The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-04-09
FIELD AND FARM.


this spring, as with Il little care in train
ing ana pruning for two or three years,
II will seldom fail to produce an abund-
ance OF fruit The soil for grapes
should not he rich with stable manure,
but use ground bones or wood ashes.
The first year allow only one shoot to
grow, and in the fall cut this back TO
two or three buds; the next season al
low only two Of these to grow. The
first year u vine bears only allow two
lunches to each shoot. as more will cx-
haust the vine. There are many other
ways OF training, aud the vine can be
adapted to the locality.
Fruit Trees.
Where land is abundant il is very
desirable to have tho small fruits and
trees in m enclosure distinct from the
vegetable garden, as the young trees
and bushes are likely to shade the
vegetables too much. An amateur with
small plot can grow dwarf pear. apple,
peach and other trees in the various
styles, such as oblique and horizontal
cordons, pyramids, wine glass and other
forms described in the works on fruit
culture, and find much interesting
occupation therein, but in this country
the reilnements of horticulture are little
cared for and the fruit garden is kept
mainly for its fruit.
Ing, should be attended 10 now, before
the buds start; avoid cutting off any
largo branches until June, when they
may be taken off with safety; cover tho
wounds with shellac varnish or melted
grating wax.
Insects.
Take especial pains TO destroy all eggs
found upon the branches aud trunks of
fruit trees. Examine the ends of the
lava t.yt,r
erpillar, which may be readily seen be
fore the leaves appear, in the form OF
broad rings glued upon the branches.
Scrapc off all dead bark from tho trunk
and large limbs, and wash with strong
solution of soft soap. Bark-scale is
most destructive insect in many sections
OF the country. and If only q few young
trees are affected it will be best to dig
them out root and branch, burn them,
and set others in their places. When
very abundant, use oil.
Poultry.
In the general spring cleaning up the |
poultry houses, roosting poles and
nests, should be thoroughly coated with |
hot lime-wash, with u little carbolic
acid in 1t. Preserve early chicks from
damp: by no means let them be exposed |
to cold rains Keep ducks shut up
until they have dropped their eggs
they do this early in tho morning, and |
IL not watched will drop them any
whore but in their nests. 1t is not worth |
while to set q young goose, they are
best only should DO chosen. a mature !
bronze 'gobbler" of ~ pounds or more |
Is the cheapest kind TO have.
Movable Nests for Hens.
Hens, as a general thing, are remarka-
bly, self-willed and obstinate. Perhaps |
an exception may be made as regards |
the Brahmas, which arc very docile and |
easily managed. On account of this
general popularity Of fowls, many |
people who possess a somewhat similar
find no success in keeping
them. Their hens will not lay in the
nests provided for them, or, after sit
ting q few days upon u nest of eggs,
leave them and never return. The con
sequences are, either no eggs at ALL or
nests hidden whore they cannot be
reached; no chickens, and time and
labor lost. This may all be avoided |
If the owners will only study the habits
and instincts of theirpoultry reasonably. |
One Of the most invcteratc habits of hens
Is that of hiding their nests or seeking
them in retired shaded places. Those who
would have plenty of eggs, must make
their arrangements accordingly. A worry
pieces OF board eighteen inches long,
nailed endwise to three sided cleats at
the top and bottom. The box need not
pc more than eighteen or twenty inches
In length. Some corner pieces are nailed
at the front to make it firm, and tho
back should be closed The nests may
DO placed in secluded corners, behind
sheds, or beneath bushes in the back
yard, or behind n barrel or bundle of
straw. The nest egg should be of glass
or porcelain, and every evening the eggs
that have been laid during the day
should be removed. A little cut straw
mixed with clean earth or sand, will {
make the best material for the nest.
This should be renewed occasionally,
FOR the sake OF cleanliness. When hen
has taken possession of one OF these
nests it may be removed at night to the
Matching house without disturbing her.
Before the nests are used, they should '
DC thoroughly well lime washed around
.he joints, to keep away lice.
Egg Producers.
a large number of people living in
,ities and villages desire to keep few
owls for the purpose of supplying fresh
Eggs for the table, who have neither the
nor the inclination to rear
chickens. This class demands breed
II fowls which is at once vigorous and
healthy, moderately good-lool1ing and
abundant layers of eggs. For number
II years the black Spanish breed was
egarded as the most desirable for egg
Producers, and with great many the
irst thought of a large supply of eggs ,
; still associated with an idea of !
he black Spanish fowls. We con !
eide to the black Spanish great i
merits as layers, but in many 5
'ther respects they are very undesira- \
lie, lacking vigor, being of Objectionable /
olor, and OF ordinary quality for the i
able compared with the white Leg i
lorns. The Leghorn is n sprightly. i
igorous, handsome bird, of medium y
ize. and those who want fowls for eggs !,
lone, cannot do better than choose :
hem; their greatest faults being their
xtreme wildness and eXcitablity, and -.
heir rather moderate size, which, how ?
yer, most people will think more than !
ounterbalanced by their sprightliness L
nd vigor, their handsome appearance IL
nd abundance Of large eggs which they " "
reduce. l,
A Plea for the Cows 81
Reader, are you fond of milk? Do =
on like butter, or beef? Then have =,
ompassion upon the kind, generous "
ow! Most families feed their horses IL
better than straw or badly
lred hay in winter, though their work
uring that season is light. Horses are
sually kept in comfortable stables, II
it'll clean, dry bedding, renewed every Nc
ght. They are also curricd and al