The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-09-20
OUR RURBL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
RICE AS 4 FOOD FOR POULTRY.

RICE AS A FOOD FOR POULTRY.
think all those that are anxious to raise all
the chicks that they hatch, and have absolutely
no bowel complaints to trouble them, should
add rice to the bill of fare for chicks up to three
months of age. l have found it cheap and
wonderfully quick flesh forming food for young
chicks intended for market, and for young
ducks above all things the best Cook it well,
but do not let it get sloppy, putting one pint of
rice to one quart OF water, and let it simmer
slowly. The rice will swell out, and each ker-
mel be nearly separate; as ! usually have plenty
of sour milk, / scald it and throw the curd
among the rice, adding small portion of salt,
and sometimes sugar When milk is not con-
venient, q few pieces of meat will add flavor TO
the rice. Some say bread soaked in water ag-
gravates diarrhea, and it most certainly does,
and what is more, it win cause the disease, rs
one can easily prove if he wishes. 1t is not the
water that does it, but the combination Of bread
and water. Let any one eat of this himself,
especially after it has stood a few hours, and he
will find it very nauseous dish if often par
taken Of I have not had case Of gapes or
cholera, and only once three cases of roup, oc-
casioned by the birds being put in new house
after an exhibition; the house was too cold.
These cases of roup we're very slight and easily
controlled, as they were promptly looked after.
DESTROYING CABBAGE WORMS.
Cabbage growers have come to realize the
difficulty of growing this vegetable without its
being greatly injured by the cabbage worm.
Various remedies have been recommended,
which upon trial have failed to secure satislac-
tory results From Insect Life" we notice
a report Of the use of kerosene emulsion as a
remedy for cabbage worms which was remark
ably successful. II was stated that for want
of iudiciOus application in the fatal instance
a few of the plants were killed, but after that
not single plant suffered from the applications
which were made in the evening by means of
an ordinary Wateringpo while the result was
one Of complete victory. In the case mentioned
the cabbages grown we're of the early variety,
and consequently not as largely assailed as
those grown later, but there is no good reason
why the applications should not prove as effect
i've i'll one case as IN another; at all events it is
a remedy that should be tried, and if as sure as
is indicated will serve to relieve cabbage-grow-
ers from the deDredations of pest that so
largely influences the crop of a very desirable
vegetable.
SAVING SEED CORN.
The Agricultural Experiment Station of
Tennessee makes a report of experiments with
seed corn obtained from l6 different Counties,
and made with a view to determining whether
it is best to save seed corn in the husk or
husked. One point was discovered that the
vitality Of the crop Of 1887 was very high, the
terminating power Of all the seed tried aver
aging 95.6 per cent. 1t was found that there
was only a very slight difference a per cent?
in favor Of the husked seed. 1T was also stated
that it is customary for the farmers Of that State
10 preserve their seed corn in as dry condition
as possible, under shelter, preferably in a high,
airy place. Those conditions are what seem to
be necessary TO secure good condition of seed.
IN the first place, the corn should be fairly
matured and Gus leaving the ears to cure
within the husk until it is well hardened, then
thoroughly dried and put away secure from
moisture. If seed corn is huskod before it is
sufficiently cured and is 50 placed as to come
in contact, fermentation is likely to be induced
creating a moldy condition whereby the ger
minating power is greatly impaired, il not
wholly destroyed and none but good seed
should ever be used.
WEEDS.
As a very important aid In causing the ex-
termination of these vegetable pests, great care
Should be exercised in preventing their seed
ing. With the great number of seeds that it is
possible for some plants to produce, it requires
but comparatively few plants TO completely
seed fold, and for tHis reason it is important
that every effort be put forth to prevent seed
ing The greatest danger comes at that sea-
son of the year when there is greatest activity
in securing the crops and weeds are left TO
anu IlCl btlcy ttS dlIGdtIy
to maturity. Better neglect some other work
and enter upon their destruction than take the
risk of having foul fields.
NOTES.
Those wishing to know the best means of
removing moss and earth accumulations from
an old shingle roof are advised TO sprinkle lime
| freely along tho comb of the roof, and let the
rains dissolve and carry it over the shingles.
| Every particle of dirt and moss will be removed
| By it. If kept clean, shingles will last much
! longer. This method is as good and cheaper
/ than any direct application to the shingles.
! - An extensive pork raiser AYERS that sue
cess in feeding swine for profit undoubtedly
/ consists in supplying them with sufficient good
| grass to keep up the waste Of the system, sup
ply animal heat and maintain q healthy
| growth. Then the extra food will be used for
| putting on flesh. The extra food digested all
goes to profit, whereas the food that supplies
the animal waste produces no gain in flesh
! and if no moro is fed than TO supply waste in
| the young animal, the food is all thrown away
- Hall pound Of dynamite placed upon the
! top OF large " hard head or bowlder weigh.
ing anywhere from 10 to 100 tons will have q
great effect. The rock directly under the car.
| fridge will be as fine as meal, and the re-
mainder so broken that it can usually be re-
moved with bar, or drawn out by horses, and
put into a wall or otherwise disposed of A
rock that would cost $40 to remove in the old
way can with dynamite be broken up for sc
cents.
- When the milk has convey odOr, says
writer in the New York Tribune, you may BIZ
sure the skin is not working right, and needs
thorough brushing TO remove the scurf ant
dried matter which covers up the pores. Ant
this is the reason why, if we would have pure
milk and sweet butter, the card and the brusl
must be in cons, onRPe in the constable.
"A dairyma on Sc invariably cures eaket
udder by thoroughly and carefully rubbing i
with a mixture composed Of two ounces of pull
verified iodide of potassa and two ounces o
lard.
- Soaked corn is good for hogs, says an ex
change. We have seen it fed to sows will
young pigs with the finest results-the pig
hard TO beat anywhere. Soaking the corn en-
ables the animal to digest it better. If you wsl
to have extra good pigs-pigs that will grow
off very rapdly-feed soaked corn to thei
dams, and TO the pigs, too, when they are larg
enough.
49, One way of keeping eggs is to pack then
in wheat bran, the small end down, so chat they
will not touch each other. Keep on a shelf il
the cellar.
- Galen Wilson says in the New York TriJ
aae: Many preyentiyes and remedies for cape
in chickens have been suggested, but all failer
SO far as / observed. One course will certainl,
, prevent the disease. Keep the chickens con
fined In pen having board floor until the
are large enough to eat whole corn. portion
IF la Da En hot