Connecticut western news., 1880-06-16
FARM AND GARDEN.

in the summer should be kept turned lest it become too dry, and dry rot, which completely destroys its value, oc- cur. It should be kept in low, fiat heaps, and if swamp muck can be pro- cured to mix with it, its value will be preserved better than in any other man. ner. That made in yards and trodden by cattle will keep in the best condition, as it will not heat injuriously and will decompose slowly; manure that is kept over for use in the fall will be safest in a compost heap, in which, in the absence of other materials, earth has been mixed and the whole made up in broad flat heaps, not more than two feet high, and dished or hollowed in the center and well trodden by cattle, if possible.
 FODDER CROPS.
 No farmer should neglect to grow all the fodder crops he can to make up for the inevitable loss of hay. Sweet corn or common field corn planted in drills will be the most convenient crop, and will give the heaviest yield. If manure is scarce some active artificial fertilizer should be used. Hungarian grass or millet may be sown in place of corn, and will yield on good soil two and one-haf or three tons of good hay, which is of high feeding value. Golden or German millet is a large variety, which makes a very tall and leafy herbage, but it re- quires rich soil to produce heavy yield. Prickly comfrey has been much praised and very much abused in turns since it was introduced, four years ago, and recommended as a fodder crop. When tried it then, no animal would eat 1t, pigs even refused it, and joined with others ie berating it as failure. Butit is only fair to say that the present year cut some for Jersey COW, not expect ing she would thank me for the gift, but I was agreeably disappointed; she took it with avidity, and "cried for more, " and am pleased to think that was not in a hurry to root up the plants at the first failure. After all, it may be that COWS and horses may be educated to eat and enjoy this plant. Everything has its uses. Even the fetid skunk cabbage has its uses, and may be rescued from the disgrace of being termed Ca vile, unsightly weed,'' for it is readily, nay eagerly, eaten by my pigs; this I dis covered accidentally, and the swamp meadow is made to yield daily feed for these animals, which they enjoy remark ably. If this disagreeable plant should turn out to be of value for this purpose and it may very likely have medic inal and healthful effect on the pigs-it will be a gain from 8 quarter where it was least expected.
 | SALT FOR PLUM TREES.
 Many years ago blight called the black knot destroyed all the plum trees, and then attacked the cherry trees and killed them. Every one felt the loss of these delicious fruits, and purchased new trees to take their places, but in spite of all efforts to save them they met the same fate. Discouraged with repeated failures the inhabitants of this vicinity gave up, and luscious plums were un- known. Three years ago I sent to an- other part of the State and purchased a few trees of different varieties, and set them out with care, hoping to have more favorable results. For two years they grew finely. In the spring of 1879 I saw signs of the old disease upon the limbs and twigs; I felt quite desperate and determined to do something for their salvation. It was evidently 8 case where it would be kill or cure. I had heard that plums were indigenous upon the seashore and islands in the ocean. I had quite quantity of fish brine and salted cucumber brine, and I gathered it all and with a small mop washed the trunks of the trees, and gave the boughs good shower bath of the brine. What was left I turned around the roots of the trees. Two trees I left unwashed. Everybody said had killed my trees. Perhaps had; but the black knot would have killed them if I had not. Ibought the trees myself, and had right to ex. pertinent upon them if chose.
 The last of May my salted plum trees were one mass of bloom, and in Septem
 Der I could sit down under them anc
 eat all the plums I chose. They were
 delicious. I had the Lady Washington
 the large white egg plum, the apricot and some other varieties that could no name, as the labels were effaced. Tht
 trees that did not enjoy salt bath dit
 not blossom or fruit, made little growth and the knots put in an appearance. II October I scraped off the black excres cences and put on some brine, hoping t. save them. looked at them the othe , day, and the wounds are heale, over and there are no new eruptions
 The trees which doctored in the sprin, , are still free from all signs of the blight , l enjoyed my plums enough last fall t pay me for my trouble, and I had enougl f of them for my family and home use an
 to give my friends treat: A neighbo f said that my plum trees bore so full tha , they were sure to die. It may be sc , but I have had the satisfaction of eatin
 the fruit of the trees I planted. If the
 die shall set out some more, and
 they live I shall salt them again.
 My plum trees are all alive, and not f sign of disease is to be seen, either O . branch or twig, and the bark is brigh f and smooth. state the facts as the | Occurrod and 1oavo if to ohoro;s4s 4