'limp 1 1 iFZLVCIIIirsr NEWSPAPBB POB.THB BUBALISTS OIF O-BEHNf' StfATB. 1 VOL. -NO. 39. ST.
JOHNSBTJRY, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1875. WHOLE NO. 24.7. i-unusnEi) kvkhv rninAY nv ROYAL XJM1MINGS ST. JOHNSBUIIV, VT.
HORACE HUBBARD, AjrricllllDral Ed'r, P. O. Addrtaa, SprlUKfltlil, Vt. Tcrml of Snb.crlptlOK. Om eorr yr, 1M atact Dollar.
0u mp tlx moiiUu, Dollar. copy thn month, on trial, Tlljr Cwtl. Pre of Po.Uk llnlltil Hlata or Cannrta. All pr tsrnl wl mWrfpMon ha tiplrel. Id a chtnre of hdlrm, th iMvlodtce It I in 1 ehing! froa (boslit Iw firm aa well tn.
wMrtu. In Clnba. Ai an Inducement for pubscritierl to clnb ta(lvr an4 brine In other lour eoulo art wnt for alx dollars, or at the rat. of rr copy when four or more are ordered at a time. Raita of AdrertUlnR.
for en. more Inchnof pare' f.air or mow treeti, 25 cenU an Inrh per week; Rcik, Multiply the number of Inchea tct by the number of week, ami dlilite by four to flntl the coat In CoramunltaUoni for the Agricultural Department booM b. adJreraed to the Aftrlcnilural Kdllor at BprlnglliM, Yt. have from Hon Qoorgo F. Kdmunds, a copy of his speech on tho Louisiana sena-torshlp.
G. 0., of West Westminster, writes us, "If you have any bucks, you roust look out for maggots in the wool about tho head, back of and under the horns." Frank Auckland says onions, eaten raw, are the best lemcdy for sleeplessness, as they leave no bad effect. Thoy are also valuable for food by those exposed to severe cold. The cable brings the intelligence that the foot and mouth disease has broken out with great violence in Dorsetshire, where 12,000 animals aro affected, and the disraso rapidly spreading. Wm Horn.V.
advises the use of koroseno oil for wouuds caused by calking in winter, but says it is too penetrating to be used for lice and indiscriminate use, as often rccom-mendod. lie avers that it is a dangerous remedy, aud we agree with him. The Massachusetts Ploughman says four months old is young enough to wean colts. It favors fall colts because they can run with tho marc nil winter and they can go out to fresh grass when weaned. It is important to keep tho colt growing, and suffer no check the first year, and we say the first four years.
Sir Olncy, of Springfield, has a field whicl was seeded with timothy, redtop and clover, somo eight or 10 years ago. There appeared to be nq catch of redtop, and (here was none ia all tho years it was mown. In tho autumn of 18 J4 the field was seeded with f.imotby and clover, after a crop of oats. Thero is now, August 25, a very heavy crop of grass oft rt)p jand, ne.ar.iy all redtop in full bloom. Dr Iloskins says, in the that he has sold, this season, from about 5.00 bushes, 30 bushels gf currants, at $3.50 to per bushel, grown on land otherwise unavailable, in the shado of a young orchard.
Jf it were for the currant worm, he could tyqt sel a bushel. And yet people will not destroy the currant worm vjheu it can bo done for a quarter of cent a bush, by the application of hellebore powder when the rashes are in blossom. (The Texas cattlo fever ezists at rattle boro and several animals havo died. The disease highly contagious and uualy fatal, It is not certain that our cattlo oom-munlcate It to each other, but too much pains cannot be taken to avoid it. They should not be driven, yarded or ear ned where diseased animals havo been.
It would be well for town authorities to exclude western cattlo from tho highway until the extent of tho danger is ascertained. We are pleased to welcome to our ex change list the Fanciers' Journal, a weekly paper, devoted to poultry, small pets, pig eons, sportsmen's matters and miscellany. Tho Journal has for its title page a very unique design of a rustio aviary, with a lordly UraUma in the background. It is neatly printed, is edited and published by Joseph M. Wade, Philadelphia, and is represented by a friend of aius conversant with pu.cn matters to bo ono ol the very host poul try papers.
Prioe per year. Wo havo seen it stated that a mixture of wheat, shorts and middlings dusted on potato vines will kill the bugs. Dr Wake, of lie) lows Falls, informs us that dry soil from the field shaken on them in the middle of the day will kill every slug. It should boborno in mind that the mischief is not dono by tho beetle itself, whoso businos.1 it is to, lay eggs and die, but by tho slug, from the time batches until it has attained iu full size and passod through the change to the beetle, 4'nis mug is a ropuisivo.iooKing uoasi, and any dry aubstauco that is scattered on it kilts it as effectually as an activo poison The Chester Agricultural and Mechanical Association hold their second annual fair at Cbestor driving park, September The first day will be devoted to base-ball and other amusem*nts the second day to tho entries of stock, and other articles for exbl bitlon (until thfee o'clock), to of town teams, trial ot urait race, and trottins. Tho third day exhibition of horses, examinations and awards by judges, and trotting; at one o'clock an address, by Hon Hugh Henry.
A. D. Fletcher, Ches ter, is the sooretary. We havo received the premium list of the SOth fair of the Windsor County Agncul tural Sooiety, to bo boldon at Woodstock September 28-80, Wo learn that the fairs of this society aro very woll sustained by tho people of Woodstock and vicinity. It has Ions boen a matter of rcurot that the people of the county do not moro gen erally attend these fairs and exhibit their agricultural and other products thereat, is too much to expect that farmers from parts of the county wilt go to Woodstock every year with specimens ol their stock and crops, and yet they do not take measures to bring tho fairs to towns in thoir immodiato vicinity, a part of tho time, which they might easily do.
Paul D. Doan, of Rarnard, is president, and Ora Paul, of Pomfrct (P. O. Wood, stock), secretary. For the Vermont Firmkb.
