Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 June 1892 — REAL RURAL READING [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

REAL RURAL READING

WILL BE FOUND IN THIS DEPARTMENT. The Season Should Regulate the Use of tho cCultivator—Good Roads—Farming Is an Independent Life—Machine for Milking Cows, Etc. Cultivation of Corn.

/ 1 VHE judgment of ■ intelligent farmers, based upon their experience bkV and observation, would satisfy ' them that the Jky' matter of culti[7 vation depends »'j somewhat upon [V .a the condition of —pr the season, and ff this is confirmed fey ny results oL exW. periments at*he Kansas Station. The conclusion arrived at is that

more frequent cultivation is advantageous in a dry season, and that in a wet season it is possible to give too much. During last season, which was a wet one, it was found that four times cultivation produced best results. As a rule, with a. fairly dry season It is supposed that the occasjonal stirring of the soil whereby it is loosened and heoomes aerated, it not only takes moisture from the_ atmosphere, but also absorbs therefrom those gases that are either a direct source of fertilization or aid therein. But like many other points in faming operations, while theoretically correct, they cannot be practically carried out for want of time, and it is yet to be demonstrated whether the advantages are such as to warrant the additional expenditure that would be necessary. Better Than a Horse Fork. A handy home-made" contrivance which will assist greatly at the unloading of hay during the busy afternoons of haying time, is nothing more nor less than two Inch ropes each ten feet long. A strong ring must be spliced in each end of each rope. Previous to putting on the load in the field, these ropes must be laid, one across the forward end and the other half-way between the middle and back end of the rigging. The ropes are allowed to hang loosely outside of the rigging. On driving the load into the barn, the rings on the side next the mow where the hay is to be placed, are caught in two heavy hooks in the side of the hay. Ropes and blocks hanging to the plate over

the mow are next loosened and carried over the load and attached by hooks to the rings on the other side of the load. Two strong men can readily roll the load off the rigging and into the mow if it be on a level with the rigging or below it If the load he especially heavy, a second block will be necessary to aid the men. Bank barns with deep bays can be filled as quickly with this appliance as with the more expensive commercial horse fork.—H..S. Spaulding in Farm and Home. The Road Question, The subject of Improved roadways is apparently under serious consideration, for the public press, from one end of the country to the other, has the same under continual discussion. This is well, for all kinds of reform have been effected by continued agitation, and there is no greater occasion for agitation in any ordinary matter of importance than is presented in this. Although the extent of roads throughout the country is great, those of the greatest importance should be so improved as to make them suitable for travel at any season of the year. What is wanted is a permanent, hard road bed, one that will not be affected by rains in summer or frosts in winter. Where, as is the case in the country, the roads art composed of earth, with enough stones to make them an abomination on a rainy day, they become simply tracks of mud, and the real cost to every one who is compelled to travel, in the wear and tear of vehicles and injury to animals, can hardly be estimated. So let the good work of agitation go on, and the result may be the working out of some system of improvement that will be of a permanent character.

TTls an Independent Life. A correspondent of the American Farmer says: “I often wonder why So maiiy who live in the country seem to look only on the dark side of their home life. I lived in the country until I was about twenty-five, and irv the memory there is far more sunshine than shadow; in fact, I often look back upon those days with an indescribable longing. Many farmers are so grasping and spend so little money on luxuries, or frequently even necessities, that to their families life is anything but bright. Or they may live on the frontier, far from church, schools or towns, and thus be deprived of many privileges. But given a good farm out of debt, the produce of which more than makes a bare living, schools, good neighborhood and a farmer with a soul above hoarding every dollar toward the purchase of more land, and you have the happiest, most independent life imaginable.

Horsos Should Wear Light Shoes. Horses are commonly made to carry too heavy shoer. The shoe is designed merely to protect the hoof, and the lighter it can he made and still serve its purpose, the better for the horse. Horses that are devoted to farm work, and on land where there are few or no stones, may dispense with shoes, except while' the ground is frozen. This would be of great advantage to the horse, to say nothing of the saving in the horseshoer’s bill. But most horses require shoeing, and the shoes worn are generally heavv iron ones. Steel shoes can be made lighter, will wear longer, and the first cost is not so much more that it need prevent their being used. Light

