The Farmer and Mechanic from Raleigh, North Carolina • Page 6

rc THE FABMEB AND Hoots and "Yarbs" In the Moun tains of North Carolina. BY PROF. ASA GRAY. The following ext racts from a letter from Prof. Gray to the Editor, will give some idea of a little known region, and a peculiar local Ed.

Am. Ag. As Agriculture embraces all practical herbaceous matters, I will call your attention to a branch of it a small branch, you will gay which I had no idea of. It is the Koot and Herb business as carried on in the mountain districts of Carolina. Our glo rious botanical journeywhich, only want ed your companionship to mate is penecs took us to the headquarters of the business, and through the regions where mest of the collecting is done, and we had at times the 1 company of the two men who larcrelv control it.

Hvams. of the firm of Wallace Brothers, of Statesville, and Cowles, of (Jap Creek, whose father organ- izea ana aeveiopea ine dusiucbb iub nlaee. Beincr ourselves members of the herb-confraternity, we were received with enthusiasm, and shown all tne operation "Sana." i. e. Ginsencr.

the original foun dation of the trade, has been collected ever since the earliest settlement of the country, and is by this time pretty well rooted out from the more accessible districts; but it is still brought in, and brings 75 or 80 cents a pound. When I was first in these mountains, between 85 and 40 years ago, this, and Angelico-Toot were the only things which were gathered for market, jnow, the price-list which you will find posted at almost every road-side store, enumerates over two hundred articles. Some of them are cultivated things, such as Summer Savory, Southern-waod, Peony-flowers, Watermelon-seed, and leaves of the Poppy, and Garden Lettuce. But most are of wild herbs, or the bark or berries of trees, or in some cases blossoms. Elder-flowers, for instance, are a prime article.

The collecting is done by women and children it could only be done by cheap labor and the articles, when dried, taken to the country store, usually to the nearest County Seat, and exchanged for "store very little money passing. Almost every day we would meet women on horseback, with a bundle of the more bulky herbs on the off 1 1 ST. JAMES' HOTEL OppJ Capitol square, mtviivntm am. BTKirrg, RICHMOND, VA. Tflrms Per Dav.

a' Dam. la within three squares of either of th! Kl Tobacco Exchange or "Warehouses. fIBST-CLASS TABLE AMD ROO Vl -Cm HOME FERTILIZER, ADO PTFn7r. SEVERAL GRANGES. A1UUUK ucn wuu iu 1.

WIU1 SUeceSS Wf rf action of one in Wythe county. Va- SeDLmL After many trials and a thorough raYtition mittee of three of the most intelligent 3- order of the Hojos miaim," and that tw Agency be authorized to make arrangement Messrs. Botkik, Carxxb Co to mni? era with their pure chemicals, at reiaamhu Ua. THOS. JA8.

FINNIE augl4-Sm. D. A. 8NOW, ftc Committee. nn tvottihiiiku EACE IN8TITUTE, FOR YOUNG LADIES, RALEIGH, N.

C. The next Annual Session Tcommenoe 0n th- Wednesday in September. 1879. and rlnao. a.

Wednesday of June, 1880. UJa The terms have been reduced from 10 to 00 1 ert in all departments. 1 w- The total expense of a boardim? trann fn, half session will be 8120. This imonnt washing, fuel, light, furnished room and seiranh mST dance, tuition in English branches and who desire it, Calisthenics, Text Books and stTuonS used for school purposes. "uone.7 roriioerai propositions to pupils entered for whA Bcholastio year see Catalogue and Circular vise an.

circulars containing full narticulars Btudy, 4c, address Rkv. RrBDRWELL nv Julyl7-tf. PrindpalB, RJelgh, JOHK O'NXIL. 'LCMADOEi O'NEUj PLTJMADORE, Manufacturers of and Dealers in CHOICE BRANDS OF CIGARS, TOBACCO And Smokers' Articles generally. t3T Orders from abroad promptly Red Front.

Martin 1 doom opp.U. S. Postofflce, Raleigh, N. C. June 5-3m JALEIGH FEMALE SEMINARY, RALEIGH, N.

C. The FaU Term Opens Sept. In consideration of the low price of roppliee. of 11 kinds, board, including fuel, lights and utMas, tw been reduced from $15.00 TO $12.00 PER MONTH. The charge for Tuition also has been reduced.

