Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1895 — TIMELY FARM TOPICS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TIMELY FARM TOPICS.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FARM, GARDEN AND STABLE. Value of Crimson Clover as Feed and Manure—Home-Made Bnlky Plow Used in the Northwest Territories —Fence-for Wet Grounds. Crimson Clover. Crimson clover is a comparatively new crop, yet the area seeded each year is rapidly increasing. Where its characteristics have been studied and are well understood by farmers it is very highly regarded, and now has a fixed and important place among the regular farm crops. The, New Jersey experiment station, according to the American Agriculturist, has made a very careful study of the plant, and experiments are still in progress to fully determine its advantages and limitations. In the truck sections of the State it is largely used as a green manure crop, while in the dairy regions and among general farmers it is esteemed for early pasture, for forage, for soiling, or for hay. In southern sections large areas are being turned under as a manure for corn, tomatoes, potatoes and other crop?, while in the more northern sections it is used to some extent for pasture, and in summer as a soiling crop and in orchards as a green manure. The single stool shown in the accompanying illustration was removed from the soil on April 24. It represents the average size of the crop on that date on good soil. It was seeded in a pear orchard in Gloucester County on Aug. 1. particular pains were taken to retain the whole root system to the depth of the surface soil, and the size of the taproot, as well as the abundance of fine rootlets ( with the accompanying tubercles, indicate a strong feeding capacity. Its stooling character is also an important feature, actual count showing seventy distinct branches in this stool. In the central sections of the State the average size in good soils, seeded under good conditions, was probably about

six inches on the same date. The studies made last year at this station show .ae great value of the crop even when averaging only six inches high when used. It was found that the roots and stubble on an acre of a full stand of this size contained 103.7 pounds of nitrogen, an amount equivalent to that contained in 648 pounds of nitrate of soda, which would cost at present prices sls; or it was equivalent in nitrogen and organic matter to that contained in ten tons of average quality yard manure, the nitrogen in which represents two-thirds of its total value as actual plant food, and which costs $2 per ton delivered at consumer’s depot. Regarded as a food, it would furnish in pasture actual nutritious compounds sufficient to maintain twelve cows in full flow of milk for one week. The value of the crop is, of course, proportionately increased as it approaches maturity, and when fully grown is quite as valuable, other things being equal, as the common red variety.

Hens in Hot Weather. Summer is the time to get hens in condition for fall and winter laying. Most of those that were prolific layers in spring will now want to set, but this should not be allowed. Kill off all the roosters, and begin feeding the hens liberally of the kind of food that makes feathers. Wheat Is as good as anything, with some milk every day to drink. If fed thus they will begin to moult early, and get through this depressing operation before cold weather. A small quantity of linseed meal will help the hens to shed their old coats. Many do not begin to feed extra until cold weather. Then even if the new coat is produced, the hen is too much eihauqted to begin laying before spring. A Tree Hitching; Post. It is often desirable to use a tree for a hitching post, but there is danger that the horse may gnaw the bark, or

rub his harness against the tree. The cut shows a device to obviate both difficulties. The horse thus hitched cau neither reach the tree nor move In either direction by it. Another safe con-

trivance to prevent horses from gnawing trees consists of a staple to which are attached three or four links of a chain, a half-inch rod thirty inches long, then three or four more links, with a snap at the end. Profit in Cabbage. At two cents a head, the cultivation of ten or more acres of good cabbage will net the farmer a very handsome return for his labor, more actual cash, with less labor, thfln a crop of wheat or oats will necessitate. Being a hardy vegetable, less risk is encountered in growing them up to marketable condition; this means a great deal to the grower. Locate near a good market, try cabbage as a principal vegetable, and with ordinary success they will pay. If Hollanders can grow them profitably and ship them to New York, certainly the demand for them is beyond the supply.

