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"THE FARMER IS THE FOUNDER OF CIVILIZATION.'-WEBSTER.
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A MONTHLY NEWSPAPER
DEVOTED TO
AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE, PRACTICAL ENTOMOLOGY. DOMESTIC ECONOMY
AND GENERAL MISCELLAN\.
EDITED BY PROF. S. S. RATHVON.
VOLUME XI-1879.
LANCASTER, PA.:
JOHN A. HIESTAND, PUBLISHER
1879.
"THE FARMER IS THE FOUNDER OF CIVILIZATION.'-WEBSTER.
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A MONTHLY NEWSPAPER:
DEVOTED TO
AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE, PRACTICAL ENTOMOLOGY, DOMESTIC ECONOMY
AND GENERAL MISCELLANV
EDITED BY PROF. S. S. RATHVON.
VOLUME XI-1879.
LANCASTER, PA.:
JOHN A. HIESTAND, PUBLISHER
1879.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME ELEVEN.
About Corn and Wheat, 189
Annual Meeting State Board of Agri-
culture, 2
A New Grain, 2
As Others See Us a, 17
Andidote for Currant Worms, 3
About Eels, 4
Accepting Invitations, 14
Ammonia in the Air, 27
Agricultural and Horticultural Society
Proceedings, 11, 37, 42, 57
74, H9, 106, 133, 138, 153, 170,186
Ampelopsis Vietchii, 30
Ammonia in the Household, 31
Albemarle Apple, The, 30
A Grape Swindler, 34
A Chapter on Macaroni, 36
A Word iu Reply, 41
Ancient House and Barn, An, 46
American Wheat in Spain, 47
American Produce Abroad, 47
A Model Postmaster, 49
Around the Farm, 53
An Experiment in Planting, 62
About Eggs, 69
Amounts of Sugar iu Nectar, 73
An Immense Farm, 76
A Good Night Lamp, 77
Apple Preserves, 78
A Good Word for Bees, 79
A Flock of Hens, SO
A Word More, 86
American's Advantage, The, 86
A Champion Wheat Field, 88
About Potatoes, 92
Apple Dumpliug, 94
Ambei Pudding, 94
Apple Orchards, 109
Artificial Fertilizers, 117
Analysis of the Farmer, 177
Aphids Persica, 179
Apluds 179
A New Wheat, 125
About Corn, 125
Advantaire of Staying in Bed, 126
Animal Food, 137
Altitudes in Pennsylvania, 153
A New Use for Miillein, 153
Ajjple Piclting and Keeping, 157
Apple Omelet, 158
American Butter and Cheese in Eng-
land, 109
Apples and Apple Trees, 174
Abutilon, The, 174
Apple Jelly, 175
Apple Tree Borer, The, 16
Among the New Strawberries, 135
Application of Manure, 155
Agricultural Society as a School, The,
Best Time to Cut Scions, 10
Bedrooms — Ventilation, 14
Butter-Malcing, 14
Burning Green Wood Wasteful, 14
Bitter-Swei-t, 23
Balance of Trade, The, '£i
Buy Your Trees at Home, 30, 'U
Bake-Egtrs, To, 31
Bee-Keepers' Association, Proceedings,
43, 90, 124, 171
Broiled Kidney, 48
Best Kind of Eggs, Tlie 48
Buckwheat Cakes and Sausages, 51
Balance of Trade, 53
Boston Meat Pie, 62
Burns and Scalds, 63
Book Farming, Ii7
Bone Dust, 76
Bananas, 77
Baked Fish, 78
Belostomo gratuKs, The, 81
Bee Labor, 86
Borers' Eggs, 108
Barns and Barnyards, 109
Best Yeast Known, The, 109
Butter-Making, 109
Balky Horses, 111
Black Bass, The, 119
British Wheatfields, 120
Butter Factory Organized, 120
Best Time to Cut Wheat, The, 125
Bags for Protecting Grapes, 125
Blackberry Wine, 126
Bake Buckwheat Cakes, To, 126
Bake Eggs, To, 126
Baked Indian Pudding, 126
Barnyard and Coop — Profits of, 127
Bark-Lice on Apple Trees, 141
Blackberry, The, 142
Breakfast Bacon, 142
Brattleboro Fricassee, 143
Breakfast Biscuit, 143
Boiled Pudding, 143
Bees Work in the Dark, Why, 144
Balance of Nature, The, 153
Beet Sugar, 157
Beef Soup, 158
Bone Dust, 173
Bakers' Gingerbread, 175
B-own Leghorn, 80
Contributors, To, 1
Cold Snap, 4
Cooking feed for Stock, 10
Couch Grass for Hay, 13
Corn and Cob Meal, 15
Christmas Rose, 18
Correction, IS
Culture and Trainin;;' of the VinCi 21
Cattle of Lancaster County, 22
Cattle, Texas, 22
Corn Drills, 29
Color for Wicker Baskets, 31
Crantjerries, 31
Chocolate Cake, 31
Correspondents, To, 33
County Fairs, 33
Chemical Fanning, 36
Care of Fruit Trees, The, 39
Current Slug, To Destroy, 46
Clover Seed^Fly, 46
Cranberry Culture, 55
Corn Culture, 61
Cup Fruit Cake, 62
Cookies for Children, 62
Cranberry Rools, 62
Caponized Fowls, 63
Chicken Cholera, 6j
Cofilinu Motli Bands, 66
Cider Vinegar from Beets, 71
Composts for Tobacco, 72
Cream Insteail of Butter, 77
Cleansing; Brussels Carpet, 78
Cheap Pudding, 78
Color iu Jerseys, 78
Corn-Plant Weevil, 83
Couatdns Obscurux, 83
Compound Grape Gall, 83
Couimuuicatiou, 84
Correspondeuc, 84
Cypripedum Acaicle^ 85
Cord Wood in an Acre, 93
Cooking Potatoes, 94
Charlotte Kusse, 94
Chilliugham Wild Cattle, The, 95
Cheap Puultry House, A, 96
Uow Biintiiii:, ^-i-., The, 99
Calulpa Tree, The, 99
Curciilii), Tlie, lUU
Cussida Gullala, 107
Capturiiii; Curculios, IDS
Curious Facts About Insects, 108
Charcoal on Land, 108
Cuti.inu; Cornstalks, 109
Corn Cubs, 109
Curiosities iu Pomology, 109
Cottage Pudding, 110
Cook Pumpkin, To, 110
' Coffee Cake, 110
, Cows, 111
' Calves, 111
. Cultivated Wheat, 115
I Cutting Away our Forests, 121
1 Commou Elder, The, 122
County Fair, A, 1-4
Cutting and Curing Hay, 124
Cultivate More Turnips, 125
Cleanse a Itubber Piano Cover, To,
Cranberry Jelly, 12G
Caterpillars. 130
Cuttock for Hogs, 137
Cabbage Worm, The, 141
Currant Culture, 141
Care of Farm Implements, 142
Cheese Pudding, 143
Cucumber Pickles, 143
Common Sense, 145
Cultivating Wheat in England, 15«
Chinese Cookery, 158
Cheap Ice House, 158
185
Coflfee Ice Cream, 158
Cows in Winter, 158
Cattle Belt, 159
Colic in Stock, 159
Chicken Cholera, 160
Cold Snap, The, 163
Colorado— Pitkin, 164
Coptix Trifolia, 165
California, 165
Comfortable Quarters for Stock, 168
Changing Seed, 173
Care of Potatoes, &e., 174
Care of Plants in Winter, 174
Cheap Ice House, A, 175
Clean Wall Paper, To, 175
Clean Black Lace, To, 175
Condensed Truth, 178
Cicada Septendeeim, 180
Christmas Greeting, A, 180
Cisterns, 180
Coffeee— A Coffee Field in Brazil,
Cough Mixture, 190
Cliickens to Boil, 189
Cleaning Fruit Trees, 189
Comparative Value of Woods, 186
Cleaning Tinware, 190
Cracked Hubs, 190
Cream Muffins, 190
Chicken Cheese, 190
Choosing Stock for the Farm, 190
Dwarf Pears, 13
Diseases of the Pear, 30
Deep and Shallow Plowing, 47
Degeneracy in Fowls, 48
Destroy House Insects, To, 78
Difference, The, 78
Disinfection, lOi
Dutch Dairy Farm, A, 105
Dominique Fowl, The, 111
Duchesse Potatoes, 126
Delicious Vegetable Soup, A, 126
Destruction of Lice on Fowls, 128
Depth of Sowing Wheat, 189
Dysentery as a Bee Disease, 191
Delicate Cake, 190
Duty of Our Farmers, The, 183
Drop-Worm, 130
Drivinu- Aft.T E;ilin-, 143
Des
1)8
158
Dulc
Dressed Boiled Fish, 94
Entomological Manipulations, 8
Essays and Address, 5
Evening Milk Richest, 31
Earache, 31
Essays on Entomology, 33
Essay— I. G., 40
Experiments with Moths, 46
Early Cabbage and Tomatoes, 47
E.xperimeut in Planting, 63
Eggs in Case of Trouble, 63
Eggs for Winter Use, 192
Eggs from Ditlerent Breeds, 64
Eggs-traordinary, HI
Exercising Cows", 79
Eggs and Egg Culture, 79
Evidences of Success, The, 88
Economical Feed-Trough , An, 96
Elm-Tree Beetle, The, 97
Elderberry Wine, 136
Essay on Manuring, 151
Experience in Draining, An, 164
Eggs from Different Breeds, 176
English Sparrow, The, 98
Extravagance of American House-
keepers, 157
Feeding Mowing Lauds, 189
Fruit Exports of the United States,
189
Faastening Zinc Labels on Trees, 189
Fried Chicken, 189
Feeding Cows, 190
ugge
190
Fattening Turkeys, 191
Feed Troughs for Poultry, 192
Fox Squirrel, The, 3
Fruit as an Article of Food, 7
Felling Trees, 13
Flowers, 17
Farm Life vs. Prof. Life, 18
Fertilizers and Formulas, 25
Fruit-Growers' Society, The, 26
Fulton Farmers' Club, 28, 45, 59, »1,
139, 154, 173
Flower Pots, 30
Flowers on the Table, 30
Frosted Feet, 31
Fish Question, The, 38
Flower Garden Hints, 61
Flannel Cakes, 62
Full Blood, 63
Fowls Eating Feathers, 64
French Bread, 78
Farmers and IJees, 79
Fowls in Orchards, 80
Facts Worth Remembering, 80
Flockof Hens, A, 80
Flies, 83
Farming on a Large Scale, 91
First Employment of Guano, The, 91
Future of American Farming, 92
Fruit-Growing in England, 93
Fish Cakes, "94
Fillet of Beef and Dutch Sauce, 94
Fighting Against Trespassing, 105
Fultz Wheat, 108
Farmers, Keep Accounts, 110
Fruit Pudding, 110
Fertilizers and Fruit Trees, 125
Fruit Jars, 136
Foul Air, from Walls, How to Expel,
126
Feeding Dry Cows, 137
Fattening Calves, 127
Fall Plowing, 141
For Pennsylvania Farmers, 141
Famous Apples of Lancaster County
Origin, 142
Frogs and Tomatoes, 143
Fruit Jelly, 143
Fertile Workers, 144
Fall Plowing for Corn, 156
Facts About Flour, 158
Fall Plowing for Corn, 173
Facts About Flour, 175
Feediuif Cattle, 175
Forestry, 99
Feeding and Treatment, 113
Fifty Years Ago vs. the Present Day,
24
Fence .Making on the Farm, 20
Gold Fishes, 2
Greatest of all Grain, The, 29
Growing Ivy in Rooms, 30
Growing Fuseliias in Baskets, 30
Ginger Cookies, 31
Ground Hog .Meteorology, 34
Galley- Worms and Craue-Fly, 39
Garden Seeds, Sowing Them, 61
Gooseberries and Currants, 62
Glucose, ti>
Grain in Orchards, 70
Grafting Grape Vines, 76
Grape-Growing, 76
Grape Vines in California, 77
Grain Sylvanus, 84
Gooseberries and Currants, 93
Oonaphea Ciemba, 107
Growing the Crab-Apple, 125
Green Sage, 126
Grass as a Renovater, 141
Grape Vine, 142
Green Tomato Sauce, 143
Green Tomato Pickles, H'?
Galled Shoulders and Backs, 143
Growth and Development, West, 150
Growing the Pear, 156
Goose, Roast, Greeu, i&c., 157
Gumbo Soup, 158
Geese, and Something About Them,
182
Grain Crop, The, 18S
Green Tomato Soy, 153
Grape Phenomenon, 162
Grafting Grape Vines, 174
Ginger Snaps , 175
Grain and Fruit Crop of 1878, 26
Glimpse of the West, A, 101
Household Receipts, 14
History of Horned Cattle, 15
How to Choose a Good Cow, 15
How to tell that Eggs are Eggs, 1
Hessian, Fly, The, 16
Hand-Made Moth, The, 38
Hide-Bound Trees, 47
How to Neutralize Skunk's Odor, 4T
How to Pickle Artichokes, 47
INDEX
III.
How to Destroy Molhe In Feathers, 47
How to Friiassec Chicken, 47
How to Stew Soup Beans, 47
How to make Turnip Salad, 47
How to Manage Setters, 48
Harrowing Wlieat In Spring, 60
How to (irow Broom Corn, 61
How to Vreserve Cut Flowers, 61
How to use Coal, 62
Honey, 63
How to fasten Comb Foundation, 63
How Insects Hear, 75
How to riant IVas, 77
How many Tobacco Seeds to an Acre,
77
Home-made Cracked Wheat, 77
Ham Dressed iu Claret, 78
How the Youujt Bird is Hatched, 79
Home Advice as. to Poultry, 80
History of Celluloid, 88
Home-made Fertilizers, 92
How to Make Sauce and Croquettes, 93
Hints to Housekeepers, 94
Houcy in the Boston Market, 96
Honey Product, 97
How to Raise a Bull, 100
How to Preserve (irapes, 101
How Civilization Benefits our Birds,
105
How to Cook Cheese, 184
How to Keep Fowls, 186
How Far Bees will go for Honey, 191
Harmful Insect, A, 107
Hint on Lawn Hedges. A, 109
Hints on Cooking Poultry, 110
Horses Lyinu: Down, 111
How Perches Should be Made, 111
Have a Fish Pond if You Can, 126
How to Deal with Rati, 126
Hot-beds with Muslin Sashes, 142
Hints for the Kitchen, 143
Hurrying the Cows, 143
Home and Export Tobacco Market, 149
Hints for Horse Trainers, 159
How to Make Cows tiive Milk, 159
Hints to Poultry Breeders, 159
Hints for the Kitchen, 175
^air Invigoralor,
Henslow on Self-Fertilization, 67
Horn Ail, &c., 55
It Stands to Reason, 2
Insect Sagacity, 3
Imperial Walnu: Moth, 4
Industry of Bees, 16
Imported Cattle, :il
Incorporation, 33
Indian Tobacco, 41
Is the Lowest Price the Cheapest, 51
Imported Currant Worm, The, 60
Indian Turnip, 70
Insects and Animal Diseases, 75
Ice Cream Cake, 78
Information About Cheap Lauds, 83
InHuence of Forests on Climate, 88 ■
Interesting Fads Concerning Bread, 93
Irish Stew, 94
Injurious Insects, 107
Ingrowing Nails, 110
IsClover'a Fertilizer? 1J5
Introductory, 146
Inspect Your Cellars, 175
Incubator, The, 178
Ice Houses, 183
Intelligent Farmer, The, 184
Indian Meal Pancakes, 190
July Iteport Dep't Agriculture, 120
Juice of Tomato Plant an Insecticide,
153
Japanned Ware, 190
Kitchen (iarden in April, 50
Keipinir Work Ahead, 73
Keep Pure-bred Fowls, 112
Letter from Iowa, 5
Letter from North Carolina, 7, 85
Laying Out a Farm, 10
Lancaster County Poultry Society,
11,38, 4:^,58,74, 89, 106,123,
134, 138, 154, 171, 187, 188
Lemon Vies, 190
Linnaian Society, 12, 39, 46, 59, 75,
91, 10(i. 12J, 140, 155, 172, 188
Length of Roots, 13
Look to the Farm Trees, 13
Lemon Verbena, 14
Literary and Personal, 16, 32, 48, 64,
80,96,112,128,144,160, 176, 192
Liquid Manure, 22
Langshaw, 32
Lancaster Farmer, &c., 33
Lime, 49
Large Farms and Stock in Lancaster
County, 68
Lemon Pic, "78
Large Farming Precarious, 81
Lancaster County Tobacco, 97
Lime and Limestones, 99
Large Catfish, 101
Lancaster Virginia Farming, 108
141
156
Larva of Saturnia lo, 116
Lamp Wicks, 143
Large Water Beetle, 145
Letter from Missouri, 146
Lancaster County Cattle, 148
Labor-Saving Implements, 151
Lemon Cake, 175
Law of Newspapers, 82
Little Pudding, 110
Monthly Reminder, 2, :54, 67, 101, 163
Miscellaneous Notes, Ac, 2
Moonlight, 5
Muscovy Ducks, 15
More About Eels, 17, 42
Modern Fruit Houses, 20
More About Cattle, 24
Mince Pies, 31
More Light, 40, 53
Migration of Eels, 53
Mulching, 62
Milk, 66
Market Gardeners, 67
Moonshine, 85
McKinstry's Great Orchard, 80
Mulching Planted Trees, 93
Milk Soup, 94
Maccaroni and Cheese, 94
Moon's Influence, 69, 102
Maccaroni with Tomato Sauce, 110
Milk Beef, 111
Magnolia Glauca, 116
More Moonshine, 116
Mother of the Chickens, The, 127
Migatory Quail, The, 137
Mottled Horn-Beetle, 150
Moon's Signs and Phases, 132
Moon Seed, 133
Mlnesota Wheat Crop,
Maple Coccus, 145
Mulching Strawberries,
Metelotte D'Anguilles, 158
Mock Oysters, 158
Memories of Bees, 162
Management of Horses, 169
Meeting of State Board Agriculture, 17
Meteorological Contrast, 178
Mauuriug Fruit Trees, 189
Mince Pics, 190
Mixed Foods, 190
Mixture of (Jrasses, A, 173
Miss Parton's Angel Cake, 175
Meat Cheese, 126
No Farmer Need Expect, Ac, 16
New Subscribers, 17
New ?B0 Grape, 36
Nests for Setters, •
Non-Recognition of Agriculture, t
New Way to Cook Oysters, 110
New Departure, The, 113
No Egg Good as Fresh Ones, 142
Natural Fertilizer, A, 163
New York Seed Leaf Market, 167
Nice Tea Cake, A, 175
Non-Hatching, 96
Necessity of Sun Light, 62
Our Paris Letter, 9
Our Orchards. 18
One Year's Experiment, 20
Orange Cake, 31
Oats as Fool for Horses, 42
Oatmeal Cakes, 63
One-Eye System of Potatoes, 71
Ozone, 89
Origin of the Apple, 92
Omelette Sounie, 110
Oil for Sewing Machines, 110
Our Local Exhibition, 114
Onions for Fowls, 128
Our Late Exhibition, 131
Origin of Wheat in America, 141,
Oats and Wheat, 141
Our Late Local Exhibition,
Olives in Califoruia, 1.57
Organization, 161
Oatmeal in the Household,
Our Contributors, 177
Our Grain Capacity, 182
Oatmeal, 183
Oatmeal Pudding, 190
Orange Pudding, 190
Our Receipt for Curing Meat, 190
Pennsylvania Fruit Growers Society,
145
174
Practical Hints for Young Farmers, 6
Presidents Address, 8
Progressive Agriculture, 8
Planting Corn in Old Times, 13
Parlor Flowers, 14
Profit with AmUBcraeut, 16
Product of Eggs in Winter, 15
Protection of Bees Against Wasps, 16
Peach Bark Louse, 17
Polled Cattle, 2;^
Pruning Fruit and Ornamental Trees,
30
Practtical Essays on Entomology, 33
Peurl Millet, 37
Pulmonary Spiders, 39
Pruning— Its use and Abuse, 41
Premature Evolution, A, 46
Pruning Trees, 47
Potatoes and Nep, 47
Plucking Poultry, 48
Personal, 51
Planting Grape Vines, 61
Potato Fancy, 63
Preservation of Furs, 63
Pasturage for Bees, 6.)
Preserving the Proceedings, 66
Pruning Peach Trees, 77
Potato Noodles, 78
Practical Bee Culture, 79
Poultry Profits, 80
Peach Tree Borers, 84
Promise of Crops, K6
Pleuro Pneumonia, 87
Plowing iu Croijs as Manure, 91
Pruning Evergreens, 93
Poisoned by Mushrooms, 93
Potato Croquets, 95
Packing EgifS, 101
Pear Blight, 109
Potato Putr, 110
Potato Cutlets with Tomatoes, 110
Potato Curry, 110
Pudding Pies, 110
Puff Pudding, 110
P'Tches for Flowers, 111
Parasite on Hens, 112
Paliscr's American Cottages, 114
Peach Beetle, 115
Preserving Flowers, 126
Pigs, 127, 143
Phylloxera in France, The, 133
Planting and Transplanting, 136
Pruning Fruit Trees, 141
Pruning Grape Vines, 142
Preserving Sheep from Dogs, 143
Poultry Notes, 144
Poultry, 144
Production and Keeping Eggs, 150
Plowing Down Green Crops, 165
Putting ill Wheat Crops, 165
Putting away Potatoes, 157
Proverlis in Cookery, 157
Petroleum, 1.58
Polling Cattle, 1.59
Plowing by Electricity, 189
Principles of Pruning, 189
Pie Paste, 190
Pumpkin Pudding, 190
Poultry Interests of America. 191
Poultry Breeding, 191
Profitable Bees, 191
Pure Bred and Common Fowls, 192
Pasture Fields, 168
Poultry Habits, 176
Questions, 18
Queries and Answers, 53, 68
Queen Biscuits, 62
Queer Fish, A, 163
Quinine Flower, 174
Rolling After Sewing, 189
Roasted Chicken or Fowl, 189
Roast Duck, 189
Rice Pudding, 190
Random Thoughts, 5
Rules lor Gilt-edged Butter, 56
Regular Meetings, &c., 57
Remedies Against Insects, 60
Rolling Grain in Spring, 61
Remedy for Hoarseness, 63
Rose Legends, 89
Rosewood, 109
Remedy, A, 111
Red Rust, 116
Raising Pigs, 127
Revised Fruit List, 148
Raising Horses in Texas, 149
Ranciil Butter, 1.58
Rabbit Stew, 15S
Runaway Horses, 159
Red Canary Birds, 160
Rest After Eating, 175
Rice Snow-Balls, 175
Rolls, 175
Remedy for Diphtheria, 183
Rabbit Cutlets, 175
Second Crop Pears, 1
Scouring Rush, 2
Surface Manuring, 13
Save the Liquid Manure, 13
Save by Handsfull, 15
State Fruit-Growers' Society, 95
State Millers' Association, 25
Smilax, 30
Sweet Omelet, 31
Sour Milk Cheese, 31
Selecting Breeding Turkeys, 38
Society Proceedings, 33
St. Matthew's Day, 35
Sowing Oats Early, 47
Soup, 48
Silk Culture, 49
Supposed Sulphur Shower, 50
Strawberry Proteetws, 51
Spring and Winter Tree Cleaning, 51
Seeds, 55
Splenic Fever, &c., .55
Salt as a Fertilizer, 61
Special Notice, 177
Sooty Chimneys Cured, 190
Senator's View of Farming, A, 180
Statistical, 186
Sugar, 18B
Sowing Garden Seeds, 61
Spring" Planting of Slrawl>errle«, 61
Sprouting Potatoes, 62
Some Items About Sugar, 62
Sick Headache, 62
Small Fruits, 68
Spring Days, 69
Sandy Soils, 73
Store of Grain in the West, 76
Sowing Garden Seeds, 77
Signs of a Prosperous Farmer, T7
Stallion Shows in Spring, 78
Southward, Ho I 81
Soot vs. Wlreworms, 84
Sale of Short-Horns, 95
Swarming of Bees, 95
Summer Time, 101
Sugar from Indian Corn, 104
Sorghum Sugar, 104
Spined Soldier Bug, 107
Squash Bugs, 107
Sowing Wheat, 108
Soot as a Manure, lOS
Steamed Pudding, 110
Stewed Pears, 110
Sirangc Ginger Bread, 110
Sponge Cream Cake, 110
State Agricultural Fair, 114
Setting out Strawberries, 125
Sheep and Wool, l'.;7
Something Abont Tomatoes, 129
Science and Agriculture, 129
Soiling, 140
Saddleback Moth, 140
Self-Binding Reapers, 141
Storing Hay, 141
Suckers Around Apple Trees, 141
Spiced Cantaloupe, 142
Sheep in Cornfields, 143
Save the Choice Fowls, l44
Specter Insect, 145
Sheep Husbandry in U. 8., 149
Standard of American Jerseys, 153
Singular Discovery, 1.53
Smut in Grain, 155
Small Fruits, 156
Sailed Dressing, 1.58
Squash Pie, 158
Swiss Dairymen in California, 159
Salt for Stock, 1.59
Strecker Prof. Herman, 162
Starting a Flock of Sheep, 168
Summer Cultivation of Wheat, 173
Storing Fodder-Corn, 173
Stewed Pigeons, 175
Straw as Food for Cattle, 175
Sugar Beets to Fatten Swine, 170
Salt for Poultry,
To our Patrons and the Public, 1
To Our Patrons, 177
The Fox Squirrel, 3
Twelve Thousand Caterpillars, 5
Thoroughwort, 5
The Wheat Crop, 12
The Scarcity of Quinces, 12
Taming Stubborn Bees, 16
Tobacco Growers Society, 28
The Late Summer Grass, 29
The Kulahaga, 29
To Preserve Potatoes from Rot, 81
To bake Eggs, 31
Tapioca Cream, 31
To Lessen Friction, 31
The Sleep of Children, 31
The Poultry Association, 32
Tar in the Chicken House, 32
Treatment of Cholera, 32
The Lancaster Farmer, 33, 163
Table Sauce, 47
The Best Kind of Eggs, 48
The Balance of Trade, 53
Turtle Head, .54
The Imported Currant Worm, 60
The Tobacco Worm, 60
The Use of Entomology, 60
The Hours of Children, 62
Test Record of Dairy Cows, 6.3
Tramps ahd Incendiaries, 66
Timber and Fences, 71
The Pennsylvania Board of Agricul-
ture, 71
The Wheat Crop, 76
The Question of Weeds, 76
To Preserve Gum Solutions, 78
To wash Silk Stockings, 78
Treatment of Cows at Calving, 78
Tender and Small Feet, 79
IV.
INDEX.
Threshing Ducks, 80
The Beloetoma Grandis 81
The Law of Newspapers, 82
Tobacco Culture in Pennsylvania, 87
The Evidences of Success, 88
The Future of American Farming, 92
The Wheat Crop of 1879, 92
Treatment of Trees, 9 J,
To Boil Potatoes, 94
To make Puff Paste, 94
Turkish Soup, 94
Trussed Fowls, 95
Terrapin, 95
To Break up Sitting Hens, 9f>
The Elm tree Borer, 98
The English Sparrow, 98
The Moon's Influence, 102
The Crops of the Country, 103
The Use of the Feet in Planting, 103
Thomissns celer, 107
The Best Yeast Known, 109
To Make Good Cottage Cheese, 110
Tapioca Pudding, 110
To Cook Pumpkins, 110
Tarragon Vinegar, 110
The Value of Sheep, 110
The Dominique Fowl, 111
The New Departure, 113
The Tobacco Fly, 114
The Black Bass, 119
The Common Elder, 132
The Best Time to Cut Wheat, 125
To Keep Potatoes from Rotting, 126
To Preserve Cut Flowers, 126
To Expel Foul Air from Wells, 126
To Cure Hams, 190
To Stain Wood, 126
To Keep Seeds from Mice, 126
Tomato Stew, 126
To Make Butter Pure in Flavor
To Wash Stockings, 126
The Sheep Range, 127
The Mad Itch in Cattle, 127
The MIgatory Quail, 127
The Cutlock for Hogs, 137
The Sun, 137
The Snake Worm, 141
The Cabbage Worm, 140
Toads, 141
Treatment of Wornout Meadow
The Blackberry, 143
The Quince, 143
Tapioca Cream, 143
The Harvest White Honey, 14
The Weather, 145
Thanks, 145
The jrepatica, 147
Tobacco, 151
The Cattle Disease, 153
To Kill Sorrel, &c , 150
To Prepare a Strawberry Bed .
To Polish Steel, 158
To Destroy Aphids,
To Remove Rust from Steel, 1
I To Pickle Fruit, 158
Tomato Soup, 1 and 2, 158
The Wild Cattle of Britain, 15
! The Cattle Belt, 159
! To Tell a Horse's Age, 159
j The Cold Snap, 163
The Poultry Show, 163
I The New York Leaf Market,
I To Clean Wall Paper, 175
Tobacco Culture in Lancaster Co., 117
I Turkeys, 127
Uranine, 4
Unhorning Calves, 191
Use of Lime, 61
i Uncovering Protected Plants, 63
Use Plenty of Paint, 77
Uradine Fungus, 83
Utilizing Night Soil, 125
. Vermin on Poultry, 15
Velvet Cake, 78
Vermin, 96
I Value of Earth Worms, lOS
1 Varieties of Wheat, lOS
, Valuable Hints to Farmers, 131
Valuable Advice, 136
Vegetable Fruit, 144
Vi.sit to Herman Strecker, 163
Write for Thk Farmer, 1
' Water for Farmers, 13
! Window Boxes, 14
Winter Treatment of Poultry, 15
! Warwick Farmers' Club, 3S, 44, 59,
I 123
^ Winter Peaches, 30
I Window Plants, 30
] What is Castile Soap, 31
Waterproof Boots, 31
Wafers, 31
Winter Management of Sheep, 31
Weaning Calves, 31
I What Stock Needs, 31
What and How to Feed, 48
What Becomes of the Birds, 67
Wants to Know, 69
Where Tomatoes were First Eaten, 77
Whitewash, 77
White Fruit-Cake, 78
Worms in Hogs, 79
What Breed Shall I Keep?
What I Know About Roup, 79
Wonders Will Never Cease, 82
Wonderful Feats with Bees, 191
Waste in N. E. Farming, 92
Wood Ashes for Peach Trees, 93
Welcome Guest Pudding, 94
Watering Horses, 95
White Shrips in Graperies, 108
Ways to Use Stale Bread, 110
Walnut Catsup, 110
White Grub-Worm, 115
Wheat Fields, 189
Wool Manufacturers and Sheep Hus-
bandry, 181
Whisky— Revenue Lists of the States,
185
Washing Fowls, 185
Wheat and Oats, 189
Weeds and Hay Fever, i24
Waffles, 126
White Duck Laying Black Eggs, 128-
Whole Acres of Perfume, 153
Western Farms Much Favored, 186.
What a Farm Deed Includes, 169
When to Sell, 170
Welsh Rare Bit, 175
Winter Care of Fowls, 176
Whole Wheat for Fowls, 176
Young Fowls, 160
^^^ L . i. ^mm mi\^i\
i
ONE DOLLAR FEE ANITULI-SZITGLE COFZES 10 CENTS.
Dr. S. S. EATE70N, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., JANUARY, 1879.
JOHN A. HIESTAND, PuWisher.
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.
. To Our Patrons and the Public,
.Write for The Farmer, . . - -
To Contributors, .-..--
Second Crop Pears,
'Annual Meeting of the State Board of Agriculture
-MoLthly Reminders, . . . - -
I Entomological Manipulations for the Month,
Miscellaneous Notes and Queries, - - -
1 Gold Fishes, - -
I A New Grain, .-..--
."Scouring Rush," . . - . -
, As Others See Us,
."It Stands to Reason," - - . . -
• Insect Sagacity,
The Fox Squirrel, ------
•Twelve Hundred Caterpillars Taken from a Single
Tree, --------
■ Antidote for Currant Worms, - - -
. Imperial Walnut Moth, - - - - -
" Cold Snap," -------
About Eels, - -
♦Uraninc, --------
' Pennsylvania Fruit-Growers' Society,
. Essays
-Oflicers
ind Addresses— Committee for !
. Letter from Iowa — W. H. Spera, - . -
• Thorough Wort— /. 5to!<Je)-, - - - -
' Moonlight— J. G., ----- -
.Random Thoughts, No. 7—4. ^.A'.,
Fodder Crops— Tea Raisiug— Laying Down toGrosB.
, Practical Hints for Young Farmers—/. G.,
. Fruits as a Standard Article of Food— 77. M. Enrjle,
Letter from North Carolina— -V. 7?., -
■ President's Address, - - - - -
' Progressive Agriculture, - - - - -
' Our Paris Letter— £oms, - - - -
, Cooking Feed for Stock, -.---;
..Laying Out the Farm, -----:
. The Best Time to Cut Scions, - - - - :
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
' Proceedings of the Lancaster County Agricultu-
ral and Horticultural Society, - - - :
Fertiliiers— Artificial Fertilizers— Progressive Agri-
culture—Election of Offlccri- Auditing Treasur-
er's Accounts— Fair or no Fair— Essays to tiie
Farmer — Business for Next Meeting— Lecture iu
Prospect— Busiuess Committee— Report of Fnilt
Committee.
. Lancaster County Poultry Association, -
• Llnnaean Society, ------
Historical Relics- Additions to the Library— Papers
• Felling Treee,
Couch-Gr
PlantingJ
. Length o^
The Whei
. Water fori
AGRICULTURAL,
a Hay Plant,
fin Old Times,
(Surface Manuring, - . - - -
, Save the Liquid Manure, - - - -
HORTICULTURAL.
Dwarf Pears, ------
Look to the Fruit Trees, - - . -
The Scarcity of Quinces, -
► FLORICULTURE
Parlor Flowers, ------
Window Boxes, - - - - -
Lemon Verbena, - - - - -
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
Bedrooms — How They Should be Ventilated,
Butter Making, ------
.Burning Green Wood Greatly Wasteful,
Accepting Invitations, - - . -
Household Receipts, -----
LIVE STOCK.
.Saving by Ilaudsful, - - - - -
History of Horned Cattle, - - - -
Corn and Cob Meal, - - - - -
.How to Cbeose a Good Cow, - - - .
POULTRY.
.Profit Combined jAith Amusement, -
■ Vermin on Poultry, - - - - .
Muscovy Ducks, - - - - - .
. How to Tell That Eggs are Eggs,
.Winter Treatment of Poultry,
Production of Eggs During Winter Season,
APIARY.
Taming Stubborn Bees, - - •% -
Protection of Bees Against Wasps,
Industry of Bees, - - - - -
No Farmer Need Expect, tte., -
ENTOMOLOGICAL.
The Hessian Fly, • - - - -
The Apple Tree Borer, - - - - -
Literary and Personal, - - - -
JIty annual Ciilalngiir if Vf(f'ialile and Flower
SctftI for lS70f^jich iu eiigruviugH, from original photo-
graphs, will be sent FUKE to all who apply. Customers of
last season need not write for it I offer one of the largest col-
lections of vegetable seed ever sent out by any seed house
iu America, a large portion of which were grown on my six
Heed farms. Printed directionjt /or cultivation on each pack-
age. All seed warranted to be both fresh and true to name;
so far, that should it prove otherwise, / iri« rc;i(/ the order
gratis. The original intrnducer of the Hubbard Squash.
Pbluney's Melou, Marblehead Cabbages, Mexican Corn, and
scores of other vegetables, 1 invite the patronage of all tcho
are auxiofu to have their seed directly from the grmcer, frejshy
true, and vf tite very best strain.
New Vcffctables a specialty.
JAMES J. H. GREGORY,
70-1-Ht Marblehead, SUfi.
OFFICE,
No. 0 North Queen Street,
LANCASTER, PA.
Is an old, well-established newspaper, and cculaluB just the
news desiiable to make it un interesting and valuable
Family Newspaper. It is published on Wednesday and
Saturday, snbEcribers having the choice of whichever edition
that suits their mail facilities beat. The postage to sub-
scribers residing outside of Lancaster county is paid by the
publisher.
Send for a specimen copy.
Two Dollars per Annum.
Is published every afternoon (except Sunday) and coutaine
the news by mail and telegraph from all parts of the world
up to the hour of going to press. It is furnished to sub-
scribers at all the towns and villages in the county, acces-
sible hy rail or stage, by carriers at Ten Cents a Week,
or by mall at Five Dollars per Yenr.
The Laxcasthr Farmer
ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM.
TIIE E\.\MI\ER & E.\PRESS JOB R00.1
The Job Rooms of '
well filled with a lull
presses, enabling us to do all kinds of .Tob Work, euoli
as catalogues, cards, bill heads, letter heads, enrelopB,
etatemeuts, invitations, circulars, posters, sale bills, in fact,
all kinds of plain and fancy printing. We r '"
■ bills, having cuts
which were made
drawings specially prepared for us, and not In any
ner olfice'in the state.
Call and tee apecimcns.
JOHN A. HIESTAND, Proprietor,
No. 9 NortU Queen St.,
THE LANCASTER FARMER.^
EXXSYI.VAXIA RAILROAD SCHEDII.£.
Trains leave the Depot iu this city, as follows :
Lancaster. Harrisburg.
■n'E-TWAED.
Pacific Express'
Way Paeseugert
Niagara Express
Hanover Accommodation,.
Mail train via Mf. Joy
No. 2 via Columbia
Sunday Mail
Fast Line*
Frederick Accommodation.
Harrisburg Accom
Columbia Accommodation.,
Harrisburg Express ;
Pittsburg Express
Cincinnati Express'
EASTWARD.
Atlantic Express*
Philadelphia Express
9.30 a. m.
9:3!) p. m.
11:15 a. m.
11:20 a.m.
11:20 a.m.
2:10 p.m.
2:15 p.m.
5:45 p.m.
7:20 p. m.
7:25 p.m.
9:35 p.m.
11:30 p.m.
1:30 p. m.
1:30 p. m.
3:45 p.m.
Col. 2:45 p. D
7:40 p. m.
Col. 8:00 p. m
Fast Line*.
Harrisburg Express
Columbia Accammodati'
Pacific Express*
Suuday Mail
Johnstown Express
Day Express*
Harrisburg Accom
The Hanover Accommodation, west, connects at Lancaster
with Niagara Express, west, at 9:35 a. m., and will run
through to Hanover.
The Frederick Accommodation, west, connects at Lancas-
ter with Fast Line, west, at 2:10 p. m.. and runs to Frederick.
The Pacific Express, east, ou Sunday, when flagged, will
stop at Middletown, Elizabethtown, Mount .Joy and Landis-
■fllle.
•The only trains which run daily.
tRuus daily, except Mondav.
PHARES W. FRY,
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
WILL m?m&mmm shsbis,
II ollantis. Plain ,Sbade «'Iotli,
Fixtures, Fringes, Tassels and all goods pertaining to a
Paper and Shade Store.
No. 63 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
:e. E", 3BO-^7\r2vi^a.3xr,
I:
AT LOWEST I>OHSIRI.E PRICES.
Fully guaranteed.
No. 106 EAST KING STREET,
9-1-12] Oppmite I.eopnid Ifotfl.
GLOVES, SHIRTS, UNDERWEAR. iH
SHIRTS MADE TO ORDER,
AND WAERANTED TO IIT.
S. J. EHISMAH.
56 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa. ."
Carriages, Buggies, Phaetons, etc.
CHURCH-ST., NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA.
Large Stock of New and Rfc:)Ud-Uaud Work ou hand,
very cheap. Carriages Made 10 Order. Work Warranted
foroueye4ir. [7:1-1-12
TREES.
Fruit.Shadeand Ornamental Trees.
Tf you intend ilauti
"spring, write for
LOUIS CLYTE
Bird-in-Hand P. O., Lancaster co.. Pa.
Nursery at Smoketov.'n, six miKjs east of Lancaster.
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
And Manufactun
FURNITURE PD CHAIRS.
WARF.nOOM.S:
102 East King St., Cor. of Duke St.
LANCASTER, PA.
EDW. J. ZAHM,
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
WATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED WARE,
CI.OCKS,
JEWELRY ITABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Agent for the Arundel Tinted
SPECTACLES.
R?piiirmg strictly attended to.
North Quesn-st. and Centre Square, Laniaster, Pa.
THOROUGHBRED SHORT-HORN
BULLS AND BULL CALVES,
FOR SAX.^,
AT PRICES TO SDIT THE TIMES.
A. M. RANCK,
79.1-2] B;rd-in-Haud, Lancaster CO., Pa.
M. HABERBUSH,
MAXDF.\CTURER OF
Plain and Fine Harness,
SABSJI.IK.
COLLARS, "WHIPS, PLY NETS. &c.,
.^LSO DE.\LER IX
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
BUFAI-O ROBE.S,
Hor.se Covers, Lap-Rugs, Gloves, &e.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
Til-l-lil LANCASTER, PA,
ESTABLISHED 1882.
*
Mauufacturers and dealers io all iiuds of rougli a::d
fluished
X.X7I^B£:R,
The best Sawed SHIXGI.K.S iu the country. Also Sceh,
Doors, Bliude, Mouldiugs, &c.
PATENT O.'g.WEATHERBOARDING
OFFICE AND YARD :
Northeast Comer of Prince and Walnut-sts..
LANCASTER, TA..
79-1-12]
lor Grapes, tSeedlingB,
Evergreens, etc., etc. Send for Catalogue.
J. JENKINS,
10-9^m] WISrOSTA, Columbiana County, Ollio.
TljE LATEST!
T^e Nev/ Tariff of Rales
['0 P-DAVO'
JIade by OAK HALL, four weeks
ago, sold off larj;e lots of
loods, and lias
INDUCED MANY TO IMITATE US!
JSi®" Whatever is Done Elsewhere We
always do Better.-'^gSg
This is the latest tariff for the
A-S FOt.T-,O^VS:
All EleprantBiisine.ss and Dress Suit,
All-wool Black Cheviot, §10. Identical
quality of floods sold by other parties
as a great bargain at $io. AVe never
sold them for more tliart §1.".
54.89 buys a First Quality Dress
Trousers, sold heretofore at $10.
Fur Beaver and Cliinohilla Over-
coats, Good and Warm Cloth Bound,
SiS.SO, 18.50, 18.50, $8.50.
Next Higher Grade, Beautifully
Made and Trimmed, Cloth Bound,
Silk Velvet Collar, $10, ^10, SIO, §10.
The Same Goods in Young Men's
Sizes, $7, $7, $7, ^7.
Boy's Double Cape Overcoats, with
all the Late Imjiruvemenl.s, .s.'i, P."), 555.
Boys' and Ynuili.s' Tii.n.ser.s All
Wool, ?2.31), ?2.:;'i,,--.:;ii,s-.:;;i.
Hundreds of Latest .^tyles Child-
ren's Overcoats, Soft Plush Lined,
Elegant Goods, reduced from S8.75 to
?6.50.
?25 Fine French Fur Beaver Over-
eo.ats reduced to Slo. (Beautifully
made. Piped with Cloth and the
Finest Linings)
A clear saving of 12.50 on a Fine
Dress Suit.
At our low prices we have sold
thousands of them at ^15. 00; but to-
daj' make a clean mark down to
$12.50. They are not odds and ends?,
but complete lots. Hundreds biggest
men can be iitted. This one lot of
goods contained 55,120 yards, and has
proved the best bargain wo liave had
for our customers this season.
A customer can come one hundred
miles, and the saving on almost any
Suit or Overcoat will pay the fare
Doth ways.
Wananjaker & Brown^
OAK HALL.
Sixth and Market Streets,
PHILADELPHIA.. .
The Largest Clothing House in
America.
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S. S. EATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., JANUARY, 1879.
Vol. XI. No. 1.
TO OUR PATRONS AND THE PUBLIC.
With tills nuiuber we commence tlie XI. '
Volume of The Lancaster Faumek, and ;
our expuriencos ihu-ing the past ten years .
utibrd us some appreciatioi.i of the task tliat |
is before us. 'We have never abated any of
the feeble energies with whieh we are en-
dowed heretofore, and we have no intention I
to abate them now. We are on tlie thresliuld
of the new year— young, vigonms and Impc-
ful 1870— and we have not lost eonlidenee in \
its ultimate propitiating influences. AVe con-
tidently look to it as a puinl of departure to a
better"an(l more prosperous state of things ;
not only for our patrons and ourselves, but
also for the "toiling, moiling millions," who
have been suffering almost to the last stretch
that patient waiting can sustain, for the past
three or four years, and for whom humanity
desires a surcease of idleness. We l.u.k for
such times as will enable, them to become
more liberal and punctual patrons of the farm-
ing public. That the return of prosperity to
our whole i)eople will increase the existing
"vacancy" for our journal in the county, the
State, and elsewhere we have not a doubt,
and our aim shall be to make it worthy of
public i)atronagc. There arc many new fea-
tures we desire to introduce into its general
composition, and we look chiefly to our agri-
cultural friends to sustain us in oiu- progressive
enterprise. The great county of Lancaster—
a conimonwealth"of no mean dimensions in
itself— occupies a too prominent position in
the Union to act the part of a mere subordi-
nate in the march of events. The eyes of the
whole country are upon her, and she is
looked to as a second " mother country " to a
large portion of the agricultural population
in other counties and States, who either have
resided within her bordei-s themselves, or
whose ancestry have had their origin here.
Editorial intercourse with our farmers during
the last ten years has convinced tis that they
possess the literarv and inti'llectnal abilitv to
make their Ib.iuglits and experiences known
through the medium of the press to an extent
that will compare favorably with any other
portion of the " Keystone State," and in this
respect, during the same period, they have
made much more than the ordinary progre.s.s.
'We desire to make this ability — which we
know they possess — more available in tlie
future than it has been iu the past. liesides
the general good of difl'tising their knowledge
among their agricultural brethren, they will
be instructing and greatly benefiting them-
selves, intellectually, morally and socially.
The minister in his pulpit, the professor in his
laboratory, the tutor in his school room, and
the editor in his sanctum are equally bciie-
lited in the exercises of their various functions
with those whom they are instructing. These
acts come under the denomination of those
that are "twice blessed," blessing the giver
as well as the receiver. The practical deduc-
tions of the farmer's experiences in his honor-
able calling are not exempt from the ojiera-
tions of the same rule. Every experience or
observation he records, and every essay he
composes and writes out fixes the facts and
principles involved in them the more deeply
in hi<> own memory. ]?y such a process many
men have educated themselves who have
never had the opportunity to become educated
at a school, a seminary or a college.
Our aim is to difrnse the furts pertaining to
agriculture among the people— such facts as
experience has demonstratt d to be of para-
mount value in the field, the orchard, the gar-
den, the barn and the household. If the light
exists it should he shed abroad. We arc ad-
monished, from the very highest authority,
that our candle should not be hidden under a
bed, or under a busluO, but should be set on a
caiulle.stick, and none are so poor but that
Ihev have s<,„„ light. We are not always the
best judges ot tlie (piality of our own light.
The i r feriymau knew nothing about alge-
bra, and astronomy, and poetry, and the
classics, but he could swim; and, therefore,
when the boat foundered in the middle of the
stream, that knowledge was worth more to
liiin tlian all the philosopher's lore, and for
the want of which the latter went to the bot-
tom, whilst the former reached the shore in
saf'etv. This is not intended to discredit the
learn'ing of the philosopher, but to illustrate
the worth of the practical knowledge of the
illiterate or the humble. Therefore, friends,
give us your facts, no matter how common-
place llu'y may be, or how ungrammatically
thi'y ace written. We will sec that they are
not' discreditable to vou, nor prcjiulicial to
oursehvs, iiiphu-in- them bel'ure tlie public.
It is not absolutely neccssarv that we should
be a practical farmer to edit an agricultural
journal (although it would not disiiualify us
if we were), our function being to make our
columns a reflex of the thoughts, the experi-
ences, and the practices of those who con-
tribute to them for the instruction and edifica-
tion of the farming public.
By an announcement in another column,
the patrons of TuE Fahmer will perceive
that there has been a change in the publisher.
This arrangement was absolutely necessary
from the very nature of the case. The former
publisher's duties as a printer, precluded the
possibility of giving the necess.ary attention
to the usual details so essential "to the suc-
cessful issue of the publication. Hence a
change was made, and we congratulate our
patrons on the change as a progressive one.
The new publisher was boru and reared on a
farm, and is allied by consanguinity with
some of the best farmer blood of the cotmty.
His experience, and his position as publisher
of one of the oldest and most influential news-
papers in Lancaster county, is a guarantee of
his ability to make our local journal the peer
of ,any in our country. Of course, the more
hearty and liberal the co-operation of the
people is in his efforts the more efliciently
will the progressive work be accomplished.
Every subscriber iu the comity, or elsewhere,
should at least add one name more to his own
to begin the volume of 1ST'.). " Knowledge is
power," and knowledge also dissipates preju-
dices and .suspicions. The knowledge we have
gained during the last two years has given us
clearer ideas of what it costs to print a paper
than we ever had before. And now, dear
liatrons, we have endeavored to portr.ay our
objects, aims, ends and needs, as well as the
relations we sustain to each other and our
joint relations to the world at large. Having
said this much, we cannot more properly con-
clude than by wishing you a healthful, a
prosperous and ii Happn iVcio Ytar.
WRXTE FOR THE FARMER.
The County of Lancaster, we are convinced,
has as many practical thinkers and workers
among its population, proportionally, as any
other district in the State of Pennsylvania ;
and any one who is a practical thinker and
worker, in this age of the world, is able to
write or dictate a practical article on subjects
relating to his secular occupation. We are
not particular as to the grammatical construc-
tion of the article, so that it contains the
fads of the subjects, as they have been de-
veloped througii the experience of the writer
or dictator. We know that m.iny competent
persons plead that they cannot write, but
this may be owing to the circumstance that
they wont try, lather than to a want of time
or ability. Writing stimulates research and
develops ideas that would lie unu.std and rust-
ing without such stimulant. There is no
merit in keeping our knowledge "hidden
under a bushel," merely becau.se we liave a
notion that it is of no impmfance, or we may
not be able to difTuse it in as eU ;.'aiit phrase-
ology as we would like. " I'reely ye have re-
ceived, freely give " ought to admonish us to
let our "liglit so shine that men may see it."
And to facilitate this end, if the patrons of
The Faioieii will kindly funiish us with
the results of their experiences in relation to
the various departments of agriculture, we
will see that they appear in our columns in a
creditable l'(U-m^
TO CONTRIBUTORS.
As it is proposed in future to issue The
Faumsu within the first week of each mouth,
our contributors will confer a special favor
by sending in their papers intended for publi-
cation, at least williiu llie last week of the
preceding month— rather earlier than later.
If those having essays to read before the
society will furnish us the manuscript in time
we will put them in type and furnish them
with a slip, as well as return the manuscript.
This will give them an opportunity to read
their papers from a printed copy, and also
make the nece.s.sary connections, before they
appear before the public. By this means we
will be able to issue our journal within a day
or two after each meeting of the society. The
regular publication of the proceedings of the
society and the discussions which take place
will constitute a valuable epitome of the agri-
cultural progress of the county, especially as
the society contains some good and practical
off-hand speakers, who may not have the time,
even if they have the inclination to write
their remarks on paper. AVe hope we are
understood.
All cs.says, contributions, communications,
queries and other papers intended for publica-
tion in Tin: FAioiElt .should be sent to the
editor, No. 11*1 North Queen street. All mat-
tei-s of finance, subscriptions, advertisements,
exchanges and general business should be
transacted, whether personally or by letter,
with the ptiblisher. No. OXorlh Queen street,
(Kra);i(iifr building). Also all accounts due
FAiniEii
iptions, advertising
or otherwise, previous to .Tanuary 1st. 1879,
which have not been settled up to that date,
.should be settled with the iircsent publisher as
above, who has full authority to .settle and re-
ceipt for the same.
SECOND CROP PEARS.
Mr. .Tolin (irossmaii, of Warwick township,
Lancaster county, has a pear tree which has
bloomed twice every season for twenty years,
but the present is the first year that he has
noticed that it formed any fruit. The fruit it
formed this year, a specimen of which is now
before us, measured nearly two inches in cir-
cumference when green, and about an inch iu
length. Of course second crop fruit, even in
thi.s latitude, is not an unusual thing, but it
is not usual for fruit trees, especially pears, to
bloom twice every season for twenty years in
succession. This'is a small yellow pear, with-
out anv .special name, which ripens about the
middleof .luly, and seldom, if ever, fails to
bear a crop, "if such a pear tree were re-
moved to thcCarohnas. (Jeorgia. or Alabama,
or perhaps to any of the Southern States,
might we not reasonably suppose it would
m.ature two crops of pears; for a sec-
ond blooming for twenty years in succession
seems to indicate that this extra effort at
fruition has become a fixed characteristic V
This tree seems never to have been enervated
, by its duplicate bloom.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ January,
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STATE
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
The fiillowiiig is the programme of the
aiinuiil meeting of the Pennsylvania Board of
Agriculture, to be held at Ilarrisburg, com-
inencing Wednesday, January 22, 1879, at
two p. m. :
Reading of minutes ; election of ofticers ;
reception of credentials of newly elected mem-
bers ; reports of standing committees ; reports
of special committees ; reports of secretary.
Essays and Subjects for Discussion.
1. C4rape Growing in Pennsylvania ; Varie-
ties and Treatment, by Dr. James Calder,
President of State College.
2. Foreign and American Agriculture, by
John P. Edge, member at large.
o. Tlio Industrial Education of Europe as
it Aftects Agriculture, by Prof. J. P. Wicker-
sham, Superintendent of Public Instruction.
4. Farm Drainage, by Prof. F. A. Allen,
member from Tioga.
f). Drainage with Stone, by Col. James
Yoimg.
0. Drainage with tile, by the Secretary.
7. Till' nst'luhiess and profit of farming, and
the relation which it bears to the other in-
terests of the State, by W. G. Moore, member
from Berks.
8. How we may elevate the standard of
agriculture, by C. C. Musselraan, member
from Somerset.
9. Sunny and shady sides of farm life, by
George "\V. Hood, member from Indiana.
10. The Guenon system ; negative side, by
Eastburn Reeder, member from Bucks.
11. The care of fruit trees, by Calvin Cooper,
President Lancaster Comity Agricultural
Society.
12. The production of milk, by J. P. Barnes,
member from Lehigh.
13. Mineralogy as related to agriculture, by
F. Prime, jr.. Assistant State Geologist.
On Wednesday evening, .January 22d, there
will be a lecture by Dr. H. Leffmann, Micro-
.scopist of the Board. .Subject, "Fungi— large
and small — and their relations to agriculture. "
Sulijcct for general discussion— "Tickets of
admission to county fairs and their price."
Other subjects will be discussed if time will
permit, and any question of a proper nature,
handed to the Secretary by a member of the
Board, will be referred, by the President, for
an answer.
MONTHLY REMINDERS.
.January is unfavorable to out-door labor ;
in the garden especially but little can be done.
The forcing-beds and green-houses will, of
course, require particular attention ; and the
active man may liud something to do in pre-
paring for a more congenial season. Poles and
rods for beans and peas may be made ready to
be used when needed ; manure collected ;
compost heai)s formed (by the way, compost
is beyond all comparison the best form in
which to apply fertilizers, to most vegetable
crops, and ample supplies may be readily made
by proper attention, as the materials present
tliemselves from time during the year). Fruit
trees pruned ; hedges clippetl- those formed
of evergreens not till after frost has disap-
peared ; asparagus beds top-dressed, prepara-
tory to being dug when frost has ceased ; when
new ones are to be made, plant the Colossal.
Hot-beds for early forcing may be made, and
other jobs will present themselves in antici-
pation of spring. AVhere there e.xists the will
to work the opportunity for useful disposition
of time is ever present.
ENTOMOLOGICAL MANIPULATIONS
FOR THE MONTH.
Farmers, gardeners, fruit-growers, and even
citizens of the towns, should now give some
attention to«their trees, .shrubbery and plants,
as well as outhouses, sheds, fence-corners,
and otlier "nooks and corners." During the
season when the trees and shrubljery are leaf-
less, the cocoons and chrysalids of such in-
sects as hibernate, in that form, may be dis-
tinctly seen adhering to, or dangling from their
branches. If these are now collected fmd
burned a great nuisance will be abated, and
much vexatious labor saved through the sum-
mer season. The spindle-shaped follicles of
the "basket worm" may now be plainly
seen. The egg-bands of the "American tent
catterpillar" may also be seen encircling the
branches. Clusters of the eggs, or of the
young, of the "spring web-worm" may also
be seen in the forks of the branches. If they
are out of reach a small swab of tar, on the
end of a pole, will effectually remove them if
properly used. The naked chrysalids of the
"white cabbage butterfly" will be found hang-
ing angularly on the undersides of fence rails,
window frames, door frames, or in almost any
secluded corner. A few days ago we saw one
in the angle of a window sash, one about mid-
way on a vertical sash, and one absolutely
fastened to the glass itself. If these are care-
fully gathered in this and the next month and
destroyed it will not only save a great deal of
vexatious labor next summer, but also much
of the cabbage crop. It will not do to delay
this work until too late in the season, for only
a year ago we found some of these butterflies
evolved and on the wing in the months of
February and March, in one in.stance even
when the ground was still covered wit4i snow.
Look also under the loose bark of dead trees,
and under the chips of bark of living trees, for
the "apple moth," the "squash bugs," and
the large "northern lady bird," (yellow with
black spots). The "potato beetle" also hiber-
nates in cellars, under door steps, and many
other places ; therefore keep a bright lookout
for them early in the season, and get before-
hand with them.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES AND
QUERIES.
Gold Fishes.
To anxious inquirers in regard to " Gold
Fishes "or " Golden Carp " ( Cyprinus atira-
ius,) we would say that most of them die for
the want of oxygen ; the most vital element
in the composition of atmosphere and water.
The great mistake people make is in getting
fishes that are too large for their aquariums.
Two fishes of six or seven inches in length
should have at least six gallons of water, and
a sufficient number of healthy and growing
aquatic plants to maintain the normal equili-
brium. Plants absorb carbon and give off
oxygen. The fishes absorb oxygen and give
off carbon ; so, it will be seen, tliat one, when
rightly proportioned, supports the other.
When fishes suspend themselves vertically in
the water with their noses at the surface
gasping for air, it is a certain indication that
they do not find enough oxygen in the water
to support their lives. If one or two persons
were confined in a small room, as entirely cut
off from nature's great reservoir of oxygen as
fishes are in a small tank, the would soon
suffocate for the want of oxygenated air. It
is true, this difficulty may be in a great mea-
sure, or entirely overcome by the frequent
changing of the water ; but then this involves
a vast deal of labor— more than is commensu-
rate with pleasure.
The gold fish was originally brought from
China, about two hundred years ago, when it
was a greater curiosity than it is now. Some,
therefore, imagine that they must be kept in
water that is several degrees above the freezing
point (or lukewarm,) because they originally
came from China. If other things are "all
right," they will live and thrive iii water that
is thickly covered with ice. They do not want
much food, and need not be fed more tlian
once or twice a week, and then nothing more
than they will devour at a time. The over-
plus if it remains in the tank will ferment or
putrify, and this renders it unhealthy, and
often leads to their death. They don't want
to be pampered, they only want ajdain living.
Many ponds are in the United States aiid
Europe where they thrive and greatly multiply
withouthout the least care ; but, if from any
cause the water becomes impure, they are
almost certain to die. They can "stand" a
good deal, but not poisoned water.
A New Grain.
A new grain, resembling rye somewhat,
only twice as largo, with straw and beardless
head, resembling wheat, is the subject of com-
ment in some of the California exchanges.
When cut, as it is passing into milk, it is said
to make hay far superior to wheat hay. The
discovery of this grain is claimed by a farmer
in Surprise Valley, in the north part of the
State, who took it from the crop of a wild
goose which had been shot. Sowing the seed
innnediately lie had the satisfaction in due
time of reaping more than a hundred fold.
He considers it in every respect superior to rye.
If it is only superior to rye it may not be
quite the thing we want at this time, but let
it "circulate," it may have quantiti/ if not
qualil'j, and that is somelhiny.
Mr. W. L. II., liapho township, Lancaster
county, Pa. — The long whip-like or tail-like
I)lant, growing at two places along the mar-
gin of the Ijiltle Chickies creek, on your
farm, is called " Scouring Rush" (Eqidsctum
hyemale,) and is used in some places where it
abounds plentifully, for purposes of scouring.
This property is derived from its finely corru-
gated external structures, and the presence of
an immense number of minute silicious gran-
ules on its surface and in its internal composi-
tion. It belongs to and is the typical genus
of the EcjuiSETACE.E, or "Horsetail" family ;
the name of which is derived from cquus, a
horse, and seta, a hair. We need not tell you
that it never bears leaves, for that fact must
have been apparent to you whenever you saw
it during the summer. It only, however,
exhibits one of those singular links in the long
chain of vegetation which unites in a har-
monious whole, the various productions of
the vegetable kingdom, and of which every
clime produces its counterparts.
As Others See Us.
Newark, Dec. l~Hi, 1878.
Mr. Ratuvon— I'm)- ,Sir: I am so well pleased
with TiiF, T,ANiAfTEi: Fakmeu Ihaf I have received
tliis last vrai- that I i-ii-lnsr Sl/_5 lurtlic renewal of
™r»"cV .!'/.///'-'/«',• ,i„~l /,.<// jj'uu'.-. Hopin-'all your
patrons will do the same as I have done, I remain,
respectfully, yours, W.Ii. .1., J.-t3 BellcviUe avenve,
Newarlr, New Jersey.
[Next to the echoes from home, where Ave
ought to be be best known, we value those
from abroad, and none are more welcome than
those that reverberate from the " Jarseys."
Thank vou kindly ; these are the oases in the
desert of our editorial days. iMay they ever
continue fresh and green.— Ed.]
Snlisbi'uy, N. C, Dec. IG, 18~S.
Mr. Editor— i>C((r tiir : On Saturday last, by
request of Ransom Jaco' s, I sent you for him by
mail (to^'ether with the extra papers you mailed to
him,) $1. "11 ill currency to pay his subscription up
to lirst ot .laiiu.uy, Lsi'.i. You may continue sending
The Lam A>ri:u rAiiMKK to me upon former con-
ditions, llilii- iuMjic.-iiii.ii meets with your appro-
bation let nie kiinw tlin)iii;li TliE Fakmek.— ro!(fS
tnihj, Martin liirhwbir.
[All right. Let us hear from you often,
and send us all the new names you can, for
we do not wish to conceal our light "under a
bushel."— Ed.]
QUARRTVILLE, Dec. 1.5, 1S78.
Dn. S. S. Rathvon — Dear Hir: I send you this
morning the lonn; looUed-for female opossum. I am
sorry it is dead, and not " playing possum." Possi-
bly I may send you a live one some of these days.
Please let me know if you received it all right, and
oblige yours truly, J{. C. E.
[Your " opossum " {Didclphis virfjinianus,)
came safely to hand, and in due time will be
■scientifically, if not gastronomically, dis-
cussed. Please accept our thanks:— Ed.]
"IT STANDS TO REASON"
That The L.vxcasteii Farmer must be
the best advei'tising medium in the county of
Lancaster, in everything of a permanent and
useful character that relates to farming, gar-
dening and housekeeping. It is a fireside
journal ; is (.•onvenient to refer to ; always
near at hand ; and is a permanent institution
of the household, the workshop, the manu-
flictory and the farm. This ' 'stands to reason. "
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
INSECT SAGACITY.
The olcaiulor In Los Anijck-s, like the oraiiijc ti-oo,
is iiifestc<l Willi tlie hliick scale l)iij,'. .\ freeli plant
Bct out is 5(1 quickly coveted that an imiuest was
hcUl. Behold ! anarray of redaiits, each well loaded,
was obeervcd to be traiiepoitin;; these aphiiles from
plants alicady fiiiliiit; to new quarters for fresh pas-
ture-. I'l ■ ^ ^1 ' ii:: is the red ant's cow. By
tlluliii; I li III I i\es tlio bug to exude drops of
lusii' ^ II' vhieh is at once appropriated.
IIow\ir\ iiu h I ilieliuman brain and human
coffitaluHi : 11 ii;iMms that the sap of that plant
feeds llie Inn;, and that the buf; propagates there.
Naturalists go so far, but no further.
A curious freak of the army worms (caterpillars)
occurred at thu Soiiora foundry, Culiforiiia. The
worms, having: gobbled uji cvnyl liin^' Kreeii in the
neighborhood, entered Un- rmiiidry in lorce. Not
lindlii'r srnib, and not w illiii- Ici ^ive it up so, tliey
pitc'ied '111" 111'' iiiiil'lers' sand, wliieli was to be
used I'll I I I Hi -, iiM morning. The castings were
a deal I 1 li^'ation revealed thousands of
sand, which they deranged
.—.!)■.
Tlu' aliovL' coiUL-.s to US through the eolumn.s
of a rocciit iiuinborof the UaUiiiioie iS'kii. We
wish llic wiitt'i- had made acloafcr (U.stiiictiou
between " scale lnip;s " and " aiiliidcs." Scale
it)sects (.-..■.vO arc iisiiallv mi iiiini.nal.lc, nrirn
SO larfjc. and always so adlicsivc, thai \vc can
hardly sec limv they cunld l.c dclailicd and
trjiiisidaiited from one iilace to another l)y
auts, unless they were very largo ants, anil
very loose hu^s. Moreover, the con-i are not
as remarkable for the excretion of lioncv-dcw
as are the i/,,/,»7i,:. And y<d I lie coccus oC the
oranf;e does exu<ic a sweel nuicns I lia | allracLs
the ants, and we have otlcn noticed this on
the oranLTc tree in our possession. ]5nt seale
insects in this lalilndc are not remarkable for
this (inalily, at least not to any great degree.
It is common, however, to aphiih's, or "plant
lice " as they are popularly eallcd, known also
in England as "ant cows." 13nt surely a
shcpheVd or a dairyman, who slionld drive his
flock or his herd from an exhausted pa-lure to
one more Uixnriaid. in ordci- to ineiea-c Ihcir
volume of llesh or their (luantity of milk, coidd
.not lia\c acted more rationally in etiectiiig
that end than these insects did, if the above
record bo ;i veritable one. Ants arc well
known to have transplanted aphides to their
own homes— and not the-e alone, but also
their food- and to herd and feed lliem ilierc,
in order that they Ihein-elves nii-lil I'ea-t on
their saccharine excretions. About the bare
fact of pro]ia','ation, we presume the ants have
no ftirther interesi in it than it may increase
the amount oltlie hou'v prodnet.
The "curiou- IVeak" ,<{ Uw armv worms
allude.l to inav not In' -o vei-y eurii'm- after
all. Allir thi'v bud ■•-olil'lcd npeverv -reeu
thing," it is prohalilc they were ready to
undergo their pupal transformation, and iind-
ing the inolders' sand tifforiled the necessary
conditions, they may have chosen that in
preference to the hard earth on which thcv
had traveled. The army worms creep into
the earth and change to a pupa afler tlicy
have com)ilet('d their larval period and lemaiii
there until they come forth a moth.
THE FOX SQUIRREL.
Sportsmen in this part of the <■. iiii'\ .,111 in in-
somewhat in aquandry as to wliai 1 i,,x
squirrel. Some entertain the oiiii]:- n 1 :. : n ..nn
applies to the commoii or more imi v iriM.Mii-
nated red squirrel in this part of the eumiiv, which
opinion has thus far deterred many from "shooting
those animals. Blngby, in his history of animated
nature, one of the most complete natural histories
extant, does not say anything about the fox squirrel,
consequently we are inclined to tliink that no squir-
rels of that name exist, but that it may probably be
the local name of some species of gray squirrel.
Will some member of the Legislature, or some
naturalist be kind enough to lielp our sportsmen out
of this quandry?— f'on-cvyioHt/in^ Xcm Era.
It is questionable whether there is a sjieci-
men of the trtic "fox sipiirrel" {Srun-m Vid-
pinm] to be found in Lanea:4er eonnt\-, if in
the State of Pennsylvania. The fox squirrel
is the largest scpiirrel kn')wn to Xorlii .\meri-
ca, but belongs to the Southern States, from
North Carolina down to Texas. It measures
twelve inches or more from the no.se to the
root of the tail, and the tail has a length of
fifteen inches. The cars and nose are always
white, but otherwise the color is very variable,
from a gray above and white beneath, through
all shades of rusty to a imiform black. The
Western fox siiuirrel 1 ,sV/»,-ir.s /(/i/'.re/,,,,,*.,-,) is
conliiied mainly to tlie .Mi..-i--ippi \all, v. It
is nearly as large as tie' Southern -peeie-', hot
the tail'isonly the length of thi: body. The
no.sc and ears are never white. The "color is
a rusty gray iibovo and a bright ferruginous
(the color of iron-rust) beneath.
Intermediate between tliese two species,
and of nearly the -aine -i/ ■ in l"id\. is the
"Cat S,|uirrel," also called ihe |ox -,p,iirel,
(.S'ci'iiru.s- c//(fi-f !(.-.■,) of IVnnsylvania, with a
geographical habitat extending from Xcw
Jersey to Virginia ; but its tail is two inches
longer than the Western .sjieeies, and one inch
or more shorter than the Siiulherfi species. In
color it nearly resembles the Southern fox
squirrel, but organically it is heavier than
either of the other two. The ears and nose
are never wdiite. It is most abundant in the
Alleghanics, but thirty and forty years ago it
was frequently met with in Lancaster county ;
it was, howc;ver, seldom met with on the
western side of the AUeglumies. There is at
least one specimen of it in the museum of the
Liniia'an society. Our common gray squirrel
{sriurits carolincTisis,) is about ten inches in
length to the root of the tail, and that ap-
pendage is about one inch longer than the
body ; and, although it may vary in the shade
of gray above, it is always a pure white be-
neath.
We have not the game laws before us,
and therefore we cannot recall what species
peoiile are prohiliited from .shooting, but if it
.says fox siptirrel it does not mean the "red
squirrel" (Sciiirus liwls(mius,) or "chicarce,"
as it is called in some places— but must refer
to wicretf.'s our "cat .squirrel," so called from
the "stumpiness" of its ears.
In enacting laws relating to the animal
world, legi.slators only create confusion, when
they ignore scientific nomenclature. The
scientilie names ought to be, at least, inclosed
in pan ntliesis, a- wi' have them in this arti-
cle, and ilieii tlie rkMdei-, it lie chooses, Can
skill o\('r III. rn williou', de-t royiii:.' the seu.se.
Thev will be land marks, or ratlier a com|iass,
to point out the dircclion in which the reader
is sailing, for there is no relianc,' .generally, in
local common names. The Soiitiiern .species
is specifically named ri///»ii(iN, which is from
vul^KS, a fox, and that i- jierhajis the oidy
species that is entitled to the comnum name
of "]^ix Squirrel."
In conejiision, we may be permitted to say,
that I'.ingliy's history of animated nature can
not lie very "complete," or it surely woultl
have said something about an animal so com-
mon as the fox squirrel. There are many so-
called histories of iinimated nature that nVight
just as well never have been written, for all
the help they afford in solving seientific prob-
lems ; for. do as wo will, we cannot absolve
ourselves from the aid of science.
TWELVE HUNDRED CATERPILLARS
TAKEN FROM A SINGLE TREE.
Mr. (J. Lemon, of East Chestntd street,
brought us two compact masses of caterpillars,
which he fotmd hiid been depredating upon
his fJerman walnut tree, containing about
twelve hundred in number- lather more than
less. These are the larva' of Datana ministra,
the " Hand-Maid " or " walnut inolh." The
color of these larva' is so near that of the
branches of the tree that they sometimes strip
ofT all the leaves without their presence being
suspected, which was the ease with ^Ir. Le-
mon, he not knowing that they were present
until he found them all htiddled and matted
together on the ground, and on the trunk of
the tree. Length, one and a half inches ;
head, jet black : color, maroon brown ; pec-
toral legs, six ; prolegs, ten ; a medium yel-
lowish marginal line or stripe on each side the
entire length : three finer lateral lines on
each side, of the same color and length ;
sparsely covered with whitish hair; at rest,
much in the habit of adhering by the prolegs
and raising the head and front part of tlie I
Ivody upward and backward ; or, when dis-
turbed at feeding, apt to assume this po.sition
with a sudden jerk, or suddenly throwing the
front part of I he body friun side to .side.
The foreg<iiiiL', however, maiidy represents
these caterpillars before their last moidting.
Alter that period the I'ormer linesaud coloring
become obliterated and Iheaninial is black all
over, as to Hie head and bodv, and the hair
becomes thicker, whiter and longer. The
head also becomes larger and blacker ; and if
Mr. ]j. could have .seen his "iiatch" of worms
to-day, he jirobably would have failed to
recogiii/.e them— they would have been so
greatly changed.
This issomeiimes called the "walnutmotb,"
and although it infests all kinds, it is jiartial
to the cultivated kinds of waliinls, but must
not be conro'anded with the " liii|icrial walnut
moth" (Dryocanipa imiierialisi. the larva of
which attains to three or four inches in length,
and as thick as a man's thumb, with half a
dozen prominent horns on the front part of
the body. The siiecies we have been con-
sidering often surprises jieople by its sutldcn
deliarture. I'erhajis tlu' tree is"full of them
to-day, and yon apply sonic pow-wow remedy
for their removal, such, for instance, as hang-
ing old hor.seshoes on the limbs, boring a
gimlet hole into the trunk and filling it with
sulphur, or rubbing the trunk and larger
branches with the kidneys of a he-owl ; and
behold, the next day it is found that all the
caterpillars have vanished, and the remedy is
recorded as a success. Ihit the eaterpiliara
having' completed tlieir larval development,
have oii]\ erept into the groimd to undergo
their impal traiisrormation, afler which they
coint^orth in the form of a brownish yellow
moth, expanding from two to two and a half
inches, the head and thorax covered with a
thick velvety coat of fur, of a rich brown
coloi-, and then each female is ready to found
a new colony. They are, however, liable to
many casualties, or ihe country might boon be
overrun with them.
Mr. Lemon was fortunate In trapjiing them
as he did ; and here we may say that we know
of no caterpillar that is easier to destroy than
this one, for they arc so gregarious in their
habits that they always collect togi'ther in
compact masses on the trunks of the trees
when they are done feeding, or at nights, and
make no attenqit to escape.
There are sometimes two broods of these
moths ill one season ; indeed, a little farther
South this is always the ease. l!ut when they
come down from the trees so late as the Ttliof
August, to iicrl'orni ther last moult, it is ijiiite
likely the piipie would remain in the ground
until next siiring.
ANTIDOTE FOR CURRANT "WORMS.
A correspondent writes to the Country
Ocntkman : Seeing occasionally in your paper
some one recommending soapsuds, carbolic
acid, white hellebore, etc., for currant worms,
let me state my expirience.
My bushes have borne well during all the
passed years, and we have had curiaui pics,
currant jelly, etc., (we iire temiicrate— so we
don't make currant wine), while our neigh-
bors have stood back and wondered. Some
.said it was because we lived on a cross-road,
that currant worms, like tramps, preferred
the main lines. A few made their appearance
every year ; we picked them oil' and saw them
no more. This year one bush had ii good
many on it, and we picked ofl" the leaves
where they had been at work, but the worms
were gone. "What did they leave for?"
" Where did they go ?" " What carried them
off V" were questions we asked oureelves. So
we investigated.
Near by was a large colony of ants, and we
have seen niimbeis of them rnniiiie.' over the
bushes. Knowing what inquisitive tliinss
ants arc, we set the jiail down <in the knoll
and awaited results, riesently one mounted
the pail, went down into it and returned with
a worm larger than himself, and off lie went
home. When he returned he brought with
him his brothers and sisters, liis father and
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[January,
mother, and eacli got a worm ; then lliey
brought their friends, until the pail was black
with them. The carrying off of those in the
pail, however, was not so much what we
wanted as those on the bushes, so we removed
it. We have looked for worms since, but have
found none, and are satisfied that the ants
take care of them.
There is no patent on this, Mr. Editor, and
.anyone is at liberty to try it if they choose ;
for our part we prefer it to the time and ex-
pense of using" the various lotions recom-
mended, to say nothing about the danger of
using some of them. With .ants for currant
worms, hens for potatoe bugs, and turkeys
for grasshoppers, we see no reason why we
cannot be prosperous.
Good, perhaps, so far as it goes, but a feeble
read to lean on. Suppose we have a hundred, or
a thousand infested currant bushes and a few
ornoantsV How then? Does the writer intend
to suggest their colonizationV
IMPERIAL WALNUT MOTH.
The magnilicient, horned, green worm, sub-
mitted to our inspection, is the larva of the
•'Imperial Walnut Moth," (Dryommpa im-
ijerialis) and its food is the foliage of the com-
mon walnut tree {Juglans nigra). It has un-
dergone its last moulting and is now ready to
bury itself in the ground and be transformed
to a black chrysalis, where it will remain until
next spring, when the walnut is in foliage,
when it will evolve from its pupal sleep, as a
most magnificent moth, with reddish-brown
and orange colors, and expanding about six
inches from "tip to tip" of the front or an-
terior wings.
This larva (before us) measures five inches
in length and three inches in circumference ;
dark green in color ; an orange colored head
and caudal prolegs, with pectoral feet of the
same color. The prolegs are all black and
there are six black spines arranged transverse-
ly on each segment of the whole body. The
spines on the three anterior segments are
orange colored at the base and lower half, and
four of those on the second and third seg-
ments, are from a half to three-quarters of an
inch long, and slightly bent like the horns of
an antelope, and on the whole it presents a
very formidable appearance. There are also
two large Ijlack spots or maeulations between
the second and the third segments. We have
known of this insect for a very long time.
Nearly sixty years ago one fell from a walnut
tree, under which we and a number of boys
were resting, and produced a great consterna-
tion among us. We, however^ gathered suffl-
cient courage to capture him and convey him
into the town, where he was a seven-days'
wonder.
We have never known the walnut moth to
become numerous, and they confine them-
selves entirely to the different kinds of wal-
nut. They are difMcult to raise, and we never,
but once, succeeded in producing the moth,
but often failed.— ifuicasfei-, Sept. 1, 1878.
"COLD SNAP."
The very cold weather which has thus far
accompanied the incoming New Year, has
been pretty general throughout the northern
region of our country, and has even extended
far down into the southern region. In Lan-
caster county tlie thermometer was "boxing
about" somewhere between /rmr nud ticdi-c
degrees below zero ,• but this was nothing to
the markings between sixteen and sMy which
it made in the British possessions, on the
north of our territory. Cold weather, how-
ever unfriendly it may be to some people, has
yet its compensations ; and the whole, vegeta-
tion—and, perhaps, also the human family-
suffers, generally, less from extreme cold than
it does from extreme heat. January may be
regarded as a precarious month ; because,
vegetation revived during that month, is very
certain to be overtaken by a "cold snap" be-
fore the opening spring. This may, also, be
the case if such a contingency occurs during
February or March, but it is sure to follow
the germinations of January. Cold weather
secures that perfect repose of the vegetable
world whicli is so necessary in our latitude to
secure its uninterrupted and vigorous activity
after the cold season has subsided. We want
cold weather for at least two months to come.
ABOUT EELS.
I have witnessed the spring migration of
eels, from one and a half to three inches long,
up the Susquehanna river, in countless thous-
ands, (perhaps millions). Has any other
individual residing along that stream, or else-
where, witnessed a similar phenomenon ? I
make this inquiry because in nearly all I read
upon the subject of eels (that has recently
been published) that characteristic has been
but incidentally and vaguely alluded to ; or,
if more distinctly stated, it has not been from
the writer's own personal observation.
Any information on this subject, together
with dates, localities and special circum-
stances will be thankfully received by S. S.
Batlivon, 101 N. Queen street, Lancader, Pa.
URANINE.
This is the most recently discovered, and perhaps
the most remarkable, of all the coal tar or aniline
group of coloring substances, now so extensively
used for the adornment of the finest fabrics. Uranine
is said, by chemists, to be the most higlily Horescenc
body known to science. Its coloring power is aston-
ishing ; a single grain will impart a marked color to
nearly Ave hundred gallons of water.
A most interesting experiment, which anybody
may try, consists in sprinkling a few atoms of Ura-
nine upon the surface of water in a glass tumbler.
Each atom immediately sends down through tlie
water what appears to be a bright green rootlet,
and the tumbler soon loohs as if it were crowded
full of beautiful plants. Tlie rootlets now begin to
enlarge, spread and combine, until we have a mass
of soft green-colored liquid. Viewed by trusmitted
light the color changes to a bright golden or amber
hue ; while a combination of greeirand gold will be
realized, according to the jiosition in which the glass
is held. For day or evening experiment nothing can
be prettier than these trials of Uranine, which are
especially entertaining for the young folks. We are
indebted for examples of the color to the editors of
the •Seieiitiflc American, who are sending out speci-
mens, free of charge, to all their readers. The sub-
scription to the paper is S'!.20 for a year, or §1.00
half year : and a better investment for the money
could hardly be named.
PENNSYLVANIA FRUIT GROWERS'
SOCIETY.
The twentieth annual meeting of this so-
ciety will be held in '-Alder Hall," near Court
House, Reading, Pa., commencing, January
15th, 1879, at 2 o'clock, p.m., and continuing
over Thursday 16th.
A cordial invitation is extended to fruit
growers, horticulturists, both amateur and
professional, and all others wlio feel interested
in the discussion of these and kindred topics,
to meet with us and give results and benefit
of their experience. We also invite such as
feel interested in the welfare of our society to
become members thereof and thus aid in ex-
tending its influence and usefulness more
generally throughout the State. The object
of our organization was to gather and sy tema-
tize pomological and horticultural knowledge
and disseminate the same for the benefit of all
engaged in similar pursuits. The pubhshed
reports of the society, which are issued annu-
ally, free to all members, form a valuable
library for reference and are well worth the
fee of membership.
"lilishler's Hotel" will board members and
delegates at .11.50 per day, including free
transportation from and to the depot. It may,
therefore, be considered head(iuarters for the
society.
Excursion tickets will be issued by the
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company
from the following stations, on January 14th
and 15th, good until Saturday 18th, inclu-
sive : Philadelphia, AVilliamsport, Harrisburg,
Lancaster, Allen town, Cattavvissa, Norris-
town, Columbia, Lebanon, Down ingtown and
Litiz. The Willmington & Northern Railroad
Company will al.so issue excursion tickets
from Waynesburg Junction, Coatesville and
Chadd's Ford, oii the 15th and IGth, and good
until the 18th,
Persons having new varieties of fruits, or
any fine specimens of fruits, flowers or vege-
tables, or any improved horticultural imple-
ments in their possession, arc respectfully
requested to exhibit them at the i^eeting.
Articles intended for exhibition may be sent
to E. B. Engle, Secretary, Mishler's Hotel,
Reading, Pa.
In again convening the members of this
society the officers are happy to announce that
an unusually full and interesting meeting may
be expected. Some of the leading horticul-
turists of the State have promised to meet
and address the society upon interesting and
appropriate horticultural subjects.
Essays and Addresses.
"Disease of the Pear," by E. Satterthwait,
Jenkintown, Pa.
"Modern Fruit H, uses," by Hon. Geo. D.
Stitzel, Reading, Pa.
"Profit and Pleasure in Gardening," by
Tlios. Meehan, editor Gardeners'' Monthly,
Germantown, Pa.
"Sewage— How to utilize the same, its ap-
plication to Fruit Growing, and how to obtain
best results," by A. R. Sprout, Picture
Rocks, Pa.
'•Uses and Abuses of Pruning," by Presi-
dent Calder, State College, Pa.
"Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies,) of
North America," by Herman Strecker, of
Reading, Pa.
"Culture and Training of the Vine,'' by H.
M. Engle, Marietta, Pa'.
"Mulching and its Benefits," by Alexander
Burnett, Reading, Pa.
Mr. Casper Ililler, of Conestoga, Pa., has
also promised a paper, subject not yet an-
nounced ; and several other prominent horti-
culturists are expected to prepare articles, but
have not yet responded.
Committees for 1878.
General Fruit Committee.— John I. Carter,
Chester county, chairman; Casper Ililler,
Lancaster county; Morgan Rufe, Bucks
county; A. R. Sprout, Lycoming county; S.
W. Nu'ole. Montgomery county; E. J. Evans,
York county; G. II. Small, Dauphin county;
A. S. ShelleV, Union county; AV. L. Shaeffer,
Philadelphia; J. Murdoch, sr., Allegheny
county; II. S. Rupp, Cumberland county; G.
D. Stitzel, Berks comity; II. Leh, jr., Lehigh
county; Jos. Lewis, jr., Delaware county;
Rev. James Calder, Centre county; Jacob
Ileyser, Franklin coimty; W. M. Pannebaker,
Mifflin county.
Committee on Orcharels.—'E. Satterthwait,
Montgomery county, chairman; W. S. Bissell,
Philadelphia; J. G. Engle, Lancaster county;
E. II. Cocklin, Cumberland county; T. M.
Harvey, Chester county.
Committee on Nomenclature.— 11. M. Engle,
Lancaster county, chairman; Calvin Cooper,
Lancaster county; J. H. Bartram, Chester
county; A. W. Harrison, Philadelphia; J. AV.
Pyle, Chester county.
Committee on Floriculture.— Chas. H. Miller,
Philadelphia, chairman; Thomas Meehan,
Germantown; Peter C. Ililler, Lancaster
county; H. S. Rupp, Cumberland county; S.
H. Purple, Lancaster county.
Committee on Arboriculture.— Geo. Achelis,
Chester county, chairman; D. G. Engle, Lan-
caster county; H. A. Chase, Philadelphia; G.
II. Small, Dauphin county; Wm. Hacker,
Philadelphia.
Committee on Insects.— S. S. Rathvon, Lan-
caster coimty, chairman; J. S. Stauffer, Lan-
caster county; Herman Strecher, Berks county.
Committee on Arraw/ement and Reception.—
Geo. D. Stitzel, Berks county, chairman; J.
L. Stichter, Berks county; P. C. Ililler, Lan-
caster county; E. B. Engle, Lancaster county. |
Officers of the Society.
Prcsidext.—Josinh Iloopes, West Chester.
Virc Presidents.— II. M. Engle, Marietta;
A. II. Sprout, Picture Rocks; John I. Carter,
West Grove.
liccording Secretary.— H. B. Engle, Maiietta.
Corrcs)wv.d:ng Secretary.— W. P. Brinton,
Christiana.
'Treasurer. — Geo. B. Thomas, West Chester.
Professor of i?o(an!/.—Thos. Meehan, Ger-
mantown,
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
Professor of Enlomoloyij.—S. S. Kathvon,
Lancaster.
Professor of Jlorticultiiral CkemlMrt/.—b. B.
Ileiges, York.
LETTER FROM IOWA.
Holland, Iowh, Dec. luili, 1878.
Editok Faioieu : Tlio WLiUlur, Hint ever
fruitful topic of conversation, has been cx-
tremclv fine iluriii!,' tlic present fall. On Sun-
day we had a liijlit fall of snow, the first
of the sca.son, which soon bid farewell, and
now we arc again favored with the best of
weather.
Farm ]r'//A-.— TIic fnrmcr.s of this county
are through pickiiit; corn, the croj) having'
yielded lar^'ely, even bcvdud Iheir cxpcct.a-
tion ; the (lualitv is excclicnl, boins fully ma-
tured, no soft corn lu-in;,' found. For all that
the crop was ^0(ul it seems thou;,'li it ini.iilil
be vastly iniprovfd bv plantiiii;- butter varie-
ties. The essay of Mr. Kn.nle, on corn culti-
vation, before t lie I.aiieasler County Aiirieul-
tural Society, was published in tlie l.M'al paper
here, and we hope that some may Ije benelited
by it. The varieties planted here arc a small
grained, thick cob variety. A large acreage
of ground has been ploughed during this fall,
so that farmers are in good shape for the
spring campaign.
Live Sto(k:--TUe. hog crop in this county is
very large, and but a comparatively small
amount are being sold, on account of the low
prices, yet a liancaster county farmer would
think the market brisk if he saw the amount
shipped from tliis place alone. We saw a
drove of seventy-two brought in yesterday,
weighing :>."), .")(iG 'pounds, averaging a fraction
over :!.■).") pounds. They were splcndiil ho;;s,
for the greater part were Berkshire breed.
Cattle— But few have been offered as yet,
though there arc large herds that will be ready
for market early in 1879.
rotacco.— This county bids fair to become
a tobacco growing county. The cxiierimeut
has been tried the past summer, and we ;ire
informed with very satisfactory result, (^uite
a number of farmers intend going into the
business next spring. That veteran tobacco-
nist, John S. (Jable, of your city, who, by the
way, owns lart,'e tracts of land in this county,
isof o)iinion tliat tlie soil of this county "is
well adapted to llie growth of the weed, and
says, that from the samples which he saw and
examined, he is free to say that tobacco culture
in Grundy county will form one of tlie main
features of her agriculture. All that is wanted
are men who understand how to gro\v and
cure the crop, and success will bo certain, lie
told US some montlis ago, that ''somebody
will come here and m.ike a fortune in raising
tobacco in this county."
Game.— This section of county abounds
with feathered game. Prairie hens arc abun-
dant, as are also quail, the latter however are
not molested, as there is better game on the
wing. Wild geese come hero in large liocks,
as also ducks and brants. We are told that
at Wall Lake, Storm Lake, and some others
northwest from here, game is more than
plenty.
The Markets.— Corn is being brought here
in large quantities. The grain men are driving
a bri.sk trade ; immense corn cribs are being
erected, (the corn lieing all in the ear,) hold-
ing thousands of bushels. ()u<' crib was fin-
ished to-day, being four hun.lred feel long.
fourteen wide ami fourteen feet Ingli ; there
is fair prospects of many nuire being built.
Grain is also coming in lively ; the two eleva-
tors, mill and three grain w-arehouses are
running two sets of hands, night and day in
handling grain. Though that the grain crop
was a failure there are large quantities of
grain in the county, and firmers are not as
particular as they should be in the manner
their grain coincs'iuto market. Large quanti-
ties of barley arc raised here. Butter is plenty
here at present. Mr. Anthony Traser, in the
grocery business here, (formerly from Lin-
coln, Lancaster county,) took in on .Saturday
last five barrels of butter ; this is good for
one store. There are three others in town.
Eggs are not very plenty ; the farmers do
not give their chickens the necessary atten-
tion. Live iwultry is being brought in, though
not in large numbers.— H'. JI. Spera.
N. B. Fi;()|-. Batiiton: Please send me a
copy of TliK Fai!Mi;u. Of whom can I procure
the'J-arge ( lounl ( 'oru.aud Small < lounl Seed-
only small (piantities for trial in this county.
The al)ove corn can be obtained at the reli-
able agricultural, implement and seed store of
Wji. 1). Si'ifEciiER, of this city. — Ed.
For Till! Lanoarteu Fabmeb.
THOROUGH WORT.
This i.lant is dedicated to Enpator Mithri-
dates, who lirsl brought it into notice. Dio-
scorides mentions this jilant in his work on
botany. Mithridates, King of Poiitus, sur-
nami'd 'Fuiiator"' and "the Great" was the
son of Mithridates VI., the lir.st king of that
country who entered into an alliance with the
Romans. At the death of his father, 1-2:5
B. C, he succeeded to the crown when he
was only about twelve years of age. But I
am not giving the biography of Mithridates,
which i find quite lengthy and interesting,
but subject matter in connection with our
most common plants. The scientific name is
Eupalorhini perfoliulum, the specific name
refers to the stem apparently growing through
the united leaves. Hence we find the many
common names— such as Tiiorough AVort,
Thorough Stem, Thorough Wax, (,'ross Wort,
besides that of Indian S.age and Bone-Set.
This latter name is ipiitc common. Who has
not been recoiniiniiilcil to drink "Bone-Set
tea?" Tliis (1.1(1 n:iinc iiiines from an early
belief that it aided in joining or knitting
broken bones. Plants have their history, as
well as uses. I shall not give a description
how to recognize the plant, because the cut
sliows it. and it is found in fiower from niid-
suuiiner to Septduber from Xoya .'scotia to
boguy .soils. Il" belongs, of course, to the ex-
tensive order of Composila-, or what arc
termed compound llowers, that is a number
of tubular or strap-shaped fiowers on a com-
mon receptacle surrounded by a common in-
volucre.
Every part of tlic Eupatoritmi has an in-
ten.sely bitter taste, combined with a fiavor
peculiar to the jdant, but without astringency
or acrimony. This bitter principle is alike
.soluble in water and in alcohol, imparting its
sensible cpi.alitics to both, and neither .solution
being rendered turbid, at leiist for some time,
by the addition of the other solvent. Tannin
exists very sparingly in this plant. Dr. An-
derson, of >'ew York, wlio details numerous
experiments, concludes that a single decoction
forms the best tonic stiiuulanl. i;iycn in inod-
eratequ;u)tities. Tliesubstaru c, cold infusion
or decoction, promote digestion, streugtiiens
the viscera and restores lone to tlie .system.
Like other vegetabl.> bitters, however, if
given in large quantities, especially in warm
infusion or decoction, il proves emetic, sudori-
fic and appericnl. Even in cold infusion it
tends to bring on diaphoresis, (promotes pers-
piration).
It may be luescribed in the low stages of
fever to support strength, jironiote a moisture
of the skin, without materially increasing the
heat of the body. And as a tonic in loss of
aiipetite and other symptoms of dyspepsia, a.s
well as in general debility of the system.—/.
Stavlfir.
MOONLIGHT.
I have not written anything for The
Faumeu for some time, but as there appcans
to be a little more "moonlight" desired at
Dobbs' Ferry, N. Y., I thought I would
"rise" again.' I ha\c no cxpei-ieiice in potato
planting with rcln-i nee lo the i m. Hut 1
may sav, potatoes u;inl lo'.sc soil. 'I'hci-cfore,
plcnv in" the risill^' of the moon, if the .soil is
heavy or clayey. It tlu' soil is naturally loose
I doi"rt lookto" the moon. Should Ihe soil lie
too li-ht and hm.se, plow in the .selling of the
moon. Haul the, manure on the ground you
intend tor potatoes in the fall, even if it is
washy. Then ^yail until you want lo plow;
spread it evenly ; plow early in the spring ;
any time between now and spring, so that it
will freeze after it is plowed. As to the
proper time to plant, that will depend some-
what on the character of the weather. Ac-
cording to my (xperience the best time is
about the miildle of April. When 1 com-
menced fanning I planted three times every
season. The hist tinif as early as I could—
sometimes in March the secoiul time in the
middle of Aiuil, and the third time on or
about the 1st of .May, This I did for .several
years, and nearly always the middle planting
turned out the be>t. On .stilT soil it would be
well if \ye could work tlie soil always in the
rising of the moon. But there might he too
long an interval belweeii ; the weeds would
get too far ahead. A farmer told me one of
his neighbors runs a subsoil ploiii;li through
the rows just liet'oic he lays Ihe potatoes in ;
that is. hehaiidws it out as UMial and then
runs the subsoil plow thnuigh, and he beat all
his neighbors in raising potatoes. 1 intend to
try that plan the present year. — /. (I., War-
wk-k\ JiUiiMrn 1, 1870.
RANDOM THOUGHTS— No. 7.
Fodder Crops.
For some years past there has been much
seeking after new plants for fodder crops that
would'answer better the ends than any of the
old s]ieeies. .\s far as (luantity is concerned
there isiiodoul't but that at leasl two plants
have been lirought forward that far outstrip
all the old species.
Among tlie most prominent of the old
species may be enumerated the following :
IhoKlitriiiii Grilse, a millet, was introduced
probably more than twenty years ago, but it
did not" come into g^aieral favor over the
country until considerably later, and it is
even now condemned by many, they thinking
it injurious to horses, that it lessens the flow
of milk in cows, &c. Tlu'ic may be some
weight in the latter claim, and I have no
doubt but that it has lessened the flow of
milk, but not from any inherent fault in the
grass but from the fact that in many ca.ses it
lias been allowed to over-ripen and thus be-
come worth little more than straw for feeding
purjioscs. I have never heard any complaint
when the grass was cut early enough so as to
have a nice green color when dry. Its quick
growth and heavy yield should certainly make
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[January,
it a favorite, it being possible to raise a good
crop after the farmer sees that tlie other crops
on which lie depended for hay or fodder will
be a failure. , . , , . . ■, i.
Peas and oats, or oats by itself is raised at
many places for the purpose of making hay.
I do not think that either will be ever very
popular in this section on account of the un-
certainty of the oats reaching any respectable
heio-ht. North of us where oats is a pretty
Sute crop, peas and oats are no doubt in much
favor, for the pea vines make a great bulk of
fodder equal in value to clover hay.
Bye has been tried to some extent, but does
tiot seem to grow in favor, for unless taken
very young the fodder will be hard and wiry
and not relished by stock.
Corn is the stand-by as a fodder crop over a
larger extent of couiUry thuu pniliably all the
others combined, and its nutiu loiis oood quali-
ties give it rlghttothis iii-ominoucc. It seems
to have only one ftuilt of any prominence, and
that is the difficulty of curing it, unless the
weather is favorable. It is some satisfaction
to know that in no country have they more
favorable weather to harvest all crops than in
this country.
All the above crops are also useful for soiling,
cutting and feeding green in stalls, but rye
is the least so, on account of its becoming
hard so soon, and, in fact, the only good claim
rye has is its earliness, being generally fit to
cut two weeks or more before any of the other
crops used for soiling come in.
Of the new candidates for favor we have
two :
Prickly comfrey was disseminated a tew
years ago witli a great tiourish of trumpets.
"It was not claimed as a real fodder plant, but
for the purpose of soiling was said to be un-
equaled, producing as much as one hundred
tons of green feed to the acre on rich soil, and
that it was greatly relished by cattle, pigs,
sheep and horses, and that it put them in a
thriving condition.
Now for the reports.
Its great yield is generally acknowledged,
and I think in one case ninety tons reported,
which comes near enough for a new plant for
which so much was claimed. One man re-
ports that his cattle will not touch it ; and
that, thouch it may be eaten by some poor
foreign cattle, he does not think an intelligent
American cow could be made to do so unless
driven thereto by starvation. Others report
that tlieir cattle would not eat it at first, but
were educated to it by throwing cornmeal on
it. One man, probab'ly a Yankee, whose cat-
tle somewhat tabooed the new introduction,
liit upon the novel plan of throwing it upon
some kind of scaffolding, where the cows
could hardly reach it, and then they went for
it with a whim ; these cows probably had in
them considerable hum;in nature, that is of
the contrary kind. One man reported that
his cattle liked it both green and dry.
There is no doubt but that in very rich soil
it is unsurpassed for soiling, but it will take
time to determine its real claims to quality
and usefulness in this respect. It requires
good culture and plenty of manure to bring it
to perfection.
That parties not acquainted with it may
have some knowledge as to what kind of a
plant it is I will state that it is a near relative
to the common comfrey (swartz wurzel) of the
garden, the botanical degree of relation being
closer than that of rye to wheat.
Pead miUct, also called Egvptian milTfet, is
a newer caudidato than the "last mentioned,
this lieing the lirst year that there were any
extended trials made in the North, and I
have this far seen but two of the reports,
both being found in the American Agricultur-
ist, and which I condense for these columns :
Mr. Peter Henderson, near New York city,
prepared a piece of good .strong loamy soil,
as if for beet or turnip, applying ten tons ma-
nure to the acre and plowing ten inches deep.
The millet was sown oh May l.'ith, in drills 18
inches apart, at the rate of 8 quarts to the
acre. Twelve days afterwards it was culti-
vated, after that cultivation being unneces-
sary, as the rapid growth smothered all weeds
that came up. First cutting, July 1st, being
seven feet high, weighed, green, at the rate of
:iO tons per acre, U tons, dried, as hay. Sec-
ond cutting, August 15th, height 0 feet, weight
55 tons green; 8 tons dried. Tliird crop
started as rapidly as the second, but the cool
nights in September lessened the growth, but
when cut, on October 1st, weighed 10 tons
green ; U tons dried. Total, 05 tons green
fodder, or 16 tons when dried to hay. lle-
sembles cornfodder, and supposes it equally
nutritious. Ilor.ses and cattle ate it greedily,
whether green or dry. If sown broadcast
about 1(5 quarts seed should be used.
A. Coindet, of Montreal, sowed a paper on
May 20th, in his yard, soil not manured, and
had the sun only about two hours each day. Cut
July 15 when five feet high ; again September
15 when six feet high ; last time, October 1st,
when the stalks were nine feet high. Both
his horses and cows were very fond of the
millet, green or dry.
When reports from such widely distant
points coincide as these two do, there must be
some merit in the millet. I have no doubt
but what it will to some extent displace corn
as a soiling and fodder crop, because it can be
cut oftener for soiling and more weight of
fodder raised. The heavy manuring given by
Mr. Henderson will be apt to strike some far-
mers with dismay, the amount being more
than the average quantity applied to that
manure-devourer, tobacco. But then consider
sixteen tons of hay from one acre ! With a
few acres of this what a number of cattle
could be kept, and I am afraid the, farmer
would get frightened at the size of his manure
Suppose that clover would be a failure, and
the farmer had only the timothy to cut which
gives no aftermath'. As soon as the hay was
off the field he might sow it to this millet,
and forty-five or fifty days afterward cut a
mass of stufE that would make eight tons of
hay, as was done in the second cutting as re-
ported by Mr. Henderson, who can be relied
on as saying just what he knows.
Tea Raising.
In December number of The Farmer
J. B. G. thinks that the article in October
number under the above heading " might
lead some people to infer or suppose this plant
can be cultivated anywhere." I did not in-
tend that my remarks should lead to any
such impression, and think that the second
sentence wherein it is stated that the Agri-
cultural Department was sending out plants
" to such places as seemed suitable for the
growing," would put people on their guard.
Further, our florists arc ii(i\v-a-days so liberal
with their lists and < :ital<.-urs tliat few could
help but know that VA. w , ( h inose Tea Plant,)
was classed in the ./'■" -i-//<-»n, collections.
The plant is probably not quite as tender
as the remarks of Mr. G. would seem to imply,
for it is cultivated in Japan as far north as
the northern boundary of Nortli Carolina,
but it is probable that there are varieties that
are more hardy than others, just as in some of
our fruit trees.
I am in the habit of putting off writing
articles intended for publication to the last
minute, and then have not time to prepare
them as they should be. I hope Mr. G. will
n-ive me a " rowing up " on all such occasions,
and I will then as now thank him for it.
Laying Down to Grass.
I have often seen it recommended that this
or that grass should be more used in seeding
to grass. I will give the price it would cost
per acre, as the seed was sold one year ago by
one of our most reliable seedsmen :
Red Top, (Agrostis imlrjaris,) S2.25 ; Mea-
dow Foxtail, (Alnpnnrnts pamtcnsis,) flo.W ;
Rescue Grass, (l!,;.nu,s ,rln:nlcri,) |24.00;
Meadow Fescue, (F,shir,i pnamsis,) S512.00;
Italian Rye Grass, (/.'./;'((-/ Ihillrum,) $10.50.
Red Top is the only kind that is at all
reasonable in price, and this is not much
raised in Lancaster county. All the others
are entirely too high in price, unless it could
be shown that they are much superior to the
varieties now in vogue, and even then the
laying down must be more permanent than is
usually the case with us. The Rescue Grass
is in great favor with English farmers, they
being able to remove from four to five green
crops each year. I suppose this is accomplished
by means of irrigation.
Meadow Foxtail and Red Top do well m
this country ; of the others I have no knowl-
edge.— A. B. K.
For Tbe Lancastee Fap.meu.
PRACTIC.A.L HINTS FOR YOUNG
FARMERS.
Another year has passed and a new one has
begun. But had we not the stores of the year
that is past we could not live. All is frozen
and dead, and we depend for months upon
our treasures of the past, until mother earth
gives life and vigor again to the vegetable
kingdom.
At this season of the year not much is to
be done on the farm, except the feeding of
the stock, which should be well cared for, and
not wholely trusted to tlie boys. When boys
feed stock watch them closely, or some animals
may not get enough to eat and others get
more than they can eat and become "stalled ;"
and the stable doors and shutters may remain
open in cold, stormy weather and be closed
when the weather is mild and warm.
Horses.— When hay is plenty horses can
bo kept in in good condition with very little
else than good hay, during the winter season,
or while tliev have no worl; to do. Give them
daily one or two quarts of oats, corncob meal
and bran mixed together. Mix a little chafE
with it and moisten it with pure water. Give
them enough of good hay ; curry them daily ;
water them twice every day ; remove their
shoes and let them walk or stand shoeless ;
but at tlie same time have one or two shod
sharply, to drive to market and to mill, and
to do other work necessary to be done ; but
those should have a little more grain than
those that are standing idle. As spring ap-
proaches, and when they begin to change
their coals, increase their food a little, gradu-
allv, so that tliey will get strong enough to
endure labor when spring opens to work.
Keep their stables comfortably warm ; stop
all holes where the cold air comes in ; open
the south side doors or windows while the
sun shines warm, but close them again before
the stall gets cold. On mild days open both
sides, that the air may pass through, and
clean the stables once, twice or thrice a week,
but never less than once. .
Cows.— Attend well to the cows ; have then-
stables warm ; shut up all the holes in cold
weather; let no manure freeze behind the
cows ; open on the south side during midday
when the sun is shining, but close again as
early as three or four o'clock in the afternoon.
Feed well three times a day— say at 5 o'clock
in the morning, at 11 in the forenoon, and at
C o'clock in the evening. Mix corncob meal
and bran in equal parts together, and feed to
each cow two quarts or more every meal.
Mix it with cut cornfodder or chaff, and
moisten it with clean water. Cut cornfodder
is the best, but hav flowers can also be mixed
with the feed. After that give them as much
hay as they will eat up clean ; water them at
midday, once a dav. On warm days turn
tliem out of the stables into the barnyard
for an hour or two, but when it is cold put
them into the stable as soon as they are done
drinking. Bed them with straw, but let
neither straw, hay nor fodder go to waste,
even if you don't need it. It may transpire
that the next year's crop may be short or a ,
failure, and tlien it will be needed and come j
Calves.— To wean calves at first give them j
the milk from the cow, until they get accus-
tomed to drinking out of a bucket. Then mix
a little skimmed milk and a little bran and
hot water. Increase the quantity of skimmed i
milk gradually until you have no sweet milk
amongst it any more. In addition to this
give them young clover hay. Of coiuse the |
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
longer they are fed on this milk diet the bet-
ter, but wlirn luim is scnn-r tlicy r:iii brconio I
aceustcmird to wal.T ;ill.'i- mm nil wv.ks, l.ul
then they must have >ou,r luiui aii.l niils. lir- ^
sides li;\\', (ir \vr caiinnt iNprct llirin In llu-ivi'.
Vkai;i,im;s. -Calves iif a year old must
have nnr iir twci (luarts of bran, oats or cob
meal, or scmutliiriL; similar to it, besides hay,
or they will not eonie out well. Also a little
salt daily— indeed all animals should have
salt.
SwiXE.— Hogs arc mostly all slaughtered
for the pre-seiit winter ; but \vc now must earn
for the stock of next year or next season.
Young i)ii:s and shoats should have a warm
stable. If the iiIl; stable is imi wll rl,.se.l and
warm put conilndder ;llniin(l il to kir]i (ilT
the cold winds, l.ase ..nlv tlir soulh ^ide
open, which ^<llnuld also !„■ .'losid al iii-lil.
llaveideuly of slraw in llie stalilc lor the l
pigs to ereeji uiuIit. I"i cd tliein regularly
and well, bid never ovirferd them. 1 am per-
fectly satislied thai, some pigs are fed to death.
Give them as much as they will eat up readily
and cleanly, but not that they w'ill let .some
remain in" the trough untouched when you
come to feed again. ' Jlilk is the bi'sl food for
quite young pigs, indeed yoinig pigs just taken
from "the sow are hard to raise without milk
for awhile. Scald .some shiiistulf willi water,
then stir in the milk and a little corn and
oats, incretising the quantity as the pigs grow
older. After a few weeks the milk can be
omitted and the sliipstull' increased. Keep
them healthy, give them a little wood tishes
occasionally, alternated with eliareoal and a
little powder or sulphur. Also throw into the
stable some rotten wood, and some sod when
it can be gotten. Many farmers are dis-
couraged with pig raising because they arc so
cheap, but 1 think they make a mistake. I
think now is the right, time to raise them, be-
cause they will not remain so cheap as now.
Hogs change in price very often, and some
times very suddenly. I think next fall we can
get a better price for fat hogs. I have just
seen a letter from a hog-fcedcr in the west ;
he bad his hogs ready fen- mtirket but could
not sell them. He is, of course, discouraged
and says, "Kever mind, if I get rid of these
1 will never have another hog on my farm
again." He is not the only one, however,
that talks in thnt way. .Some people think
that their b.-ead must always fall with the
buttered side upwards or all is wrong.
t roui.TUY.— Feed chickens well and give
.j^hem a warm, dry roosting place, or they will
\' y no eggs the whole winter. Also, provide
a sheltered place on the sunny side of a fence,
a wall, a building or a hill, where they can
sit in the sunshine during the day and have
access to a sand bath. Feed in the morning
coarse corncob meal and bran mixed together
and moistened with boiling water, with salt,
as for table use. Feed in a trough and su|)ply
them with pure, fresh spring water, (iive
tliem broken oyster shells every day. In the
afternoon feed them with some kind of grain —
such as wheat screenings and corn— and if
they can have thick milk, cheese, or meat
cruinbs it will be all the better for them. An
onion cut fine .and mixed with their feed oc-
casionally ; also a little charcoal or suljihur ;
als.i boil.'d iMitaloes masli<-d line. Of course we
• In not mean lliat these articles. orth..se here-
after mentioned, should he fed to them at the
same time, but that they .should be occasional
and alternated ; in this way there may be a
change in their diet almost daily. The milk
and i^otatoes can he fed everv dnv if lliev arc
))lentv. Tninip tops and ealib;iL,'e olVal are
alsoexeelleiil durin- tlie wiul.r. The tVed-
six inches wide ; nail the edges together. This
will make a triangular trough. Let the ends
be three inches higher than the trough, and
nail a board flat on them al)Out as wide as the
n|iper angles of the trough, to prevent the
chickens from going in with their feet. They
can stand on both sides to feed and have a
space between the trough and the top board
of tlu-ee inches, plenty'wide enough to get in
with their heads, but they cannot get in with
their feet. A coal bucket is a good implement
to put in the feed.
I'^Aiti-Y CiiKJKEXS.— If you want early
chickens you must have a warm place. Some-
where in tlu' barn, or .somewhere where liens
can set : and then have food and water con-
vcuienl, so that Ihev will not stay too long olf
the nest in search of food. When the chicks
are hatched put them in a coop and keep them
in the barn or stable during cold and wet
weather, but on iiicc days put tliem in the
sunshine, where they will be protected from
the wind and storm. Tow.irds evening carry
them in the barn agiun. If persons have time
and patience to attend to them hens may be
set during this month. Early chickens always
demand a good price in market. Feed moist-
( lied lirea<l crumbs, cheese, wheat screenings,
eraeked i-orn, potatoesand hard boild eggs cut
line.— .7. (1., Warwick, January, 1879.
For The Lanoastek Fabmeb.
FRUITS AS A STANDARD ARTICLE OF
FOOD.
The vast apple crop of 1878 will, I trust,
have a favorable impression upon all wlio have
availed themselves of its salutary effects. Al-
though in some sections, on account of its
great abundance, it proved more of a burden
than profit, from the very low prices which it
brought ; while in other sections the crop was
either a total or partial failure.
Jfot for many years was so large a section
of the country so well supplied with line
winter apples at such low rates as now. To
our present admirable railroad arrangements
is due the extensive distribution of this vast
crop. No family, over a large extent of ter-
ritory, however poor, is necessarily deprived
of a i-easonable enjoyment of one of the mo.st
wholesome esculents given to man. From the
prevailing custom of long standing, large
iiu.antities are consumed in lunching, or as an
addition to regular meals, and will continue
to be thus used so long as people consider
fruits simply as a relish, containing but little
if any nutriment. That it is better to eat
them in this way than not at all we will admit,
but as people learn that fruits contain as much
or more nutrition, in proportion to bulk and
cost, than many other articles of diet in com-
mon u.se, the demand for the former will be
equal to the supply, as for any other article of
food.
It is now generally admitted that fruits are
a valuable adjunct to other food to give tone
to the .system ; but it has also been demon-
strated "by facts that they not only support
healthy material to build up the wastes of
the body, but that man can labor and endure
fatigue on fruit diet alone far beyond the
general belief in its nutritious properties.
One striking instance among many is the
case of AVherryman, (his real name I have
f )rgotten) the great boat racer, who won his
great races on frint diet alone. These facts
have been related to me by Dr. Wood, of
New York, he having boarded with 'Whcrry-
man during the time of his exploits ; both
were strict vegetarians by principle and prac-
tice. One of the strongest evidences that the
human system demands fruit are the natural
cravings of children for it to such an extent
that they do not stop to examine whether it
is ripe or not. The serious effects which
often follow the excessive eating of fruit,
especially when unripe, does not at all prove
that it is injurious when eaten in proper
quantites as jiart of a meal. Dr. Smith, in
his work entitled, "Fruits and Farinacia the
pi-opcrfood for man," has collected such a
mass of evidence that should convince any
reasonable person that the title of his book is
1 not a misnomer. While eminent physiologists
ililTi r upon this question, it has been fully
diinonsi rated that man con live, and be not
i onl\ healthy, but can also lator and endure
fatigue heyond hini who uses stimulating food
and drinks. Could we even convince the
public that this theory is correct, the counter
arguments continue that it would not be
practical on account of its being more ex-
pensive.
That this is an erroneous notion can easily
be proven by testing the variou.s leading arti-
cles of diet separately, keeping a con-eel ac-
count of the exjjenses of each. For iiislanco,
(irahain lloin', oatmeal, crushed btirley and
other cereals, wliieli need not cost more than
average. Dne imnnd of cither cooked into
porridge, and live cents worth of stewed ap-
ples, and a pint of good milk makea i>alal:d)li',
healthy and invigorating bieaktii^t forti family
of live or six, costing not over Ihrei' cents
each, as neither butter nor coffee is needed to
relish such a meal. '■'■ Gnml ijmri'nis I''^ our
coffee topers will say, in amazement, " brealc-
fast without r';|;;.f."' Vis, linaLf„M. sneh as
above des(-rilied, can be leli-ln.! iiisl as much
asany other. Ii.\ peisnns iu a iminril euiidition
and with uniieixerPij api.'lihs. Ii i~. Iiow-
il.V
liquid of tol)aeeo, or li.pioi-. nr PVen of colTec,
spices and eondinients <-an fully relish sneh a
meal as just described. 15ut why not give the
children a chance to grow up heallhlblly and
in a more normal condi ion V iMany of the
aches, pains and doctors' bills would be
avoided by adhering to a more simi)le bill of
fare. Then^ is no doidit in the mind of the
writer that those much dreaded scourges—
scarkt fever, diiitheria, and eruptive diseases
generally, would not allliet so many families
were a farinacious and fruit diet, in connec-
tion with pure air, suhstitnted tor pork, and
the almniination of the frying pan abolished.
The fumes of the latter wouk" not be carried
about in the clothes of so many, to (ill the
olfactories of -whomsoever they meet unsup-
plied with such aionia.
But to return to the more pleasant suliject
fruitf : We have i
eason to believe that 'the
abundance and el
.■apiiessof aoj.les tliis win-
ter have indueed
niaiiv faiuili.-s to snpi.ly
themselves to sii,-l
an .xleiit astoniakeinno-
vations upon tliei
• Inrm. r liill i.r fare bv iu-
corpoiatiiig ai'ples
niniv lar-ely tlierewilh.
We have Slhh s
i-niej laith in fruits as food
as to believt' tha
il the result of the con-
sumption of the apple ci-t>p of 1S7S could be
computed, including its hygienic cffectfH it
would make interesting reading, and would,
no doubt, tend to increased consumption of
all fruits throuLrhout the year.
We are all aware how innovations upon
customs and habits are resisted, ridiculed and
frowned down of limes, so tliiit there is little
liope for an article like the foregoing to make
any serious impression niion the public mind.
Should it, however, interest but a few, the
writer will consider his elTorls not spent iu vain,
for according to a saying wisely applied, th.tt
"a little leaven leavelielli tlie whol<> lump ;"
although this will not fully apply to the above
saying, it mav, in iiart, and should it elleet no
more 'than simply to elicit diseiisiion. the re-
sults may i>i-ove more i^ratifyiiii; than we ex-
pect.—7/. M. Enijk, M.mrti,', .lai,. :',, 1S7'.1.
LETTER FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
SALisufKY, N. C, Jan. 2, 187!».
Lancaster Farmer : Allow me to congratu-
late you in having worked your way thus far,
and I think under disadvantages, which I
hope will not be so iu the future. Having
entered into a new year, I hope 1S7'.I will be
one nt pro.'ipcritii with ;i"u in mm .sense of the
word, iind hope your people will support and
uphold it for ail time to come, both with
brains and means, and do not see any valid
reason why tliev should not. Yoiu-s is re-
garded the be-t agricultural couidy in the
Fnited States, the wealthiest peojili' upon a
whole, hold more CHited Slates gov.-rument
bonds than anv otlnn- eounty iu the Union.
During ls7i) 1 traveled in and through several
States, and now h<ie did 1 see as good horses
for all work: eat lie, sheep, swine and poidtry
of all kinds, such as is gencially raised in
America. Your land.s were better cidtivatcd
than any 1 had ever seen on this continent.
I do not say these things to llattcr the folks
of your great county, and know whereof I
speak. 1 will say and do all I can to promote
8
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ January,
the welfare of all concerned in The Farmer,
though distant from you, and not directly con-
cerned in the welfare of your county and its
people. Hence I believe your county farmers,
and others living there, ought to put their
shoulders to the wheels of The Farmer and
push it onward and upward, and never say
go on, but say come on. With all good wishes
for TuE Farmer and all interested in its
welfare, we remain your friend, 3L li.
PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.*
To the memhcrs of the Lancaster County Agri-
cultural and Horticultural Society :
Gentlemen : In addressing you for the
third time since my election as your chairman,
and the thirteenth since the organization of
the society, it is with feelings of gratitude to
a wise Creator, for the bountiful harvest of
the year passed ; for the general prosperity of
our country ; for the removal of the terrible
pestilence that visited a part of our land, and
for the peace, good-will and prosperity pre-
vailing over this glorious union of States.
May the bonds of friendship be drawn to-
gether so tightly that no sectional strife will
ever be able to tear them asunder.
I wish to call your attention to the harvests
of the past year ; to impress upon you the
importance of applying the skill and best
judgment of every tiller to his soil, to endeavor
by all tiie means within his power— good cul-
ture and every other recourse at hand— to have
many recurrences of abundance as the crops of
the season of 1878. I am well aware that all
does not depend on man, but I am also equally
confident that he who cultivates best and
most carefully observes the changes of our
seasons, is generally amply repaid with remu-
nerative crops, fully rewarding him for the
extra toil and skill employed that his garners
may be well filled. A more thorough system
of cultivation— both before and after the crop
has been planted — will, in my opinion, do
more to insure a good reward than most of
us are aware. If a little cultivation will add
five per cent, to the production of every acre,
it is a plain problem that thorough tillage may
add ten, fifteen or twenty per cunt, above the
usual crop. The varied experiments (the suc-
cessful ones I mean) of our most progressive
farmers, should convince every skeptical mind
that it is necessary for us, with the liigli price
of land in this section, to adopt the means
that will accomplish the best results. If A
can increase the product of an acre of wheat
by ten or twelve bushels, with the exjjendi-
ture of two or three dollars in cultivation at
a time when the plant is weak and tender
(and particularly if the season seems unfavor-
able,) B surely will not remain in the old rut
while his more progressive neighbor reaps as
much from two acres as lie does from three.
Crop fertilization is one of the most im-
portant subjects to the farmer, and perhaps
the least understood. All manures to act and
feed the crop for which it is applied must be
in a condition to be absorbed by the tender
rootlets, and through them supply the plant's
food during the early growth. From observa-
tion and experience I am fully convinced that
all our cereals would be much benefited by
the application of some good, well decom-
posed fertilizer put in witli the seed, to act at
once, as the plant begins to grow. As the germ
passes through the kernel it finds food to
strengthen and nourish it, and better enable
it to withstand the changes of the climate.
The better quality of the grain and the pro-
ductiveness of some of the less fertile dis-
tricts of the State, where they liave adopted
this system of sowing, abundantly attest that
we are not making as much progress in agri-
culture as some of our neighboring yeomen.
I do not wish to be understood that I advo-
cate the use of the many patent manures that
are flooded upon the market, though doubt-
less some of them would lie very valuable if
they could be bought with a little less sand.
A careful husbandry of the excrement and
urine of the farm animals, and, indeed, the
sewerage of the house, and tlie use of the
many absorbants, always to be found on any
farm, as ashes, leaves, chaff, sawdust and chip
dirt, the sweepings and dust of the buildings,
and the dry mould itself, than which there is
nothing better. All may be used to take up
the excess of moisture, that it may be con-
veyed to some building made for the purpose,
where, in stormy weather, the hands may
work and sift it over until reduced to that
condition which is most desirable to apply. I
sincerely believe that if every fanner would
use the matter that usually wastes and leaches
through his manure heap, making obnoxious
streams across the public highway, and along
the gutters, thus causing malaria — oftentimes
taken by the human fiimily- all of which
might have been avoided, and he would have
had at hand a sufficient amount of fertiUzers,
of the very best, to apply with the sowing of
all his crops.
Those interested in horticulture have made
many grave errors by planting and experi-
menting with varieties of fruit not adapted to
this soil and climate. Our ambition has been
too great to find something not in the posses-
sion of a neighbor. Something new. Never
stopping to inquire whether suited or accli-
mated to their section. We have been too
easily persuaded by the highly-colored plates,
made from the choicest specimens of fruit that
could be found (and some that only grew in
some fertile imagination) and plant sorts un-
suited to their locality. If the planter, before
setting his trees, would first inquire in his
immediate neighborhood, what kind of apple,
pear, peach or other fruit is best adapted to
his own section, and plant mostly of those of
known merits, our failures in fruit crops
would be less frequent, and the thousands of
dollars now taken to distant parts and ex-
pended to supply our market with the fruit
that should be grown at home, would largely
contribute towards supplying necessary com-
forts to many a needy home. I do not wish
to discourage the introduction of new fruit of
real merit, but I do earnestly caution those
planting such as do not originate in this
locality, to plant sparingly until thoroughly
tested. The many new varieties of fruit
originating in our county, that have graced
our tables at their pro[)er seasons, aflbrds us
sufficient proof that we have at home plenty
of experimenters who are ever ready to supply
our market with horticultural novelties. For
instance: Tlie " Saunders," the "Wilder"
and other peaches of Marietta, the "Sener"
and many others equally good of Lancaster,
the " Lancaster Cherry " of very recent intro-
duction, gives promise of a high rank in that
class of fruit; among the apples the "Mel-
linger" and the "Ritter seedlings," with
many others, might be more generally dis-
seminated. In small fruits we are being con-
stantly supplied with new novelties, some of
which will, doubtless, prove valuable acquisi-
tions to the lists now promising well. It is,
however, always advisable to plant the new
varieties with great caution, that have not
been tested in various locations and soils, not-
withstanding the sanguine assurance of the
originators or their agents.
The subject of exhibitions for the coming
year, having recently been discussed by this
society, and not fully disposed of, should,
before being decided in the affirmative, re-
ceive your careful consideration. The sug-
gestion of Dr. Rathvon, in reference to a
charter, is, doubtless, of the greatest impor-
tance should you resolve upon a fall fair. By
it you become an incorporated body — "a
body politic in law." The act of incorporation
in itself would not have a sustaining influence
without the co-operation of its members, but
would give more permanency and add greatly
to its importance as an organization, and give
it legal existence. "Witli good management
and fair weather I fully believe this county
could have a creditable exhibition, which
would be a financial successj. It is a burning
disgrace upon Lancaster county, with its
boasted agricultural wealth, that it can have
only its semi-annual horse races, while Ches-
ter, Berks, Lebanon, Dauphin, York and
other neighboring counties are having their
very creditable fall shows, which, for weeks
previous, are looked to by the residents as a
joyous and grand social holiday, where old
and young congregate, challenging each other
by their production of fine grain " big pump-
kins," or aught else they may have, and ex-
change views in a social way of the various
means adopted in achieving such good results.
During the last year your officers have had
two very able lectures" delivered before this
society by men of large, practical and scien-
tific experience, men who have given the sub-
ject of agriculture their careful attention,
and devoted the prime of their lives in e.x-
perimenting, and who now generously give
their results to all who are willing to give
them an attentive car. I fully believe that if
you were to adopt a rule to have a lecture on
some subject pertaining to agricultural or hor-
ticultural once in every three months— say
February, May, August and November — and
have it announced through the press a few
days beforehand, this room would soon be too
small to hold the assemblage.
The growing disposition in the rural dis-
tricts to have a modern style of architecture
and landscape adornment is indicative of a
higher standard of sociability and refinement.
While, on the other hand, the disposition of
some (who cannot afford it) for show and dis-
play to the fashionable world have harrassed
themselves and brought discredit and b.ank-
ruptcy, and oftimes much misery and suffer-
ing in consequence. The disposition to excel
is to be deprecated. Home comforts, conveni-
ences and pleasures are not to be found in
display and gorgeous equipments. The pru-
dent yeoniau will always put a check-rein on
his vicious horse ; so also it behooves us to
curb an ambition that points to ruin and
disgrace.
In conclusion, I humbly extend to you my
most grateful thanks for the uniform courtesy
that has been extended while acting as your
presiding otticer. Doubtless my rulings have
seemed to some rather arbitrary, but my
greatest ambition has ever been the good of
the society, believing that much good may yet
come out of our organization.
PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE.*
So much has lieen written and spoken on
the improvement of agriculture and horticul-
ture that one may find it quite a task to add
anything that is new, either in theory or in
practice. But let us take a view of the present
and the past— of the useful in the arts and
sciences in their relations to agriculture, and
the march of improvement which we see and
daily experience. Let us go back twenty
years, and compare the discussions of our
societies then with the discussions of the
present— not the abilities of the members, but
the subject matter of their discussions. Doubt-
less some of those who participated in those
discussions then are present to-day. Our
wheat and corn crops were then comparatively
small. Instead of well-filled graneries and
grain bins, we talked of short crops, and al-
most gave way to despondency. Instead of
our export trade being over$200, 000,000 in our
favor, we had nothing but cotton, which we
regarded as king among our agricultural pro-
ductions. In addition to that we had but
few things to export, and the balance of trade
was against us to the amount of 850,000,000 a
year, while it took S50,000,000 in gold to pay
the interest on our bond to the money kings
of Europe.
Instead of the balance of trade being against
us, and our agricultural products diminislud
in quantity and high in price, we have so far
improved our condition so that at the present
time we are able to export to the different
nations of Europe suflicient to change the
balance of trade in our favor at the rate of
from $250,000,000 to »300,000,000 a year, and
all lold, we may not owe more than $-20ti,-
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
9
000,000 to Europe on our national debt.
"With our granaries and storehouses filled
from the Atlantic to tlio Tacitic, our whole-
sale and retail stores stocked to overllowing,
many of our factories and niacliine shops in
active operation, with the numberless cattle,
sliecp and swine, jiroduced by the Western
and Soutliwestcrn States, we liave a supply of
material wliieli no nation or government ever
had before— nearly enough to sustain us three
years without replenislnnent.
The question arises, "How was all this
brouglit about V From whence did it come ?
Did all this come spontaneously— grow up
like mushrooms ? Or was it the result of
labor, of energy and of enterprise, as well as
industry and economy?" To which we will
and must answer, to all these influences com-
bined ; but more, mucli more to the favor of
that superintending Providence, which ad-
monishes us to "seek first the kingdom of
God and his righteousness, and all these things
will be added unto you." Labor, economy,
science, arts, machinery and manufactures all
combined liave made our country, under God,
what it is in material wealth. All our ma-
terial substances have tlieir origin in, and
must be produced from mother earth, so far
as we can have any sensuous consciousness of
them. Steamboats, canals, railroads and
other modes of transportation will avail us
nothing withont tonnage, and tonnage cannot
be obtained without productions which are
elaborated by labor and machinery. As to
the best modes and the most ample facilities
by which to increase our productions we meet
hero to-day to discuss, and this ought to be a
leading object among all individuals as well as
societies. As already stated, it is by indi-
vidual energy, aided by invention, society or
organization, and governmentencouragement,
that we have attained a position which no
government or nation ever before occupied.
People may talk about dull times, but what
will they say when we compare the present
with the time when the balance* of trade was
against us, and no supply of anything— when
an axe cost S3. 00, and a day's wages from
$1.50 to m.OO ; a pound of coffee from 30 to
40 cents ; a yard of muslin from 20 to 30
cents, and other things in proportion. Through
discussion, through the interchange of opin-
ion, through art and science, through agricul-
tural and horticultural associations, much
has been accomplished. Then let us proceed
with the good work. The iron mouldboard
of the plow took the place of the wooden one.
The cultivator took tlie place of the spike-
harrow, the .seed-drill superceded hand sow-
ing, the reaper takes the place of the cradle
and the scythe, the threshing machine and the
steam engine have taken the place of the flail
and the horse tramping, together with the
improvements in fertility ; so that twice as
much may be brought out of the soil now as
formerly, all of which indicate progress.
The railroad has taken the place of the
Conestoga teams, the telegrajih has taken the
place of the stage lines, and the various kinds
of machinery have taken the place of hand
labor ; and there are many improvements in
implements, &c., of which we cannot have a
full appreciation, unless we were entirely de-
prived of them. A great deal is accomplished
by means of meeting together periodically in
associations, and by tlie aid of newspapers
and such sterling agricultural journals as
The Lancaster Farmer, which, as a reflex
•Tho "balance of trade" is a sort of enigma to many
„.„.,,. ^ , .._ . , ^^^^ ^jyj; prospcr-
avor, auU perha a
i not seem to be prosperiug in
any very particular sense at the present time, although the
balance of trade has been in our favor for some time past.
Perhaps it is too Soon yet to look for the advantages of such
a contingency. We appear to bo somewhat mudaleJ upon
the subject, at least no one has so far been able to make it
specifically clear that the nation is prospering in any degree
oorresponding to the balance of trade iu our favor. The
fact as to whom that balance is due, and what they are doing
with it, may kave something to do with the question. A
rich nabob in a commuuity may have a large balance of
trade m his favor and may not be of much pecuniary ad-
vantage to the community in which he lives, if he keeps it
in his coffers and engages iu no enterprise t'lat would enect
it« circulation among the people. We would like to see the
balance of trade and the present depressed times satisfac-
torily harmonize, if the thing is at all possible. -Ed.
I the balance of trade i
of our local views, is of paramount advantage
to the county and tlio country. If we have
not done as much good heretofore to ourselves
and our fellow-beings as we ought to have
done, let us console ourselves with the reflec-
tion that we have tried to do some good in
our humble way, and have endeavored to
keep along with the tide of invention, im-
provement and iirogrcss. The time may not
bo far distant when our farms may be plowetl
by steam, aiiil tlie same element may be util-
ized in drawing (lur wagons over our comiiion
roads, and (inr iriiienil economies be entirely
revoliitioni/.til.' In addition to this we may
light :iiid lieat our houses by the economical
iiUrodiietion of gas, steam, or electricity.
In conclusion, let us hope tli;it in tlie I'utuic,
as in the present, thing's nuiy ciiitiiuic cliniii
and abundant, and that in-acc uinl pros|Hril\
may be ours ; and, in this i!()nneclioii, 1 wish
to be understood as meaning a uniform system
of cheapness — not product sacrificed on the
part of one class and e.xfortions practiced by
the other class. 1 think that cxiuiieurc will
successfuUydemonstrate tliat our country has
enjoyed more real pi-ospcrily \vlieii tilings
were uniformly cheap tluiu when tln'y were
uniformly dear. People may say that it
amounts to the same whether all things arc
cheap or dear, btt it does not. There is not
the same stimulation to speculation and ex-
travagance in cheap times as there is in dear
times. Our recent past and present extrava-
gances had their origin in the high prices and
the redundancy of money which ruled during
the rebellion. The people lost their mathe-
matical reckonings and spent very much at
random.
The French as Seen with American Eyes —
What Our Correspondent Has Learned
During His Eight Months' Visit in
the Gay Capital.
Hotel du Louvre, Paris, 1
January 0th, 1879. J
The extravagance of French politeness is
as remarkable in the present as in the past.
Three centuries ago there was such an ado
when two people met that the Chevalier
Warin said that all conversation began with
a ballet. Fourscore years ago graceful antics
and high flown compliments were still in
vogue ; but the deep triplicate salutation,
with the "Beautiful marquise, your bewitch-
ing eyes make me die of love," passed away
with the revolution of '93. The eccentricities
of gallant speech and gallant acts constitute
one of the principal arteries running through
the body politic from its earliest history to
the present time. Under cover of the French
dictum, that it is impossible to be too polite,
singular extremes are reached, especially by
the elderly men, who aftect something of the
Regency manners. In some cases it is car-
ried to a point where it might be called the
gymnastics of social intercourse, where the
man insists on keeping his bald head un-
covered in a hot sun, or runs with hot haste to
convey a lap dog to a woman waiting, or
bows low with a grand swoop of the hat to
another man whom he sees two or three times
a day. There is an historical instance of a
well-known aged nobleman, who, descending
the stairway, meets a youth of twenty mount-
ing, the nobleman stops to let him go up and
the youth does the same, inviting the former
to pass down ; the nobleman stands firm and
requests the youth to continue, who responds,
Jamais ! with hand on heart ; he knows too
well what youth owes to age ; upon which the
elder commands him to mount, when the
young man, with a bow, says : "Youth owes
obedience to age," and passes, thus saving
the situation, as he believes.
There is an elasticity and adaptability in
the Frenchman in the presence of the woman,
of which the Anglo-Saxon hits but a meagre
share. The former, before all classes of these,
cat-like, falls on his feet, be she countess or
grisette ; and to be brought unexpectedly in
contact with any of them never seems to dis-
concert or even surprise him. The Anglo-
Saxon is taken at a disadvantage under .simi-
lar circumstances from which he does not
rally immediately. The su.sceptibility of the
newly arrived foreigner, for c.^jtmple, "is put to
a rude trial when ho buys a )iair of gloves.
Behind tlu' coiinli r nI.hhIs M-\ci-al smilins,
.s«lf-p().s.sessi(l yoiin- women, whose eyes turn
on liiin witli iliM'oiiri'iiini: steadiness. He
a|)i)roaehes the nearest of Uniu, and signifies
his (h'siiv to make a piinhase. Are the
gloves loi- monsieur V They are. Will nion-
siiMir give himself the trouble to set dowiv
before tlie e iter? lie slips on to a high
.stool which liriiigs his liead on a level with
hers. Slie iiiuiingly inquires his number,
wliich he ;_'ciici;illv docs not know, when she
dainth nicasmvs I he masculine hand, holding
It, allci- ll„. tape measurement, liglilly by
liii,;,'cr ti[)s, to e.-camiiie the form of (he glove
required. She in the same lone iiupiires his
color, to which a Frenehinan would probably
reply, "Whatever your laste may suggest;"
but to which the newly-arrived foreigner
gives an answer destitute f)r any kind of em-
broidery. When she soitly takes his hand in
hers again, and looks into his face with a
smile, Americns begins to think that this is
indeed a tender business. Before, however,
he has any time to make many rellections on
the situation, she is at work on his hand, and
slips on the i,'lo\e. caressingly introiluces tlie
fingers, tlie opi'ralion sandwiched with arch
glances and cliirnipy siicech, and then the
glove is buttoned, and the last fold is smoothed
out with a gentle pat. This incendiary per-
formance is followed with the question
whether monsieur will have his other hand
treated in the same way. The motii, of
course, will have another go at the candle, and
by the time he is througli he is naturally some-
what singed. Happily for family peace, tlu^
betrothed Mary Jane or the espoused Mary
Ann cannot look into his heart at that mo-
ment. The eyes of the feminine Mei>histo-
pheles behind the counter follow out his re-
tiring figure with a sliglit elevation of tlie
eyebrows and a terrible mouo.syilable uttered
to one of her companions. " The modest
foreigner goes through another ordeal with the
flower girl. With a smile as bright and
attractive as her flowers, she asks him if lie
will not have one. He would prefer not to
encounter those winning eyes, and endeavors
to pass on, but he may not do so ; she holds
him as securely as the Ancient Mariner held
the wedding guest, and he signilies liis ac-
ceptance of the tendered opi'uing bud. He
mav not receive it with liis hands ; she with
her nimble liimrers will allacli it to his button-
hole, and ihe enil.ariasscl man stands while
the girl foniUes o\'er the rcLrion of Ids heart,
and looks into the whites of his half-averted
eyes. And the havoc thus committed in ten.
short minutes ni.ay not be repaired in six
months. Tliei-e is no fixed price for such a
favor, and he is told with an expression that
would have troubled the soul of St. Anthony,
that it is anything he may please to give.
His betrothed Bilinda, alas I would think it
dear at any price.
The wide dissemination of art-feeling
among the French has a refining tendency on
the manners of all classes. Beautiful squares
and parks, with walks and shady forests, foun-
tains and lakes, are open to all. The eyes of
the people are made familiar with architec-
tural beauty, as exhibited in the boulevards,
bridges and public edifices of the great city.
The magnificent art galleries are free to all
w-ho wish to see them, and the working peo-
ple visit them fretiuently, especiiiUy on Sun-
day and fete days, when they are kept open
for their benefit. Thus the man in blouse is
often familiar with the great pictures of
French masters. In the houses of the poor
there are no rapid, keepsake heads, in glow-
ing colors, but copies of pictures exhibiting
more or less merit. The deep red and blue
Daniel in the Lion's Den, and the doll-faced
Mary Ann, surrounded witli an inch of bright
mahogany, are not seen on their walls. The
square, loud-striking and loud-ticking clock,
01
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ Jsliiuary,
in red wood, aud plaster of Paris rabbit or
cat, painted in unnatural lines, have no places
On their mantles. In humble cafes are found
pictures which would be considered fit to hang
in some of the best restaurants of London
and New York. The' signs over shops show
a talent not possessed by our sign painters,
and many a ganjute has grapes and vine-leaves
jniinted over its door which merit a better
pl:v0e. — Louis.
COOKING FEED FOR STOCK.
We have received a copy of tlie report of
the last meeting of the jNIontgomery County
(O.) Farmers' Club, with a request that we
publisli the part relating to the above subject.
This was a paper read by Simon Emerick,
and consisted mainly of extracts from tlie
published opinions of various persons who had
tested the matter. It cannot fail to be inter-
esting to all farmers who have given this sub-
ject any attention, but who are still undecided
as to whether it will pay to cook food for
stock or not. The question was the same dis-
cussed by our Farmers' Club last winter—
" Does it pay to feed cooked food to stock ¥"
The one chief obstacle that men in business
have to contend with these stringent times is,
that there are no profits. This is no less true
with those commanding an extensive trade
and employing large capital than it is with
persons conducting a small business ; no less
true with tlie farmer than with the manu-
facturer. The complaint is well nigh uni-
versal that there is no margin in business or
trade. The cost of production of an article
seems to be about equal to the price obtained
for it, though often it does not bring so much
as that. Now, with a view to solve this
problem for myself, as a farmer I have been
induced to investigate whether cooking food
for stock would not yield the much sought for
profit.
I take some statements from the evening
discussions of the New York State Fair,
1867— Subject : "Cooking food for domestic
animals." Hon. G. Geddes, of Syracuse,
New York, said that " there was no branch
of farming that was less understood, and
promised more advantages tliau the prepara-
tion of food. He had thoroughly proved years
ago that cooking food, whether ground or not,
doubled its value for animals." George A.
Moofe, of Erie county, said "he had fed two
hundred sheep on cooked food, and had fully
satisfied himself that the value of food was
tripled by cooking." Mr. E. AV. Stewart,
who had eleven years' experience in cooking
food for stock, said that "tlie cooking rendered
the food soft and in a condition to be eaten
even in the more perfect manner than by cut-
ting, and proved by experiment that two
bushels of steamed hay were equal to three of
unsteamed, and that steamed fodder was
similar in its character to fresh pasture, and
that horses diseased by coughs or heaves have
been cured by such food."
Professor Mapes says— Transactions Ameri-
can Institute, 1864, page 373, "the experi-
ment often tried has proved that eighteen or
nineteen pounds of cooked corn are equal to
fifty pounds of raw corn for hog feed." Mr.
Mason, of New Jersey, says that "pork fed
on raw grain cost 12i cents per pound, and
that from cooked 4J cents; that cooked corn
stalks iuc as soft and almost as nutritious as
green stalks; that cattle can be fattened at
about half the expense upon cooked food as
upon uncooked."
The American AgricuUurist for January,
1860, says: "Experiments made by C. M.
Clay, of Kentucky, showed that one bushel of
dry corn made 5 pounds 10 ozs. of pork ; of
boiled corn 14 pounds 7 ozs. , and boiled meal
16 to 18 pounds.
The Practical Farmer (published in Phila-
delphia), in October, 1808, says: "We con-
sider the cooking of food for stock as no longer
an open question ; its economy has been
demonstrated by scores of our best practical
farmers."
I could add much more like this— enough,
it would seem, to settle the question, but how
is it that so many farmers who have incurred
the expense of fitting up for cooking food for
their stock, have discontinued it ? I have
interviewed some of those farmers in this
way : Does it pay to cook food for stock ?
The answer generally is, " Yes." Well, why
don't you continue it ? " Oh, it is too much
trouble." Now, this disposition of the cook-
ing business won't do. If the above state-
ments are correct as to the gain by cooking
food for stock, it would certainly be too much
trouble to raise grain, and then throw fifty or
even twenty-five per cent, of it away, when
there is always a cash market for it.
Mr. Dodds, of Bloomington, Ind., in re-
plying to my inquiries in the agricultural col-
umns of the Cincinnati Gazette on this subject,
states that he fed six steers last winter one
and a half bushels of boiled corn per day, and
they gained 1,810 pounds in three months.
The business of stall-feeding cattle for market
I am familiar with, and I do not hesitate to
say, that if farmers could obtain such results
as Mr. Dodds did, by cooking food, that would
be a good margin for profits. But as young
converts are proverbially zealous, this testi-
mony is insuflicient to put this question at
rest ; so, to obtain the experience of others, I
addressed numerous farmers, living in ten
different States, who have been engaged in
cooking or steaming food for their stock,
tliese questions : How long since you com-
menced feeding cooked food to your stock ?
Have you discontinued it ; if so, for what
reason V Have you made any tests to ascer-
tain the approximate gain by feeding cooked
food y
In order to better understand and deter-
mine the proper value of the replies I re-
ceived, I will first give a summary of those
from parties who have but recently com-
menced the business.
A gentleman of Fulton county, Indiana,
writes that "he commenced feeding steamed
food last January to his cattle, and continued
till he turned them out to pasture ; experts to
use it again this fall for both hogs and cattle ;
thinks that one cord of wood will steam one
hundred bushels of corn on the cob— steam
ten bushels of corn in one hour by renewing
the lire once ; has not made any test to ascer-
tain the relative value of steamed food, but
tliinks there is a saving of one-third by
steaming."
Another gentleman, of Knox county, Ohio,
says that "he has been using steamed food the
past season ; has not discontinued it nor does
not expect to as long as he has anything to do
with stock feeding ; thinks that a practical
test would show a saving of one-third by feed-
ing steamed food." A party in Michigan
writes that " he has been using steamed food
for one year, and considers that fifty per cent,
is saved by its use ; has not made a practical
test."
Another party in Indiana states that " he
has been steaming food a few months ; is con-
fident that it is healthier for stock, and that
one-third less grain is required. ' ' Another in
Pennsylvania writes that "the steaming of
food would result in great benefit to all farm-
ers who arc in the stock raising business."
I might add extracts from other letters, but
the statements here given are a fair sample of
those who wrote me who have been but recent-
ly engaged in steaming food. Now, to proper-
ly estimate the value of these statements, it
is well to bear in mind that it is natural for
men to recommend that in which they think
they are more progressive than their neigh-
bors, and also that when a party purchases an
implement and takes an agency to sell it he
will recommend it as a matter of business. I
notice that some of the gentlemen who wrote
me are acting as agents to sell the machine
they arc using for cooking food.— P)-octicoZ
Partner.
I FIND that six bushels of peas are equal to
ten bushels of corn for fattening my hogs,
and that peas yield a larger number of bushels
to the acre than corn.— Toronto Globe.
LAYING OUT THE FARM.
One great mistake farmers usually make is
in not giving sufficient thought and attention
to laying out the farm, and distributing the
crops and labor in the best possible manner.
There are few kinds of business which require
such careful forethought and study as planning
the year's crops on a farm in such a manner
as to distribute the labor throughout the
season as evenly as possible, and get the
largest returns for the land under cultivation,
and the money invested in labor.
When we consider the variety of crops
which may be raised with profit on almost any
farm, the great number of causes which in-
fluence their growth, the nature and condi-
tion of the soil, the prospects of the markets,
the possibilities of double cropping, the rela-
tion of this year's crops to a rotation and the
distribution of labor, so as not to have more
at any one time than it is possible to do, and
yet to have enough at all times, the question
becomes interesting and at the same time
exceedingly complex— yet all these things
should be carefully considered, not only each
by itself, but in relation to each other, and
wlioever overlooks one of them is likely to
majvc serious blunders. He may sow his seed
on soil not in proper condition, and so fail of
a good crop, or he may raise a good crop and
have no market, or he may be so crowded
with work as not to be able to give it the
proper attention at the critical time.
My manner of laying out a farm is this : In
a book I write the name of each field, and the
different crops for which the soil by its nature
and present condition (with the fertilizers
which I put on it) is beft adapted ; also the
time of sowing and harvesting, with the
amount of labor required and tlie times of
year it will be needed. I then compute, as
nearly as I am able from past experience and
the condition of the market, the probable
proceeds of each crop per acre, deducting cost
of seed and labor. This will show which of
all the crops for which each field is adapted
will give tlie largest probable returns. Having
gone through with each field in this way and
decided what crop or crops will give the
largest net returns, I next put them all to-
gether, and see how the labor is distributed,
and how much grain of each kind I am to
sow or plant. If I find too much labor re-
quired at any one season, I turn back to the
pages containing the fields with the conflicting
crops, and select the best crop which will
remedy the labor difticulty.
Much can be gained in the way of economy
in form labor by using the best means and
implements. Fall plowing of wet lands and
surface draining when needed, greatly facili-
tate early work in the spring. New and im-
proved tools are also a great advantage in
doing work quickly and economically. Far-
mers often work year after year with old,
wornout tools, when the extra crops which
could be raised with new labor-saving imple-
ments in one year would pay for half a dozen
such tools. The neglect of cultivating hoed
crops, until the weeds get fairly rooted, not
only injures the crop, but adds greatly to the
labor of caring for it and destroying the weeds.
Cultivation promotes earliness as well as
growtli, and partly supplies tlie place of
manure, and, in laying out the year's work,
every farmer should be careful not to put in
anythina which will have to be neglected.
Better till five acres well than plant ten acres
and leave the crops to fight it out with the
weeds. Plan your work carefully, making
due allowance for rainy weather and lost time;
cultivate thoroughly and manure well, and
you will be sure to get the largest possible re-
turns for your labor.— ^n Old Farmer in
Bural JVcio Yorker.
The best time to cut scions is any time
during the winter, or in the month of March.
They°should be kept in good condition in
meadow moss, or with the ends stuck into
moist earth. We know of no way to keep
them so well as in moist meadow moss.
i
l87(i.J
tHE LANCASTER FARMER.
a
OUR LOCAT. ORGANIZATIONS.
Proceedings of the Lancaster County Agricul-
tural and Horticultural Society.
Tl.c regular stated nieeliiig of the Lancaster
Couuty Aericullural aud Uorticultural Society was
held on Monday afternoon, January Gtli, iu tlieir
rooms In the City Hall. The President, Calvin
Cooper, called the meeting to order.
The following members were present ; Calvin
Cooper, President, Bird-in-IIand ; Joseph E.Witmcr,
Secretary, Paradise ; Johnson Miller, Corresponding
Secretary, Warwi.U : l.ivi W.Cirolf, Treasurer, West
Earl; Ilenrv M 1 n^l. . Nhimiui; W. .1. K;inVoth,
West Earl ;'l)i, i i -. n, riiy ; (\ M. l|„su-lter,
Eden; F. K. Im: I ! m :,. i\; Levi S. l;,.isi , .Man-
lieini ; Peter S. i;> i i, l.m : M. I). Kcnili;;, Minuir ;
Casper Hiller, Con, stn;;a : Henry Kurtz, Mt. Joy;
John C. Linville, Salisbury ; Wni. McComsey, city;
Daniel Smeych, city ; C. L. Ilunsecker, city; Israel
L. Landis, Manheim.
On motlou, the reading of the minutes of the pre-
vious mceliug was dispensed with.
Phares B. Schwarr was ailmitted to membership.
Fertilizers.
Johnson Miller, chairman of the Committee on
Fertilizers, reported that very little had been done,
and requested that the committee be continued. lie
reported the season as having been very unfavorable
to experiments.
Casper lliller had done a little in the matter, bu:
not enough to be worth a report.
M. Brosius, of the committee, made remarks of a
like kind, aud at his request the committee was con-
tinued.
Joseph F. Witmer, another member of the com-
mittee, briefly related several experiments he had
made.
II. M. Engle suggested that Mr. lliller read the
report he had made of his experiments, which was
agreed to aud Mr. lliller read the following ;
Artificial Fertilizers.
Artificial fertilizers are often said to be more in
the nature of stimulants than manure, and occa-
sionally comes a wariuing against their use, as in a
brief article a few weeks ago iu the Nctr Era, be-
cause they will, after a few years, fail to produce
good crops, or in other words, that they will exhaust
the soil. This bugbear that they exhaust the soil is
at this age of experience too absurd to talk about.
Twenty-five or more years ago the late Major Hoopes
used guauo on the old commons of Martic township,
and raised twenty bushels of wheat per acre. The
same prediction, that guano exhausts the soil, was
then made. This land was so poor that not a head
of wheat would have made its appearance without
the use of the guano. Suppose it had been as poor
after the crop as before ; the fact was here that the
wheat was worth more than the cost of guauo and
labor combined. But it was not as poor. Major
Hoopes ."owed clover among the wheat, and the
result was a crop of Lay and a sod for future im-
provemeut.
The late Mr. Boyd, of Martic township, who had
no superior as an improver of soil, and, as a good
farmer told me, that he eould distinctly trace the
efl'ects of an artificial fertilizer ten years after the
application. John I. Carter, of the Eastern Experi-
mental Farm, has shown that a dressing of acidu-
lated South Carolinarock had adecidedly better effect
on the crops of a five years' rotation than stable
Prof.Stockbridge, of Conn., says that chemicals
are better than manure, because they may be more
cheaply transported, handled and carried to distant
parts of the farm and more thoroughly mixed with
the soil. They are better than yard manure, because
they not only enable us to grow as abundant crops
with less labor, but their supply can equal; any de-
mand. They enable the farmer to crop his land,
sell the crops, and yet maintain the fertility of his
soil. In my experience I have seen nothing to cast
and discredit on the professor's opinion, (iood com-
mercial fertilizers are composed of nitrogen, phos-
phoric acid and potash. These ingredients are all to
be found in stable manure, and when they are all
abstracted therefrom there is little of value left.
I believe that under certain circumstances, and iu
certain localities, it would be entirely feasible and
profitable to sell all the hay, straw, fodder and corn,
except what is wanted for the few horses needed and
for feeding as many cows as would supply the family
with milk and butter. The amount of labor s.ived
by such a course would be very great.
These special fertilizers have sometimes been
brought into disrepute by taking it for granted that
because an extra crop of wheat has beer raised by
their use, the same can be done again and again by
an annual dressing of the fertilizer. In many cases
this has proven unsatisfactory. Suppose we had a
field that had a proper supply of nitrogen and pot-
ash, and If on this we apply a fertilizer, rich in phos-
phone acid, and from this we raise a first-class crop
of grain, might it not reasonably follow, that in re-
peating the process for several years we would ex-
haust the nitrogen aud potash, and the consequence
would be poor crops !
Stable manure has a similar effect. I know of a
case where stable manure was applied annually on
wheat ground, with the following result : First year,
forly-flve bushels ; second do., about twenty-five ;
third do., twelve ; fourth do., almost a totil failure.
Would you say the manure exhausted the soil?
\ery little of our land is adapted to special crops.
It wants rotation. Our main crops are clover, corn
and wheat. Oats should be discarded altogether.
They rarely pay cost of production, and are the most
exhaustive of all cereals. Our artificial fertilizer
rotation should begin with a clover sod. Apply a
fertilizer rich In the elements that corn requires. In
the fall sow the corn-stalk ground Iu rye, and the
following summer, when iu bloom, plow it down
and let It lie fallow until time to sow wheat. Or, if
you will raise tobacco, haul on this ground the
manure made by your stock. When the time for
seeding wheat comes, apply the proper artificial
fertilizer for wheat. Follow with a one or two year's
run of clover, and the laud will belli better condi-
tion without a doubt than if it had received the
usual dressiug of stable manure. Better, because in
the rotation, it received two dressings of fertilizers
and had a green crop plowed down.
If we depend on stable manure for our fertilizer.
We must see to it that our mauure pile is not only of
large dimensions, but it must be of good quality. I
have known farmers who would not sell a load of
straw for love or money and who hauled stuff on
their fields which they called mauure, while others
called it straw. If we want a good manure pile we must
put all the hay, straw, cornfodder, oats and corn
that are raised on the farm Into the pile, and if we
can run several car loads of Western corn into it, it
will be all the better. When all this is done there
will still be a goodly corner of the farm crying for
more. When we take into consideration the value of
these raw materials, together with the vast amc
of labor required we find it to be a very costly pili
I do not say that it does not pay to do all this,
I do know many farmers who follow this plan that
are eminently successful. But we cannot all be
cattle feeders. The experience of the last ten years
with artificial fertilizers has fully shown that it is
not necessary that we should be.
William McComsey stated that he had also read
the article in the New Era, and hail cut it out. He
requested the Secretary to read it, wln'ih was done.
H. M. Engle said that in this proijiessivu a"e when
fertilizers have been tested so thon. uglily we cannot
regret the beneficial effects known to arise from
them. It is a mistake to regard fertilizers as mere
stimulants. In some crops they may not be so good
because they contain elements not required by the
crop. But some other crop ma> take up the ingredi-
ents and in this way tliey are not wasted. Tlie soil
will hold them until needed. However, we cannot
dispense with barnyard mauure. What'a fertilizer
is worth cannot be told from a single crop, but a
test of a number of years must decide the question
We should have fertilizers adapted to the crops in-
tended to be grown, and for this reason they should
all be labeled with the ingredients they contain to
show the farmer what he needs. He told of an ex-
periment made with a fertilizer on corn and potatoes.
The results in the first named crop were excellent
but very discouraging in the latter. '
William .McComsey advocated the use of barn-
yard manure. He hiped the committee will continue
their experiments aud determine how valuable arti
ficial fertilizers are to our soils. He had tried them
but the results hardly wrrranted their use largely
If they are all that is claimed for them, it is well
that fact should be known.
Henry Kurtz had tried various kinds of artificial
fertilizers aud believes they are a stimulant. They
may benefit one croi> but fail in another. Clover
plowed down is worth all the fertilizers. The price
of fertilizers is too high ; the manufacturers make
all the money and the farmer can make nothing
Most of them are not worth the bags that hold them
One hundred bushels of lime are worth two tons of
fertilizers.
H. M. Engle said that if the farmers of Pennsyl-
vania have been humbuged it is their own fault and
not the fault of the fertilizer. And it will be so until
the Legislature enacts that every manufacturer mark
on each bag exactly what it contains. An aiticle
sold in a State in which the law prevents adultera-
tion of fertilizers may be very good, but when sold
in this State it is not worth anything. We should
have a law to protect fertilizers.
John H. Linville seriously questioned whether it
paid to use fertilizers ; to put $10 worth of fertilizer
on an acre of ground and get §20 worth of wheat off
Casper Hlller said it certainly would not pay to use
»K' worth of fertilizer for wheat only, but it is well
known that the fertilizer benefits all the crops in a
five years' rotation. But we must learn what the
ground needs, and apply it.
Progressive Agriculture.
On motion, the rules were suspended to allow
1 eier b. Keist to read an essay on "Progressive Ag-ri-
culture." [Seepages.] ^
Election of Officers.
On motion, the society proceeded to elect officers
lor the ensuing year.
Calvin Cooper was nominated for re-election &i
President, but immediately arose to decline. lie said
that he had served the society faithfully for three
years, sometimes under pecuniary loss, and tliou"ht
they might relieve him for one year at least.
II. M. Engle objected to his declination. He be-
ll-ved In adopting any measure that conferred the
greatest good on the greatest number, and moved
that Mr. Cooper be re-elected. The members were
unanimous for his election and Mr. Cooper gracefully
submitted, declaring that he would do his best to
advance the interests of the society, but that If busi-
ness callc.1 wluii I lie Kr.,i,.tv also claimed his atten-
tion he woull i.i . \ 1 1 r I, I ,,,,.,. call.
•■"o'" Vi.. I \\\ II. Bi-osius, Jacob B.
Garber, .M. |i I, ,, I, M \l. Eniile and Casper Ilil-
nominated ; for Corresponding,' .-^n rii;ir\ . .Jnhnsoii
Miller; for Treasurer, Levi W. (imil : to, l.iinariaii
Simon P. Eby; for Agricultural ( hdniht, Jacob
Stauffer, and lor Entomologist, IJr. S. S. Kathvon.
The nominations then closed, and C. L. Hunseeker
was instructed to cast the vote of the society for the
ofliccrs nominated.
Auditing the Treasurer's Accounts.
On motion, a committee of three, Cusper lliller.
Johnson Miller and W. J. KaflVotli, were appointed
to audit the Treasurer's accounts. They reported
them correct, and a balance in the treasury of i>i>;:£i.
Fair or no Fair.
C. M. Hostetter proposed that the question of
holding a fair be opened for discussion.
John C. Linville thought the hour was too late to
begin such a question. It should be deferred until
next meeting.
William McComsey thought the question should
be settled to-day or some day in the near future. If
the discussion is postponed until next mouth mea-
sures should be takeu to have a full attendance on
the day of meeting. It has been sai4 that the State
Agricultural Society meets at llarrisburg soon to
select a place for holdiug its next fair. If the society
has any inducements to oiler to persuade them to
hold the fair in this city, he thought a committee
should be appointed to lay them before them.
Daniel Smeych moved that a committee be ap-
pointed to confer with other societies, and bring the
matter in a business shape before the next meeting
of the society.
His motion was carried and the following com-
mittee was appointed : D. Smeych, C. M. Hostetter,
H. M. Engle, M. D. Kendig and John C. Linville.
Essays to the Farmer.
Dr. Rathvon, editor of The Lancaster Farmeh,
said it was proposed to issue The Fahmek as early
in the month as possible, and therefore he requested
all who were to read essays to send them to him not
later than the 2.5th of the month. They can then be
put in type, and the essayists can read them from
printed slips.
Business for Next Meeting.
It was announced that John H. Landis will read
an essay next month.
A question, "Will it pay to chop .
was referred to Joseph F. Wltnior.
"Witl) • ■
raise '
Gioff.
Lecture in Prospect.
H. M. Engle said that he had written to Professor
Caldcr, President of the State Agricultural Colleo-e,
asking him to deliver a lecture before the society.
The professor had consented, and will probably lec-
ture next month.
as suggested that there would be too much
for hogs?"
Vith labor and land at present prices can we
wheat at §1 per bushel '(' Keferred to Levi W.
On motion, it was resolved to hold the February
meeting at one o'clock iu the afternoon, thus gain-
ing au hour.
On motion, it was also resolved to postpone the
lecture uutil the March meeting.
Business Committee.
President Cooper appointed the following Business
Committee : M. D. Kendig, I. L. Landis and JohnC.
Linville.
Report of Fruit Committee.
The Fruit Committee reported the following varie-
ties of apples as of most importance in such dry and
hot seasons as the one just past. They hang well on
the tree and are keepers: York Imperial, Koxbury
Russet and English Kusset. .\djourned.
THE LANCASTER COUNTY POULTRY
ASSOCIATION.
The following named gentlemen interested In
poultry breeding, met iu one of the parlors of the
Cooper House on Monday afternoon, December IG,
and took steps to organize a permanent county asso-
ciation.
Totiias D. Martin, New Haven: Jlilton J. Kaffroth,
West Earl; Frank B. Buch, Lititz; B. F. Evans,
Lititz; Rev. D. C. Tobias, Lititz; Jacob A. Bueh,
Lititz; L.B.Martin, Spring Garden; G. A. Geycr,
Spring Garden; Chas. E. Long, Lancaster; J. B.
Lichty, Lancaster; H. G. Hirsh, Lancaster; J. H.
12
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ January,
Minnicli, Spring Grove; Colin Cameron, Brickerville;
John F. Evans, Lltitz; William Siioenbercer, Lan-
caster; H. H. Tshudy, Lititz; Joshua H. Ilabbaker,
Spring Garden; F. R. Diffenderffer, Lancaster; J.
M. Johnston, Lancaster; John F. Reed, Lancaster,
were present.
The meeting was organized by calling Rev. D. C.
Tobias to act as chairman, and John F. Reed to act
as secretary.
The chairman stated the object was to form a
poultry society. An informal meeting was held at
Lititz some time ago, which resulted in the determi-
nation to call a meeting in this city. About all that
It is designed to do is to elect the proper officers and
committees, and to draft a set of by-laws. He
thought men should be selected who have heretofore
shown an interest in the subject. Men sometimes
are willing to accept such positions, but give little
attention to the matter afterwards.
H. H. Tshudy approved the idea of having a com-
mittee on by-laws and a constitution, but he saw no
use in the other committee. Men who have the
organization at heart are the ones who should be
chosen.
Colin Cameron said it was not a pleasant task to
get up and say that man was not acceptable ; if two
"sets of officers were proposed there would be a choice
to select from.
11. H. Tshudy, of Lititz, remarked this was a pre-
liminary meeting towards effecting a permanent
organization. Perhaps we ought not to elect officers
to-day. It might be left to a"committee. He asked
for an expression of opinion.
Chas. E. Long agreed with Mr. Tshudy. He
favored a committee of five to select and propose
permanent officers for the government of the society.
Colin Cameron thought several committees should
be appointed ; one to name officers.
Chas. E. Long thought that the two committees
would give us more suitable officers. The two com-
mittees could not fail to propose acceptable men.
Colin Camergn proposed that two committees of
three persons each be appointed to propose the names
of permanent officers, and one of three to propose
by-laws. Carried.
VV. J. Katfroth suggested the committee meets
to-day a week to attend to the duties assigned to
them.
Chas. E. Long concurred in the last suggestion.
The chairman thought the time should be ex-
tended to a later period on account of the holidays.
Mr. Tshudy favored the views of the chairman.
The present is a very busy time for almost every one.
Colin Cameron suggested a permanent meeting
day be fixed, and tlie first Monday in every month
be the time.
Charles E. Long moved the second Monday in
January be appointed as the regular meeting day.
Colin Cameron offered an amendment to Mr. Long's
motion, that the society meets on the first Monday
of each month at 10:30 a. m. Carried.
Tlie chairman appointed the following committees:
Ou organization and by-laws, Charles E. Long,
Frank R. Diffenderffer and J. B. Lichty ; first com-
mittee on selection of officers, H. H. Tshudy, Colin
Cameron, Jacob A. Buch ; second committee on
selection of officers, William Schoenberger, J. M.
Johnston and John F. Reed.
It was moved the next meeting be held at the
Cooper House, Lancaster.
A motion to adjourn was made and carried.
January Meeting.
The adjourned meeting of the proposed Poultry
Association of Lancaster County was held on Mon-
day morning, January 6th, at the Cooper House,
Rev. D. C. Tobias in the chair. The role was called
and the following members were present :
Tobias D. Martin, New Haven ; Frank B. Buch,
Litiz; Rev. D. C. Tobias, Litiz ; J. N. Buch, Litiz ;
G. A. Geper, Spring Garden ; Charles E. Long, Lan-
caster; Colin Cameron, Brickcrville ; Wm. Schoen-
berger, city ; 11. H. Tshudy, Litiz ; F. R. Diffenderf-
fer, city ; J. F. Reed, city; Clair Carpenter, city ; J.
B. Lichty, city ; W. J. Kafroth, West Earl ; M. D.
Keudig, Manor; Jos. F. Witmer, Paradise.
The minutes were then read and adopted. The
following new names were then proposed for mem-
bership; John C. Barnes, city; Charles Lippold, city;
O. F. Heubener, Litiz ; Frank Howell, city; M. K.
Brubakar, Laudisville ; David Brosey, Manheim ; R.
T. Robinson, city; Amos Ringwalt, city; A. H.
Shreiner, Manheim ; Milton Ruth, city ; Martin L.
Grider, Mount Joy ; J. H. Miller, Spring Garden;
Samuel E. Stauffer, Adamstown; J. A. Stober, Schoe-
ueck ; John E. Schum, city.
Chas. E. Long, Chairman of the Committee to
prepare a Constitution and By-Laws, then read the
rules drawn up by the committee, and recommended
them to the society for their adoption.
On motion of H. H. Tshudy, the report was
received..
On motion, the constitution and by-laws were then
read separately, by sections, for adoption by the
society. These are of the usual character that govern
similar societies, and are therefore not reproduced
here.
Tlie two committees on nominations of officers re-
ported two sets of names for officers of the society,
after which the following compromise ticket was
oiTered :
For President, Rev. D. C. Tobias, Litiz ; First Vice
President, G. A. Geyer, Spring Garden ; Second Vice
President, W. J. Kafroth, West Eari ; Recording Sec-
retary, J. B. Lichty, city ; Corresponding Sec'y, Colin
Cameron, Brickcrville ; Treasurer, T. Frank Evans,
Litiz; Executive Committee, II. H. Tshudy, Litiz;
Chas. E. Long, Lancaster ; T. D. Martin, New
Haven; Jacob Miller, Spring Garden; and A. H.
Shriner, Manheim, who were then elected by accla-
mation as the officers of the society for the present
year.
On motion the members then came forward and
paid their initiation fee of $1 each.
On motion of Chas. E. Long, the recording secre-
tary was authorized and instructed to have postal
cards printed and distributed, requesting parties to
join the society. Agreed to.
On motion, the society then visited the rooms of
the Agricultural Society, and after inspecting them
accepted the terms offered by the latter organization
for holding the regular monthly meetings there, at a
cost of seventy-five cents per month.
There being no further business the society then
adjourned.
LINN/EAN SOCIETY.
The society met on Saturday afternoon, December
J8th. The donations to the museum were quite ex-
tensive and interesting. They consisted, 1st, of a
fine well-mounted setter dog, of large size, from Mr.
George Flick, taxidermist, of this city ; 2d, a female
specimen of the opossum (Didelphis Virgihiana),
captured near Quarryville and donated by Mr. R. C.
Edwards, also well mounted by Mr. Flick for the
society; .3rd, a beautiful specimen of the goldfinch,
or as the Germans calls it, "Thistle Finch," Fi'in-
piUa carduella, presented by Mr. Charles Lippold,
bird fancier, of this city ; 4th, two specimens of the
golden carp, (Cyprinus Auratus,) that had died for
want of oxygen in too small an aquarium, per Mrs.
Rathvon ; several species of Salamanders, Plethodon
(salamandra) enjthronota, and Plethodon glulinosus,
from Rapho township, on the farm of Mr. Washing-
ton L. Hershey, found under stones, &c., per Dr.
Rathvon ; a bottle containing four snakes and a
species of "Salamanders," (genus, Amblstoina,) per
Mr. S. Landis, received by him about ten years ago,
said to have been captured in South America. The
chairman on Herpetology and Ichthyology, -Mr. J.
Staufi'er, reports that one differs but little from our
native species, the ring-necked snake, (Diadop/dx
punctata) ; another agrees with our well-known
species, Storeria Dkaii, a small reddish-brown snake,
having several series of small round dorsal spots ;
the other two snakes in the bottle are of the same
species, and are not found in Pennsylvania, and may
prove to be true Lamprosoma Occipitalc of Dr. Hal-
lowell, and the species figured and so named in the
United Stales and Mexico railroad report should be
called Lamprosoma Annulatmn. Mr. S. has written
to Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian Institution,
for correction or confirmation of his views, giving a
drawing of the reptile and form, &c., of the cepha-
letic plates, scales, &c. A large circular leaf, fully
twenty-two inches in diameter, of the Nelumbiuiii
(the Ceylonese name is jVfiMnifto). The iV. luteum,
or "water chinquepin," is related to "Lotus, or
Sacred Bean of India," very closely. This leaf was
donated by S. T. Davis, M.D., of this city, who re-
ceived it among roots, seed-pods, &c., sent to him
from the West to associate with his water lilies
growing so finely in a pond in his yard on Prince
street. The leaf was pasted on stifi' paper by Mr.
Stauffer, it being rather dry to handle and too large
for the herbarium. A bunch of "scouring rush"—
EiptUetum hi/emale— per S. S. Rathvon.
Mr. W. P. Bolton had a plant of the composite
family, desiring to have its name. It is the Cacatia
Articulata, also called "Candle Cactus," from the
Cape of Good Hope, in 1775; considered a green-
house evergreen.
Mr. F. W. Beates, of Londonderry twp., Dauphin CO.,
donated forty arrow-heads and spear-heads found on
hia farm during the last year, turned up by the plow.
This afl'ords food for reflection upon the past. Mr.
Henry Becbtold, of this city, donated a fine large
specimen of dark-brown mnber, from Mifflin county.
Pa.; on trial it proved to be equal to the best in the
market. Mr. Washington L. Hershey donated three
specimens of that peculiar "algea floreseeut" mark-
ings, known as the Dctidritic limestone, from a
quarry on his farm.
Historical Relics.
Mr. David M. Stauffer donated eleven specimens,
mostly historical or war relies : No. 1, an old-fash-
ioned cartridge box, full of fragments of missies,
collected on the battle field of Antietam, im.i, and
four others from Harper's Ferry ; No. 2, portion of
brass rack from the rebel iron-clad Tennessee, Mobile,
1865 ; No. 3, shell fragments, with those of No. 1 ;
No. 4, a portion of a thick cotton rope from the
rebel ram Manassas, destroyed in the attack on New
Orleans ; No. 6, a portion of a chandelier from the
burnt State house. Baton Rouge, La., 1863; No. 7,
an old fashioned bayonet scabbard, from Antietam
battle field ; No. 8, a sugar planter's knife, used as a .
cutlass on the Rebel ram "Missouri," Red river, 1864;
No. 9, the veritable Whitworth steel missle, fired
into the United States iron-clad "Essex," Bayou
Sera, Louisiana, 1864; No. 10, a United States Navy
shaving box. No. 5, a cutlass holder, made out of
very thick cotton dritling, used by the rebel seaman.
