The Manning times. (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, July 18, 1888, Image 1
VOL, III, MANNING, CLARENDON COUNTY, S. C., WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1888. NO. 27
A Brother's_Keeper.
IW S YOU OF LOYE AID DUTY.
-T Kar HARTWRL RATERWOOD,
Asnoa o "ORAQUX 0' DooM,' "Sarsax
Gem," "TuT Loan MAN'S
Canzr," AN On= STOnS.
The man took several steps beside Phoebe
before either of them spoke. She drew her
wl close around her and shrunk off from
him, but she did not look directly at him,
but glanced sidewise, puckering her face in
anguish.
He was a grotesque creature, with the
various pieces of his clothing shabby and
unmatched; but the most skillful of tailors
could scarcely have molded him in gar
ments suitable to his face. It was emaciated
and withered, though neither by disease
nor age. One corner of his mouth twisted
downward as if in a contiued jeer, and
nervous spasms came and went over every
atom of countenance which could be moved
and distorted. Whenever he became ex
cited in talk, this singular infirmity played
faster and faster like evil lightning over his
face.
"WelP' said Phcebe, in a high, agitated
tone.
"All right," said her companion. "You
saw me beckon to you through the window."
"You know 1 saw you."
"You were a long time getting out. If
you hadn't come pretty soon I'd bolted in
and asked for you."
"Iknew you would. What do you want
now"
"What do I want now!" mimicked, the
twisted mouth. "When you ain't seen me
for twoyears. Where's Thorney?"
"He's near me, of course," replied the
shaking girl. "Why eaa't you let us alone?"
"What should I want to let you alone
for. Ain't I gotzmy rights?"
"Your rights," said Phebe, fiercely. "O,
you wioked millstone; you want to drag us
under forever. You know when I was
sorry for you and tried to help you. But
you can't impose on me any more. And Pl
defend Thorney against you."
"Oh. you will!"
Phoebe began to sob aloud, swallowing
piteously, and using her -hands against
her throat to press back the explosive
sounds.
"You look like defending any thing!"
laughed the man. "Don't do that, now.
You never made any thing bellowing at
ma. Didn't you know Pd drop around some
day!"
"Oh,yes,Iknawit-youalwaysdo-there's
no help-and no escape?"
"Well, then,ahut up your doleful racket.
Ialn'tgoing to hurt you."
-"No; Pm past being struck with your
8st now-but never past being robbed and
shamed."
The manbrokeoff a bitof bark and chewed
it, as he kept pace with her.
"How much money have you?" he In
"You'll dog Thorney and me just the
ame if Igive I to you. Ive bought youo
for the last tine."
"You'll give me what money you have.
Pm clear down. If you don't Pl make a
stake the way you despise, and Ill take
Thorney."
Phobe faced about, and they stood still,
with the path between them.
"'Ters a hundred other things Ican do,"
added the man, grinning. "You know you
dontant to own me around here."
"Not adrop of my blood owns a drop of
yours," burst out Phebe. "Ihave lived a
blameless life. Youdo your worst. Iwon't
iaycu my earnings, and you Vlileavemy
brother Thorney alone, too."
She walked rapidly ahead into the dusky
woods. He was at no pains to overtake her
but let the space widen between them,
thrastinghis hands into his pockets and
brething.a crook-mouthed whistle on his
.bmbe, feelng frozen in her last mood,
and carrying .her defiant head erect, en
tred the familiar- sitting-room where Mrs.
Holnes was rocking the baby to sleep. She
esredas one who heard the cry of wolves
bbinad her, and knew the wolves might yet
burst in and claim her, notwithstanding an
able-bodied man like Gurley was at hand to
dfendher.
"Mr. Gurley has called to seesyou," said
Mrs. aimes.
!heebe had stopped at the sight of Tod
.ihsgoingto sleep. It hurt her to remein.
ber how lately she had roeked him heref
feelingealmost as safe and happy as if wel
:tbrough with the world..
. She turned and met Mr. Gurley with a
:dignity he could not add to bar sincere and
4redulous image, and while she spoke she
wonaered how soon her pursuer would enter
:that room.
Mrs. Holmes silently thought her too
scarlet in cheeks, too gazzling in her eyes
altogether too powerful and pretty.
"Iwas just about to trace you," said
'Burley. "Miss Fawcett has changed her
~programme. Insteadofhavinguaslaterinthe
week she wants us this evening, and as the
tlittleparty's soinformallhopeyou'libe will
zng to substitute my escort for the other
arrangement which was made for you."
"I should like to go to Miss Faweett's,''
said Phcebe, choosing for herself like a
pvincess. She thought she heard a new step
in; the kitchen.
"My horse and phaeton are ready," said
Gurley. "I came early to make up for the
lack of notice by giving you plenty of time
to get ready in."
"Oh, Ilam always ready for any thing. I
might wash my hands and beg Mrs.
