Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-22
FARM MATTERS.

Those who know from experience
claim that Kafir corn and all nonsac
charine cane is better than the cereals
for stock feed. This being true the
| farmers should all give it trial this
coming season, since it has proven sure
! crop.
In making plans for spring don't for.
get the boys. Take them into your con-
| fdence, and ask hints and suggestions
from them in your plans. They have
learned something from the last year
experience that will be of help to you.
Give them the care of some special
field or crop, promise them share OF
the profits, and then be sure they get it.
Seed and plant catalogues are not
quite as plenty this season as in the
past. Fewer novelties are offered and
the prices of staple articles have adj
vanced somewhat, indicating that the
dealers have became tired Of cutting one
another's Threats in cheap rates and then
swindling their customers with inferior
seeds and plants. Those who are aim
ing for permanent business must supply
reliable goods and then demand fair
profit.
Fruit trees that have a rough scaly
bark can be made smooth and healthy
in appearance By scraping off the rough
est of it with an old hoe, taking care not
to injure any of the live healthy bark.
After this wash the whole trunk of the
tree with strong soap suds made from
soft soap. If this is not to be had. a
weak solution of caustic potash will an
swer. Care should be taken not to
have it very strong, or it will
burn the bark and harm rather than
good will come of it. In place of
soap suds some used wash made of one
pound Of caustic soda dissolved in two
gallons of water. Any of these applied
at any time now, and again along in
May when new growth is starting will
remove all the rough bark and leave the
body of the trees as fresh and healthy In
bark as young new wood always shows.
The horses and cattle on the farm will
soon be put into the hard spring work
that will tax their energies to greater
extent than at any time during the year
it is therefore wise policy to put them
into the best possible condition now
rather than expect to gain anything by
extra feeding later on.
In making plans for the coming year
aim for better farming rather than more
farming. The profits come not from a
great number of acres, but from great
yields per acre, If others have been able
to obtain $50 to 400 bushels of
potatoes and 100 bushels of corn per
acre, let US study and practice their
methods and strive to excel them. And,
while we may not succeed in this, we
shall learn something that will be of ad
vantage tous. Remember the most profit
able acres are the deepest not the broadcast.
| have never heard farmer complain
that he titled his soil too well, but often,
as the excuse for poor crop, have heard
them say that the press of other work
had caused a neglect in cultivation, until
it was too late to save the crop.
On almost every farm there will be re-
quired in the spring either new horses,
wagons or some piece of farm machinery.
If the ready cash is not at hand borrow
it; take time to study the markets and
buy just what you want and must have
for spot cash. It's far better than to de-
lay purchasing till the last moment and
then take up with such as can be bought
on credit.