Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-09-11
FARM NOTES.
Philadelphia Record.

Philadelphia Record.
Hungarian grass or millet is the best
crop to SOW in the poultry yard.
1t is when the seed is produced that
the land is taxed most severely in produc-
ton.
1t is important that the corn-crib be
cleaned out and fumlgated so as to destroy
insects.
Rats can never be driven away perma-
nently as long as there are harboring places
for them.
The use of the mower prevents the seed
ing of weeds. Cut down all growth in
the stubble field.
A large. scarlet comb indicates that the
hen is laying. All healthy fowls should
have bright red combs.
Wire screens in the stable windows to
keep out insects will enable tired horses to
rest better at night.
Keep alfalfa closly cropped if the weeds
are growing among it. In this manner
the weeds will be killed, while the alfalfa
becomes stronger.
The popularity of the Merino sheep is
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forager and that larger number can be
kept together than of any other breed.
Too much enthusiasm over new varieties
sometimes ends in disgust. Nonew variety
should be used in place Of the old until it
has first been tried and tested on small
plot.
Expert mentswith the Bordeaux mixture
as a remedy for grape rot are being made
In every section this season, and it is be-
lieved that In a few years the disease will
be under control.
The Keifer pear tree is a vigorous grow.
er, and secures more height in proportion
to thickness than is desirable. After the
leaves fall off cut back the taller shoots
and induce more stOcky growth.
Wherever weeds grow luxuriantly the
ground is usually fertile, and such ground
should be made produce some kind of Gro o.
At this season millet or Hungarian grass
should be sown on such land.
Earthworms, in dry weather, sometimes
work their way through the soil to the well
and fall in, thus concentrating the water
to certain extent, If possible the curb
ing of all wells should be Gel. anted.
It does not pay to put the best fruit OF
vegetables on top and have the purchaser
find something not so good when he reach
es the bottom. as it makes him suspicious,
the consequence being that the sale OF
fruit is injured
The price of the cow does not indicate
her value as producer. Gilt-edged butter
is something that depends on how it is
made. The COW gives the milk, but upon
l,o go bo ,,,;l1~
butter depends the quality.
There is never TOO much good butter on
the market, but there is always large
supply of inferior butter. The prices are
not regulated by the quantity so much as
by the quality Good butter sells at a
high price at all seasons Of the year.
When beets, carrots or parsnips do not
appear to grow, though given every oppor-
tunity by manure and cultivation, the slow
growth may be due to the plants being toe
close In the rows. Thinning out the plants
Just after rain will be of advantage.
The pelch-boarpr can not damage the
tree where the bark is tough, and, con
sequently, the eggs are deposited below
the surface, where the bark is tender
Their attack may be prevented to a certain
extent by banking the earth around the
tree from April to October.
Cottonseed meal, at $50 per ton, is being
used as fertilizer on vegetables. A mix.
ture of cottonseed meal and bran is one Of
the best fertilizers that can be applied, il
cost be considered. 1t is best, however
If it can be done, to feed the mixture and
use it after it has passed through the
animals
The cultivation given the corn croI
when it is young is the most important
When the plants get a good start and are
kept clear of weeds they will soon be in g
condition to better Withstand the drought
1t is the first four weeks treatment of the
corn crop that exerts the most beneficial
influence on the yield.
The food is simply raw material to be
manufactured by the animals into milk
beef, butter. wool or pork, and by using
the proper proportions of food the differ
ent products may be regulated. Thi;
shows the necessity Of education in al
matters pertaining to farming and stock
growing as well as in other occupations.
1t should not be overlooked that the
plants are enemies to each other, as there
| is a struggle for existence when they arr
crowded together. All plants above the
number required are weeds, as plants
of the same kind desire the same kind Of
food. Hence. if four stalks of corn in :
hill do not thrive we'll pull up one-half o.
them. The plant food In the soil will b,
more serviceable for limited number Of
plants than for too many.