davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-01-29
The Commissioner of Agriculture.

Not very long ago we entered our
earnest protest against the senseless
abuse which it has become fash
ionable to bestow upon Gen. lie Due,
Commissioner of Agriculture. We
are greatly surprised and mortified
to see some of our leading agricultu-
raj journals joining in this attempt to
render the Commissioner unpopular
among the masses and obstructing,
so far as they can, the endeavors Of
this worthy officer to disseminate cor
rect agricultural knowledge.
1t is impossible to surmise the mo-
tive of these continued and persist
ent attacks, unless they arise from a
feeling of spite and jealousy because
the Commissioner has exploded some
OF their pet theories and made valua-
BILE discoveries for which they desire
the credit. At this distance from the
scene OF action, we can only hazard a
conjecture as to the real cause of
their antipathy which they express
in language rather more forcible than
elegant or polite.
Gen LIE Due has departed from the
beaten track, so rigidly adhered to by
his predecessors. He has cut loose
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-01-29

is completed. The cakes are finally
dried off in stove at an elevated
temperature, which, when they are
once solid, only serves to harden and
improve their quality. Good glue
should contain no specks, but be,
transparent and clear when held ND
to the light The best glue swells
without melting when immersed in
cold water, and it resumes it's former
size on drying. Shreds OF parings of
vellum aud parchment make an al
most colorless glue; old gloves, rab.
it skins and the like, are frequently
employed in this manufacture The
method of softening glue for use is to
break it into small pieces, soak from
twelve to twenty hours in cold water
then set it over fire and gradually
raise its temperature until it is all
dissolved, taking care to stir it fire.
quently while melting. Prepared in
this way it cools down into stiff
jelly, which requires only little
warming to fit it for use. Amber col
ored glue is that most esteemed by
cabinet makers. Glue must not be
used in freezing temperature. Fresh
glue dries much more quickly than
that which has been once or twice
melted. Dry glue stepped in cold
water absofbs different quantities of
water, according to the quality of the
glue, while the proportion Of water
SO used may be us, d as a test of the
quality of the glue. From careful
experiments with dry glue immersed
for tw enty- four hours in water at
temperature of 60 degrees Fahren
heit, and thereby transformed into
jelly, it was found that the finest
ordinary glue, or that made from
white bones absorbs twelve times its
weight OF water in twenty-four hours
from dark bones, the glue absorbs
Teiass absorb2 1ft9 "a rom 4 fhFates re- tt fi*t
times. its own acightof water.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-01-29
DeIand, Florida, Wednesday January, 30, 187a

ground has been previously we'll bro
ken up and pulverized, but if ma
nure be added the yield is astonish-
ing. If used for soiling crop the
field will need periodical renova-
ton, which is best accomplished by
spreading a~liberal dressing of ma.
nure over the stubble, blowing and
cross plowing with a bull tongue
plow, to loosen up the soil, and after
wards smoothing over with harrow.
The easiest way to plant field is to
strew the stalks along in shallow fur
rows twelve or fifteen inches apart
and cover very lightly with plow or
hoe. BY this means a heavy stand is
at once secured and l have obtained
a growth of three feet in height and
thick as field of grain, only six
weeks from day of planting. The
stalks are very tenacious of life, more
so than sweet potatoes, andif dropped
on the ground in wet time, will
strike root and grow. Therefore it
is necessary once or twice year to
chop or pull up any stray plants, that
may make their appearance in unde-
sirable places, but one can we'll af-
ford this little trouble, considering
the great convenience and advantage
OF having an unfailing supply of the
best of forage always at hand. In
deed l have been at more labor to
keep down stray plants OF the Guin.
ca grass than OF this. There are
many kinds of valuable grasses that
flourish on the uplands, but none that
will grow so finely IN wet and mud
dy ground. By its aid those waste
places, which are generally over
grown with briers and bushes, afford
ing shelter to swarmspf vermin may
be made to produce large. supplies Of
the richest herbage, and Instead. of
being eyesores, become most yalua-
BILE TO the small farmer, who finds it
nee4Ssargs a ,lzeasa 4;as.5 }ssSSt;o
tives OF delicate compunction about
allowing them to intrude upon his
neighbor, and to block up the village
streets-a nuisance to every passer
by. For the benefit Of the hoggish-
ly inclined, 1 will add that Para
grass is as highly relished by the pi-
ny woods pointer, as red clover by
his northern BefK1..;r brother, and
if the aforesaid p. p. is confined in
an orthodox rail pen and modicum
Of fresh grass duly and daily admin
istered, the leaves and tips will
rapidly disappear and the coarser
stalks be converted into fibre as eff
fectually as any pulping mach inc
could do it. Those upon higher
lands need not be afraid to plant it,
for l think it will grow wherever the
crab grass does, and where that
won't grow in Florida, people ought
not to live.
E. H. HART.
Federal Point, Fla, Jan. 18th 1879.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-01-29
Farming in Florida. No. III.
Editor Florida Agric,tt,uist:

