The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-02-28
TOPICS FOR FARMERS.
Agricultural Horse Trots.-says .

TOPECS For FARMERS.
Agricultural Horse Trots.-Says an
observing correspondent. of the RareI
Nssp Yorker: Tie time for the annual
meetings of our State, County and
Town Agricultural Societies is now prob
ably mainly over, and the officers gener-
ally chosen for the ensuing year.
Making out premium lists will be next
in order Let us hope that In perform
ing this duty the officers will not lose
sight of the pfofessed object of stich
associations, which tstially is to en-
courage Improvements in agriculture
and horticulture and also In manufac-
lures and the domestic arts. To con-
vert these annual exhibitions into r1efe
horse trots," as too frequently is the
fessed objects. The plea is to improve
our breed of horses; a very laudable
purpose, it is true, if properly directed.
But will mere competitive trials OF
speed for short distances do this?
If the ability to trot mile In the
shortest possible time were, the only
requisite for d valuable animal, then
indeed there might be some plausibility
in the plea. But we all know that this
ability is not at all desideratum with
the agricultural community proper.
What is of far more value to us, is a
breed of horses for all work combining
strength with agility, adaptable either
| to the plow or to the road, as occasion
shall require. A good walker and road
ster, easily kept, and with powers Of
endurance fitting him for any emergency
that will be likely to arise-that is the
breed of horses the farmer wants. By
directing the attention mainly to the
rearing of breed capable of going only
at the greatest possible speed for single
mile, we are led to overlook the more
valuable quality of being able, in case
of emergency, to go at rapid rate for
hours together, without injurious
fatigue or exhaustion. This service the
animals usually exhibited at these
horse-trot fairs are generally entirely
untitled for. They are best adapted to
displays of short spurts of speeds, after
which they require to be carefully
rubbed down, sponged and blanketed,
and to enjoy a season of rest before re-
peating the effort.
There is much reason to apprehend
that the tendency of these annual horse
trots, in connection with our farmers
fairs is to destroy the qualities of the
horse most valuable for the agricultural
community. The New York State Ag-
ricultural Society has wisely excluded
them entirely from its exhibitions. II
would be well if our town and county
societies would follow this example. The
excuse for not doing so, is that such ex-
hibitions attract crowds who otherwise
would not come, and these add largely
to the receipts for admission. In an
swer it may be also we'll replied that they
attract a crowd with which it is not
desirable that our sons, wives ano
daughters should be compelled to come
in contact, including not only the vul
gar, the profane and the incorporate
who feel no interest in any other part o1
the exhibition, but also blacklegs, gam
blers and pickpockets, who seek such op
portunities to ply their vocations. i
the main object of such organizations il
to gather money, then, like any othel
speculations, they will be likely to b.
continued SO long as they can be made
to pay. But we had supposed their OBJ
ject to be more creditabIe one; and W.
still believe that in most cases it is. Blu
in the other cases, we are satisfied tina
the course pursued prevents the attend
ance of many respectable persons wht
would otherwise be glad to assist in sus
tanning them. If such societies con
tinue to be perverted by making sucl
exhibitions the leading object, then tn
State cannot to soon Withhold its annua
appropriations from all such State o
county societies as continue the prac
tice.
: The Use of Coal Ashes.-Coal ashe
are pronounced by many to be value
less for agricultural or other useful pul
poses. Consequently they are frequentl
allowed to accumulate around the prem
ises until they become nuisance. L
cities it is the practice to have mean
:, provided for their frequent removal a
the public expense. But in village
and country places the practice is usr
ally different. Probably large ms
jority of our farmers get their main SUI
ply of fuel from their own wood lands
! but the use of coal is constantly iI
: creasing in all parts of our country
I Where the ashes of wood and coal ar
mingled together, there can be no douh
3 of their manurial value, and the create
the portion of wood ashes composing
+ mass, the greater the value, Of course
s But coal ashes alone are of some value
4 even to any one who has mere garde
: spot to cultivate. On heavy soils the
D may be used to an advantage, in larg
t quantities. They tend to meliorate th
soil and make it more porous. The
may also be used benefcially in form
ing little mounds about the trunks {
small trees, to protect them from th
e depredations of mice in winter, and al
> better for that purpose than eartl
!, When spring opens they can be sprea
i around on the surface of the soil an
$ worked into it. Covering the groun
d under currant bushes with coal ashes
e useful in preventing the Larvae of Il
IS currant moth from burrowing in tt
e soil for his winter hybernation, (
e emerging from it readily the. ensuir
|; season. They may also be used to a.
q vantage around other bushes or shrub
It and are useful as portion of the mat
3 rial for constructing walks. They ma
n be also used to advantage as adeodoriz
e in privies and water-ciosets, absorbiI
n the offensive odors otherwise likely
emanate from them, and the mingle
y mass will thus become valuable al
r inoffensiye fertilizer.
u ITEMS FOR FIELD AND HOUSE.