The Portland daily press., 1877-07-30
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
News P1d Noles.

News P1d Noies,
One of the worst enemies of the squash,
melon and cucumber vines is the borer, which
enters the vine near the root, and if not dis
covered early and cut out, destroys the whole
plant Covering the vine with earth for sew
eralljoints next the root is said to be pre-
ventive,
Foreign papers believe that Europe can
take 100000 head of cattle from the United
States every year, the limit of collaborating
having been reached in many parts of Eu-
rope. Figure up yourself what that would
come to in the way of revenue to the United
at SIS head. The impression abroad is
that Americans are not acting with reference
to the export of beef as vigorously as they
might. t& tF e
Last month was the coolest June that Min
nesota has experienced in dozen years, and
one of the rainiest.
The export of corn to Europe is very large
this year, and already exceeds the amount
shipped last year by 20,0OO,0OO bushels.
The relative amount of bone in animals
varies according to their condition. Taking
the whole animal twenty per cent. is fair
average allowance In lean animals it is in
too large proportion for economy or profit,
while in the various joints it is rarely less
than eight per cent; in the neck and brisket
of beef it is about ten per cent, and in
shins and legs Of beef it amounts to one
third, or even one.half its total weight. The
most economical parts for use are the round
and thick flank, then the brisket and stick
ing piece, and lastly the leg. In the case of
mutton and pork, the leg is the most profit
able, and then the shoulder.
Old strawberry beds after the fruit is re-
moved should be moved, heavily dressed with
fine manure and wood ashes, and kept well
mulched or watered frequently. Strawberry
plans need very rich soil and abundant ma
nuring. Ashes are the best of fertilizers for
them.
California farmers are cultivating fig trees
for the sole purpose of raising and fattening
hogs. This fruit contains large quantities of
saccharine matter, hence is very fattening.
The fig tree, once well started, requires little
attention, bears several crops year, and IS
very prolific.
One cause of the present low price of but
ter and cheese as compared with few years
since, is the enormous production in many
parts of the West. In the state of Wis
consin where in 1870 but 22,475,0 900 pounds
of butter, and 1861, 79S poundsi of cheese
were produced, the year 1876 showed total
product Of 10, 10000 pounds of butter and
about 7,0O00 600 of cheese.
Rev. r. S. Wyman and son of Peru in this
state have thirty acres under cultivation
several of which are hops. They occupy the
old Wilmington farm in Wyman District.
They have cleared over 100 acres of land
within twenty-five years, have built new set
of good buildings, and have made many other
improvements. They have over 900 acres of
land.
Careful experiments show that driving
horses will do better and look better, when
carrots are fed with their oats, than without
them. Three bushels of oats and one of car
rots, are better than four bushels of oats
alone.
Dairy stock is oi,en injured by the ipjudi-
cious feeding of meal. Meal is of very heat
ing nature, and when fed in considerable.
quantities is apt to derange the animals
health. Our advice is to secure supply OF
roots for mixing with the meal.
The total number of Merino sheep in Rus
STA YVES estimated in 1871 at 12,0l DOC heads
Some of the farms in the South number more
than 10000 heads each. The yearly produc-
ton of fine woods is estimated at 100000
pounds, takin the average yield of six
pounds of wool per sheep.
Grasshoppers are reported to be doing con-
siderable damage in Norridgewock
The large quantities of wheat sent to Eng
lend by the wa: furore have unsettled prices
there. The Mark Lane Express however,
remarks that the demands OF that coun-
try will absorb all of the available wheat in
sight so that the outlook IS promising that
the farmers Of theUnited States will get
better surplus wheat than they got in 1876
-.
Sugar planning is, on account Of the Cuban
war,making decided progress in st. domingo.
The st. Domingo Government i extending
encouragement to the industry by admitting
machinery free of duty.
Work is progressing well at the State Col
lege, the hay having been al secured and 10
good condition. The frame of the falm house
for which an appropriation wcs made by the
Legislature last winter is up and boarded.
The cellar was finished some weeks ago.
The Changers of Monmouth Cenhe are
putting, up building the lower part OF
which will be used as a cooperative store,
and ball will be finished in the second story
capable of seating some SIX hundred persons
The Grange is in very fourishing condi
tion.
The Piscataquis O6sei Der says that Lev
L. Lucas of st. Adams carries on farm o
over $50 acres under an excellent state of cul
tivation, keeps some 600 sheep aud consider
able other stock; also has a dairy large
enough to dabble some in the cheese factor!
business.
The cheese factory at Frost's Corner, OK
ford county, commenced operations the 2
day of July. Milk is received from 100 COWS
weighing over eighteen hundred pounds daily
making fou: large cheeses.
Iowa is the second state in the Union 10
corn, raising last year 155,000,000 bushels
Illinois alone exceeding her. The states mex
range in the following order: Ohio, Indiana
Missouri and Kansas.
The United States produced last year col
ton crop worth about $15O,OOO,OO0, and
corn crop worth about $56a, 100000. OF
total agricultural product of $4,OoO,o0O.0O(
the crop of corn forms the largest item.
Samuel Lang of Portland owns planti
ton in Washington county, Georgia. He b;