Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Willamette farmer. (Salem, Or.) 1869-1887 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 30, 1885)
n ! i.:;v V. d 4. pi ts Z V .' If. 61 V . re FfSs' VOL. XVI. SALEM, OREGON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1.885. NO. 51 During tlifjo Ilnnl Tlmo tho tendency to ro trench la very itrong and very proper. Let tho (inner oik htmiclt, however, It Im can olTonl to dlipenie with tho only Journal In lh Stato that belong to him anil rcprcienU hli IntereiUt Thirteen yean mo wo purchaicd tho Wiilavcttk Farmni unci ln citeil In It all our means and tho bcitycara of itrcral liter. Con llJcr, frlendi, whether It l not moro reasonable at thlt time, (when jou know how hard tho times mint pinch tho publliher of your own Journal) to go out and cob Itct a imall club of new inbicrlbcn at tho lowprlco olftred rather than think of "oconomltlnj" by dolnit Klthout tho icrrlce) of a friend of iucIi Ion; itandlnj. fytHrcfyamUnte. Noway tottor from Umatilla County. Wiiston', Or., Jan. 21, 188.". Editor Willamctto Farmer t Seeing you havo not had nny corre spondents from this vicinity for some time, will give n fow brief items. Al though poorly dictated us tlioy inny appear, hopo thoy may bo of interest to some. A paper so much devoted to tho interests of tho farmer should bo read in ovcry housohold. Tlicro is not a single producer of tho soil of Washington Territory and Orgon, if on a limited Bcalo that would not bo well rowarded by giving $2.00 annualy to tho Faiimck. It seems strange that so many will pre fer foreign political and other papers to our homo agriculture journal. Whon tho mail arrived tho Fau.mi:u is tho first lookod after. Children aro anxious to read tho Ilomo Circle. Mothers aro anxious to read Editor Circles, column, and children's letters. Business has boon in a manner sus pended sinco wintor set in, which com menced Decombor 13, with snow but not a great amount of vory cold weather. Stock in tho vicinity of "Weston and Contorvillo is doing woll by boing fed, tho weather has boon such Hint feeding stock has boon u plcasuro; with tho ground covered with snow, stock got tho .benefit of nil tho food given thorn. Tlioro is no great scarcity of feed .yet and should wintor break by tho first of February stock Hint is cared for will not exceed fivo per cont loss in this vicinity. That accounts for being prepared for snow. Money matters very close. I favor tho mortgago tax law but favor taxing othor property in proportion. Exempt mort gages and it exempts somu of tho best fina nciers from defraying tho expenses for tho laws that protect them. Hut as more able writers havo discuscd that matter at length will say no moro. Your columns havo constantly advocated mixed farm ing of which the writer highly (indorses, having experimented in that kind of fanning for tho last ten years, find it to bo by far tho most profitable Tho farmors in this bunch grass land who summer-fallows a portion of thoir land in corn each year and feed tho corn to hogs or cnttlo will bo tho men who can whistlo there is no mortgago on thoir farms. A great many havo become disgusted at raising corn, for why whon tho corn is ready to put in shock it is cut, thrown down in bunches for day, or two thon hauled on wagon or sleds and piled up in largo ricks or piles with tho stalks full of sap thon what? Lets it lay through tho fall rains and when it is examined fodder and corn both aro rotten. Advise : put foddor up in round shocks in field or in soma lot close to tho feed ynrd, tio thorn with hay ropo or stalks and both corn and fodder will retain soundness till spring. Sweet corn makes cxcellont feed for milch cows, feed corn and fodder. Tho twuctucsa in tho stalk is relished by cows and greatly increases the quantity of milk. J. It. Kino. Cbnla Huts. Dayton, W. T. Jan. 21, 1835. Editor Willamette Farmer: Your issuo of tho 23d is at hand, and I note that you wish mora definite in formation concerning tho chufa. My experience, and experiment with hare not worthy tho name. I only raisod a few in Iowa ono year, and did not lUiuk thon, of its availability ns a hog feed. All I know of itenn bo told in fow words. First, it is easily raised. Second, it is sweet and evidently very nutritious. After tho childrou (tho big ones too likely) learn how good it is, tho hog wont get nil of them. Third, it yields well. Fourth, tho hogB will dig it for themselves, you need only harvest what you want for seed mid to oat. Whon thus harvested it will bo necessary to throw tho soil and nuts together in a hill, into it solve, and sift out tho dirt. They vary from tho sizo of a poa, to tho bu.0 of tho end of your finger, nnd can easily bo bitten through when fresh, but dry quito hard. I havo bcon told lately, that thoy will not maturo here, but I know thoy did in lown, in tho latitudo of Dubuqua, nnd I think them well worth a trial here. Thoy can bo procured from ono of your advertising patrons James