Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-03-25
FARM AND FIRESIDE.

A FACT IN REGARD TO HoRsEs.-Iher Is
perhapsn no more marked exhibition ofnature's
laws Of adaptation of means to ends, or of sup
ply to waste, than is shown in the arrange
ment of the horses foot. There terminate
the various ducts of communication aud
supply, rendering it q point in the animal
economy of no little Importance. The
extremity of the limb being of such a vital
character, and coming in contact with the
ground, needs protection accordingly the
hoof is constructed especially, it appears, 10
prevent injuring the inner portions Of the
foot in coming against the ground, and not
with regard to injury from above or on the
sides of the foot; a consistent fact, since, i'll
the state of nature, these portions of the
foot are not subject to injury any more than
the rest of the animal.
The direction and arrangement of the
fiber Of the hoof prove this point, as do
practical tests also, A nail driven into the
wall of tie hoof from below, on account of
this arrangement of the fiber, occasions no
pain, but a nail clinched on the top or side
of the hoof with a hammer. induces pain,
and in some instances where horses have
been lame from no apparent cause, it has
been simply the result of an inner irritation,
caused by pounding the hoof. This is an
important point. and should not be over
looked by horsemen. An arrangement by
| which the nails on a horses foot can be
clinched without using a hammer, would even
tually be an advantage.
PRUNING APPLE TREEs.-It has long been
a practice among farmers to prun-
ing apple trees in February, mainly, we
| suppose, because there is leisure time. There
are some reasons why this should not he
done. There will not be sufficient action in
the tree to harden the surface, where a limb
is taken Of. before the sap ascends in the
spring. When this action does take place,
the sap flows out and spreads over the sur
rounding bark, and by some chemical action
which takes place in it, is changed to a
poisonous fluid. which greatly Injuries the
tree. 1t is very unsafe to prune before the
the middle of June. Soon after the leaves
fall in autumn, and in midsummer is the
safe time to do this work.
WHAT FARMERS cANNor CoNoEAL.-A poor
farmer cannot conceal the fact that he is a
poor farmer, All his surroundings are a
verdict against him his horses, cattle,
wagons, harness, plows, fences, felds-eyen
his wife and children bear silent. but unmis-
takeable evidence against him. On the 9TH
er hand. all these things will testify favora-
bly, on behalf of the good farmer. Every
passer by can read the evidence pro or con.
This fact alone ought to stimulate every
farmer to do his best, for the sake of his own
character, az well as interest for he may
rest assured that every passer by will pro-
nounce% judgment according to the evidence.
BEEF PIE.-Take cold roast beef or stake,
cut into thin slices, and put a layer into q
pie-dish !; shake in a little -four, pepper ami
salt cut up a tomato or onion chopped very
fine !; then another layer of beef and sea-
soning, and SO on until the dish is filled
If you have any beef gravy put it in if
not, a little beef dripping, and water enough
to make sufficient gravy. Have ready one
dozen potatoes, well boiled and mashed, half
a cup Of milk Or cream, and a little butter
and salt; spread it over the pie as a crust,
and inch thick brush it over with egg, and
bake it about twenty-five minutes.
An Ohio ounce grower has been very
successful for two years past with his fruit.
His treatment OF the trees is very simple:
He spades the ground of his orchard every
spring, and ~scatters a peck of coal ashes
around each tree. He finds salt the best
manure on the ounce. and applies about
one quart to the ground under each tree.
after the soil has been spaded, and another
quart when the ounces are about half grown.
Last year be sold three hundred bushels of
ounces from his orchard of three-quarters
OF an acre.
BAKING PowDER.-We have been inform.
ed that the best baking powder is made of
Of soda and pure cream of tartar
one small teaspoonful of soda to three of
cream Of tartar. The above quantity is
enough to one quart of -four. 1t is best to
sift the cream of tartar with the -four, in Or
der to have it thoroughly mixed before add
ing anything else. Dissolve the soda in a
little boiling water, and add it the last
thing.
AN EXCELLENT CHEAP SAUcE.-Take
seven pounds of sweet apples, three pounds
of sugar, one pint of vinegar, and a heaped
tablespoonful ssof uuground cinnamon, and
each. Cook till done, but not TO
spoil the shape of the quarters. This is
excellent, and keeps a long time without
working. None will regret trying it,
Currants are fine prepared in the same way.
SAUCE RoBERr.-Cut into small dice,
four or five large onions, and brown them
10 a stewpan with three ounces of butter,
and a dessert spoonful of -four. When of a
deep yellow, pour on to them half a pint Of
beef or veal gravy, and let them simmer for
fifteen minutes; then skim the sauce, add q
seasoning of salt and pepper, and, at the
moment Of serving, mix in a dessert spoon~
full of made mustard.
VENIsoN STAKES Gut them from the
neck. season them with pepper and salt.
When the gridiron has been we'll heated
over a bed Of bright Goals, grease the bars
and lay the steaks upon it. Broil them
we'll, turning them once, and taking care to
save as much of the gravy as possible
Serve them up with some current jelly laid
on each stake,