The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-10-03

very experienced breeder, in breeding
! should be avoided. 1t is not necessary,
however. to cross different breeds in or
der to mingle blood dissimilar, but resort
may be had to several families of the
same breed.
A writer, speaking of the economic
methods of sheep feeding, estimates the
allowance of corn for one sheep at three
quarters of one pound each day, stating
that on this quantity of grain and suffi
cient grazing or hay sheep will gain in
condition and fatten. This is New York
State, where dry feed is used for several
months in the year.
The best potatoes this year in many
sections are from sets planted three or
five inches deep below the level surface.
In dry season this is much better than
planting in shallow marks and then hill
ing up with mound of earth With
deep planting draught is avoided, and
there is no need for killing up around
the plants to keep the tubers from be-
coming greened by the sun.
The practice of buying cattle in the
fall and fatening them on the farms as
means of charging the manure supply is
every year on the increase in the eastern
part of the country. 1t is found that in
the average season the animals can be
fatted to a good profit and much feed
which otherwise would have been
marketed is kept on the farm in shape of
manure, just as it ought to be.
So far as possible manure should be
applied at least year before the land is
tn lNa
dressed now or any time this fall will
have its fertility thoroughly distributed
through the soil by winter rains, and
will be in excellent condition to pillow for
corn or potatoes next spring. The
manure applied now will do twice as
much good as that put on just before the
land is to be plowed.
Smut in corn is becoming more trouble
some every year, partly from lack of care
in destroying smutty corn before taking
to the crib. 1t is most prevalent on land
where corn Is grown year after year,
showing that some of the germs remain
in the soil through the winter. As it
appears first on the tassel, or male flower,
it is well to go through the field and
destroy all that appears diseased. The
is thus propagated in the ear.
After having secured first-class milk
the operation of making gilt-edged but
ter depends entirely upon the appliances
we have and the skill with which we use
them. The most perfect tools and rooms
carclessly used produced only an inferior
article. On the other hand the most
faultless skill, with faulty conveniences
cannot make really superior butter. The
essential requisites are pure air, pure
water and some method by which we
can control the temperature.
In localities where fruit has failed n
number of years it is we'll to try heavy
manuring. A wagon-load of manure is
not too much to apply to a single tree,
spreading it as wide on each side as the
top Of the tree would reach if blown
down. The fall is the best time to ma
nure trees, as the rains and SHOWS of win
ter dissolve the manure and carry it to
the roots. The manure also serves as
protection to the roots in severe winters,
especially on high, dry land where the
soil freezes very deeply.
Not so much is said now as formerly
about the advantage of Analysing soil to
learn what fertilizers are needed. 1t is a
very uncertain and impractical method
of finding soil deficiencies. If crops are
poor in favorable seasons it is evident
that some element of plant food is de-
ficient. The lack is more likely to be
phosphoric acid than anything else. Try
that. Then if it does not produce the
desired result, add nitrogen and potash.
These will invariably bring crop if APP
piled in large enough quantity, however
barren the soil.