5.1. iNn EMIflATIONAL INTERESTS OP OUR PEOPLE PARAMOUNT TO ALL OTHER CONSIDERATIONS OP STATE PflLIfiY.
RALEIGH, N. C, SEPTEMBER 24, 1889.
No. 33
VoL 4.
THE INDUS!
-ORY OF FARMERS' OR
01 GANIZATIONS.
BtfTB' STATE ALLIANCE.
OBTH CAROLINA FARMERS HTAi
Vice-President a. j '
town, N. C. Raleigh, N. C.
Treasurer--; K a
Wstant Lecturer-R. umer, wiar-
lotte, N. C.
ME Tornlinson, Fay-
TDoor Keeper-H. E. King,
P$anAnns-J. S. Holt, Chalk
Siness Agen-W. H. Worth,
eeusiness Agency Fund-W. A.
Graham, Machpelah, N. C.
CIKCUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH CARO
LINA FARMERS' STATE ALLIANCE.
S B Alexander, Chariot e, N. 0.,
Chair an; J. M. Mewborne, Kinston N.
C; J- S. onnston, Kuffin, JN. U
OEFICERS OF THE VIRGINIA STATE ALLIANCE.
President G. T. Birbee, Bridgewater,
Va.
Vice-Pres dent aj. Marm Page,
Brandon, Va. .
Secretary J. J. Silvey, Armssille, Va.
Treasurer- Isaiah Printz, Stonyman,
lecturer J. D. Shepperson, Smithville,
Assistant-Lecturer P. H. Strode, Step
hen City, Va.
Hhanlain Wm. M. Rosser, Luray, Va.
Doorkeeper B. Frank Beahen, Kim
ball Va.
Assistant-Doorkeeper, Gr. E. Brubaker,
Tiiirav. "Va.
Sergeant at-Arms Milton Pence, For-
estville, Va.
State Business Agent S. P. A. Bruba
ker, Luray, Va.
Ch'mn Ex. Com. 13. T. Brumback,
Ida, Va.
continued from last week.
THE SOUTH THE HOME OF
GRASS AND CLOVER.
From the Fall Seed Catalogue of T. W. Wood &
Sons.T
Our seeds, especially Grass and
Clover Seeds, are carefully "selected
and grown for us with special refer
ence to their purity, cleanliness from
weeds, and germination. In addition
to this, we carefully test all seeds be
fore sending out, so farmers procur
ing their supplies from us can rely
on their yielding them the most satis
factory results, with proper prepara
tion of the soil and favorable seasons.
The best time in the fall for seeding
grass and clovers is in the month of
September, although the grasses can
be safely sown up to the middle of
October, but it will be better, as late
as that, to defer sowing clover until
early in the spring, which, if desired
to be sown with the grass, can be
sown on the top without covering, and
will easily take root. The grasses of
course, succeed equally well sown in
the spring as in the fall. The best
mode of preparation is as follows:
The ground should be made fine, firm
and smooth by plowing and harrow
ing as many times as is necessary,
and, if the soil is loose, it should be
rolled. After it is properly prepared,
mark off in lands of such width as
can be conveniently sown, and divide
the seed for such portion. It is best
to sow half the seed in going one way
over that portion of land, and return;
mg over the same ground sow the
other half of the seed, so that it gets
evenly spread, and so on throughout
the field. The seed should then be
lightly covered, either with a brush
or light harrow; and if the soil is dry
enough, it is best to run a roller over
it, which gives the tender sprouts a
firm hold on the soil.
Orchard Grass. The demand for
this grass is increasing to an enor
mous extent all over the South; and
wherever it is given a trial it speedily
proves itself one of the most valuable
hay and pasture grasses in cultiva
tion. It withstands the heat and
drought of midsummer and cold of
winter better than any other of the
cultivated grasses; starts early in the
spring, and continues to give good
grazing until late in the fall. For hay
it can be cut twice in a season, and
will yield nearly double as much as
Timothy, and is not nearly so hard on
the soil. Its nutrative qualifies are
first-class -f. by analysis it contains more
flesh and muscle-forming materials
than Timothy, but is not quite so fat
tening as that grass. It ripens at the
same time as Orchard, and gives very
best results with it and Red Clover
For hay it should be cut while in
bloom. For poor, dry and sandy soils
this grass hap no equal. Sow either
hriSPrDg at the rate of two to
three bushels per acre. Per bushel of
11 pounds, about $1.50. Special
prices in large quantities
raZrl -itylis Glome
rata). This is a well known and val
uable grass, either for hay or pasture, j
It succeeds well on most soils, but
prefers a moderately stiff and not wet.
