8i6 
NOV. 21 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
making corn a nitrogenous food, if it were practicable. 
The very fact that Indian corn is produced in this coun¬ 
try better than elsewhere, is the greatest factor in our 
success in feeding stock. The countries which produce 
the nitrogenous grains, but no Indian corn, can never 
compete with us in fattening stock cheaply. From the 
standpoint of a practical farmer and feeder I would say 
that we don’t want any serious change in the chemical 
composition of this grain, if it were possible, and from 
the small amount of attention I have given this point, I 
am far from believing that any material change can be 
made by culture or selection in any one locality. 
North Carolina Ex. Station. w. F. MASSEY. 
Table Scraps. 
Wood Ashes for Peach Trees.—J. S. Woodward re¬ 
gards my advice, to use wood ashes around peach trees, as 
likely to get some one into trouble. I cannot believe that 
wood ashes, leached or unleached, ever did a peach tree any 
harm. There is no place in this section where peaches have 
been a more successful crop year after year than on our 
farm, and the amount of ashes used has been limited only 
by the supply. Since 1860 there have been but four seasons 
when the crop was an absolute failure. 
I think I have mentioned in a previous article in The 
Rural a case which occurred in our orchard. Two rows 
of Early Crawford trees dwindled and failed to ripen their 
large crop of green fruit and it seemed certain that they 
must die. The next spring the men went to the orchard 
with the intention of taking them out by the roots, but 
they showed signs of life and were severely pruned and the 
block of 150 trees received 40 barrels of wood ashes and a 
heavy dressing of stable manure plowed in. The trees took 
a new lease of life and paid for the work expended on them 
the second summer. They were about 15 years old when 
the diseased state appeared, and were very large. If wood 
ashes will kill peach trees in some localities, they certainly 
have never done so in this, and though we have never had 
what would be called a large orchard in peach sections, one 
can judge fairly from an experience in an orchard of 1,000 
trees. 8 . A. little. 
Potatoes in Pits.— Our surplus potatoes are put in pits 
and covered with straw and earth three or four inches 
deep, except that the top is left open to allow the steam 
from the sweating process to pass off, or the tubers will 
keep damp all the time. Before freezing weather they are 
covered with earth 12 to 14 inches deep all over. After the 
ground has been frozen three or four inches the pits are 
covered with horse manure 14 to 16 inches deep. This keeps 
them of an even temperature all winter, as the freezing 
and thawing do not affect the dirt and hence they keep 
cool and do not grow in the pits. Potatoes kept in pits 
treated in this manner can be taken out late in the spring 
as sound as when dug. C. H. s. 
Preston, Ohio. 
A Tomato that “ Looked Up.”—I had one 400 Tomato 
plant that I encouraged to look up and the result was that 
it measured 10>£ feet high. From this one plant I picked 
12 tomatoes that weighed 12 pounds four ounces; the largest 
weighed 1)4 pound. There are 10 tomatoes on the vine at 
the present time from the size of a walnut to that of half- 
grown fruit. c. C. P. 
Pulteney, N. Y. 
“ Weeds Are a Blessing.”— This singular statement is 
made by Geo. J. Kellogg, who explains thus: “ The ground 
needs stirring every week from planting till frost except 
among trees and maturing crops, and but for the weeds 
many a farm and berry patch would be ruined, and many 
are ruined because of the weeds. It is no use to plant any¬ 
thing unless you take good care of it, and horticulture will 
pay big returns if brain and muscle are well mixed.” 
Two Strawberry Crops in Mississippi.— A second crop 
of strawberries ripening in October and November, is not 
an unusual thing in central and southern Mississippi, and 
I have known some growers to ship 25 crates per acre dur¬ 
ing those months. The crop is quite uncertain, depending 
almost wholly upon thorough cultivation and fertiliza¬ 
tion of the beds In August, followed by abundant rains 
and continued warm weather. In a favorable season pick¬ 
ing may continue through December, and occasional ripe 
berries may be found at almost any time during the year, 
excepting in July, August and September. Growers claim 
that the fall crop does not materially affect the spring one 
and that whatever they are able to gather in the fall is so 
much clear profit, but owing to the uncertainty of the 
weather following August cultivation, very few make any 
special attempt to secure one. So far as I am aware, the 
Wilson is the only variety giving a profitable second crop. 
