The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, September 24, 1886, Image 1
THE WEEKLY HI DHM TIMERS
|)4tjol$d Jo ^jritullnrij, HorJitutiurq, gom<(8<tt (Bconomj, ?)olift 3iJijraturf, folilita, and the Current Jlotoa of the gag.
VOL. XVII.?New Series. UNION C. H., SOUTH CAROLINA, SEPTEMBER 24, 1886. NUMBER 38.
' KXCOLLKOTIOH8 "
or TUB
McKissick Rangers.
IIT A MBMBBB.
BO. 4.
When we get to Virginia I shall ask the in.
dalgenoe of your readers to pay my respects to
the Conscript law." There we began to see
and feel its practical working. On the coast
we had a great deal of fun out of it. Frank
Mllwood and his oousin Shelt Fowler furnished '
fun for the oommand. Jim MoCullouoh took
no small part in it, too. Those and many
other matters connected with it, 1 will try and
' bring in at the proper time and pUof. I
. promised - tho readers, thongh, that I would
take them back on Bear's Island.
This is not an Island, in its proper sense. It
is a peninsula, lying between 1'on Pon and
A nltnnrtA ? ~0 ?111 -
..._.rv? iniio, IUU nmcrs VI waicn Aro COD*
nected by a canal. This canal had been used
by (he planters to transport their produots to
market. Roads were, in many plooes, thrown
up and constituted embankments to protect the
rioe farms. In some places a horse walking on
it would shake the ground for several feet
around. As astrogetio point it had no military
significance whatever. The roads from Jacksonborough
to the point at the head of St.
Helena sound was, for about four miles, under
cover of our guns at Willtown battery, on
the opposite side of Ton Ton river. This
river below Willtown was obstructed so as to
render the passage of vessels impossible.
With theso advantages in our favor the Confederate
authorities discontinued the picket
guard on Bear's island, and in April, G'2, they
were drawn in.
Previously our headquarters were on tho opposite
side of the river, a little below Willtown.
About half way between pioket headquarters
and the point was the "Matthew's place," at
which wo had kept a picket guard since our
first occupation of the Island. This was our
first picket headquarters. Between the Matthews
place and Mosquito creek we had torn up
all the bridges. The same was done on the
road leading to the point of Bear's Island.
Thus our position was comparatively secure
from any advance the enemy might attempt to
mako. The section of country around the Matthews
place might be compared to the desert
of Sahara, only it was mud and water instead
of sand. O nan oasis stood the Matthews house
and outbuildings. On all sides as far as the
eye could reach was a vast plain. The Matthews
house wus a long building with a piaiza
on one side and across one end. A dense thicket
of shrubbery surrounded the house on three
aides. In front of the house, and in the direction
of the enemy, stood our pickets. Tho post
was about 200 yards from the house at a bridge
that crossed the cennl, on the opposite side of
which the roads forked?one leading toward the
point and the other towards mosquito creek.
The houso was high enough from the ground for
a horse to stand under it. At the time we are
going to speak of, tiie bridge across the canal
had been torn up, and our picket guards were
standing in the piazza. One night, about the
first of March, '02, while on guard with Jim
MeCulloch, Frank Millwood and John Fancelt,
at this place, we were thrown into oonsiderablo
excitement. John Faucet! and Frank Millwood
were standing in the piazza st the end of the
house. Jim McCullouoh and myself were in
the other end of the house asleep. It was
just before daybreak. The crescent moon was
rising above the eastern horizon, and gave a
dim light through the foliage. A pistol fired,
and in an instant another shot rang out in the
air. I was aroused. I heard Frank say "men
to your post." John raised the yell and came
running to the door halloeing "fall in Company
D, fall in." "Lt. Foss deploy ycur skirmishers
and give 'cm h?11." I had bad been with
John before, and knew his tactics when he
wanted to piny the "bluff." I had this advantaae
of Jim. but vou need not ibink ?s??,??
of us wont into ecstasies over our apparent
surroundings. I had gathered my coat for my
pants and stove my foot into the sleeve up to
my knee. We had no time to make a light.
