FARM AND HOUSEHOLD
RAISING! AND KEEPING! SWEET
POTATOES.
On* Man'll Experience In Raisin* Them
—Qualifies of Honey—Clover for
Plffft—Livo Stock Lore and
Ilonseholil Helps.
Sweet Potatoes.
A writor in tho Kansas Farmer gives
his experience in raising this crop:
From tho 1st to the 1.0th of April,
is tho proper time to put tho soeil into
the hot-bed to sprout. Some plants
will then bo ready by the first week in
May, which is early enough to begin
setting the plants. Sot earlior. they
are liable to bo lost by frosts and ln
secta
Cover the potatoos not loss than
three inches with earth that will not
bako or pack, so at to exclude tho air
from tho potatoes, at they must have
air to enable thorn to sprout well.
Bo careful not to allow tho bed to got
hot; more seod is lost in this way than
In any other. Sprouting by flro is
preferable when oxtensivo work is
carried on; into sprouting may be done
by sun heat alone by covering the bod
at night and exposing it to sunshine
during tho day. Small potatoes may
be laid almost touching each other in
the bed; larger ones should have
some space between them.
Tho common method is to plant in
ridges which are thrown up with the
plow, four foet of space being suffi
clont for a ridge.
The land should bo plowed a fow
weeks before ridging, both to got it
in good tilth and to make it firmer for
ridging, If the work is well done
with the plow little more is needed
than to dress the top of tho ridge with
hoe or rake.
Plants should be set from fifteen to
eighteen inches apart and if tho soil
is fine and moist may be set without
watering. Always have tho root wot
when setting.
Tho cultivation necessary is to koop
the crop clear of weeds and grass by
the use of the cultivator and hoe.
Tho proper time for digging tho
crop is when you expect hard frosts
soon, as in a hard frost the upper ends
of some of them are llatfle to be frozen,
which will spoil thorn.
Our method of digging is with tho
plow. Have your plowshare vory
sharp. Now to cut the vinos, run the
plow on the share at the foot of tho
ridge. This done, turn squarely
around, and with one deep furrow
throw out the ridge, then throw out
the potatoes with prong-hoes.
Keeping the potatoes is the most
difficult part. A warm, even temper
ature is required, from 50 degrees to
60 degrees. Dryness is also an es
sential condition. A house for tho
purpose whether under ground or
above should secure these conditions.
Thoy should be put into tho cellar
soon after digging.
Warm, fair days are best for dig
ging, as they dry in the sunshine on
such days.
An extensive potato-grower m this
county keeps a stove hot in his cellar
while ho is putting the potatoos in.
for the purpose of drying out tho po
tatoea It is thought best to put up
the potatoes in largo bulk and with
nothing among them.
The best method of gathering from
the field is to put them into boxes
holding about a bushel I use crack
er boxes, and haul them from tho
field to the oellar in the boxes. This
method requires less nandling than
my other.
They should be handled carofully
Jnd not bruised, and those that are
cut should not be put away to keep.
There seems to be very little difficulty
in keeping them until January.
Qualities of Honey.
The various grades and qualities of
honey are dependent largely upon the
method of keeping the bees, end of
getting them started properly in tho
spring; but there is another factor en
tering into the case which is often
overlooked. Honey is obtained from
a great variety of flowers, and the
nectar contained in the different spe
cies is widely different There is also
a great variation in the amount and
quality of this nectar at different sea
sons of the year. The bees, gather,
•ing their sweets from all tho flowors,
mix it together so that one cannot dis
tinguish that obtained from cortain
flowers unless one species is Btrongly
predominant in any locality or during
a certain season of the year. This is
so true that in many sections of the
land honey of wonderful flavor and
essence is produced simply because
.fine honey plants abound in great
-quantities.
f ^ The first grade of honey is obtained
; in the spring of the year, during
April and May, and it is made chiefly
from the fruit blossoms of (trees.
Fruit orchards are then the groat cen
tres of the blooming flowers, and the
bees get three-quarters of their nectar
from this source. Forest trees are
also in bloom, and a great deal of the
honey is obtained from this source
also This grade of honey possesses
a peculiar aromatic flavor, and is of
the color of amber and very heavy.
