Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-07-02
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

Do VARIETIES Run OUr?-By the pc
ular phrase drumming out" as applied TO
fruits. is commonly meant loss of vitality,
quality, or fruitfulness. That some va
rieties have lost one or more OF these
qualities when grown in some localities
by some men, seems very clear. That
the same varieties, when grown In other
localities by other men, are as perfect In
fruit and foliage as ever, is equally clear.
II would seem. then, that the question OF
deterioration is largely one of soil or
treatment. II Is quite natural Tor
fruit-grower to plant in better soil ana
take better care of strawberry plants
that cost him thirty-six dollars, than II
they cost him but two dollars and a ball
a thousand. 1t Is just as natural for him
TO become less and less careful OF the
new varieties Ms they become more CON-
mon. II careful selection and cultiva-
ton improve, it is also true that neg
lect will deteriorate. The plants in
strawberry patch II allowed to do so will
become matted together, each runner
producing from two to five plants. The
farther they are from the parent plant
the weaker will the new plants become.
These end plants are smaller, less vigo-
rous than the larger, and If planted
deterioration must be the result. In
propagation bed the runners should be
cut of after the second plant has formed.
This will place great check upon de-
te-ioration.-America Agricahurisf.
SUMNER SOILING.-ln midsummer II
is rare to find, in most sections, any
thing like fresh pasturage unless the
summer be wet one. If mich cows
be allowed to fall off ut this time they
will not be able to recover full flow later
i'm the season, even if fall pasture Is
abundant. The best evidence that sum
mer soiling will help to bridge over the
dry monthsand guarantee good sup
ply of milk through the summe'' 10 ."e
fact that farmers who have theo soii'hs
OIL a small scale a.e resay u repeat ~
on larger one.
The nrineibal ELECTION to soiling Is
the extra labc- 1t entails; but we believe
that the e,,nomy in feed and in manure,
.v,ere cattle are kept in the stalls and
v,rd will more than offset the cost OF
a.. extra labor. Of course, there should
70 some system in the time and method
of gathering and feeding the soiling
crop, and if for dairy of twenty-five
or thirty cows one mans time will be
necessary to do the cutting and feeding,
in connection with other attentions TO
the stock and stables. AT the compare
lively low wages at which such one
coulG be hired, the expense would be
very slight.
How TO GET RID OF RATs.-An at
tempt to catch rats by traps, or by poi
soning them suddenly, will fail. Old
rats know TOO much aud can only be
caugh: by kindness. TO destroy them
give them meal every day. Do not
put any poison in the food, but simply
prepare dish for them daily, as free
lunch composed of corn-meal moistened
with milk, into which an egg and little
salt Ito SEASON. has been beaten. AT first
they may not touch it, but keep it before
them, making it fresh daily. They will
soon try little, and if not injurious
their suspicious will be allayed. In
week or ten days they will expect ii,
and every rat on the place will be at
the appointed place for the treat. Give
them plenty Of it, so as to induce all
the rats in the neigh6OrhoOd to join in.
DO rot be in a hurry to poison them. Ii
they eat all the food give them larger
quantity next time. AS soon rs they
have thrown oil all suspicion 60 to your
druggist, get some phosphorus paste,
or other rat poison, mix 1t with the food
aud be sure you give them enough and
something to spare, so as to induce all
TO eat. They will either be killed or
become so suspicious of all other food as
to leave, and not rat will remain.
Hence, to destroy rats take plenty of
time, gain their confidence, and finish
them when they least expect it.
CARE OF THE HANDs.-Lemon is al
ways good for the hands; it cleanses
them as well as soap and makes them
soft. You should clean the nails with
a brush, if necessary, but it is better to
rub the fingers and nails with the half
of lemon, thrusting the fingers into 1t
and turning until the nails are perfectly
clean. Lemon will likewise prevent
the skin at the root of the nails from
growing upward.
CHERRY LIQUEUR.-Weigh pound OF
Morella and pound of sweet black
cherries. Open them and take out the
stones. Crush the latter. Put them and
the fruit in large bottle, with half a
pound Of sugar, quarter of an ounce of
stick cinnamon and a dozen bruised
cloves. Cork it close. Pour in quart
Of brandy. Strain il off clear in fort
night.
MEAT PIEs.-Take mashed potatoes,
seasoned with salt, butter and milk, and
line baking dish. Lay upon 1t slices
of cold meat of any kind; add salt, pep
per ,catsup and butter, or any cold gravy,
put in layer of potatoes and another
layer of meat in the same way till the
dish is full have layer OF potatoes on
the top. Bake until it is thoroughly
heated through.