The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-10-27
All Around the Farm.

farmers who went into the fields for
that purpose. One farmer found stool
Of wheat in his field Of stout straw and
large heads, which were well filed
with plump grains. He very carefully
picked over the seed, discarding all in
ferior grains. For several seasons he
would not plant seed that had not been
picked over by hand. IL may have
been tediOus work, bat he increased
his yield ten bushels per acre cOmpar-
eel with former years. The large corn
yields, which took prizes offered and
which exceeded 100 bushels per acre,
were due to the careful selection seed,
all imperfect grains being taken out.
ANY farmer can do likewise, and can,
by looking over his seed during the
winter, increase his crop the follow
ing season when such seed is used.
Success depends largely on the seed,
yet farmers buy seeds every year OF
which they know nothing The
method is to plant the selected seed in
row to itself and cultivate with
wheel hoe, 80 as TO afford the plants
every opportunity for growth.
Burning over the strawberry bed Is
work which some will not perform for
fear Of injuring the plants. A grower
who desired to test the method piled
straw in the spaces OF a few of the
plants TO the depth Of six inches. The
foliage of the plants that were burned
over was Of better color the next season
and much heavier than on those not
50 treated.
Work that does not pay IN the fall
may bring good results in the spring.
Every fence corner, or other harboring
place for weeds, should be cleaned out.
Every weed means perhaps thousand
seeds, and hundreds Of weeds may
grow therefrom in spring. The seeds
of some weeds are light and can be
carried to every portion Of the farm by
winds. To avoid work in spring that
is Improbable clear every weed off the
farm now, and as soon as it can be
done, as every days delay gives the
seed an opportunity to mature.
Take two cows and give one a warm
stall, with clean bedding, allowing the
other a stall in which there Is a crack
in the wall, which lets the wind come
through. The COW that IS comfortable
and warm will give more milk than
the other, because she has warmth in
her favor.
Every season the farmers receive So
Iicitations or temptations to purchase
seeds or plants Of some new variety,
and vet if they will read the circulars
and descriptions, as well as the claims,
in favor Of the new varieties Of the past
they will find wonderful claims in
favor of some that are barely recOgniz-
ed now. This Is because something
better comes every season Though
some new varieties are worthless J; but
the production and quality Of all kinds
of fruit have been improved by the in
PRODUCTION every year Of new eandi-
dates for favor. No farmer or fruit
grower should accept the claims IN
favor Of a new tree or vine, but should
test it himself by procuring only one
or two for that purpose.
Wheat stubble and refuse may be the
harboring places of ehinch bugs and
other enemies. As soon as il can be
done rake up all refuse and fire the
pile. The fall Of the year is a good
time to fight the enemies that do the
most damage in spring and summer
a man or an animal can endure any
amount Of ventilation during the day,
but when night comes the animal, Ike
the man, delights in a warm and soft
bed. free from cold draughts of air.
The cold draughts in the stable fire.
quently come along the floor, chilling
the animal when it is at rest. This
fact should teach the farmer that he
will make no mistake in using plenty
Of dry bedding, and it should be thick
and loose, thus preventing draughts
from below and assisting to retain the
animal heat.
To prevent disease spreading in an
orchard dig up every tree that shows
signs of being affected, and then Use
spraying solutions on the others In
the fall it will be found beneficial To
use air-slaked lime freely on the ground
/ blth for trees and vines.
4 poultry house is not simply place
| in which the fowls should rOOst. In
winter, when the ground is covered
/ with snow, the hens are almost help-
less. and mlf,t remain inside. They
should kave plenty of room on the
floor, which should be kept covered
with cut straw or leaves, in which they
can scratch and work Overlooking on
grain is the cause of hens not laying,
and il also leads to dOuble-yOlk eggs,
soft-shelI eggs and diseases Each fowl
should have ten square feet Of room On
the floor; that is, poultry house 10 by
10 feet should accommodate ten fowls
Fodder cut somewhat green, before
the leaves turn yellow, Is said TO be
highly relished by horses when shred
ded, but much depends upon the stage
Of growth at which the fodder is cut.
Store the tools and implements under
shelter. If possible take them apart
an6 give the pieces thorough clean
ing with kerosene, which will assist in
preventing rust. Ii would lie also an
advantage TO sharpen blades, 3nd be in
readiness for work without 'ei%y as
soon as spring opens. All repal : anu
extras should be ordered now, Is it
may require days or weeks L. seeNre
them at a time when work is pressing !.
Plant walnuts where you wish the
trees to grow, 1t is not necessary To
remove the hulis. Cover To the depth
of two inches. Plant a row which can
be used for transplanting to vacancies
that may occur.