ff
Farm
Department
’q
D»! oted to the Interests of Those
Ladaded io Adricaltural Pursuits.
Conducted by J. M. Beaty
-—--n
EASIER WORK FOR THE COTTON
CHOPPER.
Cotton chopping has started in
the southern portion of the cotton
area and will advance northward rap
idly, costing the cotton growers sev
eral million dollars. Cotton chop
pine is an expensive operation as
commonly practiced land often costs
twice as much as it should on ac
count of the condition the Beed-bcd is
in when the cotton is chopped, or
thinned. Formerly it was the custom
to “bar-off" the cotton or “scrape’ ’
it just before chopping begins. Im
proved methods of culture and im
proved implements have to a great
extent done away with the use of both
the turn plow and the scraper in cot
ton culture and the cotton grower is
rapidly realizing that the good prc
paration of the soil before planting,
—the makine of a good seed-bet—not
only saves half the quantity of seed
formerly used but leaves the young
cotton plants in surroundings that
give them a prompter and better
start and reduces he cost of chopping
and the cost of subsequent cul
tivations.
The cotton dropper or a planter
that drops the seed at intervals has
not met with the favor it deserves
for the reason that the seed-bed as
commonly made is not in condition
to insure prompt and full germina
tion. The dropper planter, when
nsed on well prepared ground has
several advantages, one of which is
the saving of the cost of chopping.
Several machines have been placed
upon the market with the hope that
they would take the place of the
hand-hoe, but none of them lias boon
accepted with enthusiasm. Very lit
tle of this year's cotton crop will be 1
thinned with anythin** other than
the cotton hoe.
While the hoo is used universally
in the hand cultivation of cotton it is
often not used to advantage—its use
is entirely too mechanical. The aver- f
age hoe hand pays no attention to
plant selection while thinning cotton
nor does lie appreciate the value of
an earth mulch about the plants
and there is much to teach him as
well as much that may be done to
avoid the bad effects of his unintelli
gent. work. The hoe may be used
skillfully and efficiently or it nu y i
not be.
When the young cotton plants are
very thick great care is necessaiy if
the plant to be left is not injurt tl b.v
being bruised, root pruned, allowed j
to 'topple ever or by having a hole
left near it where the surplus plants
were removed.
A sharp hoe is an unknown article
in the hands of many cotton choppers
yet in the cotton field the sharp hoe
is as necessaiy to good work as is
the sharp axe, at the wood-pile. The
hoe should never be raised high in 1
making a stroke—the stroke motion :
should be short and nearly parallel
with the surface of the ground and
not in line with the hoe handle, but
sliding to the right or the left—a 1
sawing motion.
A 12 or 14-inch and rather coarse ■
flat or mill file should always be
convenient and used when needed. A
sharp hoe will not last as long as
one always dull, but will do better
work and much more rapidly if kept
sharp. To sharpen in the field lay
the hoe on the ground, place the knee
on the handle about a foot from the
blade and a few downward strokes
with the file held in both hands will
“do the work.
The proper use of the weeder
greatly simplifies the work of chop
ping. If the weeder is run over the
field just before the cotton is up and
again when it is up to a stand, the
condition of the soil surface will be
such as to stimulate the growth of
the young plants and to decrease the
amount of hoe work as well as kill
the young weeds before they have
done harm. The writer lias used the
weeder as mauy as four times before '
chopping and endeavors always to
use this valuable implement three
times; once before the plants are up,
again when they are well up, and
just ahead of chopping. If the
•oil has become too hard for the
weeder a spike-tooth harrow with
teeth slanting backwards is substi
tuted. There Is not much satisfac
tion in the use of the weeder if the
cotton is planted on high beds.
In a majority of cases the cultiva
tor should immediately follow chop
ping and with fenders set so that the
two cultivator points nearest on
either side of the row will throw
loose earth near the plant, forming
an earth mulch about them. When
this is done the work of the hoe may
be confined to a narrow strip and
much time saved.
No specific rule can be given for
distance the plants should stand
in the row, but experience extending
over nearly 30 years with cot ion
leads to the well established belief
that the average cotton field has two
stalks where there should be but one.