The comb part has a large proportion
Of wax. and is of a light straw color.
So little of this is deposited that very
small quantities of fruit blossom honey
ever gets to market although when
obtained pure and free from a mixture
of other kinds it is of wonderful
flavor and color.
Tho next distinct grade noticeable
is gathered in June and'July, and is
always of less specific gravity than
the former, it is destitute of the rich
flavor gathered earlier in the season,
and sometimes it is so watery and
thin that it will ferment and become
sour. Generally, however, it brings
a better market price than the early
honey, for it is deposited in a thinner'
and whiter comh which gives it a
better appearance. It is generally
called whito clover honoy, anil It is
principally mado from thoso plants .
liy mnny It is preferred to that ex
tracted from the blossoms of tho fruit
trees, whilo othors consider it much
inferior. The first grade, however,
is generally spoiled by being mixed
with tho honey that is mado botwocn
tho fruit blossoming timo and the
poriod for tho whito clover plants to
bloom. This is vory black andt un
pleasant honey, and it is collected
from a great variety of plants.
The last grndo of honoy is made
from tho buckwheat blossoms; and
this fact is mado apparent by tho
strong odor that is emitted from tho
hives. Tho honoy. howover. loses
this rank smell in a fow weeks, and it
is then preferred my mnny to the
whito clovor honoy. It has a dark
brown color, but the comb in which
It is contained is whiter than oithor
of tho other grades. It is also so thin
and light that a piece containing a
pound of honey would not woigh much
more than a fourth of an ounce. Tho
honoy mado at this period is lighter
than that made from the fruit tree
blossoms and heavier than tho clovor.
If these varieties wore kept separate
in tho hivos, and marketed in this
condition, they would sell much bet
ter than if mixed.
They are never mixed in tho colls
by tho boos, and a shoet of comb con
taining two sorts can be divided with
a knifo so as to separate the kinds.—
American Cultivator.
Live Stock I.orc.
Too much fat will check tho growth
of bone and muscle.
If high feeding causos hog cholera,
starving will not prevent it.
lie willing to soli hogs at any timo
that a paying price can be secured for
thorn.
Anything that is worthy of a place
on the farm should receive good at
tention.
Many find it an advantage to soak
the corn thoroughly before feeding to
the pigs.
Food hogs on pasture some grain
evory day, to ripen the growth as it
iB made.
If tho pigs get to rooting tho pas
tures the beBt plan is to ring them as
soon as possible.
Succoss with cattle, as with othor
stock, doponds upon the care and
management given to tho details.
It is not a good plan to pasture tho
sheep and calves together; the calves
seem to dislike to eat after the sheop.
The start that a pig gets the first
three months of its life has much to
do with its future thrift and growth.
The farmer that expeuts to make
the feeding of cattle profitable must
select his animals with reference to
their capacity for taking on flesh.
It is rarely good policy to keep a
brood sow that is vicious or trouble
some. It is too often the case that
they provo troublesome In the end.
A few specialists may breed for but
ter or beef as they see fit, but the ma
jority of farmers must breed and feed
for both.
There is a considerable difference
in the amount of foed roquired during
growth to fatten at maturity different
animals eveu among those of the same
breed.
Allowing hogs to run where thore
is sluggish or stagnant water greatly
increases the chances of getting the
cholera started, flood, pure water is
as essential with hogs in maintaining
health as with any other class of stock.
llouaehol.il. Helps.
In cooking tough meat or an old
fowl, add a pinch of soda to the water
to make it tender.
To prevent the disagreeable odor
from stove polish put a little sugar
with it whoa you wet it.
Label your plants by painting shin
gles whito, split them into inch
widths and write the name with a
lead pencil.
A sure cure for fleas is to scatter a
few drops of oil of pennyroyal among
the clothing or beds that are infected
with these peats.
Iron napkins perfectly dry before
folding; iron only on one side* to pre
serve the polish, and with the selvage,
to bring out the pattern.
Never omit regular bathing, for un
less the skin is in a regular condition,
the cold will close the pores and favor
congestion or other diseases.
