Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-04-17
FARM END FIREsIDE.

POTASH AS A FERTILIZER.-Ther are
some soils in which potash is naturally
plentiful. and sufficient supply of it is
brought out by good manaring to provide
for all the crops. This class of soils are
hlled with small, glittering particles OF
mica, and are also well supplied with
soft, white or fesh-colored mineral called
feldspar. These minerals are very rich in
potash. The soil of Long Island is mostly
OF this character, and it is for this reaso,
that the light land which prevails over
large portions of the island give large crops,
with stable manure, or artificial fertilizers
rich IN nitrogen and phosphoric acid. Ii
is more probable that a dressing of lime
would be useful rather than potash salts
upon land of this character which had re.
ceived large quantities of stable manure.
Forty bushels of lime per acre, or plaster.
JUG pounds per acre would no doubt give
better results than potash. The lime would
not only make available the large store OF
nitrogen in the soil, but it would also set
free some potash.
How TO PICKLE SEED TO PREVENT
SMUT.-The method of preparing seed for
the destruction of the smut spores which
adhere to the grain is as follows: The seed
is put into barrel or tab or in a heap Oh
the barn floor. A solution is made of four
ounces OF sulphate of copper in one gallon
OF water for every five bushels of the seed,
The liquid is scattered evenly over the
heap so as to reach every part and spread
through the whole mass. The heap is
shoveled over for some time to insure the
contact of every seed with the corrosive
mixture, which dissolves the smut spores
and destroys them This process should
be applied to oats, wheat and corn. which
are all subject to this parasite. ANY strong
corrosive liquid will answer the desired
purpose. Strong brine of salt may be sub
stltutedfo T the copper solution, and if
line air-slacked lime is sp1inkled over the
seed and the whole well shoveled over. the
smut, and rust as well, will be DESTROYED
IMPROVING LAND WITH SHEEP.-If it.
Is true that sheep keeping does improve
land faster than dairying or beef maxine.
then 1t may be well TO learn exactly the
reason for the difference in the favor of
the sheep. One reason often given is that
droppings are thus more evenly distribu-
ted over the pastures, SO that every foot
OF land is likely to receive benefit from
them, as is not the case with larger ani-
mails feeding in the same pasture. Others
claim that, being light in weight, sheep
do less damage to the grasses they trample
over than do heavy animals. Light sands
are undoubtedly benefited by the tramp
ing.
SALT FOR PIas.-Pigs require a little
salt, as all other animals do, but not as
much as the wholly vegetable feeding an
finals. When pigs run in fields or wood
lots they gather many grubs and other in
sects and swallow some earth. all of which
contain saline matter; but when they are
confined in pens they need some salt given
regularly. and it is for the neglect of this
needed salt that they are induced to swal-
low filth which otherwise they would re-
ject. so that supply of salt is not only |
healthful in itself, but it avoids a source !
OF unhealthfuInesa.