The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1903-04-14
nus WEEKS PAPER-sOME RANDOM COM
=" MENT.
MENT.

ror against insect pests. What he says as
S" I ro1ue of toads and birds as insect destroy
: we'll borne out by facts and should insure
.r protection for these humble friends of the
svmnor Nor should it be forgotten that North
r,roina has a very efficient and courteous State
Tn+omoIogist, Mr.. Franklin Sherman, of Raleigh,
ubo will gladly answer any inquiry that may be
nnt him regarding insect ravages.
IN mage 1 we are printing several items as to
.o damage wrought by the recent cold snap. We
home that subscribers in the various sections will
loep rs informed as to crop progress from now
m Such news items will be gladly welcomed
by Is and will interest all our readers.
# Won will take the trouble to read carefully
Dr. Henry WaIIace's article, "The Water-Holding
Capacitv of Soils" you will get the whole philo-
sophy of tiIlage and moisture-a very important
matter in the cultivation of any farm. The arti-
Gle is worth re-reading and filing away.
Prof. Mccarthy sends another note regarding
sHk-growing in North Carolina. We have not
Investigated this matter thoroughly enough to
warrant our taking a positive stand in regard
TO it. Prof. Mccarthy is enthusiastic, and DR..
L. Q. Howard, of the United States Department
Of Agriculture, is reported as hoping for large
results from the experiments he has been making
several years, while Professor Massey declares
that, though he is not an enthusiast on poultry,
he is sure that the women on the farm needing
light work, can do ten times as much with chick
ems as they can with silk worms" The big exper-
iment at Tallulah Falls will probably shed more
light on the subject than anything that has yet
been done. Meanwhile, those who are experiment.
ing should apply to the Secretary of Agriculture,
Washington, D.. O., for a free copy of Farmers
Bulletin No. 165, "~Silkworm Culture"
Our Washington correspondent, whose farm is
over in Virginia, a few miles from Washington
City, makes some helpful suggestions about trans
planting trees, notes that should have reached
US earlier in the season. The ease with which
moderately large trees may be moved, provided a
ball of earth is left c%linging to the main roots,
should encourage many to beautify their yards
with new additions from the forest growth. No
farm home is complete without plenty of trees
and flowers.
Mr.. Walkers letter on "OId Times in the
South is interesting, as all the letters in this
series have been, but in awarding the prize book,
We could select but one writer, and the winner
proved to be Rev. N. B. Cobb, of Sampson Coun-
~ whose recent "reminiscences of the Civil War
nave charmed our readers. We hope, however,
that the letters on the Old South will not cease
now that the contest has ended. We shall be glad
" publish many others.
There are several other articles in this number
worthy Of extended notice, but we must pass them
over with a word or two. Our clipping from the
'"'lo| OF Reviews gives a very clear statement
VI inc I~thmian canal situation. The Irish Land
pIH' referred to in our General News, is one of
@g most notable measures that Englishmen have
Inc drink bill of the country will surprise, not
o| the more optimistic advocates of temper
tSg' oUt the public generally. The Crop Bulle-
s n reprinted on pages 10 and II gives an admir-
Inv summary of weather and crop conditions
%Il.Ig the past five months. Greater publicity
Uu De gwen to the new law protecting birds