The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-05-05
RACrs FoR FARMERs.


publican
Last year DR.. ChamberIin. Of this place.
made some practical experiments with chic
ride of lime, and although be claimed noth-
ing more than the application Of 9 we'll
known principle, he demonstrated the fact
that nearly half the time might be saved in
terminating the seed BY the use of chloride
| of lime.
Not satisfied with the success of last year,
the doctor is again IN the field of expert
ment. In his Office he has four boxes; in
the FIRST is corn planted without soaking,
and the seed not germinateds in the second,
the seed was soaked in warm water, which
has just commenced TO germinate: in the
third is seed soaked In solution of chic
ride of lime. and green blades are just peep
| ing from the ground; in the fourth is seed
soaked in solution of chloride of lime aud
copperas, in equal parts. and the blades are
now nearly three inches above the ground.
| All the seeds were planted at the same time.
in the same quality of soil, and taken from
the same ear. The boxes have all had an
equal share of heat and light, neither al
lowed any advantage over the other.
This experiment should attract the atten
ton of farmers. We conclude from four
10 six weeks may be saved by the use of
chloride of lime and copperas, which is q
matter of no ordinary moment when We re-
fleet that a delay in the termination of the
seed of two weeks frequently places the
crop within the reach of the frost IN the
fall. Another fact OF some importance may
also be mentioned The copperas used in
soaking will prevent the birds. squirrels.
worms. DC, from eating the seed.
DR.. Chamberln assures US that one pound
of chloride of lime and one pound of cop
peras, in water, will soak enough for TWEEN
| ty acres. The cost will not be over twenty
five cents. Every farmer could afford to
j make the experiment even if he should fail
to derive any benefit from it.
MELON CULTuRE.-Melonss seem to thrive
best in sandy soils. Sections of country
in which such s"ils predominant are most
famous for the growth of them. To the
watermelon. sand seems almost indispensa-
BILE. This is probably owing to the peculiar
chemical constitution of the plant ia part,
and in part TO she wide rami6caiion Of it's
roots. IL absorbs a vast deal Of moisture,
and requires a soil of loose texture in which
to spread The soil where it is planted,
therefore. should be deeply worked with rot
ten manure. or compost. and if clayey. a
bushel or two of sano should be put in
each hill.
A good method Of giving the melon an
early start in the spring, is TO make a mini
allure hot-bed where the hill is destined to
remain, using a sash with few lights of
glass for cover. Another method is to
plant them in kegs, and place them in hot
beds until the season is sufficiently far adj
vaneed for their safe removal, and trans
plant them, taking the slaves apart carefully
SO as not to displace to the root. A little
frame round each hill, covered with muslin,
will let in an ample supply of light and heat,
and keep off destructive insects.
Three plants to the hill are enough and
in good soil the watermelons should be
planted eight or nine feet apart muskmelons
may be planted more closely. In a patch
containing several rows, the hills in each
row should fall opposite the spaces of the
row or rows adjoining. To prevent the
vines from being blown about. and torn by
the winds. brush may be laid down for the
tendrils to cling to.
After the fruit has formed and attained
some little size, the vines should be pinched
off at their tips new shoots will then spring
from the next joint below, which should be
also clipped. This process converts the
sap. which would otherwise run into useless
iendrils and leaves, into material for the
| fruit.
Il il The tendency of all vines to hybrid
ize. when planted near members of their
own families. To secure the purity of good
varieties CT watermelon, they should not,
then, be planted near those Of inferior va
riety. Ignorance of this law is producing
deterioration of our vines.
-. e IL
similar to that Of the Watermelon. that what
| is proper for the one will suit the other
The former. however, is not so partial to
sandy soil as the latter Century.
How TO GRow PEACHES EVERY YEAR
A correspondent of the Ohio CUit;vatOr
says:
Procure your trees grated upon the wild
plum stock. The tree partakes of the IA
ture of the plum, being hardy, and will
never winter-kill, and putting out late in the
spring, will never be injured by the frost,
and IL is a certain preventative against the
workings of the peach grub. while the nat
ural life time of the tree is beyond that of
our own; so you may depend upon peaches
every year, and for a long period of time
without the destructive and discouraging in
iuences attending the growth of the com
mon peach. 1ney can De oOtaineo At from
City to seventy-fve cents per tree. and you
had better pay five times the amount, shan
not to obtain them. and be certain of peach
es everv year. Try it, and our word for it,
you will be satisfied with the result.
MExIcAE SHEEP.-The common sheep OF
Mexico, whatever their origin, are low OF
little value. the average of their wool being
only about one pound head per aDnum.-
Il is not much to be wondered at as they
are allowed to run almost Wild. An inn
mense range of pasture, shepherd and bis
dog are all that Mexican sheep owner
Il L. e u r