Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1901-01-30
Farm News and Views


pillow Is used, then the lower soil ma,
be lcosene6 so as to permit of The
easier penetration OF the roots OF plants
The sub-soil is rich in plant foods that
can be made available for crops, and as
clover and other crops are grown and
turned under there will be added to
the surface soil portions of the fertiiz-
ing elements thai are taken up by the
growing crops ard returned to the
land.
It is claimed that if cider is heated
to 100 degrees it will keep, as the vim
egar lact eria cannot exist after it is SO
treated. 1t would be better, however,
to experiment with small quantities OF
cider at various temperatures up to the
boiling point,
Every fruit grower should have at
least one hive OF bees. 1t is now Known
that bees are essential to success in
fruit growing, and unless some one is
sufficiently interested in bees to have
number OF hives, the entire community
OF fruit growers will find their ex-
pected quota OF fruit to be lacking.
The growing Of strawberries, if the
harvesting Of the crop is excepted, en-
tails but little more labor than wheat
bat it may not be known to some that
five times as many bushels Of straw.
berries can be grown per acre as can of
wheat; yet such is the fact, and the
prices per bushel are much higher.
Strawberry plants that are set out this
spring will bear crop next spring, and
if the plot is kept clear Of weeds, and
FERTILIZER applied, another crop can be
secured the next season. Some grow
ers take as many as three crops before
plowing the plants under.
Eggs have brought good prices this
winter, and they give more profit in
proportion to the cost of the materials
entering into their composition than
any other animal product on farms. If
the flock is large and but few eggs are
secured, it may be due either to too
much grain, lack of animal food, or
to having too many hers for the space
occupied. 1t ia a mistake to keep more
fowls than can be accommodated, SIM
| ply to wait for the warm weather Of
spring for them to begin laying. Gull
out all the Improbable members Of the
flock.
Under favorable circumstances four
tons of clover hay are taken from an
acre. Some tnrmers report as many as
five tons, but such yields ere not often
obtained. The use of potash, lime and
manure will accomplish much with
clover. Many farmers are satisfied
with two tons per acre, but the object
should be to make the land produce
more every year.
Oleomargarine has compelled farmers
and creameries to make better butter
than was sold previous to the intro
duciton Of oleomargarine. There are
but two kinds of butter-good and
bad-and oleomargarlne will always
find a market as long as the inferior
kind is sold. Every article should be
sold on its merits, and under it's true
name. If such is the rule, good butter
will have no competition in oleomarga-
rine or inferior butter.
X *x
Many farmers make good butter and
take it to the country store, where it is
sent off with other lots that are not as
good. Such farmers get no higher
price for their butter than is paid others
and the farmers reputation is never
made. Good butter will bring high
price anywhere, even in the meauest
village, and the farmer who will seek a
market for himself will soon be en-
conraged to keep more cows and make
more butter. Coed prices must be
sought, even for choice articles.
Farm implements do NOT wear out
SO much as they rust out. Plows, cul-
tivators, harrows, etc, that are left in
the open air usually end their useful
ness in one season instead Of lasting |
for several years. "A mower or binder
that is not kept perfectly dry will be
almost useless when desired for use: