davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14
from Catawba.

"" y" 80 =
a private letter to Col. Polk, men
tons ONE items We take the libcr-
" of quoting a. follows:
= If | had had notice before har-
vest | could have secured some rye
in Watauga eight, feet high.
wheat of the finest quality. timothy
heads a foot long, &c. Your de-
partment Is just the thing. and |
hope We will all understand il and
be ready for it before the next big
show. Western North Carolina
could make a magnificent agricul-
tural display il it were properly
represented.
If my observation and read
ing do not greatly mislead me,
there is no country IN the world
which can equal it In the varieties
Of leading agricultural products,
for which it is we'll adapted
Corn, wheat rye and buckwheat
are all leading crops +; barley is lit
tie cultivated but would grow IN
perfection on much OF the noun
tain lands. Though rice is not
vet cultivated above the Piedmont
regions, hardy varieties of upland
rice could probably be successfully
cultivated among the mountains.
Oats are a leading crop. All the
fruits of Il climate grow here III
their greatest perfection. Apples
will always probably rank first
among our mountain fruits, but
only because it bears transporta-
ton best. James W. Gwyn, Spring
dale, Haywood county, \. c., if
notified in time, would have fur
nished You with Camack apples
which would have kept till June,
would have been very handsome,
medium sized, and would probably
have compared favorably IN flavor
with any competitors from either
side of the ocean,. l planted the
trees myself. | went into the
woods since then to take a new
start in Watauga, and have no or
chard there. Sorghum is now Il
leading crop in the mountains.
There are thousands of acres OF
maple sugar trees, some of them OF
vast size, and bees do better than
they do below the mountains, SO
we can produce our W sweets.
Nearly all of the garden vegeta-
bles of the temperate zone flourish
and attain great perfection among
our mountains, surprising, both III
yield and quality. With railroads.
we could do an extensive business
in in
potatoes, cabbage, turnips. onions,
and other hardy vegetables that
keep we'll and bear rough transport
tatlOn.
But the greatest Of all our source.
Of agricultural wealth will be in
grass and its products, sheep, cattle.
wool, milk, butter, cheese, horses,
hogs, &c. Grass grows everywhere,
and Of the finest quality. The
winters are much milder than at
the North the summers, longer,
cooler, and less subject to drouth.
Unfailing springs abound every
where, having a summer temperd-
ture Of from 45o to So Fair.
The milk, butter, cheese, beef. and
mutton have y richness and delica-
cy of flavor no where surpassed.
1t Is destined to be the paradise of
stock-raisers and %dairy-men.
/ shall continue to take a lively
interest in the department of agri-
culture.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14
A new Industry for the South.

1t would be strange indeed, il
the rich soil and fine climate OF the
Southern States should be fitted for
the production Of one staple article
only, viz. cotton. The fact is that
the Southern States will IN time
become the richest portion Of the
country, agriculturally, because Of
the great diversity OF products
possible. A new opening has been
found for enterprise, viz: the pro-
duction of winter butter, and we
learn that one farmer in Tennessee,
and another Of Arkansas, are send
ing fresh grass butter to Boston
market this winter. These farmers
keep Jersey cows, which pasture
during the winter upon the native
grasses, Of which Blue Grass IS tho
chief. Blue Grass for winter pas
ture, Bermuda Grass for the sum
mer will sustain Ows IN fine order,
and there is the whole winter for
the production Of butter. Why
should not southern farmers avail
themselves of the advantages Of
their climate and raise dairy pro-
ducts at the time when northern
diaries are suspending operations::-
american Igriculfurist.
We quote the above to show that
some good can come out Of Naza-
rcth even in Northern eyes.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14
Experimental.
An Unappreciated Section.

