Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-12
AGRICULTURAL.
riEn. elapEs aNp nopsEHoLp.

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FiEn, GiRDEs AND HOUSEHOLD.
REGISTERING SHEEP Every breeder
has experienced the inconvenience OF
sorting sheep for sale or breeding, dur
ing the summer and fall, when, owing
to the reduced condition in flesh and
fleece of those who have sucked lambs.
aud the partial growth of the fleece of
all, and the effects of exposure to
storms, 1t is impossible to Judge cor
rectly of their real character In every
| flock, however small, it is a convenience,
and in those of any considerable num-
Der. absolutely necessary to have a writ
ten record of the characteristics of each
individual of the flock. BY means of a
permanent number attached to each
sheep, and a record book with suitable
blanks, this may be done with very
slight Inconvenience, labor and cost.
Ear labels, bearing the name of the
owner and number may be inserted at
any time. That part of the register
showing the fineness, length and den
sity of the wool and the constitution,
should be filled out just before the
sheep are turned off to the pastures in
the spring, or before shearing. If there
is an inherent weakness of constitution,
the hardships of our northern winter
will make it apparent, while at that
time re liable opinion can be formed
as to the qualities of the fleece. The
weight of each fleece should be record
ed at shearing. The age, pedigree,
breeding qualities, &C., may be entered
when convenient. The labels may be
inserted in the ears of lambs when three
weeks old and while yet at the barn. -
With little pains the farmer may in
moment. by reference to his register,
tell all about any sheep in his flock, and
decide whether to sell or keep, if suit
able for breeding or otherwise. -Ne1C
Hampshire Farmer,
CIsTEBN FILTER John J. Booth,
Pittsburgh, Penn, says: IL am a
bricklayer, and have built a great
many cisterns. In putting a filter into
a cistern, build no more than two and
one-half inches wall, that is a wall built
with brick on edge; and if the bricks
are little wet, and built carefully in a
close joint, of good cement, with the
joints pointed on both sides, defy any
amount of pressure that can be in els
tern to knock it down. 1 have built
cisterns 12x1l, and built this kind of a
filter IL them, I tell you it will take 6.
sledge hammer to better them down.
1t is a great deal cheaper than a four
and one-half or a nine inch wall, will
last as long. and answers the purpose
quite as well. But in place of the sal
mon brick, as S. Il. recommends, take
hard, straight, sandy paving brick, not
so hard rs to be melted together, but
paving brick; build it carefully with
good water cement, and you will have
good filter.
A CRANBERRY VENTURE. On Mon
day while at the farm of Charles Coop.
er IA mile or two southeast of Maple
ville,) were quite interested in his ex-
pertinent in the cranberry culture
Early in the season he commenced on
a meadow of five acres. He removed
the turf and in June planted about half
an acre with the plants which are now
bearing berries. The course of opera
tiOn is-firs to remove the turf, and
then to cover the surface about six in
ches with sand or fine gravel. This
kills the wild grass roots, and other
forms of vegetation which are inimical
to the welfare of the cranberry, and
furnishes it with some nutriment. The
vines are next planted about Is inches
apart each way. This is all that is me-
cessary to be done, except to flow them
with water during the winter. A dam
is constructed for this purpose. Mr..
Cooper is now at work on the remain
ing four and half acres, and will have
the land ready for plants the present
autumn. He informed us that the cost
to him of the whole operation is about
$500 per acre, which we think is higher
than similar work on meadows will
average. In some portions of the conn
try, in New Jersey for instance, and on
Cape Cod, Massachusetts,, the work has
been done for 800 per acre; but the ex
pense of carting on the sand was saved,
as there are natural sand beds under
the turf in those localities.
The final question now cOmes-will
the culture of the cranberry IN this
manner, pay for the outlay? On this
point, we have not doubt. Expert
ments within our personal knowledge
proves the fact. With proper manage
ment, which is quite simple, Mr. Coop
er and all others who follow his eX-
ample, will find handsome remunira-
ton Planted with the cranberry, the
now comparatively worthless meadows
of New England may be made gardens
of wealth. - WOOnSOcket, Rhode Island
Patriot.
How TO RAISE FLOWERS. "A lady cor
respondent of an exchange furnishes
the following 'hint to lovers of flowers"
ga most beautifully and easily attained
show of evergreens may be had by a
very simple plan, which has been
found to work remarkably well on a
small scale. Ii geranium branches, taxi
EN- from luxuriant and healthy trees,
Just before the winter sets in, be cut as
for slips, and immersed in soap water,
they will, after dropping a few days,
shed their leaves, put forth fresh ones,
and continue in the finest vigOr all win
ter. By placing a number of bottles
thus filled in a flower basket, with moss
to conceal the bottles, a show of ever
greens is easily secured for the winter.
All the different varieties of the plant
being used, the various shades and col
or of the leaves blend into a beautiful
effect. They require no fresh water. p"
BUCKwHEAT CAKES. The finest, ten
derest cakes can be made by adding a
little unbolted wheat Tor Graham) -four
TO the buckwheat. Less than a quar-
ter will do. Mix with cold sour milk,
or fresh mot sweet buttermilk, which
Ia hest. The soda (emptyinCs are dis