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I t ^ ^ XSBUBP SEMI'WEEKL^^ " l mTgrist's sons"PuWithen. } % Jamilg Jleicspaper: Jfor the promotion of the goliticat, Social. Agricultural and Commercial Interests of the people. J;i^h'vkiLAT?VAMK ESTABLISHED 1855. YORK V IRLIII, S. C.^T U ESD AYr DECEMHER 8, 1 POM. ISTO. 97. IIPIW IWIIWWUmUH WIHlHlltllfl -fig ?|J< (By OPII Copyrighted 1896, by Wm. h By Permission of Lai r wmi tn ail MIMI mnyiiiiymmw CHAPTER IX?Continued. We drove along in silence. After a L long time he said: "Here's where she ^ crossed the road: and do you see that?" ^ he asked, pointing to the Milky Way. "That was done by the waving of her hand. I wish tc the Lord I knew just how much she thinks of Dan Stuart." "Ah, but that wouldn't relieve you," I replied, "for I know how much Guinea thinks of Chyd Lundsford and feel all the worse for it. There are always two hopes, walking with a doubt, one > * on each side, but a certainty walks alone." "T reckon vou are right," he rejoined with a sigh. "How many strange things love will make a man say, things that an unpolsoned man would never think of. Poisoned is the word, Bill; and I'll bet that if I'd bite a man It would kill him in a minute." "What sort of a fellow is young Lundsford?" I asked, with my teeth set and my feet braced against the dashboard. I "Oh, he ain't a bad fellow; he ain't f our sort exactly, but he's all right." "Smart and full of poetry, isn't he?" L "I never heard him say anything that had poetry in it. Don't think he knows half as much about books as you do. Oh, about certain sorts of books he does, books with skeletons in them, but knowing all about skeletons don't make a man interesting to a woman. I have read enough to find that out. Why, I have more than held my own with men that are well up in special books?have held my own with all except that fellow Stuart. Now there's Etheredge, that I told you about one day?kin to f Dan Stuart. He's a doctor, and they tell me that he is well educated, but I never heard him say a thing worth remembering. I reckon old Mrs. Nature has a good deal to do with it after all." * They were sitting up waiting for us at home, although it was past the midnight hour when we drove into the yard. Old Lim snorted when he learned that the Aimes boys were not to k be hanged, but his wife, merciful creatA ure, was saddened to think that even H more mercy had not been shown them. And then she anxiously inquired wheth& er we had found ourselves short in the ^ matter of provisions. We told her that I we had brought back nearly all the load | I which her kindness had Imposed upon i us, and then with disappointment she said: "qoorineaff why didn't von give It to those poor fellows to take to the penitentiary with 'em, for I know that there's nothin' there fitten to eat." The old man stood looking at her, with his coat off and with his shirtsleeves rolled up. "Susan," said he, "I don't want to git mad, I don't want to go out yander, snatch them chickens . out of the coop an' make 'em nod at each other in the dark, but when you talk that way you almost drive me?by jings, you almost drive me out there agin that tree, hard enough to butt p the bark off. Do you reckon they are takin' them fellers down there to feed 'em, to fatten 'em up and then turn 'em loose? Hah, is that your idee? 'Zounds, madam, they are lucky to get there with their necks. And here you are lamenun inai meres uuium ai the penitentiary fitten to eat. Go on to bed, Susan, for if you don't I'm afeered that I'll have to say somethin' - to hurt your feelln's, and then I'd worry about it all night." "Now Limuel, what is the use in snortln' round that way? Can't a body say a word?" P "It do look like a body can," he tern joined; "and I'm afeered that a body will, and that's the reason I want you to go to bed.' Old Llm sat down and the subject was dropped. I noticed his wife looking anxiously at me, and Just as I was about to leave the room she said: "Mr. Hawes, you'll please pardon me for mentionin' it, but there's a button off your coat, and I'll be glad to sew it on If you will be so kind as to leave it ^ down here." "No, I will sew it on," Guinea spoke jp. "Give me your coat, Mr. Hawes." "I will not be the means of keeping you up any longer," I replied, looking into her eyes, and feeling the thrill of their sweet poison: "I will do it myself." "And rob me of a pleasure?" she asked. "No. relieve you of a drudgery. Come on. Alf." Two fools went to bed in the dark and sighed themselves to sleep, and two fools dreamed: I know that or.e did?dreamed of eyes and smiles and a laugh like a musical cluck. ? CHAPTER X. More than a month passed and they v were still working on the school house. /\ The simple plan had been drawn with V" but a few strokes of a pencil, the sills W had been placed without delay, but they had to plane the boards by hand and that had taken time. Alf and I had again sat at the old general's table, had listened to his words so rounded out with kindliness, and upon returning to the porch had heard him storm at sometning inai naa gone ?.uu??. Millie showed her dimples and her pretty teeth, smiling at Alf and at me, \ too, but I saw no evidence that she loved him. Indeed, she had been so much petted that I thought she must be a flirt, and yet she said nothing to A give me that Impression. Guinea was just the same, good-humored, rarely serious. One Sunday I went to church with her, walked, though the distance was two miles; stood near the cave wherein the British soldiers had hidden themselves, and talked of everything save love, I cannot say that I had a sacred respect for her feelings; I think that I should have liked to torture her. but something closed my f heart against an utterance of its heavy fullness. One Faturdav afternoon I was told that the school house would be ready on the following Monday. I had been / out rnanv times to view the work, but I decided to go again to