It comes early m the spring, and con
tinues well into winter. It is of
quick growth, and relished by stock,
especially when young, and bears
close grazing. It makes excellent
hay, and does well mixed and grown
with Tall Meadow Oat Grass and Ked
Clover, which ripen at the same time.
It should be cut when in blossom, as
the hay is injured if the seed ripens.
It can be sown in the spring or fall,
either with grain or alone. Sow two
bushels per acre if by itself, or three
pecks Orchard Grass, thr e pecks Tall
Meadow Oat, and five pounds Clover
make a fine mixture. Price about
$1.25 per bushel of 14 pounds.
Timothy. (Phleum lratense). One
of the most valuable hay grasses; sue
ceeds well on stiff low grounds, but
not so well on light or upland soils.
Yields large crops of the very best
quality hay, but is not so good a pas
ture grass, as it will 4 not bear close
cropping. It is best sown early in the
fall, as it will then make a full crop
the following season. Sow at the
rate of one peck to the acre. Price
about $2.00 per bushel. Special
prices for large quantities.
Red Top, or Herd Grass. (Agro
tis Vulgaris). An excellent grass, suc
ceeding in any soil. It grows well
on light sandy, medium or stiff bot
tom land. It is one of the best for
wet soils, and is not injured by over
flows; is good for grazing or hay, and
succeeds well sown with Timothy, as
they manure together and produce an
excellent hay. When sown with
Timothy, sow one bushel Herd's and
six pounds Timothy per acre. Sow
in September or October, or in the
spring, two bushels per acre, if sown
by itself. Price, about 60 cts. per
bushel of 10 pounds. Special prices
for large quantities.
Kentucky Blue Grass. (Poa Pra
tensis). A fine grass which does well
in mixtures for grazing or lawns, and
generally succeeds well on moist soils.
Sow two bushels per acre. Price
about $1.50 per bushel of 14 pounds.
Meadow Fescue, or Randall.
(Fesiuca Pratensis). A highly val
uable perennial grass for permanent
pasture. The roots penetrate the soil
twelve or fifteen inches, and it is well
fortified against drought. It makes
a fine winter pasture, and overflows
do not decrease its vigorous vitality.
If sown for hay, it, like oth-r grasses,
should be cut when in bloom. Sow
two bushels per acre during Septem
ber or October, or in the spring.
Price, about $1.25 per bushel of 14
pounds.
Italian Rye Grass. (Lolium Itali
cum). This is a quick growing grass,
and is admirably adapted to a variety
of soils and conditions. On rich,
moist soils it yields propably more
mowings than any other grass. Sow
thirty pounds of seed per acre. Price,
about $1.10 per bushel of 14 pounds.
Perennial Rye Grass. (Lolium
Perene) This, like the preceding, is
a very quick growing grass; furnishes
good grazing and hay, which matures
early; but as it does not root deeply,
is often killed out during a drought
in summer. Sow thirty pounds per
acre. Price, about $1.00 per bushel
of 14 pounds.
Johnson Grass. Sorghum Hala
pense). This is not properly a grass,
but is really a species of sugar cane.
It grows rather coarse, but makes a
large yield of forage, which when
young and tender is relished by stock.
It has not given uniform satisfaction
in this State, but seems to do very
well further South. Sow at the rate
of one bushel per acre. Price, $2.50
per bushel.
Texas Blue Grass. A grass which
from all reports is one ot the most
valuable pasture grasses in existence.
It endures the winters and resists
drought perfectly, making three or
four times as much pasture or hay as
its near relative, Kentucky Blue Grass.