Enosburgh Fanners' Union. The Enosburgh Farmers' Uniou hold a meeting at West Knosburgh, August 18, and the following subjects were presented and discussed First, "Docs it pay to hire help to make fertiliiers?" Mr Newton said he thought it paid to do so, if wo do it in the right time and way. Ho uses sand to bed his cows thinks it more than pays him. Draws muck and piles it up in tho yard, mixing lime with It. This is very good.
Also gathers leaves to make this profitable. They should bo gathered lato the fall, when theyjtro a littlo wet and frozen you can get them then much iiuicker than at any other time. S. II. Dow has used sawdust to bed his cows, and thinks it pays to do bo, as it absorbs nil tho liquid, which is very valuable on land.
Never had much experience with muck drew in Borne ono year and piled it in tho yard, and let it lay ono season, then put it on tho' land aud received good results. U. S. Fassett thought that some muck might be good as a fertilizer, but swamp muck is good only for an absorbent. Sawdust from hard wood Is good, but from soft wood is good only as an absorbent.
Anything is good for a fertilizer that coutains potash. Clover is good, because it draws its nourishment from tho air. Others remarks were made, by Mr Croft, MrStonoand Mr Wright. Then James Wright prevented his paper. Subject, "The price of farm labor as com pared with tho prices of other thiugi." Mr Wright presented a few statements in connection with his paper, tending to thow that we cannot afford to pay tho present prices for labor but if thoso out of employment would work for a reasonable price, they could get a plenty of work.
Mr Ncwtou thought it would be better for large laud owners to divide up their 'and to such ones, thereby helping them to work, and a home. Short remarks were mado by Messrs Fas- sett, Dow, Croft, Jiakcr and Wright It being nearly time for the annual festi val, this was talked up, and some action taken. Messrs G. S. Fassett, S.
II. Dow and I. IJubbard were appoiuUd as a com mitteo to look up a place, make ont a list ot committees, premiums, and report at an adjourned meeting. It was also voted Jo have an out-door exhibition of farm stock, in connection with farm produce. It is also expected to havo an address.
This exhibition will occur sometime in October. Due notice will bo given of timo and place. There will bo no meeting of tho Union tn September. Perhaps 1 should say that the Union does not intend to run opposition to the county fair, though they will try to make it a pleasanf and prolitable analr. 11.
S. Lkacii, E-epretary, JJnosburgh, Aug 23, Principles, of Fertilisation. From Prof Uocssman'a lecture, reported in Scicntifio Farmer. A new era may be dated from the timo of tho introduction of commercial manures Tbo farmer finds himself less restricted than formerly, bo is more at liberty to choose his crops, with reference to his markets, thus tending to make his business more remunera tive. lueir importance can not bo ovcresti mated as long as farmers allow so largo i proportion of home fertilizers to waste, and as long as tho sewage question of tho cities remains unsolved.
Although we recommend tho use of com merciul fertilizers, yet it is only to mako up for past losfos and present wants. Our sys tem ot rotation and management, in general fanning, ought to bo so arrangod as to produce upon tho tarm the manures required by tuo crops taken off, for pcpuijiary reasons. wrmiDb iur rpcciiti inuusinai purpose aiune, will these lertilizers attain moro and mora prominence on account of thoir spocitia iutlu enco upon tho development ot thoso constitu cats in tho plant which givo to ccrtuin crops a peculiar commercial valun, as e. liberal supplies of potash incrcaso tho amount of March in tho potato, and sugar in the beet, and produce a superior fiber in flax. Kant-yard manure is quito deservedly tho main fertilizer in ordinary farm operations yet its special valuo results moro in its ben cficial influeuco upon tho physical than upon the chemical condition of tho soil.
Analysis ot ordinary barn-yard manure (I.UUU pounds): I tfttf Tin! rp- Aula. Fre.li. lla.tr rotted, JJucu ruttwl, 710 790 4.S s.u 5.8 04 (.3 6.0 2.6 3.0 llcing inlormed concerning the rcquiro ment of a complete manuro, wo know that barn-yard manure can rarely claim that title, Its composition depends mainly on the kind of food consumed, and on tho nature of tho eubstanco used for tho absorption of the Im uid excretions its firbt cost depends upon the prico oi tno iarm produce turnod to acount for its production, Tho concentrated com moroial fertilizers furnish an exoellent means of correcting tho composition of barn -yard manure produocd in any systom ot tanning, and thus making a complete fertilizer for tho crops under cultivation, tho kind ot fer tilizcr a farmer ought to buy is best learned from tho composition ol tho articles bo sells he ought, therefore, to mako himself ao quainted with their character. There is no safer guide than the chemical analysis of the crons produced, of deciJinir tho nuestion of restoring to the soil wha( tho crop have removed ttierclrom. it Is quite cuttomary, upon the best farms in to keep book account of tho movements of tho plant food abstracted from the lands under oultl vatlon, no intelligent tarm manager oon eiders ready plant food the capital he has to put on interest on its fair return depends his pecuniary success.
Tbo largo crops frequently obtained in Europe, where artificial manures aro largely used, best il lustra to tho benefits resulting from tbo practtoe. In tho cultivation of crain crops, manured oxotu Bively from the barn-yard, the yield, of grain first deelinos, and. the straw and in caso of high manuring the yield of straw increases ami grain decreases, until tho whole crop lulls. Tho wheat crop first showed theso features, and tho othor cereals aro-tend-ing in tho name direction. Examination or tho seeds of grain plants reveals the fact that these seeds contain a largo proportion ol phosphorio acid, as compared with the straw: Paris of llioa- pliorlo A eld.
Wheat, train, lira, Indian corn, crain, italk and learos. 0.S1 ail O.M When tho Drain is sold, from two-thirds to four-fifthsof tho phosphoric acid abstracted from the coil is lost for tho noxt crop, and so on year after year. Considering, also, that this 1 081 is but slowly made good by natural accnclcs, the final result eannot bo doubtful. The general condition of farm lands, regard ing their present reduced storo ot aetivo phosphorio acid, alone accounts for the rapid aud universal endorsem*nt of phosphatio fertilizers for it is contrary to tho teachings of exact experimental inquiry to ascribe to phosphorio acid particular virtue over any other essential element of plant food. Not only are 'potash, phosphorio' acid, nitrogen, lime, etc, essential, out, ucooraing to trustworthy experiments, they are of equal importance which means that in oaso ono is want ing, as a general rule, tho rest cannot act.
