The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-11-07
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
spring Flower for the Garden.

because OF the rare beauty and fragrance OK
their flowers and their historic associations,
together with their ease Of culture, than the
various kinds Of bulbs, says the Amcricqa
Agricaiiurit. Conspicuous among these are
what are usually termed Dutch bulbs. the
more important Of which are the hyac.nth,
tulip, narcissus, and eroeus, all of which
have been successfully cultivated for, the
past 800 years, and are yearly growing more
and more in favor, and that in proportion as
refinement and intelligence increase. Their
culture is yet in its infancy in this country,
because it is so little understood that fail
ures frequently occur, which in most in
stances discourage further effort.
The principle cause of failure with bulbs
in the garden consists in oyerestimating
their hardness. While they are always
classed as hardy, they are by no means so,
and IN Hoiland-the only country where
they are extensively grown for commercial
purpOses-they are so thoroughly protected
that frost never reaches the bulbs. IL ia a
popularity with nearly all bulbs, and with
the hyacinth in particular, that all prepara-
tons for Spring flowers are made in the pre-
vious Fall and Winter, and if the ground is
bard-frOzen there will be but an imperfect
development of flowers
1t is therefore important, in planting bulbs
In the open ground, to protect them against
any possibility Of freezing. After planting
the bed should be covered with any mulch
that wiz accomplish this purpose. The
most natural protection is newly-fallen
leaves. II covering Of six inches of leaves
10 put over the bed, and for about two feet
beyond its outer edges, and these are kept
in place by brush or evergreen-boughs. pro-
lection viii be complete. In Holland the
seed that grows in the greatest abundance
on the banks Of their canals is employed
with the best success
In this country we have more obstacles in
the way of climatic influences to contend
against than in any other Alternate freez-
ing and thawing after the buds appear ma
terially Injuries the bloom, and this should
be guarded against. After the mulching is
removed-as it should be as soon as the
plants appear above ground-mats or other
neat covering should be in readiness to
throw over the plants at night whenever
there is an indication OF FROST These should
be kept on during the day when the tenn
perature is below the freezing-point
With these precautions as large and fair
Holland. The tulip will endure hard freez-
ing better than the hyacinth, but the differ
ence in the size Of bloom and the healthful-
ness of plants between those that have bean
protected and those that have not viii be
apparent to the most casual observer. The
same is true of the crocus and the snowdrou,
while the polyanthus narcissus is more ten
der than the hyacinth, and must be fully
protected.
Preventing Potato scab.
A bulletin of the Indiana Experiment
Station says:
1. Potato scab is caused by the attack Of
a minute vegetable parasite, as was first
demonstrated at this station.
2. 1t chiefly attacks the crop through in
fected seed material.
3. The seed material may be disinfeeted
by immersion in bath of corrosive subli-
mate.
A. The corrosive sublimate solution should
be of the strength Of OF. to 10 gallons of
water.
5. The bath should be about an hour and
a half long, although some variation in time
is immaterial.
g. Cutting and planting is done as usual.
Z. The result of the treatment is a crop
free from surface blemishes, and
of greater market value.
8. Sometimes considerable increase in
yield results from the treatment.
o. The method is easily and cheaply ap-
piled, and worthy of extended trial.
Danger from Nicotine.
The use of nicotine for fumigating vines is
quite common with gardeners. But while it
mas deadly effect on insect life, it is very
dangerous TO use it in protecting fruit that
is to be eaten. Nicotine is the active ele-
ment of the tobacco plant, and when pure it
is as deadly as prussic acid. Several per-
sons have been made i'll from eating grapes
which have been fumigated with nicotine.
Tobacco is itself an excellent inseetieide, and
it can be used in protecting fruit without the
danger which comes from the use of its Yiru-
lent principle.
Saving Corn Husks.
Corn husks have some value as feed, but
it is generally less than the stalks. After
they dry out, which they soon do, thev are
very nearly tasteless. But they have value
for other purposes which makes them well
worth saving. They are better than straw
for filing mattresses, and when braided they
make excellent mats to spread in front of
doors. In some localities there is sale fore
1uSkS as SJTlppeu ITOHl the SJalK, II Kept Tree
from dirt. There would be much wider sale
for them if made up in mats or mattresses.
On the farm these mats have another use, as
they are excellent to spread over hotbeds on
,old nights when frost is expected, and can
,Iso be used to cover windows in henhouses
during cold nights in the Winter.
Ground Wheat for Cows.
Ground wheat for cows is not judicious
ration. The experience of the best feeders
IN the central West, confirmed by tests at the
Illinois Experiment Station, shows that bet
ter results are obtained from bran and mid
ilings than from the pure wheat. Even
with the most careful of feeders, the animal
s very apt to be overfed and turned against
he pure-wheat feed. Appetite for pure
wheat ration varies to such an extent that it
8 almost impossible to fix stated amount
Of feed that an animal will eat and relish
every day. If it must be fed, give the cow
,nly what she will eat up clean.
About the Farm.
Buckwheat middlings is a useful food for
COWS 1t has q fuel or food value of about
100000 calorics, compared to $4,000 for
wheat middlings. Buekwheat middlings
las more protein heterogeneous matter or flesh
ormerl and fat than wheat middlings, and
ess sugar and starch, and furnishes pound
If protein for every 81 pounds of digestible
ugar, starch and fat (nutritiye ratio al,
While wheat middlings is As. The buck
nLoot =, +hrs mora concentrated fhor uhaok