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SPRING WHEAT.
Should Our Farmers Try  It?   How Far
South. Will It Pay?
1st Premium.—I wish to sound n note of
warning to those contemplating the substitution of spring for fall wheat. Our experience
for the past 30 years has been that we have no
use for spring wheat in this territory which includes nearly two-thirds of tho States of Indiana and Illinois, the northern parts being excepted. It would be a great help to those who
were disappointed in not seeding the usual
amount to fall wheat on account of the drouth
to substitute spring wheat were we reasonably
sure of a paying crop. Now even if a good
crop should be raised, as to quantity, the quality would probably,be very inferior, making
very poor flour and not salable in the market.
In my experience I find it more of a failure
than the winter turf oata and crimson clover,
which havo been recently tried and found
wanting. In localities infested with the
chinch bug it would not only be a failure but
would cause the bugs to damage or destroy
other crops. .
To those who are determined to invest in
an experiment with spring wheat, I would advise sowing as early as possibly; the month of
February preferred, if soil is in condition,
seed may be drilled or sown broadcast and in
about the same amount as for fall wheat. Any
grain dealer or seedsman can procure seed at a
reasonable price. It should'not be grown too
far north. Seed from Iowa would be bettor
than from further north. H. E. C.
Eastern Illinois.
2d Premium.—On account of the dry fall
the ground was broken up very cloddy, and
with any amount of ordinary preparation it
was impossible to make a desirable seed bed.
Lots of ground was not seeded that, with the
work put upon it, would ordinarily have been
in excellent condition.
Spring wheat growing has been tried here
occasionally, but in every instance that I have
heard of it has beon a failure. I have not had
any experience with it myself. But why try
it? Next . August you will have some cows,
calves and other young cattle, possibly a flock
of sheep. Your pasture has dried up, you have
. nothing for your stock except what is stored
in the bam for winter use. It would be of
immense advantage at that time to have something to feed them; a little rape, (good for
every kind of stock) some sorghum and drilled
corn to throw into the pasture field.
Suppose we have six acres of cloddy ground.
Put the drag on it in the sirring, as soon as
dry enough to work, and make a good seed
bed of it. This will also kill all weeds started
and should be repeated once every week or
ten days. About the first of May drill half of
it to corn or sorghum with corn drill, using
the drill to its fullest capacity. Then after the
main corn crop is in the ground, sow the balance of the patch to rape; or if you desire you
can sow the.. entire field to rape, using your
broadcast seeder, and put not more than four
pounds of seed to the acre. This will do to
turn into any time after six weeks, and is one
of the best feeds for young stock, especially
for young lambs after weaning time.
Two years ago my rape was very rank and I
had more than I could use, so I let a neighbor
who was buying lambs for market turn 30 head
in, paying me the market price for the growth.
They were in exactly six weeks, and gained
&40 pounds. This year I had seven acres and
do not know what I should have done without
it. My lambs today will average nearly 120
pounds, and have had hardly any grain. An
acre of rape will bring in as much to a farmer
as an acre of whoat, and the expense of the
crop is ended when the seed is in the ground.
The refuse from the crop is left on the ground
in the shape of sheep manure, whieh is considered the best fertilizer that is produced on
the farm.
Why not try a few acres this spring, instead
of working hard over a wheat crop with lots
of hard work and no certainty of success?
. Dan K. Hitchcock.
REVIEW.
The two letters tell the story fairly well as
learned by considerable inquiry.
I have, however, heard of several small
fields of spring wheat doing well this farsouth.
Farmers tried it occasionally several years
ago and though it did well in certain seasons
they did not continue to grow it. Under two
conditions we can grow spring wheat.
As Mr. H. E. C. says, it must bo sowed vory
early. This may frequently be done by fall
breaking. There often come a few days of
open, dry weather, when fall plowed land gels
gray. If you are ready, and cateh this nick of
time, you may sow early in perhaps one year
out of three.
The other condition is a lucky cool time in
filling, which is in July or August. This of
course you can't foresee. Hot weather is
no more harmful to sirring wheat than to
winter wheat, but the latter dodges it by
blooming in June.
I like very much the thoroughly practical
advice given by friend Hitchcock on how to
use this ground. E. H. Coixins.
No. 93, Dec. 18.—How are grades, culverts,
and cuts for pikes made with double tracks; a
gravel and a dirt road side by side? How do
you liko them?
No. 04, Dec. 25.—What message does Christmas bring to your life, social, spiritual?
No. 95, Jan. 1, '98.—Road Isaiah's most
beautiful chapter, and comment on it.
(Is. 55.)
