The National tribune., 1889-11-21
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
TREATING CLAY LANDS.


TREATING CLAY LANDS.
Cayey soils, If they can only be brought into
tho proper mechanical condition, are very val
liable farm lands, and usually tho first step Is
to thoroughly underdrain, to constantly take
off any surplus of moisture. The next step Is
to let the air and frost do its work in disinte-
grating the soil. BY blowing as late in the
Fall as the season will admit, and leaving the
piece just as left by the plow, without harrow
ing, tho entire Winter, exposed to the alter
nate freezing and thawing, will effect great
change in its condition. In the Spring it Is
merely narrowed and we'll broken up with
sharp cultvator and then cropped, usually in
corn. The same process of late blowing and
permitting the frost TO do Its work Of dsinte-
grafton is gone through for two or three addi-
tional seasons, when the piece will be found to
be vastly improved both mechanically and in Its
ability TO produce fine crops. Some recommend
the top-drcssing with sand, but while this has
some good effect, where the tract is large the
amount Of hard work necessary to apply sufi-
cient sand to make any decidedly favorable
impression makes it very expensive, and on
that account undesirable, for the teams can
usually be put to work that ia more profitable.
Nature will do the work best If she is only
given q fair chance TO do so, and the methods
suggested above, and which we have repeatedly
tried with uniform results are applicable wheD-
ever the Winter is severe enough TO freeze the
ground thoroughly. By throwing it up as
| loosely rs possible with the piow, moro surface
| 10 IN hR IF ha al
| than if permitted TO lie fiat and solid, when it
| is almost rs imperyious to tho action of the
elements rs is 1. we'll baked brick, even water
being eficctually kept Massachusetts,
! Pi0aghmdn.
KEEPING GRAPES
There are various ways in which grapes may
| be kept fresh and plump until after the Holt
! days, tho main conditions being cool and dry
| temperature. Tho clusters should be gathered
on a clear day and all imperfect berries remov-
| cd with a sharp pointed pair of scissors, hand
| ling tho fruit as little as possible. Have ready
| shallow boxes lined with dry paper and place
! in them tho clusters, laid closely together and
| in two layers the layers being separated by a
sheet OF dry paper. Cover with paper, put on
| the lid tightly and store in a cold, dry, airy
room until freezing weather, when they may be
removed TO slightly warmer quarters. Keep
cold as possible without actually freezing. An
| other successful way OF keeping grapes is 70
| bury them on q gravelly knoll or othor dry To-
cation, packed in layers in earthen jars, tho
| layers being separated by sheets OF paper and
the lid being secured by FASTING over it strong,
uubleached muslin. Being several feet below
the surface it will be necessary to mark the spot
with stake. Varieties like isabella, Catawba,
Diana, Salem, Wilder. Clinton are all good
! keepers and very satisfactory In other ways.
| Whatever method be employed it is essential
| that the fruit aud all connected with IL be per-
| fectly free from moisture. the least particle OF
which will surely produce mold that the skin
| of tho fruit is not broken, and that uniform,
cool temperature - maintained. Orchard aHd
Garden
aULcHIEo.
This 10 a November subject worth discussion
| In whatever section or climate In tho far
North repeated mulchinR by tho tramping down
of snow about young trees prevents the rayages
of mice aud rabbits. aud the use of snow in the
same manner around every growing thing will
prove OF benefit. With the mercury At zero
above the snow it seldom falls much below
freezing under the white mantle and where the
mass Is compactcd about peach trees tho ground
ia which thoy stand Is later IN thawing ia the
Spring, aud rarely opens in Winter. As con-
sequence tho fruit buds arc seldom or never
damaged. In many successful vineyards good
crops ara directly traccable to the protecting
influence Of tho snow. mulch of stone.
about many fruit trees, vines aud shrubs Is OF
incalcuahle benefit during the heated torn
and the mulch which many strawberry fields
require is best put on q little later. after the
ground hardcns by frost. Where perpetual sun
shine wins blossoms from the earth all the year
the benefits of a mulch for protection against
drout, and for fertility when deeayed, at,
beyond computation. In severe climates
muching tho meadows with strawy manur,
| coAxes from them "a fuller money product thu
following season. Indeed. the late Fall top
dressing OF mowlngs may be- quito as valuable
as Il mulch as for it's supply OF plant food
american dgricdtarist.
Farm WORK.
Fall blowing. il not already finished, shoult
bo pushed an rapidly IA possible. Every acri
) Fall powed Is a help To tho Spring work. Be
Sides IL is benefit To the soil 10 be- exposed 4
the air aud frost. Land we'll powed is hal
/ cultivated. Every prudent aud progressive
farmer Will attend 10 this important farm worl
and give 1t his personal oversight.
, Farm stock should be cared for If to DO grown
! at profit. As the pastures have become shor
aud the feed frostbitten, 10 is we'll 10 give extr
: feed from the barn. In order TO have farm
stock thrive and become profitable, IL shoul'
have liberal supply of nutritious food aud al
d abundant supply of pure water. Every farme
should aim to keep no more stock than can b
8 kept in thriving condition. There Is n
profit in half-starved animal.
The wood-pile now calls the attention OF th
a farmer. Winter Is coming. IL may BIO col
and long. How important sufficient suppl
of fuel. Docs every farmer appreciate this.
4 well-llled woodhouse is a necessity to ever
farmer Improve every day before Winter
Make everything comfortable, cheerful m
J. happy.-ErehaHge.
NOTES
"A small farm may be made larger withou
n extending les area by deepening and enrichin
the soil and moro thorough cultivation.
- Cover the rhubarb plants with manure, q
Winter covering. Too much manure canine
bo given, as the plant ia a gross feeder, an
!. shows good results when the soil is rich.
. To prevent trees bossoming too early /
d the Spring mulch them during the Winte
4 which prevents the soil becoming warm To
i soon In the season.
Overlooking the hens may be the cause
leg weakness, soft eggs poor matches and ape
plexy, and Is often the cause OF hens becomin
egg bound.
DO not be afraid 10 use the pruning shear
on young trees. Ii Is much better to cut bae
severely than not 30 cut at ALL The futui
shape of the tree largely depends on the pruI
ing given ID when 10 To- young.
!, - Banking the earth around fruit trees wi
serve TO protect the roots aud also to cause I'll
water 20 flow away from the trees, thoreb
preventing pools from forming around ii
trees. The ground being kept dry, trees wi
endure tho cold better
- The Ohio Experiment Station reaches I'll
i..ufNY .ff fFtu hat ~