Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-04-01
Agriel1ltMral department.
Farm Notes.

In regard TO feedlng potatoes TO
cows, Prof. Stewart says that ''raw
potatoes are not digestible, and only
operate as a laxative food, and any
considerable amount fed raw will re-
duce the milk instead of incre asing
it,
Farley cabbages may be made to
grow rapidly if given an application
of liquid manure once or twice. The
best heads are secured when phos-
pilates are applied liber ally. The
hoe should be used often, as cultiva-
ton is important. Every day gained
in getting the early cabbage in mar
ket adds to the price secured. They
should be forced as rapidly as posi-
BILE.
The management of seed potatoes
is one of the most important arts of
the potato grower. The chief point
is to keep them from sprouting, and
for this purpose a low temperature,
as near to freezing point as is posi-
BILE without it, is desirable. Nearly
everywhere farmers find that the late
varieties of potatoes are more pro-
ductive than the earlier ones. is not
this partly due to the fact that ear
lier varieties have been injured by
sprouting, while late varieties are
less liable to this injury?
Now that spring weather is on,
you open your hearts to the necessi-
teys of the animals under your charge.
Do not let the calves or the COWS suf
fer from exposure or short supply
of food so that they will lose flesh
during these spring months. We
know that the temptation is great to
tire of feeding and looking after the
stock now that the grass is about to
put in an appearance, but you had
better nerve yourself for one supreme
effort more and keep them all in good
condition.
The person who sets out an apple
orchard naturally wishes to give the
trees a chance to grow, and generally
selects the levelest, smoothest and
best field on the farm for the purpose.
This is proper enough if the farm is
all level land suitable for the pillow,
but if this is not the case, the orchard
should be put on the hillside. Just
as good trees and as fair fruit can be
raised on a hillside as on the level
land.
Charcoal is one of the best prevent
ives of disease among fowls. Pound
it up in pieces small enough for
them to swallow. If coal that has
been produced in a pit is not at hand
then take the Goals from the fireplace
or stove and pour water on them to
''put out" the fire and then scatter
them where the fowls have access to
them; you will find that they will dis
appear so rapidly that you will soon
have to prepare more. Coal from
green wood will be best.
If there is a mortgage on the farm
it is wisdom to stick close to the
farm. We have known mortgages
to get away with the farm while the
MORTGAGE was warming himself in
the village saloon.
Seeds of tomatoes, egg plants, wa
termelons, cantaloupes and other
plants that are liable to be injured
may be planted in soil placed in emp
ty egg-shells, and when the proper
time arrives may be placed in tn cir
positions without being disturbed
from the shells, as they will break
the shells as they grow larger. This
method is an easy and excellent one
for securing a few plants for an early
supply.
The Matching of the tent caterpil-
lar, can, in great measure, be pre-
vented by going through the orchard
and picking off the clusters of eggs
that can be found upon the limbs.
During the winter is good time to
do this while to foliage is off, as they
can be seen more readily.
Cover the soil around the rose
bushes with well-rotted manure now,
while the ground is frozen, and you
will have an abundant crop of roses
when the season arrives.
Whenever you whitewash, Stake
stone lime with boiling water, and
then thin down to the desired consist
ency with skinned milk, and it will
be much more durable.
When blowing the land this spring,
cross the burrows over those that
were turned in the fall, which will aid
you in pulverizing the soil. Before
planting, run the pulverizer over the
ground and then harrow until the soil
is as fine as possible.
In hog pastures where movable
fence is used, so as to change the
hogs and thus prevent waste of the
clover from tramping down, in fair
season an acre of clover will furnish
forage for ten shotes.
A hen should not be permitted to
scratch up the seeds, but after the
seeds have terminated and the vege-
tables are we'll under way she will do
but little scratching and can do