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THE BIGGEST CORN CROP, SOUTH CAROLINA FARMER THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD. He Corn Crop Acre—How the Biftftest Kver Grown on One It Was Done. The ncre entered by Mr. Z. J. Drake wm a sandy soil in Marlboro County, South Carolina. The original growth was oak, hickory and long leaf pine. Three yaars ago, before the land was im proved, eight dollars per acre was a fair valuation, while, thirty years ago, the plantation of which this acre is an aver age specimen was called by its owner 4 ‘Starvation’s Empire.” It had a gentle slope, with northern exposure, and was naturally well drained. The acre \yas a fair specimen of much of the poor land in the South, and its improvement and productiveness affords an instructive les son. As late as 1885, when it was in corn, it made a poor crop—practically nothing. In 1886 the acre yielded about 300 pounds of seed cotton, two dollars’ worth of ammoniated fertilizer being used in the way common to ordinary cot ton culture. The fertility was so re duced that in 1887 the yield of corn was not over live bushels per acre. But now Mr. Drake undertook to improve it. To provide the vegetable matter or humus so much needed*, the land was liberally cov ered with rakings of leaves, straw,, etc from the neighboring woods. On top of this, twenty five horse loads of stable manure were evenly spread broadcast; also seventy-five bhshels of cotton seed, 500 pounds of manipulated guano, 250 pounds cotton seed meal and 250 pounds of kainit. The heavy dressing was all plowed under with a turning plow. It was laid off in rows with the same plow, two furrows to the row, four feet a|>art; 100 pounds of guano were applied in the furrows, and then each pair of furrows were thrown into a ridge with the same plow. The Peterkin cotton was planted with a Leytch cotton plan *r, and made the great crop of 917 pounds ofjlmf fedtton on the acre, suoy- ing conclusively the result of the improve ment. PREPARING FOR THE CHAMPION CROP. Mr. Drake decided that this acre was the one for him to enter in the corn con test, and he determined to make the big gest crop on record, season permitting. The last of February, therefore, he hauled upon the contest acre fifty one- horse wagon-loads of stable manure, averaging twenty bushels to the load, or 1000 bushels of manure in all, worth $50, to which should be added $4 for hauling and spreading. At the same time 500 pounds each of manipulated guano, cot ton seed meal an 1 kainit were also broad casted, and the whole was then plowed under. Following the plow whole cot ton seed was liberally strewed in each furrow, 600 bushels being applied to the acre. A subsoil plow came after, break ing the soil to a total depth of twelve inches and also burying the whole cotton seed deeper than the other manure. Thus the decaying seed would back up the crop later in the season, when its roots hail penetrated below the first layer of manure. One horse and a man did the plowing, also the subsoiling; both completed in one day (March of $2. The acre same day with'a Thonuis smoothing harrow, one man and two horses doing^tfte work in about one hour. The ij&ift day, March 2, the acre was laid offi with the plow, in two fur- and nail slats to tl each row, to pre No hilling was dot was kept perfect! for irrigating hi season was ’he geftt off, wit rows to the row, followed by the subsoil plow in each row. The rows were al ternately three and six feet apart—that is, there were six feet between two rows, then three feet, then six feet, and so on. THE VARIETY AND tCULTURE. The seed planted was one bushel of the common gourd variety of the South ern white Dent corn, but it was a strain that had been improved by twenty years of careful se'ectibn from the best of corn grown on this plantation. The planting was done in half a day by four hands, on March 2, the weather being warm apd the land moist. Five or six kernels were dropped to each foot of the row. The latter were five inches deep, but the seed was only covered lightly an inch deep by raking in the sides of the furrow. Bain, the next day, washed in more soil, and covered the seed rather deeply. There were good rains March 10 and 15, the plants began to show on the 16th, and by the 25th' there was a tolenbly good stand. On April 8 the crop was hoed for the first time, thinned to one stock every five or six inches, and the few missing places replanted. On the 20th the wide spaces (six feet) between the alternate rows were plowed out with the subsoil plow. Theu a mixture composed of two hundred pounds each of manipulated guano, kainit, cotton seed meal, acid phosphate and animal bone, was evenly applied by sowing in each furrow (thus confining this application of plant food to the Wide spaces), after which the whole acre was gone over with a harrqw. Now, on May 15, the narrow or three- foot rows were plowed out .with the