To select a fish see that the flesh is
firm when pressed by the finger, and
the oyes full. If the fish is at all
stale the flesh will bo flabby and the
eyes sunken.
To sweoten snlt pork, cut as many
slices as you will require for break
fast and soak till morning in sweet
milk and water; then rinse till the
water is cloar and fry.
Combing and rubbing the scalp of
the head with the hand draws the
blood up to the surface of the head,
and not only relieves the pain at
times, but adds new strength to the
hair. v
It is really extravagant to buy poor
table-cloths. They are never dainty
and need soon to bo repaired or re
plenished; and the cost of two poor j
ones is more than the cost of a hand
some double damask which will be a
joy for years.
Do not let your laundress or wash
woman put clothes into the blueing
water until they have been well shak
en, if tossed in while folded, as they
come through the wringer they are
almost certain to be streaked with
bluing. j
If soup is desired frequently, stock j
for making it quickly can always be on
hand. With your meat cleaver cut up
all the bones left from your roasts j
and beefsteaks, and keep them in a j
covered stone jar. When you have I
sufficient put them on and boil for !
three hours; strain this into an earthen
vessel and set aside to cool. A thick
top of grease will rise to the surface,
which can bo used for frying pur
poses.
A DINNER AND A KISS.
--
“I havo brought .your dinner, father,”
The blacksmith’s daughter said,
As she took from her arm a kettlo,
And lifted its shining lid.
"There’s not any pie or pudding,
So I will give you this,”
And upon his toil worn forehead
She left a childish kiss.
The blacksmith tore off his apron,
And dined in happy mood,
Wondering much at the savor
Hid in his humble food,
While all about him were visions
Hull of prophetic bliss;
Hut he never thought of the magic
In his little daughter's kiss.
While she with her kettlo swinging,
Merrily trudged away,
Stopping at sight of a squirrel,
Catching some wild bird’s lay.
And I thought how many a shadow
Of life and fate we should miss,
If always our frugal dinners
Were seasoned with a kiss.
—Mrs. M. h. Uayno.
BEPPO.
Iieppo was the name of the new
pony: and whntevor in the world
could be the matter with him neither
master nor man could make out. The
master was the now rector of Maek
stoy, Mr. Martin, inexperienced in
country life; and lioppo was his first
adventure in horse-flesh. The man
was Roger. Roger was a character;
once seen, never forgotten.
Mr. Martin’s new living was so far
away from a railway station that a
pony-carriage seemed a necessity; and
there was a large garden, which he
certainly could not work without assis
tance. Therefore he retained the ser
vices of the late rector’s factotum, and
a good servant Roger made, he was
masterful, it was true, and had his
own way in everything. He ruled
the stable and garden with the rule of
an autocrat.
He mercilessly snubbed his master
when ho displayed any innocent want
of understanding of the details of
Roger’s departments. Rut ho was a
good servant; he had the interests of
his master thoroughly at heart; and
he had a further great notion of the
dignity of his position in the village.
Roger was in dismay on hearing
that the new rector was going to buy
n pony. “What does the master know
about horseflesh;1 Sure os I’m here,
he’ll be dono.” Rut he was forced to
admiro Beppo whon he arrived, and
to approve of the purchase when he
had seen him in harness. He was
fourteen and a half hands high, six
years old, a light chestnut.
Mr. Martin had been to Suffolk to
look at him, and had boon driven
round the neighborhood by his owner
—who was a medical man retiring
from the active work of his profession
—to try the pony’s paces. So pleased
had ho been, that the bargain was
concluded, and in a few days Beppo
arrived safely at Mackstey.
To drive he was excellent. He
made a good pace, stepped out well,
and seemed to be frightened at noth
ing. Wheelbarrows and tricycles had
no terrors for him, nor even trains at
the level crossings. But when he got
into his stable, all seemed changed.
Ho flagged, dropped his head and
ears, lookod uneasily around when
ever the door opened, and was
generally out of sorts. At first this
was sot down to the change of groom;
but ho had no dislike for Roger, and
indeed had taken to him readily.