DEAR SIR:-There is no section
Of North Carolina located upon so
public a thoroughfare and OF which
as little is known as the low lands
of Cape Fear, commencing south
ward Of old Inlet at a little above
confluence of Cape Fear and Eliza
beth rivers, on latter, is II Of the
magnificent marshes hat | ever
bcheld. 1t contains thousands Of
acres, is susceptible of easy drain
ace, and if desired a be irriga-
ted from streams in its rear. A
portion of this marsh has been taken
in by a man OF energy, has been
planted for series of years, produces
sixty to seventy bushels corn to acre,
peas and pumpkins in same proper
ton. Cotton has been tried, grows
finely, natures, but rather too
much weed.
Returning we pass the town OF
Smithville, thence up the beautiful
broad waters of Cape "Fair," we
pass Shows marsh, arrive at historic
old Brunswick, (Fort Anderson)
Next orion, the once prlncely
estate of the late DR.. Frederick j..
Hill, then Kendall, Lilliput, and the
Oaks which brings us to mouth Of
Town creek. Abreast of Town creek
is Big Island containing about 1000
acres of alluyial soil, which judges
Il can be converted into a magnifi-
Client stock farm. East side of
Town creek, is Old Town deserving
more than Il passing notice; the
first settlement upon Cape Fear
river was made at this place III
1864. Tradition hath it hat the
settlers were fully impressed with
the value of these marsh lands and
intended and did follow stock rails
ing rs a vocation.
Clarendon, the celebrated Wat
ters plantations isnext to old Town.
Itisnow owned by that indomitable,
energetic, p%ersevering man Col. S.
l.. Fremont. The Col. resides upon
the property and is experimenting
in raising sheep. Col. L. c.
McIlhcnny's magnificent planta-
ton comes next. A property that
he was offered 800, 900 for before
the war. The main land portion
of his place lies on Brunswick river.
Crossing at It's mouth, we come to
Eagles Island. Said Island is bound
ed by Cape Fear in East and South;
Northwest river on North and
Brunswick river on west. | cam
not give you the exact number Of
acres-possibly no, 600 entirely OF
river origin. There are various
creeks making out of the island and
strange to say, none of them so en-
tirely through it. All Of the sour
Ces are in the Island.
In calling attention to these
lands it is but just that | should
give their production, under Guilt
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14

J. 10 he fuuItl W Tire haIei~ < our alepf- IL
al important points. VINO H.It supply 81. ff.e4
from i4ctory, IN quantities. 10 sult. lesfl. lug
Iltnt led uss and Tor The general crop.
HIS standard artIa b has been iH 4acc%-N#
usf IN North Carolina lor 80 many yetp thu
IL is needless ~ present here auy extended
Irptl y ~ II = commentator ltAaf Hr ful
loving from AiaE ka-i aud. author - tie
famous l<SstN !" NTH. cum. Hsoa I--F f..Yny
II FtHe lefLoT /'--tcrr, l-deeu4ri s4iiel.uf
Eleven years experience ii n" u-e offae
Anchor Brand IuDAr-p Fertilizer. manu-
featured by the southern feTtllK'BZ Com
pany, Richmond, Virginia. has convinced Tie
writer that 1T the planters test AID ia the
yro.lurtiou Uf ytch, StJsV. bf4yh1 U~kDta tobet.-u.
Lands capable OF producing yellow tobacco
need Just such htlp a. s. furnished IS tb-
fertilizer ~ ha-trflnE the growth sHt glylux
size, substance and 04iy maturity 10 tHe
plant.
Jan lin JOHN OFT. SEQ
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14

The exposure of the crueltieS prac-
ticed in the Trenton State prison have
thrown in the shade the horrors Of the
Essex county n. j. penitentiary:
VIM. Jones was confined in a dark cell
lob days. starved. bucked, gagged,
strung up, and beaten until he COM
mitted suicide. He was blind in one
eye. and refused to break stone be
cause he was afraid Of losing his other
eve.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14
Kerosene Oil for Sheep Scabs.

j. W. D." Limestone Texas
1t would not be advisable to pour
kerosene oil along the spine Of a
sheep to cure the scab; the effect
would be to cause sores where 1t
was applied, and it would fail to
reach the vermine beneath the
scabs. As a necessary preliminary
to the successful application of any
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14
March 9th, 1873.

Mention is made bv the Chatham
Courier Of IA corr grower who, IN
selecting seed, always breaks the
ear open in the middle, and Il he
finds the chit of the kernel plump.
he "knows it will grow without
any mistake"
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14
Dead-Head Seed.

