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LESSONS OF THE YEAR. 
WHAT SOME OF OUR READERS HAVE 
LEARNED DURING 1887. 
1887 Hah Taught Me—T hat the farm needs 
live-stock and plenty of it. That one acre 
well cultivated and fertilized, is worth three 
acres half done. That pigs and potatoes—well 
filled pens and bins of these—bring more 
money this year than anything else. That 
the cow will return (some) good for evil; but 
if you measure her with the “golden rule” 
you will find that she is a much larger animal 
than you supposed. That the cow pea makes 
excellent pasture for the pig. That, the acorn 
crop harvosted by the pigs is clear profit. 
That the silo will help solve the feed problem. 
That the farmer—if from any cause he is un¬ 
able •^'ork—can make good wages by walk¬ 
ing iBWtbe farm with his thinking cap on. 
Th it^Po farmer who will not take an ugrieul- 
tu*-waper, keeps so far in the rear of the pro- 
cessffm that ho can’t hear the music. That the 
Rural becomes more and more likeapersonal 
friend. A. L. CROSBY. 
Catonsville, Md. 
Sowing Clover Seed. —I think Mr. Terry’s 
time for sowing clover seed an excellent one. 
I sowed some lust spring on a late snow and it 
did first-rate. I sowed it on a piece of ground 
that had been sowu to Timothy the previous 
fall very late, and consequently there was a 
poor stand of Timothy, but the clover came ou 
and tilled up all vacant spots left by the grass, 
and by mowing time cut a pretty good crop 
and made a full crop for full cutting. Of 
course, the season was uncommonly favorable 
as there was an abundance of rain all suminor 
long. The trouble with the majority of far¬ 
mers in seeding to grass and clover is that 
they don’t sow it early enough and don’t sow 
enough seed. Skimping the seed means not 
only a skimpy crop of grass, but it gives weeds 
and other foul stuff a chance to grow up in 
the places left vacant in consequence of thin 
seeding. c * lee. 
Morris Co., N. J. 
By Weighing and Feeding I learned that 
eight shoats, weighing 1,024 pounds, ate in one 
week 400 pounds of flue corn meal and gained 
102 pounds. That bran-fed pigs make a fair 
growth and are strong and active. By obser¬ 
vation I learned that flax lying in the field 
during a warm, rainy Spell will be almost 
ruined by sprouting That clover seed will 
sprout and grow in lodged clover during such 
weather before the clover is cut. 
Farmington, Minn. a. C. carpenter. 
Present Farming Will Not Pay.— This 
year with the last few years, has taught me 
by experience and observation, that the pres¬ 
ent system of farming our Western lands must 
give way or bo greatly improved. The rais¬ 
ing of 13 bushels of wheat and 38 of corn to 
the acre, after crop expenses, taxes, etc., are 
taken out, will not pay the cropper. The vir¬ 
gin soil of these once rich and productive val¬ 
leys and prairies is no more. Wo must im¬ 
prove, or, better still,we must farm differently. 
We must study the care and applications of 
our mauurial resources, learn our soils, their 
needs and capabilities. Drainage must not be 
guess-work with us. Farm less nut form bet¬ 
ter. Expenses of cropping and caring for 
stock must be reduced to a minimum by careful 
book-keeping, by iudustry and by approved 
farm machinery. All farmers should keep 
their own stock inclosed, that the expense in 
fencing should not be so onerous. All should 
educate themselves in the new and improved 
methods of draining,using nud caring for man¬ 
ures, tilling and caring for stock, by reading 
the leading agricultural and horticultural 
books and journals of the day. These are 
days of rapid advance and it will not pay to be 
behind ou the furm. A. O. B. 
Rockville, Ind. 
Alfalfa.— The third cutting of my Alfalfa 
sowed last spring—cut, weighed and sampled, 
by tho New Jersey experiment station October 
10— gave 5,120 pounds per acre. Had it been 
cut two weeks sooner 1 think It would have 
done better. Averuge bight at time of cut¬ 
ting, 23 inches. u. w. Thompson. 
Steltou, N. J. 
Delaware Lessons.— Onr failures of crops 
if nothing more, this year have taught mo the 
truth of the old adage, “don't put all of your 
eggs in one basket.” In this State, too many 
put too much dependence on tho peach crop, 
the partiul failure of which left some in 
trouble. Iu the growing of tomatoes, another 
staple crop, we have learned that if set out 
lute, Jack Frost muy get more than the can- 
nera do. Those making a specialty of late po¬ 
tatoes have learned by the almost total failure 
of the erop that they cannot depend too 
much on thorn as a source of income. Corn 
has been a paying crop; stock and poultry 
have netted a fair return and truck has paid a 
fair percentage on the outlay. All this seems i 
to point to the fact that in a country adapted 1 
to general farming, the surest plan is to have c 
as much variety in farming as our various t 
circumstances will allow. Then if one crop or t 
other enterprise does not turn out profitable 1 
we have others to depend upon and the loss is i 
not felt so keenly. A. 
