Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-11-06
Digging and Storing Potatoes.

Digging and Storing Potatoes.
Potatoes have been, as general
thing, an unsatisfactory crop this sea-
many localities has proved very de-
structive. Potatoes, whether early or
late kinds, should not be left in the
ground long after.the vines die. T. the
potatoes are sound, second growth
may take place to the injury OF their
quality. If there is rot among the po-
tatoes, digging and drying them is one
of the methods of arresting the trouble.
Ii the vines have been killed by the
fungus before digging, rake the remain
der of the tops to one side in heaps be-
tween the rows, and burn them. This
will materially prevent the spread of
the pest. If too green to burn readily,
few sticks of dry wood or kindlings
will help make blaze that will de-
stroy the tops. In digging potatoes ex-
pose to the sun as little as may be, but
as soon as dry, gather up and store in
dark, dry and well-ventilated cellar.
Potatoes are best stored in Slated bins
to hold few bushels each; these have
the bottoms of Stats and the corner
pieces project below to join legs. These
bins may be set one upon another, and
allow of thorough ventilation. They
facilitate the tubers to be Overhauled,
should the spread of the rot make it
necessary to examine the contents and
separate the badly decayed from the
sound ones. A handful OF slaked lime
st~ewed over the potatoes in each bin
will aid in checking the progress of the
rot. Decayed potatoes should not go to
the manure heap, but be thrown upon a
heap OF burning rubbish; or make h fire
of brush for the rpose.-Anaerican Ag-
riculturist.
Use and Abuse of the Farm Workshop.
Absurd things are written about the
farm workshop. The farmer cannot be
proficient in half dozen trades, nor
can his son do even fairly q ,od carpen-
ter or blacksmith work without prac-
tice. Some people seem to think that
nothing is necessary but to get the tools
and the needfal skill will come with
them. The absurdities written about
the farm workshop would not merit
notice were they not likely to lead us
too far in the other direction. It is not
good policy to 60 to the blacksmith ev.
cry time piece of iron is to be mend
ed, or to the carpenter to make us
bench. The charges of the carpenter or
blacksmith are of less importance than
the loss of time. Every farmer, who
owns large farm should have at least
one farm blacksmith outfit. The farm
er may not ind it profitable to sharpen
the plows, but he should be able to weld
Or rivet together pieces of iron or steel;
to mend chains, shanks of forks or
hoes, whiff1etree clips, clevises, etc.,
etc. He ought also to be able to make
rings, links, hooks and pins. The nee
essary tools cost little and the skill
necessary to such simple work is soon
gained.
In wood many simple jobs of repair
ing are easily done. It is by no means
certain that the farmer should not go
farther in woodworking. Handles for
axes, forks, rakes, ETC., whiff1etrees, and
similar articles can probably be bought
more cheaply than the farmer can
make them for; but generally he Can
make better than he can buy, and when
he counts quality he will doubtless find
his own work better than he can buy.
He can select the choicest timber and
season it properly. 1t is good prac-
tice to save tire toughest, best pieces
when splitting out rails or posts.
With an assortment of copper rivets,
some avis, thread and wax, any strap
about the harness can be joined. This
much leather working is always profit
able. If the f,rmer will give the tools
to the boys, the sense of property will
stimulate them to practice using them.
One boy may have the carpenter tools,
another the blacksmith tools, etc. If
the boys choose to use their tools on
rainy days, when otherwise they might
rest all right; but don't compel them
to. Making this extra work OF course
renders it distasteful. The hint so fire.
quently seen that with tools the boys
can make or mend when they cannot
do farm work, is altogether bad. If
made use of, it will defeat your purpose
every time.
The Butcher and the Farmer.