subsoiler, and 300 pounds of nitrate of soda was sowed in these rows, and worked m with a hand-harrow or cultivator. On the 25th the harrow was run through the wide rows to break the crust. It will be seen that by this time the soil was not only well lilled with plant-food, but had been thoroughly cultivated on the sur face, and also well worked underneath by the subsoil plow, so that the whole soil was not only full of fertility, but was in that light and open condition that best facilitates root growth. ROOT DEVELOPMENT. To stimulate a still further root de velopment, especially iu the wide spaces between the alternate rows, where there was move room for those purposes, three furrows were run, side by side, iu the middle of the wide rows, with the sub soil plow, and 200 pounds of manipulated guano was applied in these furrows, the rows then being w’orked by a harrow. The next day there was about an inch of rain, about six inches of rain fell four days later, and, on June 2, the land was lightly stirred wuth a hoe. A little earth was hoed in to the corn, making the laud about level. There was more rain June 4 and 5, and, on the 8th, three furrows were again turned in the middle of the wide rows, this time with a twenty-inch •weep. • Now, 500 pounds of a mixture composed cf equal parts of mauipulated guano, cotton-seed meal and kainit was Strewn in the wide spaces, and the corn on the centre field was hoed. Rain came the next day, but, on June 11, 100 pounds of nitrate of soda was sowed in the narrow rows and hoed in. THE WONDERS OF THE CROP. ra, on both sides o nt the corn falling. but the whole acre level. Arrangements been made, but the ocnouu naa early and wet, as comparer with other years; tain followed frequent ly, and no irrigation was necessary. In fact, as Mr. Drake says, “the season was the most favorable for corn I ever saw The fame of the contest acre spread far and wide, and famers and planters came from all parts of Mar boro and adjoining counties to behold it. P. L. Breeden, great cotton planter, and one of the most progressive farmers in the State, says it was a “wonder to behold.” S. A. Brown, editor of the Marlboro Democrat^ writes: “The harvest waft indeed a curiosity. One laborer told i* that the corn, when pulled, was knee deep on the ground. The yield was not much of a surprise to those who visited the crop while grow ing, and some Mftrion farmers put the estimate at 300 bulhels.” THE HARVEST AND ITS CORRECTNESS. The acre was surveyed June 29 by Wm. B. Alford, a legal surveyor, and also trial justice, who takes oath that the plot was measured by an accurate Gunter's chain, and was 296 48-147 feet long and 147 feet wide, containing 43,560 square feet, or precisely one acre. The bound aries were marked by stakes firmly driven in the ground, but this precaution was hardly necessary, as no other corn was grown in the vicinity, the acre standing alone by itself. The harvesting was done in the presence of a large number of gentlemen—representative farmers—in eluding J. C. Campbell, as the official representative of the American Agricul- turut, and G. B. W. Dunn, J. W. Rey nolds and John J. Tart, as Mr. Drake's three witnesses. The acre was first re measured and found to be of the dimen sions just noted. In order that the har vest might be completed in the presence of the witnesses in one day, about thirty hands were employed to pluck and shuck the eats and weigh them. Mr. Dunn personally attended to the gathering,.the weighing was done by Mr. Reynolds on Fairbanks’s tested scales, and the tally was kept by Mr. Tart. Mr. Reynolds also kept a tally, which corresponded with Mr. Tart’s record. Mr. Camp bell supervised the whole af fair. In addition to all these precautions, the number and character of the spectators made any cheating impos sible, had it been thought of, and the fact that no other corn grew in the neighborhood rendered impossible the addition of any grown outsids the con test acre. Mr. Drake and his witnesses certified before Justice Alfprd that the crop, as harvested November 25, was 17,407 pounds of corn in the ear, of which 110 pounds was soft or poor corn.. Each witness selected, from different parts of the fibld, an average lot of ears, and from 100 pounds of ears so gathered Mr. Tart obtaidied 80J pounds of kernels and 19^ pounds of cobs. Mr. Reynolds obtained 82 pounds of kernels and 18 pounds of cobs,; and Mr. Dunn got 83£ pounds of kernels and 16£ pounds of cobs. Averagiiig these tests shows that 32 per cent, of Jhe total crop was ker nels, or 14,273 pounds of shelled corn, equal to 254 pushcls, 49 pounds of shelled corn at 5|6 pounds to the bushel. This^if Irifn AIM until it contained it—<i*V_ji • m~ ~ r —■- — - — only lOperccntrof water, would shrink (or Northern) and Southern corns, espe cially for fattening purposes. This is another great argument for home produc tion of the meats and dairy products con sumed in the South. It is notable that Mr. Drake's corn had from twenty to thirty-six rows per ear.