New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1892-04-27
4 MING CIRCLES.
TOPICS FOR PRO
GRESSIvE FARMERS.

TOPICS FOR PRO
GRESSIvE FARMERS.
Some interesting and Instructive
Experiments--Pl Plan OF Hog Feed
ing--To Catch Sheep
Limitations Of Soil
Analyses.
Some Interesting and Interesting
Experiments,
"a Nebraska farmer has been ex-
perimenting with potato seed, and
obtained some information which is
worth noting. It was on a small scale,
to be sure, but that is the way expert
1nents should be undertaken on the
farm. He planted two medium-sizeds
potatoes OF a late variety whole Re
suit, half peck OF very inferior
tubers. He also took two Of the same
size and kind, cut them into nineteen
pieces with an eye in each piece. From
these he obtained q little over three
of very fine potatoes. At the same
time he planted two very small Ones.
not larger than an ordinary bean, OF
course planting them whole, and was
surprised to dig from the two hills a
ten quart pail heaping full of the
8rnoothest and best potatoes he saw
last year.
The same farmer also experimental
a little with corn, obtaining results
that do not accord with common
theory. In his trial ground he plant
ed five acres with corn shelled from
the middle Of the ear, and the same day
planted FIVE acres with seed from the
whole ear. The latter was fit to crib
ten days earlier than corn planted six
days before, and the yield was much
larger. Such experiments as these,
conducted by private individuals in 8
small way, often have great practical
value.
The common custom of planting
pumpkins in the same field with corn,
and in the hills, is not approved by
some progressive farmers. The pump
kins may not take much from the value
OF the corn, but the corn, by shading
the vines and fruit, certainly does
take good deal frS-n the pumpkins.
If only a few pumpkins are desired,
perhaps this way OF growing them
will do well enough. But when a
large crop is wanted, of the best
quality, the plantation should occupy
the entire ground. An immense crop
can be raised from q single acre, and
the quality of the fruit will be much
better than that grown with corn.
Pumpkins are greatly relished by
cattle and hogs, and make cheap
and wholesome addition to the grain
and hay ration.
An instructive experiment in check
ing potato rotls reported from Penn
sylvania. In a. patch devoted to
the trial one half had the tops cut off
and removed as soon as they showed
any signs of rot and the other half
remained uncut. On digging the crop
all the potatoes from the treated
portions of the field were found to be
perfectly sound, while those from the
other portion were unfit to use.
it is ONO advantage to plant corn
before the ground is sufficiently warm
ed to terminate the seed. It is apt to
rot in damp soil, and then it is i'm
portant for corn to terminate quick
" and get a good start. Plant deep
in soil dry enough to make good
filth, firm the ground, and with good
after culture and the blessing of Prov
idence there will be an abundant har-
vest.
Plan OF Hog Feeding.
Mr.. Eli Heaton writes in the Indi-
ana Farmer: Through your columns
would like to give my brother farmers
my plan Of feeding hogs during the
past season, which found was very
healthful for the hogs and saves corn
cobs. Last spring a year I bought
half a bushel of the White Jerusalem
artichoke which planted about one
sixth Of an acre; from this, in the TALL
Isold 25 bushels of seed, I also buried
about IL bushels for my own use
then turned in21 hogs to help them.
selves. Here they grew and fatted
Il
with only u little corn each day, also
with plenty Of fresh water, and salt
and charcoal occasionally. Thisyea
/ have about one and one-half acres
Ishave turned in 80 head of hogs to
fatten and AZ fall pigs are also feeding
on them. After the fat hogs
are sold there will be food
enou h to supply my brood sows
and pigs until spring with only q very
little corn. In the spring have only
to turn my hogs out, close up the
fence and the new crop comes on with
out any cultivation There are all
ways enough tubers left in the ground
for a new crop. These artichokes are
very prolific and will yield hundreds
Of bushels per acre. #
Ithink that roots are the natural
food for hogs, and it is needless to say
that j have long since quit the cruel
practice of using rings. Let us try
- n - - $50