Democratic messenger., 1894-08-04
ON THE FARM.

\ North Carolina farmer who has
been making some experiments. an
nounce> the presence of new potato
pest, aud states that thousands of them
have suddenly appeared Instead "i
eating the leaves, they puncture the
growing tip. causing the plant to
wither and die. The insect has former
" fed on thistles. but recently attacked
the potatoes. Ii has also been found
in Florida.
Those who attempt t" save money
by buying low-cla>s fertilizers may
find that they have paid more than
they desired All the substances that
enter into fertilizers have marketa-
BILE value. and can he sold on their
merits without being made serviceable
with other substances. The price does
not always determine the quality. The
main point is 10 examine the bags and
observe the guarantees affixed thereto.
The farms are not vet crowded, rs
iIt VI UtttS W. III
the [ nited States that must vet be
brought under cultivation. The fire.
quent advice for laborers of the cities
to attempt work on farms is not out
of place, but good farm laborers must
he experienced, or they cannot COM
mand the highest wages. There are
many opportunities 10 learn, however,
and it opens large field for those
who will exerci-e intelligence with
labor.
There should he no fear shown by
stock AT anything. Kind treatment
influences the disposition of animals.
When the stick and whip are frequent
" used the animals will be nervous
and less contented. Ii they are To
gain in flesh. or produce full supplies
of milk. they can only do so when
they are free from all excitement and
have no fear of their owner or others.
Reputation is valuable. The man
who Is known To keep only good stock
can always find customers Tor his
surplus. and at good prices. BUYERS
prefer to know what they are buying.
II the steers that are on the pasture
are to be sold, take them 10 the harm
and feed them literally with ground
corn for week or ten days before
selling. Ii they are not fat feed them
longer Every pound weight added
will increase the quality and the price.
August Is an excellent month for
seeding to timothy or some other
grasses, but the land should be thor
oughly prepared. Sowing grass seed
ON the surface with no preparation is
waste of seed, and often results in Il
poor catch of grass. unless there comes
heavy rain To soften the ground and
cover the seed. Ii Is Il saving of time
To brush the seed in, and thus insure
a covering.
Fruit is being largely increased in
size and quality. 1t has been but a
few years since the Wilson strawberry
was the principal market variety. At
the present day it is difficult to select
from the large list the best TOR market.
The size has also been so largely in
creased as to place the strawberry by
the side of the plum. In fact. there
are one or two varieties which are
even larger than the largest variety OF
plums, on an average.
During dry weather it seems very
easy To grow crop of grass just where
it is not wanted, but it is when the
ground is dry that grass and weeds
are easily destroyed.
String beans are summer crcp.
and grow rapidly. They may be
planted now for late crop. and can
be had in succession until well into
the fall
Hand wedding in the strawberry
rows may not he rapid work. but it
will prevent crp Of weeds in the
rows next year. Keep between the
rows well worked with cultivator.
and do not allow a single weed TO bear
seed.