The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1886-04-21

variety of food this season has been
exempt from hog cholera, while the
herds of all his neighbors who have
fed corn exclusively have been
diseased.
TILLAGE is MANURE.
The saying that tillage is manure
is most emphatically true in hoed
crops. after a rain while the ground
is moist and warm. A thorough
cultivation at this time is fully
equivalent to a dressing of manure
of ten or twenty loads per acre.
\ ANOTHER DANGEROUS WEED. ,"a
The Russian thistle is a new weed
introduced by Mennonite immi-
grants from Russia with their first
importation of seed wheat. 1t is
spreading rapidly on new lands OF
Dakota and Minnesota, and threat
ems to become a troublesome intruder.
COWS FOR BEEF.
1t is surprising that many farmers
think so much of size in buying
mich COWS. Yield of milk and but
tersh~uld be primary considerations.
A COW is never used for beef but
once, and if she is good as a cow
that use is put off till the COW is past
the age for making good beef, what
ever may be her size. re ..s. .r.
The great forage plant of Califor-
MIA is alfalfa, which is the same as
the lucerne of our eastern and Eu-
ropean markets. It endures drought
better than any other kind of clover,
and from the depth to which its
roots extend and its size, it should
prove one Of the very best removal
ing crops that can be grown.
MATURING POTATO GROUND. "
Last season those farmers were
most successful who did not
their potato ground, as the crop rot
ted less But it is altogether un-
likely that such season will ever oc-
cur again, and in ordinary years
the increased profit from thoroughly
manuring the soil where potatoes
are to be grown is greater than it is
for any other crop:
MILDEW ON GRAPES.
Sulphur is a preventive of mildew
and rot in grapes if taken in time.
The powdered sulphur may be
sprinkled on the vines in wet wealth
err, o r the vines may be syringed
with a solution of copperas or sui
phate of iron in water. This appli-
cation during August or September
is a good one for leaves Of any trees
liable to mildew.
..-.. FEEDING PUMPKINS. ...f
There is much good feed in the
pumpkin, but for the hog it should
be cooked and either meal or grain
mixed with it. In this way a sup
ply of pumpkins can be made to
greatly lessen the cost of f%attening
pork. During the last month Of
feeding the hogs should be given
grain exclusively to harden the pork
VII ll1hC IL SIlI1Ilh 1888.
TIPS ON cows HORNS.
Many accidents will be avoided by
putting brass knobs on the tips of
the horns of cattle. This is import
ant where stock run in small yards
so that they cannot easily get out of
the way when pressed by stronger
animals. Ifwell fed, as they should
be, horned cattle are always COM
bative, and their keeper needs to be
on his guard.
THE COLOR OF EGGS.
There is a popular prejudice in IA
0 Of eggs having dark-colored
shells. 1t is based on reason in so
far as it is a fact that Brahma and
Plymouth Rock eggs, which are U.s.
ually large and Of good quality, have
dark shells. The taste of eggs de-
ponds much on the feed of the hen.
At this season, when grain is the
staple diet, the eggs are more finely
favored than later, when hens pick
up their living by foraging.
GLANDERED HORSES.
In localities where the CHAMBERS
disease is prevalent among horses a
sharp lookout should be kept for it.
The symptoms are a running at the
nose, accompanied by alterations in
tho -