng system. This is attribut.
able to the native energy, indomit.
able perseverance, and superior skill
in the arts Of husbandry Of our West.
tvn brother. Everything is turned
10 the best account, and made to
the most of which it il
capable to the general result. He
leeds the land with an abundant
supply of such fertilizers as it needs
10 pay back in return heavy harry.
e-ts-ot golden grain to keen in thrift
ty condition both man. and beast
and surplus which puts money H..
his pocket. This is the secret Of the
SUCCESS of'the Northern and Western
fArmer, and we must learn,tc,imitato
lis example-laying our prejudices
,side. gather from our enemies vain.
'ble items Of information, the results
" their experience-and maize our.
elves convecsant with the grea.
winciples of agricultural science,
md pat them into intelligent prac-
ace. W forever rema nslaggards IN the