The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-09-13
TOPICS FOR FARMERS.
Methods Abroad. The Commissio


Methods Abroad. The Commissioner
of Agriculture has received letter |
from DR.. McMurtrie, the Departments
at the Paris Exposition,
in which he says he went to England,
and visited the farm of Mr.. Mold, at
Rethersden, 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
rood crops that he saw that were not
lodged. His soil is n 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. tie
uses steam for many purposes-piowing,
threshing, pumping, etc. The wheat
Yields about seven quarters red ana SIX
quarters white per acre. In Lincoln
shire it gives eight quarters. DIR Nc
Murtrie saws: 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 saws 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-tive to one hundred
per cent higher than Others.
Referring to a visit paid to NJ. Ro-
! hart, who lately delivered an address on
/ phylloxera before a conference at the
! Trocadero, the Professor writes: g" de
/ seems to have given great deal OF at
/ tention to the subject. He says. there
/ is no doubt about the efficacy of bisul-
7 r,s-.I- of carbon for the.destruction of the
! insect IIIU dini~,.I+.y H. Loen IN the
! practical application of il to the root of
/ the vines affected. The usual method
of employing the sui pho-carbonates was
/ too costly, and the product very varia.
| BILE in composition. His method Is 70
/ 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 inHamed by
a match if applied to the outer surface.
/ If the block IS broken II Is easily IN
famed and burns. These gelatine cakes,
when moistened, give of the bisulphlde
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." The doctor suggests that a few
of these cakes be purchased for trial OF
the badly infected vineyards of the
United States, especially in California
{ He concludes his letter as follows: The
wool came tohand in due time, and wa.
examined by the Jury. II had the etfec
to change the decision they had determ
ined upon for the United States woods
think we shall secure some golC
/ medals. There is no doubt about on
/ specimens being as fine as any exhibited
! | may find it necessary to 90 10 Lyon
to obtain the information desired abOu
silk culture"
Concerning Butter.-COmplain ar
received at this office, says the Utic'
Observer, from dealers in butter tina
they are unable to procure a constan
supply of an article that is strict.
choice. They state that large quantitie
have of late been offered, very little o
which was such as they wanted, and ye
they were expected TO take it and pa.
therefor the highest market quotation
Some hold the opinion that the recen
decline in prices has caused butter
makers to become less paintaking in ii
manufacture. We hope such is not tn
case. as it must necessarily work to tn,
detriment of the farmer in Cutting tn
market with an article that cannot b
disposed of.
It Is undoubtedly true that taste
vary as to what is strictly prime butter
and the following from the Little Fall
Journal contains a timely suggestion
''As long as it can be demonstrated tina
fully three-fourths of the butter made
and sold in Herkimer County j. at bes
but of second or third rate quality
no dairyman has a right to assume tina
because he detects no fault with hi
own make for his own table, that there
fore he makes a choice, prime articl
that will please others, who may b.
more critical. There are a few gOO'
butter-makers about us, well known L
our best families, who readily sell thei
butter at from three to six cents
pound more than the highest marke
, quotations If a buttermaker is gettini
, no more for mis- butter than the marke
quotations. he should suspect It's qusllt,
and institute a thorough investigation
and, if possible, find where the faui
lies. We can refer dairymen to a fey
who make and sell splendid article
and if they will take the trouble t
make the inquiry we will take pleasur
in doing so. We speak from our cor
victions and are sure this subject de
mands thought and Investigation. Their
is a chance for great Improvement /
= this branch of husbandry."
= What Is true of Herkimer County
also true OF Oneida County, and the rt
marks above quoted apply with equa
F force to many butter-makers in tn
vicinity. Those who possess the abilit
to manufacture and place upon tn
market extra fine makes now have
, chance to command a figure for thei
, butter considerably in advance of tn
average market quotation, and sue
would do well to strike while the irO
is hot.