Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-02-17
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Internal Questions aud Answers.

The sources from which potash mn
he most advantageously obtained by Il,
farmer are wood ashes-leached or III
leached-green mari SIND, seaweed an
swamp muck. Potash stands second /
importance among the earthly ingredient
Of plants. The most universal sourc
for obtt lining potash IL Il IT, country, es
pecially the new parts, is wood ashes
Such as have not been leached are mos
valuable, Of course. At tho same time
districts where the value of har,
wood ashes for the production of potasl
il too high to allow of their use as ma
nure, IN application Of leached ashes i
made with good results, as Il considerably
amount of potash remains which til,
imperfect teaching has not withdraw
from them, owing to low degree o
sombility, but which is perfectly avail
able TO the roots Of plants. Seaweed il
valuable rs fertilizer not only in con
sideration Of the potash it furnishes, bu
for its desirable constituent nitrogen
pro lucing ammonia, and it's Other
earthly elements in perceptible quantity
Swamp muck being, 80 far as its organic
matter is concerned, entirely the result
of the decomposition of vegetable mat.
ter, its ashes are rich in various costly
ingredients of vegetation. Professor
johnson gave the average of the an-
alyses of twenty-six specimens of muck
or peat, and in the character of these
there was found an average amount of
potash equal to 5000 of one per cent.
What is the rotation of crops usually
observed in this country?
George G. Waring says that the most
generally prevailing rotation is, first,
Indian corn; second, oats; third, wheat
fourth, grasses for moving; fifth, pas.
ture. This rotation is subject to objec-
ton, Ms it leaves no place for root crops;
but Mr.. Waring thinks that farmers will
not have achieved complete success
until root crops are brought up to then
proper position us part of the rota-
ton, that is, to cultivate as large an
area of roots rs of corn, of oats or of
wheat. A rotation bringing in roots and
successfully pracssed by several good
farmers is, first year, Indian corn; sec
ond year, roots; third year, soiling
crops; fourth year, soiling crops during
the first half of the season, seeding
down to wheat or rye i'll the autumn;
fifth year, wheat or rye with clover and
timothy; sixth year, moving; the single
years moving to be followed by corn
again. Practically, good rotation
should distribute the fnrm work equally
and give an opportunity for clearing tile
land
What will prevent evergreens and
other trees from bleeding when pruned
A little ochre with boiled linseed oil
has been advised.
How much faxseel should be sown to
the acre?
Poor land requires more seed Of any
kind than rich. From one to one and II
half bushels of good new haxseed per
lcre is the rule.
How prevent halls from rusting and
Throw them before using. heated red
lot, into cold linseed oil. This will give
hem coat of varnish that preserves
hem from rust AMI becoming brittle.
Thr Grass Fields.
To keep grass fields in god condition
S very difficult, because of our hot, dry
summers. After the best Of care, dry
pell just after moving will iniure good
od greatly. Bat much may he done
without blowing and resAc.ling In this
'ase we wouldnot Wise blowing up the
Od. We have been more successful in
enovating old meadows than III blowing
hem up. Our plan has been rs follows
rs soon as the hay has been cut, to
pread fine manure that has been kept
ver the past winter, and has been piled
Up in Il square heap, flat on the top to
atch all the rain. This manure is from
he stables, COW sheds and pigpens, and
wamp muck, leaves and sawdust are
sed for bedding. 1t is, therefore, very
me, and Cali be spread evenly. When
has been spread harrow is run over
he meadow, and if there are bare spots
ONE fresh seed is scattered on them. !
nd the harrow is run over them
nee more. If there is good
rowth, that is partly pastured off in Oc- !
Dber, but not later. In the spring the
arrow is run over it again, and all the /
cad grass thus gathered is carried off .
he field. All the weak looking spots are
ressed with Peruvian guano, ut the rate
f one pound to the square rod (or 100 .
ounds to the acre., aud if there is any
he manure ON hand, it is spread over
he field very thinlv Once in four or five
ears one hundred pounds Of plaster and
wo hundred pounds ofsuperphospbate OF
Inc per acre are spread in the spring.
he spring manuring is given i'll April if
lie season is early, and sometimes in
lay, but the best time is when the
Dung grass is well started to grow.
eing very soluble the first rain takes it
} the roots. In cutting the grass the
hubble is left high. and not shaved down
} the surface. Too close cutting is very
furious 10 nIea'luws, und 1t is Since
lowing machines have been in use that
lie most serious complaints have been
ade of failing meadows. Nothing is SO
Ood for an orchard as wood ashes. Salt
nd plaster are not worth the trouble of
on an orchard.
Vpn I NJ NNbfnh,,I.