The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-08-08
THE PRESS.
Top Dressiug.

ment. But we consider these two requisites
of much Importance in securing good result.
Personally we find but little use in top dress
ing dry upland meadows, or where there is
but scanty sward, unless it be on newly
seeded ground, when the plan works well.
On land that is somewhat moist, an OCCASION
al application of manure produces excellent
results and will be much better mode of
treatment than blowing and reseeding. 1t is
generally advised to apply manure to mead.
ows as soon as possible after the crop of hay
is removed. If the weather is damp or rainy,
this practice will be found to work very well,
but if very dry but little benefit will be per-
ceived, until the rains commence to fall.
Manure may be put on at any time during
fall or even early winter with advantage, but
if applied early in the season and an after
growth of grass starts up, this will serve as
much during the winter for the protection of
the roots, and double object is gained.
In top-dressing meadows, or indeed in ap-
plying manure to any crop, more attention
should be directed to spreading it evenly and
reducing the Jumps, as it can only be made
soluble condition. On dry upland simply
top-dressing with manure, in our opinion, is
not generally 10 be advised, unless there is a
good sward. II the manure were spread on
in August, grass seed sown, and then thor
oughly narrowed, this might work we'll but
If not, it will be found better to pillow, plant
to corn or potatoes another year, and seed to
grass with wheat, barley or oats the year fol-
lowing. This is the old fashioned rotation.
Another plan would work well on smooth
land. Turn over the sward as soon as posi-
BILE, evenly and well, leaving no half turned
burrows; harrow once or twice during the
fall, spread on manure, and seed 10 grass
another spring with barley or wheat.
Another good way to renovate falling
meadows is to make night pasture of them
for cows, fencing off piece only large
enough to become thoroughly MANFRED by
the droppings during the season. This will
be found to work well, and new piece can
be taken each year, while. if thought best,
grass seed can be sown in early fall and the
ground gone over with sharp harrow.
Vermont Journal.
The Good Farmer.
/. He considereth field and buyeth it.
He looketh well to the title that his children
may not become outcasts.
2. He fences it around with a strong wall
His focks and herds do not trespass upon the
domain of his neighbor, but increase and
fatten within his own bounds
8. He ploweth deep. He harrows llDer-
ally and manures abundantly. He feeds the
earth with rich food. At the harvest he
reapeth much grain.
4. He dots his land with fruit trees. His
apples fill his chambers, and his vineyards
run over with pure wine.
8. He riseth with the lark. The morn
ing sun finds him at labor. He cometh
from his fields when evening shadows gather,
but ne resteth from his labors in the heat of
the day.
6. He buildeth barns and storehouses
His cattle increase in numbers and his purse
is filled with plenty. Whatever he doeth
prospers, for his labor is directed by the
wisdom of experience.
Z. He pays cash for his necessities. His
name is not found on the ledger OF the mer-
chant. His name is not a familiar one in
courts Of justice.
8. He pays tithes without grumbling. He
bears his share OF the public burdens. He
casts his ballot as free man and seeks no Of
flee.
9. His home Is a paradise of beauty.
Flowers and vines in great abundance please
the senses, educate the taste and purify the
soul.
10. His sons and his daughters are known
in the land. They dispense his charities.
The poor, the sick and the afflicted are sought
out and receive comfort, sympathy, relief.
IL. He storeth the chambers OF his brain
with exact knowledge. His head and his
hands are co-laborers. He reads the papers
and profits by their teachings.
He gives from bis fountain of knowledge to
all who ask. He is not pulled up with vanity
or filled with self.conceit and arrogance
Our Home Journal.
This is a subject which cannot fail to inter-
est all poultry breeders, for the amount of
loss directly chargeable to their wholesale
depredations is almost incredible. 1t costs as
much to feed the rats and mice of our coun-
try as it does to feed our poor, and even
more. They are left until they become so
numerous that something mu st be done to
stop their ravages, when a raid is made on
them with terriers, ferrets and many are
driven out of runs or killed. This quiets
them down little, and peace is declared,
until the rats again become troublesome,
The most .effectual way to get rid of them is
to poison them. for which purpose prepara-
ton OF phosphorus, spread on small cubes
OF bread, is very effectual, though nothing
can be gotten in this line which Is not dan
gerous to other beings. Small bits of cork
fried in lard is also 'ssure pop" while corn
meal and plaster, mixed dry and in equal
parts, will get very heavy on their stomachs,
and ere long cause cessation of breathing.
But all these things are alike destructive to
dogs, cats, or poultry. and you run great
risk If you have any young folks running
around, you may be sorry all your life that
you ever used poison for rats. A trained fer
ret to drive them from their leads, with good
terriers or shepherd dogs TO catch them when
they run out, will soon clean them up. A
few farmers or fanciers could buy, own and
use trained ferret in partnership, and thus
rid themselves of rats effectually.
Poultry Journal.
Feed a Little Corn Meal.
It's nonsense to say that it makes no differ