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Conducted by Professor Henry G. Bell The object of thU department fa to plac« at the m'* ♦Itc of our farm readers the u^ylce of an acknowledged •uthoritv on all lubjects pertninine to soils and crops. Adureas all quertionn to rrofcHfior Henry O. Bell, In eare of The Wilson Publl»hlB|; Company, Limited, Toronto, and anawers will appear in tnia column in the order in which they are received. When .writing kindly .mention this paper. As apace is limited it la advisable wher« im- mediate reply i« necoaaary that a stamped and addressed envelope be encluKcd with the qucUion, whc'j. tlie answer will be .nailed direct. The Business of Farming. â€" IV. I potash. Necessarily these supplies Food of IMants.- In previous arti- ' vary with the different types of soil, cks we have dealt with the home of: For instance, sandy soils are relativft- the plant ami nuw we turn to one ! '/ short of all three limportant plant phase of the discusHion of the mat- constituents. This does not mean crial on whi:-h crops live and thrive. • t^"' * sandy soil ia not profitable to A year ago people living in Eng-'work. Indeed, it is quite otherwise, land and France were on a ration | The ease with which sandy soils basis. Visitors and those that had drain, makes them early. Further- business in England now exhibit, with \ mofe, the mechanical ease v/ith which a (food deal of interest, cards that ' they work makes them desirable soils, the Government provided them, especially for the growmg of crops which cards allowed the bearer to ob- i t'^* require constant cultivation, tain certain quantities of such neces- I However, the successful farmer or eary foo<l8 as mcmt, sugar and the like. The point of importance is that when the British Government found it desirable to apply a rationing sys- tem it did not say each man should be gardener operating a sandy soil must proceed in full knowledge of the natural limitations of the storehouse that his crops feed upon. A limestone soil has a medium KENNIES SEEDS Produce Viciory Cropr to _ , r* r^-^^v enti'ticd to bo many pounds of food i small supply of nitrogen, a relatively a week or a day, but tha* he should j short supply of phosphoric acid and be entitled to so many pounds of var- j « metVum supply of potash. It is ious foods based on the amount of . usually sweet in its reaction and res- food constitutents, within a limited ' ponds readily to judicious fertiliza- period of time. On a truly dietetic | t'o"- basis the Government provkled for -^ <^'oy soil is close and compact in card holders so many pounds of heat j "^t"''e, contains a moderate supply and energy producer, (carbo-hy- t>f all the plantfoods, but after crop- drates), so many pounds of muscle- P'lE for some time, what is left in the | producer (protein), and so many | foi' of the three .important plantfoods I poumls of fat, within a definite period , is 'n a relatively slowly available I of ti'ine. j foi-m, therefore crops that are to | When men traded oats for corn or reach maximum growth on such types; hay for shoes, in the days of the early |of soil must receive an a<ldition of settlers, they did not bother much well balanced plantfood if best re- about quality or balance of rations, suits are to bo obtained THE Rennie Catalogue for 1919. is brimful of informa- tion and suggestions on the growing of flowers and vege- tables. Beautifully illustrated in colors, this catalogue is truly valuable as a gardening guide. It shows you the practical re- sults obtained Ijy plantifig test- ed seeds, and it proves to you the best kind of seeds to buy. Use the Rennie Catalog2ie 03 a Ready Referenct Make your selection of seeds from it â€" then go to your dealer and have him fill the order. If he cannot supply you with all you require write ua direct. Tosafcguard our customers all Ren nie'i Seeds are tested at our trial ground. This insures that buyers of Reiinie'fl Seeds get nothing but the very best. If you haven't received a cofiy of our 1919 Catalogue, write for one to-day. THE Ufl^COMPANY 'iilf LIMITED but when meat and crops became arti- cles of sufficient demand, it paid the WILUAM KING AND MAHICET STS. TORONTO ALSO AT MONTR&AL WINNIDEU VANCOUVEB Muck