Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1878 — HOME, FARM AND GARDEN. [ARTICLE]

HOME, FARM AND GARDEN.

—Yon cannot successfully pet your house plants one week and neglect them the next —lowa Register. —Try top-drewdng grass, with fair soil or subsoil —and sand, even if the meadow is wet—and you’ll be surprised at the way the grass will grow. —We never knew, or even heard tell of a farmer, who kept out of debt, going into bankruptcy, or even complaining of hard times.—(7. F. Clarkson. —Even at .|he. present prospect of prices, wo believe it best for farmers to get their hogs ready for market os soon as possible this fall. Be ready by early November.— lowa State Register. —Boned Ham.—Having soaked a well-cured ham in tepid water over night, boll it until it is perfectly tender, putting it on the range in warm water; take it up in a wooden tray and leave it to cool. Afterward remove tho bone carefully, and press the ham again into shape; return it to the boiling liquor, remove the pot from the fire, and let the ham remain until it is cold. —After a broomstick has outlived its usefulness as part of a carpet-cleanser, it mav be made to minister to one’s health by cutting off the broom and using it as a gymnasium wand. Spend five minutes each night and morning in lifting the wand high over the head in both hands, palms front, and then drawing the elbows sharply down, letting the stick fall behind the shoulders. The most obstinate case of crookedness will yield to this remedy, unless tho deformity has existed from birth.— N. Y. Times.

—As tho season of frosts is approaching, when tender plants are liable to be frozen, it is of advantage to know how to save them. Cold water will do it, but it must not be applied in the light. Cover them so they may be entirely dark and excluded from the air. After treated thus, all except very tender ones will come out all right. It is even better that they be not watered while frozen. The proper way is, when the frost has been partially drawn out of them, naturally, to drench them with cold water from a fine-nosed wateringpot, and immediately cover again and let them so remain until they regain their natural color. When they are removed, clip off all such parts as aro blackened. The better way, however, in the fall, is to remove all tender plants tel the house or else carefully cover them when frost may be feared. Thus, dahlias, cannas and other herbaceous plants may be made to do duty in the West for a month longer than usual, since we often have a few frosty nights, and after that a long season of beautiful weather for weeks. — Prairie Farmer.