The Mineral argus., 1884-04-03
FARM And HOUSEHOLD.
Agricultural Notes.

Wyandottes are a comparatively new
breed of American fowls, but they have
found their way to England
where a contemporary thus describes
them: "The birds are white in body,
black-laced; saddle tall and hackle tip
ped with black; ~rose-comb; yellow legs
and beak. They are of the Plymouth
Rock type, but rather smaller birds,
round, and perhaps more compact.
They are said to be very hardy, excel
lent layers, and the eggs are buff-pink,
and of good size"
Gooseberries succeed wonderfully in
the poorest sandy soil, same as worthle-
berries. 1t is an important crop in
England, particularly with the poor
who had only a little garden patch.
They might be made an important crop
here. 1t is the only fruit which it is
preferable to use green before being
ripe and comes in just before early APP
pies and is greatly liked for pies, and
stewed for desert. Early in the season
they bring a high price in New York
markets and 1 then pick and ship mine.
-Sandila.
A single system of rotation is not nor
can it be applicable in all localities. The
only true test of any system is it's
continued success. In planning a
iudicious rotation it is advisable to
alternate with the narrow-leaved
cereals, such as wheat, oats, bar
ley or rye, those having broad leaves,
such as clover, peas and the root crops.
Perpendicular roofing plants and such
'as root horizontally ought to succeed
each other. Two plants favorable to
the growth of weeds ought not succeed
each other. Grain and oil plants should
only be grown at intervals, unless the
soil is in excellent condition. Plants
which prove to be the least exhaustive
should invariably be alternated with
those of an opposite character Farm
and Fireside.
Here are a few useful items from the
Rural ew-Yorker: "Who hears of the
President Garfield Tomato now? And
what a splurge it did make in 1882.
There are many grand varieties of the
clematis, but if we could have but one
it would be Jackmanii. Hereafter /
shall plant radishes in the warmest,
most sheltered spot that l can find,
make the soil very rich and surround
She bed with a frame. Why not have a
climbing rose? Would it not improve
the barn, wash-house, smoke-house,
piazza? Most of the varieties are per-
fectly hardy. They bloom in profusion
for a long time. Prairie Queen (pink).
Benefits Seeding (white) make a good
selection. It should be borne in mind
that these roses bloom on the old OF
searon's wood"
One reason why progress in breeding
good mixers among native COWS has
been so slow is the fact that the in
huence of the male is too little under
stood. It has been the habit of many
farmers to save only heifer calves from
deep or rich mixers, while calves OF
the other sex were fattened as veal. II
is even yet common for many farmers
to use bulls chosen for size, good looks,
or other merits rather than dairy pre-
potency. The best breeders of dairy
stock now understand that it is quite as
important for the progeny that the bull
be from a good milk or butter strain
as that the mother be a good milker.-
American Cultivator.
A correspondent of the Rural New
Yorker describes the following method
by which an extraordinary crop of water
melons was raised: Holes were dug
ten feet apart each way, eighteen niche;
square and fifteen inches deep. These
holes were filled with well-rotted manure
which was thoroughly incorporated Will
the soil. A low, flat hill was then made
and seed planted. When the vines were
large enough to begin to run the whole
surface was covered to the depth of
foot or fifteen inches with wheat straw
The straw was placed close up around
the vines. No cultivation whatever wal
given afterward no weeds or grass grew
The vines spread over the straw, anC
the melons matured clean and nice.
If it is desirable to combine in tn,
manufacture of butter, we suggest tina
a few farmers living near each other pu
their milk together and manufacture tn,
butter themselves, and after marketing
divide the @avails, or they could diyid
the butter. This would be a safer wa
than to establish a large concern, ant
could be discontinued at any time with
cut loss. But having in mind the oil,
proverb, "Too many cooks spoil tn
broth, we believe it best for every maj
to be on his own hook and make his owl
butter.