The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-11-13

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2 by 3 will be strong enough if of good
lumber The upright piece should be
about two and one-half feet long and be
mortised into the base, although it may
be attached in any other uesired way.
The base IS three feet long and the up
right piece should go into it one foot from
the end. A long mortise should be cut
in the upright as shown, and holes made
as shown SO that a pin may be used to
place the lever higher or lower to fit the
height of the various wagons. One end of
the chain is Stapled to the base as shown
and In the end of the lever is placed a
strong hook. After the wheel is raised to
the desired height a link of the chain is
slipped over the hook in the lever and
holds it in position.
Buying Commercial Fertilizers.
AS commercial fertilizers are usually
sold they are put up in bags and the for
mula printed on the bag as required by
law. Often times there are a dozen in
gradients mentioned and no doubt all of
them are contained in the mixture, but,
as every farmer knows, or should know,
the agricultural value Of any fertilizer
lies wholly in the amount of nitrogen
generally placed on the fertilizer bag as
ammonia) potash and ~phosphoric acid it
contains. Beyond these three ingredients
the farmer has no interest. While the
commercial value Of the plant foods vary
in different sections the variation is but
slight, hence one can safely figure nitro
gen as worth II cents a pound, potash Az
cents a pound and p~hosphoric acid at 4
cents a pound. OF course the forms of
potash and ~phosphoric acid vary in price,
but not sufficient to have much bearing
on the total. We will assume that the
analysis on a certain brand calls for . per
cent. of potash, s per cent. of available
p~hosphoric acid and 3 per cent. of nj
trogen (ammonia). This would make in a
ton of fertilizer 40 pounds of potash at Az
cents per pound. $3.50; $50 pounds of avail
able phoSphoric acid at 4 cents per pound,
$40. and 60 pounds Of nitrogen (ammonia)
at II cents per pound, $10.2 a total for the
ton of $3.50, which represents the actual
commercial value of the ingredients in
the ton of fertilizer which are Of use to
the farmer. The difference between this
amount and the amount asked for the
fertilizer represents cost of packing, la
Dor, profit, etc. invested by the manufac-
turer. From these figures one can readily
ascertain for himself if he is paying a
higher price for having the fertilizer mixed
for him than is warranted.
Boxes for Packing Apples.
The use of boxes with a capacity not
exceeding one barrel has been advocated
in this department several times. Many
of our correspondents who have followed
the advice given report good results.
When ones market is comparatively close
the packing of apples in boxes may be
done and without much care as to plac-
ing, but when the boxes are to be shipped
long distances and particularly when they
hold fancy fruit Intended for the Euro
pean trade the packing must be very
carefully done. 1t is not SO easy to place
the apples close together in a box as in
a barrel, but If they are not placed close
they will not stand long distance ship
ping. Do not use small specimens of fruit
or paper to fill in the spaces, for this gives
the buyer a bad impression. Simply take
a little more time in packing and the
fruit can be placed SO that it will carry
all right.
Variety in Rations for Poultry.
Even the novice in poultry raising who
has tried feeding considerable varieties
during the winter admits that the egg
production is thereby materially in
creased. The one danger in feeding a va
riety of grains is having too many of
them OF a fattening nature. In this grade
come corn, oats and buckwheat, hence
when corn must ompose the main por-
ton of the ration it is best that oats or
~buckwheat be fed only once or twice a
week, using wheat and m!llet to extend
the ration. This, of course, refers to lay
ing hens. Taking the grains named as a
basis of feeding, a good course would be
something like this. Monday mash in the
morning, wheat scattered sparinply
through the litter at noon. corn at night.
Tuesday mash in the morning, millet in
the litter at noon, crushed oats at night.
Wednesday,, mash in the morning, buck
wheat in the litter at noon, corn at night.
Thursday, mash in the morning, millet at
noon, wheat at night. Fridao morning,
mash, noon wheat. night corn. Saturday.,
morning mash, corn at noon, wheat at
night. Sunday, morning mash, wheat at
noon, corn at night. If one is in the habit
of feeding the warm mash at night then
the morning and night foods are simply
reversed. 1t will he noticed that corn is
fed at night four times during the week
and this is done because corn will keep
the fowls warmer on a cold night than
any other grain. 1t will pay to expert
ment somewhat in feeding a variety of
grains and see what combinations give
the best results.
Combinations Among Farmers.
The plan of farmers and fruit growers
combining for mutual benefit has been
urged In this department several times.
There is little opportunity, at present, for
taking the product Of the soil out Of the
hands of the SPECTATORS, but a step in
that direction is a combination whereby
the business farmer of the community is
entrusted with the selling of the crops
grown by himself and others. Near the
home of the writer is a young farmer
who has considerable ability as a sales
man having gained his experience by
work in a small city during the winter
for several years. The past summer this
young man induced several of his neigh
bors. fruit growers, to deliver their fruit
to his farm. a half mile from the rail-
road station. where he was to repack any
that Snnrna1 To an,t- q x.I.-
the shipping and look after collections.
He was capable and trustworthy and by