Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1893 — REAL RURAL READING [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

REAL RURAL READING

WILL BE FOUND IN THIS DEPARTMENT. How the Traveling Public May Have Convenient Watering Places—Too Much Potaah la Harmful—Value of Agricultural Fairs—Calf Weaner. Roadside Watering Troughs. Whenever practicable, watering troughs should be located at convenient distances along the highway.

In some States any one of the residents who will establish and maintain a watering trough along the highway is exempted from a certain number of days of road tax. This law proves such a convenience to the traveling publtc as well as the residents that it should find a place upon the statute books of all the States; however, to aid those who desire to erect the best forms of troughs, the accompanying sketches from the American Agriculturist, are presented. In Fig. 1, the trough is placed parallel with the roadway, as often there is no room to extend It in any other direction. Whenever possible let the water enter near the bottom of the trough, as the upward flow keeps the water continually agitated and purA The outlet or overflow pipe should have its mouth as near the top as possible, and in no case let the surplus water overflow the trough and run upon the surrounding soil to form mud holes. The plan in Fig 2 will prove more convenient, and should be imitated whenever practicable; its form not only allows both horses of the team to drink at once, but a team may also drive up at the opposlde side. This trough need not be over five feet in length, and should be placed four feet from the ground, that horses may drink without being unchecked; how-

ever, It Is best to provide a single plank platform ten feet long upon each side, as shown in the illustration. Often the overflow may conveniently supply a trough In the adjoining field, or be conducted in underground pipes to the farm buildings. In exposed situations, provisions against freezing should be provided. The foundation should be as firm as possible to guard against the trough being moved by horses crowding against it. A well-arranged watering trough adds greatly to the attraction and value of any roadside. Agricultural Fairs. In nearly every county one or moro fairs are held each autumn. Farmers and their families, says the American Agriculturist, should endeavor to spend one or more days at these annual gatherings. There is certain to be something of great interest and benefit to every branch of farming. In fruit or vegetables, If anything of merit is observed, find out the name and price and test it for next season. Follow the same with grain or other products of the fields. Talk with the producer, if possible, and obtain valuable points or hints that will aid in future labors. Look o<'er the improved breeds of stock, and decide whethera thoroughbred animal could be used In your neighborhood with profit The machinery and implements will receive their .‘hare of attention. You usually meet many of your friends, and make new ones, and thus add another link to the evidence of why you should attend the fairs, both local and State. Take something with you to exhibit, and whether you obtain a premium or not, you have aided in the display and success of the exhibition, and in the future, by this course, be more deeply interested.

Too Mach Potosh. That veteran agricultural writer, B. F. J., reports in the Country Gentlemen an experiment in which hard wood ashes made by burning an 03age orange hedge and spreading thickly on sod land did more injury than good. It is quite likely, however, that in this case it was excess Of nitrogen rather than of potash that made his potatoes grow large, luxuriant foliage, and hiscorn agreat growth of stalks with much smut and few perfect ears. Ashes are a solvent and promote rapid fermentation. A large amount applied to sod land that was evidently very rich before made the excess of nitrogen in the soil This produced the results he describes. The potash Itself ought to make corn ear better, and as analysis Bbows it is found plentifully in potatoes, both foliage and tuber. A little potash in the bill has often prevented rough and seedy potatoes, while parts of the Held not so treated were made nearly worthless by this cause. Quality of MUk. Dr. Voelcker, the well-known chemist of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, regards the popular idea that morning’s milk is of a better quality than that drawn in evening as a fallacy. As far as his experience goes, he says the result depends on the quality and quantity of the food which is given to the cows four or five hours before milking. “If the supply of food given in the daytime be good and plentiful, and that furnished in the evening be unnutritious and scanty, the evening’s milk is of the better quality. On the other band, when the cows get a good supply of rieh food in the evening and are stinted or fed upon very watery food during the daytime, the eveuing milk is the poorer.” To Fasten Wagon Tires. Dry, hot weather makes trouble with wagon tires, in the hot season