—American Agri- culturut. SABBATH SCHOOL INTERNATIOXAIi LESSON MARCH 23. FOR Leason Text: “Christ Forgiving Sin," . finite v. t 17-26—Golden Texts Luke v., 21—Commentary. > pass on a certain da; Ourh 17. “And it came to as He was teaching.” Our lesson to-day: Jesus in. a house in Capernaum, the house HUed with people, and such a crowd about th© door that no one can come near (Mark ii., i, 2), and Jesus is preaching the Word unto them. Just what Ho talked about we may infer from His discourses, which are more fully recorded; let each one search and see. “There were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem.” So that here was gathered a convention of all the leading and influential religious people of the land, and they were being addressed by this humble carpenter of Nazareth upon topics with which they ought to be very fa miliar, and of which the wondei’in their eyes was that He should know anything. ‘"And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.” But they had come for no such purpose- physically they were not sick, and spiritually were they not perfect, and did not all people look to them for wisdom and light? Why should it be written that there was healing for them? The answer is fully given in the eight woes of Matt, xxiii., where the Great Physician describes their case as He saw it. But they are deaf aud blind, they will not hear nor see, thev come seeking uo favors from Him, and they go as they came deriving no benefit from the power of the Lord. 18. “And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy.” Mark says that four men carried him. His trouble was paralysis; he was utterly helpless, all un- dono, not a thing could he do for himself. “And they sought to bring him in, and to be for" FHm ** -friend’s RELIGIOUS READING. TMV J Borne time What will f From hands To read thi Unknown tof Designed f<-* Whe i my det Shall make O stone of With poll The King HiJ The words i Yes, I shall ut My Saviour! When He to' My name c ’Twill only l 1 In the enje And His sha And mine Then I shallS Of all His The sum of Safe iu my the nci' God chooses the He passes by the fields and gardens dew. He passes bj bestows the hues 6 upon the tiny hum the lofty pine and ishes blossom and All history teacbej was the son of a p> thresher; David wa was a herdsman^ ti and unlearned; lancthon, the greatj niation, was an child of a poor : servant; Carv the translating the BibJ the millions of Hir Morrison, whotra; Chinese language! Milne was a herd- the s n of Irish weaver; Jay, of] lected. P STONE. I behold it] ironder be now enfold it, ne for me? other, e alone, Ider Brother gift my own. waiting nt most rare! Df translating raven there; rstand it, nought alone, lafl band it, f the stone. i story phrase, > the glory, eak His praise; the measure i to me; treasure [shall be. EXALTED, rmblest instruments, kpests. and waters the Ith his imperceptible |e great elephant and lire and amethyst Ej-bird. He passes by |uge elm-tree, and lav- erfume on the violet, te same truth. Moses j Levite; Gideon was a shepherd-boy; Amos Lpestles were ignorant i was a shepherd; Me- ologian of the Refor- krer; Luther was the haulier was a farm rinator of the plan of Into the language of stan,was a shoemaker; sited the Bible into the ras a lastinaker; Dr. Adam Clarke was John Foster was a was a herdsman.—&- QUAINT AND CUBIOUSL to 239 bushels, and if the water is all al lowed for the crop would be 217 bushels of actual dry matter in the shelled corn grown on one acre. VERIFYING THE RECORD. In addition to all the safeguards nar rated to insure faithful accuracy, we have made several independent investiga tions, all of which fully confirm the honor and integrity of the parties con cerned. Not only Mr. Drake, but the surveyor, justices and witnesses are men of unimpeachable standing in their com munities. While the American Aqricul- turi»t is fully convinced of the correct ness of Mr. Drake’s report .from begin ning to end, we have deemed it wise to explain the basis of our opiuion, so that every farmer may be equally convinced of the absolute fact that within a fraction of 255 bushels of shelled corn have been actualla grown on one acre, in a single crop, in one season. This being the largest crop of corn ever made on one acre iu the history of the world’s agri culture, the American Agriculturist deems itself fortunate in having made it a mat ter of record beyond dispute. THE COST OK THE CROP. This was heavy. Look at the items of manure and fertilizer alone, to which are appended Mr. Drake’s other statement of expenses: 1000 bushels stable manure $5C 00 807 pounds German kainit 7 80 807 pounds cotton seed meal 10 80 200 pounds acid phosphate 2 00 1060 pounds manipulated guauo 13 32 200 pounds animal bone 4 00 400 pounds uitrate of soda 12 00 000 bushels cotton seed 120 00 Total cost of 50 loads manure, 5000 pounds of fertilizers aud 000 bush els of whole cotton seed ft21!