i^ «wminuiilcatien« m Agri^MWl^' fi Ad*l«l4« •«. WMt T*rM»U ACCLIMATIZATION OF VAR- IETIES OF GRAIN. BEAUTIFY THE HOME GROUNDS Have 70U ever considered th« ad-j viaability of utilizing fruit trees in I your yard, In addition or in prefer-, ence to what we know as ornamental i with the varieties grown at that in- trees? Fruit trees yield both shelter] stitution, the Cereal Division will be ^^^ gij^jg ^nj impart a cheerful loolcj , .. . glad to receive from him a one-pound to the grounds, besides giving a! It Is quite commonly believed that sample of his seed. The sack contain- ' plentiful supply of fruit in the fall,' any variety of grain when grown in a j^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ should bear the grow- ^^d in spring their lovely blossoms given district for a number of years, ^^.^ ^^^^^ jj,^ variety name, and the' are a delight t«J the eye, gradually becomes more and more „u„ber of years the seed has been when planning the small home su«t*d to the conditions of that dis- ^^^^^ ^^„ ^j^ ^,^ fg^^ ^ report on orchard, the object in view should be trlct. While this may be true in the^j^^ relative performance of the var-^t© grow various kinds and varieties ease of planU which naturally cross- 1 j^^j^, ^^^^ ,„ j^^. thja test will be sent of fruit, that the ripening period may fertilize, such as most of the grasses : j,,^ farmer in due time. be distributed over as long a season and clovers, it is not true to the same] ,g possible. For instance, in apples tS 'Z^V^\:l^::'l''^V:. tuber unit seed PLOTS FOR thei._should be early, mldseason, and wheat, oats and barley, except pos •ibly where mixed varieties containing different strains are grown. In na- ture, Rcclimatization takes place as a POTATOES. winter varietiea, the winter sorts, of course, predominating. The question of varieties is all Im In many sections of the country ^ , where seed potatoes are produced, the' portant^ certain kinds which are first- result of natural .selection. The vag- growers have found the advantage of gjagg }„ gome localities may not be arlea of soil and climate gradually having their own seed plots. A com-Ljapted to your condition. It is ad- weed out or weaken those strains paratively new method of planting visable to get suggestions from ex- which are less suited to survive, these is the tuber unit system, i.e., all perlenced local fruit growers or the state experiment station. With spring planting many losses can be traced to delay in setting out trees are perfectly dormant. GETTING THE SOIL IN SHAPE. When devoting a piece of land en- wlth the graceful whit* llowert. F«r- sythia, or golden ball, with its bright yellow flowers, well deserves a place among our best flowering shrubs. Diervillas, known also as weigelas or bush honeysuckle, are a delightful group of free-growing shrubs with bell-shhped flowers of various colors. The hydrangeas form a group of hardy shrubs of considerable ioiport- ancr. Mock oranges are sweet-scented, whiw-flowered shrubs of the simplest culture. Syringas, or, as they are more commonly called, lilacs, usually flr.d a place in all collections of 'lower- ing shrubs. Double and single flower- ed, all of them are lovely, the di.<«tiiict and pleasing odor adding greatly to their charm. TEA *is good te^ T4 and extra good is the ORANGE PEKOE QUALITY The April Fool Frolic whereas the stronger strali)« Increase j seed pieces cut from the same tuber In proportion. are planted consecutively. Since varieties differ greatly In | The tubers should first be graded their ability to thrive under different for uniformity of type and size, using! the trees until after' the buds "have conditions of moisture, temperature, tubers from 5 ozs. to 8 ozs. in weight' started into growth; so, to avoid such physical condition of the soil, it is free from visible symptoms of disease. ' a calamity, which means losing a highly important from a practical The plot of ground to be used should year, it Is most Important to have this standpoint that the farmer grow the be well isolated from other potato operation completed while the young variety which is best suited to his fldds. When this is ready to plant, conditions. Thi.t variety can be local- the tubers (previously treated if de- ed only throuc:h comparative tests of sired) are taken to the field and cut different varieties sown in adjoining as they are being planted. The seed plots in his district. After two or pieces from each potato are planted' tirely to an orchard, the entire area' three years' careful testinj?, it should consecutively, leaving short gaps be-' Is usually thoroughly cultivated,! be pospiblo to choose the variety tween the groups