Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 90, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1902 — FARM AND GARDEN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FARM AND GARDEN

_2 Wool-Tying Box. Abner Roach of Wayne County, Ind., sends lowa Homestead a sketch of n •wool-tying box and table he has been using for a number of years. It is self and any man who has lied-up fieeces will readily observe how tt is operated. The illustration shows oae of the end pieces partly-elevated to show how it raises when the tying is being performed. The whole table can rest on a barrel or anything handy for that purpose, and a tie stick is

shown resting on one corner of the table which bolds the sides np while tying is being done. Value of* Apple Pomace. .Apple pomace is usually held in light esteem. Many think it not worth the hauling. It is sometimes used as a fertilizer, occasionally as a feed for pigs or cows, but it frequently goes to waste behind the cider mill. A minor experiment made in 1889 at the Vermont Experiment Station indicated that its feeding value was about equal to that of good silage. Inasmuch as the methods of that test were open to criticism, It seemed worth while to repeat the trial upon a more extended scale. Accordingly several tons of pomace were obtained from a near-by cider mill and ensiled for preservation. The results secured were as follows: 1. From one <o three per cent less milk and butter was made when the pomace was fed than when corn silage was eaten. 2. The cows gave somewhat better milk ©n pomace than on silage. The difference amounted to about 0.20 per cent 3. From three to four per cent moSfe product was made On the unit of dry matter of the pomace ration than that of the silage ration. There seemed to be no ill effects arising from the feeding of fifteen pouhds or less dally. It is but fair to say, however, that the milk of these seven cows was merged with that of the entire herd. Had pomace been fed to the entire herd in these quantities, it might have affected the quality of the milk or the butter. The present experiment does not afford data upon this point. It is expected to make observationswthereotf during the coming year.—New England Farmer.

Grindstone Water Drip. , A grindstone water drip is convenient at this season when the stone is so much in use. Place it under a shady

tree, mounted on a substantial, durable frame. Have a box cover just large enough to set over the upper half of the stone when not in use. A crank handle may be on one side the axle; a foot pedal on the other. For a water

drip, place a box on one end, as shown at b, and on It set a pail or keg, c. In the lower part of keg, bore a hole and Insert a goose quill. A drip may be regulated by plugging the end of the quill with a small pine stick, that is made to slip easily in and out, as at a. By drawing the stick out sufficiently the drip of the water may bo regulated to suit, while the grindstone is being turned either by hand hr foot. The quill should extend out so water will drop on the center of the stone, low down, near to the box.—o. H. Potter In Farm and Home. Varieties of Garden Plants. In the year book for 1901, issued by the Department of Agriculture, it is stated that there were catalogued in 1000 no less than 685 nominal varieties of cabbage, 530 of lettuce, 500 of bush beans, 340 of sweet corn, 320 each of cucumbers and table beets, 255 of pole beans and almost as many others of other vegetables. Of courne this includes many varieties which differ from others only by having the addition of a grower’s name or some designation intended to be descriptive, as “improved,” “early,” “late," “large," or other addition which is intended to show a difference from the others under the old name. The department lately issued as a bulletin “A List of American Peppers,” which enumerates 124 varieties. Among so many how may one learn to choose the best? Undoubtedly many of them differ in name only, and perhaps some growers use more care in selecting the seed stock or in keeping varieties pure than do others, and by the use of their name may desire to gain a reputation, but the above Hat might well be divided by ten, and still show all the different types, and probably all really desirable varieties. —American Cultivator. A Peart of Great Pries. Some farmers* wives can make good butter once a week. It is the one that can make good butter every time she

tries that is a pearl of great price aaff worth her weight in gold or gilt-edged butter. Bummer Boil Cultivation. T*e method of summer soil cultivation for conserving the moisture in the soil brings results that are, profitable. As a rule, such cultivation should be of the surface soil only, rarely more than two inches deep; but It should be remembered that this applies only to soils that have been well worked, and plowed to a good depth before the seed was sown. A shallow plowed soli, or a field that is inclined to bake after heavy" rains, needs more than the shallow soil cultivation, at least for a number of times after each rain. This plan may destroy some of the roots of the plants growing near the surface, but this is better than to permit the soil to remain hard for any considerable depth. Whenever the soil has been sufficiently loosened after it has become hard, then the shallow cultivation should be put In practice again. On the other hand, as first stated, the deeper cultivation should not be done unless the condition of the soil requires it.