soils are very rich in humus, consequently rich in nitrogen in its pro<lucer to study the balance of food , original state. When the weather both for animnl and plant. This has j warms up, straw grow-th on muckj given the basis for the balancing of | soils is very rapid. In fact it may be j^-^ â-  food for crops. The modern farmer j so rapid that it may result in a de-j FT^"*" cided inferiority of product. The acid ' UM^ â- â-  phosphate of muck soils " knows that bis crops take up ten con stttuents in order to form root, branch and fruit. The first of these is nitrogen, the constituent of plant food which causes the growth of potato-vine, corn-stalk, and wheat-straw. If the soil Is short of nitrogen it means .is usually short, the result being that crops grown on such soils do not ripen within the season nt their disposal. In potash, the supply in muck soils is lamentably short. This fact must be kept in mind when the farmer at short stalk, poor straw and poor [tempts to grow good crops on soil of! growth of apple tree. If the soil is | that kind too bountifuUy supplied with nitro- gen and does not contain a desir.ible balance of other foods, the result is too much plant growth, and the con- sequent infcr.'ority of fruit and grain. The next important constituent is phosphoric acid. Tliis is the kind of plantfood which causes a strong and vigorous root growth and an early ripening of the crop. Crops which are short of phosphoric acide â€" and many of our Canadian sc'Is are showing a decided shortage in tliLi constituent â€" do not ripen within the growing season at their disposal. In fwct, if the shortage is very marked, they make poor root growth, and grain is not well filled, the fruit of whatever sort is poor in color and .insipid in taste. The constituent abrjjit which we have been hearing a gruat deal during war time is potash. Tlie chief duty of potash is to hasten tho laying down of starch in tho fi-uit or grain and to give strength to the growing corn stalk or straw of small grain. The point weight well be emphasized at this time that potash is an ab- so'lutely essential constituent of plant- food. .Some ovcr-zcalous people have allowed their enthusiasm to load them into grievous error when they have said at times that our crops can get along without potash. Crops can no more get along witlwut potash than they can without water. Many soils are faiily wolil supplied with potash, but if intensive agriculture is to proceed in Canada and largest profits are to accrue to the farmer and gardener from the production of maxim\im crops, he must sea to it that the crops have ply of potash, which plant food to pro<luce ir^creas^d| p„„„,„i,,„„i i-. , „, ,. • ij A 1, _i » .-^. t. • 1 ronn.iylvanin Kxperiment Stat on â€" • yields. A shortage of potash is nl- «d,, ,u„ „ , i,.; . ., '^ '^'^"'^'"" way, shown ,in poor sprawling weak- ^ J," T'^l"°:°^ T'* llr^?!''"'" * ly stalks and straw, and in poorly """"'%"* t T'* "' ^'^••'"' ^'"^ 1^^*" fJlled kornela. "^ ^ over uptreat«l manure was $2.<l 74.'' Tho first groat source of plantfood ,..,;„"% X"'"''" ^^"^"'"-'The 1 11, !i I ,1.1 I. L t. addition of 200 ijounds of ac d nhos Is the soil. In this great .itorchouse „i,., , â-  . ,. "' «'"' 1'""=' , , , . • , ,. i Phato to a six ton annlicntinn <if man nature has placed original supjilics of nitrogen. INTERNATIONAL LESSON MARCH 16. Lesson XL The Cities of Refugeâ€" Joshua 20- Golden Text, ' Matt.5: 7. "Cities of refuge." The ancient custom, widespread throughout the east, sanctioned the law of blood re- venge. If a man was killed it was the right and duty of his kinsfolk to seek out the murderer and put him to death. Under such conditions no trial was likely to be held and no dis- tinction was made between accidental and intentional killing. "Whoso shed- deth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." See Gem 9: 6, and compare Exod. 21: 23, and Deut. 19. 