882 
SEC 80 
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GROWING POTATOES. 
Here is my experience in potato growing 
the last two years: I plow the ground deep in 
October, uaiog a jointer on the plow and 
turning all the sod under, and then in Winter 
the manure is hauled on and spread. As 
soon as the soil is dry and the weather warm 
enough—in March or about the first of April 
—the ground if well stirred up with the 
aouote-shovel plow and thoroughly harrowed 
until it is as due and smooth as the onion 
beds of most pe »ple. Then I run furrows, 
using a two-horse plow, throwing the fur¬ 
rows out each way. I set the plow shallow 
and don’t let it go too deep. In using the 
shovel plow the soil falls in behind the plow 
and is not left nice for covering with the har¬ 
row. I cut the seed potatoes some two or. 
three weeks before I expect to plant, spread 
them in a thin layer and sift plaster or lime 
over them. Thus treated, they will come up 
stronger and also earlier. I always plant as 
soon as the weather will admit; for late- 
planted potatoes do not thrive in this section 
on account of insect pests, and if there hap¬ 
pens to be a drought they are generally in¬ 
jured more than the early ones. 
The potatoes are cub to one eye in a piece, 
and the furrows are three feet wide, the 
“ seed ” being dropped about 18 inches apart; 
but when I want to grow something extra, I 
plant about 2J£ feet in the row. When all 
are dropped they are covered with the har¬ 
row, which can be done very easily as the 
ground is thrown up on each side of the fur¬ 
row, and when the earth is completely leveled 
they are all nicely covered, and as soon as 
they begin to come up I put on the harrow. 
There is no danger of tearing them out. 
Then in three or four days I put the double¬ 
shovel plow to work, aud work once a week 
until the tops fall over. They are never 
worked after that, but the hoe is used in 
keeping out the weeds, as potatoes and weeds 
were never made to grow together. I culti¬ 
vate as nearly level as possible, as 1 consider 
it the bight of foolishness to ridge up potatoes. 
The past season I had an experimental plot 
on which 21 varieties were tested, half a 
pound of each having been planted on the 
same day. All received the same cultivation, 
but the results were quite different. Some of 
the old and degenerate varieties, such as the 
Fluke, Cow-horn, Blue Neshannock, Peach- 
blow, etc., didn’t yield one teuth as much as 
some of later date. Below I will give the re¬ 
sults from half a pound of cut “seed” 
planted in each case: 
Mammoth Pearl, 137 Chicago Market, 73 
Grange, 130 Ontario, 85 
White Elephant, 121 Compton’s Surprise, 17 
B. of Hebron, lh9 Blue Victor, (55 
Belle, 105 B. Neshannock, 7 
St. Patrick, 101 Watson Seedling, 35 
Clark’s No. 1, 91 Peerless, 55 
Snowflake, 42 Dunmore, 64 
Magnum Bonum, 70 Early Ohio, 62 
Early Rose, 48 White Star, 80 
The plot was fertilized with 30 bushels of 
wood ashes and 15 bushels of hen droppings 
to the acre. Some will ask what would be 
my choice of all the leading varieties for the 
main crop. To all such I would say, give 
me for early the Beauty of Hebron. Ontario 
and White Star; for second early, the White 
Elephant, Grange aud St. Patrick, and next 
Mammoth Pearl, Belle and Blue Victor; but 
if I were to be restricted to four only, give 
me the Beauty of Hebron, White Elephant, 
White Star and Mammoth Pearl for the main 
crops. We have potatoes that possess really 
finer qualities than any of these; but they are 
poor yielders, so that they are desirable only 
for family use. 
I exhibited 25 varieties of potatoes at 
the West Virginia State Fair at Wheeling, 
where I secured the red ribbon on the White 
Elephant over all other competitors, and was 
also successful in carrying off the first pre¬ 
mium on several other varieties. 
Probably no vegetable is of more import¬ 
ance the world over than the potato. There¬ 
fore whatever can be done to increase its 
productiveness, or to improve its quality, 
should be taken advantage of by all who are 
interested in its cultivation. There is no dis¬ 
guising the fact that the potato, when propa¬ 
gated year after year from tubers in the usual 
manner, is subject to deterioration, degenera¬ 
tion or a continual “ running out ” of its pro¬ 
ductive capacities. Where are our Flukes, 
Cow-horns, Mercers, Neshannocks, Peach- 
blows and other standard varieties of 25 years 
ago 1 Meagre indeed are the returns from 
our old favorites. Their day has passed and 
others have taken their places, and these in 
turn must give way to others when they be¬ 
come unproductive, as they certainly will; 
but yet there are farmers in my neighbor¬ 
hood who still cling to some of those old varie- 
ies, apparently through “ contrariness.” 
