The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-07-22
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

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gives his experience in the management
and use of hen manure: l would say
that in 1868, took four bushels of dry
hen manure, turned it on the barn floor,
took common fail and threshed it to
a powder then took twenty-five bushels
of muck that had been dug Is months,
spread it on the barn floor, and thorough
ly mixed it with the hen manure. A
single handful of this compost was put
in the hill. and the corn dropped upon
it. l had splendid field of corn.
Planted one row without the compost.
That row could be distinguished all
through the season. being about two
weeks behind the rest of the field, ard
finally it never did catch up.
believe if farmers that keep from
twenty to thirty hens would save all
the droppings and compost in the way
above, or in some better way, instead of
buying fertilizers as many at the present
day do, it would be very much more to
their advantage.
THE PROPAGATION OF CELERY.-The
Scientific american says that celery is
native of Norway and Sweden, where it
grows near the edges of swamps This
plant is rarely cultivated as it should be,
hence the stunted specimens which APP
pear in our markets. A deep trench
should first be dug, at the bottom of
which layer of sticks of wood, say six
inches thick, should be placed, drain
pipe being placed endwise upon one or
both ends of the layer The sticks
should be then covered with about
foot mold, wherein the plants should be
set in row and about five inches apart.
The plants should be kept well watered,
the water being supplied through the
drain pipes, so that, passing through the
layer of sticks, which serves as a con-
duit, the water is supplied to the roots
of the plant. In earthing up, care
should be exercised to close the stems of
the plant well together with the hand,
so that no mold can get between them.
The earthing process should be per-
formed sufficiently frequently to keep
the mold nearly level with the leaves
of the outside stems. If these direc-
tons are carefully observed, the plant
may be grown at least four feet in
length, and this without impairing the
flavor, which deterioration is commonly
noticed in overgrown vegetables and
fruits.
FLAX CULTURE.-This product is at
tracing unusual attention Just now, Ow-
ing partly to the fact that it appears to
defy destructive insects of every kind,
but the present interest in its cultiva-
ton is doubtless due to the recent ac-
ton of Congress in restoring the duty of
So per ton on cute butts" Under this
law, the flax thread which has gone to
waste will be in demand for tie manu-
facture of sacks and bags. We subjoin
directions for its culture 70; seed, sent
by practical farmer in answer to in
quiries from subscriber, only differing
with the writer as to quantity of seed,
which should be not less than bushel,
or even five pecks, to the acre.
" Fall breaking is preferable for fax,
as well as other crops, The ground
should be as free from weed as possible.
Flax after castor beans has furnished
the best results. A light cross-plowing
in the spring, followed by good har-
rowing, will leave the ground in high
state OF filth. Sow or drill one-half
bushel to the acre brush or harrow
lightly, then roll. The tire of sowing
must be regulated SO as to c.cape frosts.
Any first-cass reaper will cut flax sue
cessfully. Cut when the seed is ripe.
leave it in the bunch as it comes from
the machine about half day, if the
weather is dry, when it is ready for
stacking. 1t does not need curing, as
hay, but if Try may be stacked green.
1t is never bound when wanted for seed.
1t ought not to be nue.. cured. Stack
as you would hay. The threshing is
oh; ln
othy."
WHEN TO Cur WHARF.-The agricul-
tural editor of the Baltimore San has
these interesting thoughts on the subject
of cutting wheat, which are good for
every locality: Although it is now pretty
we'll understood by farmers generally |
that what should be cut sooner than
formerly, yet many do not realize the
extent of the advantages gained by early |
cutting, as regards tie quantity and |
quality both of the grain and straw. 1t
is the universal opinion among -four
manufacturers that -four made from early
cut wheat is much superior to that made
from wheat allowed to become fully ripe
before cutting. And why is this so?
Simply because when cut in its doughty
state, or when the grain can be mashed
between the finger and thumb, the berry
contains the largest proportion of starch
and gluten-the two substances which
principally compose it-while the bran
is then thinnest. But if left uncut until
that period is passed. the next step of
nature is to cover the berry with better
a thicker skin, leaving this
as her last work in perfecting The grain.
1t is just at that stage that a portion of
the starch becomes changed into this
thicker coating, the bran, and it is clear
that when the quantity Of the starch of
the berry becomes lessened its weight is
of course proportionably diminished.
And this is why wheat intended for seed
should be allowed to stand until nature
has given IL her finishing touch to per-
feet it..
But the advantage of early cutting is
not confined to the grain. The straw of
wheat cut before it has fully matured is
heavier, brighter in color, and contains
more nutritive matter, and when in
tended as food for cattle-as it generally
is-it is, when well stacked OF housed,
almost equal to ordinary hay.
Another advantage o. early cutting is
that j. opens up the sooner to the infu-
ence of the sun and atmosphere the young
clover or other grass, which now so much
needs their strengthening effect, to enable
It to establish itself before the severe
winter weather comes on.
But in cutting wheat discriminating
Judgment is more necessary, perhaps,
han in any other operation on the farm.
And while wheat, if allowed to stand
until thoroughly ripe, will not only lose
much, both in the weight and quality of
he grain and straw, and considerable
additional loss from SCATTERING in cutting,
etc, yet cutting it in too green
| state will cause both straw and grain to
become so musty that the injury will be
equally as great, If not greater. There
s medium between the green and dry
n Smelling condition, which will avoid
ither extreme, and that medium we have
ndea vored IN mint ont