The National tribune., 1886-08-05
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
CARE OF HORSES.

in regard to currying and brushing. In Sum-
mer time this is, of course especially necessary
in the case Of work horses, where the excre-
tions from the skin pour forth in the form Of
perspiration. When this dries among the hairs,
mixed with the dust from the roads and fields,
il becomes mass of impure matter, which OBJ
structs the pores and leaves the animal open TO
the worst form Of disease. We venture the as
sertion that horse not properly groomed and
fed is never seen in good condition. The animal
is sluggish. there is a want of life about him
his eye is dull, and he says as plainly as dumb
animal can. " have a careless owner" The
impurities which gather on the horses coat
form pimples and blotches, and leave the ami
NAL in a wretched condition generally. All
this trouble may be prevented by little care
and attention, occasionally washing and regu-
larly currying and brushing the animal Care
full attention TO this will to great extent in
sure the horses health and prove a source of
satisfaction TO the owner. Weare sure that no
man was ever satisfied with an ill-eonditioned,
Notwithstanding horse; and the little
trouble the farmer may be at in giving extra
attention 10 his animals will be handsomely
REPAID in their improved looks aud the extra
amount of work he may be able to get out of
them.
HOW TO MAKE A GOOD sTRAw.sTACK.
The american AgrieHItuist contains the fol-
lowing excellent directions in regard to the
making of straw stack matter of great i'm
portance, and yet one which has received less
attention probably than any other about the
farm: "Straw may be so stacked that il will
keep in good condition until it is fed out during
the Winter. 1t is the common opinion that the
straw-stacI furnishes the hardest positions
about the thrasher; hence the men usually
take the other positions, leaving the straw
stack TO be managed by the boys. If you wish
.. r4a -aA fret
of all that capable men are put upon the stack,
and you must insist upon their doing their
work we'll A very common fault is to start
the stack too wide. IL will spread Of itself, and
becomes so wide that il must be drawn in alb
ruptly and the water sinks into it, Another
fault is not TO keep the center highest and
trampled solid Let one man be delegated 10
lay the outside and each OF the other men to
stack and trample down a certain section of the
interior, aud not 10 stand in a hole and throw
the straw idly about him. 1t requires close
supervision and good work to make a straw
stack. And when il is made. do not allow the
top TO be blown of for lack of few keepers
or the cattle TO waste half of IL. being allowed
TO run 10 the stack. Put fence close around
the stack and build racks or managers close to
the fence. Then, during the winter, cut down
the stack with q knife and FL the hangers.
Put the chat in a pen and roof it. or else have
il evenly distributed through the stack. DO
not allow IL TO accumulate in a mass around
and under the straw carriers TO spoil. The
above is written for the benefit Of those who
have not NOW room or barracks for the straw"
ALLEGED CURE FOR CURcULIo.
The following method of Kidding trees from
insect pests is certainly worth trying rs il can
not possibly do any harm and is not attended
with any expense. IL il contained in a letter
written TO the Society Of Horticulture: 81
planted peach orchard, and the trees grew
well and strongly. They had just commenced
TO bud when they were invaded by the cur
culio tpulyOn), which insects were followed, as
| frequently happens. by ants. Having cut some
tomatoes, the iGea occurred 10 me that by riae-
| ing some OF the leaves around the trunks and
branches of the peach trees 1 might preserve
| them from the rays OF the sun. which are very
powerful. My surprise was great upon the fol-
/ lowing day 10 find the trees entirely free from
their enemies, not one remaining except here
and there where a curled leaf prevented the
I tomato from exercising its influence. These
leaves carefully unrolled placing upon them
| fresh ones from the tomato vines, with the re-
suit OF banishing the last insect and enabling
! the trees to grow with luxuriance. Wishing
10 carry still further my experiment, stepped
| in water some leaves Of the tomato and sprin-
killed. with this infusion other plants, roses and
oranges. In Odays these were also free from
| the innumerable insects which covered them,
and / felt sure that had used the same means
with my melon patch i should have met with
the same result. / therefore deem il a duty
owe TO the Society Of Horticulture 10 make
/ known this singular aud useful property Of the
tomato leaves, which discovered by the merest
accident"
POULTRY NOTES.
Don't let the chickens into your potato patch,
orchard or vegetable garden after you have
been using Paris green or London purple. If
1 a. q. 10 los, If
sure.
Whatever may be the breed, il is best, as a
| rule 60 select for sitters and mothers medium
sized hens aud such as are not too fat and
| clumsy. IL is an advantage also TO have those
that are gentle and will not idget and fight
and break their eggs
Bones fed TO poultry should be ground raw,
for If you burn them you destroy the animal
matter which they contain, and which is very
nutritious aud beneficial provided it is fresh
and not allowed 20 get rancid or tainted.
Clear cut thoroughly the nests which have
been used by sitters. Nentilate and whitewash
them aud sprinkle them with carb0lated insect
powder before using them second time.
Pure water is healthful. Impure water is
one Of the greatest cOnveyers Of the germs of
disease. Let the fountains be shielded from
drOppings and all sorts of filth or dirt
IL you can make your nests upon the ground,
do 80. IL not, place a fresh Lieut. grass sod at the
/ bottom OF your box and sprinkle sulphur or
coarse snuff upon the nest TO keep of vermin.
Mark the date Of collection on all eggs gath
cred and you will know just which ones to
set.
Plenty Of gravel is an essential part of poul-
try diet. See to il that your fowls are fully
supplied.
Mix little powdered charcoal with the soft
feed and il will assist digestion and prevent dis
ease 1t is a purifier.
EoTELETs.
okillaskunk and make no unpleasant dis.
turbance about IL, partly suck an egg aud put
In small powder Of strychnine, paste bit OF
paper over the hole and put il near the chicken
coop where be can get IL easily. and you will
bud him not many rods away, stone dead the
next morning, and no bad smell about him.
either.
A cow should have clean skin in order "a
give clean milk and make good butter and
that cleanliness cannot be secured except by
the use Of the brush and the thorough removal
Of dirt aud filth. which should be done before
the cows are MIXED in the morning and even.
ing.
Some one has taken the trouble to find out
how far a farmer must walk 10 put in and tend
40 acres Of corn. To pillow the ground with {
l6inch three-hOrse plow be travels $50 miles
10 harrow the ground thoroughly before plant.
Ing, be will have 10 travel 100 miles; 10 mark
out the same, lac travels so miles; 10 cultiyat.
IL afterwards he will have 10 travel 300 miles
making grand total Of 500 miles, besides tho
) gathering
- Orchard and oat grass flower and ripen To-
gethef, and are good mixture. These grown