J. If. Gregory at small cost, fivo cent per. package, fifteen cents per ounco, post paid. This is about all I can toll about it, and for that reason, I do not wish to answer any inquiries by mail. My attention was also arrested by Doxtor Field's communication in regard to rciiubarb or pio plant which is to tho point. I wish to add to it that tho stems aro very easily dried by first stripping Uioiu lengthwiso into thin slices. My wifo cured Borne last sum mer in thnt way. Sho says that itdiicd sufficiently, in tho sun in ono day, and I assuro you, it is not "bad to tnko" in tho absence of fresh fruit. If. Fruxit. Oblo Correipndence. I.KONWiinsiinto, 0. Jan. 0, 188.. Editor Willamette Farmer t You havo winter, and so havo we. Truo it did not como to stay early, but bus stayed well sinco it has como. Ouco tho thermometer dropped doublo in tho twenties for a couplo of days, and it scorned to rovivo old catarrhal affec tions andmndo some cases of lung over. Our deep snow gradually and permanent ly disappeared and it mined quito too much for comfort. On tho night of tlio 11th those who wero lata in retiring mado tho startling discovery that n violent sleet storm was raging with un nbatcd fury. Tho noxt day tho prido of tho forest and all his associates bowed thoir heads biibmUsivoly to u weighty providonco which on tho night of tlio Kith was ropeatod with redoubled violenco nccompained with j-omo mow, but sleet predominated. And the oldest man saith not that ho hath -oca a sleet storm cl such huge dimensions and to destructive in its efi'ects. Fruit trees wero totaly demolished if aged, and forest trees look liaro and dismantled as tho masts nt London dock. Tako it wind and all it was a foarful wind. Hut notwithstanding tho inclemency of tho wcathor our agricultural people, with heavy furs nnd wraps on, assem bled at tho opera houso in Dalnw.uo and discussed many vital and highly important- questions, ono of which was tho outdoor management of stock, and thoir -sago conclusion was that without shelter of some hoi t, Mich as tho last storm wero hard on lato cnlves and ycurlings. Secretary Chamberlain, and other dis tinguished Agricultural and horticultural orators, wasted eloquence, to ctrnest listeners, whilst feovcral monibor from tho rural districts read nblu papers. I should Lo guilty of discourtesy not to notico your veiy .healthy remarks on Mormanism and tho Panama canal. Although I can nbbriviate somewhat by saying, that my observation has taught me that your head has generally appeared level on all questions of public interest which you havo discussed through tho medium of your very ox ce'lent journal. And intending to, but not Having space to, talk a littlo on profitable hog brocding, I would Bay propagate tho Berkshire or Yorkshire broids; they will do as well in a clover hold, as other breeds will in a corn crib. John Watkbs. THE MEW BTRAWBERMES. I now hnvo time to spare nnd propose to Bay something of n fow of tho latest productions in tho strawberry line. Atlantic. Thero has bcon n great "pow-wow" in many of tho papors nbout this plant and berry. Tho ' plant is vig orous, healthy and stands drouth, hot sun nnd poor treatment. Tho plant is nil ono could desire. Tho berry medi um, scarlet, irregular, very line fino for market. Tho quality-is only second rnto nnd many of tho lnrgcst specimens are hollow and ill thnpod. Ono season's trial is, however, not enough to prove a strawberry. I havo 200 now in, or will bear tho ensuing season. I cannot re commend it till further trial. It is per fect (lowered nnd easy of propagation. Prince of Berries. Oho would natur ally think from tho namo thot thero was a princo of berric?, indeed. I havo fiO thnt will bear this coming season. Tho plant is only n modcrnto grower, hardy, sun proof and dcop rooted; thofoliago keeping very green ond healthy. Tho berry is large, lino color, rich delicious and unusually fine. Tlio plant is not as vigorous as I hud expected, tho borry Is largor nnd better. I can recommend it. Perfect lloworcd and n modoralo bearer, ltcquircs rich land nnd high oulturo; tho runneis must bo kept off or it will not bear well. Tho fault I hnvo with it is it will not U'lir neglect. It ii not as good n plant nor does it boar as well as tho Jersey Queen. I will givo it a fair trial this season. It is perfect flowered. Daniel Boone. This is truly a splen did plant ; far superior to my most san guino expectations. Tho fruit very large, very linn, but not first rato in quality, ft is a pistillate. This is an objections though it seems to bo pro ductive hero. I bcliovo it will becomo a line market fruit. It is so largo nnd beautiful it must tell well. One of tho most beautiful sights over beheld is a row of Daniel lloono's in full blooming. Tho plants aro so fine, tho fruit ?o largo and liternly heaped mound tho plants. Tho Bidwell. This is of E. P. Uoo fame. Ho bold 100,000 of Bid well's ono season. Tho plant is all anyone can desire, large, vigorous, healthy, sum