The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-03-12
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
Fighting the Chinch-buS.

ing some experiments, and have gained
much valuable knowledge about fighting
ehinch-bugs. In 1891 the losses from this
source were practically confined to the
southeast quarter of that State, and in this
portion mainly to region included in a
row Of two Counties on the eastern aud
southeastern border. In 1895 the area was
somewhat extended, but the most serious in
juries occurred in the same Counties, with
the addition of a part of Jackson County.
IL is interesting to note that the Winter
wheat area and the ehinch-bug area are
almost identical.
If proper attention is given to chinch-
bugs seasons, and to the adoption of known
preventive measures, the insect can be held
within bounds. With proper knowledge
and the adoption of certain simple methods
at the right time wheat can be grown rs
continuous crop on the same farm, as well
as oats and corn. As means of prevention,
destroy ali old rubbish, straw, oornstalks,
etc. When the bugs appear in limited areas
apply kerosene emulsion in sufficient quanti-
ties TO destroy old bugs and young Larvae.
If large areas are affected pIOw under the
crop and roll the field immediately Decoy
crops, such as wheat or barley, may be
planted quite early, and bugs which collect
on these early-sown grains may be killed by
blowing under or some similar process.
Migration may be prevented by cutting
such crop of wheat or barley little before
maturity, removing the crop and burning
the stubble as soon as ID is dry. Dusty fur
rows may be used when other means are
not practicable. PIOw q strip o few yards
wide and thoroughly pulverize this with
harrow. Then, in this strip, make two or
three deep burrows. or a series of shallow
ones, with slOping. dusty sides. The white
fungus, or ehinch-bug disease, proved only
partially successful last year, and it cannot
be relied upon to check this pest to the
exclusion of other well-known measures,
which shall be diligently applied whenever
necessary.
Value of CataIpa Trees.
As shade-trees they are especially desirable
about the home lot. They are of rapid
growth, and are easily grown from the seed;
their broad leaves, while adding much to
their beauty, are better adapted for shading
than those of any other trees; their flowers
while in season, are both pretty and fragrant;
the trees will bear cutting in better than
most Others, and can be pruned even to the
trunks every season, if desirable, and will
but throw out the better growth, their vigor
IS so great. Freshly pruned, they present
the first season quite unique appearance
with great clusters of tropical-Ike leaves that
soon develop into branches.
Every farmer who has raised the trees
knows that they make the best fence posts,
and that fence thus provided will outlast
three others, the wood is so indestructible.
Branches trimmed from the main stem and
used as props for Lima beans in the garden
have been IN use many years, and are as good
as ever. 1t is said to be the firmest and best
wood for railroad ties, and for whatever other
use an indestructible wood is needed.
Why, then, should we not grow more ca
talpa trees? They are good shade-trees for
the street, invaluable at home for the same
purpose, while as ornamental trees they have
always won favor. | never look at the great
trunk OF some old catalpa tree but / think of
the boon 1T will some day be to the ecOnOm-
ical fence maker; that is, if fences are in
vogue in the future.-Vieks Magazine.
Pekin, Aylesbury and Rouen Ducks.
The breeds of ducks which appear to be
most in favor are the Pekin, the Aylesbury
and the ROuen. One of the oldest and most
duck breeders givesthe Pekin breed
decided preference. He has found that in
every partieular-layiDg weight market
qualities, etc.-it is superior to the AyleS-
burys, while the latter surpass the Rouens
The Pekins are large, uniform in size, with
compact bodies, short reddish legs, long necks
and yellow beaks. Their feathers are white,
with yellowish tinge in the under part,
very fine in quality and abundant in guam
tity. Fine ducks will Sometimes yield o
pound of feathers, and, as the feathers COM
mand a good price, it is thought that they
will pay the cost of dressing and shipping. .
The Aylesburys are white-feathered and
have fiesh-eolored bill and orange legs. They
are recommended for their fecundity, early
maturity and propensity to take on fat.
The Rouens, in color, resemble the wild
ducks, but are larger. They are highly es-
teemed for the delieacy and fine flavor of
their flesh. They are prolific layers of large
eggs and are of quiet habit. writer re-
ports that he has frequently known a pair of
brakes of this breed to weigh II pounds at 10
weeks old.
Care of Roses.
To have healthy roses in the house the
plants should be washed and syringed fire.
quently, and they must have plenty of light
and sun. They have to be watered whenever
the soil becomes dry. Then they should have
enough water to Saturate the entire ball of
soil, but not so much that the water stands
around their roots in the saucers beneath
them, which is rule to be observed with all
house plants except aquaties Fading flowers
have to be removed at once. Struggling
branches should be cut Off Few plants bear
pruning better than the rose. Keep con-
slant lookout for insects
Here and There.
Get your sweet potato seed in the hotbeds
his month, and in using seed be careful 10
procure it from some source where the rot has
lot prevailed. A single diseased potato MAY
ause all of the plants to be affected. If the
ot prevailed in the crop last year do not use
eed from your neighborhood, and be careful
o select piece of land on which potatoes
lave not been previously grown, also making
new hotbed, as the old one may commune
ate the disease to the plants.
White clover should be grown wherever
ees are kept, as they can work on white clover,
ut not on the red variety. Although white
lover is not regarded as worthy of growth
Dr. hay, yet it is the best of all forage plants
)r the pasture Sheep will leave all other
inds for white clover, and as it will grow on
lnds where the red will not thrive it is one
f the most valuable aids for stock that the
irmer can have.
This country imports green peas in the
AIMED condition, yet there is no crop grown
lore easily in the United States. Canned