The great drawback to the general
cultivation of this grass is the diffi
culty with which the seed is obtained,
making it very high in price. Price
of seed is 25 cts. per pkt.; $3.50 per
pound.
Mesquit, or Soft Meadow Grass.
(Holcus Lam at us). One of the most
attractive. looking grasses grown, and
making a large yield of either pas
turage or hay, but of rather poor nu
tratjve qualities. It does better on
poor or sandy soils than any other
grasses, and for this its chief value
lies. Sow about twenty pounds per
acre. Price, 15 cts. per pound.
Fowl Meadow Grass. A valuable
gress for low wetlands, thriving best-
when sown with other grasses, such
as Red Top or Meadow Fescue. It is
slender in growth, with large seed
heads, and require the support and
protection of other grasses to prevent
it from lodging and falling down. It
makes fine, soft hay of excellent qual
ity, and cattle and sheep are very
fond of it. Price, $2.50 per bushel.
Clovers.
Lucerne, or Alfalfa. (Medicago
Sativa). This is perhaps the most
valuable clover for the South, as on
suitable land it can be mown five or
six times a year. It likes, dry, mel
low ground, with a deep subsoil which
the -foots can penetrate, and they will
run down twenty feet or more in
search of moisture; hence it with
stands drought better than other
grasses. It is best used for feeding
green or a little wilted, and cutting
should commence before any blooms
appear, and by the time it is cut over,
the part first cut will be ready again.
For hay it should be cut as the blooms
appear. Sow ten pounds per acre in
drills twelve inches apart, and culti
vate to keep down the weeds, and
when it is established it will keep
them down. It will succeed well
sown broadcast on ground free from
weeds, when fifteen to twenty pounds
should be sown, so as to cover the
ground thickly and keep down weeds.
If it is top-dressed every winter, it
will last for twenty years or more. It
should not be grazed. Sow late in
spring or early in the fall, either in
drills or broadcast. It is rather ten
der until it is established, when it will
stand severe cold and produce large
crops for several years.' Can be sown
alone or with a very light seeding of
barley, oats or rye, which should be
cut off before ripening Price, 18
cts. per pound; $9.50 per bushel of
60 pounds. ,
German or Crimson Clover. This
is one of the most valuable crops for
all farmers. It comes three weeks
earlier than the Red Clover in the
spring, make3 very nutricious green
food, and also excellent hay, at the
same time improving the soil to a
greater extent than any other crop
which is cut from the land. This
clover is adapted to all soils, but seems
especially so to light lands, and is
considered by some superior, both for
hay and as an improver to the Red
Clover, on this class of soils. After
the crop is cut, the land is in fine con
dition for corn or the succeeding
crop. The stubble plowed under,
even after the crop is cut off, rrakes
a fine improver. Sow in August and
September, at the rate of ten or
twelve pounds to the acre. Per pound,
15 cts.; bushel of 60 pounds, $7.50.
Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense).
This is one of the most valuable
farm crops, and is largely used for
pasturage, hay, and as an improver of
the soiL The soils best adapted to it
are tenacious or stiff loams, contain
ing more or less lime or clay. It will
grow on poor land- if the subsoil is
clay; but if very poor it should be
helped a little at first with
plaster and kanit, when large crops
can be raised. Cut for' hay when in
full bloom. Sow ten pounds per acre
in the spring or fall. Price, about
$5.40 per bushel of 60 pounds. Spe
cial prices for large quantities,
Saplin, . or Mammoth Clover.
(Trifolium Pratense). Similar to the
preceding,excep; that it grows much
larger and coarser, and is later in
maturing. It is much superior as an
improver on account of the extra
growth. This is. a good variety for
thin soils, or to seed with Timothy,
as it matures at the same time. Price,
about $5.75 per bushel of 60 pounds.
White Clover. (Trafolium Ra
pens). For lawn and pasture mix
tures this is a valuable clover to sow
in the fall and spring. Price, 25 cts.
per pound. Special prices for large
quantities.
