Farm and Dairy.

Lake County Press, Issue 2182, 15 August 1907, Page 2

Farm and Dairy.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE *. [All Eights Resekved.] BREEDING Cf-HEAL GRAINS. THERE is great need for considerable increase in the average yield of ordinary field crops, by means of good cultivation and continued selection of the moat desirable seed from time to time from the plants grown under supervision. Good cultivation is intended to mean not only the usual preparation of the soil for a, seedbed and cultivation during the early period of the growth of the picr.ts, but it is also recommended that just previous to the formation of tin ear fertilisers be used with the object of stimulating the chemical processes inherent in the plants, ledding to the formation and development of the ears of corn, Heredity and the tendency toward variation can be turned to account in the improvement of plants equally as well as in the improvement cf animals : but, unfortunately, few farmers make any attempt to systematically apply these principles to the improvement of plants. Through heredity and variation improved varietios of field crops tend to revert to the wild types fiom which they were evolved when left to forage for themselves without any fostering care, but when these improved sorts are provided with surrounding best suited to their growth, and a continued selection of the most desirable specimens practised, that natural tendency towards reversion is overcome. Though it is highly important that the variety of grain be well suited to the locality where it is to be grown, sometimes too much faith has been attached to the names of varieties without due attention to the quality of the seed itself. It is not always recognised that there may be as much difference between two strains of • seed of the same variety of grain as there is between two disJ tinct varieties, so far as the capacity of the seed to give a large yield of grain of good I quality is concerned. It is therefore im- ! portunt to use seed of the best variety that , has had kindly treatment, and continued ! selection, for several years. In the production of gcod paying crops, the cost of the seed is small, but the influence of the seed is great. Plumpness and freedom from impurities is not sullieicnt that such seed grain is capable rf giving a good crop. It is equally important that seed bo taken from a crop in which the individual plants have attained a maximum vigour and yield per plant; an'l it is as important to have do- • finite information about the selection sis it is to have a knowledge of the ancestors of breeding animals. J7M>- Bft'hjn-\ 0- 'QHLh. For table purposes the light Brahma fowls i are far superior to any othor kind. With thoso people who may have large families to cater for, it lias gained a popularity not equalled by any other variety of fowl. To the father of a family, or a boarding housekeeper, its great joints and cuts from the breast appeal with particular force. Some j pullets that may survive become good winter ! layers of large, brown coloured eggs, for i which there is a large demand. Once they decide upon sitting, nothing but chicks or some living substitute will dampen their ; ardour. For hatching duck, goose and | turkey eggs, the Brahmas arc especially ' valuable because of their size. Brahma chicks object to clothing themselves, and usually go about in uncivilised nakedness until half grown, when they are lanky, shanky birds of no great beauty. Hut nevertheless they are good growers, and gain | weight more rapidly than many other breeds, when they are properly fed and cared for. ; As insect collectors they are not brilliant ! successes because of their slowness, licr.ee i they do not roam about very far, and necesI sitato their being fed accordingly. That | characteristic favours their being kept in ! confinement, a low fence is sullieicnt, as they I do not attempt to My high. The Brahma is, j in fact, noted for its si/.e, rapid growth, | mothei'lincss, docility, and all commendable qualities in a farm fowl, especially where I the ultimate goal is the dining table for eating purposes. CUtfßihG H.';St-. j Once again, while the planting season is in ! progress, wo would like to direct the attention of our readers to some of the uses that j may be made of the rose. There are many | ways of growing these beautiful Mowers : on I poles, pillows, arches, arbours, walls, sides | of houses and other buildings, climbing I roses may be made to no most effective serj vice. Care must be taken, however, that proper kinds be selected, for only those which make long, rambling growths are

suitable for su'h purposes. Mo*l of the vigorous tea, and hybrid perm, uals » I an°swcr where the SO! is good and the egh of the arch or pillar is rom eight to fifteen ° . . wal . ia situations they mil grow a fow'fect higher. Very strong growers of . ,° w ith tie and the re, )«,.iiiv feet. The white and Sito-\which should be placed against walls and in rather Weltered po. . SSh) will reach thirty tee m good soil, plSf«Kly as toother

, . r.., „ pi,,.], and Crimson China «s K as 23i -pubs* i snoviß u. vuij - Tbc arch should be T, ZStSlii randtho wood painted a 80 into tho soil being charred to prevent Ihem from rotting. Uto two, upngh ta are strengthened as shown in the lo cr part ol the sketch it will be an advantage FRUIT TRK&S The three chief mistakes made by those embarking on fruit growing are :—lurst, Purchasing cheap trees at an auction sale held in an open market; secondly, the introducing of too many varieties into their gardens, and thirdly, bad and careless planting. With regard to the first point, there is such a thing as false economy, and it is possible to lose a good deal by endeavouring to save a few shillings, The best thing lor the amateur to do is, to let the cheap market trees alone, as it will always be found the truest economy to givo a better price to a trustworthy grower for trees suplied true to name and in good condition. Regarding tho second mistake, a good selection of varieties is doubtless most interesting and for a time gives a certain amount of satisfaction j but when the novelty wears off, and it is seen how much superior some arc to others, then the thought occurs that

planting so many wis a mistake. There are a few good sorts, enough for a small garden, that will do well almost anyw'uere. Want these fir=t, and later on a few more may perhaps be added with advantage. When planting, first take out a hole from three feet to four feet in diameter, and two spits deep, break up the bottom of the hole, and if any turf has been removed from the surface, throw it on the bottom of the hole grass side downwards. Cover with a little fine soil, and then place the tree in the centre, spreading the roots out very evenly, covering them over with the finest of the soil, filling up with the remainder. Tread quite firm, and finish off with a good mulching of halfrotten manure over the roots, to keep out frost, and for the nutriment to gradually wash down and help on a vigorous growth in spring. Tho illustration shows the roots properly spread out ready for filling in,