The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-07-12
RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
MILK VALUE OF DIFFERENT BREEDS.

duration per season, low IN speclnc gravity,
high in per cent. of cream, proportionateIy IN
butter and also high in cheese production.
The grade of this breed approaches the nearest
10 what is called general purpose cow"
The Aberdeen Poll is low in quantity OF milk,
and the second highest OF any IN SPECIFIC
gravity.
The Hereford is not more prominent than
the preceding IL regard To milk, except IN
proportion OF butter from cream, in which IT IS
highest.
The Deuon is most distinct in highest specific
gravity of milk, and the weight of cheese from
milk.
The Galloway milk appears to be of peeu-
liar texture, rich or small in butter gloDules
as to rise very slowly and very indisiinct IN
the test tube
The AYRSHIRE is a particularly heavy, long
mixer, giving FIVE times her own weight per
season. The milk is somewhat low in specific
gravity and per cent OF cream, but is over the
average in cheese production.
The Jersey is remarkable for proportion OF
cream, averaging thir;y-fve per cent and Civ
ing a value of dairy products Incompatible to
any other breed in cur experience.
The native OF common cow of Ontario, not
Canada properly. because Quebec in particn-
Lar stands distinct In her class of dairy cows,
takes high place in value of annual produce
of ordinary dairy purposes and, along with the
Sh0rflorrs grade, is peculiarly the dairy COW Tor
the country.
FLOWERS AND INSECTS.
ain these DAYS, after the very elaborate and
ingenious demonstrations of the relations OF
flowers and insects il is scarcely any longer
doubted that the intimate economy OF both
has been modified and adapted directly with
reference 10 the needs and habits of each; that
the flowers have developed color, scent, and
intricate devices of form to attract and 10 en-
trap the insects, in order that by their pro-
pitiOus visits they may be cross fortified,
improved, and more widely distributed; that,
on the other hand, the insects have become
modified in shape and instincts 10 adapt them
selves more cornmodiously TO the various flow
ers, a process that has secured in nature a
great variety of forms and habits among in
sects and that these introactive influences are
ceaselessly active"
We find the above in an exchange. We
think that other conditions influence the color
of flowers for according to present knowledge
it seems difficult TO accept the doctrine that
flowers change their coiors in order TO be fer
tilted by insects We find that plants which
rarely perfect seed are propagated by suckers
and of-sho0ts, or root-stocks. and it is well
enough known that the color in flowers is due
to chemical combinations, which are not con-
trolled by the plant; indeed, recognition of
such control would lead into terrible prognos-
tications such as plants refusing 10 bloom at
all. Think of an apple orchard making a con-
tinuous strike of this SORT The flowers of
plants have their color intensified by light and
dryness of the atmosphere; even the same
plant viii show flowers of greatly reduced
color in a dull, low, damp position from what
they viii show in a clear, elevated, dry site.
THE INDIGO PLANT (Indigotera tinctOriG.)
This is one of several species which yields
the blue coloring matter called indigo. 1t is a
native of Asia, but il has been introduced into
many countries, where 1t has become natural
lied. At one time indigo was an article of ex-
port from the Southern States, but for many
years its production in this country has been
of no commercial Importance. The culture of
the indigo plant is very simple. The seeds are
sown IN spring In shallow drills, which are
twelve or fourteen inches apart, or they are
sown broadcast like clover. The plants are cut
as soon az they begin 10 flower. At this time
they yield tue greatest quantity OF indigo, but
a finer article is produced after the plants have
Powered. As soon as cut the plants are thrown
into large watts of water. Ia twelve or sixteen
hours the water begins to ferment, swell, and
become warm. When the water falls it is
drawn of into another vat, where it is agitated
for several hours, until the fecula begins Il
separate and the water assumes deep purple
color. liz is then allowed to settle into thick
sediment at the bottom Of the vat, and ths
clear water on top is removed
The fecula is placed IN a boiler and boiled
for several hours afterwards il is strained
through bags, and after being dried is cut int
cakes and packed for Good indigo il
known by its fine purple-blue color and it
hghtness. Its fracture, when rubbed with
hard, smooth substance. exhibits q coppery-reS
luster. The coloring matter does not exist a.
indigo IN the plant, but after sleeping in watel
which is well agitated the blue color is educed
Lsdigofera Caroline, native of the Southern
States, yields good indigo.
SEED AND SEEDING.
Prof Blouut, of the Colorado Agriculture
Tf-TT-
planted q pounds OF hand picked wheat on al
exact square acre, in rows Is inches apart, ant
AT harvest thrashed out g. bushels. In 1SS
he planted on 40 square rods 80 ounces Of fin
selected wheat, and the product was 81 bushels
or nearly rs bushels per acre. The same year
on rs square feet, he planted 76 kernels of ex
ira fine seed, weighing 10 grains, and the pro
duct realized exactly I0l pounds, nearly at tn.
rate Of 100 bushels per acre.
These results show the value of pure i'm
proved seed, thin seeding and good culture
The thin seeding allows for tillering Of tn
plant; he has known as many as Isl tiller
70 come from single kernel Of wheat, all @
which bore good heads, averaging ~ grains, 0
1902, from one planted. Thin seeding vii
always produce a greater yield and of bette
quality when the seed is pure and the condi
tions Of the soil are favorable 1t is within
the reach and power Of every farmer to max
his seed pure and the conditions favorable
from thin seeding. The encouragement of tn
tillering process and Of cultivation necessaril
gives new yigor 10 the plant; consequent
the maturity Of the plant is retarded, and q
the same time made better. When tnickl
sown it makes few if any tilleTs, and its tend
ency is to riPen earlier with shorter straw
shorter heads and fewer kernels The creates
enemy TO wheat is wheat; it cannot bear to
crowded
YELLows IN THE PEACH.
We have just perused a paper on the aboy
subject, which has been prepared at Houghto
Farm, n. Y. After a tedious preliminary, III
conclusion is reached that this disease is Ii
result Of special soil exhaustion.
We do not by any means consider this to |
the cause Of ysllows in peaches. 1t would Dt
be easy TO prove that TO be the cause Some
times one variety Of peach viii be diseased
81 orchard while other varieties are not di
eased, although they are growing side by sid
field VIII be planted IN peaches and the di
ease viii develop IN two or three years befol
there can be an exhaustion of special matte
IN the soil Other fields again win produt
peaches for thirty years without d case Of We
lows TO be seem Our experience warns again
the belief that plants become diseased on q
count of soil exhaustion. They may fail
grow TO profitable degree on poor soil, b.
they cannot be said TO be diseased. We col
slider that The yellows is caused by suddC
check TO growth ia the fall before the wood
properly fnatuTed. Any application to Il