Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-07-20
AGRICULTURE.

AGRICULTURE.
WAToH THE SEEDS. s.--Just at this time
when it is necessary to have the seeds In
rne plant. bed sprout quickly, the watering
DOT is fleuuently used. This should moi
be done except in cases of necessity, a:
there Is almost always more or less of I'M
perceptible moisture In the earth which 1:
sufficient for the very small seeds, such al
cabbage, lettuce, etc. The greatest danger
10 these seeds is in the baking of the soil,
which will assuredly occur if the watering
pot is used, especially if the soil contain:
much clay. To avoid this difficulty the
seeds should be planted In the beds the
short way, so that the gardener can reach
every portion of them with rake from the
walk way. Plant all seeds IN little rows
about eight inches apart, and then stick a
sprig at each end and one In the centre. II
can be noticed that always after warm
dav the surface is baked. This is the
cause of more seed failures than any other
thing, as the seeds perish before they can
get through. Successive applications oI
water simply makes the crust harder. Wa
ter the plants every alternate evening, il
necessary, and on the evenings after each
watering, rake the bed over with q sharp
toothed rake Zone with tooth out In the
middle Is preferable), following the direc-
tion of the rows, WHICH may be discerned
by the sprigs placed there for the purpose.
This process loosens the soil, prevents the
formation of hard crust, admits air, water
and warmth, and facilitates the growth OF
the young plants. After they are through
the ground it is time TO give them a slight
hoeing.
FARMING ON CLAY LAND.-Very favor.
able reports have recently been published
IN England of the profits of farming on
land that was essentially compact clay. In
some cases what passed for soll had been
used for making brick. Though owned by
individuals, it had been put TO no agrlcul-
tural use since the settlement of the coun-
try by civilized men. BY judlcious man.
sgement it has been converted into valu-
uble property. Considerable money was
expended on 1t without any returns. Sur.
face and underground drains were made
10 CARY off water and cause the air 10 CIR
culate through the hard earth. Repeated
plowings were resorted to for the purpose
Of pulvenzing the compact ground. Care
Was taken TO expose the soil to the action
of the frost al d air as much as possible
The rst crops raised were for the purpose
of turning under for fertilizers. In some
cases two crops were raised for this purpose
in single year. They benefit ed the land
mechanically as we'll as chemically by
making it loose. Having been treated in
this way it was found TO be productive of
large crops of grass and clover. Recently
wheat, barley and peas have been applied
10 them. In this respect they present q
remarkable contrast sto lands that wire
originally rich and fertile. 1t is admitted
that it will not be profitable for tenants to
undertake TO improve hard clay land, but
it Is believed that many landlords will set
about making unpI oductive land profitable
and in that way adding TO the extent of
their rel table property.
LEeHCRN Fowls -LeghorLs have the
reputation of being the most prolific egg
producers of all fowls. The average pro-
duce of a young, well kept flock Is about
l60 efgs yearly for each hen, and this Is
approached only by the Plymouth Rocks.
Leghorns are Of three kinds or varieties,
white, brown, and speckled or dominique.
The white Is the most. popular and is an
elegant bird. With white plumage sha
ded with delicate cream color, fine arched
sickle feathers, clean legs; large falling
serrated single comb and deep wattles both
of rich crimson color; slender graceful
carriage, and an active foot, and vigorous
disposition, they are graceful. handsome
and attractive; and as well as Ill their ap-
pearance are handsome IN their profitable
egg production. The eggs are as hand
some as the lOwls; of a pure white color
slightly pointed oval form and large in
size. As Leghorns are prolific Winter
layers, their eggs realize higher prices by
fully one-half than those of the Summer
layers; and as the pullets begin to lay when
six CT eight months old flock of these is a
most desirable possession to the farmer or
the poultry keeper whose aim is profit.
The brown and speckled varieties are
equally prolific and differ only in plunage
from the white breed.
Mr.. OcHANRR explains how he keeps up
the Vigor and originality of his stock of
Wilson strawberries, which he pronounces
the finest shipping berry known. He saws:
Since l have possessed those plants [ have
made it rule never to propagate from
Them after their frultirg that Is, never 10
use any young plants for planting from
those which had already borne fruit. I
find, after much and close examination.
that plants, after giving US bountiful crop
OF 1rulf, are mere or less weakened by it
or through 1t; and the puny, spindllng run
rers which tLey throw out right after. do
not suggest to me the ideal plant which |
look Tor and want for my planting. | do
not claim that this is absolutely necessary
In order to keep up the originality of any
variety, do claim that this practice has
rewarded me with the most 1atterlng re-
suits. For the last four years l picked
from 600 to 600 quarts per acre of nv
WIl>ons, not from few rods square Of
petted and stimulated plants, but from
acres of them.
IHRRE has been great deal of talk
about the best kind of grams such az corn,
wheat, etc. The subject has been well
handled, and much said about all grain
except oats. | don't recollect that l have
seen oats mentioned. l think oats Is as
important crop as any, these times. i
would ike to hear what variety is the best,
all things considered, and what variety
gave the biggest yield last year. l will
give my experience with the Imperial oats,
which got direct from cd England. j
have had 1t three years, and it has done
very well. think 1t beats any oats l have