EDITOR FARMER AND MECHAN-
IC:-As you have nobly stepped
forward to assist the oppressed far
mcr in various ways, will make
known my complaint and let You
take up my fight.
In 1876 bought seed Of +. Whit
man. Son \ Co.: gave them a fair
trial and but few came up. The
cause was, | am inclined to think
that the seed were too old to ger
inmate.
In 1877. bought Fcrrys seed and
met with a similar failure and. |
guess, from alike cause.
| have generally bought seed Of
Rob't Buist Jr. and have invariably
gotten good seed. Was informed
this spring that | could get seed at
half Of former rates, or rather that
| could get 1oct. papers for set.
Ordered and got 5ct. worth Of seed
IN lOct papers st 1Octs per paper.
Now Mr.. Editor. ought | not
to have a criminal action against
these parties: And ii have want
you, Col. S. +, Adams, Col. Polk
and Prof. LedouS, to act as my at
torneys and put them through.
You have about done up the
guano men, and | would now sug-
gest that you turn your attention to
the seeds-mcn. They need it. 1t
wont do them any harm. 1t always
does a man good to lie punished
for his meanness, and deter. others
from acting IN a like manner.
Yours. I.
March 9th, 1873.
The aim Of our paper IS 70 ex-
pose the fraudulent, and recon-
mend the true, and useful, SO far he
can be ascertained. To this end,
we print the above: though II
should be remembered there Is "a
possibility that part Of the blame
belongs elsewhere than to the seeds
men. Merchants sometime sell
the leavings Of last years stock
along with the new.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14

EDITOR FARMER AND MECHAN-
Ic:--Possibly sweet potatoes are
marketed earlier IN the sea coast
section than any other portion OF
the state. The Bermuda is the
best variety.-Scarlet outside,
white inside: when properly cooked
very mealy eaten with fresh but
ter, accompanied with a milk /
very nice.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14
MODE OF

Plant from seed manure in drill
with chaff and stable manure, lay
off rows with turn pillow, run bull
tongue IN furrow to deepen and
pulverize, throw up hill with turn
pillow: rows three and half feet apart
II to Is inches in drill. Work
same as other potatoes. The writ
er now Uses a hoe IN cultivatlng
potatoes, except at last working.
/ have known this variety Of po-
tatocs offered IN Wilmington mark
ct as early rs the 4th July.
These potatoes contain medlcl-
nal properties. | have frequently
known them prescribed for chill
dren, teething when medicine.
failed to arrest the disease.
Yours Truly ID. 5. {.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14
Sweet Potatoes.

la answer to our Asheville Sub
scriber," a successful planter, in Co.
lumbus county, writes al follows:
RoREsoN 2. O., n. c.,
March 9th. 1873.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-08-09

WHAT Is CALLED THE AMERICAN CoLoNY IN
PARIS consists of about two thousand families,
a large proportion of them from the South.
A great many of them might be regarded al
most as permanent residents A goodly num-
Der of them are people of limited means, who
find that they can live so much cheaper here
than in an American city that they have con-
cluded to stay. One of these remarked to
me to-day, Il can live better in Paris on
$1,000 per annum than l could in New York
on $1,000" He then proceeded to detail the
difference. In New York he would be regard
ed as nobody unless he owned or rented
brown-stone house at from $1,000 to $4,000
per annum Here he could obtain a suite of
elegant apartments, in fashionable neigh
borhood, at from $500 to $1,000 per annum,
and make as good an appearance as any one
else in his sphere. In New York he would
have to pay $40 per week for a coachman
whilst here he could engage a landau, with a
fine pair of horses, and liveried footman
thrown in, to be always at the reasonable call
of his family for $12 to $15 per week. Then
he said he could clothe himself and family at
one-half the expense, and much better than
he could in New York that servant hire was
not half the cost, and the service better; that
there We're always amusements here at mod
crate cost, and n cab at call to take him and
family home at all hours of the night for two
francs, whilst in New York such luxury
would cost five dollars. Then there was none
of the troubles of housekeeping in Paris, as a
family can be fed cheaper than it can feed it.
self if satisfied with French living. But, he
remarked, an American can never feel COM
Portable or contented in Paris until he goes
to housekeeping and orders his own food, and
prescribes the mode of cooking It. A French
man loves the table d'hote, but it is an abom-
ination to the American. As soon as they
get under their own roofs they all fall back
to the American mode of living, and luxuriate
in griddle cakes, mullins, hot rolls and buck
wheat cakes all of which a Partisan would
regard as poison, They exercise the horri-
BILE French pattieg, roast and stuff their chick
ems instead of broiling or frying them, serve
up their salad without oil, and let those who
love oil oil it they eat their peas and beans
and potatoes with their meat, and mix things
generally just as they did at home. They
know exactly what they are eating, and no
longer shut their eyes and swallow whatever
is given them without knowing very often
whether it is fish, flesh or fowl. -Fult0R'S
Letter.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-08-09