> 02 Applying the same 7 00 Total cost of plant food applied to the contest acre $220 92 Interest on value of land, at 6 per cent 1 50 The plowing represented labor worth. 4 00 The harrowing cost 2 00 Other preparation of the soil. 1 00 Cost of the seed 1 00 The cultivating represented labor worth 9 00 Other work of earing for the crop... 11 00 The cost of harvesting 8 00 culture, aside from Total cost of plant-food.. .*37 50 all expenses *264 42 The crop wa* now a wonderful sight. Grand total, including * for entire crop Corn is valued at seventy-five cents per bushel in South Carolina, or $191.16 for the crop, to which maybe added $15 for one and one-half tons of cured top-stalks, making the total receipts $206.16. As suming that the plant food in the stalks will be all returnei to the land, the soil is robbed only of the nitrogen, potash phosphoric acids in the kernels aud cobs, amounting iu value to $50 or $60. There would, therefore, be left in the soil at least $150 worth cf the inanurial ele ments put ou in the spring. Crediting only half of this balance to the crop makes the receipts exceed expenses. On the most practical basis, therefore, it must be admitted that the improvement to the land will fully make up fqr the de ficiency in the value of the crop. The financial showing of the largest corn crop on record is therefore on the right side. Contrary to the prevailing impression, also, the quality of the Southern white corn is quite on a par with the best aver age Eastern or Northern corn. The experience of the bes| feeders in the South shows that practice fully confirms the theoretical equality between the Eastern ( . gnt lay him before Him.” They realized their friend’s helpless condition, they were sorry for him, they believed Jesus could heal him. their sorrow for him took a very practical turn and they determined to bring him to Jesus. 19. “They went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling, with his couch, into the midst before Jesus.” The discouragements were many and great. It seemed simply impossible to get their -friend to Jesus, and it would not be strange if some of the four urged a return, hoping for an other opportunity; but some one or more of the four nad the right spirit, the spirit which laughs at impossibilities and cries: “It shall be done.” Tne way to the flat housetop was uot blocked, and this grand soul says: “If we can’t get there in the natural way, through the door, we’ll get there in an un natural way, through the roof.” When we attempt to come to Jesus or bring any one else to Him, how often we .encounter what seem to be insuperable hindrances, and how seldom we see the perseverance of these four; but their’s is the right way. 20. “And when He saw their faith. He said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” Th® great people present may have felt like objecting very decidedly to this rude inter ruption; or some hateful ones may have laughed in their hearts at the meeting being thus disturbed; but tbe quiet calmness ana nity of Jesus would overawe them, and as was still again, the helpless man lying on his couch in their midst, these most unexpect ed words fell from the preacher’s lips: “Man, thy sins are forgiven thee P’ As the skillful physician seeks carefully the source of the more manifest symptoms, the seat of the dis ease, and attends to that knowing that if the. cause is removed all will be well so Jesus goes at once to the cause of all sickness and suffering and death, aud in the case of this nan-granta toy-first, 4>ig^L Yg-kr> NEVER In the absence grammar school, societies for inuti meetings were hel modious house in forming the teach immediately wroi any further meeti although painfull his good standing friends to r. strain act tyrannical, their minds^that ferred a respectful ous conduct. Ren ndi g them of mer and known that, united with t good reasons. They promptly dence both in his house where your leetings were held, died po: One is, that a few three men having y with the small assented. So, child of sor He spoils your wishes, He takes. bos good reasons frequently concea trials. He says— not now. but'tho both folly and wi or His wisdom i; deuce.