No. 6 marks an old city lard-lamp for two ificks
among the deposit.
Additions to the Library.
Part II. April and September, 1S7S, of the Pro-
ceedings of the Academy oi Natural Science, Phila-
delphia ; copy of The Lancastuu Fakmer for De-
cember,1878; quite a number of catalogues of scien-
tific and miscellaneous books and papers published.
On motion of Mrs. Zell, Miss M. Gill, of this city,
was elected a correspondent.
Papers Read.
Dr. S. S. Rathvon read a descriptive memorandum
(No. 506) of many of the things deposited, and also
notes on his visit to Mr. W. L. Hershey, who occupies
the farm on which the doctor spent seven months,
fifty years ago, in bis boyhood, of course. He notes
the changes, as also some portions highly interesting
to the liotanist, having been invited to make a birth-
day visit December 1.5, 1878, to Mr. Hershey. It was
there the doctor collected the scouring rush, and he
enumerates the ferns, &c., found on a hillside at this
late season— many things new to him in the botani-
cal line ; the paper in reading vividly brought to
recollection the finding of rare plants, new to the
writer, (then twenty years or more ago,) in that
same locality, while resident of Mt. Joy, and never
since met with in other localities.
J. Stauffer read an illustrated paper (No. 507) on
the bottle af Reptilia, deposited and donated by Mr.
Geori-e S. Lanlis. Tlie Curators' Report for 1878
was then read (No. 508) by Dr. Rathvon. The do-
nations to the museum during the year may be
briefly stated thus : Three mammals, seven birds,
two bird's nests and five eggs, seventeen fishes, ten
reptiles, six crustaceans, twenty shells, nineteen
fossils, and of various kinds of insects, 500 speci-
mens ; SiO minerals, fifteen coins, eighteen historical
relics, ten old documents, thirty-two old maps, 4-20
historical clippings, fifteen volumes of books, thirty-
eight pamphlets, besides a large number of cata-
logues, circulars and papers; seventeen original
papers read. Few as the active members are in
number, they work under all the drawbacks and
feel thankful for the many things sent to them.
Mr. J. Staufter read a letter in reply to one of inquiry
respecting the fish donated by Mr. Sheetz, of Safe
Harbor, and which Mr. S. reported as the Amia
Calva at a former meeting. Tarlton II. Bean, M. D.,
now associated with Prof. S. F. Baird, of the Smith-
sonian Institution, Washington, D. C, says in the
letter referred to : " From the drawing sent there is no
doubt about the identification of the species, inas-
much as LinniEus name of Calva carries in its train
twelve synonyms," (these are enumerated,) and he
concludes, "that no satisfactory account of its coast
rant'e further north on the Atlantic was known than
the rivers in the Carolinas." This establishes its
northern extent to the Susquehanna river, and is
therefore of interest. This shows how men who are
not scientific can place into the hands of those who
are much valuable information appreciated by the
lovers of science and research, and is desirable that
they be encouraged in so doing.
Report on Stock Subscriptions.
The report of the Treasurer was read, and although
the dues paid in amounted only to $34.14, with the
old balance of $10.64, the current expenses were all
paid, leaving a balance of ?9.44. But the heavy
extra expense of ?3i3.65 was incurred, and stock
sold to the amount of §206, leaving the association
in debt $18.21. Considering the amount of addi-
tional cases added to those removed from the Athe-
nfeum, the society has no cause of complaint, and
looks hopefully forward to an increase of members
and means.
Election of Officers.
This being the day of election, and no ambitious
aspirants laying claim to rotation in office, a motion
was made and seconded that the old board be re-
elected. The only change made was that of Assist-
ant Recording Secretary. The ballot being cast, re-
sulted in the election of Rev. J. Stahr, President;
Rev. J. H. Dubbs and Prof. J. R. Baker, Vice Presi-
dents ; J. Stauffer, Recording Secretary; W. P.
Bolton, Assistant Recording Secretary; Rev. D.
Geissinger, Corresponding Secretary ; Dr. S. S.
Rathvon, Treasurer; Mrs. L. A. Zell, Librarian;
Messrs. C. A. Heinitsh, S. S. Rathvon and W. P.
Bolton, Curators. After some scientific miscellany
and propositions discussed, the society adjourned,
well pleased with the session held in the well-warmed
second floor of the Library rooms of the Y. M. C. A.
Felling TnEES.-Mr. Gladstone, the distinguished
statesman, as our own Horace Greely was, is fond of
the axe. He has been giving a correspondent some
leaves from his note-book . He considers Yew the most
dlflicult tree to fell; next come Beech and Ash; Oak,
though very hard, fells well ; but the easiestof all is
Spanish C\\eiin\A.— Gardeners' Monthly.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
i3
AGRICULTURAL.
Couch-Grass as a Hay Plant.
No one who has been lor many years coiKlucling
an ap^riculttiral jourual but picks ujiattimpsan **cyc-
oponcr" of a eonsiJcrablc size; but wc do not know
wlicn we liave been more astonislieii tlian when re-
cently wc read in an Eastern ajrricullunil journal a
recommendation to cultivate the coudi or twitch
grass as a hay plant. Our euloirist liiids it thrive
wonderfully well on dry, poor soil, aud as such de-
mands attention to its merits.
All this is very well. It recalls the story of the
Western farmer, who, familiar with the fact that the
black f uakeate rats and mice,introduccd the "critter"
to his barns aud stables. The veriniu soon disap-
peared under his snakeship's rule, but so did cgifs,
chickens, ducks, etc., until In this instance our
farmer friend thought the great serpent was quite as
black as he is painted, and he was banished, if no
worse fate befell him.
This couch-grass is worse than a black snake.
True it docs bear tolerably heavy In very hard ]>l;ups.
We remember once seeing a small patch whirli hail
taken possession of an old stone quarry, whieli nnnle
a thick dense mass of herbage from two anil a half
to three feet high. It would cut probably a ton aud
a half to the acre — pretty good lor a dry, barren,
worthless piece of ground. But no one would w.int
to have a crop of hay forever in the same ground ;
and when the time for change conies how is this grass
to be disposed of its hold upon the soil. The snake
might be discharged, couch-grass never.
For our part we should taboo couch-grass at once
and forever, no matter how great its good qualities
might be ; and we cannot regard, as a friend to agri-
culture, any one who would seriously recommend its
culture. With as much reason might one recom-
mend the culture of the Canada thistle. It is an ex-
cellent food for jackasses, and moreover we have
heard New Torkers, when they failed to eradicate it
from their premises, praise it as making excellent
"cow-hay." But, somehow, whether couch-grass or
thistles, we prefer to let them a.\oiie.— Telegraph.
Planting Corn in Old Times.
Wc suppose thirty to forty years ago means "old
times." In preparing corn ground at that time a dif.
fercnt process was followed than the present, but not
as we see it stated, by merely throwing two rough
furrows of unplowed ground together, and, after
running cross furrows, to simply plant the corn on
the top of the ridge. We do not pretend to say that
this miserable way was not pursued by some lazy or
ignorant farmers, but it was not the com man way by
any means ; indeed we never saw it followed, though
accustomed to notice farming for nearly sixty years.
This, however, was the way mostly followed :
Manure and plow the land, harrow thoroughly, then
ran two opposite furrows aud also run like cross
furrows. Planting on top of the little ridge by this
means made the rows uniform both waj's, and ad-
mitted freely of plowing both ways if necessary.
This plan was more laborious than the present one
and was more "scientific." The crops produced by
it on good farms were as abundant as now. For
many years after the present method was introduced
this was continuei as the best, und that looked upon
as lacking in skill and good sense. But as a rule far
more attention is paid to the crop now than forty or
fifty years ago.
It was always customary to either manure in the
hill or apply "iilaster" after the plant had grown
two or three inches. And we repeat that we have
witnessed as line crops of corn by the old method as
we have by the new. This much we feel enjoined to
say in behalf of the way our fathers and grandfathers
cultivated the corn crop.
Length of Roots.
Tlie nature of the soil has much to do with the
length and number of the roots. In light, poor soil
I find roots of June grass four feet below the surface.
People are apt to uuderestimatc the length, amount
aud importance of the .roots of the liner grasses,
wheat, oats, etc. A young wheat plant when pulled
up only shows a small part of its roots. They often
go down four or six feet or more. The roots of -a
two-year old peach tree in light soil were found
seven feet four inches long. In dry, light soil, this
season wc pulled up one parsnip three feet and a
half long. Of course, smaller roots went down still
further. The noted buffalo grass on the dry, West-
ern i)n\iries is described in the agricultural reports
at Washington as having very short roots ; but Mr.
Felker, one of our college graduates, found, where a
well was being dug, that the roots went down seven.
The roots grow best where the best food is to be
found. They grow in greater or less quantity in
every direction. If a root meets with good food it
flourishes and sends out numerous branches. Koots
do not "search" for food as vegetable phvsiologists
now understand it. Many of the smaller roots of
trees die every autumn when the leaves die, aud
others grow in sprinj:.
Near a cherry tree in my yard was a rustic basket
without bottom filled with rich soil. On removing
the basket and earth, which had been there several
years, cherry roots were found in large nunibe
this rich soil. Roots in such soil w
well as down.
up
The Wheat Crop.
The October returns of the Department of Agri-
culture did not materially change the aspects of the
wheat crop as foreshadowed by the monthly reports
of condition. The December returns, including
estimates of yield per acre, confirm and somewhat
enlarge previous estimates. A computation from
all the returns show an aggregate crop of about
42.'),000,000 bushels. But, onaccountof the strongly
expressed public anxiety for reliable figures, a jior-
tion of the inquiries have been referred to the statis-
tical correspondents for revision. It is now believed
that the result will bo materially different. The in-
crease in the final out turn of the crop is due to the
large increase of acreage which was at least one-
sixth greater than of the previous year.
Many of the larger wheat-producing States very
greatly reduced their average yield per acre. Virginia
fell from 10.4busheU to 7.2; Tennessee from 8 to 5;
Kentucky from 12..5 to 9..3; Illinois from lfl..5to l.'J.fi;
\Vi.sconsiu from 1.5 to 12; Minnesota from IH to 12;
Iowa from U.5 to 9.4; Missouri from 14 to 11. On
the other hand other States show a marked increase.
New York rose from 18 to 19; Pennsylvania from 13
to 1.5; Ohio from 1.5 to IS; Michigan from 17.5 to
18.3; Indiana from 14.5 to 15.8; Kansas from 13.5 to
10.3; California from 9.5 to 18.4. The Territories
show an immense expansion of wheat cultivation,
with the high average yield characteristic of virgin
soils. The yield of some of the Territories was con-
siderably more than double that of the previous crop.
Water for Farmers.
The past very dry summer and autumn In Penn-
sylvania, at least, put many farmers to great iueon-
venience in supplying stock with suitable water,
some having to drive their cattle twice a day from
one to two miles to streams, and even some of them
were nearly dry. Now, we have often referred to
this subject and suggested how farmers could supply
themselves with water at all times at a moderate
expense. The roofs of buildings which shelter the
stock of a farm would furnish a supply at all times,
if cisterns of sufficient capacity were dug to hold the
water. Where the water does not lie too deep, wide
wells should be dug and wind power applied, and
they would seldom'if ever fail. The roofs of the
houses, however moderate the rain-fall may be, will
furnish water, if run into a cistern, that would supply
all the water needed for washing, bathing, etc. We
cannot imagine in what way a small expenditure of
money could be expended to more profit than in
supplying a premises with an abundance of water.
It is of the first importance to every household and
farm. Indeed, being liable in droughts to suffer a
scarcity is something to look forward to with dread ;
but when it is shown that at a moderate cost this
scarcity can be averted, it seems to us, and must to
all thoughtful people, surprising that provision is
not made on every farm, where needed, for a good
supply of fresh water at all limes.— Germantown
Telegraph.
«
Surface Manuring.
It was not known until discovered by Way, and
confirmed by Liebig and others, that a few inches in
depth of surface soil has the power to fix or retain
all, or nearly all, the food of plants which our
manure contains, such as potash, phosphate of lime
and ammonia, thus preventing its passage into the
poor subsoil, and it is not even yet knowu that nearly
all the feeding roots of plants are within a few inches
of the surface where the nutritious elements are.
We now and then find roots many feet below the
surface, and because they are so found people have
theorized that manure should be planted deep, and
that there was a nutritious principle deep down iu
subsoil culture. Deep soil holds moisture, and so
far deep soil is of value. A few roots have to do
duty as drawers of water for the community ; but
such roots arc few, aud these are the roots the deep
explorer finds. But where one little root can be
found running down like this, hundreds will be
found spreading away beneath the surface, and these
arc the ones that are collecting the solid food. For
liese reasons manure should never be buried deep,
but be always kept as near the surface as possible.
Save the Liquid Manure.
How strangely we overlook the value of the liquid
crement of our animals ! A cow under ordinary
feeding furnishes in a year two thousand pounds of
liquid. The comparative money value of the two is
but slightly in favor of the solid. The urine of
herbivorous animals holds nearly all the secretions of
the body which are capable of producing the rich
nitrogenous compounds so essential as forcing or
leaf-forming agents iu the growth of plants. The
solid holds the phosphoric acid, the lime and magne-
sia, which holds the seed principally ; but the liquid
holding nitrogen, potash and soda is forming the
stalks and leaves. The two forms of plant nutri-
ment should never be separated or allowed to be
wasted by neglect.— J/(?;i<r«a! Gazette.
HORTICULTURAL.
Dwarf Pears.
We have had our hands full for the past dozen
years or more in defending the cullivaliou of pears
grafted on quince stock. Some people, who seem
to be ignorant of cultivating any fruit requiring a
little nice .attention, and fail In all, of course utterly
fail in attempting to raise dwarf pears. A writer for
an agricultural paper will go upon somebody's prem-
ises and notice a number of firmly growing trees,
and not far from them some small scrubby-looking
trees, and finds that the latter arc grafted ui)on
quince, hence their appearance, lie therefore says :
"Our conclusions Is to advise our readers to plant no
more pear trees grafted on quince stocks ; they may
bear a year or two earlier, but they will not make
a lasting tree ; they will die iu a few years and result
In disappointment after a few crops."
And this Is what is claimed as information about
raising dwarf pears. The fact is that most of these
writers are totally ignorant of what they are writing
about, and their readers who depend upon them will
soon find themselves behind the facts and the times.
All persons may not regard raising pears on quince
stock as a profitable business, though we know of a
number who have made money by it and have fol-
lowed it for a number of years.
As to the dwarf trees not making a "lasting tree,
and that they will die in a few years," all intelligent
growers of these trees know this to be untrue. With-
iuthe last five years we have lost more standard Ihau
dwarf pear trees by blight, &c. We have now a
number of thrifty trees, thirty years old, abundant
bearers and which promise to live as long as the usual
time allotted to standards.
Dwarf pears require more attention than the
standard. They should stand in cultivated grounu,
and be manured about the same as the rest of the
garden crops. But they stand eight feet apart, and
vegetables may be grown among them. None should
be [jlanted except those with sound roots and the
quince stocks clear of worms. .Then set full three
inches below the union of the pear and quince slock
and there will be no fear of worms. Sometimes they
take root from the pear stock and make very beau-
tiful pyramidal trees, aud are annually abundant
bearers. The dwarf pears on our premises fully
bear us out in what wesay.— (/crmaK^oroit Telegrnjih.
Look to the Fruit Trees.
Wc consider early winter to be the best time fur
scraping and washing the trunks of trees, though
the present time will do very well wh^n it has not
been previously attended to. It is well-known to all
observing fruit-growers that the loose bark of trees
is the winter quarters of myriads of insects, w here
they securely remain until the ensuing spring, when
the warm, genial weather invites them to quit their
cosy homes and begiu their destructive operations
for the sea.son. We^have found a narrow saw, rather
fine-toothed, to be an excellent tool in rasping off the
superfluous bark. It accomplishes it more uniformly
than a hoe, trowel or other scraper; a trowel or a
short-handled hoe, however, is very good, when the
other may not be possessed. After the bark is re-
moved, the trunks should be washed thoroughly
with a preparatiou of whale-oil soap ami water, say
in proportion of a pound of the soap to four or five
gallons of water. It can be applied to large trees,
with a hickory broom or a stiff whitewash brush,
and to small trees, especially dwarfs, with the baud
scrub-brush. Sickly trees, which can at this seasnu
be easily detected by being covered with a species of
fungi, or, perhaps more properly, a peculiar in-
sectivorous deposit— should be scrubbed so as to
completely remove this. The mixture will of itself
benefit the tree, while the removal from the stem of
all extraneous and injurious substances will give to
it new health and vigor the ensuing season — iii some
instances to a surprising extent. When whale-oil
soap is not obtainable, lye may be used, but it should
not be very strong, or it might be injurious to the
roots of the tree if applied plentifully and the tree
small, otherwise it will do no XxArmi—Gcrmantuicn
Telegraph.
The Scarcity of Quinces.
Within a few years past the quince trees have been
attacked by a v.orm, just under the surface of the
ground, somewhat similar in appeaiance and in its
effects to the peach worm, and not being properly
attended to and the worms removed, the trees have
generally died, and the fruit accordingly disappeared
from all our markets. The quince can l)e just as
successfully grown as the peach, if a little care is
taken to head off its principal enemy, the worm at
the root, which requires but little time and trouble
each spring aud fall in removing the earth from around
the stem of the tree, probe for the grub in his hole in
the bark with a stiff wire, and filling up around the
tree with wood ashes orslackcd lime. The cheap gas-
lime, from the gas-works, is a very effectual remedy
for worms in peach trees, and it would no doubt
answer the same purpose around the quince.
14
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ January,
FLORICULTURE.
Parlor Flowers.
Who does not love flowers ? It is one of the most
delightful characteristics of flowers that they arc
attractive at all seasons of the year, and never more
so than when made the objects of household atten-
tion throughout the winter months. The presence
of flowers in a parlor, or small conservatory, is a
jievcr-ending source of gratification.;. The rarest and
most elaborately-carved furniture, pictures and
statuary, in which wealth indulges, cannot vie with
a few tastefully-arranged flowers in imparting to a
loom that natural look of elegance which springs
from the presence of some vivifying principle, how-
ever simple it may be.
There are two things which give to an apartment
in winter a charm which nothing else can. These
are : a stand of flowers in bloom, and a clear burn-
ing fire in an open fire-place. Take away the flowers
and leave the fire-place blank ; heat the room with a
furnace, and however handsomely the room may be
furnished the sense of something wanting will imme-
diately m.akc itself felt.
In Paris it is a common thing to cultivate a few
simple flowers in an oblong box for the pleasure
tlicir few buds and blossoms afford ; while in Ger-
many it is usual to grow ivy in pots and train it in
festoons over the windows.
The dilliculty in attempting to grow flowers in the
%varm, diy air of an apartment has arisen from a
want of knowledge as to the best manner of treating
them. The greatest obstacle to success is the dry-
ness of the air, and the following manner is proposed
to obviate it : Let a table be constructed the length
of the window and two or three inches wide, with
boards fitted close, tongue and grooved, and around
the edge nail a strip three inches wide. Cover the
space thus enclosed with two inches of white sand.
Upon this sand place the plants in pots. With a
table of this kind the plants can be syringed or
sprinkled with water, which is absolutely essential
to preserve them in health. The drippings and sur-
plus water are caught and aljsorbed by the sand,
which should lie kipt wet, ami even watered for the
purpose of tciiipcrin<r tlie dry air surrounding the
plants, the ivaiinrMtioii of the moist sand thereby
jiromotinff tlieir gniwtli liy the production of artifi-
cial atnidspliorc. If the table is fitted with rollers it
will faciliali' the operation of watering, and moving
back from the windows during very cold nighta.
As to the selection of plants, it is better to begin
with a few kinds that are easily grown, as experi-
ence ami skill are required. A few pots of alyssum,
mignonette, lobelia, geranium, primula, azalea, calla,
cacti, eoronilla, heliotrope, spiraea, orange, lemon,
petunia, and some bulbs, will render satisfaction.
A common method, practiced about Paris and
London, of having a box, generally about ten inches
wide on the top and nine inches deep, filled with
good soil, and mignonette, sweet alyssum, lobelias,
lieliutidpe.^ and geraniums planted in it according to
their size :niil irniwtli, will flower and make a fine
display when pUieed in a window with a southern
exposure. While others have these boxes filled witli
plants in pots, and removed as they get out of bloom
by others to keep up a display the whole season. —
Jii/i.it If. Kinrj Washlnntoti. 1). C, in Germantovn
Tdnp-aph. _
Window Boxes.
Procure a box about fourteen inches wide, six
inches deep, and of a length to fit your window ; if
jiossible have aiioilier box two inches smaller every
way, and |ilace ni>idc the larger one, filling the space
between tlieiii with sand or tan or straw; have
holes bured in the bottom of both boxes, and place
pieces of broken charcoal to insure drainage ; fill
with the best earth procurable, remembering that
good, rich soil will insure you the finest flowers;
)ilace in the end of your boxes German' ivy, morning
glories, madeira vine, and any other climbers that
you like, and along the sides maurandia, thunbergia,
othonna, nasturtion and kenilworth ivy, and just
inside of these oxalis of dificrent colors and varie-
ties ; in the centre j'ou must place j'our tallest plants
and the lower growing ones around it ; have some
cowslips, Chinese primroses, sweet alysium, migno-
nette and vinca myra ; a mountain of snow geranium
gives variety to the appearance, as will also the
canary bird flower, which will give masses of yellow
flowers if it has the sun, and the blue of the lobelia
will also heighten the efl"ect.
Lemon Verbena.
It is stated that the well-known, fragrant plaLt,
the lemon verbena, is used by the Spaniards for other
purposes than to delight the olfactories. It is re-
garded by them as a fine stomachic and cordial.
They use it either in the form of a cold decoction,
sweetened, or as a flavor to tea, the hot tea being
jioured over five or .six leaves in a teacup. The tea
thus prepared is said to be simply delicious ; and it
is added, as a further and very pratical inducement
to the use of it, that one who does so will "never
suffer from flatulence, never be made nervous or old-
maidish, never have cholera, diarrhiea, or loss of
appetite."
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
Bedrooms— How They Should be Ventilated.
The London Lancet has some comments on this
topic which may be read with as much profit in this
country as in London. It says : "If a man were
deliberately to shut himself for some six or eight
hours daily in a stuffy room, with closed doors and
windows (the doors not being opened even to change
the air during the period of incarceration,) and were
then to complain of headache and debility, he would
be justly told that his own want of intelligent fore-
sight was the cause of his sufl'ering. Nevertheless,
this is what the great mass of people do every night
of their lives without no thought of their impru-
dence. There are few bedrooms in which it is per-
fectly safe to pass the night without something more
than ordinary precautions to secure an inflow of
fresh air. Every sleeping apartment should, of
course, have a fire-place with an open chimney, and
in cold weather it is well if the grate contains a
small fire, at least enough to create an upcast cur-
rent and carry oflT the vitiated air of the room. In
all such cases, however, when a fire is used, it is
necessary to see that the air drawn into the room
comes from the outside of the house. By an easy
mistake it is possible to place the occupant of a bed-
room with a fire in a closed house in a direct current
of foul air drawn from all parts of the establishment.
Summer and winter, with or without the useof fires,
it is well to have a free ingress for pure air. This
should be the ventilator's first concern. Foul air will
find an exit if pure air is admitted in sufficient quan-
ty, but it is not certain pure air will be drawn away.
So far as sleeping-rooms are concerned it is wise to
let in air from without. The aim must be to accom-
plish the object without cansinir a great fall of tern
pcrature or a draught. The windows may be drawn
down an inch or two at the top with advantage, and
a fold of muslin will form a "ventilator" to take off
the feeling of drauglit. This, with an open fire-place,
will generally suffice, aud produce no unpleasant
consequences even when the weather is cold. It is,
however, essential that the air outside should be
pure. Little is likely to be gained by letting in a fog
or even a town mist.
Butter Making.
Some years ago, when it was first proposed to in-
troduce cheese manufacturing est-ablishments into
the eastern counties of this State, our readers will
remember that we staled our objections to them, as
well as arguments in favor of the making of butter-
good butter— for the Pliiladelpliia market, where
there was always a ready demand at remunerating
prices. While the State of New York and others in
the Northwest and West might succeed in budding
up and maintaining profitable cheese making fac-
tories, the eastern part of this State at least was far
better adapted to butter making and held out far
greater gains. Where the advice was not heeded
failure and loss was the consequence. But who has
ever heard of the butter making business, where
conducted with the least degree of care and indus-
try, coming short of yielding a remunerating profit?
We now hear of one or two of these establishments
being started, and we have no manner of doubt but
that they will be successful.
We know of an establishment in this city, to which
sutHcient cream is supplied, that yields nearly two
thosand pounds per day, the churning of which is
done by machinery.- '/fi-»i««/uw'« Telegraph.
Burning Green Wood Greatly Wastefol.
Water in passing into vapor absorbs and hides
nearly 1,000 degrees of heat. A cord of green wood
produces just as much heat as a cord of the same
wood dry. In burning the dry wood we get nearly
all the heat, but in burning the same wood green,
from one-half to three-fourths of the heat produced
goes off latent and useless in the evaporating sap or
water. Chemistry shows this, and why, very jdaiuly.
Therefore get the winter's wood lor fuel or IciLidlings,
and let it be seasoning as soon as possible, and put
it under cover in time to be dry when used. It will,
of course, season or dry much faster when split
fine. A solid foot of green elm wood weighs 60 to
6.5 lbs., of which 30 to 35 lbs. is sap or water. As
ordinarily piled up, if we allow half of a cord to be
lost in the spaces between the sticks, we still have a
weight of about two tons to the cord, of which nearly
one ton is water or sap. Such wood affords very
little useful heat ; it goes off in the ton of sap. The
great saving of hauling it home dry is evident— as
we get the same amount of real fuel for half the
team work. Beech wood loses one-eighth to one-fifth
its weight in drying; oak, one-quarter to two-fifths.
Accepting Invitations.
In accepting an invitation to fete or parly, the note
of response should be simply courteous- nothing
more. A too familiar and over-cordial note of le-
sponse is almost as offensive as one which expresses
no interest at all iu the parties who extend the invi-
tation. There is a happy medium in the formalities
of even kindly wishes . It is not unnatural to suspect
an acquaintance of insincerity when excesses of lan-
guage are used in society matters.
Household Receipts.
To Remove Marks of Rain from a Mantle.—
Take a damp cloth and damp the place marked with
the rain ; then take a hot iron and iron the mantle all
over, and the marks will be removed.
A Gaugle for Sore Throat.— Half a pint of
rose-leaf tea, a wiueglassful of good vinegar, honey
enough to sweeten it, and a very little Cayenne
pepper, all well mixed together, and simmered in a
close vessel ; gargle the throat with a little of it at
bedtime, or oftener, if the throat is very sore.
French Mustard.- One ounce of mustard and
two pinches of salt are mixed in a large wiueglass-
ful of boiling water, and allowed to stand twenty-
four hours. Then pound in a mortar one clove of
garlic, a small handful of tarragon, another of garden
cress, and add to the mustard, putting vinegar ac-
cording to taste.
CouciH SYRnp.— Put five cent's worth of pine
pitch into a pint of water. Let it simmer until the
water is well impregnated with the flavor. Dip out
the gum which remains undissolved and add honey
enough to sweeten, and make a thick syrup. Strain
this and bottle. Dose, a teaspoonful four or five
times a day according to the severity of the cough.
It will afford speedy relief.
To DvE Black Woolen Cloth Dark Green.—
Clean your goods well with beef gall and water, and
rinse in warm water ; then make a copper boiler full
of soft water boiling hot, and take from one pound
to a pound and a half of fustic, put it in and boil
twenty minutes; to which add a lump of alum as
big as a walnut ; when this is dissolved in your cop-
per boiler, put in your goods, and boil it twenty
minutes ; then take it out and add a small wineglass
three parts full of chemical blue, and boil again from
half an hour to an hour, and the cloth will be a
beautiful dark green ; then wash out and dry.
JIus. Reed's Plumb Pudding.— One pound beef
suet, three-fourths pound loaf sugar, one pound
flour, six eggs, pint of milk, one pound of raisins,
one pound of currants, three-fourths pound of citron,
two nutmegs, niaee, cloves ; add at pleasure two
glasses brandy. Chop the suet tine, rub it to a cream,
add sugar aud flour, each time rubbing it w ell ; add
the spices fruit and brandy. Beat the egg, add them,
then the milk ; tie it moderately tight ; boil it eight
hours. This quantity makes one very large pud-
ding—two if boiled in quart bowls ; three if in pint
bow-Is ; when cold cover up tight with paper, and
put them awiiy until wanted. When one is wanted
boil an hour. — Germantown Telegraph.
< The Hunterdon Monitur says : " We feel it our
duty to give a recipe for the cure of diptheria, which
we know from jiersonal knowledge has cured several
severe cases. It is .^iniiily to put some pure tar on a
plate and apply hot coals to it, not hut enough, how-
ever, to create a blaze. Then place a funnel upside
down over the tar and let the patient inhale the
fumes arising from the burning tar through the
spout of the funnel. It will give instant relief, and
may be repeated as often as may be necessary. Tar
spread on a piece of cloth and applied to the thi-oat
in eoimectiou with the iiihailing process is also good,
much better than old lliti-h or liniments. It should
not be removed until the throat is relieved of all
soreness."
Salt with Nuts.— One time, while enjoying a
visit from an Englishman, hickory nuts were served
in the evening, when my English friend called for
salt, stating that he knew of a case of a woman eat-
ing heartily of niits in the evening, who was taken
violently ill . The celebrated Dr. Abernethy was sent
fir, but it was after he had become too fond of his
cups, and he was not in a condition to go. He mut-
tered, "Salt ! salt !" of which no notice was taken.
Next morning he went to the place and she was a
corpse. He said that had they given her salt it would
have relieved her; and if they would allow him to
make an examination he would convince them. On
opening the stomach the nuts were found in a mass.
He sprinkled salt on this and it immediately dis-
solved. I have known of. a sudden death myself,
which appears to have been the effect of the same
cause. I generally eat salt with nuts and consider it
improves i\\en\.—(iermautoien Telegraph.
I^How TO Make "Whipped Cream."— A corre-
sjjondent desires to know the best process for making
'whipped cream, such as is used in the Vienna
coffee." The following is the process given l)y
"Aunt Addie" in the New York Times, but whether
it is the same used by the Vienna coffee people we
are not prepared to say :
Beat tlie yolks of Ave fresh eggs and half a pound
of powdered sugar until very Tisht -tnd white ; put
one pint of milk aud oneounee of i.sin-lass in a sauce-
pan and boil 10 miimtcs, stirrin- .■onlinnally ; flavor
with vanilla and lemon mixed, or any other flavoring;
pour the milk on the eggs and sugar ; put on the fire,
stir well toget'.ier, but do not let boil ; pass through
a fine hair sieve into a round dish ; when cold set on
ice, add I wo liquor-glasses of JIarasehino; keep stir-
ring rapi^y all the'time ; when it begins to thicken
stir into i'l a pint of cream, whipped to a froth ; put
into a mold on the ice until you wish to use it.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
15
LIVE STOCK.
Saving bv Handsful.
One handful of :i;iv i^^'i"'' iinicli, nor, for the mat-
ter of that, arelwiiiiv haiidhlul ; the eavin.ffor wast-
Inpofso much would n.illuriiuiko nor break a man.
But with twenty head of eatllu to feed, twice or
tliricc a day, the eavinx of a handful apiece every
time would amount to somethine before our pastures
arc preen again upon our frost-bitten hills. Do you
ever think of It ? We arc not hintiuB at sllnttug the
cattle. But how many of us allow aninuils to waste
a handful each at every feed for want of a little at-
tention to feeding arranfrcments ? How many head
of stock on our Northern farms require ii handful
more of hay at every feed to keep up the aniniiil heat
than they would rciiuire if their si iiblcs had all the
cracks stopped that let in the cold winds of winter?
A handful of manure is but a tritlc, yet the addi-
tion of a sinp-lc handful in a hill of corn may
make the dilfcrence between Ions, <""" e»i'6 and
stinted nubbins when the harvest comes. How many
handsful of manure arc going to waste every day
about our yards and buildings ! Could you not save
half a bushel a day by being careful ? And the
liquid manure— is there not enough lost every day to
make a good many long cars where we shall probably
liud only nubbins uexl fall '.
Handsful of hay ; handsful of manure ! — these arc
small matters say you? Yet upon just such small
matters depends many a man's success or failure in
life. Here is one man that attends to them carefully,
and at the end of twenty or thirty years he has a
competency for old age ; another neglects them as
beneath his notice and is always behindhand ; he
lives and dies short in pocket and short in comfort.
We do not preach niggardliness ; it is by saving when
we may that we prepare ourselves to be liberal when
wc will. Save the handsful. — Rural New York.
History of Horned Cattle.
The original native home of horned cattle is lost,
but up to about four hundred years ago, there were
many herds of wild cattle in England. Some of
these were captured and have been preserved in
some of large parks of the English aristocracj-, of
one of these tlie /Mohf/isl, a London magazine, says:
Herds of this breed are recorded to have existed in a
semi-wild state in various portions of England.
Those at Burton Constable were all destroyed by a
distemper. When Bewick published his History of
Quadrupedx, at the close of the last century, he was
enabled to show that only five herds then existed.
Since that date the herds at Wallaton and Gisburne
have died out, and the breed having been introduced
(subsequently, it is presumed to Bewick's notice) or
re-introduced at Cadzow (Hamilton), in Lanark-
shire, the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton,
there now survive at the present four herds only, of
which the following account is given from recent
inspection by Mr. A. H. Cocks. Of these the Chilling-
ham breed, belonging to the Earl of Tankerville,
are said to be the purest. They are characterized
especially by the form of their horns, which may be
described as curving, first backward and upward,
and then sweeping forward and downward, while
the pomts turn upward. In the skull the forehead
is flat or slightly concave, and the occipital ridge be-
tween the horns is straight and level. In form these-
cattle are beautifully shaped, with small heads,
straight backs and short legs. Their color is white,
except the ears and muzzle which are either red or
black, according to the breed. The horns are white,
with black tips.
Corn and Cob Meal.
Corn and cob meal, which was formerly largely
fed by many farmers, has of late been so severely
condemned in the agricultural journals as to deter
thousands from continuing its use. Some years ago,
however, Professor Mott, of Columbia, Ohio, wrote
prize essayonthc subject, iu which betakes ground
in favor of its use, saying, "Advantages and econo-
my are attained by fattening and feeding stock with
corncob and meal together, and also by grinding all
kinds of grain."
As we shall want the ensuing winter everything
that can be converted into food for our animals, it is
to be hoped that the question will be satisfactorily
disposed of before the cobs are used lor fuel or
thrownin the hog-pen to rot, or rather to waste. We
have read some strong arguments against the use of
the cob at all ; and some equally strong, indeed, in
our judgment, stronger in favor of grinding the corn
and cob togcther,as food for horscs,cattlc and swine.
We are ready to open our columns for information
n the subject, and trust that our farmers will give
s their experience and opinions. — Gerinanlon<n Tel.
IIow TO Choose a Good Cow.— A crumple horn
is a good indication, a full eye another. Her head
should be small and short. Avoid a Koman nose,
which indicates thin milk and little of it. See that she
is dished in the face— sunk between the eyes. Notice
that she is what stock men call a handler— skin soff.
and loose, like the skin of a dog, deep Irom loin to the
udder and a very slim tail. A cow with these marks
never falls to be a good milker.
Profit Combined with Amusement.
In a poultry establishment the ornamental can be
adopted with the useful, and profit can accompany
the pleasure and recieatlon of altciidiiii; tn I'mvls;
but silly people imagine, because ymr l, n I. |. ii|.lc
have fine poultry houses witli • [.niii ',: im-
various kinds all under one n" i - mis
attached to prevent the fowls rnamm m liirn iil-
fcnccd gardens or in their exposcii plc:i.siMc sirouiuls,
ifec, that they can shut up fowls and continue to
keep them in confinement, so as to make them pay
for feeding ami attendance. By having unlimited
range, fowls can easily be made profitable; for they
will pick up at least half a living, and they do not
then require one-tenth as much attention as those
kept in a yard, which always has a bad odor, how-
ever often it is cleaned.
It is extraordinary to find there are men so weak
as to attempt to keep great numbers of fowls to-
gether with limited range, when, time after time,
the folly of all attempts of the kind has been de-
monstrated. But although no sensible business man
will again confine hundreds of fowls in any inade-
quate space, yet great numbers can be kept on one
farm and profit combined with amusement by making
tasty ornamental little roosts, and placing them at
such distances apart as to prevent any intermixing.
These roosts might be made and painted so as to
have the appearance of miniature cottages, and so
placed about an estate as to be exceedingly pic-
turesque.
I have in my mind at the present moment an
island, the property of one proprietor, whose resi-
dence stands on an elevated position commanding a
view of the whole, with the exception of portions
hidden by trees. What a very pretty efl'ect some of
these poultry houses would have if interspersed
among laborers, cottages and other buildings used
as shelter for farm stock, and these also' could be
made to have such an appearance as would be iu
unison with the erections all over the island. Imagine
a farm neither round nor square but toleiably com-
pact, with a hundred or more roosts, sheds for cat-
tle and for sheep to resort to in stormy weather, and
here and there intermingled with these, a cottage
prettily adorned with vines, and a handsomely laid-
out garden. Then suppose the whole painted alike
and, as near as usefulness combined with the orna-
mental and uniformity will permit, all showing doors
and windows and all having ivy or vines of some
kind running about or trained around them, so as to
give the best effect. If an island, all the outside
poultry houses might be for water-fowls, and sweep-
ing down from the mansion might be a well kept,
beautiful carriage road which could take a circuit of
the farm, so arranged that it would be a delightful
pleasure drive, and at the same time it could be used
to go around to the different buildings, which would
be ou the right and left all the way along.
Profit could be all the while combined with the
ornamental and the useful, and good, fine square
fields could be arranged so that they would not inter-
fere with the buildings or any of those structures or
impede cultivation. If wealthy people, when they
retire from cities to the country, would first of all
lay out their farms so as to have them one beautiful
scene of variety with perfect utility, how ornamental
would not the arrangement be to the country '.
Vermin on Poultry.
A correspondent of the Southern Poultry Journal
says :
'' Many fanciers use the carbolic (or carbolated)
powder in ord.r to rid their fowls of lice and mites.
It is considered the very best of remedies. My plan
is one which, I think, is used by no other breeder ;
has never failed me in completely ridding my fowls
of every insect, and has demonstrated to me its in-
fallibility. It is simply to use the oil of sassafras
nii.xed with sweet oil. To one ounce of oil of sassa-
fras put five or six of sweet oil, and apply a small
quantity to difl'erent parts of the body of the fowls,
stlectiug those points where tlie vermin would be
most apt to hide.
"In applying the preparation I fill with it a small
oil can, so that I can I'orcc out as much or little of
the oil as I wish. A very small bit can be made to
go a great ways, for ouedropcan be rubbed overtwo
or three inches of spate, and is no more trouble to
apply than the various insect powders. I use sweet
oil, because of its curative powers, but any kind of
greese, no matter what, will do to mix w ith the oil
of sassafras. The oil of sassafras is the ersdicatoi ,
the oil merely the vehicle. I believe common sassa-
fras tea would be wonderfully cfllcacious.
"Make iu a large pot, then, after allowing it to
cool, dip the fowl in bodily. In one second the lice
will be dead, and In ten seconds the fowl will be per-
fectly dry, if placed in the sunshine. It is hard to
form an idea of the magical cU'ect produced by the
oil of sassafras. 1 have tried the remedy in greater
attenuation than that mentioned (one part to five Oi
six), but believe that it would be equally good if
composed of one ounce of oil of sassalraa to ten or
twelve of any other oil or greese."
Muscovy Ducks.
Th.
■Musk
under I he above imne, is also known as
duck. 'I'his bill er, ami perhaps more pr(>|jcr name,
is derived lioin ilie cidur of musk prevading the skin,
which seeciistohe | .arliciilarly strong about tlic liead.
This scent is not in tlie least perceptible, however,
when the bird is properly cooked.
Tlie llesh of this bird is very palatable, if eaten
when young, but after it gets beyond Its youth It Is
not so highly esteemed. Musk ducks arc odd look-
ing birds— generally black and white, not evenly
marked, but spotted irregularly, here and there with
a patch of black. The drake has a large head and
bare checks of a scarlet color, the base of tlic bill
being carunculated with the same bright scarlet.
With these distinct peculiarities and the fact that
the feathers on the back of the head are rulUed and
appear to be growing the wrong way, the musk
drake Is very curious, and certainly is the least
comely water fowl it has been our lot to behold, while
he is as ugly as he looks in most cases.
Mu.scovy ducks are capable of sustaining them-
selves for a quite a time, on their long and powerful
wings, and are fond of taking flights about tlm
neighliorhood, but in most eases they return punc-
tually to their home, aficr the manner of pigeons.
As they lav letter e^'L:> HjMII hl.i,l . il liiT cluckS, thls
drake
The di\iki'^ :n-'' e"iii iniially iiu ill iiil; , or " raising a
row," in somc^ iiistanees catelijng an unfortunate
duck of another species by the neck and holdin:: its
head under the water until drowned.
The Musk duck Is domesticated to a considerable
extent in this country and Europe, but not nearly so
large as in some parts of South America, hIicic llii'y
are also plentiful in their natural wild stale.
How to Tell That Eggs are Eggs.
A good egg will sink in water.
A boiled egg which is done will ilry quickly on the
shell when taken from the kettle.
The boiled eggs which adhere to the shell are
fresh laid.
After an egg has laid a day or more the shell
comes off easily when boiled.
A fresh egg has a lime-like surface to its shell.
Stale eggs are glassy and smooth of shell.
Eggs which have been packed in lime look siained
and'show the action of the lime on the surface.
Eggs packed in bran for a long time smell and
taste musty.
With the aid of the hands or a piece of paper
rolled in funnel shape and held toward the light, the
human eye can look through an egg, shell and all.
If the egg is clear and golden in appearance when
held to the light, it is good ; if dark or spotted, it is
bad.
Tlie badness of an egg can sometimes be told by
shaking it near the holder's ear, but the test is a
dangerous one.
Thin shells are caused by a lack of gravel, etc.,
among the hens laying the eggs.
Many devices have been tested to keep eggs fresh,
but the less time an egg Is kept the better for the egg
and the one who eats it.
Witer Treatment of Poultry.
A correspondent, in addressing us on this subject,
says in brief, that each fowl ought to produce 1110
eggs a year ; that In winter warmth is indispensa-
ble ; that the fowls must have some of the food they
find at other seasons when at large; ihcy
must have plcn.y of room In their house,
and it and the laying boxes kept dean ;
that they must be fed with corn, barley, o.its; have
a box of sand, oyster or clam shells pounded up, or
old mortar ; or bones dried and pounded fine ; that
mached boiled potatoes and eornmcal arc excellent;
that fatty matter ol any kind, fresh beef, cr pork
scraps, &c., must form a portion of their diet ; iliai
hens are fond of vegetable matter during winter an 1
will eat cabbage, &c.; and they must be kept free
from vcrmim, which nearly always follows entire
cleanliness. In case, howe'ver, vermin should still
make their appearance there Is nothing so ell'eclive
inremoving them as rubbing the top of the head,
under the wings and upon the back with lard. Thesi-
suggestions we have made time and again ; and have
oiny to add now, that all who desire complete suc-
cess, and, of course, satisfactory profit from poultry
rasing must adopt Ihem.— acrmanlotcn) Telrgrupk.
The production of eggs during the winter season,
savs the Line Stock Joiirtiat , is largely under the
control of the owner of fowls. If hens have warm,
comfortable quarters, and an abundance of suitable
food, the owner will be rewarded by a supply ol
eggs all through the cold weather. But it is esscii-
tiai I hat they should be provided with a well venti-
lated house wherein they will not suffer from cold.
The food shouhl not consist wholly of grain ; all the
bits of vegetables from the kitchen table and the
scraps of meat should be saved, chopped up fine and
given to the hens.
46
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[January, 1879.
APIARY.
Taming Stubborn Bees.
Every beekeeper has had colonies and queens that
would not be controlled by ordinary means. Such
will be the interested in following: account, onc-
tributed to the Americmi Bee Journal, by W. E. Mc-
Bride, of Illinois.
On October 1st I straightened up tlie combs in one
of my bee hives, preparatory to Italianizing: the
colony. Over half of the bees left for parte un-
known, but the queen remaind. October 5th I united
the bees that remained with another colony. Caught
and caged both queens, and afterwards killed them.
On the cveninii: of October 10th I hunc: a cage con-
taining iin Ilalian queen in the hive. On the morning
of the 1:2th I opened tlie hive to release her Italian
majesty. No queen cells had been built after I killed
the two black queens ; bnt I found freshly laid eggs
— also larvir— CO I searched for another queen and I
found her and soon had her beheaded. I then re-
moved the cork from one end of the cage and tied a
piece of paper over one end,supposing it would work
all right. I closed the hive and did} not examine it
again for some days. When I did I found everything
jiist as I had left it. She had not got liberated, but
the bees had started a numlier of queen cells. I tore
them and daulied the queen e.Tgc with them, then
opened the cage, without removing it from the hive,
tliinking slie woidd walk out. .Some of the bees went
in and seemed r.ot !o molest her, so I left them to
themselves for an hour'or so. When I went back I
was not at all'surpriscdjto find the queen still in her
rage. I tried to smoke her out gently, but wlien she
did come she came in a hurry and ran rapidly
down tl:e eonil.s, out, of the liivc, and tried to fly ;
but I w;is too (iiiicl; lor her; I caught her, clippad
she remained ;!bout a qunrter of a minute, and tlicu
came out again. I caught her and put her in the
top of the hive and administered smoke. Next morn-
ing I found heron the bottom board. I gave them
smoke to my entire satisfaction, and the queen is
now all right, laying nicely.
Protection of Bees Against Wasps.
A British bee-keeper says he has witnessed the
destruction, in two weeks' time, of a thriving apiary
of five stocks, solely by wasps— which being in a
starving condition, and as much for warmth and
protection as lor food, forced an entrance into the
hives. The best defcnt-e he has found, both against
wasps and ri.Mi.-.hces from stronger colonies, is,
first, to keep llie slocks uniformly strong, and sec-
ond, to close the entrance holes to the attacked
hives so that only two bees can piiss or repass at the
same time, thus giving one means of defense which
they will not be slow to take advantage of.
Industry of Bees.
A. S. Wilson presents the following facte to show
the marvelous industry of bees. Approximately 100
heads of clover vicld O.S jrram of sugar, or l'J.5 heads
give 1 cram of 'sugar, and, therefore, 1-25,000 heads
1 kilomainn fMi-nr. As each head contains 60
floi-et.s ( f^n,(iiiiixi;(i) not less than 7,500,000 flower
tubes must be eiajitied of their honey to obtain 1
kilogramme of sugar. The honey may, roughly, be
estimated to contain 75 per cent, of su^ar, and hence
we h.ave 1 kilogramme equal to 5,000,000 flowers in
round numbers, or 2,.500,000 visits for one pound of
honey.
No FARMER need expect to be successful with bees
unless he is willing to give time to them. They will
suffer from neglect quite as much as growing, ripen-
ing crops. He cannot reasonably expect honey unless
there are flowers in the vicinity from which it can be
collected. If there are no Dov.ering trees and plants
growing naturally, they must be cultivated.
ENTOMOLOGICAL.
The Hessian Fly.
Tiiis destructive insect made its appearance in the
wheat-fields last fall to a considerable extent and
did much damage ; but one fact connected with its
appearance, or rallier reappearance, should be care-
Uilly borne in minil— that it is only the early sown
wlieatihatis attacked, and this mostly when early
sowing is followed by a long spell of mild weather,
like that of last autumu, during which the grain
becomes quite rampant. Wheat sown the last of
September or the beginning of October — which is
early enough in most years — is seldom if ever at-
faekcd by the fly. There is a statement now before
us of a farmer in Western New York, who eavs that
while he sowed bis wheat as late as the 18th and
20th of September, his neighbors sowed in the latter
end of August, and that while his crop was wholly
free from the fly, and yielded over twenty-nine bushels
to the acre, the crops of bis neighbors were nearly de-
stroyed. He further says that a barrel of salt to the
acre will destioy the midge and cause the grain to
ripen from three to six days earlier. We think there
is wisdom iu his statement.
The Apple Tree Borer.
I have an orchard of two acres, planted eight and
twelve years ago. About five years agol found the
borers at work in all the trees, more or less. The bark
would turn black and peel oflT, and then would appear
decayed in spots the size of my hand and larger. I
commenced to scrape with my knife, and found a
white grub working between the bark and tree. In
some trees I found as many as ten worms in one tree.
They killed two of my largest trees, and injured five
others so that they died. I first tried soft soap suds;
it seemed to kill them by drowning. I afterward took
strong Ije, that would float an egg ; this killed all
that it touched. I dug out several worms after using
the lye, and every one was dead. I have washed ray
trees iu May and September ever since, and have not
lost a tree.
LITERARY AND PEROSNAL.
Impoved WiLLOUGUBV GRAIN Drill, manufac-
tured by J. B. Crowell & Co., Greencastle, Frankliu
county. Pa. 12 pp., 8 vo.
A. C. Yates' Fashion Reporter, for fall and
winter of 1878, is also a remarkably well executed
quarto of 8 pages, devoted to fashion and clothing
literature.
L. B. Case's Botanical Index. — An illustrated
quarterly botanical magazine, Richmond, Indiana.
16 pp. octavo, excellentfy gotten up, and this Jan-
uary number, 1S70, is full of valuable matter on the
subjects of Roots, Fruits and Flowers.
Pr.EMiuM List and Regulations of the first
annual exhibition of the "Germantown Poultry and
Pet Stock Association." Parker's Hall, Main and
Price streets, Germantown, December 24th, 25th and
26th, 187S. 10 pp., 8 vo.
Address of Francis D. Moulton, before "First
Internaiional Dairy I'air," American Institute, New
York, Saturday evening, December 7th, 1878. We
are under obligations to Mr. J. H. Reall for a copy
of this excellent address, an interesting extract from
which will be found in this number of The Farmer,
under the caption of "Population and Producton."
The Poultry Monthly, Albany, N. Y. The
January number of this royal 4to of 18 pages and 10
pages of .advertisements is before us. Excellent ma-
terial, beautilully illustrated and printed. No. 1,
Vol. 1, is before us. This is a new enterprise, and if
it don't succeed the reproach must be on the people
and not on the printers and publishers. §1.00 a year.
The Sugar Industry o? the United States
AND the Tariff. — A report of the assessment and
collection of duties of imported sugars ; on the r3-
sults of an eeonomieal and financial inquiry into the
relation of the sugar industry of the United States in
its several departments of production, importation,
refining and distribution of product, to the existing
federal tariff. By David A. Wells, New York, 18T8.
IIakd Times and the Way Out. — A speech de-
livered by Robert G. Ingersoll, at Music Hall, Bos-
ton, October LOth, 1878. An 8 vo. pamphlet of 24
pages, published by Gibson Brothers, Washington,
D. C. Mr. Ingersoll talks a good deal of "sense
and nonsense" in his course through the world ; but
this pamphlet, although not free from error, con-
tains much that belongs to the category of "sense."
The Farm. — A journal for the farm, garden and
household. Published by Thomas McKenzie & Sons,
Dublin, Ireland. A quarto of 10 pages. Two shil-
lings a year in advance. Address of editors, .34 Daw-
son street. This is a remarkably well gotten up
journal, both in its typographical execution and its
literary contents. In size, style and general appear-
ance it, is not much unlike The Lancaster Farmer.
We heartily welcome it to our exchange list as a
worthy representative of the agricultural and domes-
tie interests of the "Green Isle of Erin."
Badyland.— The January number of this juvenile
magazine for 1879 is a most excellent specimen of
the graphical and typographical arts adapted to
babyeulture. We have not had a baby born to us
for twenty-five years, and we a' most regret that we
have not a baby, or are not a baby ourself. The
illustrations are so pretty, so pure and so character-
istic of child life that we feel quite sure Babtjlaud
will "flow with milk and honey " to all the appre-
ciation of the juvenile world. 50 cents a year. D.
Lothrop & Co., 22 Franklin street, Boston, Mass.
The American Farmer.— The December number
of this most excellent journal has been received,
(somehow for nearly a year we have not seen a
copy) freighted as usual with valuable lore to the
farming world. We do not recognize an agricultural
magazine in the country that is more worthy of the
patronage of the farming public, and yet every
"once in a while" it becomes evident that that fact
needs a clearer apprehension and a more liberal
realization at home. 34 pp. royal 8vo. at ?i!..50 a
year in advance. A club of five for §1 each. Samuel
Sands & Son, 1.8 West Baltimore street, Baltimore,
Md.
Scientific Men and the Press on the Sugar
Question.— The great Cuban effort to transfer the
American refining business to Cuba by a change of
the sugar tariff fully detected at last. These are~two
octavo pamphlets, the former 119 pp., and the latter
20 pp. It is needless to say these pamphlets discuss
the sugar question with ability on the negative side-
that is, the side opposed to the 23.2 cents specific
duties on all grades of sugars whatever. The sym-
pathies of the people, the sugar dealers, and the
men of science, including the 2'>'css, seem to be with
the American refiners ^but it would be diflBcult to
say what Congress might do or might not do if the
measure is "backed" by such a large sum of money
as has been reported at various times.
Report of the twenty-seventh annual session of
the Teachers' Institute of Lancaster county. Pa.,
held at the Court House, November 11th to 1.5th,
1878. This is number eleven of the annual reports of
the Institute ; and, although the preceding ones have
been able and interesting, this last and best is in ad-
Vance of them all, and is, no doubt, a true reflex of
the progress which has been made iu our system of
public instruction. Of course every teacher, in Lan-
caster county at least, has a copy of this excellent
report, and it ought to be in the hands of every
teacher iu the State. There is no other sixty page
royal octavo that can be of more interest to the pro-
gressive teachers anywhere than the perusal of what
was done by their eo-laborers elsewhere, and how
and by whom it was done. The faithful teacher in
the most remote and secluded corner of the Com-
monwealth, even though he or she may never have
had the privilege of attending the meetings of an
institute, may sit down and read these proceedings
with almost the same intelligent satisfaction as those
that were really present. There are recorded, too,
all the names of the teachers iu Lancaster county
who were in .ittendance, with their local residences ;
besides all the essays, lectures, discussions and ex-
ercises which then and there took. place and were
participated in.
The Phrenological Journal for January begins
the sixty-eighth volume of- this well-known popular
and sterling magazine. There are few, if any, peri-
odicals which have done more to direct man's atten-
tion to himself and to such means as will better his
condition physically and mentally. The present
number opens with an excellent portrait and phreno-
logical and biographical sketch of L. N. Fowler, one
of the founders of this Journal, and of the old firm
of Fowler & Wells. Following this is a most inter-
esting chapter on "Brain and Mind," with several
illustrations, and including special directions to be
followed in examining heads. An instructive and
lively paper is The Study of Entomology, with illus-
trations. There are also a portrait and sketch of
Lord Dufl'erin, besiiles very readable sketches on : A
Good Figure ; One of the Seven Ages ; and " Color
Blindness;" this last throwing much light on the
subject. A ratlier critical article touches on Butter,
and the Use of It. Otheis discuss The Feet, and the
Dressing of them ; Hot Springs of Arkansas ; Poison
Ivy, and Ivy that is not Poison; Self-Knowledge a
Social Need ; while one finds a good many useful
facts in the Scientific Notes, Answers to Questions,
etc. The above tends to show the scope and value
of this excellent magazine, which has been reduced
from §3.00 to §2.00 a year, or iO cents a number,
and offers a Phrenological Bust premium to each
subscriber. No one can do better than to send 20
cents iu postage-stamps for the January number,
and full particulai-s as to premiums, etc., to S. R.
Wells & Co., 737 Broadway, N. Y.
Scientific American Supplement.- We need
hardly say anything in reference to the Scienliflc
Amcr'kan, for that "distinguished journal has de-
servedly earned a world-wide reputation in its special
sphere. The supplement , however, which is also
published weekly, and is uniform in size with the
Seienlific American, may not be so well known to
our readers. We have received a quarto catalogue
of the valuable papers contained in the supplement.
These papers include a very large number of scien-
tilic, mechanical and domestic subjects, mainly re-
lating to chemistry, metallurgy, mechanics, engi-
neering, electricity, light, heat, sound, technology,
agi-ieullure, horticulture, botany, rural and house-
hold economy, materia inedica, therapeutics, hygiene,
natural histoi-y, biology, meteorology, terrestrial
physics, geography, geology, mineralogy, astionomy,
ifcc. This catalogue contains the titles and synoptic
contents of about 5.50 sepai-ate papers published iu
the supplement with references to the particular
numbei-s in which the diffei-ent papers may be found.
Each number of the supplement contains 16 quarto
pages profusely illustrated, and is published at ?5
per annum, and may be had of Munn & Co., pub-
lishers, 37 Park Row, New York, or at the office of
almost any news dealer in the country. We also
acknowledge the receipt of a copy of that beautiful
little annual vade mecmn of the patentist, The Scien-
tific American Ifand-Book for 1879. No one ought
attempt to "dabble" in the patent right business
without a copy of tliis little book in his pocket, and
its contents in his head ; 48 pp. 16mo., beautifully
printed, illustrated and indexed, published as aboye.
THE LANCASTER;FARMER>
D. M. Fekuv iV Co., the well-known ami popular
eeedsmen of Detroit, Mich., are again before our
readers with their annual aunouni-ement. Theli'
catalogue, which is mailed free, is olTcred to all of
our readers. We would advise them to avail thcm-
eelves of this oiler.
To Make Hbns h\r. — Feed young pullets with
boiled potatoes, maslicd in the water they have been
cooked in, aud mixed while hot with oornmeal and
cracked wheat. Feed this warm, and every week
give some of Bowker * Co.'s Animal Meal along
with the food. This will give eggs all through tlie
winter. — American Agricnllnrift.
VicK's Floh.vi. GriDE.— A beautiful work of 100
pages, one colored llower i>latp, and :iOO illustrations,
with descriptions of the best Flowers and Vegetables,
and how to grow them. All for a five cent stamp.
In English or (ierman.
The Fi.owEii ani> VEOETAm.E Gaudex, 17.5
pages, six colored plates, and many hundred en-
gravings. For 50 cents iu paper covers; 91.00 in
■elegant cloth. In German or English.
Viok's Ilmtstrated Montblv Maoazin'e— 33
pages, a colored plate In every number and many
tine engravings. Price $1.25 a year: five copies for
S5.00. Specimen numbers sent for 10 cents.
ViCk's Seeds are the best in the world. Send
five cent stamp for a Fi.okal Guide, containing list
and prices, and plenty of information. Address,
JAMK,S VICK, Rochester, N. Y. [79-1-2
THE IMPROVED
remington
Sewing Machine
iidcs.on aU
1. — Makes a perfect lock stich, alik
kineis cf goods.
2.— Runs Light, Smooth, Noiseless and Rapid.
S.— Durable —A'Kii.t for years without Repair.
A.— \yiU do all varieties of Work and Fancy Stitching in
Ji,~\i Most Easily juanaged hy the operator. Length of
stitch may be altered while running, and machine can be
threaded without passing thread through holts.
6.— Design Simfle, Ingenious, Elegant. Forming the
stitch without the use of Cog Wheel Gears, Rotary Cams, or
Lever Arms. Has the Automatic Drop Feed, which insures
uniform length of stitch at any speeA. Has our new Thread
Controller, which allows easy movement of needle bar and
prevents injury to thread.
7.— CONSTP.LXT!. ■. ,- ,' ■•'-,; <:,■ T:.. ■■'.'■^. !■ N ::.>nU-
factured by the ?/.- ' ' ■ at
the celebrated Ki; -J !><. I <>\ 4 ::■;■>!'■». Kion. N .
T. Attention;...
8.— The No. 2 l: . . . _; , M ,■..-. . \\ ... . , ... :.,,.\
ARMORY : I LION, N. Y.
1879 SPELNG AND SUMMER. 1789
RATHVON & FISHER'S
CHEAP CLOTHING STORE,
Comer I'ortli Quoeii and Orange Sts.,
LANCASTER, PA.
Good all wool Business Suits from $12 to $20
Fine Cloth or Worsted Dress Suits, 15 to 20
Fine Cassimere Pants, - - 4 to 10
Fine Vests, - - - . -3 to 6
CUSTOM WORK A SPECIALTY.
READY MADE CLOTl^ING
And Furnishing Goods
of ail kinds, ver>- cheap. Cottouades as low as $-2.50 a sui'.
Cloths, Cassimereo, WofBtingf-, Suitings, CoatingB and
VeBtmgs m a full Hue, and made promptly to order.
RATHVON & FISHER,
XB'T'O PRACTICE, TAILORS. 1SV3
'Our Work Sustains Our Word.
FIRST-CLASS SLEIGHS A SPECIALTY.
u
X
h
^ t >^
W 2 ^
Z W fc
E I "
K
O
IsrOHBECK & MILEY,
PRACTICAL CARRIAGE BUILDERS,
(Cox k Co.'s Old Stand,)
Comer of SOUTH DITKE and VINE STREETS,
B'S^We invito special attontiou of pnrchapoie to our large stock of Sleighs
LAKCASTER,
A Flue Stock of Brewster, Whitney, i
: Spar Spring BntfKic
PA
Ciir-
PROMPT ATTENTION TO REPAIRING.
TH IS WILL NOT APPEAR AGAI N
_J82,0()0_g^|d GIVEN
tlie very personititvili . .
be n-ilUout thin E-i' nn..
Thia beaulitul di.i"vu.-,^f:il i.'i-
Dedicated to the Mlotcard .IsnoeSnti
^ SOB BLESS THE HELPiNS HANDS S
SKXT rict.;B: v
CSTUT THIS lEOitTIFIf :iTE «>IT. IT LS WORTH SS-3.'> T<> > <>I . I
On rcci-ipl of ll.n c . .iiii,.Li.., 1 . 11,, r ,.,;l. .\„,,.i,.,.n Cei.t8,I9r.liM I . I
"the ANQELVS?fe*„*lff.U^GOD BLESS THE HELPING HANDS
ERTflCATE WORTH £:5.35,
A bonutiful work of loo Pages, One Colored Flower
Plate, and 300 illustrations, with Dcecrij^lioiis of lljc
best Flowers ftnd Vegetables, and bow to grow thoni. All
for a Five Cent Stamp. In English or Qermau.
The Flower and Vegetable Garden, 175 Pages, Sii
Colored I'lutea, and mHuy hundred Enf;raviuf^s, For .^0
cents in paper covers; tl.OO iu elegant clotb. Iii Geruian
or En{<lisb.
inthly Magazine— 3} Pages, a
and many Fine Kugruviugs,
Vick's Illustrated
Colored Plate in everv
Price %\.-a a yeai
I Seeds E
9 Copies for $.'5.t
e be<t in tho world. Send Fiv
Guide, eoutaining List and
Vick's
Stamp f
and plenty of iufoi-mation. Address.
TU-1-3 JAMES VICK, Rochester, N. 1
f,1>f|.^"S?Sl
£. n. r£siiY a CO. uclio.; :iio1l
US MS InAlTo
$65=
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
LANCASTER, i'A,,
235 EAST ORANGE ST.
All matters appertaining to INITKI) .ST.\Ti;s or CANA-
DIAN P.\TENTS, TRADE .MAUKS, aud COl'VKIOHTS.
promptly attended to. His experience, success a-'d faithful
attention to the interests of those who engage his services
are fully acknowledged and apprecUted.
Prelimiuary ciaminations made for him by a reliable As-
sistant at WashlDgtou, without extra charge for drawing
or deeoriptiou. (;9-l-lf
BheU.s. for(,,.> ,
KER A 40.. I
Place. XrH
R04*h«H(or, N
Stockbridge Mnuu
,-alIy liked. Foil
iii'iii meal or othA feed and
6" cents; 30 lbs, $1,110; lOl)
I, ,and to prevent abortion
H., $3 mi. (ironud Oyster
■ ■I a full line8j>rH;ial feeds,
c .1 men. W. H. BOW-
.^t., Boaton; .t Park
urtta Water .Street,
turers of the Celebrated
[79-1-4
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[January, 1879,
'"AWBEKRT-GKOWERS MAKE A SOTE
OF IT !
The Xew Strawberries described iu the December
number of The FAnMEit are for sale, by the undereigned,
at from 25 eents to 81>50 per dozen, aud for much
less by the hundred, CASPEB HILLER k SON,
12-10-2mJ ConeBtoga, Lancaster couuty, Pa.
E. R. O.
%nted not to explode, under
^EXCLUSIVE COUNTY RIGHTS for sale by
P. J. FITZGERALD, Sole Proprietor and Manufacturer,
103 and 105 N. Fourth St., Philad'a.
Also, WHOLESALE DEALER IN HEAD LIGHT, COAL
OIL and BURNING FLUID.
N. B. A large assortment ta(M((i(v/M of CHANDELIERS,
BRACKETS, BRONZE LAMPS, BURNERS, &c., &c., Con-
Btantly on hand. 10-9-6m
THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN.
THIRTY-FOURTH YEAR.
THE MOST POPULAR SCIENTIFIC PAPER IN
THE WORLD,
Only 63.30 a Year, incIndlHf; Postnge. Weeh-
ly S3 If nwberB a Tear. 4,e»0 Book Pages.
The Scientific Ambkican is a large first-class Weekly
Newspaper of sixteen pages, printed in the most beautiful
style, profusely illustrated with splendid engraTings, rep-
resenting the newest inventions and the moat recent ad-
vances in the arts and science; Inclndiuff new and interest-
ing facts iQ agriculture, horticulture, the home, health,
medical progress, social science, natural history, geology,
astronomy, the most yaluabie practical papers, by eminent
writers in all departments of science, will be found in the
Scientific American.
Terms, $,H.20 per year, $1.60 half year, which includes
postage. Discount agents. Single copies, 10 cents. Sold
by all Newsdealers. Remit by postal order to MUNN &
CO.. Publishers, :!7 Park Row, New York,
ntirCMnilO I° connection with the Kelentiflc
rnllilirfii Americnn, Messrs. Minn & Co , are
Solicitors of American and Foreign Patents, have had 34
years experience, and now have the largest establishment
in the world. Patents are obtained on the best terms. A
special notice is made in the IHeientific Ainerioaii of
all inveutions pateuked through tile agency, with the
name and residence of the patentee. By the immense cir-
culation thus given, public attention is directed to the
merits af the new patent, and sales or introduction often
easily effected.
Any person who has made a new discovery or invention,
can ascertain, free of charge, whether a patent can proba-
bly be obtained, by writing to the undersigned. We also
send free our Hand-Book about the Patent Laws, Patents,
Caveats, Trade-Marks, their costs, and how procured, with
hints for procuring advances on Inventions.
Address for the Paper, or concerning Patents,
Hniin A to., 37 Park Row, K. T.
Branch Othce, corner F and 7th street.?, Washington, D. 0.
ART OF PROPAGATION.
A consise practical work on the rapid increase and mu
tiplication of stock — amply illustrated.
Price pre-paid by mail. SO cents.
PUBLISHED BY
Winona, Columbiana Co., Ohio."
SEND FOR IT, AND FOR FREE CATALOGUE.
I special arrangem
thet
able I
nt with the publishers, we offer
8. per copy. It has received the fa-
1000 leading pajers of the country.
L. RATHVON.
HOME
GUEST
on trial for three months. The Home
Guest is declared the best family paper
now published. Each number contains an
illustrated Fashion Department, a depart-
ment on Writing and Penmanship, edited
bv Prof. Gaskell, also a column of Chat
_ with Readers, Puzzle Department, Letters
, Domestic Receipts, History, Poetry, Biogra-
" reading ■ " '
from Child]
phy, and a
whole, including a copy of the m
the day, on trial three months for
Address the publishi
;iful chr(
nly 30 .
WEST JERSEY NURSERIES!
GIBSON & BENNET.
100,000 Felton's Early Prolific and Reliance Raspberry,
200,000 CindreUa and Continental Strawberry Pl,ANTj^
direct fK)m the original stock. Millions of other Plants,
Trees, to., &c.
l»"New descriptive Circulars now ready.
10-0-3m
E. N. FRESHMAN & BROS.,
ADVERTISING AGENTS,
186 W. Fourth St., Cincinnati, 0.,
Are antk*riBe<i to contract for advertlslngr
in this paper.
Estmates lanisbed free, Send (or a Circilar.
A HOME ORGAN FOR FARMERS!
The Lancaster Farmer,
A MONTHLY JOURNAL.
Devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture, Domestic Econo-
my and Miscellany.
FOUNDED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE LANCASTER COUNTY AGRI-
CULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
EDITED BY DR. S. S. RATHVOR
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION:
ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM,
POSTAGE PREPAID BY THE PROPRIETOR.
All subscriptions will commence with the January number, unless other-
wise ordered.
This number of "The Lancaster Farmer," issued in January, 1S79, is the first num-
ber of Volume XL The publication of the "Farmer" has been transferred by Mr. L.
Rathvon to the undersigned, who will continue it in the same form as it has been pub-
lished in the past, trying at all times to spare neither money or labor to make it a firsN
class Journal for the Farm, Garden and House. It will always contain the same amount o:
reading matter, as the advertisements will never be allowed to encroach on that depart-
ment. We have in view several slight changes that will make it more desirable to th(
readers, and improve the appearance of it, but these changes they will notice as they
made, and we refrain from saying more about them.
Dr. S. S. Rathvon, who has so ably managed the editorial department in the pastj
will continue in the position of editor. His contributions on subjects connected witli
the science of faiming, and particularly that specialty of which he is so thoroughly
master — entomological science — some knowledge of which has become a necessity to thf
successful farmer, are alone worth much more than the price of this publication. He :*
determined to make "The Farmer" a necessity to all households.
A county that has so wide a reputation as Lancaster county for its agricultural pre
ducts should certainly be able to support an agricultural paper of its own, for the es
change of the opinions of farmers interested in this matter. We ask the co-operatio:
of all farmers interested in this matter. Work among your friends. The "Farmer"
only one dollar per year. Show them your copy. Try and induce them to subscribe,
is not much for each subscriber to do but it will greatly assist us.
All communications in regard to the editorial management should be addressed t
Dr. S. S. Rathvon, Lancaster, Pa., and all business letters in regard to subscriptions an«
advertising should be addressed to the publisher. Rates of advertising can be had 01
application at the office.
JOHN A. HIESTAND, |
No, 9 North Queen Street, Lancaster, Pa.
ONE DOLLAR FEB ANNUM -SUTGLE COPIES 10 CENTS.
S. S. EATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., FEBRUARY, 1879.
JOHN A. HIESTAND, PuHisher,
CONTENTS OFJHIS NUMBER.
EDITORIAL.
• New Subscribers, ---...
. As Others See Us, ----- .
-More About Eel6, -.--..
• Flowers, .--.-.-.
. Peach Bark Louec, --....
. Farm Life vs. Professional Life, ...
' Christinas Rose, ---...
. Correction, - -
ESSAYS.
. Our Orchards, .....
Tobacco— Its Culture— Its Use and Its Effects as a
Narcotic
tiug
On Tobai
-PIu
-Prepa
-Wo-i
Vltiou — Tojjplng
Stripling and Sortiug— CouclusJon.
♦Fence Mating on the Farm, ....
. One Year's Experiment With Fowls,
. Diseases of the Pear, .....
• Modern Fruit Houses, .....
, Culture and Training of the Vine,
• Liquid Manure,
CONTRIBUTIONS.
. Cattle of Lancaster County, Or Eastern Penn-
sylvania .-.-.-..
.Texas Cattle,
Lell.
of
Samuol Houston, Debcribiug
Texas Cattle.
« Polled Cattle, - . - - v - - 2;:
.Bitter-Swect, - - .. - . ,j . . 2;-
• The Balance of Trade, 2.';
• More Alx)ut Cattle, -..-.. 24
• Fifty Years Ago vs. The Present Day, . . 2^
. Fertilizers and Formulas, - - - - 25
STATE SOCIETIES.
. State Fruit Growers' Society, - - - - ".'i
• State Millers' Association, - . . . ag
The Next Place of Meeting. 20
^ SELECTIONS.
.The Grain and Fruit Crops of 1H78, . . . 2C
The Corn Crop— The 0am Crop— Tne Barley Crop—
The Eye Crop— Potato Crop— The Ilay Crop—
Borghom- The Tobacco Crop— Friiit Growth. 2T
'Ammonia in the Air, ----- 27
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
• Agricultural and Horticultural Society, - - 27
Hev. J. Coldor's Lecture on Agriculture— Intensive
Farming— Tlie Location of Farms— A Home Mar-
lOBt— Educated Farmers.-The Fair Question-
Charter Wanted— The Amount of Slock— Profit
of Raising Fowls- The CurcnUo— Orapee- Bills—
Prize Essays.
. Tobacco Growers' Association, - - - 83
. Poultry Association, 28
• Warwick Farmers' Club, 28
" Fulton Farmers' Club, 29
Linntean Society 29
Historical Division— Papers Re ad— Additions to the
AGRICULTURE.
The Greatest of all Grains, .... 29
The Late Summer Seeding of Grass, - - 29
The Ruta Baga, 29
Corn in Drills, ---.... 29
HORTICULTURE.
Bay Your Trees at Home,
•The Albemarle Apples,
^Pruning Fruit and Ornamental Trees,
, Winter Peaches, ....
FLORICULTURE.
• Growing Ivy in Rooms, - . -
. Flower Pots, .....
.Flowers for the Table,
.Srailax, ......
•Growing Fusehais in Baskets,
•.\mpelopi8 Victchii, ...
I Window Plants, . - - .
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
.Evening's Milk Richest,
.What is Castile Soap,
VVatci--Proof Boots, ....
.Ammonia in the Household,
I. To Preserve Potatoes from the Rot,
HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.
Earache, ......
To Bake Eggs, . - - . .
., Frosted Feet,
, Color for Wicker Baskets,
Cranberries, .....
Ginger Cookies, . . . . .
Sweet Omelet, . . . . -
'Tapioca Cream, . . . . •
To Lessen Friction for Furniture,
The Sleep for Children,
Chocolate Cake, ....
Wafers, ......
Orange Cake, - . - - -
Sour .Milk Cheese, ....
I Miiice Pics, .-.--.
LIVE STOCK.
, Winter Management of Sheep,
.Weaning Calves, . . . -
.What Stock Needs, . . - .
Imported Cattle, . . . -
POULTRY.
The Poultry Association,
Langshan, ......
Tar in the Chicken House,
Selecting Breeding Turkeys,
Treatment for Cholera, . - -
Literary and Personal,
NORBECK SMILEY,
PRACTICAL
kfflm M\im,
m & CO'S OLD ST.UFI.
Corner of Duke and Vine Streets,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE LATE.ST IMPROVED
SIDE-BAR BUGGIES,
PHOTONS,
Carriages, Etc.
Prices to Suit the Times.
RErAIHING iiioiii|.tlv attcudea to. All work
giuinint.^il.
VALUASIP f^fFf?BMAT!ON K'u
POT AfOES
<-p. ISAi.uiT.Ci,VMi;ii,<.iu
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
KXJISTtA\ATIIA RAIKROAn SCHEDVI^E.
Trains leave the Depot in this city, as follows :
Leave
Lancaster.
WE TWARD.
Pacific Eipress*
Way Passengert
Niagara Express
Hanover Accommodation,.
MaU trail, via Mt. Joy
No. 2 via Columbia
Sunday Mail
Fast Line"
Frederick Accommodation.
Harrisburg Accom
Columbia Accommodation..
Harrisburg Express
Pittsburg Express
Cincinnati Express*
9.30 a. m.
9:35 p. m.
11:15a.m.
11:20 a. m.
11:20 a.m.
2:10 p.m.
2:15p.m.
11:30 p.
7:35 a. m.
9.28 p. m.
1:20 p. m.
9:35 a. I
PhiladelpUiu.
3:00 a. m.
T:00 a. m.
7:40 p.
EASTWARD.
Atlantic Express"
Philadelphia Expresst
Fast lane*
Harrisburg Express
Columbia Accommodation.
Pacific Express*.
Sunday Mail
Johnstown Express
Day Express"
Harrisburg .Accom
The Hanover Accoramod.;tion,
with Niagara Express, west, a
through to Hanover.
The Frederick Accommodation,
ter with Fast Line, west, at 2:10 p.
The Pacific flivrpss, east, on Sunday, when flagged, will
stop at Middletown, Eiizabethtowu, Mount Joy and Laudis-
Tille.
"The only trains which run daily.
tRuns daily, except Monday.
t Lancaster
) Frederick.
$Ty Ou
79-2
PHARES W. FRY,
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
wftLi PftPER& mmdw mmEB,
Ilollniids, plain Shn<lo Cloth,
Fixtures, Fringes, Tassels and all goods pertaining to a
Paper and Shade Store,
No. 63 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
79-1-12
E. JE", 3B.o^757-ivi:.A.r<r,
Al)fe^
ATI-OWEST POSSIBLK PltlCS;^,
Fully guaranteed.
No. 106 EAST KING STREET,
9-1-12] Oppiisili- Lcopiiitl JTotfl.
GLOVES, SHIRTS^UNDERWEAR. H
SHIET3 MAdFtO ORDEK,
AND W.M.ltANTED TO FIT.
E. J. ERISMAN,
56 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
s. :b. ooixi.
Carriages, Buggies, Phaetons, etc.
CHUnCH ST., NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA.
TREES.
Fruit, Sliade and Ornamental Trees,
intend I'liin
LOUIS C. LYTE
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
And Maimracturers of
FURNITURE PD CHAIRS.
WAKEKOOMS :
102 East King St., Cor. of Duke St.
LANCASTER, PA.
EDW. J. ZAHM,
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
WATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED WARE,
CLOCKS,
JEWELRY I TABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Agent for the Arundel Tinted
SPECTACLES.
Repairing strictly attended to.
North Queen-st. and Centra Square, Lancaster, Pa,
THOROUGHBRED SHORT-HORN
BULLS AND BULL CALVES,
FOR s/^x^e:.
AT PRICES TO SUIT THE TIMES.
A. M. RANOK,
79-1-2] Bird-in-Hand, Lancaster Co., Pa.
M. HABERBUSH,
MANDFACTDRER OF
Plain and Fine Harness,
COLLARS, -WHIPS, FLY NETS, &c.,
ALSO DE.\LER IN
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
liUFALO ROBES,
Horse Covers, Lap-Rugs, G-loves, &c.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
79-1-12] LANCASTER, PA.
ESTABLISHED 1832.
Gr. SENER & SONS,
£-xjisa:B]ER,
PATENT 0. G. WEATHERBOARDING
OFFICE AND YARD :
Northeast Corner of Prince and Walnnt-sts..
LANCASTKR, FA.
lor Orajies, Seedliugs,
etc. seua lor Catalogue.
J. JENKINS,
WINOXA, Columbiana County, Ohio.
TIJE LATEST!
Tlje New TarifT of
Made by OAK HALL, four weeks
ago, sold oflF large lots of
goods, and has
INDUCED MANY TO IMITATE US!
AS IJSIJAL
JB^^Whatever is Done Elsewhere We
always do Better. •'^g
Tliis is the latest tariff for the
AS FOLLOT\^S:
An Elegant Business and Dress Suit,
All-wool Black Cheviot, $10. Identical
quality of goods sold by other parties
as a great bargain at §1.5. We never
sold them for more than $13.
$4.89 buys a First Quality Dress
Trousers, sold heretofore at $10.
Fur Beaver and Chinchilla Over-
coat.s, Good and Warm Cloth Bound,
$8.50, $8.50, $8.50, $8.50.
Next Higher Grade, Beautifully
Made and Trimmed, Cloth Bound,
Silk Velvet Collar, $10, $10, $10, $10.
The Same Goods in Young Men's
Sizes, $7, $r, $7, $7.
Boy's Double Cape Overcoats, with
all tlie Late Improvements, $5, $5, $5.
Boys' and Youths' Trousers, All
Wool, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39.
Hundreds of Latest Styles Child-
ren's Overcoats, Soft Plush Lined,
Elegant Goods, reduced from $8.75 to
$6.50.
$25 Fine French Fur Beaver Over-
coats reduced to $15. (Beautifully
made. Piped with Cloth and the
Finest Linings)
A clear saving of $2.50 on a Fine
Dress Suit.
At our low prices we have sold
thousands of them at $1500; but to-
day make a clean mark down to
$12.50. They are not odds and ends,
but complete lots. Hundreds biggest
men can be fitted. This one lot of
goods contained 55,120 yards, and has
proved the best bargain we have had
for our customers this season.
A customer can come one hundred
miles, and the saving on almost any
Suit or Overcoat will pay the fare
iwth ways.
Wananjaker & Brown,
OAK HALL,
Sixth and Market Streets,
PHILADELPHIA.
The Largest Clothing House in
America.
1
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S. S. BATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER. PA., FEBRUARY, 1879.
Vol. XI. IIo.
Editorial.
NEW SUBSCRIBERS.
We .arc pleased to be able to state that
during the sionth of January about lifty-eiglit
new subscribers were added to our list. A
few friends of The Faumkr who are inter-
ested in its success are working to increase
the list in their neighborhood all they can.
For their efforts they have our sincere thanks,
and we trust that their work in this matter
will be the means of inducing others to do the
same. We would like to see Tiik Faujieu
on a good footing, .so that it will maintain
.itself, and that we will not lose money in en-
deavoring to give the people of Lancaster
county a good home journal. It should re-
ceive a liberal support from our farmers and
those interested in the various topics of which
it treats, and we trust that all of the sub-
scribers who receive this number will try and
send us two or three new subscribers at least.
Some could, no doubt, do more. It would
seem like a very little work for each one to
do, but if two new names were received from
each old subscriber it would increase the list
to three times what it is now, and place the
paper on a good, sound basis, where it should
have been years ago. As Ave said in the
January number, we shall do all we can to
make it better each mouth, and trust our
subscribers will appreciate our efforts and lend
us such assistance as is in their power. The
subscription price is only one dollar a year.
We make the following as an inducement to
our friends to work for us : To any one who
will send us five new subscribers, accompanied
by five dollars, we will send The Farmer
free for one year. See if we cannot have a
still better report for our next number.
AS OTHERS SEE US.
The first number of TnE Lax( astkr Farmer,
under the proprietorship of John A. Iliestauil, Esq.,
publisher of the Lancaster Examiner and Sxprexs,
conducted by Dr. S. S. Kathvon, shows a general
excellence that might be imitated with profit by
other periodicals making agriculture their leading
feature. It is well printed, carefully arranged, and
conducted witli great ability. The subscription is
only one dollar a year. — Germantoien Telegraph.
There is no man on the editorial st.aff whose
good opinion we more highly esteem than that
of the veteran editor of the TckijrtqA. AVc
do not desire to be pharisaical in our claims
to distinction, but wc may lie permitted to
say that tlie Major knows a.s well tlie quality
of our journal.as we do UkiI be publishes the
best family pajier— either for "king or cotter"
— tliat is issued in Penusylvania.
The Lancaster Farmer for .January enters upon
Its eleventh volume, hopeful that it may be more
generally sustained by the community in which it is
published and for whose interest it labors. We have
neglected heretofore to state that there has been a
change in its publishers. Mr. Linn.Tus Kathvon
having sold out to -Mr. .John A. Hiestand, proprietor
of Ihe Examiner and Ezjtress. Dr. S. S. Rathvon
still retains the pesition of editor, and will continue
to labor with all diligence for the success of the
journal, which should find a place in every farmer's
home, not only in our own great county, but through-
out this and adjacent States. Let our farmers risk a
dollar in this home journal of agriculture, and they
will be convinced that tliey have made a good in-
vestment. Address John A. Hiestand, Lancaster,
Vn.—yew MoUand Clarion.
We have marked witli local pride the evi-
dences of progress made by the rural press of
Lancaster comity ; and none with more in-
terest than that of the Clarion, whose own
excellence allbrds an imwarped medium,
through which it is able to recognize what is
praiseworthy in others.
Many similar notices, from far and near,
come under our observation, but our space is
too limited to admit them all. We cannot,
however, on this occasion, refrain from adding
the analytic notii-r of A(ii;icoi..\, in a recent
nunilieriil' [\w Ihilh/ E.ramincmnd I'Jxpress, as
one that is more than ordinarily appropriate:
What a thrill the very name is calculated to send
through the breasts of the cultivators of the soil,
dotted over the various States and Territories of the
Union. There is a charm in that name that would
welcome the bearer of it to any domicile in the
East, the West, the North or the South, owned
liy any Ibrmer farmers of Lancaster county, or their
posterity. This may be germane to the subject, but
it is not exactly the subject itself to which the above
caption refers.
I have just received the January, 1870, number of
our local agricultural journal, that bears that name;
a journal which, in my humble opinion, ought to be
in the house of every progressive farmer in the
county of Lancaster, if not in the entire State of
Pennsylvania. I have received and welcomed it as a
cherished household companion, and I have also
analyzed its contents. I Hud that it contains seventy-
five separate articles, and forty five subdivisions of
some of these articles, as well as an index of the
contents of this number. Twenty-eight of these
articles (exclusive of the proceedings of societies,)
are original ; all, except two, having been written by
local contributors, who inelude some of the most
practical farmers and fruitgrowers.
The material, the typographical execution, and the
general makeup of the journal will compare favor-
ably with the best in the country. Quarto in form,
and furnished at one dollar a year in advance, postage
paid.
The farmers of Lancaster county should, by all
means, give their preference to their own local
journal — work for it — write for it — and be in har-
monious sympathy with it. No man who entirely
ignores his friends, his family or his kin, will find as
much sympathy froui strangers in the hour of ad-
versity as he will from the home circle ; therefore,
home and the things of home should be sustained.
This does not meau that he should be selfishly locked
up against foreign things, when he desires, or it is
his interests to go beyond ; but he should still hold
to the home anchor. — AgrieoUtf Lancaster, Jan, 15,
IST'J.
MORE ABOUT EELS.
MlLLWAV, January 18th, 1879.
Mk. S. S. Kathvon— Z^car .Sir: Allow me to
olTer a few remarks on the subject of eels. I saw in
The Lancaster Farmer for January, 1879, that
you desire to have the experiences of local observers
in regard to the migrations, &c., of these peculiar
animals. The migrations of eels I have never wit-
nessed, but I am able to say something about their
eggs, or spawn. I have a fish-pond, about one and
a half miles north of Litiz, ou my father's farm.
Last summer — I cannot now tell the exact date — one
of the laboring men of the farm was fishing, with a
hook and line, in the pond aforesaid. Among other
fishes he drew out a large female eel, weighing about
three pounds. When this eel was opened she was
found to be full of eggs, about the size of shad eggs.
The oldest of our fishermen say that it is very seldom
that eels are caught with eggs in them. .My son
Franklin now occupies my farm. I have retired and
now reside at Milhvay station, C. K . U . — Yours truly,
Levi B. Brubakcr.
Mr. E. K. Ilcrsbey, of Cresswell, in this
county, made a verbal response to the ques-
tion in our January number, about the migra-
tion of eels. Mr. II., together with his father
and other members of the family, saw young
eels migrating up the Susquehanna, near the
Lancaster shore, about the year 18-tO or 1850,
in the month of May, as near as he is able to
recall the period ; and to continue their mi-
grations upward during a whole day and until
after nightfall, but cannot tell how long they
continued running, as not one was observed
the next morning thereaRer. The locality
where they made this olKscrvation was about
one mile below the borough of Washington,
On this occasion they scooped up dozens of
them with a common cullender. It is com-
monly supposed among lisliermeu that these
migrations continue about three days, and
furthermore, they favor the idea that many
young eels now jiass u]) througli the canals
instead of the river, but for various reasons
this seems im|in)bal)le, even if it were possible.
The oUservatioMS of these two men seem to
bo in harmony with what wc stated in our
May numlier of The Farmer, page GO. It
is very strange that so few have observed this
eel migration, :iiid yet more strange, that still
fewer have made records of tlie iilienomenon.
Catching eels in the month of .May with eggs
in them. Unless there are different species
of eels, creek species, pond species .and river
species, that difler or have changed in their
habits, it is dilhcult to reconcile their migra-
tions in the month of May, and the existence
of eggs in them in tliu s;une month. But the
facts are on record, and we have the objects
in our posses.siun, and therefore wc arc com-
l)elled to conclude that there are local or pond
species, and migrating or river si)ecies. So
far as we understand Prof. Packard's late
discovery, he does not seem to have had such
a distinct demonstration of eggs as we have
recorded in the foregoing, and after all he
may only have seen spermatazoids.
The following on the same subject w'e have
received from an intelligent correspondent
from Conestoga township :
About the year 1S:W I once had the satisfaction of
seeing young eels going up the Susquehanna. They
followed close along the shore in a continual stream;
I suppose I might say millions of them, little fellows,
from ;i to 6 inches long. Have not been much about
the river since, and had almost foigotten the cir-
cumstance, until I saw your queries about them.—
r. If.
FLOWERS.
In life's varioufl relaticns
'Mid its scenes of woe ami niirtb,
TUey are ever by us valued.
form pleasant links In the chain of our existence.
When the sky of the future seems clear, and no
breakers appear ahead, we look upon them with the
most tender devotion as contributing to our happi-
ness. In the dark and trying hours of misfortune,
when alBiction and disappointment combine to make
our hearts heavy, involuntarily we turn to these our
pels, and lecognize in them an instrument in the
hands of Providence, of love, of beauty, teaching us
submission to his will, and to look for brighter,
happier hours." — /•'. A. \V. in F. and F. Jfagazine.
On a perhaps lower and more iiractical
plane, llowers lill a social and domestic
racutnii that relieves us from that ennui
which is sometimes so inseparably from isola-
tion and loneliness. Tliey speak to us in a
language that we .soon learn to interpret, and
recall many pleasant memories of by-gone
days; ever suggesting something that ought
to be done in order to perpetuate the sympathy
existing between us and them. Yea, more ;
they are the silent and gentle teachers of a
refinement that is imparted by the ciirinihwi
of no other school. We admire the gaudy for
their higli-toned coloration and their da.shing
beauty, but our feeling towards the modest
and humble culminates in a sentiment that is
akin to love. We hold them as tiie repre-
sentative outbirths of principles that have
their origin in the invisible realms, permitted,
if not provided by the Creator for an en-
nobling and useful end ; and nothing staggers
us more than the sentiment which obtains
among some of the rigidly righteous, that
48
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[February,
their cultivation and encouragement is pro-
fane. Tlieir soothing outgoing perfumes
dissipate the noxious odors that surely would
render this world uninhabitable, both to man
and the higher animals, if it were not for
God's lovely flowers. They are here, and
were here on earth before man was, and it
seems the most Pharisaical species of pre-
sumption to ignore them.
PEACH BARK LOUSE.
{Lf'caniitni 2*frsicum,)
The following, from a correspondent, is im-
portant and speaks for itself to all who may
heed it :
Reading, January 20th, 1879.
S. S. RATin'ON— ZJcrt)- /S'ir: For further informa-
tion I write you that I have experimented for a
remedy on the peach bark louse and found one. My
remedy is not permanent for individual good, but
profitable. If all fruit-growers were to nnite and
adopt my remedy the pest might be exterminated.
My remedy, which proved effectual last season, was
this : In the early part of spring, before the buds
sprouted, I began the operation. No rain happening
to fall to suit my purpose I took the means, by using
a water-sprinkler, of making the trees' branches
completely wet, after which I took fine air-slaked
lime and saturated the tree iill over with it, which
adhered nicely to the bark. I left the trees unnoticed
until the peach fruit were about half grown, when I
made observations, and found the insect gone and
the bark clean again. These Irees were thrify and
hardy all through the summer and had fine fruit, to
perfection. But when autumn came I again noticed
the insect beginning to make its appearance, though
in a small quantity, which satisfied me that if all
fruit-growers do not enlist in waging war against
destructive insects, we, as individuals, must be con-
stantly at labor against odds to keep down the multi-
plication of evil against the good and beautiful fruit.
Have any of the Lancaster people found any remedy ?
If so what are they ? Hoping to hear some remarks
I remain yours, respectfully, Williain Young, Head-
ing, Pa.
Xo, not that we heard of. They are,
probably, waiting to profit by some other per-
son's discovery.' AVe approve your remedy,
but we believe that grease would have the
same efl'ect.
FARM LIFE vs. PROFESSIONAL LIFE-
The following interesting extract, frotn a
letter to ''ye local" to the Lancaster Inte.lU-
fjencer, will be read with attention by a good
many in this locality, where the writer is well
known and held a distinguished position in
society, having been one of the former editors
of that paper and the member from Lancaster
city in the Constitutional Convention that
formed the present Constitution of Pennsyl-
vania. II. G. Smith, Esq., of Hawkins county,
Tennessee, gives a very grapiiic description of
his whereabouts, what he has been doing and
what he intends to do for the future. His ex-
periences in life have been various, and there-
fore he is enabled to speak to a practical
]ioint; and we especially advise all those
farmers who are yearning after town life,
town speculations and town aspirations to
give it an attentive perusal. It is true he may
be still too young in agricultural experience
to be regarded as a standard authority, but
his example is very appropriate at this time,
when there are so many thousands in the
towns dragging out a life of listless idleness,
and so«nany also of limited means who don't
know bow to invest them, whilst so many acres
of good land in our vast country are literally
hungering after industrious and enterprising
tillers of of the soil to come and "occupy."
The tide of human events must turn in that
direction if ever we wish to see better times,
and anything that can afford the least en-
couragement to those who contemplate a
change of state, and an enrollraent among the
yeomanry of our county, ought to be scattered
abroad. After enumerating many things of
a purely personal and private character Mr. S.
proceeds in a seemingly happy and contented
strain:
"I have settled down to farming with the
determination to make a lifetime business of
it. The political bugle may blow, but it can
not rouse me when I return from my fields
to take my siesta beneath the wide-spreading
beeches which surround my house. I com-
menced in the woods, almost as much so as
any producer ; built me a saw mill, and then
continued to build ; am not done yet ; built
an ice-honSe and filled it during the coldest
snap we had. Built the thing myself with the
assistance of a common farm hand. Made a
first-class job of it, I think. Provided for
turning the drainage into a dairy. When the
thermometer goes to the other extreme next
summer I can give you punch made from milk
of my Jerseys, with as fine ice in it as ever
froze on the Conestoga. I got it off my mill
dam, eight inches thick and as clear as crystal.
I havn't got my barn finished yet. With that
and one or two other little jobs I will end
building and begin to put things in order
about me. I have a large orchard set and
vines planted. Have had apples, peaches and
grapes of my own planting. Had a number
of peach trees with fine fruit, which ripened
before the 1st of last July. Some as early as
June 20th. How is that for progress i* If I
were to come back to Lancaster I might aspire
to membership in the Agricultural and Horti-
cultural Society ; might I not ? I am content
with my present life. There is an indepen-
dence and freedom about it that suits my
temper. My chief ambition is to become a
self-sustaining farmer — to produce everything
I need, so far as it can be done on a farm. I
have the sheep, and I intend to wear nothing
but gray clothes made from my own flocks
hereafter. There is a mill in the county which
makes very nice goods.
I want "some first-class Lancaster county
tobacco seed ; some best fitted for making
cigars. I raised some Cuba tobacco from seed
furnished by the patent office two years ago,
and it had the genuine Havana flavor. It was
not properly cared for. This year I intend to
do the thing right— on a small scale, of
course — only for my own use at present. I
believe that on virgin soil, such as I have, I
can raise tobacco which will make first-rate
cigars. The Cuba grows too small for good
wrappers. Send me some choice seed from
Lancaster, and send as soon as you can get it,
as it is nearly time to sow it, though a month
late will do here."
CHRISTMAS ROSE.
First, we would admonish our readers not
to be misled by the term "rose" employed in
the above name, for the flowering plant to which
we refer is really not a rose at all. It only
evinces the arbitrary use that is often made,
locally, of the common names of things. We
allude to what is regarded by botanists as the
"Black Helebore,"* or a variety of it, other-
wise called the "Christmas Eose." We have
this plant growing in our own garden, and it
is one of the most hardy flowering plants we
know of. It is rather a slow grower, but it is
always fresh and green throughout the entire
summer and winter, and blooms from Decem-
ber to April— sometimes earlier and later.
The first flowers opened the present season in
December, and those flowers are as fine and
fresh to-day as when they first opened, not-
withstanding, in the meantime, the tempera-
ture where the plant was growing was seven
degrees below zero. There are now about
twenty-five half opened flowers and buds visi-
ble, and upon which the frost seems to have
no more effect than it has upon iron. For a
figure and description of the Black Helebore
we refer our readers to page 41, Vol. X, of
The Lancaster Farmer, where its history
and medicinal qualities are portrayed. It is
true, when the ground is covered with snow
its cheerful aspect is hidden by the lurid
mantle of winter. But when the season is an
open one, or as soon as the snow disappears,
it welcomes you to its frosty bed, and is the
first, and perhaps the only floral sojourner
that hails the advent of the modest " snow-
drop," the early harbinger .of the new-born
spring, and sharer in its blooming glory.
Under careful cultivation and special atten-
tion no doubt it would be susceptible of im-
provement.
'Heleborua niger. Order, RiKiraouLAoi a.
CORRECTION.
In the 2'2d and 53d lines of the first column,
and the 7th line of tlie second column of J^
G. 's article on pages G and 7 of our .January
number for "corncob meal" read chopped corn.
Corncob meal may do as a "make-shift," but
Mr. G. would by no means recommend it in
speaking of good, nutritious food, and its
occurrence in his article is our mistake.
Essays.
OUR ORCHARDS.*
Friends and neighbors, look to your or-
chards. Perhaps you ought to plant a new
one. Now is the time to think over it, and to
make the calculations. The planting of
orchards is too much neglected. Persons who
have orchards wait too long before they start
a new one. AVhen I was a boy I heard some
people say that when an orchard is in its best
bearing condition, then is the proper time to
start a new one. I took special notice of that
remark, and I have found by experience that
it is so. It takes from twelve to fifteen years
for a young orchard to come into bearing fruit
to any extent. Take an orchard that is in Its
very best condition, and then fifteen to twenty
years after that you will see that it is not
much— that it is already going to decay, ex-
cept in a few very special eases. But many
farmers don't think of planting an orchard as
long as they have fruit enough in the old one,
and then they run entirely out before the new
one comes up to fill the gap. About twenty
years ago I had a talk with an old man that I
was well acquainted with. I told him he
ought to plant a new orchard. He answered,
"I'll plant none, for it won't do me any good."
He lived to be quite an old man, and only
died five years ago. He had two farms and a
small homestead, all in a row along a public
road, and left them all without an orchard to
those who came after him. Last year I had
a talk with a farmer who has an excellent
orchard in full prime or a little over. I told
him now would be the time for him to plant a
new orchard, but he only shook his head and
replied, "I will plant none yet awhile."
That's the way it goes ; most people think
only of the present and self, without troubling
themselves much about the future and others.
What would have been the case if our
fathers had not planted ? Would we have
had any fruit at all ? If we only plant fruit
when we begin housekeeping we shall have no
fruit until we get old. This will do for new
beginners on new farm lauds, but we ought
to plant for our children or successors on the
old homesteads. Think of it ; there are many
farms where orchards should be started, but
their owners tliink it would be so much lost.
But that is a mistake ; it is not lost.
I started an orchard about ten years ago
and had potatoes in it every year, for eight
years in succession. The trees don't take up
mucli space when young, only we must be
careful that by plowing and cultivating we do
not injure the trees. I muzzled the horses so
that they could not bite or crop offthe branches,
and I tied an old bag around the "traisor"
and the ends of the singletrees, so that they
could not skin the young trees if they should
happen to touch them. After that I had
wheat in one year, sowed with clover, and
have it in clover ever since and get a good
crop of it every year ; and now the trees have
commenced to bear and in a short time will
pay for themselves. To plant an orchard will
not cost much. In November last I planted
an orchard of seventy-five trees. I plowed the
groimd and followed with a sub-soil plow, ,
Which took twice as much time as ordinary
plowing. I then purchased trees at 12^ cents
each, and myself and two others planted
them all in less than a day. Then the work
was done. I would advise all those who have
no young orchards to plant at once. Trees are
cheap and labor is cheap. Don't buy trees
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
19
from those agents who travel llimu^'l] tlie
country. Ciet tlicni in the nci'^iiliorinu iiur- I
series, and tlie .sooner you ]>\.u\i ili'Hi ultrr i
they are out of the nursery llie l.iii.i. Make |
up your order now and send it In lli'' iiuisiiy j
where you want to ■,'(■! vnur trees. If you ■
delay tlieni until you think you just want |
them you may, inirhaps. not ■ret wliat you ;
want. TIic best may be pieked out and y..u
will have to supply yourself out of thosi- thai
are left. Select a place for your orchard iliai
has a nothern slope if you pipssitilv can uiaki'
it suit. It is the hest plaee. fui- llie l,nl >un is
not so hard on the tre.s, an. I it will n.d dry
out as soon as a so\ilheni slo]ie, and the trees
will not start so early in tlie si)ring, nor arc
they so apt to be caught by late frosts. Let
the most of your planting be late winter
apples ; \vc plant too many summer and fall
apples. Subsoiling before "planting I consider
very beneficial. The work is not lost. You
need nothing but a shovel to dig the holes.
Then loosen the soil about eighteen inches
deep.
TOBACCO— ITS CULTURE— ITS USE
AND ITS EFFECTS AS A NARCOTIC*
Of all the vegetable sulistanccs trafliced in
as a business, and indulged in as a narcotic —
such, for instanee, as oiiiuni, lii-nip, hops,
betel, lettuce, fungus, holly. Icdauuni,! thorn
apple, and clay and arsenic eating— there is
more used or'dealt in to the same extent as
tobacco. ''Johnson on Narcotics," in sum-
ming up his estimates of these substances,
used for the year \i^W. sets tliein down as fol-
lows : Tobacco, sdd.iinii.diMi ; o|iiuin. H«t.-
000,000; hemp, :i(ii), 111111,11110 ; li.'iel, iniuioii,-
000; coca,I 1(1,000.11(10; ami thousan.ls use
lettuce, clay, arsenic, fungus, ledanum,
thorne apple, &c. These are used in dillerent
ways— smoked, chewed or simffod — by a great
number of people. Tobacco is believed te be
a native of Tropical America; at all events,
it was cultivated and used tliere by the in-
habitants of some parts of that continent be-
fore its discovery by the Europeans in 149-2.
(.'olunibus found the chiefs on the Island of
Cuba smoking cigars, and Cortes met with it
afterwards. It grows best within the thirty-
fifth degrees of latitude ou either side of the
equator. The finest qualities arc raised be-
tween the fourteenth and fifteenth degrees of
north latitude— the I'hilipine Islands— and
between tlic thirty-fourth and thirty-liflh de-
grees— in Latakia, Syria. In America to-
bacco is met with almost everywhere, and the
consumption is simply enormous. Doctor
Johnson rather deprecatingly remarks that
the custom of using tobacco is " loathsome to
the eye, hateful to the nose, hurtful to the
brain, dangerous to the lungs, and in the
black, stinking fumes thereof, nearest resem-
bles the horrible .stygian smoke, of the pit
that is bottomless." ' AVhen it was first intro-
duced among the English, in vain did King
llaraes oppose it by his counterblasts against
tobacco. In Europe, from the plains of Sur-
ey Castle to the frozen Archangel, and from
he Ural to the Icelands, the pipe, the cigar
ind the snuff-box area conniion solace among
ill ranks and conditions of the people. So,
ilso, in vain did the Sultans and priests of
Turkey and Persia declare smoking a sin
igainst their holy religion.
The Turks, nevertheless, became the great-
st smokers in the world. This nation, iu-
luding the Siamese, th.e Burmese, and the
ndias in general, are all inveterate smokers,
eluding both .sexes of all ranks, even dow-u
the children. In China the i)ractiee is .so
niversal that every female, from the age of
ight or nine years, has an appendage to her
ress to hold a pipe. Lobacco was introduced
om America into Spain by the Spaniards,
Read before the Tobacco Orowois' Asflociation, by Peter
Keiet.
XxDANUM or Ladanum, a roeinoiiB iuspissated juice
om a shrub called Leda or Lada, (Ci»(uk ladaniftrtm) and
her plants of the same geuuft, growing ou the Me,diterra-
■ ind elsewhere. C'liieflv used as .1 stimulant,
of opicv is also called Ladttmim M Laudanum.
JCOOA, the dried leaf of the Enthrnxiilr.n rooa, a highly
mulating narcotic, found growing ■KiXi in Peru.
1 n(
t 0
lit ,„
in l.'iOli, and into France by Xicote. In I.'jSCi
it was iiiti-oilueed into lOii^laiid bv Sir Francis
Drake, under the auspices ..f Sir AValter
Haleiixh ; and into Tui-key about ICOl. Since
then the (aillivation ami use of tobacco has
liicn spread over a large portion of the habi-
table wiirld. The dillerent jiarts of America
in which loli.ieco is grown include Canada,
New r.Miii.v, i.k. Mexico, the roiled States,
II, e W, .leni ( .ia-1 a- far as -Id degrees south
lalilu.le, i:i:,/,il, ( nl.a. Trinidad, and the
West India Mauds. U is also cultivated on
the coast of the lied Sea, and on the Medi-
terranean; in Egyp , Algiers, the canons
along the western coast of Africa and the
Cape of (iood Hope. In Europe it has been
cultivated willi success in almost every coim-
tiy, and it tonus at present an important
agricultural protluct in Hungary, Germany,
Flanders and France. In Asia it has spread
over Turkey, Persia, India, Thibet, China,
.Japan, and a number of smaller States.
Dr. .Johnson says it is the most susceptible
of cultivation, the most hardy, the most tole-
rant of change altitude and general climate
of any plant of its class, and may be raised,
without dilliculty, from the Equator to the
fifty-fourth degree of north or south latitude.
And here I desire to add a few words on gen-
eral narcotic indulgence. Siberia has its nar-
cotic fungus ; Turkey, India and China their
oiiinm ; Persia, India and parts Turkey, with
all Africa, from Morocco to the Cape of (iood
Hope, have their narcotic hemp, including
even the Indians of Brazil. Other parts of
India, China and Eastern Archipelago have
their belid-nut and betel-pepper. The Poly-
nesian Islands their daily ava ; Peru and
15olivia their long used coca; New Granada
and the lliinalayes red and common thorn-
apples ; Asia and America and all the world,
we may say, their tobacco. Northern Europe
and America have their ledanum and sweet
gale; the (Jeniians and English their hops,
and the I'rem lnnan his lettuce. No nation so
ancient init has had it.s narcotic soother, even
from the earliest periods of its history. The
craving for such indulgences, and the habit
of gratifying them, are but little less than the
desire for food and the habit of eating ; the.se
material substances coming even in competi-
tion with common food, the very staff of life.
Much could be said touching the use of to-
bacco—such as smoking, chewing and .snnf-
lin.g— and also touching its abuse, its eiTects
asa tramiuilizer, and that solace, for which,
.Johnson says, lliousands llee to it. It seems
sullicient tii say that it is cultivated, tralliced
in and widely used ; and Providence appears
to smile upon those who encourage as well as
those who discourage it. There is one thing
that seems certain — its long continued, wide-
ly extended and ra\)idly increasing cultiva-
tion, trartic and use, t^vince that for some
wise purpose it has been jx-rmited, and infer-
entially iorthcj)ivrc)i(Joii of some other pos-
sible abuses, that would be greater evils.
On Tobacco Culture.
The climate, the mode of culture, the kind
of manure applied, the period at which the
crop should be gathered and cured, &c., are
important factors in connection with the
commerce in tobacco. It will grow on almost
any soil, and in any climate that will produce
corn, but a warm climate seems preferable.
On our 000,(100 acres of land devoted to the
cultivation of tobacco in the Fnitcd Slates,
40(t, (Kill. (10(1 ]iounds are produced, valued at
S;:i(l,(Hl(i;oo(i. Keiiluekv raises i:!(l,(l(Hi.()0O;
Virginia, .-.o. l.noo-, Mi-suiiri, 4:!,(l(l(t,(l(tO ;
Pcnns_\lvaiiia, al"iul 1 l.ooo.ood; and Connec-
ticut. "alMiiii s, Odd. Odd p.iuiids. Mr. Dicker-
man says lobacco is a paying crop, but it ex-
hausts the soil more rapidly than any other
crop, and when land is once exhausted by its
cultivation, hardly any process will pay to
renovate it again. To prove this we need
only refer to the exhausted lands of Virginia
and Maryland southward, and many places in
the Eastern and AVestem States : but this re-
sult cannot be considered unavoidable.
Preparing the Ground.
Plow nnder well rotted barnyard manure
and lime, or any good compost or phosphate,
at any time thtil your land is in such a eomli-
tion as to make the soil loo.sc and mellow.
Or use bone-dust, or any kind of fine fertili-
zer as a toi)-dressing. ITsc understandingly,
and with experimcnial knowledge, a certain
quantity of hone-ilust or harmless fertilizer to
each plant. Bear in mind that to bring your
land in a proper condition to grow tobacco,
vou eaniiol easily get it loo rich and mellow.
The application o( ashes, muck or compost of
almost any material that would iiroduce good
corn will also produce good lobacco. Have
your land ready to plant about the first day
of .June. Score it ofi" about three feet and a
half apart in ridges crossing each other at
right angles.
Varieties.
There are, perhap."^, ten din"erent varieties
of tobacco, of which every grower must judge
for himself, such as the broad-leaved Connec-
ticut, the Iluber, the chestnut leaf, &c., de-
pending somewhat on the richne.ss of your
soil and your location, a.s well as the state of
the season.
Plants.
One of the first requisites is the prepara-
tion of a good and rich .seed bed, which should
be attended to as early as the ground will
allow its ( tilture. For this [lurpose select the
sunny side of a southern slope. Learn to .sow
your'seed by experience, and 1 consider it use-
less at this late day to give any extended in-
structions to any grower, in regard to the
cover they require, and their treatment gen-
erally.
Planting.
Plant about the end of May or the begin-
ning of June, as circumstances and the season
will permit. Set the plants about twenty-
four inches apart in the rows, and as I have
before stated, learn to plant by experience ;
you will soon learn that in dry weather you
will have to adai)t yourself to deeper planting,
and to use water if too dry, and that judici-
ously ; and in wet wealln"'r that you cannot
be too careful so you will not cause a clod or
a bake around thi; plant after the coming of
a c'ry spell. I>ike in any other occupation,
you will succeed best after you have gained
experience.
Cut-Worms.
Soon after the plant is set the "cut-worm"
makes its appearance, which retiuircs watch-
ing. Then, after several weeks another and
greater enemy ajipears in the "horn-worm."
A large, green worm with a conspicuous horn
on the back near the hind end, which if left
to itself would destroy the wholi.- crop. Many
ways haue been reeominended to destroy these
worms, or the parents of them, by keeping
bright li.-es burning aroiuid the field as a trap;
by striking them tlown in the evening with a
paddle; or by introducing poison into the
rtowers of the "Jim.son weed," on the honey
of which they feed ; but the most effective
way to keep them from ruining the tobacco
jilants is to go over the field often enough to
l>ick off all the worms and destroy them.
Cultivation.
The only advice on this point is, as soon as
the plants have starteil to grow, go in with
the cultii-ator and hoe. Repeat it often enough
80 as to keep the soil loose, and all the grass
and weeds down until it becomes too large to
work with cultivator and hoe.
Topping and Suckering.
Topping .should be done as soon .is the
reeds appear, leaving from eight to twelve
leaves remaining, according to the fertility of
the soil or lateness of the season ; and break
off all the suckci-s as you go along the rows.
Cutting.
This operation must also be learned by ex-
perience. When your leaves become dotted
with yellow spots, bcomc glossy and crack by
doubling them together, you would better
Ix'gin to harvest "immediately, as you will
always run a risk of hail storms or frost. Let
it wiit on the ground liefore you handle it.
After this there are almost as many different
20
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ February
ways of haudling it as there are farmers who
cultivate it. Most of tlie tobacco housed is
strung on four foot laths, and conveyed on
wagons constructed for the special purpose
of hauling it to the tabcco house. But some
store it on scaffolds, from one to four
days, before they put it on poles. or in the
house or shed. The experiences of one year,
especially the first year, will indicate the
course to pursue the next year.
Stripping and Sorting.
This is the last operation and puts the
finishing touch to the manipulations of the
crop, (as Scripture says, "The crown is not in
the beginning, nor in the middle, but in the
end,") which ought to be done with the great-
est care, in order to secure a ready sale. Sort
it into four classes, marked AA, A, and B,
and "fillers." After which the price it will
command, separate from the market, will be
according to its quality.
Conclusion.
Let quality be the aim of your ambition,
rather than quantity. High quality always
commands a ready sale and fair prices ; is
easier handled, and involves less labor than
a large quantity of inferior garbage. A large
quantity of inferior tobacco, lik other inferior
things, may not produce as much marketable
bulk as a smaller quantity of superior stock ;
and, moreover, it is the poorest kind of ma-
terial out of which to build a solid reputation
as a reliable tobacco farmer.— P. !S. Beist,
Litiz, January, 1879.
FENCE-MAKING ON THE FARM.*
Fence-making is very expensive in our
days. When I was a boy, perhaps half-grown,
my father told me that in Germany they have
no fences, and it will become so, eventually,
here in this country, too. I thought that
could hardly be so, for I could not see how we
could do without fences. But now I think
the time is fast approaching when we will be
almost compelled to do without fences, but
we cannot do without them at the present
time. We must have good fences around our
farms to keep our neighbors' hogs and cattle
out, and to keep our own stock in, but the
interior fences we can dispense with and save
so much, even at the present time. There
are only about half the fences on farms that
there were when I was a boy, and we can still
save some yet. We have our fences with
five rails, and near to the ground that no
hogs can creep under or get through. I
have come to the conclusion to make my
fences hereafter with four rails, or perhaps
three at some places, and make them just as
high as they^are now— posts seven feet long,
but leave the lower rail out, and make the
second, which is to be the lowest, three inches
lower than now. The upper one the same as
it is in a five-rail fence, and then divide evenly
the intermediate space. Such a fence will
answer just as well for cattle and sheep, and
will endure longer before the posts rot off,
because the lower hole is not so near the
ground. But then I will liave a tight fence
around my orchard, as before, so that I can
let my hogs in to cat the fruit which falls
from the trees, and which is not fit for use.
Tlie remainder of the time I will keep them
in the pen. Their feed will not cost as much
as an extra tight fence over the farm. Ordi-
narily, hog raising is not profitable in our part
of the country, especially while pork is as
cheap as it is at the present time. In the
west they can always raise hogs and ship them
here cheaper than we can raise them. We
can make more out of our corn if we feed it
to some other stock. But every farmer ought
to raise enough of pork for his own family.
That he can do without much cost with proper
management.
Every farmer ought to see what he wants in
fencing material now, before the spring opens,
and have it ready by that time, so that he will
not have to go after it when the roads are
bad, or other work is pressing.
ONE YEAR'S EXPERIMENT WITH
FOWLS.*
I present an account whicli I held with my
fowls during the year 1878. The experiment
was made to test the value of fowls when
kept in an enclosure where they could destroy
little of value. They were kept in an en-
closed orchard (1:^ acres). True, they did
pick some of the fallen fruit, but this had very
little market value, and I estimate that, upon
the whole, the fowls were of more benefit
than hurt to the orchard. I have heard claims
of large profits where fowls had the range of
the farm ; but it is doubtful whether the proper
deduction was made for the acre, more or
less, of wheat destroyed ; or for the corn or
garden things pulled up ; or for the clover
trampled under foot. Others claim big profits
from breeding fancy stock and selling at fancy
prices. SIO.OO for a pair of fowls and S2.00
a dozen for eggs sounds profitable, but it is
doubtful if many realize it. You will perceive
by the figures that my profits were moderate.
During July cholera made its appearance
and carried off eight or ten liens, and a num-
ber besides were used in the family at differ-
ent times. From this it is evident that the
average number of laying hens during the
year cannot positively be got at, but I should
estimate it from 40 to 4.5. This would make
the number of eggs for each fowl from 120 to
1.30. It has been said that a fowl under good
treatment should produce over 150 eggs. This
shortcoming in eggs cannot be attributed to
want of feed, as the fowls were plump and
fat at all times. The stock consists principally
of Light Brahmas, with a few White Cochins,
Dominiques and White Leghorns.
DR.
Jan. 1st, 1878, 63 fowls on hand, at 30 cents, ?18 90
Corn used during year, 43 bus., at 60 cents, 2.5 80
Screenings " " 26 bus., at 50 cents, 13 00
Wheat bran, " " 26 bus., at 35 cents, 6 58
Bone during the year, - - - - - 3 25
Total cost.
$67 45
January 1st, 1879, 71 fowls on hand, - - $2130
65 fowls used during year, - - - 19 .50
4.50 dozen eggs, at 13 cents, - - - - 58 50
Total, ....
Balance in favor of fowls,
?31 85
DISEASES OF THE PEAR.f
Mr. Edwin Satterthwaite, of Jenkintown,
Montgomery county, addressed the State
Fruit-Growers' Society on Thursday, January
16, upon the subject of the "Diseases of the
Fear. " He spoke extemporaneously and well,
and his remarks were received with every
mark of attention and elicited one of the most
interesting discussions of the session. Mr.
Satterthwaite said the pear is comparatively
exempt from vhe ravages of insets. Some
varieties are attacked by the curculio and
codlin moth, particularly the "Early Catha-
rine." "Cracking," one of the diseases, he
attributed to excessive moisture. The " White
Doyenne" is greatly subject to "cracking,"
which some persons ascribe to ' ' running out. '^
Of late the speaker's White Doyennes have
not been much affected by the disease. An-
other disease caused by atmospheric influence
is a kind of mildew, among which he in-
stanced the Beurre Clairgeau, Bucrre Capian-
mont and Napoleon. In a dry season these
varieties are exempt from the disease. Some
few varieties, for instance the Easter Buerre,
are affected by wrinkling of the skin. The
chief troubles of the pear are the diseases
which affect the tree. Pear trees are exempt
from the borer, except such as are grafted on
the quince.
The pear slug is the most destructive insect
affecting the pear trees. They are worse in
dry seasons. It is a small slug, about half an
inch in length, and is generally found on the
•Kcad before the Laucasler County Agricullural and
Horticultural Society by Casper Hiller.
t An extemporaneous address by Mr. Edw. Satterthwaite
before the State Frnit-Growers' Society.
trees in the month of June. The speaker has
no doubt that with proper care the .slug can
be destroyed. Almost anything thrown on
them appears to destroy t'liem. Dry slaked
lime, Paris green, and whale oil soap are all
efficacious. He a.sked why whale oil soap is
always recommended in the books for diseases
of this kind, and thought common soap should
be equally as good. The speaker next referred
to the leaf blight as the worst thing that the
pear tree has to contend with. The trees
change all at once, when the fruit is about
beginning to ripen, the leaves will all turn
yellow, and the next day the leaves drop off,
or the half of them, and the crop of fruit is
ruined. He thought dry weather was the
cause of the leaf and the fire blight, and
believed that our climate was too dry for the
pear. The Tyson is utterly wortliless on ac-
count of the leaf blight ; the Flemish Beauty,
Canandaigua and Washington are also much
allected by tlie same disease. The fire blight
is generally considered the most dangerous
disease of the pear, but he thought the leaf
blight is the worst. The trees that are most
subject to the leaf blight arc not affected by
the fire blight at all. Downing attributes the
fire blight to the freezing of the sap in the fall.
This theory has never appeared satisfactory
to the speaker. He had lost two or three
thousand pear trees by the fire blight out of
.5,000. A pear tree does not blight much until
after it gets to bearing, so that he lost one-
half of his best trees. He ascribed the cause
to dry weather. The only remedy for the fire
blight, whatever the cause may be, is in the
selection of varieties. After a great deal of
care and observation, the speaker has made a
selection after cultivating nearly COO varieties
of pears, all in fact that are generally known
in the books. The varieties that blight the
most, in his experience, are the following,
among others : Osborne's Summer, Madeleine,
Onoitdaga, Belle Lucrative, Vicar of Wink-
field, Ananas d'Ete, Maria Louise, Buftam,
Glout Marceau, Otts' Seedling, and Golden
Beurre of Bilboa. The kinds that have es-
caped the blight with the speaker are the
following: Bartlett, Seckel, Duchesse d'An-
gouleme, Beurre Gifford, Doyenne Bosc,
Meriam, Jefferson, Julienne, Early Catha-
rine, Bell, Bezide la Motte, Beurre Clair-
geau, Tyson, and Kingsessing. Among va-
rieties somewhat subject to blight, but
which the speaker would not be without
on account of their otherwise valuable quali-
ties, are : Lawrence, Beurre d'Anjou, and
Kutter. Auother list that blight some, but
are desirable to have in a large collection, are
the following : Doyenne d'Ete, Beurre de
Montgeron, Clapp's favorite, St. Michael j
Archangel, Howell, Manning's Elizabeth, '
Doyenne Boussock, Des Nonnis, Kirtland, j
Beurre Bosc, Gushing. The Sheldon has not 1
blighted much. The speaker then answered
some questions as to the appearance of the
blight among the trees and the manner in
which the trees are affected. There are so
many subtle, invisible, intangible atmospheric
influences that we know so little about that
it would be presumption in any one to ascribe
definitely the cause of some of the diseases
which the speaker has mentioned. The science
is in its infancy, and we have almost every-
thing to learn as yet about fruit culture.
MODERN FRUIT HOUSES.*
Many of the finest fruits, says Judge Stitzel,
naturally undergo speedy decay, and those!
most highly esteemed are often only to be enA
joyed by those who produce them, and cannoM
be put into market except for immediate con-j
sumption. This decay has been found to take
place most rapidly when the fruit is exposed
to considerable or frequent changes in temj
perature. We know that certain kinds ^t
grapes, packed in sawdust, were imported to!
this country from warmer climates; we found
that unripe berries could be preserved in
their natural state a long time in bottles or
jars, filled in with dry sand or sawdust, and
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
21
the jars corked or sealed and placed iu the
ground a considerable depth, to preserve an
equable temperature. This method could be
employed with many fruits, as well as vege-
tables. Pears, the (inest kinds of wliich are
apt to rot immediately after maturity, were
found capable of preservation for months by
being closely covered in stone ja.is and kept in
a cool place. Similar expiTimcnts revealed
the fact that an evenly colli temperalurc was
a reliable preventive of decay iu fruit, and
have led to the construction of the modern
fruit house.
The value and convenience of this quite
recent improvement will be apparent when
we consider the ijreat advantage in keeping
fruit until the next ripening season, thus en-
abling us to get the very highest prices for
what we have' to sell, after the market has be-
come bare of such fruit as has been kept in
cellars, or shipped from other localities, be-
sides the advantage of having it for family
use all year round. I may say without fear of
contradiction that fully thirty-three per
centum of all fruits stored iu the ordinary
way annually go to waste ; this would of itself
more than pay the interest upon the cost of a
modern fruit house. This is true of the apple
crop of itself, and the same may be said of
Vears. I am satisfied that if pears are prop-
erly handled and put into the fruit house until
the market becomes bare of those varieties
sold out of the orchards, twice the amount of
money can be made out of them. They
should be carefully picked when matured, but
before too ripe, and they will improve in
flavor when allowed to ripen fully in the fruit
house.
In this way such varieties as the Buerre
Easter, Columbia and Vicar of Winkfield will
keep until the following April. That many
kinds of vegetables, berries and stone fruit
can be preserved a greater length of time than
in the ordinary way, has been demonstrated
by the use of the fruit house. Cider will also
keep sweet much longer than when kept in
cellars, where the temperature is constantly
varying. The temperature iu a well cou-
structed fruit house can easily be kept within
a variation of eight degrees, say between 32^
and 40 . and proper care should always be
taken in regard to ventilation, as it is to this
that we can attribute the main success in pre-
serving the fruit. A refrigerator or fruit
house can be constructed at a very little cost,
say from $250 to $.500, that would admit of
storing one thousarid bushels of fruit ; this
would accommodate a half dozen neighbors,
who might club together and erect one at their
joint expense, or one of their number might
build one, and by a charge for storage, of ten
or twelve cents per bushel, receive more than
the interest upon his investment, beside the
cost of stocking it with ice.
I will now describe a fruit house built on a
larger scale, having a capacity of 4,000 bushels,
which has been "in very successful use for
twelve years. It is fifty feet square and built
of stone and is twenty-eight feet high. The
fruit room is on the first floor and is eight feet
high with an enclosed space four feet in width,
on the four sides filled with ice from above.
The ice house proper is on the second story
and is eleven feet high which, with the spaces
referred to, is filled with ice. There should
always be at least one foot of sawdust or .some
other non-conductor of heat between the i-;e
and the outer walls. The floor must be water-
tight with pipes or some other means of con-
veying the accumulating water to the ground
beneath the building. The third story lloor is
about three feet below the square ; this room
in intended to secure ventilation, and should
be covered with some non-conductive material
to prevent any heated air from entering the
building from above. Tiiere is a room or
space about three feet deep below the floor of
the fruit room, which is filled from the surplus
of unmelted ice that remains in the second
story, and this must be done before stockins;
with fruit in the fall, ^'entilation is secured
through four box ventilators twelve inches
square, leading from the fruit room through
the ice room and extending into the vacant
space above tlie third floor. These box venti-
lators are providi'd with valves or stops by
means of wliich the temperature in the fruit
room may be easily regulated. The fruit is
stored in common boxes containing two
bushels each, the bottom of one box forming a
cover of another, and these boxes are piled" in
tiers or sections with spaces between to admit
of passage and free circulation. Access to the
fruit room is secured through a kind of vesti-
bule with outside and inside doors, both lined
with non-conductive material — halters' waste
wool has proven an excellent non-conductor
for this purpose. The two doors, an inner
and an outer door, are necessary to prevent
the admission of air when persons pass in and
out.
The cost of this building when erected was
about S2,000, and it requires about one thou-
sand tons of ice to fill it properly, about two-
thirds of which is annually consumed by the
heat. Ever since the completion of this build-
ing it has been used for the storage of various
kinds of fruits, and has proven an entire suc-
cess, and the owner has realized a handsome
profit upon his investment.
There is another large refrigerator or fruit
house in Reading, that is constructed upon a
somewhat similar plan which has been used
for preserving tropical fruits and storing eggs,
etc., for which purpose it has proven very
successful.
There is still another large refrigerator or
fruit house in this city, quite recently com-
pleted and stocked with ice, which will be
ready for the storage of fruits, etc., the coming
season, and which will prove a great conve-
nience to fruit growers as well as consumers
of this place.
CULTURE AND TRAIMING OF THE
VINE.*
So much has been written upon this subject
as to almost confuse the novice and contem-
plative planter into inactivity, for fear of
doing more injury than benefit in attempting
to follow the teachings of books which treat
on vine culture. Between the close pruner
and non-pruner lies so wide a field, with in-
numerable methods of training, that it is not
surprising that there is so much confusion
relative to the growing of this important fruit.
Important, I say, because there is no fruit
in the Xorth Temperate Zone that can be
made more a certainty, or will yield more
weight from the same area, and upon almost
any soil. The special advantage it possesses
over all other fruits, however, is that it can be
planted close to any building or wall, and
trained up against it to any reasonable height,
and where no other fruit can be grown. It
can be trained over arbors, where it will
answer for shade also. Grapes grown in such
situations, when properly trained, are gener-
ally more certain than vineyard culture.
The grape is a great feeder and will repay
proper fertilizing very well. Young vines can
bs grown from single eyes, or with two to
half a dozen eyes ; also by layering, but those
from single are preferable, as they contain but
little old wood, and have the roots started
from one point. For a vineyard the ground
should be well prepared as for any other plant-
ing. The vines may be planted from six to
twelve feet apart, according to variety and
vigor of vine. Depth of planting should not
be more than six inches, and with a little
mulch added is better than a foot deep of soil.
Cultivation should be as for all other plantings;
the ground kept mellow and clean of weeds
for three or four years at least, after which it
is a mooted question whether to cultivate it
or run it into grass. I am, however, on the
side of continued cultivation, but shallow
only. Good, well-iueiiared soil will require
no manuring' until a crop or two has been
taken off; after which don't expect to take
more out of the soil than there is in it. I
shall not discuss manuring now, as every
planter should know what his soil and his
crops reipiire.
At planting cut the vine to a few eyes, and
after it starts to grow, pinch or rub all off but
the strongest, which train to a stake 4 to C feet
high, but do no cutting or pinching the first
season. For the second .season cut the vine
to 15 or 18 inches above ground, set two
stakes, G to S feet high, one on each side of the
vine ; set obliquely, leaning apart, and train
two of the highest and be.st shoots, one to
each, and keep off all other shoots from the
main vine. Vines growing obliquely will form
shorter joints and develop the eyes more uni-
form than when growing ui'righl. They will,
however, forces stnui.ncr lalerals, which must
be pinched oil' liiyoiid tlie first eye, and if
growing too strong Ihereaf'ler pinch off again,
but do not break off the lateral altogether, as
it often causes the eyes to push which are in-
tended for next year's fruiting.
Trellises should be made for the third sea-
son. Posts driven in along the rows, about
five feet high, after being set, with a horizon-
tal rail over the tojis, and one about 18 inches
above ground to nail on slats or wire vertical-
ly, is the best form of trellis of which I know.
These uprights shoulcV Ije 7 or 8 inches apart.
I know of nothing equal to galvanized wire
(about No. 1()), which is not only exempt
from corrosion, but the vines can be trained
to it without tying. The trellis bein'; ready
for the third season, prune off all laterals
from the vines to a length that will reach half
way to the next vine, and cut it off and tic to
lower rail ; bring the nearest cane from the
next vine and treat the same way, and thus
continue to the end of the trellis. You have
now a basis upon which to grow your first crop.
Training will now be in order as .soon as the
young shoots attain the height of 15 to 18
inches. Secure the nearest to each wire and
break off all the rest. As soon as all the
flower clusters are fairly out pinch the shoot
off, leaving one joint beyond the last cluster.
This will check the strongest shoots and give
the weaker a chance to get even. The stronger
should be pinched in during the season when-
ever they show too rampant growth.
I am well aware that this early pinching is
contrary to the teaching of books, but experi-
ence has taught me that it is preferable to let-
ting them grow until the grapes are as large as
peas, and then pinch to three joints beyond
the last bunch, as the books say. Early pinch-
ing checks the rapid upward growth, and
causes the development of larger foliage,
heavier vines, and fuller eyes near the base,
which is an important point gained, as we
shall see by and by. It must not be forgotten
that the bearing eyes are on last season's
growth only. For this reason it is important
that with all the methods of training, the ob-
ject should be to have the eyes intended for
next season's fruitin;; as well developed as
possible. Each eye will, as a rule, produce a
cane bearing three bunches of fruit, conse-
quently the upright vines are now bearing a
crop and at the same time forming eyes for
next (4th) season's crop. The laterals should
be treated as directed iu second year's growth.
Toward the close of the season the vines may
be left to grow as they will. If we have now
a well developed cane to each upright the
vineyard is fully established.
For the fourth .season we cut back all the
upright canes to two eyes. At this point the
books teach us to cut to one eye, but let us
compare. Any practical vintner knows that
the lower eye on a vine is always least de-
veloped, consequently by cutting to two eyes
we have some choice. The shoots growing
from the lower eyes arc trained to the wires
and treated the same as those of the previous
year were treated. Those from the upi)cr
eyes are also pinched to one joint above the
latter cluster, as early as it can be done con-
veniently. These are trained to incline down-
ward, by twisting the young cane and bend-
ing it downward, wliich, with the gradual
increase of the clusters thereon, will prevent
their nprisiht tendency; these are also kept
closely pinched in and laterals kept down,
22
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ February,
"and after fruiting are cut away altogetlier. By
this method we retain the best eyes for fruit-
ing, and at the same time secure well de-
veloped canes from the lower eyes by their
being trained upright. These are left to bear
some fruit, but as the bunches are usually in-
ferior to those from sound eyes, the thinning
out is done on these. By this course of train-
ing the fruiting wood can be kept low, the
same as by cutting to single eyes.
It is well known that the tendency of growth
of vines is upward, and if not controlled by
pruning and pinching, where they have a
place to run up, the linest fruit will be near
the top. This has led, or rather misled mauy
to trim their vines high, but we must not for-
get that by this method they will be father
from the base of the vine each year, and
eventually be out of reach. The only method
by which vines can be kept to grow their crops
imiform, is to have their bearing eyes on a level ,
as by the horizontal arm system, wlietherarms
are one or twenty feet ;from the ground. By
the following method the old arras can be re-
placed by new ones without losing a crop.
Select early in the season two strong shoots
near the centre of the vine, and train them on
stakes as directed for second year, and keep
all the rest of the vine pinched back during
the summer, and, unless the vine is vigorous,
allow it to bear only a moderate or short
crop, which will cause the two canes at the
centre to make the stronger growth, so that
after fruiting the old ariiis can be cut away,
and the new canes tied to their place, and
managed as directed for third season. Thus
the vines can be renewed whenever necessary,
and with proper care may continue in bearing
indefmitely.
I do not claim anything original in the
above method of trellising, which has been so
fully described by A. S. Fuller and others,
but what I do claim that is not found in the
books, is the cutting to two eyes for fruiting,
or if the second is not well developed, leave
the third and cut out the second, instead of
the first. Tills method invariably secures
better bearing wood and consequently finer
fruit. There are other methods Ijy which
grapes may be successfully grown, as on trel-
lises of three or four horizontal wires ; upon
these vines are commonly trained on the long
cane system, by which the best bearing eyes
are alwaj's secured, but, as above referred to,
the canes on the upper wire produce the best
fruit at the expense of 'those on the lower wire.
The renewal is also more difficult than upon
the horizontal arm system. In extensive vine-
yard culture stakes are generally resorted to,
being least expensive. Various methods of
training to stakes are also described, )3ut this
paper will not admit of details.
One other method, however, is extensively
practiced, and backed up strongly by the
arguments, that nature does no pruning, and
therefore it is best not to prune at all, or very
little at most. This sounds very plausible,
but neither does nature plant her vines by
cuttings, and as we depart from nature at the
outset, there is no sound reason to go back
and ask her to finish the job which we have
begun in opposition to her system.
We will admit that very fine grapes are
oftinies found on vines growing upon trees,
etc., left to their own way. I have seen such
and thought at one time it was the true
method for growing grapes ; but a few years
of observation dissipated all my faith in that
direction. I have settled down to the belief
in close pruning and systematic training for
all vines (ex(-ept the most rampan'j growers)
as tlie most reliable. As Mr. Fuller has well
said, the finest grapes, after all, are produced
uiion closely pruned and properly trained vines.
Contributions.
Liquid Manuke.— The liquid yieldings of
animals are worth more— good autliorities say
one-sixth more— pound for pound, tlian the
sohd excrements, and arc saved with greater
care by the best European farmers and garden-
ers. All the leaks in the stable are not in the
roof ; those often in the tloor are quite as objec-
tionable, and are cause of a great deal of waste.
For The Lancastek Tarmek.
CATTLE OF LANCASTER COUNTY, OR
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.
It is presumable that it is not known xwtii-
iivehj from what country cattle were first
shipped to America. Undoubtedly the first
settlers in New England brought their cattle
from Old England. It is also presumable that
their stock then was not as thoroughbred in
the same country as it is now ; and if it had
been they might have hesitated to ship the
best to a heathen land. Undoubtedly the
Dutch brought the first cattle to New York,
and the Quakers and Swedes the first to Penn-
sylvania. The first effort made to improve
stock in this country was in the vicinity of
Albany and New York cities, and perhaps
also in the vicinity of Philadelphia. During
the last century the wholesale merchants of
those cities, who possessed couiUiy residences,
began to improve their lands and farm stock,
as well as their farm dwellings. lu the first
place, I believe in good stock, and that the
highest state of improvement has only been
reached at great expense by some of the best
herdsmen of Europe, and this, too, many
years ago. While Lancaster county may be
said to stand at the head of agriculture, it
must be confessed that she is far behind other
countries in stock raising. It is Init fair to
infer that, with a little care and expense, we
might become as famous in cattle raising as
we have been in Conestoga horses. I believe
there is a great difference in the various breeds
of cattle to which we now have access, but
the best breeds have always been secured by
careful breeding from the best selections, both
of males and females. I have a good recollec-
tion of our Lancaster county breeds of cattle
for the last fifty years. They were always bet-
ter than the Maryland cattle, or those from
Western Pennsylvania. Fifty years ago I
used to visit a neighbor who had a large hay-
mow filled with soft meadow hay. Well do I
rememljcr rollicking in the soft, sweet-scented
meadow hay ; and also his beautiful herd of
black cattle, with their belts of snowy white,
their fine forms and large size, some of which
could have been made to weigh almost equal
to the Durhams at the present time. Might
they not have been sired from the Swiss or
the Holstein ? I feel sure, with proper care
in selection, always cliosiug the best blood,
that the county of Lancaster might produce
some of the best stock in the Union— fully as
good as any of our Alderneys, Devons, or
Durhams. A cattle fancier one time indidg-
ing in extravagant praises of tlie Ilolstefii
cattle, and what he could make of tliom, was
reminded that when a shephenl in Ilolstein
loses his crook in the meadow in tlie evening
he would find it in the morning grown over
with grass. This was to illustrate that you
might easily enough secure a good breed of
cattle, but good pasture could not be trans-
ferred with them. That matter must be pro-
vided by the purchaser.
The reason our farmers pay so little atten-
tion to good stock is because they say "it
won't pay " to raise good stock, and anything
will do for a milk cow ; and any kind of calf
will do for the butchers' shambles. Neverthe-
less, a heavy cow would bring more money in
market, and would give as muoli or more inilk
than a small or light one. In 1843 a farmer,
in Upper Leacock township, had a home-
raised steer, from ordinary stock, that would
have made one of the heaviest steers ever
raised in Lancaster county, but it fell on the
ice, when it weighed nearly o,000 [lounds, and
had to be slaughtered prematurely. The Dur-
ham roans were first introduced into this
county by Mr. Jackson, who lived on Webb's
farm, near " AVitmer's Bridge," forty-five or
fifty yearsago. Frederick Hambright,wholived
north of Lancaster, procured some of Jack-
son's stock and raised a beautiful herd of roan
cows, but he was also a man that gave good
attention to his stock— everything relating to
them was done in the best manner, and he
had always ready sale for them and got the
best prices — higher than his neighbors. From
that period forward there was more interest
taken in the improvement in the Lancaster
than there had ever been before. I beg leave
to repeat again, that although there is a differ-
ence— and a great dift'erence, too— in the
breeds of cattle, yet there is a great difl'erence
in our caring for them. The old saying still
holds good : "Well attended is half fed."— i.
S. Ji., Orcf/on, February, 1879.
[Those people who allege that it will not
pay to raise good cattle may say the truth,
looking at the matter from their own indi-
vidual standpoint. It may not pay at the out-
set, for the reason .that it costs too high a
figure for the first subjects. It is, perhaps,
like a new kind of potatoes, wheat, corn,
pigs or poultry. But as the feed and labor
costs about the same, it would seem that a
good breed could be raised as easy as a bad one,
with better prospects of the future pay.] — Ed.
FOR The Lancaster Farmer.
TEXAS CATTLE.
Letter of General Samuel Houston, Describ-
ing Texas Cattle.
Galveston, Texas, Dec. 1, 1845.
"Doubtless no country on earth possesses
equal advantages with Texas as a stock
raising community. Stock here require no
feeding, either in summer or winter, and cost
no trouble nor expense, saving in marking and
branding. Stabling and salting are not ne-
cessary, as the saline licks are in every part of
the country, so that in fact, fattening cattle
does not cost a farmer anytliing. Our prai-
ries are clothed with the most nutritious
grasses, sufficient for countless herds. The
presence of blooded stock is especially wel-
come to me at this time, and I expect to cross
it with our Texas stock with good results.
The introduction of blooded stock, such as
Durhams. and better horses, I am satisfied,
would not result in more than one failure in
twenty experiments. The presuit stock of
cattle in Te;:as is a nrixture of Mexican and
cattle from the United States. They each
show a distinctness of character. The Mexi-
can, or Spani.sh, are not so heavy nor so com-
pact in build as those from the States, but
they are taller and more active, nor do they
weigh as well in proportion to appearance
wheii slaughtered as the American cattle.
They are more active than our cattle, with re-
markably long aud slim horns. The cows are
not such good milkers as ours. A cross of
the breed would be an improvement. When
the first colonists, under Stephen F. Austin,
arrived in Texas, they found herds of wild
cattle on the Brazos and its tributary streams.
There was no tradition of their origin, nor
has anything satisfactory on the subject yet
been aM/ci-lained. They have recededjas the
settlfinnits advanced, and are now above the
fiills of t lie IJniy.os and Little river. They are
of the brindle or reddish color, and are more
wild and dangerous when wounded than the
bufEalo. The males have occasionally attached
themselves to herds of tame cattle, and Iiave
become very gentle. Calves have been caught
and reared by settlers. The cross is said to
be an iiniirovement upon our common stock.
The males arc sometimes as heavy as our
Duiiiaiu half-breeds, and make excellent
working oxen. For years I have had a desire
to mix the pure Durham with the pure Texas.
Should I be fortunate in my efforts, I shall be
happy to assure you of tlie remits.— Samuel
Houston.
It is thirty-four years since the above letter
was written", and Texas is still looked upon as
the great source from which tlie bulk of com-
merce in cattle is derived. This especially is
the case in reference to the immense number
of those that are slaughtered is concerned.
An almost constant stream of cattle for several
months in the year, are driven up from Texas
to the cattle depots in Kansas, Nebraska,
Colorado, :Missouri, Iowa and other Western
States ; from whence they are sold and dis-
tributed farther eastward, and when fattened
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
23
aro rolled along on the railroads in cattlo pens
to the large eities of our country, ortn Kurope,
where they are slaughtered aiid served up to
the beef-eaters among the huuiau family, and
are completely amiihilated. — Bos, Manhcim,
February, 1S70.
POLLED CATTLE.
Agondwonl must be put in for the '-Muley,'
TIUM
;ii;recable
uld easily
(1
to have alHiut the barnyard ; t
be kept side by side with colts.
without injury. IIow often do vicious horned
cattle disembowel horses in the barnyard, in
tlie roadside, or in the field ? How ofltn have
liorned cattle, especially those of the male
gender, killed men in the upni liel.ls with (heir
horns V And how often have lliosi- of the
female gender attacked women and (■hildren,
especially when the cows have calves only a
day or two old ? At that particular period a
cow, especially if a stranger, is apt to attack
anything that comes near her offspring,
whether a dog or a human being. There were
formerly objections made to the mule}', when
cattle were at liberty to brows along the road-
sides and woods. They would reach in be-
tween the fence rails to help themselves to as
much of the inside crop as leaned toward the
fence or came within their reach. Since cattle
are running very little at large in the Eastern
and Middle States that objection is almost re-
moved. The muley oxen are easy to handle,
and could even be kept loose in a stalile ;
would make more and better manure by
tramping down the straw closely together ail
over the stable, which would then ferment
much sooner than otherwise. The cows would
be very docile and agreeable to milk ; and
they are just as good milkers as any other
kind of cows. They could be very much im-
proved by crossing them with the short-horned
Durham stock. The normal tendencies of the
short-horns might undoubtedly be turned
towards polled, at least to shorter horns.
Polled cattle perhaps will never become a
specialty among cattle breeders in this conn-
tr3'. I have known but one farmer — and that
yearsago, in AVestEarl township,this county—
who had an entire herd of polled cattle ; a
very Hue herd it was too. The cows were well
built— unlike the large Durhams— good milk-
ers ; and the steers weighed -very heavy. I
will not undertake to give a full history of
the polled cattle, any more than what an able
writer has given years ago. He says: "In
Great Britain there are now three breeds of
polled cattle, which were no doubt derived
from the wild cattle, of which only one herd
remained pure. These were iu Yorkshire,
fifty years ago, although in the last century
several parks in England were stocked with
them. Both in the north of England and in
the south of Scotland improved polled cattle
were a common or frequent occurrence.
The Galway cattle, from the southwest of
Scotland, ranked first for smallness of bone
and good feeders. They were bred of differ-
ent colors, from red to black. Next to these
came the Angusshires, from the northeast of
Scotland, which were similar to the (Jalways,
but were of a heavier build and were brought
to the highest state of perfection. They were
specially raised for the London market, and
the red cattle always commanded the highest
prices from the butchers in the market, on ac-
count of not having been gored by liorned
oxen. For dairy cows the English had a
variety called the '■Buns." They originated
from one of the Scotch breeds crossing them
with their own breeds, which were "Roans."
They made them heavier than the original
stock, and they became excellent dairy cows,
but all ultimately became roans. By care and
proi)er selection they had three colors— dun,
roan and black. The wild cattle-from which
these tliree varieties of cattle sprung arc
white, with black ears and muzzle. I have
penned these lines thinking some of the readers
of The Faumer might still have some inter-
est in the "gentle muley" of their boyhood. —
E. L. S., Warwick, February, 1879.
For TllK Lastaster 1'aumer.
BITTER-SWEET.
{Thr Sotaiiitm Ituleamava. Ij.)
We have here a species that belongs to a
genus of plants remarkable for the great
variety and almost opposite character which
takes place among the species. Some are
coarse weeds ; others ornamental green-house
plants ; some, again, are nutritious, like the
potato ; others poisonous, like the henbane.
Names are usually significant. Dr. Gray
Kays the derivation of this is uncertain. I
find that one author says the Latin meaning
was "Night Shade," which is a family name
of this genus ; another that it comes from the
word "Solor," which means "to comfort,"
referring to some of the narcotic power — like
tliat of an opiate, perhaps— but the Irish
liotato, so-called, is a comfort to a starving
foniily. Be this as it may, the specific name
"Dulcamara," signifies sweet and bitter, or
"Bitter-Swcet." This name is derived from
the fact that in chewing the I'oot, the taste is
first bitter, then a sweetness follows. It is
believed to have been introduced from Europe
many years ago. It is found to thrive best in
moist, shady places and around houses. Wc
often meet with it in country gardens, the
leaves and tlexible twigs forming a climbing
shrub about six feet high, is pietty ; the pur-
plish, small (lowers and yellow anthers neat,
but not showy, while the ovoid, crimson red
berries arc quite ornamental. I may, by way
of caution, say here, that there is another
plant called "climbing bitter-sweet," quite a
diftereut genus — the Ci hislrvx isranikns—io\\m\
along streams and thickets ; these have golden
yellov»r pods, which split open and reveal a
crimson red seed. The genus Solanum has
numerous hardy, shrubby and herbaceous
species, many green-house and stove ever-
greens, over seventy kinds are described.
This plant has at one time had a great repu-
tation among medical men of high standing.
Dr. Bigelow, in his American Botany, devotes
seven full pages to the properties of this plant,
quoting his authorities, such as Doctors Wil-
lau, Bateman and Crichtou ; this latter physi-
cian to Westminster hospital, says that out of
twenty-three cases of Lepora Grcecorum, (this
is the leprosy of scripture, a constitutional
affection, also known as Elejihantiaiiiii tjrm-o-
rwn, supposed incurable,) he declares that
only two resisted the remedy, which consisted
in boiling an ounce of the fiexible, fresh twigs
(others used the leaves also,) in a pint and a
half of water down to a pint, giving the
patient of this decoction two ounces to begin
with morning, noon and night, and also used
as an external lotion. Others think the dose
too large, and say it is better to bc^in with an
ounce and increase. To sii\ the hast, it docs
form a most excellent lotion tor v;i I ions I liseases
ofthcskin tomyper.sonal kuowledur, although
fallen into m-leet. riofrvso,- Mmriy speaks
in stroll'..; terms as a Mieees>liil a|Hiliealion in
cutaneous diseases ol an iii\i-lerate character.
Dr. Gritmii, in liis M,.li.;d liuUiay, says
(page 481): " The properties of Bitter-Sweet
are those of a narcotic, diuretic ami diaphe-
retic, but its powers are not very great, though
in large doses it certainly will induce the
effects of the acro-narcotics ; cases of poison-
ing have been recorded from the berrie.s, as
well as from the decoction of the twigs. The
decoction has attained some note as a remedy
in chronic rheuniatisiu, asthma, chronic
catarrhs, and in tho.se morbid conditions of
the system in which sarsa]iarilla lias been
found ueneficial. Its mani nimlai ion, bow-
ever, has arisen from the liemiii obtained
fromit in skin diseases of an ol>,-tinati' charac-
ter, as lepra and pityriasis ; ill tliese there is
strong evidence that it has pioxeil eminently
successful, both adiiiiiiistered internally and
used as a wash to the alTected parts." 1 quote
the foregoing from the edition of 1817. It is
well not simply to know a plant as a botanist,
but its uses and reputation as well. Farmers
may find occasion to desire a remedy lor a
scabby animal, and seeing this plant on or
about their premises, may test its properties
and benefit themselves and the suffering ani-
mal. It does not follow that (hey turn quack
and join the ranks of that class, and yet do-
mestic remedies at hand are often available to
those that have a knowledge of the subject ;
so that it is not intended for medical men,
who have the books and are supposed to know
all aliout it, but for the fann<-r, horticulturist
and general reader, wlio has not the books to
refer to ; it is "y/io im,,,, imiillr,,.'' I write not
to show how easy it is to eopy and give the
experience of other people as your fuiid of in-
formation. That is simple vanity and build-
ing upon a small capital, but my i)ursuit as a
druggist for twenty-five years, and a botanist
for nearly litty, .and a medical student for .six
years prior toentering the drug business, will
exonerate me of vain pretensions. I hoiie in
furnistiing these articles, for the benefit of
those interested, illustrated by wood cuts,
made by myself when in the drug business,
with a view of publishing a work on the sub-
ject, I never did, except in such fragmentary
productions. I should not have referred to
myself, only some certain medical aspirant
sneered at what he deemed a silly display of
medical knowledge on my part— this will
suffice.—/. Staiiffcr.
THE BALANCE OF TRADE.
To the Editor of ilie Lancaster Fanner: I
was highly interested in reading the a<ldress
of P. "S. "Reist, before the Agricultural and
Horticultural Society, in the January number
of The Faumek, and especially your note
appended to it, in which you intimate a doubt
whether the so-called " Balance of Trade" in
favor of this country is anything but a sceminti
.advantage, and whether, except "on paper,"
it is an evidence or sign of prosperity.
I incline to think that a fuller examination
of the subject will convince you that your
doubts are" not without good grounds, and
that neither cxperieiue nor sound reasoning
lends any support t<i the popular opinion that
whenever the exports of a country exceed its
imports, this is an evidence of its prosperity.
On the eoutrarv. not only our experience for
several years past, but the statistics of the
last half century or longer, I believe will show
unmistakably that the reverse is the fact, and
in years, or terms of years, of acknowledged
prosperity, our imports have uniformly ex-
ceeded our exports iu value, while in ye.ars or
terms of ruinous depression in business like
those we have just been passing through, the
exports are mostly greater than the imports.
And this rule holds true not only of our own
country but of Great Britain, and doubtless
24
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[February,
of all other nations having an extensive
foreign commerce. The reason for this is so
plain that it seems strange tliat it does not
strike every one who reflects but for a moment
on the subject. If a country in dealing with
others sends away property greater in value
than it receives back, is it not manifestly
worsted by the trade by the amount of the
difference ? But the advocates of the Balance
of Trade theory, as understood by Mr. Reist,
with perhaps a majority of our people, seems
to hold that the more we send abroad and the
less we get in return for it, the greater is our
gain !
Allow me to illustrate by a familiar example:
A Lancaster county miller, having an idea
that he can do better with his flour than by
selling it in Philadelphia, by way of experi-
ment sends a consignment of ten barrels of it
to Liverpool. It is worth in Philadelphia
$5.00 per barrel— $50 for the whole. At
Liverpool the consignee sells it for .160, and
according to his instructions, lays out the
money in fine salt, whicli costs $2.00 per sack.
He thus purchases thirty sacks of salt for the
860, and dispatches it by the next steamer to
Philadelphia, where on arrival it is sold at
$2.50 per sack, amounting to $75. In this
transaction, therefore, $50 were exported and
$75 imported. The miller has gained $25,
(less a small sum for freight, &c.,) and mani-
festly the country is that much richer ; while
according to the Balance of Trade theorists
the miller and the country have both been
doing a losing business !
But this is not all. Suppose that befo're
reaching Philadelphia the vessel is partially
wrecked and all but six sacks, worth $15, of
tlie salt is lost. The Custom House books
will then show in this venture, an export of
the value of $50, and an importation of only
$15. The miller would undoubtedly think he
had been doing an unfortunate and losing
business, but the believers in the Balarice of
Trade theory would stand ready to assure
him that however it might be with him, the
country was richer and in a more prosperous
condition than if he had landed liis salt safely
and made $25 instead of losing 835 by his
experiment in foreign commerce.
I admit that if the excess of exports over
imports goes to pay our debts previously con-
tracted abroad, that disposition of the Slirplus
may be quite as advantageous to the country,
and more so in the long run, than if its value
was brought home in the shape of foreign
merchandise ; for it is undoubtedly an advan-
tage to nations to pay their debts ; still this
is the same as paying for a dead horse, and as
it adds nothing to our present resources, can-
not conduce to present prosperitv.— J. P.,
Laiicastp; Feb. 1, 1879.
For The LANcAsTEit Faemeb.
MORE ABOUT CATTLE.
The farmers of Lancaster county possess all
the advantages necessary for the improvement
of their stock of cattle, or to raise, at
least, thoroughbred short-horns or Durhams,
through ordinary or cheap means. Thirty or
forty years ago it was very expensive to start
a herd of English Durhams, but things have
somewhat changed since then. Jacob Wiest,
of West Cocalico township, was probably the
best short-horn stock raiser in the county.
He obtained his first stock from a firm of
Durham importers, in New York State, and
])aid high prices for his stock to begin with.
He got a herd-book along with the stock, and
kept a regular systematic record of his opera-
tions in all their details, and became so fam-
ous as a thoroughbred stock raiser that in
turn he became a disposer of stock. He sold
three fine heifers to a noted Kentucky stock
raiser for $1,000 each, on delivery. Wm. L.
Peiper, near Lancaster city, has a well-stocked
farm of the best of Alderneys, and of the
purest blood in Pennsylvania. It is claimed
for them that they are the best milkers, both
for quantity and quality, with less petting
than the Durhams require, which are much
heavier, and, therefore, more valuable for beef
than the former. Several farmers in the
county, for instance, Mr. Getz, of East Hemp-
flold, and Mr. Steinmetz, of West Cocalico,
had the pure Devonshires, with a pure record
from the herd-book. For beauty they are an
ornament to any farm ; red in color with neat
horns; well set in their bodies, and yielding
much weight for their size. The .Jerseys and
Ayrshires have never been bred extensively
in this county to my knowledge. There are a
great many diflerent breeds of cattle in Ohio,
at least in name and color. They had a breed
some years ago, named the "Hall Cattle,"
probably originated by a man of that name.
The steers were rather high in the legs, round
in the body, straight in the back, and had
greater length of body than any other steer I
have ever seen, and could be made to weigh
as heavy as any other breed in existence. It
is not my object to unduly exalt any one par-
ticular breed, or to disparage another breed,
but to encourage stock raising in general— to
urge stock raisers to improve their present
stock, because I see so much i-oom for im-
provement. The most valuable improved
breeds come originally from Europe, and
sometimes at great expense. In the West it
was common to form combinations to pur-
chase and import some of the best foreign
stock, pay thousands of dollars for a single
animal. Sometimes agricultural societies
would purchase first-class stock, which would
be held by the members, jointly, for the pur-
pose of propagation, and through these means
they have now all over Ohio and Kentucky
the very best of stock ; and especially short-
horns and Durhams, are now held and sold at
ordinary prices. Whole car loads of bulls are
now brought to our eastern markets, and sold
at from 2^ to 3^ cents per pound as stakers.
Some could be picked out as breeders, almost
as good as those that cost $1,000 a piece
thirty years ago. I confess that improvement
is not necessarily within the reach of every
farmer, but it is within the reach of many,
and with very little additional expense ; but,
notwithstanding all this, we still persist in
raising and keeping a race of "mackerel-
backed" bulls and cows.— i. S. JR., Oregon,
February, 1879.
[In our early boyhood we knew of some
town cows that had the reputation of creep-
ing under fences and browsing on garden
truck, and also quenching their thirst at tlic
slop barrel, and then retiring in the same way,
but as a general thing our stock is better now,
although there is doubtless aljundant room for
im pro vement. —Ed. ]
For The Lancaster Farmek.
FIFTY YEARS AGO vs. THE PRESENT
DAY.
My father was a farmer, using wooden
teeth in the harrow, and sometimes the wheat
was plowed in ; but a shovel-harrow, as it
was called, was mostly used, then sowed by
hand and oftimes harrowed it in with a
lot of brush wood with the leaves on, drag-
ging it over the field until the grain was cov-
ered. The yield per acre was as large under
the crude system as at the present day, not-
withstanding the use of the grain drills and
other improvements. I am of the opinion
that grain sown by hand requires le.=s per
acre to produce an abundant yield at harvest
time, as it gives each stalk more room to
mature. Railroads were then unknown, and
commerce was carried on between the sea-
board cities and the inland towns with horses
and wagons. I have seen as many as twenty
consecutive teams on the pike loaded with
merchandise for Pittsburg, hence from Phila-
delphia. At night time the horses were tied
to a trough fastened to the tongue of the
wagon, which was very often frozen to the
ground by morning ; and the horses so cold
and stiff and nearly frozen by being exposed
without shelter or blankets 'that they could
stand on a tin plate, to use an expression
common to those days. From such treatment
and overloading the teams would oftimes
stall and be unable to get along, or to ascend
the first hill they came to, each team being a
fit case for the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals. These teams would take
loads of dry goods, molasses, &c., to Pitts-
burg, and bring on their return trip salt, &c.
Shippensburg was in those days an im-
portant town for wagonmaking, as was also
lioudon, beyond Chambersburg, which latter
was a place of exchange, as many goods were
taken thus far and then reshipped to Pittsburg
by other parties. The cost of transportation
from Philadelphia to Pittsburg was from three
to four dollars per cwt. , against twenty-five to
fifty cents per cwt. at the present day. Wheat
sold at one dollar per bushel ; oats twenty-five
cents and corn fifty cents per bushel. Land
sold at twenty to forty dollars per acre, against
two hundred dollars and more for the same
land now. The tax valuation of land was
then about twenty-five dollars per acre, and
the tax thereon at the rate of twenty-five cents
for every one hundred dollars valuation. At
the present time the tax valuation for the
same land is from one hundred to two hun-
dred dollars per acre, and the rate of taxation
twenty-five cents on every one hundred dol-
lars valuation. Then a cow cost from ten to
twenty dollars, and a horse from fifty to one
hundred dollars. Education was dispensed to
the country folk, during the winter, at a cost
for each pupil of two cents per diem ; those
that were unable to pay this amount the
county paid for. When the pupil was able to
do the sums in Pike's arithmetic, without a
key, he was a graduate. Geography was used
to teach reading then. Now, owing to the
many advantages we enjoy we are able to pay
fifteen cents on every hundred dollars valua-
tion school tax, and pay a superintendent fif-
teen hundred to twenty-five hundred dollars
annually for looking after the several school
districts in the county ; and a child of ten
or twelve years knows more than a man of
seventy, and can tell you what rivers flow into
the Gulf of Mexico ; and can tell you if a man
had one hundred sheep and lost three-fifths of
them, and found one-fifth, and sold two-fifths,
and bought four-fifths as many, how many he
then had. Common laborers received forty to
fifty cents per day ; haymakers and harvesters
sixty-two to seventy-five cents per day ; a
hired man on a farm $8.00 per mouth ; a hired
girl from $2.50 to $3.00 per month. Now a
well-educated man can make a living by being
idle nine days out of ten ; and if he can get
your name on a note or check, or persuade
you to endorse him, or take his note, if well-
written, you oftimes are a sadder and a wiser
man. I have a ease in point of a beautifully
written note that was never paid ; the payee
often remarking it was so very well written,
I had no idea that it would not be paid. In
those days nothing was known of a minister
of the gospel receiving $25,000 annually; or of
a bankrupt law which allowed debtors to pay
on;'-!ialC their liabilities, or less, and ever
alVrwiii-.l be released from the balance, thus
miiliiii;.' i li' 111 richer than ever before ; or of a
man's wile nwiiing everything after said man
had obtained all the credit possible and the
creditors wanted their money. Ten to twelve
per cent, interest per annum was then un-
known, three -and four to five per cent, per
annum being the current rates.
Nothing was then known of a man's son
having a horse that cost from $200 to $300,
and a buggy that cost from $300 to $400, har-
ness $50, and sleigh $125, and driving around
the country while his father was home driving
the work, and paying the bills contracted by
his son as they come in. The daughter away
at school, learning music, pap rhust get a
piano or org<an for sis ; don't let sis go in the
kitchen, her fingers will get too thick if she
works, and she cannot play well. She must
have a silk dress at $50 or $100. Nothing
was known of feeding cattle for market ; the
grain was all sold from the farm. Nor of
the raising tobacco, excepting that was raised
for the farmer's own use. Others had half an
acre to sell to segarmakers. No lime was
used as a fertilizer on land. In those days if
a man would have told the people that fifty
years hence millions of dollars' worth of to-
bacco would be sold in Lancaster county, and
1879.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
25
a man would travel from Philatlflpliia to
Pittsburg iu twelve hours, and would hv able
to communic'at<^ with kiiius and queens iu all
parts of the civilizi'il p;lolic in a few hours'
time, ho would have beiii voted a luiuilic and
treated aceordiugly ; or |)redicted the exteu-
sive use of ice, or the springing ii|i an hun-
dred tobacco warehouses in L:iue:isUT cDUutv
to handle the large crop tliat is annually raised
ill said county, reaching :!ii,fi(i() to •10,1)00
cases ; and segar manufactories that use from
60 to 100 cases per annum, each, and in the
aggregate consume S,000 to 10,000 cases in
the countv |)er annum, making it no incredi-
ble theorV that in a frw vears Lancaster
county will manufactun' all the tobacco it at
present raises, and send the same to all parts
of the world. IIow are we progressing ?—
Henry Kurtz.
For The r.ANCAfiTKn Farmki*.
FERTILIZERS AND FORMULAS.
The season is coming again when the ground
needs to be prepard for the summer croi)s,
and the farmer faces the question : Have I
enough manure, and if not, can I use fertili-
zers to advantage V
In December number of TnE Fahmeu a
number of formulas were given for the different
kinds of crops, which we will proceed to ex-
amine in such cases as would likely to be of
interest to the readers of thi.s journal. 'We
will have, however, to go over some old
ground flrst and see what the requirements of
plants are, so we may know what our manure
or fertilizer should coutain in order to be of
bcnellt in raising crops.
That plants may arrive to perfection it is
necessary that the'soil contains certain snb-
stiinces as materials for plant food, but wc
are interested only in those that may, from
cropping or other causes, become exhausted
or reduced below the amount necessary for
healthy and prolitablc plant growth. We
have, therefore, only to consider nitrogen,
potash, phosphoric acid, lime and sulphuric
acid.
The quantity of lime taken up by a crop, as
plant food, is very small, indeed. A crop of
20 bushels of wheat, and the straw, contains
less than nine pounds ; a ton of clover hay
about forty po\inds ; a ton of timothy hay
about nine pounds ; and a ton of tobacco
leaves, cured, about one hundred and twenty-
five pounds— less than two bushels. The
large quantities of lime usually applied are
not needed by the plant as plant-food, but is
intended to prejiare or make more available
other plant-foods that may be iu the soil, just
the same as when sulphuric acid is added to
bones. As lime only hastens what would, in
time occur naturally, we might say lime is
time, and as "time is money," so lime must
be money. Sulpliuric acid is taken up by the
j)lant in still smaller quantities than lime, and
is most elieaply supplied in the form of gyp-
sum, (sulphate of lime.) one linndred to two
liundred pounds of the ground article being
usually suHicient, and containing' more of the
acid than would be needed by the crops
grown for some years.
Both of the above sukstances, lime and sul-
phuric acid, are very easily washed out of the
soil, and it is more"for tliis than any other
reason that the application should be made at
short intervals, and in somewhat greater
quantities than the wauls of the plant would
seem to call for.
Potash and phosphoric acid generally re-
main in the soil until removed by the crops
taken off, and it is for this reason that tlieir
effect is to be seen for so much longer a time
than that of other applications. In all good
chemical fertilizers phosphoric acid is very
soluble, being readily dissolved by water;
contact with lime destroys this .solubility and
renders it inert as plant-food until, by some
chemical action in the soil the lime" enters
into some other combination, leaving the
phosphoric acid soluble as before. It is for
this purpose that "dissolved bones," "phos-
phates," Ac, should not be applied to land
recently limed, nor should lime be applied
until a few years after the application of such
fertilizer.
Nitrogen is useful to plants only in the form
of nitrates, such as nitrate of soda, potash,
&c. ; or as salts of ammonia, the ammonia
itself being a compound of nitrogen and
hydrogen. The only salts of ainnionia used
to anv extent is the snlphali' of annn.iuia.
Nitrogen should never be applied in greater
quantity than f(ir the needs of the crop to
which it is applied, as it is very liable to
escape from the soil into the air as free nitrogen.
Prof. Villo, of France, says that for wheat
only one-half as much nitro;;cn need b(^ ap-
plied as the cmii contains, that the iiniporli„n
needed by dilTcrent crops varies.lieing in clover,
peas and beans (leguminous iilants generally,)
only about one-sixteenth of the amount found
in the matured crop ; but that potash and
phosphoric acid should be aiiplied in some-
what greater (luanlities than the crop con-
tain.s. Thai the plants lak« \ip nitro^'cu from
the air, as advocated by Prof. Ville, is doubted
and denied by many of Cqually high authority;
and it is not our province to enter into the
merits of the case, but it is of interest for us
to know that they all state that nitrogen has
very little effect on clover, &c., and that the
eflects on the different crops does not corre-
spond with the amount of nitrogen contained
in such croi)s.
Knowing the needs of the idant, with re-
gard to kin<l and ainnunt, we should be able
in some measure t(i furui an intelligent idea
of the fitness of a certain formula for the croj)
intended. For this purpose we give two tables
below.
In table Ko. 1, is given the crop for which
the formula was made ; the increased yield, it
is assumed, the application will make ; cost
of ingredients in formula ; number of pounds
of nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid the
materials contain ; the last column gives the
increased yield in tons of straw, fodder or
offal— the value of which each must calculate
for himself, and deduct from the cost of the
application to find what will be the cost of the
wheat, &c. Extra labor from handling extra
crops must, of course, be considered.
In table No. 2 is given the number of pounds
of nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid con-
tained in the crops of table No. 1, and the
amount of nitrogen assumed by Prof. A^'ille as
needed for the growing crop. The calcula-
tion is, of course, made for everything, i. c,
grain, straw, &c.
Hy com])aring the column, "nitrogen,"
table Xo. 1, with that of " nitrogen assumed"
iu table Xo. 2, it will be seen that the amount
of nitrogen furnished by the formulas is
greatly in excess of what Prof. Ville claims
as needful. If convinced of the truth of these
claims, wc ciiuld verv nialeriallv riMluce the
(•cist.,flhesrrnrniuhisl,vlakiliL.'sMiallrr,pKinti-
thc
H
T?
a;
^
•<
o:g
CROrs.
la
1
&
n
1!
Wheat
20 bus.
$13 61
49.
?5
93
1«ton..
\)4 ••
30 "
13 95
3S
63
?3
O.ltfl
.SO "
ID 04
^}
■>■>
!■>
K.TO
20 "
1 ■■
Tobacco
moo lbs.
22 22
64
<»S
9^
PotatoCH
200 bus
15 76
49
T7
Tnroins
10 tons
19 fi-
5T
Fi4
23
flr.ssHay
2 ••
20 5S
23
Fod.ler— forn,.
10 "
Fod.ler-Eye...
3 "
M 73
34
45
Table No. i
•y. tz
■3
>3
II
CHOPS.
1
i ?
BBMARKB.
Wheal
20
35
,-
Ont.
15
27
24
11
25
91
Buckwheat
37
Tobacco
72
lotatoes
20
39
67
22
(Toi.« not in-
Turuim
3li
(-2
Ora«HH.,y
'J
83
78
2-i
line by inference
(In the green
Fod<i»r-R>e
26
33
u
By comparing the columns of "potash" and
"phosphoric acid" of the tables, it will be
seen that these amounts are, in most cases,
somewhat greater than in the formulas than
in the crops, and this is as it should be.
If the teachings of agricultural cheniists be
true that soda and magnesia are present in
comparatively inexhaustible quantities, the
sulphates of these miuht be omitted iu the
f.-nuulas ; and als., as the oil of vitriol (sul-
phuric acid) ii^cd iu re<luciiig the bones, and
the sul|ilmri( aiid containe<r in the sulphate
of aninionia fuinishes this acid in larger
(luantily than the crop needs, the land plaster
(gypsum) might also be omitted, there being
very few soils that would be benefited any by
the small quantity of lime contained in the
jilaster. Omilling the above would make a
further saving of ()."> cents to .?1.00 j.cr acre.
By laying aside dillerences of opinion as to
what is needed and what is not needed, and
taking the formulas as they are, purchasing
the materials from reliable parties, I believe
that they are decidedly better than the ma-
jority of "phosphates," "superphosphates"
and fertilizers with high-sounding and fancy
titles.
Farmers may wish to apply only one of the
elements of plant-tnod, but we are at a loss as
to what materials will furnish it at the lowest
price. For this purpose we give the prices of
the materials furnishing such elements :
Sulphate of ammouia, 25 per cent., - 4^4C. per Ih.
Nitrate of Bod.i, - - - . 4'^c. "
Dried blood, - - - - - 'Jc. "
Nitrate of potasli, 80 per cent., - 2c. "
.Sulphate of potash, 2.5 per cent., - 512 00 per Ion.
Dissolved boiie.s, - - . - 3.3 00 "
Ground bones, - - - - - 32 50 "
In theabove thenitrogen will cost 28ct8. per
pound in nitrate of soda ; 23 cents in sulphate
of ammonia ; and 183 cents in dried blood.
