Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-03-15
AGslcULrURAL

mer says In the Ohio Farmer; In sec
ton where there 10 q scarcity OF boards
or lumber of all kinds, or even where
they can be had for q consideration, II
is nice thing to know how to build q
shedding which will answer the pur-
pose of q shelter and at the same time
cost but q mere nominal amount OF
cash. The profession Of the farmer Is
| not marked by rapid and large gains,
but BY q slow-thOugh sure-pr0cess OF
little by little, and it Is not what he
makes which renders him comfortable
in after life, but what he saves, and the
apparently trivial items are, in the ag-
gregate, of vast importance.
1t is very nice to have a common shed
nicely made with lumber, but II the
cash Is not at hand to make 1t with, 1t
is far better to have the shelter anyhow
but substituting a cheap one-one re-
quiring labor only to put it up. We
have Just put up for our own animals
what we consider one Of the cheapest
effective sheddings for young horned
stock or sheep, during the day In
winter, that can be made.
Our stock numbers too many to put
them all in the stable; we like to let all
have the entire day to themselves out
| in the BARNARD, as it does them far
more good than keeping them penned
up continually, only permitting them
to come out to get water and then put
ting them right back again. We do not
claim originality in the idea or con.
struction of this shed, but wish to call
the attention of other farmers to its
cheapness and advantages.
=. r. A., H. q n fvni n
one of the buildings, in the barnyard.
and was a skeleton shed with FODDER as
roof. We went into the woods and
cut good heavy pieces for crotches.
These were planted In two rows par
allel with the other building, ,one row be-
ing against the building, and the other
row being about ten or twelve feet
from the first row. These crotches
should be set in the ground about two
feet and well rammed to make every
thing secure. From one crotch to an
opposite one stout pieces are laid par
allel with the building, and also along
the outer row the same way. When
this is done other pieces are laid across
or butted up against the building which
prevents them from getting out Of
place. If the posts are not too far apart,
old rails, laid thickly on, will do just
as well, and new rails, not needed for
immediate use elsewhere, can be used,
as they can be taken of in the spring
for other use.
On the rails corn fodder is nicely
and closely laid, and so sloped as to
carry off the water. The fodder on the
she'd should be used last, or at least not
until the winter Is fairly broken, so
that by the time it is used the weather
is fine enough and warm enough to dis
pense with its invaluable winter SER
vice. "A shed like this answers all pur-
poses, and has the advantage Of costing
nothing but little labor.
GROWTH OF PLANrs.-Plants grow
much better where the temperature
runs lower at night than during the
day. 1t never should go below 40 de-
grees Fab. in the first case, or below 90
degrees i'm the second case. If pl4nts
stand near window, screen should
be made by pasting papers to a frame,
similar to that used for mosquito
screens, placing it between the plants
and the window every night. A screen
made in this way can be inserted in
moment, and may consist of several
thicknesses Of paper.
A moist atmosphere is indispensable
to the healthy growth of plants, and Is
obtained by keeping the pan in the fur
mace filled with water or an urn or some
other vessel upon the stove. The at
mosphere must be free from sulphu-
rous gases. and to accomplish this end
the back damper In the stove must be
kept open enough to allow its escape,
and the windows raised little every
day for short time when the tempera-
ture outside will allow.
If small plants, taken from the green
house, be carefully pOtted in suitable
soil placed i'm a room with a somewhat
moist atmosphere, free from poisonous
gases, carefully watered, exposed to
the sunlight part of the day. no in
sects allowed upon them, and the tenn
perature kept as directed they will
grow and will repay the labor of caring
for them, and homes be made brighter
and happier by the presence Of an
abundance of flowers.
ADVANTAGES OF DRAINAGE. - What
are the effects of drainage? Thorough
drainage deepens the soil. OF what use
is it to plow deep and manure heavily,
while the soil is full of water? The
roots of plants will not go down into
stagnant water; the elements Of plant
food are not all on the surface, many Of
them have been washed down by the
rains, some of them are found in the
decomposing rocks themselves. Take
away the water and the roots will find
them.
Drainage lengthens the seasons. In
our climate this is an important point
TO be gained. II by drainage, one or
two weeks could be gained, it would
be quite a relief in our backward
Springs, when there is so much to be
done i'm so short a space of time.
Drainage increases the effect Of the
application of manure; the soil being
dryer, is more easily worked fine; the
manure is also more evenly distributed.
The water also passing through the
soil, carries fertiliZing matter down to
the roots of the plants. When there Is
stagnant water, manure must decOm-
pose slowly, if at all but let the water
pass off, the air is admitted, and decom-
position takes place.
What observing man is there who
does not know that his crops are i'm
proved in quality by drainage? Sweet
English grass and clover take the place
of sedge and rushes.-Adss. Plocmon.
| How TO TEST VEGETABLE SEEDs.-It
is very matter to test any variety of
seed, and thus avoid imposition and
loss by the purchase and planting of
an inferior article. Purchase Of your
seedman very small quantity Of the
seeds you intend to plant, and submit
these to the following test; Take two
thicknesses of woolen cloth-either
flannel or fulled cloth will answer.
Dampen them with water, and lay
them in some shallow dish, as a plate
or saucer. Then sprinkle a few seeds
on them, being careful not to spread
the seeds so thick that they will lay one
upon the other. Now dampen another
piece of cloth and lay over the seed.
Keep the plate or saucer in moder-
ately warm place, and by removing the
upper cloth at will you can watch the
result. The good seed will gradually
swell and finally sprOut, while the seed