—Rev W. S. GOD “WHY?” >f the principal of a is pupils formed two improvement. Their the only vacant corn- village. A letter in hat had been done, he positively forbidding His order was strictly, beyed. It required all ong his devoted young lem from believing this [painful was the state of his return they all pre- equest of this mysteri- mys his for- kindness he inquired if s declaration that he had was not sufficient. :x pressed their confl- ndness and veracity, but said it would relicA their minds to know his reasons. “Then,” 'aid he, “I have several. lays before I left you, een secretly lodged in the Are you satisfied?” All ..God is trying yon. Hans. He crosses your av your delight; but He all He does. Yet He the cause of all these . hat I do, thou knowest ?halt hereafter.” It is ,ness to doubt His love mysteries of Provi- DAILY WALK WITH GOD. We lately met wit i the following from the excellent Bishop Hall of Norwich, the author ot the “Medil itions,” in a letter of his to Lord Denny. It furnishes a beauti ful example to imita e. “Every day is a lit le life, and onr whole life is but a day rpneated. Whence it is that old Jacob numbered his life by dajrs; and Moses desires to be taught this point holy arithm. tio,| to number, not his , of holy I yeaiv. ba forgiveness of his sins. At the same time He indicates tolhe Pharisees their need. 21. “Who is this which speaketh blasphe mies? tV ho can forgive sins but God alone?” Thus these sin-sick Scribes aud Pharisees be gan to reason in their hearts, not knowing that God Himself stood in their midst and uttered these words. IB. “Jesus perceived their thoughts (R. V., reasonings) said unto them: What reason ye in your hearts?” They must have been startled at having the thoughts of their hearts thus told out before all, and one would think that this would convince them that Jesus was more than man. 23. “Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?” Each was equally easy to God manifest in the flesh, but from their standpoint simply to heal the man of his sickness would not imply the same power of God as to grant forgive ness of sins, and would not have led them to accuse Him of blasphemy. To remove the source of the difficulty was certainly more difficult than to remove some of the outward symptoms. The Pharisees then and now are well content to let the inward rottenness con tinue if only the sepulchre is kept well white washed; but God’s way is, give life where there has been death and cleanse the tomb of its foul contents. 24. “The Son of Man hath power upon earth to forgive sins.” Arid He will have them to know it. But who is this Son of Man? This is the first time we find the title in this Gospel, but we shall find it about twenty-five times as we go ou. It is at iv.-tst thirty times in Matthew, fourteen times in Mark and ten times in John. • It seems to be our Lord’s favorite title of Himself, and is touna om.siae oi tne uospeis omy in /vets vu., 56; Heb. ii., 6; Rev. i., 13; xiv., 14. Of the eighty times He uses it in the four Gospels, He uses it in reference to His resur rection and future glory about thirty times, and that reminds us of Ps. viii., 4; Ixxx., 17; Dan. vii., 13, where the Son of Man is the one to whom dominion ou earth is given. He has power to remove sin and sickness, and does it even now in the case of individuals. He removes sin as to its con sequences and power from every one who truly seeks Him. He removes sickness and suffering whenever it is for our good aud His glory but not until the resurrection will He givo His people bodies forever free from all infirmity. The time will come when He shall have removed from the earth forever all traces of sin and the curse; and He shall do it as Sou of Man, David’s Son. Abraham’s Son, in association with redeemed Israel aud the glorified church. 25. “And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.’’ The Word of the Son of Man, God manifest in the flesh, did it. He forgave his sins, He healed his body. We would, as a rule, have healthier bodies if we had healthier souls, purer hearts, hearts iu which the Word of God dwelt richly. 26. "Amazed—glorified God—filled with fear—we havo seen strange things to-day.” Jesus is the Lord God of the holy prophets (Rev. xxii., 6, 16), and if our hearts looking up to Him in childlike faith should say “Ah, Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power aud stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee'’ (Jer. xxxii., 17), we too would be amazed at the results of faith, and should be compelled to glorify God every day because of the strange things we would see. The empty would lie filled, but the rich and self- satisfied would still go empty away. The Lord gives us to see our paralysis, that we may in our helpfulness come and cling to the Mighty One.—Lesson Helper. On its cruise in the Arctic seas, the Thetis discovered on the south side of Herschel’s Island a deserted village of which history furnishes no account. On the graves were laid guns of long obsolete pattern, and birds had made their nests in the skeletons of the brave men who had given np theu lives there. i here are 686 periodical publica tions in Russia. Seventy-eight of them are political and news dailies, 109 are scientific, 86 religions, 15 artis* tic, 33 agricultural, 82 statistical and bibliograpliical, 15 pedagogic, 13 for children, and the rest miscellaneous. dare those can teach others by ourselves. Let me tell your Lordship how I would pass my days, whether common, or sacred. When sleep is rather driven away than leaves me, I would ever awake with God. My first thoughts are * for him. If my heart be