Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-07-11
FARM AND HOME,

HERE is no stock on the farm that
costs so little, that pays so well, as
sheep.
INSECTS in vines can be driven off by
sprInkllng the vines with plaster, SCOT,
or air-slacked lime.
HERE are said to be over six thou
sand men, women, and children en-
gagged IN growing early asparagus, let
tuce, carrots. and the like, in and around
Paris, upon land the rent Of which
varies from $50 to 1910 per acre, ac-
| cording to situation and facilities for If
rigation.
The European demand for bread
stutfs continues, being much greater
than In ordinary years; and the recent
expectations of flour, wheat, corn. oats,
rye, and barley show heavy gain, as
compared with the exports of the
United States year ago.
THE agricultural department of the
Paris exposition is reported to be in
very presenta bic shape. The section
set apart for this purpose is nearly a
mile in length, and the Enclosure in
cludes nearly 100 acres. The display
of horses, mules, etc., will take place in
September. The cattle show is now be-
ing held, and is said to present magni-
ticent sight.
WHEN flour is genuine, or of the best
kind, it holds together in mass when
! squeezed by the hand, and shows the
impression of the fingers, and even of
| the marks of the skin, much longer
than when it is bad or adulterated. The
dough made with good flour is very
gluey ductile and elastic, easy to be
kneaded, and may be fattened and
drawn in every direction without break
ing.
| Corn BREAD.-Two heaping cups of
corn meal, one cup of flour; three eggs,
| two and half cups Of sweet milk, one
tablespoonful of lard, two tablespoon
! fuls of white sugar. two teaspoonfuls of
cream tartar, one teaspoOnlul of soda,
one teaspoonful of salt; beat the eggs
thoroughly, yolks and whites separate
! ly; melt the lard; sift soda and cream
tartar into the flour and meal while
dry, and stir in last; then beat all very
thoroughly; bake quickly in buttered
mould; less than one-half hour will
usually suffice.
CEMENT FOR IRON AND LEATHER.
First, the metal is warmed then washed
and the leather previously stepped in
hot solution of gall-nuts, pressed upon
the surface and allowed to cool. Per-
haps where Russia, or other fancy
feathers are used, it would be better to
apply the infusion of gall-nuts to the
flesh or rough side of the leather, by
means of a sponge, until thoroughly
wetted. 1t is important that all the az
tlcles be warmed and kept about as hot
as the hand will bear, but no hotter,
during the operation, the work done in
a warm place, the metal and leather
firmly pressed together, and the pres
sure sustained for several hours, cooling
gradually. Second another method, and
one which may be used where the al
ticles are exposed to the weather. gum
shellac and india-rubber, in equal pro-
portions by weight, dissolved i'll recti-
lied naptha Or coaltar benzOle. Dis
solve by placing vessel containing hot
or boiling water, and as the water coOls
replace with more hot water 1t must
be kept away from fire or light, as the
gasSes arising from either benzOle or
naptha are explosive. Keep everything
warm and proceed to unite as in the
first method. Third, equal parts of
gutta percha and gum shellac melted
together will cement iron and leather,
or iron and wood.
HOUSE PLANTs.-In watering care is
necessary. Under the treatment of peo-
pie of limited experience in window
gardening, plants are apt to suffer from
a lack of water or from a too abundant
supply; they are either starved or
drowned. The result in either case is
about the same: the leaves turn yellow,
drop off and the whole plant presents a
sickly and forlorn appearance. Moth
ing is more depressing to a lover of
flowers than sickly, starved looking
specimen of vegetation. Much less
water is necessary in cold than IN warm
weather, as the plants then grow but
slowly. Morning seems to be the most
suitable time for watering, and luke
warm water should be used, applied to
the surface of the soil. | have some
times seen it poured into the saucers of
pots, to soak into the earth at its leisure;
but nature does not perform her opera
tons by such a process, but sends the
rain down from above, and probably
her example will be safe to follow. The
plants should be Watered thoroughly, SO
that the moisture will penetrate to their
roots. Those who are constantly drib-
bling small supply of water on their
plants will not have them in flourish
ing condition for any length of time.
The reason is obvious; the surface of the
soil is kept moist. but the roots perish
from want of water. A plant should
not be watered until it is in condition
to receive a liberal supply of the ele-
ment, which being given, it only asks
| to be let alone for a season. Besides
watering the roots the foliage requires
nearly as much attention. Warm baths,
| shOwerlng, ETC., are necessary to remove
dust and dirt which are as injurious to
the plant as they are to the human
race.-Erchange.
RAISING CLOVER FOR SEED.-Mr. ]. G.
Birdsell, South Bend, Ind, the well
known manufacturer of clover hullers
says in the Clover Leaf: "My observa-
ton in regard to clover and clover seed
raising has been greater than that of
many. on account of having followed
threshing from my youth, prior to my
invention, and many seasons have run
four machines, 1 have always noticed
that whenever we found a job where
there was large yield, il was where the