Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-05

claims that his own particular make has
all of the merits and none of the defects
of rival makes. You should investigate
the merits of these machines very thor
oughly and submit them to practical test
as far as possible before purchasing.
While both ltnds mentioned are used,
there are some who believe that the hot
water Is somewhat better than the hot
air in that 1t seems possible to keep a
more uniform temperature. An incuba-
tor properly handled will pay very well,
but Il takes skill and care to use it ad-
vantageously. Any number have been
purchased and found unsatisfactory.
There was really nothing wrong with the
machine, but the handling Of 1t. 1t will
not do to condemn incubators because
some persons have failed in view of the
very large number which are successful
ly used by skillful operators. One enter
ing the poultry business had best pur-
chase a moderate sized machine and in
crease the number or size as experience
is secured.
Pure high-grade nitrate of soda con-
tains about Is 1-2 to l6 pounds Of nitro
gen per 100 pounds. There are no chem
icals that will keep stable manure from
heating. The fermentation taking place
in the heap is due to the development Of
certain organisms. The lamentations
may be prevented by compacting the
manure heap as much as possible and
keeping 1t moist. Any means by which
water can be distributed over the heap
should IL become dry will prevent fire.
fang.
There is no secret formula for prepar-
ing compost that any farmer should
waste his time or money over. The col
lege can give you all the information
along this line which is necessary. The
man who claims that he has something
of peculiar value is a fraud and an i'm
poster, and as a rule gets his information
from the effort of some scientific inves-
tigator. Very often he does not know
enough to take what is good out of a
scientific formula and puts in materials
which have a deleterious effect so far
as the value of the fertilizer is concern
ed. When you get ready to mix your
fertilizer or prepare compost a card sent
to the college will bring the best infor-
nation to you available on this subject
without cest.
The trouble with the COW you mention
is congestion of the brain. This is a
rather common disease, especially in
cows heavily fed on heterogeneous food.
but also arises from many different
causes. With regard to the horn be-
ing hollow, the following is the expla-
nation: The core of the horn does not
grow, while the horn does, so that in
young cows in boring the horn, one is
very likely to strike the core or pith;
in older animals one is very likely to
bore into the horn beyond the end of
the core or pith where the horn Is hol-
low, an entirely normal and natural con-
dition.
SWEET CLOVER AS A HAY AND
FORAGE PLANT.
]. H S.. Cumming, Ga, writes:
send you a specimen of plant that have
a good set of on a small piece of land.
would like to know the name and value
as a forage. 1 am trying to improve the
land. Would you advise to destroy the
plant or get a good set Of it which
would be very easy. On good land 1t
grows or feet, and the roots have a
white mold when plowed up in the
spring.
The plant sent is what is known as
melilotus alba, or sweet clover. 1t be-
longs to the family of legumes and is
very useful for purposes of soil improve
ment. 1t is one of the best means OF
inoculating land for alfalfa since the
bacteria which live in the little white
knots or excrescenses forming on the
roots seem to be similar to those which
develop on The roots Of the alfalfa plant.
Melilotus alba, as you have noticed, has
a root which penetrates the soil to
depth of several feet and throws out
many lateral branches. 1t thus helps t.
aerate and drain the land, and makes
clay soils more mellow by reason of these
facts Melilotus is used to some extent
for hay in parts Of the southwest 1t
should be cut early when so used. Most
animals do not seem to relish 1t much
1t starts early in the spring and grows
vigorously as you have noted and may.
be cut twice in year. 1t is considered
a biennial. When seeded 1t should :,e
sown as a rule in August or February.