My pistols were out in the piasia without oaps
on them. 1 gathered my subine and gun, threw
open the dcor, and prepared to shoot and eut
my way out. All this was the work of a few
momenta. We found the assaulting party was
in the rear of the house, and between us and
our relief. How far John had succeeded in
fluffing we bad no menus of knowing, But,
whatever was done, must be done soon. It
would never do for daylight to oome and reveal
our true situation. Our pistols were recapped,
and we felt secure against reasonable odds.
Our horses were saddled. The only way of
escape was by the road our enemies were held,
log. A caucus was held, and the situation discussed,
hurriedly. The conclusion was, we
must "get up and gel." Next was, "who will
go forward." Like the invited guests all made
excuses. At last "8tonewall Jackson" was
turned into I be road at the gsllop. 80 irere
the others. Each rider with pietol in hand.
We had to ride by file. For some of us this
Was perhaps to be the last ride. As we drew
bear the dark avenue, walled on each side with
dense thickets, "Stonewall" raised his head
and through dilated nostrils announced the
presence of our enemy. Spurs pressed him
forward, and soon we had run 1 he gauntlet and
were shooting like so many arrows up tho
side of the canal. "Prinoe" dashed past like a
parrott shell. My horse stumbled and fell and 1
lost my C*p. llefore my horse recovered they
-were ell past me end 1 got down to hunt my
cap. One fellow says "oome on, they can kill
'Us yet." 1 could not find the cap, so I mounted
and rode on barehoaded with Ihe others towards
our relief. John Faucett reported to picket
headquarters. The rest of us stopped. I tied
my handkerchief around my head. Soon Lieut.
Mabry Thomas. had the whole reserve at the
plaee. Lock art Mitchell rode up to me and
4
said "lielloa Sallie Worthy, are you here." We
went back to our post. The Lieut, and relief
went with us. It was now daylight. We found
old slices, hats, bonnets, shawls, walking sticks,
&c., strcwu along the road whioh revealed the
character of our foo, who had taken to the
marsh when they heard us coming behind
them. Wo found out from an old darkey living
near our picket post that a large body of
the slaves from the up county, as it were, had
that night attempted to get to the yankees, but
ooming upon our pickets they wore stopped;
Borne of them, however, got past and were
taken on Edisto Island that evening. Some we
found, and others returned to their homes. I
found my cap in the edge of tho water, in the
canal, just ready to be taken off by tho rising
tide.
On another occasion before this, I was
on picket at the sn&ic place. Dill Savage and
Qilliara Thomas were on post with me. We
were standing nt the bridge which I have told
you was about 200 yards from the Mathews
house. Tom Fowler, (long hungry) with the
rest of the relief was in the house asleep. It
was as dark a night as I ever saw, I think. In
rear of the house, in a little hut, lived an old
negro who had a littlb dog. Soon after we
went on past the dog began to bark, and kept
it up for at least one hour. Our horses were
restless. The ducks and frogs kept such a
quacking aud croaking, which, together with
the barking of the dog mado tho night hideous.
The bridge across the canal had not been torn
up. The night was so dark we could not see
ten steps from us. Wo brought a horse on
post. Dill Savage watched the horse and
Gilliam and I watched the road in front. From
the action of the horse we found that the
trouble was in the dircctiou of tho house. I
told Dill and Gilliam to mind tho post, and I
would go back and see what was the matter, or
put the reserve on their guard. When I passed
around the houso 1 found a drove of "marsh
ponies" picking about nmong the rose bushes.
A little Jack bocau to lim? unit ihi?
the men in the house. As I returned to my
post, passing the end of the pialis, i saw Tom
Fowler standing with his coat, shoes and hat
all off. I spoke to him. He was like Zvchariah
?speechless. I spoke again and ho knew me.
lie said "who was that blowing that horn." I
told him "it was that cavalry in the roar of the
house sounding a charge."
Bear's Island could beat the world for ducks,
bees, "goobers" and sweet potatoes. It was
without doubt tbe richest laud I ever saw.
Many kinds of gnnio could be found on it.
Deer was plentiful. I don't expect there was
another section in the whole rice oounty of the
same size that raised an equal quantity of that
article. The first night I ever stayed on Bear's
Island, Jack Isonand myself were put on guard
at a place where 000 bushels of rice had been
burued in one pile. We hitched our horses at
the base of a straw pile to protect them from
the cold wind. The fog on the river was so
heavy we could see but a short distance, not
half way across the stream. We climbed to
the top of tho straw stack, dug out holes,
wrapped our blankets around us and buried
ourselves in the straw up to our necks. Jack
had his face turned one way and tnine was the
other. The wind blow a gale all night. In
the river the water lashed itself into a foam.
