The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-01

crop. 1t in the power of the North
| west to rse or lower the general average
very mat.ally, all depending upon the
season ira now until Sept. /.
| BAD management.
Two oihree open winters have served
to call II attention of the public to the
conditioof the average public road. In
| parts ofhe South a blockade was re-
ported, rmers being unable to market
their cr,s, and merchants suffering from
a stagnson in business. A news letter
said thabusiness failures could be ex-
pected cause Of this serious condition OF
affairs. There are districts in our north
ern stas fully as bad as any We can con-
ceive on the South.
\ scion OF road typical of the greater
part our country's mileage is within the
daily observation OF the writer. For
thirtvears it has been the Gust ON to
eject Dme one to control the road work
who as no farm work to engross his time
in tn busy season. These fellows, work
ing temselves into position for the little
pavhat is in it, have faithfully followed
in to footsteps of their predecessors by
ording gravel to be hauled on the road
bed The gravel is scattered SO thinly
thstwO consecutive wet winters can sink
thgrayel far below the surface OF the
rod.
is true that many farmers could use
til public funds much more econom-
ic.lv than is now the rule. but they are
usally too much occupied in private
wrk and do not profess to be experts In
rad making any way. student OF the
stence of road making would understand
tie cheapest way of handling the water
ad this is the first and chief thing. A
pod law may be difficult to obtain, aud
ne writer is proposing none, but Is stat
.ng that which all should see, namely,
that farmers interest demand that their
road money should be far more jul
diciously expended than is now the rule,
and that road masters should have some
scientific knowledge of road-making.
Changes in Crop Area.
The May crop report Gays that the past
winter has witnessed but little winter
killing of wheat, and there is therefore
little forced change in the comparative dis
tribution OF the principal crops. The late
spring, accompanied in many districts by
Of the total acreage intended for oats in
portions of the Ohio and Missouri valleys,
the breadth thus prepared going largely
to corn The large crops OF potatoes
gathered last year resulted in quite gen.
orally low prices, discouraging the grow
ers As result the acreage will be some
what smaller this year in New England.
Al. 81 10
field and sweet, in the states OF the central
west, where spring crops will occupy the
area given up, and in the mountain
Gus regions Colorado and Wyoming,
where grass and alfalfa will increase at the
expense of potatoes.
The high prices resulting from the shut
ting out of Sumatra tobacco by present
custom laws has stimulated tobacco-grow-
ing in the seed-leaf districts, and the
acreage will be materially increased in the
Connecticutyalley, Pennsylvania and Wis
consin. \ strong tendency to increase
the acreage in Kentucky, in case the sea-
son is favorable for putting out, Is also
noted.
Theory and Practice.
True theory is all right. 1t is safe be-
cause it is true. Practice proves its cor
RICHNESS. II is fact, however, that the
practice is usually needed 10 determine
what theories are correct. The experience
of our best farmers is always helpful, and
much of it is given in our farmers insti-
tutes Many topics of interest to all have
been discussed in the various institutes
the writer attended last winter, and the
cream of the experiences of our best
farmers will be given in this department
during the year.
In this way THE SENTINEL can be help
full to every practical man. While en-
gagged in the tillage OF our various crops
we want TO know what other men on
similar soils are doing. We cannot afford
TO copy, but there are few SO advanced in
agriculture that they will not find il profit.
able to compare their methods with others
and then 10 modify them as the best judg
ment dictates. Let us use every means to
make this years work bring in good re.
turns. We must think while We work
with our hands.
Asparagus.
Asparagus is a delicscy that no farmers
table need lack The plants may be
bought from scotsman, but a cheaper
way is TO raise them from the seed. To
do this it should be sown IN rich soils in
drills about one foot apart and thinned to
about one plant every three inches in the
row. Clean cultivation should be given
in the summer. The next spring these
plants are ready to set IN the permanent
bed.
An asparagus bed should be rich, moist
deep and loose. If the soil is clay, ashet
and sand should be mixed in il TO a depth
of eighteen inches at least. and the drain
age should be good. Use stable manure
and little salt. After the soil is spadeC
foot and half deep and well fined max,
burrows about eight inches deep and fou
feet apart in the bed and set tbs plants
every two feet in the bottom OF the fur
rows. As they begin TO grow pull the sol
into the furrow until the surface is made
level
After the second year the cutting cal
be done freely and permanent supply o
asparagus is secured. A heavy coat o
stable manure should be applied every fal
and spaded in the ground in the earl,
spring. Crowding of the plants make
the stalks small and is never advisable
After the bed is once made there is yer,
little labor in raising this delicious earl
vegetable. Let the beginner remember
however, that this depth and looseness O
soil and good drainage are essential to it
successful culture.
Farm Convenisnoes.
The farm usuallv nrovidea q narmanap