FACTS FOR FARMERS.

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 377, 13 October 1874, Page 2

FACTS FOR FARMERS.

Among the most radical reforms in growing plants is that pertaining to soaking seeds. Time was when but a few kinds were thus treated, and such only as were furnished with hard shells or woody coverings, but now many of our most successful gardeners believe in the practice of soaking almost everything before planting. , The space of time necessary for this operation is governed by a knowledge of the germinating power inherent in each ; some species require only a few hours, while others should remain in the water for several days. In the ca&e of the Osage Grange, now so much used for live fence 3, expei'ienced growers now advise immersion for a month at least, and sonio even place the bags of seeds in a spring of water in the autumn, and allow it to remain there until the ensuing spring. Last autumn, says a correspondent, I collected in a heap all of the oranges from my old specimen, and let them remain exposed to the weather until a few days ago, when I washed out the decayed mass without any difficulty, and obtained about a peck of nice seeds , the latter were thrown into a bag, wet as they were, and much to my surprise they at once began sprouting. This is merely an exemplification of the desire for moisture evinced by the Osage Orange, as in this ca&e tho seeds were kept perpetually damp. Before the beginning of this century, T)r Benjamin Smith Barton, of Philadelphia, published some experiments in which cut flowers or slips in water, which were about to fade or wither, were wonderfully revived for a time by putting camphor in the water. He compared its action to that of spirituous liquors or opium upon animals. We think the idea and the practice have not wholly died out in this country, although very warm water is the commoner prescription now-a-days. Well, Dr Vogel, of Munich, has been trying these experiments over again, and he finds that camphor does have a remarkable reviving effect upon some plants, although almost none upon others. The more interesting application he made of this re-disoovery is, that camphor-water quickens the germination of seeds, so that old seeds that have nearly lost their germinating power, can be started with remarkable success. For instance, radish seed when four years old hardly ever be made to germinate. But when treated with camphorwater such seeds came up in four days, which is sooner than could be expected from fresh seeds, under ordinary and most favorable conditions. Nearly the same result was had with common peas eight or nine years old, and with cucumber seeds. This is something worth knowing and trying. But our friends in the country must not take to the cam-phor-bottle. Spirits of camphor is not the thing, but camphor-water, made by shaking up powdered camphor in water. Remember, too, that this is stimulus, not food, and produces only a transient effect. After the seeds have started, the continued application would do harm rather than good. Here is some advice from an experienced farmer on haymaking : — Clover and the grasses should be cut early — that is, when in blossom — as then they are more nutritious and digestible and can be readily eaten by very young or very old stock, whose teeth are apt to be tender. When grass is cut dead ripe it is good for nothing except to sell. The hot sun is more likely to destroy the roots of late cut grass. The best time to cut it is early in the morning, as soon as the deAv is off. Sometimes there is no dew, it is a good plan then to start out at four i o'clock and mow while the air is cool and refreshing. The curing of hay, especially of clover, requires a great deal of care and judgment. In fact it must be learned by experience. It must be exposed to the air until freed from external moisture, and the juices of the grass thickened. 1 let the grass lie until thoroughly wilted, then turn and shake up well from ground. If the crop is heavy, turn again and shake up about noon. Before the deAv begins to fall, and while the hay and ground are warm, I set the hay rake going, taking into windrows, and cock up immediately. The next day, when the dew is off, I begin drawing in, though sometimes it is necessary to shake out the cocks, or at least turn them upside down for a few minutes. By scattering the hay loosely in different mows it will not be so apt to heat. Hor&e hay-forks save a great deal of labor, but I harvest hay too green to be able to use them. They clump the hay with such force that it heats and becomes musty. All the above operations, of course, presuppose favorable weather. In wet or catching weather only small amounts should be cut at a time. Rain will not injure newmowed grass, but when partially cured it washes out the nutriment. If alternate layers of old hay, oat or wheat stiaw, and new hay can be made in the mow, grabs only partially cured can be safely stored, making the very best of winter feed for milch cows and young btogk. Hoi\ses and working cattle may need hay more thoroughly matured. Oats for hay should be cut when the grain is in the milk. Corn fiowii thickly in drills, two bushels to the acre, if cured like hay, makes jraoil feed.

The following letter was sent by 11 man to his eon at col'ege : " My dear boii,--I write to tend jou two pair of nry olfl breeches, that you niny lm\e a new coat windo out of them. Also some new soil:* which jour mother has just knit, by cutting down borne of mine. Your mother ernds ion trn dollarb villioul in\ Lnowlpd";o, and ior four jou would not use it wi't'W I ha\e kcjiL back tmlf, and only tent 3011 lire. Your motliei 1 und I tire well, except that jour si-ter has got the inuasl«>f, wlnoli wo think would spi-oad among (lie girls if Tom had not had >t biforo, aiul he i^ the only 0110 left. I hope jou will do honor to my teachings j if not, jouavo an ats, mid jour mother and inj self your ! nflectionate parents."