Holland is a groat cabbage and turntj growing country: In fact, they are nearly all truck farmers. Make a Balky Plow. To change an ordinary plow into a riding plow, an old wagon wheel may be cut down to 36 inches in diameter and the tire reset. Then have a blacksmith make necessary irons (see illustration) and any intelligent man can do the rest at home. Either make a new axle about 4V4 feet long and clamp over the plow beam, over the upright standard and on the forward end of the plate which lies on top of this axle. Directly over the beam have a hinge made to which the pole is bolted. The iron braces which are seen hinged from the end of the lever to the front end of the beam serve to lift the plow out of the ground and to keep the pole in its place over the beam. A brace of hard wood or iron must be fastened from the axle, near the wheel, to the front end of the plow beam. When the plow is lifted out of the ground it runs on its heel, but a wheel may be added if preferred. The seat of a mower or hay rake is bolt-

ed to the axle and the plow is complete. This plow, says Farm and Horae, will do as good work as any sulky plow in the market, and the plow can be detach ed at any time if wanted for drilling potatoes or any work of that kind. The cut above is a reproduction taken from a plow in actual service in one of the extensive grain fields of Alberta. A Believer in Few Crops. An acre of ground may be made to grow a half dozen different kinds of supplies for the farm, thus preventing the necessity of expending money at the store; but if that acre can be made to produce a cash crop that will buy these supplies, and require only half as much of the time and labor of the farmer, it is business to let the patches go. The little side crops take so much valuable time in the busy growing season, and those who grow these supplies as field crops on soil and with tools adapted to their culture, can sell us what we need far more cheaply than we can grow them. I believe that a very few kinds of crops are enough for one farm, says a writer. Modern tillage requires many costly tools, and it is better to push a few paying crops than to fritter away time on numberless patches. By so doing there is less danger of neglecting anything, and there is more net profit at the end of the year. Some side crops may be raised because they pay in cash, but the planting of everything with the idea that the farmer must pay out no money for anything is a relic of a bygone era that will never return. Cleanliness In Milking. Men often go directly from the dirtiest operation of farming to the milking, not washing their hands, brushing their garments, or properly cleaning tho cow’s udder, and, to cap the climax, many moisten their hands and the teats with milk. Brushing the dry udder with the flat of the hand will remove much dirt Filth should be washed off with clean water. Both teats and hands should be clean and dry during milking. The strainer will not remove all Impurities. Many are dissolved, and thus get into the butter and cheese. A Fence Without Stakes. Stakes for fences are sometimes hard to obtain, and on some land stakes can never be kept in place, the frost throwing them out every year. Again, some land is so wet that ordinary stakes soon rot out The illustration, from the

Orange Judd Farmer, shows an ingenious way to support a fence without stakes. Picket boards four inches wide are used for uprights, cross-pieces, and for braces, in the manner shown, the result being an exceedingly stiff support The fence boards are nailed to the edge of one upright before the other is put In place. The crosspieces should be laid on flat rocks, to prevent decay, while a few heavy rocks may he laid upon the ends to “ballast” the fence. Late-Planted Potatoes. If potatoes are planted on sod, the land should be plowed early and be thoroughly worked, delaying the planting until the sod has begun to rot This will avoid the air spaces under the hills which often interfere with the yield, as this space is wholly untouched by the cultivator. One of the great advantages of clover for plowing under'is that its sod rots very quickly, and thus the furrow does not hold up over a vacant space as it will in a tough June grass sod. This is nearly as important a point as good seed in securing a perfect even stand of potatoes, which is necessary in growing a large crop. Shade for Milch Cows. Shade is as essential to milch cows and fattening steers In summer as warmth in winter. If the pastures have no trees, erect a tight board shed, where they can go in and be in the dark, away from the flies. This fixture to a pasture often pays even if good shade trees abound. Such a building can be used for milking in, without driving the cows home, and in winter for storing mowers, rakes, etc. It should be built before the hurry of haying.—Farm Journal. Drainage on the Farm. Water is fatal to all life when in excess, because it deprives living organisms of the indispensable air. Plants must have air as animals must, and will drown when burled in water. Therefore, one of the first inquiries of the farmer must be as to whether his land needs draining, and, next, bow best to do It

STOOL OF CRIMSON CLOVER.

HOME-MADE SULKY PLOW.

FENCE FOR WET GROUND.