Dover, Del. 
- 1 -- I J 
Scabby Potatoes as compared with those , 
during the drought of last season, are few and 
far between, so that I do not consider it so , 
bad as scabby potatoes every year. Drought 
and a hot, burning sun man cannot prevent; 
scabby potatoes lie can. Many years since, 
and in recent years, I have given a remedy 
through agricultural papers for the scab. I 
have said the cause was wi re and angle worms, 
the latter only working in moist, rich soils; 
the former in almost all soils. The mixture is a 
good fertilizer for potatoes. When used by 
mo no scabby potatoes are seen. The mixture 
is 65 pounds of sulphur and it must be sluiced 
with two bushels of quick-limo mixed well, 
100 pounds fine salt, six bushels wood ashes, 
200 pounds plaster all mixed well together: 
mixture to be scattered all through the trenches 
after the seed is dropped. Sulphur alone or 
mixed with plaster, with me, does not prevent 
all scab. Sulphur alone blown on grape 
leaves for mildew is of no use. if slaked in 
quick-lime and put in a barrel of water and 
stirred up and then sprayed on the leaves it 
will kill the mildew at once on a clear day. 
Penn Yan, N. Y. alfhkd rose. 
Grass is King.— I have convinced myself 
that grass is indeed the sheet-anchor of the 
farmer, South and North. If we keep up or 
rather increase, the fertility of our land, we 
must grow grass and feed it out at home, ami 
like the Eastern farmer util lze our corn stover. 
This means keeping more cattle. The raising 
of green crops to turn under is well enough if 
carried out, but iu my experience the most 
profitable time to turn under peas,clover, and 
even green rye is after it has passed through 
cattle. We cannot afford to do it before as a 
rule. Sow the land to rye in the fall, cut 
when ready either green or for seed, return an 
equivalent of manure broadcast, then with 
one horse turning plows, plow tho land, letting 
a boy follow every second or third furrow and 
drop peas in the furrow, harrow lightly and 
roll, when you will, with an ordinary season, 
get a fine crop of peas and Crab Grass, which as 
a fodder is hard to beat when properly cured 
so as not to lose the leaves of the pens. I 
have cut over two tons to the acre of just such 
feed this year. Old farmers tell me that the 
land is richer than when I started, simply on 
account of the pea roots left in the soil. I 
think their action upon the soil has been of 
great benefit. The last crop of hay more than 
pays for the labor expended. 
Talladega College, Ala. E. A. bishop. 
The Lesson of the Year.— Now, as the 
old year goes out, 1 he farmer who has kept 
his affairs well in band feels easy anil com¬ 
fortable. Though adverse elements have pre¬ 
vented him from increasing his store, he is, 
nevertheless, out of debt, and independent; 
because ho did not attempt too much; and he 
and liis faithful wife feel strong and hopeful 
of the future. He has studied tho effects of a 
disastrous visitation on soil and crops, and he 
will bo guided by tho knowledge gained in 
his farming operations of years to como. His 
family are cheerful and contented, even with 
a little less of luxuries than usual, while they 
are unconsciously learning the best lessons of 
life, and acquiring a broader knowledge of 
humanity. On tho other hand, the farmer 
who has attempted to run a farm too large 
for his capital is in poverty and misery. His 
expenses havo been far greater than his 
receipts, and now he is harrassod at every 
turn by creditors who are clamoring for their 
dues. He finds it impossible to maintain his 
financial integrity, and he is depressed, dis¬ 
heartened nud embittered. His overworked 
and care-worn wife and poorly-clad family 
are to be pitied. To them the new year 
i opens gloomy enough. The past year has 
only the more emphatically repeated the same 
old lesson: that the tiller of the soil who 
would thrive must not venture beyond his 
depth. He must keep within his means; keep 
1 out of debt; provide against an adverse sea* 
1 son; work his brains as well as his hands; 
keep himself thoroughly informed, and ad¬ 
vance with the advance of his science. 
Christian Co., 111. fkkd grundy, 
i - 
Hand-weeding ok Corn may seem a te- 
; dious and expensive way of cultivation, but 
this post season l find It has paid me largely. 
