The Baltimore County union., 1886-04-24
USEFUL INFORMATION TO FARMERS
AND OTHERS.

Gr01inq Potdtoes.-Mr. Smedey, OF chester
county, Pa, writes to the New York Tribune of
an experiment of growing potatoes from whole
seed. He has for two seasons grown potatoes in
this manner, selecting the largest for seed and
dropping them thirty inches apart and ploughing
them under sod to the depth of three inches in
every third furrow. In each case the potatoes
planted whole beat the potatoes similarly planted
with cut seed dropped twelve to fifteen inches
apart. He intends this year to plant all excep-
ting his early potatoes with whole seed, dropping
this time two and half feet apart.
Worth Trving.-An Ohio farmer tells the read
ers of the Country Gentlemen that he last year
raised 100000 cabbages, and kept the flea bee
ties away at cost of only single dollar. His
method is to pour gallon of spirits OF turpentine
into barrel of land plaster and when the plaster
is dampened all through, as it will be in few
days, spread it broadcast over the field. 1t is
better than lime ashes, and may be applied
- -. 20. yet with rain or dew
is also said that the mixture will Keep for several
years without losing its strength. If this simple
remedy shall prore a remedy it will bring much
joy to farmers and gardeners.
Let Us Have Good Roads.-Nothing adds to
the value of farm more than good roads in the
country adjoining it. If, during any part of the
year, it is inaccessible because of the mud, its
value is cut down very much. It is bad policy to
district for very little good is accomplished by so
doing Make permanent roads, if only short
distance each year, and before many years your
entire region will more than double in the value
of your lands. It will be noticed by travellers
that as soon your locality is reached, no road
troubles are to be met and this fact will outweigh
numerous other considerations with anyone wish
ing to make permanent home. Make the road
SO that it will be hard and smooth; whether the
season be hot or cold, wet or dry.
Feeding the Fruit Trees.-The Maryland Farm
err says :-"When you would feed your trees, 60
about it in workmanlike way. The roots ex-
tend some distance from the body of the tree, and
very few of the very small rootlets Immediate
ly around the trunk. Place the food where these
rootlets will reach it, for these convey the great
portion of the nourishment. 1t has been found
by experiment that very few fertilizers can equal
hard wood ashes for fruit trees, and none are bet
ter. Broadcast it over the ground, covering a
space at least ten feet from the trunk, and work
it into the SOIL 1t is such work this that talks
to the eye and the pocket of the farmer"
Raise Draft Horses.-The demand for good
grade draft horses for heavy work in large cities
will continue and probably increase. The supply
is hardly likely to keep up with the demand un-
less an increasing number of farmers engage in
the breeding of such animals. It is constant
source of surprise to US that wide-awake farmers
who find it is not profitable to make butter and
cheese, or to grow wool and mutton, or fatten
beeves, do not give their attention to both draft
and road horses, for it seems to US that there is
room here for intelligent enterprise. We are sure
there are many neighborhoods where club could
be raised for the purchase of blooded stations,
from which to breed, and such purchase would
inure to the advantage of all concerned. These
animals are now easily obtained, at lower prices
than formerly there being large importers and
breeders in various parts of the country. The
Percheron and Clydesdale are two of the chief
breeds, and the Englishshire horse is not far be-
hind as an improver of draft stock.