The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-05-26
FACTS FOR FARMERS.


The cattle drive of Texas will be
Iarser this wear than for several years
past. amounting TO at least 300 900
head
June Is a good time for pruning.
Larger limbs may be cut away now,
covering all cuts with varnish, paint, or
melted grating wax.
Iron plugs set into plum trees and
struck s0undly with an ak or hammer,
Is said to be the most effective means OF
bringing down the curculio, and Is much
better than the padded mallet.
james X Dodge. in his investigation
Of sheep husbandry in the South, re
ports more than 600, 900 killed by dogs
last wear. or more than five per cent. OF
the entire number in that section.
VASES nests are frequently ignited
bv some chemical action, supposed to
be that Of the wax upon the paper like
substance Of which the nests are formed.
Spontaneous combustion Of this nature
is believed to have been the cause OF
many mysterious fires in haystacks and
farmers buildings.
The best sugar-beet, when properly
grown, should be connical, and with a
single tap-root. To grow such bee IS
the soil should be deep, mellow, free
from stones, and abundantly rich. y
deep sandy loan, with plenty Of vege
table matter, may be expected to pro-
duce, with clean culture, profitable
crop Of sugar-beets. A strong clay is
not suitable, neitheri is a soil that is low
and naturally wet and cold.
THE Chinese and japanese excel all
other nationalities in the culture of
early vegetables. This arises from the
fact that they use only liquid manures !;
hence the growth Of the plants is most
rapid and as a natural consequence the
vegetables are very brittle and tender.
Lettuce and raddishes they force rapid
ly, giving the plants sprinkling once
a day. Tobacco and tea plants are also
treated in a like manner.
Tue old practice among farmers of
annually scrapiug the trunks Of apple
trees and afterward applying a coat Of
wbitewash Is not so common at the
present time as it used to be. Still the
good results following the labor will re-
pay one Underneath the dry and dead
bark countless numbers of vermin make
their home; when the bark Is removed
and whitewash applied, the destruction
of all vermin is certain.
EVERY farmer knows that exposing
potatoes too long to the rays Of the sun,
or exposing to plenty of light and air,
viii soon ruin them A good farmer
will dig and dry his potatoes at the
proper time, as quick as convenient, and
take them to his dark cellar without de
lay, being careful not to have too many
in one bin. Potatoes which are fine and
mealv when dug, treated in this manner,
will remain good until new early Pota-
toes are ripe.
CLOVER and timothy should be cut
when in full blossom If allowed to get
ripe, the quality Of hay IS not 50 good.
BY beginning early the work need not
be hurried Use the mower after the
dew is off in the forenoon. Cut only a
much as can be we'll cared for. 1t is
often remarked that the average quality
Of hay is not so good as before the intro
duction Of the moving machines, from
the temptation to cut the grass faster
than it can be cured.
WASHING sheep under the present
system Of buying wool will perhaps be
the prevailing practice If care is taken
to keep the sheep 50 that the wool will /
not be filled with dirt it is better not /
to wash. Fleeces should be done up |
with care, nicely rolled and securely /
tied with light twine. When it is known
that a farmer puts up his wool in neat
shape without any tags, etc, he will OBJ
tain the highest price. Elsewhere, but
here, honesty is the best
policy" 4.