The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-07-01
FACTS FOR FARMERS.

Il
The seventeen-year old locust has
made its appearance in some parts OF
Ohio.
June is a good time for pruning. Larger
limbs may be cut away now, covering
all cuts with: yarnish, paint, or melted
grating wax
"Flowers might almost be said to
be made for children, and whoever
really loves children loves flowers al
So" go
The cattle drive of Texas will be
larger this year than for several years
past, amounting to at least 100000
head.
Now and then a farmer may be found
who annually sows an acre or two Of
barley. This grain is excellent when
mixed with other sorts for feeding pur-
poses. The two-rowed and four-rowed
are the principle varieties sown.
IRON plugs set into plum trees and
struck soundly with an axe or hammer
is said to be the III st effective means of
bringing down the curculio, and is
much better than the padded mallet.
JAMES r. DODGE, in his investigation
of sheep husbandry in the south, re-
ports more than 100000 killed by dogs
last year, or more than five per cent. Of
the entire number in: that section.
1t is anticipated that the peach crop
will be very large this year, and it is
doubtful about finding ready market
for all of it at remuneratiye prices
Growers should therefore take steps in
time to save the surplus that will not
pay to ship by drying. :;
Wasp's nests are frequently ignited
by some chemical action, supposed to
be that of the wax upon the paper like
substance of which the nests are form
ed. Spontaneous combustion of this
nature is believed to have been the
cause Of many mysterious fires in
haystacks and farmers buildings.
With newly-planted trees it will pay
to give q little time in examining their
condition. If they are loose or leaning
to one side, a minute spent in pressing
the soil about them with the foot will
often save them. A mulching, if not
already given to young trees, should be
provided before the long drouth. Al
most any substance that will cover the
soil and protect it from the sun will
do.
The Chinese and Japanese excel all
other nationalities in the culture of
early vegetables. This arises from the
fact that they use only liquid manures;
hence the growth of the plants is most
rapid, and as a natural consequence
the vegetables are very brittle and tend
er. Lettuce and raddishes they force
rapidly; giving the plants Il sprinkling
once q day. Tobacco and tea plants are
also treated in a like manner
EVERY farmer knows that exposing
potatoes too long to the rays Of the sun,
or exposing to plenty of light air, will
soon ruin them. A good farmer will
dig and dry his potatoes at the proper
time, as quick as convenient, and take
them to his dark cellar. without delay,
being careful not to have too many in
one bin. Potatoes which are fine and
mealy when dug, treated in this man.
ner will remain good until new early
potatoes are ripe.
The old practice among farmers of
annually scraping the trunks of apple
trees and afterwards applying q coat of
whiteWash is not so common at the
present time as it used to be. Still the
good results following the labor will re-
pay one. Underneath the dry and dead
bark countless numbers of yermin
make their home; when the bark is re-
moved and whitewash applied the des-
truction of all vermin is certain.
Glover and timothy sho,,1d no c,t
when in full blossom; if allowed to get
ripe the quality Of hay is not so good.
BY beginning early the work need not
be hurried. Use the mower after the
dew is off in the forenoon. Cut only as
much as can be we'll cared for. It is
often remarked that the average quail
ty of hay is not so good as before the
introduction of the moving machines,
from the temptation to cut the grass
faster than it can be cured.
Washing sheep under the present
system of buying wool will perhaps be
the prevailing practice. If care is
taken to keep the sheep so that the
wool will not be filed with dirt, it is
better not to wash. Fleeces should be
done up with care nicely rolled and
securely tied with light twine. When
it is known that a farmer put up his
wool in neat shape without any tags,
ETC., he will obtain the highest price,
Everywhere, but especially here, '''hon-
esty is the best policy" " =
Hay Caps.
Our eastern farmers. who aro most