The Dawson journal. (Dawson, Ga.) 1878-18??, 1883-08-30
ADVICE TO FARMERS.
TERRELL Co ca A,n o. ,

W w eNAu iVVA etitoA Ill OTueF 10 O6
successful in his vocation. One of
the chief things which now engages
his attention is the gathering of his
cotton. Cotton is a very delicate
fruit, and it should be gathered very
carefully. l think that the ordinary
method of shaking it off of the trees
should be abandoned. Thousands of
barrels are annually damaged or de-
stroyed by this process. If ladders
could be constructed so as to reach
all parts of the cotton tree and the
fruit were carefully picked off it
would be an immense saving to the
farmers. 1t is astounding that our
intelligent agriculturists do not
invent some more economical system
ofcollecting and storing this most
delicious fruit, which, properly pre-
served, would have a better sale in
the markets, and which would leave
surplus for the family to eat during
the winter.
Another important item inst at
hand is the saving of corn. The hot
summer has scorched the vines very
much but reasonable crop has
been made, and with economical and
careful gathering, as well as preser-
Walton, the corn crop will prove
success. Corn is peculiar kind of
melon, or squash, or pumpkin, or
whatever you may call it. and it does
not decay as easily as the balance of
the species. Nevertheless, due re-
gard ought to be had to the pulling
and hauling of this useful article of
food. The best plan for preserving
it for use and during the winter, 1
have ever observed, is to pull up the
vines with it, and store both corn
and vine together in a very dry barn.
With the vine attached, it seems to
draw some substance, or something,
as it were, from dead parent, and
thus seems to keep better. 1t has a
fresher taste, too, when cut up into
slices and eaten raw Or prepared for
cooking. Large quantities of corn
are lost by careless gathering and bad
methods of keeping through the
winter.
Quite an important item in hus-
bandry soon will be the potato crop
This is the finest berry that grows in
Southwest Georgia at this time of
the year. In spite of the drought
the bushes look we'll, and the berries
are turning a very pretty red. Per-
haps the hot summer has fastened
the color prematurely, to some extent.
but it is evident the crop is fast ri
pening for the market and for win
ter use. The potato is not a very
delicate berry, but measurable care
should be taken in gathering this
fruit so as not to break the bushes,
and so as not to bruise the berry.
Being rather small and of harder
nature than cotton, the bush may be
shaken, when the fruit is ripe; but
it should be most carefully stored
away from the reach of weasels and
bats-for both of these vermin are
very fond OF it. 1t is supposed that
South West Georgia will produce,
this season, forty-millions of gallons
of this delicious fruit.
Again it is feared she pea crop has
been cut short in some localities by
the lack of rain. Nevertheless,
think larger pea crop will be made
than most people think When the
farmers come to dig their peas they
will, in my opinion, be agreeably
disappointed. The pea vine is often
deceiving when it looks badly
You can't just exactly tell what the
roots are bearing-especislfy is this
so with cow-peas. I don't think the
farmers ought to be discouraged
If the crop is intelIigently gathered
there will be no great reason to COM
plain. think instead of blowing
up the roots so as to gather the pea,
it would be better to dig for it.
When it is large, it is often the case
that the pillow mutilates it badly, and
of course it is more liable to rot. Nor
is the pea go valuable when it is thus
mutilated. You can begin digging
your peas, about the last of August
the present month. 1t is better
to dig in the dark of the moon.
That's my experience.
A word as to the fall and winter
increase of animals. Chickens often
spawn in the fall and great care
should be taken to preserve their
spodra in tepid water at this season of
IL 49,. c. -. 49,. At I'll I