* 
SQ2 
THE RURAL 
JULY 20 
nrged against the experiments I have advoca¬ 
ted in these volumes the past five years, is 
that farmers generally cannot, or at any rate 
will not, make them. Very true. Twenty 
years ago, hardly a man in the State would 
have thought of such an undertaking. But 
twenty years ago, an Experiment Station in 
Connecticut was impossible. Ten years ago 
matters -were improved. Eight years ago the 
actual movement began which resulted in the 
Station. Ten years hence, there is every 
reason to believe it will be on far better foot¬ 
ing than it is now. 
To-day, we have a few men like Mr. Bar¬ 
tholomew, Mr. Fairchild, Mr. Newton, and 
others, whose good work, it has been my privi¬ 
lege and pleasure—and I esteem it a privilege as 
it is a pleasure—to describe. Ten years hence, 
I hope there will be many, that we shall have 
not half a dozen or a dozen in a State, but as 
many and more in each county, and all doing 
better work, because working in the light of 
a larger experience. 
What Mr. Fairchild, and Mr. Bartholomew, 
and Mr. Newton, and others are doing, still 
other Connecticut farmers cau do, and that is 
what we want done. As an enthusiastic sup¬ 
porter of agricultural investigation of my 
acquaintance says, “Such men are light¬ 
houses.” They are needed everywhere. 
But such men would do more, and a great 
deal of unlooked for talent would be brought 
out, if a little more substantial encourage¬ 
ment and help could be furnished. Unfortu¬ 
nately very few farmers can afford to both 
pay the bills and do the work. A few hun¬ 
dred dollars invested in sets of experimental 
fertilizers, to be placed in the hands of proper 
men. would secure a vast amount of intelli¬ 
gent, faithful, useful work, and the benefit to 
the agriculture of Connecticut and the coun¬ 
try at large, would be very great. 
From all around us comes the complaint 
that the boys are leaving the farms; that the 
old homesteads are deserted; that the sturdy, 
native stock which has given us our material, 
our intellectual and our moral strength, 
is running out; that foreigners with lower 
ideas of life and character and less capacity 
for progress are coming in, and that, unless 
something happens to change the current, 
our old land-marks, our great influence, our 
sterling character, will be gradually swept 
away. I do not share these forebodings so 
fully as many, because I believe the change 
will come. But it cannot come without more 
rational as well as more profitable farm 
practice; without increase of intellectual life, 
as well as of crops; without better culture of 
the mind, as well as of the land. 
I was much struck the other day by a 
forcible remark of a friend, who In speaking 
of farmers’ clubs and the meu who support 
them slid: “Where there is one man talking 
in the meeting, there are a hundred busily 
thinking at home. The fact is, that we are in 
the midst of an awakening of agricultural 
thought that is really phenomenal. With the 
thinking comes improvement, better tillage, 
better crops, better stocks, and better profits, 
and, what is best of all, a higher intellectual 
and, I trust, moral life. The agencies that 
speed this movement, the forms of nutriment 
on which it thrives are manifold. With the 
rest, such men and such work as have been re¬ 
ferred to, are doing, I believe, not a little to 
help the good cause along. 
Had not the relation of this article to pre¬ 
vious ones seemed to call for the heading it 
has, it would have been entitled, “The Use of 
Brains in Farming.” 
Ensilage at the Michigan Agricul¬ 
tural College. —The silo of the Michigan 
Agricultural College is 14x15 feet, with thick 
stone walls eight feet high. The total cost of 
construction was $151 80; the cost of raising 
the com and placing it in the silo was $41.81 
or $2.09 per ton. The silo was closed by planks 
on top, weighted with 900 pounds of stone to 
the square yard; the whole was kept as nearly 
as possible air ti^ht. There was no outward 
sign of any change going on within the silo. 
On December 15 the silo was opened, and the 
ensilage was found to be nicely preserved. It 
was slightly acid in taste, quite brown in color 
when first taken from the silo, but after ex¬ 
posure to the air for a short time, it regained 
largely its fresh green appearance. The cat¬ 
tle from the start, with a few exceptions, ate 
it with avidity. One very important con¬ 
sideration concerning the value of ensilage is 
the fact that so large an amount of it can be 
packed in a comparatively small space. A 
cubic foot of ensilage weighed 35 pounds; the 
fo Ider was cut by au ordinary feed cutter be¬ 
fore being placed in the silo. The College 
Speculum quotes the following relative to 
the comparative feeding and cost value of en¬ 
silage from Prof. Johnson’s late work on the 
subject of ensilage: 
“The meal fed to the cows is worth $23.4U 
per ton. That fed to the bull calves, $25. 
