Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 83, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1901 — AGRICULTURAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AGRICULTURAL

Gate that Cannot Sac. The cut shows a plan of construction for a gate that avoids the great inconvenience of sagging. The framework about the gate holds the posts rigidly in place, while the cross supports of the gate Itself are arranged so, according to the laws of mechanics, that sagging is almost an impossibility. Such a gateway, moreover, has an “air” to it —a trimness and an evidence of substantial building—that makes it a credit to the farm. Too few realize how the small, untidy affairs, like sagging gates, dilapidated fences; well curbs, etc., give to onlookers the impression of generally slovenly farm practice. Very often, it must be admitted, such an impres-

Bion is just. Pride may, generally speaking, be the forerunner of a fall, but pride in the appearance of one’s farm buildings, fences, stock, etc., is purely the sort of thing that indicates and goes with good farming in all its branches. —New York Tribune.

Cheap Cover for Haystack.

Where hay is stacked rather than stored in barn ot mow there are tons wasted and spoiled every season. In feeding, though the greatest care be taken, it will be impossible not to open a stack in some weather that will ruin the exposed hay. A cheap and convenient cover can be made that in one season will more than pay for itself in the hay it will preserve. Cut two 16 foot 2 by 4’s in two pieces each, of equal length, which will be eight feet. Wjth some rough lumber board up a side by laying the studding six feet apart and cutting the boards of that length. When you have the two sides boarded, place the two ends of tht sections together. This will be the apex of the cover. The 2 by 4’s should have been left projecting a few inches in order to bolt the two sides together at the apex. This cover will form a roof that will turn all storm and preserve the hay as well as though stored in a barn. As the covers are made in sections six feet each, only that much of a stack need be ent down at a

time. In order to hold the covers firmly in place bore an inch hole in the lower ends of the 2 by 4's and with a piece of smooth wire or rope hang a heavy weight to it or stake it down to the ground—Ohio Farmer. Shade in the Pasture. Two years ago an experiment was made with a view to ascertaining what profit there was in providing some comfort for milch cows in the pasture. The pasture was so located that it was impossible to give tree shade of any kind, so a rough structure was erected with boards, open on all sides, but hooded in such a manner that some portion of it was at all times shaded. By the use of some piping the current of a stream of water was carried into troughs, so that the cows at all times had a supply of cool, fresh water. The pasture was situated on lowland, and as a consequence flies were very numerous and annoying. It was found profitable to use light blankets make of unbleached muslin, arranged so that they could be buttoned around the neck and come down over each leg to the ankle. Later in the season, as these summer blankets became soiled, the fly remedies, es which there are several good ones on the market, were used with splendid success. The result of the experiment showed conclusively that it was profitable in dollars and cents to provide thtee summer comforts for the cows. The flow of milk was materially increased, and in quality much Improved. This larft statement may seem a little peculiar, as quality is supposed to be WMJrely the result of the food, but It la

surprlsing how much the quality of milk is affected by the disposition of the cow. Premium Cora Crops. The reports of certain corn crops which received premiums at the County or local Agricultural Societies, as exceeding 100 bushels of ears per acre, not of shelled corn, whidfi we supposed to have been meant by the article to which we took exception, are probably correct, and we would not have questioned the accuracy of either of them. Yet we remember when the South Middlesex Society awarded a premium to parties for having grown something over 100 bushels of shelled corn per acre on a field of about five acres. They ascertained the crop by measuring a square rod, which they thought an average of the whole field, then weighing the product of that and multiplying by 160. But after the permium had been awarded, the whole crop was harvested, husked and weighed in December, and the field accurately surveyed. The result showed that the crop was much less than 100 bushels of shelled corn per acre, and wq think but little more than one-half as much as the estimate of the committee that awarded the premium. Many have grown over or very near 100 bushels of ears, but few, if any, have grown 100 bushels of corn. Massachusetts Ploughman. 7 To Creamery Patrons. The following instructions are issued by a Minnesota creamery to its patrons: First, thoroughly brush the cow’s flank and udder before milking. Second, strain carefully through wire and cloth strainer. Third, don’t allow cans to remain in the stable. Fourth, don’t mix night’s and morning’s milk before cooling. Fifth, keep milk in cold water. Sixth, leave covers up until the milk has cooled, then stir and close the covers. Seventh, don’t leave skim milk standing in cans. Eighth, use brush and warm water for washing cans, then rinse with scalding water and stand in the sun. Ninth, don't use wooden milk pails. Tenth, if you know any patron that is violating the rules of common cleanliness in caring for his milk, it is your duty to yourself and your fellow patrons to report the same at the creamery. Such information will be held in the strictest confidence. Kerosene for San Jose Scale. There is no doubt that petroleum, both the refined and crude petroleum, is effectual in the battle against San Jose scale, but the trouble with it is that it produces different results at different times. An operator may apply it effectually on one lot of trees and without injury to the trees, while the same ©prater's applications on another lot will kill many of the trees. Naturally such results have brought petroleum into disfavor, and, as a matter of fact, it is a good thing to let alone until more is known concerning it. It is a somewhat general practice among nurserymen and fruit growers to use petroleum during the summer, and there can be no objection to this, provided a solution not stronger than 20 per cent of kerosene is used with water. This is a weak solution, and can not injure the trees and as a wash it doe.i check the trouble by destroying the young scale and keeping the older scale in subjection until fall, when stronger remedies may be applied. Do Apples Pay? A correspondent in the fruit district of New York, who for twenty years has been growing apples, writes that after a thorough trial he is convinced there is no money in apples. Another correspondent located less than twentyfive miles from the first, and known to have made money in apple growing, was communicated with. The reply told the story. The man who gets but 75 cents a barrel for apples is in the habit of growing anything he can raise between the orchard rows. He neither trims, prunes, sprays nor thins, and his apples ane of the poorest grade as a consequence. The second correspondent last year sold his apples and netted a trifle less than $l5O per acre from his twenty-three acres, and admits that some of his neighbors have made even a better showing. Apple growing does pay if growers will do what is necessary to raise fruit of the .best jiossible quality, and It assuredly does not pay if the grower neglects his orchards. V • Fatter or Oleo. The Rural New Yorker says that"oleo ships to the tropics much better than genuine butter, the beef tallow it contains keeping it firm, and it does not lose its flavor during a sea voyage. It can be made to stand any climate much better than the delicate butterfat. If it is admitted to the Philippines at almost the same rate as butter, dairymen will be able to do but little business with the islands.” For this reason the dairymen on the Pacific coast want oleo subject to a tariff of ten cents a pound in the Philippines and butter to be admitted free, even though it loses flavor on the sea voyage, and becomes rancid quickly in a hot climate.—American Cultivator.

A S[?]RVICEABLE GATE.

COVER FOR THE HAYSTACK.