Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-01
Farm AHD ORCHARD.
FOOD FOR ANIMALS AND THE PROPER
SELECTION FOR IT.
Glover for Poultry = Planting a Pear
Orchard-A South American Farm
-Usefu, Farm Notes.

4 Danvers Mass correspondent of the
Albane ssta.ituator writes: We know that
clover is of great value to the agriculturlst
for fertilizing purposes, inasmuch as Inc
urow;rs nlant stores up in the soil guam
titles of nitrogen independent OF that
which is appropriated for the development
of its own organism. We also know that
clover forms one of the best foods for
mich COWS and dairy cattle, but 1t is only |
within comparatively recent period that
tic excellence for all domestic fowls has
been especially commented upon. Glover
forms valuable green food for summer
feeding, but 1 wish now to call principal
attention to its value for winter feeding,
when properly preserved. 1t is found in
such abundance on most farms that
quantity can be laid aside for winters use
without mourning the least expense. To
secure the best results it IS essential to cut
it when in its most nourishlng state, which
is while in full blossom. If preserved
while vet immature, or allowed to stand
until il has gone to seed, much of its feed
ing value is lost
There are two ways IN which 1t can be
kept in good condition for winter use. We
can make use of some sort OF sllo or we
can cure the clover into hay. A good I'M
mature silo can be made out Of tight
flour barrel, lined with paper or other ma
terial. to exclude the air as nearly as pos
sible. The clover had better be cut two or
three inches in length, as 1t can be LAID IN
much more solidly in this shape than if
hacked whole The barrel should be filled
to its utmost capacity, and be pressed until
it will receive no more. Then put on hay
and board cover over the whole. Some
heavy weight will also be serviceable to
compress the mass. A few barrels put up
in this way will furnish an amazing lot of
fodder that will be highly relished by the
fowls next winter.
When the clover is to be dried and
stored as hay, soon after cutting 1t should
be put up in small cocks and allowed to
cure in that form. An occasional turning
and airing of the punches is all that is re-
uuired. Ii it be exposed to the full rays
of the sun, by being spread out thinly to
dry, the leaves will wither and drop off
long before the stems are dry, and thus
much of its value will be lost. If the
quantity is not very large, we like the plan
of carrying the clover to the barn as soon
as wilted, and spreading out on scaffold-
ing made of long strips laid parallel to one
another five or six inches apart. Treated
in this manner, the clover will retain its
original green color and make the very
best of hay.
Below are a few reasons why clover
would seem to make one of the best poul-
try foods:
l. Chemical analysis shows that it forms
of itself alone fairly well-balanced ra-
ton, its nutritive ratio approximating very
closely to that which is recommended by
the best authorities on stock feeding.
3. AS it consists largely of nitrogen COM
pounds it forms an admirable supplement
to the ordinary corn rations which form so
prominent a part of the general food of
poultry. Furthermore this heterogeneous
matter is of exceeding value for egg pro-
duction.
8. From its mechanical lightness and
bulkiness, it is calculated to facilitate the
process of digestion, and produce more
perfect assimilation of whatever grain food
may be fed in connection Indeed, one of
the chief reasons why so many persons fail
with poultry is because they contine them
almost entirely to grain food, which, of it
self is far too concentrated, and never was
intended to form the sole food of either
bird or animal.
4. Its cheapness of production, with corn
at 81 % per bag and other grains in like
proportion this being retail price in our
neighborhood), it is high time to look
around for something that will in meas
ure form substitute.
Clover will flourish on great variety of
soils, and can be grown in large quantities
at small expense. Those who give it a
trial next winter, | am sure, will never
again be without it.
PLANTING PEAR ORCHARD.
A Missouri correspondent inquiries how
far apart pear trees should be planted
when standards and dwarfs are set to-
gether, what is the best fertilizer for them
and how should they be cultivated. In
regard to the planting of the standard and
dwarf together, it is doubtful if there is
any advantage in it. Why not let each
kind form block by itself? There is no
saving of room in planting dwarf with
standard that can be appreciated. The
dwarf, being lower-branched, occupies the
ground so close TO the standards that no
room is left to cultivate unless the trees
are set wide apart. But if it be desired to
plant them with the standards there
should be from 10 TO 10 feet given to the
dwarfs and from 20 to 25 feet to the
standards Orchards of the latter, when
alone will thrive for many years when 20
feet apart, though 25 feet, or even 80, may
be given where room is abundant. Trees
like lots of air and sun on all sides, and
when not too close they thrive the best. 1t |
is poor policy to plant but 10 feet, as some
do on the plea that room is scarce. The |
result is that tapering growth is made,
the lower branches dwindle, and an I'M |
satisfactory orchard is the outcome of It, |
As rule, it may be said that standards |
require % and dwarfs Is feet.
In regard to the best fertilizer, there is |
nothing better than gocd sod turned I'M
der the previous year. A field which has |
been under cultivation for several years |
and has been well fed is in capital condi- |
ton for the purposes of an orchard. When |
planting trees it is now the practice of the |
best planters not to put manure directly to |
the roots, unless thoroughly rotted, and |
then only when well incorporated with the |
soil When in close contact with the |
roots and not well decayed it has been |
found to cause fungus to terminate about
them to their injury. But after planting,
coating of manure about them, espe-
cially if applied about the approach of
winter, will be found highly beneficial.
Trees of all kinds grow faster when cul-
tivated than when grass or weeds are al
lowed to grow up about them. Crops of
vegetables or grain may be grown among
them if well fed, so that the soil remains
rich in food. Cultivation of the soil makes
trees grow wonderfully, as, in fact, it does
all crops. Where such crops are not
wanted, clean culture should be practiced
for three or four years, after which grass
may be permitted to grow, as the shade it
makes keeps the soil cool. something pear