see that everything was complete. I expected that u iw hwiwhi m m win m 111 if m i c muA C READ. I Lee?All Rights Reserved, rd & Lee, Publishers. ! Alf would go with me, for the corn was laid by, but 1 could not find him. His mother told me that he had put on his feunday clothes and that she had seen him going down the road. And so 1 went alone. The house was done, and what a change from the pile of Old logs! The walls were painted white and the blinds were green. The bushes were cleared off, and the scorched trees had been cut down, split up and hauled away. I have never seen a neater picture, and in it I saw not only the progress of the people, but the respect in which they held me. I had come out of the woods on my way home and was on a high piece of grazing land not far from the house when I saw a man ride up to the yard fence, dismount, tie his horse and go into the house. This within itself was nothing, for I had seen many of the neighbors come and go, but a sudden chill seized upon me now, and there I shook, though the heat of June lay upon the land; and it was some time before I could go forward, stumbling, quaking, with my eyes fixed upon the horse tied at the fence. In the yard behind the house I came upon Mrs. Jucklin, gathering up white garments that had been spread to dry upon the althea bushes. "Chyd Lundsford has come," she said, and I replied: "Yes, I know it." I stepped upon the passage and passed the sitting room door without looking in; I sat down in a rocking chair that had been placed near the stairway, sat there and listened to a girl's laugh and the low mumble of a man's voice. "Let us go out where it's cooler," I heard Guinea say, and I got up with my head in a whirl. "Mr. Hawes, this is Mr. Lundsford." "Glad to meet you, sir," I said, taking hold of something?his hand, I suppose. I was urged to sit down again; Guinea said that she would bring two more chairs, and when I had dropped backed between the arms of the rocket I looked at the man standing there, and a sort of glad disappointment cleared my vision and placed him before me in a strong light. He was short, almost fat, and in his thin, whitish hair there was a hint at coming baldness. The close attention that he L ~ -1 -rvv??yvll/v.1 0?l t'A ?-?ofi00 1 IlilU UCCI1 tumpcitcu iu f^itc ^lavuvai things, the sawing of bones, the tracing of nerves, the undoing of man's machinery, had given him the cynical look of a hard materialist. But when he stepped back to take the chair which Guinea had brought I saw that he moved easily, that he was cool and knew well how to handle himself. And this drove away the meager joy of my glad disappointment. "I hear you are going to take up school Monday," he said. "Rather late to begin school just now, I should think." "Under ordinary circumstances it would be regarded as late in the season," I answered, "but we have been so Interrupted that we now decide to have no vacation." "I guess you are right. Had a pretty close shave with those fellows, didn't you? Ought to have killed them r?i orV-> * Viova COPn SfOft ThnilCh I I ?) I i I UJtl V. A ? C WWii ^vwkh. ? -o-he was a pretty bright fellow, naturally; rather witty. Would make a firstrate subject on the slab." "Because you thought him witty, sir?" I asked. "Of course not; but because he is a good specimen?big fellow." He looked at me and I thought that he was measuring my chest. "Yes," he continued. "ought to have killed them. Man's got to take care of himself, you know, and he can't make it his business to show mercy. Most all the virtues now are back-woods qualities." ' I don't believe that," Guinea spoke up. "Every day we read of the generosity of the world." "Oh," he said, passing his short fingers through his thin hair, "you read about it, and people who want to shine as generous creatures take particular pains that you shall read about it. You've a great deal to learn, my dear little woman." "And perhaps there is a great deal that she doesn't care to learn," I ventured to suggest; and I quickly looked at her to see whether I had made another mistake. I had not, her quiet smile told me. and I felt bold enough to have thrown him over the fence. "What we wish to knew and what we ought to know are two different matters," he said. "But I hold that we ought to know the truth, no difference what the truth may be. I want facts; I don't want paint. I don't want to believe that the gilt on the dome goes all the way through." "But." said I, "the gilt on the dome doesn't prove that the dome is rotten; it may be strong with seasoned wood and ribs of iron." "Yes," he drawled, "that's all very good, very well put, but it means nothing. By the way. before we get into -? /H.-ouooiam lot mo int'Ho \'aii nt'^r tr? a UI'UUOOIUII lt:i 111^ III * KV jvrv* v? VI w our house tonight. Quite a number of young people will drop in. Not exactly the night, you know; but the old idea that white people shouldn't go out of a Saturday night, the night reserved for negroes, is all nonsense. So, I have asked them to come. Alf will come. I suppose, and so will our little spring branch nymph." "I didn't suppose that you believed in nymphs, now that you have gone out and learned that everything is false," Guinea spoke up. "I don't believe in painted ones," he replied, "but you are not painted." "I shall be pleased to come," I remarked. and then I asked him how long he expected to remain at home. "Oh. about a nvnth, I should think. I am gradually getting along and I don't want to go to school all my life. I want to begin practice next year." "In this neighborhood?" I asked, and be gave me a contemptuous look. 