Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-06-10
SPARE THE SURFACE.

EIhhb liL ohihN hNS'
A farmer writes to the New York
Tribune as follows: 1t is undoubtedly
a lasting injury to land to bury the
natural surface down deep, and seal 1t
up with poor subsoil. Apparently such
q surface dries out sooner, although
very compact, and although soil that
is opened and loose tavors the ascent
of moisture through it and its eVapora-
ton. Humus is always humid. The
old word "humi," from which our
word is derived, meant literally "on
the damp" that is, ION the ground."
ANY culture which does not provide
for maintenance OF the natural sur
facing of humus is destructive, and
must sooner or later bring about fatal
exhaustion of soil. But all the reasons
for this are not SO fully known as
could be wished.
All implements of soil-culture both
pillow and spade are inferior to scariter
and digging fork, because of unavoid-
able inversion of soil by their use.
This inversion is very well when the
whole depth moved is equally triable
and carbonaceous, and it often gives
the advantage of burying insects or
seeds to a depth which they cannot
rise from to 10 any injury, at least for
that season. But. as a general rule,
in all thin soils, while it is an essential
advantage to lit, break and stir them
deeply, it is best TO keep the natural
surface layer at the surface. 1t con-
stantly absorbs heat, gas and vapor,
retains them, fayors necessary cheml-
cal action, and remains open fol free
admission of air through the soil.
| HOW TO MAKE NESTS.
Farmers and others interested in
poultry should see that nests for set
ting hens are made properly. Too
many nests are made so small that the
hen is unable to perform her duties of
sitting down upon and stirring the eggs
I without smashing one or two.
} A roomy nest should be supplied
not too large-having a bottom OF
rather soft material resting ON dirt,
4 with plenty OF straw well packed
about the sides. Such nest, espe-
cially early in the season, is very de-
sirable, retaining as it does the heat for
a much longer time than carelessly
made nest OF loose hay in a box. The
best receptacle for pest where one
has plenty OF room is an ordinary
flour barrel. Cut in the side hole
|, large enough for one hen to pass
through, and then hinge a small door
to open and shut at pleasure. The
. advantage of such nest is that moth
ING can be more secluded. There are
! no draughts of cold air sucking
, through the cracks into the nest.
They are easily inspected if not made
too deep, and there is ample space, tor
anv hen within the barrel. \ door
prevents the hen from looking out
much better than wire screen. A
then that cannot see all that IS going
on outside is less restless.
FLEA BEETLES.
An Ohio farmer tells the readers OF
the Country Gentleman" that ne last
wear raised 100000 cabbages, and
fept the flea beetles away at the cost
of only single dollar. His method is
to pour gallon OF spirits OF turpentine
into barrel of land plaster, and when
b the plaster is dampcned all through,
as it will be in few days, spread II
broadcast over the field. 1t is better
than lime or ashes, and may be ap
piled when the plants are not wet VIII