Excessive Crops Do They Payt Mr Conrad Wilson in the llural New Yorker, treating this question, justly says It Is true, in farmins as in other matters. that a large result is occasionally obtained at a needless or uuwiso expense, perhaps even at a positive loss and this fact, though it is clearly ouly an exception to a general rule, at onco disturbs and bewilders the timid, half-hearted farmer, who immediately infers that a maximum crop means a loss of monev, as if occasional mistakes or exceptional cases of imprudenca or extravogauco are sufficient to outwcioli the unilorui experience of tho most intelligent farmers! Yet this is tho kind of reasoning by which small crops aro defended, and by which farmers are tau ght to bcliove that a largo yield per aero is to bo regarded, not merely with suspicion, but with positive alarm, as if something full of danger and to bo avoided. The truth in this matter socnij to bo that theso unprozressivo farmers do not riizlitly discriminate between tho cost of a crop per aero and tho cost per bushel and this is the pivotal mistake of their theory. Ihey do not rcalizo that to incrcaso tho rxpenso per aero tends to diminish, and in very many cases docs diminish the cost per bushel. Their delusion is that every dollar saved in the expense of each aero of corn or wheat or potatoes is so much added to tho final pro (it, whereas tho very reverse is often true.
the Hon Harris Lewis, of Herkimer (Jo, i. raised 44 tons of beets per acre, at a cost of less then fiva and one-half cents per bushel, or a littlo over 81. i0 per ton, against a market value of 817 per ton. At this price tho cash product per aoro would bo 874B. Deducting from this the cost of tho acre it leaves 8070 as tho net profit.
Now, if thero Is any doubt as to tvhethor this profit is duo to the yield or to something else, )t is easily tested, tbo product of tne aero nau neen 1 1 tons, insicau ot then the cost, if reduced in tho samo ratio, would be 8 1 ft. AO per acrp. In that raso tho profit would havo been 8118.50, iustead of U4U, inai is to say, oy inus economising the cost per acre, Mr Lewis would havo saved 858.5Q, qpd ip the final result 'would havo lost 8501.50,which, alter deducting the amoout saved, would show a net loss of Mr lirodic, of ti. 1.. as stated tn one of the.
roppri of the agricultural depart ment, ratrcu a crop ot turnips at a qi two cents and soven mills per bushel, Tho product was nearly bushels per acre, and the prop, ol course, paid cvv hand somely, but tho profit was olearly duo to jho amouut oi the yieiu. A product ol clover is reported by Major LoBleux, of North Carolina, at the rate of nearly five Ions per acre, of which tho average cost for two years was $7.50 per ton, against a market valuo of Mr Allrod Jloso, or renn an, A. 1 raised potatoes during tho last year at tho rato of about 000 bushels per acre, of which the cost was nine and one-fourth cents per bushel. A carrot crop of over 1,000 bushels per acre is reported from Wisconsin, by L. li.
lairchild, of which tho cost was six cents per bushel. Uoru ladder has been reported iu tho Country Gentleman at 25 tons per acre, aud at a cost of 45 cents per ton. 1 bo corn crop of Luther smith, ot uho- muug Co, N. gave a product of 241 bush els of ears. On this crop, after ueduotiug expenses, taking the market valuo of tho corn at 80 cents per buihol aud tho stalks at 810 a ton, the probt would bo on tbo grain and 887.15 on the stalks, making a total for tho acre of 8108.50.
Lroni examples like these of maximum crops, and from countless others ot similar character continually reported, it is easy to see, not only that larco yields per aero nro a source of profit in farming, but that tho rato per cent on tho investment, in nearly all such cases, is unusually largo. In either of tho instances cited abovo tho margin is not less than several hundred per cent. Fftjt WftlktnrjHorgM. Col man 'a liural World says The best gait a horse has, is the fast walk A slow walking horso is an abomination Who has patience with such a horse 7 If you ride him or drivo him, he exhausts your patience. 11 he is used to plow or harrow, or go on tho road, ho mopes along at a snail's pace.
Ho docs only about half the work of tho rapid walker. It tune is money, you make money because you save tuno by (UY ing a horso that walks. Ijrcedcrs should' pay attention to this mat tcr. In selecting stallion to breed from by all moans select ono that can walk fast. A slow walking stallion will bo likely to get slow walking colts whilo thu stallion that has a long, rapid, spirited strido, will bo likely to beget colts with a similar action Then, thero is a great deal in breeding to a horso with spirit and ambition, beso cold blooded horses will boget cold-bloodod colts, The nearer you can approach tho thorough' bred, even for obtaining a fast walker, tho better.
There camo thero and spirit, and enduranoe, and stamina, aud stylo, Thero aro tho neat, bony heads, the prominont eyes, the small tbo capacious nostrils, the large lungs and chests, tho woll-developcd musoie, tno bones as denso as ivory, Even for walkers, then, get tho nearest to thoroughbrod possible, and the tamo for trotters, ana ot oourso tho samo for runners You have then horses fit for any company aud for any purpose to haul tho plow, or buggy, or carriage, ot to earry you upon their backs, Dreed largo fine mares tq thoroughbred horses, and you will get colts that you will not, bo ashamed to havo your friends 800, Saw-Dust ai Manure for Potatoes, Not a hundred miles from whero I grow potatoes, 'city gent purchased a email Tarm a yoar or two sinoo and edmmencod operations in tho spring after his own fashion. Of course I hero was much speculation among bis neighbors as to how things would come out, as the land had been skinnod by its formor owner, one of tho old "regulars" In that busiucMS. Soma of tho now potatoes mult bo tried, but tho land waB very poor and very little manuro could bo had at any price, therefore Homcthing must be dono to prevent failure and tho fulfilling of adverse prophecies. Hut Mr Sidewalk had road that potash was a good fertilizer for potatoes in fact, thu best crops of this tuber wero usually produced on new lands full of ashes and decayed vcgotablo matter, consequently he set to work to supply tho first of theso In-Crcdiculs, if not both. In the neighborhood thero is a sawmill, and about it, as usual, quantities of old fawdust a few loads of this wero hauled hom*o aud heaped under a shod.
