Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-05
Early TOnafnas-

Hon. d. A. Compton writes to
the Southern Farmer as follows:
These are most readily grown on
deep, sandy soil; but as all farmers
gardens are not sandy, the following
method will be found highly adyan-
tageous to those whose soil is a
heavy loan, approaching clay Make
steep, conical hills, a loot or more
in height, and two and one-half feet
diameter at the base; in the tops of
these set the plants. Water thor
oughly and Immediately cover the
surface of the hills slightly with dry
earth, to prevent the ground from
baking. The roots will soon spread
through every part of the mounds,
and being so exposed to the rays of
the sun will grow amazingly. Do
not be afraid the heat will burn them
up-the tomato came from a hot
country and will endure heat and
drought that would be fatal to
Northern plants
Should the drCuth be excessive
and the,vines droop somewhat, dust
them with plaster. This will attract
moisture enough at night to support
them during the day, beside furnish
ing them with ammonia Hoe and
plaster frequently When the to-
hatoes are the size of crab apples,
pull off the smallest, and also pinch
off the tops of the plants. Let the
vines fall and remain directly on the
ground, that the fruit may have the
full benefit of the heat of the sun
and ground. BY this method ripe
tomatoes may be had full three weeks
earlier than by fat culture in the
common way.
Farmers are advised to start their
plants in small squares of inverted
sod in a slight hOtbed. Such plants
are moved in perfect safety-are
more stocky in habit, and in every
way better than plants grown thickly
in soil.
have tested no early tomato
better than Early York, and no late
variety better than the Feejee.
Hay From over Ripe clover.
A correspondent of the Country
Gentleman gives his experience
with clover hay as follows:
A good deal has been saidin these
columns lately, about clover and
grass and the proper time for cut
ting them. During the past season
had a notable example of the evil OF
allowing clover TO get too ripe be
fore cutting it. A neighbor moved
On to a new place about the middle
of July, and as it took him some time
to get settled, some weeks elapsed
before much work was done
Among other neglected matters was
a small field of paddock of clover
which had been kept for hay. This
was not cut until it was dead ripe
and he is now feeding it to cows and
horses. Being in his stable a few
days ago, found that his cows care
fully picked out all the young anC
fine stalks and ate them, while it wa:
almost impossible to get them tC
touch the coarser stems. He was
using some very nice Oat straw fol
bedding, and he told me that tn,
cattle actually preferred the straw tt
the hay, and would eat all the bed
| ding within reach rather than toucl
the hay.
| l at once advised him to cut anC
steam the hay before feeding it, ant
he has adopted my advice with tn
| best results. The hay is mixed wit
straw and cut into three-quarter incl
lengths. This is placed in larg
water-tight and steam-tignt box, an,
four quarts of boiling water poure'
over every bushel OF the cut feed
The water has a little salt dissolve
| in it, and this not only serves a goo
purpose directly, but it also elevate
the temperature of the boiling waite
and renders it more efficient. A
soon as the boiling water is poure
on the cut hay, quart of shorts
poured over each bushel of hay, an
the whole is mixed together with
, shovel. The lid is then fastene
down and the whole is allowed t
rest for twenty-four hours-at I'll
end of that time the feed
, thoroughly steamed, soaked, and
| still warm. In this state it is fed I
the cattle, and the benefit which h;
| accrued since this plan was adoptC
has been very marked.
Ii is not to be supposed for a ST
Gle instant that steaming, cutting
otherwise preparing clover or gra
3 that has been allowed to becOn
, over ripe, will ever bring it back
its original state and make it as gO'
i as it would have been if cutin pro
t er time. But that these process
= will do much to improve hay I'll
n has been thus injured, there can
= no doubt. My neighbor says I'll
u there is no question but that the
e crease in the amount of mill m
Y attained, is more than sufficient
4 counterbalance all the trouble a
Il labor involved in cutting and stea
ing the feed. Besides all this he /
u the consciousness that the conf,
d of his animals has been largely
" creased.