Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-04-07
4i.Io amo 6arbtn.


PorAToEs.-There is a newspaper
article going the rounds. that a Ia
blespoonful of plaster of Paris, to
hill Of potatoes applied about the
end of June. will double the crop,
and better the article. 1t is simple
thing. and if health in the stocks can
be SO easily secured. it would be well
for some of our e1perimentalists TO
try il.
URAINAGH - EQUIVALENT TO
Change OF CLIMATK-Land drainage
has been the subject of many remarks
shaken and written-aIl of a favorable
character, yet as system in this
country, it has made comparatively
but little progress. The time WIZ
come, probably, in the remote future.
Il the physical condition of the world
remains the same as it is now, when
an incaeased and increasing popula-
ton will neccssitate an improved
management of the soil with a view
70 increased production and this can
most readily be done by removing
the surplus water in the soil by drain
age. Ifthese were accomplished,
much larger arabic surface than now
would be furnished, its productive
ness double and its maturity fastened
by at last two weeks each year.
Drainage is equivalent to change of
climate.
KILLING GRUDs.-OccasiOnally,
sections of sodded ground become so
infested with grubs as to render them
worthless for the production of hay.
These pests work at the base of the
sod, eating off the roots of the grass
SO entirely as tosenable one 70 uncOv-
er large sections of ground by simply
pulling the grass with the .and.
Flowing land in such condition for
the purpose of immediate cropping is
not a very promising labor unless
measures are taken, at the time Of
seeding, for starving out the worms.
A liberal application of salt, sown
broadcast at the rate of about halt
a bushelto the acre just after blowing.
has been known to do the business
for the grubS, while bcnefiting the
soil at the same time. If the sowing
is accompanied by rain. or immedi-
ately followed by it, the effect will
be all the more decisive. A handful
Of leached ashes deposited in each
hin Of corn at the time of planting
will probably prove as effecti.e as
the salt, but involves more labor to
make the application.
g MAKE A ROLLER. farmer
should be without a roller. 1t is in
valuable in making the ground hard
after the spring grain is sOwn, thus
helping to protect from drought and
what is better, preparing the ground
for the moving machine, after the
grain is cut and the grass grown. A
cast-iron roller is the best, but il can
be made of wood, and If the farmer
has leisure, and a suitable tree, he
can do it himself, and thus save a
few dollars. Take the butt of a
white oak, Chestnut will answer cut
it three feet and half long, and then
on to each end spike an inch-and a.
half plank a foot square. Through
these and into each end of the log.
exactly in the centre. bore holes six
inches deep. Drive into these holes
an iron linch-pin. Now, hang the
log. either on some sturdy crotches,
or otherwise, and then hew it until
perfectly ronnd. Take two walnut
straddles. ten feet long and four inches
through ct the butts. Flatten them
on one side, Bore a hole in each to
receive the pins at the ends of the
roller bring the little ends sufficient
ly near for horse to walk between /;
fatten the upper sides in front of the
rJle and then bolt thereon FOO wide
inch-and-a-half or two-inch plank,
with three bolts in each end. Instead
Of whiffie-tree, have two small irons
made, one for each thill, to hitch the
draftchains to, so that in turning, the
8 horse will pull on one side instead of
both, and with the further addition of
some hold back irons. your roller is
done. When wanted for use, put
small boy Tor girl and the steadiest
horse, and it will earn in one day
more than the three dollars, at the
outside. that it cost to make it, and
if always kept under cover will last
an ordinary lifetime.-Hearh and
Home.
CROPS FOR CLAY LANDs.-Thc
Country GeWIemon says In all
sections adapted to the crop. probably
wheat is the best grain crop TO grow
on clay lands. The strong, well pre-
pared, and well worked clay loans.
are among the best and most produe-
tive wheat soils and few claws are
so stubborn that understanding. grow
ing clover and through cultivation
will not bring them into more or
less pliable loan. Summer following
for wheat also affords a better oppor-
tunity to work such soils to the best
advantage, as the best time to pillow.
when they will work up fine and mel
low may be selected. The after cul-
tivatiOI and preparation of the seed,
by having a much longer time than is
possible for spring crops. may also be
done to bette: advantage. Winter
wheat is also good crop to seed co e.
with ; and after such land is drained.
two or three alternate crops of wheat
and clover should bring the soil into
good condition for most cereal crops.
Oats also do well on clay land. and
often give large yields but the ten
Hnnnv Of The