The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-03-14
FARM AND GARDEN.
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO
AGRICULTURlSTS.
Como Up-to-Dats Hints About Cult,va-
tion Of the Soil and Yields Thereof
Horticulture, yiticulturs and Floricul-
turs.
somethinr About C.bb. gee.

Cabbages are biennials; that is. It
axes two years for cabbage plant
% bear seed. The principal part of the
plant Is the stem, so far as the devel-
opment OF seed is concerned. During
the first year OF growth the cabbage
stores up In the stem material out Of
which to elaborate seed in the second
year. The cabbage has tap root, but
1t Is very short and hardly enters the
subsotl. From this Tap root the branch
Ing fbers extend horizontally and alb
sorb the food and moisture needed by
the plant. These fibers are arranged
In two rows along the tap root, and it
ls said that this arrangement Is that
seen In all cruciferous plants (plants
having blossoms consisting Of four
petals arranged in the form of a CROSSE.
Cabbage are luxuriant feeders. and
hence require land that is rich. The
best manure that the farmyard can
produce is not too good for the cab
bage patch. The cabbage leaf is the
principal thing that is developed.
Hence 1t is that the food is elaborated
In the leaf. and most Of it is stored in
the leaf to increase its size. In many
other plants the food. after being elab-
GRATED by the leaf, is sent back into
the stem of the plant to be distributed
to other parts OF the plant In the
cabbage the proportion of leaf to stems
and roots is very great. On healthy
cabbage 1t will be noticed that the
leaves are waxy, and this waxiness in
creases with the slowness of growth
and good health. 1t is generally
thought that wax on the cabbage leaf
Is sign of hardness and of slow and
steady growth.
Thu leaf being the principal thing in
the plant its growth requires a good
supply of heterogeneous foods. Drouth
and moisture are both its servants,
provided that in the drouth time the
soil water or moisture is not exhaust
ed. Our farmers have found that clay
soil is the best for cabbages. This is
probably largely due to the fact that
heavy soils contain larger supply of
moisture than do light or sandy soils
and lose less water through drainage
and surface evaporation. The cabbage,
having an immense leaf surface, evap-
crates great deal of water in its de-
Nelopment. To produce a large leaf
surface requires soil we'll supplied
with water.
The Practical Side of Horse -Breedtng.
One of the successful horse breeders
OF Kansas is 7. H. Terry. In an ad-
dress before the recent meeting of the
State Board of Agriculture he gave
some valuable hints to farmers who
contemplate raising horses for mar
ket. In the first place find out what
the market wants. 1t does not pay to
raise animals that are not in demand.
Select the type that is most popular
and breed to it. Success will depend
upon careful work and persistence.
Horses are Of no value unless they are
the best that can be produced. II no
attention Is given to selection and
breeding and the animals are given but
little care low prices are sure to re-
suit. A few years ago we were told
that steam and electricity would drive
the horse out of the market, and in
spite of the fact that rapid strides have
been made toward horseless convey
ances. the fact remains that good
horses are and always will be in de-
,mand. Breeders are now looking for
good sires and for good mares. 1t
will be many years before the market
will be overdone as it was ten years
ago. Any man who will raise good
horses can make money.
Select the best mares that can be OBJ
tanned and procure the very best sires.
Good breeding stock can now be secur-
ed in this country. 1t is not necessary
to go to the old world for stations To
illustrate the value of good sire, Mr..
Terry called attention to the fact that
in his neighborhood celebrated sire
had been kept for eight years. In spite
of THE fcct none Of his produce can be
found there today. his colts were in
such demand that they were bought
up at good prices and shipped to other
parts OF the country to be used as
breeders. A mare should be given the
very best of care. Besides good feed it
is desirable to give her steady, easy
work. This is much better than al
lowing her to do nothing, as she will
remain stronger and healthier. At all
times provide good shelter into
which she can go at night. During
stormy weather keep her in warm
and comfortable stable. AS long as
green feed is available see that she
gets liberal ration of this. When
this cannot be had feed some bran. as
1T is partial substitute for succulent
feed. Avoid the use of too much grain.
Six weeks before foaling watch her
closely and see that she is in the best
OF health. Any tendency to become
constipated must be corrected by
change of feed. Put her in a secure
place as foaling time approaches and
give her more and more attention.
When the colt arrives watch carefully
until all danger is passed and give the
mare complete rest for eight or ten
days. At the end of this time she can
be put to light work. Feed lightly at
first, then gradually increase the ra-
,tion until she gets all she can consume
readily. When putting the mare to
work it is much better to keep the
colt at home. In no case allow it to
run with the mother. Many a colts
feet have been injured by being allow
ed to run at large while the mother
was at work. The matter of weaving
the colt must be left to the judgment
Of the owner. When 1t is taken away