The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-03-11
Usina Special Fertilizers,

Using Special Fertilizers.
This subject has had attention in this
department before, but it needs repeat
ing just at this time when the majority OF
farmers are figuring on the cost of the
fertilizers necessary. On the table before
the writer Is a photograph taken last
summer of a potato field where the yield
on four acres was nearly ] ,235 bushels, or
something over 800 bushels per acre. Not
a phenomenal yield to be sure until 1T is
considered in connection with previous re-
suits from the same field. This field has
the three years rotation of crops SO that
potatoes are grown on it only once in
three years. In previous years several
"colnplete" fertilizers had been used and
the crop was less than 200 bushels per
acre. Last year a special fertilizer was
used, one manufactured especially for po-
tatces, with the results stated. OF course
the field received the proper care in the
way of preparation, culture and spraying,
but this same good care was given it
each potato year, so that 1t was evident
that the fertilizer was at the bottom OF
the increased yield. This is by no means
an isolated case, for it has been proven
time and again that if crops are fed ac-
cord:ng to their needs increased yields
will follow. The special fertilizers cost
but a little more than the high grade
complete mixtures.
Feeding the Morning Mash.
Sometimes experience upsets ones plans
which were thought about right, wonder
fully and completely. For years the
writer has advocated the moderate feed
Ing Of laying hens during the winter,
feeding them enough, Of course, but feed
ing scanty rather than running the risk
of overlooking and thus shutting off the
egg supply. A veteran poultryman who
called at my farm a year ago said L did
not feed sufficiently heavy of the morning
mash so this winter we started out to see
If he was right and found, to our aston
ishment, that he was. We give the laying
hens enough Of the warm mash In the
morning so that they will eat all they
want before it gets cold. The remainder
IS then gathered up and an hour later
heated and put in the troughs again,
when the hens eat as ravenously of 1t as
if they had had none an hour earlier. Re
suit, more eggs than in previous winters
from the same number of hens and pull
lets. In trying to figure out the cause Of
this change 1t was concluded that the
hens were unable to take much Of the
rather sticky mass into their crops at
first, but after a drink Of water and an
hour of rest they were in condition to
take care of the balance, really only get
ting, in the two feeds, the quantity neces-
sary for one feed and the equivalent of
one good feed of grain. Try it the rest
,of the winter and see how it works with
your poultry.
Why Horses Crib.
Everyone who has owned a horse which
is constantly gnawing at the manager and
at any bit Of wood into which he can get
this teeth knows how troublesome the
habit is. 1t can be broken up, but it will
~'reouire considerable time and effort. The
cause Of this habit Is, in the majority OF
cases. due to Indigestion or to bad teeth
$50 when a horse has the habit 1t should
he turned over to a veterinary surgeon tc
have it's teeth put in order. If this does
mot break up the habit then treat the anil
NAL for Indigestion. Give the animal 6
dose consisting Of a mixture OF two
,ounces Of turpentine and one pint of raw
linseed oil and repeat in a week. See tina
the animal has plenty of exercise ant
keep a lump Of rock salt in its manger al
the time. For awhlle let the ration con
'sist Of bran and corn meal night ant
morning with cut hay as roughage; a
noon let the ration be of whole oats Will
a small allowance of hay. Under th1
treatment the animal will show a marked
Improvement in a short time and If 1t !
persisted in the treatment will eventual.
break up the habit OF cribbing.
Selecting Proper Varieties.
If there is one department of the stat
experiment stations, and this applies t
,all states, that can aid the fruit grower
more than another 1t is the horticulture
department. Every year there are thou
lNsand of fruit trees and plants set Whicl
ought not to nave been set. That is, tn
planter has set the WRONG sorts. He ha
read of the wonderful doings Of some va
'riety and Immediately buys literally OF
without ascertaining if it is suited to nj
soil and location. This ca:
be obtained from the state experimen
station by writing and giving the natur
of the soil, lay Of land, condition OF tn
soil and the purpose for which 1t is Pre-
posed to grow the fruit, giving the loca
ton of the markets and their dlstanc
from you If it is proposed to grow tn
fruit for market. With this informat1o
the ~horticulturist of the station can an
will advise one SO that the chance {
making an error will be small indeed
Make use of the experiment station Whlc
YOU help support.
Pushing the Laying Hen.
Very frequently the editor of this az
.partment receives letters in which som
sentence like this is found: my hens al
laying we'll, but I want to push the1
along. What can 1 use to produce the OF
sired results 1t may be inferred troi
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