The pota.sh will cost 4.{ cents per pound in
sulphate of potash, and 4 cents in the muriate
The phosphoric will vary in price accord
ingly as we value the nitrogen contained in
the bones. Iu ground bones, if we value the
nitrogen at 2.'i ci'uts per punnd, then the phos-
phoric acid will cost only :i_l cents per pound :,
nitrogeu at 18^ cents woultl make the phos-
phoric acid 4cents. In dissolved bones, valuing
nitrogen as before, we woidd have the phos-
phoric acid 0} and 7j cents respectively.
In dissolved lii>nes the phosphoric acid come.s ^
somewhat hi;;lier, but it is in better .shape '
than when the bones are only ground, being
much iiore available to the wants of the
plant.— yl. B. K.
State Societies.
STATE FRUIT GROWERS' SOCIETY.
The twentieth annual meeting of the Penn-
sylvania Fruit Growers' .Society was calicd to
order at two o'clock on Wedne.cday afternoon,
January 18th, 187'.l, in Adier Hall, corner of
Sixth anil Court streets. Reading, by Hon.
Henry M. Kngle, of Marietta, Lancaster
county, A'ice President of the Association.
Vice President Enule. in taking the chair, ex-
pressed his regret that the President of the
society, .losiah Hoopes. of Westchester, Pa.,
was unavoidably absent in consequence of ill
health. He stated that as he was the only
Vice President present he would not .shrink
from the dutv devolving.' npf)U him.
Col. ,T. L. Slichter, in behalf of the Berks
County .Agricultural ami Horticultural So-
ciety, then delivered an address of welcome,
•as follows:
Mr. Prmidcnt and Gcntlcnten of the Pennsyl-
vania Fruit Grotrrrs^ Society:
In behalf of the Berks County Agricultural
and Ilorticulluial Society, I have the pleas-
ure to welcome you to the city of Heading,
and to assure you that this county has not
been unmindful of the importance of fruit
culture. In the eighteenth century the
26
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ February,
''Seeker' fear was plauted on her soil ; one of
these veteran trees stands on my grounds aud
bids fair to fruit for many days. The parent
tree of this world-i'enowued fruit stands on
what was once the farm of Lawrence Seckel,
below Philadelphia, and is still in a healthy
condition. Tlie "Heading" pear, of such
wide reputation, is a "seedling." The fol-
lowing twenty-seven are acknowledged native
varieties of apples of approved excellence of
which we may well be proud : Hiester, Keim,
Boas, Ilain, Ilousum's Red, Phillippi, Miller,
.Stehle, Krauser, Helper, Bear, Marks, Yost,
Hughes, Kelsey, Gewiss Goot, Ncversink,
Orange, Meister, C'liampacne, Bitter's Sweet,
Evening Party Leslier, 01ilinL,'ci-, lied Appli',
Staudt, Zieber. Under the iosLciiiit,- care of
the Berks County Agricultural and 'Horticul-
tural Soeiety over fifty thousand fruit trees—
Ihemajority peach— have been planted during
the last two years. How gratifying a reflec-
tion that soon our fruit productions in Penn-
sylvania will in a measure make up the loss
occasioned by the depression in mineral and
other interests. Anticipating much pleasure
and profit in attending this convention, I
again bid you a cordial welcome to this city
and county.
Vice President Engle replied briefly to the
address of welcome. He said that the hearti-
ness of the welcome required an equally hearty
response for wliich he did not have the Avords
to reply. He heartily accepted the welcome
and fully appreciated it. He said that the
society since its existence has been rather an
itinerant one, and has held its sessions in
diflerent sections of the State, not so much
fortheinstruition of others as to learn. They
expect also to make new members in the dif-
ferent places in which they meet, and hoped
to receive a considerable accession of new
members in Reading.
We are indebted to the Berlcs and Schuyl-
kill Journnl for a copy of these proceedings,
but regret that our space is too limited to
admit the whole in our columns, and therefore
the foUowiui; extracts must suflice for the
present. "Wc'will tr\-. li(i\vc\cr, to make room
forthecssavs i.f :m.'ssis. siitze! aud Satter-
thwaite. Tlie meeting itsclfnas well attended
and interesting, and the discussions brought
out many nseful things.
Charles H. Miller, Chairman of the Com-
mittee on Nominations, reported the follow-
ing oflicers : President, Josiah Hoopes, West
Chester ; Vice Presidents, Henry M. Engle,
Marietta; George D. Stilzel, Re'adini,'; .John
I. Carter, West Grove ; Kcr-.i.Hnu Sc-i-etary,
E. B. Engle, Marietta; ('.>i r(.-;ininliii- Secre-
tary, AV. P. Brinton. ClirisI iana ; Tivasurer,
George B. Thomas, West C^liester; Professor
of Botany, Thomas Median, Germantown ;
Professor of Entomology, S. ,s. Rathvon, Lan-
caster; Professor of Horticultural Chemistry,
S. B. Heiges, of York.
The President was authorized to cast the
ballot for the oflicers nominated by the com-
mittee, and they were elected by acclamation.
The society then, at 9:40 v. m., adjourned
to meet on the third Wednesday in January,
1880, in Bethlehem, Pa.
STATE MILLERS' ASSOCIATION.
The third .semi-annual meeting of the Penn-
sylvania State Millers' Association convened
in the large parlors of the Stevens House, on
Wednesday afternoon, January 14. The
President, Charles A. Nuuor, of Wilkes
Barre, called the meeting to order in a neat
speech, in which he welcomed the old mem-
bers and expres.sed his pleasure at seeing so
many strange faces present. He said Penn-
.sylvauia represented more milling capital than
any State in the Union, and it was to the
interest of all millers to stand firmly together
for mutual protection.
The Secretary, A. Z. Schoch, then read the
minutes of the last mccting'held in the Key-
stone House in Reading, at which there we're
70 members present, representmg nearly every
county east of the Alleghenies, and at which
meeting 20 new members were added to the
membership.
The following old members answered to
their names at call of roll : John McFarland,
Watsontown; N. C. Ereck & Co., Millers-
liurg; J. M. Thomas d- Co., Wilkes Barre;
Hancock, Grier&Co., Wilkes Barre; Schoch
Bros., Selins Grove; C- Bruckhart, Chambers-
burg; J. II. Geary, Cattawissa; P. A. & S.
Small, York; T. Wright, Kingston; Jacob F.
Newman, Bedford; J. B. FLsher, Penn Hall;
Geo. F. Seitz, Glen Rock; F. W. Gantz, Maii-
ctta; Krieder, Campbell & Co., Philadelpliia;
Strickler & Keller, Lancaster; Reuben Gar-
ber&Son, Salun^a; Jacob V/alter, Eastou;
D. L. Hamaker, East Hempfiekl; A. N. AVolf,
Allentown; Samuel Young, Marlekirlc (V);
Benj. Wi.ssler, Lincoln; P.^B. Bucher, Clay
E. L. Rogers & C:o., Pliiladelphia; I). ,V- A.
Luckenland, Bethlehem ; Aaron Yocum,
Reading.
After the calling of the roll the Secretary
read his report ; also the report of the Trea-
surer, whicli was adopted.
The new members were then added to the
roll— E. K. Bollinger, Glen Rock; Charles II.
Piatt, Avondale; Gotleib Mayer, Middletown;
Eph. Bollinger, Sell's Station; J. M. Brandt,
Mt. Joy; Nath. Sellers, Philadelphia; Wm.
W. Snyder, Landisburg, Perry county; Wm.
Pyle & Sons, Bryn Mawr ; S. M." Miller,
Reftou; Wade Wilson, New ]5righton; Sam'l
M. Ihua, Harrisburg; Peters & Allen, Phila-
delphia; C. (i. Weuger, AVest Earl; .John S.
Gingrich, Petersburg; John P. Sager, Lemon
Place; Forney, AVist & Co., Hanover; John
Ilofler, Harri-sburg; Noble & Son, AVilliams-
port; Arnold Miller, Reading; Levan & Sons,
Lancaster,- Isaac Ranck, Lancaster; John AV.
E.shleman, Lancaster: Stauffer, Stevens;
John Musselman, AVheatland Mills; Steacy &
Co., Columbia.
Mr. Small moved a vote of thanks be extend-
ed to President Miner and Secretary Schoch,
and that they be re-elected to the positions they
had filled with so much credit aud ability.
]5otli the President and Secretary earnestly
requested that others be elected to fill their
places, and the former reciprocated the com-
pliment paid liim by Mr. Small, by nominating
him for President," but the latter positively
declined, and the entire sentiment of the
meeting seemed to be so strongly in favor of
retaining these gentlemen in these positions,
that tliey were unanimously re-elected, though
under protest of vote by both of them, Mr.
Small putting the motion to the meeting.
Mr. Miner briefly returned thanks lor the
honor done him, but Secretary Schoch's speech
was very brief. He said, "Gentlemen, I
canuot say that I thank you."
The Next Place of Meeting,
Bellefimte, Harrisburg, Lewisburg, Bedford
and Chambersburg were placed in nomina-
tion, and there was considerable discussion on
the subject. Finally, all the towns named
but Bedford were withdrawn, and Altoona
was added, and the contest thus narrowed to
the two places, was, on a vote being taken,
decided in favor of the latter.
The President announced the standing com-
mittees for the ensuing year as follows:
Patents.— AV. Latimer Small, York; Jacob
AValter, Easton; Nathan Sellers, Tamaqua;
L. Hamaker, East Hempfleld; Geo. M. Cress-
well, Petersburg.
Intiurance.--Wm. P. Duncan, Phillipsburg;
John AV. Eshleman, Lancaster; B. F. Isen-
burg, Huntingdon; E. F. Noble, AViliiams-
port ; J. Z. Eby, Manheim. I
Transportation.—lS,. A. Hancock, AVilkes- \
Barre; A. C. Freck, Millersburg; M. M. Stein, I
Pottsville; E. G. Steacy, Columbia. I
Mill Machinery and Processes. — Thomas
AVright, Kingston; C. Burkhart, Chambers- '
burg; Frank Hays, Lock Haven; D. O. Luck- i
enbauch, Bethlehem; LB. Fisher, Penn Hall.
Grain for 3Iillin(j.—S. L. Levan, Lancaster;
I. M. Thomas, AVilkes-Barre; A. M. Garber,
Salunga; J. F. Newman, Bedford; A. B.
Sprenkel, AVrightsville.
Oradinij and Inspection.— John Iloffer, Har-
risburg; S. Z. Ilarbecker, AVilliamson; John
P. Sager, Leuape; L. AV. Pyle, Bryn Mawr;
C. Heebner, Non-istown.
Selections.
THE GRAIN AND FRUIT CROPS OF 1878.
The report of the Department of Agricul-
ture for December, just issued, shows the
following condition of crops :
The Corn Crop.
The corn season closed with a marked im-
provement in the condition of tlic crop. The
average, as found by the June returns, shows
no material change, being in round numbers
51,0(10,000 acres in 1878, and 50,300,000 acres
in 1S77. Compared with 1877, the South
Atlantic States show a falling off in produc-
tion ; the Gulf States increased slightly. The
States of Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and
Kansas— four of the largest producing States-
decline considerably, while all the other
States north of the Ohio river, and in the
northwest, make a decided increase, thus
making the aggregate crop for 1878 larger
than that of 1877 some 30,000,000 bushels.
This result is the more remarkable as it is the
fourth of an unbroken series of large crops.
The Oats Crop
is somewhat in excess of the very large crop
of 1S77, constituting it the largest crop ever
raised in this country. The Atlantic slope,
north of the Chesapeake, showed a decline,
especially in the large oats-producing region
of the Middle States. The Southern coast
States, from North Carolina to Texas, uni-
formly increase their product, but the South-
ern inland States, as a whole, fell off. The
AV'est, Northwest and Pacific States showed a
marked increase. The Teiritories also indi- -
cate an enlarged product. The minimum
quality appears in the neighborhood of Chesa-
peake Baj% though portions of the Northwest
also note a marked deficiency of weight and
other merchantable qualities.
There is no material change in
The Barley Crop
for 1876 compared with 1877, except the great
product of California, which will be double
that of its predecessor. The total product for
the year 1878 will be, in round numbers, 48,-
000,000, while in 1877 the crop was 34,500,000
bushels.
The Rye Crop
turns out about one-sixth larger than in 1877.
The total yield amounted to nearly (30,000,000
bashels. The quality of the crop is below the
average in New J-higland, except Connecti-
cut, aud above (lie average in all the Middle
States except Delaware. The crop of the
South, on the whole, is inferior, while in all
the States of the AVcst, Northwest aud Pacific
slope tlie ([uality is superior, except in Illinois
and Nebraska.
There is a large decline in the
Potato Crop
this year as compared with 1877. The leading
complaint was tlie extreme heat, which es-
pecially affected the late plantings. In some
places it was coni'iineil with drought, and in
others with exeessivi- m-iisl iire, causing rot.
The aveia-e yi.'lil ni (he whole country will
be 09 bushels ]ier aei'e. against 94 bushels in
1877, thus making a total product, in round
numbers, of 124,000,000 bushels for 1878,
against 170,000,000 iii 1877.
The Hay Crop
is 20 per cent, greater than last year.
Sorghum
is receiving increased attention, especially in
the trans-Mississippi States and Territories,
where the results of the year's culture are
noted by different correspondents as very satis-
factory. In the West the Minnesota amber
cane has produced the most satisfactory re-
sults. In Stearns county, Minn., this variety
is reported as yielding as high as .'iOO gallons
of syrup per acre. Helaware county, Iowa,
manufaetui-ed lod.ddo gallons of sorghum
syrup during the year and found a steady
home demand for the whole.
1879.]
The Tobacco Crop
of 1878 lias been secured under exceptionally
auspicious condilions of weather, the liriglit
days of S(>|itc>iiil)or favorins tlic icrowlli, while
the unusual (l.'l;iv cif seven' I'rn-i cnalileil tiie
plant to nuilnre tlioroMiihlv Ixlnre the knife
is applied. Of llie UviH'. I'nHlueiuu' States,
A'irsinia, Maryland, Conneetieut and .Mas.<;i-
cluiselts report an improvement in iiualitv.
Twelve Slates, repre.'^entin}; the bulk of the
total production of the eoimliw re|iiiil the
production compared with I i '. r I..1-
lows : Kentucky, GO ; Virgim:! , \li mri,
r>0 ; Tennessee, 53 ; Ohio, '.'n : M i \ lini, s) ;
Indiana, 83 ; North Carolina, s'.i; I'ennsyl-
vania, 80 ; Illinois, fiO ; Connecticut, 8(5 ;
Massachusetts, 9."). The conditions of
Fruit Growth
during 1878 were <piite unfavorable. The
prape product of the Atlantic slope and Missis-
sippi Valley was very nineh reduced. Califor-
nia, however, reports a i;i-e;i(ly increased yield.
The apple crop shows an increased vield'in all
of the Xew Enqtle.nd Slates, Xi'W York,
Texas and the Paeilic States. In all other
States it shows a falling olf, Missouri report-
ing less than half of last year's crop.
AMMONIA IN THE AIR.
Dr. 1{. Anqrus Smith, who has done so much
for the chemistry of the air, lately read before
the Manchester Literary and Philosophical
Society a paper on the distribution of am-
monia, in which he describes the simplest
method yet proposed for determining the
amount of ammonia in the air. And, since
such ammonia may be taken as an index of
the amount of decayed mailer in any locality,
the hygienic inipurtanee of an ea.sy test for it
is not small. The availability of the proposed
test arises i'roni the circumstance that ammo-
nia is deposited from the air on every object
exposed thereto. " It you pick up a stone in
a city, and wash off the matter on its surface,
you will lin<l the matter to contain ammonia.
If you wash a eliair or a table or anything in
a room, you will lind ammonia in the wash-
ing. If you wash your hands you will fiud
the same, and your paper, your pen, your
tablecloth, and clothes all show ammonia, and
even the glass cover to an (UMiament has re-
tained some on its surface." In .short, am-
monia sticks to everytbiuL.', and can l)e readily
wa.shed off with pure water. Hence Dr. Smith
inferred that he might ~avc him-^rir nuicii of
the trouble he had been t ikiuLr in l;ilH,iious
washings of air to deleimine tlie iucmucc of
ammonia, and gain the desired end by testing
the superlicial deposits of ainnuinia wbicli
gathers on clean substances during ordinary
exposure. Accordingly be suspended sm.ail
glass flasks in various parts of his laboratory
and examined them daily, washing the outer
surfaces with pure water, and testing at once
for ammonia with the Xes.sler solution. Sub-
seipiently a great many observations were
made by" means of glasses exiio,sed to air in
door and out, where the air was foul. By
using glasses of definite size it was easy to
determine whetherammonia in the air was or
was not in e.xcess. In his laboratory experi-
ments in ammonia was observed when the
glasses had been exposed au hour and a half.
Of the practical working of the test Dr.
Smith remarks that it musi not be forgotten
that the annnonia may be connected with or-
ganic matter ; and c(iiise<pieidly this mode of
inquiry is better suitid as a negative test to
show that ammonia is absent than to show
what is present. When ammonia is absent
wc may be sure that the air is not polluted
by decaying matter; when it is present
there is need of caution. Dr. Smith adds that
he hopes to make Ibis a ready popular test for
air, a test for sewer gasses, tor overcrowding,
for cleanliness of habitations, and even of fur-
niture, as well as for smoke and all the sources
of ammonia. Of course it must be used with
consideration and the conclusions must not be
drawn by an ignorant person.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
27
Our Local Organizations.
Tlic Lancaster ('mimy Ai;rIciiUurul ami Horticul-
tural Society met en Mondiiy nfleriioon, February Uil,
in its room in llio C'ily Hall, and was called to order
by President t'o()])cr. The following members were
l)resent : Calvin Cooper, President, Hird-in-IIand ;
.Jos. V. Witnicr, Secretary, Paradise; Levi W. tirolf,
Treasurer, West Karl ; Dr. S. 8. Kathvoo, city ;
lleurv .M. Kngle, .Marietta; M. D. Kendlp, Manor ;
Levi S. Heist, Manljcini ; Peter S. Relst, LItiz; C. L.
Ilunseckcr, Manluitn ; W. H. Brosius, Drumoro;
». Sineycli, city; C. M. IIoBtctter, Eden; Henry
Kurtz, Mount Joy; W. J. Kain-olli, West Earl; 1.
L. Laudis, Manheim ; Choc Ciir|Hiilor, city; .1. M.
Johnston, city; Casper llillor, CoucsloKa; Jacob
Bollinjicr, Manhcim ; Hcnrv llcrr, Wctl Henipfield ;
Geo. Mellvaino, ,S;ilisl>urv'; F.pli. 11. Hoover, Man-
hcim; F. K. Dillcndcrllor, cilv ; Jotinson Miller,
Warwick; S. H. Kslikni.in. Lcainan Place.
Rev. J. Calder's Lecture on Agriculture.
As announced by Henry M. Englc, at the last
meeting, Kev. James Calder, of the Pennsylvania
State College, situated at State College, Centre
county, was present and ready to deliver an address.
Tlie rules were suspended and he was invited to
begin his lecture, of which the following is a brief
sketch ;
He used the word agriculture in a comprehensive
sense, embracing the farm, market garden, fruit
growing, horticulture and slocli growing. Agricul-
ture is a foundation industry and was man's first
labor. In every new country it is the first employ-
ment for man. Manufacturing nations depend on
agricultural ones, as England on America, India, etc.
Agriculture is the best employment in whieh to lay
the foundation of a substantial fortune, and In en-
larging on this point, the lecturer called special atten-
tion to the advantages of earning money instead of
inheriting it. When a boy earns a dollar by his own
labor he knows its cost and its worth. Give another
ten thousand dollars and unacquainted witli the
labor of earning it he spends it rapidly because he
knows not what it costs. Agriculture is peculiarly
free from risks. In many places our richest men
have all been overwhelmed. In the lumber tra''e,
the oil trade, everything is at a stuml-still. It is dif-
ferent with the farmer. He ton has iisl<s, but com-
pared with other profcssiuns liis risks are almost
nothing.
His business is comparatively free from the tempta-
tions that assail nearly all others. All professions
have their chastisements ; tliey are for our own good,
but the trade of the farmer is comparatively exempt.
In Germany farmers live on small patches, and are
therefore brought together ofteuer than our farmers
are. Here our farmers own their lands, live on them
and are to some extent isolated, being thus not sub-
jected to so many temptations as other men. Farm-
ing brings men nearer their Maker. They see him
in the nature around them every hour, and are thus
brought into nearer communion with him.
Intensive Farming. '
Lancaster county farmers are peculiar. Their
farms are large but are well cultivated. In many
parts of the State men own large csiulcs, liumlrcds
of acres, but cultivate only a small iM.ni.ui. Tliey
skim and skim over it and do not iiiiicn.l luliivalion
in its higlier sense. Farmers ought le take no more
land than they can manage, but cultivate a little and
do it right. Countries that are densely populated
like China, have farms that are like our gardens.
Here a man may own 300 or HUO acres but he can
manage on by a small part of it.
In Cliina, it is warmer than here, the climate being
about equal to that of Mobile. There they put wheat
in the ground in November and take it oil' in .March.
Then the rainy season conies, and they plant rice
which th -y cut in August. After the rice crop they
plant garden vegetables which are fully grown in
November, and are gathered In time to allow the
wheat to be planted. Thus they raise three crops in
one year. Of tourso the climate is warmer, and this
gives tbcm an advantage, bat a greater advantage is
their method of fertilization. They utilize every
scrap of manure procurable. Every animal that
dies, ashes and even then the night soil, which is
nearly all wasted in this country, is used, and the re-
sult is that the crops almost jump, tlicy grow so
rapidly. Their fertilization is of the most intensive
kind imaginable. There a man with a small piece of
ground can make money and plenty of it.
Now, in this country we are too prodigal, too care-
less of the manure pile. In Minnesota he met a man
who tliought manure was a nuisance, and was glad
astiiaiii ran by his farm into which he could throw
it. He » ill learn his mistake soon enough and be
glad to utilize all the valuable manure he now
wastes. The intensive farmer is the man who cares
for every bit of fertilizer and uses it to advantage.
Another advantage of intensive farming is that
farms become divided up into small sections and
thus more men are enabled to become freeholders
and independent. What tends more to drive Inde-
pendence out of a man than to feel that his neighbor
is rich and will ri main so, while he will never be-
come independent I On the other hand, how is he
inspired if he feels that In ten years he can owji a
piece of ground. Now, the intensive system docs
this, and is therefore the best. In tlie South some
men owned whole counties, so to speak, while the
great m.ajority of the rest were mere mudsills. Wc
should endeavor to divide the ground up so that
every man could own properly.
The Location of Farms— A Home Market.
Experience has shown that It is belter for agricul-
ture to be near other interests : that It is belter for
the farmer to be near the manufacturer and the
common carrier near to railroads and canals, VVe
all know that the divine injuuclinn that It Is not
good for man to be alone, referred to his choosing a
male for life, but it applies equally In the all'airs of
business life. It is better for him to haVc other
business men near him. It is jKiBsihle for a man to
have a good farm, with everything on it necessary
for the use of the former ami yet to be unhappy.
Why? Because he is so far from his fellows that he
cannot have his products carried to them at a profit
to him. Years ago it was cheaper to burn corn In
the West than to transport the coal needed to make
fires. Just so with the farmer who is so unwise as
to think that he can farm with profit while the con-
sumer is lijOOO miles off in Europe. The heaviest por-
tion of the freight charges arc sure to fall upon the
producer. The nearer you bring the consumer and
the producer, tlic better for the latter.
One advantage of this can easily be pointed out ;
a greater variety of crops can be raised. Wheat and
corn and potatoes can be kept for such a length of
time that they can be shipped for long distances.
But farmers make large protits from the growing of
strawberries, which are largely consumed. Now, if
a man lives a great distance' from the market the
culture of strawberries is not profitable. They are
ruined before he can get them to the market, and he
is shut out from these kinds of products.
Another advantage from these products is the va-
riety of interest to the farmer's family. Suppose
one of his sons is peculiarly adapted to the care of
stock, and cares for no other branch of the farm. If
his father decides that no stock but what Is neces-
sary for farm use shall be raised his occupation is
gone. Another is adapted to the work of raising
fruit, but tliey are so far away from the market that
it is of no use to raise it. That boy has no work.
Don't put all your eggs In one basket. Don't raise
only one crop.
Then, in growing for a home market, the farmer
better understands what is wanted than for a foreign
market. Suppose we try to raise here what is wanted
in Europe. We only know how to shape our actions
by the reports of newspapers, which are often false.
But at home we know exactly what is wanted and
can raise it witliout danger or loss. Then, how easy
it is to reach this market. We send our hands off in
a wairon, and in a few hours the sales are made and
the rcVcipls secure.
Another important feature in producing for the
home market is, that it secures a greater variety of
fertilizers. If we send wheat to England what re-
turn do we get ? If we sell it at home we get a fer-
tilizer in return.
Educated Farmers.
Intelligence is necessary in farming. A great
many think that if there is any place for an unedu-
cated man it is on the farm. If any son is peculiarly
stupid, the father resolves to make him a farmer.
This is a mistake ; a slander. If any man intends to
be a farmer he should be Intelligent. He is the best
farmer who is best educated. Yet at the same time
wc must recognize the unwelcome truth that the
majority of farmers are not well educated. This i.s
easily explained in Ihs fact that farmers live out
from among their fellows, and consequently do not
have advantages of schooling. The most of the
country schools upon which the children of farmers
must depend for their education are poor ones.
Sometimes there are forty or fifty scholars and almost
as many classes with one teacher. Though that
teacher do the best she can, she cannot possibly
advance her pupils perceptibly lu the short term
allowed. And after four or five years of such school-
ing, the children are taken away. The farmer is not
to blame, it is rather a matter of sorrow.
Now the farmer who has received an education,
and knows something about the rotation of crops.
ments I Take the limo question, and the lecturer
told how an old farmer argueil for two days that
lime is a manure, but could not be made to under-
stand that it only prepared the plant food for the
plants. At length he was convinced by a simple
Illustration. He was shown a stove, and foo<I. If
he was hungry he could cat the food after it had
been cooked, but he could not eat the stove or the
raw food.
Instruction can be gained by the perusal of agri-
cultural papers, by close attention to discussions at
meetings like this, and the farmer will be able to
28
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ February,
keep abreast with the times. Therefore the farmer
who refuses to allow his sods to be educated is acting
unwisely if not unkindly.
In conclusion, he advised the farmer to stick to
his farming and to love it. To be enterprising and
strive to improve his methods.
On motion of Henry M. Engle, a vote of thanks
was tendered to the lecturer.
Mr. Kendig asked if the lecturer would advise the
application of lime and manure at the same time,
and received a negative answer.
Mr. Linville d tiered with the lecturer in regard to
the education of farmers. Education does not cease
when ihe school is abandoned. No class has a better
chance than the farmer for self-education. The long
winters are profitably spent by some, and he don't
see why it could not be done by all.
The Fair Question.
The report of the committee appointed to con-
sider the question of holding a fair was called for,
but Mr. Smeych stated that none had been prepared,
tb the comittee had not met at the appointed time.
For his part, he had come to the conclusion that
nothing but an indoor fair could be held. The
Northern Market would be a good place, and it should
last three days.
Mr. Kendig stated, thatas Berks county has always
had successful fairs, he had written to the secretary
of the Berks County Agricultural Society, Cyrus D.
Fox, in relation thereto, and had received a letter
from that gentleman, which he read. The letter
warmly advocated fairs as being to the interest of
farmers, and said their fairs had advanced the agri-
cultural interests in Berks county.
Mr. Engle, in his travels, had made inquiries in
relation to fairs, and found that the Berks and York
fairs were both successful. There was probably a
little loss, but they were called successes. But before
talking further about fairs he wished to know how
the society was to get grounds to hold a fair. All
know that they have no grounds, and hence must
rent. It is not at all certain that the Park grounds
can be procured— in fact it is rather doubtful. If
they are notprocuralile the fair is out of the question.
Not that the farmers of Lancaster county are not
rich enough to buy grounds, but they won't do it. A
fair could be held in the Northern Market House,
but it would be a small affair for the garden county
of the State in comparison to those held by York
and Berks.
Johnson Miller had sent in a communication,
which was read. He thought it was a shame that
no large fair had been held since 18.58, excepting the
State fair, and that might have been better. This
fair should be a grand one. He advocated the use
ofthe Market House.
Mr. Calder thought that to hear of a little experi-
ence a party of men in Centre county had would in-
struct the society. They wanted to execute a work
that would cost ?1 ,000 and thought they had better
be incorporated. They made application for a char-
ter, asking permission to issue ?1,000 worth of stock
and their expenses were not more than §20. They
put the stock at five dollars per share, and in a very
short time it was all taken. The merchants here, no
doubt, would subscribe the money needed if they
understood that the farmers wanted to have a fair.
Mr. Witmer told of the experience of the Berks
AgricuUural Society as related by a member. In
the first place they secured grounds for the nominal
sum of ?1 a year for 99 years. Then they sold life
tickets for $10 each and raised money to erect build-
ings, etc. It had occurcd to the speaker that a
vacant place near the city could be secured the same
way. But it is not necessary that the fair be held in
Lancaster ; if some of the boroughs otfer better
inducements, they ought to be accepted.
Mr. Kurtz knew of a number of hotel keepers
who would give §50 to $100 if a fair were held in
this city, as they could make five times that amount
from it.
Mr. Witmer thought it would not do to sell too
much stock in the city. If merchants got a majority
of the stock they would run the fair to suit them-
selves and leave the farmers out in the cold.
Mr. Engle moved that the society hold a fair next
fall, and his motion was unanimously carried.
Charter Wanted.
President Cooper suggested that, in order to carry
out Mr. Engle's motion, the society should procure a
charter and permission to sell stock, and by that
means raise money.
A motion was made that the society apply for a
charter, which was carried.
The Amount of Stock.
The next question was the amount of stock they
desired to issue, and on motion of Mr. Engle ?3,000
was fixed upon.
Mr. Kurtz moved that the shares be fixed at ?.5.
Agreed to.
Profit of Raising Fowls.
The secretary read a report on a year's experiment
with fowls, prepared by Casper Hiller. (Seepage 20.)
Mr. Calder said he liked the report very much. He
believed chickens should have a place into which
they could be turned, and it would be an advantage
to turn them into an orchard. His plan, as his ac- I
comraodations are limited, is to keep the chickens in
the yard from the first of May until the latter part
of October, when he let them run through the or-
chard, strawberry patch, vineyard, etc. That was a
very encouraging report. Though not large there
was yet a net income.
Mr. Witmer reported, as directed, that the Poultry
Association asked the co-operation of the Agricul-
tural Society.
The Curculio.
Mr. Reist introduced the subject of insects, and
stated, as his opinion, that the borer and others in-
creased in numbers as the forests decreased.
Mr. Engle stated that he had recently discovered
that the forest is the homo of the curculio. He and
a friend had planned an apple and peach orchard on
the river hills, on ground surrounded by trees, and
was surprised at the numbers of this insect which
attacked the trees. But afterwards he learned, from
Dr. Rathvon, that the forest was the home of the
curculio, and he had taken trees right to them.
Grapes.
Mr. Smeych exhibited some bunches of Almiera
grapes, and related his experience ingrowing foreign
grapes of all kinds, which agents said would grow
here as well as in their native'eountries. This is not
true, as he could prove, and the proper place for
such men was in jail.
Bills.
A bill for coal, §2.25, another for carrying it up
stairs, .50 cents, and a third of $10 for Mr. Calder's
expenses were presented and ordered to be paid.
Prize Essays.
Mr. Engle thought more prize essays should be
written, and volunteered to write one. Messrs.
Kurtz and Brosius also ofl'ered to do so, the essays to
be ready by next month.
Mr. Calder was proposed and unanimously elected
an honorary member, and thanked the society for
the honor conferred. Adjourned.
TOBACCO GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.
Monday afternoon, January 20th, was the regular
time for holding the meeting of the Tobacco Growers'
Association. It was understood at the last meeting
that the present one would determine whether the
society should be continued or be finally disbanded.
Under these circumstances it was hoped and believed
that there would be a good attendance, but the same
disappointment that has so long been the portion of
the few who have regularly met and attempted to
keep alive some interest in the meetings of the organi-
zation was again theirs.
Only eight members and visitors were present,
namely: M. D. Kendig, President, Manor; Peter S.
Reist, Litiz; Sylvester Kennedy, Salisbury; A. H.
Yeager, East Lampeter ; Linnaeus Reist, JManheim ;
Clare Carpenter, Lancaster ; Frank R. Diffenderffer,
Lancaster ; Jacob Kendig, Silver Spring.
In consequence of the slim attendance it was not
thought necessary to go through the formality of
calling the society to order, but Peter S. Reist, who
had prepared an essay on the culture of tobacco, pro-
ceeded to read it. See page 19.
After the teading of the essay those present in-
dulged in trade gossip awhile longer, and also can-
vassed the propriety of continuing the meetings. The
conclusion reached was that during the past so
little interest has been shown by tobacco growers in
these monthly gatherings that it seemed useless for
the few who still clung to the organization to en-
deavor to keep it up any longer. The association was
not finally disbanded, but it was understood that
probably one more meeting held, at the the Presi-
dent's call, would end EO much of the Tobacco Grow-
ers' Association as still held together.
This, therefore, may be regarded as the winding
up of an organization which has been of vast benefit
to the tobacco growing interests of this county.
Among its members were the most successful grow-
ers of the weed among us. The amount of informa-
tion disseminated among our farmers on tobacco cul-
ture can he seen in the advanced condition tobacco
growing now holds in Lancaster county. The dis-
cussions were always interesting and profitable, and
the tobacco growers have done themselves little
credit in permitting it to go down.
During the brief period of twenty-five years to-
bacco growing has assumed enormous proportions in
this county. The amount of money it brings to our
farmers exceeds that they receive for their wheat
crop, reaching in favorable seasons the enormous
sum of two millions of dollars or more. It has been
said, and truthfully, that the culture of tobacco has
done more to put the farmers of this county in their
present strong financial condition than any other
crop they have grown. Hundreds of men have paid
off heavy incumbrances, and others have gained
comfortable homes for themselves through this crop.
It has, in short, enriched the county to an extent few
are aware of, and yet yesterday's proceedings show
that there is not enough Interest among'tobacco
farmers to keep the society especially devoted to the
advancement of this great and growing crop from
disbanding. We are not proud of the record our
Lancaster county farmers have made for themselves
in this matter. I
POULTRY ASSOCIATION.
The Poultry Association met on Monday morning,
February 3rd, at the usual time, in the oid Athens-
um rooms, in the City Hall. President Tobias called
the meeting to order, with the following members
and visitors present : Rev. D. C. Tobias, Litiz ; Frank
B. Buch, Litiz ; W. J. Kafroth, West Earl ; John A.
Reed, city ; Joseph F. Witmer, Paradise ; J. A. Buch,
Litiz; II. H. Tshudy, Litiz; Chas. E. Long, city ; J.
C. Linville, Salisbury; J. M. Johnston, city; F. R.
Diffenderfl'er, city; Clare Carpenter, city; J. B.
Lichty, city; Charles Lippold, city ; Colin Cameron,
Brickerville, A. H. Shreiner, Manheim ; Harrj
Hirsh, city; John C. Burrowes, city ; D. M. Brosey,
Manheim ; T. D. Martin, New Haven ; John B. Eshle-
mau, Ephrata ; N. M. Hahn, Manheim ; Eli J. Barr,
Litiz; Hon. Amos H. Mylin, West Lampeter;
John S. Rohrer, city; Simon P. Eby, city; Charles
White, city; William Dean, city: Samuel Hess,
city; Christian Rine, city ; Jacob M. Mayer, Man-
heim; Silas M. Warfel, Strasburg ; Christian Lint-
ner. Manor; Henry Nissley, Columbia; John S.
Hostetter, Oregon ; Hon. John B. Livingston, city;
William Bishop, Strasburg, and S. Matt. Fridy,
Mountville, were unanimously elected memberi of
the!
ety.
Charles E. Long moved that postal cards be sent
to each of these men just elected notifying them of
their election, and that all moneys be paid to J. B.
Lichty, at his oflice in Centre Square, or at the next
meeting. Carried.
On motion, a committee of three, Charles E. Long,
F. R. DifTenderffer and John A. Reed, was appointed
to ascertain the probable cost of having the Consti-
tution and By-Laws of the society published.
The rules were suspended to allow the election of
John C. Linville, Gap, as a member.
H. H. Tshudy moved that a committee of three
members, who are also members of the Agricultural
and Horticultural Society, be appointed to bring this
association to the attention of that society, asking
them to encourage it by becoming members, etc.
The motion was carried, and John C. Linville, W. J.
Katfrotli and J. F. Witmer were appointed.
H. H. Tshudy, chairman of the Executive Com-
mittee, presented two bills, one from the iVew Era
olHce for printing postal cards, 75 cents, and the
other from J. B.' Lichty for postage, $1.20. Both
were referred to be paid.
Colin Cameron proposed the following questions
for discussion at the next meeting :
" What is a rapid cure for chicken cholera?" Re-
ferred to Charles E. Long.
" Will chickens do well on board floors, without
sunlight ?" Referred to John A. Reed.
"What is the farmer's best barnyard fowl?"
Referred to 11. H. Tshudy.
"What must bens that are confined absolutely
have in order that they may produce eggs?" Re-
ferred to Kcv. D. C.Tobias.
Jos. F. Wilmcr suggested that it would be well if
at each meeting questions were chosen for discussion
at the next meeJng, and moved that a committee be
appointed to whom this duty shall be assigned. The
motion was carried, and the committee will be an-
nounced at Ihe next meeting.
Adjourned.
WARWICK FARMERS' CLUB.
A meeting of citizens of Warwick township was
held at the house of John Grossman, of said town-
ship, for the purpose of organizing a Local Farmers'
Club. Jfcmtiers present, Urias Carpenter, Jacob
Bollinger, .John Iluber, Henry Hubcr, Isaac George,
Michael Behraer, Peter Volleiizer, Johu Grossman,
Aar .n Grcsinan, Moses Grossman, Mrs. Carpenter
and Mrs. (linesman. The meetingwas organized by
electing l'iia.s Carpenter President, and Jacob
On taking the chair Mn. Carpenter stated the
object of the meeting, and added that farmers liave
less jirotection than any other class of men ; that we
proposed to meet for the pur,,ose of exchanging
ideas on matters relating to our interests and making
agricultural experiments. He spoke at some length
upon the importance of such associations as we de-
sired to organize, and the benefits derived from tliem.
Mr. Huber, of Litiz, spoke of the good efi'ects of
farmers' clubs in other localities, and that wc were
behind our sister counties in that respect.
Mr. Grossman said that millers, tobacco specula-
tors and other business men have their society meet-
ings, and why should not also the farmers have their
local club meetings ?
Mr. Grossman read a lengthy essay on orchards,
and also one on fence-making on the farm. (See
pages 18 and 20.) A vote of thanks was passed to
Mr. G. for his interesting and instructive essays.
Mr. Huber and others made remarks on the essays.
After the close of the discussion it was proposed to
meet at the house of John Grossman, of Warwick
township, at 1 o'clock p. m., on Saturday, February
Ist, 1879. All farmers and those interested in .agri-
culture are respectfully invited to attend.
After some social, neighborly intercourse the club
adjourned.
I
1879;
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
29
FULTON FARMERS' CLUB.
The January moclinir of tin? Fultmi Farmers' Club
was held at the roei.Un . -r M-n ;::i.iii Urown, on
thellhinet. VisitorB i i ■ .lion, Haines
Brown and wife, ami I ! i I wife.
CharlesS. Catchel rx) i ,. n ;. I. • t>r Nevada
rye; also a piece of ici- uiktii ijiini uir a bucket ol'
water that had frozen in his kililien. It had a tri-
angular column about five inches lu^h and each
about an inch long, risini; perpendicularly from the
surface. As this was formed by water in the bucket it
was considered quite a curicsity.
E. H. Haines jjave the result of an experiment in
setting milk. lie weighed some milk and put it in
tight cans and set it out of doors, so that the cold
would raise the cream. At the same time he set the
same number of pounds in the ordinary manner.
Kaeh mode of setting produced one pound of butter to
twenty pouuds of milk. The butter made from the
milk set in the cold was pronounced to be better than
that made in the ordinary way by the salesman in
Philadelphia. This agreed with his own opinion.
The result of his experiment had convinced him that
the new methods of Cooley and Hardin would pro-
duce as much butter as the methods now in use, and
it would be a superior article.
Wm. King asked whether it would bo advisable to
haul out and spread manure when theground is frozen!
It was the opinion of all pr-sent that it was not
advisable, because the water that would leach
through it in time of rain would be likely to run off.
Instead of being absorbed by the ground. A visitor,
however, stated that he tried it with good results.
Montillion Brown had a lightning rod that was
broken; would it be sale to splice with an old rod
and wrap with copper wire? Most of the members
thought it would be, if spliced with copper and
smoothly wrapped.
S. L. Gregg; How do fertilizers pay when applied
to oats ?
E. H. Haines : They will pay as well as any other
crop, hut there is a danger of applying too much.
Oats will not stand high manuring.
Montillion Brown had tried it two years and
thought it paid. He had good oats both years,
though they were poor seasons. Other members had
no experience.
TTaines Brown : Would it not pay as well to leave
corn stock ground lie idle as to put it in oats ?
S. L. Gregg had tried the plan and was not pleased
with it. He plowed the ground before harvest to
keep down the weeds, but they came up notwith-
standing and gave him much trouble. His neighbor,
George .Miller, left his last summer and did not plow
until after harvest, when theweedshad to be mowed.
They were four feet high. His wheat is now looking
well.
E. H. Haines would cultivate and sow in clover
rather than let the ground lie idle.
Ed Stubbs would put in oats. Had seen clover
sowed In stock eround. It made such a rank growth
that it was a big job to put in wheat in the fall.
Lindley King would keep the ground clean by
putting it in oats.
Montillion Brown ; When is the best time to pack
butter for winter use ?
R. B. Gatchel packed thirty pounds in a week in
June, churncdevery day, salted with seven ounces of
salt to ten pounds of butter. Put half inch of salt
between each churning and a layer of salt over top
of all.
Esther K. Haines has eaten some this winter that
had kept well. It had been put up in nearly the
same way, only that holes had been made down
through it with a stick, and brine, with salpetre in
it, poured over it and a cloth put down tightly over
the top.
Montillion Brown : When is the proper time to sow
early cabbage and tomato seed ?
From the last of February to the middle of March
was the time recommended by some ; but most of
the members purchased their plants for early use.
Montillion Brown : How old should a clover sod
be to produce the best crop when plowed down.
Lindley King : About two years ; that is about as
long as clover'sod will last.
Chas. S. Gatchel referred to some clover roots that
he had exhibited to the club some time ago. Those
of one year old had the most small fibres attached
to them. Judging from this fact he supposed that
the best time to plow duwn clover was atone yearold.
S. L. Gregg and Montillion Brown thought that at
two years old would be the proper time to plow
down. At that time the roots are as long and as
strong as ever they would be ; after that time It
begun to die out and other grass takes its place.
Edward Stubbs asked if the committee appointed
to experiment in raising corn thought it paid to raise
a hundred bushels per acre.
Montillion Brown replied that the single crop did
not, but that the soil is left better. For" his part he
considered the experiment a failure, and its result a
disgrace to the club. He was not satisHed with it
and was going to try it again, and he hoped that the
others would do so also.
The thermometer was not far enougli above zero
for the club to spend much time in making the usual
inspection of farm and live stock. However, the
greater part of them ventured out and took a hasty
look at the stock in the barnyard and hog-pen. The
criticisms given aller again convening in the house
were as follows : Hogs of extra quality and in fine
condition. Cattle not as good as they were a year
ago. The President remai-ked that the cattle on the
farm a year ago were an extra lot, and that It would
be hard to keep up a stock equal to it.
literary exercises being next in order, E. H. Haines
read an article on pruning grape vines.-
Esther K. Haines read •' Brain Work," an article
contending that a man has no more right to have an
idle brain than an idle body. That when the brain
gets to work nicely you feel the effects all over.
Those who do not command respect have themselves
to blame for it.
Carrie Blackburn recited the "Power of Truth,"
very nicely. Howard Brown recited " That Mule,"
a parody on " The boy stood on the burning deck."
Ella Brown recited "The Highway Cow," a
humorous piece not much too highly painted, de-
scribing the rough life of that animal, her hide
bruised with stones and her tail torn off by dogs.
She often loads thedeacon into temptation by leaping
into his enclosures ;ind at last " goes to pieces all at
once, struck by a railway train." Such a cow has
but little pleasure in life and cannot be profitable to
Isaac Brown recited " Dried Apple Pies;" Montil-
lion Brown read au essay in opposition to the culture
of tobacco; Sadie Brown, C. S. Gatcliel and Hetty
Jackson were appointed to furnish the literary mat-
ter for the next meeting.
Adjourned to meet at the residence of Solomon L.
Gregg, Drumore township, 1st of February next.
LINNiEAN SOCIETY.
The Linnoean Society held its stated meeting on
To the Ornithological department was added two
fine and desirable specimens, mounted in good taste
by Mr. Flick; one a beautifully full-foaihercd
" Sparrow Hawk," a true Falcou (the Falco Spar-
verius) . This bird was after our city sparrows.no
doubt, and lived sumptuously ; but being captured
without injury to the bird, three weeks ago, on North
Queen street. Dr. Rathvon took him home and con-
fined him in a cage, and desiring to study the bird
and its habits, interviewed him with bits of fresh
veal and beef; but no temptation would induce him
to eat, and so for four days he kept sullen, and, no
doubt, as Mr. S. said, " he made way for liberty and
died." The other donation, from Mr. Lippold, the
bird fancier, of East Orange street, is one of those
short-billed white pigeons, called the " White Owl
Pigeon." It has not the cravat of the African owl
pigeon, figured and described by Darwin.
A large water-washed pebble, with a bunch of the
nodular coarse sea-weed clinging to it, from the coast
of Ireland, was donated by Andrew Walters, tin-
smith of North Queen street. It differs very little, if
any, from the common nodular i^'wcws, found along
the coast of Jersey or Delaware bay. A box of
thirteen cocoons of our native silk-worm moth — At-
tacHs cecrvpia — aud a few of the polyphemus, were
donated by Mr. , of York, Pa. Dr. Kathvon
deposited a small silver carp. Enjoying a tank, it
made a frisky leap, and like a fish out of water,
" came to grief." Mr. Wm. Relne donated a pair of
duck's wings— of a species of small Divers.
A singular deviation in the normal growth of a
tobacco leaf pressed and preserved in form, by S. S.
Rathvon. This had an interruption to its cell, form-
ing tissues around the mid-rib, retarding some and
accellerating other cells, so as »o result in a hoUoiv
stipe or foot, the stalk arising from that point a few
inches, then dilating into a cup-shaped leaf, forming
a regular pocket of the ordinary leaf texture, the
mid-rib of this extra leaf, finally elongating into a
point, giving the one side of the cup a projecting or
extended portion, forming the ordinarv apex of the
leaf.
Historical Division.
Eight envelopes, containing 10-1 scraus of history,
biography, etc., per S. S. Rathvon. C". M. Stubbs,
M. D., of Wakefield P. 0., Chester county, sent
several sets of photographic prints (taken in a mas-
terly manner) of the "Bald Friars" sculptured rocks
in the Susquehanna livcr, I'.j miles south of the
Maryland line. A vote of thanks was given for
these interesting views.
Papers|Read.
No. 511, S. S. Rathvon on the Falcon or Sparrow-
Hawk.
Additions to the Library.
Quarterly report of the Pennsylvania Board of
Agriculture, September, October and November,
IhTS ; annual report of the comptroller of the cur-
rency, Forty-fifth Congress U. S.; L.vxcaster
FAtiMER for the month of January, 1879 ; a circular
and letter Irom "The Kentucky Historical Society,"
Lexington, Ky., desiring the friendly interchange of
publications, etc., with the Linniean. The society ae-
kuowledged the friendly offer and will cordially do
all to establish such relations with kindred societies.
Publications on the curious customs of the aborigi-
nes, by W. J. Hoffman; the r.ihrarian, of Philadel-
phia, for January 7, 1879 ; Sunday book circulars
and hclcotypc printing. A letter lo the correspond-
ing secretary, Kev. D. II. Gclssinger, was read. .J.
Stauifer made some remarks on a new aphid that
has lately made its appearance on a species of exotic
Afelepia. These arc of a bright yellow color. The
abdominal horns arc short and black, so Is the tip of
the ovipositor and sucking apparatus, as also the
tarsi, only one winged specimen seen. The nervures
weie like those that infest vats occasionally ; also
rather light In color, but need closerlnvestlgatlon. A
bill of the taxldermisl for 8J..50 for mounting the
birds reported was ordered to be paid. The treasurer
reported that .lohn 1. llartman and .John II. Raum-
gardner had each taken a certifleate of stock and
paid ?.5 per share. Adjourned.
Agriculture.
The Greatest of all Grains.
Not over one person in a million could correctly
answer the query, "Which of all the grains is the
most largely produced ?" The response invariably
would be, " Wheat." But this is not so. Rice car-
ries off the palm. The annual pioduct of the rice
crop in the United States Is grown in the Carollnas
and Louisiana mainly, and is said to average eighty
millions of pounds. The vast populations of China,
the East Indies and the islands adjacent, according
to the latest estimates, exceed eight hundred mil-
lions of souls. With more than half of this number
rice constitutes the only article of diet. The total
product of the East last year was a little over two
huudred and fifty billions (2.50,000,000,000) of
pounds, which is over three thousand times the
r/uantily r/rown in the United Stales. This amount is
nearly all consumed within their own territories.
The portion shipped to Europe and South America,
though large, is, as compared to the huge product,
but a small item, being less than one per cent.
The Late Summer Seeding of Grass.
Some of the best farmers in this country have fol-
lowed the practice, for some years, of turning over
pieces of their mowing fields that are somewhat run
out ; spreading on a top-dressing of well rotten
manure, and the last of August or first of September
— as the season may be — seeding heavily with grass
seed. In all instances of this kind of which we have
heard, heavy crops of hay have been harvested the
following year, and the plan has uniformly met with
success. If farmers desire to do so, aud are willing
to try the experiment, they may sow on some winter
wheat with the grass seed, and see how It does.
They may harvest a fair crop, but in some instances
of which we have learned, the grass has overshadowed
the wheat, which latter had given but a light yield.
But for the purpose of securing advantage of the
main point— the renovation of our grass lands— the
plan is worthy of more general practice.— /"rairie
The Ruta Baga.
The Purple Top Yellow Ruta Baga or " Swede," is
perhaps the most important root cultivated for stock
food; its rapid maturity, large bulk to a given area,
nutritious quality, and sanitary properties commend
it as eminently worthy of culture.
It has become a practice in the sale of Ruta Bags
seed to create varieties; and In an English catalogue
before us there are not less than twenty-one sorts
enumerated : the distinctions In a majority of cases
are ideal. Last year we tested, slue by side, twenty-
two sorts, so called, Imported for the purpose.
Many were of irregular form. In some of them the
purple tint of the crown was more marked than In
others; some were green topped, some of deeper
yellow flesh, but the general aspect was similar, as
they stood in the ground. — Landreth's liur. Jieg.
Corn in Drills.
A New Jersey paper nays that ninety years ago It
was regarded as a settled point that corn in drills
gave a larger product than in hills, but that now,
after much discussion, it remains unsettled. This
remark would not be made by any one who has in-
formed himself on the subject. We have thoroughly
tested this question by measuring the results and find
almost uniformly an increase of ^.5 to ^0 per cent,
with drill corn over hills — provided the proper dis-
tance is given for the plants. It would be easy to
obtain a diminished amount from the drills if too
thinly planted ; or ears of an inferior quality. If much
too thick. John Johnson informs us that after long
experience he arrives at results precisely similar to
those we have mentioned. — IJountry Genlleinan.
Webds need constantly to be looked after and
taken by the foretop. Remember that every weed
that is allowed to go to seed this year will be re-
placed by hundreds and thousands next year. " One
year's seeding" of weeds is said lo produce " fifteen
years of weeding^," and it is not far from the truth.
30
Horticulture.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
Buy Your Trees at Home.
As the seasou for planting trees is almost liere we
desire to call the attention of our readers to one fact
in regard to it ; that is, the buying of the trees. We
have in Lancaster county several nurseries. The
proprietors of them are all personally known to us.
They are honest, reliable men, who have been in the
business for years and have a thorough knowledge of
everything pertaining to nurseries. They know that
a man who purchases trees from them once is very
likely to do so again. It is to their interests to sell
him young, vigorous trees, and trees that will give
satisfaction when they arrive at a bearing condition.
They also take particular pains to represent them
just as they are when an order is given to them by
mail, or when the purchaser is not at the nursery.
Evrey tree they sell is an advertisement. If it is all
that a man expects it is a good advertisement ; if, on
the other hand, it does not turn out as was repre-
sented, is smaller, a mistake in the kind, an un-
healthy tree, it is a bad advertisement and not a de-
sirable one. If these misrepresentations were made
by any ef our home nurserymen, for the purpose of
making a sale, they would gradually lose their trade.
Nearly every season our county is visited by several
tree agents, representing some far off nursery, and
they generally succeed in selling thousands of dollars
worth of trees to our farmers. It is not often they
sell two lots of trees to the same party, as in the
majority of the cases, when the deliveries of the trees
are made a great deal of dissatisfaction is expressed
by the purchasers. We do not mean, in our article
to cast reflections on the honesty of all nurserymen
outside of Lancaster county. There are good men
engaged in the business all over our country, and no
risk would be run in dealing direct with them, but we
think it is much safer for our farmers to deal with
home dealers than with agents. If any of them have
not the stock on hand you desire they would gladly
order for you from any one who would have it. It
would not cost the buyer more, and be more satisfac-
tory. Again, if the money is given to the home trade
it stays in the county instead of leaving it. So, in
conclusion, we would again repeat, that if you 'in-
tend planting trees this coming spring buy from our
home nurserymen, men whom you know and who
will do all they are able to do to give you complete
done this oft^en with the happiest results. The fruit
buds form after this, and the operation in suddenly
cutting off its growth, produces buds; while he
wood.'' °'' ^"^^ 'P""° P'""'"^ "■'" P''°^"'^« °°iy
In pruning ornamental trees in mid-summer the
bark instead of receding from the stump, trows
over It, and in a few years will completely cover it
and make a perfect amputation. We have noticed
this upon our own premises, as well as upon those of
?i "•'' ?l"^ ^'T^- T"' P'-"'""^ 's lone when the
tree is taking its midsummer "siesta," and then
'?»h'° h^' ^'^T''^'! f""- another start, and the bark
fh.hhf V^ f •''"' """ "'^ '^"""P "^ "■ ashamed of the
snaoby looking exposure.
When the tree is in full leaf, and presents its full
should be done in order that while the overgrowth
n-eir" '^"'T'^' "',« symmetry of the tree may be
preferred. Especially is midsummer pruning to be
preferred, first, to produce buds on fruit-b=carin|
tiees as before stated ; and second, when large limbs
are to be remoyed.-Genmu.lowu Teleiiraph
Winter Peaches.
It sounds strange in Northern ears to hear of
peaches ripening the first of November. The editor
oUhe Gardeners' Monthly, in the November number
of that excellent periodical, speaks of specimens of
Harris' Winter, Lady Parham, and Baldwin's La"e
peaches (all free stone), just received from a North
Carolina correspondent. The Harris is described as
a new peach that last year ripened November 1st.
(This year it will last until December.) It is frost
proof, never fails to bear, has large flowers, is very
roductive, and a good keeper, having sometime!
been kept until Christmas. Why can not Southern
orchardists make fortunes at growing these late
peaches for the Northern markets? It seems to us
Southern peach orchards in this way mav become as
profitable as Florida orange groves."^ Thl peach ha
greatly the advantage in that it comes into bearing
much earlier than the oranpc. "cauug
[February,
petunia
Floriculture.
satisfaction.
The Albemarle Apples.
The Savannah iVcKis says : Mr. D. G. Purse has re-
ceived froin a friend, at Culpepper Court House,
.'^■.T' *'"\'-'-el of the celebrated Albemarle apples
noted for their delicious flavor and for the historica
reputation they enjoy.
When Hon Andrew Stephenson was Minister to
Eng and under the administration of President
\^cnH,-n '"''''!' ^^ P^<"';"'«J Her Majesty, Queen
Victoria, with a barrel of these apples, wh ch are
grown eoly in Albemarle county, Virginia. Her
Majesty was so much pleased with the fruit, and so
much enjoyed their peculiarly delicious flavor, that
she had an act of Parliament passed admitting the
Albemarle apples into Great Britain forever there-
alter Irce of duty.
We learn that since then large quantities of them
are shipped to England every year from the county
,L^ T'V'- '""'.^'''^ ^'S'^'y P"^^'! a°tl command
country to England upon which no duty is paid.
Those of .Mr. Purse's friends who have sampled some
of tiie lot he received express no surprise that Eng-
and s Queen should have been so well pleased with
them, as their flavor is certainly delicious. They are
of medium size and firm. ^
Pruning Fruit and Ornamental Trees.
We read a great deal about the proper time of
S!;r?»"f ir'^"' """^ fiP'^^^'ly the apple tree. Some
prefer fall, some mid-winter, some early spring • but
scarcely one recommends the very best time in our
humble opinion-mid.summer. Doubtless some old
logics will open their eyes and hold up their hands at
such an innovation and denounce it as an absurdity •
but we think we will be sustained by a majority of
the "live" men of the day. J J ^
If we desire to improve the form of a fruit tree and
get rid of some of the superfluous wood, we should
prune m winter; but if we desire fruit and a per-
fectly healed stump, we should prune from the
fifteenth of June to the twentieth of July. We have
Growing Ivy in Rooms.
Ivy will succeed better in our warm, dry rooms
than any other plant, and all that is needed to make
it at ractive is the exercise of a little ingenuity in the
appliances for its home. A vase, n?t necessarily
costly by any means, will answer a good purpose ■
and this reminds us of an excellent idea that we
lately noticed in a foreign periodical for growinn- this
very plant. Long shoots of the ivy were procured,
with the young and tender aerial roots very abun-
tben. T''%'"^«^ ends were wrapped in moss, and
then some five or six of these were lightly tijd to-
gether at the bottom and placed in the vase Fill
the hnff 'f"'"" ^ *■"•", i"^"""' "*■ ^^^ '°P' ^^^ suspend
the ball of moss within. The roots will soon com
mence to grow, and afterward the moss should not
quite reach the water, as the roots will extend down
into it, and prove all sufficient. So many different
varieties of ivy are now in cultivation, thatbv select
ing kinds that will form a decided contrast in shape
and color, the^ effect will be sensibly heightened.
The centre of the vase may be filled with cut flowers
or grasses, or nothing would look better than ferns
The ivy may be allowed to hang down over the sides
of the vase in graceful festoons, or else be trained
and placed over and around the window It will
.".?ȣ'?"' ''"h' ^' """,' '" strong light as when partly
shaded, as the ivy loves shade and an even cool
atmosphere. It can be planted in tubs and trained
up a stairway, thus forming a mass of green foliage
from the hall below to the floor above. A covenieut
way to grow a small ivy is to fill a small fish globe
with clean ram water, putting in the bottom lome
tiny shells and gay-eolored stones for ornament-
S^f^ K° '■„''* ^ *"P ?J P'""'"'" '^y- ""<' suspend the
globe by three small brass chains, which may be
bought at any hardware store. This may hang from
the window cornice or from the centre of the chande-
lier, or in any other place where the light is not too
strong. By filling up with fresh water as fast as it
evaporates, you may sustain the life of an ivy through
t Iree'rt"" "''f ' ^° '■^P'^uishing the water add
three drops of ammonia to it.— (?. A. T. in Ohio
s^een V}"" P''*^"',"'' arrangements for plants we have
''troj.rs geraniums, pinks,
asand oUier plants, all as
bp"lh,uvJ' f °"'" '" =',.S''^-"i-l'ouse. They should
watered sparingly every second day. On very 'cold
niguto newspapers may be placed between the win-
dow and the plants, to protect them from frost.
Flowers for the Table.
Set flowers on your table-a whole nosegay if you
can get >t, or but two or three, or a single" flower-a
rose, a pink a daisy, and you have something on
your table that reminds you of God's creation, and
oives-vou a link with the poets that done it most honor.
flowers on the morning table are esneciallv snitpfl
to them. They look like the happy wakeniiil of the
creation ; they bring the perfunre'^^of the breath of
nature into your room ; they seem the very repre-
sentative and embodiment of the very smile of vour
home, the graces of good morrow ; proofs that some
intellectual beauties are in ourselves or those about
us, some Aurora (if we are so lucky as to have such
a companion), helping to strew our life with sweet-
ness, or in ourselves some masculine wilderness not
unworthy to possess such a companion or unlikely to
gam her. — Lenjh Uiinl.
Smilax.
Smilax is an exceedingly graceful vine, with
glossy, green leaves, and is now more extensively
used than any other plant for decorating parlors, the
hair, and for trimming dresses.
With a little care it can be grown successsfully as
a house plant. The vine does not require the full sun,
but will grow well in a partially shaded situation. It
can be trained on a small thread across the window
or around the pictures. It is grown from both seeds
and bulbs. Pot the bulbs-as soon as received, water-
ing but little until you see signs of growth Thev
grow very rapidly, and should always have strings
to twine on. Give plenty of fresh air, but be careful
and not let a direct draught of cold air blow upon
the vine, as they are very tender when young Give
' arm place and they will amply repay allcare.
them a
Growing Fuschias in Baskets.
May is a good time to put young fuschias into
baskets, to obtain a good display late in summer and
throughout the autu.nu. Varieties of slender habits
aie best adapted for the purpose, and if the slioots be
kept persistently slopped the plants will f,„ ,u dense
bushes, which will co^er the sides and bottom of the
basket, and when suspended from the roof of the
green-house or conservatory, laden with bloom, they
will form striking objects. The flowers, indeed, are
shown oil to belter advantage in this ivay than when
tlie plants arc grown in | ots and trained in a pyra-
midal section. Good, rich loam, plenty of water and
timely attention to stopping the shoots, so as to ob-
tain a dense, pendulous habit at first, are all the
plants require to liring them to a high state of per-
fection.
Flower Pots.
Save the tin fruit cans and convert them into taste-
ful flower pots in the following manner ■ With a can
(jpener cut off any rough or projectii.g portions of
wn! Jt"' r°f- '^ °'""''°'^ '■'°' t° P™J<^ct inward.
^y.th a pair of pliers, or a small hammer, bend this
iim down. This gives firmness to the top of the can.
Punch three or four small holes through the bottom
of the can. Then paint it with varnish made of gum
sliel ac dissolved in alcohol, and colored with lamp-
^n?.^ ^ T,,^ ""'" ^'^"°"' °<='""''' '° ff'^-e a dark brown
H?„^"rJ, i'M^^yJ^'^ ornamented by pasting on
them little medallion figures or pictures. Thev are
handsomer than the ordinary flower pots, require
less watering, and keep the plants free from all
insects, owing to the presence of iron rust in the can
Ampelopsis Vietchii.
The common Virginia Creeper is one of the most
beautiful and best known of ornamental vines, and
its habit of clinging of its own accord to walls and
trees renders it particularly us.ful in oruaraenlal (^ar
dening. But it is questionable wjifiher the .Japan
species A. Vietehii is not a rival to it. It will not, of
course, replace it, for each will have lovers of its o'wn
for some purpose or other, but slill without any
special comparison, it is intrinsically beautiful. We
are moved to these remarks by a photograph of the
dwelling house of Mayor Conover, of "Geneva, the
walls of which are covered by this vine. It must be
a beautiful sight when really seen, for the stereoscopic
view alone is particularly attractive.— r/if Gardeners^'
Monthly.
Window Plants.
Were we required to furnish a list often plants for
window culture during winter our choice would be
as follows : Rose geranium, zouale geranium varie-
gated gerainiim, (Mrs. Pollock,! fuchsia, heliotrope,
ivy aeraiiiums, tradescantia,
egouia rex. We can hardly
iiLsh this list, which offers
ol :j hardy nature, a thrifty
learanec, vet we would de-
indering Je
many var
nd plea
lums, the ole-
sire to add many, as the double gc
ander, panicura variegatum, cyeli „ „^„
rose, etc. Towards spring the collection should be
' ■ Scien-
FoK the winter all flower borders should have a
good covering of stable manure. In the spring the
long stuff should be raked off, and the rest forked in.
It will not only protect the roots against all inju'-y
during the winter, but the plants \vill appear in the
spring greatly improved, and the flowers ivill be
much more abundant and prove of much higher and
greater beauty.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
Si
Domestic Economy.
Evening's Milk Richest.
1 1 is subject has now been put to tlic test of chemi-
, , I aiialvsis, and the result is tliiil the evening's mill;
i> iHuiultobe the richer. Piof. Bocdekcr analyzed
I li. milk of a healthy cow at different periods of the
A IV The professor found that the solids of tlie eve-
iin, 'fimilk (thirteen per cent.); exceeding of the
nini; (ten percent.), while the water conlaincd
.• Iluid was diminished from eifrhty-nino per cent.
i-lify-six per cent. The fatty matter f^radually
liases as the day progresses. In the morning it
iiiiiiiunts to two and one-quarter per cent., at noon
three and one-half per cent., and in the evening five
and three quarters per cent. The practical imijortance
of this discovery is at once apparent ; it develops the
fiif t that while sixteen ounces of morning's milk
« ill yield but one-half ounce of butter, about doubU
t iir quantity can be obtained from the evening's milk.
I 111- casein is also increased in the evening's milk
liMin I wo and one-quarter to two and three-quarters
1« 1- cent., but the albumen is diminished from 44-
liiiiths per cent, to Sl-lOOths per cent. Sugar is least
alundant at midnight (four and one-quarter per
iriit.) and most plentiful at noon (four and tlircc-
i|u:uters per cent). The percentage of the salt un-
d. r-oes almost no chanire at any time of the day.
What Is Castile Soap?
\ subscriber wishes to know how this differs from
Mtlirr soap. The hard soaps made in this country
an- almost exclusively from animal fats ; in the south
.1 iMiiiipp, where the olive grows abundantly, the
, ,. 1 liimls .'I uHm' oil are used for soap-making.
I MMiiiinii ^.la|l^ air sciila and auinial fat ; Caxtile soap
i. , iia and \c-riaiilr ciil. In making Castile soap,
LT 111 rare is takm lo avoid an excess of alkali (the
hr,ila)oiily just enough being used to neutralize the oil.
( III this account the soap is much milder, and maybe
\isrd on wounds and other surfaces where common
map would irritate and give pain. The mottled ap-
prarauee of Castile soap is due to a small quantity of
solution of copperas (sulphate of iron) which is
stirred into it before it hardens ; this leaves a bluish
..xide of iron in the soap which, when exposed to the
air, becomes changed to red-oxide. White Castile
snap is also sold, which is the same as the other,
without the coloring. Though called Castile, it is
in no means exclusively made in Spain, the largest
sliare coming from the south of France, and indeed
it is :;fiicially kiinKii in Europe as Marseilles soap. —
- -•- -- -
Water-Proof Boots.
It is not always desirable that boots should be
atisolutfly water-proof, as whatever keeps water out
•lioevcr has \yorn India-rubber
of time, knows that retaining
llir |iiMsi'iraiiiiii 01 ilie feet soon puts them in a very
imiilrasant, half par-lioiled condition that is not de-
siialilo. Still, walcr-proof boots are useful in an
I iiicrgcncy, to be worn for a short time— as in doing
llie chores in bad weather. A pair of good rubber
liodts yvill answer this purpose, or a pair of common
I iiwhide boots may be made yvater-proof after the
niithod of the New England fishermen. These
I pie, exposed to all weathers, have for a century
iis.d the following compound : Tallow, 4 oz. ; rosin
and lieeswax, 1 oz. each ; melt together, then stir in
ii.'atsfoot oil, equal in bulk to the melted articles.
riie boots are warmed before a fire and this com-
|iiisition is rubbed into the leather, soles and uppers,
l.v means of a rag. Two applications will make the
Irather quite water-proof.— ytmcficfiH AurknUnnxt
U'l- February 1.
Ammonia in the Household.
The pantry shelves arc getting grimy, or finger-
marks around the door-latches and knobs are looking
dark and unsightly. For lack of time they are left
day after day, for it is hard work to scour all the
time, and it jvears off the paint, too. Now, suppose
the wife has her bottle of spirits of ammonia to use ;
she takes a basin of water and a clean cloth, just
puts on a few drops of the fluid snd wipes olf all the
dirt; it is worth more than a half day's labor, and
does not hurt the paint cither. HM could put a few
drops iu her dishyyater, and see how easily the dishes
could be cleaned ; a few drops on a sponge yvould
clean all the windows in the sitting room, making
them shine like crystal. It would take the stains off
the teaspoons, and a tcaspoonful in the mop-pail
yvould do more in washing up the kitchen floor than
ten pounds of elbow grease applied to the mop-
handle. A housewife has just as much right to make
her work easy and expeditious as her husband has.
If she does not do it the fault is her own in a great
measure.
To Preserve Potatoes from the Rot.
Dustovcrthe Hoorof the bin with lime, then putiu
a few layers of potatoes, and dust the whole once
niore with lime, adopting the same plan over again.
L se one bushel of lime to fifty of potatoes. The lime
kills the fungi which causes the rot.
L-p it 1
Household Recipes.
Live Stock.
Eauaciie.— Cotton wool, yvet with camphor, or
paregoric and sweet oil, hot, and the ear bandaged,
will give relief.
To Baick EudS.— Butter a dish, break the eggs,
pour in pepper, salt and butter ; bake iu a slow oven
until yvell set. Serve hot.
Frosted Fket.— Frosted feet may be cured as
follows : White oak bark, taken fresh and boiled in
water to a strong liquor. Bathe the feet in the
li(luor. It is pronounced the best of all remedies.
A .STICK of black sealing yvax and one of red dis-
solved in two ounces of spirits of wine make an ex-
cellent color for wicker baskets or other small arti-
cles of the kind. .Lay it on yvith a small brush.
CuANBERHiits.— To keep these berries whole while
stewing, prick each one with a pin ; lay them in
sugar over night, and cook very slowly. They cook
much nicer in this yvay than when stcyved all to
pieces.
tiiNGKU Cookies.— One cup of molasses, one cup
of sugar, one cup of butter or lard, three eggs, two
teaspoonsful of saleratus, dissolved in a little hot
water, five cups of flour, one tablespoonful of ginger
mixed with molasses.
Sweet Omelet.— Beat four eggs very lightly, add
a little salt and one spoonful brown sugar ; pour all
into a hot buttered fry pan ; when well set lay in
two spoonfuls raspberry jam, cook one minute, roll
up and dish it, sprinkling well yvilh powdered sugar.
This is a very delicate and rich dessert.
Tapioca Ckeam.— Soak three large tablespoonfuls
of tapioca over night in one pint of yyater, the next
morning add one quart of milk and boil ; a little
salt, four eggs, one cup of sugar; flavor with lemon
or vanilla; beat yvhitc of eggs to a stiff froth, and
brown in shape of eggs ; put on the top of pudding
yvhen it is cold.
To Lessen Friction for Furniture.— Black
lead is excellent to lessen friction between two pieces
of work. The sides and rests of desks or bureau
drawers may be made to move easily by spreading
common stove-blacking evenly with a cloth or the
finger over their surfaces. Time and patience may
thus be saved.
The Sleep fob Children.- The Herald of
UcaUh cautions parents not to allow their children
to be waked up in the morning. Let nature yvake
them ; she yvill not do it prematurely. Take care that
they go to bed at an early hour— let it be earlier and
earlier until it is found they wake up themselves in
full time to dress for breakfast.
Chocolate Cake.— One cup butter, two of sugar,
one of milk, five eggs, leaving out the whites of
three; four cups of siftcil Hour, three teaspoons
baking poyvder. Bake in throe layers in jelly tins.
For icing, take yvhites of three ci;i;s, beaten stifl", one
and a half cups of powdcrcil sugar, six teaspoons of
gr.ated chocolate, two teaspoons vanilla.
Wafers.— Melt a quarter of a iiound of butter
and mix it with half a pint of milk, a leaspoonful
of salt, a wineglass of wine, three beaten eggs and
suflicient sifted fiour to enable you to roll them out
easilj . They should be rolled very thin, cut into
small circular cakes, and baked in an oven of moder-
ate heat. Frost the whole and sprinkle sugar sand
or comfits over it as soon as frosted.
Orange Cake. — Mix two cups of sugar yvith the
yolks of two eggs, then add the yvhites, beaten to a
stiff froth, next add a large tablespoonful of butter,
then one cup of milk and flour to make as stiff as
cupcake; flavor to taste ; bakein jelly pans ; filling,
one lemon, two oranges, grate rinds and add the
juice, one cup of sugar, one tablespoonful of corn
starcli, one cup of water; boil until smooth; cool
before puttnig between cakes.
tjoru Milk Cheese.— Some time since I saw a re-
quest lor this article. Take milk just changed from
sweet to sour and place over the fire ; when scalded
so that the curd is very stringy, it is nearly done ;
heat a feyv minutes longer, then strain through a
colander. As soon as cool enough remove to a plate ;
press all the yvhcy out, and work in two tablespoon-
fuls of butter and a little salt. Add considerable
patience, as it will be needed before the sticky,
stringy mass can be worked fine with the hand.
Press into round balls, and yvhen cold, slice with a
sharp knife.
.Mince Pies.— Boil a fresh tongue ; chop it very
fine, after removing the skin and roots; yvhen cold,
add one pound of chopped suet, two pounds stone
raisins, two pounds currants, two pounds citron cut
in fine pieces, six cloves powdered, two teaspoonfuls
cinnamon, half tcaspoonful mace, one pint brandy,
one pint yvine or cider, two pounds sugar ; put this
all in a stone jar and covdr well ; in making pies,
chop some apples very fine, and to one bowl of the
prepared meat take two of apples ; and more sugar,
according to taste, and sweet cider enough to make
the pies juicy, but not thin ; mix and y>'"arm the in-
gredients before putting into your ple-pUtes ; always
bake yvith an upper and under crust, made yvith one
cup of lard, one of butter, one of water and four of
flour.
Winter Management of Sheep.
There arc two extremes practii-ud in the wintering
of sheep. Some ],.m|,|,. pnividi' no bhelterat all, and
feed tlii-ir liav on ili.- .'imiiul, whether rain or shine,
siKiM 111 Hill I Ml ill ill is fed It is not until
tow li i i ; ' ii m has become debili-
talni li; I h i;ii ! ;! : M.id to receive the iiour-
i^hllll n: ;' 1 1 I, nil i;i nad of giving Strength It
only wcakriis thcanimal, and the shiftless farmer
enters his protest against "feeding grain to sheep."
Others overdo the thing in crowding them into close
unveiitilatcd stalili's. 'Ihis.if any dilferencc, is worsa
than inMiii.i ihi 111 •-iiiii inr iIm inn iiii-. Of all othcr
aniiii -I I'l-ar the least
cniuiii . ! 1 ' I I 1 iil;1i ventilation.
Ami II I- \iiv iiii;iiii i.iiii ili.ii llll^ have access to
water rcirnbulv, lor alMiouL'li tlii-y will get along In
a sort ofWay when there is snow on the ground,
they will not if it is dry and frosty. No animal will
go more regularly to water in the yviutcr if it is at all
convenient.
I prefer having sheep kept in such a yvay that they
can go out and in at pleasure, and I have under my
barn an arrangement for stabling four lots— in all
from 150 to ^00 head. At each end of the stable are
two large doors, opening two-thirds the width of the
barn ; the two .at the south end arc only closed dur-
ing very stormy yveather. Every Hock has access to
from two to five acres, in yvhicli there is water, and
they go in and out at their pleasure.
Hay is fed from racks in the stables twice a day,
and some cornfodder is fed on the ground when it is
frozen or covered yiith snow. No leavings are al-
lowed to remain in the racks, but arc thrown out
previous to putting in fresh hay. The refuse is given
lo calves or other cattle, or liorses, and are mostly
all eaten. I generally keep a flock in one of the fields,
and feed them hay from a stack, and have a shelter
of rails covered yvith straw for them to go under at
night, or during stormy weather. Spring lambs are
gained a little most of the winter. Weak ones arc
kept in a place by themselves and get extra care.
Old ewes are got in good condition and sold before
they lose their teeth. Manure is not allowed to fer-
ment in the stables. Long hoofs arc trimmed with
toe nippers.— Germanlumi Tvlqjrnph.
Weaning Calves.
■11;, /;, ,' \ )',',■ says: Having yveaned
imiiii I 111 having fifty years ago
tv.li'ii ii i ii: hi myself, I can say with
euiiri'i ii 11 I I h ii ■ I r ilir first week, skim milk
warmed a little niorc than new milk is when drawn
from the cow, will keep them in good growing con-
dition. There is no if or doubt about this fact, for
many thousands arc raised in this way every year,
and have been for years out of mind, before my day
in the county I was born in, and also in the States
for the last twenty years ; yvhile in Canada, they are
treated just the same by hundreds of people. About
four quarts of sweet skim milk for the first few
times is enough, as giving more yvill relax them too
much sometimes ; six quarts afterwards, and, if It
can be spared, more as the calf grows larger. In
wiiili'r or rarh in .-iiring the calves require feeding
«iili iiii\. aMrv little at first, and, of course, it
slioiiM I I mil , Milt ^Toen hay and a little bran and
oal>, or lira II ami meal— two-thirds bran yvill make
What Stock Needs.
A writer in the Farm and Fireside remarks: "The
requirements of success in stock-breeding for proflt
are well-bred stock, clean, yvarra quarters, pure
yvater, suflicient salt, a stall for each, having rope
and chain fastening instead of stanchions, gentle
exercise daily, when the yveather Is not stormy,
suflicient syveet clover hay, cured in the cock, to
supply their wants, and a uniform supply of finely
ground cornmeal . Whatever method of feeding may
be adopted, the questiou in which the progressive,
practical farmer is the most interested is, " how can
I produce the most tender, juicy beef in the shortest
time, at the least possible expense ."
Imported Cattle.
General Langhorn Wister, of Duncannon, Perry
county, has just imported from the island of Guern-
sey, two superb heifers at a cost of about 5400 for
the pair. "These," 8a)-s the Record, "with his fine
Guernsey bull, 'Susquehanna,' No. 113 Herd book —
makes the nucleus of a herd of pedigree Guernsey
cattle, and the only ones, we believe, in Perry county.
Guernsey is one of the islands in the English chan-
nel, and the purity of its cattle is insured from the
fact that the laws there prohibit the im[)ortatlon of
cattle."
"A farmer of some experience" writes to the
^[auaelm!:tm Ploughinan : Heifers that are kept fat
with meal will not breed, while those kept in good
growing order on grass, hay and roots, breed readily.
32
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[February, 1879.
Poultry.
The Poultry Association.
We are glad to see that so much interest is being
talicn in "The Lancaster County Poultry Associa-
tion," which was organized iu December last.
Already the new society has nearly sixty mem-
bers, and the last meeting was a very interesting one.
It is an encouraging sign to see the interest that is
manifested, and we feel sure that the poultry of our
county will be improved by their efforts. Good
stock of any kind is desirable, and an association,
the members of which will meet and exchange their
views, giving each other the benefit of their experi-
ence, will certainly do good. The Farmek will
always contain full reports of the proceedings of the
association, and we clieerfully ofl'er its members the
use of its columns to express their views, and will be
very glad to have them accept the offer. Not only
will the members of the association be benefitted, but
the results they obtain will be given to all our
readers, and will, no doubt, be of use to them. We
would be glad to add to our list of subscribers any
members of the society who are not already sub-
scribers, as The Farmer, printed in the form it is,
is easily preserved, and at the end of the year can be
bound, and the members can then have the pro-
ceedings in a convenient book and refer to them at
any time.
Langshans.
A writer in the London AgricnUural Gazette de-
scribes the Langsban fowls which are now occupj'-
ing considerable attention in English poultry circles.
He says he is convinced from examination that what-
ever affinity they may have to the Cochin race, they
possess sufficient distinct characteristics to entitle
them to the possession of a claim as a separate class
fri.m Cochius. It appears to him also that they are
well adapted for farmers' poultry, and that few
breeds are more suitable for farm yards. These
fowls are remarkable as winter layers, at a time
other hens are idle. Beginning iu the autumn, they
will lay from 90 to 100 of fair and rather over the
average size of eggs. They are careful mothers.
The male birds weigh from S to 13 pounds, the hens
from 7 to 10 pounds. They make weight rapidly on
ordinary fare, averaging something like a pound a
month f.">r the first six months. The writer had not
tested them as table birds, but is informed that they
rank only second to game for the flavor of the flesh.
Thus, they are hardy, fertile and possess plenty of
weight for table— three most essential qualities for
the farmyard. There were some beautifully feathered
birds among the flock examined, so level and smooth
are they, and the neck and wing feathers a beautiful
beetle green, shine and scintillate iu the sun in a
variety of hues. They also possess a pink skin be-
tween the toes, which is not found in the Cochins,
and the tails and other contour of the Langshan are
dissimilar from Cochins.
The gentleman who is raising them extensively in
England says that so long as they are supplied with
green food occasionally in the form of a sod grass,
they thrive and lay almost eciually well as those
which have the range of the farm. The hen chickens
begin to lay at five months old.
Tar in the Chicken House.
It seems that the value of tar is not sufficiently
appreciated by poultry breeders, for we seldom either
see it used or its use advocated by writers on poultry
matters. It can be used with the most excellent re-
sults, in fiimiifating the poultry house, when through
neglect or inattention it becomes necessary to put it
through " (luarantiiie," by burning some of it in a
suitalJle vessel, and then closing the doors and win-
dows of the house to confine the fumes and smoke
as much as possible. It is sure to purify the house.
Tar is very offensive to insects which worry the
poultry houses. Whitewash does not seem to keep
them away, especially the "mites," which are so
troublesome, and recourse must be had to some
other sulislaiRc. Just here tar is very valuable.
Take an old kettle which is of no use for other pur-
poses, put in some good tar, and heat it until it is
thin and hot, then, with a whitewash brush, brush
into all the cracks and crevices where the insects
"most do congregate," and they will start off, in-
stantcr, for the seashore or some other congenial
abode. Treat the perches and roosting benches to a
dose of the same. When poultry cholera makes its
appearance, if you thoroughly cleanse the house and
treat as above, with tar, it will generally prevent the
spread of the disease. — Ponllry Journal.
Selecting Breeding Turkeys.
While all breeders like to have and breed " heavy
>TelghtB," and customers buying turkey all call for
large birds, it is a fact that for market purposes,
moderate sized and even small turkeys, command a
more ready sale than do large ones. We have watched
the market for a few days past, and know this to be
a fact. However, we do not wish to discourage
breeders from running up the weights, even if they
attain the much devoted weight of a fifty pound gob-
' b!cr at throe or four years old, for as long as there is
a lively demand among breeders for heavy birds, let
there be birds to supply that demand. To secure the
best results in that direction, select an early hatched,
strong and vigorous gobbler of this year's hatch, and
which is of fine proportion, long in the body and
properly marked, and mate him to as many two-
year-old hens as you intend to keep— from two to
five hens, if properly handled, will produce a fine
crop of young birds each season, and you cannot
help but be absolutely satisfied with the results.—
roulinj Journal.
Treatment for Cholera.
Fat bacon, chopped fine and sprinkled plentifully
with black pepper, is a convenient and reliable
remedy for cholera in chickens. Last summer a
number of hens were cured by its use. When found,
they had dropped from the roost ; they were so far
gone that they could not get up, and were only able
to raise their heads occasionally. They were given a
comfortable shelter by themselves ; a teaspoonful of
the mixture was forced down the throat of each bird,
morning and evening. No other attention was paid
to them. At the end of the third day they were set
at liberty and went about as usual, giving no further
trouble. Water may be placed where they can help
themselves, but no food is required. Smaller doses
may be given in cases less severe. — American Poultry
Jonrnal.
Literary and Personal.
RicKETTs' New Seedling Grapes, " Lady
Washington" and " The Welcome," a circular of 4
pages. Address James H. Ricketts, Newburg, New
Yo"rk State.
Report of the Condition of the Crops, De-
cember 1, 1878, an octavo pamphlet of 28 pages, a
synopsis of which see elsewhere in our columns,
department agriculture.
The attention of the reader is called to the pro-
posal, in our advertising columns, to publish the edi-
tor's essays on practical entomology in book form,
as soon as sufl[l' lent encouragement is manifested to
coverthecost. Further details will be given hereafter.
The Bee-Keepers' Guide, a demifolio of 4 pages,
pu'^'lishcd on the first day of each month, by the
"Winter Bee-Hive Manufactory," at Kendallville,
Indiana, at 50 cents per year. Mainly an adver-
tising medium, but contains some good, practical
bee literature besides.
The American Stockman, a daily, semi-weekly
and weekly eight-page semi-folio, published in Chi-
cago, 111. ; E. W. Perry, editor ; B. F. Paine, Secre-
tary and Treasurer, at $5.00, $'5.00 and $i.00 a year ;
is a first-class paper in its specialty, in quality, in
literary matter, and in typographical execut.on, and
ought to succeed.
Annual Report of the Commissioner of
Agriculture to the President, November, lh78.
We have received a complimentary copy of this
valuable document from the CoriiniUaioner^ an 8vo.
pamjihlet of 95 pages, containing a large amount of
excellent matter, more or less, relating— both di-
rectly or indirectly- to the agriculture of the coun-
try, giving fifty-two analyses, examinations and
experiments, in various substances of domestic use,
including grasses and other vegetable productions,
soils, seeds, oils, liquors, minerals, eggs, sugars, &c.,
&c., with many statistical tables on imports, ex-
ports, and other articles of trade and commerce.
Washington, D. C.
Reading, Pa., Jan. 30th, 1879.
At the annual meeting of the Berks County Agri-
cultural and Horticultural Society, held in the City
of Reading, the following officers were elected for
the ensuing year : President— Jacob G. Zeir. Vice
Presidents— Josiah Lewis, Benjamin S. Ritter, Henry
Brobst, William G. Moore, John L. Rightmyer. Sec-
letary— Cyrus T. Fox. Corresponding Secretary-
Edwin Shalter. Treasurer— William S. Ritter. Audi-
tors—Daniel S. Francis, Jacob Kauffman. The office
of the society has been removed to No. 11';; North
Sixth street, Reading, Pa. All business communi-
cations should be addressed to the secretary. — Tours,
very respectfully , Cyrus T. Fox, Secretary.
The Normal Monthly Review.— This is about
the spicest little journal that reaches our table. A
iiO page 8vo., published at Shippensburg, Pa. Edited
by Delia T. Smith, and assisted in the various de-
partments by members of the Faculty of the " State
Normal School," at Shippensburg; under the busi-
ness management of E. A. Angell, vice Principal.
Its 4urieulum consists of natural science, classics,
mathematics, English and German language, draw-
ing, teaching and music. This neat little magazine
must be a welcome monthly visitor, in a very special
sense, to the Alumni of the institution under whose
auspices it is published. "May its shadow never
grow less." Only .50 cents a year, in advance; single
numbers, 5 cents.
Report of the "Pennsylvania Fruit Growers' So-
ciety," prepared by its officers. This is the proceed-
ings of the nineteenth annual meeting of this society,
held at Williamsport, in January, 1878, together
with its constitution, by-laws, list of officers for
1878, standing committees, life members, honorary
members and annual members : including an in-
dex of contents. A royal octavo of 89 pages, with
four superb full page illustrations of choice new
fruits. These consist of a beautifully colored illus-
tration of the "Sharpless Sccilling .Strawberry," and
uncolored ones of "Smeych's Lancaster Cherry,"
Sener's Seedling Peach," and the "Dickinson Apple."
In addition to these are two full page illustrations of
"landscape adornments," and two of I'iuns pungens
in its various stages of development, including nine
different figures. And, lastly, an illustration of the
"apple moth," Carpocapsa poniorulUt, with seven
figures. The quality of the material, the typography
and the pictures are much finer than any that have
embellished any of the previous reports of this society
or any other society in the State. And, if any evi-
dence wci-e necessary to prove that the society is
progressing, it might be found in this report and the
literary quality of its contents. This society was
organized in this city twenty years ago last January.
The Phrenological Journal for February is an
excellent number of this sterling and popular maga-
zine. It opens with a life-like portrait and phreno-
logical and biographical sketch of Senator John P.
Jones, of Nevada. It contains also portraits and
sketches of the late Bayard Taylor, American Minis-
ter to Germany, and also of the Marquis of Lome
and Princess Louise.
The chapter on Brain and Mind, discourses on
Organic Quality, its nature and influence, illustrated
with nearly a dozen fine engravings. Strange Plants
are also illustrated. The Unfolding of Mind through
Conflict and Sin is an interesting paper.
The Health Department is well sustained by the
admirable articles on Dietetic Delusions ; Experi-
ments iu Magnetism, and the Proper Position in
which to Sleep, while our social relations as men
and women are discussed in Single-Blessedness ; Can
the Sex of the Human Cranium be Determined? A
new Scientific Expedition around the world, etc.
There is also a great amount of valuable information
in the Editorial department. Answers to Correspon-
dents, etc. The publishers of this Jonrnal hnve kept
abreast of the times by making a reduction in price,
but maintaining the high standard of their magazine
in its 'literature and usefulness. It is now published
at §2.00 per year, with liberal premium offers to sub-
scribers. Send i;0 cents in postage stamps for this
number to S. R. Wells & Co., publishers, 737 Broad-
way, New York.
Seventh report of the State Entomologist o^
Illinois, (Walsh 1. Lebaron 4. Thomas 2.) on the
noxious and beneficial insects of said State. Second
annual report, by Cyrus Thomas, Ph. D., State Ento-
mologist, -73 pages octavo, with 56 illustrations ; a
general index ; an index of the plants and other
substances injured by insects, referred to in the re-
port; a list of the illustrations and a table of con-
tents ; also, analytical tables of the families and
genera of Lepiotoptera, represented in said re-
port. Our readers may judge of the general scope
of the work when we inform them that 23 species of
insects are described as being injurious to the apple ;
10 to clover ; 40 to the corn ; 9 to the elm trees ; 48
to forest trees ; '.^5 to garden vegetation ; 17 to grape-
vines ; 12 to grass ; 7 to maples ; 9 to the oak ; 8 to
the rose ; 5 to the turnip ; 4 to the walnut, and 10 to
the wheat. He only includes two species injurious
to the tobacco crop, but we have already 10 species
of tobacco enemies on our list for the county of Lan-
caster alone. An economic paper on the butterflies
and moths of Illinois, constituting Part II., is con-
tributed by Prof. G. H. French ; and Miss Emma A.
Smith, of Peoria, contributes a report on the noxious
insects of Northern Illinois. The material, illustra-
tions and typography are pooch We are under obli-
gations to Prof. Thomas, of Carbondale, Illinois, for
a complimentary copy of this work. We believe the
great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania might make
a worse use of her fund.s— and has often made a
worse use of them— than by appropriating a reason-
able sum to bring out a report on the noxious and
bcnuticial insecls'of tlic State. We believe the fann-
er.-;, the gardL-ners and the fruit growers would as
cliucrfully pay tlicir taxes for such an expenditure as
for any other that has been incurred in its special or
general legislation, and that before many years it
may become manifest to the most ordinary and un-
appreciative of State officials that they have made
and have persisted in a most consummate blunder.
We believe that if any of the aspirants to political
positions — and who have attained to those positions —
had the ability, the material, and the industry to
bring out such a report, we should have had one
long ago, and they would have been well paid for It,
THE LANCASTER FARMER^
Sebds.— We arc in receipt of " The Annual Circu-
lar and Catalogue" of James J. II. Gregory, Mar-
blehcuJ, Mass. It contains 51) pp. profusely illustra-
ted,and is sent free ol postage to all who send for It.
New Mrsic— We are indebted to lieorge 1). New-
all & Co., Music dealers, Cincinnati, Ohio, for three
new pieces of music : "Old Fashioned Fireplace,"
"Come uuto Me," " May all go with tlie Tide."
TuonouoiinREi) SnouT-IIoRNa. — Mr. A. M.
Ranck, Bird-in-Hand, this county, advertises in this
number of TuE Farmku, a lot of thoroughbred
ehon-honi bulls and bull calves for sales, at low
prices.
Fine Stock.— We are In receipt of three cata-
logues from Smith & Powell, proprietors of Lakeside
Stock Farm and Syracuse Nurseries, Syracuse, N.
Y. Tl.« catalogues are devoted to giving a descrip-
tion and pedigree of the horses (Iliimblctonians and
Clydesdale) and Cattle (Holsteius) that they have
for sale at their stock farm. They will be found very
interesting to any one wishing to purchase line stock.
Mil. Isaiah T. Cltmek, a practical Pennsylvania
farmer, claims to have made a discovery by which
from ■J.'i to .50 per cent, may be gained in tbu yield o
marketable potatoes. Hii otfer In advertising colum n f
Is therefore worthy of consideration, showing, as is
docs. Ills entire confldcnce both in the value of his
system and in the Integrity of his fellow farmers,
which we are sure they can notbnt appreciate.
Elwangeii & Barry's New Fbuit Catalooue.—
This recently issued catalogue, of seventy compact
pages, gives much information on the newer fruits,
and furnishes select descriptive lists of the older va-
rieties. The eitensive specimen and fruiting grounds
connected with the nursery give many interesting re-
sults iu testing varieties, and readers who procure
this catalogue may obtain from it much useful know-
ledge on the subject not to be had elsewhere. —
Country OentUman, Septem'.c)- 12, 1S78.
Weatheu Almanac— Prof. Ticu,the distinguish-
ed meteorologist and weather prophet of St. Louis,
has issued his Anmtal ^'atwnnl Weather Almanac for
1879, in which, besides foi-etclling the weather for
every day in the year and clearly explaining the
theory on which his predictions are bafcd, he gives a
history, causes and effects of tornadoes — a chapter
on lightning rods, exposes their general worthless-
ness, and explains how thvy may be made efl'ective,
&c. The whole is of grea' interest .ind practical
value to every one, and esi'Ocially indispensibic to
farmers. B'or sample copy atii iprms of sale to the
trade and to agents, send liO ceuis loThoiu[iion, Tice
<fc Co., Publishers, St. Louis, ]Mo.
Vkk's Flouai. Guide.— a beautiful work of 100
pages, one colored flower plate, and 300 illustrations,
with descriptions of the best Flowers and Vegetables,
and how to grow them. All for a Ave cent stamp.
In English or German.
Tue Fi.oweu and Veoetable Gardex, 17.5
pages, six colored plates, and many hundred en-
gravings. For .50 cents iu paper covers; ?1.00 in
elegant cloth. In German or English.
Vick's Illustrated Monthly Magazine— 33
pages, a colored plate in every number and many
fine engravings. Price $1.25 a year; five copies for
35.00. Specimen numbers sent for 10 cents.
Vick's Seeds are the best in the world. Send
five cent stamp for a Floral Guide, containing list
and prices, and plenty of information. AdJress,
JAMES VICK, i;.r.Iitsrcr, \. V. [70-1-2
FREE HOMES
Isau en.Mf-elio, naturol inaimre. sprcially ndaj ted fo
sommcr crops. It is highly recouiincudod to lobac-c
growers, giving the jilanls a vIgorouB start an! causing i
rapid growth to maturity.
IIIKAH E. MJT7-. Mnniirnctiirer.
Office, 11.16 Market Street, rblladclplila.
HOME-MADE
MANURES.
SCIENIIFIC FDeMyUS m THEII MftlUFUCIOBE 01 IHE
\m SENT FflEE 10 m mmi.
The Clicapest, ami we believe the most ef-
fective Manure in tise, can be made with but
little trouble, by using our Fertilizing Chemi-
cals and Bones, which wc furnish of the best
quality, and at lowest prices. We offer, of our
own manufacture or importation.
Dissolved Dones, Sulphate of Ammonia,
PerfdotlyrureGrounrt Bones, Fertllir-ing Salt,
Acidulated Phosphate Rock, Sulphate of Soda,
Pliosphate Rock, fine ground. Muriate of Potash, Qermau,
Laud Plaster, pure and fine Oil Vitriol, full Btrength,
ground, Sulphate of Magnesln
Sulphate Potash (Kalnit), (Kiesorite),
Nitrate of Soda,
HARRISON BROTHERS & CO.
ANAI.YTIC.VL CnKMI.ST.S,
Mannfactnrers of Fertilizing ClieiDicals.
(Established 1793.)
FACTORIES AND MILLS AT GRAY'S FERRY.
Office: 105 South Front Street,
PHILADHLPHLA, PA.
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLOGY,
Embraciug the hiniury :uk| habita of
NOXIOUS AND INNOXIOUS
INSECTS,
aiid the best remeJios for their cxi'ulsi.m ur eiforminatioii.
By S. S. RATHVON. Ph. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
Tins work will bo Iliglily lUuBtrated, and will bo j.ul iji
press (as soon after a sutlicieut number of subsorlbers can
be obtaiued to cover the cost) as the work can possibly be
accomplished.
THEE S
we offer for Sprms ol IST9, the largest and most conij.lote
stock in the. U. S. of
Fruit Trei-M, «r»|ie Vines, Klrnwherriew, em-
br.iciuK all the new and valuable vsrieiies.
OrnninonlBl TrceH and NlirubH, deciduous aud
No. 1. Fruits, with colored plate (new edilioii),lScts.; lali
l«cts. No. a. Oinamental Trees, etc., with plate. 23cts.
ELLLWANGER & BARRY,
Kochester, N. V.
GERMANTOWN TELEGRAPH,
Wo'ch ia generally ackuowlcdged to be the bfst Literary,
Farming and Agrioulturul Newspaiier ia Pennsylvania, is
issued weekly at Qermanlown, Pbiladelpbia, at HS.tiO per
annum. It wdl commence its 30th voluiie with the first
number io March, proximo, being established and conduct-
ed by its preaeut editor and proprietor. No familv ni ■
iug it n trial for a year would be willing to do without
it at double the subscription price. Address
PHILIP R. FRKAH.
79-2—1 Oennantown, Phila.
1.. Hi Kl..*.r. ari.l Vegol.b and
for , livr. (1 Mr Stamp. In Englhih or Oi
Iti" Flower and Vegetable Garden, 175 Pages, Six
C.ilureil riatoH, and uiaiiy hundred KngravluKS. For »•
ci'ijlH in jiaper covers; tlOlJ iu elegant cloth, in Oenntn
or Rni/lish.
Vick's Illustrated Monthly Magafine-32 Pages, a
Colored Plate In every nnmlwrrnd many Fine Kngravings.
Price $1.25 a year; Five I'oplea lor »."i IMI.
Vick's Seeds are the bant Iu the world Rend Flvit CiNI
eontuining List and I'rlceH,
r, V. y.
CLYDESDALE AND HAMBLETONIAN
STALLIONS.
1VL.A.H.H13 axicL O O Xj I" IS a
ALSO
HOT.STEIN CATTLE.
All i.f the llnest bnedlng to be found in the United
Htales or Kurope, several of which were iirlie animals at
the recent New York Stale Fair.
PRICES AND TERMS EASY.
SMITHS & POWELL,
109 WEST QENKSEE ST., SYIIAOCSK, NEW YORK.
OFFICE,
). 9 North Oueen Street,
LANCASTER, PA.
lEMI EIMIffiER
Isnn old, well-eBtabllBtaed ncwf*paper, aod coutalue just tba
newB desirable to make it nn Intereelind and Taluablo
Family Newapiper. It te publiabed on Wedm^sday and
Saturday, subscrlberflhavinR tbecholco of whichever edition
that euita their mail facilltiea b<*at. The poatage to sub-
HcriberB resldlug outside of lAncaster couuty is paid by tbo
publinher.
Send for a apecimen copy.
Two Dollars per Annum.
DilLIEIAHHilEXPllESS
Ih pabllabod ererj aftonioon (except Sunday) and contains
the uewa by mail and telegraph from all part* of the world
up to the hour of going to prtfBS. It ia furuisbed to aub*
scribure at all the towoH and villages in tUe county, acces-
sible by railorHtaKe.bycarriPraat T«»n 4'enlH a n'eek,
or by mall at Flvo l>f>lliirtf per Year.
The Lancaster Farmer
ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM.
THE E.\.yil\EI{& EXPRESS JOB ROOM.
The Job Kooms of "The Kxaniincr and Etpreaa" arc
well Ailed with a lull aNForrnunt nf type and improved
(■Tteaep, caubliug ns to do all l.indM of Job Work, auch
as catalogues, cards, bill hialn, Ititer beads, envelops
staiemeuts, luviuiloun, circnl.<rK, i «tftter«, sale bills, iu fact,
all klndaof plain and fancy priutlug. We make a epecialty
of sale bills, having cuts In the offlce which were mado
from drawings rpccially prepared for ua, and not in sdj
other office iu the state.
Call and aee epecimeuf).
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Proprietor,
No. 9 Nort 1 Queen St..
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[February, 1879.
My annual Catalogue r.f Veffflabte and Vlotcr.r
Seed for iS7f>,?lch in engraviugs, from origiDal 1*0*"-
grapbB, will be Beut FREE to all wbo apply, Ouftomf rs o!
Ust season need not write for it I oSferoneof the larj. est col-
lections of vegetable seed ever sent out by any seed honse
in AiHerica, a large portion of which were grown on my six
Med farms. Printed directions for cultivation on each pack-
age. All seed warranted to he both fresh and true to name:
BO tAT, that should it prove otherwise. / UJill refill the order
gratis. The original intrndncer of the Hubbard Squash,
Phluney's Melon, Marblebead Cabbages, Mexican Cor", and
•core* of other vegetables, I Invite the patronage of all who
are anxiout U> have their seed direetlj/ from the grower, fresh,
true, and of the very best strain.
New Vegetables a specialty.
JAMES 3. H. GREGORY,
J9-l-14[ ■ Uarblehead.MasB.
E. R. O.
) explode, unde
' burner is used,
forfeiture of $1G0.
BTEXCLTISIVE CODNTT RIGHTS for a,ile by
P. J. FITZGERALD, Sole Proprietor and Manufacturer,
103 and 105 N Fourth St., Philad'a.
Also, WHOLESALE DKALER IN HKAD LIGHT, COAL
OIL and BUKNING FLUID.
N. B. A large a8tortmentta^f»(»fv/« of CHANDELIERS,
BRACKETS, BRONZE LAMl'S. BUHNKRS, i-c-., he. , cori-
BUntly on hund. 10-9-6m
A'n^j.;:MMf..i;o.Bjtf.i'.'i.=a^^jj.fc
WE SELL EVERYTHtNCFOSTHE
GARDEN
PETIER'HEKksif&eoI
35 rortlandt
STOCRBRIDGE
MANURES
Origluateil by Levi Stockb!:i!(;,e, Professor of Agii^ul-
lure in the Massachusetts Agricultural College. Tliev have
been extensively used for six years. Send for a little book
describing them and giving directions for cultivating farm
and garden crops. Every faimer, gardener, or cultivator
' i kitchen garden should send for a copy mailed /ree.
.ild send for :
BOWKER'I'EKTII.IJEESl <'<>MI'A»lY,
Iinin fStroet. Kosluii: 3 I'nrk PInoe. Nr
anri 24 X4)rtli W.Ttor street. KorhiNtt
LAWRENCE&TAYLOR,
70 ALDERSGATE ST.,
London E. C, England.
Heceive consignmenta of dairy and other agricultural Pro-
Largest aiifl Best Market in tlie Worlfl.
Commission: For consignmeuts under £50:— 4 per cent*
" " " XlOO:— 3percent.
" •' over £100;— 2 per cent.
Freight &c., &c., paid free of charge for interest.
Money advanced on Consignment with-
out interest.
Account sales and cash promptly remitted.
BAMER'S NATIONAL PROVimi BANK
Te'.egraph Address
TAYRENCE, LONDON.
T»-2-3
A HOME ORGAN FOR FARMERS!
The Lancaster Farmer,
A MONTHLY JOURNAL,
Devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture, Domestic Econo-
my and Miscellany.
FOUNDED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE LANCASTER COUNTY AGRI-
CULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
EDITED BY DR. S. S. RATHVON.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION:
ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM,
POSTAGE PREPAID BY THE PROPRIETOR.
All subscriptions will commence witli the January number, unless otlier-
wise ordered.
This number of "The Lancaster Farmer," issued in January, 1879, is the first num-
ber of Volume XL The publication of the "Farmer" has been transferred by Mr. L.
Rathvon to the undersigned, who will continue it in the same form as it has been pub-
lished in the past, trying at all times to spare neither money or labor to make it a first-
class Journal for the Farm, Garden and House. It will always contain the same amount of
reading matter, as the advertisements will never be allowed to encroach on that depart-
ment. We have in view several slight changes that will make it more desirable to the
readers, and improve the appearance of it, but these changes they will notice as they are
made, and we refrain from saying more about them.
Dr. S. S. Rathvon, who has so ably managed the editorial department in the past,
will continue in the position of editor. His contributions on subjects connected with
the science of faiming, and particularly that specialty of which he is so thoroughly
master — entomological science — some knowledge of which has become a necessity to the
successful farmer, are alone worth much more than the price of this publication. He is
determined to make "The Farmer" a necessity to all households.
A county that has so wide a reputation as Lancaster county for its agricultural pro-
ducts should certainly be able to support an agricultural paper of its own, for the ex-
change of the opinions of farmers interested in this matter. We ask the co-operation
of all farmers interested in this matter. Work among your friends. The "Farmer" is
only one dollar per year. Show them your copy. Try and induce them to subscribe. It
is not much for each subscriber to do but it will greatly assist us.
All communications in regard to the editorial management should be addressed to ^
Dr. S, S. Rathvon, Lancaster, Pa., and all business letters in regard to subscriptions and
advertising should be addressed to the publisher. Rates of advertising can be had on
application at the office.
JOHN A. HIESTAND,
No, 9 North Queen Street, Lancaster, Pa.
ONE DOLLAR FEE ANNUM-SINGLE COPIES 10 CENTS.
Dr. S. S, P.ATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA.. MARCH, 1879.
JOHN A. HIESTAND, Publisher.
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.
EDITORIAL.
. The Lancaster Farmer as an Advertising Medium,
, Society Proceedings, . . . - -
, To Correspondents, ------
, County Fairs, -------
, Practical Kssays on Entomology ; or. Essays on
Praetical Entomology, - - - -
• Incorporation, -------
» Buy Your Trees at Home, - - - -
r A Grape Swindler, - - - -
,The Agricultural Society as a School, -
. Monthly Keuiindero, -
• Groundhog Meteorology, . . . -
• New $(i0.00 Prize Grapes — Moore's Early,
, 8t. Matthew's Day, . . . - -
• A Chapter on Macaroni, - - - . -
. Chemical Farming, . - . - -
Pliiut-Kood — Dung jind Chemicals.
. Pearl Millet, -------
VThe Fish Question,
ENTOMOLOGICAL.
iTo Destroy the Currant Slu;;,
.^loversecd Fly, - - . -
A Premature Evolution, -
Experiments with Moths, -
AGRICULTURE.
Deep and Shallow Plowing,
Sowing Oats Early,
American Wheat in Spain, -
Salt as a Manure,
American Produce Abroad, -
QUERIES AND ANSWERS.
•The Hand-Maid Moth, ----- 38
• Galley-Worms and Crane-Fly, - - - 39
• Pulmonary Spiders, ------ 39
ESSAYS.
. 'The Care of Fruit Trees— C'a/i'in Cooper, - 39
•Essay— Jb/«i Grossman, - - - - - 40
CONTRIBUTIONS.
• More Light Wanted— Jwii<e«r Farmer, - 40
• A Word in Keply— /. A'. T., - . - - 41
• Indian Tobacco— J. Stauffer, - - - 41
-Pruning, Its Uses and Abuses — L. S. R., - 41
. More About Eels— i?. K. Hergheij, - - - 42
.<)at8 as Feed for Horses— jl.i>. ^., - - 42
OUlf LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
• Agricultural and Horticultural Society, - • 42
Remarks tioni JiidgR stitzel— The Societys Char-
ter— BueluesH for Next Meeting.
• Bee-Keepers' Association, - - - - 43
Reports— Feeding Glucose to Bees — Dollar Qneeos—
Comb Foundations — Springing Bcok— Marketing
Houey -Honey Exhibition — Esso ys for Next Meet-
ing—Hye Flonr tor Bees.
• Poultry Associatiou, ----- 43
Chicken Cholera— What Mmst Hens have to Pro-
duce Eggs— The Best Barnyard Fowl— Chiokens
aud Sunlight— MiRcelluueouB.
/Warwick Farmers' Club, . - - - 44
Meetiug of February l.-,th, 1819.
. Fulton Farmers' Club, ----- 45
Asking uud Answeriug Questions — Afternoon 8es-
h Linofcau Society, ------ 4fi
/ Additions to the LlhrarT— Pnj'erp Bend — Letters
Bead— Dr. KathvouH Adrtiosn— (Jn;«ni/.ation of
the Society— Progris- . :m I i itlhiiltlee—
Not DisapiJointeU— i, ^ ipointed
In One Particular— \i . i . , Leads-
Who the Founders U\ . ., i . i:itOrgaui-
lation- Whiit the I.i; .; L r .' 5— No Fail-
ures—The Friends ol th.- I. iMi:i> 111— Building
Bi tterlhiin They KncM— Looking Hopef»Uy Into
th*Jf*)ire— Scieuiifio Miscelhiny.
r An Ancteti^Mouse and Barn, - - - 46
HORTICULTURE.
Pruning Fruit and Oruameutal Trees,
Hide-Bound Trees, - - - .
Early Cabbages and Tomatoes,
HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.
How to Neutralize Skunks' Odor,
How to Pickle Artichokes,
How to Destroy Moths in Feathers, -
How to Fricassee Chicken, -
Potatoes and Nep, - - - -
How to Stew Soup Beans,
How to Make Turnip Salad,
Table Sauce, - - - - -
Broiled Kidney, - - - . -
Soup,
POULTRY.
Non-Hatching Eggs,
How to Manage Setters, -
Questions, ------
The Best Kind of Eggs , - - -
What and How to Feed,
Degeneracy in Fowls,
Plucking Poultry, - - - -
Literary and Personal, -
])ISSOLVED 3ONES,
Warranted Pure Raw Boue Meal,
DISSOLVED WITH ACID,
Aud to he free from all other aiiliataucoa or uiiiture what-
ever. I( contains over 10 per cent. Soluble and Iteverted
Phosphoric Acid, aud over .S>i jier cent, of Ammonia.
Tliis article is guaranteed to be Baw Bone aud Oil of
Vitriol ouly.
CHEMICAL SUPPLIES for Tobacco and other
Fertilizer Formulas at raauuiacturers' and hnporlers'
prices. Write us for prices aud formulas.
• ''iRrlces of the above by the car load very low to meet the
})resenl depressed prices of farm products.
■ BAUGH & SONS,
M.XNnFACTUREKS,
■20 8 Delawar
Avp., rhilii
NORBECK&MILEY,
PRACTICAL
Gamage Builders,
cox & l'0"S OLB m,\\),
Corner of Duke and Vine Streets,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE LATEST IMPROVED
SIDE-BAR BUGGIES,
PH.CTONS,
Carriages, Etc,
Prices to Suit the Times.
KKrAIKINC prui.ij.tly att.HKlcJ to. All work
giuinmticd.
PHAKES W. FRY.
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
WALL PAPER &WINBaW SHADES,
llollnndN. pinin Shn<lt- <'lolh,
I'iitures, FntiffS, T;issela and all floods pertaining to a
Paper and Shade Store.
No. 63 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
79-1-14
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
Trains leave the Depot in this city, as follows :
Lancaster.
2:40 a. m.
6:00 a.m.
WE TWARD.
Pacific EipresB'
Way PaBseiigert
Niagara Eipreaa
Hanover Accommodation,
Mail train via Mt. Joy
Kg. 2 via Columbia
Sunday Mail
Fast Liue*
Frederick Accommodation
Harrisburg Accom
Columbia Accommodation.
Harrisburg Express ,
Pittsburg Express ,
Cincinnati Express*
EASTWARD.
Atlantic Express'
Philadelphia Expresst.
9.30 J
7:35 (
Harrisburg.
4:05 a. m.
7:50 a. ra.
10:40 a. m.
Pacific Express*
Sunday Mail
Johnstown Express
Day Express* 5:18 p.
Harrisburg Aucom " "
The Hanover Accommodation, west,
with Kiagara Express, west, at 9:35
through to Hanover.
The Frederick Accommodatiou, west,
ter with Fast Une, west, at 2:10 p. m.. and runs
The Pacific Express, east, ou Sunday, when
■top at Middletown, Elizabethtown, Mount Joy
Tllle.
•The only trains which run daily.
tRuns daily, except Monday.
$77;
79-2-12
IE*, laOXKriVH^A.-DO',
ATI.OWE&TPO>i.SIBLE PRICES,
Fully guaramteed.
No. 108 EAST KING STREET,
79-1-12] OppoHte Leopard Hotel.
GLOVES, SHIRTS, UNDERWEAR.
SHIRTS MADE"tO ORDER,
AND WARRANTED TO HT.
E. J. ERISMAN,
56 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
Manufacturer of
Carriages, Buggies, Phaetons, etc.
CHURCH ST., NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA.
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
And Manufactun
FURNITURE PD CHAIRS,
WAREROOMS:
102 East King St., Cor. of Duke St.
■LANCASTER, PA.
fTBEESi
Fruit, Shade and Ornamental Trees.
Plant Trees raised in this county and suited to this climate.
Write for prices to
LOUIS C. LYTE
Bird-in-Hand P. O., Lancaster co.,Pa.
NurBery at Smoketown, six mile* eiist of Lancaster.
STRAWBERRY
CRESOENT
!«EEni,IlV«
PLANTS a"<l other choii
BlackherrieJi, Cnrrantu, Oooseberriea, Fruit 'trees, etc. Cata-
logue describing plants and tieeasent free to all.
SAU7£L C. BeCOU, Uooreatswn. Bsrlisgtos CotintT, H. J.
79-3-1
EDW. J. ZAHM,
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
WATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED WARE,
CLOCKS,
JEWELRY! TABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Agent for the Avnndel Tinted
SPECTACLES.
RepairiQs strictly attended to.
z.A.£3:ivx's c;oFt.:KrE:x%.
North Queen-st. and Centre Square, Lancaster, Pa,
79-!-I'2
M. HABERBUSH,
MANDFACTUREB OF
Plain and Fine Harness,
SADUI,EM,
COLLARS, WHIPS, FLY NETS, &c.,
AMO DEALER IN
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
BUrALO ROBES,
Horse Covers, Lap-Rugs, Gloves, &c.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
T9-1-12] LANCASTER, PA.
ESTABLISHED 1SS2.
G. SENEH & SOJSrS,
Manufacturers and dealers iu all kinds of rough and
fliiished
r.X7iviB]E:£%,
The best Sawed SHIKftl.EM iu the country. Also Sash,
Doors, Bliuds, Mouldings, &C.
PATENT 0. G. WEATHERBOARDING
OFFICE AND YARD :
Northeast Corner of Prince and Walnut-sts.
LANCASTKR, PA..
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLOGY,
Embracing the history and habits of
NOXIOUS AND INNOXIOUS
INSECTS,
jiedies for their exijulsiou or extormlnition.
By S. S. RATHVON, Ph. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
IS -work will be Highly IllustriUed, aud will be vnt in
(as soon after a sutlicieut number of subscribers can
italned to cover the cost) as the work can possibly be
THE LATEST!
T^e New Tariff of Rates
Made by OAK HALL, four weeka
ago, sold off large lots of
goods, and has
INDUCED MANY TO IMITATE US!
AS I'SUAI.
BS^Whatever is Done Elsewhere We
always do Better.-"©a
This is the latest tariff for the
ni
AS FOLLO"W^S:
An Elegant Business and Dress Suit,
All-wool Black Cheviot, |10. Identical
quality of goods sold by other parties
as a great bargain at %\b. We never
sold them for more than $13.
$4.89 buys a First Quality Dresa
Trousers, sold heretofore at $10.
Fur Beaver and Chinchilla Over-
coats, Good and Warm Cloth Bound,
$8.50, $8.50, $8.50, $8..50.
Next Higher Grade, Beautifully
Made and Trimmed, Cloth Bound,
Silk Velvet Collar, $10, $10, $10, $10.
The Same Goods in Young Men's
Sizes, $7, $7, $7, $7.
Boy's Double Cape Overcoats, with
all the Late Improvements, $5, $5, $5.
Boys' and Youths' Trousers, All
AVool, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39.
Hundreds of Latest Styles Child-
ren's Overcoats, Soft Plush Lined,
Elegant Goods, reduced from $8.75 to
$6.50.
$25 Fine French Fur Beaver Over-
coats reduced to $15. (Beautifully
made, Piped with Cloth and fhe
Finest Linings)
A clear saving of $2.50 on a Fine
Dress Suit.
At our low prices we have sold
thousands of them at $15.00; but to-
day make a clean mark do'wn to
$12.50. They are not odds and ends,
but complete lots. Hundreds biggest
men can be fitted. This one lot of
goods contained 55,120 yards, and has
proved the best bargain we have had
for our customers this season.
A customer can come one hundred
miles, and the saving on almost any
Suit or Overcoat will pay the fare
ooth ways.
Wananjaker & Brown,
OAK HALL,
Sixtti and Market Streets,
PHILADELPHIA.
The Largest Clothing House in
America.
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S. S. BATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., MARCH, 1879.
Vol. ZI. No. 3.
Editorial.
THE LANCASTER FARMER AS AN
ADVERTISING MEuIUM.
FariiuTs iiiul housokeeiiers .are t-oiistantly
in Deed of luudwurc, dry goods, groceries,
implements, fertilizers, seeds, dru^s, <and
many other artieles of almost daily use upon
the fann and in the household ; and, there-
fore, there is no place where they would he
more likely to see where and hy whom these
things are kept for sale than in the columns
of an agricultural journal. They may have
been reading in their papers the essays or dis-
cussions, the experiments and results of gome
improved implement, some new seeds, or some
new compost or manure, and they would
naturally want to know where these things
can be had, and at what cost ; and to obtain
that information they, as naturally would,
turn to the advertising columns of their own
journals. Again, they may have some choice
farm stock, poultry, fruit or grain for sale
themselves, or they may want to purchase a
supply of these artieles, and here again they
will look for information in their agricultural
journals. Simply because, if thrir paprr is in
the form of a quarto or an oi-hivn. it will
always be kept at a convenient place, from the
beginning to the end of the year, and is always
easy to refer to. (This is not the case with a
daily or weekly journal, which, if saved at
all, requires to be folded up and laid away out
of the road, and soon becomes buried in the
accumulating mass ; but in many cases when
a day old it is considered as having done its
duty and is destroyed. ) Moreover, at the end
of the year, a title page, the number of the
voliune and a copious index is furni.shed, so
that any article published within that year
can be referred to again with very little
trouble. Now, all this evinces that all those
who have anything for sale within the sphere
of a farmer's wants can adopt no better
medium to make their business known to the
farming public than the columns of an agri-
cultural journal, because that reaches the
houses and hearths of the veiy people they
most desire as customers. The Taujieii does
not only circulate in Lancaster county, but
throughout the State, and from the Pacific to
the Atlantic ; and in many instances in locali-
ties that are not reached by any other paper
published in the State or county. The laiblic
in other States seem to be aware of these
facts, pnd hence our agricultural exchanges
come to us freighted with advertisements ;
and we have know^l instances wlicre pcrfsons
have absolutely sent out of the State for an
article which they could have obtained cheaper
nearer home, but it was not advertised in
their paper. Of course any adverlising
medium is good in its specialty, and in pro-
portion to tiie number and expanse of its cir-
culation, but an agricultural journal to an
agriculturist possesses special advatages, if
the advertising public can appreciate it as a
medium through wliich to make known their
wares for sale. The advantages to the two
classes are mutual, and that is the only ad-
vantage that should cliaracterize the inter-
course between man and man in a free country.
SOCIETY PROCEEDINGS.
About semi-occasionally some, doubtless
well-meaning patron, ventures to suggest that
inasmuch as the proceedings of .societies .are
published in all the daily and weekly papers,
they might be omitted in The Faioler.
Prthaps the.se friends do not duly consider the
fact that many of the readere of our journal
never see a Lancaster daily paner. and some
of them not even a weekly oue^ Those pro-
ceedings, together with the essays and dis-
cussions, arc a rellex of what the Lancaster
county farmers are saying and doing on the
subject of agriculture and kindred topics, and
they are not only of infinite interest to readers
abroad, but they also contain an epitome of
the agricultural progress of the county, and
.are valuable for home and local reference.
On one occasion, at least, tlio very individual
who suggested this objection, in two days
thereafter, was compelled to look into the
columns of the proceedings, which, although
published in a "daily," yet that very daily
had been torn up or was lost, and, therefore,
inaccessible. The proceedings always con-
lain lists of the members in attendance at the
meetings, and also of the officers, as well as
the topics to be discussed at a future meeting.
When bound The Faujier is invaluable as a
medium of ready reference.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
Tliere is no one who more willingly and
cheerfully than we reiilies to the various in-
(piiries of Correspondents, especially upon
such subjects as those of which we have some
knowledge— indeed we feel it our duty to do
so; and we can also assure tliein tli;it, it is a
l>lcasant ihity. But there are a Hw inii.liiicins
which tln'y ought reasonably to (■(. II i|il\ with, in
order to secure an answer to tlicir iiucriis. in
the first place, they shoidd give pUiiuly their
postofflce address, including the county and
State, and in view of so many new postotlices
and new townships being decreed every year,
in some cases even the township should be
given. Secondly, if they desire an immediate
written answer they should inclose a postal
card or a three-cent postage stamp ; but if
they only desire an answer through the col-
umns of The Farmeu this requisition can be
waived. Thlnlhi, tlicir impiirics .sliould be
written with ink, and only on oiu^ side of the
paper. We jirrfcr to answer eorrcspondi'iits
in the columns of our journal, liccaiisc such
questions and answi is ojiiai involve the inter-
ests of the>;tii.i il |M!lilic. and in answering
our corresponili-iit wr answer many who are
equally interested, but who may feel too diffi-
dent to make the inquiry ; and when so
answered it saves us the trouble of making
separate answers. We know that our corres-
pondents will see the reasonableness of these
requisitions. A single postal card or a single
three-cent stam^3 is a mere trifle, but put all
these little trillcsof a whole year together and
it will be found that they aggregate too large
a sum for our cdiiorial ]iocket, especially as
we get uolhing for our labor of answering and
expect notliing.
COUNTY FAIRS.
It will be perceived from the procei'din;:s of
the lY'bniary nieetintis of liotli tiic Iloiticul-
tural and the Uce-Kecpcr>' S,.ci(ii(s. that it
is proposed to liokl an cvhiljitiou in Lancaster
city next autumn. In the latter society the
matter has only been j^roposed, but in the
former it seems' to be a foregone conclusion.
This would be v.try drsirable, an.l if the proper
energy is excn-isrd there <annot In: a doii))t of
its success. Xotliing lias yet Ix'cn ilevcloped
as to when and where, or how the prospective
exhibition is to be conducted, and as the I5ee-
Keepcrs' Society does not meet until the month
of May next we shall probably hear nothing
from it officially milil then. In the mean-
lime we would respectfully suggest, that tlie
HiirtU-uUural Fair and the Ilonci/ F<tir be held
jointly, at the same time and place. This
would stimulate additional interest to both,
and concentrate those local energies which so
often fail by being too much scattered ; and
what might still be better would be a Poultry
Exhibition, by our local society, under the
same auspices. If there is iiny "show"' at all
for fruit and flowers the coming seiLson these
three societies might get up a joint exhibition
that would be a credit to Lancaster county, if
not the whole State. Those who compose the
membership of these societies have only to
say— that (under Providence,) it shall be so
and it will be so.
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLO-
GY ; OR, ESSAYS ON PRACTICAL
ENTOMOLOGY.
Under one or the other of these titles we
propose to publish, in book form, amply illus-
trated, all our entomological writings, that
will be useful to the faiiner, the gardener, and
the fruit-grower ; emliraeing the history and
habits of our most connnon noxiol s a\i> in'-
N0X10U8 IXSECTS ; including remedies for
their expulsion or extermination ; and the
work will be put to press as soon as a suffi-
cient number of responsible subscribers shall
be obtained to cover the cost. Our writings
are scattered over the country in various pub-
lications, many of which have not been pre-
served ; others are inaccessible to the com-
munity at large, and they cover a series of
twenty-Bve years. We have recently had oc-
casion to "look them up," (for, fortunately,
we have preserved copies of all of them,) and
we find that they number aboiit two hundred
and fifty .separate papers, which include over
four liundred diflcrent species or varieties of
insects. AVhatever errors may have inad-
vertantly crei)t into our earlier writings will
be carefully eliminated, and recent discoveries
will be added. Although very perceptible
progress has been made in practical ento-
moigy within the last twenty-five years, yet
we hud thine is amiile occasion for more
knowledge on the subject and a wider dillusion
of it. Moreover, what was really true a quar-
ter of a centuiy ago is ccinally true now, and
in many things we liud that little advance hiis
been made, and therefore there is little to
undo. A period is approaching in our domes-
tic history when it will be absolutely necessary
for all men to give heed to the facts of natural
science in a greater measure than has been their
habit in the past. Scientific fanning cannot
much longer be " tabooed "—practically it
never has been and never can be— and the
rising generations will acknowledge its empire.
We have not yet determined the price of the
work, nor whether it will be most expedient to
comprise it in one or more volumes. We in-
didge in some expectations, which are too
vague yet to give a form of expression, through
which we may be able to offer it to the public
at a very low price.
This introductory is mainly to admonish
onr friends and patrons of our ultimate inten-
tions, and that our work will be facilitated or
retarded, according to the interest they may
see fit to manifest in behalf of our enterprise —
an enterprise that has mainly been suggested
by a number of liberal and sympathizing
spirits among them.
INCORPORATION.
It will tie perceiveil liy the jiroceedingsof the
February meeting of the Agricultural and Hor-
ticultural Society, that steps have been taken
to procure a charter for the same. Although a
late move, it is none the less a good move ; for
this is something which, in our view, ought
to have been accomplished long ago, and why
it was not would be difficult to explain. If
men are sincere in sustaining an organization
of the kind, they cannot possibly be opposed
to becoming a "body politic in law," and in
having a legally recognized existence. By
such a course "the society becomes a fact;
otherwise it can at best only be a contingency.
34
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[March,
The very fact that the society has maintained
an active existence for more than a dozen
years without a charter, evinces that its ne-
cessity is recognized, and that being the case,
its incorporation is as legitimate a sequence
as a legal marriage between two who propose
to live together as man and wife. An or-
ganization unincorporated is always more or
less " a rope of sand," and carries with it an
idea of irresponsibility, and a tenure that is
temporary and uncertain. It is something
akin to the "Articles of Confederation" be-
fore the adoption of our National Constitu-
tion. Its powers are iudefluite and capricious.
It has not a single officer who can perform a
single act in its name, or who can be held re-
sponsible in any matter where its interests are
involved. It could not legally accept or hold
a gift or endowment of any kind as an organic
body ; and if it received such an endowment
it could not in its own name designate a
custodian of it ; or, if it should designate such
a trustee, he would be legally responsible to
no one for a faithful discharge of duty or a
surrender of said trust.
If the society reasonably perseveres under
an act of incorporation, it will ultimately be-
come the sole representative of the agricul-
tural interests of Lancaster county, and it
ought to be fostered by the farming public.
No matter how many "farmers' clubs " there
may be— every township should have one —
there still ought to be a strong, compact and
well-appointed central organization as the
representative head of the county. Surely
ihe head cannot say to the hands or the feet,
"I have no need of thee," nor vice versa, but
all should co-operate in a harmonious union.
BUY YOUR TREES AT HOME.
Every season complaints are made that
certain foreign (foreign to the State or
county) tree agents have been canvassing the
county of Lancaster, and that in most in-
stances those who have patronized them have
discovered, too late, that the stock they have
purchased has proven inferior or worthless.
Even if the stock is genuine, it has been out
of the nursery so long, has suffered from
transportation so much, and comes to hand so
late that very little of it can be gotten to
grow, or thrive when it does grow. We by
no means desire to create prejudice against
foreign nursery stock, or unduly contract the
enterprise or energies of the farmer, but under
all circumstances, if he can get what he
wants, and at a fair price at home, he should
by all means encourage home nurseries. He
should buy his trees, vines, plants and other
nursery stock from his own neighbors, and espe-
cially from those nearest his own locality. This
seems reasonable,f or the stock is more fresh and
vigorous, and may be better adapted to his
own soil. Some of these agents carry with
them books, illustrated with fruits, vege-
tables and flowers, and their victims by trust-
ing salely to the recommendations of a beau-
tiful picture (just as if it was not as easy to
make a pretiy picture as an ugly one) are
often deceived. Others carry with them
handsome specimens of the fruit itself. Of
course they would not exhibit anything but
that which is handsome. It is very certain
that they can buy this fruit almost at any
time, but it is by no means certain that the
stock they sell will produce the kind of fruit
they exhibit in connection with it. We regret
that we are compelled to write in this strain,
but so many of our honest, hard-working
farmers have made complaints to us that we
can no longer forbear. There are foreign
nurserymen whose stock we have frequently
had occasion to commend in the columns of
this journal, whose "goods" are reliable, and
who would by no means attempt to palm off
on their customers any article in their line for
anything else than what it really is ; but if
the farmers of Lancaster county are unable
to discriminate between these and the
"sharpers"' of the trade — as a contemporary
remarks — may it not be because they do not
subscribe for and read The Lakcastbb
Farmer, or somek other reliable agricultural
paper ? The following article is from a con-
temporary, published a few days ago :
A Grape Swindler.
A swindler has lately been coming it over
some of the good citizens of the northern part
of the county by selling them grape vines at
big prices, which they described as perfectly
hardy and reliable, but which knowing ones
pronounced hot-house or California grown
varieties, and which of course are entirely
worthless in open air culture. They are very
indignant at the swindler, and are very anxious
to have the rascal exposed. But it is not
certain that exposure of such frauds would do
much good. If they had been readers of The
Lancaster Farmer they would long since
have learned to give no encouragement to
tree agents— to kick them oif the premises if
they cannot get rid of them in any other way.
It is not pleasant to say it, but it is true,
that the people of Lancaster county are too
gullable. Only a few years ago a set of
sharpers from Ohio sold over $12,000 worth of
trees and plants in this county, and it is
questionable whether the whole stock to-day
is worth 1,200 cents.
Eight on the heels of them came a Dr. B.,
in kid gloves, having a dashing team, driving
day after day in style through the streets of
Lancaster, selling novelties (V) to our lawyers,
bankers, doctors, merchants, business men(?).
What guarantee have these men that the stuff
delivered to them is worth anything ? Would
not Lancaster county be a good field for some
sharper to sell yellow verbenas and blue roses V
THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AS A
SCHOOL.
There seems to be no lack of speakers on
the subjects that come up for discussion every
month in the meetings of our local Agricul-
tural and Horticultural Society, and we are
quite glad to see it. It shows that the mem-
bers have something to talk about, and when
this is the case men will soon learn to talk.
Talking is a habit formed like any other
habit, and to acquire that habit it is necessary
to frequently indulge in talking. Of course,
it does not follow that a man who does not
talk, or cannot talk, therefore knows nothing.
The gift of free, eloquent and elegant talking
is not possessed by all, and even among those
who can talk, it is not possessed in the same
degree. Many of our most distinguished
statesmen and heroes were indifferent talkers.
But many possess that peculiar talent in
whom it remains latent until an opportunity
is presented to bring it out. The organiza-
tion of our local society has done much to
bring out our farmers, not only as talkers but
also as writers. We venture to say that it
has been a school which has done more to
bring them forward intellectually, and to en-
courage their literary tastes and abilities than
any other school to which they ever have had
access. When our society was first organized,
some twelve years ago or more, there were
but few in it who possessed the gift of fluent
talking, and those few were not all practical
talkers, but there has been a very perceptible
change since then. They are not only able
and willing to talk, but they talk practically
and to the point, and are not afraid to advance
views and opinions based on their own ex-
periences before the higher and more learned
dignitaries of the land. And why not '? If
they knoiu a thing from visible and tangible
experience, why should they be deterred from
proclaiming it because some theory only par-
tially demonstrated, or perhaps entirely im-
practicable is in conflict with it ? Truth is
truth, no matter from what source it emanates.
Does anybody suppose that the spirit of Chris-
tianity is less potent because it was first appre-
hended and enunciated by the humble fisher-
men of Galilee ? Does anybody suppose that
their teachings were less truthful and less effica-
cious because not exercised according to the
philologj' of the Sanhedrim ? Man does not
make truth. He is only the medium through
which truth is manifested, and the less per-
verted and impractical the medium is the
purer and more potent the truth.
MONTHLY REMINDERS.
In the Middle States spring has arrived ac-
cording to the calendar, but the experienced
gardener is not to be caught by arbitrary
terms ; and though March and the almanac
may indicate spring, frost and storm, and bit-
ing whids caution him to care and patience.
He will wait the progress of the month and
bide his time. If the temperature prove mild
let him proceed as indicated below ; other-
wise, delay until more favorable weather.
Artichokes dress ; plant. Asparagus sow ;
plant the Colossal roots. Beets— Extra Early,
Philadelphia Turnip and Early Blood Turnip-
sow. Cabbage sow in a sheltered place, if not
already in a hot-bed. Test our new varieties — •
the Wakefield, Early Market and Bloomsdale
Brunswick. Carrots, Early Horn, sow. Cauli-
flowers— attend to those under glass. Celery
sow. Cress sow. Composts prepare. Dung
prepare for later hot-beds. Horse Radish
plant. Hot-beds make ; also force. Lettuce
sow ; prick out. Mushroom-beds attend to.
Mustard sow. Onions put out as sets — those
known as "Philadelphia Buttons" much the
best. Parsnips sow — the Sugar is the best.
Peas — Laudreths' Extra Early and Early
Frame— sow. Also, McLean's Advancer and
McLean's Little Gem, which we commend
with confidence. Potatoes, Early, plant. The
Early Goodrich continues to secure admirers,
but the Early Rose will distance it ; it is ad-
mirable in every respect. Radish— the Long
Scarlet and Red and White Turnip — sow.
The "Strap-Leaved Long Scarlet," an im-
provement on the old Long Scarlet we recom-
mend. Rhubarb sow ; plant roots. Sage sow ;
plant. Tomato sow in hot-bed. Turnips,
Strap-Leaved Early Dutch, sow ; but gener-
ally be it observed,' so far north as Philadel-
phia, ■ these directions will apply better to
April than March. — LandretlVs Rural Reg.
GROUNDHOG METEOROLOGY.
Better be a living groundhog than a dead
hero. We noticed in the local press but a
single allusion to the recurrence of the ever-
glorious 8th of January, and that was briefly
" The Battle of New Orleans." But the 2d
of February, or Candlemas, outside of the
church, is almost certain to be annually ven-
tilated, m its relations to the groundhog and
his weather prognostications. We are only
apprehensive that he will eventually eclipse
the 22d, the anniversary of the natal day of
" Columbia's greatest glory."
How can we attach any significance to the
actions of the groundhog on the 2d day of
February, so long as we are in ignorance of
what he really does on that day ? The old
saw on this subject is to this effect : "If the
goundhog comes out of his hole on the morn-
ing of the 2d day of February, and sees his
shadow, he will go back and continue his
winter sleep for six weeks longer," during
which time we will have severe winter weather.
But if he does not see his shadow, he will re-
main out of his hole, and we shall have an
early and warm spring. This whole prophetic
superstructure seems to be based upon the
little ambiguous conjunction )/, and that if is
founded upon an error in regard to the habits
of the groundhog. The groundhog or " Mar-
mot " {Arctomys monax) is a hibernating ro-
dent, and goes into a semi-hibernating sleep
as early as October, and does not come out of
it until April, during which time he eats
nothing— or, if he ats at all, it is that which
he himself had provided the previous season,
and therefore there is no necessity for him to
come out of his winter burrow.
On such a day as the 2d of February, 1879,
was, no hibernating animal would have power
to come forth, even if he had the will to do
so, and hence they might as well be left out
of the question in weather prognostications ;
leaving those to be built upon other more
plausible data. We might just as truthfi^lly
saj', "If the humming-bird comes up from
the South on the 2d of February and finds the
morning-glory in bloom, it will go back and
not return again for six months." A swal-
low would be just as likely to meet a ground-
1879.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
35
hog abroad on the 2d of February, as a
groundhog would be to meet a swallow or see
his shadow on that day, especially such a day
as we had on the 2d ult. So true is the
groundhog to the hibernating instincts of its
nature, that it is on record tliat it has as-
sumed tliat torpid condition when it was
semi-domesticated and kept in a liouse— rolling
itself up in a corner of its Ivcnnel and refusing
to eat anything ; and wlien it was placed near
the lire it gradually revived, but immediately
crept back to its kennel and relapsed into a
state of torpidity. The termination "hog"
attached to tlie name of tliis animal is a pal-
palile misnomer ; tliere is nothini: of the in-
stincts or liabits of tlie liog about it. It is an
exceeding cleanly animal ; as particular about
its person as a cat. Its lair is a pattern of i
onler and cleanliness.
It is a marmot, and has its repre-
sentative in Jtlie European marmot
(Arctomys marmotu). The term"arcto-
mys" means a bear-rat, having a body
resembling a bear. Linnanis originally
included it in the genus Mus, the
same to which our common rat be-
longs. Muvinot has nearly the same
significance— it means a mountain
rat, or a mountain mouse. This
animal has been dignilied by many
common names in various localities.
I'erliaps, outside of Eastern I'ennsy
Ivania, the most popular names is tlie
"wood-chuck." Tiie French Canadi-
ans call it "Sifflenr;" southward
"marmot " is generally used. Up in
the Korth it is the " thickwood-
badger." Up in Alaska the "tav-
bagan," etc., etc. It is more nea
allied to the .squirrel or the rat than ii
I is to tlie hog. It is veiy prolific, pro-
I ducing from six to eiglit at a litter,
and, being very partial to young
I clover, it is sometimes a very serious
I annoyance to farmers on whose lands
it is domiciliated. It cuts off, gathers
up and carries off to its den large
quantities of this grass, but if it can
not obtain this, it also appropriates
other species of vegetation, and w '
not reject insects. As autumn ap-
proaches it constructs a special bur-
row, with an aperture that communi-
cates with the sleeping apartment,
and this it fills with food and then
closes up the aperture tliat commui-
cates witli the outer world. This food
is intended for a supply before it be-
comes torpid in the fall, and after it
comes out of that state in the spring ;
therefore, there is no necessity for
Its going abroad on Candlemas day.
Anything to the contrary is only ex-
ceptional, influenced by extraordinary
circumstances. So firmly do some
people believe in this groundlio
weather prophecy that we have hear
of a case where people were admon-
ished to turnout and exterminate the
whole race, rather tlian submit to a
cold and late spring a as probable con-
tingency of his presence.
"We do not pretend to say that an
early spring has not followed a cloudy
t aii'dlemas, or that a late spring
lias not followed a clear one ; nor do we
by any means say that no groundhog
ever been seen abroad later than October,
or earlier than April, any more than we
■would say that no tree, in this latitude,
has ever bloomed in February, nor that
vegetation has never been frozen in the montli
of June. But these are meteorological con-
tingencies that are entirely independent of
the habits of the groundhog, and, for the
most part, have their causes in climatic di-
versities beyond the knowledge or investiga-
tion of mortal man, and particularly beyond
the influence of his remedial agencies.
Nor do we desire to wantonly dissipate the
faith of those who cherish such peculiar no-
tions, any more than we would the pleasant
fancies of children about "Good Santa Claus,"
"Mother Goose" or "Jack the Giant Killer." !
It is .singular, liowever, that as their minds
cxpaiul rhildreii soon grow out of this philoso-
phy of the nui-sei'v ; but very often the elders
carry their grnuuilhog fancies to a protracted
age, or to llieir graves. Of course it is not i
very harmful ; the worst, perhaps, that can
grow out of it is a little disappointment, and
this will be proportioned to the subject's faith,
and the magnitude of the enterpri.se based
upon that faith.
NEW $6o.(
PRIZE GRAPES— MOORE'S
EARLY.
Combining the following desirable qualities,
viz.: Hardiness, size, beauty, (piality, produc-
tiveness and earliness, maturing ten daj's
earlier than the Hartford Prolilie. and twenty
days earlier than the Concord. This new
grape is one out of .a lot of 2,.500 seedlings,
and produced its first fruit in the j'ear 1872 ;
it was then exhibited, and has been shown at
the exhibitions of the Massachusetts Horti-
cultural Society, by the fruit committee, every
year since, and prizes have been awarded to
it at eighteen different exhibitions, last of
which was 800.00 for the best seedling, after
a satisfactory trial. Tliese prizes were all
awarded for one or more of the above enume-
rated special points.
Dfscription of fruit : Bunches large, lierry
round, large, (as large as tlie Wilder or Rogers,
No. 4,) color black, witli a heavy blue bloom ;
quality better than the Concord ; vine ex-
ceedingly hardy ; has never been covered in
■winter, and has been exposed to a tempera-
ture of more than twenty degrees below zero,
witliout injury, and it has been entirely ex-
empt IVoni iiiililew or disease. Its earliness
makes it dcsiiahle for an early crop, and more
parlieularly iulapt.s it to New England and
the iiortlieni portion of the United States.
Price : One year old vines,' 81.00 ; two year's
old, S2.00 ; extra vines, delivered by express,
$.3.00. Liberal deductions made when ordered
by the dozen or in large i|uantitie.s. For par-
ticulars address Mr. John B. Moore, Concord,
Massachusetts.
Our illustration is "an exact copy from a
photograph of a bunch." If the high en-
dorsements which this new grape has received
from competent committees in the Eastern
States are to be recognii'.ed as unqualified evi-
dences of (piality and eharacter, then our
readei-s will have no dillieulty in de-
termining what tliey ought to do in
the premises. Early fruit, and es-
pecially early grajies, are always de-
sirable, and that quality alone ought
to recommend this fruit to the citizens
of Lancaster county.
ST. MATTHEW'S DAY.
" Matlliiasbric-lit eis
Find er kelii, so maclit er ein."
This may be literally translated :
St. Miittliew breaks the Ice;
I'iuds lie none, he makes one.
^liis means that if there is no ice
on St. Matthew's Day— 24tli of Feb-
ruary—it will become cold enough to
make ice after Lliat date, before the
spring is fairly opened ; but if there is
lee, then we sliall have no more cold
weather and an early spring. How
now V Through the obtrusiveness of
llie impatient groundhog on Candle-
mas, the cold weatlier has been con-
tinued, and winterslill fiercely broods
over the suowclad hills and icebound
streams ; and according to the ground-
hogological prognostications we are to
have yet three weeks of frigid winter ;
but, here comes the St. Matthew
prog, in direct conflict with that of
gouty old "Arctomys;" and it may
well be asked, "Wliat are we going
to do about it?" Will the disciples
of the Arctomian system please take
lold and try to harmonize this case ?
Verily the weather seems to be in
danger of being "governed too much,"
and who can tell now whether we are
going to have any spring find summer
at all ? For our part, we sliall be
content with being an humble
»ker-on," and if out of the
"muss" anything consistent with
reason and common sense is devel-
oped, we hope we may be able to
apprehend it.
There is one thing, however, that
these unautliorized weather prophe-
cies may demonstrate, and that is
the folly of associating "set days"
with meteorological phenomena, with
which they have no connection what-
ever, and over which they cannot
possibly exercise the remotest influ-
ence. Of course, very few people really
believe in these weather-signs now,
and even the few who profess to believe
them, hold them under the mental resen-a-
tion involved in— "mebbey it mout, and
mebbey it moutn't." Hoivever tnie it may
be that these weather phenomena are the
effects of some antecedent cause— meteoro-
logical or astronomical— yet, so far as human
ken extends, we are profoundly ignorant of
that cause ; and probaVily we shall remain so
for a long time to come. As mere myths,
however, we may permit people to entertain
them and talk about them. They are prolific
themes of conversation, and to deprive people
of them would l)e to annihilate an important
fltctor in social intercourse, for often, very
often, if there were no weather to stimulate
conversation, there would be little else to talk
about ; and no wonder, for the weather con-
36
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[March,
1 rols more than we are willing to give it credit
lor. — February 24, 1879.
A CHAPTER ON MACARONI.
Personally we are very fond of mticaroni,
and can make a meal on it alone ; (barring
perhaps an additional cup of cott'ee,) and
practically it is both bread and meat to us ;
moreover, it is about as cheap as any article
of wholesome food that can be bought. It has
no bones in it ; it never stales or taints ; it is
simple in its culinary preparation ; it is nu-
tricious and always handy to have about the
house. Towards spring, when vegetables be-
come scarce, or when they begin to sprout,
become insipid and wilted or leathery,
macaroni is a grand reserve to fall back upon.
As we have said before, we have always liked
it— liked it these fifty years or more— have
relished it whenever it was set before us, and
never could understand why that was so
seldom.
But now, since we are compelled to become
economical through the pressure of the times,
and Miss Corson, through the instrumentality
of her cheap Cook Book, is likely to make
macaroni eating popular or fashionable, the
least we can do for our readers is to admonish
them, in this respect, to become fashionable,
if they desire to "march along" abreast with
the times ; and in order to assist them in doing
so we commend the following from the book
aforesaid. If our well-fed and well-supplied
farmers do not need this advice there are
many others who may need it.
Macaroni and Its Uses.
In a notice of Miss Corson's little work on "2.5-
cent Dinners," it was stated, as one good feature of
the book, that it recommended macaroni, and told
how to cook it. This cheap and very nutritious food
may be cooked in a variety of acceptable styles, and
Is a most excellent substitute for vegetables. Potatoes
are iipt to be poor late in the season, and if maca-
roni be used instead it will be found vastly more nu-
tritious. Macaroni comes in boxes of about 25 lbs.,
and is sold by the box at an average price of 1.5-lSc-
per lb. It is in long pipes, or tubes, sometimes sev-
eral feet in length, being bent over and over ; it is a
little larger round than a common lead pencil, and
has a dull appearance, somewhat like that of a horn.
It is imported from Italy, and though it has been
made in this country, and perhaps is still made, it is,
for reasons to be explained presently, vastly inferior
to the imported. Macaroni is really dried flour paste,
but there is, as every housekeeper knows, a great
difference in Hour, and the kind best for bread is the
poorest for macaroni, and vice versa. Flour consists
largely of starch. If we mix up some flour with
water, to form dough, and tie a lump of this dough-
say as big as a hen's egg— in a piece of muslin, and
then hold it under a stream ot water, and work it as
the water flows, the starch will soon be washed out
throufh the meshes of the muslin, when the water
runs clear, showing that the starch has been washed
out, if we open the cloth there will be found a small
quantity of a pasty, stringy mass— this is gluten.
It ditfers from starch in containing nitrogen, and it
will soon spoil. Starch is a Aea^-producing food,
glutt n is a Ihsh- (ormiug food, really the most nutri-
tious portion of the flour. Our best wheats make
flour with 7 or S parts in the 100 gluten. Other
wheats contain about twice as much. It is only
wheats rich in gluten that make good macaroni, and
while the flour of our wheats make the best and
lightest bread, it is only the wheats of the south of
Europe, especially some kinds raised in certain
localities in Italy, that make the best macaroni.
This is why it cannot be made successfully in this
country— our flour is in one sense too good. The proper
kind of flour is made into a stiff paste with water,
well worked by means of a wooden bar, and then
put into a mould, in which it is siibjected to great
pressure "" ' ~
The mould has holes in it, of the proper
shape, and the paste is forced out through these as
fine as threads, when it is called vermicelli, or as
pipes or tubes, when it is macaroni. It is dried by a
heat sumciently to slightly bake it, when it is ready
to be packed in boxes. The same paste rolled thin,
and formed by proper cutters into squares, stars,
hearts, etc., is known as Italian paste. Vermicelli
and Italian paste are rarely used except in soups. It
will be seen that macaroni is the most nutritious of
of all farinaceous foods, and one that should be
more ireneruUy known and used than it now is. We
may add here that it is a most excellent thing for ex-
plorers and oilier travellers— as we know from cx-
perieuie. Those who go on hunting and other
excursions, which take them where vegetables are
not procurable, will not miss these if there is a sup-
ply of macaroni. Old macaroni is sometimes infested
by an insect wliich feeds within the cavity; upon
holding the stick up to the light this may be seen as
a dark spot. Inour first experience with macaroni, it
seemed so hard and horn-like that it was put to soak
before cooking ; as a consequence it was spoiled . It
should be put at once into boiling water. The fol-
lowing directions for cooking it are from " 25-ceut
Dinners," and abridged so far as they give matters
already stated above. Miss Corson gives the follow-
ing general directions under t
J/«c«ro)u.— Wipe it carefully, break it in whatever
lengths you want it, and put it into boiling water, to
every quart of which half a tablespoonful of salt is
added ; you can boil an onion with it if you like the
flavor. As soon as it is tender enough to yield easily
when pressed between the fingers, drain it in a
colander, saving its liquor fcr the next day's broth,
and lay it in cold water until you want to use it.
When more macaroni has been boiled than is used it
can be kept perfectly good by laying it in fresh
water, which must be changed every day. After
boiling the macaroni, you can use it according to
any of the following directions. Half a pound of
uncooked macaroni will make a large dishful :
Macaroni, Farmers' Style.— Boi\ half a pound of
macaroni as above, and while you are draining it
from the cold water, stir together over the fire one
ounce each of butter and flour, and as soon as they
bubble, gradually pour into the sauce they make, a
pint of boiling water, beating it with a fork or egg
whip until it is smooth ; season it with a level tea-
spoonful of salt and a level saltspoonful of pepper,
and put the macaroni in it to heat ; then cut an
onion into small shreds, and brown it over the fire in
a very little fat ; when both are done, dish the
macaroni, and pour the onion out of the frying pan
upon it. It is excellent ; and ten cents will cover
the cost of all of it.
Macaroni with Broth.— Tut half a pound of maca-
roni, boiled as above and washed in cold water, over
the fire with any kind of broth, or one pint of cold
gravy and water ; season it to taste with pepper and
salt, and let it heat slowly for an hour, or less if you
are in a hurry ; then lay it on a flat dish, strew over
it a few bread crumbs, which you will almost always
have on hand if you save all the bits I speak of in
the article on bread ; then set the dish in the oven,
or in front of the fire to brown. It will cost less
than ten cents, and be delicious.
Macaroni iMh White A'ajice.- Warm half a pound
of macaroni, boiled and washed in cold water, as
above, in the following sauce, and use it as soon as
it is hot. Stir together over the fire one ounce each
of butter and flour, pouring in one pint of boiling
water and milk, as soon as the butter and flour are
mixed ; season it with salt and pepper to taste, and
put the macaroni into it. This dish costs less than
ten cents, and is very good and wholesome.
Macaroni with CTieese.— Boil half a pound of maca-
roni, as above, put into a pudding dish in layers with
quarter of a pound of cheese, (cost four cents),
grated and mixed between the layers ; season with
pepper and salt to taste ; put a very little butter and
some bread crumbs over it, and brown it in the oven.
It will make as hearty and strengthening a meal as
meat, and cost about twelve cents.
CHEMICAL FARMING.
The question of "Fertilizers," or "Arti-
ficial Manures, " has become a subject of more
earnest discussion in this county at the pres-
ent time than, perhaps, at any former period
in the agricultural history of the county. As
the desire to realize larger crops, and the arti-
ficial fertilizing compounds increase, so also
increases the anxiety of the farmers in regard
to their real value, their component parts,
their prices, and when, where and how to
apply them ; and also their intrinsic qualities
in comparison with good barnyard manure ;
and, lastly, how to guard against imposition.
We extract the following fi'om an able article
on that subject, which we find in the January
number of the Scientific Farmer, published in
Boston, Mass. We particularly call the atten-
tion of our readers to tlie words italicised,
from which it will be perceived that the facts
as to whether the fertilizing material reaches
the plant in such a condition as to be ab-
sorbed by it, and whether the .soil just needs
the elements it contains, are important factors
in the uf;e of chemical or any other kinds of
crops soon left the land unfit for further plant
growth. Analysis showed the elements which plants
removed. Ergo supply these elements, and prevent
your land from getting exhausted. This was the
discovery which it took ages to develop into expres-
sion ; this discovery is at the basis of modern farming.
The chief aim of the husbiiudman is to supply
plant-food. For this purpose he applies his manure,
he exercises his skill in culture, he adopts his fal-
lows or rotations. Plant-food, how to obtain it for
his plant, and how to compel the plant to get the
most of it, this is true farming. We propose to offer
a few ideas on the subject of plant-food, premising
that our statements all seem to have been experi-
mentally proven, and to have been practically
adopted, here and there, by the most intelligent of
cultivaters.
The elements of plant-food which are most apt to
be deficient in our soils are nitrogen, phosphoric acid
and potash. To obtain a full crop these have to be
present, diffused throughout our land, and must be
in that chemical condition which will allow of their
being appropriated by the roots of our plant,
wherever they are to pass into the plant circulation,
become incorporated into its life, and through the
most wonderful metamorphoses of growth become
part and parcel of the plant structure.
Now, one pound of soluble phosphoric acid, or one
pound of a given condition of nitrogen, or one pound
of a potash salt, properly diffused through our land,
is as eflficient as another pound of a like substance,
without regard to its source of supply. Thus it
makes no difference in the amount of the crop
whether the pound be supplied in one hundred pounds
of dung or ten pounds of a manufactured article. All
the plant requires is the presence and accesibility of
its food.
Let us not be understood as saying that one hun-
dred pounds of dung, containing one pound of solu-
ble phosphoric acid,^is not better than ten pounds of
superphosphate containing one pound of soluble
phosphoric acid. Nor must we be understood as say-
ing even that the same quantity of chemical sub-
stances contained in one hundred pounds of manure
is necessarily equal to the raw manure in value for
application. We are not treating of manures com-
paratively, but of plant-food; and hence, ignoring
the difference caused by the method of application,
and the physical action or chemical action of either
after their disposition in the land, we repeat that one
pound of plant food absorbed by the plant is just one
pound, and is of equal value, without reference to
its source of supply.
These are facts ; now for the application : Plant-
food must be furnished by the farmer in order that
he may be able continuously to crop his laud. It
makes no difference in what form he applies them,
provided the plant secures them. Equal quantities
of plant-food from one source of supply are equal in
effect to the equal quantities of a similar substance
in another source of supply, if only the plant gets
them We repeat the idea, in order to be understood.
Consequently the farmer must study values, and
provide for his crops the plant-food from the source
whence it can be obtained for the least money.
Dung and Chemicals.
Is dung better than chemicals? Not necessarily.
Are chemicals better than dung ? It does not follow .
If dung and chemicals will raise the same quantity
of crop year after year, then whichever the farmer
wants to supply is the cheaper of the two. It seems
ridiculous to claim that if five dollars' worth of
chemicals will give as good results as eight dollars
worth of dung that dung is better ; or that if five
dollars' worth of dung will produce equal results
with eight dollars' worth of chemicals that chemi-
cals are better. A. chance for difference of opinion
can only come in those cases where the decision lies
between a dollar's worth of dung and a dollar's
worth of chemicals equivalent.
We have here the whole question of purchased
manures in a nutshell, provided our supposition is
tenable. Let us show that it is, by the quoting of an
actual experiment, which must tend to convince
even the most skeptical. „ , ■
We will quote results from .Mr. Lawes' experi-
ments, at Rothamstead, England:
HAY.
,32 tons.
SO tons, 10 year's average.
manures.
Plant-Food.
It is now but little more than a generation since
chemistry came to the farmer's aid, and offered her
services to those who would employ them. Not with a
halting step, but with the vigor of a god-like birth,
agricultural chemistry was born, and soon the Eng-
lish speaking world was aglow with the interest
which came from the new discovery. Plants fed, so
Licbig stated, not on dirt, but on certain chemical
substances, which were part of the earth. Earth
contained but a limited amount of these substances;
and hence the continuous growth and removal of
Unmanured plot, -
Applied chemicals,
Dung (14 tons), -
Unmanured plot, -
Chemicals,
Dung, - - - -
Unmanured, - -
Chemicals, - - -
Dung,
- 20'^ bushels.
48M bush., 24 year's average.
- 48% " " " "
WHEAT.
13 J^ bush., 24 year's average.
3.5r
We'thus see that chemicals can produce the same
results as are produced by dung. In the experiments
quoted we have the average of many years' trials, so
that the effect cannot be ascribed to a favorable sea-
son, or otherwise. We must consider it proven that
chemicals can take the place of dung. It only re-
mains to show whether we can afford to use one in
preference to the other. Unfortunately we have not
in these experimentB quoted the necessary data lor
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
37
Iving of the question of values. It is evident
I i.iiiler sueU large doses of dung as were used—
luuiKen tons yearly — the land must have, in course
of time, attained a maximum of fertility; and
the crops yielded indicate this. The amount of
cliiiiiicals Ubcd was also in excess of the requirement
of the plant in most instances.
Reason tells u« that chemical farming must bo
successful, pr.-'vided we apply to the land yearly
what the crop removes, provided the elements which
are applied are kept during the seasou of growth in
condition lit for appropriation by the plant, and pro-
vided they are thoroughly diffused throughout the
land. Reason also tells us that manure farming is
successful under like conditions of application.
Experience tells us that with abundant manure we
can raise on the average maximum crops for our
land. Experience also tells us that with an abun-
dant supply of chemicals we can do likewise. Thus
rca.son and experience coincide.
Practically, however, we have other questions to
consider, and the question is not as simple as at first
sight appears. Practically, it U Ibund, it has been
found, that we need apply barnyard manure con-
taining chemical eleme.its far in excess of the chemi-
cal elements removed by the crop to
produce the crop. Practically, it has
been found that in many cases where
chemicals were applied, the amount
of the crop was proportionate to the
amount of the chemicals applied.
Practically, the application of a fer-
tilizer may fail to produce the antici-
pated crop. Practically, a large ma-
nuring will not always produce the
anticipated crop.
The condition of the soil and the
facts of cultivation have also to be
considered while we are considering
plant-food, for in all farm questions
like this we have two sides to our
subject. The plant-food must be pres-
ent; the plant must also be able to
appropriate it, and this latter fact is
an important one.
Consider why we can raise larger
crops on sterile New England soil, by
the aid of manure, than they do on
the prairies of the Southwest, just fat
with fertility. Consider the large
yield on the acreage of England, and
the small yield on the acreage of that
fjlden State which fronts on the
acific !
PEARL MILLET.
" Pearl ifillet lias beeu culti-
vated for some years as a ionige
plant in sou.e of the Southern
States, as ' African Cane, '
'Egyptian Millet,' 'Japan Mil-
let,' and in some places as
'Horse Millet,' btit little wa«
known of it at the North before
last year, and then only in sucli
small quantities as to hardly al-
low of a fair trial. From what
we saw of it in 1.S77, we deter-
mined to give it a thorough trial
this season. A piece of good
strong loamy ground was pre-
pared as if for a beet or turnip
crop, by manuring with stable- t
manure, at the rate of ten tons
to the acre, plowing 10 inches
deep, and thoroughly harrow ing. _ <- i
The Millet was then sown in
drills 18 inches apart, at the rate
of 8 quarts to the acre. We sowed on the
l.">th of May, about the date we plant corn ,
in 12 days the plants were up so that a culti-
vator could be run between the rovvs, after
which no further culture was necessary, for
the growth became so rapid and luxuriant as
to crowd down every weed that attempted to
fet a foothold. The first cutting was made
uly 1st— 4.J days after sowing ; it was then
7 feet high, covering the wliole ground, and
the crop, cut 3 inches above the ground,
weighed, gi-eeii, at the rate of 30 tons per
acre ; this, when dried, gave (i^ tons per acre
as hay. After cutting, a second growth
started, and was cut August loth— 4.5 days
from the time of the first cutting. Its height
was 9 feet ; it weighed this time'at the rate of
5") tons to the acre, (jreen, and 8 tons dried.
The third crop started as rapidly as the sec-
ond, but the cool September nights lessened its
tropical luxuriance, so that this crop, which
was cut on October 1st, only weighed 10 tons
1 green, and U tons dried. The growth was
I simply enormous, thus : 1st crop in 45 days,
gave 30 tons green, or 6^ tons dry ; 2nd crop
I in 45 days, gave 55 tons green, or 8 tons dry ;
3rd crop in 45 days, gave 10 tons green, or 1^
I tons dry. The aggregate weight being 95 tons
I of green fodderin 135 days from date of sow-
1 ing, and 10 tons when dried to hav. Tills ex-
ceeds the clover meadows of Mid-Lothian,
: which, when irrigated by the sewerage from
I the City of Edinbugh, and cut every four
, weeks, gave an aggregate of 75 tons of" green
clover per acre. There is little doubt that
Pearl Millet is e(iually nutritious as corn-
fodder, which it resembles even more tlitm it
does any of the other Millets. We found that
all our horses and cattle ate it greedily wliether
green or dry. If sowing in drills is not prac-
ticable, it may be sown broadcast, using
double the quantity of seed— say 16 quarts
per acre. The ground .should be smoothed by
the harrow, and again lightly harrowed after
sowiul; if lolltd \ttei liiiio\Mm: ill tin lut-
ta. I know ol no faun (mp ilut will lit Itt i
repay high maniiung, but so pii.it is its lux-
uriance th.mt will produce a btltei ciop with-
out manure than any other plant I know of. I
In those parts of the Southern Slates where
hay cannot be raised this is a substitute of the ;
easiest culture, and, being of tropical origin, ,
it will luxuriate in their long hot summers. !
Even though our Northern sea.sons may be
too short to mature our seeds, our experiments
in New Jersey this summer show what abun-
dant crops may be expected if the similar con-
ditions are secured. Pearl Millet as a fodder-
plant presents a new feature in our agricul-
ture, and I feel sure that within ten years we
shall wonder how we got on without it. He-
sides our own testimony given above, we have
received the most satisfactory letters from ex-
perienced men in different parts of the country
to whom we sent seed of Pearl Millet for trial,
and all are unanimous as to its enormous
productiveness and great value. From all
we have seen ami can learn, we are fully
convinced thtit Pearl Millet is to bo one of the
great fodder plaiitH of the future."
The fiiregoiiig. from the .bin rican Ayricul-
turiM, for November. 1S78, conlaiiis the ex-
jieriments of I'l Ur Ilender.son, Esq., of the
firm of Peter llendersoii & Co., No. 35 Court-
land .street, New York, a man wliose reputa-
tion as a nur.vrymaii, seedsman and Horist
stands very high in this country. Of course
Millet can only be grown with success and
profit (as far north as Pennsylvania and New
York,) as a foraging pl:uit. And, now, since
the subject ..f keeping i;-:illle linii^cil during
instead of turning tliein out into the llekls to
pasture, is looming up, this plant may a.HSume
an importance it never did before. We, there-
fore, deem it advisalile at this time to place
the matter l)efore our readers, in order that
they may avail themselves of whatever ad-
vantage there may he in its
culture.
Farther south it may also be
of advantage to the farmers to
raise the seed. Although Millet
seeds have been ground into
meal, from which bread has been
made, yet it is not specially es-
teemed for that purpose ; but
cooked, as rice, it is used more
or les.s in some countries, and it
is said that no grain food is bet-
ter for poultry ; and if care is
taken in harvesting the yield is
usually large.
The following we extract from
the Fariwrs'' Cychpedia, mainly
relating to its cultivation in
Europe, which may be of some
value in connection with the
above :
" The soil for Millet should be
warm, sandy, rich and well pul-
verized to a good depth. The
seed is u.sually sowed about the
end of April or beginning of
May, regard being had to lati-
tude and the meteorological con-
dition of the sea.son. It should
not be sown thickly, and not
deei>ly covered. In the course
of its growth (according to Prof.
Thaler,) no plant is more im-
proved by stirring the soil, after
which it grows astonishingly
fast and smothers the weeds.
In harvesting Millet great care
is required not to shed the seed ;
and. as it ripens rather unequal-
ly, it would be an advantage to
^ cut off the spikes a.s they ripen.
No grain is easier to thresh, or
to free from its husk by the mill.
It is used instead of rice, and
bears about the same price on
the continent of Europe, where
it is more cultivated than per-
s\=^— haps any other part of the world,
especially in Germany. It pro-
duces a great bulk of straw, which is much
esteemed by some as fodder."
There are various kinds of Millet, one kind
of which was introduced into Pennsylvania,
many years ago, (called "Bengal Gra.ss,") as
an object of culture, and at one time created
considerable interest among farmers ; it was,
however, found unsatisfactoiy in results, and
was .subsequently neglected or abandoned.
According to bur recollection this was very
"long ago" — in our boyhood — but we have
no recollection as to what the "expectations"
of the farmei-s were in regard to it, or whether
cultivated for fodder or for the seeds. More-
over, they at that time knew nothing of
"green feeding "-other than pasturing— if
even they entertained a thought of it.
The term MiUct comes from the French
word MHle—:\ thousand— alluding to the great
number of seeds produced by a single spike,
or "ear. " The generic name Panicuno comes
from paws— bread.
38
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[March,
THE FISH QUESTION.
The following address, by Peter Frally,
Esq., of Columbia, Pa., to the Fish Com-
mittee of the Legislature, whether dictated
merely by local interest or by principles of
public economy, seems to reflect so much that
is in harmony with the general experience in
the matter of State improvements, ameliorat-
ing; enterprises, domestic progress and the
habits of the shad, that we give it an inser-
tion in our journal as a matter of convenient
future references to those among our readers
who may be interested in questions involved.
We can distinctly recall the halcyon days of
shad-fishing along the middle Susquehana,
when the great hauls of 1,500 to 3,000 were
made, but these were few and far between,
and even then — sixty years ago — there were
also made many doleful complaints against
the gill-nets, south of Mason and Dixon's
line. We concur in the opinion that shad will
never be in the abundance they once were,
even if all obstructions were removed.
Gentlemen : The reason urged for the removal
of the Columbia dam is that it is an insurmountable
bar to the ascent of shad and other fishes to their
natural spawning grounds, the head waters of the
river, and because of this bar or obstruction shad are
becoming more and more scarce, and if the dam was
removed the abundance of former years would be
soon restored. It is claimed by those engineering
the appropriation bill, "that a dam will not be
needed, and that a mere wing-dam only will he re-
quired, thus allowing a large space of the natural
channel of the river as a free ascent to fish."
Upon this point I will quote Mr. J. C. Sharpless
(an eminent and well-known civil engineer, who was
employed by the "joint special committee on the
operations of the fish department," to make a sur-
vey of the route and estimate the cost of said re-
moval.) Mr. Sharpless, after a careful[instrumental
survey, reports to the committee as follows ;
"The rocks in the river bed are so numeous that
the construction of a channel, through which boats
could cross the river in safety, may be regarded as
almost, if not quite, impracticable. It would in-
volve heavy cost, and there would be great danger
of accidents to boats, unless great care were exer-
cised. I am unable to see how boats could make the
passage across in safety in any other way than by
the construction of a dam, reaching the entire dis-
tance across. A wing-dam has been suggested ; but,
in my judgment, when the river is low and the cur-
rent slow, it would not be eflfectual. When the river
is high, and the current rapid, it might check its
passage and raise the surface of the water to some
extent, but at such time it would not be needed. I
have, consequently, made an estimate for a dam,
four feet above low water."
Tou will perceive at once that the real question at
issue is not the removal of the dam from Columbia
as an obstrucHoii to the ascent of shad, but the re-
location of the same construction at Chiques, a point
about two and one-half miles above ; not to increase
the supply of fish, but in reality to increase the busi-
ness of an enterpri^e about uearing completion, hav-
ing its principal base of operations at Chiques, and,
possibly, to enrich a few speculators in land.
It is true that Mr. Sharpless reports that the dam
at Chiques need be but four feet higher than low
water mark. The Columbia dam is about five and
one-half feet higher than low water mai-k, but all
our fishermen will tell you that a dam four feet above
low water mark is just as eB'ectual a barrier to the
ascent of shad as if it was five and one-half feet
high. So that the only advantage then in increasing
the shad supply would be the distance from the Co-
lumbia dam to that of the Chiques for spawning
grounds. The bill, under which you are hearing this
committee, asks an appropriation of $.300,000 only,
when we have reason to believe that to complete all
the work necessary it will cost at least a solid mil-
lion for the removal of this one dam alone. Mr.
Sharpless, the engineer herebefore named, estimated
the cost as follows :
For constructing cacal and guard lock $205,124 37
For dam with sckule and feeder 58,727 54
For outlet and outlet lock 22,238 81
Contingencies 28,609 07
$314,699 79
It must not be forgotten that Mr. Sharpless was
employed by a Committee whose object was to show
as small a cost as possible, and that he had instruc-
tions to that effect is apparent from the last para-
graph of his " report " to the committee, as follows :
"The cost of this work will probably exceed the
expectations of your committee. A careful exami-
nation, in detail, has shown it to be more than I
anticipated. I have taken care not to exceed reason-
able limits in the prices of material and work, and I
do not think it could be done for less than is here
shown."
We have no means of testing the accuracy of Mr.
Sharpless' estimate for canal, five feet lock and
guard lock, but from the known nature of the ex-
cavations necessary, being largely of rock in the
river, and his failure to include laud damages for
right of way, we consider it as much too low as any
other item. Again, take the estimate for dam, chute
and feeder, ^.58,727. 54 ; all that is necessary to prove
the fallacy of this estimate is the statement made to
this delegation by the Superintendent of the Reading
and Columbia Railroad, that "the last time the
Columbia dam was repaired it cost the sum of nearly
?1.50,000." Remember this was for repairs merely.
If it cost that much for repairs only, you can form
some idea of the vastly greater sum it would cost to
build an entirely new dam at a point in the river
where the current has twice the rapidity of that at
Columbia. Again, take the estimate for outlet lock
and outlet, the sum of 822,328.81. Fortunately we
have the means at hand to show the difference be-
tween the estimated and real cost of this item, the
Pennsylvania Canal Company having lately com-
pleted an outlet and outlet lock in Columbia. This
lock being located almost immediately at their canal
did not require one-half the excavations which will
be required at Chiques because of the increased dis-
tance of the outlet lock from the canal and the more
extensive rock excavation necessary, and yet the
outlet at Columbia with its necessary equipments
cost (since the panic and during low prices of mate-
rial and labor) the sum of eighty thousand dollars.