Belmont Co., Ohio. Theodore Neff. 
iilisrtllatufius. 
CATALOGUES El C., RECEIVED; 
From Whence, What, Where ? By James 
R. Nicols,M. D.,A. M., Editor of the Journal of 
Chemistry. This little work of 175 pages treats 
of the most important subject that can engage 
human thought, briefly summarized in the 
headings of the various chapters—“The 
Genesis of Man“ The Material Man ; ” 
“The Spiritual Man;” “What is Spirit?’’ 
‘The Religious Man;’’ “What ia Death?” 
“After Death What?” “Where?” These 
topics of supreme interest are scientifically 
discussed with great moderation from a Spirit¬ 
ualistic point of view, A large fund of varied 
information sublimated by much study and 
clear thought has evidently been drawn upon to 
fill these instructive pages. We have read and 
re-read the work with much interest and, we 
trust, with some profit, and although some of 
the views presented in it will probably not be 
iu harmony with those of most of our readers, 
still the honest sincerity of the author, the 
reverential tone of the discussion, the lucidity 
of the treatment, and the interest of the 
subject are so manifest on every page that 
we could wish the work were in the hands of 
every intelligent reader. The edition before 
us, however, was printed chiefly for private 
circulation ; but it Is likely that owing to the 
persuasions of discriminating friends the 
author will soon publish a larger edition for 
general circulation. 
Economy- in Winter Feeding. The ex¬ 
perience of a large farmer in Ohio who put up 
100 hogs to fatten in October, is given by our 
valued contributor, Mr, Henry Stewart, to 
the N. Y. Times:—They were kept in com¬ 
fortable pens, and the first month made such 
an Increase in weight as paid 80 cents a bushel 
for the corn—which was ground and steamed 
—taking pork at four cents a pound. Early in 
November the increase was equal to 62 cents 
for the corn; later in the same month, the 
weather being colder, the corn made 40 cents 
a bushel; still later, the weather being very 
cold, the corn made only 25 cents a bushel; 
during December it was the same; in January, 
the weather being exceedingly cold and dow n 
to zero, the corn mad© but five cents a bushel; 
the second week there was no increase, and 
the com just kept the pigs stationary and made 
uo gain at all, being all Used up in making 
sufficient heat to balance the waste by the ex¬ 
cessively cold weather. How many farmers, 
who are careless iu regard to the comfort of 
their swine, aud who pub off the feeding until 
late, find the same result, and waste a very 
large portion of the corn in feeding for the 
production of animal heat only, and not for 
flesh or fat. It is in this way that a large 
quantity of corn is wasted year after year 
upon pigs fed in rail pens, lying in mud, and 
shivering on the cold, wet ground, exposed to 
the driving storms and picking the corn ears 
out of the filth into which it is dumped 
without regard to its value. 
Setting Strawberry Plants. —The good 
pomologist and author, Mr. J. J. Thomas, 
has tried two modes of setting strawberry 
plants. One rmde was to make a hole in the 
soil with a dibble, insert the roots without 
much spreading, and fill the hole by pressing 
the earth firmly against the roots. Another 
mode was to make a broad hole, place a 
small mound at the center, and then spread 
out the roots on all sides like the rods of a 
spread umbrella, with the center of the plant 
resting on the mound. This work was done 
in the Bpring, and the two modes were em¬ 
ployed in rows side by Bide. Those with the 
spread roots made much the better growth for 
several weeks, but later in the season but lit¬ 
tle difference could be seen. The plants set 
with the dibble were later, but made a full 
aud complete growth before the season ended. 
Again be speaks of 
The Value of Moss. —Every gardener 
who has a good supply of moss will find it 
adapted to several valuable purposes. Broken 
up fine, and in a slightly damp condition, no¬ 
thing is equal to it for packing Winter vege¬ 
tables. Place cabbages in large boxes, and fill 
the spaces with moss, and they will keep with 
freshness all Winter. Celery maj be packed 
in the same way, handling it with care to pre¬ 
vent bruisiug. Turnips and beets are finely 
preserved in the same way. All these, it will 
be observed, are readily accessible at any 
time in Winter, in the cellar where they are 
placed. The cellar should be cool, and if a 
slight freeze occurs the moss protects them 
from harm. The brown swamp moss used by 
nursery-men answers well; but where this can¬ 
not be had, the green moss found on logs in 
damp and dense woodsis quite as useful when 
thoroughly broken up. A load or two, easily 
procured from such woods, will be valuable 
to have on hand. 
