Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-10-10
FARM AND FIREs1DE.

FARM AND PRESIDE.
How TO DESTROY RATs.-This is sub
ject which cannot fail to interest all
poultry breeders. for the amount of loss
directly chargeable to their wholesale de-
predations is almost incredible. 1t costs
as much to feed the rats and mice of our
country as it does to feed our poor and
even more. They are left until they be-
come so numerous that something must be
done to stop their ravages, when 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 preparation of phos-
phorous. spread on small cubes of bread,
is very effectual, though nothing can be
gotten in this line which is not dangerous
to other beings. Small bits of cork fried
in lard is also "sure 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 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 ferret 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 ehectually
can Poultry Journal. 3. s.1s ,s,
SIMPLE AND UsEFUL.-A practical
truck gardener says: Perhaps one of the
most appropriate uses Of an old fruit can
that can be devised, is to make 1t contrib
ute to the growth Of new fruit to ill new
cans. This is done in the following man.
ner: The can is. pierced with one or more
pin holes, and then sunk in the earth near
the roots Of the strawberry or tomato or
other plants. The pin holes are to be Of
such size that when the can is filed with
water, the fluid can only escape into the
ground very slowly. Thus quart can,
properly arranged, will extend it's irri-
CATION to the plant for period Of
several days; the can is then reflled,
Practical trials Of this method of irriga-
ton leave no doubt of its success. Plants
thus watered flourish and yield the most
bounteous returns throughout the longest
droughts. In all warm localities where
water is scarce, the planting of old fruit
cans. as here indicated, will be found prac-
ticable as regular garden operation.
APPLE PREsERvE.-Peel, halvo and
core six large apples, selecting those of
of one pound Of granulated sugar, and a
pint of water; when it boils. drop in the
apples with the rind and juice Of q lemon.
and two three cloves, AS soon as they are
tender, care must be taken that they do
not fall in pices, take the halves out one
by one, and arrange. concave side upper
most, in glass dish. Drop bit Of cur
rant jelly into each piece; boil down the
syrup, and when cool, pour around the
the apples. This makes very nice pre-
serve for tea.
STRING BEANS FOR WINTER USE
Wash, take off the strings and cut into
pieces an inch in length. Put them intoa
stone jar, first a layer Of beans, then a lay
or of salt, and SO on, until the jar is full.
Put a plate with weight on top, and
pour over cold water until covered. Keep
in the cellar. When wanted for use,
throw as many as are needed into q pail
or pan Of cold water, and let freshen for
half day.. Change the water twice OF
thrice. Cook the same as if newly gather
ed. When packing, use plenty of salt.
MoLAssEs CooKMs.-One teacup of
New Orleans molasses, the same of white
sugar, one-haf cup Of hot water, in which
one tablespoonful of soda is dissolved, two
thirds Of cup of shortening (some prefer
butter, use meat fat or lard), and one
egg. Stir in as much -four as possible
then place upon the board and mix in just
enough to have them roll out nicely-they
must be quite soft. Roll them about one
fourth of an inch thick, and bake in a
quick oven. Ginger, IL liked. ...s.
HARD SoAP.-Sx pounds of soda; sew
eral pounds of grease; three pounds of I'M
slaked lime and four gallons Of water. Put
soda. lime and water into kettle and boil
until dissolved; let it stand two days,
pour off the liquid, throw away the dregs
add the grease to the liquid and boil un-
til it is of the thickness of honey. Then
turn out into wash.tub to harden, cut
into whatever shape you like, dry and
pack away for use. Any grease will an
swer If cleansed.
BoILs should be brought to head by !
warm p0ultices Of cammomile flowers, or !.
boiled white lily root, onion root by fer
mentation with hot water, or by stimula-
ting plasters. When ripe they should be
DESTROYED by needle or lancet. But
this should not be attempted till thew are
fully proved.
az
DozE CAKE.-Two cups of sugar, three.
fourths of cup of butter, cream. then add
four beaten eggs. one cup of sweet milk.
one teaspoonful of soda, two cups Of -four,
two teaspoonfuls of cream of tartar. Dis
solve the soda in the milk and stir the