The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-02-21
HOME, FARM AND RANc1
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

, a correspondent SENDS 10 the Rural
New Yorker remedy for grape ret
!. Which, he states, has proved effectiv !.
with him Tor several years. He saws
that whenever the slightest Indication
OF rot is observable ScTape every ind. :
cation of vegetation away from tie
vines to the distance of four feet in
every direction and cover the space
with fresh lime, air or water slackpc.
He does not put the lime closer than
six inches to the vine, and if heavy
rain follows he repeats the dressing of
the lime.
French shepherds find that salt dis
solved in water and srrinkled over the
rations of sheep gives them an in
creased relish for their forage and con-
tributes to their health. A French
writer states that the proportion used
is about one pound of salt to twenty
head of sheep but he does not say how
often they are thus fed. He also states
that in very wet weather one and u
half ounces of green vitrol dissolved
IN Fights parts of water are given to
sheep, and that it is especially advan-
tageouS to houSe-fed stock.
Salt has been greatly recommended
rs a specific manure Tor the ounce.
1t is undoubtedly helpful, but it owes
its good effect more to its influence in
keeping the soil moist and preventing
It's fre-Zing, than to any inherent ma
nurial properties. There are undoubt-
full times when salt is absolutely hurt
tul to ounce trees, applied in large
quantities after deep cultivation,
which has broken, torn and bruised
the tender roots. Of the mineral ma
nures, potash, in the form of wood
ashes, leached or unleached, we have
found most beneficial.
The blood is three-fourths water
and is the vehicle for the distribution
OF nutriment and heat to all parts Of
the system, as well as for carrying off
the waste matters taken in. When
water in insufficient quantities is fur
nished, all the functions of the animal
economy are interfered with. Young
animals stop growing, cows shrink In
milk, and fattening animals cease to
increase in weight. Water in suffi-
Gent quantity and Of good quality is
quite as important Is food, and depri-
walton of it will destroy life sooner
than hunger.
The Sheep is very pliable animal in
the hands OF breeders, says the Pitts
burg Stockmau. Studied crossing and
mating Will produce marked results
In the stock as quickly as in any other,
whether the change be for better or
for worse. The ease with which the
character of the flock can be entirely
changed within few years should
lead breeders to be extremely careful
about the purchase of the best breed
inn CfnnE nhfainoh1n
can make an impre "a on flock in
a single season which it Will require
years to eradicate. Buy something
good, even at greatly enhanced cost. a
A correspondent of the Husband
man says that sulphur is preventive
of potato rot, and this is confirmed by
the experience of Vermont farmer,
who rolled his cut potatoes in fine sui
phur at planting and busted the plants
as they appeared above the ground.
Neither rot, worm nor insect touched
them, though potatoes on neighboring
farms were badly damaged. His pota
toes were excellent and the crop yield
ed well. There is no doubt that sui:
phur will assist materially in prevent
ing fungus growth in other plants as
well as potatoes, and it would be well
if farmers give it trial for such pur-
poses the coming season.
Vick's Magazine says that mildew
is apt to infeSt roses at all seasons
where the soil is not well drained, and
some varieties are more liable to it
than others. The most vigorous
growers are most free from it. There
is no absolute preventive, but thSDe
means are good drainage, high manur-
ing, selection of strong varieties,
proper pruning ana busting with sui
phur as soon~a as it appears. To this
we may aud that il usually appears
more frequently in autumn, when it
does comparatively little harm, the
wood having completed its growth
and become ripe. As it is contagious,
such varieties as are most liable should
be discarded. In those localities where
the disease is most prevalent, Mr.. ELL
wanger advises the removal or de-
struction of such sorts as belong to
the Giant of Battles type, such as
Eugene Appert, Louis Chalk, Arthur
de Sansal, Crimson Bedder, Lord Rag
Ian and others.