The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-05-05

L
Proceedings Of the Regular Meeting
The Many County Farmers Club me
last Saturday morning, according to I'D
journment. A large number of the men
bers we're present, and several eminen
; men, spectators by invitation.
James Andrews, w. E. Greenlaw, an
Gen. G. j. Pillow, were admitted as hon
Orary members.
PORTABLE FENCES.
Hon, James III. Thomas, Chairman G
Committee appointed to examine and re
port on portable fences, read the follow
ing report:
FARMERS CLUB OF MAURY COUNTY:
We, the undersigned. committee ap
pointed by said Club, to examine int
the cheapest and most convenient mod
for the construction OF farm fences, be-
leave to report, that upon reflection
queries, and experience, that for outsid'
fences we are not prepared to mako an,
material suggestions for tho cOnsidera
ton of the Club; but as to inside, or cross
fences, we submit for your consideration
that we have used the portable fence call
ed the Bosart Fence, and we have con
suited with farmers of practical expert
ence and judgment, who have used sale
1 u,
| the most valuable and.cOnvenient porfa
BILE fence of which we have any knowl
edge, and recommend it to the Club az
| such. We have used this fence, and oul
experience with it has satisfied us of its
| value so we'll that we are building more
of it, and regard it as valuable inven.
ton. JAS: III. THOMAS,
r. S. EwELL,
BENZ. HARLAN,
JOHN w. MAYEs.
After the reading of the report, it wa
left open for discussion before acted upon
Capt. j. B. Hamilton was satisfied the
BOsart portable fence was a good one
He thought every fifth panel ought to be
fastened with a stake or wooden pin
driven into the ground.
Hon. James H. Thomas had tried the
Bosart fence several years. He thought
the cross-piece should be made of heavy
timber-Oak-and then it would not be
more apt to blow down than the ordina-
ry rail fence. 1t was very easily, cheap
ly, and quickly removed, two hands be-
ing able to remove half mile day. 1t
is not perfect, but, if we'll secured with
wide and heavy pieces at the bottom, it
is the best portable fence he ever saw.
Il. II. Williams thought the BOsart
fence would not blow down more easily
than the rail fence.
Mr.. Joyce thought the Bosart patent
was good for inside fences, but for out
side fences it was not as good as a rail
fence. The report of the Committee was
put to the house, and adopted.
WILD ONIONS.
Mr.. T.. D. Williams, of Leiper's Greek,
wished to know if "Wild Onions" could
be eradicated. Gen. Ewell did not know
the "wild onion" was troublesome in
Maury county, but he had seen 10000
soldiers almost live on them for some
time, in Virginia, without exhausting the
supply.
Capt. Kinzer, in reply to an enquiry,
said he had seen Mr.. Williams farm, and
found it was literally covered with wild
onions"
GEN. EwELL.-Land in Virginia is de
Perforated fifty per cent. by these wild
onions. Wheat, and other small grain
cannot be grown OH land infested by
them, at all, and corn alone can be sue
cessfully cultivated where they are. 1t
is my opinion that flock of sheep is the
best means of keeping them down.
Some gentleman thought constant and
thorough cultivation of corn, or other
product, would finally eradicate them,
MAI. BEN. HARLAN.-The milk of
cows is rendered useless by the wild on
ion. 1 think the Bermuda Grass
would probably destroy the onion,
bu. it would be worse than the onion.
/ once saw an hundred acre field in Ala
bama utterly ruined by the Bermuda
grass.
GEN. l.. L. POLK.-I once saw an unu-
sually fine field of cotton in Arkansas,
and asked the owner, my neighbor, the
cause of it. He said the land had been
in Bermuda grass for long time, and
had made it fertile. Icannot think that
it is such dangerous thing as Major
Harlan esteems it.
One of the members thought difference
i'm soil might have made the difference in
the two farms mentioned by Major Har-
Ian and Gen. Polk, one being sandy, and
the other a lime and clayey soil. The
Bermuda grass would be very difficult
to eradicate in Maury comfy, if it once
got well set in our turfy soil.
WAGON BED ELEVATOR.
The Committee appointed at the last
meeting to examine Vestal's Bed Eleva-
tor, submitted the following report:
Your Committee have examined the
model and some of us the machine itself
We regard it as good invention, and at
the price charged by Mr.. Vestal, 81 and
%,
rendering much convenience in shifting
the wagon bed. Respectfully,
JNo. b. HAMILTON,
JOHN w. MAYEs,
JESSE S. HARRIS.
Capt. Hamilton had one of Mr.. Vestal's
Wagon Bed Elev ators on his farm in OPP
Grafton. A small boy takes OFT wagon
bed weighing 800 pounds, with safety.
The report was received.
DIR. GRAY's LETTER.
The following letter from DIR. Gray, OF
Ohio, to Capt. John b. Hamilton, was
read by the Secretary:
New RICHMOND, o., March q, 1871.
GEN HAMILTON, Dear Sir:--YOu are
aware of the fact that 1 visited your
State last fall for the purpose of determ-
lining the matter whether or not Middle
Tennessee would prove an acceptable
place for the location of farmers living
north of the Ohio River. Three essential
questions presented themselves to my
consideration, each of which, according
ing to nv conception of the matter, must
of necessity he decided affirmatively, in
order that may render a favorable re-
port to my friends. Tho questions are
these: Is the country well adapted to ag>
ricultural purposes? Is it healthy To-
cality? Is it probable that the needful
and required social affinity would result
from our presence among you? l have
no hesitation personally, in coming to a
satisfactory conclusion in regard to all
these questions. 1t is quite different
however, in respect to very many of my
friends. They worry their minds, and
are fearful of imaginary and magnified
prejudices, which they somehow COM
ceive to exist in the minds of the South
ern people, which will render us unac-
ceptabie citizens. Emigration is at pres
ent, as you well know, directed west
ward. This western land enterprise is of
gigantic pOportiOns, conducted princi-
paIly by spectators organized in all
conceivable forms, all of which are engin-
ecred with the most conSummate skill
and energy. Almost the entire North
ern press is directly or otherwise employ
ed in their service. They have also very
active agents everywhere. The conse-
quence is that every inclination to emil
CRATE South, or elsewhere, is most sedu.
Iously discouraged by all their varied
influences. People here would place
great confidence in candid statements of
Influential citizens of your State, in re-
gard to the matter in question. Such dis
rect cordial invitations given them by
such men as yourself, to come and settle
among you as l received from many of
your prominent citizens, such as Hon.
Mr.. Nicholson, Gen. Whitthorne, Judge
Fleming, Mr.. Rainey, Col. Huntington,
and would, l am well assured, produce a
a very general and favorable response.
1 hope sir, you will not think me asking
too much when request you to reply in
regard to this matter at time as early
as is convenient to yourself.
Please accept my best wishes for your
self and family. Truly yours.
~ NJ