Iu tho meantime Mr Sidewalk had ordered sent out from tho city 200 lbs of puro" potasti. This was dissolved water aud pourod over tho sawdust, a littlo ut-tt timo, and the heap worked over, and theu more of tho liquid put on, until at last tho entire 200 lbs had been taken up. Of course this mado rather an expensive fertilizer and ono that would scarcely bo profitable In a loug run, but it was city vs country, and the former was bound to win, and he did. The land was plowed aud harrowed, and then furrowed out for the potatoes a liberal quan tity ot sawdust spread in tho trenches, pota toes dropped upon it and covered. Of course too uciguuors saw mu sawdust, uut tun potash part was kept secret.
Tho potatoes grow aiaaziugly, and the yield was something never before seen on that farm in tho mem ory ot tho oldest inhabitant, iho next spring Mr Sidewalk had made provision for other and cheaper kinds of manure, conse quently did not caro about any moro saw dust, but bis neighbors did, and there was a great scramble for all that could be had at the sawmill, and it went into lurrows and hills iu large quantities, no questions being asked or explanations required of tho city farmer. It is nrobablv unnecessary (o mention tne results, but I would ail visa any one going that way not to mention "sawdust" in tho hearing of thoso who thought that they, had learned a new "kink" iu potato growing from a city man turned farmer, "Daily llural Life in Mural New lorkcr. Uniting Colonies. It seems to bo inhercut iu the honey boo to be constantly employed, probably iustitict- ively, in tho several ayocations that give employment to all tho laborers in tho hive. While thero is honey to gather, in a pleas ant, Duo day for business, thero will bo few idlers except tho drones, found about tho bive.
A colony- that is favorably located, and is healthy, will Generally commence breeding oarly in tho season as to havo a crowded hivo by March, April, May or June, depending upon the latitudo, further north or couth. Iu New Kmzland, reckoning from tho southern to tho northern parts of Iho country embraced iu those states, tho time for the issue of the swarms varies in their commencement from early in May at its southern parts, to some time iu at its northern parts. Divide the colony, when the btvo is filled with bees, into thrco equal parts, placing each part in a hive, giving sulhcicut room for full stores for vfiqtpf, fqr eaoh of tho three, colonies, apd vpry little surplus can bo sccuicd. Civo in tho surplus boxes the samo reom that is embraced in tbo ttyo adt dilioual hives, and let tho colonies unite in their energies, gathering in ono hivo, and we outaiu surplus amouutiug to from to two hundred pounds or more. depending upon tho Held aud the season.
It is Very easily apprehended that three-fold energies, put forth iu one hive instead of three, give them favorable results iu sur plus. With such arrangements mado that tho force from two, or even thrco old col onics, may bo concentrated Into ono colony, with surplus boxen equally convenient for storing OUt) pounds ot surplus in ono hive, why may not that amount bo taken Irom ono hive, with tho triple forco of workers, just us readily as 200 pounds by one-third ol tho lorce To secure this result it is ouly nccosxary to utitto colonies in ono hivo (which is suited to this object, with ouly room in the breed ing apartment fur wintering the, common pro. duct of tho queen In tho fall season) prepay atory to winter. Tho one or two aiding colo nics would thug bo reduocd by tho transfer to one main colony. Might not tho plan work lavorably I have so much conudenca ill it that I think tho plan worth a trial.
If one colony gives 200 pounds, why may not two colonic with equal facilities civo 4UI) pounds 7 or why may not three colonies, tlni.t uuitcd, givo tUU pounds ftjcli breed, ing department of each hivo may go iuto winter quarters with its winter stores, or bo fed, if there wero any lack, and bo ready with full forco to enter upon its bar vest tho next season. Vermont Cor Country Gentleman. Plowing in Manure. Alr.lonathanTaliiott, of Home, N. Y.
In a Icttor to tho Country Gentleman on tho management of manuro says In tho mouth of Aucust. aud first half of September, when tho corn is oaring aud fill ing out, ami consequently requires moro plant foot! to mature a full erop than at any other timo durine its crowth. tho docomnos- Ing sod and fermenting manure or in ii, mi, uv turn iiuju luruisit mucn tnuru nourishment for the growing crop thau at any other period of1 Its existence, and at tho timo of Its greatest need, and when it can bo best appropriated to the growth and ma turity of the crop without such plant food tno crop oannot produce its best yield. Very many farmers bavo no doubt seon crops that started well, fail in the earing aud tilling, simply because tho plant food had so nearly givcu out that thero was not a supply wheu most then it was too lato to remedy tho loss for that crop, and could only prove ot nencui uy resolving that herealler, it pos sible. It not occur again from tho sama camo.
1 confess that so far as my oxperienco goes In a practico of forty years, 1 pmfer to bavo my barn-yard manure covered with the soil not as deep as it ean bo plowed down, but from four to six inches for com, depending on tho sou as to depth, aud from thrco to Gvo iucbes for the small grains. Whoro used mostly for corn on sod ground, and then followed with oats or barley, if tho ground is plowod as I have mentioned, tho manuro will of courso bo finely fermented aud well intermixed with tho soil for tho benefit of tho coming oiop of small grain, let that be wbatavor the farmer choosoj, or tbinkB best adapted to his soil, and tho course of rotation he may chooso tq adopt in his tanning Destroying Weeds. Wo havo many inquiries for the best way of destroying certain weeds. There are gen- oral principles, which, if comprehcuded, might bo readily aud understanding applied to any oAo individually. Wcods aro of two kinds annuals and biennials, whioh aro spread by seed and creeping-rooted perennials, which extend by tbo roots.
