davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02
APRIL. oath 1873.

APRIL, oath 1873.
DEAR SIR:-A very mild winter and
forward spring vegetation is two or
three weeks IN advance Of last wear.
Wheat, oat. and rye crops are good.
with an increase in acreage of about
fifty per cent; corn is just up, green
and healthy. About the same acre
age In cotton is now being planted as
last year. But few and small patches
Of clover and grasses have been seed
ed. Our people preparing the COW or
field pea oats and the native grasses.
We grow fruit only for family use
nom for market, the prospect is fair
for an ABUNDANT crop of this luxury.
There is very few sheep raised in this
county farmers are talking Of such en-
terprise and it is generally conceded,
there is a handsome profit in it. Hogs
have been improved by paying closer
attention to native and crossing with
BerkshireS, this county IS in earnest
about raising hog meat. There is not
luz AhiBAof III NoNNAt. 49,
farmer wants a good milk COW but
think the native scrub good enough for
beef, and as they do well on green
broom sedge in summer, and live on
shucks in winter, would not give much
for service of the fine young bull
Wade Hampton exhibited at the last
State Fair by NJ. c. S. Cherry, of this
county. Farmers. in Eastern y. {.
know but little about beef and mutton.
| So great is the improvement IN farm
implements that farmers o cult
vate their crops with at least one-third
| less labor than five or six years ago.
| The stock the law has not been much
agitated here, and l hardly think our
people are prepared for it. 1t is IN adj
success is to raise every article of on
sumption, as far as possible, on the
farm. Farmers preach this doctrine,
but don't practice it. During the war
plenty of good molasses. Not a gallon
is now produced in the county. But we
use quantities of it and king cotton
foots the bill. Tho freedmen love il
next to whiskey and tobacco and must
have it. see from your monthly re
ports that it is now raised in Catawba
and other counties. Will not some one
of your correspondents tell us the best
time to plant, how to cultivate, wher
to cut the cane, by what process they
extract the juice, how TO make the
molasSes? &c.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02
ANSON co. CORRESPONDENT.
APRIL 9th. 1878.

APRIL 24TH, 1878.
DEAR SIR: Yours of 18th inst. to
hand, the prospect for a good wheat
crop pretty fair. 10 per cent. more
plented, and some 10 days earlier than
usual. Fall oats, as to stand and color,
good, rather under size, owing to dry
weather. About al average crop plan
ted. Spring oats will be almost a fail
ure without "a great change from now;
we have heard of no damage from in
sects, rust, or other causes. A full
corn crop has generally been planted,
stands so far tolerably good. But lit
tie complaint of bud worm. We are
now in the midst of cotton planting.
I think a full average crop will be
planted. Nearly so per cent. more
fertilizer used than last year; nearly all
under cotton. The Spring has been
unusually fine for farming operations
and everything seems to be well adj
vanced for the season. The prospect
for a fruit crop of nearly all varieties,
good. Our people as you know are
very cautious, but | think there is a
growing interest as regards stock-rais-
ing. Satisfactory experiments have
been made introducing improved
breeds of cattle, hogs and sheep; and
are generally in favor of a stock law.
| don't think that a general dog tax
would take with our people, but think
a sufficient tax on the female dog
would be less Objectionable. and prob
ably answer our purpose as well. Will
try and comply with your other re-
quests. Am very much pleased with
the FARMER AND MECHANIC; think It
one of the very best agricultural papers
we have ever had among us.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02

yet IN bloom. - inches high. Both
samples cut to-day. and viii - sent
you. / also seri sample - second
cuttin. p inches.
Fruit If al kinds kept the earlier
cherries and aprScots. = abundant. In
some sections there are both cherl~
and apricots- There wlll - 4 saar
average crop 81 everything cxcep;
apples, which were not killed Is fro~l.
but failed t. bloom. owing 70 unusual
heavy crop last year. Apples seldom
bear full, two years in succession.
Commercial fertilizers are not much
used III Guilford. Ne have never taken
much stock IN bought uaaures. and
less this yea than usual. took The
trouble 10 g - the depot AMI Ak the
agent for both roads, and he informs
me that not more than Oac CIR load 81
commercial fertilizers has been re-
ceiyed in Greensboro this season, and
tleman Of Randolph county, who
grotc. cotton. | would add, however,
that the agent SAYS about a half car
load Of chemicals has been received
for making fertilizers. This l. right.
If our farmers would read Prof. L.
douX's formulas, they would soon quit
two b0ne factories, which supply the
farmers With pure bone dust. With
these facts, Col. Polk, II i useless for
me 10 tell You our farmers are not
grooming under heavy interest Oh mort
gagged farms.
The stock law is being fully discuss
ed and greatly agitated. Eleven town
ships have petitIoned for a vote on tile
question, ii Is confidently expected
tnat the remaining seven Will do 50 IL
May, so we Will have a vote IN every
townships in the county. 1t IS too sool
yet TO speculate as 10 results.
hear no complaint OF disease amonl
hogs or cattle, and none OF damage (,
crops from insect.
L Will try and keep you posted
monthly and hope my farmer friend:
in Guilford viii send me opinions .
their crops as they mature, IL oIde
hat their county may remain a. sh'
now is-the best represented lagrIcul
turally speaking) in your museum, Q
any county III the State.
W
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02

