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M-rbe Projrres ifrt Fanner is a good paper far shove the aver age and possibly the best advertis ing medinm in N. Printers' Ink. "The Progres sive Farmer is a good paper far above the average- -and possibly the best advertis ing medinm in II. C? Printers' Ink. THE 1HDUSTEIAL AND EDUCATIONAL INTEEESTS OF OUE PEOPLE PARAMOUNT TO ALL OTHEE CONSIDERATIONS OF STATE POLICY. Vol.12. RALEIGH, N. 0., APRIL 6, 1897. No. 9 mmm COS NATIONAL FARMERS' ALLI ANCE AND INDUSTRIAL UNION. president Mann Page, Brandon, Va. Vice President O. Vincent, Indian apolis, Ind. Secretary Treasurer W. P. Bricker, Oogan Station, Pa. EXECUTIVE BOARD. Mann Page. Brandon, Va ; R. A. South worth, Denver, Col.; John Bre nig, W. Va ; A. B. Welch, New York; J. W. Stokes, S. O. JUDICIARY. a. A. Southworth, Denver, Colo, B. W. Beck, Alabama. IX. D. Davie, Kentucky. 10STH 0AB0LHTA FARMERS' STAT3 ALLI ANCE. president Dr. Cyrua Thompson, 31chlands, . C. , Vice-President Jno. Graham,Ridge- iray, N. O. ' Secretary-Treasurer W. B. Barnes, Hillsboro, N. O. Lecturer J. T. B. Hoover, Elm City, Steward Dr. V. N. Seawell, Villa- qow, N. C. Chaplain Rev. P. H. Massey, Dur- liam, N. C. n Door keeper Geo. T. Lane, Greens boro, N. C. Assistant Door- keeper Jaa. E. Lyon, Durham, N. 0. Sergeant-at-Arms A. D. K. Wallace, Butherfordton, N. O. State Business Agent T. Ivey, Hills boro, N. C. Trustee Business Agency Fund W. Graham, Machpelah, N. C. 4XXCUTIV10 COMMITTZB OF THE NORTH CAB0U5A FARMERS' STATE ALLIANCE. A. F. Hileman, Concord, N. O. ; N. 0. English, Trinity, N. C; James M. Hewborne, Kins .on, N. C. IIAT1 ALLIASCa JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. John Brady, Gatesville, N. C. ; Dr. J.F. Harrell, Whiteville, N. C; T. J. Candler. Acton. N. O. Sixth Carolina Reform Press Association. 0&cer-J. L. Bamsey, President; garion Butler, Vice-President ; IF. S, Same. Secretary papers. nmoalTe Frmr. SUte Orgxn, Ralegh, N. C. Caucasian. 8 r k!rrnrv Hickory, H. Lt. WMtakers, N. C. to Home. Bv"Dm. N. C. fhe Populist, Lumberton, N. C. Tlie People's Paper, Charlotte, N. C. me Plow- Boy. W&desboro, N. C. Jarollna Watchman. Salisbury, N. C. Each of the above-named papers are requested to keep the list standing on :hs first page and add others, provided :key are duly elected. Any paper fail ing to advocate the Ocala platform will ii dropped from the list promptly. Our ssople can now see xchat papers are tzblishert in their interest. AGRICULTURE. Whero a variety of crops is grown, we can apply our labor to mush better advantage than if it is limited to the planting, cultivating and gathering of one crop. Wood ashes, on account of the large percentage of potash they contain, are a good fertilizer for potatoes. Put a handful in each hill, and then sow broadcast. A few mulberries, Russian or Down ing's Everbearing, will furnish food for the birds, and in turn the birds will destroy the noxious insects that dam age us 83 much. If you have a shallow well do not neglect to clean it out at the first op portunity which presents itself. It is a lare factor in the health of the fam i!y to have pure water. There is little saving in feeding moldy or musty hay to stock. We may not at once see the injury done to the animals, but that will not repair the damage which results from feeding such hay. To buiid a good fence, both the builder and the fence should be well "posted." limy ff nces have failed tp perform :h :ir functions because of the lack, on he part of both builder and fence, of oeir well po?ted. lo not forget to plant some nut bear v; tn t s. hickory, chestnut, black and -vhita w.iiuut, etc. Black walnuts wiil '- r nutrt ia five to seven years from pl .ntrn..', and as for poultry feed for mit.T u: o walnuts are almost as good u.-? cut nuno. Karly failures to hatch eggs very sel - r:i come from lack of vigor in the 3ci m; for in this the early eggs are superior. They more often come from 'iliowitig egga to be chilled before the -etting b gins. Every one knows that hilling after a few days setting soon destroy b the life in the egg. It may do so where eggs that have never been set on are kept in contact with metal, hich rapidly abstracts heat when the gg8 are kept for greater safety near khe free sing temperature. Dishes for folding eggs should be of wood, which abstracts heat slowly. SOIL FOR BRIGHT TOBACCO. Correspondence of the Progressive Farmer. The authorities agree that a soil favorable for bright tobacco is very different from a heavy tobacco soil, and that a soil of the latter description cannot give a good light tobacco. A bright tobacco soil contains very little clay and a large amount of sand, the organic matter is very low, less than one-tenth of what is necessary for a good heavy tobacco soil. It is impossible to state exactly the reasons for these differences in soil ao tion. One of the principal points is that a too free supply of moisture is prejudicial to good bright tobacco, and a light sandy soil does not hold water as strongly as a clay. soil. The danger with bright is too liberal supply of am monia, as the