The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-05-10
RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
pArrs-crrrN ANp eREES rorAroEs.

We notice a statement that "The great bulk
OF green potatoes are evidently poisonous and
not fl to be eaten by man or beast, and "A man
might as well say that external application
cannot affect the internal organs Of the body as
10 say that Paris-green applied 10 the vines can
not and win not affect the roots" We allude
to this quotation. because it evidently intends
to convey the idea that greened potatoes are
cOiored By the application OF Paris green, which
Is not the tact green potatoes are simply made
green by exposure 10 the sun when Iipenlug,
and we have known people who lifted their
seed potatoes before they were fully matured
and spread them Ia the sun in order to green
them. as Il was considered to improve the seed.
Ii is a false impression that Paris-green makes
potatoes green, and that il is therefore dan
gcrous remedy for the potato beetle. This
poison has now been used very largely Tor
many years. and we never heard Of potatoes
being affected by its use unless, Is IN the case
above mentioned, the OIeclor had remedy OF
ms own 10 propose in its stead. No remedy has
yet been tried which it at once so efficient, so
cheap, and SO easily applied as Paris green, and
the small amount used las no eject whatever
upon the chemical growth of the plant. In
1&ct, it is little surprising that, notwithstand-
ing the many tons Of Paris-green which have
been used during the past ten years, SO little
S heard OF Injuries resulting from It's use and
handling.
The leelz IS somewhat doubtfully stated TO
be a native of Switzerland 1t was cultivated
by the Egyptians IN the time Of Phafoan, and
has long been esteemed as a wholesome vege-
table. The bulb IS soft and is merely a con
tinuati8a OF the stem. The leek is faYor.te
vegetable with many persons and is used as an
ingredient in soups, and for other purposes. All
parts Of the plant have somewhat offensive
Odor and an acrid taste. which depends on an
- Z 49,.
pated by decoctioa and may be obtained sepa-
rate by distnlation. The seeds are sown IN
early spring and the plants are removed from
the seeG-bed during July or August aad trans
planted in friable soil that has been well en-
Tichcd Good loeks cannot be produced on
poor soils For the purpose OF facilitating the
blanching of the stems the plants may be placed
in holes six inches deep and about three inches
in diameter. A small portion of soil is spread
over the roots at tie bottom Of this hole rs i
mere covering al first. Subsequently the
stems Of the plants are gradually covered as
they grow, and this covering renders them
white and succulent. Sometimes the plants
are set with the roots nearer the surface and
the soil placed against the stems as growth
proceeds. There are several varieties in culd-
walton, and stems two inches in diameter are
frequently produced by high manuring and
special culture
SILK C0TToNs AND FIBERs.
Within a few months we have received sew
eral samples Of the cottony matter attached to
the seeds of the common milkweed, with the
request that they should be noticed as furnish
ing available fiber. There are a large number
Of plants which yield somewhat similar sub
stance, and they are known as silk c0ttons.
These have no felting properties, and are not
fitted for weaving; their smoothness prevents
them from being spun into threads. and their
any durable cloth. In the manufacture of fab
ries, three distinct classes Of vegetable mate
rials are employed. FIRST that which is only
down produced Ia seed-pods, as cotton. Sec
ond, materials which consist Of fbers taken
from stems and leaves rs the hemp from stems
of the banana, and the threads from leaves OF
the century plant. Third, the fibers taken
from the inner bark Of plants, as the mulberry,
nettle, jute, hemp and many other trees annual
and hcrbace0us plants.
Cotton possesses felting properly owing Ia
It's being q fine membrane, ribb0n-shaped. with
a tendency to interlace itself, which gives il
sufficient adhesion to be converted into contin-
nous thread. The ibers Of leaves are composed
OF solid shTeds, incapable Of division, or OF be-
ing separately twisted, and owe their capability
OF being spun to their great length.
The hbers from the inner bark Of plants arc
composed OF fascicular veins. They are capable
OF being divided into numerous threads, depend
ing upon the processes employed, as soaking
carding. conbing and bleaching.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS.
This is q variety Of the common cabbage, and
as vegetable is highly esteemed by all wlit
have ever eaten IT, bat It's culture has so IA
been very limited in this country. The plant
foTns = small, rather loose and open head, viii
somewhat wrinlsled leaves, similar to those o
the kind Of cabbage known as the Savoy
The popularity Of the Brussels Sprouts con
sists IN the buds, which are formed at the bases
or axis Of the leaves. ia the common cabbage
these buds do not push into growth until The
second year Of the plants growth, and theT
they soon run TO seed stems: bat in the case o
the Brussels Sprouts these buds push out thicIly
al over the stem the first year Of its growth
and SO closely together that the stem is com
pietely covered with them: these buds form
neat, miniature, compact cabbage heads. Thi
original leaves OF the plant dgop off as the steu
lengthens and the buds enlarge These sual
.faas are sometimes three inches in diameter
they are finely favored and in great demand
when once their value is recognized They
succeed well wherever any Of the cabbage fam
lily VII grow, and their culture does not diffe
10 any degree from that bestowed upon thi
common cabbage. Seeds sown now viii aAort
heads N the fall.
STIRRING THE SOIL.
Some Of the objects gained by stirring tn
soil are: First, allowing the descent Of tn
roofs Of plants that they may ramif
readily IN search Of food. Second, TO pUlyeriz
the SOL aud thereby mix its constituent parts
and thus increase its absorbent and rctcntiy.
powers, and also 20 effect an equal and eco
nomical distribution Of manure Third, L
destroy weeds, which would otherwise rob tn
crop Of its food and thereby check It's growth
Fourth, by opening the soil and rendering
peaneable 10 air and water, and thus assist th
decomposition Of inert materials, both organi
and inorganic aud by rendering them soIubl
they arc prepared for the snstensnce Of plan
growth. The disturbance Of the soil also ex
poses insects brings them 70 the surface wher
birds can prey upon then, thus prcventin
their further extension.
wHITEW ASKING TIE DAIRY
AmTiter IN the Germantown Telegraph make
dairy have found land my neiehbors' ez
pericnce agrees with mine) that ncw wbitewas
OF line is fatal 10 milk. ii g.ea not using on
lniil.-h0use during winter sc whitesasa il an
allow the smell Of the lime TO pass of before "
put milk IL il, which should not be for at leas
tg0 months afterwards. Otherwise il IL con
slant use, we wash the walls thoroughly wit
scTnbbers til every faint OF nOuldincss is re
moved. This should be repeated twice yea
Had J known this invent s-fye years ago
would have saved me spelling many lot
butter. As il YVES. the butter for weeks ate
NaiteWashing would be so nspid as TO be a
most unssleable, and DO alter manipulate
COLD make il right"
SWEETS SCENTED yEussI. GLASS