The proposed outlet and outlet lock at Chiques are
to take the place of these at Columbia, and must be
in all particulars, their equals, and for re.asons stated
will probably cost more money, say four times as
much as Mr. Sharpless' estimate, or $88,954.24. If
we test all of his estimates by the same rule, which
we claim as fair and reasonable, and multiply by
four we have the grand total of cost reaching the
enormous sum of $1,2.58,799.16, without counting
the cost of the Reading and Columbia coal scbutes
say $125,000 more. No doubt, gentlemen, j'ou have
had' some experience of estimates made for legisla-
tive purposes by disinterested and public-spirited
lobbyists, and need not be told that between the
estimated cost and the actual cost there is a great
gulf to be filled. Here you have an instance in point
now before this Legislature, in the case of the " Nor-
ristown Hospital for the Insane :"
" Originally it was estimated that the whole cost
of the structure would not exceed |600,000. That
amount has been appropriated and expended, and
the Legislature is now asked for a further appropria-
tion of "1170,000, in order to make ready for the occu-
pation of patients a portion of the incomplete struc-
ture, which is not yet half completed."
The object in asking for $300,000 only is merely to
get the public purse opened — when "once opened
then — God help the people.
I will now leave this branch of the subject and
proceed to say something in regard to fish-ways.
We venture to suggest that proper elTorts have not
yet been made to secure sufiicient fish-ways in the
Columbia dam. While the Legislature and Fish
Commissioners deserve credit for their eflforts so far,
the failure to succeed satisfactorily is no reason why
the effort should be abandoned. It is well under-
stood by those at Columbia who have given the sub-
ject any study, why the fish-ways already built are
not as successful as could be wished. In the last
and only important fish-way built, the bottom of the
"way" at its debouchment is about four feet above
the bottom of the river, which by our experienced
fishermen is regarded as fatal to its success, besides
which, the bottom of the way being very smooth,
having been sheathed with sawed timber and the
grade being very steep, nearly 3 feet (2 91-100) to
the 100 feet, the water rushes through with rapidly
accelerating momentum, and enters the river below
with an irresistible plunge. That shad gather at the
edge of this fish-way and try to ascend but fail is
evident from the fact that as many as fifty have been
taken in a common dip net (say eight feet square)
in a single night, and during the season this one net
is supposed to have tiiken not less than two thousand
of these persevering, but baflled shad. Shad in
ascending very swift water, shallow like all of it is
immediately below the dam, swim as near the bot-
tom as possible, nature having taught them that the
nearer the bottom the less the resistance. It is a
singular fact that when passing up rapids, such as
we find in our rafting scbute, where it has been seen
in hundreds of instances, shad throw themselves on
their sides and drive through with great velocity in
that position, as near the bottom as possible. The
fact that a shad will not leave the bottom more than
a few inches to commence the ascent of shallow
rapids is one of the best authenticated facts con-
nected with its history, hence the failure of the last
fish-way. If this delegation was before the Fish
Committee, plans could be given them of successful
fish-ways based upon natural principles and well
tested by long and successful experiments at Colum-
bia. It is a misfortune to the cause of fish culture
that the people of Columbia, where the subject is so
much at heart, have been almost totally ignored by
the Fish Commissioners, seeming to regard us as
enemies rather than friends of the cause.
But, gentlemen, we can never hope, even if all the
dams which now obstruct our rivers were removed,
to restore anvthing like the former abundance of
shad. Bear in mind that the Columbia dam was
built nearly forty years ago, and consider the won-
derful advance of population and the improved and
multiplied appliances now used to catch shad. To
supply that population consider the wonderfully in-
creased means of rapid transportation by which fresh
shad are not only carried into the interior, but even to
San Francisco in their fresh condition, and the fresh
salmon of the Pacific sent us in return. The vast
demand, stimulated by these causes and the intro-
duction of so much machinery into nearly all the oc-
cupations of man, has forced very many additional
thousands into finding a precarious subsistance by
fishing, so that from the time shad enter the Albe-
marle Sound, on the coast of the Carolinas, until
they reach their spawning grounds in our rivers,
the devices man can invent are employed for their
capture, so that few indeed can ever be expected
reach very far above tide water ; on this subject hear
what the Fish Commissioners say in their report for
the year 1878 :
" But what have we below our dam ? There is the
estuary of the Susquehanna, from Port Deposit to
Havre de Grace, only four miles long. This is swept
by gill-nets for the whole distance, and it is a wonder
any fish at all can pass them. Then we have, say,
forty miles of shore seined at every mile, perhaps at
every quarter of a mile, by men whose only living is
what can be wrested from the river."
Every year millions of shad are hatched in the
river below the dam, as well as above it, and find
their way to the sea, and yet how few ever return. It
may surprise you to hear that during last spring's
fishing between our dam and Turkey Hill, a distance
of three miles, the highest estimate of the number
caught does not reach 30,000, and last spring's catch
was a fair average.
If it is our river dams only which are destroying
the supply of shad how are we to account for the
rapid decrease of all Anadromous fishes. There is
the herring, which never reached up as far as our dam ,
and does its spawning in or near fresh tidewater ;
with all its wonderful fecundity they are rapidly de-
creasing in number. So also with rockfish, perch,
mullets, carp, catfish and eels. These all cast their
spawn in or near tidewater and yet anglers and pro-
fessional fishermen will tell you their decrease is
steady and rapid. Without intending to exhaust the
subject I now close to give place to other members of
our delegation.
itil
all J
eir I
I?1
Queries and Answers.
THE HAND-MAID MOTH.
iDfitftiia Ministra,)
CL.iRK's Gkeen, Pa., Ist mo. 30th, 1879.
Fkisnd Rathvon : In my younff orchard, of fifty
acres, there appeared in 1873 a worm or caterpillar,
about July 25th — a voracious feeder upon apple and
cherry leaves, (sweet cherries only,) feeding singly,
but at evening gathering in a cluster to repose on a
twig, and when alarmed each one erecting both ex-
tremities of the body— growing very rapidly, and
finally reaching a length of two and a half inches,
when they become slightly furred, cease to congre-
gate, and disappear after a very few days of indi-
vidual rambling about the tree. They moult in clus-
ters, and resemble the worms infesting the pig-nut
hickory, except not so downy. A second brood ap-
pears about the 1st of September, equally ■
They spread slowly from the first locality. Is it the
Canker Worm ? A word from you on this subject
will be a favor. — S. Stevenson.
We will answer your last queery first, by
assuring you that it is not a " canker worm."
The canker worm is a " Looper," a " Geome-
ter," or, as some say, a "Measurer," and
could not possibly erect the extremities of the
body, having its feet at the extremeties and
none in the middle by which it could hold fast
to any object.
The eaterpillars you describe (called by way
of distinction the "yellow-necked apple tree
caterpillar") are the larva; of the "hand-maid
moth," a variety of the Datana tninistra, ot
Walker. There are many species of the
genus Batana, and at least three varieties of
the species Ministra. One infests the sumac,
one the apple, and one the black walnut, and
very probably the last named is also the one
that infests the pig-nut hickory, at least we
have found the same caterpillar on both the
black walnut and the cultivated English wal-
nut in this city in large numbers. After they
have completed their larval development they
come down from the trees and pupate under
the soil ; the first brood not very deeply,
sometimes among the rubbish at the base of
the trees, but the second brood much deeper,
for these will remain there in the pupa state
until the following spring in time for the first
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
39
summer folkige. No man that sees the first
brood ought ever to permit a second brood,
for we know of uo caterpillars more easily
captured than these. Their well-known habit
of congregating in masses on the trunks of
the trees, 'aUbrds an opportunity of capturing
and destroying the whole colony, by burning
or scalding, at a single operation. Before
their last moult they are different shades of
brown, distinctly marked with lines of white
or pale yellow, but after the last UKuilt tlicy
are black, with long, white tlossy hairs and
otherwise marked, according to tlie variety.
The body of the moth is about one inch m
length, and the wings expand about one inch
and a half, from tip to tip. Specimens ocea-
fiionally occur tliat expand two inches. ' Tlie
forewings are of a reddish-brown, with trans-
verse lines of a deeper color, but the hind
wings are shorter, proportionally broader, of
a lighter color, and without special markings.
The head and the upper part of the thorax
are a deep, velvety brown, and the rest of the
body nearly corresponds in color with the fore-
wings. These colors are lighter or darker in
the different varieties. On the 7th of August,
187S, Mr. Leman, of Lancaster city, brought
us 1,200 of these caterpillars, which he found
masfsed together near the base of an English
walnut tree. They had come down to undergo
their last moult, and as these were all destroyed
he will not be likely to have any next season.
He saw that his tree was becoming denuded
of its foliage, but he never noticed the cause
until that cause became consolidated. See
The Lancaster Farmer for January, 1879,
page 3. And here we would respectfully sug-
gest that the farmers and fruit-growers should
by all means subscribe for The Farmer, and
send to the editor any insects they may find
depredating upon their property, and he will
tell them what they are, their history and
habits, and how to destroy them.
E. M. E., Marietta, Pa.— The small bottle
of earth you gave me at the February meet-
ing of the Agricultural and Horticultural So-
ciety, 1879, contained about half a dozen
specimens of a species of "Galley-worms,"
and one of the larvaj of a species of "Crane-
fly," (Tipuliad.e). Not any of them were
in the mature state, and therefore their species
cannot be determined. The galley-worms are
My liio PODS, and are doubtless the young of
some species of Juhis; but they do not belong
to the same family as those noticed in The
Farmer for November, 1878, pp. 161 and 102,
which were given me by Mr. Scheaffer, of
Cocalico, and which he discovered destroying
his young tobacco plants for the past two sea-
sons. (See also October number, page 149,
same year.) These animals belong to tht
Millipede division of the Myriopods, all of
which are vegetable feeders, some of them
confining themselves to various species of
Fungus. They are very generally con-
founded with the "Wire-worms," and people
very generally give them that name, but the
true wire-worm belongs to a very different
order of articulated animals, they are six-
footed, whilst these have many feet, sometimes
going into the hundreds. They are known
among gardenera to be destructive to young
raddishes, turnips, tomatoes, redbeats, cab-
bages, letttice, beans and other species of
young vegetation, and perhaps also young to-
bacco plants. For a remedy see the articles
I have referred to above. Those who have it
not will discover they have made a mistake
in not subscribing for The Farmer.
From Manatee, Florida, we have received,
by mail, an animal belonging to the family
Arachnids Pulmoxaria, or "Pulmonary
Spiders." This individual belongs to the genus
Phyrus, and is by family allied to the Scorpions
and Whiptails, specimens of both of which arc
in the Museum of the Linnfcan Society. This
specimen completes all the tvpes of the family
found within the United States, and we are
very thankful for it, but to whom ? Echo an-
swers whom '? Friend, you did well, try again.
Essays.
THE CARE OF FRUIT TREES.*
In undertaking the task of writing an arti-
cle on the above subject, and not having had
a large experience, I shall endeavor to give
you a few thoughts in as plain language as my
rhetoric can command.
The care of fruit trees is ofttimes too much
neglected. To begin right is of the first im-
portance. The prevailing habit with some
persons has been to cram the trees into the
smallest possible hole, in an out-of-the-way
plot or fence corner, not, in their estimation
lit for anything else, and expect the trees to
live and flourish under such treatment. Many
of these usually fail the first year, or at least
languish a few years and die for the want of
a little care and attention ; when the planter
heaps his condemnation upon the nurseryman
or tree vendor, for having sold him diseased or
worthless stock.
Ijocation shmdd be the first consideration ;
rolling ground is always preferable, though
not always accessible ; would prefer a north-
easterly slope as the most desirable, with the
altitude as great as circumstances will allow.
In adopting such a site you will have perfect
drainage, a much lighter and less humid at-
mosphere, also have some protection from the
afternoon sun on mild winter days, that in
this climate sometimes follows excessive cold.
The sun striking the trunk in the after mid-
day, warming one side while the other remains
frozen, is often the cause of the bark bursting,
and not unfrequently is followed by the de-
struction of the tree. This, however, can in
part be avoided by growing the trees with low
tops, to which I shall allude hereafter. This
injury generally occurs about the time the
trees begia to bear, and also when there is no
shade except from the denuded branches of
the tree itself. You can readily perceive that
a slope of from ten to fifteen degrees would
elevate the tops of the upper trees suflSciently
to afford some shade to each succeeding row.
To assist in this protection and to occupy the
ground while the trees are small (more par-
ticularly the apple and standard pear), I would
advise the planting of a peach between each
apple ; and, indeed, a row between each apple
row would, by their quick growth, materially
assist in this winter protection, to say nothing
of the fruit they would produce before the
apple commenced to bear or occupy the whole
ground.
Cultivation is by no means of secondary
consideration, but I believe of vital import-
ance, and thorough tillage of the soil is neces-
sary for the first few years to induce a good
healthy growth. It is, however, necessary to
use some discretion to preserve the surface
soil on hilly ground. Should it be of a clayey
or tenacious character, which is not often
found on high hilly ground, there will be less
danger of wash or waste from the cultivation.
On the other hand, if tUe soil be a light, por-
ous shale, some care must be taken to avert
the loss of the very material it is most im-
portant to preserve. Summer crops will not
be injurious to the trees, provided the fertility
of the soil is kept up by the application of the
proper manures. Corn, potatoes, and, indeed,
all vegetables and most of the small fruits, for
the first few years may be grown with advan-
tage and fully compensate for the labor in the
tillage and leave a handsome profit besides.
Care should always be taken not to impoverish
the soil by this system of double taxation.
An annual dressing of manure or some other
good fertilizer will keep it in good heart while
this treatment is pursued.
The question of cultivation or non-cultiva-
tion after the trees have attained a bearing
age is a question on which many of our most
successful horticulturists disagree— each advo-
cating his theory as the basis to be relied upon.
Doubtless both have their advantages on some
points that are difficult to overthrow. I am,
•Efieay read before the Pennsylv
ture by Calvin Coope " ...
Agricultural Society.
however, very decidedly in favor of uo culti-
vation after the trees are ten or twelve years
planted, or, say half-grown. It has been ray
practice to top-dress with stable manure every
two or three years, with an occasional dress-
ing of lime or unleached wood ashes, about
one bushel to each tree, which in my opinion
will materially assist in keeping them in
health and productivenesi?. We generally cut
the first cro)) of grass and feed as a gi'een
crop. All aft. Tgrowth of grass or weeds is
either cut for a nuilch or trauqiled down and
allowed to remain. But no grass or other
vegetable matter should be permitted to grow
within three or four feet of the trees. This
we try to prevent by the annual application
of the finer parts of coal ashes, and also think
it insists in prevent iiM..; tlie ravages of that
little pest of the onlianlist, the "borer."
Care should !)(■ tal<eii to avoid too rank a
growth. I have often heard planters exult-
ingly speak of the great vigor of their trues,
their rapid growth, &c. This is often caused
by an excess of stimulants, and not unfre-
quently is followed by an incurable injury, if
not the entire de.struction, of the trees. 1 am
fully convinced by my own observation and
experience that tho.se of moderate growth,
especially the apple and pear, will be longer
lived and more pmduclive than those grown
too rapidly. The former will have better
ripened and more healthy wood, as well as
more fully developed fruit buds.
The peach, however, requires somewhat
different treatment. Not that they require
less cultivation, but it should be continued
while fruit is the object. The critical period
is the first few years after planting — to escape
the depredations of the borer, as one grub
will do more injury to a one or two-year old
tree than a dozen could to one full-grown.
Their tendency to overbear (where the peach
does well) should be guarded against by a
judicious thinning or shortening of the
branches, as well as to preserve the tree in
shape and good condition. They are best but
short-lived.
The origin of the yellows seems as yet
shrouded in mystery, but its contagious nature
is too well known to a majority of peach
growers. That there are conditions which
invite the malady I do not doubt, but I am
unable to give any better preventive than that
practiced for years— the cutting away of the
trees as soon as they are affected with the dis-
ease. Some, however, assert that a severe
heading in of the whole top and the feeding
of strong stimulants to the roots will induce
a new healthy growth free of the malady. In
visiting a fine orchard last fall I observed a
number of trees treated in this way, with
what success I am as yet unable to say. There
is little doubt that good cultivation and an
annual wash, prepared as you would for white-
washing, with the addition of om- bushel of
unleached wood ashes to every half bushel of
lime, will assist in preventing the attacks of
in.sect enemies and give tone and vigor to the
bark.
The treatment of the pear should be simi-
lar to that of the aiij^Ie. while, perhaps, the
cultivaticm might be keiit up longer and to a
greater depth. A.s the roots penetrate the
soil deeper there is little danger of injury to
surface roots. Instances are' not unfrequent
where old pear orchards, being long seeded to
gr.iss, and trees apparently exhausted, have
been restored to productiveness by a thorough
tearing up of the sod, the application of some
good fertilizer and good cultivation. Summer
crops may be grown without detriment, even
though the trees are quite large, but the all-
important fertilizer must not be neglected. I
would avoid the use of fresh stable manure,
as having a tendency to increase the blight,
to prevent which I know nothing better than
to dismember the branches on the first appear-
ance below the parts affected, and split the
bark of the remaining branches with a round-
ended knife, similar to a common case knife,
from the surface of the ground to the ends of
th« branches. This I find immediately relieves
the pressure of the hard, contracted bark,
40
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ March,
which seems to have checked the flow of sap.
I have frequently noticed in the opening, soon
after, a new bark, a pretty sure indication of
a check of the disease, and perhaps the saving
of the tree.
How to prune is of the utmost importance.
The future tree should be modeled while in
its infancy. Generally speaking, too much of
it is done. The careful orchardist will, with
his thumb and linger, or at most with a com-
mon pocket pruning knife, prune from the tree
while the tojis can be reached from the ground.
A little careful observation and thought will
soon dictate to any prudent mind where the
limbs should be started to make a well-propor-
tioned I op. -Low branches are decidedly pre-
f errable, say three or four feet from the ground.
These will assist in providing the shade above
refered to. Too much care cannot be used
to properly shape the tree while quite young.
Should the growth be long and slender^ with
few or no branches, cut back to where it is
desired to have the limbs start. If of a droop-
ing tendency, head back to where there is a
good and well-developed bud on the top of the
branch ; and if upright, leave the upper bud
on the outside, which will in the one case
have a tendency to make the tree incline up-
wards, while the other makes it spread. Ju-
dicious treatment can form the tree to any
shape desired. The common practice of re-
moving the small spurs that usually form at
nearly all the buds is destroying the object for
which the tree is grown. These liave an im-
portant mission to perlbrm. They materially
assist in sti'eiijiUniiin.otlie limbs by increasing
their thickness, and ;ue among the first to de-
velop fruit bud.s, while if taken off tliey neces-
sitate their formation near the ends of the
branches. Hence the greater strain and lia-
bility of the tree breaking when loaded with
fruit. Too large a proportion of those pro-
fessing to know how to prune make a grave
error in this way. Frequently persons making
a profession of the business travel from or-
chard to orchard making sad havoc upon the
very branches which should be preserved.
This, however, is one of the fine arts in tree-
pruning, and can be much better shown by
ocular demonstration than by describing.
One of the great follies with many orcliard-
ists is the attempt to double-work their
orchards by half manuring, and until they
learn that it is imi)ossible to take more out of
the soil than there is in it fruit-growing will
be uncertain, whether the seasons be favor-
able or not. V/hat kinds and quantity of
fertilizer should be applied must be deter-
mined according to the constituents of the
various soils. A neighbor has been quite
successful by applying liquid manure from his
barnyard on the sod under his trees, and I
believe the sewerage from tlie house could be
used with equally good results.
Things being favorable to the production of
regular crops, it is of vital importance for the
grower to understand to a certain extent the
nature and habits of insect enemies and apply
methods to counteract their depredations,
else they will rob him of the benefits of a large
part of his previous laljors and expenses on
his orchard. In planting be sure there are
no borers in before the tree is set, and an-
nually thereafter (until the trees have attained
a diameter of three or four inches) wrap the
trunk with paper from tlie surface to the
ground to the height of about one foot. A
small mound will assist in keeping the tree in
place and prevent it coming off. Tic the tops
with woolen yarn to allow for expaiision.
This may be removed in October, and should
any borers have obtained a lodgment they can
easily be seen and removed with a sharp-
pointed knife or piece of steel wire. The
trees having arrived to a fruiting age we have
other enemies— the codling moth and curcu-
lio— to contend with. I know of no new
method for their destruction. The wash
spoken of in a former (niragraph of this article,
may assist l)y keeping the bark smooth and
clean ; prevent the former from obtaining a
hiding place while passing from a chrysalis to
a perfect insect. Have frequently thought
these little pests might be attracted and
caught by small fires set ablaze soon after
dusk to entrap them on the wing. A batch
of straw tied to a pole with wire, and thor-
oughly saturated with tar, or some other in-
flammable matter, would be of but little ex-
pense and easily carried through the orchard
after dark. Gathering and removing the
fallen fruit that has been punctured is per-
haps the only means to lessen their depreda-
tions.
Having sketched the ground ft-om the
planting of the tree to its maturity, it would
be most desirable to produce regular and
moderate crops instead of alternate failures
and excesses. This is the question now occu-
pying the attention of many orchardists, and
before long it is hoped we may know how to
produce a'crop the off-year. The evidence is
strongly in favor of thinning the excess while
the fruit is small, so as to give the tree a
chance to develop and mature fruit buds for
the coming year.
ESSAY*
On the question—" Which would be best,
to keep the cattle stabled all summer and feed
them on green fodder, or turn them into pas-
ture ?"
I think keeping cattle in the stable, or in a
shady pen or shed would be best ; if we were
accustomed to keep them so, it would be
cheapest in the end. If we turn them into the
field they tramp down a good deal more than
they eat. It is, of course, a benefit to the soil
if the grass is tramped down, but if we cut the
grass and feed it in the stable, and haul out
the manure, it will benefit the soil more, and
we can feed more cattle ; moreover, we would
need little or no fencing. But iJeople in our
day would be apt to say, that costs too much
labor. But we will see which is the most
laborious, to haul home the green fodder oi
to keep the farm in fences. If a farmer has
no help of his own he can hire a boy strong
enough to do the work for about $1U.00 per
month, and six mouths is all the time he can
pasture ; that will be $60. Can we keep the
farm in fences for less than §60 a year ? That
would, of course, depend upon the size of the
farm ; but we will say a farm of 80 acres,
and, besides, we can raise a few rows of corn
and potatoes in places where every fence
stood. The way we have oiu: farms fenced
the fences take up at least three-quarters of
an acre of land. On that we might raise
enough of potatoes or corn to pay a hired boy,
and he can find time enough to cultivate it
besides feeding stock. We might as well
adopt this S3'stem at once, and take our old
fences for fuel while coal is so high in price ;
then, also, the fox hunters need not cut or
break our fences down. But under our present
laws we must have fences along our public
roads to keep out our neighbors hogs and
cattle.
The stable must be well ventilated during
the hot weather. It Would, perhaps, be best
to have a pen or shed and keep our cattle in
the pen, night and morning, during the hot
weather. The stable should be kept open
during the night that it may become cool, and
closed in the morning to keep it cool, and then
towards noon put the cattle in and keep it
closed to prevent the flies from annoying them.
^oiv, as to feed : Corn and clover are the
best food. Feed clover first, and sow corn in
drills from the 1st of May to the middle of
July— every two weeks— but sow the most in
May. When a drsuth comes after harvest tie
late sowing may be very short. In such a case
we can feed the early sown at the time of the
late if it fails, aud if not needed it can be
cured for winter use. It is in its best state
when the lower leaves begin to get yellow for
green feeding, and when half dead it is better
than second crop clover as a cured crop for
winter feeding. As corn is hard to cure it
should be a little old before cut for that pur-
pose. Sow the corn one kernel to the inch and
cultivate it. Some writers prefer sowing rye
for the earliest green feeding, but there is no
gain in it. It takes too much seed, and when
once up in bulk it will soon turn to a strawy
state. Better feed dry fodder eight or tea
days longer, until we can get clover. Cut
clover when only six inches high ; mix a little
among the dry fodder ; increase as the grass
grows, and when it is in bloom stop dry feed.
The most diftieult time is when the clover
gets too old. Corn must be fit by that time,
but the earliest cut clover can be cut again.
If too young the old and the young can be
mixed together ; but when the corn is once
fit we need nothing else. Green feed should
be cut in the morning after the dew is off, and
taken in before it gets warm. If cut and taken
in when it is warm it begins to get "heated"
immediately, but when taken in cool and set
up along a wall it will remain so for several
days. It is best to run it through a fodder
cutter. According to my experience cattle
will eat more of it when fed in this way. I
once commenced feeding it whole, but the
cattle soon left some of the stalks which they
would not eat. Then I commenced cutting
it in the same quantity, and then they ate it
all and I increased the quantity. It does not
require much additional work if we have
everything handy. Have the cutter in a con-
venient place all the time ; it cuts easy when
the knives are kept sharp.
Two horses are all that are necessary. This
work can be done when the team comes home
at noon, and before it goes out after dinner; it
requires only about fifteen minutes of time ;
it should be cut every day. It may be cut for
two days by spreading it out thin on the barn
floor, and having the doors opened at night
and closed during the day to keep it cool. If
it lays too tliiek h will heat and get sour.
We ouglit to have a low one-horse wagon,
with wheels only 20 inches high, and a plat-
form on it, 10 feet long and 5 feet wide ; also
a sickle to cut the corn. Then drive along-
side of the row ; cut three rows at a time ; lay
it on the wagon as you cut it, butts all on one
side. When you get enough drive into the
barn alongside of the cutting machine, aud
when you come to cut you will need no person
to hand fodder to you.
Such a wagon is also handy to haul in the
grass, if we add sideboards to it. When every-
thing is convenient it requires only half the
labor to do the work in hand.
Contributions.
For The Lancaster Farmer.
MORE LIGHT WANTED.
Editor Farmeb : Under the head of
"Moonlight," a writer {J. G.) in the January
number of The Farmer informs us that
potatoes want loose soil ; therefore, he says,
"plow in the rising of the moon if the soil is
clayey or heavy ;" but " should the soil be too
light or loose I plow in the setting of the
moon." Again, he says: "On stift' soil it
would be well if we could work the soil always
in the rising of the moon." As I am inter-
ested in potato raising, and am quite ignorant
in regard to th.e influence of the different
phases of the moon on plowing, planting and
cultivating, I will be greatly obliged to J. G.
if he will inform me and others who are like-
wise interested:
1st. What is to be understood by the ex-
pressions—"rising" and "setting" of the
moon ? Does " rising," as used by him, mean
the time that orb is ascending in the heavens,
from the time it appears in the eastern horizon
until it reaches the meridian, from five to
seven hours afterward, each day, and the
" setting " mean its decline toward the west ;
or do these terms refer to the increase and de-
crease of the light portion of the moon, as
seen from the earth ? I would like to have
precise information about this, lest in attempt-
ing to follow J. G.'s directions I make a fatal
mistake.
2d. Will J. G. oblige those who are seeking
light on the subject by stating the ground of
his belief that it is better to plow aud culti-
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
41
vate particular kinds of soil in one pliase or
stu^e of the naoou's progress, rather than in
anothei:.
Many persons that I meet with, some of
them intelUj;eiit and Icarnud men and suc-
cessful farmertf, maintain llial the cliauKinp;
phases of the moon have mi st-nsiljUi t-fH-ct
whatever on tlu' weallirr, tlic soil or the eroiis.
If they are mistaken in lliis opinion, J. (J.
may render valuable service to the cause of
agricultural progress by giving the public the
grounds upon which he rests the contnuy
belief. Fanners who regulate their iilowinj;
and sowing and oiluT operations of Uie farm
by the moon have hcr.'toforc almost invari-
ably been very backward about givin;,' their
experience and the grounds of llieir faith in
the uewsi)apers or agricultural Journals. It
is to be hoped that tliisculpable reticence will
no longer be the rule, or at least that tliere
will be some exceptions to it. — Amateur Far-
mer.
N. B.— J. G. will confer a favor by answer-
ing in the April number of The Faumer, so
that the information will be available iu time
for potato planting.
For The Lancaster Farmer.
A WORD IN REPLY.
In the February ninnber of The Faujieis
Mr. "J. p." publishes a paper on "The bal-
ance of Trade," in which he essays to refute
the arguments of P. S, Heist, in a previous
article, and the argument of IJalance of Trade
generally. It is to be lamented that in his
vain endeavor Mr. J. P. should make use of
such utterly weak arguments as he has em-
ployed in this article. Tie makes some very
bold statements in the beginning relative to
our country's iiiosperity, and concludes by
saying that the rule obtains "in Great Britain,
and doubtless all other nations having an ex-
tensive foreign commerce." Xovv, a paper
that claims to be conclusive should not in-
dulge in any statements of doubtful veracity,
and impose its author's whims upon the eiedi-
bility of unwary readers. Xo evidence is so
conclusive as the irresistible logic of fads.
But we look in vain for these in this paper.
The author uses what he seems to consider
more important than facts, namely, illustra-
tions, wliich arc supposed to impress facts.
But these illustrations are so hopelessly il-
logical that they teach the opposite of what
they were intended for.
We cannot help giving an extract of bis
"familiar illustration."
" A Lancaster county miller makes a con-
signment of ten barrels of Hoin- to Liverpool.
Di Philadelphia it is worth S.").00 per barrel-
total S50. At Liverpool it is sold for *60, anil
the money laid out in tine salt at $2.00 per
sack. The Siilt is dispatched to America and
sold for *2.u0 per sack— total 875. In this
transaction, therefore, $.oO were exported and
S75 imported. The miller has gained |2.5, and
manifestly the country is that much richer."
This is supposed to prove that it is no real
advantage to have the balance of trade in our
favt)r.
But what does it prove ? . Why, it proves
nothing but that the one who uses it is using
unsound logic.
He sneers at the idea that "the advocates
of the Balance of Trade theory seem to hold
that the more we send abroad, and the less we
get in return for it, the greater is our gain."
And yet, is not this the case ? The more we
send abroad, tlie more value we have pro-
duced, which we get in return, either in
money or^oods. And the less goods we im-
port, the more nearly we are able to ju-ovide
for our own necessities, anil therefore, the
better oft'. For all the merchandise we im-
port we must pay an equivalent. And it is
clear that it is the wealth we produce and not
the wealth we bui/ that conduces to our pros-
perity. Of two farmers dealing with each
other, the one who has the more money to
get at the end of the year has the advantage,
for he has produced more in excess of bis needs
than the other. So, if a country dealing with
another has the balance of trade in its favor
at the end of the year, it means that it has
produced and exported more wealth than it
imported ; and remember it is wealth pro-
duced and not bought that is net gain.
In the above we do not deny that the miller
has gained $2.'), but we do say that it is not a
fair argument. It is not a parallel case, and
is entirely misapplied.- ■/. iS. '!'.
INDIAN TOBACCO.
(/.oh fin InJInUi.)
This humble, weed-like ])lant belongs to a
genus that embraces upwards of eighty-four
described species and varieties. Many are
exotic, ureen-liouse herbs and evergreens.
IJr. t;riiv deserili.s twelve s|ieeies, met with
in the Xorlhriii Initetl StuH's, auionj; which
the "t'ardinal llowei." •• /..,/„//,- r,,,i//,erf,„-,"
is jiorhaps the most sliowy, with its bright,
crimson dowers ; the " L. s!jphylUka,y also,
has fine, large, Ufjht-bbie flowers, and is quite
common iu low grounds.
The eonilla leis a straight tube, which is
split down oil the upiier side, leaving two
erect lolies, the low,.|- lips sineadiiig and three-
cleft, ealvx tulie short, tive-clcft, and the
ovoid pod" in the species figured and becomes
inflated; it is (piile common in dry, open soil i"
July and September. This celei)rated quack
medicine, known as "Indian Tobacco," needs
some attention for several reasons. It evi-
dently has an acrid principle, emits a milky
juice, and when chewed produces a burning,
acrimonious sensation, not unlike the taste of
"green tobacco," hence called "Indian to-
bacco." The leaves and capsules, when
chewed, have this combined acrid and nar-
cotic iirojierty, producing giddiness and pain
in the head, and at length nau.sea and vomit-
ing, like lioys' e;;iierience when first attempt-
ing to chew or smok<' tobacco. A certain
Samuel Thomson, a (piack at Beverly, was
tried for the murder of Ezra Lovetl, some
years ago, to whom it was administered as a
physic, in powder, causing great distress, fol-
lowed up by another dose and another, until the
the patient expired. But as no malice could
be iiroved, and he had some reputation, the
arrest for murder could not be sustained, and,
as might be found in many other cases, the
homicide considei'ed legitimate. In the hands
of a few judicious physicians it has proved
beneficial in asthma, such cases termed " an
asthma from pulmonic irritatation of efl'usod
scrum, " whatever that means. I quote Dr.
Bree, iu his " Practical iuquiiies on disordered
respiration." Dr. Randall gave it with suc-
cess, in small doses, in catarrh, as an expec-
torant. But I shall not encourage the use "of
it by (pioting from other sources in its favor,
in dyspeiisia and cases of rln-umalic nature,
in which benefit was felt. Two ounces of thti
dried plant iliuested in a pint of diluted alco-
hol, given in teaspoonfull doses to an adult,
will generally jiroduee nausea and sometimes
vomiting.
As this i)lant is common in pasture fields, iu
the latter part of summer, it has been sus-
pected to l)c one of the sources which pro-
duces slobbering of hor.scB. Dr. Darlington
was inclined to doubt this, "because the horse
is a dainty animal iu the selection of food."
It is true that horses and cattle crop around
noxious Weeds, yet there is no question that
such an active jilant, mixed with the grass
eaten by the aiuuial, might produce the evil
suspected.
The generic name, "Lobelia," was given
to some species, in honor of Matthias de
Lobel. a botanist of some note, born ir.'iS, and
died in IHK'). of whom ([uite an interesting
account is pulilislu'd. He was the author of
critical exanunations on older botanical
writere, and added many new plants to the
list known in his time. — J. Stanffer.
For THF f.ANCAKTF.R FaKMRB.
PRUNING -ITS USES AND ABUSES.
When is the best time to prune trees and
vines y I would say in February and June,
when pruning has been neglected for some
time. When to commence, or at what age of
the trees the pruning should begin may be
approximately illustrated by the following
anecdote. On a certain occasion a mother
asked a celebrated instructor when she should
begin to. teach her children — or rather her
child. He inquired the age of the child, to
which she replied, three i/earn. Then, replied
the instructor, you have already lost two years.
So with pruning trees. I recommend the fol-
lowinir. ^^'hen I commence to plant them I
do mv llist pruning. It should then be con-
tinued every year, more or less, which would
require very little time. And that with a
pruning knife, unless you fancy the growth
of a tree like a tow-rack of an olden-tirae
spinning wheel, or unless you pjant apple trees
along a fence, froTU apple seeds, for a hedge.
You may train your ajijile to your own fancy.
Some prefer low heads, others prefer them
higli. From three to six stool is enough. For
brauehes in spreading trees the limbs should
b>' started from six to eight feet from the
ground. Upright growers from four to six
feet above the 'ground.
t)f all trees the apple is most benefited by
pruning ; likewise the quince. The pear tree
can be improved and beautified bv pruning.
The peach tree when plant. mI sliould have the
shape of a walkinu'-stiek. Its head should be
kept h)W in the orchard and its branclu s nice-
ly thinned out, so that most of the peaches
can be hand-picked. The Richmond clierry
and sour cherrv can be much improved by
pruning. Of all fruit trees the sweet cherry
needs t'he least pruniny:. (ienerally the best
kind have just enoui;!) of branches to bear
well. All liind of trees should be and can be
improved bv judicious pruuin|^. It is becom-
ing evident'that our homes, if ever so humble
or small, as well as our larger farms, shoidd
he jilanted with a variety of fruit and orna-
mental trees, both for ornament or for profit,
and all these trees should be cared for and
properly pruned, so shaping them that they
may excite the admiration of the community.
It will add an additional charm to the beau-
ties of nature, as nursed and planted, under
Providence, by the skillful band of man. The
wood eliminated, when dried, will answer for
fuel for the summer months. Trees along a
middle or lino fence should be trimmed well
uj) for the improvement of the butts of the
trees, for mechanical i)urposes, or for posts,
scantling, boards, Ac Young forest trees can
be vastlv improved. If the side branches are
taken off, so that the butt of the tree wall
have the growth centering there, the tree aud
42
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ March,
its oflal would keep mauy a family in fire
wood ; mauy persons would be willing to keep
their trees in " condition " for the use of the
offal wood.
Abuite of Pruning. — "When an orchard of
fruit ti-ees has been neglected for some years
and has too many limbs, and is sometimes
almost decapitated of its branches in the win-
ter, or at any other time during April or May,
it is the most ruinous time because the sap
will flow freely down the trees, as if a coal
of lampblack had been rubbed over the butts
of them. I have seen whole orchards de-
stroyed in that way. An orchard should
never be so long neglected ; if you want a long-
lived orcliard, therefore commence to prune
in time while the trees are small. All kinds
of trees are injured by cutting large limbs oft.
It will not heal in time to overgrow the
wounds of the tree, and will commence pre-
maturely to decay, and sometimes become
hollow and useless for mechauical purposes.
The peach tree is also very liable to injury
when large limbs are removed.
The grape should be pruned in February.
Wliole vines have been destroyed after April ;
when pruning has not been attended to until
that month, I would recommend that the
pruning be deferred until June for all- kinds
of fruit trees and shrubbery about the place.
When small limbs are taken oif, the wounds
will almost close uji the same summer. — L.
S. R., Oreijon, March, 1879.
MORE ABOUT EELS.
Dr. S. S. Rath von— Dear Sir: Please
allow me to correct you. In the February
number of The Lanc,\ster Farmer you
say that " I saw the eels migrating about the
years 1849 or '50 ;" this is incorrect, as near
as I can remember it was in 1865. I have
taken pains to ascertain all about the migra-
tion of eels, and am now in possession of
evidence which convinces me they ascend the
Susquehanna every spring. In February the
young eels are hatched in deep bay water, in
the mud, and arrive at this point the latter
end of May or beginning of June. They have
then grown to a length of four to six inches,
and paddle along the shore at a lively rate.
I think one of the reasons they are not oftener
observed is because they pass at a time when
comparatively few persons are fishing along
shore, the river being as a general thing too
low for this purpose.
Mr. Levi Neff, of Highville, was raised on
an island hi the Susquehanna, and had
splendid opportunities to observe the habits
of the fish common in its waters, and he in-
forms me that he saw the small eels migrating
more than a dozen times, and is certain that
they go up every year. Mr. Harry Hershey
has also seen them migrate four times in a
period of fifteen years.
I will endeavor, this spring, to create an
enthusiasm among the dwellers of the river
shore with regard to this question, and try to
induce them to watch, and if they are seen
passing I will let you know.
I think from what I could glean from
fishermen that you are correct as to different
species being found in our wat&l-s. The Octo-
raro creek has a dam ten feet high at Rolands-
ville, Md. Yet many hundreds of eels are
annually caught in the creek above the dam,
and it is reasonable to suppose they never
leave the creek, breeding in the mud of the
mill dam. — FoMTS, Ac, E. K. Hershey, Cres-
loell Pa., Feb. 25, 1879.
[Tliere is no better way of eliciting authen-
tic information on any subject than by calling
the attention of those to it who have experi-
mental knowledge on it, by inquiry, agitation
or discussion. The migration of eels, an-
nually, seems "settled." Now let us know
all about their eggs, when they are spawned,
and how they appear as compared with the
eggs ot other fishes. — Ed.]
For The LANCAyTER FabmEB.
OATS AS FEED FOR HORSES.
I once expressed my surprise, to an old
farmer, that so much oats was farmed when
corn yielded larger and more certain crops.
The reply I received was, "there is nothing
like oats to feed to horses at work, but I
nearly always feed oats and corn mixed."
The old gentleman being in a hurry to go
home at the time, I was not able to ascertain
from him the reasons for his thinking oats
superior to other feed. The matter was not
allowed to drop, and I found out in time that
this practical farmer, who haS hardly a fair
common school education, but is a man of
good sense and habits of observation, had by
experience hit upon one of the best feeds for
horses probably in existence.
All persons who have been around horses,
more or less, have noticed that many horses
considered " thin in flesh " have been able to
work hard and nut show much signs of dis-
tress, such as sweating and blowing, while
large, fat horses have given out or been unable
to do the same amount of work. It is to our
interest to find the cause of this, and science
stands ready to point out the reasons of the
facts. All vegetable (and animal) substances
are composed of water, ashes and organic mat-
ter. When burned the water and organic
substances disappear, leaving only the ashes.
With the water and ashes we are not at
present concerned, but turn our attention
solely to the organic matter. The organic
matter is the only part that "feeds up" the
animal, and this matter is pretty sharply
divided into albuminoids and carbo-hydrates.
The principal carbo-hydrates are starch,
sugar and fats of all kinds. These in feeding
produce heat (or warmth) and fats.
The albuminoids are numerous, but all de-
pendent as such on the nitrogen they contain,
and in feeding they build up the lean meat
and muscle.
All vegetable materials contain albumi-
noids and carbo-hydrates, but in very variable
proportions, and it has been discovered by
practical tests and trials what the proportion
should be ; from these tests it has been de-
termined that for working animals the ratio
ot albuminoids should be to carbo-hydrates as
1 to 4 40.
In the table given below, adapted from
.Johnson's "How Crops Grow," is given the
composition of some of the principal materials
fed to horses :
—--•
If
ii
t
m
Meadow Hay
Red Clover
8.2
1S.4
9.7
12.0
10.0
ll.O
9.0
14.0
14.5
41.3
29.9
48.8
60.9
6S.0
69.2
65.9
50.0
53.5
2.0
3.2
3.0
2^0
2.5
3.8
3.5
110 5.03
1 to 2.23
1 to 5.03
1 to 5.07
. to (-..SO
1 to 6.29
1 to 3!57
1 to 3.69
Medium.
(Cut in
\ bloom
S'.r*.".^.'.'::::;::
Corn
Rye
Barley
Wheat Bran
Bye Bran
The headings explain the contents of the
columns. The figures are per cents. , thus : In
100 pounds of oats there would be 12 pounds
of albuminoids, 60.9 pounds of carbo-hydrates,
&c. The column of fat (oils,) is included in
the carbo-hydrates, and this column is merely
given to .show why some feeds "lay on fat "
so much faster than others.
The "ratio" column interests us most now,
and by examining it we find that oats, timothy
hay and meadow hay approach nearest to the
ratio of 1 to 4.4. If we paid attention only
to the formation of muscle for work the hay
would seem to be as good or better than oats,
but there are two objections against it. Hay
is too bulky to allow the horse to eat enough
for his needs and contains only from one-third
to one-half the fat contained in oats.
The majority of farmers feed a mixed clover
and timothy hay, the average ratio of which
is as 1 to 3.41. If to the hay, oats in equal
quantity (by weight) was fed we would have
a ratio of 1 to 4.26 ; if corn and oats mixed
would be taken, then we would have a ratio
of 1 to 4.63, as near as we can conveniently
approach and not varying from 4.40. This is
just what our friend thought best, and shows
plainly that genuine experience and science
agree when rightly interpreted.
Another practice in feeding has also come
in vogue, the mixing of oats and wheat bran,
and the practice is sound, particularly when
only timothy hay is fed. What we have to
strive after is to give the horse a feed, the ratio
of which is as close 1 to 4.40 as possible, and
as his stomach is small compared with his
size, we must use grain and other feed to
some extent.
When corn is the only grain on hand, we
might make some approach to oats by mixing
equal quantities, by weight, of chopped corn
and bran. This fed along with mixed timothy
and clover hay would most probably keep the
horses in as good a condition as if oats was
fed. In such feeding the ratio of albuminoids
to carbo-hydrates would be about 1 to 4.58.
I know of one man who keeps his team in
good order on chopped corn and rye. While
the rye in some degree reduces the fattening
tendency of the corn, it is not equal to oats in
forming muscle, but the mixture is better
than iiure corn would be.
But to come back to our "oats." I have
heard an objection against it, in that it would
give horses a rough coat. This roughness is
often seen in horses, and usually is more often
the case in winter than in summer. As soon
as a horse gets a nibble at grass the roughness
disappears ; we are not ablerto get grass in the
winter and so we must look for a substitute ;
this, fortunately, is found right at hand in
bran ; the latter is a laxative, and when not
fed in too large quantities, puts the bowels in
good condition and gives that glossy coat so
much admired in well-kept and well-governed
horses.
On the whole, as oats, in the order of crea-
tion, is older than the horse, it must be sup-
posed that the horse was made to eat the oats,
and oats he should by all means have.—
A. B. K.
Our Local Organizations.
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICUL-
TURAL SOCIETY.
The Lancaster County Affricultural and Horticul-
tural Society met in their rooms, on Monday after-
noon, Miirch :5rd, at two n'cloi'k, anil was called to
orde
o]ici-. Till- IV.llowing- members
II CcH.ir I-, I'ri'.sident, Bird-in-
II, r, >rri.i ;irv. Paradise ; Peter
■ M. Eiml. . Marietta; John C.
enry S. Kiirlz, Mount Joy ; W.
la; "Frank Sutlon, Mauheim;
aaa; F. i;. Dillendertfer, city;
U. D. Kcndie, Manor; Colin
Albert Mcllvaine, Paradise;
Hand; Joseph F. Wii
S. Keist, Liliz; Ilnir
Linville, Salisbnrv: I
P. Brintoii, Christia
Casper Hiller, Coiiest
J. M. Johnston, city ;
Cameron, Elizabeth
Henry Herr, East Hempfield ; Simon P. Eby, city;
I. L. Landis, Manheim ; Epliraim H. Hoover, Man-
heim ; C. L. Hunsecker, Manheim ; Dr. S. S. Kath-
vou, ritv ; J. Hartman Hershey, Kohrerstown; A. F.
Hi.sirM;i-, (ire-i.n; Judee George D. Stitzel, Read-
in;;; 1). Ihiruiiiin, i-ity ; Henry Wissler, Columbia;
E P. Kn"le, Marietta ; Simon A. Hershey, West
Henjpfield ; C. A. Park, Geneva, New York.
The minutes ol the i.nevious meeting were not read.
Henry Wissler, Columbia; Colin Cameron, Eliza-
beth ; W. P. Brintcni, city : James Black, city ; Elam
Eshleman and .\lbert .Mcllvaine, Paradise, were
elected members of the society.
Crop reports being called lor Henry Kurtz, Mount
Joy, said that in his neighborhood the wheat from
whicli the snow has mclli>d looks rather poor, though
some of it which looked well in the fall still looks
It is yet too early to estimate what the crops
o a good deal has been sold and
d deal to sell. The holders are
l,e prices otfered, and will proba-
Of tobf
rops.
wheat did not look promising,
but tuoil crups have been grown from worse looking
wheat. The fruit buds have not been hurt by the
cold. The rainfall for January was VA inches, and
for February !'.( inches.
An essay ,rtrawing a comparison between old times
and new, was read by Henry Kurtz.
On motion of iMr. Engle the rules were suspended
to allow Judge Stitzel, of Reading, to make some
remarks.
Remarks from Judge Stitzel.
Jud.ge Stitzel said he was not in the habit of
apologizing on such occasions, btit the society must
not rxpnt to hear much from him, as he was not
pir|Miiil. U" rame from Reading this morning,
ciMi;|il. I, ! lii> lufiness, and was invited here. The
aiiirli- jiiM i..;iil ^aid we are not progressing. He
thou^iht this was because we do not make our'homes
attractive. Farmers should procure books for their
sons. Books on agriculture should be bought freely,
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
43
:i;i 1 tlie boys reading these would become Interested
in I heir father's work aud follow In their steps,
tarniiug, lu his opinion, Is far ahead of any other
business, and It should be made attractive. Here, in
Lancaster county, the garden spot, there should be a
well-organized agricultural society, but from what
he had heard he believed the society's affairs were
not in good condition. There was no reason for this.
Speaking of fairs, he said a fair without ahorse
race was like a circus without a clown. Over In
Berks county they award high premiums to horses,
and raise the money by charging admission fee when
the horses are entered ; also, a fee for the spectators.
He touched on the growing of tobacco and the
success of Lancaster farmers In this branch of agri-
culture. Berks county farmers have not learned
how to raise it yet. He thought truck farming
would be profitable in this county. He gave as a
reason for the failure of stock-raising In this part of
Stale, that the Western men could raise it so much
cheaper, and then send their poor stock here, selling
It at the lowest rates. Farmers here, therefore,
must raise cropi that the Western people cannot
send 80 long a distance, truck, fruit, etc. Our fruit,
of course, cannot compare with that of California,
but we need have no fear of competition from that
quarter. We should raise truck, tobacco or fruit ;
the latter Is not only a great luxury, but it is very
profitable.
Mr. Engle said he was much pleased with the gen-
tleman's remarks, which, though rambling, were in-
teresting. He rightly said that we must raise a
greater variety of products, and not depend on the
cereals alone.
Judge Stitzel then spoke of the offer of the Berks
County Agricultural Society of a premium to the
planter of the largest number of trees. The money
■was voted in 1875, and he was on the committee to
award the premiums and form the rules. This pre-
mium caused at least 50,000 trees to be planted in
the county. He thought the money was well ex-
pended. They also offered a premium for the best
cultivated orchard . Before It was offered the orchards
were, in a majority of cases, in a bad condition, but
the premium made them stir around aud the im-
provement was wonderful. He thought if Lancas-
ter county farmers would offer a premium the county
would be benefiied, as was Berks county.
A. F. Hostetter, of Oregon, stated that at the
meeting of the Berks County Society Judge Stitzel
had read an essay on "Houses for Preserving Fruit,"
and he wished that the gentleman would repeat the
principal items of it.
In response to this request Judge Stitzel related,
shortly, their method of preserving fruit. They
constructed refrigerators or fruit-houses, which men
raising fruit should club togcthar and erect. They
are built two stories high, of frame, with ice over
the top and in the sides. 'The story above should be
six or eight feet high with a little story above that
for ventilation. The fiue is ruu through from the
first to the second story, and the temperature should
be regulated by a valve. The fruit is stored in boxes,
should be gathered early and put in the ice house at
once. He has Kambo apples now, which are as
fresh as when picked. Cider, oranges, lemons and
eggs can be kept fresh in these houses the same as
fruit. There are varieties of apples that will keep in
the cellar that will not kiep in the fruit house, but
the majority of winter apples will keep well.
Mr. Engle said that If Lancaster county did not
look out it would lose its right to the name of the
garden county, and simply from want of enterprise.
He had long since proposed the building of fruit
houses, but none were ever put up.
A vote of thanks was extended to Judge Stitzel for
bis instructive remarks.
The Society's Charter.
Mr. Eby presented a draft of a charter for the
society, which he proposed to submit to the Court.
Its provisions were in accordance with the resolutions
of the society at its last meeting.
Several of the members seemed to think that there
was danger in the stock plan. There idea was that
outsiders might purchase so much of the stock as
would give them a majority, and then divert the
society from its original purpose, leaving the farmers
out in the cold.
On motion, the charter was taken up, but several
sections caused dissatisfaction among the members,
and it was resolved that when the society adjourn it
adjourn to meet two weeks hence, when a full atten-
dance of the members is earnestly requested, as the
business transacted will be of the utmost importance.
On motion, it was resolved to have tlie last four
volumes of Tub Lancaster Fakmeh bound.
Business for Next Meeting.
" How can farm life be made more attractive and
pleasant V was adopted for general discussion at the
next meeting. Adjourned.
BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
The Bee-Keepers' Association met on Monday
afternoon, February 17, in the parlor of the Black
Horse Hotel. Vice President J. F. Hcrshey called
the meeting to order, with the following members
(ind visitors present : Peter Reist, President, Lltiz;
I. 0. Martin, Earl; J. F. Hershey, Mount Joy; .John
Hubcr, Pequea; Ellas Hershey, Paradise; Clare Car-
penter, city; J. M. Johnston, city; F. K. Dlfl'en-
derOer, city; Jonas H. Shank, East Lampeter; 8. H.
Musselman, New Holland; J. Hurst, Balnbrldge;
J. H. Mellingcr, Strasburg; E. U. Melliugcr, Stras-
burg; Amos A. Kessler, Strasburg.
Reports.
The President staled that he wintered about seventy
swarms in the house he prepared for that purpose.
Has lost very few bees so far.
I. G. Martin so far has lost very few bees, not half
a pint to a swarm, but the most severe time is yet to
come and it Is liard to tell how things will turn out.
8. H. Musselman reported that his experience had
been about the same ; no swarms yet lost.
J. Hust said lie has five swarms; has lost none
during the winter.
John Hubcr reported that his swarms so far are
alive and doing well.
Jonas H. Shank had seven hives which he win-
tered on summer stands.
Ellas Hershey started in the fall with twenty-six
hives which arc all alive and doing well. Some of
them were wintered on summer stands.
Feeding Glucose to Bees.
"Should glucose be fed to Bees?" was proposed
by the chairman for debate. None of the members
had tried it, and therefore could not give any opinion
on the subject. J. F. Hershey stated that some
claim it to be as good as honey, while others speak
strongly against it. He would advise bee-kccpers
not to use it.
I. O. Martin said he had never tried it nor did he
think he would like it. He also spoke against the
use of grape sugir in large quantities.
Ellas Hershey said that the Auierican Bee Juurnal
gave an instance where several hundred bees were
killsd by the feeding of glucose, while the editor of
another declared that no proof of such a thing having
happened could be produced, and said that he had
fed hundreds of bees on it with good effect.
Dollar Queens.
Would it be advisable to invest In dollar queens ?
was the next question proposed.
I. G. Martin said he had purchased some at differ-
ent seasons. Of these a few proved to be as good as
tested queens costing §3, while others were worth
nothing. He would advise that they be purchased
to be used for starting new hives, so that If they are
lost not so much money is sunk.
Ellas Hershey's experience had been about the
same ; out of five that he bought two were good and
three were worthless.
J. F. Hcrshey wanted to have nothing to do with
cheap queens, as too much risk has to be ruu in
dealing in them. If you get dollar queens aud breed
from them for three or four years, the result will be
very poor stock.
Comb Foundations.
J. H. Mellingcr asked the opinion of the society on
the use of comb foundations.
I. O. Martin had used those made without wires,
and advised the members to get foundations made of
pure wax, for that made of a mixture will stretch,
and is not fit for use. If the foundation is used in
the lower part of the hive, the frame should not be
over nine inches wide, or it will stretch. He fastens
the foundation to the frame by pressing it to the top
bar, and then nailing sticks on top of it.
J. F. Hershey had not used it yet, but Intended to
do so, and would use that with wire as it don't sack
or stretch.
Springing Bees.
J. F. Hershey asked as to the best mode of spring-
ing bees. It is almost as hard to keep them through
the spring as through the winter.
J. H. Mellluger said he fed his bees in the latter
part of February and kept it up till apple blossom
time, and even after that, if the weather is not favor-
able, til! other blossoms appear. This kept them in
good condition, and he got early swarms.
1. G. Martin read a paper on this subject, which
was as follows :
It is of great importance that we should have our
bees strong In spring before the honey harvest is at
hand. Biit how shall we gel them strong and the
hive filled with brood so early ? My plan is, as soon
as spring opens and the bees begiu to gather pollen,
to examine every colony by lifting the frames out,
and If the stock is weak, I shut the bees to one side
of the hive with a close-fitting division board, on as
many combs as they can cover, so as to keei/ up the
heat necessary for brood-rearing.
If the stock is very weak, I take all the combs out
but two, and if it is so weak that the bees can't
cover two combs, then I unite it with another colony.
As soon as the queen has filled these combs with
eggs, I spread them apart and insert an empty comb
between them with brood. In two or three days this
comb will be filled also with eggs, and so I keep on
inserting empty combs as fast as the queen fills them
with eggs, and always In the middle of the brood-
nest till it is full. Thus it will be seen that the
queen will be laying in the centre of the brood-nest
all the time. Instead of on the outside of the cluster,
which she seldom will in the cold weather of spring,
but when it is warm and the bees are plenty, then
she will lay anywhere In the hive.
As soon as the strongest slocKs are full, I take a
frame of hatching brood out aud put It In a weaker
one, and them put an empty comb in the stronger
one for the queen to fill again, and so I keep on till
all arc full.
Then is the time to put on the honey boxes, so If
they gather honey then they must put It in the
boxes, for the hive below is all taken up with brood.
Each box should have a small piece of comb attached
to the top for a starter, or, if you have no nice white
comb, put In a narrow strip of comb loundalion.
J. F. Hershey had lost some weak colonics that he
fed, and others that he did not feed at all became
strong and were among his best swarms. I. G. Mar-
tin said he did not like early feeding for breeding tt
rearing In the spring. If the bees are to be fed at
all it should he done after apple blossom time, and
before red clover blossoms appeared.
J. F. Hershey said that since he kept kept bees big
best queen did not begin to lay until March, and that
swarm gave i:!0 pounds of honey, while the others
which began earlier did not give nearly so much.
Marketing Honey.
The chairman proposed the diseussion of the
question of the best way of preparing honey for
market. He has sold a considerabia quantity, and
found that the more attractive the way it Is put up
the better it sells. He formerly put It up in large
boxes, but now smaller boxes holding one or two
pounds are used, and he thought It sold more rapidly.
I. G. .Martin exhibited a box which he called the
"Prize" box, and he thought it would soon be uni-
versally used. It holds two pounds, and grocers
have told him that the two-pound boxes would sell
better than those holding only one pound, as men
who can afford to buy one pound of honey can as
well buy two pounds. However, it is best to put
honey up in quantities that will sell best in the
nearest market. In putting up extracted honey,
one or two pound jars should be used. If honey is
taken from the bees in winter, it should be kept In a
warm room. If comb honey is put in a cool place it
will run out.
J. F. Hershey thought honey should be kept in a
warm place ; if the moth comes it should be expelled
by the use of sulphur. In taking honey to market,
he can sell pound or half-pound boxes easier than he
could a two-pound bo.\, as the poor man can better
aflbrd to buy them. The advantage of using one-
pound boxes is that two, three, four or five pounds
can be conveniently put up, while in using two-
pound boxes three pounds cannot be sold.
Honey Exhibition.
J. F. Hershey suggested that au exhibition of
honey be held in August. He moved that a fee of
fifty cents a year be charged, and when the show is
held a premium of a tested queen be given to I he
member bringing the honey put In the best market-
able shape.
Ellas Hershey suggested that it would be well If
the exhibition were held in conjunction with the fair
to be held by the Agricultural Society. August
would be too early to hold a fair.
F. K. Diflenderffer moved that a committee of
three be appointed to confer with I he Agricultural
Society as to the advisability of holding the exhibition
In connection with their fair.
The motion was carried, and .Messrs. Ellas Hershey,
I. G. Marlin and Peter S. Heist were appointed as
the committee.
Essays for Next Meeting.
J. H. Mellingcr moved that the chair refer ques-
tions to ditfeient members of the soeiely, who could
write essays in answer to them, and their ideas could
be discussed by the society.
The motion was carried, and .Messrs. J. F. Hershey,
J. H. Mellingcr, I. (i. .Martin and H. H. .Myers were
appointed to prepare essays on any subject they
think proper to write upon.
Rye Flour for Bees.
J. H. Melllngrr asked if it is advisable to feed rye
flour to bees in the spring.
J. F. Hershey said he has fed it, hut would not
advise that It be fed too strong ; as the bees will fill
up the boxes with it, feed It slowly. By feeding a
little every day to five or ten swarms they are
stimulated.
Ellas Hershey said that if there are any maple
trees about, rye flour should not be fed, as they can
gather pollen from the trees.
Peter S. Relst appeared during the meeting and
asked to be excused from attendance, pleading busi-
ness engagements. His request was granted.
Adjourned to meet three mouths hence. .
POULTRY ASSOCIATION.
The Lancaster County Poultry Association met In
their room In the City Hall, on Monday, March :ird,
and was called to order by President D. C. Tobias.
I The following m 'mbers and visitors were present:
1 Kev. U. C. Tobias, President, Lltlz ; J. B. LIchty,
Secretary, city; Frank B. Bucb, Litiz; T. F. Evani,
44
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[March
Litiz ; Charles E. Lono:, city; William A. Schoen-
berger, city ; John F. Keed, city ; F. R. Diffenderffer,
city ; Charles Lippold, city ; Joseph F. Witmer,
Paradise; John C. Liuville, Gap; Amos Kingwalt,
city; John C. Burrowes, city; Tobias D. Martin,
New Haven; Colin Cameron, Brickerville ; Mrs.
Colin Cameron, Brickerville; S. P. Eby, citv ; IT. H.
Tsbudy, Litiz.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read
and adopted.
Charles E. Long, of the committee appointed to
inquire into the cost of printing the Constitution and
By-Laws reported that they had rather exceeded
their instructions in having had printed .500 copies of
the constitution. They had hit upon a plan by which
the printing could be done without cost, and a profit
It appeared from the remarks of other members,
that Mr. J. B. Lielity, the secretary, had suggested
the plan of securing advertisements to be embodied
in th.- pamphlet, And by energetic work succeeded
in securing enough to pay for the work and put $5
in the treasury.
On motion, it was ordered that each member re-
ceive five copies of the constitution.
Joseph F. Witmer, of the committee appointed to
bring the matter of joining the Poultry Association
before the Agricultural and Horticultural Society,
reported that they had done so, but no action was
taken on the proposition.
Chicken Cholera.
Charles E. Long rose to answer the question,
" What is the most rapid cure for chicken cholera?"
He thought the question was a most diliicult one, as
a council of physicians would differ very consider-
ably on the subject. Chicken cholera is a great
scourge and the hopes of many have been blighted
by it. There are many dilierent reiiicilics. ' Soft
soap, hard soap, horse and cattle powders, sulphate
of iron and sulphate of copper are given, but he
knew of nothing that was sure. He believed that
crowding together of the fowls was a prime cause of
the disease, and he believed that one of the best
remedies was to give them more room, and use dis-
infectants liberally.
H. II. Tsliudy said he had suffered about as much
from this disease as any breeder. Had tried almost
every remedy, but observed that since he kept the
chicken houses clean, he had less of it. Had ob-
served that the disease was most fatal in its effects
■ among the Asiatic breeds, and when it got among
them the best and only thing to do was to cut off
their heads.
S.N. Warfel said that he used carbolic acid so
liberally that he never had a case of cholera in his
coops. Had discovered that calomel and castor oil
were sure cures for the disease. He used consider-
able quantities of chalk and powdered bone about
his coops.
"What must Hens have to Produce Eggs.
" What must hens that are confined absolutely
have in order that they may produce eggs ?" was the
next question, and v.'as answered by D. C. Tobias.
He counseled great cnre in the laeparation of the
the
said the main lut_Kl is coin and oats. There is also a
want for green food which should be supplied. The
best soft I'ood is bran well prepared. If any food
besides these are calculated to increase the produc-
tion of eggs, they are the Eureka Poultry Food, and
the Eureka Egi; Food. But the question cannot be
answered to the satisfaction of all. What will satisfy
one fancier would not lie well received by another,
and the best plan is fur each fancier to experiment
for himself, and when he finds what food is most
suitable for his stock, to use it.
S. N. Warfel said he had found by experiments
that chalk pounded into small pieces was eaten with
relish by the hens, which will eat it when they will
not eat lime, and he thought it had the desired effect.
His fowls laid all winter.
H. H. Tshudy spoke in favor of oyster shells,
cracklings, and counseled a variety of food. The
hens should not be kept on one diet. He thought it
was of great importance that the hen-house should
be kept warm.
A. Z. Itingwalt fed his chickens burnt corn, and
put red pepper in their drink, and thought he had
the liveliest lot of fowls to be found. He kept them
clean and warm, and got plenty of eggs.
The Best Barnyard Fowl.
" What is the farmer's best farmyard fowl ?" was
answered by H. H. Tshudy. If the first requisite iu
the farmyard is the production of eggs he had no
hesitation in recommending the Leghorn variety;
that is, if the farmer takes care of his chickens.
But on the other hand, the production of eggs is not
everything. The farmer wants a chicken that is
worth something in the market. He thought the
best chicken was the Plymouth Rock ; good layers,
good hatchers, etc. If only one breed can be raised
he would choose it.
John C. Linville had just introduced a trio of
Plymouth Rocks, and believed they would come to
maturity sooner than the Brahma, which he raised
before. In regard to the Leghorn he did not like
them. They are not suitable for the farmer, as they
destroy his garden and their eggs are too small.
Chas. E. Long thought the question was : " Will
a farmer make more by keeping hens and selling
their eggs, or killing them for market?" He thought
the former plan was the most profitable, and the
Leghorns were the best in that respect. The Brah-
mas are the best winter layers.
J. B. Lichty had received more eggs from foui-
Brahmas during the winter than from seven Brown
Leghorns.
Chickens and Sunlight.
" Will chickens do well on board floors without
sunli-ht ?" was answered by John F. Reed. His ex-
peririirc was that cliirki-ns would not do well any
plare witliiiul .-unli'^lit , His first coop was insufii-
eicni I V liiihii d and his cliirk.-iis gni sick, but his sec-
ond .nop was well ligliteil and the result was highly
satisfactory.
S. N. Warfel said that his fowls had plenty of
light, but a gentleman in Boston raises his fowls in
the cellar and takes off the first prizes at shows. He
contends that raising them in the cellar improves
their color, and he has the prettiest chickens in the
show-room.
A. Z. Ringwalt thought chickens should have
plenty of sunlight ; in fact he knew of nothing that
euuld do A\ ithout sunlight except a new carpet.
Chas. E. Long thought there was only one side to
the question. No poulTy will do well without sun-
light, and hoard floors are the worst things upon
which chickens could be put.
A. Z. Kingwalt said that a board floor was too
damp lor chickens, and would never use it. He
thought that hens must have plenty of dust.
,i. N. Warfel had a cement floor on his hen house
which was scrubbed out. He did not believe in the
dust theory.
Simon P. Eby said that if Mr. Warfel's plan of
cleanliness was adopted dust was not necessary, but
if not Mr. Ringwalt's plan must be followed.
A good plan to keep off vermin is to use insect
powder just before the brood is hatched. He raised
his young chickens on a board floor.
Miscellaneous.
President Tobias appointed as a committee to pre-
pare questions for debate in the society F. 11. Diffen-
derfler, J. B. Lichty and J. F. Reed. Thejcommittee
asked that the members of the society assist them by
suggesting questions.
John L. Martin, city; Henry Wissler, Columbia;
W. H. Gates, city; Charles E. Stewart, city; J. B.
Long, city, and Wash. L. Hershey, Chickies, were
elected members of the society.
A. Z. Ringwalt wanted to see the members pro-
pose the election of their wives and daughters as
members of the society.
Mr. Diffendertfei- moved that ladies be invited to
become members of the society. Carried.
A bill of ?:i.50 for furnishing and printing 200
postal cards was presented by the Examiner and
Express and ordered to be paid.
The following questions are proposed for answers
at the next meeting : " How long will eggs retain
their fertility?" A. Z. Ringwalt. "What is the
proper mode to pack eggs for transportation ?" F. B.
Buch.
On motion, it was resolved to pay the rent of the
room quarterly.
Adjourned.
WARWICK FARMERS' CLUB.
[We regret that the following only came into our
possession after our February number had been al-
ready made up, but as it contains matter that has
not yel spoiled we insert it here.— Ei).]
Tl]« second meeting to organize a farmers' club
was hehl on February 1, ls79, on the farm of John
Grossman, New Haven, Warwick township, Uriah
in the
In the aiisunie of the former Secretary, John
Grustnian was upixiinted in his stead. The follow
ing persons were present : Uriah Carpenter, John
Grossman, John Huber, Peter Robertson, Henry
Long, Isaac Grube, Abraham Bear, Nathaniel Bru-
baker, Frank Swally, John Behmer, Aaron Gross-
man, Moses Grossman, Mrs. Carpenter, Mrs. Gross-
man and others.
The proceedings of the former meeting not bemg
accessible, their reading had to be dispensed with.
The chairman stated the object of the meeting.
John Grossman stated that he did not agree with
certain chemists, that only 20 bushels of lime should
be put on an acre of ground. He never had made
the experiment of so small a quantity himself. He
applied more liberally — 100 bushels to an acre.
Some of his neighboring farmers apply it more
sparingly, and by that he can see the difference.
Liberal liming ivill pay. He stated that if 50 bushels
were applied to an acre, with only half as long an
interval as when 100 bushels are applied, it would be
better. Twenty bushels might do if it was applied
every year.
Mr. Huber stated that lime always was beneficial
to the soil whenever he applied it. When lime is in-
corporated with th« soil in the form of a fine dust,
or pulverized, it is a great deal better than when wet
and merely crumbling. The application of a small
quantity of lime dust may have as much effect upon
the soil and be more beneflcial to the crops than a
larger quantity of crumbling lime in first year. He
also said he experieueed good effects from lime when
applied to grass lands. He top-dressed in March,
and it doubled his hay crop the same season.
Mr. Carpenter said he could not agree with such a
chemist under any circumstances, and he would like
to see where Lancaster county would be if it would
not be for lime. Chemists may make of it what they
please, he was too well convinced of the use of lime.
Mr. Huber asked if any one present had any ex-
perience with phosphates. He said he tried it on
wheat. He harvested each separate, and when
weighed he found the difference so small that it did
not pay to use phosphates.
Mr. Grossman said he applied phosphate to pota-
toes and corn, several years ago, and found no differ-
Mr. Carpenter asked : How can we get our farms
to produce double crops ?
Mr. Huber said, one good step iu that direction is
to sell very little grain. Feed it to stock on the farm;
save all you can and make it into manure.
Mr. Grossman also recommended the saving of
manure ; scrape it together everywhere in the yard ;
where the cattle go to water ; every animal while
out to water loses daily enough to make a hill of
corn grow by the droppings, and what they carry out
of the stable attached to their hoofs, and that
amounts to a great deal during the course of a year
where 25 or 30 head of cattle are kept.
Mr. Carpenter said 25 head of cattle lose a wheel-
barrow load every day, and that would make 365 j
barrow loads in a year. J
Mr. Huber said much can be done by keeping the 9
manure well heaped together. It will not wash 1
away so much as when it is more scattered. •
Mr. Carpenter asked : Which is best, to leave the
cattle stand on the manure pile or not? He stated
that he keeps the cattle on the manure pile during
the day, when not in the stable, and very seldom any
water runs out, and he gets more manure than he
woidd if he kept the cattle off, and of a better quality,
as it assists the rotting together.
Mr. Grossman said much manure might be made
by saving the contents of our cesspools ; on the most
of farms the night soil is entirely wasted. We see it
behind barns and sheds, and corners where nothing
is raised but tremendous stalks of all kinds of noxious
weeds. The water-closet should be built at a con-
venient place over a tight box, or better still, over a
well-walled and plastered or cemented cesspool. It
should be sufficiently large to store in it a reasonable
quantity of dry earth, and every time it is u.sed a
sufficient quantity of this earth sli'iuM be iliscliarged,
which acts as a deodorizer, aTnl the contents is con-
verted into the well-known fertilizer that is sold
under the name of "poudret ;'' it is worth all the i
trouble, and the manure will soon pay for the build- |
ing — perhaps in a year or two. The earth should be 4
gathered in August when it is pulverized and dry. 1
It may be swept up in many places in the form of
dust. The dailj excretions of a family of only half
a dozen members would produce sufficient night
soil in a year to make about 2,200 hills of corn
grow — about half an acre — at the lowest estimate 25
or 30 bushels of corn ; and the removal and manipu-
lating of this manure is not any more unpleasant
than cleaning a pig -pen.
Mr. Huber remarked that he has had that system
in operation for the pas, six ye,:rs.
As the time had expiiril, ^pusi imis were proposed
for next meeting, and ai'^ liic tullnwing :
1. When is the best liuie t(j sow cloversced?
2. Which is the best, to turn cattle out to pasture
during summer, or to keep them stabled and feed
green fodder?
3. What kind of fodder is best?
Adjourned to meet at this place at 1 o'clock p. ra.
February 15, 1879.
Meeting of February 15th, 1879.
The club met at the house of John Grossman,
Uriah Carpenter in the chair. The secretary read
the proceedings of the previous meeting, which were
adopted.
The meeting was small, owing to an entertainment
at a neighboring school, and a public sale at another
place.
Seme discussion was had on the question, " How
can we raise double crops ?"
An opinion was expressed, that if we were to ma-
nure very heavily, and not sow so many acres, we
might in that way accomplish the end.
Mr. Grossman said that he did not agree to that.
If he were to haul all the manure on one acre that he
now puts on two he would sometimes get a less crop.
It would glow too rank in straw, and lodge too
readily.
It was also said that 40 and 50 bushels of wheat to
the acre are raised in some parts of the county, and
that such wheat farms must have some substance in
the soil which we have not.
The question was postponed for further discussion.
The clover sowing question was then taken up—
" When is the best time to sow clover?"
1879.J
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
45
Mr. Carpsntcr said, according to his experience,
early in tlie spring' is tlie surest time.
Mr. Vollcitzer said tliatif sowed late it would lay
loo mucli on the surface ; if early sowed it would
sink more Into the soil.
Mr. Grossman said, according to his expiTience,
one year with another, the best time is I'rom the
middle to the last of March. By alternate freezing
and thawinp the seed will become better covered by
the soil than if sowed late ; because the soil is then
beaten down usually by the spring rains, and the
seed will lie on the surface, throw out small roots,
and stand too much on the surface. Then, when
very dry weather follows harvest, It is liable to
wither and die. If sown early this will not he the
case, for by that time it will have become more
deeply rooted in the soil. He further said, that he
could not recollect a season wlicn late sowing done
well, or when early sowing failed ; but he remem-
bered when the contrary was the case. It is true,
that in some very favorable seasons all have done
well, and in unfavorable ones all have failed; but
the average is in favor of early sowing.
All that were present concurred in these views.
The question was then taken up : " Which is the
best, keeping cattle In the stable all summer and
feeding them on green fodder, or turning them into
pasture, and what kind of fodder is best?" An
essay was then read by Mr. Grossman on the subject.
Sec paffc 40.
Mr. Carpenter remarked that there was little else
to be said on the subject.
Mr. Vollitzer said that would help to double the
crop.
Mrs. Carpenter, and also make good butter.
Messrs. C. and V. said too much manure is lost.
The droppings of cattle on pasture is of but little
amount. Much more manure could be made than is
made, and it would employ a greater number of
laborers. It would pay for the extra labor, and both
the farmer and the laboring man would be benefited.
Mr. V said he did not know whether we could
obtain the seed in this eountry, but in Germany they
sow vetches and oats together to feed their stock,
and cut it twice in a season. All that were present
agreed with the sentiments of the essay.
The soiling question was continued for further
discussion.
Questions proposed for next meeting :
1. How shall we make our farms pay best?
2. Is It beneficial to educate our sons, and let them
go from home, or keep them on the farm (
3. When best to sow oats— how much to the acre
— how to prepare the soil.
Adjourned to meet on the farm of Uriah Carpen-
ter, Saturday, March 8th, at 1 o'clock p. m., in
Warwick township.
P. S.— We have seen that other clubs do not pub-
lish the names of all present. We will follow their
practice.
FULTON FARMERS' CLUB.
The February meeting was held at the residence
of Solomon L. Gregg, Drumorc township. The day
was cold and disagreeable, and half of the members
were absent. Visitors present by invitation— Evans
A. Gregg, James McSparran and I. Clinton Arnold.
Mary Ann Tollinger exhibited some apples for a
name. They were lair sized, tolerably good and
would keep for a year. No one present was able to
name them.
Asking and Answering Questions.
Wm. King : Would a farm be likely to increase in
fertility if it was kept in grass, and cows or other
animals enough kept on it to consume all the hay
and pasture, if grain enough was purchased to keep
them in fair condition ?
Evans A. Gregg, Jam« McSparran and I. C. Ar-
nold thought it would, as all would be put back that
was taken off, and more.
Josiah Brown was of the same opinion, if the land
was good enough to produce the natural grasses
when the clover and timothy worked out. Unless
this was the case the grass would soon work out,
leaving nothing in its place. We plow here too often
for green grass to grow.
E. H. Haines thought that the system would suc-
ceed where the land is natural to grass. Ours is not.
Under such treatment the grass would soon run out
and green grass would not take Its place as it does in
some parts of Chester county.
Josiah A. Brown had taken notice that greengrass
does come in fence corners and other places that are
not plowed if the land is good.
Solomon L. Gregg : Under the present condition
of our land we could not get started.
Evans A. Gregg : Giving grass a good coat of ma-
nure will have a tendency to keep in the grass. Top-
dressing Is a great thing for it.
Montillion Brown: The Millers' Association
threaten to put down the price of Fultz wheat so
that farmers will not raise it. Are the farmers going
to be guided by their determination ;
Solomon L.Gregg did not feel like submitting. He
had inquired of dealers in wheat and was told that
it was in demand. It is going to England ; they like
it there.
E. H. Haines thought the farmers had as little
cause for alarm at this threat, as the clergy had to
be scared at the prraclilnir of Kobert Ingcrsoll. It
(Iocs make good Hour, and farmers will raise it unless
the price is put down very low, as It is more produc-
tive than other wheat*. Tills ai)peared to be the
opinion of all present.
Josiah Brown : Can wheat be raised for a dollar
per bushel ? Answer : Not while labor, land and
fertilizers remain at present prices.
E. U. Haines: Is there any advantage in having
straw rotted in the barnyard, Instead of spreading
on the fields to rot there I
Josiah Urowu had founil great advantage in spread-
ing straw on sod ground. It sometimes makes one-
third more grass.
S. L. (ircgg and .Montillion Brown had also good
results from siireading straw on grass land. It acts
both as a mulch and a manure.
I. C. Arnold : There Is a chemical action wliich
takes place in the yard while the straw is rotting.
The ammonia is retained by the moisture. When
straw is spread on the fields it acts principally as a
mulch, and much of the manurial value is lost.
S. L. Gregg had noticed in the Oxford J'ros an
article on the value of Norway oats straw as food
for milch cows, giving the opinion of our neighbor
Jesse Yocum that it was equal to hay. Jesse feeds
it quite liberally to his cows, and the favorable re-
port of his dairy (200 pounds of butter per cow in
the year) gives weight to his opinions in the matter.
He (Gregg) wanted to know if there was any dilTer-
ence between the straw of Norway oats and that of
common oats, and what the club thought of its value
as food for cows.
Josiah Brown did not think oats straw good for
cows or any other cattle. Wheat straw is better.
Evans A. Gregg : Norway oats straw is heavier
than the straw of common white oats, and may be
better, but Jesse gives his cows as much grain aS
they can eat, and It don't make much ditl'erence
what else they pick up.
Wm. King: Will cows that are fed on straw give
better milk?
Jos. R. Blackburn : They will.
E. H. Haines : There may be some foundation for
this prejudice against oats straw, but it is little more
than prejudice. It is generally fed in winter when
cows are mostly strippers. VVhen this is the case
the milk will be bitter and the butter poor, no matter
what the cows eat. The butter dealers in town say
that dairymen who ship to them make the poorest
quality of butter when the quantity is least.
Afternoon Session.
A warm stove had too many attractions on such a
cold day for the club to make a very long inspection
of the stock and farm, after dinner ; so the proprie-
tor escaped with but few criticisms. The host next
read an essay advising young men to go west and
obtain homes.
E. H. Haines thought the subject well worthy of
consideration. The west offered great inducements,
with good health and willing hands.
Joseph R. Blackburn: There are great induce-
ments, but on the other hand there are great dis-
advantages. People of one religion, or one na-
tionality, naturally desire to keep together. But the
western man may look one side and see a Norwegian,
on another an Irishman, and a Dutchman on an-
other, and so on. Besides, there is so much of a
sameness in the farms, that he con iders them all
by M rs. Ilemaus. Allie Gregg recited " Forty Years
Ago." I. C. Arnold recited "The Boys," by O. W.
Holmes.
" The Old Woman " had heard that the club ex-
pected to discuss the tobacco question, so she sent
one of her pithy communications containing some
resolutions, whicli had been passed by herself, her
granddaughter Dolly and another woman in conven-
tion assembled, as follows :
Resolved, That it is time for the women to assert
their rights in this matter.
Uenoli'cd, That they who chew tobacco shall swal-
low it instead of spitting around among more cleanly
people.
Resolved, That emptying spittoons is no part of
woman's business.
Uesoli'ed, That young ladies should slTiin the to-
bacco chewer as she would any oilier filthy or un-
clean animal.
The old man had never used tobacco but once. He
never lilicd it after thai . She read him a list of reso-
lutions that cured him at once.
The question, " Should this club encourage the
raising of tobacco i" was next discussed by E. 11.
Haines, Josiah Brown, S. L. Gregg, James McSpar-
ran and I.e. Arnold. Joseph K. Blackburn read au
essay on the negative side of the subject.
Tlie question, " Have farmers, by their experi-
ments, arrived at any uniform results that can be de-
pended upon for future operations f" was adopted for
consideration at next meeting.
Adjourned to meet at the residence of William P.
Aaines, 1st of March. j
LINNiEAN SOCIETY.
A staled meeting of the .society Wiis held on Satur-
day, February '.'IM. The following donalion!, to the
museum were examined : A fine specimen of a large
spiral, conic shell, from California, per William L.
Gill; a dry gourd, originally five feet long, called
"Club of Hercules"— this Is considered a variety of
the loiig-nccked squash, or dipper calabash, " La-
gcnaria Vulgaris,'' in l.ulln ln!/ena,a l)Ottle,or "bot-
tle gourd ;""al6o, shale frQin the coal regions, one
specimen with pretty fern leaves, the other, the
mould of the bark of Slggillarla, a fossil tree-fern,
per Mr. J. M. Wcsthaelfer. He also made a special
deposit of the bow, thirty arrows, quiver and whip,
formerly belonging to a Commauche Chief. The
preserved head, pectoral, ventral fin, gills and ova
(if the "red fish," recently from the table of Mr.
Fox on market. Mrs. Gibbons had quite an assort-
ment of plants that she culled In France, during her
late visit. Two of them she called especial atlentioa
to, as being largely cultivated In France for fodder,
the one named " Sainfoin ;" the other " Ileibcrnage
or Illvernagc."
Kev. J. H. Dubbs had on exhibition for Inspection
an Indian relic from Germantown, Ohio. This was
a Talcose, flat, oval-shaped stone, about four by five
inches In the two diameters, a three-sided hole, with
an arched top cut through it— no doubt for being
suspended around the neck. It was neatly sculptured
on both faces.
To the historical collection Dr. Rathvon added
four envelopes, containing fifty-seven historical and
biograplilcal, local and foreign scraps.
Additions to the Library.
Proceedings of tlic American Philosophical Society
of Philadelph a, volume xviii, July and December,
1878; a treatise on the horse, by Kendel, per Mr.
Lvte ; the seventh annual report of Noxious and
Beneficial Insects, by the Illinois State Entomologist,
Cyrus Thomas, Ph.D.; the Naturalists' Directory-,
alphabetically arranged. From the Department of
Agriculture : Report on the conditions of crops,
1S78, and one on live stock, January 7, 1879 ; J'alent
Office Gazette for December, 1878, and January 7,
1879. Book circulars: The Lancaster Farmer
for February, 1879.
Papers Read.
J. Stauffer read an illustrated paper on the " Red
Fish," above referred to, the " Sebastcs yorveyius."
Only found in deep water, and rare this far south.
He also read a letter from Prof. S. F. Baird, of the
Fish Commission, Smithsonian Institute, who mani-
fests quite an interest in the fact that so rare a fish
should come to the Lancaster market, and desired
Mr. S. to give him one of the characteristic sketches,
by which the spec;es could be determined, as there
are several on our coast.
Letters Read.
One from Mr. Laux, proposing exchanges with
this society ; one from Geo. I'. Bunn, Philadelphia,
desiring an exchange of cocoons.
Mr. Rathvon then announced that this memorable
22d of February was also the seventeenth anniver-
sary of the society, and lie had penned a few thoughts
on the subject. On motion lie was called upon to
read the same, which he did as follows :
Dr. Rathvon's Address.
Mr. President ami fellow-member) uf the Linnaan
ISociety :
For all practical purposes this may be legitimately
regarded as the seventeenth anniversary of the Lln-
niean Society, and It is with a feeling of some regret
that 1 witness so few of its original members present
to-day.
Organization of the Society.
Alhhough one or two previous informal meetings
had been held, yet It was only on the 8th of Febru-
ary, 18(i2, that Its organization was completed, and
its board of officers duly elected. It has always
labored under one peculiar disadvantage at least,
which always exercises an adverse infiuencc u|X)n
the progress and practical utility of all associa-
tions of a similar character. It has never had a
member or a sympathizing patron who was a man of
leisure and of ample pecuniary means, whose liber-
ality could be exercised in its behalf; and hence, in
the common phraseology of the word, it has always
been pecuniarily {kmt.
"Progress in the Face of Difficulties.
In view of the fact, however, that it began on
nothing but still undeveloped humiiii energies- ener-
gies still without special point or direction— the evi-
dences presented to-day unmistakably illustrate that
it has mailc very perceptible material progress. If
the time and the pecuniary means were at hand to
enable it to analyze, classify and systematically ar-
range the tangible material it has accumulated, I am
sure its magnitude would astonish even the best In-
formed, or most intelligently advanced among its
membership.
Not Disappointed.
I cannot say that I am at all disappointed at the
progress the society has made during the past seven-
teen years, nor at the zeal or want of zeal manifested
by its members. At its organization I was already fifty
years old, and had had some experience in associations
46
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ March,
of the kind. I knew that both the membership and
community among whom they are located are prone
to become "weary in well doing," iu any matter in
which they have not an immediate worldly interest.
I knew that to make it a success its members must
take up a cross and bear it, of the weight of which
the world around them had little or no appreciation,
and of whicli they themselves may not have had a
very clear conceiition ; and, therefore, whatever
credit I may be cLtitlecl to as one of its organic found-
ers, and iu sustaining it tlius far, I do not claim to
have been an original mover in its first organization.
The Founders.
I think that credit is due to Prof. Porter, J. R.
Sypher, J. M. Seitz, and perhaps one or two others,
possibly Messrs. Stauffer and Keviuski. I knew it
would interfere with my progress in entomology,
and hence I committed myself to the Linniean enter-
prise with some reluctance, for this reason and those
already stated. But I cannot say that I have ever
regretted my connection with it and have never
abated, and never intended to abate any energy of
mine that seemed necessary to continue its existence.
Disappointed in One Particular.
There is one result, however, in which I was dis-
appointed— a disappointment that was shared by all
the original members— and that is, that there were
not to be found at least half a dozen young men of
leisure and means in the city and county of Lancas-
ter to actively identify themselves with our organi-
zation, and select some specialty in natural science
for study and practical amplification. In proportion
to the wealth and population of our county there
should have been more than the number I have men-
tioned ; but there should have been that number at
least. There are several of our committees that have
never been more than nominally occupied. When
those committees were created it was expected that
they would have been filled by active naturalists, but
it has been otherwise.
Where True Science Leads.
Of course it cannot be expected that in a country
constituted as ours, is any very great numlierof per-
sons, in any community, would devote their minds
and energies to the development of natural science,
although there are many young men who would
have done far better by submitting to its redeeming
and elevating qualities than iu pursuing the course
they have. A young man who is disinte'restedly cul-
tivating a real love for natural science cannot be-
come "tit for treasons, for strategems and forspoils,"
for if he becomes thoroughly imbued with its spirit
it cannot but "lead him up through nature to na-
ture's God." It may be otherwise where the aim is
no higher than a mere pecuniary speculation, or
where it is pursued from merely selfish considerations.
Who the Founders Were.
The Linnsean Society was developed from the
Committee on Natural Science of the Athenaeum and
Historical Society. That committee, so far as I am
able to recall the names of its members, consisted of
Professors Haldeman,' Porter and AVickersham, .J.
R. Sypher, J. Stauffer, Chas. A. Heinitsh, Jno. B.
Kevinski, J. A. Sheaff, Wm. L. Gill, J. M. Seitz,
Chas. B. Grubb and S. S. Rathvon. Some among
this committee felt that it ought not to be merely a
dead letter in the annals of the society, conspicu-
ously among whom were Porter, Sypher and Seitz ;
but the parent society atTorded them no facilities.
An Independent Organization.
At length the formation of an independent society
was proposed, and in due time carried into elfect.
Soon a collection of rocks, fossils and shells, donated
by Mr. Sypher, plants by Prof. Porter, minerals by
Kevinski, insects, minerals and books by Mr. Stauf-
fer and myself, Indian relics by Mr. Gill, and sundry
other donations, culminated in the nucleus of a mu-
seum, and a few cases were provided ; and, from
that feeble beginning, theu and there, the institu-
tion has been brought down to the present period.
What the Linnaean Possesses.
The material that the society has already accu-
mulated would count many thousands of specimens,
and would require.three timesthe space we now occupy
to separate, classify, and systematically arrange
them ; and until this is done, no one not acquaint-
ed with the collection can have a clear conception of
■what it contains, nor can it perform the uses intended
by a scientific museum. But this should not work a
relaxation of our eUbrts. Even in its present condi-
tion it is an object of attraction and use to those who
may avail themselves of its advantages. Our aim
should be to make it an object library, to which the
students of our local history could always refer with
profit. We h»ve done more during the last year to
etfect that end than has been accomplished in any
five previous years, and if time and pecuniary means
can be obtained, we hope to effect an appreciable
advance during the present year.
No Failures.
During those seventeen years the Linnaean has
never failed, but in two instances, to hold its regular
monthly meetings, and to annually elect its board of
officers. It is true, its meetings were at no time
largely attended, but it always had a quorum pres-
ent and transacted its usual business. I recall with
pleasure its early excursions and field meetings, and
often regretted that they were subsequently diverted
from their original aims and ends. These meetings
were finally absorbed by the " Tiicqiian Scientiflc
and Piscatorial Assotiation," most of whose mem-
bership were bent upon rural recreation only, and
had very little practical sympathy with the Lin-
naean. Our visits to the "Indian Rocks" in the Sus-
quehanna, our excursions to the Colebrook and
Martic Hills, to McCall's Ferry, to Smithville
Swamps and elsewhere were all conducted under the
inspirations of, and for the collection of material,
and the development of, natural science. But, as in
all similar organizations, some of its early working
members died, some removed to other fields of labor,
and others became indifferent or cold.
The Friends of the Linnaean.
Let me not be understood as intimating that the
Linnsan Society has not had its friends and patrons,
who have always felt kindly towards it, and who
have generously contributed their pecuniary means
towards its support, so far as they deemed it expedi-
ent, in connection with other obligations almost
without number constantly resting upon them ; but
its friends and patrons were not among the Asa
Packers, the Samuel George Mortons, the Mr. Par-
dees and the Doctor Wilsonsof society— those whole-
souled men, who have disinterestedly endowed simi-
lar institutions with thousands and tens of thou-
sand!. I believe I speak the sentiments of the
society when I say it feels thankful for what has
been done for it from time to time ; and especially to
those who have so freely assisted it during the past
year. But still we must regret that our means are
too scanty to place it upon that plane of use to the
public which we all so much desire.
Building Better than They Knew.
In this connection allow me to suggest that we are
at no time so liable to suffer from the underestima-
tion of the public, as from our own underestimation
of the work we have in hand. There is material
enough in our museum, limited as it may appear,
the proper investigation of which would occupy
several years. The future may develop that we did
not know whitherto we were working. " We do not
know how great things we may be beginning in the
little achievements of the present hour." The
patriots of the Revolution had no conception of the
mighty empire, the foundations of which were laid,
when they threw off the British yoke a hundred
yeari ago. The Rev. David Swing, in a recent dis-
course in reference to the formation of language,
said: " When Dante was laying the foundations of
Italian speech, he thought he was only singing in the
memory of a sainted girl ; and when Chaucer was
busy with the construction of the English tongue,
he thought he was only telling some good stories for
the delight of the few around his feet."
Looking Hopefully into the Future.
We of the present day are, perhaps, not the best
qualified to tell what will ultimately become of the
Linnaean Society, nor what ought to become of it, if,
in the order of Providence, it is best that it should
be continued. Within my own lifetime the Oreat
Academy of Natural Sciences occupied a little obscure
room, no larger than ours, in the city of Philadel-
phia. But, should it peradventure come to naught,
it cannot be erased from the chronicles of history,
and at the very worst, it will only be catalogued
with the things that were. Our aim should be that
such a reproach may not fall upon us. Not neglect-
ing other more pressing duties, let us, in sustaining
it, do all we can ; the best can do no more, and in
doing all lies the power we exercise — its blessings
and its compensations.
This paper was listened to with profound attention
from beginning to end , and deemed too good to be lost
upon the few members present, and, on motion, he
was unanimously requested to have ft published.
Scientific Miscellany
was indulged in : On prehistoric ages-European
ignorance as to the extent of our country— the
meagre account in the geographies they have in their
schools. Prof. Dubbs gave some graphic specimens
bearing on the question occurring in Germany ; Mrs.
Gibbons of some in France. Rev. J. S. Stahr, Dr.
Baker, Dr. Davis and J. Stauffer, each had some-
thing of interest to say.
After a pleasant meeting in the comfortable room
over the library, they parted, well pleased with the
meeting and the accommodations of the Young
Men's Christian Association's neat and comfortable
room. Adjourned, to meet the last Saturday in March.
An Ancient House and Barn.
We were shown, by Mr. Levi S. Reist, a large and
excellent photograph— by Wm. L. Gill— of Isaac
Long's house and barn, in Manheim twp., near Lan-
dis Valley, both buildings being considerably over 100
years old. The barn is large, part stone and part
frame, and was built in 1754. It stands to-day just
as it was built, with the exception of a small addi-
tional building. The house is even older, is built of
stone, and is noted as being the birthplace of the de-
nomination known as the United Bretlirenin Christ—
the place where the first meeting to organize that
denomination was held. The buldings were remark-
able for size and convenience when built, and are still
in a state of excellent preservation .—A^ei« JEra.
Entomological.
To Destroy the Currant Slug.
A number of remedies are lecommended for de-
stroying the currant slug, which of late years has
become a sore pest, defoliating the bushes and
causing the fruit to wither, or at least not to mature
fully. A certain remedy is said to be " green cedar
bushes, cut in small pieces and scattered under the
currant-bushes;" and, it is added, "there is some-
thing offensive about cedars to all bugs and worms,
and they do not approach it." This may be true!
But we have some positive means at hand to gainsay
it, and of course have no faith in it. We have had
so many "remedies" of this kind for vermin of every
description which have never proved their claims,
that we have become a little "jubis." We know
that the criptomeria and the arbor vitse are pre-
ferred by cei-tain insects to attach to them their pro-
pagating-houses, having with our own hands re-
moved at least fifty from a single small tree ; and
have frequently seen the same ne'sts on the American
cedar upon our own premises.
The best remedji, in our judgment, for thi« slug
pest is the application of a solution of whale-oil
soap, (as we have often before suggested,) in the
proportion of one pound to five gallons of water,
sprinkled over the leaves fi-om a watering-pot with a
fine nose. It is certain death to all it touches. Car-
bolic soap will no doubt answer the same purpose,
so that the most convenient can be used. — Oerman-
town Telegraph.
Cloverseed Fly.
A Xeiv Insect PesC— At the annual meeting of the
New York State Agricultural Society, held at Albany
in January last, J. A. Lintner, of the State Museum
of Natural History, read a paper in which, among
other injurious insects recently observed, he gave an
account of the larva of an insect which had been dis-
covered two years ago in several localities in Eastern
and Northern New York, hidden within the seed-
pods of the red clover (Trifolium prateme,) and
destroying the seeds. The perfect insect had not yet
been seen, but the examination of the larva showed
it to belong to the Cecidcmyid^, and in all proba-
bility very nearly allied to the " Wheat Midge,"
(Cecidomyia destructor.)* A description of the larva
was given under the name Cecidomyia trifolu,n. sp.—
American Naturalist for March, 1S79.
Mr. Lintner says : " The range of this insect's dep-
redations, or the extent of its ravages, are as yet un-
known. In some localities in the western counties of
the State of New York clover wag so infested with it
that it was worthless for seed. It is believed that
not infrequent failures heretofore reported of the
cloverseed crop throughout the country, which has
been ascribed to imperfect fertilization of the blos-
soms and various causes, has been the result of the
secret operations of this little insect."
A Premature Evolution.
To-day (Feb. 27) Mr. Geo. O. Hensel brought us a
fine specimen of Atticus (saynia) cecropia, the "great
appld moth," which evolved from its pupa sleep last
night some time, and the moth is still living, but
very probably will die before the advent of spring.
Of course, the evolution took place within doors, as
no insect would have vital energy enough to assume
the winged state as such a night as last night was
out in the open air, except, perhaps, some species of
the Perlid,« or "shad-flies." Nothing seems to
govern the insect world in their evolutions so much
as heat. It has been the habit of some to attribute
extraordinary instinctive powers to insects, and al-
though to a certain extent, and in certain directions,
they are extraordinarily enijowed, yet in their trans-
formations, and especially when they pass from the
pupa to the image state, they cannot tell whether the
vitalizing heat around them is natural or artificial,
or whether the season is winter or summer. Now
this in any other being would be regarded as an act
of indiscretion as well as indiscrimination. The in-
cubation of eggs in winter often occurs, but this is
not so remarkable as the evolution of a pupa, but it
is equally as detrimental to the futurity of the insect.
Experiments with Moths.
A correspondent of Nature describes some inter-
esting experiments upon moths to test their sense of
smell and hearing. Certain moths when captured
feign death. While they are thus motionless if a
sharp sound be made, such as is produced by strik-
ing a piece of glass, they will he suddenly roused
and will attempt to fly. On the other hand, a strong
solution of ammonia, uncorked close to moths, has
no effect in driving them away ; they do not seem to
smell it, and only move away from the fumes slowly
when oppressed by them. The result of the latter
experiment is contrary to the common opinion, which
has been that the smelling powers of moths were un-
usually strong, and that camphor was the best remedy
for them, on account of its strong odor.
•Is not this an error? Cecidomyia deMructor is known in
Penuaylvaula as the Hessian Fly ; and the "Wlieat Midge,"
or "Wheat Fly," as the Cecidomi/id tnticx.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
47
Agriculture.
Deep and Shallow Plowing.
Few eulijectt atlnicl more atleutioii ami i,'ive rise
to more discusBioii ami want ofa^'roriiifiiL, tliantliat
of the depth of plowii);;. Many do uol consider tlic
very important fact tliat deep and shallow plowing
depends upon the nature of the soil. The truth Is,
there are many soils in which if one plow deep lie
may find great protlt in so doing ; but on the other
hand, there are thousands and thousands of acres of
land where it is sheer madness to plow deep. On
flat clay land where water cannot drain rapidly
away, and where the lack of drainage is the bane of
the cultivator, It is found by experience that a shal-
low but rich surface soil is much better than a deeply-
stirred one. And the reason is obvious. If water be
an injury, and it cannot get into the soil by reason of
the hardness of the subsoil, the rain will pass over
the surface to the open ditches, which always have
to be made in a Hal country. If we loosen such soil
deeply, we harbor more of our liquid enemy, and
that counterbalances what otherwise might be a
good thing in a deep soil. Besides these, there are
other cunsidcratlous. If the surface-soil be poor,
and we turn this down into a still poorer subsoil, we
bury what little good there might have been in the
surface soil far below the reach of the roots.
A little learning is undoubtedly a dangerous thing
in farming. There is no department in industry
wherein circnmstanccs alter cases more than in this.
While deep plowing is an excellent thing when cir-
cumstances suit, there are innumerable cases when
it is wise to go the other vfay-.—Oermaiitoum Tel.
Sowing Oats Early.
In few things have the advantages of an under-
dratn soil shown to better etfect than in oat-growing.
Light soils are not lavorable to the oat, and yet it is
the light soils which are the early ones. On the other
hand, the oat requires a moderately low temperature,
of at least two months, to perfect its root-organiza-
tion. It ought to be one of the earliest crops sown
j 1b the spring, but our strong soils, on which the oat
does best, are often wet soils, and very unfavorable
to early sowing.
Those who have strong soils, and yet tolerably dry,
have the very best of oat laud, and those who have
not must watch every chance to get the seed in early
if they would have the best results. Those who
know this and yet have land for oats which they feel
they will hardly be able to seed before the end of
April, sometimes prepare the land in the fall, and
then sow the seed on the snow in February. Snow in
our regions is too precarious to found any system
thereon. We may have snow or we may not. But
in the Western States, where snow is a regular thing
at that time of the year we notice that the practice
is growing into favor. Those wlio have tried it say
the seed sprouts as soon a.s the first warm days of
spring come, some two weeks at least ahead of the
regular April sowings, and the crop proportionately
increased. We may not find this plan everywhere
feasible, but we may be encouraged always to sow at
the earliest time practicable.
American Wheat in Spain.
The first cargo of American wheat was landed in
Barcelona, Spain, about November 15th, and created
quite a sensation among the dealers. Previously
most of the wheat handled at that market has been
Black Sea and Hungarian, but the American was
judged to be equal to the best grades of those varie-
ties, and this cargo has called tor about ^^5 cargoes
more. The amount of the shipment was 7:;,000
bushels, the price obtained 8:i.70 per VlO lbs., and the
cost of the freight was $18,000. The only unwelcome
feature of this item of news is that the grain
was carried in a British steamer, and that the
cargoes further bargained for are to be carried In
British vessels. We have at present no direct steam
communication with the ports of the Mediterranean.
Not until American steamship lines arc established
to all prominent foreign markets can we hope for the
best returns from the sale of the products of our
farms, mines and factories. — thiterican Agricttllurht
for February 1.
Salt as a Manure.
We have applied salt to our garden, say at inter-
vals of from six to eight years, for twenty-flve or
thirty years. We could not discover that it had any
particular effect. We believe, however, that it had
a good effect, besides destroying insect life. We use
it almost annually on the asparagus beds, as most
persons do, and know that the plant greatly thrives
upon it. In wheat fields it tends to stiflen the straw
and acts thus as a protection against storms, which
lay low so many llclds. It also attracts moisture,
and in times of drought acts favorably In this way.
But that it is a manure in any sense, or that it will
show Itself after the first crop is removed, we do not
believe. It is a question for the observing farmer to
decide whether or not its application will " pay."
In England it has loDg been experimented with in
every way, as a fertilizer, and the farmers there are
as much in the dark about it to-day as they were at
the beginning. The .Uark Lane Kxprest, regarded
as good authority tlicre, says that there is no clear
eviili'uce even as to Its mode of action, as the results
arc BO varying that they are "conflicting and con-
tradictory."
American Produce Abroad.
At the dairy shows in Kngland, American factory
cheese took such a prominent position as to cause the
London rimex to say It was driving " English Clicd-
dnr's out of the market." Be It understood that
English Cheddar cheese is of a similar grade to the
American factory product, and is the main reliance
of the English market. A prominent American gen-
tlemen writes from Vienna that the prospects of this
country, as viewed from abroad, promise an era of
great prosperity, because .we arefinding a market In
other lands for so much of our produce : horses, cat-
tle, dead meat, butter, cheese, grain and manufac-
tured goods. The larger proportion of animal pro-
ducts we can ship abroad the better, for that means
that we are feeding grain, and thereby saving the
fertility of our farms. For, they are more exhausted
by selling grain than by feeding it and selling meat,
butter, cheese, etc., and by the latter course we get
two prices for the grain ; one in the product sold and
one iu the manure.— America;* Agriculturist for
Febrnanj 1.
Horticulture.
Pruning Fruit and Ornamental Trees.
We read a great deal about the proper time of
pruning trees, and especially the apple tree. Some
prefer fall, some midwinter, some early spring, but
scarcely one recommends the very best time in our
humble opinion— mirfsMmmfr. Doubtless some old
fogies will open their eyes and hold up their hands at
such an innovation, and denounce it as an absurdity;
but we think we will be sustained by a majority of
the "live" men of the day.
If we desire to improve the form of a fruit tree
and get rid of some of the superfluous wood, we
should prune in the winter ; but if we desire fruit
and a perfectly healed stump, we should prune from
the fifteenth of June to the twentieth of July. We
have done this often with the happiest results. The
fruit-buds form af.er this, and the operation In sud-
denly cutting off its growth, produces buds ; while
the winter or early spring pruning will produce only
In pruning ornamental trees in midsummer, the
bark, instead of receding from the stump, grows
over it, and in a few years will completely cover it
:iii(l iiKike a perfect amputation. We have noticed
tijis ii|i(iii our own premises, as well as upon those of
otlicr.s, nuiny times. This pruning is done when the
tree is taking its midsummer " siesta," and then
wakes up, refreshed for another start, and the bark
gradually steals over the stump as if ashamed of the
shabby-looking exposure.
When the tree is in full leaf, and presents its full
form to us, we can see exactly where the pruning
should be done, in order that while the overgrowth
may be removed, the symmetry of the tree may be
preferred. Especially is midsummer pruning to be
preferred, first, tc produce buds on fruit-bearing
trees as before stated ; and second when large limbs
are to be removed.
Hide-Bound Trees.
The practice of slitting the outer bark of fruit
trees perpendicularly has its friends and enemies.
We are of the latter. It deals with the effect instead
of the cause. The cambium layer is that from which
a zone of growth (in exogenous plants) is annually
added both to the sap-wood and to the inner bark.
The outer bark is flually exfoliated, or rent in fissures
and scaled off by the action of the weather. Trees
that are starved increase in growth slowly, and the
outer bark becomes so indurated as to resist, to a
certain extent, their growth by retarding the upward
passage of the crude sap from the roots to the leaves,
and of the elaborated sap from the leaves downward.
But we think it may be questioned whether it is not
well that its growth should be retarded. Surely If
it is true that a treebecomes "hide-bound" because it
is starved, increasing its size is not going to remedy
the evil, since we do but furnish more mouths, so to
speak, to be fed by the same amount of food.
W« have seen many trees thus treated. The stems
would noticeably Increase in size the next year or so ;
but there was no corresponding evidence of vigor
apparent. In most instances it has seemed to us
their vigor was impaired. These perpendicular slits,
moreover, afford convenient lodgments for water or
moisture, ai d insects seek such crevices for shelter
or for depositing their eggs. It seems to us tliat the
natural remedy for hide-bound trees is to enrich the
earth as far as the roots extend, and that then the
cambium layer, increased In quantity and nutriment,
will so form new liber and alburnum that the outer
bark must expand and the stem soon become evenly
and sufficiently devdoped.
Early Cabbages and Tomatoes.
Many people go without these nice llllle garden
thIngB; lieiause they are a long distance away from
where the plants are sold ; or because they don't
want the trouble to make a bed to raise seeds of such
plants when they want but a few dozen of each kind.
But where this Is the case all one needs may be raised
in a box of earth on the kitchen window, or any part
of the house where ihers is light and a very little
warmth.
This is often done with the tomato, but the cab-
bage can be raised In the same way, or even better,
for the tomato must be always secure from tlie frost,
while a little of this will not affect the young plant
or seed of the cabbage. Of the early cabliuge few
people want more than '^5 or 50, and a ten-cent paper
and a box of about a foot square will proilucc this
quantity with a very little trouble. For early cabbage
tliey may be sown at once In this way.
There "is often much tronble in raising late cabbage
seed, on account of the ravages of the fly, when tlie
attempt is made in the open ground ; but where only
a few are needed they might probably be raised In
this way, and thus be secured against danger from
this little pest. No doubt from fifty to a hundred
could very well be raised in a small box of this kind,
and unless where there Is a tolerably large sauer-
kraut barrel, ought to furnish a respectable supply
for any moderate family. The late cabbage seed
ought not to be sown before the middle of .March,
and the tomato not much before that either.
Household Recipes.
How TO Nectkalize Ski-.nks' Odor.— Take the
odorized clothing and bury them under ground for
three or four days ; then take them out and give them
a good airing.
How TO Pickle A UTifnoKES.— Scrape and wash
a peck of artichokes ; put vinegar in an earthen pot,
enough to cover them ; add to each pint half a pound
sugar and a teaspoonlul of ground cinnamon, five or
six blades of mace, or half a grated nutmeg. Boil
them in this vinegar until you can run a knitting-
needle through them.
How TO Destrov Motus in Featueks.- Take
them out of the tick and put them on your fruit-
dryer, and then put them into your oven after you
have taken out your bread. Put the tick into the
oven also in the same way. Let them remain in for
an hour or two and it will kill them all. If your furs
are infested with moths wrap them in newspapers
and treat them in the same manner.
How TO FmcASSEE Chickrx.— Take your chick-
ens and divide them ; boil them until they are nearly
tender, in salt water ; take them out of the water
and drain them. Put a piece of butter in a pan ; let
it get hot, and then lay in your pieces of cliieken and
fry them into a nice brown. Take them up and put
a very little flour in the pan and let it brown. Pour
three tablespoonsful of water in the pau and let It
boil up, and then serve.
Potatoes and " Nep " (Ksepf) — An frith
Z)i«A.— Boil some potatoes that you have previously
sliced about half an inch thick. When they b;gin
to get toft, put in the 'nep dough, which you make
by taking one quart of wheat Hour, one teaspoonful
of soda, and salt to taste ; mix these with the flour ;
add two eggs well beaten, and thick milk enough to
make a stiff batter. It raises up very much, but
should be eaten as soon as it is done.
How TO Stkw Soup Beans.— Take one pint of
soup beans and pour boiling water over them until
they are covered two or three inches, for they will
swell ; let them stand at least three hours ; put them
over the Are in pure hot water— no salt. They will
boll soft in about 30 or 40 minutes. Drain the water
off and put In one cupful of sweet milk, a lump of
butter the size of a walnut, and salt to the taste;
turn them into a "boat," add pepper, and send them
to the table.
How TO Make Turnip Salad.— Take six turnips
and slice them on a slaw-cutter ; put them in a stew-
pan with water enough to boil them soft. While
they are boiling take another pan and put in a large
tablespoonful of butler, and let it get hot, but not
burn ; as soon as your turnips are lender turn them
into the pan containing the butter, having previously
drained all the water off the turnips ; put In one
spoonful of sugar, pepper and sail to suit the taste ;
let them fry, but not to make them brown. Pour in
a half pint of vinegar ; stir it a few minutes longer,
and serve either warm or cold. — LeoHne.
Tahle Sauce.— There is no reason why you should
not sometimes have a nice relish for cold meats when
you can make a pint of It for six cents, so I will give
you a receipt for it. (let a bunch of tarragon; it
wiircost five cents In the summer, when it Is green
and strong, and not much more in the winter; put
it in an earthen l)Owl and pour on it one pint of
scalding-hot vinegar ; cover it and let It stand until
the next day ; then strain it and put it into a bottle,
which you must cork tight. Either put more hot
vinegar on the tarragon or dry it, and save It until
48
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[March, 1879.
you want to make more. You may make a gallon
of sauce from one buncb, only every time you use it
you must let it stand a day \oBger. — Tweidy-Jlfe
Cent Dimien.
Broiled Kidneys.— Mix together in a deep plate
the following ingredients, whieh will cost three
cents : One ounce of butter, half a level teaspoouful
of pepper, one teaspoouful each of mustard, and any
table sauce or vinegar, and as much cayenne as you
can take upon the point of a small pen-knife blade ;
toast half a loaf of stale bread (cost three cents),
cut in slices one inch thick ; wash, split and broil
one pound of pigs' or sheep's kidneys (cost ten cents
or less) ; while the kidneys are broiling dip the toast
in the lirst named seasonings, lay it on a hot dish,
and lay the kidneys on it a6"soou as they are broiled ;
seaeon them with salt and pepper, and serve them
hot with one quart of plain boiled potatoes (cost
three cents). The cost of the entire dinner will be
le«s than twenty cents.— Twaity-fivc Cent Dinners.
Soup.— Take about four pounds of good lean meat,
and boil in about four quarts of water; pare about
six small onions, and the same quantity of celery,
cut in pieces an inch long ; one yellow turnip cut in
small pieces, and the same quantity of potatoes ; boil
in a separate saucepan until half done, as that rids
the vegetables of a part of the unpleasant smell ;
when the meat is tender remove it from the broth and
add the vegetables — not the water they were boiled
in ; then beat well one egg and one tablespoonful of
milk, thicken with prepared flour; drop in small
quantities to soak ; the soup is ready to be taken up,
as it must not boil more than five minutes, or it will
make it too thick ; if the meat is allowed to remain
in the soup after it is tender the soup will be full of
fragments of it. This soup is excellent, and as good
the next day.
Poultry.
Non-Hatching Eggs.
In relation to the infertility of eggs during the
season of 1S77, the American Poultry Yard says :
" Various causes have been assigned for this non-
fertility ; but the impotency of the male birds is the
fruitful one. Whei'e fowls have been kept artificially
— penned up in close quarters, without access to the
green fields or pastures — this ill luck has been espe-
cially noticeable, when the eggs laid by hens thus con-
fined have been used or sold for incubating purposes.
"No matter how hardy and vigorous m.ay be the
natural constitution of the breed of fowls or how
sprightly and useful the cocks that are in use as breed-
ers may appear to be, these males cannot endure ab-
solute foutincineiit and prove really serviceable in the
brcediuir season, as a rule.
"Tliey must have exercise, green food, a run
daily outside the house limits, and not be forced to
eat too much dry food, or go hungry. Give these
breeding birds plenty of good succulent food. Let
them have fresh air and plenty of exercise every day,
oven in winter time. And so you will find a large
proportion of the eggs will be impregnated, and will
hatch much more successfully in spring time."
How to Manage Setters.
Sear Sir : I think that much is to be gained by
regularity in the management of incubating hens.
Many folks allow the^ setters to remain upon the
nests as long as they please, come ofi' when so in-
clined, and return at their leisure. This is not the
best way, as I look at it, and I have worked long
and thonght much on this matter.
If a hen is not taken oflf her nest daily she will
certainly befoul it. This helps to breed lice and
renders her uncomfortable. If left to herself to go
on and ofi", as she pleases, the chances are that she
will at some time allow more or less of her eggs to
chill, in extreme cold weather. I therefore deem it
always best to remove and replace her every morning,
and so keep her steady at her work. Some hens can
attend to themselves, and some don't know enough
to go in when it rains, hardly. They think they
must stick to their eggs as if the universe depended
on it. Give me regularity and system every time. —
N. K. Drake, in American Poultry Yard.
female. If you speak of two fowls of one kind, you
would more properly call them " a couple," than " a
pun-."— Editor Poultry Yard.;\
The Best Kind of Eggs.
Eggs for hatching should be chosen of the fair aver-
age size, usually laid by the hen they are from, any un-
usually large or small being rejected. Some hens lay
extremely large eggs and others small ones. A fat hen
will always lay siriall eggs, which can only produce
small and weakly chickens. Absolute size in eggs is,
therefore, of butlittle importance. Round, short eggs
areusually the best to select ; very long eggs, especi-
ally if much pointed at the small end, almost always
breed birds with some awkwardness in style or car-
riage. Neither should rough-shelled eggs be chosen ;
they usually show some derangement of the organs,
and are often sterile.— /'on^^ci/ Yard.
What and How to Feed.
The readiness with which fowls will eat the various
garden vegetables depends on habit or education, if
we may use so pretentious a word. In winter chop
up carrots, turnips, beets, mangolds, or cheap seed-
ling apples, if the latter can be afforded ; and to
teach fowls to eat these, thoroughly mix with meal
till appetite is acquired, when they may be given
alone, and alternately raw and cooked. Boiled
potatoes and raw cabbages will generally be eaten
without previous training, and this fact indicates
that they are the best vegetable food for winter.—
Poultry Yard.
Degeneracy in Fowls.
"Subscriber," at Darham, Conn., is informed that
fowls or turkeys are best bred by a change of mates,
at least as often as every other year. It is quite as
well to change the cocks every spring, to prevent de-
generacy in the blood. Breeding continually from
the same parentage will, in a few years, "run out "
the stock, so that its best points and characteristics
will almost certainly disappear ; and, at the best, the
progeny from the same line bred in-and-in for a few
generations successively, will deteriorate very largely.
—Poultry Yard.
Poultry should not be plucked too soon after
killing. If feathers are pulled out while the blood
is still fluid, th8 vesicle at the root of each feather
becomes engorged and the skin spotted. Don't feed
before killing ; a fowl killed while digestion is going
on will hardly keep a week.
LITERARY AND PERSONAL.
Questions.
Dear Sir: Will you please answer the following
questions through the Yard:
1. How to stop my hens from dropping soft-
shelled eggs from the roosts at night. I have found
more than one egg of this kind in my nests during
the past year, and my hens (White Leghorns) get
plenty of lime, etc., to form egg shells ; 2. When a
person speaks of a pair of anything, does he always
mean male or female, unless otherwise stated ?— /.
T. G.,Easton, Pa.
[Reply.— 1st. Our correspondent says his hens
have " plenty of lime, etc." They should have a
gravel run, a gravel floor to their house, or plenty of
gravel in some shape (as well as lime), at all times.
If they have range, when fowls can be out of deors,
they will do belter still. See our olt-repeated re-
marks about exercise ; 2. A "pair" is a male and
The Ferns of North America. — By Professor
Daniel C. Eaton, of Yale College, beautifully illus-
trated with colored plates by Mr. James H. Emerton.
Published by S. E.Cassino, naturalist agency, Salem,
Mass. We have just received the 12th and 13th
parts of this beautiful quarto (on the Ferns of North
America,) containing 6 full page plates, with 43
figures, amply illustrating the difterent parts of this
most interesting family of plants. If ever there was
a work published adapted to the convenience of those
in middle life or advanced in years — when the facul-
ties of vision are beginning to fail— it is to be found
in this publication, even if the ferns themselves were
not one of the most interesting of botanical studies,
and the subjects easy of access', conveniently manipu-
lated, and showy in an herbarium. The qu.ality of
the paper, the type, the printing, the engraving and
coloring are the best that the present pei-iod can
command, and are very superior. Price, jfl.OO per
part, postage paid, and will be completed in not less
than '10 numbers, and not more than 2+, payable on
delivery, at intervals of about two months. As tills
work, when completed, will contain about 7.5 full
page plates, about .500 figures, and illustrate all the
known ferns in North America, down to the present
time, we consider it cheap— I'eri/ cheajy.
The American Poultry Yard.— A weekly illus-
trated journal, devoted specially to the interests of
fowl breeders, fanciers, farmers, markets and
dealers. A. H. Stoddard, publisher, Hartford,
Conn.; §1.50 a year; single number, four cents.
This is a remarkably cheap and well-executed 16 by
22 folio of 4 pages, with all the novelties in chicken-
dom illustrated weekly, as they successively are de-
veloped. Its contributions are all brief, terse and
practically to the point, and, doubtless, on that ac-
count, it is preferabl • to most readers to the Poultry
World, by the same publisher. The relation these
two journals occupy to each other is very similar to
that of day-book and ledger. In an emergency one
might dispense with the ledger and run his business
with dav-book alone ; but as soon as his circum-
stances warranted it, be certainly would patronize
both. Although seemingly occupying this relation
to the lloi-i(<, it does not occupy the same ground
practically. It contains more oi' the familiar weekly
gossip than its contemporary, and less of its standard
poultry literature. There is not a contribution, an
advertisement, an anecdote, an inquiry and reply
that does not in some way relate to "chicken
fixens " and their feathered co-relatives. We hope it
may have a large vacancy to fill.
Washington Departmental Review. — A com-
pendium history of Governmental operations (en-
tered according to an act of Congress) . Terms, ?1.00
per annum ; single copies 10 cents. This is an ex-
cellently well-gotten up quarto of Ifi pages. No. 1,
Vol. 1, for January, a copy of which has reached our
table. Published by Walter J. Brooks, in the office
of the Librarian of Congress. We append the con-
tents of the number, from which its peculiar scope
may be judged. Advertisements (only one page),
Agriculture Department ; Congress ; Department of
Justice ; Editorial ; Executive ; Interior Depart-
ment ; Navy, State, Postofflce ; Secret Service Di-
vision; Treasury Department; War, &e. There is
a very large amount of Governmental statistics in
these pages, besides what is being done by Congress
and the difterent departments. Nothing at all about
Congressional and departmental discu.ssions on doing
and "undoing, but what has actually been done and
undone. This is an entirely new journal, and now,
since it has made a beginning, we may well wonder
why such an enterprise was not begun twenty-five or
fifty years ago. The work is of great value to those
who take an interest in the Government.
Wallace's Monthly comes to us this month
brim full of good, wholesome reading. "The Sire
of Justin .Morgan," " The Guernsey Cow," "Origin
of the Morgan Horse," "Thoughts on Breeding,"
"Polled Cattle," with a finely illustrated article
upon an Oregon Breeding Stable, are among its most
interesting papers. The leailing article, "The
Percheron of Paris and of the Prairies," by the
editor, is full of practical common sense. In the
editorial department, Mr. Wallace continues his
discussion, " Do we need any more Running Blood
in the Trotter?" Mr. L. S. Hardin, the editor of the
cattle department, has an article entitled, "A Cow
Test." Published by John H. Wallace, 212 Broad-
way, N. Y., at $3.00 per year.
Landreth's Rural Register and Almanac
I'OK 1879. — Published annually for gratuitous distri-
bution ; containing also David Landreth & Sons'
Price List of Garden Seeds for 1879. This is the
thirty-third year of the publication of this excellent
little work, and the present year it is increased in
size to a royal octavo in form, and otherwise much
improved. It is hardly necessary to say that the
Landreths are the proprietors of the celebrated
Bloomingdale seed farm, and the present issue gives
a full page bird's eye view of the central portion of
said fan'n, including the buildings thereon. The
work contains 64 pages of choice reading matter, in-
cluding the covers, and is embellished with 69 illus-
trations of choice garden and field vegetables.
The Horse. — " A Treatise on the Horse and His
Diseases," by Dr. B. J. Kendall, of Enosburgh Falls,
Vermont, is a book that every owner of a horse
should have, and no breeder of horses can afibrd to
do without. It has thirty-five engravings, illustrating
positions assumed by sick horses, and gives treat-
ment of dis'<asi-s in such plain and comprehensive
language as to lie readily understood by anyone of
ordinary intelliirence. The price is only 25 cents,
but we 'would not exchange it for any book on the
horse an~l his diseases that we have ever seen, and
we have read some hooks of the kind that cost $10.
It contains a large number of recipes, anyone of
which is worth double the price of the work. The
book may be had of the author as above.
A Reliahle Firm. — In another column of The
Farmer can be found the advertisement of Messrs.
Ellwanger & Barry, Mt. Hope Nurseries, Rochester,
N. Y. They are a reliable firm to deal with, and as
we have had a knowledge of the firm for many years
we have no hesitancy in recommending them to our
readers, and we feel sure that any representation
made by them will be found to be correct. In these
days, when tree arjcnts are continually boring our
farmers, we take pleasure in recommending a firm
whom we know to be honest and reliable dealers.
J. J. H. Gregory's Seed Catalogue.— Mr.
Gregory is one of the very few seedsmen who com-
bines the business of seed raiser and seed dealer.
We presume this fact has a good deal to do with his
seed warrants ; for unless a man grew largely of the
seed he sells and hence i-noics all about them, he
will hardly venture to warrant their freshness and
purity ; and what is ol» more importance to the pur-
chaser, stand by it in every case, as Mr. Gregory has
the reputation of doing.
New Music— The following new music has been
received from Geo. D. Newhall & Co., 62 West
Fourth street, Cincinnati, Ohio, and recommends
itself to all lovers of good music. Blossom's Reward
Polka; Farewell; Innovation. Persons wishing some-
thing unusually attractive should send for it, and
surely be pleased.
A New Book. — Loring, publisher, Boston, has
issued a new work entitled, " How we Saved the Old
Ftirm, and How it Became a New Farm." It is
written by " A Young Farmer," and the price of It
is fifty cenlTs. It is a very entertaining work, and is
well worth a perusal.
Report upon the condition of crops and live stock,
January, lb79. Department of Agriculture No. 10
of special series, 21 pp. octavo.
I
THE LANCASTER FARMER
CoMPLiJiENTB of H. A. Biirch&Co., 1H79, gen
ral dealers In apiarian supplies, South Haven,
lichigan ; a neat little diamond pamphlet of forty
i. From the character of its contents wc should
udfjc it of Inimense value to all live bee-Itecpcrs,
dio are pursuin;; that occupation commercially.
Monthly reports of the Kansas State Board ol
Igrlculture for September, October, November and
)ecember, 1H78. By Alfred Gray, Secretary, Topeka,
Cansas, 3^ pp. octavo. Full of tabulated statistics,
nd agricultural, economical and commercial de-
ails, Indicating wonderl'ul progress in our young
iBter.
Stockbhidoe Manures. — We have received from
Sdw. J. Evans <& Co., of York, a catalogue of Sloek-
^rldge's Manures and Bowker's Phosphates. It has
jultc a fund of useful information. Messrs. Evans
i Co. are the agents for Southern Pennsylvania.
! Hoi.STEiN Calves —Since the last issue of The
pARHBR Messrs. Smith & Powell, Syracuse, N. Y.,
ave received, direct from Holliind, twenty Ilolsteln
eifjr calves. Their herd of Ilolsteins now numbers
early sixty head of fnll-bl,.od6.
TREE S
Fe offer for Spring of 1879. tho largest and moBl complete
I stock In the. U. S. of
^'rult TrepH, Urn|i« ViiiCH, Klrnnberrles, em-
bracing all the neic aud valuable varlelieB.
^rnniuental TrecM nnd Shrubs, decidaous and
I evergreen,
RoaeN a urecinlly- all the flnest sorts.
;jreen and Hot Huuxp IMautx. including best nov-
'^elties.
Oescriptive and IlIUBtrated priced Catalogues sent prepaid
I to customers, rre«, to others, on receipt of etsmpa as
I foUows:
'fo. 1, Fruits, with colored plate (new edition), 15 cts.; rlain
!0 cH, No. 2, Ornameutal Trees, etc., with plate, 25 cts.;
plain. 15 cts. No. 0, Greenhouse. Free. No. 4. Wholesale.
*re*. and No. 5. Gatalegne of Roses with colored plate,
|0 eta.; plain. Fr<>e. Address
CLLLW ANGER & BARRY, Rochester. N. r.
NEW teO.OU PRIZE GRAPE.
MOORE'S EARLY.
A NEW HARDY GRAPE,
.^mbinlng the foUowiug dealrable qaaUtlftn: Hardlueei,
size, beaaty, quality, productivenetA
SMALL FRUITS,
ASPARAGUS, &c.
Moore's New Seedling Strawbefries,
And new Oross-Bred Asparagus.
ALSO
CURRANTS, BLACKBERRIES,
Strawberries, Raspberries.
^■Send for Circular.
JOHN B. MOORE,
SEND FOR
On Concord Grapevines, Transplanted Kvergreena, Tulip,
Poplar, Linden Maple, elc. Tree SeedUngs and Trees for
Umber plantations by the 100,000.
HOME-MADE
MANURES.
SCIENTIFIC POBMOUS fOR IHEIR MSNUFJCIUeE 0» THE
\m SENT FREE TO m HOORESS.
The Cheapest, ami we believe the most ef-
fective Manure in use, can be niaile witli but
little trouble, by using our Fertilizing Clienii-
(Mtls and Bone.s, which we furnish of the best
quality, and at lowest prices. We offer, of our
own manufacture or importation,
DisBolved BoneH, Sulphate of Ammouln,
Perfectly Pure Ground Hones, Fertilizing Salt,
.\cidulated PhoHphate Kocli, Sulphate of Soda.
Phosphate Rook, flue ground, Muriate of Potaith, German,
Laud Plaster, pure and flue Oil Vitriol, full etreagth,
ground, Sulphate of Magnesia
Sulphate Potash (Kaluitl, (Kieseritc).
Nitrate of Soda,
HARRISON BROTHERS & CO.,
ANALYTICAL CUKMl.STS,
Mannfactnrers of Fertilizing CliBinicals.
( EstabUshed j793ji^
FACTORIES AND MILLS AT GRAY'S FERRY.
Office: 105 Soath Front Street,
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
There hejnj^ a pood deal of need in the market raised
from very poor stock, which must fjiil to prive 8atii*faction,
having b?oo theorlgiual iiitruditcer of the Oiaut Cublmgc,
which when raised irom the right strain of seed under pro-
per cultivation, hftH hoeu grown to weigh ovkb 60 pouni>s to
a Bingle plant, and sixty tons to the acre, I now offer to the
public, aeed that has been raised by myself, with peculiar
care, all of it/r<mi extra larfje, extra solid fuads. The Mar-
blohead Mammoth Is not only the largest
most orisp aud sweetest " "
) will I
npue
the cabbage
}f letters to be found lo
hf>'r( my cOBtomers atate that they
frnm my seed that have weighed 40,
I'liU instructions for cuitivatloo
-<.d. seed per pound, $5.0 ; per
■:• iH cents. My largo Seed Cata-
.1 ILCtKEGORY, Marblehead. Mass.
'C^W^
fLOfJ
A^
nUiDf:
A beautiful wt
Plate, and 30
heal Klow.n ui
for a FivkCknt Stamp. In EuKlisli i)r Qernmn.
The Flower and Vegetable Garden, 175 P>eet, Six
Colored Plates, and Ujaiiy hundred KnRruvln».:s. For St
ceniK in paper covers; $1 01) In elegant cloth, in aerman
or Rnxlish.
Viclc's Illustrated Monthly Maeazine-:i2 PaRea, a
Colored Plate iu every number and many i-'lne Kngravingi.
Price t'.m a year; Five Cojiies for llS.dO.
Viclt'a Seeda are (he best in the world Bend Fivi OiKT
Stami- for aFiouAL OlJlDB, cnulalninu List and Prlc««,
and plenty of I '
.T.^MKS VIC
N. Y.
BliffSekaGardenScedf.
"^
■>^.
aHAND-FL^
BOOKpt.MT^
laWiXiici 1S45-. 2__:
10 all iNfcn-/r,:J in ganicnins, mailed ro "
ipplUaiUf cmlojms JO Cents. ^rf^
B.K.BLISSSrSONS.F
34 BARCLAYST^NY.CITY.iE
"Stockbridge Manures."
Thesbare roiiiplPte niiiiiiirpK, m de for rnrli crop,
and are the t'H KAPKS'I', piir<»<l.:ind b<-«t FertilUeri
In the market. Stmt Jnr iM-'xriplire famphltl.
EUW. J. iiVA>s a- <o., York, Pb.,
"9-3.3 ARents lor Sonthern Penna.
ifc^FKKE TO ALL
;iB)Y ol Patmjra. K. Y.
OFFICE,
Noi 9 North Oueen Street,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE
WEEKLI ElilllSE ii EXPRESS
lean old, weU-eetablishod newspaper, and oontalns Just kh»
news desirable to make it an lntere«tiUR and valaibU
Family Newapiper. It Is published on Wednesday and
Saturday, aBbscrlbers having the choice of whichever editl«B
that suits their mail facilities bi^Bt. The postage to aab-
sci-ibers residing outaide of Lancaster eounty is paid by Ik*
publisher.
Bend for a specimen copy.
Two Dollars per Annum.
Is published every afternoon (except Sunday) and contains
the news by mail and telegraph from all parts of the world
up to the hour af going to press. It is furnished to sub-
scribers al all the towHH and villages iu the county, »coe«-
sible by rail or stage, by carriers at Ten rents a WeelL,
or by mall at Five DollarH per Year,
The Lancaster Farmer
ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM.
THE EX.\m'ER& EXPRESS JOB BOOM.
The Job Rooms of "The Kxantimu- and Express" are
well filled with a lull assortment of t>pe and improved
presses, enabliug us to do all kinds of Job Work, euch
as catalogues, cards, bill heads, letter heads, euvelopa
Btaiementfl, iuvita'tona, circulars, jiosters, sale bills, In faiet,
all kinds of plain and fancy printing. Wc make a speclaltr
of sale bills, having outs in the office which were mad*
from drawings fepeclallj prepared for ua, aud not In aaj
other otHce In the state.
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Proprietor,
No. 9 Nort'i Queen St..
LANCASTKlt, FJL.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[March, 1879.
My annunl Catalogue vf Veg'-table and Flowi-r
Seed for lS79,;ricb iu engraviugs, from origiuiil photo-
graphs, will be Beut FREE to all who apply, CuBtomers of
laBteeason ueed uot write for it I offer one ot the largest col-
etable seed ever sent out by any seed house
ln°Ame'ri'ca.^I^'i.S
age All eeed
id Squash,
BOore» of other vegetables,
are anxioxt4 io have their seed directfy frovi the grtnper, fresh,
true, and of the very best strain.
New Vegetables a specialty.
JAMES J. H. GREGORY,
79-l-14[ Marblehead, Mass.
E. R O.
BUKBKA RED OIL, (is forty degrees higher fire test than
the law requires), can be burned in auy LAMP where the
ehimney burner is used, is tcarranted not to explode, under
forfeiture of $100.
BS^EXOLTTSIVE COUNTY RIGHTS for sale by
P. J. FITZGERALD, Sole Proprietor and Manufacturer,
103 and 105 N Fourth st., Philad'a.
Also, WHOLESALE DEALER IN HEAD LIGHT, COAL
OIL and BURNING FLUID.
N. B. A large assortment latest stv/esot CHANDELIERS,
BRACKETS, BRONZE LAMPS, BURNERS, &c., &c., con-
Btantly ou hand. 10-9-6m
|J4cl^J.q:^IJil?UllJMVIJ=ajJJ.t.
WE BELL EVERYTHING poe thb ^
GARDEN
^ Descriptive C:.lal ^ms ot 173 pages sent Free |J
Cnrllandt St., 3V;r Tor7:.
STOCKBRIDGE
MANURES
Originated by Levi Sfockbridge, Professor of Agricul-
ture in the Massachusetts Agricuftural College. Thev have
been extensively used for six years. Send for a little book
deecribing tbein and givinjf directions for cultivating farm
and garden cr»-i-,'fi. Eve:y farmer, gardener, or cultivator
of a kitchen garden should send for a copy mailed free.
BOWKKR » EKTIJ.B7,Elt
bam Street. B<.M««: ;S Vn
Binil 24 5for(!> >Vn<ei- Strf
■li PLice. Ke« York
>t. R«ieh<'Ktor. N. Y.
LAWRENCE&TAYLCR,
76 ALDHRSGATE ST.,
London E. C, England.
Larpst aiitl Best Iarl[et in the Worli.
Oommission : For consignments under i:.70;— 4 per cent.
" " " £100:— 3 percent,
over illOO:— 2 per cent.
Freight &c., &e., paid free of charge for interest.
Money advanced on Consignment with-
out interest.
Account sales and <
utly I
BAMER'SailTIONALPROViCIALBAM
OF ENGLAISm.
Telegraph Address
TAYRENOB, LONDON.
PEARL MILLET
(THE NEW FODDER PLANT.)
81.00
By express, bnye'r to pay charges, $5 per peck.
Statement of our experiments with it, and
iiietraciions for culture, free on application.
PETER HENDERSONS CO.
35 CORTLANDT ST., NEW YORK.
Only Doable King In-
<•[<•<; »l Nose. Cfaanipion
>^og ICiuirer, Riii^R iiiid
Holder. No sharp points in
flesh to cause irritation and sore-
uess, as in cases of rings that
close wi:h the joints iu flje flesh
and pioduco soreness of the
THE CHAMPION HOG HOLDER Speaks for itself :
Only Sing:le Ring; Kver In-
vented that. Closes ou the
Ontiiiide of the Nose.
Brown's Elliptical Riug and Triple
■ "ig Hinger. It over-
ingular
Groove Hog
oomea a serious defect
and other rings which clos^
joints together in the fiesh,
to decay and to keep the 1
) with the
causing it
CHAMBERS, BERING & QUINLAN, Exclusive Manufacturers, Decatur, IU.
IFEEE
ills. It
i plates. 500
varieties of Vegelable and Flower SeeJs, Plaota, Roses, Eta.
iDvaloable to all. Seud for it. A^MreHB
B. M. FEEEY & CO. Detroit Mioh.
79-1-4
GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
TRADE MARK. '•■••f Great Fngiisb TRADE MA^RK.
KeBned.v will prompt-
ly and rudically cure
•one Debili'y and
perfectly harmless, i -k^sc^ 1 «•
Before Takmo- "''5 "^^B'f. and has been «<!.„■ TakiTiD-
o extensively used for over -aJ-ier XlUUIlg.
thirty years with great suocess. Full particulars in oui
pamphlet, which we desireto send free by mail to every one.
The specific medicine is sold by .11 druggists at $1 per pack,
age, or six packages for $5, or will be sent free by mail on
receipt of the money liv J.ddreeeing
THE GR.\Y MEDICINE COMPANY,
No. 1(1 Mecbinicn' Block, Detroit, Michigan.
ira^Sold in I.ancaKter by H. li. CocHRjiN. 137 and 139 N,
Queen St., and by drupgisis everywhere. [79-3-12
1879 SPRING AND SUMMER 1879
Coats a[)d Coalings^
PANTS AND PANTINGS,
VESTS ANL» VESTINGS,
SUITS AND SUITINGS,
OVERCOATS AND OVERCOATINGS
rathv6n"&Tisher'S,
I^erchant Tailors, Drapiers and Clolljiers,
Corner W. Quetn and Orange Sts.,
LANCASTER, PA.
is auy oiher place in the city. Goods all wool, perfect, and
satisfaction g:uarantee<l. Orders respect-
fullv solicited, and promptly executed.
IS79 1S79
Is an energetic, natural manure, specially adapted for
summer croi.s. It is highly recommended to tobacco
growers, giving the plants a vigorous start and causing a
rajiid growth to matnrity.
HIKAN E. I.IJTZ. Manniactnrer.
BOtiiCP, 1136 Market Street, Philadelphia.
A HOME ORGAN FOR FARMERS.
HOW TO OETTHEM ii.|»be,tp.nofthe.iaie. 6.000,000
*J""i°i"l'.;- ^i' n-ee"fipy of " K.nM, I'ocino Borne.
•tead," iddreii laiud Ooinmlutaner, S»liu», Kaitai.
A MONTHLY JOURNAL,
Devoted to Agriculture , Horticulture. Do-
mestic Economy and Miscellany.
Founded Under the Auspices of the Lar
ter County Agricultural and Horti-
cultural Society.
EDITED BY DR. S. S. RATHVON.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION :
ONEDOLLpPERANNUlf,
POSTAGE PREPAID BY THE PROPRIETOR.
All subscriptions will commence with the
January number, unless otherwise ordered.
Dr. S, 8. Kathyon, who has BO ably managed the editorial
department In the past, wUl continue in the position of
editor. Hie contributions on subjects connected with the
science of farming, and particularly that specialty of which
he is so thorouhly a master — entomological science— some
knowledge of which has become a necessity to the Buccess-
f ul farmer, are alone worth much more than the price of
this publication. He Is determined to make "The Farmer"
a necessity to all households. ■- ■---
!fA county that has so wide a reputation as Lancaster
county for its agricultural products, should certainly be
able to support an agricultural paper of its own, for the
exchange of the opinions of farmers lutercsted In this mat-
ter. We ask the co-oporation of all farmers interested in
this matter. Work among your friends. The "Farmer" is
only one dollar per year. Show them your copy. Try and
induce them to subscribe. It is not much for each sub-
scriber to do but it will greatly assist us.
All communications in regard tothe editorial management
should be addressed to Dr. 8. 8. Rathvon, Lancaster, Pa.,
and all business letters in regr.rd to subscriptions and ad-
vertising should be addressed to the publisher. Rat^s of
advertising can be had on apiilication at thfr'oflice.
JOHN A HIESTAND,
No. 9 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
ONE DOLLAE FEE ANNUM.- SINGLE COPIES 10 CENTS.
Dr. S. S. SATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA.. APRIL, 1879.
JOHN A. HIESTAND, Publisher.
CONTENTS OFJTHIS NUMBER.
EDITORIAL.
.811k Culture, -------
• A Model PoBtinueter, -
I .Lime, .---.-..
I . Kltchen-liarden for April, - - - - -
. Supposed Sulphur Shower, - - . -
.Strawberry Protectiis, ------
• Buckwheat Cakes and Sausages, -
Live Sto«k Slaughtered in tho Borough of Adamn-
. Spring and Winter Tree Cleaning, -
tPersoual, ----.-..
• Is the Lowest Price the Cheapest 1 ■ - -
. Queries and Answers, ------
CONTRIBUTIONS.
• More Light—/. G., ----- -
• Balance of Trade— .ff. A'., - . - -
. Migration of Ells, ------
t Around the Farm, No. 13 — Huralist, -
i The Balauce of Trade, Ayalu— /. P., - -
• Turtle-Head, Suake-Iicad, Balniony— /. Stauffcr,
SELECTIONS.
• Seeds, - - - -
^Splenic Fever and Horn Ail, - . . -
■ Cranberry Culture, ------
• Rules for Making liilt-Edged Butter,
Feeding — tmi.lrmeuts — Milking — Setting— Skim-
ming— (Miurniug — Coloring — Working and Salt-
» North Carolina Tobacco, ----- 1
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
.Agricultural and Horticultural Society— Ad-
journed Meeting, - - - - . - ',
Object of the Moeting— Other Societies— The In-
corporators—Churter.
Regular Stated Meeting of the Agricultural and
Horticultural Society, ----- i
Report of OroiiB— Competitive Eaaajs— Cultnra of
Wheat— Mr. LinvJUe's Kasay— Food for Hogs-
Novelty in Fruit (Julture— Dr. Edge to Lecttire .
• Poultry Association, - - - - - !
Preserving the Proceedings — New Members — Money
iu the TrcaenVy — How Long will Eggs Retain
their Fertillf y— Packing Eggs- liuaiuess for Next
Meeting- Members of the Society— Pullet 'a Egga.
•Warwick Farmers' Club, -----.'
Fulton Farmers' Club, ----- J
Afternoon Seaaiou— Literary — DlacuasioD of Regu-
lar Question— Election of Officers.
• Llnnaian Society, ------ J
DoniitionH to the Museum- Historical Section—
Library- Papers Read — New Bueinoas — Soientiflo
Gossip.
ENTOMOLOGICAL.
•The Imported Currant Worm , - - - - (
' The Tobacco Worms, ----- f
•The Utility of EiiiomoloiO'. - - - - 1
• Remedies Against Worms and Intects, - - f
AGRICULTURE.
»Harrowing Wheat in .Spring, - - - - (
• How to Grow Broom Corn, - - - - - (
. Salt as a Fertilizer, ------«
. Rolling Grain in the Spring, . - - . (
Use of Lime, -------(
• Corn Culture. -.---.-(
FLORICULTURE.
1 Flower (Jarden Iliute, ----- 61
.How to Preserve Cut Flowers, - - - - 01
(Sowing Garden Seeds, ----- 01
HORTICULTURE.
.Planting Grapevines, - - - - - 61
(Spring Planting for Strawberries, - - - 61
•An Experiment in Planting, - . - - 62
.Uncovering Protected Plants, - - •• - di
. Mulching, ------ - &i
,GooBcberrie6 and Currants, - - - - 6'.!
, Sprouting Potatoes, ------ 62
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
Some Items About Sugar, . - - . Oi
Necessity of Sunlight, - - - - - 02
. Tlic Uourb for Children, - - - - m
■ How to Use Coal, ------ 62
HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.
Sick Headache, ------- 62
i Flannel Cakes, ----- - 62
■Cup Fruit Cake, ------- 62
>Cookies lor the Children, - . . - 62
. Queen Biscuits, ------- 62
.Boston Meat Pic, ------ 62
Cranberry Rolls, - - - - - - 02
Burns and Scalds, ------ 63
Kemedy for Hoarseness, ----- 63
Eggs in Case of Trouble, - - - - «}
Potato Fancy, - 6;i
, Oatmeal Cakes, ------- 03
Preservat:on of Furs, ----- 63
LIVE STOCK.
•Test Record for Dairy Cows, - - - 03
Full-Blood, Pure-Blood, Thoroughbred, - - 03
APIARY.
Honey, -------- 0.3
Pasturage for Bees, ------ o;i
' How to Fasten Comb Foundation in Brood Frames, 6.3
Glucose, - - - - - - - -Si
POULTRY.
iCaponized Fowls, 63
Chicken Cholera, ------ 6:5
Nest for Setters, 04
Eggs from Different Breeds, - - - - 64
Fowls Eating Feathers, - - - - - 04
Literary and Personal, - - - - - 64
M. HABERBUSH,
M.WUFACTl'REH OK
Plain and Fine Harness,
NAnUI.I'N,
COLLARS, WHIPS, PLY NETS. &c.,
.WJiC DKAI.KR IN
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
BUFALO UOBES,
Horse Covers, Lap-Rugs, GIovps. &.C.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
79-1-12) LANCASTER, PA.
NORBECK SMILEY,
PRACTICAL
Carriage Buildepg,
cox & CO'S OLB ST.WB.
Corner of Duke and Vine Streets,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE LATEST LMPROVED
SIDE-BAR BUGGIES,
PHyETONS,
Carriages, Etc,
>T\IL'VTI\ITlli;riTV
Prices to Snit the Times^
RKPAIKING promplly attendeil to. All work
guaranteed.
70-*-
PHAKES \\-. FRY.
Wliolesalc.nd Rct^iil Dealer in
WftLL PftPER& WIHDOW SHftDES,
liollHnftN, Plain Ktande f'lolli,
Ing to a
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
►EIfI«S\'L.VAlViA BAII.ROAI» SOHEDCI.K.
Trains hate tbe Depot in this city, as follows :
WE TWARD.
Pacific Express'
Way Pasaengert
Niagara Express
Hanover Accommoiiatiou,
Mail traiii via Mt. Joy
No. 'i via rolurobia
Sunday MaU
Fast Line'.
Frederick .\ccominodittion
Harrisburg Accom
Columbia .Accommodation.
Harrisburg Eipress
Pittsburg Express
Cincinnati Express'
EASTWARD.
Atlantic Express"
Philadelphia Expresst.
Fast Line*
Harrisburg Express .
:20 p. I
5:1-. p.
T:4i) a.
10:110 a.
12:30 p.
1 Lajieaste
Columbia Accommodation.
Pacific Express*
Simday Mail
Johnstown Express
Day Express"
Harrisburg .\ccom
The Hanover Accommodation,
with Niagara Express, west, at 9:'i5 a. in., and will run
through to Hanover.
The Frederick .Accommodation, west, conuectsat Lancas-
t«r with Fast Line, west, at 2:10 p. ra.. and runs to Frederick.
The Pacific Express, east, on .Sunday, when flagged, will
stop at Middletown, Eltzabethtown, Mount .Toy and I^andis-
TiUe.
uly trains which run daily,
daily, except Mrniday.
tBun
U. I». 3BO v«rivt-A.3xr,
ATtOWEsT POSSIBLE PKICES,
Fully guaraMteed.
No. 106 EAST KING STREET,
79-1-12] OpponU-- Leopard irol-l.
GLOVES, SHIRTS, UNDERWEAR, jg
SHIKTS MADE"tO ORDER,
AND WAKRANTED TO FIT.
E. J. ERISMAN.
56 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.j
Carriages, Buggies, Phaetons, etc.
CHURCH ST., NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA.
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
FURNITURr5D"cHAlRS,
WAKEKOOnS:
102 East King St., Cor. of Duke St.
tiANCASTER, PA.
fTBEES:
Fruit, Shade and Ornamental Trees.
is county and HUitcid to this climate.
LOUIS C.LYTE
Bird-in-Hand P. O., Lancaster co.,Pa.
at Smoketowu
EDW. J. ZAHM
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
VV^ATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED Vi^ ARE,
CLOCKS,
JEWELRY I TABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Agent for the Aniudel Tiutcd
SPECTACLES.
Repairing strictly attended to.
Nortli Queen-st. and Centre Square, Lancaster, Fa.
TS-l-K
SEND FOR
On Concord Grapevines, Transplanted Evergreens, Tulip,
Poplar, Linden Maple, etc. Tree Seedlings and Trees for
timber plantations by the 100,000.
J. JESTKINS' SrURSEnY,
S-2-78 WINONA, COLUMBIANA CO., OHIO.
ESTABLISHED 1832.
O. SEN EH & SOJNS,
Manufacturers and dealers in iill liinda of rough srid
The beat Sawed NHIXtil.KSiu llie ccuiitry. Also Sash,
Doors, Blinds, .MouldniK-?. &c.
PATENT 0. G. WEATHERBOARDING
OFFICE AND YAUD :
Northeast Corner of Prince and Walunt-sts.
LANC^STKR, FJ^.
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLOGY^
Embiaciug tlie bisiory and habits of
NOXIOUS AND INNOXIOUS
INSECTS,
for thpjr exj.ulBJou or extermination.
RATHVON, Ph. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
This -work will be Highly Illustrated, and will be put in
press (as soon after a Fujhcient number of suhseribrrs can
be obtained to cover tile cost) as the work can possibly be
accomplished.
PEARL MILLET
THE NEW FODDER PLANT.)
Yields 100 tons ^reen =- Itj tons dry per acre.
(iOc. per pint (by mail, postpaid).
.$1.00 " quart "
By express, buyer topay charpce, g.'Sper peck.
Staicmeut of our experiments with it, and
instruciions for culture, free oa application.
PETER HENDERSON & CO.
35 CORTLANDT ST„ NEW YORK.
T[^E LATEST
be New Tariff of Rates
Made by OAK HALL, four weeks
ago, sold off large lots of
goods, and has
INDUCED MANY TO IMITATE US!
AS USIJAE.
Jla^Whatever is Done Elsewhere We
always do Better.-'^ga
This is the latest tariff for the
An Kleg.nnt ISiisiness and Dress Stiit,
All-wool Bl.ick Cheviot, irlO. Identical
quality of goods sold by other parties
as a great bargain at $15. We never
sold them for more than $1?..,
^4.89 buys a First Quality Dress
Trousers, sold heretofore at $lt).
Fur Beaver and Chinchilla Over-
coats, Good and Warm Cloth Bound,
18.50, ji8.50, $8.-50, $8;.50.
Next Higher Grade, Beautifully
Made and Trimmed, Cloth Koiiiid,
Silk Velvet Collar, $10, $10, $10, ,?10.
The Same Goods in Young Men's
Sizes, ^7, $7, $7, ^7.
Boy's Double Cape Overcoats, with
fill tlie Late Improvements, $5, $5, ^b.
Boys' and Youths' Trousers, All
Wool, $2.39, S2.:!!i,.v;ii.:!!),:H2.:!!i.
Hundreds of Latest Slyl.s Child-
ren's Overcoat.-^, Snlt I'lii.-^h Lined,
Elegant Goods, reduced IVoia $S./5 to
16.50.
.1125 Fine French Fur Beaver Over-
coats reduced to $15. (Beautifully
made, Piped with ■ Cloth and the
Finest Linings) -
A clear saving of $2.50 on a Fine
Dress Suit.
At our low prices we have sold
thousands of them at $15,00 ; but to-
day make a clean mark down to
$12..50. They are not odds and ends,
but complete lots. Hundreds biggest
men can be liiti-d. This one lot of
goods contained •■)5.120 y.Lrds, and has
proved the best bargain we have had
for our customers this season.
A customer can come one hundred
miles, and the saving on almost any
Suit or Overcoat will pay the fare
Doth ways.
Wananjaker & Brown,
OAK HALL,
Sixth and Market Streets,
PHILADELPHIA.
The Largest Clothing House in
America.
i
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S. S. SATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., APRIL, 1879.
Vol. XI. No. 4.
Editorial.
SILK CULTURE.
I Ostensibly, we presume, toatloid cucouiage-
!meut to those who may incline to engage iu
iihe production of silk in the United States,
il'rot. C. V. Riley, Entomologist ol' the De-
partment ol' AgriculLure, makes a special re-
port (No. lij ot :!1 PI'. 8vo.,lo the department
bu that suliject. The pamphlet contains an
introduction and a brief manual of iustruc-
jtions for tlie i)roduction of silk, including the
ttiaturc of the silk-worm ; different states or
pages of the silk-worm ; varieties or races ;
wintering and hatching the eggs ; feeding
and rearing the worm ; preparation for spin-
biug ; gathering the cocoons ; choking (kill-
jing) the cluysalis ; egg-laying— reproduction ;
p-eeliug; fooU-plants, and aglossary of technical
perms, which is a rational resume of a subject
fwliich we are able to recall iu its wildest and
most inflated manifestation about the year
4.S37 and a few following years, exploding
^bout 1841. The pamphlet is embellished
iwith seven illustrations, three of which are
\lifEerent kinds of silk reels, of European
jorigin. Should silk culture become a perma-
kient industry of this country— especially in
[Lancaster county — before adopting a reel, we
[would recommend our readers to examine the
!i-eel invented by lion. J. J. Libhart, of Mari-
letta, in 1840. We have not seen it for more
jthan thirty years, but from our best recoUec-
(tion of it, it seems to us it would "take down"
any of those illustrated in this pamphlet.
We may never live to see it, but we believe
that silk culture and silk manufacture must
ultimately become one of the permanent — and
reasonably paying— industries of our country,
although it may mvolve something of a revolu-
tion iu the minds of men as to tlje true aims and
objects of progressive and productive labor, a
revolution, the germs of which already exist
fin society, but are still only faintly seen and
jacknowledged. The silk fever, as it mani-
jfested itself forty years ago, was only spas-
modic, and did not entertain at any time a
single idea beyond merely selfish specidation.
Hundreds of dollars were made iu trafficing
iu Midtkuulus trees, and tliousands of dollars
were lost iu tlie same. Very few thought
about the details of silk culture, the whole
aim being money, money, money, and so the
market became glutted and then the bubble
bursted, and disgust and doleful lamentations
followed as a cousequence. Men did not think
of a permanent organic branch of productive
labor through which the masses might secure
employment and a reasonable subsistence.
They only thought of realizing a fortmie
quickly for themselves, and then to retire and
enjoy it themselves, without regard to any use
or benefit that might inure to their country.
The masses perhaps were also selfish, for they
extorted sueli wages as no one in the silk busi-
ness could aflbrd to pay and compete success-
fully with tlie silk producers of otlier countries.
We have for live or six years been passing
through a labor aud financial ordeal in this
coimtry that must ultimately initiate a new
order of things, if we desire a return of pros-
perous times— an order that will secure per-
manent employment to tlie poor, at reason-
able and permanent compensations.
In Europe there are villages, the inhabitants
ef which employ their time in knitting sub-
stantial, seamless, woolen jackets. When the
villager has knit a half dozen, a dozen, or two
dozen, as the case may be, he puts them in a
package, on liis head or b.ick, and travels on
foot to the market town and there disposes of
them. It re(iuires little outlay to start and
conduct his business, but as he makes a good
article he can always find ready sale for it, be-
cause no machinery in either America or
Europe can iiroduce as good an article a.s he
can by hand. At least those who consume
his wares in Kurope and America think so.
The foreign Germans in this country always
emiuire for them and will have them, although
they lire much higher in price than American
jackets — indeed at American wages w9 could
not produce hand-knit goods to compete witli
them at all.
Uu a plan approximating to this, and not
by large and expensive, establishments — ac-
cording to Prof. Kiley's suggestions— the silk
businPR.>? may become a w Ide-sprcading indus-
trj amongst us, and give employment to many
old men, women and children.
Silkville, Kansas, is a village of this charac-
ter ; and there are other villages and isolated
operators in California, North Carolina, New
Jersey aud elsewhere. Very little reeling and
manufacture of silken fabrics are done in the
United States, but some trade is carried on in
cocoons and the raising of silk-worm eggs.
Fiance in the year 1877 paid 1,691,400 francs
for eggs, exported from the United States ;
and although some of these, presumably, came
from Japan, yet the larger portion was raised
here. It ai>pears that we have no good and
peiuuiueut market in this country yet for eggs
or cocoons, but all we can produce, of a good
quality, i:aii be sold lo the manufactures of
Europe, especially in Italy and France. The
three best trees, the leaves of which are de-
voured by the silk-worm, are the mulberries,
botanicnlly known under the names of Mm-us
alh'i, M. nlycr and J/, inultimiduii; but tliey
will also live aud tlourish on the "osage
orange " — Madura aurantiaca. As this is
coming into use as a hedge-plant, and ueeds a
good deal of pruning, the eliminated branches
could be utilized to feed worms. Cocoons are
worth from S2 to $2.50 a pound, eveu in the
present depressed condition of the country,
and even at that price they may yield suffi-
cient compensation to remunerate the laborer
to a reasonable extent, although he may not
gr^iw rich on it — in the sense usually attached
to riches — health and content are better than
riches.
A MODEL POSTMASTER.
In January, 1877, .seven subscriliers to The
Lancaster Farmer were obtainud by an
authorized canvasser, all of whose papers
were sent, in a single package, to an office
within the county of Lancaster. It is of no
consequence now who the model postmiister
was, or where the postolBce was located —
whether east, west, north, south nr central,
bei:iiuse we desire to discuss the subject from
a principle of " right, justice and humanity,"
and not from feelings of a merely personal
nature. One of these seven subscribers always
took his paper from the office when he could
get it. Which was not always, and also iiaid
promptly for it. Sometime after the peiiod
of subscription — we don't know exactly how
long after, it may have been alinul tb.-ee
months— six of these subscribers ''scattered
abroad," some going west, and others remov-
inii to other districts in the county, and con-
sequently diseontinucd calling for their papei-s,
the Mib.-rriiiticii ofwhieli they had not paid ■
aiiil have iKil ])aid it yet, and doubtless never
will. .Mian as the act was, of coiu'se the
postmaster was not responsible for it. Pre-
sumably he would cheerfully have delivered
the papers to these mxhl subscribers had they
condescended to call for them. They are wel-
come to all the consolation such an act can
afford them, either in the successes or adversi-
ties of this transient and micertain life. But
what did the model postmaster do, or rather
what ought he to have done in the matter ?
What course does the Postoflice Department
prescribe in cases of this kind ? Common
courtesy, we would think, should have dic-
tated tlie propriety of informing the editor
or publisher, and promptly returning the
papers to the office from wlience they were
issued, marked "uncalled for;" but he did
not do anything of the kind— at least such in-
forniiition never came to the knowledge of the
editor or Ihi' |iublisher — but, on the contrary,
he left six- ]iapiis accumulate in his office, from
month to month, for nearly two entire years,
subjeirting the publisher in the meantime to
the labor and expense of printing, folding,
stitching, enveloping, labeling, posting and
mailing, just as if editors and publishers had
no rights that a postm;ister was bound to re-
spect. Now, we do not desire to be captious
or unnecessarily censorious about this mat-
ter, for it may be that the department does
not require its sub-officials to return uncalled
for mail matter, and, as we have said before,
we may have been olHcially informed ot the
deliquency of those model subscribers at the
proper time, but we are sincere when we say
we have no recollection of it ; and, if there
had been notliing more, we do not think we
should have felt compelled to pen this para-
graph. But, near the end of the second year,
we happened to call at the postoffice to which
we allude, when the postmaster did con-
descend to gather up as many of tlie uncalled
for papers as he had on hand and place them
in our possession ; an act of condescension he
was, perhaps, not legally required to exercise.
It is very certain, however, that an officer
may fidfill all the requirements of the civil
law and yet fail in tliat higher law, which
every man ought to be unto himself. Subse-
quently when we had occasion to ojien the
packages, we found a number of them in the
same condition they were in when they left
the office in Lancaster, months before, aud in
one or two instances more than a year jirevi-
ously. Some of the packages, we feel ((uite
sure, never could have been touched auy
farther than was necessary to throw them into
some obscure corner in the postoffice ; for
among those we found at least seven copies of
our paper belonging to our honest and upright
paying subscscriber, with his name plainly
printed thereon. Now, our friend had fre-
quently complained that he did not get liis
paper regularly, and sometimes not at all, and
weas often felt self-mortification and reminded
the publisher of the embarrassing omission,
aud also furnished extra numbers. There is
not a doubt in our mind that in many in-
stances, where like occurrences take place,
the tault is in the model postmaster, and not
in the editor and publislier, although, of
course, neither of them is so perfect that such
things may not occur. Such omissions cannot
well occur in the mailing department of a well-
regulated office. They keep a special mailing
biiok, in which the names are not grouped in
alpliabetical order, butaccording to postoffices,
whether of cities, towns, villages or rural
liamlets, and if they omit one name they are
j list as likely to omit all. Even after the papers
have left tlie printing office they may be -car-
ried to the wrong State, county or postoffice ;
but all this transpires under the auspices of
the postoffice officials, and not under the mail-
ing system of the newspaper or periodical
publisher.
LIME.
"The utility of lime as a manure consists
in loosening the tenacious nature of some
soils, rendering them more friable and recep-
tive of vegetable fibres ; it especially facili-
tates the di.ssolution and putrefaction' of ani-
mal and vegetable sulistances, which are thus
more readily received and circulated in the
growing plant ; and it has the power of ac-
50
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ April,
quring aud long retaining moisture, thus ren-
dering the soil cool and nutritive to the plants
that vegetate in it. The power that lime has
of absorbing moisture will be better under-
stood when we say that one hundred weight
will, in five or six days, when fresh, absorb
five pounds of water, and that it will retain in
the shape of powder, when slackened or
loosened, as is commonly said, nearly one-
fourth of its weight. " * » * *
We extract the foregoing from the Journal
of a Naturalist, published in 1831. The pub-
lisher remarks in a foot-note: "The weight
of lime is very variable, dift'ering in different
places ; but taking our lime at the average of
eighty pounds to the bushel, some idea may
be conceived of the cooling nature of the
substance. Lime, to be used as a manure,
must be in a pulverized state ; and by draw-
ing on the land the quantity we do, we con-
vey to every acre so dressed an equivalent to
two hundred and tifty gallons of water, not to
be evaporated, but retained in the soil as a
refrigerent to the fibres of vegetation."
The writer then goes on to say (it is an
English work that we are quoting from)
"our farmers, availing themselves of this
cheap article, use considerable quantities,
composted with earth for their diflerent crops,
at the rate of net less than one hundred
bushels to the acre. This is a favorite sub-
stance for their potato lands. The return in
general is not so large as when grown in
manure from the yard ; but the tubers are
said to be more mealy and better flavored."
"The utility #f lime in various arts, agri-
culture, manufactories and medicine is very
extensive, and in many cases indispensable ;
and the abundance of it spread throughout
the world, seems designed as a particular
Providence for the various ends of creation.
Lime and sihcious matter compose a very
large portion of the dense substance of our
earth ; the shells of marine animals contain
it abundantly •, our bones have eighty parts
in one hundred of it ; the egg-shells of birds
above nine parts in ten— during incubation,
it is received by the embryo of the bird, in-
durating the cartilages and forming the
bones."
"It may startle, perhaps, the belief of
some, who have never considered the subject,
to assert what is apparently a fact, that a
considerable portion of those prodigious clifis
of chalk and calcareous stone that in many
places control the advance of the ocean, pro-
trude in rocks through its waters, or incrust
such large portions of the globe, are of animal
origin — the exuvia, of marine substances or
the labors of minute zoophytes, which once
inhabited the 'great deep.' "
These formations are all nearly pure lime i
and the organic remains of marine animals
especially, abound in chalk cUffs, in chalk
pits, and in chalk beds wherever they may be
found, as well as in many beds of solid lime-
stone.
That lime rehardens after being made soft,
as in mortar, is owing to the power which it
has of acquiring carbonic acid gas— the fixed
air from the atmosphere — according to Dr.
Black. When the stone is burned this gas is
driven off by heat, though it slowly reabsorbs
it, aud thus it supplies the plants with carbon
when it is thoroughly incorporated with the
soil. Lime, when mixed with sharp sand and
made into mortar may, in time, become as
hard as the original rock was from whicli it
was first bm-nt, by its reabsorption of carbon
as an acid or gas. When limestone contains
88 parts of carbonate of lime, 8 parts of mag-
nesia, 1 part of silex and 3 parts of aluminous
or combustible substances, it may be con-
sidered good for mortar, or as a fertilizing
auxiliary.
It seems to us if lime does nothing more
than absorb moisture and carbon, which are
again absorbed .by the roots aud leaves of
vegetation, through the lime as a medium, it
ought not to be ignored or expunged from the
list of fertilizers, as some of those claiming to
be advanced in agricultural science seem dis-
posed to do. It is too widely diffused through-
out the globe to be regarded as useless for
fertilizing purposes, although it may not al-
ways, nor in all places, be entitled to the
merit that is claimed for it. Much will de-
pend upon the time, the place and the quantity
of its elementary principals that may be
needed by the soil. It seems very evident
that where it already exists in sufficient
abundance the addition of more may not only
do no good, but may do much harm, and this
is the reason perhaps that there is such a
diversity of opinion upon the subject of its
use. Nothing but a thorough knowledge of
the previous condition of the soil can de-
termine whether it should be applied or not.
KITCHEN-GARDEN FOR APRIL.
In the Middle States now is the time to
plant and sow if we would hope to reap.
Those of us who do not avail ourselves of the
present need not expect to profit in the future.
The exact time, however, in which certain
seeds should be sown must depend not only
on location in respect to latitude, but also on
the nature of the soil ; if it be heavy a little
delay will rather promote than retard our
object. It is impracticable, in advance, to
always give undeviating directions — the com-
mon sense of each one must be brought into
Asparagus sow, or plant roots, if not at-
tended to last mouth. This vegetable is now
coming into season. Whenever practical, a
bed of sufficient size should be made to permit
an ample supply without cutting every feeble
shoot which peeps above the surface ; ind-ed,
where space and means admit, two beds should
be maintained and cut alternate seasons. The
colossal appears to sustain its repuation.
Beans, bush or bunch, sow. Broccoli, purple
cape is the best to sow. Beets, early and long,
sow. Cabbage, drumhead and flat Dutch,
sow freely, that there be enough for the fly
and to plant ; also other sorts of a reliable
character, which will afford an uninterrupted
succession, so desirable in every country family.
Carrots, early horn and long orange, sow.
Cauliflower, late, sow. Celery, sow, if not
sown last month. Cress, sow. Cucumber,
early frame, sow in warm spot. Horseradish
plant, if not already done. Hot-beds attend
to. Leek, sow. Lettuce, sow in drills ; also
plant from beds of last autumn's sowing.
Marjorum, sweet, sow. Mustard for salad,
sow. Nasturtiums, sow. Onions, Buttons
for table use plant, and sow thickly for sets.
Parsley, sow. Parsnips, sugar, sow. Peas,
earlyandlate, for a succession, sow. Potatoes,
plant plenty of the early rose for the main
supply during summer and autumn. Radish,
long scarlet and white aad red turnip, sow, it
not already sown ; also the golden globe and
white summer for succession. Salsify, sow.
Sage, sow or plant. Spinach, the savory, sow
at short intervals. Thyme, sow or plant. To-
matoes, sow to succeed those sown in hot-
beds. Turnips, sow, if not sown last month—
they may succeed. In short, this is the season
for the main sowing and planting in the Mid-
dle States. A small expenditme of time will
yield large results.
SUPPOSED SULPHUR SHOWER.
A part of Eastern Pennsylvania seems to
be somewhat exercised— perhaps agitated—
about an assumed shower of sulphiu*, which
is said to have fallen in various places yester-
day (March 17) morning, including the
southern portion of Lancaster city. But was
it really sulphur that fell y Did anybody in
Lancaster city test it ? None of it fell in the
northern part of the city that we saw or heard
of. What a pity that those who did see it,
had not collected a pertion of it, and tested it
themselves or submitted it to some one whose
testimony would have been received by the
public. The paragraphs going the rounds of
the newspapers are very unsatisfactory, if they
mean anything at all, inasmuch as not one of
them states vmo tested the substance, or who
says it was sulphur.
In the sprmg or summer of 1843 a large
quantity of a yellow substance fell over a
large portion of Eastern Pennsylvania, and
long articles on the subject appeared in the
papers of Lancaster city, notably in the Lan-
caster Intelligencer, then published by Col. J.
W. Forney. One correspondent, in an article
of some length, gravely pronounced it sul-
phur, but a member of the Academy of
Natural Sciences analyzed it, aad tore the
other's theory and deductions all to tatters.
We also, on that occasion, collected a quantity,
dried and tested it, for the surface of the
water in many of the rainstands in Marietta
were covered with it. It ignited and burned
with difficulty, but emitted' no sulphur fumes.
The fumes were very similar to those of burn-
ing vegetation, faintly approximating to the
fumes of "Langell's remedy for asthma and
catarrh," a box of which is now before us,
and which we frequently inhale as a relief to
nasal catarrh. We believe the member of
the Academy pronounced it pollenacious.
The shower of 1843 fell at night, and the
substance was noticed the following morning.
The theory was that a strong south wind had
passed over the floral fields or pine forests of
the South— perhaps Florida, Alabama and
South Carolina— and that the pollen, or f ecim-
dating dust of the flowers, over which the
wind passed, was carried up into an upper
current of air and carried northward until it
encountered a shower of rain, when it was
borne down earthward. Many similar plie-
nomena were referred to at that time as
having previously occurred. It was not de-
nied, that " flower of sulphur " might be also
thus carried by a current of air, for ashes and
sulphurious dust had been before observed
falling on vessels at sea supposed to have
come from far distant volcanic eruptions ; but
the special shower to which we allude, was
not sulphur by any means. What this last
substance was, may never be known, for it
appears that nobody with a " local habitation
and a name," has gone to the trouble to
properly investigate it. It may have been
pollen also — for a week ago we heard that
Florida is already blooming with flowers
it may have been sulphur. This may have
bejuthe case without the near approach of
the world's end, or the Judgment Day ; bui
whatever it was, we are compelled to hold our
opinion in suspension until the matter is
properly authenticated.
We commiserate the poor Allentown woman
ana recall an instructive anecdote, as a remedy,
In the early history of New England a very<
dark day occurred— so dark indeed, that tl
chickens retired to roost at noon. The Gen-
eral Council or Legislature of one of the colo-
nies (we think Connecticut) was in session.
Vhe members became alarmed, for they be-
lieved the Judgment Day had come, and one
of them moved an adjournment. But a calm
and placid elderly gentleman arose and
opposed it. He said : "The Judgment Day
is coming or it is not coming. If it is not
coming, there is no necessity for alarm ; but
if it is coming, I wish to be found doing my
duty. I therefore move that lights be brought
in."
Three Days Later.
It seems almost unnecessary to say anything
more about the assumed sulphur shower of
Monday last, but at the same time, to show
tliat some live person has investigated it, and
that our surmises (not having seen the sub-
stance) were an approximation to the real
truth of the matter, we offer the following
from the Easton Daily Express of the 20th
inst., the writer of which is well known here,
and is an unquestionable authority in matters
relating to pollenacious phenomena :
"A microscopic examination of a portion of
the yellow matter, which appeared in the
streets of Easton after the snowstorm of Mon-
day morning, proves it to consist of pollen
grains, united at first, but separated when
dry, or when again wetted. They correspond
in every respect with those of the long-leaved
or yellow pines of the Southern States (Ptiius
aiistralis Michx.), with which they have been
carefully compared. This pine, though very
abundant in the lowlands of North Carolina,
i
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
51
(l.H's not cxt.'iid iKirth into Virgiiii:i. Tho
1 iitiiiK'ii in lldWtT, wliicli i'lii-nislK'cl tho pol-
h II lor comiiarison, was itatlicifd near Wil-
mington, N. C, iu tlie inontli ol" March.