of hills from each either by digging very deeply or using which seems to give the most prom- tuber. Stakes may be used to separ- a subsoil plow. The ground should be Ise. If this variety is what Is known ate the units, but the majority of given a liberal coating of manure, as a pure line, by which is meant a growers who practice the method pre-l also a dressing of bone meal, and the variety composed of a single strain, fer to leave a gap equivalent to a land turned over for a second time. It is not likely that so called acclima- , "miss." For two or more years the Interven- tlzation will take place to any appre-i When the plants are about eight Ing spaces between the trees can be ciable extent If, on the other hand, inches high they are carefully inspects- ' devoted to vegetables and straw- ft variety should happen to be a com- ed and where one or more plants In berries. posite one, that is, composed of two a unit are found affected with mosaic,] According to the variety, apples or more strains of varying adapts- leaf roll, spindle tuber or other seed-' come into bearing In about six years iiilities, it is quite possible that ac- borne disease, the entire tuber unit from planting, and the crop will in- climatization may take place by the Is rogued â€" every hill planted from the crease annually as the trees increase rradual increase in the proportion of one potato. Care should be taken in in size. Proper and careful pruning plants belonging to tha best adapted all rogueing to remove the entire hastens early bearing, but Indiscrim- •traln. plant. The plots are inspected two or [ minate pruning may have quite the It was once thought that accHmatl- three times during the season, and opposite effect. During the first sea- ration takes place in a fairly definite all undesirable plants removed. | son superfluous shoots are cut out, the manner in the case of practically all The extra amount of time involved aim at this stage being the future plant life and that any variety might, in planting tuber unit plots is well shape and form of the mature tree, in the course of time, become especial- worth the trouble when a grower has' At the next dormant pruning the pre- ly suited to the conditions under a good strain of potatoes and wishes vious season's growth is cut back by which it was grown. That this point to get them as free from disease as. half, after which the trees will only of view was Incorrect has been clearly possible. The most Important ad van- j require thinning out the centre to demonstrated during recent years, and tages of this system ot planting over keep the head open farmers would be well advised to de- the usual method are that all seed pend more upon comparative te<;t3 of pieces from a diseased tuber are to- different varieties rather than upon gether and may be readily rogued the time-worn theory that sortH grown and that selections for trueness to , , , in a f!i.->trict for many years must in- type and yield may be made by har-] rather closer, as their growth Is more evitably be superior to any new Intro- . vesting each unit separately. More- , "P"^"* ' **7 *°°"* twenty feet, duction. lover the chances of spread of degen-i f ""''-'^Stry *?^; ^^een feet Peach Farmers desirous of comparing a oration diseases are reduced to ai*""!?^' ""^" to twenty feet few of the best varieties of grain of minimum on account of removing the I, ^®*'' "®*'f invariably come into any kind are Invited to communieato entire unit^avhether or not each plant bearing much sooner than apple tree.s with the Cereal Division, Experiment- from that unit shows disease symp-l "J"*,^'." "t" ^^ â- pruning., al Farm, Ottawa, for advice as to toms at the time it is rogued. Varieties that are inclined to grow how to proceed. The above institution This system is being used by a^l^^Y *f" should have the heads cut j is anxious to co-opornte with farmers number of seed potato growers in^"** ,"*''°', *° "ff.^P ^"^ ^^^ wilhinj In different districts in this work as other parts of the continent It has °°^!\^ ""d facilitate gathering tho, It realizes that the soil and fertility been found far superior to the old ,\, " '^ therefore advisable to conditions on a given farm may dif- methods of planting seed plots as mo- ^^^^ \'}^ head low and to encourage an fer to a very considerable extent from sale, leaf roll, spindle tuber atid other "P^" t"°"Bn free-branching habit the conditions under which varieties degeneration diseases can be more . ^'".'T® "â„¢ ^^}- accommodating as •re tested at the Farm at Ottawa. In readily eliminated. There are many *?