Lincoln County leader., March 13, 1914, Image 5

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FARM ORCHARD
Notes and Instructions from Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations
of Oregon and Washington, Specially Suitable to Pacific Coast Conditions'
Mushroom Growing Easily
Overdone.
Oregon Agricultural College, Cor
vallis "Although there is no larger
market for mushrooms than there has
been for some time, there is a renew
ed interest in the subject of growing
mushrooms in commercial quantities,"
says Professor A. G. Bouquet, head of
the market gardening section of the
Oregon Agricultural college. "This
renewed interest is shown by the large
number of inquiries received at this
office concerning cost of production.
I am at a loss to know where all
these prospective growers expect to
market their mushrooms even should
they succeed in growing them success
fully. "Of course it is well enough to
grow a small amount for home use,
but the production of mushrooms in
large commercial lots will have to en
counter the obstacle of limited mar
kets. Mushrooms are a delicacy that
is not relished by everybody alike.
"It is also true that there is a large
supply of natural grown mushrooms
near many of the towns in the Wil
lamette valley. Small patches of
edible mushrooms are found near Cor
vallis, and furnish a source of supply
from - which those who are fond of
this delicacv mav eo and heln them
selves. Doubtless some persons are
prevented from availing themselves of
any natural supply by the fact that
there is danger of securing poisonous
varieties. But the edible mushrooms
are well known to many persons in
any large community, whose assist
ance can be secured by others who
wish to supply the table occasionally
with mushrooms.
"Catchy advertisements of phenom
enal profits in growing mushrooms for
the market are doubtless chiefly re
sponsible for the unusual desire of so
many people to engage in the mush
room business. These firms have
spawn to sell, and of course the profits
of the advertisers are in selling it.
The cost of the spawn itself is no in
considerable item, and for a mushroom
bed of fifty feet square its cost is
$2.00. The requisite to success in
growing the mushroom artificially is a
properly prepared and evenly heated
bed. Most persons who depend Upon
heating the bed with manure, fail to
appreciate the importance of its elas
ticity. Unless it is thoroughly mixed
and shoveled over several times it is
very likely to heat in spots, some of
which will be too hot and some too
cold. . Under these circumstances the
amateur is greatly discouraged with
his results.
"Beginners in mushroom growing
should make their start on a small
scale. In this way success ia more
likely and in case failure comes it
does not mean a heavy financial loss.
"Having studied the question for
several years and having observed how
it works out experimentally with the
amateurs, I feel justified in saying
that those who contemplate engaging
in the industry would - find it more
profitable to plan a general home gar
den and carry the plan carefully to a
conclusion.
"This department will be glad to
answer any questions concerning eith
er the home garden or the mushroom
growing that are sent to thiB office."
Most Profitable Age and Types
of Beef Cattle.
Oregon Agricultural College, Cor
vallis Successful livestock growers
as well as dealers in livestock and
meats, must know the market de
mands and then grow animals that
will meet them. This is the cardinal
principle of the industry as announced
by Mr. Forestel, expert buyer for the
Union Meat company, in his livestock
demonstration before the Oregon Ag
ricultural college short course stu
dents. Farmers that raise livestock
for beef and pork, often aim at the
production of animals as big and fat
aa they can be made. When those
farmers take the stock to market they
are disappointed and often angry be
cause it brings less per pound that the
smaller animals. Beef animals are
sold with the highest margin of profit
at from one to two years of age. A
grower recently sold a yearling steer
in the city market for $95 at the same
time that another grower sold a two-year-old
for $117. There is no profit
at all in carrying beef animals after
they are two or three years old.
It was further pointed out that
types should be developed that carry
high percentages in the choice parts
oi tne carcass, everybody wants nor
terhouse steak and prime ribs, and
these cuts must bear the loss of the
chuck, which is about 42 per cent of
the dressed beef. And then people
wonder why beef is so high. But
growers will profit by knowing the
facts, if they choose their beef types
accordingly.
Crop Pest Report Is Used As
Text Book.
