The Advocate-Democrat. (Crawfordville, Ga.) 1893-current, July 09, 1897, Image 3
FARM AND GARDEN. Items of Interest on Agricultural Topics. Plowing Prevents Drought—Breeding Cround Hogs for Food-Ventiiation of Horse Stables, Etc., Etc. PLOWING PREVENTS DROUGHT. • It will be found that while the soil is kept loose by plowing and cultiva¬ tion its capacity for absorbing and holding water is much greater than where it is neglected. Thus every weed and surplus growth must be scrupulously kept down, as everything that grows is constantly drawing moisture from the soil. If we cau get the upper and lower moisture in the soil to meet the battle is won. If, however, there is a dry streak of soil a foot or more below the surface, vege¬ tation will suffer. BREEDING GROUND HOGS FOR FOOD. Henry Singer, a well known and thrifty farmer of near Duvall Station, Scott County, Ky., domesticating has for the past the two years been ground hog with much success. Mr. Singer found a burrow in which he captured seventeen ground hogs, and, taking them into a small lot on his place, he built a close wire fence through which none could escape. Last year the hogs increased to 205, and this year there were 1,673. Of this number Mr. Singer killed 1,000, which he salted away and will smoke dry, as Kentucky farmers do with ordinary pork. The ground hog when so cured is a great delicacy, aud Mr. Singer has more than enough to furnish his meat for the coming year. —Southwestern Stockman. ventilation of hobse stables. The necessity . for working , . the ,, , horse, and therefore for keeping him in working condition, prevents him from having the advantage which every other farm animal enjoys of running in the fields of grass in the summer season. There can hardly be the change from old oats to new when the new crops comes in without causing a loosening of the stools, which always meaus a weakening of all the muscul ar system. But, though he must be kept on dry food the wrork horse s ou i • a ' e > as 1 - the purest air that blows. Sles in summer require thorough ventilation. Horse manure and gives not a onl l vrfts harnesses.*but it is also very injurious to the horses: - We hm known many horses to go blind from being kept, iri summer, in dark, poorly ventilated stables. Whenever a horse goes blind, if the fact is hives tigated, the lack of ventilation is more apt to be the cause than anything else.—Boston Cultivator. _ WHEN DO HENS STOP LAYING. A Virginia subscriber who has just bought a 'lot of old hens desires to know at what age they cease laying, and writes as follows: I am just be¬ ginning tbe poultry business and I have thirty old hens of mixed breeds and have just bought twelve pullets, also mixed. I want to know at what age hens stop laying, or rather at what age it is best to get rid of them. Some I now have are at least three years old, and from tbe thirty bens I average about three eggs per day, sometimes more and sometimes less. I mostly on corn. How long will eggs keep packed in salt, and what is their market value compared with fresh eggs? The best hen we ever had was seven years old, and she layed more eggs than any other hen or pullet on the place. The difficulty with old hens is that they fatten more readily than the pullets; and that is where the begin ner is perplexed. The expression in the above, “I feed mostly corn,” is the cause of the few eggs, and not the age of the hen. A hen is in her prime at four years of age, and eggs from hens that are not too fat will pro duce stronger chicks than the eggs from pullets.—The Poultry Keeper. CliAY SOIL FOR PEAP.S. Sand that contains too much clay to be profitably worked may be made profitable for growing pears if it is made free from surplus moisture. It is better to dig the drains deep on such land, at least three feet, if cient outlet can be obtained, But as the clay may at first be impervious to water, the underdrains should be tilled with small stone to within twelve or fifteen inches of the surface. Then the soil will be gradually ‘ deepened by freezing, and tbe pear roots will go down to the depth of the underdrain, The result will be ihat these deep rooted pear trees will be much less liable to the sudden changes of tern perature which cause blight in pear trees in shallow soil whose roots run near the surface and are subject to frequent alternations of temperature, Besides, the clay soil almost always Luo isiLcitti ioua Ui.