Sweedish or Alsike Clover. A
hardy, rich Clover, succeeding best
on moist lands containing clay. It
resists extreme drought and wet, and
is not easily winter killed. It does
mot attain its full growth for two or
three years, and is best adapted for
pasture when sown with other grasses.
It has long, fibrous roots, and is well
adapted for sowing on land liable to
wash or gully. Bees extract a great
deal of honey froni its fragrant flow
ers, and it is on this account a favor
ite with bee keepers. Price, 15 cts.
per pound; about $8.50 per bushel.
Sainfoin or Espabsette. An old
and favorably known plant in Europe,
but has not been tried to any great
extent in this country as yet. It is
principally recommended for light,
sandy, gravelly and limestone soils,
and succeeds well during long
droughts. It is used largely in
Europe as an improver, and also
makes a good forage plant. It is well
worth a trial, and may prove a valu
able plant for the South. Price, 20
cts. per pound ; ten pounds and over
at 15 cts. per pound. Special prices
for large quantities.
Japan Clover. This is a most val
uable grazing crop, but is only recom
mended to be seeded in the spring.
Sow eight or ten pounds per acre.
Per pkt. 10 ct3.; pound 35 cts.;
bushel (20 pounds) $6.0O.
Bukb Clover. Considered a val
uable winter grazing plant in the Gulf
States, furnishing good grazing from
January until April or May. It is
not hardy north of South" Carolina.
.From what we have heard and read
of the piant, we believe that its value
has been very much overrated, even
in the Gulf States, and that when
Lucerne, Tall Meadow Oat and Ger
man, dr Crimson Clover, become
more generally known in that section,
that they, together with Winter Rye,
Bartey&nd Oats, will supercede and
drive itfout of cultivation. Price, 35
cts per bound.
The 4bove varieties of Clover are
the only sorts of any general agricul
tural value, but if any other varieties
are required for any special uses or
exBerinient we can supply them at
prices as follows:
White Bokhara (Metilotus Alio),
per pound, 40 cts.
YellIow Trefoil (Hop Clover, Non
such or 'Black , Medioc), per pound, 30
cts. 1
FROM ; THE. GASTON COUNTY
I BRETHREN.
Catawba Creek Alliance, No. 63 6.
Mr. Editor: After quite a long
absence from your columns, we knock
again for admission to the organ of
the ' Alliance of : the good Old North
State.; Since we last wrote you, our
order has grown rapidly in numbers,
having then only thirty -six members
and now numbering sixty. I trust,
brethren, that our growth has not
been alone in numbers, that we have
been progressing in the way of a more
thorough knowledge of thejprinciples
of our grand order is apparent on all
sides. Our Sub Alliance stands ever
ready to maintain the principles of the
Alliance and to uphold every good
an 1 noble work instituted in the in
terest Qf the laboring man, be he. a
tiller of the soil, mechanic or a worker
in any honorable avocation. We are
standing as a unit against the proposed
exactions of the jute bagging trust.
Not one yard of their bagging will be
used by our Alliance to wrap this
crop of cotton. Let all the brethren
be as firm, and down goes the ungodly
combination. The farmers of this
section are now more hopeful than
ever. Bright prospects await them
in the future. Their field s give promise
of an abundant yield of the fleecy
staple and an unusual harvest of corn.
We have perfected arrangements
for the establishment of a trade and
cotton exchange in Gastonia, which
is one of the best markets, as well as
one of the most thriving towns in
western Carolina. The prospects of
the town are bright because the farm
ers surrounding it are prospering.
We have had, during the past
month, quite a revival of the Alliance
through the inspiration of Bros. Tracy,
Alexander and Graham, each having
delivered addresses to large audiences
in the county.
I feel that our members are begin
ning to appreciate t he other principles
of the order as-well as the financial.
Let our members be trained morally
and educated thoroughly in the prin
ciples of political economy, that they
may be able to intelligently render a
verdict on all questions affecting their
interest, morally, socially, politically,
or financially. We want no partisan
politics in the Alliance, but we do
want the citizens of this common
wealth to become so familiar with the
great questions of the day as to be
able to secure the needed reform in
State and National legislation. In
telligent citizenship means an intelli
gent exercise of the rights of suffrage
and the enactment of wise, pure and
patriotic legislation. An intelligent
people, an unprejudiced press; then
pure, patriotic statesmen; then just
laws and equal rights and privileges
to all classes. - Then prosperity will
dawn upon us and discord and strife
will vanish. To secure these ends
are some of the objects of the Alliance.
