The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-09-08
AGRICULTURE.

cultivated varieties of vegetables is
the subject Of a recent bulletin from
the New York agricultural experiment
station.
In tomato seedlings young plants fire.
quentlv show three and even four seed
Leaves instead Of the normal two. The
tomato presents numerous variations in
Its growth. The species to which our
garden varieties are referred are suffl.
ciently distinct to be cassed as separate
species Or sub-species.
DIR. Sturtevant, In the bulletin under
consideration. notes the variations in the
fruit upon tho same plant and upon the
same cluster.
Among other variations in the tomato
fruit is noted that Of shape. It is only
within recent years that the tomato has
become smooth. Formerly it was rib
bed and in shape quite distorted. One
Of the most marked variations obtained
by culture seems to have been in the
diminution OF tho seed, and variations
are also to be noted between varieties in
the manner in which the seeds are nr.
ranged, as also in the thickening of the
core, and the size OF the various
cells and partitions which contain the
seed.
There appears also to he considerable
variation IL the vitality Of seeds as be-
tween different varieties as there cer-
tainly is between the strength Of the
young plants. But DR.. Sturtevant has
not yet collect sufficient data to as
sign this variability to other than acci-
dental causes. 1t is M interesting SUBJ
jeot Of inquiry whether the tendency to
seedlessness and quality be not correla-
ted, and also whether there be not n
correlation between the vitality OF seed
and the quality, as also bctween the vi
gor of the plant and quality,
THE CULTURE OF WHAT. Some
twelve to fifteen years ago al impression
prevalled-lndecd the results seemed to
establish the iact-that wheat culture in
Pennsylvanla, like fruit-culturc, had
run out, and farmers clubs and agricu].
tural papers went full tilt to discussing
the reason of 1t. But subsequently both
took turn, and we should like to know
to-day If any one darcs to say that both
wheat and fruit cannot be raised as sue
cessiully there rs in almost any other
State. Some said at first that 1t would
last only little while now and then
we may get along we'll enough, but
who can say how long it will last, or in
case Of failure should come again what
wo nre to do about it. This was anti
cpating an evil which there was no
reason to believe would soon occur
again, and rs it has not yet returned we
hear no more about It. The grumblers
arc quiet; they take with thanks, we
hope, all they receive, and mny en-
teraln the best expectation for tie ill-
ture
The greatest enemy of the wheat crop
ls too much water. 1t may bo said that
tho wheat-root is more susceptible to
injury from too much water than many
OF us believe. 10 be sure there il n
general impression that All overdose OF
water is bad, but the full force of tho
lmpressi' is seldom felt rs it deserves
to be. Water lying around roots does
not always Kill the WHEAT plant, but
many OF the roots ME injured, and the
few that are left are not able to do dc
the work that nll were intended to take
part in dong. If ny one will dig up
wheat plant in spiiny which hos stood
ali winter III q wet Place, ho will see ex-
actly how this is. Only LIVING roots
S'o1p w IIAo oul ALCS dillt DolOW IlllS may
be Injured.
SEEDING Win CLOVER. ITO get q
good It cdlhg OF clover IL no easy task,
many furmer will say, and thelo Is
truth IN the statement, yet 1t makes
very muoa difference how one goes to
work to do IT aud when ho does it. We
have known farmers to SOW clover early
IN O,
there WAS light covering of snow cn
tbs ground and have good SUCCESS with
lt,but we prefer to wait until thogroun6
Is settled, then SOW six quarts of clover
to four quarts of timothy to the mere
Some tind 1t advantageous to lightly
harrow the ground after sowing the
30 ID, aud then roll it with heavy rnl
lar. This, Of coulse, can ONLY be ii h
ly done WI Ell the ground is dry and sot.
tied. This beng uonc, SOW 100 pounds
of plaster to the acre. Glover should
not he covered dcep;lt is not necessary.
If clover md timothy are TO be sown
alter oats it should not be done until
the oats arc narrowed in for the INST
time.
STABLE manure undoubtedly answers
thS SSih0hito VI viz NAil Ill llulI
better than any annual application OF a
single special fertilizer, but still 1t
shoald not be forgotten that nn occa-
sional application of potash in some
form may be- necessary. Niurhte of
potash is good application now and
then.
The general failure Of the apple crop.
ycar ago. hns greatly lessened tre
imbers of the codlmg moth. We
may, therefore, hope for full crop
Of fruit, free from worms, the coming
season.
In cutting ont the bllghted portion OF
pear trees, the knife, saw or pruning
shears should be frequently rinsed
IN carboIic acid, and water to prevent
tho spread Of the disease to healthy
trees.
If any disease attacks peach tree
dig 1t up and put another in its place.
In all probability it is case of the
yellows, and tho loss of treo IS Il tr,he
as compared with tho danger of spread
ing the injection.
A YOUNG calf will begin to eat gram
or good bright hay at five or SIX months
old. A little scalded meal at this age IS
better than all milk ration. as it Is best
to oppusf,,n fba,,, tS erI;l t,,I