least tendency to rank ness has a serious effect on the quality. Though the ammonia must be guarded can fully, the mineral fertilizers are apt to be deficient In a soil of this type the mineral fertilizers potash and phosphates are apt to be in very slightly available forms while the am monia is quickly made usefuL It must be remembered that the tobacco plant has a very limited power of foraging for food, and as it consumed relatively little water, the subsoil is not a reser voir of plant food. While it is true that a light sandy soil is beet for bright tobacco, it must not be inferred that a poor sandy soil is desirable. The mineral manures must be supplied liberally or the leaf made will have no substance. The na ture of the minerals supplied is also of importance. The potash should be in the form of sulphate, and comparative ly free from muriates. Muriates, or chlorides, seem to affect injuriously the burning properties of tobacco ; an important matter with bright tobacco. The phosphates also are apt to carry much useless acid.' In order to remove these a?ids, the soil should be frequent ly limed; but, lime must not be used if the organic matter is high. In such case the ammonia would be liberated too freely and the supply of mineral fertilizers would be apt to be inadequate. Indeed, in this case the lime is used merely as a corrective and is best ap plied immediately after the crop is re moved. The potash and phosphate may also be applied very early to ad vantage, as the loss by drainage will be very slight. Place no reliance on the natural sup plies of mineral fertilizers in the soil. Some plants, notably oats, seem to have the power of foraging extensively for potash and phosphates, but tobacco is particularly helpless in this line. Of the total phosphoric acid existing in the soil naturally, about one-third is available for plant food ; of the total potash, about one twentieth. It is im portant, therefore, to keep these min erals supplied rather more carefully than in ordinary farming. The fertilizer recommended by au thority contains 3 per cent, ammonia, 10 per cent, potash and 7 per cent. available phosphoric acid. Of this not less than 600 pounds should be used per acre. If there is much humus in the soil, lower the ammonia to one per cent. The manuring as directed in this article is necessary on the soil described as best for bright tobacco, but no form of manuring will produce bright to bacco on a heavy clay soil, or one verv rich in organic matter. S. Peacock. THE HORSE FOR THE FARMER. Condensed from the Bleeders' Gazette, Mr. J. Dason Duncan read a paper under the above title at the Clay Co., Ind , Farmers' Institute. The writer said, "after having spent eeveral hun dred dollars in trying to make horse breeding profitable, I find myself with a barn full of Expectations,' and con sequently am rich in experience if not in pocket. I am therefore forced through circumstances to give this topic thought and study so that I may be batter prepared to meet the future." The kind of horse most in demand was discussed. The breaking and fit ting horses for market noticed, and the kind of horse to be used in breed ing was pointed out. Instead of the old fashioned general purpose farmer's horse, which "are neither a road horse nor a coach home and are too light for draft purposes in cities; and for ex press purposes, etc., they have not the quick action, style and weight that is required and money demands," the draft breeds are recommended, and farmers are urged to use their best ma terial young strong mares to give them a rest from work, etc. "Pension the old girls off and do as the Scottish farmers do select your young, vigor ous fillies. 'Men do not gather grapes from thorns, nor figs from thistles.' Take this as your motto and mate them with a horse that is strong in their deficiencies and with as many good points as it is possible to find and do not let a dollar cr two stand in your light. Seek for a horse of a superior class. If you have not such a horse in your neighborhood band yourselves together in a club and buy or hire one; my word for it, you will find it a profit able investment." "Of the other kind of horses that can be reared at a profit, and which the market demands at fancy prices, the first of these may be mentioned as the coach horse." A description of what he should be and for what he is used with reason why he brings a good price was given. The Hackney was named and seconded by the French coach or these may be replaced by sires such as Harrison Chief, Mam- brino King, and a few others among trotting horses. However, in this group the writer stipulates that the breeder must be in possession of speci mens of the largest long necked, and most substantial of the trotting bred to make the proper nich' with the coach horses. They must be 'without a drop of draft blood.'" "The horse I would next mention is the combination horse, known as the Kentucky saddlers, which cazry their riders with ease and grace. Their gaits are the walk, trot, fox-trot, can ter, and rack, and are changed by a slight touch of the hand or motion of the body. In my judgment these horses will be in great demand by those now riding the wheel for pleasure and who can afford to own a horse, as the wheel will prove but a fad after all among the wealthier class and will have its day. Thus the wheel will prove a blessing in disguise to the breeder of saddle horses in the future." "At last I ccme to my favorite kind of horse tho American Roadster. I love them as I love none other. I love to get in behind an ambitious B'cr ; yes, I love to be amoDg them. 