Then, brethren, let us strive to educate
ourselves in the grand principles of
our order; act in accordance with
them, spurn the name of failure, stand
united man to man, and then will we
march on to victory, to the accomp
lishment of the grand aims of our
order. Be true to your obligation, to
yourself and the principles of the
Alliance.
Wm. H. Wilson, Secy.
MAKE AN EXHIBIT.
Breeders of Sheep Exhorted to Rouse
Up and Attend the State Fair,
October 14th to 19th.
There is nothing that can do so
much toward imparting an education
as object teaching, says the Western
Rural. We may teach principles for
five years and not effect so much as
we can by making a practice of prin
ciples for a few months; so many of
us teach, or try to teach, the impor
tance of sheep husbandry, and yet
never accomplish so much through
the usual modes of teaching as we
can by bringing our sheep where the
public may look at them. This is a
subject, that in one shape or another,
we have gone over many times, and
yet we do not secure the adoption of
our method as fully as we would like
it. In times of depression the pro
moters of any farm enterprise that is
particularly affected, are pretty apt to
fold their arms and let the enterprise
sink out of sight. If times are very
dull the live s:ock breeder thinks it
will not pay to advertise in any direc
tion. He withdraws his advertise
ment from the columns of the paper,
and perhaps does not show an animal
at the fair. The city merchant does
not do things that way.
He is bound to tempt people to part
with what money they have; the
temptation consists of stead and ex
tensive advertising. Stores advertise
just as much in dull times as they do
in good times, and it must pay them
to do so or they would not do it. It
will pay our live stock breeders to do
likewise, pay them every time arid pay
them handsomely.
North Carolina farmers want to
know where they can buy improved
breeds of sheep, and if those . per
sons who raise them will only exhibit
at the coming State Fair, October
14th to 19th, they will find many per
sons to buy and give them good
prices. Stock is transported free of
charge over the railroads to and from
the Fair, so that if they are sold the.
larmer cannot lose any money in
making a trial to sell improved sheep.
More of our farmers must be bree iers
of fine sheep and sell to those wishing
to purchase and not let our people
have to send money of the State and
pay high prices for what we can raise
with profit.
Every flock-master should feel that
it wonld be co his benefit to make as
large and fine an exhibit at the fairs
as it was possible for him to make. Of
all our domestic animals the sheep is
least understood by the public at
large. The animal is neglected by
the government and little thought of
by the general public; and sheep
breeders cannot expect that the great
mass of consumers will ever know
much about ther industry unless they
push the sheep directly under their
noses. They do not read the class of
journals that discuss the sheep inter
ests and the only "way to make them
think of the animal from whose back
so large a portion of their raiment
comes, is to show the back with the
wool on it. NAt some of our fairs the
sheep exhibit is so insignificant that
it does no good in the direction of
which we are speaking A few pens
of sheep make no impression, but
when there are many pens, the be
holder feels precisely as he does when
he goes to the Union Stock Yards
and exclaims upon looking over the
yards: 4 Why, here are scores of
stock; I never before knew how ex
tensive an interest the stock interest
of this country is."
FROM CHATHAM COUNTY.
Richmond, N. C, Sept. 9,89.
Mb. Editor: As I have riot had
the pleasure of reading anything in
your most interesting and instructive
paper from our Alliance, I thought
perhaps a few lines would be accep
table. I will say Womble Alliance, No.
495, does not rank in number with
many other Alliances, but we are a
true and live band of workers, united
and working for the same cause as
one to accomplish the design of the
order, whjch purpose is, to protect
and guard our rights, to ask nothing
but what is justly ours, and to yield
to nothing wrong.
At our last meeting jute bagging
was fully discussed. The following
resolution passed unanimously with
the exception of one:
Resolved, That we, the members of
Womble Alliance, will not use any
more jute bagging for cotton cover
ing, nor patronize any ginner that
buys and sells it.
