The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-03-23
AGRICULTURE

dalrymen nave not sufficiently appro-
ciated the value Of the pumpkin as 4
food for producing milk. The 'preju-
| dice against this food for milk cows has
arisen from the effect OF seeds when
given In too large quantity. The seeds
have diurctic effect, operating on the
Kidneys, and this sometimes lessons
the flow of milk; but If II small portion
of the seeds are removed, this danger
| Is wholly overcome. Indeed, the cases
| OF Ill effect have probably occurred
from Feeding more than the due pro-
portion of seeds. We have seen pump
kins fed quite freely with excellent re-
suits In quantity and quality of milk :;
but 1t is not fit or economical to feed too
largely Of any one food. Potatoes fed
in moderation are excellent for milk :;
but given III too great quantity, they
will reduce the yield. Turnips or bects
must not be given too literally, corn
odder, given as a sole ration, is un-
profitable; but fed with half pasture,
they ecp up the yield of milk and add
greatly to the profit OF the season. SO
pumpkins arc excellent, to keep up the
full flow OF milk. Having fully tho
value of turnips, per weight, they are
more chcaplY raised, and should be adj
ded to the yearly supply Of food by
every dairyman. When grown alone, 1t
is found that as many tons per acre may
be produced as Of turnips; but the Gus
tom mostly is, to grow the pumpkin
with q corn crop. From one to three
tonsmay be grown with good yield
Of corn, requiring little more than plac-
Ing the seeds aG distances Of 70 feet
apart, In alternate rows of corn. The
cultivation OF corn is sufficient atten-
ton to the pumpkin crop; and this crop
will often equal, In food value, ten
bushels Of corn per acre.
FARM AND EDUcAT1oN.-Th farmer
should understand chemistry, geology,
conduct his calling intelligently. This
is beginning to be understood by poiit-
lcal economist abroad. Even Ireland
has over two hundred farm schools. In
this country where almost universal
culture exists, the farmer IS q constant
student, and by the help Of his agricul-
| tural paper, keeps thoroughly posted in
all the now discoveries, and the record
ed experiences relating to his special
calling. The first agricultural school
was founded by Fellcnberg III Swltzcr-
land, in 1906. Thousands of pupils
were graduated there; giving to thut
country great and lasting impetus in
the progress sofcivilization, Intelligence
dertaken by the French, under Mac
Mahon, in 1873. was 10 organize sys-
tenn Of agricultural education. In Prus-
sia there is not a province but can boast
it's agricultural school and model FARM
Such sweeping statements as these do
injury. 1t is not true that q "fnrmcr
should understand chemistry, geology,
botany, zoology and mechanics. in order
to conduct his calling intcllgently,"
and tie proof is in the fact that there
are thousands OF very intelligent per-
sons who know nothing OF any of these
things-men who have money at their
calling, and who have made it intelli-
gently In this pursuit OF course all
these accomplishments are useful, but
they arc just as useful to the great ma
jority of mankind in other pursuits as
in farming.
HORSES FEET.--The sound condition
Of the feet Of horses and mules is a very
Important matter with all persons who
have any use for horse e1icSh. either on
the plantation, farm or road, and very
few have sufficient knowledge Of the
subject to properly guide them In ref
crence to it. We therefore think that
the following remarks may be of sery-
leo. Wherever there is Il tendency TO
y HOMR
OF New York recommends The use of
meadow moss, which, if dried and kept
on hand, can be used whenever needed:
but one of the best compositions is the
following mixture: barbados tar, two
pounds; bees-Wax, one and one-half
pounds; honey, ore pOuEd; suet, beef
or mutten, two pounds; and whale oil,
four pounds, which should be SLOWLY
melted In hot water, and applied once
or twice week by small brush, the
feet being thoroughly, clean and dry at
the lime. Relative to the shoeing of
horses, 1t will only be necessary to re-
new shoes when the foot has outgrown
the old ones, or when they become
loose or worn out. Horses that are en-
ployed on roads and hard ground, will
need shocing much oftener than those
that are used In farming hut, unless
caused by accident, no oftcner than
once month.
WHEN TO SELL.-The producer will.
profit more In the end by expecting,
upon the earliest opportunity. fair re-
muneration for his products and maxi
ing immediate use of the money they
bring, rather than holding on for a
speculative rise, running the risk of a
heavy fall, and losing the use of the
money In the meantime. Anexchanyc
relates the case OF a farmer. who made
1t rule to turn HE crops, into cash as
soon as they were ready for. the market,
whatever the price might be-, Some
times he lost, but more frequently
gained ,Eand an experience of thirty
years convinced him that he had made
no mistake In adhering to the rule. This
case can doubtless be Offset with in
Vulnerable instances where farmers, by
waiting one, two or three months later
have realized extraordinary profits.
But no mans experience Is uniform in
that direction; and 1t Is true Of spccu-
latlon In the products of the farm as IL
ls true of speculation in Wall street;
the proportion Of those who fail is
ninety to every ten who succeed.
AFTER many experiments, q certain
and speedy remedy for ,burdocks has
been discovered In kerosene oil. If a
small quantity be poured into the heart
Of the plants, directly after cutting,
they Will disappear entirely, roots and