Editor Florida Agricuh,uiSt:
l am coming out In defence of
"piney woods land " 1 hear you say,
well it is time some one did, for it is
a much slandered region and for no
other reason than because of the
present system Of cultivation. Now
the question arises, how silall we i'm
prove our pine lands. In my last. 1
stated, by thorough cultivation, grad
ual sub-soiling, and tertilizing. Now
to one who has not the means to pur.
chase fertilizers, let him take one
acre, plant or sow with COW peas at
the rate oftwo bushels per acre; then
plow them under, plowing two inch
es deeper each time; plant the second
crop and when plowed under the
second time, and each time thereafter
cart on some muck, pine straw, or
marsh grass, old leaves, etc. When
you get the land cultivated to the
depth of twelve inches, plant the
field with sweet potatoes and having
kept an accurate account of the cost
of plowing, peas and the car:ing of
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-01-29

muck, see II the increase in the cron
OF sweet potatoes, does not more than
cover the cost. Our pine woods land
is far better than that in the vicinity
of Vine.and N. j. and with our lono
season. why should they not produce
much larger crops 1 have also no.
ticed that the farmers in New jersey
lift the vines OF sweet potatoes and
prevent them taking root. Is it not
a better plan to mulch them. Ipur-
pose the coming season to cut marsh
grass every leisure hour can get
run it through teedsor hay cutter,
and mulch an acre or so with it. and
wait the result. Have any of your
readers ever tried mulching and can
they give the result Of actual expe.
rience; if SO l for one would like to
getsit. notice an AGRIoULrUR1sT
gives the following method of saving
sweet potato vines for early Spring
planting. " Cut the vines at conven-
lent lengths before frosts iniure them
place them on dry ground to the
depth of ten or twelve inches, then
cover them with pine straw, almost
six inches, then with earth say four
inches." am trying it; who knows
a better way. When / commenced
this letter, it was mainly to get some
information~ Is cassava planted in
rows four feet apart and eighteen in
ches in the row, the right distance !;
how SHOULD it be cultivated; should
the rows be hilled any or not what
.is the distance te~splant arrow root,
and when should it bs cultivated /;
how and WREN shonIl. .asscc117sss o.
YOU make sago and tApioca from cas-
sava; how can it be cooked when just
dry and grated? Please give all the
known recipes tor pies, cake, pud-
dings, etc. l trust whoever takes
the prize on cooking the cassava at
che Orange County Fair, will pub
lish the recipe Tor the same. Who
has cultivated cassava and arrow
root and ginger root, and has any
seed or roots for sale, and what is
the product per acre what is the
best fertilizer to use?
Now, Mr.. Editor, if you answer all
the questions, or any of your sub.
scribers, [ will t"y and give them q
practical test, the coming year
Why does not Volusia County have
County Agricultural Association
let each prec lc, have a Harvest
Club, and then send delegates to the
county society, and eventually we
may be able to.haves County Fair
If you answer each and all of these
questions, | shall think you do wisl
me to write, and l will try to ask
less questions in the future.
G. J. r.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-01-29
Contents of this Number.