blacksmiths have all they can do setting tires, and with some old vehicles the job has often to be repeated the same summer. It is possible to save much of this cost and vexation of spirit by the plan of, the New York State farmer who every spring treated his wagon tires to a soaking in linseed oil brought nearly to the boiling point. The oil is poured into a trough about two inches wider than the tire and an inch or more above the felloes; The wheel with the tire was revolved in this oil until all was taken up that the wood could ahsorb. Tbo oil kept out the water. There was no swelling of the wood, however damp the weather came. The operation was repeated every year, and proved a good preservative of wheels from injury and at very small expense. Calf Weaner. The illustration presented herewith, from the Orange Judd Farmer, represents a v,ery cheap and effective weaner. Take wire tenpenny fence nails and cut off from the pointed end qbout one-third their ordinary length and file the outer ends sharp. Take a stiff piece of leather six to eight inches long and press the nails

through about an inch apart, as shown at band B and G in illustration.. This strap is then fastened to the front of an ordinary halter headstall either by rivets or sewing. When this weaner is placed upon the calf the cow will prevent further sucking. Things to Know, That meat should never be placed directly on the ice, as the juices will be absorbed; put it on a plate and set it in a coal place. That if dish towels and cloths are boiled up in water with ammonia every second day, there will be less trouble with sticky dishes. That oommon salt rubbed in the roots of the hair will remove dandruff; rub a little in at night, and in the morning the salt will be all gone, and after a few applications the dandruff too, leaving only a slight dampness. That piece of chamois fitted to the heel, bound on the edges with tape, and kept in place by an elastic worn over the stocking, will save much mending. That castor oil applied to warts once a day for from two to six weeks will remove them.— Country Gentleman. To Can Pearlies. Select freestones; put them into a wire kettle and dip the kittio into boiling water for one minute; then takeout and peel with a silver knife, cut in halves, make a syrup with one quart of water and one pi»t of sugar cooked together; drop in peaches enough, when the syrup is boiling hoU for one can; when tender II ft out with a wire spoon into a heated‘glass jar; when full pour enough syrup from the kettle to fill the jar, then screw the cover on; then cook enough for another can the same way. Infusing peaches for canning it is better to use only one variety in a can. The lightcolored peaches, although not as rich looking, are very nice when canned and excellent for dumplings. Good Disinfectant.

The much-advertised disinfectants are usually catch-penny nostrums and unworthy of notice. One of the very best known disinfectants is old-fash-ioned “copperas” or sulphate of iron, which can be had very cheap. A barrel of copperas would probably weigh 400 pounds, and can be purchased at wholesale tor 1$ cent per pound. And every family ought, especially in warm weather, to have a supply of it on hand. A couple ot bandsful of copperas, If thrown Into a bucket of water, will soon dissolve, and it can then be used freely, and is a valuable disinfectant Burning vs. Plowing Stubble. When spring grain stubble Is plowed for wheat it Is usually much in the way, keeping the furrrow from compacting and thus leaving the soil too light for a seed bed. If there are not many weeds it is better to burn the stubble, first plowing a few furrows around the field so that, however the wind may change, fire will not spread to any adjoining land, fences or buildings. The nominal value of grain stubble, aside from its ash when burned, is very slight. Not So Bad After All. If wheat is cheaper than it was a quarter ot a century ago, says an exchange, it must not be overlooked that at the present time a farmer can sit on a seat and drive the harvester and binder over the field, accomplishing in a few hours, unaided, as much as formerly required as many days and with considerable outlay for assistance. He also rides on the cultivator in the cornfield, and his labor and the cost of production is reduced, in many other ways. Like a Choice Article. Regular customers for choice tatter, pure milk and fresh eggs are ready for him who can supply the articles. The farmer who will make it a point to gain the confidence ot his customers by never allowing an inferior article to pass his inspection, •will never have cause to complain of prices. Customers are always willing to pay something extra for choice articles. Good Live Stock Necessary. There is no soil so good that exclusive grain farming can be maintained upon it for very many years. It may pay for a time, but finally there will be no profit in it, and the soil will be so depleted that you will find it an expensive task to restore it. Good live stock should be an adjunct to every grain farm. Clean the Cattle Trough. The cattle trough may become filthy and slimy. At least once a week the trough should be scrubbed with a broom and. well rinsed with clean ! water.

FIG. 1. PARALLEL WITH ROADWAY.

FIG. 2. RECTANGULAR WITH ROADWAY.

HOMEMADE WEANER.