Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-10-01
FARM, ORCHARD AND GARDEN.

1t is mistaken idea that sour Or ferment-
ed slop is better for pigs than sweet slop.
A sour slop barrel is filthy and dangerous
thing, liable to become the breeding place
of disease. There should be enough pigs
fed from it SO that the barrel can be entire
ly emptied each day; then it will not 90 any
harm to rinse out with cold water before
refilling. Pigs can appreciate clean 1000
as we'll as other animals, and II given nail
a chance will prove it.
It may be doubted whether commercial
fertilizers have been an unmixed blessing
to the South. It has been so much easier
to buy-even to by upon credit, mortgage
ing the expected crop-than to carefully
save the homemade fertilizers, that many
have allowed themselves to drift into
ruinous policy in this regard. Now the
tendency is changing, and the best farmers
first produce and save what they can at
home, supplement- this with green manures,
clover, cowpeas, etc., and then buy as
last resort. This is the intelligent and prof.
table method.
A noted horseman says that colts should
be trained to walk. Most persons are in
such hurry, or imagine they are, that the
colt is forced to trot, and, soon becoming
very slow to rest. It would be much bet
ter plan to let the colt walk, and so keep
him fresh and vigorous. The walking gait
will make less balky horses and less I'M
sound ones. Walking horses will keep in
much better condition on the same food,
and get there almost as soon, if not sooner.
The horse hard driven walks very slowly,
and so loses time. Fast walkers are what
we need.
In tie fall, when the other work of the
farm is not SO pressing, is good time to
plant the orchard. 1t is not eaough to
merely dig holes any where and thrust the
trees in: the land should be put in good
filth, and underdrained il wet; and when
planting the orchard remember that there
is nothing that works in with it to better
advantage than bee keeping. Distribute
the stands among the trees and you will
not be to any extra expense for land. Tho
blossoms Of trees supply good honey in the
early spring, and the bees will make the
trees bear more bountifully by thoroughly
distributing the pollen of the flowers.
Kill the weeds as soon az they show
themselves. This is the only way TO keep
them down. A good crop of corn and weeds
can not be grown on the same ground at
the same time. Tho weeds are as truly
robbers as are the marauders that empty
your cribs of the garneTed ears. 1t is diff
cult to measure the harm they SO silently
do. What shall We say Of the man wh0
let's them grow unmolested in lane and
fence corner, scattering their seed every
where on the farm, to get the start of the
next years crops? Verify, vigilance over
the weed crop will pay. ODe may as well
etarve his land by Withholding fertilizers
as to permit constant depletion of its life
by these stealthy pilfereTs.
Chickens do best when happiest. They
do Lot seem to like Or to prosper in prison
yard. They need shade, grass and insects,
aud want to gather these delicacies for
themselves. Even tho American cock
seems to glory ir freedom, and has 8 clear
or ring IN hie growing when at perfect lber-
ty, and the gentle biddies have better do
naestc habits under like conditions. They
hardly thank you for the Clipped meat and
the cat grass you throw into their narrow
yard. Fence IL whole orchard for them.
They will reward you doubly; first, with
better growth and more product, and, next
will give you better apples and plums and
pears for the chance they have at the grnbs
in the perfect fruit that falls.
Hale Brothers, of Glastonbury, Conn j.,
who have made a notable success as peach
growers, have recently published some fig
uras showing the expense and profit OF the
business. An orchard Of 90 acres pla lted
in 1884 produced its first crop of fruit in
1899. 1t had cost Up to that time, includ-
ing interest account aud six per cent. on a
laud valuation of $50 per acre, the sum of
1854 80. OF this more than one-half was
paid ont for commercial fertilizers, ground
hone and nuriatn of pOtash being used
In 1889 the first crop of fruit was gathered,
and amounted to 6,695 baskets, that sold
for 50, 663 81; and they add that the orchard
is now in perfect condition for future good
work. This is a practical result of high
farming.
While in one climate it may be better to
bury our potatoes, in another it seems de.
sirable to store them in cellar or barn.
This is true Of all root crops. In either
case there is good and a careless way Of
procedure. The tubers should be fully
ripe, and, after digging, they ought to lie
upon the ground until thoroughly dry. In
ripe potatoes are unsavory. Neither do
they make strong seed Wait for the yell
low leaves and the shrunken vines. If
they are to be buried dig trench two or
three feet deep and place them in compact
ly; cover well with hay or straw, and then
with sufficient earth. Lastly, it is we'll to
place On top layer of sod. Often times,
as we have said, it is as well to spread them
in cool cellar and when winter comes
put them in heaps, with straw or old sacks
over them, or in barrels. 1t is desirable
during the cold season to keep them not
more than five or six degrees above the
freezing point.