( iirronts of air luive, no (loul)t, hrou^'ht from
that distant region enough of tlie polltn tu
]Hi\vderliglitly aconsiderabledistrict in >;ortli-
i i-i.iii rennsylvania. Tims tar, it has been
iiportid as seen in the eounties of IJerks,
I ihi'di. Carbon and !Northaini)ton. I may
statc'also that I have found water in rain-
ho-,lieads, inCenlral l'enns\ ivaiiia, covered
with pollen of pine I r>cs. l.roiiu'ht by the winds
tVoni the ueighburiug mountains at the season
of their flowering, in the month of May." —
Thomas C. Porter.
We would have been content to have let the
matter rest with our last i)aper t)n tlie subject,
did we not know that there are siiiu<' persons
in this city who will insist that the Nubstanee
iu question was veritable "brimstone;" and
that our opinion, in the absence of material
data, had only been presumptive and not
positive.
"STRAWBERRY PROTECTUS."
Our attention was called sonic days ago to
a newly-invented iniplenieut to protect straw-
bi-rries from the dirt and sand that sometimes
accumulate on them during drenching
showers of rain, or that peculiar earthy flavor
they sometimes imbibe by resting upon and
ripening on the ground, or on the mulchings
whh which the ground is covered, and which
Incomes often saturated with unpleasant
moistures. This is simply a square or round
( oncaved earthen disk, about twelve inches
ui diameter, with a round hole in the centre,
through which the plant is trained. When
the plant is matured and in fruit, the branches
bend outwardly, and the fruit rests within
the concaved disk (forming a shallow dish),
the bottom or sides inclining towards the
plant, thus keeping dry and clean and easily
gathered. But this is not all it does. It
shades the ground, and the dews and surplus
moisture falling from the plant gradually
trickles down towards the base of the plant
and supply the roots. The fruit, in our
opinion, will also be protected froiu certain
-]ieries of milipedes that attack it from the
luulerside when it is lying on the ground, or
half buried in the mulching under the plants.
BUCKWHEAT CAKES AND SAUSAGES.
As some approximation to the consumption
of animal food in Lancaster county we clip
the following item fiom a current number of
the iViEio Era, as the result of two months in
a single town, and that not among the largest
towns in our county. This was all slaughtered,
presumably, for home consumption, and we
may infer, therefore, that the town is pretty
well fortified against a famine, so far at least
as beef and pork can "stave off" such- a
calamity. Surely that ancient borough must
have enjoyed a reign of "buckwheat cakes
and sausages," to say nothing about roast
beef and "boloneys. " Lancaster county can
always take care of " her own," and without
a doubt always will take care of them, what-
1 \er may transpire adverse to the general
lirosperity. This makes no account of the
"chicken lixens " and other edible etceteras
employed in " settingoff " a good table. Should
there unfortunately be any future starvelings
they will do well to keep an eye on Adamstown.
Live Stock Slaughtered in the Borough of
Adamstown.
"The following is a true and correct ac-
count of beef, pork and veal slaughtered in
the borough of Adamstown by the different
butchers during the mouths of November and
December of 1878. We will first give a list of
citizens who slaughtered porkers weighing
over 400 pounds : Esais Billingfelt. 091, 58i5,
570 ; John Musser, GiO, 632 ; Sebastian Mil-
ler, .591, 495 ; William J. Frame, 606, 491 :
Levi Hemich, 500, 551 ; Edwin Coldren, 522,
495; Henry Seigfreid, 688, 595; Edward
Smith, 437, 412 ; Hemy Kegar, 510, 470 ;
Jonathan Plickiiiger, 500, 417 ; Franklin
Woods, 452, 422 ; William Myberger, 500 ;
,Iohn Klapp, 52:i ; (Jeorge Bollmau, .525 ; A.
S. Kaudenbush, 497 ; Henry Trostle, 490;
William Krich, 469, 400 ; lleurv K. Bucher,
'1(17; Mor-an 11. Clark, 447 : .b.iiu Slote, 447 ;
William Fichthoru, 40.-) ; James B. I'rutzman,
445 ; David Laudis, 442 ; A. C. Snader, 417 ;
Daniel Siegfried, 437; Ileniy Haller, 447;
Franklin Knemer, 400 ; Moses Yelk, 440;
Solomon Good, 400 ; Conrad Hertz, WD ; John
Uathmau, 47(1; John Slote, 4.->4 ; Samuel Col-
dren, 4J(); .loshua Spat/., 417; Wm. Mohn,
44.-.; Levi Schuader, 4.^iO ; .Mn-aham Lutz,
4.J0, making a total of 50 head, weighing, 24,-
032 pounds, or an average of over 480 pounds ;
254 head weighing 58,601 pounds, or an aver-
age of over 234 pounds per head ; or a grand
total of 82,033 pounds of pork, 131,000 pounds
of beef, and 3,000 pounds of veal, of which
Henry Echternach, butchei-, slaughtered 30,-
507 pounds, Frederick Goodhart, 28,000
pounds, Henry Eedcay, jr., 0,000 pork and
20,000 beef, Flickinger & Landis, 3,000 pork
and 15,000 beef, Redcay Bros., 14,400 pork
and 24,000 beef. Christian Flickinger, 18,000
beef, and William F. Hegar, jr., 3,000 pounds
veal and 54,000 pounds beef"
SPRING AND WINTER TREE
CLEANING.
By the time our next number appears
many of the pestelential insects that infest
vegetation will be "lively" and hungry enough
to begin their destructive careers. The foliage
and bloom of fruit trees, vines and shrubbery
will then be too far advanced to admit of
cleaning, or the application of active reme-
dies in many cases without more or less injury
to their tender condition. If cocoons, clirys-
alids, web and egg masses are not now re-
moved, it may then be too late to do tliis
work effectually without entailing much
trouble. AVe are often surprised to see so
much apathy or positive indifference in mat-
ters of so much importance. Many people
pay no attention to the subject at all until
they are forced to do so by the presence of
hordes of insects devouring their plants,
shrubbery, &c. Now this need not neces-
sarily be so, if only a little attention is given
the subject. On one occasion a lady called
our attention to a rose bush, the leaves upon
which were fast becoming skeletonized and
dry and crisp. When we pointed out to her
something less than two hundred greenish
rose-slugs, [selandria rosea) she was utterly
astonished ; she had not noticed them before,
and thus it is in many instances. People
seem to expect that insects will come to them
and say, " here I am, kill me."
PERSONAL.
Much time, trouble and misunderstanduig
would be saved to the editor, the publisher
and the patrons of The Farmer if those
having relations in any wise wth the oflice,
would give heed to the following : All com-
munications relating to business, including
advertising, subscriptions, remittances, ex-
changes, &c., should be addressed to Jno. A.
Hiestand, No. 9 North Queen street— the
PuBLisiusR. All essays, contributions, book
notices and communications intended for pub-
lication, to S. S. Eathvon, No. 101 North
Queen street— the Editou.
IS THE LOWEST PRICE THE CHEAP-
EST ?
This is a qucetioD that Is daily aekcd by all. Iu
nearly every tranBaction of buying and selling, the
purchaser fluda his or her mind reverting to this
question and trying to solve the problem. By a very
large majority of people price is the first and princi-
pal criterion of value, and thousands upon thousands
of persons make it their rule to buy that for which
the smallest price is asked, believing that in thus
saving a penny they are earning one. We beliere it
capable of proof, however, that in nine cases out of
ten a penny thus "saved" is two pence thrown away.
It is owing mainly to this propensity for hunting
"bargains, and insisting upon low prices at the ex-
pense of quality, that goods manufactured in this
country compare generally so unfavorably with simi-
lar classes of goods manufactured in foreign "coun-
triea. Our readers, if there be any "bargain-hunters"
among them, may object that they do not insist upon
low prices at the expense of quality, but for prices
combined with fine quality and the best goods. Such
a cnmlihiulidn of conditions may be Inbisted upon,
but liiii by no possibility exist aa a rule. There may
lie t,'xi(|ili(inal cases, when goods of fine quality are
60l<l at less than their cost; an owner may be forced
make sacrllices: but it is not exceptions we arc
iling of but rules. Mr. A. may have a stock of
goods for sale, and, on account of heavy payments
he has to make, may find It to his Interest to sacrifice
on ^is goods for a few weeks, In order to force sales
and put him in possession of necessary funds ; and
it may be cheai)er for him to raise the money needed
in tins way than to hold his goods and borrow money,
paying interest for it. That Is a natural and legiti-
mate business transaction. But it is impossible for
Mr. A. to sell, day after day and year atler year,
goods equal in quality to those his neighbor oflers at
half the price. Klther he is losing money, needlessly
and recklessly, or the supposed cheapness of his
goods is a fallacious one. As no dealer could long
stand such a drain upon his resources, even if he had
the desire to scatter the beneflts of his charily thus
indiscriminately, we are forced at once to abandon
our flrsl hyiJOthesis. We see him getting richer year
by year— perhaps even more rapidly than his com-
petitor, who sells better goods at higher prices. The
fact is indisputable ; cheap goods are invariably of
poor quality. Woolen goods containing shoddy can
be bought at a less price per yard than similar ap-
pearing goods made wholly ol wool. In fact, the
former can be bought at retail at a less price than
the first cost of manufacturing the latter. But It by
no means follows that those who manufacture or sell
shoddy are losing money, or selling bargains ; on the
contrarj , such goods are infinitely dearer, as can be
easily demonstrated by any one who doubts it, to
their own satisfaction — or, more correctly speaking,
to their own sad dissatisfaction. Nevertheless, there
are thousands of people who think It economy to
buy such goods — paying less to-day, to be sure, but
paying about three times in the time that one garment
made of good all-wool cloth would have lasted. One
housewife may think sugar at six cents per pound
cheap, and hold up their hands in holy horror at
what she terms and believes the extravagance of a
neighbor who buys clean, pure sugar at twelve cents
per'pound. There is no modification in pure sugar
any more than in the component parts of the air we
brcathe;--aud,if wemustuse adulterated substances. If
we believe them cheaper, why not buy the pure articles
and adulterate them ourselves. Probably no woman
would buy a pound of sugar at twelve cents and mix
it with an equal quantity of sand, so that she might
say her sugar costs her six cents per pound ; but such
absurdity would be wiser and more economical than
to buy a similar article already adulterated, as a
grocer who does the adulterating would not only
have to be paid for his trouble and labor, but would
make a profit for himself, by charging her, perhaps,
eight cents for what she could produce for six. Ik)
not understand us to assert that all sugar sold by
grocers at low prices has been mixed by them with
aultcrating and cheapening substances; such is by
no means the case. Thousands of grocers find their
principal sales of sugars to be of this grade, who
would no more adulterate than they would pick
pockets. It is not essential to our argument to desig-
nate how, where, or by whom adulteration is done,
we only desire to show the indubitable fact that it
exists in all low grade goods, and iu the case of
sugars it may more frequently exist, from the fact
that it has never been purified or refined — that the
adulterating substances contained in it at the time of
its manufacture in the tropics, have never been re-
moved ; but the housekeeper can no more afford to
pay for adulteration that has always been in the
sugar, than she can for that that may have been sur-
reptitiously incorporated with it yesterday. This
universal desire to cheapen every article bought, the
strange belief that as good an article can be bought
for fifty cents as for a dollar, has forced the pro-
ducers and sellers of goods, in self-protection, to
lower the cost of each article, in order to meet the
ideas of the buyer as to price, and reduction iu cost
is as invariably reduction iu quality, as the fact that
two from four'always leaves two, and never three or
four.
Tlie foregoing we extract from a long arti-
cle in the January number of the Electric Mes-
senyer, a demifolio, published in the city of
Philadelphia, seemingly in the interest of a
special occupation ; but the arguments are to
the point, and are applicable to all trades and
occupations whatever they may be. Never,
until ignorance is banislied from the world,
and its place is occupied by wisiloiu (not even
will learning suflice, for one may be learned
without lieing wise) will the masses of the
people have an intelligent understanding of
their truest intere.sts, or be able to answer the
question which forms the caption of our
quotation. At the first blush, no doubt, ten
to one, or perhaps fifty to one, would answer
52
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ April,
iu the affirraative ; but the most competent
judges, supported by their own experiences,
would, without a doubt, answer negatively,
and from the experiences of considerably
more than half a centurj' we can truthfully
corroborate the sentiment. The question is
one that should always be considered from
general principles, and relating to general
principles. Merchandise sacrificed under the
sheriff's hammer, or sacrificed by the pro-
prietor himself, in order to save himself from
foreclosure, cannot be regarded as establish-
ing the market value of a commodity. These
are extraordinary cases — contingencies result-
ing from causes that are independent of com-
mercial rule. Under such circumstances the
lower price may often be the cheaper. Per-
sons who accustom themselves to buy only
under such circumstances, and then to buy
much more than they need, in order to be
supplied until the next financial failure in the
community, will doubtless be always looking
for and expecting such sales of distress ; and
if they de not occur frequent enough to gratify
their penurious desires, they may soon accus-
tom themselves to really wish for such adverse
contingencies to their fellow men. A man
may perhaps better himself pecuniarily, but
it is questionable if he is permanently im-
proving his morals. No, tlie question must
be considered in its permanent, legitimate
and "regular" form, on such principles of
equitable compensation as will redound to the
prosperity of the whole community, ' ' year in
and year out." In such a case we believe it
will be demonstrable that the lowest price is
not the cheapest to him who can atford a
higher one. Of course, we do not mean that
extortionate prices should rule the market ;
but there should be a fair and equitable com-
pensation to all laboring and trading occupa-
tions, and merchandise should not be sold
below the cost of original production — nor
can it be without inflicting serious injury upon
some one, and this generally falls upon the
poor laboring men. It is frequently alleged
that these low prices benefit the poor, but
this is only a superficial or transient benefit at
best, and even if true, it does not establish
the fact that the lowest price is always the
cheapest. In addition to the fact that things
very low in price are often entirely worthless
and soon present a shabby appearance, it
often transpires that when people flatter
themselves that they have saved twenty-five
cents, fifty cents or a dollar on a small pur-
chase, that they spend what they have thus
saved in the purchase of some luxury that is
absolutely hurtful to them.
It is not long since a couple of rural ver-
dants went cheapening over a whole town,
and then entered a place of doubtful reputa-
tion to indulge their appetites with their
savings ; and indulged to such an excess that
they both became blindly "fuddled," in which
condition the one had his pocket picked, and
the other lost his package of goods. On an-
other occasion one thought he had saved
about five dollars on a larger purchase, and
then felt his need of a buggy ride and its
usual accompaniments. He became jubilant,
and drove like another "Jehu," was arrested
by a policeman, taken before an alderman,
and fined seven dollars for violating the law
regulating the driving speed of the town.
Things excessively low priced often tempt
people to buy what they do not need, or more
than they need, thus squandering their means
on iiseless trash, and perhaps that which they
really do need, they are subsequently com-
pelled to buy on credit. These remarks do
not include that class who have only a very
small amount of cash, and are compelled to
get the largest quantity for it— wthout regard
to quality — to keep them from starving or
freezing ; but even witli them, had they been
able to pay a few dollars more, they might
have secured cheaper goods.
Wanted at this office, the following num-
bers of The Lancaster Farmer : .January
and November, 1869 ; March and July, 1873,
and February, 1874.
Queries and Answers.
Charleston, Ark., JIarch 4th, 1879.
Dr. Rathvon— ZifiD- fiir: Being a subscriber to
your valuable paper, The Lancaster Farmer,
through a relative of ours in your State, I take the
liberty of asking some questions relative to an ani-
mal we recently shot near our hen house. Color a
dark brown, white under the neck ; neck rather thick,
countenance very sharp, eye lively, teeth sharp and
close together, legs short, long body, tail not so
bushy as a squirrel's, had a peculiar smell, reminding
you of a rauskrat. Owing to the night being dark
when shot could not say whether it moves slow or
quick. Would jou please tell me, through your
paper, if the above animal is amphibious in'habits ;
is it related to the mink, if not what family does it
belong to ? Wishing your excellent paper every suc-
cess I remain yours truly, Ocorge B. Pixton.
From the dark brown color, white under a
thickish neck, musky odor, &c., and espe-
cially being found prowling about a poultry
house, I should judge that the animal you
shot is the "common mink," {.Mustela
lutreola. — L. ; Putoruis vison. — Rich.) which,
from its amphibious character, in times long
past, was called the "little otter," as Lin-
neeus' specific name implies. In describing
mammals— especially those belonging to the
family Mustelid.e— the length of the body
from the end of the nose to the root of the
tail, and from the root of the tail to its end
should be carefully measured, and its teeth
should be counted also. Minks usually con-
struct their burrows on the banks of or near
streams of water. They feed largely on flsh,
frogs and mollusks, but are nlso de.structive
to rabbits, rats and mice. But they also
wander a considerable distance from streams
and commit depredations upon poultry. They
are fully as much at home in the water as the
muskrat is, and they are in the habit of emit-
ting an odor as strong, and more disagreeable
than that of the animal last named. They
may be domesticated and become very fami-
liar, but it is suggested that their blood-
thu-stiness might render them dangerous to
children in case they were not regularly sup-
plied with their accustomed food.
Salisbury, Pa., March 22, 1879.
Prof. S. S. Rathvon— Z>eaj- .Sir; Enclosed find
a small object which I would like to know some-
thing about. In appearance it resembles the egg of
some insect, or a pebble, but yet is not so hard as a
pebble. Please state what it may be. If you do not
decide what it is, I will inform you how and where I
obtained it, and then, perhaps, you can tell more
about it. Yours respectfully,
David M. Geoff.
Dear Sir : Your letter containing "object"
duly received, and in reply, first allow me to
say that you should at once have accompanied
it with the information you seem to have in
reserve ; because, such problems, entirely
isolated, are not always of easy solution, and,
therefore, I can only answeryou approximately.
The object in question, is neither the "egg
of some insect " nor yet " a pebble," so far as
I am able to determine. Under the micro-
scope it presented the external form and
appearance of a white egg of a bird, in shape
approximating to that of a partridge. It was
very hard, and when broken, it was internally
pure white, and nearly opaque, solid all
through. With nitric acid it efliervesced very
freely, and left a translucent salt, perhaps a
nitrate of lime, which was soluble partially in
alcohol and water. It is therefore a pure cal-
careous concretion, and may have been gotten
out of the stomach of a fresh water ''cray-
fish," or a mollusk of some kind. In the
LinnDean collection are several specimens
taken from the stomach of a cray-fish {astatus
hartonii) which strongly resemble this speci-
men. They are commonly called "crabs'
eyes," and have been used to remove small
objects from the eyes of human beings and of
animals. Similar concretions have been found
in clams, river mussels, and other bivalve
shells, in which they are the neucli of a com-
mon variety of pearls. It is true, that such
an object may be found in the bed of some
rivulet, entirely disconnected from either a
cray-fish or a shell, but they may still have
originated within the body of the one or the
other.
This is the most intelligent answer I can
make from the meagre data furnished me,
and may be a correct one or not. I am at all
times willing to give such information on such
subjects as I possess ; but I am not supposed
to know everything. And here let me dis-
tinctly state that I should be put in possession
of the circumstances under which objects are
found that I am expected to investigate and
give information on — when, where,"in what
or on what, and also the time.
As the writer has only requested me, how-
ever, to "state what it may be," this must be
regarded as my answer to his query.
Salisburt, Pa., March 28, 1879.
Prof. S. S. Rathvon— iJcar Sir: Tour reply
duly received . I beg pardon for not giving you the
necessary information as to how and where I ob-
tained the crab eye, as you say they are generally
termed. I was curious to know what you would
have to say about it without that information ; you
are perfectly correct, as I obtained it from the inside
of an oyster, not only inside of the shell but inside of
the oyster, and this is what caused my curiosity as
to how it got there and what it might be. Thanking
you for your valuable information, and having every
reason to believe you do know a good many things
pertaining to this science, 1 am yours respectfully,
David M. Groff.
If taken from an oyster (Mollusk), of course
it must be considered a " pearl."
Mr. J. K. F., Marietta, Pa.— The mineral
you dug up in your garden is a very fine speci-
men of Bed Oxide of Zinc, otherwise called
Ruby Blend. The specimen also contains an
ore of iron, called FrankUnite. Its being
found in your garden was purely accidental.
Very likely it is from the locality of Franklin,
New Jersey.
The specimens from the Freed farm, York
county, contain 6ree7i Carbonate and Sulj^huret
of Copper. We recognize it as the same we
obtained at that locality forty years ago. It
seems strange that there has been no further
development of that mine during the inter-
vening series of years. Prospecting was done
on the farm more than forty years ago, but at
that time the proprietor, we believe, was un-
willing either to lease or sell.
The specimens supposed to be Brazilian are
of the same varieties of copper as the fore-
going, but judging from their greater specific
gravity, we' think they contain more metallic
copper than the former. One of the latter and
two of the former appear to be of the variety
called Gray Copper. Possibly the specimens
have become mixed. Any of them seem rich
enough to be mined, and probably would pay.
Contributions.
For The Lancaster Fabmes.
MORE LIGHT.
In reply to an " Amateur Farmer," in the
March number of The Farmer, I beg leave
to say, that by the terms, " rising " and "set-
ting " of the moon I mean the moon's ascen-
sion and decension. If he looks at the
" explanation of astronomical characters," in
any csmmon almanac, he will at once become
acquainted with the various characters which
designate those changes in the phases of the
moon. Let him then turn to the month of
April, and he will find that the moon's ascen-
sion begins on C4ood Friday, the 11th of that
month, and continues to the 24th of the same.
After that date its descension begins, and
continues until the 8th of May. Now, I usu-
ally plow only part of the day, and can al-
ways see when to begin by consulting the
almanac. Therefore, my time to plow stiflF,
clayey soil in April, is from the 11th to the
24th, not only for potatoes, but for any kind
of crop, whether grain or vegetables. "Ama-
teur" says, farmers who regulate their plow-
ing by the moon, have been very backward in
giving their reasons to the public. This is
not .so very wonderful. Perhaps they had
never been reasoned with on the subject, and
only formed their conclusions from practical
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
53
results withiu the spheres of their experiences.
Our fathers and our grand fathei-s had but a
hmited education, and although they A-iieir
what they were doing, and how to do it, .so
far as it related to their own mental and
physical energies, yet so far as the invisible
operations of nature were concerned, they
did not pretend to know any more than the
philosophy of the present day can tell how a
seed germinaks and grown. "Perhaps another
reason why they have felt backward in present-
ing their e.xperiences to the public is, because
those who assume to be better educated than
they have not only met them with absolute
disbelief, but also with ridicule. Of course I
was aware of this before I wrote on the sub-
ject, but I thoiiLiht thei-e were some readers of
The F.VRMEit who were not too highly edu-
cated to lie benelited. Others may smile at
what they may consider my simplicity, but
the deductions of a long life of experience
no one can deprive me of by a mere act of
disbelief, backed by ridicule. In conclusion,
there are very few now— no matter how highly
educated they are — who disbelive that the
tides of the ocean are influenced, or caused by
the moon ; and who can say that that orb can
not exercise some influence over the integra-
tion and disintegration of the soil. I am per-
fectly aware that many have no faith in these
things, but I am also aware that the believers
are " legion," and that it has not been to their
disadvantage. — J. G., Wancick, April, 1879.
For The I.ancastee Fabmkb.
"BALANCE OF TRADE."
Ml!. Editor : In tlie February number of
The Fakmek a certain J. P. takes exception
to a portion of my essay delivered before
"the Horticulturikl Society at Lancaster, and
published in the January number of The
Farmer." That part to which J. P. objects
is what I say concerning the balance of trade
being in our favor. Let us look at this sub-
ject a little closer.
It may not appear so beneficial to the United
States, or a nation under any circumstances,
but I am pretty well convinced that, under
our present c<jndition of affairs, it is, notwith-
standing we are p.iyiiig only for " dead horse. "
The horse must be paid for dead or alive, and
the price only depends upon what he has
earned for us. This must regulate his value.
Just so with our National and State debts ;
we made them aud realized the worth of them.
Did not a suspension of the banks always
follow, heretofore, right on the heels of our
having to pay the difference in silver and
gold ? And does it not indicate good manage-
ment for a nation to sell nm-e than they buy?
This is the basis of success with farmers,
merchants and well-regulated corporations ;
why, then, does the princijile not apply to our
governmeut ?— P. S. Heist, Litiz, Pa., March
6tA, 187'.).
MIGRATION OF EELS.
Editor Lancaster Farmer : An article
on the above in your journal, with a recpiest
whether others have noticed the same, inter-
ested mo, and called to mind what I saw
about fifty years ago. ^Vhen a boy, it was
my delight to go to the river for the first time.
The teamster, who went to Columbia for
lumber, was allowed to take me along. While
they were loading the lumber I went out to
the river, and just along the outside of a raft
I saw a dark streiik that was moving up
stream. Laying down flat to see what it was,
I soon discovered that they were little eels.
Sometimes the train would be detached for a
few moments, ImU nomiy all the time one
constant stream against a stream. They
sometimes seemed to be in a mass six inches
broatl and as deep, and so thick that at times
the water could barely be seen beneath them.
It would be a mere farce to form an estimate
of the numbers, for thev were legion. In an
hour's watching I might be sate in estimating
them at hundreds of thousands. To make
sure of their being eels, I used my straw hat
as a dip-net, and succeeded in catching three
of them. They were from four to six inches
in length from my very best recollection, and
the time was just before haymaking.
The idea that they must go to the salt
water to breed is a mistake, for they have
been bred in ponds until .so fully stocked that
they could be raked out by the dozen with a
common rake. An article lately from the
pen of an old acquaintance of mine in the
East, who is posted on the subject, has dis-
covered that which was formerly supposed to
be the fat of this (mysteriously breeding crea-
ture) is, in reality, its eggs, and that a fair-
sized female bears nine millions of eggs. If
this be so, we wish some were here to lay
their eggs in the Missouri river. In the twelve
years here but two of them have been caught.
Long, long ago we were one of a party that in
one night caught in a fish-basket two hundred
of respectable-sized ones in Pequea creek, six
miles southeast of your city.
If you think it would interest your readers
to learn something definite concerning the big
cattish in this big, muddy river, I will en-
deavor in some future nurnber to give them
an idea of their size and habits. — Samuel
Miller, Bhiffton, Mo.
[We shall always be glad to hear from our
old correspondent ; not only about the "big
cattish," but also on any subject connected
with agriculture, horticulture aud domestic
economy. — Ed.J
For The Lancabteb Fabmeb.
AROUND THE FARM— No. 13.
Did it ever occur to you what capital seed
bags the wrappers of The Farmer will make.
Our enterprising publishers use a strong paper,
and by pasting one end shut we have a bag
that will hold a half a pint or more.
Gambrel Sticks.
The past winter I made several gambrel
sticks over a new pattern (at least to me). I
made it like ordinary sticks, but instead of the
usual notches, at each end, I bored one-half
inch holes, one inch apart. This I think, after
using it, is a decided improvement on the old
plan, as the notches, in order to make them
strong enough, must necessarily be made
further ap.irt than the holes need be. In the
centre of the stick I put a staple through with
a rina in it. In hanging up hogs I have two
doubfe pulleys with" hooks, one of wliich is
fastened to a pin in the beam overhead, while
the other is hooked into the ring in the gam-
brel stick memioned above, when one man
can raise a 300 jjound hog easier than two men
can raise one of 100 pounds. The ring pre-
vents slipping, which is sometimes the ca.se
with old-style sticks.
In the spring when the ground opens horses
will generally be splashed with mud when re-
turning froni the road. To remove it 1 find a
knife made of a pine shingle or other thin
board, the edges shaped concave on one side
and convex on the other, sharpened like a
knife, to answer better than a curry comb.
The concave side should
just fit the convex surface
of the horse's leg, when, by
the ai<l of a stifl' brush, dirt
can t)e removed ([uickly and in a thorough
manner.
Harness.
Before spring work commences, all harness
should be taken apart and given a thorough
washing in warm, soapy water. Don't stoi)
washing the harness until all dirt is removed,
iis dirt damages the leather more than the
washing, besides it prevents the oil from
penetrating the leather. After it is nearly
dry oil it copiously with neatsfoot or "^'acu-
um " oil, after which hang in the sun or a dry
place for a day or two before using, and you
will have soft harness all summer. — Ruralist,
Creswell, Pa., March lath, 1879.
For The La>cabxhr Farueb.
THE BALANCE OF TRADE, AGAIIil.
In reply to my article in tlii^ .lanuary num-
ber of The Farmer a writer, signing himself
J. S. T., undertakes in last month's issue, to
show that I was entirely wrong in the posi-
tion I assumed. And I will confess that if
bold assertion, uncorroborated by facts or
arguments, and with scarcely an attempt to
produce either on his part, is all that is re-
quired to sustain his position and overthrow
mine, then he is triumphant; but not other-
wise.
Ho says my stat«ynents are of "doubtful
veracity," and my arguments " utterly weak"
and "hopele.ssly illogical." Undoubtedly lie
wished his readers to believe they are so.
Why then did he not endeavor to prove his
assertions by contradicting me with facts not
of doubtful veracity and arguments that are
logical. His will being good, his omission to
do either of these things will probably be at-
tributed to its true cause by the readers of
The Farmer.
In my former article I stated my Ijelief that
the statistics of the country for the last half
century and longer, and also those of Great
Britain, would show that in times of ))ros-
perity the imports of each country would be
found to exceed its exports. Up to the time
of this writing I have not been able to lay my
hands on a statement of the imports and ex-
ports of Great Britain for several years, which
I had in possession .sometime ago, and there-
fore I cannot produce it here ; but my distinct
recollection is that it showed the imports— I
think it was for the live years from 1871 to
187.) — exceeded the exports by more than 100,-
000.000 pounds sterling. I do not ask anyone
to take my word (or my memory) for this,
however, at present, and will now refer to the
official statistics of our own country.
The "Quarterly Report of the Chief of the
Bureau of Statistics," issued by the Treasury
Department, at Washington, for the quarter
ending March .31, 1>^7S, contains a statement
of the imports and exports of the United
States for every year from the organization of
the government down ; and from that state-
ment I derive the following figures (hi round
numbers) :
1790 to 1799, excess of Imports, - - 8101,390,000
ISOO to 1809, excess of imiK)rts, - -183,367,000
]810tol819, excess of imports, - - 222,110,000
18:0 to 18i9, excess of Imports, - - 40,616,000
1830 to 1839, ex«ess of Imports, - - 327,301,000
1840 to 1849, excess of imports, - - 56,039,000
1850 to 1859, excess of lm()ort8, - - 2,551,000
Total, 5932,377,000
It is thus seen that in every term of ten
years up to 1800. the imports were greater
than the exports, the aggregate excess amcmnt-
ing to more than nine hundred million dollars.
Can any one believe that we were doing a
losing business in all this period of seventy
years, aud that we were growing poorer and
poorer year Viy year in conse(iuence of our
foreign commerce V If that was so, is it not
strange th.at some of the illustrious financiei's
and statesmen of that period did not di.scovcr
the fact and demand the total suppression of
a trade that was proving so injurious to their
country ?
But in the eighteen years since 1800, includ-
ing the time of the war of the Rebellion,
when we were unquestionably going behind-
hand—expending far more than we were earn-
ing, and including also the time of the late ex-
treme depression aud panic, the balance is
decidedly on the other side of the book, as it
decidedly ought not to be if the Balance of
Trade theorists are correct, viz. :
I8f.ll to 1869, excess of exports, - - ^44.3 ,642,000
1871) to 1877,* excess of exports, - - 693,919,000
Total, ----- ?1,137,.561,000
These figures speak for themselves. Will
Mr. J. S. T. venture to as.sert that the only
prosperous period this country has experienced
was during the civil war and the period of the
subsequent panic? If so, then he is consistent
54
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ April,
with himself when he maintains the proposition
that appears to me a self-evident absurdity,
viz.: " that the more we send abroad and the
less we get in return for it the greater is our
gain." lie appears to hold that our advantage
from foreign trade depends entirely on the
amount we send out of the country, and that
if in exchange for this, owing to bad foreign
markets, or other cause, we are enabled to
purchase and bring home merchandise, &c.,
of only half the value of what we send away,
so much the better for us. The custom house
returns will then show ji large balance of ex-
ports above the imports, and so we all ought
to rejoice 1 He admits that in the case of the
miller exporting a lot of flour, worth S50 at
home, and importing in return for it $75 worth
of salt, the miller gained $25. Well, did not
the country also gain that amount, and is
not this a genuine specimen of all the ven-
tures of all our citizens engaged in foreign
trade ? They invariably export our produce,
&c., in the hope of getting back, that is of
importing, in one shape or another, greater
value than they exported. If they succeed in
doing this they have accomplished their pur-
pose, and they and the country, I maintain,
are so much the richer ; yet the custom house
returns will show a preponderance of imports
over exports. But if for any cause, for in-
stance the wreck and total loss of the out-
going or incoming vessel, the owner loses all
he had risked, the custom house will furnish
evidence to all believers in the theory adopted
by J. S. T., that the country has been en-
riched to the extent of the whole appraised
value of the cargo exported ! Can anything
more be needed to show the fallacy and ab-
surdity of the theory that an excess of exports
over imports is a sure indication of growing
wealth and prosperity ?
J. S. T. affirms, by way of illustration,
that, ' 'Of two farmers dealing with each other,
the one who has the more money to get at the
end of the year has the advantage." I say,
this is not necessarily so to all. Suppose in
their year's dealings A. has bought of B. a
horse and a cow, worth together $200, while
he has sold him a lot of sheep and hogs worth
$300. Of course when they come to settle A.
"has the more money to get," and B. must
pay him the difference, of f 100. But does that
prove that A. has had the advantage in the
trade ? One has the most money, but the
other has property to show for it that is worth
money. What is the essential difference be-
tween money and money's worth ? If money
is always of more value than the property
that it buys, why does any one part .with it to
buy the property ? Does not the entire value
of money arise from the fact that the owner
of it can thereby procure other property that
he needs or desires V— J". P., Lancaster, March
24, 1879.
■»■
For The Lascasteb Farmer.
TURTLE-HEAD, SNAKE-HEAD, BAL-
MONY.
(^Chilone.)
The chelone is a genus of plants so named
from the Greek for tortoise, the flower, or
corolla, resembling in shape the head of a rep-
tile ; it is also called shell-flower, balmony, &c.
This is not a rare plant in low or wet places —
found in flower from July to September.
There are two species, the C. glabra and C.
ohliqua, and others, perhaps simpler varieties.
Stamens four, with woolly filaments and very
woolly, heart-shaped anthers ; smooth peren-
nials, with upright, branching stems; opposite
serrate leaves, and large white or purple
flowers, which are nearly sessile, in spikes or
clusters, and closely imlsricated with round,
ovate bracts and bractlets. Calyx of five dis-
tinct, imbricated sepals. Carolla inflated,
tubular, with the mouth a little open ; the
upper lip broad and arched, keeled in the
middle and notched at the apex ; the lower
woolly, bearded in the throat ; three lobed at
the apex. So much is from Gray's Botany, in
substance.
The Chelone glabra, "smooth snake-head,"
and the C. ohliqua, the "purple chelone," are
not considered distinct bv Pursh and Dr.
Gray, but there is a marked difference in the
color of the corolla. I have met with them
in botanical rapibles of a most delicate pink
blush, and through rose color to a beautiful
purple, in different localities. This is truly a
beautiful flower, and worthy of a place in the
garden. Johnson enumerates eleven species,
some from Mexico, California, &c. ; all of
American growth.
The generic name was given to our species
by Toumefort. This hardy perennial of Korth
America is usually found along the sides of
streams. Mr Clayton collected plants of the
purple flowering variety in 1752, and sent
them to Mr. Miller, of England, and by him
propagated in the Hortus Kewensis. Then
followed the G. lyoni, a rival species, larger
and a more resplendant flower. The scarlet
Chelone harbata, a native of Mexico, was in-
troduced into England by Sir Joseph Banks,
in 1794. I simply mention this to show that
some of our native wild flowers are highly
prized and cultivated in Europe, while we at
home scarcely appreciate these interesting
plants.
They grow wild, and hence we want some-
thing that comes from abroad. May I hope
to be indulged in a little gossip. I distinctly
scientific names of things. I am aware that
the hard names are objected to by many of
my readers. Any name for a thing new to i
must be remembered if we wish to make the
thing known to others in our conversation;
but if each one gives it his own name, how
can he explain to another what he refers to ?
Hence the necessity of employing names
and phrases which apply exclusively to the
plant or thing under consideiation — names
in universal use by all students. True,
these are mostly derived from the Greek
or Latin roots, which are only familiar
to scholars, they can see why the name '
is applicable. But an active intellect more
readily acquires appropriate new names or
special names than new meanings of old familiar
words; hence it is better to have a specific
term and study up to a clear comprehension
of the subject. We soon learn what part is
the calyx, the sepals applying to the green por-
tion or outer cup of the flower and its divis-
ions ; so with the corolla and petals, whether
in one piece, like a Morning Glory, "ilfone-
petalous," or like a rose of many separate
leaves, and polypetalous ; also, the stems of a
leaf is a petiole, and that of the flower the
peduncle. Considering that these vary in form,
color and habit of growth, to describe them
terms or names must be had, and we may as
well learn those used in systematic descrip-
tions, and then the study of botany becomes
easy enough.
To conclude with regard to the medical
properties of the plant above figured. Dr.
Beacher says : " It is good to expel worms;
make a tea and drink ; after a few days give
a purge."
Griffith, in his Medical Botany, page 519,.
figures and describes this plant. He says:
"It is tonic, cathartic and hepatic."
On the authority of Rafinesque, who de-
rived his knowledge of it from the Shakers,
the Indians made extensive use of it ; in full
doses it purges and acts powerfully on the
liver, they say. — /. Sta^tffer.
recall the pleasure I derived on one occasion,
twenty or more years ago, while struggling
along, amid shrubbery, as I followed a moun-
tain streamlet in search of floral novelties,
when I came across a patch of chelone
for the first time. Oh, what a delight it is to
the ardent botanist to discover a new and
beautiful plant ! I had no idea of what it
was. With eager haste I culled specimens,
and retired to a mossy seat to inspect this
stranger. I first examined the scales, calyx
and corolla, carefully sketching the parts,
and then opened the corolla, examined the
lobes, the stamens and pistil with tlie seed
vessel, and all things considered, found that
it was not a Labiatse or of the moist family.
I had met and analyzed the Pentstemon, a
closely allied plant ; this knowledge led me to
seek for it among the Scrophulacete, and
found it to belong to the genus c/teloite. I
mention this to show the advantage of study ;
the knowledge of certain plants and generic
characters is a guide to others, and to analyze
and trace the affinities, a source of pleasure
they only know who become interested.
The study of iiny branch of natural science
is conducive to healthy recreation, as well as
profitable ; and it would be well if our young
men, yes, and ladies, too, would make them-
selves familiar with the technicalities and
Selections.
SEEDS.
Frequent complaints are made that s
do not germinate, and dealers in them are
found fault with, when, very generally, the
fault lies in the improper manner in which
people plant them.
Many take no heed of the condition of the
soil or of the depth at which the seed should
be planted. The temperature and moisture
also have a controlling influence. The tem-
perature of germination of the following seeds
is:
Lowest. Highest. Most Kapid.
Wheat «°F. 104°F. 84°F.
Barley 41 104 84
Pea 44 182 84
Corn 48 116 93.
Bean 49 111 79
Squash ..; 54 113 93
Air-dried seed will imbibe water of absorp-
tion completely m from 48 to 72 hours, in the
following percentage:
Mustard, 8 Buckwheat, 47 Oats, 60 Pea, 107
Mille*, -S Barley. 49 Hemp, BO Clover,
Corn, 44 Turnips, 51 Kid.Beans,96 Beets,
Wheat, 45 Kye, 58 Horse " 194 Wh. Clover, 127
The great difference in the amount of water
absorbed by mustard and clover seed is worthy
of notice. The failure of clover seed to catch,
frequentlv arises from sowing it at a time of
insufficient moisture, and can be obviated I
first soaking the seed, to supply the necessary
humidity. Millet generally secures a good catch
even in "dry, hot weather, as a small amount
of moisture answers for that seed. Soaking
seed in plain water, however, entails certain
disadvantages. If we examine the water in
which the seed is soaking, we find that it soon
becomes brown. It has, therefore, dissolved
some substances from the seeds ; has actually
macerated them. If we pour off this brown
water and let it stand exposed to heat, it soon
gives off the smell of ammonia, proving that
it has soaked out nitrogenous matter, which
nature has evidently stored in the seed for the
nourishment of the young germ.
70.J
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
55
This seems to prove at least that this suli-
stuiice is readily soluble. Moreover, the young
plant from stid tluit has been soaked in water
will be ciirresiH.ndiugly we.aker and of a paler
color than that fioni seed not subjected to this
ordeal, and the longer the action. >r the w;iter
has continued the nu.n^ evidently will this be
the case. Another <ibjreti..n lies in tliefnet
that seeds soaked in water very quickly dry,
and i-he evaporation of the water leaves Iheni
dryer than before. Such seeds, therefore, fre-
quently perish in dry soil, or during a con-
tinuation of warm weather. The evils th;it
result from soaking seeds in pure water may,
however, be easily avoided by soaking them
I in a solution of chemical salts of a fertilizing
nature. In consequence of the quantity of
salts the solution contains, it can dissolve but
little from the seeds, while on the contrary it
completely impregnates them with its fertiliz-
ing ingredients, so that tlie young plants from
seeds so treated aiipear deeii'ledly stronger and
darker in color. Moreover, the seeds are not
liable to dry up after having been steeped iu
this way, but in consequence of the liygro-
metric properties of the saline substances
which they contain they always continue
moist. Manuring the seed by means of steep-
ing is of great importance ; it not only in-
creases the number of seeds in the growing
plant, but also a most remarkable difference in
the proportion of gluten they contain ; that
it produces a decidedly quicker and stronger
growth of the young i)lant in the first fourteen
days is certain, as it supplies it directly with
the nutritive substances which are required
for its vigorous development at the time it is
just beginning to grow, and while its organs
are yet unfit to seek nutriment over a wide
range of soil. The vigorous development of
the plant while young is, moreover, a sure
guarantee of its full iierfection and ultimate
ripening. To apply manure directly to the
seeds in this way preserves them from squir-
rels, mice, birds and worms, as they are im-
pregnated with substances repungent to them,
and it is also a protection for rust and blight ;
it is a quicker, cheaper, more efficacious, and
less laborious method of fertilizing them than
to place compost in the hills or drills, and
moreover the weed seeds then get none of the
fertilizers which they share with the good
seeds when composts are used. Manure for
land, except coarse barnyard manure, should
be .spread broadcast and harrowed iu, thus
enriching all the soil. The roots there have
a larger area on which to feed, as they will
spread themselves out if properly started, and
the soil all around them is in proper condition
to nourish them. The Chinese are adepts in
the art of agricnlture. and their seeds are
manured before planting tliera. It is hoped
this brief article will call the attention of its
readers to the subject of which it treats ; and
if it effects only this object good will grow out
of it. Tlte adoption ot the plan it advocates
will largely increase the crops of the country
at a trifling expense for fertilizers, and the
saving iu seed will more than counterbalance
this increased outlay ; for when seeds are
steeped in the manure here recommended, a
bushel of wheat will l)e sufficient where a
bushel and a half are required when not sub-
jected to sneh treatment. This opinion is not
a mere mailer of theory. Imt the result of ac-
tual experiments, conducted on a large and
small scale, in the Held, and in the house, and
confirmed by the experience of many others. —
Andrew H. Ward, Jiridf/rwater, Mass.
SPLENIC FEVER AND HORN AIL.
The Countrti Gentlernan contains an article
on the above "subjects, from a veterinary sur-
geon of thirty years' experience, as follows :
The theories in relation to the late prevail-
ing cattle disease are neither warranted by
facts nor analogy. One professor tells us this
disease is Texas fever, and is transmitted into
the system of our cattle by contagion. He
claims that the Texan cattle were i)erfectly
healthy, and yet they could through conta-
gion transmit the disease he calls Texas fever.
Another claims the disease to be "splenic
fever." A third claims the disease to be
"tick fever," and says iu his rei)ort that the
kidneys are congested, caused by impregna-
tion with virus, and this virus is furnished by
the liver in the shape of bad blood. When
this leaebes the kidneys it is congested and
furnishes venous blood, instead of water for
the bladilei-. "When this stage is reached, he
says, there is no possil)le cure, and solemnly
asserts this trouble is caused by a tick. With
a wash he had invented, he was going to en-
tirely eradicate this disease from the .systems
of the afflicted cattle. The above professional
writers were unanimous in their opinions,
that the disease was very contagious and fatal
in results.
I herewith present my pathological diagno-
sis as to the character of the late cattle dis-
ea.se, and the cause producing it, and let my
opinion stand upon its merit. The disease is
zymotic, comprised in that class of diseases
which are epidemic, endemic, communicable,
inoculable, and cajiable of propagation from
exi.sting invisible foci or generation, induced
by a .specific material or poison, or by the
want of, or bad quality of food. This class
includes four orders — miasmatic, enthetic,
dietic and parasitic diseases. Zymotic prin-
ciples—certain matters which of themselves,
or by their transformation, propagate zymotic
diseases, one of which may be accurately
termed " typhine "—belong to the malignant
typhoid type, and it is with this that these
cattle were attacked. A germ was trans-
mitted into their systems, or an invisible par-
ticle or molecule which becomes detached
from the existing living matter. In other
words, the germs are supposed, under very
favoring circumstances, to be fully capable of
development into new forms, and to excited
changes in the animal body, of a fermentative
or putrefactive nature. The Texan cattle, to
which this disease was attributed, it was said,
were all healthy in every particular. In this
normal condition of health it v{as impossible
for them to transmit this disease to our native
cattle by coming in direct or indirect contact
with them, which would be absolutely neces-
sary were this disease contagious. It is lioth
possible and probable that the Texan cattle
leave behind them germs or molecule, and
these remain in a morbific state, while ex-
posed to the atmosphere and other elements,
hut through molecular attraction they are
taken into the lungs of our native cattle,
through the respiratory organs, while running
in the same pasture fields where the Texan
cattle had previously been, and by this means
the germs or molecules come in direct contact
with the circulation of the blood, being taken
up by the minute capillary blood-vessels,
thereby inoculating the system with the virus,
and producing the malignant type of typhoid
fever, develojied in these cattle. The' trans-
mission of this disease from one animal system
to another, must be accomplished by inocula-
tion, not by one animal coming in "direct or
indirect contact with another and taking the
breath. Hence you will please note this dis-
ease is infectious, but not contagious.
I will also briefly touch upon what some
have called hollow-horn, which, as a disease,
never existed. The horns are composed of
a horny cone, covering a porous or cellular
bone. This porous bone is full of blood-vessels.
The functions of the secretive glands are
mncli affected by disease ; the secretions are
sometimes suspended in febrile diseases.
Where an active inflammation is set up in the
animal system generally, the circulation of
blood and the secretions are greatly disturbed.
Hence it is easy to account for the horns
appearing hollow. But as soon as the cause
producing the disturl)ed circulation and secre-
tions is removed, the organs possessing blood
and serum, and the other organs possessing
other fluids, are relieved, and all symptoms of
disease and distress pass off, and the system
is soon restored to a natural condition. There
is no inflammation of any important internal
organ that is not rapidly accompanied by
fever ; and that fever and the degree to whicli
it had reached, are easily ascertained by the
heat of the breath, the dryness of the mouth,
and the great development of heat at the base
of the horns ; also by the redness of the eyes,
the frequency and hardness of the pulse, the
loss of appetite, and often the cessation of
rumination. Ilenct^ the horns would appear
liollow, as the porous or cellular Ixnie would
be deprived of proper nourishment. I think
I have presented suflicient facts to prove
hollow horn is no disea.se by itself, but is pro-
duced by sympathy and deprivation of proper
nourishment, while the sy.stem is attacked
with febrile disease.
CRANBERRY CULTURE.
A despatch from Berlin, AVisconsin, dated
December '28tli, says : Berlin is sneeringly
dubbed the Cranberry City by the newspapers
of rival towns, and at picking time the visi-
tor is impressed with the thought that it is no
misnomer. All other busine.ss interests then
seem subservient to this, for the harvest is of
no mean import anee to a river town of ."5,000
inhabitants, the annual shiiunents sometimes
reaching the a.stounding figures of .35,000
bushels from the large marsh of Sackett
Brothers, whose united annual expenditures
are not far from SKW.dOO.
When the picking begins, in October, the
whole country round turns out en masse, for
cranberry time is a succession of gala days,
men, women and chihlrcn pouring towards
the marshes in what seems an endless stream
of humanity, all eager to earn the excellent
waL'Ps that are always paid. The noisy throng
is largely made up of Scandinavians and Ger-
mans, liy whom portions of the country are
thickly settled, the men in quaint garments
of sombre homespun, high boots and awkward
blue caps, and smoking the ubiquitous huge-
bowled porcelain pipe from the Fatherland;
the women with gay-colored shawls tied over
the head and falling on the shoulders, short,
stiff dresses and wooden shoes. Children of
all ages accompany them, looking curious
enough, dressed in pre(!isely the same sombre
attire as their parents, which gives them the
appearance of veritable Liliputians. Most of
the pilgrims towards the cranberry ISIecca go
on foot, but some ride on hea^'y farm wagons,
canvas-covered and drawn by sleepy oxen,
with whose small pace the phlegmatic farmer
seems quite content. It is this willingness to
make haste slowly but surely in the race for
wealth that has made substantial farmers of
these.
Coming to America with a few dollars, and
liurchasing sandy farms on which the restless
Yankee has starved, and which he is glad to
sell for a mere song, these emigrants lead a
life of frugality and self-denial which brings
them a reward in causing the desert to blos-
som as the rose. It is a saying hereabout
that what the Norwegian farmer cannot sell
he feeds to his stock, and what they will not
eat he gives to his family : of course this is
an exaggeration, but the writer has visited
the log houses of some of the less well-to-do
people and has found their diet to consist
Inrgrply nf black rye bread and thickened sour
milk, all the rest of the farm products going
to market. This frugal mode of living seems
to have the double eflect of benefiting the
family health and of gradually filling the do-
mestic exchequer. The women work in the
fields with the men, and are models of physical
rojjustness, never requiring a physician. A
dentist has never yet been known to operate
upon the molars or bicusi>ids of these people,
whose teeth would excite the envy of a pam-
pered child of fortune.
Here and there among the prospective
pickers are a bevy of American girls who
leave home comfort and plenty to "rough it"
on the marshes for a week or two. Bands of
Winnebago Indians occasionally file past,
gayly attired in bright colored Government
bl.-inkets. the lazy warriors or bucks mounted
on ponies, the squaws trudaing along the
sandy roads canning the "impedimenta,"
with the pa]ii)ooses strapped into a frame-
work borne u|)on the back with tiie other
burdens. These Lidians are the children and
56
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[April,
grandchildren of the chiefs who fought under
the famous Blackhawk in what is now the
State of Wisconsin, nearly half a century ago.
For many years they have hunted unmolested,
but were recently removed to the Indian
Territory, under military escort, by orders
from the Government, but they were un-
happy, and refused to be comforted as wards
of the nation, so they made their way— sever;il
hundred strong— back to the happy hunting-
grounds of Wisconsin, a distance of 1,00U
miles. They are the same harmless, strolling
bands that they have been for many years,
but they have learned something of the rights
of settlers and have pre-empted certain wild
land, which they affect to occupy, and tlius
become entitled to the privileges of citizens,
and enjoy immunity from Government inter-
ference.
It is only a mile or two from Berlin to the
cranberry marsh of Sackett Brothers, the pre-
siding genius of whose fortune is the Hon.
llobe Sackett. The berries grow on a marsli
which is so wet and yielding as to preclude
the driving of teams across except on a cordu-
roy road half a mile long leading to the build-
ing in the centre. The drive is anything ))ut
pleasant, as tlie wagon goes jostling over the
logs, and the causeway is so narrow tliat
teams cannot pass, making it necessary for
the driver to keep a sharp lookout over its
entire length, to see that he has the right of
way. Springing across one of the ditches on
either side one can pick the acrid berries from
the delicate bushes which grow not more than
a foot in height. The principal building is
the warehouse where the' beiTies are stored
and afterward barreled for market. It is a
substantial frame structure, recently built, is
148 by 44 feet, and four stories high. From
the upper windows can be had a comprehen-
sive view of the marsh and its busy force of
pickers. Tlie eye rests upon 750 acres of
marsh, not more than a quarter of which is
under cultivation, over whose area in the
busy time are scattered no less than 3,(100
picliers.
A movable wooden railroad track runs from
the warehouse to the centre of operations,
and a car is loaded with the boxes of berries,
each person picking into a pan which is tlien
emptied into his box of a bushel capacity.
The pickers receive a ticket for every bushel
loaded on the car, and on reporting to the
Superintendent at the clo.se of the day, receive
credit for the whole. The price paid is 75
cents a bushel, and the average day's work is
not more than two or three bushels, although
it is not uncommon to pick five bushels, and
a few experts have been known to pick seven
bushels in a single day. The picliing being
often hurried on account of threatened ap-
proach of frost, a second picking is sometimes
necessary, for which about a dollar a busliel
is paid. The car on being loaded with the
filled boxes is drawn by a team of horses lo
the warehouse, where the berries are hoisted
on an elevator to the upper stories, and dis-
posed of in such manner as to secure the best
ventilation. The floors are covered with tier
upon tier of boxes of berries, there being some-
times 20,000 bushels under the roof at one
time. On the ground floor, large fanning
mills are in motion, into which the berries iiic
running from hoppers in the upper stories,
and all leaves and other impurities are blown
out, after which they are put in barrels and
hauled to Berlin, and from there shipped to
the Milwaukee and Chicago markets. A
coopering establishment on the property
manufactures the many thousands of barrels
which are annually required.
The question naturally arises, "How do
these several thousand pickers subsist during
the season, for no boarding establishment of
sufficient capacity would be possible ?" The
answer is that the proprietor has erected bar-
racks ef frame buildings, for whicli there is
no rental, ttie pickers boarding themselves
each house being furnished with a kitchen
stove, and the rooms fitted up with bunks.
The greatest hiliarity prevails during picking
time, the nights being given up to innocent
revelry and mirth on the part of the young
men and maidens, while in the neighboring
woods the Winnebagoes dance round their
camp fires and make the night hideous with
tlie drunken orgies with which cranberry time
is invariably associated. Sackett's marsh is
fitted by nature for its present uss, and its ad-
vantages of location could not have been im-
proved upon by the experience cranberry cul-
turists. It is necessary to flood tlie entire
surface during the winter, and this is ren-
dered easy by the fact that the marsh is a
basin lying in a wooded table-land, with an
outlet at the lower end, across which has been
constructed a dam 225 yards long and 4A feet
wide, with double floodgates for regnlaling
tlie height of the overflow. As soon as Lhe
crop is gathered the gates are dropped and lhe
marsh gaadually becomes submerged by the
autumn rains, the melting snow and the
drainage from the higher ground, until it be-
comes a lake. This often freezes to a con-
siderable thickness, furnishing a skating rink
that puts to blush the contracted affairs of
that name found in cities. In this manner the
soil receives its on'y cultivation, and the ten-
der plants are protected from the rigors of a
Wisconsin winter. It is not uncommon for
the marsh to be flooded eight or nine months
in the year, the water not being drawn until
June.
Of all fruit raising cranberry culture is the
most uncertain, not more than one season in
five or six escaping the early frost, against
which there is no protection, and of whose
approach there is no warning, while the vines
are always subject to the attacks of the cran-
beri7 worm, which sometimes destroys the en-
tire crop. The yield of 1871 was the largest
ever known, and was successfully harvested,
but it has been followed either by total fail-
ures or only partial crops. Hundreds of
thousands of dollars have been invested in
the business, which is attended with the
greatest risk, but offers the possibility of a
large fortune.
RULES FOR MAKING GILT-EDGED
BUTTER.
Feeding.
Select your cows with reference to the
quantity and richness of the milk produced.
The best cows are the cheapest for butter, so
get the best you can of whatever breed you
Select. Give them good pasturage in the
summer, and plenty of pure water, with fre-
quent access to salt. In winter, feed sweet,
early-cut hay, well-cured corn fodder, roots,
cabbages, etc., and a ration of bran, corn-
meal, ground oats, or middhngs.
Implements.
Have the bist implements, and keep them
scrupulously clean, well-scalded, and often
exposed to the sweetening influences of the
sun. The milk pail and pans should be of
the best tin. A reliable thermometer is a ne-
cessity to every good dairyman.
Milking.
The milking should be done quietly and at
regular times, and the utmost cleanliness
observed. Nothing is tainted quicker than
milk by fnul odors, and surely at times, with
nearly all cows, there is enough animal odor
to it, without adding any more.
Setting.
Strain the milk slowly into the pans, four
to six inches deep. It is an excellent plan to
strain the milk into a large can set in cold
water, and cool down to 60 degrees before
putting into the small pans. The milk must
lie set in a pure atmosphere, at such a tem-
perature as will permit the cream to lisi', in
from thirty to thirty-six hours iifler selling.
In order to do that the room shuuld be kept
at about 60 to 65 degrees, and not allowed to
vary much either above or below.
In hot weather keep a large piece of ice in
a tub in the room. Cover it over with a thick
blanket, and, if arranged so that the water
will run off, it will keep a long time, and keep
the room very uniform.
In cold weather some arrangement for
warming the milk room should be adopted.
Skimming.
Skim as soon as the milk begins to turn
sour. Do not neglect this rule, as it is im-
possible to make good butter from cream that
has become old and sour. When you pour
your cream into the cream jar, splash as httle
as possible. Stir the cream every time you
add more to it, and wipe the sides of the pot.
Keep the temperature at about 60 degrees,
and the cream pot in the coolest part of the
house, covered with a fine gauze netting
strained on a hoop, not with a tight cover.
If covered too tight, fermentation is often too
rapid.
Churning.
Churn often, as there is nothing gained by
long keeping. Bring the temperature of the
cream in the churn to 58°, and not allow it to
rise above 64°. Churn early in the morning,
while it is cool. First scald the churn, turn
the paddles a few times ; then pour off, and
pour in cold water and turn the paddles ; pour
off and pour in your cream. In churning re-
volve the paddles with an easy, regular motion,
not too fast nor too slow.
Coloring.
Wlien likely to be deficient in color add a
sufficient quantity of The Perfected Butter
Color (made by Wells, Richardson & Co.,
Burlington, Vt.,) to keep it up to the June
standard.
Working and Salting.
When it has "broken " and there is a diffi-
culty to make the butter gather, throw in some
cold water and give a few more turns. Some,
and I think a majority, of the best butter-
makers of to-day wash their butter with cold
water before removing from the churn. Gather
your butter with the paddle and lift it out into
the tray, press it gently and incline it, and let
the buttermilk run oft'. Work it gently with
the paddle, with a cutting, gentle pressure,
but not mash it ; or, better, put it into the
butter-worker.
Salt it about an ounce to the pound, or to
the taste of good customers ; only with the
best salt, and free from lumps and coarseness.
Work the butter only so much as to expel the
buttermilk, but not to work it too dry. This
can be done by the use of a weak brine pre-
pared for the purpose. Put the bowl away in
a cool place. After standing twelve or twenty-
four hours gently press out, with a ladle or
machine, the remaining buttermilk and any
brine that will flow out with it, care being
used not to work it too touch. If this is done
the butter has lost its grain and becomes
salvey, and its keeping qualities are greatly
injured.
Packing.
Pack in vessels that will impart no impuri-
ties to the butter. Fill within half an inch
of the top. Place a thin cloth over the top.
NORTH CAROLINA TOBACCO.
Mr. T. L. Rawley, Representative from
Rockingham county, presented to the Agri-
cultural Museum a specimen of beautiful to-
bacco of his own raising. It sells readily at
seventy-five cents per pound. Rockingham
embraces some of the finest tobacco lands in
the State, and is the leading county in this
interest, as we learn from the returns in Col.
Polk's office. The yield for the year 1877 is
slated at 3,190,966 pounds. And in this con-
nection another fact has been developed'by
these returns in the office of the Commis-
sioner. He says that the total yield accredited
to our State in the census of 1870 is about
11,000,000 pounds. He has already footed up
nearly 17,000,000 pounds from partial returns
from only seventy-eight counties, and three
important tobacco counties are left out en-
tirely. So we may safely assume that the
yield in our State was not less than 20,000,-
000 pounds. Verily, Colonel Polk is correct
wlien he says in his report that the foreigners
are misled by the census reports. — Bakigh
Observer.
79.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
57
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICUL-
TURAL SOCIETY.
ADJOURNED MEETING.
An adjourned meeting of the Agricultural and
Horticultural Society was held Monday afternoon,
March 17.
The meeting was called to order by the President,
Calvin Cooper, esq.
I The following members and visitors were present :
Calvin Cooper, President, BIrd-in-Hand; Henry .M.
I Engle, Marietta; Levi W. OrofI", West Earl; Henry
I Kurtz, Mount Joy; Joseph F. WItmer, Pequea; Dr.
I 8. S. Kathvon, city; J. C.LInville, Salisbury; W. H.
BroBlus, Drumorc; J. M. Johnston, city; Clare Car-
penter, city; Peter S. Rclst, Litiz; William McCom-
sey, city; C. L. Ifunsecker, Manheim; J. Hartnian
Hershey, Rohrcrstowu; Washington L. Hcrshey,
WestHempfleUl.
Object of the Meeting.
The President stated the object of the meeting,
and the Secretary also read so much of the minutes
of the last meeting as referred to the object of to-
day's meeting.
Dr. Kathvon spoke as follows :
When I, at diHerent times, suggested the Incor-
poration of this society, I had not in my mind the
idea of making it a joint stock company at all— at
least not until a necessity gtiould rise for the issuing
of stock. I believe it ought to be incorporated, in
order to hold a legal ownership, as a society, in any
property that might come Into its possession. That
It might be recorded in the archives of the county
and the State as a legal Institution, and become a
responsible depository of such State and national
documents as relate to the agricultural interests of
the country. I only contemplated a charter granting
the usual powers and privileges of such organiza-
tions, stating its name and objects. I am now a
member of three in*rporated societies in this city—
the oldest of which was incorporated in 1828, the
next in 1836, and the third one in 18fi2. The first
two of these never Issued stock, because there was
no necessity for it ; and the third one was in exist-
ence fifteen years before it issued certificates of
ownership in its museum. All these societies own
property amounting to thousands of dollars, although
they commenced their careers on nothing ; and I
believe their existence this day Is due to the fact that
they became bodies politic in law and accumulated
possessions. One of thera acquired two thousand
dollars as a legacy, which it never would have re-
ceived, perhaps, had it not been chartered. The
Berks and York county societies are Incorporated,
and so are the State Board of Agriculture and the
State Agricultural Society, and perhaps many others
throughout the State.
I do not suppose that the liare fact of incorpora-
tion is going to immediately increase the society into
gigantic proportions, but I believe it will aiford a
more solid basts for increase and future develop-
ment. Those that seek membership in it will feel
more sensibly the permanency of the organization,
and doubtless also they will take a greater interest
In It.
It seems to me there is no other question but the
bare merits of the case — without reference to stock
or to exhibitions — that ought to enter into the dis-
cussion on a charter at this time. It will be time
enough to learn to walk after we have learned to
creep, although we have been a long while trying.
Henry Kurtz thought it was unnecessary to issue
stock unless money was needed. If we have the
power to sell stock we can do so when the necessity
presents itself. Ifweneedno money we will not be
compelled to issue stock. He had spoken with a
number of persons and found a general disposition to
take the stock.
H. M. F.ngle was at a loss what to say about the
stock feature. He thought the articles of Incorpor-
ation ought to be as brief as possible. He was im-
pressed with Dr. Kathvon's ideas on this question.
The fear was that the stock might get Into improper
hands and turn aside the true Intent of the society.
The case presents some difficulties. He was not
clear in his mind how the thing was to be managed.
Joseph F. Witmer thought the stock feature might
be left out of the charter, and If Its necessity was
felt In the future it might then be applied for and be
incorporated in the old charter. A charter can be
amended after being granted.
Henrv Kurtz thought this could not be done. The
stock feature hurts nothing If In the charter. Wc
need not avail ourselves of the privilege if we do not
chose to do so; but should we need it, then it Is
ready to be made use of at once.
J. C. Linville thought there would be no trouble
in getting a supplement to the charter of incorpora-
tion if it was wanted at any future time.
W. McComsey suggested that the charter of some
of the other county societies be read, in order to
throw some light on the subject.
Other Societies.
The secretary slated that there arc fourteen county
societies in the Slate that arc chartered and nineteen
that are not. lie read that part of the constitution of
the York county society as related to the ofDccrs.
The President called" attention to the fact that the
article adopted on this point by this society was more
complicated than the one just read.
A motion was made to reconsider this section and
passed.
H. M. Engle moved to adopt In Its stead the article
on this point In the constitution of the York county
socli'ty.
W. McComsey thought the proposed plan threw
too much power into the hands of the Board of
Directors, instead of leaving it in the hands of all
the members of the society. It seemed lo him to
centralize the power of the society in a few hands.
He was not clear whether this plan was wise.
H. .M. Engle thought the new scheme was decided-
ly preferable.
J. C. Linville thought there was little difference
between the two. The President in the one was
made elective by the society, and he preferred it to
the other.
Article 5, adopted at the last meeting, was then
rejected by a vote of the society.
The one proposed in Its stead, being the one govern-
ing the York County Society, was then adopted.
The Incorporators.
The President made a motion that the Vice Presi-
dents, Secretary and Recording Secretary be the offi-
cers of the chartered society until the next annual
election.
Amended to include the President and two others
in the number, and carried.
The present officers, with the addition of John C.
Linville and Israel L. Landis, will constitute the
Board of Directors and Incorporators.
Several other articles were also inserted, and the
proposed charter was then adopted as a whole. It
will be presented to the Court at once, and no doubt
be granted.
The text of the document as adopted Is as follows
Charter.
I. The name of the corporation shall be " The
Lancaster County Agricultural and Horticultural
Society." Adopted.
II. The purpose for which it is formed shall be to
encourage and improve agricultural, horticultural,
domestic and household arts, and any other matters
pertaining to the Interest of agriculture and horticul-
ture. Adopted.
III. Its place of business shall be in the county of
ETincaster. Adopted.
IV. The term of Its existence shall be perpetual,
subject to the power of the General Assembly, under
the Constitution of the Commonwealth. Adopted.
V. The officers of the society shall be a President,
two Vice Presidents, five Managers, a Recording
Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary and a Treas-
urer, to continue in office for one year and until
others are elected, all officers to be elected by ballot
at the annual meeting, and the following are those
chosen for the coming year ;
President— Calvin Cooper, Bird-In-Hand, East
Lampeter township.
Vice Presidents — Henry M. Engle, Marietta. East
Donegal ; Jac.B.fiarber, Columbia, West Hempfield.
Recording Secretary— James F. Witmer, Paradise.
Corresponding Secretary— Johnson Miller, Litiz,
Warwick.
Treasurer— Levi W. Groff, Bareville, West Earl.
Managers— Martin D. Kendig, Cresswell, Manor
township; VVm. H. Brosius, Liberty Square, Dru-
more township; Casper Hiller, Concstoga Centre,
Conestoga township; John C. Linville, Gap, Salis-
bury township ; Israel L. Landis, Lancaster.
VI. The by-laws of this society shall be made by
the members in good standing, at a general meeting
called for that purpose, and shall prescribe the time
and place of meeting of the society, the terms for
the admission of members, the powers and duties of
Its officials and such other matters as may be perti-
nent and necessary for the business to be iranaclcd,
provided that such by-laws are not inconsistent with
this charter, the constitution and by-laws of the
Commonwealth and of the United States.
VII. This society to have all the powers and au-
thority, and be subject to the limitation and regula-
tions of corporations of the " first class " under act
of Assembly entitled, an act " To provide for the In-
corporation and regulation of certain corporations,"
approved the 29th of April, A. D. 1874, and its sup-
plements.
A vote to adjourn was made and carried.
REGULAR STATED MEETING.
The Lancaster County Agricultural Society met in
their room, in the City Hall, on Monday afternoon,
April 7th, 1879, and was called to order at 2 o'clock.
The following members and visitors were present :
Calvin Cooper, President, BIrd-in-Hand ; Joseph F.
Witmer, Secretary, Paradise; Levi W. Groff, Treas-
urer, West Earl ; M. D. Kendig, Manor; Henry M.
Engle, Marietta ; W. U. Brosius, Drumore ; Frank
R. Diffenderfer, city ; C. M. Hostetter, Eden ; Tobias
D. Martin, Warwick ; Rev. S. M. Boyer, ; W.
W. Grelst, city ; J. M. Johnson, city ; Clare Carpen-
ter, city ; Ephralm S. Hoover, Manheim ; C. L. Hun-
sccker, Manheim ; 1. L. Landis, Manheim ; Dr. 8. 8.
Kathvon, city ; Elam W. Eshleman, Paradise.
On motion the reading of the minutes of the previ-
ous meeting was dispensed with.
Amos L. Eshleman, of Paradise township, was
proiiosed and elected a new member.
Report of Crops.
Mr. Brosius, Drumorc township, said the wheat is
not encouraging at this time, and the weather has
been BO cold that other things have not yet started.
Mr. Hostetter said the wheat crop in Eden town-
ship looks very encouraging, (irass is making its
appearance, and timothy is getting along nicely.
Mr. Kendig, of .Manor, reported the wheat crop as
not lookinlf very encouraging ; It is short and thin,
(irass looks better. Peach and pear buds look
healthy. He staled that he had found that Pampass
grass was not as hardy as stated In VIck's Catalogue
report.
.Mr. Cooper, of Paradise, said that the wheat needs
rain. Peach buds are so far uninjured.
Mr. Engle, of .Marietta, reported for East Donegal,
that he did not think the wheat looked so poor as re-
ported, considering the bad weather. It is loo early
to judge of the crop, an<l he thought a few weeks of
such weather as 'his would make a wonderful differ-
ence. The grass crop promises well. The fruits are
doing remarkably well.
Competitive Essays.
The committee appointed lo decide on the merits
of the competitive essays on the "Culture of Wheat,"
F. R. DIffenderffcr, William McComsey and Peter S.
Reist, recommended the one written In pencil as de-
serving the premium. It proved afterwards that the
prize essay was written by Henry M. Engle, of Mari-
etta. Thcothercssay was written by John C. Linville.
Levi W. Groff answered the question, " With land
and labor at present prices, can wheal be raised at
one dollar per bushel ?" After a short introduction,
Mr. Groff proceeded to make a calculation, taking
good land in the first place. He estimated the cost
of raising an acre of wheat at ?2.'j.'J0, as follows :
Interest on one acre of land at ?1.50, ?!»; taxes, 50
cents; plowing and harrowing, $:i.50; IJOO pounds
raw bone, at 8:!0 per ton, S^-SO ; lU bushels seed,
81. .50; drilling the seed, .50 cents; cultivating twice
In the spring, $1 .20 ; harvesting and thresliing, >4.50.
Against this he placed the product of the acre at 40
bushels, which will bring, selling the straw, $4<>,
leaving a profit of $20.80.
He did not think the estimated yield was too large,
but supposing it is a Utile too large there Is room for
deduction, and still leave a fair profit. Of course he
proposed to cultivate Ills wheat In the spring, and
based his cakulaiion on the presumption that all
wheat will he cultivated. From fair trials he had
made, he was forced to conclude that on good land,
using irood fertilizer, the results will be as staled,
and the land left In good condition for grass for
years to come.
When wheat was well cultivated In France in
1S77, a large farm was visited by Prof. Geo. H.
Cook, of New Brunswick, N. J., who reported that
on a field containing 27.5 acres the average yield was
44 bushels, and on anotlicr field containing 75 acres
the average yield was 4(! bushels. He thought the
same thing could be done here.
Mr. Engle quoted the saying that figures won't
lie, and said if Mr. GrofTs basis is correct the con-
clusions arc correct. He thought the production was
rather high, but not too high. His expenses arc not
too high, and the speaker thought that .Mr. Graff's
calculations were fair.
Mr. Groff said that In his opinion the expense
would be rather high for one acre, but when a large
Held Is cultivated the figures would certainly be
.Mr. Kendig bud made a. calculation, and the
figures corresponded favorably with .Mr. GroH's.
Hecslimated the entire cost of preparing ten acres
at ?:U or ?:!.40 per acre. But in his township they
could not raise over 20 bushels to the acre, while Mr.
Groff raised 40 bushels.
Mr. Engle was of the opinion that this was an
important question, and deserved the attention of
farmers generally. He differed a little with Mr.
Groff when he says that his wheat stands belter in
consequence of culllvalloD ; It is because It Is sowed
farther apart.
.Mr. Hoover asked If any memlier had had any
experience with Chester County Mammoth Corn,
but no man answered.
Culture of Wheat.
Mr. Engle read his prize essay on the " Culture of
Wheat," as follows :
The cereal rceeiviiiK the title of "slafT of life." nhould
receive more tliuii ordinary attention. In our best virtfin
soils, when pro|«!rly prepared, it luw hillierto scarcely
ever failed to produce from a fair lo what is coiisidoren a
full crop, but after several years' croppiiiK failures have
been about as frequent as foil croi>s, which Wns generally
attributed to tlie ravoraWc or unfiivorable scuMiis. This
has very commonly eonsliluted the Htroii^ fort tjehina
which the majority of farmers have and are still shelter-
58
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[April,
ingl
failu
thesutcc^sa f II 1 I I ttl net me
fields prod ict. l 11 i p \ 1 Ic u the nioHt lt\orible
season-* there ar t t^\ i\ '^ s nie ladures P^om these facts
pro\e concluHi\e]\ that either the soil location or culti
nation 1 lilt i^Llher cau'^e this great difference si<leb\
If SI
>th<
t 'iliniulatt the t
of this kin I c*^
The object of
just ■\\ h \t to do m ordei
Linkmfe
1 J w h(
aping.
The causes of failure are numerous, but soils beinp: ex-
hausted of their wheat-producing elements (or at least a
portion of theml is one of the principsil causes of failures.
... , ... ., > i_ . .... object of
Tor
dble 1
methods are applied. Soi
the best and only fertilize!
^equently he is very partic
lich .
of I
;nig propertu
goes
and transported to distant (
lands, and none of its fertil
their way back to their nat
As an oflset to this great draft on their soil, nif
ers feed their corn into stock on their farms, wl
a great way towards keeping their lands in fertile condi-
tion. Such farms almost invariably produce good corn,
and also other crops, but their wheat crops frequently
yield a superfluity of straw, while the grain ie a short
crop and inferior.
CLOVEB Aa A RENOVATOK.
Clover ia no doubt one of the cheap«3t and best reno-
vators of soils, and for corn is always beneficial ; but
while, when plowed down for a wheat crop, it usually
produces good results in thin soils, in naturally strong
Boilfl it almost invariably produces an excess of straw
and likely to lodge, while the crop of grain is short and
inferior. Let it not be forgotten that clean, stiff straw
indicates plump, hea\-y Krain, and generally a full crop.
Therefore in order to obtain a full crop of good wheat
will also require stiff, heavy straw. It is therefore con-
clusive that in order to realize continuous good crops,
where the essential fertilizing elements have been car-
ried otr the farm, they must be obtained from other
sources. This brings up the question qf special fertili-
zers, to which the progressive farmer must not shut his
eyes; and 1 have only to say that he who will be a suc-
cessful wheat grower must keep his soil supplied with
all the elements necessary to produce perfection of both
straw and grain, and if his barnyard maiuire does not
contain all such they must be obtained from other
sources. I am pleased to learn that the prejudice against
special fertilizers is fast giving way. The chemical con-
dition of the soil being right, the physical or mechanical
must not be overlooked.
The best time to plow is still a mooted question, but
the strongest testimony is in favor of early plowing,
which allows the ground to settle while the surface is
being cultivated, and should be in good, friable condi-
tion for seeding.
Manuring is also often in dispute, whether to plow it
down or apply it to the surface, of which the latter
method is fast gaining advocates, and for immediate
•l^ect is decidedly preferable.
Good seed is another essential to success, and while
new kinds, or a change from other soils, often produce
good results, the surer methods would be to seWct some
of the largest and most perfect heads, and reject from
these all inferior grains, as we do with seed corn. By
following this every few years there need be no more
occasion to change seed wheat than seed corn. Farmers
may sometimes change to get another kind, but I have
yet to learn of a fMnncr to change corn simply to get it
from other soil. Were seed corn gathered promiscuously,
like seed wheat, exchange of seed would, no doubt, be
of some advantage, to keep it from running out, as the
saying is, of wheat.
The best time for seeding is also an open question, but
the most certain crops are produced in this section by
having the soil in proj.cr condition iii every respect, and
not to sow before the 15Lh ..r Mhh of September; by ad-
hering to this ruk it is more certain to escape the Hessian
lie prope
I- and do
i>ps tliat I have grown
u-ere sown with a drill
nches wide and eleven
of uniform depth,
■d will sprout and
should come up.
(and I have -<■, :, -■..,,, I ■■ :
withstutioiu.i.^ -L..- 1^ II
inches apart, h- i -
After cultivn :- ,.
predict that ii 'a ill Im ..,.,,.
diet that the cumins ui ill \
at least, so arranged a.s lu p!
which is the only method 1
QUANTITY OF SEED.
That there is a general Wiiste of seed, and often worse
than wasted, has been demonstrated over and over again,
and just as soon as farmers learn how to put their seed
in the best physical condition, and will apjjly proper fer-
tilizers in riKlit 'M'Mntilies, aii'I 1m- purlicnliir in selecting
proper tiiiii-, :iimI t;<-i MrilK iliai u ill --"W a uniform depth
and Willi wi'ier .iritis, ihhI will sy-imiaiically follow after
Mr. Linville's Essay.
The second essay on the " Culture of Wheat,"
^iitten b^ J. C. LiiivillCj was read by the Secretary.
It was as follows :
m\ e>e to see manure flung around here and there, a
forkful in a place. Of course if a very heavy coat is
=11 phed It does not require so nice spreading to make it
e cr the ground. If your soil is rich, it is better to
\ ]]y a light coat and make it reach farther. Four
Histi the acre, well spread, will benefit the crop as
ch as hve or six loads thrown around in forkfuls, as
0 t )o often done.
PLOWING.
Having your manure out. the next thing is to plow it
under. It makss little difiference whether it ie plowed
in as soon as spread, or let on the surface a month or
more. Much has been written by theorists about the
escape of ammonia. The fact is there ia, b£ a general
rule, but little free ammonia in barnvard manure when
hauled to tlie field, and if there was it would take flight
immediately when spread, even before it could be plowed
down. A good way to prevent the loss of ammonia
(carbonate of ammonia) is to have a quantity of land
plaster (sulphate of lime) on hand and appiv some of it
to the floors of your stables every lime you clean them
out. Tliis is said to "fix" the ammonia. That is, the
sulphuric acid leaves it^ hold of tlie lime and seizes the
ammonia, forming carbonate of ammonia which is non-
volatile. To prove that this is not mere theory, get some
pulverized plaster, and when you clean your horse stable
on a hot day, %,nd the air is so redolent of hartshorn that
you are almost strangled, sow a quart of plaster in each
stall, and in five minutes the pungent odor will have
gone. I once plowed a field covered with manure in the
early part of August, with the exception of about an
acre. This lay bleaching and roasting in the sun for a
month — a plentiful crop of weeds grew up through it,
and it was turned dow^l in the beginning of September,
and produced by far the best wheat in the field. It may
be truly said that one experiment does not prove any-
thing, but there can be no question but strawy manure
is benefited by exposure to the sun. At the same time
the soil is improved by the mulch.
As a general rule, early plowing is the l)est. but there
are so many exceptions to the rule that it cannot be in-
sisted on. When you are ready, and the ground is in a
proper state of moisture, go to work and plow and pay
no regard to the signs. Tlie first thing in the prejiara-
tion of the soil for wheat, or any other crop, is to have it
well plowed. If this is not thoroughly done, no amount
of after cultivation will remedy the evil. Bad and care-
less plowing is at the root of more slovenly farming than
anything else.
In order to break the ground thoroughly we must have
good plows. There are notanybelier adapted to our
soils and suited to our wants than are made near home.
I ha'
bill,'
mould will clean as well and last much longer than a
steel one.
In regard to the much-vexed question of deep or shal-
low i)lowing, I think the almost unanimous voice of prac-
tical farmers is in favor of shallow or medium plowing.
When I say shallow plowing I do not mean the skinning
process practiced in some parts of the South. The Com-
missioner of Agriculture of the State of Georgia reimrts
the average depth of plowing in that State to be one inch.
F'armers in the sunny South must trust to Providence
more than we. It has not yet been proven that a foot in
depth is better than six or eight inches, and as long as
the matter remains in doubt we will plow shallow or
medium and save our teams.
CULTIVATING THE SOIL.
Ha\ing come to grief two or three times by ciilti\-:fting
the ground too much when in a dusty condition I hiii'«lly
know what to say about its final preparation. I think
there is not much danger of cultivating too much when
The Th(
cede
If the;
hoe-harrow species to prepare the seed-bed. A field in
good order for sowing presents a firm bottt
surface to the depth of ' " '
Have the ground properlj-
of September and the 5th of
"Buckeye" are good nuieliii
to the depth of one and oir-|
en the 15
dr\' ; if tornado.
it; if midge, nor
Mr. Hoover called attention to one point in the
first essay as deserving particular attention, the
recommendation of wheat with strong straw lor
general culture, and spoke at length on" the subject.
The Hessian fly was next touched upon, and Dr.
Rathvon explained some of the habits of this pest,
upon which leveral members followed in discussing
the subject. In answer to the question whether two
broods of the fly could be raised in one season, he
answered negatively.
Food for Hogs.
Does it pay to chop feed for hogs? was answered
by Joseph F. Witmer, who told of some experiments
at the Michigan Agricultural College. These ex-
periments, together with his own experience, led
him to believe that it was decidedly profitable to do
so.
Novelty in Fruit Culture.
President Cooper presented a plan, prepared by a
learned Russian, Augustus F. Newnaber, of Chester
county, showing how to raise peaches and other fruits
without stones or seeds. Also how to raise fruit with
one side sweet and the other Bide sour.
On motion a vote of thanks was tendered to Mr.
Newnaber, and it was resolved to place the plan in
the library of the society.
A committee of six members, M. D. Kendig, Jos.
F. Witmer, Henry M. Engle, E.M. Eshleman, C. M.
Hostetter and Ephraim P. Hoover, was appointed to
make experiments in the matter.
Dr. Edge to Lecture.
Mr. Engle stated that he had written to Dr. Thomas
J. Edge, .Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture,
and that gentleman had promised, if possible, to be
present at the next meeting and deliver a lecture.
Adjourned.
POULTRY ASSOCIATION.
The Lancaster County Poultry Association held
their monthly meeting in City Hall on Monday
morning, April 7, 1879, and was called to order bv
President Tobias. The calling of the roll showed
the following members and visitors present : J. A.
Stober, Schoeneck ; Rev. D. C. Tobias, Litiz; Tobias
D. Martin, New Haven; W. J. Kafrnth, West Earl;
T. F. Evans, Litiz; G. A. Geyer, Spring Garden ; J.
B. Lichty, city; W. A. Schoenberger, city; F. R.
Diffcnderffer, city; J. M. Johnson, city; J. F. Reed,
city; Charles Lippold. city; Amos Ringwalt, city;
S. N. Warfel, Strasbur'g; Henry Wissler, Columbia ;
John Huber, Warwick ; Jacob A. Buch, Litiz.
The reading of all except the most important part
of the minutes of the previous meeting was dispensed
with.
Some discussion ensued as to who was to pay the
janitor for services rendered in cleaning the room.
It was argued by some of the members that this was
included in the rent paid to the Agricultural Society,
and on motion the matter was referred to a com-
mittee of three, who were instructed to present the
matter to the Agricultural Society. The committee
is as follows: Simon P. Eby, W. J. Kafroth and
Joseph F. Witmer.
Preserving the Proceedings.
President Tobias called Vice President Geyer to the
chair, and made some remarks on preset ving the
documents of the society. The Lancaster Farmek
is not patronized as it should be. He thought that
if arrangements could be made to have the proceed-
ings published in this journal, thus having them in
book form, it would be to the advantage of the
members and of The Faumer, which would obtain
a large number of additional subscribers.
Mr. Lichty had thought it would be agreeable to
all concerned to have the answers to questions writ-
ten out in full, and placed among the archives of the
society. He did not know of any particular benefit
to be derived from it.
Mr. Kafroth said that his plan for preserving the
proceedings was to clip them from the daily papers
and paste them in his scrap book.
New Members.
New members were proposed and elected as fol-
lows : William Beates, Spring Garden ; S. W.
Heinitsh, city; Dr. M. W. Hurst, West Earl.
Money in the Treasury.
Mr. Evans, the treasurer, stated, in answer to a
query, thiit he had received 836, paid out $9.20, leav-
ing J26.80 in the treasury.
How Long will Eggs Retain their Fertility.
Mr. Ringwalt answered the first question, which
was, "How long will eggs retain their fertility !" He
said it is hard to tell exactly how long they will re-
tain their fertility. lie had seen eggs three weeks
old yield a fair percentage, but raisers like to set
their hens as soon as possible. If kept in air-tight
vessels eggs will keep three weeks. He had read of
a case where eggs found in a ruin one hundred years
old had been hatched, but he was a little skeptical
on this point. He believed nature gives a hen 30 days
in which to lay 20 eggs, and :il days in which to
hatch them.
Mr. Stober asked Mr. Ringwalt if it was his opin-
ion that eggs would keep longer if deprived of air,
and Mr. Ringwalt answered in the affirmative.
Mr. Evans, last spring, sent to Ohio for a setting
of eggs. When received some of them showed by
dates on the shells that they were over four weeks
old. He got five chicks out of fourteen eggs, the
chicks coming from the freshest eggs.
President Tobias thought a good deal depended on
where the eggs are kept. Believed eggs are injured
more by the condition in which they are kept than by
length of time.
Mr. Geyer, last spring, sent a setting of fourteen
eggs West, which were divided. One lot of seven
was used immediately and five chickens were raised ;
the other lot was not used for three weeks and not;
one chicken broke the^hell.
]
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
59
Mr. Warfel has kept eggs five weeks and all were
hatched, and again had tried pullet's eggs, not get-
ting three pullets out of a dozen eggs.
Mr. Lichty explained tlie uses of an egg tester, by
which, within 4» hours after the hen commences to
set, it can be told whether tlie egg is fertile or not.
Mr. Long had heard of a setting of Buft' Cochin
eggs, which, after coming across the ocean, were put
under a hen. Eleven out nf the thirteen were hatched.
Packing Eggs.
"What is the proper mode of packing eggs?" had
been referred to Frank 15. Buch, but he was not
present.
Messrs. Ringwalt and Stober had received eggs
for hatching which were packed in small baskets
with hay placed in Ihcm, and were satisfied that this
was a good way to do it.
Mr. Geyer got two lots of duck eggs packed in
sawdust in boxes, and nearly all of the eggs were
hatched.
Mr. Warfel had received eggs fiom Canada packed
in sawdust, but got no chickens.
Mr. Long related his experience in importing eggs.
Sent to England for Bufl" Cochin eggs, which cost
him $17.25, but he got no chickens.
Mr. Tobias asked if eggs should be placed on end
or side.
Mr. Geyer's duck eggs had been packed with side
down ; Mr. Ringwalt thought it made no difference
how they w. re placed, and Mr. Warfel and other
members agreed that they should be placed small
end down.
Mr. Long thought they eliould be placed butt end
down if to be kept any time. If they are only sent a
short distance or kept a short time, it does not mat-
ter how they are jilaced.
Business for Next Meeting.
What is the best method of testing the fertility of
a newly laid egg? Referred to Tobias D. Martin.
How often should fresh blood be introduced into
poultry yard ? Referred to S. N. Warfel.
Members of the Society.
At the request of one of the members, Mr. Lichty
read the list of members who had paid their dues,
39 in number, and a list of those who had not paid
about 20 or •^5.
Pullets' Eggs.
Mr. Warfel asked if any member had succeeded in
obtaining chicks from the eggs laid by a pullet. He
had never succeeded in getting any.
ilr. DiffenderflTer stated that I'rom his first hatching
he had secured 9 chicks out of lo eggs, and from his
second hatching 10 chicks from 14 eggs.
Mr. Ringwalt had found that pullets' eggs hatched
much better if the pullet was with a two-year-old
rooster.
Adjourned.
WARWICK FARMERS' CLUB.
The Farmers' Club of Warwick township met at
Uriah Carpenter's residence, March 8, 1879. The
minutes of last meeting were read and approved.
It was proposed to make this organization a
permanent one, whereupon Uriah Carpenter was
elected President ; John (irossman, Vice President;
and S. M. Carpenter, Secretary, for a term of six
months.
It was moved and seconded that a committee of
three be appointed to draw up a constitution and
by-laws. The President appointed the following
persons as the committee : D. B. Becker (chairman),
J. B. Becker and J. K. Iluber.
It was also agreed upon that the next meeting of
this club be held at the same place on Saturday,
March 29.
As there were some here that had not been here
before, tire President again proceeded to an explana-
tion, namely, the object of the meeting ; the good
there can be derived therefrom ; ttiat there is no
secret about this meeting, therefore public to all.
It was moved and seconded that the first question
for discus.'ion be, " When is the best time to sow
oats, and how?"
The question was opened by John Grossman,
making a lengthy speech on liis own experience in
sowing oats.
This subject was spoken on by nearly all the mem-
bers, and I think they will agree not to sow until the
soil is in good pondition.
It was agreed upon that broadcast is the best
method for sowing.
Peter Wallason stated that the best way to sow
oats even is to walk in the middle of the land fur-
rowed for sowing, and throw to the right and left.
The soiling question, which was continued from
last meeting, was next taken up, " how to raise
double crops."
It was agr'-ed upon that the limited time of ten
minutes be extended to each speaker.
An essay was read by John Grossman, on the sub-
ject of "feeding stock."
J. B. Becker thought of feeding slock in the stable
during summer, instead of turning them into pasture.
He thought by turning them into pasture they will
eat an hour or so, and during the hottest part of the
day will, on account of the files, go from one shade
tree to another, and therefore spoil more pasture
than they will eat; but by feeding them in the stable
they will requir ■ Ichs food and besides save the
J. K. Iluber thought It is no benefit In stabling
slock ; he thought It takes less food If given to them
in their natural way by grazing, and the manure
will still remain In the "fields— that Is not to leave
them out all day — only an hour or so until done
grazing ; then lake them homo, thereby not spoiling
much pasture.
Israel Becker thought that cutting fodder Is of no
benefit, for there Is nothing left to accumulate the
manure heap.
Uriah Carpenter said that stabling stock Is profita-
ble, thereby savluir manure, fences and pasture. He
thought if having some person to care for the stock,
and doing some other work besides, would probably
earn one-half the salary paid to him.
It was moved and seconded that the questions,
"Is it beneficial to educate our sons and leave them
go from home or keep them on the farm 1" and
" How shall we make our farms pay ?" were ques-
tions adopted for discussion at the next meeting.
Adjourned. S. M. Cabpenter, Nec'y.
FULTON FARMERS' CLUB.
The March meeting of the club was held at the
residence of Wm. P. Haines. Members present : E.
H. Haines, F. Tollinger, J. R. Blackburn, LIndley
King, Grace A. King, W. P. Haines, C. S. Gatehell
and M. Brown; visitors by invitation, Timothy
Haines, Dr. C. H. Stubbs and Joseph P. Greist.
There being no agricultural nor horticultural speci-
mens to exhibit the club proceeded to asking and
answering questions.
Montillion Brown : Do any of the members Intend
to mannfacture their own phosphate this spring?
Several members stated that the benefit they derived
from this article was so small that they were of the
opinion that it was not profitable. Several receipts
were spoken of, some of which cost as low as $1G..'J0
per ton.
F. Tollinger ; When is the proper time to graft cherry
trees? All the members favored early grafting. He
was recommended to cut the scions in February, and
put in the stalks in the early part of March, although
some of the members had succeeded well as late as
May ; but at this time it is necessary to be careful
not to raise the bark of the scion.
E. H. Haines : What variety of cherries do the
members favor grafting ?
F. Tollinger favored the " Governor Wood," but
found the natural fruit more hardy and more prolific
bearers.
Dr. Stubbs: Docs any one present know of any
stimulant which, if applied to cherry trees, will
make them bear?
Some of the members had tried boring and plug-
ging sulphur in the holes. Club adjourned for dinner.
Afternoon Session.
After reviewing the building and part of the farm,
the club convened, when the minutes of the meeting
held here one year ago were read and criticism called
for. The members noted no change ; the stock
looked well cared for, and was consequently in good
condition.
Martha Brown noticed the excellent quality of the
corn prepared for dinner, and asked how it was
cured. She was informed that it was from Baker's
canning factory, near Aberdeen, Hartford county,
Md.
Literary.
A selection was read by Mabel Haines entitled,
"The King's Gift;" one Ijy Alia Gregg, entitled,
" The Sea Nymph ;" selection by Mabel A . Haines,
entitled "The Farmer's Lot ;" one by .Mary A. King,
" Fifty Years Ago ;" recitation by Carrie Black-
burn, "The Teetotal Mill."
Some of the young ladies in attendance furnished
the club with some choice instrumental and vocal
music.
Discussion of Regular Question.
Have farmers, by experiments they have made,
arrived at any uniform conclusion from the actual
results in the subject experimented with ?
Mont. Brown thought the farmers had, to a cer-
tain degree, but there were subjects which had been
experimented on for the last fifty years, and they
were still unsettled. We have found that to grow
cheat we must sow cheat, and that it Is not a pecu-
liar growth of wheat, as was formerly supimsed ;
that potatoes of dllferent kinds, planted in the same
hills, would not mix, and that half-starved cattle
would not pay.
E. H. Haines ; We have never decided by experi-
ment whether the modern plan of drilling wheat Is
an improvement on the old style of broadcasting it,
and in the matter of raising potatoes one man recom-
mends the planting In sod, turning the sod over the
potato ; another to plant on corn stubble and manure
in tne row, some under and some on lop. Good
crops had been raised each way and \moT ones also.
In time of planting one will recommend early and
another late planting, and this Is attended with the
same results ; and In fieding oals straw to our milch
cows, some- recommend and others discourage ;
even the grain is condemned by some as food for
cows, but all were of the opinion that a liberal sup-
ply of nutritious food would hurt no animal. As to
the manure and quantity of lime as a fcrlllliicr, some
preferred spreading on so<l and turning it under;
others to spread on plowed ground, In quBnlilles
varying from fiflccn to fifty bushels |M;r acre. Many
of these questions he thought might l>e srltled by
actual experiment, but others were subject to the
condition of the ground, atniospherle changes, «lc.,
which, unless there was a uniformity In these p»r-
ticula.-s, would never be permanently settled.
Dr. Stubbs agreed with E. II. Haines lu the effect
of atmospheric changes on vegelation, and thought
agriculture would never be an exact science while
we are amenable to the weather. His exiwrlcucc
In potato culture was, that If well fertilized and
properly tended you were certain of a good crop ;
but he could see no reason why such questions as the
manner of settling milk, kinds of churns, breed of
cows and many other cjucstions relating to dairying
are not settled.
Election of Officers.
The term of the officers having expired, the club
elected the following for the ensuing year : President,
F. Tollinger; Secretary, .Montillion Brown; Treaaurer,
Joseph K. Blackburn; Librarian, Wm. P. Haines.
The club then adopted the following question for
discussion at the next meeting : Is the advance
made In labor-saving maehlniTy accompanied by a
diHincllnation to labor? To furnish literary exercises
for the next meeting, the President ap|>ointcd Sadie
Brown, Irene Tollinger, .Mary A. King and Edwin
Gregg on essays and selections, and -Nlabol Haines,
.Mabel A. llaities, Carrie Blackburn and C. 8.
Gatehell on recitat.ons. Club then adjourned to
meet at Wm. King's next month.
LINN/EAN SOCIETY.
The stated meeting of the society wa« held on
Saturday, March Jil, Mi'iK Presld-iit Kev. J. 8. Stahr
In the chair. After the preliminary oi>ening the
Donations to the Museum
were examined and found to consist of a fragment of
a Gneissic Rock, said lo have been struck from the
veritable fiat rock near Bloody Run, In the vicinity of
Richmond, Virginia, upon which the head of Captain
Smith was laid to have It spoiled by the Indian's
club, when the lovely Pocahontas came to bli
rescue. {'.) So says the sender, Mr. AuirustusBIschoflT,
of this county. He also sent with It a relic of the
LIbby Prison— a fragment of an onllnary brick ; also,
a portion of a geode, a hollow ninlule of Ha>tnatite, a
native oxide of iron, much in form of a thick bivalve
shell. .Mr. Gabriel Russel sent a piece of quartz,
containing sulphuret of nickel, found In Bart town-
ship. A fine Biiecimen of " Ruby Ulend," found in
a garden in Marietta, per Mr. John K. Filler. ThU
Is much like that found in New Jersey, and may
have been accidental in this latter locality. Samples
of sulphuret and carbonate of coiiper found In Vurk
county, Pa. These were contrasted with like ores
from Brazil, South America, • y way of comparison,
In the same box. Mr. John B. Kevinski also made
a special deposit of his case of thirty drawers, con-
taining numerous minerals, fossils and corals, and a
valuable acquisition to others already on deposit.
Missiles of various forms added to our former collec-
tion of war relics, from Antietam and Harper's
Ferry, from D. McN. Stauffer, and othem from the
latter locality, by Dr. S. S. Ratbvon. Siwcinicns in
alcohol, a domestic mouse, by J. W. Hubley. This
had an excessive fungoid or scrofulous growth on the
head, over the eye. It seems many mice about the
city are affected" with this strange disease, hardly
understood, and must be bad on the mice, as It is a
disgusting sight, but not the less curious, and should
be Inquired into. A siiecimon of a rare creature
sentto Mr. Rathvon from Manatee, Florida. This
was a desirable send, as it fills the link of our I'cili-
palpi, and comes near the figure of the Fhrynut reni-
fonnin, but may be a distinct species. Mr. StauflTer
took a drawing of it, and one copied from an English
work, a West India species, which dificrs in the ar-
rangement of the eyea. This paper has remarks
upon It by Mr. Stauffer, supplemented by Dr. Kath-
von, marked No. .514. The large bean i)Od sent to
TU AVw ICra from Florida, and left with Mr. Rath-
von, was submitted to J. Slaulfer for a name, being
of large size and the winged sutures so peculiar.
After close scrutiny with all the Legumlnosa- known
or deicribed as growing from Mexico lo the Northern
UnitedStales, not one would compare. A drawing
sent to Prof. Grey was at once recognized and named
as the Canaralia Obtunifolia from Malabar, not In-
digenous to the United States. A fine drawing of the
bean and iwd, with remarks upon the subject by .Mr.
StauHer— pajicr No. 51.'>— was deposlte*! with the
now shrunken, dried |xh1 and red beans of the same.
Mr. Charles A. llelnitsh also presented specimens of
a new remedy for pulmonary diseases, from Santa
Anna, North California, called " Verba Santa," offl-
cinally KrijodicliOH glulinomm, per C. A. Moschar.
The leaves a lanceolate serrate, thick and glutinous
when green ; gumlike incrustation when dry.
60
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ April,
Historical Section.
Four envelopes, containing over fifty clippings of
sundry historical and biographical reminiscences,
per S. S. Rathvon.
Library.
Twenty-five volumes of the Geological Survey of
Pennsylvania, with a letter from Dr. Wiclcersliam ;
a treatise on insects injurious to potatoes, by Prof.
Riley, donated by Prof. S. S. Rathvon; bulletin of
new fishes, by Messrs. Good and Bean, Smithsonian
Institution; donation from the publisher, G. P. Put-
nam's Sons; the biography of Lieutenant-Colonel C.
Anderson, a soldier and pioneer of the Revolution,
which contains much of historical value ; part III.
for October, November and December, 1878, proceed-
ings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Pliiladel-
phia ; from the Department of the Interior, about
the "Turtle Back" Indians of the District of Colum-
bia, by W. J. Hoffman, M.D.; on the Crinoids, by
Fred. Brau, Cincinnati, Ohio; Southeran's Price
Current of Literature ; proceedings of the Kentucky
Hislorieal Society ; sundry book circular* ; The
Lancaster Fakmer for March.
Paper Read.
No. 516. Dr. Rathvon read a paper on the Pedipal-
pian Arxchjiids, showing the gradation between
spiders and scorpions.
New Business.
The necessity of book shelves was discussed, for
the third floor room. On motion, the treasurer was
authorized to have the shelves made, and the Jonr-
nal of the Acadetny of Natural Sciences and The
Lancaster Farmer liound.
Scientific Gossip.
On a letter read by Rev. J. S. Stahr, from Prof.
Porter, about a species of Equicetum found on an
island near Safe Harbor, supposed to be a new species
for the county. About the diseased mouse. Dr.
Davis, without a close inspection, said he would not
express an opinion as to the e.tcrescence, but would
like to have time for a closer inspection of a ease
before put into alcohol. After a pleasant and profit-
able meeting the society adjourned until Saturday,
April 26, lh79.
Entomological.
The Imported Currant Worm.
(Ne-inattts Vt^itricostta,)
It is less than twenty years since this exceedingly
injurious enemy of the gooseberry and currant was
first introduced into the United States. It seems to
have been first introduced from Europe with some
gooseberry bushes imported by Messrs. EUwanger &
Barry, of Rochester, N. Y. From there it spread in
various directions at the rate of about twenty-five
miles a year, till a large part of the Northern and
Eastern States is completely overrun with it. It is
probably also that this same insect has been intro-
duced by importation to other points, from which it
has spread as from the place named above. Wherever
it has been introduced, whether from abroad or from
some other part of this country, it has Bpr9j,d with
great rapidity, and wherever it has gone it has laid
the currant and gooseberry bushes under contribu-
tion to such extent as to almost entirely prevent the
further production of these fruits. It often keeps the
bushes so completely stripped that in two or three
years they are killed. This insect belongs to the saw
fly group, and is of the order of clear-winged flies.
The most of these are strong vegetable feeders dur-
ing the larval period of their existence.
This group of insects usually have, during their
larval state, eighteen, twenty, or twenty-two legs,
which is a greater number than the larvae of moths
are supplied with ; they generally number about six-
teen. The eggs from which the insect under consid-
eration is hatched, are laid along the principal veins
on the underside of the leaves of both currants and
gooseberries. In a few days there hatch out from
these eggs small, twenty-legged larvas. They are of
a green color, with a black head and numerous black
spots on the body ; but after the last moult all the
black disappears e.xcept the large, eye-like spots on
each side of the head. After tliis moult the entire
body is of a green color, except that the first and
last two joints are of a yellow color. There is quite
a difference in the appearance of the sexes of this fly
in its perfect state. The general color of the body of
the female is a light honey yellow, and that of the
male is black. The female is considerably longer
than the male. The difference between the sexes is
so great that they have been described by able ento-
mologists as two different species. When about three-
fourths of an inch long the larvse attain their full
growth and leave off eating ; they then go into the
ground, generally under the bushes on which they
have fed, or iu some cases they simply hide under the
leaves that lie on the ground. They here spin asilken
cocoon in which tliey go into the pupa state. In some
cases they are said to spin their cocoons on the open
bushes. The eggs are laid for the first brood during
the fore part of .May. These go through all their
transformations and come out as perfect flies about
the first of July ; sometimes a little earlier and some-
times later. These immediately proceed to pair and
lay eggs for another brood, which, on account of
their great numbers, are even more injurious to the
bushes than the first brood was.
The insects of this last brood remain in the pupa
state till the following spring, when they come out
perfect flies ready to continue the propagation of the
species. Fruit grown on bushes infested with these
caterpillars has been reported poison, but such is not
the case ; on account of the loss of foliage the bushes
do not mature the fruit properly, and it is therefore
not a very wholesome article of food. This insect
has proved a great scourge to small-fruit raisers
wherever it has been introduced. They multiply so
rapidly that in but a few years after introduction
they will completely strip the foliage from the largest
plantation.
When the brood is first hatched the young larvie
remain together on the under side of the leaf,
through which they eat numerous small holes. Their
presence may be readily detected by these holes, and
the leaves should be gathered and burned. By watch-
fulness and care at the proper season they may be
kept in check by this method. But when they have
become larger and scattered over the bushes, other
means must be employed for their extermination.
Probably the best remedy in this case is powdered
hellebore sprinkled on the hushes while wet with
dew. Paris green will probably prove quite as effi-
cient. Of course after the use of these active poisons
the fruit cannot be used with safety. I have found
fresh, unleached wood ashes a successful remedy.
Strong soapsuds are also good to expel them from
the bushes. So destructive are these insects that, if
allowed to multiply unchecked, a few years will be
sufficient to drive the currant and gooseberry from
the country. Every person who has a bush of either
of these fruits should unite in an early, persistent
and determined war of extermination of these very
injurious enemies of these useful garden fruits. Such
a course well followed would soon result in such a
reduction of their numbers that their ravages would
no longer be seriously injurious.— i. J. Templin, in
Practical Farmer.
The Tobacco \Worm.
This insect {Mocrosila Carolina) ,a.s is well-known,
belongs to the class of hawk moths, (spfiiuf/idfe) ,
large, beautiful moths, that are frequently seen hover-
ing like humming birds over the blossoms of the
petunia and other sweet-flowering plants just at sun-
down or iu the deepening twilight. They scarcely
ever alight, but flit gayly from flower to flower, very
shy and difficult to approach, flying only at night,
and hiding usually during the day. After pairing,
the female lays her eggs on the leaves of the tobacco
plant iu the species under consideration. Another
species feeds on the tomato, and is more generally
familiar to us than the tobacco worm. Anotlicr
species feeds on the leaves of the potato, and is also
quite common. The habits of all the species arc
familiar, and most people have seen the great, savage-
looking worm ; a few have admired the perfect moth,
and still less know the pupae in its mahogany-colored
case, with the long proboscis of the perfect insect in-
closed in its case and folded over like the handle of a
pitcher. Farmers and gardeners are familiar with
these pupie,but few know them to be the destructive
tobacco or tomato worm.
There are but few birds that will eat or even touch
the tobacco worm, and turkeys are the only domesti-
cated fowl that will eat them to any great extent.
The principal remedy to prevent their ravages is
hand-picking — takingthe worms from the leaves and
crushing them. A flock of turkeys will materially
assist at this business. But a correspondent to the
Clarksville Tobatco Leaf, recommends poisoning the
parent moths, with a solution of "cobalt" (oxide of
arsenic and cobalt). The sphinx moth usually gets
its food from flowers like the petunia, "jimpson
weed," (datura stramonium,) and the latter grows
freely in localities favorable to the cultivation of
tobacco.
The writer mentioned says that the "cobalt is most
conveniently used by melting an ounce in a pint of
water and adding half a pint of liquid honey. The
bottle containing this should be kept out of the reach
of children, as a number of cases of poisoning have
occurred owing to negligence in this particular. An
ounce phial, with a cork stopper, into which is in-
serted a small quill, is suitable for putting the poison-
ous solution in the stramonium flowers. The best
time fordoing this is every evening about sunset. Two
or three drops are sufficient for one blossom. Stramo-
nium has a tubular blossom, which opens about an
hour before sunset and remains open until after sun
rise the next day, when it closes, withers and dies.
Every evening there is an entirely new blossom. It
is a mistaken notion that the cobalt kills the blossom.
The moth sucks the poison by means of its long pro-
boscis, and is killed. The time required to produce
death depends upon the amount taken. I have often
seen them killed by the poison in fifteen minutes.
" One or two dozen stramonium plants should be
set in a rich, moist spot on the tobacco ground early
in the season — say May or June. All others on the
farm should be cut down, for the moths prefer to
feed from the unmedicated blossoms. In order toj
work the destruction on the moths effectually, the!
planters throughout every neighborhood should use!
the cobalt as directed. Planters should not rely tool
exclusively upon this preventing them from finding
worms on their tobacco. The moths often do not getl
enough of the poison to produce death the first doseT
and are apt to shun it afterwards, unless it be dii
guised by using another sweet instead of the honey.'-
The Utility of Entomology.
The science of entomology is daily gaining impor-
tance in a practical sense. The term " bug catcher,"
as opprobriously applied to its professors, carries
with it, to intelligent minds, a far higher considera-
tion than that of millionaire. When Henry Edwards
—one of the most celebrated modern entomologists —
sought to dispose of his admirable collection, worth
over $25,000, for 812,000, he was snubbed by the
ignorant and unreflecting who wondered what use
could be made of a vast array of dead bugs. But
within a few days new aud hitherto unclassified in-
sects of that sort have greatly aroused the fears of
that bigger, self-conceited bug, called man. The
Connecticut farmers complain that their corn is
being devoured in great quantities by a bug not be-
fore known. It is described as a " good-sized, six-
legged, evil-looking bug, rather larger and much
fiatter than the potato bug ; in color brown, having
a wide body and a very small head, provided with a
pair of small feelers." From Santa Monica comes
the report of a marine worm that has destroyed, or
greatly injured, the wharves at that place. It is
described as being very destructive, and rather more
rapid in its operations than the ordinary teredo
navalis. The services of a first-class entomologist
would probably point out some way for preventing
the depredations of these fearful pests.
Remedies Against Worms and Insects.
A correspondent says : The insect question is a
very important one ; they will destroy us if we don't
destroy them. The following modes I use as occa-
sion demands, aud never fail : Melon and cucumber
bugs like radish leaves better than any other kind.
I sow a few radish seeds in each and never lose a
plant. Earth-worms, cut-worms, white grubs and,
in fact, all soft-bodied worms, are easily driven out
by salt sown broadcast. You can do no harm with
ten bushels to the acre, but a half bushel is ample.
Dry slacked lime is also effectual. Potato bugs find
their "anti" in Paris green, one tablespoonful ;
flour, ten spoonfuls ; water, one bucket ; mix and
keep mixed as the Paris green settles ; apply with a
watering-pot. For cabbage-worms apply dry salt
if the plants are wet, or strong brine if they are dry.
Turnip-flies are destroyed by fine slaked lime dusted
over the field. But the whole tribe of depredators
are woiiderluily kept down by making friends with
the birds. They are the natural enemies of all
insects, worms, grubs, &c. In fighting vermin we
must not try to oppose nature, but to rather follow
her plants, and assist her if she fails. — Western
Farmer.
Agriculture.
Harrowing Wheat in Spring.
The Country Qentlemau publishes an article on
the above subject from Mr. Franklin. Sherman, of
Ash Grove farm, Fairfax coimty, Va., which is of
particular interest. Mr. Sherman, says: "P. Y.
wanted to know if wheat or rye would be benefitted
by harrowing in the spring, if it was sowed broad-
cast and covered either with the harrow or shovel
plow 3 If I have not heretofore occupied too much
of your space on this subject, will you allow me to
say to him that it will not huit either the wheat or
the rye, however sowed or however covered. Only
two precautions I have found desirable to observe:
Do not harrow when wet ; and harrow before the
stalk is formed.
" I have no hesitation in offering P. Y. this advice,
as I have done the same thing myself, and with only
good results. After experimenting sufficiently to
satisfy myself on this point, I (two years ago) har-
rowed a field of wheat aud rye which had been
sowed broadcast and covered partly with the har-
row and partly with shovel plows. The result was
most satisfactory.
" One other item is of importance — harrow
thoroughly, lap sufficiently to break and pulverize
the whole surface. Advice given by the editors of a
paper like this should, above all other things, be
safe ; and iu this case as in others, that given P. Y.
is eminently so ; when you say provided such a har-
row is used as will not injure the plants. Will you
allow me to say to him, and to all others thinking of
harrowing their fall grain this spring, it is not neces-
sary to get a 'smoothing' or sloping-tooth harrow to
do this work.
" A proper harrow for the purpose is a sharp, up-
right, square-toothed one, of medium weight, with
teeth three-quarters of an inch of one-inch iron, and
projecting six to eiglit inches below the frame. If
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
61
found too liglit for thorough work It can be weighted
enough to do It. I mention this kind first because it
is the one I have used, iind which hue served me
well ; second, the slo|)ing-toothcd harrows.' These
have been so widely rccomnieaded and advertised
for this special purpose as to need no words from
me. I have, however, seen grain llelds so crusted In
the spring that an ordinary snioothiug-harrow would
not thoroughly break up the surface, and it is just
ftt this time that a thorough harrowing is most
beneficial.
" The fact I would like to impress is, that har-
rowing need not be omitted for lack of a certain kind
of harrow. Nine times in ten the same harrow used
to prepare the ground for sowing the grain will be
equally useful in cultivating the grain In the spring.
The proper time for this work is approaching, and
If every farmer could be Induced to harrow the land
across his wheat field and note the result carefully,
I think the practice would become universal In two
years."
How to Grow Broom Corn.
Broom corn should be planted in the spring, about
the same time as Indian corn, ou good ground that
has been thoroughly pulverized with the barrow.
Mark out your rows three and one-half or four feet
apart. Sprinkle the seed as evenly as you can by the
hand ; or what is better, use a common garden drill.
This will sow It just thick enough. Cover by passing
over a light one-horse harrow, going twice on the
row if the ground is hard or cloddy. After it is up
about two inchts harrow with a two-horse harrow,
going twice to the row. Don't be afraid of tearing
It up, as the great fault with most people Is In plant-
ing too thick. This kills the weeds and gives the
corn a start. Alter this it requires the same cultiva-
tion as other corn. When it begins to shoot out in
head go over and bend down all that is fairly out, to
keep from getting' crooked. This operation will have
to be performed several times. When the seed is
nearly ripe begin to cut. First cut the brush I'rom
two rows : cut just above the last joint ; take off the
leaf, then cut the stalks from two rows ; lay them
crosswise, so as to make a bed that will keep off the
ground ; lay your brush on this bed, which will hold
the brush from eight or ten rows ; let it lie in the sun
two or three days, then tie it up in bundles and stuck
in round stacks, putting I en or twelve In a stack ;
cover this stack with stalks, tent fashion, mak-
ing It tight at the top, but so the air can pass through
the bottom. In this manner it should remain two
or three weeks, until thoroughly dry; then you
may haul to the barn and take off the seed, this
operation is best and quickest done by using a
common threshing machine. Take off the lop and
have a boy to hand you the brush, taking as much
as you can hold in one hand at once. One man and
a boy can clean several hundred pounds a day in this
way. There are several varieties of broom corn, but
the evergreen is much the best, as it yields more
both In seed and brush than any other, and is worth
twice as much in the market. From two to four
quarts of good seed will plant one acre, yielding on
good ground seven or eight hundred pounds of
brush and forty bushels of seed, which Is nearly
equal to corn for feeding purposes. Flat, loamy or
river-bottom land. Is the best for broom corn ; but
any good corn land will do, giving the preference to
corn stubble or clover sod.
Salt;
Fertilizer.
For sometime much attention has been paid to the
subject of R)wing salt on grain. The effect of salt Is
to stiffen the straw and prevent the wheat from lodg-
ing. It sometimes has the additional effect of pro
ducing a clear light-colored grain. Some farmers
BOW as much as a barrel per acre ; one or two bushels
will generally be sufflclent. Au English experiment
made on the farm of the Koyal Agricultural Society
of England Is as follows : An acre of wheat dressed
with three hundred pounds of common salt yielded
thirty-nine bushels of grain, with a proportionate
amount of straw ; while an adjoining acre left un-
manured, produced only twenly-aine bushels per
acre, with the straw imperfectly developed. The
entire cost of the crop is not stated, but this experi-
ment shows that the additional ten bushels resulting
from the salt were produced at a cost of thirty cents
each. In another case a piece of ground intended
for wheat was plowed the preceding fall, and again
In May, when it was sowed with salt and afterwai-d
plowed before seeding. On the Ist and 2nd of Sep-
tember wheat was sown at the rate of two bushels
to the acre. The crop when harvested yielded, ac-
cording to the estimate of the owner, Mr. John
Parks, not less than forty bushels of grain to the
acre, with a luxuriant growth of straw.
Rolling Grain in the Spring.
If farmers would look at the theory of rolling the
wheat and rye fields in the spring It would be resorted
to much more frequently than it is. Occasionally the
winter and spring have been so favorable to these
crops as not to render It. necessary. But In three
seasons out of four It.is necessary and doubtless adds
considerably to their productiveness. The thawings
and freezings of the ground, throwing or spewing
out the roots and exposing them to the drying winds
of February and March, very seriously affect the
grain. I'atsing a roller over as soon as the soil is fit
to go upon, presses back the roots into their beds,
and gives them ii fair grip again upon the support on
which tlie crop must depend. This must be apparent
to every one who will look at its operation. We have
no doubt that rolling clover fields, that have been
badly thrown up by the frost, would also have a
most beneficial effect. — (Irruuiittown Telegraph.
Use of Lime.
Prof. Caldwell reasons In this way In the New
York Tribuue:
" Hence the first and one of the most important
rules to be observed In the use of lime is that it
should be applied In these large doses only to soils
comparatively ricli in humus, or strong day soils
rich in finely divided silicate. It has been proved by
experiment that lime will convert plant food from
the insoluble to the soluble forms In either case.
Wc find the proverb current In France and Germany,
as well as in our own language, that ' Lime without
manure makes the father rlih but the children poor ;'
which means plainly enough that not only should
we start with good soil in using lime, but should
maintain its good condition by the liberal use of
manure ; and we find that whenever. In this country
or elsewhere, lime Is used Intelligently, manure is
used freely."
Corn Culture.
"The suckers," says H. M. Enele, "should,
under all circumstances, be taken off before they
appropriate too much substance which the main
stalks should receive, but under no circumstances
allow suckers to tassel, for, whatever pains may be
taken to bring or keep corn at its greatest perfection
by the selection of seed, the pollen from the sucker
niay undo what has been gained by years of careful
selection. I would as soon think of breeding from a
scrub male to a thoroughbred animal as to have the
pollen from suckers cast upon uu excellent variety of
corn. It is also known that the pollen from a
neighboring field is ofttlmes carried to an almost In-
credible distance, and consequently may cause more
mixture than is desirable."
Floriculture.
Flower Garden Hints.
So many people say that their flowers which once
did well do not thrive any more, and the reason is in-
comprehensible to them. In many cases the trouble
is from worn-out soil ; and If a little fresh earth be
added occasionally it is wonderful what an effect It
will have on the renewed growth of half worn out root
stocks. Some kinds of flowers especially soon grow
surly and bad-tempered unless they have a complete
change of earth once in awhile. The verbena is of
this character. In perfectly fresh soil, that Is earth
which has never grown a verbena before, it grows
like a weed; but the next year it Is not quite so well;
and in a few years it absolutely refuses to creep, run
or do anything, and we are forced to confess that the
verbena won't do for us as it used to years ago.
Other flowers are not quite so stubbornly fastidious
as the verbena ; but still all more or less like to feel
rejuvenated by an addition of some kind occasion-
ally to the earth-blessings they have already been
treated to.
Almost all our best hardy flowers are natives of
woods, or low, undisturbed lands, where the decaying
leaves from the trees oi the washings of higher sur-
face lands make a new annual entertainment for
them — and it has been found by experiment that
nothing is so good for these pretty little flowers as
well-decayed leaf-mold from the woods, spread round
the root-stocks just above the ground. But where
this cannot be had any other well-decayed vegetable
refuse, that may "be lying around loose," will do
very nearly as well. Strong, rich manure — barnyard
manure — has not been found very good for garden
flowers. It makes the herbage too strong, and the
flowers less in proportion. But If nothing more
natural can be got at to help the flowers along, and
the soil seems exhausted and poor, this will be found
much better than leaving the plants to struggle along
as best they can. — Germantoien Telegraph.
How to Preserve Cut Flowers.
The most natural as well as the most economical
mode of preserving cut flowers is to use any low,
shallow vessel, either of glass or china, of about the
size and dcptli of a soup plate. If this is filled with
nice, fresh wood-moss, made up in a slightly conical
or mould-like form, the flowers and foliage can be
arranged to great advantage and made to Uwk al-
most as natural as if growing in the positions in which
they are placed, instead of having that excessively
formal appearance they generally have when closely
packed in a vase. Not only do they look infinitely
better in this way, but they last fresh considerably
longer, owing to the much larger surface exposed
immediately under them, and from whence a stream
of vapor Is continually arising from the moss sur-
rounding their stems. Besides the nice, fresh ap-
pearance this has, It is of great use both for the
above-named purpose and for keeping the flowers In
any ix)sitlon they may be placed In, so that they may
be quickly and easily arranged. One reason why
many flowers are so Hhorl-livcd when cut Is, that .to
get them in quickly they arc sometimes subjected to
more heat and confinement than is good for them,
and when to this there is loss of light, as occurs at
this season, the petals must inevitably iKicomc thin
and flimsy, in which state a dry air at once affects
them unfavorably. This being the case, any plants
that arc being grown for the pur|x>«e of supplying
cut blooms shouhl he stood as near the ^lass as can
be done without touching, and in such positions that
they may have full benefit of all the sunshine avail-
able. So favored, there will be little dilllculty In
keeping them fresh lor a eonsUlerable length of time,
provided the situation they occupy in the room when
cut Is far removed from the flre, and not where they
are subjected to draughts, as they would be If placed
between the door and the grate, as there is always
air passing from the one to the other, caused by the
combustion of the fuel.
Sowing Garden Seeds.
As seed-sowing lime is approaching, it will be in
order to say that a very great portion of seeds an-
nually sown are lost through deep sowing. Of
course large seeds like beans and peas may be cov-
ered with an inch or more of earth, and yet Ije able
to work their way easily through the surface ; but
with smaller things the merest covering Is sutllclent
provided the earth Is pressed firmly over the seed.
Peas and beans, as the season advances, can be
planted deeper and deeper.
In flower seeds It is quite common to sow them on
the ground In a little patch, and then scatter a mere
dust of earth •ver, beating it a little with the back
of the trowel, and it Is found that the seed germi-
nates better than if put beneath the surface. There
Is not the tendency to rot. Again, we have known
some of the lighter kinds of garden vegetables to he-
scattered along the garden line, and merely trod in
with the feet, to grow so well that every seed seemed
to sprout. This, of course, implies that the ground
should be dry enough to powder under the feet, and
so it always should be when seeds are sown. To
sow deep, or when the earih is wet, are great mis-
takes.— OermaiUoicn Telegraph.
Horticulture.
Planting Grapevines.
One would suppose that so simple a thing as plant-
ing a grapevine would not need writin" about ; and
yet the number of people inquiring, " How shall we
plant?" Is so great that a few words to these in-
quirers may well be pardoned by those who think
they already know enough about the matter. The
rule is to plant the roots shallow. If they are long
when we have to transplant them, instead of planting
them deep we lay them along about four or five
inches beneath the surface. It is, of course, very
necessary to press the soil very hard and firm over
the roots ; that is if the earth is tolerably dry, though
in truth no vine should be planted except the earth
is in this good condition.
It Is very useful in planting a grapevine to cut It
chisely in. Unless the last year s growth be very
vigorous it may be almost all cut away ; and even
where the growth Is strong one-half may be cut
aw-ay. This is the way to get a good strong cane for
bearing next year, which is the most one ought to
expect a vine to do. " Immediate bearing" Is a de-
lusion and a snare. Many a person spends a dollar
or a half dollar extra on a vine which he is told by
the seller will "bear this year," when for that
amount of money he could buy treble the quantity of
grapes It will bear for him, even if it bears at all.
Still we like to plant good, strong, healthy grapes.
The little crow-quills, which comc^out as rare grapes
at high prices, seldom give much satisfaction. Indeed,
it Is more than likely that the Immense failures
which generally follow all these introductions are as
much owing to the way their propagation is forced
as to any inherent inability In the varieties to become
adapted to soils and climates.
Spring Planting for Strawberries.
There are many writers on strawberry culture,
who advocate planting in Ilie fall, arguing that an
entire season Is saved, and that a moderate crop can
be secured the following season from the new plants.
This may be true where but a few hundred arc set
out for home consumption, and where the number
of plants or extent of the plantation admits of the
best of care. For a large market plantation of
strawberries, It does not pay, as a rule, to plant
them when they demand so much care and atten-
tion, for the profits are thereby seriously lessened.
Aside from this, several years' experience has proved
to us that It Is a very poor economy to fruit the
62
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[April.
plants the first season, and that the plants grow
beti er and pay larger profits the two or three suc-
ceeding seasons when the fruit is all removed during
the first season's growth. This is based on sound
principles, for all plants, when removed from the
original bed to new plats, necessarily receive more or
less of a check, and they will more readily overcome
this when they do not have their energies diffused by
attempting to perfect the fruit which was started in
the beds in which they were grown.
By planting in the spring you destroy many weeds
by thoroughly preparing the soil then, while the
plants have the great advantage of getting a full
season's growth in loose, mellow soil, which is not
the case with fall planting, for the winter packs
down and hardens the soil.
An Experiment in Planting.
Last spring one of my neighbors concluded to try
an experiment in planting corn and potatoes, which
he conducted as follows : He prepared the ground in
the usual manner and marked rows each way, rather
closer than usual (about three feet each way).
Then commencing on one side of the piece of ground
(an acre or two), he planted two rows of Early Rose
potatoes, then two rows of corn, etc., alternating
between corn and potatoes.
There are several advantages in this plan. The
potatoes complete their growth and may be dug
before the corn occupies the ground to any extent.
Also, the corn has the full benefit of the sun and
plenty of room, while the slight shade which the
potatoes receive from the corn when they are nearly
ripe, is rather beneficial than injurious.
The potatoes were cultivated and hoed the same as
the corn and were not hilled. They produced an
excellent crop, much more than the same number of
hills planted in the usual manner, while the corn
yielded eighty bushels of ears to each acre of
ground ; but as only one-half the space should be
charged to the corn, it really produced one hundred
and sixty bushels to each acre occupied. Thus,
from each acre of ground he obtained'eighty bushels
of corn of the very best quality, and a good crop of
potatoes, the exact amount of which I was unable to
learn.— W. W. Farnsworth, in Practical Farmer.
Uncovering Protected Plants.
Many things wliich are supposed to be benefited by
being protected during the winter suffer by being
left too long protected at this season of the year. It
is more than likely that many more things are lost
by this extension of time to a protected article than
ever are lost by utter neglect of protection. Many
things are always covered which really need none,
and these are often lost by the length of time the
covering remains on them. Strawberry beds are
often covered with a deep mass of decaying matter
when they would have been just as well off" under
the naked atmosphere.
So long as the weather remains cold there is no
injury from this litter, as it is termed ; but with a
few warm days the rotten mass begins to ferment,
1 decay is communicated to the healthy and
and 1
living vegetation. People think that articles once
covered are very tender, and that the slightest cold
will injure them ; but if a thing is tolerably hardy
much more danger will accrue from warm damp
than from dry cold.
Those things which, like raspberries, have been
buried beneath the earth, will not suH'er so much as
those covered by decaying vegetable material ; but
yet these sliould not be taken out of the ground be-
fore the first of April, unless the sprouting should
be going on for sometime.
Mulching.
This subject enlisted consideration at the late
Fruit-Growers' meeting. There appeared to be no
division of sentiment as to advisability, though we
know that all persons do not favor it. For ourselves
we have resorted to it as long as we have a garden,
and are sure that there is great benefit in it. Putting
grass, manure, weeds, sawdust, or pliable rubbish of
almost any kind around a newly-planted tree, secures
a prolonged moisture and more uniformity of tem-
perature. But this mulching should be removed
every three or four weeks and the soil underneath
well-stirred and fresh mulching applied. This way
it is of decided benefit and will save the life, or at
least secure the health of many a tree. Mulching
also protects the growth of tomatoes, egg-plants,
beans, etc. With regard to peas it should be applied
thickly, as it will tend to cool the ground, and the
higher the flavor of this delicious vegetable will be.
Some of the members at the meeting said they had
mulched acres and found it " to pay." One strongly
recommended seaweed for mulching, but as every
fruit-grower couldn't have a sea near him, this sug-
gestion will not probably be adopted by agreatmany.
Gooseberries and Currants.
There is no reason why both these very useful fruits
should not be found abundantly in every garden.
They are no trouble to raise. They grow readily
from cuttings. Take the wood of last year from six
to ten inches in length, prepare the bed or place
where they are to stand permanently, force them into
the ground not less than four inches, press the ground
firmly around them, mulch them and let them alone.
If a buxh is desired let the buds on the cutting re-
main ; but if a tree or a single stem is preferred,
remove all the buds that would go beneath the sur-
face. Let them stand about three feet in the row,
and if there is more than one row let the rows he
four feet apart.
In the spring the dead wood of both the goose-
berries and currants should be cut out, and the new
growth should be thinned where there are too many,
as it will interfere with the product. The best red
currant is the Dutch ; and the best gooseberries are
Doxvning's Prolific and Houghton's Seedling.— (?er-
mantowH Telegraph.
Sprouting Potatoes.
Sprouting the white potato will advance the crop
two weeks. They should be cut so that about two
eyes are allowed to each piece, and these should be
planted in hot-beds with very thin covering of toil ;
or it is better to plant in boxes and set these in a
hot-bed, so that after they are properly sprouted
they can be at once carried to the place of planting.
If the nights should be anyway cold, protect with a
thin covering of straw when the plants make their
appearance above the ground. Some persons who
want a large quantity sprouted, cut the potatoes as
desired, and spread them on boards, boxes or crates,
in a dark place, and when sprouted, say from an inch
to an inch and a half, expose them to the light,
moistening two or three times a week with tepid
water. They should be planted out so that there is
not more than two inches of soil over the top of the
sprouts. — Germaritown Telegraph.
Domestic Economy.
Some Items About Sugar.
On an average, every man, woman and child in
the United States consumes each year about 30
pounds of cane sugar, and nearly 2 gallons of mo-
lasses, Ijesides maple sugar, honey and other
sweets .... 19 ths. of pure cane sugar is actually
made up of, and can be changed into, 8 lbs. of char-
coal and 11 lbs. of water ! Pure white starch is made
up of 8 lbs. of charcoal (carbon) and 10 lbs. of
water. Any boy can demonstrate this roughly by
putting a small quantity of sugar on a piece of thin
iron over a hot lamp or coals, and hold over it a
glass jar bottom up. The sugar will change to pure
charcoal, while the water will rise up and condense
on the inside of the jar, if it be kept cool, and he will
get nothing from the sugar but coal and water. The
chemist can easily take the 19 lbs. of sugar and
change it into 8 lbs. of charcoal and 11 lbs. of pure
water, though he has not yet learned how to put the
coal and the elements of the water together to pro-
duce the sugar. That requires the action of the
living plant .... Our sugar comes mainly from the
sugar cane grown in the Southern States (most from
Louisiana), and from the West India Islands. The
canes are somewhat like corn-stalks, but larger,
taller, with narrower leaves. The sap or juice of
the cane is pressed out between iron rollers, then
boiled down to syrup, which crystallizes Into sugar
grains in large vats .... Most of the sugar used in
Europe is from the juice of the sugar-beet. It is
similar to our cane sugar .... The raw sugar is re-
fined chiefly in Northern cities, by dissolving it,
straining it through cloth, and through burned
bones, after which it is boiled down until thick
enough to crystallize in grains. — Amcr. Agriculturist.
Necessity of Sunlight.
Instead of excluding the sunlight from our houses,
says the Manufacturer and Builder, lest it fade car-
pets, draw flies and bring freckles, we should open
every door and window and bid it enter. It brings
life and health and joy ; there is healing in its beams ;
it drives away disease and dampness, mold, mer-
grims. Instead of doing this, however, many care-
ful housewives close the blinds, draw down the
shades, lock the door, shut out the glorifying rays
and rejoice in the dim and musty coolness and twi-
light of their apartments. It is pleasant and not
unwholesome during the glare of the noontide to
subdue the light and exclude the air quivering with
heat, but in the morning and in the evening we may
freely indulge in the sun bath and let it flood all our
rooms, and if at its very fiercest and brightest it has
full entrance to our sleeping rooms, so much the
better for us. Wire netting in doors and windows
exclude not flies and mosquitos only, but all other
insects, and those who have once used it will con-
tinue to do so. With this as a protection from in-
trusive winged creatures, one may almost dispense
with shades and shutters and enjoy all the benefits
of an open house without any annoyances so frequent
in warm weather. But better the annoyances with
sunshine than freedom without it. Statistics of
epidemics have shown that if they rage in any part
of a city they will prevail in houses which are ex-
posed to the least sunshine, while those most exposed
to it will not be at all or slightly aft'ected. Even in
the same house persons occupying rooms exposed to
sunlight will be healthier than those occupying
rooms where no sunlight enters.
The Hours for Children.
" An excess of two or three hours' study a day for
all children under twelve years of age is absolute
cruelty." This was the view taken by Dr. A. C.
Rembaugh, in an address on Thursday evening be-
fore the Social Science Association. "Two or three
hours' mental work daily throughout the year would
be far better than the present system. It would
reach down into all classes, especially those for
whom the public schools were particularly intended —
the unschooled twenty thousand of our city, and the
sixty per cent, of our children who graduate from
our primaries and secondaries. Poor parents cannot
afford to give the whole time of their children to the
schools, and it is better for the child's morals and
future usefulness that they cannot. Some kind of
handicraft should be begun in the primary school,
and should follow pupils all the way through, as it
would greatly benefit both their moral and physical
culture, and make them more useful and healthful.
The time under twelve years should be divided thus,
to insure future health and usefulness ; Twelve hours
in bed, three at mental, three at manual work and
six in open air exci-cise of some kind or other, culti-
vating the soil the most healthful and invigorating.
Crowding into cities, of all, and especially the poor,
should be discouraged. Each family should have its
own plot of ground for the exercise and work of the
children." — Philadelphia Record.
How to Use Coal.
Replenish a coal fire as soon as the coals begin to
show ashes on the surface ; then put merely enough
to show a layer of black coal covering the red. This
will soon kindle, and as there is not much of it, an
excess of heat will be given out. Many persons al-
most put out the fire by stirring the grate as soon
as fresh coal is put on, thus leaving all the heat
in the ashes when it should be sent to the new sup-
ply of coal. The time to stir the fire is when the new
coal laid on is pretty well kindled. This method
saves fuel, gives a more Buiform heat, and prevents
the discomfort of alternations of heat and cold.
Never put the hands into butter. There is no ex-
cuse for so doing, and every sense of cleanliness for-
bids it. Even if the hands are clean, still as the
butter absorbs any and every impurity with which it
comes in contact, excessive perspiration of the hands,
or any humor of the blood might thus be imparted
to the butter. A wooden ladle should be used to lift
the butter from the churn, or turn it over while being
washed.
Household Recipes.
Sick He-4Dache. — This distressing complaint can
generally be relieved by soaking the feet in very
warm water, in which a spoonful of powdered mus-
tard has been stirred. Soak as long as possible, or
till the water gets cool ; it draws the blood from the
head.
FL.4NNEL Cakes. — One quart of flour, two eggs,
one and one half pints of boiled milk (used cold),
two teaspoonsful of salt, three tablespoonsful of
yeast (added after the other ingredients have been
mixed). Beat light and set to rise till morning;
bake on a griddle.
Cup Fruit Cake. — One cup of butter, two cups
raisins seeded and chopped fine, four cups fiour, two
cups brown sugar, one cup sour cream, three eggs
well beaten, one teaspoouful of soda, one of cloves,
four of cinnamon. Bake slowly and serve hot or
cold with sauce.
Cookies for the Children. — One cup of sugar,
one cup sour cream, two eggs, one teaspoon soda,
Graham flour or fine middlings sufficient to roll out.
If any spice is wanted ginger is best — one teaspoon-
ful. If cream is not to be had, one cup of butter
and one of sour milk.
Queen Biscuits. — Rub four ounces of butter into
eight ounces of flour and six ounces of lump sugar,
the yelks of two eggs, the white of one and a table-
spoonful of brandy ; roll the paste thin and cut with
a tin cutter ; egg over top of each with remaining
white, and sift on white sugar; bake in a warm oven.
Boston Meat Pie. — Take cold roast beef, or
deed roast meat of any kind, slice it thin, cut rather
small, and lay it with gravy, sufficiently salted and
peppered, in a meat pie dish. Over the meat pour a
couple of sliced tomatoes and a thick layer of mashed
potatoes. Bake slowly, and you have a fine meat pie.
Cranberry Rolls.— Stew one quart of cranber-
ries in sufficient water to keep them from browning.
Make very sweet, strain and cool. Make a nice paste,
and, when the cranberries are cool, spread them on '
the paste an inch thick. Roll it, tie close in a flannel \
cloth, boil two hours, and serve with sweet sauce.
1879.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
63
Burns and Scalds.— Thu very beet tiling to lie
doue when anyone has received a burn or scald, Is to
lay on the part that is injured a thick coating of cot-
ton, wool or wadding, so as to completely exclude
the air. IT the above wool happens not to be at
hand, scraped potato or turnip will ease the pain.
Remedy for Hoarseness.— Horseradish will
afford instantaneous relief in most obstinate cases of
hoarseness. The root, of course, possesses the most
virtue, though the leaves are good till they dry, when
they lose their strength. The root is beat when it is
green. The person who will use it freely just before
beginning to speak will not be troubled with hoarse-
ness.
Eoos IN Case of Trouble.— The white of an egg
Is said to be specific for flsh bones sticking in the
throat. It is to be swallowed raw, and will carry
down a bone easily and certainly. There Is another
fact touching eggs which it will be well to remem-
ber. When, as~ sometimes occurs by accident, «or-
rosive sublimate is swallowed, the white of one or
two eggs taken will neutralize the poison and change
the cflect to that of a dose of calomel.
Potato Fancy.— Mash one quart ol hot boiled
potatoes through a tine colander with a potato
masher; mix with them one ounce of liutter, one
scant teaspoonful of salt, half tcaspoonful of white
pepper, a pinch of grated nutmeg, and the yolk of
two raw eggs ; pourthe potato out on a plate, and
then form it with a knife into small cakes two inches
long and one wide, lay them on the buttered tin,
brush them over the top with an egg beaten up with
a teaspoonful of cold water, and color them golden
brown in a moderate oven.
Oatmeal Cakes.— Into a quart of cold water stir
oatmeal enough to make it about as thick as hasty
pudding. Be sure that the meal is sprinkled in
slowly, and that the stirring is so active that the
mush will have no lumps in it. Now put it on the
buttered pan, where it can be spread out to half the
thickness of a common cracker, and smooth it down
with a case-knife. Run a sharp knife across it, so as
to divide it.into the sized pieces you wish, and then
place it in a warm oven and bake slowly, being
careful not to brown it.
Preservation of Fuks.—" Jennie," of German-
town, says : " As this is the season when we put
away our winter furs, I will mention how I preserve
mine entirely from the attacks of the moth. I first
hang them out in the sun for a day or two, then
give them a good beating and shaking up to be sure
no moth is in them already. I then wrap up a lump
of camphor in a rag and place in each ; then wrap
up each in a sound newspaper and paste together so
that there Is no hole or crevice through which a
moth can gain entrance— and my furs are perfectly
safe. You will say that there is no secret in this,
and there Is none. Every lady can taKe care of her
own furs, if it is not too hard work for her, without
sending them to the furriers, as many do."
very little Interested In her possession of "solid
color," if she is a Jersey ; he is vastly more inter-
ested In her " solid " and high-colored butter. The
cow that produces 1,000 His. of cheese Is beautiful
and altogether lovely iu the eyes of a patron of a
cheese factory, and he wants just as many more like
her as he cau get.
A pedigree ought to represent achievements, not
merely names. We second, most heartily, a "test
record for dairy cows," and trust that none of our
pure-blood dairy stock breeders will hereafter con-
sider a cow's pedigree complete without a record of
her production. In the light of a milk, butter and
cheese record, the herd books would have a new and
most valuable feature. — /.Ire Stock Journal.
Live Stock.
Full-Blood— Pure- Blood— Thoroughbred.
Again and again we have brcn called upon to
answer the question : " What Is the dlll'erencc, If
any, between full-blood, pure blood, and thorough-
bred, as applied to live stock 1" and as often we have
answered, there Is really no dilVcrence. All these
terms are used to denote purity of blood. W^hen
applied to horses, the term thoroughbred, by com-
mon consent, has come to be recognized as the name
of a particular breed — the English race-horse — and
when we speak of a thoroughbred horse It Is under-
8too<l that we refer to a purely-bred animal of that
particular breed. There are, perhaps, purely-bred,
or well-bred, or full-blood Clydesdales, English draft
horses, Percheron-Normans, Shetland Ponies, etc.,
but we never speak of them as thoroughbreds. In
speaking of the various breeds of cattle we may say,
a full-blood Short-horn, a purely-bred Short-horn,
or a thoroughbred Short-horn, all meaning one and
the same thing ; and so of all the other breeds of
cattle, sheep and swine. In some localities an arbi-
trary distinction has been recognized between
thoroughbreds and full bloods. Thus, an animal
showing a given number of crosses of a certain breed
is classed as a full-blood, although it cannot be
recognized as a thoroughbred. But such distinctions
are merely local, and are not generally recognized
by breeders. — Live Stock JvurnaL
usually about 12 to 15 inches high. The bloom Is of
a light pink color. It Is also a fine fertilizer for
land, well a<lapted to damp ground. It can be sown
with wheat or oats. In early spring. I had twcntv
acres sowed two years ago, which has more than
paid me back the costof seed, .50cent» per pound. I
now have a piece of wheat, on which I shall sow In
the spring, at the rate of four pounds of seed to the
acre. I say sow Alsike for your bees.—./. M. II., in
Bee-Keepcr»' Ouiik.
Apiary.
Test Record for Dairy Cows.
It seems lately to have occurred to breeders ol
dairy stock claiming special adaptation to the pro-
duction of milk, butter, or cheese, and increased
value for purity of blood— it has just occurred to
them that there might be one more important item
attached to the pedigree of a Jersey, Ayrshire, Hol-
stein or other cow devoted expressly to the dairy,
and that test is her actual production of milk, butter
or cheese. To all the rest of the world this has long
appeared as the most important item in the pedi-
gree, yet it has never been given. Purity of blood
has been regarded as of more importance than per-
formance— about as rational as it would be at a con-
test of speed between horses to decide it by the pedi-
gree. The pedigree has a value only as indicating
probable performance ; but as in the case of the
trotting horse, let us have the performance first, and
then we shall be interested in the pedigree. This is
a time when everybody feels like probing everything
to the bottom, to see what it is made of and not what
it calls itself.
This test record for cows Is the most important
thing suggested to dairy stock breeders for many
years. It is bringing the pedigree to the only prac-
tical test that can be made. " Like produces like,"
but what is the "like" that is to be produced?
Color, form and size are only accessories. The main
thing to first ascertain as to the quality of a dairy
cow is, how much milk does she give in a ycari
How many pounds of butter will this milk make?
How many pounds of cheese i and what is the quality
of the product ? A cow that gives 10,000 lbs. of milk
is extremely satisfactory to a milkman, and he
wants to know her pedigree that he may assure
himself that the purity of her blood will give her the
power of " reproducing her like." The cow that
makes 350 or more pounds of butter, of good quality,
" takes the eye " of the butter dairyman, and he Is
all attention to learn how many such she counts in
her line, and her age, that he may figure the number
like herself that she may leave behind her, Ue is
Honey.
A correspondent writes to the Pacific Rural Press
as follows, and it would be well if bee-keepers would
adopt some of his general recommendations, and it
would be to the interest of all if dealers would. He
says : " While the bee-keepers of California are just
on the eve of making their purchases of lumber and
getting ready to make hives for the increase of the
coming season, they are greeted with the ueAS from
their representative in New York that 'there is
nothing to be done in honey here at this time, as
there has been so much adulteration in this article
that buyers are alarmed-' And from our English
correspondent come gloomy reports of a small lot of
California honey having been olfered at auction on
two different occasions without being sold. Then
comes another, that a large shipment of California
honey from New York by a large dealer there, and
that the custom authorities had sized and destroyed
it, in accordance with English laws, on account of
its being largely adulterated with glucose. I, as a
producer, will venture to o8er a suggestion or two to
those educated blockheads, that may be of service
to them in the future if they will act on the sugges-
tion. If you have cause to suspect adulteration in
honey with glucose proceed as follows ; Take a quan-
tity of honey and add one part water, dissolving the
honey thoroughly by stirring. Then add alcohol of
80° until a turbidness is formed which does not dis-
appear on shaking. If glucose syrup is present in
the honey soon a heavy deposit of a gummy, milky
mass will form, while with pure honey there will be
only a very slight milky appearance observed. This
test is so simple, and at the same time so true, that
any dealer who fails to become acquainted with the
simplest test used for detecting frauds in the article
in which he deals is unworthy of the calling he hag
accepted."
Pasturage for Bees.
It is now the proper time for all who contemplate
keeping bees to think something about preparing
pasture for them, as it is just as essential that they
should be cared for as any other farm stock. Yet I
hear much of failure iu bee-keeping from others.
When we think of how little preparation is made to
help the industrious workers, it Is no wonder that
there are so many complaints coming up of failure.
Let me advise all who may be in any ways interested,
to procure at least four pounds of Alsike clover seed,
and sow one acre of ground. This will supply at
least twenty stands of bees. It yields the finest
flavored honey I have ever tasted, and will sell for
more per pound than any other honey for family use.
This Is not all that the clover is good for. ll is also
a very valuable pasture for cattle, sheep, horses and
hogs ; also, it produces fine hay that is not so woody
and coarse as red clover, but of a fine stem, and
How to Fasten Comb Foundation in Brood
Frames.
Cut the foundation into pieces twelve inches
square. Then cut the squares diagonally, making
four triangular pieces out of each square. Remove
the comb guide and Insert the twelve Inch side of
one of th£ triangular pieces In the groove In the top
bar, fastening by means of a pencil brush dipped
into hot wax and drawn along the edge of the
foundation. If the frames are to be filled entirely, a
strip of wood grooved on th» under side, same as the
top bar, should be fixed horizontally in the frame,
dividing it into two equal parts. The foundation
should be cut 5'^.ixll inches, a piece of which should
be attached to the top bar, another to the center
strip, fastening In the same manner as the triangular
pieces. If the bars that hold the strip across the
frames are not driven closely, they may he easily
withdrawn, and the strip removed as soon as the
comb is made fast to the sides of the frames. In a
few days the space will be filled, making a perfect
comb. This Is a practical, safe way to use founda-
tion in frames twelve inches deep, "it does not sag^
or bulge. In shallow frames no centre strip Is
needed.
Glucose.
The following is taken from the Scientific Ameri-
can, a part of an article on food adulteration, and If
the following statements are true we can see no good
reason why glucose is not a valuable food for bees:
He never found granular or block sugar adulter-
ated. In exceptional cases glucose has been worked
up with cheap sugar, but glucose is not injurious. It
Is less sweet than cane sugar, but has almost the
same food value. Glucose comprises about 80 per
cent, of honey, and about fiO per cent, of dried figs.
It Is the substance into which, in the body, all starchy
or sacchrine food must be first converted before it
can be assimilated. Bread and cane sugar, when
taken into the body, are very rapidly changed into
glucose. In molasses the absence of foreign sub-
stances is almost the universal rule. The cheaper
grades of syrups are sometimes mixed with glucose.
Poultry.
Caponized Fowls.
In Boston markets, capons are not so frequently
fouud as in either New York or Philadelphia. In the
latter city tliey are very popular, and command the
highest price over all kinds of dressed poultry. For
many years these desirable birds have been a staple
product in Pennsylvania. Formerly they were made
from the young male birds of the " Bucks county
species" — a large bird well known In that region —
but a coarse-meated fowl in any shape except as
capons. At the present time, and in late years, the
Cochins and Brahmas have been used for this pur-
pose, and these have proved a most excellent substi-
tute for the old-fashioned variety mentioned. With
such large numbers of young cockerels as are now
raised in New England, annually, there is no good
reason why our farmers and iwultercrs should not
avail themselves of the profit attainable In supplying
these fowls for our home markets. At the hotels In
any of our Atlantic cities they are always desirable;
and the surplus male bird, of any man's yards where
a respectably sized flock of poultry is reared, will
every year furnish the breeder with many fowls that
can be turned into capons to great advantage. We
suggest this experiment to those interested. The
"art" of caponizing young cocks is easily acquired;
and, when once understood, it may be made a very
profitable method for disposing of prime poultry
roasters, about holiday time. In early winter. — Town
and Country.
Chicken Cholera.
The proceedings of the Agricultural Society of
Lancaster county, published a day or two ago in your
paper, are almost a copy of the proceedings of kin-
dred societies that have for the last ten years dis-
cussed this chicken cholera question. All have vari-
ous cures to ofl'er, but not enough is said about the
cause and the preventive. Within the last seven
years all around us have lost flocks of chickens by
cholera, and had they neglected their own household
as thoroughly few inmates would have long survived.
t We have educated the chicken to lodge In houses ; It
; Isourduty to make him comfortable there, not poison
him. About the construction of the house it matters
I little ; the entrance should face south and be inclosed
I with lattice work, to admit plenty of fresh air and
64
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ April, 1879.
not expose the birds to cold draughts ; but the all-
important condition is to keep the chicken bedroom
tli^roughly clean. Every week let the droppings,
wherever found, on the floor, or the shelves, front of
the nests, or in the nests, be scraped up and removed,
and then, with ground plaster or dust sprinkle the
places so cleaned, not with lime, as many do, for
that liberates the ammonia and brings out an un-
healthy smell, but with plaster,that absorbs the am-
monia, locks it up and keeps down unhealthy, offen-
sive smells. See that you have at the door every
morning, before the chickens come out, fresh water,
for many will go immediately and take large drinks
of it. Many places have we visited where cholera
broke out, and too often the above conditions h.id
been omitted. In some cases the droppings had not
been removed for weeks,and water was|uever seen near
the chicken house. A pump or creek was noTfar oft',
and if fowls could not go there it was their fault if
they got sick. In most cases tliey got to the
barnyard first and slaked their thirst on manure
water. In plain English, how long would the human
family survive if they slept for months in near prox-
imity to their own excrement, or drank water
poisoned with cow and horse dung» Cholera, fever-
yes, the plague— would soon make every farmhouse
as silent and as tenantless as some of the chicken-
houses get to be. — rhiladelp/iia Record.
Nest for Sitters.
All sorts of contrivances are resorted to by experi-
menters, to render what they 'consider their sitting-
nests for hens the most comfortable, convenient, and
best adapted to the purpose. The simplest and the
most natural plan in our experience, is to rest the
sitters upon the ground — whenever this method is
practicable. A slight hollow in the hen-house cor-
ner, upon the earth-floor, is a good place to set a
hen in. Fill this spot with soft hay, and place the
hen upon nine or eleven eggs, and if she is undis-
turbed duriug-.he three weeks of her confinement,
there, she will generally do well with fertile eggs.
If the nests are made in boxes, the bottom should be
covered with a fresh cut gi'ass-sod, or with two
inches of damp earth, upon which straw or hay
should be scattered before the eggs are set on. This
box should be thoroughly dean at the start, and the
hen may well be dusted (through the under-feathers
of breast and flanks,) with powdered sulphur or
carbolic power, to keep her free from lice while sit-
ting. This precaution will keep her steady to her
work, and render her condition much more comfort-
able during the three weeks occupied in incubation .—
Town and Country.
Eggs from Different Breeds.
A corresponnent of the Ohio Fanner says: "After
repeated experiments with the difl'erent varieties of
fowls, and comparisons with others who have ex-
perimented in the same direction, I have concluded
that tlie layiuj capacities of tlie principal varieties
are about as follows :
Light Brahmas and Partridge Cochins— eggs, 7 to
the pound ; lay 1:30 per annum.
Dark Brahmas— 8 to the pound ; 120 per annum.
Black, White and Bufi' Cochins— 8 to the pound ;
12.5 per annum.
Plymouth Rocks- 8 to the pound ; 1.50 per annum.
Houdaus- S to the pound ; 150 per annum.
La Fleche— 7 to the pound ; 130 per annum.
Black Spanish— 7 to the pound ; 140 per annum.
Lcuhorus- 9 to the pound ; KiO per annum.
Hamburgs— 9 to the pound ; 150 per annum.
Polish— 9 to the pound ; I'Jo per annum.
Bantam — 10 to the pound ; 90 per annum.
Fowls Eating Feathers.
Confinement and want of occupation are among
the chief causes why fowls eat feathers. The former
is often inevitable in winter, but the latter can be
avoided by burying some of their grain food in sand
and allow'ing them to hunt for it, which will afford
them pastime and healthy occupation. Give them
some green food, fresh meat two or three times a
week, burnt bones, oyster shells, charcoal, clean
water and a clean hennery, and if all this doesn't
cure them of the habit, follow Lewis's advice and
wring their necks, for they are incurable.
Literary and Personal.
Agriculture.— Speech of Hon. A. S. Paddock,
of Nebraska, in the Senate of the United States,
Monday, February 10th, 1879, on the resolution
oftered by Mr. Davis, of West Virginia, instructing
the Committee on Agriculture to consider and report
on what ought to be done by the General Government
to foster agriculture. 19 pp., 8vo. Good. "Hope
something may come of it."
The Farmer's Magazine and Patron's
GciDE.— The March number of the first volume of
this journal has reached our table. It is a sixteen
page quarto, well gotten up both in mechanical
execution and literary merit, embracing a somewhat
wider scope than mere agriculture and domestic
economy. With our experience in this field of
journalism we sincerely wish that so able an effort
may find a very large vacancy to fill. Published
monthly by Faulkner & Wood, No. 17 North
Tenth street, Philadelphia, at $1.00 a year. Of
course, as its title in part implies, it is in the interest,
specially, of the " Patrons of Husbandry," but is
not exclusive.
Hiram E. Lutz, manufacturer of Philadelphia
poudrette. Factory Thirty-first street and Gray's
Ferry road ; office 1136 Market street. Price, ?25.00
per ton. His motto is, " Feed the land and il will
feed you ;" and he invites the attention of farmers
and truckers to a series of facts contained in his 8vo.
pamphlet of 20 pages, in which he fully describes
the quantity and mode of application to corn, pota-
toes, wh«at, rye, buckwheat, oats, peas, beans, car-
rots, onions, melons, squashes, grass, turnips, cot-
ton, tobacco, &.C., &c. If it was not (or pondrette the
Chinese nation would soon starve, but by means of
this fertilizer they feed the latid ajtd it feeds them.
Thurber's Bee-Keeper's Almanac and Refer-
ence Book for 1879. H.K. &F. B. Thurber & Co.,
West Broadway, Reade & Hudson streets. New Tork.
This is a royal octavo pamphlet of 62 closely printed
pages, with paper covers, containing not only a
"calender of monthly management," and the pro-
ceedings of the last "National Convention of the
Bee-Keepers' Association," but also a large amount
of other matter, descriptive, historical and statisti-
cal, relating to bees, bee-keeping, bee supplies, ex-
ports and imports, and apiarian productions, and
general intelligence on this subject. As this work is
published for gratuitous distribution all who are in-
terested in apiculture may obtain a copy by merely
asking for it. One of its special merits is, that its
statistical statements are authentic, being extracts
from official documents in the bureaa of statistics at
Washington, and attested by the chief's of bureaus.
To our apprehension it sheds a practical light on bee
culture that no progressive apiarist can afford to de-
prive himself of without jeopardy to his pecuniary
success.
Frances Dunham's circular of apiarian supplies
for 1879, Depere, Brown county. Wis. This is an
8vo. pamphlet of 8 pp. in paper covers, illustrating
various styles of hives, implements and machinery
used in bee-keeping, with practical instruction on
the subject. Accompanying this pamphlet were two
small sections of the artificial comb foundation,
made of beeswax, which in their structure are very
perfect, vieing in execution with nature itself. What
ought to commend this pamphlet, and the good in-
tended to be accomplished by it, is the fa«t that the
author and proprietor of the works is a lady. The
report of the Northeastern Bee-Keepers' Association
of Wisconsin, says ; " Mrs. Fannie Dunham exhi-
bited a specimen of comb foundation, made on a
machine of her own invention, the peculiarity of
which consists in making the base of the cells very
thin, and using more wax in the sides of the cell ;
also, making the face of the foundation compara-
tively true and smooth, instead of fallowing the in-
dentations of the base." We commend our pro-
gressive bee-keepers to the implemental inventions
of Mrs. D., and especially to send for a copy of her
late circular, believing it may be greatly to their
material advantage.
Agriculture of Pennsylvania, containing the
reports of the State Board of Agriculture, the State
Agricultural Society, the State Dairymen's Associa-
tion, the State Fruit-Growers' Association and the
State College for 1878. The whole forming a royal
octavo volume of 625 pages, with 33 full page plates,
and 63 other illustrations distributed througli the
letter press; besides, a large chart 24x30 inches,
with one hundred figures, illustrating the Guenon
Classification of Escutcheons of male and
female cattle for dairy stock, both for milking and
breeding. The whole work is creditable to the agri-
cultural interests of Pennsylvania, but really, with-
out making an invidious comparison, the report of
what is known by the " State Agricultural Society,"
would make a very poor show if it were not sand-
wiched in between the State Board and the State
Dairymen's reports. On the whole, we don't know
but what this consolidating these reports may be the
best and cheapest plan for bringing them out and
confining them within proper limits. Barring some
unnecessary details in the State Agricultural report,
we consider this the best volume on agriculture and
stock that the State has ever published.
A DESCRIPTIVE catalogue of Select Roses, offered
for sale by Ellwanger & Barry, Mount Hope Nur-
series, Rochester, New Tork, third edition. This is
an octavo of 32 pages, with a superb colored illustra-
tion of the celebrated rose, the Duchess of Edin-
BURG — a crimson Tea Rose — and is No. 5 of their
series of catalogues of roses. This is not a mere
catalogue, or a promiscuous list of roses, as the
name would seem to imply, but a perfect hand-book
on rose culture, giving descriptions, names, modes of
culture, when to plant, what to plant, pruning, peg-
ging down, protection, mildew, insects and the man-
ner of their expulsion or destruction. Also advice to
correspondents, prices for roses, transportation by
mall and express, together with a most admirably
classified and arranged list of species »nd yarieties,
both old and new. The two grand divisions: 1. Sum-
mer Roses. 2. Perpetual, or Autumnal Roses.
After which follow classes, sections, families, genera,
species and varieties, giving not only the common or
proper name, and the technical names, but short
descriptions of each variety; giving their origin,
their colors, and many other matters interesting to the
amateur rose culturist, besides a hundred other little
matters connected ■s\ ith this beautiful floral subject.
Ellwanger & Barry's spring list of plants for
1879, including green-house, hot-house and bedding
plants, and also lists of prices ; 20 pages octavo, in-
cluding a paper read before the Western New Tork
Horticultural Society, on " The best hardy roses for
general cultivation, and how to grow them, by
Henry B. Ellwanger." This catalogue is as skill-
fully classified as' the one on roses, and every plant
is accompanied with instructive and explanatory re-
marks. 1\ie\\- dollar collections, ^enihy mail, postage
paid by them, are especially worthy the attention of
amateurs. Either 5 flowering begonias, 8 chrys-
antheniums, 8 coleus, 8 fuchsias, 8 zonal, 6 double,
or 6 scented geraniums, 8 heliotropes, 6 hardy
phlox', 8 basket plants, 12 verbenas, 5 salvias, or 6
violets sent for one dollar. Ellwanger & Barry's sui>-
plementary list of New Fruits for 1879, including
new peaches, new pears, new seedling grapes, new
strawberries, &c., &c., is also worthy the attention
of fruit-growers. When we wield our pen against
nurserial tramps, as we are sometimes compelled to
do by our victimized patrons, be it known that we
never mean Ellwanger iC" Barry. Their reputation
is too dear to them to send out irresponsible agents
with unreliable stock.
The Diseases of Live Stock, and their most
efficient remedies, including horses, cattle, sheep and
swine. Being a popular treatise, giving in brief and
plain language a description of all the usual diseases
to which these animals are liable, and the most suc-
cessful treatment of American, English and Euro-
pean veterinarians ; together with anatomical and
physiological explanations, alphabetical and classi-
fied lists of the drugs used in veterinary medicine
and their doses, a large collection of valuable receipts
and formulas for condition powders, liniments,
washes, drenches, &e.,&c. By Lloyd 'V.Tellor, M.D.
Published by H. C. Watts & Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
In addition to the recitation of the foregoing title,
which is an epitome of the work itself, we may be
permitted to add, that this is an excellently executed
volume of 467 pages, royal octavo, handsomely bound
in muslin. The quality of the paper and the letter-
press are unexceptionable, and its contents such as
ought to commend it to all veterinary surgeons, stock-
men, and in fact to any one permanently possessing
a single animal. The classification and general ar-
rangement are admirable, and of easy and intelligent
consultation ; divided into four parts, as follows : 1st.
General principles of veterinary medicines— five chap-
ters. 2nd. Diseases of the horse— eleven chapters.
3rd. Diseases of cattle, sheep and swine — intro-
ductory remarks and six chapters. 4th. Hygiene
and medicine— three chapters. Including a number
of appropriate illustrations, and a copious alphabeti-
cal index. In short, it is a "ready-made horse and
cattle doctor, at your service, sir," and the greatest
difficulty involved in the question it presents, so far
as we are able to judge, is how any stock dealer
and owner can afford to be without it.
The Phrenological Journal.— In our reading
of The Phrenological Journal and Science of Health
for April, we were struck by the general tone of the
magazine. Its aim is to elevate, and it is pure In
character iu every department, while entertainment
and instruction are skillfully blended, so that its
matter is exceedingly interesting from beginning to
end. Indeed the Phrenological Journal is a capital
illustration of what can be accomplished in the way
of making science pleasant to the general reader.
The first sketch is that of the Rev. Dr. Fair, an
Episcopal divine of distinction in Baltimore. Then
comes a very interesting description of the Chinese
at Home, in which the reader finds many features
that are entirely new to him, and bearing closely
upon the special work of the Phrenological Journal.
The installment of "Brain and Mind" furnishes
clear and definite applications of the science to the
delineation of moral qualities. An interesting article
is that of " Poe and Rachel." Elizabeth Thompson,
the English lady who has suddenly leaped into fame,
occupies a place in this number, with an excellent
portrait. Our young people will certainly be inter-
ested in the opening chapters of " Uncle Jimmie, the
Cripple," a short serial which is pleasantly written.
Real Teachers and Real Teaching, ore some views
of a veteran pedagogue, now a New Tork editor.
The great work of Moral Reform is represented this
time by Mr. William Noble, of England, and an ap-
preciative sketch of him is given, with a portrait.
Miss Coleman discourses upon the "Diet of Man"
in her usually pleasant and careful manner. All the
departments are replete with amusement and Instruc-
tion. Tlie smaller type especially abounds in valu-
able hints to the reader. The Journal is published
now at ?2.00 a year, 20 cents a number, with a choice
of Premiums to each subscriber. Address S. R. Well*
ifc Co., Publishers, 737 Broadway, New York.
THE LANCASTER FARMER
We wonld call jjartUnilar attention to the advt'rtin-ment
of Baugb k Sous, in inothor column of thlB miml>er of
"The Farmer." Baogh k Hous ire a reliable flnu, and what
they saj they will do.
Wai.i,aci!'» Mokthly.— The April, number of this etor-
liug jieriodlcal oi.eus with a suporbly illustrated aud hlffhly
interestiug article upon *^' *" '"" * ""
the pen of the editor. Tt
horse in America, from
_ „ _ la an eiceedinRly well written
I Breeding Ponies for Profit, by •'Toiisidc" a well-
known Western breeder; also another on Brce<liug the Park
Horse, by Frank B. Kedfleld, a name farailsr to all horse-
men. Mr.Uedfleid further contributes his opinion regard-
ing the elTect of pool selling upon the trotting horse breed-
ers' interest— an article which can be read with profit. The
origin of Col, I,ewiB, by his owner; Bomier's Edwin Forrost,
Waahiuetou CO., N. T., horses, »n*Bn illustrated wtlolenp.
on hornlesa cattle, by L. S. Hardin, form some of the prin-
cipal topics .liscusBed in the Montiilv. Publication offlco,
812 Broadway, N. Y. T.rms, $>.U() i,er y»r.
Warrior Mower Compaij's Speeialties.
Till-, ORtQIN.VI, IMl'KOVKD
Randall Pulverizing; Harroiv!
Over .tO.OOO IX VSK.
Chilled Iron or Steel DiskH, iV'nIer .Juiiitei
Stiffener Bar. Angle of (lauga adjusted by
Instable Scrapers. The most coi ■ • •
r. Ad.
^ . , iurable and ef
feotive harrow
tw- NEW CORN CULTIVATOR. -«
Most efficient and Perfect Implement for working rowed
crops. Qives mure than univereal satisfaction.
THE UNRIVALED WARRIOR MOWER !
Ijightest Draft. Eafliest Managed, Most Durable Mower
made. OVF.K 4(1,090 IN tlSE. Challenges competing ma-
chines for any work or endurance.
SfSI) FOlt ClliCULAR TO
79-lm-4J WAUKIOU MOWER CO., Little Falls, N. ¥.
NEW, RARE OR CHOICE.
To rariiiers* aiici 4Jar4leners. — r ulTer ilie follow-
ing NEW, UAUE on EXTKA CHOICE Vigeliiblf Seed,
postage paid by me.
M»rMf4ieaU Eariy Sweet Corn.— Decidedly the
earliest of all varieties of sweet corn. Per package 15 eta.
K^yptlan Sweet Corn.- Decidedly the sweetest of
all varieties of white sweet corn. Per package, 10 cents;
per pound, 35 cents.
Marblebend Sweet Mammoth Corn — The larg-
est of all varieties, and the earliest of the e.xtra large kinds.
Per package, 15 cents ; per pint. 33 cents.
■ .ongfellow's Yellow Field Corn.— Kernels and
ears, extra large, not suited to the South. Per package, 10
r quart, 55 cents.
Anilter Sngnr Cnne — Samples of the sugar,
and fulllnstructionB for cultivation and making of sugar,
Bent with each lot. Per quarter pound, 16 cts ; per pound,
45 cents.
BaMtian'H Eariy Blood Turnip Beet.— The best
of theearlios; a great acquisition. Per ounce, Vi cents; per
pound, $1.26.
Hancock Early Feas.- The best oropper, and pur-
est of all the extra early sorts. Per package, 10 cts.. per
quart, 60 cents.
Talby^A Cucumber. — Large very handsome and
very proliflo. A prize for any garden. Per package, 15
cents; per ounce, 35 cents.
Slarblehead Cliainpion Pole Beans.- 15 cents
par packaf^Q. The earliest of all varieties.
Kentucky Wonder Beans.— 15 cents per package.
Compared with scores of varieties, they have procad fhe inont
prolific.
Butnian Squash.- 20 Ota. per oz.; 10 cts. per pack-
age.
Marblehead Squash.- 20 cts. per oz; 10 cts. per
package.
Hubbard Squash.- 20 cents per ounce.
As the original introducer of these three splendid winter
varieties, I ofl'cr seed grown siieciaUy for purity.
Cocoauut Squash.— 10 cts. per package; 30 cts. per
02. Excellent in quality and an elegant ornament for the
•parlor. Tery prolific.
Banvers Carrot.- $1.60 per pound; 15 cts. per ounce.
Forty tons have been raised 1o the acre.
Sill's Melon.— A canteloupe; sweet, spicy, delicious.
Per <
, '20 c
Viek' Early.— .0
age The best of all II
Excelsior Melni
age, lias beeu raised i
Quality excellent.
.per
in cents per paok-
y Water Melons
cts. per oz.; 10 els. per pact-
to weigh 76 pounds.
HEARING
79-1 10.4
KESTORKU. Parliculun
Fui!K. VBKY4HABPER,
Sawing off a Log,
This SAW MACHINE U a wonderful in-
vention. The weii<:ht of th» man who In
sawing dncs half of the work. It saws log*
of any kIzo, and irlll saw tifTu ^ foot log In
8 miniit<-K. Circulars fier. Address, Wm.
GII.K.S, ami W. Cth St., Cinciunntl, Ohi&
79-lm-l
My Seed Catalogue, treating of all the above varieties la
detail, and an imiuense collection of Vegetable and Flower
Seed, will be sent free to all who write for it.
•T. .T.n. GREGORY, Marblehead, Mass.
other spring crops, use the ci^lcbrattjj
"Stockbridge Manures."
These are complete iiiauures, made for each crop,
and arc the CIIF,A1» EST, purest, and best Fertilizers
in the market. Sctid /or De.icriptiv* PainphUt,
E1»W. J. BVANS A CO., York, Pa.,
19-8-8 Agents for Southern Penn'a.
TREE S
We offer for Spring of 1H79, the largest and most complete
stock in the. C. S. of
Fruit Trees, Ornp* Vines. Strawberries, em-
bracing all the new and valuable varieties.
Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, deciduona and
evergreen,
Rosen a specialty - all the finest sorts.
(jreen and Hot House PiaiitM, including best nov-
elties.
Descriptive and Illustrated priced Catalogues sent prepaid
to customers, free, to others, on receipt of stamps as
No. 1, 1'r'uits. with colored plate (new editiou),lBct«.; lain
lO cts. No. a. Ornamental Trees, elc, with plate, 25 cts.;
plain, 16 els. No. 5, Greenliouse, Tree. No. 4. Wholesale,
Free, and No. .5. Catalegnc of R.iBea wilh colored plate,
lO cts.; plain, Free, .\ddress
Uochester, N. T.
ELLLWANGER & BARRY,
NICHOLS, SHEPARD& CO.,
Battle Creek, Mlill.
ORIGINAL AND ONLY GENUINE
'« VI B JEt ^^ T O BL "
THRESHING MACHINERY.
THE ENTIBE Threshln? Eipennes (and often
threo u> Bve tlmoa that amouot) can 1» maie by ia«
BrtraOra
GraSu SAVKD by these rBii>r
BAIN Balsera will not submit to the enoi-
of Grain and the inferior 'ft r-rk doDtBT
IkTOT ObIt Tastljr Superlof for Wheat. Oafa,
tl% Barlej, Bto. anii like Grnlnn, but the Oiav Pueee-.-
ftal Thre-ihcr In Flnl, Tiiaotby, Millet, Clovoi. fti,a tike
Seeds. RequireB no " attwjbments" or "rcba..Jlog ' to
cbsQge trom Grain to Seeds.
