The National tribune., 1888-05-24
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
CARROTS As A FARM CROP.


crops that may be employed as food for farm
animals. And while sufficient amount may
be secured of the kind known as dry fodder or
of ensilage it is question if it is not desirable
to secure a variety aud such changes as would
be relished by animals. 1t is claimed that en-
silage supplies all the succuent food necessary
in Winter feeding, and that it can be secured
at mnch less cost than to grow root crops. Per
haps this may be true, and this method of food
production is open to those who prefer it; but
there are those who have not yet given way to
the enthusiasm of the eEsilage advocates, and
to such we can recommend the carrot as a
profitable and excellent crop to grow for feed
ing purposes. Tt can be grown upon any good,
mellow, Ioamy soil, but requires liberal feeding;
its cultivation should not be attempted in
soil that is excessively weedy, or the labor at
first will be so great as to become discouraging,
as the crop must be kept clean in order to in
sure even average success. The carrot is, how
ever when fairly rooted, rapid and vigorous
grower, and its spreading foliage greatly assists
in keeping down any growth of weeds Several
hundred bushels may be grown upon an acre.
They should be harvested before they are in
jured by frost and put in a root cellar that is
secure from freezing With dry hay they form
most valuable supplementary food, and are
especially liked by horses. which seem to thrive
under them. Some farmers consider them fully
as valuable as oats for horses, and will not be
without them. They are also excellent for
mich cows, giving rich, wholesome color to
the cream and butter 1t is a crop worthy of
cultivation Germantown Telegraph.
SOUND ADVICE.
The Rural Teym0nter heads an article with
some sensible ad Twice. &" FcrtiIizars-Buy only
what you need-Dou't pay too much" The
idea IS gaining prevalence all the time that
farmers are paying too much for the fertil-
ling substances that are bought Taking the
average OF fertilizers upon the market, and
only from 800 to 400 pounds Of substances of a
recognized value are found in a ton. Phospho-
rus is recognized as an important element of
| fertility, and can be purchased under different
forms at quite different prices. 1t is impor-
tant, therefore, to every farmer to know in
what particular form, other things being equal
it can be secured at the least expense, produc-
ing equally as good returns. If South Carolina
rock can be procured for less money than bone
black, and produce equally as good results at a
cost of One-half as much, few farmers are so
stupid as to fail to see what is best for them to
do. To ascertain questions Of this character is
7
tons. This is to be done by the Connecticut
station this season, as was done to some extent
| the last, and tho results will be awaited with
interest," Exchange.
SUCCESS WITH POTATOES.
Farmers have come to understand that there
IS much more trouble in growing crop of ex-
cellent potatoes than was the case before the
advent of the Colorado potatobu There can
be no doubt regarding the effect that is pro-
duced upon the potato by the yoraCiousness of
the beetles if not properly attended TO- and
| however carefully the work may be performed
in the effort TO destroy the depredators, more
or less will escape and continue their work.
Experience seems to indicate that if the tops
are weak, the work Of the beetles will be more
certain than if the tops are vigorous and Of
rapid growth. For that reason, in growing
potatoes there should be plenty of food in the
soil for their rapid and healthy growth. An
other point to be considered is that upon soils
inclined to be dry, the planting should be to
depth that will be likely to be reasonable
security against drou H. For some seasons this
seems to be an absolute necessity, or else the
tubers will be small and few in the hill. In
mellow soil depth does not interfere with a
healthy growth Of the tubers.
PLANT GOOD SEED.
The above Injunction is a somewhat hack
neyed one, but it is nevertheless important that
1t must be remembered that the loss is some
thing more than the poor seed, it is the labor
required in planting and the possible loss of
crop from the failure of the first seed to germi-
nate or to produce the vigorous plants that only
good seed will produce. So in procuring seed
do not hesitate because of little extra cost,
but secure the best 4 trial Of the best and
poor seed side by side will satisfy any person
! upon the question Of its economy.
NOTES.
For flower bed get package of seed for
a "crazy bed" which is sold by all reliable
! seedsmen, and composed Of phlox, aston and
| other hardy plants.
In using seed corn that which shows the
| slightest degree of injury should be avoided.
Smut can easily be carried from one year to
| the other by the seed.
Where piece Of land is not fit for cultiva-
/ tion, yet produces a growth Of some kind, even
| Of weeds, it may be devoted to sheep, as the
! sheep will eat young weeds readily.
! Sheep not only manure the land upon which
! they may be hurdled or pastured, but they dis
! tribute it evenly and press it into the soil.
| There is an old maxim that the foot Of the
! sheep is gold to the farmer"
Cut potatoes to two eyes. If they be de-
| sired early for home use, thin out the plants to
a single one in the hill This will give earlier,
! larger and more uniform potatoes, but the yield
will not be as large as when two plants are left
! to the hill.
1t is important to note the heifer's milk
! during the first year Weigh it, keep it apart
! and test it for cream to see how rapidly it
| gathers, and note its density. Keep record;
if it is not up to the standard sell her; if above
| it, keep her and improve your herd
Where manure is not available a very good
fertilizer for asparagus may be made by mixing
20 pounds of nitrate Of soda with 100 pounds of
superphosphate Of lime. This quantity will be
sufficient for a plot of 80 feet square, and it
should be spread over the whole ground when
it is mellow-immediately after the ground is
worked. Frequent hoong around the stools
or working between the rows is needed for a
full crop.
What is called 30-grain {" soda test vine
gar is strong enough for all practical purposes
and we may add that this is the standard
strength as used by the manufacturers Of pickles
of various kinds. To test a sample of vinegar,
weigh out 30 grains Of bicarbonate of soda and
one troy ounce Of vinegar. If the vinegar will
neutralize the whole Of it, the vinegar may be
considered as 30 grains strength; il it does not,
then it is below standard
The average weight Of hens eggs is said to
be about 10 to the pound, but some weigh con-
siderably more than this while others weigh
| A Tyltn 10 hav