The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-07
pEoEMnnn ON THE FARM.
Chopped Straw - City Labor and Farr
rnA.nn- MnAna

Chopped Straw - City Labor and Farm
Labor = Notes.
A stack OF straw may be OF but little
value, owing to it's bulk, which makes
the transportation of such material to
market too costly, but when it is cut up
fine, and fed with grain, it will be moro
than doubls@ in value. 1t may not
equal other foods, but it is worth some
thing, and should be utilized to the best
advantage. If applied to bedding pur-
poses it will be of greater value when
cut, as the refuse can then be more con-
venlently used as an absorbent IN the
manure heap.
Forty years ago, when such four-mile
race horses as Boston, Fashion, Eclipse
and Henry were famous, the principal
coarse food given them was the blades
OF corn, known as bundled corn fodder,
prepared by stripping the leaves from
the stake, making them into small bum
dies, aud allowing them to cure by hang
ing the bundles from the stalls. The
corn fodder was considered better and
cleaner than hay, being considered a
safeguard against heayes. II it was SO
valuable then, it should possess equal
merit now, and especially as the racers
OF former days frequently raced four
milo heats.
There is plenty of work on the farms
even when enforced idleness exists in
the cities. Why is the farmer at loss
to procure help while hundreds arc seek
ing employment 1t is perhaps because
farm work never ends. There are no
regular hours. The farm hand rises
early and works late. In HE favor,
however, is the fact that he has but few
expenses, board and lodging being pro-
vided, his wages being nearly clear.
His work jis often every day in the
week, and his opportunities for ad-
vancement or education limited, though
there are exceptions in many cases.
The gypsy moth is slowly making
headway, despite the efforts OF the state
Of Massachusetts TO exterminate 1t, and
appeal has been made TO the national
government Tor aid. It may be stated
tina. in comparison with this enemy all
other Affections OF the farmer are in
significant, and il it gets beyond control
of its present location it will entail
millions of dollars l0as. as we'll as bring
ruin to thousands. 1t Is slowly moving
in this direction, and il preventive
measures are to be taken there Is no
time to lose.
Mari was at one time in great favor,
and gives excellent results on grass
land. 1t consists largely OF lime, and is
excellent for compositing with manure.
Its bulk is its greatest obstacle to its
use, as the cost OF railroad transporta-
ton and hauling renders it more ex-
penslve than should be the case. Where
it can be procured cheaply, however, it
will be found of much value in proper
ton to the cost OF some other fertilizers.
Going out with n saw and Ratchet,
and hacking off the limbs OF apple trees
promiscuously, is not the correct way
to trim tree. Many trees need not be
deprived OF single limb, requiring
shortening OF the branches only, 80 Us
to give symmetry by removing some OF
the wood that hangs over tire tree. No
one should attempt TO trim tree unless
it is understood how to do it property.
High prices for choice animals are in
dicative oil excellence. A horse has
sold for over 100000, COW for $50, 900,
Il ram for $4,000, barnyard fowl for
500, and dog for $4,000 Only few
individuals excel go highly, however,
but when such prices can be obtained
for single specimen the value OF all
other animals OF tho breeds to which
they belong increases proportionately.
A farm can be made very fertile with
out m ounce OF manure by the use OF
commercial fertilizers, and although the
fertilizers may apparently be more eX-
pensiye, vet the increased yield OF the
crops will be an advantage gained, Fer
filters are moro certain in results, as
they supply plants with food that is
available from the start until the matu'
rity Of the crop.
Do not lose sight Of tho fact that all
animals on the farm are kept for profit.
1t should not be satisfactory to keep an
animal through the winter at a stand
still, looking to the spring and summer
for the increase. The winter is the
season when the greatest gain should
be made, rs the labor can then be more
conveniently bestowed to the care and
feeding of stock.
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