What then, shall be said of the hummng-
bird that tiny dwelor in lovely tropical for
osts, fluttering and darting among wilderness
es of orchids, creepers, and air-plants, rs gor-
geous and fairy-like rs the great blue Brazil
ian butterfly, its pluyfellow in those Amazon
ian plains, lone-lying as enchanted = Pro
fessOr Orton, writing of the South American
wilds, says: 1.-the lianas, starred with
flowers, coil up the stately trees and then
hang down like strung jewels; they can be
counted only by myriads, yet they are mere
supertiuities. The dense dome of green over
head is supported by crowded columns, often
branchless for eighty feet The reckless COM
petition among both small and great adds 10
the solemnity and gloom of n tropical forest"
In these ntrOdden bowers the humming- bird
makes its home, 1t is peculiar to America
and the adjacent islands, and although bear
ing some relation to the sun-bird of Asia and
Africa, it is never found across tho water in all
its tiny beauty. A few varieties live in tho
Northern United States and are often seen
sporting over beds of flowers in the summer
sunshine. Their motion is rapid and grace
ful. Now close at hand, plunging into deep
tlower-cup, in an instant it is of like a ray of
light, and disappears no one knows whittier
Never appearing to alight, they hover on deli
cate wing, true creatures of the air and sun
shine.
bright humming-bird Of gem-like plumeleage
By Western Indians Living Sunbeam named"
There are many species of this little crea-
ture, which is found in the greatest abundance
in the West Indies and all through South
America. Its coloring is a marvel of beauty.
Now like a ruby, now a topaz, or emerald, or
shimmering gold it seems futtering rain
bow, the most lovely and dainty of all the
great bird family. Like the bird of paradise,
the humming- bird is never seen on the ground.
Its tiny nest, often no larger than a walnut
shell, is fastened in the fork of branch, or
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-08-09
ICoacladed mart areck.


NALlioANIA MiNiNd STORY Not many
miles from Shasta City is the Guleh of which
the following mining story is told: 1t is a
pretty deem r,yiu,. with rocks showing all
the way The sides Gold in poyiu, Quantities
had been found oloug the str,9n, bnt if
seemed to disappear II few feet from tbe chan.
mel. one day. whila can1 Of bnsy men
were toillnu In the stream. n STRANGER evi-
IDENTIFY rrren at mining came nlong. and
l.,,,,1 ~, ,,.,.,1 H. g., - L. 1T -
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-08-09
Only One Day nt a Time.

a certain lady had met with very serious
accident which necessitated painful surgi-
cal operation and many months confinement
to her bed. When the physician had finished
his work, and was about taking leave, the pa
ticnt asked, Doctor. how long shall | have
to lie here helpless Z"
"Only one day at time" was the chcery
answer and the poor sufferer was not only
comforted for the moment, but many times
during the succeeding weary weeks did the
thought, "Only one day at time" come
back with its queting influence
think it was Sydney Smith who recon-
meuded taking short ''yiews" as a good safe
guard against needless worry and one far
wiser than he has said, Take therefore no
thought for the morrow; for the morrow
shall take thought for the things of itself.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof"
There are no troubles that wear upon the
temper, and sap the foundations of all peace
and comfort, as do borrowed troubles, because
there is no provision made in the divine econ
omy for help to bear them We have no
promise that strength will be given to sustain
us under the weight of imaginary burdens
Real trials, brayely and patiently borne, are
moral tonics. strengthening and purifying in
their influence, lifting the soul to higher lev
els and broader outlooks. But it is only by
receiving them as they come, zone day mt
time, ana taxing no thought for those of the
morrow, that they will yield us the full meas
ure OF good with which they are fraught
We should probably be not a little astonish-
ed could we take in at glance all the trials of
our past lives, both real and apprehended to
find how greatly the latter would out-number
the former, and also how rarely the dreaded
evil has become reality Again and again
does the dark cloud, which seems Just ready
to launch forth its lightning dart of scathing
afhiction, descend in gentle and refreshing
showers Of mercy 1t is however, sometimes
the case that the habit of forebodng evil
helps TO work out its fulflment The mother
who passes nights of sleepless anxiety con-
cerning the future of the wilful wayward
child, thus renders herself unfit for the exer-
else of that calm. firm discipline, so necessary
to its proper training and may make many a
fatal mistake which would have been avoided
had she simply done her very best from day
to day, leaving the results with God. The
business man, who during season of finan-
cial depression, broods constantly over the
prospect of impending ruin, loses that cool,
clear judgment which would go far toward
averting the dreaded catastrophe.
In all those hard places to which we SO of
ten come in the course of our earthly pilgrim
age, when for days, weeks, and perhaps
for months and years. We seem to be rowing
against the tide making 10 headway, and
sometimes apparently losing ground when
flesh and spirit are alike aready to fail it will
be well to remember that it is ''only one day
at time" and that H who gives daily bread
will also supply the daily need of grace I'D
cocdte and Guardian.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-08-09

