The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-02-29
GRICULTURE.

an innovation which commends itself to
thinking men. The sled is more con-
venient than the wagon; neither is there
danger of cutting up the ground when
hauled in the snow season. Above all,
the work is done when no other pressing
demands are upon the husbandman.
If you have never done 30 before,
plant some carrots this year. Some of
them you may sell at a good price. but
what you do not sell nor eat make an
excellent and profitable addition to the
feed for the horses, colts and COWS dur
ing the winter. In moderation, they
will give the desired "butter color" il
fed in the dairy.
Clean cut cultivation should be given
in order to prevent the planted crop
from being defrauded by the volunteer
crop which is ever ready to spring up
beside it. Everything which grows
takes some valuable fertilizing element
from the soil, and an especial loss is in.
Cured in any seed production.
Good farmers on good land will con-
tinue to grow some wheat; but the area
Of this crop is certain to be smaller I'M
til the demand requires all the product.
We must turn attention to other crops,
requiring more labor, for they will pay
better. 1t has been too easy to grow
wheat upon cheap land
Drainage pays in that the very soils
which need it most are the most produc-
tive, as a rule, when drained. Clay
soils, which are retentive of moisture,
and, therefore, cold and late, are strong
soils, and retentive Of applied manures.
In proper mechanical condition. they
yield better than naturally dry soils.
usually deficient in plant food.
Stable manure is usually poor in pot
ash and phosphates. and it's decay in the
soil promotes late growth of wood and
leaf, which is not desirable in fruit trees
or shrubbery; but for corn, or for top
dressing for clover. the results prove it
most benefcent. By making large
growth of the latter it enriches wonder
fully the soil for the next crop.
The carriage house should be dry and
we'll ventilated. There should be no
chance for gases from the stable or
manure heap getting into it, for ammo
MIA in the air will destroy varnish and
fade colors, both in the painting and up
holstering; it unites with and gradually
destroys the oil in the varnish causing
it to shrink and crack.
The true rule is TO SOW no more ground
than can be thoroughly prepared; but
where the soil is not too compact, and is
free from weed growth, blowing may
sometimes be dispensed with and the
upper crust be put in good shape to re.
ceive oats by careful narrowing. Thus
it may be under way before the pressing
spring work begins.
The chicken house produces fertil-
izer which is of great value when prop
erly handled. but one which can be
quickly made worthless by mistaken
methods. Lime or ashes are frequently
busted about them and thrown beneath
the roosts under the impression that
they are needed to keep the house pure.
These liberate the valuable ammonia.
To get the best results from chicken
manure feed it in semi liquid form
about the strawberry and other small
fruit plants. Sprinkle dry clay or land
plaster plentifully about, to absorb the
injurious gases in the hen house and
the excessive moisture, and remove
weekly.
If rats infest the barn, fill tight bar
rel half full of rye or other grain. and
give them treat for fortnight, plac-
ing board against the barrel for easy
access. Some night substitute water
for the grain, leaving enough of the lat
ter on top to deceive, and the results
may astonish you. Moreover, the rats
will leave that barn for months.
II farmers would exercise their, inge-
nuity as do manufacturers and business
men. in an effort to get up greater di'
versity of products and to put up the
old products in new ways, they could
widen their market almost indefinitely.
Ordinarily their market is a narrow
one.
The bulb of we'll developed onion
grows near the surface, the true roots
going down but few inches. If tt Q
soil is loose for any considerable depth
the roots will grow long, to the detri-
ment of the bulb, which becomes slender.
instead of growing full and round. Pillow
deep if you will. but harrow we'll and