The National tribune., 1894-04-05
OUR RURAL TOPICS,
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Having
heard of the alfalfa clover as being the king
of the clover family in both yield, pasturage
and improving the soil, obtained a small
quantity of seed, which l planted May 20.
The ground was in fine condition to receive
/ the seed. The ground was second bottom,
which lay at foot of hill Soon the young
plants began TO dot the ground thickly I'M
der the warm sun, and showed every posi-
bic indication of good stand. When the
young plants reached up about two inches
freshet came washing over the ground, de-
stroying about one-half the stand. This I
left standing, and the young plants made
rapid growth. The stalk grew from four to
six feet high. 1t beats sapling clover for
growth and standing drought 1t sends its
roots down deep into the soil in search of
moisture, and it is said by good authority to
root itself three to six feet in soil, thus en-
abling it to stand the severest droughts,
when it is known all other clover succumbs
TO the heat and dies. For perpetual green
pasture and lasting through the droughty
season, every farmer should SOW it or mix
with his medium clover. Its seed is Of
beautiful golden color, much larger and
handsomer than the ordinary common
clover.-W. L. FRoss.
It is difficult to answer many questions
addressed to US about the pruning of orchards
for want of fell knowledge of the conditions
In each case, but by studying a few of the
principles governing the growth of trees il
IS possible TO determine with some degree Of
accuracy what should be done in each par.
ticular case. Scientists have demonstrated
that ali agricultural plants receive about
50 per cent. of their nutriment from the air,
the roots furnishing the remainder. The
rootlets 90 out into all parts of the soil, tall
ing up food in the form of liquids, passing it
to the larger roots, whence it goes on from
cell to cell up through the trunk of the tree
until it reaches the leaves, where it's digested
and the waste matter thrown of by a pro-
cess similar to that in animals. Leaves
which are compelled to hang in the center
of mass of foliage cannot perform this duty
for want of sunlight and soon take on a pale,
uHtuIilbsj SickIy appearance.
They rarely or never form fruit buds, but
absorb the strength and impart disease to
other parts of the tree without rendering
any assistance in growth. Hence they be-
come a burden, reducing the vitality of the
tree, and should be removed Never lose
sight of the fact that the balance between
the roots and branches cannot be radically
disturbed without serious and permanent
injury. Whenever you find large limb you
will find corresponding root directly under
it. If the nourishment taken in by the roots
is sent up in such quantities that the leaves
cannot asslmilate it, serious disarrange-
ment takes place precisely as in a gorged
animal. A limb or any part of the foliage
should never be removed without the best
of reasons. It is a rule In plant life as In
animal life that when an organ ceases to be
used it loses its power. Therefore deter
mine the cause of the difficulty before acting.
If after considering all conditions we find .
branch can be removed, cut it off.
Maintain the symmetry of the tree so far
as possible. There is often 6 choice in limbs
to be cut away, in which case keep the ideal
form of the top in mind while pruning. The
time for doing the work is largely matter of
convenience. However, the dormant period is
preferred. At that time of the year better
view of the branches can be had, and there il
usually more time then to attend to it. Re-
moving many branches when the tree is in
active growth results in an injury not COM
pensated by the greater readiness with which
the wound heals as many suppose. I have
never been able to indorse the theory that
early Fall pruning is the best. 1t has a ten
dency to cause the formation of Wood-buds
instead of fruit-buds, and there is greater
danger that they will not mature before
Winter sets in. The best tool with which to
do the work is large fiat ehisel and mallet
Cut smoothly close to the body of the tree,
and if the limb is ever an inch in diameter
paint the wound with white lead at once for
safety-Orange Judd Farmer.
It is surprise to us that the carrot crop
is not more largely planted than it is. The
difficulty of keeping the young plants free
from weeds is undoubtedly the chief reason.
This is overcome, however, by soaking the
carrot seed until it is just ready to germi-
nate, and then planting it in soil which has
the same day been thoroughly cultivated, so
as to destroy any weed seeds that have
terminated. In this way the carrot gets
the start, and its pale, delicate leaves make
the rows plainly distinguishable. Il is
good plan to seed the carrot somewhat
thickly, and then thin ID out as it is grow
ing. There is market for it in punches while
quite small, as it is then sold for AavOring
soups. There is nearly always a paying
market for the roots when grown large.
They are excellent feed in connection with
oats for horses, and ration of half carrots
and half oats will keep horses in better con-
dition than will the grain alone. It is an
equally good root for cows, and the bright
yellow color of the carrot is reflected to some
extent in the butter made from these roots
in Winter. We have known carrots to color
butter in still another way when grated and
mixed with the cream before it is churned.
That, however, is not a practice that we can
commend, though for time at least it gives
no disagreeable flavor to the eoloTed butter.
American CaHirator.
Some hens cannot fly or jump without
serious inconvenience especially if they ara
heavy. For that reason the nests should be
so constructed as to permit the hens to walk
in upon the eggs, and not jump upon them.
a broken egg in the nest induces the hens
20 havir ancr Tho uSa of harralc