Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-11-03
DaiIp Kennebfr 5ournaI.
Cross-Bred Horses.

The cross made by breeding half or
three quarters breed ''Percheron-Nor-
man. mares 10 CLYDE horses results very
favorably. Some Of the heavy draft horses
in this city have thus the combined blood
Of these two grand breeds. In them the
sound, well-shaped. hard feet of the Per-
cheron carry the heavy bodies of the mus
cular, broad-chested Clyde, with their
large jointed fat legs. while they take af-
ter their dams in being shert coupled, with
moderately sloping shoulders and fine ac-
ton.
The raising Of these draft horses. if by
good sires. is profitable, those weighing
400 to 1900 pounds bring $500 in the
market at FIVE years old. The demand is
80 great now that we suppose it would be
quite impossible for dealer to pick up a
car load from first hands in any part Of
the country within radius OF 80 miles.
The reason for this is that year
lings, and two and three year olds, are
largely bought up from the western breed
ers, and sold to go still further west.
among the pioneers. who raise them and
use them for breeding purposes. The
farmer who undertakes to supply this in
satiable market must be on his guard.
There have been hundreds of veritable
brutes imported. Pure blooded they may
be, but they are not good. The supply of
first class horses of either French, Scotch.
or English sire blood is limited. and
the demand here. is 80 great that the i'm
porters, in many cases have brought out
anything that would sell. So we have
stations standing all over the country.
who only, as 1t were, by accident, ever
get decent foal. Still, even these great
ungainly. gaunt and awkward" half
bloods, bring pretty good price. Their
sale, however crnnot be depended upon.
and the only safe policy is to breed from
first class sires.- american Agriculturtst.
Grapes From Seed.
Fortunately. more attention is now be-
ing given TO the production OF Seeding
fruits than ever heretofore. Choice varie-
ties from seedlings are the exception rather
than the rule. Ordinarily, where single
valuable variety is produced, q score or
more prove to be absolutely worthless.
Nevertheless. the efforts TO produce new
and more desirable varieties should be
made. The great amount of fruit that can
be produced on small area set with
grapevines is an incentive to the produc-
ton of choice varieties of grapes.
Wash the seeds of well-ripened grapes
from the pulp. and mix them with equal
parts of moist sand and mold. Place the
shallow boxes containing the seeds out of
doors, so that the frost can act upon the
seeds. DO not allow them to become
dry or water soaked. In the spring,
plant an inch in depth in beds of deep,
rich soil, in drills a foot or Is inches apart
in the drills. The young plants should
be partly shaded for the first few weeks
of their growth The surface of the
ground should also be mulched, so that
the growth may be continuous. An inch
or two Of well-rooted manure that is en-
tirely free from weed seeds is the best
Tie the young plants to light stakes as
soon AS large enough. II the season is a
dry one, give the bed a through drenching
at least once a week. Next November lay
the young canes down and cover them
lightly with cornstalks or evergreen
ETchange.