The National tribune., 1883-07-26

he may then know that established laws OF ma
tnre are not always easily defined.
THE SOFA BEAN.
This Japan plant seems to be subject of
experiment at agricultural stations. The
North Carolina Experiment Station offers the
following as the result of their inquiry into
the chemical character and value of the plant:
THE beah itself it one of the most nutri
tious known TO US, quite unequaled in the
amount of fat it contains and containing at
the same time a very large amount of proteins.
The ripe plant yields a straw fully equal to
common hay IN composition, while, owing to
the fortunate property the beans have of ma
turing and drying after the plant is cut, still
more superior hay may be made from it by
harvesting the plants just when the pods are
fully developed and still green"
Notwithstanding this seemingly valuable
showing, this plant, although long well-known
in Europe as well as here, has not yet found its
way into cultivation. The forage is somewhat
hairy, which is against it, and the seeds, al
though nutritious, are very hard, and require
long cooking TO render them eatable The
famous sauce, called Soy, of the Chinese and
japanese is made from these beans.
GROWING CABBAGE.
We have, in previous number of THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE, directed attention to the
method of growing plants of the cabbage fam
lily by sowing the seeds where the crop is to be
grown, instead of transplanting. The follow
ing, from the IolDa Homestead is on the same
subject: The custom of raising cabbage plants
in bed and afterwards transplanting them is
a mistake. We have experimental for several
years, using both modes, and invariably get
the best results from planting the seeds in the
hills where we wish them to grow; planting
three or four seeds in each Hill, and thinning
them out after they show the fourth leaf, TAX
s-,1.a, ,-+x
of my cabbage planted in this way, several
weighed over twenty-five pounds, while those
from plants carefully set out in the usual way,
and with the same cultivation, would weigh
scarcely ten pounds. Transplanting checks
the growth at the most critical time, and the
retarded plants show the effects during the
whole season and are less likely to head"
ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS FOR TEXAS.
At the recent meetixg OF the Nurserymen s
convention at 81. Louis [. Y. Munson, of Deni-
son, Tex, read a paper ON the aforementioned
subject. The paper recited the hardships of
the climate, a long drouth with intense heat
in the direct rays of the sun, and sudden freez-
ing in the fall before the growth was fully
matured." We can hardly suppose conditions
more adverse 10 plant growth than these, and
would not expect to see a long list of plants
suited to such climate But even in climates
the most adverse, the skilled cIltivator can
modify extremes, so that even in Texas many
plants both ornamental and useful can be
grown, although circumstances at first appear
unfavorable. Unfavorable conditions, such as
described, develop the latent skill in expedi-
ents, and allows the opportunity of showing
what can be done by draining deep culture,
shelter, and other notifications of practical
knowledge.
THE MANURE HEAP.
oI,,t
OF their animals to waste are probably not
aware that its presence is necessary to form a
complete manure. The urine contains nearly
all the potash and large part of the nitrogen.
The solid matter contains most of the phos-
phoTic acid and lime. Manure made without
any abSorbentS TO save the urine, and then
pitched out of doors for months to be alter
nately washed and dried by rains and Winds
is not worth much compared with what it
would be if well cared for under cover.
1t pays well 10 have tank, or tub, or sink
hole of some kind to catch the washings from
the manure pile. In some parts of the world
the liquid-manure tank is common fixture in
the barnyard. 4 pump is fixed SO that the
liquid is pumped AT once into a barrel or water
cart, which is furnished with sprinkling APP
paratus for distributing the liqnid manurial
matters among the growing crops.
USES OF FISH PONDS.
correspondent of the Indiana Farmer has
the following 70 say on fish ponds: Z" feed the
carp potatoes boiled with skins on, mash them
and place it about in punches i'm the shallow
part of the pond or along the edge; they seem
to like it. / take ali my ice from the pond,
and we have scores of fine frogs, whose hams
make as palatable dish of rich food as can be
in the meat kind. The frogs are not large,
nor should they be: a medium-sized one is
best. An old green back, such as are caught
in the boys and sloughs, has too much the
favor of mud swapping turtle; younger frogs
have not this odor. So we have fish, frogs, and
ice all from the same pond; and the pond itself
is fixed up so as not only to be useful, but it is
an ornament, and also an attraction to birds.'
EAR MARKS OF BUTTER COWS.
At late meeting of Dairymen's Associations
experienced dairymen said that they attached
much Importance to the color of the inside
of the ear of a cow as test of her butter-pro-
ducing ability. A rich yellow color on the
inside Of the ear, one speaker said, he had never
known to fail as sign of a good butter cow,
and one that would give him rich milk Dr.
Sturteyant regards the color of the ear good
guide, but calls attention to the necessity, when
observing, for clearing away the secretions
that may have accumulated on the skin, and
which may be darker than the skin itself
SULPHUR AS AN INsEcTIcIDE.
We occasionally see sulphur recommended
for killing insects. We do not know of any in
sect that viii be destroyed by busting sulphur
over ii, that would not be as readily DESTROYED
if busted with sand, -four or even sawdust.
Insects Of all kinds, so far as we have seen, will
crawl over or through sulphur without being
in the least Inconvenience. Sulphur is a
remedy for mildew, or rather the sulphurous
gases which are liberated by heat; but caution
must be exercised in heating it; if burned.
gases are then formed which are deadly poison
to vegetation of all kinds.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Our Agricultural Editors Weekly Chat With His
Readers.