The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-07-20
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Sensonable Hints.

Aor COrn. NO Olner SHOWS so much hcne-
ht from it. Our plan is to cultivate on
the level, going close TO the rows. If
there are many weeds in the rows be-
tween the stalks, we throw little earth
to the plants to smother the weeds.
Afterward, If necessary, this soil may be
leveled with the hoe at the last wedding.
Killing corn is not, as some farmers
think, needed to steady the plants.
Potatoes suffer more from weeds than
any other crop. One weed will take up
and evaporate good deal of moisture
from the soil, and rob the crop of what
it greatly needs. The loss of moisture
is not often thought of in considering
the effect of the weeds, but it i, very i'm
portant. When too late to be killed by
cultivatios, the weeds should be hand
pulled.
Peas and oats, grown for fodder, may
be cut with the reaper if they have not
lodged. Otherwise the best plan is to
cut them with the scythe, not as grass is
mown, but by drawing them toward the
mower i'll lunches, with the blade of the
scythe, when the loose punches may be
left to dry until ready to haul to the
barn. When cut in blossom and well
cured, this mixed crop is worth more
than clover hay.
The best time for cutting wheat is a
matter of dispute. We choose that time
when the greater part of the grain is in
such n condition that it can easily he
cru+h, d to soft powder between the
thumb and finger nails, and there is 10
sign of milkiness or mushinnss about it.
Ii cut earlier than this ths grain shrinks,
if cut later it is lost by shtlIng, althougl
its quality for seed and tor 81 ulinG g.
best when cut dead ripe. Tue time oi
cutting is matter of economy and cul-
venience.
One of the common small wastes of
the farm arises from careless binding
and shocking grain. Sheaves fall to
pieces, or shocks overturp, and grain is
wasted as well as much time. See that
the bands are strong enough, long
enough, and well bound, and the shocks
wellput upand safely capped. Although
the caps may not be needed,
yet the grain is safe, aud in
case of sudden thunder shower
one can rest easy, knowing that no harm
can happen to this crop.
To thrash the grain as soon as it is
drawn from the fell, and to MAJ ket it,
if it is dry enough, is generally the best
plan. The loss of weight, and that from
vermin and other risks, are saved; the
labor OF stacking or putting it in the
barn, and a second handling are also
saved, aud with the cash in his pocket, 6
farmer avoids any loss in value, and il
he misses rise, he will on the whole
have saved mere than this might have
amounted to. and has had the use of the
money besides.
Sixty five in every hundred acres in
Ireland, and forty-two acres in every
hundred in England are pasture.
The largest farm i'll Eng and measures
5000 acres, and is divided into fou,
great crops-wheat, barlsy and oats
seeds, beans and peas, etc, and roots
The live stock consists ot sheep, horses
bullocks and pigs. The sheep are
claimed as the most profitable of the
stock.
Horses average about four hundred
pounds of meat each. Six Thousand
eight hundred and sixty-fve were giver
over for consumption III Paris last year
The raising of winter wheat is claimed
as success in Arkansas.
The farmers of Missouri cannot max,
the raising of winter wheat profitable.
The wheat belt is enlarging its area
There is general tendency to raist
more and buy less throughout the States
In China agriculture is considered
one of the noblest of arts. The sol
there, cultivated for thousands of years
produces as well now as when i'll it's virgin
state, because the people save, manufac
ture and apply manure to it, wasting moth
ing. either liquido or solid, tLat will max,
plant food, or that contains elements o.
fertility.
Supply association of ireland, the chair
man reported a decided diminution il
flax culture.
In Denmark there are six institution
for giving instructions in dairying.
Southwestern Minnesota for the fourtl
time is visited by the grasshoppers.
Potato bugs are appearing in immens
quantities in many places in the Della
ware river valley.
Farmers in Georgia report prosper
Gus year. An increase of ten per cent
is claimed in the acreage planted t.
corn, aud the acreage in oats has in
creased thirty-fve per cent. over that o
last year. Wheat has an increase,
arcrage of eighteen per cent. Forag
cro's have also an increased acreage
while the acreage of the cotton crop
ten per cent. less than latt yea,
Sorghum and sugar cane crops "re iii tiu
condition, with an incr"as4 If full,
twenty-five per cent, and ric.. sh VS. al
increase of over one-thiri.
Useful Hints.
To WASH CoLoRED TABLE LINEN
ETC One teaspoonfnl of sugar OF ie.v
dissolved in one gallon of water. Soa
the article to be washed thoroughly j
the solution, then dry. The color wi
be set 50 that the article may be washe
in the ordinary manner.
RATs.-A handful of fresh chlorid
lime sprinkled in rat holes will kee
them away for months.
For BEETLES OR reaches. Mix equi
parts of brown sugar and Indian mef
with paris green.
To WASH CoLoRED GooDs.-Blac
calicoes should be washed with the col
tents Of beef gall put into one pail {
warm water. This will set the colol
Stiffen with a weak solution of brow
glue. This manner of washing is mic
for n wy blue dresses and dark batistef
Postal Matters.