The National tribune., 1883-06-14

duced from each animal on the farm. The
richer the feed the better manure so that there
is more than one way in which high feeding
pays. The solid portion of manure contains
organic matter, phosphoric acid and lime;
while the liquid portion contains nearly all the
nitrogen and potash. To make perfect fer
tilizer all must be saved.
THE ALLsPIcE TREE Eageaia Pmenta.)
This forms medium sized tree; it is a
native of the West Indies, where it is valued
for its fruits. which are known in commerce as
allspice. The name is given on account of the
flavor and odor of the berries resembling a
combination of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
The berries are dried in the green state and
as seen In commerce are about the size of
small pea, of dark color, and surrounded by
the remains of the calyx. These berries bruised
and distilled with water yield the Pimento oil
OF commerce, which is occasionally used in
medicine as carruinative. The whole plant
leaves, bark, and roots-is powerfully odorifer-
Gus, and the plant is often grown in green
houses for its fragrance. 1t grows in southern
Florida
A closely allied plant called the wild Glove,
or bayberry tree, also called black cinnamon,
is valued for its leaves, from which is distilled
the refreshing perfume known as bay rum.
WORKING THE SOIL.
The working of the soil, in connection with
the application of manure and special fertilizers,
works wonderful results. The great universal
solvent is the oxygen of the atmosphere, and
while but a small per cent is free in the atmos-
phere, the earth is full of it, while that which
is free IN the atmosphere is ever ready to enter
into and make new combinations in the soil
Hence, one great object of tillage is to let in
this oxygen, that it may produce those changes
necessary for the production of plant food. Gull
tlration also aids in the escape of water where
there is too much in the soil. for while GER
tam amount Of water aids in the decomposition
of the soil, too much water shuts out the oxy-
gen and prevents decomposition. Stagnant
water is antasonistic to plant growth Water
IN a state of motion not only conveys food to
the plant but conveys heat both to and from
the land, equalizing the temperature.
STRAWBERRY INSECT.
The troubles of fruit growers never end. The
strawberry growers of southern Illinois have
suddenly encountered a destructive insect in
their fields. From accounts in Western papers
this insect has destructive capacity which
must make the potato beetle wild with jeal-
ousy. Some fields are completely ruined.
Whole handfgls of berries have been picked,
and every berry viii be found sucked dry, and
of no value. From plantations where $4,000
cases were expected, not 5000 will be realized
The insect is known as the furnished plant
bug" an insect well known, but not heretofore
known to injure the strawberry. 1t is at first
a small, green, fiat, louse-like bug about one
sixteenth of an inch in length, which gradually
grows 10 be nearly one-fourth of an inch long,
and changes to a dull rusty color, acquiring
wings and flying when full grown.
THE EUROPEAN SPARROW.
1t is now becoming apparent that great
mistake was made by those who imported the
sparrow from Europe Although not quite so
bad as the Importation of the European rabbit
into Australia, the sparrow will undoubtedly
become yearly more troublesome here A
writer in the Grange Bulletin seems to think
that if the powers of the Department of Agri-
culture had been enlarged the sparrow would
not have been here, just as if the Department
could prevent any one from importing bird
There is scarcely any evil but what the Grange
papers viii attempt to prove is owing to the
Agricultural Department. They have much
fault TO find with it, but not one Of them has
dared 10 attempt 10 mark out course by which
the Government can best assist agriculture We
rather think that this is beyond their ability,
although they are adopts at fault finding.
DATE GROWING IN LOWER CALIFORNIA.
a writer in the Pacific Rural Press, who re-
sides on the coast between 25o and 26o, where
the lowest temperature is $50 and the highest
1902, states that he has over 1900 date palms
which he has raised from seed since 1877. and
that for the last two years has been picking
dates. Last year 4 few trees yielded more
than 100 pounds each, and he expects this year
to get 1000, and the next at least 10000 pounds
of fruit
1t is generally stated that the date requires
fifteen years growth from seed before it pro-
duces; it must, therefore, be considered that
this statement proves that five years is sufii-
Gent for fruiting the plant in Lower Califor-
MIA.
CHANGE OF PASTURE.
For milk cows change of pasture is de-
sirable; even if the grasses are no better either
IN quantity or quality, the milk yield will be
slightly increased. The cows like to roam
from place to place. and enjoy eating more in
new pastures. Pure water should always be
of easy access, for, no matter how good the pas
ture may be, the animals viii not give SO much
milk when they are stinted in water, 1t has
been found that allowing the cows to lick a
small quantity of salt daily, with good water
at command, is favorable to milk production.
Cows do not prefer clover pastures; if they are
watched, it viii be observed that they first pick
up all the crisp fresh grasses and leave the
clover till the last