The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-03-19

/ 40. of good .......... 1851 .Sgs ri 100 Isl
4 No. 81 poor s--.......-.... 61- So II 100 I4I
I Nd. az HbUTtlyC raTz.......... 4lGG g5l II 100 81
Total No of ears ..... .-.-... 47i5 4I-f N IUD 81
! W.. uIercl't able corn, los. 40 IU7y N leo t.
WI. Of poor corn, lbs. leo lS7 N 100 49,
NO. Of 1l-G 421g m loo IpI
/ 100 stalks weighed. lbs 90. - - IT TOO %
/ IL will thus be seen that the number Of good
ears and the weight Of understandable corn
were both a little more than 30 per cent. greater
, on those rows from which the tasseIs were re-
moved than from those on which the tasseIs
were left This is not only true 0f the two sets
/ OF rows rs a whole, but with tho individual
/ rows as well. In no case did row upon which
/ the la-seis were left produce anywhere near as
mucT as the tasscled rows on either side Of IT,
/ Bv ab0Ttivc ears Is meant those sets which
made only a bunch of husks, and sometimes a
small cob but no grain. 1t will De noticed
| that they were by far the most numerous on
those rows from which the tasseIs were not re-
moved. II viii also be noticed that the total
! of the good, poor aud abOrtivs ears is about /
/ per cent. greater on the rows on which the tas-
/ sells were left, while the weight Of merchanta-
/ bic corn Is moro than 80 per cent greater on
those rows from which tho tassels were re-
moved.
While for a single trial the result Of this ex-
/ pertinent seems particularly marked aud con-
elusive. ~ yet remains TO be determined whether
! u will pay for a farmer TO remove any cousid-
cradle proportion Of the tasses from his corn,
what proportion it will be best TO remove for
snmo evidently must be left, and whether all
that il j. advisable to remove may be taken Of
at one time OF not. So far as the Station could
estimate tho time taken. il certainly paid from
a commercial standpoint 10 remove all the tas-
sells from Ouc-halt the rows this year IL is
also still 20 be determined whether the removal
OF the tassels would be followed with tho same
] HH..arw -
| abundant moisture for all the needs Of the
plant at The time when the tassels were shoot
ing aud the cars forming.
SUCCESS WITH POTATOES.
The Practical Farmer offered a prize for the
awarded to Geo. o. Gridlcy, Kankakee County,
H., who sent the following:
The chief essentials 70 successful potato
growing are: /. Choice, we'll preserved seed !;
,. A suitable soil, properly enriched; g. Good
management in the matter Of proper cuItiva.
ton, and necessary protection from the insect
pests aud the timely harvesting Of the crop.
Believing that au account OF results really OBJ
tanned 20 be far preferable to the most plausible
OF theories, will give my actual experience
and the methods employed for the past two
seasons, the first Of which was very favorable
and the latter, owing % excessive drouth, one
OF the worst ever known in this region.
Early in the Winter ! gave my ground light
dressing OF stable manure. 10 be plOwed under
In Spring a. early as the ground was in good
condition. Applied az this time the strength
Of tho manure is washed Into the soil by the
rains Of Winter and early Spring, and all course
| parts thoroughly pulyeriz q by frost aud thus
made at once available for the crop; when If
applied in the Spring at blowing time, its fresh
state would be certain 20 produce scah. After
a thorough narrowing. broad trenches 30 inches
apart aud four inches deep are marked ont
with one horse tTenrher on wheels graded 10
run at just the depth desired. Seed Of good
size, cut 10 two or three strong eyes is dropped
one foot apart, using for this purpose n tin tube
/ three feet long and three inches in diameter
which allows ,he droppcr 10 stand erect. hold
| ing by handle at one end, with the lower end
/ al the bottom Oi trench, dropping the pieces
| into the upper end with the other hand thus
| placing the seed just where il is wanted in a
straight line, instead Of all over the bottom Of
I trench. The seed is now covered a couple Of
/ inches deep by running q Planet Jr. cultiyator
I between the rows, sufficiently covering two
! rows 10 Que time. Potato fertilizer" is then
strcwed along the trenches at the rate Of 500
pounds 70 the acre. this need not be done until
| planting is all done. The remainder Of the
/ tillinE Is done by narrowing twice before the
\ potatoes are up thus destroying weeds aud
giving the potatoes a good start. As soon As
v,
and alierward &C least once a week not more
/ than two inches deep Never allow a crust 10
| form as long as horse can pass between the
rows i would not ridge or but very slightly
| unless IL continued very wet about the time Of
1 the last cultivation. In such case il is Of
/ benefit, as tubcTs are apt to form too near tho
| surface IN wet weather, which causes them 10
! have bitter taste, even If they do not show
| sunburn. To destroy the potato beetle use
4 one pound pure Paris green 10 100 pounds Of
gypsum thoroughly mixed, and apply when
I vines arc wet with dew or rain; 10 apply, use
/ large clipper with perforated bottom. Carry
/ the mixture IN a pail and dip from this with
| the cup about handful at a time aud shake
/ over the plants, which you will be able to do
/ al "a moderate walk. Ten pounds Of mixture
should do 30 rods Of a row. Dig as soon as
/ thoroughly ripe; store seed and house stock in
/ cool, dry cellar and keep dark and as near
| 3io rs you can aud below 400 il possible.
BY following the above methods grew ], 200
bushels the first season on less than three acres
/ and JGJ last season. | attribute my success to
/ intensive culture aud timely aud strict atfen-
ton 10 every detail, such as cultivating as s0on
rs possible after each rain, however light 10
| save all possible evaporation Of moisture; cul-
| tlvaiiEg rs long as a horse could pass between
rows; planting only good-sized pieces of we'll
| preserved seed, and none but what showed eyes
slightly spr0uted and sure % grow, so "a % in-
] Hhle " lult A'thht anu never allowing the bee
tie 10 iHjure the vines before applying the
/ poison, and in aiming 10 destroy ali weeds in
/ the 7eed-leai stage; in getting the seed into
/ thc ground AT tho earliest moment consistent
with the weather aud good condition of the
| soil
AGE OF SHEEP.
! Our Mr.. Shepherd says in relation to a fair
understanding Of the age Of sheep that at one
! year there are two large teeth in tho center Of
| the jaw, and two are added each year up to ve
! years when the sheep is said to have full
mouth" Alter this tho age cannot, with &C
curacy, be told by the teeth. and unless the
animal is vigorous has nearly Outlyed its use
| iulness, and should be prepared for the butcher
| Aud now the question comes up how many
boys under Is can tell how many front teeth a
| sheep has in the under jaW.-Prdirie Turner.