187«.] 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



m. 



be diminished, and are in a large part inexcusable; 

 those arising: from carelessness are not deservln;; of 

 sympathy. The farmer, as well as the business man 

 must use hiisiness principles to secure the largest 

 success, and the one should he as careful of the out- 

 goes as the other. — Scientijlc Farmer. 



Impaired Grasses. 



In many respects grass culture has not kept pace 

 with improvemenl-s in other branches. We are con- 

 tinually fretting new plants, new trees, new fruits, 

 new vegetables, new grains, but a new grass is never 

 thought of. We have the same orchard-grass, the 

 same redtop, the same tiniotliy, that we had over a 

 hundred years ago; and so far as the drift of thought 

 j;oe.«, we shall have the same grasses for a hundred 

 years to come. And yet there is no reason that we 

 can see why there should not be improved grasses, as 

 well as improvements in any other thing ; and there 

 donbtless would be if public attention was drawn to 

 the matter. 



We have, to be sure, during the past twenty years 

 or so, been treated to Hungarian grass, or millet, a 

 harsh, coarse thing, of little merit except for the 

 very heavy crops it produces. There surely must be 

 others which it would be of advantage to introduce. 

 We see In foreign agricultural journals that some at- 

 tention is being given to a species of grass called 

 Tueeock grass, from its growing in large bunches, 

 and which, from its description, appears to be closely 

 allied to our orchard grass. It does not appear to 

 be considered very hardy ; but there are no doubt a 

 number of places on this continent where it would 

 find itself entirely at home. It is said to grow five 

 or six feet in height, and to produce vegetation of 

 preat fineness of quality and exceedingiy nutritious. 

 When once a field is set with it, it is seldom killed 

 out by other vegetation, and goes on producing good 

 crops for a great many years. It appears to be hardy 

 in Hungary, and if so it ought to stand considerable 

 frost. 



But It Is not only by the introduction of new spe- 

 cies that our grass crops and grass lands may be im- 

 proved, there might be selected good varieties of the 

 kinds we now grow, just as we have selected good 

 kinds of other things. There seems to he liere a 

 good chance for somebody. — Oermanioun Telegraph. 



Repelling the Grain Weevil. 



A correspondent of the Countrtj Gentleman says : 

 "Theonly way to get ridof the weevil is to keep grain 

 In a clean place, and spread out until thoroughly 

 cured, so as to avoid heating. It Is very dillieuU to 

 clean a place where weevil has been prevalent, as 

 they and other grain pests hide in the cracks and 

 seams of the bin, and no cold of winter will kill 

 them. The germ of the weevil is often In grain that 

 to all appearances is perfectly sound, "and only 

 awaits a suitable amount of moisture and heat to de- 

 velop. In grain houses our only remedy, when we 

 have a lot of infested grain, is to screen frequently, 

 and try to keep it cool till winter. I know of noth- 

 ing to kill weevil in grain that will not recommend 

 storing in a new place, far enough from where the 

 infested grain was kept to prevent them crawling 

 into it. I have often put weevils on the floor at some 

 distance from a pile of grain, and they would make 

 a bee-line for the nearest lot — never go away from It. 

 They will sometimes fly, when in the hot sun, but 

 not often. I once made a test by taking about a pint 

 of sound wheat from a boat load, in which I could 

 find no indication of weevil, and after sifting it very 

 thoroughly in a coarse hand-Bleve, I put It in a glass 

 jar, and sealed it very tight. In a few weeks it was 

 alive with large and small weevils (two kinds), and 

 they lived for more than a year in this tight jar. 

 This was a season when there was a great deal of 

 wheat troubled with weevil. Ordinarily when grain 

 Is dry and cool the weevils do not Injure it. The 

 surest way to keep grain after it Is dry and very 

 thoroughly cleaned, is to keep it In a dark place." 

 m- 



Watering Window Plants. 



There Is nothing that seems to bother more those 

 who would grow window flowers than how often to 

 water them. It Is an exceedingly simple thing to 

 those who have had experience ; though so mysterious 

 a thing to those who have had none. When the 

 skilled gardener is asked for advice he says, " water 

 only when the plants need it;" hut this tells the 

 Inquirei nothing. There still remains to be under- 

 stood how to tell when the plants need water. 



