Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1904 — AGRICULTURAL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AGRICULTURAL

Fighting Roadside Weeds. Lu States there are county laws which make it obligatory for those in charge of the roads to see that roadside weeds are cut twice during- the growing season, first before July and the second time before the first of September. It would be well if such a law was in force in all sections, and yet the fighting of obnoxious ■weeds seems to be one of those things for which no law should be required. Farthers ought to be more than willing to combine among themselves for mutual protection, even going so far as to cut the weeds in front of the farm of any man who will not do the work himself. This would not need to be done very often, for shame would soon .compel such a man to do his duty. The main trouble with weeds, however, Is with such as are allowed to grow inside the fence line, for few farmers are willing to spend the time necessary to rid their farms -of these. Combine with each other to rid the roadside of weeds, and then let every man take care of those inside the fence and elsewhere on his farm. It this weed fighting was done systematically instead of spasmodically, it would not require many years to decidedly lessen the weed crop and materially increase the valuable crops as well as save much labor. —Exchange. Gray African Geese. Gray African geese are advancing in popularity and are now considered among the most profitable geese to raise. They grow rapidly and attain a

weight of over eight pounds in ten weeks. They are good layers, averaging forty eggs In a season. Their flesh is fine and nicely flavored, which makes them very acceptable for the table. The standard weight of the gander is twenty pounds and of the goose eighteen pounds. Artichokes for Hogs. Artichokes are naturally more suited for the use of the hog than for the use of any other stock, for the reason that the hog will do his own digging. The crop is usually ready for the digging about September. The porkers can continue the good work till frost hardens the ground. The freezing does not injure the artichokes, and if they have not been well dug out in tjie fall thet hogs may be again turned in in the spring. One beauty about the growing of this crop is that it does rot have to be planted each spring, but comes up of Itself. The exercise the hogs receive when digging the tubers is a'beneflt to them. New Milk Process. A new French process of sterilizing milk, the fat of the milk is tltoroughly broken up after heating, thus avoiding the lumpiness of the cream which consumers have found so objectionable. It Is said that when cream is treated by this machine, it is rendered quite homogeneous, and the fact that the fat globules are broken up makes the cream look thicker and become more uniform. When milk and cream are treated by a homogenizing machine, they mix more thoroughly with tea and coffee. Having seen the advantages of the process, some of the largest dairy companies In London have ordered machines. —New England Homestead.

Don for the Farm. If n farmer stands In need of a dog he sliould have a good one. The farm dog, to be a profitable adjunct of the farm, should have duties to perform, and should possess certain valuable ciualltles that will enable him to do Ida duties well. He should be a faithful watcher of persona and property, and nt the sqme time of a kind disposition. He abould be gentle to the Jive stock of the farm and, above all, obedient to his master. A good farm dog is n very knowing animal. Increasing the Protein. Beyond doubt there can be much more digestible protein saved for the use of the stock during the winter If more care is used in harvesting the various grains and the hay crop as well. If one stops to think it is evident that there Is more of the protein saved in the hay if it is cv.t before it is fully ripe. This same state exists In oats and grains fed to slock and

also in corn grown for the silo. True, in the case of the hay It is a little more difficult to cure, perhaps, but the added value mo.-e than compensates one for this trouble. Try the plan this season and if carefully done it will work out as indicated. ' A To Protect the Horse from Flies. Horses suffer from flies during the summer, but seem to be able to fid themselves of them to some extent

everywhere but from their faces. A fly net for the face can be easily made, using heavy cord or rope of small size, if one can afford it, the strands of leather. These are fastened in a

band and the band fastened to the headgear so that they will fall over the face of the horse. These strands may be knotted together over the forehead and at the sides of the face, so that they will not fall over the eyes of the horse. One can have no idea how these nets will keep the flies off until they drive a horse with and without the net The cost is trifling compared with the comfort such a contrivance will give the horse. The illustration will give one an idea of how this net is constructed and how applied to the bridle. Profit £u Hand Separator. Hand separators average about SIOO each, but this cost can be saved in a year in any dairy where ten or more cows are kept; this has been demonstrated time and again, so there is no doubt about it. Manufacturers of separators claim that the saving is about ten dollars a cow-per year and is based on the fact that the cream is taken from the milk while it is sweet, lienee there is no dagger of it becoming sour, and because of this almost perfect condition the cream ripens more evenly and, therefore, make's a better quality of butter. Again, as the separating is done soon after milking the value of the skim milk for feeding purposes is greater, as it is usually given to young stock while it still retains the animal warmth. There is everything in favor of the hand separator and nothing against it, so that any man with a dairy of proper size, who does not have a separator is cheating himself out of just so much- good profit.

Suggestions to Shepherds. Sheep require a variety of food to form flesh and fat. With sheep, rather more than with any-other class of stock, care must be taken not to overfeed. Overstocking is usually injurious to the sheep and ruinous to the farmer. Dryness is one of the requirements in the production of the finest grades of wool. Sheep are naturally gregarious. When one is seen by itself something is evidently wrong. No sheep should be allowed to die of old age, but all should be fattened and sent to market before their vitality has been Impaired. In commencing to fatten sheep, the feeding should not be crowded at first, but gradually increase the amount of the ration. A small, fat sheep will always bring better prices than a large, poor one. To have good-sized sheep, they must be grown rapidly while young, and it is important to give them a good start. Handy Grain Bag Holder. This can be made by the farmer himself, and at no expense. It is nothing more than & hopper, with

hooks upon which to hang the bag. fastened to a firm standard. This arrangement will a single person to till the bag quickly and easily. Farm Chat. z Shallow, level culture Is the thing for corn If It is done In the right manner and at the right time. Judgment Is the outgrowth of experience, yet a man may have a wide experience and yet lack in judgment. '/he profitable mutton breeds of sheep are those of early maturity, rapid growth and necessarily shortlived. It is'very important that a brood sow should be gentle, so that she may be handled at farrowing time if necessary. Gros* cannot always take the place of corn and corn cannot take the place of grass, bdT there can be a combination of both no as to be a great aid In the production of live stock.

GRAY AFRICAN GEESE.

FLY NET.

GOOD BAG HOLDER.