Premiums of $1, 75c and 50c will be given
to lst,'id and 3d best article., each week. Lot
copy bo as practical as possible and forward it
10 days beforo publication to
Carmel. E. H. Corxixs.
A Comparison of States as to Their Size.
Editors Indiana Farmer.
Perhaps a few thoughts forthe readers ofthe
Fak-Iek, on tiie above subject may not be
amiss. How many of our readers have ever
taken pains to look up the comparative size of
tho several State. ? All pupils rat school that
study geography are taught that Rhode Island
is the smallest State and that Texas is the
largest State; but few impils realize or comprehend this in its fullness and completeness.
From a political standpoint the little State of
Rhode Island is as powerful in the United
States Senate as the colossal Stato of Texas.
The constitution giving to each and every
State equal representation in the Senate. But
if each State, according to size and population
had its representation in the Upper House,the
political complexion of that body would be
radically different. The great West and South
would dominate over tho Lilipution East. Tlie
wisdom of our revolutionary fathers has for-
|,ever placed an insurmountable barrier against
size rule.
Let us now compare a few States as to size,
as by comparison a fuller grasp can be gotten
in the shortest time. When it is said that Texas is the largest State of the Union, do we
fully comprehend what this means? The area
of Texas in square miles is 205,780; the area of
Rhode Island is 1,250. It would take nearly
213 Rhode Islands to make one Texas. The
area of Indiana is 30,350 squaro miles, a little
less than one-seventh the sizo of Texas. Texas
is as largo as the following 13 States combined: Maine (the numbers are the areas in
square miles), 33,050; New Hampshire, 9,305;
Vermont, 9,305; Massachusetts, 8,315; Connecticut, 4,490; Rhode Island, 1,250; Delaware,
2,050; New Jersey, 7,815; Pennsylvania, 45,215;
Maryland, 12,210; New York, 49,170; Ohio, 41,-
000; Kentucky, 40,4<X). Truly, Texas is a large
Stato! It would take fivo States like Illinois
or Iowa to make one Texas.
Our western States are much larger than the
eastern States, the southern States than the
northeastern States.
I once heard a gentleman ask a number of
school teachers which was the largest State
east of the Mississippi river. Some said New
York, some Pennsylvania, some Maine.and a
number had never thought about the comparative size of the States. Not one answered the
question correctly. "Why my dear sirs," said
the gentleman, "Georgia is the largest State
east of the Mississippi." The area of Georgia
is 59,475.   The next in size east of the Mississ
ippi is Florida, whose area is 58,080 square
miles.
Our western States arc quite large: California has an area of 158,300 square miles; Oregon, !Xi,030; Washington, 09,180; Wyoming,
97.890; Utah, 81,970; Montana, 140,080; Colorado,' 103,925; Minnesota, 83,305; Nevada, 110.-
7(X). That vast country, Alaska, purchased of
Russia some years ago, contains 577,390squaro
miles.
From tho above the reader will seo that the
great area of our country lies west of us. Indiana, our Hoosier State, rich in natural resources, among the foremost in educational
and a great farming Stale, is in size, comparatively small. It is classed among tho smaller
States. F. W. Reuiielt.
An Important Subject for Discussion.
Editor- Indiana Farmer.
I see an article in your issue of the 20 from
Decatur county, suggesting that iho fanners
take ujr for discussion local taxation at the
coming institute meeting, thereby saying
that our worst burdens come from county
and township taxes, and says they come more
under our control than State taxes. We don't
sec how wc can control thom more than othors, as all the public officials are presumed to
be acting under the law*. But we think it a
very timely question.
We were talking recently with an ex-trustee
of the same political faith as the present incumbent, and asked him what ho recoived
per annum for his services, and he told us
about $100. Well, for doing or caring for the
same office that official now gets $4(0. We
would bo glad if some one would show us
what labor or time is required to fill the oilice
now that would justify that official in increasing his salary four or five hundred per
cent.
Our county officers, when our legislature is
in session, always havo a lobby there in their
interest, claiming that they are not receiving
sufficient pay for their labor. Now we assert,
without fear of successful contradiction, that
any one of what we call the court house offices ean be filled by just as honest and competent men, who will give just as good satisfaction to the public, for half that money.
Take tho poorest four year office in the
county and it will pay more clear money than
the same man, who holds it, can make in 40
years on the best 100 acros of land in the
county.
Some chronic office-seeker will tell you
that is all bosh, but we are open to criticism,
and if any one eau show that these facts will
not warrant the above conclusions we will be
glad to hear from them.
Wake up, brother farmers, and let us hear
from you. Let some one take up the question who is able to go into the merits of the
case.
