Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1877 — AGRICULTURAL AND DOMESTIC. [ARTICLE]

AGRICULTURAL AND DOMESTIC.

Around the Farm. Experience teaches us Mutt the locust cannot stand long-continued wet, cold weather in spring .--Kansan Advance. As early as the middle of June, sometimes before, wo have practiced opening the liay harvest, and find when feeding that the earliest cut is preferred to the later by all the stock.— Ohio Farmer. A horticulturist furnishes the following recipe to preserve, all kinds of grain from the ravages of cut-worms, birds, etc. : One pound sulphate of iron, one ounce aloes; dissolve in water heated to 90 or 95 degrees, and poutover one bushel of grain. —<thin Farmer. Tiie relative feeding value of mangolds and swedes depends entirely upon the soil and prevailing climate cf a district-. In the South of England, warm soils, mangolds are superior in feeding qualities; in the northern counties, anti on cold soils, especially where a good deal of rail) falls during autumn, swedes are decidedly inferior to mangolds.—Prof. Vovlckei'r Letters. Tumors on Cows.—The usual cause of swellings bn the knees and thighs of cows is lying upon an uneven hard substance. Jersey cows are more subject to itHlian others, probably from the fact that the skin is liner and more delicate t han others. Remove the cause, and in most oases the tumors will disappear; bathing and friction will perhaps hasten the absorption.— Massac husetbi Plowman. The best time to cut wheat is when it is in the dough state. The straw at this stage is yellow at the ground, and all the’remainder is still green, but is followed by a speedy cbgngo to yellow throughout the whole length as it approaches maturity. A huge proportion of the wheat of the country is permitted to become too ripe before harvesting to secure the best results.— Journal oj Afjrieultnre. A Scare-Crow. A good way to keep crows from corn-fields is to string ten or fifteen kernels of corn on a long horse hair (from the tail), and a crow will swallow one of them, and the note of alarm wi 11 be sounded, and it will be impossible for him to dislodge the grain, and in a short time he will cut his own throat by scratching at the corn and hair ; and, in consequence of the noise the crow makes, all of liis companions will leave the field and not pull up auy more corn that season. White Holland Turkeys.—This variety of turkeys is becoming more popular as the public becomes better acquainted with their excellent table qualities and beauty; for certainly it large, clean, healthy white turkey is as beautiful a fowl as anyone could wish to see. They are pure white in plumage, with pink legs, and of good size, though not so large its the bronze, and yet large enough for market,; and we are told are os hardy, aud stand our severe changes of temperature iu winter better than any other variety. The feathers are r early equal to geese feathers for sale, and will bring almost ns much if carefully selected, and the large feathers stripped.— Poultry Journal and Record. Watering Gardens.—When the warm, sunny days come aud our gardens look dry and parched, we are so strongly tempted to use the watering pot that we frequently yield, and so injure the pi ants that we are striving to benefit. If we attempt to water our flower-beds at all, we must do it thoroughly. Wait until after sunset, and then pour on water until it seems ready to run off. Let this soak into the ground and then water again. Finally, spread freshly-cut grass over the beds; this covering will tend to keep the ground' soft and moist. The usual method of sprinkling the flower beds slightly only tends to make the surface of the ground bard and dry, thus excluding air and moisture.— Western - tf/ricutturint. About the House. Washing Carpets. —Housekeepers may lie glad to know that a table-spoon-ful of ammonia in one gallon of warm water will restore the color of carpets. Lamp Smoke.—To prevent tlic smoking of a lamp, soak the wick in strong vinegar aud dry it well before using it. It will then burn clear and pleasant, and give much satisfaction for the trouble of preparing it. How to Wash Lace.—To wash lace aud make it look as good as new, dissolvesome salts of tartar in hot water, and allow the Jiice to lie in it for an hour or so, then take it qut, squeeze it dry, aud the cleaning is complete. How to Use /Land.—Lard for pastry maybe used as hard as it can bo cut with a knife, and will make far better paste than if let stand to warm. 11 needs only to be cut through the flour—not rubbed. To Take Wrinkles .Out of Silk.— ls silk sjarrftupr handkerchiefs have become wrinkled, moisten, not wet them, evenly with a sponge dipped in a weak solution of glue; then pin the article, smoothly and tightly stretched, upon a screen or a mattress. Cold Meats.—Cut any sort of cold mea t in thin slices, and place in a baking disli, seasoning with salt, pepper and summer savory or thyme; add a lit tle of the meat gravy and tomatoes to more than cover; thickening with bread or cracker crumb; 1) ke in the oven. To Boil Potatoes.- Let, the potatoes be of a size ; do not put them in the pot until the water boils; when done, pour off the water and remove the cover until all the steam is gone ; then scatter on half it teaspoonful of salt, aud cover the pot with a towel. By adopting this plan watery potatoes will be mealy. Boiling Beets.—With many housewives there is a great deal of boiling of beet-root in case it should lose its color, aud minute directions are generally given in all cookery hooks as to washing the roots carefully, sons to avoid all abrasion of the skin. That beet-roots should be washed absolutely clean before being put into the pot is, of course, very necessary; but the most simple way to avoid spoiling the color is to drop the roots into boiling water.