The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-01-07

other organisms exceeding certain age, inclined
to be hard and tough. The same is true of NAM
moth beets, carrots, and turnips, which, when
left out in the field during mild winter, con-
tinue incOntinently to grow and develop until
the time comes to put in another crop. The
same may be stated in regard to monstrous
fruits; the large California pears being often
times tasteless and are discarded as being unfit
to eat by those who are accustomed to the care
fully grown and smaller, although infinitely
higher favored fruits which have been produced
in cooler climates
INsECT-EATING BIRDs.-A speaker at the
annual meeting of the Illinois State Horticul-
tural, summed up his observations on the food
of Illinois birds as follows: In the orchard in
tested by the canBer-worm, "a per cent. of the
birds and so per cent of the species were found
eating them. Forty-fve per cent. of the food OF
all the birds taken together consisted of the
worms. They constituted 40 per cent. of the
food of the robin, % per cent Of the food of the
brown thrush, 60 per cent. of that of the blue
bird IS per cent of that of the chickadee, sc per
cent. of that of the summer warbler, 100 per
cent. of that of the cedar bird, and similarly
large proportions of the food of the grosbeak,
indigo bird, bunting orchard OrOle, king bird,
red-headed wOodpecker, and cuckoo. The most
useful bird in an orchard is the cedar bird, and
the next the black-throated bunting, which made
up in numbers what it lacked in exclusive devo
ton to the worms The usefulness of the thrush
and the blue bird was very considerably impaired
by their attacks upon carniverous beetles, which
made Is per cent Of their food. 1t was proved
that the beetles take about Is per cent. of their
food from the canker worms.
BEST TINE TO PAINT.-Experiment show
that paint on surfaces exposed to the sun will be
much more durable if applied in autumn or
spring, than if put on in hot weather. In cold
weather it dries slowly, forms hard glossy coat,
tough, like glass; while, if applied in warm
weather the oil strikes into the wood, leaving
the paint SO dry that it is rapidly beaten off by
the rain.
VEGETABLE MANURES.-There are numerous
plants employed for blowing under in the green
state for manures. While these are not so ener-
getic in their action as are animal manures, yet
they are invaluable as a cheap means of reno
waiting wornout lands where other manures are
not available. Clover is one of the main crops
grown for this purpose, but there are soils so
poor as to be untitled to grow clover-indeed
the soil is already in good condition when it
brings q good crop of clover Clover is there
fore to be employed as a green manure in keep
ing up the fertility of a soil that is previously
fertile rather than a means of bringing a poor
soil into fertile state On poor, wornout,
gravelly soils, where clover could not exist,
recourse must be had to other crops, and of
these rye is one of the best; buckwheat will
also produce good turning-in crop on eX-
tremely light, sandy soils. Green manures of
this kind not only add fertiizing substances to
the soil, but they also improve its physical
character. A light soil is somewhat consolidated
and rendered more retentive of moisture, while
stiff soil is mellowed and loosened. After two
OF three of these green crops have been turned
under the soil will be able to bear more valuable
crops. Glover may then be introduced, and when
good crop of this forage plant be secured
and plowed under, the land may be kept in good
condition if judiciously cropped.
There are but few soils so poor that they can
not be improved by this method of green manur-
ing. Rye will grow during the fall and early
spring on land so poor and thin that it could
not support crop of anything green during the
dry and warm summer months. This is an adj
vantage which rye has above all plants that are
merely ANIMALS. Fast-growing grasses may also
be sown in the fall for blowing under in spring
OF these the Italian rye grass is perhaps the
best. The primary object is to secure growth
during the cool months of the year to begin
with. and this growth being turned under in
spring will enable an immediate sowing of
another crop to make sufficient progress so to
furnish another manuring by midsummer In
this manner a start towards improvement by
green manuring can be made on the poorest soils
INK SPOTS-If soaked in warm milk before the
ink has a chance to dry, the spot may usually be
removed. If it has dried in, rub table salt
upon it, and drop lemon juice upon the salt
White soap diluted with vinegar is likewise
good thing to take out ink spots
BREAD MAKING.-Complaint is often made
that flour made from spring wheat is very slow
to rise" Breadmakers can hurry up" the -four
by kneading in a little butter with it,
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Thomas Haynes Boyly.
Sorrows remembered sweeten present joys.
-PoUoks Course Of Time.
In her first passion woman loves her lover;
In all the others, all she loves is love.-Byron.
nc hasft