The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-05-18
TO Preveut Hens from sittine.

Do not drench them in water nor put
them in barrel with one or two inches
of water in the bottom, nor tie them up
by one leg to tree, nor any of these
cruel practices which our fathers in their
ignorance used to quench the natural
instinct; but take them from their nests,
put them in a large coop in the open air,
under shady tree, if the weather is
warm, and feed largely with everything,
including baked beans, that you give to
your laying hens. In many cases the
fowl commences to sit when she is in
good condition to keep on laying eggs, if
can but get the notion out of her head
that she must be clurking mother.
She needs, perhaps, the material for egg
shells, which may be easily supplied.
Furthermore she should not be put in a
small coop, where she would not obtain
exercise; better put her in pen hay
ing no floor, but loose earth, where she
may scratch for living. Activity will
fever or desire to sit. 1t is we'll to pro-
vide for social activity, and to this end
cock may be introduced to a pen where
sitting hens are kept. He will talk with
his own language, scratch with the
would-be sisters, and soon eggs will be
found, when you may be sure that the
time has come for freedom.-Poultry
Journal.
Currants and Gooseberries.
The currant is a very useful fruit, and
generally does not receive the respect
to which it is entitled. It is found in
most gardens, but in the majority is left
to itself-to live or die bear or be bar
rem. Not 80, however, with those who
fully realize that it is really one of our
best and most useful fruits. It is
best propagated by cuttings ten or twelve
inches long, of the last seasons growth.
These cuttings should be cut just below
their union with the old wood, all the
buds from the portion put under ground,
and two, or perhaps three buds left
above the ground. Set about half the
cutting into the ground. The setting
should be done in early spring. Have
the soil deep and mellow, and it should
be rich. Set u foot apart III the row, and
make the rows two feet apart. Trans
plant in the spring following in rows
wide enough apart to allow cultivation
with the plough, and the plants should
be three feet apart in the row. Keep
the three-year-old branches cut away.
Trim and shorten annually. Every half
dozen years the rows will need renew
ing:
The propagation of the gooseberry is
similar to that of the currant. But it re-
quires a deeper soil than the currant,
for it is very gross feeder. Gregg rec
ommends trench two feet deep, the
bottom to be coveredwith heavy dress
ing of fresh stable manure. The lows
should be five feet apart, and the plants
three feet apart in row. Keep the
roots clear Of shoots, trim to a single
stem, from twelve to thirty inches high.
Keep the head we'll thinned out, "but
do not cut off the ends Of new shoots"
The best remedy for mildew-the chief
difficulty with this.plant-is high, open
culture, free manuring and a copious
mulching, says an authority. Sawdust
or spent tan bark is recommended for
mulch, applied to depth of from four
to six inches. Also hay, or other mater
ial. sprinkled with salt is recommended.
Ashes sprinkled on when the dew is on
is said to have good effect upon the
alleged remedy, however, that is very
beneficial on the bush, even lift does
not do rs much as is claimed to prevent
mildew. and that is frequent sprinkliug
with soap suds in the spring. A New
Jersey grower recommends the follow.
ing for mildew: Remove the dirt from
about the roots, thickly mulch with
salted meadow hay, and then cover
again with earth.-Western Rural.
The Garden. -.
Farmers often draw the line between
farm and garden work with too much