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RTJRAL LIFE. -

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RTJRAL LIFE. BY A SON OF THE SOIL. A HOSE OUTFIT. In conversation with a practical gardener the I ether day I was somewhat surprised to learn how necessary it is to have a proper hose outfit, con- sisting not only of hose piping, but also of sprays ef different sizes and shapes. Acting on his advice, indeed, I made certain purchases, and have been well satisfied with the result, for it is much easier A HOSE OUTFIT. I to get down to the roots of strawberries, seedlings, and bedding-out plants with a proper spray than with the old-fashioned single-rose watering-pot. The results have been astonishing, for it is well known that it is the roots of plants and not the foliage which require watering, and it was impos- sible to do this properly with the old-fashioned appliances. ON DIPPIXG SIIEEP. The discussion at a recent meeting of the Central and Associated Chambers of Agriculture on com- pulsory dipping was very instructive, although there was no doubt considerable differences of opinion, judged by the speeches made. It is un- doubtedly necessary, and i:i carried out in all well- regulated flocks. In former times flockmasters had recourse to salving. or smearing as a preventive and remedy for parasitic attacks on their sheep. That system, however, has now been laid aside in favour of the more effective and less expensive process of dipping. The old method of smearing, an operation which consisted of soiling the back and sides of the sheep with a mixture of tar and grease, had the reputation of greatly damaging the selling value of the wool as well as being some- what costly. For these reasons, and also owing to the rise in the price of wool, farmers were not slow in discarding the practice of smearing, and no one has ever greatly mourned the change. DEVON LONG-WOOLLT5D SHEEP. I It was laborious work; and I e-ides, so long as it t was practised the uouuity wa- never of scabbed sheep. Neither \\as it so good a destroyer of ticks as could be wished, so Mint n the whole one may be thankful for the di.,e,v, ry of improved methods in keeping sheep tree iiom the ravages of vermin tad disease. As the time for dipping, it is not advisable, for the sake of the health of the sheep, to dip them during cold weather and it is also a mistake to subject mvw. !v nvy in Jamb to the unavoidable rotr-h iisaae occasioned by the process. For these reasons, dipping should either be per- formed shortly after the shearing time or about October, before tht' cuid weather of winter sets in, and ewes in lamb not laer than January or FEBRUARY I hope the sketch of a Devon iong. -Woolled" sheep will satisfy my correspondent, who is anxious to know the difference regarding appear- ance between a Southdown and a Devon. BEGONIAS IN HANGING BASKET. In the first place, it is very essential that the basket be thoroughly lined, as if this is not done properly it will be a source of trouble throughout the season. Good, flaky moss is one of the best materials we have; indeed, for small baskets it is absolutely necessary, but for large ones thin closely- woven turves are very good. They should be placed with the grass side outwards, and arranged so closelv as to prevent the soil dropping through, thus feaving a basin-shaped space for planting. The reason that moss is preferable to turves for small baskets is it does not occupy so much space, thus allowing as great an amount of room as possible for the roots. In planting, equal parts of loam and peat form a very suitable compost, and it should be of a fairly rough, fibrous nature, as in this state it is much less likely to be washed away in watering than if fine. To facilitate watering, the soil must be-kept a little below the lining of the basket. As the plants develop and the roots take possession of the compost, a stimulant in the shape of some of the many artificial manures, or that prepared from cow or sheep droppings, must be given about every fortnight. One caution to be particular observed in the case of plants growing in hanging baskets is, that from their position they naturally dry sooner than if kept in pots; hence it is very necessary to see that they do not suffer from want of water. THE CAMPINE FOWL. I am pleased to know thai, judged by inquiries which have reached me respecting the Campine, the efforts of Mr. John 'Lee and others to popu- larise the variety have not been made in vain. As THE CAMPINE. I 3he illustration shews, the bird is a handsome one, and there is not the least doubt when its qualities become better known that it will rank with other utilitarian breeds, and be found in more yards than is at present the case. EXTERMINATION OF RATS. The following is a plan that has been found very satisfactory in ridding the fowlhouse and run of rats; Get some Scotch oatmeal, er barley flour will do, and place it at first sparingly in a small heap at some spot frequented by the rats—generally under a board or in a place out of the way of the fowls. Examination in the morning will soon reveal if any proportion has been eaten; if not, let it remain night after night until you find the rodents have consumed the greater proportion. Then place more, but not too lavishly; you will find in a few nights the rats greatly increase in numbers but never give more food than appears to be well eaten up. In the next place, procure some newly-made plaster of Paris if not good and recently manufactured it is altogether valueless. Mix, in a perfectly dry state, without any water whatever, in equal pro- portion with the same kind of meal previously used; but not in a greater aggregate quantity than the previous nightly supply. Carefully managed, after such lengthy enticements, rats or mice wil} consume ravenously their "last meal"; for, in a very short time after eating it, the plaster causes intense inflammation of the bowels, with fearful thirst, whilst water instantly produces death, though they will invariably take it if within reach. The great advantage of this plan over "poison" is this--af ter the death of a mouse or rat, even should cats or other domestic animals eat the catrcase, no injury will arise to them, as the plaster has become powerless altogether, and they may therefore consume it with impunity. In conclusion, the bait should be nightly laid for at least a fort- night to inspire thorough confidence and secure full attendance. A good book on rat-catching is "Full Revelations of a Professional Rat-catcher," price Is. It can be obtained at the office of Our Dogs, Gore- street, Piccadilly, Manchester. r SIEBOLD'S JAPANESE PRIMROSES. This, a fine-group of which, with vari-coloured flowers, was recently shewn at the Drill Hall, West- minster, is a native of Japan, and quite hardy. The foliage dies down in the autumn, leaving in the soil a quantity of small buried crowns that are found at the ends of the creeping rhizomes, these in due time in the early spring developing leaves and flowers. The flowers are borne in medium-sized clusters on stems some 6in. or 8in. high. In the type the flowers are pale red in colour, but we have now many diverse shades, varying from pure white to deep red, the foliage also in many cases very prettily laciniated. For blooming in the green, house during March and April we have few things so useful, while for outdoor effect in May they ought to be freely planted. If grown in pots, they must not be codd'ed in any way, cool treatment being all they require. For pots use soil composed of half loam and half peat, with plenty of sand. After the foliage has died down in the summer the pots should be placed in a cool frame and slightly watered, so as to ripen the crowns. About October they may be re-potted. Shake out the old plants, pick out all having leaf crowns, and sort them into sizes, putting about a dozen of the strongest into a 6in. pot. Cover over with some of the soil referred to, water well, and again stand in the frame,covering lightly with ashes in severe weather. In order to keep up a succession of blooms a few plants may be brought into a cool greenhouse in January, and as soon as these shew flower remove them to the conservatory and bring in another batch. Do not stake the flower spikes in any way, as, if plenty of light and juris given,the stems will stand up erect. If planted in the op^n air, give an elevated position, so that any moisture can drain away freeiv, using the same compost or mixture of soil as just recommended for pot culture. AVSWISKS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "T. K."—Mr. Ie f-e.v.lbetter, of Hazlumerc Park, High Wycombe, migJit. be able to advise you. He has a very Me L nnel both of mastiffs and Great Danes. Inquiries concerning appliances illustrated or referred to in t'.ii'•> column should be addressed to "A Son of the Soil," care of the Editor of this journit. Replies will be given in "Answers to Correspondents," or, if a, stamped addressed envelope is ejiciose-J, tiie re^.urod iut jrumtion will be II ior». iudoU L-l post.

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