Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1893 — DOMESTIC ECONOMY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

TOPICS OF INTEREST TO FARMER AND HOUSEWIFE. ♦VUlow Basket Tot for Plants—The Do. structlve Buffalo Bug—Cheap Ditching Contrivance —High Grade Fertilizers are Cheapest—General Farm Notes. Willow Banket-Pot. When the large l.hododendronsand ether plants arrived at tho World’s Fair from Europe, they were found In a basket similar to tho one shown in the illustration, from the Orange Judd Farmer, which is an Evergreen In such a receptacle. These baskets are roughly made of ozier or other

willows. The green shoots of the willow were springing out, giving the baskets quite a pretty effect, also showing that they were made when wanted. Plants grown in the open ground can readily be transferred to these baskets, which will keep roots and soli intact and at the same timo will bear rough treatment which no other material could be expected to stand during transportation. If ever our nurserymen orllorists prepare fine specimen plants of Evergreens, and shrubs as they do in Europe, this basket will commend itself to ensure safe delivery. Besides the basket for the roots, each bush was enclosed in different sLed hoops brought to a pdint by .3 or 4 uprights, and the whole wrapped with bagging. In this stylo of packing no injury can come to top or bottom and such bundles can be packed in so as to take up the least possible space.

Been and Fruit. I have often seen bees at work on fruifc that had been cracked, says a writer in t<he American Bee Journal, or had been punctured or bitten by other insects, but 1 have never seen a bee puncture, or try to puncture, the epidermis of a sound fruit lam a fruit-raiser as well as an apiarist. In mv orchard I have apples, pears, peaches, plums, cheeries,and quinces, as well as a good list of small fruits. Bees are kept in all directions from and within forty rods of this orchard, and yet I do not believe I have ever been damagea to the extent of 10 cents by the bees working on my fruit My vineyard of two acres lies just in front of the apiary, and comes within about 100 feet of it. The bees have to pass directly over the vineyard ta reach the alfalfa fields just below, but I have never been able to detect a bee at work on the grapes; nor have I ever seen any sign of such work. Sometimes, when the bees are booming on the alfalfa, the mowers are set to work, and in two or three days all the alfalfa in bloom within reach Is cut for hay. The bees are sadly demoralized, and may be see* searching in every nook and and corner for something to carry to the hive. And yet no evidence of their attacking the grapes has appeared. True, all this Is negative and, circumstantial evidence, yet it does raise the presumption of the innocence or our little pets, and in tho entire absence of any affirmative testimony, it carries all the force to positive evidence. So far from being an injury to the fruit crop, bees are almost an essential aid in securing the perfect fertilization of fruit bloom; especially is this true in certain unfavorable seasons.

The Care of the l^iano. The temperature of the room in which the piano is kept i one of the most important things to be considered. As moisture is absolutely necessary, see to it that the air in the room is not allowed to become too dry. The growing plant will prove a good test: if it thrives you may be sure that the atmosphere is such a one your piano needs, and if on the other hand, the plant does not thrive it would be well to find out the reason. About seventy degrees is the proper temperature for the room in which the piano is kept Do not allow it to stand where the sun's rays can shine directly upon it, and be careful to keep it closed and well covered while the sweeping and dusting of the room in which it stands are in progress. To prevent the case of your piano from becoming smoky in appearance wipe a small portion at a time with a fine sponge wet in tepid water and a little Castile soap. Dry with a moistened chamois cloth which has been wrung until almost dry. When this has been done apply some reliable piano polish with a soft flannel cloth. The Buffalo Bug.

The destructive bug which does so muclt damage in many sections of the country is the grub of the buffalo beetle. It is a minute hairy creature which largely devours wool, and is said to eat cotton, papers, or anything else in its way. It is generally found in dark corners or cracks, it always appears next season, if the eggs and grub have not been destroyed, in exactly the same place it did before. The beetle emerges from the pupa state in April, flies out the window, but soon returns to lay its eggs which soon hatch into the little pests that feeds upon your carpets. The beetle is a strict vegetarian, and feeds on the spired and other plants. It will only feed on wool while it is a grub. The State entomologist, Prof. Linther, has found benzine very effective in destroying this grub, in fact, more so than anything else Treat all 9 1 tfee carpet wheye ttye hug