—C. L. NEWMAN, West Raleigh, N.
C. In Progressive Farmer.
fertilizer measure igno
rance.
Some of those who attended the
Richmond Conference ventured out
pf the beaten paths, as the following
news report suggests:
“J. W. Newman, Commissioner of
Agriculture of Kentucky, injected
spirit into the morning session with
an unsparing arraignment of the evils
which he said follow the reckless use
of commercial fertilizers. To this
failing he attributed a large measure
of the burden which Southern farm
ers bear today.
“Any man that farms with commer
cial fertilizers alone will land in the
poor-house sooner or later,” said Mr.
Newman. "If you will add up the
sum paid annually by Southern farm
ers for this item you will have an ac
curate measure of their ignorance and
the annual waste of thier unskilled
tillage.
“The Southern farmer, he stud de
pends upon fertilizres as the panacea
for all his soil ills, much in the same
manner as the man who goes to the
corner drug store for the pill which
is attributed with power to cure all
human ailments.
“Mr. Newman saw no relief from
present conditions until the farmers
of tho South learn, through the ex
periment stations and other agencies,
that nature has provided in abundance
tho fertilizing constituents, that nine
tenths of till land needs, and that
crop rotation and farm-produced fer
tilizers stand ready to help all those
who have learned the lesson.”
Commissioner Watson, of South
Carolina, also took about the same
position with reference to the use
of commercial fertilizer, and gave it
as his opinion that three-fourths of
the commercial fertilizers, under pre
vailing methods of farming, represent
a waste and a loss. As this occurred
in the Business Men’s Conference,
it brought a fertilizer manufacturer to
his feet to render protest. But there
was really no need for the fertilizer
man to get excited, for he will not
live to see his sale affected materially
As long as more than half the lands
of the South are cultivated by ten
ants there will be a strong demand
for fertilizer “pills.” Our land own
ers who want to build up their soils
will do well to make a note from
Commissioners Newman and Watson
Slid use farm produced fertilizers,
that is, if we can get it out of our
heads that we aree able to buy the
high-priced commercial products every
year but are not able to buy clover
seed, vetch, seed beans, peas, etc.—
Carolina Union Farmer.
WAR AND THE. FARMER.
Tlie fourth American Trace Con
gress was held in St. Louis, .May i,
2 and 3. The committee which lias
the* matter in charge speaks of some
of the reasons why the farmer
should be interested in this peace
movement as follows:
“Some of the important reasons
why residents ^of rural communities
owe it to themselves as well as to
the effort to secure the abolishment
of war by the establishment of a sys
tem of arbitration of international
disputes are set forth in literature
of the peace movement, it is point
ed out that the United States annual
ly spends on wars—past and future—
approximately $3 per capita; nearly
70 per cent of its yearly revenue.
What might be done to improve rural
districts could the war spirit be crush
ed is hinted in the comparison of the
1911 expenditure of the United States
on war preparation, $283,086,000, with
the $9,000,000 expenditure on the
Roosevelt dam, Arizona, which will
irrigate 210,000 acres, or ten acres
and a living for 24,000 families or
120,000 persons. The $283,086,000 war
preparation total also is compared
with the Mississippi river flood pre
vention total for 1912, $6,250,000, as
a silent reminder of how safe and
useful that great stream might. be
come if a part at least of the sum an
nually circulated through war chan
nels could be diverted to channels of
peace.
“The average annual cost of the
army and navy is shown to have been
$51,500,000 for the eight years imme
diately preceding the Spanish-Aaneri
can war (1890-1898,) and, for the im
mediately following eight years (1902
1910), $185,400,000; the average annu
al Increase for the latter eight years
being $134,000,000, and the increase
for the entire eight years hence be
ing $1,072,000,000, or 360 per cent.
This increase, experts in the peace
movement point out, is nearly three
times the estimated cost of replanting
the 56,000,000 acres of denuded forest
land in the United States, and is
three times the cost of carrying out
the whole irrigation program contem
plated within a generation.