Hay is worth $10, and corn-stalks and oat 
straw each $5 per ton, and rutabagas 40 cents 
per bushel. Compared with other feeds at 
the above rates, the ensilage has a feeding 
value four times the cost of growing the cron 
and putting it in the silo. I was not at aP 
sanguine when we began the experiment ns 
to the decided merits of ensilage as claimed 
by many writers, bat I have been greatly 
pleased with the results of the feeding. The 
convenience in handling the prepared fodder; 
the large amount that can be stored in admail 
space; the avidity with which cattle eat it, 
end thrive and grow when a meal ration is 
fed with it; the fact that it can be stored in a 
wet time, during lowerv weather, when fod¬ 
der could not be cured; the furnishing of sue 
culent food for stockduring our long Winters 
at very small cost—these are some of the rea¬ 
sons that lead me to think the ensilaging of 
corn especially will prove to be a practical 
and profitable method of preparing food for 
stock. I think *t may take the place of roots, 
and be a cheap substitute for tbem. I am dis¬ 
posed to believe that the best results will be 
secured by feeding one daily ration of dry 
fodder in connection with the ensilage. The 
experiment shows that it is not a complete 
food ration. 
Mr. A. W. Cheever, the experienced ed¬ 
itor of the New England Farmer, says that 
if the farmer sees that merchants, manufac¬ 
turers, professional men and politicians are 
all educated and trained for their life work, 
he should realize that a similar education and 
training are needed for him who would be suc¬ 
cessful as a farmer. If the farmer at the pres¬ 
ent time is not taking his true position in so¬ 
ciety, it is not because of his occupation, but 
from a. lacking in those qualities which result 
largely from education and training at home, 
in school, in the college and in the world at 
large. 
Dr. Kedzie, says the College Speculum, 
called attention to the guard posts on the 
walks near the chemical laboratory of the 
Michigan Ag. College, which have been 
painted with Balmain’s luminous paint. This 
paint is a specially prepared sulphide of 
calcium, which will absorb light by day 
and emit light by night. The posts shine 
with a purplish phosphorescent light, which 
Is more visible the darker the night. 
This paint is used to illuminate clock faces, 
to paint buoys in harbors, etc. It would 
be applied in many ways to store up 
daylight for use in the night if the price 
of the paint was more reasonable. Per¬ 
haps by the use of this or some better phos¬ 
phorescent su bstance, we may yet yoke day 
and night together, in a way we little im¬ 
agine at present. 
Jas, Wilson, of the Trumbull Co. Ohio 
Hor. Soe., says that wood ashes should be used 
to keep the borer away. At the session of the 
Society at Kings, he stated that Dr. Spear 
used coal tar at the bottom of his trees, for 
borers. He applied it hot on 1500 peach trees. 
Having dug the ground away from around 
the body of the tree, he applied the tar freely. 
He used it for a number of years and had no¬ 
ticed no detriment. He was satisfied lie could 
thus keep the borer out. Applied it also in 
the forks and on diseased parts of trees, with 
benefit. Wm. King did not know what effect 
coal tar has on peach, pear, or plum trees, but 
was satisfied that it is an injury to the apple 
tree. He injured his by the use of tar. 
Mr. Wilbur says, in the Germantown Tele¬ 
graph, that Summer is not only the best time 
to cut timber for durability—but timber, wil¬ 
lows and underbrush do not sprout as they 
will if cut in Winter, and the stumps will rot 
out in half the time if the timber is cut in full 
leaf in Summer. This item may b? of value 
to those who have land to clear. Mr. Wilbur 
has had experience and knows the hardships 
of pioneer life. 
THE LATEST AND BRIEFEST. 
Sow Rutabaga turnip seed—the others 
later. Plant late cabbage, celery, thymei 
sage. Late plantiugs of celery may be made 
as late as mid August. Peas and bush beans 
may still be sown. W<. think, however, that 
late peas rarely pay....... 
Sow asparagus seed, cut off the strawberry 
runners, pinch off the ends of the canes of 
raspberries and blackberries, or use a sickle or 
shears for the purpose. 
Layer grape vines. Merely pull off the 
leavesof low-growing canes, except several at 
the end and bury and peg down the portion 
of cane that can l e buried most conveniently. 
Now that potatoes are so high it is a won¬ 
der that the girls do not use tbem in trimming 
their bonnets.— [Phila. Kronikle Herald. 
The Journal of Chemistry says that the 
worst enemies of farmers are the class of men 
who profess to enter into their interests by 
lecturing or publishing journals ostensibly 
agricultural in aim. but really speculative 
and selfish in the highest degree. 
Dr. Schmolk, a professor of pathology at 
Bonn, tells how to enjoy old age. It is by 
eating lemons. It is recommended that a per¬ 
son swallow the juice of from two to eight 
lemons daily . .. . 