21. The rigor and frequent injustice of this law were partially relieved (1) by allowing the penalty for a life taken to be paid ,in 'money, and (2) by recognizing the altar, or sanctu- ary aa a place of asylum, where the fugitive was safe from his pursuers, at least until he had a fair trial. See the provision in Exod. 21: 12-14. The money ransom v.as permitted in He- brew law only in exceptional cases (compare Num. 35: 31-32 and Exod. 21:28-32). The right of asylum was Vmited to those guilty of accidental homicide (Exod. 21:13, Deut. 19: 4-5). In the comparatively lawless conditions of those days, the provi- sion of cities of refuge, easily access- ible in all parts of the country, was in the interests of humanity and jus- tice. "Whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses." See Num. 35: 9-34 and Deut. 19:1-13. "Unawares and unv.-it'i'ngly." Such an accident is described in Exod. 21: 13 as an act of God. If the man who kills his neighbor has not done it intentionally, or been guilty of neg- ligence, he should go free, or if there has been negligence, as in the case quoted in Exod. 21:23-32, he should pay the money penalty (that .is, in old English, the bloodwit). -A. case of killing unawares is described in Deut. 19:o. It is probable that at first every altar was recoi^cnd aa an asyluK of refuge, or at least every altar where there was a sufficienl number of priests to establish and enforce that right. It is noteworthy that the six cities here mentioned were all Levitical cities (Num. 35, 6), where, therefore, there were sanctu- aries and communities of priests. The altar is especially mentioned in Exod. 21:14, and it was to the altar in Jerusalem that Joab fled when he feared the vengeance of King Solo- mon (1 Kings 2: 28.'29). "Shall stand at the entering of the gate." The cities were all surrounded j by walls. Inside the gate was an open I square or market, a place of public I concourse, where the elders of the 1 city sat to administer judgment. Compare Ruth 4: 12-; Neh. 8: 1. The I manslayer who seeks refu)?e shall I first "declare his cause" before the j elders. They shall receive him into I the protection of the city and he shall : dwell there until arrangements are I made for his trial. These arrange- : ments were in the hands of "the con- I gregation," that is, originally, a body I representative of the city or tribe to I which the man belonged, and, later, I representative of all Israel. The cities, appointed east and west of Jordan were .'n each case situated respectively in the north, middle and I south of the country, so that no one 1 seeking refuge would have very far i to go. "Kadesh," in Galilee, in the I country of the tribe of Xaphtali, was ' an old Canaanite town and sanct';:iry, I about three miles west of the nortli- i ern end of the waters of Merom. It I is often spelled "Kadesh." "Sheche-.i," in the hill country of Ephraim, 13 I represented by. the modem town of I Kc,ie»'n^ p-nt\ 45 ETi'les north of 'â- He- bron." East or Jordan "Bezer" is prooably identical with Bozrah (Jer. 148: 24), and was sometimes included I in the land of Moab. "Ramoth in I Gilead" is called Ramoth-Mizpah in 113: 26. It was proba'olv on or near the site of the modem Es-salt. "Go- lan" in the north gave its name in later centuries to the province of Gaulanitis, now called Jaulan. I It is very interesting to watch the sincere and intelligent seeking after justice, in all social relations, which is manifest in the ancient Jewish law and custom. .Justice was to the Jew the will and thp law of Gcd. His throne was itself the high court of judgment (Psalm 7: 6-9; 9: 7-8). The cow must be in proper condi- i-a:-! a^naSA'S broad ACRB8 Put up a t'Ti â- (â-  ti:«t win la-It a ll.vtlme â€" u Tonce th»t can't tSB or b'.nil'; down â€" that will l.-.iU ;'. wil.i iio-?c â€" th.it ^' tu>ft.i cflii't n..v3 tUruugh â€" tbiit car.'t rjsl â€" a Icioe tbat " Hl,i:nla rough i. •,*(;<; by aiilir.:.iHor WDatlitr aiut Is guaran- tttd. ria-.UI.FSS PKKFE( TION rciiciug Is limJfi <.r Heavy Opea llcartU Hte**! wire witu all the irapurltii-s l.Mrni'rt out a!i'l all tho atrenitth and toughness lert In. U.^ftv!!y j:alv«u:aP(l. Kvcry liuersecUon Is locked together \v:tb tt:" VN'CTleas Lori. stiff BUT *irtfalc*f[. it rivM. r^afclBy fa-wgr poBtaa n- ugi T T. S«nd f-r ( »u» oir I...'a^. U » «rr«c(Vr. iiiUrodPK. ^cH woith tli« »t»inB. H-i' .Ir.iteri. t -r , . jtjo.Jl Cii .,'» Imtiolc ^...r c. .....l..' . I! ; j. _, T.HE BANWtLL-HOXIE WIRS FENCE CO.. Ltd. V WInnlpcc. aia£><«oba Hamlltafi, Onlerlj ,,.