suspended by fine SPIDERS webs to leaf or
the stalk Of creeper. Some varieties weave
IA nest as firm and durable as leather; others
those that build on branch-cover it with
dainty lichcns so that it appears as n portion
Of the original twig, being completely conceal
ed. There are nests hard on the inside, 9TH
ers soft and downy as the finest silk lining,
the fibre Of certain plants can make them.
The female, which, like all other bird species.
is dull and plain when compared to her gor-
geous consor, deposits one or, at the most,
two tiny white eggs In ten days they are
Matched, and in n week after birth the young
are able TO leave the nest, although some
months must elapse before the male acquires
the full beauty of his plumage Much has
been written about the food of these tiny
creatures. the early naturalists believing that
they subsisted solely upon nectar Of flowers.
But it has now been proved that they can not
long endure II diet of sweets alone. Minute
flies spiders. and almost invisible bugs are
cagerly sought for by the humming-brd and
it has been seen to make fine breakfast on
the gossamer spider, which it neatly abstracts
from the centre of its silvery web. Helen
s. C0acHt IN Hafper's far AUgua.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-08-09

TIE New SYSTEM OF STEAM HEATING. .-
The Springfield (Mass.) gas company has
bought the right to use the Holly system of
steam heating, by which whole streets are
heated by steam from single boiler, and a
trial of it will doubtless be made there this
winter. A company in New York city has
pettioncd for leave TO lay pipes tn ere for in
Producing the same system. At Lockport,
N. Y, the system is in successful operation,
and is said to be entirely satisfactory in the
matter of expense, convenience and comfort
to those whose houses are warmed by it.
From the Lockport works the steam is con-
Quoted two miles, and Mr.. Holly claims that
it can be used five miles from the boiler with
out difficulty. The company at first charged
consumers about the same as they had preyi-
ously paid for fuel, but has now introduced
meters, and the cost is said to have been con-
siderably reduced from the rates first charged
Besides this saving, the trouble of taking
care of fires, the risk of damage from care
less tending, the injury to furniture and
health from smoke, gas, and dust are saved
and uniform temperature is easily preserved.
The steam can be used for cooking also, and
for power; and snow, it is said, can be very
cheaply and quickly cleared from the side
walks by steam jet
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-08-09

RUSSIAN RED TApE-A story is current in
Moscow, apropOs of Russian official routine,
which, whether literally true or not certainly
illustrates to perfection the character of the
prevailing system. An operate star of some
note, connected with one of the principal
Moscow theatres, wishing to make short ex-
cursion into the country, went to get her pass
port signed by the local authorities. The
presiding official received her politely, and,
having learned her business inquired for her
written petition" My written petition :"
cried the lady, Il have none l never knew
that anything of the kind was required" 4"
''Not required madam on the contrary moth
ing can be done without it." "What am
to do then Z" Nothing easier be good
enough to take this sheet of paper, and write
according to my dictation" The applicant
obeyed, and transcribed word for word for
NAL petition requesting leave of absence from
the city for stated time, which was duly
signed folded and sealed. And now,"
quoth the man in office, you have only to
deliver it," "To whom, prayY" ITO whom :"
echoed the official, with a slight smile at the
absurdity of the question ''to me, of course"
The document was accordingly handed across
the table. The man adjusted his spectaces,
broke the SEAL grayely read over his compo-
siton from beginning to end, folded and
docketed it with methodical slowness, and
then turning to the impatient artiste, said,
with an air of official solemnity MADAM, l
have read your petition, and regret to tell you
that l am unable to grant it,