'I love to hear the brood mares In their stalls a chewing hay, I love to see them drinking In their peaceful, quiet way. I love to see the little colts Trot down the lane and back; I like to see them later In their battles on the track.' This kind of a horse to fill the fas tidious tastes of gentlemen road riders must be an ideal horse, an intelligent brute, if you please, and fce susceptible to education that appears almost hu man, for 'Well handled he shies, He never runs away ; His heart is good at even time, Though you've travelled the live long day.' The Morgan is my ideAl roadster, as he is endowed with good horse sense and is safe for the wife to drive. They will road from eight to twelve miles an hour. If you fail to get extreme speed you will surely get a handsome ani mal. To use the words of Mr. Gratton : 'He confers distinction upon you ; he yields you pleasure and satisfaction; he ia not a blot upon the face of nature. Like a fine picture or sweet music, he appeals to the artistic sentiments of your being. Skillfully managed he is like a grand instrument grandly played. The horse the Bible immortal izesin eplencid imagery; Shakespeare, the incomparable, lifts him to the lofti oat pedistal of patriotic grandeur. The greatest warriors of history Alexan der, Napoleon, and Grant worshipped him. Shall the horsemen of to day continue to degrade him by breeding him in lines ot ugliness? The thought is hateful, the practice ia suicidal and following after false gods. The great est profit, the greatest speed and the greatest satisfaction are all allied to the highest type of beauty. Speed lines and lines of symmetrical cantons run in the same channels Abandon, then, O, readers, the lines of ugliness and swear allegiance to the beauty which is a joy forever.' "Be diligent in your calling, read and study The Breeders' Gazette (and The Progressive Farmer EJ ) and peace and prosperity will sit on your hearthstone and the grandeur of a farmer's life you will bequeath to your children. " The heifer that is "expected to make a good dairy cow should always be kept in a good, thrifty condition not stunted in growth at any time as.this will prove a drawback to her progress to maturity. JAPANESE MILLET. Panicum Crus Galli. BARNYARD GRASS. The Massachusetts .Agricultural Ex periment Station has recently intro duced three new varieties of millets from Japan. Among them is a variety of barnyard grass, Panicum crus galli, which, while it differs in its habits of growth, is botanically identical with the common barnyard grass. The variety from Japan has been grown for a few years at the Massachusetts Ex periment Station. Prof. Brooks, of that Station, is very enthusiastic about it and recommends it as a fodder crop either for feeding green or for the silo. As a forage plant it may yield ten to twelve tons of fodder per acre and when thinly sown in rows about a foot apart, a yield of fifty to ninely bushels of seed may be obtained. Ordinary barnyard grass is a coarse annual, with stems two to four feet in length, appearing in midsummer, in low, somewhat damp places or on cul tivated grounds. The ordinary variety a very handsome weed. Prof. Brooks says: "This Japanese variety of the species has not become a weed here, however, although the seed does not not lose all vitality during the winter. Although it is possible that it might under some circumstances become troublesome, it is hardly liable to prove more so than clover or winter wheat, for instance." This plant is being quite extensively advertised by seedsmen under the name of Japanese Millet or its scientific name, Panicum crus galli. While this may prove to be a valuable acquisition to our fodder plants and not become a means of spreading a bad weed, the Experiment Station would recommend the farmers of Maine to be cautious about purchasing seed of this aew plant. Certainly the seed of Panicum crus galli should be bought only of re liable dealers, who will be sure to fur nish the seed of the Japanese variety. The mischief that would be. wrought by sowing Eeed of ordinary barnyard gass ia" self evident. Chas. D. Woods, Director. State College, March 26, 1897. A NEW REMEDY FOR POTATO SCAB. February 26 ch, Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station sent out the following bulletin: Potato scab is a source of material loss to those who grow potatoes for the market, and a great blemish in all cases. It is one of the triumphs of practical botany that the cause of this trouble has been traced to a minute germ that feeds on the surface of the potato tuber, and