The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1906-03-09

the spring one is certain the roots are not
injured, and that the freezing has not been
sufficient to cause complete separation OF
bark and wood on nearly every part of the
tree, there is still hope that the tree will
recover although the treatment Is heroic.
In most sections it consists Of severe
pruning cutting off the smaller branches
and cutting back the larger branches
severely. This applies to young trees
while the older trees should be only mod
erately cut back This plan is well worth
testing by any orchardist and IL he will
leave a few trees untrinmed for compare
son 1t will be seen later in the season that
the treatment advised has much merit.
The pruning. whether it be much or little,
IN the case of winter-injured trees, should
be done as early III the spring as possible
so that the tree may get an early start.
BALANCING RATiONS FOR POUL-
TRY.
While the feeding of several grains fur
nisheS variety it also has Il better use in
that some of the grains, notably wheat
furnish a portion of protein which is essen
tial in the ration of poultry. While on the
range the birds probably get enough pro-
TEN in some way to balance the starchS
grains they are fed but during the winter
this is not possible. The necessity for pro-
TEN in the ration is one more good reason
for feeding milk which has been advoca ted
in this department. Combining bran with
milk, making a thick Cruel of it offers an
opportunity for still greater variety and
furnishes u considerable quantity of pro-
tein. Glover hay will also supply portion
1t follows then, that the variety of grain,
the feeding Of milk and of clover hay and
other green material has value beyond it's
mere bulk and poultrymen will make no
mistake in working along this line.
RAISING CHERRIES FOR BIRDS.
In many states there is great alarm lest
the birds get more of the cherry crop than
the owners of the trees; so great is the
injury worked by the birds in some sec
lions that efforts have been made to
change the laws of the state so that the
birds might be destroyed. 1t hardly seems
as II this was necessary although it is adj
mttted that where one has but 4 few
cherry trees the birds get more than their
share but perhaps, 1t Is only fair to feel
that the birds are more valuable than the
fruit. On the other hand, where orchards
of considerable size are In bearing or are
to be set experience has shown that 1t
pays to set enough extra trees to supply
the wants of the birds: 1t has also shown
that when the early juicy sorts are set for
this purpose and set on the outer edge of
the orchard, the birds will live almost en-
tirely on these and while they will damage
the fruit OF the other trees some it will not
be much particularly If the varieties are of
the sour kind. The experiment is we'll
worth trying in any cherry section.
GET THE BEST SEED POTATOES
The potato grower who has contended
with rot and blight need not be told that II
is to his interest to buy only the best seed
tubers this spring and this is particularly
necessary if they are grown in sections
where these troubles were prevalent the
past season. Seed of the highest quality
Is the best possible preventative OF rot and
blight and any price within reason should
be paid for the seed tubers in order to OBJ
tain the highest quality. The seed markets
indicate that while there will be an album
dance Of late sorts the supply of seed
tubers Of the early sorts is not so plentiful
SO that prices are likely to advance some
as planting season draws near, so a wore
at this time should be needed.
A GOOD RATION FOR COWS.
The following ration and its variations
or substitutes have been found profitable
yet not expensive. The first one is per
haps more nearly n balanced ration tina,
the other; il consists Of 90 pounds of clover
hay, pounds of corn and cob meal anc
two pounds of cottonseed meal. The othe,
Is composed of corn and two pounds OF
bran. In sections where neither clover
alfalfa or cowpea hay is obtainable and
mixed or timothy hay or corn fodder |.
used, the balance may be maintained b,
increasing the quantity Of the concentrat
ed foods whether bran. oats, gluten mea
or cottonseed meal. 1t Is an excellent pla-
to experiment. with the different ration
until one Is obtained which gives the dc
sired results.
MORE ROOT CROP SUGGESTION;
Ii 1t were possible to give every farme
III the country an object lesson on tn,
value OF root crops there would be no fur
ther difficulty in convincing them that
falr portion OF the farm could be give,
over to them with profit. There is NOT al
animal or bird on the farm from the horse
to the bantam hen that would not be ma
terially benefited by the daily feeds o.
roots IN some form. They require some a,
tentlon during the period Of cultivation
especially the smaller ones, but the yiel
IS generally good and they are easily ken
through the winter SO they are certain,
profitable to grow. Do not give over
poor portion of the farm to root crops TO-
they are valuable enough to warrant usin,
Pot rich enough to give good crop
HOME MADE GRAIN BOX
Ihere Is enough grain stored on ever
farm TO warrant the building of a graf,
box particularly when one can be huil
for very small sum and with but little
!apor. such a box Is easily constructed
from dry goods boxes using a number OF
the same size to obtain the disired cana.
city and set them end to end fastening
them together or not as desired: the fronts
are cut so as to obtain the proper slant
ana then cover Is made so that the ho>
or boxes may be locked If necessary. 81
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