Mississippi Experiment Station. s. M. TRACEY. 
Double Strawberry Crops.— It is impossible in this 
climate and section to grow more than one crop of straw¬ 
berries a year. Sometimes in very warm autumns the 
plants bloom sparingly in December and produce a few 
ripe berries about Christmas; but this crop Is invariably 
killed by frost early in January. I have just received for 
trial the Everbearing Strawberry from Oregon, which is 
said to bear its best crop in October and November if the 
plants are set in May or June. If this is a fact and the 
plant is suited to this country, it will be a very valuable 
variety, as we rarely have a killing frost before December. 
Hitchcock, Texas. H. M. s. 
“ Heeled in” Trees.— Trees properly packed (heeled in) 
in the cellar during a severe or variable winter would 
doubtless be quite as reliable—probably even more so—for 
spring planting, as If left standing through the winter In 
nursery rows. [pres.] t. t. lyon. 
Van Buren Co., Mich. 
Dry Treatment of Vines.— Experiments made here 
this season with the “soapstone powder” (steatite and 
sulphate of copper) in the treatment of mildew of the vine 
gave exceedingly good results. The vines were young and 
already badly mildewed when the powders were applied. 
The mildew was checked at once and a new growth of 
healthy leaves was developed. Some vines left untreated 
for comparison were, on October 1, entirely defoliated, 
while those which had been treated looked bright and 
fresh and were well covered with leaves. 
Tennessee Exp. Sta., Knoxville, f. lamson-scribner. 
Live Stock Matters. 
SOME ECONOMIES IN SHEEP RAISING. 
I. 
There never has been a time in the history of sheep hus¬ 
bandry in this country when the economies should be so 
carefully considered as at present by managers of flocks 
both on farms and on ranges, whether for wool, or wool 
and mutton, or for mutton and wool. Every item of profit 
and loss is worthy of investigation and personal, practical 
attention, since It Is as true of sheep and wool as of other 
products that the cost of production governs the profits. 
The selection of a locality for sheep raising or wool grow¬ 
ing should be duly considered as the very first point. If 
this is already settled, one should carefully consider then 
the breed that can be most profitably kept on the feeds to 
be produced on the farm or that naturally belong to the 
place. This is a matter of justice to the animals, to the 
soil and to the husbandman who expects a reward for his 
labor and enterprise. 
The quantity and quality of the grasses are of the highest 
Importance. A country without Indigenous grasses might be 
considered a bard place for sheep. With one exception, nat¬ 
ural pastures for sheep have been indispensable to satisfac¬ 
tory sheep raising. It is a tolerably safe rule that as are the 
feeds, so are the animals in any country or on any farm. 
Short, lean pastures produce lean, stunted sheep and cer¬ 
tainly starved, inferior fleeces. Fat, luxuriant, liberal 
pastures give large, thrifty, early-maturing sheep with 
well fed fleeces that the manufacturer wants and is willing 
to pay good prices for. Thus we see that small, hardy 
animals should be selected for limited pastures; while the 
larger animals should be placed on luxuriant pastures 
where they can maintain themselves. Rough, mountain¬ 
ous or hilly lands should be used for the smaller and more 
agile breeds; and level lands for animals that would find 
it a hardship to travel great distances or climb steep hill¬ 
sides for a living. To illustrate, a Merino sheep may feed 
on mountain sides with ease, or may travel 8 to 12 miles a 
day on meager, level pastures and keep in condition; while 
a Leicester or Oxford would find a journey of two or three 
miles to fill itself disastrous, and the climbing of hills 
would be ruinous to the best results. The habitats of 
sheep are too important to be overlooked by the prudent 
man who would embark in the business of sheep-hus¬ 
bandry. 
