The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-12-05
L
Prepared Especially For This Paper.

not only in this and adjoining states, but
for certain in some OF the eastern states.
The importance OF this subject fully
warrants an investigation being made to
determine the exact localities thu In
dissemination, as well as to check or ex-
terminate the pest in the infested areas.
Unfortunately this scale insect dark
louise is a name sometimes used) 10 not
easily recognized even by the most ex-
perienced nursery men and horticulturists
until it has increased and spread to an
alarming extent, and caused considerable
damage. Obviously it is cheaper and
easier to control the insect now thar to
wait until it has gained a larger foot.
hold.
In view Of the above facts, it is earnestly
requested that every person having fruit
trees, cuttings or gratis purchased and
set out within the last two years at least,
or cuttings or gratis from said trees, will
carefully examine every limb and twig
Tor this scale insect. The insect infests
nearly all our deciduous fruit trees, but
should now be looked for more especially
on apple, pear, peach, plum and cherry
trees.
At this season Of the year the insect
will be found on the bark OF the twig and
stems. 1t is round, fat and OF a gray
color with a dark spot In the center, and
is nearly n eighth of an inch in diam
eter. When it is, not too numerous it can
be detected on the young limbs and twigs
by the difference in color between the
scale and the bark, and by the pres
ence OF a ring OF purple colored bark
around each scale; but when the scales
are very numerous or are on an old limb
1t is very difficult to detect them, since
they are OF the color OF the bark, or else
overlap one another and cover the bark.
They can be detected, however by the
grayish scurfy appearance which they
impart to the limb.
When a suspicious looking twig or
branch is found, 1t should be cut of and
a few sections OF the infested region
wrapped in paper, the name and address
OF the sender written on the wrapper, and
the samples mailed to Prof. j. NJ. Sted-
man, Entomologist OF the Experiment
Station, Columbia, Mo. These directions
will also apply to any other insect pest
that may trouble you. Unless the name
and the address OF the sender be written
on the wrapper, the location OF the in
tested region can not be determined,
and the specimen will have no value.
A circular will soon be published giving
figures and description Of the San Jose
Scale, with valuable information on
methods Of combating the same. This
circular will be mailed to all persons re-
questing the same, and to the regular
mailing list Of the Station.
We are not careful enough in selecting
our cattle for ~fattening during the
winter. Some individuals are VIGOROUSLY
bad feeders, expensive to feed and con
stantly tagging behind the herd and
often iniuring the sale of the other
animals. Experienced feeders have stud
led this question and are able to tell with
considerable certainty, whether an animal
is likely to be a good feeder.
The students at the Missouri Agricul-
tural College recently examined a bunch
Of fat steers and were able to pick out
the most economic feeders and discovered
at nee an animal that had been an in
different feeder. The best indication OF
the ability to take IN fat rapidly is a soft
mellow skin of medium thickness and q
bright coat OF fin silky hair. A little
practice and careful observation will en-
able one to prevent this loss arising from
Improbable feeders.
In the corn growing districts farmers
feed too much corn to young growing
animals. While young animals are
growing they require foods containing
BON and flesh forming elements, such as
protein and mineral substances. Corn IL
deficient in these. These may be sup.
piled in clover hay, bran, oats, oil meaI
and similar foods.
When foods must be purchased for fat.
tening animals it is better to buy som
foods like bran and oil meal to mix with
corn. While it may be true that on
pound Of corn is worth more for f~attenine
WAN INV PouLa VI Diauy ~ IL CludllJ
true that a mixture OF two pounds OF corr
and one pound OF bran may be better thar
three pounds OF corn.
Weak and unthrifty lambs may otter
result from over working the ram. In tn,
first place his vital force should be pre-
pared by a generous course of feeding
During the breeding season he should b,
taken up and fed daily from one to tive
pounds OF grain. There is no better grail
for this purpose than oats mixed will
corn and bran in the proportion Of on
half oats, one quarter bran, and on
quarter corn. The ram will serve
larger flock II tended and allowed Il
serve only a limited number daily.
Nearly II not quite all grasses do bette
il sown in the fall. 1t Is better to SOY
them about October LIST although the,
may be sown in this latitude as late a
the last week in November. A mixtur
Of grasses will produce a larger amount O
hay or pasture to the acre than any on
grass alone. Orchard grass is one OF tn
best of our common grasses for pastur
and may be sown with timothy, blu
grass or on land that is to be seeded Z
clover the following spring.
by a self feed we mean any arrangemer
20 constructed that animals may secu,
their grain food at all times. Tn
method OF feeding IL widely practice
and where used, certainly decreases u
expense OF attendance. Experiment
have shown however that 1t 10 an expsr
,ive method OF fattening and gains al
made with less food II that food Is SUI
piled regularly and in quantities suite
10 the daily requirements OF the animal.
At this time OF the year sheep ofte
become badly infested with ticks. The
cause great discomfort TO the ANNA
and IL not destroyed will increase