“The ‘North Dakota’ a 26,000-txm
battleship, cost the nation $12,000,000,
a sum which, peace advocates show,
would build a macadam road of ap
proved construction between the cities
of New York and Chicago, or would
cover the cost of purchasing and
planting the proposed White Mountai
forest reserve, containing 250,000
acres of burned-over and unproduc
tive lands.
“The peace congress was usher d
in with the dedication, April 30th, of
the Jefferson Memorial, a $500,0,0
structure celebrating the world’s
greatest peaceable acquisition of ter
ritory, viz., the Louisiana Purchase,
extending from the Mississippi river
to the Rocky Mountains’ Summit.—
Wallace’s Planner.
the shortage of beef cattle
The shortage In beef cattle contin
ues and there seems to be no practi
cal and effectual solution to the prob
lem as a whole. Experiment stations
in nearly every State have shown the
advisability of stock raising over
grain farming, both from the stand
point of net profit to the farmer and
from the increased fertility of the
land which is possible where live
stock farming is practiced. The rea
son that many farmer's dono t apply
the principles worked out for them at
these experiment sttaions, on their
own farms is that it is necessary to
put in more time, labor and perhaps
capital than the old system of farm
ing required. To be successful, live
stock farming requires more atten
tion, labor, capital and more know
ledge than does general farming, but
the profits and benefits, too, are
greater.
In a letter on the scarcity of beef
cattle, S. W. A’l lent ion, one of the
best informed cattle men in the
East, says:
“Supply will dwindle until Ohio, In
diana, Illinois, Iowa and Missiouri
get back to raising cattle. These
States could grow 1,000,000 cattle an
nually and materially increase their
own production. I have one Illinois
farm of 500 acres that I work myself,
and my corn averages SO bushels to
the acre usually. On this farm I
feed 100 cattle and raise 200 hogs. 1
can demonstrate that the man who
now earns $1,500 or $1,600 a year
on 160 acres of land, getting poorer
each season by selling corn, can real
ize $3,500 on the same investment
and grow constantly richer. Until
corn-belt farmers improve their meth
ods the country will continue short
of live stock.’’—Indiana Parmer.
THE OTHER GIRL’S LOSS.
“I'm sorry I over married you!"
shrieked the bride, on the occasion
of their first quarrel.
“You ought to bo!'i rc.or ed the
groom, really angry and bitter for
tiie first time, “You b. at some nice
girl out of a good husband.’11—Cleve
land Plain Dealer.
A QUICK MOVE
on your part will enable you to get some
Special Bargains in Buggies.
In order to move them quickly we are mak
ing special prices on our line of Buggies,—
Top Buggies, Surreys, and Open Buggies.
We carry the Oxford, Durham and Wrenn
Buggies. Also a Special Line of Harness
at Special Prices.
FURNITURE
For the next few weeks we are making
Special Prices on our handsome and well
assorted line of Furniture.
We Are Headquarters
for Flour, Meat, Meal, and all kinds of
Groceries.
Remember the special prices and trade
with us.
Cotter-Underwood Co.
Smithfield, N. C.
Strong,
Serviceable, Safe.
THE most reliable lantern for farm use
is the RAYO. It is made of the best ma
terials, so that it is strong and durable
without being heavy and awkward.
It gives a clear, strong light. Is easy to light and rewick.
It won't blow out, won’t leak, and won’t smoke. It is
an expert-made lantern. Made in various styles and
sizes. There is a RAYO for every requirement.
At Dealers Everywhere
STANDARD OIL COMPANY
(Incorporated in New Jentj) t _
Baltimore, Md.
Newark. N. J.
Fuel Troubles
are Over
when you use a
New Perfection
Oil Cook Stove.
Just lift the tank
from the cradle
and fill — your
New Perfection is
ready for the day.
You don’t have to wait for the fire to
kindle. No coal or ashes to carry; no soot,
smoke or dirt; no blackened ceilings.
Oil Cook-stove
Note the new 4-burner New Perfection—the most
complete cooking device on the market, with indicator on
font, cabinet top, etc. Smaller stoves with 1, 2 or 3
burners.
