The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-06-08

E is piece of one and one-half or two-inek
fat iron extending from the under side Of an
other dOubletree at F to the left end of B, an6
held by one bolt at each end (the bolt at the
right end extends through the fat iron aud
doubletree only, so it can play and equalizs.
Another doubletree is held in place at G by
bolt or clevis. Every doubetree. the piece B
| and equalizer E should have plenty Of play.
The dOubletree over the pole in the cut is
turned to show the mechanism of the equalizer
Z.
The following is taken from late bulletin
of the Illinois Experiment Station. It records
conclusions based on experiments covering
several years. and is worthy the careful COR
| sideration of all corn growers, particularly in
season like this, when planting is late, and
every means should be reSorted to to facilitate
growth:
The results of many trials suggest that most
farmers in central Illinois have attached I'M
due Importance to early planting and frequent
cultivation, and have done harm by too deep
cultivation, especially after the corn has made
a fair growth; and that they have attached
quite too little Importance TO securing uni
form stand, with at least IL, 600 stalks per
acre. At this station good yields have been
secured from planting any time in May, and
corn planted at a comparatively late date has
required less cultivation to keep the ground
free from weeds good condition of the soil
at the time of planting is more important than
early planting. Thick planting reduces the
size of the ears; but larger yields have been
secured in many trials where the plumber of
stalks was at the rate of one kernel each
nine inches in rows three feet eight inches
apart than from thinner stand. Little or no
gain has been observed from planting in drills
compared with planting in hills, with equal
number of stalks per acre. While thinning
corn " is troublesome process it is probable its
cost would often be sbundantly repaid. The
weight and good quality of the stover are in
creased by rather thick planting.
At the station weeds are the chief enemy Of
the corn crop. The soil is loose enough to per-
NIT ready access to roots, water and air. Deep
blowing as a rule does not increase the yield.
Deep cultivation of tho corn has done harm
generally. Unusually frequent cultivation has
not been profitable. That method of cuItiva-
tion seems best which most eheaply prevents
the growth of weeds. and leaves the surface
with the least possible interference with the
roots.
In degree greater than the appearance Of
the plant would indicate, the percentage Of
solid matter in the corn plant is small during
the early period of growth. Both the percent
age and the actual quantity of solid matter
and probably the food value of the plant in
crease until it is nearly or quite mature. It
may be profitable in many cases to cut and feed
the crop before the kernels have fairly hard
ened, but there is always loss of possible value
when this is done. The obvious danger of loss
from storms and by the dropping of leaves, if
the corn is left fully ripe before it is cut, is q
sufficient reason for moderately early cutting;
but the evidence seems conclusive that much
corn is cut when too immature, and shis whether
it is to be put in a silo or fed as dried fodder.
The drawback TO the raising of gooseberries
in the past has been mildew. This can be pre-
vented by spraying the vines when it first ap-
pears with the Bordeaux mixture. Gooseber-
ries have been q very profitable crop in
England, and there is no reason why they can
not be made so here. In many markets there
is a growing demand for them, and, unlike
many other small-fruits they can be shipped
long distances without injury. They make a
good sauce, and coming early in the Spring be-
fore other fruit. we think they would pay well
for more general planting.
June is one of the busiest months on the
farm. In some OF the Northern States corn is
yet to be planted, and in the more Southern
the cultivation of the crops is requiring all the
attention of the farmer. The crops must be
we'll cultivated now to give the largest returns
at harvest The farmer should also look well
after his tools, so that when the time comes 30
harvest the crops there will be no unnecessary
delay.
Bee-keepers should always be ready to hive
a swarm during the warm season, whether few
or many If you have not hive ready, don0s
leave them clustered. but put them in any
clean box or keg. They may be left in tho
box until night by which time hive can DO
had. and then poured out in front of the hive
and driven iuto it. ass