>. . . I.. ; . ; ij . . I ; I. i v;i .-> , ' ' H ' >'. • J.t '. ^i - .. ' " " â-  'I ." •• • Male birds are seriously Injured in appearance by having their combs Stock manure is nature's great source of plantfood, outside of the soil. The value of manure depends mainly upon two point."?. FSrst, the i kind of food provided the livestock, '^^^^ fertilizers have been effective I and second, tho care given the man- '° raising this standard of produe- ure. If the livestock is fed a supply ' '^'°"' ''' various of the older States,! of highly concentrated rich food, the''" England, and other prominent! manure is consequently rich in the : ^"''*^P*''° countries is shown by their 1 elements of plantfood. If on the 'â- ^â- Â°'"'* °^ <^"^P V'elds, but this in-! other hand, the livestock is living oui^'-f** [^ «=-°P yi^.'/^ ^a^ ^^^ '""''^ to";uffer'buV'"njures itT7aluras"a a bare maintenance ration, the man- ""'y 7'^'^" necessity demanded more breeder, at least until the comb and ure will be of lowest feeding value. ^''°" for the unit of land, bigger and , wattles are healed. On very cold Average farm manure which is fairly ''^'t^'' yields per aci-e. This fact .is I nights valuable male birds can be well stored caiTies to the ton 10 to ^'^^ essential reason why intensive protected by placing them in barrels 15 pounds of nitrogen, 5 to 9 pounds agriculture is a timely subject for; covered with burlap. The heat from of phosphoric acid and from 9 to 14 Canada. the body of the bird is enough to pounds of potash. If the manure la I Various things have been called :'»'?«,, ^he temperature of the barrel Used to "rain and sLro^^^^l? fertilizers, which are not actually | ^^^^ "a^e'^'^li^or^^a'sii • %re'n or of this plantfood, especially the nitro-iPl«"tfoods. For instance, some writ- f,,„gt.bitten when they become wet gen and phosphoric acid, is lost by ! ^" ^'"^ persist in calling lime a fer- while the .birds are drinking. Some leaching. j tilizer. Now, it is a well known fact j breeders place a wooden float lin the Well-kept manure ,is relatively | '''"'' *^° plant does take a certain water pail with a hole cut through the strong in nitiiogen and fjotash buti '"°"'**' "^ calcium for its foo<l, but float from which the birds can drink. â- vrnak in phosphoric acid] Thia i<i "° °^^ ^^^ ^'â- '^'^ J'*-*' shown that the â„¢s l^eeps the wattles of the male natural since the animal removes this Pl«"t may not be able to get its ««'- fr^ec-ommemled''- for "'Jr'Tsl'biUen constituent of plantfood in order to ! ^-ent 3"pp y of calcium from clay. i^bs'crS'of k/ro'senf oil, thr:" build up Its bone. As a consequence, | ^^""e. therefore, is not essentially a pa,.tg by weight; lard, two parts; manure will produce great stalk i P'''."''^'^'' ''"'"" s°'l '""^rector. Wo quinine." one part. Rub this ointment growth, but sometimes produces too I ^*''*^'®' *' }^^^ p'*^'*'' <l'stinction were on the comb every day until the frosti I much stnuw growth for the good ofi'^'^P'' '" mind, it would avoid a lot bitten parts are cured. It takes con-' the grain crop. Valuable results have "^ mistaken ideas and some frauds, siderablo time to ti-eat birds in this been obtained by balancing livestock I Similarly, calcium sulphate, or land manner but with exhibition stock and manure with nc'id phosphate When Pl'"'^'^'"' '^ ""t fertilizer, although it valuable breeders it is worth the^ this is done 40 or 50 pounds of «cid "" >^e itpplied for some time to the, â- ""(J'^J^ ^^^^^ ^,^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^J phosphate should be applied to the , eâ„¢und for a proht. Calcium sul-^^^ ^^^jiy ^^^^^^ j^ ^^^^^ ^j^^^ ^^^ soil for every ton of manure that is ""'" " •" â€" '" applied. That this is profitable is evi- denced by the following results: Ohio Experiment Stationâ€" "Cover- .ing a period of 13 years the average incroasod production from soil treat- ed with stall manure and acid phos We made self-feeJers for our hogi . by knocking the bottom out of oil ' tion to go through the work of mak-| barrels and setting them in a plank ing a good production record, whether I box with a tight bottom, the sides ol for seven days, thirty days, ninety] ^vj,ij^.