AraIL ssnd ISIS.
ieur circular O! the 18th INST. max
ins inquiry n regard - crops 81 al
kinds, fruits. and VARIOUS other mai
tiers q interest, has t-en ~rcoeiysd-
tn wheat crop generally i. .. oni-
ine. except tho late s~s~>ilnS which l.
not branching we'll Fall sowing Of
! looks promising. spuns SOW ins
unpTofnising, both wheat and oats have
suffered materially from drought. 4
Large proportion Of the crop of corn
has been planted On upland Farmers
Are preparing for a average crop Of
tobacco, the destruction Of plants By
insects, l. general anu much complaint,
of the scarcity Of plants the cool dry
weather has operated very pre- Iudici-
ally. The fruit crop i something like
an average and il now considered safe.
\ good deal OF attention i being given
20 the Improvement Of cattle and hogs
especially the latter. but few hor~e.
and mules raised. Sheep ~husbandry
on . moderate scale would succeed
Well, but Tor the ravages Of WORTHLESS.
curs, keep up the war until YOU extcr-
inmate thent. The feeling Is growing
IN favor OF the Fence or Stock law =
we are compelled to have il, and IL i.
only a question Of time.
Some Improvement IN agricultural
implements, piows, harrovs thresh.rs.
&c. Cur fArmers VIII test fully this
season, the value Of home made fer.
tllzers. About fifty tons in this i'm
mediate vicinity already manipulated.
besidesa quantity III other portions of
the county; consequently OF guano
purchased by our farmers. Should
the experiments now being mad.
prove a success, the vendors will have
TO seek other markets for their ~fertili-
zers IN future.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02
J l

~ honey made this ve&r. sheep can
- as@~i ~tih proas. II III. stray do<s
we've klIled AMI a tx "a al thai arr
left " pay = tax ~ sheep why not
on dog There i an improvement.
in The 6Te~d = cstsle and hog Hog
choAeTa : raging n sore parts ~ iAs
county - Manufacturers nor ma.
chtaeFv. No xto~k as There are
hns thrAshsrs IN the coan.y - per
cent Haorv fertilizers us~d than iAss
yvAr.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02
DANIE COUNTY.

APRIL 21s,t 1878.
Yours of the 18th inst, came to
day.and l hasten to reply:
There are plenty of peaches in this
part of the county yet; l think the
apple crop will be short as a great
many trees did not blossom and those
that did were scattering. Wheat Is
looking fine. Oats are starting nicely.
Farmers are about done planting corn.
The fly has destroyed all the tobacco
plants in some neighborhoods; the
price being SO low at present. the
farmers do not seem to care much. 1t
is the money crop for the farmers in
this section, but l do not think will be
more han half as much planted as was
last year. l have no doubt if we could
get clear of dogs but what sheep raising
could be made profitable: and would
be. The farmers, as a general thing,
have the improved breeds of hogs.
Not much care taken of cattle, but |
think the interest is starting to grow.
Improved farming implements are
not much used except Moving Ma
chimes and T%hreshers. The stock law,
I think, is wanted by the land owners;
but we have 50 many negroes that
would go against it, with some OF the
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02

APRIL 22ND., 1875.
Wheat and oats are very fine and
more land seeded than formally. Or
chard grass and clover bids fair to do
well, only small lots, with few excep-
tons, have been tried as yet. | havo
seen some fields of as fine clover III
this county as is to be found anywhere
in the State.
There is a growing interest in fruit
culture, and the prospects for a full
crop of all the fruits adapted here, is
good, Notwithstanding the recent Sc
we're hail storm which thinned out in
some localities.
Sheep could he raised here TO good
advantage but for worthless dog.
Improved breeds of cattle and hogs
are being introduced to advantage.
There is but little attention being paid
to manufacturing. improved farm
implements and farm machinery is
being extensively used. | am of opin-
ion hat our people are not vet prepar-
ed for a stock Law, yet the most Of our
intelligent farmers are.
Our county has ! poor house, well
managed, with some 8 or : paupers a.
inmates, 6 Masonic Lodges, 10 Sunday
schools, 8 Good Templar'5 Lodges.
Our people are very healthy and in a
prosperous condition. They are more
Inclined Ia save money than ever
saw them. The hog cholera is ON
what abated but is yet prevailing III
Elevation and Smithfield townships.
The shad fisheries on our river and
creeks nave made quite a poor yield
this season. The water has been quite
low and cold until recently, since
which time a freshet has prevailed.
We are looking for a good run now.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02