to a lees extent on other fleshy roots and tubers. It has also been found that a cuitable fungi cide will kill the germs on the tubers without injuring the growth of-the po tatoes. Corrosive sublimate meets these requirements, and has been ad vocated by the Purdue Experiment Station, where its application origi nated. So effective has it been found, so cheap and easy to apply, that many large growers, who get extra prices for their crops by having high grade prod uct, have adopted the treatment as a regular thing. The deadly poisonous nature of cor rosive sublimate, however, has kept it from coming into general use. It is, therefore, considered a matter of con siderable moment to be able to announce the discovery of a new fungicide for potato scab, one that is thoroughly efficient and not poisonous. The new substance is formalin (some times called fermaldeheyde), a watery solu tion of a gas, not very expensive, atd rapidly coming into favor as a general antiseptic, so that it is likely to become still cheaner and better known. It is sold bj the fluid ounce, and can be ob tained at most drug stores. The method of using the new fungi cide is very simple. Eight ounces of the formalin are added to fifteen gal long of water, and in thi3 the seed po tatoes are soaked for two hours. After taken from the bath they can be cut and planted as usual, either at once or after some time. Formalin is not cor rosive, and so can be used in any kind of vessel,' and, not being poisonous, there are no particular precautions to be observed. It does, however, make the hands smartif there are any raw spots, and the fumes irritate the eyes and throat. But these are only slight annoyances. Further information about formalin and its use as a fungi cide will be given in a bulletin to be issued in a short time. The potato crop of the State of Indi- of over 90,C00 acres, and nearly 6,000, 000 bushels, and sometimes larger. The treatment of the seed tubers as here recommended will materially raise the market value of the crop and prove a source of profit of no mean proportion. Try it. J. C. Arthur, Botanist. GRAIN ON HAND. The Department of Agriculture at Washington, under date of March 10, estimates as follows the stocks of prin cipal grains on farms and in hands of farmers: "The corn on hand as esti mated aggregates 1,164, 000,000 bushels, or 51 per cent, of the last crop, against 1,072,000,000 in March, 1896. Both the proportion and the quantity in original hands at this date are unprecedented, although closely approached last year and in March, 1890. Correspondents report large stocks in cribs, particular ly in the prairie States, awaiting better prices. The aggregate sold from farms to go beyond county lines is 628,000,000 bushels, or 27.3 per cent of the crop. The proportion merchantable is 1,926, 000,000, or 84 8 per cent. The wheat reserve in farmers' hands amounts to 20 6 per cent, of the crop, or 88,000,000 bushels, against 123,000.000 bushels last March. Of this amount 3 per cent, is reported as coming over from previous crops. The proportion of wheat sold outside the county is 51 7 per cent. Of oats there are 313.000,000 bushels or 42.2 per cent, of the 1896 crop, yet in farm ers' hands. Proportion shipped beyond county lines, 27 per cent." idLOJRTICTJLTTJRIE THE SOIL FOR RASPBERRIES. As to soil for raspberries, different varieties demand different soil in order to do their best. The red and white kinds demand a deep, rich, moist soil and one that is rather compact. Gen orally they do poorly on sandy soil, though in the extreme North they may show an exception to the rule. The black raspberry will do well in either light or heavy soil, but they wjli do best on soil that is light. In the selec tion of plants we will remember that no variety of the raspberry is other than biennial. That is to say, one year they produce wood, the next year fruit, and that is the end of them. We need cot look, therefore, for two or three year old plants. It is best to get one year old plants for transplanting, al ways. But while the wood is short lived the roots are long-lived, often be ing several years old. Before planting the raspberry, in any way, thoroughly prepare the soil. In selecting plants get those with plenty of small fibrous roots, and set no deeper than they originally were. If the ground is poor manure in the hill, at the time of plant ing and afterwards on the surface, working it with plow or cultivator. Keep the soil as level as possible, and free from weeds. The raspberry re ceives very little pruning. In field culture none is given, except to cut out the old wood after fruiting. It would often Drove beneficial, however, to prune more. THE SUGAR BEET. The sugar beet i3 a very profitable croD to raise for stock food alone. For an experimental patch select a rich, sandy loam, well drained soil, as free from weeds as possible, preferably a clean clover sod. Plow early acd deep, and pulveriza thoroughly, says Farm and Fireside. Sow the beet seed at corn planting time. It is best sown with a good gar den drill set to drop seeds three inches apart