The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-20


ease water must be used until the grass
starts. The other is to plow or spade
the plot, apply plenty Of wellrOtted
manure and seed 10 mixed lawn grass.
This should be done in August, but If
rains are plentiful seed sown in the
spring will make a lawn before the
summer is over. The most important
point is to use the lawn mower at prop
er time. If the grass is kept very close
it will not thrive, especially the first
year. 1t may ee moved twoor three
times during the year, so "a TO thicken
the growth, but to keep the lawn
shaved at all times will injure the
grass, as it must be given time to be-
come well established. The best fer
tiIizer for lawn of one acre Is mix
ture Of so pounds nitrate OF soda, -
pounds muriate Of potash and so
pounds bone meal, which is not heavy
application, however. Mulch the lawn
late in the fall with fine manure that is
free from litter.
Seeds are being introduced into this
country from Asia that may prove Of
much benefit. A species Of alfalfa,
superior to any in this country, has
been secured, and muskmelOns of extra
large size and superior quality, some
varieties Of which are winter keepers.
Cherry trees that thrive in locations
where the thermometer goes 40 degrees
below zero may also be mentioned, and
also variety of raspberry, which is
large and endurss the cold, as well ss a
large number of other fruits, vegeta-
bles, grains and grasses.
Evergreen hedges are ornamental
and useful. The desire to secure
quick hedge induces close setting Of the
plants, which causes them to crowd in
after years as well as struggle for plant
food. Give plenty of room at first, al
lowing not less than yard of space
between plants, as they will I'LL the
space as they advance in growth. The
enemy of hedges is the basket worm,
and the baskets should be picked
off and burned. They are really eoeoOns
and can be easily found. Spray the
hedge with Paris green two or three
times during the season.
A good garden fertilizer, suggested
by the New Jersey Experiment Station
consists Of 200 pounds each Of nitrate of
soda, dried blood and tankage making
600 pounds; muriate of potash, l0O
pounds, aud phosphate, 1000 pounds.
1t will then contain about four per
cent. Of nitrogen, nine per cent Il
potash. 1t makes one ton Of fertilizer
and may be used in any quantity pre-
ferred.
Oats sOwn for forage should not be
overlooked. The crop should be cut
while the seed is in the milky stage, as
the stalks are then in the best condi-
ton, containing the elements then on
the way to complete the grain. Oats
cut at such stage and properly cured
are highly relished by stock.
Try using single stake for tomato
plants if a trellis or other support is in-
convenient for each plant. Simply
drive stout stake, about four feet long,
into the ground and set out a tomato
plant at each stake. Nip OFF the bot
tom branches and allow the plant TO
grow so as to make its branches near
the top, which will protect the fruit
from rotting.
Rape should be given a trial by every
farmer who desires to increase his
supply of green food. 1t is gaining
favor wherever introduced and is solv-
ing the problem of sheep raising. 1t
should be sown as early as possible and
is ready for use in seven or eight weeks,
providing several cuttings until frost
or freezing weather comes in the fall,
OF it may be sOwn in succession until
July. Sow five pounds of seed broad
east on one acre, first having the
ground in good condition. II the seed
is drilled into the soil then only one
half the quantity may be used. Rape
is also excellent for cattle, swine and
poultry, but for sheep it is considered
superior, the sheep being turned on the
plot, or hurdled on portions, as pre-
ferred.
Those who planted early peas may be
disappointed in the seeds not germina-
ting, due probably to the freezing OF
the ground and the seeds rotting in the
soil. An excellent mode of planting
peas is to put them in a trench, about
seven inches deep, covering the seed
about an inch, and as the plants grow
in the trench fill in with dirt around
them until they get beyond the surface.
By so doing the peas will produce more
pods and last longer.
If the wheat looks weak broadcast
100 pounds of nitrate Of soda per acre
over it, and a change in its appearance
will be noticed in few days after the
first rain comes from the time Of SOW
ing. The wheat plants will become
green aad make rapid growth. The
cost OF the fertilizer will be about 81 50,
but it will increase the yield OF grain
and straw more than to repay for its
use.
Those who grow asparagus by level
culture object to the work of cutting
the shoots. The proper way is TO hill
up the rows 30 inches high, so as not to
be compelled to bend the body low in
cutting. If the shoots are cut just as
the tips are appearing through the
ground they will be tender from the
ends to the butts.
1t is not always that the entire crop
Of peaches or plums is destroyed be-
cause of a sudden change to cold
weather. While q large number Of
buds may be destroyed, yet enough
may remain to pay profit, as it is well
known that during those years when
crops are short the prices are much
higher. Light crops do not exhaust
the trees and lands as much as do crops
from overladen trees, hence the cost Of
productiOi- is lessened and the profits
greater.