The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-15
AGRICULTURE.

means OF social improvement for the
winter evenings; be sure that it does
not run into gathering for gossipers.
The old apple parings and quilting bees
served purpose which nothing in these
later days seems to fill.
The all grain farm soon sells off the
fertility of the soil, while the stock farm
grows richer. Stable manure is our
chief dependence as supplier of nutri-
ment to the ground however much we
assist with chemicals, clover or tile
drainage.
1t is not in the nature of many men to
keep money in their pockets, or where
they can easily get at it. There are so
many things which they think they
need that they would have no trouble
in doing without if that money were
somewhere deposited gaining interest
The forests and plains which have
never been used by men have been fer
tilted by green manuring for countless
ages, and are SO rich that successive
crops can be grown on them for years.
No manuring or fertilizing fully restores
them, but it teaches US that green ma
nuring is the best way, and the cheap
est.
To get rid of the very latest crop of
potato beetles. which seem to be born
only to be ready for the early spring,
place some cut potatoes on a board after
the crop is dug, soaking the pieces in
solution of Paris green. A cold and wet
winter is very destructive to them.
1t is said that pruning potatoes to two
stalks in the hill has produced larger
tupers and a greater yield. This is
done on the theory that we prune vines
and trees and pinch back melons and
tomatoes. The theory is all right. Too
much energy can go into tops.
Added expense comes with increased
acreage, and not when one gets more
produce by higher cultivation of a given
area. Expenses do not always increase
in proportion to the yield. There are
two senses in which one may be great
farmer.
Plants which are cultivated for their
seed should be followed by those which
do not cause such drain upon the soil,
and make only foliage; also, it is we'll to
follow a long rooted crop with one which
takes it's nourishment nearer the sur
face.
There is vast amount of work done
in the world in which there is no profit
above the cost of labor. Whether the
season be favorable or unfavorable the
best results can be had only from the
best methods. Every advantage must
be taken of the soil and conditions.
There are not many things which are
had so easily and which come in for so
many purposes as crop of rye. Sow
plat of it whenever and wherever the
opportunity offers. There is no better
late pasture, and it makes excellent sue
culent food for the stock.
Sawdust will absorb the liquid por
tions of the stable deposits, but it is
slow to decompose Or to heat in the ma
nure pile. Straw is better, but if scarce,
bedding of loan from the woods makes
an excellent absorbent, and by careful
handling and drying can be used two
or three times before it is SO saturated
as to be unfit for it's purpose.
Moisture is the most important ele-
ment in fertility. Much arid land can
not always be restored by manuring
Iu heavy clay lands there is often a
remedy in bringing up the valuable
ingredients which lie deeper by sub
soiling. The vegetable mould is used
up, but mineral agents of great value
have often not seen the light for many
day.
The Western farmer has his reservoirs
for irrigation, but those of the East
must endeavor to make heir fields 30
porous by draining and subsoiling that
they hold the rainfall which would
otherwise run off. Clover is an adjunct
here, for its roots go down until the
water is reached, and form network to
decay and fertilize to great depth.
When children are made to toll cease
lessly on the farm all the romance is
taken out of it, and they tire of it and
leave as soon as the way is open. Give
them the management and product of
part of their own labor, and different
feeling and attraction are developed.
They should have responsibility and its
reward, but should by no means be al
lowed to squander their earnings.