Page 2S5-Mr. Hart on Para Grass; Farm
ing in Florida-No. q. The Commissioner
of Agriculture; Glue; Origin of Domes-
tic Fowls.
Page 2Se-No Time for Hating, poetry !;
A Noble Act.
Page 2s7-Leg gal Notices: Advertisements.
Page 9Ss-OI6tuary; Who is Your Neigh
bor; Fruit Growers Association Forcing
Fruit Tree 10 Bear; Irish Potatoes /;
Northern Settlers Elori5 lana ; L )cals.
Page 2S9-Advertisemeuts.
Page 29O-Ashes and other Potash Manures; !;
State Fair Premium List. a
Page s91-Advertisements.
Page 292--1 geographic News; Advertise
ments.
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-01-29
Wr. Hart on Para Grass.

Editor Florida Aqriculturist:
With your permission, will, for
the benefit of your readers, sum up
.snseessons lof another years expe-
rience with the Para grass and so
satisfy in the lump, as it were, the oc-
casional inquiries on the subject that
reach me by letter. A neighbor,
who was formerly engaged for sever.
al years in sugar planting in Cuba,
tells me, that there where everybody
is compelled to fence in his own stock
and keep it from trespassing on his
neighbors, the Para grass is planted
in extensive fields or corrals for pas
turage. BY shallow plowing in dry
time it IS easily subdued if desired.
They are vexed with pestiferous
species called tae " San Carlos, that
insinuates itself into the vase places,
sssSsal!R Raetfs ;:=4iy s,- ~ u
yields to thelaggressiye pawcF OF the
Para grass, reappearing however
whenever the latter has been de-
stroyed. 1 have traced its cultiva-
ton as forage plant in Mexico, many
of the West India islands, and por-
tions of South America Now as
to it's nutritive qualities.
In the earl Y part of November L
bought farrow cow, nearly dry and
quite poor in flesh, so that the out
line of every rib was visible. She
was put into a pen and up to this
present 18th of January, with the
exception of bran mash night and
morning has had nothing to eat be-
sides the Para grass, which has been
cut and brought to her every day.
From almost none she has come up
to yield of over two quarts a day
of the richest of milk besides having
grown fat. My mule to, which
works part OF the time, has been
constantly confined to the stable,
with no other food but this grass,
and she also is in excellent condition.
1t must be remembered that we have
had frost enough to brown the leaves
without killing the stalks, the more
tender and succulent parts of which
are eaten and the coarser portions
rejected. Even in this condition
both COW and mule prefer it to the
best Of hay: and such being the case
it will readily be seen how much
greater would be its value as food
for stock when in the freshness and
luxuriance of a Summer growth.
The long stalks, or trash after being
picked over and discarded by the
cattle, form most convenient mate
rial for malching trees, covering
pineapple and other plants in Win
ter or making screens to ward off
the fierce beams of the sun in Sum-
mer. They do not decay for long
time and hang together in such a way
as not to be easily blown off by the
wind from the top Of a trellis or
arbor. ..tf
Tae Para grass grows very hand
somely on all our low moist pine
woods and prairie lands, if the
The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-01-29
Origin OF Domestic 40wls.

AS to the origen of the introduc-
ton oftbe domestic cock into Britain
we are unable to fix the precise da te
When Julius Caesar invaded the
country, he found both the goose and
the fowl IN state Of domestication
and they seem to have been held III
some kind OF religious veneration, as
they were forbidden to be eaten. 1t
is common all over the world and it
is very singular that the common
fowl, in every way resembling that OF
our own country, was found domesti-
Gated among the South Sea Islanders
when first Europeans visited them.
The game cock we seem to owe TO
the Romans as there is no instance on
record of cock fiohting being prac-
ticed by the ancient Britons. 1t is
very probable that while the Romans
remained in the conquered country
certain of the game breed were sent
over for their amusement, and hence
cock fighting became an institution
of the country. Several choice breeds
were kept by the ancient Greeks, Me-
dians and Persians. The anecdote
of Thcmistocles, the Athenian ruler
who furnished two thousand years
ago, shows that they were common
among the Athenians. What he then
remarked Of the two fighting cocks
in his camp may at the present time
be equally applicable to our own
specimens OF the species. To this day
its courage has not degenerated. The
bird still preserves his bold and ele-
giant gait and his sparkling eye, while
his wedge shaped beak and cruel
spurs are ever ready to support his
defiant crow.
No barbarism, ancient or modern,
was ever more tavorite or universally
patronized than the fighting of cocks.
The costermonger kept his cock, and
fought it for crown against the one
owned by his neighbor, the sweep !;
and Lord Noodle kept his cock and
fought it for fifty pounds against my
Lord Boobies, in the cock pit at
Westminster. The practice was ev-
en- defended, or at least excused, by
writer's who, if they will pardon me,
ought to have known better.-Bee-
toms Book Of Poultry.
New-York tribune., 1879-12-31