Holmes for a bit of geranium. I have just
one dress,"~'explained Phcebe. "And that
makes it so easy to be ready."
Gurley laughed out with approval, but
Mrs. Holmes secretly shuddered at such
Singig of one's poverty at a man's sympa
thies. She had kindly planned decking
Phaebe for this party in some of her own
Snery, and felt indignant at being robbed
o$ such feminine pleasure and the self-ap
proval which would have been consequent
on it. At the very least her lace bert'ha or
a'sash might have relieved the girl's som
berness, but now she felt too outraged to
add even the-bit of geranium.
"'You are, in fact, an Ascensionist," com
mented Gurley, "and go about all the time
becomingly robed for the day of judgment."
"You have said it exactly," Phcebe told
him, smiling,.holding her tears sternly in
their cisterns "And you haven't any idea
what a feeling of companionship you can
have towards a gown that is like yourself
alone in the world."
"Your brother wants to see you, Miss
W7hite," said Randy, speaking at the kitch
en door, a shade of patronage coloring her
tone to the sister of such a brother.
Phbe espanded, standing quite erect
sad high.
"Oh, does he!t Bring him to me then.
~rnhlimdirectly in here."
anywithdrew her one-eyed counte
sauce, and Mrs. Holmes carried Toddles in
to his nursery.
Instedof the' agure which the girl had
bra'oed hersegf to meet, however, Thorney
Whitecame inj, sniffling and downcast, too
timid to~gb bis yes as high assa stranger's
face, yet too doggedly indignant at the
wosenigi gener alsoyid all encounter with
& Esmaae~igprtt
a hold had his garments oi eadh other's
support; and his hay-colored hair hung over
a silly face which expressed nothing but an
appeal to his sister. His sprawling boots
were heavy with such moist earth as he
had been able to collect upon them during
his tramp across the Hollow; but barnyard
odors rather than breath of the spring
woods saturated his presence and spread
around him. The black wool hat, which had
gathered dust undisturbea since Phoebe
brushed it last, was worried down to his
ears and propped by them; and his hands
appeared -ell along on their journey to
ward his ees in yawning trowser pockets.
Thorney's chin, evidently put on as an after
thought and scarcely belonging to his face,
hung in moments of vacancy toward his
breast; but just now, feeling the presence
of unexpected society, he made successive
efforts to hold it up and swallowed auditly
in the struggle.
Gurley thought he had never seen-rmore
repulsive creature. But if Thorney had
been a shining and firm angel, Phobe could
not have run to him with swifter change of
countenance and manner. She turned him
towards Gurley maternally, as both vouch
ing for him and challenging his opponents.
"This is my brother, Mr. Gurley," she
i
" THIS Is MY BROTHER."
said. "My good little brother, though he is
older than I am and looks so tall."
Gurley advanced his hand and greeted
this good little brother.
"Shake hands, Thorney," prompted his
sister, in a quick, low tone, "and say 'how
do you do.'? "
Thorney shuffled forward a step and
thrust his moist and dirty hand into Gur
ley's palm with a mumble, but without tak
ing his eyes off the floor.
"He's so bashful," explained Phmbe, in
the tone a mother uses when she says "he's
cutting his teeth." And she added a swift
admonition to Thorney to keep his hands
out of his pockets and stand straighter.
"He's worse than McArdle," inwardly re
marked the young gentleman. "Poor little
mother hen! What unnatural chicks she
has to scratch for!"
" And what was it, Thorney?" inquired
Phoebe, " Pm going out this evening to
stay until after our bed-time. You won't
mind coming to the school-house to-mor
row atter school, will you? We can talk it
over there."
Thorney, perhaps, had his attention oc
cupied by the disposal of his hands; or he
was too dull to see how she hastened to bar
his telling what it was. Thrusting one fist
under his chin, to support it, and sliding
the other behind him, whence it soon wan
dered to the familiar pocket, he complained
that Thane was around ag'in.
"Never mind!" exclaimed Phcobe.
Thorney muttered that he did care
hogh.
"Come after school," repeated his sister.
"I have very much to say to you, Thorney.
And you can tell me all about it then. But
go home now, won't you? And don't stop
to speak anybody in the woods; don't linger
around where anybody can get hold of you
-waylay you."
"As if she were admonishing Red Riding
hood," thought Gurley. "Whati prowler
would want this beautiful object?"
Thorney, however, absorbed all the solicd
tude his sister could pour over him, and de
parted then asif his injuries were but half
salved. Phoebe leaned forward In the phae
tonas it turnied from Holmes' gate to watch
his slovenly figure plodding into the woods.
"But Mr. McAredle," said Phoebe, retur
ig to Gurley.
"Her mind reverts to her other dependent
chick," thought he.
"Miss Fawcett said he was to bring me
and take me back."
"There's many a slip betwixt the cup and
McArdle'slip."
"I don't believe you like him," she ob
served. "I have noticed you taking him up
short."
