The Placer herald., 1872-07-20
HOU USE AND FARM,
Written for the HERALD
DUCkWHEAT IN THE FOOTHILLS.
NORTH RAvINE, July 11th. 1872

short article on the cultivation of buck
wheat in the foothills, it is here at your
disposal.
In the Western States, buckwheat is de-
cidedly a Summer crop. 1t is there sown
after all danger of frost has passed; and
then it is ulatured by the genial showers of
that season of the year. Its growth and
maturity require the time of three calendar
months. Besides its use as a flour in the
culinary department of a well ordered house
hold it is Il very valuable grain for poultry
and mile b COWS. 1t is also cultivated to
some extent in some parts Of California with
decided success. Last year there was a
large crop of it raised in Sacramento county
According to the statistics, as published in
the Union on the first of the present year,
its yield was more than twice as much as
either wheat or barley; the latter grains av-
eraging twelve and thirteen bushels to an
acre, while buckwheat wa, fraction over
thirty. 1t is there sown about the middle Of
March; and, it is rarely irrigated.
AS an experiment, during the first part of
April of this year, sowed one acre Of buck
wheat; the soil being dark red loan, and
well plowed and narrowed. The rains of
April and May brought the crop on finely
until it was passing from the flower to the
kernel, when the dry weather arrested its
further growth of stalk and heading; and
ouly half Of crop is the result. 1t only
pays to let the poultry harvesti it, as the stalk
is diminutve and the well formed seed scat
tering.
AS a second experiment, sowed two
acres to buckwheat, of new ground, which
was so dry that only the sod could be turned
ever by the pow, The time was the mid
die of April, after all danger Of frost had
passed The ground was so dry that a
cloud of dust followed the harrow An en-
tire failure was predicted. The rain of the
last of April brought the grain up, and that
of May helped it forward. Since the rain Of
the first of May I have irrigated the crop
thoroughly, broadcast, once week. The
results, that the crop of buck wheat on the
two acres, is all that could be desired, re-
minding one OF its prolific growth and large
yield in the Western States. 1t is now rip
cning for the harvest.
The conclusion is, that this valuable grain
can only be cultivated in the foothills by
thorough irrigation. TO sow it late in the
season for the purpose Of avoiding the frosts
of March, is entirely destructive of its healthy
growth; consequently, irrigation must pre-
pare it for its bountiful harvest
T. S. MYMcK.
USE OF FRUIT. Instead of standing in
fear of generous consumption of ripe fruit,
one should regard it as decidedly conclusive to
health The very disease commonly as
sumed to have their origin in the free use OF
all kinds of berries, apples, peaches, cherries,
pears and melons, have been quite as preva-
lent, if not equally destructive, in seasons OF
scarcity. There are so many erroneous no.
tons entertained of the bad effect Of fruit,
that it is quite time counteracting impress
sion should be promulgated, having its toun-
dation in common sense, and based on the
common observation Of the intellect. No
one ever lived longer, or freer from the at
tacks of disease, by discardins the delicious
fruits of our country On the contrary they
they are very essential to the preservation of
health and are therefore given to us at the
time when the condition of the body, opera
ted upon by deterorating causes not always
comprehended, acquires their grateful renova-
ting influences. Unripe fruit may cause i'll
ness, but fresh, ripe fruit is always health
ful.-Co,uatry Gentleman.
CEMENT FOR AN AQuARIUM One of the
correspondents of the Ruydl Ne,c Yorke,
inquired recently concerning a cement for an
aquarium, and is advised to use red lead
putty. There is, however, cement known
as "aquarium cement" which adheres so
firmly to glass and iron that there is no
possibility of breaking it off. 1t forms a
perfect water-tght joint, and it does not
taint the water as many lead cements arc
apt TO do. To prepare it take equal meas
ures of fine sharp sand, plaster of Paris and
ltharge; mix them well together and make
them into a stiff putty with boiled linsecd
oil. Apply in the same manner as you
would any other putty, and allow it two or
three days to dry. AS regards the materials
any clean, fine and sharp sand will answer.
Cement prepared as above is exceedingly
useful for more purposes than making
aquarums. For stopping leaks around
chimneys, and for many other purposes that
will readily suggest themselves, it is in
valuable.
DEEARy HOMES OF all the dreary places
deliver me from the drcary farmhouse which
so many people call "home." Bars for a
front gate, chickens wallowing before the
door, pigpens ebowing the house in the rear,
scraggy trees never cared for, or no trees at
all; no Towering shrubs, no neatness, no
trimness. And yet lawn and trees, and a
neat walk, pleasant porch, and plain
fence around do not cost great deal. They
can be secured, little by little, at odd lines,
and the expense hardly be felt. And if
ever the time comes when it is best to sell
the farm, fifty dollars so invested, will often
bring FIVE hundred; for man is brute who
will not insensb'y yield to a higher price for
such farm, when he thinks of the pleasant
surroundings it offers his wife and children.
BEE CULTURE.-It has awas surprised us
that more attention was not paid to the
honey-bee. Considering the amount of capital
Al,,1si i,,,,oc tal LII i.