Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-07-06
From the Farmer and Planter.
Straw as Feed for Mules.


In the fall of 1916, whilst engaged in see
ding wheat, | had the rack in my mule
stables filled with good wheat straw at night,
in addition to their full feed Of corn fodder,
thinking they would partake of it slightly,
but, to my surprise, the straw was consumed
almost entirely every morning. BY degrees
had the feed of corn fodder diminished
every night, and the feed of straw increased.
After the wheat crop was seeded, the feed Of
corn fodder was stopped entirely, and wheat
straw given three times day with regular
feed of corn or bominy. expected my
mules to decline at first, but in this was
happily disappointed, for they continued in
good order, although engaged in hauling
mari and ploughing, during the entire winter.
They were kept on wheat straw until the
middle of March, aud then the corn fodder
was again given: could perceive no altera-
tioa in their. condition after the straw was
discontinued and the feeding with fodder
commenced. 1t has been my practice since
that winter to commence the feeding OF
wheat straw to my work mules about the
first of November, and discontinue its use
about the first or middle of March-and az
ter using it for seven winters, can honestly
recommend it as winter feed for mules.
Do not lessen the feed of corn and blame the
the wheat straw, but continue the usual feed
of corn, and give the wheat straw.in place
of corn fodder; it will be cheaper even to
increase the feed of corn little. Should
your mules refuse it at first, do not be dis
couraged, but give a little fodder and straw
at first, and diminishd the amount Of fodder
gradually. The best mode of feeding wheat
straw is to run it throug h good straw cut
ter, then moisten it with rery week 6rtne,
and mix the feed of hominy with it. In
stacking or housing wheat straw, it shoul be
sprinkled with strong brine as it is put up.
Farmers of the South-especially you who
have to buy northern hay, try this plan, you
can but discard it if you dislike it. | sin.
cerely hope Messrs. Editors, that none of
your subscribers are in the habit of buying
northern hay. Thomas L bLoUNT'
LATE SowN VECErABLEs.-Some OF the
greatest delicacies for table use may be OBJ
tanned from quite late sowings. We can
speak most positively in regard to turnIps.
Both the round and the flat turnips may be
sown at any time in July or August, aid we
have known it to come to considerable ma
turity in a season in which there were no
early lrosts, when sown in the first week OF
September. Special pains should be taken
to enrich the soil, for in this way we secure
two objects the more rapid growth of the
plant, and a sweeter and more tender vcge-
table. We suppose it's generally well know
that the more rapid the growth of this and
several other vegetables, the more mild and
tender they are to the taste. Cahbages'
onions, radislles, spinach, cauli-tlowers, are
all much more delicate in flavor, and agreea-
bic to the palate when grown freely and
than when their growth is stntcd or slow
Cucumbers and celery may also be added to
the above named, as being much milder
when grown rapidly than when of slow
growth Some of these may be raised late in
the season, as well as turnips, so rs to SUP
ply the table with, the delicacies of spring
and summer until quite late in the fall and
winter.
BY the end Of August and in the course OF
September, there will be vacant places in
the garden and field, which it will be good
economy to SOW with turnips. There will
be, at all events, the pea and early potato
ground; these, and other. such patches may
be sown with round or flat turnips, aud
thereby we will be making provisions, both
for our family and our stock. What we do
not use for the table will be well relished by
our cattle; and cows which have a tolerable
supply, will not dry up SO early as COWS
that have no green feed.
SAVING SEED-Blindness to our own
interest, is in no way manifested SO fully, as
in the foolish practice of gathering " what's
left" for seed. The first vegetable, peas, or
snap beans that appear save for seed; the
first stock that shows pod, etitgo to seed;
the first cucumber, squash or melon, save Tor
seed. In this way we may succeed in get
ting much earlier vegetables than by follow,
ing the usual method of taking the refuse OF
all our garden crops for seed. Save the
earliest and best of everything for seed.
Our egg plant might be brought into bearing
much sooner, if we would save the first for
seed Who can stand it, with all the long
years dearth of delicious morsels, to save
the first roasting year or tomato, that may
appear, for seed !and yet if we would bring
forward the whole crop two or three weeks
earlier, it must be done. Let it be settled
maxim of the farmer to save the first and
bestof everything for seed. Corn and wheat
may be greatly improved by such a course.
TIE smell of chloride Of lime is said to
drive away gnats.