easily seasoned with his presence, it will savor of him all day after, while my body is dress ing, not with an effeminate curiosity, nor yet with rude neglect, my mind addressee itself to her ensuing task, bethinking what is to be done, and in what order, and mar shaling as it may my hours with my work. That acme, after some meditation, I walk up to my masters and companions, my books; and sitting amongst them with the best con tentment, I dare not reach forth my hand to touch any of them till I have first looked up to heaven and craved favor from Him to whom all my studies are daily referred; without whom I can neither profit nor la bor. After this, without any overgreat vari ety, I call forth those which may best fit my occasions. Ere I can have sat unto weari ness, my family having overcome all house hold distractions, invUes me to our com mon devotions, not without some short preparation. These heartily performed, send me up with a more strong aud cheerful appetite to my former work, which I find mode easy to me by in termission and variety. One while mine eyes are busied, another while my hand snd sometimes my mind takes the burden from them both. One hour is spent in textual div inity; another in controversy; history re lieves them both. When tbe mind is weary of other labors, it begins to undertake her own; sometimes it meditates and winds up for future use; sometimes it lays forth her conceits for present discourse, sometimes for itself, often for others. Neither know I whether it works or plays in these thoughts. I am sure no play nas more pleasure, no work more use; only the decay of a weak bodv. makes me think these delights insensi bly laborious. Before my mealf. and after, I let myself loose from all thoughts and would forget that I studied; company, discourse, recreations are now seasonable and wel come. I rise not immediately from my trencher to my books, but after some inter mission. After m\ r latter meal, my thoughts are slight; only my memory may be charged with the task of recalling ol* what may have been committed to her cus tody during the day. And my heart is busy r in exami* ing my hands and mouth, and al' other senses of that day’s behavior. r i he evening is come. No tradesmen doth more carefully take in his wares, clear his st.op-board, and shut bis windows, than I would shut up my thoughts and clear my mind. That * student will be miserable which, like a camel, lies down under his burden. All this done, calling together my family, we end the day with God. But God's day calls for another respect. The same sun arises on this day and en lightens it; vet bee »use that Son of Right eousness arose upon it, and gave a new life unto the world in it, and drew the strength of God’s moral precept into it, therefore justly do we sing with the Psalmist; ‘This is the day which the Lord has made.’ Now I forget the world, and deal with mv wonted thoughts as great men use, who at some time of their privacy forbid the access of all suitors. Prayer, meditation, reading hearing, preaching, singing, good con ferences, are the business of this day, which t dare not bestow on any work which is not aeavenly. I bate superstition on the one ride, and looseness on the other; but I find !t hard to offend in too much devotion, easy !u profaneness. The week is sanctified by ibis day: and according to my care of this, * my blessing on the rest.’’ At a rat bant held in Coshocton County, Ohio, recently, 2066 rats were killed. London Is to hare a “Monkeries,” at which 1000 monkoys will be on ex hibition. A Florida paper maintains that bald- headed men, as a class, are distin guished for morality and benevolence. A man in Chester, Penn., is seek ing a divorce from his wife because she danced for joy when he chopped his fingers off. Queen Victoria’* crown, together with other royal regalia, is valued at $600,000 and kept* under strong guard at the old tower. Edward A. Lahr of Fayette, N. Y., shot a white owl the other day that measured four feet and ten and one- half inches from tip to tip. The youngest couple ever married in North Carolina have been united in Davis County. The groom was 13 and his bride but 11 years of age. Two young girls, beating their way east on a freight train, were observed at Greensburg, Penn., seated on the ledge between two baggage cars. The royal baron ef beef for Queen Victoria’s Christmas table weighed 300 pounds. It was roasted at Windsor Castle and sent to Osborne cold. A kite 16$- feet high and 12 feet wide, made of 54 yards of linen, was recently made by five boys in Terry- ▼ille, Conn. At its first ascent it went up 2000 feet. Near Virginia City, Nev., the other night, an unlucky yearling colt flound- «red into a snow drift and stuck fast. Then some lucky coyotes came along and had supper. Profiting by its previous experience, a fox at Lancaster, Penn., when re leased for the third time to be hunted, seized a chicken and secreted himself in