Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-08-25
The Farm, Garden, Kitchen & Shop.

GUsT.-The potato crop has risen to
such Importance that all facts and sug-
gestions tending to increase the yield
thereof, will receive wide attention.
1t is the custom generally to cultivate
and hoe them more or less thorough
ly before harvest, finishing by killing,
when, if the ground is free from other
plants, the cultivation is considered
finished. But our fields, unfortunate
ly, arc full of weeds, and July show
ers bring to life and vigorous growth
bountiful crop Of pig weeds, barn
grass, wild buckwheat, DC. Before
the crop is harvested, and, indeed, in
the month Of August, the potato field
assumes an appearance that annoys
the tidy farmer, and weeds appropri-
ate a large share of the fertility Of
the soil, diminishing the legitimate
crop both in size and quantity, and
rendering the harvesting more labor
ious and costly. An abundance Of
weeds in the potato field in August is
indeed a serious. drawback on the
crop; they abstract moisture as well
as fertility, and the tubers suffer ac-
cordingly, There is no doubt that
many crops would yield quite remu-
neratively if clean, which, being
weedy, promise a large proportion
Of small potatoes.
1t Is well to consider the feasibility
Of cultivating and cleaning potato
fields in August. With most varieties,
especially the late kinds, this opera
ton can be readily performed. The
shovel pillow will loosen and roll the
dirt to the vines, and the iabOrer, fol-
lowing with a hoe can clear out weeds
with rapidly. It's a work that pays
in more respects than one. First, it
is good cultivation which is always
pleasing; second, it renders the har-
yesting Of the crop easier, and, to
quite an extent, less costly; third,
the size Of the potatoes will certain
Iy be increased, and to an extent,
without doubt, to amply repay the eX-
penditure.
Late planted crops, especially Of
late varieties, like the peach blow
often do not set, if the summer is dry,
until about the first Of August. To
such it is vitality important that the
soil is freed from weeds at this time
OF year. We once harvested very
large yield OF this variety-the tubcrs
being Of extra large size - which
were very weedy on the first of Au
gust. The tops were stocky anl
large, but not a potato was formed al
that date. We gave them a thor
Ough eultiyating and hoeiug and felt
well repaid III more ways than one for
the expense.
Cows FOR FARMERS. - There arc
three qualities necessary in a COW, ia
order to constitute a good COW, in
the true acceptance OF the term. She
should combine the three qualities,
OF being mixer, a good feeder, and a
good breeder. If she possesses one
Of these qualities and lacks the 9th
er two, she does not come up to our
iull standard Of being a good COW
Ii should be the aim Of all good
breeders 10 breed with this idea in
view, to breed from cows having the
above qualities as lar a. pUssiOic.-
such cows, when bred TO good bulls,
almost invariably produce good
calves. The n. &. Homestead, in an
article Oh this subject says:
The COW should have a fine head, d
little wide above the eyes, but quite
small below, and appear quite long
Her nose should be OF d rich yellow
color, or at ali events, no black: We
do not know Of any full bloodel
stock, OF any breed with black noses
out they frequently appear on atocI
as high bred as 1916. Her uecI
should be very small where it JOIN
the head, but widening and deepening
as it approaches the shoulders an
brisket. Her udder should be o.
good size, well covered with long sol
hair, and not inclined to freshness
large milk veins, and small delicat
norns-they may be long in som
breeds, but they should be line an
have a yellCw skin.
To be u good breeder, she shouI
in the first place be a descendant trol
good stock, and the farther back 70
can trace her from gOou stock, til
better. She should possess all til
above good qualities, with a broa
straight back, wide loins and hip
long deep quarters, round rios, bon,
small 10 proportion to her size, dee
and full brisket, fore legs wide apaI
and lastly it should be a good handle
A COW that is a good handler, will q
most invariably produce good III
milk; and if a first rate handler al
possesses the other good qualities, 81
will most likely be a good FEEDER
The handling qualities is, or has bee
too much overlooked by breeders al
judges Of cattle shows. Judges wi
will give in their decision for prem
ums without even touching an amin
are in our opinion, unfit for the olic
VERNIN EXTERNINATOR. - AS OF
houses and gardens are always mo
or less infested with vermin, it
nevertheless satisfactory to know til
benzoin, an article sufficiently W,
known as detergent, is no less eI
cacious as an agent Ill insecticide.-
Two drops are sufficient to asphy1
ate the most redoubtable pest, be
beetle, cockchafer, spider, slug, cate
pillar, or other creeping thing. Ey
rats and mice decamp from any pla