has appeared before thoroagbly with benzine early in April, and again In July and August if tbere are any signs of its reappearance. It is without doubt the most difficult of all household pests to get rid of, because it entirely disappears from the house while It is a bettle, and one can never feel sure whether it has gone forever or only for the season. Uon« Radish so • Spring Use. Horse radish is always left in the ground over winter, but it starts to grow very early, and the quality of the root is much injured alter the green shoots appear. What is still worse, the root allowed to grow a second season becomes tough and stringy. By clearing out the whole of the previous season’s plants, and replanting each spring with new sets, the fiuest and best roots are produced. It is the only way to grow hoise radish to make the crop a paying one. Make Manure More Effective. The advantage of thorough manuring is mainly lost unless eauallv thorough cultivation follows It The breaking up of the soil and mixing it with the manure is not all that cultivation doe-. Every time the soil Is stir ed it is opened to admit air, which is always warmer than tho soil. This increase of warmth is directly helpful to most growing crops, and It Indirectly helps by aiding tho decomposition of the manure.

Quality of Potatoes. Moro depends on the way potatoes are grown than on variety to determine quality. The mealiness which comes from plenty of starch can only be found in potatoes who-e foliage is perfect. Soggy potatoes can be grown of any variety by neglecting the potato bug or by Injuring potato foliage with overdoses of paris green. Drainage Cheap and Ea«y, Make a V-shaped scraper out of two heavy planks, and on the lower ridge of one bolt a straight pioco of steel to act like the land side of a plow. On the lower edged of the other bolt a steel share, B. After having driven stakes where tho ditch Is to be, cut a furrow with a two-horse plow on either side of them but live feet from them. Have tho V-shaped scraper follow the plow and shove the soil

further out Let the teams go down and back until the center is reached, which results In a deep dead furrow. Then let the plow begin, this time only three feet from the stakes, and repeat the process. When the trench is tlnlshed it will be fifteen to twenty feet wide, slipping easily to the center, where It should be nearly three feet deep. Land laid oft In this manner can lie easily seeded and surplus water will flow away quickly without tearing the soil. During summer mowers, reapers, and loads of hay can easily cross the ditch without inconvenience. Grow More Parsnip*. The parsnip Is a root generally liked, and should be always grown. If more are planted than needed for table use the surplus makes excellent feed raw for cows or horses, or cooked, even for hogs and poultry. It is a root more easily grown than carrots, as its wider leaf when It first comes up makes it easily distinguishable In hoeing between the rows. But even in advocacy of the parsnip we dislike to say aught against the carrot. Both roots should be grown, and the carrot may be sown thickly, so that If some are cut out in weeding enough may he left to make a stand. Poultry Need Attention. Eggs and fowls form so large a portion of our-fcodstuffs,especially where fresh beef is not easily produced, that poultry should be as carefully provided for as other live stock.

Farm Notes. Your stable as well as your house should he built on an .elevation if possible. Plant peas every two or th ee weeks if a succe'sion of crops is desired. The dwarf varieties require uo sticks or supports. Wood ashes make a good fertilizer for potatoes. They can be applied broadcast over the surface when there is a full suppiv, or they can be applied in the hill with benefit. Sheep kept on farms in small flocks are more profitable per capita than those kept in large flocks, for the reason that they are more easily handled. and are consequently better cared for. Some farmers believe that sheep require but little water, and neglect the flock in that respect. The fact is that sheep require water regularly, and should receive an unlimited supply at all times. . The Horticultural Times says that no orchards or gardens should be without toads, as they are great insect killers. Thev feed on flies, ants, snails, caterpillars, moths, beetles, grubs, worms, eta

If lime is broadcasted liberally over the poultry yard, or grounds occupied by poultry, it will serve as an excellent preventive of roup and gapes, and when dusted freely in the poultry house at least once a week it will drive lice away. A good cistern, made with a filter, and large enough to hold all the water that falls from the barn, is the safest and surest dependence that you can have for water for your stock. It will be pure and of the right tern, perature for use summer and winter. Lamks may be fed in small pens, which will permit them to get at the food without allowing the sheep to enter. A mess of ground oats, given twice a day, is the best food for promotlog rapid growth of the lambs, and they should also be kept dry at night*

THE WILLOW BASKET-POT.

DITCHING SCRAPER.