»4 0 - 
^moick for Hog Cholera.— An Illinois 
man, L. W. Clark, writes to an exchange, 
says the Kansas City Live Stock Indicator, 
that he treated bis “cholera” hogs with smoke, 
on the theory that they had parasites in their 
lungs, and smoke was anti septic and anti- 
parasitic. He says: “ Some four or five years 
ago hogs died by hundreds all over this part 
of the country. I had about a dozen in a 
pen. One died and most of the rest were 
coughing, some refusing to eat. I built a tight 
pen, sufficient to give them plenty of room, 
covered it over tightly, drove them in It, aud 
with an old ash bucket and a few corn-cobs I 
filled the pen completely full of smoke and 
kept them in five to 15 minutes twice per day, 
for five days; then once per day for five more 
days, and they all got well. This is not a 
sufficient test to justify me in calling smoke a 
remedy, yet I would resort to the same means 
with a feeling of success were my hogs 
troubled with cholera. Some precautions 
must be carried out to warrant much benefit. 
First, a tight, well-covered pen that will re¬ 
tain smoke, then a door or ventilator at each 
end of pen, so that the smoke will pass out 
when you have given them enough. One can 
smoke a hundred hogs as easily as one, and 
they are obliged to take the remedy. A cold, 
wet place for hogs to sleep in will prevent a 
cure with any remedy. Keep the pens clean 
and use a little lime in foul places.’ 
Courtesy of Journalism was the subject 
of a paper read by Mr. A. L Root before the 
National Bee-keepers’ Association, from which 
we take the following extracts commending 
them to all of our brother editors. 
“I need hardly say that those who wield 
the power of the press should be free from 
aud entirely above, if it were possible, all 
feefingsof prejudice, spiie or jealousy. The 
wants and needs and rights of his readers 
should be all equally dear to him. The peculi¬ 
arities and, perhaps, weaknesses of each mem¬ 
ber of his large family should be held sacred 
and touched upon with the greatest gentle* 
ness ; and he, above ail others, should have a 
wide charity. 
Think gently of the erring: 
Ye luay not know the power 
With which the dark temptation came 
In some unguarded hour. 
Whatever appears in print is a public 
matter. It is more public than any thing 
that can be said in any public meeting, be¬ 
cause it stands there to be read of all men— 
aye, and women and children, too. When we 
have visitors at our homes we are very care¬ 
ful to be courteous to them, and we are on 
Dur best behavior, as it were ; for who would 
think of indulging in little spiles, or unkind 
words, before company ? 1 fear we some¬ 
times forget that whatever is printed is before 
a very large company. Few can realize how 
it cuts and smarts to be held up In derision in 
public print, who have not passed through it. 
It may be urged that this dread of being pub¬ 
lished is a most powerful restraint to one who 
is strongly tempted to do WTOug, and I grant 
this, and would by ail means advise warning 
the public when the matter is something de¬ 
manding that they should be warned. I think 
we all agree in this ; but at the same time I 
believe in putting it mildly, and using a few 
kind words instead of harsh, to do the most 
good.” 
-*+*- 
Alcohol in Burns and Scalds.— The 
Journal of Chemistry tells us to saturate a 
soft fabric with alcohol, lay it over the burn, 
then cover it with cotton or finely picked 
oakum. This is the most cleanly dressing that 
can be adopted. It may be thought that 
alcohol applied to a burn will produce more 
pain ; bat try it, and you will be agreeably 
surprised to observe how quickly it will allay 
the pain. Subsequently disturb the dressing 
aslittle as possible ; wet the dressing occasion¬ 
ally with alcohol, and the result you will flud 
better than by any other method. 
■* » » ■■ — - 
SAMPLES AND COMMENTS. 
Dr. J. H. Gilbert is of the opinion that 
the insect depredations upon clover are the 
result of “clover sickness,” that is, the in¬ 
sects are but the concomitant of a feeble 
growth. So says Dr. Sturbevant. 
“Come to my barnyard,” says President 
McCann, as reported in the Husbandman, 
“ and I will show* you why cows are high. 
There you may see 20 f. it two-year-olds, nearly 
all heifers, gathered by a butcher who has 
left them with me a short time until he is 
ready to slaughter them. How can wo have 
a full stock of cows when farmers yield to 
the temptation of high prices to sell heifers 
when they are just ready to come into use 
It may be good policy to sell the young ani¬ 
mals, so far as money making is concerned, 
but it is destructive to dairy interests. 
