davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16

There Is but one way in which the
Southern farmer can succeed in so en-
HANGING the value df3the heecy staple as
that he shall succeed in obtaining remuu-
erative prices for his labor and product
of his hands. This lies in the wholesale
curtailment of and decrease in the area
devoted to cotton culture, says G. Fl. Tur-
ner IN Southern fslaHter. From past ex-
perience, I venture the assertion that this
win never be done. Increase the area de-
voted to provision crops, he can, and will
whenever and wherever he is forced to it
by circumstances over which he has no
control. But decrease the acreage devoted
to cotton culture-never. Such being tho
case, the next best thing he can and must
do, Is TO SO adapt himself to existing con-
ditiops as to be able to raise cotton at a
profit regardless Of price, or rather, in
spite of low prices. To do this, necessi-
tates the planting of cotton on our very
best lands, fertilzlng them intellgently,
and making bales per acre instead of TAX
ing acres to make a bale Fertilizers pay
best on our very richest lands. One might
as well undertake to dip the Atlantic into
the Pacific with a teaspoon as to try TO en-
rich land, and at the same time gather
profitable crops, by the annual application
of 200 pounds of low grade fertilizer per
acre. In, the realms of medicine, homoeo-
pathic doses may be quite popular but
when 1t comes to food, whether of the hu-
man race. of animals, or of plants, it be-
comes quite another matter; homeopathic
doses are no longer admissible
A mistake that our brother farmers
very readily fall into Is in the imagining
that because the land makes by its own
unaided fertility. a bale, bale and a half
or possibly two bales per acre, that such
land needs no fertilizer, and that fertiliz-
ers viii net pay on such land, when the
fast of the matter Is, that on such lands
the yield could oftentimes be very readily
doubled by the application of less Than
ten dollars worth of fertilizers. These
lands already make an excess of weed.
hence no nitrogenous fertilizers are neees-
sary. Phosphates and potash are what
such soils need Not less than from 500
TO 1000 pounds Of phosphate and 100
pounds of muriate of potash to be applied
per acre broadcast. I am well apprised
of the fact that many will think this is
pretty liberal manuring, and hardly JUS
tilted by the present extremely low prices
obtained, but, as previously stated right
there is where the mistake comes in. II
the yield can be doubled by the above
application, and / am Satisfied from actual
practical experience that IL can, all other
influences or controlling factors being
favorable. IL stands. to reason that this
method. instead Of being wastefu or *
travagant, is the most economical. as well
as the most Intelligent method, that can
Ia rfrst1ed
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16
Asnarneus in southern Georgia.

III M. T." writes: Can asparagus be
raised successfully in Southeast Georgia,
and what would it cost 10 set and cultivate
one-half acre? Which is the best variety
and does it command always a fair price
to the producer?
There issno question whatever that as
paragus can be grown as we'll in South or
Southeast Georgia as anywhere, provided
Il is properly cared for after it has been
established There is no vegetable more
in demand by cultivated tastes than this,
for IL is in season very early in the spring,
and Is a promoter of good health. IL IS
rather a tedious vegetable to market, re-
qulring promptness and regularity, but 1t
pays good profit for all the care demand
kind and is good enough. Planted IN 4
foot rows and a plant every two feet IL
would require 2,T0 plants to set a half
acre, and these will cost about $40. The
plants can be set out any time from No
vember to March, the earlier the better.
Well grown 1-year-old plants are to be
preferred, as they are cheaper, but 2-year-
old plants can be used. The plants should
be allowed to grow for two years and with
good care before a crop is taken. Then,
with fair manurlng and keeping clean OF
weeds the beds will bear for many years.
1t IS very easy for one to raise his own
plants after once starting bed, and a
bed can be enlarged without much cost
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16

The great evils of vermin and disease
among poultry are best comhated by
keeping small flocks of hens, and hous-
ing them in a number of henhouses made
small enough to be easily moved from one
place to another. Such houses need not be
expensive, and il a stone boat is fitted
with a broad platform, the henhouse
may be placed on it and drawn anywhere
on the farm. Wherever insect enemies
are depredatlng, it is well to place several
of these hen houses near by, and let them
help clear away the vermin, and also be
getting the larger part Of their living
1t may require that a yard be built up go
as to keep the fowls from straying too
far. But hens with chickens are the best
scavengers, and they will remain near
their temporary home. and return TO it
at night.
AS with hen houses so Il is with pig
pens. Both are easily made movable md
should always be SO made Change Of To-
cation at least every few months is very
desirable as it promotes a freedom from
disease that must always be the real
foundation of success. Prevention of dis
ease is far easier than cure OF disease.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16
Diseases Of Hogs.

