j Our Farm Department |
Devoted to '.he Interest of Those Who
W Till the Soil A
f CONDUCTED BY J. M 1UIH 1
L ^ c&i t j
FARM QUESTIONS.
Have you hauled straw and leaves
lor your stables and lot? If not,
tikis should be done at once. It is
pot best to depend entirely on the
fertilizer factories. Every farmer
should raise as much manure as pos
sible. The way to do this is to
?tart about It early. Some object to
?trawing the lot over until cold wea
ther as In case of much rain it
might make a nasty place. There Is
usually not much rain In the fall
but If you do not want to straw all
over the lot then It can be placed
In front of the stables and around
the edge of the lot where the rough
feed is dropped for the cattle.
Have you cut the weeds around the
yard and lot and fence and on the
terraces? Now Is a good time to do
this, t'uttlng them will help appear
ances and keep the place from being
so snakey besides destroying millions
Of seed which would give trouble la
ter.
Have you been around your pas
ture to see about the fences? In
spring and summer It often happens
that some place of the fence gets
weak by> rails being blown off and
In other ways. These places should
be repaired so as to prevent the cat
tle from getting out and going to
the fields to do damage. At this
?eason of the year when grass usu
ally begins to get a little scarce and
tough cattle are apt to try to do
more or less mischief. It is best not
to let them start getting into the
fields.
Have you shrubbed the bushes and
briers In the pasture? By doing
tbls you get more grass and It grows
much better. Too many farmers are
without pasture (or their cattle be
cause they fail to do this work
Shrubbing pastures Is a small Job If
done once a year or even once In
two years. Almost any farmer who
bas any branch land or bottom land
of any kind can have a good pasture
by keeping It shrubbed. It is said
that shrubbing done anywhere at
tbls season of the year pays better
than if done at any other time as
the stumps do not sprout much un
til the following spring and then it
1* too late for some of them to ever
?prout again.
Have you cut Ihe briers and bush
es and weeds from the ditch banks?
This work is Important. On the best
managed farms you ean not see
where a ditch is in the field until
you get very near it as the banks
are kept clean all the time, uushes
and briers would never give trouble
U they were cut from the" ditches
regularly.
It Pays to Inoculate for Crimson Clo
ver.
Crimson clover, being a legumin
ous plant, must have inoculation to
do well on most soils. Inoculation
produces the germs that enable It
to get the nitrogen it needs from
the air. There are three ways of in
oculating soil. One way Is to continue
clover on the same land for a series
of years until It gets the soil well
filled with the necessary germs.
This is a tedious and rather Blow
and expensive way. Another way Is
to get the inoculation from a prepar
ed culture. This must be carefully
bandied to be successful. Still an
other, and by far the cheapest and
surest method, is by spreading soil
from a well inoculated clover field
over the surface of a newly sown
clover patch and harrowing It in. If
only a poor stand of clover Is ob
tained the first season, or If part of
It fails to do well, seed should be
?own again the next year on the
aame soil. By these repeated Bow
ings the clover gets better every
year and soon has the desired inocu
lation.
Sour and Wet Soils.
Clover and other legumes do not
succeed on lands that for any reason
are sour or that are filled with wa
ter during a considerable portion of
the year. Water excludes the air.
Few plants will grow without air 'in
the soil. Acidity may be overcome
by applying from 500 to 1,000 pounds
Of lime per acre, or by the use of
floats or ground shells. Acid soils
usually have sorrel growing on them.
An acid condition may also be deter
mined by testing the soil with blue
litmus paper. It is useless to plant
clover on wet soil. Either a good
form of surface drainage or under
drainage should be practiced if clo
rer is to be planted there.?C. R.
Hudson, in Progressive Farmer. '
Saving the Corn Crop.
There is no doubt that In the hu
mid climate of the Southern coast
section there la often much loss of
fodder that is cut off and shocked,
and I often am inclined to hesitate
in advising farmers in that section
to cut and shock their corn. Only
last week I had a letter from a very
Intelligent farmer in Beaufort county,
N. C., saying that he is puzzled, as
he prefers to clear the ground at
once, but that In three seasons out
of five the corn and fodder have
been damaged In the shocks.
I believe that It is true that the
man who tops and strips his corn at
the usual time loses enough corn to
pay for the labor of saving the fod
der, but so far as the actual labor is
concerned, there Is little to choose
between the two methods. Hence,
I can not always blame the farmers
In the humid sections for adhering
to the old practice.
