The national leader., 1889-04-20
FARM NOTES.

perlmenCS maQo at Cno experimental
farm OF the Rurdl Ne,o Yorker. which
inaugurated also different system Of
planting. The trial was made on four
plots, one Of which produced at the
rate Of 1915 bushels Of potatoes per
acre; but owing to the ravages of the
ea-beetle on one side of the plots the
general average was at the rate OF 6S3
bushels per acre.
The plots were planted on April 20,
but two weeks previously the seed po-
tatoes were spread out singly in a
warm room. the object Icing to leave
them shoot oct, SO as to secure the
most vigorous seed, all imperfect speci-
mems being rejected. The potatoes
were then cut according to the number
OF strong eyes developed, and three
eyes to piece were secured. The
trenches were dug with spade. about
seven inches deep and foot wide. and
fertilizer strewn both under and over
the seed. About $50 pounds of fertil-
the trench and Incorporated with the
soil with hoe. Over this an inch of
foil was raked and the seed pieces
placed thereon, one foot apart, the
trenches being three feet apart, meas
ured from the middle of each. They
were then covered with another inch
Of soil. and powdered sulphur then
scattered upon 1t at the rate Of 400
pounds per acre. Then $50 pounds
more Of fertilizer was spread, making
1850 pounds to an acre, when the
trenches were then re6lled with the
soil taken out, which, being somewhat
lighter than the rest. left the soil of
the trenches higher than that between
them. AS the soil of the trench was
not compacted the ridge was left to
settle to the general level, as all hilling
up was carefully avoided.
The cost OF raising an acre of pota
toes under the trench system Is given
by the Rural Ne,o Yorker as follows:
Flowing and narrowing $6 30; trench
ing twith shovel plowl, $6; filing in
the trenches with drag or cultivator,
S.; seeding and planting $40; cultivat-
ing, Sc; harvesting, $40; fertilizer (15O0
pounds), $50; total $72.50. The ex-
pense IS less per bushel for the large
crop than for u smaller one, the cost of
the 583 bushels being about 12t cents
per bushel. Compared with the usual
method, if we place an ordinary yield
at $3.50 bushels, and estimate the mar
ket price at 80 cents per bushel, costing
$42, without the use of so much fertil-
izer), with $75 worth of product, with
the improved method, at an estimate
Of 400 bushels, the cost is $72.60. with
$50 worth Of product, or profit of
S77. 90 against $33.
There is considerable potash and
phosphoric acid left over in the soil for
another crop. If a field of potatoes is
to be grown under the trench system
use plenty of fertilizer. not less than
1900 pounds per acre. which should
analyze 5 per cent. of ammonia, 10 per
cent. of phosphoric acid and 8 per cent
Of potash; and though the cost of the
fertilizer may be an item at first, the
yield of the crop will more than pay
for it and give larger profit as well.
How To PREVENT VERMIN.-
vention Is better than cure, for one
reason, because it is easier. When a
farmer finds his spring calves pining
away and looking miserable from the
attacks of lice, he will find it no easy
matter to save the calves and rid his
stables Of the pests. But few hours
spent in efforts to prevent the mischief
would have saved weeks Of worry and
work. To prevent the entrance of
these pests, all fowls should be kept
from rOOsting in stables. Fowls will
do no harm there If their house is kept
clean and the roosts are well soaked
with kerosene oil once month. But
half dozen lousy hens will infect all
the stock in the stables and give trouble
through the whole winter. For the
stock, the best way of keeping them
free from vermin is to brush them well
once a day. using a stiff brush, to
which little kerosene oil is applied by
means of sponge, or the hair may be
rubbed with the oiled sponge and then
well brushed. This will keep the
animals free from lice and make their
coats smooth and glossy. but if used
too plentifully it will take off the hair
and blister the skin.
a HOMEMADE field roller is con-
structed from the wheels, tongue and
seat Of an old mower. with such ad-
ditional irons and bolts as can be
readily obtained at any blacksmith
shop. The two mower wheels are first
connected by an iron axle that projects
into the frame. Around these wheels
are fitted about forty-eight pieces of
scantling, two by four inches and eight
feet long, beveled and nailed together.
These are planed smooth on the sur
face. On each end directly over the
wheels is then shrunk common wagon
tire. The frame is composed of scant-
ling four by fourinches, bolted through
the lemons. The roller when COM
pleted Is about forty inches In diameter
and heavy enough to crush clods
Owing to the size of the roller the