For catalogue containing particulars as to tmni, apply to the Principal. F. P. H0BGO0D. A.

M. July 17-tf. W. FRAPS, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN' LIQUORS, WINES, AND- LAGER BEER, PORTER, ALE, Keeps OOnstantlv nn hinr m. full miunlv in'th above line.

BEER, SODA AND MINERAL WATER BOTTLIX0 ESTABLISHMENT. Orders mromntlv attnvl tn. FAYETTEVILLE RTRF.RT. HAT.EIflH. N.C- June ia-3m CAN MAKE MONEY BT SELLING FRUIT TREES, VINES, PLANT, 7 FOB THE OLD NORTH STATE NURSER'S We Still TlAAri twn or thivw.

annA K.hlA meD U) tess for the sale of our stock, which is very large thi a. wwon, ana or tne finest varieties, we are now Ung at Faison, N. CM and Wilson, N. on the W. W.

Railroad, and imarantM sattafaction in all section" of the country, as the Proprietors have the advantage 01 a life-long experience in the nursery and fruit growing business. Orders by mail solicited and promptly tended to. Those wishing an agency will please ddre we proprietors at once. J. S.

WESTBEOOK CO, Faison, Duplin county, Wilson, Wilson county, -1' julyl0-2m. National Hotel, OOURTLAND NEAR BROADWAY, NEW YORK. Hutchkiss Proud, Prop's- ON THE EUROPEAN PLAN. Th rMtannnt aa aiwl lnnh nvm attached, SW CD" rorpaesed for cheapness and excellence of isooms 60 cents to S2 per day: S3 to Siu farmers in the county were named to select th. cheapest FERTILIZER for their UncU Aft and exhaustire report, the Orange in seerinn Furniture Furniture WHOLESALE AND RETAIL On hand full and compiew anderilicf rers fasx ana mi.

-without want win not be doing Ju eaT A riringms acaU and examine myca anapneee. libenl discount to tne wae. -Order, by man prompt daTFBOK, 1438 Main Street. C. 8, Brow, I I Jno.

jrrxsojr. Clerk. 11 BLI THE BOYDEN HOTEL, The only firat-claaa Hotel in Salisbury, If Headquarters for I Lame Sample Commercial Travelers Rooms. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. C.

S. BROWN, -Aug. 7 tf Proprietor ay ESLEYAN FEMALE INSTITUTE Open its 30th Seeaion September 18th, 1879. One of the first schools for young ladies In the Climate tinsurpaased. Surroundings beautiful.

Attended by pupils from Serenteen States. Strictest economy required. Among the lowest terms in the Union. Pupils received et any time during Summer months. TEBMS: Boabd, Washing, Lights, English COUBSK, LiATIX, FbKXCK FOR XACH HALT OF Scholastic txak, 7 All vxbt low.

For catalogue, address -Rev. Wk. A. Habbis, D. President, July 24-tf Staunton, Virginia.

QLARENDON HOTEL, PATETTEVILLB, N. C. W. G. MATTHEWS, Proprietor.

Good Sample Rooms for Commercial travelers. This Is a first-class 'Hotel, having recently been fitted up, painted, and newly furnished throughout in every department. liayl-3mo. QABPETS! CARPETS! I offer for sale, on very reasonable terms, a lot of very fine three-ply Extra Superfine and Superfine. Also, some Cotton Chains from the very best mills In the country.

Not having room, I will sell very cheap. Please call and examine. Also? Bugs, Matting and Win dow Shades. WILLIAM DAFFRON, 1438 Main Street. IP EE A fresh lot of New chop Tramp Sxzd in bulk or paper.

Orders by mail promptly attended to. Address, F. H. XLKARTT. Druggist; Fayetteville op.

Market. iuueign, jn.u. juiy 2-xm cMANNEN'S Smut and Sceening Machine. We are still manufacturing, of the verv best McMA NNE NS CE EBRA TE IMPROVED SMUT AND SCREENING MACHINES, which we warrant for five years. None have given more universal satisfaction.

