The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1882-03-28
AGRICULTURE,

tne leaves, spreading thence over tho plants
till 1t destroys both vines and tubers. It
was first known in the years 1841 and lS42,
both in Ireland and tho United States, and
caused very great loss to planters III this
country and created a famine abroad. It
IL usually noticed between the first aud
middle Of August, and always in damp or
rainy weather. The disease attacking the
leaves first, the crop may be saved by har-
vesting just as soon as the frosty appear
ance of the leaves is seen. The potatoes
should be put IN cool, dry place to pre-
vent tho further growth OF fungi. Plant
ing early varieties which ripen in July is q
pretty sure preventive, as tho disease is
confined In Its attack chiefly to growing
vines. 1t Is well, however, to burn or 9th.
erw1se destroy all affected vines and tubers.
to prevent the spread Of the fungus. At
temptshave been made to produce potatoes
which shall be proof against the disease,
but thus tai with Indifferent success, for
though certain varieties may for while
appear to be disease proof, yet they sue
cumb after fewy esls' growth in localities
where the rot exists. The English farmers
think they have learned to avoid the rot,
ny planting pure, clean seed in new land,
anu Dy manurlng IN the autumn and add
Ing potash salts in spring. But such pre-
cautions are not sure prcventives in this
country.
SWINE RAISING. Pure air helps to make
pure blood, which, IN the course of nature,
builds up hcalthful bodies. Out-of-doors
pigs would not show so we'll at the fairs.
and would probably be passed over by
judges and people who have bcon taught
10 admire only the fat and helpless things
which get the prizes. Such pigs are we'll
adapted to fill lard kegs, whereas the stan-
dard OF perfection should bo q pig which
Will make the most ham with the least
waste or tat, the longest and deepes. sides,
with the most lean meat; it should have
pone enough to allow 1t to stand up and
help itself to food. and carry with It the
eVid nee OF health and natural dcve 0 ,)ment
III all its parts Pigs which run in range
or pasture have good appetitcs-the fresh
air and exercise give them tllis-hence they
Will eat great variety of food, aud much
coarser than when confined in pens. Moth
ing need 80 to waste on the farm for lack
OF market. They will consume all the
refuse fruit, roots, pumpkins, aud all kinds
OF vegetables, which will make them grow.
By extending the root patch, and planting
fodder corn thinner, 80 that nubbns will
form on 1t, and by putting in sweet va
rlety, the number of pigs may be increased
IN proportion. A few bushels of corn at
the end Of the season will finish off therig.
The pig pasture Will be ready the next
year Tor any crop, and ten times the ad-
vantage accrue to the farm than If the pigs
are confined in close pens for, as pigs are
usually managed on the farm, but little
manure is ever made from them.
The ergot of rye or spurred rye, 80 call
ed because of Its resemblance to the spur
Of COCK, is used IN medicine, but is an
active poison If taken in large doses, and
IN some countries has caused great loss
among cattle that have eaten it. Ergot
also grows upon grasses as well as upon
rye, and abortion often follows its develop
ment in pastures and moving fields. 1t is
however, confined 10 the heads of plants,
and pastures which are closely fed can not
produce tho ergot graina, which are moth
ing else than seeds changed by the pres
.ss:ssca Of the fungus plant. 1t is most abun
lsL opd aIao r,~-., 80.
found in TIC moist climate Of Europe than
in America. II ITS presence is suspected
in pasture, moving the grass Just before
1t seeds will prevent the formation of the
crgot. and thus prevent all danger to cattle
feeding upon it. The early cutting of hay
and rowen would also prevent Its formation
LII meadows.
GENTLE TREATMENT. With all animals,
gcn'lencss is a great and more effectual
power than harshness. This is eminently
true Of the Ice. Industrious creatures
have very little patience with rude and
noisy idlers, whose chief vocation seems to
be to disturb and hinder those who aim at
usefulness. AS with human beings, some
bees arc naturally cross, but even these
can be cured by gentle handling, aud the
law Of love operates with them as with all
the creatures OF God. They should never
be fought; and all quick. active movements
irritate and alarm them. When swarlning
they arc generally filled with honey, and
are, therefore, sluggish, and not apt to
sting
WHEN good, rich farming lands are
worth fifty dollars per acre. and cigars five
cents each, every time q young man smokes
one he diss lives into smoke and ashes tho
pilce of nine square feet or good land,
upon which can grow, at one crop, wheat
enough to keep man in bread for day,
Or corn sufficient to feed fattenng hog
for the same time. Now, young man, ii
you must smoke something put thCso
facts in your pipes--smoke them and DO
wise.
The early lambs are dropped during this
month, and if mild weather favors them
they may be made very profitable for the
early market. Should The weather be sc
we're tho lambs must be kept from being
chilled through: this may be done by wrap
ping them IN blankets and administering
little hot ginger tea. The ewes should
have the warmcst pens in the stable, and
may need to be nursod with warm cruel
for few days.
MANY who have no green house, and
cannot afford the room In tho dwelling for
them, would gladly keep certain tender or
half.bardy plants through the winter. For
such purpose cellar answers admirably.
Florists have constructed cellars expressly
for keeping plants through the winter. 1t
is not expected, nor is it desirable, that
plants should grow. They are merely to
be kept-put to sleep rs 1t were
IN selling an OK weighing 1000 pounds,
only as much nitrogen IS sent from the
farm as wolld be lost by selling about II
tons of English hay. OF phosphorlc acid,
such.an animal would represent an amount
found in five tons of hay, while OF q ton