Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-12-04
FARM AND FIRESIDE.

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SAVE THE DEAD LRAvEs.--If every horti-
cuturist and farmer would think for mo-
ment on the nature Of fallen leaves, which
contain not only the vegetable matter but
the earthly salts-lime, potash, ETC., needed
for the next seasons growth and fertility,
and that, too. exactly in the proportion re-
quired by the very tree and plant from which
they fall nay, more. if they would consider
that it is exactly in this way, by the decom-
position of these very fallen leaves, that ma
ture enriches the soil, year after year, in her
great forests, it would hardly be possible for
such rejecting horticulturis. or farmer to
allow these leaves to be swept away by every
wind that blows, and finally lost altogether.
Nor would he give them away, as many now
do He would rather collect, from week to
week, the leaves that fall under each tree,
and by digging them under the soil about the
roots, where they will decay, provide in the
cheapest manner the best possible food for
the tree If this plan should be tried, we
should not see old orchards dying out for
want Of nourishment; but they would, in
this simple manner, receive all the enrichng
they required. Pear-trees, aud doubtless
the peach, would be gready benefited by this
procedure .-- F.s
In certain vineyards in France and Italy
the vines are kept in the highest condition By
simply buryng at their roots every leaf and
branch that is pruned off or falls from the
vines at the colsc of the season. Will not
some of our farmers Of inquiring minds give
this simple process trial this season?
1t is we'll known fact that no manure is
more eagerly sought for by the florist than
leaf manure. 1t enters largely into the conf
post prepared for potting. Leaves. collect
ed and mixed with barnyard manure, greatly
enhances its value Therefore gather up the
leaves. that nothing be lost.
CARE OF SroCK BuLLs--A stock bull
should be regularly fed three times day,
and the hours of feeding must in a great
measure depend upon the judgment and opin-
ion Of the person having the animal in
charge, as no positive rule can be laid down
for the hours of feeding ........,. ....
If confined in stable or stall, while in
service, the animal should be daily exercised
by walking him short distance, or leading
him around the stable yard. ;,,
A stock bull should always be kept clean
and in good condition, and the better to ac-
eompIish this he should be frequently wash
ed with water, and if a little soap is used oc-
cassionally, it will prove decided advantage
to him il keeping his skin clean, and pro,
noting lively action Of the blood and mus
cular tissues of the body #
1t should be the aim Of every breeder and
owner of stock animals to keep them in the
best condition possible. A good stock bull
is as worthy of care and attention rs a
thoroughbred horse.
AsHEs.-Wood ashes are enc Of the most
valuable fertilizers within reach OF the far
mer. The unleached article has the more
potash but the leached is thought to be quite
as valuable. In teaching they shrink good
deal, and lime is usually added, which IN
creases their value. They are generally
sold, too, at less price. Ashes are well
suited to all farm crops, and are very bene-
fetal in the fruit-yard and orchard Most
farmers still sell wood in the cities and VII
lagos, and rather than 60 home empty, they
should carry back ashes and other fertili-
zers, 10 replace the potash, lime and phos-
phoric acid that have been carried off in the
crops and animals sold Ashes show imme-
diate effects from their application, and at
the same time last long in the soil. They
are very highly appreciated in the onion
growing districts, but may be applied with
equal advantage to ordinary farm crops.
They should be kept as near the surface as
possible, spread and narrowed into the seed
bed, or applied directly to the growing
crops, a
L1oUID MANURE FOR GARDEN VINES
AT late meeting of the Herkimer County
Farmers Club, Judge Graves said the best
fertilizer he ever used in his garden for vines
was prepared in the following manner:
A barrel was set up in the ordinary way
for leach. Into this. well-rotted horse
dung was firmly packed, and water thrown
in at the top As the water leaked through,
it was caught in a receptacle, and applied,
from time to time, to vines, as they seemed
to require, Their growth was extraordinary.
He recommended this plan to persons who
are not successful in growing cucumbers
There will be no trouble in growing Gu
cumbers when this plan of manuring is
adopted, and the yield of fruit will be en-,
Ormous.
Ported CuEEsE-This is an American
luncheon dish, and, being in a glass jar, it
looks light and pretty on the table. One
pound of cheese must be well beaten in q
mortar, and to it must be added two ounces
Of liquid butter, one glass Of sherry, and d
very small quantity of cayenne pepper, mace
and salt: All should be well beaten together
and put into pretty shaped glass pottiug-
jar, with layer of butter at the top, Il
makes a delicious relish for bread or toast
CRoup.-M. Langunterie Of Paris, after
observing the effect Of sulphur on the oidium
of grapeyines, was led to administer it in
several cases OF Group. He mixes tea
spoonful of sulphur in glass of water. and
gives a teaspoonful of this mixture every
hour. This effect is described as wonderful
The diseases cured in two days, the orly
sypmtom remaining being cough arising
from the presence of loose pieces of false
membrane in the trachea. 4.n.'~ ~"
| A SIMPLE CURE FOR THE RnruMA1'IsM.-
Boil small pot full of potatoes and battle
| tho mart afacfnd with tha ,,o4o,.;,, ,,.L:.b +ho