Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-03-08
FARM AND ORCHARD.
IMPORTANCE OF UTILIZING CORN
STALKS FOR FODDER.
The Saving Effected by the Fodder Cut
ter-Points on Strawberry Plant
ing-Farm Notes.

There is an enormous loss of food that
colud be utilized and saved by proper
prep aration. Professor Henry of Wiscon-
sin, who has given this matter his atten-
tion and observation, states by feeding corn
stalks to cows, first cutting the stalks, a
saving of nine to forty per cent. can be
effected. As corn stalks are considered OF
but little value on some farms the percent
age mentioned represents a loss of food
annually much greater than can be easily
estimated, and it is loss that the farmer
cannot afford to bear The silo enables the
farmer to avoid this loss, but as the silo is
not in general use only a portion of the
farmers are benefited by its capacity to
store the corn fodder and keep it in condi-
tion for stock.
1t is the fodder cutter that effects the
saving, and even with the use of the silo
the cutter must be brought into operation.
1t is the preparation of the ensilage, before
being placed in the silo, that renders it
palatable TO stock as much as its succuIent
condition, and the farmer who has no silo
can at least perform the necessary labor of
cutting the corn fodder, and thereby assist
ing the stock TO more readily eat and digest
it owing to its finer condition. The
labor of cutting the fodder is a factor in the
expense to be considered, but where there
are number Of COWS to be fed the cutter
should be operated with steam or horse
power, so as to economic the cost.
As the corn fodder is usually left ex-
posed to the weather, portion of its
value is lost. When, by experiment, the
farmer finds that every portion of the
stalk will be eaten if cut and seasoned
with grain, he viii give more attention to
the period of cutting the corn and storing
it in the barn, instead of in the fields.
The corn for ensilage is cut at a period
when the stalk is rich in feeding
elements, and before it is completely dry,
which plan may be adopted by those who
grow corn for fodder under the drilling or
listing system. But even if corn is grown
for the grain only, there is no reason why
it should not be cut before the leaves turn
yellow, so as to have the stalk in the best
condition, and if carried to the barn,
where the ears can be pulled off as easily
as in the field the fodder will be in prime
condition all winter. If there is no room
in the barn, cheap shelter should be ar
ranged for protecting the fodder from ex-
posure. When passed throught the cut
fer, a little grain added by sprinkling,
and small quantity of salt used to sea-
son the mess, all classes of stock will
accept the food, and that which is usually
trampled in the barn-yard can be utilized,
thereby etfecting saving of hay and
other more valuable foods.
PLANTING STRAWBERRIES.
The strawberry is one of the early fruits,
and the vines come into bearing so soon
that every family that has small lot or
garden plot should have a strawberry
patch" A small plot of Strawberries re-
quires but little labor, and those who grow
berries for a family supply enjoy more
delicious article than can be found on the
market stalls, as there is great difference
between the fresh, well-ripened berry Just
picked from the vine and that picked in
semi-green condition and allowed 10 ripen
on the journey during shipment The
person who grows his berries has the selec-
ton Of the varieties he prefers, which is
an advantage not to be overlooked.
The ground should be spaded or plowed
Just as soon as it can be done. The best
location for Strawberries is a piece of land
that is well underdrained, and that was
well manured the year previous to plant
ing. The plants delight in moisture, but
will not thrive in a cold, wet location.
Properly the work of preparing the soil
should be done in the fall so as TO have
the manure well incorporated with the
earth, and then working the ground early
In spring, so as to give the weeds q chance
to start, when the plot should be worked
over again. If manure is applied in the
spring it should be well rotted, and when
fertilizers are used equal portions of super
phosphate and nitrate of soda, with four
times the bulk Of the mixture, of unleached
wood ashes, well raked in Will, be excel
lent. The soil should be made as fine as it
can be worked, and deep, 50 as to give the
plants a good start. Only strong, young
plants with plenty of roots should be used.
Law off the rows so as to allow the
horse hoe between them if the plat is too
large to be hoed, but if a small plat the
rows NAV be closer. Set the plants one
foot apart in the rows. The runners will
fill ali vacant spaces in a short time, and
the bed will be well matted and thick be-
fore the next spring. Some, however,
prefer the plants in stools, the runners be-
ing kept down, which is done for securing
large berries. If the rows between the
plants are kept clean, the weeds that come
up in the rows may be pulled out by hand,
but in preparing for bed OF Strawberries
the ground should be well worked the year
before. so as to kill out all weeds. But
little other work should be given until
after the berries are picked. The Crescent
is an excellent variety for flavor, and for
prolifcacy of berries and runners, but as it
REQUIRES another variety to fertilize it
Nav King or Sharpless may be planted in
every fourth row.-PhitddelPhia Record.
FARM NOTES.
Be careful in the use of kerosene
around trees. 1t will instantly kill peach
trees.
Lime should be free from Jumps when it
is applied to the soil. The finer its condi-
ton the quicker its action and chemical
effect.
To insure a good supply of eggs make
the poultry house warm and free from
draughts and vary the food as much as
may be.
The question of fostering and encour-
aging the fast-walking horses, so as to
gradually produce breed of that class, is
being agitated.
If all the dried grass and stubble on the
field could be burned over before the field
Is nlowed it would be the death Of many
insects and parasites.
The average duration of the cows serv-
ices as a mixer is estimated at eight years
among well-managed dairies, but indiyld-
nal cows often milk well until aged.
Professor Hunt, of Illinois, determined
by actual experiment that the gain for
the amount of food consumed decreased
Alec Sthat an InefIl-