Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-06-25
FARM NOTES.
A,fsnd to tho OsntelOupes-Other Matters
OF Timely Interest.

.,s.nd to the U.nteIoupes-Other matters
OF Timely Interest.
Germantown Telegraph.
If not time now, it soon will be, for the
Young cantleoupe plants to be attended to,
and the hills in which there too many
vines be thinned out, always allowing The
strongest to remain, three plants being
enough in hill In removing the weeds
and stirring tho soil, too much care can
not be bestowed 80 as not to disturb the
vines after they have commenced running,
as it must be remembered that large
proportion-indeed, much the larger pro-
portion-of the nourishment of the vines
is derived from the soil through the root
let's attached thereto as the growth pro.
gresses. When the fruit has reached about
One-half its size, put a small piece of slate ,
which is the best, through piece of shing!e
or thin board will answer, under each
canteloupe, and it will prevent the earth
from extracting the flavor from about one
fourth the fruit, as wo commonly ma TO
be the case with the purchased cante-
loupes. OF course this method will not
answer for large crops intended Tor
market, but it should not be neglected in
garden crop for domestic consumption, if
We desire the full and exquisite flavor of
this, in our judgment, Incompatible fruit.
To Keep Cistern-Water Pure.
When cistern-water is pure there is
none better or more wholesome but it is
frequently the case that in summer it be
comes offensive and quite unfit for Use.
To remove the Offensiveness lime is gener-
ally recommended, large lump or two to
a cistern holding four or five thousand
gallons but, il too much is used the
water becomes hard and does not "agree"
with some people, and does not answer SO
we'll for cooking. Charcoal is frequently
employed with excellent effect but that
which is the most efficient, as 4 CORES
p6udent in Rhode Island assured us some
tins ago, is to allo1 tile supply spout to run
to the bottom of the cistern. The fresh water
being heavier than the old, forces the lat
ter to tue surface and is thus consumed
before it becomes offensive, and SO on at
each rain. This looks like being a remedy
for what.has been SO much complained of,
and will be an answer to many inquiries
made of us Oh the subjec'. But there arc
certain conditions that should be Observ
ed by all having a cistern, the first Of
which is that it should be thoroughly
cleaned out twice a year and the sec"nd
that the conductors en- the roofs should be
bcTteu Ill LliC
How Long Butter Will Keep.
A few years ago while 4 we'll in this
place was being cleaned, half-pound Of
butter was found in the bottom as good
and sweet as when first made. How long
it had been there no one knew. The pres
ent occupant of the premises has been II
years on the place, and the pump being III
constant use there had been no OCCASION
l.. - n Nl,n h,rtt ttnp
must have been there all this time, and
how long before is not known The out
side was Of paler color than that within,
but otherwise there was no change.
Ii il not unknown to good dairy folks
that butter will keep we'll in cool, pure
spring water, and some have taken alvan
tage Of tho facS to preserve butter in close
vessels under the surface. But We think
it is not generally known that it would
keep SO long and in actual contact with
the water. 1t might be- of great value
whether this hint about preserving butter
might not DO taken advantage of, 50 as To
initiate :! regular plan of preserving but
ter sweet aud fresh, until markets or Other
circumstances favor good prices. 1t is one
Of the weaknesses of the butter business
that ut Somo seasons prices are r;linOusly
low and the usual remedy of potting is not
very good cure.
The water of course must bo cool ant.
pure. At 4 high temperature, such as
most water near the surface reaches
vegetable organisms grow that woult
soon communicate decay to any organic
matter in the water !; but there arc many
places where a lagoon of tho proper condi
tion Of pure we'll water could readily bc
constructed.
1t may not DO out of place here to re-
mark that little hints such as these Al
continually occurring in almost every one:
experience. but only soon to be forgotten
Yet often if tho suggestion be listened t.
and the thread followed up one might get
on tho track of some good idea that won:(
rapidly make a fortune. We thing that
new inventions require much study bn
the truth is most of our bsst discoveries
have been by accident.