Could it be change of air? If so, he
would bo equally uneasy when being
driven. After a week or ten day*
a farrier was called in; but he pro
fessed himself unable to do anything,
until some definite ailment declared
itself. And so master and men were
both getting dispirited.
••You’d better’a let me gone, sir,”
said Roger.
••Why. Roger, wouldn’t you have
bought him?"
••Well perhaps”—with reluctance
tho man admitted— •• I suppose I
should. But I should ha.ve asked
more about him. and found out if any
thing wasn’t quite right You can’t
buy a horse like you buy a leg o’
mutton. ’’
. "Well, but he’s a good beast Roger,
and I’m sure you would have bought
him if you had gone.”
•Maybe sa maybe so; but I never
bought a pig in a poke yet ’’
The gentleman from whom the pur
chase had been made was communi
cated with, and was much annoyed
that anything should seem to be
wrong. Nothing of the sort had ever
beon noticed before, and the animal
was sound in every way. Mr. Mar
tin had in fact paid a guinea for a
certificate. And so what to do they
did not know.
Now it happened, about a fortnight
after the purchase, that Mr. Martin
had to drive to the station, somo six
miles off, to fetch his sister’s son. Al
fred. to spend a portion of his holli
days at Mackstey. Ho was a very
bright boy of twelve and a great fav
orite with Mrs. Martin and with his
little cousin Lucy, who was some three
years younger than Alfred, and who
regarded him as a sort of perfection
of boyhood. He was full of tricks and
dodges and fun, without being mis
chiovous; and as good-humored and
affectionate os a boy could be. At
home he had numbers of pets, having
a craze for live creatures; but he was
never charged with ill-treating them,
or neglecting them, or getting tired
of taem.
••How da uncle?—Oh! what a jolly
cob!" were the words with which he
announced himself, bag in hand, as he
emerged from the station gateway.
•How are you. Alfred?—All well at
home?—That’s right. • Yea the pony
looks nicely, doesn't he? You shall
see him trot directly. But there’s
something wrong with him, I don’t
know what He isn’t all right in the
stable. ”
“What’s amiss?" asked the boy.
"I wish I could tell you. Can’t find
out He doesn't seetn happy. Do you
know anything about horse-flesh? I
should think a couple of half crowns
well laid out If you can give us a
hint?"
Alfred laughed at the Idea; but his
experience was not among, horses.
And so they chatted on until they
reached the rectory.
Here Lucy took possession of the
boy at once, and showed off the prem
ises to him. His interest was greatly
aroused when he realized the im
mense capacity of the stable yard for
a private menagerie. A broken down
summer house in a neglected corner
of the garden at once suggested rab
bits.
•■Will aunt lot you keep rabbits,
Lucy? I could soon turn this into a
rabbit hutch. ”
And so. chatting and laughing,
skipping and trotting, the little girl
lod her cousin round to introduce him
to Roger. The indisposition of the
pony was heavy on Roger’s soul; and
he disliked visitors to the stable in
consequence. There was a reproach
to him. Roger, in asking a stranger
what he could suggest.
Alfred went up directly to the
pony's head, and patted it and spoke
to It. "Good old Beppo! What’s
amisa lieppo? Don’t you like Mack
stey?”
The pony had looked round when
the stable door opened, but drooped
his head again listlessly when the
children came in.
“Are you a horse-doctor?" asked
Roger..
"No, I’m not,” answered the boy;
1 but I’m fond of live beasts, and they
generally like me.—You’ll soon like
me. won’t you BeppoP” And the
creature certainly did seem to respond
to the boy’s caresses. "And I’ve got
an idea,” proceeded the boy; "and I'll
tell uncle."
"What’s your idea, sirP Better tell
me. The master don’t know much
about horse-flesh.”
“Never mind. I’ll tell him first.”
And so the childron moved away.
But, no sooner were they out of
Roger's hearing than Lucy began to
coax. ■ Tell me, Alfred dear,, do tell
me."
■ •Promise not to tell, Lucy. I be
lieve Boppo misses something—some
thing on the ground. He keeps look
ing down. There has been a tame
bird, or a puppy, or something, where
he came from, that he was fond of.
And he can’t make it out. Haven't
you got a dog?”
