Vintage News Articles & Finds

[billycw]

The Memphis appeal,
April 25, 1887
Article: A Mexican Priest Flogs the Corpse of a Dead Wizard

Cupid Chastised - Bartolomeo Manfredi - between 1605 and 1610



The Memphis appeal, April 25, 1887

Hector Rondon. A priest looks for help for a Venezuelan soldier wounded during bitter fighting with rebel marines in Puerto Cabello. 1962

 

[billycw]

Very cool photos!! Thanks for sharing them

Thank you Mrs, Babba, humbled with an audience. Much of the show to go

 

[billycw]

Orange County Sheriff Logan Jackson (second from right) with 'expert', District Attorney, and others, examining marijuana plant (July 22, 1932)

 

[billycw]

"If men could learn from history, what lessons it might teach us! But passion and party blind our eyes, and the light which experience gives us is a lantern on the stern which shines only on the waves behind."

-Samuel Taylor Coleridge


With elections coming up and looking at the bills, I fear we will all still be criminals in the morning...

The question begs repeating,,,

Is it "better to burn out then to fade away"...

Farmer McKinley - from Harper’s Weekly - 1896 presidential campaign cartoon

 

[billycw]

"There's been no top authority saying what marijuana does to you. I really don't know that much about it. I tried it once but it didn't do anything to me."

- John Wayne


When the reporter then asked John Wayne if he enjoyed Chuck Norris movies?

He replied, never heard of her... (Ok ok, but the first quote is real)

'Marijuana' - Re titled European release of the 1952 film Big Jim McLain

'Marijuana' - Re titled European release of the 1952 film Big Jim McLain

 

[billycw]

“It is better to have your head in the clouds, and know where you are... than to breathe the clearer atmosphere below them, and think that you are in paradise.”

― Henry David Thoreau

Moss street art - Dr Love

 

[billycw]

To Earthward


Love at the lips was touch
As sweet as I could bear;
And once that seemed too much;
I lived on air

That crossed me from sweet things,
The flow of—was it musk
From hidden grapevine springs
Downhill at dusk?

I had the swirl and ache
From sprays of honeysuckle
That when they’re gathered shake
Dew on the knuckle.

I craved strong sweets, but those
Seemed strong when I was young;
The petal of the rose
It was that stung.

Now no joy but lacks salt,
That is not dashed with pain
And weariness and fault;
I crave the stain

Of tears, the aftermark
Of almost too much love,
The sweet of bitter bark
And burning clove.

When stiff and sore and scarred
I take away my hand
From leaning on it hard
In grass and sand,

The hurt is not enough:
I long for weight and strength
To feel the earth as rough
To all my length.

By Robert Frost

Taylor Camp - Hawaiian island of Kauai’s north shore - taken between 71-76

 

[billycw]

Civil War Camp - Falmouth, Virginia 1963 by Timothy O'Sullivan

 

[Mrs.Babba]

Clothing optional at Taylor camp, I love it.....must have been so chill

 

[billycw]

Clothing optional at Taylor camp, I love it.....must have been so chill

I love the rebellious spirit and backstory of Taylor Camp, might have to write it up one of these days

 

[billycw]

“And a new philosophy emerged called quantum physics, which suggest that the individual’s function is to inform and be informed. You really exist only when you’re in a field sharing and exchanging information. You create the realities you inhabit.”

― Timothy Leary

Victorian Gardening School 1904


Sharing is Caring


While reading through old documents a leading trend sticks out... Long before OG, CW, the internet or mail for that matter, growers had the want, need and ambition to share and trade both knowledge and seed with other growers from all over...

What you have found, what others have shared with you, what you have liked and what you think might help others seemed to be a driving force. When you heard about someone in the world hoarding a particular plant or technique, they risked life and limb to obtain it. Many times with the treat of death if caught in 007 like plots to get them(like Thomas Jefferson smuggling rice out of Italy that will be in Part 2 of my Founding Growers post).

James Anderson of Hermiston - engraving published in the Gentleman’s Magazine of May 1809

"I thank you as well for the Seeds as for the Pamphlets which you had the goodness to send me. The artificial preparation of Hemp, from Silesia, is really a curiosity; and I shall think myself much favored in the continuance of your corrispondence."

- George Washington letter to James Anderson May 26, 1794


While following up on George Washington, I found a second letter from James Anderson (of Scotland) that predates Washington's return letter quoted above. Many claim the Silesia hemp reference is to a possible hash tech but in the previous letter it most certainly makes reference to a fabric or linen process and sample.

What stuck me though is the willingness and want to send seeds and knowledge of interesting botany varieties across the world, sometimes taking months at the time, asking nothing in return.

