The National tribune., 1886-03-04
OUR RURRL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
GIRDLED APPLE TREES,


GIRDLED APPLE TREES
To THE EDITOR: l have quite number of
grated apple trees from two to three years old,
which have recently been barked by rabbits.
In some cases the bark has been gnawed off all
around the trees. Is there any way can treat
! the trees to cause the bark to grow and save
| the trees from dying2-R. K. BAIRD, Pick
| wick, Tenn.
! If the trees are completely girdled there is no
| help for them. They must die, as the supply
of nourishment is entirely cut off; but if the
bark is only fractured i'll places, the trees can
| be most likely saved. The injured parts should
| be painted with mixture composed as follows:
| Resin and wax melted together with lard or
| linseed oil to such consistency as to remain
| plastic in cool weather, though not soft
enough to run in hot weather. Prevention
is better than cure, however, and if the
trees were left in proper condition in the
Fall it is not likely they would be injured in
the way you describe. Where lot of rubbish
is left around tree or even if manure is al
lowed to remain there all Winter some injuri-
Gus vermin are sure to find Iodgment there.
The trees should be thoroughly cleaned around
the foot, and nothing left that can harbor
even insects.
GOOD SUGGESTION.
"a Young Farmer" writes to the Cult
Gator thus: "A systematic course of reading
during the Winter months, with a view
to putting points suggested to the test the
coming Spring and Summer, is an excellent
course to pursue. Experiments upon the farm
are TO be encouraged to a certain extent.
There are old ruts in which the fathers have
tr0d for generations that are good, but they
are not always the best, and there will be found
many practical suggestions in some of the mod
ern agricultural works, and of course in the
agricultural press. which will pay one to adopt
next season. in an experimental way at least.
If farmers would occupy part OF their leisure
time during the cold weather in making a
special study Of modern and improved methods,
it would be highly beneficial to them provided
they are not now so welded to old fogyism that
they cannot be turned from the error of their
ways"
WATCH THE STOCK.
Keep a close watch of the stock, and be quick
to notice il any Of it is not thriving. The good
farmer should be able 10 tell at glance when
any of his stock are not doing well. 4 dull eye
staring coat, unnatural position in stand
ing or lying, Il sluggish appearance, a loss of
appetite, or an appetite for unnatural substances
any OF these are usually symptoms of some
thing wrong aud it is not often that severe
illness will commence among any of the farm
stock without one or more of these evidences
OF ill-hcalth, or at least of that unthrifty con-
dition which predisposes to disease having
been manifested tOrSomc days previous. Taken
in season, some simple remedy, with a little
extra care and nursing. may do more to effect q
cure than can be done by the best veterinary
surgeon n few days later. 1t is usually better
to separate such animals from the rest of the
herd, so far at least as TO prevent them from
1. Al
as they are too apt TO be. This is more i'm
portant with sheep and swine which feed to-
gether, and where the stronger can rob the
weaker of its proportion of food. A feeble sheep
or weak pig will die Of starvation in the
midst of plenty, simply because il is crowded
away by others: and a sick COW calf. turned
loose III the yard with others Is too frequently
attacked by them, even as wild animals, when
wounded, are said TO be by Their mates.
sLAUGuTERING SHEEP.
The Toronto GioJc, in very well-considered
article on sheep, has the following in relation
to the precautions that should be taken in
slaughtering them: "a Sleep improves in
flavor with age, and they are never too old as
long as they are healthy and fat In fact, they
must be tvs years old ar more before they make
what is called red biutton,' that is, mutton
which, when cooked done, has red gravy. 1t is
best before killing to let the sheep remain IL |
hours without food, having plenty of water
Then, everything being ready, cut the sleeps
throat close TO the jaw and head to the bone |
inserting the knife into the spinal column OF
the neck to insure qnicks death. The hind |
quarters should then be skinned. as they are |
easily reached gaminonstick is then inserted |
into the sirews at the hook when the sheep is |
suspended and the skinning completed. Next the |
intestines should be quickly taken out, which |
prevents the wool taste so often mentioned by |
matters OF mutton. This taste comes from an |
infusion Of the excretions into the circulation |
after the vital powers no longer prevent it, as |
thcsheep has the longest ntestines ofruminants |
In killing game experts always take out the !
intestipes at once for the same reason. The |
carcass OF mutton may then be wrapped in the |
wooly side OF the sheepskin without harm, as |
experiment will show. The sheep may be hung |
up at once by twine around the hooks and the |
gammonstick, and the same operation gone |
through, but the frs; process is the best"
KEEP THE COWS CLEAN.
If the cows have their fianks lined with |
manure, as too many OF them have at this time |
of year. you should select warm day and |
secure few pailfuls of hot water TO carry to |
the barn and wash off those ilan&s Soak the |
manure well, using sponge or rag, before you |
proceed to scrape it OF, or all the hair will come
with it. Remember that the first point to be |
attained in securing good yield of milk from |
a COW Is 10 make II comfortable. This can |
never D5 u0HS so long aS she is compelled to |
carry large weight Of manure on her hanks; |
and then 1t looks 50 abominabiy. No zone would |
ever buy milk coming from such animal if |
they knew it.
NoTELETs.
- II is very well for a farmer to turn few |
sheep i'll rough, neglected field and let them |
trim down the briers and weeds, If he will |
provide them with sufficient good food In this |
way the Old field may be turned to good ac- |
count by the folding Of sheep upon it, but for |
regular business one cannot hope to raise sheep |
III this way. A good pasture. roots Tor Winter |
feeding. we'll made clover hay and good, care
fui attention and management are essential to !
success. Sheep are fond of a variety Of food |
bricrs and weeds, and such things. Confined |
to that diet they run down fast. They thrive |
on substantial food.
- correspondent of the North British Agri- |
writing from q district where calves |
are generally reared by, hand, says: 81 rear |
about 20 calves, Oh i've cows. / have |
been giving half milk. along with lactina and |
bruised cake This season 1 have given half |
milk, along with lactiaa and bruised cake
This season have 81 zen half milk and farina
mixed amongst tho milA, farina to be boiled
and prepared IN the, usual way before mixing"
Young chickens hatched even as late as
March bring 10 to 20 cents u pound. Hatched |
in January aud February in Eastern cites they
sell ior rs cents pound. Ducks bring So
apiece. The incubator pcan be used to good /
advantage for Winter Aatching
l.---