The National tribune., 1891-07-09
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Sons Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
NOTES

EDITOR NATI0NAL TBIBUSE. What benefit
is the bounty Of two cents going 10 be- to the
producers OF maple SUGAR throughout the coun-
try? A man must make 900 pounds Of sugar in
order 10 get the bounty. There are great
many that make 100 pounds aud upwards but
less than 200 pounds. and who sell part Of their
make. Maple sugar is a luxury. Very few
people nowadays make it necessity. As q
luxury il brings from eight to 10 cents Per
pound, according 10 the market and the de-
mand. The present state of the market does
not demand III Increase in the maple sugar
crop for profit. Can there be any way devised
whereby small producers can he benefited by
the twO-cent per pound bounty2
Every patriotic maple-sugar farmer in the
country wishes 20 know, as our applications
and statements mast be made in July in order
10 get the bounty next season.
Yours for maple sweets S. A. D., North
Richmond, Y. II.
[Our idea is that The small producers OF maple
sugar should organize and make such repre-
sensations 70 the Secretary Of the Treasury and
Commissioner 0i Internal Revenue as will in
Guce the modification Of the regulations so as Ia
secure the bounty 10 those WHO produce less
than 500 pounds. This might be don. by a.
lowing several 10 combine their products until
IL reached the minimum amOuEt.-EDITOE
NATIONAL TEIBUSrl
When first cut, hay and clover contain about
three parts water to every one Of vegetable
matter. That is. ton oC green hay contains
1900 pounds Of water 10 SEQ Of vegetable mat
ter. In well-eurcd hay the proportion of water
is reduced to about 20 per cent. 1t is not de-
sratle that the hay shall be any drier than Is
necessary for keeping. The more Of its con.
stitucnt wafer is eft in it the more readily II
is assimilated as food.
The farmers Of Southwestern Michigan com,
plain OF a new pest-the clover wee5il. The in.
sect burrows in every head and eats out the germ
of the seed, SO that the blossoms fall. This doe.
not seem 10 interfere with the growth, however
but ruins the hopes Of any seed crop. 1t hai
been suggested TO NOW of the early bloom. 81
as TO destroy the insect before maturing.
To destroy the peach borer il s suggested Il
slake good stone lims in barrel with warm
water. let stand till cool and thin to tho con
sstency Of common whitewash. Add a pint
Of coal tar 10 every two gallons Of this, stir till
thoroughly mixed, and apply with a whitewast
brush to the stems Of the trees, from the lower
branches to the ground. The wash will re
main on for some months aud the rain viii
gradually wash down the tar, which will not
only destroy the borer, but prevent other in
sects from dcpositing their eggs in the crovicoi
Of the bark. On apple, pear and plum trees il
can be used the first year after setting out.
Southern Ohio farmers are discouraged in re
gard 10 Osage orange hedges, which they
planted pretty extensively from 1850 10 1860
Much more is nov being grubbed up thar
planted aud the general experience seems
strongly adverse to il. The hedges require
great deal of attendance, aud that at the bust
est seasons; il neglected for one year they ar,
beyond control, and none Of them can DO re
lied on to turn hogs for many years in success
sion.