To show differences in the same strawberry 
in different places, the Rural has informed 
its readers bow the Bid well thrives in the 
Rural Grounds. Mr. A. M. Purdy says that 
the Bid well is a magnificent strawberry with 
him. No sort went through the Winter bet¬ 
ter and came out greener than this, while it 
yields abundantly of the finest fruit. 
Mr. Coburn is positive that black hogs are 
gradually taking possession of the field. 
Thin out tbe pears and apples. A few 
years ago Major Freas had a standard Belle 
Lucrative pear tree, some 15 feet in bight, ap¬ 
parently in perfect health, w bich was so over¬ 
loaded with fruit that one-half of the crop 
was taken off at one time, which was followed 
a month or so later by the removal of one- 
half the rest, thus leaving only a fourth of the 
original crop, and yet the tree died from the 
over draft upon its energies... 
Mr. Barry says graft new apples and pears 
not yet tested on dwarfing stocks—the French 
Paradise for applet, the quince for pears. 
Then they will bear soon and the character 
of thi fruit can be ascertained.He 
advises our native plum as a good dwarfing 
stock for the peach and plum. Space can be 
economised by planting small fruits among 
the trees..... 
The Herald reminds its readers that this is 
the season of the year when the farmer loves 
a drink of good, pure water. Do not forget 
that animals, including your hot chickens, 
thrive on tbe same innocent beverage. 
Healthy fowls cannot be raised on filthy 
water.. .... 
Mr. Bartholomew lias learned by careful 
experiments conducted through several years 
that by the proper use of commercial fertili¬ 
zers be can obtain, at fair profit, finer pota¬ 
to. s, free from disease and blemish, than by 
any other means known Co him. 
Mr. B. learns further that by the use of one 
or more of the commercial fertilizers, as ad- 
juuots to farm manures, he has been enabled 
to obtain, at small expense, superior crops of 
corn, oats and potatoes with less manure 
..Then be concludes: ‘And finally, I 
find that I am keeping much more stock, 
getting better crops, and better satisfaction 
from my farm than before their use.”. 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS, 
Dakota Territory. 
Mandan, Burleigh Co., July 5.—It has been 
said that it is too dry out here, that there is 
not rain enough for farming purposes. I came 
here the first of last May and it has been very 
wet since. If we could have had one-half the 
amount of rain in Michigan in the month of 
June that fell here last mouth, tbe Michi¬ 
ganders would have laughed over tbeir 
growing crops. Wheat and potatoes are look¬ 
ing fine. The area under wheat and potatoes 
is said to be twice as large this year as last. 
Too wet and cold for corn. The Old Muddy 
is just booming. <*. W. G. 
Florida. 
Tallahassee, Leon Co., July 11.—We are 
having the finest corn crop that has been made 
“ since the Surrender,” as they say here. 
Cotton seems to promise a fair average, if the 
present wet weather does not cause it to 
“shed” too much. Sweet potatoes promise a 
splendid yield. Plums aud peaches are almost 
complete failures this year. A few Le Conte 
pear trees are beginning to bear, and this fruit 
promises to be a magnificent success here, 
rivaling the orange in the counties south of 
u?. Orange trees which were killed by the 
cold two years ago, are making a most rapid 
growth from the roots, and old trees will be 
bearing again in a year or two. J. p. a. 
Kaiisas. 
Peoria, Franklin Co., July 11.—Corn is 
growing nicely now; if it does not set in dry 
we shall have au abundance of it. Wheat and 
oats are good. Early potatoes will be fine 
and abundant. The apple and poach crops 
are good, never was a better prospect. My 
Rural corn is tasseling out and looks quite 
well. m. p, B. 
Michigan. 
Holland, Ottawa Co., July 7. —Wheat 
promises well. Harvesting will not begin 
much if any before tbe 15th inst. Corn looks 
better than last year at this time. Potatoes are 
good. Hay will be a large crop. Strawber¬ 
ries and raspberries will be about two thirds 
of a crop. Of apples there will be hardly any; 
trees blossomed full but all are dropping 
off. Very few of the earlier varieties will 
have any to speak of. Peaches, in sheltered 
localities, will be a fair crop. Pears good. 
Plums and cherries ditto. Grapes, on high 
lands and near water and in sheltered places, 
will be a good crop if no early frost comes, a. 
