Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-09
naiIp Aenurtet sournal.
now 1T CONCERNS THE FARMER.

lTO1tsSOI Httdi, ia q ASStHb iSIths
on radiation said: "A cobweb spread
from nightly chilli In this rather fanci
full expression we have hint of grea
factin natural science. The best of it il
in the practical bearing it has upon the
common things of everyday farm-life.
Let US explain some of Professor Tyn
dars applied science as it concerns agri
culture. Radiation refers to heat. With
out going into an examination of til,
quality and general properties of heat
let us look at its most remarkable propert,
radiation. If we heat brick in the fir
and then place it on the ground, its hea
begins to radiate in every direction. b,
holding the hand beside it we perceive th'
escaping heat. By placing the hand over
it we notice an increased radiation. /
we remove the brick and examine the
ground we find it also has been heated,
though in a less degree. Had we placed
the brick upon block of ice radiation
would have gone on as before, and at 4
much greater speed.
From those common things farm-liie
has to deal with-plants, animals, &C.
radiation proceeds necessarily. When we
consider that every plant or animal that
lives must maintain a certain fixed tenn
perature or die, the practical bearing OF
the applied science of radiation becomes
plain. The turnip will not thrive in a
temperature of less than 40 degrees; no
flower will bloom if the air stand below
So degrees; no COW or horse can live in
health unless its blood stands at blood
heat, and every child that lives must be
protected from radiation by suitable cloth
ing, that its animal heat may never fall
below the happy 90 degrees.
To return to our experimental brick
There is nothing like experiment. Expe-
riments show us the working of natural
laws. Applied science is nothing more
than carrying the results of pure expert
ment into real life Heat the brick and
this time place it on the hearth in the
warm kitchen Radiation takes place as
before, but at a slower rate. II it's chilled
in half an hour outside. here ii will be
perhaps an hour cooling, and even then
will not become SO cool; that is, ii it cools
at 40 degrees out of doors, here it may
not below As degrees.
Notice this little fact, and stow it away
in your mind. Presently You shall see its
application to your cows in the barn.
These are dollars and cents in the latter
matter Now heat three bricks and ask
the housekeeper for piece of wooden
cloth, muslin handkerchief and an old
newspaper. Now lift one brick from the
stove with the tongs and roll it up in the
wooden. Irvine the handkerchief round
another. and wrap up the other tightly in
the paper. s
Meanwhile let us examine another mat
ter. Heat brick and drop it into q pail
of water Take it out at once, and notice
how quickly it has cooled.
To return to our packed bricks. We find
the woolen-coyered one at perhaps one
hundred and fifty degrees, the paper
covered one at about one hundred degrees,
and the muslin covered one at sixty de-
grees To look at the practical side of
this we see that radiation proceeds at diff
ferent rates through different substances,
Suppose the brick child His animal
heat would have radiated through the mus
lin quickly and been almost entirely saved
by the wooden.
As another experiment wrap the wooden
round hot brick in such way tha.t one
face of the brick is exposed to the air
Lay it down exposed side up. Tear off a
bit of the newspaper slightly larger than
the brick, and lay it upon hot brick.
Roll up more paper and make cap OF
tent over another hot brick. We find that
the wooden covered one is the coolest this
time. The one with the paper shade over
it is less cool, and the one with the paper
hood warrnest of all. Wherefore ? Sim
ply because radiation into the air, when il
is free to move upward, is most rapid
The WOODEN about the sides is nearly use.
less while the top is exposed. The bit o.
paper, though it only covers the top, does
better, as the upward movement of the all
about it is in a measure prevented. The
paper hood being alright locks in cone
shape mass of air. The air, unable te
escape with its heat, stores it up, and re
radiates it again, and so checks the cool
ing of the brick.
To save q plant from early frost protec
it from the top. Radiation is most ACTIVE
upward. A paper screen over the top viii
accomplish more than wooden wraI
round the sides. A paper hood would b.
best of all
Make your barn tight, especially abou
the top, and your cattle will eat less, be i
better condition, and bring larger re
turn in milk or meat Radiation fror
their bodies being reduced, health, con
fort and happiness will return to then
and money to you. A barn full of crack
is an offence against science and you
pocket.
A small blanket on the top of a horse
back will do more good than large on
badly fastened on.
Radiation takes place, more rapid
through water than air. Radiation throue
aqueous vapor is slow. Keep all the fe,
on your place dry, be they shod with iron
leather. To save your greenhouse co;
keep the air inside damp. Radiation
slow in damp atmoshere; quick in DIR
one. To save your vineyard from an eal
ly frost build fires OF green wood anon
the vines at night. The aqueous vapo
caused by the smouidering wood will az
as a blanket and perhaps save the crol
A fire of dry wood, warm it ever SO fierce
ly, will not do half so much good.
Apply these few facts to your every
day life on the farm and you will fin
money in it,
n T-u TN nrrrp -Ez-