"Taking him up short only I Consider
how virtuous that is of me when I suffer to
beat and kick him."
"And he so inoffeesive," laughed Phhs.
%[e never injured pe any way, did he?"
"No," replied Gurley, "I wish he would."
McArdle, in dress-ot and pumps, was
the second person Phcebe greeted on enter
ing Miss Fawcett's parlors. He stood talk
ing with a young girl,one hand rosting on a
chair-back, the other hanging graccfully by
his side, and aelf-consciousness radiating
from him. No other member of the class
was in evening attire.
Gurley saw with satisfaction that Phcobe
was instantly admired. She moved daunt
lessly Into this little social sea, feeling that,
like an iceberg, sho carried sevenfold of her
bulk of cold misery below the surface. Not
for her were the timid vanity and erratic
carriage of young girlhood.
"How alluring your Miss White is, Cu
pid," said Psyche, hooking her finger on
his arm in the library. "I wish I had black
eyes and a racy color-that moist, peaci ike
richness of the skin. They are so easily
and simply dressed to. She looks as dis
tinguished as a queen."
"I accept your approvalas a personal comn
plir. ent," said Gurley. "Now cast your eye
on McArdle."
"Why should I cast my eye on Mr. Mc
Ardle? You know he sets my teeth on
edge."
'Psyche," said Gurley, with gravity,
"hadn't I better bring our old engagement
ring back to you t There are some subjects
on which our harmony is utter."
"Right there our harmony would breakin
to discords. I never felt as kindly toward
you in my life as I do to-night, and it's nall
because the annoying engaged feeling is off.
I can't see why girls take pride in such dis
comfort. And if an almost endurable creat
ure like yourself bampered me, Oh, con
sider what it might have been with that
wraith of manhood yonder as the party of
the second part!"
"I shall always remember gratefully,
Swansdown, that you rate mc a little above
McArdle. McArdle denied before the fellows
to-day that he had the slightest acquaint
ance with this young girl-when I had seen
him take money from her hand which she
had earned by hard days' work. He didn't
want to identify himself with her or bring
her out at all; he only wanted to make use
of her good-will."
"Jack, why do you set me to despising
people in my own house; It is so mnhospi
table. I didn't pulyou in here to have my
tanraatd but taak you how tobreak
that stiffness. Oh, do all the girls ana
young men in Greensburg stand up like that
and freeze each other's marrow fur polite
ness' saks when they maet at an easy
social?"
"I am afraid they do," responded Gurley.
"They never used to do it," mourned
Psyche.
"We're trying to be polished," said Gur
ley. "And when we don't dance we pose
and drop an occasional word to each
other."
"Dance l If they only would. But you
told me half the men are divinity students
and not dancing men at all."
"Besides," added Gurley, "we are in
some awe of our present hostess. We be
lieve she comes straight from courts, and
occupies herself comparing us common
clods to duchesses and counts and so on."
"What shall I do? I would actually get
upon a table and cut a caper if that would
make them comfortable."
"Try it."
"Is this the way you help me!" exclaimed
Psyche, flashing her rings as if through
them she discharged her surplus electricity.
"I would just love to bite you like I used to
when we first fought each other."
"Yes, I carry the engraving of your lovely
fingernail under my right ear yet," observed
Gurley, with enjoyment. "But I was going
to say that when we Greensburgers want
to relax and limber ourselves thoroughly
we take to charades and tableaux."
"Oh, how easy," said Psyche. "Why
didn't you say so before?"
" And then we end with college songs and
go home blessing our entertainer."
The company was accordingly soon divided
in twain, one section chatting expectantly
on rows of chairs, the other wrangling and
eager in a green-room to which the house
wardrobes were made tributary. Psyche's
aunt, a quiet lady who scarcely impressed
one's maemory, was made manager of stage
properties.
Miss Fawcett and Phoebe, who were to
appear as the captive Queen of Scots and
one of her Marys, remained together, while
the rest of their company went forth to
open the act.
When they had completed their own fan
tastic adornment they set down to wait, and
Psyche smiled at Phobe.
"These piles of old clothes look like the
wreck of generations. And that's what
they are. There's even my uncle's dress
ing-gown-the one I told you about, who ran
way. See," said Psyche, spreading outthe
palm pattern, "he burnt these holes with
some chemical stuff; they tell that he was
wonderful at chemistry. Of course it was
ill before my time, and it doesn't seem as if
[ ever had such an uncle. But there's his
picture hanging over your head."
Phobe stood up to look at it. It was in
ls and showed the profile of a young man
PHCEBE STOOL UP TO LOOK AT IT.
ith clustering hair and a resolute cast of
eatures which yet expressed melancholy.
"He was painted that way on account of
is mouth," explained Psycl e. "There was
omething dreadful the matter with it."
"I have seen him," said Phoebe, with
lowly-worded conviction.
Miss Fawcett gazed at her.
