Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-05-05
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Farm Drainage.

All farm lands are greatly improved,
and made more productive by being
properly drained. From experience and
observation, l am satisfied that under
draining, if properly done, where it is
practicable, is much the best, yet, lands
which are quite rolling and billy, would
in most cases be greatly benefited by
making deep dead burrows, every two or
three rods apart when blowing. But
when the land is only moderately roll
ing Or nearly level, make good sized
open bitches, not more than eighty yards
apart, deep enough to go mostly below
the top soil, in order that the land may
be drained below the roots of the growing
crops, then as the surplus water runs off,
the air will enter the SOIL and rising up
through to the surface, aerate and warm
the land, which helps to furnish good and
wholesome food for the crops, thereby in
creasing the yield. But understanding if
properly done, is still better.
Drains should not be far apart, and
should be SO laid as to run from the head
to the outlet with some descent, and be
| from TWO TO TOUR rect below the surface
| (of course an outlet must be provided).
This would drain the soil more evenly
and thoroughly reaching all parts of the
land or field to be drained BY this
method of draining while the surplus
water is running off, the air is running
up the drains, and rising through the
ground, aerating and warming the soil,
making it fit for cultivation full ten days
earlier in spring, and continuing it's
warmth as much later in the fall, thereby
lengthening the growing and ripening
season, and, in mosts cases, preventing
injury from early and late frosts, which,
in some seasons, would add more to the
value of the crop than the whole cost of
the drainage.
Where the land is favorable for
undertaking, the cost need not be
more than from two dollars to four dol
lars per acre, according to the prices paid
for labor and materials The drains can
be made of pine boards strip six and
one-half inches wide nailed on to the
edge of strip five and one-half inches
wide, and in lieu of bottom, nail short
strips across about four feet apart, to
keep the sides in their places. This kind of
drain will last many years, and do good
service. Therefore, would recommend
undertaking as being the greatest
benefit to the soil,
But persons who cannot conveniently
underdrain their land, should at least dig a
few open bitches, of good size and proper
depth, for mains, and then when plow-
ing make deep dead burrows, leading into
the bitches, which will be found highly
benefcial.-Isaa Esnaay, in Rural
NeaO Yorker.
Domestic Helps.
RICH Soft GINGERBREAD. One cup
full sour cream, one cupful molasses, one
egg, one teaspoonful ginger, one tea
spoonful soda; stir rather thin.
FRIED CAKEs.-One cupful sugar, one
cupful sour cream, one cupful butter
milk, one teaspoonful soda, spice to
, taste; mix thick enough to roll easily.
CoLoGNE.-On quart alcohol, one
! quarter ounce oil of lavender, one-quar-
ter ounce oil of rosemary.
H.-One quart alcohol, one ounce oil
of lemon, one-half ounce oil of bergamot;
, shake well.
) 10 Cook BEEFsTEAK. Slit the out
side OF fat part, say every four inches,
,, cutting through to the lean, which pre-
: vents contraction and increases its ten
; derness. Have bright fire and gridiron
, hot before putting it on; turn over to
prevent burning. A steak an inch and
a half thick will be cooked in from seven
+ to ten minutes To fry, prepare in the
g same way; put a little butter ON pan or
I griddle, and let it get brown before put
! ! ting on the meat; cook quickly, and,
whether broiled, fried, roasted, or baked
in the oven, if you want juicy, tender
beef, never salt it before it is cooked.
Beefsteak should be served the moment
it is cooked; otherwise it loses its favor.
3 Hints About Flowers.
House plants ought to be stimulated
: gently once or twice q week. Rain
= water, SO refreshing to summer flowers,
3 always contains ammonia, which also
: abounds in all liquid manures. If you
take an ounce of pulverized carbonate Of
J ammonia, dissolved in one gallon Of
water, it will make spring water ever
) more stimulating to your plants thar
5 rain water. If you water your plants
once in two weeks with guano water
, Zone tablespoonful to pail of water)
Q they will grow more thrifty. Chicken
/ manure dissolved in water is excellent
: Always keep the soil in your flower pots
! loose. A common hair-pin used daily
: will stir the earth sufficiently.
h
n A minister who had twice married tb,