The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-07-13
AGRICULTURAL.

TIE CosT OF WEEDs.-The most ex.
pensive crop grown by farmers is weeds.
It is not easy 70 estimate their cost, but
we know that it amounts to many millions
of dollars annually, If their value is any
thing the farmer has seldom been able to
appreciate it. The question of weeds be,
come every year more serious, aud their
spread more appalling. Some of the best
farms of the country have become so in.
tested with weeds as to yield but poor re.
turns. four present system of culture is
TO continue, no one need expect to rapidly
grasp fortune ut farming. The eradica-
ton of weeds, when they once get posses
sion of the soil, is somewhat discouraging
to the farmer, especially when neighboring
farms are growing weed crops that furnish
innumerable seeds to be waited by the
wind and deposited upon the land. There
is scarcely farmer but fully understands
that large crop of useful plants cannot
be expected FROM grounds overrun with
weeds, aud yet many pay but slight atten
ton to subduing these pests. They in
crease from year to year, until the land be
comes SO foul that even this very condition
of things is deemed u sort of excuse to let
them take possession of the soil. They
become formidable, aud men dread to make
the attack, knowing that no weak oppo
nent is to be eencountered.-CC Country Gen
tlemau.
STRAW AS FooD.-Be careful of the
straw. It is not very long since straw
was regarded as worthless upon half the
farms In the country. Of late different
opinion has prevailed, aud it is now gen
orally recognized us an important assist
ant IN the winteriug of stock. Horsefal
a great authority on agricultural natter,
says: Il am satisfied that the most econ
omical use of food rich in albuminous
matter, is to feed it with straw or other
materials which are deficient in this Gle
ment" Dir. Mechi, another great au
thorty. says; Il have long since adopted
straw as food, should consider myself tool
ishly improbable to waste it unless in
open and wet farm yards" The Rural
World, says, STRAW when early cut and
properly cured, not dried. has somewhat
the quality of clover. But, oh, how neg
leetful are we about the curing of straw
when it is one of the finest employments
There is fragrance about such straw.
and pale green tint, which makes it a
valuble and most pleasant fodder" Straw
may be fed with advantage to all kinds oi
stock 1t is excellent to mix with meal
or feed with carrots, beets or turnips-
II straw was properly econOmized, hay
would be cheaper.
HORSES FEET REQUIRE MOISTURE
Nine-tenths of tie diseases which hap.
pen to the hoofs aud ankle Of horses
are oecasioel by standing on the dry
plankHoors of the stable Many Ier.
sonsseem to think, from the way
they keep their horses. that the foot
of the horse was never made for mois-
ture, and if possible it wonld be beneficial
ii they had COW hide boots 20 put On everj
time they went on;. Nature designed
to form the foot for moist ground-thC
earth of woods and valleys at the same
time that covering was given to protec
E It from stones or stumps.-Ohio Farmer
If you want safe horse, avoid one
that IS dish-faced. If you want one that
wiIlnever give out, don't buy an over
gown one. a black horse cannot stand
heat, nor a white one cold. II you
want gentle horse, get one with more
or less white about the head. So SAYS
a correspondent of the Country Gen
tleman.