Poisonous Potato Sprouts

The sprouts of the potato contain an alkaloid, termed by chemists solanine, which is very poisonous if taken into the system. It does not exist in the tubers unless they are exposed to light and air, which sometimes occurs from the accidental removal of the earth in cultivation.

Propagating Plants

To propagate geraniums and calceolarias, do not let the plants flower too soon, but pinch off the first appearing bloom, and pinch out the eyes of all straggling branches, which will immediately throw out side-shoots, thus forming very healthy and strong as well as good-shaped plants. Give preference to those plants which have their branches close to the surface of the soil.

Germination Of Seeds

The germination of seeds can be watched at every stage of its progress by laying the seeds between moist towels and placing the latter between plates. The towels can be lifted without damage to the tender sprouts.

Vitality Of Seeds

Seed will not germinate if they are too old, and disappointment and delay often result. Experience of seedsmen indicates that, if properly gathered and preserved, beans will retain vitality 2 years , beet, 7; cabbage, 4; carrot, 2; sweet corn, 2; cucumber, 10; lettuce, 3; melon, 10; onion, 1; parsnip, 1; peas, 2; radish, 3, ; squash, 10; tomato, 7; turnip, 4.

How To Protect From Dogs Sheep

An old sheep-raiser says that the most efficacious plan is to provide 15 or 20 sheep, in a flock of 100, each with a globular bell about the size of a teacup.

Sleigh

The length of the double whiffletree and the neck-yoke for a sleigh should be just as long as the sleigh is wide from the centre of one runner to the other.

How To Destroy Rose Slugs

Wood-ashes must be sifted on early in the morning while the leaves are damp, the branches being turned over carefully, so that the under sides of the leaves, to which the young slugs (ding, may get their share of the siftings. If the night, has been dewless, in order to make the work thorough, first sprinkle the bushes, and the ashes will then cling to the slugs, to their utter destruction.

A Simple Sub-Soil Drain

An excellent subsoil drain may be made by digging a trench, and filling in the bottom with sticks of wood, compressing them together with the feet, and then covering them with the mould. The effectiveness of such a drain will endure tor several years, and the final decay of the wood will serve to enrich the soil.

Mordants For Dyeing With Sumac

The mordants used for dyeing with sumac are either tin, acetate of iron, or sulphate of zinc. The first gives yellow, the second gray or black, according to strength, and the third greenish-yellow.