The record-union., 1896-06-11

climate are -eminently adapted to
onion culture have found it profitable to
till large areas. Twenty-Five to one
hundred acres in one field Is not an
unusual thing in such localities. Large
yields overstock the market some years,
resulting in very low prices, but the
prices received during a series of years
make onion culture, as a rule, proht-
able enterprise where the soil and cll-
matte conditions are favorable.
Notwithstanding the extensive pro-
duction of onions in the United States,
hundreds of thousands of bushels are
annually shipped to our ports from
bermuda, France, Spain and Cuba.
This fact demonstrates that the home
demand at all seasons of the year is not
yet fully supplied by growers OF our
own country. The bulbs of foreign
varieties are superior in quality to
those originated in this country-Sucn
as the Yellow DanyerS, Red Wethers-
field and Silver Skin. The imported
bulbs are also placed on the market be-
fore the gardeners in the North can
mature their crops, but the long sea-
son of California and certain parts or
the South renders it possible for these
sections to cultivate successfully the
foreign varieties and mature the onions
almost, if not quite, as early as the
countries named"
EGGS USED IN THE ARTS.
1t is not generally well known that
a large proportion Of the eggs used In
this country are employed in tbe man
ufacture of other things beside food,
says the American Cultivator." 1t
is said that the calico print works
use over 100000 eggs each year and
the demand is increasing. Wine clar-
ifiers call for 100000 dozens, and
many more are used in various arts.
The book binders employ them in the
finishing of fine feathers, and photo
graphic establishments use large guam
titles in preparing a sizing for photo
graphs and other purposes. These diff
ferent uses tend to keep the price Of
eggs UP to a uniform standard.
WASH FOR ORANGE TREES.
The following laxative wash for the
bark of orange trees is recommended
by a grower in the Highland District:
Mix five pounds whale oil soap in ten
gallons of water. Add one can concen-
trated I've and one quart coal oil. Boil
long enough to dissolve all the soap.
Apply to the trunk and branches of the
tree with a brush during March or
later. 1t is excellent for young trees
to keep the bark from hardening. If
put on after the winter rains it will
keep the bark in good condition all
summer
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
I'VE have heard of persons who put
a peck of potatoes in the bottom of
the hole when setting out trees. with
apparently good results" says the
Rural New Yorker" which explains
that "a ton of potatoes will contain
IN round figures seven pounds of nj
trogen, three of phosphoric acid and
twelve Of potash-worth about 81 so
as compared with fertilizers and about
as much organic matter and water as
stable manures. When crushed and
put in the hill, the potatoes will give
as much fertility as equal weights of
manure and probably retain moisture
better"
Sulphur mixed with soft food and
given two or three times a month has
a very beneficial effect 1t seems to
permeate through the system of the
fowl, promoting health and preventing
disease. 1t also has a tendency to rid
poultry of vermin. Mix with the feed
intended for ten or a dozen fowls about
two dessert spoonfuls of pulverized
sulphur. Give as directed, and the ben
eficial result thereof will be seen in
very short time.
Egg shells if crushed and mixed with
the soft food are good for the hens.
Inc TACT that they eat them greediIv
Is sufficient proof that they contain
something which the fowls need. They
should never be fed unless mixed with
other food for fear of leading to the
habit of egg-eating.
A Suisun farmer is experimenting
with coffee seed obtained from the Ag
rlcuItural Department at Washington.
he intends to pay strict attention to
the cultivation of the seed. and his ex
perlments will be watched with inter-
est by many outside of his own yicin-
ity.