SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR, 
157 
ROLLING COTTON SEED. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — The very sensible re- 
marks of Dr. J. E. Pearson in your most excellent April 
number, on the subject of Rolling Cotton Seed, for plant- 
ing, has almost superceded the necessity of anything be- 
ing said on this subject by me. I positively know from 
practical experience that everything he says on the sub- 
ject is true, so far as rolling cotton seed in ashes or lime 
is concerned — I never tried guano. 
1 would only commend the Doctor’s article to the notice 
of all cotton planters as worthy of consideration and drop 
the subject at present, and until somebody “pitched into” 
him, and then I would pitch 'nto them; but for the fact 
that some, and many, good planters in this country op- 
pose the practice on the ground, solely, that cotton seed, 
when they are wet and “rolled,” “swell and start to ger- 
minate very soon after p'anting,” and, therefore, if per- 
chance the ground should dry down to them in that con- 
dition, the germ will be destroyed, and you lose your 
stand. Now, so far as that is concerned, it is true; but 
that “germinate very soon after planting” is unfortunate 
in the argument. The sooner cotton comes up after plant- 
ing the less chances you run of having your stand in- 
jured by heavy rains, or from the ground drying to the 
seed. And, again, all cotton seed planted dry must, of 
course, get into the “swelled and germinating state before 
it comes up, just as the “rolled seed” does, only it is 
longer at it, and, consequently, gives more time for the 
earth to dry down to the seed, or heavy rains to destroy 
the stand. Why did you not think of that before, dry 
seed planter'? 
I have tried both plans ; and for the past 9 years I have 
rolled my seed, and I have had the finest success in get- 
ing-No. 1 stands. 
If any of your readers are in want of the best plow in 
the South let them order from Philips &- Kells, Jackson, 
Miss. They are putting up the Brinley Plow there, un- 
der the superintendence of Mr. Brinley himself, “according 
to Hoyle.” 
Dr. M. W. Philips, one of the firm, knows as much 
about a plow as any planter I ever saw, and Mr. T. E. C. 
Brinley has brought to perfection the best moeld of a 
plow I ever saw or tried ; and Dr. P was of the same 
opinion years ago, and so informed the public. 
The “Father of Waters” is again, I regret to say, laying 
waste the beautiful plantations on both sides of the river, 
and stil rising. Yours, &c., G. D. Harmon. 
Mdliken's Bend, La., March 30, 1859. 
Winter Apples, &c — Our readers may recollect that 
we acknowledged last fall the receipt of some fine looking 
apples from the orchard of Mr. Geo. Walker of Pulaski 
county. Two varieties of this fine fruit have remained in 
our office up to within a few days, and were very 
much improved in flavor by age. One of the apples is 
still left. Our object in this statement is to show that the 
claims of Georgia as a fruit growing country, have been 
too long overlooked. We have no doubt but we may have 
fruit of some kind of our own raising, all the year round. 
Indeed, last week we had a presentation of strawberries 
of this season, and a specimen of Georgia apples of last 
fall, still in our office. We hope to see greater attention 
paid to fruitgrowing in our State. 
To show the importance that is attached to the peach 
crop of Georgia, we will state that an agent from New 
York was in Macon, recently, for the purpose of making 
engagements for the early shipment of this delicious fruit 
to the North, should the season be propitious . — Journal 
Messenger. 
The poetical cij of “Westward koT is fast filling 
our territories wdlh rakes. 
SHEEP RAISING IN TEXAS. 
The Gonzales Enquirer replies to the queries of a 
North Carolinian who had written to the editor for infor- 
mation relative to sheep raising in Gonzales: 
1st. What quantity of wool could probably be purchased 
for cash in your county, and the adjoining counties, at the 
clipping season '? 
Answer. — I cannot reply as to the quantity of wool 
that can be purchased in this and the adjoining counties. 
There are within four miles of this place about 1500 
head of sheep which will furnish 6,000 pounds of wool 
next spring, all of which I suppose can be bought for 
cash. 
2d. Where does your wool find a market, and what are 
the facilities for getting it to the coast ! 
Answer. — Our wool markets are any of the seaport 
towns of the United States; we get it to the coast on ox 
wagons (a distance of 100 miles,) for 50 cents per hundred 
pounds. 
3d. What is the breed of sheep usually grown in yoiar 
county'? Have you the Saxon, the Merino, the South- 
down, or the Cotswold ? If any of either kind, are they 
numerous. 
Answer. — We have all the breeds of sheep mentioned. 
The full blood arc not numerous — only sufficient to sup- 
ply bucks for the flocks. 
4th. What description of sheep suits your county best? 
Answer. — We prefer the Merino and Saxon, as they 
are the best wool growers, and it does not pay to sell mut- 
ton where beef and pork are so cheap. 
5th. Is there much difficulty in keeping sheep through 
the winter'? Do they require housing from storms, and 
can they find winter pasturage half sufficient to support 
them'? 
Answer. — We never house. There is less trouble ia 
keeping sheep in winter than summer — the greatest 
difficulty being to keep them from eating too much of th« 
luxuriant grass that grows in such rich profusion around. 
6th, What disease is their greatest enemy ? 
Answer. — I have never seen a diseased sheep in Texas, 
unless the so-called “screw worm” be termed a disease. 
7th. Are dogs destructive to them '? 
Answer. — Dogs rarely ever trouble them, when they de 
they are sure to be shot. 
8ih. About what price does your wool generally bring 
at home '? _ 
Answ-er. — We have never sold wool at home. Most of 
our wool was sold during the panic of 1857-8, and netted 
but little if any over 20 cents. 
9th. Is it necessary to cultivate a vegetable crop, or 
gather a hay crop to feed them on during the winter 1 
Answer. — As we do not feed our sheep on an average 
of ten days in the year, no vegetable crop is necessary. 
In connection with the above, we would state that 
quite a number of our citizens have lately engaged in this 
business, and that many others contemplate doing so at 
an early day. Their flocks are of improved stock, and 
all expect to realize a handsome per ceiitage on their itt> 
vestment. 
Mutton Hams. — Those fond of delicacies, will find a 
most excellent article of dried mutton hams at the store of 
Howell & Johnson, Broad street. Having tried them we 
can recommend them for their excellance.— 
Sun. 
We are surprised that so few “have tried” such luxuri. 
ies. The hams of a five year old mutton, well fattened 
and cured, are far superior to those of venison or pork — 
they are certainly more wholesome than the latter. Whea 
will our people learn to do something besides raise *»{- 
Journal Messenger, 