â- ^°" ^"" '"'"â- ^^ ^'*'' ^** Produce ether words, varieties which do not strains of high-yielding varieties of abundant crops of fine fruit annually.] do particularly well at Ottawa might potatoes that should be planted fori A,"®/ require little pruning except, be most desirable to grow under cer-j one or two years at least in tuber unit ^'^- "«ces8ary in shaping the tree. THE ROOM THEY NEED. Apple trees are planted at twenty-five feet apart Pear least trees tain conditions met with on a given farm some distance away. Where a farmer does not wish to take the time to conduct a compar- ative test of different sorts on his plots in order to eliminate degenera- tion diseases and bring them into good condition for certified seed. Any grower desiring assistance in preparing a tuber unit seed plot may The peach tree does not require much pruning, if we except cutting back the strongest grdwths and, if necessary, thinning out some of the ; weakest branches should they be- farm but would like to have the! obtain such by applying to tho nearest ''"'"t ^^J'^o^'^.^*'- ^ But when first variety he is growing compared at Dominion Laboratory of Plant Pa- P'a"y«a the entire head is cut off to the Experimental Farm at Ottawa thology. within two feet from the ground. â- â- â€" â€" â€"m TWO EXCELLENT BERRIES. POULTRY ** a buttermilk growing mash. There Raspberries are one of our most _^ are many excellent commercial ra- esteemed small fruits. They do best When the chicks aro a few days old tions of this kind on the market 'n a deep, well-manured and falriy ^from two to five daysâ€" they should, should you desire to mix your own' moist soil, though they are not too 66 given access to a good chick butter- 1 ^ash feed, the following formula has fastidious on that account They milk starting mash, and when about three weeks old this may be changed Seeds for Sale Spring Fever and Poultry. By S. W. Knlpe As spring comes upon us every year there are numerous enquiries made by people who have kept a lew hens and wonder If they should go Into tho poultry business on a large scale. This article Is especially Intended (or such Inquirers. Just a few days ago a friend told ! me that the 16 pullets he got lastj August had laid 1,012 eggs during November, December and January, and at sanve rate of laying, allowing Uiree months for rest and molt they would average 202.4 eggs each In the twelve months. "Don't you think I should give up my Job and go into poultryT" ho said ; to which I replied, I "No." He has Mi'itable vacant l^Ad, a | little money and Is Interested In the | game. What more is needed? That' which Is needed In every walk of Hfe â€" ' experience. Hatching a few chicks under a hem In the cellar or in a | wooden box is> a vastly different thing | than hatching a ooivple of thousand eggs In an Incubator. The hen looks' after the heat, turning and ooollmg ot 1 the eggs, sihelters her ohlcks from the ' storms, protects thjem from danger. Taking the hen off for a feed at night, putting her back on her eggs a«aln, supplying the chicks with hard boiled eggs and other feed, then seeing they are closed up for tho nlgibt la Ta«tly different to caring for Incubators and brooders. Incubating and brooding one to two thousand, yes, eiven flTej hundred chicks in chilly days of March and April Is quite a different propoel-| tion to leaving It to the old hen in the ' warm days of June. You may think I the difference le so sllg^ht that It does > not prove a difficulty. It so^ just try. | But take my advice and don't Without the required experietice you ' are apt to meet with sad dlsos'ter. You I may have your brooder tomiperature I Just fine at night The next morning, j your fire in brooder may be almost out Experience wiU teach one that, machines are not perfect and weather j cannot be depended upon. It Is pos- 1 Bible to have most of your eggs in j incubator fertile, and even after the second tost the greater majority pro-j miso to produce live chicks. Then at the critical moment a little neglect < In attending your Are or lamip may 1 mean every chick chilled or cooked. | There are dozens of other things I which go to making success or failure, I even after your chicks are out Feed- 1 Ing the wrong sort of feed, dampness or drafts, will also play havoc in the sturdiest flock of chicks. Considering all. It would be wlsio to continue in a S'mall way /or two or \ three years. Got an incubator and brooder, try them on the Uttle space j you have. Then, If you are successful and atill Interested, take the "plunge." 