The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-05-03

~ Is the Aspinwall planter q success? t3)
Can afford to buy potato planter when
growing five or six acres year? A. b. nj.
(1) Ii the ground is naturally loose you
can grow more potatoes in drill than in
hills. One thrifty stalk every twelve
inches is better than three stalks every
thirty-six inches. There is often dispo-
sition to seed heavily when drilling, and
the result is that there are more small
tubers. % The planter you name
is the one in general use and
does its work fairly well.
(3) All depends upon your soil and
help. Ii your ground is not suited 10
drilling YOU do not want the planter. Ii
the soil is at all compact, the seed is more
inclined to rot in a rainy season when the
ground ia loose under the row. The shovel
pillow when marking gives drainage to the
ground, while the planter let's the potato
drop on the bottom of the trench which
holds the water. If the ground Is q fertile
loan with some sand in it, the planter
should be good investment.
Cleft-Grafting-How Done.
To THE AGRICULTURAL EDIToR-S.r: How
is clstt-grafting done? How can l make the
wax? Please answer and oblige
A FARMER.
The operation Of grating is very SIM
a favorite fruit tree do not more often
make use OF 1t 10 increase their supply.
Many worthless varieties are bought of
agents, and these stocks can be utilized in
producing supply of the best frui. Cleft
grating is the usual mode used in such
! cases. The branch should be cut off square
ly, and the stump cleft down a couple
of inches or more. narrow hardwood
wedge should be used to spread the parts,
These one-year-Old clons are cut with one
end In wedge shape and two inserted in
the cleft, ii the limb is large enough. A
TRAVERSE cleft may be made, thus admit
ting four cions in al. The only care is
that the inner bark of the cOn and the
inner bark of the stock join nicely, so that
the sap can pass freely. The outside will
not be even, as the bark on the old limb
is thicker than that OF the cion. The wood
must be so shaped that when the hard
wood wedge is removed there will be no
openings between. the wood of the cion
and that OF the stock. Then apply the
wax, which may be made OF resin, bees
wax aud tallow, One-third part of each.
Road improvements.
To TIE AGRICULTURAL EDIToR-Sr: Ii
seems 20 me that your article on the cost of
road improvements should make farmers take
time to use their best judgement in deciding
how far they will go into debt for good roads.
As you say, we want better roads, but the
wheelmen of our towns are trying TO carry us
OF our feet about this matter. In my county
1t 10 proposed to borrow several hundred thou
sand dollars and build turnpikes through some
sections that cannot be made productive for
years, II ever. and the farmers must foot the
most of the BILL IL is all right to 90 into debt
when it pays 20 do So but the farmers cannot
let the wheelmen decide the matter tor them.
Ii is my opinion that the craze for good roads
il going to leave some sections of our country
crippled by debt that farmers cannot pay
the tax. We Americans 20 into anything like
sheep-wnen one leaps, all follow. There are
some counties that eau afford to build costly
roads. while others must 20 slow. Unless the
material can be found near at hand the build
ing of pixies is enormous. Let US do well what
we do, but We should think twice before rush
ing into debt heels over head to build roads
costing $1,000 or more mile.
TAXPAYER.
The Use of Lime.
II seems TO be definitely determined
that few soils require the addition of lime
as plant food. The effects of lime on the
soil are as follows Cd 1t corrects sour
ness. ~ IL hastens decomposition of the
organic matter in the soil. (3l II causes
the mineral particles of the soil 10 crum-
bic. 90 By producing these effects it
assimilation by plants.
Some soils are greatly benefited in their
mechanical condition by lime. Portions
OF the red shale sections of the east have
enough clay in them to make them sticky
and IN places the land was very unproduc-
tive until the farmers began lining it, and
now the value per acre IL more than
doubled. In order to affect the mechani-
cal condition In any great degree, however,
large quantities are required, some using
from 800 to 500 bushels to the acre, al
though 100 bushels is now regarded as
| sufficient amount, and repeated applica-
| tons of hall that amount still better in
| most cases.
The unslaked lime is the cheapest, as
a bushel OF 1t absorb6 twenty-seven
| pounds OF water in the shaking and in
| creases the bulk two or three times, mak-
ing Its cost of carriage and handling much
| greater 1t Is the usual practice to put the
unslaked lime in small piles in the field,
covering them with little dirt. and when
! the moisture of the ground has slaked it,
| it is scattered on the surface. and should lie
worked in the top soil Warning saws that
when used alone it should always be used
az top dressing as it's tendency always
is TO sink.
1t Is an old saving that "lime enriches
| the father and improverishes the SON"
| The scientists are opposed to its use, but
this is becase people are in danger OF be-
| lieving that IL Is a manure, when it is not,
| but only sets the manure free that is in
ground, and thus will leave the ground
very poor il not MANFRED very heavily. Its
use is probably dangerous unless one
| knows how to use it in moderation while
feeding the land heavily, but for gardens
1t is worthy OF "a trial. 1t drives away in
sects, enlives the soil, decomposes the
manure and improves the quality of vege-
tables
The Influence of the Peach Crop.
Our good friend, the Home and Farm. is
usually credited with having a very level
head. and we quote the following from it as
a matter OF curious interest to our readers:
Among producers and the wholesale commits
sion trade generally it is to a large extent con-
| coded that the peach crop rules the market for
/ other farm produce. Those who have watched
| the course OF the peach crop over a number of
/ years know that when the peaches have been
| plenty and cheap the prices of other products
have been correspondingy cheap. and vice
versa. lake the case of two years ago when the
markets were well supplied with peaches there
was also an abundant supply OF ell other fruits
4 and prices were low whereas last year neaches