Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-08-06
FARM AND FIRESIDE.

| who advertise for Ihree, DIX UT '" eiNc III ohth
FARM AND FIRESlDE.
IMPROVEMENT IN GRAIN Experiments
have demonstrated and analogy has shown
that the finest and best samples of seed, con-
tinued for years, will improve the quality
and quantity of the products. A better
wheat is thus raised; even variety may be
established On this principle, in farm
stock, we have the short horn, the blooded
horses, and the different breeds of sheep,
swine, poultry, etc. Experiments have
been made on the human species; but the
same, no doubt, hold good there.
We plant and SOW ''as it comes" We
take the seed of the same grain that we use
in the aggregate, and SOW it. Is not this
| the case almost always? Corn is an excep-
ton to come extcnt-but why do we except
corn? Because it is handy to select. But
why select at all Because 1t is understood
to be good. Analogically, then, it is good
to do the same with wheat, oats, barley, etc
| But this is less easily done; we therefore
neglect it. How long will it take farmer
to go through his wheat and secure the
| finest and ripest heads sufficient to SOW an
| acre, or half on acre, or aquarter--or even
a pint of seed This pint sowed will be suf-
fcient to form test crop. The best heads
taken from this again, and sowed, will yield
another test crop, from which should be
taken as before, and SO on for number of
ycars-say half dozen-more still better.
But three Or four years will work decided
| difference. But the thing should be con-
tinued from selected wheat every time In
this way grain can be improved and crops
enlarged There will be larger grains,
earlier maturity and better growth.
SALT FOR GRA.s.-A correspondent writes
the American Institute Farmers Club on the
subject as follows: When was in Austria
liza, [ noticed that the tracks made by the
drays loaded with salt hides were always
green even in the severest times of the
buck felders," or hot winds. charged with
dust, that destroyed everything they pass
over This led me to think that here was a
solution of the question as to the best dress
ing for grass lands and it was here l found
it. For twelve seasons have seen it tried
upon variety of lands aud grasses, and al
ways with the same results. In the spring
the refuse salt and sweepings from the ships
and wharves, where wet sailed hides have
been slowed, is spread over the sward, and
the young spring grass is strong and grows
quickly. The cattle arc fond oft and eat
it evenly; and the fields so dressed keep
green when all around is parcled and dry.
From the absorbent qualities of the salt, mois-
ture is attracted and maintained.
How TO TREAT HORSES During every
summer we have periods of extreme heat
when horses as we'll as men die from the eff
fects of sunstrokc. Man can seek relief from
the heat whenever he thinks it necessary,
but horses and mules, exposed to the fiery
rays off the mid day sun, are often Frustrated
and die in the street before relief can be
given them. During very warm weather
they should be kept in the shade as much as
possible, driven at moderate speed, and
when driven i'll the afternoon wetted sponge
should be fastened upon their heads. They
should be frequently furnished with water
to drink, in small quantities and their mouth
and head bathed with wet sponges If the
legs or other portions of the body are chafcd
by their movements, water should be
sprinkled on the rubbed parts. Light har-
ness and light loads in very warm weather
are necessary to the comfort of the horse,
and will be the means of prolonging his life
and usefulness ....
CLouTED CREAM.-In Devonshire, Eng
land, celebrated for its tclouted cream" the
following method is adopted to make it =
Strain the milk into pans holding about ten
quarts. After standing twelve hours the
pans arc placed on the stove, or still better,
over pot of boiling water, and the milk
heated till a thick creamy scum raises to the
surface, and air bubbles appear in partingit,
but the milk must not boil. The pans are
then removed and as soon as the milk cools
it is skinned and the cream placed in a
churn or crock. and stirred with long spoon
or stick till butter comes, which is usually
in few minutes The butter is not worked,
but ladlcd out with skinner having large
holes, through which the buttermilk can
drain, and put light and loose on a plate,
those who like salt adding it at the table,
BLACKBERRY JAM.-Gather the fruit in
dry weather: allow half pound of good
pAo"h euS"A " 0N0iJ Pouhu VI IL uio, poii
the whole gently together for an hour, or
until the blackberries are soft, stirring and
MASKING them we'll Preserve it like other
jam, and it VIII be found very useful in
families, particularly for children-regula-
ting theirs bowels and enabling you to dis
pense with cathartics. 1t may be spread on
bread, or on buildings instead of butter :
and even when blackberrics are bought it is
cheaper than butter
PARsN1p WINE.-To l2lbs of parsnips cut
in slices, add 4 gallons of water; boil until
they are quite soft squeeze the liquor we'll
out of them and pass it through u sieve; to
every gallon ofwater put 3lbs of loaf sugar.
Boil the whole three quarts Of an hour, and
when nearly cold add little yeast /: Let it
stand for ten days in tub, stirring every
day from the bottom then put in cask for
twelve months; as it works over, fill uf every
day. 4 L. .=-f .. ia iHaHs
HUsK MATS. "A correspondents says -
''To make an excellent door mat, take an
inch plank of the size desired, and bore
inch holes through it with their centers 2
inches apart into these draw dampened corn
husks, and trim off about inches long On
each side. This mat is good either side up
Anybody can easily make one, and every
one can keep his boots clean, much to the