The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-07-09
AGRICULTURE.

FORWARDING MRLoNs.-All our melons,
squsshes and other plants of that family,
come from tropical or warm countries, and
In order to yield the best returns in our
northern gardens, need every advantage
we can give them. Every one may not
find 1t convenient to start his cucumber,
melon, and similar seeds, on pieces of sod,
or in pots, in hot bed or frame, but he
may greatly hasten, or forward the same in
the open ground. All the expense or
trouble required is, to make a lot Of frames,
ono for each ''hill," Of six or eight inch
boards, and foot square. 1t may be more
convenient to get boxes from the store, at
little or no cost. 1t makes no difference if
the boxes are somewhat larger than the SIG
named, the object ls to get box without
top or bottom. Over such box frame,
tack piece Of thin muslin or cotton cloth,
and the thing is ready. Sow the seeds in
the usual way, and every afternoon, when
the day begins to be cool-soon after 3
O'Clock usually-turn these frames over the
''hills." This will hasten the termination
Of the seeds, and when the plants come up,
continue to protect them III this manner.
Ii cold windy day occurs, it will be bet
ter to leave these covers Oh than to expose
the plants to the weather. This use Of the
covers or frames may be continued until
the plants get too large for them. Not
only will plants thus treated be much ahead
VI those without such protection, but they
will also be largely preserved from tho at
tacks of the 'stripcd bug" so injurious TO
melons, cucumbers, and related plants. c.
pecially when young.
FARMERS BREEDING FAST STOCK. There
Is a good deal said by the agricultural jour-
nails about this question, ana there is pre-
vailing opinion that farmers should not
breed fast stock. Ne can hardly arrive at
such conclusion. If there is more money
In breeding thoroughbrcds than there is in
common horses, we say breed the thorough
breds. 1t is claimed that fast horses means
idleness, racc-tracks, gambling, whisky
drinking and swindling. That may be so,
but no one ever objects to the farmer raising
barley. corn, rye and hops, because such
products are required for the manufacturing
Of whlskey and malt liquors. There is as
much propriety in one as there is in the
other. We believe that horse racing Is
pcrnicious in its tendencies. We have the
same opinion in regard to drinking llunors,
unless used for medicinal purposes, but
that is no reason that barley, rye. corn and
hops should not be cultivated. The farmer
can breed fast horses and yet not patroniZc
the race-tracks, unless he chooses to do So
If he can raise horse that is worlh-whcn
four or five years old--livc hundred dollars,
IS it not his privilege, and Is it not better
than to grow plug, or Il dung hill, that is
only worth seventy live or hundred dol
lars at that ages We say let the farmers
make all the money they can OH OF their
farms in legitimate way. The more they
make the better 1t is for all of us.
PATIENCE WITH RosEs.-If the new roses
you have set out do not bud and bloom
satisfactorily at first, do not be discouraged
Give them time. First blooms are frequently
single and imperfect, and deficient III color
and fragrance, because tho roots are not
sufficiently established to furnish tho full
amount of nourishmcnt required. Other
causes will also produce like effects, as for
Instance poor ground, shade, and INSULT
cicnt light, too much or too little moisture,
too close proximity to buildings or larger
plants, trees, &c Anything that intcrfcres
with the growth of the plant will lessen the
beauty and color of the flower. All roses
40 best when planted in open ground III
summer. Give them chance and they
will repay all care and trouble.
OLD tan bark makes Il cool and dcliuhtful
walk under the shade OF trees 1t must be
laid on dry bottom, or it becomes very
unpleasant III wet weather. Stag from
furnaces ground up with ashes is the very
best material for garden walks, and the
color is more agreeable in hot weather than
gravel. Notwithstanding It's dark color,
1t Is not 30 hot, and 1t does not pack quite
so hard as the regular road material. Sand,
on the other hand, though 1t docs not pack
ut all, ia very hot, Oh account OF the very
hard nature Of it's PARTICLES.
WEEDS on graval walks may be DESTROYED
and prevented from growing again by
copiuos dressing Of the cheapest salt. THIS
is better method than hand pulling, which
disturbs the gravel and renders constant
raking and rolling necessary. One applica-
tlon early III the season, and others as NAV
be needed, while the weeds are small, will
keep the walks clean and bright.
lT Is OF the very utmost Importance that
stock should have good, pure water, and
plenty OF it. The thirst Of animals during
hot weather can readily be imagined fy,,,,
Judging 1t by the human thirst :; arn't dn I,''
prlve the animal OF s%tnlcticn sufficient drink is about
t'o "otst ssiprcies of cruelty that can be in
tilctcd upon the brute creation. The agony
Of excessive thirst is simply terrible,
TO obtain good nights sleep, sponge
the entire length of the spine with hot
water fol ten or fifteen minutes.
-.
Asf1ofogy and Ash'onomy,--A --Astrolo
gers hHvo spent their strength in forcbod-
ings concerning this disastrous year, and
memorable events TINS far chnnrr snvs Il