The National tribune., 1883-10-04

fertility, ana lDe IniFu Is lDe USE
lessness of mineral manures without nitrogen
in addition TO force the growth of corn. 1t is
not little remarkable and well worth remem-
brance, that two plots of land not manured for
thirty-nine years up to and including last year.
and cropped with wheat for the whole period,
year after year, should have averaged in pro-
duce I34 and I34 bushels per acre respectively
during the last thirty years. We need not say
that the land has had to be kept scrupulously
clean in order TO secure such a result. On
plot manured for thirty years up TO and includ-
ing 1881 with 200 pounds of sulphate OF pot
ash 100 pounds Of sulphate of soda, 100 pounds
of sulphate of magnesia and $50 pounds of
sulpbate of lime, the average yearly produce
of wheat per acre over the whole period has
been only l5s bushels against 13i bushels en-
the continuously unmanured plot close to it.
This shows the small value of minerals alone
and the need of nitrogen.
cIsTERNs
This is how Connecticut farmer supplied
himself with a cistern: Last fall built cis-
tern to hold the water from the barn roof The
soil where l dug it is pure sand. / dug it ten
feet deep and eight feet in diameter; in shape
( round. 1t took two barrels of cement TO plaster
it did the plastering myself putting it right
on the surface of the sandy sides. gave it two
coats of cement; put a. cover OF three inch oak
plank over, and on thai foot of rye straw and
eighteen inches of ground to keep cut frost.
The cost was-for labor 81; for cement So; for
plank cover $5;-total Si1. have saved many
dollars in feed by not having to drive the stock
a mile to ;hc creek to drink, and the water
being quite warm in the cistern it did not chill
the COWS, and hence got more milk.
PHosPHATzs.
Until very lately it was supposed that raw
mineral phosphate wouli have no effect on the
soil nnleSs first dissolved by sulphuric acid, but
il is now stated that the mineral produces, under
proper treatment, as good results when simply
reduced TO q fine powder-the finer the better
Bone meal when the bone is reduced to fine
-four. is found 10 act as well as bones dissolved
in sulphuric acid, and now it appears if the
above statement is correct, that mineral phos-
phate is equally etfcacious, if finely reduced.
! Isscript;Ue Catalogue of Ornamental Trees and
shru5S Parsons and Sons Co. KiSSena Nurse
! les. Flushing, NeU York
This is from one of the Oldest established and
most renowned houses in the country. In its
special line-the introduction and propagation
/ of new and rare ornamental trees and shrubs
it is not excelled. The collection of Japanese
NAPLES is the best in this country, and we OBJ
serve many Others of new hardy Japan plants
/ which we think cannot be procured from any
other nursery. OF late years the propagation
of hardy Rhododendrons has received special
attention by this company. and the great popu-
arity of this finest OF evergreen shrubs is largely
/ best kinds and propagating those only which
are found adapted to the climates here. Many
people have imported collections of these shrubs
! from Europe and have met with much disap-
pointment by loss in winter. Here the varie-
ties for sale have been tested to endure d cold
fifteen deprees below zero.
This catalogue is also complete in all hardy
ornamental trees and shrubs, both deciduous
and evergreen; it also embraces fine.eolections
of Chinese and Ghent azaleas Camellias,
roses, &c.
NoTELETs
II is said that one bushel of beets added to
nine bushels of apples makes cider richer and
of superior favor TO that made from apples
alone.
Horses are social animals, particularly in the
case Of young horses. They thrive best when
/ in the society of others, hence the advantage,
Of pasturing several in one field where practi-
/ cable
Young poultry should not be plucked too
/ soon after killing. If feathers are pulled out
while the blood is still fluid the vescles at the
root OF each feather become engorged and the
skin spotted. Donot feed before killing; the ear
cass of a chicken killed while digestion is going
on viii keep but short time.
A remedy for hog cholera is said TO be half
! teaspo0nful Of carbolic acid in gill of milk
1t is administered from the mouth OF long
neclled bottle.
1t does not pay to keep poor stock of any
| kind If any animal is good of its kind il is
always saleable, and can be turned into money
/ whenever il may be desirable TO do so; whereas
an inferior one is always a drug on the farmers
hands
The beneficial effects of applying manure on
the surface during the fall on lands to be
plowed in spring is not sufficiently appreciated
] One of the best crops of oats which we have
seen was on piece of a field which was plowed
/ in November and thin spreading of barn yard
manure spread over it afterwards The surface
was narrowed over in spring before and after
sowing, and then rolled. The land was not
rich.
Analysis at the Michigan Agricultural Col
! lege has shown Rough on Rats" 10 be simply
white oxide Of arsenic colored with a little
lamp-black. 4 box would cost about cent
! and half
A poultry breeder says farmers viii feed
/ bushei of corn TO produce six pounds Of pork
] worth sixty cents, while this bushel would
keep hen. She would lay at least twelve
dozen eggs, which, averaging eighteen cents
per dozen, would equal s.. 2.I6, and she would
rear brood OF chickens worth as much more,
making a total of nearly five dollars
/ The efforts Of the u S. Agricultural Depart
ment for the past twenty years 10 introduce
tea into the States where it can be grown have
! not been altogether useless as many families
/ grow and manufacture all the tea they need
21ltnOuRl IL - NOT so Une LOOKING as the teas OF
] commerce, it is pure and in every way superior
! TO any tea that can be purchased.
One of the most beautiful of ornamental trees
is the new weeping dogwood. 1t differs from
most dropping trees inasmuch that the central
stem grows upright, but all the side branches
| droop III the most graceful manner. For a neat
| lawn or as a center 10 a flower bed is is un-
! equalled. We think that it viii be in great
! demand as q cemetery tree when it becomes
| better known. At present it is very scarce
Fruit growing requires less labor and ma
chinery than most other kinds of culture or
farming, exhausts the soil less and usually
pays well. 1t, however requires special knowl-
edge and constant attention to realize the best
| results.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Our Agricultural Editors Weekly Chat With His
Readers.
have stone barn which I wish TO cover with
some kind OF vine. and would be obliged if TnE
| NATIONAL IEIBUNE VIII advise me what 1 should
planL-E. S., Delaware.
Ans. The English ivies viii stand the climate
OF Delaware, although in southern aspects they
may get Drowned or partially killed in winter
If you wish to cover the entire building, we
would advise planting the north and west walls
with evergreen ivy, and the south and east
walls with the Japan ivy, as 1t is called. This
loses its foliage IN winter, but is, nevertheless,
beautiful vine.