Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-02

of the State Agricultural Convention at
Augusta, the writer. in fulhllment of a long
standing promise, passed a brief period at the
residence of his old friend, Dr. w. B. Jones, of
Burke county, Georgia. This gentleman enjoys
the signal honor of being the pioneer agricultu-
rist at the South in the seed business.
Sagaciously realizing several years ago that
a total change in the rulnouS policy OF raising
cottoh only was indispensable to successful
husbandry, he at once abandoned the practice
of his fathers and neighbors. and greatly re-
ducing the average in the great staple, pro-
ceeded to devote himself to the production of
field and garden seeds and the raising Of blood
ed stock and poultry. The former was for the
most part an untried experiment in this
region, and great were the difficulties
to be encountered in the shape of
prejudice and lack CT experience in
the premises. But, by assiduous personal
attention and industry. the Doctor has been
able to surmount them all, and now his seeds
are sold both in the North and West, and he
finds it utterly impossible to supply the de-
mand for them. Think Of an order for two tons
Of collard seed from a single house in Detroit,
Mich. But your readers perhaps are not ap-
prised of the fact that in the Northwest this
common Georgia esculent attains to gigantic
proportions and puts forth head as s. lid and
delicate as that of the cabbage plant, while it
is far harder than the latter.
Wisely combining his efforts to growing only
those varieties of seed which are thoroughly
perfected in this climate, and discarding those
that flourish best in higher ATTITUDES, he is pre-
pared to guarantee everything offered to the
farming community. Albeit comparatively in
its infancy, DR.. Jones' seed farm the present
year will comprise considerable area subdi-
vided as follows between the staple vegetables
of the country:
Melons 20 acres, collards 10 acres, egg plant 5
acres, white dwarf Okra 10 acres, cabbage
acres, turnips 10 acres, pepper acre, curled
mustard acres, tomatoes 5 acres. beans and
English peas acres, lettuce acre, squaShes 5
acres, onions acres. asparagus 5 acres, millet
20 acres, sorghum for seed 10 acres-total 100
acres.
In addition, he will grow one hundred and
fifty acres Of his celebrated Herlong cotton,
which attracted so much attention at our state
Fair and Atlanta; one hundred ana SSc y ceres
of corn, divided between the pearl variety for
hominy and the little red corn, a choice ac-
climated grain for stock; ten acres in sugar
cane ana large breadth of land in sweet
pota oes, of which he c1ltivates four varieties,
shipping the drawers well packed to distant
points.
Last year but thirty acres were devoted ex-
cluSively to seed, yet, despite the long drought
which was highly disastrous in its effects. the
net yield in money was two thousand dollars.
Certainly handsome showing.
The Doctors stock embr aced herd of choice
Devon cattle, and some of the finest Essex and
Berkshire swine the writer had ever seen.
Our host preferred the former, however, as
far more thrifty and gentle than the Berk
shires. They are all kept in an Enclosure Of
several acres, and fed chiefly upon rape, ruta
baga turnips and other refuse vegetables.
Very tile corn is given them except when
ready to be fattened for the butcher Essex pigs
readily command SIG per pair. The sheep C1l0
head are crossed with Merino and roam at
will through a pasture one thousand acres in
extent all of which Is under fence. The farm
also is literally alive with turkeys, ducks (all
white) chickens of the most popular breeds
including game specimens OF rare beauty,
geese, pigeons and guinea fowls. Some of
the turkeys are of the bronze variety,
closely resembling the wild bird of the forest
and, when fully grown, weigh forty pounds
The pigeons are circled around by hundreds
and form an important source of revenue as
well as comfort. Not less than five hundred
squads were eaten, or otherwise disposed of
last year. and over one hundred turkeys were
raised. This noble farm is a very cornucopia
in every sense of the word, and reflects infinite
credit upon its worthy owner, who is bright
and shining example TO the planters of the
South
The most approved farming utensils, cultiva-
tor plows, gang hoes and patent inveptions
that have stood the test Of time, including
reaping and moving machines, corn shelters,
gins and divers other Implements are used in
cultivating and harvesting the various crops.
Indeed, it is the Doctors constant aim as much
as possible to supercede human labor with
horse power and machinery, and to a wonder
full degree has he succeeded In attaining that
result
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE BIRDsvILLE PLANTATION.
The residence of Dr. Jones, a portion of
which is quite ancient, is a substantial and i'm
posing country seat situated in beautiful
park of forest trees interspersed with shrubs
and flowers and tropical plants Among the
natural growth we counted scores of stately
magnolias, live oaks, pecans. olives, elms,
hickory, cedar, holly, and several beautiful
varnish trees Gigantic specimens of the box
shrub, probably OF near century's growth,
also lift their outrageous heads in the sun
light. This sylvan retreat formed safe asy-
lum for hundreds of birds who chirped and
disported on the boughs of the trees, making
Il, II - IL,
squirrels, too, had taken up their abode in this
miniature forest, and for a long time were I'M
molested Becoming very destructive to the
grain in the adjacent corn cribs, however, war
was suddenly declared against them, and the
little fellows were remorselessly slaughtered
AS many as one hundred were shot in a cam
paign OF only day or two. But still they are
by no means extinct
This noble estate contains 2.5cO acres. every
foot of which is enclosed. Is it any wonder
that the proprietor, who pays out annually
5000 for repairs only, is the pronounced advo-
The place was settled in 1858 by Philip Jones,
the great grandfather of the present owner,
and has remained in the family ever since.
The land on which stands the homeste ID was
bounty lot given to Philip for his services in
the first war with Britain for American indie
pendence. His descendants have shown them
selves worthy of their doughty sire. They
have filed large and honorable space in the
history of Burke county.
DIR. w. b. Jones enjoys in an eminent de-
gree the respect and confidence Of the comnIu-
nifty in which he dwells. AS one Of the fore
most agriculturists Of Georgia, his fame is like.
wise coextensive with the limits of the State,
while his numerous contributions to the South
ern CHItfUdtOr and other. journals stamp him
as a man of excellent sense and rare judg-
ment. Modest. hospitable and true in all the
relations of life, the writer can never forget
his late visit to the friend of his college days,
who deserves far more than this passing notice
OF his admirable farm and the great good he is
doing for the material advancement of Geor-
gia and the South. HHJ
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