In the case of James Anderson, who also wrote "The Bee" a agricultural weekly, he did this with many different farmers around the world including Kew's in the UK, George W and Thomas Jefferson to name a few.


Letter from James Anderson to George Washington - August 15, 1793

Sir

I received, a few weeks ago the letter of the 25 April which you did me the honour to write to me. Lord Buchan, at the same time favoured me with a sight of what you had written to him. I can make no other return but the most sincere thanks for these unmerited marks of your obliging attention—I shall at least make it my study so to act as not to make you ashamed of this kindness.

Tho’ it must be expected that in our attempts to obtain useful productions from one country with a view to benefit another we will often find that articles sent to us as valuable turn out to be of little use, we ought not from thence to slacken our endeavours; for, if out of a hundred trials one shall prove successful, much good will be done. No man can estimate the benefits that Britain has derived from the introduction of the culture of Broad Clover—Turnips, and potatoes into this island; and the benefits that America has derived from the culture of Rice is notorious—To obtain one other such article would be a sufficient recompence for thousands of abortive trials. From these considerations I continue to collect from all quarters, to the utmost of my power, to distribute to others. I have obtained many parcels of seeds from Botany Bay3—but these not coming recommended by any notices of their utility, I distribute only to those who are curious about more and new plants—I use the freedom to send along with this a few specimens of seeds of plants I have lately received which are recommended for their utility, some of which may, perhaps at some future period prove useful to America.

1st Polygonum tataricum—Tartarian Buckwheat—was recommended to me as a perennial plant of great value as a food for cattle—I sowed the seeds about the end of june—and it is evidently an annual plant—as it has been already in flower for at least a fortnight—It grows vigurously, and has much the habit and appearance of the common buck wheat—The grain is more weighty.

2d Asclepias Syriaca. a plant that affords a cottony down of the softness of silk. some notices of which are to be found in the Bee Vol. 13 p. I sowed the seeds, which proved prolific. It is a perennial—has a sickly appearance—Concerning this plant I am promised farther information.

3d Turnips. These seeds were sent by Warren Hastings Esqr., who, whatever may have been his conduct in his public station, is, in his private capacity an amiable man, and a sincere promoter of science and useful arts—These seeds are said to have come from Thibet—But whether they possess any valuable peculiarities, or what these are, I cannot pretend to say The seeds were received only about two weeks ago—I sowed some of them which have sprung up—and will serve to propogate the species for farther trials.

N.B. The qualities of the Ruta baga, or Swedish turnips have been now tolerably well ascertained here—On dry ground, they are small and trifling, but upon damp stiff land where no other turnips would grow they swell to a very large size—Their qualities for the table are excellent—if enough boiled—otherwise they taste bitter.

4th Sesamum Orientale These seeds came from the neighbourhood of Astracan—and require a warmer climate than ours to ripen—It is there cultivated for the sake of the oil it affords—one third of the weight of seed can be obtained from it—This oil is of a pleasant bland taste as olive oil, and is not apt to turn rancid even in the hottest climate, tho’ it is there carried in skins exposed to the sun. In warm countries—where cows cannot be easily kept, or butter obtained in quantities—a fine kind of eating oil becomes a necessary of life—And as olives do not come into full bearing for many years—to young settlers, an annual plant which affords the same article in abundance and of a superior quality promises to be a great acquisition. Probably in the Carolina’s or Georgia this plant may prove of use—I am assured the seeds are perfectly fresh—but I have not tried them.

I use the freedom also to send a very small specimen of a curious artificial preparation of hemp which comes from silesia in Germany—It is at least a matter of curiosity, as it shews how far the ingenuity of man will go when stimulated with the hope of gain—It had a lustre like silk when I got it—but has been so much handled as to have lost much of its beauty—If it can be afforded at a moderate price it will be a valuable discovery—A gentleman of fortune in England to whom I sent a small specimen—has authorised me to write to Silesia which I have done, to see if the inventor will sell the secret—which if he does he means to publish—It must be a long time before manufactures which owe most of their value to labour, can be introduced with profit into America.

I send along with this parcel a copy as compleat as I can make it, of the correspondence in India of my worthy friend Dr Anderson at Madras—If any thing that is mentioned there promises to be useful in any of the American provinces I can easily order them from thence. Sir William Jones of Calcutta, whose influence in India at present is well known, is so good likewise as to interest the principal persons in that extensive district to communicate information to me concerning any thing that promises to be useful in Europe—so that, by his means, if you or any person in America wish for any article or communication from Bengal, or its dependancies, I think I can promise to obtain it—But long is it before returns from thence can be obtained—Dr Pallas too—who is now on an expedition into the southern parts of the Russian dominions is anxious to promote the dissemination of useful knowledge. And as I am authorised to correspond with him, by post without expence of postage, any information that may be wanted from thence can be obtained by the quickest conveyance In the 16th volume of the Bee now printing will be found a very valuable dissertation on the different varieties of sheep he found in the Great Tartary. and other parts of the Russian dominions he had visited, accompanied with plates done from drawings furnished by him—This dissertation gives a more perfect view of the natural history of this useful animal than I have met with in any other publication.