}j ^rg four inches high. In other days or one year. Few breeders of worits, this foundation or platfo-m dairy cattle realize what conditionj ^-^s made out of 2x6'3, and 2x')'s were means in making a groat production: u^g^-d for the outside. This box was record. It is often the extra few! three feet square. The barrel was pounds of flesh and reserve energ)-[ g^^t in the centre on pieces of 2x4, that means the breaking of a world'sj raising St two inches from the bot- record for milk and butter-fat pro-! tom and then the top of the barrel ductiion and places soma breeder on was braced to the comer of the plat, the highest pinnacle of fame. It is | form. This gives good results, difficult to define exactly just how toj Any carpenter can make a satisfac- put on this extra flesh and bring the! tory self-feeder. All you have to do cow safely through her calving per- ig to make a box tapering on the in- iod, but it is seen only' when cowsj side like a grain bin. Have the sides begin their official tests as ^-igorous gicpe to the bottem so that they are and well-fleshed as skillful feeding : about four inchvjs apart and this put can make thera. Condiblon, as mean-! into a sort a trough, say a foot v'ide, ing capable of maximum production, | that will give six inches of spaca on is necessary before a phenomenal re- 1 either side. This can be made as high cord may be looked forward to in the, and as long as one deems necessary, coming test. A cover can be made on either or - 1 both sides to be raised when it is j filled with com or other food, and Making Money Via the Maple Candy , then closed to protect from storms^ Lme. I In a certain city known to the writ- ' Shade and Sunshine. er, there is a candy store which makes and sells more than 100 var- ieties of maple candy, produo'.ng the combinations by the use of Jersey cream, chocblate and nuts. This was very profitable before cane and beet sugars became so scarce ar.d expen- ^^^^^ ^^.^j,^^^,^ ^^ ^ sive. Over in the White Mountain ;„. ^, ...u.... .v. ..:^, .• As shade doth strengthen sunshine^ So sorrow enhaiices joy; Unless mth aweet is bitter. The richness our taste doth cloy; And gold and silver, even. Wear better for some alloy. We have found that cows having Vfl 1 / "- phato over yard manure was: Com, a mifflcient sup- 1537 bus.; wheat, (i.l8 bus.; hn^ 1 13 a neceH.sary J 8.10 p„^„^,^ „ • ""V- phate, gypsum or land plaster, has house is not warm enough. It mav be the power to let loose potash and damp or the bir.ls may be compelled other plantfoods from the soil. There- to roost too close to the wiindows. fore for a time the farmer can apply Birds that are reduced in vitality land plaster at a profit. However, he fr""' overcrowding or poor feeding should be very careful not to con- n>ethods are the most apt to have tlnue the practice indefinitely, be- ' ^f'''^''" "'" fj."'"'".^.'"/" '""'"''': . '^^^ „„,,„» i,„ i_ * t: „ 1! 11 L •'•trong healthv bird can resist con- M f 1 I ^ /' . ,'"" "f. ^^ »i'lerable cold if it is placed in a dry would his bank account if ho contiiui- house where there are no draughts phosphoric acid and ) uro per acre per rotation of corn, , wheat, and clover has produced ad«ii- tlonal crop increases valued at $14.98 and $21.44 respectively." The next source of plantfood is fertilizers. For many years the ques- tion of fcj-tilizers ha.s engaged tho attention of the older agricultural sections cf tho world. In fact, its importimce has become so great to tlio nioro thickly populated centres liiat an investigation within tho last ton yours showe<l that in France over 50 per cent, increase in crop yield wag credited to the proper uao of fertilizers. Like things were clainuHl for the proper use of fertilizer.? in Germany and elsewhere. Hall of Rothamsted, said:â€" "Tho gre;'.t factor in increased crop production (.in Great Britain) has \m>n the introduction of fertilizers and purchased feeding stuflfa. A.i soon as you can introduce on a farm Bomc extraneous source of fertility you can raise the standard of pr»ducMon." 