After all, this is a species of knowledge that can- 

 not well be taught by another. It has to be learned 

 from experience. The good plant cultivator tells 

 from the color of the earth ; but even this is a rela- 

 tive term. There is dark soil and there is light soil ; 

 but all soils are darker when they are wet than when 

 dry. One can soon learn this by experimenting a 

 little ; and can soon tell whether the earth is dry or 

 wet by the eye or finger alone. If it is wet It of course 

 wants no more water; If much lighter than its usual 

 color, the earth Is dry and needs some. It Is an ex- 

 ceedingly simple matter to those who will try to 

 learn ; to those who cannot learn themselves it Is a 

 hopeless task. 



There Is one hint that we may give that may be of 

 value. If the earth never gels dry, the plants arc 

 not in good condition. .Something Is wrong. It is 

 the active, growing, working roots that take the 

 moisture out of the'earth. It Is a sign of pofMl health 

 for the plant to want frequent watering. As we have 

 already said, the color of the soil, as compareii to 

 what it Is when wet, will tell whether it wants water 

 or not. — Oermantotrn Telegraph. 



Small Farms. 

 The Springfield (Mass.) Jiepublican says ; "The 

 real estate agents note a remarkable and steadily in- 

 creasing demand for small farms, worth from SI ,200 

 to S'i.OOO, while large farms are much lees sought for. 

 The mechanics and laborers, whose wages have 

 been steadily reduced for the last two years, form 

 the majority of the purchasers, and we fancy most 

 of them wiil find that the reductions have not been 

 confined to the city. Probably half of these people 

 have not fully counted the cost, and will be glad 

 enough to get back to the citj after the novelty has 

 worn oflT, while those who go to their new avocation 

 with a determination to work hard, and make the 

 thing a success at all hazards, will be pretty sure to 

 slay! .\ notable Instance of the rapidity with which 

 some of the former class change. Is to be found in a 

 small Worcester farm, near the Boston and Albany 

 road, that has been sold ten times within twelve 

 years. 



Mt attention was drawn to notice the amount of 

 corncobs that are thrown away dally, from feeding 

 one pair of horses. The cobs looked so clean and 

 nice it docs seem as though they were made to do a 

 farmer more good than to add to the bulk of the ma- 

 nure heap. Being of rather a speculative turn of 

 mind, I tried a little experiment with a few cobs, by 

 pouring over them a small amount of coal oil, and 

 then put them In the cook stove to seewhat theeB'ect 

 would be. I was entirely satisfied that I Jiad pro- 

 duced an excellent fuel. They furnish a kindling 

 cheaper, and equally as good, than the patented 

 article sold In the cities and towns. Farmers who 

 have to haul wood long distances, and then prepare 

 it for use in the busy seasons of the year, will hud 

 this hint of value. I think it would be better to let 

 the cobs lay awhile, after pouring the oil over them, 

 before using. — Cor. Prairie Farmer. 



^ 



LITERARY NOTICES. 



Report of the Fruit Growers' Association 

 of the Province of Ontario, for the year 187.5, to 

 which Is appended the Keport of the Ento.mo- 

 LooicAL Society, for the same year. Printed by 

 order of the Legislative Assembly, Toronto : 1876. 

 This is a royal octavo volume of 155 pages in paper 

 covers (including the two reports) and contains a 

 vast amout of useful and interesting matter on the 

 subjects of fruit-growing and entomology, illustrated 

 with two full-page colored lithographs of Arnold's 

 and Saunders' Seedling, or "Canadian Hybrid 

 Kaspberries," and twenty-eight illustrations, con- 

 taining about seventy figures of noxious and bene- 

 ficial insects. Canada Is doing more in sustaining 

 entomological publications, perhaps, than the whole 

 United States, the Cauado Entumoloqisi having 

 reached its eighth volume, whilst the American En- 

 tomologist died at the close of Its second. Her ex- 

 hibit at the Centennial pomological show, and the 

 volume under review, illustrates that she also occu- 

 pies a foreground position in the noble profession of 

 fruit-growing. 



"The Three Earls" — a handsome little 12mo 

 volume of 115 pages, by our fellow townsman, Mr. 

 Frank R. DiffendeVlfer, being " an Historical Sketch, 

 and proceedings of the Centennial Jubilee, held at 

 New Holland, Pa., July 4, 1876," and printed by 

 Ranck & Sandoe, of the Clarion. This is an exceed- 

 ingly interesting little volume, containing not only 

 Mr. Diffenderffer's local sketch, but also the prelimi- 

 nary proceedings, an introductory, a financial state- 

 ment, the prayer of Kev. J. F. Mower, the oration of 

 Mr. E. K. Martin, and an Appendix, embracing a 

 full history of the celebration of the Fourth of July, 

 1876, at New Holland, In this county, in accordance 

 with the spirit of Governor Hartranft's proclamation ; 

 and which has resulted in a valuable contribution to 

 our local history. Occurring at the old home of the 

 historiographer, no doubt with Scotland's highland 

 chief, he could truly say : 



*' My foot is ou my native heath. 