"Do you know that I have always lived in
ear of that man's coming back? Not on
ccount of the.money, but 'because I should'
e scared to death by such a horrid, queer,,
reepyr relation I If he ever does come I
hail hi.le on a closet shelf in my room and
:eep my hands tight over my eyes."
She clasped her hands over her eyes, and:
'hmbe laughed aloud, butsuddenly changed
*xpression. The curtains of a window be
hind Psyche were so arranged that they
left a triangle of glass in which the light
did not fall. Through this she saw Painter
stooping forward to look into the room. The
shaggy beard reached his eyes. He moved
his eyes from the portrait to look at Phobe.
"Sometimes I dream about him," contin
ued Miss Fawcett, "coming back of nights
to stare in at the windows. He'd be just
the man to ghost around and make one's
air rise."
"Look there!" whispered Phcebe, stretch
ing Out her hand. "But he's gone."
Psyche dropped her hands and flew with
a faint scream to hold around her guest.
"Oh, what did you see!I-one right behind
my back !"
"Don't mind," said Phoebe, forming her
lps to laugh. "That's only the second vision
I've seen through a window this evening."
"But what was It?" Miss Fawcett palpi
tated.
"Just Painter: the man who lives alone
up the hills."
"Oh! I've heard of him. He is harmless,
isn't he? Was he looking in?"
"Yes. And how sorrowful his eyes
were!"
"I should love to have him made sorrow
ful," said Miss Fawcett, relaxing her
breath, "for prowling around here and ter
rifying us. Now I shan't sleep for a week"
"It might be I imagined it," said Phonbe.
"This is an unlucky night for me to look out
of a window."
"We are both perfectly silly," pronounced
Miss Fawvcett, "shut away here by our
selves. 1 am afraid of the dark and of
spooks; and so are you if you would unbend
your martial bearing and own it."
[TO BE CONTINIUED)
Making Impreo.ements.
Rev. W. R Atkinson is busily engaged
making additions to the many comforts
of the buildings of .the Institute. No
man of less ingenuity could see how any
thing could be added to the comforts of
the building. But he is as successful in
hunting up ways to increase comfort as
he is in teaching and in so saying we feel
we could pay him no higher compliment.
The city has cause to be proud of this in
stitution. [ts large ptonage frum so
many States and its bight prospects for
a large patronage than ever attest in a
practical way its excellencies as a sch >ol
for the education of girls. We know no
better school-Charlott Daily Cronicle.
The modern church does not fulfill the
functions of the ancient ark. In the days
of Noah a rain-storm was the excuse for
getting into the ark; in these days, especial
ly if the storm come on Sunday, it is an ex-~
FARMS AND FARMERS.
SHORtT TALKS WITH MEN WHO GUIDE
THE PLOW.
Many Questions About the Farm, Au
swured by Dr. W. L. Jones, Formerly of
the Southern Cultivator.
It is none too early to plan and begin
preparation for fall crops. It will not
do to defer breaking land for them till
just before they are to be started, be
cause rain is too uncertain. Only at
intervals, and for very short periods of
time at this eason of the year, is land
condition to take the plow. Land
.yinguncultivated throughthe summeris
apt to get very hard and dry; the sub
soil after even copious rains remaining
uhfit to receive the plow. Much of the
water which falls upon its hard surface
runs off instead of being absorbed, and
this contributes to its dryness. Break,
therefore, what you can after each rain.
That which is broken will absorb the
rainfall better than the unbroken; the
moisture will penetrate deeper, giving a
deeper sed bed. One of the great trou
bles in starting fall crops is that even
after quite a good rain it is the rurface
soil only of unbroken land that is wet,
and when this dries of; as it will do
rapidly, there is no moisture below to
rise up and take its place, and theyoung
plants frequently perish from lack of
water. Not so with land that has been
broken some time in advance, which has
been catching and holding the rains as
they fell. If, therefore, one wishes to
be sure of starting a crop of clover or
lucerne or grass or turnips, in Septem
ber or October, let him begin to break
his land at once, and continue to break,
roll and harrow till seeding time. All
experienced farmers know that this is
the plan to get a stand and raisea crop
of turnips. It is equally applicable to
imcess with grass and other crops
named.
It is not alone for the sake of securing
moisture that the above method of pro
edure is recommended. It is equally
important to provide a good supply of
available plant food in the soil, in order
that the young plants may make good
growth and become firmly established
before cold weather. Frequent stirring
f the soil promotes disintegration, de
composition, nitrification, and all the
processes that generate plant food. It is
well, also, to incorporate with the soil
in advance of seeding any manure to be 1
given the crop. There is little danger
Af loss from leaching at this season of 4
the year, and manures act better after t
they have been distributed through the I
loil by plow and rain-water. To render I
this distribution probable, at a time
when rainfall is scanty, application of f
manure should be made a month or two 1
before seeding time.
