davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31
PEANUTS.
Long Leaf, N. @.

To cultivate ground peas properly
the habits of the plant should be un-
derstoOd, says Southern Oultivator,
It's flowers form above ground, and
the little incipient fruit destined to be-
come the nut is developed in the flower,
as is the case with other plants. But
as soon as the flower fades its stem be-
gins to lengthen and grow downward,
and finally the end, bearing the as yet
embryo nut, penetrates the soil. II it
fails to doing this the embryo nut
aborts and comes to nothing. 1t is inn
portant therefore that the soil under
the towering stem should be loose, so
the nut bearing stem can readily pene-
trate it. For this reason the ground
pea does best in rather sandy soils.
When the soil is not by nature loose
enough it should be made so by the
hoe or plow, throwing loose dirt under
the branches, as these grow longer.
But in so doing care should be taken
not to lift the branches and bring up
out Of the soil fruit stems which have
already penetrated it. The practice Of
putting dirt on top of the vines, ifdone
near the center of the plant, where the
nuts have already formed, serves the
purpose Of holding the branches down
and enabling the fruit to penetrate the
soil more readily; but if too much dirt
is put on, or il it is placed upon those
portions Of the branches where blooms
are still forming, it does harm by
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31

smothering too many leaves and how-
ers. Upon the whole, it ia better to
trust to getting loose dirt under the
stems with hoe and plow, rather than
securing it by placing it on top of vines.
The earthing up under the ends Of the
branches should be continued until
late in the season, or as long as nuts
are likely to form. Those varieties
like the Spanish, which grow more
erect, are more easily dirted than the
wide-spreading variety. The ground
pea crop is one which deserves more
attention as hog crop, and also for
manufacture of oil. If it was cult
waited more largely, and factories for
the extraction of its oil establed, it
would add materially to the resources
Of the South.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31
CULTURE OF GRRMAN MILLRr.

/ Iwish to ask for some information
about the culture and the use Of Ger
man millet. / have tried TO grow it
for several years, but have never been
successful. Also please state If it is
good forage to feed to working stock.
1t seams to be the opinion of several Of
our farmers that it has tendency to
have weakening eff sct on the kid
neys.-J. D. W., Rutland, Ga.
AnsWer.-German millet should not
be soWn until the weather is settled
warm. To do well it must be on rich
land, or be highly manured. It calls
for complete fertilizer, such as we'll
rotted barnyard manure, or highly am
moniated phosphate with good per-
centags,of potash. The land should be
well prepared and brought into a fine
tilth by repeated ploWings and har-
rowings. Sow about three pecks Of
seed per acre, harrow in lightly and
then roll the land to firm the soil about
the seed. It should be cut just as the
heads appear and before the seed forms
The seed develops very rapidly after
heads appear, and the cutting should
not be delayed. Ripe millet is consid-
cred unhealthy. 1t is very rich, nu
tritious forage; should not be fed too
freely at first, and should not form an
exclusive diet at any time.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31

days Of competition. This is especially
true OF making hay. Hay must be
put up in perfect condition or much
OF its value as feed is lost. It often
happens that the weather during clover
haying is very catchy and clover is
peculiarly sensitive to the action of
water, even two or three heavy deWs
changing its color and reducing it's
value. If the crop is at all heavy it is
almost impossible to get it cured and
in store before it is colored from the
action of dew or the top is burned by
the sun so as to shatter badly when
moved, before the bottom of the sWath
is cured sufficiently to keep.
Here is where the tedder comes in.
With it the sWath can be turned up as
soon as the top is Wilted and frequently
it is possible to store in the evening
clover that has been cut in the morn
ing if the tedder is used. If the hay is
raked just before it becomes brittle
and then loaded with one of the Inn
proved hay leaders, but very few leaves
will be lost.
SO it is with all farm crops. The
machinery that will cultivate them
best and harvest them quickest is the
cheapest.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31
HORTICULTURE
PLANT PESTS AND SPRAYING

