The National tribune., 1894-06-14
OUR RURAL TOPICS.


-e
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our AgricuI-
tural Readers.
RAISING ONIONS.
In transplanting the onions to the open
field, and this is really the only successful
method of raising large crops, the work
should not be trusted to boys or careless
hands. Everything depends upon giving
the young onions good firm setting in the
soil, with the roots pointed downward and
not upward. With@a sharp stick make q
deep enough hole in the soil to accommodate
the longest roots, so that they will not have
to be doubled up. Very long roots should
be trimmed off the same as the long ends
above the ground. If the plants are very
short and stocky, neither trimming may be
necessary. The ground for the onions should
be thoroughly enriched beforehand, and then
worked until the soil is very thoroughly
pulverized. With soil thus MANFRED and
worked, the onions can be planted quite close
together. The closer we plant vegetables,
the more the soil needs working, and the
richer it should be.
The transplanting should be done as soon
in the Spring as possible, or 50 soon as the
plants are large enough to handle easily.
The farmer who attempts to raise onions
from sowing the seed direct in the field will
not get as much for his labor as the one who
starts the seeds in frames long before the
season is advanced enough to make cultiya-
ton possible There is considerable more
labor required by this method, but the extra
good results more than pay for it. We can
not raise the enormous crops of onions to
the acre that we read about without adopt
ing this method, which by some is called the
"new method" Whether new or old it is
the right one After all, it is almost "a diff
cult to thin out the onions in the drill later
as it is to transplant them. By drilling
them in the field we give the weeds and
onions an equal start in growing, and the
former are sure to take advantage of their
opportunity. By transplantiDg the onions
the weeds should never be allowed to get
much Roadway. With a small cult;ystor
and narrow hoe or rake the weeds can be
kept down.
Very often an old, rich garden land that is
perfectly adapted to the growth of onions
the onion maggots are very plentiful, and
they do considerable damage to the crops.
In fact, complaints are quite general about
these pests, and the destruction has been
very widespread. If they become an intol-
cradle nuisance some poison should be given
to them. The best for this work is strong
solution of potash salts or caustie lime
water. If these solutions are poured on the
ground close to the rows of onions, so that
they can soak into the soil, it is said that
the maggots will be killed. Tar water
has also been recommended. If the mag
gots are very thick one season it is better to
change the onion field the following Spring,
or be on the lookout for the flies that lay the
eggs from which the maggots come These
flies will be seen around the onion patch
early in the season, and then the young
onions should be sprayed with poisonous
solutions.-AmerieaH Cultirator.
FARM NOTES.
It Is claimed that saw-dust makes an ex-
cellent litter for poultry-houses.
How many of our farmers keep beesp We
are inclined to believe that very few of them
do. Perhaps many of them are deferred
frem keeping them by the work, but with
the latest conveniences for protecting and
caring for them, the labor in this department.
is very little compared with that of the
farmer who raises grain, or even the poultry
man, in proportion to the returns received.
There is no reason why every farmer should
not have enough bees on his farm to collect
honey for his own use, even if he does not
wish to supply the market of bis neighbor-
hood.
The rough-coated Scotch collie is growing
in favor with poultrymen and sheep-raisers
every yer. They are easily trained, and
will div, cattle, sheep. hogs, and horses as
well if not better than the average farm
hand.
Gapes is caused by dampness and filth,
and is more prevalent among poultry fed on
the ground than those which are fed from
pans and tire q his Air-slaeked lime spread
on the ground where the chickens feed and
spaded in will greatly lessen the
liability of gapes among the chicks.
Ruta bagas may be planted during tine
latter part of June. Large crops of them
can be raised on few acres, and they are
very useful in carrying stock over the
Winter.
Water cress may be grown in any shallow
stream of clear water. 1t Is preferable to
have running water, with sandy bottom.
The sets are planted in the sand at distance
of little over two feet apart, and viii soon
spread over the intervening space. The
cress is gathered from the early Spring until
it flowers in July.
One of the most important lines of work
for this month will be to keep the garden
and fields free from weeds With the warm
weather and increased growth of the plants
comes also increased difficulties in killing
weeds, but by persistent efforts at this time
later trouble may be saved.
The copper carbonate mixture for spray
ing is made as follows: Copper carbonate six
ounces, ammonia two quarts, water 40 gall
ons. Dissolve the copper carbonate in the
using sufficient only of the latter
10 effect solution ammonia varies in strength,
hence the exact quantity required cannot be
,tated), after which dilute.
If any young old, or middle-aged man suffer.
ing from nervous debility, weakness, will in
,lose stamp to me will send him the prescrip-
ion of q genuine certain cure free Of cost
No humbug. No deception. Address T.1G
Barnes News Dealer Marshall, Mich.