Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-10-01
FARM AND FiREsIDE.

| FALL PLow1Na, Fall nowing is pop
ulir method of treating stubble fields, yet
| we have known old farmers to object to it;
arguing that so much exposure of the soil
(, to the sun and drying winds, caused
1 large part of the fertility to escape there
4 from. The saturated and dry condition
of the soil being alternated rapidly from
too much exposure to the Neat of the sun
and drying winds hastens the decomposl-
4 ton Of the organic matter, or mannres i'll
the soil, and converts the vege table mould
| into gases, the only foraa of nouriShment lit
| for plant food, SO rapidly and in such
abundance that the soil is unable to con-
| tain it all. This surplus fertility passes
! into the atmosphere to remain until ear-
| ried down again by rains to enrich otheT
| farms.
However true this argument may be.
there are other claims in favor of fall
blowing sufficiently valid to more than
overbalanee all the objections to it, if the
work be properly done. There is much to
be gained by early blowing before the weed
seeds have time to manure their germs of
perpetual annoyance to the vigilant. farm
er. In this way both the perennial and
annual varieties Inlay he effectually eradi-
Gated Fall plowing destroys the hiding
places Of noxious insects which feed upon
the growing crops. and puts the rubbish in
Shape to be converted into manure, which,
upon spring plowingl5ramains in a raw
state, to ''fre" the crops, and causes no
aittle damage during very dry seasons.
The ground also becomes thoroughly
disintegrated and settled by the freezing
process of winter, which puts it in bet
ter condition to receive and promote the
growth of spring crops than freshly plowed
land It especially admits.of early sowing
of small grain, without which good yield
is seldom produced. And to have the I'M
portant work of blowing already done
when the rush Of work comes in a back
ward spring, is no small desideratum. The
dryer and lumpier the ground is when
pIswed, the less liable it is to become run
together and "baked'' from heavy rains
duurng fall and winter.
Speaking of this puts us in mind to call
attention to the Importance Of laying OF
the lagds for blowing in such mcinIer that
the surface drainage will be relie. ed as far
as possible of the surface water. Only he
who observes all these rules can claim the
title of stmodel farmer"
PREPARE GROUND FOR WHEAT.-NOt
day should be lost before putting the
land you intend for wheat in the very
best possible order. Turn under, from
five to eight inches deep, with a first-class
bwo-horse pillow, everything green, and fol-
low in each furrow withs a subsoalar. Let
it fay until time for sowing. when you can
cross with a light turning pillow, say three
inches deep, and then harrow and roll, and
put in your wheat with q good drill, and
you may fairly calculate to get crop that
will pay q good profit on all labor bestowed
and interest ON the investment. By pre-
pairing your ground in this way you also
Aave it ready to SOW your clover at the
proper time, SO as to secure good stand
Den't be afraid Of spending time and
labor in preparing ground for wheat, for
it pays large profit then, and only in this
way can it be made profitable. If you are
afraid of making improvements on your
old plans it is feared neither you non the
country will be much benefited by your
labor M you till the soil, and till it right.
you have every reason to anticipate pay
ing crop; but If you fail to "dress the soil
and keep it in ORDER" you will be left
without excuse, if you fail even to make a
living on your fam, till your soil, and it
will pay well for all coil and expense.
How TO- Cook STURGEoN.-"Landa and
Eater" recommends the following recipe
flor cooking sturgeon, which, doubtless, is
applicable to our fish: "Put a piece of
srtusaeon into stew-pan, cover it with
weak broth, into which put vinegar and
{ heap ealaret in the proportion of a small
t eaeup oc vinegar and a pint of claret to
wo quarts of broth, add little cayenne
p epper, and some salt and some sweet
b erbs. Cover the stew-pan closely, set it
bN the side Of d slow fire, and let the con-
esats simmer slowly fol- twelve hours. Set
the pan and its contents or. one side, until
the fat has risen TO-. the surface, and is
solid enough to be resnoYed. Remove the
fish; naelt the gravy, thicken it a little,
and if it be not sufficiently piquant in fla
vor add any sa uce you like. When the fish
is wanted Cor dinner, put it and the gravy
into stew-pan, and let it remain ON the
fire until hot enough to serve. A deep
dish must be nsed for serving it's
SEAsoNABLE HINTS. The ssScientific
American says: If mosquitoes or other