The record-union., 1891-08-05


for. In regard to the sort to grow Mr..
Falconer confines himself to the Sharp
less. In size, quality and productiveness
1t meets his requirements, and he wants
no more.
The now common practice of forming
beds OF three rows of plants each cannot
be bettered as 1t gives facilities for
wedding and tilling from each side of it.
AS many beds as are required can be
made, with alleyways between. The first
row of plants is set nine inches from the
alley, the next one fifteen inches from
the first row, and the third row fifteen
inches from it, which brings it to nine
inches from the opposite alley. Prepare
these. beds by getting good soil. Good
rotted soil is first rate and will need but
little of the thoroughly rotted manure.
set the plants carefully, that they will not
wilt, so as to get them growing at the
earliest possible time, as the large fruit
expected from them the next season will
not be there unless the plants become
strong the same season they are Set
Practical Farmer.
THE CHEAPEST HOG FOOD.
A correspondent to Farm and Home
says that the cheapest hog food we can
produce is clover, but the best single
food is corn. In the combination of these
two foods lie the best results. Some may
say this necessltates exclusive summer
clover ensilage form part of ration for
hogs in many portions of the State in
winter, and give the best of satisfaction,
especially where fed to mature stock kept
for breeding purposes. Some parties re-
port that they have kept brood sows on
good clover hay, with two pounds of
cornmeal per day in addition, the latter
fed without preparation of any kind.
While this style of feeding is practiced
quite extensively in the eastern part of
the State and by the best farmers, | can
not speak Of 1t from experience, but con-
slider it worthy of trial.
But L can speak from experience in
feeding grain on clover pasture, and 1
prefer corn, and can honestly say it is
one of the best, if not the very best way
to produce pork at a low cost. and ii is
somewhat strange so few farmers avail
themselves Of its advantages. AT present
prices pork cannot be profitably pro-
duced on all grain ration. But the per-
son who has never tried feeding a linn
tied amount of grain to thrifty hogs on
good clover pasture would be surprised
at the results. The practice of many
feeders OF feeding milk TO hogs on grass
in the absence Of a grain ration is not to
be recommended. While young pigs do
not derive much benefit from pasture ex-
cept through the exercises and contact
with the soil, when the weather is suita-
old pens, with their unhealthy surround
ings and bad atmosphere are particularly
injurious. Winter feeding should be
avoided as much as possible, especially
the practice of keeping what are termed
store hogs, when not kept for breeding
purposes.
THE SUCCESSFUL FARMER.
The successful farmer of the future.
says the Northwestern Farmer, will be
N-nl rhn e..
purely mechanical work in farming is
past. Improved machines will do that
for him, and what he requires now is in
telligent skill to direct his forces. The
farmer is called upon for more general
knowledge, to be successful, than almost
any other business requires. He must
know when to buy and when to sell every
sort of grain, produce and live stock, as
well as when and where to plant. He
must know something Of geology, and
the principals Of plant growth; he must
have some knowledge of physics and the
veterinarian art; in fact, there is nothing
in the range of knowledge that comes
aniss to a practical and successful far
mer, while in the business and manu-
featuring world every branch of busi-
ness is being divided up SO that one
mechanic never learns more than to
make the hands Of watch, another the
wheels, another the dial, and no further
knowledge of their relation TO the COM
plete watch is necessary than this. The
well-posted farmer must be reader. He
requires it in his business. He can not
be..without his farm papers.
a NEW INDUSTRY.
A Georgia farmer has started a new in
dustry in growing beavers for their skins.
Since the prospective failure of the seal
fisheries beaver skins are the next best
substitutes for seals. He owns !, 600 acres
up and down a creek which is natural
home for the beavers. In summer thew
scatter each one for himself. but in win
ter they come together in their homes be-
side the streams where they have damned
the water. He grows corn to feed them.
and finds that they eat it as readily as do
hogs. Most of the time they forage for
themselves, but feeding makes them tame
and easily caught. The beaver breeds
rapidly, two to six in litter, and often
two litters in year. The skin of the
beaver is now worth so each, and next
season he expects to furnish between 200
apd 500 skins from surplus males, leaving
the young and breeding females to in
crease the flock. The flesh of the beaver,
properly cooked, is an excellent food
American Cultivator.
CRITICAL TIMES FOR ALL CATTLE.
Hot weather is one of the most critical
times of the year for all cattle and the
mortality is almost as great among the
sheep as during midwinter, unless the
owner oversees the flock and attends to
it carefully. Hot weather produces the
parasites which infest the sheep, and in
directly cause the growth of ticks, lung
worms, liver worms and stomach worms.
These enemies are especially injurious to
the lambs, and great harm may be done
by little inattention. The combination
farmer and shepherd is very apt to forget
the flock during summer, owing to the
press of other farm work. and the lambs
naturally contract bad habits and stop
growing.-F. =. Smith.
POULTRY AND EGGS.
Although this country is considered a
great n-growing one, it is nevertheless
true that the combined poultry and egg
products exceed the entire corn crop of
the country by several millions of dollars.
The poultry industry is scattered over the
country in such a way as to escape the
notice of many, but statistics show that
the egg and poultry industry combined
fluctuateS between five and six hundred
millions of dollars annually Such enor-
nous sums seem large for this business.
but official publications show that they
are nevertheless true.-Annie c. Webster
FARM NOTES.
Yes, q worn-out farm can usually be re-
fertihZed with plow, harrow, cultivator
and clover.
Have good doors and gates about the
place, and as a general rule close them
behind you.
A neat and saving farmer can afford to
be liberal; but a slovenly and improvi-
dent one must need be stingy
Keep wooden handles and implements
painted or oiled when not in use, and
plows, harrows, mowers, reapers, and so
on, under shelter when not in seasion.
Raw meat in moderation, chopped fine
and fed about thrice a week, will stimu-
late egg production. One pound of meat