Tho for-tpcr includo rag-wecd, fox-tail, pig-wecd, purslan( co*ckle, wild mustard, shepherd's purse, chick-weed, red-root, wild chamomile burdock, mullein, horso thistle, chess, The latter includo milk-weed, quack grass. Janada thistlo, toad-flax, Ac. To kill the an nuals, tho process is simplo and aliko Tor nearly all namely, to destroy them lust as they aro about to peep abovo tho surface, by harrowing, If in largo fiolds, or by tho hand rkc, in small gardens. Keep tho surfaco constantly clean aud rselow if you go over it often, the weeds can never get any headway, tho soil will bo kept from crusting and rendered in exeollcnt condition for crops. Wo read lately of a farmer who had become utterly discouraged with tho increase of suinuier.l'alloT being, encumbered, wilVtlibir rank growth equal to at too per acre.
Now, no good summer fallow over had a weed growing on it tho object of a fallow is to clear tho ground, aud if necessary it should bo stirred up uiollow as often as onco a week with a harrow or two-horso cultivator. Always kill annual weeds beforo thoy como up. When tho noil is foul with thoir seeds, tho stirring process should bo repeated many times until all aro cleared out plow, harrow, cultivato cultivate, plow, harrow, lu some cases, it may he expedient to keep a field In summer fallow two successive years, in order to clear out all tho seeds; in others, the clcau aud thorough culture of hoed crops, or dense broadcast seeding, may effect tho desired purpose. Hut quick, thorough work is always tho cheapest. Au unequal, prolonged war is tho most costly.
Dicnnials aro to bo treated nearly as annuals but if they obtain a foothold tbo first year by careless management, they should bo cut he- ow tho surlaee early tho second season. Perennial rooted weedsdiko tho milk-weed and Canada thistle, require a double treat- ment. They must not bo allowed to go to seed and spread iu this way. After ouce in possession, they aro to have dilierent treat ment from annuals. As a general rule, they.
are moro easily extirpated, nicy may bo thoroughly destroyed in one season the reeds of annuals often require several years to free tho soil from them, taking Canada thistles as tho representative of this class, tho process for their destruction is exceed- nely simple find no difficulty and littlo expense, in completely killing a patch between June 1st mid October. Plow under, deeply, thoroughly and without any balks, so that no croen point of the plant can ever see tho light, anil three or four months will do tho thing completely. Tho fcamo treatmcut will finish other creep- ing-rootcd weeds, A twelve-acre field of quack gross was completely eradicated in one summer, but the plow and harrow passed as often as once a week. Ono of tho most difficult weeds to root out and keep put is tho ox-eye daisy. It increases both by seeds and roots, and it is spreading rapiuiy an inrougn tno country, let tucru a'fo- somo'good-fanners living irrregions where tho country is whito with them, who have not a single plant of thi weed on their farmi.
The remedies, aro summer fallow, rotation with frequent hoed crops, denso clover crops, and hand-pulling. If the first three aro well attended to, there will bo comparatively lit tle hand-work required. Tho clover must bo sowed much thicker than common, say at least hall, a bushel per acre, on a well-prepared mellow surface. Wo havo sometimes thought that weeds aro a great blessing, by compelling farmers to bo act'tyo awrthorough', And to stir tho soil olten at all events, they point out vigorous farmers who" do things In the most economical manner, from sluggish cues, who keep an expensive aud prolonged war with weeds alt their lives. Country Gentleman.
-Sitting Hens in Hot Weather. Iu order to obtain tho best results in hatch ing chickens at this season of tho year, it is advisable to follow nature as much as possible in the construction of nests intended for sitting hens. It has transpired that tho natural place for a hen is to select for hor nest iu which to deposit her ogi (from whioh, after weeks of patient hrooJiug, sha brings lorth her downy littlo ones), is upon tho baro earth, Uy that wonderful gilt called instinct she is unpolled to ohooso a secluded spot, olteu beneath a brush heap, hay barrack or some huoh place, whero tho urouud is always shaded, hence moist. Where is tho fancier who cannot recall instances of this kind, ol hens that wero annually In tho habit of stealing their ncstn under tho barn or some whero out ol tho reach ol mcddlesomo urchins and who rarely, if ever, failed to bring forth from a dozen to tlltecn strong, healthy clucks I then grandmother would-say, "Hens alius do best when thoy steal their nests and sit somehow wo never could ngroo with tho "old lady" on this point, but wo often had to ack.now)odgo our defeat, when, after ai abscnoo of thrco weeks, a lieu would ooruo proudly marching up to tho door surrounded by her numorous progeny. Altor ninny lailures, we at last learned two things First, that the hen was a breoJor.
lly this wo mean that all hens arc net suit able lor breeding, and their eggs aro often sterile but a hen that is inolinod to steal bar nest is in a healthy broedliw condition, and will court the attention of tho oook, and every cgy vi, as a rule, bo found fertile, aud if thoy oould bo found aud set under another hen, would hatch just as well under favorable circ*mstances. Tho second thing that wo learned was, that tbo hen invariably choso a rather moist, damp or shaded plaoo, on tho baro ground therefore Iu making your nests for sitting hens at this season of the year, mako them on tho baro earth, if possible If not, fill a box of tho proper dimensions two-thirds full of djainp earth, a slight depression therein, then out a sod to fit, and set your hen upon that. 1 do not pretend to say that eggs canuot bo hatohod otherwiso, but I think better results may bo obtained by tho abovo plan. Fanoicra' Journal. Lossks on Stock in WtNTurtiNQ.
From a lato report of tho Department of Agriculture it appears that tho farmers and stock raisers of tho country every year suffer ruinous losses from the mismanagement and poor feeding of stock during tho wiutcr, Tho loss of weight on animals, bovincs and sheep, according to statcmeuts mado by the owners of stock themsolvcs, range from Gvo to 40 per cent. In Maryland it is from fivo to 15 per cout in southwestern Virginia from 10 to 40 per cent. Tho depreciation of tho animals is most markod In southwestern Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and tho rolling portions of Gooriilu, whero, in numerous instances, it is reported to havo reached 50 per ocut, Removing the Rough Bark; of Trees. Under the titlo of Seasonable. Hints, tho Gardener's Monthly for August has tho fol lowing.
