The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-05-13
TROTWOOD'S TALK.
Interesting tOsFarmers, breeders and
Dairymen.
Facts, Figures and Information OF
General Interest to the Country
Gentleman.
Col. Ridley interviewed.

Col. Ridley, as we all know, has
been one of the most extensive farm
ers for years in Maury County. His
reputation is second to no mans liv-
ing, and ihe side OF "The Mule King"
has generally been given him by the
mule dealers of the country. Col
| Ridley is deep thinker and a fluent
talker and il was with difficulty that
we We're able to keep up with his
quick flow of language.
what do you think of the mule
prospects of he future, Colonel ,"
We'll, sir, there are two causes
now depressing the mule trade; one
is electricity, whereby large num-
Ger of mules have ueeu thrown out of
street car work, etc, sud the other is
lie low price Of Gotten which now
| prevails. Both of these causes have
operated against The mule market, so
That al present cannot advise feed
er5 TO go into it for the present as ex-
! tensively as in the future, but under
stand Inc as saying most emphati
cslly that all these things will ad-
! Just themselves aud everything will
/ ( M around all right in the future.
~, by, l have been in the business
| 'or 10 yesrs, and | have fed mules
AID la them and made money OH
hem as low as from $50 to $500, and |
ieli yen, sir, that Maury county can
raise better mules than any county
under the sun. Give me a map OF
he United States, and run your hand
over 1t and not a stale or county
in il can compare with her in the
lineness of her muIes.r
"Why is this Colonel ," we asked
wei, sir, in the first place, it is
because our lime lands make ne bone
lad lie muscle, 50 well known
and so greatly admired in the
Tennessee mule, Every blade Of
grass and grain of corn and hay, and
even .he water is full of it. This
makes the bone and muscle and pull
ing power of the mule. But another
thing" said the Colonel, with a smile,
land one that is little thought of by
Others but makes the Maury County
mule Out-sell all others, is the fine !
and silky hair that our climate and |
feed gives him. Why" said he with |
sudden enthusiasm, "dO you know |
that Kentucky, Indiana aud Missouri |
have fought us for years, and tried to |
rub us out of the business, and might |
have done so but for the sickness |
and tineness of our mules hair? All, |
they can't rub us out. Take a mule |
from either of these states as a weau- [
ling or yearling with his rough hair |
and bring him here and in his three
year-Old form by the side of his
brother in kentucky or Indiana, his |
hair will look like a different ami
mails, as silky as horses. No, they
can't rub us out.
"Besides,p he said, 1--WE can't quit
the business entirely. What must
we do with our fine barns and fences,
and bluegrass pastures, and we'll
sodded timothy and other pastures?
AAY,'r oIT |
properly adjust themselves and the
mule business will come around all
right with other things. The article
you WrOte yesterday was a good one
and cur people must still raise mules;
but | cannot advise them to go in it
deep yet awhile"
what about the Drop prospects,
Col0uel2n
Fine very fine; as good as 1 ever
saw. The stand of corn is unusually
fine, potatoes are good, and with our
last rain we viii make One-third
more than last year; oats the best |
have seen in ten years, grass and hay
abundant and wheat a good aver
age. Yes, a good average" he re-
peated.
"By the way" he said, with enthu-
siasm, you can't keep this county
down. 1t has more diversified crops
than any country under the sun; |;
why, We have the lamb crop and the
wool crop, and the beef crop, and the
dairy products aud tue potato crop,
and the Oat crop, and the wheat crop,
and the hay crop and corn crop and
cotton crop. Yes, the most recupera-
live country under the sun, and we
can't be kept down nor rubbed out.
Why, lust gee how we come after the
war without half the chance we now
have. No, our people are economic
ing more than ever and doing the
best they can and working like
beavers. Yes, sir, we can't be kept !,
back, and economy and work will
adjust all things"
How about money matters, Colo
nel?"
"Well, sir, they are close now, but
recollect that in 80 days we Will have
he proceeds OF fine potato crop and
A very fine wheat crop right on us.
rhe potato crop and wheat crop are
going to ease up money matters very
much indeed"