IN Thorough Workmannlilp, Eleirant Finish.
' Tbreshcr Outlit-, are Incomimrftt.le.
rODK Siws of Keparatom Made, KaiiKii
from Six lo Tw.-lve.ll.ir»e Jiie, and ti.li .y le» ,.r .Mo.j
pOR Partirulars, Call nn onr Dealers
A DEPARTURE
High Pricesfor Phosphates.
THK
TWENTY DOLLAR PI
III be printed on
aA to 3 per cent.
»II\TE,
WE GUARANTEE
Iho following analysis, whirl
every bag
Ammonia, - - .
Bone Phosphate, Soluble,
" " Insoluble, 7 " 8
Price, $20 per 2000 lbs. in New Bags of
200 lbs. each,
Free on borrd cars or buals in I'niladelphia or Baltimor*.
J'hiluilclpliia,
STOCKBRIDGE
MANURES
Originated by 1-evi Slocfcbridke, I'rotestor of Agrlcul-
ture iu the MassBchuNetla A((ricultural ColleKC Tbev havs
been extensively used for six yean*. Hend for a little book
describinii them and ulvlnK directions for cultivatlDK farm
and garden crops, '&\;ery farmer, gardenar, or cultivator
of akltchnti garden should m-iid f.ir n c( py vialtfd /tm.
BOWKF.K rKBTILIZHR «<»»IPA« Y, 4.1 «lll»l»
hnm Street. Ro«(«n: 3 ParU Pliwe. STow York;
and 21 Nortli Water Nlrcel. RorheHter, N. Y.
IPIiEPSY
or FITS
CURED!
;ur wb'at'v.',,', iiHvVdnnVitirm'c". ""' CilAS A j-liAI.
Tor Certlti<jt.'S ..f Niimertius other riire. and fall Inlor
B.tiun o.WresB DR. ROSS. H» Mala St..
OFFICE,
Ho, 9 Noi Oueen l\u\
LANCASTER, PA.
Is an old, well-established newspaper, and contains juat tlia
newa desirable to make tt an interesting and valoeUa
Family Newspiper. It Is published on Wednesday and
Saturday, subeorlbei-s having the cbolcoof whichever edition
thalauils their mail facilllies best. The postage to aub-
soiihere residing outside at Lancaater county ia paid by tlis
publisher.
Send for a siiedmen copy.
T^A/■o Dollars per Annum.
Is pulilisbod every afterno<.n (except Sunday) and contalna
the news bv mail and telegraph Irom all parts of the world
up to the hour ef going to press. It is furnished to sub-
scribers at all the towns and villages In the county, acces-
BiblB by rail or alage, by carriers at Ten CeutA a Week,
or by mall at Five DollHra per Tear.
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Proprietor,
No. 9 Nort'i Queen St.,
L.A.NCA.SXKR, PA-
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[April, 1S79.
graphe, will be sent FREE to all who »mAj, Customers of
last season need not write for it I offer one of the largest col-
y seed house
iTu on my six
seed farms. Printed directions /vr evitivation on each pack-
age. All seed trarranffd to be both frefth and true to name;
iO far, that should it proTe oiherwise, / tfi7/ refill the order
gratis^ The original introducer of the Hubbiard Squash,
Phinney's Melon, Marblehead Cabbages, Mexican Com, and
eoores of other vegetables, I incite the patronage of all who
are anxxoiu Co have their seed direetlyfrom the groicer, freAh,
tr%te, and of the very best ittrain.
New Vegetables a specialty.
JAMES J. H. GKEGORY,
:9.1-14[ Marblehead. MaeS.
HOME-MADE
MANURES.
SCIEmiriC FORMULAS FOR IREIR MANyFACIURF 01 TIE
FURM SENT FREE TO tlY ADORESS.
The Cheapest, and we believe the most ef-
fective Manure in use, can be made with but
little trouble, by using our Fertilizing Chemi-
cals and Bones, which we furnish of the best
quality, and at lowest prices. We offer, of our
own manufacture or importation,
Diesolved Bonee, Sulphate of Ammouia,
Perfectly Pnre Ground Bonee, Fertilizing Salt,
Acidulated Pbosphate Rock, Sulphate of Soda,
Phosphate Bock, fine ground, Muriate of Potash, German,
Laud Plaster, pure and fine Oil Vitriol, full strength,
ground. Sulphate of Magnesia
Sulphate Potash iKainiCI, (Kieserite).
Nitrate of Soda,
HARRISON BROTHERS & CO.,
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS,
Mannfactnrers of Fertilizing Clieiiiicals.
(Established 1793.)
FACTORIES AND MILLS AT GRAY'S FERRY.
Office: 105 Soath Front Street.
PHILADELPHIA PA.
LAWRENCE&TAYLOR,
70 ALDERSGATE ST..
London E. C, England.
Laigest aiifl Best Market in tlie f orll
Commieeion : For consignments under j£50: — i per cent.
Freight In:., kc, paid free of charge for interest.
Money advanced on Consignment ■with-
out interest.
BAMSASmSmCIAL mi
OF EN-G-LA^NT).
Telegraph Address
TAYRENCB, LONDON.
Oiil.r Double Riug In-
vented. Closes on out-
side of Xose. Clianiplon
Hog: Ringer, Rings and
Holder. Ko sharp points in
close with the joli
aiid produce
Onl.r Single Ring Ever In-
Tented that lloses on tb«
Ontslde of the Xose.
Browns Elliptical Ring and Triple
Groove Hog and Pig Ringer. It over-
comes a serious defect in all triangular
and other rings which close with the
joints together in the fiesh, causing It
to decay and to keep the hog's ^nom
HOLDER Speaks for iteell in the above ents.
CH.VMBERS, BERING k QUI^-LAN, Exclusive Manufacturers, Decatur, lU.
r Si^ds, PIuiu, Rosea. Bto.
DrM.^BRY&ca"Detroit Mich.
GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
TRADE MARK.TheGreaf English TRADE MARK.
Reined T will pro
ly und _ rsdically
^ §f nervous Debility and
Weakness, result er
Indiscretion, excess of
overwork of the brain
aud uer\ous system, ie
perfectly harmless, acts
Before Takine ^^ magic, and has teen
D extensively used for over
thirty years with great success. Full particulars in
pamphlet, which we desire to send free by mail to every one.
The speclflc medicine is gold by all druggists at $1 per pack-
age, or six packages for $5, or will be sent free by mail on
receipt of the money bv addressing
THE GRAY MEDICINE COMPANY,
No. 10 Mechanics- Block, Detroit. Michigan.
Lancaster by H. B. CocHBiK, 137 and 139 N.
After Takiag.
A HOME ORGAN FOR FARMERS.
A MONTHLY JOUKNAL,
Devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture,\Do-
mestic Economy and Miscellany.
»-Sold
ud by drujrgisis eve
[79-3-12
1879 SPKLVG AND SUMMEK 1879
Coats ai]d Coatings^
PANTS AND PANTJNG.S,
VESTS AND VE,STINGS,
SUITS AND SUITINGS,
OVERCOATS AND OVERCO.ATIKGS
RATHVON & FISHER'S,
ll^erchant Tailors, Drapiers and Clotljiers,
Corner JV, Qiietn and Orange Sts.,
LANCASTER, PA.
as any other place in the city. Goods all wool, perfect, and i
satisfaction guaranteed. Orders respect-
f ullv solicited, and promptly executed. j
1S79 l»r9
Founded Under the Auspices of the Lancas-
ter County AgriCBltural and Horti-
cultural Society.
EDITED BY DR. S. S. RATHVON.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION :
ONEDOLLpPERANNUJf,
POST.WE PREP.«D BY THE PR0P81ET0R.
All subscriptions will commence with the
January number, unless otherwise ordered.
Is ar energetic, natural manure, epecially adapted for
snmmer crops. It is highly recommeuded to tobacco
growers, giving the plants a vlgoroiis start and c-jusing a
rapid growth to maiurity.
HIRAM E. Ll'TZ. Mannfactarer.
■OfBee, 1136 Market Street. Pbiladelplkia.
■L'i44^/1:IHf.Vl.llJ>.U'JJ:^JJ.fc»
ra WE SELL EVERYTHING foe the «
GARDEN „
Descriptive C.v.il .-v.es , r i::. paycs sent Free fl
PETER HENDERSON&CO
3S Corllandt St., y'etr York.
loss
usxnMsnsassss
Dr. S. S. Rathvon. who has so ably managed the editorial
depanment in the past, will continue in the position of
editor. His contributions on Bubjecte connected with the
science of farming, and particularly that specialty of which
I he is so thorouhly a masler — entomological science — some
' tnowledge of whicli has become a necessity to the success-
ful farmer, are alone worth much more than the price of
this publication. He is determined to make ''The Farmer"
a necessity to all households. Jg5. ■
f .TA coimty that has so wide & reputation as Lancaster
eoimty for its agricultural prodacts, shotild certainly be
• able to support an agricultural paper of its own, for the
I exchange of the opinions of farmei-s interested In this mat-
ter. We ask the co-oporstion of all farmers interested in
: this matter. Work among your friends. The '*Farmer" Ifl
' only one dollar per year. Show them your copy. Try and
induce them to subscribe. It is not much for e^ch aub-
j ecriber to do but it wiU greatly assist us.
; All commocicationsln regard to the editorial management
should be addressed to Dr. 8. 8. Rathron, Lancaster, P».,
] and all business letters in regard to subscriptionB and ad-
Ivertisiug should be addressed to the publisher. Eatee of
advertising can be had on application at the office.
! JOHN A. HIESTAND,
I No. 9 North Quean St., Lancaster, Pa.
ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM-SINGLE COPIES 10 CENTS.
Dr. 3. S. KATH70N, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., MAY, 1879.
JOHN A, HIESTAND, Publisher.
CONTENTS O^HIS NUMBER.
EDITORIAL.
• Pre»erTing the ProceedinErs, . - . .
■ "Non-Kecognitionof Agriculture by Government,'
• Tramps and Incendiaries, ....
." Codling Moth in Bands," . . - . .
,Milk,
. Monthly Reminders, .---..
. To Market-Gardeners Throughout the Union,
List of Approved Varieties of Cabbage.
.What Becomes of the Birds, ...
• Book Farming, .......
,Eggs-Traordinary, ...:..
i Eenslow on the Self-Fertiltzation of Plants, -
.Queries and .Answers, ......
ESSAYS.
• Small Fruits,
CONTRIBUTIONS.
.Large Farms and Stoek.Raising in Lancaster
County — Slock Admirer, ....
••Wants to Know, ......
, Spring Days — Leoline, . - . . .
. About Eggs— »",« . J. Pyle, ....
» The Moon's Influence — Amateur Farmer, -
• Indian Turnip— J". Slauffer, ....
• Timber and Fences— i. S. Jt-, -
• The Pennsylvania Board of Agriculture, -
SELECTIONS.
. Cider Vinegar and Sugar from Sugar Beets,
. One-Eye System of Potato-Growing,
.Keeping Work Ahead,
Some Hiut. on Tree ilsmtiDg.
. Composts for Tobacco, .....
. Sandy Soils,
Amounts of Sugar Contained in Nectar of Vari.
ous Flowers,
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Agricultural and Horticultural Society,
Crop Reports— Mating Farm Life Attractive and
I'lcasaut — The New Charter— Fruits — Miscel-
• Poultry Association, . . .
New Business.
. Linuiean Society, ....
ENTOMOLOGICAL.
.Insects and Animal Diseases, -
•How Insects Hear,
AGRICULTURE.
' The Wheat Crop, . - - -
• Grain in Orchards,
• Bone Dust, - - . . .
. The Question of Weeds,
> An Immense Farm, ....
• Store of Grain in the West, -
HORTICULTURE.
■ Grafting Grapevines,
' Grape-Growing, ....
• How to Plant Peas, . . . .
Grapevines in California, -
I Sowing Garden Seeds, ...
. Where Tomatoes were First Eaten,
How Many Tobacco Seed to an Acre I - - 77
Bananas, ........77
Pruning Peach Trees, - - ... 77
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
, Whitewash ,V - 77
Signs of a Prosperous Farmer, . - - 77
'.Home-.Made Cracked Wheat, .... 77
<^Cream Instead of Butter, - - . - 77
^Use Plenty of Paint, ...... 77
-A Good Night Lamp, 77
• French Bread, - - 78
»To Destroy House Insects, - . - - 78
. Cleaning a Brussels Carpet, - - - - 78
HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.
• Potato Noodles, 78
,To Preserve tium Solutions, ... - 78
• Ham Dressed in Claret, - - ... 78
^Velvet Cake, 7t>
. Ice Cream Cake, ...... 7S
White Fruit Cake, 78
Lemon Pie, 78
Cheap Pudding, 78
To Wash Silk Stockings, 78
Baked Fish, . - 78
Apple Preserve, .--... 78
LIVE STOCK.
Treatment of Cows at Calving, . . . .78
Color in Jerseys, 78
• The Difference, ----... 78
• Stalliou Shows in Spring, ----- 78
Worms in Hogs, -------78
.Exercising Cows, ...... 79
• Tender and Small Feet, ..... 79
APIARY.
• Practical Bee Cultre, 79
•A Good Word for Bees, 79
. Farmers and Bees, 79
POULTRY.
•How the Young Bird is Hatched, - - - 79
■"What Breed Shall I Keep !" - ... 79
.Eggs and Egg Culture, 79
»iVhat r Know About Roup, - - - . 79
" Brown Leghorns," - - - . - . 80
Poultry Profits, SO
Fowls in Orchards, 80
Facts Worth Remembering, .... 80
Threshing Ducks, 80
Home Advice as to Poultry, - - - - 80
'A Flock of HenS; .-.---- 80
. Literary and Personal, 80
NORBFXK SMILEY.
PRACTICAL
WHY GO WEST
When dnirabli- Farm IjndB Id the Ureat I'rult DIs-
Irlet of the Penlnftnliir Uarden can be had?
Cool summers, mild winters, pure waters, kind soli, and
every advantage of speedy communication by Railroad,
Telegraph, and Daily Mails. A soil producing the finest
Grain, Fruits add Flowers, and the waters the choicest Fish,
Oysters, Terrapin, and Wild Fowl In season. As honia un-
equalled; as i'nr«s/nt«n/« Qusurpassed. For Illustrated
Books inclose 2o stamp to LAND AOE.ST, P. w. k B. R. B.
Depot, W ilmingtoD, Del. l3r~SpeciaI advantages offered
to Colonies. [T9-&-1t
knlm Buildepg,
fOX & COS OIB STA>ft.
Corner of Duke and Vine Streets,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE LATEST IMPROVED
SIDE-BAR BUGGIES,
PH.^TONS,
Carriages, Etc.
IBEUIGBHimiFlinilECITl
Prices to Suit the Times.
REPAIRINX; iiruiiij.lly :.tl(UiU-a lo. All work
PHAHES W. FRY.
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
WALL PAPER &WIKOQW SHADES,
IIollandH, plain Shade «'lo(ta.
Piitures, Fringes, Tassels and all ijoods jertalnlng to a
Paper and Shade Store.
No. 63 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
79-i-n
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
EXSSTI-TAjriA RAII-ROAO SCHEDULE.
Triviiis LEAVE the Depot iu this city, as follows :
I.aucaster. Harrinburg.
2:40 a. m.
5:(i0a. m.
9.30 a. m.
9:35 p. m.
11:15 a.m.
WE TWAKD.
Pacific Express'
Way Passengert
Niagara Express
Hanover Accommodation, .
Mail train via Mt. Joy
No. 2 via Columbia
Sunday Mail
Fast Line" ,
Frederick Accommodation.
Harrisburg Accom
Columbia Accommodation..
Harrisburg Express
Pittsburg Express
Cincinnati Express'
EASTWARD.
Atlantic Express'
Philadelphia Expresst..
Fast Line*
Harrisburg Express
Columbia Accommodati<
Pacilic Express*
Sunday Mail
Johnstovm Express
Day Express'
Harrisburg .
11:!
Lancaster.
12:30 a. m.
4:10 a. m.
Col. 2:45 p. r
7:40 p. m.
Col. 8:00 p. n
8:40 p. m.
The Hanover Accommodation, west, connects at Lancaster
vrith Niagara Express, west, at 9:35 a. m., and will run
through to Hanover.
The Frederick Accommodation, west, connects at Lancas-
ter with Fast Line, west, at 2:10 p. m.. and runs to Frederick.
The Pacific Express, east, on -Sunday, when flagged, will
stop at Middletown, Elizabethtown, Mount .loy and Landis-
Tille.
•The only trains which run daily.
tRuns daily, except Monday.
$77
and expenses guaranteed to Ageuts
SHAW & CO., Augusta, Maine.
I. :e', :]bo vs7-3vi-ia.3Nr,
AT lOM'EsT POSSIBLE PItlt'ES,
Fully guaranteed.
No. 106 EAST KING STREET,
79-1-12] Opposite LfOptird Hotel.
GLOVES, SHIRTS, UNDERWEAR. H
SHIRTS MADE TO ORDER,
.AND WARRANTED TO FIT.
E. J. ERISMAN,
56 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa
s. :^. ooixi.
Manufacturer of
Carriages, Buggies, Pliaetons, etc.
CHURCH ST., NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA,
Large Stock of New aud SecDnd-hand Work on hand,
very cheap. Carriages Made to Order. Work W_arranted
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
And Manufacturers of
FURNITURE pD CHAIRS.
WAREROOMS :
102 East King St., Cor. of Duke St.
■LANCASTER, PA.
fTREES
Fruit, Shade and Ornamental Trees.
Bird-
LOUISC.LYTE
-Hand P. O., Lancaster CO., Pa.
Nursery at Smoketowu, i
EDW. J. ZAHM,
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
WATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED WARE,
JEWELRY I TABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Agent for the Arundel trnted
SPECTACLES.
Repairiug strictly attended to.
ZAxiivE's coFinrsFi.
North Queen-st. and Centre Stjuare, Lancaster, Pa.
79-1-12
SEND FOR
On Concord Grapeyiuea, Transplanted Evergreens, Tulip,
Poplar, Linden Maple, etc. Tree Seedlings and Trees for
timber plantations by the 100,000.
J. JENKiarS' NURSERY,
3_g_T9 WINONA, COLUMBIANA CO., OHIO.
ESTABLISHED 1832.
G-. SENEK & SONS,
Manufacturers and dealeis in all kinds of rough and
fluished
The beat Sawed SKI:» «EE.'» iu the country. Also Sash,
Doors, Blindp, Mouldings, &c.
PATENT 0. G. WEATHERBOARDING
OFFICE AND YARD :
Northeast Corner of Prince aud Waluut-sts,
LANCASTER, PA.
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLOGY,
listory aud habits of
NOXIOUS AND INNOXIOUS
INSECTS,
aud the beat remedw
By S. S. RATHVON, Ph. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
This work will be Highly Illustrated, and will be put in
press (as soon after a sufficient number of subscribers can
be obtaiued to cover the cost) as the work can possibly be
PEARL MILLET
(THE NEW FODDER PLANT.)
Sl.OO
By espresB, buyer to pay charges, $5 per peck.
'statement of our experiments with it, and
instruct ione for culture, free on application.
PETER HENDERSONS CO.
35 CORTLANOT ST,. NEW YORK,
TljE LATEST!
Tlje New TarifT of Rates
Made by OAK HALL, four weeks
ago, sold off large lots of
goods, and has
INDUCED MANY TO IMITATE US!
gi^Whatever is Done Elsewhere We
always do Better. ■'^a
This is the latest tariff for the
A.S FOLLOT^S:
An Elegant Business and Dress Suit,
All-wool Black Cheviot, $10. Identical
quality of goods sold by other parties
as a great bargain at $15. We never
sold them for more than $13.
$4.89 buys a First Quality Dress
Trousers, sold heretofore at $10.
Fur Beaver and Chinchilla Over-
coats, Good and Warm Cloth Bound,
$8.50, $8.50, $8.50, $8.50.
Next Higher Grade, Beautifully
Made and Trimmed, Cloth Bound,
Silk Velvet Collar, $10, $10, $10, $10.
The Same Goods in Young Men's
Sizes, $7, $7, $7, $7.
Boy's Double Cape Overcoats, with
all the Late Improvements, $5, $5, $5.
Boys' and Youths' Trousers, All
Wool, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39.
Hundreds of Latest Styles Child-
ren's Overcoats, Soft Plush Lined,
Elegant Goods, reduced from $8.75 to
$6.50.
$25 Fine French Fur Beaver Over-
coats reduced to $15. (Beautifully
made, Piped with Cloth and the
Finest Linings)
A clear saving of $2.50 on a Fine
Dress Suit.
At our low prices we have sold
thousands of them at $15.00 ; but to-
day make a clean mark down to
$12.50. They are not odds and ends,
but complete lots. Hundreds biggest
men can be fitted. This one lot of
goods contained 55,120 yards, and has
proved the best bargain we have had
for our customers this season.
A customer can come one hundred
miles, and the saving on almost any
Suit or Overcoat will pay the fare
Doth ways.
Wananjaker & Brown,
OAK HALL,
Sixth and Market Streets,
PHILADELPHIA.
The Largest Clothing
America.
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S. S. RATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., MAY, 1879.
Vol. XI. No. 5.
Editorial.
PRESERVING THE PROCEEDINGS.
" President Tobiu.s called Vice President
Geyer to the chair, and made some remarks
on preserving the documents of the society.
The Lancasteu Farjieu is not patronized
as it should be. lie thought that if arrange-
ments cciuUI be ni;ulc to have the proceedings
published iu this journal, thus having them in
book form, it woukl be to the advantage of
the members and of Tiih Farmer, which
would obtain a large number of additional
subscribers."
The above we clip from the proceedings of
of the April meeting of the Lancaster County
Poultiy Society ; and, without regard to what
the members may think they ought to do in
regard to The Lancaster Farmer, we
desire to say that we have published all the
proceedings of the FouUry Society in our
columns — both preliminary and subsequent —
and we intend to continue doing so, whatever
may be the result. We also, for the same
reason, publish the proceedings of the Agri-
cultural and Horticultural Society, the To-
bacco-Growers' Association, the Bee-Keepers'
Society, the Linntean Society, and the pro-
ceedings of our county farmers' clubs as often
as we can get them. These proceedings con-
stitute a personal and practical epitome of
the thoughts and doings of the agriculturists
and collateral workers of the county ; and as
the volume in which they are published can
be preserved in convenient book form, proper-
ly indexed, it can be referred to by those of
the present generation as well as the genera-
tions to come. Therein can be found not only
th§ names of the active participants in our
local agriculture and kindred interests, but
also what they, from time to time, thought,
said and did. AsJ an instance— the proceed-
ings of the Agricultural and Horticultural
Society have been published iu The Farmer
for over ten years, and perhaps nowhere else
is there now existing a more convenient refer-
ence to them, and every year enhances their
value. Of course, if a substantial appreciation
of these things were to follow, it would much
encourage the arduous labors of both Editor
and Publisher.
"NON-RECOGNITION OF AGRICUL-
TURE BY GOVERNMENT."
"A striking commentary on the position
of agriculture is, that although this pursuit is
acknowledged to be of such great commercial
and industrial importance to the country, yet,
when its claims are contrasted with those of
the natural sciences, it receives scarcely gov-
ernmental recognition. We have expensive
governmental surveys, and vast collections of
birds, plants, rocks and minerals, and large,
frequent and extremely valuable reports, pub-
lished at great expense, written in the lan-
guage of science for scientists, and this is as
it should be. Yet, although the lands wan-
dered over by our expeditions are desirable
for agriculture, or have close relations with
the extension of the population of those lands,
no educated agriculturist is attached to the
exploring staff, and the agricultural possi-
bilities of those immense areas are unexplored.
We have had exploring expeditions, and the
explorers have been naval officers simply, or
men of science have been attached ; and when
■we examine the records as published, we look
in vain for either a comprehensive or detailed
account of conditions or circumstances appli-
cable to our agriculture. We have boundary
surveys, with abundant reference to scenery,
to the trials of the explorers, to the wild
vegetation, but few words given to the agri-
cultural po.ssibilities, and those few so auper-
licial as to be nearly valueless.
Our Government measures and triangulates
mountain areas, and the great reports are
fdled with valuable geological detail ; but the
rivers are not surveyed in their relations to
irrigation, and the characters of the soil and
the climate with reference to the needs of
agriculture receive but a scant attention.
Why cannot agricultural science receive recog-
nition, and why not attach an educated agri-
cultural observer and thinker to all our gov-
ernmental science exploration parties ? Such
a course would be wise, just and proper. We
commend this subject to our brethren of the
agricultural press for their consideration."
The foregoing, from the editorial columns
of the Scientific Furmtr for April, 1879, will,
no doubt, find an extensive endorsement, for
it seems to be an expression of the sentiments
of a large number of the most intelligent agri-
culturists of the country, and the persistent
and continued non-recognition of that class,
and the interests it represents, seems to us
not only ungrateful, but also socially and
financially suicidal, if it is not the most in-
excusable presumption.
We do not think the government has done
or is doing one whit too much for science ;
nor do we intimate that the editor of the
Scientific Farmer thinks so or says so ; but we
think that from the very organization of the
Government down to the present day, it has
made less provision for and has exercised less
energy in the agricultural interests of the
country than it has in the interests of any
other governmental department. Even its
own agricultural department has never had
sufticient government patronage to make it
efficient and generally respected, hence it is
always passing through a scrutinizing and
often an unjust censorship. Its inefficiency,
if any really exists, may not be due to the in-
competency of its official incumbents so much
as it is to the niggardly support it has received
from the National Congress.
Our "Great Constitutional Expounder," in
his recognition of agriculture as the most im-
portant factor in the social, civil and physical
progress of mankind, has given expression to
the sentiment that " f/i« farmer is the founder
of civilization," and it seems to us that it does
not require much observation and reflection
to perceive that this, properly understood, is,
in an eminent degree, the very truth.
Of course, it is not to be inferred that the
farmer himself , as a man, through his superior
intelligence, morality, energy and enterprise,
is the founder of our civilization ; but that he
represents a vocation and an interest that
constitute tiie sure foundation upon which
the civil and domestic superstructure of
society can alone be most successfully reared.
We can hardly conceive of a nation destitute
of agriculture, without associating them with
" uncivilized savages." Ancient Venice may
have attained a high state of civilization
without an agriculture of her own, but she
would have been anaked starveling without the
sustaining agricultural productions of other
peoples. It is true there are many industrial
interests not immediately connected with
agriculture, which may have the appearance
of thrift, but without agriculture there would
be little or no demand for their productions.
Man cannot live and prosper on the results of
fishing and hunting alone any more than he
can "by bread alone," and, whatever his call-
ing may be, the highest civilizing influences
of his physical and domestic condition are
those which arc due to agriculture. Agricul-
ture ramifies throughout the entire length and
breadth of our vast country, and there is not
a nook or corner iu the whole land where, by
the manipulation of the soil, two blades of
grass are made to grow instead of one that
does not exhibit it.s benign influences.
And yet this almost universal interest — this
sine qua non to human civilization— receives
less governmental encouragement than any
other of the great interests of the country.
The government grants immense land subsi-
dies— amounting to millions of dollars — to
soulless corporations, endowing them with the
power to dictate to agriculturists just where
they may locate, and tlie tenure by which
they may possess their homes, without re-
flecting that if it was not for the results of
agriculture there might be precious little use
for their railroads at all. Our national Agri-
cultural Bureau may not be what it ought to
be— not what its originators intended it should
be — nor yet what its oflicials desire it to be ;
but there is little wonder of this since gov-
ernment permits it to fall, and then literally
kicks it for falling by withholding the .sus-
taining means of support. During two years
of political excitement it had not the means
to issue its annual reports, whilst thousands
of dollars have been granted to bogus com-
mittees of nivestigation, and to pay for
voluminous reports thereon that never will be
read perhaps; whilst the agricultural elements
of om- country are daily compelled— amongst
other things too numerous to mention— to
drag out a feeble existence unsupported and
alone.
Economy in the administration of the func-
tions of an oflice is, no doubt, very desirable,
and, perhaps, necessary to its success ; but
true economy is quite a difierent thing from
" penny wisdom and pound foolishness," and
it seems to us that much of this kind of
economy has always characterized the general
government in its relations to the agricultural
interests of the country. The Department of
Agriculture, as before intimated, may not
have been managed with the efficiency that
has been expected by the government or the
people, but no one seems to reflect that the
department may not have received the en-
couragement and pecuniary support that were
necessary to develop its efficiency. During the
years 1S73 and 1874 it had not even the means
to publish its usual annual report, inferior as
those reports were, as compared with other
departmental documents of the government ;
but in our view this inferiority was mainly
due to the inferiority of the material used in
its mechanical composition. It must also be
remembered that the department had, and
still has, to depend mainly on the voluntary
and unpaid contributions of local amateur
observers, who giving their service gratis,
could only devote those fragments of time to
the service in which they had nothing else to
do. In the Entomological Department Mr.
Glover worked like a slave to develop prac-
tically the histories of noxious insects ; but his
rep. rts— tinctured with the mechanical in-
feriority of the department — never compared
with those issued by the several States re-
porting upon that subject. This was not his
fault, but his misfortune iu exercising an
official function without the pecuniary means
to bring his work in a proper manner before
the country.
Sandwiched as those reports always have been
among the general papers — statistical, meteo-
rological, 'agricultural and otherwise that
make up the reports of the department— they
never elicited the special attention they would
have elicited had they been published in a
separate volume, on good paper, in clean type,
and embellished with accurate and life-like
illustrations.
Congress and the country are at this time
sorely exercised about the rinderi)est, that is
I spreading far and wide, and threatens to be-
I come a devasting plague ; but any legis-
66
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[May,
lation that may be had on the subject
will be unavailable without the neces-
sarv pecuniary means to carry their legal
enactment into practical effect. It appears to
us that objects and questions involving the
immense interests of agriculture, and such
obstacles as rinderpest and destructive insects,
to its successful development, ought to com-
mand the attention of government in a very
special sense, even if something more should
be appropriated than was barely necessary to
sustain it in a work that is so intimately
related to the happiness, the comfort, and the
general welfare of the country.
The last incumbent of the Entomological
Department was Prof. C. V. Riley, who
only recently tendered his resignation, be-
cause, according to the tenor of that resigna-
tion, he could not retain the office any longer
without forfeiting his self-respect. We are
not specially advised as to the grounds upon
which the separation between him and the
department was effected, but if we may judge
present and coming events by those that are
past, we may infer that the powers that be
desired him to haul on a wheelbarrow that
which by rights should employ nothing lesss
than a six-horse team. If agriculture, and
entomology in Its relations to it, are of no use
to the country they should at once be aban-
doned to their fates as other useless things are.
TRAMPS AND INCENDIARIES.
Our rural population have a fearful guantlet
to run in these days of theft, violence, rob-
bery and incendiarism, and it is difficult to
advise exactly what line of conduct they
should pursue in relation to these depredators
upon their property, their homes, and, per-
chance, their very lives. "Eternal vigilance "
has long since been proclaimed as "the price
of liberty," and if this be so in retaining and
maintaining the boon of freedom, it seems
to be almost infinitely more so at this time in
the protection of life and property. It is true
our statute books are replete with stringent
laws, but laws are of very little account so
long as they are systematically evaded, sloven-
ly executed, wilfully perverted, or studiously
disregarded and violated. We are no advo-
cate of the revolver, the bludgeon or the bowie-
knife ; but, as a man's domicile, under certain
circumstances, is legitimately considered his
"castle," we believe, in the absence of a law
to protect it, every occupant of a tenement,
legally possessed, should become "a law unto
himself," by wisely and manfully protecting it
and the dear ones it may contain. The ham-
lets and houses of our rural citizens are too
often remote from the centres of justice and
legal functionaries, and therefore their man-
sions may be burned down, and their lives im-
periled before they possibly could invoke the
intervention of the laws or their executors.
It is humiliating to think that the men and
women whose ancestors were compelled to
flee their native land, in order to escape perse-
cution, spoliation and violence, and to seek
safety and protection in a land of liberty,
should, in this second century of American
freedom, become the victims of impudent and
indolent outlaws and tramps.
We believe that under any and all circum-
stances our rural population ought to prepare
themselves to defend their property at all
hazards, unless it is veiy manifest that the
laws can protect it. In all cases when suspi-
cious demonstrations have been made by the
loose tramp population now infesting the
country — where they have been impudent
and exorbitant in their demands, or wliere
the farmers have felt it their plain duty to
deny them— a strict and continuous watch
should be kept upon their subsequent con-
duct—even if it should require some of the
family to sit up all night. It would be much
better if there was no necessity for a single
deadly weapon in all the land ; but ratlier
than suffer the loss recently sustained by Mr.
Sener, of Martic township, we would recom-
mend the advice of General Dix to the loyal
citizens of New Orleans at the outbreak of
the rebeUion.
These tramps and incendiaries are bad
enough in the towns, where the population is
dense and the officials near at hand, but in
the country they are simply intolerable. We
are not prepared to say that there are abso-
lutely none of them worthy of the alms of the
people, but as it would be almost impossible to
make the proper discrimination, they all sliould
be vigilantly and continuously watched.
They are here amongst us ; each one of them is
the tabernacle of an immortal soul, and conse-
quently they cannot be entirely ignored ; but
if it must needs be that offenses will come,
then woe betide those through whom they
come. It must be made manifest that it
would be far better for them if they were
taken up and cast into sea than that they
should be permitted to ofiend with impunity.
"CODLING MOTH BANDS."
The " codling moth " {carpocapsapomonello)
has been so damaging to apples, pears and
peaches, for several years, that fruit-growers
are willing to grasp at any "straw" tliat may
contain a hope, however remote, ultimately
effecting their intervention or extermination.
Many devices have been proposed or invented
for the foregoing purpose, but it appears, from
some cause or other, the results have not been
entirely satisfactory. Under these circum-
stances, and also because the apple season
will soon be on us again, we have thought it
might be useful to our readers to call their
attention to " Ruhhnan''s Patent Codling Moth
Bands." Price, 5 cents per yard, and kept
for sale by D. M. Dewey, Rochester, New
York. They can try the experiment, at least,
at a very small cost, and like a good many
other enterprises, if there is nothing ventured
there can be nothing won.
These bands have been endorsed by several
of the most respectable authorities in the coun-
try, if we have any warrant at all in believing
what has been published concerning them.
Dr. James Wood, of Muscatine, Iowa, in a
report made to the Western Horticulturist,
states that he destroyed 15,000 worms and
pupee in a small orchard by removing the
bands every ten days to two weeks, from the
middle of June to the first of October. The
gentleman writes on and says 15,000 apples
must have been required to lareed the worms
we killed under the bands, as it is seldom that
more than one worm is found in an apple,
and allowing 300 to a bushel, gives 50 bushels
damaged or entirely ruined by these worms ;
and if we only captured one-half of the worms,
the loss is increased to 100 bushels. Sup-
posing one-half the worms destroyed to have
l3een females, and one-half of these to have
been of the first brood, they would have de-
posited in the late apples 750,000 eggs, thus
damaging 2,750 bushels of the autumn and
winter apples. Now suppose these eggs to
have produced as many worms, and all to
have passed the winter safely, they would in
the following spring have aggregated, with
the 7,500 of the late brood destroyed under
the bands, 757,500 moths. If a small crop of
apples on 10,000 trees be estimated at one
bushel per tree, or 3,000,000 apples, it would
require 15,000 female moths to deposit an egg
in each one. Of course on a larger crop of
ten bushels per tree, it would require 150,000.
If the large orchardist puts into constant
practice a system of wholesale destruction
like the bands we use, it would seem that the
moths coming from the small orchards in his
vicinity could not cause him very great injury,
but woe to the owner of 50 trees in the imme-
diate vicinity of a mammoth plantation, if the
latter is persistently neglected.
Of course, the application of these bands
can have no sensible effect upon the moths
that will come forth in due time to produce
the first brood of the present season, but if it
destroys or prevents that brood from perpetu-
ating itself, a great advance in the right
direction will have been made ; and it is our
opinion that no remedy is of any possible use
for the destruction of this moth, except one
involving the principles this does, whatever
its special form may be.
MILK.
Although many of our readers may have
heard of such a thing as "pigeon's milk,"
or the " milk of human kindness," yet we, in
what follows, entirely discard all subh lacteal
mythologies and confine our remarks to milk
as the product of the class Masimalia, all
the^females of which yield that noupjshing
fluid as the sustaining element of their off-
spring during their infancy. At tlie head of
the milk-producing Mammals, notably, stand
the female animals belonging to the genus
Bos, and especially the various breeds of the
domestic cow, including the Natives, the
Ayrshires, Devons, Holsteins, Jerseys, Swiss,
Durhams, Alderneys, and their various cross-
ings—polled, long-horned and short-horned ;
because the milk of these animals, ever since
the beginning of modern history, has been an
important factor in the domestic and com-
mercial products of civilized nations.
Of course milk necessarily must differ in its
quality, its flavor, its richness and its general
appearance, according to the animal from
which it is drawn, and in this difference it
may adapt itself more fully to the fundamen-
tal object for which it was provided, namely,
the nourishing of the young during the early
periods of their infantile development. Other
objects, whatever their magnitude, must be
regarded as beneficent contingencies, adapt-
ing themselves to human necessities.
Experimental analyses have been made,from
time to time, at various places, in different
countries, by eminent chemical authorities,
and their results have been published to the
world, but it is not our purpose to include these
results in this paper, except partially, per-
haps, by incidental reference. In additon to
the domestic cow the milk of various species
of the genus Bos have been the subjects of
chemical analysis ; as, for instance, the
Buffalo, the Gayal, the Gyall, the Yak, the
Jungly Gau, and tlie Zebu. Also the Goat,
the Ewe, the Camel, the Reindeer, the Mare,
the Ass, the Sow, the Llama, the Bitch, the
Porpoise and the Whale ; and last, but not
least, the women of our own species. , In
reference to the milk of the Ass it is said to
be the sweetest and most digestible of all
milks, and hence it is recommended by Euro-
pean physicians as a proper aliment for deli-
cately constituted invalids ; and although,
perhaps, not easily obtained in our country,
yet it can be readily obtained in many places
abroad. In the city of London, for instance,
it is said that in times past one might fre-
quently meet with such signs as " Vender of
Ass's Milk to His Majesty," or, perchance, to
'' His Royal Highness the Buke of York," or
some other distinguished nobleman or other
personage. It is used by "wet nurses," who
have not enough of their own, in rearing
children, and is said to make the nearest ap-
proximation to woman's milk of any other
kind that is known. No doubt our people
would revolt at this " Aber es ist evva yousht
wee mens 'gw.aned ist." The milk of the
cow, the ewe and the goat are, however,
the principal milks used in the manufacture of
butter and cheese. In Iceland the ewes are
regularly milked, and so are they to a con-
siderable extent in Europe. It is said that
ewes' milk furnishes a considerable quantity of
the cheese manufactured for export from the
region of the Pyrenees, as well as from some
districts in France, and it is far superior to
the cheese made from the milk of the goat.
Goat milk is said to be very disagreeable to
some persons, although those accustomed to
it prefer it to any other. The cheese produced
from it has a strong flavor, but this is not at
all objectionable to lovers of "loud flavored "
cheese, such, for instance, as Limherger,
which, however, like saw kraut, tastes much
better than it smells. Here, in Pennsylvania—
especially in Lancaster county— the goat has
never been very popular as a producer of but-
ter, cheese and milk, except, perhaps, among
the poorer classes in the suburbs of Philadel-
phia ; but in some of the Eastern States, as
in Massachusetts, and also in New York,
goats' milk, of late years, has come into quite
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
67
extensive use, especially among the poor and
the foreign population. But, perhaps, the
greatest use made of it is in Malta, Italy and
the Levant. The sassenage cheese, made from
a mixture of milks of the cow, the Roat and
the ewe, is in hitjli rcciucst in foreign countries.
The Arabians milk their camols, the Lapland-
ers their reiiuluers, ami the Central Asiatics
their mares ; but tlio principal use made of it
by them is in the preparation of an intoxicat-
ing beverage.
Although in the animal kingdom it is only
the female Mammals that produce milk, yet
there are various sul)jects of the vegetable
kingdom that arc milk-producing, though,
perhaps, not so rich in nutritions elements as
animal milks, not even the "milk in the cocoa-
nut."
Our preferences, however, by dint of habit,
education, social custom and locality, lean
strongly towards the " philosophical cow ;"
and we will conclude these remarks by con-
densing from the columns of the Scientific
Farmer a brief analysis of the milks of differ-
ent breeds of cows :
p
t
1
1
Author.
5
12
50
9
87.13
S4..1
3.4T
r T<<
0.63
Devou
Holstem
S.'J'.l 4 '^3
WIggin.
Jersey
Natives
swuV.. ?!'.".''.;::;■.
Waller.
Euglehardt.
I'layfair.
lioussingalt.
To which we add the following table of
local analyses :
f
a
1
^
?
2.94
451
4!04
3.42
130
4.88
2.93
4.86
3.80
3.32
5.19
6.40
4.13
1
5.37
4.22
6.27
4.70
4.07
4.77
4.82
0.83
0.65
0.27
0.73
0.77
0.90
0.66
Author.
Eugland
11
10
4
22
8T.90
85.76
86.28
87.18
86.66
fisisi
Reid.
VerDOis.
Sf-
Macraner.
Newro^k-Bwili::
MassachuscttB...
Reid.
Sharplcss.
From the same source we glean that five
Holsteins, owned by the Oneida community,
in 1878 yielded 43,771 pounds of milk ; highest
yield for one cow, 10,850. Also, that thirty-
seven Ayrshires yielded 207,445 pounds, an
average to each cow of 5,498 pounds in one
year, and that the highest yield was 8,316
pounds to one cow. For further particulars
we refer the reader to that rare and excellent
journal, the Scientific Farmer for April, 1879,
edited with more "ability than any other far-
mers' journal in the country.
MONTHLY REMINDERS.
In the Middle States, during the past montli,
some of the hardier vegetables have been
sown, and by the middle of the present one,
all will have been put in ; hence the labor
will now mainly consist of the various opera-
tions of transplanting, thinning, weeding,
hoeing, &e. The following alphabetical
directions will serve as a reminder to the un-
practiced gardener, who is also referred to the
directions for April.
Beans, Bush, plant for succession ; Lima,
Carolina, and other Pole Beans may now be
planted. Beets, Long, sow. Cabbage, plant ;
sow seed if not done last month. Capsicum
(])epper) plant. Carrot, Long Orange, sow.
Cauhflower, in frames, remove glasses.
Celery, weed. Crops which have failed when
first sown, repeat sowings. Cucumber, Early
Frame, plant. Lettuce, Large Cabbage and
India and Dutch Butter, sow in drills, to
stand ; thin out if too thick. Melons plant ;
of the Water, Icing or Icc-rind is the best.
Parsnips thin out, if ready. Weeds destroy
as they appear, and hoe and otherwise culti-
vate the advancing crops ; it is needless to
particularize each duty. Where the interest
and taste lead to gardening, directions for
every operation are necessary to but few. Is
it not, however, discreditable to the character
of many farmers who till their own land, and
should reap the reward of well-cultivated gar-
dens, that none but the simplest vegetables
mny be found upon their tables, and in too
many instances that scanty supply is the re-
sult of women's labor V
We have in former issues of our Jlural
Register recommended a " Farmer's Kitchen-
Garden " where nearly all the preparation of
the land m.iy be done by horse-power, and
thus most ample supplies of vegetables be
obtained at all seasons without hand labor or
occupation of time which may not be readily
spared from farm duties, and the women of
the household be relieved from toiling to
sui)ply household wants.
Wherever onions of fit size for taV)le use may
be raised from seed (the black) the first season
without the agency of "sets," we can confi-
dently recommend the Early Red. It ripens
ahead of all others, the "Queen " excepted ;
is solid, mild, a good keeper, and does not
produce bulbs with stiff necks as common
with the large red, otlierwise Wethersfield
Red. The onion is indispensable in every
family, and if the production can be facilitated
without the tedious and expensive interposi-
tion of sets, not always within reach, there is
economy and comfort ; therefore we advise
trial of the Early Red, and shairbe pleased to
have our customers report results.
An experiment made with the Bloomsdale
strain of Early Red in Wisconsin, in latitude
44c (north of Jat. of Toronto, Canada), gave
the most surprising results ; another with the
same variety in Nebraska, latitude 45°, ex-
cited the highest admiration ; not a single
stiff neck was observed.
These facts are at least highly suggestive,
and merit the examination of Northern and
Northwestern onion growers and dealers in
seed.^ — LandretlVs Bitral Register.
TO MARKET-GARDENERS THROUGH-
OUT THE UNION.
List of Approved Varieties of Cabbage.
Bloomsdale Bullork-Heart.— This is the first
and best Early, ripening with the English
Large York, and a few days in advance of
Landreth's Large York. It is large for a first
early, uniform, and invariably produces mar-
ketable heads. Where the winter is severe
sow in hot beds February or March, according
to location, transplant under glass to secure
sturdy plants preparatory to setting out.
Seed by ounce or paper only this season — next
year in quantity.
Bloomsdale Early Market. — This is offered
as a second early, succeeding the Bloomsdale
Bullock-Heart. It is of extraordinary size for
an early ripening variety, head reaching eight
to fifteen pounds under good culture, which
it must have to attain perfection. Were we
to write a page in its praise we could not say
too much.
Bloomsdale Brunswick.— Th\s is a very dis-
tinct variety, and may be designated as a
summer cabbage, following as it does imme-
diately after the Bloomsdale Early Market
It would be difficult for us to speak too highly
of this sort. Short in the stem, flat in form,
firm, weighty, compact, and attractive in
every respect, it needs only to be seen by
market-gardeners to be approved. It is,
however, necessary to treat it as an early
variety, as it suffers under the sun, and should
make its growth prior to July in the Middle
States, and still earlier in the South.
Bloo7nsdale Early Drumhead. — This is in
some respects similar to the Bloomsdale
Brunswick— more robust, and may be trans-
planted later to head in, September and Octo-
ber—of this we have the seed in papers only
the present season.
Bloomsdale Late Flat Butch. — Everybody
knows this variety. For three-quarters of a
century we have been spreading it broadcast,
until now nearly every locality in the Union
has had an opportunity to judge of and appre-
ciate its merits. Whatever good there may
be in "Premium Flat Dutch " (so called) has
been derived from this stock.
It is not too much to predict the above five
varieties of cabbage are destined to be the
standard sorts of the market-gardens of the
Union. For family use they are equally re-
liable.—7>a)uh-((/t's Rural Register.
WHAT BECOMES OF THE BIRDS.
" A German dealer recently received 32,000
dead humming bird.s, 80,000 dead aquatic
birds, and 800,000 pairs of wings of birds of all
kinds for ladies' bonnets."
Thi« is a brief but significant paragraph.
All these birds are sacrificed on the altar of
Fashion. Sliould the fashion be much longer
continued our birds may all fall victims to it,
and then the insects will have their own lively
time of it. The only salvation from such a
threatening contingency is in making the
wearing of insects fashionable by the whole
people. Handsome bonnet ornaments might
be compounded out of grasshoppers, cock-
roaches, butterflies and moths ; and splendid
jewelry out of Colorado potato-beetles, curcu-
lios, apple tree borers and chinch bugs. We
mean exactly what we say. If things con-
tinue as they are going now, this will ulti-
mately be our only safeguard against noxious
insects.
BOOK FARMING.
" New England has now over 230 farmers'
clubs, with 72,000 active members, and library
books to the number of 21,000."
That's the way it is done in New England.
Put all the New England States together and
their combined territory will hardly be larger
than the single State of New York, and not
much larger than Pennsylvania. Their land is,
and always has been, naturally, more sterile
than either Pennsylvania or New York, and
yet farmers, as a class, are more intelligent, as
good cultivators, and average as much off
their few acres as they do in the two great
States last named ; and, doubtless, they live
as bountifully. They seem to apprehend that
all traditional things are daily becoming more
precarious in their tenure, and, therefore,
they are not too conceited or i)rejudiced to
become book farmers. They join clubs,
take agricultural journals and thoroughly
read them.
EGGS-TRAORDINARY.
" Statistics show that the annual consump-
tion of eggs in the United States is about
10,600,000 barrels. The poultry marked or
consumed in 1877, is estimated at 680,000,000
pounds of the value of »68,000,000."
Eggs-actly so. And yet many of our far-
mers consider the egg and chicken business
too small to recognize as a branch of com-
merce ; and in the face of the fact, too, that
the market is seldom or never overstocked
with this species of merchandise. Eggs, like
lucifer matches, would be used— and always
used— by the entire population, if they could
be uniformly furnished within the abilities of
the poor, or those in medium circumstances —
the working people, for instance. They go
farther in a family than many other things
consumed, which cost a great deal more. No
animal ^bstance contains so much meat with
so little quantity of bone — for eggs-ample.
HENSLOW ON THE SELF-FERTILIZA-
TION OF PLANTS.
The Rev. George Ileiislow concludes, from
his studies on the structure of plant^s, that the
prevailing views as to the necessity of cross-
fertilization are too extreme. He claims that
"Mr. Darwin's works have gone too far to
strengthen the belief that intercrossing is ab-
solutely necessary for plants ; and that if self-
fertilization be continued for lengthened
periods the plants tend to degenerate, and
thence to ultimate extinction. This I believe
to be absolutely false." Mr. Henslow arrives
at the following conclusions in his article in
the Popular Science Review:
1st. The majority of flowering plants can,
do, fertilize themselves.
68
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ May,
2ad. Very few plants are known to be
physiologically self-sterile when pollen of a
flower is placed on the stigma of the same
flower.
3rd. Several plants are known to be mor-
phologically* self-sterile, in that pollen cannot,
without aid, reach the stigma of a contiguous
flower, but is effective on that of the same
flower.
4th. Self-sterile plants, from both the above
causes, can become self-fertile.
5th. Highly self-fertile forms may arise
under cultivation.
6th. Special adaptations occur for self-fertili-
zation.
Queries and Answers.
Mr. F. B. i*.— The large, long-winged in-
sect you sent us is the " Great Shad-Fly "—
Perla xanthenes, one of the largest of the
species, and which usually make their appear-
ance in the spring. They are, perhaps, later
this spring than they usually are. Some of
the smaller species appear as early as the end
of February or the beginning of March. The
larva lives a whole year in water, and some
of them for a longer period, feeding on small
water animals, but the Imago never eats any-
thing. Length of body, 1^ inches; caudal
spine, i inch ; length of wings, 2 inches ; ex-
pansion of wings, 4 inches ; antennse, 1 inch ;
color, gray, orange and brown. Order, Neu-
EOPTERA ; section, Fseudoneiiroptera; family,
Ferlkke.
Essays.
SMALL FRUITS.
The following eutertaiuing and instructive
essay on " Small Fruits " was read by Henry
M. -Engle, Esq., at a meeting of the Donegal
Township Farmers' Club, April 5, 1879, held
in Marietta :
The great majority of land owners and
cultivators of the soil look upon small fruit
culture as too small a business for their con-
sideration, and more so to plant and attend to
it for either pleasure or profit. We admit that
too large a proportion is grown in such a slip-
shod manner, and offered in our markets in
such an uninviting condition that many who
would otherwise be consumers pass it by with
disgust. On the other hand, what is more in-
viting to both the eye and the palate than ripe,
fresh, well-grown strawberries, measuring
from an inch to two inches in diameter, and
which cast their fragrance quite a distance V
What is more delicious, appetizing and health-
ful than a dish of ripe strawberries, as the
heated season comes in, and when the system
requires such food; and which is followed with
raspberries, blackberries, currants and the
larger fruits during the summer season, all of
which supply thehuman system with just what
nature designed for the health and happiness
of man? When we consider how prolific
"mother earth " yields her bountiful supplies,
with such little intelligent care on the part of
man, it seems next to criminal on his part to
be so negligent in this department, which his
Creator designed for his welfare. A^o adults
who have blunted their finer sensibilities with
all manner of stimulants and narcotic poisons,
and having no longer that keen relish for sucli
delicious food, we have only to say, let them
follow their idols and reap their legitimate
harvests ; but how shall we deal with the chil-
dren, whose unpreverted appetites crave so
irresistibly such a natural relish that in many
cases they seem to be almost forced to pilfer
for their natural good that which is in so
many cases denied them, and which often
might be supplied with the money spent by
their parents for health and soul destroying
articles ? This may be a question for philan-
thropists and benevolent societies, but who is
better prepared to make progress in this great
field than the tiller of the soil ? But while the
latter has all the advantages possible his table
is generally more scantily supplied with small
fruits (and I may add the best of vegetables,)
than that of the working classes in the cities
and larger towns throughout the country.
This is rather a sad commentary upon the
mass of farmers, but it is, nevertheless, a
true one. At a time when only a small pro-
portion of land was under tillage, and wild
berries generally abundant, and the improved
kinds few and far between, and prices high,
there was some excuse for indifterence in the
matter ; but since the larger propojrtion of
land is under tillage, by which most of the
wild fruits are destroyed, and the plants of
the new and improved kinds so cheap and in
such abundance, there is no longer a plea for
the neglect of this important branch of in-
dustry, which brings pleasure and health to
the consumer, and pays so well the producer.
It is pretty safe to measure the intelligence,
comfort and general health of a family by the
variety of earth's products which they con-
sume. Those who avail themselves of the
greater number of the bounties of " mother
earth " stand highest in the scale, while those
who are content with hog and potatoes stand
at the foot. It will, no doubt, be conceded
that a larger proportion of fruits (and especi-
ally small fruits) should compose the general
bill of fare, but the question arises, "How
shall this be brought about?" In answer I
would say, let a half dozen leading men in
every township organize a farmers' ' club, and
hold regular monthly meetings (or oftener if
the interest will justify), and dTscuss topics of
interest on horticulture, and hold annual or
semi-annual exhibitions of the finest of earth's
products and the object will be to a great de-
gree gained. Demand and supply will meet
each other, and a review of the past will
cause both surprise and regret over benefits
which might have been enjoyed. Few persons
have an idea how soon they can learn enough
to grow small fruits with as much success as
any other crop, and how ready consumers are
to patronize them, provided a good article is
produced and offered fresh and in good condi-
tion. Strawberries can be produced with as
much certainty as any other crop, and no crop
will pay better ; but such results must not be
expected with slovenly cultivatiou. We are
often asked, " When is the best time to plant
strawberries ?"
I would say spring, as a rule, is the most
certain, as the ground is then cool and moist.
The soil being in proper condition and good
plants, well put in, well cultivated during the
summer, and a light mulch for winter, will
usually yield a full crop of fruit the first sea-
son after planting, which is more than can be
said of any fruit in this latitude. As to varie-
ties, the Wilson continues to stand prominent
on the list, while Jucunda, Charles Downing,
Green Prolific, Boyden's No. 30, and others
of the older kinds are preferred by many.
Among the newer kinds, Monarch of the
West, Cumberland, Capt. Jack, Great Ameri-
can, Centennial, Forest Rose, President Lin-
coln, and others, have all proven excellent
with some growers, and may become standard
varieties, but none have been more highly
extolled than Crescent Seedling and Sharp-
less, the former for its wonderful vigor of
plant and great productiveness, and the latter
for its good quality, fine appearance and
firmness, and as the largest berry yet pro-
duced. Unless indications fail, some of the
older standard varieties will be cast in the
shade by the newer.
Raspberries are the next fruit in order of
ripening, sometimes overlapping the straw-
bei-ry season a httle, and therefore indispensa-
ble to keep up supplies in their line. The
cap varieties, which propagate from tips and
generally as hard as oak, are preferred by
some. Doolittle, Miami, Mammoth and
Seneca are among the older standard varie-
ties, while the Gregg promises to supersede
all others of this class.
Amon^ the reds, the Hudson River, Ant-
werp, Philadelphia, Brandywine, Turner
and Herstine are standard varieties, while
Pride of the Hudson, Henrietta and Queen of
the Market, among the newer, may, oh ac-
count of their larger size, supersede the
former.
The reds are not as hardy as the cap varie-
ties, but most of the above-named are suffi-
ciently so to make them reliable, and, as they
bring higher prices as a rule, they are more
extensively grown. Those multiplying with
suckers (unless intended for planting) should
be treated as weeds, except three to five on a
bush, left stand for fruiting, which should be
topped when three to four feet high, so as to
form side branches, which should also be
topped when growing beyond reasonable
length. By this method stouter canes will be
produced, which will not be so likely to fall or
be blown over. The caps may be treated the
same way. As an inducement to planting
raspbeiTies, they will flourish very well in the
shade and may be planted along tree rows,
where, by liberal manuring, they will yield
surprising crops. Three by six feet is a proper
distance for planting raspberries.
Blackberries will follow the former very
closely and keep up the succession of small
fruits. They should be planted four by eight
feet and treated similarly to raspberries.
They are great feeders and will respond well
to liberal manuring. The Lawton, being the
first to make a sensation in blackberry culture,
continues to be largely grown, but the Wilson,
being earlier and fully as large, is the market
berry for New York and Philadelphia.
Kittatinny is a berry of best quality, nearly
as large as either of the former and more
hardy, but has of late been more subject to
red rust. It has lost much of its former
popularity. Snyder, Wallace and Taylor are
newer varieties and quite popular in some
sections. The currant is a bush that is con-
sidered indispensable in' almost every garden
or back yard of reasonable pretensions, but as
a rule has to make its way among so many
serious obstacles, that it would not be sur-
prising if it had succumbed and gone out of
existence long ago. When properly treated
it will yield "as liberal and as fine as any other
fruit, and it is of more value than it generally
gets credit for. Cherry and La Versailles are
the largest varieties, but the old Red Dutch
will yield more than either and is less acid.
The White Grape and White Dutch are less
acid than the reds, of fair size and quite pro-
ductive.
The gooseberry can only be grown in a cool
and humid atmosphere, so that in this latitude
we scarcely learn to know what a gooseberry
is ; therefore the nearer we can bring about
the above conditions the greater will be our
success with this fruit. Our native kinds,
however, yield crons as regular and abimdant
as any other fruit, but small and inferior to
perfect foreign gooseberries.
Contributions.
LARGE FARMS AND STOCK-RAISING
IN LANCASTER COUNTY.
Although Lancaster county, being noted
for its fine farms and its good farming and
farmers, we cannot, as a general thing, boast
of large farms like some other counties and
States, our farms averaging from fifty to one
hundred acres, seldom over one hundred and
fifty, and a few two hundred acres. As an
exception to this, however, we find a few in
the northeast and northern sections of the
county that may be worthy of notice and
interest some of the many readers of The
FAR5IER, of which we will endeavor to give
a short descriijtion.
About twenty miles northeast from Lan-
caster and about five miles from Ephrata,
near the Berks county line, there is a farm
containing about seven hundred acres, owned
by Mr. Texter, who manages the whole farm ;
he has it stocked with common stock of all
kinds, from sheep, swine and cattle to horses
by the score, mostly or [always a surplus on
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
69
liaiid. There Ls but one main building on the
whole. He has quite a number of acres of
grazing or meadow lands, and also forests,
such as chestnut sprouts. Although mostly
sand and gravel land he has a good deal of it
in a good state of cultivation.
Then about fifteen miles from Lancaster,
five miles north of Litiz, you will find several
large farms also ; one of them owned by the
heirs of Dawson Coleman, and the other by
the heirs of Ttobcrt Colinian. The first, owned
by the heirs of Dawson Coleman, is located in
Elizabeth township, used to be called the
Elizabeth Furnace, but is now abandoned
and turned into a stock farm ; it contains about
thirteen hundred acres. It is managed by Mr.
Colin Cameron, who has turned it partly into
a stock farm from that of a cheese factory,
which was carried on by his predecessor. Mr.
Cameron keeps mostly Alderney stock, from
which he sells many at a distance, and at
liome; he has also any number of poultry, from
the game to tlic Plymouth Rock. There are
three large houses and barns on the land, but
all managed by Mr. Cameron, who lives in
the old mansion where Mr. Coleman used to
live many years ago. The land is divided
into grazing and farming, and a good deal is
in forest. The most of the old furnace can
yet be seen, together with the large number
of tenant houses, for whose occupants Miss
Coleman built a church to worship and hold
Sunday-schools.
The latter farm, west of the former, con-
taining about forty-five hundred acres, owned
by the Coleman heirs, formerly called the
Speedwell Forge place, managed by Mr.
George Youtz, who occupies the old mansion,
and has, among other older buildings, built
several large barns and houses ; scarcely any
of the old forge and dam being visible. This
farm also contains much grazing and meadow
lands, and chestnut timber, from which many
rails and posts are made and sold ; also, char-
coal burned from the wood.
Mr. Youtz has, if not the greatest stock
farm in the State, at least one of the greatest.
His stock of cattle are, as far as I saw, ordi-
nary with the exception of a pair of oxen,
which he values highly ; but his stock of
Hambletonian horses exceeds any that I have
yet seen. He has about twenty colts, about
twenty yearlings, that many two yearlings,
and, perhaps, forty or fifty work horses, in-
cluding his stallions, besides a number of
what he calls Percherons, (small ponies).
Tie has a stallion of the Middletou stock for
which he paid fifteen thousand dollars, ^nd
three and four yearling stallions which he
values from one to two tliousand dollars. He
has a number of Hambletonian colts now train-
ing on his half-mile course, made on purpose
to train, which he expects to turn out two-
forties, and is sending them out to different
points. These farms are none of our Lancaster
county limestone land— rich farms— nor are
they so pleasantly located, but it will do any-
one good to see some of these farms and
stock.— <S(ocfe Admirer.
For The Lancaster Fabmkb.
WANTS TO KNOW.
Mr. Editor : A young man wishes to
know where he can buy good land for $150 an
acre that will yield 40 bushels of wheat per
acre. He has seen in the papers notices of
Mr. Groff's system of cultivation, but it was
not stated where such land could be bought
or S150 an acre. In his neighborhood land
costs a good deal more than that, and the
yield of wheat per acre, one year in another,
hardly averages 25 bushels per acre.
Will Mr. GroflE please state, through The
Farmer, where land can be bought for $150
per acre that will yield 40 bushels of wheat to
the* acre ? And, also, whether the farm can
be kept in good condition with 300 pounds of
rawbone to the acre ; and, if the straw is all
sold, what are we to use for bedding for the
horses and cows?— H'^amiH-, 3fay, 1879.
[We apprehend that either of the proposi-
tions might be realized singly, but the com-
pound proposition may be difficult to realize.]
For The Lanoasteb Fabmeb.
SPRING DAYS.
And DOW the merry days have come,
The gladdest of the year,
Of meadows preen and daisies bright,
And streamlets running; clear ;
The buttercup and cowslip, too,
Peep from their mossy bed,
They love the gentle sun's warm ray.
Above their lowly head ;
The apple tree is in full bloom,
And from their tops the Jay
Is piping out his welcome notes,
Throughout the live long day.
The little lambs upcfti the hills,
They skip and run about,
And children on the village green,
They give a noisy shout,
And say that merry spring is here,
And in the woods they hie.
To gather flowers and make a wreath,
Beneath the bright blue sky ;
For school books now are laid aside,
And all their tasks are done.
And in the fields they roam about.
Beneath the genial sun.
The plowman hurries to the field.
To turn the mellow sward.
And drop within the golden grain,
And wait the rich rewaril ;
Full well he knows that it must die,
And rise to life again.
Ere he can reap the sweet reward
For all his toil and pain ;
He thinks not of the gentle breeze.
That funs his sweaty brow.
He only thinks of those he loves.
For those he's toiling now.
The ice-king now no longer rules
This beauteous world of ours,
The gentle sun upon us beams.
And brings us southern showers ;
For now the trees are decked in green,
And everything is bright,
0, welcome to the lovely spring,
It is the heart's delight.
Let us enjoy it while we may.
And do what good we can.
And leave the rest to Him above.
It is the better plan.
Then welcome, welcome to the spring.
It brings us birds and flowers,
It brings to us the breezes soft,
It brings us April showers;
It brings to us the rippling rill.
From out the mountain glen,
It makes the blood leap in "our veins.
It makes us young again ;
The insects, too, have sprung to life,
In every woody dell.
Oh, how we love the spring time,
The hungry heart can tell.
But some are grieving for their loved.
Whom they have laid away.
Forgetful of the blessings here
That thev have every day ;
Nor thinking of the time they'll meet
Upon the golden shore.
And walk within the light of God,
And live for evermore ;
We there shall walk the golden streets.
It is the spirit's rest,
It is the spring time of the soul,
The sweetest and the best.
—Leoline.
FOB The Lancaster Fabmzb.
ABOUT EGGS.
Mr. S. S. Rathvon— De(tr Sir: In read-
ing over your valuable paper. The Lancas-
ter Farmer, I see many questions are asked
by the Lancaster County Poultry Association,
and not all being able to agree I will here
give a few ideas of my own experience. E-'gs
will keep for one month and hatch well if
they are laid on their sides, instead of stand-
ing on either end, but not air-tighted. When
standing on end the spiral cord is on a strain,
as the yolk is hung in the centre, having a
spiral cord attached to each end, and each one
being twisted the contrary way from the other
keeps the yolk on the one side up all the time ;
you can turn the shell but not the yolk ; there-
fore, on the side is the proper way to keep
them, the same as when the hen is brooding
over them. Fertile eggs are tliose that show
the air bubble at or near the big end. AVhen
it cannot be seen the egg is not fertile. Some
are not full, and we can see the light through
the top of the egg ; and, move it backward
and forward slowly, you can see the contents
move on the inside. These are non-fertile eggs.
Pullets' eggs will hatch as well as hens, but
it is neccBsary to give them the cock in the
fall, and by spring they will be all right ; but
they will give more cockrels than pullets. The
"egg-tester " is of no use to test the fertility
of an egg ; this fact should be ascertained
before the eggs are set, by the air bubble ; the
tester is very useful, after they have been sit
on one week, to test the life of the egg. If
the vitality has not been destroyed by the hen
or hens it will show itself by the use of the
tester. I have one of my own make, werth
20 cents, far superior to those sold at 75 cents.
Fresh blood should be introduced every year,
and not bred in and in ; and it matters not
whether it is a cock or a cockrel, providing
they are vigorous ones. White Leghorns, if
well bred, will lay 225 eggs per annum, and
will average seven to the pound. Where I
have one that will fall short of this number I
have two that will overreach it; or 19 doz. per
annum for each hen, at a clear profit of $3.00
per year, and the hen gratis, so if one dies I
lose nothing, only minus one chicken. Gen-
tlemen, it is eggs that ))av, not poultry
flesh.— Fours, *c., Wm.J.Pyle, West Chester,
April nth, 1879.
P. S. Here is something for the society to
debate on. In the spring of 1870 I had 35
hens and one cock. About the first of April
I lent the cock to a friend to nm a few days
with his fancy hens (White Leghorns). He
kept him five weeks, and during this time I
sold 32 settings, and sit 8 settings myself ; but
I examined every egg, and some of my cus-
tomers ordered the third setting, reporting to
me of hatching 12 out of every 13 eggs. At
the fifth week they began to show non-fertile
eggs — nearly one-half of them. I then had
him sent home again, and in four or five days
they were all right again.— IF. J. P.
For The Lancastee Fabmeb.
THE MOON'S INFLUENCE.
Editor Lancaster Farmer : I am
obliged to your correspondent J. G. for his
communication in the Aiiril number in answer
to mine of the preceding month, though I
regret to say it was not in all respects satis-
factory. He makes clear what he meant by
the expressions "rising" and "setting" of
the moon in his former communication, so far
as the almanac is concerned, but he does not
explain what the moon's "ascension" or
"descension" consists in, or how we are to
know, aside from the almanac, whether it is
in one or the other of those periods, so that
we might be the better able to jtidge if the
change from one to the other is likely to have
the important eftects attributed to it. But
let that pass. It must be admitted that the
belief in the moon's influence on the crops is
to be established or overthrown by facts and
actual experience rather than by abstract
reasoning' or theory ; but I fail to find in
either of J. G.'s two conmiimications in The
Farmer any statement of facts or reference
to experiments that demonstrate the correct-
ness of his belief, or that go very far to show
even a probability in its favor.
He tells us, it is true, that he plows and
plants when the moon is in such and such
signs, and leads us to infer that he has thereby
succeeded in raising good croi)s ; but it seems
to me this is not enough, unless he has also
tried the experiment or known of somebody
else trying, not once only but a number of
times, of plowing and planting in the opyyosite
sign, and proving by actual experiments that
the crops were inferior in the latter ca.se to
the former. This test seems necessary from
the fact I referred to in my former communi-
cation, that many of our most intelligent and
some of our most suco'iisfitl farmers pay no
attention whatever to the signs or phases of
the moon, and do not believe they have lost
anything bv their incredulity in this particu-
lar. Of course these men plow and plant
about as often in what J. G. would call the
wrong sign as in the right one, and if it is a
70
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[May,
fact that they raise quite as good crops as
those who follow his plan, is not the inference
pretty strong that the latter are probably
laboring under a delusion ? If, however, J. G.
can show by a series of carefully conducted
experiments, by himself or others, extending
over a considerable space of time, that the
signs or chances of the moon have the effect
attributed to them, or any sensible effect on the
crops, then we will have to admit that he is
justified in his belief. Until that is done, it
cannot be expected that intelligent agricul-
turists will generally adopt this theory.
J. Gr. correctly supposes that none of us
know much about the invisible operations of
nature or hmn a seed germinates and grows.
"We do know, however, something of the con-
ditions indispensable to growth and germina-
tion. We know that it requires a certain de-
gree of warmth and moisture. Plant a grain
of corn in perfectly dry earth, or where the
ground is and remains of a temperature be-
low freezing, and it will not germinate till
doomsday, no matter what the sign of the
moon. On the contrary give it warmth and
moisture, and it will as surely germinate and
grow up out of the ground, be the moon's sign
what it may.
Now, it sometimes happens in planting
seeds, in actual practice, the ground is so dry,
or so cold, that the seed placed in it will re-
main for a week or more with no more change
or approach to germination than if it had
been left in the bag or the granary. But
while the seed has lain there in the ground,
perfectly dormant, the sign which was right
when it was planted has changed, and when
it begins to germinate the sign is wrong.
Does J. G. conceive, in that case, that the
seed planted after the sign had thus changed
would be less likely to produce abundantly
than the one planted a week before ? If he
admits that the result would be the same he
will then have to acknowledge that knowing
the right sign is of very uncertain practical
use, as the sign may be different at the time
of germinating from what it was at the time
of planting.
It is claimed, however, that the weather is
affected or governed by the moon's changes,
and of course whatever affects the weather,
indirectly if not directly, affects the crops.
But is there sufficient evidence that the
changes or changing signs of the moon have
any effect upon the weather ? Dr. Lardner,
the celebrated English scientist, who delivered
a number of lectures on various scientific
subjects, some thirty years ago, asserts that
complete registers of the weather at many
different points throughout Europe had been
kept for fifty to a hundred years, the times of
lunar changes also being kept, so that the one
can be compared with the other. " The result
of such an examination," he says, "has been
that no correspondence whatever has been
found to exist between the two phenomena."
He further declares that abundant experi-
ments have proved that the notion that plants
and trees should be grafted or timber felled
in a particular sign or phase of the moon is
entirely without foundation ; and equally un-
founded, he says, is the notion that vegetables
whose roots are used as food should be planted
in the decrease of the moon, while those that
bear the fruit on the stalks and branches
should be planted during the increase of the
moon. These conclusions of Lardner, he
aflBrms, have been established by many long-
continued and careful experiments by compe-
tent observers. Can J. G. bring forward any
record of experiments in corroboration of the
contrary opinion he holds ?
The mere fact that our "fathers and grand-
fathers " held certain opinions is not sufficient
ground for us believing they are true, or else
a great many of us would discard the demon-
strations of modern astronomy and believe
that the earth is flat instead of round, and
that the sun daily moves round it to produce
day and night.
The tides of the ocean are referred to as
showing the effect the moon may have upon
matter on the earth's surface, If J. G, could
show that any effect similar to the rise and
fall of the tides is produced in our lakes and
ponds and mill-dams, it would be more con-
vincing. As this cannot be shown, and as
the periodical times of the rising and falling
of the tides, (twice in twenty -four hours) have
no correspondence whatever with the times of
the changes of the signs from "ascension " to
"descension" (twice in twenty-seven to
twenty-eight days) it can hardly be claimed
that the moon's influence in the matter of
the tides lends any weighty confirmation to
the theory we have been examining. — Ama-
teur Farmer.
For The Lancaster Farmer.
THE INDIAN TURNIP.
Every school boy knows the "Indian Tur-
nip," as one mischievous lad will often excite
the ciuriosity of many to take a bite or chew a
bit, and then enjoy the fun to see them spit it
out and scrape their tongue as if beset by
pricking nettles. This pungency is quite
sharp for a brief period in the fresh root,
which is called a corm ; it is not a bulb nor
onion. Although shaped like a turnip, it
differs in its structure.
"We have two species, very commonly met
with in moist, rich woods. I find the old name,
Arum, for this genus, is now the [Arisc^ma, of
Martius) the A. tripyllum, so called by having
the leaves divided into three eliptical ovate
pointed leaflets ; this is the common "Indian
turnip." What we term the flower, and
usually composed of a corolla or colored calyx,
is in this case called a "spathe," which is
simply a large bract or modifled leaf envelop-
ing a fleshy spike of one or two kinds of small
flowers, forming red berries in fruit, called a
spadix, and is also known as "Jack in the
pulpit." The other species is known as Ihe
"Green Dragon," " Dragon-root," and is the
A. Dracontium. The leaf is mostly solitary,
pedately branched, divided into 7-11 leaflets ;
the spadix more slender and pointed ; the
spathe greenish, rolled in a tube, with a short,
erect point. These belong to an extensive
family. Under "Arum," Lond and Johnson
describe thirty-four species out of forty-five
known; the garden or cultivated "C'alla-
diums," a closely allied genius, of which
twenty-eight stove evergreens and herbaceous
species are described out of thirty-seven by
Johnson. We frequently meet specimens of
our common Indian turnip, having beautiful
purple stripes on a white ground, quite orna-
mental and worthy a place among the calla-
diums, This species can bear the winters of
Canada and the perpetual summer of Brazil.
When carefully examined it is found to be
one of our most singular vegetables. Its
erect scape, often spotted with purple, in-
vested at base by the petioles and their acute
sheaths ; and above bearing the acuminate
spathe, convoluted at its bottom, flattened
out and bent over at the top, like a hood,
either striped with green or purple ; some
plants are more or less barren. The fertile
plant has a roundish crowded germ, each
tipt with a stigma ; some have stamens below
the germ, (Monoecious). The germs grow
and form a large compact bunch of shining
scarlet berries ; these, later in the season,
always attract attention by the large, ver-
milion red-colored head peeping out. The
acrid property, which resides in this and
other species of Arum, appears to depend
upon a distinct vegetable principle in chemis-
try at present but little understood. It is
extremely volatile, and disappears almost en-
tirely by heat-drying or simple exposure to
the air. This, no doubt, like the edible
Arum, [colocasia esculcntum ot Schott), "Arum
colocasia" or Egyptian Arum, was extensively
used for food. No menstruum has yet been
found to retain the acrid principle in its
power— alcohol, vinegar, water, milk, etc.
It seems to consist of or escape in the form of
gas— in solution, distillation, &c. The acri-
mony of the Ranuwiuli, which approaches
that of the Arum, is lost by drying, yet is
soluble in water, and passes over with it in
distillation.*
The acrimony of the Arum when fresh is
too powerful to render its internal exhibition
safe. The roots, when dried whole, retain a
small portion of their pungency, and in this
state they have been given by some practi-
tioners in this country for flatulence, cramp
in the stomach, &c.; also, for asthmatic
affections. As topical stimulants, they promise
to be useful when any method shall have been
discovered of fixing and preserving their
acrimony.
The late Dr. Barton, of Philadelphia, ob-
serves that, "the recent root of this plant
boiled in milk, so as to communicate to the
milk a strong impregnation of the peculiar
acrimony of the plant, has been advantage-
ously employed in cases of consumption of the
lungs." Dr. Bigelow says : " This statement,
however, should be qualified by the recollec-
tion that the Arum imparts none of its acri-
mony to milk upon boiling." No doubt a
partial mixture of the root steeped in the milk
might answer the object in view.
These corms contain a large proportion of
very pure white fecula, resembling the finest
arrow root or stai-ch. By simply reducing
them to a pulp while fresh, placed on a strainer
and pouring cold water repeatedly over it,
carrying the farinaceous part with it through
the strainer, leaving the fibrous portions be-
hind, it loses its acrimony, and when thor-
oughly dried forms a very white, delicate and
nutritive substance. Dr. McCall, of Georgia,
found these roots to yield one-fourth part of
their weight of pure amylaceous matter.
This is no rare occurrence of acrid roots, or
like the Carsava or bread-root tree of the
West Indies, the fresh juice of which is highly
poisonous.
There seems to me a hint of a profitable
industry that might arise from the cultivation
and treatment of this singular product so
wholly neglected or overlooked among the
many other gifts of a benevolent Creator.
Kemember the "tomato." When I was a
boy I was cautioned against handling and
tasting it, as if it were the ' ' Apple of Sodom, ' '
and sure death to eat. Well, we need educa-
tion and experience ; also, enterprise and ex-
periment. So my agricultural friends, as well
as gardeners, will please excuse me for so long
*M. ch. Musset, a celebrated Dutch anatomiBt, gives a
highly luleresting account of an "Arum coloc .sia,'' that
distilled water from the ti[)8 of the leaves with some degree
of force, ejecting from 10 to 100 drops in a minute, in pro-
portion as the water was added to the root-stalb. Ruysch
also says of au Arum which he kept^in a green-house iuthe
Botanioal Garden, at Amsterdam, that the leaves trans-
pired very abundantly, distilling water drop by drop from
the extremities of its leaves.
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
71
a yarn about the "Indian turnip;" if you
won't profit by it, it can lianu no one to know
what is known about it. — Very respectfully,
J. Stauffer.
For The Lanoasteb Fabmeh.
timbefJ^ and fences.
Much has been said and written on the
subject of timbrr and its uses in tlie near
future. AltliouHli tlie discussion of the sub-
ject has contiuui'd for years, yet we find that
timber is clieaiur than it lias been lor a quar-
ter of a century. As a general rule, when
any species of merchandise becomes plenty
and low in price a scarcity will follow ; there-
fore let us not wantonly destroy what little
we have, nor cease the agitation of the subject
of reproducing it, through the American
Forest Association, of which Dr. Warder, of
North Bend, is the President. Notwithstand-
ing wire fences will eventually take the place
of wooden fences, and save millions of dol-
lars to the husbandmen of the Union, still we
will continue the use of and cannot dispense
with timber, for purposes too numerous to
mention.
Nevertheless we ought not to forego the
pleasures of reproducing it for the general
benefit of our fcIlow-men. If for no other
purpose, it is an ennobling satisfaction to be-
hold the beautiful foliage as it bursts forth in
the spring through the " forces of nature,"
wielded by one who is the author and
builder of all things beneficial to the human
family. Also, for the protection and enjoy-
ment of our feathered friends, who niake
their houses and their homes under the sombre
shades of our trees, chirping and singing
praises to their Creator, almost showing more
reverence for their Maker than those under
whose dominion their lot is cast.
But, a truce to moralizing, as I propose to
say something about wire fences. They are
amply sufficient everywhere for middle fences,
and also for roadsides ; beautiful to look at,
straight as a line, and fastened every twenty
or thirty feet to a straight post. They require
from three to five lines ; people who do not
keep sheep on their farms only requre three.
Along roadsides, to keep out sheep and swine,
the barbed wire is the best and will deter all
animals from making an attempt to break
through. I may instance a neighbor, who had
a barbed fence around an enclosure in which
was his herd of cattle, including a bull. An-
other neighbor had turned his cattle into a near
adjoining field, among which was also a bull.
These bulls soon scented each other and com-
menced menacing each other with bellowing ;
the one in a wired enclosure and the other
separated by an old rail fence. The latter
commenced horning and pawing, making
desperate attempts to break through' and at-
tack his antagonist, who kept a respectable
distance from the barbed wires, although not
less furious in his menaces. The other, how-
ever, not succeeding in breaking through, the
fun was spoiled. Now, the bull inside of the
barbed wire fence kept from four to five paces
off from it, bellowing, snorting and scratch-
ing up the ground at a furions rate, but
cautiously keeping away from the barbed wire,
manifesting a dread to approach it too nearly.
It appears to me that this was a satisfactory
illustration of the merits of such a fence, and
that the cattle will soon learn its nature, and
avoid it. Wire fences also admit of cultiva-
tion nearer to them, and in the course being
easier kept clean of weeds and brambles.
I predict that in less than twenty years one-
half of the fences of the country will be made
of wire, unless fences should be dispensed
with altogether. In some parts of the coun-
try they have many miles of this kind of
fencing, and as far as I am able to learn it
gives general satisfaction.— i. S. B., War-
wick twp.. May, 1879.
The Pennsylvania Board of Agriculture
will hold a grand meeting in the Hall of the
Permanent Exhibition Co., Fairmount Park,
Philadelphia, commencing on Thursday, June
5th. Our readers will please take notice.
Selections.
CIDER VINEGAR AND SUGAR FROM
SUGAR BEETS.
Sugar beets are a crop very easily raised,
and in good soil the produce is abundant. All
cattle are fond of the leaves, which add much
to the milk of cows, without giving it that
bad taste which is unavoidable when they are
fed with turnips or cabbages, and which is
chiefly owing to the greater rapidity with
whicli the latter undergo the putrefactive fer-
mentation.
The seed is sown in drills 20 to 24 Indies
apart, and thinned out to the distance of 8 to
12 inches from plant to plant in the rows.
From four to six pounds of seed are reciuired
per acre, and they should be steeped 48 hours
before planting ; the best depth for sowing is
from three-fourths of an inch to an inch ; the
culture is similar to that of carrots or pars-
nips, and the cost of seed, labor and fertilizers
will amount to about $40 per acre.
The yield, according to the quality of the
land fertilizer used and the cultivation be-
stowed, should average not less than 27j tons
or 908i bushels beets per acre, and 5| tons
beet leaves.
Analysis shows that 1,000 pounds of sugar
beets contain 184 pounds dry substances, 1.00
nitrogen, 7.10 ashes, 3.914 potash, 0..379 lime,
0.5;^G magnesia, 0.780 phosphoric acid. In
manufacturing these elements are distributed
as follows :
d.s. nit. ashes, pot. lime. mag. p. arid
T's&B's, 19 0.24 1.15 0..S36 0.108 0.132 0.144
Fibre, 46 0.44 1.71 0.i585 0.390 0.100 5.105
Refuse, S4 0.60 1.20 0.380 8.040 0.350 0.3S0
Molasses, 25 0.31 2.47 1.741 0.141 0.009 0.015
Sugar, 85 0.57 0.872 0.040 0.072
After harvesting the roots are first topped,
then washed and pulped in a grater, and
pressed to extract the juice.
Fifty pounds pressure to the square inch
extracts 60 per cent, of juice ; 80 pounds
pressure to the square inch extracts 64 per
cent, of juice ; 400 pounds pressure to the
square inch extracts 80 per cent, of juice.
Twenty-four pounds of pulp for every 100
square inches of press surface is the best pro-
portion to use. The cider-press and grater,
made by the Boomer & Boschert Press Co., of
Syracuse, New York, is worked by power, and
has a capacity, with the labor of two men, of
grating and pressing one thousand bushels of
beets per day of 10 hours, and yields 5,000
gallons of juice.
The press and grater cost $510, and require
less than six horse-power to run them, and
the press is the best and cheapest there is for
this use. The ordinary cider-press will answer,
but it costs more to run it and not as much
juice is obtained, on account of its not being
able to produce as much pressure as the other.
One bushel of sugar beets, mixed with nine
bushels of apples, makes a cider richer and of
superior flavor to that made from apples alone.
Sugar beet juice can be converted into vine-
gar in the same manner cider now is ; it
makes a stronger vinegar than cider does, of
equally good but different flavor, and if treated
the same as maple sap or sorghum juice, it
will yield a good article of brown sugar, and
all of this not used by the producer in the
brown state, would be readily purchased to
be refined by the refineries already established.
To refine sugar requires costly machinery,
such as vacuum pans, cenfrifigal machines,
filters of bone coal, &c., and also skilled labor,
but the manufacture of sugar from beet juice
requires only the evaporating pan and the
addition of some lime to the juice fo neutraUze
the acid.
The best pan is that made by the Blymyer
Manufacturing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio.
4x15 feet of copper costs $210, has a capacity
to evaporate 4,000 gallons per day of 24 hours,
and requires three cords of wood or its equiva-
lent in coal. They also have larger and
smaller pans, both iron and copper ; the former
being lower in price. I have no personal in-
terest in presses or pans, and mention them,
that each, for himself, can make an estimate
of the cost of the machinery required, and
what it will cost to convert his beets into
cider, vinegar or sugar.
The estimated quantity of the sugar supply
of the commercial world in 1875 was 2,140,000
tons of cane sugar and 1,317,025 tons of beet
root sugar, of which latter France produced
462,256 tons as agaiTist 1,565 tons produced in
1828, which shows the promess of this industry
there. The consumption of sugar in the
United .States isabimt 700,000 tons, and is
rapidly increasing. We now produce of cane
sugar 100,()UO tous, and of beet sugar 1,000
tons, and there is no reason why this cannot
be inerea.sed to the quantity we rt^piire, if the
farmers will raise the beets.
In France there is a heavy tax on the beet
root sugar they produce, and cane sugar is
admitted free, yet, notwithstanding these dis-
advantages, they successfully compete with
it ; here the reverse is the case— a heavy duty
on sugar imported and no taxes levied on its
manufacture ; certainly under these condi-
tions we should produce all the sugar we con-
sume, and have a surplus for export.
After the juice is expressed from the rasped
beet, the dry pulp rf-maining is an admirable
food for cattle, sheep ami swine. The average
amount of pulp is 20 jxr cent, of the original
weight of the beet, and three tons of it for
feeding purposes are e<iual to one ton of hay,
and should be fed in connection with straw
and oil cake or cotton seed meal. As the
pulp is fed back to stock, the land is con-
stantly growing richer, all the mineral sub-
stances taken from it being restored in the
mauure ; this enables the farmer to raise
larger crops of various produce, and conse-
quently keep more stock, which enables him
to make more butter and cheese.
The present cider mills and cheese factories
could add to their present machinery the pans
or presses as required, and by co-operation on
this, as in other products, we can produce
profitably all the sugar we require. This will
bring the business of sugar making within
the reach of small farmers, and is of vast im-
portance.
The notion prevails that" to make sugar
profitably it must bo made extensively. This
is cerfainly erroueous, and the sooner the illu-
sion is dispelled the sooner we shall begin to
realize the productive resources of our lands
and employ our now idle laborers on a very
reiuunerafive crop now grown only to a limited
extent. The introduction of the cultivation
of the sugar beet generally, subsequently to
be converted into sugar or vinegar, would be
of great benefit to farmers. It would insure
to them superior methods of agriculture, in-
creased crojis, more remunerative prices, and
enhanced value of farms.
It would create industry'and diversity of
labor, thereby increasing the general pros-
perity, intelligence and happiness of the com-
munity.
It would eventually reduce the prices of
sugar, of bre.ad, and of meat, butter and
cheese, and render the United States more
independent of foreign countries. One acre
of land will produce 1,000 bushels of sugar
beets, which made into sugar will yield 4,800
pounds of sugar ; or into vinegar, 5,000 gal-
lons, or into proof spirits 1,000 gallons ; they
are profitable to feed to cattle, particularly to
milch cows, in connection with hay, and the
pail acquaints the farmer with the fact.—
Andrew H. Ward, Bridgewatcr, Mass.
ONE-EYE SYSTEM OF POTATO-
GROWING.
Mr. Gerald ITowatt, Placerville, Cal., writes
that he p/ocured the secret of potato-growing
advertised by Isaiah T. Clynier, of Quaker-
town, Pa., and found it to lie substantially a
reproduction of the method practiced many
years ago, and which he described as follows,
in the Country Ooitkman of June 2.5th, 1857 :
I grew those potatoes on an old pasture
field without any manure of any sort. I
plowed in the spring (April) five inches deep,
then harrowed lengthwise of the furrows, then
72
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[May,
plowed it crosswise, harrowed it in the same
way first, then cross-harrowed it with a double
Scotch harrow. I then opened the drills thirty
inches apart and five inches deep. This I did
with a two-horse plow. I then dropped the
sets twelve inches apart and covered with a
common hoe by hand, level with the surface.
This is to have a level surface and to have the
stalks all come up evenly. I then ran the
roller over them. I planted from the 18th to
the 21st of May, 1856. I grew on this acre
the Jenny Lind and Prince Albert. My seed
was prepared in the following manner : I cut
all my potatoes two or three weeks before
planting, leaving but one eye to each set.
When thef are cut I spread them on a loft,
and sprinkle them over with a little slaked
lime, to heal the cuts. By this system I have
no sets rot in the ground, and am sure of hav-
ing no vacancies. I also get a much evener
crop of potatoes, as the one stem, from the
one eye, will give you a large potato, and all
about an equal size. Two or three stalks will
give you a lai-ger quantity of small potatoes,
but they will not be fit for market. If I grew
potatoes to feed cattle I should cut my sets
with two or three eyes to each set. My object
in that case would be quantity, not quality.
The sample before you will prove that my
practice is correct. I had no small potatoes
in them ; they have been as you see them.
After Culture.— Ahout two or three weeks
after planting I give them a good harrowing
with a Scotch double-harrow. If the ground
should be caked I lay a weight on the harrow,
so that the teeth penetrate the soil two or
three inches. This answers two purposes ; it
lets the stems come through quicker, and cuts
up the weeds. K there should come on a rain
immediately after this operation, I repeat it
after the ground dries, which keeps all clear of
■weeds — a very essential point in potato culture.
When the stems are three or four inches
hish I nin Knox's horse-hoe through the drills
four or five times during their growth. I do
not use a plow with them, neither do I use a
hoe to them. Knox's horse-hoe puts a suffi-
cient quantity of earth to the stems. A com-
mon cultivator with teeth reversed would
answer.
One acre of Jenny Lind and Prince Albert
potatoes yielded, under the above treatment,
two hundred and sixty-eight bushels of table
potatoes, measured (the acre) by a surveyor.
Two barrels of potatoes planted over an acre
of land. The total produce of two barrels
was two hundred and ninety-four bushels of
table potatoes, measured by a sea'.ed half
bushel, and each half bushel heaped in
measuring.
This statement was elicited by the fact, that
in the earlier part of the same volume several
large crops of potatoes had been reported by
correspondents who had used seed cut small,
to which the late C. E. Goodrich, of Utica,
so widely known as an experimenter with
potatoes, had replied in the issue of May 14th,
in opposition to the practice. In the number
of June lath, Mr. Howatt rejoined, giving
his views in opposition to Mr. Goodrich's
reasoning, and enclosing the above statement
with the following remarks :
"I have tried all systems of potato culture,
the five and six-eye system, the half-potato
system, and the wonderful small potato sys-
tem. * * If you want a good crop of potato
stalks, plant a potato with five or six eyes on
it, but if you want good tubers, plant a set
with one eye. * * I have grown them in
this country for the last six years on the one-
eye system with perfect success, and have
taken premiums (first) at the Allegheny
County, Pa., Agricultural Society, the Pitts-
burg, Pa., Horticultural Society, and I think
at the Pennsylvania State meeting. Let both
systems be tried and the results published—
the sets being prepared as I do mine, and
plant the same as other potatoes, either for
forcing or field culture."
Mr. Howatt now adds :
Ml-. Clymer's one-dollar prescription is not
quite right, however. He says : Take the
potato— ordinary seed— cut away enough of
the seed end to remove the cluster of eyes
there situated (cutting these away at once
saves much time, and does no injury to the
seed.) Then cut out all the remaining eyes,
except two, with the point of the knife,
softened and bent round, to form a quarter-
inch gouge. (This, with a three or four-inch
blade, makes the most convenient tool, but
an ordinary pocket-knife will do very well.)
'Amy may then be rolled in a plaster ; but this
is not inclispensable.
Much of this is simply to mislead. He
says cut away the seed end, but it is well
known to all potato men that the eyes at the
seed end will mature from one to two weeks
earlier than the other eyes. He says to throw
them away. I commence cutting at the root
end, throwing it away, or rather feeding it,
as it is well known that the eyes immediately
at the root end will produce small and later
potatoes. He speaks of the point of his knife
softened, and made into a gouge, and it is
strange to me that he has not got up a patent
knife for the purpose. But it is well known
that a pocket-knife is not fit to cut a potato ;
the back is too thick, and if the potato is
hard it will split it. A table knife is proper,
and the best. Had he said, in the fall spread
out your small potatoes in the sun, to get
thoroughly greened, which makes the flesh
harder and ripens tlie eyes, I should have
said he knew a little. As to covering with
plaster, he has never tried it, and lost them.
Plaster is cold, and if they are covered with
it, it draws the frost. Having seen last spring
thirteen barrels so froztn in shed, I know.
Had they been covered with lime, that would
not be the result, lime being heating.
In conclusion, I advise Mr. Clymer first to
learn how to grow a potato properly, and then
give us the result, and we shall be glad to
copy from him.
KEEPING WORK AHEAD.
Though most farmers and gardeners know
well the value of startmg early in their war
against weeds, the importance of the task is
very apt to be forgotten in the hurry of spring
work. We scarcely need give the advice as
advice, but a suggestion is always encourag-
ing, and the more so when we know it to be
true.
The great trouble with most of us is that
we lay out too much work for ourselves to do.
We get a great many things half done, and
work twice as hard as need be, when the same
amount of labor judiciously expended would
have a threefold result. This is just how it is
in the war against weeds.
We arc accustomed to get into such a
" flurry " about getting in the crops in time
that we forget the weed crop is ahxady in, and
going on at a rapid pace. We huve not un-
frequently seen the greatest exertion in getting
in seeds or plants that would have done just
as well a week later, when the same time
spent in harrowing or weeding ground, would
have been equal to four times the time at a
later period. These remarks of course apply
more to garden than to farm work. Where
horse-power is at hand weeds half an inch
high, if annual weeds, are as easUy destroyed
by a broad-toothed cultivator as if they were
but just pushing through the ground ; but in
garden work a simple raking of the ground
when the .seeds are just sprouting is quite as
effective as the best hoeing would be. An
hour or two raking of a garden between the
rows of the various crops will, in fact, almost
render hoeing unnecessary, and thus save
many a hard day's work.
Some Hints on Tree Planting.
Calling into a nursery some time since, the
subject of tree-planting came up, and the re-
mark was made that there was a great differ-
ence in trees in regard to the ease with which
they would recover from the necessary injuries
of removal. One friend dissented from this.
He contended that one species of the tree was
just as easy to remove as another one. He
said the difficulty was in the lack of knowledge
of those who professed to be tree-planters.
Here, for instance, would be a row of oaks,
there of tulip trees, another of some other
thing generally regarded as hard to trans-
plant, yet all were doing equally well. Hun-
dreds of trees, two or three feet apart, were
all growing and doing well, one after another,
just as they had been planted, without a single
failure among them all. It was regarded as
ignorance which made a tree die provided it
had roots, these roots not permitted to dry
before planting, and the earth firmly set in
about the roots. All this being granted, our
friend believed, and his success warranted his
faith, that no tree ought to die if the planter
knew his business. Some trees are of a softer
wood than another, and the softer the wood
the more they should be pruned at transplant-
ing. The hard, close-grained, wooded trees,
such as red or sugar maple, would do tol :rably
well with a little pruning ; the silver maple,
with a softer wood, required more, and so on,
just as the bark or wood was light or porous
or not.
The difficulty which many people find in
getting willow trees to grow shows that there
is much sense in this view. Many persons set
them out with all the slender twigs attached
to them, and they have great difficulty in get-
ting a good growth. We have seen such wil-
lows stand a whole year with only a leaf here
and there, often half the slender wood becom-
ing entirely dead, and very often the tree dying
outright ; and all this too with trees having
an abundance of roots.
Now, if we take a large branch of a willow
tree and make a post of it, cutting away all the
branches but the one single, thick post, and
stick it in the ground precisely as all posts
are, it will grow, and in a few days push out
an immense mass of green foliage. If we put
in a thousaud of them all will do the same.
We could safely say, that not one of such
thousand would die. Yet we see in the un-
pruned willows how they go off, and indeed
just in proportion to the free, vigorous head
on the transplanted willow is the danger of
loss.
Surely here is a hint by which all may
profit. In proportion as the wood is soft is
the danger of drying up ; and in proportion
to the danger of drying should the pruning-
knife be used. There is room for intelligence
here.— Oermantown Telegraph.
COMPOSTS FOR TOBACCO.
The following we clip from the Bichmond
Tobacco Joicrnal:
For tobacco, in making composts, more
potash must be used and less phosphoric acid
(bone). It should be remarked, that if dis-
solved bone is used in composts, gypsum
(plaster) will not be necessary, as the dissolved
bone will furnish enough sulphuric acid to
prevent the escape of ammonia. If ground
bone, not dissolved, is used, then gypsum
must be applied to the compost heap.
One thousand poimds of tobacco (which is a
good crop per acre,) are found in the air-dry
state to contain :
POTTNDS.
Phosphoric acid, equal to - - - - - 8.6
Sulphuric acid, equal to - - - - - 9.3
Lime, equal to - ----- 88.3
Magnesia, equal to - 25.0
Potash, equal to - - - - - - 73.7
Silica, equal to ------ 23.0
This shows that tobacco requires a large
amount of potash and a very moderate quan-
tity of phosphoric acid. The ammonia in air-
dried Virginia tobacco was found in five
samples analyzed under supervision of Prof.
Mallett, University of Virginia, to average a
little more than 4 per cent. (4.31), or in 1,000
pound about 43 pounds of ammonia, which is
an evidence that tobacco requires a liberal
amount of ammonia. Tobacco, as we all
know, requires rich land, and the farmers
cannot raise stable manure enough to supply
its wants, and they will do well to make com-
posts for this crop and thus eke out their
stable manure as much as possible. By mak-
ing large quantities of stable and farm -pen
manure and composting this with rich earth
and all their tobacco stalks and stems and
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
73
ground or dissolved bone, a large supply of
excellent manure can be accumulated by
spring for tlieir tobacco. Dissolved bono
sbould be used if the time for composting is
short, otherwise ground bone should l)e pre-
ferred, as it is less apt to be adulterated ; and
that made from bones which have not been
steamed or subjected to heat has not had any
of its nitrogen driven off. This is not so im-
portant if the farmer has a liberal sup|)ly of
stable and farm-pen manure to furnisli the
nitrogen, which, however, is not often the
case. For the compost made in the fall, and
say up to Christmas, we may well iise the
ground bone, and after that dissolved bone.
If the farmer, from any cause, should not use
his tobacco stalks and shattered tobacco in
the comi)osl, then he must furnish the potasli
in some other form, either Kainit or sulphate
of potash, which is belter for tobacco than
the muriate. Of tliis -ilie suliiliato, which
usually cists iil.niit :i( In -t ,-,n(.s |iit pound-
put about f)(it(i Sil pnunds (prdiiiirtidncd) to go
over the aero, it being supposcil llial the plant
always gets considerable potasli from good
land, as it is only the wornout land that con-
tains no appreciable quantity of potash.
In composting for tobacco the amount of
stable niannrc I" be put in a compost will
vary Willi the i|uality of tlie land and previ-
ous manuring. We should say 10 or 12 cart
loads will be sullicient to an acre of good land
with the same quantity or more of good dirt ;
and if we can safely rely on the report of a
compost as used by Judge Turner, in Georgia,
in which about seventy-five pounds of stable
manure, in combination with the sameamount
of cotton seed and fifty pounds of dissolved
bone, produced one thousand and eight
pounds of cotton per acre (which we suppose
is a good crop), then much less stable manure
than this will answer. It is the opinion of
many that in a comjiost " a little leaven leav-
eneth the whole.lump," and the experiment of
Judge Turner seems to sustain tliis opinion.
As to the quantity of dissolved bone in the
compost we would say, judging from the 1,000
pounds of tobacco containing 8.6 pounds of
phosphoric acid, equal to phosphate lime or
bone phosphate of 1S.7, that 100 pounds of a
good article of dissolved bone would be suffi-
cient. A 24 per cent, dissolved bone will yield
11 pounds per 100 of phosphoric acid and the
soil will always supply some. It is cheaper to
buy a good article of bone. Stable manure,
it must be remembered, contains notable
quantities of phosphoric acid and potash.
Since my last report I have had reason to
modify directions about composts, believing
now that stable and farm-pen manure and
less phosphoric acid will answer per acre.
For com and tobacco these composts may
well be put in the drill, not hill, as they
diffuse themselves through the land, as is
evidenced in the wheat crop following, which
is usually even in its growth over the ground
and no better in the drills, and this plan will
require le.ss than broadcast. But more experi-
ments are necessary in composts to determine
the quantities to be used in the composition
and in application, for these experiments will
be worth more than directions based entirely
upon cliemical analysis.
It is better, generally, to form composts
under shelter, gradually mixing the one and
then the other material, by layers, until the
heap is completed. If there is deficiency of
moisture under shelter, as there will Ije, this
must be supplied by sprinkling water over, or,
what is better, salt brine. Should potash be
used, this must be dissolved in warm water
and sprinkled over each layer of compost as
it is gradually formed. The heap should oc-
casionally be forked over, until thoroughly
mixed. If gypsum is used with ground bone
it must be sprinkled over each layer in form-
ing the compost ; that is, occasionally, as the
manure and bone are thrown on the pile.
If the compost is not formed under shelter,
then it had best be done in a scooped basin,
sufficiently deep to have a drain from it leading
to a barrel or half -barrel hogshead, water-
tight, to catch the drainage, which must be
scooped up, particularly after rains, and
sprinkled over the compost. Of course, in
forming com|iosts, less of these ingredients
will do for rich than poor lands, particularly
of phosphoric acid or ammonia. If these
directions for composts are not sufficiently
definite correspondence with me on the sub-
ject is invited.— .4niii/rtJ Report of Virijinia
CmHmisxioner on Agrirulttm.
SANDY SOILS.
Of all soils to be cultivated, or to be re-
stored, none are preferable to the light, sandy
soils. By their porou.sness free access is given
to the iiowerful effects of air; they are na-
tiii:;^y in that state to which draining and
subsoil plouj,'hing are reducing the stiffcr
luiuls of Kngland. Manure may as well be
tlirowu into tlie water as on land underlaid
by water. Drain this, and no matter if the
upper soil be almost quicksand, manure will
convert it into fertile, arable land. The thin
covering of mold .scarcely an inch in thick-
ness, the product of a century, ihay be imi-
tated and produced in a short time by study-
ing the laws of i.,s formation. It is a well-
recognized fact that, next to temperature, the
water supply is the most iinporlaut f:ictoi- in
the product'of a crop. Poor soils give good
crops in seasons of plentiful and well-distribu-
ted rains, or when skillfully irrigated ; but
insuflieient moisture in a soil is an evil that
no supplies of plant-food can neutralize.
Sandy soils are rich in niineriil constilueuts,
and fail to give good crops in tinic of drouth
only, on account of their iiuiliilily to retain
moisture. This can be obviated by the ;\\<\)]\-
cation of peat, or clay, or the .sowing of
clover — all of these enable it to retain mois-
ture in times of drouth — and the decay of the
vegetable substances in the soil give off car-
bonic aoid, a powerful solvent of the soil.
Peat contains two per cent, of nitrogen, or
the same quantity of barn manure ; but, as it
is dug out, its nitrogen is locked up in in-
soluble comV)inations, and, applied to land in
this condition, brings in sorrel and coarse
grasses ; composting it with soda ash, to
neutralize its acid, renders it soluble and fits
it for food for plants at a cost of about two
cents a pound for nitrogen. A cord of peat,
as dug, weighs about 9,000 pounds, and, well
dried^ will lose three-quarters of its bulk.
To this quantity add 100 pounds of soda
ash, well mixed through it, in powder or
solution, depending upon whether the peat is
wet or dry, and leave it in a heap to ferment.
The heap will need to be larger in cold than
in warm weather to accomplish this ; and,
after it is fermented, turn it over once and it
is then ready for use and in all respects equal
to barn manure. If the land is in condition
to bear clover, it is easily brought to a state
to produce any crop ; and, if not in such con-
dition, it can readily be made so at a trifling
cost for fertilization. A crop of three tons of
clover contains the following constituents :
117 lbs. pota.sh, .5.4 lbs. soda, .55.2 lbs. magnesia,
1.5.3.6 lbs. lime, 44.8 lbs. phosphoric acid, 13.6
lbs. sulpli. acid, 12.6 lbs. chlorine, 12.6 lbs.
sulphur, 127.8 lbs. nitrogen.
Soils are not exhausted when is seen the
power a suitable crop has to liberate and con-
vert the insoluble substances existing in the
soil and store them in the plant for future use.
The clover sbould be cut for fodder the first
year ; the .second year cut it once for fodder,
then~Sllow it to grow again and go to seed,
which save for future use, and there is left in
the soil to the depth of ten inches 6,.580 lbs.
clover roots, which contain 77 tbs. potash, 10
lbs. soda, 46 lbs. magnesia, 246 lbs. lime, 71
lbs. phosphoric acid, 24 lbs. sulphuric acid,
180 lbs. nitrogen, available for a crop which,
when plowed, leaves the land clear, light, re-
tentive of moisture, and easily tilled, with
available constituents in the clover roobs, and
soil enough to produce any crop profitalily.
and the necessity of purchasing fertilizers and
applying tliem is saved. The farm is made,
as it should be, self-supporting, but it can
only be done so by a judicious rotation of crops.
If this is not resorted to, fertilizers, which
are much more costly, must be supplied.
The constituents in clover roots above,
amount in value, at prices commercial fertili-
zers are calculated at, to .?35.17 for the nitro-
gen, pliosphoric acid and potash alone, saying
nothing of the other constituents, which are
equally as imiiortant to the growth of crops.
Kye is also a good croj) to grow. There is
left in an acre of its roots and stubble 3,400
Itis., containing 30 ttis. potash, 40 lbs. soda, 14
tbs. magnesia, Oi» ttis. lime, 24 ttis. phosphoric
acid, 12 lbs. sulphuric acid and 02 lbs. nitro-
gen.— AiuJreir If. Wurd.
AMOUNTS OF SUGAR CONTAINED IN
NECTAR OF VARIOUS FLOWERS.
Nectar is the term ii]iplied by botanists to
the sweet-tasted fiuid which is secreted within
the cups of^insect-fertilized rtowcrs ; and the
object gained to the plant by its presence is,
that insects induced to visit flowers for its
sake are useful to the plants by effecting a
cross-fertilization. Mr. Darwin has shown
what an amount of additional vigor is thus
conferred on the seeds which subsequently
result in the contrast with the evil effects pro-
duced by <ontiniious inhreeding. In many
instances tliis sweet liquid is exuded from
special L'lauds. luit in other cases from jwrtions
of the flower that do not seem to have been
specially adapted for this purpose. Morpho-
logically nectaries may represent very different
structures, but not unfreipiently they are of
tli(^ nature of an aborted organ— .such as a
petal or stamen. It is a point of dispute
among biologists whether this saccharine mat-
ter is a true secretion or simply an excretion
of effete matter from the vegetable cells— a
by-product of the chemical changes taking
place with these cells. The latter view seems
to be favored bv the fact that a similar sweet-
tasted fluid. luiicb sought after by insects, is
exuded in different parts of some plants quite
unconnected with the flower, as in the laurel,
brake fern, lime tree, acacia, &c. As to the
use of such exudation of .sweet fluid various
suggestions have been made by those who are
disposed to regard it as a true secretion ; as,
for instance, that it serves as an attraction to
certain insects to frequent the plant, these in-
sects rendering service by keeping off animals
to whose attacks the plant may be subject.
Probably this is to some extent true, but it
cannot be said to hold universally. Nectar is,
of course, the source whence the bee derives
honey, but it also affords food to many kinds
of insects which do not possess the habit of
storing up. A division of the humming-birds
is named Melliphagi, on account of living on
this substance ; but it is probable that in .some
cases the small insects seeking the nectar, and
not the nectar itself, may be the objects of the
visits of the.se birds to nectar-producing
flowers. The bright colors, as shown by Sir
John Lubbock's experiment, serve to guide
insects to the flowers, and the odors which
they emit fulfill the same end. The markings
of a flower's petals, it is to be noted, always
converge towards the nectar, as in the violet.
The importance of these guides to insects will
be apparent from the following estimations,
which show how indispensable it is that as
little time as possible should be lost by an in-
sect collecting honey. It must also be remem-
bered that the nectar is usually contained in
the most secure and best covered part of the
flower, the object being to prevent the access
of rain, which, owing to the extreme solubility
of sugar, would speedily cause it to l)e trans-
ferred to parts of the plants where Insects
could reach it without being of any service in
the way of cross-fertilization. The chief pur-
pose of the flower would in this way be frus-
trated. The formation of nectar is ohseiTed
to take place most freely in hot weather, and
to be prevented by cold or wet. So great
economy is exerci.se'd by the plant that it is
only formed at the time when insects' visits
would be beneficial, i. e., when the anthers
are ripe and shedding their pollen, or when
the stigma is mature and ready to receive pol-
len. By biologists the visits of bees, butter-
74
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[May,
flies and other insects are believed to have ex-
ercised in past times an important Influence
in modifying the size, shape, color, &c., of
flowers; and the following experiments, in
spite of their incompleteness, are of interest
as showing to what an extent this action
takes place in nature, and as helping to deter-
mine the value of this factor. These estima-
tions are only the first of a series, and the
writer regrets that he has been unable to give
them the desirable completeness, but hopes to
continue them.
The nectar was extracted with water, and
the sugar determined before and after inver-
sion by means of Fehling's copper solution.
Many of the estimations were done in dupli-
cate, and gave results that agreed perfectly.
In the case of fuschia — which is not deprived
of its nectar by any insects in this country,
the nectar being inaccessible to native
species — we have probably the whole amount
formed, but in the other cases the visits of
bees, etc., may have reduced the amounts con-
siderably. In this case it is a clear, colorless
liquid, having an acid reaction and an in-
tensely sweet taste f that of many others has
the strong characteristic odor of honey.
SUGAR IN FLOWERS.
Total Fruit. Care?
M.m.g-. (asFruit.)
1. Fuchsia per flower, - 7. .59 1.69 5.9
2. Claytonia AlsinoideSjdo., 0.413 0.17.5 0.3.38
.3. Everlasting pea, do., - 9.93 8.33 1.60
i. Vetch (Viva Cracca) per
raceme, - - - 3.16 3.15 0.01
5. Ditto, per single flower, 0.158 0.158
6. Fved clover, per head, - 7.93 5.95 1.98
7. Ditto, per floret, - - 0.1-32 0.099 0.033
8. Monkehead, per flower, 6.41 4.63 1.78
Approximately, then, 100 heads of clover
yield 0.8 grm. of sugar, or 12-5 give 1 grm., or
12.5,000 1 kilo of sugar ; and as each one con-
tains about 60 florets (125,000x60,) that is,
7,500,000 distinct flower-tubes must be sucked
in order to obtain 1 kilo, of sugar. Now as
honey, roughly, may be said to contain 75 per
cent, sugar, we have 1 kilo. grm. , equivalent
to 5,600,000 flowers in round numbers ; or,
say two and a half millions of visits for one
pound of honey. This shows what an amazing
amoimt of labor the bees must perform, for
their industry would thus appear to be indis-
pensable to their very existence. Anotlier
point worth notice in these results is the oc-
currence of what appears to be cane-sugar,
and that in the case of fuchsia, in the propor-
tion of nearly three-fourths or the whole.
This is remarkable, as honey is usually sup-
posed to contain no cane sugar, its presence
being usually regarded as certain evidence of
adulteration. The question therefore arises,
whether the change, which takes place while
the sugar is in the possession of the bee, is
due to the action of juices with which it comes
in contact while in the honey-bag or expanded
oesophagus of the insect, or whether the pro-
cess of inversion goes on spontaneously, as
may perhaps be the case ? — Alex. S. Wilson,
in Chemical News.
Our Local Organizations.
The regular meeting of the Lancaster County
Agricultural and Horticultural Society was held in
their rooms in the City Hall on Monday afternoon.
May 5.
The meeting was called to order, and Mr. Henry
M. Engle was elected chairman.
The' following members were present: H. M.
Engle, Marietta: William H. Brosius, Drumore; Levi
W. Groff, West Earl; Wm. McComsey, city; Hugh
R. Fulton, city; W. J. Kafrolh, West Earl; M. D.
Kendig, Manor; John H. Landis, Manor; J. C. Lin-
ville, Salisbury; J. M. Johnston, city; F. R. Uiffen-
derSer, city; W. W. Griest, city; Johnson Miller,
Warwick; J. F. Witmer, Paradise; Jacob Bollinger,
Warwick; Levi S. Reist, Litiz; C. L. Hunsecker,
Manheim; Israel L. Landis, city; E. S. Hoover,
Manheim; W. L. Hershey, Chickies; J. H. Hershey,
West Hempfield; John G. Garber, city; S. S. 4lath-
von, city; J. Hoffman Hershey, Rohrerstown; C. A.
Cast, city.
On motion, the reading of the minutes of the pre-
ceding meeting was dispensed with.
Crop Reports.
Mr. Linville reported the wheat crop in Salisbury
not to be doing very well. The fields look very poor,
except where the ground was plowed early and
sowed early. The corn is nearly all planted. Cherries
and peaches are doing well.
Mr. Miller reported' the wheat crop in Warwick as
looking pretty well. Hay crop also looks well. The
prospects for fruit are generally good.
Mr. Brosius, of Drumore, reported the prospects of
the wheat crop to be favorable. Grass looks very
well.
Mr. Kendig said the wheat crop is not so promis-
ing as in some seasons, but with good weather it
may turn out well. Fruit crop looks'very promising.
Mr. Grove, of East Earl, said wheat looks well,
considering the weather of last fall. Grass is very
good. Corn not so good. Fruit crop looks very
promising.
Mr. Witmer, of Paradise, reports wheat not so
good as it might be. Oats is coming up very nicely.
The prospects for a good fruit crop are good.
Mr Bollinger, of Warwick, said his last year's
wheat crop was not quite so good as it might have
been, on account of gettii g out too early. The
growing crop is not so good. The seed was not very
good. He sowed some other seed, and it is now
coming up. The grass looks promising and may do
very well.
Mr. Engle, East Donegal, said the wheat crop is
slow, except along the river, where it generally looks
well. Grass is very promising. Fruits are looking
very well, and the prospects for a full crop are very
good. The rainlall for the spring has been very
small, and it is surprising that the wheat and grass
look as well as they do.
Making Farm Life Attractive and Pleasant.
The question, "-How can farm life be rendered
more attractive and pleasant?" was opened for dis-
cussion.
Mr. Kendig said he liked rural life and rural im-
provements. There should be more done in this re-
spect. Fences should be kept straight, furrows
straight, yards clean and planted with good plants.
All the cost of which would be a little labor.
Mr. Linville said home should be made attractive
on the outside as well as on the inside. More ex-
pense should be put on the outside— on the surround-
ings. The house should be made cheap but comfort-
able, and more time devoted to the grounds. Books
and papers should be procured and read.
Mr. Miller said the home would be made very
pleasant by fixing up the yards and houses more than
they now are. Farmers should be without debts,
and then they can make farm life very pleasant. The
farmer should read and study several hours every
day. He should have good laborers, and have them
understand that his interest is theirs.
Mr. Witmer thought the home should be adorned
and kept clean and well-fitted up. Plenty of reading-
matter should be kept on hand at all times. The
fences should be kept straight, but he did not think
the gardens and fields should be all fenced in. In-
stead of straight lines about the place he would
devote more space to landscape gardening. The
keeping of good stock will always add to the pleas-
ure of farming. Farmers should get out and inter-
change views with each other.
"Mr. Brosius thought there are two sides to this
question. Some who have read about the poetry of
farming have failed in practical life to find it. We
should inculcate our faith in our work to our children,
so that they may follow in our footsteps. There is no
more ennobling calling than the work of the farmer.
We should go to our work with a j^leasure. We should
make our children part owners with us, so that they
may take pride in it.
Mr. P. S. Keist thought we could not live from
farming only. A farmer should do his duty with
pleasure. Farmers should learn what is their duty,
and then take pleasure in it. They should first find
out whether they are fitted for farming, and then
follow it.
Mr. Miller thought the homes could be made more
beautiful by painting and whitewashing every year.
It will also be Ibuud to be a saving of expense.
Farms can be made more beautiful with very little
expense.
Mr. Hunsecker said farming has its shady and
sunny sides. It is the farmer's own fault if his
home is not made more attractive. He would not
put unsightly objects in the front of the house.
Mr. Landis said he could have no idea of any ques-
tion which should be more interesting to farmers.
Mr. Fulton said he could appreciate the beauties of
farm life, being born on a farm, although he has
since gone into another business. This question is
of very great importance, because the young men are
disposed to leave their farms. This can be avoided
by making their homes more attractive. Give them
their newspapers and books, and make home pleasant
for them by giving them an interest about the place.
Farmers should read and discuss matters relating to
farm life, and give their sons the benefit of their
knowledge. Farm life pays about 3 per cent., and
that, in connection with the pleasure derived from it,
is a good iurestment.
Mr. Hershey said the most pleasant associations of
his life are those connected with a farm. He could
appreciate a beautiful farm as much as anybody.
Farmers should not devote too much time to their
lawns and houses to the exclusion of their fields.
They should not spend too much time about the
tavern. They should spend more time in reading
papers and books. They should teach their sons
that there is as much credit and honor in being a
good farmer as in being a professional man.
Mr. Engle said farming ought to be considered
attractive now in comparison with olden times.
There is a great deal of farm life that is unpleasant,
but still it is not mainly so. The buildings should
be kept In good condition and the lawns and fields in
well-ordered shape. It is not necessary to expend
much money in order to accomplish this. He thought
unsightly objects should be kept out of view. Books
and papers are important factors in making the
home pleasant. Farmers put in too many hours of
hard labor. They should do all their work in much
less time by a proper system. They should also pay
more attention to lessening the labors of their wives.
Give them more comforts and attractions. In addi-
tion to ornamentation about the place, they should
pay more attention to fruits and vegetables. They
require little room, and are easily cultivated, and
when ripe they afford a vast amount of pli
the family.
Mr. Hoover said farming should be made profitable
and then it would become pleasant. The youn,
farmer has just as good a chance to reap a good
harvest as the one who has been in the business for
twenty years. The young girLs and boys should be
taught what they are working for, then when they
grow up they will not be likely to leave the farm.
Give them some part of the crop, and tell them to
farm it for themselves ; then they will take a pleas-
ure in it. The farmer's life is very conducive to
health, and they should enjoy that. This not only
adds to their ability for the business, but it also adds
to their happiness.
The New Charter.
The charter of the society was presented by Mr.
Diffenderffer, in the absence of the attorney, Mr.
Eby.
Fruits.
Mr. Erb presented to the society a fine specimen of
Rambo apples.
Mr. Espenshade, of East Lampeter, presented to
the society several fine apples for name.
Mr. Engle presented several ears of yellow gourd
corn.
Miscellaneous.
The yearly rent for the room being due, it was
on motion ordered paid.
The report of the State Board of Agriculture was
presented by Mr. Engle for the use of the members.
The following committee was appointed to prepare
by-laws : S. S. Rathvon, M. D. Kendig, S. P. Eby,
H. M. Engle and Joseph F. Witmer.
"Ought we to scrape the bark of fruit trees?" was
referred to Mr. H. M. Engle for answer at the next
Adjourned.
POULTRY ASSOCIATION.
The regular meeting of the Lancaster County
Poultry Association was held on Monday morning,
May 5, in the rooms of the Agricultural Society.
The meeting was called to order by the President,
Rev. D. C. Tobias.
The following members were present ; Rev. D. C.
Tobias, Litiz; J. B. Lichty, city; W. J. Kafroth,
West Earl; S. N. Warfel, Strasburg; Amos Ring-
wait, city; William Shoenberger, city; Chas. B.
Keller, Strasburg; Joseph D. Gonder, Strasburg;
Frank R. Ditfenderfl'er, city; J. HoB'man Hershey,
Rohrerstown; John C. Linville, Gap; J. M. John-
ston, city; H. H. Tshudy, Litiz; John C. Reed, city;
Colin Cameron, Brickerville; Mrs. Cameron, Brick-
erville; Charles Lippold, city; William Stober,
Schoeneck; John C. Burrows, city; C. A. Gast, city.
The minutes of the preceding meeting were read
and approved.
The Finance Committee reported that the society
were to pay only seventy-five cents per month, which
included janitor's fees.
New Business.
J. B. Lichty read a statement showing the amount
received from printing the constitution and by-laws.
The cost of the book was $15, and the receipts were
$17.2.5— leaving a balance of $2.25 to the credit of
the society. The report was received and the thanks
of society tendered the committee.
The names of Joseph R. Trissler, of Lancaster,
and J. H. Hershey, of Rohrerstown, were proposed
for membership, and the gentlemen were elected.
The committee reported the following questions for
discussion at next meeting : " What is the best cure
for gapes?" Referred to Colin Cameron; " What is
a preventive for vermin in lowls?" Referred to W.
J. Kafroth.
T. D. Martin not being present, the question re-
ferred to him—" What is the best method of testing
the fertility of newly laid eggs"— was opened to
discussion by the society.
id
to ,
le j
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
75
It. II. Tshudy thought the question was of much
" rtancc, and was anxious to know something
;ii''Mit it. lie knew of no true means.
.1. B.Lichty was able to tell after several days'
in( libation whether eggs would hatch.but not imme-
ihitily after being laid. He gave his method of
.1 lilting the bad egg. He said a bad-formed egg
w.iuki seldom hatch.
W.J. Kafroth stated that some people seem to
liavr unusual luck in bringing out chicks.
Anios Kingwalt knew of persons who placed the
111 ^'c end of the egg to their mouths and moistening
i! and if it drisd rapidly they were fertile.
1 111' question was discussed by other members of
tin society, and a number of views were advanced.
" How often should fresh blood be introduced into
ilir poultry yard?" This question having l)ecn re-
ii iiiii to S. N. Warfel, was answered by him as
liic individual breeder of fowls will suspect that
he needs fresh blood for his stock, when the annual
number of eggs diminish, when a loss of size is
noticeable, and when the flock begins to show signs
of debility. But the frequency and method of intro-
ducing fresh blood is a matter that can only be de-
cided according to the object sought after." If size
and utility are desired, with no regard to permanent
type, crossing «very year with distinct, fresh blood,
will give progeny, as a rule, superior to either parent
stock ; but these hybrids cannot be depended upon
to produce others with the same merits. On the
other hand, if it is desired to establish a strain of
thoroughbreds, which may be relied on to breed true,
then the most judicious influx of fresh blood every
second year is necessary. But here, while near re-
lationship should be carefully avoided, it is equally
important to use birds of not too remote connection
with the dominant strain, in order to preserve the
preponderance of the breed sought after. Scientific
breeders u.sually prefer hens for this purpose, as it
has been ascertained that the male bird has the
most influence upon the color of the progeny and
what may be called the " fancy points, " while
the form, size and useful qualities are principally de-
rived from the hen. Hence, if the object is to pre-
serve a specific type, there is less risk in using a hen,
as the progeny, if not satisfactory, may be" killed,
while if the cross be with a male from'new blood,
and the young prove undesirable, the whole season's
work is lost. When a strain has been fully estab-
lished it is a good plan to put a promising cockrel
In an adjoining yard, and bring him back in a year
or two, when the relationship will be remote enough
to iaiuse vitality without deranging the type.
As we have said, all depends upon the want of the
fancier ; and whether the object be for economic pur-
poses, or to improve a strain of thoroughbreds, fresh
blood, understandingly introduced, is the great im-
portant factor.
Colin Cameron only bred from good strains, and he
would only breed from winning birds.
J. C. Linville did not pretend to be a hen fancier,
but found it best to introduce new blood into his yard
every year. He introduced the Plymouth Rock into
his yard this year, and he had very good luck. He
did not think it the best plan for farmers to breed
from thoroughbreds. He thought it best to cross the
stock.
H.H. Tshudy agreed with the views of Mr. Warfel.
A. Ringwalt thought it best to introduce new
cocks in his yard. There should be fresh blood in-
troduced every year.
The President, Rev. D. C. Tobias, agreed with the
views of Mr. Warfel and Mr. Cameron. He thought
farmers should not breed thoroughbred I'owls. He
should cross with some that are not so pure. That
makes very good stock. By doing this there are
better results found. He thought the best thing to
do is to put the cock into another yard for a year or
60, and then take him back again. By this means
you would efl'ectually have a change of blood. He
only bred chickens for show, and not for fighting
qualities. You should be careful in exchanging
cocks, or you may spoil a year's work . The greatest
breeders in this country keep their own cocks and do
not introduce new ones.
W. M. Stober asked for information in reference to
removing the cock and bringing him back again.
He would like to know whether that would be as
good as introducing strange blood.
The President thought it did not destroy the rela-
tionship, but there would be a strangeness between
them, which would be very beueflcial. The idea Is
to introduce strange blood of the same kind. Our
best breeders change their hens and cocks. When
they have an established breed, they do not care to
risk introducing new blood. He was going to intro-
duce some new blood to his black-breasted games,
and he wrote to a breeder for a fine cock. He bred
the cock to his hens. The cock was a fine one and
was a good fighter, but he bred anything but black-
breasted games.
Mr. Lippold thought it could not be expected to
breed black-breasted red fowls from a pure game cock .
Mr. Tshudy did not think it would do to remove
the cock and then put him back to the same hens.
He thought by putting it back to a younger genera-
tion would bring a much better result.
Colin Cameron agreed with the remarks of Mr.
Tshudy. He wag also of the opinion that there was
no belter game chicken than the black-breasted red.
Mr. Lippold agreed that they were black-breasted
red in color, but he fought some of them, and they
ran away. He found that to be his experience in
every case.
Mr. Uingwalt had some experience with the chicken
cholera, and gave them white oak bark with good
results. He discovered the gapes on some of his
fowls, and was told to dip a feather into some spirits
of camphor and rub it on the windpipe, but it did no
good.
Mr. Stober discovered gapes In some of his chickens,
and he procured a horse hair and drew outthe worms,
and the hens immediately got well.
Messrs. Witmer and Tshudy believed the best way
to prevent gapes was to sprinkle sulphur in the yard.
He thinks the best cure Is to put in the coops as
much dust and lime as possible.
Mr. Kafroth never found the gapes In small breeds
of chickens, but always in those of large breeds.
Mr. Cameron did not find the gapes in chickens
hatched by the patent inculator. He believed In the
horse-hair remedy. He did not have a very high
opinion of the sulphur remedy. A chicken would
have to be very strong in order to sneeze the worm out.
The President thought we ought to discriminate
between the gapes and pips. The pip never harmed
his chicks. The cause for gapes certainly comes
from the mother. It comes either from heat or
vermin. He thought the best plan to cure gapes was
to use a horse hair. By using a feather you are
likely to push the membrane into the throat and
cause the death of the fowl. The fowl should be
operated upon as soon as the gapes are discovered,
for if it is left go on the chicken would become very
weak and likely to die from the operation.
Mr. Ringwalt advocated the use of a fine wire in-
stead of a horse hair.
Mr. Tshudy used lard on the heads of his hens
when they had lice, and found it to be a very good
remedy.
The President always found sulphur too violent
for a young chick, but it would do for an old one.
He had lice on his chickens and he used lard and sul-
phur ; they did well for several days, but they soon
began to mope and finally died. He also used Persian
insect powder, by forcing it on the head and under
the wings, and it always proved eflTectual.
Air. Ringwalt used the insect powder mixed with
lard, and it cured his fowls of lice.
The question, "How is the ng^ shell formed?"
was referred to Mr. Linville for discussion at next
meeting. Adjourned.
LINNiEAN SOCIETY.
A stated meeting of the Linnsan Society was
held on Saturday, April 26th, and in the absence of
the President and Vice Presidents, on motion, John
M. Grider, Esq., was called to preside.
After the opening duties were attended to the con-
tributions to the museum were examined. First was
a large-sized crab taken out of an oyster and pre-
sented by Mr. Copland. Mr. Staufl^er, Chairman of
the Committee on the Crustaceoe, compared it with
some of his illustrations, and found it to be the
Panopeus limosun, or mud-crab, also called oyster-
crab. Dr. S. S. Rathvon presented some native
nitrate of soda, from Peru, South America, a bottle
of crude coal oil or petroleum from Canada, and a
fine green mineral known as "Amazon stone," the
Mici-ocliiie, a green variety of feldspar, containing
nearly equal quantities of potash and soda, from
Pike's Peak. Mr. A. Barnes presented the peculiar
jaw-bone of a porpoise, phocaena, a sub-genus of
dolphins from Greenland.
To the historical collection were added two rare
coins from Mr. Bowers, from Hollidaysburg, one old
English coin from Dr. S. S. Rathvon, and one sup-
posed to have Japanese characters, by J. Staufl'er ;
S. S. Rathvon gave four envelopes containing 55
clippings, relating to historical and biograpliical
sketches, gleaned from sundry sources.
To the library were added the Patmt Office Gazette
for April 1st and Sih, 1879 ; The Lancaster Farmer
for April ; a pamphlet from the Department of the
Interior, on the moulting of the "Horned Toad,"
PUrynosoma JDouglatsii, of Gray, and sundry book
circulars.
J. Stauffer read a paper on the so-called "Zoos-
pores," No. 517, so called from the Greek for animal
and seed or spore, a name given to the active spores
of Alga;. A slipheaded "Green Scum" was also
read. Mr. Staufl'er brought some with him, with his
microscope, and the members present were much
gratified by seeing the actual movements of these
singular bodies. That such active, twisting and
oscillating bodies, moving with more or less rapidity,
apparently controlled by voluntary action, should be
of vegetable origin is wonderful, and It is no wonder
that the statement of the occurrence of spores en-
dowed with such motions was either rejected as un-
worthy of credit, or the organisms which produced
them were considered as animals. It is now, how-
ever. It seems, admitted or generally allowed that
there is no essential difference between animal and
vegetable life.
The chairman of the Committee on Book Shelves
reported progress. On motion, the committee was
continued. After some (
adjourned.
title gossip the meeting
Entomological.
Insects and Animal Diseases.
A few years ago It was the general impression that
slabbering In horses, staggers In sheep, and many
J. ,_ . .. ^^^ ^
disorders In
attic,
caused by various
forms of weeds or herbage In the food they ate. It
may be that In some cases It Is so ; but with the
progress of discovery It has been found that plants
have not near so much to be blamed for as we one
time supposed. It was, for Instance, once an almost
universal belief thai the Texan ealUe fever was
brought about by some small fungoid vegetation
which existed in the Texan prairies; but a commis-
sion, appointed by the Department of Agriculture,
went to Texas and reported that there was nothing
whatever to warrant the popular belief.
So with the staggers In sheep, which so often
proves a fatal disease, and subjects sheep-raisers to
■;rcat loss. Dr. Darllngtfin tells us. In his Flora of
Chester county, that It was common to attribute It
to a plant — andromeUa mariana — and which was
called by the sheep-breeders stagger-bush on this
account. Besides this, various other plants In other
sections have been supposed to produce the same
disease. But now It Is known very clearly that no
plant has anything to do with it, but that It resuIU
from a small wormy parasite, which after dcvelopin);
in its early stages In the stomach of the animal,
works its way to the head and leeds on the sheep's
bruins.
All this Is well-known now, but It is not so well-
known how these parasites arc produced, and are
scattered about so as to be introduced Into places
which were once free from it. The clue was fur-
uished some few years ago In the case of the trichlne
in pork ; it was found that a parasite often found a
homo in the flesh of the hog, and fearful results
followed on the human frame in many cases. There
was no doubt but the very same insect could be
communicated from the animal eaten to the human
system. But subsequent experiments proved with-
out the slightest doubt that high heat totally de-
stroyed the enemy, and that therefore meat properly
cooked was entirely innocuous. Since then It has
been placed beyond question that some other fearful
parasites that once in a while infest the human
system, come from imperfectly cooked beef. Raw
beef cures have been popular with some empirical
mendicants, and the parasites which have followed
have been a matter of calculation with no doubt as
to the origin.
The great question has been how these trouble-
some things flrst get inlo these animals. Recently
in some anatomical lectures Dr. Joseph Leidy, who
probably stands at the head of this branch of science
in this country, gave It as the result of his own per-
sonal researches, that the animals which eat raw
meat— cats, dogs, and-so-forth— take in the eggs
with the raw meat they cat, which pass through
their system unchanged, and that then the eggs be-
come scattered eventually among the herbage, and
again are taken into the system.
How Insects Hear.
It Is very common to say of a stupid but active
fellow that all the brains he has Is In his heels. No
one ever Imagines the organs of the senses to be any-
where but in the head ; certainly the ears, which
help us to hear, would hardly be expected to be near
one's stomach. But it seems that this is what hap-
pens to insects, as the following. In rather too learned
language, from the Imlepemlenl says:
While the organs of sense are In vertebrate ani-
mals invariably attached to the head, in the lower
animals ears and antennae-like organs, and perhaps
smelling organs, may be found in the abdomen or
elsewhere. That all those insects which produce
sound must have the faculty of hearing it, seems a
truism ; still it is dilScult to discover the seat of the
organs of hearing. In locusts or grasshoppers the
)rgans of hearing arc situated at the base of the ab-
ilornen, in two large sacs, situated next to the stlr-
mata, in the basal segment. Mr. A. H. Swinlon has
now found that somewhat similar organs of hearing
likewise exist at the base of the abdomen of some
moths, as certain nocluidic of owlet moths. " If,"
says Mr. Swintou, " after having killed an Individual
of a large Noctua and denuded the alxiomen of
scales and hair, we examine its junction with the
thorax, we observe a constriction of the segments
that has occurred In the metamorposis, whereby the
first and second alKiominal segments of the caterpil-
lar are represented by dorsal ares Indicating a pedl-
cal. In the Noctuniua the organ of hearing is found
between these contracted segments and the meta-
thorax. The external ear is recognized In a rather
large cavity, thai here penetrates the abdomen on
each side, and is oval In section, with a i)Osterior ex-
cavation or couch. Thercis, besides a tube which
is the counterpart of the Eusta- tube. In its
76
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ May,
general strncture the moth's ear is like that of the
grasshopper." Mr. Swinton has observed similar
ears in moths of the si)li-worm and geometric fami-
lies, and they may be traced in certain Diptera, a(
Agriculture.
The Wheat Crop.
Reports from every point in the wheat-growing
region, in the West and Northwest, show the condi-
tion and prospect of the growing crop in Minnesota,
Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana,
Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Missouri in detail,
by counties and districts. With regard to the winter
wheat crop the reports, almost without exception,
are favorable, the present fine condition of the crop
being largely attributed to the snows of the past
winter, which afforded complete protection. From
Ohio somewhat increased acreage is reported, with
most encouraging prospects. In a comparatively
few counties there is reported some nipping of the
plant by the late cold snap, and some apprehensions
are expressed as to the etfect of the March frosts,
but the best advices indicate that an increase of
about 10 per cent, is promised, the yield for the year
being estimated at .30,000,000 bushels, aga'inst
27,000,000 bushels last year. The prospect in Ken-
tucky is generally reported encouraging,and a fair in-
crease in the yield onjast year is confidently expected.
All reports from Indiana go to show the excellenV
condition of tne crop. The acreage seems somewhat
increased, on the whole, while the prospect in yield
is estimated as high as 25 per cent, over that of last
year, though some apprehensions are expressed as
to the effect of the jiresent cold snap. The reports
from .Michigan are that the prospects are better than
last year, and an increased yield is expected. Missouri
reports are to the effect that the prospects are better
than a year ago, and that the yield promises to ex-
ceed that of last year. The better estimate as to
Nebraska is that the acreage of winter wheat is fully
2.5 per cent, greater than last year, and that 20 per
cent, more spring wheat will be sown. The condi-
tion of the winter wheat crop generally is reported
favorable. In Kansas the acreage is reported to be
about equal to that of last year, while the condition
of the crop is far more promising, the prospect being
the average. Michigan reports show the crop to be
in good condition generally throughout the State,
with slightly reduced acreage in some localities esti-
mated as high as 20 or 25 per cent. And from
other regions in the winter wheat region the pros-
pects are generally reported above the average.
The chief question, and one which has been con-
siderably agitated as to the spring wheat crop, has
been as to the seed supply. There has been division
both as to whether the lighter wheat of last year,
the berry of which was shriveled, will germinate ;
and whether, if it germinatgs, it will yield a good
crop. As to the question of germination, there
would seem to be small room for doubt in view of
the results of the experiments made in Chicago,
showing that in some instances 93 per cent, of the
blighted berries germinate, while in no instance was
the percentage less than 68. The prevailing opinion
among the wheat men of this city is that not more
than 5 per cent, of the blighted berries will fail to
germinate ; and that with that much increase in the
sowing there need be no apprehension of any failure
on account of the seed. In Iowa there seems to be
little apprehension as to seed wheat, and it is re-
ported that by screening a sufficient supply of good
seed grain can be obtained. — Prairie Farmer.
Grain in Orchards.
In a recent issue of your paper I notice an article
in which the writer is desirous of becoming familiar
with the project as to whether sowing^ small grain
(oats) in an orchard would prove satisfactory. I
think not, should he be dealt with similarly to my-
self. Though the raising of such had only once
been engaged in, and its proving by far contrary to
my expectations, I unhesitatingly abandoned the
idea of raising small grain in an orchard of any age
in the future. I now take pleasure in giving my
experience to young farmers and any others of your
numerous readers.
In the spring of 1876, having an extensive and
superior selection of choice fruit trees, variously
mixed, I concluded (the trees being widely set apart
and planted in virgin soil) to experiment in raising
oats. As the ground needed cultivation, I thought
the oats would be beneficial instead of injurious.
Sowed them in March, and gave the matter but little
attention until June 1st, when, to ray surprise and
dissatisfaction, I observed the trees were very scaly,
bark dry and in places scorched — caused, as I
thought then and know now, by the refiection of
heat or rays of the sun. The straw was fast matur-
ing, and capable of reflection. But my neighbors
frequently persisted in causing me to believe other-
wise, but of no avail. I afterward confirmed my
belief. Becoming dissatisfied at the turn things
were taking, I had the oats harvested. But it was
no improvement, for the stubbs seemed as forcible in
returning heat as did their better half. Finding
there was no chance of saving them except by hard
work and diligent nursing, I resolved to adopt the
two latter methods, thereby saving more than half
of my trees.
"Young Farmer" will observe by the foregoing
that the oats paid dear for themselves, and were
worthless. If he should still feel inclined to raise a
crop in his orchard, I would suggest the raising of
corn or potatoes, or other crops with green foliage. —
M. A. Stier, in Rural WoHd.
Bone Dust.
Many a poor fellow has worn out his bones trying
to work a piece of poor ground ; but such bone ap-
plication has seldom resulted in large profits. Our
English friends hare discovered that it is much bet-
ter to use other people's bones in these cases than
their own, and the bone-trade of England has as-
sumed gigantic proportions. All the old battle-fields
have been ransacked, and unless reports do them no
injustice, many an old fellow whose bones were sup-
posed to rest in peace in some grassy, daisy-flowered
churchyard would have to hunt some modern turnip
field to find all that remains of them. Foreign coun-
tries have not only to pay tribute to Engl and' of their
wealth during life, but even their bones have to fol-
low, in order to enrich British soil, as while living
they worked to fill British pockets. Australia sends
an enormous quantity of bones to England. It has
become such a heavy trade that the article itself was
found too light for profit. Science has been called
in to enable the ship owner to take the same weight
in less bulk. The bones are first ground, then the
dust mixed with some substance which will give it
just enough adhesiveness to make the particles stick
together. Then the material is put under heavy
pressure in moulds about six inches square, so that
it can be packed in the hold without any loss of
space. One ton of this hone-cake measures only
twenty-six cubic feet. Of course these bones are all
of wild or domestic animals, but still "silence is
golden." — GermanioitJH Telegraph.
The Question of Weeds.
Every good farmer knows that to insure satisfac-
tory crops his land must be cultivated in the best
manner, and if it is so cultivated few weeds will be
found upon it. Sometimes, even upon well-managed
farms, a field here and there, owing to adverse
weather, a shortness of hands, or a rush of work
generally, may be neglected for a few days and the
weeds may get a start ; but this happens rarely, and
an observing man can always judge of the character
of the farmer by glancing his eye over his premises.
If the weeds are not to be regularly and systemati-
cally destroyed, the idea of conducting agricultural
operations profitably may as well be abandoned, for
the one is incompatible with the other.
And even this is more pointedly so with the gar-
den. Weeds and a garden crop are as antagonistic
as life and death. They cannot stand upon the same
platform. One must be master, and it is for the
owner to say which. If a garden is systematically
worked — and without system no garden is worth
having — the labor of keeping down the weeds is re-
duced' one-half. But let them once get ahead, and
they may he fought all summer and prove victorious
in the end.
Again, let no weeds go to seed ; and do not throw
into the public highway such as do, to be washed
down upon the land of your neighbors. — Oermantown
Telegraph.
An Immense Farm.
Twenty-seven miles north of Fargo, Dakota Terri-
tory, is the famous Grondin farm, the largest culti-
vated wheat farm in the world. It covers about
40,000 acres, embracing both railroad and govern-
ment land, and is close to the Red river. The farm
is divided into four parts, and has dwellings, grana-
ries, blacksmith shop, elevators, &c., and has a
stabling capacity for 200 horses, and has a granary
capacity for 1,000,000 bushels. In addition to the
wheat farm there is a stock farm of 20,000 acres.
During the seeding season they employ about seventy
men, and in harvest time as many as 200 men are
busily engaged. Seeding commences about the flth
of April and ends the ifirst of May. The work is
done very systematically, the machines following
each other about the field four rods apart. Cutting
commences about the 8th of August and ends the
forepart of September. Then comes thrashing,
which is done by eight steam thrashers. After
thrashing the stubble ground is plowed with gang-
plows, that cut two furrows, drawn by three horses,
and this work continues until it "freezes up," which
is about the first of November.
Store of Grain in the West.
Chicago elevators, as per official returns, contain
419,097 bushels of wheat, 6.34,537 bushels of corn,
95,295 bushels of oats, 31,34fi bushels of rye, and
,1.57 bushels
1,530,432 bushels, :,
week ago, and 6,3i;:;,
year. Milwaukee wi
bushels of wheat, 2i
bushel? of oats, 16,3
bushels of barley.
rand total of
. - I 'li; Ijushels one
' . ' I tliis period last
!ii.ii-r.. -in,,,l with 496,363
i:« bushels of corn, 19,607
1 bushels of rye, and 3.57,490
Horticulture.
Grafting Grapevines.
We have been experimenting in a small way for
ten years in grafting grapevines, and latterly have
met with such complete success that we would like
to give our experience to your many subscribers.
The first experiments were on an old Catawba and
the Wild Frost grape, an inch or more in diameter.
They were cleft-grafted at the surface of the ground,
two grafts in each stock, and two eyes to a graft, set
and waxed the same as an apple graft, but never a
bud even started on the graft, but plenty of suckers
shot up from the old vines. In after years experi-
ments were made with very long grafts, set some
inches below the surface and hanked up to the up-
permost bud with earth. They would start nicely,
but all die before autumn. No permanent union
was formed between stock and graft.
Our first successful experiment was five years ago.
We had noticed that a short one-eyed grape cutting,
properly placed in a shallow box of sand in a green-
house and regularly supplied with the necessary
amount of heat and moisture, would start the hud
with the same certainty as the parent vine, if the
graft had not been detached, and ip due time it
would callous and throw out roots. This suggested
a new idea, and we determined to make another
trial on some seedling wild Blue grapevines three or
four years old, that covered a trellis. Having clear-
ed away the earth with a hoe around the vines to be
grafted, an inch or two below the surface, or until
the upper roots appear, they were sawed off far
enough above the crown to get a good split, and
cleft-grafted, using a short graft with one eye on
each. Over this was placed a box six inches square
and open at the bottom and top. Sand enough was
filled in the box to raise it two inches above the
grafts. The sand was thoroughly wet, the earth
hauled up around the outside of the box to keep the
sand from drying out and also from extremes of heat
and cold, an 8x10 window glass placed over the box
and the work was done. After grafting several in
this way we found it more convenient to use three
common bricks in lieu of the box; they were set
edgewise around the grafts, the inside corners touch-
ing and making a triangular inclosure. The earth
was hauled up and glass put on the same as first.
Every graft grew that year, some of them fifteen
feet long, and we have been equally successful since,
except in '77 — a few failed that year from using win-
ter-killed wood.
If the weather is very hot and dry before the grafts
appear above the sand remove the glass, water, and
cover lightly with coarse litter. When large vines
are worked a wedge should be inserted in tlie centre
of the cleft to prevent too severe pressure on the
grafts, and very small vines should have a bandage
of waxed thread at the union to prevent them from
opening. All suckers from the old vine must be re-
moved as they appear. The best season for grafting
is March, before the sap starts. They can also be
grafted early in June after the vines cease to "bleed"
when cut.
We do not claim that our modus operandi is essen-
tial in all its details, but would say to amateurs, use
bricks when convenient, as they are porous and
absorb and give off moisture readily. Also
bear this in mind, that to successfully graft any
plant so porous as the grape it is essential to sur-
round both stock and graft at the union with some
material that will furnish heat, moisture and air un-
til the parts callous and unite, ami that pure sand is
much better for this purpose than loam. Another
important feature in favor of sand is that no injury
results from hard freezing.—.?/. G., in Practical
Farmer.
Grape-Growing.
A writer in the Practical Farmer says : " I see
much written in the Farmer about growing grapes,
but have seen no plan described and recommended
like mine. As I never lose a crop of grapes from
frost in the spring or from rot or mildew in summer,
and have used this plan, after experimenting with
many recommended methods of training, pruning,
etc., for eight years, I can recommend it confidently.
The vines can be grown as for other plans of train-
ing, the first two years. At the first pruning, after
the vines are two years old, if the vines are strong
so as to have two arms to fasten to the wire, in op-
posite directions, I put in a stake equally distant be-
tween each two vines. The stakes should be six feet
long and put eighteen inches deep into the ground.
I then fasten a wire — No. 16 will do — to each stake
along the row, and give each vine a wrap or two
around the wire ; they need no tying. I then' place
plank, full length of the rows, on top of the stakes,
driving one nail through the plank into each stake.
The plank should be twelve to fifteen inches wide,
and six inches above the vine. I always let two
shoots grow about six inches below the wire, for the
next year's fruiting ; all other shoots I pinch the
ends off of, at about three leaves from last bunch of
grapes, and take off all suckers that may appear
after pinching, except the end one, which I do not
1879.
THE Lancaster farme!^.
77
pinch any more. I have no tying up of young shoots,
us I let them rfow in their own natural way, and by
the time the fruit is full grown the vines loaded with
fruit are under cover where dew and heavy rains and
hail can not injure in the least, and the fruit — even
the Concord — can be kept on the vines for weeks
after being fully ripe. 1 have kept them sound ou
the vines until frost in autumn. This is not costly
here where plank is worth only $1 per hundred feet.
Forty of the leading varieties of grapes have been
grown here on this plan, and all pi-oved successful."
How to Plant Peas.
It is a novelty to read in such a magazine as
Harper's such literature as " How to Plant Peas,"
yet in the April number we have no less a personage
than E. P. Koe, author of "Barricks Burned Away,"
thus discoursing on the subject ; Last spring I put
in my first peas and potatoes, on March 1.5th, and
had splendid crops of both, but usually we cannot
do much in the open soil before the first week in
April. As soon, however, as the frost is out and the
ground is dry enough, I shall plant in my driest and
warmest soil some Little Gem and Laxton's Alpha
peas. I shall open furrows three inches deep for
Gems, and one foot apart, and in these furrows scat-
ter compost about an inch deep, draw a pointed hoe
through the furrow to mingle the manure with the
soil, and then sow thickly — three peas to an inch. I
will treat the Laxton's Alpha in the same way, with
the exception that the rows will be two and a half
feet apart. The Little Gems grow only a foot high,
and require no support. The Alphas require 2}i feet
brush. Two weeks later I shall plant for second crop
Little Gem, M'Lean's Advancer, and Champion of
England. I have tried a great many kinds, and have
come to the conclusion that the four kinds I have
named are the richest flavored and sufficiently pro-
ductive— in brief, all things considered, the best.
Grapevines in California.
California has, probably, twenty vines, each of
which produces more than 600 pounds of grapes as
an average crop. Among these are vines at Coloma
and Blakes, and near Montecito and Stockton —
representing the Sierra Nevada, the coast mountains
north of San Francisco, the San Joaquin Valley, the
southern coast, the level of the sea, and an elevation
of 2,000 feet above it. The Stockton vine, a mile
southeast of the town in the yard of Mr. Phelps'
house, is a foot in diameter, and last year produced
5,000 pounds ('ijjtons) Accortlmg to the Itidependent .
We have heard nothing lately ol the yield of the
Montecito and Coloma big vines. We saw the latter
in 1867 when young, and it then bore 1,.500 bunches
of grapes. The Montecito vine grew from a cutting
of the old vine at the same place, set out in 1795, and
cut down in 1875, when eighty years old. It had a
diameter of 15 inches, covered an arbor of 114 feet
long by 78 wide, and averaged three tons in its
annual yield. The big vine at Blakes separates at
the surface of the ground, into two stems, each six
inches in diameter. The vine at Coloma is an Isa-
Sowing Garden Seeds.
As seed-spwing time is approaching it will be in
order to say that a very great portion of seeds annu-
ally sown are lost through deep sowing. Of course,
large seeds, like beans and peas, may be covered
with an inch or more of earth, and yet be able to
work their way easily through the surface ; but with
smaller things the merest covering is suflicient, pro-
vided the earth is pressed firmly over the seed. Peas
and beans, as the season advances, can be planted
deeper and deeper.
In flower seeds it is quite common to sow them on
the ground in a little patch, and then scatter a mere
dust of earth over, beating it a little with the back
of the trowel, and it is found that the seed germi-
nates better than if put beneath the surface. There
is not the tendency to rot. Again, we have known
some of the lighter kinds of garden vegetables to be
scattered along the garden line, and merely trod in
with the feet, to grow so well that every seed seemed
to sprout. This of course implies that the ground
should be dry enough to powder under the feet, and
So it always should be when seeds are sown. To sow
deep, or when the earth is wet, are great mistakes.—
OermantowH Telegraph.
Where Tomatoes were First Eaten.
It is a Newport tradition that tomatoes were first
eaten in this country in about 182.S, in a house still
standing ou the corner of Come and Mill streets.
About that time there came here an eccentric Italian
painter, Michele Felice Come. He bought a stable
on the street now called for him, fashioned it into a
dwelling house, and there lived and died. Previous
to his coming, and long after, tomatoes, then called
"love-apples," were thought to be poisonous. A
gentleman told me to-day that in 1819 he brought
them from South Carolina and planted them in his
yard, where they were looked upon as curiosities and
prized for their beauty. They became later, however,
a very unpleasant missile in the hands of the small
boy. A charming old lady also told me today that
in 1834 she was sitting with a sick person when some
one brought the invalid as a tempting delicacy some
tomatoes. " Would you |)oison her?" was the ex-
clamation of the astonished attendants; and yet
Come in this section of the town had been serving
them for a year previous. As late as 1835 they were
regarded as poisonous throughout Connecticut.—
Boston Transcript.
How Many Tobacco Seed to an Acre?
As we have been asked over and over again how
much seed is necessary to [>lant an acre of tobacco,
we have taken the trouble to find out how many
seed there are in a grain, an ounce and a pound. In
one grain we found by actual count 1,494 seed. This
would make by multiplying by 480, the number of
grains in an ounce, 717,120 seed to the ounce, and
8,605,440 seed to thepound. Estimating 5,000 plants
to the acre, and supjrasing every seed will make a
plant, every half ounce will plant nearly 72 acres, an
ounce, 144 acres, and one pound 1,721 acres ! As
many farmers arc contemplating planting largely
this season, we recommend a careful study of these
figures, and merely intimate that we have a few
pounds of seed still on hand.
One little drawback to the immense number of
plants, and one which we devoutly wish, for the best
interests of the farmer, may be the result this year,
is that bad seasons, &c., destroy so many tender
plants that a careful farmer will sow his plant beds
for at least six times more than he intends to culti-
vate.— Cincinnati Tobacco Journal.
Bananas.
Few people who see bananas hanging in fruit
dealers' shops think of them as more than a tropical
luxury. In fact, they are the staple article of food
in some parts of the world, and, according to Hum-
boldt, an acre of bananas will produce as much food
for a man as twenty-five acres of wheat. It is the
ease with which bananas are grown that is the great
obstacle to civilization in some tropical countries. It
is so easy to get a living without work that no eflTort
will be made, and the nien become lazy and intolera-
bly shiftless. All that is needed is to slick a cutting
into the ground. It will ripen its fruit in twelve or
thirteen months without further care, each plant
having from seventy-five to one hundred and twenty-
five bananas, and wlnii tliut dies dnwn, after fruit-
ing, new shoots sprini;- up lo i;ikc its place. In re-
gions where frosts ncvii i. ailj, imnaiuis are found in
all stages of growth, liijiiiiii;; tlnir fruit every day
and every mouth in the year.
Pruning Peach Trees.
Frequently old peach trees are made thrifty and
fruitful by severe cutting back — cutting the lartre
branches down to the very stubs. Not long ago we
were told by a very intelligent and experienced fruit-
grower that he was once very much surprised by
seeing some previously fruitless old peach trees hang-
ing full of superior, large fruit. Inquiry led to the
statement that they were apparently worthless trees,
which had been the year before closely trimmed to
get the outstreaching limbs out of the way of work-
ing around them with a team, so that the trees pre-
sented little more than a trunk with stubs sticking
out a foot or two, and now hung full of fine fruit. —
F. cfc F. Magazine.
Domestic Economy.
Whitewash.
Following is the Germantown Telegraph's recipe
for preparing whitewash :
Take the very best stone-lime, and slack it in a
close tub, covered with a cloth to preserve the steam.
Salt — as much as can be dissolved in the water used
for slacking and reducing the lime— should be ap-
plied, and the whole mass carefully strained and
thickened with a small quantity of sand, the purer
and finer the better. A few pounds of wheat flour
mixed as paste may be added, aud will give greater
durability to the mass, especially when applied to
the exterior of buildings. With pure lime, properly
slacked and mixed with twice its weight of fine sand
and sifted wood ashes, in equal proportions, almost
any color may be made by the addition of pigments.
Granite, slate, freestone and other shades may be
imitated, and without any detriment to the durability
of the wash. This covering is very often applied
and with good eflect, to underpinning, stone fences,
roofs and the walls of barns and other outbuildings.
Probably the pure whitewash is more healthy than
colored, as its alkalescent properties are superior,
and when used in cellars, kitchens and sleeping
apartments produces salutary results. No person
who regards the health of his family should neglect
to apply a coat of it every spring. Country places,
especially farm outhouses, fences, &c., arc greatly
improved in appearace by an annual coat of good
whitewash, and will add to their permanency much
more than many would imagine. It is cheap and
easily applied, to that neither expense nor labor can
be pleaded against It.
Signs of a Prosperous Farmer.
When you see a barn larger than his houses, it
shows that he will have large profits and small
affections. When you see him driving his work in-
stead of his work driving him. It shows that he will
never be driven from resolutions, aud that he will
certainly work his way to pro8[)erity. When you
always sec in his woodhousc a sulllcicncy for three
months or more, it shows that he will be more than
a ninety days' wonder in farming operations, and
that he is not sleeping In his house after a drunken
frolic. When his sled is housed in summer and bie
farming implements covered both winter and summer,
it plainly shows that he will have a good house over
his head In the summer of his early life and the
winter of old age. When his cattle are shielded and
fed In winter. It evinces that he is acting according to
scripture, which says that " a merciful man is merci-
ful to his beast." When he is seen subscribing for a
paper and paying in advance, it shows that he will
neverget nis walking papers to the land of poverty. —
Minnesota Farmer.
Home-Made Cracked Wheat.
Cracked wheat, which has in the last few years
become a staple article of food, may be made at
home at a much less cost than when bought ready
prepared from the grocer. Use the best wheat,
which at Jl ..50 per bushel would cost two aud a half
cents per pound. Spread the wheat upon a white
cloth, and pick out of It all the oats, straw and the
like ; set it in some open dish in the stove oven to
dry, but not to scorch ; when very dry run It through
a coffee mill, set so as to crack every kernel. This
will be a kind of wheat-hominy, mixed with some
fine. To cook it let the water be boiling, then stir
in the wheat and keep it stirred till it has done set-
tling; then a very gentle fire will keep it boiling,
witii an occasional stirring. A big fire will surely
burn It. It is lietter to boil it an hour or more. This
may be eaten warm, with any kind of dressing, or,
when cold, may, like corn mush, be sliced and
warmed for use. If stirred when in a cooling state,
it becotnes sticky, like paste. It may be taken up
hot into dishes, and cut into slices, or otherwise,
when cold.
Cream Instead of Butter.
A housewife, writing for the New York Tribune,
proposes virtually to abolish butter. She says : " It
would be well to train a family from the outset to
regard butter as an incidental or luxury, rather than
a necessity. The manufacture of it is one of the
hardest and most time-consuming tasks that a far-
mer has to perform. Moreover, with all the work it
involves, butter adds less to the health and sus-
tenance of the family than would the eating of the
cream that goes into the making of it. Where one
physician advises the eating of butter, a thousand
recommend the consumption of cream. I think not
one will dispute the statement that of cream and
butter-eaters the former enjoy the best digestion, the
best health and have the finest complexion. Then,
why work one's self to death for worse than naught ?
Why not eat milk and cream instead of turning it
into butter? Good bread is good enough without
the addition of a condiment to make it palatable :
and, eaten with sweet cream, what is more delicious.'
Use Plenty of Paint.
The farmer who keeps his house, barn, and other
outhouses; his house-yard fences; his wagons; the
wood-work and unused iron-work of his machines
and implements, constantly covered with a coating
of good paint, saves a great deal of money in the
long run. In fact wc know of no small expenditure
that pays as well. The work of painting these things
needs no very skillful hand. Fancy colors on mowers
and reapers, plow beams, harrows, cultivators, etc.,
are of no account. Good, durable paints, ready
mixed, can now be bought at reasonable prices, and
of any color, all over the country. But any farmer
can mix his own paint if he desires. Ground paint,
paint brushes, oil, and a little turpentine as a drier,
compose the whole outfit. OU and lamp-black make
a black paint. A simple red paint is made of red
lead and oil. Paint put on in cold weather Is more
durable than when put on in hot weather. The heat
dries out the oil too rapidly.
A Good Night Lamp.
Alpheus has been having a long spell of fever, and
it was necessary to have a light burning all night In
his room. We live in the country, so no gas was
accessible. Caudles flickering disagrecal^ly, and a
kerosine lamp when turned low always has an an-
noying ismell for an Invalid, so I bethought of a light
my mother used to improvise when I was a child,
before kerosene, with its attending dangers, was
known. It was made by slaking a saucer of lard and
cutting a piece of newspaper In a circle about three
inches, then twisting the centre of this up to a point
78
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[May,
and burying all but the tip in the lard. It will burn
all night — a shady, dim light — and in our case
prove a real comfort. Some of these homely facts
are well worth remembering.
French Bread.
As a rule the French bread is always sweet and
good, and two things contribute in a great degree to
this — that ie the manner or form of baking. They
never make a thick loaf; no matter what the size or
shape, it is always thin, and more than two-thirds
crust. They bake their bread until it is perfectly
cooked. The loaves being so thin, tlie heat strikes
through very soon after they are placed in the oven ;
hence all lii imntaiion is stopped, while in the case
oflar;:r Inaxr.^ I, a iiirntation goes on after the bread
has lnaii in tlir.iiii for some time, and of course
much of I In- s« crincss is lost. Then in baking so
long, and having so much crust, there is a peculiar
sweetness given' which can be obtained in no other
way. — American Miller.
To Destroy House Insects.
To thoroughly rid a house of red and black ants,
cockroaches, spiders, bed-bugs, and all crawling
pests which infest our homes, take two pounds of
alum and dissolve it in three or four quarts of boiling
water. Let it stand on the fire until the alum disap-
pears, then apply it with" a brush while nearly boil-
ing hot, to every joint and crevice in your closets,
bedsteads, pantry shelves, and the like. Brush tlie
crevices in the floor of the skirting or mop boards, if
you suspect that they harbor vermin. Cockroaches
will flee the paint which has been washed in cool
alum water. If, in wasliing a ceiling, plenty of alum
is added to the lime, it will also serve to keep^ insects
at a distance — ficientiflc American.
Cleaning a Brussels Carpet.
As the season is now approaching when carpets
must be handled, the following will prove of interest:
First have the carpet well shaken, then tack it down
in the room where it is to remain ; sweep it as thor-
oughly as possible; take a pail of hot water, put in
two tablespoonsful of pulverized borax : wash the
carpet all over the surface, using a flannel cloth.
For grease spots or very dirty places, use a scrub-
brush freely and a very little soap, taking care to
rinse the soap off well after scrubbing ; change the
water quite often ; rub the carpet well with a dry
cloth after washing, and open doors and windows so
as to dry the carpet as quickly as possible.
Household Recipes.
Potato Noodles. — Grate one dozen of boiled
potatoes, add two eggs, a little salt, half a cupful
of milk, enough flouK to knead stifle, then cut in
small pieces, tlien roll long and round, one inch thick;
fry in plenty of lard to a nice brown.
To Preserve Gum Solutions. — A few drops of
cloves, alcohol, or acid will preserve a quart of the
mucilage of gum arable or gum tragacanth from
turning sour. A small quantity of dissolved alum
will preserve flour paste.
Ham Dressed in Claret. — Take a glass of
claret, a teaspoonful of sugar and a teaspoonful of
chopped onion ; place in a frying-pan ; when the
claret boils place in the rashers of ham, not cut very
thick ; cool well and serve with the sauce. This is
a most appetizing Qish.
Velvet Cake.— Three cupsful of sugar, one and
a half cupsful of butter stirred to a cream, six cups-
ful of flour, with two teaspoonsful of Boston yeast
powder well mixed in the flour. Flavor with essence
of lemon. Four eggs, the yelks and whites beat
separately, and add last.
Ice Cream Cake. — One cupof butter, two cups of
sugar, one cup of milk, three cups of flour, whites of
five eggs, three teaspoonfuls of baking powder ;
bake in thin layers ; tl;ree small cups of sugar, dis-
solved in a little water, and boiled until done for
candy ; cool a little, and pour over the unbeaten
whites of eggs, and heat together a half an hour.
Whith Fruit Cake.— One cup of butter, two
cups of sugar, one scant cup of sweet milk, whites of
five eggs, one grated cocoanut ; one pound of
almonds, blanched and cut fine ; one pound of
citron, cut into very thin pieces ; three and a half
cups of sifted flour, two heaping teaspoonfuls of
baking powder. Flour the fruit and add the last
thing.
Lemon Pie. — Grate the yellow rind of two lemons;
beat together the rind, juice, ten tablespoonfuls of
loaf sugar, and the yelks of four eggs, until very
light, then add two tablespoonfuls of water. Line a
large plate and fill with the mixture ; bake until the
paste is done ; beat the whites stiff and stir into
them two tablespoonfuls of sugar, spread it over the
top and bake bright brown.
Cheap Pudding. — Peel and core four or five
apples, according to the size, cut them in slices, and
lay them in a pie-disb ; sprinkle them with sugar
(pounded), and then put a thin layer of apricot or
other jam. Take two ounces of sugar and a small
piece of butter ; stir it over the Are until it boils, and
then pour it into the pie-dish with the apples and
jam, and bake until done.
To Wash Silk Stockings. — The best way to
wash all silk stockings is to make a good lather of
curd soap and rainwater; use it nearly cold, and
then wash, rubbing as little as possible, and doing
each stocking separately. Rinse in clear, soft water ;
squeeze out the wet as much as possible in a soft
cloth, do not wring the stockings ; wrap each one in
a dry cloth, and when almost dry rub them with a
piece of flannel, always the same way. A small
quantity of liquid ammonia should be added to the
lather when black stockings are to be washed.
Baked Fish. — Take any nice fish, boil it, remove
the bones, and chop considerable parsely very fine,
with one small onion. Have about as much bread-
crumbs as fish. Take a pudding-dish and butter it,
then lay in a layer of bread-crumbs, then a layer of
fish, ending with bread-crumbs. Mix your parsley
and onion with salt and pepper through your bread-
crumbs. Put lumps of butter over the top, a very
slight grating of nutmeg, and pour over it all sweet
cream or very rich milk, till it rises nearly to the
top. Bake in a quick oven till it has a nice, rich
brown crust.
Apple Preserve. — Peel, halve and core six large
apples, selecting those of the same size, having pre-
pared a syrup made of one pound of granulated
sugar and a pint of water ; when it boils drop in the
apples with the rind and juice of a lemon and two
or three cloves. As soon as they are tender «are
should be taken that they do not fall to pieces.
Take the halves out one by one, and arrange, con-
cave side uppermost, in a glass dish. Drop a bit of
currant jelly into each piece, boil down the syrup,
and when cool pour around the apples. This makes
a very nice preserve for tea.
Live Stock.
Treatment of Cows at Calving.
Cows in good condition should be watched carefully
for any symptoms of fever ; for its progress is so
rapid in some cases as to aijbrd little time for treat-
ment. The early symptoms are, dullness, ^languor,
red eyes, hot head and horns, a strong pulse, some-
times uneasy movements of the hind legs, the cow
then lying down, placing its head on its flank, or
striking its horns on the ground. Sometimes the
symptoms are only fever, rapid pulse, and quick and
strong breathing, with loss of power over the limbs,
want of sensation, torpor of bowels and bladder.
One of the best things to do in case of an attack, is
to apply moderately cold water to the whole body ;
and this is best done by placing a woolen blanket
around the cow, from udder to foreleg, and pouring
water between the blanket and the body, wetting the
body and blanket thoroughly, covering with a dry
blanket if. the weather is cool. Matting or old car-
peting is good to place around the body ; place it
under, and bring the ends together over the back.
If the cow is down, roll her over on the blanket,
having first wetted it, and also the side of the cow.
This wetting will produce a fomentation and gradual
cooling of the whole surface of the body, modifying
the fever, and usually producing relief in a short
time. If it is that form of the disease in which there
is great heat of the head, pour ice-cold water upon
the head between the horns, at the same time that
water is applied to the whole body ; and as in most
cases the udder is swollen and hot, this should be
treated with the water-bag, which is useful in garget
and fever in the udder. This bag may be made of
oil-cloth, or, better, India rubber, large enough to
enclose the udder, coming up to the body, flaring at
the top, held up by a strap over the back, and filled
with soft water of a moderate temperature — say 65
degrees. This will soon allay the irritation in the
udder, and the water can be changed when it be-
comes warm. Give at the same time copious injec-
tions of blood-warm water, which will assist in re-
lieving the bowels and intestines. It is well to chafe
the back and hips gently. We have seen these
applications work well, even when the cow was
unable to rise, and had passed beyond the bleeding
stage.
We give this rational treatment, because it may be
applied by the dairyman himself, with great hope of
success, when he cannot have the skill of the veteri-
narian, and will save many more cows than any
attempt of the dairyman himself to apply veterinary
medicines. — National Live-Stock Journal, Chicago.
Color in Jerseys.
It is well known that for some time past the more
prominent breeders of the Island of Jersey have
been swayed against their own best judgment by the
prejudice against parti-colored cattle, on the part
especially of English buyers. To such an extent is
the color mania carried that it is said that no breeder
in Jersey would raise for his own use a bull which
had any material amount of white in his color. On
the other hand, bulls that are fit only for the
shambles are kept at the head of some of the choicest
herds, solely on account of their prepotency in re-
gard to solid colors ; and cows have the preference
as breeders, not because of the presence of those
qualities that have given the race its world-wide
celebrity, but simply because of the absence of white
hairs.
Col. Waring, in an account of his late visit, tells
us that almost invariably in examining a herd the
farmer or agent by whom he was accompanied would
point out su'-h and such an animal as being "very
good ;" "the best in the herd;" "the finest animal
in Jersey," etc., etc. — animals which obviously were
good for very little indeed. And on his calling atten-
tion to the superiority of another in the same field,
he was answered, quite as a matter of course : "Oh I
yes, for the dairy that cow is worth ten of these, but
look at this one's color ! — not a white hair on her."
All this will sooner or latJr bear its legitimate fruit.
And it is not at all surprising that its deteriorating
effects are already beginning to be felt. Intelligent
observers, on visiting the Island, are struck with the
inferior characteristics everywhere manifest. Good
animals are, of course, to be found in every herd,
but the percentage of poor animals is alarmingly
large, and, what is worse, is on the
National Live Stock Journal.
The Difference.
Mr. A. A. Crane, a farmer residing at Osco, Henry
county, Illinois, called at our office a few days ago,
and gave us some facts and figures in regard to his
business that are interesting. He had just come to
the city with a lot of cattle and hogs, which he had
sold as follows : 100 hogs, average weight, 496.3 lbs.,
at 84.35, brought ?2,i.58.90. 14 head of cattle,
averaging 1,483^ lbs., g5, $1,038, making a total for
the hogs and cattle of S3,196.90. By a reference to
the market reports of the same day we find that a
large majority of the hogs sold changed hands at
less than $3.85. Taking $3.85, however, as the
average, we find that Mr. Crane received ?J48.15
more for bis hogs than the average price for the day
for an equal number of pounds. On the same day
the quotations for fair to medium fleshy steers were
|4 to $4.35. Taking the latter figure, we find that,
by having good steers, Mr. Crane realized 65 cents
per hund.-ed more on his ^i0,760 lbs., making a differ-
ence of §134.94 ; and on the hogs and cattle together,
the difference in favor of good animals, in good con-
dition for market, over the average of the day for
the same number of pounds, was $383.09 — a very
handsome showing in favor of good stock and good
feeding, over the slip-shod methods prevailing so
generally among farmers. We might say further,
that the price obtained by Mr. Ci-ane for his cattle,
although 65 cents above the average price of the
day, for fair steers, was 30 cents below the highest
price of the day — $5.30 having been paid for a fancy
lot of steers averaging 1,.555, for the English mar-
ket.— National Live-Stock Journal, Chicago.
Stallion Shows in Spring.
