The Grange advance., 1874-04-08
AGRICULTURAL.
The Thrners' ClAb.

From reports ofthe discussions Of the
New York Farmers Club We CLEAN the
following interesting and useful items:
Cabbage.-A liberal top dressing Of
hen manure at the time ofsowing cabbage
and turnip seed will effectually prevent
the appearance of the cabbage flea.
After transp]anting nothing will answer
but constant watching.
Fsncsmg.-Wire fences present these
favorable points Of preference. They
are more easily set and require less re-
pairs, consequently are cheaper. Ex-
eepting the bracing posts, all interme-
dates can be made of lumber smaller
and unavailable for ordinary purposes.
They permit nearer ploughing and the
free use Of scythe and hoe in extermi-
mating weeds. They never admit of
leaves accumulating or snow drifts form
ing beside them to obstruct the roads,
and when properly adjusted they do not
mar the beauty of the landscape by OBJ
structing vision.
The following self:compensating
spring is cheaply made and adapted to
meet the difficulties heretofore expert
enced in the uniform adjustment Of wire
fences, viz, the expansion and contrac-
tion. Bend a piece Of wsll-tempered
wire (say the size Of goose quill) spi-
rally into form Of cork screw. Pass
tho ends Of two pieces Of fence wire
from opposite directions through this
spring, and as each piece reaches the
end fasten it to it. The tension upon
these wires will draw the two extremi-
ties of the spring together and the re-
verse insert spring at every thirty OF
forty rods Of fence. The danger Of the
wire breaking in winter may also be
avoided by loosening Of the wire by rails
ing or leaning the end posts to which
the wire is fastened in the fall. The
plan of using a spring has the objection
that if the spring breaks the wire will
fall.
Herding-Several parties favored
the herding Of cattle to building fences.
MI. Wolf said he had tried it and found
it much cheaper to hire boy than to
fence.
Planting Potatoes.-Under discussion
Of the question of planting large or
small potatoes, Mr.. Cuem took the
ground that the following was the bet.
ter plan-the best whether scarce or
not: Send all the small and affected
potatoes out in the fall, when dug, and
feed to the stock then for planting,
first cut the potatoe in the middle, TAX
ing the butt or stern end for table use
or to feed; then cut the seed end into
equal pieces, taking care to leave one eye
on each piece, and putting three pieces
in hill.
Importance Of Good Seed.-.Colonel
Henry thought no subject was of more
importance to the Club than the proper
selection of seed, and he hoped it would
soon be brought up for discussion.
Darwin's theory of selection had much
in it of interest to the farmer. One
half the blasted wheat came from i'm
proper selection of seed.
The President believed that as we
SOW We shall also reap as applicable to
potatoes as moral conduct.
Tree Peddzers.-There was discus.
sion on the subject Of the tree eddlers
who were flooding the country with
worthless trees at an enormous price
Several members stated the experiences
Of their neighbors in buying them, and
it was generally agreed that such fool
ish people deserved to be swindled
One gentleman said the custom of these
men was to go to we'll known nurseries
and buy refuse trees, which they after.
wards sold as from such a celebrated
nursery.
A Model Dairy.