The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-09-09
FARM, GARDEN, AND HOUSEHOLD
Common Sense in Feeding.


The report of the proceedings of the
Oxford Farmers club, of Ohio, contain:
among other sensible talk the following
on feeding: The reports Of feeding OK,
perimentS at experiment stations arc 1ulI
of instruction and hints to us. They arc
worth more than the testimony of any
one of us who might weigh our feed
carefully. We would not then know
what percentage of the feed was d.
/ gcsted. Too much of the feed often
goes into the cxcremcnt and is not assim'
ilated. BY noticing this and changing
the feed this may be corrected. This Is
the case where we see whole corn pass
the horse, OK or COW. Digestion is not
right or the food is not suited to the
animal in such cases. While our weigh
ing animals and feed given will help us,
still we need more light than this can
give. The careful feeder watches little
things. No man can be good feeder
who is not a close observer and quick to
note the condition of every animal in his
charge. The chief thing IS to suit the
ration to the animal. Feeding is so much
Of an art that not one man in ten knows
how to feed most successfully. We do
not even know how to feed ourselves to
prevent dyspepsia and disorders which
come from improper diet and manner
and times Of eating. 1t is evident that
this subject Of feeding is one we need to
study much, for it is the foundation of
better husbandry.
Care OF Newly Planted Trees.
Newly planted trees require careful at
tcntion through the summer, and cs-
pecially in dry weather. NIulching, by
which is meant the spreading of coarse
manure, half rottcd straw, or any other
litter on the ground over the roots Of the
trees, will be always found of great SER
vice in keeping the ground cool and
moist and promoting the growth Of
newly transplanted trees, particularly if
the succeeding summer should be hot
and dry. There is a substitute for mulch
ing that is perhaps better than mulch,
but in the hurry Of summer work it is so
sure to be neglected that the planter had
better mulch his trees rs soon after plant
ing as possible. If, however. he will
keep the ground loose and friable around
his trees by frequently stirring the sur
face and never permitting it to become
baked and hard he may safely dispense
with mulching. But because it is re-
commended to spread coarse manure on
the surface of the ground let it not be,
therefore, inferred that it is ever advisa.
BILE to place fresh manure in the soil
about the roots OF trees. 1t is very
apt to kill newly planted trees, and
snre to do more harm than good.
If it is thought necessary to enrich
the soil old and perfectly rotted manure
may be thoroughly incorporated with it,
but the safer way is to place the manure
on the surface and let its icrtilizing
properties be gradually washed down by
the rains. 1t is very seldom that trees
which have been carefully taken up,
carefully planted, and we'll mulchcd
will require any watering during the
dry summer weather. If it should be-
come necessary, however, to give them
water, it should be done thoroughly. A
mere moistening of the surface of the
ground is worse than none at all. Give
enough to penetrate down to where the
roots lie and to soak the ground about
them thoroughly. And now, if the trees
have not been mulched, it should be
done Immediately in order to prevent
the evaporation of the water that has
been given and the baking and cracking
of the earth under the rays of the scorch-
ing sun. If no litter can bc had with
which to mulch the same result is cf.
fected by stirring the surface few
hours after the water has been given ana
before the sun has baked the earth. If
this is not attended to better not to give
any water at all, for the hot sun will
only bake the earth the harder for the
watering.