Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-10-31

The Elmira Club farmers have been
discussing the ACCESSIBILITY of substitute
ing sheep for cows They believe that
sheep, for the amount of feed and labor,
would give better returns: but near the
city strengthening is impractical, Oh &C.
count OF the ravages of worthless ours.
LIZ Is evident that the tax on dogs is sell
dom II ever collected in cities, and it is
the clty-bred dogs which, roaming
through the adjoining country, are most
apt to do the mischief. Full compensa.
ton IS never made for injury to sheep
by dogs, for the worrying Of those not
killed, nor torn, is never taken into ac-
count.
WHEN very large quantities of pota-
toes have to be stored for short time
or even during the entire winter. ont,
door pits may be resorted to: but for
convenience of handling and the facility
with which they are accessible at any
season q good cellar is worth more than
the best of pits. A potato cellar should
be so constructed that the floor is en-
tirely dry at all times; that frost and
light can be excluded completely, and
that perfect ventilation of every part
can be given rapidly, sufficient to keep
the air pure and the temperature as low
as possible without falling below the
freezing point.
SOME western farmers are deluding
themselves with the bilief that the Can
ada thistle does not spread with the
seed, but only with the root. They have
IN some instances, left the blossoms to
r1pen, but no seed appeared. The truth
Is that the dark red blossoms will per-
feet millions of seeds. In the very rich
est soil only the dark red blossoms ap-
pear, and it is this which has created
the western belief that Canada thistles
will not seed. If the blossoms are dark
red it may sometimes be advisable to
leave the patch until in full bloom,
then pillow under and it will often make
an end of them.
AN Indiana farmer writes that his
method of gathering seed corn is to go
into the field as soon as the husk be-
comes a little yellow and gather the
rlpest and largest ears, leaving enough
husk on to tie two ears together. He
then hangs them in the corn-crib, barn,
or any other convenient place, on poles
or scantlings. When dry enough to
shell easily it is taken down and the ears
piled, cordwood fashion, on plank sus-
pended by means of a wire, so that the
corn will be a foot or more from the
ceiling or ratters. In case the rats or
mice get to the corn before it is dry and
taken from the poles, he stops them by
laying plank lengthwise along on the
poles. He says he never has had any
trouble with rats and mice. and that
since he has adopted the above method
OF gathering seed corn he has had very
little replanting to do.
The poultry breeders of a little New
England village have declared that the
Langshaus are the best fowls for gen
eral purposes. They give them this
place of honor over such old and favor
tie breeds as the Brahmas, Wyandottes,
Plymouth Rocks, Leghorns, and Hou-
dams. 1t would seem that they are say
ing a good deal for the Langshaus, or
indeed for any one breed to claim that
the Langshaus are the best for general
purposes. Where there is or can be any
great difference between the Langshaus,
Plymouth Rocks and Light Bramahs it
is not easy to see. The latter breed is
especially a most valuable one, the birds
being large and well formed, maturing
early, are good layers and settlers, and
beyond any doubt have no superior for
the table. 1t is to be hoped that, not
withstanding this verdict has gone forth
from Hammonton, a few breeders will
continue to raise WyaRdottes, Brahmas,
and Plymouth Rocks.