'Well. n>'t if I have nnv sense left." he answered. "I might ride around here a thousand years and not win anything of a name. Look at Dr. Etheredge. fine physician, but whatj has he done? No, I'm going to a city, north, I think." He stayed to supper and this angered me, for I had set my heart on walking to the general's house with Guinea. Aif had not returned and we wondered whither he could have gone. And when the time came to go, that impudent sprig of a doctor asked me if I would ride his horse around by the road, said that he wanted to walk across the meadow with Guinea. How I should have enjoyed knocking him on the head, but I thought that Guinea supplemented his request with a look, and i consented. There were many horses tied at the general's fence, and there was laughter within, when I rode up, and I was reminded of the night when I had stood with my hot hand melting the frost on the fence. But I thought of what the men had said on the railway platform, c f the woman whom I had seen on the train, and boldly I walked in. The general met me with a warm grasp, and was asking me if I had seen his son, when in walked the young fellow himself, with Guinea beside him. The parlor and the library, opening one into the other, were well filled with goodhumored young folk, nnd among them were old people, none the less goodhumored. I was surprised to find myself so much in demand, for every one asked for an introduction, but with bitterness I knew that It was because 1 had come near being burned up In an old house. They played games, but if this they soon tired; they sang and >ne of the ladles plucked a sparkling fandango, and then Chydister Lundsford was called upon for a speech. He was not at all embarrassed and he talked fairly well; and when he was done, they call upon me. I got up with one hand resting on the piano, ind stood there, nervous at first, but strangely steady later on. I told them that I could not make a speech, but that with their permission I would tell them a story, one of my own. They -ried out that they would rather have t story than a speech, and I gave them a half humorous, half pathetic sketch, something that had long been running in my head and which I Intended to write. What a strong confidence came upon me as I noted the effect of my words! I was drawing a picture and they were eager to see it; I was play"ng on a strange, rude Instrument, and how they bent to catch every vibration, t was astonished at myself, thrilled with myself. And when the climax came, chairs were tipped over as if in a scramble, and a wild applause broke out. Every hand was stretched out toward me, every eye was bright with a tear. The old general grabbed me and. throwing back his great head, almost bellowed a compliment; and through it all I saw Guinea sweetly smiling. They urged me to give them another story, were almost frantic In their entreaty; they had heard the heart-beat of their own life and they must hear It again. I told another story, one over which I had fondly nused. and again the hands came out toward me, and again the general bellowed a compliment. I can scarcely recall anything else that passed that evening. Yes, I remember that as I was taking my leave, to walk across the meadows with Guinea and Chyd, Millie stood in front of me. Once or twice I thought that she had something that she would tell me. for her lips moved, but she said nothing except to bid me good-night. And where was Alf all this time? Xo one had spoken his name; Millie had not asked me about him. I walked briskly in advance, half happy, but of course, with my mind on Guinea, whose low voice reached my ears through the quiet that lay on the trass-land. "Why don't you wait for us?" she cried. I turned about and waited, and as she came up, holding Chyd's arm, she said; ' I hope your success tonight nasn t turned your head." "And I hope that I don't deserve such a suspicion," I answered, not with bitterness, but with joy to think that she had felt my apparent indifference. "Oh, I don't see anything to cause a spat," said Chyd, straining himself to take long steps. ' Good stuff, of course, but nothing to turn a man's head?a mere bit of fancy paint. But you ought to write it. Good many people like nonsense. I mean something light, you know. Two-thirds of the human family make it their business to dodge the truth. But it is a good thing for a school teacher to make himself felt in that way." "Perhaps Mr. Hawes doesn't intend to be a teacher all his life," Guinea replied, speaking in kindliness, but with no interest, as to whether or not I was to remain a pedagogue. "God forbid," I replied. And the young doctor gave me a sarcastic cough. "Man ought to do what he's best fitted for," said he. "Trouble is that a man generally thinks that he's fitted for something that he isn't? hates the thing that he can do best." "Your knowledge of the practical fortifies you against any advance that I might make," I replied. "I don't pretend to be practical." "Hum, I should think not," he rejoined. "Good deal of a dreamer, I take it. And you are in the right place. Everything dreams here, the farmers and even the cattle. Going to pull down the fence, eh? Guinea'll be over by the time you get it down. What did I tell you? Regular fawn, eh?' We had passed out of the meadow. They waited in the road until I replaced the rails which 1 had let down. The road ran along the ravine and home was In sight. I looked across toward the smooth eld rock and saw a dark object upon it. We went down into the ravine and as we were coming out. a voice cried: "Is that you. Bill?" And instantly Guinea answered for me. "Yes. Alf. And here's Chyd." "How are you. Chyd?" he shouted, and then lie added: "Bill. I want te see you a minute. Stay where you are and I'll come down." I halted to wait for him. He stopped a moment to shake hands with Chyd, and then he hastened to me. "Old man, I've got something to tell you." he said. "Lot's walk down this way?no. not over in the road, but up the hollow." He gripped my arm tlghtIv. walked fast, then slowly and then stopped. "Let's sit down here, Bill." We seated ourselves on a rock. "You have been over to the general's. alone: with Chyd and Guinea, haven't you? Of course, you have--v\ hat's the use of asking that? Do you know what I did today? Not long after dinner I went J over there determined to find out how I stood. I was brave until I got nearly to the house and then my courage failed. 