The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-07-10

Whitewash is used under the impression
that it keeps the wood dry, but the rain pene-
trates it directly through to the wood. But
white repels the heat and hence protects the
wood from its damaging effects 1t may have
some preseryatiTe influence, but not enough to
pay for its application. The effect of good
paint on fine work exposed 10 the weather,
where repeated coats are applied, is a different
matter, and has nothing TO do with the qGes-
ton in hand
If good coat OF tar is applied to wood
which is entirely underground, aud where the
sun has no influence upon il, aud no heat to be
attracted By the tar. there is no doubt but that
IT'S application Will have an excellent effect in
preserving the wood
EDUCATION IN THE GRANGE.
One of the chief objects contemplated by the
originators of the Grange organization was the
education OF the rural population. and that
each Grange should have library was one of
the measures strongly advised in the early
history of the movement. This has not been
so generally adopted as was anticipated, al
though many of the Oranges have good libra
ries. We find the following remarks in an
exchange, which shows what can be done If
the effort is made: ''Short Creek Grange Mo-,
have, without injury to their treasury accu-
mulated $50 volumes of choice literature In
less than two years. This library has drawn
all the young folks in the neighbOrhood TO the
Grange, and makes them enthusiastic for the
principles of the order Here is n means of
education open to the sons and daughters of
farmers and mechanics that is within the
reach of all, and at little or no expense and
besides this, it will make them satisfied with
their avocation IN life and fit them for any
position in society. Il will be strong power
to keep them free from vicious associations
and evil influences. In this way, if under
proper management, the children Of the rural
n {rf. .-ffi
tellectual culture as the residents of larger
towns possess"
EFFECT OF POLLEN ON FRUIT.
Strawberry growers maintain that the varie-
ties are largely influenced by the dissemination
of pollen from one to the other For instance,
the Manchester, when grown near the Wilson,
has fruit not easily distinguished from the lat
ter. Crescent Seeding pollenized with Wilson
were firm enough to carry 100 miles, while
those pollenized with the Downing were too soft
for shipping. Again, it is stated that when
Glendale and Sharpless are planted side by side
the berries produced on each row possesses
characteristics of each other. 1t will not be
best to take for granted all that is said on these
changes without more extended and more
accurate observations. Young fruit growers
are apt TO exaggerate; as, for instance when
they state that the size of the flower IS also IN
fuenced Big pollen.
BAGGISG GRAPES
We cannot boast of having any personal ex-
perience with bagging grapes as a preventive
OF rot in the berry, but we intend TO try it
this season. We have seen so many favorable
statements from those who have adopted the
plan that we feel warranted IN urging those of
our readers who have bearing grape vines to
try it, if only on few clusters. Manila paper
bags, such as are used by grocers, or calico bags
made large enough to hold a quart, VIII answer
the purpose. The best time to cover the bunch
is just after the berries have well set on the
bunch; slip the bag over the bunch you wish
to preserve, and keep it there until the grapes
are ripe.
NoTELETs.
One pound of bone contains the phos-
phoric acid of 2S pounds of wheat. 4 crop of
wheat of 40 bushels per acre and 60 pounds
per bushel. weighs 2,400 pounds, and requires
about 50 pounds Of bones to supply it with that
essential material
-Turpentine has so strong an odor that it
win prevent depredations of most insects, and
on small scale IS one of the best applications
that can be made corncOb dipped in tur-
pentine will keep cucumber and squash bugs
from the plants to which it is applied IL hung
in plum trees, it viii help TO keep OF the cur
cGlio
Thorough tillage doubles the effect Of ma
without manure viii often produce better
crop than good manure with poor tilIage
Although eoal oil is valuable as an ingre-
dent in washes used for the destruction of in
sects on the bark of trees, yet it has to be
severely diluted, otherwise it viii injure the
trees. We once saw a eirclet of Gotten fastened
around the stems of elm trees for the purpose
of arresting the path of the insects so destruct-
i've to the leaves, which was saturated with
coal OIL We do not know what effect it had as
q preventive of the insects, but we do know
that it completely destroyed the bark with
which it came in contact, and ultimately killed
all the trees upon which it was applied.
Apple and pear orchards should be cult
waited during the whole period in which the
trees are being prepared for fruiting. When they
are in bearing the land may be laid down to grass,
but it must not be neglected; manure should
be applied on the surface when the trees re-
quire it, and it, in course of time, the vigor of
the orchard becomes so far impaired as to affect
the size and quality of the fruit, the ground
should again be broken up and undergo
period of treatment with the plow and culti-
vator
Some one remarks that there is no need of
bothering about a cows pulse TO find out If she
is well or not: simply look at her nose If
well, it viii be moist and cold; if feyerish, dry
and hot She is like dog in this respect. A
ruffied hide or hollow eye are also points
indicating trouble, and as symptoms Of disease
they are more to be dreaded than the dry nose.
The best kind of charcoal for fowls is
parched corn or wheat 1t should be parehed
till very brown, or partly burnt, and if fed as
soon as parehed it viii not only answer all the
purposes of charcoal, but will stimulate and
invigorate the fowls wonderfully.
The term cultivation" when applied to
the working of the soil, has been defined as a
term by which we designate those operations
which have for their object that of maintain
ing an equilibrium in the elements necessary
to the growth of plants.
AN honest strawberry box is the noblest
work of man." This is a cruel thrust at the
man who invented the box with the bottom
halfway to the top. Certainly this box looks
as innocent as newborn babe, at first glance
and liberal, too. in proportions But SO long as
imperfection prevails IN the human race, just
so long viii complaints be made when it is diff
the bottom or top.
For the best product of evaporated apples
the following have been recommended for max
ing fruit of good flavor and color: Rhode Is
land Greening Baldwin, Smiths Cider Mis-
souri, Pippin Maiden's Blush, Eoxbury Russell
Huntsmans Fayorite, and Jonathan.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Can you inform me why some energetic meas
and refuse of cities, that return ii to
lands, instead of allowing 1t to flow into streams
and rivers, and ultimately 10 the ocean Jonas.
Ans Weeannot answer this question, except to
say that. as we understand it, the value efsewage
from cities is so low in regard to its bulk that
it does not pay for transportation, except so far
as it can be used in irrigation. The bulk of