*t the pear tree requires, and which underdrawn ng makes available. Yet even on clay soils wherever pears are grown, heavy applications of potash and phosphate are always advisable, THE SHEEP’S FOOT. The foot is a tender part of the sheep. It is different from that of any boo f e d animal, the maimer or growth 0 f the horn. The crust of the hoof grows downwards, it is true, but it does not stop at the junction of the sole. On the contrary, it turns under the soles thus making a receptacle for the collection of sand, mud, filth, gravel and other matters that do much mischief. It is much as if the shep¬ herd had the upper of his shoe grow¬ ing down over the sole, and having an opening between the two for the col¬ lection of all such stuff as mentioned, says the Kansas Farmer. How would the shepherd feel to be compelled for weeks and months to submit to this unpleasant condition of things? But it is precisely what the sheep suffers, unless it is closely looked after and the mischief prevented. It is going on when the sheep is seen feeding on its knees, painfully crawl ng about in tbe pasture, or when it is standing stupidly in a fence corner with its head down and fighting the pestilent flies. ragged horn, turning under The soft the sole, is to be shorn off, and if the toe is at all projecting, it is to be shortened before it turns up like the slipper of a heathen Turk. It will be a good thing at the same time to dis¬ infect the feet by applying some of this ointment, which every shepherd should keep a stock of, for dressing avoid cuts, wounds, sores, etc., and to fly blowing. Take one pound of pure lard or vaseline, one dram of carbolic acid, half pound of Venice turpentine, two ounces of acetate of copper. Melt the first and third together, then add the others, and stir and grind together to get an even mixture. This is an excellent remedy.for all diseases of the feet, a preventive of foot rot, useful for shearing cuts, and all kinds of sores. _ ctjltuke of koses. ’ One _ welcomes ,, ,. , _ . e is 1 ses alone for their eany, m a so as_au indication of genial weather. The early roses have a personal charm and a ^ eaut J ali tkeu °^ n * ou & c M'ecies ^ve been known a long time, and ar ® “ ot ™ re , they seem to be cul *' a mak^their “ ake wav " slowly' brcool into' small | a ^ °' / theoR^ weather go (li not precetle speeies 1^ at as long « an interval as usual, ^ K spinosi8sima> doselv This charmimr creamy white flowers. The leaves are small and the thin stems b «“ r P"’* the 1 * 8 to merit its It «fic name as very spiniest. a neat bush about three feet hl eL an<1 « Strays a f riking plant m the hardy border. It is to be had ^di y from seed. J. N. Gerard, of Elizabeth, N. J., says m Garden and Forest, that he lias been told by a high authority that Polyantha roses are not of much account, but he has in a border in his garden a Remontant form or hybrid of this rose which could not well be spared. It is very hardy, forms a bush about three feet high, and bears, during the season, frequent crops of small single flowers of a beautiful pink color. Another hybrid much valued is the Dawson rose, which is now coming into flower. Hallowed to grow natur klly this is a most beautiful plant at flowering time, when its long shoots nr® covered with small semi-double pink. flowers in clusters, the buds opening in succession. A spray six i° nine feet long makes a glorious decoration, and the old wood will soon disappear for that service, much to the relief of Mr. Gerard’s helper, who objects seriously to untrammeled growths. But the growth of this rose is slight in comparison with that of Rosa multiflora, which in wild Iuxur iance covers twenty-five feet or more °f fence, and would probably spread over tbe entire garden if left uncheek ed. One is sorry to touch knife to a plant which evidently so enjoys life i n ^ f ew days will be covered with myriads of fragrant blossoms. A few, at least, of the large number of single roses should be in every gar den. The general culture of roses offers some difficulties in this climate, owing to hot summers and to the special fondness of many species of insects for their foliage. It has always seemed that if the small grower would cx change most of his hardy perpetual roses (usually bought under the im pression that they were perpetual bloomers) for Teas or hybrid Teas be ; wohW