The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-04-11
GRICULTURE.

| AltnOugn appncatlOn6 OF amman ma
nure may not be needed by the clover,
the best possible way to manure the
! corn crop is to apply it to the sod the
year before; and when planting the corn
give a good top dressing of freshly
slackened lime. This increases the &C.
tivity of the nitrifying ferment plants in
the soil during the long hot season in
which corn makes its growth.
There is no crop grown in which the
Importance of good seed is so manifest
as it is in the corn crop. 1t is mistake to
merely select the best ears from the bin,
for these ears may not have come from
prolific stalks. Select from the field.
| and from the lower of two upon the
same stalk.
Corn for seed should always be grown
in the same latitude and climate where
the corn is to be raised. Seed from the
North must be acclimated in the South,
and Southern seed will not ripen in the
North. The famous Chester county
corn of Pennsylvania will be failure
both in New England and in the more
Southern States.
1t was formerly the idea that corn
would stand up better if the earth was
plowed up around it, but the fact is that
it stands better when not so treated.
When cultivated shallow and fiat upon
deeply buried sod it throws out stout
/ In ha MI hsnh foIx Hry,,
hold upon the soil, and these should be
uninjured by the pillow.
1t is folly to plant seed that we do not
know is good. Test the corn by taking
one or two kernels from number of
ears. Count the number of these kerr
mails which fail and the number which
show sprouts. and it is easy to tell about
the per cent of your seed which will
grow. This will govern you in planting
thick or thin.
The corn crop takes the place among
vegetables that the hog does among ami
mails; it will take all refuse, coarse ma
nure, grass sod, ETC., and make good use
of them, when many other plants would
starve. Still, we find that it pays to feed
it we'll.
For corn or potatoes, fine surface.
with Jumps and clods at the bottom, will
not do; it does not give proper bed for
the reception and termination of the
seed, and it will not be sufficiently re-
tentive Of moisture; and deep planting
of potatoes, that they may have level
cultivation, is the rational and proper
method.
A good supply of available plant food,
placed right in the reach of the seed as
it begins to start into growth, is the best
possible thing to hasten the crop of po-
tatoes. Manuring in the hill or drill is
good deal of trouble, but it pays when
we'll done; but first manure the land as
heavily as possible before it is plowed.
Farmers should call themselves to a
halt in selling so much unfinished pro-
duce from the farm, for it means total
loss of what are termed the "by pro.
ducts" Converting ones grain into high
priced food enhances it's value many
times, and from stock thus raised there
are other by-products to go right into
other productive channels. Sell as little
raw materials as possible.
STOCK.
Good stock and low prices will give
just as much profit as poor stock and
good prices. Good breeding stock can
now be bought at very reasonable
prices. and the opportunity to improve
the flocks and herds should be utilized
in view of the better times which are
sure to come.
A few acres of ensilage corn. cut at the
right time and put into good silo, will
help us solve the problem as to how stock
may be kept proftably. Land and
stock may be combined to no better ad.
vantage than by using the first to grow
ensilage. and then feed the product to
| the second.
Get rid of the ticks on sheep by Dip
ping them in kerosene emulsion or
tobacco decoction; or, make decoction
of tobocco stems, turn the sheep upon
its back. open the wool on it's belly from
head to tail, and pour into the opening
the warm liquid. II poured upon the
back it will follow the wool strands and
run off.
Lambs will begin to eat before they
are two weeks old. From that time
they should be pushed until they go to
the butcher. Let them have a feeding
place where they will be alone. and
whittier they may go and eat when they
will and all they will. II turned to pas.
ture, the grain should be continued;
they will be saleable at any time for as
much as lambs fed no grain would be
next fall.
Some horses have an annoying habit
especially when weary. Of lolling out the
tongue when wearing the bride. De.
vices to remedy this seem to have
faile6, for it is common thing yet.
Buckle strap in the bit ring. and draw
over the nose to hold the bit close to the
roof of the mouth, so that he can not get
the tongue over it.
Skim milk is of value in stock feeding,
but never at its best when fed alone.
| II io baffar m 1aa n in q oOna hinaf;