Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1892 — HOME AND THE FARM. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOME AND THE FARM.

A DEPARTMENT MADE UP FOR OUR RURAL FRIENDS. The Productive Power of Weeds—How to Fatten Farrow Cows—Handling tlie Apple Crop—Agricultural Notes— Household and Kitchen Hints. Productive Power of Weeds.

/T"\o ascertain the I prod nctivc power of weeds, the seeds upon a single plant of L different species • jY-J haye been J counted with the following »:j results: Wild A ys carrot, 1,200; ym—MT dandelion, 81,1/ 500; chickweed, ft/' 2,000; cockle, 3,200; cam psion, 3,425; chess, 3,500; dock, 3,700; ragweed,

1,372; groundsel, 6,500; ox-eye daisy, 9,600;. mallow, 16,500; motherwort, 18,000; foxtail, 19,500; sow thistle, 19,000; mustard, 31,000; Canadian thistle, 42,000; red poppy, 60,000; burdock, 400,328; purslane, -500,000; lambs’ quarters 825,000. A Model llat Trap. I give below, says a correspondent of Farm and Home, a design for a rat trap. Let the boys try it. The parts are a box about 9x14 inches, a drop, similar to a churn dasher, a frame over the box and a piece of shingle which is inserted in the slot in front of the box. There is also the contrivance to set it with, as shown In the illustration. Every part should be planed smoothly. The drop should bf; made small -enough not to touch

any other part when falling. A broom handle may be used for the perpendicular part of the drop, and a heavy piece of plank on the bottom of it to make a heavy fall. A little notch is-cut in the shingle a little past the middle, and another notch on inside of front of box, half way between the slot and top. The thin piece- of wood on the string is put into these notches when the trap is set. The end of the shingle in the trap, on which the bait is put, should be raised clear from the bottom about a quarter of an inch when the trap is set correctly. Agricultural Brevities. Keep seed corn from getting damp. There is likely to be a good demand for canned products. In the history of the farming Industry in the United States the time has arrived when success depends more on good management than good luck. The result of the recent attempt to raise tea in North Carolina indicates that the soil and climate are favorable to such an industry, but that, owing to the expense of picking and curing,- none but the highest grades could be produced profitably. Canada thistles can he killed by repeated cutting during the growing season, or by thorough plowing and cultivation. If cut closely while in bloom, and then repeatedly cut as often as they grow, there will he little left of them in fall; but frequent plowing, hoeing and cultivating will do more thorough work. It has always been something of a wonder to us that more attention was not given to nut cidjiure in this country. In every section of the country-some varieties of nut trees will probably grow, and while the variety that may do well in a certain section, imay not be very profitable so far as producing a salable nut is concerned, -the tree will be a tree, and the ■hutsiit bears will prove something for pleavsant home consumption. For instance, the black walnut is not very profitable as a commercial nut, hut --when-the-tree will grow, it is a good tree, and- the nuts are not to be despised by any means on winter evenings. It-would be wisdom to ascertain what nut trees will do well in our particular location, and to plant a few -of«uch -nut bearing trees. —West--enn -Rural.