have more satisfaction and rid his garden of some unsightly objects, for after the rose season the plants are usually neglected. Tea roses prodnee flowers all the season, and, naturally, their wants are more apt to receive at tention. Perhaps, on reflection, that \ hint will not be of much service farther north than this, though among the Teas gome will be found much hardier than others. La France re quires no protection here; neither does Auguste Guinoisseau (the alleged white I*a France ;. There are other surviving x oh roses ill rue gai uon, the most interesting and promising ' on© is the comparatively new Kaiseriu Augusta; ten plants which came through the winter untouched iare now growing strongly and are full j>f well ' developed buds. This variety pro¬ duces an abundance of handsome white flowers continuously during ‘‘he sea : SO n, ftn d Mr. Gerard knows orino rose 0 f its color which is more likely to give complete satisfaction. POfLTRV TAED HINTS. Eats are demoralizing in the poultry yards. Keep the premises and sur¬ roundings clean and free from rub¬ bish, so that the rats can have no abid¬ ing places. Do not trust the cat where there are young chickens. The only safe cat around the poultry yard is a dead cat, and even then be sure it is the cat’s ninth demise. Do not wonder what is the matter with your young chicks if they are troubled with loose bowels, if you are making cold-water-mixed eorumeul their main diet. Growing chicks re¬ quire a greatly varied diet and space to exercise in. Do not expect f all returns from half accomplished work. The henhouse should be cleaned out every morning. It cannot, especially in hot weather, be kept in sanitary condition by clean¬ ing out once a week or semi-occasion ally. Farmers who want a good supply of eggs in winter when prices are high should remember that cabbages and roots will be necessary. Every far¬ mer should raise a supply of these es¬ sentials for bis poultry flock. The in¬ crease in eggs will make the trouble a well-paid-for investment. If your poultry are confined in re¬ stricted yards, if you wish to keep them in health, keep the spade bright with frequent use. Frequently spad ing up the soil will keep theykids in good sanitary condition, and will fur nish the bens exercise they delight in. There are a great . many persons offering sure roup remedies. If they took as much interest in properly avoiding the causes which produce the digease as they do in experimenting ^ remeJies to cure it, they would gavfi them8elves mucb WO rry, and would have a healthier flock of fowls at all times. Scaly legs on fowls are a pretty sure indication of indifferent poultry keep ing. The trouble mainly come from filth and neglect Watch the legs of blie fowls, and the first indication of scurf wash them with soap suds and anointwith sulphur and lard, Never — * scaly-legged hen for a sitter. The farmer who keeps scrub poultry ls feeding good food and getting poor results. Haphazard breed ’ O cures inferior results. Good returns' or results never come by chance. It will pay to keep goeffl pure-bred ponl try, but if they are treated as scrubs generally are, better continue with scrubs. Farmers should get rid of all the mtt i e birds soon as the breeding season ig over Tbe ben8 wib lay j ugt a s many eggs without the company of the males, and many fanciers declare they will lay more. A lot of males running with the hens during hot weather and during the moulting time are i source of unnecessary annoyance. Eggs that are not fertilized will keep much longer than those that are. At the summer season of the year it is very easy to overfeed fowls. Do not trust to their appearance, but go at night and lift them and see: if they are not getting too heavy. An overfat hen will suffer greatly in hothveather, and is liable to drop dead at Any time, Avoid feeding fowls any fattening food —do not give any whole corti during hot weather. The litter nests are made of are often great sources, in hot weather, for breeding vermin. Change the nesting material at least every two weeks. Fresh cut, green, fine grass, red top, makes excellent material, and if some green tansy can be had to put with it there will not be much danger of such nests harboring insects.