Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1895 — FARMS AND FARMERS. [ARTICLE]

FARMS AND FARMERS.

TO MEASURE AN ACBET-/ j ~ Few farmers know the size of their fields or how many acres they contain. It is desirable—in fact, indispensable—for good' work that a Harmer sho u 1 d fenow -th is, otherwise he cannot apportion seed ovmensure for it; nor can he tell how much time it should take to plow, harrow or cultivate it. A good cotton cord, the size of a plow line, should be kept for this purpose. ’ To make one, buy sixty-seven feet of cotton, rope, one inch round, fasten a ring at eaclyendyaud make these rings precisely sixty-six feet apart. This is four rods. Tie a piece of red rag in the center. One acre of ground will be a piece four of these cot'ds long and two and one-half wide, equal to 16x10 rods, making IfiO square rods to an acre. . The advantage of the ringsis that by driving a stake in the ground to hold the rope while he stretches it out. The rope should be soaked in tar and then dried. This will prevent its shrinking. ——; —— Hast year a neighbor of the writer had*a heavy sod plowed by contract at $2.50 per acre. Three persons stepped it off. One said it was four 'achresj another made it a little over five, and the third said it was .31 acres. Tfie contractor sent over and got this rope, and all five men measured it, and it was found to be just 31 acres. He had paid to have the grass cut off it for three years at $1 per acre, or sseach season, counting it tq be five acres in extent, thus losing $4.50 through ignorance. Get a measuring line, and when not in use put it away, ’so that the •hands cannot get at it, dr they will be very apt togut a piece off to tie up thus makiiig-i-Fworthluss-for the purpose of measuring.

beef for the market. Western dressed beef could not compete with home raised beef if the Western beef was not’of good quality. Much as has been said in regard to the monopoly of the markets by this dressed beef, the fact is that it is of excellent quality compared with that which has been fur - nished to-the consumers by butchers who have accejited old cows, poor steers and other animals that liave been out of condition for the butcher in many ways. When the farmers begin to raise choice/beef by using beef-producing breeds, they will be able to compete with Western beef without difficulty. It is a sad truth, but lack of quality in home raised neat has given up«the markets to the Western ready dressed beef.

. WOUNDS OF FRUIT TREES. All wounds that are noticed on Tuit frees ought to be attended to promptly an.d carefully, just as is j|he case in the care of animals, and proper remedies shoujd be applied. Broken limbs must be removed by a sne, sharp saw, and the bared surface then quickly covered with a thick ochre paint; the wound thus treated will heal much more quickly and soundly than if left alone. Very ?arly in its existence a young tree may get what will prove to be its death wounds. It is not enough to paint trees—that is an operation which goes but a very little way in the establishment of an orchard to be depended upon for regular and reliable crops of good merchantable fruit. VALUE OF WINTER CROPS. Farmers have been accustomed to regard the winter season as an unprofitable portion of the year, as plant growth ceases and the earth.is Sealed by the frost until spring. Nevertheless, there is something occurring in the soil, even during the severest period of the year, and in a manner which may not be noticed. Changes are constantly occurring in the soil, and the roots of plants act mysteriously, performing duties that apparently Wave no connection with the plants, yet are within the lines of pertaining to their kind and according to circumstances and conditions. While, many of the processes which occur in the soil are not fully understood, yet there is always evidence that changes are taking place and that results are obtained from causes which do not manifest themselves- to the inexperienced, or until the solution of some problem connected therewith unfolds that which was unknown. Growth may occur in a plant by storage of food within the roots, and by enlargement of the roots, without the manifestation of increase on the surface of the ground. That is, the plants in winter may not increase the length of the stalks and leaves, but may be making preparation far down below the reach of the frost. The clover plant, and especially the scarlet (or crimson) clover, is an example of the capacity of some plants to utilize portions of the winter season. It makes wonderful growth in the fall, and does not cease growing until the ground is quite cold, and it also shoots off early in the spring before some othbr plants have shaken off the frost. Its ability to spring right off on the first approach of warmth shows that there has been a storage of plant food in the roots (though not in large quantity, and performed slowly), to give the plants an early start. This may be claimed in favor of some other plants which also utilize the growing season late and early. When plants grow ■ rapidly in the fall, and cover the ground, they do not so readily suffer from alternate freezing and thawing, as the roots secure a hold deep in tho earth, and

the plants afford a partial mulch. There is less loss of soluble material being carried away by the rains, and on warm, sandy soils the process of chemical action occurs, even if to on ly a si igh t ex ten t, but d urin/i the long period of venter a suflicienf change occurs to be of service to the plants- ‘ Hence, while, no upward growth is • apparent, there is a preparatory process jwhich -hastens the growth on the first approach o! spring. Ground that is occupied with winter crops, therefore, is utilized. to the best advantage, because the crops can be got but of the way during the growing season to per: mit of alate crop of some kind, and because the land would otherwise be idle. THE GARDEN. Working the garden with the spade and hoe on heavy soil is hard work in the spring, and it is not much relished by farmers, who prefer the horse hoe. The soil can be mellowed some if the plot is toe small to admit of plowing, it may be spaded. No raking is necessary, but a heavy application of lime should be given. All small fruits in the garden will be benefited by a heavy mulching ol manure, which protects the roots against frequent thawing.and freezing of the soil. Radishes for win ter may be stored in sand in the cellar. Root crops may also be kept in this manner. Cut the rose bushes back and cover them by wrapping straw around them, jjilling up well to turn the water off. If the climate is not too severe for some varieties simply hillaround them. Nasturtium cuttings, taken from plants in the open ground and rooted before cold weather sets in, make nicq plants for flowering indoors during the winter.

NOTES. 3: A poultry writer says that the dust bath’is not merely a mqtter ol fanciful benefit to the fowls. It is the same to them as a water bath to the human biped, and more, for if not only helps to free their plumage from dirt, but dislodges insect enemies from their skins. Their appreciation. of its value is sufficiently attested by the use they make of it when they have the chance. 'Chicks will not raise themselves. To be successful we must take the very best care of them, Watcjiing for and attending to their every want, There are so many details to be taken into consideration that it is impossible to record them here, but each one must attend to them as they present themselves. Experiments made, with eggs for hatching purposes demonstrate that those layed by pullets are unreliable, and fewer chicks are obtained than from eggs laid by old hens.

The Minorcas and Black Spanish’ lay larger eggs than do any other breed of fowls, but the Brahmas, Cochins and Plymouth Rocks are the best winter layers. SHEEP AND CATTLE. A good rule with sheep is to keep them under shelter in stormy weather, and let them run out when the weather is fine. When a calf is drinking milk it should be fed slowly and with intervals of rest, and cold milk should never be given, as this chills the stomach and provokes indigestion. If it becomes gorged, give a little soda, following with little raw linseed or castor oil. In breeding to improve sheep, two items must be kept in view; one is the carcass or form, and the other is the fleece or wool; and neither should be improved without carefully considering the other. Neither can receive too much attention, if in caring for it the other is not"neglected. Many farmers have yet to learn that the better grades of stock pay them better in the end. The same feed and care necessary to keep a scrub alive will often keep a good animal in a thrifty condition. The one will pay for its feed and something over, while the other will prove a loss.