Wo bavo repeatedly called attention iu these pages to tho great advantages of assisting tho tree to throw off Its outer bark. This is dono by scraping, washing, or slitting up and down with a knilo in many instances. We havo had to stand it threat deal of ridicule from men whoso horticultural knowlodgo is confined to tho books of tbo college library, but wo havo reoommended it from actual observatlou of tho good resulting, aud moreover the practice is not inconsistent with our understanding of tho processes of plant life, To bo sure it is not ploasant to have a professor in a col lego, as ono did a few years igo, gravoly tell his olasa that when "the iditor of tho Gardener's Monthly recom mended the slitting of tho bark of fruit trees, tho advico was on a par with tho beliof of plant'ng in tho moon signs, and as likely to bo of service to tho tree as the Blitting of a man a leg would be to euro the and then we havo a learned society in Massachusetts toacbipg that, "the rough bark of fruit trees, Is designed by nature for tho protection ol tho stem irom cold winds, and tho Gardener's Monthly might as well contend that taking off tho tcales from a small pox patient would prevent tho small pox, as that clearing of bark scales would mako a tree healthy." It is singular botv prono people aro to arguo in this smart way. It makes little dillurcnco to us however ol tho two wo should prefer to bo a professor than a bcliover Iu a "moon's signs," but if tho penalty for believing iu the efficacy of bark washing, scraping and slitting be to bo re manded anionc tho "mnoruut rcnnsvlvania Dutch," as wo have been told, we gladly accept tho company wo aro placed in. know ot nothing moro seasonable just now than this ntlcution to the bark, und which may be coutinucd as opportunity offers, till spring time.
Wo know the risk we run of turning th bile of our intelligent friends, but wo are quite Miro that thoso who follow our advico will thank us for it; and this will bo a suf ficient return for our forced contribution to tho "small pox" and "rheumatic" entertainment. Tho Value of Road Dust During tho dry season of lato summer, every country rcsidcnceshould secure several barrels of road dust. It is worth many times its cost as nn absorbent. Thnso who keep poultry may secure by its use a valuable fertilizer, nearly as strong as guano, with none of its disagreeable odor. Place an inch or two of road dust in tho bottom of a barrel then, as tho poultry houso is recu-larly oleaned, deposit a layer an inch thick of tho cleanings, and so on alternately, layers of each till tho barrel is full.
Tho thinner each layer is, tho more perfect will bo tho intermixture of tho ingredients. If the soil of which tho road dust is madois.clayey tho layers of each may bo of equal thickness; if sandy, tho dust should bo at least twico as thick as the layer of droppings. Old barrels of any kind may bo used for this purpose, but if proviously soaked with crndo petfolctmrortoated irlth gas-tarthey will last many years. II tho contents arc pounded on a floor into fine powder before applyiug, tho fertilizer may bo sown from a drill. Hoad dust is ono of tho most perfect J.l.!.
-I- uuuuuuiL-rs ui vuuiip, uunvunini- tneir contents also into rich manuro. Placo a barrel or box of it in tho closet, with a small dipper, anil throw down a pint into tho vault each timo it is occupied, and there will bo no oltensivo odor whatever. This is simpler, cheaper and better than a water-closet, and nqvor freezes or gets out of order. Mixing tho road dust with nn equal hulk ot coal ashes is an improvement, making tbo t. ucr uiuru inuuie.
Springfield Republican. Lime. Lime is valuablo as supplying an important mineral clement in most crops, as also in aiding tbo decomposition of vegetable matter. It Is not alono, nor chiefly on land wholly deficient of limo that it is valuablo as a fertilizer. On many soils which will not naturally produce olovcr, that great renovator is made to flourish by frequent applications of limo.
A great part of the clover-ash is lime, and it is possibly tho limo it contains which makes gypsum so valuablo a fertilizer for clover. Gypsum, howovor, is usually applied in very small quantities, only ono or two bushels per aero, whilo limo requires larger doses, varying from 40 to 100 bushels per aoro. A principal objoct of this hoavy application is to oauso vegetable matters to decompose Hcnco it has beeu found best to uso limo after plowing under a crop ol clover, or alter heavy applications ofcoarso manures, which it speedily renders available Thero is prcjudico against tho uso of limo from tho fact that largo applications without manuro or vcgotablo matter plowed in tends to exhaust tho soil. Dut it docs this only as all successful croppiug does, and il farmers will only fol-low their liming with clover, and mako uso of all tho stabla manuro possible, tho result will bo not only better crops, but ootitumod increase of fertility. This is tho method adopted by tho host Pennsylvania farmers, somo ol whoso lields alter a hunJrcd years cultivation produco far larger crops thau ovor boioro.
Tho effect of a thorough limine of tho soil Is felt as loug as 10 years, though it is cus tomary to repeat tho liming every fivo or six years. JNcwly-turned-uodor sods, oither clover or timothy, are most benefitted, and it is usually best to apply tho lime in summer or early tall, so as to produoo as much elieet us possible beforo winter snows and rains carry the lime down to tho subsoil, Tho limo is always applied to tba surface, as tho teudenoy t3 (titration will carry It down last enough. It is, howovor, no uso to spread lime on land completely "ruu down" and uestituto ol vegetable mattor. Thero is no magio about it to crcato fertility whero nono oxistod, as its chiet use, and a very unpor tant ono, is to mako nvailablo tho fertilizing elements already present In the soil. Rural New Yorker, Wheat on Uf-ovim Hon.
Tho host prep. oration for a wheat crop is a good clover lay, This should bo turnod under by tho first ol August, to givo timo for decomposition beforo sowing tbo wheat. If tho plowing ia not done till tho first of September, when tho wheat Is to be sown, another month roust pass beforo any real bencut can occur to tho grow ing plaut. Lime sowed on the clover beforo turning it under, assists materially In hasten ing decomposition, and if plowing has been deferred until ucarly seeding time, it will bo iound very uuvautageous. Take one year with another, 1 havo obscryod that a good healthy growth In tho tall is essential to suo cess in growing wheat, and the farmer can not take too much pains in trying to secure its growth, Ublo 1'arincr.
