Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-01-28
AGRICULTURAL.

preparation Of the soil for crops, the
first !hin5 to be done is to remove all
surplus water. Not to do this, would
be about as unwise as for the carpen-
ter to commence building the house
at the rilsepole.
The next, to plough deep, because
the minerals in the subsoil may be
needed in the upper portions.
The third, to pulverize the soil un-
til it is in condition so fine that the
clements of fertility which it contains
shall be intimately mingled with each
ether. The plough, harrow and hoe,
will not perfectly accomplish this;
the roller will accomplish much, and
a more recent implement, called "The
Breaker and Lcveler," will do inf
nitely more. In this condition, the
soil will cling to the small roots, the
rain water will come along with its
ammonia to dissolve the sand, the
potash, the lime, the magnesia, and
other minerals present, and plants
will grow with great vigor. But this
is not all. If drought occurs, the
air will penetrate porous soil, TAX
ing along with it moisture, heat, am
monia, carbonic acid, &c. &C., and
give life and activity to it, very much
as breathing does to ourselves.
Fourth. Frequently stir the soil,
until plants have reached a growth
suitable for harvesting them, or I'M
til they have perfected their seed
The reasons for this are in the pre-.
cccding section.
Fifth. If field refuses to yield
crop, ascertain what its qualities are,
by washing or otherwise, and supply
its deficiencies from some other part
Of the farm. In most cases, this
change would not require costly re-
lnoval of earth, and might result in
making both fields highly fertile. 1t
is often done where land is more val
liable than it is with us.-N z.
Farmer.
SHELTERING FARM MACHINEEY.-
Thousands of dollars are annually lost
to the farmers of the United States,
especially at the West, by not shell
tering and painting the machinery
used on the farm. In many places in
tie Western States, the plows are
either left in the furrow or thrown
into the fence corners, and then left
to rust and decay until wanted the
next year. In fact all kinds of farm
implements are left to the same fate.
After couple of years exposure the
wood used in their construction will
rot at the joints, and check up about
the bolts and become loose and weak
and will wear out faster, run harder,
and not do the work so well, simply
for the want Of proper shelter and a
little paint. Besides, there is the
necessity of buying new or getting up|
the old machines. Many section Of
the West is now machine poor, with
ont any prospect Of being free from
this heavy drain, SO long as this care
less, slipshod practice is kept up, as
machinery will last one-half longer,
run easier, and work better, il prop
er care is taken Of it besides stopping
q big leak in our yearly expenses.
TARR1NG RATs.-A gentleman in
burlington, OF an investigating turn
Of mind, recently determined to "try
it again wit the rats that infested
his house. lie purchased supply Of
coal tar at the gas works, and placed
small quantities Of it in the rat holes
in the cellar, and elsewhere in their
runways. The rats bedaubing them
selves, became Disguised with the
manner Of their entertainment, and
speedily left the premises, and have
not been seen or heard from since.
BRITTLE FEET.-Some horses have
such brittle feet that it is difficult to
keep their shoes on. This is often