The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-31
AGRICULTURE.

great increase, during the past thirty
years III the variety and number Of in
SCOTS which destroy the farmers crops
mas made 1T necessary, for purposes of
ue1ence, to purchase and havo upon
the preHises some very active poison
GUS agents, mineral and vegetable.
{ Among these may be named Paris
green, for destroying the potato beetle {;
helleDore powder, for the currant
worms, rose bugs, etc. and strychnine,
Tor crows, Dlack-birds, etc., in corn
fields. These comprise some of the
most potent and deadly poisons known
TO science. BY far the most dangerous
: is Paris green, because 1t has come INTO
such general use that 1t is found in al
mosl every farmhouse in the country
Now, it Is a well-known principle In
human conduct that familiarity with
danger cngende1s Indifference, care
lessness, and negligence, and conse-
quently, however timid and cautious
ono may be in tho first handling of
dangerous implements or agents, in tho
course OF time extraordinary safeguards
are not thought of, and great reckless
ness succeeds to extreme caution. We
were impressed with this fact by for
tunately happening to observe u farmer
In the hurry Of haying time, in July,
seize wooden stirrer, which had been
,.o>" w 'itA@> - eSh 40 q SSil~h 1Vil llIb
thrust 1t into stone pitcher contain
Ing oatmeal and water, designed for
the mon in the field. or course the
peril was instantly pointed out, tho
beverage was thrown away, and per-
haps his lito was saved. 1t was ali IN
cident well calculated to create feel
.as of apprehension in regard to the
employment of this poison by farmers.
1t was kept in tool house, where also
was the package Of oatmeal, and here
tho mixing Of the poison and the bcver-
with the green powder. was the imple-
mont nearest at hand, and it was
thouhtlessly seized in the hurry of the
moment, All these conditions and cir
cumstances show great carelessness,
but 1t is greater than that shown by
others, in different ways? We fcai
not. In the first place, no poisonous
substances should be stored on farm
promises, unless it bc In al unused eel
lar or oulbuilding. 1t is better to make
tight box, large enough to hold all
the poisons needed to be kept on hand,
together with dredging boxes, stirrers,
ETC., and place this in secure place
away from tools, food and animals
Again, in using Paris green in gardens,
care must he observed that no peas,
beans or other vegetables, are in close
proximity to the potatoes, as the DOW
der might tall or be blown upon them,
and thus reach the dining-table and
cause mischief. These poisons are of
immense benefit to farmers.
PACKING EGGs.-It Is no uncommon
occurrence In cities to SEQ a grocer un-
packing eggs, many OF which have
been broken, thus distiguring many
others. This Is matter TO which Jhose
who are about sending eggs long dis
tances to market should give the clos
est attention, Never use chatf. Oats
are good, but rather costly. Fine cut
hay or straw are the best and most
available materials and should always
Pc sweet and dry. Put three inches OF
this at the bottom Of the package. then
layer Of eggs with the end toward
the side of the package, but not touch
Ing the side by an inch or more; then
put on several inches OF packing, pres
sing down gently with a follower; re-
move all but an inch In depth Of the
packing and put in another layer of
eggs In the same way as the first, TAX
lug care that the packing is press ed be-
tween the ends OF the eggs and the
y SIDE or the package, and so continue
until the last layer Is in, which should
be covered with at least two inches of
cover of the package pressed down
closely. Eggs packed in this way can
De transported long distances without
injury.
SQUAsHEs FOR WINTER UsE.-At pre-
sent there are few more profitable crops
than squashes. The Hubbard and oth-
er loug-keeping varieties may be pre-
served with little difficulty till rhc an
proach of spring. From this time till
appearance OF early vegetables there is
an extensive demand for them at good
prices. Baked winter squash is All cx-
cellent substitute for sweet potatoes.
Ihey also make fine puddings and pies. .
During tho past few years there has
been quite Il demand for squashes in the
east, City bakers use large quantities
OF them for making pies. They are cx-
ceilent Tor Feeding poultry during the
winter. Late sqnashes may be raised
10 good advantage In connection with
early sweet corn or peas. The latter
Will be out Of the way before the vines
Of the former have made much growth.
-Four or five rows Of corn, peas, or car
~ vegetables may be raised between
TWO rows of equashes. In gathering
squashes to keep over the winter u
small portion Of the vine should be cut
OH with the stem. Great care should
De taken to prevent bruising them.
Ihey may be kept in an unOccupied
room IN the house, beneath which here
1s fire, or in a dry cellar. They
should be examined occasionally to as
certain 1t any Of them show marks of
decay. Those that commence to rot
can be cut in slices and dried, stewcd
ana sliced In cakes, or they may be
fed to good advantage to pigs or poul-
try,
BELGIAN HoRsEs.-The Belgian draft
horses are usually bays or blacks, and
their origin is involved in obscurity
From the earliest period known to bis,
tory, the country along the coast in the
northern part of France, and as far
north as Holland, including what was
once known rs Flanders, has been IA
nous for It's immense draft horses, and
1t was from this country that Great
Britain originally drew the foundation
Tor all Its draft breeds. For MANY years,
however, the draft horses Of Grea t Bri-
tain have been bred with the care and