The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-07-21
Cisterns for Farm Buildings.
Germantown Telegraph

In the endeavor to have everything as
convenient as possible about farm houses
and farm buildings, there are few things
more worthy of being cared for than cisterns
to hold the rain water from the roof. Even
where pumps are supplied it is often an
advantage to have cisterns in addition, as
soft water, that pumps will not always sup
ply, is of great value. At any rate, it often
happens that though there may be pump
convenient and water furnished by IL
all one can desire, even the little labor
that a pump requires for a single horse
or COW, becomes great task when
many are TO be supplied. We know of
one farm where ssventy-five head OF
cows, more or less, are on hand; and
all the water they require has to be fur
nished from pump; and II IS no small Job
TO do. Yet on this very farm le Ia d les so
convenient that cistern could be bui
on an elevation a little above the cattle
yard, and ell the water from the roof could
90 in II, and be drawn off into the cattle
yard by its own natural flow without pump
or labor of any kind. So it often happens
for household supplies A cistern could be
built which would cost little, and yet save
the women subsequently, over worked
many an hours labor, besides giving them
quality of water they all so much desire,
There is prevalent idea that they cost
great deal TO make; but il is far less than is
generally Unsigned If the land is solid-say
elther of clay or a rotten rock-the sides OF
the natural ground may be shaped like wall,
and Inning of mortar, say half an inch,
put on before the final cement coat is given.
But If there is any chance of settling, so as
TO crack the mortar framework, four-inch
brick-vork may be built around first. Most
ground is, however, firm enough for the pur
pose. The mortar, as 1t is land on to form
the lining or framework of the tank, should
be very well worked by the trowel. The
object is to work out ell the air. 1t is the
air spaces in the wall that make il porous,
and ii is through the pores that the water
escapes. a working of the trowel backward
and forward few times over the soft mo rtar
expels the air and closes the pores. This is
especially important to be borne in mind
when applying the cement. This need not
be put on very thick. The merest film, il
properly worked, is sufficient.
Origin and Qualities of the Chester White
Swine.
american Cultivatorl
In Chester County. Pennsylvania, origin
ated the Chester White pig, which it is said
was produced by crossing the Bedfordshire
boar upon the native sows of that County.
This boar was imported by Captain James
Jeffries In 1918 The breed originated with
the Duke of Bedford, upon his estate at Tro
burn, being the result of judicious crossing
with the Chinese hog upon some of the best
sows In his district. The Duke made a pref
ent of pair TO General Washington, which
never reached their destination, but were
sold in Maryland. Several importations
were made by the sailing masters of the
Liverpool packets. They were a large spot
ted animal, well made, and inolining to
early maturing and fattening. No
doubt the black and blue skins,
with an occasional spot of black hair, orig.
mates from the Bedfordshire. The mothers
are remarkably prolific and yield an album
dant supply OF milk. Crossed upon the
Suffolks or small Yorkshire they produce
excellent pigs for early fattening. The
Chester Whites would not be very popular
with those farmers who have TO keep their
pigs In pens all the time, and who do not
In end to keep them till over sixteen months
old. In this case there are number which
would be preferable Bat the fact that the
sows are such good breeders and suckers,
and remarkably docIle, will always render
them popular with breeders and those who
have good ranges of clover. The breed when
fully mature will reach 600 pounds ard not
unfrequently 800 pounds ct nine months.
The flesh, however. is not SO fine as that of
the smaller breeds, and consequently it is
an improvement to cross them with some of
that sort.
Rye Pasture.
re. F. Garrison, in the Iowa State Register.l
In the fall of the year, especially If it be
dry, there Is great deficiency In fall pas
ture. Rye In many ways can be made to
supply the deficiency. Under the old prac-
tice Of corn cultivation, rye was frequently
sown in the corn and ploved In the last
time Of going through the corn. But with
the shovel plow corn was cultivated later