Middletown transcript., 1909-01-16
FARM NEWS AND VIEWS

relative to the 1903 hog crop. there was
on September ! shortage Of hogs as
compared with the same Gate last year
Of approximately 5000, 600 head. At the
same date in 1907 the total number Of
hogs in this country aggregated 54. 794, 600
while this year the total had diminished
to As, ,72S, ,S45 head. This is a reduction
ofoyer per cent. in this years hog crop.
The possibilities of an acre Of good
ground are as follows: One acre Of onions
can be made to yield from AS to 600
bushels; one acre sweet potatoes, 800 to
900 bushels; one acre of beets, 300 to 400
bushels; one acre Of cabbage, 5000 heads;
and one acre Of potatoes, 100 to 800 bush-
els.
Here are actusI results, each item refer
ring to the product Of an acre where the
grower was a specialist: Asparagus, 80
buacbea, 20 cents bunch, $500. Cauli-
flower, 100 to 800 pounds, $780,
Onions, 900 bushels, rs cents, $450
Cabbage seed, 1000 pounds, 20 cents a
pound, $500. Potatoes, l75 bushels,
low estimate, $l75. Cabbage. 1000.
heads, $500.
Fresh hardwood ashes would contain
at least per cent of potash, per cent.
Of phosphoric acid and good quantity
Of lime; also other materials which are OF
some value to growing plants and trees.
Wood ashes are one Of the best prspara-
ticns for top-dressing grass land, for pota-
toes and onions, and for orchards.
The precise benefit of salt for dairy cat
tie is hardly known, but experience shows
that it is worth while to feed itquite free.
" in such quantities as the COWS will take.
Cows having salt kept before them all
the time will not eat too much, but they
may be overfed with salt if they have
not been given any for long time. The
salt stimulates the appetite and increases
the flow Of body fluids.
According to Dr. David Roberts, Wis
cousin State Veterinarian, milk COWS re-
quire different feed than beef cattle, and
not much fat-forming foods should be
given, as the COWS are then apt to lay on
fat instead of producing milk. More
siags Of roots should be fed in the vim
ter. Daily feed lOO0-pound COW 40 pounds
clover hay, eight pounds Of grain. The
COWS that are soon to freshen shopld be
fed on succulent feed, such as silage or
roots, bran, linseed meal with little oats.
Keep the bowels open and do not feed
very heavy on grain just before or after
calving.
Around Charleston, S. G., is found the
largest acreage Of purely trnck-crop cab
bage in the United States. The United
States Department of Agriculture Year
Books for 1907 says that the area snrFound-
ing single shipping point in this region
in 1905 produced a head Of cabbage for
every inhabitant Of the United States
1t is claimed that q freshly laid egg
placed in bucketfuI of water will sinkto
the bottom; one day old will sink nearly
10 the bottom: two days old about half.
wsy up; three days old will float not quite
at the top;iour day old just touch the top;
five and six days, rise little above the
top, rising a little higher as it daily grows
older.
A funny incident happened before the
$50 teachers assembled in county Institute
at Norristown, Pa. recently. Professor H.
a. Surface, the State Economic ZooIogist,
addressed them, and displayed some SAM
pie corn, which had grown to immense
size hereabouts. In examining particu.
larly long ear. which measured ~ inches,
he found that there had been some nature
taking going on, for the ear came apart
and the glue with which it was stuck was
revealed. The cobs, in the centre Of
which stick had been affixed, were of
two colors, red and white, the "faker"
no doubt never suspecting that the "boss"
inspector would get next.
When fowls crow at night, which is
the fact when the number quartered is
greater than the capacity of the house,
they sweat. This sweating causes the
feathers to rot at the base, giving them
the very appearance of molting. This ex-
explains why so many focks look ragged
in early summer.
II would in sense be better to wash
eggs sent to market than to send them in
a dirty condition. But washed eggs have
no keeping qualities. The water appears
to dissolve the gelatinous substance
which seals the pores Of the shell, and
air il thus admitted and soon starts de-
composition. The better way to treat
dirty eggs is to take a wooden rag only
slightly moistened with water and gently
rob off the dirt,
Much old dried fruit will be found
hanging on the trees at this season Of
the year. This is especially trne fpeach
aud plum trees. In nearly all orchards
nearly every tree contains from dozen
to hundred or more Of these frnit mum
mica" They are full of the spores of
fruit disease germs and will spoil next
years fruit il not removed this winter.
A sick animal should be placed in q
we'll disinfected and dry box stall with
plenty of bedding and sunlight (avoidH
drafts1. In cold weather place q blanket
on the animal, feed sparingIy with digesti-
bic food, such as bran mashes made Of
iinseed tea; keep manger sweet and
clean. Water should be pure aud clean,
and warmed when necessary. 1t is al-
ways necessary for new mich cows to DO
given warm water.
AFarv et,nanrnay, lnsa an THAR elnor hn.