Farm and Garden.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 406, 18 February 1904, Page 2

Farm and Garden.

ORIGINAL * ARTICLES, "'f; \ -. COVER CBOFSIN GBOHABDS. the latest practices ia fruit .«/»& growing ia the° ; use ofvuWergropa'' ia the orohard, and the practice originated from the necessity of improving and restoring the fertility of the soil. It ia essentially a system of green manuring. There'are two general classes of plants used for cover crops, legumes or plants which assimilate free nitrogen by ,the aid of micro-organisms | and plants, which do not gather nitrogen. To the former clasß belong clovers, Vetoheß, cowpeas, and soy beane; to the latter rye, oats, buckwheat, and ; rape. ;\ ;% AIF ! r cove!r^ , oi<^'' v aira'' / b«Be^<riftl'^iu f that they add vegetable matter to the soil, thereby improving its physical con-

dition and making it more congenial for the roots of Ithe plants; Apart from the benefits derived from cover cropß by their hbo to add fertility and as general soil improves, there is another use which ia not sufficiently appreciated by fruit growers, namely, »b a protection for the roots of the trees. A considerable amount of root killing of frnit trees can be obviated by the use of rape as a cover crop. The use of rape as a cover crop has not been sufficiently tried to warrant dtrong recommendations. It has' been

reported by good authorities- that rape, together with other members of the crucifeiiß family, its capable pf making available the insoluble phosphates in the soil. That fact alone ought to make rape a valuable cover crop when the orchards are in heavy bearing. Farther experiments along that line will doubtless demonstrate its value to orohardists. In selecting a suitable plant for cover crop the fruit grower should be guided by the condition of his orchard and the fertility of the soil. If the soil produces a heavy wood growth, rye, oats, <,.■ buckwheat should be used, as those will not add so much nitrogen to the soil. Bat H the trees' make' a*poor' wood growth it is generally an indication that nitrogen is wanted, and, in sthat-casei sleguminous plants should be used $ -all cover crops should be turned as early as possible in the spring , solas' to give the materials a chance to decay before the summer drought Afterward the orchard should be given frequent shallow; cultivation throughoutthegrowingseason. ,

BUFF OBPINGTONS. The popular Buff Orpington ia a new breed very much in favour at the present time. Their specialties are that they grow an 3 mature more quickly than; most other breeds, they are large in size, bardy, good foragers, and, being rich in colour, they are very attractive. As a- table fowl they are superb, the meat being of a very juioy and fine grain, with large plump breasts' and fine bodies throughout. As layers of eggs, both winter and summer, they are not excelled by any other breed. They are the best of mothers and sitters j being naturally quiet, they can be eaailj removed if. one so desires; yet they are easily broken up when wanting to sitj and do not wait a month or so to commence laying, but usually are again laying eggß in from eight to twelve days. They, have proved profitable even when confined in small yards, but when allowed to roam are still more so. When young they are hardy; many people are J able to \ raise eighty-nine per cent of those hatched. Most people only give young chicks grit and water until forty-eight hours old $ then a very little hard-boiled egg mixed with breadcrumbs or dry oatmeal, and continue that for some time with an occasional meal of millet or cracked wheat in their scratching material, which may be chaff, until they are about, two weeks old, when gradually change to*" the following : one-fourth bran, one-fourth dry breadcrumbs, one-half corn-meal, and a little salt and pepper; pour on it a little scalding hot water until it becomes a orumbhng mass,.and allow it to remain half an hour and then add some animal meal. >r beef scraps, a little chopped onfoas, potatoes, or some green' food. Always have a good supply of pure water available for their use, also some grit and charcoal, and always exercise a watchful care over them in regard to" keeping them free from lice.