1 stood by the fence in the b?a;kuerry br.ars and gazed at the house. After a while I saw her come out and start down the Ebenezer road. And then 1 whipped round and met her. And as I stood beside the road, waiting for her to come up I noticed for the i.rst time that the sun was nearly down. For hours I had been standing in the briars. I pretended not to see ner; let on like I was hunting for a squirrel up in a tree, until she came up. Tnen I spoke to her and she started as if she was scared. She said that she was going over to Lum Smith's to tell the young people to come over at n.ght, and 1 asked her if I might walk aiong with her. She said with a laugh that I might go part of the way, and then I knew that she was ashamed for any one to see her with me. This cut me to the red, but I walked along with her. 1 felt that I had nothing to say that would interest her, but I kept on talking, and once in a while she would look up at me and laugh. At last, and it was just as we came within sight of Smith's place, I asked her what she really thought of Dan Stuart. 1 knew ihat this was a fool's break, and If it hadn't been I don't suppose I would have made It. She looked up at me, but she dldn t laugh this time. I begged her pardon for my rudeness, and she reminded me that I was only to come a part of the way with her. I then told her that I would wait for her to come back. She said that she might not come back that way. I replied that no matter which way she came back I would see her. She went on, laughing now, and I waited, but I didn't have to wait long before I saw her coming. As she came up I asked her if she was ready to grant my pardon and she wanted to know what about. We walked along together and she began to tell me about her brother, how smart he was and all that, and I said that I didn't think that he was as smart as you, Bill; I wanted to take credit for a friendship I had formed, you see? But a moment later I was sorry, for I was afraid that she night say something against you, but. she didn't. She said that you were a smart man?a distinguished looking man, and that she liked you ever so much. At first I was pleased, but a second afterward I was Jealous of you, Bill. Did you ever see as blamed a fool as I am? But I don't hate you, Bill. No, my heart was warm toward you even while she was praising you?even while I was jealous. I again asked her what she thought of Dan Stuart, and she looked up at me and wanted to know if I knew what he thought of h?r. I told her that everybody loved her, and that I didn't suppose he was mean enough not to love her. She tald that she knew people who didn't love her, and I told her that if she would show 'hem fr> mo I wnnld hutt their heads together for being such Idiots. We were now almost within sight of the general's home and I was not getting along very fast. I was determined to make a break. We were on a hill, where the trees were .tall, almost overlapping the road. To the right ran a path through the briars, a nearer way home. I asked her to wait and she stopped. The sun was down and it was now almost dark. And it was then that I told her that I loved her. I don't know how I acted or what I said, but I know that I was down in the dust at her feet. She stood there, pale and trembling looking around as if she would call for help. I asked her to marry me. and she laughed, Bill? laughed at me and darted down the path. Then I went into the woods and roamed about I don't know where; and that is the reason I wasn't at the gathering tonight. I'm bruised and crippled, Bill?my heart is sore, but I want to tell you that when she's stand ingr on the floor with that fellow Stuart, with the preacher in front of her, I'll be there, putting In my plea. I won't give up as long as there Is a fghting chance left. Don't say a word about it. Forgive me for dragging you "?fT down here. Clod knows you've got a deep trouble of your own. And I wish my word could settle It?T'd speak :t. though It might hurt my chances at fhe general's. Well, let's go to the house." To ho Continued. NO FEUDS IN NAVY. Seamen's Quarrels Are Settled at Once With Boxing Gloves. There are no more bitter, longstanding feuds in the navy today as in the time of John Paul Jones or Decatur, says the Kansas City Star. The popularity of boxing aboard the battleships is the secret of the change. Nowadays when a seaman thinks he has been slighted or misused by a friend he waits until the hour for supper, and then gives the man who Insulted him a pair of boxing gloves. A ring is quickly formed and the misunderstanding is speedily settled. No matter who wins, hoth respect each other thereafter. "A queer bout happened on the New Jersey on the trip around South America," said a gunner's mate at the navy recruiting station recently. "Two young seamen were scrapping with bare lists on the deck. Suddenly the bugle sounded 'colors.' Instantly both of them stood at attention and saluted the flag. Put the minute the ceremony was over, away they went pummeling each other again for dear life. "In addition to these trials by battle, two or three bouts are arranged every night aboard ship. Once or twice a month a battle royal or cup fight is pulled off. "Know what a cup fight Is? It's the most interesting of the nautical pugilistic sports. The two contestants are blindfolded and required to get on their knees. Both must then rap once on the floor with their left hand and the scrap Is on. Each fighter, of "ourse, aims his right hooks and Jabs In the direction of the rap. The science of the fight is in rapping so deceptively on the floor that your opponent doesn't know where you are. bounds like great sport, doesn't it? Try it some time with your little brother in the attic." M The average life of a ship is about