The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-02-16
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
FITTING saoEs TO HORSES.

FITTING SHOES TO HORSES.
The great skill of a horse-shoer depends
upon his ability to fit shoe in such manner
as will be likely to prevent injury to the foot
of the horse. Very many, after forming the
shoe, heat it hot, and by applying to the foot
mark the points where the hoof rests and that
needs to come of. Prof. Rich in his article on
"Horse-shoeing," says: / never put hot
shoe near the foot" He recommends that
every horse-shoer have leveling plate, and
says: " I have q piece of marble, say u inches
square and two inches thick After the shoe
has been fitted to the foot heat it. By gently
hammering it on the marble slab make it per-
feetly level. After the shoe is made level on
the marble slab, l make the foot level to cor
respond" The necessity of finding the angle
Of the foot, and then bringing the bottom of
it to perfect level as compared with the angle
becomes apparent, when it is considered that a
slight change in the angle, or making one side
q little higher than the other, causes an unequal
or an unnatural strain upon the tendons that
may result in injury. There is no danger of
too great care in the shooting of horses, espeei-
ally those of value Germantown Telegraph.
DAIRY ANIMALS.
As experiments in the line of dairying be-
come more an, more extended, it becomes owl
dent that in order to secure the best results
regard must be had to those peculiar charac-
teristics that affect the desired purpose. Less
attention is paid to breed than formerly. If
the butter product is what is sought in the
selection of animals, this is held continually in
view. In the raising of stock only the pro-
geny of the best animals from males descended
from similar stock is selected, and it makes
little difference whether such COW is jersey,
Holstein, Ayrshire or native, or cross of
either Of the known Breeds if she is only rich
in butter production. 1t was only by the Sc
lection of the best animals continued for a
length of time, that present breeds were OBJ
tanned, and in this way, and in no other, can
permanence of excellence be secured.
Take the best animals that can be secured
and practice carelessness in the propagation of
the species, and in a few years, or rather after
time of such careless breeding, there will be
found TO exist very marked evidence of dete-
rioration. As rule farmers have been care
less in this matter and such excellence as at
present exists is due TO professional breeders.
KNOWLEDGE OF GRASSES.
At recent meeting of Connecticut dairy
men the subject of a knowledge of the grasses
and the great lack of it came up by way of dis
cussion, and even DR.. Jenkins, of the State
Experimental Station, where, during the past
year, work has been commenced in the line
of experimental plots of all kinds of grasses
| acknowledged his present inability to identify
many of the cultivated grasses, and urged upon
the attention of farmers the study of the sub
ject with view Of better understanding OF
the value of different varieties and to the end
of making such Improvement in seeding grass
lands as will add much to their value.
NOTES.
- Getting ready poles for grapeyines and
beans is good Winter work.
- The celery and roots buried out of doors
may need little extra covering
The birds intended for breeders next
Spring should be kept in good heart but not
over fat.
"A damp floor is q snre source of disease
If possible, keep the floor filled up above the
outside level.
- Directly after snowstorms always clear
some portions of the ground around the hen
houses for the comfort and health Of the stock
Standing on snow is not as good as on earth
| II the fowls cannot get of the snow, they crowd
| too IN, ch in the houses.
- Scaly legs. Nothing is easier to cure OF
prevent than this disfguring ailment. Lard
mixed with little kerosene and crude carboliC
| acid, rubbed in thoroughly on the legs, will
soon destroy the insect that causes the unsightly
! disease. The second application will not often
be necessary.
- Feeding for eggs is the principal thing nc
matter what breed one may keep for Winter
| laying. Mashed potatoes in the soft food are
| very desirable two or three times a week
/ Vegetables are necessary as we'll as grain and
animal food for full development of the lay.
| ing capacities of any breed of poultry.
| 1t is claimed that the experiments this
| year at Fort Scott, Kan, in making sugar from
sorghum have resulted in success. From tor
| of cane 100 pounds of fine sugar have been
made, with 20 pounds of seconds, besides II
| gallons of strip. 1t is claimed that the seed
will pay for eultivating the plants, and ont
man can cultivate from 40 to 80 acres, and al
| acre will produce II tons of cane, and a ton o
| cane will yield two bushels of seed. 1t is ex
| pected ton of cane viii make 200 pounds o
| sugar when everything works all right. Tht
sugar cane. it is said, of the South produces al
average of 1870 pounds of sugar to the ton
| There must be quite per cent. of enthusiasm
| in the above claims but then it takes enthusi
| asm to win.
When horse is lame after travelling, an'
| is constantly shifting the foot and rests it OF
the toe, it indicates a sprain of the back ten
d0ns or disease of the nayieular bone Tn
latter is distinguished by striking the frog wit
a small hammer, and if the horse winces tn
navicular bone is affected if there is no ten
derness found there the disease is in the tendon
which plays over the cartilage of the pasterl
joint. The remedy for the former is to bliste
behind the heels and TO wear bar shoe or
thick leather sole under the shoe, and to stu
the space under the sole with tow. For tn
inhamed tendon apply bandages soaked wit
cold water with little saltpeteT dissolved j
it, and after the lameness has subsidized apply
blister to the sides and front Of the pasterr
The horse must rest.