Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-23

From the American Ag-iculturIss.

considered OF questionable value as q means of
bringing up the fertility OF an oyer-cropped
mercial fertilizer, or grow scavenger crop,
like buckwheat, and pillow it under as green
manure. There is considerable loss Of soluble
plant food in bare fallow, that growing
plants will take up and hold. The mechanical
Improvement of heavy soil by following is not
to be overlooked, and the killing of the weeds
In foul land by the frequent stirring Of the soil,
Is another important advantage gained by O
summer fallow. Nearly all these good results
are. however, obtained by quick-growing
crop. that Is turned under before weeds have
time to form seeds.
E,Irly Potatoes should be harvested as soon az
ripe, lest wet weather cause them to sprout and
rot. second crop may be grown by planting
the early and quick-growing kinds by the first
OF the month The late crop should be kept
ifee from weeds and the destructive potato
beetle.
Observation-Disclosures or Swedish turnIps NAV
be sown until the middle of the month The
ground cleared of early potatoes is especially
nted for a crop OF turnips The soil must be
rlcn. deep, and mellow, and the seed. three
pounds to the acre, sown in drills thirty inches
apart.
FheGt.-TO be of the best quality wheat
should be cut when the grain, crushed between
the finger nails, breaks into flour and shows no
signs of dough. If there is heavy harvest, it
is better to begin the work little before this.
than to have any cut after it Is "dead ripe"
Improper shocking OF the sheaves is a great
source of loss. Each bundle should be set
firmly upon the ground. The best way to do
this is to take one in each hand, bringing the
two down with their heads close together,
After three pairs have thus been placed in q
oval shock. The heads of all the
bundles are brought close together,
and the cap-sheaf adjusted. A large
shock may be made Of four pairs of bundles
with three slleayes on each side. The cap will
consist OF two sheaves, and the whole shock of
eighteen bundles.
Oats may be cut while the straw is somewhat
green Ii fully ripe, cut in early morning and
rake and bind late the following afternoon to
avoid Smelling. Shock carefully as the straw
must be well cured before being housed. When
wheat follows the oat crop, the stubble may be
stirred with cultvator, to give the scattered
grain chance to sprout before plowng
Fodder Crops.-FOdder corn NAV be sown
from week to week through July to furnish an
excellent supplement- to the pastures that are
frequently short and dry in late summer
Golden millet Is a productive fodder crop. and
on rich soil Is ready for cutting i'm few weeks
from the time of sowing Ii there is any left
from green feeding, it may be cured into ex-
celent hay. Hungarian grass may be sown
early this month, but the soil must first be made
rich and mellow
LIVE STOCK-HINTs AND HELPS
Horses need to be kept clean and frequently
curried Washing the legs is advisable, es-
pec!aiiy If the animals are worked in mud and
dust. Clean the stables daily to prevent the
accumulation of troublesome flies. A weak So
luton OF carbol!c acid or q decOction of smart
weed will aid In keeping off the flies while the
team is in the field. Fly nets of light cloth are
inexpensive. easily made. and should he worn
by all work horses when in the harness. Grass
alone is insufficient feed; to it add a good sup
ply OF oats and corn ground together and mixed
wet with cut hay. 1t is sometimes best to feed
the horses in the field and for this box is con-
venent 1t Is fitted with nOtched side pieces,
to faSten over fence boards, on which the box Is
hung Feeding oats on the ground is wasteful
and unpleasant.
Co1cs-tf the flow Of milk is once reduced. It
is dlHcut to bring it up again. therefore use all
the extra feed necessary to prevent the de-
crease. Green fodder alone is not enough to
piece out the. short pasture, and some ground
feed should accompany it. A cool. dark stable
IS preferable for cows to hot pasture in mid
day Dry earth makes better summer litter
than straw.
Sheep intended for the butcher need abund-
ant feeding. Oil Cake with the ground feed is
excellent. Store sheep will thrive in a good
pasture, wcil-watered and shaded. The i'm
portance of a cool shelter from the hot noonday
sun cannot be overestimated. Sheep troubled
with dySentery will retire from the flock and
unless looked after. may be lost. Remove the
SICK animal to cool shed, and give one ounce
Of castor oil, followed by bran or oat meal
mash. Flies are often troublesome at this
season. If maggOtts are found. apply tar and
grease and clip the wool closely about the af-
fected part.
Pigs.-If to meet the early demand. the
young pigs may be pushed rapidly by good feed
ing. oows need rich food in abundance. to pro-
should have separate feeding place
A run in clover stubble is relished by
swine. Provide bed of sand in the yard or
pen. Pigs to come in November should be
spoken for this month II the stock is not what
Is desired. begin at once to improve it by seeur-
ing the use OF some pure bloOded male.
ORCHARD AND NURSERY
The early varieties Of fruit keep, as rule. but
short time after ripening and do not bear
long transportation. Early apples. of good size
and attractive appearance, meet with ready
sale at high prices. Those who plant orchards
near large cities lind their greatest profits from
early varieties. as with these there is but little
competition from distant localities.
Marketing Early F,uu-It is best to pack early
apples and pears in baskets or crates Pick as
soon as mature, before sOftening takes place.
and assert carefully, making three qualities
nrst and second for market, and q third for the
pigs.
Peaches.-The greater the distance from mar
kef. the more care should be given to picking
The fruit must remain hard until 1t reaches the
consumer or retailer; any softening while in
transportation will cause damage and loss.
Preparing for the Fdirs-Those who compete
for the prizes offered for the "best plater of any
variety of fruit. often select the specimens be-
forehand. and by excessive thinning, cause them
sIgrOw to great siZe
Young Trees, planted last spring, are poorly
prepared to endure the drouths of midsummer.
fthe surface soil can not be kept light by cultiva-
ton. mulch should be put around the tree.
This may be straw, litter of any kind, chips, or
even stones. ALI superfluous shoots, those
which start where branch is not needed. should
be rubbed OIL. 1t Is much better to shape the
trees while young than to allow them to grow at
will for years. and then cut away large part of
the growth.
Budding usually begins this month in the nur-
series. the exact time for each fruit being gov
erned by the condition of the stock and the ma
turlty of the buds. Cherries are usually budded
first, then plums. which are followed by pears.
Blight is the name of the greatest affection of
the fruit-grOwer. 1t attacks pear trees especial
ly. and the first knowledge their owner has of
Its presence is the blackening and death of a
branch or Of the whole tree. We are unable to
apply preventive, and can only cut away the
dead portions, or the whole tree, and burn
them.
HIa ID