Important Notes Prom Actual Expert.
ence Boiled Down for The Progressive
Farmer Readers.
In bulletin 144 of the Ithaca, n. Y,
station, on the San Jose scale, some
very valuable suggestions are made on
sprays and spraying. The following
directions are given for preparing the
best OF all poisonous sprays at cost Of
less than cents per barrel:
ITO make material for 800 gallons Of
spraying mixture, boil two pounds Of
white arsenic with eight pounds of sal
soda Crystals Of carbonate Of soda,
washing soda, found in every grocery
and drug shop in two gallons Of water.
Boil these materials in any iron pot
not used for other purposes. Boil for
fifteen minutes, or until the arsenic
dissolves, leaving only a small muddy
sediment. Put this solution into two
gallon jug and label 'Poison-stock
material for spraying mixture
1.-THE spraying mixture can be pre-
pared whenever required, and in the
quantity needed at the time, by slak.
ing two pounds of lime, adding this to
forty gallons Of water; pour into this g
pint of the stock arsenic solution. Mix
by stirring thoroughly, and the spray
ing mixture is ready for use. The ar
senic in this mixture is equaIent to
four OUNCES of Paris green"
In other words, the stock solution
may be made by boiling together white
arsenic and saIsoda at the rate of one
pound of the former to four of the lat
ter, This will keep indefinitely in a
closed vessel, and as it is extremely
poisonous it should be carefully taken
care of. In applying this stock solu
tion, use two pounds Of fresh lime for
every pint Of the solution. O1e pint
is sufficient to put into a barrel Of
water.
The materials for this poison cost
about 81 cents barrel, making a very
cheap and effective poison. It is not
only much cheaper than Paris green,
but is more uniform in strength and
does not require constant stirring to
keep it from settling.
This station having repeatedly tried
powdered Bordeaux mixture, finds it
inferior to the liquid form and hence
cannot recommed it. While the appli.
cation of improper materials and use
Of right materials at improper times
productive of much dissatisfaction
with spraying, we are convinced that
carelessness and work indiffsrently
done are the cause of more unsatisfac
tory results from spraying than almost
all other causes combined. Compare
lively few people yet know how to
spray and do it well, Notwithstanding
the fact that it is generally not diff
cult thing to do. So the one essential
to satisfactory results from spraying,
as it appears to us, which needs moro
emphasis than any other is thorough
ness in the work. The requisites for
such a j b Of spraying are tree or
plant wen pruned, good pump. q
good nozzle, abundance Of spraying
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31
GALL ABour wATRRMELoNs "

Correspondence Of the Progressive Farmer.
In your article on the above subject
in your issue of April 18th. you quote
Prof. Hugh N Starnes, of the Georgia
Experiment Station, as saying:
Like the grape, the watermelons
must be ripe when started to market,
for it will not ripen up after being
pulled"
beg leave to differ with the Pro
fessor on this vital subject. It will
ripen, but not properly; it will never
make good melon. But so far as red
meat and black seed are concerned, it
is all right, though it may have been
as green as q gourd when pulled. It
requires an expert to tell q watermelon
that was pulled before ripe. I mean
TO tell before cutting. The ripening
process imparts to it the proper sound
when thumped, and the seed and meat
appear to be all right.
HOW TO TELL WHENA MELON WAS
PULLED GREEN.
If a melon ripens properly on the
vine q number of small bumps or
freCkles, will appear ON the outer edge
Of the portion that lay on the ground.
If these little bumps are lacking you
may know that the melon was pulled
green, to ripen afterwards. This test
will be found lacking on a very large
proportion Of the melons shipped
North.
A green melon will not only ripen
after it has been pulled, but will ripen
faster than If left ON the vine. Hence
the temptation to get them into mar
ket early and procure q high price
after causes them to be pulled too soon.
have seen some lots North that you
could scarcely find q good melon In
them, yet the average buyer would
pronounce them ripe. The meat of
such melons is hard and not f1t to be
eaten.
RECIPE FOR PRODUCING CHOLERA
MORBUs
Melons Of the above kind followed
by pears, viii rarely fail to produce
cholera morbus In ten minutes.
Why the cities North have not de-
vised means 60 prevent unripe melons
from being pRlmed eff on them is q
mystery to me. But very few Of the
melons shipped are really fit to be
eaten. Those who pull green melons
for the market know that they are
committing a fraud, and the business
should be broken up. II melons were
left on the vines to ripen properly the
sales and profits would, as verify be-
lieve, be much larger than they now
are.
The Professor further says:
''The watermelon bears it's fruit
direct on the main whenever on its
laterals, as does the muskmelOn."
From my observation the laterals
appear to grow quite as many melons
as the main branches.
have seen it stated that the main
branches produce male blooms and
the Iaterals female. will here ask the
question: Will the seed from a melon
of each kind mixed produce better
yield than the seed of either kind
will planted aloneH Will some person
OF experience kindly give us the de
sired information7
BRYAN TYSON.
Long Leaf, n. Q.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31
THR NORTH CAROLINA + XPRRI.
MINT FARM,