Saving the Whole Corn Crop.
But as a general rule, I would al
ways cut corn off at the ground and
cure It In shocks, and would shred
the stover so that more of it is
eaten and the waste put in better
shape for the manure pile, and no
forks broken with long stalks In
the manure and cuss words saved.
I would cut the corn, because I
would want to follow it with a fall
sown grain crop, and would try to
have forage in plenty without de
pending on the fodder. Hut in most
sections wh<|e the farmers still ad
here to topping and stripping it is
done because their main dependence
(or roughage is on this fodder.
The fact Is, that farmers must use
their own brains In this matter as
In others. But where a farmer has
any Interest in cattle .and every
one should have some such interest,
the best way to manage at least a
large part of the corn crop is to put
it In the silo. The stock get more
of it there and In a more palatable
shape than in any other.
How the Silo Helps,
Hut the man who makes the great
est success will always have a silo
and put all the corn he wants to
feed into It and thus save more of
It than In any other way. Read
what Mr. J. W. Robinson says: "If
I had to give up silage, I'd give up
stock." That Is Just what I said
long ago, when I was storing 600
tons a year. In fact. If I were to [
go back to stock raising, the first I
thing I would build would be a silo
or two. 1 had three when last man
aging a stock farm. Every now and
then some one writes in the papers
advocating the raising of beets as
a winter feed. I have done that, too,
and found that the beets cost me
three Limes as much to grow as
the silage, and far more trouble to
store and feed, while they are not
a bit better than the silage as feed.
?W. F. Massey.
Corn and Tobacco Crops.
The corn crop of the country is
the largest ever planted, exceeding
that of last year by over 7.000,000
acres, an Increase of 7 per cent. The
total acreage planted Is 109.000,000.
The condition on July 1st was 89 as
against 82 last year and a ten-year
average of 84. If this can be main
tained to harvest the yield of the
crop will be the enormous total of
over 3.000,04)0,000 bushels, a larger
yield of one crop than was ever
grown by any country In the world.
Virginia and all the Southern States
participate in the Increased area
planted and the condition is high in
all of them, being up to or in excess
of the average of the country. Vir
ginia has a crop of over 2,000.000
acres planted; North Carolina nearly
3,000,000 acres; South Carolina, 2.
200.000 acres and Tennessee 3.400.000
acres. With favorable conditions up
to harvest the South will have such
a corn crop as she never before har
vested and this means much for our
prosperity. Notwithstanding the in
dications of such a large crop the
price keeps high, showing that the
reserves are nearly exhausted and
that the new crop will come on a
market wanting the grain.
The tobacco crop is planted on a
much larger acreage this year than
last, the increase being over 21 per
cent. Virginia has 140,000 acres In
the crop which Is about the average.
North Carolina has 216,000 acres
planted which Is an Increase of 8
per cent over last year. South Caro
lina has increased her area 25 per
cent, but has only 36.000 acres plant
ed. Maryland has a less acreage than
last year. The great Increase In the
crop Is In Kentucky, which has 420,
000 acres planted, an increase of 75
per cent, over last year. We are
afraid in the face of this Increase
those of our Virginia friends who
planted Burley will find themselves
against a bard proposition even if
they make a good crop. The condi
tion over the whole crop is above
the average and the indications are
for a largo yield, but the quality in
many aec'lons is not likely to be of
the best, too much rain having dam
aged the quality of the crop.?The
Southern Planter.
Western and General Prosperity.
Chicago, Aug. 15.?The cheering In
formation that the prosperity which
can no longer be gainsaid or require
reference in faint and cautious terms
will soon develop into cheaper living
along with increasing Industrial re
vival, Is furnished by the returns of
several thousand trained correspond
| ents for the crop and business1, report
| of the Commercial National Hank of
. Chicago.
A general summary of the financial,
commercial and Industrial conditions
the country over shows that the
movement back to the high tide of
prosperity that ebbed in October,
1907, has developed so rapidly during
the last three months, and now in
cludes so many lines and has gained
such momentum that, with fundamen
tal conditions all favorable, a relapse
j is no longer to be feared. The situa
tion is likened to the starting of an
eight-horse team. Owing to the in
terdependence of modern society, the
resuming machinery of Industrialism
has gained such momentum that even
the lagging cogs must turn.