a wood-pile before the hounds could be released. A Pacific coast journal says the Indi ans at Round Valley Reservation now own 1000 hogs besides other live stock, havo 1400 acres planted to wheat, and grow finer apples than any of their white neighbors. The president of the New York Mu seum of Natural History is soon to award a prize of $200 for the best * • method of breeding insects which prey upon and destroy the mosquito. There are a great many contestants for the prize. There are over 500 swells in the city of Philadelphia who do not pay their tailors’ bills. This fact was brought out when the merchant tailors of that firtjr'fbrmed aa organization fat mu tual protection and. formed a black list of dead beats. The price now demanded in England for whalebone is at the rate of $12,500 per ton, which, is the highest ever known. One result of* this advance in price will be that next season several additional ships will bo sent to Davis straits, after the Newfoundland seal- fishing b closed. An unexpected plunge in Swan Lake, Alabama, thorouglily aroused a sleepy railroad passenger. As the west-bound train was nearing Decatur, the brake- man shouted, “next"stop is Decatur!” The passenger caught the last word, and, iu his sleepy state, thinking the train had arrived, he rushed out on the platform and stepped off. He fell! forty feet, alighting in the middle of the lake, which is twenty feet deep and two hundred and fifty feet wide. Al though incumbered with boots and overcoat, he swam safely to the shores r \ The*Great Hall of the Mammoth Cave. 8>>me important new discoveries in the Mammoth Cave were described by the Rev. H. C. Hovey at the meeting of the American Association. They are connected with the arrangement of the cave passages in tiers and the great pits or domes. Following the guide across a treacherous chasm known as the covered pit, the author found a se ries of these chasms exceeding in size any that had ever been discovered • be fore. He afterward visited the pita with a photographer, Mr. Ben Hains, and means for taking photographs. As measured from above, they varied from forty-seven to one hundred and thirty- five feet in depth. With much diffi culty and risk he succeeded in reach ing the bottom of Charybdis, the deep est of the pift, and there discovered, by the aid of chemical fires, that the whole series of pits, eight in all, were joined at the bottom into one magnifi cent hall several hundred feet long. This hall was traversed from end. to end. Dr. Hovey proposes to name it Harrison’s Hall, after the President of the United States.—Popular Science Monthly. “Don’t Wake Him.” Forty years ago the leader of the New York bar was George Wood, whose grave deportment and habit of closing his eyes when in thought gave him an owlish appearance. One day a gentleman called on Daniel Webster, who had temporarily forsaken politics and resumed the practice of law, to retain his services in a case involving a large sum of money. Mr. Webster, in accepting the re tainer, askei what counsel was to op pose him. “Ob,” answered the client, “he is some New York lawyer, with a com monplace, every-day name which 1 for get.” “What sort of a looking person u j he?” “Rather a sleepy-looking man.” “Is his name George Wood?'’ “Yes, that's his name.” “Then,” rejoined Mr. Webster, with emphasis, “don't wake him up!” — He Had Tried Before. Mr. Sraoothface (rubbing his chin)— I think Til raise a beard. Mi s. Smooth face—I thiak it would be easier for you to raise McGinty.— Epoch. Hj BAKER A CONFECTIONER, AND DEALER IN D1T GOODS, SHOES, I0TI0IS UO GBOUES, AT ROCK BOTTOM PRICES. TOBACCO AID CIGARS ii Gnat TvMj. Tojs, Finiwb, lit., Ii Stocky Laurens Street aad Park Avenue, Aiken, $. C. T. A T?.<-yBU=ffT l AND Most Complete Establishment South. Established 1842. GEO. S. HACKEE A SON Office and Warerooms: King Stoat, Opp. Dtonaii, Cbariaston, S. 0. Manufacturers cl ' XPooi _ Bltads, BCouldlxurs auxd dlnir MAterlsils. T. HARRY OATES & CO 831 BROAD STREET, ~ AUGUSTA, GEORGIA. THE PLACE TO GET BARGAINS- IN . A-Hsros, oiRG’-Ansrs, a-TXITAJR©, T=t A TnT.TOR -VTcounsrs, stirhsto-s, SE^miEa? SUNDAY-SCHOOL BOOKS. The Usual Discount Allowed toitusicTeachers far*Write to us tor Prices and Catalogues. * T. HARRY OATES & CO. The Leading Music Dealers, AUGUSTA, - - - - GEORGIA. THE 10GDST1 HOTEL, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA. Best $2.00 House in tbe South. ieadquarters for Commercial Men. # Centrally Located near R. R. Crossing. JB. S. I>0‘0X_,IT , TrX-. PROPRIETOR. Formerly of Tontine Hotel. New Haven, Conn. Also Wcm Bnd Hotel, Long Branch, N. J. CABINET MAKING UPHOLSTERING. In addition to my regular Carpenter Work I am now pre pared to Repair and Upholster Furniture, and dealt kinds of Cabinet Work in the best man ner, at my shop near the Town Hall. I. A. GIVENS. E50ME tune ago tnere appeared m a Washington paper the following ad vertisement : W ANTED—By a gentleman and wife, old residents of Washington, half a pew or two seats in gt. John’s Episcopal Church; beet ol social references given. This willingness to give social refer ences to secure the privilege of wor shiping at St. John’s Church reminds the Washington Post ef a story of President Lincoln.