After the land is brought into fine 1
tilth it should be somewhat compacted, i
oither by rain or by roller. Small seeds i
o not germinate well and young plants <
lo not grow thriftily on very loose soil. 1
The soil should be neither too compact i
aor too loose. If too compact the roots c
annot permeate through it; if too loose
they cannot establish close connection
with the soil, an essential condition to '
the absorption of moisture. We have I
i good illustration of this in turfy soils.
It is urged upon all farmers who have
aot already done so, to experiment in a l
imall way with these fall crops. Espe
wially-wouldweurge the planting of a I
patch of lucerne. It will not cost much I
to dothis, and then you can judge for<
ourself whether it will pay or not.
Pake all proper precautions and do it1
right, so that if failure resuilts itwlllnot
ay at your door. You might try it on
Lght and on heavy soils, and see which
eceeds best. Such experiments cost
Little, but are very hopeful. w. L. 3.
Farm Quetion Box.
. N. B., Fort Mill, York county, S.
D.: I have a most excellent cow of the
ardinary scrub stock, from which I get,
yn an average, four gallons of milk 'and
ae pound and a half of batter per day.
Bhe hass formed the habit of "holding
p" part of her milk for her calf. L
ve tred often toget all the2mik wth
ut letting the calf to her, but have
iever suceeded. If I wean the calf,4
will ever succeed in getting all the
iooner?
It is hardly probable that a cow i
"holds up"her milk by a distinct act of I
er will The fiowof milk is the result I
partly of emotion and partly of thei
andling of the teat. When a cow has
been separated from her calf, and the 1
Latter comes in sight and cries for its t
nother, the secretion of milk is excited I
md a tendency to flow from the ba
leveloped. A woman will relate a smi
tar experience, when, after being sepa
rated from her infant for awhile, she.
adenly hears it crying. When the
alf is killed, or permanently taken from
the cow, some milkmen have a stuffed ~
t
md mounted calf to plaae before the
ow when being milked, to excite her.
naternal instincts and promote the flow
f milk. In the second place, the
manipulation of the teat has a marked1
affect on the flow of milk. The ducts
ir tubes through which the milk passes
mut of the teats are surrounded by a cir
malar muscle, which is ordinarily con
bracted enough to prevent the escape of ~
milk. But when the maternal emotions ~
towards the calf are aroused, these mus
iles relax and the milk is easily drawn.
rhe presence of the calf and its mamipu
lation of the teat develop these emotions.
Bimnilar manipulation with the hand has
jiimilar, but not altogeth -r as
is much effect. The more perfectly the
manipulation by the milker approaches
that of the calf, the more freely the milk 1i
will flow. It is this manipulation which
ionstitutes the difference between a
good and a poor milker. A poor milker t
seems to irritate the circular muscle of t
the teat and makes it contract. One ,
who milks with a "stripping" movement e
,eems to do tlg very quickly, and then a
the cow, as it said, "holds up" her i
milk. A slow milker does the same
thing by the prolonged manipulation.
Therefore, a cow should be milked very,
rapidly and not with a stripping motion.r
Excitement, worry, anger, all militate a
igainst the development of the emotions r
which relax the muscle and promote flow
kindly and gently, some choice food i
given to keep in a good humor, and asI
soon as the flow of milk .begins under
gentle manipulation of her teats, she
should be milked very rapidly.' Now
to apply these considerations to your
inquiry: It is probable that your cow
being accustomed to have her calf suck,
would miss it if kept from her and be
worded about it, and the flow of milk
be lessened. You might halter calf and
place it within reach of head of cow so
she could caress it. Also give her dur
ing the latter half of the milking some
food she is particularly fond of, and
have her milked by a very rapid, good
milker. By persevering in this c'urse
you might possibly get all her milk and
prevent decrease in yield. With a first
rate milker you could wean calf and
keep cow from going dry.
F. W. S., Plains, Ga.: Would like to
have some information regarding forage
plants. 1. When should turnips be
planted, and and what value for winter
feed? 2. Have a piece of Golden Dent
corn on fair average land that will be
gathered about the 15th of July. What
would you advise as a forage crop to
plant after it? Will it be too late for
amber cane or Kaffir core? 3. Have
some amber cane that will be fit to cut
in a few weeks. How shall Isave it, and
does it does it make a good mule feed?
1. From the middle of July to the
middle of September. The rutabaga,
which is the best for stock feed, should
be planted early, at any time when the
ground is in favorable condition from
middle of August. In our hot, uncertain
climate it is well to make several succes
sive sowings: if one fails another may
succeed. From the 10th to the last of
August sow Aberdeen, yellow globe and
and other globes and seven-top. From
the 20th of August to the middle of Sep
bember sow cowhorn, redtop and flat
lutch. The richer the soil the later
may sowings be made. In our experi
ane, it is better to have the land very
rich and very thoroughly prepared and
sow late. The turnip succeeds best in
ool, moist climates, and does not thrive
with us until the weather begins to get
cool. For variety's sake, and for supply
ing succulent food in winter, when stock
are kept so much on dry food, turnips
lave some value-not very great, how
sver. Ensilage will accomplish both the
purposes mentioned and much more
cheaply. A combination of peavines
and corn forage is greatly superior to
;rnips and can be raised much more
)heaply. Beta of these crops are adapt
sd to our climate; turnips are not.
urnips require very rich soil and one
lowed over and over again until
>rought into the finest tilth. Corn end
,ea are not so particular. 2. The mid
ile of July will not be too late to plant
amber cane; can not speak so positively
about Kaffir corn, but think it would get
through if the weather is not too dry.
