The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-06-26
Farm, Garden and Household.
what to do on the Farm.

Killing weeds is the great labor of
the month. And let it be understood
that unless the season is unusually wet
the farmer WHO does not keep down the
weeds deserves all the evils that flow
from f1ul land and poor crops.
2. good cultivator, aided by our dry
winds and hot sun, will kill young weed
plants by the million. The main thing
is to commence early before the weeds
get possession of the soil, and continue
to stir the soil as often as any new weeds
appear.
In corn and potatoes we have used the
Thomas harrow with decided advantage.
1t may pull up or smother few hills of
corn, but such loss is nothing as COM
pared with the saving in hoeing. We
are not sure that light harrow, with
fine, straight teeth would be equally
effective.
Corn will probably be much higher
next year than at present, and it will
be well to take good care of the growing
crcp. All that can now be done is to
cultivate it thoroughly.
Stirring the soil, unless it is very
light sand, tends to keep it moist. 1t
develops plant food, and makes the land
rich. 1t kills weeds, and it is now well
known that so far from "shading the
ground and keeping it moist" all grow
ing plaNts pump up and evaporate large
quantities of water.
Summer-fallows are rarely necessary
on light, sandy soils. We can kill the
weeds by the frequent use of the culti-
yator i'll corn, potatoes, beans, and other
hoed crops.
On Henry Clay land, good summer.
fallow will often prove one of the best
means of cleaning the soil and enrich
ing 1t Mt the same time On such land
1t is usually better to plow two or three
times than to plow only once, and de-
pend on the cultivator to keep down
weeds and mellow the surface. 1t is
true that many good farmers adopt the
latter practice with decided advantage
for the time being. Whatever plan is
adopted, make as many weeds grow as
possible, and then kill them.
Get ready for haying. See that the
mower IS i'll complete repair, and if any
extras are required order at once Look
to the rakes, hay-racks, unloading-forks
and tackle.
Early cut hay is confessedly better
for milk-giving animals tnan ripe hay.
For new milch-cows and ewes with
lambs 1t is very desirable to cut q few
tons of clover Just before it gets into
full blossom. 1t will not yield as much
per acre as If allowed to stand until the
blossoms begin to turn brown, and the
hay may not be so nutritious for fatten-
ing stock, but it is more succulent and
more easily digested, and when fed in
connection with little meal will pro.
duce more milk,
Keep the implements under cover, Oh
if this cannot be done wash or paint
them with petroleum. Saturate all the
wood work. The moro you can get it tc
absorb the better.
Animals in the hurry of busy season
are apt to be neglected. Do not fall
into this error. The success of n good
farmer depends more on his skill anG
Judgment in the manageme of his
live stock than on the mere raising o.
crops.
Horses should not be taxed beyond
their strength. Heavy blowing should
be done with three horses abreast. II
is a very effective team. We keer
horses too long in the field. They would
accomplish more by working steadily
while at work, and being allowed longer
to feed and rest in the stable.
Grooming is of great Importance. I
is to horse what good bath is to
man. 1t is absolutely essential to 'higl
health. Never leave a horse for the
night until he is thoroughly cleaned.
A little meal in the water is capita
thing for horses at noon, and night whe1
they come home tired-say pint O.
meal in a pail of water. -AOricuLturiSt
Iron Rust in Stockings.
Wet the spot with milk, and thel
cover it with common salt. This vii
do if the article has not been washed
Another plan is to take an ounce 0
powdered oxalic acid, and mix it will
four ounces of cream tartar. Keep thi
in box. To use this, wet tire tinge
in clean water, dip it in the above pow
der and rub it on the spot gently, keep
ing it rather moist until the stain dis
appears. Then wash the spot out viii
pure water. Another plan is to wet tn
mark with yellow sulphine of am
monium, which will blacken it, Afte
minute or two wash out the spot wit
clean water, and then treat the spo
with cold dilute muriatic acid. After
wards wash with clean water again.
kerosene Lamps.
use kerosene lamps, and one O
my best has become unjointed at tn
point where the glass and china com
together. Give me recipe for ce
ment that will enable me to unite tn
parts. Answer: In the first place yo,
must remember that, to make a cemen
adhere to glass and metal, both tn
glass and metal must be carefully heat
ed. When they are very well heate
indeed common sealing-wax thinly ar
piled will unite the glass and the metal
and when cooled the union will be pei
feet. The union must be made, recol
lect, with very little wax, and the latte
must be applied TO very hot surfaces.
The Profits of Ocean Travel.
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