The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-03-15
FARM AND FIRESIDE.

FARM AND PRESIDE.
RooT CROPS COMPARED WITH HAY
The value of root crops is not sufficiently
appreciated. The following comparison
of the relative value of beets as compared
with hay, which is from Hartford cor
respondent of the Country Gentleman,
will interest those who can bear to read a
few figures:
The yield of mangolds per acre is
sometimes enormous, often reaching two
thousand bushels, or 100000 pounds.
On the same land, and under the same
conditions, crop of hay might be
grown yielding 81 tons first crop, and 2
tons second crop, making in all 81 tons
per acre, which, at $40 per ton, would
amount to SI10. Now, as regards the
comparative value of the beet crop, it
becomes not only necessary to find their
chemical constituents, but their general
hygienic effects, assimilation and digest
ibility-fat and milk producing quail
ties. One pound of first quality hay
gen as one pound of beets, and as nitro
gen is the principal basis by which the
value of food may be determined chem
ically, the result is that l pound OF hay,
in nutritive ingredients, is worth 6
pounds of beets However, food, in this
state, is worth more than when dry.
Grass will produce nearly twice as much
milk or fat as hay, and 1 claim the same
advantage f,r beets over hay, and con-
slider them worth at least Is cents per
bushel when hay is $50 per ton. 1000
bushels per acre, at Is cents, gives US $500,
against $110 for hay. Deducting $40 for
extra labor on beets, we have balance
of $150 in favor of the latter.
1t is claimed by some that the labor at
tending the cultivation of roots is very
great, on account of wedding ETC.; but if
care is used in selecting land, which
should always be new when possible,
weeds will trouble very little. The soil
best adapted is light loan, free from
stones. Cultivate in rows q feet apart,
| and L loot apart IN the drills.
HEAVY HeRsEs.-More heavy horses
says the Western Agr5culturist, are wanted
in all our horse markets. The prices rule
high, and the supply is short, while the
demand is almost unlimited for heavier
horses. The heavy freight wagons in
cities, towns, and manufacturing districts
require them, every farmer wants at
least one team of heavy horses, to be
able to plow deep with good large plow,
or to haul good load on the farm wagon.
While we have large surplus of small,
worthless horses, and although some of
them promise to be fast, there is no mar
ket for them. There are too many of the
one kind, and every farmer has one or
more to sell, but he can not get enough
for them to pay for the cost of raising
them. Then it doesn't pay to raise the
small horses, but since the introduction
of the Norman and Ciydesdale horses,
they have added great improvement
by crossing with our Western horses.
The success of these horses has spread all
over the West, and almost every enter
prising farmer is now breeding them,
because they will pay profit for raising
and always find ready market. This
year large numbers Of these horses have
been imported, and they are now well
introduced throughout the Western
States.
PAINT FOR BARNs.-Coleman's Rura
World: Procure barrel of crude petro-
leum of any oil dealer or manufacturer
apply heavy coat to the building with
awhitewash brush, which is done rapidly
by any common labo1er; let it dry and
soak for a few weeks and give the sur
face coat of Averill paint. This paint
dries more rapidly, adheres better, and
makes a more durable coating than any
other which we have tried, and is cheaper
than white lead. We have buildings
made of unplaned boards, which were
thus treated several years ago, having
received but one coat of paint over the
oiled wood, that appear to be uninjured
by time. On planed surfaces two coat:
of the paint would be necessary. A
light brown or ash color would be suit
able. We find one advantage in using
this paint, that it is lot necessary tc
employ a professional painter, but being
ready mixed, any handy workman car
apply it. There may be other excellent
paints, but having given the Averill 6
long trial, we speak from actual knowi
edge.