The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-04-19
RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
NATURAL HABrTATs OF TREES.

circumstance that trees are not always found
naturally in the only conditions suited TO
their growth and that many OF the swamp trees,
sO-calle1, are well adapted for growing on high
lends bnt that the seeds are of such a nature
that they viii not germinate on high lands IN
the natural forests.
We have so frequently met evidence Of the
above rs 10 question as 10 whether plants We're
always found naturally under conditions most
suitable 10 their growth. The finest swamp
magnolias we have ever seen have been those
growing on high but rich lands: but the seeds
falling from trees so situated viii not vegetate;
they require very moist soil to start them. SO
with the swamp cypress; we nave always seen
the poorest trees ia the wettest places, although
they seem tdssexist where bat few Trees can live
the roots being continually under water.
People need not, therefore, be deferred from
moving naples, hellics, or magnoilas from
swaInpy lands aud planting them on higher
and DRYER grounds from q fear that they VIII
not 60 well IN such PLACES On the contrary, 1t
will be found that finer trees VIII be produced
than are usually 10 be seen in these wet places
where they so much abound.
ATTITUDES FOR FRUIT TREES AND VINES.
In a letter from a correspondent in reference
to sites Coz fruit trees. &c, the following sen
tence occurs: g Noticing what yOu have SAID
about high lands for fruit trees and grape vines,
we are some three hundred feet above tide
water which presume is sufficiently elevated
TO insure success" Ii is altogether unnecessary,
and In TRUTH it is useless TO pay any attention
10 sea level ia choosing an orchard or Ylneyaru
site The elevation needed is local one. and
high enough above the valley to admit Of the
colder air finding its way down the hillside and
taking the place of warmer air which Is raised
mp in consequence; and wherever this warm
air iInp;nges there viii be no dew, and colds
ALWAYS less severe than in the lower grounds.
Under some confgurations of hill and valley
the thermometrical difference between them is
very ast0nishing,-we have seen where the Their
mometer showed a difference Of one degree for
every four feet of eleya1on,-so that plants may
be destroyed IL the low grounds while others
of the same kind not more than fifty or sixty
feet above them may escape uuinjured. These
differences give rise 10 many conflicting state
ments in regard 10 the hardness and general
success OF plants. 1t also leads TO extremes In
choosing sites for orchards. While q low, shell
tered valley is the worst place ID choose, itdoes
not follow that a bleak northern elevated ex-
posune is the best
The common rye is said to be native Of the
Crimga where il is found growing on eleva-
lions Of from 5 600 to 6000 feet above the sea-
in thin rocky soils. As bread crop rye was
formerly much more extensively cultivated
than il is at the present time; it still forms a
large portion of the food of people in northern
Europe, ana IN sterile regions NnSfS OtHtT
cereals viii not grow. II is much cultivated IN
Bohemia and in parts of Germany. Rye -four
is inferior 10 wheat -four in nutritiye proper
ties; it makes dark-colored, heavy and sour
ish bread, but it keeps moist for a long time.
A palatable bread may be made from mixture
of two parts OF wheaton -four and one part of
rye flour Rye straw is used for making plait
for hats. To secure straw for this purpose the
crop is cut when the seed is beginning TO form.
1t is put into boiling water for a time, and
afterwards il is bleached in the sun. Rye is
valuable u Its green state food for live stock.
in France il is sown IN August, and after allow
ing sheep 10 feed on it all winter it is left to
ripcn crop. 1t is cultivated in a manner sim
liar to wheat. In this country it is grown
chiefly for brewing and distilling purposes, and
10 some extent as green food for cattle and for
the straw which is used for litter. In some
countries rye is much infested by a poisonous
fungus called ercot. The poisonous influence of
this fungus extends not only TO human beings,
but insects settling on it are killed, and swine,
poultry and other animals which eat ii die
miserably in strong commissions, and with
Notifying ulcers.
THE BENE PLANT Sesamam iidicime.
The leaves of this plant are held in great
repute for their mucilaginous properties, and
are much sought. after for summer complaints
IN children. Two or three of the leaves soaked
IN glass of water soon renders the latter ropy,
and is a seryiceable remedy for diarThda. The
seeds of this plant, which is extensively cult
waited In many warm countries contain use
ful oil. known as Sesame or Gingelly oil This
oil is insoluble in alcohol, and readily saponi-
fes with alkalies 1t viii keep for long time
without becoming rancid, and for all purposes
Of medicine and pharmacy it is considered
equal to olive oil in fact ii is stated that much
of the olive oil of commerce is mixed with il
1t is used in Japan as a salad oil and for cook
cry purposes. 1t is sufficiently pure and free
from smell to admit of being made the me-
dium Of extracting the perfume Of the jasmine
tuberose. and other fragrant flowers. 1t is used
incidentally, and by some 1t Is preferred K
castor oil. The cake, after expression
mixed with honey and preserved citron
is esteemed an Oriental luxury; the roasted
seeds are used as substitute for coffee
in the East Indies and in some parts o.
Europe, it Is cultivated in fields like wheat
and when ready 10 harvest the stems col
lected, dried, and the seeds thrashed out
There are two varieties, having black anC
white seeds respectively; there is but LITTLE
difference IN their value as oil producers. TIL
plant was formerly cultivated 10 some extern
IL the Southern States
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.
1t is amusing TO read some of the criticism
made upon the statistics enanating from thu
Agricultural Department Of the Government
Rural papers, with probably handful Of cor
respondents, viii compare notes in regard L
their correspondence and results with that O
tie governmental force of many thousand
throughout the entire country. Yet We fint
that these reports are called " imaginative" b,
some, while the fact can be proven from thes
publications during the past twenty years tina
they have been so accurate as to attract atten
tioa from st2fisticians IN foreign countries eve
ii they do not receive credit in this The trutl
seems 10 be that il is considered a strong evi
dehce Of erudition, by the writers at least {
attack these reports, while at the same tim
these fauit-fndeIs have not one iota Of proc
which can entitle them TO advance an opiuio
either one way or the other. But that seems
be considered matter Of small consequence
they feel quite safe, knowing that but few
their readers viii ever trouble themselves I
investigate IS 70 the truth Of these statement
There Is 30 private enterprise In the countr
which has the command Of facilities now COZ
trolled by Government officials in collectin
statistics all matters pertaining to agricu
ture il this country.
PEcULIARITIEs OF TREES GROWING IN SWAMP
Having had occasion lately 70 travel a COZ
siderable distance over country abounding
swemps, we were particularly interested
noticing a striking popularity Of nearly q
kinds Cf trees growing IN water, or In plac
frequently flooded with water This is a prom
iucnt bElging Of growth near the ground Man
trees would show a butt which W0Hld measul
two feet through az the ground, and dwind
into stem from eight TO twelve INCHES In d