Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-05-13
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
osssor Horse Stables.

stables has been OiSCusSeu. we nave
tried clay and ordinary dirt, but they
did not prove satisfactory. Holes W ould
be dug almost daily by the forefeet the
urine would gather there, and unless
great care was taken TO fill them up and
to smooth over the soil daily and wash
the horses feet, scratches would follow,
and probably what is commonly called
quarter r-crack result, which Is likely
permanently TO injure the animals.
Sand and even sawdust have been
recommended, but as they were clearly
not desirable, we never tried either.
We began with plank flooring, were
dissuaded from using it, but have re-
mrned to it, and found IL preferable to
the others. We prefer hemlock. IA
double two-inch plank, with the front
part kept well covered with straw at all
times for the fore-feet. and ut nights to
be well-bedded with straight rye straw.
We have found no disadvantages from
the flooring; the feet have not suffered,
so far as we can discover. Some object
to the planks, first, because they
are hard, and Others that they be-
come slippery, and the horse is
liable to fall and strain himself
in getting up; but, If we re-
member rightly, the plank roads were
ness or slipperyness; and as 10 slipping.
if the flooring is little inclined the
water is carried back, whence slight
gutter, also inclining somewhat, either
removes 1t from the stable on the outside.
or il il allowed to pass under the floor
through small holes in the gutter. But
where these arrangements have not
been made, a covering of sifted
coal ashes over the floor will pre-
vent the slipping. We have known
floors in stalls to be made of boards or
planks turned up on an edge, which is
about as hard as anything can be; also,
of hagstones, mortar, and even of as
phaltum, all which we should suppose
might prove injurious to the animal,
but we have never heard that they
were. Hemlock planks, laid as we have
mentioned, will prove, take all The cir
cumstances into consideration, about as
satisfactory as anything that can be
substituted, and far neater and not more
expensive.-Gern,antOton Telegraph.
Currants and Their Cultivation.
The first requisite is, not wetness, but
abundant and continuous moisture.
Soil naturally deficient in this, and
which cannot be made drouth-resisting
by deep blowing and cultivation, is not
adapted to the currant. Because the
currant is found wild in bogs it does not
follow that it can be grown successfully
in undrained swamps. 1t will do better
in such places than on dry, gravelly
knobs, or on thin, light soils, but our
fine civilized varieties need civilized
conditions. The well-drained swamp
may become the very best of currant
fields; and damp, heavy land that is
capable of deep, thorough cultivation
should be selected If possible. When
such is not to be had, then by deep
plowing, sub-soiling. by abundant mulch
around the plants throughout the sum-
mer, and by occasional waterings in the
garden, counteracting the effects of
lightness and dryness of soil, skill can
go far in making good natures dsficien-
cies.
Next to depth of soil and moisture the
currant requires fertility. 1t is Justly
called one of the "gross feeders" and
is not particular as to the quality OF its
food so that i. is abundant. i would
still suggest, however, that it be fed ac-
cording to its nature with heavy COM
posts in which muck. leat-mold and the
cleanings of the cow stable are largely
present Wood-ashes and bone-meal
are also most excellent. II stable or
other light manures must be used,-
would suggest that they be scattered
literally on the surface in the fall or
early spring, and gradually worked in
by cultivation. Thus used. their light
heating qualities will do no harm. and
they will keep the surface mellow and
therefore, moist.-E. p. Roe.
Grating.
Every young man who aspires to the
honor of owning farm should acquire
the skill necessary for doing his own
grating. Only few tools are required,
and little practice under the instruc-
tion of n competent teacher will enable
any one who has a reasonable amount
of docility to put in gratis successfully.
To do the business as IL should be done
requires good judgment, n knowledge OF
the laws of growth, and of the rules by
which one should be guided in the in
teresting process of causing a tree TO
bear Just the kind of fruit desired. In
grating young tree care should be
taken to form n well-shaped top. Toe
10 6uma the limbs should not be cut of
for grating, and after the gratis have
had years growth great care should be
taken to cut away just enough and not
any more of the remaining limbs. II
they are all cut away the tree will suffer
and will not have sufficient foliage
to keep 1t in growing and thrifty con-
dition. If too little Is removed the
graits will be shaded and cramped in
their growth and the labor of grating
well nigh lost. When the trees are
large, IL is necessary to know what
limbs to cut away for grating, how
many itis desirable to graft, and of what
size. To make the scions grow. 1t ID
necessary 10 manipulate the process very
skillfully, so that the ascending sap will
enter the bark of The scion and start II
into life. The wax must be made so rs
to protect the wounded limb, and re.
'main till the scion Is well started in it,
new growth. Grating wax may b'
made by melting together four pounds
of common rosin, two pounds of bees
wax and one pound of tallow. If to bt
used in the orchard in cool weather
add quarter of pound more of tallow