Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-10-17
Brieflets.

The Growth OF Potatoes, recent eX'
pertinent shows, is considerably affected
by the color of the soil in which they are
planted. The Galaxy relates that in
studying the puzzling question why
some potato field escapes blight while
surrounded by others suffering severely
from it, it was noticed that these fortu-
nate plots were darker than the infected
areas. Thinking that the greater alb
sorption Of heat by the darker ground
and the consequent higher temperature
might explain the difference, Mr.. J. B.
HANNAY selected a piece of ground
poorly adapted.for growing potatoes, as
it was blue clay. 1t was planted in
the ordinary way, using stable manure.
One-half was left as planted, but the
the other was covered with SCOT which
had been carefully washed until the SOL
uble matter had been entirely removed.
so that it could no longer afford any
nourishment to the plants. Yet the tu-
bers in this part of the gound sprouted
first, and were always healthier than
those in the undressed part of the field.
Temperatures were taken by a Their
| mometer inserted in in the soil, which
| showed that at depth of two inches
the soot-covered earth was, on the av-
erage, 1T degrees hotter than the nat
ural ground; and at the depth Of eight
inches the difference was LOG degrees.
Thusthe dark dark earth afforded its tu-
bers warmer climate than light-colored
soil. The most remarkable difference was
found in the composition of the result
ing crop. The soot-covered potatoes
contained 22.5 per cent. Of starch, and
those in plain ground only l7.5 per cent,
and granules were smaller in size.
PRESERVING POTATOES, in a sound
condition for one or two years would
in many parts of the country be atpres-
ent an advantage owing to excessively
large crop and consequent low price.
This can be done it is said on good all
thority, by burying them in dry place
at depth Of about four feet SO as to
place them beyond the action Of air and
moisture. In such a position they
cease to vegetAte and retain for even a
couple Of years their original freshness,
! frmness and good taste. 1t should al
ways be borne in mind that in pitting
potatoes, care should be taken to ex-
clude all moisture, for damp pit
is certain ruin to a goodly share Of the
tubers.
THE BEST DEPTH EoR SOWING
WHEAT in ordinary soil, is shown by eX-
periments, to be form one to two inches.
Samples Of pure seed sown J inch in
depth, came up in IL days, IS OF the
seed terminating; that sown l inch in
depth came up in II days, and all the
seed terminated; ? inches deep, rs Of
it came up in is days; 3inches deep, Z
of it came up in 20 days; 4 inches show
ed growth Of ] that came up in q
days;5 inches only J grew and came up
% days, while that planted inches
deep came up in % days, but only
terminated.
The BEST INSECT DESTROYER, &C
cording to the Journal Of Chemistry, is
alum water. Put the alum into hot
water and let it boi l until it Is entirely
dissolved, then apply it hot with brush
to all cracks, closets, bedstead and 9TH
er places infested by insects. 1t IS GER
tain death to ants, bedpugs, reaches
and id genus omne, while there is no
danger, IN using it, Of poisoning any of
the family or injurirg property.