proof, deep-rooted, porfoct plumed, nu enormous hearer, a ilrsl-rato homo nnd market plant. Now, to grow superior Ilidwells tv quires vory riclt land, highly manurod. deeply in tho middlo of tho rows, and often cultivated, grown in hills, three and a half or four feet apart, nnd culti vated both ways, liko corn, all runners kept oil' ami all weed kept down. I bo lievo tho IHdwell one of tho most pro ductive strawborries on enrth. I havo gathered a quart and often a quart and u half of fine berries' from a singlo hill tho wholo row through. So, too, of tho Jersey Queen. .My pickers wero aston ished at tho immenso size and quantity of tho berries. Manure and euro are to fruits what plenty of food and caro ore to stock. Tlioro is ns much in food and caro as in tho blood. I havo kept still about it, but truly tho Sharpies and Uidwcll aro tlio best two strawbor ries I have, out of thirty-six sorts, and although I considor all things viewed, that tho Sharplcss, Jucunda and Wilson aro threo best for all purposes, yot, if I hud plenty mar.uro nnd tho bc.it of laud, which I hnvo, I would only grow, for profit, tho Sharplcss and tho i'ldwcll. As a rule it is bettor, safor, to hnvo a va riety of strawberries, say ten or fifteen kinds, for if ono sort misso-s nnotlior may hit, for locations vary, so of fruits. Tho Windsor Chief and Piper are proving, on my place, to bo umoug tho best and most profitable sorts that I have. I havo others, but a further trial is nec essary beforo saying any moro for them at present. Tho Windsor Chief is a pis tillate, yet is easily pistilizcd, bears well, is healthy everyway, I havo 300 ns a trial bod ; to far I am pleased with thcm( so of tho Pipor. I may, if time permits, say moro era long, of eomo other now ones. I will closo by saying I think it out of our pockots to try so many now comers ; it costs niouoy. time and much caro is unprofitable. Novortholcss, a sacrifice must be mado by somo ono or vnlunldo kinds would never bo known. Thero is n plcasuro in growing a plant that may become, whon properly tried, n very valuablo one. Tho Slmrplscs had to bo extensively tried before it could bo widoly distributed. Now it is known nil over tho continent; nay, oven in Europe, llcnco it is pronounced it grand straw berry, becnuso its valuable qualities had only to bo known to bo appreciated. I havo mado sacrifices proving now fruits, and am willing to make moro. I havo as fino collection of strawberries ns thero is on tho Pacilio Coast. A. F. Davidson-. K"ltn(c Moles. Sau-.m, Or., Jan. 25, 188-1. Editor Willamette Fnnnon Can anyono of your readers givo me, through tho columns of tho Faiimeu, nny fcasiblo way of getting rid of a colony of mole which havo takon pos session of my front door yard. Tho soil has been mado and so is soft nnd easy digging for them. Heitig near sighted I can't shoot besides havo not tho pntienco in watch for them, its too much liko sitting on tho ground fishing for niinows. II. 11. C. Whether wo agreo with Mr. Ucochor or not, few' men can speak or write on any subject of ptiplia iutorost with so great n certainty that everybody will want to know what they say. In dis cussing tho question as to how far min isters may go in politics, Whieh ho docs, in tho North American Itoviow fo February, tho groat preacher eho.vs himsolf to ndvantago perhaps all tho moro becauso it is a matter that touches him personally iih well as professionally. In tho samo number of tho itoviow, tho question, "How shall tho Presidout be elected T" is ably treated by fivo happily chosen writers, viz., two Unitod Stat " Senators, Dawes and Vnnco; a college presidout, F. A. P. J'aruard.of Columbia; a Now York lawyer, Itogor A. Prvor; nnd a well known journalht, William Purcoll. Tho Hub.itautlal agreement of four of thorn on tho samo point is signi ficant. Another uotablu article in this unuunl strong number is a review or "llolmo's Life of Kiner-nn," by tho veteran histornu tleorgo Bancroft; aril still another in an essay by l'rof. t Young on "Theories regarding tho Sun's Corona," which he skillfully brings witli popular comprehensions. Tho Bov. Dr. (J. W. T. Shedd defends tho dogma "Endless Punishment," and Prof, (i. Stanloy Hill writes on "Now Depart ures in Education." Pulverize tho laud whatever you do or fall to do. (loon the principle of the woman making gooseberry p!o, who sweetened it nil she dared, and titer shut her eyes and put in a handful niu v. Work your laud till you think it is line enough and then go over it again. If you do not think this will pay, try it on n drip through tho middlo of tho field and contrast it with tho balance. The im plement to do this witli is the Acmo Pulverizing Harrow, Clod Crusher At Lovelor. See page fivo of this paper. It is singular how much moro weight in n horse is looked upon as settling his claims to distinction. It should bo re mombeicd that in a borne it is bono and muscle that is required, not beef, and that weight without a correspond ing propoitiou of