Muskegon, Muskegon Co., July 4.—Every¬ 
thing is late here except the Fourth of July; 
lumbering on account of a big strike; farm¬ 
ing on account of a cold, wet Spring; in fruit, 
strawberries on account of frosts in May and 
lack of the snow mantle last Winter. Even 
the insect pests are behind time; the grape¬ 
vine thrips have not appeared to any alarm¬ 
ing extent and tbe larva of the codling moth 
has not put in his detestable appearance, his 
appointed time being about June 20. Fruits 
that promise well are raspberries, blackber¬ 
ries, apples, peaches (on elevated grounds) 
plums whore cared for, and grapes, ditto, if 
they get ripe, but in their blossoming they are 
20 days behind last year’s stage and 15 behind 
that of 1880. The grape-vine thrips have for 
the past few years been very destructive, being 
worst on the Clinton, next, on the Delaware 
and Iona and other smooth-leaved varieties. 
On the Clinton so bad have they been as to 
destroy the leaves and cause tbe fruit to winter 
in its green dress. With a wash of 10 pounds 
of lime and four of sulphur in a barrel of water, 
I have set them back somewhat. All other 
experiments failed entirely till I besmeared 
four square feet of stiff paper tacked on to a 
wooden handle, with tar, and invited them on 
to it when they fastened themselves to it by 
tbe million. I shall try the lime aud sulphur 
early and the tar paper later, if they put in 
their usual appearance. Insects that do not 
trouble me I never disturb, but such as annoy 
me I endeavor to “scrape acquaintance with.’’ 
On the progeny of the codling moth I have 
bestowed much time, and in relation to its 
habits I claim to have made some discoveries 
that I have never learned from books, but 
there are still mysteries about them that I 
cannot fathom. I am not, sure that I ever in 
troduced this pest to the Rural; but if I have 
not andmy experience isdeemed of any value, I 
will give it at some future time [Please.—EdsJ 
when I shall, like Guiteau, “have a fit of in¬ 
spiration.” At present I will only say, further, 
that it is the greatest insect pest that I ever 
encountered. I have heard and read of Rose 
Bugs doing damage to grape-viies, but I never 
saw one of the “ varmints” for over 20 years 
till last season, whm a grape man brought 
me one for name. This season i found half 
a dozen pairs on my Clintons while hunting 
for the cause of the skeleton leaves. It seems 
that any insect that likes grape foliage will go 
out of its way to find the Clinton, just as the 
plum curculio will go out of its regular beat 
to lay a half dozen eggs on a nectarine. The 
stinking squash bugs I am acquainted with; 
they will congregate on the sunny side of a 
board set on its edge, where a dash of boiling 
water will destroy them, but what suddenly 
kills the vines of Winter squashes in mid¬ 
summer 1 oannot ascertain. s. u. p. 
Ohio. 
Newton Falls, Trumbull Co., July 10.— 
The present outlook for crops Is all tbe moat 
sanguine could desire, if we are only favored 
with fine weather for securing the wheat and 
hay crops. Wheat, oats and hay never were 
better. Corn is very backward; the extreme¬ 
ly wet season so far has made it behindhand. 
The fruit prospect is fair, but apples are drop¬ 
ping off badly. Peaches on seedling trees, a 
full crop; oa budded trees but few. The late 
frosts injured them very much. Pears good. 
Strawberries not as large a crop as was an¬ 
ticipated; the excessive rains injured them 
very much, though at the County Horticul¬ 
tural Strawberry Show in June some very 
flue berries were shown. The Bidwell and 
Manchester attracted a great deal of the 
attention: they certainly are grand berries. 
The prospect for raspberries never was as 
promising as at present. As to stock, it is 
looking fine; fat cattle are in good demand 
for the local trade, but few shippers are in the 
field buying. Sheep are a drug in tbe market 
Wool is at a stand still. Buyers are not 
anxious; 3S to 40 cents are the best prices of¬ 
fered. There is too much wool for the market. 
The Western Reserve Yankee will have to turn 
his attention to cheese and butter again. But¬ 
ter is bringing 17 to 20 cents; cheese 8 to 10. 
The present outlook promises a good show of 
farm products at our coming county end local 
fairs. In additiou to our fine grade of cattle, 
we have through this portion of the State 
some fine horses. The breeders of fine Jersey 
cattle are makiug rapid inroads upon the 
popularity of the Short-horns. To the man 
of a few acres the Jersey is a welcome cow. 
Full-blood and grade Jerseys are in great de¬ 
mand; good half bloods, when two and three 
years old, readily bring from $50 to $75. I 
have the good fortune to own one: she is a cross 
of a fine strain of Durham milkers, with a 
thoroughbred Jersey bull. She is a good feeder 
—one of the essentials in a good cow. If one 
expects a cow to give a large quantity of 
milk, she must consume a corresponding quan¬ 
tity of feed. e, w. T. 
Pen nay Ivan la, 
Columbia, Lancaster Co., July 4.—With 
us tbe season has been rather later than usual, 
harvest has barely commenced, while in for- 
