The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-08-19
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Cheap Garden Manure.


ing of small fields or gardens, more es-
pecialls those devoted to vegetables,
may be obtained lby simply digging. in
fresh vegetable refuse, even weeds pulled
or cut green previous to Towering and
seeding. So the unsightly and slovenly
appearance of heaps in the garden are
obviated, that are often seen where
there is no covered shed near by for
composing. For this there is generally
not much leisure left. In this connec-
tion it may not be amiss to state that
green plants piled tightly ferment; dry
ones decay; and the use of either for
manuring is governed by expediency
and other motives not within the scope
of this article, nor is the composing of
vegetable garden refuse, which opera
ton requires more or less time accord
ing to the management. Exposed out
of doors, the heaps lose nine parts out
of ten, not only of their size and sub
stance but also of their most valuable
qualities, by the continued action of the
sun, air and moisture thereon. But if
the-refuse is buried beneath the surface
of the ground while fresh and green, it
is then OF easy solution; the moisture
of the earth assisting the fermentation
and decomposition. The juices are pre-
served in the soil and ourish the inn
mediately succeeding crops. Yet it is
pertinent to add just here, that mas
much as fermentation is quick, con-
suming heat compared with decay,
which may be likened unto slow,
moldering ember, giving off during its
progress gases which feed vegetation
and decompose the siicates of soil,
therefore turning in green crops or fresh
refuse needs frequent renewal in order
to supply geine. This escapes more
freely in fermentation, as gas and more
volatile products are formed, than dur
ing decay. The texture of the soil also
requires consideration, both as regards
cohesiveness or friabeness and the
depth OF the covering COrrCSpc ndcncc
Of GernantoiCn Telegraph.
Pruning Tree Roots,
A contributor to the London GarIen,
who has lhoroughiy experimental with
root pruning, furnishes that journal
some valuable information on the sub.
ject, pointing out the causes of fail
ure as well as of success. AS the
operation is to be employed only on
trees whose vigorous growth is at
the expense of productiveneSs,
the mistake is sometimes made of prun-
ing roots of trees already too feeble, and
thus increasing the difficulty. The tree
becomes still more stunted and the fruit
smaller than before. Failure has re-
suited whenever the pruning has been
performed too late in spring or after the
buds have swelled or expanded. In
other instances the pruning has been too
severe, the roots being cut as short on
large trees as on small ones, without
judgment or discretion. The expert
ments were made on the apple and pear.
| a V1pOrnllS pIUht nrt tpf 30 re
old, which had scarcely made any fruit
buds, has done the best when about half
the roots were cut in one season and half
three years later, by going half way
around on opposite sides in one year and
finishing at the next pruning, working
two feet underneath, to sever downward
roots. 1t has always answered well,
also, to cut on such trees all the larger
and longer roots about two and a half
feet from the stem, leaving the smaller
and weaker ones longer, and going half
way around as already stated. The op-
GRAFTON was repeated three or iour years
later by extending the scut circle foot
or two further away from the tree. By
This operation unproductive trees be-
came completely studded with fruit
spurs, and afterward oore profusely.
This shortening of the roots had been
continued in these experiments for
twenty years with much success, the
circle ofroots remaining greatly circum-
scribed. The best time for the work
has been found to be in the latter part
OF August and beginning of September,
when growth has nearly ceased, and
while the leaves are yet on the trees,
causing great increase of bloom buds
the following year than when performed
alter the leaves have fallen.
HousehoId Hints.
A Germ IN mixture for the removal of
ink spots and writing on paper consists
of alum, amber, sulphur and saltpeter
one part of each-in fine powder,
mixed.
To make the hands soft take equal
portions of glycerine and alcohol; mix
well; before retiring at night wash the
hands in warm water and rub well with
the lotion.
An exchange gives the following
recipe for Il washing preparation: Put
one pound of saltpeter into a gallon of
water, and keep it in corked jug: two
taolespoontuls for pint OF soap. Soak,
wash and boil as usual. This bleaches
the clothes beautifully without injuring
the fabric.
The uses of ammonia in the house.
| hold are numerous. Put a teaSpoOnful
of ammonia in a quart oi warm soap
suds, dip II cloth in it and go over your
spoiled aint, ana see how rapidly the
dirt will disappear; no scrub 1ing will
be necessary. 1t will cleanse and
brighten wonderfully. To pint of hot
suds add teaspoontul of the spirits, dip
in your forks and spoons or whatever
else you have to clean, rub with a soft
brush and finish with chamois skin.
For washing windows and mirrors it
has no equal. 1t will remove grease
from all fabrics, without injuriug the
| garment. Put on the ammonia nearly
clear; lay blotting paper over, and set
hot iron on it for moment. Also a
few drops in water will cleanse and
whiten laces and muslins beautifully.
A few drops in bowl OF water, if the
skin be oily, will remove all greasiness
and disagreeable odors. Added to
loot bath, it will remove the disagree
able smell natural to the feet in warm
weather.
Bananas.
An interview with n PHILADELPHIA
fruit importer by one of the city dailies,
recentlV. brOu upht Ort the follnwinp m with