Horse cultivating was thoroughly used until 
i the corn was beginning to show the tassel, at 
i which time it. was clean of weeds. At this 
! time a heavy shower improved it very much 
und also brought on a nice crop of red root 
, and barn grass which grew with amazing 
rapidity, and the severe dry weather soon fol- s 
lowing caused the corn-leaves during the heat i 
of the day to roll. I put my help to pulling ’ 
these weeds (every one) among the rows—and 1 
tho result was more than I could have hoped t 
for. No more rolling of leaves of corn 1 
and there was no apparent suffering from t 
drought. The final result was that I sold from ' 
this piece of corn of one acre, when green, 
$24.75 worth and when ripe busked 50 bushels 1 
of good sound corn. The variety was Perry’s i 
Hybrid sweet corn—the best, most prolific 
and earliest of any I have over raised. Where 
large areas of corn are planted, this would I 
not be advisable; but upon small pieces— 
heavily manured—it will in my estimation 
pay in more ways than one—a pleasure to the 
eye when the corn is off, the field is clean I 
ground, and no weed seeding fox* another 
crop. h. a. whittemore. 
Chautauqua County, N. Y. 
Michigan Lessons.— We have learned 
some things this year, and have had some 
previous convictions confirmed. T will men¬ 
tion some: We learned first to strain maple 
sap through canton llannel—fuzzy side iu 
the only perfect strainer. We also learned 
to keep ice in the storage tank as the weather 
becomes warmer. We have learned to plant j 
corn deep and put on a harrow immediately, I 
keeping it at work till the corn comes up, then 
use a double cultivator till it is too large but 
never in our soil—a clay loam—to work it 
after harvest. It seemed this year that ma¬ 
nure plowed under for corn did more damage 
than good. Why was it? But let its try to 
forget it. We find chopped corn is better 
than ground, and that oats make poor butter. 
I would put in large letters that the best 
thing we are learning is that rotation of 
crops is the best protection against bad sea- 
80USt E. DAVENPORT. 
Barry Co., Mich. 
Future of Farming.— Tho outlook for 
the farmer is not very bright. Taxes will 
not probably be lighter than in the past. 
Competition at home and abroad is increas¬ 
ing. Not only Russia, India and Australia, 
but Central and South America are becoming 
formidable rivals in foreign markets, both in 
grain and stock. Trusts, middlemen and mo¬ 
nopolies multiply to feed on his substance. 
Only with the instinct or science of knowing 
how to do everything at the proper time and 
In the best possible manner can he hope for 
success. He must plant tho best seed and 
raise the best crops. Ho must keop stock, of 1 
the best breeds only. Everything must be 
done with an eye to economy as well as profit. 
Co-operation will be a factor in success. Let 
neighboring farmers join in shipping their 
grain und stock, and in buying and selling at 
wholesale, and so save one or more profits. 
The successful farmer will be a man of study 
as a ell as work. He will read the agricultur¬ 
al papers, and be well posted on all the best 
methods in his profession. s. W. button. 
Pendleton, Ind. 
A Few Things Learned.— I have learned 
that the pursuit of money yields more benefit 
than the money itself. If we were all rich no 
one would dig in tho mines or work in the 
scalding sun. I have learned that the family 
should live alone. Boarders, iu the shape of 
laborers or others, should uot be permitted to 
break in upon the seclusion of a bqrae. I have 
learned that a steady and u long pull will tell 
on anything. Notbiug can stand against such 
a pull. I have learned that to pay as you go is 
the best of all, and that to succeed you must 
concentrate your efforts on some specialty. 
I havo learned that, a man of fair ability can 
make hituself whatever ho will, if he only 
wills strongly enough; that great gifts come 
from growth, development or making the 
most of opportunity. I have learned that 1 
must do some good iu one way or another, in 
’ order to bo contented. chas. a. green. 
Killing Lice.— During the year I have 
learned one thing about killing lice on hens. 
I used to dust them with insect powder, cateh- 
! i U g them ut night on the roosts and dusting 
’ the power over them. This killed the lice, 
’ put took too long. Now I udd 10 cents’ worth 
' of oil of sassafras to a pint of sweet oil, and 
’ rub the mixture on tho ueck and throat, and 
under tho wings of each hen. The lice are 
’ killed iu less time than wheu the powder is 
used. Many people recommend rubbing ker¬ 
osene into the feathers. This kills the lice, 
but wheu the hens are shut up at night m a 
. close house with this kerosene ou them, some 
t of them will be sure to turn out dumpy and 
out of sorts to pay for it. K - K - s - 
1 Bergen Co., N. J. 
Does Sub-soiung Pay?—P erhaps I am the 
only mau in all this section that ever used a 
sub-soil plow. Two years ago I concluded to 
sub-soil my laud, and to get a plow I had to 
send to New York city, as such a thing had 
never been seen or called for in this country. 