A col 1 rain set in soon after we had got ensconced
in our comparatively oomfortable positions,
which at times turned to sleet. In this
position we spent along, cold January night.
Next merning when we left, 1 could acaroely
ride, I was so benumbed, and Jack was in tho
same fix. This night I contracted the "pleuritic
affection," of whioh I have heretofore
spoken. It was not customary for one relief to
stand nil night, but we had agreed to do so, in
order to get relieved next day and night. It
was no fault of Lieut. Thomas', but our own
voluntary actt After we returned to our headquarters
next morning, we found our men had
procured a lot of honey. The bees wore flying
about in the cold rain as though it was June.
Charley Fowler had captured the gums and
honey. We had nothing to eat with it but
"hard taok," and it was a poor go.
As I have already intimated our men found
out that they could dispense with picket duty
on this Island, and we were withdrawn. Wo
made one raid evon then a short time before
we went to Virginia, of which 1 will tell your
readers after a while.
Col. Stevens liked for his soldieis to attend
church. He was truly a good man. Of course
wo could get permission from our company
officers to go to church, or anywhere else we
wanted; but when we had to pass through
several lines of troops it was necessary to get
permission from Regimental headquarters at
least, or go in company with some commissioned
officers ; so several of us, iuoluding Joe Leech,
got permission to go to Willtown to hear an
Episoopal minister preach. Col. Stevens, I
think, belonged to that denomination. The
ohurch building showed the wealth and refinement
of the congregation that had been acouetomcd
to worship there. With all the politeness
for which that denomination arc proverbial,
we wero invited to seats. We felt ourselves
et home. As the minister stepped into
the pulpit the organ announoed "Sweet Hour
of Prayer." The musio was superb. The
organist was mistress of her situation. She
was eertainly an embodiment of all tha refinement,
grace and beauty of whieh Sooth Carolina
boasted in better days. The minister was
none the lesa ao. Ilia text was, Eocl. XI ohapter
and Uth verse?"Kejoloo, O young man, in
thy youth, and let thy heart ofaeer thou in the
days of thy youth, and walk In the ways of
thine heart, and in the aight of thine eyes, bat
know, then, that for all these things Qod will
bring thee into judgment." Before the minister
had got half way through reading his text,
the oase of the young soldier under Cromwell
presented itself to my mind whioh 1 shall relate :
It was a special order pf that otfioer that
every soldier under his command should always
have a Bible in bis pocket, Agreeat>ly to this
requisition a licentious young soldier carried a
copy of the Scriptures which, during an action,
was penetrated by a ball from the enemy. After
the army had retired from the field this profligate
youth had the curiosity to oxamino how
far the ball had penetrated his Bible, and while
he was turning over one leaf after another the
passago which our Minister had chosen as his
text arrested the young soldier's attention. It
proved the happy instrument of enlightening
bis understanding, of alarming his conscionce,
of changing his heart, and finally saved his
soul. That this same passage, undor similar
oircumstances, should present itself to me, was
a coincident impressed upon my mind that will
last as long as life. In this connection I will
further say it is to be lamented that men of the
sword are more frequently distinguished for
their profligacy than their piety ; they are more
in the habit of imprccatiog curses on themselves
and others than importuning for blessings.
The nature of the soldier's occupation
tends to inspire him with a degree of hardihood
; with a defiance of danger that often
degenerates into a forgelfulness, and even defiance
of his Ood. His unsettled situation in
life, his want of the regular ordinances of grace,
his exposure to ensnaring company and various
other considerations have a natural tendency to
divert his attention from things divine and
eternal.
I am satisfied I did not hear such a sermon
preached during my stay in the army as I heard
that day. I think it was the last sermon
preached in that house during our stay in that
section. It was expected every day that a battle
would take place there. The few citizens remaining
up to that time moved off, and the doors
of the church were closed.