Peas would have ample time to make
'orage, if sown then, and you can find
iothing better. You might sow a
nixture of peas and amber cane-a
ushel of peas and a peck of amber cane
o the acre. 3, Whenever practicable it
s better to feed sorghum before it is
>ured, cutting up. and feeding stalks,
>lades and seeds altogether. Itis rather
oo laxative for most horses, but mules
to very well on it, and so do cows and
togs. If set up under shelter
t will remain green a long time. We
should be glad to hear from others on
his point.
G. W. S., Vine Hill,'Ala.: Please tell
ne what is the matter with my tomatoes.
hey grow up and begin to fruit; then
he begin to wilt, just as if hot water
iad been poured on them. What can I
Lo to prevent it?
Cannot tell without personal examina
ion. It may be due to some insect
ttacking the stem underground, or it
nay bedue to the manure used. It is
st usual for tomatoes to fail thus.
J. W. M., Arcadia, Ala.: I have a
nule six years old. This spring she be
ame alittle lame in the shoulder. I
abbed it with 1;niment and the lame
sess went away, but the shoulder began
o shrink and then I began to doctor for
weeny. I tried every remedy I could
sear of, among them one from you in
[he Constitution as follows: one ounce
lamphor, three ounces alcohol, and three
punces spirits turpentine, and all to no
ffect. The shoulder is completely
brunker away, but she does not limp at
11 and one cannot tell that there is any
hing the matter from her movements:
.nd now the other shoulder is beginning
o shrink, but she does not limp at all in
hat. She has ploughed forty acres of
and this year and is in very good con
ition and eats heartily, but she will eat
llthe dry dung in the lot and has rum
>ing in stomach. I have written thus
hat you might know the condition of
he mule. Please give me a remedy for
houlder, also for that rumbling in
>owels.
If there is no lameness, and the animal
capable of doing full work, we should
at her alone. These shrinkages of the
houlder are obscure things. When
ere islameness from any cause, whether
a foot, knee joint, or elsewhere, so the
imal does not use freely the muscles
if the shoulder, the latter will get smaller
rem not being used, and this brings
bout the appearance of shrinkage.
hrinkage sometimes results from in
Lammation of the tissues of the shoulder.
Ve cannot say what is the cause of the<
rouble in your mule. The unnatural
.ppetite comes from some disorder of the
tomach or bowels. Open the latter by
ccasional half pint doses of linseed oil
rith a teaspoonful of turpentine mixed
rith each dose. After a week of this
reatment give daily a drachm each of
opperas, gentian and ginger.
CONDITION OF THE CROPS.
'he Monthiy Report of the United Mtates
Department of Agriculture.
The Department of Agriculture makes t
Le July general averages of the condi
ion of the crops as follows: Cotton 86.7,
riter wheat 75.6, spring wheat 95.9,
rn 93, oats 95.2, barley 91, winter ryer
5.1, spring rye 96.3, tobacco, manufac
crig leaf, 89.
COTTON.
Cotton is later than usual in every
state. There is a generally medium1
tand. Cultivation has been somewhat i
etarded by local rains, and part of the]
rea isin gras-notabig in the district t
generally in vigorous condition and
growing rapidly. The State averages
are: Virginia 81, North Carolina 85,
South Carolina 86, Georgia 90, Florida
90, Alabama 92, Mississippi 92, Louisi
ana 91, Texas 76, Arkansas 90, Tennes
see 90.
WINTER WHEAT.
Winter wheat has been been harvested
in the South and yielded below expecta
tion in the Carolinas, Georgia and Ala
bama. It has improved slightly in
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illi
nois. A marked improvement is noted
in Michigan. Reports from the Pacific
coast are also more favorable. The
general condition has advanced from
73.3 to 75.6. The average of the prin
cipal States: New York 80, Pennsylvania
93, Ohio 60, Michigan 75, Indiana 62,
Illinois 68, MiSsouri 72, Kansas 93,
California 83.
SPRING WHEAT.
Spring wheat has improved in a large
portion of the breadth seeded, and
promises a large yield, minus possible
future drawbacks. The general average
has advanced from 92.8 to 95.9. The
State averages are: Wisconsin 91, Min
nesota 94, Iowa 97, Nebraska 95, Da
kota 98.
CORN.