 And my name's McGregor," 



Gregory's Seed Catalooue. — Our readers will 

 find the catalogue of J. J. H. Gregory's well-known 

 seed house advertised in our columns.' For freshness 

 and reliability of the seed sent out, and enterprise In 

 Introducing choice new vegetables to the public, Mr. 

 (iregory is endorsed by the prominent agriculturists 

 of the United States; as recommendations from over 

 forty States and territories, to be found on the cover 

 of bis catalogue, amply attest. 



Our readers will welcome the advertisement of the 

 popular Seedsmen, Messrs. D. M. Ferry & Co., of 

 Detroit, Mich. Their seed Annual for 1877 far sur- 

 passes their previous numbers. This Hrm, one of the 

 largest in the Seed business, needs no indorsement 

 from us. 



1876. CENTENNIAL. 1876- 



Rathvon fe Pigher, 



PRACTICAL 



Tal[@r§ and €[atfit©rs. 



CHEAP, FASHIONABLE AND DURABLE 

 Cor.N. aUEEN and ORANGE STS., 



LANCASTER, PENN'A. 



%& 



Sv^r£hMAW«^ 



DVERHSINGAGEKIS; 



. ^^e wv. FOURTH ^ly>p^ 



- CSTI MiS- FS — 



FURNiSHrn |-""-«-. 



CtHD FOR OUR 

 "^NIIAL — 



ROOT'S 



Qarden ]y[anual, 



Ib filled with toplcR of interest to every owner of a garden — 

 IB I'OINTED, PRACTICAL and TUOKOTIOH, and contains 

 one-half ae much hs tl.50 hooka ou the Bubject. GARDEN- 

 ERS throughout the country commend its practical labor- 

 sa ving raethodBas luvalunble to them. 



ffySent for 10 cents, which will be allowed on the flrat 

 order for soedB. Address, 



J. B. ROOT, K^ed Grower, 



ROCKFORP, Ii.LiKOis 



SEND 25c. to O. P. ROWELL k CO., New York, for Pam- 

 |ihlet of 100 Images, coutahhng lists of 3,000 uewsi>apera, 

 auu '--tim itPH showiuR cost of advertisinR. 



Peabody House, 



COR. OF LOCUST AND NINTH STS., 



PHILADELPHIA. PA. 



Convenient to all iilaccs of amusement and car llbes in 

 the city. No changes to and from the Centennial grounds. 



Col. Watson, jn-oi'vietor of the Uknky Housr, Cincinnati, 

 for the j*a8t twenty years, aud piesent jiropnetor, has leased 

 the honse for a term of yeaie, and has newly furnished and 

 fitted it throughout. He will keep a strictly first-class house, 

 and baB acco'mmodatiou for 300 guests. Terms, only $3 

 per day. 



No bar has ever been kept in the IIknict House, nor will 

 any be kept at the Peabody. 8-6-5 



WAILABSS' MOHTHLY, 



The Only Illiistralcil na^nzine Devoted to 

 Domestic Animals. 



The recognized AOTHOBITY on the HORSE and the Organ 



01 American Breeders. 



Uncompromising Hostilify to Gambling 

 and Fraud of Every JJrscription^ 



Thorough in the investigation and exposure of fraudulon* 



pedigrees and all shams. 



Able and fearless in discussion, and the contrlbutlonti of 

 the best writers in the land :ire to be found in its columnH. 



Not a "Sporting Paper,'' but Complete in its reports and 

 Indexes of all performances. 



Enerti Farmer who lovei a good horse and /air dcaiiuj 

 nhottld hare it. 



THE CHEAPEST OF ITS CLASS IN THE WORLD. 



Tbreo l>ollnrn a Year, In .\clvanee. 



^WALLACE'S MONTHLY, 

 n S-:5t 170 FULTON ST., NEW YORK CITY, 



GOOD .SF,F.I>.'«, ORO\V.\ WITH LAKE, FliOM ,SE- 

 lected Stocks, always pay. Try luiue. Catalogue fied. 

 J. R. V. HAWKINS, Goahen, N. Y. 



