The National tribune., 1889-02-14
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
WEEDS IN AGRICULTURE.


Farmers are interested in the subject, not only
because the growth of weeds takes from the
supply of food intended for cultivated crops,
but it increases the cost of growing the crops
to the extent of the extra labor required for
the destruction of the weeds. A large proper
ton of all the weeds that infest farms are prop
agatcd by seeds alone, and it is sometimes
matter of wonder why it is that the seeds of
some weeds appear to be in the soil at all times
and only wait until the soil is brought under
cultivation to receive the impulse that pushes
them to the point of termination.
Some varieties having once gained foothold
tenaciously hold on to existence, and can be
exterminated only by vigorous use of hoe
and cultivator. One trouble lies in the fact
that even the thrifty farmer is almost wholly
at the mercy of thriftless neighbour, for while
he by diligence prevents weed seeding, his neg
ligent neighbor is virtually encouraging that
condition which most largely dissemnates the
weeds. Weed destruction under the most ia
vorable circumstances is struggle, for the rea-
son that there are ways and means of spread
ing that the most careful farmer cannot control
nor prevent. Birds and herbivorous animals
pass them undigested through their stomachs;
thew attach themselves in some species to the
wool or hair of animals or clothing of men.
Wind and railroads, streams and rivers are all
active agencies in the distribution of the seeds,
and the chief hope lies in the prevention of
seeding: therein lies safety.-GeTmGft0D IeLe-
graph.
THE GERMS OF DISEASE.
By means of that invaluable instrument, the
microscope il is now satisfactorily demonstrated
that all contagious or transmissble diseases,
whether of man or animals, are caused by liv-
iyr, IF paah diQpaSp hoe itS MARTHA
ular kind. These germs are called microbes"
or bacteria" and are in reality low form of
vegetable life. They possess a wonderful power
of rapid multiplication. Microbes of different
kinds abound almost everywhere. They may
be found in the food we eat, in the water, milk
or other fluids we drink. Many of these are of
course harmless, or do not produce disease
These microbes possess great tenacity of life
although they can be destroyed by heat. But
under low temperature they will exist in a
dormant condition for years perhaps, and yet
with favorable conditions will spring into life
For this reason it is of the highest Importance
in every case of animal disease that means be
taken for the destruction of the microbes and
thorough disinfection, or the disease may
break out at subsequent time. The microbes
are even believed to exist in the soil where a
diseased animal is buried. Very great care
should be exercised in all cases of disease.
VALUE OF MATURE COWS.
Mai. AIyord is accredited with having stated
that as a rule he does not believe there is any
profit in turning cows into beef that have done
long aud good dairy service. So far as expert
ence and information go toward proving any
thing it is to the effect that the highest possible
net value of mature cow when she ceases to
be profitable in the dairy is the market price
of her hide, blood and horns. These items
cannot be profitaby increased by any known
course of feeding" 1t will require a large
amount of argument to convince the average
farmer of the truth of the foregoing Conclu-
sons, especially with hides selling as they are
in some localities, for only three cents per
pound. A majority of older farmers those of
years of experience, will select for fattening
purposes the very animals mentioned, firmly
believing that the beef made from COW in
poor or only moderate condition is more juicy,
tender and sweeter than from younger animals.
And so far as fattening is concerned, dry off an
old cow early IN the season, and turn her into
good grass feed, and she will take care of the
fattening process herself. No, Major, don't ask
the farmers to indulge in the sacrifice of sell
ing their old cows for the hide, blood and
horns :" in Germantown Telegraph.
THE JERSEY AS FAMILY COW.
Except by those who have had experience in
the rich milk giving qualities of the Jersey as
family cow, and her gentle, easy-going habits
seem almost inseparably associated with the
race. but little idea can be formed of the real
luxury aud solid comfort to be derived from
this source of necessary supply to the family
| needs. Every family requires milk and cream,
and in cities and towns in almost every section
| of the country the universal cry goes up con-
demning the quality of these articles as fur
| nished by the average dairyman; hence, those
whose surroundings aud circumstances are
| favorable adopt the more satisfactory plan OF
| obtaining the supply from their own family
| COW. There is no animal so well aud so thor
| oughly adapted for this purpose as the Jersey
| She is prominently constituted and, it might
| almost be said, specially bred for it, In her
native island all the cows are in manner
family cows, and by the daily customs under
which she grows up, her associations with the
members of the family, especially of the women
are most intimate.
NOTES
- The value of Hampshire Downs for cross.
ing with other breeds in producing lambs foI
market and superior mutton III mature animals
| is yearly shown in the great English shows
| This year but repeats the result in many pre-.
vious years in this respect. At the Great Smith
| field show the cross-bred prizes went 10 crosses
of Hampshire and Oxford Down, ant damp
shire and Cotswod. The former were three.
quarters Hamsphire blood, since the Oxfords
are themselves a Hampshire cross. If the
merino and grade focks of the United States
are ever to be brought up to good mutton
| production, the blood of strong and prepotent
mutton breed must be used.
= The glass or porcelain egg is a dangerous
| substance in the nest at this season. If the
weather is severe, the egg may be intensely
cold, and if the warm body OF the hen comes
in contact with it she will be chilled to the
| extent of the heat she must impart to the cold
| substance Then, again, the eggs in cold weather
are more liable to be broken in the nest by
rolling against the glass egg than would be the
| case in Summer.
= Most of the pruning of fruit trees should
| be done when the sprouts are so young and
| tender that they may be cut off with the finger.
nails. Beginning when the trees are young
they may thus be kept in good shape with little
waste of timber, the needless shoots being
| removed before they have made much growth
= When new boggy land is broken up the
| soil is often sour from the presence of humiC
| acid, produced by the decay of vegetable mat
| ter. In some cases it is too sour to allow the
! growth OF anything but the natural swamp
| grasses and seges.l Limo is alkaline or anti
acid in property, aud therefore its application
in considerable Quantityis of immediate bene
| fit in diminishing the acdity of and render
ing the soil suitable for the growth of more
profitable crops. AS to the details of the APP
plcat0n of lime, the time manner, quantity
ETC., experience is the best guide and the farmer
can determine these points for himself.
| "a 10 Al 70 ,,lni