.Oregon Agricultural College, Cor-
vallis What insect and disease pests
attack their crops and how to control
them, are being learned by the school
children -of Kennewick, Washington,
from the Agricultural college biennial
crop pcBt report, which is used as a
text book. Requests for copies of the
report were made by students- and
teachers of the Kennewick school,
who state that it contains the most
complete,' reliable' and practical in
formation of any publication that they
have found.
The report was written by the de
partments of plant pathology and en
tomology, from information collected
by observation and experiments ex
tending over several years. It con
tains a description of approximately
all plant diseases of economic import
ance in the Northwest, together with
the most reliable and economical
methods of control. It also contains a
record of the most important insect
pests of this region and the most ap
proved measures of control. The
peBts are identified by description and
Illustration, and their habits and the
nature of the inury they do are clearly
indicated. With this repoet as a
guide any intelligent grower of field,
fruit or garden crops, can identify the
worst pests and apply effective control
measures. .
The report is of very great import
ance to growers throughout the North
west; Its intelligent use will result
in a great saving of time, labor, ma
terial and produce. Copies may be
had free by sending requests for them
to the secretary of the Experiment
Station, O. A. C, Corvallis, Oregon.
Identify the Insect, Then Apply
the Spray."
Oregon Agricultural College, Cor
vallis Sprays should not be applied
to plants to rid them of insects until
it is definitely known that the insects
are harmful. The mere fact that they
are present in considerable numbers is
not sufficient warrant for spraying.
They may be harmful, but again they
may be either neutral or beneficial.
If they are injurious, they should be
combatted, but if they are beneficial,
they should be encouraged, since it is
definitely known that the destruction
of the natural enemies of harmful in
sects has done much to increase the
numbers of harmful pests."
Begin the work of control by care
fully studying the insect," says Pro
fessor H. F. Wilson, entomologist of
the Oregon Agricultural college. "If
you can identify the insect, and it is
harmful, (hen apply the standard
spray according to directions. If you
cannot identify it, then note the effect
it has on the plant. If the plant
shows signs of insect feeding, the vis
itors that cause them are eating in
sects and can be controlled by arseni
cal sprays. If the plant shows curled
leaves, wilted surface, creasing, un
even and discolored tissues, but no
nibbled areas, the visitors are sucking
insects and can be controlled by con
tact insecticides. But if the plant
shows no signs of damage the visitors
are probably either neutral, or pre
dacious insects in search of harmful
insects that they feed upon. The
plant often shelters the hunter as well
as the game."
POULTRY KEEPERS' DON'T8,
AS 8EEN AT 0. A. C. 8HOW
Oregon Agricultural College, Corval
lis. "Don't use mongrel stock," was
one of the first signs on entering the
Utility Poultry .Show held by the
Poultry Department of the Oregon
Agricultural College last week. Pro
fessor James Dryden thus expressed
his estimate of the value of mongrel
fowls. He has resorted to a limited
and scientific use of cross-breeding
in his work of developing a new va
riety, but only mongrels are different
considerations.'
"Don't use immature stock," was
the next sign displayed at the show.
Both size and vitality are affected un
favorably by mating over young chick
ens. Vitality Is an important factor
in heavy egg-laying.
"Don't start too big" comes next,
No amount of knowledge and enthu
siasm can make up for lack of experi
ence, and mistakes are sure to be
made In the beginning. If tne begin
nlng Is on a large scale, some of these
mistakes will prove very serious
Therefore, they should be mnde with
only a few fowls. When the business
has grown the mistakes can . be
avoided.
"Don'ts" will not conduct a profit
able poultry business, but the Intelli
gent observation of these three will
steer the beginner clear of some of
the most disastrous, though alluring,
mistakes.
PROFIT BY GOOD CARE
Poultry on the Farm Receives
Indifferent Treatment.
Close Watch Should Be Kept on Busi
ness All Round and Every Com
fcrt Provided to Prevent All
Infectious Disease.
(By R. Q. "WEATHER3T0NE.)