1 Artificial Incubating and brooding Is | the only thing possible on a oommer- j clal plant. Clucking bens cannot al- ! ways be secured when they are re-i quired, and. In fact the coat ot koep-{ Ing a hundred or more hens for such a i purpose Is entirely prohibitive. There- 1 fore it I» absolutely neceestjy to have ' a thorough practical knowledge along these lines. "I'd like to give a real foolish party," said Eleanor Parker to her best chum, Myra Spencer, over a pan of fudgre one March afternoon. "All right, let's!" agreed Myra. "Where'U we give it?" "At my house, of course!" said Eleanor. "Why not at my house?" objected Myra. "Why not both houses?" laughed! Eleanor. Then she stopped suddenly' as an idea took hold of her mind.' "Myra, why don't we? Give it at both houses. I'll have the games and funj at my house, and you have the re-: freshments at yours. Don't you see how that will fool them?" And BO the party was planned. All| the boys and girls of the young crowd who always had such good times to- gether received a few days later, an' envelope containing an apparently, blank card, on each side of which was , written in the corner the word; "Over." Of course they turned them every way, held them to the light and to the heat, but soon discovered that| the card was double and was pasted, together around the edge, except for one small corner. When they tore it apart they found the invit.ition writ- ten inside, asking them to a surprise party for Myra on April 1. They were' to meet at Eleanor's and proceed to. Myra's around the comer in a body. When April 1 arrived they appear- ed without exception at Myra's house. | But the house was dark, no one ans-' wered the bell, which they rang in-' sistently. "Well, there's only one, thing to do, and that is to come back I to my house and have our party there," said Eleanor resignedly. When all had responded with a shout to this suggestion, Myra stuck her head out the window and called, "April fool, folksl Can I come along?" j You can imagine what a sensation that made, and how keyed up the crowd was for the fun prepared for them at Eleanor's. When they had removed their hats and settled down she gave out little slips of paper to each one. On them she had written Instructions for a joke that must be' played on certain persons before the evening was over. Thus Myra drew, "Make Rus Ryan think his tie is crooked." Every time one of the crowd succeeded in getting his joke over and was able to cry "April fool" he threw his paper into a big ha*- Those with papers left had to pay a forfeit. Everywhere possible Eleanor had arranged the rooms with triciis. Thus magazines were stuck to each other, a cushion was leM over a Si^&Uesii chair, a picture turned to the wall had April fool written across it when turned. A bidden electric fan blew a sudden blast in a dark comer of the hall. An alarm clock hidden in a candy box went off at a crucial m»- menti. The rugs were rolled back and th* canned music turned on for dancing. Just a little earlier than usual, Myra said she must go home. This started things, and all agreed with her. Would somebody walk home with hert They would all g^ When they reach- ed the Spencer house it was ablaze with light, and the door was flung open to the jolly crowd. What was their surprise to see set through the middle of the dining room and living room a long table. It did not take long for them to realize that the party was a real one at last In the centre of the table was a huge bouquet of roses, which when one leaned over to smell them proved to be artificial and gave off an odor of onions. For place cards Myra had gotten up conundrums or "jokes"* upon each guest. The favors were silk dunce cap pin cushions for the girls and little calendars for the men with April 1 ringed in red. A delicious supper followed, but it seemed to come on reversed. What looked to be ice cream and cake prov- ed to be brown bread iced with cream cheese and a croquet covered with white sauce served in a sherbet glass. The ice cream was disg^iised as a Balad in a paper cup imbedded in let* tuce leaves and sprinkled with chop- ped nuts and fruit Crackers were iced with chocolate to look like large mints. White cake was baked in a breadpan and cut in thin slices^ Can- dies looked like nuts. It was a great "sell," all declared, but they also added that they would be glad to be sold again in the same way. D MAPLErSUGAR TIME BY C. O. ORMSBEB. PM I oiiDIr l> Dolrd tot lU bUtlguilltr â€"it, ftit Br,.l Ilnu,fc Bta^pum. OnL. U loi-«u4 U UW . . . j , j , . . .„ tM> o-nin Qi tnu duiricL It bu uri« diuauurt and ten of dried buttermilk Oriam. VulruUvl > ll SptrUI kU^lttt, Bc4 Pmn. AMka. Sarrri Cloran. Tlmolhjt. «•<>.. «U.« if* loM 4tm.