Mk8. Langtry’s eyes have been compared 
to those of a beautiful Jersey cow. Those of 
Oscar Wtide to the eyes of a Jersey calf. 
Out of 15 or 20 kinds of strawberries Mr. 
Helper, of Reading, Pa., has laia aside all 
but three, namely: “Charles Downing,’ 
Wilson's Seedling,” and the “ Sharpie-s,’ 
which beats all he ever had for size, but not 
for quantity. 
The W htte Mulberry is considered the best 
for feeding the silk-worm.... 
In the late report of the State Horticultural 
Society of Pennsylvania are some instructive 
discussions. Mr. SaCterwaite, a prominent 
member, considers the Kietfer Pear one of the 
most valuable of our new varieties. Its bear¬ 
ing qualities, he says, are wonderful. Young 
trees had branches with “solid masses of 
fruit" all of which were shapely and ripened 
perfectly. Some were put into a fruit house 
for a few weeks and were then beautifully 
colored and sold at 25 cents each. In quality 
he deems it good though not first-class. 
He also makes this singular statement: 
“A branch was broken off when the fruit was 
about half grown and the fruit being put 
away, ripened and colored nicely.”... 
Mr. Engle has seen and tasted the Kieffer 
Pear and is pleased wdth its looks aud quality. 
He thinks the tree is not blight-proof. In¬ 
stances of blight were mentioned by several 
members.*... 
Two years ago, when in Mary land, Mr. D. 
E. Lougsdorf was surprised to see the great 
amount of fruit that was wasted. One man 
informed him that every basket of peaches 
sent out had brought him five to ten cents in 
debt. The markets were glutted, and crops 
did not pay for picking, transportation, com¬ 
missions, etc. It is not our heavy crops of 
fruit that pay, but the medium or light ones* 
It is a fact that half of the fruit iu the United 
States to-day is not profitable. There are 
ways of utilizing this surplus and making it 
profitable. We should introduce the evapo¬ 
rator aud the canning establishment. Good 
evaporated peach*;; never realize less than 25 
cents per pound, aud at present they will 
bring 35 to 40 cents..... 
Mr. Hooper considers the Miner plum 
hardy and valuable thoughnot of good quality. 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
Dakota Territory 
Mandan, ButleighCo,, Dec. 4.—During the 
past Summer and Fall the weather was very 
variable, more so than I expected to find it; 
yet it appears to be a very healthful climate. 
Farmers round here have not yet finished 
thrashing wheat. The average y ield is about 
25 bushels per acre, bringing at Mandan only 
65c. G. W. G. 
Wessington, Beadle Co., Dec. 4.—Immi¬ 
gration large; crops good; all surveyed land 
being scooped in, and uusurveyed land squat¬ 
ted on. n, s. 
Illinois. 
Pilot, Kankakee Co., Dae 11.—About two- 
thirds of the corn crop gathered. Yield per 
acre from 10 to 25 bushels. Taking an aver¬ 
age through the county, less than one half of 
a crop. Price for new corn shelled, 35c to 
38c; oats, 30c; hogs, $5.50 to $5.80 live. Hay, 
a good crop; noemuch being handled at pres¬ 
ent* i. h. s. 
Iowa. 
Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., Dec. 6.—We 
have not had a fruitful season this year, 
but kind Providence has given us enough 
to satisfy all our wants. Hay and grass 
were good crops; they are the exception. 
Some good corn but more poor. We have 
had a beautiful Full, peculiarly so through 
November. Btock brings good price but per¬ 
haps is not proportionately so high as corn, 
which is 50c. per bushel. S. R. p. 
Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., Dec. 4.—We are 
having splendid weather and Wiuter corn is 
mostly gathered. There are some splendid 
fields, fully an average: others quite poor— 
probably two-thirds of a crop. Potatoes 
about the same. Corn is worth 50 cents; po¬ 
tatoes, 50 to 75; hay, $6 to $10 per ton. A. b. 
Missouri. 
Eldjin, Mills Co , Dec. 4.—The weather so 
far has been very good for Winter wheat 
which looks unusually well at this time, hav¬ 
ing made a good strong, healthy growth, so 
that it should be able to withstand a severe 
Winter. Farmers are about through gather¬ 
ing corn—very little has been sold, farmers 
preparing to crib all they do not feed. Hogs 
are nearly fattened for market. Those that 
have been butchered have readily sold at 8c. a 
pound net. Stocks of all kinds are in a good 
condition for Winter, and as nearly all farm¬ 
ers have plenty of feed stock will winter well. 
