The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-02-19
TOPICS FOR THE FARM.

TOPICS FOR THE FARM.
Merino Sheep.-Merino sheep feed in
focks while mutton sheep separate al
most as much as herds of cattle when
feeding.
Nitrate Of SOda.-Persons using nj
trate of soda as fertilizer, ought to
bear in mind that of all fertilizers it is
the easiest washed out from the soil.
Weeds.-Of all the products of the
soil none are so prolific in seeds as
weeds: 10000 seeds have been counted
upon one mullen stalk.
Maturity of Cereals-Any of the
cereals may be cut at the roots when the
kernel is in the milk, and the seed will
ripen Just the same, showing that at
that time all the elements for peril ting
the grain are in the plant.
Cutting Scions.-During warm days,
the present is favorable season to re-
move cuttings of fruit trees for grating
in the spring. They should be securely
tied together, labeled, and packed in
moss or sawdust, and placed in the Gel
lar. '-.' - - "
Roots Of Grasses.-It is generally
supposed that that the roots of grasses
do not penetrate, very deep, but these
roots have been traced as far down into
the soil as four feet. Persons plowing
for seeding think that just loosening
the surface is sufficient, but if deep
plowing is necessary for any kind of
crops It is for grass, unless the soil has
been deeply worked for other crops.
Night Soil.-Night soil would prob
ably be considered a more valuable fer
tilizer If it was not so disagreeable to
handle, but if coal ashes and loan are
occasionally thrown into the vault it
may be handled without much trouble,
while these materials will absorb all the
gases, so that there will be no unpleasant
odors arising from it at any time.
Collie in Horseshoe fruitful source
of collie in horses is cracked corn. Ii
corn is to be fed use whole corn; it is
much more likely to be perfectly masti-
Gated than cracked corn, and its imper-
feet mastication causes the collie. It is
also unwise to feed grain to hungry
apt to be swallowed without being prop
erly masticated. Always let the edge
of q horses hunger be taken off with a
feed of hay, before feeding grain. Hall
an hour extra, spent in fee ding, when
on the road, will bring you home half
an hour earlier at night.
Wheat SOil.-The best soil for wheat
is where clay predominates. A mixture
of sand and clay is the best clay for a
succession of crops, and sand for a
bright, stiff straw, but too sandy soil
is too porous for wheat, although good
Spring wheat is frequently grown on
sandy SOILS Muck is not well adapted
for the growth of wheat, but where the
land is rich, wheat will succeed on 8
variety of soils. There is no better
preparation for wheat crop than clover
turned under. Nitrogen is needed fcl
the growth of wheat.
Glover Seed as Fertilizer.-Dr
Voelcker, after investigation, found thai
the quantity of fertillzing matter lef,
in the soil, after clover ed had beer
taken of, was greater than when two
crops of clover hay had been taken of
when not allowed to go to seed, ane
greater when two crops had been taker
off than when only one. From this il
appears that the clover plant, while pro
ducing its seed, and afterwards, is Still
capable, when the character of the sol
is favorable, of bring. up to the surface,
elements which increase the fertility
of the soil, and shows why better croI
of wheat is produced after the, clover
goes to seed than when the crop is re
moved for hay.
Cribbing HOrses.-After considerable
study of the subject, we are inclined tt
believe that horse Will not crib unles
the habit is based upon some defective
state of the general health. The study
of animal physiology develops many
curious facts. 1t is we'll known amons
competent observers that habits O
gnawipg, chewing, biting, cribbing, etc
may result from a variety of causes
some of which are such as would hardly
be expected. An irritation of the mu
cous membrane of the alimentary canal
caused by worms, Indigestion, or consti
patton, may makes horse crib. To cur,
cribbing horse, or to prevent hors
from learning to crib, we should do any
thing likely to improve the genera
health. of the animal. A closely boxet
stall may deprive an animal of tn
chance of cribbing. All torturing ar
rangements, as by halters, straps, etc.
are worthless as curatives. a lsq
Dry Cows.-lt is a common practic
among some dairymen to give their COWS
while dry, but scanty living. When
COW ceases to give milk, or is dried up
any food is considered good enough 10
her. | think this is q great mistake, ans
| the result il q diminished product o
milk, both in quantity and quality
when she does come in. There is larg
draft on the system to sustain the cal
while the cowiis carry ing it, and to keel
the cow in good condition, good teed i
as important as when she is giving
! milk. 1t is my opinion that ST wortf
OF food when the cow is dry is wortl
81 80 worth when she comes in. Al
animal in poor condition can not diges
q much food as an animal in good con
dition. If the cow is poor when sh,
comes in she will not digest enough
food to support the system, and, at tn,
same time, to make a large quantity O
milk. i-aas i 3s .8sii 1sI alf =
Experimenting with Sheep.-In or
der to test the difference in the con
sumption of food and gain in weight be
tween sheep exposed to the weather and
those protected from it. Lord Ducle had
100, sheep placed in a shed, which ate
twenty pounds Of Swedish turnips pc
day per head, another 100 in the oper
air ate twenty-five pounds per head pei
day for certain period. When the,
were weighed the former lot averaged
gain OF thirty pounds per head owe
the laffar Irr r,otbax !: q 2 e