The Princeton union., 1893-12-07
THE AGRICU LTURAL WORLli
VALUABLE POINTERS FOR THE
FARMER.

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The NAdvisabi1ity Of Deepening the
Plowing-Oyster Shells ms Food for
Laying Hens-SOme DOn'ts for the
Fnthers-Hints for Farmers.
During the fall plowing is the best
time to deepen the plowing, as the
new soil will be greatly benefited by
the action Of freezing and thawing, 5rain
and snow, during the winter. The
character of the subsoil should, how
ever, in a greater measure, determine
the depth Of plowing. A hard pan
subsoil had best be left if it be deep.
With clay, subsoil plow can be used
to good advantage as this would
deepen the soil without bringing the
unproductive soil underneath, yet rea-
sonably. near the surface, can be bene-
lifted more by deep stirring than deep
ploWing while a loamy soil of sufficient
depth to admit Of deep plowing with
out bringing to the surface unproduc-
tive soil, will be greatly benefited by
deep plowing. The character Of the
soil must always be considered in deter
mining the manner of plowing. Often
there will be plenty of latent fertility
in the subsoil that needs only the ac-
ton Of the air and other elements to
make it available. The deeper the
soil and the larger the available supply
Of plant food, the better will the soil
retain moisture and the more surely
will it grow good crops. .s
BY plOWing this kind of soil deep in
the fall considerable benefit may be de-
rived. But even then it may not be
best to plow too deep at one time, and
especially the case when shallow plow-
ing has been followed for some years
and the fertility of the surface soil
has in a measure been exhausted.
With this class Of soils the better plan
in nearly all cases is to deepen gradu-
ally, a little at each plowing.
Better results will be secured in plow-
ing land deeper for the first time if
it is left reasonably rough, as this ex-
poses it more fully to the action Of
the different elements through. the Win
ter. A soil that is stirred deep is in
a much better condition to grow a good
crop than if only the surface is worked,
but the character Of the soil must de-
termine whether it shall be plOWed
ucCp VI tl1c plOW GU IuC
der soil simply stirred or loosened up.
But in either case, the fall is a good
time for doing the work.-N. J. S. in
Prairie Farmer
Oyster Shells as Food for Laying
Hens.
During the past few years consider
able discussion has occurred among
poultrymen in regard to the question
whether oyster shells were Of any use
to the hen as source of material for
the egg-shell.
It is generally known that the Or
binary grains fed to poultry are very
deficient in lime and some have sought
to supply this deficiency, under the
supposition that oyster shells were in
soluble, by relying solely upon some
plant foods rich in lime, such as the
clovers.' Crushed oyster shells have
been extensively fed and with good re
| suits. but it has been thought by many
| that they We're Of value solely as grit.
No satisfactory answer seems to have
been made to the question and, in or,
der to obtain some definite information
several experiments have been made
during the past two years at the New
York agricultural experiment. station
| Six One-year-Old hens were used in
| these experiments, the results of which
| are summed up as follows:
The feeding of oyster shells during
the laying season, where they can be
| cheaply obtained. is recommended One
| pound will contain lime enough for the
| shell of about seven dozen eggs.
Fine gravel containing limestone will
| probably as well supply the deficiency
| Of lime existing in most foods. but the
| use of some sharper grit with it may
be Of advantage. =.
Long or sharp splinters of glass or
dry bone should be avoided. The size
of particles Of grit had, for hens, better
| be larger than that Of a kernel of
| wheat, and should be smaller than that
| Of a kernel Of corn.
An unlimited supply Of pounded glass
| has been attended with no bad results
| when the food and other grit available
| to the fowls contained an abundance
| Of lime, but when the food was def
| cient in lime and no other grit was OBJ
tainable, hens ate an injuriously large
amount of glass
Care of Tools. ... .~1
| In a recent issue of Farm News its
editor calls special attention to the prac
tice of saving money by proper care OF
| tools. He says that as the work OF
cultivating the present crop is finished a
! proper disposition Of our farming imple
ments should at once be made in order
to avoid much worry and more expense
at the opening of another season. He
would not be wise man who on lay
| ing aside his summer clothing would
throw them into the garret or gutter
neither does the prudent farmer leave
his farming implements in which sc
many hard-earned dollars are invested
exposed to the heat of the sun to shrink
and fall apart, nor in rain to be utter
! ly ruined by the rust.
When costly plows, hoes, mowers
and cultivators cease to be used, al
| application of some good oil. after thf