Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-12-24

show the finest points of cxccllenc
and the closest resemblance to tn
original stock. 1t Is only by sue
ljudicious selection that the blood ca
be keptat it's original standard of pur
ty; any neglect in this matter woul
inevitably result in speedy degenoi
alton.
Reverting to the premise laid dow
in the beginning, we re-asscrt that tn
physical law previously announced !
as applicable as TO the vegetable as 4
the animal kingdom. If this be true
how very important is it that tho ng
riculturist, upon whom exclusively th
population of the earth is dependen
for an adequate supply of food an,
raiment should give the utmost car,
and attention TO judicious Seiectio,
of the seeds from which his crops ar,
to be realized. And yet, in our highl,
favored South, favored beyond any
other land in the fertility of her soil
tho geniality of her climate, and tb,
equability of her seasons, how crimi
nally neglectful arc our farmers anc
planters in regard to this very import
ant point. To illustrate the extent Of
this neglect, it is only necessary tc
advert to the programme observed OF
the great majority of our farms and
plantations. In this review / sbal
confne myself to cotton and corn, the
two great staples Of southernindustry
In the matter CT cotton, tho Chief
anxiety of the planter is to save The
present., with no reference TO the pro
tuction Of future crops. The cotton
} picked from the boil as expeditions
y as possible, often even without ref
erence to the state of the weather,
and thrown indiscriminately into
bno pile in the gin-housc, there tc
remain until it may be convenient
o start the gin. In this pile there is
. general commingling and mixture
Ipf the bottom, middle, and top crops
1.-The good and bad, the maturcd and
he immatured-and from this con.
glomcration of different qualities is
obtained the seed for the planting OF
he next crop. 1t is true, that some
planners are TO be found who have ad-
'anccd SO far in the science of selection
Is TO be careful to set apart the pick
hg from the middle crop, (or at least
10 giue orders to their agents to that
,ifect, the seed from which is exclu-
sivdy used for planting. But even in
such cases, in these days Of dilapidated
ginhouses, demolished scaffolds, and
general scarcity and unreiabiity Of
agricultural labor, much of the seed
of this middle picking is injured by
the heating of the cotton in the pile,
which invariably generates incipient
decay, and to this cause, more than TO
any other, may be attributed the great
prevalence Of "bad stands" since the
close Of the late sectional war.
But supposing that we have dscov-
cred 10 our midst careful, pains-t TAX =
ing farmer or planter, who does not
rel7 upon the issuing Of orders, but
gives the matter his closest. personal
athntion. lie has kept the different
pitkings separated and apart; dcsig-
mailing the best matured and least
fablty for seed; DO has had it perfect
lylricd before it is piled in the gin
house; he has had it carefully gifined
and the seed sst apart, to bc used IN
the planting Of the succeeding crop
With all this very commendable care
and painstaking on his part, he has
nevertheless made. only one move in
th, right direction, and, il ho stops
there, he may justly be compared to
the rickety child who, having accom-
plsshed his first step, toddles along
Though life without ever arriving at
the firm, sturdy, and elastic walk Of
vigorous manhood
Upon invitation we accompany this
exceptional farmer TO his well-tiled
cotton field. In our ramble through
the luxriant growth, our attention is
arrested by a stock OF magnificent
proportion and the most perfect sym
motry, and literally loaded and bend
iua under the weight of wcll-iormcd
bolls, in all stages of maturity. This
stock is not above medium height, but
is Of rather bulky proportions. Near
the ground it reaches out two long
arms, and each of these throws out
numerous limbs, which are closely
studded with fruit. From tho main
body or center stock also proceed
numerous limbs, gradually diminish
ing in length rs they approach tho
apex of the plant, so as TO form almost
q perfect pyramid. These limbs are
short, ,jointed, and to each joint is at
tached largo and finely developed
boil Upon closer examination we
discover no indication Of q loss Of fruit;
the forms have "stuck." Our we'll
pleased friend views this splendid rep
rasan,at,ve Of the royal family of "Old
King Cotton" with evident pride and
cxultation, and, If the truth were
known, has doubtless already fixed il
in his mind to mako exhibition of il nj
some prospective agricultural fair.
Near by our attention is arrested
BY a stock of equal proportion and OF
wen greater luxuriance. The samo
,ut-reacbing arms oharactizo this stock
md the limbs from the center stock
,ra enmewhot Ionoot md oounliv voll