The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-06-25
mUNDANE mEANDERINGs.

CLEVELAND, June 18th, 1926.
If had my choice whether to part with the
sparrows or the rats and MICE would say let
the sparrows go and keep both rats and mice.
To the farmers would say, unless the State offers
some bounty for destruction of these little pests
you will soon see the day when they will become
the most grievOus annoyance you have to bear.
From unhpppy personal observation | know
them to be a harrassing annoyance to the song
birds to chickens, and to the human family, |
agree with the local statesman who said. They
are offensive partizans and should be removed"
I notice by the Rural New Yorker of June
(page 3SI) that the editors seeding peas are ali
weeyil-eaten, and it is stated that there SIRENS
TO BF NO HELP FOR 1T. In the sans column it is
stated that careful comparative tests have shown
that of weevil eaten peas only about so per cent
will grow, and OF these p per cent, will make
feeble plants The results af the depredations of
the bean weeviI are still much worse After
having my peas nearly destroyed and my choice
seed beans reduced to powder, l resolved to re-
taliate, and have been able to conquer both the
pea and bean weevil. so far as any injury to the
seed for planting is concerned.
Last Fall placed quart of American Won
der Peas when dry in quart tin can, Gan old
fruit eau with close fitting cover was used) In
this with the peas 1 put about heaping tea
spoonful of pyrethrum, and as much camphOr
gum in small Jumps. put on the cover. shook
them up and put away. Not single pea thu.
treated showed any signs of pea weevil in the
Spring. and all grew when planted as never pea:
grew with me before. Similar treatment witt
beans showed similar results. while peas not thu
~.
not thus tire ated we're almost entirely destroyed
so that but few would geTminate. | think thu
above result important enough to warrant fur
ther experiment Any hottie. or glass or tin cal
will answer and the peas or beans. with thu
camphor gum and pyrethrum can be put in a
soon as they are ripe and thoroughly dry.
The little black turnip flea. which destroys th
plan ts when they first come up. opened ,ur oil
some early ones in my garden this Spring Larg
chick will not notice this little scOundrel
! ashes. lime. &c.. will not always avail But hav
ing couple of dozen of Wyandotte chickens,
few days old. placed the coOps near. and was IA
once amused to see IL war of total exterminatiol
waged by the little chicks on the little sinfu
blackamores who had taken possession of tn
turnips. The little Wyandotte soldiers capture,
| the entire army of turnip ieas. and promptly pu
| their prisoners where they would do the mos
| good.
Speaking of Wyandottes, am reminded tha
| the Rural New Yorker places them at the hea
| of the list, as superior to all other poultry i
many respects. and especially as Winter layer:
| | have had several years experience with Wyan
dOttes and I like them best of all known sort.
They are handsome. hardy. quiet, good setter
and mothers. yet easily broken. and fine for tn
table. They have more good qualities and les
bad qualities than any other breed of poultry.
| believe Rhubarb is not appreciated for all
is worth. 70 anyone who has room for Il garde
it is almost equal to an apple orchard. Place
in covered dish with little water and muc
sugar and baked in an oven until very tender, j
makes n sauce fit for the gods, 1t seams to
healthy. and whoever learns to cook it Just righ
will not soon tire of it as sauce. 1t is also easil
canned for Winter use. and it is claimed it wi
keep simply cut in cold water and canned. 1t
a very productive plant. easily raised and hf
| few insect enemies.
The agricultural books ofthe period are mOstl
| reprints of the works of quarter or a third
| IL century ago, Many of them are not up to tn
| times, and yet are advertised and sold at hig
| prices. Some which claim to be rewritten an
| brought down to the demands of the present da!
are not. Some publishers seem to be trying
skin the farmers. There is n real demand f.
! good agricultural aud horticultural books. Ther
are several members Of the Portage County HoI
| tlculturai Society,", any one Of whom could pre-
pare better horticultural work than we hav
now in existence. What do you say. boys? SUP
pose you give lift, and make us book as
| a book.
| One seldom sees pleasanter Agricultural Fai
| than that held at Ravenna last Autumn. VII
would it not he well to have one day added to th
number of Fair days. as a sort of pioneer reunio
| day. or perhaps to have this years Fair made
sort of special reunion Fair, when all the oil
| residents from abroad could return and meet al
their old neighbors and friends. The mere thi
point is developed. in addition to the other man
attractions, the more successful will be the Fail
| for Portage County has a large body of wideI
scattered sons and daughters who dearly love t
tread again the old. familiar paths.
MEANDERER