The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1880-03-03
AGRICULTURE

starting in life, especially those VINO
possess large tracts of land, might DO
worse than plant pecan grove OF
dimension. True, they
NAV not lro luce much for ten or
twelve years from the lime OF plant
ing the seed, but the period Of bearing
will approach much sooner than most
persons are aware of; besides they
would afford q permanent investment,
which they might draw from when
thew become older, and remain leg
acy to their children afterwards.-Ez-
change.
SALT FOR STOCK.-The value of silt
for stock cannot be Oyerrated. 1t is
an undoubted fact that where animals
have unrestrained access to salt at all
times many of the diseases to which
they are liable are warded off and pre-
vented by keeping the system regular.
Farm animals, when kept on grass or
green succulent feed, naturally take
more salt than when kept on dry fod-
der. Salt increases digestion by in.
creasing the flow of saliva, aiding fur
thor also by promoting thirst ard a
constant flow of finds to assist in dis
solving much of the food which other
wise might be only imperfec,ly digest
ed. Actual experiments carefully
conducted have demonstrated that
where two hogs are fattened, one fed
with salt in its food and the other with
salt excluded, the one fed salt food
fattened very much faster and in sew
oral weeks less time. 1t exceeded in
weight by a considerable proportion
the one fed without salt in it's food
Stock should have free access to salt,
and they will only take what is need
full; but if they are left without it for a
long time surfeit is often taken which
operates injuTiously.
To RESTORE Worn Or LANDS
One of the most important questions Of
the day is, how shall we restore our
worn ont lands / propose to make
an answer to the question which is up
plicable to clay lands that lie level, or
are hillside ditehed sufficiently to keep
them from washing. 1t 10 this: In
September SOW three pecks of rye to
the acre; In April turn It under and
plant peas in drills three feet apart,
pillow and hoe them once. In June OIL
July turn them under and plant in
peas again and cultivate in same way
In September turn the peas under
again, sowing at the same time rye, az
at first. In the following spring turn
tue rye under again and plant corn or
cotton, as you please, and you will
find that with propercultivation a crop
will be made that will amply compen-
safe. for the trouble and expense in
CURED in the previous preparation Of
the land. To follow out this plan will
require some patience and labor, but
10 the end it will prove cheaper than
guano, and more lasting in its effects,
1t ia rather late now to begin the ex-
pertinent, but not too late. Rye sowu
in January win make considerable
growth by the first of April, and fur.
nish sufficient amount of vegetable
matter for turning under to make q
good feed for the succeedingpea crops
The pea, like clover and other legumi.
nous plants, derives a great deal o
nourisbment from the atmosphere, ant
is not like corn, cotton and other crop
dependent entirely upon the ferttlit.
of the soil for it's food. 1t would, o
course, be better to continue this pro
cess for two years; the effect would b.
greater, and the benefit mole lasting
but my experience is that the process
suggested for one year will prove quit
beneficial to him who tries it, Elk
change.
How TO GROW IRISH PorAroEs.-I
should be the object of every farmer t
learn to make every crop with the yer.
least amount of labor. Therefore it
necessary to know the nature ofasu
different plants. Tile new potatee
always grow on the same level the ot'
are planted hence they should not b
planted too near the surface or the,
will crop out and be sunburnt neithe
should they be planted too deep o
they will smother for want of light an'
air-for the potatoes have eyes. Til
ground should DO naturally dry, rs n
amount of draining will fit some LAM
for good crop at the season when 20
tatoes grow best. Rich sandy loan i
probably tha best soil, though tn
plantadapts itselfto almost any cir
cumstances, and good crops may b
grown on the poorest land or the hard
est clay. On good soil nothing is ne
cessary but to put the ground In goo'
condition and open it about thre
inches deep, and have the potatoes Gu
in pieces of two eyes or more, abou
three days previous to planting. Plan
about one foot apart and fll up th
furrow level with loose earth. This
oil that is necessary till they are jus