Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-07-27
Hints from q Young Farmer.

am not sure but the potato beetle is like
ly to prove "a blessing in disguise" 10 the
farmers of New England, after all certain
ly 1t is likely to prove one of the most eff
cient teachers of patience and perseverance
they have ever had. Having visited sever
al places in New England lately in my
search for farm for another year, have
been surprised and pleased to notice the
persistency with which the farmers have
followed up the beetle this year from its
first appearance until the present time.
many have picked the beetle every day and
others three times week, while few have
used Paris green, and some who have de-
pended upon picking the beetles declare
their intention of using other measures
when the slugs shall make their appear
ance. If the farmers will follow up their
course as they have begun, through the en-
tire season, not relaxing in viglence when
their potatoes are out of harms way, and
will continue such practice for one or two
more seasons (they say the pests are really
pests the second, third and fourth year.,
we may look for almost complete exter-
mination OF our Colorado foe. Nor does
this persistent warfare against them seem
10 be confined to few individuals, few Of
the best and most thorough farmers, as 1
had expected it 10 be, but in all localities
where 1 have been 1 am told that every
farmer, large and small, is battling as if
life itself depended upon preserving his
crop of potatoes. If they can only keep on
as they have begun, it will prove of value
TO the farmers, far greater than the value of
the potatoes saved. 1t will have all the en-
couraging effects upon them which "great
Union victory" used TO have upon our SOL
diers.
Having demonstrated that by their unit
ed efforts they can conquer so formidable a
foe as the potato beetle, they may be Undue
ed to make an attack upon still greater
pest, and one which is far more destructive
to crops and more expensive in its constant
demands upon the farmers time. I mean
the great pest of weeds which robs our cnl-
tivated fields of almost half the scanty nu-
triment which the crops should appropri-
ate; which reduce the value OF our harvests
OF sowed grain and the value of our hay, in
quality more than in quantity which or
naments ~ the borders of otherwise we'll
cultivated fields, as well as the fertile spots
around our houses and barns, scattering
thence their millions of seeds 10 be blown
back again upon the cultivated lands. 1t
might take more years to exterminate them
from the land than it would the Colorado
beetle, but if every landowner was as ca
ger and earnest TO eradicate every one be-
fore 1t had ripened its seed as they have
been to destroy the beetle before il deposits
Its eggs, 1t would be but a few years before
the saving of labor to farmers would
amount to enough to pay the national
debt in one year and to pay the mort
cages upon all the farms in few years
more. Just think of it, my brother farm
ers, and let us try II after we have finished
this little job.
veteran farmer told me few days ago,
OF method of relieving a choking COW,
which was new 10 me, but which he assur-
ed me was unfaillng. 1t is worthy of trial
at any rate. A round stick of some two or
three inches in diameter and six or eight
inches long is put in the cows mouth, like
bits in horses mouth. A string is then
fastened to each end of the stick and tied
up to the horns or up over the head. This
will force her to keep her mouth open and
allows the gus, which forms in the stomach
and is the cause of the severe pain and rap.
Id swelling which accompanies choking in
COW to escape. The effort also of trying
to free her mouth OF its unusual incum-
brance is the best help toward freeing the
passage Of the throat. 1.-THE trouble is not
removed In this way, the COW may be kept
alive until help is obtained for trying other
measures for her relief In such cases time
is Of great importance. He assured me he
had seen 1t tried in many cases, and in
none had ii failed of a complete cure in
less than half hour.-A young Fdrmei''
IN Boston Journal.
.TwaD,v voors .oo !, roOn,rad QUAR- t,.