Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1901 — AGRICCULTURAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AGRICCULTURAL

To Test Crimson Clover Seed. The germination of crimson clover seed even when the seed Is comparatively pure often leaves much to be desired. The seed deteriorates rapidly with age. There is, however, a simple quality test within the reach of any buyer, as shown in a home-made germlnator Illustrated in a circular of the Department of Agriculture. A plepe of moist flannel is laid upon a plate, and a certain number of seeds are counted out and laid upon the flannel, a second fold of which is placed over them. Then another plate Is Inverted over the whole. The seeds are removed and

counted as fast as they germinate. Good crimson clover will sprout 80 to 90 per cent of the seed within three days. Ground Bone aa Fertilizer. As a fertilizer for certain purposes ground raw bone deserves a high place, if it is the genuine article, and is very finely ground. Much of that which is sold for that purpose is not fine enough, and not only requires too long to become available, but in some cases never becomes so, as it seems to become coated or glazed over so that the acids of the soil cannot act upon it. The bone is not adapted for a fertilizer for field crops, or for general use upon light soils, but in a strong soil well filled with vegetable matter it is good for seeding down to grass, as its decay in the soil may require years during all of which time it is feeding the grass crop. Yet w 6 think we have found better results from using it around grape vines and the bush fruits than in any other way. There is nitrogen enough so that when used in the early spring it will promote a good- growth of wood and foliage, just enough for a thrifty bush or vine, but not enough to continue that growth during the fall, while the phosphoric acid will help to make a growth of fruit and a jucier and better flavored fruit than would grow without it. It certainly lacks potash, and unless upon new soil Its effects would be Improved by using about half the same amount of muriate of potash with it, which will make the wood stiffer and more hardy. The amount to use per acre must depend upon the number and size of plantbut liberality is generally the best economy.—American Cultivator. ,

Market Wagon Improvement. It is a convenience, when peddling vegetables, fruit, etc., to have a long bodied wagon, rather than to pile barrels and boxes high. With a longbodied wagon very little climbing is

necessary; with a short-bodied wagon constant climbing becomes tiresome. The plan herewith shows a board platform extended beyond the body of the wagon and on it barrels, boxes, bags, etc., can be placed and held securely by a rope.—Farm and Home.

Grain Ruat. The red rust which often appears on rye and wheat is the same that appears earlier in the season upon the leaves of the barberry bush. We have heard It both asserted and denied that the same rust attacks the oat, but never were able to trace the rust on oats to the direct vicinity of the barberry, as we have that which appeared on rye. But where these grains are grown we advise cutting and burning of all the barberry bushes near the Held. In some parts of England they have very strict laws, obliging this to be done. There are probably some other plants upon which this rust can be found, as it is sometimes found on grain when there is not a barberry bush for miles, but where they are it always starts ©n them before it does on the grain. iAbout the time the grain begins to

harden this turns to a black rust, which is only an advanced form of the same disease. It does not hurt the kernel of the grain, unless to cause it to shrink if it comes very early.—Exchange. - .1 The Pea Vine Louse. Not long since we said that we would not give up trying to grow peas, although the louse worked a great deal about us last season, tout we hoped that they might die out or be greatly reduced after one or two years prevalence. Now we have the rteport of the experiment station at Amherst for 1900, which says of this pest: “Less has been heard about this insect than in 189$), though it has caused considerable loss in several places in the South. Whether it will increase in importance during 1901 is at least doubtful.” As ( it appears upon clover and some other plants, as well as upon the pea, to stop planting peas would not starve them out. The season probably was not favorable last year to many species of insects, as a warm spell started eggs to hatching early, and it was followed by a cold period that was too severe for the very young, and probably many perished. But it is not best to trust the work entirely to nature when we can find a way to assist in the good work of defending our orchards and plants by spraying or by other means.— Massachusetts Ploughman. Corn Planting. If corn is planted while the ground is wet and cold, the germ does not start, or starts only to decay. In this it differs from the smaller grains, most of which seem not to require the heat or the air to promote growth, which are needed by the corn. These causes operate to oblige many farmers to replant much of their cornfields, if they attempt to hasten their work by putting the seed in the ground too early. A depth of two inches is deep enough for putting seed corn, unless it is planted very late in a warm and dry soil. For level culture we would prefer to wait longer, and then possibly go a little deeper, but while level culture seems to have found favor in the so-called corn-growing sections, and is almost a necessity where the weeder or light harrow is run over it after the corn is up, it is difficult to convince the farmer in New England that he should not hill or ridge it up a little as he cultivates it.—New England Homestead. Sign Board Advertising. If the farmer when he visited the city saw nothing on the store fronts to indicate what was for sale within, he would think the merchants were very much lacking in business ability. But if he rides out through the country he seldom sees anything to tell him who has a cow or pig, eggs or seed corn to sell, and he must inquire and hunt about it if he wants to buy, unless he has chanced to hear before he left home. It would be well for each farmer to have near the entrance to his grounds a blackboard on which he could each week put an announcement of what he may have to sell, or wishes to buy. It would be likely not only to help him dispose of his products, but by bringing more customers, and some farther away, enable him to obtain better prices. It is a cheap and very effective mode of advertising.

Soaking Corn for Horses. One who has tried it advises soaking corn for horses. Have a clean pail or jar, and after each feed put in as much corn as is intended for the next feed and cover with cold water. At feeding add a little salt to this and give it, then prepare the next. He says he does this and has no trouble with sore mouth or teeth from the use of hard, flinty com. But we prefer to have the com cracked when we mix it with oats, or ground fine and the meal put on hay that has been cut and moistened. We think it more thoroughly digested by the latter method. If one is where he cannot get his corn td mill, the above hint may be of some value to him, though we would prefer more than six hours soaking if we trusted to that entirely.—Exchange.

Horticultural Notes. Hardy hydrangea stands drought well. , There is no abatement in the demand for decorative nursery stock. a The Otaheite dwarf orange pot plarft is attractive, whether in fruit or flower. English ivy is well recommended for shady places, such as bare spots under trees. Plant your peaches on high ground, for it is coolest in summer and warmest in winter. The extraordinary demand for geraniums this year runs very largely to semi-double kinds. The “light pink" Lorraine is another of the variations from the beautiful and popular Gloire de Lorraine. Leading fruit-growers have claimed that where lime and sulphur are used as a wash for trees there will be no pear blight Dahlia growers all over the world are striving to produce a better flower. The color la better, the stems longer, and the flower more vigorous. Fashion rules in flowers as well as dress. It is said that English leaders In floral Matters have decreed the downfall of Incurved chrysanthemum*.

HOME-MADK SEED GERMINATOR.

MARKET WAGON PLATFORM.