The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-02-14
FARM NEWS AND VIEWS.
The Early Spring Crops-Work That
Should Be Done Before Spring

asparagus and rhubarb. Onions Will
stand frost, aud are frequently pat out
in March, if the weather mOderstes,
but April is more favorable The
ground can not be too rich, and for a
small plot the sets are used. The
ground should be deep, plenty Of we'll
rotted manure applied, and the sets
kept free from grass and weeds until
the crop gets we'll under way. Aspar-
agus and rhubarb should now receive a
heavy coating of manure, so that the
liquid portions may be carried down by
the rains. If this is delayed too long
the plants may not be benefited by the
manure. Something depends upon the
severity of the winter from now until
April, but in some sections there are
warm periods when the ground can be
worked. After the winter IS over, but
before spring comes in with warm
weather, considerable work can be
done, and early peas should not be
overlooked, as they are hardy and eau
stand certain amount OF exposure.
Asparagus usually makes its appear
anee at any time during April or May,
according to the season, and there is
now but a short period Of time to at
tend to the bed.
As a reference for those who may de-
sire TO know how much butter to ex-
peet from milk, it may be mentioned
that no correct average can be given,
as milk from different cows varies
Milk containing per cent. Of butter
fat will make one pound of butter from
- pounds about 49, quarts of milk.
One quart of milk weighs 2-l5 pounds.
Milk containing Is per cent. Of solids
should contain about per cent. of fat,
81 per cent. of albumen, and 81 per
cent. of milk sugar, ash, etc. The av-
erage amount of butter fat in cream is
about - per cent The separator meth
cd Of handling cream occasions less
waste than by the old method. An
bAiCc VI -AiA = LuC AAAoN I@AASS III OHS
pound of butter.
The farmer has his reverses, and du-
ring some years makes little or no
profit; but the man who has farm,
even if but a small one, controls the
opportunities to labor. He does not
have 10 seek employment, and can at
least grow enough to supply his wants.
Five bushels of wheat will supply one
person with bread for q year, hence
only three acres in wheat viii keep
family of six in bread. The farmer can
also produce meat, fruits, vegetables,
honey, milk, eggs, butter. etc and By
canning a supply for winter can have
his table set with a variety at all SET
sOTs.
The winter is the time to clean up
the farm. On some farms the waste
wafer is thrown near the house, dead
gra-s and weeds accumulat', and filth
inivarious forms exists. Cold weather
hides many disagreesole things, be-
cause there are then no Odors, but the
filth remains, however, and decay be-
gins with the warm weather Of spring.
Every farm needs good cleaning up
at least once year.
An excellent way to test seeds is to
place a few between two flannel cloths,
dampening the cloths with warm wa
ter, placing them in a warm location,
and keeping them moist. Some of the
seeds will germinate if kept at an even
temperature. Another method is to
plant a few in a cigar box filed with
earth.
Heifers should be given time to grow
and mature. As rule, heifers are al
lowed to come in too soon, and genera
ton after generation follows from stock
that is losing vigOr and hardness. No
animals can be relied upon that were
not given favorable conditions when
young. II the heifers are given an
other year Of growth they will be more
useful later on, and the lime thus al
lowed them will not be lost.
It is not necessary to disturb the roots
Of plants by digging manure in TO a
great depth. By removing an inch or
two of the tOp-soil around rOse-bushes
and using well-rotted manure, return
ing the top soil and working it in with
the manure, will serve as well as work
ing deeper. \ great many plants are
thrown back by too much digging of
the soil. Where the ground becomes
very hard and is too compact TO admit
water to the roots, the earth may be dug
TO the depth of six inches or more, but
it is seldom that this is necessary il the
plants have been attended to in other
respects. A slight chopping Of the sur
face, to keep down weeds and grass,
will also keep the plants in good con-
dition.
When the ground for corn is ready ii
should be the object of every farmer to
select his seed, even if he only selects
for one row. Corn is easily improved,
and the large yields sometimes secured
on test plots are due as much to the fact
that each seed was selected from among
many others as to the manure and cul-
tivatiOn bestowed. Hand picking the
seed corn is work that is tedious, and
not relished by many, but it may be
done for plot, by way Of experiment.
aud the seed from the plot should be
used the next season, improving in
that manner every year.
If the ground is cold the strawberry
bed may be burned over, which will
clean the surface. This need not he
done until later, if preferred, or just
before the winter mulch is removed.
After the plants have made their growth
a mulch Of clean straw or salt hay will
not only assist to protect against drOuth,
but will also keep the fruit clean. 1t is
not necessary to cultivate strawberries
in early spring, as cultivation disturbs
the surface roots, but the bed should be
cleaned, however, either by fire or by
Iaking.
Weeds and other refuse left in the
fence corners last fall should be care
fully cleaned away before spring. They
can be easily raked out, as they are now
dry, and the best way to dispose Of such