twenty-six years. t?' A two-mile railroad bridge has been recently completed across the Columbia river in the state of Washington. WILLIAMSON'S < BY E. M. W ;For a number of years after I began to farm, I followed the old-time method of putting the fertilizer all under the corn, planting on a level or higher, six by three feet, pushing the plan from the start and making a big stalk, but the ears were few, and irequentiy small. I planted much corn In the spring and bought much more corn the next spring, until finally I was driven to the conclusion that corn could not be made on uplands in this section, certainly not by the old method, except at a loss. I did not give up, however, for I knew that the farmer who did not make his own corn never had succeeded, and never would, so I began to experiment. First I planted lower, and the yield was better, but the stalk was still too large; so I discontinued altogether the application of fertilizer before planting, and, know ing that all crops should be fertilized as a side application, and applied the more soluble nitrate of soda later, being guided in this by the excellent results obtained from its use as a top dressing for oats. Still, the yield, though regular, was not large, and the smallness of the stalk itself now suggested that they should be planted thicker in the drill. This was done the next year, with results so satisfactory that I continued from year to year to increase the number of stalks and the fertilizer with which to sustain them; also to apply nitrate of soda at last plowing, and to lay by early, sowing peas broadcast. Thi3 method steadily increased the yield, until year before last (1904), with corn eleven inches apart in six-foot rows, and $11 worth of fertilizer to the acre, I made eighty-four bushels average to the acre, several of my best acres making as much as 125 bushels. Last year (1905) I followed the same method, planting the first week in Api.'l, seventy acres which had produced the year before 1,000 pounds seed cot a per acre. This land is sardy upland, somewhat rolling. Set sons were very unfavorable, owing to the tremendous rains in May an< the dry and extremely hot weather later. From June 12th to July 12ti, the time when it most needed mo sture, there was only five-eights-! of in inch of rainfall here; yet with $7. 1, cost of fertilizer, my yield waa fifty-two bushels per acre. Rows we/e six feet and corn sixteen inches in drill. With this method, on land that will ordinarily produce 1,000 pounds of seed cotton with 800 pounds of fertilizer, fifty bushels of corn per acre should be made by using 200 pounds of cotton seed meal, 200 pounds of aetv phosphate, and 400 pounds of kainit mixed, or their equivalent In other fertilizer, and 125 pounds of nltrato nf unHQ nil tn hp iiqaH on QWIP application as directed below. On land that will make a bale and one-half of cotton per acre when well fertilized, a hundred bushels of corn should be produced by doubling the amount of fertilizer above, except that 300 pounds of nitrate of soda should be used. In each case there should be left on the land in corn stalks, peas, vines and roots, from $12 to $16 worth of fertilizing material per acre, beside the great benefit to the land from so large an amount of vegetable matter. The place of this in the permanent improvement of land can never be taken by commercial fertilizer, for it Is absolutely impossible to make lands rich as long as they are lacking in vegetable matter. Land should be thoroughly and deeply broken for corn, and this is the time in a system of rotation to deepen the soil. Cotton requires a more compact soil than corn, and while a deep soil is essential to its best development, it will not produce as well on loose, open land, where corn does best on land thoroughly broken. A deep soil will not only produce more heavily than a shallow soil with good seasons, but It will stand more wet as well as more dry weather. In preparing for the corn crop, land should be broken broadcast during the winter one-fourth deeper than it has been plowed before, or if much vegetable matter is being turned under, It may be broken one-third deeper. This is as much deepening as land will usually stand in one year and produce well, though it may be continued each year, so long as much dead vegetable matter Is being turned under. It may, however, be sybsolled to any depth by following in bottom of turn plow furrow, provided no more of the subsoil than has been directed is turned up. Break with two heavy plows, if possible, or better, with disc plow. With the latter, cotton stalks or corn stalks as large as we ever ( make can be turned under without having been chopped, and In pea vines It will not choke or drag. ( Never plow land when it Is wet, If you expect ever to have any use for it again. , Bed with turn plow in six-foot , rows, leaving five-Inch balk. When ready to plant, break this out with scooter, following in bottom of this , furrow deep with Dixie plow, wing taken off. Ridge then on this fur- ; row w.th same plow, still going deep. Run corn planter on this ridge, dropping one grain every five or six inches. Plant early, as soon as frost danger Is past, say first seasonable spell after March 15th, in this section. Es- , pecially is early planting necessary on very rich lands where stalks cannot , otherwise be prevented from growing too large. Give first working with harrow or any plow that will not , cover the plant. For second working:, use ten or twelve-Inch sweep on both sides of corn, which should now be about eight inches high. Thin af- . ter this working. It is not necessary that the plants should be left all the same distance apart if the right number remain to each yard of row. Corn should not be worked again until the growth has been so retarded, and the stalk so hardened that it , will never grow too large. This is the most difficult point in the whole pro- , cess. Experience and judgment