Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1876-01-07
AGRICULTURAL.


has been grown in the State Of Ore.
gon, and thus far no one has been
able to classify it, for while it bears a
general resemblance to wheat, yet its
stalk, mode of growth and filaments
cause it to be taken for rye o: barley
by the most experienced farmers. In
presenting it to dozen agricultu-
rists no two in succession will agree
as to what sort Of grain it is. 1t does
not belong to the family Of either
wheat, rye or barley. 1t was discov-
cred in this wise: A farmer living in
Tilamook county, Oregon, while out
hunting, about four years ago, killed
several wild geese. On opening one
he noticed peculiar grain in the
stomach. Its form puzzled him, and
desiring to know what it really was,
he planted it in the spring and raised
bounteous crop from it, and subse-
quently raised forty bushels on half
acre OF land. 1t has most striking
appearance in the field, owing to its
dense character, it's long, heavily
bearded 6laments, and dropping head.
Its mode Of growth is also different
from any grain with which l am &C.
quainted, for from seven to ten stalks
grow from one root and attain
height, when ripe, of four and a half
or five feet. They are very thin, COM
pact, of a bright straw color, and ex-
tremely hard, as if they contained
large amount of slick.
HEN MANURE. - Hen manure is
best used in compost with muck that
is decomposed, say one part hen ma
nure to three of the muck. Never
mix it until it is time to use it, and
cover it soon after you drop it. 1t is
a safe precaution to put hoe full OF
dirt between the hen manure and the
seed corn, and drop it no faster than
you cover it up. If in composing
the muck contains much moisture it
will cause fermentation and set the
ammonia free, by the development Of
heat. A bushel Of good hen manure
has been known to produce ten tons
Of beets. Always save every ounce
Of hen manure. 1t is worth about as
much as guano, if it is properly saved
and husbanded that is kept dry till
it is to lie used. It will benefit the
corn crop to an extent almost equal in
value to all the corn the hens will
eat.-Massachusctts Ploughman.
SMOKING IN THE BARN.-"No smok-
ing" ought to be posted i'll every barn.
There is not much difference between
having horse thief around the sta
bles and man cleaning off horses
with a pipe or cigar in his mouth
and there is no hired man much mean :
er than the one who, when his en-
ployer comes around, slips his pipe
into his pocket or slips his hand over
it. All such fellows should be paid
off and started off. AS for the pro-
prietor himself going into the barn :
with a pipe in his mouth, no com.
plant can be made ; but if his estab-
lishment burns up, nobody should cry
unless it be his wife and children
incendiaries and sponta-
neous combustion combined, do not
cause az 1nany barns to be burned as
the pipe, and generally, at least, one
good horse goes too.-Splrlt Of the
Times.
How TO FEED SHELLED Corn
Where corn cannot be ground without
too much expense, the next best way
is to mix the shelled corn with short
cut corn ; dampen the mass and let it
lie a few hours, when the cattle will I
'at the corn stalks together, and mas
icate the corn much better than when
ed in the cob. They are obliged to
10 this in masticating the corn fodder;
,esides, this case the corn will be
aised with the end, and thus giving
t the benefit of second grinding =
which it does not have when corn is ]
ed alone. This is matter Of great
in feeding.