Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-02-10
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.


Fwrm CIub questions nnd Answers.
Does the seed of nut bearing trees I
quire any special attention after planting
When the planting is done in the ia
it is better to mulch the ground vii
straw, leaves, marsh hay or similar m
terial to prevent baking of the soil aft,
the spring rains and to keep it in mello
condition. The mulching should be L,
moved later in the spring, 30 that it wi
not Interfere with the growth Of they
seedlings.
How about the duration of chestnr
posts?
One correspondent says that he ha
found that chestnut posts of young tim
Der will last much longer than old an
that when set top down will stand nearl
twice rs long rs those set butt end down
also, that small posts of three and fou
inches in diameter outlast larger posts
He estimates that seasoned chestnut post
of small Young timber, set top down, vii
endure for from fifteen to twenty years
with butts down, from eight to fifteel
years. All posts should be thoroughly
seasoned before setting.
Can leaning trees be Strengthened with
out damage to the tree?
The leaning can easily be remedied
while the trees are young by partially
digging up and replanting the trees. The
roots are smaller on the side from which
the tree leans, and should he so loosened
from the earth, the tree set in good posi-
ton and carefully fastened in place ; III
replacing the soil about the roots it is
well to add some rich compost to promote
its growth. If the top Of the tree has
grown one-sided, prune it SO rs to restore
the balance
Are apples good for mich cows?
An Indiana correspondent says not !;
that they will soon dry up" II COW if
given in large quantities. Acorns, he
thinks, will also cause the same difficulty.
Do strawberry plants require any pro-
lection?
1t is best to protect them, though the
covering should be light ; anything, as
leaves, straw or hay is suitable. The
plants require air or they will be found
dried in the spring, which fact all far
mers do not know, and consequently kill
their plants by covering too thick. A
dressing of fine well rotted manure spread
over them before the mulching is bene-
fetal, but not necessary
Why are wood ashes such a valuable
fertilizer?
Because they are rich in that valuable
element to poor soils-viz. potash.
Why do extra mich cows require more
feed than inferior ones?
One farmer explains the matter in this
way: There is structural limit to the
production of butter to each COW there
fore, when an animal is fed to this limit,
increased food cannot increase the pro-
duct. Now, the superior cow has this
structural limit at greater distance from
ordinary feed, and is more ready to re-
spond to stimulants than IN inferior COW.
Owing to ignorance of this difference, the
COW is seldom fed to her limit,
while feel is often wasted ON an inferior
COW. The best practice of feeding regrl-
lates the character of the food by the
character of the animals feed feeding
superior cows near to the limit of their
production if for butter, giving more
and nutritious food than for
cheese feeding for cheese product, sue
culent material will increase the quantity
of the milk yield.
Trimming Plants while Growing.
Every one admires beautiful form in
n plant, an evenness of growth of the
various branches to give fine balance to
it. There are some plants whose habits
are naturally straggly and uncouth.
While they are growing, little nipping
back of the leading branches with the
fingers, or with a pair of shears, will
hold them in check, while other branches
will be encouraged to grow to the same
size. We will cite, for instance, the
lemon verbena. This seldom makes n
slightly shrub, when left to ITSELF al
though it is a favorite owing to its sweet
scent and delicate green. BY pruning
back the leading branches, it will soon
grow into well rounded and closely
formed shrub. If you wish it to grow
tree shaped, encourage it to grow tall by
nippiug back the ends of side limbs till
it has acquired the right height, then, to
prevent growing one-sided, and to make
it well formed, nip back all the shoots
that are out of balance. This same sys-
TEN can be applied to roses, geraniums,
and, in fact, to any plants that are de-
sired to grow into better shape. 1t is
not at all necessary to cut branches off
close to the stalk, in fact, it is better not
to do so. But little nipping back of
the ends of growing shoots is MI that is
required.
Pasturing Hogs in the Orchard.
From my own experience with an APP
pie orchard, says correspondent, / find
to feed and pasture hogs in it all the
time that the fruit is not in condition,
the hogs will do damage to the fruit crop.
For the past two winters have had hogs
n good portion of the time in my or
chard, and continue to feed and pasture
it until the early fruit begins to fall. BY
SO doing, my orchard appears to be in a
very fourishing condition, heavily load
ed with large, smooth apples, which APP
pear to be clear from any effects Of the
apple worm. believe this method of
treating an orchard preferable to any
other mode of cultivating an orchard yet
tried.
Having practiced feeding corn in the
ear around the apple trees, especially the
ones of slowest growth and bearing, the
result is, such trees appear to grow and
bear finely by such treatment. Hog ma