The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-06-07

has varied only from sixty-fve to seventy-six;
hence We can Approximate the number II
we know the acreage, as the
number is seen to have vibrated but five
and half either way. and there can be no
increase-no material increase-Wlthout an III
crease of the corn ares. which now seems I'M
probable. On the other hand, while the num-
Der Of acres Of corn and the number OF swine
seem unlikely to increase, population will con-
tinue to augment by an ever-lncHeasing yearly
total, aud the demand increasing without
proportionate increase in the supply. II seems
reasonable to expect a material advance In the
place, not necessarily from the high prices
now obtaining but from such as obtained In
recent years.
II in the last seven years, when for a part of
the time some considerable additions were be-
ing made 70 the corn area the increase OF popu-
lation has been such as 10 reduce the per capita
quota of land under corn three-tenths OF an
acre, and the power 70 produce and supply
swine by % per cent, and the price OF pork
has advanced we have seen, what is likely
to be the result at the end of another seven
years wherein no addition can be made to the
area under corn, except at the expense OF the
wheat and cotton fields. and during which
time the pigeaters are likely to increase by TO-
100000?
Prices of Farm Land.
Our inquiry in regard to the relative
prices of farm land in this state we regard
as important to all farmers. Our readers
would like to know the trend of values
in every county OF the state, and they can
learn this only through free response to
our inquiry. Are farm lands in your
cuunty advancing or still declining?
What are the causes? A few have an
swered. Let US hear from every county
In the state. We print two responses,
as follow:
CLAY COUNTY.
To THE AGRICULTURAL EDITOR-Sir: l
see that in The SENTINEL of 18th inst. you re-
quest the subscribers of THE SENTINEL to re-
port 10 you in regard to price of farm lands
to whether there has been a decline or an ad-
vance IN price of same. Simple as this question
seems to be II is almost impossible to answer
accurately as so much depends upon the con-
dItlon In which places have been kept. But
locking over the neighborhoOd and making
close an average possible l think that there
has been decline OF fully so per cent. during
the last twenty eight years 10 Clay county and
about 10 per cent. in the last fifteen years. As
matter OF course when extensive improve
ments have been made and the land has been
kept in good condition the decline in price is
not 80 much. CULLEN BRADLEY.
SWITZERLAND COUNTY.
To THE AGRICULTURAL EDITOR-S ,: In
this country the price of land has declined
since the year 1870 fully 80 per cent
Cause In time of the late war and for some
time aiIerWard we PAID nigh prices tor what we
bought on account OF combines and trusts aud
had to sell for low prices. Also had 10 pay high
taxes. Another cause is that many of our
farmers are going west and to the gas belt of
this state. The population IL also decreasing.
| do not think the price of land has decreased
in the last four or five years.
The Roadside.
The sides OF the public road through
the farm are usually too much neglected.
The pasSer-by is apt to judge the owner
of the farm by the appearance OF the
fences and the rosdsides. Ii the fence
corners be foul with weeds and bushes
and the fence dilapidsted, the conclusion
Is natural that there is lack OF thrift.
There Is much in appearances after all.
farm lie worth more upon the market
when IL presents an attractive front TO
those who travel the highway. Some
thrifty farmers who grow good crops and
manage their business we'll do themselves
an injustice by neglect in this respect.
The sides OF the highway should be well
seeded to grass when practicable, and then
thew can be kept clean with u mower. The
underground along the line of the fence
should be grubbed out, and then little
work every mouth or two will keep the
farming, and II pays in dollars and cents.
1t also pays in reputation aud pleasure.
Nutmeg Melons.
The muskmelon is easily cultivated all
over the United States, says an exchange,
except in the most northern portions
For most sections seeds should be planted
early N May. Rich, light, somewhat
sandy soil should be selected. This
should be well MANFRED, thoroughly dug
or prepared by deep blowing and harrow
ing. Hills then marked out six feet apart
each way. These hills TO be made by dig
gng foot deep and two feet across, aud
filed half full OF good, we'll rotted manure
upon the latter throw three or four inches
of soil, then mix soil and manure we'll to-
getner. More well-pulVerized soil is
thrown on top to complete the hill, max
ing it three inches higher than the surface
Upon this plant eight or ten grains of
seed. covering about half an inch deep
When the plants develop two rough
leaves. thin them down to two or three
plants to each hill Draw the earth nicely
around the base of the plants with a hoe.
Just beneath the plants guano should be
spTink ed on the soil, as the pungent
smell of this manure has been found to be
bugs that attack the vines with damaging
effect. Ashes, lime or fine road dust is
considered good to sift over the Young
plants a safeguard against the less for
uidAble insects.
AS soon as the first blossom buds show
on the runners pinch out the bud at the
extremities. This will increase the growth
of lateral shoots and tend TO enlarge the
fruit About the only further attention
required will be TO keep the surface free
from weeds and 10 stir the soil lightly
with the hoe. Some gardeners thin out
the fruit and also place bits of slate or
charrSd shingles under each melon TO i'm
prove its size and flavor. BY all means
avoid heavy soil, and do not plant near
any other member OF the melon family.
Here are SONS of the tried and success
ful sorts: The large ones include cham
pion market, new giant, Hackernack and
Long Island beauty. The small ones are
golden-netted gem, Jenny Lind, emerald
gem and orange Christina.
How to Take Care of Hen Manure.
Fifty fowls Will make in their roosting
house alone more than seven cwt. per
aGnum of the best manure in the world,
says correspondent of the StOckman.
Hence fiiiy fowls will make enough
manure for al acre of land, seven cwt.
Il III