••Father talks of getting one,” an
swered the girl; "but he hasn’t heard
of one yet”
"Well, let’s find uncle, and see
what he thinks of my idea."
Mr. Martin was soon found, read
ing in the greenhouse. He was much
tickled with tho boy’s fancy, and
thought it characteristic and original;
but was laughingly obliged to admit
that he did not see much in it. How
ever. on being pressed by Alfred, he
undertook to write to Beppo's late
owner and ask the question. Until a
reply came, Roger was unceasing in
his banter.
"Won’t you tell me your idea, Mas
ter AlfredP” he asked. "Come to
nothing, eh? N'ot come to nothing?.
Going to cure him yet? We want a
new farrier hereabouts. You might
set up and make your fortune.”
Alfred did not mind this sort of
joking at all. and generally retorted
with effect.
And in a few days a letter came
with a hamper from Beppo’s late mas
ter. The letter said that the sugges
tion was a most happy one. There
was a little kitten that used to frisk
about Beppo's stable. Tho pony and
the kitten were much attached to one
another.
Fussy would jump on the pony's
back, play between his ears drop into
the manger, stand up and pat his nose;
while Beppo would always look for
her on his return from a drives She
had been much dispirited since her
play-fellow had gone, and as they
wore looking out for a home for her,
they thought the best thing to do was
to send her off at once to Mackstey.
on the chance that Mr. Martin might
be able to keep her.
••Where’s Alfred?” shouted Mr.
Martin. “He shall open the hamper.
He shall work out his idea all by him
self.”
The boy took out the kitten care
fully and gently and began to pet it
and talk to it Then he took it to tho
kitchen and buttered its paws; which
he understood was the correct thing
to do with a new cat And then a
procession advanced to the stable; ‘Al
fred bearing the kitten—who did not
in the least understand what was go
ing on—led the van; Lucy came next,
in a state of great excitement; and
last came Mr. Martin, much amused,
and very curious as to the result
The result was completely success
ful as their most sanguine expecta
tions could have imagined. As soon
as the stable door was opened, the I
kittie jumped down with a loud
•Miew!” and bounded with tail erect
to Beppo. He for his part at once
recognized his friend, gave a glad
whinny and put his head down to the
ground and fondled the little thing
gently. Then she jumped up to the
manger, on the pony’s head, and ran
up and down the whole length of the
pony’s back. It was tho prettiest
thing to sea both creatures almost be
side tbemselvos with delight. The
pony indulged in a gentle murmur of
content; the kitten purred loudly.
The cure was complete. Roger
gave in. Lucy admired Alfred more
than ever.
“Let’s see if I can find 'those two
half crowns I promised you, ” said Mr.
Martin, as they left the stable; “1
never paid money belter earned in my
life.”—Saturday Evening Post
A. Snukit In Ireland.
A snake has been found in Ireland
at last A Belfast newspaper says
that a snake 71 feet long and nearly 7
inches in circumference has been
killed at Nora’s Glen. It was taken
to a contractor’s yard in tho town,
where the reptile was inspected by a
large number of people. The solitary
snake of Ireland will be preserved in
a glass case for the inspection of fu
ture generations.
THE FARM AND HOME.
VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS FOR
A SHEEP BARN.
A Good and’Cheap Shelter—Making* Solid
Walks—Fattening* Calves Profitably
—Stock Notes and Home
Hints.
Sheep Harn.
The plans (or an exclusively sheep
barn are as numerous as for other
buildings, and the fancy must be con
sulted as to which one he will adopt
A good plan, and one often described
is to erect a main building, and.set it
upon posts about four or five feet
from the ground. The space under
this is used for shelter boarding it
upon three of the sides at least Such
a building has some advantages over
others that may be constructed in that
it is cheap, and may be used for cut
tle, if sheep raising should at any
time be discontinued. There may be
attached to this, if the size of the
flock should demand it either upon
one or two sides, sheds, either open
on one side or so constructed that
tho> may be enclosed if it is at any
time desirable. As to the sizei the
building, of course, should be large
enough for the storage of whatever
food it may be desirable to store in it
There may bo trap doors in the floor
to throw fodder down in the space be
neath. If there are sheds, adjoining,
there should be doors opening from
the main building into the sheds for
the same purpose. The size of the
space beneath must be regulated ac
cording to the number of sheep, or
the number of sheep should be regu
lated according to the dimensions of
the floor of the shelter. If the shel
ter is enclosed, and well ventilated,
the allowance of space regarded as
about correct, is ten feet square to
each sheep unless there is no yard at
all, when the space should be more.