1 ally wrote check.s upon it and iieg- and properly fed. lectod to reimbur.se tho funds at his disposal. Tho final day of reckoning ' comes and cornea swiftly if such a [ Bulbs Fail to Flower stimulant as land plaster ia used and used continuously. Someone asks, "Are not fertilizers stimulants, too?" in High Temperatures. Too high temperature is respon- We answer, "Not by any means." Fer- "'l*'* 'for the "blasting" of bud-s of such tjlizers are carriers of precisely tho' ^'""'^ "^ ^*"' tliineae sacred lily, same planlfowl as is supplied bv"man-| ''"^f ^^''^â- '^® narcissus, and hyacinth, ure. This plantfootl may be in a more ! ""° serious misUike in bulb cul- concentratod form, but is neverthe- 1 '"â- â- * '* '" "«' '^^^ '*"'^» '" **>« warm- Icaa tho same essential food, nitro- I est and sunniest location In the house. gen. tho plant grower, phosphoric I ^*^'' ^^ ^"^'''^'^ "^^'"""K treatment, for acid the plant riponer, and potash the! ' encourages rapid growth, resulting I;.liant strciigtliener. When you apply fertilizers you apply food. When you apply a soil corrector and soil .stimu- lant, you correct a soil reaction in one case and in the ot*(rr case let loose a supply of e8:iential plantfood with- out making any addition thereto. The next article will discuss tho <pieslion of how to know what to use, and the sources of plantfooil. (To bo continued.) The finest fleet that ever sailed in any country is the fleet of plows, tractors, harrow.^ amU seeders that will shortly put out into the fields. God-sp^ed this fleet! It goes out in peace; it battles (or human hnppi- neaa. in abundant foliage and no flowers. The bulbs should bo set away in a cool, dark i>lace until they have de-l veloped a goodly supply t-f roots. Ifj top growth starts somswhat and .'.a \ white, the bulb enthusiast nee<l not) be alarmed, for tho .shoots will turn green after being brought to the light. From four to six wcek-s, depending on the bulbs and conditiona of growth, will be roquiretl to develop the desired root .system. Even when the roots arc developed and the bulbs nro brought to the light, they srhould not be subjected to too high temper- atures, aa tJiis is the cause of "blast- ing" of buds. In no case should tho temperature exceed seventy dogrecs, and sixtv degrees lis preferred. resort country, across the line, sever- al farm families with sug-.ir orchards have also learned the splendid profits in a sugar crop sold as candy, though they make only maple drops and maple creams. They usiuilly sell this maple candy, packed in attractive boxes, at th-rty-flvo to fifty cents a pound. Summer sales to tourists automatically developed a parcel- post trade. The opportunity for sugar orchard owners in making candy is a big one. Maple sugar in itself is a candy; all that is needetl is to put it up in candy form. The two-ounco cakes are el- wa>-9 popular. Wafers of the pure sugar, put up in boxes or sold in bulk. bring a much better price than pailed sugar. More elaborate candies de- pend upon the skill and enthusiasm of the women folk. Most of the ma- teriiils, including nuts, can be pro- <luce<l on the farm. It shouldn't be forgotten that there is a liberal sup- ply of chocolate, and It can be used with a free conscience. Where to sell it? Th's can't he done by book. If necessary, maple candies can profitably bo sold through commission firms or to maple buyers. A much better way .'s to sell as much as possible to private customers and the balance to ret.ail stores in another territory which handle candies. Manu- facturing candy titores are not pros- pects, but thousands of variety stores and drug-stores are. | Now is a good time to start a maple ciindy trade. Sugar orchard owners have a pofeu*ial m:»rket which has never been developed. There is no such bugbear as over-proiluction in this industry. Tap the trees ,'n March, on the south side, with a half-inch bit. Make the holes about waist high. The more milk than where the supply is restricted. SPRING MUSKRATS Wo pay tho best price for Spring Muskrats Send any Furs you have. You are assured of satisfaction In price and treatment. ABBEY FUR COMPANY 310 St. Paul St. W., Montreal, Quo. In business for 30 years Reference: Bank of Hochelaga. St Heury. holes should slant i»p into the tree Do not re- uL so the sap will drain out. move tht bark. SPRING MUSKRATS In Big Demand Highest Prices Assured by Sending to Wagnar, Brasier & Company 81 FRONT ST. EAST TORONTO Established 1907 Send a Trial Lot ResulU >V7ll Please You