You onlv have to try it to be convinced of its superiority. We Will fnrnish OnnAxraa fihs i done on short notice. rAs traveling agents are offering a tpurious Mc- communicate with us before purchasing. Bolt- "iucj iuB ui me very uesi, DOln ioreign and American, constantly on hand. ouuiiiouai information, address: McMANNEN CARRINOTON, Succssor to J.

A. McMannen, Durham, N. C. BUmij 1 tl. FARMERS Improve Your Stock.

VVe Vftpn raYnBtontlv rr -a i prices 19 suit tne BERKSHIRE PIGS, (English bred,) SnTTTWnoxTKr a VTn GKADE SHORT ROPWCnD Trrn ftf- a spendid full blooded BULL.4 years old, that Would weigh 1800 pounds, if fully fat, which we Will sill low, as we have used him for three years. He is Derfant imrimm 1.1. n.w and cst moS Hillsboro, N.C. OANAL PROM 6th to 7th JUCHMOND, VA. eTfcSrandP Bosof The A Tl f-V our j-atent Premium Spark Arrests Toirof water and a reer-use of wirj gauze.

Ouiith "anguished without the kind which affords free of tS! tonin from each end. AWJT boUer 'or Iotivee for hauling lumba. rito jSTso Engmee supe-Other thintrs beini- Z.I rrU8trl catalogue tL Hons. 7 0 murage Southern insUtn- chinwoh Bump Ma- B. BAUQHAM, Blch RfH2 ait in Eastern North clSS Agent with as a protection from dust.

swamp-mnck is to be dug, it is best to give the work by contract. A good man can make fair wages at 15 cents a cubic yard if the workman is not a good one, he cannot expect higher pay on that account. Muck should be dug before cold weather comes, as it is disagreeable work when the ground is full of cold water. that is stacked should be hauled in, or the stack should be protected on the top by extra covering. Coarse herbage or weeds, not in seed, maybe cut and hauled into the barnyard, and spread to form a basis for a deep coating of manure and an absorbent for moisture.

An abundance of litter will soak up the water, and prevent the drainage which so often flows from yards, and accumulates in foul pools. Am. Agriculturist. Fertilizer for Wheat. Every year's experience proves the value of superphosphate of lime, as a special fertilizer for wheat.

An experienced wheat grower informs us, that he has used 500 lbs. to the acre, and that the crop this year, has paid handsomely for the outlay. Where a smaller quantity was used, the yield was unsatisfactory. A Frequent Mistake is made in supposing that if a certain quantity of fertilizer will have a certain effect, this effect will be doubled by doubling the quantity of the fertilizer. This has Ted to much waste and loss.

The greatest possible effect is produced with a certain quantity, varying according to circumstances; und each one must discover for himself, what this quantity is. In the case above quoted, 500 lbs. per acre is the most useful quantity. Others have found it best to use 600 lbs. and others again, use only 800 lbs.

As a rule, largest applications may be most safely made on soils well filled with barn -yard manure, or vegetable matter. The use of Lime, An application of lime will be found useful upon any kind of soil, at least once in five or six years. It is generally used at this season, with a fall grain crop. But where lime is employed, it will be useless to apply superphosphate, as this combines with the lime, and becomes simple phosphate of lime, which is insoluble. Many farmers who have applied superphosphate without effect, may find the explanation in the fact, that their soils were filled with lime, which rendered it inert.

Smufi and troublesome diseases of wheat and rye may be prevented by pickling the seed. The pickle may be made of strong brine, or of a solution of 4 ounces sulphate of copper, in one gallon-of water. Sprinkle the seed grain, stir thoroughly to wet every kernel, and spread to dry. Either of these will destroy the spores, which are the seed of the parasitic fungi, known by the above names. Smut in Corn.

-Smut is poisonous, or at least very injurious, and care should be taken to prevent it from being eaten with fodder. It is becoming very common in corn. It might be well to pass through the corn-fields with a sharp knife and a basket, and cut off all the bunches of smut and smutty ears, and carry them out where they may be burned. As one square inch of surface may contain 4,000,000 spores of smut, and every spore is capable of producing a smutty plant, it is important to carefully destroy every ball of smut. Turnips.

The cultivation of turnips and rutabagas, consists of keeping free from weeds, and thinning out to a proper distance. One good root at every 9 inches, is far better than two or three poor ones in that SDace. To have frond sound rnnts nf any kind, sufficient room must be given. joeets and Mangels. Early sown beets and mangels, may be harvested late this month.

