The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-09-28
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

DANGER OF RAISING FAST HORSES =
The Rural Neto Yorker states the follow
ing case, to enforce some sensible advice
to farmers, suggested, we presume, by
the display of horses, which is fast be-
coming the most attractive feature of
our agricultural shows:
VA well-to-do farmer of our acquaint-
ance had the misfortune to rear q really
fine horse. The action of the animal
gave him great delight, and nothing
would do but an exhibition of him
among the professionals. He put up his
money and won, This gave bolder
fight to his imagination, and induced
a greater operation. Success rewarded
his ventures. He neglected his farm,
imperceptibly acquired habits to which
he had before been a stranger, and spur
red ON by past success, and the maohi-
nations of the crafty, whose aim is to
fleece the green and unwary, placed his
farm in jeopardy for the purpose of rails
ing money to stake on the result of
race in which his pet horse was to con-
tend for the prize and mastery. The
professionals had now got the over-con-
fident farmer in the precise position
they desired, and the result was what
they intended it should be, the defeat of
the farmers horse and the ruin of its
owner. The animal changed hands, and
so did the farm. 1t was all down hill
with the farmer after this. His family
was broken up and dispersed, while he,
reckless and maddened by disappoint-
ment and remorse, found premature
grave"
PEAR RAIsINa.-To read the many
statements in the horticultural journals
as to the variety of pears worthy of cul-
tivation, many would be led to believe
that it makes but little difference what
kind of pears are planted, as they are all
equally good, equally productive and
equally hardy. We are well aware that
some varieties will do much better in one
location and one particular kind of soil
than in another but the sweeping way
in which some writers speak of the good
quality OF the most ordinary pears, is
enough to mislead and disappoint those
who look to our standard publications
for practical information. The truth is
there are very few good varieties that
can be successfully cultivated every
where.
A number of years ago we set out
some trees specially recommended by
one of our best authorities, and they
have proved next to worthless. Among
these we can enumerate Clairgeau, Hem
ry ~, Nova Poiteau, Washington,
Louise Bonne de Jersey, Vicar of Wink
field, Triomphe de Iodoigne, Duchess
d'Angouleme, Nirgalien, Winter Nelis,
Marie Louise, Paradise d'Automne, to-
gether with several other kinds which
proved to be not true to name and were
unknown to horticulturists. 1t is much
better for those setting out fruit trees to
select only few varieties, and those
known to suit the locality, as well as
hardy and productive, and of the most
desirable quality Germantown Tele-
graph.
JUDGING Soil BY TIMBER.-Almost
any one knows that the quality of soil
may in great measure be determined
by the timber which grows upon it, but
of the exact nature indicated by the
primitive trees people are not so well
posted. Mr.. j. B. Smith, of Patmos,
Ohio, writes to the New York Farmers
Club of this matter, and says that white
oak land is poor; that red-oak and soft
maple also indicates poor land; that
shell-bsrk mostlygrows in colby land
that fiat beech and sugar lands are good
for summer crops and grass, but not for
wheat; that rolling beech and sugar
lands, where large poplar and black wal
nut abound, are fine grazing lands, and
produce, when new, large crops Of all
kinds of grain except wheat, where it is
winter-killed that large white oaks and
chestnut growing together, and black
oak and hickory, indicate loose sub
soil; and that lands where the water
| soon sinks into the sub-soil are much
the most valuable for grain that sol
that will raise large crops of all kinds o.
grain, and then clover and timothy, an6
after they run out will come in with
green grass and white clover, is the best
Ohio Farmer.
PLANTING FALL BULBs.--The Gar
dener's Monthly says: "As soon in To,
fall as bulbs can be obtained, they
should be planted-though this will no
generally be the case till October-bu
it is we'll to bear in mind that the Garlic
they are planted the finer they will
flower" Seedsmen WILSON be on han'
with their bulbs. There have been ex
tensive arrangements made by them 70
the fall trade, and announcements viii
soon be in order.
The Germantown Telegraph says "a Il
setting out tulips be careful not to max
| 10 - 81, q.
heavy manuring-tulips not, or the
will not thrive well, and produce inferi
or flowers. The beginning of Novembe
is the best time to plant bulbs genel
ally.