* One day daring the war a young officer called upon hyn to secure an appointment in the army, and brought him letters of recommen dation signed by all the F. F. Y.’s in the District of Columbia. There had been no application for office before President Lincoln so strongly support ed by the aristocracy, and, turning to the young man, he told him that he would give him the appointment, and handed him back the papers. “Don’t you want to place the papers on file?” asked the officeseeker. “I supposed that was the custom.’' “Yes, that is the custom,” said President Lincoln; “but yon had belter take them with you, as you might want to join St. John’s Church.” Menby wood, a farmer near Beach City, Stark County, Ohio, welcomed a plausible young stranger claiming to be a son of a deceased brother from California. The newcomer had the family history quite pat and was treated as one of the family, furnished good clothes, loaned a good deal of money, and obtained a lucrative situation. He courted and was engaged to a daughter of Wood, as he w»s supposed a cousin. The day before the marriage the chance arrival of an old friend of the Califor nia brother made known that his only son had died several years ago. The impostor fled, narrowly escaping ar rest. A likeness to the Wood family had made his deception easy. The Hangman in New Mouth Walt, is looked upon with such horror that he recently found himself completely- boycotted on reaching Wagga-Wagga to perform an execution. The cabmen refused unanimously to drive him from *he railway statbn, the porters also declined to carry his luggage, and the unlucky executioner was obliged to trudge off on fool struggling with hi* various traps. POMONA HILL NURSERIES, Are known: by their fruits, as they are testifying for themselves all through the Southern and border States and giving flattering reports. Every firu.it that is known to suc ceed in the South Is being added from all parts of the globe. Over- 300 acres in actual nursery stock Some of the specialties are the Kel seys, Japan, Baton and Satsuma Plums. The Buoy Duke Pear and all the new fruits, as well as the old. Evergreens, Shade Trees, Roses and evei'ythlng usually kept in a first- class nursery. Four large Green houses. Chrysanthemums, Carna tions and many Greenhouse Plants. Rose growing a specialty. Plants from Greenhouse ready to be put out in April and May. Descriptive Catalogue Eo. 1, Fruit Trees, Vines, £0., and Greenhouse Catalogue No. 2 will be sent free to applicants. Special rales to large planters. 'Cor-* respondcnce solicited. Address Pomona Hill Nurseries, POMONA. N. C. PAVILION HOTEL CHARLESTON, S. 0. IPassenger Elevator and Electric Bells. Boose FresD anil Clean TMiddL Table Best in the South. Pavilion Transfer Coaches and Wagon* at al Trains and Boats. Rates reduced. Beware of sav ing your check to any one on train. Rates. 09.00 and 09.SO. WRIGHT’S HOTEL. S. L. WRIGHT A SONS, Props. COLUMBIA, - - - S. C. Table an. well furnish _ In the South. pplied with the best. Rooms large and ibed. One of the most comfortable he tele Rates Reasonable. A VOICE J”' AON, of ■He w< He,: "Wm *1 wwk M . I . 'SSO a lao.ifc; I ... bare a. a. for S. S. Allen a Oo's a*ianaa and pWS- »tton» a a U often mMk* 920 a ftar.~ (Hlffned) ~ r T Hftnilr William Kline, laratabw*. C,. write.: “I fear. knM.. aajrtkiag to aeB Hko jtmr alt.n YaelerSar i Uafc antem •><**«■ t» pay me .am MS.' W. J. ■- more, Bauer, Me., w take a. eerier Car yea. 'molt every heme I riait. Mr proSI U often at maahat SCSU (for a si.(le dev'.wMft." 0:henan:4eiagemtea» weM. hare set apnea I. (ire ea- irta .am their letter.. Kretr one who takes hold of this ffrand basines* iMes mn grand nrslis Shall we start YOU in this aaMasaab reader? Write tent end leant aft abent ft ttryirntnlT. We areatarting many; we will atmt yon It yon 4m't wmm another ret. ahrad of you in yenr part »f the canal-y. Vaaa take hold you wftl be able to piok. np retd <aat aET'B'MMl— On aeeoant cf n forced aianaMemrer . mle 1 g&.QPW trm rhotowrnph Albmmaa arete be mid la *e people for »5£ each. Boand la Kara I Ttimi. Hftk Va Bin* 1 '. Ghana imply deaerated ieaidm. It.ndaemmt slfcaa world. Larreat Hue. Greetaet berpaitm war bnawn. wanted Liberal term.. Bij l become e tueeemfnl i talking neceaeary. efeaae. Affimte taka t treat prod la await camp weaker. ~ A§ . - ->■ I-aSmaiakeasma* aa man. Taa.aw w deem weft aaenraoe. , ri. i_ f_ *• t>e— who write lor earn-, wMb pawlontnm and tmw to PamT^ Biblee, ’’•oaka and PartsdMs. AI ” iTea, atom. wm*. Big meney tier agent*. Amf «ae amt I aareal. SaUe itamr ea aWM-Etie er aa awhet^rt* okowm, wvmm ome wn u> ■Mr- ti»NNNHNdN Of WdOM Wtfi MOrOT