Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1888 — FARM AND GARDEN. [ARTICLE]

FARM AND GARDEN.

From an address recently delivered before a farmers’ institute by Colonel J. McClenahan, on the need of education in agriculture, we take the following paragraphs: The object of agricultural edneation should be to teach the science rather than the art of agriculture; to give a more complete knowledge of the farm, the structure, and the growth of the* domestic animals, and the laws of breeding; to teach the structure and laws of growth of domesticated plants, and the adaptation o! both plants and animals to the circum stances of soil arid climate, and their variation as affected by variable influences; those employed in agriculture to habitually observe the phenomena of animal and plant life aa it goes on before them, and to quickly lake advantage of observed facta to improve methods and products. This science also includes insect life and insnripns vegetation so far as agriculture is affected. .U These studies involve almost all the natural science, but each in a limited sense. It is not necessary in order that a man may be an educated farmer, that he be a scientific botanist, understanding the whole range of plant life, bnt it is necessary that he know the general laws and special phenomena of the plants with which he is concerned. It is not necessary that he study the form, habits, structure, and growth of insects and animals he never sees, but that he have an. accurate and complete knowledge of those with which he deals. It is a special application of scientific principles in a special direction in order that he may use these principles in practice, and thus secure better results or with less labor, and also to increase the uum of human knowlege and add to bis happiness by the exeioies of his mental faculties. For several generations Americans have been stimulated to mental activity until now American youth inherit an impales in that direction. Not only is this the effect of schools, but it is the result of onr political system, of the public press, and of commercial intercourse. The boy may be doll at books, slow at school, never having connected the world in books with the outside world of things. He may lack the quick memory of words which often pasfts for learning, and yet have the impulse to activity of thought and action. For this very reason young men prefer positions in the town.or city or on the railroad. There is not only something to do, but something to learn. Unable perhaps to think much for himself, the young man feels that be is neaier the current of the thoughts of otheis. Farm life is monotonous, isolated, laborious. You, gentlemen, think and work, your boys work and think. Ycur thoughts are fully occupied with tbe problems of farm management,his with the dullness and drudgery of his daily life. You, perhaps, are interested in politics or business beyond the farm, he finds little food for thought, has few social advantages, sees nothing ahead bat a dull round of labor year after year, with little to conquer but weeds, and nothing to attain but a living or possibly moderate wealth. This does not comply with the demand of hie birthright and education, his native “Yankee git.” NOTES. The feed is a very important factor in cattle-raising, but the b eed is also important One-year-old trees will bear transplanting and thrive better than those that are larger. Olark Morrill, of Hinesburg, Vt, raised 530 bushels of potatoes from one acre last year. Now is the time to scatter lime aronnd the trees and vines. It may be used freely and liberally. An Australian farmer finds that thistles, which infest his lands, make ensilage that the cattle eat readily. April is the best month for spring . pigs. If given a good start then, by liberal feeding and extra cue,they sometimes overtake the fall pigs in growth and equal them in weight at Christmas. The ground may be ploughed at any time after the frost shall be out. The va'ue of good barrowing is often overlooked. The harrow should be paraad over the ground a dozen times, if necessary,_„ai. the finer the seed bed the better. ... lirtheworld are the feathers of the barn-yard fowls so waited as tn bur own. In France no part of the fowl is wasted, unless, perhaps, it be tbe intestines. The feet and he ids are used at the chta per reitaurants to give body to the soups, etc. Rotation of crops baffles, in a mewure, the root enemies, both insect and fuugie; that prey upon them. . Each plant has itsown peculiar enemies, and changing of plants removes them to fields unoccupied by such enemies. This is true of the enemies of the above-ground growth of p'ants to an important degree. The pickle industry ia a large one in some localities. At Fredericksburg,Ya., the supply reached -30,000,000 cucumbers. They are picked an inch and a half long, and bring 80 cents per 1,000. A boy can pick 3,000 per day. Picking them off when they are small increases the prodnetivenees of the vinee,Aa otheis , quickly grow as the first ones are picked off. -t-—:, '-S \.V -