While waiting that day for tho congregation
to assemble, and service to begin, wo took a
stroll down by the battery, llcro we found
Pete Mosolcy, who had killod Jiui Leech, (Joe's
brother,) and who, by some law or finding of
the jury, or some other means, was to serve a
term in the army. 1 never saw him after that.
Uses.
A Talk Witu Dr. Vedder.?Tho
Rov. Dr. Vedder and wifo have returned to
the oity and are staying at the Mansion
Houso on Broad street. Dr. Vedder, in
conversation with a Reporter for tho News
and Courier, said that he was in Schenectady,
N. Y., on tho fatoful Tuesday. lie
had no intimation of the oartbquako until
the following morning, when tho morning
papers gavo a whole page to the terrible
event, with the appalling declaration that
no Bingle word cbuld bo received fro^T
Charleston.
'Tho New York Sun contnined tho suggestion
of a lidul wave,' said Dr. Voider,
'which had swept tho doar old city and its
inhabitants out of existence. Fearful as
must have been the reality of what was
suffered here, second only to it was tho uncertainty
and su9penso endured by me and
mine for more than twenty-four hours, until
telegraphic communication was reopened.
Then it was impossible to get private intelligence.
Dispatches remained unanswered,
and seemingly unnoticed. There was a
reason for this, well known now, but then
inexplicable. Tho -torture of all those
hours need cot be dwelt dpon. When the
first tidings of the awful catastrophe came,
the whole heart of the people of tho North
seemod to throb with a single impulse of
sympathy for Charleston. I havo nover
seen?scarcely ever coneeived?so spontaneons,
universal aud abounding an emotion
thrilling every class of people. Everything
was forgotten but tho historic and beautiful
oity and its woes. Having an appointmeut
to proach in the ohurch of my childhood,
I war requested to speak upon the all-eugrossing
ovent, and did so io,tbe few broken
words at uiy command, and I am sure-no
speaker ever addressed an audience moro
in sympathy with his theme, and more considerate
of bis inability to give voice to his
feelings. Assurance of help were given to
every degree and in every form nocdcd,
and this samo spirit was manifested everywhere
and in all ways. All theso things
are known here, and I only meution them
because you ask. It is an alleviation, cvou
of so fearful a calamity as that which has
befallen Charleston, that the tendero&t
thoughts of tho whole land hfkVA Kaon Inn.
O - - - " ?WW WWVM *VV
ingly drawn oat towards her, and the hand
of help ungrudgingly and gladly extended. I
If any heart here desponds for the doar
city, it may find courago in the interest of
all the country in its welfare. Let it be
high treason to the glorious traditions of
Charleston for any one to despair of her
future.'
Marrying Drinking Msn.-~Marrying
men to reform them has never been a successful
enterprise on the part of women.
Girls are worth too muoh unmarried to sacrifice
themselves to beat senso into the
head of say man on God's footstool. Such
a man doea not wean ao eaailj as a calf.
Ha will go bone only to aobar tip, and then
not till the other places are eloeed. A girl
will marry aaob a man, hoping that on tho
next year he will be better ; but the next
year he will be worse. There ere aober
bpja enough for all the girla ; and there is
no need marrying a druuknrd.?fori York
\ Sun.
7ABM WORK TOR SEPTEMBER.
Wo have discussed, in former numbers,
preparation for all crops. The timo has come
for planting thtui. September is the natural
and best seeding time for grasses, oloTor,
lucerufc, oats rye and barley. We say natural
sqpding time, becauso tho seeds of the
ariou I plants enumerated are matured in
the summer when it is hot and dry, and
eveni*the beads are shattered and the
seed aoattered on tho ground, the latter
do not find nrnrvr nnnditinna fn. : ?1
? ? - ?? ? r- wv?v?...vuo tui ^luiiuai*
ing till the later rains set in and cool nights
and htityr dews prevail. The earlier in the
month ^^g&Mdi&ions are present the bet'
ter it it, oeoause ample timo is furnished
the young plants to establish themselves
well and firmly in the soil beforo the
freezes of winter. In a wild or uncultivated
state these plants begin tbeir growth
at timo indicated ; this is naturo's appointment,
therefore, and is best suited to tho
wants of tho plants. In northern latitudes,
whero hardest freezes provail, snow protects
tho young plants daring winter; in tho
South longer and slrouger Autumn growth
must tako tho place of tho snow covering.