See your dealer, or write for full particulars to
standard oil company
Washington, D. C
Richmond, Va.
Norfolk, Va.
(New Jersey)
•BALTIMORE
Charlotte, N. C.
Charleston, N. C.
Charleston, S. C.
S5
NOTICE.
North Carolina, Johnston Coupty,
In the Superior Court.
Annie Holland
vs
Charles Holland.
The defendant above named will
take notice that an action has been
commenced, entitled as above in the
Superior Court of Johnston County,
to declare the marriage between the
plaintiff and defendant void; and
that said defendant will further take
notice that he is required to appear
at the term of Superior court of said
county to be held on the 2nd Mon
day in May, at the court house of
said county in Smithfield, N. C., and
answer or demur to the complaint in
said action, or the plaintiff will ap
ply to the court for the relief de
manded in the summons.
This the 1 day of April, 1913.
W. S. STEVENS,
Clerk of Superior Court,
R. L. Ray, Attorney.
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION.
Having qualified as administrator
of the estate of Edie Watson de
ceased, late of Johnston County,
North Carolina, this is to notify all
persons having claims against the
estate of said deceased to exhibit
them to the undersigned at Smith
field, N. C., on or before the 7
day of March, 1914, or this notice
will be pleaded in bar of their re
covery. All persons indebted to said
estate will please make immediate
payment.
This 7th day of March. 1913.
ED. F. WARD, Administrator of
Edie W'atson, deceased.
NOTICE TO RICH JERNIGAN TO
TAKE DEPOSITION.
North Carolina, Johnston County,
In the Superior Court to May term.
ANNIE JERNIGAN,
vs.
RICH JERNIGAN.
To Rich Jernigan: You wall here
by take notice that on Thursday, the
1st day of May, 1913, at 3 o'clock
P. M., before C. B. Upton, Commis
sioner, at No. 547 Corondeliet St.,
in the City of New Orleans, State of
Louisiana, the plaintiff will take the
deposition of Rev. Geo H. Cornelson,
Jr. and others, to be used in evidence
in the above-en ii.ed action at the
irial ot the same, and that said ac
tion is instituted for an absolute di
vorce.
This 17th day of April, 1913.
ANNIE JERNIGAN, Plaintiff.
NOTICE.
By virtue of the authority contain
| ed in a Mortgage deed executed to
; Hintcn Ennis on the 21st day of De
| (-.ember 1909, by J. T. Holmes and
I Sarah E. Holmes and duly Registered
in the Register's office of Johnston
county in Book I, No. 10 page 217
default having been made in the
payment of said bond of even date
herewith we shall sell at public auc
tion, for cash, at the Court house
j door in the town of Southfield, N. C.,
| on the 2nd day of June 1913 the fol
lowing described property to-writ:
! One town lot in Benson; Beginning
on North said main Street, R. B.
Brady’s corner, and runs as his line
N. 37 E. 87 feet; thence S. 53 E, 25
feet to K. H. Parker’s line; thence
as his line S. 37 W. 87 feet to main
street; thence as main street N. 63
W. 25 feet to the beginning, and ia
that lot on which is situated a brick
; store house, and fully described in
said Mortgage.
Place of Sale: Court House door in
Smithfield, N. C.
Time of Sale: 12 o'clock M. Mon
day, June 2, 1913.
This 2nd day of May 1913.
GENADEUS ENNIS,
R. D. ENNIS,
Executors Hinton Ennis, Dec’d,
Clarence J. Smith, Attorney.
Dunn, N. C.
■
THE
SEWING
MACHINE
OF
QUALITY.
NOT
SOLD
UNDER
ANY
OTHER
NAME.
I
WARRANTED FOR ALL TIME.
If yon purchase the NEW HOME you win
have a lHe asset at the price you pay, and will
not have an endless chain of repairs.
Quality
Considered
it is the
Cheapest
in the end
to buy.
If you want a sewing machine, write tor
>Ui \atest catalogue before you purchase#
The New Home Sewing Machine Co.. Orange. Mass.
For Sale by
J. M. BEATY, Smithfield, N. C.