The Langston City herald. [volume] (Langston City, O.T. [Okla.]) 1891-1902, 1897-02-06
sheep In Illinois.


Illinois Sheep Breeders Association,
writes: The number Of persons en-
gagged in sheep breeding and feeding
has. in the past few years. been great
ly decimated, and the number OF sheep
in the state has decreased from 919,6S5,
valued at 1886 ,46S, in 1893. to 403, 1863,
valued at $1.642,124. in 1896. or loss
Of over 63 per cent in sheep and In
value. Whatever has been the cause
who have been engaged in this industry
must feel themselves somewhat to
blame, because they have in a measure
at least failed to properly look after
their own interests. These interests
are OF such Importance that too much
attention cannot be given them. In no
better way can the proper attention be
given than by an organization through
which thoughts and systems may be
presented and discussed. and a united
effort be made to restrict causes for
loss and improve advantages for gain
BY organization only. can these things
be accomplished You are. therefore,
asked to give this association your
name and your earnest efforts In max
ing 1t the means of a 'betterment for
the sheep industry" of our state.
Another common method OF fraud
consists in mixing old or dead" seeds
with fresh material. In some cases
seeds of an entirely different variety or
species are thus mixed with good seed.
Care Is generally taken. Of course. to
employ seeds that are SO similar In
shape and appearance as to make de-
lection difficult to the ordinary OBJ
server. To prevent the fraudulent seed
from growing, and thus disclosing tho
fraud, 1t is first killed by heating or
chemicals. In this way the seeds OF
black medic are mixed with those Of
red clover. KILLED" seeds of charlock
are frequently mixed with those Of
rutabaga and turnip, which 1t re-
sembles very closely. A certain fam
lily in London made business Of sup
plying seedsmen with KILLED" seeds Of
charlock for twenty years. Similar
practices are known to exist in America
at the present time.
Weeds and Frost.-It is a common
mistake to suppose that all weeds are
killed by frost, and when a good freeze
has come they give the weeds In gar
dens and among hoed crops no further
attention. The truth is that some OF
| the worst weeds are not injured by
light frosts, but are thereby melted to
produce few seeds to perpetuate their
species the following season. Very
small weeds, only two or three inches
high. will do this. The safest way is
to plow or cultivate them under the
soil. The seed in connection with the
plant being then green will often rot
while II the seed drops to the ground
from the frosted plant 1t will not easi.
iy rot, but is sure to give trouble In
future years.-Ex.
Salt on Manure.-There is no better
way to make manure soluble ant
quickly fitted to give its fertility te
crops than to throw salt on 1t. Sal,
hastens decomposition when used In
small quantities. and its attraction fol
moisture helps to keep the manure
from firefanging. Applying salt ant
land plaster In equal proportions Il
manure heaps is an excellent plan
The ammonia liberated by fermenta
ton will be absorbed by the plaster
making q sulphate Of ammonia, whicl
ia a very powerful and Quick-actini
fertilizer.-Ex.
Butchers Exposition.--A butchers
exposition. under the patronage Of thu
Duke Of York and the lord mayor o
London began on December 8 in tn
Royal Agricultural Hall, Is'iagton
There are exposed to view dresses
meats of every variety. and the killinl
and dressing Of animals takes place be
fore the audience. The patrons hav'
created two new classes for Frencl
poultry-born. bred and killed Il
France--and articles have appeared Il
the French provincial journals advis
ing farmers to compete for the prizes
Farm mortgages are Increasing.