_ The Chinch Bug. The Ohio Experiment Station reports' that the chinch bug is especially foud of millet and similar grasses, and where wheat fields are Infested, it will be well to sow a narrow strip of millet between them and other crops. A strip of millet two or three yards wide may be sown by the side of the corn field next to infested wheat or oats, and when the bugs have taken possession of it the millet may be plowed under with a jointer plow and the ground harrowed and rolled, thus burying the bugs. Another method is to plow a deep furrow across their tracks, as they travel from field to field; the bugs in this furrow will have difficulty in getting out, and may then bo killed by sprinkling them with kerosene emulsion. This may also be used where the bugs have attacked the outer rows of corn, using a spray pump and throwing it with sufficient force to waph them off the corn..

Chairs Choice Peach. One of the newer peaches of real promise Is Chairs Choice, shown in the illustration from the Rural New York

er. It is large and handsome, deep, rich yellow in color, with a red I cheek, and appears.) to he a regular and abundant bearer. Chairs Choice is now be-

ing planted freely in many pouch growing districts and is regarded by those who know it best as well adapted to follow the Indispensable Elberta. It Is a better and handsomer peach and does not conflict with It In season. The trees are generally vigorous and healthy.

Pasture for Growing Hoss. On every farm there is usually a small piece of grass land which may be fenced at small expense, and if it can. be shaded hi some manner such a plot will be just the place foi the growing pigs. A portion of an old orchard may often be fixed in the manner suggested, and the pigs will thrive in such a place. If the grass growth is scanty try the plan of cutting grass from other portions and throwing it tv the pigs. Keep them mainlyjfjfti the usual summer rations given when in the pen and furnish all the fresh clean water placed In such a manner that they cannot get into it and wallow. This plan is a simple one, and easily carried out, and will result in more thrifty pigs than if kept in the pens during the warm wpather. Charcoal for Fowls. The value of charcoal jnust aot be underestimated. It is ol much help in keeping fowls in health and preventing looseness. Feed Jt powdered in the food two or three times a week. Chickens for market will fatten faster if fed charcoal, It has been found. Charcoal is not a medicine, strictly speaking. It is an absorbent and as such takes up the poisonous gases in the system and carries them off. It is practically harmless in any amount. Protection Against In*dcte. For the protection of melons, squash and cucumber vines against Insects an excellent plan, for a small plot, Is to cover the vines with mosquito netting. A cheap frame, made of lath, will serve well for supporting (Ire netting. A few plants in a garden gjsy be protected by looking them over carefully once a day, destroying the bugs by hand picking, and droppin* them into a tin cup or other vessel containing kerosene.

Feeding Green MUIS*, Greeu millet may be fed as freely as any green food. Millet hay that contains ripe or partly ripened sAbds must be fed with care, especially horses, as It has an Injurious effect upon the kidneys. Millet is best sown broadcast; a drill puts It in too deeply.' Success with millet depends on getting an even, quick germination, and for thia is .needed a shallow, finely prepared seedbed, moist enough and watyn enough for germination. A Point in Transplant.-ng, In transplanting such plants as the strawberry the fibrous roots should be spread ollt as much as possible, while the root of a taproottd plant, like cabbage, beet. etc.. sbouVl be placed straight up and down and mt bent upon itself. . Compliments, like champagne, should be administered only in the evening.— “When Charley Was Away.”

A WOOL-TYING BOX.