i89o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
3 
to the one livery establishment in the place 
to hire a conveyance. We at once came 
upon Jim, our driver of the preceding day, 
and we quickly arranged to have him go 
with us. The man who owned the livery 
establishment, an illiterate but cleverly 
endowed man naturally, insisted upon our 
going into his stables to look at some sad¬ 
dle horses, while all the time he was filling 
our ears with brilliant tales of the univer¬ 
sal resources about Franklin, and the ex¬ 
cellent business opportunities the region 
afforded. A railroad would be through in 
a day or two ; the route had been surveyed, 
and Philadelphia capitalists were largely in¬ 
vesting in land thereabouts, he said. Then 
he took us into a drug store, which he 
owned, and treated us to a delicious cold 
drink called “ milk-skake:” the ice was 
brought from Asheville where there is a 
factory or machine for its manufacture, 
and he also showed us some of the precious 
stones of the mines, which had been cut 
and polished in New York, and which were 
exceedingly beautiful. 
When, about 10 o’clock, we were ready 
to be off, “Jim” was directed to drive us 
about the town—a brief task—and he 
pointed out the “college,” in which chil¬ 
dren learn their letters, two or three 
churches in ill-kept grounds, and the 
shabby brick court-house; but the location 
of the town was beautiful, its beauty being 
of a character impossible for men to de¬ 
stroy. We had the same “ hack” in which 
we rode from Dillsboro, the back seat hav¬ 
ing been taken out to make room for my 
trunk. Our transportation from Dillsboro 
to Franklin cost us $4. From Franklin to 
Highlands the charge was $8, the distance 
being the same—21 miles. We first crossed 
the Tennessee River on a rickety bridge, 
and for a few miles the road was quite level 
and traversable; but after that, it was one 
long tug over an abominable road—so 
rough that had I been stronger, I would 
have walked half the way, and escaped the 
jolting of the worst rough-and-tumble ride 
I ever experienced. But the air was delic¬ 
ious, and the woods which shaded the way 
were altogether lovely—great chestnuts, 
oaks, poplars, (we had seen a church on the 
line of the last day’s railroad ride, that had 
been built from one poplar tree) maple, 
ash. cherry, walnut, pine, hemlock and no 
end of rhododendron and laurel. The flame- 
colored azalea shone like burning bushes; 
the pink of the rhododendron was begin¬ 
ning to show; the white beard of the 
cliionanthus wagged in the vernal congre¬ 
gation of leaves; purple passion flowers ran 
riot; the brilliant fire pink surpassed the 
painted cup in its rich glow, and the 
blossoms of the chinquapin gracefully 
fringed the way. The large leaves of the 
cy pripedium, and the smaller ones of the ar¬ 
butus were in great profusion, the blossom¬ 
ing season being long over. We crossed 
and re-crossed rivers—sometimes on apol¬ 
ogies for bridges, sometimes fording them 
—passed corundum-laden wagons, and 
halted at a corundum factory, where the 
wet corundum after being washed from the 
sand was dried in a large metal pan placed 
over a fire. I am not sure that corundum 
is found elsewhere in the United States. 
The product of these mines is chiefly 
shipped to the factories of New England 
which have most need of this polishing ma¬ 
terial. Occasionally we came into a clear¬ 
ing, where the trees had been deadened by 
being girdled, and then left to fall in the 
course of time. The ground was plowed 
around them and planted to corn. Thin 
“ razor-back ” hogs haunted the woods, and 
“hog and hominy” were apparently the 
chief articles of diet. Jim was asked if 
there were any rattlesnakes in the moun¬ 
tains, and replied emphatically in the 
affirmative; but added as a mollifying 
statement, that the “razor-backs” and 
black snakes ate a great many, and so they 
were kept down! Then followed some 
wonderment as to how a black snake or a 
“razor-back” could swallow a rattler with¬ 
out being bitten, or if the animals were 
proof against crotalus poison; but Jim 
didn’t know—only “the black snake is 
quick as lightniu’, and the razor was al¬ 
lowed to be hurt by no pizen.” 
The mountaineer cabins continued to 
be of the same type as on the preceding day, 
just as remote from each other and each 
one as densely populated with rather for¬ 
lorn-looking human beings. There was 
not much to see in the way of “ views”— 
wood in every direction, up and down 
mountains—pretty streams, sometimes 
rushing waterfalls and wild gorges, a strip 
of sky over our heads, lichen-grown rocks, 
and moss and lichen-grown trees more and 
more abounding—a moist atmosphere evi¬ 
dently. The miles all seemed leagues, and 
the roads appeared to be leading up to the 
moon, or to some indefinite place out of the 
world. I could not help wondering what 
would become of us if the “ hack ” should 
break down, the horses break their legs, or 
we should suddenly fall ill, and what did 
these isolated mountaineers do, when they 
sickened and died, and Jim allowed that 
they did die, and generally buried their 
dead the next day, as they had no conven¬ 
iences for keeping the “dead ’uns.” Nowand 
then we metaman clad in homespun, wear¬ 
ing a broad-brimmed hat on hjs sallow head, 
which he always touched or lifted as we 
passed, with a “ good evenin’ ” after the 
noon hour. We stopped to eat the luncheon 
that had been put up for us at the hotel in 
Franklin—fried chicken, ham sandwiches, 
slices of bread spread with preserved cher¬ 
ries, and some heavy cake. Jim said that 
he was never allowed to feed the horses dur¬ 
ing the day’s drive. They were in good con¬ 
dition and seemed to be well cared for. 