the tissue ballot frauds in South Carolina
for we could stand it no longer,
"and We're determined to have con-
"trol of our own State.n In other words;
I'VE rule by Divine Right; and as the
fright could not be asserted except by those IN
strumentaities we were driven to use tilem'
4 sound argument enough, if you conceue inc
premises that the Divine Right of the Demo-
cratic party to rule the country Is superior 10
the right OF the majority. IL is not imprpDaoie
that Mr.. Moses MantOn Marble ana the rest ol
that noble band who started out in 1876 to buy
or steal n State somewhere, proceeded on ihe
theory of Democratic Divine Right, and Hat
tered themselves they were doing Oous sei
wee with their fire bells and Copenhagens anu
theiI damnabe incohcrencies. The whole conduct
Of the party since they came into partial power
indicates belief in their preroGatlve. lhes iooA
upon the infNregnum in which they have been
out of power rs so much time lost; their hrst
assertion of themselves was in the proclamation
of their purpose to " wine out all the legisla-
" ton of the past seventeen years" Those
are ami non the record is tC be wiped out,
and the wears not counted. This is the most
charitable construction to put upon the conduct
of the low fellows whose pickers and stcalers
do the work, and the great lights of the party
who stand 10y and take the profits. 1t is not
stealing perhaps, nor even kleptOmania 1t is
the carrying into practical operation their be-
lief in the doctrine of Democratic Divine
Right. All the same the majOrties who are
despoiled of their rights object to it, and Will
undertake TO see to it that it does not succeed
in this country this year.
New-York tribune., 1879-12-31

No year since the beginning of the Repub-
lie, probably, has brought to it more solid
prosperity than the one which closes to-day.
Nor do we mean by this the actual monetary
value TO the country of the resumption OF specie
payment. The ease with which resumption
was accomplished was an indication that this
prosperity already existed, and that the people
not only had full pockets but they had that
absolute confidence in their Government which
is the most secure way of keeping them full
We were warned that the condition of the
country was SO unstable that crash involv-
ing every commercial interest would follow
the experiment of resumption but in fact tie
crisis was passed so easily that the country
hardly knew it was reached. Instead of the
threatened bankruptcy, the ba arce OF
coin in the Treasury increased over AL pay
ments $19,000.000.
The year of 1879, win, however, be reIneyn-
bered in future us that in which the Git,fr,lon
of the country was for the first tim, directed
TO its farming interests as cub
ject of paramount Importance. Several
causes have contributed to this end
Firstly, the opening of the foreign trade In
meat, fruit aud dairy products to such an ex-
tent as TO convince the mass OF our people that
this country was destined to become for
centuries the great food manufactory for
Europe. The failure Of the crops In
Greet Britain and on the Continent, and
our exceptionally enormous harvests this
Summer have impressed this fact anon the
New-York tribune., 1879-12-31
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 81 1879

