The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-11-17
AGRICULTURE.

Barberry makes beautiful hedge,
and is strong enough for most purposes;
these partition lines do not need the
strength that they did in the days when
cattle ran at large. If the hedge is a
little defective, run two or three barbed
wires through its length.
Lime is an invaluable article when
applied in cases of mildew among GU
cumbers or among diseased potatoes
While wet with dew sprinkle the vines
through sieve, on top and underneath,
as much as possible; also, even the small
amount put on may supply a deficiency
in the soil.
In dry season there is no fertilizer
which produces better results with po-
tatoes than wood ashes, Notwithstanding
the fact that ashes seem so dry them
selves. Equally good results will follow
when they are sprinkled on the straw
berry bed.
Many naked bluff or steep bank on
the farm may be made spot of beauty
if clothed with verdure. 1t will tend to
stop the washings by heavy rains, ALSO
The Periwinkle and the English ivy
furnish firm sheet of green, and hold
their place well; will stand the frost
quite well, and will grow in the shade or
the sun.
The Hessian fly costs this country
millions of dollars yearly. 1t can not
endure cold, and there is less trouble
from them if the crop is not sown until
after short frost; or let an early crop
be trap for them, in which to deposit
their eggs, and then pillow them under
deeply before the regular fall sowing.
Cut sweet corn when in milk. and let
it dry not quite thoroughly. Make
stack of this with sweet, old hay, in al
ternate layers of six inches. The hay
will keep the corn from moulding, and
the corn will impart its sweetness to the
whole. 1t will be a feast for the young,
or any Of the stock, which they will eat
greedily.
Agriculturists are no longer much at
variance about the propriety of stirring
the soil in dry, hot weather. In extreme
weather of this kind pillow frequently to
the depth of three or four inches, and
when the rains or dews come every drop
of moisture will be absorbed They who
pursue this plan are not disappointed.
Perennial weeds are the worst of all
on the farm, for they hold their own,
and yearly produce new crop of seeds.
Prevent the ripening of this seed, and
then eradicate the plant. even if you
have to pull it up. Thorough and re-
peated tillage with soma hoed crop is,
perhaps, the most effectual way to rid
ourselves of them.
New Zealand is sending us fax in
large quantities, cut from the marshes.
swamps and river banks, but it is cut
with very imperfect machinery, and
carelessly done. 1t is somewhat success.
fully raised in Southern California. and.
with proper care and handling, a good
article should be obtained from the home
product.
No farm yet was ever made to do its
best. We have not learned to economi-
cally gather and utilize all it's products.
We cream the fields, but do not con-
dense all the stubble into meat nor milk,
nor put into other valuable shape. The
average farmer needs many a sermon
yet preached for his salvation. His
chance for competency is great,
whether he thinks SO or not.
II the husbandman of the good old
times" was more content, it was but be.
cause it required less to make him so.
There was less debt, less worry, anxiety
and jealousy, less temptation to spend
or to have. Country life today is on
higher social and educational plane. 1t
is not all grubbing.
There is renewal of real interest in our
country fairs and in the purposes for
which they were established. AS time
of merry m aking it is most salutary.
Much of the interest is due, doubtless to
the local institutes and agricultural or
CARNATIONS, and these fairs are object
lessons of much worth.
tits to be wondered at that the farmer
will ever wait to be compelled to take
step toward good roads, when they often
increase the value of his acres hundred
fold. What a charm they lend to
country district. to say nothing of their
utility. Good roads and good fences are
proofs indubitable of the prosperity Of
any region.