The National tribune., 1883-09-27
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
0ur Agricultural Editors Weekly Chat With His
Readers,


VIII you be kind enough TO mention through
THE NATIONAL TRIBCNE where sios and ensiiage
first started aud what advantages claimed
for this mode of keeping cattle food flames c.
Perry, Centre Co.. Pa.
ssss Mention is made of silos in France more
than fifty years ago, but the author of the pres
ent system is Nj. Auguste Gojart, of Sologne,
France. who commenced about thirty years ago
in keeping green food for his stock with more
or loss success. He accomplished in 1873 what
be had long been aiming for-that is, the per-
manent preservation of green fodder. Mr.. tOf-
arts system is To let the corn acquire a good
growth. as he is satisfied that the we'll grown
cane is of more food value than when it is
green and sUeculent. He cuts the stalks as
fine as half-inch lengths; he finds that fine
emitting is absolutely needed 10 close packing
and exclusion of air 10 insure good preserva-
ton. When PUT in the pit the fodder is
tramped down, and the pits are flied day by
day and well packed, without giving time for
the fodder TO spoil by atmospheric exposure,
and when the pit is as full as il can be trodden
down then he covers with A layer of close
fitting plank and weights down with at least
$50 pounds of stone to the square yard by
which means pressure Is maintained that
excludes the air and thoroughly presses the
fodder. Corn fodder IS preferred. As to the
! advantages claimed for this mode Of keeping
food for stock. we may state that Or. Bailey. on
/ has Winning Farm OF fifty acres, kept fifteen
cows without ensilage when il resulted in
actual loss. whereas with the fodder preserved
as ensilage the farm sustained twenty eight
/ cows, one hundred sheep and seven hogs. and
yielded a net profit Of S.553.3O. The cost Of
/ keeping stock is estimated at within five per
cent Of twice as much in the old way as in the
| new.
have small collection Of dwarf pears, which
! give much satisfaction. would like TO sup
plenent these with a collection of dwarf apples if
or not apples dwarfed. would ask if they are
ever grown in that way, and. If 50, where they
1 be procured?-Mrs. G. H.. Centre Co.. Pa.
ans. Most nurserymen can supply dwarf
apple trees, although we think that they are
not much in demand. They are usually graft
| ed upon what is known as paradise stocks; this
stock is specially subject TO be injured by
/ boreTs, and constant care is necessary TO keep
| them from destroying the tree For this rea-
| son they are not cultivated generally as the
dwarf pear.
What IS the process of ringing grape vines so that
| they will produce improved quality of fruit -
Amateur, Delaware.
5ns. The process consists of removing ring
of bark on the shoot bearing the fruit. This is
taken off below the bunch il has the effect of
increasing the size of the berries and fastening
slightly the ripening of the. fruit, but il is
done at the expense of quality The skin of
the berry Is thIckened and rendered tougher
than usual. The practice is not commendable.
l send you q few specimens of peaches. being
| from tree In my yard IL is fine peach, AS you
viii see. but they have mostly rotted the tree
this year, and those left falling appear de-
fective In some way.-Edith. Washington City
Ans. The peaches have been stung by the
plum weevil, and the larvg cause the dropping
and rot Of the frait IL ls only of late years
that this weevil has troubled the peach crop,
but IL is now so plentiful that sound peaches
are rare in many places The remedies for
destroying this insect have been noticed in
previous numbers Destroy all the fallen fruit
by burying it deeply liz the ground, or throw
it where chickens or hogs fnd it