The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-06-28
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
uNpER.DRA1NAGE.

! UNDER-DRA1NAGE
The necessity of Understandings has proba-
bly, been keenly felt in many cases the past
Spring, with its unusual amount of rainfall,
that has kept the earth so full of water as to
render farm labor extremely difficult or impos-
sible. The soil cannot be worked to advantage
so long as it is filled with water and with all
the lower strata more than supplied and rain
continually falling the surface must be ex-
tremely wet. This condition can be avoided
in great measure by a proper system of I'M
der-drainage, that carries off from the strata Of
earth above the drainage level all the surplus
water that it may contain, or that may from
time to time fall upon it. To carry out a care
full system of under-drainage requires an ex-
penditure of no little time and money, and to
many farmers looks like burying capital, for
which reason it is neglected; but the expert
ence of those who have done the most in that
line goes to show that it is as profitable an in
vestment as can be made upon the farm.
1t has been stated that single crop from
under-drained ground that was previously wet
has been sufficient to pay all the expenses in
Cured. We have not time at this time to make
mention of all the advantages that come from
der-dranage in the line of early working of
the SOIL less injury from freezing etc, in
Winter, less damage from drought, increased
amount Of feeding surface for plants, etc
, GermantOgn Telegraph.
SHADE FOR POULTRY
: Poultry, as we'll as other kinds of farm stock,
require shade in the extremely hot weather.
If they are allowed their liberty, as they are
upon some farms, they can secure this them
selves; but if they are confined to yard and
40
heat. To remedy this, it is good plan to set
one or two shade trees in the fowIyard that
| will furnish the desired shelter from the sun
| For this purpose the fir tree possesses some pc
culiar advantages. 1t is a rapid grower, the
Q lower branches are Wide-spreading and dr0OE
e to the ground in such a manner that the tree
: though trimmed to hight of three or -four
. feet, forms a perfectly-shaded bower, under
] which the hens will rest in comfort. Another
thing, the tree being green and of thick foliage
d also affords protection from winds in Winter
furnishing a lee in the sun, in which fowls vii
stretch themselves with a great degree of com
fort Germantown Telegraph.
CONVENIENT TOOL.
We have seen recommended tool similar Il
the croWbar, with the exception that to thu
lower end is attached piece of iron or, what i
better, STEEL shaped somewhat like a mason
plummet, and large as a fair-sized beet o
turnip. 1t can be made of any rod of iron, anC
r, upon soft land in Spring can be used for max
ing holes for setting posts Also in building
: or mending fence it is convenient for maxim
the hole and driving the stake. 1t is con
venient tool to have.
NOTES.
New York now gives bounty of two cent
a head for the destruction of the English spar
row.
White butterflies are the reputed parent
of the cabbage worm, which are easily caugh
and killed
If your cows, horses, etc, void grain whole
be assured their feed does them but little good
and that it ought to be ground and dampenet
for forage.
1t has been claimed that peach trees grow
ing from the pit and not transplanted, Iiv
much longer than those that are removed wbe1
young to their permanent location.
Cut the plantain plant off at the crown
and put on the top of the root two or tire
drops of kerosene oil, This will surely xii
the root.
tie The fact is noteworthy that all the coun
tries where cows exceiling for milk and butte
have been developed have rather moist eli
mates and considerable green food in Winter.
busting currant and gooseberry leaves, q
soon as they are half-grOwn, with white belle
bore powder is excellent for getting rid of tn
Larvae of the saw-hy and spanworm moth
"A Kansas farmer advises building SINAI
stack Of unthrashed oats, wheat and buckwhea
IN bne poultry yaFdi especially Tor the mems
work in during Winter, to keep them busy an
scratching for their living.
"A veteran fruitgrOwer in the New YOrl
Tribune says the method Of catching the curcu
lilo in plum trees by Earring the little Turk
down on a white sheet is a remedy better tina
all Of the many others ever tested.
"A carp pond need not be over five or 81
feet deep in the center, gradually sloping u
to the edges. The carp need warm, shoal wate
for spawning, and deep water below freezin
for life through the Winter.
Canada thistle and other noxious weed
may be eradcated by the use of sheep. Sa
should be put Immediately around the stem
the root of the plant. Thesheep, in getting
AZ the salt, eat the weed close to and little belo
the surface of the ground
AT the Kansas Agricultural College the n
suit Of warming water for mich cows to drin
was to increase the flow of milk per cen
From 800 to 1902 were tested. At first the Gov
declined drinking the tepid water, but after
time, having become very thirsty, they dram
it greedily.
"A correspondent of the New York TriBu
says :" The best Of all ways to keep crows fro
pulling corn is to SOW corn broadcast before IL
planted corn comes up. One quart to the ac
will be enough until it is gone, then SOW NOR
Some soak corn, but l never do The croV
will pick up cutworms enough to pay for IL
corn and the labor of sowing. | have seen 500
that would weigh pound or more jerked oY
to get worm"