The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-03-14
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions Tor Our
Agricultural Readers
Cattle In lIentana.

Cattle In Montana.
DIR. Herbert Holloway, the Montana stats
Veterinarian, says in regard to Montana livs
stock: There have been no epizootic dis
eases during the past year among the focks
and herds Of the range, or any class Of mall
aides of a widespread nature. There are
always a more or less large number of eases
Of glandeTS among our horses, and some 100
head of these thus infected animals have
been despatched during the year, the larger
number Of which were found in the vicinity
OF the Gallatin Valley. There have been
few cases of tuberculosis among cattle, and
much scab has been contended with among
sheep, but this last il now nearly, if not
quite. eliminated from the locks
=" During the season beef brought a very
satisfactory price, but mutton and wool were
both low, while horses simply were without
value. This latter circumstance is due to
the rapidly increasing popularity Of tho
bicycle In fact, the horses occupation 10
gone. Some time ago gave public expression
TO my ideas favoring the utilization of our
range horses for meat, suggesting the es-
adjustment of central abattoirs for the
Slaughter Vi uOLSt0 uiltief luktIudtlOIdl
arrangement such as might easily be Effected,
sending the flesh to Europe, where it is much
used.
"The article called forth considerable dis
cussiOn, both favorable and unfavorable, in its
nature, some commentators in the press being
disposed to treat the matter as ehimerieal
OF hate, however, notice several companies
have taken steps to bring this very result
about, but none of them have so much as
made me an honorary director, believe. In
regard to the range losses by the recent storm,
/ fear that they viii be heavy in some sections,
especially In those Hat regions Of northern
and eastern Montana, where the snow fell
deep and did not drift. In the wind-sweps
mountain localities, where both food and
shefer could be found, the loss while IL may
prove considerable, is doubtless much less"
To Follow Early Peas.
Peas require rich soil to make good crop,
for though the growth of the pea vine adds
nitrogen to the soil, it Is only late in the
season that this process goes on Early In
the Spring the pea crOpis helped by nitrogen
Gus manure. This nitrogen is not lost, for 10
advances the pea plant more quickly TO the
time when it's roots will nitrify the air in the
soil and thus add to soil fertility. But IN
less some later crop follows the peas great
part Of this supply Of nitrogen will be lost.
A crop of late cabbage, of celery OF Of turnips
can be grown with advantage after early peas
are cleared off The only difficulty viii be
in keeping the soil moist enough to give the
midsummer crop good start. If the pea
crop is sold green there should be no waiting
until the last run of peas have ripened.
Plow the vines under with the last peas while
they are still green. This win be about the
last Of June, and if the vines are turned
under then, there is usually rainfall enough
about July to thoroughly wet the ploved
ground down TO the bottom of the furr0w If
this is done, the pea vines will rot rapidly
and make the ground rich and warm, so thas
any crop planted then viii have plenty OF
chance to grow. To grow a pea crop and
plow under the whole crop Is really cheap
way to supply nitrogen for late cabbage and
celery. But the early peas will sell well,
and while the price is high will pay well for
picking and marketing. When the price
falls below profitable rate, they should be
plOwed under as manure that has moro
then paid it's cost before being used TO fertil-
ize another crop.
II the lawn requires enriehing, and you
have thoroughly rotton barnyard manure az
hand, give it good dressing at this season.
Have it finely pulverized, so that early rains
will wash the manure down among the grass.
1t cannot do this if the manure is applied In
coarse, unpulveFized condition. IF you have
no manure pile to draw from, get some of the
specially prepared fertilizers for sale at seed
stores and by dealers in agricultural goods
and fertilizers.
Asparagus.
When choosing location for an asparagus
bed. select good soil, well drained and en-
riched by cOpiOus manuring to depth of q
foot and a half more OF less, says an exchange
Cut wide and deep trenches for receiving the
plants, spread out the roots and set the crowns
at least three inches deep-sOme good cultf-
vators set them five or six inches. Strong
one year plants, if they can be procured, are
better than more feeble two year ones. They
may be set in Autumn or Spring; if in
by the middle of October, and as
early in Springas the ground can be pulverized.
They will be fit to cut in two or three years.
A heavy coating of manure as a fertilizer and
as mulch should be applied every Autumn.
A common mistake is in setting the plants too
near together, by which they become crowded
and small. If the single plants are three or
four feet apart both ways, or better, four or
I'VE IcSJ. bilt;y Will MAKE uluC0 LlQer GROWTH
many of the stalks being nearly as large as
hoe handle, and so numerous rs to more than
for any fear Of loss by being too
thinIy planted. Keep them clear of weeds
and well cultivated, and the bed viii last
lifetime
Old and New Corn for Feed.
Prof W. A. Henry thinks so pounds Of
ihelled corn of the crop of 1892 will contain
more nutriment than IS pounds of the ordi-
nary corn Of the crop of 1894. Shelled corn
.wO years old should be ground to get the
pest results, and with it should be mixed
either bran or oilmeal, or both. A feed con-
'isting of twO-thirds cOrnmeal and One-thiTd
bran will prove admirable for steers; to thisa
ew pounds OF oilmeal-two to four a day
will give increased benefits.
Note.
William Blair, Glensford, KY, wants to
purchase some Alpine or bush strawberry
fines.
A Years Work at Fordhook Farm.