Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-07-23
AGRICULTURE.

I AGRICULTURE.
BEDDING FOR ANIMALs.-The farmer
who takes pains TO ''make up the bed
for his COW or horse. gains ten times
more than the cost of the labor OF so
doing. If all material is pissed through
the cutter previous TO being used Tor
bedding, if not only adds to the comfort
of the animal but assists IN the matter
OF cleanliness by reason of its greater
power of absorption. For this 'eason
sawdust is becoming favorite, as it,
fneness not only admits of Its being
handled easily, well spread IN the
stall, and promptly removed, but, after
having absorbed the liquid flows OF the
stalls, stllI readily mixes conveniently
with the matter in the manure heap.
The merit of saw dust is due to its tine
ness and to its absorptive quality. III
any bedding is plentiful, fine and
absorptive, it prevents loss Uf manure
by intimatly mixing with it, and as the
droppings are more readily incorporated
with a greater mass of absorbent mate
rial, the risk of evaporation and escape
of grasses is lessened. Now, if the labor
of cutting is to be taken into the account,
it is more than balanced by facility IN
spreading the fine manure when it is
hauled to the fields. The cutting can
be done in winter or during wet days,
and it is q luxury to spread finely divi-
ded manure. Good, fine, clean bedding
adds to the thrift and health of the ami
mails. Is cooler in summer and warmer
in winter, and those who use it prevent
much loss.
HE SPOTTED GRAPE BEETLE-Who-
ever works among grape vines in almost
any part of the country is quite sure to
make the acquaintance of this insect, as
1t is found from Canada to Florida, and
even in the West Indies; 1t is abundant
as far west rs Missouri, but what are its
western limits we are not informed. 1t
is the largest of all the beetles that in
fest the vine. Its color has been varI'
ousIy described as clay yellow, tile color
and dull brownIsh yellow. There are
three black spots on each wing-cover
and one on each side of the thorax; the
under side and legs are deep bronze
green color. The larva of this beetle
bears a strong resemblance to the COM
mon white grub. but Is of purer white
color, and is distinguished from that by
a heart-shaped swelling at the end. The
grub lives on the decayed roots of DIFF
ferent trees; while 1t is not known how
long it remains in this state, it is sup-
posed to be for upwards of three years.
When it has completed its growth 1t
forms a cocoon of its own excrements
and the surrounding wood, within which
it forms a pupa, and in eight or ten
days comes forth as the beetle, The in
sect is found on the wild grapes and on
the Virginia creeper; in some seasons
it is abndant on cultivated vines: espe-
cially in July and Angus, feeding upon
the foliage. Hand-picking is the only
remedy and easily applied.
THERE is no profit in keeping hog
until it is eighteen months old, and al
though such an animal may possibly
reach the weight of 400 pounds, the
heavy weight Will not compensate for
the food consumed. A pig farrowed in
April aud slaughtered about Christmas
will more than return his cost, and it
must be taken into consideration that
during that period he will be but pig,
and the earlier feelings small IN guam
tity. He should weigh 80 pounds
when killed, especially if a grade of
Essex or Berkshire, and the carcass will
| contain a fair mixture Of lean and fat.
| Very large hogs are only fit for the lard
/ tub and very often only tor the soap
maker. The quality of the meat nflu-
hn and thA lsAaranaa of
only one cent pound amounts to quite
a sum in the whole. The profitable
hog is one that is grown quickly, fat
tened without delay and marketed before
it begins to consume the food laid up
for winter.
| Snow PLCws.-Shoveling snow soon
| becomes hard work, a snow plow, with
horse to draw it is great improve
ment over the shovel. Indeed the diff
ference is quite as great as in working
land by the pillow and with the spade
a snow plow may often be a matter of
cooperation among neighbors, if not i'll
owning, at least in workIngit. In every
weIl-managed village one should be
owned and operated for the general
good. Even where the paths are not
long enough to allow of the use of
horse, a hand plow, save in very deep
snow is preferable to the shovel.
CoAIF RI FOR STOCK If stables gen
orally could be warmed with safety by
stoves there is no doubt that a saving
in the amount of fodder would result.
Much can be done in this direction by
ha l,,,tlA ufo i1ao
and free from all chilling currents of
frost-laden air. A few hours patching
the walls, flooring, and doors, with very
little expense for lumber, would have
made its good effects evident within a
single week at the dairy-room. A COW
is not at her best when she must shiver
with the frost and snow of a severe
winter night.
AT all seasons, plenty of pure. clear
water is essential to the health of fowls,
and especially to egg productions. In
Summer droughts, where there are no
springs or running water near by, hens
often suffer and this is frequently a
main cause of their ceasing to lay at
this season. A low fiat dish, made
shallow, so that little chickens can get
to the water without danger of drowning
is best This should be filed at least
three times a day, and cleaned when
ever necessary.
WHEN q horse is not doing well pint
of lnseed oil may he given with benefit.
1t improves the digestion and softens
the skin. A quart OF filnseed-clke-meal
a.
effect, and pint of molasses put in the
crlb feed will be taken now and then
with relish and benefit. A teaspoonful
of ground ginger may also be added
occasionally.
If You are a careful cultivator and
have cultivated particular kind of
tield-corn for a dozen years or more,
selecting the best ears from the most |
fruitful stalks, while they stood in the |
field and kent the corn iupr0yinu from