Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1902 — AGRICULTURAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AGRICULTURAL

Sowing Crimson Clover. The seeds of crimson clover, when sown In corn, are put in at the last .icultlvatlon of the corn, in July or August, according to locality and the growth of the corn. It Is the general practice to simply scratch the seed in and while this is often sufficient it results in loss in seasons when drought prevails or even when the season is only a little more than ordinarily dry. Twelve to fifteen pounds of seed should be used per acre, and it should be put in Just before the last cultivation of tue corn so that the latter process will cover it well. Of course it will not stand the winter in all sections, but if handled in the manner suggested It will do well in most sections where the red clover succeeds. The feeding value of clover hay is high, as is Its fertilizing value, to say nothing of the value of having a clover crop on the soil during the winter, so that every farmer should make great-efforts to

have A stand of crimson clover even thqpgh they fall for several times in succession. Enlarging the Wheelbarrow. When wheeling corn fodder and ether light stuff, a wheelbarrows capacity Is too limited for convenience. Tbe illustration shows a simple attachment that can be slipped Into the bar-

row on such occasions, to the great increase of its capacity: The side pieces should be hardwood strips. The attachment may be supported by hooks from the strips to the top of the wheelbarrow’s back if preferred. Fertilizing the Strawberry. From a careful study of the anatomy of the strawberry plant the Wisconsin station is of the opinion that a liberal top dressing with fine manure or a very fertile soil after the fruiting season is the most rational method of fertilizing the strawberry plantation. This dressing protects the crowns of the plants from excessive summer heat and furnishes the young roots with abundant nourishment throughout the growing season, developing strong plants which are able to store up in the short stems a good supply of reserve material for the first leaf growth the following spring. * Quality of Eggs. We often hear people-say that eggs from some breeds of fowls are richer than those from others, and that those with dark shells are richer than those with white shells. Such differences, or, rather, the source of sucj> differences Is purely imaginary. Neither the breed nor the color of the shell affect the quality of the egg. It is the food, and that alone, which affects'the flavor and delicate quality of the egg. If hens are carefully fed on wholesome foods they will remain healthy, and their eggs will be very different from those laid by poorly conditioned hens. Hay Crop Bnbatitnte. There is always an excellent substitute for clover and timothy when the hay crop Is short, and that is millet. It is a quick-growing summer crop that may be seeded in May or June, and It seldom falls to produce a large yield of bay. It is also one of the best eradlcators of weeds that can be used, land It grows so rapidly as to crowd the weeds to destruction. A crop of Hungarian grass may also be seeded down for a summer yield of hay, as it may

be mowed three or four times during the season, being also, like millet, a weed destroyer. Chance for Eastern Farmers. The high price of cattle is leading many of our New England farmers to raise their calves and to use more steers and oxen on the farm; and, in fact, to be In line to have more cattle to sell year by year. This is a healthy sign for New England agriculture, as nothing seems to be such clear gain as turning off a pair or two of fat cattle every year. Cattle raising has been too much neglected in the New England States during the past twenty years, and it is a pleasure to note that on many farms cattle husbandry Is again coming to the front. No better beef in the-world is raised than that which is pastured on New England hillsides, even If it topped off with Western corn, though we believe that cattle husbandry will lead to large areas of corn fodder and corn to be harvested in the grain. Nothing seems to improve the farm faster than Increased attention to the producing of beef and raising the necessary fodder crops and grain crops. —Massachusetts Ploughman. Colt Inherits Speed. The colt Gerald McKinnle, Is the property of Wm. M. McKinnle, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and without doubt inherits extreme speed. A glance at his

picture can but convince one of his wonderful development of bone and muscle. His sire Is the great Cresceus, with a trotting record of 2:02%, who is rich in the best blood of American trotters. He holds six world’s wagon and harness records on mile and halfmile tracks, and It is predicted by those who are judges that he will yet go a mile in two minutes flat. Mr. Ketcham, of Toledo, the owner 0? Cresceus, trains and drives his own horse. The dam of Gerald McKinn’e (Mary Centllvre, 2:12) was a wonderful mare, possessing speed equal to the sire, and some are of the opinion more. She had to her credit a half- mile paced in 59% seconds. Her family relations are high class and among the fastest. She was purchased by Mr. McKinnle of the Centllvre Brothers. The Gerald colt at the time the picture was taken was four months old. He is a beautiful black, with not a white hair on him, and shows a wonderful gait for his age. 5 ~ To Mend a Broken Leg. A broken leg of a fine young purebred pullet was mended by winding

carefully with surgeon’s plaster, which can be bought for a few cents per roll at the drug store. It is not the same as court plaster. Wind . closely, the courses overlapping, but not tightly as to stop circulation. The bird was turned loose at once and

received no further care, but the leg seems as good as ever after four or five weeks. —D. H. B. in Farm and Home. Fruita on Rented Farms. The Metropolitan and Rural Home gives the following sensible advice. Fruits should be planted and kept up on rented farms. There is no reason why a landlord should not take Interest and see that the tenants are supplied with small fruits, grapes, etc. The leases should be for a long time and plants and vines should be furnished, the renter to plant and take care of them. Strawberries fruit the year After planting, raspberries the second year, blackberries and grapes the third year and tree fruits from the third to the seventh year. There is no reason why both lapdlord and tenant should not take an interest in these things. Lima Beane. Lima beans demand considerable potash and lime. Wood t-'hes are consequently beneficial to them, but If ashes are unobtainable the potash salts win be found excellent A light application of nitrate of soda will give the young plants a good start

GERALD M’KINNIE AT, THE AGE OF FOUR MONTHS.

AN ENLARGED WHEELBARROW.