Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-06-20
FROM OLD TENNESSEE.
Ingenuity of the Southern Farmer
The BulItOngues PiOw md
Twister, with Harness to
NIAtch,

SPRING CITY, TENN.
ED. JoURNAL-Dear Sir Spring City,
a village of four hundred inhabitants, is
pleasantly situated In valley fifty miles
north of Chattanooga. Walden's Ridge
rises abruptly on the Northwest, while
three ridges running parallel lie between
it and the Tennessee river six miles dis
tant.
Although we saw good wheat d cornan
on either side of the village, yet no one
here claims that there is money in streight
farming. Those who are anxious to be-
come rich in this worlds goods are turning
their attention to stock and fruit. TT e
valley has been cultivated for the past
eighty years. but that word cultivated"
has far different meaning here than in
the North. Give Il Southern farmer a
mule, q one-horse wagon, bulltongue,
and iwiser, and he will consider him.
self well supplied with tools. A sci of
lrace-chains and bit might also he thrown
in. A combination Of ingenuity and the
next dead cows hide will make very
good harness from these. The bulltongue
and iwisler are varietier OF the pillow fam
lily, known only in the South. The farm
er has a wooden beam morticed into II
standard. The point is of steel, about
four inches wide and from four to eighteen
inches long, according TO the age Of the
plow. All the mechanical skill of the
builder is shown in the handles. II lie il
able he will have them like plow handles,
but il not there is an easier way. The
standard ia run up little higher, an inch
hole run through at and an eighteen inch
cross-piece securely fastened therein. II
1 il more primitive, but does Just as well
| The same frame serves for the twister, the
only difference being in the blade which
is broader and shorter, and having u twis
In II throws all the dirt one way.
The cultivation of the corn crop varies
enongil IRON our Wood county way tC
merit description. Some time betweel
the first day OF March and the fourth o
July you will find your corncracke
"breaking" ground for his corn This i
done with his bulltonsuc. He first mark
out the ground four feet each way, digging
up the soil from two 10 ten inches, n grea
deal depending on the strength OF his mule
He then drops one, but rarely two grain
OF corn 10 the hill. His wife kind
covers il u ti'e depth OF one inch. The
man then takes himself TO town and hi
wife TO her garden, TO await developments
If the corn comes up, all right, and he vii
then plough the space between the row,
but if not he rejoices that he did not d
il before. There Ii that much labor saved
This description does not apply to all
There are a few who are wealthy and in
telectual. There il no middle class
They we liviag either in wealth and ear
or IN poverty, the most abiect povert,
and ease. Why they should work is
mystery to the natives. But there Is
change comming, When the Cincinna
Southern was built the land could be pu
chased for one dollar per acre; now
iinds sale at from six 10 twenty, mn
every native is ready 10 sell. Noitler
!, men are coming in who will quick
Q proose the land. II 1t in good fruit Ian
a IL must advance TO sixty dollars per acr
!, and that within three years; but If not
r would not take it as gilt.
!. Yours truly, w. Il. NJ.