As winter grasses abound moro in north- '
cm than in southern latitudes, the concla
sion seemed natural that the heat of South- '
ern climates was prejudicial lo these plants;
and one step further in tho sauio direction
scemod reasonable, to wit, that they needed
shade in tho South. Hence the practice
of seeding grass and clover with small
grains to git the benefit of their shade. '
Doubtless soano shade is desirable during
periods of intense heat aud drought, but
can it be procured in the manner spoken 1
of, without incurring other injury grcator
than tho good received when grass is sown
with grain 1 Our observation in that more is
lost than gained. In tho first place tho
projecting shade is taken away jus', when
most needed; grain is harvested in June
and July when the greatest beat and severest
droughts prevail. Plants accustomed
to partial shade are then suddenly exposed
to intensest heat. But this is not all. In
tho case of grasses proper, the grain crops
tnaks domand upon the soil for exactly the
| same i^yd .tho grasses need. Being larger
and ijflore vigorously tho stjrt, the former
over-niasfcr tho grass at the beginning and
get lion's share of the food. At harvest,
therefore, the grass is suddeuly exposed
to the fiercest rays of the sun when
it is comparatively starved aud weak from
the unequal struggle, On exceedingly rich
soils where thero is ample food for both,
this objection does not hold so strongly,
but such soils arc not generally found.
This difficulty may in part be obviated by
top-dressiug in the Spring. But where (
land is so abundant, amply enough for every 1
crop a farmer could wish to cultivato, as a
rule, it is better to sow the grasses by them- 1
selves and not in conjunction with grain
crops. This gives them an opportunity of
getting 6trong during the oarly stagos of
growth, whon they nre naturally weak, and
puts them on vantage ground whon tho
strugglo with heat and drought begins.
Theso remarks apply with greater
force to tho anuual winter grasses and 1
clovers which complete thoir growth in
early spring. These of necessity riTust be
sown by themselves or with somo crop
which follows after thorn, but does not grow
simultaneously with them.
Wo cannot urge too frequently upon
beginners the importance of heavy seeding,
bo sure to sow enough for the plants to occupy
all of tho land?leave no place for
intruders. Sow euough to allow for defective
seed?for adulterated scod, and for tho
dying out of weak plants. After one has
| taken all the trouble ot thorough preparation
and heavy manuring?such as grass
requires?it is folly to fail from insufficient
seeding.
Very light covering of tho seed is of the
first importance ; deep covering will cortainly
bring failure. But when lightly
covered, seeds will not germinate well if
the weather is dry, unless they are firmly
pressed into the soil. Henco the importance
of the roller. It is almot indispen
sable io grass culture ; it smooths sod levels
the ground for the mower, presses small
rocks below tho surface, hastens the germination
of seeds, and imparts vigor to tbo
young plants. Heavy, impacting rains
may do some of the work of the roller,
but in thoir absence the surface soil is too
loose and too easily dried off for tho little
plant to ostablish itself in it. llemember}
that at first its roots start at or very near
.tho surfaoo. It is not ia tho situation of a
plant springing from a seed harried two or
i three inohse below ths surface.
The oat crop has bees so often winterkilled
of late that many are discouraged
and disposed to abawdon the practice of
fall-aowing. We confess that recent experience
has beca very discouraging. Hut in
view of tho groat valuo of the crop, when
it docs suoceed we era lotb to abandon it. |
Wo havo faith in tho possibility of devol
oping, by proper selectioa and cultivation
a winter oat oapablo of resisting extreuH
oold. What is known in Middle Gcorgii
as "winter grazing oat" doos certainly re
sist cold better than othor variotics. It
this locality, the past wiuter, the mercury
descended to zero and tho cold was lonj
continued, and yot a good deal of this o?
