The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-07-16
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
Hard or Sof, Food.

Experience shows that hard food is better
than soft food for poultry, not that il con-
tains more nutrition, but because hens are
tempted to eat more than they should Of
soft food. IL also supplies the wants of the
fowl more readily than the hard TODD, and
the lnducement TO work and scratch $50
essential to it's health and thrift is lessened.
When giving soft food, too, the pO1ltryman,
by mixing several kinds. is liable to give
more OF one kind than may be needed, while
with the hard grains the fowls have n greater
privilege Of selection of that which they
prefer. With mixed soft food they eat almost
everything of which it is composed, all or
none, and thereby surfe5t themselves. Is
is proper TO give soft food so rs to feed some
needed subs, Juces. Many believe three times
week sufficient. Give whole grain, and
scatter it tar and WIDE or mix 1T with litter,
thus compelling each hen 10 hunt and scratch
for all She receives, which will keep her in
health and promote egg production.
The Messy Cherry Tree.
One reason for the decay of cherry trees is
the fiehen or moss that aecumulates on the
bark, sometimes completely covering the
trunk aud the larger branches. Moss is an
added beauty TO a rosa different kind of q
moss, however merely resembling mOss-but
on n fruit tree 1t il neither ornamental nor use
full. 1t shuts out from he bark air and light,
both of which are Indispensable 10 the health
of tree. For years the tree may grow and
bear as usual, but in time it's vitality becomes
impaired until finally death ensucs. The
moss should be removed. This is best done
with a kind OF three-cOrReEed hoe having
the shank in the center. This can be made
-, H. 4. -
fastened in a handle about three feet in
length, and the implement is ready for use.
A good time for the work is after heavy
or a continued rain, when the moss is sOfb
and eusily scraped off. Whitewashing with
thin mixture of lime and ashes in water--
the ashes to relieve the glaring white color
will complete the business, and the tree
will show its gratitude by increased growth
and better bearing.
Potato Growing.
Prof Schweitzer, of the Missouri Expert
ment Station, gives some of the results Of
his experiments with potato raising in clay
SOIL as follows: 1t makes nod ffsKence what
ever whether the potatoes are planted
shallow or deep; the result depends entirely
upon the quality and texture of the sol, and
this, in large measure, upon the character Of
the season. 1t makes no difference what
ever whether potatoes are planted whole or
in pieces, or even in single eyes; the result
depends entirely upon the fertility of the
soil and the character Of the season, both Of
which determine the stand of the crop as
whole, as also the productiveness of each
individual plant It makes no difference
whether stem or seed end, whether small or
large potatoes, whether single eyes, quarters,
halves or wh0les are planted, excepting only
that small potatoes have the eyes less per-
fectly developed than large potatoes, and
that consequently, even under favorable
conditions Of soil and climate, the number
and vigor of individual plants from small
potatoes is invariably less than from large
ones.
Attractive and Serviceable.
There are soTe situations absut the farm
and farm buildings where the expense of .
picket-fence seems hardly to be warranted,
vet where the ordinary board fence does NOT