Connecticut western news., 1875-10-22
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
The Wheat NIidge.

All 7EICdu IdEmoH5 CAuO, Ou bu0 WQoat midge: The question is frequently asked: What is the reason that the wheat midge has destroyed a smaller proportion of the wheat crop during a few years past than they did number of years a9o9 The usual answer to this question is that farmers SOW early kinds of wheat on good wheat land, and put it lnswell and in good season. This is all true so far as it goes, but in my opinion 1t does not cover the whole ground that IS, though it may give some of the prin- cipal reasons why wheat does we'll, it by no means gives all of them. One of the principal reasons why the midge has de- stroyed but little wheat during the last two years may be found in the fact that we have had early seasons ; that not only wheat, but as general thing all other crops, have been much earlier than it had for some years before so that wheat, by heading out some two weeks or more earlier than it had for some years before, got the start of the midge and, where other things were favorable, made fine crop.
 The influence of different seasons in fayoring or preventing the operation, O. the midge may, perhaps, be better under stood by referring to the manner in which they made their first appearance and commenced the destruction of wheat in this vicinity. They were first found in few late heads near the fences, but not early enough uor enough of them to do much damage. The next year they were little earlier, and more of them :; and so continuing to make their appear ance earlier and to destroy more and more each year, until there was very lit tie wheat that escaped their ravages, and the prevailing opinion in this section seemed to be that we would have to stop raising wheat. But what now seems to be generally forgotten is the fact that while the midge was the most destruc- tive, we had very late seasons; that wheat was not ready to harvest until nearly or quite the first of August, and that we were able to raise but very little wheat until the seasons changed, and wheat headed out some. two weeks or more earlier than it had for several years be- fore. Nor does the fact seem to be very generally considered and understood that the change two years ago was "a gradual one. Instead of a moderate change of a few days each year, which the midge would be likely to keep pace with, the season in 1858 was some two weeks or more earlier than it had been some years before, and that this, togeth- CT with the fact that last season was 8 little earlier than the year be- fore, and that this has been 8 few days earlier than the last, accounts for the continued good crops of wheat that have been grown, notwithstanding the midge have made their appearance few days earlier each year. It will be well for wheat growers in midge-infested sections to remember that no one can tell how soon a change in the seasons may expose their wheat to destruction. My iudg- ment is that it is better policy for the farmer not to sowwheat very extensively, but by giving good chance, and cu[ tivating and manuring we'll what he does sow raise heavy crops. ltse- s...' asFs
 Fruit Garden.
 Black and raspberries start so early in spring that it is better to set them in fall, as they receive check if disturbed in spring unless they are taken up very early. If it is desired to propa- gate, then root cuttings should be made when growth has ceased. Cut the roots into two or three inch pieces and pack in box with alternate layers of earth. Bury the box where frost will not reach it, and where water will not stand. Next spring the pieces are to be planted in nursery rows. ss.t, .ts54
 In propagating blackcaps, 8 little earth should be thrown over the tips which touch the ground, to prevent the wind from blowing them about.
 About year is gained by putting in cuttings of currants and gooseberries now instead of next spring. Make cut tings six inches long, of this years growth, set four inches apart, in rows, leaving one bud above the surface Q If the soil is properly packed, crowded firmly against the cuttings, every one should make plant. a,naJ--.e 4 .,. 2I
 We get numerous inquiries asking how to keep grapes, without any mem ton of the kinds. It is of no more use to try to keep Concords until Christmas than it is to try early harvest apples. Catawba, Isabella, Diana, and Iona arc the best keepers in general cultivation ;; Walter and some less generally dissemi- mated, also keep well. Concords, Della. wares, and all others with tender skin, will spoil The keeping sorts are pick. ed when fully ripe, allowed to 'scare few days in shallow trays, in order to toughen their skins i; they are then packed in boxes, Casually five pounds) and kept at as low and even 8 tempera ture as possible. {. ,.' ..-ef.'-5
 Mulch strawberries before very severe weather. .,..sy
 Vines may be planted now. Prune after the leaves fall, ana save the wooc for cuttings if required. Where practi cable 1t is we'll to remove the vines iron the trellis, lay them down and cove with few inches of earth. .-A9ricuJ turist. .41-.se
 s1Hq'2S Save the Straw.
 Seeing the plenty of forage growing this summer, we are apt to forget tn, empty cribs and stack yards of last yea and let the straw go to waste, or, per haps, burn it from the machine. Stray is not worth as much for feed as goot clover and timothy hay; no one vii claim that, but it is just about as goot as the average prairie hay. Suppose however, that stock eat but little of it and what they eat did them no good neither of which is true. A farme
 wants his straw well stacked for win,
 break, and to throw under as bedding t
 sucl stock as is stabled, to keep it cleal and comfortable. Again the land tha
 produced the wheat must have some fe
 turn, or it will eventually produc
 nothing. The best way to manufactnr
 it into manure is by throwing it unde
 horses and cattle regularly, either i
 stable or yard, and let them tramp
 under.
 S4
 A Paragraph for Bird.Killers.
 The following paragraph is seasor
 abe:
 I once killed birds in my wantonness-