Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1883 — PLOWING UNDER CLOVER. [ARTICLE]

PLOWING UNDER CLOVER.

.A New York State correspondent writes to the Country Gentleman: “Plowing clover for wheat is still largely practiced in this section, with the difference that now the top is mostly cut off and saded for hay, and only the roots, with what foliage can not be mowed turned under. One fact about the recently cut clover hay may not generally be known. It is that so lohg as the clover is standing the soil will be as hard as a brick, and almost un plowable; but if plowed within three or four days after the clover has been removed, the soil will turn up with comparative ease. I have noticed ;wo instances of this within he last month, and it is a fact ; ’ have never before seen recorded. That the mass of clover foliage should dry the soil rapidly is not strange. The inexplicable part of z it is that after this foliage has been removed, without any rain, the soil should become friable and comparatively moist. It may be that the process of drawing water from the subsoil, which with full foliage is at once evaporated, goes on with little interruption for a time after the foliage is.removed. The surface roots will thus be made very sappy, just as the sap exudes from the stumps of vigorous trees cut in spring after the flow of sap has begun.— Probably the effect in helping the plowin# by removing the summer foliage would not be the same with plants not having. long, deep roots of clover. The experiments of Vo- ' elcker have shown that clover makes the best preparation for wheat after thejsecond crop | of hay is removed. The soil is then richer in fertilizing material than at any previous stage of clover growth. It is its beneficial effects on the subsoil that makes clover so good a preparation for wheat. Other foliage plants with roots near the surface, are of little value.” The following has been found one of the surest cures for chicken cholera, being highly recommended by a great many: Give hyposulphite of soda in a do.se of half a level teaspoon-, ful chrystal dissolved in as little water as will make a solution. If the fowl will not drink or partake of it in any form, pour it down the throat. It will cure at once says a correspondent of the Rural New Yorker, and, though agstrong dose and purges violently, is not dangerous, and has been found sufficient to kill the germs which produce this disease. New Albany Public Press: Political preachers nearly ruined the cuurches several years ago by preaching politics in their pulpits. It seems that some manufacturers (and we would add, merchants) are disposed to mix their business with politics nowadays. Just as sure as they do, their business will suffer. Politics is stronger than religion or business. Very good mock oysters are made oi com fritters.