The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-05-17

Rod of six years To most persons who look
at this in practical light, it will appear very
unwise offer; the hope, however, is that no
person will be likely to plant and care for
that number of trees for such ridiculously
small amount of bounty. Trees eight feet
apart will not make hedge, and one fourth of
the number would be enough for the purpose,
although what purpose is to be served is not
clear. As a recent writer tersely states, such
trees care detriment to the land owner. For
full half of the year they are a sore nui-
sance TO the travelling public. As a shade
they are naught, for the pathway for wheels is
not under their limbs. They stifie the air.
They dampen and muddy the ground. They
gather the obstructing SHOWS. They turn
free road into hideous barricade They ben
eft nobody. They curse everybody. They are
esthetic idols which ought to be demolished"
HOW TO USE PARIS GREEN ON POTATOES.
The R,rdl NeU Yorker says that too large
proportion of Paris green, whether mixed III
water or with plaster, will injure potato vines
as much as the potato beetle will. When used
in water the poison does not dissolve, SO that,
in spite of constant stirring, the water OF the
bottom of the vessel from which 1t Is sprlnkled,
contains enough poison TO harm the leaves.
We have used the poison both in water and
in plaster, and have noticed that the leaves
upon which the poisoned plaster was applied
remained green and luxurious; the middle of
Leaves receiving the poisoned water would
often turn gray and finally wither. 1t advo-
Gates the mixing of one part of pure Paris green
TO 100 parts of plaster well mixed together, SO
that the plaster will be evenly, though very
slightly, tinted with the poison. 1t is best to
mix ii at once and store &c in barrels in a per-
fectly dry place till wanted for use. Mixed in
this way there is but little chance of poisoning
animals, as they would have to eat a consid-
cradle quantity TO do them harm. Pure Paris
green is a dangerous article to have about prem
Uses.
SMOKING AGAINTs FROST.
In certain parts of the world where the
seasons are irregular and late spring frosts of
common occurrence it is a practice to collect
piles of dried weeds and other combustible
rubbish to be ready for firing and raising smoke
in orchards or over field crops which would
be liable TO sustain injury from slight frost.
We observe that this eXpedient has become a
frequent practice in California for protecting
the vineyards. Late Pacific Coast papers make
frequent mention of crops having been saved
through this means, while neighboring fields
where this precaution was not used have suf-
fered severely. The fires may be lighted at
night when frost is indicated, 1t is found
equally preventive of injury if the smoke
is thrown densely through the plants before
sunrise. little coal tar is mixed with the
dampened straw and weeds which increases
the density of the smoke. This might be of
service among the orange groves of Florida, as
well as in apple, pear and peach orchards else
where, when occasion required. We can tes-
tify TO its efficacy in the case of graperies.
ORANGE MARMALADE
The manufacture of marmaade from the sour
or bitter orange is extending at Seville, Spain.
49,. no.
than sweet oranges do, and it is stated that the
orange growers are budding their sweet trees
with the sour kinds because of their greater
profit. There are thousands of boxes of sour
oranges in Florida which are considered of no
account The trees are employed as street
trees, and the fruit hangs on the trees unmo-
Tested, and give particularly tropical aspect,
especially to stranger who has probably never
before seen oranges growing on the trees.
TO BRIGHTEN CROWS.
A writer in the american Caltiuator says, that
" in standing rag man in the cornfied / do
not think 1t best to place the efiigy at the
highest or most conspicuous position, but rather
in some out-of-the-way place or in a clump of
bushes, as though trying to hide. There is no
danger but that the crows will see him, and
they VIII be more easily deceived in this way.
1t is also good plan to move it about, changing
the position every Two or three days crow
soon loses ali fear even of a man who never
moves.
CHRONICLES OF CLAY FARM.
A correspondent writes that he has just Pc
rused with much interest book with the
above title, and asks us TO notice it, SO that
others may have the pleasure of its perusal. We
make note, as suggested, but cannot say where
the book is TO be procured we think that it is
out OF print. We read the book thirty-fve
years ago. An edition was published in New
York some twenty-five years ago. 1t is use
full as well as entertaining little work-as in
teresting as flrst-class novel.
ANIMALS AS WEATHER PROPHETS.
1t is stated that Dr. c. C. Abbott has kept
careful record for period of twenty years of
the preparation of their houses for winter by
mUskrats, the collecting and storing away of
nuts and other kinds of food. and various other
data regarding the supposed foresight of ami
mails IN preparing for winters of unusual sever
ity, and he has found that these operations
have no relation 30 the character OF the COM
ing winter.