The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-09-13

crop shows up distinctly as the worst
on record. Many Of our correspondents,
referring TO the first cut. state that there
was none, and more represent IL as the
worst they have ever known. A few
refer in similar terms TO feed, and there
is no doubt that if we had had a separate
return under that head, IL would be the
worst ever made. Wheat comes out
little better than in the returns for 1888,
and barley than in those for 1887, both
being worse than in any othr year since
1879. Oats are better than they were in
1887, but worse than our reports showed
the crop to be in 1879. The bean crop
only once before for as many years as
we have referred to. has been as bad
as 1t is this year, and the pea crop has
seldom been lighter. On the other hand,
the potato crop is one OF the best grown,
except in the south and southeast of
England and some parts Of the home
counties Except for the complaints OF
second growth, ii is generally as sound
as il is heavy, very few complaints OF
disease being made. This crop, too, may
be regarded as even better than our
figures indicate because il is generally
very much over average in Scotland,
Ireland and the north Of England, while
il is commonly only q little below the
mark where ii is deficient. TurnipS may
yet grow into an average crop, for Eng
land as a whole. and for the whole
| kingdom they may probably be regard
ed over average, as they are eXcep-
tionally good in Scotland and Ireland.
| As for mangolds, we never knew or
season in which so large proportion
| failed TO plant. and had TO be replaced
| with turnips.
Producing CapOns.
The department Of agriculture has
made report of a series of experiments
! in growing capons. The report contains
the following facts:
4
cessfully performed by following book
| directions, but more quickly and salts
| factorily by witnessing the operation.
| Birds apparently suffered but little
| pain from the operation and the percent
Of loss was small.
Birds thus changed grew larger in
frame, matured later, became quiet and
| contented, did not crow or night and
their flesh remained soft and tender.
| Those weighing two ponds or less were
most easily and safely caponized, but the
| larger the birds, provided they had not
| commenced to crow and their combs had
not developed, the more quickly they re-
| covered.
The only birds that died under the op-
GRAFTON were those that had developed
/ combs
The old Chinese tools, when their use
was understood, were found most salts
factory of all.
OF the Brahma-Cochin cross, it was
| seven months before the capons equaled
the uncontrasted birds in weight, and
| they did not average one pound heavier
| in ten months.
The Langshan rooster, although weigh
! ing but one-sixth OF pound more than
| the Langshan capOn at the commence
ment Of the experiment, kept ahead in
| weight for seven months.
| The Plymouth Rock capon equaled
the ROSTERS in weight in less than two
months and gained on them the rest of
the season, but did not average more
than three-quarters of a pound heavier
| at any time.
The Indian Game capons were five
months in catching up with the roos-
tiers, ana were not quarter of pound
heavier eight months after the opera
ton.
The Brahma Cochins gained the least
| during the first year, but made the larg-
est and heaviest birds at eighteen
| months.
The Langshan was less affected by the
| operation, but was larger at the time
| IL was performed.
The Plymouth Rocks recovered less
| readily, but they We're operated upon
when the weather was warmer, fifteen
days later than the Langshan
Indian games and their crosses were
harder to do and should be taken when
younger.
These experiments show less gain in
| weight as the result of caponizing than
we were led to expect by published ac-
counts. The tender flesh and the ability
to quickly take on fat seemed to be
the only gain Of Importance.
During the exhibition of the Rhode
Island poultry association, the ten
Brahma Cochin capOns and the five
Plymouth Rock capons gained, while
the ROSTERS of each lot lost in weight
The Plymouth Rock capons made the
greater gain. while the Plymouth Rock
ROSTERS also showed the greater loss.
The birds exhibited in pairs lost more
than where there were five or more in
the coop.
The plan of spraying the wound i'm
mediately after the operation with an
antiseptic solution requires further study
TO get definite results.
By the use Of physicians head mirror
we were able to operate quite salts
factorily by lamplight.
Those wishing to produce only a
limited number of capons will find II
more profitable to secure the services of
an expert, If one can be found within a
reasonable distance, than to buy instru-
ments and attempt the work themselves.
Bees and Honey.
1t is the opinion of the American Cul-
tivator that the really successful bee
keepers are those who devote their time
~ - ~NoN necessarily al the Time, nor
a specified part Of the day, but we see
them everyday during the working sea-
son, and at least every week during the
months when they gather no honey. and
spend as much time with them as may
be necessarily to keep all the conditions
right for success. Sometimes bees can
be kept without more care than the
wild swarms get in the hollow trees i'm
the woods, but there is not much profit
in them.
Learn the business and then attend 10
Ii is the rule for Bookkeeping, as well
as for any other trade, and beginners
who have not an opportunity to study
under the guidance Of one who has had
| experience are advised to begin with
only few colonies get all the informa-
ton they can from books and papers.
and IL they do not make much at first
they need not lose much, and they should
not be too easily discouraged by slight
| losses or failures to obtain the expected
results. Patience, perseverance and
pluck will win the day at almost any
thing.
The busy bee is not flying about seek
ing for an opportunity to sting some
one. They will not resort TO the small
but powerful weapon that the Creator
has given them unless they think Il
necessary to defend themselves from at
tack. But they have habit OF thinking
that loud noises, sudden jars and disa-
greeable orders are an insult 10 them
1 a ~, n