The National tribune., 1884-03-20

DuSneiS OF due grass. one buShei OF rCatOp.
and one quart of timothy to the acre. Clover
should not be used where the finest lawns are
expected.
DIFFUSION PROCESS AND SORGHUM.
In extracting sugar from beet the diffusion
process is employed The beets are cut in small
slices and then placed in a steam-tighe tank,
and the sugar extracted by steam and hot
water The water is used over and over Until
it becomes highly charged with sugar, and by
this process it is claimed that more sugar is ex-
tractcd than can be secured by pressing the
pulp 1t IS proposed 10 use this process in the
manufacture OF the sorghum sugar. It is stated
that even when a mill expresses from 80 to 90
per cent, of Juice from the cane, it may vet
leave more than oDe-half of the sugar in the
bagasse. This loss is explained by assuming
that a considerable portion Of sugar is stored In
the cane in solid state, either rs pure crystal
lied sugar or In some combination easily de-
composed or dissolved in water. 1t is claimed
that the microscope has shown CRYSTALS OF sugar
in the cells of the sorghum; if this is true il
cannot be extracted by mere pressure, but it
can be recovered by the diffusion process as
thirteen pounds of crystallized sugar and six
pounds of good sirup have been made from one
hundred pounds of cane by this means
From % to 30 per cent. more sugar is claimed
to be secured by diffusion over the crushed
cane system now in use, but whether the pro-
cess is equally profitable remains to be shown
We have seen it stated that the gums in the
juice are not extracted by diffusion, but this is
a great mistake, for it was proved twenty wears
ago that the gums were more soluble than the
sugar On the contrary, we expect that get
ting rid of the gummy matters will be the
chief drawback to the economical extraction of
sugar by diffusion.
THE BEST DEPTH TO PLANT POTATOES
A correspondent of the Aaerieau Farmer,
writing upon potato culture mentions the case
of planting at different depths in light sandy
loam where the best results were obtained BY
making burrows OF uniform depth of eight
inches. The sets were dropped, pressed into
the soil at the bottom of the furrow and COW
cred three inches. Every set grew, and as
soon as the plants showed well along the rows
the harrow was put to work, and once cultivat-
ed, then once through with double shovels lev
eled the ground, and the crop thus laid By
The crop was superior to that portion where
the sets were planted only four inches in depth
thus furnishing evidence that the depth of
covering should vary according to the nature
Of the SOIL In very rich or heavy soil and
wet season deep planting might be ruinous bat
on light or sandy soils deep planting IS more
certain to succeed, the leYeiing of the soil be-
ing gradual covering up Of portion of the
stems, and killing up unnecessary.
NOTICES.
Descriptive Catalogue Of Ornamental Trees aud
Plants for sale By Samuel g. Moore MOrTisriVe
Bucks county, Pa.-This nursery has long been
famed for furnishing fine specimen trees, ever
green and deciduous. Among many other
good things we observe q new chestnut called
the Num-bo. This IS said to be cross between
fine French chestnut and our common sweet
chestnut, and produces large, fine nuts. The
plants are grated, and consequently bear quite
young. Ornamental towering trees are given
Mo- 4
given sufficient prominence IN planting lawn
and parks.
John Sa,ds Catalogue Of Plants, TFasEiaqtoa, D.
C-No one in the nursery and plant business
in this country has a more diversified stock, or
devotes more attention TO the introduction of
new plants than AIr. Saul. All the newest and
best roses, gerauiums and other a0wer-garden
plants; all hardy climbers clelnatis, &c; all
the finest shrubs aud bulbs for the hothouse
and the greenhouse; all the grapes and fruits
of every description for the orchard and gar
den; and those who are becoming initiated in
the consuming interest which attaches itself to
the lovers and growers OF orchids or plants
can find all they may need enumerated IN this
elaborate catalogue.
NOTELETs.
1t is now recommended 70 plant orchards
in low, damp soils, because they win be health
/ Ter and fruit better then on high and dry lands
1t Is undoubtedly true that the best trees will
be found in rich soils. but if the ground is wet
or SO low that it cannot be drained, trees viii
not be profitable on it. But such soils properly
drained viii answer for any kind of fruit tree
Low locations are not the best for fruit trees
as they are liable to injury from cold in such
places.
The American Agricsdturist SAYS that the
only method of Kidding diseased sheep of the
scab IS TO dip them in liquid which viii pen
citrate and soften the seabby portions, and even
then II Is often necessary to rub these places
with something rough to open the seabs and
let the liquid take effect. dip made of one
ounce sulphur and four of tobacco TO gallon
of water has been found effective In water
which should be at the boiling point steep to-
baceo stems or leaves, and add the sulphur
later, then allow the liquor to cool down, when
the sheep may be immersed.
The best plan 70 start a plantation Of
| forest trees, is to let the young plants
grow undisturbed for two or three years. then
cut them off even with the surface of the
| ground after they spr0ut select the strongest
and best placed shoot, and destroy all others
This viii make straight growth from four to
! six feet in length the first summer. This treat
ment is especially necessary in the case Of trees
which are inclined 10 start crooked and branch
| out early, such as the Usage orange and the
catalpa. Afterwards it will be well TO look
for side branches which are growing too freely !;
these should be pruned out, so as to encourage
| a central stem, and this is all the pruning
required in forestry.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
VIII You please give me the directions where
TO find the alsiEe clover you make mention of in
a late TRIBUNE. There is no address-onI writer
( in the Germantown Telegraph. Where is that
paper published? I would like to get some Of the
seed.-H. Cross, Eaton Rapids. Mich
Ans. Any reputable scotsman can furnish
the alsike clover seed. The paper is published
| at Germantown, Pa.
VIII lucern or alfalfa grow in this part OF yir-
ginia?-J b., Fairfax Co, Va.
AHs. Certainly; it is especially adapted to
warm climates, bat needs rich soil when the
best results are expected.
Mr. S. F. Harris writes to the effect that we
are wrong in referring the so-called Russian
mulberry as being form of the Chinese null
berry. He does not state what species il IS
only that the seeds, to his knowledge, were re-
ceived from Russian Mennonites nine years
ago, and that he has seen fruit which was said
to have been produced by this mulberry, which
was dark eolored. This is about the history.
we believe, of its introduction here; but all
botanists who have seen the plants refer them
TO the Chinese mulberry.
have small garden, which was inelosed two
years ago, having been part of a field which was
in grass as pasture for many years The field was
infested with wild onions or garlic, and although