No matter how good the stock may
be If they have not the proper care
they will pay you no better than mon
grels. Poultry on the farm, as a rule,
receives indifferent treatment
What does "care" mean? It means
a close watch on the business all
round. It provides every comfort,
prevents disease by keeping the prem
ises perfectly clean, never overcrowds,
and keeps the fowls busy, sorts out
the drones and gives the workers bet
ter attention. In short, "care" means
using business principles in every
sense of the word.
The farmer Is not giving the proper
care when he allows his fowls to root
on trees, In wagons, wagon sheds, or
on the board fences. The proper care
is not given if the appetites and con
ditions of the fowls are not studied. .
System and regularity play an Im
portant part in care. Economy In
labor, the saving of steps, the saving
of muscles, the saving of time all are
Important.
Shiftlessness causes expensive ex
periences. There Is sure to be profit
in anything we take care of. Success
is accorded to management. Profits
depend upon the quality and quantity
of brain work put 'Into the enterprise.
' If a man performs his work In a
mechanical way he will not be apt
to do it well. There are too many
who go by "luck." They do not stop
to think. They do not take notice of
the little matters. They are always
hurrying to get done.
It Is said quality makes prices, but
it costs considerable labor and brains
to make quality. Good management
curtails expense. Successful poultry
men use good common sense methods,
some others but little method, and
alas, some not any method at all.
Hard luck Is' generally brought
about by mismanagement. Disorder
creates diBgust. Study and care, and
not luck and big talk, are the elements
of success.
' To quote Judge Brown: There are
too many poultrymen who let " their
enthusiasm go down as the mercury in
the thermometer goes up or down.
The men who make the marked suc
cess in poultry raising are those
who never flag In their attention
those who know that the increased
labor and close attention hot weather
brings must be religiously observed,
the same being the case when the
cold weather is with us. It Is the
man or woman behind the. hen rather
than the breed that brings success.
Scrub treament will bring about
scrub results. The best paying breed
Is the one that Is best .cared for. Zeal
in the prosecution of the work should
be the characteristic of every poultry
breeder.
In conclusion, it must not be for
gotten that success depends on man
agement Business attention given to
a flock of properly housed hens would
be a revelation to many, especially to
the farmers themselves. "
Two Sheep Pastures. '
Sheep owners should realize that
having two or more feed lots is econ
omy. As soon as one pasture Is picked
bare, a change should be made. In
this way the pasture becomes fresh
ened and the weeds will be kept down
better. Sheep do much better on less
ground when this system is used and
many more sheep can be kept
Avoid 8caly Leg,
Don't allow your chickens to have
scaly legs. Clean and apply a good
disinfectant, then rub in plenty of
good grease
BREEDING STOCK FOR DAIRY
Cow Is Machine to Convert Food Into
Milk Should Possess Large Udder
and Strong Constitution.
In selecting dairy cattle the real
test must be the scales and the Bab
cock tester. The cow Is a machine to
convert food Into milk; thus she must
have a large middle and a strong con
stitution to Insure the best results.
She muBt also have a large udder,
large milk wells, large crooked milk
veins and good-sized teats.
Her head should be clean and an
gular in appearance, with the eyes
standing out prominently. . The neck
should be rather long and lean; the
shoulders pointed and ,the backbone
rather prominent The skin should be
loose and soft to the touch. In select
ing herd bulls either mature animals
which haVe already demonstrated
their worth as sires or younger ani
mals from high-testing dams and sires
only should be used.
The best and surest results will
always follow the use of a mature
aire which has sired heifers with
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS
Clean, Dry Place With Plenty of
Fresh Air and Sunshine Among
Essentials In Wintering Sheep.
There are four very essential things
necessary in wintering a flock of
breeding ewes. The first is a clean,
dry place with an abundance of air
and all the sunshine possible. The
house or shed must be sufficiently
warm for the lambs to do well from
the start, should they come in March
or February, but there must not be a
hothouse warmth.
The second essential is pure "water,
and plenty of it. Sheep that eat snow
for water will be found in a very dif
ferent condition from those which
have access to water at all times. Re
member that a sheep drinks but little
Rambouillet Ewe.
at a time, and often. A flock having
pure water. is seldom found with
parasites, the worst enemy with which
we contend.