-t to ttrmrn, may PW1. la uv tlM tol4 Vnu u >ar« tof prto* flat. PEkL SKCO HOUCI. Otiwii given excellent results; Thirty pounds should bo planted two feet apart, al of wheat bran, ten pounds of wheat lowing four feet between the rows middlings, ten pounds of ground hull- When planting in the spring the ed oats, ten pounds of oil meal, ton canes are cut down close to the ; pounds of corn meal, ten pounds of ffround, and, of course, no fruit isj gluten feed, ten pounds of meat scrap ^''Pected until the second year. When: id ten of dried buttermilk. | the canes come into bearing make It a The buttermilk mash should be fed '"^^^ *<> cut away the old canes immo- In hoppers or feeding troughs so ar-l diately after the crop has been gath- ranged that the cfhicks will not waste' "red, retaining tho young ones. The! the mash, but so that they can have yo«ng growths springing from the| access to it at all times. Begin to base of tho plant are thinned ojt tOj feed tha mash sparingly until the^""' or five, retaining the strongest | chicks get used to it Keep sour milk' The young canes must be tied to tho or semisolid buttermilk before tho; wire trellis, spreading them out wen-' chick-s throughout their growing life. ^V <hat they may all receive their full HORSE air. Early in' are pinched out. share of sun and spring the tips evenly. Blackberries, equally desirable n.i the raspberry, are cultivated very int rijam. kllchfu. llini hr4. room*. b«(h, UfM^ m4 ctotim ' »l^ iiKlr ctCjr cutnnc*, roodwork, •i4lM. noOTliw, wl»> tut, valnu, Iiu4m«. f*Wa, loifbto ImtradtMn (M 4n^ •li la fMr ttattan, f« la u M ttUt «iicto4M alt lamtm nt la fit: tniii Iniarlor woodwork, tUlaf. floarliw, wi»> 4owa. 0«or«. (Ibk, taofinr w411i ( Iwi. rrrlvtll Ml( §^r-NOT f.«TABI.B. MMf atrlaa tiiKof tnm. Writa KOaf I" FRM K>!«a Aia«4to CaUlow Nr. AMI jKe CanadUn AUddh Co., LhmttI! A'.t J^ta BuiMlr.f, Tamils, Ont. ISSUE No. 11- :^af Alfalfa is a splendid horse feed, but must be fed with judgment and care. Because of its palatability, ma-' • ,!i„_i„ i,..i u i _ . ." 1 . . Ill 1 , i i. , ismularly, but being more rampant in tiire horses are likely to eat too much „^,„ty, %y,„ „i...,f= „,. „nâ„¢.!i _„"' alfalfa if permitted to have free ac- cess to it. Tho average farm horso at work Is allowed to eat much more alfalfa and other roughage than he really needs to maintain his weight One pound of alfalfa or other hay, and nearly one and one-fourth pounds of grain per day for each 100 pounds of a horse's weight, make a good ra- tion for an average working horse. Horses like alfalfa sterna. Refuse from the cattle racks is very accept- able to horses. Feed mature horses first and sec- ond cutting alfalfa, which Is free from mold and dust Never feed wet alfalfa hay to horsoo. O â- A man ran have more frtenda than he t>eed« If he has plenty «f nonay and toat partlcukA growth the plants are allowed more space. j SHRUBS THAT DEIIOHT THB EYB. I The home grounds are greatly im-j proved by the judicious use of shrubs. I Among the early-flowering shrubs ono| that is not grown as frequently as it deserves is Spiraea thunbergii with lla masses of starry bloom in May. Then there is Spiraea prunlfolia with its long wreaths of double blossoms. The cercls, <it Judas tree, is always welcome In the early spring when laden with Its wealth of rosy-purple blossoms which appear before the leavea. The dentstas are highly ornamental, the variety gracilis being the most popular and best known. Established planta flower profusely every spring, tka cattn ahrnb becoming (motbercd Assists Farmers to Purchase Live Stock. The Minister of Agriculture for Canada, Hon. W. R. Motherwell, by the carrying out of policies adminis-; tered by the Live Stock Branch of his: Department, has, during the past^ fiscal year, eitiier for breeding or! feeding, been able to conserve a large' number of live stock consigned to' stockyards and abattoirs. Unfinished j steers to the number of 80,717, 89,024, heifers, 673 sows and 48,000 sheep were, under the arrangement referred to, returned to the farms for breeding purposes in the case of females and for finishing into good beef in the case of feeder cattle. Two policies are Involved in this service, one, the re- mission of freight charges, brought about by an arrangement between the Live Stock Branch and the railway, companies, and the other, tho payment of the reasonable travelling expenses! of farmers making the purchases. The| Minister's report, which supplies this information, makes It clear that thei assistance thus given was avnilablo' for stock purchased for breeding or further feeding by the purchaser and not for speculative purposes. Big fields are much cheaper to plow and cultivate than small ones. Chapped Hands or Face Cured by one application of MEDORA CREAM. I^eaves skin smooth and vel- vety. XT^ed