The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-06-05
FARMS AND FARMERS,
Short Talks With Men Who Guide
the Pillow.
MANY Questions About the Farm, Answered
by DR.. w. L. Jones, Formerly of
the Southern Cultiyator.
Imnrovement off Oats.

As we are in the midst of oat harvest, it is q
Atting time to call attention to the Importance
o. saving and selecting seed, with reference to
special ends. We have repeatedly emphasized
she Importance of saving seed from fall sown
oats to SOW again in the fall. Plants I'M
questionably acquire habits, and accommodate
themselves to seasons and climates, within GER
ssin limits, just as animals do. Fall sown oats
acquire the habit of taking long time to per-
fect growth-from September to May-eight
months Spring oats mature IN half
the time-four months. Is it reasonable
TO suppose that o plant can shift
from one rate of growth to another so very
rapidly without suffering Again, fall sown
oats acquire additional hardness and ability to
Withstand cold. The weak plants and those
intolerant of cold are killed out in severe
winters-those tolerant of low temperatures
survive and transmit their powers of endur-
ence to their offspring. With this wedding out
Kept up for many years, there is every reason
TO believe that strain of hardy winter oats
can be established. By all means. therefore,
lay aside seed now from fall sown oats, to sow
again next fall.
For spring sowing, save seed from spring
sowings. Seed from fall sown oats would tend
to mature to slowly and be caught by the heat
and drouth of summer, which SO mimi
cal to the oat. 1t may be a little troublesome
70 keep two sorts of seed but it will pay you. At
the north, wheat has developed into winter
and spring varieties, and each is sown in its
appropriate season. Why should not the
same thing be done with oats?
Again, it would pay farmer to go over his
cat fields and select and save seed from the
best plants. We do this with corn, at least
In the crib, and progressive farmers do it in
the field. Why not extend the practice
to other crops? Again, select the best grains
from the best heads. Strike q bundle over the
opening of an empty barrel, and the heaviest
and ripest grains will fall in. Or select out
choice grains from choice heads one by one,
and grow these separately to select seed from
again the next year. Propagators of i'm
proved cotton seed have done wonders in this
way. Why not do it with the oat?
w. L. J.
Constant Reader, Batesville, Ark: have thirty
Eve acres of land under cultivation infested with
moles. They are running the ground. What1 want
10 know is the best method of catching them. Are
their skins of any value? If so how to dress them
and where is market place for them? Will the
castor bean drive them out? If SO, where can l
buy the seed, and what can they be bought at?
There are two modes of destroying moles.
You will find them described in answer to an
patented and sold, but we are not familiar
with them and not competent to pass upon
their merits. A deadfall with spikes and trig-
ger set in run answers every purpose. The
skins probably have some value, but we are
not informed. Cannot say whether the castor
bean will drive them off or not; this is a mat
ter which we think it would be quito difficult
to decide. How far off will it drive them?
We have seen mole tracks not a great way
from the plant. AS these plants die in winter,
will their being grown one year keep off moles
next spring until new crop of plants start?
G, W. H, Eastaboga, Ala; Please say what kind
of land would be best adapted to the growth of
Strawberries in this section of the state and how TO
prepare the land; also what kind of fertilizer to
IN raising them. Please give the average yield per
acre and average price for them. ask for general
information in regard to the most successful plan of
raising them.
A rather light sandy loan, rich in humus,
quits the strawberry best. Well rotted barn
gard manure with some potassic manure, rs
ashes or kainit, or muriate of potash, well
worked into the soil in advance, will make
strong, vigorous plants. In the spring, just
before bearing time, a light topdressing of nj
trate of soda will be very beneficial. The
land should be broken deep and thoroughly
pulverized. The strawberry suffers greatly
from drouth, and deep breaking and good
filth serve to conserve moisture in the soil.
Yield and prices very variable cannot give
figures. Set in rows three feet apart-plants
eighteen inches in the row. Cultivate until
late in autumn and keep off all runners.
up. H. Hays Landing Miss: I have colt six
Feeks old that has what seems to be O large wind
gall on the outside of both knee joints. What is R
Will it iniure the colt? What can do to remove it,
Am afraid it will make the colt ''knockkneed."
The swelling comes probably from an excess
of fluid in the joint pushing out and stretch
ing the ligaments around it. The colt may
outgrow it without anything being done for it,
But it may be well to assist nature by bandag-
ing the Joint Moderate pressure may cause
ABSORPTION of the fluid and contraction of the
lgaments. If it does not try blistering with
ointment of biniodd of mercury, SO often re-
commended in these columns.
VIGIL Where can sell silk worm cocoons and
what are they worth?
Q Where can clean rags be sold and WI at are
thew worth? 1 am Il small boy and am trying to
make some money.
1. Write to Hon. j. T. Henderson, commits
sioner of agriculture. Atlanta, Ga. He can
probably give you the information about the
cocoons
2. The paper mills will buy rags or the junk
shop men who buy up rags for the mills. Ad-
dress Atlanta Paper mills, Atlanta, Ga
lib. Talcott W. Va have horse that has had
n hstula for three years. Can the readers of The
CONSTITUTION give a receipt that will cure hin?
Fistula occurs in many localities, but we
infer Won mean of the shoulder. Make free
incision into the lowest point of the tube you
can find, as ascertained by probe, and let the
nus escape. Syringe out the cavity and inject
Z Tablespoonful of tincture of iodine in it daily
for a few days. After that keep the lower
opening from closing by putting in it piece
of creased cotton, so pus can escape until the
tube heals up.
ST W., Centervile, Ala Please diagnose the
soIloving case: have q horse about twelve years
I'D. has always been healthy until recently Three
,nopths apo he seemed to have paralysis of the
toyyer bones as he could not evacuate, only as 1t
was removed by syringe or scoop; also the bladder
seemed 10 be involved. He now passes his urine
bv dribllng. Good appetite, and seems otherwise
healthy. Please suggest treatment,
SYMPTOMS point to trouble in some Of the
ev,nnathetic norye ganglia which preside over