Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1877 — AGRICULTURAL AND DOMESTIC. [ARTICLE]

AGRICULTURAL AND DOMESTIC.

Around the Farm. If cabbages do not head properly, a pinch of salt to each head will be beneficial, or, better, give them a alight watering at night with weak brine. Thia may be again repeated later in the season. A single watering with quite weak brine is also excellent for watermelons, about the time the fruit is setting. The farmers and fruit-raisers of the United States ought this season to take better care than usual of their apple orchards, as there is a reasonable probability that hereafter the European demand for this fruit will generally obviate the danger of a surplus in this country.— Boston Commercial Bulletin.

The Farmer's Union, on the authority of the St. Charles Union, reports that Minnesota farmers are many of them destroying Colorado potato beetles with good success by the use of alum water. Between four and five pounds is put in a barrel of water, and when the alum is dissolved the liquid is sprinkled on the potato-tops, and the festive bug soon after retires from business. The Danger of Forcing Dairy Cows. —President Parcell, of the Union County (N. J.) Farmers’ Club, thinks that cows kept fat and fed high in order to force them to give large quantities of milk prematurely wear out, and are subject to attacks of milk fever, abortion, garget, sterility and sudden death. He has lost four or five in this way within a few years. The most successful fruit-growers, East and West, have decided that there is no better remedy for the coddling moth than to pasture hogs in the orchards, to eat the wormy apples and the worms therein. If the orchards are too large for the number of hogs kept, sheep are turned in. If we all unite in this system we shall soon see its good results. There can be no doubt about its being effective.— Rural Home.

We are glad to note a change in some quarters on this question of pedigree, which has been run clear into the ground of late years. Thirty thousand dollars paid for a single cow because she was a Duehess, with the known fact that she was a poor breeder, while infinitely more perfect animals went to the shambles for beef because they were “Seventeens,” is evidence that the people are either fools or are going mad.— Pioneer Press. Lime Dust.—The following has been recommended as the best mode of preparing lime dust for slugs, mildew, etc.: Take a peck of fresh or sharp lime, broken into small pieces, and add to it four pounds of flour sulphur. Add onethird as much boiling water, or just enough to slack the lime to a dry powder, and cover the vessel as soon as the water is poured on. By adding water it may be made into an excellent whitewash for trees, the sulphur increasing its efficacy.. Making a Cow Give Down.—To persuade a cow to give down her milk against her will is a difficult and sometimes a hopeless task. A plan that has been highly spoken of is to lay a heavy chain across her back while milking her. It is very certain that harshness and impatience will only make matters worse, and that kindness and petting will have the best effect. The use of milkingtubes might be effective. A poor cow, free from this vice, is better than the best cow that is afflicted with it.—American Agriculturist. Breaking Colts. —The best time for breaking colts is at the age of 2 or 3 years, as you will find that they are less inclined to have a will of their own ; but a horse of this age should never be allowed to do much hard labor. Colts that are intended to be put to work should be stabled during the months of February and March, with an occasional drive of several miles. This will be an excellent way to break them, and at the same time toughen them for spring work. Colts require a more frequent change of diet than older horses. When new grass is plentiful they should have an occasional pull at it. At the time of stabling they should be allowed two or three mashes of bran, followed by some condition powder. For the same reason that the young colt should be allowed the milk of the dam directly after parturition, other colts should have their cleansing powders; they will carry off gross humors and purify the blood. Next, it is necessary to have a collar that will fit, for a great many colts have to work in too large a collar.— JI r 6stem Rural.