Fattening Cattle. In fattening animals timo is ofion a mat ter of importance to tho feeder. Somotlmes month gained is equal to per cent greater weight at a later period. Cooking food renders its constituents moro soluble and digestible, therefore more rapidly entering on flesh and fat. As a condiment and appetizer for fattening animals, molasses has no equal, A small quantity ol sweet, upon bay, will causo a larger quantity to bo eaten with a relish.
Wo havo often tried molasses upon poor animals with great satisfaction. A poor horso will show a chango iu condition a low days, 'tho molasses is not only an excellent condiment, but an excellent food and being so soluble nnd assiniilablo that it produces an immediate effect upon the condition of tho animal. Throe pints may be fed to fatteniuit animals per day, but to cows and breeding stock It must be fed sparingly, aud not more than a pint per day to a cow, as too much sweet will prevent their breeding. When necessary to use straw for fat-tcoing stock, tho uso of molasses diluted with eight to 10 proportions of water to wet iu. i i i utiutv uuiuiu muuuiiug, mil uu luuuu to MDtWWv'c'ry'palatablo, and eauso it to bo eaten, incorporated with other fattening food, as readily as hay.
hom*o noted chemists havo supposed all starchy food to bo converted into sugar by tho action of tbo stomach, before it becomes assimilated as food. Perhaps this will account for tho remarkable effect of sweet food upon animals. "btewart Prize hasay. Keep tho Lambs Growing. Kvory breeder of cxncricnco knows that the animals reaching tho highest typo of perfection aro thoso whioh get no back sets during their first sctson.
To secure their thrill durntg the spring months, when tho ambs are young, thus not requiring a largo amount of nourishment, and when tho fresh pasturage insures a constant and liberal flow of milk from the owes, is comparatively easy but to keep up tho nutrition in tho increased quantities demanded by tho rapidly growing animals, when meadows and hillsides begin to browu beneath tho summer solstice, is often found to be a difficult problem. Unless tho pasture is nmplo, even in the driest season, it should bo divided so that the flock is not allowed to range over tho whole of it at will, liy dividing it into two or moro lots, trcsh lecu can bo bad at such intervals as will bo found beneficial. When it is neces sary to fold tho flock at night, care should bo had to allow them access to grass pretty early in tho morning, as, during the hottest days of summer, sheep will stand hungry in the shade ol trees or lenccs rather than feed during the hottest portion of tho day. There need bo no hurry nbout setting thcin off tho pasture in the evening, for thoy will gener-ally indicate it when ready to lio dowu for the night. When possible, their water should bo near the shaded resting-place in lact, for steady and satisfactory thrift of lambs, let the surroundings bo such as to insure tho highest degreo of comfort a full belly and protection from tho extremes of weather.
fLivo btock Journal. Capabilities of on Acre. J. M. Smith, a market cardeuor of Green llay, lurniihes somo Interesting statcmeuts of his experiments in high culture.
Ito has lound tho rttlo invariable, not a singlo exeep tiou to it, that tho mora ho has spent in cut tivatiug and manuring tbo greater havo been tho net profits per ncro. Last season ho cultivated fourteen acres, and began with moro thorough and expensive cultivation than over bctoro. The result was, that, although there was a "terrific drought," ono of tho dryest seasons ever known in that region, after spending or $324 per aero, he hadnbctterbalancothanforany previous year. Ho appears to regard constant cultivation, especially through drought in connection with copious manuring, as all-important. Stable manure is the standard, with such use of superphosphates, plaster, ashes and other manures as experience and good sense point out.
"After you havo learned how to spend money to tho best advantage," bo re marks, "a larger proht may be mado by lay ing out per aero thau with less. After the second year, if your land does pot pay all its expenses, taxes and ten per cent on gl.UUU per aero there is something wrong somewhere. I havo some acres of land that did not pay expenses for years, but for a number of years past havo not failed to pay tcu per com on at least per aero. 1 expect my whole garden to do moro than that in a short timn. Ho adds that ho is now aiming at 1,000 bushels of onions per acre, then a crop of carrots or turnips, or 500 bushels of early potatoes; or, if strawberries, 12,800 quarts, or 400 bushels per acre.
Subsoiling vs Common Flowing. In November, 1808, I spread a fair coat ing of manuro on grass land which had ceased to yield paying crop. Iho next May, I subsoiled seven-eights of au aero as follows, viz: 1 went onco around with a common plow about six inches deep then with Mares subsoil plow in tho samo furrow, about six inches deeper (this list plow doos not turn furrow, as tho coulter is in tho centre of tho share; it simply raises the earth, and runs under it, and as the earth falls down behiud tho share, it breaks to pieces.) I then turned another furrow with a common plow, placing the turf aud manure on soft bed, mellowed six inches below tho manure. 1 next subsoiled the second furrow, and used the plows alternately till tho seven-eights wore plowed. For tho remainder of tho field, thj common plow, only, was used, turning manure and sod on to a hard bed after this the two parts of the field were treated aliko for a crop of corn.
At weeding timo a difference was readily seen, which difference Increased as tho weeks went on. At huskidg timo tho seven-eighths acre yioldod 22 bushels of corn, more than tho tvtine number of rows adjoining the subsoiled portion. Tho soil was a rather light gravelly loam. The season for moisture was about medium. Warren Parker, Cornton, Scicntifio Farmer.
Tbn Rulkh run Faiimkhs. 1. Take good papers aud read them. 2. Keep an account of farm operations, il.
Do not leavo implements scattered over tho farm, exposed to snow, rain and heat. 4. Repair tools and buildings at a proper timo, aud do not suffer subsequently three-fold expenditure of timo and money, 5, Uso money judiciously, and do not attend auction Bales to purchase all kinds of trumpery because it is cheap. 0. See that fences are well repaired and cattlo not grazing in tho meadows or grain fields or orchards.
7. Do not refuso to make correct oxpcrlmonts, in a small way, of many now things. 8. Plant fruit trees well, care for them, nnd of courso got good crops. 9, Practioa economy by givipg stock shelter during the winter; also good food, taking out all that is unsound, half rotten or mouldy.
