Middletown transcript., 1870-04-23

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per acre; potatoes, (well eultivated) 275
bushels per acre; pumpkins, peas, beans
and peanuts, give very heavy returns,
but we are unable to give the precise
quantities, owing to the fact that no per-
son has ever taken the trouble to ascertain
the quantity per acre. A fine nutritious
quality of hay can be made from the in
digenous grass of our prairies, and in
quantities to supply the local demand, and
leave good margin for expectation to
other markets.
AS there are several points of interest
connected with the production of sugar
and cotton, concise statement of them
will be made for the benefit of those at
distance. AS to sugar:
1st. The cane, from which it is pro-
duced, is less liable to disease, to the in
roads of insects, and to ordinary accidents
than other plants.
I'd. When judiciously planted, it ex-
empts the farmer from exposure to the
heated period, as it my be laid by in the ear
ly part of June, and thus remain until the
season arrives for its conversion into su-
gar, which takes place in October and la
| ter.
Sd. White men can insure to themselves
fair revenue by the cultivation of sugar
cane upon small scale, the molasses pay
ing the current expenses.
Cotton being one Of the principal staples
in this region, demands, perhaps, some
more special notice, as to the product per
acre, and its adaptability to the soil We
shall therefore group under separate heads
the chief points Of interest:
| LIST. This section of country cannot be
considered as strictly within the true geo.
graphical limits of the cotton belt, but it
is nevertheless well adapted to this plant
Cotton produces as much here per acre as
in any other part of the u. S. viz: from
1000 to 1000 lbs. of seed cotton per acre
I'd. The labor Of white men (and we
are specially treating this subject in refer
ence to them) can be proftably employed
in this culture, with larger profit from the
amount of labor bestowed, than from any
other product of the farm.
Sd. The cultivation of cotton is very
similar to that of corn, with the difference
that it requires more work, and more care
full handling
4th. One intelligent and industrious
white man will produce and gather seed
cotton sufficient to make five bales of 400
lbs. of clean staple this amount of cotton
at the rate of 20 cents per pound, will
give $400, and still enable the farmer to
secure an abundant supply of the necessa-
res of life.
Stock Raising.-If boundless extent
of luxuriant grass, and an abundant sup
ply Of water, are the prime essentials for
successful stock raising, then our parish
fully realizes these requirments Joined to
these, is the fact, that our climate is mild
and genial; no rude and piercing winds,
no killing freeze nor deep snow incom-
modes our herds during the winter. To
enable those at distance to form some
idea of this branch of rural industry, an
outline of the entire system as carried on
here, will now be given, with the result in
monetary point of view.
The stock fancier purchases Brand"
which is simply herd of cattle, marked
with an iron brand with some letter or nu-
neral; these cattle he puts in charge of
person called a stock-keeper, whose duty
it is to brand the calves each spring, as
they run upon the range, gather beeves
for the market when required by the own
er, and render an annual statement of
his doings. He gets fifty cents for each
calf branded and marked, is allowed one
or two beeves during the year for his own
use, and three to four stock horses to ride
There is no preparation of feed for winter
use, the cattle being expected to shift for
themselves, both summer and winter; nor
any attention paid to disease or accidents.
Now under system SO primitive, an old
intelligent gentleman assures us, that for
forty years his interest on capital invested
was 33a per cent. Before the war he
branded between three and four thousand
calves, and at the present time some sew
enteen hundred.
Hogs and Sheep.-Swine have become
a necessity in our country; 60 where we
WILL pork is an essential article in every
household, and all classes indulge in its
use in some form. This being SO, it be-
comes a matter of importance to the per-
son seeking new home, to know whether
this necessary article Of use can be raised
and preserved in the locality to which his
attention is drawn A few facts will be
given, and the reader left to draw his own
conclusions:
1st The country abounds in oak for
ests, and the mast is very heavy as gen
eral thing every year.
I'd. Corn, peas, and potatoes can be
raised in large quantities, and they are
considered the essentials to successful hog
raising.
Sd. The grasses are very nutritious and
inexhaustible.
4th. The climate being mild and open,
the per cent. of loss among young pigs is
very small and diseases common to swine
in colder climates, are almost unknown
here.
9Th The section of our parish best a
dapted to this purpose, is only so miles
from the richest and purest deposit of salt
known to the aoorId,