Editor Rural WOrgd:--It is no doubt
true that the rules of scientific Rgricul-
ture prescribed for farmers by some
authorities are often too general to be
Of direct value. The best rule to follow
is for each farmer to experiment in a
practical way, that is, put the question
to the soil itself and receive the answer
in the shape of crops Of varying pro-
portions. What applies on one soil
may not apply on another. On the
other hand, we often flnd tracts Of
many thousands Of acres substantially
the same so far as soil and climate are
concerned and the facts determined in
one portion would be equally available
to all farmers on that tract.
With the object of determining the
best method of msnuring and cultivat-
ing fruits and vegetables upon q sandy
soil, the North Carolina State HortiCul.
tural Society conceived the idea in
1895 of inaugurating q thorough line
of experimental work. They entered
into combination with the North Caro-.
lima State Experiment Station and laid
out a large number Of experimental
plots near the town of Southern Pines.
The plan embraces trials upon eight
Of the most important vegetable and
nine of the leading fruit crops, straw.
berries, blackberries, raspberries,
grapes, peaches. plums, pears, apples,
chestnuts, onions, sweet potatoes, cab
bages, asparagus, tomatoes. snap beans,
cucumbers, and Irish potatoes.
All of the fruit crops are divided
into 90 plots; on each Of these plots
different methods of manuring are
practiced. The fertilizing materials
selected are those most commonly met
with on the market and which furnish
plant,food in cheap and available forms.
For example, acid phosphate is used
for phosphOric acid, muriate Of potash,
auIphate of potash and kainit, prin-
cipally for potash, and nitrate Of soda
for nitrogen. The value Of green ma.
nuring, that is, the growing Of cowpeas
to furnish nitrogen, is also being inves-
tigated, as well as the value of lime.
Two plots were left unfertilized for
comparative purposes. The vegetable
plots are manured in 19 different ways,
much on the same plan as the fruit
plots. This plan Of experimenting
comes about as near a free crop insur-
ance as lie possible at the present stage
of agricultural science. Not only will
the proper fertilizer for each crop be
assured without possible doubt, but
the varieties Of each fruit and each
vegetable best adapted to the soil and
weather conditions will be determined.
With each years work these expert
ment farms will increase in value as
the checking system will soon detect
Improbable methods as well as Varie-
ties. Farmers would do well 20 keep
themselves informed as to results IS.
Pna00NlY
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31
SOME SUGGESTIONS
Made by the Southern Cultivator
CATTLE.

Made by the Southern Cultivator
CATTLE.
During May pastures are generally
good, but provision should be made
against their probable failure later,
when the weather becomes excessively
hot and dry. A good supply of drilled
corn forage will meet such emergencies
we'll and cheaply. During warm
weather cattle suffer much from in
sects. Where ticks abound the part
usually infested by them should be
thoroughly creased from time to time.
Lard with a little kerosene added is
good for this purpose; it should be we'll
rubbed in. When evolves" are pres
ent in the backs of cattle they may be
gotten rid of by graspiDg the swelling
firmly at it's base and squee King it hard
and the grub will be forced out. Or
they may be killed by rubbing in well
over the swelling the mixture Of grease
and kerosene recommended for ticks.
There is an opening at the top OF the
swelling through which the grub gets
air, and filing this with grease suffo
Gates the grub.
GERMAN MILLET.
When one is short Of forage, no crop
can supply the deficiency better than
German millet, because it natures in
so short g time. It is exceedingly
nutritious, and can we'll take the place
of both grain and roughness. If cut
before the seeds form and fed in mod
GRAFTON at first, there is no danger con-
nected with it. There seems to be
some when fed after the seeds are
formed. Just how these do harm is
not entirely cleared up. Il may be
that the seeds swell after being taken
into the stomach, as they are so small
as to be liable to escape being chewed
up. This crop calls for very rich land
it does not pay on poor land.
-AO-O=S@
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31

