Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 July 1902 — FARMERS GORNER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FARMERS GORNER

A» Automatic Tank Vulve. Regulating the flow of water Into troughs and tanks is something which, causes farmers more or less anxiety end trouble. In the plan as illustrated, the water pipe enters near the top of the tank, which places the valve out of water, thus relieving it of all danger frolh rust or the collection of sediment Such a valve may be bought at any hardware store. The pipe may enter nearer the bottom of the tank and if the valve is kept clear the device will still serve its purpose. Another point in its favor is that if desired, the valve can be closed just as effectually when the tank is one-fourth full as when filled to the brim. The lower half of the long, jointed lever connecting the valve and float

has a shorter one attached to it the upper end of the latter having a number of holes in it By having a hole in the upper half of the jointed lever and using a pin, the angle at the joint can be changed at will. Making it as large as possible will necessitate the float being lifted near the top of the tank before the valve is entirely closed, but by decreasing the angle the valve will be closed, while the float is still near the bottom. A sealed can or bottle makes a good float. A board or block of wood soon becomes soaked, and in consequence its lifting power is greatly diminished—A. L. Williams, in Farm and Home.

To Prevent Soil Washing. Soil washing, to a greater or less extent, takes place on 75 per cent of rolling farms, according to one writer. Where it occurs the very best surface soil is washed into the valleys, leaving the bare and much less productive clay on higher land. As a certain portion of all farms must be kept under grass it is advisable to allow steep inclines to remain in blue grass or some form of meadow. Such places furnish a good location for trees. These will not only prevent washing, but will tend to modify the climate by affording protection to stock and checking the heavy winds at all seasons of the year. In any case these slopes furnish excellent sheep pasture so that the land may be made quite as profitable as any that is under the plow. Where it is necessary to cultivate hillsides it is a good plan to plow under coarse manure, as this will prevent washing. In some instances it may be necessary to throw brush Into the gullies and stake it down.—lowa Homestead.

Feed Trough for Young Pigs. One of the difficulties in feeding young pigs is seeing that each has a fair share of the slop. At the ordinary trough the stronger pigs will drive the weaker ones off and they fall to get enough food to keep up their growth. A trough designed to accommodate eight small pigs is eight-cornered and is made of inch lumber. The sides slant about as those of the ordinary V trough. A spout is fastened in the middle, into which the slop is poured, which runs down into the trough. To make this trough first construct a bottom sixteen inches in diameter. Nail two-by-four pieces around the bottom and use ten-inch boards for the sides, nailing them securely. No. 12 wire is stapled around the top and also around the outside, about three inches down from the top. Nail stout braces from

the center spout, about seven inches from the bottom, up to every other corner of the trough, making four braces and giving between each room for two small pigs to feed.—lndianapolis News. What Pays? The cows on many farms would be considered first-class producers if each cow’s product amounted to 200 pounds of butter per year, yet it is claimed by some of the best dairymen that 200 pounds of butter per year from a cow does not pay. Those who aim to make the most butter from their herds have the standard up to 300 pounds per year, and some fix the limit higher. Every farmer can have the individual members of his herd reach that amount by breeding for better cows every year. When Horses Bolt Their Food. Horses that are greedy and inclined to bolt their food should be fed grain In a wide bottomed manger, and even

then It is well to place a few large pebbles in the bottom the size of a man’s fist or larger. This compels slower eating and secures better mastication. Propagating Grape Vines. To layer a grapevine to obtain new vines to set of some choice variety, let a branch run until there can be about six feet of it placed on the ground. Then pinch off the end, which will throw the growth into the buds along the cane. When these are well under way place it in the soil about two or three inches deep in a trench about four Inches deep. In a few weeks the trench may be filled level with the surface. By fall there will be roots from every joint, and they may be separated from the parent stem and from one another and transplanted where they are wanted. This is less trouble and more sure than growing them from slips, which should be cut In the fall after the leaves drop, and heeled in. The tops Incline toward the north' at some place where they will be sheltered and not molested during the winter. If wellripened wood of this year’s, growth is used, and one or two buds left above ground, with another below, most of them will be found to have rooted in the spring. It one has but a parent vine of a good sort, or can get the branches that his neighbor cuts off when he cuts back in the fall, he can soon start a vineyard at no cost but a little labor.— American Cultivator.

To Kill Cabbage Worms. One who knows says that hot water at 140 degrees applied with a sprinkler will kill the worms and will not hurt the plants. But be careful not to apply it at a temperature much higher than 140 degrees. The condition of the wind and weather at the time and the distance the water travels from the sprinkler to the cabbage all must be considered. It is possible to cook the cabbage with water at 150 degrees, and it is possible to use water at 200 degrees without damage. Paris green and London purple can be successfully and safely used In fighting cabbage worms. The best way to apply these Impalpable powders is to put one part of Paris gren or one and a half parts of London purple to 100 parts of flour and dust it on. For this purpose a dust sprayer is convenient. For small gardens an insect powder sprayer is the thing. There is no danger from these poisons, as the leaves dusted are not the ones eaten. They should not be used on plants used as greens.—Farmers’ Guide.

Keep the Cow’s Tail Clean. The simple device here illustrated can be used In nearly every cow stable to keep the tails clean and prevent the

cows from switching during milking in fly time. A piece of heavy cord, with a loop in each end, is fastened above the cow at a and the other end slipped around her tail as shown. When she lies down, this

will keep her tail out of the gutter and filth. When about to milk, haqg the cord over a beam or hook at b, which will pull the tall above harm’s way.— New England Homestead.

Killing Peach Tree Borers. For the last eight years I have set peach trees every year, and I never fail to make a thorough application of the tar. With an old paint brush I put It upon the trunk of the trees before setting, spreading the tar from the roots up the trunk from eight to twelve inches. lam carefuj to remove any borers that may be In the trees, as they come from the nursery. I keep In mind this fact that the coal tar will not kill the borer, deeply burled under the bark, but will prevent the moth from depositing its eggs at the base of the tree. The application of the tar must be made annually thereafter, being sure to finish the work before the moth begins to fly, which I believe is from June Ito 15, usually. In making these annual applications it is necessary, to Insure success, that the earth be removed down to the roots.. The bark from the roots up eight to twelve Inches must be completely covered with the tar. In case the tree is suffering from the effects of the shot-hole borer or fruitbark beetle, I know of nothing that is equal to the coal tar as a remedy. In case of mechanical Injury to a tree the tar is better than any paint or wash we have ever tried.—O. J. Farmer.

Tar Preparations for Mange. 4 bulletin from the Nebraska experiment station strongly advocates dipping with coal tar preparations to cure mange in cattle. The author claims that the liberal use of dips will lessen abortion in range cattle, which, he holds, is often due to weakness resulting from mange. Agricultural Notes. Muskmelon blight has become troublesome in some localities. In cultivating onions care should be taken not to work the soil to the bulbe or to hill them. In seedlpg sour (acid) land to timothy lime should be thoroughly worked into the soil before the seed Is sown. For late strawberry crops a northern exposure, clay sol! and late varieties are recommended by the New Jersey station. How long to keep a cow depends upon her work. Age should be given no consideration as long as the old cows are giving a profit All varieties of grapes may be propagated by layering, and many, like Norton Cynthiana, Scuppernong and other hard wooded aestivalis varieties, cannot easily be propagated otherwise.

FEED TROUGH FOR PIGS.