Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-09
Farm and ORCHARD.
SOME FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF
FRUIT TREES.
Farm Poultry Clubs-weeds on Summer
FallOw - Two Breeds of
Chickens-Notes.

"a good fruit tree is worth fifty dol
lars" we heard an old farmer say recently
If this is true, an orchard of one acre con-
tanning fifty trees should increase the
value of the farm upon which it is stu
ated by the pleasant sum of S2,500-less,
of course, the original value of that indi-
vidual acre. While it might be difficult
to find purchaser who would accept this
valuation, my own experience inclines me
to the belief that the farmers assertion
was not far from right. A money yield of
three dollars per annum from each tree
would give 6 per cent. upon this capital
lied valued. 1t is poor tree that will
not average this, even allowing for off years,
and of years are not so frequent as to
alternate regularly with the bearing ones.
A healthy tree, properly cared for, will
give crop two years out of three that
will pay for harvesting. Occasionally
tree will give crop that will pay the in
terest for many years In one An Early
Richmond cherry tree paid me last year
eight dollars, besides the fruit used at
home, which was sufficient TO pay entire
cost of gathering. From sweet cherry
tree this year | sold three and one-half
bushels at two dollars per bushel. Two
Chickasaw plum trees, growing so closely
together that their branches intertwine as
if they were one tree, the two covering
space of about 500 square feet, frequently
pay ten dollars in season, which would
be at the rate Of over $500 per acre. 4
pear tree near by yields ten bushels in a
good season, and one dollar per bushel is
not an unusual price. Three early apple
trees this season gave over fifty bushels
which sold at from so cents to 81 20 per
bushel. The trees were so full that l had
to commence picking while yet very green,
to save the limbs from breaking. Yet the
same trees last year gave crop that paid
more than 6 per cent. upon value of fifty
dollars each.-Amerieaa Agricultlrist.
FARM POULTRY CLUBS.
Farmers who engage in the production
of eggs and chickens for market would find
it profitable TO start an organization among
themselves for the good of the business.
Their meetings could be held weekly,
semi-weekly or monthly, at the houses of
members, and poultry topics could be dis
ported, new ways of treating old ailments
and q host of other valuable matter
brought up A President and Secretary
would be necessary. The work of the
latter would be to seek any desirable in
formation which none Of the members
could impart, and other matters that might
be of interest and instruction. Expert
ences could be given as to the crossing of
hraJ bror.rv = l.
prolific; the best foods; how to feed; how
to house, and how to give general care.
Farmers, as a rule, know very little about
the requirements Of an egg farm. True,
some very able works have been written
upon the subject but farmers generally do
not possess them. There is no reason why
we should not have ''fresh eggs in the
dead of winter. Practical poultry farms
furnish them, and so can all who keep
fowls. It is the lack of proper knowledge
that causes it. The knowledge may be
partly possessed by one man, and partly
by another, in any neighborhood, and, if
dubbed together, it would reyolutionize
the whole work.-American Agricuiturist.
WEEDS ON STANDARDIZATION.
George Ohleyer, editor of the Sutter
Farmer, is one of themost successful wheat
growers in the Sacramento valley, and he
talks as follows about replowing summer
fallow:
" The extraordinary rainfall is feared to
have added much labor to the proper seed
ing of fallowed lands. Coming so early
in warm weather and on warm soil is sure
to sprout all foul seeds in the ground or on
top of it, and if they get a good start so
ti,of bo barv1tr-s l-i1I- L.
them, the weeds are apt to gain the asceu-
deney of the wheat plant yet to be sown,
and thus curtail the crop, Notwithstanding
the very favorable condition of the season.
We have found it very important that such
a growth of vegetation be destroyed. 1t is
possible that this can be done with the
ordinary drill, which slightly cultivates
the ground. If the growth is heavy the
drill viii hardly do the work. In that
event quite shallow replowipg with any oil
the small gang plows viii do the business
and add largely TO the prospective crop.
Very good results have nearly always fol-
lowed broadcast sowing on such lands, and
then plowed under shallow with such
plows as mentioned above. The smaller
the plow the better the effect and the less
the necessity for narrowing after them.
The conditions prevailing will cause our
farmers to use brains as well as Drawn, as
nothing quite like it has occurred in the
memory of the Oldest inhabitant."
TWO BREEDS OF CHICKENS.
A valued correspondent, who is a good
farmer, says be has concluded to pay more
attention to chickens, and wants to know
what two breeds will nearest fill the bill
for good layers, good settlers and good
brollers. When asked our opinion we gave
our own without regard to the preconceiyed
notions of the inquirer. You do not want
two breeds Of chickens on one farm. They
will have to be kept separate, at great ex-
pense and trouble, so much so that they
will be no profit, unless you breed to sell
at the fancy prices of chicken faneiers But
70 keep chickens for eggs, for propagating,
for broilers, or to add to the variety and
delicacy of the table, only one breed should
be kept The Leghorns are good LAYERS,
but they cannot stand cold and rough treat
ment, and are fourth-rate for all else. The
Plymouth Rock is native American bird,
and for a combination of all qualities it
has no superior. They produce more eggs
in bad weather, are good breeders, kind
mothers. their chicks healthy and grow
rapidly, flesh tender and delicate, and a
farmer does not need two breeds unless he
has two farms, where they can be kept en-
tirely separate. But keep the breed pure
and take good care of them.-Des Moines
Register.
FARM NOTES.
An expert says that if butter be broken
when cold the broken parts should resem-
bic the broken parts of cast iron or steel,
and also the same of rock formations.
Considering its cost, sawdust is an ex-
cellent material for bedding and as an alb
sorbent. 1t possesses but little manurial
value, but will answer well on the stable
floors.