We have contributed some to the
business agency fund and will con
tribute more in the near future. We
feel the need of its establishment, but
like many other Alliances, I fear, we
feel so poor that we do not reach deep
enough in our pockets. ,
' Owing to the great rain fall we will
not be able to gather a full crop,
though much better than last year.
Corn on hill land is very fair. A
great deal on bottoms that didn't wash
away was drowned out. The crop of
cotton will depend upon the fall, as
the most of cotton is backward and
distitute of many bolls. ,
If this does not find its way to the
waste basket perhaps I can pluck up
enough courage to write asjam. Suc
cess to you and The Progressive
Farmer.
I Fraternally,
J. L. G., Sec'y.
FROM CATAWBA COUNTY.
Catawba Alliance, No. 1,310,
Sept. 7, '89.
Mr. Editor: This is to say that
Catawba Alliance is still alive and
doing the befet we can, and although
we live along the western banks of
the grand old Catawba river whose
fertile bottoms waive with golden
corn at present. We are poor in
means and weak in numbers, yet
strong and firm Alliance men. We do
not pass many resolutions but do en
dorse a good many passed by other
Alliances. We have endorsed the.
consolidation of the Alliance and
also the action of the Birmingham
Convention in regard to the bagging
trust and mean to fight it to the
bitter end. We have as yet paid noth
ing to the business agency fund but
about all the members have pledged
themselves to pay something this fall
and will pay to the best of their abil
ity. Our election in June for officers
for Catawba Alliance resulted as fol
lows: President, E. M. Howard; Vice
President, JA. Howard; Secretary,
R' G. Proctor; Treasurer, H. D. How
ard; Doorkeeper, J. A. Linebarger;
Assistant Doorkeeper, J. H. McCon-
nell7 'Chaplain, H. CL Regans,. Lec
turer, A. ; M. Little, - Assistant Lec
turer, E. M. Howard Business Agent,
J. A. King; Sergeant-at Arms, W. W.
McAllister; Investigation Committee,
J. A. King, A. M. Howard and W.
A. Cashion; Committee on Good of
the Order, John Brotherton, J. M.
Cashion and E. Womac.
We organized last November with
eleven members and now number 25
in all, 22 males and 3 females. We
have dimited one and granted one
withdrawal. We are at present tak
ing eleven copies of The Progressive
Farmer and hope to double that num
ber in the near future. With good
wishes for the Alliance, Progressive
Farmer and its editor, I am
Fraternally yours,
R. G. Proctor, Sec'y.
SHIPPING LIVE POULTRY.
There are a few points in shipping
live poultry to which we wish to call
attention. It is important from a
money point of view, that the coops
be light in weight, and from a sani
tary point of view they should be
airy, yet care should be used that they
are strongly built and that they are in
good condition before used, so that
they will not come apart whiie in
transit, for they are sometimes rough
ly handled whdd on the road. All
coops should be high enough to allow
the poultry, for which they are made,
to stand up. Do not use coops for
turkeys that were made for hens, nor
coops for hens that were made for
young spring chicks or pigeons. To
use low coops is not only cruel, but
often occasions loss through suffoca
tion. .
When shipping hens and roosters,
use separate coops. Nothing depre
ciates a coop of fine hens more than
to find a number of old cocks among
them. Often shippers wonder why
they do not get the highest market
price for their hens. Sometimes it is
because they are mixed lots. Good
straight lots always command the
best prices, and find the most ready
sale. For Chicago, poultry should be
shipped so as to reach market from
Tuesday to Friday. Receipts generally
increase to ward the end of the week,
and there is usually enough carried
over stock on hand Saturday to sup
ply the demand. Merchants rather
than carry stock over Sunday will sell
at a sacrifice, as the stock, when kept
in coops, loses considerable in weight,
and does not appear fresh and bright;
besides Monday is usually a poor day
to sell poultry. It is to the shippers
interest as well as to the interest of
the commission man, to have the
poultry in market in good shape and
upon good days. Think of this wjien
you send.- Chicago Stockman.