— Baltimore Sun. Pilfering Sparrow Hangs Himselfs A. S. Cooley, of Canandaigua, N. Y., recently found in his yard a spar row hanging by the neck from a limb of a cherry tree. The bird had evi dently attempted to rob the nest of a robin in the tree, and, wbiie affecting an entrance to the nest fi-in tbe un der side, accidentally pushed its head through a noose formed of horse hair, which had been utilized in the con struction of the nest. Irom appear ances the sparrow, in withdrawing its head from the nest, had tightened the noOBe and was hanged. -- ‘ How to Swing a Hammock in the Yard. “If you want to s>ving a hammock in a yard offering but little space,’ savs the Ladies’ Home Journal, “bav< two brackets or davits made of two inch gas pipe and bent at the black smith’s. At the hanging ends hooki i are welded, to which bang the ham mock. The pipes are fastened securely to the fence by bands of iron screwed - fast to the fence. M ires may be strung overbeau upon wmctl vines can bt trained. An Old Minister. Many stories are toM of Dr. Gad Hitchcock, who was a minister In Pem¬ broke, Mass., before uud during revolu¬ tionary times. He was noted for bis patriotism and the four lees expression nf his views when opportunity offered. He was chaplain in the army at one time, e.ttd preached many a stirring ser¬ mon to the men. The first sermon he published was ad¬ dressed to u military company at the time when the French were making In¬ roads on the northern frontier. The year before the breaking out of the rev¬ olution he preached his famous “elec¬ tion Sermon,” which roused Gov. Gage to great wrath, and struck oven the minister's stanchest friends ns ill-ad¬ vised. It ls said that when Doctor Hitchcock wrote it, the Governor was not expected to lie in the audience at the time of its delivery. When it was found that he was there, one of the minister’s friends suggested that a slight modification of some of the strong expressions in the sermon won Id .perhaps he advisable; hut Dr. Hitchcock was of another mind. “My sermon is written,” he calmly said, “and it will not be altered.’’ On his journeyings to and from Bos¬ ton he usually fell into conversation with any one with , whom . lie , a as thrown. One day he traveled to Bos¬ ton in company with a sailor of wltora he asked many questions aa to his name, residence, habits and tastes. At last the sailor began questioning Ip his turn: “What ls your turner ho asked. “I am Gad Hitchcock from Tank” (tbe name of Ida parish.). “Three of the worst names I ever hoard!” cried the sailor, bluntly, great¬ ly to Dr- Hitchcock’s delight. A London cablegram-cays that “Queen Victoria ls greatly emhorrassed by riches.” Her eldutrt hopeful seems to bo embarrassing others by his tuck of riches, The maid from Boston swept Hie street with her glance. It was notice¬ able that the asphalt was covered with a. claro of ice.—Cincinnati Enquirer. m The LOVELL 'H». DIAMOND ft LEADS In the Greatest Price-Smashing Biny Treas. Col. B*m. Lovell K. Lovell, Arms Co. c/e Sale of the Age. 1897 Lovell Diamond ftSSw. i fleteii tn£65 00 1896 Lovell Diamond, Reduced fo 40.00 1897 Lovell Special, Reduced to 49.10 Excel Tandem > Reduced to 83.50 Simmon’s Special, Reduced to 24.50 Boys’ and Gilrs’ Reduced to 19.75 Our reputation of 50 years is a guarantee that our 180, model Is the best wheel made. Agencies overywhoro. . Insist on seeing tho Lovell Diamond. Of SEND FOR CATALOGUE AND SPECIAL LIST.jU JOHN P. LOVELL ARMS CO •* 147 Washington St., 131 Broad St., Boston. Mass, _____ _ • • . ..ON... . ~ jj A J 1 | 1 CBT ~HT P ~T M II 1§ A ffi ’ ll ial fa || m 1| JP JW H /» ® i i as A j Mi I to.I 8 fit ill Ej §g / A 1 I H V V H H W H 1 ' 1 A BICYCLES the standard of the world —mxxxx 1897 The; Dent COLUMBIAS Jlicyrlcx Made, REDUCED TO $75.00 I gecond 0^0 only pm UULUmDIMO to I8tn IIMDIAC AloAvl., REDUCED TO 60.00 |QQ7 103/ £qaml to nHn UARTPDRnQ Mom Bicycle, I runuo REDUCED TO 50.00 u«DTCflDnC 1 ' __„„ 1-11 1 v » > REDUCED TO 45.00 HARTFO?iDS wttEKN 1 r-,r KtUUOtU m ir rx -rex I U 40.00 HARTFORDS fatteknh ' a and o, ’ RFDIlPFn KtUUbLU TO IU 30.00 Nothing in the market approached . the va , ue o . .. Bicycles at the former prices; what are they now t - r r /-. rUiL M 1 U. UL/., FT ARTFORD, UONN. B 4 _ CataIozue * free from any Columbia dealer; by mail from us for one ' J-ceut »uui.o HALL’S Vegetable Sicilian HA!R RENEWER Beautifies and restores Gray Hair to its original color and vitality; prevents baldness; cures itching and dandruff. 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