The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1892-01-21
SOME FARM MISCELLANY Y.
INTERESTING MATTERS FOR
# RURAL READERS.
Science Versus Experiences nsil-.
4 age Not Safe for Horses--When
Is the Milk Fit for Use--A Rat
Proof Corn-Crlb.
Science Versus Experience:

Science Versus Experiences:
Was it Esculapius who said, when
facts and his theories didnot harmon
lze, $50 much the worsefor the facts?"
! Whoever he was, he voiced what is
sometimes though much less now
than formerly-the attitude OF men Of
science in our days. They are not
willing to admit the soundness of OBJ
servations which are at odds with the
theories they have adopted, as the
result of a priori reasoning or Of limit
ed experiments.
An example of this is furnished by
that really able agricultural chemist,
M. Vile, who has written much, and
to large extent wisely, on thesubject
OF chemistry and it's relation to the
farming industry. But, as "Homer
sometimes nods," SO M. Vile OCCASION
ally allows his hobby to run away
with him, and puts forth theories
which can only be fifty characterized
as nonsense. 49,.
In a recent series of lectures, three
In number, which have been translate
ed and published in England under
the title 1.-THE Perplexed Farmer" he
makes some statements we'll calculated
to increase the perplexity of the farm
er, but hardly to aid him in solving
the difficult problems to which these
statements relate. He expresses for
example, the deepest contempt for
farmyard manure as food for crops.
Ii he had said some farmyar manure,
and taken pains to describe that kind
from which all or nearly all value had
been extracted by the action of the
elements, every one would readily
agree with him, for the stuff which
some farmers draw out upon their
fields is the mere ghost OF the manure
pile. But his sweeping assertion is
contradicted by the experience of
every farmer. Well made manure, the
product of we'll fed cattle, unquestion-
ably combines the elements Of per-
manent fertilizer in a high degree, and
IN form happily adapted to the pro-
duction OF good crops and the better
ment OF the SOIL The application Of
commercial fertilizers, whether
in connection with barnyard ma
nure or not, is often. of the
greatest benefit in the production of a
single crop; and sometimes, as in the
| application of the crude South Caro-
lima rock, the benefit may be felt for a.
series OF years. But it is absurd, be-
cause this is true, to set aside us base
less the time-honored and we'll attest
ed prejudice in favor OF good barn
| yard manure as the farmers main
reliance for making crops
Nevertheless, making all allowance
for such errors as this, M Vile has
much to say of value with regard to
the use of various chemical agents in
agriculture. It was he who first
| pointed out the important fact, now
generally admitted, that certain plants
have the power to absorb nitrogen
from the atmosphere. And in the lee
lures referred to above he gives much
valuable information with regard to
the elements of fertility, and points
out which of them are to be found in
sufficient abundance in all soils
worthy of cultivation and which need
to be supplied in order to secure prof
liable crops.
! 49,. Hiring Help
AS with much other work on the
farm it will, in a majority of cases, be
found the best plan to hire whatever
help is needed in good season. Good
help is invariably the cheapest and
this cannot always be picked up read
lily when wanted. BY hiring in good
season in many cases a better oppor-
tunity is afforded of securing reliable
help than TO wait until the season for
work is fairly opened and then be
obliged to take any that comes along
In hiring bel p it is best to make an
agreement, whether it is for week, a
month, six months, or q year. A ver-
bal agreement will stand provided it
can be proved, but in many cases con-
siderable trouble would be saved if the,
agreement was reduced to writing
and signed by both parties.
An agreement TO work six months
for 500 is not by any means
an agreement to pay or receive six
teen and two-thirds dollars per month,
and if the employees Of age and makes
TINS KIND OF u contract, it he quits
work without q reasonable cause,
the employer could not be COM
PEELED to pay until the timei is complet-
ed. When the, agreement is made
with a minor, however, he can secure
what the jury would consider reason
able compensation for the time work
ed
Disobeying orders, immoral conduct.
wanton destruction OF property, neg
lect OF work, incompetency, using in
sultlng Language, are all sufficient
cause for an employer discharging
an employee even when the agreement
is made to work for a certain
length OF time. ii, on the other hand,
the help is compelled to work at UNI
| reasonable hours, or is abused in any
way, he is warranted in leaving and
can collect his wages up to the
time he quits work.
Having good cause to discharge q
hand, or to quit work on the part of
the employe and not taking advan-
tage OF it at the time, is condoning it
and cannot be made the case subse-
quently.