The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-03-09
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

ENoL1s11 WATERoREss GROWN m A
HoT BED.-A correspondent in the
Gardeners Monthly gives the following
novel method of growing watercress,
which will certainly be new to most
readers, as it is to us. 1t is at any rate
worth the trial, as the flavor of this
plant is pleasing to most palates. That
there is great difference in flavor be-
tween that grown in q fine running
stream and where it is all but dry, every
body who knows anything about the
plant will readily admit. 1t is possible
that the exciting atmosphere of hot
bed may, in measure, have the same
effect on this plant that running water
crisp, and less peppery in flavor;
Permit me to recommend through
your valuable Monthly the most whole
some and most productive of all salads
grown in winter and in spring, and yet
the cultivation of it is little known, and
almost entirely neglected by those who
do know. This watercress is native of
Great Britain, and is found wild in the
small streams more or less through the
whole country, and is cultivated on a
large scale around London. Although
this cress is considered amphibious it
thrives better in an ordinary hot-bed,
from October until April, than at any
season growing in its natural element,
exposed to the climate. / find three
sash ample for moderate family from
October until April, and requires no re-
planting whitewash the glass, and
give very little air except when raining,
which saves watering, which it requires
at least once week. A full crop can be
cut every three weeks. I generally cut
one-third of sash each time, so always
get succession. About the first of
April quantity of plants should be
transferred to some cool, wet place,
be ready for the hot-bed in the fall
THE HONEY TRADE.-This article,
which, twenty-five years ago, formed
quite an insignificant article of trade in
this country, is rapidly increasing year
after year in domestic production whilst
the amount imported is growing smaller
In 1860 the total product of honey of
the United States reported, was 1885,
| 357 pounds. New York stood at the
head of the list, with 2,369,751 pounds,
followed in order by North Carolina,
2,o55,969 pounds Kentucky, 1,76s.692
pounds; Missouri, 1,5S5,9S3 pounds /;
Tennessee, 1919, 800 pounds; Ohio, 1,459,-
Col pounds; Virginia, 1,431, ,591 pounds I;
Pennsylvania, ,405, ,12S pounds Illinois,
1,346,S03 pounds; and Indiana, 1924
4S9 pounds; all other States falling be-
low 100000 pounds. In the winter of
1S6S-69, the Department OF Agriculture
sent out circulars to known apiarians in
most of the States, and received returns
from 4S9 counties in 80 States. The ag-
gregate number of hives reported was
722,3S5. Estimating for counties not re-
porting, and making due allowance for
the fact that many of the counties re-
porting were giving special attention to
bee culture, 100000 of hives were
deemed as low figure as the returns
would warrant. Allowing fifteen pounds
of surplus honey to the hive (abcut two
thirds of the average reported the total
product in 1868 would be 30,000,000
pounds, which, at an average valuation
of 225 cents per pound, would give
$6,756OOO. When we consider that the
cost of production is merely nominal, it
will be seen that it pays to keep bees.
How TO KEEP A CHuRN FROM FRoTH-
ING OvER.-Happening one day to visit
the house of friend who kept COW
and made butter, there saw a simple
method he used to overcome the great
trouble of all butter makers using the
old-fashioned upright churn, viz His
plan was as follows: Take the body Of
the churn and cut groove around the
inside of the mouth, about three inches
from the top and three eighths of an inch
deep, and then remove half the thicknes:
of the wood, making shoulder all
around then take the cover and cut il
to fit nicely inside, and you have now
done away with all the old nuisances o.
cloths, tubs, pans, etc, heretofore re-
quired to save the cream that flowed
over. Any man, almost, can do this, OF
the churn may by taken to a carpenter
and treated for a few cents. Many al
idea of less consequence than this, il
patented, but all may take this one fol-
| what oava for II