If left later, the roots may become hollow and stringy. As over-grown root may be large, but its size is no indication of its value. We harvest our early sown mangels as soon as the larger ones become hollow, and find they ripen in the pits as well or better, than if left in the ground later. The tops may be fed to cows or sheep with benefit. Rocky Riveb Springs.

There are four of the springs iron, sulphur, arsenic and magnesia and taken together they embrace one of the best collections of mineral waters to be found anywhere. The situation is one of the most picturesque imaginable, the springs being surrounded on all sides by towering hills, rising almost perpendicularly. The hotel is built upon the summit of one of these hills, overlooking the springs, which lie a hundred yards below in the valley. The Springs take their name from the Rocky River, from which they are distant about a mile. Polkton is the nearest point on the railroad, being about 19 miles distent; Wadesboro is 23 miles, Monroe 28.

Our visit to the Springs last week was a very pleasant one. We found Mr. Sam Wright, as elevcr and accommodating a fellow as is to be found anywhere, in charge. Monroe Express. Notes on Fences.

The farm fences of the United States, are estimated to cost 1,350,000,000 dollars, and require 250 millions of dollars, annually, to keep them in order. Besides the direct cost of fences, with stakes and riders, on an ordinary farm; occupy five per cent, of the land, or five acres in every hundred. In view of this-a straight fence, other things being equaT is the cheapest. American Agriculturist. arm Kitchen and Market Garden.

When a crop is removed, clean off the ground, and dispose of any rfue and weeds. If no other me is to be made, of it, occupy it with flat turxipf. Beets. Continue to hoe the late grown crop, until the tops are too; large. Some tbinmag of the late sowing may be done for greens Cefery.

Keep clear 'of weeds. If some is wanted for early use, straighten up the leares and draw the earth to them with the hands. But around New York, this operation is not performed until next month, as the plants will dow make their most rapid growth in the cool nights and warm days. Cabbage and Cauliflowers are benefitted by frequent hoeing, and a dressing of guano or other concentrated manure is often applied with advantage. Liry a quantity xor winter uso -11.

never comes amiss. Save the best and earliest ears for seed. Cut up and cure the stalks for winter fodder as soon as the crop is off. Clean the ground. Cucumbers.

Gather! for pickles every second day. Let none ripen save those needed for seed, and they should be of the earliest, otherwise the vines die. Martynias. Gather for pickles while very tender. Melons should be turned occasionally, as they ripen better.

Remove the very latest ones as they set. OmoTW.Gather and store- in a dry cool place. i Sweet Potatoes. The largest may be removed from the rows for use, and the rest left to grow, i Do not allow the vines to root at the joints. Spinach for next spring is to be sown this moth, in drills 25 inches apart.

First thoroughly manure. Tomatoes. Destroy the large green worms. Make into cetsup when fruit is abundant. Gather green fruit for pickles before frost comes and spoils them.

Turnips. Hoe and thin the larger until prevented by growth of tops. The Strap- i i 4i ji. xi il will usually make a crop. Weeds.

Do not put them in the compost heap if already "gone to seed. It is best to burn them. Jq Patotoes. Early potatoes should be dug without delay. A few rains will start i he ripe tubers into new growth, to their injury.

Late potatoes should be thoroughly cleared of beetles, before it is too late to prevent the larv from retiring to the ground for manuring. It is the lait brood of insects which stocks the crreiirid for the next season. Bats. The damage by rats is one of the most serious losses to: which farmers are subjected. On the whole, this loss is doubtless greater-than Ithat from all the fires which occur upon farms.

We have tried a preparation called "Poisoned Wheat," put up for the purpose of destroying vermin, and find it very effective. The rats disappear, that is, all that can be noticed. But poison of any kind should be used so that fowls or other animals cannot get it. To destroy the rats is now a timely work, and will prevent much future loss of grain. Live Stock.

During the hurry of work at this busy season, the stock ought not to be forgotten. One of the most important requisites for health and thrift is regularity in seeding and watering. This refers not only to times of feeding, but to quantities and qualities of fodder. Now that grass is past its best the stock may have some roots pulled for them, or some corn-fodder cut, and young animals will be greatly benefitted by little concentrated food. It is important that live stocks have a plenty of good fresh water, especially at this time of the year, when the herbage does not afford the abundance of juices of spring growth.