The establishment of pastures in any fertile country 
where indigenous grasses are not found need not be con¬ 
sidered a hopeless enterprise. It would be possible to find 
some grasses that could adapt themselves to any soils that 
can be relied upon to produce crops of grain or grasses and 
weeds of the poorest quality. It is a fact that the industry 
of man can convert the rudest natural pastures into useful 
and desirable lands for fields and pastures. 
It should be expected that the feeds, whether of grass or 
grain, should be grown upon the farms where the sheep 
are kept. Exceptions to this rule, however, are very prob¬ 
able, nor should it it be discouraging if the grain or a share 
of the winter food supply should have to be bought for a 
time, provided some fortunate circumstances may justify 
such a course, especially if It cheapens the purchased 
feed. There are few situations in this country where no 
winter supplies of food are not advisable at least. As a rule, 
these farm supplies are imperative. They usually consist 
of hay, corn, oats, barley, beans, peas and fodders, such as 
straw, etc. In some sections—and it would be better if in 
all—there should be supplies of some green foods and lib¬ 
eral stores of roots. It is a fact that root crops are not 
in such high favor among Americans as among European 
farmers. Canadian farmers, whether from the necessities 
of the case or owing to more favorable climate and soil, 
use roots In their stock husbandry with marked advantage. 
Many substitutes for roots may be found. None Is of bet¬ 
ter promise in the corn and sorghum belts than ensilage. 
It Is hoped that the silo may be to the American farmer 
all that roots are to the English farmer and stockgrower 
—and more. It is Intimated above and has been consid¬ 
ered that corn is the best ensilage crop; but recently 
almost any farm crop has been used in the silo. The 
clovers, which in many cases are uncertain as a hay crop, 
owing to stress of wet weather, may be rendered a sure 
food by using them as ensilage. Great losses may thus 
be averted. 
Where excessive winter snows do not prevent the past¬ 
uring of wheat and rye fields if only for a few days at a 
time, as the weather and conditions of the soil may admit, 
doing so is an important aid in keeping sheep in healthy 
condition. The damage to the growing grain is so trifling— 
if there is any at all—that no hesitation need be felt in 
turning sheep on such fields when the surface is in a 
moderately dry condition. Much less injury to the land is 
noticeable where the soil is sandy or a loam than on clay 
soils. The sowing of wheat, rye, winter oats, Scarlet 
Clover, turnips, and other hardy forage plants on corn 
fields at the last plowing of the corn, for winter grazing, 
should be practiced far more than it is now done. The using 
of such possible winter pastures would prove an economy 
that, once begun, would not be abandoned by the thrifty 
husbandman or the wisest sheepman. Besides these, the 
liberal use of bran and screenings from the mills and ele¬ 
vators commends itself when once tried. Near brew¬ 
eries, glucose and starch factories, the refuse finds a place 
with flock owners. Linseed and cotton-seed meal and oil 
cake have long been in favor with English farmers. Why 
should American sheepmen neglect these valuable aids to 
profitable feeding ? Sweet apples would be a cheap and 
excellent addition to winter stores for sheep. In Illinois, 
a few years ago, a crop of 1,500 bushels of 10 cent onions 
were fed to a carefully bred flock of Merinos, and were 
considered well marketed. In abundant years and when 
the price is low, Irish potatoes are a splendid food for sheep. 
In the regions where sweet potatoes are easily grown no 
better addition to a sheep ration is possible. The same 
may be said of peanuts. Cheap molasses, sorghum or sugar¬ 
cane would be profitable If a constituent of the d ally rations. 
Damaged beans, peas, wheat, dog flour, cracked rice, stale 
bread, crackers, etc., that become unfit for human food 
may be a part of profitable sheep feeding. 
The economical feeding of sheep must depend somewhat, 
and far more than has been taken into account, upon the 
purpose for which they are kept. I am driven to the con¬ 
clusion that it is possible to feed for quality as well as 
quantity of wool; and to feed for growth of carcass with¬ 
out regard to the quality of the mutton. The fleeces from 
well fed sheep that are forced into larger growth and flesh 
will always be strong, elastic and even in fiber, but with 
less desirable characteristics for working qualities in 
highly finished goods. This claim has the support of many 
creditable experts and is worthy of due investigation. 
