The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-09-01
Facts for Farmers.
Prom the Ph.laaelphIa Reeora.

have been made too fat OF kept too
closely in the barnyard without exer-
else. II is waste Of food TO give cows
grain twice day II they are not In full
How Of milk. When very fat, cows
will do best on a pasture Of scanty
heritage, ON which they must travel
about for their food.
/ Every farmer who goes into debt, or
mortgages his farm, should keep in
view the fact that sooner or later 3
time will arrive when that debt must
be paid. If capital Is needed to oper-
ate the farm the amount borrowed
should be as small as possible, and the
ability to cancel the obligation in the
future should be carefully considered
II farmer will, OF must, go in debt
the safest method will be 10 invest in
manure or fertilizers, as the crops will
thereby be increased and the farm be-
come more valuable.
The varieties Of eantaiOupes differ
very much. Those that are the most
attractive in appearance may be def
cient in quality. The little Jenny
| Lind and Melted Gem are of fine fla
vor and excellent quality, but are
small One Of the best varieties is the
Emerald Gem, which is Of medium
size, dark in appearance Of rind and
not very attractive, but is always fav-
Orite with those who grow il. As soon
as ripe the melon lOOsens itself from
the vine, a peeuliarity Of the Emerald
Gem only.
The value of trees does not solely de-
pend upon the amount Of fruit that can
be derived therefrom. Trees are orna-
mental, provide shade, and give value
to the farm from several standpOints.
a farm bare Of trees will not be valued
at One-haif the sum that would be esti-
mated for one that contains them.
The first cost Of trees is but little, and
in proportion to the capital invested
in them the increased value of the
farm may be ten or hundred-fold.
Ounces are usually scarce in market
aad far below the demand. Not one
farm in hundred contains a ounce
tree, yet the trees will thrive well on
nearly all soils il the borers are pre-
vented and care bestowed, though the
ounce, like other fruit, thrives best on
soils that are not too wet.
The cows must first pay for their
/ board before the profit is given. If the
fOcd eaten does not come back 10 the
farmer in milk aud butter in sufficient
amounts to give return for the cost
Including shelter and labor the un-
profitable cows should be taken out OF
the herd.
Evergreen hedges will last for years
if they ale kept in good condition by
careful trimming. The great seOurge Of
hedges is the basket worm, which can
however, be easily kept in check, but
which is not done by all, the result be-
ing that the hedges in an entire CON-
munity are sometimes ruined by the
negligence Of few.
If weeds are allowed TO become dry
before they are turned under they will
rob the land Of fertility, but if plOwed
under when green they will quickly
decOmpose and restore to the land that
OF which the land was deprived By
plowing under the green weeds there
will be no seeds.
The hay press is valuable machine
ON farms from which hay is sold. lt
costs more to load and unload loose
hay on wagon than the hay is worth
sometimes, especially if it is to be haul
ed to a distance, but the bales are ham
died easily and quickly and save much
labor.
\ merinO ram sold for 5000 in Sid
ney, and at other points in Australia
from 5000 to 5000 have been paid
for rams. These prices are high, but
the sheep breeders did not make any
considerable profit until they began TO
buy the best rams in other countries
MiIlet should now be ready 10 cut,
but if there is an abundance of hay and
other feeding material it will be an ex-
eellent experiment to plow- the millet
under and then broadcast lime liberal
ly over the surface of the land, sowing
rye or crimson clover after applying
the lime. The lime and millet will in
crease humus in the soil and improve
it in several ways.
Apples need not be wasted. Those
that can not be sold can be converted
into vinegar. Good cider vinegar is
not as plentiful as one may be suppose,
the market being supplied with imita-
tations Of inferior kinds. Only good
apples should be used for choice vine
gar.
There is more eatarrh in this section
of the country than all other Diseases
put together, and until the last few
years was supposed to be incurable.
Enr a orraaf many VAR Inafnre prau-