Sheep. A run in a field from which early roots have been gathered will be beneficial to the flock. It will help to accustom them to the change of food which will soon be required. Small or imperfect roots may be left ungathered for them, which they will pick up for themselves. Where early lambs are not desired, the rains should be kept saparate from the ewes or, if it is not convenient, the ram may be aproned or 4tbrat ted." Pastures.

The droppings of the animals on the pastures should be scattered, and spread. This not only manures the field, but prevents injury to the spots covered with droppings. Al dressing of plaster over the pasture will be useful, sweetening the fouled spots, and so avoiding the unequal character of the surface caused by the neglect of cattle to eat down the herbage in otherwise distasteful places. Sundry Matters. Harvesting machinery should be cleaned and stored; away.

Tho bright parts may be kept from rusting by coating them with paraf -fine or tallow. One of the best preparations to protect iron or stl ftATTi rnnr. a morio kv mAlnn ws wvtuug uuuuuoi iicsu uul KniL i iHru. wir a. ttima of rosin the size of a hen's egg the exact proportion not important.

Melt the two "together, and stir asj it keep secure fro-a'drist, and use it on all parts of machinery liable to injury by rust. bearings should be well wiped, and' oiled with castornoil. AH dust should be removed, and, with costly machinery, it will pay to provide, a sheet or blanket to cover She I side, commonly wrapped in a sheet or blanket, and another on the pommel, and a basket in one hand. With the proceeds they buy most of the clothing that is not made at home (for, happily the wheel and the loom hold their place in almost every house), perhaps some sugar, and their small finery. But "tree-sugar" is made for home eon-sumption, and serves for the coffee (tea is unknown, at one place, where our tea was pronounced "not bad to take," we were requested to tell them what they should call for if they ever got any at the store) and the best of honey abounds.

In these mountains milk and honey literally flow without price. At least we could never get the people to fix any. From the country stores the roots and herbs pass to the larger dealers, and from these only would you get any idea of the magnitude of the business. You should see the herb-warehouse of Mr. Cowles at Gap Creek, in Ashe County, and the much larger one at Statesville, of the enterprising Wallace Brothers, under the charge of Professor Hyams, three of whose sons are in the business at different points, and one of them in McDowell County, where he was the fortunase rediscoverer of the long-lost Shortia.

Bales upon bales of roots and herbs, compacted by a powerful screw-press, accumulate in these warehouses, and pass on to northern cities and ports. What becomes of them Some are standard articles of the Materia'Medica, such as Mandrake-; root, from which PodophyUin is made. One day, while we were present, an order came to one of these establishments for ten tons of Mandrake to go to France. The larger number of articles go into patent medicines, You may form some idea of the demand for this purpose from two orders just received, one for an unlimited amount of Liver-leaf (Hepatica), the other for two tons of Maiden-hair (Adiatum). Consider what a quantity of these, in a dried state, would so to a ton! And now, if I begin to tell you anything about Azaleas and Laurelsboth Rhododendrons and Kalmia, there will be no end.

We were just in the season for these in all their glory, having timed it accordingly. You may say there is no need to go to the mountains of; North Carolina for these, but you will get new ideas if you do. Nowhere else can you see wooded hillsides of the richest green break out into flame with Azalea calendulacea, and nowhere but in Roan can you see some miles of grassy mountain-top all ruddy and rosy with Rhododendron Catawbiense. Now you can comfortably reach the top of Roan Mountain in 36 hours from New York, and be in mountain air all the way after leaving Lynchburg, and on the mountain be most comfortably and cheaply housed and fed at the Cleveland Hotel, at an elevation a few hundred feet higher than the top of Mount Washington, and enjoy an air which is cool without bleakness, and views such as we have never elsewhere seen the like. American Agriculturist.

'Mr. Braxton Land, aged 84, a member of the Presbyterian church, died in Granville county on the 19th inst The crops are good in Moore. Convenient to all ferries and city railroad. New Furniture. New Managembxt Apr 1T-Iy "HITXHXAD, Agent,.