The awarding of a prize for "the best stallion"
in any given class at a county fair held in the autumn
does good undoubtedly. It furnishes horse breeders
with an opportunity of seeing good horses. If the
prize is for the stallion and a showing of'his colts it
gives an opportunity for seeing those which have
proved their excellence as sires. But there is no cer-
tainty that any direct future good will come from
such a prize, beyond its stimulating effect. Often
the winner is not owned in the county, or, if he be,
he is often sold or removed for the next season.
Would not awarding pi izes to the best stallion to
make the next season in the county do much more
good ? Our cirumstances are so different, we cannot
well adopt the plan which has proved so successful
in Scotland — of having representatives of various
societies annually come to a great national stallion
show and pay handsome premiums to secure the
standing of their choice of stallions in their districts,
with a fixed service fee, but there is nothing to pre-
vent a more general holding of spring shows of stal-
lions, thus giving breeders an opportunity for com-
parison and selection ; and the plan of offering prizes,
with condition of the season being made in the
county, would be an advisable step. As the taking
of the prize would give some reputation and help in
receiving a good patronage it might be well to in-
clude in the condition a moderate sum as the maxi-
mum fee for service. — National Live Stock Journal.
■Worms in Hogs.
Before adminstering a vermifuge it is alwayi
proper to relax and clear the intestines of accumula-
tions of ingesta. For this purpose give to each hog,
in the morning, an hour before feeding, according to
the size of the animal, from two to four ounces of
castor oil, mixed with one drachm of oil of turpen-
tine. Next day, and once daily during a week, ad-
minister remedies which combine in themselves the
properties of a tonic, a bitter, and an astringent.
For this purpose we recommend the sulphate of iron
and gentian root, in doses of one scruple to half a
drachm of the powdered sulphate of iron, and one to
im.j
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
79
two drachms of tlie powdered gentian root. For the
purpose of ready administration such a powder may
be mixed with a teaspoonful of honey or treacle,
and in the shape of thick paste or electuary, smeared
upon the root of the tongue, which is far preferable
to drenching. It Is best given in the morning, an
hour before feeding. A frequent change of food,
plenty of sour milk, and always ready access to pure
drinking water, are esseotial.— A^nfionai Live Stock
Journal.
Exercising Cows.
A correspondent of tlie Country QentUman writes :
In countries where cows are the most productive
they are not allowed to range at will, but are con
fined in comparatively close quarters. On the
Channel Islands where the Jersey and Guernsey
cows are bred, they are tethered and kept confined
the year round. The Ilolsteins live with their own-
ers, generally under the same roof, while the bonnie
Ayrshire almost shares the bed and board of her
master. These customs have perl'ected breeds of
cows and made them profitable, while the American
system of pasture ranges and barnyard "exercises"
has perfected nothing, and never will, and in most
cases has afforded really no profit. On the one side
Is philosophy and cow sense ; while on the other, old
notions and human prejudice govern. Result, we go
abroad to improve our cows and iuerease our profits
and still hug the delusions of our fathers. Gentle-
men, this is not progressive.
Tender and Small Feet.
A horse with tender, thin-walled, and small front
feet is certainly better off without shoes on ; and the
longer time he can be spared from work, the better.
Such a horse should not be k^pt tied in a single
stall, but should be given outdoor liberty when the
weather permits; and when indoors he should go
loose in a comlbrtableshedor box-stall, with earthen
floor. Look out for corns. A few months' liberty
on pasture in the spring would be beneficial. Such
a horse should never wear heavy shoes, and the
smith should be told not to draw the nails tight when
shoeing. — National Live-Stock Journal, Chicago.
Apiary.
Practical Bee Culture.
At the session of the Northeastern Bee-Keepers'
Association, held at Syracuse, N. Y., during the
past week, Mr. Bacon, of Oneida, took strong ground
in favor of allowing bees to stir about and clean up,
while others as strongly objected, saying that if kept
on pure, good honey and illowed to remain dormant
no cleaning is needed. The President took the latter
ground, and stated that he kept his bees dry, and at
a low enough temperature to keep them quiet, and
never disturbed them until the blossoms of the soft
maple are out, which he regards as a fair indica
that the cold weather has left and that bees will be
able to live and work.
Another question, as to the relative amounts of
honey consumed, was raised. Mr. Baer claimed that
he raised honey enough in a single season to pay for
his bee-house. Mr. Snow claimed that he had all
the honey left that he cared for, and preferred to
have the honey used from the comb, in order to
vacate the cells for the use of the queen. Mr. Koot
had weighed two swarms and found that indoors the
swarm used four and a quarter and five and a half
pounds during the winter, against six and three
quarters and seven pounds used by those left out.
Some further discussion took place, and it was
finally resolved to take up the question of the best
method of caring for bees in the spring. The dis-
cussion was very warm, and the views of several
membei-6 were strongly expressed. Several mem-
bers took the ground fhat an early fiight was desira-
ble, and others opposed it as being a fruitful source
of disease and spring dwindling, which so many com-
plain of. The president took the ground that an
early flight and a subsequent return to the dormant
state was a detriment to the health of the swarm.
He keeps his bees as quiet as possible, but when the
blossoms start he places them on the summer stands,
taking all necessary care to insure sufficient mois-
ture, which he deems necessary at this time, and al-
lows them to begin work and also to brood. He
feeds them honey in the comb, simply breaking the
ceiling of the cells, thus giving the comb to the
queen to be used for breeding. He believed dysen-
tery among bees was caused by early exposure and
by allowing them to get cold water. Several mem-
bers expressed the same views and the sentiment of
the convention was found to be in favor of the plan
adopted by Mr. Koot.
A Good \A^ord for Bees.
A correspondent of the LuUana Farmer writes :
While most all other industries are full to overflow-
ing, that of bee culture is just beginning to attract
attention. Our own State is about as good as any
other State for honey. Where white clover, golden
rod, Unn, poplar, or basswood and many other honey
trees and plants abound, bee-culture can be made
profitable. We have hundreds of people in our State
of small means who micht as well as not engage in
the bee business and make it profitable as well as to
enjoy the luxury of eating honey. The outlay to the
beginner need not be very great. One hive will do
for a start. A book giving instructions on bee man-
agement Is almost Indispensable. The art of hand-
ling bees must be learned in some way, or failure
will be the result, sooner or later, and the sooner
cenerally comes first. The best way to learn an
occupation is to go to work with some one that
knows how . Bee-keeping Is no exception to this rule.
My experience has taught mc this much, that very
little valuable instruction is got from patent bee-hive
men. They will tell some big thing about their hive
to make It sell, whether it is true or not. Men who
can count their colonies by the hundred, and are
making money at the business, certainly know what
a hive should be. Some of the most successful ones
use a common affair. A hive of bees can, with
ordinary management, be doubled every year for
five years. In the fall of the seventh year we have
(54 colonies ; 'M pounds of honey to the hive every
year will be a low average for that length of time ;
l.") cents per pound is not high for honey ; we have
2,.')40 pounds for the seven years ; that is, at 1.5 cents,
makes |:i81,if I have made no mistake. The 04
colonies at the low price of $7 per colony makes
?44S ; this added to the value of honey gives the
snug sum of $829. This is no big thing but it is
enough to pay for all the trouble It costs. Some
will say it looked well enough on paper, but not one
man in fifty can do that well. I believe it can be
accomplished every time with proper care. I would
like to hear from some of our bee-keepers on the
subject. If they think that I am extravagant in my
calculations let them say so.
Farmers and Bees.
Everything in bee-keeping does not depend upon
location. The manner in which many farmers keep
their bees, almost forces one to conclude that they
are either too indolent or ignorant to keep them suc-
cessfully, and that in reality they should not make
any attempt. I will enumerate the kind of farmers
who can keep bees, at least enough to supply them-
selves with honey sufficient for the wants of their
own families. The farmer who has sufficient sense
to plant corn at the right time, and energy to eradi-
cate the weeds and stir the soil to insure a good
crop, can keep bees. The man that adorns his home
with shrubs and fiowers, delicious fruits for his table,
and desires the education of his children in every
useful art that agriculture and home affords, will
keep them. Ou the other hand the one who has not
the interest or energy to do all these things, need not
expect to get either money or honey from bee-cul-
ture. Some of the requisites to care, even for a few
stock of bees, are, first, a love for the bees. No one
succeeds well who keep bees with only large profits
in view, for in this business " he who'maketh haste
to be rich," will surely fall into a snare. Second,
knowledge and energy to do the right thing at the
right time. This can be attained by" reading and ob-
servation, and time and money thus expended will
prove a good investment. Third, faith that bees will
pay if rightly kept. A like faith is necessary in this
vocation as that which the farmer exercises in all
his farm matters. — O. \V. Niehardt, in Bee-keepers'
Guide.
Poultry.
How the Young Bird is Hatched.
What more wonderful provision in nature is there
than that by which the young bird is vitalized and
matured in the egg. As all who have paid any at-
tention to embryology know, the germ of the future
bird is placed on one side of the yolk, and that side
is always uppermost, being suspended by chalazae
or twisted cords in the albumen of the egg.
If you take an egg, and placing it on its side,
break out a circular hole in the upper side of the
shell you will always find the blastoderm or embry-
onic shield, as it is called, on the upper side of the
yolk looking you in the face, almost like an eye.
The reason that this embryonic shield is always
held uppermost is because the parent bird in incu-
bating applies the hot surface of the skin directly to
the upper side of the egg, and that the embryo may
receive its proper heat' and receive no injury it is
suspended in a thick and elastic deposit of albumen.
The parent bird in the period of Incubation, know-
ing by instinct that the eggs in the middle of the
nest receive more than their proportionate share of
her heat, she Is often employed in changing the po-
sition of the eggs, putting those that were on the
edge in the middle and those that were in the middle
on the outer edge. Observe now how this very act
beautifully carries out another provision of nature ;
If by chance a bird could impart to her eggs the
same degree of heat throughout so that there would
be no necessity for changing their position, the young
birds would not hatch ; because, the heat being ap-
plied to the eggs at one point without change, the
veins which are thrown out to the shell to obtain
oxygen for the embryos would be over stimulated
anil strong at that point, and weak and powerless at
all other points, where the heat was not employed.
The result would be that the chicks would be con-
fined or anchored to one side of the shell, and, as
they could not turn around in the shell In order that
they might break a circle around it to liberate them-
selves they would die at the time they should break
their prison walls.
Nature thus Implants In the parent bird the in-
stinct to keep changing the position of the eggs. In
order that the embryos may be born.
"What Breed Shall I Keep ?"
In the long list of questions which established
breeders of poultry are called upon to answer, there
Is none that appears more frequent than the one at
the head of this short article.
The breeding of thorougliI)red poultry for profit or
amusement is becoming general, and each one cm-
barking in the enterprise asks this question first,
" What breed shall I keep ?"
To answer this question, as it should be answered,
requires that we should know the tastes and habits
the person, the buildings, and time to be given for
eare and feed, and the amount of yard room and
grass run which a fioek would have. Of course the
breed 1 keep is the best for me, and also all others
who have a moderate amount of room. This Is a
natural conclusion, and yet before I settled down to
the breeding of Plymouth Hocks, I had tested the
other leading varieties, and failed to realize what /
hai'c realized during the five years I have bred tbU
variety. In egg production they have surpassed
anything I ever had, not excepting the Leghorns,
while the weight, and consequent value was much
greater.
For table uses they are not equaled by any variety
of breed, the flesh being more evenly distributed
over the body, and especially on breast and sides of
breast bone. They are large, and yet compact ;
heavy, and not bony ; with bright yellow legs, and a
disposition to take on fat ; making them the best for
all practical purposes. They do not have a disposi-
tion to roam, and are easily kept within bounds, a
four foot picket fence being all that is necessary.
One cannot ask for chicks larger than this breed
secures, as cockerels five months old dress from five
to six pounds. They are hardy, and remarkably
free from disease.
The hens have a moderate desire to set, but, with
my experience, not sufficient to make them good
sitters or mothers. Some of my flock, three years
old, never having shown any desire to brood.
The Plymouth Rocks are of good form and fine
color, and so please the eye of all, while their in-
trinsic worth made them favorites everywhere.— O.
M. Twitchell.
Eggs and Egg Culture.
The traffic in eggs in this country Is estimated, by
competent authorities, to equal ?1.'>0,UOO,000 per an-
num. New York receives in a single year 530,000
barrels of eggs, valued at ?9,000,000. In 1877 there
were exported from this country .5,20J,"20.5 dozen
eggs, valued at $668,701. It Is claimed that Phila-
delphia consumes daily 80,000 dozen eggs. The ap-
proximate receipts of eggs In Boston for the year
1878 have been as follows : 107,627 cases, containing
49 dozen each ; 43,000 boxes, containing 100 dozen
each, and 17,7{>3 barrels, containing 70 dozen each.
These figures give as a result, 108,410 packages,
containing 6, .51.5,052 dozen eggs, or 78,187,^36 single
eggs. It is estimated that fully 95 per centum of all
receipts are consumed in Massachusetts, and that
about 80 per centum are consumed in and near Bos-
ton. In nearly all small towns and villages enough
eggs are raised to supply the local demand. The
number of eggs consumed in this Slate, when com-
puted, is found to be at an average of 5.! eggs per
year to every inhabitant, or one egg per week. All
these eggs come to Boston from various sections In
about the following proportions : Eastern eggs, most-
ly from .Maine, by boat and rail, at all seasons of the
year, 24 per centum of total receipts ; Northern eggs
from Northern New York and Canada, 37 per cent-
um ; P. E. I. eggs, from Prince Edward's Island, be-
tween the months of April and November, 17 per
centum ; Western eggs, 19 per centum, and Southern
e^'gs, from Virginia, during a few weeks in the
spring, 3 per centum. Of the Northern eggs the
greater part comes from Canada, and this trade is
constantly increasing. A single Boston firm, the
largest receiver of eggs in this market, bandied
nearly 000,000 dozen eggs last year.
What I Know about Roup.
Dear Sir : I would like to tell what I know about
roup. The symptoms are various. A sniffing and
sneezing, sore eyes, swollen head, a discharge from
the beak and nostrils, and a loss of appetite, are all
indications of roup. Another good way of discerning
roup is to take the fowl on your lap, open its beak
and smell of its throat. If it smells badly, your
fowl has the roup. At the first appearance of roup,
the fowl should be promptly removed from the rest,
and treated as described below.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[May, 1879.
Treatment.— The best and cheapest remedy and
preventive for roup is invariably the German Roup
Pills, which sliould be immeiMately administered
according to directions, also give twice a day if your
fowl has the roup badly, if not once a day will be
found sufficient, a pill made by melting some fresh
lard in a vessel over a fire, and adding enough red
pepper to thicken. When it gets cool it may be
made up into pills and administered by pushing it
down the throat. Red pepper should be given in
their drink. Also, wash the head and neck in a
solution of chlorate of potash in water. Feed the
German Roup Pills exclusively, and your fowl will,
nine times out of ten, get well. Always keep sick
fowls warm and dry. If you think this worthy of
notice please publish it in your excellent paper, the
Poultry Yard.— 0. A. L., in Poultry Yard.
" Brown Leghorns."
Mr. Henry Lively furnishes us with an account of
the eggs laid by his Brown Leghorn chickens during
the month of March. His fifteen pullets laid liSi
eggs in 31 days, being an average of 9 5-31 per day.
In February these same fowls laid ^53 eggs in 28
days, being an average of 9 l-2s per day. The lowest
number laid being 4, the highest 13. These fowls
are confined in a coop 6 feet wide by 10 feet long,
with yard attached 11 feet by l^H feet, including a
few moments' run occasionally on a small grass
patch. These fowls are pure bred Brown Leghorns
bred from 3 pullets and from a cock brought direct
from Bonney by J. B. Long, and sold bj#iim to Mr.
Lively.
The number of eggs laid day after day was as
follows :
-Examiner and Express.
Poultry Profits.
I have kept a strict account from March 5, 1878,
to March 5, 1879, and with good success. First,.!
purchased seventy-two choice hens for laying pur-
poses, and with good care, such as feeding and
watering, I have had the following income free from
all expenses :
; 72 hens, 50 cents each
3 cocks. $1.00 '•
23 doz. eggs, 10 0, "
11 hens, 40 c. "
3P.B.heu9,$1.06 "
1 P. R. cock,
Grain, meat and vegetables.
Total
.$102 20
Sold 72 hens, 50 cents each
" 11 P. R. pullets, $1.00 each
" 3 " heiiB, " •'
1 " cock,
" 5 " cockerels, 76 cts. each
" 11 Light Brahma hens, 60 ct 8. each 5 60
144 chickens used and sold 60 66
3 75
I bushels of pure i
Total....
Fowls in Orchards.
Last fall we visited an orchard in which fowls
were kept, the owner of whifh told us that before
the fowls were confined in it the trees made little or
no growth, and only a corresponding amount of
fruit was obtained. But what a change was evident
now 1 The grass was kept down, the weeds killed,
and the trees presented an appearance of thrift
which the most enthusiastic horticulturist could not
but admire and envy. The growth of the trees was
most vigorous and the foliage remarkably luxuriant ;
the fruit was abundant, of large size, and free from
worms and other imperfections. The excellence was
accounted for by the proprietor, who remarked that
the " hens ate all the worms and curculio in their
reach, even the canker-worm." He found less trouble
with their roosting in trees than he expected, and
that a picket fence six feet high kept them within
bounds. His orchard was divided into three sections,
and the fowls were changed from one to another, as
the condition of the fowls or the orchard-sections
seemed to require. — Poultry World.
Facts Worth Remembering.
An enthusiastic breeder of poultry says : " Farmers
will feed a bushel of corn to produce six pounds of
pork, while the same amount of corn will keep a
good laymg hen one year, and she will produce at
least twelve dozen eggs, averaging eighteen cents
per dozen, which would equal ^2.16. In addition,
she would rear a brood of chickens worth as much
more, -making a total of nearly five dollars, against
six pounds of pork at ten cents, equaling sixty cents ;
or, in other words, the hen will yield seven times as
much as the pig fed on the same quantity of food."
Aside from the profit, which is an important con-
sideration in the keeping of poultry, it aflbrds a
healthful recreation and enjoyment to all classes.
Those who daily toil in the counting house, factory
or mill, each and all meed some light, attractive,
health-producing employment.
Threshing Ducks.
In a recent conversation with an eminent poultry
fancier, of West Goshen, the subject of raising ducks
was brought up and reference made to their propen-
sity for straying,when an efl'ective cure for this habit
was imparted which should be made public, so that
all may be able to reap its benefits.
Our informant states that when his ducks are part-
ly grown he allows them to wander off and stay
away from the parental- duckfold one night, when he,
the next morning, sets out in pursuit and brings the
truants home at the end of a piece of brush, which
he applies to the ducks without mercy, and as they
tumble along over obstacles and each other, they
soon realize that the way of the transgressor is hard
and thereafter confine their trips entirely to one day,
returning punctually home at the fall of night.—
West Chester liepuhlican.
Home Advice as to Poultry.
J. A. Roberts, of Malvern, Chester county, who
takes much pride in breeding light Brahmas, thus
writes to the Farm Journal: "In making new
houses see that they are freely ventilated, for with-
out it you will have sick fowls. Keep their quarters
clean; whitewash occasionally. In winter and when
the ground is frozen and covered with snow, give a
variety of food, not all whole corn, but wheat, buck-
wheat, boiled potatoes, scraps of meat, etc., a head
of cabbage for them to pick at when kept from the
grass by snow ; hens thus treated will repay you in
eggs. Always keep the fowls with an appetite, not
cram one time and starve the next ; feed morning
and evening ; if milk is plenty let the chickens have
all they can drink ; it goes toward producing eggs
and flesh.
A FLOCK of hens will pay for themselves before
they are one year old, if they are rightly cared for.
Youthen can sell them, if you choose, for a good
price and raise another lot, but it is not advisable to
do so, as the second year is the most profitable, but
do not keep them after they are two years old, for
after that age they do not pay so well.— £x.
Literary and Personal.
A MESSAGE from the President of the United
States. Communicating, in answer to a Senate reso-
lution of June 8, ls78, information on the subject of
sheep husbandry. Read January 14, 1879, and re-
ferred to the Committee on Agriculture, and ordered
to be printed. An octavo of 130 pages, with three
full-page plates, illustrating choice specimens of the
Merino, Hampshire Down, ani improved Kentucky
sheep, containing a vast amount of statistical and
local information on a very useful subject, including
the origin and history of the growth of sheep in the
United States. This work ought to fall into the
hands of all who are practically interested in sheep
husbandry at least ; for in it they will find much
that is of great commercial value, in that the in-
formation is practical and local, containing practical
information on one of, or greatest and most prolific
industries that the country has. It is fit that the
United States Senate should make such an inquiry,
and it is also fit that the President of the United
States should be the medium through which it
should be communicated to the public ; it shows that
the highest functions of the government have mani-
fested, at least a quasi recognition of an interest in
the realm of husbandry that involves their own food
and raiment ; htU, where did they go to obtain the
necessary information? Where, but to the half-
starved Department of Agriculture. Had it not been
for the laborious gleanings of that poorly-paid and
much-abused department, it is not likely that a re-
port could have been made at all. The pamphlet we
are discussing is an interesting and useful one ; t«(,
(it is natural that in discussing the subject of sheep,
there should be some "buts") will it get into thi
hands of those most interested in it, and who most
need it? There is an immense amount of this k'
of literature to be found in second-hand book stores,
street book stands, post-oflices, and other nooks and
corners, but little, comparatively, among the people,
which seems to imply that some received these docu
ments who did not want them, and that others were
deprived of them.
Pre-emption of Kansas Pacific R
Lands.— A demi-folio containinfi the " Decision of
the Secretary of the Interior," and the " Opinion of
the Hon. Jeremiah S. Black," being the full text of
those decisions and opinions in the celebrated Dudy-
mott land case, as well as other information relating
to the Pacific Railroads and their lands. It appears
that an attempt had been made to reclaim the lands
granted to this company by the National Congress,
on the ground, if we recollect rightly, that the com-
pany had not fulfilled its part of the contract. Perhaps
it had been discovered that Congress had given the
company too much (we are inclined to think it has),
but that was the fault of Congress and not that of
the company. But that is " neither here nor there "
now ; the deed has been done ; a test question was
made, and the company has been secured in its
possession. Right or wrong, had it been otherwise,
great injustice might have resulted to many hard
working and self-sacrificing pre-emplioners. One
thing seems inevitable, and that is, if this company
acts honestly and faithfully, it must ultimately be-
come immensely wealthy. If it respects the rights
of the belts of sturdy yeoman, that time will locate
on either side of the road, it will be a great benefac-
tor. We wish we were thirty-five years younger, we
would pre-empt a respectable slice of those lands in
a "jiflTy," and work them up to A, No. 1. The
country needs now willing, thiifty and economical
workers more than it needs capital. Capital is the
result of efl'ective working, and will soon accumulate
and make itself manifest, if the aperture through
which it goes out is not larger than that through
which it comes in. It is a simple matter, but unfor-
tunately many never make this discovery until they
get too old to avail themselves of its advantages.
Colorado Rural Life.— This is to be a 16 page
quarto weekly (No. 1, Vol. 1, now before us, merely
exhibiting the general style and scope of the paper,
has but 8 pages), costing only the low price of ?2.00
a year. Edited by N. A. Baker, and published by
Baker & Hill, No. 250 Fifteenth street, near the
corner of Larimer, Denver, Colorado. The present
number, containing not only the prose of life, but
also much of its poetry, is a remarkably clever
eflfort for a beginning, and it ought to be, and doubt-
less will be, amply sustained. Devoted to farm and
garden operations ; live stock growing ; dairying in
its branches ; the latest markets ; rural life in all its
phases ; horticulture and floriculture ; tree-growing;
landscapes; grain growing ; poultry and bee-keep-
ing ; sporting and fishing ; the care of pet stock ;
notes on fish culture ; latest Colorado news ; general
topics and news; domestic sketches and stories;
household economy ; the ladies, our youth, &c., &c.
Presenting a literary banquet that must be relished
by the citizens of that far-ofl' region, as well as those
in the East and elsewhere, who have friends in that
young state. The typographical execution and the
general make-up of the'paper will compare with the
best in the country.
California and its Offerings for Coloniza-
tion.—An octavo pamphlet of 50 pages, by J. P.
Whitney, No. 14 West Swan street, Bufi'alo, N. T.,
May 1st, 1879, containing a fuH-page map of Cali-
fornia, specially illustrating its railroad sjstem ;
also, one representing a plan of the "Town of
Covell," and the " Central California," and " Wash-
ington Irrigated Colonies," with a portion of the
"Southern Pacific Railroad," &e., &c. Those of our
readers who may contemplate emigration to Cali-
fornia should by all means send to the above address
and obtain a copy of this pamphlet before they make
a move in that direction, because it contains informa-
tion on climate, productions, quality of soils, laws,
culture, irrigation, fruits— especially orange and
grape culture— trees, nuts, wines, &c., &c., and an
immense amount of general information on subjects
relating to the cultivation of the soil and marketing
its products ; and showing what may be done in
California with a small capital ; truly an appropri-
ate halm for the present " hard times."
Special Notice.— All who desire to have their
names entered as subscribers for one copy (or more)
of our contemplated Treatise on Noxious and
Beneficial Insects— and remedies for their de-
struction—will please send their names at once to
the editor of this journal. Price p2r copy, $3.00,
fully illustrated, good paper, clear print, and sub-
stantially bound ; pp. 500, 8vo.
Everett Brothers' circular and price list of
apiarian supplies— honey extractors a specialty.
Toledo, Ohio, 1879. A neat little 16mo. pamphlet of
16 pages, with 14 illustrations, containing explana-
tions, statistics and testimonials, with a list of all
the bee publications of the country. Truly multum.
in parvo in its character.
Quarterlt Report of the Pennsylvania
Board of Agriculture for December, 1878, and
January, and February, 1879 ; 48 pp. 8vo. of most
interesting and valuable matter relating to the agri-
cultural interests of the commonwealth, and of
which we shall have occasion to speak more fully
hereafter.
Book Exchange, No. 55 Beekman street,
New York, March, 1879 ; a 16mo. catalogue of 32
pages, including list of EcONOMr Club. Prices to
suit the times.
THE LANCASTER FARMER
"Low Pkices will Rule kor Kertilizbks."—
Partners will not only be glad to hear it; but will
commend the Arm which has the nerve to make the
emphatic announcement. Baugh & Sons announce
important reductions In the prices of Phosphates
and Ground Bones and simply state what has been
known to agriculturists for years past, that their
facilities for making and selling Ground Bones and
Phosphate are unsurpassed by any house in the
United States.
HEARING
Warrior Mower
TIIK OHIC.IN.M, IMPROVED
Randall Pulvet*izing Harrow!
Over 30.0O0 IX I'SE.
Cbillfd Iron or Steel Disks, Center Jointed. Impro^'cd
Sliflfener Bar. Angle of Gangs adjusted by a Lever. Ad-
Jnstable Sora|jers. Tlie most convenient, durable and ef-
fective harrow made.
t*r- STF.W VnnS CUI-TIVATOK. -B»
THE UNRIVAXED WARRIOR MOWER!
Ughtest Draft, Easiest Managed, Most Durable Mower
made. OVER 40,000 IN USE. Clialleuges competing ma-
chines for any work or endurance.
SEXO FOR CIHCULAR TO
79-lm-4] WARRIOR MOWER CO.. Little Falls, N. T.
LO"WEST PRICES WILL RULE.'
LowiiST Prices
Ever Known in the U. S. for Bones and Phos-
phates.
BAUGirS RAW BOM PHOSPHATE
$30 PER 2000 lbs. CASS,
WITH DISCOUNT TO DEALERS,
Delivered on board boat or cars in Philadelphia or Baltimore,
Dealers will take notice they will be protected in th€
sale of this Manu.-e. Only one dealer will be established in
a town, who will be furnished with the PhoBphate at whole-
sale prices.
Early oorrespourtence from those who wish to control the
above goods in special aectiona or towuships, is necessary
ae wo are organizing for the Summer and Fall business i
systeED of uuprecedented
LOW PRICES,
Bone Fertilizers
are beyond all question, unsurpaesed in the
UNITED STATES.
LOW PRICES WILL RULE.
BAUGH <fc SONS,
PinL.\DEI,I>IUA AND P.ALTIMOKK.
NICHOLS,SHEPARD&CO.,
nitttlv t?r«»-U, Ml.-li.
ORIGINAL AND ONLY GENUINE
"=« VI 13 It ^V T O It »»
THRESHING MACHINERY.
mil
Extra Grata SAVKD by these Imjiroved Mactilues.
#«,BAIN Kaisers irlll not submit to the enor-
NOT Only Vastly Superior for Wheat, Outs,
Barley. Rye, and like Grains, but tlie Only Success,
ful Thresber In Flax. Timolhy, Millet. Clovei. «"id like
change from Grain to .Seeds.
A DEPARTURE
High Pricesfor Phosphates.
the niuiiufuctun
, we bavo oommeoo^d
TWENTY DDLLAll PHOSPHATE,
WE GUARANTEE
Ammonia, - - - 2* to 3 per cent.
Bone Phosphate, Soluble, 10 " 12 "
" " Insoluble, 7 " 8 "
Price, $20 per 2000 lbs, in New Bass of
^ 200 lbs. each,
Free on borrd cars or buutH in I'liiladelphla or Baltimord.
KAUOH Ac HOIVS,
Philailclphla.
EPILEPSY^t-RSfi
TniAi.'l-M k ' I
permanent. ■. i j J
Dn.Ro.ss. r.--.i.. ivi.'l.V,
naoently cur.-.i I-y vour tr.-i
firatefal. Durioii tlio |ias( t
you to others who haro also
boy what >;oq have don* for
TVf ARVKLOUS for Simplicity of Parts, using
Afm Ifss than one-half theoflual Belts and Gears. Makes
Clean Work, with DO Litterlngs or Scatterings.
T10UR Sizes of Separators Made, KanKlag
A GOOD PLAN.
ng in
M. HABERBUSH,
MANUFACTUKEU OF
Plain and Fine Harness,
SAItltl.F.N.
COLLARS, WHIPS, FLY NETS, &c.,
AlJiO DEALER IN
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
BUFALO KOBES,
Horse Covers, Lap-Ruga, Gloves, <fec.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
T»-1-1J] LAN0A8TEB, PA.
lion method,
9 leople with
;irgeBt capital
Anybody can learu to inal!.' monr;
Stocks, by the •■TwoTTimirii." l:..l.->!
large or small uif-auB t.M
and best skill. Thoiisau.i
pooled into one vast amuu..: .-:. . , , i'ci( na s, mighty
whole, thus securing to eacli sliiirrln.l.l.r all the advantages
of thelargestoperalor. Immense profits aredivided monthly.
Any amount from $5 to $5,000, or more, can be used succesa-
fuUy. N. Y. Baptvit treekly. September 20th, 1878, saye,
"By the combination system $15 would make $75, or 6 per
cent ; $50 pays $350, or 7 per cent.; $100 makes $1,000,
or 10 per cent, on the slock, during the month, according
to the market." Frank I,ej<lit\ I/hiKtrated Xewspaper, June
29th": The combination method of operating stocks is the
most successful ever adopted." -Yew I'ort Independent
September 12th: The combination system is founded npon
correct business principles, and no person need be without
an income while it is kept working by Messrs. Lawrence k
Co.tBrooklyn Journal. April 20th: "Our editor made a net
profit of $101.25 from $aO in one of Messrs. Lawrence &
Co.'s combinations." New circular (mailed free) explains
everything. Stocks and bonds wanted. Qovernment bonds
supplied. Lawrence & Co., Bankers, 67 Exchange Place,
N.S'. [79-5-12m
OFFICt:,
Noi 0 North Queen Street
LANCASTER, PA.
(ER m
AGENTS WANTED jSjl^^^^
g Horses, Cattle,
e usual diseases "to which these "animals are liable,
and the most aucoessful treatment of American, Knelish,
and Eurojiean veterlnariaus, by Li-Ovd V. Tellob, M. D.
Pp. 48». Price, cloth, 93.50. Sold only by tubxripUon.
Specimen copy mailed ou receipt of price. Kvory i*to«*k
ownpraticl farmer will buy th(» book on (ilBht,
an it will s^ive him hundreds of dollars. AN ACIKNT
WAXTF.II IX F.VEKY TOWN. Agents are making
from $IOtu S'20 a day sc ling it. For Circulars and
terms, address.
H. O. WATTS CO., 603 Minor St., PhUadolphia.
79-»-3m.
Is an old, well-established newspaper, and contains Just the
news desirable to make it an interesting and valuable
Family Newspaper. It is published on Wednesday and
Saturday, subscribers having the choiceof whichever edition
that Buits their mail facilities best. The postage to sub-
scribers residing outside of Lancaster county ia paid by tlis
publisher.
Send for a specimen copy.
T-wo Dollars per Annum.
Is published every afternoon (except Sunday) and conti
the news by mail an d telegraph from all parts of the w<
up to the hour of going to press. It is rnrnishod to sulj-
1 the towns and villages in the county, aceea-
or stage, by carriers at Ten Cents a Week,
by mail at Five Uollars per Year.
JOHN A. HIESTAND, Proprietor,
No. 9 NortU Queen St.,
LANCASXKR, FJL.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[May, 1879:
A HOME ORGAN FOR FARMERS.
A MONTHLY JOURNAL,
Devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture, Do-
mestic Economy and Miscellany.
Founded Under the Auspices of the Lancas-
ter County Agricvltural and Horti-
cultural Society.
EDITED BY DR. S. S. RATHVON.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION :
ONEDOLLpPERANNUBf,
POSTAGE PREPAID BY THE PROPRIETOR.
All subscriptions will commence with the
January number, unless otherwise ordered.
Dr. S. S. Rathvon. who has bo ably managed the editorial
department In the past, will continue in the position of
editor. His contributions on subjects connected with the
science of farming, and particularly that specialty of which
lie is so thorouhly a master — entomological science — some
knowledge of which has become a necessity to the succesB-
ful farmer, are alone worth much more than the price of
this publication. He Is determined to make "The Farmer"
a necessity to all households.
JPA county that has bo wide a reputation as Lancaster
ounty for its agricultural products, should certainly be
able to support an agricultural paper of Its own, for the
exchange of the opinions of farmers Interested in this mat-
oter. We ask the co-oporation of all farmers interested in
this matter. Work among your friends. The "Farmer" is
only one dollar per year. Show them your copy. Try and
induce them to subscribe. It is not much for each sub-
eeriber to do but it will greatly assist us.
All communications in regard to the editorial management
should be addressed to Dr. S. S. Eathvon, Lancaster, Pa.,
»nd all business letters in regard to subscriptions and ad-
Tertising should be addressed to the publisher. Rates of
advertising can be had on application at the office.
JOHN A. HIESTAND,
No. g North Que»n St., Lancaster, Pa.
Only Single Rin^ Ever In-
vented that Closes on ttae
Ontside of the Nose.
BrowQ's Elliptical Ring and Triplft-
Groove Hog and Pig Ringer. It orer-
comes a serioua defect in all triangular
and other rings which close with the-
joints together in the fieeh, causing It
to decay and lo keep the hog's .noBe-
& QUINLAN, Bxcluaive Manufacturers, Decatur, lU.
THE CONQUERING HERO
GftLE CHILLED "^ '
The easi,
laud and Delaware.
'■feet Scouring Plow
made is now offered to the farmers of Pennsylvania,
This Plow competed with 187 others in French soil at
the Paris Exposition in 1878. and was awarded tlio
C.rand C;olcI J>Icdal for bemg the heat generr.l
purpose Plow in the world — an honor never before
conferred upon a Hand Plow. 13^ Beicare of eo-
><-laimed CTiilled Iron Plows. Manufacturers gener-
ally know that our principle of chilling ia protected
by broad patents, and parties are liable in heavy
'-Z_ "^j==~ penalties tor infringements thereon. For prices and
^^^-^^^ lermB. address ENOS OTT, of Easton, Pa., Agent
' ^-M*"^ for Northampton, Bucks, lUhigh, Chester, Mont-
and Warren, Hunterdon, and Somerset Cob. in New Jersey.
ng. Del., Agent for Mary'
3d surrounding countiea
WBSELL EVERYTHING foe thb
GARDENS
Descriplivc Calal jgucs of ITo pages sent Free J
PETER HENDERSON&CO. t
SB Cortlandt St., Ke^c Tork.
■Hi
>jji.Wji:iiHijjp''<KajL-)
HOME-MADE
MANURES.
scitmiFic PORius Foe their ummmi on th[
FAfiM im FREE TO m SDOOESS,
The Cheapest, and we believe the most ef-
fective Manure in iise, can be made with but
little trouble, by using our Fertilizing Chemi-
cals and Bones, which we furnish of the best
quality, and at lowest prices. We offer, of our
own manufacture or importation.
Dissolved Bones, Sulphate of Ammonia,
Perfectly Pure Ground Bones, Fertilizing Salt,
Acidulated Phosiihate Rock, Sulphate of Soda,
Phosphate Bock, flue ground, Muriate of Potash, German,
Laud Plaster, pure and fine Oil Vitriol, full streagth,
ground, Sulphate of Magnesia
Sulphate Potash (Kaluit), (Kieserite).
Nitrate of Soda,
HARRISON BROTHERS & CO.,
AX.-VLYTICAL CHEMLSTS,
lanafactiirers of FertilizinE Cliemicals.
(Established 1793.)
FACTORIES AND MILLS AT GRAY'S FERRY.
Office: 105 Sonth Front Street,
PHILADELPHIA PA.
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
LANCASTER, JfA.,
235 EAST ORANGE ST.
All matters appertaining to UNITED .STATES or CANA-
DIAN PATENTS, TRADE MARKS, and COPYRIGHTS,
promptly attended to. His experience, success and faithful
attention to the interests of those who engage his services
are fully acknowledged and appreciated.
Preliminary examinations made for him by a rehable As-
sistant at Washington, without extra charge for dra»-iug
or description. [T»-l-tf
GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
TRADE MARK.TheGreat EHgllsh TRADE MARIC.
Remedy will prompt- ^~-
' radically
overwork of the brain
and nervous system, is
perfectly harmless, acts ' — .-^^^ \ or
Before Taking; "''«' °>3B'?. '"""s been Af. Tot;,,™.
0 extensively used for over .alter iaKmg.
thirty years with great success. Full particulars in our
pamphlet, which we desireto send free by mail to everf one.
The speclflc medicine is sold by all druggists at $1 per pack-
age, or six packages for $5, or will be sent free by mail on
receipt of the money by addressing
THE QUAY MEDICINE COMPANY,
No. 10 Mechanics' Block, Detroit, Michigan.
lySold in Lancaster by H. B. Cochban. 137 and 139 N^
Queen St., and by druggists everywhere. [T9-3-12
1879 SPRING AND SUMMER 1879
Coats aijd Coatings^
PANTS AND PANTINGP,
VESTS AND VESTINGS,
SUITS AND SUITINGS,
OVERCOATS AND OVERCOATINGS
RATHVON & FISHER'S,
I^erchant Tailors, Drapiers and Clotljiers,
Corner iV. Queen and Orange Sts.,
LANCASTER, PA.
Underclothing and Furnishing: Croods. All the nov-
elties of the Season.
as any other place in the city. Goods all wool, perfeet, and
satisfaction g-naranteed. Orders respect-
fully sohcited, and proraptiy executed.
Is an energetic, natural manure, specially adapted for
iHmmer crops. It is highly recommeuded to tobacco ,
jrowers, giving the plants a vigorous start and causing a
•apid growth to maturity.
Price, 922. 5U per ten on cars in Philadelphia.
HIKAm E. 1.UTX, Nannfaoturer.
Office, 1136 Market Street, Pbila<lclphia»
other spring crops, use the celebrated
''Stockbridge Manures."
These are complete niannres.made for eacb crop,
and are the CHEAPE»iT,piire8t,and brat Fertilizers
in the market. Send /nr Descriptive Pamphlet.
EI>W. J. BVANS A CO.,Vrork, Pa.,
T9-8-S Agents for Soathero Feou'a.
ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM-SINGLE COPIES 10 CENTS.
Z Dr. S. S. RATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA.. JUNE, 1879.
JOHN A. HIESTAND, Publisher.
CONTENTS OMHIS NUMBER.
EDITORIAL.
.Large Farmiiifj a Precarious Businees, -
• Southward, Ho I vs. Westward, Hoi - - -
. The Belastoma Grandis, - . . . -
, The Law of Newspapers, - - - - -
.Wonders will Never Cease, - - - -
QUERIES AND ANSWERS.
.TJrcdine Fungus, -.-...
. Corn-Plant Weevil, . . . . .
. Information about Land for $150 per Acre,
^Conotelus vs. C. Obscurus, - . . -
, Compound Grape Gall, . - . - .
ENTOMOLOGICAL.
• Flies, ---------
• Grain Silvanus, - - - - . .
. Peach Tree Borers, ------
CONTRIBUTIONS. '
. Communication— C Elvin Huupt, - - -
. Correspondence — J. W., -
• Letter from North Carolina— J/. R.,
, Cypripedum Acaule— /. titanffer, -
• Moonshine— .A Seeker After Truth, -
< Bee Labor— Wm. /.7^[/(e, - - . -
• A Word More— y. 1'., - - - - -
SELECTIONS.
• Promise of the Crops, -----
• The Americans' Advantage, - - - -
Vi by Our Wheat Cau be Soid in England Cheat.er
than EngbHh Growth.
. Plcuro-Pneumonia, ------
Its Symptomn, Trfalment, Cauees and DeveloiJ-
Tobacco Culture in Pennsylvania, -
Employment it Indirectly Afifordfi Women.
•The Evidences of Success, . - - -
A Champion Wheat Field, -----
Influence of Forests on Climate, - - -
• History of Celluloid, ------
McKlustry's Great Orchard, - - - -
Tuirty Thousand Fiuit TreCB, 1,600 Vinea, andC.OOO
..Rose Legends, -
40zone, -------..
' OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
' Agricultural and Horticultural Society,
• Poultry Association,
New Busiueee— Regular DibcubbIous.
• The Beekeepers' Association, - - - -
C'ouauioii ...! iiii- Ueib— Uysentery in Bees— Virgin
guc-eut— UusiuesB lor Next Meeting— Introducing
•/ Fulton Farmers' Club, - - - - -
, LInusean Society, --.-..-
HlBtorical— Library— Papers Read.
AGRICULTURE.
• Plowing in Crops as Manure, - - - -
. Farming on a Large Scale, - - . .
. The First Employment of Guano, - - -
• The Future of American Farming,
< Home-Made Fertilizers
• Tfll Wheat Crop— Favorable Reports of the Pros-
pects in the Northwest, - . - .
Waste in New En<;laiid Farming,
HORTICULTURE.
About Potatoes, . - - - -
Fruit-Growing in England, - - -
• Treatment of Spring-Planted Trees, -
i Origin of the Apple, - - - -
, Pruning Evergreens, - - - -
• Poisoned by Mushrooms, - - -
. Wood Ashes For Peach Trees, -
iCord-Wood in an Acre, - - - -
, Gooseberries and Currants,
.Mulching Newly Planted Trees,
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
, Some Interesting Facts Concerning Bread
-How to Make Sauce and Croquettes,
Cooking Potatoes, - - . -
Hints to Housekeepers, - - - -
HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.
Irish Stew, ------
Apple Dumpling, - - - - -
Milk Soup, .---.-
Maccaroni and Cheese, - - -
To Boil Potatoes, - - - . .
To Make Pulf Paste, - - - -
Turkish Soup, - . - . -
Amber Pudding, - - . - .
Fish Cakes, ------- 94
^Dressed Boiled Fish, ------ 94
• Fillet of Beef and Dutch Sauce, - - - 94
Charlotte Kusse, ------- 94
, Welcome-Guest Pudding, - - - - 94
. Potato Croquets, ------- 95
• Trussed Fowl, - - - - - - 95
Terrapin, -------- 95
LIVE STOCK.
The Cliilllngham Wild Cattle, - - - - 95
Watering Horses, ----- 95
Sale of Short-Horns, ------ 95
APIARY.
Swarming of Bees, ------ 95
Honey in the Boston Market, - - - - 96
POULTRY.
To Break Up Sitting Hens, - - - - 96
Non-Hatching, ------- 96
An Economical Feed-Trough, - - - 96
A Cheap Poultry-House, ----- 96
Vermin, -------- go
Literary and Personal, - - - - - 96
9'i
- 9S
93
- »:i
93
- 93
93
- 93
93
- 94
94
94
- 94
94
- 94
94
- 94
94
- 94
NORBHCK&iVIILEY,
PRACTICAL
NOTICE.
A VALUABLE WORK.
A TREATISE
HORSE AND HIS DISEASES,
By DR. B. ,1. KENDALL, of Euosburgh I'ailB, Veimont.
It in nicely illuslrated with tbirty-flve engravings, and Is
full of useful horse Knowledge. £very horue owner abouM
SEND 26 CENTS FOB A COPY.
Mage Builders,
Corner of Duke aod Vioe Streets,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE LATEST IMPROVED
SIDE-BAR BUGGIES,
PHyETONS,
Carriages, Etc,
IllE
Prices to Suit the Times.
RKPAIHING proninlly attended to. All Mork
giiarantfi'd.
PHAHES W. P'RY.
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
WALL PAPER & WrSOOW SHADES,
liollaiKlM, plain NhRtIc 4'lolh.
Pilluree, Fringes, Taeaela and all gooda i)ertabilug to a
Papier and Shade Store.
No. 63 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
WE TWARD.
Pacific Expreas'
Way PaBseiigert
Niagara Express
Hanover Afcomniodatiou,
Mail trail, via Mt. Joy
No.
Sunday Ma
abia.
Columbia Accommodation.
Harrisburg Express
Pittsburg Express
Cincinnati Express'
EASTWARD.
Atlantic hxpress"
Philadelphia Expresst .
7:25 p.m.
9:25 p. m.
ll:.Wp.m.
4:11) a
6:20 II
9.2S1
3:05 p. ;
5:18 p.
5:50 p.
1:30 p. m.
S-Ai II. m.
;ol. 2:45 p. 1
Fast Line'
Harrisburg Express
Columbia Accommodation..
Pacific Express*
Sunday Mail .■
Johnstown Express
Day Express"
Harrisburg .\ccom
The Hanover Accommodation,
with Niagara Express, west, a
through to Hauover.
The Frederick Accommodation, west, connects at Lancas-
ter with Fust Line, west, at 2:10 p. m.. and runs to Frederick.
The Pacific Express, east, ou Sunday, when flagged, will
stop at Middletown, Elizabethtown, Mount .Joy and Landis-
ville.
•The only trains which run daily.
tRuus daily, except Monday.
6:00 p. m.
7:40 p. m.
9:00 p. m.
Lancaste
,, and will rui
$77;
3e:. e*, :^o-w-3vr.ifiL3sr,
AT I.OWESS POSSIBLE PKIt'KS.
Fully guaranteed.
No. 106 EAST KING STREET,
79-1-12] OjtpriiilP reov'id HotH.
GLOVES, SHIRTS, UNDERWEAR. W
SHIETS MADE TO ORDER,
AND WARRANTED TO HT.
E. J. ERISMAN,
56 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
s. IB. oo:x:.
Carriages, Buggies, Phaetons, etc.
CHURCH ST., NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA.
Large Stock of New auci Second-hand Work on hand,
very cheap. Carriages Made to Order. Wijik Warranted
for one year. (79-1-12
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
And Manufactu
FURNITURE PD CHAIRS.
W.*KEKOOMS:
102 East King St., Cor, of Duke St.
■LANCASTER, PA.
fTREESs
Fruit, Shade and Ornamental Trees.
Plant Trees raised in this county and suited to this climate.
Write for prices to
LOUIS C. LYTE
Bird-in-Hand P. O., Lancaster CO., Pa.
Nursery at Smoketown, six miles east of Lancaster.
SEND FOR
On Concord Grapevines, Transplanted Evergreens, Tulip,
Poplar, Linden Maple, etc. Tree Seedlings and Trees for
timber plantations by the I0n,oii0.
j. JENKINS' NURSERY,
i-%-1i WINONA, COLUMBIANA CO., OHIO.
EDW. J. ZAHM,
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
WATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED WARE, '
CLOCKS.
JEWELRY ITABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Agent for I he Arundel Tinted
SPECTACLES.
Kej.airnig strieljy alleruled to,
Z^A^HIVE'S CORKTER.
North Queen-st. and Centre square, Lancaster, Pa.
ESTABLISHED 1832.
a. sKXEi; &> HONs,
X^TJIMEBER,
PATENT 0. G. WEATHERBOARDING
OFFICE AND YAUD :
Northeast Corner of Prince and Waliint-sts.,
LANCAS'PH.R,, I^-A..
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLOGY,
Embiaciiig the history atid habits of
NOXIOUS AND INNOXIOUS
INSECTS,
medies for Iheir expulsion or extermination.
^ By S. S. RATHVON, Ph. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
This work will be Highly lilustnited. uud \vill be put in
press (as soon after a suflicieut number of subscribers can
be obtained to cover the cost) as the work can possibly be
accomplished.
PEARL MILLET
(THE NEW FODDER PLANT.)
Yields 100 tons green — IB tons dry per acre.
60c. per pint (by mail, postpaid).
$1.00 " quart "
By express, bnyer to pay charges, $5 per peck.
Statementof our experiments wth it, and
instruciions forcalture, free on application.
PETER HENDERSON & CO.
35 CORTLANDT ST., NEW YORK.
TIJE LATEST!
Tlje New TarifT of Rates
Made by OAK HALL, four weeks
ago, sold off large lots of
good.s, and has
INDUCED MANY TO IMITATE US!
AS U.SlfAI-
B^-Whatever is Done Elsewhere We
always do Better. -"^g
This i.s the latest tariff for the
^S FOLLO-WS:
An Elegant Bu.siness and Dress Suit,
All-wool Black Cheviot, $10. Llentical
quality of goods sold by other parties
as a great bargain at $1.5. We never
sold them for more than $13.
$4.89 buys a First Quality Dress
Trousers, sold heretofore at $10.
Fur Beaver and Chinchilla Over-
coats, Good and Warm Cloth Bound,
$8.50, $&50. $8.50, $8.50.
Next Higher Grade, Beautifully
Made and Trimmed, Cloth Bound,
Silk Velvet Collar, $10, $10, $10, $10.
The Same Goods in Young Men's
Sizes, $7, $7, $7, $7.
Boy's Double Cape Overcoats, with
all the Late Improvements, $5, $5, $5.
Boys' and Youths' Trousers, All
Wool, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39.
Hundreds of Latest Styles Child-
ren's Overcoats, Soft Plush Lined,
Elegant Goods, reduced from $8.75 to
$6.50. *
$25 Fine French Fur Beaver Over-
coats reduced to $15. (Beautifully
made, Piped with Cloth and the
Finest Linings)
A clear saving of $2.50 on a Fine
Dress Suit.
At our low prices we have sold
thousands of them at $15.00 ; but to-
day make a clean mark down to
$12.50. They are not odds and ends,
but complete lots. Hundreds biggest
men can be fitted. This one lot of
goods contained 55,120 yards, and has
proved the best bargain we have had
for our customers this season.
A customer can come one hundred
miles, and the saving on almost any
Suit or Overcoat will pay the fare
Ooth ways.
Wananjakep & Brown,
OAK HALL,
Sixth and Market Streets,
PHILADELPHIA..
The Largest Clothing House In
America.
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S. S. RATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., JUNE, 1879.
Editorial.
LARGE FARMING A PRECARIOUS
BUSINESS.
The followiii;^ ligiins avo given by a San
Francisco convspuiulcnl of a Philadelphia
paper, as evidence that farming on a gigantic
scale is prolitalile neitlier to the country nor
to the farmer. lie says : "The largest wheat
producer in California, or in the world, is Dr.
H. J. Glenn. He was formerly from Monroe
county, Mo. He is a man of great enterprise
and energy. Ili.'s ranch lies in Colusa county,
and comprises 60,000 acres, nearly all arable
land. He has this year 45,000 acres in wheat,
which, at a low calculation, will produce 900,-
000 bushels. His wheat will sell for 85 cents
per bushel, or $750,000. Dr. Glenn has been
farming ten years, and one would suppose he
ought to have a handsome credit in bank ; but
what, with a failure in crops— which occurs
two years in every five— and the enormous in-
terest he pays on his loans, he is said to owe
a round million of dollars. Last year his
credit was bad, as he had no crop. Now, with
his splendid crop in prospect he will probably
get out. The Dalrimples, of St. Paul, who,
ten years ago, were the largest farmers of
wheat in Minnesota, raising as niucli as 40,000
bushels in a single year, went to the wall.
"Another large wheat raiser is D.M.Reavis.
whose land lies on the borders of Colusa and
Butte counties. He is also from^Monroe co.,
Missouri, and has an unpretending little estate
of 15,000 acres, 1.3,000 of which are in wheat,
which he thinks will average this year thirty
bushels per acre, or 390,000 bushels. He also
is hard pressed, and I am told is paying 9 per
cent, on a couple of hundred thousand dollars
of borrowed money. If farmers raising half
a million to a million bushels of wheat cannot
get out of debt, it might be well to inquire,
what is the use in having so much land ?
"The truth is that from the.frequcnt failure
of crops in California, and the waste that
attends on large operations of that kind, farm-
ing on a gigantic scale in this portion of the
Pacific coast must be considered a failure.
North of this, in Oregon and Washington
Territories, there is no failure of tlie harvest ;
farming operations are carried on on a smaller
scale, and consequently tlie farmers, while
not rolling in wealth, are all well to do."
We clip the above from the columns of the
Scientific American for June 7, as an illustra-
tion of the great greed there is in the industrial
operations of the world ; how they look from
an inside view, and what eventually comes of
them. We have had occasion heretofore to
allude to these mammoth farms, and however
they may have appeared from the outside —
even if financially sound inside— we have
alluded to them deprecatingly, simply because
of their monopolizing tendencies, tlieir social
and commercial inequalities, and their liability
to result eventually in anti-republican landed
aristocracies.
But they do not seem to have succeeded
very well, and we cannot see why they should,
because every such a gigantic establishment
that succeeds crushes just so much of the
breath out of the other portion of the farniinj
community of the country. The country is
capable of producing a limited quantity of
anything, and the more equally that amount
can be divided among the producers the
greater equality will there exist, and the less
imposition will there be upon consumers, be-
cause there will be a less tendency towards
those monopolizing "Corners," which so
often oppress the public. Even the unneces-
sary waste of such an establishment would
often prove a handsome income for an ordi-
nary farmer. When it was glowingly stated
that Dalrimple had only 5, .500 acres in wheat,
and that he had some twenty-five reapers and
ten threshing machines in his employ, and
was sending ofl" to market ten car loads of
wheat daily, we felt that it would have been
much better for the country, and for Dal-
rimple himself, if that harvest had belonged
to fifty-live thrifty and industrious farmers,
than to be all under the control of one man
who, perhaps, was not a farmer at all. Like
a game of hazard, such farming may be
lucky in one or two turns of the cards in suc-
cession, but it is prone to ultimate in failure,
or abandoned, wornout lands, and a poverty-
stricken community for years thereafter.
Any practical farmer can see what the up-
shot of such farming must be in the end.
Read the minutest details of such operations
and not the least allusion is made to the re-
plenishment of the soil. It is true the soil
may be virgin and not in immediate need of
replenishment, but this state of things will
not always exist. "Wear and tear" is writ-
ten upon all the works of human hands ; dis-
integration must be balanced by integration,
or physical decay and ruin must follow.
Here and there on such large farms a thresh-
ing machine is located, the wheat is threshed
and winnowed, then sent on its way to some
distant market, and the straw and chaff is left
on a heap to be burnt or blown away by the
prairie winds. No grass, or stock to feed on
it, can be kept on an exclusively wheat farm,
and therefore there can "be no return to the
soil again of t!ie elements that have been ex-
hausted.
A thrifty republican yeomanry are the bul-
wark of the nation, but so soon as they re-
solve themselves into landed aristocracies they
encourage feiidalism, or exclusiveism, and
become its bane. Doubtless many of those
who sell their Pennsylvania farms and "go
West " may be more or less influenced by the
desire alone to own large farms. There is
plenty of room in the Middle States for thous-
ands of thrifty farmers, if they could content
themselves with smaller farms, and a more
thorough and intelligent culture.
SOUTHWARD, HO! vs. WEST-
WARD, HO!
We sincerely believe that it will be idti-
mately demonstrated that people of limited
means have, and are noio making, a great
mistake— and often a sad mistake— in their
impulsive emigrations to the "Great AVest "
without having first availed themselves of the
opportunities which are nearer home— namely,
in the Virginias, Maryland and our own
Pennsylvania. Many localities in these States,
within a 6, 12 or 14 hours' run by rail from
Lancaster county, offer inducements that
ought to command the attention of those who
really desire to better their pecuniary and
domestic condition. It is all well enough for
the sake of expansion and settling up the
Western States ; for if nobody had settled in
Lancaster county long years ago, it would
not have become the "Garden " it is to-day —
but it would have been folly for our ancestors
to have come here if they could have done
better nearer home. It is quite possible that
some of these West-stricken emigrants are
like the httle cat in pursuit of its tail. Away
it goes heedlessly round and round in a circle
after its tail, when if it only would stop a
moment and look, it would find the end of its
tail right at its nose. In looking over the
columns of the Weekly Exatniner and Express,
a few days ago, we noticed the following
advertisement, which includes one of the
many inducements that now are offered for a
profitable settlement in the great border State
of Virginia, and is worthy of special attention :
NOTICE 1— A CHANCE FOK ALL ! A HO.ME FOR
ANY ONE I
We will lease cood farm lands In Clover Hollow,
Giles county, Virginia, for Ave years, /ree of all rent
and no liuinbug to any energetic farmers who will
clear them up and mean business. Satisfaclory
reference will be required. "First come, first
served." Any further Information will he given by
applying to REV. C. ELVIN HOUPT,
45 South Duke street, Lancaster city. Pa., or
II. HAirpT, .Tr., M. D.,
University of PcDnsylvania, Philadelphia.
Rev. C. E. Houpt is well known in this
city, and is the energetic pastor of one of our
city Lutheran congregations ; therefore, any
one who wishes to avail himself of the oppor-
tunity to better his condition, without going
to Kansas, Nebraska or Colorado, would do
well to give the subject his most earnest con-
sideration. The reputation and standing of
those who offer " A ciiaxce for all," are
such as the utmost confidence can be reposed
in. Without a doubt, any one pos8es.sing the
necessary business vitality of a thrifty farmer,
can do better here than in subjecting himself
to the deprivations, vicissitudes and hard
labor of breaking up the virgin soil, and
building up a new home in the far-off west.
This is only one of the many notices of the
kind which we find in the papers every "now
and then," from parties who are entirely re-
liable. Some of the best farmers in Virginia,
especially in the Shenandoah valley, migrated
thither from Lancaster county years ago, and
they have done well.
Men whose minds are imbued with the true
principles of progress — men of intellectual
culture— men who are not prejudiced against
scientific farming, and who have been in-
structed in the practical application of the
laws governing the physical world, may find
as profitable and successful an illustration of
the principles of culture in old Virginia as in
any new State, and will also find a nearer and
a more .appreciative market for the physical
results of that culture. One old, or partially
wornout farm, renewed and restored to a
productive and paying condition, is of more
value to the country than half a dozen virgin
farms that need no prolification ; because it is
just that much added to the material wealth
of the country — it is practically making two
spears of grass grow where only one had
grown before. The recuperator of such a
farm adds to the material benefit of the
countiy, liecause it is the residt of his own
labor, under the guidance of his own mind,
and if systematically pui-sued cannot relapse
into general unproductiveness again. Simply
because all his operations have been conducted
on scientific principles— principles that exist
everywhere, but may not be as necessary
where the soil is new and prolific, as where it
is old and partially exhausted.
THE BELASTOMA GRANDIS.
We were recently presented by Mr. J. L. Witmer,
residing near town, with a very fine specimen of the
Belastomn Grandis, or Water Bug, captured by
him in the creek near his residence. Below will be
found a very interesting account of this "pirate"
from paper read before the American Fish Cultural
Association, by H. D. McGovern, of Brooklyn, and
published in the Forest and Stream of March 20th.
The specimen Is now at this office.
The question has been asked me more than once,
" Whj is it that our streams, which used to abound
with fish, are so depleted, particularly with young
trout!" I at once commenced an investigation, and
commenced to think why it was that the good old
streams of Long Island, that used to furnish so much
pleasure, to the sportsman, were now almost un-
tenanted by large trout. The question, I thought,
could be easily answered ; knowing that there were
so many pot-hunting sportsmen around, in and out
of season, who would not hesitate to kill a large
trout even if they knew it was on the spawning bed
and in the very act of spawning. This, with the as-
sistance of the mink and snake and other enemies, I
82
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[June,
thought, would answer the question, but I was mis-
taken. I will pass the large trout for the present
and give you the result of my investigations of the
small fish. When I say small, I mean from one year
to eighteen months' trout. I was in the habit of
placing some of the fish in spring well for general
observation. As the water was clear and the space
narrow, it afforded me a good opportunity to watch
the growth, habits and movements of the speckled
beauties. Several times I came to my spring and
found some of the number missing. I examined the
screens and found there was no chance of escape by
that means. I then placed six eighteen months old
fish in the spring. Next morning I found one miss-
ing. At i p. m. on the same day two were missing.
On the following morning only two remained. Then
I became alarmed, and thought the fish were playing
cannibal ; so I determined to solve the problem if it
took me the balance of the year. Knowing that one
of the flsh was taken or disappeared between 10
a.m. and 4 p. m. the previous day, I began to watch,
and was rewarded at 2 p. m. by noticing something
crawl from under a bunch of water cresses that grew
on the edge of the spring. It first appeared like a
mouse. When it reached the water it dove down
and like a flash it was up again, with something at-
tached to it. I was not slow in capturing the in-
truder, and found to my surprise that it was a large
bug, resembling a good sized locust, having one of
my small flsh in his grasp.
Now, gentlemen, as I am no entomologist, I do
not know the name of it, but from the manner in
which it held the trout I should call it the bear bug,
for indeed the poor fish was getting a bear's hug.
Having placed it in a jar of water it still hung on to
the fish and seemed to enjoy its imprisonment. From
observations with the naked eye, while the bug was
in the glass jar, I could see tliat it tortured the flsh
from a tubular prong, which it cast from the tail
and fastened on the fish. In a second it became in-
flated to double its size. Now, gentlemen, as our
worthy treasurer remarked, I think this is a blood-
sucking fisherman, and largely the cause of the de-
pletion of our small fish. Being inquisitive to know
whether the thief would live out of water, I emptied
the jar and placed some screen work over the mouth
for the purpose of procuring air. Next morhing I
found the bug with his toes turned up and his victim
beside him ; so I found, good fisherman as he was,
he difiered from many anglers of the present day.
Nothing but spring water would suit his bugship,
and enable him to feast on his dainty morsel.
Professor Fuller said there was but one thing in
the United States that would do as the insect de-
scribed would do. It was the bug, scientifically
known as Belastoma grandis. It was about three
Inches long and one inch broad, with powerful claws
and a long proboscis.
rWe can scarcely imagine anything more horrible
than this armor-clad, cold-blooded monster, which
runs like a swift on land, darts through the water
and out of it like a fish torpedo, soars high in air and
drops like a fish hawk, a shooting star, or a hot
potato, upon some devoted trout's back, which is
momentarily exposed at the surface of the water in
which he swims. No strategy of the trout can out-
wit this frightful beast. At some opportune moment
he quetly drops from aloft and fastens his sharp
hooks in his sides ; he pins him fast with the point
of his tail; and sucks his blood with his awl-like
proboscis. No effort can shake him ofl'. Though he
dive to the deepest part of the pool, or scour himself
against the sharpest stones; though he leap from
the surface or drag himself ashore in his agony, this
big bug is there all the same and all the time. He
hangs to him like the Old Man of the Sea, and never
lets go until the trout is sucked dry and succumbs to
the loss of all his juices. Were the Belastoma grandis
as large as the octopus he would be infinitely more
terrible. Inasmuch as we once had the knowledge
only of thenittle cuttle fish, but now know of the
existence of his gigantic relative, even so may there
not somewhere exist a Belastoma to which the little
chap now called "Grandis" is but as a trifle in com-
parison? We shudder at the possibility.]— i^oj-M*
and Stream.
The foregoing, from Forest and Stream, we
reprint entire, with the exception of one
word, where the writter calls the animal a
beetle instead of a hitg, which is a misnomer
and we must insist on the distinction just as
strenuously as if he had called a goat a sheep,
or an ass a horse. The " Gigantic "Water-
Bug " (Belostoma grandis,* Lin. ) is a Hemip-
TEROUS insect, and may be regarded as the
typical representative of the order to which
it belongs. This account may present a very
interesting history of the habits of this insect,
and from the fact that but few have the
opportunities of making such observations, it
is both interesting and valuable so far as it
goes. There is just a probability, however,
that people will draw exaggerated conclusions
from such descriptions— indeed, the editor in
*B. americanum. Say.
his comments has reached some such conclu-
sions, and when he says "it runs' like a
swift on land," he states a practical im-
possibility, as is at once apparent from the
organic structure of its pedal appendages. Its
anterior feet are semi-raptorial and formed
for seizing and holding its prey, and the pos-
terior pair are flattened, fringed and oar-
shaped, efficient propellers in water, but only
indifferent as runners on land. It is true
they can move on land, but we have never
seen one yet that was in any wise remarkable
for its running abilities. Out of the water,
however, they are swift and powerful on the
wing, and hence, like the large "Water-
Beetles," they are often found far away from
their native ponds and streams ; and, like the
beetles aforenamed, we have often found them
in early spring, partially covered with mud,
indicating that they had passed the winter
hibernation in mud at the bottom of ponds or
streams. The females carry their eggs on
their backs, in a sort of adhesive cake, and
very probably when the young come forth,
they also remain there in a cluster for a cer-
tain period.
We know that they are sanguiniverous in
their characters, but we are at a loss to kuow^
how they could make way with the fish, inas-
much as the " screens " were too small for the
flsh to pass through them, or to be pulled
through by the bug. These insects have no
masticating organs, only a haustellum or
piercer, and all their food is taken in a fluid
state. Therefore, after all the fluids or blood
of the flsh was sucked out, they would relin-
quish the carcass (if they are like other pre-
daceous Hemiptera) when it would be very
likely to float on or beneath the surface of the
water. There is not a single doubt, however,
but that these bugs prey upon small fishes —
flshes small enough to embrace in their grasp,
but they probably could not seize a large one.
AVater-beetles have the same habit, especially
the larger species of Hydrophilus, Bytiscus
and Oybister ; and many complaints have been
filed against them by proprietors of fish ponds,
both in England and America.
The above account is valuable, also, be-
cause it does not rest upon mere inferentiali-
ties, but upon personal observation ; although
it might seem a little hyperbolical to say that,
" In a second it became inflated to double its
size," moreover, may not the gentleman be
in error when he says that the bug " tortured
the fish from a tubular prong which it cast
from its tail, and fastened on the fish." Did
he not mistake the head for the tail ? We
are practically aware that these bugs can
inflict a painful wound, for on several occa-
sions we have had our fingers penetrated by
Hemipterous insects, and on one occasion
slightly by an individual of this very species.
But we do not think that the presence of
these insects can accoimt for all the fishes
that are destroyed. They may be an un-
important factor in their destruction, but we
have never seen or known them to be suffi-
ciently abundant anywhere to be remarkably
destructive. The larva and piqm are probably
still more voracious than the imago, for, like
grasshoppers, they feed through all their
stages of development.
THE LAW OF NEWSPAPERS.
"The courts have decided that if a person
orders his paper discontinued he must pay all
arrearages, or the publisher may continued to
send it until payment is made, and collect the
whole amount whether the paper is taken
from the post-office or not. Also, action for
fraud can be instituted against any person,
whether he is responsible in a financial view
or not, who refuses to pay for a publication.
Some forget this, and think by merely re-
fusing to take the paper from the post-office
settles the matter."
We would most respectfully call the atten-
tion of delinquent subscribers to the fore-
going, in illustration of the fact that editors
and publishers have legal rights which the
public, in equity, are bound to respect.
There is a long list of subscriptions still
due The Farmer for the years 1877 and
187S, and even some anterior to those dates,
which subscribers may feel under no obliga-
tion to pay, merely because they have refused
to lift their papers out of the office — neglect-
ing to accompany their discontinuance (if
they have ever given such notice) with their
arrearages for subscription. We can condone
a neglect, but it is otherwise with an absolute
refusal.
WONDERS WILL NEVER CEASE.
A Netc Refrigerating Liquid from Beets. —
In Europe the principal supply of sugar is
derived from beets ; the annual production of
beet sugar being now 700,000 tons. Besides
this a large quantity of beet molasses is pro-
duced, a portion of which is distilled and a
coarse sort of whisky made ; the stuff re-
maining in retort yields potassium salts,
which are employed as fertilizers, sugar,
spirits and potash have heretofore been the
chief products manufactured from beets. But
Mr. Vincent has now succeeded in realizing
from the refuse that remains after the beet
molasses distillation, a combustible gaseous
body, which is easily condensed into liquid
form, and is called chloride or methyl.
This liquid, obtained, as stated, from beets,
is used in the preparation of someof the analine
colors, but is now found to be especially valu-
able as a refrigerating agent. By its rapid
evaporation a temperature of 55° C.,.or 67° F.
below zero, may be maintained, which is far
below the freezing point of mercury.
Prof Huxley says that by this means mer-
cury (which freezes at 39° F. below zero,)
may be frozen by the pound. For the manu-
facture of ice this new beet root product
promises to become of much importance.—
Scientific American.
This is something for farmers of the North-
ern States to think of if the cultivation of
wheat becomes too precarious. Beets can be
grown here most luxuriantly, and they must
be of more value than merely for pickles or
stock feeding.
Queries and Answers.
LOUELLA P. 0., WaTXE STATION, P. R. R., )
Delaware county. Pa. J
S. S. Rathvon, Esq — Dear Sir: I cut inclosed
leaves from a young ash tree growing on a piece of
land I have recently purchased in this neighborhood,
which contain, as you will see, the eggs of some
insect.
I shall feel obliged if you will tell me what posi-
tion in the scale of destruction this insect occupies,
(I don't admit that insects have any place in the
scale of creation,) and what is the name thereof,
and at what time and in what shape may I expect it
to begin its depredations ; and how, if that be possi-
ble, can its devastation be arrested. Direct as above,
and believe me, very truly, your friend, S. W. M.
Your letter containing infected leaves of
the ash tree duly received, and specimens in
good condition. So far as it relates to insects,
you may calm your apprehensions, for the sub-
stances on these ash leaves are no insects' eggs
at all, but a species of Uredine Fungus, a
group, or family, which includes the rusts,
mildews, smuts, &c., which infect the differ-
ent kinds of vegetation, especially the wheat,
rye, oats, barley and corn ; and also the black-
berry, dewberry, raspberry, hickory, ash, haw-
thorn, &c., &c. Different species sometimes
infect the same plant, and the same species
also infect diflerent plants ; as, for instance,
the Uredo ruborum is found on the blackberry,
dewberry and raspberry. Last summer we
found a group of hawthorn trees, both the
leaves and the fruit of which were seriously
infected, very much injuring their beauty,
harmony and general health. The Uredo lito-
jMla infects diflerent plants, but the Uredo
rubigo-vera, the Uredo caries and the Ureda
fce.tida (stinking rust,) usually infect our cere-
als, and is commonly called "Rust," or
"Red-rust." The grain smut is the Uredo
segmentum. We have often seen it plentiful
on the raspberry, blackberry, ash and hickory,
but we are "not enough of a Mycologist to de-
termine whether they are the same species or
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
83
not. Those on the ash may be a. distinct
species or a different genus "from those we
have mentioned above — indeed, even those
are now included under different generic
names. None are now accessible to us with
which we can compare them. Tliese fungoids
consist of groups of minute orange, or rust-
red cups, and these cups are filled witli still
more minute sporules, wbich are the seeds of
the fungus, and these seeds or spores are scat-
tered abroad and germinate, forming new
fungus plants.
We may know that they are not the eggs of
insects from the fact that the groups are of
different sizes, and even the cups in the same
group are different in size. Those in the
centre of the groups are two, three or four
times larger than those at the outer margins,
increa-siiig in size from the centre to the cir-
cumference, from which the group was pro-
duced, perhaps, from a single central cup, and
that the others grew up successively around
them. Tlie smaller ones are still covered with
a cap, or lid, and when they are matured this
cap or lid is bursted open or tlirown off and
the sporules are scattered.
The best remedy for this species of rust is
the removal of the parts infected, even if it
should require the sacrifice of the whole i)lant.
But a wash of sulphate of copper, lime water
or glauber salts is also recommended in minor
cases. Large trees, however, may thrive
reasonably, in spite of the infection, because
something is due to meteorological causes,
and in another season they may disappear
entirely.
KiMBLEviLLE, Chester to., Pa., June 5, 1879.
Dr. S. S. Ratuvon— Z>cai- Sir: I here send you a
kind of insect, and I would like to know the name of
It. It is a pest to the corn. It will get at the stalk
right below the surface, and just eat down to the
roots. It is their first year here. We have a field of
corn of about twenty acres, and they have destroyed
about seventeen acres of it. I had these insects in a
bottle for twelve days, and they are living yet. I
thought I would send some of them to you to see
what they are called, as I have seen your name often
In the proceedings of the Lancaster County Agricul-
tural Society. I would very much like to know
what they are, and if you can find a name for them
you will oblige yours, &c., B. F. L.
Your insects (somewhat crushed).came duly
to hand, and are the "Corn-plant Weevil,"
[Sphenophorus zea). Th(y are becoming every
year, slowly but su ely, more destructive to
the young corn plants. They belong to the
great "snout-beetle" family (Curculioni-
Dje), but do not breed, so far as is yet known,
in the stalk of the corn ; but are usually to be
found in decayed wood under bark, an(f we
have found them also under stones. They
belong to a group that are destroyers of tim-
ber, trees, &c. The removal of old, dead
wood would, perhaps, be the best preventive.
May 19, 1879.
Mb. Editor— .Sir ; In The Lancaster Farmer
for May, 1879, (page 69) I see that a young gentle-
man wishes to know where he can buy good land for
$1.50.00 per acre. If it is not asking too much,
please give me his name and address, and oblige a
subscriber. — Respectfully yours, Einannel Toomey.
Address, Newport, Perry county, Pa.
We regret to state to our correspondent
that when we attempted to "look up" the
manuscript of the anicle to which he refers,
it was not findable, having been transferred to
the "waste-basket," aiid from thence (so far
as we know to the contrary) perhaps to limlio.
We have done what we thought the next best
thing, by placing his communication before
our readers, which, no doubt, will bring the
interested parties in rapport, although it may
occasion some delay. — Ed.
Mr. D. R. H., Ephrata, P((.— The small,
oblong, black insects which you found in the
bloom of the plum, are not curculios in any of
their varieties or forms. Among the fiowers
sent us we w(^re only able to detect two speci-
mens, and only one of these was in a condi-
tion at all recognizable. We do not think,
however, tluit you need have any apprehen-
sions in regard to them, for they evidently are
present in the flowers for the purpose of feed-
ing on the pollen or nectar that they afford.
We have noticed these and other allied in-
sects in various kinds of flowers these twenty
years, and we have never known them to be
of any positive injury. Perliaps if they oc-
curred iu numbers sntlicient to devour all the
pollen they might diminish the quantity and
quality of the crop. It is those insects tliat
feed on vegetation during their larval period
that are most injurious to vegetation. Our
first impression was that they were a species
of Conurus, a minute "rove-beetle," but a
sub-sequent examination led to the conclusion
that tliey were species of Conotelus, (of an
allied family) perhaps C. obxcurvs; that they
breed in decayed animal or vegetable matter,
and that their presence in the flowers, in the
mature form, is only temporary. Later in
the season you will probably find them in
various flower cups, especially in those of the
"Morning-glories" and "Pumpkin vines."
Compound Grape Gall.
Two or three persons, at different times,
have sent us large green and pinkish galls,
which they found on their grapevines, near
the ends of the tender branches. On ojiening
these they contained a number of cavities, in
each of which was a small orange-colored
larva. This is, doubtless, Osten Sacken's
Lasioptera vitis, or "Grape Gall Gnat."
Remedy — cut them oif immediately and boil
them.
Entomological.
FLIES.
"The Society for Promoting the Condition
of Flies has issued another address to the
country, through the Boston Advertiser. It
reminds us that in the warm days at this season
heavy and unhappy, flies crawl out from their
hiding places and walk sluggishly about on
the window panes. According to the calcula-
tions of Professor Uhlborn, each of these is
now about to lay 2,000 eggs. If each of these
eggs produces a fly which lays 2,000 e<jgs be-
fore the first of June, and from each ot these
2,000 young ones are hatched which are ready
to lay before the first of July, to furnish each
a brood before the first of August, the number
of descendants from this single ancestor by
the first of September is sixteen trilhon. It
is, therefore, wo may conclude, the duty of
every one who sees a fly in these days to in-
continently demolish it, with all the energy
and sweet satisfaction which can be inspired
by the knowledge that he is annihilating, at
one fell swoop, 16,000,000,000 of these con-
centrated Gehennas on wings."
The estimates in the foregoing extract are
merely theoretical possibilities, but not at all
probabilities. It has also been estimated that
from the days of Adam down to the present
time, a single herring could have produced a
progeny the aggregate mass of which would
be larger than the planet we inhabit ; but
how many contingencies are there between
the spawn of the herring and the adult fish,
by which it becomes the food of some other
animal, or is subject to destruction tlirough
environing casualties? The case is similar
with flies, but still a suflicient number of
them survive to perform the functions in the
general economy of nature, for wliich they
arc permitted to exist. If we could find a
local habitation where there were no flics,
unless we were sure there were surrounding
compensations, we do not think we would
pitch our tent in such a place. If there were
perishing animals, decaying vegetation, or
animal excretions there, we would suspect its
sanitary status. A redundancy of flies is
doubtless a serious annoyance, but nothing to
be compared with the continued putrefactions,
stenches and miasmatic atmospheres that
would exist if there were no flies to devom-
their cause, and transform them to a more
healthy condition. If flies refuse to alight
on a human body and devour its oleaginous
oozings, it would be a sure sign that the ex-
halations from that body were vitiated, and
hence that it could not be in a healthy condi-
tion. The substances which flies consume or
damage in their imar/n states are not at all
comparable with the iilth they deodorize and
displace in their lurcrr or maggot states. Even
the much-dreaded and much-hated mosquito
performs a purifying function which it never
receives any credit for ; and, for one that in
its lifetime gets a taste of human blood, -there
are millions tliat j)eri.sh without ever having
had a taste of anytliing unless they prey upon
each other. In tlieir larvaj forms they purify
ponds and swamps that otherwise might be-
come dangerous for human beings to approach
on account of their reimlsive and unhealthy
stenches. To sura up tlie whole, insects are
most wonderful in their uses ; and it must be
that for that purposes they are permitted a
place in the great natural plan of the Creator
in his government of the physical world, in
which flies form no inconspicuous part. " They
fertilize the soil by scattering decomposing
matters, and prevent them from vitiating the
atmosphere. A plant grows luxuriantly and
increases too rapidly ; Jie caterpillars arrest
its growth and propagation ; the caterpillars
after a while become too destructive, and the
ichneumons kill them by myriads. The vege-
tarian insects which lead a luxurious and
quiet life, tend to increase ureatly in number,
and yet the carnivorous kinds are ever at
hand to keep this prolific race within bounds.
Century after century this curious equilibrium
is maintained in nature, and although occa-
sionally locusts increase to such an extent as
to ruin great districts, still, as a rule, the in-
terference of man produces the ravages of the
flies that injure his crops, for he is constantly
derangmg the balance of insect power. It
would appear that nature requires the multi-
plication of the Artind'ita to be carried to the
greatest excess, and that they should often
lead different lives during the successive
stages of their growth and development ; that
they should be able to live under most oppo-
site" conditions of existence, being clothed in
the most varied garbs, and that they should
undergo transformations."
Human progress and human enterprise
being the prime cause of the derangement in
nature's plan, human genius and human in-
vention must develop the means to restore
the balance or provide for the deficit. Where
insects are not absolutely hurtful or destruc-
tive to human products or human values, it
would be best to let them have their own way,
especially when their presence is known to be
ultimately beneficial. Mere annoi/ance is not
a suflicient ground for their destruction.
GRAIN SILVANUS.
(Silvanuv surinamPit^sis.)
This very small brown beetle seems to be
plentiful in some of the grain bins of Lan-
caster county at the present time, as we also
know it to have been in the past. Complaints
of its presence, and also specimens of the in-
sect itself have been sent to us from different
parts of the county ; and, unless there is
something done to check its increase, our mil-
lers and farmers may suffer a diminution in
the quantity and quality of their stored wheat
and other grains. The "giain silvanus," or
"corn .silvanus," as it is called in England,
is hardly one-eighth of an inch in length;
very long and flat, and of a rusty brown color,
thickly and coarsely punctured, and sparsely
covered with yellowish, depressed hairs. The
head is proportionally large, and approximat-
ing a triangular form. The antennm are stout
and slightly clubbed at their ends. It has small,
short, horny jaws, «&c., which are concealed
under the front part of the head. The thorax,
or middle section of the body, is oval and a
little broader than the head, and has three
latitudinal ridges down the back, forming two
broad channels, and on each thoracic margin
there are six little spines. The elytrons are
broader than the thorax, long, elliptical, and
have four slightly elevated latitudinal lines
down each of them. The larva is a little
yellowish-white worm, with six feet, and is a
"little longer than the mature beetle. It is
84
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[June,
somewhat deprsssed, with twelve transverse
segments, and otherwise differing from others
hereinafter named.
Tlie insects sent to us by mail were not a
true "weevil, "although where very numerous
they probably would be quite as destructive.
They are the "Grain Silvanus " {Silvanus
snrinamensis)^ and we have frequently seen
mills and grain bins seriously infested by them
during the past ten years.
As their name implies they have a foreign
origin, and have probably been introduced
into our country from England or the conti-
nent of Europe. You may not be able to get
rid of them without some considerable trouble.
They usually come forth in the beetle form
during the months of May and June, but after
that period they do no other harm than deposit-
ing their eggs, from which will be bred a future
generation. '^It is while they are in their larva
state that they feed on the grain, and w_iere
they are numerous they injure it very much.
They have long been known to European
millers and farmers as serious grain pests,
and they employ the same remedies to destroy
them that they do to destroy "grain weevils,"
(SitopMliis granarius et S. oryzea,) and the
"grain moth," (Butalis cerealella.) They sub-
mit the infested grain to a temperature of
about 167 degrees of a Fahrenheit thermome-
ter, and let it remain in that condition for
twenty-four hours. This is sure to kill all the
beetles, whether in the beetle or the worm
states. This heat does not subject the grain
to fermentation, nor to be devoured by insects,
nor make it less capable of vegetation when
sown as seed, than that which has not under-
gone this operation, and does not cost more
than about a penny a bushel, which is a small
amount compared with a total loss.
The heat is applied by placing the grain in
ovens, or in what they call insect mills, con-
structed somewhat like a large coffee-roaster.
Burning sulphur or charcoal in the bins,
after the grain has been removed, will destroy
such insects as may remain in corners and
crevices. Tobacco fumigations would have
the same effect. Instead of ovens or mills
some have rooms, into which the necessary
degree of heat is introduced. To show how
they multiply and how destructive they may
become, it is estimated that five or six thous-
and individuals may be produced from one
pair of these insects in one season.
These insects sometimes also inhabit bran,
flour, and other kinds of meal or stufls made
from ground grain. On one or two occasions
we found millions of them in the grain and
flour bins of a mill in the northern part of
Lancaster county , in company with the "Grain
Weevils," {Sit02)hilus granarius and oryzea,)
the "Cadella," {Trogosita mauritanica,) the
"Meal Worm," (Tenebrio molitor,) and per-
haps the "Little Cacujus," (CiKujus minutus,)
all of which insects have been introduced into
our country from Europe, and are, perhajjs,
more destructive here than in their native
country. Except the first named, however,
these insects are found under very different
circumstances. They are ' generally found
under the bark of trees and in various kinds
of nuts. We liave found them alive in un-
roasted peanuts, &c., and our Silvanus has
often occurred under the same circumstances,
but mostly in company with them.
SOOT vs. WIREWORMS.
A correspondent of the London Land and
Water found the wireworm so abundant in
every part of the garden he was set to culti-
vate, that he could scarcely grow a potato or
carrot without it being rendered useless by
it ; and among the various things he was led
to adopt as preventives, soot appeared to be
the only effectual remedy. This he applied
to potato crops in the following manner : The
drills were got ready in their usual way, and
the sets laid in at the bottom of each drill ;
the soot was then put down upon them, in
quantity sufficient to cause the drills to as-
sume quite a black appearance. This being
done, the drills were closed in the ordinary
manner to the natural level, and the work
was finished. Wherever soot was applied the
crops turned out clean and good, scarcely a
trace of the wireworm's ravages were to be
seen, while those from rows not dressed with
.soot were quite the reverse — the potatoes
being pierced through in every direction, and
fit only for feeding pigs.
PEACH TREE BORERS.
Regarding borers in peach trees, says the
Country Gentleman, it is useful to heap a peck
of dry slaked lime about the peach trees
after the grubs have been picked and before
the earth is drawn back to the tree. The lime
kills any grubs that may be left, if a live
grub is thrown into dry lime it will soon die ;
this may be tried to satisfy an inquiring mind.
Having used lime in this way in 1877, the
writer found no borers at all in his trees in
1878, and therefore has confidence in this
means of repressing the depredations of this
pest.
Contributions.
COMMUNICATION.
In reply to a note addressed to Mr. Houpt,
by an inquirer, in relation to the land adver-
tised in the Examiner and Express, and which
we quoted in our editorial on the subject of
settlements nearer home, he submits the fol-
lowing :
Dear Sir : Your note of the 2d inst. inquir-
ing for further particulars about lands in Clover
Hollow, Giles county, Va., is at hand, and
in reply I would briefly state all the circum-
stances. The land is new land and rich ; the
pure, unploughed virgin soil, not worn out.
There is timber growing on most of the land,
growing the hard woods, although in some
places there is growing pine. The country is
well watered, a valley sloping down to Sinking
Creek, which runs througn tlie valley, and
sinks away further down into a lime.stone
cave. The size of tract for each man has not
been fixed at any specified number of acres.
First come shall be first served with whatever
land each may select suitable to himself.
The why or reason is this. I have an uncle,
by name Herman Haupt, who some years ago
bought a large tract of this land in the State
of Virginia, embracing this beautiful valley,
and also a body of water some miles further
on to the north, at which place he has erected
a summer boarding house.
Now, as by profession he is a civil engineer,
and cannot, owing to his business, clear up
and farm this land, and as there are so many
good men needing, and so many making long,
expensive journeys out to the West for tliou-
sands of miles, when here in Virginia, not
more than 400 miles from where we now are,
is a most fertile and beautiful country : not
bleak prairie, but rich Virginia bottom-land,
my uncle, in a spirit of pure liberality, and to
he"lp poor men who are willing to work, has
resolved to lease a portion of these lands for
^I'e years free of all rent. It is intended
simply to help industrious men to a home
and to settle that new country. He does not,
nor do I, who write this, make one cent by the
operation. It is intended to do good. The
land must be cleared up and prepared by the
man who leases it, and we think that by five
years' time you would be able to lay up
enough to buy yourself a snug farm of your
own. To be sure, there is no home yet upon
the uncleared land, but there are houses in
the neighborhood which could be had, either
at the hotel (or boarding house) or elsewhere.
A small temporary house suitable for a short
time, could easily be made. As the country
is removed from the communications by rail a
short distance, there is no special market, but
grain can easily be sent in any quantity to
any of tlie Atlantic cities. Or, if you choose,
my uncle and his son will buy and send it to
market, as he has a store in connection with
the hotel. The prices of land per acre are
different, ranging from $2 up to .$15 (to buy).
This land is located in Clover Hollow, Giles
county, Vii'ginia, I would be glad to talk
with you face to face if you like our proposi-
tion. -My home is at No. 45 South Duke
street, Lancaster city. There I can show you
majDS and vif ws which I have of that country.
A better, safer offer could not be made, and
you will find everything exactly as I represent.
The people are kind and hospitable. You
need not be anxious about the market, as
that is right upon the spot. The country lies
high, amid mountain scenery, and is very
healthy and very beautiful. Many pretty
spots and wonderful caves of limestone forma-
tions can be visited by little pie-nics in the
summer time. If you could spare the time
and come to see me, I could let you know
many more facts. I have been down there
upon the spot. — Yours very truly, C. Elvin
Houpt, Pastor of ChrisVs Evan. Lutheran
Church, Lancaster city. Pa.
For The Lancaster Fakmek.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Prof. Rathvon, Editor : Since migration
from the East to the West seems to be the
order of the day with the class that are look-
ing for good and cheap farm lands, and in the
main moving for Kansas and Texas, I would
call the attention of the migrating farmers to
the cheap and fertile lands of Northeast Mis-
souri. Here improved, as well as unimproved
farm land, can be bought for one-third the
price it commanded ten years ago. Farming,
as a general thing here, is considerably below
the average of ordinary farming. No regard
is paid to manure, and the plow is not put
over shoe deep into the ground. Y''our farmers
would call it scratching the back of the soil.
The agricultural economy seems to be reversed
here, by showing the smallest amount of pro-
duce to the largest amount of surface. In
short, farming hereabout seems to be a smould-
ering ember of African agriculture. Cross
the river, and go into Illinois, and the dift'er-
euce appears at first sight.
There is nothing flourishes so much around
here as circus shows and church revivals. In
the metropolis of Pike county, Mo., with a
population estimated at four thousand five
hundred souls, about one-fourth negroes,
there are eleven churches, of which one or
the other is all the time on a scheme to raise
the wind— by festival, concert, recitation,
bazar, &c., &c. So y?fu see there is no danger
of the people suffering for want of religious
exercise, of all and any of the various sects.
There are also plenty of public schools in Pike
county.
This county, ranging along the Mississippi,
is a limestone region, with hill ranges for a
distance of ten miles westward, and thence
commences the prairie. This hill land is
covered with apple orchards, and from the
town of Louisiana alone from forty to sixty
thousand bushels of apples are shipped, north-
ward and westward, annually. Theseorchards
are covered with heavy growths of clover.
Farms of this character, with household im-
provements, from a hundred to a hundred and
fifty a(;res, with some wood and arable land,
sell for from twenty to twenty-flve dollars an
acre. Where it is covered by mortgage of
some years' standing, at ten per cent, inl erest,
it can, when bought under the hammer, be
bought for less thau the prices above stated.
Many of the Pike people have gone to
Kansas and Texas, and many are the wails
now coming back for the better lands they
have forsaken.
If your Eastern overcrowded populations
were half as gregarious as are the people in
this region they would opportunely be thinned
out, and well appointed to land in Northeast-
ern Missouri. Pike is an old settled county,
and for a long time ranked as the fifth county
of the State in agricultural and dairy pro-
ducts. The winters are short, and most of
the time grazingcontinues the winter through.
About one degree more south than your
county, it has, nevertheless, a much milder
winter as to duration of time.
Everything that can be raised on the soil of
your county can be raised here. The bottom
land brings forth good wheat crops, an average
1879.]
tHE LANCASTER FARMER.
85
of twenty bushels per acre, and that without
manure. The climate is of the healthiest
character. Railroad facilities more tlian
enouj;h. A direct railroad from Chicago to
Kansas City runs through Pike. Another
from Keokuk to St. Louis, now in jnocess of
com|)Iftion. Another from Hannibal, to
intersect the North Missouri, that runs
north and south, inland of the county.
Another, cm the Illinois side of the river, froln
BurUiiLrloii to SI. Louis. J5eside.s these, comes
the nine months' navifjatiou of the Missis-
sijjpi- up to St. Paul and down to New
Orleans. There is no place west of the^Oliio
that holds out better inducements for invest-
ment in farms than there is at present in Pike
county, Mo. From two to three thousand
dollais will buy a good sized, improved farm
now that could not have been bought ten or
twelvi' years ai;o for double that monej'. An
intelliL'eiit Luiieastei' emnity land agent could
do well to locate in this eoun!,y, to serve him-
self and those in the East in search of cheap
farms. — J. W., Louisiana, Pike county. Mo.,
May V2th, 1879.
For The Lancaster Farmer,
LETTER FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
Editor L.\ni'astek Fakjieh : The wheat
and oats crop, so far as I have seen and
learned from inquiry, is promising a good
yield in this and adjoining counties. I speak
of spring sown oats ; that sown in the fall
will not be so good, having mostly frozen out.
In some localities there will be plenty of apples
but no peaches, while in other localities plenty
of peaches but no apples, and in some locali-
ties some of both. From what information I
can gather there will, m all probability, be
enough of each for home consumption. Pears
I have seen none or heard of any, but of
prunes, gages and damsons I have seen some ;
als(j yellow Siberian crab apples. Grapes, so
far as I have seen and heard, promise a fair
crop. I noticed in the garden at my eating
place two. peach trees, not more than twenty-
five feet apart; one was full and the other had
but few on it— both unprotected.
All garden vegetables, such as potatoes,
peas, onions, radishes, Lima and other beans,
lettuce, cabbages, &c., look healthy, and at
this time promise a fair remuneration for
seeds, labor and time. So far as I can learn
the corn, cotton and tobacco crop is doing
well. Strawberries, both old field and culti-
vated, are plentiful at from 5 to 10 cents per
quart.
I feel a great interest in the success of The
Lancaster Farmer, and would write more
and on different matters, but for want of time
decline at present. May write you again if
you desire it ; let me know through the
Farsikr.— Yours, &c., M. B.
FOR The La
CYPRIPEDUM ACAULE.
The generic name is derived from the Greek
name of Veami and ISImc, or " Shoe of Venus, "
from which the common name, "Ladies'
Slipper" comes; it is also called "Moccasin
flower," and it resembles an Indian's mocca-
sin more than it does a .shoe or slipper ; an-
other name is that of "Noah's Ark." The
petals and sepals of the single flower on its
peduncle are not showy, but the two lower
petals, united into a drooping lip of a rose
sed color, beautifully veined with a fissure in
front, makes it an object of curiosity. This
genus is principally composed of plants native
to America. There are fourteen species, of
which Loudon describes eight ; of which five
are North American ; one of England ; two
of Nepal. They belong to a highly interest-
ing order of plants; the OrchidrMecf, well
known for the singular form of the flowers.
Some of them grow in the earth, while others
inhabit rocks and branches of trees, often
agreeably scented, and sometimes produce an
aromatic, fleshy fruit, as in the case of vanilla,
which contains a large quantity of ben7;oic
acid. The nutritious substance called salep,
is prepared from the amylaceous roots of
several plants of this order. The plant above
figured is not very common, and yet I have
met with it on several occasions in woods
under (fvcrgreens, flowering in May and June,
growing from eight to twelve inches in height.
The root is composed of rather thickish,
ttexy fibres, and were much employed by the
Indians and Indian doctors, in domestic
practice, also ; in many parts of the country,
as sedative and antispiismodic, acting much
like valerian in alleviating the nervous symp-
toms attendant on many diseases. Good evi-
dence is had that it proved very useful in
hysteria and even rlmrm. Most personskuow
what is meant hy •■hysterics," but perhajjs
the word <7e.,M/ will be better understood by
the name of Hi. VUns'^ dance, a disease once
established very dillicult to manage. The
so-called "nerve root" is, however, referred
chiefly to the Cypripedium puhescc^is, a very
similar plant called the " Yellow Ladies'
Slipi)er," and grows in bogs and low, damp
woods, chiefly near the mountainous portions
of our county, attaining the height of two
feet, and is more pubescent ; the lip flattened
laterally, and pale yellow. Dose of the pow-
dered root, a teasjioonful occasionally in tea,
or a tablesiioonful of the tincture in water.
Those who have tested this root say that the
other native species, " C. acaule," above
named, as also the
possess the same
states [Flm. Sihcr. 1
of Europe, isconside
si.cclahile," &c.,
ies ; and Ginelin
it the C. cfdcenlus,
iits in epilepsy
Much more might be quoted were I writing
on medicine, but while I inclulge in my hobby,
botany, I would also give some useftfl in-
formation in the space I occupy, and venture
upon a little gossip, which those who under-
stand me will allow for. When on a visit,
some years ago, to the hilly portions of Leba-
non county, my curiosity was very much
excited on hearing the name and graphic de-
scription of a wonderful flower found growing
in a woody bog, about half a mile off, near
the foot of the mountain. From the vulgar
German name given me and the construction
of the flower, I concluded that this must be
something not known to botanical scientists,
as I had in all my reading heard of nothing
like it. Eager to get a specimen of this mar-
vel of the vegetal)le kingdom, I determined to
find this wonderful flower. I took the direc-
tions given me to find it, and I did not only
go half a mile, but five, at least, before I re-
turned. I met with several new and inter-
esting plants— the gold-thread, cucumter
root, a trillium and a beautiful habinaria ;
these I had only seen figured in Barton &
Bigelow's botany and other works, together
with line specimens of cypripedium. I met
my in.structor on my return, regretting that I
failed to find the wonderful plant I set out
for, but rejoicing over the new things I had
foinid, which 1 displayed to him in my tin
bo.x. What was my surprise wlien he assured
me that me that the Cypripedium I had col-
lected was that very plant I Tlius I found it
necessary to listen with caution to the de-
scription of some ordinary things when extra-
ordinary fiirtility of the imagination was
mixed up witli it, and so highly. exaggerated
that it inodueed a nondescript to ray mind
not iiiiuul in earth, air or water, however
woudeiful we find the varied forms in nature.
Nevertheless, facts are often as diUicult to
comprehend as the wildest fictions could be,
and it is easy to say humbug and delusion ;
but sober men of sound Judgment may come
to conclusions, under proper conditions, that
others, however wise they may deem them-
selves, would come to under the same tuition
or experience. We must live and learn, and
well it is for us if our learning raises us above
ignorant superstition, and gives us that calm,
patient spirit to wait and trust, that however
truth may be sneered at, it is powerful and
will eventually prevail. If this is not botany
or science, call it gossip, and pardon me for
its infliction. — ./. Stauffer.
For The Lanoabteb Fabmer.
MOONSHINE.
Mr. Editor : The subject of the moon's
influence on terrestrial matters being remarked
on by two of your correspondents, in late
numbers of the Farjier, and as it appears to
be "a free fight " please count me in. 1 may
not throw much light on the subject, so my
cogitations may be taken for what they are
worth. J. G., of Warwick, tells us "that the
moon's influence is worth attending to,"
while your " Amateur Farmer " is strongly
skeptical and demands comparative experi-
ments ; but as J. G. is a working farmer he
may not have leisure, and your "amateur,"
having plenty of leisure, ought to be the
proper pereon to disprove or prove the truth
or falsity of such moonshiners. But he must
lay prejudice aside and honestly try experi-
ments.
Some thirty-five years since I had occasion
to run a lane or passage-way through a part of
my farm ; I had post-fences set on each side, ■
with a lane between of about twelve feet.
The man who did the work, when he had
set the fence on one side, had to leave for
about two weeks. He then came again and
set the fence on the other side of the road. In
a year, or perhaps less, I noticed that the
fence on one side settled down so that the
bottom rails touched the ground, vchile the
other fence remained up so high as to permit
small pigs to creep under the bottom rails.
I did not know the cause of this difference,
but as I had kept a record of the times the
fences were set, I then refered to the almanac
to find out if the ".sijins" had caused this
ditt'erence, and I found that the fence that
had thus settled down was actually set when
the sign was dorcn, and the other fence was set
when the sign teas up.
Another case : Having a worm fence, sev-
eral corners being full of briars, on a particu-
lar day in August I took a grubbing-hoe and
dug up all the blackberry sprouts ; the next
spring a few sprouts came up, but they ap-
peared sickly and soon died down again.
Were these merely by chnnce, or was it brought
about by stellar influences ? Can "amateur"
tell us the reason why V
A lady, -who is a great lover of flowers, hav-
ing several rooms filled in the winter with pot-
plants, it was remarked that her plants were
particularly healthy and free from insects,
lice (aphids) and other live stock— which all
know who keep plants in pots that it is a great
bother to have the plants made unsightly by
a host of insects— she was inquired of how
she managed to keep her plants so free from
insects ? She was fearful of being lawghed at,
and it took some persuasive talk to induce her
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ June,
to tell the secret. At last she said she always
transplanted her plants when the monn was
passing through the iign Lil/ra ! She said no
insect could then stay on the plants. I misjht
remark on such singular coirKidences, but
enough.
Now, as to Dr. Lardner. Your "amateur"
lays great stress on what the doctor said thirty
years ago, "that the moon has no influence
on the weather," is simply about as reliable,
or trustworthy, as his lecture on steam-power.
He very earnestly predicted "that steam-
power could never be used as a motor to cross
the ocean to England as a paying adventure,"
yet we now find steamboats traversing old
ocean in all directions in opposition to sailing
The new science of "Planetary Meteorolo-
gy," by Prof. Kichard Mansill, of Rock Island,
111., takes strong grounds in favor of plane-
tory influence on mundane affairs, foretell-
ing more than a year in advance the probable
state of the weather — heat and cold, storms,
cyclones, floods, and a general synopsis of
the state of the weather over the whole world,
with many other wonderful influences brought
about on terra firma through the various
changes and configurations of planetary con-
junctions, oppositions and other aspects of the
planets affecting our earth. Although he calls
it a "new science," yet the belief in planetary
agency is as old as the hills, and has been
handed down from father to son for ages.
But the Professor is probably the first who has
reduced it to a science. Though, of course,
when he takes the terrestrial and celestial
eflfects of the planetary system into his calcula-
tions he cannot be expected to give local data.
It is admitted by a great majority of as-
tronomers that the tides in the ocep.n are
caused by the attractive powers of the sun
and moon — raising the water in the Bay of
Fundy forty or more feet high, though the
force may not be perceptible'in a small sheet
of water like "amateur's" little "frog pond."
Prof. Mansill's new science of Planetary
Meteorology is really wonderful, and confirms
the saying, "There are yet more hidden
mysteries in nature than was ever dreamed of
in our philosophy ;" and as a writer once said,
"The stars were set in the firmament for signs,
for seasons, for days and years." — A Seeker
after Truth.
For The Lancaster Fabmeb.
BEE LABOR.
Mr. Rathvon— Sir ; I see by the last
number of The Lancaster Farmer where
Darwin has made some calculations in regard
to " bee laboi-," and I think he is a little wild
in his ideas. His number of trips for a bee to
make one pound of honey is up in the mil-
lions ; I will here give your.many readers of
The Farmer my idea in this matter, and
any one who is well posted in bee labor by
self-experience (not book lea.-ning) will say
that I am not far wrong. The honey-comb
when put on frames is generally about one
and a quarter inches thick, and a piece three
inches and a half square will weigh one pound,
and it contains 882 cells, with the division in
the centre. It will allow the cells four-eighths
and a sixteenth long on each side ; and it re-
quires but 441 bees to build and fill the same
in twelve hours, and they will go the distance
of one mile for the material, and make two
trips per hour ; their honey sacks holding one
drop each time, and each cell holding but
twelvs drops only, it will, therefore, require
one bee to make 10,584 trips, or 441 bees to
make twenty-four trips, each, in one day, to
make one pound of honey; and tMs they will
or can do. The honey sack is filled to its
utmost capacity, and as it is constantly going
through a churning process or digesting, in
making white wax ' for comb material, there
still remains in the sack one drop of sweet
liquid ; this is thrown up by the bees into the
cells, and there it goes through a slow canning
process from the heat of the bees, and also
extracting back from the comb its sweetness
that it contained in its first gathering. The
largest yield I ever had in one day by one
stock was ten and a half pounds, and the
greatest amount consumed in one winter by
one stock was fifteen pounds. This has been
a backward spring for bees, but my stocks are
strong, and the hives are all full and the bees
are commencing work on the frames for sur-
plus honey. This is the advantage my hives
liave over many others, not swarming, and
getting the labor in the mother hive of the
whole summer's brooding in surplus honey.—
Yours, &c., Wm. J. Pijle, May 24, 1879.
For The Lancaster Farmer.
A WORD MORE.
Editor Farmer : Your correspondent, J.
S. T., having in the March number of the
Farmer declared a statement of mine, in the
preceding number, to be of " doubtful veraci-
ty," I beg you to allow me room to substanti-
ate what I there stated, and what J. S. T. so
rudely denied, viz.: That in Great Britain (as
well as in our own country,) the rule holds
that in periods of prosperity the imports of a
country will exceed its exports.
In the April number of the Farmer I gave
a statement derived from the official govern-
ment report, showing that in every decade,
from 1790 to 1860, the imports of the United
States exceeded its exports by many millions of
dollars— the aggregate excess amounting to
over $900,000,000. At the time of writing
that article I could not, as I then mentioned,
lay my hands on a statement of the imports
and exports of Great Britain, which I had
read some time before, and which went to
confirm what I had affirmed in regard to the
foreign commerce of that country. Since then
I have been fortunate enough to find in the
State Library, at Harrisburg, in "Executive
Documents, 2d Session, 43d Congress— Com-
mercial Relations— printed by order of the
House of Representatives, 1874-75," the in-
formation I desired. It is a tabular statement,
for a period of fifteen years, of the " value of
imports from and exports to the various foreign
countries and British possessions," viz.:
IMPOETS. EXPORTS.
1859tolS63, (inc.) £1,081,834,248 £ 842,915,37:5
l}<64tol868, " 1,411,191,476 1,123,937,855
1869 to 1873, " 1,655,714,183 1,390,253,928
•,907 £3,357,107,156
£791,632,751
Thus showing an excess of imports averaging
upwards of 52,000,000 pounds sterling — about
$260,000,000— per year for the whole fifteen
years. According to the "Balance of Trade"
theorists. Great Britain should have been im-
poverished, if not ruined, by this state of
things ; but her people did not suspect that
such was the case, and, on the contrary, re-
garded the period embraced in these years as
one of more than usual commercial prosperity.
And is it not the most natural thing in the
world that it should be so regarded, seeing
that they were enabled to acquire and possess
(import) 4,100 millions worth of property by
an outlay (export) of only 3,300 millions ?
I may add that statements of the foreign
commerce of Denmark, Austria and Hungary
for the years 1872 and 1873, found in the same
executive documents, also show a large excess
of imports into each of those countries over tlie
exports from the saftie. I was unable to find
the corresponding returns from France and
Germany.—/. P., Lancaster, May 25, 1879.
Selections.
PROMISE OF THE CROPS.
The New York Times, on Saturday, pub-
lished a large body of reports upon the pres-
ent condition of the crops and the promise of
the harvest throughout the United States.
The letters and dispatches come from about
100 places, covering more than 1,000 points,
in 34 States and one Territory. In the case
of all the larger States advices have been re-
ceived from several correspondents so sta-
tioned as to best cover the geographical area
and most fertile sections of the State. These
reports fill 22 columns of this morning's issue
of the Times. It is impossible to sum up in a
general statement the results of this canvass,
because of the material variance in the crop
prospects at different points. The varying
tone and marked local coloring of the reports,
indicating a careful study of the situation at
each point, is one of the best possible evi-
dences of their faithfulness. It may be said,
however, that while there is no such universal
promise of overflowing harvests as was re-
ported a year ago, resulting from the excep-
tionally early spring of 1878, there are satis-
factory indications of an average product in
most sections and of most crops, while in
the case of some staples an increase is ex-
pected. The general characteristics of the
season have been everywhere the same. A
cold and late spring was followed by a severe
drought, from which crops had begun to suffer
seriously, when the rains of last week brought
the needed relief. The lateness of the season
was not without some compensating advan-
tages. Had the seed been sown early the
dryness of the first two weeks in May would
have hindered its germination, and a thin and
uneven growth would necessarily have re-
sulted. The favorable weather succeeding the
rains has caused all kinds of vegetation to
push forward rapidly, until they are now in a
state of advancement equal to that of an
ordinary year. The wheat and corn crop of
the Western and Northwestern States will
surpass that of last year, should the later
season prove favorable. The condition of the
fruit crop in New England and the Middle
States is"one of unusual promise, but in many
sections of the South and West the trees have
been injured by the cold winter or late frosts.
The crop of oats, rye and barley will not be
above the average. The hay crop will be large,
except in some limited areas, as indicated in
the dispatches. The cotton crop will be larger
than usual, notwithstanding the unfavorable
weather, owing to the effect of the recent in-
crease in prices in extending the acreage in
most of the Southern States. Farmers every-
where have planted more potatoes than usual,
and vigorous measures will be taken to pro-
tect them from the ravages of the Colorado
beetle, which has already appeared in threat-
ening numbers, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Kentucky, Ohio, and some other States. To-
bacco is being more largely cultivated by the
farmers of Massachusetts and Connecticut.
In Massachusetts and New Hampshire the
sugar-beet industry is receiving considerable
attention, and sorghum has come into favor
in many sections of the South and West.
Thousands of acres of new land have been
opened up and put under cultivation in Michi-
gan, Nebraska and Texas during the present
year. The population of Nebraska has in-
creased 60,000 by immigration. Many farmers
in the Northwestern States are engaged in
stock-raising to a larger extent than in previ-
ous years.
THE AMERICAN'S ADVANTAGE.
Why Our \A?heat Can be Sold in England
Cheaper than English Growth.
The main advantage of the American far-
mer seems to be in the cheapness with which
he obtains his crop. It is somewhat surpris-
ing to find that wheat grown in the Far West
still pays as much freight before it can be
placed in the English market as the rent
charge amounts to at home. The average
yield of an acre of land in England is thirty
"bushels, against thirteen in the Western
States. The American farmer must, there-
fore, cultivate two and a half acres before he
can sell as much produce as is grown on a
single acre in England. This, however, he
does at an incredibly small outlay. The dif-
ference in tillage is most striking. An Eng-
lish farmer, accustomed to drive three or four
horses painfully over a stiff clay, can scarcely
imagine the ease with which a light plow
runs through the rich loam of a Western
State. In Northern Minnesota, the Red
River settlement is just being opened up. A
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
87
furrow may be drawn for fifty miles across
the alluvial''prairie without meeting a hill, a
tree, or stone. Various estimates of the cost
of labor for tillage and harvesting have lately
been published. If these are correct, an acre
of wheat in America can be cultivated for
about one-half the expense in labor of culti-
vating an acre in England. AVe do not,
however, place implicit rehance on such esti-
mates. The American farmer, as a rule,
does his own work, or the greater part of it.
Tlie amount of wages paid in actual money is
comparatively small. If he cultivates fifty
acres of wlieat, and has growing sons, he may
manage without any help, except at harvest
time, when he hires an extra hand for a
month. If he has no family^to assist him, lie
will probably hire a hand for the year at 812
or $15 a montii. In all cases board and wages
are included, the hired men sitting down to
meals with the farmer and his family. We
may fairly estimate, then, the capital of £12
required by an Englisli farmer to cultivate
properly a single acre of land will not more
than suftice to purchase and cultivate the two
and a half acres which will yield the same
amount of wheat in America. Up to this
point neither competitor has a decided ad-
vantage, and, if anything, tlie difference is,
in our opinion, on the side of the home agri-
culturist. But the heavy yield in England is
only obtained by the application of costly
niauures, and this outlay is spared the Ameri-
can grower. At present only the richest
lauds are cultivated, and the earth yields her
increase without any assistance at her hands.
Of course this will not last forever. In twenty
years' time all the more fertile lands will be
taken up, and even these will be exhausted
by successive crops. In California the average
has already fallen from twenty to fourteen
bushels. In the Atlantic States it has long
been necessary to revert to a rotation of crops
and the application of fertilizers. But until
this stage of exhaustion is reached in the
Western States, the English farmer will re-
quire something more than the set-off of
freight against rent charge. This protection
the Americans themselves gave them uutil
recently. The Morrill tariff imposed an ex-
cessive duty on iron, and the construction
and maintenance of railways was thereby
rendered so costly that it was necessary to
mulct the producer in freight. Also, the cost
of living was artificially raised by duties im-
posed on every article of manufacture. Prior
to the war a comparatively free trade policy
existed in the United States. Had this been
continued, agriculture in the Mississippi Val-
ley would years ago have achieved the pros-
perous position it has at length reached by
the collapse of manufactm-ing industries in
the Eastern States. The prostration of every
branch of manufactures has been so great that
practically the tariff has been in abeyance for
the last few years. Should these revive the
cost of living will again be raised, and to that
extent the former protection restored to the
English producers. But this contingency is
too remote to arrest the impending fall in
rents. It lies entirely at the option of the
landlords whether this shall be wholly given
in abatement of rent, or partly take the form
of security of tenure and protection to the
occupier's capital. For the sake of the coun-
try at large it is to be hoped they will choose
the latter alternative. — London Economist.
PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.
Its Symptoms, Treatment, Causes and De-
velopment.
So much is now being said and written
about this insidious disease, which is thinning
out the dairy stock in many sections of this
country that we have selected from the West
Chester Republican some explanation of the
nature of the epidemic, as given by Dr. J. B.
Raynor, a veterinary surgeon who has treated
numerous cases of this disease In all of its
various stages.
The doctor says the disease which has now
assumed the title of pleuro-pneumonia is not
a new one, but has been known under various
names for the last twenty or thirty years ; at
times devastating a whole locality, and at
others limiting its attacks to a few cases in a
neighborhood.
Its appearance is manifested by the rough
appearance of the hair of the animal attacked,
followed by a general dullness, loss of appetite
and disinclination to move, the head drooping
as the disease progresses, and a short cough,
succeeded by a moan of suffering, until death
intervenes. This occurs generally about two
weeks after the sickness becomes apparent,
though prolonged in some cases to tliat of
many months; the blood quickly communi-
cates its infection to the lunge, and the filling
up process goes on, from day to day, until
breathing becomes impossible.
The first stages of the disease are difficult
for the casual observer to detect, and the time
when treatment would produce relief fre-
quently passes by before the animal is known
to be afflicted, when it is then too late to
resort to any remedies. This irregularity of
the discovery of the disease has made it one
very diflicult to handle, and each case appears
to require special treatment, the only general
specific being in external application of
mustard, and with blistering in acute cases.
The internal treatment is then administered,
with reference to the condition of the bowels,
but in many cases, despite prompt attention
and good care, the remedies have uo effect.
The primary cause of this scourge is due, in
the first place, to close confinement and want
of necessary exercise, it most frequently mak-
ing its appearance and doing the greatest
damage in herds of dairy cows which are
fastened up in the stable during the greater
portion of the time, with scanty ventilation
and forced by high feeding to their utmost
producing capacity. This establishes the dis-
ease, but its dissemination is brought about
by the unscrupulous conduct of persons, who,
finding their cows in this condition, have them
driven to a distance and sold, with the incipi-
ent seeds of pleuro-pneumonia in their sys-
tems, to farmers who thus unknowingly inocu-
late their healthy stock with the same malady.
Instances where this has been done have been
traced back to the guilty actors, and a law-
was passed a number of years back for Penn-
sylvania, and we think is still in existence,
making it a misdemeanor for any person to
sell or remove any cattle from a place where
the disease has raged, within six months after
it has been checked, and at the present time it
is evident that the only way to prevent a
general epidemic is by the enforcement of a
stringent.law of this nature, which should in-
flict severe penalties on parties guilty of such
an offence against the the general welfare.
To accomplish this a committee of experts
in veterinary surgery should visitevery place in
the country where the disease makes its appear-
ance, and place it in quarantine for a certain
period, during which no stock subject to the dis-
ease should be allowed to leave 'the premises.
The only preventive, so far known, which
has proved successful, appears to be pure air,
exercise and keeping the animal in a healthy
condition, by judicious feeding and absence
of overcrowding.
The indications are, that unless precautions
of this nature are taken the disease will be-
come general in the country, and involve great
loss in many ways ; so it behooves all owners
of dairy stock to move in the matter, as .soon
as possible, for the adoption of measures of
defense and prevention.
The knowledge of the inroads which the
disease has made in the dairies in the vicinity
of New York and Philadelphia has become
widespread, notwithstanding efforts to sup-
press it, and the fears of the residents of those
cities that they may be consuming the milk
and butter of infected cows, or the meat of
diseased cattle, which have been at once
marketed on the discovery of the evidence of
the presence of the pleuro-pneumonia, makes
the subject one of the utmost importance
to consumers as well as producers, and action
tending to extripate the disea.se would meet
with strong support on all sides.
TOBACCO CULTURE IN PENNSYL-
VANIA.
Employment it Indirectly Affords Women.
A writer in the Philadelphia Times, who
has evidently been suddenly awakened to an
appreciation of the magnitude of cultivation
of tobacco, says :
The amount of capital employed in the to-
bacco trade of Pennsylvania is considerably
over five millions of dollars annually. Re-
garded in all its ramifications of extraneous
industries, this sum miglit be estimated at
little less than ten millions, an immense
growth of pro.sperity within the last thirty
years. There was a time within the memory
of the present generation when Pennsylvania
tobacco was only worth two cents per pound
in the market. Now the best Lancaster
commands from twenty to forty cents. This
astonishing advance in the value of an agri-
cultural product has been primarily brought
about by the sagacious foresight, enterprise
and public spirit of one Philadelphia mer-
chant, Mr. Raphael Teller, a member of the
firm of Teller Brothers. At an early period
in his business career, Mr. Teller, who i8
both an agriculturist and scientist, discovered
that tobacco raised in Pennsylvania was suit-
able for making cigars. At the risk of his
firm, he sent heavy consignments to California
and various foreign markets, and really intro-
duced this product, which bids fair to become
one of the staples of the Keystone State. The
immense benefit this has been to Lancaster
county, where the price of the crop is now
worth about as much as the price of tlie land
upon which it is grown, will be readily under-
stood.
The writer refere in detail to the further
development of this industry by Mr. Teller's
improved system of sweating tobacco and pre-
paring it for the market in much shorter time
than was previously required. This process,
he says, consists simply in experienced and
skillful manipulation, and a proper adaptation
of artificial heat, backed by a determination
toapply skilled treatment of first-class tobacco.
From Messrs. Teller the Times writer ob-
tained other interesting data regarding the
tobacco trade :
More than ten thousand persons earn their
living by making cigars. One-half of these
are women, the latter being the most skillful,
owing to their superior delicacy of touch.
The price of cigar-making ranges from two
and a-half to six dollars per thousand. A
skillful worker can make five hundred cigars
per day. Germany buys largely of Pennsyl-
vania tobacco. Women also find employment
in bundling, boxing and stenciling boxes.
Tobacc J seed is sowed early in the season in
hot beds. From these the young plants are
removed to drills, where they grow rapidly
and require constant weeding. The country
giris of Lancaster and other counties are often
engaged in this business, which pays them
about seventy-five cents per day. AVhen the
plants are matured, they are cut and hung on
frames to dry or in some cases dried indoors,
and later the leaves are stripped off and pre-
pared for sweating. Frequently they are re-
sweated in order to produce a darker color,
which is now a fashion in cigars. The test of
good tobacco is the steadiness with which it
will burn to white ash.
Through the courtesy of Messrs. TeUer,
several samples of tobacco leaves were brought
forth for my inspection. The soft, pliable,
semi-transparent texture of the leaf was in
curious contrast to the tensile strength of the
fibre and the effect of the re-sweating very
evident in the heightened color and more
delicate aroma. Forty thousand cases of
tobacco are produced annually in Lancaster
cpunty.
Tobacco culture may be regarded as com-
paratively an innovation in this State, but as
a means of promoting industry, developing
agriculture and increasing wealth it is in
every sense an ascertained success, and will,
in the near future, be one of the chief factors
of Pennsylvania's prosperity.
88
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
t June,
Nothing can be a matter of indifference to
women that furnislies their sex with remuner-
ative occupation. The ordinary fields of labor
are already overstocked. Many of these,
such as weaving, etc., can only give employ-
ment to women amid dangerous machinery
and undesirable associations. To such ob-
jections, cigar-making is not open. It is
hand-work, requiring skill, judgment and
delicacy of manipulation. Formerly this in-
dustry was confined almost exclusively to the
State of Connecticut, but, through the enter-
prise of the Brothers Teller, the tobacco cul-
ture of Pennsylvania has been fostered to
prosperity, and thus offers new avenues of
paid labor for women. Surely these gentlemen
may be regarded as the best sort of philan-
thropists, and benefactors to the sex.
THE EVIDENCES OF SUCCESS.
" What is a successful farmer ?" was one of
the questions which the club considered the
past winter. Our attention lias recently been
called to it, in contrasting the different farms
that have come under our observation, and
we find that the question cannot be properly
decided from outside appearances. Mankind
are prone to render judgment upon superficial
evidence, without knowing all the facts in the
case. Thus, if we pass a farm upon which we
see good buildings, neat surroundings, im-
proved stock and evidences of thorough culti-
vation, we pronounce the the owner a suc-
cessful farmer. On the other hand, if we see
a farm with shabby buildings, ordinary stock,
and but little in the way of ornament, our
feeling is that here is a man who is not a suc-
cessful farmer. But in order to pass intelli-
gent judgment in this case, we must under-
stand all the varied circumstances of the
individuals— the assistance they have had, dis-
couragements to contend witli, expenses in-
curred and met, with all others that would
naturally have any influence in the result.
Not a hundred miles from here lives farmer
A. He has a large farm, soil almost inex-
haustible in fertility, large and handsome
house and barns, with cribs and all necessary
outbuildings, all constructed of the best ma-
terial and best style ; liis farm is stocked with
short-horned cattle, thoroughbred hogs and
sheep, and all necessary imjjlements and ma-
chinery of the latest and most approved kinds.
His work never drags, but is always done at
the proper time, and he is sure of good crops
if anyone can grow them. The appearance
of everything about the place indicates thrift
and prosperity, and one passing by would pro-
nounce the owner a successful farmer.
In his immediate neighborhood lives farmer
B. His farm is on the hills and was selected
because it could be bought cheap. His build-
ings are comfortable, but they" are old, and
there is little show or ornament in them or
the surroundings. Straw-covered sheds and
temporary makeshifts detract from the beauty
of the farm. His stock, though well cared for
and in good condition, are not thoroughbred.
His work is not always driven, but often
drives hipi, and we have seen his crops suffer-
ing for want of attention. Is he, as the casual
observer would decide, a poor or unsuccessful
farmer ? Before rendering judgment let us
look at the influencing circumstances.
Farmer A. inherited several thousand dol-
lars, and when he married, his wife brought
him an additional sum. He received a gijod
education and engaged in business in the°city
until, when he commenced farming, he had
plenty of money to buy a good farm with, to
furnish and stock it as he desired, erect such
buildings as his taste dictated,and a cash capi-
tal left to work with. He has no family, and
hires all the help needed to keep the work of
the farm in good shape. Nevertheless he is
always grumbling about hard times, and de-
clares—and we believe truly— that he expends
on the farm every cent he makes.
Farmer B. began life single-handed and
without a dollar inherited. He worked by the
month until he had saved money enough to
buy a team, and then began to farm on shares.
It required years to save the first thousand
dollars, and then, in his twenty-eighth year,
he married and purchased this farm, paying
one thousand dollars down and giving notes
and mortgages for more than that sum. His
wife brought him only strong, willing hands
and a loving heart. They have raised seven
children, and given them all a good educa-
tion ; he has furnished his family with good
books and papers, and his boys and girls have
grown up intelligent and promise to be useful
in the world. Although still in debt he has
property on the tax list valued at six or eight
thousand dollars, and is hopefully and labori-
ously struggling on. He has never owned a
dollar he did not honestly earn, and has never
earned one but what he has asked, "where
nmst this be spent ?" Now, after all these
years of toil and hardship and self-denials, he
begins to see his way out of financial embar-
I'assment, and in a few more years will have
placed himself where farmer A. began, twenty
years ago. In twenty years more, with youth-
ful vigor and manhood's strength on his side,
he wo'uld accomplish all that his more fortu-
nate neighbor has done. But age creeps on,
with dimmed eyes, palsied limbs and weak-
ened frame. The desire to accumulate may
still exist, but it has grown weaker as strengt'h
and will to execute have gradually slipped
away. He may not be able to pass liis declin-
ing years in ease and luxury, but he is sur-
roimded with plenty and can give his children
the help he so sorely needed in the beginning.
Knowing all these facts and circuinstances,
who will say that farmer B. has been less suc-
cessful than farmer A.? Who will not say
that he has been even more successful V — Prac-
tical Farmer.
A CHAMPION WHEAT FIELD.
The complaint this year is general that the
wheat crop will be short. The wheat stands
thin and irregular, and should the present
drought continue long, the crop will certainly
be a short one. There is an exception to this
where the system of wheat culture is followed,
as laid down by Mr. J. M. Heiges, on the
western suburbs of York. Mr. Heiges' wheat
crop never fails ; he has a full yield every
season. To be convinced one need but visit
his place and see his present wheat fields. His
wheat stands thick, strong and thrifty. We
would venture to say that there is not a field
cultivated on the old method in the State like
this, and no doubt it will yield from 60 to 70
bushels to the acre, as it did on previous
years, although the season is regarded as un-
favorable for a full yield.
That the Heiges plan of wheat culture is a
success in this vicinity can no more be
doubted ; his remarkable crops year after
year, and his uniform success during all sea-
sons, and when the wheat crop fails as a rule,
is certainly good proof of its value. The ob-
jection is made that the labor required to
cultivate wheat on this plan would increase
the work of the farmer, and therefore it would
be imi)racticable on many of our large farms.
But, on the other hand, it is claimed if sixty
bushels can be raised to the acre instead of
twenty bushels, then there would be less land
required, less capital and less ground to work,
and in the end would make wheat culture
more profitable. It would, no doubt, be a
matter of interest to our practical farmers to
pay a visit at this season to Mr. Heiges to see
his extraordinary growth of wheat. There is
no reason why every farm in York county
should not have a few acres of wheat put out
on this plan. The question how he puts his
wheat fields into grass is solved ; on Mr.
Heiges' place he has certainly the best grass
we have seen this year, on a tract that yielded
last year 57 bushels of wheat to the acre. He
is experimentuig on a new wheat, where he is
planting each grain separately, 3 by 10 inches
apart ; this wheat is remarkable for stooling
and its size of heads.
Mr. Heiges claims that one peck of seed is
enough for seeding of one acre. We counted
the wheat stalks that came from one grain of
wheat and found them to run from 16 to 25
stalks. By culture with the hoe or cultivator.
it is claimed that an extraordinary crop of
this wheat can be grown.
This "Mold" wheat is new, it being first
made known at the Paris Exposition, and
was spoken of by the agricultural papers.
The originator then refused 150 guineas for a
single stalk. Mr. Heiges secured one pound
of this wheat last fall for .«1.00, as the seed is
becoming disseminated, and will soon be
generally cultivated, especially where the
merit of large heads and prolific stooling is
sought by the growers.— ForA- Daily.
Many rivers have totally disappeared or
have been reduced to mere streams by an ir-
rational and heinous felling of the forests. In
the northeast of Germany the Narp and Gold
rivers exist only in name. The classic lands
of antiquity are rich in sad lessons of deforesta-
tion. The springs and brooks of Palestine are
dry, and the fruitfulness of the land has dis-
appeared. The Jordan is four feet lower than
it was in the New Testament days. Greece
and Spain sufl'er severely to this day from the
effects of destroying their forests. Many parts
of the kingdom of Wurtemberg have been
rendered almost barren by thp felling of trees.
In Hungary the periodically returning drought
is universally attributed to the extermination
of the forests.
We attribute the present unfruitfulness of
Asia Minor and Greece to the destruction of
the woods; steppes, ruins and tombs have
taken the place of what was the highest cul-
ture. Sardinia and Sicily were once the grana-
ries of Italy, but have long since lost the fruit-
fulness sung by the ancient poets. On the
other hand, man can improve the land in
which he lives, more slowly indeed, but as
certamly, by cultivating and preserving the
forests. In earlier years reliable authorities
have told us that in the Delta of Upper Egypt
there were only five or six days of rain in the
year, but that, since the time when Mehemet
All caused some 20,000 trees to be planted, the
number of days of rain in the year has in-
creased to forty-tive or forty-six.
The Suez canal has produced remarkable
results. Ismalia is built on what was a sandy
desert, but since the ground has become satu-
rated with canal water, trees, bushes and other
plants have sprung up as if by magic, and,
with the reappearance of the vegetation the
climate has changed. Four or five years ago
rain was unknown in those regions, while
from May, 1868, to May, 1869, fourteen days
were recorded, and once such a rain storm
that the natives looked upon it as a super-
natural event. Austria herself has a very
striking instance of a change of climate being
produced by deforestation and replanting.
We refer to that stretch of miles of country
over which the railroad passes, near Trieste,
as you go from Austria to Italy, bleak, barren,
stony, with hardly "earth sufticient for a weed
to take root in, a stretch of barrenness on
which some dread anathema seems to rest. It
is a curse that rests on it called down from
heaven by man. Five hundred years ago an
immense forest stood on the ground where
now is nothing but a sea of stone. Venetians
came and hewed down the forests in order to
procure wood for pilesand mercantile purposes.
. HISTORY OF CELLULOID.
Many persons do not know the value of
this article, the extent of its manufacture,
nor the varied uses to which it is applied.
The Newark Daily Advertiser gives the fol-
lowing interesting account of it :
Celluloid was invented by Messrs. I. S. and
J. W. Hyatt, of this city. Mr. J. W. Hyatt
began the experiments which led to its dis-
covery in 1864, being prompted to do so by the
fact that Phelan & Collender, of New York,
had offered tl0,000 for a substitute for ivory
in the manufacture of billiard balls. He was
not successful until 1868, when he produced a
substance similar to celluloid, of which
billiard balls were made. Not satisfied with
this he continued his experiments, and his
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
brother, Mr. I. S. Hyatt, became engaged
with him, and tlieir experiments were con-
tinued until the spring of 1870, when they
produced tlie substance now known as celhi-
loid, which is under.stood to I)e mauily a com-
position of cotton, nitric acid niul ciuniilior.
It forms a most .successful suli.sliluir l'»y ivury,
and is the basis for the iuiilation i.r ciuiil ami
other valuable niaterial.s lor cmianu'iil and
use, the latest application l)ciiii,' the imitalion
of liuen collar.>*. culls and neckties. In .luly,
1870, a patent was obtained, and in lhc> lalfa
company uud r the name of th« Celluloid
Manufacturing Company was organized in
Albany under the laws of the .Stale of New
York, with a capital of $00,(100, about S30,000
being paid in. The Albany stockholders were
subsequeutly Ijoun'ht out liv Xcw Vork capi-
talists, the iatc :^ia^sllal lA'ilcrls being at the
head, anu the works of the company removed
to this city. The business of the company
has been steadily increasing, new branches of
manufacture have been started, and its capi-
tal st()(^k, now S.'iOO.OOO, is returning large
dividends to its holders.
Some idea of the immense business done
may be formed when it is stated that they
make from two three tons of piano keys alone
in a month. These keys are made in sheets
large enough to cover the keyboard, and then
the keyboard and the keys are sawn apart to-
gether, instead of sawing the keyboard apart
first and then cementing the keys on separ-
ately, as formerly done.
The first articles ever made of celluloid
were dental blanks or plates for false teeth.
This is now a large branch of the business.
Harness trimmings came next, then knife
handles and trusses, and after these jewelry
and a host of other articles, among which may
be mentioned piano keys, cane, umbrella and
parasol handles, brushes and combs, billiard
balls, carriage trimmings, pencil cases, pen-
holders, coHars and cuffs, neckties, thimbles,
card-cases, cigar-cases, book-covers, pocket-
books, pistol-handles, paper-knives. AH arti-
cles in ivory, tortoise shell and jet are closely
imitated.
There are at present four wealthy and
prosperous companies engaged in the manu-
facture of celluloid in this city as well as
three firms or individuals, and the amount of
capital invested in the business here is about
S1.000,000. The number of articles made out
of celluloid is constantly increasing, and dur-
ing the past year no less than twelve patents
were taken for additional improvements in
the manufacture, new articles and machinery,
to be used in this growing branch of industry.
M'KINSTRY'S GREAT ORCHARD.
The largest orchard in the world is doubt-
less that owned and worked very successfully
by Mr. l^obert McKiustry, of Hudson, Colum-
bia county, X. Y. The orchard is situated
on the east bank of the Hudson river, on high,
rolling table land, and contains more than
24,000 apple trees, 1,700 pears, 4,000 cherries,
500 peaches, 200 crabs, 200 plums, 1,500 vines,
6,000 currants, and 200 chestnuts. The varie-
ties grown are : Rhode Island greening, 7,000 ;
Baldwins, 6,000 ; King of Tompkins County,
4,000 ; Astrachans, 800 ; Northern Spy, 500 ;
Wagener, 500 ; Gravenstein, 400 ; Cranberry
Pippins, 200 ; Ben. Davis. 200 ; Duchess of
Oldenburg, 2C0 ; with Jonathans, Hubbard-
son, Cayugas, Vandeveres, Pearmain's, Peck's
Pleasants, 20 ounce Pippins, Russets, and
others in less number.
The pears are Barr.lett, B. d'Aiijou, Shel-
don, Seckel and Lawrence, chiefly. Of cherries
there are twentj'-eight varieties. The orchards
are remarkably thrifty, and the oldest trees
are about twenty years old. The soil is dry,
rolling gravel, with some limestone ; the trees
are planted twenty feet apart and do not by
any means seem to be crowded. The ground
is ploughed several times in the year and kept
fallow ; except when thought advisable, it is
seeded to clover. The orchard is intersected
by roads over six miles in length for the
passage of wagons, and is bounded by a con-
tinuous row of apple trees, set ten feet apart,
for four miles and a half. The apple crop of
last year was :iO,000 barrels. Twenty-four
men and fourtem horses are employed hauling
out the crop or in ploughing.
The success of this orchard has not been
achieved, nor is it maintained, without the
closest supervision and most industrious work.
Suckers and spiouts are removed as soon as
seen; the bon r> are watched and followed
with vigor. Wires are used to reach
them in their burrows, and the damaged
bark is removed with chisels. As trees fall
others are planted in their places.
As the market for good fruit is extending
every year, antl foreigii customers are seeking
supplies, the business of growing fruit cannot
fail to be profitable and permanent. No other
business pays better than this, for the most
skillful attention and management ; indeed,
without these, it is vain to expect a crop that
will sell in the market lor remunerative prices.
Good fruit sell> itself, and the grower is soon
sought for by the imi-eliasers. Those who
desire to take a lesson in things appeitaining
to the business, and to prove the truth of these
facts, may we.l study the ways and methods
of Mr. McKiustry and his ovcha,id.—Jiural
Ilomi'.
ROSE LEGENDS.
In the neighborhood of Jerusalem is a
pleasant valley, which still bears the name of
Solomon's Rose Garden, and where, accord-
ing to a Mohammedan mytli, a compact was
made between the Wise Man and the genii of
the Morning Laud, which was writ, not in
bloud, like the bond between Faust and
Mepaistopheles, nor in gall, hke our modern
treaties, but with saffron and rose water upon
the petals of white roses. In Paris, in the
sixteenth century, an edict was issued re-
quiring all Jews to wear arose on their breasts
as a distinguishing mark. In the Catholic
Tyrol, in the present day, betrothed swains
are expected to carry a rose during the period
of their betrothal, as a waruiug to young
maidens of tlieir engaged state. Roses have
played and still play an important part in
popular usages in many other parts of the
world. In Germany, young girls deck their
hair with white roses tor their confirmation,
their entrance into the world, and when, at
the end of life's career, the aged graudmotlier
departs to her eternal rest, a last gift, in the
shape of a rose-garland, is laid upon her bier.
Julius Ciesar, it is recorded, was fain to hide
his baldness at Uic a^v of thirty with the pro-
ducts of the Kouiaii tom; gardens, as Anacreou
hid the snows of eighty under a wreath of
roses. At mid-Leut the Pope sends a golden
rose to particular churches or crowned heads,
whom he designs as especially to honor.
Martin Luther wore a rose in his girdle. In
these instances the rose serves as a symbol of
ecclesiastical wisdom. A rose has figured on
the headsman's axe of the Voehmgericht.
Many orders, fraternities and societies have
taken the rose as their badge. The " Rosi-
crucians " may be instanced. The " Society
of the Rose," of Hamburg, an a.ssociation of
learned ladies of the seventeenth century, is a
less known example. It was divided into
four sections — the roses, the lilies, the violets
and the pinks. The lioly Medardus instituted
in Prance the custom of "La Rosiere," by
which, in certain localities, a money gift and
crown of roses are bestowed on. the devoutest
and most industrious maiden in the commune.
The infamous Duke de Chatres established an
"Order of the Rose" with a diametrically
opposite intention, the avowed object being
the undermining of female virtue. At Treviso
a curious rose feast is or was held annually.
A castle was erected with tapestry and silken
hangings, and defended by the best born
maidens in the city against the attacks of
young bachelors, almonds, nutmegs, roses
and squirts filled with rose water being the
ammunition freely used on both sides. —
Oardener''s Monthly.
OZONE.
Ozone is a principal constituent existing in
pure air. It is one of tlie elements whose
presence is indispensable to the existence of
iiealth, vigor, and even life. It abounds most
freely iihcertain sahilnious situations, such as
mountain slopi-s, I'erlili- aiirieidtural regions,
the seashore and elivalcd plains. It is never
absentfromthe air cxrept during the presence
of epidemics. It is found in very small pro-
portions in the air that passes over large
towns. Its presence in the air is a standard
of purity, and an indication of the healtliful-
ness or uidieaUhl'ulness of a region, as uner-
ring as the rise and fall of tlic barometer in
telling atinosphcrie changes. O/.one possesses
a peculiar odor which is readily distinguished
after a thunder storm.
This odor was known to the ancients ; it was
described by a Grecian poet who lived four
thousand years ago, but it was not until 1785,
when Van Marum, a Dutch savant, observed
it, that its origin was traied. No practical
effect resulted from this discovery. It was re-
served for thr eniiient Swiss ilieinist, Schoe-
bein, tcxIiseov.T lliis vital priueiple, in 1840.
He deinon-trabcl llir lad tlial paper saturated
with a >olai 1,111 ol ioilidr ,,1 standi is a test
for it. ami ilrhi iiiimil the mnditions under
whirhit rxisis. Siiirr tlicii ii s ni(deculir Con-
stitution has been the sulijcct of repeated in-
vestigations. The most brilliant of these was
the theory of Prof. <Jdling in ISdii, which was
cunlirnicd by Sir Jieiij. Brodie in lS7:i, that it
is a condensed form of oxygen. Oxygen con-
tains two atoms in each of its molecules, but
ozone contains Ihn-e in a molecule of equal
volume. Hence the formula for ozone is that
which is now a.ssigned to it, namely O IJ. It
is obvious that ozone should bt half as heavy
again as oxygen, should have in fact a specific
gravity of "24, as compared with hydrogen.
Oil of turpentine, chloride of tin (.stannus
chloride), and hyposulphite of soda, absorb
the whole molecule of ozone.
Our Local Organizations.
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICUL-
TURAL SOCIETY.
The rcffular monthly meeting of the Aericultural
and Horticultural Society was held on Monday after-
noon, June -.;, in their room in the City Hall.
The meeting was called to order by the President,
Calvin Cooper, esq.
The following members and visitors were present :
Calvin Cooper, Bird-in-Hand; Jos. F. Witmer, Para-
dise; C. M. Hosletter, Eden; William H. Brosius,
Drumore; J. C. Linviile, Salisbury; P. Hcrthey,
city; W. W. Griest, city; F. R. Diflenderffer, city;
J. M. Johnston, city; J. P. Mcllvaine, Salisbury;
Johnson Miller, Warwick; Sylvester Kennedy, Salis-
bury. -
There being so few mmbers present, a motion
was made to adjourn until the second Monday of
July, which was carried. The usual meeting on the
first Monday of that month will be omitted, as It
will most likely come when farmers are busywith
their wheat harvest and be unable to attend.
As the by-laws under the new charter will then
be acted upon, it is hoped there will be a full at-
tendance ol the members.
It would be most fortunate for the society If It
had some far-seeing member to anticipate and ad-
monish it in lime of such contingencies as are likely
to interfere with the attendance of its members at
the stated meetings. The Fourth of July, Whitsun-
tide, Easter and similar holidays occurring on Mon-
day, are not favorable to either large or attentive
meetings. There are too many attractions upon the
street and elsewhere, besides many of the elder and
graver of our stauncher country people avoid coming
into town at all on such occasions. Slick a pin in
this for future reference.
THE LANCASTER COUNTY POULTRY
ASSOCIATION.
The regular monthly meeting of the Lancaster
County Poultry Association was held in their rooms
on Monday morning, June 2, with rather a meagre
attendance.
The meeting was calkd to order by the President,
Rev. D. C. ToTjias.
The Secretary called the roll and read the minutes
of last meeting, which were adopted as read.
The following members and visitors were present :
Rev. D. C. Tobias, Liliz; J. .M. Johnston, city;
Simon P. Eby, city; W. W. Griest, city; Frank K,
90
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[June,
Diffenderffer, city; H. H. Tshudy, Litiz; T. F.
Evans, Litiz; G. A. Geyer, Spring Garden; J. B.
Lichty, city; J.H.Miller, Marietta; Washington L.
Hershey, Chiclsies; C. L. Hunsecker, iVlanheim; J.
W. Broolvhart, Salunga; J. G. Reist, Mount Joy.
New Business.
Under this head the following questions were sub-
mitted for discussion at the next meeting :
"Is it advisable to hold a poultry show next win-
ter ?" Referred to S. P. Eby, esq.
" Should fowl fanciers breed more than a single
variety?" Referred to G. A. Geyer.
Regular Discussions.
"What is a preventive for vermin on fowls?"
This question having been assigned to W. J. Kafroth,
who was absent, the discussion was taken up by Mr.
8. P. Eby, who said that a first consideration was a
clean nest to hatch in. Three days before the chicks
come give the hen aid nest a good dusting with
insect powder. If this is not done vermin will surely
come, retard their growth and perhaps kill the
chicks. They must be watched afterwanis. Keep
the roosts clean also. He keeps the hen house dusted
with coal ashes mixed with dry earth. He removes
these with the droppings occasionally, and no vermin
get a foothold. The red spider louse often causes
much trouble. Insect powder will remove the
trouble. Ointments are harmful.
Mr. Evans' method to prevent vermin is to put
tobacco into the nest where the hen sits, along with
dry sulphur. In the poultry house he uses coal oil
and tobacco siftings. The young ones he treats with
a preparation composed of one part of oil of sassa-
fras and seven parts of sweet oil, and greases, the
chicks under the wings. He recently tried this on
badly infected chicks, and it killed them at once.
H. H. Tshudy believes in a liberal use of dust. He
uses street dust with fine lime, and finds it does very
well. Lice gather in small openings in the boards of
roosts, where they can be rea.;hed with coal oil. It
is a bad plan to set hens in the same room where
others roost. He has never tried coal ashes, and
believes in tobacco siftings and sassafras oil, al-
though he has doubts about greasing chicks with
anything ; cleanliness is the main part.
Mr. Evans said a dust bath of any kind is good.
Fancy fowls should, however, have the kind that
"preserves their plumage best.
Mr. Geyer's way of setting hens is to use tobacco
in the mother's uest. Birds that run in the fields
are freer of vermin than those more confined.
Mr. Miller uses a box filled with coal dust ; car-
bolic acid insect powder he also finds very good.
He uses the insect powder mill to apply the powder
with — it reaches the skin in this way.
S. P. Eby has known tobacco to kill larger animals
than birds. Insect powder can be used on canary
birds, showing that it does not affect the health of
chicks.
F. R. Diflenderffer uses street dust, in which sul-
phur has been freely put.
Rev. D. C. Tobias said since our last meeting he
had received a letter from Mrs. R. Baldwin, who
gave a new method for removing the membrane or
worms from the windpipe of chicks afflicted with
gapes. It was the use of the thin wire wrapped
around the silk or gut of a G violin string. This
was introduced into the windpipe and the spirals
entangled the dangerous obstructions and brought
them along when the wire was drawn out. This
remedy seems a very simple one and can easily be
tried .
F. R. Diffenderffer %aid he had a hen that was
afflicted with leg-weakness. For a few days after
being taken from the nest with her chicks she was
put on a board Hoor, where the disease first de-
veloped. The chicks were taken from her, but the
disease still remains, although not so severely as at
first.
J. H. Miller recommended rubbing the legs with
ammonia.
There being no further business before the society,
it adjourned.
THE BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
The Lancastei County Beekeepers' Society met
on Monday afternoon, May VZ, at 'A o'clock, in the
parlor of the Black Horse Hotel. The following
members were present: J. F. Hershey, Mt. Joy; I.
G. Martin, Earl: D. H. Lintner, Millersville; John
Huber, Pequea; D. Kreider, West Lampeter; J. H.
Davis, East Earl; L. D. Wenger, West Earl; Jacob
Gorgas, Ephrata; Henry Shiffer, Pennville ; J. B.
Eshleman, Ephrata; Henry Huber, Pequea; Adam
Shreiner,city; P. S. Reist, Litiz.
The meeting was called to order by. the Vice
President. In the absence of the regular Secretary,
Mr. F. K. Diffenderffer was elected Secretary pro tem .
Condition of the Bees.
Mr. Hershey reported that he had wintered seventy
Bwarms indoors, and all came out strong in bees ana
brood, and had plenty of honey. He dug in the
ground four feet and made a frame of boards and
filled in with sawdust. Boarded up the whole build-
ing and inserted ventilators. They wintered very
well. The temperature should be kept even at
about 40 degrees. He had no trouble in reference to
mouldy combs.
Mr. Detwiler went into winter quarters with
seventy-five swarms, and all came out strong. He
took his swarms out only once in three months.
Mr. Lintner went into winter quarters with thir-
teen hives. He left them on the summer stand.
Four of them died of dysentery. The bee house was
built close to a fence, and there was considerable
noise which caused excitement. The others had
dysentery, but he stopped it with aniseseed oil mixed
in syrup, and they are now doing well. The four
which difd had plenty of honey.
Mr. Kreider went into winter quarters with four-
teen swarms, and lost two. His bees are now all
doing well. He packed chaff around two swarms,
and they are now doing better than the rest.
Mr. Shifter had thirty-eight swarms in the fall and
just left them on the summer stand, and all came
out in good condition. He puts corn fodder around
the houses to keep them warm. He fed the bees five
or six pounds of honey in each box, and that kept
them in good condition.
Mr. Martin went into winter quarters with twenty-
nine colonies packed in chaff, and they are now in
very good condition in bees and honey. Some were
very weak when he went into winter quarters, but
are now in very good condition. The bees had a fly
in January and one in February, and very few during
the remainder of the winter. All the bees in Earl
township are doing well.
Mr. Eshleman put up thirty colonies about the
middle of November, and lost two, one became
queenless and one died from want of food. His bees
are all in good condition. He built a shed to pro-
tect them from the north winds. The advantage of
packing in chaff is that you will have a larger brood
in spring. By giving them proper attention you
could make it more profitable.
Mr. Gorgas wintered eight swarms of bees well,
and they will be ready to swarm as soon as any in
the neighborhood.
Mr. Davis went into winter quarters with twenty-
eight swarms on summer stands, and all are doing
well. He uses no honey board. He has a shea
built to protect them from the north and west winds.
Mr. Reist knows of fifty or sixty swarms that all
came out well. They had no protection except from
the north wind.
Mr. Hershey reported that he had a letter from
New York State> which reported very heavy losses in
that State.
Mr. Huber thought it more necessary for bees to
have good ventilation in winter than in summer. He
found that plan worked very well. There should he
a chaff cushion on top to absorb the moisture.
Mr. Reist thought there should be an understand-
ing among beekeepers as to how much honey they
should sell and at what price.
Mr. Hershey said honey was selling at his place
for 19 or 20 cents. The price will depend upon the
size of the crop.
Dysentery in Bees.
The following question had been referred to Mr.
Davis: '-What causes dysentery in liees?" He
thought extremely cold weather without a fly would
cause the dysentery in bees.
Mr. Hershey thought dysentery was caused by
chilling and bad honey for food. They must eat a
certain amount of good honey in order to keep up
the heat.
Mr. Huber thought bees were as much subject to
dysentery in summer as in winter. He thought they
were feeding on some kind of food which was nut
good.
Mr. Eshleman thought dysentery was caused
principally by the food. You will find dysentery in
summer as well as in winter.
Mr. Hershey said he had weak colonies with as
good honey as the strong ones. The strong ones got
the disease while the weak ones did not.
Mr. Reist said sweet cider would not produce
dysentery, while sour cider would. He thought it
wiiB caused by unwholesome food.
Virgin Queens.
"Will a virgin queen, if she meets no drone within
ten daj's, afterwards prove fertile?" Referred to
Mr. Hershey.
Mr. Hershey said he had queens that went eight
or nine days after they were hatched before they met
the drone, and they proved fertile. He knew them
to go out within fourteen days and then become
fertile.
Mr. Huber said the queens mostly came out the
third day, if the weather is favorable. Sometime
since he found a box that was queenless. He pro-
cured a queen before he had any drones, and when
the eggs were hatched they were all drones.
I. G. Martin said he had a queen that could not
fly out, and every egg she laid proved a drone.
Mr. Davis had a queen that could not fly, and she
became fertile and perfect ; her hive was well sup-
plied with bees.
Business for Next Meeting.
"Should glucose be fed to bees or not?" Referred
to I. G. .Martin for answer at next meeting.
"What is the best method to prevent increase?"
Referred to P. S, Reist for answer at next meeting.
Introducing Queens,
Mr. Hershey read the following paper:
Three months have passed since we met last, and
now we are here again to see how we can improve
beekeeping in our day. The honey season has now
commenced, and we have to work among our bees.
As the season for introducing queens is at baud I will
try and say a few words about the subject. I first
remove the queen from the swarm where I want to
put the Italian queen. I put the Italian queen in a
wire cage, and put a stopper, made of some comb
that the bees did not breed in yet, m one end of the
cage ; the other end I pinch together. Now hang the
cage with the queen between' the combs near the
brood, so that the bees will cluster on it. If the
stopper is not made too large and pressed too tight
together, the bees will liberate the queen in ^4 or 36
hours. If the honey is plenty in the fields and the
bees store pretty fast, I take the cage out the third
day after I have put the queen and cage in. If the
honey is scarce aud the bees store very little, I wait
one week before I take out the cage. 1 don't disturb
the swarm at all for one week. The bees will liberate
the queen in a few days, and she will lay just as well
with the cage between the combs as it the cage is
out. If the cage is taken out as soon as the bees
have liberated the queen, then she lias not commenced
to lay yet, is light aud wild, and will run over combs.
The bees will go after her and get hold of her and
then she tries to get loose. Then she will be sur-
rounded, and the'bees will smother her. As soon as
a queen moves fast over the comb the bees go after
her. If it is their own reared queen they want her
to move slowly over the combs. If a swarm is not
disturbed in one week after the queen is introduced
with the cage, then she will be out and laying ; is
heavy with eggs, feels at home, and will move slowly
over the combs. A great many of the queens that
are killed when introduced are killed ou account of
the swarms being disturbed before the queen has
commenced to lay. Queens that are shipped and
have stopped laying for three or four days, are harder
to introduce than queens that are just changed from
one swarm to another in the same apiary. The best
time in the day to introduce queens, when honey is
scarce, is in the evening just before the sun sets ;
then very nearly all the bees in the other swarms are
at home, and if they would try to rob, night would
soon overtake them. The next moruing bees that
were disturbed by the introduction of ^he queen will
be ready for a fight if strange bees should come. If
the honey is plenty in the field a swarm can be opened
at any time in the day with safety to introduce a
queen.
Mr. Martin tried Mr. Hershey's plan and only
failed once.
The Honey Market.
Mr. Martin read the following paper :
Marketing honey is of great importance to the
beekeeper. If we had but a small number of colo-
nies we can find ready sale for our honey at home,
and it is not of much importance iu what shape it is
put up. But if we have a large number of colonies
and get thousands of pounds of honey, we must have
some other than the home market. Honey to be
sent to the city market must be put up in neat and
attractive shape, and so arranged as not to give the
dealer any trouble. One leaky box or can may do
great injury. Comb honey should be chiefly in small
sections of one and two pounds each, for such pack-
ages are sure to sell. They should be clean and
white; the honey should be taken from the bees as
soon as it is capped, for if it is on the hives long,
after it is capped, it will get dark-looking by the
bees traveling over it. By having it in sections
which only contain a single comb, the consumer can
see what he buys. The sections can be glassed if
the market demands it ; but I think it will sell better
without glass, because if the consumer wants to buy
a few pounds of honey he does not want to pay for
one-fourth weight of glass which he cannot eat. I
think the two-pound sections are preferable for the
following reason : the bee will store more honey in
them than in the one-pound sections, for by using
the one-pound sections the hive is too much divided
into small compartments. Besides, we can afford to
sell them cheaper, and the consumer will not have
so much tare as when he buys them in the one-
pound sections. But if the market demands the one-
pouud sections, then we should furnish them.
If separators have been used (and every progres-
sive beekeeper should use them), these sections will
be in good condition to be glassed, if glass is de-
manded ; and they will also be in nice shape to be
shipped without glass, as they may stand side by
side without marring the comb. These should be
packed iu crates of one dozen of the two pounds, or
two dozen of one pound sections ; and the crates
should have glass on two sides, so that the honey
may be seen.
Extracted honey has all the flavor and is in every
way equal, if not superior, to comb houey. When
the people once know what it is, and know that it is
not strained honey, the demand for this article will
largely increase to the advantage of both the con-
sumer and the producer. Extracted honey is the
pure honey removed from the combs and is free of
all impurities. It is not the strained honey, pressed
1879.1
THE LANCASTER FARMEI^.
91
out of the comb and which contains pollen and
brood, which impurities are mixed with the honey.
Extracted honey should be put up in glass jars— the
one-quart fruit jars are very good ami will hold
three pounds each, and when they are empty, they
are very useful in every household. But jf the mar-
ket demands smaller jars, that will hold only one
and two pounds apiece, tlicy should be furnished
and nicely labeled and put in crates of one dozen
each .
Further, we should instruct buyers that extracted
honey will granulate in winter when exposed to a
low temperature, and that granulation is a pledge of
purity ; for honey adulterated with glucose will not
granulate, and that granulated honey can again be
brought to a liquid state by simply placing the jar
that contains it in hot water until it is melted, but
not long enough to bring it to the liolllng point.
Sell to the consumer as much of your houey as you
can, and take the remainder to Ihe retail dealers
yourself instead of sending it to the wholesale
dealers, who will sell it to the retail dealers and then
charge you a commission.
On motion, adjourned to meet on the second
Monday in August.
FULTON FARMERS' CLUB.
The May meeting of the club was held at
he
residence of Win. King, Little Britain township. All
the members were jiresent except Jcisepli K . Black-
burn and S. L. IJregg. Visitors, Jonathan I'icker-
iug and Alice Coates.
In answer to the question asked at the last meet-
ing, " Which is the best cherry for general use V
E. H. Haines said that a friend of his, who has a
great variety of trees, considered " Coe's Trans-
parent" the leading variety.
Wm. King : What is the cause of the cherry trees
splitting in some localities, and what is the remedy
lor it ?
No one present was able to give any satisfactory
information on the subject.
Day Wood : What is the prospect for fruit this
year ?
W. P. Haines : No blossoms on the Baldwins ;
most other kinds tolerably full.
E. H. Haines had been around quite an extent of
country this spring. According to his observations
there would not be a full crop of apples. Pear and
cherry trees were full of blossoms. Siberian crab
apples also bid fair to make a full crop.
Josiah Brown : Would It be better to sell wheat at
present prices than to hold it ?
In answer to this question, the club all concurred
in the opinion that there were no indications of a
rise in the price, although the prospect for a full
crop of wheat next harvest in the lower end of Lan-
caster county was very poor.
Montiilion Brown : What has been the experience
of members in mulching wheat? In three cases
where it was tried in this neighborhood it has been a
decided injury to it.
Day Wood had noticed the wheat referred to, but
had no experience himself.
William P. Haines and Josiah Brown had each
manured some wheat after it was drilled in. It did
not benefit the crop like that where it was plowed
under, though no injurious effect was noticed.
Charles S. Gatchell had noticed another piece of
wheat besides the three spoken of, where' mulching-
appeared to have a bad effect. Had tried it himself
about four years ago. At that time both the wheal
and the grass after it were benefited by it.
Grace A. King : What will remove the stains made
by lubricating oil from clothing?
Mary Ann ToUinger : Put on lemon juice and ex-
pose to the sun.
R. B. Gatchell; Sheep sorrel and salt will take out
iron rust. Never found any oil stains that would not
come out by washing and drying on the grass.
Esther K. Haines : What kind of peas are best for
late planting !
W. P. Haines : Champion of England, for both
early and late planting.
Josiah Brown : What is the best way to destroy
the Sodom apple or horse nettle {iSolanum Caro-
linense) f
Most of the members that had any experience with
this plant thought this a very hard question to
answer, as it is nearly indestructible. Some of them
advised covering the ground with straw or some
other substance so thick that all vegetation would
be destroyed, using salt with it.
The forenoon session now adjourned to dinner,
after which the club made the usual inspection of
the farming operations, live stock, etc. But little
change was noticed in the stock since the club last
met at the place. Buildings somewhat improved
and some new fence noticed.
Afternoon Session.
In lieu of an essay the host read some articles
from the New York Tribune, niving the Higgins
method of making and packing butler. Instead of
being gathered in the ordinary way, the butler, as
soon as it comes, is gradually cooled down to about
S40, when, instead of adhering in a mass it gathers
in small pellets about the size of grains of "wheat.
Tbeu, instead of working, the milk is washed out
with cold water, or, what Is better, brine. It Is then
salt d to suit the tasle.
Day Wood objected to the use of so much water.
He knew plenty of good butter makers who did not
wash their butter, because it was injured thereby.
Alice Coates had been trying the method since she
saw the articles that had been read. Shu found
some difllculty, but was improving. She, too, knew
of butter makers who objected to the use of water,
but in nine cases out of ten it would benefit more
than hurt.
Mabel A. Haines recited "You are Growing Old
Together:" Grace A. King read a selection on
" Silence," and Charles S. Gatchell " Kvidence of
Success In Farming," from The Practical Farmer.
The question " Is the use of machinery followed
by a disinclination to labor!" was next discussed at
some length, most of the members coinciding in the
opinion that a disposition to be Idle did not follow
the introduction of machinery, although a disin
clination to do by hand work that which could be
done by machinery was very apparent among
laborers.
E. n. Haines, Day Wood and William King were
appointed to make inquiry, and reportrto a future
meeting whether, in their opinion, dairy factories
can be successfully carried on in this community.
Adjourned to meet at C. S. Gatchcll's in June.
LINNiEAN SOCIETY.
A stated meeting of the socicty^as held Saturday,
May .31st, 1879, with Prof. J. H. Dubbs in the chair.
Afier attending to the reading of the minutes, etc.,
the donations to the museum were examined and
found to consist of three mounted specimens of birds :
The "Harlequin Duck," with Its numerous synonyms;
a fine Polish Bantem, per Mr. George Flick, the well-
known taxidermist of this city ; and a fine specimen
of the Golden Crowned Thrush, per Mr. Snyder,
North Queen street; a pair of beetles, skipjacks,
per Mr.. Reynolds ; sulphate of copper and native
copper, from the sediments of a galvanic battery,
formerly used In the telegraph office ; a beautiful
black and red bean or seed, per Mrs. Zell (a similar
bean-like seed grows on a spike in plants allied to
the tapioca or Indian Turnip family) ; two large
lumps of brown oxide of iron, from Mr. Fordirey's
farm, Warren county, Virginia, per S. Johns, of this
city, a variety of the Hematite ; a box of lichens
and mosses, per S. S. Rathvon.
Historical.
Copy of the Federal Intelligencer, Baltimore, De-
cember 29th, 179-i, containing interesting historical
matter ; five envelopes with sixty clippings of Interest
from various papers, per S. S. Rathvon.
Library.
Official Patent Office Gazelle to May 20th, 1879;
The Lancaster Farmer for May, 1S79 ; botanical
contributions from Vol. VI.; Botany of the Wheeler
Government Surveys, by Prof. Thos. C. Porter, sent
to Prof. Stahr, for the society ; Pamphlet, Naturalists'
Leisure Hours, A. C. Foot, December, 187S ; books,
circulars and advertisements.
Papers Read.
Ornithological notes, on the deposits, the Harlequin
Duck, No. 518, S. S. Rathvon, (X«a« glacidis, Lin.)
This peculiar duck has any number of common
names besides that of "Harlequin," and generic
names to suit any group ; In short, 112 synonyms are
or have been given to it. Paper 519, on the "Golden
Crowned Thrush," (^Seiurus auro capillus, Swainson) ,
giving interesting particulars of the species, and
their habit of nest building, by Dr. S. S. Rathvon.
Although the name Is usually accepted, D. S. Jour-
dan, in his late popular work, does not give the
generic name Seiurus, nor can we find "Golden
Crowned Thrush." He has a "Golden Crowned
Kinglet," under Cuvler's generic name ot Rcgubts,
and LIchenstein's specific name, I{. Hatrapa,
but this is the "Golden Crested Wren." Both de-
scriptions are very similar, yet they are both recog-
nized in the Birds, by Spencer F. Baird, assisted by
Cassin and Lawrence, published 1858, under two dls-
tmct genera. Such changes or omissions are very
provoking to the student.
A paper. No. 520, was read by J. Stauffer, in rela-
tion to a rare bird caught by Amos Kaufl'man, in a
woods between Manheim and Sporting Hill, near Ihe
residence of Amos Kauffman. The children noticed
five In a flock, but could only capture one. This they
have now caged ; it seems to be a pugnacious bird,
but is gentle with young chicks. A similar bird was
shot by Charles Lehrer, in the vicinity of Mt. Joy,
May9th, 18.56. This shows that the Purple Gallinula,
occasionally visits Lancaster county. Wilson con-
siders it a very rare bird north , and says his descrip-
tion and drawing is taken from a specimen In|Peale's
museum, sent from Georgia. He calls it GalHunla
porphyria. Jourdan describes it under the name of
Torphyrio Martinica, Temmicks name, etc., and
only allows of one species being In the United States.
This, too, has seven generic names, and different
specific names also. Prof. Baird says It is accidental
in the Middle and Northern United States, and that
"It is occasionally met with as far North as New
Jersey, and more rarely in New York and Massachu-
setts," page 753, Birds of the United States, 8. F.
Baird, et. al., Vol. IX., Government R. R. Publica-
tion, 18.58. We have a mounted specimen of this
bird in our collection, no doubt from the old museum
of Judge Llbhart. of Marietta.
The committee on book cases reported by calling
attention to the Improved condition of the room, and
the shelving in the upper store room, not fully com-
pleted. The committee was continued.
Much Interesting scientific gopslp was indulged In.
Rev. Prof. Dubbs, and Drs. Davis and Baker, each
had something to say, and the time passed with
pleasure and profit to the few who met to enjoy It.
Why are there not more to take an interest?
Agriculture.
Plowing in Crops as Manure.
A large number of farmers are unable to under-
stand how it is possible to better the condition of
lands by plowing in clover, rye, buckwheat, etc., In
a green condition. The difllculty is in uomprehend-
Ing methods by which crops that are supposed to
draw their sustenance irom the soil In which they
grow can return anything more to the soil than they
took away In their growth. The point is cleared up
when It Is known that all plants draw nourishment
from the almoKphere as well as from the soil, and
this Is one source of gain. While the leaves are ac-
cumulating stores of fertility from the air the roots
are busy searching for It In the soil, and thus the two
distinct parts of plants work together. It is probable
that crops absorb In some way nitrogen from the
atmosphere.; at least it has never been satisfactorily
proved that they do not, and hence from that source
one of the most valuable of the various forms of
plant food may be derived. If this point is In doubt
it is certain that the leaves gather from the atmos-
phere the elements of organic matter, 'and organize
them so as to form the great body of the plant ; and
when we turn under the clover it leaves its organic
matter In the soil, and this Is, in an Important sense,
But the excellent effects of plowing under clover
or other green crops are not due alone to elements of
fertility obtained from air. The great, deep-penetrat-
ing roots go to a point lower than most of the cereals,
and hence they draw supplies of mineral food from
sources inaccessible to other valuable plants ; and,
further, it is to be observed that these roots of coarse
texture disintegra* and loosen the soil, so that air
is let In, and in some sense the work of the plow Is
performed by them. When these roots decay they
form a considerable portion of organic or vegetable
matter, which, combined with the mineral, gives a
good compost for better plants to thrive in.
From these brief considerations it will readily be
seen how it is possible to manure land by plowing in
green crops; and we will here remark, that It Is a
practice not often enough followed by our husband-
men. The clover is perhaps the best of all plants for
green manuring, and It Is easily and cheaply raised.
A thin dressing of superphosphate (home-made)
will almost give a heavy crop of clover on common
land, and this crop turned under, when at Its
maturity, and allowed to decay, brings It into good
tilth, and certainly aflbrds to the farmer a wide
margin for profit in successive cropa.— Journal of
Chcmittry.
Farming on a Large Scale.
The largest cultivated wheat farm on the globe Is
said to be the Grondin farm, not far from the town
of Fargo, Dakota. It embraces some 40,000 acres,
both government and railway land, and lies close to
the Red river. Divided into four parts, it has dwell-
ings, granaries, machine shops, elevators, stables for
200 horses, and room for storing 1,000,000 bushels of
grain. Besides the wheat farm there is a stock farm
of 20,000 acres. In seeding time 70 to 80 men are
employed, and during harvest 250 to 300 men. Seed-
ing begins about April 9th, and continues through
the mouth, and is done very systematically, the ma-
chines following one another around the field, some
four rods apart. Cutting begins about August 8th,
and ends the fore part of September, succeeded by
the thrashing, with eight steam thrashers. After
thrashing the stubble ground is plowed with great
plows drawn by three horses and cutting two fur-
rows; and this goes on until the weather Is cold
enough to freeze, usually about November 1st. There
arc many other large farms In the territory and in
the neighborhood, and they are tilled In much the
same manner as the Grondin. The surface of the
land generally Is almost level and the soil rich and
black. The product of one field of 2,315 acres Is
57,285 bushels — elevator weight— some twenty-five
bushels to the acre. The average yield of the Dakota
wheat farm Is from 20 to 25 bushels per acre, and the
concurrent testimonv is that It Is unequaled as a
wheat region in the world.
The First Employment of Guano.
In an interesting paper on this subject which has
recently appeared from the pen of Prof. Kohl, the
author takes occasion to point out the fact that the
employment of guano In agricultural operations Is
92
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
by no means of such modern origin as many are
disposed to believe. So Ion? ago as the twelfth cen-
tury the Arabian Reographer Edresi called attention
to the existence of clifls covered with the excrement
of birds in the Persian Gulf, not far from the famous
pearl fisheries of the Bahrein Island, and relates how
this duns was collected, sent to Bassora and up the
Euphrates to be used for the orchards, vine vards
and d-te groves, &c., on its banks. So, too,"from
the earlier ages, the semi-civilized Peruvians made
use ofthedcpn.Mts of guano ou their coasts for the
improvement of their husbandry, and so well was its
value in tins respect recognized that their white
Incas decreed severe punishment for any one killing
the birds that produced it. According to our author
It was Humboldt who first drew the attention of
Europe to the rich deposits of the Chinca Islands in
the early part of the present century, but his voice
remained long unheeded. It was not until the year
1S40 that a shipload of guano was despatched from
feru to England at the risk of the enterprising firm
of Quiros, Allick & Co., of Lima. Experiments
were instituted as to its eflects on wheat, potatoes
and oat crops, on fruit trees and on flowers, with
such wonderfully favorable results that a general
demand for the new miinure soon arose in EnMand
France, Belgium and Germany. Hundreds of ships
set sail for the Chinca, in search of guano, and for
many years the Peruvian Government derived an
annual income of ?16,000,000 from its sale.
The Future of American Farming.
It is probable that in the near future the approach
ofstormsof rain or wind will be announced bv our
Signal Service everywhere throughout. the country
A forewarning of this kind would serve, even with
our present conveniences, to greatly diminish the
heavy losses entailed on the farming community by
theunexpected adventofslormy weather. Approach-
ing discoveries in science and the useful arts will
doubtless enable farmers to turn such warnings to
still greater advantage. The use of the field electric
light shows one method by which the farmers of the
future can hurry up farming operations on the
approach of unfavorable weather. Nor will this be
the only benefit derived from such a convenience ■
for whenever it shall be widely introduced, many
labors in the fields, which are now wearily performed
during the torrid heat of our midsummer days, can
then be pleasantly done in the cool summer nights.
Then, again, svtch heavy and expensive machinery
as threshers, etc., can be utilize* all the time in the
busy season, by means of relays of men ; and thus a
considerably larger profit will be realized from the
capital invested in them. Favorable spells of weather
too, can be utilized to tlie utmost, and the evil conse-
quences of paucity of labor will be reduced to a
minimum. There is no class for whom the future
holds so much social and intellectual advancement •
so much assured prosperity, and to much rational
happiness, as for those engaged in the various de-
partments of agriculture, and in no country in the
world are the farmers so well prepared as in this, by
intelligence, energy, enterprise and political, as well
as natural conditions, to pluck the earliest benefits
from the treasures of the iulure.—Mnral New Yorker
[ June,
need of rain, the remainder reporting the weather as
cool, moist, cloudy, and favorable. North Pacific
points report a large increase of acreage, especiallv
m Dakota, and a large amount of new land-breaking
IS in preparation for seeding to wheat next year
Gram (June let) is from 8 to 1.5 inches high, of good
color, and vigorous. Reports from the great Dal-
rymple farms in Cass county, Dakota, say that
wheat could not look better. Hermann, on St Paul
and Pacific, reports the acreage doubled. Other
points say the weather is favorable, and wheat
making the best progress possible, except Edna
w_lach needs rain. On the St. Paul and Sioux Citv
there have been abundant rains, and the weather is
now clear and warm, with the crop making rapid
Waste in New England Farming.
A writer in the Cotmtry Gentleman says ■ "A
great waste in New England farming is waste in
fencing. We have too many small fields which it is
impossible to cultivate as they ought to be There
are too many fence-corners in which brush and
weeds are allowed to grow, as they cannot be got at
to advantage unless the fences are moved. It is
much cheaper to remove the inside fences than to
keep the farm divided into small fields."
A friend who has a farm below Lancaster on
which was a weedy fence row, allowed his farmer to
remove the fence and cultivated the ground it occu-
pied, allowing him the proceeds for his services A
crop of tobacco was raised on it which brought the
farmer upwards of $80.00. The fence row could not
have been long, as the farm contains only about
sixty acres.— /?e>-aM.
Horticulture.