The area of corn, as reported, has in
creased over four per cent., making the
breadth nearly 76,000,000 acres. There
has been much replanting in wet dis
tricts, from non-germination and from
destruction by cut-worms. The land is
now moderately good and the crop is
growing finely. The condition by prin
cipal State is: Ohio 96, Indiana 95, Illi
nois 93, Iowa 89, Missouri 91, Kansas
99, Nebraska 91, Virginia 91, North
Carolina 88, South Carolina 87, Georgia
94, Alabama 96, Mississippi 98, Louisi
ana 95, Texas 95, Arkansas 97, Tennes
see 98.
TOBACCO, POTATOES, ETO.
A preliminary investigation of the
area of manufacturing leaf tobacco
makes an increase of 18 per cent, over
the greatly reduced crop of last year.
There is an increase of 4 per cent. in
the area of potatoes. The condition
averages 95.7.
The European report for July makes
the wheat crop late and unpromising
throughout Europe, Russia excepted.
The rye crop will be short in central
Europe.
Condition of the State Crops.
The State Department of Agriculture
furnishes the following information re
garding the condition, etc., of the crops,
July 1, based upon 248 special reports,
covering every county in the State:
The seasons during the last two weeks
in June were favorable for cotton, and
a decided improvement in the condition
of the crop during that time resulted,
but it has not recovered from the inju
rious effect of the unfavorable seasons
in May and the early part of June. The
rop is "spotted." In some sections itis
in ne condition and all the rain needed
has fallen, while in places the rains have
been excessive, and in other localities
the crop has needed rain badly. Gener
ally, it is two weeks later than usual,
the plant is small but healthy, clean and
well worked. Favorable seasons during
July will possibly bring the condition
up to an average. Nine of the counties,
producing 14 per cent. of the crop, re
port the condition higher than on June
1st, three report it the same, and the
remainder, 22 counties, report it lower.
The condition on July 1st is: In upper
Oarolina, 81; middle Carolina, 82; lower
Oarolina, 89; average for the States, 84;
against 101 at the same date in 1887 and
6 on the first of last month.
In some sections corn on bottoms has
been destroyed by flocds, and in other
ocalities it has suffered for lack of rain.
With these exceptions, the reporta
show that the prospects for an average
rop are good. The condition in upper
Carolina is reported st 85, middle Caro
[ina 82, and lower Carolina 85; average
for the State 84, against 97at the same
time last year and 86 on the first of
June.
In portions of the lower conties con
tinued freshets damaged rice that had
been planted and prevented proper pre
paration ol land for late planting. There
is some complaint of poor stands, but
the crop has steadily improved during
the month. In the ten lower counties,
where 95 per cent. of the crop is pro
inced, the condition is reported at 89; in
the upper counties st 92.
The small grain crop was harvested in
Ene condition. Wheat was badly in
jured by rust, some of the correspond
nts reporting that the loss on the crop
from this cause ivas greater than has:
been known for many years, the damage:
being estimated at twenty per cent.
'he yield is estimated at six bushels, or
bout two-thirds of an average yield.
The total product is reported at seventy
seven per cent of the product of 1887.
lhe quality is reported better than last
year by eighty-four correspondents and
ifer or by 104.
The yield of oats is estimated at fifteen
bushels per acre. Fall sown yielded
ighteen and spring sown twelve bushels
per acre. The total production is esti
nated at six per cent, greater than last
year's crop, while the quality of the
rain is better.
The smaller crops are reported in good
ondition-sorghum at 90, sugar cane
)0, sweet potatoes 94 and Irish potatoes
)5.
Ten Millions Saved to New York City.
Judge Wheele. of the United States Cir
uit Court yesterday rendered a decision
>y which the city will save nearly $10,
)00,000. It was in the suit of Christopher
1 Campbell against the city to recover
yaymnent for the use of a relief valve used
r fire engines to prevent the bursting of
iose and the loss of water. This valve
yes invented by James Knibbs. The de
ense of the city was that the valve had
een in use before it was paitented, and that
he patent was invalid.
After a long trial, Judge Wheeler de
ided in favor of the plaintiff, and referred
he case to Commissioner Duell to deter
nine the amount due Campbell. The lat
er presented a claim for $2,500,000, and
roved it. In the spring of 1886 the Su
reme Court of the United States rendered
Sdecision in a similar case which was di
ectly opposite to Judge Wheeler's opinion.
['he Judge then retried the case and de
:ided that the patent was invalid.
Corporation Counsel Beekman yesterday,
1 speaking of the large amount of money
aved by this decision, said that the valve
ad been in use on all the steam engines
luring the past seventeen years Messrs.
~ockwood & Post appeared fo- the plain
iff and the Corporation Counsel for the
di-. Y. Star, .Tuly 11.
THE FARMERS' COMMITTEE.
A MEETING IN COLUMBIA TO PRE
PARE FOR THE STATE CANVASS.