are required to know just how much the stalk should be stunted, and plenty of nerve is required to hold back your corn when your neighbors, who ter-1 CORN METHOD TLLIAMSON tilized at planting time and cultivated rapidly, have corn twice the size of yours. (They are having their fun now. Yours will come at harvest time.) The richer the land the more necessary it Is that the stunting process should be thoroughly done. When you are convinced that your oorn has been sufficiently humiliated, you may begin to make the ear. It should now be from twelve to eighteen inches high, and look worse than you have ever had any corn to look before. Put half of your mixed fertilizer (this being the first used at all) in che old sweep furrow on both sides of every other middle, and cover by breaking out this middle with turn plow. About one week later treat the other middle the same way. Within a few days side corn in first middle wun sixieen-incn sweep, jtui uu yuui nitrate of soda in this furrow, if less than 150 pounds. If more, use onehalf of it now. Cover with one furrow of turn plow, then sow peas in the middle broadcast at the rate of at ieast one bushel to the acre, and finish breaking out. In a few days side corn in other middle with same sweep, put balance of nitrate of soda in this furrow if it has been divided, cover with turn plow, sow peas, and break out. This lays by your crop with a good bed and plenty of dirt around your stalk. This should be from June 10th to 20th, unless season is very late, and corn should be hardly bunching for tassel. Lay by early. More corn is ruined by late plowing than by lack of plowing. This is when the ear is hurt. Two good rains after laying by should make you a good crop of corn, and it will certainly make with much less rain than was required in the old way. The stalks thus raised are very small and do not require anything like the moisture even in proportion to size, that is necessary for large sappy stalks. They may, therefore, be left much thicker in the row. This is no new process. It has long been a custom to cut back vines and trees in order to increase the yield and quality of fruit; and so long as you do not hold back your corn, it will go, like mine so long went, nil to stalk. Do not be discouraged by the looks of ybur corn duj4}i|?: the process of cultivation. It out of all proportion to ffarfappearance. Large stalks cannot make large yields, except with extremely favorable seasons, for they cannot stand a lack of moisture. Early applications of manure go to make large stalks, which you do not want, and the plant food Is all thus used up before the eaj^ which you do want, is made. Tall stalks not only will not produce well themselves, but will not allow you to make the pea vine, so necessary to the Improvement of land. Corn raised by this method should never grow over seven and one-half feet high, and the ear should be near to the ground. I consider the final application of nitrate of soda an essential point In this ear-making process. It should always be applied at last plowing and unmixed with other fertilizers. I am satisfied with one ear to the stalk unless a prolific variety is planted, and leave a hundred stalks for every bushel that I expect to make. I find the six foot row easiest to cultivate without injuring the corn. For fifty bushels to the acre, I leave It sixteen inches apart; for seventy-five bushels to the acre, twelve Inches apart, and for one hundred bushels, eight inches apart. Corn should be planted from four to six Inches below the level, and hid ty from four to six inches above. No hoeing should be nePMsarv. and middles mav be keDt clean until time to break out, by using harrow or by running one shovel furrow in centre of middle and bedding on that with one or more rounds of turn plow. I would advise only a few acres tried by this method the first year, or until you are familiar with its application. Especially is it hard, at first, to fully carry out the stunting process, where a whole crop is Involved, and this is the absolutely essential part of the process. This method I have applied, or seen applied, successfully to all kinds of land in this section, except wet lands and moist bottoms, and I am confident it can be made of great benefit throughout the entire south. In the middle west, where corn Is so prolific and profitable, and where, unfortunately for us, so much of ours has been produced, the stalk does not naturally grow large. As we come south its size increases, at the expense of the ear, until in Cuba and Mexico it is nearly all stalk (witness Mexican varieties). The purpose of this method is to eliminate this tendency of corn to overgrowth at the expense of yield in this southern climate. By this method I have made my corn crop more profitable than my cotton crop, and my neighbors and friends who have adopted it have, without exception, derived great benefit therefrom. Plant your own seed. I would not advise a change of seed and method the same year, as you will not then know from which you have derived the benefit. I have used three varieties, and all have done well. I have never used *his method for late planting. In fact, I do not advise the late planting of corn, unless it be necessary for cold lowlands. The increased cost of labor and the high price of all material and land are rapidly making farming upproflt able, except to those who are getting from one acre what they formerly got from two. We must make our lands richer by plowing deep, planting peas and other legumes, manuring them with acid phosphate and potash, which are relatively cheap, and returning to the soil the resultant vegetable matter rich In humus and expensive nitrogen. The needs of our soil are such that the south can never reap the full measure of prosperity that should be hers until this is done. I give this method as a farmer to the farmers of the south, trusting that thereby they may be benefitted as I have