Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-08-15
AGRICULTURE.

A double benefit will accrue in avoid
ing the risk of a drouth-hardened SOIL
and at no other time can weeds be so
easily killed as now. One or two work
lngs with a cultivator, or narrowing be-
fore weeds 90 to seed, will effect good
fall-fallowing and add fertility to the
soil.
! ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZERS. Experience
gained in the past season goes to show
that liberal manuring is the most eco
nomlcal. We can see III the past harvest
where five dollars worth Of more fertil-
lzer per acre would have given twice
| that value Of grain. There can be no
doubt that artificial manuring must be-
come part of our settled practice in
the future. and making a few careful ex-
perlments will give valuable experience
as to the use of these fertilizers.
PICS AND POULTRY, are omnivorous
animals, and their tastes should be con-
! suited. When in confinement. some
| fresh green food is needed. and a few
chopped cabbages, Or corn fodder will
be greatly relished. Cleanliness in the
pens will prevent disease, and keep YER
min away. To keep places Of this kind
clean is much less trouble and labor
than to make them clean when they
have been neglected Plenty of white
wash inside will cleanse and sweeten.
RECLAINIIHG WASTE LANDs.-No farm
er can now afford to let any of his land
lie idle, especially swamp lands, which,
when reclaimed, may make the richest
part of the farm. The present month
is a good time for the work. Drains
may be opened, and brush cut now will
rarely sprout again-In doing this work
it is best to clear thoroughly us one goes.
The portion begun should be grubbed,
levelled, plowed, and, if desired, sown
to grass before Il second plot is touched.
! BY finishing an acre or two, something
effective is performed, and there will
not be the Encouragement and dissatis-
faction felt rs when large piece is be-
gun and left unfinished
BEANS.-Beans do not bear very ear
/ ly planting in the open ground, as they
are liable to rot when the ground is too
wet or too cold; those who wish to get
their crop into the market earlier than
their neighb0r gardeners are advised to
mix their beans in dirt about week or
two before they wish to plant out in the
ground. and set them in a warm place
IN the house near q stove, or in a warm
frame in the sun, and when they are
sprouted they may be planted out in
the open ground, and they will not rot
even though u cold spell of weather
should come
COWS.-NGw that pastures are dry
and bare, Il provision Of green fodder
will be found acceptable. When green
fodder is given, a regular ration OF one
ounce Of salt daily should be supplied.
A COW giving 10 to II quarts of milk
per day, will consume SO pounds Of
green fodder with 4 quarts of grain,
every "a hours. When green fodder is
provided, it may be well to keep the
COWS in DARK stable during the heat of
the day. The past month the writer
has found a considerable difference in
the yield Of milk in favor of this mid
day shade and rest.
REMARKABLE AGRICULTURAL GAINS
The United States are far in advance of
any other country in point of agricul-
ture, the Development of this depart
ment of industry having been truly
marvellous in late years. Thus the corn
crop Increased from 768, 100000 bushels
IN 1867 to 1,340,000,000 in 1877, or
nearly 100 per cent. in single decade.
The hog crop, which may be said to be
product of the corn crop, reached the
enormous total for the year ending with
last month of 9,048,5G5 head, an in
crease of rising 100 per cent. during
the last ten years. The yield of wheat
for the past year was $50 100000 bush
els, or 100000 more than. was ever
before produced. Deducting the amount
necessary for home consumption and
seed, upward OF 100000 bushels
are left for export. In almost all other
farm products there has been nearly
| corresponding increase. AS agricul-
ture is generally ceded to be the foun-
dation of all prosperity, better times
surely ought not to be far off, Indeed,
we believe the turning point in the long
road Of depression has been reached,
and that every step will row be in the
direction of a normal and healthy con-
dition Of business. Notwithstanding
the dullnsss of trade, there is an I'M
dertone Of confidence, with a better
feeling in many branches of business
1t is not based on any great degree of
improvements III any quarter, but still
an improvement Is quite generally
noticeable, and however slight, it is vel
come asRn indication OF the drift of
current which is likely to lead on to &C
tivity.-T. Y. Shipping List
FEED 4 LITTLE Corn MEAL.-It's non
sense to ;ay it makes no difference what
you feedyour mich COW. The quality
of milk, cream and butter depends very
much upon the feed used. A little ex-
perlence of our own may be worth re-
lating in evidence of the statement.
During the winter and early spring we
had been giving our grade Jersey COW a
mixture of meal and middIings, but
but Wien we put her on good pasture
few weeks ago, we thought we might
safely discontinue the ration of meal,
and accordingly fed only q few quarts
OF me3I at milking time. Mrs. X. soon
beganto wonder what was the matter
With the cream, 1t was so thin cOmpar-
ed With It's former appearance. She
became anxious about her "Lil," and
wondered if she wasn't sick; but her fat, |
sleek ddes and contented look said ''no''
to that After an experience of about |
two weeks with the bran diet, we re-
tune' to the corn meal mixture, and |
on tn very next day change in the
creanlwas clearly perceptible. 1t now
skins off thick and heavy, and the !
cream crock fills rapidly, so that churn-
ing dy comes twice week. We are
satisfied that it pays to feed corn meal
both summer and winter.-Illdia1ad
Farm.