Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1877-12-28

by cutting out dead and deformed trees,
and leaving more space for the best and
most vigorous.
\ MTLcHING AND MoIsTURE.-It is a
well-known fact that the mulching of
land will induce the growth of roots to
the surface. So, when the soil is COW
cred with flat stone, or where 4 larger
boulder occurs mt the surface, it will in
duce the formation Of u network of
root about itself when embedded in
the soil. So again, when wide plank
is laid on the ground and remains, it
will be found reticulated with roots on
its under part, and even extending INTO
the pores Of the wood. This is occa-
stoned by two causes combined; the
collection of niirogenuous matter there
always conserved in such situations
1t has been attributed to the collection
Of nitrogen there, alone, but incorrect
Is, since without moisture, this would
be entirely unavailable to the roots.
If this mulch or other covering be re-
moved, these surface-feeding roots inn
mediately die, and others are formed
in n lower strata Of soil where moisture
is present. Hence, mulch once given,
it should be continued to the end Of
the season at least.
AYLEsBURY Ducks. This handsome
breed of aquatic birds originated in
Buc<inghamshire, England, and has
been peculiar to that neighborhood,
even longer than the oldest inhabitant
can remember No variety Of ducks
is SO extensively reared throughout
Europe, and they are rapidly finding
their way to the poultry yards of this
country. No variety Of ducks is SO
easily acclimatcd, and is sure to thrive
where others could not succeed at all.
The Aylcsbury ducks are wonderfully
hardy, large, and noted for their wonder
full development to maturity. For
some unexplained reason, (even when
carefully fed on the regular food, the
eggs vary greatly in color; some being
white while others will be bright
green or cream color. 1t is thought by
some that the sex of the progeny has
something to do with the color of the
eggs; but such is not the case. Enor-
nous traffic i'll these ducks annually
occurs in the vicinity Of London; the
bulk Of the rearing being done by cot
tagers,' many of whom make this their
special business From this immediate
neighborhood, (the county town of
Buckinghamshirc,) upwards Of goo
600, or in our money 100000 Il year,
is returned for this breed Of ducks. 1t
is novel sight to visit the cottage Of
these duckers, as they are called in
the height of the season." for the
young ducklings have possession Of
every room in the house. neither the
kithen nor bed room escaping. Rarely,
if ever, do they leave the house until
carried out to market, which is from six
to eight weeks. They are not allowed
to 90 into water. The food for the
young is, III first, bard boiled eggs
finely chopped, mixed with boiled rice
which is given several Times day, and
is followed by barley meal and tallow
greaves, mixed with the water in which
the latter was boiled In TINS country
coarse ground meal (corn) sealded
answers the place Of barley. Ducks,
not reared for market are raised i'll the
usual hardy manner. They are pure
white, and, with ordinary care only,
should weigh, at twelve months old,
thirteen to fifteen pounds the pair
Ducks not intended for market pur-
poses should have access to water, after
Six weeks old, ut their pleasure, -Aneri-
can Farmer.