1900. 
THE RURAL NEW-VORKER 
783 
MORE ABOUT THAT FARMERS’ INSTITUTE, and harrowing, cost of putting on “green”—in fact in the field. It was a very dry time, and even stand- 
Thp Figures in the Case tllC ite * ms were 3,1 tliere - Prof. Clinton will see ing Timothy was liable to go with the first spark. 
“ * from the table that the labor on the crop cost $180, Up the grade came a train heavily loaded, and after 
On page 707 you give an interesting account of of this $55 was estimated, as there were 127 rows yet it was gone I noticed a fire in my standing Timothy, 
your visit at Hampton Institute. The remarks which to dig. The expense therefore ran to $22.50 per acre, near the railroad track. Of course I ran to put it 
you make with reference to conducting farmers’ in- Prof. Clinton has, we understand, grown some large out, but the strong wind soon did the work, and 
stitutes are without doubt many of them correct, but crops of potatoes, but he can rest assured that an ac- down went the hay, regardless of plenty of help that 
you apparently endorse the discussion at Hampton curate statement of this Southern crop was given, came to fight the fire. The section foreman and 
with reference to growing the potato crop. This These potatoes were sold by weight to the Old Sol- hands were on the scene after the fire. The foreman 
seems to be what you consider an ideal method of diers’ Home at Hampton, and gave finally about 1,870 told me that he would report it to the adjuster and I 
giving information. I have carefully studied this bushels including small size. The estimate was, would hear from him soon. 
table which was placed on the black-board by Profes- therefore, correct. The yield was larger than the The foreman sent in my bill for $28 damage, but 
■sor Graham, and of which you state that you give an average, and that is why the statement of it was I did not hear from headquarters, so I took a trip 
“exact copy.” This table leads one to believe that made the text for this institute. We can assure down to Cleveland, where the offices were. I called 
eight acres of Alfalfa land were planted to potatoes. Prof. Clinton that the colored farmers in that audi- on the adjuster and made myself known and my 
^.re h^ven^ which, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 
and there would be quite a different „ lives along the railroad lines. I would 
showing. It seems to me strange that Y0U MIGHT CATX IT A MODEL FAMILY. Flo. 440. advise him to look first and see Tf the 
some of those who made up that au- fire started on the railroad’s grounds 
dience did not ask questions with reference to these ence dug down to the bottom of these figures. They first; if not lie might just as well quit first as last 
points, so that the table, which was put on the board shook out every one of them and got the facts. Some in trying to get square with the railroad company, 
in such “large, clear letters,” could be modified or of these men did not grow over 70 bushels to the Ohio. c. r. golden. 
at least corrected. From the 30 barrels of Irish acre but at least one man reported a larger yield 
Cobbler seed was produced 720 barrels of potatoes, than the one under discussion. We never saw a ^ “C KailrOtlu Helps. 
If these were 2 1-2 bushel barrels, then we are to more enthusiastic or useful institute. It was made Recently the owners of woodland adjoining our 
understand that from eight acres of land there were so because Mr. Davis told of his crop and was forced railroad line (Philadelphia, Baltimore & Washington, 
produced 1,800 bushels of potatoes. This is at the to explain and defend every detail of it. The ques- Central Division), have been asked to give the corn- 
rate of 225 bushels per acre on an eight-acre field, tions named by Prof. Clinton were all asked, and pany liberty to bum over a strip 100 feet wide ad- 
While these figures arc not large, and are certainly we have the best of authority for the saying that joining the right of way, at the approach of the 
not heyond the range of possibilities, yet they are there were over 1,800 bushels of potatoes grown dry season, Spring and Fall. The secretary of the 
far beyond the usual yield of potatoes in the South, on the eight acres, and sold to the Old Soldiers’ Pocono Fire Protective Association informed me 
If the accuracy with reference to measuring the crop Home, and that the cost,of growing the crop was as that their association and the Lackawanna Rail- 
was of the same sort as the expense items, it cer- stated. The matter of the institute seemed to us of road are co-operating for the same permission (of 
tainly leaves room for doubt as course there in the mountains 
to the value of that kind of far- 1 ^_they will burn a wider strip); 
up. Each item as it was explain- - : --. u , H | ( . r the trees. This leaf 
ed was chalked out on the board “OUT OF THE OLD HOUSE INTO THE NEW.” Fig. 450. mould has a value far in 
by itself, and then discussed by ' excess of that of a few 
speaker and audience. The chief hundred rails and cords of 
criticism was directed at the fertilizer used, both as to less importance than the ‘manner of holding it. The wood, that may be burned; but because the 
quality and quantity. meeting was a model one, and the same plan will be value of the ground cover has not been rec- 
Eight. Acres Alfalfa Land. j us t as useful for white men ognized as so much per acre there is no com- 
Expemcs. ' _j_ pensation for this loss, while the posts and the wood 
75 loads manure @ 50c.$ 37 50 «r> lir n »nnn*i\r or iir»v« are settled for at so much. In the case of young 
10 °'!?-,i 1 r»IL nc i l U.• . 1(50 00 RAILROADS RIGHT OF WAY. sprout growth it is almost the same. 
11 barrels small size. 120 00 Difficulties in Securing Damages 1 his whole problem, whether in the mountain fo\- 
40 pounds Paris green. 8 oo 1 ° aunu o i/oiiidgca. ests (f ores t s but for the fires that arc making them 
irn b . 0 . 1 .A 0 liar vesting.. 125 oo I noticed an article, “Through a Locomotive deserts), or in the farmer’s wood lot, is largely one 
■iu*8 Ug, etc. (Estimated.). .^j. 00 Screen,” giving the exact size of cinders. I that will find its solution with the growth of a strong 
Total. a no 5 oo . . , , , i.i , . , clear public, sentiment. I he railroads can help us. 
Income , want to . lct you know what happened with B y burning over the edges of leaf-covered areas ad- 
070 barrels <5 $1.50.$1,005 00 me a ^ ew y ears a S°> > n regard to cinders, joining they reduce the risk enormously and this it 
50 barrels, small @ 50c.' 25 00 My land is bounded on the south by the I.. S. & seems to me is a reasonable precaution. And fur- 
si 030 00 M. S. R. R. and it always seemed strange to me that ! hcr . as so . on a * the management finds its advantage 
505 50 n railroad rnmmnv was so liaial tn art even will, 1,1 preventing, the prompt reporting of fires by tram 
T --- a , ra , aa com ? any vvas so har(l t0 sct even Wlth crews, and the instant dispatch of section gangs to 
1 >r ? tl ^.^ about their engines setting fires, until I had an ex- put out the fire, this simple means will almost pre- 
Mr. Davis gave the cost of plowing and harvesting perience with them. In haying time I was at work vent the present great loss. a. s. h. 
