The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-09-04
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FARM, GARDEN, AND HOUSEHOLD,


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The Depth to Cover Seeds.
Rules are often laid down by writers
rs guides for farmers when planting the
seeds of their various farm crops, as
though any rule could be depended upon
under all circumstances, when the fact is
every one must use judgment in this as
in every other operation on the farm.
We have before us an account of an ex-
pertinent made by some one in sowing
wheat at different depths from one-iourth
of an inch to three or more inches deep,
also in leaving it upon the surface. That
sown from one fourth to three-fourths OF
an inch came up soonest and grew best,
while that left on the surface, and that
covered thee and half inches deep,
was two weeks in getting started. The
writer would, therefore, recommend
covering grain not less than one-half
inch, nor more than one inch deep to Sc
cure the quickest termination and the
most vigorous grewth, which would be
good depth whenever the soil is in the
best condition for planting, that is, when
it is just perceptibly moist throughout,
from the surface downward. But there
are times, during severe droughts, when
there is so little moisture in the top soil
that seeds planted less than an inch deep
while if covered two or three inches
deep, they would find moisture enough
to sprout them. Much may be done to
insure termination by stirring the soil
deeply just before sowing, to bring up
moist soil from the bottom, and by roll
ing the surface after sowing with heavy
iron roller to compact the soil and render
it capable of taking up moisture from
below by capillary attraction, but after
all it is usually good economy, in dry
weather, to sow seed, grain especially,
quite literally, and endeavor to work it
well down into the soil with cultivator,
disk harrow, or something of the kind.
The smoothing harrow may then follow
to level the surface, after which the land
should be rolled smooth and as hard as
the nature and condition of the soil will
allow. .. ........ y...-... ....
Some farmers delay sowing grass or
grain in autumn when the weather is
dry, and wait for rain, but we always
prefer to put in the seed as soon rs the
ground can be prepared, after the season
of sowing has arrived, and then trust the
future for rain to sprout it, and suitable
weather for its growth. If one could
plant no more seeds than would grow to
maturity, a great saving would be made
is usually better plan to seed literally
Than to stint the quantity. In the early
spring when the ground is usually quite
moist, shallow covering and even surface
seeding may be advisable, but in mid
summer deeper covering is demanded -
NcW England Farmer. .... .....
CareIessness as n 8 ource of Income.
1t is amazing to consider the extent to
which losses are incurred on the one
hand, and sales and occupation afforded,
on the other hand, by the inexcusable
carelessness of people who know better
and ought to do better. The fastening
of n we'll bucket is deranged, or hoop
is loose, but the. thoughtless man or
woman never notices the trouble until
the bucket is dropped in the well or the
bottom is out. Then time is lost, the
family is inconvenienced, and perhaps
n neighbor gets Job of work and the
pay. The gate-latch is out of order; no
attention is paid to it; the hogs OF cows
get in; the yard is rooted up; the shrub
berry is destroyed; the gardener is EN-
ployed, and the nurseryman iias an
order A tireis loose on the wheel the
wood is swiftly wearing away, II little
care wou Id set the matter right no pains
are taken; away on the road wheel is
crushed, and the wheelwright has some
employment. A shingle is out of place
on the roof; one nail would mend the
trouble that nail isn't driven; the rain
steals in, and soon the plastcrer is paid
To use trowel and brush. A bride rein
is weak; a bit is worn nobody thinks
of examining either; a horse is drawn to
one side, or horse runs away; vehicle
=, lN,.n1 l.
smith is profted, and perhaps surgeon
has profitable professional engage
ment. .'T
The water of a well is impure; those
who use it complain, no proper steps are
taken; the family have serious sickness !;
the druggist sells his medicines, and the
doctor gets his fees. In the same way the
cellar is foul; the mephitic gases escape
through the floors; the blood is poisoned !;
the fever RACES, some suffer; some die !;
the physician has harvest, and even
the undertaken and sexton find employ
ment. A stove-chimney is in a danger
Gus condition; people have eyes to see,
but don't use them; the fire soon does
its dreadful work, and carpenters and
merchants have a good time. So of
many-very many things. r
Are you innocent of such neglect
There are far better and cheaper ways
to give work and profit to others. By
taking care of what you have, you may
become able to add other and more val
liable things which you desire. There
is true economy in proper attention. to
small as well as great things Raral
Ne'o Yorker. p aHt'.''
Firm Butter without Ice. i..1
From w. z. Hazards treatise on
butter and butter-making, we extract the
following: In families or where the
dairy is small, good plan to have but
ter cool and firm without ice is by the
process of evaporation as practiced in
India and other warm climates. A cheap
plan is to get very large-sized porous
earthen flower-pot.With an extra large
saucer. Halffill the saucer with water,
set it in trivet or light stand-such as
is used for holding hot irons will do;
upon this set your butter; over the
whole invert the flower pot, letting the
top rim of it rest in and be covered by
the water; then close the hole. in the
bottom with a cork; then dash water
over the flower pot, and repeat the pro-
cess several times day, or whenever il
looks dry. If set in a cool place. ol