The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-05-30
Farm Talk in season.

It requires time to convert substances
into plant food, but fertilizers are read
lily soluble and give almost immediate re-
suits on nearly all crops.
Early cabbage plants and also toma-
toes. peppers, egg plants. string beans,
melons and okra may be put out now.
The ground should be rich, clean and
fine.
The growing pigs will thrive better
at this season on food that is not too rich
than TO overfeed them on rich food. If
they become impaired in digestion they
are liable 10 diarrhoea.
Experiments in seeding oats indicate
that eight pecks per acre Is about the
correct amount of seed to use, the
largest yield of grain being derived from
that quantity on the land.
Always sell stock when there is a good
price offered When holding back stock
for higher price there may be a greater
expense incurred for food than is gained
by any Increase in the price
Shropshire sheep have performed great
service in improving the common hocks,
but the best mutton breed is conceded to
be the Southdown. though it is not as
large in size as the Shropshire.
Any farmer can improve his crops by
selecting seed from the best specimens
every year. Variety largely influences
the yields and the best varieties are the
results of careful selection of seed from
the most perfect plants.
Keeping the stable clean in the sum-
mer is as important as any work on the
farm. In the winter the cold seals up
the doors, but in summer all substances
in the stable decOmpoSe very rapidly,
gases being formed that are injurious to
the health Of the stock
Experiments show that when plenty
Of absorbent material is used in the
manure 1t is not necessary TO have the
materials under cover, but when only
small amount of absorbent material is
used a covering is necessary in order to
prevent loss from rains.
When the stock is infested with lice
it indicates low condition. Fat
healthy, well-fed animals are seldom In
tested with lice. When lice are found
on animals there is a probability also
that they may become diseased. Filth
lice and disease are always found to-
gether.
Even when eggs are fresh the prices
are lowered by dirty shells. 1t will be
an advantage to wash the eggs in soap
and water. If the stains do not come
off place the eggs in vinegar for an hour
and then wash them. Assert them
placing the dark eggs in one lot and
white eggs in another.
Bran and linseed meal should be used
occasionally, if for no other reason than
that of affording a change Of diet Such
foods are always rich in mineral ele-
ments and serve to supply any deficiency
in that direction. Growing animals and
mich cows are always benfted by food
that contain an abundance of mineral
matter.
Plant the corn as soon as it can be
done. About one inch is the best depth
at which to cover the seed. IT is better
to use too much seed than too little. as
allowance should be made for damage
done by cut worms, failure to terminate,
etc. 1t is safer TO depend on thinning
out plants if too thick than to replant
missing hills.
An hours work at this season Of the
year, when the weeds are just peeping
out OF the ground, will be Of more serv-
ice than a days labor after they have
made growth. A rake will destroy them
at first, but It may require the pillow in
a month more. 1t is in doing the work
at the appropriate time that saves cost
and pushes the crop ahead.
II any portion of the farm is not I'M
der cultivation there may be a crop Of
weeds. To destroy them use the mower
and cut them down in the fence corners
with the scythe. Never allow one weed
to go to seed, some Of them are capa-
bic OF producing thousands of seeds, each
Of which may produce a weed next season.
thus entailing more work and expense.
In the South the Lima bean is known
mostly as the butter BEAM" the small
sewee variety having been mostly used.
1t is the same as the small bush kind