The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-11-13
AGRIOULTURF.

nUAelOOAl OAtCa
STORING POTATOEs. There are three
methods of storing in general use, each
OF which has its merits and it's champi-
one. Three general principles underlte
against frosts aud temperature, freedom
from moisture and avoidance OF heating
caused by storing too deep. The ad-
vantages claimed for storing in barrels
are that the roots are easily handled, do
not suffer from abrasion, can be easily
examined, and If disease appears it can
be readily checked and removed. The
chief objection to this method is tho
time and expense involved whon the
crop is q largo one. Bins are largely
coming into use, especially in localities
near large cities, for tho potatoes oan at
any time be readily reached and pre-.
pared for market. A cool, dry, well
ventilated cellar, with the light exolud-
ed, is an admirable place in which to
store potatoes.
The argument in favor Of storing po-
tatoes under ground is that thero is lit
tie II any loss by evaporation. Objcc-
tlons to the plan are the labor involved
in opening the banks when the roots nre
required and the risk involved from the
extremes of too close or ipsutlici ont oov-
erlng. Whom pits are employed it is
important that arrangements bo made
for ventilation.
When stored i'll cellars, barns or root
houses 1t ls safe plan not to fill tho
nlhs with roots to II depth exceeding
threo or four feot. It has boon claimed
that lime sp:inkled in barrels or bins ut
that rate, say ono pound to enoh barrel.
tends to prevent decay by acting rs IN
absorbent and nentralizing tho earthly
doors. The Importance Of excluding
light from potatoes and Keeping them
as COOL as possible without freezing, can
not DO over estimated.
SAVE THE CoRNFoDDER. R.-Thoro will
DO as good crop of cornfodder this
year an III most yours, hence it behooves
eYory farmer to look to its careful pre-
servation, which is not always done as
we'll as it should be. 1t il truo the od-
der Is heavy article to handle, unless
the husking is deforrod to II period
when tho fodder becomes somewhat
dry, sometimes lit 10 mouldy, and thon
1t Is frequently loft III tho field until tho
latter part of November or beginning of
Docomber, greatlo to its injury, The
corn itsolf. when tho husking is defer-
red, frequently becomes mouldy, and
Its value detcriorated. 1t is botter to
husk 1t as soon after tho stalks arc ont
and tho 6, aims have become hardened.
and crib Mt once. This allows the mir to
pass through the mass freely and dries
1t gradually and safely.
ALI farmers, who hnvo any oxrcrienca
Ill feeding good oornfodder, must ad
nit that cattlo prefer it to tho best clo-
ver hay, and it is fully rs milk-produc-
ing, and more so whom tho stalks nro
slightly salted. They will then ent ND
all that is thus prepared for them and
thrive upon it. We know this us we'll
from our own experience ns tho expert
ence OF others. Cornfoudcr is not.
therefore, merely worth being cured in
the best mannor, but it should be m
object OF real concern with nll who keep
cattle, equally rs muck as with clover
hay. 1t il not pleasant. thon, to sec 80
many fields of fodder everywhere over
the country moulding and spelling lato
~ November, or oven tho forepnrt of
Dccember. merely for tho sake of II lit
tic additional labor to preserve 1t as it
should be, by storing it away to help
out tho winter stock of cattle food.