The third essential Is feeding. The
writer,- says an exchange, has ob
tained the best results by feeding hay
and clover mixed. The sheep like
this very much, and If the mixture
Is put into the barn in good shape
they will more than thrive on it.
Sheep relish a good corn fodder, and
it should be given to them at least
once a day.
About six weeks before the ewes
are due to lamb they should be fed
a mixture of bran one part and oats
two parts.
- Salt for the Chickens.
Salt, in aiding digestion, also keept
the whole system of the fowls in good
working order. The blood Is kepi
from impurities and the birds will be
less likely to suffer from colds, can
ker or roup, also the gizzard worms
find it Impossible to live in salt-fed
food.
, Salt can be fed in the scalded oats
A teaspoonful to each eight or ten
quarts of oats is sprinkled over the tot
of the oats and then boiling watei
poured over them, being careful not tc
use more water than the oats wii:
readily absorb. Stir the mixture well
Pays to Cull the Sows.
When the breeder culls out his sowi
that produce stock that never attaint
good size; when he promptly sends tc
the block the sow with small litters;
when he gets out of hie herd the
peevish, hogs and the hogs of low vi
tality, then he will hear less about the
relative advantage of the crossbred
hog.
Will Make Colt Thrifty. -
Cooked roots, mixed with wheat
bran or ground oats or barley occa
sionally will go a long way In making
a better and more thrifty colt
good records. A good dairy bull
should be kept until he is twelve or
fifteen years old; in fact, as long ae
he is a sure sire. . Real good sires are
Aberdeen Polled Angus, Cow and
Calf.
so rare that when we do find one he
should die only of old age.
All breeders of dairy cattle should
secure yearly tests on each and every
cow in the herd. Shorter tests do not
really mean very much.
"V.T
Fopwef
INSTRUCTIVE FOR THE BOYS
Many Pretty Things May Be Con
structed by Skillful Use of Toy
Steel, Just Put on Market
Toy structural steel, from which an
ingenious boy may build anything ..
that a real engineer would make out
of real steel members, is now being
widely advertised and is a feature of
the holiday exhtbys. Some of the
things that may be constructed in lit
tle by the skillful use of this material
are bridges, derricks, engines any
thing. In fact, from a toy .wagon to a
miniature printing-press. A writer in
the American Exporter (New York
commends this as a realization of the
young mechanic's idea to "build some
thing himself." The boy with a me
chanical mind, he says. Is seldom
satisfied with shop toys. He would
A Derrick Built of Toy Structural
Steel.
a hundred times rather take a ham
mer and nails, and with what odds
and ends he can find work out some
idea of his own than to possess a '
whole houseful of ready-made locomo
tives and fire-engines, which, to his
critical eye, lack many important de
tails. The writer goes on:
"These outfits consist of strips of
steel varying in length and having,
holes punched at equal distances from
end to end. Included in these sets are
also gears, pinions, pulleys, flanged
wheels, axles, beams, etc., which give
the boy all the parts necessary to
build up almost any kind of a minia
ture machine. The strips are held to
gether by means of small screws and
nuts; and the structures that can be
built iu this way In a remarkably
short space of time by any boy are de
clared to bo surprisingly real in ap
pearance. The various metal strips
are formed in imitation of structural v
steel beams, and the young engineer
In this way acquires a knowledge of
the strength of materials and ele
mentary engineering practice whlcb
many weeks of study from books
would probably fail to Impress upon
his mind. He also becomes familiar
with the forms of many of the well
known works of engineering and ac
quires a knowledge of the subject
which cannot fail to be of great value
to him in later years, even though he
may not follow the engineering pro
fession. "Each piece of material . . , is
nicely finished with smooth edges and
rounded corners and nearly all the
parts are nickel-plated. Everything
which the boy would require is sup
plied with the outfit, even to a quaa-
Ferris Wheel Made From Toy Steel
Parts.
tlty of good stout siring, for even this
Is not always obtainable In the home.
A complete manual of Instruction la
also furnished with each set which
shows cuts of 80 different models
that can be built.
"Small motors, countershafts and
transformers. , also supplied, enable
the boy to construct his own power
olant"