10. Do not keep tribM of cats and snarling dogs around the premises, who eat moro in a month that they are north in a life-time. BREVITIES. Southern exchanges tell about a Georgia woman who id farming in tho most successful way. Sho support! herself, her nioco, and crippled brother.
Sho mado 22 bales of cotton last year with tho help of two, hired hands, and owes no money, cbo camo into town tho other day with two wagon-loads of corn. She raised 500 pounds of nice bacon, of her own curing, to sell, nnd yet thero may bo lound able-bodied young men who say that farming don't pay. It Is maintained by Sampson, Dujardin- llcaumctz and other leading French physicians, that tho ouly way of administering phosphates is to employ thoso which nature has already assimilated, bran-bread and beans of different kinds. Whenever it has been wished to augment the dose of phosphates by adding soluble or insoluble phosphates to the food of animals, thoso phosphates havo only passed through tho economy without cuecimg any lougmcnt mere. Bled, and burg, llcportcr.
An editor, having asked an Illinois farmer for crop news, recoivcd this answer "And now tho reaper reapcth, tho mower moweth, and the littlo bumble-boo getleth up tho busy granger's trousers leg and bambleth." 1 believo it as surely as 1 believe I am hero, that if I select the milk of a cow to to feed to my child, that cow cats for my child, drinks for my child, breathes for my child. If that cow is kept quiet, comforta-blo and composed, that child enjoys that composure. If that cow is irritated and excited, that child shares tho excitement witli her. fllarris Lewis. The country dwellor who cannot, during theso glorious summer days, lift up his voico and say, "I thank God every summer day of my lifo that my lot was cast among tho green fields nnd flowing brooks," "Il fit tot treason's ttratagcuis and (polls." Tho National Live Stock Journal says thero are now eighteen Duke bulls in tho United States, nearly half of which havo arrived at such an age as to unfit them for much longer service.
They nro divided among the states as follows: Kentucky six, Illinois fivo, Now York two, and Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan, Massachusetts aud Vermont, each ono. Mr Moses Stocking, of Saunders county, Nebraska, says "Steers between two and three years of ago, grazing on tho Wahoo valloy, have been known to gain at tho rato of threo pounds per day during a considera ble period." Currants. Thero are a number of improved varieties of currants, not very generally known, but much superior to tho common sort. Among theso tho largest aro tho Versailles or Cherry currant, and tho Red Dutch. In good soil, kept clear of grass and weeds, cithor of theso varieties will give berries three-eighths of nn inch in diameter.
Of white currants, tho Whito Grapo and White Dutch are largest and best. Dut in productiveness theso aro all surpassed by a variety called tho Red Provence, or Red Gondoin, a French sort with a very rank growth, producing bushes of great sizo and astonishing productiveness. Sixteen bushes of this variety bore, this season, and one-half bushels, or moro than a peck to a bush, while tho average product of all our bushes was less than two quarts. In quality and size this variety docs not equal tho other kinds named, yet they aro not so inferior as to attract notice indeed, they are called remarkably nice, and they certainly exceed tho others in tho length of the branches, many of which havo upwards of twenty berries' upon eaoh. It has also tbo advantage ot being late, ripening about ten days after the others.
This peculiarity is shared by a variety named May's Victoria, but tho latter is a very poor bearer and grower on our land. Dr Iloskins In Vermont Watchman. Cut Fckd for Houses. Au accurato farmer has furnished the Country Gcntlcmau a statement of his experiment with feeding cut feed and meal to his horses, accompanied with weighing and measuring. Ho cuts oats and straw about an inch long with a rawhido cylinder machine, and this chopped straw is then treated with corn meal and bran mixed in about equal quantities as to weight, so that each horso has about a bushel of cut feed and three quarts of tho meal and bran twice in each day.
Sometimes hay is cut instead of oat straw, or both aro mixed. It is found that 200 lbs per week of this mixture of coru meal and bran, added to tho cat feed, will keep a pair of working horses in tho best condition. This, ho is satisfied from experiment, is less than two-thirds tho cost of keeping them on uncut hay and wholo grain. Tbo coru meal alone is not so good for horses as when mixed with bran. An excellent meal is mado of ground oats.
Tho fodder is cut by horso-powcr, on stormy or spare days, and stored away in largo bins, so as to furnish always a supply on hand. Suuau Duets roit FAWKNtxa Swine. Jonathan Talcott gives statement in tho Boston Cultivator of an experiment performed on a Suffolk pig whero sugar beets wero largely employed for fattening. Tho animal was about a year old and tho feeding on boiled sugar beets, tops and roots, begau on tho Kith of August and was continued three times a day until tho 1st ol Uctobcr, niter which grouud feed was given, consisting of two parts corn nnd ono of oats, threo times a day, till tho animal was slaughtered, the meal boiug mixed with cold water. Tho result was, on tho 10th of August, when tho sugar beet lecding was begun, that tho 1l-i dm! li.
I nnn wuigut was ouu i us ocpioinocr 1st, ouu lbs 'October 1st, 450 lbs November 1st, 520. This is tho substance of the statement given, by which wo pcrcoivo that tho Incrcaso the last of August, when fed on boiled hugar beets, was at the rato of two pounds per day tho rato of incrcaso on tbo samo food continued through September. Whon fed on ground corn and oats, mado into cold slop, tho gain for tho next fifty days was less thau a pound and a half per day. Sjiokino in tub Dakn. 'No smoking' is posted in most decent factories it ought to bo posted in every barn.
There is not much dificrenco between having a horse-thlof around tho stables, and a man cleaning off horses with a pipo iu his mouth and thero Is no hired man much meaner thau tho ono who, when his employer comes round, slips his pipe into his pocket or holds his hand over it as if it were a littlo bird. All such fellows should ho paid off, or started off, and kept off. As for the farmer himself going Into tho barn with a pipo in his mouth, no complaint can bo made; but if his establishment burns up nobody should cry unless it bo the wife and children. Lightning and incendiaries, and spontaneous combustion combined, do not causo as many barns to bo burned as tho pipe and generally ut lcastono good horse goes also. It would bo much better If tho smoker could go up with tho smoke, and have smoke enough for once.
Jlicawler la N. Y. Tribune..