Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-08-26
FARM AND FIRESIDE.

WEIGHT.-To readers of the agricultural
papers this is no new question. In them
the question is frequently asked and, so far
as can now call to mind IN cases coming
to my notice, has always been answered by
wool growers in the affirmative. Some
state that for short time it will lose
slightly in weight and then begin and COR
tInue to gain for about year, gaining in
the end more than the first loss. The ex-
tent of the gain is variously given and no
doubt varies in different kinds or classes of
wool. remember seeing the statement of
a wool grower Of large experience, that the
gain in some cases amounted to two per
cent. do not remember to have seen so
extraordinary gain as in Mr.. Garrads case
reported, and it will perhaps suggest to
most persons the possibility of an error in
weighing as an explanation. A gain of
over thirteen per cent. seems almost mere
dible and yet the case of a single fleece
sheared May 25th weighed eighteen
pounds, thirteen ounces. On June 10Th,
it was again put On the scales and weighed
strong nineteen pounds, being gain of
three ounces in considerably less than
month. The rate of gain for mine was
equal to or greater than the case in ques
ton. The fleece was washed one.
In further confirmation of the fact that
wool in storage will gain in weight at least
for limited period of time, give the fol-
| lowing additional examples from my own
experience: In the spring of 1880 my crop
of wool consisted of fifty fleeces, weighing
as sheared $40. 1t was sheared from June
| I'd to 5th, and was stored and held till
November Sth, when it was sold and
weighed. at this time the weight had in
creased to 376 pounds Il omit fractions).
Again, last spring my crop weighed at
shearing time, 543 pounds. The greater
part of the flock was sheared May 25th and
the balance some weeks later. The entire
lot was sold June 10th and at that time
weighed $40 pounds, being as in the other
case gain Of six pounds. These exam
Piles appear to contradict the statement Of
some that wool loses for short time
after shearing, but we must not forget to
allow the exceptional cases.
In each case my sheep were we'll washed
and the wool put up in good condition and
stored in dry room with abundant venti-
lation, and neither rats nor mice disturb
ed it, and no observable foreign matter
accumulated on it to add weight; it was
weighed fleece by fleece as it came from
| the sheep on a pair of delicate scales,
| and afterwards a permanent record made.
| Every proper precaution was taken to
avoid errors. When sold, the wool was
weighed in larger lots, at home and again
on the buyers scales.
| In conclusion need hardly say that I
believe wool will increase in weight in
store without any dishonest additions by
| the growers. hope many others will be
induced to give US their experience.
Now, will some one give US the why and
wherefore of this gain [ do not remem=
Der having seen any philosophical or scien-
| tifc explanation of the fact.
| KEEPING FLOUR SWEET, keeping
properties of -four depend largely on the
care bestowed upon wheat before it reach
es the miller's hand. The wheat should
| not be allowed to stand in the field expos.
ed to drenching rains, or housed in damp
state. 1t is quite generally agreed that
the bran of wheat sours first, and the high
grade OF flour, from which every vestige
of the hull is removed, retain their fresh
ness longest, Ii wheat is perfectly dry
when put into the bin or garner it will
keep much longer time without heating,
but it will keep a much longer time if
stored where current of fresh air is adj
mitted. Flour will keep best in a cool,
dry, airy room. In the summer, flour
should not be stored either in a cellar OR
garrett, but in rooms where there is free
circulation of fresh air. Flour should not
be stored with grain or other substance.
which are liable to heat, as it has been
known to spoil from being stored in con-
tact with such articles.
VEAL STEW.-Cut four pounds of veal
into strips three inches long and one inch
thick; peel twelve large potatoes and cut
them into slices one inch Thick. spread a
layer of veal on the bottom of the pot,
sprinkle in little salt and pepper, then
layer of potatoes, then layer of veal sea-
soned as before. Use up the level thus
Over the last layer of veal put layer of
salt pork, and over the whole layer of
| potatoes. Pour in water till it rises an
inch over the whole; cover it close, heat
| fifteen minutes and simmer it an hour.
| A MASSACHUSETTS farmer who is noted
| for the excellence of his corn crop says
that his plan for years has been to SOW
clover on third part of his plow land
and let it grow and remain uncut through
the entire season, blowing it under late
the next season and planting corn upon it.
His experience, he says, teaches him that
clover with Its vast amount Of root is full
| ly equal to Is loads of manure per acre.
Then he takes another third part and pro-
ceeds in the same way. Few farmers ap-
| preciate the value of clover.
| THERE is such thing as keeping more
| than profitable number of cows or sheep
upon a farm. A half dozen half starved
COWS will not yield as much milk as three
that have all the food they want. If there
| is no more stock than can be well kept the
| returns will be the greatest in money, and
also in the satisfaction of seeing the ami
mails in good, healthy Conditioning small
| part of the income to one who loves to
have good stock Well kept upon his farm.
| To CLEANSE BLANKETs.--Put two
large tablespoonsfuls of borax and pint
bowl of soft soap into tub of cold water
When dissolved put in pair of blankets
and let them remain over night Next day
rub them out and rinse thoroughly in two
waters and hang them up to dry. Don't