Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1904 — FARMERS CORNER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FARMERS CORNER

Handy Farm Gates. Win. Scott, a Manitoba fanner, contributes to the Montreal Herald and Star Illustrations of two forms of gates tv hi eh are used with satisfaction on his farm. The gate represented in Fig. 1 Js used over the farm, while Fig. 2 represents the small garden gate. Mr. ficott has five of the larger gates, three

of which hnvo permanent wheels, and when harvest is over the wheels of the rsgje are attached to the remaining two. The gate rests on the wheel, whether closed or open, the revolving wheel carrying the gate around whether opening or closing. The gate rests at the back end on a block of wood, in which thero is a socket, and ill this a gudgeon at the foot of the gate head rests and turns. Mr. Scott says ills 3-year-old boy can open an 18-foot gate of this sort with ease. The garden gate shown at Fig. 2 swings across the open end of a fixed V-shaped enclosure. To pass through

one steps Into the enclosure, draws the gate past himself ajid passes out on the other side. Mr. Scott remarks that whenever this gate is opened it shuts in the same operation.

Early Plowing for Wheat. While all wheat growers recognize the necessity for late sowing of wlyeat to avoid, as far as possible, the ravages of the hessian fly, all do not see tho necessity for early preparation of the soli. It Is generally believed that much of the loss from winter freezing might be avoided by the early plowing of the ground for winter wheat. Early jireparation ot the seed bed is easier than late plowing; it gives one a elrancc to get rid of the weeds more effectively, the seed bed may have one or more extra harrowings or rollings amd, altogether, put in much better condition than when the plowing is done late. Then, too, should the ground be not in the best condition at seeding time, the thorough preparation previous will count for a great deal, enabling one to catch the ground for the final harrowing and rolling whenever it chances to be right for Hindi working. The question of varieties should also receive more consideration than it does and an excellent way is to look up the best wheat fields iu your county on similar soli and ascertain what varieties nre grown. In addition to this every wheat grower, large or small, should have a test ground for new sorts. It will pay for its cost in giving one accurate knowledge of sorts on their own grounds.

Value of Hoot Crops. There has been much controversy of late years concerning the relative values of root crops hud silage. This seems to be one of the questions that ought not to be discussed, inasmuch as the two crops, In the writer's opinion at least, are essential nnd one will not tuke the place of the other except in the sense that either provides succulent food for stock. When we commence to compare the cost of raising either crop we get into interesting figures. Those who have tried it know that it is hard to sow the seeds of root crops by hand, and they also know that until the plants nre large enough to hold their own It is hard work keeping the down. As to the feeding vhlties of the two, unquestionably the silage Is the most Valuable, and If called upon to decide between Hie two I would select silage •every lime. If ou® lias a good silo the root crops will hnvo their l greatest vulue in furnishing a variety In the menu, but it Is where the silo Is unknown thnt the root crops ought to he extensively grown as furnishing a succulent food and a digestive at comparatively smnll cost, ns well as n crop which may he stored for winter use at smnll expense. Cotton-Seed Meal for Cow*. Dairymen find It difficult to carry the cowb along properly during the droughty days of summer on pasture alone, and all proper grain* have been tried wKj varying results. One of the best summer grains is cotton-seed menl, for while feeding it will not materially Increase the milk flow it will keep it nearly to the standard and will keep up its quality, which is quite as Important. The feeding of it also makes better butter at a|l times, and particularly during the summer. While the quantity fed varies according to rircumstaoces, from two ta four

pounds per cow dally Is about a fair ration and will give results which will warrant the expense at any season. Alfalfa for Orchards. - While It has been stated by a number of successful apple growers that alfalfa makes an excellent crop to grow In the orchard, it is believed by those who have experimented extensively along this line that the practice is not a good one. Those who are familiar with alfalfa know that it roots deeply and consumes vast quantities of potash and phosphoric acid and moisture, as well, all essential to the proper growth of the trees; it is therefore plain that the crop is one which should not go into the orchard. Put the alfalfa in the open field after, inoculating the soil with alfalfa bacteria; sow seed at the rate of 25 pounds' to the acre and if the soil has been well enriched with the essential plant food, nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid, the chances are all in favor of its taking hold. If it doesn’t, try it again and again, for it will pay to go to some trouble to get a permanent stand of alfalfa. To Preserve Fence Posts. In some sections of the country the division of fields by fences is something no longer done, but the majority of farmers still feel that they should divide their fields. The work involved In fence-building is so great that one does not care to do it very often, hence it will pay to go to some trouble to preserve the posts, these being the parts us the fence which need renewing firs*. While there are many preservatives recommended, all of them doubtless more or less valuable, the old plan of smearing the end of the post with gas tar is about as good as any. Of late years a strong solution of copper sulphate has been used for this purpose, with considerable success. It takes time and trouble to prepare the fence posts with either preservative, put on as it should be, but It pays to do it, for the posts will last double the number of years.

Apple Crop of the United States. It is an established fact that the United States now holds the record for fruit, such as oranges and lemons, peaches nnd grapes. As a nation we eat more fruit than any other and grow considerably more than we eat. Eighty millions of dollars a year is the figure for strawberries alone. A hundred millions would scarcely cover the value of all the grapes marketed. Peaches wo raise in astonishing quantities, in orchards containing as many as 300,000 trees, but our banner crop, so far as fruit is concerned, is apples. We have produced as many as 210,000,000 ban-els in a single season. Ships weigh anchor in New York three at a time iu a single week bearing apples to Europe. Indeed, it is one of the greatest industries, and our country promises to rank as the chief fruit field of the world. Handy Wire Reel. Here Is shown a very good wire reel which can be used to move an old wire fence. This device is very handy for moving the wire on, as well as reeling and unreeling it. It is made

of a couple of old wagon wheels of the same height, which are wedged onto the ends of a short stick about thirty inches long which leaves the wheels about eighteen inches apart. Then nail five or six cross-pieces between tho spokes, close to the hub; cross-pieces form the frame upon which the wire is reeled. A—axle; B —wheels; C —crosspiece.

General Farm Note*. Drive slowly the first hour after a meal. Light and dryness destroy fungus growths. Thorough grooming cleanses the hids ns well as the hair. Sores or bruises on horses should be healed up as soon ns possible. Add to the capacity of the farm by adding to the strength of the soli. Anything less than full feeding at any period Is a sacrifice of net profit. Clover Is richer than grass in muscle formers and is the best for young stock. Droppings deprived of the urine lose the larger share of the potash they contain. It is always ruinous to dispose ot any branch fnrmiug when prices are unsatisfactory. Next to old horses old sheep nre among the most disappointing animals vthlcli ure kept for profit. In breeding be sure to select a male thnt Is from a family better in your line of dairying than your herd. Generally the smaller the farm the better the cultivation and the greater tho profit for the expenditure. Keep a close watch over the suckling colts. A blemish or an injury now may ruin the value of the future horse. The dirt anff sweat which accumulate on the hones during the day should never be allowed to remain on over blfffct.

FIG. 1.

FIG. 2.

HANDY WIRE REEL.