All of the signs that denote ris
ing prosperity and all the conditions
precedent are at hand, the review de
clares. The wreckage of the panic
has been cleared away, the appre
hension which it aroused have disap
peared and the people are facing the
future with an optimism and courage
born of knowledge of the wonderful
resources of this country. Shelves
are bare of surplus goods and the
country has grown up to its) facilities
and equipment. At this opportune
time to inaugurate a new era of
prosperity comes the best all-round
crop ever produced in this country.
Crops to Cheapen Food.
The value of such a crop at this
juncture is Inestimable, the bank's
review points out, for all lines of
business will feel its stimulating in
fluence, and all classes will share in
Its benefits. The farming class has
enjoyed a remarkable period of pros
perity, covering the last 11 years,
and its buying power has been the
great steadying factor in the indus
trial situation since the late depres
sion began. But the prices of all
farm products, which have reached
in recent months the highest general
level ever known, have been oppres-1
sive to the consumer and the source
of much discontent. The food crops
of 1909 are so generous in their pro- |
portions that a noticeable decline in !
the cost of living may be expected, j
while the farmer will make up in
quantity what he loses in price, and
continue to be as good a customer as
heretofore. Wheat, on the harvest i
reports, has declined 15 cents a bush- |
el, and, if the present prospects for |
corn are realized, meats will be cheap
er. Large crops of oats, barley, flax
and hay also mean more feed for
live stock and lower prices for dairy
products and other table foods.
At the same time the unprecedent-!
ed volume of the crops will supply a
heavy business for the railroads,
warehousemen, millers, packers and
middlemen, furnish additional em
ployment for labor and stimulate the
demand for equipment and supplies.
?The Philadelphia Record.
Living Too Dog-gone Fast.
It has been ascertained that the
farmers of South Carolina have big
bank accounts, a careful estimate
showing about ten millions to their
credit. No doubt about the same
conditions exist In most live farming
communities. The farmer gets fine
prices; he is up with the sun. makes
hay whether the sun shines or not,
whll* th? denizens of the towns, big
and little, try to see how fast they
can live and how much they can
spend. We must keep up with the
latest styles of dress, know how to
play bridge whist and all other games
give entertainments, receptions and
the rest ?>very week or two, while In
the summer we must hike out to
some fashionable watering place
where new and expensive clothing
must be used; dance all night and
blow in what we have. Extravagance
In living has much to do with the
country, but it does not effect the
countryman like the man in town.
We are living too dog-gone fast and
it is costing too much. You may
squirm, but it is true.?Greensboro
Record.
He that hath a trade hath an es
tate.?Franklin.
Married women as a rule live long
er than their single sisters.
STATE FARMERS' CONVENTION.
A State Farmer*' Convention Will
Be Held at A. & M. College, West
Raleigh, Commencing August 24th
And Continuing to the 27th.
At the same time and place there
will be held a Woman's Convention,
where competent women will discuss
their problems in home making,
housekeeping prevention of diseases,
cookery, etc.
In addition to men of our own
State, we have invited speakers for
the occasion from the Department of
Agriculture at Washington, I). C.,
and from other states.
Come and have four days of real
agricultural anjoyment.
President Hill of the A. & M. Col
lege offers board at 25c a meal and
room rent free.
Each person should bring one: sheet
and one pillowcase.
Let the farmers of the State with
their wives and daughters attend.
A fine program?practical questions
discussed by practical farmers?has
been arranged.
Come and help make the occasion
a grand success.?A. L. French, Pres.
Suggestions to Those Coming to the
Convention.
A reception committee, of which W.
C. Etheridge is chairman, will meet
all trains arriving at the Union sta
tion Monday evening, Tuesday and
Wednesday. When you get off the
train, look for men with badges:
"Reception Committee," or for sign:
"Headquarters, Reception Committee,
State Farmers' Convention," and
make yourself known. The committee
will take care of you.
Those who prefer will be assisted
in securing satisfactory accomoda
tions in tne city, wnue tnose wno
wish to room at the College will be
escorted there and provided with
rooms free and meals at cost.
| Those who intend rooming at the
College should notify Mr. E. B. Owen,
West Raleigh, when they will arrive,
but failure to do this need not pre
vent anyone from securing a room
at the College on his arrival. Those
expecting to room at the College
should bring towels ai\}l pillows with
them.
I The accomodations for rooming at
the College are not good, owing to
the fact that the College has no fur
niture or bedding except that fur
nished students, but such as is there
will be at the disposal of those who
wish to avail themselves of it.
Railroad Rates.