he Is to Organize Third Regiment of
Nebraska Volunteers,

Lincoln, Neb., May 17.-Wm. J.
Bryan is to organize third regiment
of Nebraska volunteers to tender their
services to the President as soon az
mustered. Governor Holcomb today
issued him q commission as colonel,
with the authority 60 proceed, and Mr..
Bryan told the Associated Press CorEe.
spOndent tonight that he would accept
the commission.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31

The low price of cotton and the high
price Of farm supplies is the strongest
argument for q greater diversity OF
crops in the South.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31

ana tarmer who gives all his time
bhanOOt to single crop can utilize
abis CeSt advantage the possibilities
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31

The essence of the. advantages Of
crop diversification is that it assures
the farmer an independent living from
his own acres.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31

Many growers-and doubtless some
OF them are PROGRESSIVE FARMER
Feaders-seem to think it necessary to
hill or ridge their potatoes to secure q
good crop. In a very wet season or on
very wet land this is probably true,
OuF tOr ordinary conditions and on
Iand suited to potato growing level
culture should be practiced. The ridge
system will undoubtedly ripen the
crop earlier than the level system, but
Will not produce better yield except
IN the presence of ex cess of moisture.
Ia 1896, at the Arkansas Station, a
double series Of plots were planted. the
ridges varying from twelve inches high
DOWN the level. One serles consisted
Of Bliss Triumph and the other of Early
Unlo. Oae third of each plot was dug
nay ~, another third June 1, and the
last on June IS A very dry season
SERIOUSLY affected the yield and hast
ened maturity, but served to indicate
wa marked degree the advantage of
''Vel culture, particularly for q dry
season.
, The Level plots yielded SO3 bushels
mofe sa than the ridged plots on May 90,
VIZ bushels more on June 1, and 664
sOse on June Is The first potatoes
Sug retailed at 81 per bushel until the
leans,
u the variety test, Ohio Jr.. gave
NC ~s largest yield, Grown Jewell second
% Worlds Fair third. Triumph,
%o vu'Ca is the most popular potato in
south and is much more extensive
s. HOWn than any other in that sec
~ stood twelfth on this list.
II. h.paylng or dusting Paris green on
n., vines to kill potato bugs cost 90
off, acfe and gave an increased yield
"''en bushels per acre.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31
Agriculture.
=oTTED BY BENZ IRBY, RALEIGH, N

penI. Irby, late PI ofessOr OF Agricul-
Proi' fc11iturai and Mechanical College, Raj
ture' A. a. Become 8 regular contributor to this
slgh, n nIne5f An questions relating to the farm,
depssasI1 oT orchard will be answered by Prof.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31
FARM NOTES.

