Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-02-06

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fruit-trees, or any others, be careful to
choose those with smooth, healthy-look-
ing bark, which have entirely shed their
leaves. Trees on which the leaves re-
main after frost sets in, and stick to the
branches, may be regarded as not
healthy, and in some way lacking
stamina.
HORSES SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO WALK.
1t is easier to find horses which can
trot well than those which Can walk
well. Whether for farm use or the sad
die, horses should know how to walk
well. The farm horse has to do most
of his work in walking gait. and 1t is
a great satisfaction to the rider, for
saddle horse to have fine and spright-
ly walk.
FERTILIZERS FOR FRUIT.-It is now
pretty thoroughly demonstrated that
potash improves the flavor and growth
of all fruits, this substance being the
most prominent constituent, and is COM
bined with the fruity acids. Therefore
we suggest the application per acre of
800 to 400 pounds sulphate of pOtasl,
10 to 90 per cent. purity, or 1000
pounds wood ashes; 200 to $50 pounds
of bone dust would be valuable adj
dition.
THE comparative value of horse feed,
by experiment, is as follows: 100 pounds
Of good hay is equal in value to 81
pounds of oats, 81 pounds Of corn, 275
pounds of carrots, 81 pounds Of rye or
barley, and 1O5 pounds of wheat, or
bran. While this will give relative
idea Of values, it is not to be taken as
conclusive. Young animals do better
on oats, rye or barley, while fattening
animals require corn. Roots, however,
are always valuable in winter, when
they are to be had.
THOROUGH CULTIvATIoN.--A small
piece of ground can be made to yield q
great deal. Some of the western states
show great results from tillage. For in
stance. it is stated in the Greeley Colo
rado) Tribune that little plot of ground
1OOxl6O feet in size has this year pro-
duced ITO quarts of strawberries, 125
large heads Of cabbage. several bushels
of peas, quantity of tomatoes, beans,
corn, raspberries, grapes, crab-apples,
and some garden stufis. Mr.. Hotch-
kiss, the owner, fertiizes highly, and
therein lies the secret of his success.
BIRDs.--A correspondent of the Rural
Home speaking of the benefit which
birds render the farmer, says Son
Thursday last, while at work near a
wheat field, my attention was called to
the fact that some wheat had been
picked from the heads in certain parts
Of the field. AS my neighbor seemed
to think the mi.chief was done by vel
low birds, Iprocured q gun and killed
one of the supposed offenders. AL
though interrupted while taking his
breakfast, we found in his stomach only
three grains of wheat, and by actual
count $50 weevils."
AT this season of the year, it will be
found very good plan, twice or thrice
a week, to drop an even teaspoonful of
common cayenne pepper into, say two
gallons of water given to fowls for their
daily drink. This is grand tonic, and
it works very kindly towards warming
the blood, these chilly days. Another
excellent provision is to place at the
bottom of the pail or vessel containing
their drink, bit of assafptida. This
impreguates the fluid with its tonic
qualities, and it Is very whol,ome for
fowls in the wintry days. Fresh water
should be given, however, daily, and
your birds should never be without
this, when in confinement, especially;
for they imblbc good deal fthey have
it always at hand.
How A SUCCESSFUL. FARMER FEEDS HIS
CATrLE.-Stock doing well; have exer-
else and sunshine (when there is any,
every day; no abortions, and losing no
calves, so far; young stock growing like
weeds III a corn field III June. Six
bushels meal, two bushels mill feed,
two bushels light oats, seven quarts oil
cake meal, and one pint Of salt, mixed
with three times as much cut hay as
there is in bulk of grain, makes one
days rations for seventy-five head Of
cattle, young and old, Feed is dampen-
ed, and stands when the weather is not
too cold) twelve to twenty-four hours
before feeding, and is apportioned 10
the stock according to age and condi-
tion.-PGny Nichols
BOYS AND OTHER CoLTs.-Now, boys,
let the colts out into the lots, and see
them run. Don't keep them p.nned
up in the stalls. That is as bad as keep
ing a healthy boy in bed all day. They
were never made for prison, but for
freedom. More colts are permanently
injured by lack of exercise than any
other cause. What they want is .