The record-union., 1891-09-01
FARM And ORCHARD.
Small Fruits Should Not Be
Planted Among Trees.
MouItfng Hens-The Manure Heap
Disease From Pigeons Poor
Hatches in Summer-Clean Breed
ing-GeneraI Farm Notes.

It is not unusual to hear complaints OF
small fruits not doing well when planted
in orchards of fruit trees. To those who
have given the subject any attention the
wonder is that they grow to produce any
fruit at all, instead of doing 1alrly, as
they sometimes do. But few persons
have any idea how much food growing
tree takes from the soil. 1t is taken up,
Of course, in liquid state. 1t any one
viii but observe a lawn near where some
large tree is growing it will be demon
strated to him very soon. The grass will
droop and wither UP for distance as
great as the spread OF the branches, while
the rest of the lawn is still in fresh state.
When this is observed great many per-
sons surmise that the soil is poor, causing
a thin and poor sod. It is not that, but it
is on account OF the great absorption OF
moisture by the numerous roots OF the
tree. They are spreading in every direc-
ton, searching for moisture and food,
and in this way they do make the SOIL
poorer than before. When small fruits
are planted within the radius OF the roofs
there must be starvation for one or the
other As in all other cases, the weaker
one has to suffer- and in this case Ii is the
raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or
whatever fruit ii may be that Is planted.
Even when not near enough to be robbed
10y the large tree, the sunlight they keep
from them is detrimental to them.
1t may occur that no other place C1ters
for these plants, in which case the best
plan is to feed literally with manurC,and
il the season be moist one there viii be
l0lerable success, but III dry season
there is no easy way Of keeping moisture
enough in the soil to supply ali that the
roots demand. The soil, situation and
many other causes but the right one are
often blamed for the ill-luck usually at
tending experiments of this kind. In all
gardening operations these facts are
worthy OF being kept IN mind. 1t often
occurs that flower borders are formed
along the skirt of a wood, and, of course,
with the worst possible success. The
stronger growth rObs the weaker, which
is that Of the shrubs and plants set in the
border Flower beds are met with under
trees, where it is impossible for them to
thrive. In woods undGrbruSh and flow
ers thrive, but it is because Of the food
and moisture which decaying leaves and
tWigS afford them, and on SiOping hills
there Is always some moisture descend
ing from the higher ground. The place
10 plant small fruits where they will do
their very best is in an open place. where
what food is in the soil is their own, and
where they can be cultivated and cared
for without having to consider anything
else. 1t is pity TO see gardeners setting
small fruit in such unsuitable places as
they often 90. 1t is Il popular delusion
that under a tree is n damp place, and it
takes some experience to convince per-
son that the opposite Of this is correct;
which is the explanation why so many
failures to grow small fruits in orchards
are met with.
MOUNTING HENS.
The best food for moulting hens is lean
meat. To have hens lay in winter the
early mOulting hens must be fed on food
that will assist to renew the feathers. Fat
foods are not desirable, as no heating ele-
ments are necessary in summer. Foods
Tich in nitrogen and the phOsphates are
III demand by moulting hens, and OF the
grain foods, bran is the best. The bran
should be scalded, and to q pint OF bran
should be added half pint OF cOrnmeal
and gill OfLnSeed meal, mixed to a stiff
dough with milk. such q mixture, with
little lean meat occasionally and an al
IOwance Of green food, should enable the
hens 10 mouIt quickly and easily, and
without becoming debilitated at any
time during the process of mOulting.
Twice day Is sufficient TO feed them,
and they should be given all that they
viii eat. 1t is best to remove all hens
that begin to moult from the others. as
they should be fed in a different manner
The quarters should be dry, as the hens
may not have any feathers on their
bodies at certain stages Of the mOuIting
proCoss.-Earm and Fireside
POOR MATCHES N SUMMER.
Eggs will hatch better from April to
August than viii eggs laid after that
time. This IS due to the fact that the
hens are not in as full yigor as in the
spring, and because they are close on the
moultng period. The chicks hatched
late are not as strong and vigorous when
hatchcd at this season as those hatched
earlier, but they VIII have the advantage
OF warmer weather. Lice, however, de-
stroy more late chicks than disease, and
unless chicks are protected against the
tests it viii be economical not to allow
hens hatch broods so late.
SHARP GRIT.
Even on stony ground the hens NAV.
by daily fOraging over the same space,
Use up all the available material that is
serviceable rs grit. Smooth, round
gravel is not suitable. Hens require
something sharp and cutting, or they
viii be unable to properly masticate their
food. The broken china and crockerv
may be utilized with advantage for grit
by pounding il into small pieces about
the size of beet seed and scattering it
wherever the hens forage, rs they will
search for and find every piece.
DISEASE FROM PIGEONS.
The pigeon, rs is we'll known, will feed
at all the poultry-yards in ncighbor-
hood, and is no rcspecter of owners. \
flock Of pigeons Will soon learn to know
the feeding hours, and viii alight in
yards when not desired. They are liable
t. carry disease from one ward To another