The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1868-12-26
AGRICULTURAL.

ohoOLEDRS--1t Is very important to
have collars fit nicely and snugly to the
shoulders of the horse. It enables him
to work with great deal more ease, and
to apply great deal mors strength. It
prevents CALLING and wounding, as the
friction is avoided. Collars are SO made,
or should be SO made, as to throw the
chief weight or force on the lower part
OF the shoulders. The horse can apply
but little strength on the upper part, and
for this reason breast collars are coming
greatly into vogue; as the strength is
exerted on the lower part Of the shoul-
ders. But we started out to tell our
readers how to make new collar fit the
shoulder Of the horse The collar should
be purchased of the proper size. They
are usually too large. IF obtained the
proper size, just before putting it on the
first time, immerse it in water, letting it
remain about minute, and Immediately
put it on the horse, being careful to have
the names so adjusted at the top and bot
tom as to fit the shoulder, and then put
the horse to work. The collar, by being
wet, will adapt itself to the shoulder, and
should dry on the horse. When taken
off it should be left the same shape it
occupied on the horse, and ever after you
will have snug fitting collar and no
wounds.
SALT FOR Cows.-Some persons con-
tend that feeding salt to stock is not nee
essary to their health and comfort, con-
sequently useless expense. This con-
clusion is in opposition to the opinions
Of many eminent dairymen and stock
growers, and ignored by the cattle them
selves when salt is supplied themes
pecially during the season of green feed.
Other animals, in the wild state, evince
an appetite for salt, showing that it is
natural and not an acquired habit. 1t is
believed that sailing cattle occasionally
during the summer months is beneficial
to them, and we know it is grateful to
their palates, by the regularity with
which they will seek it at the stated
places of feeding, and the avidity with
which it is devoured.
SMALL FRUITs.-One of our cores
pondents writes us that his first trial in
the fruit line, to relieve him from the
expense of bread and meat, was growing
strawberries. He says he commenced
with twenty square feet, and increased in
two years to nearly one eighth OF an
acre, set six kinds, mixed together, and
that the patch of ground furnished all
the berries the family and children conld
use, besides realizing from sales sur
plus of over seventy dollars year. An
other of his relianees was the sour cherry,
and he practices heading his trees each
year, takkng out small crossing limbs,
and obtaining fruit in great abundance,
and he says of larger and superior quail
ity to that of his neighbers, who practice
the let-alone method
Farmers are not aware how much is
wasted on their farms, that with little
care and trouble might be made into val
liable manure. Everything that can be
deeomposed, either in process Of time,
with the assistance of the elements, or
by the aid of chemical agents, should be
saved from the compost heap Select
some place in the barnyaed or ada
cent lot where it will be convenient to
access, and there gather your compost,
adding from time to time such solvents
as may be necessary. Here bring all the
weeds, sods, briars, thistles, &C., that
you are compelled to dig and cut up dur
ing the summer, and add to these, from
time to time, whatever you have of waste
matirial, muck from the swamp, decayed
fruits, potato vines, leaves, the deposit
from the sink, &C., and at the close of
the year you will be surprised at the size
of your heap, and be able to see for your
selves how much is really wasted on
your farms that might be turned to val
liable account.
WHEN TO DIG PoTAToEs.-The an
swer to the question, when to dig pota-
toes, says the Farmers Chronicle, is when
they are ripe, which will be when the
tops are dead and dry. It says the sun
should not shine on them after they are
dry. It also reports the yield of the
Early Good, rich potatoes grown by its
editor, at from 125 to 14O bushels per
| acre, Notwithstanding the drouth. Ne