Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-02-20


what is needful to be provided to sus-
TAIN the growth of the plant. Geology,
100, has natural connection with agri-
culture. and invests the formation of
rock and soil with a new interest. 1t
SHOWS how chemical changes have pre-
pared heritage for man, and how by
the SLOW evolution of time the barren
rocks have become assimilated and suit
ed for his purpose.
Inere Is somewhat general impress
sion that the farmer does not require as
nigh an order of education as do other
classes OF workers. This is great
mistake. Farming is high intellec-
tual pursuit. and those devoted to it
nave need Of wider scope of knowl-
edge than any other class of men.
Inere are enough in its operations to
engage the abilities Of the most compre-
hensive minds; and it has failed to be
the leading occupation in all respects,
only because the intellectual force of
mankind has not sufficiently sought it
as field for its efforts. Now. however,
when 1t Is seen that it is connected with
the most interesting subjects of human
research, that the noblest of the
sciences illustrate its processes, that 1t
gives scope for enlightened intellects
and disciplined minds and demands
scientific skill, we shall see agriculture
inspired with mental power until 1t
takes the position of the most respect
ed, as 1t is the most important, of hui
man pursuits. We need to purge the
minds OF our youths Of the prejudice
that ranks agriculture as something
less honorable than other callings or
professions. Let them be brought to
feel the inherent dignity of their occu-
patton, and realize that by the vigor of
constitution it promotes, and the per-
sonal independence it secures, farming
Is the most desirable of pursuits
Joshua Legg.
Moisture and Frosts-In a recent
lecture Willis l.. Moore, the new chief
OF the government weather bureau,
spoke on the Importance of studying
the soil as we'll as the air in forecast
Ing frosts. The introduction Of this
feature added greatly to the efficiency
of the predictions Of the Wisconsin bu-
reau when he was in charge of that.
This state is noted for it's cranberry
beds, to which great damage is caused
by early frosts. Often there were de-
structive frosts when the town tenn
perature did not go below AZ degrees.
The frost depends, of course, upon the
lowering of the temperature of the soil.
If it is dry and porous it gives out its
heat readily; IL it is wet it has much
of water stability of temperature. A
half inch of rain evenly distributed is
enough to counteract many early frost
nips.-Ex.
Fifteen-Cent Corn.-"Corn at IL cents
a bushel is splendid property and the
man who husbands the same and stays
with it long enough is sure to come out
with handsome profit on the right side
of his ledger account" is the verdict of
markets. And H. H. Fitch in
Sac Sun says the words are fifty spoken.
There has never been time within the
recollection Of the Oldest settler when
corn bought and properly cribbed at Is
cents bushel would not pay good
profit on the investment within a year
and half, usually within year. There
ought to be cribbed in Sac City this fall
and winter fifty thousand bushels, yes
a hundred and fifty thousand. Here is
a fine chance to make money-better
than buying cattle. Buy Is cent corn
and according to all past experience,
you will prosper and make money
Elk.
Keeping Beets in Winter.-Beets are
very tender and easily injured by freez-
ing. They are therefore most common
ly put In the cellar, as that can be
watched more closely than pits and
there is less danger Of frost entering
before the owner is aware. Yet as a
matter of fact beets are better kept in
pits than in cellars. II put in the cell
lar at all some earth should be thrown
over them to keep them from whiting.
Care should also be taken not to have
the cellar too warm or the roots will
sprout and thus injure their quality.
Mangel wurtzels are better keepers
than beets. They ripen later and will
not sprout so early when put in a Gel
lar. In feeding the beets should be
given out first and the mangels re-
served until later in the season.-Ex.
Pasturing Winter Wheat.-The SUBJ
ect of pasturing winter wheat has re-
ceived some attention at the Kansas
Experiment Station. The conclusion is
arrived at that pasturing is always an
injury to the wheat. The extent of the
injury will vary with the character and
condition of the soil. A comparison of
plats pastured with those not pastured
amounted to one and one-half bushels
per acre. The theory that pasturing
wheat fields infested by the Hessian fly
is a benefit is thoroughly exploded. The
pupa of the fly is entirely out of reach
Of the cattle. being lodged between the
sheaths at the base of the young stems
below the surface Of the ground. Pas
turing such fields can only weaken the
plants and leave them at the mercy of
the fy.-Ex.