When it came and I put a boy and team be¬ 
hind me or following in the same furrow af¬ 
ter me, it was fun for my neighbors. They 
laughed at mo and said they would not board 
a hand to do such play-like business. But 
when we came to gather in our crops the luugh 
was on tho other side of their mouths, for no 
land in all this section has stood the drought 
and made the heavy crops that mine has. Nor 
Is there another piece that has been cultivated 
with the ease or small amount of labor that 
mine has. We had about 15 inches of snow 
last spring after the ground had thawed; this 
was taken up and held in my sub-soil, and 
gave my eurly crops a good start. This snow¬ 
water and the light showers that came occa¬ 
sionally were taken up and held in the sub¬ 
soil for days after the shallow-plowed lands 
had dried out. The action of the freezing in 
the land goes down much deeper in sub-soiling 
than in shallow-plowing, thus giving a deep, 
fine, pulverized soil in which to cultivate our 
crops. Here the question of deep or shallow 
cultivation suggests itself, and my experience 
is this: t have always found deep cultivation 
to pay best whether the season is wet or dry; 
but l want the deep cultivation done before 
the crops are planted; that is, I want my land 
plowed deep, well pulverized and harrowed 
I 'ine before seeding, after which shallow culti¬ 
vation is all that will be needed. The past dry 
nramer I followed the roots of various crops 
o see how far down they would go, arid it is 
lurprising to see how deep they penetrate the 
>arth. I found fine radish roots three feet 
oug; beet roots over two feet, and onions, said 
;o be a very shallow-rooted crop, I found with 
•oots more than a foot long. These observa- 
iions convince me of the importance of pre- 
laring a deep, loose soil for these and other 
vegetables to send their roots down in, in 
search of moisture. Experience has taught 
ne that ir. always pays well to prepare the 
and well before planting seed of any kind. 
Experiments with potatoes tho past, two sea¬ 
sons of drought convince me of what 1 have 
believed for 10 years—that it will pay to plant 
large pieces or whole potatoes, ami to seed 
heavily. I always select my largest and 
smoothest tubers for seed, but I always cut a 
few down to one and two eyes and plant a 
few rows of these side by side with my main 
crop, and these small cuttings have always 
failed to make as good a crop as the larger 
pieces. F. s. white. 
Des Moines, la. 
Oats in the Berry Patch. —Last March 
(page 152) 1 wrote that I proposed sowing oats 
among my raspberries and blackberries. This 
was to keep the weeds down. I proposed to mow 
the oats at picking time and feed to my dairy 
cows. Perhaps some of tho Rural readers 
will want to know how it came out. The oats 
were sown early aud thick at the rate of four 
bushels to the acre. .Wheu the Tylers rip¬ 
ened we commenced cutting and feeding the 
oats to cows; as there were more than the 
cows would eat wo cut every other row,giving 
pickers a chance to go between the rows. It 
was very hot and dry aud what 1 noticed was 
that the berries on the side shaded t»y oats kept 
fresh aud u ice while those on the side exposed to 
the sun dried ou tho bushes as the berries rip¬ 
ened. My Snyder blackberries set full, and 
when about half grown two-thirds of them 
dried on the bushes, but the bushes were above 
the oats, while Cuthbert raspberries that the 
oats covered so that you could not see the 
bushes in looking across them, kept fresh and 
were large and fine. From the time I com¬ 
menced catting the oats, I have fed eight 
cows aud a horse on the oats with tho excep¬ 
tion of three weeks aud four days when I fed 
barn grass that grow ou a half acre of pota 
toes. I have occasionally given a feed of Hun¬ 
garian Gross ami winter rye to see how it 
would relish. A second crop of oats grew,and 
I turned under a thick mat from six to eight 
inches high which, with a good shovelful of 
yard manure and some ashes for each plant, 
will, I think, keep up the vigor of the ber¬ 
ries. A. L. HERRICK. 
When I was a boy an old farmer used often 
to make this remark, “Never be afraid to put 
uu extra potato on top of the bushel measure; 
it doesn’t cost much and it always holds trade.” 
The more I do business the more I see that 
this idea pays. People like fair dealing anil 
they always appreciate an accommodation. 
Berrien Co., Mich. henry cook. 
___ 
Why He Likes the Rural.—I like your 
paper: it is genuine; not (as so many are) a 
mere advertising sheet, with a lot of stale 
counsels to farmers thrown in as make-weights 
so as to get advertising distributed through 
the Union at a cent a pound. Your paper is 
well got up—I mean the printing. I am a 
printer by trade. 
Orion, Wis. L. w. willan. 
