A Cotton Picker

A machine for picking cotton was tested recently in South Carolina, and the pianters whowitnessed the testpronounce the invention a success. Representativo cotton planters throughout the South have been invited to be present at tho "official" trial of this ncv machine iu the near future. Then it will be defimtely decided whether or not the long looked-for cottoi -pieker has really made its appearancc at last. The valué oí such amachine totheGulf States will be incalculable. For Southern plantéis it must provo the greateát of inventions, vith tho single exception of the cotton-gin. The principie of the uontrivano which was operated in South Carolina with satisfactoi'y rcsults is quite wondeif ui. The machine is ablo to distinguish between ripo and unripo cotton, and picks only the latter. This would seem incrediblè had it not been demonstrated. The Charleston News and Courier in an elabórate account of the recent experiment, explains how the machine operates. The shafts, which pass through the field without injuring the plants, are hollow cylinders of brass an inch and a half in diameter. They aro perforated with numerous elliptical-shaped holes, and in these holes are set slwrp-pointed tceth whicli are adjusted just below the surface. The outer surface of the cylinders are perfectly smooth, and in passing any subsance not iiberous over il the teeth are not feit. When, however, the slafis come in contact with the bolls "the cotton fiber sinks down into the openings in which the teeth are set and is caught by the sharp points of the teeth." While in contact with the open bolls the stafls turn in 1 he direction to which the teeth point, and in this way the teeth pull the cotton from the bolls. The staffs have a rotary motion around the shaft, and convey tho cotton to the opposite sides of thesliafts, where leather strips wipe it off into the side boxes. The machine weighs about 300 pounds, and can be worked by one horse, with a ïuan to direct it. In the test a tew days ago it picked cotton at the rate of 200 pounds an hour. The liveliest interest has been awakened among the cotton planters, and they are looking forward eagerly to the coming "oiücial" test of the eottonpicker. Mu GiiOHGE W. Cable's new novel of New Orleans life, "Dr. Sevier" (pronounced Sc-vere), begun in the November Century, will revea!, it is said, in a larger measuro than his previous stories. Mr. Cablo's oharming faculty of humorous characterization. The interest of the novel centers in a young marvied eouple from the North, many of whose e?periencc36 are drawn from actual life. He is the most proficient in the study of human nature who has canvassed his wholo inner being, and knows his owu secret sins. Self-jiulgment is the true basis on which we may correctly judge of the cliaracters of others. As we have done, so others may do, ander the same circumstance?, witli the same temptations. Jf the "blood is the life," we necd not be surprised if "bad blood" produced much ilisease, as a legitímate result, mueh unnecessary suffering, and more Ui-temper and bad moráis in general. If the body is corrupt, the miad oannot be clear and the squl pure. Tho farmers of Pepack, N. J., have bound theniselves by a written ag reement to prosecute every farmer whopermits Canada tliistlcs to go to seod on his premises.