It seems strange that while nearly one-half
of the whole population are engaged in agriculture, yet they cannot have somo controling
influence on legislation. But it is only a
question of time when a chango will come,
for farmors will havo to receive more for
what thoy produce or curtail their expenses,
and more of them have had to cut their individual expenses in halves already. Wo repeat
we think the question very pertinent.
Bartholomew County.
 **iet.	
restful, pleasing and healthful than some light
garden or farm work? Here we are, in communion with '•nature in her various moods,"
—in the pure air and sunshine—nature's tonic
for weary minds.
It is true that during theso forty years of
school duties, I have spent my leisure time in
the orchard or garden. And I feel that the
school-room with all its interests has not suffered by this digression, but has greatly benefitted. This relation of form and school
work has been helpful in many instances—
not all of them pertaining to the pocket book
either—but it has been a fruitful source from
which to gather types and illustrations for use
in the school-room. It has given depth and
broadness of life, an insight into life's necessities and possibilities, and it has given
health and vigor.
My advice to those who do much mental
mork is to go and do likewise.
The question of the advantages of city versus country life is as old as the cities themselves. In our school days when our hopes
and ambitions were young, with what earnestness and energy did we discuss the subject.
All tho eloquence and fiery fervor of a future
Webster or Patrick Henry, were not lacking
on either side. With what deliberation, independence and impartialilty did the jury make
their decision and announce it to a breathless
audience! With what genuine enthusiasm did
the victors make the old school house, ring,
while the vanquished dipped oil' home and to
occupy a sleepless bed!
"Oil!   were   you   ne'er   a   schoolboy and did you
never train,
Arrd feel that swelling of the heart you ne'er can
feel a^ain,"
in its fullness.
But the youth of to-day who discusses the
subject will have to revise the basis for argument. Many of the former city luxuries have
become country possibilities and necessities.
Possibilities of Modern
Rural Life.
\. A
11.
[Vrom paper read before  Marion County
Society, hy \V. IS. Flick.]
How can ho who has spent forty years of his
life in the school room and business immediately connected therewith be an expert in
farming or any of its related subjects?
The profession of school teaching is one of
most exacting callings—taxing the teacher's
timo most severely; consequently, he sometimes feels that he has no time for any diver-
tisement, but I early learned from experience
that in continual application there is a loss
of nervous energy which retards progress.
This is one reason why I am a fruit raiser and
gardener, however, I can say that nature, as
exemplified in her different forms of life, has
a beauty and a charm which is wholly irresistible.
I have endeavored to plan my work so that
rest, found in useful and agreeable work, follows mental labor; and what could   be more
A Snake and Bird Charmer.
A young man -3 yoars old, living near Gui-
onsville, and known as "Hun" Conway, for
years has possessed a wonderful power over
snakes, birds and fish. At his command
snakes will crawl from their holes and coil
about him, birds will fly to his feet, and fish
will float to the surface and yield themselves
to his touch. Conway is of mediocre intelligence, and lie can otter no explanation for
his strange influence over the lower forms of
animal life. Recently Hon. H. D. McMullen
and the board of county commissioners had
business in the vicinity of Guionsville, and a
call was made upon Conway, with a request
that he demonstrates his peculiar gifts.
Thereupon Conway accompanied thom to the
the banks of Laugher j*. creekwhere he uttered a~
peculiar cry, whereupon several shinny-skinned snakes emerged from their holes and crawled
toward him, coiling themselves about his
arms and neck. After being touched by his
hand they seemed to fall into a kind of a
stupor' offering no resistance whatever.
Seven snakes of different species responded
to the call. President Heaton, of the county
board, and Judge McMullen, being somewhat skeptical as to the condition of the
snakes, ventured to take hold of two of the
reptiles, whereupon the snakes instantly recovered their native activity, and with flashing eyes, open jaws and protruding t6ngues
they made every effort to revenge the intru;
sion. Both gentlemen were thoroughly
frightened, and lost no time in hurling the
reptiles to a safe distance. Conway then resumed his control over the reptiles, finally
permitting them to return to their hiding-
places. Conway then disrobed and dived into
the chilly waters of the creek, reappearing
with a fish in each hand, and he continued to
catch fish unt il each man was provided with
a good string. Then lie redressed and went
to a neighboring thicket, where ho whistled
for the birds, and soon a number were
perched upon his head and shoulders with all
the familiarity of domesticated pets. Ever
since childhood Conway has shown a liking
for strange pets, and his leisure hours have
been spent in companionship with snakes
and birds over which he has remarkable control. His greatest fondness is for snakes, and
under no circumstances could he be induced-
to kill one..