The National tribune., 1882-10-19
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Our Agricultural Editors Weekly Chat With His

heaueTs.
B. F., Manchester. Va, wishes to know if
Sainfoin has been used as a forage crop in
this country, having heard it highly praised
for the purpose while travelling on the conti-
nent of Europe In reply we would state that
we are not aware of its use here, and have no
personal knowledge of its value. The plant is
named Onobrychis satjUa; it is described as a
deep-rooting perennial, thriving best on dryish,
calcareous soils, and yielding crop where clover
would fail for want Of nourishment. 1t does
not produce heavy crops, but its hay is consid-
cred preferable to that made OF lucerne, and is
more nutritive. When once established it lasts
for many years, and may be worthy Of trial on
dry soils in warm, dry climates.
Mrs. J. E., of Martinsburgh, Va, writes to
keep Coleus during winter. One winter she
was successful in keeping them alive in the
parlor window, but for two seasons they have
failed to live until spring" Ans: Coleus are
very tender plants, and require considerable
warmth to keep them growing during the
winter months; about so is the lowest tenn
perature they will endure, but by propagating
young plants in the fall, keeping them in small
pots until the roots entwine, and then grad
ually Withholding water until they cease to
grow, they can be laid down in a warm cellar
for five or six weeks, and, when watered and
brought up to the light will commence to grow
While the pots are laid down the plants should
not receive any water.
"a Reader" Toledo, Ohio, is informed that
the century plant is the Agare Aaericaaa called
also American aloe, which is a misnomer, as it
is not an aloe at all. 1t was popularity supposed
to flower only after growing for a century,
which is not true as it flowers when the plant
becomes strong enough to send up a flower stem ;
this may be ten, fifteen, or twenty five years,
depending upon soil and climate. The plant is
of much value; it furnishes good, strong fibre,
and sccretes sap which forms an intoxicating
drink.
"Pyrethrum powder seems to me to be very
unequal in its effects. | have used it on plant
lice when it killed them completely, and again
! have well busted the plants with it, and the
insects remain unhurt."-A Lady Subscriber,
n Y. AEs.: 1t is well known that this insect
powder dcteriorates on exposure, and, to some
extent. with age. The imported article is said
10 be Oitc.s adultcTdJca. Inc California article,
under the commercial name of Buhach, is by far
the best to use. 1t is carefully ground up fresh
from the field, with all its natural strength and
efficacy preserved.
"What is the value of the newly-introduced
fodder plant, called Teosinte ?"-YOurs, &c,
w. O. G., Ind. Ans: Teosnte is a strong
growing grass from South America; we have
seen it growing for several years, and do not
consider it of sufficient value for general in
PRODUCTION a fodder plant. 1t makes i'm
mense growth of rather coarse leaves; when
young they are relished by cattle but have no
superiority, so far as can be observed, over good
fodder from corn.
"Does the hOney-bec injure grapes pa Bee
Keeper, Missouri. Ans.: This is a question
which has been variousy answered. We be-
lieve that they do not touch sound berries
We have seen bee-hives surrounded with grape
vines, and have not seen berry injured by
them, and whenever we have seen bees sucking
grapes, it was only those berries which had
been punctured by birds, or by some other
means; sometimes rotting berries will attract
them, but no apprehension need DO felt that
bees will injuTe vineyard,