Captain Tillman Appointed to Attend ske
Different Meeting--Other Matters Coss
sidered.
COLUMBIA, July 10.-This evening w
the occasion of the meeting of the ex
ecutive committe of the State Farmers'
Association. There were twelve or
fifteen prominent members present.
Among them were Capt. Tilman, H. B.
Thomas, D. K. Norris, E. T. Stack
honse, J. W. Beasley. Several person',
not members of the committee, but in
sympathy with them, were present. O0
of these was Capt. Sligh, of Newberry,
who was invited to attend the seerst
meeting and took advantage of the in
vitation.
The committee met at 9.15 in the
Grand Central Hotel. President Norris
occupied the chair. It was understood
early in the evening that the object of
this meeting was to formulate some plait
of aggressive campaign.
The first question taken up wis
whether the Association should make an
aggressive fight and put canvassers in
the field, who would attend all the Con
gressional district meetings and make
opposition speeches to the Governor
and Lieutenant Governors. Capt. Till
man did not advocate this. He said that
while they had good sound . men on
their side, they had not the "gift of the
blab," and the politicians would "et
away with them.=' Mr. Tillman further
believed that a "combine existed lie
tween all the present officers to pool
their strength and stand or fall to
gether."
President Norris called upon a num
ber of those present to make reports
upon the following questions:
"How is the farmers' movement in
your county?
"Do you think that you can control
the delegates to the State Conven
tion," &c.
These questions were answered by
about halt a dozen of those t.
Mr. Tillman reported udgefield as
uncertain, but he though that he could
vote the delegation from that county for
any one the Association should designate.
About this time Capt. Tillman took
occasion to state that he had no selfish
motives in this fight; that all he wanted
was to "whip out this gang," alluding to
the present State officers.
Before one question had been settled
the Agricultural College was introduced.
Mr. 'llman wanted men sent to the.
next Legislature who were heart and
soul with them and who would pull the
annex to pieces. If such men were not
there, the consideration of the Clemson
bequest would be postponed until the
annex had grown and taken root, and
then the farmers would be given a high -
school in place of a college.
A resolution was offered making it the
sense of the committee that a fight be
made for the offices of Governor and
Lieutenant Governor. It was unani
mously adopted. All local farm ' lub
will be requested to elect delegates to
the county conventions, who will send
farmers' movement men to the State
Nominating Convention.
Mr. Tillman consideredit moreimpor
tant to elect legislators in sympathy with
them than to elect a Governor of their
choice. The Legislature could carry on
their work, while the only advantages in
electing a Governor would be the pres
tige of the thing.
President Norrns was opposed togon
into action and fighting the battle all
on a political ground, and he thought i
unwise to have candidates openly in-the
field. After the impression was made
and their delegates elected, then they
could decide upon a candidate.
Mr. Tmlman said that if they were
going to talk about not going into poli
tis, they had better bundle up and go
home.
Mr. Norris thought thatif Mr. Tillman
was going to canvass the State, it would
ook better if he was not a candiate.
Mr. Tiliman then branched off upon
the Legislature. The farmers must sup
port no candidate for the Legislature un
ess he be in favor of giving the Agricul
ural College the Hatch fund, land scrip
ad phosphate tax. He thought in time
that this college would absorb the agri
mtural department. If the people were
ot shown that they could get the far
mers' college without additional tax they
would never get it.
In speaking of the present system of
government Mr. Tillman said thathe had
teard that negro lunatics sent to the
Asylum were worked like slaves and were
ever turned out when they got well but
were kept there to work.
One of the committeemen protested
against this, and hoped Mr. Tilman
would be careful in hiE public utterance.
Mr. Tillman replied that he had not
been caught in alie yet, that-Mr. Haalrell
spoke without striking to the records,
and it was a bad rule that did not work
both ways. If he canvassed the State he
would confine himself to the increase in
xpenses of $240,000 since '79 and to the
Farmers' College, and he was not afraid
to meet any man in the United States on
these subjects. He did not propose to
give any of the reasons for tis addition
al expense, but would leave the burden
>f proof to the other side. He was con
dent of being able to carry several.
sountes on the question of the reduction
>f salaries.
Mr. Tillman was exhorted to stick to
he facts and not make statements he
sould not prove.
It was resolved that Capt. Tillman
~hould attend all the regular meetings in
he State canvass and other outside meet
ngs he might desire.
Mr. Tillman wished to have another
nanto help him. He did not like to
moocnter the silver-tongued orator
~ingle-handed. It was decided that he
~ould draw upon the counties in which
he meetings were held for assistance.
Mr. Tillman said that he is afraid that
he goes to Charleston he will be cruci
ed. There was an element in the coin
nittee which was plainly opposed to
apt. Tillman's style of operations.
'hey were much more conservative, and
lid not like so much blood and thunder.
There is a scarcity of young men at some
f the summer resorts, and the girls are
nfearing from "poor male facilities."