survived, and by ila abundant tilleriaj
made from one-fourth to one-third of <
crop. In most fields of rust-proof oat
Bown in autumn scattering stools could als<
bo 'found, and that too in positions no
specially sheltered. (Tow if, without .*?<
lection and from indiscriminate sowings of
seed, individual plants spring up with
power to withstand intense cold, why, with
proper care, could not a hardy varioty be
propagated and established from those cold
resisting plants ? Wo havo faith that il
can bo done, and our faith is based ot
facts like those, related by Darwin in hit
work on Auimals and Plants under domes
ticatioo : "Wheat quickly assumes new
habits of life. Tho summer and wintei
kinds were classed by Linnaous as distinct
species; but M. Monnicr has proved that
tho difference between them is only teni
porary. Ho sowed winter wheat in spring
and out of one buudrcd plants four alone
produced ripo seed ; these wcro 6own and
resowu, and in three years plants were
reared which ripened all their seed. Conversely,
nearly all tho plants raised from
summer wheat, which was sown iu autumn
perished from frost; but a few were saved
and produced seed, and in thrco years this
summer variety was converted into a winter
variety." Our habit has been to sow indiscriminately,
as chance or convenience might
decide, spring grown oats iu tho fall aud
fall grown oats in the spring. Is it anj
wonder that wo have no fixed varieties
adapted to either season? Some time ago w<
urged the careful saving of all rust-prooi
oats that survived the past winter. W<
hope it has been done and that they wil
be Bown this month, and tho same thin;
repeated for at least throe years,
The present'crop covers all of our cxpe
riuncc with the winter grazing oat. It wa
mot ready to c^t until the 10th of Jul)
though sown oy the 30lh of October las!
Possibly iu having L>.-. :i 'binned out by th<
cold, and the tilleriug cue- |\> ut thereon
may have retarded its ripcuiug. Hut although
Juuc was a very wet month and
bunches of ryo distributed through these
oats wero badly rusted, the oats had no rusl
whatever. Wo shall sow it agaiu aud
watch results.
Neithor barley nor rye were killed by the
extreme cold of tho past winter. To some
extent, therefore, theso can bo made tc
take the place of fall oats?barley on the
richer and ryo on the poorer lands. Will
these cover the bare cotton fields during the
winter andsnvo them from washing aud leach
ioz. Simolv harrow in the send?don't hr<*?L
up tbo laud and increase the facilities foi
for washing. When green, these crops oar
bo cut and fed to horses and cows ; whec
matured, they cau be harvested, thresher
and grouud and make most excellent stool
feed, llye straw commands ready sale foi
filling in horso collars and other purposes
but the stalls and slock yards may well dis
pose of it all. Our soils cry aloud for hu
mus?let us lake every opportunity to sup
ply it. Some one has suggested that oat
and ryo might be sown together?if th<
oats should be killed tho rye would not ant
the land would still be occupied with
desirable crop. We sec no objection exoep
the unequal ripening of the two crops, bu
as rye will remain standing without wast
fry some time after it ripens it could wai
on tho oats. Upju the whole tho suggos
tiou strikes us as a good one, worthy o
being tested by trial/
A friend has recently called our atteu
tion to the successful culture, in this vicin
ity, of a grass variously called "Schrader
grass," " Australian oats," Rescue grass
etc., Rrornus unioloides or Sehraderi beinj
its technical name, llo spoko very higbl.
of it as a winter grazing grass, growinj
very rapidly iu early spring and pruducinj
large quantity of broad, nutritious loaves
Though sometimes called ''rescue" aud re
n:?. .11- 1 ? .1?
ouuiviiuj^ ^moo ^cuoiniijr nuunu uy lUii
name, it is said to be much larger and mor
luxuriant in its growth and decidedly mor
valuable. Our seedsmen hero in
form us that there is considerabl
demand for the seed in Louisian
and Texas, where it is highly es
teemed. It is said by some authorities t
be perennial ; by othors to be an annua
We learn that it was partially killed her
by the extraordinary cold of last wintci
but usual eold does not hurt it. It woul
probably thrive below tho thirty-fourt
degree of latitudo.
This is the proper month in which to so
burr clover and crimson clover. Both <
these are annuals; beginning growth i
p autumn tb sy mature and die bj the let of
i, the following June. Tbey are valuable
I plants, especially in localities where ordi?
nary rod clover will not thrive. Oar
- friends below tho head of navigation in our
i rivers could have as fine clover pastures in
j the spring, from these two plants, as could
I bo seen anywhere. Mako the ground rich,
t sow a plenty of seed in September and
I cover them lightly; that is tho whole secret,
i Towards tho laBt of tho month pea-vincs
b and crab-grass will be ready for mowing
j and curing. Farmers seem to be pretty
t generally of the opinion that pea vines
should not be cut until young peas form on
thcui ; that the peas aro less apt to drop off
i then and the vines more easily cured than
i at an early stago. If left too late the stems
> become woody and hard, and are worthless
as forage. Both oxtremeties then arc to
t he avoided- Tt ia it difficult ?. ?
