The National tribune., 1883-05-03
RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
SEED GROWING.

The growing of seeds for the farm, the vege- |
table garden and the flower garden, is an in 1
drstry Of immense magnitude and value. 1t IS /
yearly increasing in this country, although /
large quantities Of certain kinds are imported |
from countries where the climates are better 1
adaDted for their culture than has get been |
found here When we consider the great /
range of climates in the United States, ii /
would seem that locations conld be found tor |
the eminent production of all plants natives OF |
felnperate and semi-trOpieal countries. The |
lands on the western side of the continent |
bordering on the Pacific, VIII soon be employed
in this industry Of seed raising Washington
Territory and Oregon have climates and other
favorable conditions which viii produce IN the
best perfection many of the seeds nOgy imported
from the cool ana moist countries of Europe,
and which cannot be 50 vel perfected III the
dry warm summers of the Middle aud Eastern
States or IN the colder regions Of the North
Already California Is furnishing notable
quantities Of some kinds Of sesds. Onion aud
lettuce seeds are now produced by tons. and
many other kinds, including flower seeds, are
raised IN ouantities ia q general sense 1t may
be said that everything has vet 10 be learned
relative 10 the production Of seeds for special
qualities. Much has been said about the in
fuence Of sol and climate IN reference TO i'm
parting certain characteristics to seeds, but
very little of practical value has yet been yeri-
fed. This Is . work which could well be done
through tie medium Of agricultural colleges.
These institutions are now becoming agricUi-
tural more than in name, 50 that we may eN-
poet them TO look with favor upon matters OF
practical utility. it has been too much the
rule that learned professors confined their IN
Vestigati0ns solely to the laboratory, overlook
ing the fact that the agricultural interest can
be better served at present by the establish
Inent Of facts which can be made Of immediate
and extended use. By series of systematic
exchanges Of seeds soAyn, and the plants and
their pecu iarities carefully noted. the seeds Of
these again interehauged and grown, it would
be the means OF asccr.aining facts and settling
many questions which could be turned 10 great
practical use Many kinds OF seeds could thus be
enhanced in value with regard to early and
late maturity of crops Enough is already
known TO stimulate further experiment, for
although nothing can be said definitely in regard
tothe results ofthe mere change ofseed, except so
far as has been incidentally learned, there is
every reason TO expect that the time VIII come
when the information as to where seeds have
been raised viii be apoint Of importance 10 both
the buyer OF and the dealer in seeds.
There are many farmers so situated that
they could proitably cultivate plants for their
seeds; Of course we mean such seeds as are 10
be used for seeding, it is well known that
the seeds of most farm crops is the profitable
result, but such seeds are used for food and not
for planting.
Seedsmen usually supply the seeds of cab
bages, &c, which they have grown for the seed
product, SO as to ensure accuracy as to kinds;
and farmers distant from each other are sup
Piled with different varieties to secure purity
Of seed.
SETTING FRUIT TREES.
In short article on this subject which we
find in a rural paper, the writer takes excep-
ton 10 the advice TO press the earth down
closely upon the roots, and states that it
would seem, with all the Eight of the present
day, that practice evidently contrary TO
nature ought TO be abandoned" We have been
planting trees for many years, and have found
that more losses occur from loose planting If it
may be SO termed, than from any other cause.
The soil should be firmly pressed in and around
the roots when planting so that the young f.
bers may strike at once in firm soil. When
sell is IN good, dry, frIable condition, It is not
an easy matter 70 press II too hard. Eyen IN
plant potting the firmng of the soil cannot be
orerdone if nothing harder than the hands are
used. Indeed, Ii Is oftentimes necessary to use
q small raInIner in order 10 make the soil sufi-
GENTLY firm. Ii is rule with the best grow
ers of pot plants TO pack as much soil IN the
pots as they can. This kind Of theoretical, or
rather hypothetical writing about things being
contrary to nature, is one Of the greatest draw
backs TO progress that can be conceived. Be-
cause it is found essential TO break up the sur
face OF clay fed that has been run together
on the surface by rains. then so baked by dry
suns that tender seeds cannot push through, it
does not follow that all soils should be loose;
this is not natures plan she cons0lidates the
soil by beating rains until roots become firmly
embedded IN IL, as may be seen IN every natural
forest. The frming of the soil around seeds and
plants is evidence OF the best culture.
SUGAR FROM SORGHUM.
The prospects are fattering for heavy sugar
crop this season. Large factories are being put
in condition for extensive operations in Kansas
and other western States. Wealthy companie!
holm IF 2,
adapt their works to the Champaign method
50 called because invented by Messrs Weber
and scovell, of that place. and who have beer
successful in making sugar proftably; al leas
il is SO claimed. A favorable feature is tht
proposition TO establish minor factories at vari
points, where the sap viii be redaced t,
sirup, and taken to the larger factories wher
the sugar viii be extracted This viii enable
farmers, who could not otherwise grow sorghum
proftably, TO plant few acres and dispose o
the produce to these local establishments whicl
have the machinery for properly finishing tn,
sirup in a uniform grade best fitted for the fur
ther process Of sugar extraction. All expert
ence in TINS business tends TO show very point
eddy that complete machinery and trainet
skill 10 operate It, are essential requisites 10 tn
profitable conauction of this industry. Man,
failures have occurred and much loss has beel
sustained from the endeayor 10 make sugar il
what may be called domestic way. As wei
might it be expected that each farmer Shout
grind his wheat into -four, instead of sendin
il TO millers, as 20 suppose that every one VIII
may grow sorghum can make good article c
sugar proftably.
REX MAGNUs.
Some weeks ago we published some extract
regarding the remarkable properties attribute
90 a substance named as above, which mean
"The Great King" The statements SCENE
90 extraordinary with regard to its preserve
tive properties, that some people boldly pro
nounced it fraud or hoax; but all that ia
been SAID about it appears 10 be nothing MOI
than the plain facts which have been repeated
verified
Prof. S. w. johnson, Of New Haven, Conn
has been experimenting with the antisspt
solution Of Rex Aagnus, and found that piec'
Of beef mutton, pork and veal fowls, fish, eel
oysters &c, which were immersed in the s0ll
ton for a period of twenty-four hours an
afterwards hung up IN his laboratory, whcl
they remained sweet until the time of writin
OF Tor period Of thirty-fye days
Prof. johnson: +" lily tests Of tllrty-fve dar
have certainly been severe, and the sever
preparations of Prof Humiston with which
have experimental have accomplished all !
claimed for them So far as ] have learEe
they are the only preparations that are effec
i've, and at the time practicable f
domestic use. should anticipate no i'll resnl