The National tribune., 1883-01-25
RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.

Agricultural Readers.
When fruit trees are planted in rich soils, or
in highly cultivated gardens, an immense crop
Of branches viii be produced but little or any
fruit Root pruning VIII tend to check such
grOwthE most cLieCtually, and, aS q consequence
render the trees fruitful. This IS inaccordance
with a well known axiom IN vegetable physl-
olo-y that whatever tends 10 make trees over
luEuriaut is opposed TO great trultluness, and
whatever tends 10 diminish this degree of
luxuriance Is favorable To the production OF
flowers and fruit. The operation of root prun-
ingisp performed i'vdiCCiug out circular trench
at a distance Of from three to six feet from the
stem. according 10 the size Of the tree, and cut
ting all the roots that are encountered or can
be reached. The soil is then returned and the
process is completed. This is best when done
i'm August, as it accclcratcs the wood and bud
TipCning processes. The operation Is sometimes
performed in spring. but II Is not followed by
such immediate good results rs when done IN
the latter part of summer or early IN the tail.
Root pruning has also been successfully applied
10 ornamental trees, especially cvcrCreenS
that. in consequence Of growing until late IN
fall, are liable 10 have the points of shoots IN
iurea by the first frost. When growth IS
checked by roOt-pruning. the shoots then ma
out being injured. Young trees which would
otherwise suffer from cold winters may he thus
enabled TO stand, and as they attain age they
viii increase IN hardihood.
DEEP PLowTHG.
During a discussion on this subject by the
Elmira Farmers Club. w. A. Armstrong made
the following remarks, which embrace the gist
OF the whole subject: 1t Is not wise always to
report observations made under special con-
ditiops. except rs the conditions are also re-
ported fayor8hly. In the case Of land homo
gcncouS in its composition and structure to
great depth. blowing deep only brings into use
more soil. more fertility, and better land than
that which has been exhausted by cropping.
BUT q soil based upon UnpTOduCtiye hardpan
cannot be So treated without loss. 1t may be
thai the compact soil has all the elements of
fertility in greater degree than they exist in
the surface soil. but they are not available for
plant food: they are locked, and can only be
released through the agency of frost, heat and
atmospheric influences that require time for
effective action. In such cases the only safe
way to deepen the soil is to do ii gradually :;
jet each Successive blowing bring up little OF
the subsOiL'
MANUFACTURE OF JAMS.
The Grocer states that it is mistake to sap
pose that fruit is absolutely necessary to the
manufacture of preserves. 1t describes visit
10 a factory in which the work of making pre-
serves was brayciy carried on without the aid
Of fruit. Jams Of various kinds were being pro-
dUced before his Cycs-currant plum, apricot,
strawberry, raspberry and gOoscberry - yet
neither of these fruits were in the building.
TUrnips served the purposes Of the fruits. The
dayoring matter was extracted from cOal-tar,
and the resemblance to raspberry and straw
berry Jam was further produced by mixing the
compound with small seeds of some innOcuOuS
herb. 4 common form OF sugar is used, and
this Is the only honest ingredient of the mass.
These preserves are offered as made from this
seasons fruit" Sometimes apples take the
place Of turnips, particularly those varieties
which are rather tasteless, and probably not
much better than turnips.
THE SCIENCE OF FORESTRY.
The Prairie Farmer states that in some Eu-
ropean countries a certain degree of instruction
in forestry is given in the public schools, but
thinks that if the call were now made for this
instruction in this country it would be difficult
10 find professors who are themselves qualified
for teaching this science, and proceeds 10 re-
mark THAI until special provision could be
made for supplying this want courses of lectures
might be secured by persons who have taken
special care to fit themselves for this service,
and who thoroughly understand the question
in ali its bearings" Logically, it might be in
ferred that professors are not persons who
thoroughly understand the question in all its
branches, neither are they persons who have
taken special care TO fit themselves for this
service" Truly, this forestry question is Won
deTlully hcwildering, if we are TO credit all
that IS written and advanced on 1t.
ESTIMATING WEIGHT OF HAY IN THE NOW.
The Elmira Farmers Club reports that the
customary rule Of estimating weight Of hay in
the mow-an eigHt-tOot cube TO the ton
would not approach accuracy, except as condi-
tons subject to endless variations were cOnsid-
cred. Fine meadow grasses cut when green,
and well cured, would weigh. in proportion 10
bulk, nearly or quite as much as coarser Vari-
cites; for instance, timothy and clover, especi-
ally when Over-ripe at time of cutting. Then,
again, d NOW twenty feet high would give
greater weight TO bulk than another having the
same quality of hay only half the height.
With these varying elements TO consider, any
rule Of mensuratiUn must be unreliable, and in
practice misleading.
4 NEW INDUSTRY FOR FLORIDA.
The Nqaihot G}a=iori, a South American
plant closely allied TO the Cassava plant is
being planted largely IN the East Indies for its
gum. which forms a good India-rubber. For 4
tropical plant this species of liqajbgt is very
hardy, and would doubtless flourish over 3
large portion Of Florida. 1t comes early into
useful size furnishing notable quantities of
ruober at four years from the seed. The -UD-
bier is known IN commerce rs Ceara-ruhber. Il
Is worthy Of trial IN Florida. Much money is
sen, 10 other countries for our supply Of rubber,
and j. may De possible that Florida could
supply the market.
SAT- AND DISEASES.
A writer in the Australasian Veterinary jour
uo says hc finds than salt prevents those blood
and parasitic diseases 50 much talked about by