been. E. Mclver Williamson. IN IMPROVED FARMING. Great Progress Is Being Made In This State. Columbia, Dec. 4.?The report of the farmers' co-operative demonstration work in South Carolina for the last year, compiled up to November 1, is an interesting review of the efforts along the lines of education for scientific agriculture, in which South Carolina is taking the leading part. This work, unuer the supervision of Dr. Knapp, is in charge of Prof. Ira W. Uiniams in this state. Prof. Williams IP a native of Georgia and was formerly associated witn aiiss Berry in her celebrated work for tne white boys of the mountain district. He is a progressive, earnest and extremely practical young man. The report follows: united States Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Piant industry?Report of the Farmers' Co-operative Demonstration Work in the State of South Carolina, Nov. 1, 1908: "The demonstration work in South Carolina was begun in November, 190?, and we now attach a map showing the approximate location of the demonstration farms which have been established and visited regularly in the past year. "During the season fifteen men were employed as district and local agents. "Two district agents and one local agent, J. P. Campoeil, J. M. Jenkins and W. R. Elliott, worked the entire year and traveled extensively, going into ail parts of the state. Five local agents worked seven months of the year, giving their entire time and wonting thoroughly their respective counties. These were; J. B. Tinsley, J. W. Rothrock, L. C. Chappell, H. H. Abrams and T. J. Cunningham. "At a meeting held in Columbia, S. C\, October 26 and 27, all the agents gave a report of the' demonstration work in their respective counties. The number of demonstration farms conducted this year ranged from 40 to 100 for each agent, with quite a varied number of co-operators, the total being about 600 demonstration farms and about 500 co-operating farms. "In the meeting each agent made a report of the farms he conducted. Almost without exception better stands of corn and cotton were secured on the demonstration farms for the simple reason that a better preparation of the seed bed and better seed were obtained. This altogether with Intensive cultivation, caused the demonstration farms to better withstand the summer drought and gave from 10 per cent to 100 per cent larger yields than the farms where ordinary methods have been applied. "One agent reported 4t bushels of corn per acre on the, demonstration farm, while the average on the rest of the held was 14 bushels per acre. Another fltTent reported I.ITOfl pounds of seed cotton per acre on the demonstration farm, while on same land with the same amount of fertilizer, the farmer made only 800 pounds under his own methods. Another agent reported the smallest yield of corn among his demonstrations to be 23 bushels, while the ordinary methods produced not over 18 bushels in any Instance. Fifty to one hundred bushels of corn was not uncommon among the demonstrators, and the average yield of cotton was from one to two bales per acre. "Aside from the regular work on the demonstration farms, more than 100 schools of instruction were held over the state this year, In which the agents gathered together the farmers of the counties and talked to them on the preparation of the soil, the uses of good seed, and Intensive cultivation. They have also been called upon to speak at different public meetings, the Farmers' institutes, and various associations. "It is safe to say that the local agents have this fall succeeded in getting ten farmers to select seed for next spring's planting, make a fall preparation of the soil and a winter cover crop where only one farmer was accustomed to this before. Some agents report that fifty times as many farmers have adopted this method. "Statistics gathered from the commissioner of agriculture, merchants and a number from each county show that only about two-thirds of the hay, grain and pork consumed in each county is raised by the farmers themselves. Our agents have taken advantage of the situation, and are constantly urging the farmers to grow more home supplies. "We have been rewarded already, and it is surprising to note the number of farmers who are now, for the first time, growing other crops than corn and cotton. Mr. Elliott of Fairfield county, estimates that at least me hundred of his men have this year seeded vetch and crimson clover for the first time. Equally as good reoorts are coming In from other sections of the state. ' The hearty co-operation of the state department of agriculture has been largely responsible for the success of the demonstration work in this state. Mr. Watson has not only helped to make the work a success, but has advertise.. it in such a way as to create a demand for the work, which, together with his own personal effort, has bi'ought about an increase in the appropriation since its Introduction one year ago, from $8,000 to $13,000. It is very impoi'tant that this co-operation be continued for the future success and continuation of the work in the state. Its continuance and if possible some direct contribution by the state, would go a long way towards doubling the national aid at no far distant date. "We have had also the hearty cooperation of the agricultural schools and experiment stations, Dusiness men and Farmers' Union, and have helped In establishing quite a number of farmers' organizations. "At a recent meeting of the agents in Columbia. S. C., the following men were present and gave us much encouragement: Congressman A. F. Lever, State Agricultural Commissioner E. J. Watson, President of the Farmers' Union B. Harris, Frank Parrott, editor of the Farmers' Union Sun, Ben F. Taylor, president of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and F. H. Weston, chairman of the committee on agriculture of the South Carolina senate. "Congressman Lever distributed to the demonstrators several