these essentials is a detriment. It is quito common to hoar tho owner of a draft horsu priding him self on its weight, tho result of a lack of oxcrciio, nnd heavy feeding. Such a hoio is a dolusion, and when put to the tost invariably fails. A breeding stnllion in a fit condition for a fat stock show may look all light, 'but ho will never lo a safo horso to breed to. Weight is only entitled to consideration whon it is made up of bone, musclo nnd size. When furnished in fat tho chances aro that sluggishness and disoaso will soon destroy nny real merit tho bono has. Sizo for many purposes is essential, and weight corresponding to it, also. Activity and hardiness rarely are found In beefy horses. Dr. J. P. Newman has resigned his pastorato ovor which there was so much trouble in New York. Tho Dignity of tlio Farmor's Llro. Thero is a higher dignity than that of poetry or painting, that nttnehes to tho farmor's frofession n dignity which should mako him walk as erect and look tho bluohenvons ns proudly in tho fnce, as nny man who treads tho earth, No industry to which human liniula wero set sinco tho first pair wero made, is dosorving of higher estimation than his; for of all tho toilers of tho earth ho stands in the closest co-pnrtnorship with Diviuo Providonco in its roalm of Nature. Soo now tho conditions of this co-partnor-ship, the capital which each invests in ono summor's crop. Hero, for oxample, is a cultivated farm of 100 acres of land. Tho Creator might have mado thnt land bear stout crops of wheat nnd other corn nil of itself, without man's help; but lie did not, mid would not. llo con descended to admit man to a partnership with him, in vnregating tho verdure of those acres, in covering thorn with waving nnd yellow harvests' Ho would not lot Naturo produce- nny cnips for human sustonrmco without tho co working of human sinows. Tho wheel of seasons might turn on forovor, scatter ing rain, dow, light and heat nnd ovory gcrminnttng iulluouco; but unless it wan belted to man's industry it would not turn out a shenf or a lonf of broad. Hut see what comes of tho connection whon a pnlr or two of bauds nud hoping hearts join their activities to rovolutloiiH of thnt wheel. Genorously Nature divides with man tho honor and joy of the crop! llowsho works with nil tho sublime nnd muto economios of tho season in this partnership of toll I Tho vory shapo of tho earth's orbit' nnd nil its milliou-miled many stages around tho sun, as tho dowdistiloryof tlio even ing's sky, are brought to bear upon tho production of tho fields. Sco how tho light nnd heat aro graduated to tlioso acres of Indian corn. Sco tho tompor nturo that nurses it into tho blade, tlion into tho stalk, then into tho silken set ting of tho ear. Seo what purple curtains are hung mound tho horizon; what drying, jocund, fall winds blow; what n rudy-fneed hue glows upon tho ' puuiiig cure, reuticiiiiiK litem u iiiiunu ummer tints as thoy peer from tho whlto laee drapery that enfolded them I Look at that sight and never let a murmur of discontent stir your lips when you talk of merchants, manu facturers, or joint-stock companies, or any occupation or profession whatever, mint-stock companies indeed 1 What companies of that sort over formed on earth can compare with tho joint-stock company that carries on the smnllost farm? What a firm of activo partners wo havo horo! What a diversity of capital is invested in tho cntornrlHol hat sympathy and co-working! Whora falls one drop from tho moistened brow of tho farmer, thero fall a thousand of germinating (lows from heaven; and tho combination touches tho life of ovcry plant and blado with a new vitality nud verduiu Elihu Burritt. "Will you kindly toll mo what is going on in that church?'' asked a tramp of n gentleman who had just dcccudcd the bteiw. "They aro holding a church fair. "I am very sorry." "Why aro you sorry, my friend?" "Well, I was going to ask you to holn mo but if you havo leeii in thero it ain't no use." Ci.Piw are coming in and wo hear ol many moro boing fomrd. 'o wish club raicrs would Ik prompt in sending thoir natnos in as wo need every noiiio and tho monoy that can bo gotten. Every true horticulturist takes a just prido in growing large, sound, hand somo apples, pours, teaches, plums, grapes and small frtutx, in watching their growth and process of maturing; and thon takes plcasuro in carefully gathoring, assorting, packing in con venient, attractive packages that will boar examining through and through and thon will confidentially sond to tho best market, oxpecting good, remunera tive returns. "You don't really lovo him, my dear." ''Well, perhaps not; but it's my first chance, and 1 may never get nnotlior." "Novor mind if you don't. Wait until you find a man after your own heart." "That's just what's tho matter, mamma. Charley has boon nftor my heart eighteen mouths, nnd I guess I had better let him hnvo it." "To mako both cuds meet" is why tho baby pub) its toes Into its mouth. "f'S'WWTI
