The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-01-10
FARM NEWS AND VIEWS.
Butter and Milk Rscords-Preparing
for Spring Work.

for Spring Work.
Records of noted cows are not secur-
ed solely on account of the individual
being of certain breed. Those who
make Use of selected breeds also study
the best and most economical methods
of feeding. The animal is simply the
machine for converting food into milk
and butter, and IL would fail to accom-
plish the object desired but for the
character of the food. When cows are
tested for records they are not fed on
straw and fodder, and with the view of
saving in the food, but, on the contra
ry the best foods that can be obtained
are not considered too good or costly.
Grain, clover, pasturage, linseed meal
and roots assist, each to afford variety
or change and TO promote the appetite
and induce the COW to eat as much as
she can digest; hence such cows have
great digestive capacity and eau utilize
large quantities of food. The fact that
such cows are well bred is simply an
evidence that they are from families
that have been noted for good records.
Ii is the food that makes the milk and
butter, but an ordinary COW does not
possess the capacity of consuming and
converting large quantities of food into
milk and butter compared with one
that is pure bred.
When wood ashes are applied lime is
unnecessary, as every 100 pounds Of
wood ashes contain about 40 pounds Of
lime. Ashes vary greatly, as they are
produced from different sources, easily
absorb moisture, and their composition
cannot be determined without careful
examination. Toe most valuable in
gredient in ashes is potash, the proper
ton being about six pounds 10 every
100 pounds of wood ashes. Ashes also
contain about per cent of phos-
phOric acid and about per cent Of
magnesia. Coal ashes are of but little
value Wood ashes give excellent re-
suits on all kinds of crops, especially
grass.
A law that would prohibit the sale Of
calves for food before they are three
months old would put an end to bob"
veal and lead to improvement of stock,
for the reason that if farmers were COM
PEELED to feed their calves to the age Of
three months they would then give
some attention to breeding in order 10
derive as much as possible from
the calves. The scrub bull would
soon become useless under such sys-
tenn and the farmers would find the
change greatly in their favor. Many
Ofthe infant calves are sold when but
three days old and are then unfit for
human food
Early in spring the wheat may be
narrowed with smoothing harrow
and 100 pounds of nitrate of soda per
acre applied. II the young wheat is
sickly in appearance the nitrate will
give it green appearance in few
days and the wheat will seem to take a
fresh start. The yield will also bs
largely increased, aud the gain in the
straw and grain will not only renumer-
ate for the nitrate used, but will give
also profit on the investment.
Many of the young trees die because
Of Injury when taken up at the nur-
sery. The tops of young trees may be
cut back severely without injury, but
it is very important that each tree be
well supplied with an abundance of
roots when they are transplanted.
1t is sometimes claimed that garden
becomes too rich and that it produces
an enormous growth Of vine, with bat
little seeds or fruit. The difficulty is
that the garden contains an excess of
some kind of plant food. Rotate the
crops or make a garden in new lOca-
ton, growing corn, potatoes and
cabbages successfully on the old
location, when it msy be used as
garden plot again. 1t Is doubtful,
however, if a garden can be too rich.
Strawberries can be grown at a small
cost compared with the price receiV ed,
but the better the cultivation and the
more liberal the use of fertilizer the
lower the expense, as the crop yield
will be so much greater. The quality
aud size of the berries will also be i'm
proved, which will give them res dy
sale. The main expense in growing
Strawberries is the harvesting of the
crop. The best time to apply fertilizer
rom this time on is in March, the Ter
tilizer TO be applied ON the plants in the
rows. II is best not to work the p ants
until they finish bearing, as the roots
feed near the surface and should not be
disturbed. If any weeds appear pull
them out.
1t is much easier to destroy bird. than
insects, but Us the number of birds is
reduced the insects multiply. The
wren is a very useful bird and may be
induced to remain near dwelling houses
if boxes are provided for them, bur as
they are unable to contend against
Euglsh sparrows the entrance to the
wren boxes should not be over an inch
in diameter, as the wren is very small
and can protect itself by going where
the sparrow cannot follow. Every
encouragement should be given birds
by feeding them and providing suita-
bic places for their protection aud ae-
commodation.
Bisulphide Of carbon is used for de-
stroying weevil in wheat bins. Force
a tube to the bottom of the bin, pour
in about pint of the liquid, and cover
the bin. The gas is heavy and finds
its way to every portion of the bin. 1t
is dangerous substance to use unless
care is exercised, a. lighted pipe or
cigar will cause it TO explode, even
when there is no flame. II is destruet-
i've of all insect life, but does not in
jure the grain.
1t is not too soon to begin making
preparations for the hotbed. The
sashes, frames and the saving of the
fresh manure for use at the proper time
must be considered in advance, as there
is always hurry in early spring.