bushels of vetch for a winter cover crop this fall, and the commissioner of agriculture, Mr. Watson, presented us with quite a good lot of Improved cotton seeds for planting purposes last spring. The ed.tor of the Farmers' Union Sun, furnished an office for the demonstration agent at Columbia, S. C. President B. Harris, of the Farmers' Union, has offered his services any time we have need of them. "Perhaps the most beneficial meeting during the entire year was that held at Sumterr S. C., on May 8. There were present about five hundred business men and five hundred farmers. Secretary Wilson, Dr. Galloway, Chairman Scott and Mr. Lever, of the agricultural committee of congress, were the speakers of the day. The demonstration agents were considerably bentited at this meeting and have been very enthusiastic in the work ever since. "This meeting also did more to advertise the demonstration work in the state than perhaps anything else we have done, and we are constantly re celvlng requests from farmers in every section of the state to extend the work Into their locality. "The requests were so great, In fact, that Dr. Knapp had to secure a second donation of funds for the extension of the work In 1908. ' "The general educational board made an appropriation of 810,000 for the work in 1908, but so many calls have come for Its extension that an additional 83,000 was appropriated at a recent meeting. With this amount the following counties will be worked and agents are now being appointed: "State agent, Ira W. Wlliams, Rl:h.and county and others. Local agents: W. R. Elliott, Fairfield county: L. C. Campbell, Richland county; W. C. Hane, Calhoun county; J. A. Summers, Orangeburg and Aiken counties; E. N. Chisolm, South Orangeburg county; G. A. Derrick, West Lexington county; Thos. W. Lang, Kerohaw county; L. L. Baker, Lee county; L. S. Watson, Sumter county; Frank McCluny, Cherokee county; L. S. Jeffords, Darlington county; C. A. McFadden, Clarendon county. "District agent, J. M. Jenkins, Spartanburg and others. Local agents: J. B. Tlnsley, Union county; J. W. Rothrock, Anderson county; T. J. Cunningham, Chester county; S. M. Duncan, Newberry county; J. F. Sloan, Laurens county; J. D. Sullivan. Laurens county; E. E. Ware, Greenville county. "All agents are appointed collaborators by this bureau at a salary of one dollar per annum and are paid by the general education board." TIE TREES GROWING. Pennsylvania Railroad Has a Great Plantation to Supply Needs. The unromantic section of timber that lies Imbedded between the rails until rooted up and burned, too old for service, has asstltned "a vasF portance In the estimation of practical railroad men, says the Morrisville correspondent of the New York Herald, for the forests from which come the trees that are cut Into ties are becoming exhausted and the prices of this material are being advanced to such an extent that some radical steps have become absolutely necessary. The Pennsylvania railroad Is the pioneer In the departure that It Is tnougnt win solve the problem. A large piece of farm land belonging to the company here has been set apart for forest reservation and here, under the direction of the forestry department of the railroad, millions of seedling plants are being nursed into a sufficiently robust life to allow for their removal to other lands belonging to the company, whefe they can be permitted to take their chance of growing to maturity. The trees selected for this plantation are those which have proved the most desirable for railroad ties. There are acres of oak seedlings, chestnuts, catalpa plants, black locust, Scotch pine, Austrian pine, Douglas flr and other trees that are of the right material for cutting up Into railroad ties. Beside these trees there are a vast number of seedlings that have never been tried for the purpose to which it is Intended to put these trees when they reach maturity, but which might prove even superior for that purpose to the trees that have always been selected. These seedlings are being prntt-n fnr thp nnrnnqp of nrnvlfi 1 n C the railroad with a variety of trees, so that experiments can be made In the future to determine which particular tree Is actually the best for furnishing the all-important rail on the company's way. It will be forty years or more before the trees that are now in a seedling state will have attained a growth sufficient to Justify the forestry department in cutting them down for railroad ties. The plan is to nurse the seedlings along at the forestry reservation until they are sufficiently big to permit transplantation. They will then be taken up and replanted in some of the many vacant lands owned by the railroad. The seedlings will be planted six feet apart and will then have to take their chance of surviving. The fostering care of the forester cannot follow them further. As they will be planted on ground belonging to the railroad, on which no one will have the right to trespass, it is probable that must of the trees will reach maturity and will eventually fulfill their destiny, becoming railroad ties. The railroad companies possess Immense stretches of territory along the line of the permanent ways, ground that has been acquired perforce because a right of way could not be obtained without buying extra land, and farm land and other real estate that has been purchased be cause It was seen the company would some day need It for one of the variety of uses to which a railroad can put vacant spaces along Its lines. The reservation here was one of those vacant stretches, and when the forestry department took It In hand It required the services of a small army of Italians to redeem the land from a state of wildernesslike confusion. Now everything on the plantation Is in scientific order and the fine hand of the skilled forester is evident in every line of seedling roww. W The Mexican government is arranging to spend $26,000,000 to encourage irrigation schemes.