The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-09-05
TOPICS FOR FARMERS.

Methods Abroad The Commissioner
of Agriculture has received a letter
from DIR. McMurtrie, the Departments
representative at the Paris Exposition,
in which he says he went 10 England,
and visited the farm of Mr.. Mold, at
Bethersden, made an examination of the
crops, and gave an order for a quantity
of wheat and hop sets for the use of the
department. He says Mr.. Mold's wheat
crops are very fine, and were the only
good crops that he saw that were not
lodged. His soil is clay of great capa-
city as regards plant food, but its me-
chanical condition is great difficulty
to culture. He farms well, however,
and in this latter point, the Doctor
thinks, resides to a large extent the
source of the superiority of his crops
over those Of his neighbors, who employ
wonderfully primitive methods. He
uses steam for many purposes-plowing,
threshing, pumping, etc. The wheat
yields about seven quarters red and six
quarters white per acre. In Lincoln
shire it gives eight quarters. DIR Nc
Murtrie says: I'm bringing his wheat
to the present standard, Mr.. Mold seems
to have given great deal of attention
to cross-fertilization and selection" !"
He also says that the hops purchased
for the department yield twice as much
as other varieties, and they are quoted
in the English markets at prices rang
ing from seventy-five to one hundred
per cent. higher than others.
Referring to visit paid to NJ. Ro-
hart, who lately delivered an address on
phylloxera before conference at the
Trocadero, the Professor writes: "He
seems to have given a great deal of at
tention to the subject. He says there
is no doubt about tthe efficacy of bisul-
phide of carbon for the destruction of the
insect. The difficulty has been in the
practical application of it to the root OF
the vines affected. The usual method
of employing the sulpho-car Donates was
too costly, and the product very varia.
BILE in composition. His method is tC
incorporate the bisulphide with gelatine
he concentrates it to the same specific
gravity of the bisulphide, mixes the
two by rapid and prolonged stirring and
allows it to set. When hard it is cut
into small cakes and allowed to dry
The blocks holds the bisulphide so tn or
oughly that they cannot be infamed by
a match if applied to the outer surface
If the block is broken it is easily in
famed and burns. These gelatine cakes
when moistened, give off the bisulphid'
in vapor. Three cakes are placed abou
the root of each vine, at the depth o
eighteen inches to two feet. They alb
sorb moisture from the soil, slowly liber
ating the bisulphide to act upon the in
sects." The doctor suggests that few
of these cakes be purchased for trial OF
the badly infected vineyards of tn
United States, especially in California
He concludes his letter as follows: 9TH
wool came to hand in due time, and wa
examined by the jury. 1t had the effec
to change the decision they had determ
ined upon for the United States woods
| think we shall secure some gol
medals. There is no doubt about ou
specimens being as fine as any exhibited
l may find it necessary to go to Lyon
to obtain the information desired abou
silk culture"
Concerning Butter.-Complaints al
received at this Office, says the Utic
Observer, from dealers in butter ths
they are unable to procure a constal
supply of an article that is strict
choice. They state that large quantiti,
have of late been offered, very little
which was such as they wanted, and y,
they were expected to take it and pa
therefor the highest market quotation
, Some hold the opinion that the recel
, decline in prices has caused butte
, makers to become less paintaking in
+ manufacture. We hope such is not tt
, case, as it must necessarily work to tt
, detriment of the farmer in glutting tt
market with an article that cannot
disposed of.
: It is undoubtedly true that tast
vary as to what is strictly prime butte
j.. and the following from the Little Fal
Journal contains timely suggestion
C GAS long as it can be demonstrated tn
r fully three-fourths of the butter MAJ
i and sold in Herkimer County is at be
r but of second or third rate qualit
e no dairyman has right to assume tn
: because he detects no fault with b
}. own make for his own table, that ther
:. fore he makes choice, prime artic
O that will please others, who may
q more critical. There are a few goc
v butter-makers about us, we'll known
s our best families, who readily sell the
v butter at from three to six cents
n pound more than the highest mark
q quotations If a buttermaker is gettil
: no more for mis- butter than the mark
e quotations, he should suspect its quail
n and institute thorough investigate
l. and, if possible, find where the fat
# lies. We can refer dairymen to a fe
Is who make and sell a splendid articl
v and if they will take the trouble
+. make the inquiry we will take pleasu
n in doing So We speak from our CO
n victions and are sure this subject c
;e mands thought and investigation. The
e is chance for great improvement
h this branch of husbandry."
e What is true of Herkimer County
l. also true Of Oneida County, and the
S, marks above quoted apply with eqr
p force to many butter-makers in tt
,e vicinity. Those who possess the abili
3 to manufacture and place upon t
market extra fine makes now have
It chance to command a figure for tn,
,r butter considerably in advance of
V average market quotation, and su
@ would do we'll to strike while the ir
d is hot.
is ITEMS FOR FIELD AND HOUSE
ID A GERMAN agricultural paper IS
h dill grown among cabbage will stop
m ravages of the common caterpillar.
a. QUEEN cake: Beat one pound
Id h,.ttar to q cream with some rOse-wat