in rows about thirty inches apart. It may be sown by hand in shallow furrows made by a common sled marker, and covered one inch deep, firming the earth over the seeds. Cul tivation with a smoothing harrow or weeder should begin before the plants appear. When the plants are about four inches high they should be thinned to stand s x irches apart. Cultivation should be as frequent as necessary to keep the weeds down and the surface loose and mellow. Aim to get a perfect stand, and to grow as many medium sized beets as possible. Beets weighing one and one half to two pounds, are richer in sugar than larger ones, and more valuable for either stock food or sugar-making. No man who will abuse a good cow ought to take part in a prayer meeting. The man who will lift his hat to a good cow is better than the one who will abuse her. If you want to abuse any body or anything, try a book agent or a mule. H1IVE STOCK, FREE RECIPE FOR HOG CHOLERA Dr. T. J. Dodge Hamilton, 111., in Iowa Homestead, scys: I have used this remedy for 35 ears, and raised hogs on my ranch in Nebraska and never lost a hog: (See American Swine Herd, Vol. XIL No. 9, p. 25 for directions, etc. :) Arsenic, i lb. ; cape aloes, i lb. Blue vitriol, I lb. ; black antimony ox. Grind and mix well the remedy bs fore using. 1. Sick hogs in all cases to be eena- rated from well ones and placed in dry pens with only five large hogs or eight small ones in each pen. 2. Feed nothing but dry food, no water except slop containing the rem edy, until cured. 3. When the hogs refuse to eat turn them on their backs, and then, with a lODg- handled spoon put the dry medi cine down their throats. 4. Dose for large hogs, one teaspoon- ful three times a day for three days; then miss one day, and repeat amount until cured. Shoats or pigs half this amount. 5. As a preventive, one teaspoonful once a week well keep your hogs in a healthy condition to take on fat. HOG CHOLERA FORMULA. We have been asked to republish the formula I for hog cholera and swina plague recommended by the bureau of animal industry, and although we have frequently done this before, we aro now without back numbers to furnish to inquirers, and it is therefore repub lished. The prescription is as follows: Wood charcoal, sulphur, sodium sul phate and antimony sulphide, ono pound each; sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and sodium hyposulphite, two pounds each. These ingredients should be completely pulverized and thoroughly mixed. The dose of tho mixture 0 be given is a large tabla- spoonful for each 200 pound weight of" hogs to be treated, and should be given only once a day. Hogs affected by tho disease should not be fed on corn alone, but should have at least once a day soft feed made by mixing bran and middlings, or middlings and corn meal, or ground oats and corn, or crushed wheat with hot water, and then stirring into the mixture a proper quantity of the medicine. Hogs are fond of tho mixture, and it increases their appetite. When once they taste it in the food they will eat it even when nothing elso can tempt them, says the Western Live Stock Journal. If animals are very sick and will not ccme up to feed, they should be I drenched with the medicine shaken up with water. Care is necessary in drenching hogs lest they be suffocated. Do not turn the hog on its back to drench it, but pull the cheek away from the teeth so as to form a pouch into which the medicine may be slowly poured. It will flow from the cheek into the mouth, and when the hog finds what it ia, it will stop squealing and swallow it. In the experience of the bureau, hogs that were so sick that they could eat nothing have commenced to eat very soon after getting a dose of the remedy, and have steadily improved until they appeared to be perfectly well. The medicine may also be used as a preventive of hog cholera and swine plague, and for this purpose should be put into the food of the wholo herd. Care should, of course, bo ob served to see that each animal receives its proper share. In cases wher it has been given a fair trial the bureau of animal industry says that it has ap parently cured most of the animals which were sick, and has stopped tho further progress of the disease. It ap pears to be an excellent appet:zer ai. d stimulant of the processes of digestion and assimilation, and when given to thrifty hogs it increases the appetite, causes them to take on flesh and to as sume a thrifty appearance. Close buying and economical farm management are now essential. The cost of production, as well as the best plans of selling, must be studied along with the methods of making good yields. Never was there a greater ten dency among farmers to live within their means than now. The patch on the clothing will come in fashion again. The mark on the merchant's book will go out of style. To turn loss into profit will be an important problem to eolv while the furrows are being turned in the spring.
The Progressive Farmer (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 6, 1897, edition 1
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