sire TO 20 forward in that direction.
Much interest Is felt in the no fence
law and | have been writing articles
about II n the Roanoke Nelcs All our
farmers are eminently working TO in
spire their method in every respect.
Have heard Of no damage by insects
IN this section. Much Of our wheat i
two feet high, and ready TO head out.
Cotton planting Is going on with US.
will fill out your report promptly
each month. and endeavor { give you
fair estimates of all farming matters.
have now some Specimens, which
! got ready TO send last year. but waited
10 get others from my neighbors, and
never got them. | will promise 10
send specimens this year.
Can | buy a flock OF ewes in your
county | wish 10 sheep
raising and find il hard 10 get up 4
hundred ewes in this county.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02
HALIFAX

APRIL. 22ND., 1873.
DEAR SIR: In reply TO your circular
of 18th inst, | beg 10 say, that wheat
is sown at least - per cent. in xcess
of last year, and is looking remarkably
well. The same may be said of oats.
Glover and the grasses, are gradually
increasing in acreage, and are looking
well. The prospect for fruits OF all
kinds, in my section of the county IS
very hattering; the trees being almost
universally loaded. Chufas are being
planted with much hopefulness OF good
results. Millet also is attracting
attention. Cotton will be o
az average acreage, and corn 10 per
cent, in advance. Your correspol-
dent is introducing improved stock in
this section, and there is a general de-
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02
CARTEREr co. CORRESPONDENT.

BEAUFORT, y. c., April 2ith., 1878.
The prospects of all kinds OF crops,
produced in this county, fruits &c.
is better than for many years past.
Sheep raising could be made very prof
liable but for thousands of worthless
dogs.
Improved stock has proved quite sue
cessful when tried. Not many improv-
ed implements, though much liked by
those who use them. The stock law
would meet with general favor in this
county. Corn is being cut in low
grounds by bugs. VIII endeavor to
furnish you with crops as they mature.
Would have done SO last year but our
crops We're too sorry and immature for
exhibition.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02

ArRIL, 23d 1878,
Yours OF the 18th making enquiry
in regard TO crops. &c, received.
Wheat, oats. clover and grasses look.
ing very well at this time. A heavy
crop of all kind of fruits, except cher
ries aud pears, which from some cause
Will be very light. Corn is up and
looking well, with a fair stand. Veg
etables are coming in with
for a yield. Less damage by insects To
crops up to this time than | have no.
ticed for several years.
No doubt sheep raising could be
made a profitable business with Us II
we could get rid Of the ours. Befor.
the war nearly every farmer had from
10 to 60 sheep, and some as fine a. We
ever saw any where. And why not
have them now: 1t takes less TO feed
them than any stock we have. We
improve cattle and hogs with US. The
Berkshire or Essex crossed ON good
native sows, make the best hogs we
hdf "a -. 4 III psi lax - THO
Attorneys or Jerseys, but believe the
best cattle We could get, would be the
cross Of the Attorney and Durham,
which would give Us a good yield Of
rich milk and butter, and a very nice
beef.
| find all the more enlightened and
intelligent class Of our people are In
favor Of the stock Law, and say it 10
the thing needed and desired al this
time. | know Of know OF no Law which
would benefit the farmer more at this
time. think itneed only be brought
into operation to be favored by all
classes. The subject Is being agitat.d
some little in township, and hope
some good results viii come out Of il.
We have one pillow mandatory at
Forestyille-firm Of w. Is. Smith & Co.
They are making a pillow which IL the
best in use with u, and. ! believe, the
best made anywhere. | don't say 80
merely because / think .c, but be cause
il Is being duplicated by nearly every
Foundry in the country, all Of our far
mers us il and say it Is the best and
wc believe what our farmers Of Wake
Fore9tville township say ought 10 have
some weight, because, take them as =
whole. they are better farmeia, and
make more per acre than any Town
ship IN Wake County. | hope you viii
not take this as a Boosting spirit IN me.
| feel proud that We a say as much
And now, sir, II you can give Us the
stock law, | think III a few years,
We will have better cattle, hogs, farms
and more money. Our lands will in
crease in fcrtility and value. | have
already written too much.
will bring you sample Of my clover
and grass on Wednesday. With n any
good wishes in YOUR work, | an
yours,
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02

whites, that ! think ii would b. de-
feated. Just at this time the pros
pect for lall kinds Of crops that we
grow looks well. But the low prices
for produce is discouraging corn 40
cents, tobacco from , to ) cents. No
Manufactures in this county except
tobacco.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02
STOKES COUNTY CORRESPONDENT.