Most SOILS ne6u mOES A46GOS0A" why
,ontinue to apply more, potash and
Ubogphoric acid when your land is
porisbing for lack of nitrogenl Nitro
ron AZ it comes in a bag Of fertilizer is
1orv costly but there is no reason why
nv farmer should not plant a large
crop of peas and get supply from
mother Nature free.
puIletin No. 40 of New Hampshire
station, says that tankage is the cheap
ost source of both nitrogen and phos
nboric acid in that State. Fertilizers
have been cheaper the past year than
ever before, and are likely to still
further decline. But the station an
sIvses show that nearly all commercial
fertilizers are too rich in phosphorlc
acid and potash as compared with the
nitrogen they contain. Farmers are
advised to procure additional nitrogen
in the form of stable manure or In
crops of clover, peas or vetch.
Anthrax ia an exceedingly Vlrulent,
fatal and highly contagious disease
attacks horses, cattle, sheep, and even
people. Formerly it was called muir
rain, or bloody murrain, and is now
called charbon throughout the South.
Iii most apt to prevail in low, wet
countries, but it may exist in billy sec
tons
The germ OF this disease is very
tenacious. EArthWorms or rains may
carry the germ deeply into the earth
where an afflicted animal has graEed
or has died and decayed, and these
germs may again be brought to the
surface by earthworms five years
atterward and produce another out
break of the disease. Hence the i'm
portance of promptly burning every
carcass. It is supposed that the germ
Of this terrible malady was first i'm
ported into this country In hides from
animals that had perished Of it in
Europe. Whether this be so or not, it
is well known that it has often been
imported in such hides. OF five out
breaks in Pennsylvania, two have been
traced directly to tanneries that had
received a cargo of hides from China.
In both cases the first deaths were
among the persons employed in 1orting
and manipulating these hides, and
afterwards the disease attacked the
stock along the streams below these
tanneries, the offAl from the tanneriee
being dumped into the streams.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-05-31

Has the largest
circulation Of any
family agricultu-
nl or political
paper published
between Rich
mOnd and Atlanta
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-11
ALEXANDRIA Va No

ALEXANDRIA, Va, Nov. 8. 1898.
To the Board of Managers of the Alex
andria Iofrmary
LADIES i have the honor Of hereby
submitting TO you the report of my
fourth annual service at the Ir6rmary,
extending from September l, 1897, to
October 81, 1898. The following is d
statement of patients treated aud re-
suits attained Number Of patient; in
the house September l, 1897, TO- nun
Der admitted to October 81, 1898, 81;
discharged (cure6) 81; discharged Jim
proved, S; remaining under treatme' t
October 81, 1898. Is. OF the remain
ing three one was discharged for refusal
10 obey rules and two died, one OF
whom was brought 10 in q dying con-
dition and lived only six hours. My
term of service witnessed the compile
ton of two greatly needed improve,
meuts, the rebuilding of the wards for
the colored people and the putting in
of the most complete aud improved
heating apparatus throughout the en-
tire house. This heating apparatus will
add vastly to both the comfort and wei.
fare of the inmates, aud the new
wards. with their new furniture, are
indeed vast Improvement and fill q
long felt need. Another improvement,
that from sanitary point of view was
greatly to be desired-the concreting
of the celler-is now also being made.
This will add greatly TO the improved
sanitary condition of the house. Every
; one connected with or interested in tt e
Iafirmary is to be congratulated upon
the i'm Grovements accomplished this
year. Our next greatest needs. which
the near future will, an sure, see
supplied, are an elevator and electric
lights in the operating room. Very re-
spectfulIy, 4. NJ. SLAUGHTER, NJ D.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-11

FINED FIFTY DOLLARS Some ex-
s.smsl. was caused at the intersection
If Kag and Henry stress late last
,jgh BY difficulty between railroad
usa d q resident of the Third ward.
TIE rouole started in downtown
aloon, aud Is said to have originated
1on he fac that the railroad man re-
tl.si 10 lake a driuk with the Third
vsri-r. TIE latter repaired to sa-
boa on Henry street, uear King. in
yhe1 he railroader mad entered. The
n,n IRON the Third ward took drink
adj eft, but returned laIer and drank
s,sp Il was then nearing midnight,
s. which time the saloon was to close.
When the door was fiually shut the
proprietor with the railroad man and
alo-lsr friend left, the former being in
the lead, and when in front OF the
Eatchmun's box toe Third warder
Jumped from behind the sane and
yonte q pistol az the railroad man, at
ta2 same time implying he was about
to vent MS vengeance. The proprietor
Of tae saloon Knocked the msn's arm
down. and the raiIroader realizing the
alatou. struck his would-be ass iilapt
heavy blow and rendered him hols
De combat. Lieutenant Smith ard
Policemen Arlington and TIGER soou
appeared and placed the man unde!
arrest. This morning the Mayor foed
tie assailant $50.