Ellsworth American., 1874-07-02

not believe In the theory OF growing pota-
toes on poor unfertile soil, to prevent rot.
He gives his last years experience as fol-
lows. with half bushel of Breese's Pro-
life potatoes:
Il cut them In pieces OF one and two
eyes each, prepared my land "a light chest
nut loan, inclining TO sand, by ploughlng
liberal dressing of compost manure and
then putting IA shovel of well-rotted com.
post consisting of horse, COW and pig ma
nure mixed, In the hill. The sets were
planted two feet apart in rows three feet
apart, were kept free from weeds, and hoed
four times From that half bushel of seed.
| took up eleven barrels of potatoes for
the table and two bushels of small potatoes
for the pigs. There were no signs of rot
or any other defect except a superabund
ance of large tubers. too large for baking
purposes. Better potatoes have not had
on my table at any time during the last ten
years. The crop in 1872, on the same
ground. was potatoes. From . five wears
experience am forced to the conviction
that the potato should be as well fed and
nursed as beets and cabbages. When
see fields of potatoes crowded with Roman
wormwood. pigweed. cocklebur. and other
foul stuff. can't help feeling some for
| them as one would tor family Of small
children with a dssipated father and
feeble, sickly mo,her-they need outside
helm and inside comforts
Come boys" must be the motto OF the
farmer who employs much labor. He
must be with his men. But. unless he is
remarkably vigorous and healthy man, be
ought not TO try 10 do as much work as
his men and superintend his farm besides.
Work occasionally. and put new yigor into
the men. Show them how to do the work
at the best advantage. Plan, direct, be
quick TO see the weak spot and prompt to
lend helping hand. Steady work, like
plowing, will almost do itself. Ii is the
odd jobs that require brains. You must
do the thinking. A good boy will often do
as much work as . man. But you must
know how to treat him in order to make
him useful. Give him the best tools. the
best plow, the steadiest team, and the
newest harness. II he breaks anything,
do not scold. but help him 10 repair dam
ages and encourage him to do better.
Above all, do not let the men impose on
him. II you breakfast early, growing
boy that Is at work in the field should have
a Of half ~ NJ
one can work long without eating. es-
pecially growing boy.-[Agriculturist.
COAL ASHES ABOUT PLUM TREEs.-An
eminent farmer says: 81 had a very pretty
plum tree in my yard last summer. II had
bat few plums on it. II looked healthy,
but the fruit fell of until only seven very
imperfect plums remained. That fall dug
about the tree, cut away the grass, and
spread coal ashes from the CRATES and
stoves around it for two or three feet, and
about two or three inches deep, and tramp
spring the tree leaved out nicely. was full
of plums, and nearly all remained on until
ripe-so full were the branches that had
to tie them up to support the weight. The
fruit was quite perfect in size and shape,
and am sure the manner of treatment. was
the cause of the improvement. l think
many fruit trees could be thus improved.
both in the quality and quantity of fruit
they would produce.
CANKER woRMs.-Mr. Pratt, the super
intendent Of the public grounds at Con-
cord, Mass, has been trying, with varying
success, several of the usually recon-
mended remedies for preventing the injury
to trees from the ravages of the canker
worm, but has found that printing ink is
the cheapest remedy that Is certain to pre-
vent the ascent Of these insects from the
ground. His mode Of application is to
shave OF smoothly the outer rough surface
OF the bark with an ordinary drawing knife.
and then to apply the ink with a brush
directly TO the smoothed surface. He has
varied this practice by fastening wrapping
paper around the smOothed tree. putting
the ink on the paper, but nothing is gained.
As the ink has never injured either elm or
apple trees when applied directly to the
bark. Three years trial has convinced
him that the slightest contact Of q canker
worm with printers ink is instantly fatal,
and the ink will not injure even the young
est tree OF any kind.
EDIBLE QUALITIES OF BRAHMAs.-Fowl
fanciers and writers often make great mis-
takes in speaking Of certain breeds of
poultry. Brahmas, for instance, are said
to be unfit for the table until seven or
eight months old, and then are set down
As dry and coarse in flesh. Regarding
myself as An epicure, and having raised
fowls of all breeds, and eaten them At all
ages and with all sauces, do pronounce
Brahmas as equal to the best quality of
fowls at the age Of four and five months.
being at that time very ten1sr and juicy,
aud Weighing from seven to eight pounds
per pair. Brahmas, hardness, quick
growth and good laying qualities Of large
and abundant eggs, summer or winter,
should place them high in the estim alton
Of those wishing to keep quiet, handsome
and useful fowl Journal Of the Farm.
Domestic Recipes.