Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-03-15

Farming in the South.

I4GuNGOA n ANuAtICAA oGtNANA MAAO ANhAoNN1
thither in 1867. He purchased los acres
covered with stumps, roots and bushes
in the piney woods region, which the
first year of his possession yielded 400
pounds of seed cotton per acre, and /
bushels of wheat, with other crops in
proportion. By grabbing, clearing and
burning off the rubbish, and spreading
the ashes on the soil and other improve
ments, he in five years raised his crops
to /, 400 pounds of seed cotton per acre.
He plows burrows in the fields in winter
and fills them with leaves, cotton stalks
and what manure he can make; cover
ing it with bull-tongue pillow. This
lays the foundation for the cotton beds
year after year on this plan, and by
using purchased fertilizers. The seed
is sown about the 18th of April, after
which nothing is done but to keep the
soil clean until the cotton is ready to be
picked The plant grows from 18inches
to 2 feet high only. Grass will not
grow. Door-yards look bare, desolate,
and poverty stricken. Cows reach the
dressed weight of 300 at maturity on
corn shucks, rye straw and COW pea
vines, assisted by healthy appetite and
what casual shelter can be gained be-
meath the front steps of the planters
houses. This Southern farmer practices
the unheard of extravaganza of giving
his cattle little grain or meal. Clover
has been tried for fodder and green
crops for manure without encourage
ment to persevere, and the COW pea or
bean is depended on for these purposes.
The rotation of crops is rye, harvested
in June COW peas, harvested in Octo-
Der, followed with rye turned down in
Spring for cotton. The mistake of
Northern farmers is to suppose that
their advanced methods will succeed in
the South. The conditions are not suit
able or sufficient for success, and the
new corners get rich very slowly. They
also own too much land. One hundred
acres is enough. The laborers who work
on shares find all the teams, implements
and labor, two. thirds of the fertilizers,
pay for two-thirds of the bagging, gin
ming, &C., and take two-thirds of the
crop. Corn succeeds very well but does
not pay at 81 a bushel. Cotton only
pays. The money made by cotton buys
more grain and meat than can be raised
by the same labor on the same land.
Corn ripens in July and the average
crops raised are bushels per acre with
500 pounds Of fodder. The ears remain
on the corn and are gathered as they
are wanted during the Fall and Winter.
Vegetables all succeed well except cab
bages.' The success of this Northern
farmer interests his neighbors, who are
friendly and sociable, and give advice
and encouragement freely to the extent
of their ability.
Smut in Wheat.
A scientific Frenchman, who has made
the subject one of lifelong study, as
sures us it is owing to the presence of
parasitical animalcule, not unlike the
tiny cells that vinegar produces, and
which exist in the smut-ball as whitish
filaments. Although dryness suspends
the life of these worms they Immediate
ly regain it on being plunged into
water. The humidity of the soil effects
the same change. When the sown grain
terminates, the larvae of the diseased
seed are attracted to the young plant,
live on its pulpy matter, forming tumors
on the stem and leaves, and ultimately
lodge in the ear. They are now in an
adult state the sexes become distinct,
the female deposits her eggs from
1900 to l, 800, as many thousands being
found in single grain of wheat. The
new Larvae remain in a desicated state
till the J.. following season, and may be
dried and restored to life several times
with impunity.
In France, when such grain is sifted,
it is roasted in an oven and given to
fowls. Sleeping the seed-wheat in So
lutions of arsenic or blue vitriol or am
monia kill the parasite effectively
Placing the seed for twenty-four hours
in solution of one part of vftriol and
100 OF water is favorite remedy.
Agricultural Fairs.
The officers of agricultural associa-
tons might do worse than spend por-
ton of their time and thought this Win
ter in considering a question which
vitality affects their interests and the
general welfare. A great deal of dis
satisfaction usually follows the awards
at the Autumn Fairs. Prominent ex-
hlbitors receive premiums to which they
declare they do not feel themselves en-
titled, and they complain Of not receiv-
ing others to which they feel they have
a just claim. Some persons, aggrieved
by the unfair decisions, refuse any
longer to exhibit, and the absence OF
their stock must leave considerable
vacuum. The feeling is becoming very
general that judges should be we'll
knowd experts with whom no possible
partialitycan exist, and whose awards
would be free from all objections on
that score, as well as on that of igno.
rance of the character Of the stock they
are called upon to Judge.
Propriety of Washing Butter
In reference to the preparation o.
good table butter, DR.. Wilkens Pogartl
remarks that there is rather common
belief that the process of washing in
lures its peculiar fine flavor, and renders
the butter more perishable. The former
part of the proposition Dr. Pogartl
admits /; yet thinking the use of fresl
water indispensable for removing tn,
milk and hardening the Abutter, h,
recommends its application directly il
the churn, avoiding working and knead
ing by hand or spatula. Butter which
keeps well is made in Holstein, by re
peated sailing and heavy pressure, with
out the use of water but it is too sal
to be considered fine table butter.
Women Printers In France.