The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-06
Farm Notes.

When farmers are busy in the spring
they are liable to neglect many matters
which deserve their attention. Now Is the
opportunity for getting the implements in
order and sharpening the tools. The grind
stone is a valuable adjunct to good farming
If thorough work is desired.
The goose is forager and grazer. and
even alongside of the sheep will utilize all
kinds of grass very closely. and will assist
poor land TO earn a dividend. Geese can
be kept in large fiocks profitably. so that
conducted on quite a large scale. They
may be grown for less per pound than al
most any other meat upon the farm.
Irish potatoes I'm the cellar should be
covered with carpet and boards. Light and
air spoil their eating qualities. Sweet po-
tatoes are handy TO have around during the
winter and spring months. but they Will
not keep during the winter in the cellar.
They must be kept I'm a room where there
is fire enough TO keep out dampness. and
where there is no danger OF freezing.
Any farmer can try the experiment OF
inoculating the soil with the necessary
bacteria for promoting the growth OF a
crop. Should the soil seem unadapted TO
clover IL will be found of advantage to pro-
cure few bushels of earth from a field
upon which grew luxuriant crop of clover.
broadcasting the earth over the field and
seeding to clover, the possibility being that
a good stand of clover will be obtained
Ground intended for onions should be
plowed as early the weather will per-
NIT, as the onion crop is the first 10 go in
One method of producing onions is TO sow
the seeds in hotbeds and transplant the
small bulbs later. The seeds may be sown
in the hotbeds in January or February.
BY thus growing them there Is a saving OF
time and less difficulty with weeds. IL pre-
ferred. the onion sets may be procured OF
seedsmen.
Leslie's Monthly for January lauds Mis-
souri, the paradise of the American hen.
Last year the Missouri farmers got IN
early TO harvest their corn, wheat, oats.
timothy seed, clover seed, millet seed cane
seed, tobacco. broom corn. hay and grain
but work they would the Missouri hen
worked faster. At the end OF the year the
farmers books showed that the sale OF
poultry and eggs ran 700 ahead OF all
the other farm products OF the State COM
bined.
All kinds Of early crops that are to be
grown from seed in the spring may be
FASTENED by starting them I'm a hotbed.
Some may then be transferred 10 cold
frames, such as lettuce and cabbage. For
the family garden such work will not be
laborious IL attention Is now given the
early crops. The advantages of having all
kinds OF vegetables early are that they
will escape the dry season, 10 a certain
extent, and may be followed by later crops.
Peas may be seeded in the open ground
quite early. IL the ground is warm.
IL young trees are received from the
nurseryman be careful and not expose the
roots TO the action OF dry winds. AS many
insects and diseases may be distributed
from nurseries. all trees should be very
carefully examined, no matter how young
they may be. When setting them out pre-
pare the land well. and give the roots
the top soil next the roots. Shorten back
the tops, so as TO be able TO shape the
trees I'm the future, and also for the purpose
OF providing more nourishment at the start