The National tribune., 1883-01-11
RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.

Il is sometimes argued that it is wasteful to
apply manure on land during the winter months
when the ground is frozen, because 1t cannot
be covered, and therefore suffers great loss by
exposure. We consider that it IS very gener-
ally understood that the loss from manure
spread on the surface months before plowlng ls
very slight, indeed. On the other hand, 1t has
often been verified that better crops are pro-
duced on land which had been covered with
manure for some time before plOwing than on
portions where the manure was plowed in as
soon as it was spread. The loss sustained from
manure lying on the surface is mainly IN the
escape of ammonia, and as this results from fer
mentation, its production is not apparent in cold
weather in manure spread on the ground. The
only loss which may become ofany Importance
will be in the case of heavy rains while the
ground is frozen below so as to prevent the ab-
BorptiOn of the water, which viii then pass oil
from the surface TO the lowest points, carrying
with il the washinCs from the manure In the
case of undrained clay soils, there viii also be
danger Of loss from surface washings. In ordi-
nary cases the losses will not Overbalance the ad-
vantages. When the ground is frozen the haul
ing and spreading can be done to great advant-
Ege; and il manuring meadows and grass lands
of any kind early winter is the best time tor
the work. In lands which are properly under
can be hauled out and spread without appre-
ciable loss at any convenient time.
WHITE OF DUTCH CLOVER. (Tfifolium repens.)
The white or Dutch clover is abundant in
pastures, woodlands. and on rOadsides through
out the greater portion OF the United States
1t is a valuable pasture plant even on thin
soils, and is generally an ingredient in grass
mixtures for the formation of lawns, purpose
for which it is not well adapted, as it disfgures
rather than beauties a well-kept lawn.
Its flowers are much visited by honey-bees,
and honey gathered from its blossoms is said
10 be light colored and Of fine flavor. 1t IS sell
dom sOwn as a crop in this country, but 1t ire
ouently takes possession of pastures, especially
on lands where the CommOnl y-cultivated kinds
of grasses fail for want of nourishment. But
though 1t Is somewhat persistent on thin soils,
1t is most abundant and nutritious on good
lands. It's strong and luxuriant growth Is one
Of the best indications of a fertile soil.
THE Cow-PEA. (Vigna Sinensis.)
This is an annual climbing or trailing plant,
g native of Asia and Africa. 1t is extensively
cultivated in most warm countries for its seeds,
which are considered nutritious, and form
considerable portion of the food Of the inhabi-
tants of some parts of India. There are many
varieties in cultivation, which vary in their
habits of growth and prOductiveneSs. The pods
of some kinds are cooked and eaten in the
green state like kidney beans; their flavor is
said to be peculiar, but palatable; in India the
ripe seeds are known as Chowlee; the pods are
cylindrical and vary from one to two feet IN
length in the several varieties Many varle-
ties of this species are cultivated IN the South
ern States under the name Of cow-peas. 1t
is surmised that some of these, however, belong
80 the closely allied genus DOlichOS.
The so-called cow-pea is one of the most valu-
nh r,la -y,1o,
and it has been said that any land susceptible
of being plowed, no matter how barren it may
have been, viii grow the cow-pea and thus fur
nish means for its renovation. For this pur
pose it is sown in spring, as early as the ground
becomes warmed, as 1t Will not vegetate In cold
soil. The peas are usually sown broadcast, at
the rate of two bushels per acre, or less when
the smaller seeded varieties are employed.
The plants from this sowing will be ready for
plowing down about the first of July, and the
ground is Immediately sOwn again in a similar
manner. This crop is ready TO be plOwed un-
der in the fall; it is customary, however, to
save the late crop for fodder, live stock of all
kinds being exceedingly fond of it. and it is con-
sldered more nutritious than hay made from
any of the grasses. For hay, it is cut when the
seed-pods commence to turn yellow; If cut
later ii is difficult to cure without loss, as the
leaves become brittle and fall OFF. Some of the
varieties produce beans which are esteemed for
soups and for baking, and these are usually
planted thinly in cOrnfelds after the corn has
somewhat advanced in growth, and when ripe,
the beans are gathered and dried for use during
the winter.
STALL FEEDING AND SOIL ENRICHMENT.
1t is known that where beet is cultivated for
sugar, and the pulp ecOnOmiZed in feeding cat
tie and the manure carefully saved and applied
30 the lands, that the productive capacity of
the fields has largely increased. The same re-
suit follows the English system Of feeding
stock with roots during winter. Large guam
titles of the best manure are thuS obtained.
We may expect like results from the ensilage
system of winter feeding, and the increasing
use of oil-cake, provided that plenty of straw
is raised and used for bedding, and the manure
carefully handled and judiciously applied;
then we may expect the fields to improve III
their yield instead Of gradually diminishing,
rs they are generally doing now.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.
The National Grange, which has been in ses-
sion recently at indianapolis, urges upon all the
members Of Oranges everywhere to use every
effort to make teaching Of agricultural science
and the nathematic arts the paramount object
Of the agricultural colleges Of the several States
Unfortunately for the best interests at stake,
this department IS too often subordinate. 1t
too often occurs that while these colleges re-
celVe liberal patronage a very small per cent
of those who attend them take the agricultural
courses, notwithstanding they are established
and supported at public expense to diffuse agri-
cultural education throughout the respective
States. They are, in too many instances, but
little more than mere literary and classical
schools, rivaling those which had been estab-
lished by corporate and private enterprises,
and to the detrimcnt Of the great interest they
are required to subserve.
FALL-PLASTED TREES.
Trees which were planted in the fall should
have the earth hilled up around the stem six
inches OF more in height; this viii tend to
hold them firmly in position during winter and
protect the roots somewhat from frost and cx-
cess Of water. Ia spring the earth should be
leyeled as before and few inches Of course
manure spread over the roots. This Will pre-
vent drying on the surface, prevent cOnsOlida-
tiOn by heavy rains and keep down the growth
of weeds.
PRUNING RAsPBERRIEs.
Some years back the pruning Of raspberries
was confined 10 cutting out the old stems and