Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-06-20
THE FARM.
THOUGHTS on AGRICULTURE AND
HORTICULTURE.
Bermuda Grass on Alkah Soii-Saie
of Dairy Products-items
of Interest.
BERMUDA GRASS ON A1kAL1 LAND.

thrive on alkali soil. This statement was
based upon actual observation and expert
ence in this vicinity where there are small
patches of alkah, and upon which Der
muda grass has been planted and grown
with entire success. The last issue of the
Tulare Register testifes to the same expert
ence in that vicinity. 1t says:
Last week we mentioned the fact that J. A.
Gary had succeed in getting Bermuda grass TO
grow upon strong white alkali ground We ran
across some very strong eOrroboratlYe evidence
to prove that this valuable forage plant will
grow luXuriantly even upon the strongest alkall
ground where not even weeds Will grow. X. Z.
Putnam gave this grass very thorough test last
pectations. About the time this grass was set
out in the Court house yard at Nlsalla, several
years ago some of it got start upon what is
known as the Riley ranch. Last year, as an ex-
pertinent, Mr. Putnam took up some sods OF 1t
and set them in some OF the strongest black
alkah spots on the ranch, spots upon which not
the slightest vestige OF vegetation would grow,
and now it is spreading out and growing as
thrifty be, and bids fair to cover the en-
tire ground in year or two more. bermuda
grass is rated very high among all authorities
upon forage plants, and ii those of our farmers
who have alkali spots upon their ranches will
take the trouble to set them to this grass, they
will not have more valuable pasturage lands
Oh their places.
of Bermuda grass is entirely undervalued,
or else largely unknown. 1t is one of the
rankest and most persistent growers under
adverse conditions that can be found in the
vegetable kindom. Itmaintains its growth
and green appearance during the dryest
weather, but of course the growth is not
then as rapid as when it has more moist
ure. 1t does not dry up, however, and con-
tinues excellent green feed for stock, and
pleasing to the eye. The only objection
that can be raised to it is the fact that it is
next to impossible to get rid Of when once
1t becomes well rooted, and It spreads rap
iectionable wherever there is alkai ground,
for anything that viii convert a sightlesS
and barren alkai desert or piece of land
into an oasis of indeStructible and beautiful
green pasture, is very much like transform
ing Dantes Inferno into the most ecstatic
conception Of the Celestial City.
THE SALE OF DAIRY PRODUCTS.
\ movement in 4 new line is on foot be-
fore the Northwest Coast Dairy Associa-
ton, which held its first quarterly meeting
at Portland, Oregon, on the Sth inst. The
purpose is to increase the market price of
dairy products, and this is to be accom-
plished by all the members Of the associa-
ton, and all dairymen. establishing one
which their products shall be disposed of,
under supervision of committee chosen
by the association. The committee which
has had the subject under consideration
submitted the following report;
Your committee appointed to confer with the
commission merchants of this city handling
dairy products, and grocers retailing the same.
with view OF aScertaining the feasibility OF
concentrating all dairy products to the house or
depot for distribution or sale, beg leave to re-
port that we have had personal interviews with
the principal merchants of each class who re-
ceivC butter direct from the producer and we
find as follows:
First-Among the commission merchants we
found one unanimous opinion that the business
was thoroughly demordliZed and that concen-
Erating to one depot was the sensible thing 10
do, and that in addition the making a more re-
liable article appeared to be necessity to re
deem the business and place it on a secure basis
for the future. We found them sick and dis
gUSted with the business in its present stale,
and most of them expressed wish to give mp
the butter trade. as they were not fixed 10 take
care of it properly, and were not doing enough
of that business to justify fitting up for it aud
detail nan to look after ii and give it the ne
cesSary attention.
Second-Among the family grocers we found
n division of sentiment OH this subject Several
expressed themselves very decidedly in favor of
such plan; said it would suit them much bet
ter, and would also be better for the dairymen.
Others could not see what benefit il would be
TO them TO go to one place for their supplies in
stead of going direct to the farmers. One party
was rather opposed to the new plan; he thought
if he was obliged 10 go to one place that the
competition between him and other grOcers
would run the price OF fayorite choice brands
above the market value, which, in the opinion
of your committee, furnishes a pretty good ar
gument in favor of the proposed change Both
classes OF merchants generally expressed doubts
whether dairymen and farmers would unite for
such purpose. Your committee found two re
liable houses who would be willing 10 take the
business, fit up room for cool storage devoted
10 butter and nothing else, and detail one man
to care for II and look after the butter trade par
ticularly, provided there can be & general con-
ceLJratiou Of the business. Neither party is
anxious for it, neither viii take It unless such
concentration can be made pretty general.
The report Of the committee was accept
ed, and in accordance with il the following
article of agreement was presented and cir
culated for signatures to carry the plan
into effect: We, the undersigned, agree
to concentrate our dairy products TO one
house or depot for distribution and sale
under the supervision Of a committee of
the Northwest Coast Dairy Association
after suitable preparations have been made
for such house to receive it.
The plan would probably operate sue
ceSSfully if all who are producers of butter,
cheese and milk would join i'll the move
nent. But this is most too much to ex-
pect of poor human nature, for the very
fact that the object is to increase the price
of dairy products, AMI that prices are prob
ably going to be increased, will suggest the
enterprisng idea to certain individuals wLo
are straining every nerve to augment their
sales, that this is Just the time to keep out
of the combination. for thereby they will
be able 10 slightly undersell the assOcia-
ton have sure sales and get astrde the
high wave of prosperity upon the quick
sales and small profit creed.
i ..,s1 L.
less, however, than the establishing of q
dairy product monopoly-and this by
Changers. This idea is simply limited al
to merely call attention to the fact that all
producers and classes are monopolists
whenever they can profit by combinations,
and sometimes even, when the same par
ties "righteously combine together to resist
the unjust and extortiOnate profits of the
middlemenn The fact is we are all mon
0polists whenever we can be such and
profit by it, and are virtuOus and oppose
such schemes that do not include Us on
the right side. There is no danger how
ever, that dairymen will get any too much
for their products, and if the movement
they have inaugnrated 10 get rid of the
PhiliStines shall be successful, the method
will be serviceabIe, and no doubt be tried
elsewhere.
CHERRY CROP
w. H Chapman, whose orchard is To-
Gated mile west Of Napa, says the Register
has this year picked and sold between 5000
and 1000 boxes of cherries His orchard
contains about 500 trees, half of which are
fifteen years old and the remainder about
five. They are all popular varieties. among
which age the TaEiaFian, Black L Republican
Bigareau, Black Eagle and Centennial
This last-named is a new cherry, raised by
Mr.. Chapman from the seed, and came into
bearing on the one hundredth anniversary
of our republic, hence the name. Ii is q
large, round, short-stemIned, small-stoned
cherry of notified crimson color, very
sweet. even before fully ripe, and ripenS
about the middle of the season it is very
rm-nleated-hard, we might say-and as
canning or shipping cherry will be hard
70 find its equal.
Concerning the Centennial cherry, q
sample was recently sent to Matthew Cooke
who, after keeping them several days &c
test their keeping quality. said of them in
ha 7 20