About four o’clock in the afternoon we 
emerged into a semi-cleared plateau, or 
tableland, set around with low, wooded 
mountains, with nothing visible beyond. 
The clouds seemed very near, and the hori¬ 
zon extremely limited. The place had a 
sort of on the-top-end-of-the-world look 
about it, and Jim made the startling an¬ 
nouncement that we were within a mile and 
a-half of the Highlands. We had found ex¬ 
cellent fences by the roadside and signs up 
warning persons not to trespass, which 
looked queer enough in a country where it 
would seem that a tramp or a trespasser of 
any description would be a welcome addition 
to the population. Here was also a saw-mill, 
which argued the possibility of something 
aside from log-houses, which in the Adi¬ 
rondack Mountains, are often quite palatial; 
but the North Carolina product is a differ¬ 
ent affair, although even here they could 
with a little labor be made very picturesque. 
As we rode into the hamlet all the natural 
beauty of the place seemed to have taken 
to the woods—trees were cut from the bad¬ 
ly graded street, the few cottages were low 
and ugly and small, and there was nothing 
to enthuse my disgusted soul, into 
a cheerful glow at the prospect before me. 
And this was Highlands, which had been 
pictured to me as a sublunary Paradise ? 
Jim did not know where my pre-engaged 
lodgings were to be found, and he stopped 
at the post-office to inquire while the lad¬ 
die went to ask for letters. Then we rode 
further on, turned into another street, and 
I spied a dwelling which from external ap¬ 
pearance I thought I would be happy in, 
and Jim went to inquire the nameofitg 
occupant. 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
New York. 
Newark, "Wayne County, December 14.— 
Owing to several weeks of good fall weath¬ 
er farmers have finished their work, and 
have quite an amount of plowing done for 
spriug crops. Much less wheat is put in 
each year, as it is impossible to compete 
with the West either in wheat or corn. 
Farmers, as a rule, are somewhat dis¬ 
couraged on account of light crops and low 
prices for nearly everything they have to 
sell. Wheat brings from 78 to 80 cents a 
bushel; oats 25. The barley market has 
been dull, nearly all the buyers having old 
malt ou hand. Some was sold at 55 to 58 
cents a to-day ; the offering is 45 to 50 cents 
per bushel. Of potatoes, a large acreage was 
planted ; the yield was about one-third of 
an average crop; price 50 to 60 cents with 
a decline to 30 cents. Peppermint oil was 
a medium crop; price to-day $1.85 to $1.90 
per pound. Prices are as follows for farm 
produce, aside from the above: corn 45 
cents; butter, 18; eggs, 20 ; pork, $4.50 
dressed. w. H. K. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
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tion. Before asking a question, please see if it 
is not answered in our advertising columns. 
Ask only a few questions at one time. Put 
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KILLING TICKS IN WINTER. 
How can ticks on sheep and lambs b^ 
best killed during the winter season? Will 
it do to dip sheep in cold weather, with 
the buildings used by the average farmer? 
FROM JONATHAN TALCOTT. 
I don’t do anything except feed the sheep 
well. Last spring at shearing-time not a 
tick was found on the fleck. I should not 
think it safe for the average farmer to dip 
sheep in cold weather. 
Rome, N. Y. 
FROM C. A. CHAPMAN. 
I keep but a few sheep—only 60—at a 
time. We never have any ticks on our 
Merinos that have good care. If by any 
chance some make their appearance I pick 
them off one by one at shearing time. I 
see one so seldom, however, that I never 
think of a remedy. 
Middlebury, Vermont. 
FROM JAMES TURNER. 
Perhaps nothing is better to rid the sheep 
of ticks than a dip in a solution of tobacco; 
but this I find entirely impracticable in 
the winter, as the sheep are sure to take 
cold, and serious losses are thus incurred. 
I use nothing but pyrethrum, otherwise 
known as Persian Insect Powder. This is 
sprinkled liberally through the fieece, and 
makes short work of the ticks. It will not, 
of course, kill the nits and eggs, but a 
second application readily takes care of 
them, as they come out. I have used the 
powdered pyrethrum for 20 years and never 
knew it to fail to remove ticks from the 
sheep. I also find it very useful to remove 
lice from the colts and cattle or from dogs. 