R. M. BELL. 
FORKFULS OF FACTS. 
Most of the dairymen we know who formerly grew roots 
continue to grow them now that they have silos. Instead 
of taking the place of the root crop, the ensilage acts as Its 
partner. The roots are fed before the silo is opened. The 
root crop holds a legitimate place between grass and the 
silo. 
In The R. N.-Y.’s neighborhood a good sized six-weeks- 
old calf can be sold for $10. We can go to New York in the 
fall and buy yearling heifers for $7. This is why many of 
our dairymen claim that it does not pav them to raise their 
own cows. They pick out good heifers when they have 
hay to spare, having them served when 15 months old, or 
they buy milch cows and sell all the calves for veal. Does 
this pay ? 
The Scrub Bull.—The Rural is quite right. I have 
no good word for the scrub bull, further than that when 
steered in the right way and well fed he may find his wav 
to the country butcher, who may put him where he will 
do the most good. And I would not be misunderstood in 
this regard. Everybody cannot have purebred cows, but 
any one by the exercise of ordinary good management may 
have a pure bull or the use of one. And I would advise 
every one who feels now obliged to do the best he can with 
the common cows, to use only the best bull he can find for 
the improvement of the cows he has and is forced by fate 
to keep. There is thus a second way in which the common 
stock may be turned to the best use, viz : by making them 
—at least the cows—the parents of something better than 
themselves. And the common male calves I would turn to 
beef or veal entirely, but feed them as well as can be so as 
to make the most profit from them. H. stewart. 
Duroc-Jersey Swine.— Nothing is more profitable to 
the American farmer of to day In stock raising than the 
raising of improved swine of some special breed. There 
seems to be no better time for renewed interest in raising 
swine than now, since Germany, Italy and France have 
opened their ports to American pork, creating a larger 
demand and thereby bringing the farmers of this country 
better prices. When I look back and see the old fashioned 
“ elm peelers,” with noses long enough to enable them to 
drink milk out of a jug and that had to be fed 18 months 
or two years to become hogs, giving place to hogs that 
weigh 350 pounds when eight months old, it makes me feel 
that there ought to be renewed interest in swine husban¬ 
dry among general farmers. I have been raising swine for 
over 25 years and have had experience with all the leading 
breeds, and find nothing that responds better to either good 
or bad treatment than the Duroc-Jerseys among common 
farmers, especially if bred for market, as they are very 
prolific breeders, farrowing from seven pigs at a litter fcr 
young sows to 18 for older ones, and they fatten at any age, 
often weighing 350 to 400 pounds when nine months old. 
I have been breeding them for several years and find the 
demand for them is increasing rapidly. This Is proved by 
the fact that the first association of their breeders is only 
about five years old and has issued several volumes of the 
Record in which the recorded animals number up among 
the thousands, and there has lately been organized a new 
association, the National Duroc-Jersey Record Association. 
Charleston, Ind. J. D. K. 
Bloodthirsty Mosquitoes.— New Jersey mosquitoes 
are famous as being the strongest, most active and daring 
of their race. About the strongest send-off they ever had 
is the following which Dr. Riley thinks worthy a place in 
Insect Life: “ Alexander Gordon, a fancy goods dealer of 
Elizabeth, N. J., became a raving maniac to-day from loss 
of sleep caused by the torture he endured from mosquito 
bites, combined with the intense heat. He ran through 
the streets, and when finally captured by the police, he 
tore off the only garment he had on, and it was necessary 
to wrap a rubber blanket around him to get him to the 
county jail, where he had to be put in a strait-jacket. It 
is said his blood had been poisoned by New Jersey’s 
venomous pests.” This happened in August. The writer 
Is a resident of New Jersey. After the above thrilling 
tale his mild assertion that New Jersey mosquitoes are not 
half as bad as those in parts of Michigan, Ohio, New 
York or Massachusetts, will not have weight with those 
who seem anxious to boom the]New J ersey breed. 
