The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-12-23
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
DOES WHEAT GROW cuEss2

luat Nntdt udiiCy arc db BipNh HUM
oats, and rye from black oats is still prevalent
among many farmers, aud those persons who
endeayor to show the error of these beliefs and
the impossibility of plants being grown from
seed OF different species are considered ignorant
and stupid. An Irish farmer claims to have
found a stalk of wheat from which was grow
ing some grains Of oats. OF this remarkable
alleged occurrence the very respectable Free
mans Journal, of Dublin, ireland. remarks as
follows: In our opinion it has been caused by
the hybridizing of some of the wheat stamens
when in flower by the pollen of oats growing
in the same field. 1t seems that n MANFRED
root crop was followed first by one of oats, and
subsequently by one of wheat, and it is proba-
bic that some of the shed grains of the former
terminated late among the latter. AS such
hybridizing is very rare and is surrounded by
difficulties, the phenomenon is very remarkable.
But, according to good authorities, still moro
extraordinary things have occurred with cereal
crops Stephens, in his Book of the Farm
quotes Mr.. Cowper, of Towcester, as growing
both wheat and barley from oats, and some of
Mr.. Cowper's neighbors as producing rye from
black Tartarian oats. As the native country of
wheat, barley, oats and rye has not been deter
mined, and as these cereals are not known in
| their original wild state, il may some day come
TO be proved that they are not distinct species,
but very distinct varieties of one plant. This
would account not only for the hybridizing in
the case of Mr. O'Malley's wheat, but also for
the result of Mr.. Cowper's experiments" To a
student of botany this seems quite as foolish as
would to a student of zoology the belief that
sheep could produce hogs, or mares could give
birth to camels.
osIER WILLOW CULTURE.
Upon the subject of the cultivation of osier
willow the question seems always interesting
to the public. The fact is, the raising and
preparation of osier willow for matchmaking
is not profitable, unless where the labor for
preparing the canes for market is cheap. Never
| theleSs, for those who think differently we ap-
pend an article from the Lyons Wayne Co., N.
" Republican detailing the cost Of the crop as
| there followed. The contemporary says: There
are about 10 farmers and others in Wayne
County now engaged i'll raising willow-shoOts
| for market. The willows are used in the manu-
facture of baskets and chairs, and, considering
the small expense of planting and cultivating
this peculiar crop. it is one of the most profit
able in all this region. This season it promises
| TO prove far more profitable than peppermint
| oil. Low, marshy land is preferable for raising
willows, but it is not necessary. The cost of
planting-small shoots or twigs being used-is
about SIS an acre, and there is but one plant
ing necessary for years and years. The only
other expenses are for trimming and gathering.
| The former operation costs So an acre and the
latter about SIS. After the willows are gath
| cred they are bound in bundles and shipped as
soon as possible. They are sold by weight. the
average price being SIC ton. Two years ago
| $40 ton was paid. Six tons to the acre is the
average yield, so that an acre of young willows
| is usually worth $685."
| GROWING RASIE.
Ramie FIBER when prepared for market brings
] large prices and the demand is good for all that
comes. The great difficulty lies in the cost of
preparing the fiber. machinery not yet being
capable of doing this work. although the British
| Government has offered large sums to the in
ventor who would successfully accomplish this.
Until this time the price Of labor as against
| that Of India will not allow US to compete, al
| though We have great areas IN the South and
in Southern California admirably adapted TO
the crop. 1t is true that of late years machines
have been invented that are said to partially
! accomplish the reduction Of the fiber. Just
now California capitalists seem to be interested
! in ramie. As TO the outlook the HdylUdTds
Journal says: ave had an interview with John
Finch last week in regard to the ramie indus
try. The plants now growing on his place are
| doing finely. but il is question whether the
| industry will be local in this section, as the
climate is not exactly suited for its successful
growth. 1t has been found that the climate of
the southern part of the State is more suited
for it than Alameda County, and we under
stand that the plant, when large enough, will
be removed to that section. There are several
wealthy men interested in this enterprise, and
the machinery for placing it on the market is
located in San Francisco"
WATER FOR SHEEP.
The normal proportion OF water 10 dry food
required by the sheep is two to one. In Sum-
mer, when running on clover, sheep require lit
tie or no water, rs the green food affords the
requisite amount. FlOcks may thus do well in
fields where there are no springs or streams.
There is, however, this danger, that sheep may
forget how TO drink, and for this reason suffer
when plant food fails to furnish the normal
amount of water. Conditions are somewhat
changed when the hocks are placed on dry feed.
While water is present in timothy hay, it is
but one-sixth of the entire weight. Six pounds
of hay will furnish one pound of water, but
with six pounds of hay the sheep requires IL
pounds of water. Sheep then requirean abund-
ance of water, especially on these frosty morn
ings. Indeed, when the streams are frozen
over, and water is most difficult to obtain, that
is the very time sheep have greatest need for it.
1t will pay TO keep drinking place open.
NOTES
Ono day in the woods getting fuel for Win
ter is worth more than two days in Midwinter,
| SO Tar as cutting Is concerned. But wood care
fully piled now may be left to be drawn in Win
ter, possibly with advantage.
1t is now, while you have leisure hours
during the Winter, that you should prepare
! your hives and get everything in readiness for
the bees the coming Spring Hives should be
made from the best seasoned lumber (pine pre-
ferred) and cut very accurately.
Planting the nuts or seeds OF forest trees
should be done at once, before they have time
to dry. A very light covering is all that Is
necessary. They will do best planted in rows
three and a half TO four feet apart, so as 10
allow cultivation with horse labor in Summer
For Wintering squashes some use the
cellar, others the ordinary stting-room, in
which to keep squashes during Winter. The
sitting room is quite warm enough. often toe
warm, rs a rather low temperature is the best
The cellar is generally nearly right as to TEN.
perature, but is often too damp so that there
may be more decay below than above. The
phere and an even, low temperature, several
degrees above the freezing point.
- Among the first crops which can be put out
on the opening Of Spring are early peas. Sown
four inches deep, as they should be, pretty
: sharp freeze after planting will do them nc
harm. Preparing the ground In the Fall will
facilitate the work, as before the ground is dry
enough to pillow well Ia the Spring the peas may
I be sprouted or up even. The soil should b,
well enriched, and left in ridges, in which CON
dition il will dry quicker.
- One of the essentials for inducing hens Il
. lay in Winter is warm, comfortable quarters
With lumber and building paper used SO as tt