The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-07-16

sand and clay have been mixed on
throwing them out. The drainage is
80 great that it would seem that all
vegetation would be dried up-but
see the results. Weeds along the r.
& G. R. R. in such cuts that are
higher than the tallest man; briers
grow apace. Does this teach us moth
ing ? If so, we ought to have no eyes;
for, we are of those having eyes, see
not. l know a gentleman in the Shen-
andoah Valley who hauled clay that
was dry for bricks and spread it over
a sandy knoll and the following sea-
son the finest wheat in that great
district grew on that sandy knoll.
You may ask, why this great change ?
IT'S easier asked than answered. Take
the Directors report for 1887 IN. CO.
Hear DR.. Battle: "The oil is com
posed of carbon, hydrogen and oxy-
gen Cotton seed OILY, combined in a
very complicated arrangement. A
different arrangement of these same
elements would form sugar, cotton
cloth or a drink of whiskey."
The difference between charcoal,
diamonds and sugar is less than the
differences in our soils or in the fer,
tilizers now on the market. You may
be able to get an answer from our
chemists statement that will at least
show you how little man knows and
how wise the methods of the Al
mighty are.
L would add, that Prof. Atwater
analysed swamp muck that was richer
in nitrogen than any brand of fertil.
izers on Jul market. Suppose we try
some in August for the next year.
Weeds are gross feeders; they take
up the soluble plant food; they steal
it from your crops. Keep them down
in the fields you cultivate.
Let me again suggest that. we raise
millet, peas, clover and sweet potatoes;
feed them to your hogs.
l accompanied a brother delegate
to our County Alliance at it's last meet
ing. He is one of the ablest men in
this part of the State. We passed
fields where the cotton stalks of last
years growth we're yet standing. I
asked his judgment on the amount of
cotton per acre produced on the field
in question last year. We agreed
that $50 pounds of seed cotton was
a large estimate; that is to say, $3.50
per acre. I then asked if planted in
sweet potatoes how much it would
produce, same fertilizer and same
work. We agreed that 200 bushels
would be a fair estimate; that is to
say, sweet potatoes at three and one
half cents per bushel would bring as
much as the cotton.
Now I know that if corn is worth
so cents per bushel to fatten hogs on,
sweet potatoes are worth 25 cents pei
bushel; if hay is worth $22.5O pei
ton for horses, sweet potatoes are
worth 25 cents per bushel for morse
seed; if bran is worth SIS per ton fol-
cows, sweet potatoes are worth more
than 25 cents per bushel.
Fatten your hogs on ground peas
and sweet potatoes; the meat will not
cost you 3. cents per pound. Plant
fruit trees, vines and berries; encour
age your children to eat less hog and
more fruit; set them the example
hire less negro labor; use improved
machinery; work O yourself; gel
more acres in pasture; keep sheep
get your own clothes as we'll as your
children's from the wool you clip
Why, when you were all rich your
wives tended to all this for the ne
groes; and one white child-well com
parsons are odious-encourage home
industry, and the blight and desola
ton of debt will pass away and we
will be a happy and prosperous people