The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-19
THE FARM.


come more injurious, because the effect of
cultivation is generally to diminish the
natural capacity of the soil tohold moisture.
As the vegetable matter decreases the sur
face becomes hardened, fand water from
rains and SHOWS runs of instead OF sinking
down into the soil. For this reason many
small springs fail, as the water runs away
early on the surface, instead OF slowly
iiltering into the reservoirs that formerly
supplied them. This is especially true on
heavy land, whose capacity for retaining
moisture depends largely ON the vegetable
matter that il contains.
Most farmers know the danger Of
laundering horses by allowing horses TO
drink unrestrainedly after being warmed
by working or last driving. The danger
is greatest when the water IL coolest. IL
is the sudden chill OF cold water on a
heated stomach that does the mischief.
Water in spring is chilled from melting ice
long after the air has been warmed above
the freezing point. All through tho sum-
mer and until quite late in fall water III
colder than the air. II the water is
warmed 10 near the temperature Of the
animal II may be drank without injury.
Horses at work have little time al noon To
cool OIL, and will eat better after drink OF
water warmed TO take the chill of. This
can be given without danger OF injury, II
made warm enough.
A good daily ration for q Jersey COW
giving full flow OF milk during the winter
months, consists OF equal parts OF corn and
oats by weight, ground together and mixed
with wheat bran equal weight. OF this
mixture fourteen pounds n dny--in two
ioeds--will give good results in milk, and
will keep the animal thrifty. Twopounds
OF oil cake added 10 the Dolly allowance
will improve its value. In addition 10
this, sixteen or eighteen pounds OF sweet,
carly-cut hay-cloycr is the bcst-is n req
uiite for best returns. The hay should
run through the cutting box and moisten-
cd, and the ground feed be thoroughly
mixed with IL. Every particle will be
eaten and digestion will be more thorough
than II fed separately. Earlycut, wen
cured fodder, II cut into short lengths, II n
good substitute or auxiliary 10 the hay
supply and is greatly rclished by the
stock, and constitutes very desimble
change. Roots should also be fed 10 not
only dairy stock in winter, but 10 all other
animals, young and old. OF these the
mancel.wurzel Is the easiest grown, most
prolific and best. The amount OF feed per
LAY recommended here il for cowsin milk.
Circumstances and condition must govern
the Patton for other animals, but the form
ula Is n good one and good results will fol-
low lis use.
Iuccrno Is known by scvernl names, as
alfalfa, CHILEAN clover, Spanish trcfoil,
purple medick. II ~ botanically known
as medicago saliva, lcguminous plant
nearly allied 10 common clover. IL has
been well known for thousands OF years in
older countries, but is Of late years attract
Inc much attention In America. at IL a
child Of the sun, says Prof. Iical, now our
first authority on such plants. II preicn n
rich. sandy loan. II does not usually
thrive on q compact clay suhsoil. While
young u Is somewhat weak In is growth
and poor fighter. II requires at least two
years To become well rooted. II should bo
sown In the spring without any other crop
on well prepared land. II the land II 10
he pl0wed every three or four years don't
SOW alfalfa. IL is perennial, and may be- TO
lied on 20 produce good crops for many
years in succession. II " great dry
weather plant aud It's roots go far down,
hut Just how far on an average no one
knows They have been found 10 extend
from ten TO twenty feet below the suriace.
II must DO mown just as Il begins TO
bloom or the stems will become woody
and vi far loss value. About twenty
pounds Of seed aru required to the acre.
II Is cured precisely the same M clover,
though requiring more room In the field,
~ II soon spoils II raincd upon. We hear
Of eases where the field has been cut three
times, averaging two tons 10 the cutting. -
Rural Nor Iorkr.