- ivta^u IU VUIU
i and opinions vary as to tho best method of
3 doing it. If one has abundant house-room,
- or the moans of providing cheap, temporary
r shelters, it is nnquoRlionably best to put
r the vino under cover bb soon as they aro
t fairly wilted, hanging them on poles, or
i arranging in seine way so as to allow a free
circulation of air. A loft with a slatted or *
, open floor is an exoellent place to cure thia
s or any kiud of forage. In tho abscnco of
I the ahovo appliances the vines may be pnt
i in small cocks?narrow but high?and if
the weather is dry several of these may bo
i thrown together into a larger cock on the
, third or fourth day. Constant regard
i should be had to avoid exposing much surface
to su i or dew. Hence high and narrow
cocks are recommended. It is difficult
to have thcui properly made by ordinary
> hands ; this is one of the things a farmer
i should personally supervise.
' Crabgrass makes very good hay if cut at
i the proper time, which is just as the seeds
) aro forming and beforo they arc ripe. The
f seeds drop off readily when mature, and
3 whatever of the substance of tho plant
I passes into seeds is thus lost. Cut and
j cure, therefore, beforo tho seed will drop
off and beforo the stalks bccomo woody.
They are too small to be stiff, but when old
s they bccomo woody, nevertheless, and loco
r> their digcstibjiily, just ?u ovcx-ripo straw
'jdocs.? IF. L. Jones, in Southern Cultivator.
L' Destitution in Texas.?Washington,
' Sept. 13.?First Auditor Chenoweth has
^ just returned from a month's visit to Texas*
He gives a sad picture of tho destitution
' and suffering there on account of the
| drought. lie is astonished that there has
been so iittlo said on this subject, lie says
it is estimated that in Jack County not
1 twenty bushels of corn and wheat havo
oomc up. The drought extends from be'
yond Fort Worth up into the Pan Handle.
1 This is a due grazing country and a laigo
1 auioun t of stock is kept there. This year,
! however, it has been impossible to supply
the stock will* water. People have been
obliged to haul water for household purr
poses for twenty and thirty miles. Thero
1 are tew runuing streams and a few artesian
1 wells. A great doal of stock has famished.
In large tracts of country the people havo
almost nothing to eat. They made no
r gardens and have no potatoes or other vege'
tables. While Judge Ohcuoweth was in
Texas he presided over scvoral relief meetings
where peoplo were collecting seed
corn, wheat nod money to send to the sufB
forcrs. He says tho farmers in the regions
* affected by tho drought arc generally of
small means, and depend upon their proa
ducts from year to year for subsistence,
1 They thus find themselves immediately in
want when their crops fail.
t Two Girls Weary op Like.?Dundee,
Mich., September 13.?Two young
,f and pro-ty girls, named Yctta Vogelsang,
of this place, aud Ada Laflington, of Mon
roc, attempted suicide to-day by taking
chloroform. They wero together on the
R streets in the forenoon, apparently happy,
but near noon they secured a vial of chlo\
reform and repaired to the outskirts of tho
village, where they seated themselves by
tho roadside and prepared to die. They
wrote letters saying that it was their last
j day upon earth; that no one cared for them ;
that the peoplo of Dundee had traduoed
t them until they wanted to die. They wero
o discovered in time to save their lives,
c though at first it was thought that Miss
Laflington was dead.
s Not Her. First Appearance.?Lawa
ycr (to a timid yonng woman)?Have yott
r- ever appeared as witness in a suit before?
n Ynnnnr woman fhlimWinfr^?V.?o? ?
o v. o/ - V-?
I. of courso.
c Lawyer?Please state to the jury jail
r, what suit it was.
d Young woman (with inoro confidence)?
h It was a nun's 'veiling, shirred down the
front and trimmed with a lovely blue, with
w hat to mateh?
>f Judge (rapping violently)?Order in the
n oourt1