TO be. II il understood Iow who they were
and how they were brought together. Inc
cap;ured kilograms have told the whole story
Dispatches were sent all over the State by the
Democratic managers, summonlne the " Oost
boys" to Columbia, with their rifles, and
Hampton himself was the author of some OF
the messages. Fun expected at the Far
"this week." so reads one of the dis
patches; prepare for high sport Let
"bcst bows come, but not too many unless
"well heeled." "5end up tonight all the
right men possible" so runs another; " IT
"i1fles can be concealed bring them" Bring
best men," urges third message, land
too chest to Fair" And on the eve of the
Inauguration the jubilant words are flashed
along the wire, Hampton sure or SLtr-
"mishiRg!
Since they have undertaken to Introduce
Southern methods in Maine, we see no reason
for surprise that our Democratic friends
carry out the policy to its full extent,
and prepare to finish by force ~hat
they have begun by fraud. They would
not have attempted the barefaced rascality
of the count-out without the resolution TO
pursue the wrong to the end. Upon the
whole. we do not regret that they have gone
so far. There is little danger that the Repub-
icans will be tempted into breach of the
peace. They understand too well the duty OF
aw-abidng citizens they are too well aware
of the consequences, far more important than
the present possession OF the State Govern
ment, which will follow this crlflict. lt Is
a good thing for the country to see III all It's
dci0rmIty the outrage in which the Democ-
racy have now involved themselves. and to
realize what 1T is they do when they import
into the Northern States the methods OF mi
nority rule which they have practised with I'M
punity at the South. How does the North like i'll
New-York tribune., 1879-12-31
PERSONAL.

Bishop Haven is slightly better, but is extremely
feeble and far from beng on the road to recovery
Nlr Charles Francis Adams is taxed at Boston on
a property OF S747 500: and Mr.. Joshua NJ. sears
Is taxed upon S3,O5o.OOO
The Rev. a. ID. Mayo has resigned his pastorate in
Springfield Mass and after next April will devote
himself entirely to educational work for which he
has special taste
The author Of that original and entertaining novel
of the No Namo Series. The Colonel's Opera
Cloak" is SAID to be Mrs Brush now of this State,
and formerly Miss Chaplin, of New England.
Mrs. HAYES will be assisted IN receiving her New
Years calls by four young ladies-Miss Matthews.
daughter of the ex-senator; two Misses Jones. II
Cincinnati, and Miss Lucy Cook. Mrs Haycss
cousin.
The late Michel Chevalier was especially amia-
bic 10 Americans in Paris. lie and one of his
brothers had lived several years Ia tho
United States lie never forgot with what
open arms they wcrc both received here. aud
he took special pleasure IN spreading before Amcri-
cans dishes whose recipes he had brought oyer"hh
hiln.
William Morris. the poet, and Burne Jones, the
painter, both teachers and workers IN the modern
English school OF sentiment, were students together
and warm friends at Oxford. Both came from good
old families. and oddly enough. the parents aud
friends OF each mOufned bitterly over the writing
dlu pilItitB ihHtAiAtioh ~ Nh.Nh thN tN"hb hiNh
yielded.
In an autograph LITTER TO Mr. George Shepard Page
Governor Garcelon emphatcaily denies that he has
issued an Official circular win reference TO the
chewing of gum by the sons and daughters Of
Maine The Governor admits that at Temperance
meeting last Winter he pronounced the habit dis
gusting but he Is unwilling TO 90 down 20 pos
terity tho Meal Dow of the gum-tree."
Mr. Don c. Henderson, Of The AilegdH Jour-
nal, was recently requested by a prominent
Western publishing house to write tho
hie of the great Senator from Michigan
Mr. Henderson possesses special qualifications for
such a task, but he was unable to accept the otter
HIS sketch of Mr.. Chandler IN The journal at the
time of hIs dea n was an excel snt piece Of work,
the most noticeable part of t being VIVID cOutras!
between the characters of General Cass and the dead
Senator.
Baron Gustave de Rothschd Of Paris has
pendld mansion on the west side of Avenue
Marlgny, opposite the side of the Elysee The
Barons next door neighbor was Debrousse. tho
wealthy railway contractor. Upon DebrouSsos death
his mansion was put up to be sold Tho upset
price was 100000. Ii was new house and cost
a great deal more than 800, ,0OO for the architece
ordered TO make 1t comfortable without regard
to cost Baron ROthSchiid gave 100000 Tor II, and
Instantly had it pulled down 10 give ms mansion
larger lawE--a lawn which cost SiOO,OOo
TRENTON n. j., Dec. 30-Goyernor Mcclellan.
wife and daughter will return from Washington on
Friday. They have been visiting at the house of
General Marcy.