The Russellville Democrat., 1881-04-21

not so much as some believe. You may have the best of breeds, and leave them to get their feed the best they can and roost in the trees, and l am very certain they would not shell out many eggs if the weather was any thing like it has been this winter.
 UTILIZING BONES.
 Although bones are exceedingly valua- ble as fertilizers, very few farmers take any pains to collect them or tosave those taken from the meat they use in their houses. As rule dogs carry them of, generally dropping them in the woods or some unfrequented place, where they are of no advantage to cultivated crops or even to grass, for which they are highly beneficial. A few farmers save bones and sell them for nominal price to per sons who collect them for manufacturers. Butchers in country villages dispose of bones in the same way. A few farmers buy back the bones they sell after they have been ground or treated with sul- phuric acid, paying four or five times as much as they received for the raw mate- rial. Bones which have been treated with strong lye or ashes are more valua- ble for most purposes than those which have been prepared in any other man. ner. They are specially adapted to pota- toes, corn and grape-vines. Bones may be readily softened by boiling them in a large kettle with strong lye or wood ashes and water. About three bushels of ashes should be used for 100 pounds of bones. The larger bones should be broken before they are put in the kettle. It is generally necessary to boil them tutrn hana.na of n contents of the kettle should then be thrown out on plank floor and raked over with a hoe the same as mortar is. Any bones that remain hard may be treated a second time. A small handful of this material makes an excellent hill dressing for corn, potatoes, tomatoes, melons, or squashes. Bones may also be softened by placing them in barrels, boxes or tanks, with wood ashes, and keeping them down. Unless they are broken in small pieces, six months will be required to render them soft. Large bones like the skulls of cattle, sheep and horses may be placed in holes where grape-yines are to be set to excellent ad- vantage. The roots will penetrate the cavities, and in time completely absorb them.
 soUTH-DowN SHEEP.
 The South-down deserves first mention among the shott-wooled English breeds Valuable in itself, it has been still more valuable as a means of improving other breeds by crossing. Originally small, active, hardy sheep, with a light fleece of short wool and an indifferent carcas in form, but of much excellence in qual- ity of mutton, the South-down, as now bred, is one of the finest appearing of all breeds of sheep, with a form almost per- feet for meat production. As is the case with all improved breeds in America except the Merino, this breed is hornless The face and leg are dark gray or brown. The head is of medium size, well carried The neck thickens as it approaches the shoulders, which should be level with the back; loins and hips should be broad the rump long, the ribs well rounded The mutton is still cassed among the very best. The fleece has increased in weight, but is still light. The wool sells at good price. Sheep of this breed now occasionally reach a live weight of POO pounds or more, but the average is considerably below this. They differ considerably in size and form, owing largely to the character of the soil and climate where bred. They are noted for early maturity. The South-downs have long been fashionable breed in the United States-that is, they have been highly prized by some, and have sold at good prices. But they are not, and have never been, widely popular breed in this country. They have not been so much used for crossing with other breeds as have some of the long-wooled breeds. When mutton of fine quality is desired they can hardly be excelled, but other breeds are superior for the general farmer
 FARM TOOLS.
 A certain number of tools, and some skill in their use, will often save the farmer much time in sending for a mechanic, and some expense in paying him. Every farmer should be able to 1 make repairs on his wagons, gates and buildings. A room, or a portion of it, ! should be devoted to keeping tools; a