A way to economize space is to
build a floor in the center of the shed,
or under the barn if it is high enough
from the ground, and let part of the
sheep occupy the upper floor, using a
sloping passage way, with -cleats
nailed to it as a means of access to it
In all cases and in this case particu
larly, a floor that is above sheep
should be made tight. When there
is nothing but hay and grain above
them, the prevention of the sifting
down of dirt upon the sheep is all
that is necessary. Hut when sheep
are kept on the floor above, the floor
must be made not only of matched
boards, but the joints should be tarred
and plenty of bedding provided to in
sure the absorption of moisture^
But we do not as a general thing
advlBe keeping sheep in this way, says
the Farmers Voice. To adopt this
plan under a barn would place the
barn too high even if insullicient space
was allowed the sheep and as a mat
ter of fact the second floor ought not
to be nearer than five feet to the
ground floor—some say seven—and
there ought to be that much space
between the second floor and the roof
above it. To allow this space under
a barn would be practically out of the
question; if the barn was built on a
level and on posts But the reader
can act upon the suggestion, if for any
reason he thinks it advisable. .Sheep,
we may say. prefer the "upper berth”
! when they can get it and will eager
ly go up the incline passage way, as
soon as they learn what it means.
Making Solid Walks.
Making walks and carriage drives
of gravel and broken stone, placed
loosely in position, readers them de
ficient in smoothness and solid char
acter. They are soon uneven and dis
torted in some degree, and are liable
to bo more or less displaced. To pre
vent this result, the material should
be placed in successive layers, and
each one beaten hard before the next
one is applied. It is here that broken
stone. with its angles, has a great ad
vantage over rounded and worn gravel,
the smooth pebbles of which roll over
each other and do not remain in place.
The angular fragments, on the other
hand, become by their angles, com
pactly wodged together. The exca
vation which is made for filling to
make a walk, if eight inches deep,
may bo filled with four successive lay
ers—the first two inohes or more at
the bottom, evenly spread and then
beaten solid, then the second layer
similarly treated; then the third; and
last the upper stratum of an inch or
two of finer material and with a very
even surface, smoothly beaten. Such
a walk will be far more perfect and
well compacted together, and be su
perior to one all filled at once, and not
thus packed in a solid mass.
A carriage road is to be similarly
treated, pressing each added layer
with a heavy roller, and finishing the
whole by pressing repeatedly and
making thorough work. For public
roada whether made of earth or
gravel the rolling should be thor
ough, and the slipshod practice es
pecially avoided of leaving the mate
rial in heaps for the passing vehicles
to level and make hard—which they,
however, never accomplish, and only
make a lumpy, rutted wagon track.
Any one may see the compacting
process illustrated who burns anthra
cite coal in an open stove, or whore
the top is open or accessible Take
the size commonty known as ‘'grate”
or. ‘stove coal” and observe the
facility with which the flame streams
up through the crevices of the coal
when the fire happens to burn too
furiously. Now take a light poker,
or any light iron rod and tap this coal
surface a number of times, going over
the whole repeatedly, and causing
the fragments of coal to settle among
one another and fill up all these erev
icea greatly reducing the intenseuess
of the fire. In the same way the
broken stone is mado to settle by
beating into a nearly solid mass.
Where gravel instead of broken
stone is - used it should be assorted
and screened so as not to be larger
than chestnut coal for all but the an*
faca and not larger than stove coal
for carriage roads—Country Gentll
man.
Thick and Tliln Planting.
