Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-04-08
Agricultural.

Wnen II is IuOfOuBLly liiSheCAOu. thoSo
who have closely observed the horse
are well aware that in the moment OF
terror the ears are pricked up or thrown
forward. "All animals, says Darwin,
(which have the power of freely moving
the ears, when they are startled, or
when they closely observe the object,
direct their ears to the point towards
which they are looking, in order to hear
any sound from this quarter. At the
same time they generally raise their
heads, as all their organs OF sense are
there situated, and some of the smaller
animals raise on their hind legs. Even
those kinds which squat on the ground
or instantly flee away to avoid danger,
generally act momentarily IN this man
ner, in order to ascertain the source and
nature of the danger. The head being
raised, with erected ears and eyes di-
rected forwards, gives an unmistakable
expression of close attention to any AMI
NAL" Darwin has been a close student
of animals, and he knows what he is
writing about; besides his opinion In
this matter is sustained by that of the
practical Judges of the habits of horses.
Pursuing the subject further, we find
that the will and reason are often power
less against the Imagination of danger.
The violence of a start depends partly
on the vividness of the imagination and
partly on the condition of the nervous
system. Darwin writes: cit appears
probable that starting was originally
acquired by the habit of jumping away
as quickly as possible from danger,
whenever any of our senses gave us
warning. Starting, as We have seen, is
accompanied by the blinking of the eye
lids so as to protect the eyes, the most
tender and sensitive organs OF the body
and it is, L believe, always accompanied
by a sudden and forcible inspiration,
which is the natural preparation for any
violent effort. But when a man or horse
starts, his heart beats wildly against his
ribs, and here it may be truly said We
have an organ which has never been
under the control of the will, partaking
in the general reflex movements of the
body" Terror causes almost all ami
mails to tremble. The sweat breaks out
and the hair bristles. The breathing is
hurried and the heart beats quickly and
violently. Again we quote from Dar-
win: "When an animal is alarmed it
almost always stands motionless for
moment, in order to collect its senses
and to ascertain the source of danger,
and sometimes for the sake of escaping
detection. But headlong flight soon
follows, with no outstanding of the
strength as in fighting, and the animal
continues to fly as long as the danger
lasts, until utter prostration, with fail
ing respiration and circulation, with all
the muscles quivering and profuse
sweating, renders further flight impos-
sible." We may not be able to agree
with all the theories advanced by the
author and defender of the Evolution
theory, bnt at the same time we must
admit that he is good authority on any
question concerning the emotions and
habits of animal. Having studied these
things closely, he should be able to form
q correct opinion about them.
New SYSTEM OF FRUIT CULTURE
The Hoorbrenk System of Fruit Culture
is the name given to a new method of
training vines so that the yield of grapes
is greatly increased. This process is
described as the simple training of the
branches of vines, fruit trees, ETC., so
that their extremities shall rest at
lower level than the point where they
branch from the main trunk. 1t is said
to be an essential condition to the sue
cess of this method that the branch,
though inclined, shall be straight. If
it be curved, the buds at the top of the
arc are mainly developed. A recent
writer in Les Mondcs, in reviewing this
,,k lseaD,-nr- oIr tha
opinion that increased vigor of the
branch thus treated was caused by its
being made to assume the condition of
a syphon, the longer end downward,
thus producing greater flow of sap" ;"
1t is announced that this new process,
the discovery of an ignorant peasant,
has been introduced with great profit
into many parts of France. A method
SO simple of trial, certainly deserves
attention, and, as it relates not to vines
alone, but also to fruit trees, American
nurserymen would do well to put it to
practical test during the coming season.
Duchesne-Thoreau, who has made a
special study of this new method, ad-
vises that at least one-half the buds
upon the inclined branches should be
removed, which will secure a more ac-
tive growth in those that remain, and
consequent increase in the quantity and
quality of the fruit.
THE RoLLER.-A correspondent of the
Germantown Telegraph writes: "On
dry or wet ground the effect of the roller
is found to be saIutary. Plowed and
prepared for sowing, dry land is much
helped by the roller. The blades of
grass spring up sooner and retain a
firmer hold in the earth. In a season
of drought rolling has saved the crop,
when without it the seed would have
never sprung from the ground. In wet
and heavy ground it is believed the
roller, smoothing and hardening the
surface, will leave the soil Immediately
beneath the surface in better condition |
to generate the seed. On grass ground,
that has been heaved by the frost, the |
roller has an excellent effect in fixing |
the roots. Rolling the ground is also |
good when the land has been laid down |
unevenly the previous year. If the land |
is too dry, wait till Just after soaking |
rain, and it will work capitally. 1t is |
good idea to roll plowed, sowed ground |
40 ~ PANssco oo"h
the burrows that would be turned back,
and makes the surface less uneven, and
the harrow pulverizes it much better.
We find that on an average not one
farmer in four has a roller"
PROPORTION OF CREAM To MILK-
The proportion of cream to milk yielded
by cows of various breeds used in the
dairy, was ascertained by experiment,
in England, some time since, to be as
follows: Brittany cows, 1927 to 22.00
per cent. of cream; Jerseys, 1866 to
per cent; cross of Jersey and
Short horn, 1876 to 1906 per cent;
or Durham 1882 to 1856
per cent; Devon, 1+S6 to 1900 per
cent; and Ayrshire. 13.47 to 14S4 per
cent. The variations depended on the
iced, which for the lowest yield was
grass or hay only, and for the highest
was the most abundant food of the
richest character that could be pro-
cured. As a general thing, however,
.ream is Welded in larger prOportion in