The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-03-27

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The Chinese artichoke stachys tuberifico)
which is recommended by the Country
Gentleman, Albany, n. Y, as being very
prolific, Welding as much as 500 bushels of
tubers per acre, has not been extensively
distributed in this country, and some al
lowance must be made of the claims in
favor of the new varieties, as soil and eli
mate are to be considered. No doubt if all
that has been stated in its behalf is true it
will prove valuable acquisition, but
heavy yields can only be secured when the
soil is rich. The common artichOke yields
largely if given cultivation. One difficulty
with artichokes is that after being estab-
lished they are not easily eradicated, the
fields being given up to hogs, which root
up the tubers, to which they are very
partial
Carbon disulphide, a liquid, is very vola-
tile, and for that reason it is used in grain
bins for destroying insects injurious to
grain. The gas is heavier than the air and
goes downward, penetrating every portion
of the bin. One pound of the bisulphide
placed in shallow pans in tight bin is
sufficient for 100 bushels of grain. The
cost, if bought in so pound cans, is about
10 cents per pound. Being highly intlam-
mable fire must be kept away from it, a
lighted pipe or cigar being sufficient to
ignite it. 1t is not injurious to the grain.
The farmer who plants his crops this sea-
son should not be governed by the prices
or abundance of last year When an article
is below the demand one year the supply
NAV be above the demand the next year.
1t is good rule to plant the kind OF crops
that Others are discarding, as you will have
less competition the following year. 1t is
unwise also to depend on single crop, as
drought or wet weather may diminish the
yield.
Currants and gooseberres are not diff
cult to grow compared with some fruits,
and they always bring good prices because
less abundant than other kinds. Currants
can be left on the bushes one or two weeks
after ripening, which permits OF picking
raspberries before harvesting the currants.
The bushes are attacked by insects enemies
which can easily be kept in check with
careful attention, and when full crop is
secured there is good profit therefrom.
Asparagus will soon be ready for the
table. In this section it is grown by level
culture. A better plan is to throw fur
row over the bed with pillow from each
side, making mound two feet high, which
permits of avoiding STOPPING low when cut
ting and also because the heavy covering
of earth prevents loss Of moisture. The
tops will grow through any depth of COW
ering
Egg plants, tomatoes and peppers should
be in every garden, but to have them bear
early they should be now well under way
in hotbeds, or few may be grown in a
box in the window of the dwelling house.
Egg plants are very tender, and should
not be put too soon, as the potato beetle
prefers them to all other foods, eating the
whole plant, including the fruit. Toma-
toes and peppers are also tender but are
more easily grown than egg plants.
If there are farmers who have never
grown culitlower they should do so and
discover what luxury they have been
netilecting, and which will so little COM
pared with its value
A Missouri fruit farm contains 105, 600
peach trees; 80, 600 of apple; 5000 of pear
5000 of plum 1900 of cherry and 40 acres
of berries The owner states that fruit
pays better than general farming, and he
has, therefore, entered into the business
largely.
The fields located at a distance from the
barnyard must not be sighted when the
manure is being distributed. II the fields
near the barn receive the larger share the
rear fields will gradually lose in fertility.
The cost of hauling is quite an item and
for that reason farmers should use more
fertilizers.
Sour food causes sc0urs in pigs, and
when food has been cooked its liability to
become sour is greater than when raw.
For the first month the food of the SOW
should be of the best quality, and no food
should be left over in the trough after she
has eaten.
March and April are months during
which sudden changes occur Cold rains
and dampness cause more disease than the