The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-10
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
EARN HISTs.

FARM HINTS.
Peas when grown as n field crop should be
sown about four inches deep, which can be done
with a seed drill. or by sowing upon the sur
face aud then pluWing four inches deep with
narrow burrows. They yield about one and
one-half tons of seed TO the acre, which, when
ground, make one OF the best grains for stock
feeding, and particularly for mich cows. Two
pounds of pea meal is supposed to have feed
ing value equal 20 six pounds Of wheat bran.
The value Of soapsnds as a fertilizer has long
been known. but it gets its value from the nj
trOgen furnished in the grease and potash being
so chemically united in the soap as TO be all
Immediately available, and by its liquid form
evenly distributed through the soil. A liquid
fertilizer made by dissolving muriate of potash
aud nitrate Of soda would undoubtedly DO Of
great benefit 10 many crops and vines which
are known 10 thrive by application OF soapsuds.
growing hog viii, il of good breed. increase
fully one pound in weight every day Of its life
IL it docs this it is pretty sure to leave profit
over cost Of feeding, aside from its addition to
the manure pile If il does not, dispose Of in
some way, and get pigs that will do this. There
are several breeds that can be fod with profit,
and tho grades Of these for feeding are as good
as the pure blood.
Pnmpk ms are easily injured by freezing and
much valuable feed is thus lost every Fall for
lack Of care IL put in barn basement they
may be kept until January, and so long as they
! last they make cheap rich food for mich
cows, especially IL the seeds are removed before
they arc fed The seeds are diuretie aud de-
crease milk fOw.-iReTieGH CihirdtOT.
sHEEP IN KANSAS.
The condition Of the sheep raising industry
Of Kansas was set forth as follows by the Presi-
dent Of tho Kansas Sheep Growers Association
| in his opening address: The farmers Of Kansas
are beginning 10 realize that they can put moth
| ing upon their farms which will convert the
surplus OF coarse products they now wasting
into money as proftably as a flock Of sheep,
and they are going at IL in different way
! from what they did when they went into the
| business 10 TO - years ago.
Then it was anything to get numbers and
| get start cheaply. Unlimited range was about
/ them, and it must DE utilized at once and before
/ the neighbor got too much Of il. inexperienced
/ aud careless management-seTub management.
/ went hand in hand with scrub stock, with the
natural result that with depression came an
almost total abandonment OF the business.
The few who have stayed by their sheep have
! found them all along the most profitable stock
/ upon their farms. aud all now starting are
/ securing better stock, giving them better care,
are making them pay from the start aud will 10
/ the flush. They are learning that the road Ia
success, in the eastern third Of the State at
least. lies in smaller locks we'll kept in fenced
| pastures and on tame grass.
CELERY FARM.
A. Borst, Of Greent0wn, o.. says the Michi-
/ gan Farmer owns tho largest celery farm, un-
| der one mans management, there is in the
4 country. He has 20 acres in celery and 30
acres more are being prepared for the crop
Ills profits vary from 5000 to 500 per acre.
AT the meeting of the American PomOlOgi-
| zeal Society in Washington. il conceded that
! the fruit exhibited from the extreme north
was much brighter in color than that from the
Middle and Southern States.
farmer near yassalboro, Me-, sent ii Cos
lings TO market. weighing. when dressed, 70
pounds, which were all Matched and raised by
one old goose from her own eggs. lie says she
would have done better IL she had not beer
bothered by foxes. lie sold them for Sl5.G0
la cooking potatoes for the hens do not us'
the water in which they are boiled to scald the
bran. Turn II OF. and use clear water If any
thing more Is needed than is developed By
MASKING the potatoes. PotatO-waier is no
wholesome or cleanly, aud may even be poison
Gus.
The State Board of Agriculture, Of Missouri
have decided TO hold dehOruing test at Mar
shall No. Dee. 10 and IL. at which time
number Of different machines will DO tested
Frank Il. Hearne, Independence, is manager
WHY BEEs DIE IN WINTER.
Bees die IN Winter because the condition
necessary for their health and comfort are no
fulfilled. in the main bee-keepers agree as I,
what these conditions should be, but differ il
their methods for securing them.
Every bee-keeper should know what thes
conditions are and. after knowing other peo
pies methods. select the ones that his judgmen
aud experience OF others would recommend
making such variations as would be wise.
These requisites are, in brief, WHOLESOME
food, pure air. an even and proper temperature
and quiet. The first Of these means gOo
capped honey, aud not less than % pounds
though IL all the above conditions were fu!flle'
not near this amount wonld be needed.
Winter is the resting time for tho bees, IL no
disturbed compelled to keep up bodily heat
but very little honey will be consumed.
Bees well men need pure air, but the
do not need much Of IL. This is true OF all in
sects, aud especially when they are inactiv,
So while the hive must DO ventilated, a
drafts Of air through it should be avoided
Indiana Farmer.
PROTECTING TREES FROM RABBITS.
VIM. Glenn, Griggsyilic. ILL.,, writes OranS
Judd Fdrmer: protect my orchard trees froI
rabbits with cOrn-stAlks. Take sections Of th
butl end Of the stalks about Is inches lonl
split them. make holes about three inches lror
each end parallel 60 the split surface with a
awl. aud string enough Of them upon wires I
encircle the tree. Keep the split surface neG
the trunk These projections will last two O