Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-04-23

PEAS AND P0TAT0ES-STRANGE RESULT.-A
French agriculturist made last year a singular
experiment, the success of which has surpass-
ed all expectations He planted four potatoes,
two of which received each a bean, and the
other two each pea. In very short time
the peas and beans brought forth very vigor-
GUS shoots, which furnished to their proprie-
tor four copious dishes. But the most remark
able things was that the potatoes sprouted
wonderfully, and were not touched BY disease.
Still more, the tubercles multiplied themselves
extraordinarily; the first stop yielded thirty
eight fbers; the second thirty; the third
twenty-nine, and the fourth twenty-eight--all
very healthy.
We have planted sixteen potatoes, all Of
which had received apea and bean. Never
have we noticed more vigorous vegetation.
The shoots of the potatoes, as well as those
of the peas, have universally averaged q
heighth of from five to six feet. The tuber-
cles, which were numerous, measured, for
the most part, from sixteen to eighteen
inches in circumference. The whole pro-
duction is four minots and quarter. As to
the peas, the husks were also very numerous,
but most of them could not ripen, because
they found themselves enveloped in mass
of shoots and leaves. The tubercles had been
planted too near each other.
This.experiment has been made by an agri-
culturist of Isle d'0rleans. He has planted
three potatoes, all of which had received each
pea. These three potatoes yielded forty
seven tubercles, quite remarkable for size.
This agriculturist is so well satisfied with the
result of his experiment, that he has decided
to follow this same method for all his potato
planting the next year.-E1cltdnge,
SALT FOR ANMALs.-There has been much
discussion as to whether salt is beneficial for
animals, many arguments being adduced for
and against but the following experiment
made by a German agriculturalist, lately,
seems to settle the question so far as sheep
are concerned. The sheep experimental
upon were kept in low, damp pasture, and
ten animals were selected, and their usual al
lOwance of salt withheld. In the first year
five of this number died of rot and worm,
while among the remainder of the flock,
numbering over four humid ed, only four sheep
were lost The second year new lot of ten
sheep deprived of salt, lost seven, and short
time after the close of the year, the other
three of the unsalted number died the re-
mainder of the flock lost only FIVE. The third
year was very rainy; sixteen sheep were de-
prived of salt, and the whole of them died of
rot and vermicular pneumonia.
SEEDING Down WITH SPRRG GRAIN.-Grass
stands dry summer better when sOwn in
autumn than in spring. Still this cannot al
ways be done, and we must SOW grass at this
season. IT sown alone on spring plowed
land, the soil should be well melloWed and a
great abundance of seed put on. Farmers
seldom use enough seed After sowing, light
soils should be rolled, and heavy ones either
pushed or let alone altogether. If sown with
spring grains, there should be liberal guam
tity of seed used. The varieties must of
course depend upon the land and the demands
of the farm. For permanent meadow, the
greater the number of kinds the better. The
grass seed should be sown after the grain is
covered, and left upon the surface to be wash
ed in by the rains. A light dressing of gyp-
sum and wood ashes is very beneficial after
the grain is well up and covers the ground
somewhat.
Cows SHEDDING MnK.-Some cows teats
will leave more or less of their milk to leak
or run out. To prevent this leakage, take,
after each milking, thin piece of muslin
about as large as a three-cent piece, and wet
it in collodion, and apply it quickly over the
orifice of the leaking teat, as it will dry inn
mediately anG adhere firmly and so prevent
all escape of milk, and what is more, it grad
ually contracts the leakage orifce, and thus
operates to some extent at least, as perIna-
nent cure of the evil. This muslin covering
can readily be removed at the next milking.
To PREVENT RATs FROM EATING HARNESS
In answer to many inquiries in former num-
bers of the Country Gentleman, a eorrespon-
dent gives the following:
al would say that in ninety-nine cases out
of hundred, rats nibble harness and other
leather used on horses, for the salt " de-
posted by perspiration. Place salt at acces-
sible points in barns and out-houses, and the
rats viii rarely trouble your harness.