Prof. G. E. Morrow of the Agri
cultural experiment station, at the
university of Illinois, writes in
swerto a query: ••Planting at the
ruto of one kernel, each nine to
twelve inches apart in rows at the av
erage distance apart gave us a larger
yield of grain than did thicker plant
ing; but that thicker planting, up
one kernel each three inches, gave
larger total yield, that is. of both
stalks and grain, than did thinnor
planting. We are not able to say
positively whether still thicker plant
ing would increase the total yield.
We believe that, as the grain is more
valuable than the stalks and leaves
the greatest food value from the
wholo crop is gained when the corn s
planted at the rate of one kernel about
six inches in the row.
‘•You will notice that we say, at
the rate of one kernel. Our experi
ments as a whole have not shown any
j decisive difference in yield, whether
the corn was planted in hills or drills,
where an equal quantity of seed was
planted per acre. Where thicker
planting than is usual was done there
was no conclusive evidence that it was
better to plant the kernels singly than
two or three in a place, at corre
spondingly greater distances^
Stock Nutes.
Never allow the calves to run down
in condition.
Be sure the cattle are fat before
sending to market
Breeding for early maturity will
help increase the profits.
Because corn is convenient to feod
many feed their hogs too much.
If a sow is well fed she will suckle
two litters in a year and keep in good
flesh.
If the pigs cannot have a good pas
ture, grow some soiling crops for
them.
A little corn to growing pigs is
beneficial, but too much is detri
mental.
Feed thh pigs the refuse from the
orchard and garden; it adds to the
variety.
The hog pens should not give of!
offensive odors any more than the
stables.
On the average farm .a few pigs caD
readily be made more profitable than
a larger number.
The slops from the house are not a
good substitute for water although
many farmers compel it to take the
place.
One calf well raised is worth two
stunted during the first year’s growth.
It is not necessary, however, to force
the growth.
Treat tho hogs in a way that will at
least securo reasonable good health
and thrift; this is necessary if a profit
is realized.
In breeding, the good traits of the
dam should be improved upon by the
sire, so that they can bo perpetuated
as fully as possible.
No man can tell what the price of
agricultural products will be a year
hence, so that all the farmer can do is
to provide for future contingencies
and take the chances.
In using a good bull to improve the
cattle on the farm, do not make the
mistake of getting discouraged be
cause fine animals are not secured
with the first offspring.
lionie Uinu.
Rugs of rag carpeting are very
pretty, and one for in front of a bod.
made of white and light-colored scraps
is particularly dainty.
Wormwood boiled in vinegar and
applied hot, with enough clothes
wrapped around to keep the flesh
moist is said to be an invaluable
remedy for a sprain or bruise.
Save pieces of string as they are
brought into the house, tie them to
gether and wind into balls. Use
these for knitting dishclothes and you
will find them much more serviceable
than any other kind.
Ordinary telegraph wire makes a
better line to hang clothes on to dry
than the hempen one generally used.
The wire does not sag, rot nor break,
as the rope does. It is easily wiped
off and made clean.
You can keep butter and milk fresh
a long time in warm weather without
ice by wrapping a large porous pot in
a wet cloth and inverting it over the
butter or milk. The external evapor
ation cools the interior.
In order to remove a glass stopper
from a bottle, either heat the neck by
holding it over a lighted match or by
pouring hot water over it. Tho ob
ject is to expand the neck by heat so'
the stopper must not be heated at the:
same time.
Do you know that you can make’
your own hand grenades, to bo used!
in case of fire, by filling old quart
bottles with the following? Chloride
of lime crude twenty parts; common
salt, five parts; water, seventy-five
parts. Those who have convenient
hand pumps may keep this solution
handy and throw it with the pump.
Holes in the plaster should and can
be soon mended. Mix a thin paste of
plaster Paris and water. Mix only a
little at a time as it sets very rapid
ly. After filling up the hole smooth
the plaster with a flat-bladed knife
and coyer the spot with wall paper,
matching it carefully and putting it
on smoothly.
A pretty table scarf can be made of
white felt. A half yard will bo
enough, as the felt is about two yards
wide Make a fringe nino or ten
inches deep by cutting the felt up •“
narrow strips. Sketch above this a
border. The chrysanthemum is Pre J
ty. Work them in dull pinks an
whites. Uso oil paints and a long
hair brush.