The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-10-21
Worth Quoting.

Professor w. J. Beal's expert
ments regarding the vitality of seeds
are useful, but cannot be expected
to show the remarkable vitality ex-
hibited by wild mustard and other
like seeds, which remain thirty or
forty years in the soil unimpaired,
as Professor Beal's experiments COW
er only a few years time. Seeds
possess an oily substance, which
enables them to retain their vitality
for long time. The farmer who
allows weeds to seed upon his farm
bestows an inheritance of toll and
vexation upon his followers.
The Independent tells ofan Orange
County farmer, who stops the leak
of milk from his COW by plugging
the teats with little wooden plugs.
this is a remarkable experiment,and
one to be recommended only with
caution.
The Prussian Minister of Agricul-
ture says: IL cannot only acknowl-
edge that the application of artific-
ial manure, in the shape of kainit,
for districts of light, sandy sell, is
of highest importance. One sandy
field, sown te rye, produced forty or
fifty bushels per acre, by the ap-
plicatlon of kainit, while another
tield near by and precisely the same,
was covered with a miserable pow
erty stricken crop,not more than six
or ten bushels TO the acre."
1t is said that the. ''spores" found
in the smut on corn are so small
that z 100000 can be placed side by
side in the space ofone square inch.
DIR. Brown stated before the
Mississippi Horticultural Society
that, automatically considered, the
leaf is an expended portion of the
bark. the form and working of which
is made up ef the branching vessels
of the food stalk. The external leaf
is covered with a layer OF empty,
united cells. The small opening in
the leaves are connected by valves.
The number of these is astonish-
ing single square inch of the leaf
of our common rhubarb contains
5000 and the hydrangea 10000.
Our leaves also possess glands,
which serve as vessels, containing
peculiar secretioDs, such as aromatic
oil, honey and poison.
In speaking of the mysterious
burning of barns, the New York
Tribune says that hay will some
times take fire spontaneously, even
in cases where it appeared to be
well cured. There is more danger
when new hay, not well cured, is
piled on old and very dry day, as
new hay heats by partial fermenta-
ton as manure heats in a pile. and
the old dry hay in close contact will
be easily ignited.
The AmericaR AgricultWrtsf says
"Have the roots of pits or cellars be-
fore the ground freezes do not cover
pits too much before cold weather ;
have earth ready to cover them with
as thick a coating as they need
when it comes on cold. 1t is well
to protect the earth alongside the
pits with tops, or potato vines,
swamp hay or cornstalks, to keep il
from freezing solid. The freezing
line begins to move Southwark
along our Northern line in Octo-
Der and otter moves rapidly. Many
farmer will oe caught with his
root pins half protected and the
ground frozen solid six inches deep
before he thinks it is possible" T"
Farm and Home recomnds the use
of muck as a source of revenue. An
experience of twenty years has con-
firmed their wisdom and trust in
this fertilizer. 1t is recommended
to be exposed to the frosts and
weather for at least one year, but it
is not necessary where the muck is
in field that has been cultivated
unless dug to a great depth. One
hundred and ten bushels of potatoes
were grown on a sandy loan by fur
rowing deeply and covering each
hill with ashovelful ofmuck. Moth
ing more was done to the piece un-
til time to cultivate, when q little
dirt was brushed over the muck and
the tubes came out smooth and of q
high quality. The greatest value
was found to be when composted
with wood ashes. Muck is not es-
pecially good for grain. A COM
pound of two-thirds muck and one
third stable manure is excellent for
potatoes on lightish land. The dress
ing is elegant for grass land in the
Fall.
Professor Manley Miles gives his
experience in drainage, considering
that the physical condition of the
soil, which is improved by drainage
has not received proper attention.
1t is admitted that a large portion
ofthe tile drains have failed TO do
all that is expected of them. The
failures are the result of neglec. of
well established principles in con-
nection with defective excavation.
The slope should be uniform, espec-
tally where there is but little fail.
Work should be begun at the lower
end of the ditch. and with reasona-
BILE care no difficulty should occur.
The same paper gives an interest
account of the ''silo system" being
There was too much
expense for the benefits derived.
The object was to make money out
of cattle, and not simply manure
and labor. Good judgment told
him TO stop and he did so-he made
a mistake in building the silo aad
acknowledges it.
The "Husbandmau" speaks of the
indication that the Huston fay will
take our wheat fields again another
season. They multiply rapidly and
are able to effect complete destruc-
ton of wheat if permitted to occupy
the field. A suitably late sowing
was recommended, also, burning,
and yet, when q field is seeded to
clover, fire cannot be introduced
with impunity. Early frosts put an
end TO the work of the flies for that
season. While there is an object to