horses and driving horses should always wear them. For horses of 1,100 pounds weight, and with well-shaped, upright feet, the fore shoes should weigh about one pound each, and the hind* ones twelve ounces. If four ounces are added to each shoe, let us see what a difference it will make. In plowing, cultivating, mowing, reaping and many other farm operations, a horse will walk from ten to twenty miles a day, and advance at about four feet at a step. At each step the horse lifts a half pound extra on its two feet or 600 pounds.in every mile. In a day’s work of fifteen miles, the horse would lift 9,90 C pounds extra or nearly five tons. II the force required to lift this five tons of iron could be expended in the work the horse is doing, much more could he accomplished. In the light of these facts, is it any wonder that when young horses begin to wear shoes, they soon grow leg-weary, have their step shortened and acquire a slower walking gait?—American Agriculturist. Will Milk Thirty Cows an Hour, There has been received at the Chicago Custom House a machine which, it is claimed, will do away with that useful adjunct to every well regulated farm, the farm hand who milks the cows. The apparatus was imported from Glasgow, Scotland. This machine, it is claimed, will milk thirty cows in one hour, and do it so easily and neatly that the cows will scarcely know it. The machine is constructed on the vacum principle, and when adjusted to the cow the milk flows in a continuous stream, and the machine does the work without assistance. The apparatus received is said to be the first one ever brought to this country, and its use will be in the nature of an experiment at first. The contrivance is largely used in Scotland, and its practicability has been long ago demonstrated. The great objection to the machine by farmers will probably he its price. iThis one is valued at $55 in Scotland, lut the duties paid upon it added $45, making the total cost SIOO. The appraisers had considerable difficulty in finding a duty which would apply, no machines of the kind having ever been received at that port.

Dairy Notes. Whitewash in the cow stable makes things look cheerful and is in the direction of cleanliness.

Have the cows before you build the factory. You can add to that as the number of cows or the quantify of milk increases.

Always be suspicious of a cow the progressive dairyman desires to sell. He knows the value of a good cow and never turns her off without a reason. The man that breeds and feeds farm animals nearly always makes money. It is when the animals breed or feed themselves, or both, that they are unprofitable. Look out for the creamery shark. Don’t let him bite you. Sign no papers, make no contracts for building and equipment till you have estimates from two or more creamery supply houses.

“Will a cow lo& 20 pounds in weight by making too sudden a change to green grass? Yes, sir. Would a fair share of this weight go to milk or butter if she were properly cared for? Yes, sir again.” It costs money to ill-treat a cow. Be regular in feeding, milking and watering, Keep everything quiet Restlessness will shorten the milk flow. It Is the best plan to keep the cows in the stable from fall till spring, arranging the stables so that they can have access to water at all times. A Movable Brooding Coop. A cheap poultry coop can be made from an apple-barrel with the one end covered with lath and a door to admit of cleaning and placing feed for the brood and the old hen, says Farm and Home At night and on wet days a piece of oil cloth can be arranged to shelter the front anti be thrown back when not in use. It can be easily removed from one place to another, admitting of fresh surroundings as often as deemed necessary. It is raised slightly from the ground by means of blocks on either side to avoid the least dampness. The inside of the barrel should he covered with fresh straw in a moderate quantity. Wire netting in place of lath can also be used and is just as good for the front, possibly better. The entrance board can be made about as shown by cutting the front block under the barrel, slanting and placing cleats on it, to allow the chicks to get in and out easily.

Poultry Pickings. Provide shady runs for the chicks. They cannot stand much sun. Do not crowd your flocks of youngsters. Like in crowded flocks of old fowls, they become mischievous, sicken, and die. Tiiere is nothing gained bv giving a hen all the eggs she can cover. Thirteen, fifteen at the most, are enough for any hen. Do not sprinkle the eggs In the Incubator. Increase the moisture by adding hot water in the pans, or increasing the number of sponges. Keep a strict account of your feed bills, egg records,' and sales of poultry, and at the end of the year sum up. It will prove that keeping hens pay. Never give soft feed to a sitting hen as ,it is liable to produce diarrhoea. Corn and oats are best. Feed and water should be constantly before them. It is said that five drops each of turpentine and castor oil, thoroughly mixed, and about one-half teaspoonful given every morning, is an excellent roup cure. Before you set a hen he sure she means business. Test her by giving her a nest egg. If she sits closely on it for several days you can let her begin to incubate. Germantown Puffs. —One pint sifted flour, one pint milk, two eggs, a piece of butter the size of a walnut, one teaspoon ful of salt. Beat the eggs very light, whites and yolks separately. Mix them and add the milk, and then stir in the flour. Beat well. Melt the butter and stir in last. Butter some small baking cups, till them half full and ba<ce in a quick oven. Pull them open and eat with fresh butte*