The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-15
Farm Notes.

Bees carry pollen from one flower to an
other while seeking honey. The real pen
efactors are the bee keepers, many OF whom
keep bees for pleasure rather than for
profit. But for the bees many fruit trees
that blossom out full would produce no
fruit.
Such crops as squash. cucumbers and
melons should have all fertilizers applied
by broadcasting over the surface or the
ground If manure is applied Ii will also
give good results if worked into the soil.
although well-rotted manure in the hills
will assist the plants at the start.
The earliest tomatoes are those that are
rather small in size, especially the Varietles
that grow in clusters. The best varieties
are the late ones, though seedsmen are
now offering new varieties that are some
what early, as well as being much i'm,
proved in quality. Every garden should
have few tomato plants.
If you want something choice for your
self and not for market grow the Emerald
Gem muskmelon and the Kleckley water
melon, says the Philadelphia Record There
are other good varieties, used mostly on
account of their excellent shipping quail
ties, but varieties can compare with
those mentioned for home use. as they ex-
Gel all others In quality.
The commercial fertilizer used annually
in the United States amounts to between
S40,W0,OU and S50.OO,0O0. Most OF the states
have provided for official inspection Of fer
ulizer TO protect the farmer from fraud.
The heaviest applications are made in the
Southern States. In some of the prairie
States hardly any commercial fertilizers
are sold.
The surest way to kill any kind of tree
is TO pile a heap of stones around IL. The
reason appears to be that the stones OBJ
struct the light and act as a mulch to the
SOIL causing the tree roots to feed near
the surface. But the stones are no obstruc-
ton to frost, so that the soil under them
is usually deep frozen. and the roots, being
encased in frozen soil, cannot supply sap
to the tree. as all roots should do to some
extent even in winter.
Lima beans should not be planted until
the ground is warm. They should be grown
manure cannot be used. Any of the ordi-
nary bush varieties may be grown for an
early supply, but the Salem, a pole va
riety. will be found excellent for the stand
ard crop. Lima beans may be grown to
run upon poles as supports may be
grown. About a pint Of seed will provide
a sufficient number of plants to supply an
ordinary family. Plant in hills four feet
apart, about three or four seeds in a hill,
the rows to be six feet apart
Dehornng calves is described as such a
simple operation by the agricultural de-
partment bulletin on this subject that IL is
difficult to explain why it is ever postponed
until the horns are fully grown and the ne
cessity arises, ifthornless cattle are wanted,
for saving them off. To dehorn, secure
pencil of caustic potash at a drug store.
throw ii to the ground, locate the little
knot which indicates the young horn. wet
it well and rub IL with the pencil held i'm
a gloved hand. This is all there is to the
operation. 1t constitutes but few minutes
work. and causes the animal no pain. If
appear a second application will complete
the Job.