The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-12-20
HOME, FARM AND RANCH.

hOOI URAt -0OOO Z d GtuS IS
the process by which small apple trees
are now transformed from WORTHLESS.
seedlings into choice, well tested fruit.
Root grating is an economy of both
time and material, as the work can be
done in the leisure of winter, and
more than one tree can be grown from
q single root. The roots of Seeding
trees are taken from the g-ound be-
fore cold weather sets in and are
stored in a cool cellar in saWdust or
moss. In the winter these roots are
taken few at time to the room
where the grating is done, after
which process they are are again re-
turned to the sawdust, where they re-
main until set in the nursery rows
next spring. The grating process is
that known as whip" or
tongue" grating. A portion
of the root as large us a
lead pencil, or little smaller. is cut
off obliquely in much the same man
ner as the lower side of steel pen
may be imagined to be bevelled off
with a jack-knife. This cut surface is
or IL inches long, evenly cut and
straight. A scion two or three inches
long is cut in the same manner so
that its cut surface will apply on to
the cut surface of the root, in exactly
the same manner as two pens, with
the points toward each other by their
lower bevelled faces. II the process
proceeded no further than this it
would be Spilled grating" and the
scion and stock would be tied and
WaXed together with their simple cut
surfaces in contact. To render the
union more complete, however, a split
an inch deep lengthWise the scion and
above the center Of the bevelled sur
face is made, and similar one is
made in the stock or root. BY
this split in the bevelled sur
face We have divided it into two
parts, the upper one of which
being the smaller it is called
the tongue" or whip" This tongue
is inserted into the split in the oppo-
site piece, either stock or scion, the
tn o baVelIed faces are brought close
together. as before, and the union is
firm and compile. All the work must
be done with a keen-edged knife, so
that the surfaces may be clearly cut.
Care must be taken in putting the
scion and stock together that the in
ner bark and the scion exactly match
es on the side at least. The scion and
stock are now dashed firmly together
by waxed Irvine, and the grating is
done. 1t is not necessary to wind the
Irvine closely, as the earth about the
cut surfaces Will exclude the air and
afford protection. Small pieces of
root can in this manner be furnished
with top of two or three scion buds,
which draw up the sap and set the
plant in activity in the spring. The
scions are cut from thrifty trees in
early winter, and stored in the cellar
with the Toots.-American Cultivator.
FOOD TO PRODUCE EGGs.-To
thrive and keep healthy, fowls should
have variety Of food, but there is no
question but that certain kinds of
food have a tendency to produce more
eggs than others; for this particular
purpose, after much experience, most
fancierS have conceded that wheat
screaming, or the pure wheat itself, is
superior to all others. 1t is generally
conceded that grain, either corn,
wheat, oats, or buckwheat, is superior
as egg producing diet, to soft food,
meats or vegetables; but it is debata-
bic question as to the advantage of
feeding grain alone, as stated above; a
change or variety of diet is best for
keeping fowls, as it is for all our do
nestle animals, in good healthy con-
dition and less likely to be affected by
disease of any kind. We are inclined
to think that the profit in the aggregate
from a flock of this kind will be
greater than those fed for eggs alone.
Spirit of the Farm.
SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF THE
ROUP.-In compliance with the wish
that the roup question should be
started, l would state that the only
thing that l have been able to find
that would cure roup, after the fowl
has caught cold, for that is all there
is in the first stages of roup, is castor
oil given according to the symptoms
of the case. / take the sick fowl and
shut it in warm and dry but well
ventilated coop, OF small house, hay
ing previously cleaned it thoroughly,
aud Sprinkled some air-slaked lime
about. l call this house my hospital
| then give the patient at least tea
spoonful of the oil, sometimes more,
and sometimes less according to the
time the fowl has been i'll, according
to the size and age of the fowl. ac-
cording to how the fowl is. then
place within reach some well cooked
food, some fresh clean water, always
cleansing the dishes before each meal.
/ repeat this operation two or three
times day, until the fowl is well
enough to run out with the other
fowls-that is, when the matter ceases
to run from the nose and mouth. 1
have cured fowls where they have
been unable to walk or see.
Castor oil is always my first resort
on finding that fowl is taken with
the least sign of any disease internal
", and l have used it with success in
every case. However, a preventive
is better than any remedy. This is
dry, warm shelter from sudden
changes of weather, and the fall and
spring rains, and at all times whole
some food.-C. w. H., in the Country
Gentleman.
Advice TO Mothers.