APRIL 2ith 1873.
DEAR SIR: In answer 10 our of
lSth.-Our winter wheat. rye, and
oats are looking unusually well, the
the wheat Is generally rather thick as
none was winter killed. Spring oats
backward for want of rain. The dry
weather has been favorable for the de-
~predations of insects on tobacco plant
and there is a general complaint Of
their ravages and l am sorry to see
that our planters are so discouraged (on
count of the low prices of the weed
that they are not useing their usual
energy for their destruction. but it IS
too early in the season to Justify say
ing there Will not be a full crop plant
ed but signs are very unfavorable.
/ doubt whether a majority of our
people are ready to endorse a stock
law but | am satisfied it would be
greatly to the interest of all; the time is
when all will be convinced.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02
List Of Correspondents Of the
Board Of Agriculture.

NOTES.-The regHidr correspondents OF
the department are requested TO act as
agents for the FARMER y
IL. trLich lCiH hereafter be tie oGicidt
organ Of the Department. They are
specially requested to e.rtend the car
cutotion Of the paper tn their counties
as far as possible.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02

Az USTLMELY REQrEsT.-Durfng a
time-of great political excitement DIR.
Cheever called on an old deacon for
PRAYER. The deacon said Well,
pastor I viii, If you insist Oh il, but
really. / am too mad TO pray now
Pifssbura Commercial.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02
DUpLIS COUNTY CORRESPONDENT.

APRIL 22nd 1873.
In compliance with your request
shall do the best | can for Duplin. Corn
an average crop planted, what Is up
is doing well. cotton p or 30 per cent.
more planted and 10 be planted and
looking finely, millet Is planted on a
small scale. Prospect good so lar, for
fruits of all kind. All are planting
chufa who can get The seed. 1t 10 n
of the greatest hogs food that We have
ever had. There viii be a large stock
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02
MAY 2, 1878. ]
department Of agriculture
state Board OF Agriculture, Immigra-
ten and Statistics.

Z. b. VASCE, Governor and ex oincio Chair
nan-
member OF the Board.
X. l.. BATTLE, PRECEDENT State Agricultural
ni8ege and eX oil. ) member Of the Board.
f.. VI. Holt, President State Agricultural
society and ex ofiicio nember OF the Board.
: b. ALEXANDER, Master State Grange, l..
of H.. and ex Olficio member OF the Bard.
J. Il. IHIGPES, Of EdgecOmbe county.
EVANS, OF Cumberland county
l.. Pol Commissioner.
mos. j.. ROBINSON, Secretary and Treas
urer.
Ofice, second floor OF Briggs Building
Raleigh, y. C..
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02

