Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-11-27
FARM AND FIRESIDE.

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-O--
CurriNG UP Cony. The question 5otwoca
topping corn or cutting up by the roots, will
probably always be a debatablc one Ihe
quality of the fodder, the ease of hushing,
the ripering Of the ears, are all elements
that enter into the estimate, and that viii
vary as prominence is given to either oG
these. But as the ripcncd ears arc the great
object of corn growing, the following state
ments, from 41Hcn's In,eyican farm Boo&,
have an important bearing on the matter:
1.-The stalks of corn ought never to be cut
above the ear, but always near the ground,
and for this obvious reason: the sap which
nourished the grain is drawn from the earth,
and passing through the stem enters the
leaf, where change is effected analogous to
what takes place in the blood when brought
to the surface Of the lungs in the animal
system; but with this peculiar difference
however, that while the blood gives ont
carbon and absorbs oxygen, plants, under
the influence of light and heat, give out
oxygen and absorb carbon This change
prepares the sap for condensation and cor
version into the grain But the leaves
which thus digest the food for the grain are
above it, aud it is while passing down that
the changes Of sap into grain principally
takes place. IF the stalks be cut above til
ear, nourishment is at an end. 1t may then
become firm and dry but it will not increag.
in quantity while if cut near the root, it no1
only appropriates the sap already in til,
plant, but i. also absorbs additional matter
from the atmosphere, which contributes to
its weight and perfection.
Work IN TIE SHor. Every good farmer
should provide himself with workshop.
where he may occupy bis time pgolitably On
stormy days, in repairing tools and fttipg
them for next Summers campaign. His col
lection of tools may be few or many saw.
hammer, maliet and two or three chsels,
square pinchers and few gimblcts will enable
him to do much useful repairing. But if he
prefers to be better supplied, and to do more
of his own work in the shape OF manutactur-
ing, he should have a complete carpenters
| chest---to be kept under lock- Paint and
brushes should not be omitted The cheap
est paint, and one which is more durable at
the same time than CANNON paint, is crude
petroleum, with small intermixture Of some
cheap ochre.
Even dry, pulverized and sifted clay will
be found to answer a good purpose when
mixed with the oil and applied rather thiniy
over the surface Of the wood, For hard
wood tools, such as plows, liarrows cultiva-
| tors, rakes, shovels. ETC., the light petroleum
is BEST and penetrates deeper into the pores;
but furniture made of pine, Eastwood, OF
other porous material, where q distinct out
side paint is desirable, may be convenient
coated with ochre or other material mixed
with the heavy OIL These who look over
their whole list of tools and machines, clean
them off thoroughly after Summer use, re-
pair every part requiring it, and paint them
well, will be admirably prepared TO oHsoa-el.
| the labors of another season. At the same
time their implements will last very much
longer and cost less money.
THE HoRsE.-The front of horses chest
contains his lamgs, by which he breathes.
Behind them, separated only by thin kind
Of skin, in the stomach, destined to receive
and digest the food. Each of these organs
become large when in use: the lungs oecI-
| plying more room when the animal is moving
about and breathing more quickly. The
space they occupy is then so filed that only
one of them can be distended at time. The
horse can swell out his lungs, and breathe
hard, trot, or gallop fast. provided his
stomach be empty; he can fill it with safety
when at rest, or nearly so, till the food is
digested. But if they are both full, the
greatest danger is to be apprehended; the
horse is sure to be ''blown, almost imme-
diately, because he has no room to breathe.
the apoplexy may cause the animal to drop
dead in a minute. No horse should be al
lowed to get at an unlimited supply of food
A proper quantity should be given, and no
more-enough to satisfy his Requirements
and then to allow proper time 10 digest it.
Many a horse has been killed from a Git
brought on by a corn-bin having been left
open at night, thus giving him an opportJl-
nifty to gorge himselft to death with the tempt
ing food.-London Horse Book.
A Machine for harvesting corn, by taking
the ears from the stalks while standing iii
the field, was exhibited at the recent State
fair IN Illinois The apparatus is construct
ed to strip two rows at once. The stalks are
taken between projecting metil-faced fingers,
and as the machine advances the bait Of the
ear is broughtin contact with short sickle,
playing at the rear of the fingers, cutting it
OF, while the stalk passes under the machine
without being pulled up; the ears are re-
celved into large hopper at the rear of the
machine, and discharged when it is full
Wuoop1NG CoUeu.--A detection Of chest
nut leaves (castonc0 eisca) is said to be a
sovereign remedy for whooping cough. Steep
three or four drachms of the leaves in boil
ing water, and give il either hot or cold, with
OF without sugar. Carbonate of lime should
be put in saucers about the room IN which
there is sufferer from this disease Il me-
vents infection,
! A MINUTE PUDDING Place over the fire
one teacup of sweet milk for every guest; let
1t come to a boil, and stir in one egg, one
tablespoonful of -four wet with little milk;
stir it well, let it cook few minutes oil COM
mon toacunc with buttor