Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1887 — DOMESTIC ECONOMY. [ARTICLE]

DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

A Budget of Useful Information Upon Household and Agricultural Topics. Matters of Interest Relating to Farm, Orchard, Stable, Parlor, and Kitchen. AGRICULTURAL. Agricultural Implements. Americans urobablv invest more money in farming tootwthan-smy other people. By the census of 1880 the value of agricultural implements mado the previous year was $68,000,000. Ten years is a long Mfe to the average of farm tools, and many are worthless after three or four jgstfrs use or rust. It is probable that tho entire amount invested in form tools’ now in use is nearly or quite $1,000,000,000. Changing the Urowth of (Iras*. A noticeable and remarkable change is reported in the habits of grass aud its growth on the open plains of Australia under the feeding anil tramping of sheep. It is said that the grass originally growing in large tussocks some distance apart has now assumed the appearance of a Bwnrd, owing to its having stooled out when fed upon by sheep and cattle, and from the seed having been trampled into the ground, where in the absence of bush-fires, it germinated. This, if correct, would point to tho fact that the species would be valuable in all the plains regions such as Texas, California, etc,, having a climate analngous to that of Australia. Neverthless, there is strong ground for doubt whether the grass has changed its habit. It is more probable that under the feeding'of the sheep other grasses somowhat similar in their nature, but that would bear tramping, and not heretofore noticed, may have supplanted the coarser grasses. But, again, this would not render these grasses that have come in the less valuable, perhaps. There is a well-grounded impression, but not borne out by practical experience, that plants indigenous to a Country are the most valuable. But timothy and orchard grass, indigenous to the United States, are among the most valuable in England, as they are with us, and red and white clover, also alsike and alfalfa, all introduced, are among the most valuable of our forage plants, accordingto climate and soil natural to them. A safe rule for the farmer is, “Try many, but hold on to the best.”— Chicago Tribune. •

Jlam Stables. Every year new stables, barns, and other out-buildings are going up, either to replace w;om-out structures or to furnish additional space for stock. In planning, the prominent idea to be kept in mind is the definite use for which the building is intended. There is no more unsound idea in the building of a combined barn and stable than in allowing the breath and other effluvia to pass into the fodder and other food of the stock. In other words, the ventilation of the stables should not pass through the mow or the bam. In the building and arrangement of the stable warmth is the essential integer, and, the ventilation being correct, the stable cannot be made too tight. Probably nine stables out of ten are bnilt with the floors raised above tire earth, and so the wind has full sweep beneath the floor. The effect is, the nnimals are constantly being chilled as so 'their feat' ami limbs; reacting on the whole body. All stables should be laid on solid wal s, and the stable floor, instead of being laid upon bearings,should be let into the sills of the structure, upon bearings laid directly on the ground. The scantling, thus laid, will last as long as the floor, and as a rule fully as long as when let into the sills.

If drainage underneath is intended, this must be done before the floor is laid, and the pipes for this drainage should not be less than six inches in diameter. It is worse than useless to lay such drains unless there is considerable fall and ample means for flushing, when necetesary. In fact, as a rule, stables iu the country are better without drains,except along the floors. It is preferable that the liquid manure be absorbed with dry clay, or other similar material, for thus the most valuable portion of the manure is saved. —The floors of stables are usually made of thick plank. They are by no means the best. The foundation may be six inches of broken stone, thorougfily pounded'and solidified. On tbis is a tkin layer of gravel laid and pounded smooth; on this again a good cement of sharp gravel, sand, and cement is laid. When finished it should be kept moist for some rime before it is used —if for three months it will be better. On such a floor comparatively little water will keep all sweet and clean. Now if the stable is . laid with a wellmatched floor alone of thoroughly driven home, and it is coiled in from the rest of tbe barm ere only a portion of the floor is used as a stable, there will be danger of contamination of the food of the nnimals by any effluvia therefrom. — Chicago Tribune.