The question is being discussed as to the
cause of hogs being more susceptible to
disease at the present day than formerly.
and as there seems to be no particular
breed possessing immunity from disease
farmers are discouraged in some sections
As remedy for lack of hardness some
farmers have resorted to a dash of the
blood Of the razor back" strain. but
when such cross is made the hardness so
gained seems to disappear in two or three
years 1t Is believed that the real cause js
the feeding of corn almost exclusively
While corn produces fat, and also contains
a fair proportion of the neutrality-suspicious.
elements, It. is very deficient in lime
which IS necessary in the formation of
bone, hence the superior breed of hogs
have become fine-boned though POSSESSING
heavy bodies. The feeding OF corn wear
after year, and for so long a time since
the improved breeds received attention
has tended TO weaken swine in vigor. The
remedy is not TO abandon corn as an arii-
Gle of food, but lessen the quantity Nv
substituting substances containing r,ors
lime, such as bran, cut clover, skim milk
and vegetables. Wood ashes, which con-
tain lime in its purest form. should he
kept where hogs can have access thereto
and bone meal may also be fed win adj
vantage.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16
THE MORNING NEWS: MONDAY, NAY H. 1898

land and rotten dung for porous land Is
supported and confirmed by the chemical
character Of the dung. When fresh dung
Is used upon stin land, we find that the de-
cay which then takes place upon the land
and renders the dormant ingredients OF
The soil active, and thereby converts mat
ter which could not nourish a plant into
valuable food for vegetation. 1t also i'm
parts to the soil a beneficial warmth,
which is favorable to germination and
vegetable growth.
In addition to this, the absorbent pow
ere q tiie SUI seize anu retain tine prod
ucts of this fermentation OF the dung.
and secure them until required by the
growing plant IN the case of a sandy
soil the circumstances, as well as the
powers Of the soil are totally different.
The porous character of the soil is de-
c!dedly unfavora BILE to its powers of re-
tanning manure, and for this reason the
manure should be added so as to be i'm
mediately available for the crop. The
manure, consequently, is more suitable
when well rotten upon chemical grounds,
as well as upon a consideration Of its
mechanical character. The same prln-
ciple is applicable TO all the intermediate
description of soil, modified by the same
rule. Andrew H. Ward.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16
FLORIDA.

Lieut. Hart of the United states corps OF
engineers has been detailed by the govern
ment to superintend the work of mining
the entrance of the st. Johns river.
Mr. Sarsoni. travelling man. who goes
about from place to place doing general
reparir work, while riding a bicycle at Mic
anopy Tuesday, ran into post, and was
thrown heavily TO the ground. When pick
ed up he was found to be badly hurt and
died in short time afterwards.
Lieut.. John c. Sutherland, of the Pen
sacola division Of the naval militia, has
been appointed second lieutenant in the
United States navy. and Il is reported that
he viii be given the command of the Hor-
tense. Lieut.. Buckner Chipley is now
lieutenant in command OF that division Of
the naval militia.
John r. Scott, a cOlored preacher and
city councilman of Jacksonville, was ac-
quilted in the Circuit Court at Jacksonville
Saturday of the charge Of murder, after a
trial continuing from 1880 Wednesday.
Scott shot Obedah Adams, another negro
preacher, Nov. H. 1897, from the effects OF
which Adams died Nov ~. The cause OF
the shooting was the Illicit relations ex-
listing between SCOTS wife and Adams
which Scott became aware Of on the day
OF the tragedy. This Is SCOTS second
trial. In The first trial the jury failed tC
agree on a verdict.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16

