The National tribune., 1888-05-17
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
FARM HORSES.


For the farm, or for any place for that mat
ter, the best horse is one that is perfectly
healthy, sound, kind, gentle, tractable and an
easy keeper For all farm purposes speed as a
roadster must not be looked for, because severe
labor and speed can hardly DO hoped for in the
same animal; nor, IN FACT are they desirable,
for the very reason that such qualifications as
would make desirable roadster would be OBJ
jectionable in an all-abor animal. There are
far too many miserable farm and road horses
throughout the country although the number
is growing rapidly less, Thanks to the efforts
of agents of humane societies, those poor ami
mails that have been abused have been relieved
of life, and there,is gradual wedding out of
those skeletons that have been trading-stoCk
for years Ii hardly costs as much to keep
respectable animal as one that is poor and
worthless, and when it comes TO labor the for
mer is able to serve his master without abuse,
while the latter is not. Then let all farmers
see to it that they use only such animals as are
capable of performing the tasks that are re-
quired of them.-Gemantoac Telegraph.
GROWING BEANS.
Many sections of our country do very little
in the line of growing beans beyond the de-
mand for a supply for home use. Some of the
western anu HUIJuGiu 1UuutitS VI IFGH Olh
have for years continued the cultivation of this
important crop, the demand for which during
the past year has been so active, and at highly
remuneratiye prices. In that section it is no
uncommon thing to see fields of 40 acres under
cultivation to the bean. The use of new and
improved machinery has made this cultivation
aud the harvesting of the same much easier
than when hand culture and hand pulling were
necessary. 1T is quite probable that the bean
will he a rr0fifahlp n IOuU gS If
forms so important an article of diet. The fall
ing off of the surplus of the crop for few years
past has brought the price up to a point consid-
erably above the average, and is very likely to
prevail for year or two at least. 1t is not a
difficult crop to raise, and usually brings quick
returns in cash. Rains at harvest time are,
however, TO be dreaded for the injurious effects
they may produce.-EgchalIge
POTASH FOR FRUIT.
Apple trees are constantly taking up potash
from the soil and storing larger portion Of it
in the wood, and it is for that reason that in
old orchards there is sometimes dearth in
fruitage, because of q scanty supply of this es-
sentiaI fertilizer available for use. Where trees
have been standing for years drawing from the
natural supply if there is no application, it is
not at all surprising that there should come a
time when the available supply is exhausted
not only the potash, but all other mineral plant
]
failure and the decay Of trees in old orchards.
! AS a rule farmers are averse to cultiyating
orchards and at the same time seem to fail III
the realization Of the fact that during all the
| years that pass exhaustion is constantly going
on For the supply OF necessary food to trees
! there is nothing better nor more natural than
| ashes, and unless supplied, cause Of failure
may reasonably be antici pated Spreading
| broadcast brings them where they will be car
! ried to the roots Of the trees and become al
! once available. dressing in Summer while
/ fruit is forming will greatly aid its develop.
ment as it seems to have specific effect in the
refreshing process
| THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.
However pressing other labor upon the farm
may be, it must be remembered that the yege
table garden will not admit Of neglect. The
! best and most desirable results can only be Sc
cured by a good degree of attention Ever
though the soil be of the best and the fertility
| Of the highest order, unless there is constan
and clean cultivation the product will be of
very questionable character 1t is the LITTLE
items of a few spare minutes tillage from tim
to time, that mark success in the vegetable
| garden
NOTES.
- Dorking fowls in this country prove ex
cellent layers, owing to fresh importations 0
the breed. Formerly they were closely inbred
/ ANDH tHcg are IdIuy anu are CODsllcIGti UuC u
the best breeds we have.
After you have narrowed the garden fine
and the work has been apparently finished
harrow it again. The soil for a garden canno
be made too fine, especially if small seeds ar
TO be sown.
Wait until the ground is dry and warn
before attempting to put the garden seeds in
wet soil is cold, and the seeds may decay 70
lack OF warmth TO terminate them.
IT. will soau ha time for the zynrtYoo ToYn h
to be marketed. Give them all the oats the
will eat so as to forward them in growth an
have them in proper condition.
49, When the milk foams and froths in tn
churn the probability is that the temperatur
is not correct; hence always use a thermome
ter when churning.
"A sharp plow will save its cost in season
work. All the farm tools and implement
should be put in proper order for Spring work
if not already done.
- Use plenty Of fine manure around the ros
, bushes, keep down the grass, and keep ther
properly trimmed after they have becom
strong and vigorous.
- Turn under the weeds as soon as they az
pear. By not permitting them to grow an
, seed they can be entirely eradicated in a shol
time.
"A mixture Of seeds of hardy beddin
plants will cost but small sum, but will ad
greatly to the beauty and attractiyeness Of tn
front yard.
= - When a tree or berry cane has made bu
little growth do not allow it to fruit, but st
the soil around it and apply wood ashes.
5 - Plaster is cheap, and handful on eac
? corn-hill will be of great advantage. 1t shoul
2 be used on all grass crops also.
9 - Plow on both sides Of the hedge of tw
8 yards width and harrow it down. All hedge
D need cultivation occasionally.
G "A churn should be sCalded with boilin
, water made alkaline with washing sod
/ Every particle of milk or cream SHOULD be n
t moved. After being we'll washed the chur
2 should be rinsed by again using boiling waite
4 The work cannot be too carefully done.
e - The sweet-potatO hOt-bed should be we
0 under way by this time. The seed should
9 only of the best, free from all signs Of deca
1 and Of varieties best suited to the soil. Ligl
+ sandy soils arc the most suitable for sweet p
t tatoes.
p Pick off all the blossoms that may apes
t on your young strawberry vines set out tn
y Spring Do not allow any Of the young plan
9 TO fruit. 1t will iniure their growth and less(
their productiyeness next season.
The peach trees that were planted la
e Spring should be properly shaped with IL
|. shears. The first year is the most importal
one for trimming the trees, as any injury I
ccIyed will be permanent
Il Ecery man aghO ag0re the bEae, and ere
,. friend Of his should take THE NATIONA