A rate of one and one-half fare
plus fifty cents has bepn granted for
the Farmers' State Convention, pro
vided there are as many as one hun
dred persons attending the meeting
holding properly receipted certificates
The conditions are in the main, that
a first-class ticket at full fare be
purchased from the starting point, or
the nearest 'point thereto at which
a through ticket to 4he place of
meeting can be obtained, taking from
the ticket agent a receipt for the
same on the regular certificate used
for this purpose by the railroads;
this certificate when properly signed
by the Secretary of the Association
and a representative of the railroads
will constitute an order on the local
ticket agent for a return ticket at
one-half the regular rate to the hol
der. The rates will apply to all
points in North Carolina and . from
Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Boy
kins and Danville, Virginia, and are
granted by the Atlantic Coast Line,
Durham and Southern, Norfolk and
Southern, Seaboard Air Line and
Southern Railways. The tickets will
be on sale August 20, 1909 and pro
perly signed certificates will be hon
ored for return Journey on or before
August 31, 1909.
Information, sample certificates and
programs may be secured from the
Secretary or E. B. Owen, Registrar
of the College, West Raleigh, N. C.,
upon application.
T. B. PARKER, Sec.
The Man or the Land; Which Deter
mine*?
How much cotton can an acre of
land produce? How much corn; how
much 6mall grain; how much hay;
how much fruit, or how many vege
tables should be counted as a maxi
mum yield? Is the limit of produc- 1
tion measured more by the land or
by the capacity of the man having It
in charge? A man makes fifty bush-1
els of corn or a bale of cotton to the
acre and congratulates himself on the 1
record: another comes along and in- '
creates the yield of this same piece ,
of land fifty to one hundred per cent. ,
Has the maximum for an acre been
attained? We do not think so, but on
the other hand, there are few farmers '
who till one-half acre of soil in a '
manner that will produce the best <
and most profitable returns. As a (
rule the average farmer has a vague
idea of the value of tillage and prop- I
er fertilization. Through the feeding |
of the plants a soil may be rich orj'
poor, just as the farmer plans hia i
rotation and cropping systems.?The J
Cotton Journal. j
J************ **?%?*>?*****?
: Smithfield Roller |
1M I L L|
$ - X
jtfj Highestlmarket prices paid for Wheat. m
Will Mill your Wheat on Toll. Will #
exchange any Product desired for
g WHEAT. J
?j Fine Flour, Feed, Corn Meal jjj
Jj or any of/ier product exchanged ijj
on a cas/i 6asis /or Wheat. The j*
5j mi// is open for business every jtf
gj u>ee& c/ay. i4// orders promptly #
% filled 3
M V
THE JNO. A. McKAY MFG. CO., Dunn, North Carolina.
Machinists, Iron and Brass Foun
ders, Castings of all kinds. We make
the best Swing Saw Machine in the
world for the price. OLD MACHIN
ERY MADE GOOD AS NEW. High
grade work guaranteed. Agents for
the leading makes of Machinery.
Good stock of machine supplies al
ways on hand.
Agents Tor the celebrated Farqu har Machinery. Agents for the Des
mond Injec'or and Phillip Steel Split Pulleys.
* ?
g Headquarters g
| For I
X Heavy and Staple Groceries, X
X General Merchandise, High a
O Grade Fertilizers, Buggies O
y anJ Wagons, Furniture, *
X Coffins and Caskets. . . V
A Compare our prices before yon buy A
* Cotter-Underwood Co., %
g Smithfleld. N.' C. S
F" O R - SALE
One 30 in. Right hand Leffell Turbine Water Wheel.
The wheel can be seen at the Roller Mills. One doable
geared 48 in. Grist Mill in good running order. Nearly
new.
O. R. RAND, - Smithfield, N. C.
8 The Alligator Is Gone %
ft And The Goods Are Going w
% One good pair of wagon mules. Several ^
^ good horses Two horse Thornhill wagons ^
? at actual cost. Buggies of the best makes ^
^ at reasonable prices. Harness of all kinds. ^
^ Don't walk all over the county but buy a
^ Buggy from us. If you cannot buy a new ^
% buggy we have plenty of good second hand ^
^ buggies for sale. We run a Paint Shop and J
C will paint your buggy fcr you. Price for ^
? painting a buggy five to ten dollars. Come ^
9 and see our goods. ^
^ The Ellington Buggy Co.
j3 SMITHFIELD, N. C. A