About 100000 pounds Of figs are i'm
ported into this country every year and
sold at from to % cents a pound says
the Florida Agriculturist This vast i'm
portation goes on year after year, not
withstanding the fact that there are a
great many million acres of idle fig land in
the United States. Upon the culture of
this staple fruit. growers could make a
handsome profit. Assuming the average
price paid for this fruit to be 10 cents per
pound, 81 100000 at least is annually paid
to exporters for foreign fruit that should
be paid to the fruit growers of our own
country. IT, is an item worth saving The
major portion of the fig Importation is
from Turkey. 1t is certainly far better to
pay this money TO the American farmer
than to the Turk. Figs will grow in South
ern California, but for some reason the in
dustry there is not success. The CAL
ifornia fruit is not always edible. The best
authority states that the Smyrna fig rare
ly produces edible fruit in that state, but
In Florida it does produce not only edible
fruit, but profitable crop. In Florida
the fig bears twice a year, the early crop
being the larger, and, 1 think, the better
fruit. There has as yet never been a frost
in South Florida sufficiently severe to kill
the fig trees. The crop is sure.
do not mean to say that the South
Florida fig grower has no difficulties or
drawbacks. He does. He can not raise
figs without labor, but it is less labor to
care for a fig tree than an orange tree.
Sometimes the fruit drops before maturity.
This is caused by severe drought, but can
generally be prevented by mulching. AT
times, but not often, the fruit sours upon
the tree. This trouble is generally where
the tree grows upon wet land. On the sand
hill souring fruit is not known. This is
caused by a worm, but that difficulty is not
as great here in Florida as in California
or Turkey Take it in all phases, the fig
has less enemies than any fruit 1 know Of.
The culture of figs is an Industry of
great profit. The Aslatic Turk sells his
figs at an average of cents pound. The
American grower gets a far better price
than that, so large a price that his fruit
is as profitable as that of the orange grow
er.
Here in South Florida there is sufficient
! unoccupied land TO supply the people of
the United States with figs. There is no
reason why our people should go abroad
for this fruit. Ii should be grown under
our own flag, for it can be-
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16

broadcasted. Sow 81 the rate of IL TO 2
bushels per acre. -Ene former method is
generally preferable, as the seed If well
covered with soil and pressed down, viii
germinate more quickly and more certain
~ than when left uncovered If sown
broadcast "a IS wen to follow with a har-
row in order 70 cover the seed as much as
possible. Il may DE successfully sown
at any time during the summer, provided
there is a reasonable amount of moisture
ia the soil.
Sorghum cannot be used for early forage.
II IS of tropical origin and Will not stand
cold weather. Do not SOW, therefore, IN
I'll all danger from frost is past The crop
may be pastured three or four weeks aft
er sowing, but more forage is obtained at
later date II is advisable, therefore, TO
have field OF sufficient size, in proportion
to the number Of cattle pastured on it, TO
allow continuous pasturage, there being 70
danger cf waste of forage unless the plants
become so far advanced that the heads be-
SIN 10 ripen. If ta.s plan be followed the
plants eaten down viii start regrowth
which. IL has been shown, affords more
forage than does the first growth. 1t also
has the advantage Of requiring but little
Fencing, which saving viii more than coun-
terbalance the loss occasioned by some of
the crop going to seed.
There is some danger attendant upon
pasturing sorghum, particularly If the cat
tie have not previously had access to sue
culent fodder. Care should be taken that
too much of the for9ge is not eaten when.
the stock is first turned on. This may be
prevented by feeding them in the morning
before turning out TO pasture. After they
have become accustomed to the pasture
there Is practically no danger, provided
they be kept on it continuously Sorghum
is not well adapted fer late pasture. Its
great value is as pasture during July, Au-
gust and September, when It affords a
large quantity of succuent forage that has
marked effect upon the milk flow
Chemical analyses made of the entire
sorghum plant at different periods of its
growth would tend TO confirm the results
obtained from actual tests of its feeding
qualities at such times. The composition
of the dry matter al the stages indicated
IS as follows:
Before heading, protein, 14.26; fat, -;
starchesrrsugar, etc, 50S2; fiber, 1885; ASH
co., &
Heads forming, protein. 7.59; fat, 6.65;
starches, sugar, etc, 1913; fiber, 1922; ash,
S.S5.
Heads formed, protein, 1909; fat, 2S7;
starches, sugar, etc, 1903; fiber, 2417; ash,
11.4.
It will be noticed that the protein, which
for milk production is the most important
constituent Of thefodder, is greatest before
the time of heading out. While the heads
are forming there Is a great falling off in
the amount of this substance. After the
heads are formed 1t increases in amount,
but at this stime 1t is largely in the seeds,
of which a large proportion pass through
the animal undigested. Although sorghum
is usually regarded as essentially a sugar
plant, in its early stages of growth 1t COM
pares very favorably in protein with blue
grass.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16

