The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-11-05
POINTERS FOR THE FARMER
SUBJECTS OF SPECIAL INTER
ESTTO THE FARMER.
Saving Seed Professionalism
In Cattle = Ashes for Pigs
Agricultural Hints
.sv Issues Of Cattle
Raising.
Saving Seed Potatoes.

Saving Seed Potatoes.
There is g. principle IN seed saving
that applies to potatoes as well as to
other plants. This principle is selec-
ton, and selection means choice in all
that relates to a crop, no matter
What it may be. 1t is essential in it's
relations to earliness, quality, and
productiveness. 1t is well-known
TACT that any vegetable grown in a
given locality will, ii proper attention
is paid to the saving OF seed, and by
selecting the best plants for the pur-
pose, gradually improve in all points
that go to make up a choice variety.
In q few years a distinct type will be
secured that will for long time re-
main constant, even when grown I'M
der other conditions. The proper
time to commenced this important work
is not in the early spring, but
before the crop is dug. 1t is the best
way to 60 over the field, select the
hills with the most vigorous vines,
especially those that are growing
singly, the shorter and more stalky
the better. Dig these before the main
crop is distributed, and save such as
are the most uniform in size and
shape, not those that yield the largest
tubers, but those that give the great
est number OF good, salable potatoes,
and the least small or poor ones.
Vitality is an essential element in all
plants, as upon it depends productive
ness. When a hill is opened, if there
is a single potato that is not perfect,
discard the whole Each tuber should
be carefully examined as to form, COL
or, shape, and, what is more impor-
tant still, see that it has a clear, thick
skin
This work, although it may be
tedious, is profitable; it will takeper-
haps q day for farmer to secure sui
ticlent for his next years planting but
in return for his labor he will get bet.
ter seed than he can buy for twice as
much as his crop sells for. Iffollowed
up for q few years in any given local
ity it will secure to the grower stock
that will be far more productive than
any grown under other conditions and
in different localities. This plan has
been followed successfully by some of
the best farmers in our country.
When the early Ohio potatoe was first
introduced, one of the most successful
farmers on Long Island, N. Y, con-
WINGED of the great value OF this varie-
e ty, commenced the work Of ystematic
: selection. The result was a variety
or type Of far greater productiveness,
ola more globular shape, and in every
way a much superior potatoe. Not
only that, but he selected with q view
to earliness with surprising results.
What this man has done others can
and ought to do, and there is no bet
ter time to commence than the pres
ent.-American agriculturist.
Uniformity in Cattle.
This point in stock raising should
never be overlooked. No matter what
the kind of stock is, a marked degree
OF uniformity always enhances the
value. In horses, OF course, this de-
sirable quality makes the matching of
teams very much more easy, and we
all know that well-matched team
sells, relatively, much higher on the
market
A bunch of steers that are all about
the same size and color, catch the eye
OF dealer much more readily than if
the animals are of all sizes and colors;
besides they are much more apt to
get finished at the same time, and
therefore, none need be kept after
they are ready for market, waiting for
the rest to catch up, nor the lot split
and shipped at different times. With
sheep and pigs the very same princi-
pies apply. r..
The only way to get this uniformity
is to choose a type and stick to it..
The first cross will, of course, show
no such degree of this desirable quail
lty as will all those subsequent; but g.
start must be made. Do not switch
off from one breed to another, for in
80 doing what has been already gained
is lost and much valuable time vast
ed. 1t may be said that some of the
pure breeds are not made up of ami
mails OF uniform color. That is quite
true; but well bred sire is very apt
to beget animals of his own color.
For instance, among the shorthorn a
roam bull will, as general thing, be-
get roam calves, many feeders prefer
roam steers, and the only way to get
them is to use a roam bull. A few reds
will sometimes creep in, but the per-
centage will be small
Very often an animal of desirable
color is out of a dam ofacolor not so
popular, and such sire will be very apt
to throw youngsters the color of their
grandmother. This point should be
noted III selecting a sire.
By the persistent use of the right
kind OF sires, and the proper selection
of the grade females, the right kind OF
uniformity may be secured, and when
it is secured it means dollars and cents
to the fortunate farmer sec1ring it,
Western Stockman
Ashes for Pigs.
Theodore Louis several years ago
brought out as a result of his farm
experience the excellent effects Of feed
ing pigs a daily ration of ashes and
salt mixed with the top layer Of de-
! cOmpOseH stone that couorc tho on,,,,1