The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1894-11-15


down below the reach of the pillow, being
stored in the plants as we'll as in the
roots. Agriculturists have never fully
determined the value of the roots to the
soil except in a few cases with certain
kinds of plants, such as clover and some
of the grasses. The Utah Experiment
Station has, however, made a series OF
experiments in this direction, which
throw considerable light on the subject.
Trials with roots at various depths have
been quite limited, and the effect of till
age on cutting roots will be very much
modified. There are those who favor
deep blowing, so as to give the roots bet
ter opportunities for extending down
ward, but others object because deep
blowing cuts the roots.
1t was found that the weight of the
roots of potatoes was but 100 pounds per
acre, and the greatest weight was found
IN the seventh inch of depth. Barley
gave $40 pounds per acre, the greatest
weight being III the third inch Of depth.
Corn gave 462 pounds OF roots per acre,
One-third of this weight being at the
fourth inch of depth. The first inch con-
tains but IL pounds. Wheat gave about
493 pounds, the greatest weight being in
the fourth inch. Timothy gave l,303
pounds, one-half OF which was at the
first inch. The oat crop gave 1883
pounds ofroots, the greatest weight being
at two and three inches depth, the most
being at three inches. The fact that the
greatest weight OF roots is found at from
one to Jour Inches does not Indicate that
deep piowing is a necessity, and it is
probably surprise to many that the
weight of the roots of oats is SO heavy.
Glover throws all other plants in the
shade in proportion to weight of roots
four-y ear-0ld sod being $500 pounds, and
two-year-old clover roots weighed l,4Sl
pounds. The old clover gave its greatest
weight in the second inch OF soil, l,24S
pounds, and the first inch contained LOSS
pounds. Alter passing five inches III
depth the decrease in weight was very
rapid, being but l25 pounds for the sixth
inch, and Ash pounds for the twelfth inch.
IN the face OF these facts the value of
clover as a sub-Soiler is not as great as
was supposed, its benefit to the soil being
due to the influence Of the tubercles in
the roots. The DrepOnderance Of roots is
shown for the majority of crops to be in
the upper soil, where they feed, and the
experiment is not favorable to deep plow-
ing, as many Of the accepted theories
seem to be oVerthrOwn. 1t is, however,
strong point i'll favor OF the rotation of
crops, and the result of the experiment
will be TO lead to radical changes in Guilt
Yation--Phil2delph ia Record.
COOKING PRUNEs IN TEA.
A lady of Sausalito, who has deserv-
eddy high reputation among her friends
Tor the dainty excellence of her house
hold cuisine, informs us that pruues
are greatly improved by being cooked in
tea. The fruit should be soaked in cold
tea during the night and then the whole !
placed on the back part of the stove 10 |
slowly simmer until the proper stage OF |
,ia.t 10 taa I'M,
pleasing flavor, and many who never eat
prunes otherwise prepared take kindly |
10 the tea-tlavored article.
FARM NOTES.
Experiments made with eggs for hatch
ing purposes demonstrate that those laid
by puIets are unreliable and fewer
chicks are obtained than from eggs laid
by old hens
When a horse is doing no work it
should receive less grain and given more
hay. There is no time of the year. how
ever, when the horse should not be given
exercise in some manner.
Carrots, turnips and beets, if fed raw to
cattle, should always be sliced and not
cut up into Irregular pieces. Cattle arc
much more Liable 10 being easily choked
than any other class of stock.
The painting of house and whitewash-
ing or painting of Out-buildingS fences
and gates should be looked TO and re-
newed as often as needed, for appear
ance's sake as well as for the sake of pre-
serving the wood.
The promptness Of sale and prices OBJ
tanned for fruits and vegetables always
depend in large measure on the style of
package and manner of packing. TOO
much attention cannot be paid to this
point by the shipper.
Keep the back barnyard as neat as the
how hCFR i
pile, the rubbish pile, always under
cover. Make the ncatness of your place
noticeable, and teach not only your own
boys, but the whole neighborhood, les
soEs of beauty and thrift.
Many a farmer buys the best stock for
his team, his dairy and his fiocks, but
poor care, reckless feeding and exposure
soon give them the appearance of scrubs.
while he wonders why he Is not among
the prosperous" The law of the farm
er's success is in good management.
Italian bees are now conceded to be the
best bees for this country. New varieties
come up every season, are given a short
lived boom and drop below the horizon.
20 again appear briefly in few wears
The Italian has been tried and has not
been found wanting. They are the best.
A few hills of late tomatoes can be kept
from frost where they stand by making a
rude tent of cotton cloth over them and
thus prolong the season of this useful
vegetable. The old wagon cover ofheayy
cotton duck found on SO many truck
farms will come in handy here. Cover
only at night.
Chicks will not raise themselves. To be
successful we must take the very best care
OF them, watching for and attending to
their every want. There are so many de-
tails to be taken into account that it is inn
possible to record them here, but each
one must attend TO them as they present
hemselves.-Farmer Journal.
committee sent from MARYLAND TO ex-
anime the truck farms in Lancaster
County, Penn, say the half of one farm
of eighty acres yields annually $4,000
worth OF fruit and vegetables, another of
six acres yields profit OF $4,000; another
of ninety acres makes return of $40. OOO:
another OF twenty acres returns IS 600
worth.
One of the difficulties encountered in
keeping sheep is that they do not always
thrive if the tlocks are large. 1t is Tor
that reason that Merinos and South
downs have been more popular than some
of the large breeds, as they are active
foracers, and can be kept IN larger num-
bers in one flock than the Oxford or
Shropshire downs.
Every farmer should understand horti-
culture. 1t enables him TO grow large
variety and to rotate his crops to the best
advantage. There is no reason Tor con-
flung the farm to two or three crops.
The soil will be improved when the same
crop is not grown ottener than one year
In live. Small fruits should be grown as
well as grain and vegetables.
Ventilation in the stable does not mean
an q n