The National tribune., 1885-06-25
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers

than hilling up. Except that under level cul-
ture some of the tubers are occasionally ex-
posed to the air aud light, and become green, or
"burn" we knomof no objection to this mode
of culture WHILE contrary to what is the case
in billing up the roots which would naturally
extend from hill to hill are not interfered with
aud the rain may sink directly and evenly into
the ground. instead of being shed by the
mounds of soil about the STEMS and carried to
the valleys. We have practiced this system
for five years, both in clayey and sandy soil,
and we feel very confident that the crops SO
raised are more than enough to pay for the
burnt potatoes found here and there-Rural
New Yorker.
PRUNING ROSE BUSHES
Recently planted rose bushes may be pruned
at once. They will not be very rapid in COM
mencing growth, and it is best when they do
begin that the wood formed should be perma-
nent We usually shorten the branches to
within four or five eyes from the bottom of
each Plants put in last year, or in former
seasons, should be pruned according to their
habit. Shy growing varieties should never be
hard pruned, as there is possibility of Grip
pling them; but robust growers are benefited
by rather severe pruning. Early pruning is
great mistake, as it induces the lower buds
to start into growth prematurely, and they
frequently suffer for it in being overtaken by
frost. Plants which have formed a number of
small growths and a few very strong long ones
should have the small ones closely cut in, and
the strong shoots relied on for supply Of the
bloom. About six inches of growth, at the
most, is sufficient. What we have noted may
be described as the short spur system of prun-
ing. but it is not the only mode of dealing sue
fnIly with roses I;cE'e 1far0.iue
SALT AS FERTILIZER
The value of salt as fertilizer is as un-
questionable as that of plaster. Aud yet there
are cases in which both of these fertilizers have
failed to show any useful effects. This fact,
however, cannot be taken as proof that either
substance possesses no fertilzng value, but
| rather that in those cases where they have
failed there has been already a surplus of the
elements of these substances in the soil. or else
an absence Of others equally necessary. Ma
ture never crowds itself. Enough is sufficient,
and surplus above the need remains idle.
There have been abundant instances where
both salt and plaster nave been found of the
greatest value to certain crops, with salt for
wheat and mangles, and plaster for corn and
clover. Wheat is especially helped by liberal
application of salt, and so are most of the
grasses Minnesota farmer reports the use
of 80 tons on GEO acres of wheat, equal TO 100
pounds per acre, with the effect of gaming four
bushels of grain per acre and of producing a
heavier. brighter berry. with straw straight and
stiff. and complete absence of previous habit
of crinking aud falling down from weakness.
--Exchange. ,,
;NoTELETs.
The Rural Ee,r Yorker states that reports
from various parts of the country announce
the appearance Of the l7-year locusts in great
numbers. In many places they have already
made their yyav n thu sn riape In othars thav
| are being turned up by the plow and spade in
their upward progress great deal of alarm
is expressed in many bquarters with regard to
their threatened depredations on growing crops |;
but Prof. C. V. Riley says they will do no harm
to these, and thatthey will do no injury except
to the twigs of forest and fruit trees. Wherever
young orchards have. been planted on land
which has been cleared during the past IL years.
the trees are likely to suffer somewhat; but he
thinks it probable that the use of Kerosene
emulsion sprayed upon them will be protec-
tion.
The dairyman has just as much use for a
thoroughbred bull as the farmer has. as every
dairyEian should raise his heifer calves from
his best cows. At seasons when milk is plenty
and difficult to dispose of, then it will pay to
raise a good calf or two. and unless the sire
is meritOrious the calves cannot reasonably be
expected to be frst-class animals.
- About this time of year nothing is better
to give food relish than watercress Wherever
there is perpetual water course it will grow.
1t forms q delicious addition 10 meats and other
food by boiling q few minutes in water aud
sailing lightly. Chopped cress spread thinly
upon bread and butter is something else worth
eating. No farm with running brooks should
be without watercress. 1t grows from seed, or
from roots or cuttings
- The farm requires the constant attention
of the owner now, to at least superiutend the
nd o,ptf. xxf h. No
reasonably expect to grow large crops and have
a clean, well cultivated farm, who does not
give it his close personal attention at this
season of the year. The crops are made or
ruined, just as they are well-cared for or neg
lected. AssiduOus cultivation and close atten-
tiOn to the requirements of the crops will insure
their highest prOduetiveness, and this will
make the farmer prosperous and create or in
crease his bank account.
- The garden should not be neglected in the
rush of other work as is often the case but it
must have attention in seasOnable time, ii the
vegetables are expected to do any good what
ever, and furnish the table with palatable and
wholesome food.
After apple trees begin to bear the ground
ought to be seeded iii grass to keep down weeds.
The grass furnishes good sheep and hog pasture.
Every second year at least the orchard will bear
q dressing of good, well-rOtted manure.
Early potatoes are the most profitable, and
cultivation aud freedom from weeds will cause
them to mature at least 10 days earlier than if
they are neglected and the weeds allowed to take
them.
- Gardens and other pieces of ground which
have been manurcd often with coarse barn
yard manure will be greatly benefited by
dressing of potash and phosphate. but, perhaps,
common caustic lime would be as good q tertil-
izer as can be applied to such ground.
- Remember that it is much easier to kill
weeds and make the soil fine with the plow
and harrow than with hand hoes. Nothing is
gained by hurrying seed into ground bali pre-
pared because certain day of the month has
arrived or the sign is right. Know from what
source all kinds Of seed come. 1t is great
waste OF time and patience to mako any mis-
take in this matter.
- Greater interest is being taken in pure
bred stock this season than usual, and breeders
have been well patronized. Farmers are learn
ing that 1T does pot pay to breed scrubs when
they can easily improve at q small cost.
- Grasshoppers ILL California are doing great
damage to crops, They are moving in dense
clouds. destroying vegetation, and the farmers
In some sections are dsspOndent. Hogs have
been found serviceable in destroying them,
while turkeys could have been raised upon
them in large numbers If they could have been
procured.
- Rich soil. light in texture, is best for wa
termelons. On heavy clay soil the best method
of growing them Is to hank up a heap of manure
and cover with four inches of dirt. planting
seeds on four sides and keeping the heap damp
by pouring water into the center
- pumpk in vins should be grown on every