Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-11-05
1@ Transient advertisements payable INvARI
FARM AND PRESIDE.

EFFECTS OF DEEP PLowING.-On the
subject OF raw soil you give, on page 547,
the experience of John johnson. was
pleased to see this, as it SO exactly agreed
with ny own practice. Years ago pillow.
I'd field that had been largely exhau ted
by long cropping. The soil was CLAW
loan with fair drainage. 1t was plowed
to the beam, bringing up some five or six
inches OF raw soil. which had not seen the
light since deposited by glacial action.
and which changed the appearance of the
field, displaying variety OF coIors, with an
increased friability of soil, that made it
seem like an ash field. The crop put upon
IL without manure) was a failure. 1t was
some better the next year, and continued
to increase in productiveness till, in a few
years, it surpassed its former fruitfulness.
without any manure at all, the crops be-
Ing grain and the land yearly plowed, and
to the same depth. 1t was then seeded
down to timothy and clover, yielding
heavy crop OF clover with paster) and SUI
perior grazing for many years, other
grasses and white clover working in and
thickening the set. The field is a hillside
facing the south, and seems permanently
improved,
Since then 1 have met with similar
cases. On level land. Undertaking
| should precede the deepening of clay soil,
where the subsoil tardily parts with It's
| water. Before blowing, it would be
good plan to fine the topsoil with a cult
vator and harrow. This turned down,
aired and enriched (by working) and
warm, would have good effect on the
crude earth below.
l have good instance of the benefit of
| turning off water. Last fall I forked up
| spot of ground that had never been plow-
ed. and had laid unoccupied, save by few
weeds and scant grasses, for over fifty
years. 1t was mostly composed of clay,
| and an open ditch, cut few years ago to
carry off the hill water, drained it, giving
chance for the -aln water to pass through,
warming, airing, and enriching it, thus
correcting largely its raw character. It
worked up mellow. In the spring another
forking was given 1t, followed in few
weeks by still another, and manure was
applied and mixed with the surface soil.
Sweet corn and tomatoes were planted,
| and the growth that followed was aston
ishing; no better yield have ever known.
Tbs immediate success is chiefly owing to
the ditch. In connection with ditching,
subsoiling is an advantage, as you suggest,
favOring rather the admission of air and
warmth, thus in measure correcting the
under soil before it is brought up, and al
lowing OF deeper blowing at time, so that
the work Of reclamation is sooner accom-
plished.-F. G.. In Country Gentleman.
A WET CELLAR FOR KEEPING AP-
PLEs.-In view of the constantly increas-
ing production of apples and the seeming
ly almost universal crop the present sea-
son, and as the late-keepers usually bring
the most remunerative prices, it. is of vast
Importance that we practice the best meth
DDS of picking, packing and sorting. In
this matter many have pet theories that
are directly opposite to those of others
For instance, a recent correspondent states
that among essentials for keeping apples is
dry cellar with cement bottom. This is
directly opposite to the experience of all
fruit dealers who visited my cellar for the
purpose of inspecting stock during the
past winter and spring, among them two
from West Virginia who handled thous-
ands of barrels in this county alone the
past season, and extensive fruit growers.
One of them remarked that whenever he
entered cellar and was compelled TO walk
on boards to keep out of the water, he was
sure to find the fruit in good condition,
allowing, of course, that the temperature
mad been kept as near the freezing point as
posslble-as is necessary in either case.-
Now both OF these advocates are enthusi-
astic in their theories; is it true that both
are correct2 As an experiment. during
applepicking last fall selections were made
of the Northern Spy and Yellow Bellfow-
er, carefully handled; each specimen of the
Ia tier was wrapped separately in paper and
placed in ventilated packages, and stored
Immediately in my cellar. where, owing to
the sprlngy nature Of the location, not,
withstanding the thorough drainage, dur
ing the spring months water will be found
on portions Of the earth bottom. The result
has been that we are now July p supplied
with samples of the Spy in a good state Of
preservation; the Bellfower held out
well till June 1. Taking into considers
ton that neither variety is classed among
the long keepers, the latter being what
dealers term "holiday fruit,'' / am fully
convinced that by careful and judicious
handling, and practicing all the other best
known conditions favorable for keeping
fruit, dampness, or IN other words wet
cellar bottom, is not detrimental to the
bookkeeping of our winter fruit.
UTILIZING THE TIME.-A friend who
has several small and careless children.
who continually scatter different articles
about her sitting room, keeps her house in
order by ''pickiDg up all the time" After
several days spent in her home, saw that
she really did this, but so deity and easily
that did not at first observe it. The ia
BILE cover was Strengthened as she passed if
for her thimble, the baby's toys were put
in order as she stopped to pat him, and the
disarranged ornaments of the mantle
found their proper place by a move or two
of her hand. l find that this constant care
is the foundation of good housekeeping.
"Gussse Thomas" On Country Gentleman.
DYEING SILK.-Any one who is pieeinp
silk quilt, or is expecting to piece one