mon use, writes J. f. Duggar in Rural
greatly reduces the initial outlay, permit
ting the satisfactory use of cheap barns,
such as would be entirely inadequate in
the North. Double walls are almost I'M
known, the usual outside wall OF South
ern dairy barns being a single course Of
vertical boards, frequently without bat
tens. If still further reduction of cost
is desired, split oak boards are substi-
tuted for shingles on the roof the cost of
roofing being thus only a fraction of the
cost of a single roof. An isolated case
coming under my observation shows to
what an extreme cheapness barn building
has been carried in a few instances with
out affecting the health of the animals
although certainly at the expense of the
dairyman's income. On a farm where
there was a herd of about twenty high
grade Jersey cows, and where the sales of
butter constituted a large part of the
farmers income. there was, for several
years, no other shelter for the COWS than
q shed ten feet wide, rooted with boards.
and entirely open on the entire length OF
the south side. The cost was, probably,
not over 81 for each animal that it shell
tered. OF course, this arrangement was
inconvenient and unsatisfactory, and it
was superseded by a cheap but convenient
and durable barn. The cheapness of lum-
Der throughout the South leaves scant ex.
cuse for failure to provide necessary ac-
commodations for the dairy herd. On many
dairy farms, with pastures convenient to
the barn, 1t is customary in fair weather.
from April to November, to drive the
COWS from barn to pasture after milking.
leaving them out of doors at night.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16

BY Charles A. Newton: I have seen sew
eral articles on sorghum as stock feed
Some feeders seem to like 1t. while Others
do not. I would like to give my exper-
ience
have been raising 1t for four years
and find when it is properly cared for il
is one of the finest feeds I ever used. !
have fed cows, horses, goats and sheep on
1t and they thrive most splendidly. 1t will
make a COW give a good quantity of milk
and a good quality as we'll
All kinds of stock are very fond of it,
and will eat 1t in preference to good corn
fodder. 1t is nourishing and strengthen,
ing and, in my estimation, one of the fin
est feeds we can raise In the South.
1t requires very little work, and Is easi-
ly cured for fodder or hay,
1t will make good yield on poor land:
more than peas, oats or any grasses we
have.
I plant about the first of April In drills.
SOW very thick so 1t will grow spindling.
Cultivate only enough to keep the weeds
down, let it grow as thick as the land
win admit. When 1t is just about In full
bloom, before the seed becomes ripe, ]
cut 1t with cane knife or hoe, spread il
crosswise the rows so the air can pass
under 1t. Let 1t stay in the sun for one,
two or three days until the blades are
just dry 1t does not matter whether the
stalk Is dry or not. When the blades are
dry I shock in small shocks and leave it
in the field until I have time to take 1t in.
A rain will hurt il but very little.
1t viii make as well planted in June as
April, but if planted in April it will make
a second crop from the same planting.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16

