Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1894 — FARMS AND FARMERS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FARMS AND FARMERS.

Co-Operation in Insect Killing. In the spring, when the sun warms the earth, the insects appear regularly. There are hundreds of species and their ways differ. Some can endure the lowest temperature while others hide beyond the reach of cold. It is in the winter when they are inactive and helpless, and as "the habits of many kinds are well known they can be destroyed with but little effort. A farmer, alone, can do something in the way of attempting to lessen the number of insects, but no doubt the discussion of this matter before the farmers’ institutes would lead to united action and more satisfactory results. It is a fact that the greatest protection to insects is a very cold winter. Cold does not destroy many kinds at all, while others go down in the earth below the reach of frost. It is the warm winter, during which the earth alternately thaws and freezes, which increases their liability to destruction. When theground is warm it becomes damp after a rain, and should the ground then suddenly freeze the result is fatal. To withstand cold, then, the insect must be protected against dampness. Instinct prompts it to guard against sudden changes of temperature. Eggs that are glued to the limbs of trees are protected to insure hatchinid tlic spri d 3nd thousands of hiding places are utilized to protect those that seek seclusion under shelter. While the farmer can accomplish much by examining and cleaning his trees and vines as far as he is able to do so, as well as burning all refuse and stubble, he can do the insects heavier damage by plowing his fields as soon as the ground will permit. If not prevented by the frost the ground should be turned up, and many insects will thus be brought to the surface in a condition of helplessness, the first rain, followed by freezing of the ground, putting an end to them, cocoons being softened by the moisture and broken by the frost. Fields that are overrun by cutworms can be ridded of them in this manner if the plowing is deep, and while the work may not destroy all of them on very heavy sod ground, yet it will certainly reduce them in numbers. As stated above, however, the best results obtained in insect extermination is when the community is determined to destroy them; but the individual farmer can accomplish much by seeking to protect his own farm, and using the plow for that purpose whenever an opportunity is afforded for so doing.

Early Radishes. The radish is one of those vegetables that grow freely when the thermometer is but a little above the freezing point, and it is therefore one of the easiest of Vegetables for an amateur to bring forward early. Any little glass frame placed over the natural earth, in which the radish seed is sown, will bring them forward very rapidly. In case they freeze a little they will not be materially injured. The soil for radishes should be very rich —indeed it* cannot be too rich if a mild and tender root is desirable. The poorer the ground the more likely the roots are to be biting and bitter. As a rule, the turnip-rooted radishes are fit to use before the longer ones, and they are the best where great earliness is desired. Points on Fea lllzers. A farm can be made very fertile without an ounce of manure by the use of commercial fertilizers, and although the fertilizer may apparently be more expensive, yet the increased yield of the crops will be an advantage gained. Fertilizers are more certain in results, as they supply plants with food that is available from the start until the maturity of the crop. Marl was at one time in great favor, and gives excellent results on grass land. It consists largely of lime, and is excellent for composting with manure. Its bulk is the greatest obstacle to its use, as the cost of railroad transportation and hauling renders it more expensive than should be the case. Where it can be procured cheaply, however, it will be found of much value in proportion to the cost of some other fertilizers.

Live Stock Notes. It is foolish to attempt to improve cattle by selections on the farm. The shortest road in that direction is to begin w ith thoroughbred males. In a few years the characteristics of the entire herd will be changed. Whenever the trough is filled with 'c ’-cold water, and the cow is compelled to drink from the trough, she will lose heat exactly in proportion to the heat imparted to the cold water by her body. The appearance of animals on a farm tells a good deal about the

owner and his tastes. Thin cows, withprbminent ribs - in winter or spring, are not much of a recommendation. It does not take long to stock up with hogs or togei rid of them, and it will pay to try a lot of shoats to clean out the bushes from wet places and wild plants from new ground. Make a new fence and turn them in, and give good shelter and a little grain, and they will do the rest. The “American Sheep Breeder’’ says that when you are about to purchase a ram for a stock-getter, see that his nostrils are round anfi free, not plugged up with dry mucus. Beware of one which had to be shorn in mid-summer or a little later to enable him to pull through. Such a one is deficient in vitality. All stock feeding should be done with a view of saving the fertility which is in the food and getting it back upon the land. This puts it at work in the way of producing something more that is of value, and the rotation thus procured is the highway to success. A rotation of erbps is not the only rotation to which farmers must pay attention. If you doubt about the necessity of milking cows with exact regularity, try the regular and irregular system on two of your cows and see for yourself. Milk one regularly to the minute each day, let the time vary for the other from half an hour to three hours, and see how soon the second cow will fall off in- her milk. Professor Henry says steers cannot be fattened fully on corn alone with profit, for the concentrated grain soon burns out the digestive tract and the steer comes to make poor use of his food. Oil meal or bran should be fed to lighten the ration. Bran is cooling, and lightens the heavy corn meal materially. Roots or silage have much the same effect. The “Western Agriculturist”says: If farmers who have horses to sell would put them in good order, even well fatted, they would sell better; then curry them up sleek and clean, trim off the shaggy hair on the legs, then they will sell better. We see so many thin, rough looking horses sold that should have been put in better condition, and the buyers would pay more for them.

Big Yield of Wheat. Prairie Farmer. We have recently interviewed a farmer who produced this season 300 bushels of wheat from twelve acres of land. Now this is not an extraordinary yield, and almost anyone can do as well if they will try. But the point that struck us in conversation with this man was that he was certain he could afford to continue growing wheat, even at present prices. So can any one who will take the pains to grow good crops.

THS NSW CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBBART.