The record-union., 1891-07-07
FARM And ORCHARD.
Rust in Blackberries Means Their
Race is Run.

GIVE the Hens Milk-Green Food for
Hot Months-Care of Implements
What is a Horse Power2-Cucum-
bers Not Noxious-Late Layers
Huckleberries-Corn Tassels-Farm
Notes.
In answer to Joseph Beggs, will say
the rust in his blackberries means their
race is run. Nature has wisely adopted
this remedy to destroy, otherwise they
would become an unbearable nuisance,
q. e., the universal growth of blackbe
Ties. We who have passed the meridian
of life can look back to the famous black
berry thicket of our youth, a perfect
jungle, where we picked the luscious
fruit These patches" became obliter-
ated, and we had to hunt other pastures
new" We could not at that time COM
prehend the cause of this migration Of
this fruit, as it were. From closer in
timacy with the berry 1 have learned
this: That it is NATURES way to eradicate
what would otherwise become great
burden. In other words, the rust is
disease that is provided to destroy the
plant. How? Why? First, the plant
becomes exhausted, possibly weakened
by long and close cultivation. Il am now
treating of improved sorts.) Second, the
properties in the soil necessary 10 their
sustenance are lessened or exhausted, SO
that the plants become diseased and die.
Rust in the black berries means death.
There is no reason for it. The only
thing for Mr.. Beggs to do is to destroy
his plantation, and secure Of the newer
sorts those as yet not weakened by high
cultivation and which have as yet resisted
the rust. Planting on good moist ground.
he can in this way hope for bountiful
crops OF this luscious and easily grown
fruit.
Rust has almost entirely annihilated
our old standard sorts, such as Kit
tatinny, Lawton, Wilson, etc. What
shall we plant? AS yet Snyder and Tay-
Tor stand pre-eminently first. Little or
no rust has been developed among them.
have tried many sorts, but none equal
IheSe. l. do not expect these sorts are eX-
empt from what l consider natures rem
edy TO destroy. By no means. I think
they can be saved only by frequent
planting and on best soils; no ground
can be too rich for them.
am experimenting with number of
new sorts. Should the above varieties
1an l hope to substitute others. Much
time and labor have been lost in cutting
out and burning canes which have de-
Veloped rust. When it once attacks a
plantation the only sensible way is to
pIow up and cultivate in some other crop
Never replant blackberries, at least not
until the soil has been thoroughly cult
waited and fertiliZed.
What to do with the present crop is a
question. We expect from 800 to 1000
crates. Black berries have paid well in
the past; hope they will keep up their
excellent eputatiOn.-E'rank Holsinger
IN Kansas Farmer.
GIVE THE HENS MILK.
Many farmers observe the practice of
giving their hens skim-milk, and we
know they will testify to the value of
this ingredient. We do not mean that the
man who once or twice month happens
TO take little milk to his fowls will i'm
medlately notice the difference, but
constant supply will show itself in in
creased egg production. We have
friend who has flock of hens rather
untavOrably situated as regards southern
exposure, warm quarters and the like.
The only chance they have for sun is free
range out of doors and the run of several
long sheds, which, though facing the
south, are unglaZed and entirely open on
that side, and so high that the birds may
be said to live day and night in an at
moSphere nearly as cold as in an open
Held. We mention these particulars to
Show that we are not to look to warm
quarters for an explanation of the pro-
1ificness exhibited. We add that they do
not lay on account of being Matched ex-
ira early, but on the contrary, they came
OF last May. They commenced laying
IN September, and have been at it ever
since, 10 the astonishment, if not envy,
OF the neighbors of the fortunate owner
who has been selling eggs for the past
four months for 45 cents per dozen and
upward. Not one particle of neat or
scraps is given, and but the veriest trifie
of vegetable food is fed in the shape of a
lew boiled potatoes about once week.
An abundance of grain is allowed Of
various sorts, ground and unground, but
never cooked, and plenty of unburned
oyster shells pounded are at all times ac-
cesslble. They have pailful of skinned
milk every day, so that they can help
themselves to all they want, no other
drink being provided.
We advise those who are situated so
they can, TO try the skim-milk diet at
once. 1t will pay well.
GREEN CORN FOR HOT MONTHS.
A plentiful supply of green food should
be provided during the months of June,
July and August. Fowls that must be
kept in confinement should not be al
lowed TO lack for this necessary diet In
the warm days of May and June vegeta-
ton starts quickly and grows with great
rapidity. 1t is only necessary to see that
generous amount of seed is planted
When there is but one yard to a flock,
we would advise the keeping of old fowls
in their houses for ten days or more while
the runs are seeded down with oats, grass
seed, clover and timothy; or millet may
be sown at the same time. OF course the
fowls confined in their houses must have
extra care-seeds, cut grass and grain and
table scraps, etc. While the grain is
young and tender they should not be per-
mitted to run on it for more than an hour
or two in the evenings. AS some of the
corn will probably come to maturity, it
will not only afford green food, but a
shade from the sun and food in the fall
When the runs are large portion can
be fenced off and seeded down as recon-
mended as above, or the whole sown at
once with bountiful supply of seed.
When this IS done after a warm rain a
good deal will grow, notwithstanding the
efforts of the fowls TO destroy it.
If the first sowing should all be de-
youred. make repeated sowings as often
as is necessary. 1t is really the easiest
and cheapest method to supply green
food and to keep the fowls in exercise
Kansas Farmer.
CARE OF IMPLEMENTS.
Tools and implements are damaged
more by rust and exposure to alternate
rain and sunshine than by actual usage.
Rain and dew will rust the bright jour
nal bearings of farm implements on one
SIDE, perhaps, rendering that side rough.
Ihen that side of the bearing will begin
70 cut or wear away; and as soon as
one side of a journal begins to wear it
Will wear faster and faster until the bear