It is said to be dead shot for any living 
thing that breathes without lungs. 
Lansing, Michigan. 
FROM L. W. PEF.T. 
I should regard the practice of dipping 
sheep as hazardous. There would be dan¬ 
ger of colds and lung disease. Sheep will 
endure intense cold with no serious harm, 
if kept perfectly dry and out of the wind; 
but, like young turkeys, they soon succumb 
to cold with dampness. Sheep-sheds here 
in Vermont are doubtless much warmer 
than those south of us. We board and 
clap-board our sheds and ceil inside with 
matched lumber and many are nicely paint¬ 
ed outside, while some whitewash inside 
for light and tidiness. But shepherds with 
such surroundings never dip their sheep, 
summer or winter; they have no ticks. The 
great density and yolk of the improved 
Merino fleece are uncongenial to the sheep 
ticks, and thus we are freed of their annoy¬ 
ing presence. However, there are in these 
parts some who, of late, are raising coarse- 
wools with a view both to wool and mut¬ 
ton. Such have to contend with ticks and 
when, by chance, these pests have not been 
destroyed before winter, some have sifted 
Scotch snuff along the entire length of the 
sheeps’ backs with j partially [satisfactory 
results. 
Cornwall, Vt. 
FROM PHIL. THRIFTON. 
Our sheep have not of late years been 
greatly troubled with ticks. Some years 
ago we used the following remedy : In one 
gallon of (rater boil one-quarter of a pound 
of common plug tobacco. When cold fill a 
quart bottle nearly to the neck and add one 
tablespoonful of spirits of turpentine 
Through a well-fitting cork make a small 
hole and into this, from the inner end, push 
a goose quill, small end foremost. When 
the cork is placed in the mouth of the bot¬ 
tle the small end of the quill will project 
out beyond the cork. Cut very little off 
from the small end of the quill, that the 
contents of the bottle may not pass out too 
freely when being applied to the sheep. 
Take one sheep at a time: part the wool 
and shake or squirt the liquid on to the 
skin every three or four inches along the 
neck and back from the head to the tail. 
We have found this remedy to do its work, 
killing the ticks in less than two days. I 
would by no means recommend dipping 
the sheep in cold weather. When towards 
shearing time I have found the sheep 
troubled with ticks I have let the whole 
flock go until about two weeks after shear¬ 
ing. By this time the ticks have left the 
sheared sheep and gone to the lambs. I 
then treat the latter by the remedy above 
described. 
Springfield, Ill. 
FROM C. COLLINS. 
My practice in cold weather at leisure 
times is to catch the sheep, hunt for the 
ticks and pinch them; then at shearing 
time I instruct my shearers to clip them. 
I think it very important to shear early, 
particularly breeding ewes, before the ticks 
escape to the lambs. By following this 
practice I have got rid of ticks. I think it 
hardly advisable to dip sheep in cold 
weather, with the buildings used by the 
average farmer. I should, if possible, keep 
my sheep and lambs strong with a variety 
of feed, and after they are shorn dip them 
in tobacco water. 
Victor, N. Y. 
FROM ADDISON TERRY. 
I use insect powder and I think it is the 
best and surest remedy for ticks and the 
least troublesome to use. Open the wool 
from the head to the roots of the tail; 
sprinkle on the powder with a thing like a 
pepper-box. I put it in on different places 
on the body, as well as the back. If the 
powder is good it is a sure remedy, and its 
use is better than dipping the sheep in hot 
or cold water. I would not use cold water 
at this time of the year. I have used warm 
water in winter, keeping the sheep in a 
warm building until dry. 
Byron, N. Y. 
FROM GEORGE F. LOWE. 
I have never dipped sheep in winter 
to kill ticks, therefore I could not say 
whether it would be a safe practice or not; 
but I think not, with the usual protection 
given sheep by the average farmer. My 
practice has been to make the shearers 
careful to kill all the ticks at shearing 
time and by taking extra pains, very few 
ticks will be left on the sheep when the 
fleece is off. Of course some will be on the 
lambs, but they ought to be dipped before 
winter. 
Le Roy, N. Y. 
FROM D. W. THOMAS. 
It is considered dangerous to dip sheep in 
winter season ; but I would advise the fol¬ 
lowing treatment: Take turpentine and 
water, half and half, and sprinkle it on the 
sheep, or use snuff or coal oil in the same 
way as the turpentine and water. Shake 
up well before using. The following is also 
good. Take crude quicksilver, one pound : 
Venice turpentine, half a pound, spirits 
of turpentine, two ounces, and sprinkle 
the sheep with the mixture. Here is still 
another remedy: Take corrosive subli¬ 
mate, one ounce; spirits of wine, two 
ounces. Rub the corrosive sublimate in 
the spirits until it is dissolved, and then 