It is not to be supposed that you yourself can find leisure among the multiplied avocations that claim your attention, to advert to matters of this sort—But there are many men of liberal dispositions in America, who are not engaged in public affairs who might perhaps take pleasure in forwarding such pursuits To such men an opening of this sort might prove acceptable were it known.

Your sentiments respecting the conduct of America in regard to the unfortunate disturbances in Europe at present, as expressed in your letter to Lord Buchan, must command the approbation of every worthy mind. It is one of those evils to which our imperfect state in this world subjects us, that no good can be got without alloy—It is so difficult to draw the line between liberty and licentiousness—that the one can scarcely be obtained without some share of the other—The present state of France is most deplorable—and that of the other countries in Europe is not enviable—Happy is it for America that she is not embroiled in this general calamity—I flatter myself that the two inclosed papers give a fairer and more candid state of affairs in Britain at present than you can have access to find in any other publication—I hope to have your forgivenness for sending them thus—I believe ninty nine persons out of a hundred here think exactly as is there represented—I never before knew the public judge so wisely respecting a war.

In compliance with the obliging hint contained in your letters—I have at this time endeavoured to find an agent in Philadelphia to circulate the Bee But whether I shall be able to get it effected, is to me doubtful—for booksellers in general are a set of men with whom I have found greater difficulties in business than any others—I should have been wanting in duty to myself And in respect to your much honoured opinions, had I not done what lies in my power to establish a correspondence with america—which is the country of all others, where I expect to find men acting with energy as rational creatures.

I hope you will pardon the length of this letter—and that you will not con[c]eive that I have the inconsiderable presumption to expect that an answer to me is necessary—Should any thing occur in which my humble interposition can be of use in forwarding your wishes, I shall think myself highly honoured by your commands—And as long as I have reason to believe that it does not prove troublesome, I shall continue to send from time to time such little articles as fall in my way that I think may lend in any respect to the pleasure or emolument of the people in America. I have the honour to be—with the most sincere respect Sir your excellencys Much obliged, and Most obedient H⟨be⟩ Servt

Jas: Anderson

forgive the smallness of the specimens—this arises from necessity.

Apprentices and experienced gardeners are pictured together. Victorian era


"I use the freedom also to send a very small specimen of a curious artificial preparation of hemp which comes from silesia in Germany. It is at least a matter of curiosity, as it shows how far the ingenuity of man will go when stimulated with the hope of gain"

-James Anderson - August 15, 1793

Interesting to note is James Anderson also had ties to 'the East Indian Trading Company' who had access to drug plant 'indian hemp' from India at the time...

 

[billycw]

“A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.”

-Oscar Wilde

Kentucky hemp field by moonlight - early 1900's postcard

 

[billycw]

"The answer is never the answer. What’s really interesting is the mystery. If you seek the mystery instead of the answer, you’ll always be seeking. I’ve never seen anybody really find the answer, but they think they have. So they stop thinking. But the job is to seek mystery, evoke mystery, plant a garden in which strange plants grow and mysteries bloom. The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer."

-Ken Kesey

Landscape at L'Estaque - Georges Braque - 1906

 

[billycw]

Man with a sythe cutting hemp field at the University of Kentucky. (Agricultural Experiment Station building can be seen in background) c.1902

 

[bombadil.360]

hello Billy, I'm lurking in this thread all the time, love it, thank you again for your posts, very interesting.

I'd like to comment that the willingness to share seeds and gardening knowledge, comes from the fact that many of us are able to acknowledge that plants are the highest technology available to humans.

I still get this awesome feeling when I watch seeds break through the soil seeking for the light. Who would have thought that putting a little "thingie" in the ground will make a plant grow that will provide you with what is needed for your survival.

people think a smart-phone or a satellite is advance technology, they don't know that a tree is way more complex than any space station, and to top it off, man did not make this technology either.

peace!

 

[billycw]

Thank you for tagging along bombadil.360, appreciated.

Agreed, I think those that give life, get it and feel the need to share deep within our human nature to progress our own life's purpose.

Ferry's Seed Co. ad - around 1900

 

[billycw]

'Cannabis' aka the renamed European release of 'French Intrigue' poster - 1970

 

[billycw]

Hemp break at the University of Kentucky. College of Agriculture. Agricultural Experiment Station. 5/10/1910

 

[billycw]

"Reefer Madness" poster by Timothy Pittides

 

[billycw]

vintage comic