exclusively In Toronto General Itaiipltal for ten years. Ask your druggist for 60c bottle and pre- serve your yonthful complexion, or Fcnt postpaid on receipt ot BOo. J. A. MacDonald, Phm.B., M Hogarth Ave., Terontab Maple sap, as it flows from the tree,' is as clear as purest water. Were it possible and practicable to concen-! trate it by congelation as soon as it leaves the tree, without exposure to light or a warm atmosphere, instead of by evaporation over a fire, the^ syrup would be colorless and trans- j parent, while the sugar would be as white as the best granulated sugar.! Both would rank even higher among the most delicious products of the con- fectioner's art. Contrary to the impression that is prevalent in many sections of the country, an extremely light color, combined with a deliciously delicate flavor, forms the essential character- istics of a high-gprade maple product On the other hand, a dark color, com- bined with a strong, rank flavor. Is positive indication of a low-grade pro- duct, denoting carelessness in man- ipulation. As intimated above, exposure to the action of light and warm air, as well as a long storage, has a tendency to darken the product and to detract from its flavor. More than this, the sap seems as susceptible as milk to bacteria influence. These conditions fnvor the development of several kinds of bacteria, all of which hinder tho production of a high grade of sugar. It is the bacteria that darken the product and give it the strong, rank flavor which, among the unini- tiated, passes for the maple flavor, and which is tolerated only by reason of the reputation possessed by the true maple flavor. Methods of evaporation also have a very great influence upon tho quality of the product. The correct method is to conduct the evaporation in large, shallow pans or evaporators. This method has been almost universally adopted. But there are good and bad methods even here. Those pans are set upon arches of stone or brick or iron, and heat Is applied by means of a fire built be- neath. The steam originat"^ in little bubbles, each being held upon the bot- tom of the pnn by means of a thin film â€" somc'what analojrous to the fi!m which incloses a soap bul>b!e â€" an 1 Materially strengthened liy Iho v.-cight of the sap above. While so confined. it forms a vacuum beneath, thus leaw ing a space upon the bottom of the pan that is bare of liquid and fully exposed to the blazing fire beneath. SECRET OF QUALITY. " The natural consequence is that, as must be expected, particles of sugar adhering to the metal of the pan be- come scorched and thus transformed into caramel, a substance of a dark brown color, possessing a bitter and somewhat acrid flavor. As soon as the film bursts and the steam escapes, the surrounding sap rushes in, fills the space, washes away the caramel and disseminates it throughout every part of the .boiling sap or syrup, thus imparting, in a measure, both the color and flavor of the caramel to the product. Now it is obvious that the deeper the sap above the fllm, the more the film will be re-enforced, and the greater will be the power necessary to burst, the film. "This being true^ it is equally oBvious that the deeper the sap the longer time the space in- closed by the film must be exposed to the action of the heat More caramel will be formed, and darker and more acrid will it be made. Its influence will be greater. Maple sap evaporated at a uniform depth of four inches in the pan will yield a product many shades darker than if evaporated at half that depth. This point is well established, and the Quebec maple-su^r makers, who aim at the production of the highest grade of product, never allow the sap in the evaporator to reach the depth of even one inch. This, of course, requires a closer attention to detail, and involves a somewhat greater cost for labor. On the other hand, it is economical of fuel, and It Is the one great secret of the fine quality of Quebec maple product .s. If you wruld produce the highest grade of maple sugar products, see .to it that the sap in your evaporator la maintained at the least possible depth consistent with safety. . « Horns are prevented from develop- ing by thoroughly rubbing a stick of caustic potash upon the dampened skin over each horn button when the calf is less than one week old. Apply lard or vaseline freely around tlie horn button. Wrap oa"> end of the caustic pencil with etrotvg psper ta protect the fin.gera. Keep caustV) oiil ot calf's eyes. â€" Dr. A. S. Alexauden i ] 4. I t \ i } T e t £ I I I i I I J • r b « o II I. i Roller skates were tint patented to Merlin, a Flemish masieal-la«te»iaMi| maker, in X7C0.