The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1877-03-01
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.



raj conundrum. VIZ; Why do not some
Of the members Of thought tell how 10
raise a large crop of Indian corn instead
of coniurng mp unintelligible and nom
practical formulas for making fertilizers
which VIII not return the proprietor as
much money rs he expended IN purchas-
ing the crude chemicals
Ii requires not only corn formula, but
vast amount of hari-isted industry. to
raise a satisfactory growth of corn. BE.
fore one can produce a hounbful crop oi
Indian corn the soil must be fattcned,
especially soil that has been impover-
ished by inludicious management,
Chemists write on agricultural topics,
II is tedious PROCESS TO improve land Of
ordinary fertility 50 that it viii yield one
hundred bushels per acre II tho soil is
thin or run down. it must have large
quantities of hanyArd manure worked
in; clover or maize, or both, must bc
plowed under, and the plow, harr'w and
roller used 90 turn up, tear N frpJnents
and crush to fine atoms the entsrO seed
bed Little hy little the prniuCuvVpeSs
Of the land viii increase by these ploans;
then, when it has been brought mp 20
the point of yielding forty or fifty bush
els of shcAed corn II will be safe % ap-
ply chemical fertilization; iorcvery dollar
expended for the required elements VII
be the means Of producing more than
thrice its value in the incroasej yield of
corn.
Amember added that sufficient blowing
enhances the fertility al the soil in "a
great degree Especially is tins true
with cornields. The more frequently
the ground Is stirred. if done carefully,
50 as not 10 iuiure the roots, the more
npid viii be the growth and the mere
abundant the yield. Farmers who have
tried il affirm that If land is plowei as
soon rs crop Of gram is taken oil. then
again in q month or six weeks, and stall
AGAIN in the early winter. plowing lit.
tie deeper every time, the benefit 20 sue.
ceeding crops win be equal 10 a coating
of manure. The more finely adhesive
soils are pulverized the more readily they
appropriate and impart 20 the plant the
nutriment supplied them, whether il Is
gained from the atmosphere or froM fer
tilizers applied; consequently the policy
OF frequent plOwlng rs preparation for
the growth of q large com crop was
urged 10y tins member In green ma
nuring Of land he advised the ploWlng IN
of rye as very advantageous The gram
should he pluwed IN about the time thai
the rye has attained its full growth. but a
little before bloSSoming. Ii should be
rolled down flat Girst, So rs % he readily
covered. This process enables the land
70 be quickly supplied with a large
amount Of valuable plant food in the
organic and mineral elements gained,
nearly equal in value 90 good dressing
Of guano Regarding artificial manure
for the corn crop. the member referred TO
Professor Cooks experiments; the de-
ducbons from the results gained bv him
were that the muriate of potash, applied
al the nate of one hundred pounds per
acre upon Soil Of an excellent character.
Is very effective and may be profitablv
used; that any other fertilizers than pot
ash salts can be used only nj a loss upon
q corn crop grown upon soil in good con
ditOn; that even harnyard manure may
be used to excess, and therefore unprofit-
ably, when the soil hiss been brought by
previous good culture aud fertilizinC up
70 g certain standard OF productiveness; ;
that the direct application OF baruyard
manure 70 the corn crop Is not 81 effec-
tive as applications yeH incorporated
with the sol; that a deCaying clover sod
furnishes abundant ammonia for a full
crop of corn, and, finally, that a pre-
ylOuSly manured clover sod Is the best OF
al preparation for a corn crop.
Farmers Clnb Questions and Answers.
Does rye make good fodder?
Rye for fodder makes probably the
best early feed that can be grown, but
care must be taken to cut il before il gets
ripe or stock viii not relish it.
Can fruit trees be grown successfully
IN wooden troughs?
Very prolific dwarf trees NAV be pro-
duced IN wooden truughs in the open ali.
As III pot culture, SO IN these truurhs.
the roots are restricted and an early fruit
ful condition secured. Farmers who
have plenty Of land have no need for
adopting this mode Of culture. but per
sons III cities have furnished considerable
fruit II this way. In latitudes where
aprcots and nectArines have not time in
ordinary orchard culture. an Arrangement
Of fins kind on the sheltered side of
garden fence has been introduced with
profit.
In what proportions are these troughs
or boxes made2
They are usually made with twelve
inch-wide boards for sides and bottom.
mailing the sides 10 the bottom 10 guard
against roots protruding into the soil be
meath these may be of any length the
trees are generally set about three feet
apart.
Can anything be done at this season to
assist in bringing back a good even
growth Of grass TO lawn that has become
thin?
Yes; give If a top dressing Of good
stable manure at once. Let il be well
laid all over the surface, and have a care
that the manure is well rotted As oc-
casion offers during the winter il should
be broken mp and manipulated with an
iron rake. The object is 10 distribute il
evenly over the entire surface, so that
1t vii settle down and moisten the good
roots. When spring opens the rough
stravy portions, II any are LETT, should
be removed, otherwise it viii interfere
with the proper keeping Of the surface.
Why are not liquid mauures more gen
orally used on farm crops
The expense Of their application on q
large scale prevents the extensive use Of
liquid manUres. Their value in floral
cultivation IS acknowledged by al. In
the pot culture of plants, where the
amount OF sod is limited, when iudiciouslv
applied liquid manure is Of vast service.
Much harm, however, may be occasioned
by its indiscriminate use Healthy and
well rooted plants, such as are well sup
piled with hungry roots but grow slowly
for want Of nutriment, as orange and
lemon trees, etc, for years in the same
pot or tub, are greatly benefited by It's
application.
For what crops are ashes specially
beneficial as a fertilizer?
Ashes are among the best Of fertilizers
for onions For this crop they should be
strewed along the rows, lengthwise. and
the cultivator then run between them. or
else hoed by hand Applied to Indian
corn, handful 10 each hill, Immediately
before rain storm or Just before a crop
is hoed, ashes give good returns. For
vines in the,garden they are also desirable.
Ashes applied to grass lands Just after
the first crop Of hay has been taken off is
said to have a fine effect.
Housekeeping Department.
DooRs CREAKrSe.-To prevent the
creaking Of doors apply a little soap to
the hinges, or take lard, soap and black
lead, equal parts, and apply.
COVERING FOR JARs.-A good water