goInery.
Matheson.
AIleghany-D. c. Jones.
Anson-Alfred Baucum, III. w. Led
better.
Ashe-Geo. II. Hamilton.
Beaufort-Thos. IL. Blount, W. IL.
Cunningham.
Bertie-Duncan c. Winston, JohnC.
Tines.
Bladen-J. Stuart Devane, j. w.
Purdie.
Brunswick-O. MGR. Holmes, John
y. Bennett.
Buncombe - Samuel c. Shelton,
Samuel ID. Gudger.
Burke. I. Patterson, Chas. r.
Mckesson.
Cabarrus - DIR. Columbus Mills,
Erwin Harris.
CALDWELL. VI. Houck, j. c. Har-
per. u. a. ScroSgs.
Camden-G. ID. b. Pritchard.
Carteret-W. +. Rowland.
CasweIl-Azariah Graves, DR.. \. Nj.
Roam.
Catawba-W. p. Reinhardt.
Chatham-R. James Powell, Henry
a. London.
Cherokee-Wm. Beal.
Chowan-Wm. j. Webb.
Clay-W. H.. Mcclure.
CleyeIand-J. w. Garrett, Thomas
Kendrick.
CoIumbus-D. S. Cowan.
Craven-Enoch Wadsworth, Geo.
Allen.
Cumberland-Wm. Alderman, w.
w. Cole, j. a. Worth.
Currituck-Wm. b. Shaw.
Dare-Geo. L.. Fulcher, Isaac {.
NJ .ekins,
Davidson-J. \. Leach.
Davie-W. \. Clement.
Duplin-W. NJ. Kennedy.
Edgecombe-W. I. Cobb.
Forsythe-Geo. w. Hinshaw, r. S.
Linville.
Franklin-A. S. Perry, DR.. o. L. FL
lis.
Gaston-G. F. Bason, James I'll
White.
Gates-Bruce Smith.
Graham-G. Is. Walker.
Granville-N. A. Gregory, S. A.
Cannady.
Greene-W. p. Ormond, w. A. OAR
den.
Guilford-. w. Albright.
aalifax-F. NJ. Garrett, Jno. b.
Neal. I. w. Harris.
Harnett-Daniel Men. Mckay.
Haywood-E. H.. Hyatt, A. j. Her
rem.
Henderson-H. j. Farmer, w. G. B.
Morris.
Hertford-J. Z. Newsom.
Hyde-W. 5. Carter.
lredell-J. d. Click, John Y. Tenn
pleton.
Jackson-D. D. Davies
Johnston-E. w. Pou, a. j. Heath.
Jones-Jas. b. Stanley, Isaac Brown.
Lenoir-John c. Wooten, y. b.
Whitfield.
Lincoln-W. A. Graham.
Macon-C. D.. Smith, Silas Nc
DoveI.
Madison. J.. J. Gudger.
Martin-H. d. Robertson.
McDowell-John s. Brown, S. j.
Neal.
Necklenburg-J. F.Johnson.
Nitchell-S. W. Bialock.
Montgomery-H. NJ. Scarborough.
{. W. Wooley.
Moore-Wm Arnold. S. NJ. Edwards.
Nash-J. A. Harrison, w. II. Hill
Hard. Jr., Thomas Westray, n. w.
Boddie.
New Hanover-J. n. Maffit, J. L.
Cantwell.
Northampton-Wm. Grant, w. P.
Wick, VIM. I. Peele.
Onslow-Hill E. King, j. b. Taylor.
Orauge-Jas. II. Parish. }. Knox
Hughes.
Pamlico-W. T. Caho, James
ane.
Pasquotank-C. w. Hollowell.
Pender-G. L. French. Daniel Shaw.
Perquimans-James Newboid.
Person-James VI. Barnett.
Pitt-John King, James Joyner.
Polk-Dr. l.. r. McAboy.
Randolph-M. :. Robins.
Richmond-Jas. L. Cooley, L. w.
Guthrie.
Robeson-D. P. McEachern.
Neutrality-suspicious. w. HUTCHINSON,
Ihos. w. Field.
Rowan-Luke Blackmer, S. r. Har'
rison.
Rutherford-T. D. Twitty.
Sampson-Johm Ashford, n. II,
Feamei.
Stanley. E. Hartsell, w. j. Ross
Stokes-W. W. King. Ben. Bailey.
Surry-Wm. II. Wolff, r. r. Gwyn,
o.wain-John 5. Smiley, Daniel Les
ter.
Observation-Disclosures. L. Cash.
lyrrell-C. Z. Tatem, Eli Spruill.
Imon-Nachel L. Chears.
Wake-W. G. Upchurch, w. B
Smith, S. d. Williams.
Narren-W. Ii. Cheek, VIM. Wal
lace White.
Mashington-T. j. Norman, Arthur
collins, VIM. r. Chesson.
atauga-A. j. Mcbride.
ayne-J. E. Gadsby, I. B. Hyman
!ikes-L. Harrel, j. I. Finley.
Barnes. ~
Yadkin-Dr. T. Long, H. G. Wilson
Iancy-J. r. Neill, n, NJ. Wilson,
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-05-02
BRUNSWICK co. CORRESPONDENT.

APRIL, E4ln 1870.
But little can be said of the prospects
of our crops as yet. The average of
cotton and peanuts will fall short this
year about 10 per cent, when corn and
potatoes will increase about 10 per cent.
Wheat and oats are not looking very
we'll, and the stand is bad. Fruit pros
pect is very good. There is but little
attention devoted to sheep raising,
there being no protection from the
worthless ours which are astonishing
ly numerous: but when that dog law
is passed every farmer will have a
flock. which will show a larger net
profit than any investment that he may
have.
We haveno stock law and don't think
we ever will as there is little attention
paid to improving our breeds. Speci-
mems of our crops will be sent you in
due time.