Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-01-11
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

the country coal has come 70 De the
almost universal fuel, but there are
localities where wood Is abundant,
and is still used. Wherever wood
ashes are made, contemporary sug-
gests they should be carefully saved.
Barrels are not best. The Goals of all
hard wood hold fire in ashes for con-
siderable time, and disastrous fires
have occurred from the habit Of keep
ing ashes in barrels. Every farm
should have smoke-house, and this
should be built of stone or brick, for
at least the height Of three feet from
the ground. This is the most secure
places to keep wood ashes in.
Ashes have the property OF making
light soils hrmer, and heavy soils more
open. We know of no arabic soil they
will not benefit. The chief action Of
the potash, is to liberate or solve the
phosphates and nitrate Of the soil
that may be in the reverted state, and
especially when phosphate is to be
applied, wood ashes are always valu-
able in connection with it.
Ashes of wood act in many benef-
cial ways on the soil, and are espe-
cially valuable to the horticulturist.
In the presence Of humus, the potash
contained in ashes, under the infiu-
ence of summer heat and moisture.
takes hold of the nitrogen OF the soil
and form nitrate Of potash. This is
soluble, and it is well known that
only in soluble condition-that is,
when held by moisture-is any food
available to the growing plant.
Hence, it follows that the proper time
to apply ashes is in the spring or early
summer, and preferably it should be
lightly covered into the soil, rather
than deeply.
THE FARMER OUGHT TO KEEP AC-
COUNTS. -With the beginning OF a
new year, every farmer ought to open
a debit and credit accounts, and con-
tinue it infinitely and unremittingly
through the following twelve months,
so that at the end of the year he may
know Just where he stands and whether
he is going forward or falling behind
hand in his business. All moneys paid
out, whether for wages, rent, interest,
permanent improvements or repairs,
for seeds, implements or fertilizers,
should be faithfully entered on the
one side, and all receipts for products
sold, ETC., on the other.
There is a great deal Of satisfaction
in such accounts as these. Not only
do they serve to show his financial
status but frequent reference to them
will be useful in suggesting practical
economies, expenses which may be
avoided, etc. There is nothing like
having set down in black and white
the various expenditures by which
our hard-earned gains are absorbed.
The time for this work is only few
minutes day, but it ought to be done
daily, regularly and Systematically.
Sometimes the entries may be relega-
ted to some of the younger members
of the household to whom the exercise
will not be improbable.
The same blank book, or a few
pages of it, may be devoted to memo
randa Of weather, dates Of farm ope-
rations, ETC., and will be found val
liable and interesting for future refer
ence from year to year.
INDIAN WAFFLKs. Half q cupful Of
Indian meal, two cupfuls of boiling
milk, two eggs, one generous cupful
of flour, one tablespoonful of butter,
half teaspoonful of baking powder,
half a teaspoonful of salt. Pour the
boiling milk on the meal and butter.
Beat well, and set away to cool. Mix
the other dry ingredients with the
flour, and sift. Beat the eggs, and
add them and the flour to the cold
mixture
SALLY LUNN-One quart Of flour,
one generous pint Of milk, two table
spoonfuls of sugar, two eggs, three
tablsspoonfuls OF butter, one tea
spoonful of salt, half cake Of com
pressed yeast. Have the milk blood
warm, and add the butter, melted;
the eggs well-beaten, and the yeast
dissolved in three tablespoonsfuls OF
cold water. Pour gradually on the
floor and beat into smooth batter,
then add the salt and sugar Butter
baking pans and pour in the batter to
the depth Of about two inches. Let it
rise two hours in warm place. Bake
half an hour.
SNOW PANCAKEs.-Hal a pint Of
milk, an egg, an apple, pared, quar-
tered and chopped very fine, cupful
and a half of flour, one-fourth of a
teaspoonful Of salt, a bowl of snow.
Beat the eggs light, and add the milk
to it. Pour gradually on the flour,
and beat until smooth and light.
Add the apple and salt, and at the
last moment the snow. Drop by
spoonfuls into boiling fat, and cook
until rich brown.