The manure acts upon the land in a two
fold character, for it exerts a physical ac-
ton upon the soil as well as a chemical
agency Under the former agency we find
1t giving stability to light, sandy soils, and
making them more absorbent of moisture,
rendering tenacious clay soils more open
and friable in their nature, and thereby
admitting the freer passage of the rain
and atmospheric air. as well as promoting
the decomposition Of these soils, ana
thereby rendering them more fertile.
For dung to act mechanically in render
ing a soil more open and in overcoming
rs tenacious character, the farmer must
let the manure retain much of the rigidity
of the straw, or in other words, it must
rot be much rotten. Experience has also
proved 10 him that in using il for very
porous soils, which need 70 be compressed
rather than rendered open, the natural
toughness Of the straw should be entire
" overcome, and the dung used in a rot
ten state.
There are other duties discharged by
dung which may be grouped together I'M
der the term of chemical action. Here we
have powers totally distinct from the Cor
mer for while It devolves upon the former
agency (the mechanical to render the soll
adapted for being traversed by the roots
OF the growing crop the chemical powers
supply that nourishment which is needle. :
for the development OF the crop. II Is.
therefore, in their combined action that
the most desirable results become mani
fest
Il is. however, worthy of inquiry wheth-
er or not the use Of fresh dung for stif
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16

Sand has a great power for the transpora
talion of water. 1t will convey water
quicker than any other soil, but It will
not hold as much. A clay soil will hold
more but water will pass through mors
slowly Sandy soils take in all the rains
that fall; if there is a subterranean sup-
ply within ten or fifteen feet of the SUR
face is seems to have a power to pump
the water up TO the roots of the plants.
IL, however, there is no such supply the
higher temperature Of summer will usual
iy increase the temperature of the top
sandy soil and gradually dry it out faster
than fine, clayey soil Clay will hoIG
more moisture, and hold it longer than
any other form of soil, but 1t must Do
protected by surface cultivation.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16
WAC Level and NitrifIcntion.

The changing of humus into nitrate5
goes on almost continually in the soil dur
ing the warm months, but this takes
place above water level. Thus, if the
water is usually within six inches of the
surface there can be no nitridcation below
that line. Therefore, the soil below sin
inches becomes Of no value to most Of our
pants. Good drainage is, therefore, most
necessary If we expect to have plant food
developed in the soil. The line of water
level must be sent down so that the air
can get IN. What we call soggy soils are
only soils that have a too high walee
line
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16

AS Is well known, paris green does not
dissolve, but is held in suspension in wa
ter hence the water must be constantly
agitated to properly apply it. The Ohio
experiment station recommends a much
cheaper mixture, which is soluble in wa
ter IL is made by dissolving two pounds
of commercial white arsenic and four
pounds of carbonate (washing) of soda
in two gallons Of water. Use one ana a
half pants of this mixture 20 each barrel
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16

A series Of tests OF FORAGE plants has been
commenced at the Nebraska experiment
station. Sorghum IN the preliminary tri-
als gave the largest yield OF any of the
crops says the American Agrlculturist
The variety used was Early Amber. There
are several different varieties suitable for
producing forage, In selecting a variety
for this purpose, the qualities most to be
desired are rapid growth and abundant
yield. In planting the press drill may be
used as for small grain, Of Il may be
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16

For house plants a mixture of one pound
of nitrate of potash and half pound of
phosphate of lime, using a tablespoonful
OF the mixture to a gallon of water, will
prove excellent. The phosphate of lime
should be as fine as powder, or a better
mixture may be used, consisting of one
pound each Of phosphate of potash and
nitrate of potash. These articles may
be obtained in the crude form at any
place where chemicals are sold.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-16
SOUTH CAROLINA.

The Victoria mill. at Rock HILL viii put
In a new outfit Of up-to-date machinery at
once. and the mill will probably be started
in sixty days.
Greenwood has one case Of smallpox
e@lt na alarm is felt that the disease
siill spread. The patient is W. l.. burst
md his home is under close quarantine.
Congressman Stokes has appointed w
II. Halves OF New Brookland, Lexington
county, 20 the cadetship at West Point
from The Seventh district OF South Cara
lima. J. A. Mack Of Orangeburg was nam.
cd as alternate.
Henry Green, an old colored man, was
shot and killed at Florence a day or two
ago BY James Abraham. also colored. Alb
raham and John Hook. were Involved in a
difficulty, and Green, tried 10 make peace
between them. Abraham turned TO Green