Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1899-11-27
Horticultural observatieps.

"A@J SAAAS SOuAtAJ SAOulu AOt UCCOmO
noted for its production of dates The
date palm in Africa is wonderful
tree. It is wonderful because it seems
particularly adapted to grow in q re-
gion where the conditions are such
that most other valuable trees refuse
to live at all. 1t will stand torrid heat
and thrive in 1t. It will feed on alkali
water and bring forth rich harvests.
We have the torrid heat in some OF
our southern valleys, particularly In
Arizona. There is also the condition
Of moisture supply. The alkali water
has been thing that has prevented
us from avafling ourselves Of the
farming regions in that part OF the
country. In Africa the Arabs frequent
~ dig pit 20 or 30 feet deep and
plant their date palms in the bottom.
SO that their trees can dip their feet
in the waters OF the earth and warm
their heads in the fires of heaven" On
our western plains both Of these con-
diticns may be found. The date palm
will stand 16 degrees below freezing
without being injured, and this degree
OF cold is more than it will be neces-
sary to provide for in the valleys OF
Arizona
The British system of growing
grapes in greenhouses is obtaining
something of hold in this country.
IN England the grapes have been so
grown for generations. OF course to
make 1T profitable the prices for the
fruit have to be far beyond what or
binary people can afford to pay, and
SO it is no. unusual thing to hear about
such grapes selling at 81 per pound,
and in rare instances the prices have
gone up to SO per pound. In this coun-
try the industry is confined to the East
and especially New York. We predict
that the industry in the hands OF
Americans will assume greater pro-
portions than it has ever assumed in
England, with a corresponding fall In
prices The Americans will set their
brains to work and will find out ways
to reduce the cost of building the
houses necessary and also the cost OF
heating them. Favorable locations
will also be found where the natural
conditions OF heat and sunshine are
the best, and this will mean reduc-
ton of the fuel bill. Perhaps among
the mountains in our coal regions will
be found locations especially adapted to
this business. The late inventions that
promise to make coal dust and screen
fngs available at a low price will /
doubtless be a factor in the case
The question of tree protection in
the winter is one that is largely I'M |
solved. At every horticultural con-
vention that the writer attends it is
live subject, and a great variety OF
opinions are brought to the surface. |
The discussion runs along the line Of
experience, that is, each man argues
BY reporting his own experience in |
protecting trees This shows that the |
subject is not fully understood, that |
the laws that control the effectiveness
Of winter protection are not yet I'M
derstood. Recently it has Deen re-
ported that during the last winter
many trees suffered that had been pro-
tected by wood veneering. The bark
died under the covering. Now savants
are asking why. Some suggest that it
may have been due to the space filling
up with water that froze and remained
SO till spring. Others think that it
might have been due to the non-ripen-
ing of the wood under the yeneering.
Evidently it will take long course OF
experimentation scientifically con-
Quoted to arrive at the cause of sue
cess and failure in protecting trees.
The Lean Cow.-Another COW may
be pouring nearly all her feed and part
Of herself into the milk pail. 1t is
often said that COW will first take
care Of herself before she will make
milk out of her feed. She does not
always do It, There are cows that
seem intent on making milk and moth
ing else They utterly neglect to feed
their systems, and such cows will be-
come thinner and thinner. II we are
watching the individual and observe
a COW like that, We will increase the
ration and keep on increasing it as
long as we can get returns. 1t is a
little trouble-but not SO much after
all to vary the rations to suit diff
ferent COWS. The COW that is taking
On flesh should have very little, II any.
fat forming food Eliminate the corn
neal or other similar ingredient from
her ration. Feed her wholly or main
" on heterogeneous foods. For the thin
COW increase the fat-forming elements.
-Ex
Conserving Soil Moisture. = Some
experiments by the Kansas