The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-03
Farm Notes.

A large. undiscovered bit is best for a
hard-mouthed horse. Harsh bits only make
matters worse.
In some Rhode Island tests the following
plants were greatly benefited by the addi-
ton of lime: Orange ounce. black tartarian
cherries. Richmond cherries. Burbank plum.
linden. elm. asparagus. mangels. onions,
turnlps, sweet peas, peoples.
Any soil that will produce weeds is in
good condition "a only rich land will pro-
duce some kinds OF weeds. One OF the
weed flourishes. AS the land should not
be required 10 produce two crops at the
same time no farmer should allow weeds
to make Roadway at the expense of the
regular crop.
A COW that gives sixteen quarts of milk
per day Is worth two that give eight
quarts each. for the reason that she will
occupy but one stall, while the others re-
quire two. One COW will incur less expense
10 the owner for shelter and also for labor
and care, consequently she gives more prof
X not only by reason of greater product
but also because she is less expensive than
the Improbable cows.
The silo cheapens food for cattle because
it induces farmers 10 grow corn for ensi-
lage. which saves hay in winter. Where
the winters are severe and the farmer
leaves his fodder in the fields 10 go TO
waste the best Trims for such farmers
Is the silo. which is OF itself an object
lesson in economizing the foods for cattle.
Ensilage corn can be planted late. and
therefore enables the farmer 10 grow and
store away an enormous amount of green
fodder when the drought has Injured the
early crop.
The hot iron test is employed in the
cheese factory 10 determine when sufficient
acid Is developed in the curd. The test is
very simple. An iron shaped somewhat
like a soldering iron is heated almost TO
redness. a small piece of curd is taken
from the vat and the water expelled bv
squeezing. This Is brought in contact with
the iron for a moment. then IL is slowly
withdrawn. II an acid is present the curd
will adhere 10 the hot iron and Will string
out in fine threads. The length of these
threads before breaking indicate the decree
of acidity. For best results the threads
should be about o~ne-fourth of an inch long.
Late in the season all kinds of poultry
may be allowed the run of the garden. ex-
cept geese and ducks, which should be
turned out on a pasture. Fowls do not in
jure gardens after the crops are well under
way. though hens with chicks will scratch
for seeds on newly-prepared plots. The
fowls Will destroy many insects and also
consume the seeds or some weeds. They
also eat the young and tender weeds that
are coming up. Geese will consume that
purslaine or pursley, while both ducks ard
geese viii thrive on green food entirely il
allowed. II Is q waste of grain To give II
10 fowls that have the run ol grass and
young weeds. as they can select for them
selves all the food desired.
Dry earth Is one OF the best absorbents
that can be used for preserving liquid
manure. Charcoal II excellent and so is
plaster. but the plaster absOrbs the am
Of ammonia directly. as many suppose. The
use OF dry earth as an absorbent j. within
the province OF all. as il il easily procured
and Is a clean substance TO handle. Even