The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-09-14
TOPICS FOR FARMERS.
Methods Abroad The Commissio

Methods Abroad The Commissioner
of Agriculture has received a letter
from DR.. McMurtrie, the Departments
representative at the Paris Exposition,
in which he says he went to England,
and visited the farm of Mr.. Mold, at
Bethersden, made an examination Of the
crops, and gave an order for 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
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 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: In 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
per cent. higher than others.
Referring to visit paid to M. Ro-
hart, who lately delivered an address on
phylloxera before conference at the
Trocadero, the Professor writes: He
seems to have given great deal of at
tention to the subject. He says there
is no doubt about the 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 sulp ho-carbonates was
too costly, and the product very varia.
BILE in composition. His method is to
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 bisulphide
in vapor. Three cakes are placed about
the root of each vine, at the depth of
eighteen inches to two feet. They alb
sorb moisture from the soil, slowly liber-
ating the bisulphide to act upon the in
sects.o The doctor suggests that few
of these cakes be purchased for trial on
the badly infected vineyards of the
United States, especially in California.
He concludes his letter as follows: "The
wool came to hand in due time, and was
examined by the jury. 1t had the effect
to change the decision they had determ-
ined upon for the United States woods.
| think we shall secure some gold
medals. There is no doubt about our
specimens being as fine as any exhibited.
| may find it necessary to go to Lyons
to obtain the information desired about
silk culture"
Concerning Butter.-Complaints are
received at this office, says the Utica
Observer, from dealers in butter that
they are unable to procure constant
supply of an article that is strictly
choice. They state that large quantities
have of late been offered, very little of
which was such as they wanted, and yet
they were expected to take it and pay
therefor the highest market quotation.
Some hold the opinion that the recent
decline in prices has caused butter
makers to become less paintaking in its
manufacture. We hope such is not the
case, as it must necessarily work to the
detriment of the farmer in Cutting the
market with an article that cannot be
disposed of.
1t is undoubtedly true that tastes
vary as to what is strictly prime butter,
and the following from the Little Falls
Journal contains a timely suggestion
GAS long as it can be demonstrated that
fully three-fourths of the butter made
and sold in Herkimer County is at best
but of second or third rate quality,
no dairyman has a right to assume that
because he detects no fault with his
own make for his own table, that there
fore he makes choice, prime article
that will please others, who may be
more critical. There are few good
butter-makers about us, we'll known to
our best families, who readily sell their
butter at from three to six cents a
pound more than the highest market
quotations. If a buttermaker is getting
no more for mis- butter than the market
quotations, he should suspect it's quality
and institute thorough investigation
and, if possible, find where the fault
lies. We can refer dairymen to a few
who make and sell splendid article,
and if they will take the trouble to
make the inquiry we will take pleasure
in doing so. We speak from our con-
victions and are sure this subject de-
mands thought and investigation. There
is chance for great improvement in
this branch of husbandry."
What is true of Herkimer County is
also true of Oneida County, and the re-
marks above quoted apply with equal
force to many butter-makers in this
vicinity. Those who possess the ability
to manufacture and place upon the
market extra fine makes now have
chance to command a figure for their
butter considerably in advance of the
average market quotation, and such
would do well to strike while the iron
is hot.
ITEMS FOR FIELD AND HOUSE
A GERMAN Agricultural nanor oo,,s