^, in discus-
sing
Home-Made Fertilizers
A correspondent of the Maine Farme
sing the question of fertilizers, makes the folic
valuable suggestions :
"It is but fair to add a word respecting bone meal
slate and plaster. For the decomposition of the first
considerable lime is required, so that its good effect
is not all immediately apparent ; providing that it
can be obtained at a fair cost the use of it for certain
kinds of soil, pcrhap.s p.ivs tolerably well. The
ground slate is of bandit in a dry season to put
around plants, as it dr;,Hs and holds the moisture.
The third profits nothing ou many farms; upon
others it temporarily iinpioves the crops. In con-
clusion, I would suggest to my brother farmers that
we save all the bones abont our premises, puttino-
them into old water-tight casks, mixed with good
ashes. Let the barrels or casks, with the upper head
out, stand in the open air ; the mixture usually will
be fit for application to the land in a year. A barrel
of phosphate will cost here ten dollars ; for that sum
you can hire a man with a horse and cart ten days
Set him at work to clear out ditches, corners of fields
or into the woods gathering leaves and scurf, or at
the muck bed, if you have one, or by the sides of the
highways; direct him to dump into the barnyard
barncellar, hogyard, and to the barn, to be used
during the winter to litter the cattle and horses, and
just see what piles he would make in ten days ■ you
would not sell this the next spring for four casks of
phosphate, for it will help the crops for years."
The Wheat C.-op— Favorable Reports of the
Prospects in the Northwest.
It is stated that despatches received at St. Paul.
Minn., from points along the line of three principal
railroads in that State, the Northern Pacific, St.
Paul and Pacific, and St. Paul and Sioux Cit'
About Potatoes.
From all we can learn, we have come to the con-
clusion that farmers, generally, are going to plant
more potatoes than usual this spring. This is a
natural result of the high prices that have ruled for
potatoes since the last crop was harvested. But it
should be kept in mind that a heavy crop makes
low prices and a light crop high prices— the yield
governing the price very largely. We have always
found It to pay to take special pains with any crop
and raise as large a yield as possible to the acre.
This pays better than enlarging the area if the same
care cannot be bestowed upon the cultivation One
man, last year, made $000 from five acres of pota-
toes, while the crop was a failure in all that section
besides. We are assured that he did this by careful
thorough work. Another man reported a large crop
of potatoes, and attributed it to a liberal dressing of
bone-dust which the land had received the year
before. We once published an account of an excel-
lent crop of potatoes raised by means of a species of
irrigation— turning the water of a spring run over
the ground occasionally during a drouth that ruined
the potato crop generally in all that section.
Such experiments, conducted with a view to learn
what methods and treatment k\\\ secure the best
crops under difl'erent unfavorable conditions, are
always worth what they cost and often a hundred-
fold more. If a man, during a season of general
failure of any crop, succeeds in finding out a plan
that will counteract, to any extent, the bad influences
which aflTect the crop under ordinary culture, he will
be well paid for his experiment, perhaps in a single
crop. It is our privilege to command all the forces
of nature to our aid in the production of crops, and
he who does this most efiectually is always most
successful. The skill of the farmer is only exhibited
in unfavorable seasons.— Practical Farmer.
Fruit-Growing in England
Now that the export of American apples is be-
comingan important business for fruit-growers in
this country, everything connected with the subject
becomes a matter of interest to them. A discussion
on the growing of fruit for market in England has
recently taken place in the columns of the London
Garden, from which we gather the following state-
ments, which naturally have some bearing on the
character of the foreign market.
A correspondent of that journal says that the de-
mand tor fruit in England has increased during the
past few years "to an enormous extent." It always
flnds a ready sale. Notwithstanding the cheap and
quick transit Irom the continent, and the excellence
of the apples from America, the extension of fruit
culture is on the increase. We are told by one writer
that 830,000,000 are annually paid to other countries
lor imported fruits. Another correspondent of the
same journal says that $.50,000,000 were expended
ast year for fruits and vegetables imported into that
kingdom. It is supposed that the city of London
consumes about a million and a half. We are in-
formed that England receives fifty times as much as
fifty years_ago, the prices varying but little at the
It appears that the same trouble occurs
:rr;;;r.'irs;r'tif..a-2S°„"src;^^^^^^^^^
abundant seasons, and large
quantities rot when the market is overstocked, and
the prices do not pay for gathering. The mode of
preserving by canning, so extensively adopted here
IS recommended in that country in such cases '
One of these correspondents states that in Kent
first-class Keswick codlings brought only fifty cents
per bushel, and of this sum one-half was naid for
conveyance to market and expenses. Another cor-
respondent says that many of the market gardeners
near London left tons of plums to fall and rot on the
ground in 1875, the market being overstocked with
fruit from the continent. The same writer mistakenly
InoT'h ,"'^f' American fruit-grower, who obtains
400 bushels of apples every year from his rich, cheap
soil, without manure, and with a minimum of labor
and cost, can easily compete with the English o-rower
who pays an annual rent equal to thi whole pur-
chase money of his competitor's land, and has to
spend fully as much more in manure and labor; but
if the yyestern grower should, by fertilizing his land,
double its yield, the extra 40i. would not be grown at
a prolit." American orchardists who have adopted
the same opinion as this writer are the very men who
make growing a failure. Their second rate, scrubby
knotty apples find a slow sale at a low price. Those
who with good culture, manuring, thinning, assort-
ing and careful packing, place the finest specimens
before purchasers, obtain good prices and ready sales
and as soon as their products become known they are
eagerly sought on account of their excellent quality
even in abundant seasons. In looking toward a
European market, it would be extreme folly to at-
tempt to send bad fruit that long distance, with the
expectation that it would pay expenses, and the
damage to the reputation of American fruit, caused
by such shabby attempts to thrust poor fruit on pur-
chasers, would be many times greater than any pos-
sible gain.— Co«?rfr^ (?CTiHe»ia«.
Treatment of Spring-Planted Trees.
In dry springs the orchard and garden usually
exhibit a distressing mortality among the new intro-
ductions of the past-pUnting time. Yet there is no
reason why many should die. A few simple sugges-
tions may save the lives of many trees, as well as
save a year of time to our own already short enouo-h
hves. Of course the ultimate reasyns why trans-
planted trees die is the want of water. The roots
are somewhat injured even by the best planting;
and with much evaporation, these weakened roots
are unable to supply the moisture required. If the
season be dry, this trouble is heightened by the
actual absence of moisture for the weakened roots to
use. Under these circumstances many water the
trees. Kut where there are many trees to water
this is no mean task, and besides watering has this
disadvantage, that it solidifies the soil, and every
farmer's boy knows that a hard, cloddy piece of
ground dries out faster than the soil in a well-pul-
verized condition.
Pruning is one of the simplest ways of saving or
weakening a tree's life. We do not, of course, add
aLy more moisture to the soil, or give any new
capacity to the damaged roots to take up more
moisture ; but we cut off the demand for moisture
with every branch cut away. When a tree does not
push freely into leaves after transplanting, it is in
most cases from this cause. If half the branches
are cut away, it is astonishing how soon and how
strong the balance will push.
The other point— the pulverization of the soil— is
often misunderstood. A loose soil is not a well-
pulverized soil. Simply hoeing or raking the surface
is not what is required. If the ground is baked hard,
as many clayey soils will do, tins loosening is a little
gain ; but as a general thing a strong soil merely
loosened will evaporate moisture largely. These
soils require crushing, not only loosening ; and the
same principle which the Telegraph has so often ex-
plained as following the use of the roller in our
grain-fields is to be carried out on a smaller scale
around the transplanted tree. The more we hammer
and beat a clod the firmer it becomes ; and the
firmer it is made the more able it is to absorb mois-
ture from the atmosphere, and indeed from the
harder surrounding soil. Thus in many cases the
half-dried, cakey earth around a tree may be pul-
verized by merely bearing it with a rammer, and
very often this will serve the tree to much better
purpose than even the most careful watering would
do. — Oermantown Telegraph.
Origin of the Apple.
There is evidence that the apple was employed as
food in icertain parts of Europe at a very ancient
period, perhaps even before the period of written t
history. The carbonized seeds and fragments of
apples and other fruits are found in the mud of cer-
tain lakes in Switzerland, where the pile builders
or lake dwellers had their habitations. It might be
supposed that these vestiges were wild or crab
apples, the native product of the country, and such
is probably the fact. But, according to Prof. Karl
Koch, there are no species of apples truly indigenous
in Europe ; those which are found growing without
cultivation, are the result of accidental sowings of
common apple seeds. If this statement is correct,
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
93
the question arises, whence came the apples and
fruits of the pile-huildcrs ? The same question inicht
be propounded with respect to the wheat wliich is
found in the debris of their dwellings, and the
answer to the one question would probably be an
answer for the other. It is not improbable that the
distribution of grains and fruits anions: 'he nations
of the earth has a much greater antiquity than has
commonly been admitted. In attempting to deter-
mine the original specilic character of our common
apple, we have to deal with a difficult question.
The apple of the present day is the productof centu-
ries of cultivation and horticultural skill, and the
transformations and modifications efleeted thereby
are such that we need not be surprised if we are
unable to recognize the original or parent stoclt.
Linnieus named the common apple of cultivation
Pyrm Jfabts, taking as the type the common seed-
ling apple, which he appears to have considered a
good species, and the same view has been generally
entertained by successful botanists.
Pruning Evergreens.
We have been in the practice for many years of
pruning evergreens as freely as deciduous trees, and
have found great advantage in the practice, wherc-
ever a better or more systematic form is desirable.
They may be cut freely it the growth of the tree is
vigorous, but the same ol)jcct may be reached with
moderate growers by pinching oil' the shoots early in
the season. Small, distorted trees, which are unfit
for sale in the nursery, have been changed in a few
years into objects of symmetry and beauty by both
modes of treatment combined. Josiah Hoopes
states, in a late number of the Tribune, that early
in spring he cuts his evergreens freely into shape
without regard to buds or anything "else. Pines,
with their scanty lateral buds, are easily made to
produce regular conical heads. The fault with some
of the pines is their thin growth ; with a little atten-
tion we find that this fault may be corrected by early
pinching back the new shoots. Take the Scotch or
Austrian pine, for example, or such specimens as
have long and slender shoots. When they have
grown two or three inches early in the season, pinch
off all the ends. They will form new buds, and an
open head may be thus changed into a dense and
compact one. The natural graceful form should be
preserved to a certain extent, and the tree not be
changed to mathematical stilfness.— Co«««rj/ era-
Poisoned by Mushrooms.
Mr. J. A. Palmer has a paper on poisoning by
mushrooms in the Moniteur ticienlifique. He states
that there are three dittV-rent ways in which mush-
rooms may act as a poison. First', thev may produce
the eiTeets of indigestible matter, as when" the hard
coriaceous species is eaten, and even the edible mush-
roop may cause a similar result, for when it is de-
composing it gives off sulphuretted hydrogen gas in
quantity sufficient to induce vomiting. Second, a
subtle alkaloid, without smell or taste, is contained
In some mushrooms, as, for instance, in the group of
the Ammitce, and is called amanilin. No antidote
has yet been discovered for this poison, and to it
most of the cases of death followinL;- [],e i-itinn of
mushrooms is due. It is at first slm, in jis arrinn.
But after the lapse of eight to liinin li.:ui> iln^
patient experiences stupefaction, iiau.-i:i, aii.l diar
rhoea. Delirium follows, and then dcatli. Mush-
rooms containing amauitin will impart poisonous
properties to wholesome varieties, if both happen to
be placed in the same vessel. The poison can be
absorbed by the pores of the skin. Mr. Palmer car-
ried in his hand some amanito! wrapped up in a
paper, and, notwithstanding the protection which
the wrapper should have afforded, he was seized with
alarming symptoms.
Wood Ashes for Peach Trees.
I have never known a person who would dispute
the assertion with which the chapter on peaches in
Thomat' Fruit Cultnrisl opens. "The peach, when in
perfection, is the most delicious fruit of our climate."
Unfortunately the disease known as yellows, and the
enemy known as the peach borer, make it, in manv
localities, one of the most difficult of fruits to grow".
For several years I have used wood aslies about my
peach trees with marked success in obvlat-ing these
two evils. About a peck of fresh ashes is applied
each spring and fall about the stem of the tree in a
little conical mound, that previously so placed being
spread upon the soil when a new application is made".
The conical mound prevents the attack of the borer,
and the dressing of ashes upon the soil stimulates
the vigor of the tree so that it is enabled to resist the
disease. But this must be accompanied by regular
shortening-in of the last year's growth, and by thin-
ning of the fruit, to prevent overbearing, which ex-
hausts the tree and leaves it an easy prey to disease.
A ease of yellows occasionally, though rarely, ap-
pears in my orchard, as must be expected where a
disease is constitutional.but by this treatment peaches
are now successfully grown where their cultivation
Wfts for a. long time abandoned.— Com ji(ry Gentleman.
Cord-Wood in an Acre.
To estimate the quantity of cord-wood in an acre
of woodland requires experience. A person who has
been engaged In clearing land aud cutting wood could
give a very close estimate at a general glance, but
other persons would make the wildest guesses. An
experienced person may proceed as follows : .Measure
out lour square rods of ground ; that is, thirty-three
feet each way, and count the trees, averaging the
cubic contents as near as possible of the trunks, and
adding one-fourth of this for the limbs. Then, as 138
cubic feet make a cord, and the plot is one-fourth of
an acre, the result is easily reached. Fairly good
timber land should yield a coi-d to every four square
rods. A tree two feet in diameter and thirty feet
high to the limbs will make a cord of wood, if It is
growing in close timber, and the limbs are not heavy.
If the limbs are large and spreading, such a tree will
make I"^ to \]4 cords. A tree one foot In diameter
will make a fourth as much as one twice the diame-
ter. In estimating it is necessary to remember this
Agriculturist.
fact.-
Gooseberries and Currants.
den. They are no li.^i i- I ' -row
readily from cutting.-^, i , ,i , : ; y,.^^
from six to ten inches in i i.,! :; ;:,. i.aor
place where they arc h; .!.iiid i.ciin.uu luly, lorce
them into the ground not less than four inches,
press the ground tlrmly around them, mulch them
aud let them alone. If a bn»h is desired let the buds
on the cutting remain ; but if a tree or single stem is
preferred, remove all the buds that would go beneath
the surface. Let them stand about three feet in the
row, and if there is more than one row, let the rows
be four feet apart.
In the spring the dead wood of both the goose-
berries and currants should be cut out, and the new
growth should be thinued where there are too many,
as it will interfere with the product. The best red
currant is the Dutch ; and the best gooseberries are
Downing's Prolific aud Houghton's Seedling. •
Mulching Newly Planted Trees.
We have found mulching to he of decided benefit
to recently transplanted trees of all kinds, and es-
pecially to deciduous trees. It should be applied be-
fore the sun becomes hot and the ground dry and
beginK to I'ake— .-ay in May. Various applications
are u^. ,1— ,.<,i,i,. apply horse manure, fine shavings,
saw liii.-i, -pt ni Ian, L'l'ass, and even charcoal. We
have usitl alinofl t-xclusively grass, and think it
answers as well as any other. But it should be re-
newed two or three times a season and the soil stirred.
It keeps the soil around the tree moist and cool, and
prevents the growth of weeds. Evergreens can also
be mulched with benetii, ili.iui;li mc do ii,,i ihink
they demand it to an ciiual r\'.,u\. a.- tiaii- di-n.-^e,
low foliage answers prcliy well at- a ^nlisiii in.-. The
ground, however, shoulil \n- frifinently Mirnd be-
neath them. We never mulch any tree afitr the
first season, unless it looks a little under the weather.
— Oermanlown Telcgrajih.
Domestic Economy.
Some Interesting Facts Concerning Bread.
Of all articles of vegetable food bread must be
considered as the most' import ant. The mode of
preparation of bread is essentially the same every-
where, though its constituents may vary with the
different material conditions of th"e people of the
earth. Wheat bread is everywhere recognized as
the most nourishing and the most healthy. Medium
.wheat usually yields from 72 to 80 per cent, of good
flour. The miller sometimes tries to increase the
yield of flour by grinding with the stones set closely ;
but it is at the expense of the quality of the floiir,
for the starch granule becomes thereby bruised and
damaged, and is found to be deteriorated for the
purpose of bread-making. Bakers prefer a flour
which feels a little harsh between the finger and
thumb, instead of soft and smooth. The Israelites
ate leavened bread, except on peculiar occasions.
The Bedouin of the present day, as his ancestors
did, cooks his unleavened bread in the embers, gen-
erally between layers of dried dung. The Egyptians,
like the London bakers, kneade ' bread with their
feet. It is claimed that the art of making bread
from wheat was first taught the Chinese 1998 B. C.
The Hebrew bread was a flat cake, baked on thi-
hearth or ou a metallic plate. There were no pro-
fessional bakers in Kome till more than .'iSO years
after the building of the city, and the occupation
formerlj belonged to women. " Vinegar to soak bread
was a regular ration with the Koman soldiery.
Bread was made with yeast by the English bakers in
Barley-meal is the chief food of a large number of
people in the north of Europe and in the south of
England, where the laborer is partly paid his wages
in meal or grain. It is also used in Wales and Scot-
land, especially when wheaten bread is dear. It is
employed by about ninety per cent, of the outdoor
laboring population of England. Barley bread is
heavy, coarse and rigid, though its taste is one of
strength, and it quickly satisfies the hunger. The
common way of making It into bread in Europe is by
mixing it with an equal proportion of wheaten flour,
and sometimes it is mixed with oatmeal and rycmeal,
and baked Into cakes. When used whole as food,
barley is first parched, as in many districts of India.
In external appearance the grain of rye presents a
closer resemblance to wheat than any of the other
cereals. It Is, however, darker In color and smaller
in size. Rye bread is less nourishing and harder to
digest than that made of wheal, yet It was once a
common article of food in England. It forms the
dark-colored and sour-tasting bread which is etill
extensively used in the north of Europe. It may be
considered as filling the place of wheaten bread In
the temperate countries where poverty prevails and
agriculture is the least advanced. It Is rarely eaten
alone, but is frequently mixed with twice its bulk of
wheaten flour.
Indian corn Is one of the most extensively used
grains in the world, though it is not well adapted for
making bread, on account of its deficiency in gluten,
without the admixture of wheaten or rye flour.
Used alone, eornmcal, like oatmeal and barley meal,
is made into a cake. The common brown bread of
New England is made from a mixture of rye and
Indian meal. Mixed with maple sugar, and baked
into cakes, Indian meal formed at one time the chief
article of diet of the Delaware Indians. The ration
of a Kaffir servant is three pints of Indian cornraeal
per day, ami, although he rarely gets anything else
to pat, he maiiai-es to keep in good health. Through-
out Mexico, where corn is the staple article of food,
it is cooked hy baking it into flat cakes about six
inches in diameter and a third of an inch In thick-
ness. It is prepared by boiling the whole corn in
water, with a little soda or lye of wood'ashes, until
it is perfectly soft to the core, but not broken up;
it is then allowed to cool, and Is taken from the pot
in small portions at a time and crushed into a paste
between stones. On account of the absence of
gluten, oatmeal cannot be vesiculated and made into
bread, like wheaten flour. It is, however, made into
thin cakep by mixing into a paste with water, and
then baking on an iron plate. Under this form it is
a staple food in Scotland, Norway and some i>ortions
of Germany. Oatmeal Is known as a strong food
and one that requires much cooking iS order to break
its starch cells.
Surrounded by an abundance of wheat, corn, rye
and barley, Americans scarcely realize the straits to
which the teeming millions of the Old World are put
for bread, nor the variety of substances in general
use. Bread made of bran flour in the Black Forest
regions' is hard, dry, tasteless and indigestible.
Bread made of moss and lichens is eaten in Iceland,
as well as in other sections during famines ; that
made from Egyptian millet has a sour flavor. Potato
bread remains fresh longer than rye bread, and when
mixed with wheat or rye flour is quite satisfying ; Its
nourishment is about one-fifth that of wheat. In
1030, during a famine in England, very good, whole-
some, whits bread was made from boiled turnips.
The moisture was pressed out of the turnips, and
they were then kneaded with an equal quantity of
wheaten flour. During the siege of Paris the bread
served out constituted a very coarse and mixed article,
aud by analysis it was found to be composed of one-
eighth wheat, four-eighths potatoes, beans, peas,
oats and rye, two-eighths water and the remaining
eighth straw, hulls of grains and the skins of vege-
table products. In Sweden and Norway beech saw-
dust is sometimes converted into bread." llice bread,
used in the East, is raised with difficulty unless the
dough is mixed with acids. Bread is made of 'the
roots of the water lily in Sweden, of peanuts mixed
with white flour ill Spain, of chestnuts roasted and
ground in Southern France, of the bread-tree fruit,
the sweet potato, the banana and the almond In
Africa, of roots in parts of Brazil. In times of
famine men have met the exigency by Uie yse of
bread made from acorns, pumpkins, roots, wood,
hay, straw and nnis.—Buston Cultiralor.
Ho-w to Make Sauce and Croquettes.
Mr. Delmonico, talking about entrees, says that
Americans ought to copy "the French method of
utilizing small bits of raw meats and fowls, and of
re-cookiug all kinds of cold joints and pieces of
cooked moat which remain, day after day, from every
dinner in almost every family." The success of such
dishes depends mainly on the sauce, which Is best
made Irom broth. The following is his recipe for a
favorite sauce : '-Take an ounce of ham or bacon,
cut it up in small pieces, and fry it In hot fat. Add
an onion aud carrot, cut up, thicken with flour, then
add a pint or quart of broth, according to quantity
desired, season with pepper and salt, and any spice
or herb that is relished (better though without the
spice), aud let simmer for an hour, skim carefully
and strain. A wineglass of any wine may be added,
if liked." Cold roast or broiled beef or mutton may
be cut into small squares, fried brown in butter, and
then gently stewed in the sauce above described. Mr.
Delmonico describee croquettes as the attractive
94
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ June_
French substitute for American ha^h, and tells how
to make them : "Veal, mutton, lamb, sweetbreads,
almost any of the lighter meats, besides cold chicken
and turkey, can be most deliciously turned into cro-
quettes. Chop the meat very fine. Chop up an
onion, fry it in an ounce of butter, add a tablespoon-
ful of flour. Stir well, and then add the chopped
meat and a little broth, salt, pepper, little nutmeg.
Stir for two or three minutes, then add the yolks of
two egpe, and turn the whole mixture into a dish to
cool. When cool mix well together again. Divide
up into parts for the croquettes, roll into the desired
shape in bread crumbs. Dip in beaten eggs, then
into bread crumbs again, and fry crisp, a bright
golden color. Any of these croquettes may be served
plain or with tomato sauce or garniture of vegetables. "
Cooking Potatoes.
To most of us the food we eat is valuable because
we like it, and not so much because we consider our-
selves a machine on which profit and loss are to be
nicely calculated in regard to what we eat. But, as
some of our readers are chemically or financially dis-
posed, and have a desire to know to a penny what
their bodies cost, and to the grain the material of
which it is made, we give the following about cook-
ing potatoes from an English agricultural magazine;
As food, the potato is valuable on account of the
potash and the phosphoric acid it contains, and it is
■of the first importance that the potash salts should
not be lost in the process of cooking, for it is to these
salts that potatoes owe their anti-scorbutic proper-
ties. Potatoes steamed with their skins on lose very
little potash and scarcely any ,,hosphoric acid ; wliile,
If steamed after peeling, they lose 6--ven and five per
cent, respectively. Similarly, potatoes, when boiled
■with their skin on, lose a little more than two per
cent, of their potash, and about one per cent, of their
phosphoric acid ; but, if ihey are boiled after peeling,
they lose as much as thirty-three per cent, of potash
andtwenty-three per cent, of phosphoric acid. Hence,
if potatoes must be peeled, they .should be steamed,
not be boiled; and, if they must be boiled, they
should at least retain their jackets during their opera-
tion— the best way of all, from a scientific point of
view, being to steam them before peeling, or to bake
them in their skins.
Hints to Housekeepers.
The test of a housekeeper's taste and refinement is
her table. The linen, though coarse in texture, can
always be fresh and white; the silver and glass
shining; the castor and salt cups neatly filled; the
dishes uniform and orderly in their arrangement, and
the snowy cloth protected from any chance soil or
stain by mats of straw or crotchet-work. The atmo-
sphere of the break fiist room should be cheery, and
good temper and iTi.'i|riiiii^: ialk should wait upon ap-
petite. The miiniiim's fof>d sliould le such as will
leave the (acuities at their best— light, nutritious and
inviting ; and its provisions should be abundant, but
not disorderly. Have hot plates sent to the table
with the hot meat, and cold plates placed upon the
sideboard, or side table, with any cold meat which is
to be used ; this should he sliced as it is required for
use. A-box of mould in a kitchen window makes a
nice garden for raisin;; lljc Iierl.s w iiich give such
variety and flavor to any dish into which they enter.
Hot rolls and biscuits should be eerved well covered
with a napkin. Dry toast should be sent to the table
the instant it is made. Buttered toast should be set
into the oven about five minutes to render it crisp. A
small pice of sponge tied upon a rod, or a flat brush,
will serve nicely to grease pans or plates with. Rub
your griddle with salt before you grease it, and your
cakes will not stick.
Household Recipes,
Pleasing the Palate.
During Miss Dods' lectures on Cooking, in Phila-
delphia, within the past month, she has demonstrated
her manner of rendering palatable and digestible
many well-known dishes. Subjoined will be found
some of her receipts :
IRISH STEW.
Material required ; 2 pounds of potatoes, 1 pound
of neck mutton, )4 pound of onions, salt, pepper and
)4 pint of water. Cut the potatoes in pieces, boil
them and throw away the water. Soak the onions
in water, slice them up and put them with the pota-
toes in a saucepan, and cook slowly for an hour and
a hall, seasoning with pepper and salt.
APPLE DDMPLING.
Ingredients used: .5 apples, '.< pound of flour, 2
ounces of lard, 1 ounce of sugar, '. iiinl of cold
water, )4 teaspoonful of baking powder, ajid a pinch
of salt. Pare and core the apples. .Mix the lard,
yeast, powder and salt. Add water, knead lightly
together and cut into five pieces. Fill the core hole
in the apple with sugar, wrap the apple with dough,
put into a lightly-floured tin. and bake for an hour
and a half.
MILK SOUP.
Stock required : 2 raw potatoes, 1 ounce of lard.
pint of milk, 1 H ounces of fine sage, 1 quart of cold
water, pepper and salt. Cover potatoes with water,
keep over until the water boils ; then replace the
water with a quart of fresh, adding the lard at the
same time. Boil the potatoes until they are tender;
pour the materials through a colander and return
to a saucepan ; add milk, sago and seasoning.
MACOARONI AND CHEESE.
Ingredients necessary : i^" pound of maccaroni, 3
oune'es of dry cheese, '..; pint of milk, and a small
quantity of pepper and salt. Boil the maccaroni
fifteen minutes in water; then replace the water
with milk, and boil for half hour longer. Spread a
layer of maccaroni on a flat dish ; add a layer of dry
cheese; sprinkle slightly with pepper and salt. Con-
tinue alternate layers of maccaroni and cheese until
the required amount is obtained. Then place in the
oven and brown for from SU to 10 minutes.
TO BOIL- POTATOES.
The only method to boil potatoes pronerly, says
Miss Dodds, is to boil them uutil half-done, then
pour off all the water, cover the pot closely and per-
mit them to steam until quite done. Just before re-
moving them from the stove ta'ke off the lid of the
pot that the steam may escape, and the potatoes will
be found to be very dry and very mealy. Young
potatoes should be placed in boiling water ; old pota-
toes in cold and boiled.
TO MAKE PUFF PASTE.
To make this pastry she used one-quarter of a
pound of flour, same quantity of butter, the yolk
of one egg, a pinch of salt, several drops of lemon
juice and a gill of cold water. The yolk of the
egg, salt, lemon juice and water are mixed and
tiien worked into the flour, thus forming a stifl'
dough. When this has been kneaded quite firmly,
roll the dough on a well-floured board until
it is quite thin. It is necessary to be particular to
use the exact weight of flour and butter. The butter
should then be squeezed through a towel to extract
the water and milk. Having been strained, it is
placed in the centre of the dough, which is folded
carefully upon it and again rolled out as thin as
possible.' It is then folded in three layers and rolled,
and folded for seven times ; the first three times very
cafelully, that the butter my not run out. Having
rolled aiid folded it the first time, it should be laid
aside for a time to cool. After awhile, it is rolled
again and folded again. Between the second and
third and fifth and sixth rollings it should be allowed
to stand in a cool place. When it is rolled for the
seventh and last time, the paste should be about a
half an inch in thickness. It is then cut in circular
pieces about the size of a cup. In the centre of
these cakes a small, round indention is made half
through. These pieces are removed after the paste
is cooked, which requires ten minutes.
TURKISH SOUP.
For this soup the ingredients required are one
quart of second stock, one-half teacupful of rice,
the yolks of two eggs, one tablespoonful of cream
and a little pepper and salt. The second stock is
made by sjfnply covering the meat and bones
with water and fresh vegetables, and boiling the
whole for a long time. Wash the rice well by
placing it in a strainer and pouring water over it.
This washes off all the starch and flour on the out-
side, so that when it is cooked each grain of the rice
is separate from the others. Place the stock, the
rice, pepper and salt in a saucepan and boil for
twenty minutes. Then pour it through a wire sieve,
rubbing the rice well through, and pour the hot
stock back into the saucepan. In a basin then mix
the yolks of two eggs aud the cream, and add a
tablespoonful of hot stock. This gradually cools the
stock and warms the cream and eggs. Then pour
the stock in. Allow this to stand over the fire for
two minutes, but do not let it boil or the eggs curdle.
AMBER PUDDING.
In preparing this there were used two pounds of
raw apples, three ounces of sugar, a -gill of cold
water, several drops of lemon juice, four eggs, six
ounces of flour, two ounces of butter, one-half tea-
spoonful of baking powder and a pinch of salt. The
sugar and one-half gill of water are placed over the
fire and allowed to come to a boil. At this point add
the apples, which should be cut into lumps, and the
lemon juice, and cook until the apples are quite soft.
Weigh out six ounces of flour in a basin, and mix in
well two ounces of butter ; then add the baking
powder, a pinch of salt and one-half gill of water,
and work the whole into a firm dough, and roll out
to thickness of one-third of an inch. Then dampen
the sides of a pie dish w-ith cold water and line it
with narrow strips of the dough. After trimming
the edge nicely, brush them lightly with cold water,
and garnish the outer edge with small circular pieces
of pastry laid close together. The apples, when soft,
are removed and strained through a sieve into a clean
dish. The yolks of four eggs are then mixed in, aud
in this condition it is placed into the pie plate that
has been prepared. In order to cook the newly in-
troduced ergs and the dough the dish is put in the
oven for ten minutes. The whites of the eggs, to
which salt has been added, are beaten stiff, and when
the pudding is done this is piled high up in the cen-
tre, and is then well sprinkled with sugar. After
smoothing the white of the egg into a cone shape, it
can be neatly garnished with pieces of Angelica or
dried berries. It is again placed in the oven to brown
for two minutes, and is then ready for the table.
Miss Dods stated that it was never necessary to beat
the j'Olks of the eggs. The whites always beat
quicker and softer separate. She used the sharp edge
of a table knife, and said the beating could be done
quicker in a cool air.
FISH CAKBS.
The receipt given for fish cakes included one
pound of potatoes, one pound of codfish — boiled,
pepper and salt, two eggs, one teaspoonful of cream,
one-half ounce of butter, and a few tablespoonfuls of
bread crumbs. After breaking the boiled fish into
small pieces, grate the potatoes while hot upon it
through a sieve ; add one-half ounce of butter, the
yolks of the eggs, the cream, and mix all well to-
gether ; when seasoned with pepper and salt, divide
the mass mto small fiat cakes on a well floured
board; heat the whites of the eggs, and, having
coated each of the cakes with it, roll them into the
bread crumbs ; fry in hot fat or lard for two minutes.
As soon as the cakes are done place them on a piece
of paper that the superfluous grease may he absorbed
from them .
DRESSED BOILED FISH.
Her mode of dressing any boiled fish was demon-
strated with halibut. To one pound offish she used
two ounces of butter, two ounces of fiour, one ounce
of grated cheese, one-half pint of milk and one gill
of cream. The butter and flour are placed over the
fire and mixed while the butter melts. Milk is
then mixed in and stirred until it boils. At the
boiling point add the cream, pepper and salt and
cook two minutes. The bones and skin having been
removed from the fish, it is cut into small pieces
and then mixed into the sauce, which should remain
only long enough over the fire to heat the fish.
Place the whole on a fiat dish, sprinkle over grated
cheese or bread crumbs, add pepper and brown
quickly in the oven. To boil halibut properly, she
said it should be placed in boiling water, to which a
tablespoonful of vinegar has been added. It should
cook only twenty minutes, unless the fish is of un-
usual size.
FILLET OF BEEF AND DUTCH SAUCE.
The beef should be cut in slices about an inch in
thickness. It is then placed in the broiler, which
should be lightly greased, and then subjected to the
action of the fire for seven minutes, turning it but
once in that time. The Dutch sauce was prepared
with half a tablespoonful of cream, half a table-
spoonful of water, the yolks of two eggs, a little
pepper and salt, one ounce of butter, and the juice of
half a lemon. The water and egg yolks are beaten
well together, and the lemon juice^cream and butter,
with salt and pepper, are then introduced, and the
whole is whisked over a slow fire until it thickens.
This, however, must not be allowed to come to a
boil. When finished, pour hot over the fillets of
beef and serve.
CHARLOTTE RUSSE.
In making Charlotte Russe she required a quarter
pound of lady finger cake (sponge finger biscuits),
one pint cream, half ounce of gelatine, the whites of
two eggs, one teaspoonful of essence of vanilla, one
ounce of sugar, a few dried cherries — preserved
cherries with stones out — and a half gill of cold
water. The gelatine w.as put in cold water to soak.
The lady fingers, in the meantime, were cut length-
wise, so they would fit closely together, and were
then placed side by side within a small pan. The
gelatine was then carefully melted over the fire so as
to not get too hot. A pint of cream was whipped,
to which was added one ounce of granulated sugar.
Take the whites of two eggs and whip them until
they are very stiff, adding a little dry salt. When the
whites are wliipped to a very stiff froth add to the
cream the vanilla and tlie gelatine. Pour gently into
this, stirring all tlie tinif the melted gelatine, and
then mix very liglitly I lie whites of egg. When well
mixed stand to one side until it begins to set, then
pour into the mould in which the cake has been ar-
ranged, and allow it to stand until well set. A few
dried cherries were first dropped into the bottom of
the pan for flavor.
WELCOME-GUEST PUDDING.
In the preparation of this dessert she required 4
ounces of bread crumbs, 1 gill of boiling milk, i
ounces suet, 8 ounces sugar, IJ^ ounces citron, \]4
ounces sweet almonds, - eggs and a few preserved
cherries. First put on to boil 1 gill of milk ; put two
ounces of' the bread crumbs in a basin; pour over
them the boiling milk ; allow this this to soak for a
minute or two ; chop finely the suet, beef suet is
always used except in the sick room ; here mutton
suet is used because it is more easily digested ; chop
finely the almonds,which are first blanched ; cut the
citron in very th n pieces, having removed the hard
sugar from the surface . The bread crumb and milk
having soaked, two ounces more of crumbs are
poured into it, together 'with the suet, citron and
almonds. In a basin put the yolks of two eggs and
two ounces of sugar, the sugar is mixed with the
yolks to make the latter lighter. To the whites of
the eggs add a pinch of salt and beat to a stiff froth;
mix the froth with the yolks and sugar ; all the in-
gredients are mixed together; grease a mould, garnish
1879. J
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
95
with a few preserved cherries. Put the mixture in
the mould carefully, so as not to disturb the cherries,
and steam the pudding for an hour and a half. Leave
It in the mould a second before turning it out.
POTATO CROQUETS.
In preparing this tasty side dish Miss Dods re-
quired one pound of mashed potatoes, one egg, one
tablespoonful of milk, a little pepper and salt, and a
cup or two of bread crumbs or cracker dust. The
best utensil for mashing potatoes is a fork, but a
good method is to grate them through a sieve.
When the potatoes are mashed the salt and peppej
are added. The milk and the yolk of one egg are
then mixed in, and the whole stirred over the fire
until the egg Is dry; this requires about one minute.
The kneading board is well (loured, and, while warm,
the mass is separated into small balls or rolled into
any shape desired. The while of the egg is then
beaten slightly, and each ball covered with a light
coating. The bread crumbs or cracker dust is then
placed in a piece of paper and the balls separately
placed upon it, and by rolling them from side to side
are completely covered. This, she said, was the best
method of coating fish. To cook anything in fat,
such as oysters, croquets or fish, the grease should
be heated to 375 degrees. This heat could easily be
determined, for at that degree the fat began to
smoke. At this heat they would be done in about
one minute. In order to keep It from burning when
not In use, a raw potato or a large crust of bread
should be placed in the fat, to be removed again
when ready for use. Fat can be used over and over
again. When its properties are exhausted it can be
readily renewed by adding fresh material. This rule
applied to lard as well as drippings. When any-
thine is cooked in fat or lard, it should be removed
from the pot and placed at once ou a piece of brown
paper. This would absorb the remaining grease.
The croquets were placed in a pot of sniokinir drips,
and in a few moments were removed, and were
found to be beautifully browned. Incident ally, she
stated that it was never well to boil meats quickly.
B'- permitting them to simmer over the fire the
juices were brought out better, and the flavor was
therefore much richer.
TKVSSKD FOWL.
Her directions for trussing a fowl were given as
follows : Pass a needle, threaded with a strnnc- cord,
through the under pari of the wing, pass it next
straight through the lop part of the leg an'l uuil'i'
part of the wing. Then pass the needle eiraiglit
through the body of the fowl, bring it out Ihrounh
the top part of the other leg, then pass it through
the under part of the other wing, turn the
fowl ou its breast, pass the needle through the
top part of the wing, through the skin that folds
over the neck, through the top part of the other wing.
This brings the two ends of the string together.
Draw thera as tight as possible, in oi-der to give the
fowl a plump appearance. Then take another string
and pass the needle close to the backbone, then over
one leg, through the skin at the foot of the breast,
pass it next over the other leg and tie It as tight as
possible. In trussing for roasting the process is just
the same, exce^jt that the claws are chopped off and
the legs dipped into boiling water, a moment, so that
the skin can be taken off easily. To boil the fowl a
piece of greased paper should first be tied over the
breast. This softens the meat and gives it a good
color. The fowl is then placed in a pan of boiling
water, to which salt is added. If it is young, it is
allowed to cook slowly for an hour; if old, more
time is required. The dressing for fowls was ilnn
made. For this she used two ounces ot liuiM). .m-
pint of milk, a little pepper and salt and i«.. Iml-
boiled eggs. The butter was melted in a siunll |i:in,
and the fibur at once added and mixed. A pint of
milk was then poured into the pan, and the ingredients
stirred until the milk boiled. At boiling point pepper
and salt were added, and the compound was allowed
to boil two minutes longer. The whiles of two hard-
boiled eggs were then chopped and added to the
dressing. The fowl was then removed from the Are
and placed on a aish, the strings removed, and the
dressing poured over the breast. A closely-woven
sieve was then placed over the chicken, and the hard
yolks of the eggs grated through it upon the fowl.
TERRAPIN.
Terrapin ought never to be bought unless it is six
inches long. To kill, plunge in boiling water, and
boil for three quarters of an hour, or until the claws
will pull away. In the water put a good quantity of
salt. To open the terrapin draw away the claws or
feet, and remove the thick skin and slip out the
claws and the meat, and lay the terrapin on its back.
Take the shell at the head and slip it off carel'ully,
as you don't want to break the meat. Be also care-
ful not to break the bag holding tlie eggs. Taking
the towel, draw away the head, and be very careful
not to break the gall. Cut away the liver carefully
from both sides, only a small part of the head can be
used. All the meat that can be used is grated up.
For each terrapin is required 7 oz. butter, % oz.
flour, 4 tablespooufuls cream, aud nearly l.j pint
Madeira, a little pepper and salt, and a very lillle
cayenne. Melt in a small saucepan the butter, aud
add to it flour and cream. Stir carefully until it
and let It boil for two minutes. A little grated nut-
meg may be added to this according to taste. Take
from the Are when it has cooked two minutes and
pour over the Madeira.
Live Stock.
and No. 16, »7.5, D A. Rupp ; No. 13, 8ti5. Adam
Hoke ; No. H, $62, Michael Schall. Total, 81,.')89.
The follo.vlug calf bulls and yearlings were also
sold: No. 1, to D. A. Kupp, for 8260; No. 2, 8.
Koop, $i:'.6; No. ^, J. Dukehart, ?113; No. 4, Geo.
Gross, ?il; No. .5, S. G. Irvin, |(i7. Total, $807.
The average price of cows was something over ?88
per cow, and that of the bulls and yearlings $121.40.
The Chillingham Wild Cattle.
We take the following extract from the Newcastle
(England) Conrnnt of A])ril 4th :
At the let of the Chillingham grass parks, last
week, the company, by the kind permission of the
Earl of Tankerville, had the pleasure of Inspecting
a fine young bull, half-breed, from the celebrated
white cattle of Chillingham. This being the first at-
tempt to cross this "untamed, unmixed and un-
stained stock," great interest was manifested In the
animal, In which the old wild nature could be easily
detected by the bold, defiant head and sharp, fierce
eye. It appears that two heifers of the pure short-
horn breed were put into an enclosure with one of
the wild bulls of Chillingham park, which had been
trapped for the purpose. At the first meeting the
bull would have nothing to do with the heifers, but
showed fight. The be.asts were then separated, it
being feared that mischief might result from leaving
the untamed bull and the heifers together. Three
weeks after this another trial was made, and the re-
sult was the same. It was accordingly decided to
leave the heifer with the bull, and let her take her
chance. The consequence was that they became
friendly, as she went into the same place to lie at
times. The second heifer was then passed into the
enclosure, and they all agreed very well together.
The last heifer put in gave birth on the 10th of June,
1877, to a very fine heifer calf, pure white, with a
srand coat of hair, white muzzle and red-tipped ears.
On the 17th of the same month, seven days later,
the other heifer produced the fine bull calf already
mentioned, and which is more of the wild type. It
has a brown muzzle and spotted nose, black eyes and
black eye lashes, and red-tipped ears; also a white
and splendid coat of hair, and Is not always safe to
approach. The two animals are named respectively
Eve and Adam, this being the first cross from the
wild native cattle. They were permitted to suck
their dams for nearly twelve months. The bull
iiossed his dam when ten months old, and she has a
hull calf— a perfect beauty, being pure white, white
uose, and red-tipped ears, a beautful coat of hair,
and is well shaped. Of course the heifers were a
white strain for a long way back. There are now two
wild heifers trapped into the enclosure in the park,
and it is intended to try the cross the other way on.
Lord Tankerville is anxious to try experiments, with
a view of putting fresh blood and constitution into
the shorl-horn breed, and, judging from appearances,
is going to succeed. The heifers, we understand,
will not be allowed to go out to the park again to
breed, as it is possible the impress might be left— his
lordship having determined not to tamper with the
breeding of the wild cattle; but to keep them strictly
pure. _^
Watering Horses.
There is a great diversity of opinion as to how
often horses should be watered during a day, whether
iu summer or in winter. We have an article now
before us of a writer of some distinction as an agri-
culturist, who advocates frequent watering of work
Ihiisi s. iis a n-iirwcr of the vigor of the animals.
\\',- raiiiKit a:ii r with him. We think both man
iiiil 111 a.-t ai^ -I lurally watered too much. Men
aii'l hiasrs a! Iiard work in warm weather perspire
Just in proportion to the quantity of fluids taken into
the stomach. Frequent drinking in hot weather,
according to our experience, emasculates instead of
refreshes. Some years ago, being at Cape May, in
driving out in one of the stand-coaches of the place,
on a very hot day, we asked the driver how it was
tliat his horses perspired so little, while the horses
of private carriages, going at a slower speed, were
covered with foam. He replied that he watered his
horses three times a day only, thougn he sponged
their mouths frequently ; while the private drivers
watered their horses whenever they stopped. He
said, and it seemed to us very sensible, that the fre-
quent watering of horses effected no good purpose,
while it made them very uncomfortable and lethar-
gic. Horses, no matter what their work was, did
not need watering oftencr than three times a day.
Our own experience with horses all our life is to the
same effect.
Sale of Short Horns.
Mr. Samuel Rutter, of Manchester, sold at the
Fair Grounds, through W. H. Miller, auctioneer, a
very fine lot of short horns, cows and heifers. They
were sold to the following pa,rties : No. 1, ?1.51 ; No.
7, $100; No. 10, $141; No. 11, ?12.5; ann No. 17,
$100, to J. H. Small ; No. 2, «76, to John Uukehart,
of Eramittsburg, Md.; No. 3, $l:i0 ; No. 1.5, 8(!4 ;
Apiary.
Swarming of Bees.
and No. 18, $00, to S. W. Tliolenberger, of Cumber-
land county ; No. 4, §131, J. H. Wogen ; No. 5, $56;
No. 8, $187, 3. ti. Erwiu ; No. 6, $:!8, Samuel Lich.
bolls, and then add the pieces of terrapin and eggs 1 tenberger ; No. 9, $74, George Kunkel ; No. 12, $64,
When one concludes, which as a rule he better do,
to let his bees swarm naturally, it becomes him to
ask what are the reasonable rules to be observed for
succets. Let me lay down a few :
First. Provide, during the leisure of the winterlpre-
vious to swarming, all the hives necessary. Don't
wait until they begin to swarm before you provide
the hives. I make it a rule to have double the num-
ber of hives I need on hand. That is. If I have forty
swarms, I have eighty empty hives on hand. Hence
I have so far ever had a surplus, and this year when
I took them out of my house-garret, where I keep
them stored, they were marked 1866, 1871, 18.58, and
other j'ears, showing that some of them had been on
hand a long time unused. Now, this is not absolute-
ly necessary, but Is better than to have hurry and
confusion at the time of swarming. At least provide
for your aiparyone and a-half hives to every hive you
expect to winter. That Is, if you winter twelve hives,
then bv May 1st have eighteen well-made and nicely-
painted hivis on hand ready fof your swarms.
Second. Using old hives. This can be readily done;
but prepare them carefully. Scrape them clean with
an old knife or tool made on purpose, and then scald
them out thoroughly with plenty of boiling water.
Slop all holes and cracks and thoroughly repaint
them. Hives, if thoroughly nailed when first made,
will be found in better order when they arc refitted
for second or subsequent use. So I recommend sonod
lumber, tight joints, close and what seems to be over-
nailing of the parts of the hive together, puttying
and painting thoroughly. A hive ought to be made
to last forty years. Say six or eight years for the
first swarm put iu it; then cleaned, repainted and
used from four to ten years for the second swarm,
and so on at least forty years. Paint hives of dif-
ferent colors ; green is a good color, as is yellow,
white and brown. The so-called railroad, mineral
and other colors are excellent iu shades of coloring,
but not as durable as white lead. But white lead,
colored by green and other colors,. is apt to become .
dingy iu a few years by the color washing out by
rains.
Third. Having said this much on making hives
and using them repeatedly, let me say as thirdly,
use nothing in any hive when you put your swarm
into it. Now all cl^an, ni'^e, experienced liec-kcepers
knnv the reason of this. It is because just as the
bees are about to swarm they swallow all the honey,
bee-bread, or other supplies of food they can possibly
eat, and stufl'ed with about a week's food they do
not want any more to eat. I have had a rainy, cold
time to come, with no harm to the swarms, of three,
six, and in one instance eight days, so wet and cold
that hardly a bee came out of the hive holding the
new swarm. Hence I say the supply of food taken
by a new swarm is about a week's supply. So if
you now rub honey, molasses, mint, or anything Id
your hives, you only insult your bees. As well might
you ask a stuffed boy to eat his supper on top of his
Thanksgiving dinner, as to ask an' overgorged bee to
lick up your supposed nice things put in your hive.
Tou ought to know better than to do such a silly
thing, reader, yet whisky and molasses, bee-mint,
honey and water, vinegar and sugar, salt and alum,
and I know not what are put into' hives by thought-
less, silly bee-keepers, who want to " do something "
they know not what. Now all I say is, that since
18.57 I have kept bees, and I never yet had a swarm
leave a hive and go off to the woods ; and I believe
one reason of success to this absolute extent Is that
I never soil and make my hives foul with honey,
salt, molasses or anything. I give the hives clean
and sweet, and the bees never yet told me that they
warned anything more. You farmers raise pork,
wheal , eggs, oats and beef. Now suppose you move
out of your old house into your new house, aud your
neighbors have gone the night before and mixed up
eggs, wheat, lard, tallow, oats and beef, and daubed
your floors, walls and windows with the mixture,
just to please you. How would you like it ? So
you, for the neatest of all insects, a bee, put honey
to walk on, mint to smell of, and molasses to clean
up, ou the walls of the new hive for bees I It must
be as pleasant to them as to you to find a lot of eggs
and lard and wheal on the floors of your new house.
I No ! All you ask and the bees ask is a clean bouse
I to go into.
Fourth. Supplies of swarming implements. These
I are the hive, clean and ueatly made, clean and
neat inside, dry and cool ; next a piece of cheap,
■ stout linen cloth, large enough to tie over the top
. of the hive so closely that not a bee can get out
I when tied ; a ladder as tall as are the apple or
96
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ June, 1879.
other trees near your apiary, a few pieces of stick
or lumber one and a a-half inches wide, and one
or one and a-quarter inches thick; a few pieces of
board four feet long and half an inch thick, and
ten inches or so wide, and perhaps a few pieces,
triangular in shape, to put under your hive. Then
add a bee-veil of common black lace, a rope 20
feetlong and a neat, clean half-bushel round basket.
If your apiary is large you may want two hiving-
cloths, and a second set of boards and sticks. Tlie
use of the hive needs no explanation ; but the
boards and long sticks are to build a platform in
the top of any tree, or to lay on the ground to
hive there. If your swarm lights on the top of a
tree, as mine often do, twenty-five feet from the
ground, it is in vain to shake them oft' in your half-
bushel basket and bring tliem down and hive on
the ground ; or at least it will take half an hour
longer lo do it than on the ground. Hence I pre-
fer to run the ends of the long sticks among the
branches, rest the ends on the "ladder, lay on the
sticks the boards, hiving-cloth and hive, and pro-
ceed to hive them in the top of the tall tree. Thus
I can hive them in twenty minutes, instead of the
hour's time of reluctant change to the ground that
I often encounter. One soon learns that eight to
ten minutes is all the time it takes a swarm to
come out and light. That in five minutes more he
can build his platform, even in the tall tree; shake
the bees off, without cutting a limb, and in fifteen
minutes more have the bees so far in that he can
take the hive with the new swarm in it down the
ladder and put it on its permanent stand. Away
with your letting the hive be until sundown and
dark. The man who cannot liave the swarm come
out and be hived and put in its permanent place
in from thirty to forty minutes, has not learned
how to hive bees. So neatness, quiet dispatch, and
a clear plan are necessary to hiving a swarm well.
And provide your tools to do it wilih belbrehand. I
have named all I generally use. — J. A'. Parker, M.D.,
Tompkins county, N. Y.
[Like causes produce like effects in all ages of the
world, therefore the foregoing from the Germantovm
Telegraph is not the less valuable because it hap-
pened to be published four years ago. People are
apt to mislay or forget.— Ed. Faumek.]
Honey in the Boston Market.
The A}ncrica}i Bee Journal says ; The settled aver-
sion of Bostouians to all kinds of dark honey has
long been known to those producers and dealers who
have marketed honey there. While they willingly
pay the higliest prices for a fancy white article, they
cannot be induced to buy, taste or handle the dark
grades. VVc know a producer who took SJiuOpomii!,*
of honey to that market this vi-:ii. .i,!i')i) ni- liji
and3,000dark. He sold out tiip li. ,i .■> y.r- ;,■
advantage; the dark dragged. 11^ i , I ':;
to a commifsion house and went hoin . .Mn ,-■ ,-
ral mouths he learned that no progress was being
made with its sale, and the lot was transferred to
another commission house in Boston, and they had
no luck in disposing of it, when it was sent to New
York, and at forced sale brought from 8 to 10 cents
per pound. We advise our readers to never send dark
honey to Boston. Mr. David (ieer, a regular "down
easter," and the pioneer honey i)eddler of the United
States, is located there. He is about 70 years of age,
and is reputed to be worth over ?10U,000. He has
made his entire fortune by peddling honey all through
the New England States, not unfrequently having 8
to 10 wagons on the road.
indication invariably that you will observe — when a
fowl is beginning to get broody — is, that she remains
upon her laying nest after her companions have, as
usual, gone to roost at night.
Poultry.
To Break Up Sitting Hens,
At this time of the year, when for a month to come
a majority of the liock have laid out their spring lit-
ters and have become naturally "broody," is a task
to the poultry raiser who keeps large numbers of
fowls.
There is frequently much unnscessary trouble
caused at this period, and under these circumstances,
yet through the inattention of the fowl keeper him-
self, who neglects to watcb for this natural inclina-
tion of his hens and pullets, after they have so laid
out their early litters of eggs. And there are also
many cruel methods resorted to by inexperienced
persons, to put a stop to this, in attempts to compel
hens to go to laying again.
The broody or "hatching fever" is a natural thing.
All hens and pullets (that" are not what are termed
"non-sitters") incline to go to nest at sr/me time in
the year, with a desire to rear young ones. As a gen-
eral method, we have no doubt it is quite as well if
all hens thus inclined are permitted to sit once in the
season. They are better olf for this indulgence in
the end.
But if for any reason we prefer to break them up,
let it be done huniuuely and effectively. And this
may be accomplished without abuse, or by plunging
them in a cold-water bath, tying them to stakes,
half smothering them in a darkened barrel— and that
kind of nonsense — which is rarely of any avail.
Watch your laying fowls every day now. The first
Non-Hatching.
Dear Sir : I desire to write a few lines upon non-
hatching eggs, as I have had considerable sad ex-
perience in that line. About for years ago I had a
tine flock of White Leghorn hens. Wishing to in-
crease the size I purchased a ten-pound Plymouth
Piock cock and put him with my flock. After wait-
ing proper time I set about 100 eggs, and not a
chicken made its appearance. The eggs were all
infertile, as can be easily told after being set upon a
few days. Not wishing to give it up, I obtained a
Black .Spanish cock, and nearly every egg hatched.
I then came to the conclusion that the "Plymouth
Hock cock was too large. Not liking the looks of
mongrel stock, I built a hennery with six apartments.
The size of each was 4x8 feet with yard 4x12 feet. I
obtained a trio eaeh of six leading varieties, and put
them in, each kind by themselves. I got a fair
quantity of eggs, and set from each coop, but the
chicks did not come out. I did not raise half a
dozen. This was owing to close confinement. Now
I have abandoned all but Plymouth Rocks and
Brahraas, and give them opequarter of an acre, .and
have no more trouble about non-hatching of eggs. —
A. Jf. in American Poultry Yard.
An Economical Feed-Trough.
In view of the fact that " economy is wealth," we
append herewith a description of what we have used
for some time, and consider it a very economical
feed-trough. Its construction is very simple. For a
trough of medium size, take a soap box, and placing
it upon one of its sides, remove the top, with the
exception of four inches from the side on which the
box stands ; then saw the efids diagonally from this
point to the upper point of the box. Now stretch
some wire at 2V2@2 inches apart fiom each other —
from the front to the back of the box — and while
fowls will be fully able to get their food through these
wires, they will be unable on account of the slope,
to perch upon them. If soft food is to be placed in
the trough, a slip can be easily arranged at the end,
which will admit a pan of moderate size, but for
grain this will not be needed.
A Cheap Poultry-House,
Dear Sir : I thought that perhaps it might not do
any harm to give you my experience in building a
cheap poultry-house. We are mueh pleased with it,
filtlin.i'jli it cost only about six dollars, besides the
':'!■ 1 in.l " iiiilows (any old sash will do). I pro-
iiii'l I'lii imsts, ten feet long, set them eight feet
,i,oi: >.n. \.ay and twelve the other, leaving seven
lia .il.uvG ground. The sides and ends I covered
with inch boards (pine), lapping them over about
one inch, in order to keep out the rain and snow.
The roof is made of long prairie-grass, and projects
over about two feet all around. If you think that
any part of this may be of use to any of your readers,
you are at liberty to publish it.-^G. B. N., in Ameri-
can Poultry Yard.
Vermin.
Dear Sir : This is the way I took to rid my
poultry and poultry-house of lice. It is the
best way to destroy them that I ever practiced,
and it is very effectual. In the summer my fowl-
house has sometimes been alive with the pest. I
went to work and white-washed every crack and
corner in and about my house, and then made a box
four feet square and one foot deep; I filled it with
coal-ashes, bought five pounds of sulphur and mixed
it with the ashes and let the fowls dust in it, and in
a month after I had no more lice in and about my
place, and have not found any to this day. My fowls
are always clean and lively. — W.JI. in Poultry Yard.
Literary and Personal.
Department of Agriculture, Special .'teport No.
l.S. Upon the condition of crops and live stocks,
April, 1879 ; 26 pp., 8 vo. Washiugton, D. C.
Official Bulletin of the International Exhibi-
tion, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, 1879. " Inter-
national Exhibition Company." 36 pp., 8 vo., with
a superb illustration.
PosPECTUS of the American Workers' Alliance,
for the advancement of educational, industrial, co-
operative and social reform. 3 p., 8 vo. Washing-
ton, D. C, 1879.
Dewey's Crystal Froit Jabs.— Made expressly
for nurserymen and tree dealers' use in keeping and
exhibiting fruit. Rochester, New York. D. M.Dewev,
1879. 1 p., 4to.
The Plant Patent.— 1 p., 4to. Jacob Moore.
The question discussed is, " Whether men who origi-
nate new fruits and plants ought not to be protected
the same as other patentees are?"
Catalogue of Natural History Store. Estab-
lished in 1850. No. 168 Tremont street, Boston.
Deals in birds, ndinerals, fossils, shells and objects
of Natural History from all parts of the world. Also,
artificial eyes and all articles required by taxider-
mists. 33 pp., 8 vo. W. J. Knowlton, proprietor.
1879.
The Daily Chronicle, Leadville, Col., April 30,
1S79. It is simply astonishing; a little more than a
year ago there was no such place as Leadville,
to-day there is a city of 12,000 inhabitants, and at
least one daily paper, containing more advertise-
ments than all the dailies in Lancaster put together.
Larger than the Evening Daily of York, and published
at five cents a number.
The Farmers' Monthly and AGRicin.TnRAL
Review.— Devoted to agriculture, horticulture, the
farm and the garden. Vol. I., No. 2. Toronto,
Canada, May 15th, 1879. Office, No. 96 King street,
East. Fifty cents a year, in advance. An eight-page
demi-quarto. Good and cheap, and largely devoted
to the advertisement of good and desirable farming
lands within the territory of the Dominion. We
cordially greet it, wishing it that success which we
think it richly deserves.
The Kansas Monthly— An illustrated journal,
published in the interest of those who are seeking
homes in Kausas, is on oar table. It is not published
in the interest of la».d nharks, but gives a truthful
exhibit of the situation in Kansas. Every immigrant
should have it. Sent free of postage for fifteen cents
a number, orS1.50 per year. A copy of the Kansas
Hand-Book, by the same publisher, is sent free to
?very yearly subscriber. Address J. S. Boughton,
Publisher, Lawrenca, Kansas.
The Meteorologist. — Published monthly in the
interest of the science of meteorology, in Greensburg,
Pa., at 50 cents per annum. Edited by I. M.L.
Stump, No. 4, Vol.1, (June, ls79,) of which has
reached our table. We can hardly decide whether
it is a large 12mo. or a small 8vo. of twelve pages.
No matter about that, however, but it does seem to
strike us that there is, or ought to be, a vacuum for
just this kind of a publication and this kind of a
price. Practical or experimental meteorology is the
most universal— and sometimes the only — theme of
conversation in this lower world ; and any medium
through which the masses may be instructed to talk
and,act intelligently, scientifically and rationally on
this subject ought to be welcomed as a mental and
moral benefactor. We mean no flattery when we
say that this little unpretending publication will be
interesting and beneficial to those who are, as well
as those who only assume to be " weatherwise."
The very recent great " Kansas Cyclone " ought to
find a detailed exemplification in these columns,
and no doubt in due time it will, even if the real why
and wherefore, -together with the means to avoid
such catastrophes, never can be demonstrated.
The present number is well filled with papers on
such subjects as evaporation, freezing, cometary
phenomena, humidity, simoons, meteors, sand-
waves, water-spouts, ventilation and other allied
phenomenal subjects.
Moore's Rural Life. — Before we say anything
more on the subject of this literary candidate for
public favor, we would most respectfully admonish
the Scientific American and the American Agricultur-
ist to " look to their laurels." It is true that the
first named occupies a ground so purely, so distinct-
ly, and so peculiarly its own, that it need not fear
rivalry, in the present or prospective, yet it might be
different with the last named, occupying a similar
ground. Moore's Rural Life, a demi-folio of twenty-
four pages, with illustrated tinted covers; No. 1,
Vol. I., for June, 1S79, which is now before us, is
"an illustrated journal for suburban, village and
country homes," and is gotten up in the highest style
of mechanical execution, artistic elaboration and
literary ability, and may well dispute the field with
any other similar journal in the country. In size of
page it is a trifle larger than the Ncientiftc American,
with a finer quality of paper, as finely illustrated,
and a newer and distincter typography. The con-
tents of the number before us relate to the subjects
of rural and suburban homes ; landscape gardening ;
floriculture ; fruit culture ; arboriculture ; ento-
mology ; the vegetable garden ; poultry and pet
stock ; sketches of life ; literary miscellany ; natural
science ; fancy work and fashion ; domestic and
hygienic affairs ; outdoor amusements ; life in the
country; young fo'.ks; editorial gossip and book
notices ; but from the absence of any specific men-
tion of agriculture it might be inferred that it does
not intend to canvass that field as a specialty, ex-
cept as the foregoing subjects may relate to it inci-
dentally. This journal starts out iu life at a point
which the other two journals have attained after
long years of enterprise, energy and experience, and
if it continues as it has begun, if it does not take a
leading position, it may in time divide the honors
equally with them. Published monthly by The
Rui:al Life Company, No. .34 Park Row, New
York ; and dealers supplied by the American News
Company, Nos. .39 and 41 Chambers street, N. Y.,
and the International News Company, No. 11 Bouverie
street (Fleet street), London, England, at $1..50 per
annum to subscribers.
THE LANCASTER FARMER
"Low Prices will Kui.e i'Ok Fkhti
FarnierB will not only be glad to hear it, but will
commend the firm wlileh lias the nerve to make the
•emphatic announcement. Baugh & Son* announce
important reductions in the pricca of Phosphates
and Ground Bones and simply state what has been
Icnown to agriculturists for years past, that their
facilities for making and selling Ground Bones and
Phosphate are unsurpassed by any house in the
United Slates.
f anior Mower Coiupanif's Specialties.
m^ww^rm
Till-, ORIOIN.\L IMPUOVED
Randall PulveT*izing Harrow !
Ovel- 3V.O0O IN I'.SK.
Cblllcd Tron or Steol Di»k«, Center Joiiitpd. Improved
Sliffener Bar. Ari,(le t.f Oungs adjusted by a Lever. Ad-
justable 8craper». The most couvenieiit, durable and ef-
fective harrow miidp.
tsr- STEW roBSr rCI.TIVATOK. -«
Moat efficient and Pcrf ict Itupleiuont for working rowed
crops. Gives more than universal aatisfaction.
THE UNRIVALED WARRIOR MOWER!
Lightest Draft, Eaaii'st Managed, Most Durable Mower
made. OVER 40.00" IN USE. Challeiigcs competing ma-
chines for nnv work or endurance.
SEXD FOR Cinrul.Mi TO
79-lm-4] \V.\KKIOR MOWER CO., Ijttle Falls, N. T.
HEARING -"'• ""^^itit^^Jh:
$5 TO $20:.d,
LOWEST PRICES WILL RULE.
Lo^viiST Prices
Ever Known in the U. S. for Bones and
phates.
BAUGirS R\W BOXE PHOSPHATE
$30 PER 2000 lbs. CASH,
WITH DISCOUNT TO DEALERS,
Delivered ou bo:!.rii boat or cars iu Philadelphia or Baltimore.
DealPrs will take notice they will be protected in the
Bale of this Manure. Ouly one dealer will be established in
a town, who will be furuidhed with the Phosphate at whole-
sale prices.
Early correspouileuce from those who wish to control the
above goods in Bpecir.i sections or townships, is necessary,
as we are organizing for the Summer aud fall busiuesa a
system of unprecedented
LOW PRICES,
Bone I*^ertilizer*s
are beyond all question, unsurpassed in the
UNITED STATES.
LOW PRICES WILL RULE.
BAUGH &, SONS,
PniL.\I)EI,I'HI.\ AND B.^LTIMORE.
79-5-1 m
M. HABERBUSH,
MANDFACTUREROP
Plain and Fine Harness,
MADDLF.N,
COLLARS, WHIPS, FLY NETS, &c.,
ALSO DEALER IN
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
BUFALO ROBE.S,
Horse Covers, Lap-Rugs, Gloves, &c.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
T9-1-1!) LANOASTKB, PA.
NiCHOLS,SHEPARD&CO.
Bnltlo Orooh, MIflt.
ORIGINAL AND ONLY GENUINE
« VI B K. ^i^ T O 12^ »
THRESHING MACHINERY.
THE MatchlfM Oraln-Ssrinp. Tlme-SiTlnf
•nd Monoy-Savlnii Thrc«hiri ofthU (1»J •nd scnrr»
tloti. Rcjond »U rivniry for Raptd Work, Perfect Clwr"'—
A DEPARTURE
High Prices for Phosphates.
STEAM Power ThreslicrB s Sperinlly. Special
■ilea ot Scparalora made exijre«»ly for Sleara Power.
OUB Unrivaled Steam Thresher Enginen,
mUE ENTIRE Threshing ExpenseB (and often
Extra Qralo SAVKD by these Iini>roved Machiues.
I^BAIN Raisers will not ""'»™',.*^|».|,J'^''jJJ',"J'
all other machloea, when onoo posl«d on the dllTereiiCe.
NOT Only Vastlf Superior for Wheat. Oats,
BariuT. »yc. and like Oralna, but the Okly Bucce»».
fnl Threslier in Flax. Timothy, Millet, Clovei, and like
change from Uroin to i^eeda.
IN Thoroogh Workmanship. Elegant Finish.
Perfection of Parta. Completeness of Kqui|.meni. <'t<-,,
- - .8 are Inoomparabl«.
IVTABVELOUS for Simplicity of Parts, using
ATA less than one-half the usual Belts and Gears. Hakes
Clean Work, with no Litterings or Scatterings.
pOnB Sizes of Separators Made, Banging
TlOi
OB Particulars, Call
Illustrated Cln
A GOOD PLAN.
linR It
Anybody can learn to make money rapidly
Stoclfs, by the "Two UnerrinK Rnlestor Snocea
Lawrence h C'o.'s new circulat. The combination method,
which tills firm his made so suCL-essful, enables people with
large or small nieauB toreaij all thebeiiefltsof largest capital
and lest skill. Thousands of orders, in various sums, are
pooled into cue vast amount apid co-apcrated as a mighty
whole, thus securing to each shareholder all the advantages
of thelargestoperalor. Immetiseiirolllsare divided monthly.
Any amount from $5 to $5,000, or more, can be used suocosj-
fuUy. N. y. BapOnt Weekly, September 26th, 1878, says,
"By the combination system $ 5 would make $75, or 5 per
cent ; $30 pays $330, or 7 per cent.; $100 makes $1,000,
or 10 per cent, on the stock, during the month, according
to the market." Frailk LeMWa Illu.itrated Scuispaper, June
29th;: The combination method of operating stocks is the
most successful ever adopted." .Vcic York Independent
September I2th: The combination system is founded upon
correct business principles, and no person need be without
an income while it is kept working by Messrs. Lawrence &
Co.'Broohli/n Journal, April 20th: "Our editor made a net
profit of $101.25 from $r.0 in one of Messrs. Lawrence &
Co. '8 combinations." New circular (mailed free) explains
everything. Stocks and bonds wanted. Oovernment bonds
supplied. Lawrence & Co., Bankers, 57 Exchange Place
To meet the demand of the times, we have commeuo«d
the manufacture of
THE
TWENTY DOLLAIl PII0SI'1L\TE,
WE GUAkANTEE
every bag :
Ammonia, - - - 2.1 to 3 per cent.
Bone Phosphate, Soluble, 10 " 12 "
" " Insoluble, 7 " 8 "
Price, $20 per 2000 lbs. in NewBae;sof
200 lbs. each,
Free on borrd cars or liuats in I'liilad.-l] hia or Baltimore.
Philudolphia.
EPILEPSY
^B. RO.SS' ltSi:ure8. Eatal.
or FITS
CURED!
edy ahsuTute and
y..„ .. , after snirorlog for 15 years writ«s:
Da. Ross. Richmond. Ind.— Dear Sir: I liaro been per-
manently cured bjr your treatment, for which I am tnilir
grateful. During the post tlireo years I
you t.i others who have also been cuied
"/or Ccrt'iScates of Nomeroi
mation address Vn. UOSS,
by DB. Rt
%1A1. I'A<
Nomone^ could
OFFICE,
No, 9 M\\ Queen Sheet
LANCASTER, PA.
N. Y.
[79-5-12n
lifMtk of tile year
DISEASESOFLIVESTOCK
and their moal efficient remedial. Including Horses, Cattle,
Sheep and Swine. A popular treatise, giviug a description
of all the usual diseases to which these animals are liable,
and the most ancoessful treatment of American, EnKlisb,
and European veterinarians, by Li.Otd V. Tkllob, M. D.
Pp. 460. Price, cloth, $2.S0. Hold only by mibucripMon.
I receipt c
villbnj
as it vnW save him hnudreds of dollars. AST AOKNT
WANTF.n i;V EVRIIY TOWN. Agents S'-e makini
from glO to SaO n tl»y se ling it. For Circulars am
terms, address.
H. C. WATTS CO.. SOS Minor St., PhiladelphU.
7»-l-3m.
iB-an old, well-established newspaper, and contains just tba
news desirable to make it an interesting and valuabU
Family Newapiper. It is published on Wednesday and
Saturday, subscribers having the choice of whichever edition
that suits their mail facilities best. The postage to sub-
sciibers residing outside of Lancaster county is paid by the
publisher.
Send for a specimen copy.
Two Dollars per Annum.
Ib published every afternoon (except Sunday) and i
the tiewB by mail am) telegraph I'rom a\\ ptirU ot tbe world
up to the hour of going to (tresg. It is furoiBhed to sub-
BcriberB at all the towns and villages iu the couutj, ncoe*-
sible by rail or stage, by curriers at Ten Cents a Week.
or by mall at Five Dollars per Year.
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Proprietor,
No. 9 Nort'jL Qneen St.,
i:,A.lSrCA.STKK,
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[June, 1879.
A HOME ORGAN FOR FARMERS.
A MONTHLY JOURNAL,
Devoied to Agriculfmre, Horticulture. Do-
mestic Economy and Miscellany.
Founded Under the Auspices of the Lancas-
ter County Agricultural and Horti-
cultural Society.
EDITED BY DR. S. S. RATHVON.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION :
ONEDOLLpPERANNUBf,
POSTAGE PREPAID BY THE PROPRIETOR.
All subscriptions will commence with the
January number, unless otherwise ordered.
Dr. 8. S. rtathvon, who baa so ably managed the editorial
department In the past, will continue in the position of
editor. His contributions on subjects connected with the
science of farming, and particularly that specialty of which
he Is so thorouhly a master— entomological science— some
knowledge of which has become a necessity to the success-
ful farmer, are alone wortii much more than the price of
this publication. He is determined to make "The Farmer"
& necessity to all households.
A county that has so wide a reputation as La^ncaster
ounty for its agricultural products, should certainly be
able to support an agricultural paper of its own, for the
exchange of the opinions of farmers interest'-d in this mat-
oter. We ask the co-oporation of all farmers interested in
this matter. Work among your friends. The "Farmer" is
only one dollar per year. Show them your copy. Try and
Induce them to subscribe. It is not much for each sub-
■criber to do but it will greatly asBiet us.
All communicatious in regard tothe editorial management
should be addressed to Dr. 8. S. Rathvon, Lancaster, Pa.,
and all business letters in regard to Bubscriptione and ad-
vertising should be addressed to the publisher. Kates of
advertising can be had on application at the oflBce,
JOHN A. HIESTAND,
No. 9 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
^Qy
King
ily Double
iite<l. Closes
le of Kose. Champion
Iloe'_ Kinder. Rings and
sharp points in
HoHler.
^J^ .e..asinca.e.o. Hn,st.at
W^ ^^ '^SS. close with the join! B in the flesh
IV-— d| and produce soreness of t&e
1L_^_^ nose
THE i;HAMPION HOO HOLDER Si eaks for Itself
OmI.t Single Ring Ever In-
vented that Closes on the
Ontside of the IVose.
Brown's Elliptical Ring and Triple
Groove Hog and Pig Ringer. It over-
comes a serious defect in all triangular
and other rings which close with the
joints together in the flesh, causing it
to decay and to keep the hog's ,u08e
CHAMBERS, BERING & QTJINLAN, Exclusive Manufacturers, Decatur, 111
ipDDAddreBsH.
juu-lyr«
Co., Portland, Maine.
i^i^^4l:l.H^^J5l.lj^.i>.^iJ=>^JJ.^
RESELL EVERYTHING foe the
g GARDEN I
Descriplive Catal ugues ol 170 pages sent Free J
PETER HENDERSON&CO. \
35 Cortlandt St., JVeic Tork.
mM,m*.u.^ii\mi:m\.M.jnnsi.^A
WHY GO WEST
When desirable Fa:
in the Great Fruit I)ls-
;ar Garden can be had?
I, pure waters, ^ind soil, and
;oramunication by Railroad,
A soil producing the tiuest
■ ■■ he choicest Fish,
«r the Peninsu
Cool summerB, mild winter
every advantage of speedy
Telegraph, and Daily Malls. A i
Grain, Fruits add Flowers, and tl:
Oysters, Terrapin, and Wild Fowl
equalled; as investments uusurpaysed. For Illustrated
Books inclose 2c stamp to LAND AGENT, P. W. & B. R. R.
Depot, W ilmingtou, Del. t*"Special advantages offered
to Colonies. f79-5-lt
HOME-MADE
MANURES.
SCIENTIFIC FOfiMOUS FOR IHFie MAiOFACiyilE ON THE
hm SENT FREE TO M JDDRESS.
The Cheapest, and we believe the most ef-
fective Manure in use, can be made with but
little trouble, by using our Fertilizing Chemi-
cals and Bones, which we furnish of the best
quality, and at lowest prices. We offer, of our
own manufacture or importation,
Dissolved Bones, Sulphate of .
Perfectly Pure Ground Bon?8, Fertilizing Salt,
Acidulated Phosphate Rock, Sulphate of Soda,
Phosphate Rock, flue ground. Muriate of Potash, German,
Laud Plaster, pure and fine Oil Vitriol, full strength,
ground. Sulphate of Magnesia
Salpbat« Potash (Kalnlt), (Eieserite).
Nitrate of Soda,
HARRISON BROTHERS & CO.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS,
AND
lannfactnrers of Fertilizini Chemicals.
(Established 1793.)
FACTORIES AND MILLS AT GRAY'S FERRY.
Office: 105 Sonth Front Street,
PHILADELPHIA PA.
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
LANCASTER, JfA..
23S EAST ORANGE ST.
All matters appertaining to UNITED STATES or CANA-
DIAN PATENTS, TRADE MARKS, and COPYRIGHTS,
promptly attended to. His experience, auccesB a'ld faithful
attention to the interests of those who engage his Bervioes
are fully acknowledged and appreciated.
Preliminary examinations made for him by a reliable As-
sistant at Washington, without extra charge for drawing
or description. [79-1-tf
GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
TRADE MARK. The Great English TRADE MARK..
— 1^ Keineily will promp- ^~^^.-
^\ ly and radically cui
^.^any and every cas
^ ^ Debility
, -fectly harmless, acts
Before Taking '^^.^^-gic, -d_^has^beeu ^^^^ j^y^_
thirty years with great success. Fuli particulars in our
pamphlet, which we desire to send free by mail to every one.
The specific medicine is sold by all drugKists at $1 per pack-
age, or six packages for $5, or will be sent free by mail on
receipt of the money by addressing
THE GRAY MEDICINE COMPANY,
No. 10 Mechanics' Block, Detroit, Michigan.
t»-Sold in Lancaster by H. B. Cochean. 13T and 139 N.
Queen St., and by druggists everywhere. [79-3-12
FREE TO ALL
Fx.E:E:T"urooi3's
LIFE OF CHRIST.
8SO Page*. Over 200 IHoatratlaiu.
Free to all who send ub their address and six cenu
in postage stamps. Address
ITNITEl) STATES BOOK * BIBLE CO.,
: Co., Augusta, Maine.
1879 SPRING AND SUMMER IS?*
Coats aijd Coatings^
PANTS AND PANTINGS,
VESTS AND VESTING8.
SUITS AND SUITINGS,
OVERCOATS AND OVERCOATINGS
RATHVON & FISHER'S,
HJerchant Tailors, Drapiers and Clotljiers,
Cornet' N. Queen and Orange Sts.,
LANCASTER, PA.
as any other place in the city. Goods all wool, perfect, and
satiNftietioBt g^uaraiiieeci. Orders respect-
fully solicited, and promptly executed.
Is aD energetic, natural manure, specially adapted for
summer crops. It is highly recommendtd to tobacco
growers, giving the plants a vigorous start and causing a
rapid growth to maturity.
Price, S22.50 per ton on cars in Philadelphia.
HIKA9I E. I.IJTZ, inaunfactnrer.
Office, 113<> Market Street, Philadelphia.
other spring crops, i
''Stockbridge Manures;^
These are complete inaiiares.mt.de for enclicrnp,
and are the CIIKAPES'r,piirrsl,and best Fertilizers
in the market. Sind Jor Descriptive Pamphlet.
EI> W. J. EVAN S * CO. ,
ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM-SINGLE COPIES 10 CENTS.
Dr. S. S. EATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., JULY. 1879.
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Publisher.
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.
EDITORIAL.
. Lancaster County Tobacco, - - - - 97
•Honey product, ..-.-.. 97
• The Elm Tree Beetle 97
How It Destroys some of oiii most Beautifnl Shade
Trees, and how it may be exterminated.
• The English Sparrow, ----- 9S
• The Cow Buntiug and its Habile, - - - 98
, The Catalpa Tree, ------ 99
• Forestry, -----.-. 99
. Lime and Limestones, ----- 99
t The Curculio, -.--... 100
, How to Raise a Bull, - - - - - 100
. Packing Eggs— Which End Down, - - - 100
• How to Preserve Grapes, - - - - 101
• Monthly Reminders, - 101
CONTRIBUTIONS.
««8ummer Time, - 101
. Large Ca'flsli, 101
•A Glimpse of the West, 101
• The Moon's Influence, ----- lOJ.
SELECTIONS.
■TheCropsof the Country, - - . - 103
Government Reports ot Cotton and Wheat ProspectB.
- The Use of the Feet in Sowing and Planting - 103
• Disinfection, 103
• Sugar from Indian Corn and Sorghum, - - 104
An Imi.ortaut Statement Before the State Board ot
Agriculture.
• A Dutch Dairy Farm, 105
^-Fighting Against Trespassing, - - - - 105
• How Civilization Benefits our Birds, - - 105
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
• Agricultural and Horticultural Society, - 106
• Poultry Association, 106
• Llnnaean Society, - 106
ENTOMOLOGICAL.
» Cassida Guttata, - . - - - - - 107
• Thomissus Celer, ------ 107
.Gonaphea Coerulea, ---..- 107
• Spined Soldier Bug, 107
• A Harmful Insect, 107
• Injurious Insects, 107
• Squash Bugs, - 107
»White Thiips in Graperies, ^. - . - 108
, Capturing Curculio, -..-.- 108
• Value of Earth- Worms, - - - - 108
• Curious Facts About Insects, - - . - lOS
• Borer's Eggs, ---... 108
AGRICULTURE.
• Lancaster Farming in Virginia, - - - 108
•Varieties of Wheat, ----- 108
'.Fultz Wheat, ,-■-... 108
, Sewing Wheat, 108
y Boot as a Manure, 108
. Charcoal on Land, ----- 108
. Cutting Cornstalks, 109
Corn Cobs, ;- - 109
HORTICULTURB.
Rosewood,
-Apple Orchards, - . . - -
Pear Blight,
A Hint on Lawns and Hedges, -
Curiosities in Pomology, - . - .
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
•JJarns and Barnyards,
The Best Yeast Known, - - - .
Butter Making, - - - . .
Ways to use Stale Bread, - - .
.Hints on Cooking Poultry, - - - -
.Farmers, Keep Accounts,
HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.
Macaroni with Tomato Sauce,
Potato Puff,
Walnut Catsup, ------
To Make Good Cottage Cheese,
Fruit Pudding,
.Cottage Pudding, - - - . -
Tapioca Pudding, ------
Steamed Pudding,
To Cook Pumpkin,
( Potato Cutlets with Tomatoes,
Potato Curry,
Tarragon Vinegar,
Stewed Pears, ---...
Pudding Pies,
• Coffee Cake, , -
Omelette Souffle,
- Little Puddings, - - ^ -
In-growing Nails, Again, ....
Sponge Gingerbread, - . . . .
•Puff Pudding,
Sponge Cream Cake, - - - . -
New Way of Cooking Oysters,
Oil for Sewing Machines, - - . -
LIVE STOCK.
The Value of Sheep,
Milk and Beef, - - - - - -
Horses Lying Down, -
Balky Horses, ------
Cows, -----.-..
A Remedy, ----.--
.Calves, ...----.
POULTRY.
Perches— How they should be made for Fowls,
.The Dominique Fowl, - - - - -
Feeding and Treatment, - - - -
Keep Pure-Bred Fowls, - - - - -
Parasites on Hens, ------
Literary and Personal, - . . - .
SEND FOR
On Concord Grapevinf
Poplar, Linden Maple,
timber plaatatione by t
J. JE-^KIKK' NURSERT,
»-»-T» WLNONA, COLUMBL4NA CO., OHIO.
NORBECK & MILEY,
PRACTICAL
hfflm M\k%
m& CO'S OLB ST.4>D,
Corner of Duke and Vine Streets,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE LATEST IMPROVED
SIDE-BAR BUGGIES,
PHAETONS,
Carriages, Etc,
Prices to Suit the Times.
REPAIRING promptly attended to. All work
guaranteed.
PHAHES W. FRY.
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
WftLL PftPER& WIROOW SHftOES*
HolIandN, Plain Nhade t'lotli.
Fixtures, Kriuges, Tasst-Is aud sU goods pertaining to a
Paper and Bbudo Store.
No. 63 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
7»-l-lS
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
EXN^TLVANIA RAILROAD SCHEDUIiE.
Trains leave tlie Dep(
Lancaster.
2:40 a. m.
5:00 a.m.
WE TWARD,
Pacific Express'
Way Puesengert
Niagara Express
Hanover Accommodation,
Mail train via Mt. Joy
No. 2 via Columbia
Sunday Mail
Fast Line*
Frederick Accommodation
Harrisburg Accom
Columbia Accommodation.
Harrisburg Express
Pittsburg Express ,
Cincinnati Express* ,
EASTWARD.
Atlantic EipreBa*
Philadelphia Expresst
Fast Line*
Harrisburg Expreea
Columbia Accommodation.
Pacific Express* ,
Sunday Mail
Johnstown Express
:ity, as follows
Harrisburg.
Lancaster.
12:30 a. m.
4:10 a. m.
5:20 a. m.
7:35 a. m.
3:05]
Day Express'
Harrisburg Accom
The Hanover Accommodation, west,
with Niagara Express, west, at 9:35
through ' "
1:30 p. m.
3:45 p. m.
Col. 2:45 p. I
7:40 p. m.
9:00 p. m.
at Lancaster
, and will run
The Frederick Accommodation, west, connects at Lancas-
ter with Fast Line, west, at 2:10 p. m., and runs to Frederick.
The Pacific Express, east, on Sunday, when flagged, will
atop at Middletown, Elizabethtown, Mount Joy and Landis-
Tille.
•The only trains which run daily.
tRuus daily, except Monday.
$77.
AT I.OWE&T POSSIBLE PHIC'ES,
Fully guaranteed.
No. 106 EAST KING STREET,
79-1-12] Opposite Leopard Hotel.
GLOVES, SHIRTS. UNDERWEAR. H
SHIRTS MADE TO ORDER, ^
AND WARR.-VNTED TO FIT.
£. J. ERISMAN,
56 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
Manufacturer of
Carriages, Buggies, Phaetons, etc.
CHURCH ST., NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA.
Large Stock of New antl Seond-haud Work on hand,
very cheap. Carriages Made to Order. Work Warranted
tor one year. [79-1-12
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
And Manufacturers of
FURNITURE PD CHAIRS,
WAREROOMS:
102 East King St., Oor. of Duke St.
tiANCASTER, PA.
79-1-12]
NOTICE.
A VALUABLE WORK.
A TREATISE
HORSE AND HIS DISEASES,
By DR. B. J. KENDALL, Of Enosburgh FaUs. Vermont,
It 1» nicely illnetratcd with thirty.flve engravings, and ll
fnll of nseful horse knowledge. Erery horse owner aboulc
haye a copy of it.
8BND 25 CENTS FOR A COPY.
Jno-tf
EDW. J. ZAHM,
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
WATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED WARE,
CLOCKS,
JEWELRY I TABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Agent for the Arundel Tinted
SPECTACLES.
Repairing strictly attended to.
ITortb Queen-st. and Centre Square, Lancaster, Fa.
79-1-12
ESTABLISHED 1832.
G-. SENDER & SONS,
The beat Sawed SIII.\GI<K,*iiu the country. Also Sash,
Doors, Bliuds, Mouldings, he.
PATENT 0. G. WEATHERBOARDING
OFFICE AND YARD :
Northeast Corner of Prince and Walnat-st8.,
LA NC ASTER, PA.
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLOGY,
Embracing the history and habits of
NOXIOUS AND INNOXIOUS
INSECTS,
and the beat remedies for their expulsion or eitermlnation.
By S. S. RATHVON, Ph. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
This work will be Highly Illustrated, and will be put in
press (as soon after a sufficient number of subscribers can
be obtaiued to cover the cost) as the work can possibly be
accomplished.
79-2-
Fruit, Shade and Ornamental Trees.
is county and suited to this climate.
I.OUISC.LYTE,
Bird-in-Hand P. O., Lancaster co., Pa.
Nursery at SmoketowQ, six miles eait of Lancaster.
79-1-ia
TljE LATEST!
Tlje New Tariff of Rates
Made by OAK HALL, four weeks
ago, sold off liirge lots of
goods, and has
INDUCED MANY TO IMITATE US!
AS VSCAIi — —
a^-Whatever is Done Elsewhere We
always do Better. -"^fi
This is the latest tarifif for the
A.S FOLLO^WS :
An Elegant Business and Dress Suit,
All-wool Black Cheviot, $10. Identical
quality of goods sold by other parties
as a great largiin at $15. We never
sold them for more than $13.
$4.89 buy.s a First Quality Dress
Trousers, sold heretofore at $10.
Fur Beaver and Chinchilla Over-
coats, Good and Warm Cloth Bound,
$8.50, $8.50, $8.50, $8.50.
Next Higher Grade, Beautifully-
Made and Trimmed, Cloth Bound,
Silk Velvet Collar, $10, $10, $10, $10.
The Same Goods in Young Men's
Sizes, $7, $r, $7, $7.
Boy's Double Cape Overcoats, with
all the Late Improvements, $.5, $5, $.5.
Boys' and Youths' Trousers, All
Wool, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39.
Hundreds of Latest Styles Child-
ren's Overcoats, Soft Plush Lined,
Elegant Goods, reduced from $8.75 to
$6.50.
$25 Fine French Fur Beaver Over-
coats reduced to $15. (Beautifully-
made, Piped with Cloth and the
Finest Linings)
A clear saving of $2.50 on a Fine
Dress Suit.
At our low prices we have sold
thousands of them at $15.00; but to-
day make a clean mark down to
$12.50. They are not odds and ends,
but complete lots. Hundreds biggest
men can be fitted. This one lot of
goods contained 55,120 yards, and has
proved the best bargain we have had
for our customers this season.
A customer can come one hundred
miles, and the saving on almost any
Suit or Overcoat will pay the fare
Doth ways,
Wananjakep & Brown,
OAK HALL.
Sixth and Market Streets,
PHILADELPHIA.
Tha Largest Clothing House in
America.
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S. S. EATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., JULY, i879.
Vol. n. No. r.
Editorial.
LANCASTER COUNTY TOBACCO.
The tobacco trade of Lancaster county is
rapidly becomins one of the largest and most
important factors in the material constitution
of its commerce, and its financial influence
upon the agricultural prosperity of the county
is becoming very manifest. If any evidence
were needed in regard to the appreciation of
our nicotine product, and the preference ex-
hibited for it by extensive and experienced
tobacco dealers, it miglit be found in the large,
substantial and costly tobacco warehouses
which have been erected in different parts of
the county— and notably in Lancaster city—
where large invoices of tobacco are purchased,
stored, prepared, packed and sent off to the
different seaboard markets, both on the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts. It is true, there
is a bare possibility that the tobacco trade may
be ultimately overdone by competition and a
redundant production, but it is not at all pro-
bable. The tobacco trade is contemporary
with the settlement of the country, and in the
early history of the colonies, in many in-
stances it was equivalent to, and in fact per-
formed the functions of a currency — was re-
ceivable for fines, penalties and taxes. Its
consumption has been increasing not only in
America, but "all the world over," from its
first discovery down to the present time. We
are not di.scussing the usefulness or useless-
ness of tobacco— fts good or evil effects upon
the moral or physical condition of the human
family — we merely have reference to the facts
of its culture and traffic in it ; and particularly
to the quality of the weed raised in Lancaster
county, and incidentally to the permanence of
the tobacco trade.
"We have just had a conversation with a
friend, who, 'on a recent visit to a relative in
York county, was assured by Mr. F. A. Uhl,
(nowafarmer atTell'sStation, near Hanover)
who had been a tobacco manufacturer for a
quarter of a century, that the Lancaster
county tobacco, in his estimation, on the
whole, is superior to any raised in the country.
Years ago it was only inferio.- in quality, and
could hardly find a purchaser out of the county.
But all this is changed now. Its cultivation
and curing is better understood than it was.
Better seeds and better qualities of tobacco
are planted, and the fact that quality is of a
higher considerati(m than qunntity. has be-
come more appreciated than it was in the in-
fancy of tobacco culture among us. Of course
tobacco cannot be cultivated, and properly
hou.sed and cured without a arood deal of care
and labor, but this care and labor is better un-
derstood, and hence more effectually exer-
cised than it was in times past. But above all
its financial bearings and the facilities it
affords to small operators is an important
item in its culture. If a poor man has a
small enclosure, or can lease one, he can real-
ize more out of it in tobacco than in any other
crop.
HONEY PRODUCT.
"Tliere are 2.000,000 bee-hives in the
United States. Every hive yields on an
average a little over twenty pounds of honey.
The price at which honev is sold averages 25
cents a pound, so that after payincr for their
own bo;»rd, our bees present us with a reve-
nue of over S8.000,000. Or reckon it another
way— -they make a clear gift of one pound of
pure honey to every man. woman and child
in the vast domain of the United States."
The foregoing is "going the rounds" of
the press in general, and doubtless the reck-
oning is as correct as such calculations usually
are, but that has nothing to do with our
cogilations. AVe take it for granted, and if
there are any who doubt it, it is for them to
disprove it. Statistics made from absolute
data, always fall below the reality, for the
reason that so many keep no record, others
are relicent, and others forgetful, careless or
indifferent, and hence the true data cannot
be obtained. Estimated statistics, however,
arc sometimes wide of the mark. If we have
only time and opportunity to examine one
tree in an orcliard that contains a thousand
trees, and we are accurate in our computation
that there are fifty bushels of apples on that
tree, we have no right from such a basis to
conclude that the whole orchard contains
50,000 bushels. Still, the honey product,
above quoted, is as likely to be underestimated
as overestimated, for the reasons already
stated. There is an immense number of bee-
keepers, on a small scale, who probably never
keep an account of the amount of houey their
bees produce, the amount consumed by their
owners, or the bees themselves, or what
amount is sold. Let any one go to market
and buy a pound of honey, and he will be
astonished at the small bulk there is in a
pound. Or let him attempt to purchase that
beautiful box of honey, and he will be amazed
at its weight, and what it amounts to at 25
cents per pound. Great is the honey product
of our country, and it is yearly increasing.
THE ELM TREE BEETLE.
How it Destroys some of our most Beautiful
Shade Trees, and how it may be
Exterminated.
This pernicious foreigner is again making
its appearance in and about Lancaster, and is
the cause of more or less anxiety amongst
those wno have elm trees on their premises.
Its destructiveness depends entirely upon
numbers. A few, perhaps, would not ma-
terially injure the foliage of these beautiful
trees, but, unfortunately, if a combined effort
is not made to circumvent them, they do not
long remain only a "few." They possess
extraordinary abilities to multiply, and there
are at least two broods, in this latitude, dur-
ing the vegetating season ; therefore they are
apt to " multiply and replenish " ad infinitum.
They do not spread very rapidly, but where-
ever they have become localized and multi-
plied, they have inflicted serious damage upon
the elm trees, both in Europe, from whence
they came, and also in the United States.
Dr. Harris has recorded that on one occasion
all the elm trees in a public park in Baltimore
had to be removed in order to circumvent
these insects ; it was also the case at several
places in Massachusetts. They were noticed
in this county about three years ago in limited
numbers, and two years ago they were con-
spicuously present within the city limits of
Lancaster — indeed in the very heart of the
city— notably on a tree in front of the Episco-
pal Church, corner of North Duke and East
Orange streets, and from thence on all the
elm trees on the north side of Orange street,
at least as far as Lime street. Also in Duke
stret, near the English Reformed Church.
It will be difticult to compass these insects
by any single remedy. Some knowledge must
be had of their history, habits and trans-
formations ; and especially should the people
be able to recognize the mature beetles when
they see them, for these are the prolific
parents of the larv;e, or "worms" tliat are
now on the trees, fully grown, or passing
into the pupa state. The mature beetles hi-
bernate during the winter season under any
cover that comes most convenient, and they
are able to endure a very low degree of cold,
provided there is not too much moisture pres-
ent. Alternate freezings and thawiugs, under
such circumstances, would be detrimental to
their continued existence.
Last February, a year ago, Mrs. P. E. Gib-
bons brought to the meeting of the Linnaean
Society a dozen or two of these beetles, part
o" a colony which had been hibernating be-
hind a fireboard in her house. The loose
bark on trees and timbers, chinks in old walls,
large flat stones, cracks or seams in fences, in
barns, outhouses, and sheds, etc., often fur-
nish convenient places for the winter hiberna-
tion of these beetles, as well as for the curc.u-
Ho, the "Squash-bug," and very frequently
also the " Colorado 13eetle. " It seems very
reosonable that if these insects are recognized
and destroyed during the winter or early
spring— almost any time before the first of
May— the possibilities of a large brood are
also diminished or destroyed. If a gravid
female is destroyed before oviposition, that
simple act may destroy from three hundred
to a thousand in.sects in embryo, but affer
that period, would only be killing a single
individual, which if let alone, would soon
have died of its own accord.
When these beetles come from their winter
quarters, they have a nuptial season of a week
or more, according to the temperature of the
weather, after which the females commence
depositing their eggs on the foliage of the elm
trees, to which they are exceedingly partial.
But, the larvfB of the Elm Beetle are now
on the trees and are full grown. The people
have not availed themselves of the preventive
measures suggested in the foregoing. What
is to be done now ? It might be easy enough
to say what, but it might not be so easy to do,
especially if there wore many infested trees,
and those trees very large ones. If sheets
were spread beneath the trees, and the limbs
were severely jarred, or persistently shaken,
many of these larvfB would fall, and could be
gathered up and scalded or burned, or killed
by any other means the operator might choose
to adopt. A solution of whale oil soap, car-
bolic soap, a decoction of tobacco, or common
lye thrown upon the trees by means of a gar-
den syringe or pump, would destroy as many
as we're reached by these liquids. But from
the observations which we have made during
the past two years we should depend more
upon destroying them when they come down
from the trees to inipate. This takes place
during the month of .July. A few will pupate
in the'crevices of the bai-k on the trunks and
larger limbs of the trees, but by far the larger
number descend to the base of the tree, and
if the trees have grass, rubbish or loose earth
around them, they will pupate under cover of
these ; but here in the city of Lancaster,
where the bases of the trees are surrounded
by pavements, they pupated above ground in
any little corner or crevice they could find,
and they could have thus been swept up by
quarts and destroyed, but no one seemed to
think it was any of his business. This should
suggest the contrivance of some sort of trap
to catch them under these circumstances. As
all do not generally reach the ground, by the
washing of the trunks with the above liquids
applied with a sort of mop, manipulated with
a stiff" hickory "scrub"— such as are used to
clean out gutters— those stragglers which
locate themselves there might be dislodged
and destroyed. If this course was pursued
towards the first brood, it might prevent a
second brood. It is the second brood that
goes into winter hibernation and perpetuates
the species ; and possibly some of this brood
remain in the ground all winter in the pupa
state, when they can have access to a favor-
able situation.
As we intimated before, this insect was in-
troduced into this country about five and
forty years ago, and first demonstrated its
98
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[July,
destructive presence at Baltimore, Md. It
was a long time in reaching Lanoaster county,
and it will soon show what it can do, if human
means, or some inexplicable counteraction in
nature — to which the insect world is some-
times liable— does not.intervene to prevent it.
In warring against insects, however, the
efforts should be simultaneous and continuous,
or else after you have destroyed those on your
own premises, you may be invaded by those
from the premises of your neighbors.
This insect has been noticed by various
writers as the Galeritca cahnariensi.% but this
is a mistake. That species feeds on the leaves
of aquatic plants, and differs from it in other
respects. It is the Galeruca xanthomeelena of
Schon ; but no particular matter about its
name, it is its acts with which people have
now to do, and how to circumvent it.
For a description of the insect, see The
Lancastek Farmer, vol. 8, page 131 ; and
if the reader has not the volume to refer to,
that may be his own fault ; but Ijy the ex-
penditure of a single dollar he may still obtain
that which in after years he will not be able
to procure for three times that amount.
The pupa is a pale yellow in color. If a
few of these are collected and put into a small
box containing a little earth, in a week or
more the perfect insects will be evolved, and
such a sight is better than a description.
THE ENGLISH SPARROW.
It is wonderful how rapidly this bird is be-
coming discredited, in an economic sense, in
our country. It is true that tliere may still
linger a little rustic or romantic sentiment in
his behalf, but as a greedy gobbler up of in-
sects, as he was thought to be, people are gen-
erally losing conQdence in him. If ever
there was an opportunity for these birds to
establish a charaoier as elHoient insect scaven-
gers, or to redeem a tarnished one, that op-
portunity is just now. All over the city tlie
larva of the "elm-tree beetle" is present in
countless millions. The leaves are full of
them ; the branches are full ; the trunks are
full ; the pavements in the city, wherever
there is an elm tree, are full of them ; and yet
we have not observed a single sparrow where
these noxious insects are found. This may
seem strange, especially since the larva of the
elm beetles seems to be just such a tender
little morsel, as one would think ought to at-
tract any insectivorous bird. The sparrows
are everywhere, it appears, except where these
worms are. There are always plenty of them
in our streets, picking up any little morsels of
food that may be found there, but they do not
molest the elm-worms— not a bit of it. It is
therefore not to be wondered at, that people
are becoming impatient with them.
On the western gable of Col. Fordney's resi-
dence, in East Orange street, is a large climb-
ing ivy, covering a large portion of the gable
from the ground to the roof, and in that ivy
there are a large number of sparrows' nests-
there may be fifty or more— and these birds
are fitting in and out of their nests "the
whole of the livelong day." We have fre-
quently taken a stand and watched them for
half an hour at a time. The elm trees are in
the neighborhood of their nests ; and although
when they sally forth they take various di-
rections (presumably in search of food for
their young), yet we have never noticed them
taking their course towards the elm trees
They readily take to the streets, people's
yards and gardens, where food seems to be
scarce, but the banquet of elm worms which
they might enjoy, they appear to utterly dis-
card. •'
We indulge in no special prejudices against
the English sparrows— indeed, we have here-
tofore defended them, when we thought them
indiscriminately condemned. What we state
now are facts-deductions from personal ob-
servation. There are the elm-beetles, and
elsewhere are the sparrows, but not where the
beetles are. This is unfortunate, especiallv at
this time, when the beetles are so abunclant
and possess the possibilities of becoming more
80. Nothing but a sparrow or other insect-
eating bird could successfully reach them
while they are on the leaves of the trees, and
if these won't, then we fear we will have to
bear the effects of a severe infestation, before
there is an end of the beetles.
Theoretically considered, we have often
wondered who" was instrumental in first bring-
ing these birds into the country, and upon
what particular characteristics." It is true,
during the breeding season the softer insects,
such as caterpillars and other iusect-larvse,
may constitute at least a portion of the food
they feed to their young, but under no rule of
classification have they ever been assigned a
place among insectivorous bird's. They belong
to the great "Finch" family (Fringilidie), and
are therefore classed among the Granivora or
seed-eating birds. What are they constantly
doing in our streets? and why do they seem
to prefer the streets? Not at all because they
are attracted there by insects, but because of
the seeds or grains and fragments thereof,
which they find among the animal droppings,
sweepings, etc., etc.
The fault is not with the sparrows, for they
are but acting in obedience to the instincts of
their natures. As well might you persuade a
duck to roost in a henhouse high up among
the gallinaceous fowls, or a hen to habitually
"go in swimming" along with her ducklings,
as to change the character of a granivorous
or frugivorous bird, to that of an insectivorous
one. There may be temporary departures
from their normal habits under stress of cir-
cumstances, but when left in freedom they
will ultimately revert to their first estate.
These birds" must have existed before there
were such places as streets, and gardens, and
kitchen yards, but with the progress of human
improvement they have so far departed from
their normal habits as to prefer such places;
not on account of the insects found there, but
because of the more abundant supply of vege-
table food; and their further demoralization
has been brought about by human indulgence.
People are in the habit of feeding them con-
stantly, especially during the winter, and
hence they concentrate in towns and villages
rather than in the open country. People ad-
mire them for their pugnacity, or for their
confidential and social characters. Many fam-
ilies have cherished them and fed them all
winter, and the birds have repaid them in the
spring, not by destroying the insects that in-
fest their premises, but by picking the fruit-
buds off their fruit trees. We have alluded
to their pugnacity, which they have carried
to the exclusion of our native sparrows and
other birds from localities where they once
abounded, if not abundantly, at least more
plentifully than they are found now. Our
native birds have almost entirely retired from
their old haunts, and have resigned the field
to tliese impudent "carpetbaggers," indisgust.
Sometime ago. we noticed a poor lone little
native sparrow sitting on a high post mourn-
fully overlooking Lancaster, something like a
lone Indian overlooking the innovations of the
white man. How similar their fates.
THE COW BUNTING AND ITS HABITS.
Mr. Casper Weaver, ofNorth Queen street,
on Wednesday morning, July 2nd, captured a
full fledged "cow bunting" (Molothrus pecoris]
in his garden, and has it now in a cage hang-
ing under the tree whereon was the parent
nest of the foster mother of the bird.
Its Name and Habitat.
This bird is known in various localities by
different names ; such, for instance, as cow-
bird, cow-pen-bird, cow-blackbird, &c. It is
by no means a rare bird, for there is perhaps
not a State or Territory in our whole Union
in which it is not found; but wlierever it is
localized, it has the same peculiar, selfish and
unpaternal character.
Its Peculiar Habit.
Like the cuckoo of Europe, the female
never builds a nest, never incubates her eggs,
and never takes any part in rearing her young,
leaving that entirely to their foster parents.
The male is a. selfish polygamist, and after ' its "bogus" charge
their nuptials the females clandestinelv deposit
from one to three eggs (generally only one) in
the nest of some other small bird, such as the
Song Sparrow, the Ground Robin, or the
"Summer Yellow Bird." When the young
are hatched out, which is usually a day or
two before the bird's own brood, these selfish
little creatures proceed to heave their foster
mother's own eggs or young over the edge of
the nest, when of course they perish, and the
httle intruder is fed by the unsophisticated
foster-mother, without a seeming suspicion
tliat anything has gone wrong, and she trans-
fers to it all the provident affection that she
would have bestowed upon her own brood.
The Present Case.
In the special case to which we refer, the
female cow-bunting chose the nest of the lit-
tle warbler familiarly known as the "summer
yellow bird," (Bendroica cestivn) which is
hardly half the size of the greedy young "car-
pet-bagger" she is so anxiously and inllustri-
ously feeding. All day she is assiduously en-
gaged in gathering worms and other soft in-
sects, which she feeds to her lubberly step-
child through the wire bars of the cage, and
she seems not to know anything else than that
it is her own offspring, or, if she knows to the
contrary, it does not abate her affection for it.
How much like a hard-worked mother among
the human species, toiling to support a set of
selfish family loafers, who may be no nearer
related to her by filial sympathy than this
bird is to its foster mother.
How a Cow Bunting Looks.
The cow-bird or cow-bunting belongs to the
order Insessors, or perching birds, and to
the family Ictekid.e, or black birds. In the
adult male, the head, neck and anterior half
of the breast is a chocolate brown, and the
rest is a lustrous black. The female is tinged
with olive brown all over, but thb young are a
mottled greyish.
One of Its Foster Mothers.
The little summer yellow-bird, or yellow
warbler, belongs also to the perching birds,
and to the family Sylvicola— a very large
family, containing a large number of pretty
little warblers. They build their nests in
bushes or small trees," and very frequently in
apple trees, near houses.
When they once become domiciled they re-
pose the utmost confidence in the human
family., and often rear broods of young a few
feet from the ground, nearhumanhabitations,
and will allow persons to approach them dur-
ing incubation without leaving the nest, and
perhaps more than any other species they suf-
fer the impositions of the stealthy and impu-
dent cow-bird.
Where They Got Their Name.
These birds have derived this name from
their familiar associations with the cows, often
following them into the barnyards and perch-
ing upon their backs. We distinctly remem-
ber these birds as sitting on the backs of the
cows and other kine since the days of our early
boyhood — long before we knew of their pecu-
liar nesting habits. The blue bird, the chip-
ping sparrow and the golden-crowned thrush
are also occasionally imposed upon by the cow
bird, and instancts are on record where these
birds, on discovering the egg or eggs of this
arch-intruder in their nests, have quietly pro-
ceeded in building another nest immediate-
ly over the first nest, thus defeating their
adversary by enclosing its eggs in a prison,
from which there is no escape, and which re-
sults in its ultimate destruction.
Not the First Time.
We are informed by Mr. Weaver that he
observed the same kind of a bird in his apple
tree a year ago, being fed by the little yellow
bird, and he could not understand what par-
ticular relation existed between the two birds.
He tried then, but did not succeed in captur-
ing it. This summer he succeeded, but in-
stead of the old bird abandoning it, it only the
more industriously attended to the wants of
1870.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
99
THE CATALPA TREE.
This tree is becoming the subject of exten-
sive cogitation in our conntry witli reference
to its cultivation ; and Mr. E. E. Barney, of
bayton, Ohio— and, perhaps, also otliers— has
been laborirg for years to test its adaptability
to rapid culture and growtli, as well as the
quality of its wood and the uses that can be
made of it. Bless us, how very long it is
since we saw tlie first catalpa tree — threCr
score years at least. There it stood before
the door of the "apothecary" in our native
town, solitary and alone; and O, how beauti-
ful it looked "in its summer bloom. AVe then
knevi' no other name for it than the "cigar "
tree. No very favorable opinion of the quality
of its wood was then entertained, and next to
nothing was known about its cultivation. It
was a iong time before a second tree appeared
in the town— not during our boyhood, any-
how— and we are not clear as to how it was
produced ; but we think the base of a scion
was surrounded with earth and bandaged,
and kept wet until it threw out roots, when it
was sawed oft and planted. There are, or
were, plenty of them, apparently, growing
wild, on each side of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road near Philadelphia. A forest of catalpas
would be a " thing of beauty and a joy for-
ever," especially in their blooming season.
Mr. Barney, during the past season, has
placed examples of the wood in the hands of
Prof. C. S. Sargent, the distinguished arbor-
ist, of Harvard University, "at Cambridge,
Massachusetts, in order to bring the qualities
of the Catalpa to the notice of the public ;
and after a careful investigation, tlie Pro-
fessor submits, in part, the following as his
report thereon, which we copy from the Jour-
nal of Forestry, London, England :
"I find tliat the specific gravity of the
wood of the common Cntalpa bignonioides is,
when perfectly drj', .40.5 ; and that the specific
gravity of the wood of the early blooming
variety. C. B. spednaa, also perfectly dry, is
.462. The ratio of the weight of any wood
to the weight of an equal body of water, that
is its specific gravity, gives in many respects
the surest indication of its value for construc-
tion and fuel. But to show the relative value
of Catalpa it will be well to compare its
specific gravity with that of some better
known or standard woods.
Speclflc gravity of common Catalpa, - - .405
" " earlv blooming Catalpa, .46!
" " Wild ChPiTV, - - - .488
" " Canoe Bfrch, - - - ..539
" " Black Walnut, - - - .577
" " Ailanthus, - - - .614
" " American Elm, - - - .649
" " White Oak, - - - .662
" " Rock Elm, Ulmiis racemosa,
(Thomas,) - - - .832
" " Eastern Hickory, - - .838
"By this comparison it will be seen that
Catalpa is inferior in weight, and consequent-
ly in strength and heat-giving qualities, to
even such soft woods as the black -walnut,
the canoe birch, or even the wild cherry,
which up to this time is the lightest of Ameri-
can hard woods which I have examined criti-
cally. It is remarkable that so soft and light
a wood as the Catalpa should possess tlie
power of resisting decay to a degree almost
unknown in the hardest and heavie.st woods.
It is unnecessary for me to dwell at this time
on the indestructible nature of this wood, for
so many examples of its wonderful durability
have of late been brought to public notice
that the fact is now establi.shed byond question.
But why the soft wood of this fast-growing
tree, which is traversed with large open ducts,
nearly as broad as those of red oak, a wood
which notoriously rots very quickly, should be
able to resist decay to such a degree, is not
clear; and this fact presents an interesting
problem, which the chemist or the vegetable
physiologist may perhaps be able to .solve.
"The Catalpa can be safely planted in
strong, rich soil, in any portion of the United
States south of the 42nd parallel. Farther
north it often suffers in severe winters, especi-
ally when young ; and in the New England
States, unless in a few favorable situations,
the soil is not rich enougli to make the plant-
ing of this tree as profitable as that of many
others better suited to reach maturity in this
section of tlio country. For that portion of
the treeless region of the west, south of the
42nd parallel, especially for Kansas and South-
ern Nebraska, I am satisfied that no tree
which has yet been suggested for general
planting there will at all equal the Catalpa,
either in the rapidity of its growth or the
value of its woo(i, with the single exception,
perhaps, of the Ailanthus.
"The growth of ihu Catalpa in the rich
prairie soil is simply astounding. I liave now
before me a specimen cut from a tree which
grew at Brown.sville, Nebraska, and which
shows but four annual layers of growth from
the seed. It is 9J inches in circumferem e,
and the growth of the first two years, IjJ incu
in diameter, is already changed into heart-
wood.
"During the autumn of 1S77 the Missouri
River, Fort Scott and Gulf Railway Company
commenced experimental plantations of vari-
ous trees on their land near Fort Scott, in
Kansas. The Superintendent of the railway,
in his report to the President on the condition
of these plantations, at the end of their first
year, says : ' The Catalpa has certainly proved
to be the strongest grower, and most tenacious,
standing the dry weather better than the
other varieties, and at present rate will come
to maturity years before other varieties are of
sufticient size to be of any utility.' "
"Professor Sargent considers that the speci-
osa variety of the common Catalpa, Catalpa
bkjtwnioides, is the one to be preferred by the
planter. This variety is distinguished "from
the common type by its earlier flowering habit
and larger white flowers ; larger and much
flattened seed pods, often 16 to 18 inches in
length, and much thicker walls ; shorter and
broader seeds, with wings of equal width to
their rounded ends, which are terminated
by a copious fringe of stouter hairs ; and by
its darker and thicker furrowed bark. The
wood of this variety is considerably heavier
and much superior to that of the ordinary
type." ^
FORESTRY.
In appropriate association with the fore-
going, in relation to the Catalpa tree, we
adduce the following from a speech delivered
by Hon. A. S. Padd'ick, of Nebraska, in the
United States Senate, in February last, illus-
trating the close connection existing between
forestry and the agricultural interests of the
country. It will, no doubt, seem absurd to
many land owners when they are admonished
to foster or make an economical use of the
forests now in existence, and still more ab-
surd when they are advised to replenish, or
plant new ones ; and, perhaps, still more
absurd when they are reminded that forests
exercise a perceptible influence over the meteo-
rological conditions of the weather, and hence
both mediately and immediately affect the
agriculture of the country, to say nothing
about its domestic and commercial condition.
There are, no doubt, many so situated that
the dissipation of the forests and the disi)lace-
ment of the surplus wood are matters involv-
ing years of hard labor, and are therefore the
objects of their chiefest concern. But this
only relates to the smallest portion of the
country, and even in those parts most densely
wooded it is becoming manifest that the sup-
ply of good timber is on the wane, and that
somehow the country has undergone a mete-
orological change ; and when the absence of
timber entirely, in vast tracts of country now
opened up to agricultural enterprise, is con-
sidered, the importance of the subject in-
creases vastly in its proportions. The ma.sses
of the people may be slow in apprehending
this, but posterity will surely be sensibly im-
pressed \vith our improvident folly if the pres-
ent waste is not arrested and a sy.stem of
sylvan economy is not initiated. Mr. Pad-
dock very appropriately says :
"I will formulate my proposition thus :
Agriculture cannot prove enduringly success-
ful, and populations cannot be largely multi-
plied, although the conditions of both our soil
and climate are highly favorable to such re-
sults, unless the forest areas are increased
proportionately, at least, with the increase of
the area of agricultural cultivation. Trees
are the dominating members of the vegetable
kingdom. They are necessary factors in the
sum total of those influences which constitute
the environment of animal life. Trees, by
absorbing carbonic acid gas and emitting
oxygen, act as agputs in rendering the atmos-
phere life-sustaining. By interposing their
foliage between the sun and the eartli they
serve a useful purpose in sheltering the soil
from lieat, and, as conductors of heat, in
equalizing the temperature of the earth and
the air. By covering the surface of the ground
with a layer of leaves and mould, they greatly
assist in preventing the escape of the heat
from the soil, this layer of dead matter being
still more useful in absorbing tlie fructifying
rains and allowing the water to percolate
steadily into the thirsty earth, instead of
sweeping over the surface, disintegrating and
washing it away. As a mechanical shelter
trees play an important part in protecting
both the ground and human habitations from
cold and destructive winds. By their power
of absorption the roots of trees take up from
the soil and give off through their leaves an
amount of moisture which, deducting there-
from the quantity absorbed in turn by the
leaves from the air, is sufficient to exercise an
important influence in increasing the general
humidity of the atmosphere. As an agent in
cooling the atmosphere about and above it,
and thus increasing the frequency of rains,
and the amount of precipitation of both rain
and dew, the forest subserves a most benefi-
cent purpose."
" By the protection afforded the soil against
the escape of moisture, it preserves and tends
to make regular and permanent the natural
springs which are necessary to the mainten-
ance of vegetable life. In protecting the
ground on its surface from rapid evaporation
of the rains which fall upon it. and providing
a sponGry covering which rapidly absorbs and
distributes these rains, it prevents the di.sas-
trous inundations of rivers which too often
occur when the surface of the ground oflers
no obstructions to the onward flow of rivulets
that suddenly feed the main stream with
their accumulated waters. The forest, too,
guards the soil aeainst abrasion and displace-
ment from torrents and overflows, and thus,
acrain, asserts its conservative influence for
man's snod. Moreover, we need trees for the
delicrht they aflbrd. as at once the most ma-
iestic, imposing and beautiful of nature's
vegetable forms."
In this connection, and as a forcible illus-
tration of the influence forest trees exercise
upon water streams, and psiiecially upon
springs, we may educe the following experi-
ence of our own. When we were a boy of
about fifteen years of ase, we worked upon a,
farm on which the entire supply of drinking
and cooking water was obtained from a free
flowin? spring at Ihe base of a hill, then, as
well as the narrow plain at its base, covered
with trees. This spring had thus been used
ever since the farm had been opened up to
cultivation, was the only source of water for
family purposes, and had never failed. Fifty
vears afterwards we visited the scene of our
boyhood, and found the hill and plain denuded
of their trees, and the siirinn entirely dry.
There had been no water in the spring for
twenty-five years, because all the trees and
shrubbery had been removed twenty-flve
years ago, and but a single huge stump re-
mained.
LIME AND LIMESTONES.
" Lime and lime without manure
Will make hoth land and farmer poor."
In the May and June numbers of the Jour-
nal of ForeMrij is a very elaborate paper on
"Lime and limestones, their uses in struc-
tural works and in agriculture," which no-
thing but want of space prevents us from
100
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[Jniy,
transferring to our columns entire. It is
written by Alfred J. Burrows, of Pluckley,
Kent county, England, and discusses the sub-
ject analytically, scientifically and practically
in detail. Of course, the vse of lime is one
thing, and the abuse of it is quite another
thing, and it is this abuse that has given rise
the adage we quote above ; and also to its
equivalent, that although it may enrich tlie
father it may impoverish the son ; because its
tendency is to bring rapidly into use all tlie
vegetable matter in the soil, and therefore
the application of lime renders it necessary
that manure be also imsparingly applied, for
where the soil is primarily poor, lime alone
can do but little good. A few even in our
own county have indulged in disparaging
statements in regard to the effects of lime on
the crops, and a few others again have freely
indulged in extreme counter opinions. Tlie
mostintellisrent and advanced views, however,
are to the effect that lime is not absolutely in
itself a vianure, but that it acts an inter-
mediate part in assimilating the soil and other
species of manure ; hence, lime alone— and
especially where it is already in sufficient
quantity— without manure, might be as bar-
ren of the desired results as millstones and
hopper without corn in their relati ns to a
grist. When this is seen, and intelligently
acted upon, farmers will not "pin their faith"
to lime alone, neither will they discard its use
any more than they would the handles of their
hammers or their hoes, those very essential
intermediates between " will and way." Mr.
B. says :
"The avantages of the use of lime are so
many and so great that it is almost impossible
to enumerate the- whole of them. Their
effects may be described as being both chemi-
cal and mechanical, and as being exercised
both upon the organic and inorganic constitu-
ents of the soil. The following may be taken
as a summary of the principal benefits :
"1. A larger produce of cereal crops of su-
perior quality. Tliis is especially the case
with wheat, which becomes thinner skinned,
and yields more flour. The peas grown upon
limed lands are better boilers.
"2. Upon deep alluvial and clay soils it in-
creases the crop of potatoes and renders them
less waxy. Sprinkled over potatoes in the
store heap it preserves them, and when rid-
dled over the cut sets it wonderfully increases
their fertility.
"3. Lime eradicates the finger and toe dis-
ease in turnips, and gives greater soundness
and more nutritive qualities to the bulbs.
"4. It gives, when applied to meadow lands,
a larger produce of nutritious grasses, and
checks the foot-rot in sheep depastured upon
them. It also exterminates bent*, as well as
coarse and sour grasses, destroys couch grass,
and acts powerfully upon the rye grasses.
"5. Upon arable land it destroys the corn-
marigold, and weeds of various kinds.
"6. It rapidly decomposes vegetable mat-
ter, producing a large amount of food for
plants in the form of carbonic acid gas.
"7. It destroys or neutralizes the acids in
the soils, hence its adaptability to our soils.
"8. It acts powerfully upon some of the in-
organic parts of soils, especially on the sul-
phate of iron found in peaty soils, and the
sulphates of magnesia and alumina.
"9. It proves fatal to worms and slugs, and
the larvae of injurious insects, though favor-
able to the growth of shell-bearers.
"10. It destroys the germ of smut upon the
seed of wheat, barley and oats, and is especi-
ally acceptable to the barley crop, which is
generally of good quality upon chalky soils.
"11. Slacked lime added to vegetable mat-
ter causes it to give ofl' its nitrogen in the
form of ammonia. Upon soils in which the
ammonia is combined with acids it sets free
the ammonia, which is directly seized upon by
the plants. ^
"12. Its solubility in water causes it to sink
into and ameliorate the subsoil. When the
•Bent-Grass. A species of Agrostis, very
pasture grouuds, the beut or creeping stems of which an
difficult to eradicate.
soil contains fragments of granite or trap
rocks, lime hastens their decomposition and
liberates the silicates.
"13. Its combination with the acids in the
soil produces saline compounds, such as
potash, soda, &c.
"14. It exerts a marvelous effect upon rape,
though it is said to injure flax, which in
Belgium is not grown for seven years after
liming.
"15. Strewed over the young plants, it
destroys or drives away the turnip fly.
"16. Worked in with grass seeds, the bene-
ficial effects of lime, chalk, marl and shell
sand have been visible for a period of thirty
years.
"17. It has a powerful pulverizing efliect
upon the wealden clay, on the sandstone
formations, and on the granite and slate
rocks.
"18. It is generally supposed to hasten the
ripening of corn crops.
"19. It promotes the formation in the soil
of what are called tlie double silicates. This
process starts with the clay, or silicate of
alumina, and is afterwards continued tlirough
the S. of alumina and lime, the S. of A. and
soda, A. and potash, and A. and ammonia.
"20. Applied to the rot-heap lime effectu-
ally destroys the seed of weeds.
"To sura up its advantages— when properly
applied to the soil — it purifies and stimulates
its action, thereby promoting the growth of
healthy vegetation of all kinds."
THE CURCULIO.
Dr. Kauflman of Iowa City gives the follow-
ing method for extinguishing or driving off
the Curculio as something new. Whether old
or new, it is inexpensive and ought to be tried.
He says :
"During the summer of 1847, I procured
from the gas-house several gallons of coal or
gas tar. 1 put about a quart in a long handled
stew pan, and with a few shavings and a
match soon had a dense black smoke. This I
carried under my plum tree, so that the dense
smoke pervaded all parts of the tree. My
first eflbrts were very gratifying, in seeing in-
sects of all sorts hurrying out of the tree.
Ants came running down the tree, various
kinds of worms and spiders let themselves
down by their webs, and all winged insects
flew out, leaving the tree deserted of all in-
sect life. I spent ^ibout half an hour in smok-
ing 42 trees, and tliis I repeated three or four
times a week, unless a rain had washed off the
smudge, when I again repeated the smoking.
After my first effort I tried the shaking pro-
cess, but invariably failed to catch or see a
single specimen of the curculio. I continued
this process until near the time of ripening,
and got my first crop of plums, over 30 bush-
els. The whole cost of coal tar for those 42
trees during the summer was less than $2. 1
began the smoking a little too late, after I
had tried for sometime the jarring into the
sheet : therefore some of the fruit had been
stung: and had it not been for this, my crop
of ripe plums would have been still greater.
During 1875 the plum crop was an entire fail-
ure, and I had no opportunity to continue
this experiment: but the summer of 1876
brought a large plum crop, and I at once re-
sorted to my favorite remedy. I commenced
smoking my trees as soon as the plums were
the size of a hazel nut, and continued up to
the time of ripening, and not a single Curculio
sting was to be seen on my fruit, the trees of
which were treated to the coal-tar smoke. I
purposely left trees of different varieties un-
smoked, and all the plums, excepting one sort,
were stung and dropped ofl" before ripening."
Moore''s Rural Life.
[ We would begin earlier — when the plums
were the size of a marrow-fat pea.
It would be worth knowing also, what the
"excepted" variety was: even if it were only
of medium or inferior quality. There might
be some compensation in quantity for the lack
of quality, or no plums at all]
Send in your back subscriptions,
HOW TO RAISE A BULL.
The following poem is from a work called
the " Farmer's Friend," written by C. Mac-
.pherson, Dundee, Scotland, and published by
the author. Without intending to criticise
its literary quality we content ourselves with
considering it from a practical standpoint;
and viewing it tlius, there probably would be
a great waste of time saved if all poems (of
which there are now so many published) were
imbued with some practical and useful theme.
Who would have thought, however, that
there was so much poetry in a bull ? (We do
not mean an Irish bull, for some of them are
brim full of poetry, but an Alderney, a Jer-
sey, or a Durham, if you please. ) But listea
to Mac. and be instructed and edified :
" He of who's fame I would eine;
Must early calved be in the epi-ine:,
And who should nurse the calf?— Its mother —
Its mother only, and no other.
By no means mar their tranquil joy
By yelping dog or heedless boy ;
Affright them not, or make them run,
Nor strike them with a club or stone ("stun.")
When young, ne'er let him touch your quoys,
Nor sonn excite his sexual joys;
But keep him chaste in field or fold
Until he's fully three years old.
Then let him woo the chasteful kine,
Yet in each season seme but nine.
Among your cows then he may stray,
And freely let their passions play,
And woo each other while they may;
Tet rigid keep this virtuous rule :
In one year, nine cows to one bull ;
No more, if high breeds be your aim.
Unless you would your herds defame.
From four years unto five, six, seven,
He's in his prime ; old at eleven,
And useless as a worthy sire,
As then declines his vital fire.
Work makes him docile, kind and strong,
Yet do not task his strength too long,
Tho' well he can endure the toil,
And make for man, to till the soil ;
Then when you choose to make him fat,
He'll feed the better all for that.
Surfeit him not, nor feed him mean.
But just these two extremes between;
For food let his appetite be keen,
This keeps his blood and system clean."
— Live atock Journal.
[That's the way he tells the story; and our
readers can draw their own conclusions as to
how far the story is a practical one.]
PACKING EGGS— WHICH END DOWN?
How doctors do disagree ; and if it were
not that there are opinions differing from
both the following, we might be induced to
conclude that both were right.
In the "Kitchen" department of the cur-
rent number of The Housekeeper, we find the
annexed items on "packing eggs."
" In whatever position an egg lies the yolk
will always be gradually settling to the lower
side, and the moment it rests on the shell it
begins to spoil. In fresh eggs the yolk is
nearer to the large end ; moreover, the white
in the small end is firmer, more solid, conse-
quently the yolk has farther to go, and meets
with more resistance before reaching the
shell when set on the small end."
In the adjoining column a diflerent writer
speaks in this wise :
"There has always existed a great difler-
ence of opinion as to which end down eggs
should be packed for winter use. W. H.
Todd, the well-known Ohio breeder of poultry,
writes us as follows, giving, as it seems to us,
sound reasons for packing them larger end
down. He says: 'The air chamber is in the
larger end, and if that is placed down the
yolk will not break through and touch the
shell, and thereby spoil. Anottier thing, if
the air chamber is down the egg is not as
liable to shrink away."
Both these plans insist on preventing the
yolk from touching the shell, in order to pre-
vent "spoiling." In that they agree, but
seem to disagree as to the manner in which
that result can best be secured.
Mr. W. J. Fyle, of W-est Chester, says :
Eggs will keep for one month, and hatch well
if they are laid on their sides, instead of
standing on either end, but not air-tight.
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
101
■When standing on one end the "spiral cord "
attached to each end is on a strain. This
cord is attached to the yolk and suspends it
in the centre, and keeps the same side of the
yolk uppermost all tlie time, each one being
twisted the contrary way. You can tnrn the
shell but not the yolk ; therefore, on the side
is the proper way to keep them.
It is true Mr. P.'s system relates to breed-
ing and the others to pnckinrj for market ;
yet, inasmuch as it covers nearly two months,
it might just be as good a way to keep eggs as
any other, because the production and con-
sumption of eggs is so rapid and continuous
that there is liardly a two months' supply on
hand at any one time, except in special cases.
We have given these views tliinking our
readers may be able to gather something from
each of them.
HOW TO PRESERVE GRAPES.
Will some of our patrons try the following
remedy to preserve grapes in a fresh and
luscious state beyond the usual grape season^.
We find it in the columns of an esteemed con,
temporary, but we are not able to vouch for
its practicability. The remedy is simple and
may be easily tried :
" Travelers say that the Chinese have a
method of preserving grapes so as to have
them at command during the entire year by
cutting a circular piece out of a ripe pumpkin
or gourd, making an aperture large enough to
admit the haTid. Tlie interior is then "com-
pletely cleaned out, the ripe grapes are placed
inside, and the cover replaced and pressed in
firmly. The pumpkins are then kept in a
cool place, and the grapes will be found to
retain their freslmess for a very longtime."
We would gratuitously suggest, that the
pumpkin be thoroughly ripe— else a rot miglit
follow— and that the " plug " be so cut as to
be self-wedging when it is replaced — that is,
the knife should be inserted obliquely so as to
make the plug or stopper widest at the outer
part; so shaped, that it could not be pushed
through.
MONTHLY REMINDERS.
In the Middle States, this, like .June, is a
month of labor, in the garden. Weeds are
in rapid growth, plants are to set out, seeds
saved, and various matters require attention.
Beans plant for succession. Beets, the Long
Blood and Sugar ; also Mangold Wurzel may
be planted for stock, as late as first of July.
June is, however, much better. Beets, for
late AVinter and Spring use, may now be
sown. Cabbage plant. The Winter sorts of
Cabbage should now be planted out ; where
many are to be transplanted it is proper to
await a suitable time — a heavy rain or show-
ery weather ; but in a small garden Cabbages
may be transplanted almost at any season, by
careful watering, and, if need be, shading.
Celery plant. Endive .sow. Peas, a few may
be sown ; tliey seldom do well at this season.
Turnips sow.
Drumhead Savoy Cabbage.
An excellent Winter and Spring family
Cabbage, partaking partially of the size of
the Drumhead and the curled leaves of the
Savoy. Market-gardeners usually find it pro-
fitable to provide a limited quantity for dis-
criminating customers; for family use, it is
only equaled by the Curled Savoy. It may
reaclily be kept until late in Spring, and ap-
pears to improve by the process of ripening-
becoming marrow-like and free from the rank
flavor which sometimes attaches to the Cab-
bage. It really seems incredib.e that with
such a variety as this attainable that people
should be found cultivating the "Mammoth
Drumhead," except for pigs; and is poor
food for them in comparison with Beets, Pars-
nips, Carrots and other Roots which may be
provided at moderate cost.
With progress in every art, and improving
taste in all which interests us, it is curious to
observe the persistence with which some peo-
ple stick to old and obsolete varieties of vege-
tables— satisfied with what was familiar to
them in their youth— apparently unconscious
the world is moving onward, and satisfied to
pick up tlieir garden-seeds at the cross-roads
store, where they may have been depo.sited
for sale by an itinerant seed-seller- the rem-
nant, perchance, of a box exposed elsewhere
the preceding year.
It is not agreeable to make such comments,
but this publication is designed for public
benefit, and it becomes a duty to point out
error. — Landreth^s lliirul lirginter.
Contributions.
For The Lancasteb Fabmeb.
SUMMER TIME.
Summer time Is coming now,
Summer time is here ;
And we sit beneath the bough,
When the sky Is clear.
For the sun Is burning hot,
And we love the shade ;
And the sweet forcet-me-not
Hides within the glade.
And we love the cooling breeze,
As it fans our brow ;
Coming through the leafy trees,
Ah ! that sound is now.
Out upon the harvest field,
Wliere the men do reap ;
Gather in the golden yield,
Pile it up on heap.
Some do rake and bind the sheaves,
Others load the wain ;
Some do hear the rustling leaves, ^
Soon it will give rain.
Some do haul it to the barn,
There to store away ;
Vfe can lessons from them learn
For a future day.
Hark ! I hear the dinner bell,
Pealing out so clear ;
As it echoes through the dell,
Giving them fresh cheer.
Now we hear the farmer's voice,
Calling to the men ;
" Till this evening we'll rejoice,
For the grain is in."
Gather all the precious gold,
Every sheaf but one ;
And at eve we'll raise the pole,
When the work is done.
For the little feathered tribe
Cannot live on air;
And we ought, while it is ripe.
Give at least a share."
Hark ! we hear the thunder roll,
See the lightning Hash ;
And anon descends the bolt
AVith a deafening crash.
And the rain comes pouring down,
Filling all our springs.
And the dry and parching ground,
Now the farmer sings.
For he thinks of shriveled corn
That does need the rain.
And of weary limbs so worn.
That can rest again.
Farmers with their busy bands,
Woik with iron will ;
And they want no idle hands,
They cannot stand still.
For the summer slips apast.
Ere we think it near ;
But the wealth we have amassed,
Sometimes costs us dear. — Leoline.
For The LAtJCASTF.n Fahmeh.
LARGE CATFISH.
Dear Editor : As promised in a former
letter, I will give a little sketch of our big
fish that dwell in this big, muddy stream.
There are two varieties of the cat tribe.
The one called the 131ack or Channel cat. Tliis
one is usually found in the swift currents, and
seems to follow in the wake of the steam-
boats, as they are often caught with food in
their stomachs that is thrown overboard.
Nothing seems to come ami.ss ; from a dish
of potatoes to the shin-bone of an ox. They
also prey upon their own species, as they are
frequently taken with one of their own sort,
nearly half their own length, inside of them.
One instance, close here, three fish were
taken on one snood; one of about two pounds
took the bait, anotiier of about ten pounds
swallowed tliis one, when a thirty pounder
gobbled this one, and wtis taken in ; the hook
still remaining in the small one's mouth. Re-
member this is not a fish story, but a fact.
I have never caught any of tliese big fish,
but have witnessed with great satisfaction the
operations. Some years ago I helped to -skin
one that measured live feet eight inches in
length, measured fourteen inches between the
eyes, and weighed one hundred and eighty-
five pounds. When the head was cut oft a
little three year old boy present miglit easily
have crawled through its mouth. Tlie manner
in which this fellow was caught may be new to
some of your readers and therefore 1 will give
it. Large hooks are used, fastened to the lines
about three feet long, baited with old bacon,
dead birds, chicken entrails, or in fact almost
any kind of meat. This short line is tied to
the handle of a jug tightly corked ; a block of
light wood will also answer. Thus provided,
a skift" is rowed up the river as far as it is in-
tended to fish down. These blocks or j..g8
are cast afloat, considerably scattered, and as
they float down the stream the fishermen let
their craft follow. It is a pretty sight to look
at ten to twenty of these afloat, and when one
begins to bob there is excitement : but now is
the time to keep cool, for it is well to let the
fish tire himself before taking it in. At the
proper time they approach quickly but quietly;
one takes the jug or block in hand and raises
the fish, while another stands with a sharp
hook, with which he strikes the fish and helps
the other to lift it into the skift. This latter
is no small task when a very large one.
Another plan is similar to the mode in the
eastern streams called outlines, here trot
lines ; which 1 think should be taut, as they
are stretched pretty tightly.
The Yellow or Mud Catfish are heavier in
proportion to their length, and dwell in still
water, where there is plenty of mud.
This is very dillerent fishing from what I
did years ago in the Pequea creek, six miles
southeast of your city.— -S. Miller, Bluffton,
Misaouri.
For The Lanoasteh Farheb.
A GLIMPSE OF THE WEST.
Editor Lancaster Farmer : In these
days of unusual migration, when almost
every one has a frieiid or relative in the
West, those in the East usually feel an in-
terest in their welfare ; and especially while
so many reports are circulated of the priva-
tions they have to endure, and the homesick-
ness they sufler on the rainless, treeless and
shelterless praii'ies of Kansas, Nebraska and
othe. States.
A few weeks' travel in Kansas, where I
came in contact with a large percentage of
Pennsylvauians, not a few of which were
former residents of our own garden county, I
tliink justifies me to make a brief report of
what 1 saw and heard.
The colony from this and neighboring
counties, which settled in Dickinson county
this spring, have nearly all located, and seem
quite at home ; no complaints were heard,
and homesickness is emphatically denied.
And, although they are obliged to put up
with some inconveniences to which they were
unused in the East, they have no doubt al-
ready imbibed some of the go-ahead spirit so
characteristic to western people, that a few
years hence they will be pretty well fixed,
unless some unusual or unexpected reverses
should befall them.
To the eastern explorer who has never
before seen a prairie, this reputed rainless
desert presents attractions of which, " in his
philosophy," he had never dreamed. The
broad, living green expanse of level and
rolling prairie, interspersed with bluffs 20 to
50 feet in height, presents landscapes truly
enchanting to the beholder. The rivers, as
also the smaller streams, are lined with tim-
ber, which adds charm to the scenery.
The many beautiful and fragrant flowers,
i02
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
amid the songs of the meadow lark, prairie
hen, and many other feathered songsters,
make travel by no means monotonous.
The social character of the citizens of
Kansas is a feature which will attract new-
comers and cause them to feel quite at home.
The stiff formality, so prevalent in the East,
is almost unknown liere. The honest, industri-
ous comer is heartily welcomed, and receives
all the necessary encouragement to become a
permanent citizen. But woe to the tramp,
the liquor guzzler and the thief, lu all my
travels through the State I met none of these
characters, knowing them to be such. The
latter, of course, can move in disguise, but 1
met an officer, with a span of fast horses, in
hot pursuit of law-breakers, and was then
confident of capturing his game, having
traveled 140 miles.
Society is as good as in any other State.
The progressive spirit of the people of Kansas
has carried innovation upon the customs of
the older States, and instead of foUowiug in
the old ruts they are leading many of the
older States. For example, tne Stale Board
of Agriculture was organized years betore
that of our State ; and their museum, in the
Capitol at Topeka, would be a credit to the
old Keystone State. There are displayed
cereals and grasses in great variety ; some
from other countries.
The botanical, entomological and ornitho-
logical departments are wellhlled, as also that
of native wild animals and reptiles. Textiles
and textile fabrics, fossils and minerals, be-
sides many other objects of interest, all make
up a display which much older States might
envy. The remarkable fertility of the soil,
with so small a percentage that is not tillable,
justifies its claim to become the leading agri-
cultural State in the Union.
In fact, it is already established in wheat
culture, as the crops in 1878 was 32,0U0,UUU
bushels, which was above the yield of any
other State. The present crop, however,
will be a partial failure, evidently in conse-
quence of so large a proportion having been
plowed and sowed too late, amid extreme
drouth, followed by a severe winter and dry
spring. In corn products it will be first, as
soon as there is sufficient live stock raised to
make the crop marketable in less bulk. The
condition of the present crop appears better
than that of any other State through which I
passed westward.
In pomology, the State will soon stand
among the first. At an altitude of 800 feet
above the sea level in the eastern, to a,000 in
the western part of the State, with soils well
adapted, its horticultural resources justity
these predictions, and especially when we
consider the results already attained in the
eas ern section of the State. The larger por-
tion of the State lying south of the 3yth
parallel, makes the season three to four weeks
longer than with us, and the winters generally
less rigid. An abundance of water is ob-
tained at a deptli generally averaging less
than thirty feet. Excellent buildmg stone is
easily obtained in many parts ot the State.
The question will then naturally arise, are
there then no drawbacks there to the actual
settler ? Certainly there are, but not so many
as are generally reported. Lack of timber
(except in the eastern part) is probably the
most prominent, but at the present rate of
planting it may become a well-timbered State.
In short, where we find permanent settlers of
six to ten years or more, the appearances are
quite homelike, and by no means so uninviting
as some writers would have us believe.—
H. M. E.
[July,
For The Lancaster Faemer.
THE MOON'S INFLUENCE.
Editor Lancaster Farjier : In my
communication, published in the May num-
ber ot your valuable journal, in reply to
J. G., while giving some reasons for doubting
that the changes or signs of the moon have
any appreciable influence on the weather or
the growth of vegetation, I admitted that it
is by facts and experience, rather than by ab-
stract reasoning or theory, that the question
in dispute must be settled ; and added :
"If, however, J. G. can show by a series of care-
fully conducted experiments, by himself or others,
extending over a considerable space of time, that
ihe signs or changes of the moon have the effects
attributed to them, or any sensible effect on the crops,
then we will have to admit that he is justified in his
belief. Until that is done it cannot be expected that
intelligent agriculturists will generally adopt his
theory,"
To this call, or challenge, J. G. has not yet
made any response ; but another writer who
signs himself ''A Seeker after Truth,-" comes
to the rescue in the :June number of The
Farmer. Instead, however, of favorin" your
readers with the "series of experiments " I
asked for,he contents himself with givino-two
or three isolated cases, where, as he says', the
facts corresponded with the theory he upholds.
The first case he mentions is that of two post
fences he had erected, some thirty-five years
ago, on the opposite sides of a lane. One of
these fences was set when the sign was m and
the other, about two weeks later, when the
sign ivas down. A year or so afterwards he
noticed that the bottom rails in the former re-
mained up so high as to permit small pi<js to
creep under, while in the latter the fence set-
tled down so that the bottom rails touched
the ground.
Tnis is the only fact "A Seeker" adduces
to prove that the changing signs of the moon
have the particular inttuence he here attributes
to them. Suppose he had ascertained a year
or so after the fences were built that one of
them was set in the morning and the other in
the evening, would it not be quite as reason-
able to conclude that it was the sun's ascen-
sivn and descension as the moon's, that held
one fence up and forced the other down y He
does not tell us whether they were both set at
the same time of day, or whether rains or
frosts had intervened, or whether the nature
of the soil was precisely the same on the two
sides of the lane ; yet from one single coinci-
dence he would have us to infer infallibly
that the moon and the moon alone was ac-
couutable for the difference in the level of the
fences. It may be said that many others
have had similar experience of the moon's
mtiuence on fences, &c., and no doubt such is
the tact. But all such testimony is utterly
worthless so long as each or all of the wit-
nesses have only to offer one or a few isolated
or selected experiments which make in favor
of their theory. In that way any theory,
however groundless, can be made to appear
plausible to those whose range of knowledt^e
and reasoning powers are confined within
very narrow limits. Give me leave to select
niy experiments, and I could prove to the
satisfaction ot one-half of the people that
exactly the opposite effects follow the changes
ot the signs from those now attributed to
them.
But look at the absurdity of the belief, in
this case of " Seeker's " two fences. Did the
moon's influence cease to operate on them
after the first two weeks ? If the posts being
set when the sign was up were thereby pre-
vented from settling in the ground while the
sign continued up, what was to prevent it
from being forced down as soon as the sign
changed, so that after it had the full effects
of an alternate up sign and a down sign, the
force in one direction would neutralize that
in the other, and leave the fence just where
it would have been if the moon had had no-
thing to do with the matter ; and the same
with the other fence, that was set in the
down sign V I hope " A Seeker after Truth "
will show us how this is, if he can.
When this writer assumes that an "amateur
farmer" must have plenty of leisure, he is not
altogether logical. Horace Greeley was an
amateur farmer, yet he led one of the busiest
lives of any man of his day. The respected
editorof The Lancaster Farmer is another
instance. And for my part I have generally
been kept quite as busy, at one thing and
another, as the average of practical farmers.
Nevertheless I found time to adopt "A
Seeker's" advice to some extent, even before
he gave it. I have "honestly" tried quite a
number of experiments, at different times,
and made some observations in regard to the
effect of the moon's changes on the weather,
the crops. &c., and I am compelled to say that
I have not been able to discover that there is
anything in the sign theory wjatever. During
this very spring and summer I made a test
which a believer in the signs recommended to
me. by laying down bricks on a grass plot,
first wlien the sign was down and afterwards
when the sign was up, leaving them on each
occasion the same length of time and until
the sign changed. I repeated the experiment
several times, and I declare that I was entire-
ly unable to perceive any difference in the
settling down of the bricks or the deadness of
the grass under them, between those placed
during the up sign and those in the down sign.
Another of "A Seeker's " cases is that of
his killing briers lu a fence row by digging
them up on a particular day in August. ~ As
he does not say it was in any particular sign
of the moon, I don't see what this has to do
with the question in hand. But I have been
told by ))ractical farmers that briers will
always be killed by cutting them off in
August, without reference to the "sign."
The case of the lady who ahvays trans-
planted her flowers when the moon was
passing through the sign of Libra, and there-
by kept them clear of insects (apliids), is the
last and only remaining one "A Seeker"
adduces ; and it may be allowed to pass with
the remark that as she never tried trans-
planting in any other sign, her opinion cannot
be regarded as very conclusive, especially
when it is considered that plenty of ladies
may be found that are never troubled with
aphids on their flowers, who pay no attention
to the signs when they transplant them.
Now, a word about "A Seeker's" slur on
Dr. Lardner. This eminent scientist, it ap-
pears, once jj?'efZic<ecZ that steam power could
not be used profitably as a motor to cross the
ocean. And because he is proved to have been
mistaken in that opinion, our "Seeker after
Truth" would whistle him down the wind as
though he were a man of no account and not
worthy of belief wlien he relates facts that
have already transpired 1 If a man is ever so
mistaken in opinion as to what may happen
in the future, does that destroy his credibility
as a witness when he tells us what has taken
place in the past ? I beg leave to difler with
the illiberal critic who thinks so. But aside
from the conclusions of Dr. Lardner, what
has this writer, who so much despises his
opinions, to say of the fact related by him,
and which I believe has not been disputed,
that complete registers of the weather kept
throughout Europe lor fifty to a hundred
years show that there has been no correspon-
dence between the changes of the moon and
the changes of the weather. Also that a long
course of experiments have proved that there
is no foundation for the belief that trees
should be grafted, or timber felled, or vegeta-
bles planted, in one sign or phase of the moon
rather than in anotlier. And such appears
to be the unanimous opinion of all persons
of whom we haveany knowledge, thathave in-
vestigated the subject' carefully, thoroughly
and scientifically. Can the believers in the
potency of the signs point to a single man,
within the last hundred years, with enough
astronomical knowledge to calculate an eclipse
or the times of the moon's rising and setting,
who has any belief in their theory V If not,
how do they account for the remarkable fact,
that it is only those who are confessedly
ignorant of planetary laws and motions that
have correct notions ot planetary influences?
Chambers's Encyclopedia, a work of very
high authority, in its article on the "Moon,"
speaks of the belief in the influence of the
moon's changes or age in respect to killing
animals for food, sowing seeds of various
kinds, &c., &c., as " a superstition " that pre-
vailed among the common people in England
in the seventeenth century ; from which expres-
sion it appears that the belief in question is
no longer held by any class of people in Eng-
18?9.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
d03
land ; and I do not think we ought to feel
proud if this old, discarded English supersti-
tion has emigrated to these shores and 'found
a final cherished home among the honest but
too credulous farmers of Lancaster county.—
Amateur Farmei; Lancaster, .Tub/ 1, 187il.
Selections.
THE CROPS OF THE COUNTRY.
Government Reports of Cotton and Wheat
Prospects.
The returns to the Uei)artment of Agricul-
ture indicate an increase in tlie area planted
in cotton of somewhat over 2 per cent. Tlie
percentage, as compared with the acreage of
1878, is as follows: North Carolina, 47 coun-
ties reporting, 100; South Carolina, 18 coun-
ties, 100; Georgia, 71 counties, 102; Florida,
12 counties, 97; Alabama, 28 counties, 103;
Mississippi, 3<) counties, 100; Louisiana, 18
counties, 08; Texas 58 counties, 107: Arkan-
sas, 40 counties, 101; Tennessee, 18 counties,
103. The average condition is not so high as
last year, being 00, while in 1878 it was 00.
'ihe stand is generally good, but about two
weeks late.
Winter Wheat— The June returns show
that the average condition of winter wheat is
90, against 98 last year. The I'acifio coast is
considerably over the average, Oregon rising
to 104. Tlie South Atlantic States average
90, South Carolina reporting 108 and Georgia
112. The .States north of the Ohio river ave-
rage 95, Tndiana reaching 103. New England
averages 94, the Southern Inland States, 88,
the Middle States 80, the Gulf States 83, and
the trans-Mississippi States, 79. Drought
has been felt more or less severely in all parts
of the country. From the South come some
co-.uplaints of Winter-killing, and from the
North and "West, of the Hessian tly. Grass-
hoppers have also been heard of beyond the
Mississippi.
Sj^ring Wheat— The acreage sown this
spring is about 4 per cent, increase over last
spring. On the Pacific coast, California re-
ports over 10 per cent, increase, while Ore-
gon falls oir 1 per cent. The trans-Mississippi
States and New England States increase 5
per cent. Texas retains her previous acreage.
Of the Slates north of the Ohio river, Ohio
and Indiana make no reports of Spring wheat,
the other three States fall off 3 per cent.
Minnesota increases 9 per cent, while Iowa
decreases 1 per cent. The Middle States fall
off 10 per cent. The condition of Spring
wheat Is about the same as Winter wheat—
90, all the States being below the average.
Tlie crop has been subject to the same cli-
matic iuHuences as Winter wheat.
In the Territories wheat-raising has ad-
vanced westward more rapidly than statisti-
cal inquiries have been able to reach. There
is a vast increase here, which must be left to
subsequent inquiry. The department has in-
formation that one county in Dakota, which
last year sowed only .50 acres, has this year
under vigorous growth over 4,000 acres. Many
other cases of very large increase are re-
ported.
THE USE OF THE FEET IN SOWING
AND PLANTING.*
It may be useless to throw out any sugges-
tions relative to horticultural operations to
such a body of practical men as is now before
me. Yet I candidly admit that although I
have been extensively engaged in gardening
operations for over a quarter of a century, I
did not fully realize until a few years ago the
full importance of how indispensable it was
to use the feet in the operations of sowing
and planting.
Particularly in the sowing of seeds, I con-
sider the matter of such vast importance that
it cannot be too often or too strongly told,
fbrUie loss to the agricultural and horticul-
•Keaa before the American Association of Nurserrmsn
»t Cleveland, Ohio, Juno ISth, 1879, by Peter Headefson,
tural community by the neglect of the simple
operation of firming the so-1 around seed
must amount to many millions annually.
From the middle of April to nearly the eiid
of May of this year, in many sections of the
country there was little or no rain ; such was
particularly the case in the vicinity of New
York, where we have hundreds of market
gardeners who cultivate thousands of acres of
cabbage, cauliHower and celery, but the "dry
spring " has played sad havoc witli their seed
bed.s. Celery is not one-fourth of a crop, and
cabbage and caulillower hardly half, and this
failure is due to no other cause than that they
persist in sowing their seeds without ever
taking the precaution to firm the soil by rolling.
We sow annually about four acres of celery,
cabbage and caulillower plants, which pro-
duces probably five millions in number, and
which we never fail to sell mostly in our
immediate neighborhood to the market gar-
deners, who liave many of tliem even better
facilities than we have for raising these
plants, if they would only do as we do, firm
the seed after sowing, which is done thus :
After plougliing, harrowing and leveling the
land smoothly, lines are drawn by the
"marker" which makes a furrow about two
inches deep and a foot apart ; after tlie man
who sows the seed follows another, who with
the ball of the right foot presses down his full
weight on every inch of soil in the drill where
the seed has been sown; the rows are then
lightly leveled longitudinally with the rake; a
light roller is then passed over it, and the
operation is done.
By this method our crop has never once
failed, and what is true of celery and cabbage
seed is nearly true of all other seeds requiring
to be sown during the late spring or summer
months.
On July 2d, of 1874, as an experiment, I
sowed twelve rows of sweet corn and twelve
rows of beets, treading in after sowing ev( ry
alternate row of each. In both cases those
trod in came up in four days, while those un-
firmed remained twelve days before starting,
and would not then have germinated had rain
not fallen, for the soil was dry as dust when
planted.
The result was that the seeds that had been
trodden in grew freely from the start and
matured their crops to a marketable conxlition
by Fall, while the rows unfirmed did not
mature, as they were not only eight days later
in germinating, but the plants were also to
some extent enfeebled by being partially dried
in the loose, dry soil.
This experiment was a most useful one, for
it proved that a corn crop, sown in the vicinity
of New Vork, as late as July 2d, could be
made to produce "roasting ears" in October,
when they never fail to sell freely at high
rates, but the crop would not mature unless
the seed germinated at once, and which would
never be certain, at that dry and hot season,
unless by this method.
The same season in August, I treated seeds
of turnip and spinach in the same way ; those
trod in germinated at once and made an ex-
cellent crop, while those unfirmed germinated
feebly and were eventually nearly all burned
out by a continuance of dry, hot air pene-
trating through the loose soil to the tender
rootlets.
Of course this rule of treading in or firming
seeds after sowing musb not be blindly fol-
lowed. Very early in spring or late in fall
when the soil is damp and no danger from
heated, dry air, there is no necessity to do so,
or even at other seasons the soil may be in a
suitable condition to sow, and yet to be too
damp to be trodden upon or rolled ; in such
cases these operations may not be necessary
at all, for if rainy weather ensue the seeds
will germinate of course ; but if there is any
likelihood of continued drouth the treading
or rolling may be done a week or so after
sowing, if it is at such a season as there is
reason to believe that it may suffer from the
dry, hot air.
Now, if firming the soil around seed to pro-
tect it from the influence of a dry and hot
atmosphere is a necessity, it is obvious that it
is even more so in the case of plants, whose
rootlets are even more sensitive to such in-
fiuence than the dormant seed.
Experienced professional horticulturists,
however, are less likely to neglect this than
to neglect in the case of seeds, for the damage
from such neglect is easier to be seen, and
hence better understood by the practical. nur-
seryman, but with the unexperienced ama-
teur the case is dilferent ; when he receives
his package of trees or plants from the nur-
seryman, he handles them as if they were
glass, every broken twig or root calls forth a
comiilaint, and he proceeds to plant them
gingerly, straightening out each root and
sifting ihe soil around them, but he would no
more stamp down that soil than he would
stamp on the soil of hi.s mother's grave. So
the i)lant in nine cases out of ten is left loose
and waggling, the dry air penetrates through
the soil to its roots, the winds shake it and it
shrivels up and fails to grow ; then comes the
anathemas on the head of the unfortunate
nurseryman who is charged with selling him
dead trees or plants.
About a month ago I sent a package of a
dozen roses by mail to a lady in Savannah ;
she wrote me a woeful story last week saying
that though the roses had arrived seemingly
all right, they had all died but one, and what
was very singular, she said, the one that
lived was the one that Mr. Jones had stepped
on, and which she had thought sure was
crushed to death, for Mr. Jones weighs 200
9>a. Now though we do not advise any
gentleman of 200 lbs. putting his brogans on
the top of a tender rose plant as a practice
conducive to its health, yet if Mrs. Jones could
have allowed her weiglity lord to press the
soil against the root of each of her dozen
roses I much doubt if she would now have
had to mourn their loss.
It has often been a wonder to many of us
who have been workers in the soil for a gen-
eration, liow some of the simplest methods of
culture have not been practiced until we were
nearly done with life's work. There are few
of us but have had such experience ; per-
sonally, I must say that 1 never pass through
a year but I am confounded to find that some
operation cannot only be quicker done, but
better done than we have been in the habit of
doing it. These improvements loom up from
various causes, but mainly from suggestions
thrown out by our employees in ch ;rge of
special departments, a system which we do all
in our power to encourage. As a proof of the
value of such improvements which have led
to simplifying our operations, I will state the
fact that though my area of green-house sur-
face is now more than double that which
it was in 1870, and the land used in our
llorist business oue-tliiid more, yet the num-
ber of hands employed is less now than in
1870, and yet at the same time the quality of
our stock is infinitely better now than then.
Whether it is the higher price ol labor in this
country that forces us into labor-saving ex-
pedients, or the interchange of opinions trom
the greater number of nationalities centering
here that gives us broader views of culture, I
am not prepared to state, but that America
is now selling nearly all the products of the
green-house, garden, nursery and farm, lower
than is done in Europe, admits of no question,
and if my homely suggestions in this matter
of finning the soil around newly-planted seeds
and plants will in any degree assist us in still
holding to the front,! will be gratified.
DISINFECTION.
The State Board of II?alth of Massachu-
setts have lately given to the public the fol-
lowing useful information on the above sub-
ject :
Recent experiments made under the direc-
tion of the International Cholera Commission
have shown that the ordinary methods of dis-
infection are inefficient, and in practice they
have often failed to arrest the spread of infec-
tious disea.ses.
As it is impossible to experiment directly
104
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[July,
upon the unknown low organisms, which are
thought to be the means of transporting the
various infectious diseases, the effects of chlo-
rine and sulphurous acid were studied upon
known living organisms ; the probabihties be-
ing thought to be in favor of the theory that
complete disinfection should destroy at least
all known forms of life, although it may be
true that the tenacity of life of the infective
matter of various diseases diflers, just as the
deeree of cold necessary to put a stop to yel-
low fever is much less than that required to
arrest the spread of cholera.
Chlorine and sulphur fumes, in sufficient
quantity, were found to be efficient iu killing
insects, fungi, bacteria and infusoria ; tlie ob-
jections to chlorine iu houses being that it
is more costly, that its use is more difficult,
and that it destroys metals, textile fabrics and
colors.
The burning of ten grammes of sulphur for
each cubic meter of air space, tightly closed,
was found not to kill bacteria, infusoria, or
all insects ; twenty grammes, however, were
proved to be sufficient for that purpose. One
volume of water, when saturated at 59° Fah.,
absorbs tliirty-seven volumes of sulphurous
acid— enough to kill all the low organisms
found in putrid water.
The followiug articles were found uninjured
after several hours' exposure to an atmosphere
in which twenty grammes of sluphur had
been burned to every cubic meter of air space:
A clock of steel and brass, rusty and clean
nails, gold and silver money, a military epau-
let, various colored silk articles, a colored rug,
calicOj down pillows, a gilt-framed looking-
glass, books, water in an uncorked bottle,
flour, meat, salt, bread, apples, cinnamon,
vanilla, cigars, wall-paper, oil-paintings, var-
nished articles, gas fixtures, water fixtures ;
a highly polished razor bad a slightly clouded
appearance on its upper side, but that was
easily rubbed ott'. The flour and meat were
cooked and eaten, and the cigars were smoked,
without any abnormal taste or smell being ob-
served ; in the bread some of the observers
noticed a slightly acid taste, the inside portion
of the apples was unchanged, the skin wa?
slightly sour ; the water, after standing, had
an acid reaction, but no decided taste or
smell. Litmus paper placed between the
leaves of books and under the carpet was
turned bright red. Many of the articles ex-
posed had a decided smell of sulphur at first,
but that soon disappeared.
Experiments seem to show that clothing,
bedding and other articles may be disinfected
without being changed chemically or injured;
and it should be added that practically this
method has apparently accomplished perfect
disinfectiou, as tested iu Berlin.
If we may judge from these results, effec-
tive disinfection, by burning sulphur, requires
eighteen ounces to each space of one thousand
cubit feet. The sulphur should be broken in
small pieces, burned ever a vessel of water or
sand, so as to avoid danger from fire, and, if
the room is large, it should be put in separate
vessels in ditt'erent places. The room should
be tightly closed for six hours and then aired
it ij better that the room should be warm than
cold. Of course, efficiently disinfected air is,
during the process of disinfection, irrespirable.
Most articles may be disinfected in this way,
if hung up loosely in the fumigated chamber'
although it would be an additional safeguard
to expose anything thick, like a bed-mattress,
to prolonged heat at a temperature of about
240° Fah. , and, indeed, heat must, with our
present knowledge, be considered the best dis-
infectant. With this end in view, local boards
of health are advised to procure furnaces and
laundries, as is commonly done in other coun-
tries, to be used for the sole purpose of disin-
fecting articles which have been exposed to in-
fectious diseases,as recommended in the Ninth
Annual Report of the State Board of Health,
and described by Dr. A. H. Johnson, is an
exhaustive paper on scarlet fever (pp. 225 et
seq.), in that report. Of course, a much sim-
pler disinfecting furnace than that described
will answer every purpose. For ordinary use,
in disinfecting houses, the sulphur process is
the best.
A solution of chloride of zinc (one part of
Burnett's disinfecting fluid to two hundred of
water) very quickly kills bacteria which have
been placed in it, and arrests putrefaction.
Caustic lime serves equally as well (1 to 100),
but leaves a sediment not always easy to re-
move. Carbolic acid in sufficient strength to
be effective (1 to 100) is more expensive and
of disagreeable odor.
It is needless to add that " disinfectants "
used iu sufficient quantities to destroy bad
smells do not necessarily kill microscopic liv-
ing organisms; and it is not supposed that
they directly influence the so called "germs"
of the infectious diseases, unless concentrated
to the extent which has been mentioned.
Finally, fresh, pure air acts as one of the
best '-disinfectants " by enormously diluting
the infectious matter, and, under certain coi>
ditions, including time, must render it inert
to all effect, even if not quickly destroying it,
as many think is the case.
SUGAR FROM INDIAN CORN AND
SORGHUM.
An Important Statement Before the State
Board of Agriculture.
One of the most important papers presented
during the late session of the Board was that
submitted by Mr. F. L. Stewart, of Murrays-
ville, Westmoreland county. Pa., and read
by Mr. Florence J. Smith. Samples of the
sugar were submitted for the inspection of the
delegates.
In presenting at this time a brief account
of the new process of sugar luauufacture,
with which my name is associated, it will be
necessary for me to allude particularly to the
history of my researches in this line of work,
inasmuch as all the tacts of that sort which
the general public cares to inquire about have
been published. But it affords me great sat-
isfaction, as a Pennsylvauian, to be able to
say that my first systematic experiments di-
rected to the extraction of sugar from the
juice of the green stems of Indian corn were
made in Philadelphia, where I went the Cen-
tennial year, and that the fruits of that work
were exhibited at the International Exhibi-
tion a few days before it closed. I have re-
sponded to an invitation to exhibit the pro-
cess now perfected in practical operatiou in
the hall of the Permanent Exhibition, during
the continuance of the approaching State
Fair.
Briefly described, the process deals with
saccharine juices containing in their normal
condition both cane and fruit sugars, the
former largely preponderating.
I recognize three distinct cla.sses of saccha-
rine juices, viz :
First. Those like the tropical sugar cane
and the beet, which, when their juices are
mature, contain in association with other sub-
stances true crystal I izable sugar only.
Second. Those like most fruits, such as the
apple and the grape, which, whatever their
composition otherwise, contain no true sugar
but only glucose, etc.
Third. Those like maize and sorghum,
which have not heretofore been generally re-
cognized as distinct, containing, in their best
condition, both cane sugar and uncrystalliz-
able sugar, but which, by reason of the de-
fective modes of treatment heretofore resort-
ed to, have proved practically uncrystallizable.
The difficulties are now entirely removed.
It is now clearly shown that the juices of
maize and sorghum grown in the United
States are richer in sugar of the true cane
type than any other plants that can be grown
intemperate latitudes; that nine-ter,ths of
their saccharine matter is such sugar, and
that the impediments to crystallization are
such as are peculiar to these jjlants.
Accordingly, I find that neither the pro-
cesses adapted to the extraction of sugar from
the Southern cane, nor the much more elabo-
rate or costly methods of the beet-sugar man-
ufactureres in Europe, are appropriate to the
successful extraction of sugar from these
plants, which in this case involves entirely
new conditions and requires radical changes
in the mode of chemical treatment.
Entirely aside and from its advantages as
an antiseptic and a docolorizer, I have dis-
covered a peculiar property in the dioxide of
sulphur when employed upon these juices
under certain conditions, which, heretofore
unknown and unused, now perfectly solves
the problem of the separation and crvstalliza-
tion of the sugar. This is done expeditiously,
cheaply and certainly.
Practically, then, the value of these new
sugar-producing plants may be concisely
stated as follows :
First. The steins of Indian corn, in any of
its many varieties, if taken at the proper stage
of development, as well as those of the differ-
ent varieties of sorghum, contain in great
abundance a saccharine juice scarcely ex-
celled in richness by the sugar cane of Louisi-
ana. The sugar produced by this process is
true crystallized cane sugar. Maize sugar,
it need hardly be said, it is not the so-called
and comparatively worthless "corn-sugar"
sometimes made from the starch of the
ripened grain by a well-known chemical trans-
formation, but it is a natural product of the
immature plant. One hundred pounds of the
stems of the«e plants at the proper period of
their growth, (when the grain is in the milk
in the case of corn and shortly after the flow-
ering period to perfect ripeness in the case
of sorghum) about 87i parts of juice and
12^ parts of woody fibre and insoluble sub-
stances. 12 to 1.5 per cent, of the juice is
crystallized cane sugar,nearly all of which can
be extracted.
Second. The impurities which hinder crys-
tallization, as already said, are of a peculiar
kind, and resist every other known mode of
treatment except that known in this process.
The sugar so made is of as good quality as
that made from the Southern cane or the
beet, and is produced far more easily and
cheaply.
Third. Like the sugar cane and unlike the
beet, these plants possess a saccharine quality
of the juice which is little aftected by the pres-
ence of nitrogenous substances in the soil.
Hence they are adapted to a wide range of
soils, notably those of Jhe Western prairies,
where the beet is a failure.
Fourth. All varieties of Indian corn and
sorghum yield this saccharine juice, and
natural hybridization does not greatly affect
its quality, and hence but little care, compara-
tively, is needed to prevent intermixture of
varieties, although by careful selection, richer
varieties than those now existing will, no
doubt, be produced.
Fifth. The immature corn plant only be-
ing used for this purpose, the sugar may be
produced within a little over tliree months
from the time of planting the seed. Hence
all danger of frost may be avoided in our ex-
treme Northern States, and generally the
ground can be used for producing two crops
in a season— a sugar crop, followed by tur-
nips, etc. In these respects, as well as in
many others, these plants have a great advan-
tage over both the Southern cane and the
beet. Some of the most prolific varieties of
sorghum require but a little longer period to
mature their juice than Indian corn.
Sixth. The yield of sugar per acre from a
single crop will range from 2,000 to 3,000
pounds, or equal to tlie average from the
sugar cane aud the beet at their best, and at
one-half of the cost. The total cost of produc-
tion, including the cultivation of the ground,
the harvesting of the crop, manufacture, in-
terest on machinery employed, chemicals,
royalty, etc., should not exceed 2^ to 3 cents
per pound. The yield of sugar from each
gallon of dense syrup produced will vary from
9 to 11 pounds, averaging 10 pounds. The
yield per acre of ground planted may there-
fore be roughly estimated by the known ca-
pacity of the land in any civen locality to
produce crude sorghum syrup in former years;
200 gallons of dense sorghum syrup, crystal-
I
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
i06
lizing 2,00 pounds or a ton of sugar per acre,
is an easily attainable yield on good soil with
good cultivation and proper crushing mills for
expressing the juiue. Of course, wlvere a crop
of corn is planted for the sugar alone it must
be grown much more densely on the ground
than when the ripened grain is the object.
For example, common field corn sown in
drills, so that the corn stems will stand four
to six inches apart— the rows 3i feet apart—
yields on soil of medium quality an average
of 250 pounds of trimmed stems to each 100
feet in length of the rows, yielding to a
properly-constructed mill at least 00 percent.
{165 pounds) of juiceof specilic gravity, 1.057,
of which ten per cent, (or 10^ pounds) of
sugar is by this process easily extracted, or at
the rate of over a ton of sugar lo the acre of
ground. In compari.son with this, the same
kind of corn, planted in rows the same dis-
tance apart, but in hills averaging three feet
apart and three stems to the hill, so that the
grain may be fully developed in the "roasting-
ear" state, the yield of sugar will be only
about oue-half of that in the former case or
about 1,000 pounds per acre.
Seventh. The hot summer climate of this
portion of North America is unequaled for
the growth of these plants, as the exhibits at
the late luternalional Exhibition at Philadel-
phia fully manifested, and the improved agri-
cultural implements and methods now in use
in maize culture will simplify and cheapen
immeasurable its production.
Eighth. If a combined sugar and grain crop
is desired the largest-stemmed varieties of
sweet corn should be grown. The grain may
be cured by drying when it is in the proper
condition ; but the ears of field corn may be
removed before they harden and fed to stock,
either fresh or dried. There is scarcely any dif-
ference in the saccharine strength of the juice
of "sweet" and field corn. Sorghum, however,
yields more sugar than most varieties of sweet
corn on account of its much larger stems.
Ninth. Great advantage is afforded in the
manufacture of the new sugars, from the cir-
cumstance that the period of cutting and
working the crop into dense syrup occurs at a
time when the season for out-door work is the
most favorable and when the days are long.
No loss is likely to result from inclemency of the
weather. Futhermore, the process of manufac-
ture, when carried on by thissystem, may safely
be arrested at a point where it may be comple-
ted during the winter, when labor is cheap.
Tenth. A large crop of blades and tops for fod-
der, equal to hay — the ripened seed of the cane
— which, when crushed, is equal to oats, and the
oflfal of the sugar factory for manure, are supple-
mentary to the sugar crop and very valuable.
Eleventh. By judicious treatment of the
soil, returning to ij; regularly all that has been
removed from it except the saccharine pro-
duct, a sugar crop is the least exhaustive of
all crops that can be grown, and improvement
of the land is easy and certain. New lands
are equally adapted to it.
Twelfth. The force of the various natural
advantages possessed by these plants in the
United States will be found to be greatly
augmented by the circumstance that the de-
partures from the old processes of manufac-
ture now necessary to be adopted are all in
the direction of greater simplicity, cheapness,
and ease of management in accomplishing the
result — the reverse of what the more complex
nature of these juices would seem to indicate.
It will be found, for example, that the cost of
the manufacture of corn or sorghum sugar in
this country can easily be reduced to less than
one-half the cost of the best sugar manufactured
in Hurope, the aarbonaceous process and the me
of animal charcoal being entirely dispensed with
and the use of the vacuum pan being made un-
necessary, and not even desirable, "except in
the case of the largest central factories.
In concluding this brief summary of the
main facts of this subject, I cannot but ex-
press the surprise which I have felt during the
whole course of these researches that d uring the
century which has elapsed since our birth as a
nation no adequate conception has been reached
of the true value of one of the commonest
products of our soil — our native Indian corn.
The value of the process itself for the prac-
tical manufacture of sugar, independent of
my own work, has been fully determined by
the series of test experiments made with it at
the Department of Agriculture last summer,
under the direction of the Commissioner, by
Professor Collins and by intelligent farmers
in the western country, who were furnished
by me with the chumicals and necessary in-
formation. In no case has there been a single
failure. The experiments already made with
the process at Washington can fully demon-
strate, in the language of the Commissioner,
"that there exists in these two plants a large
amount of sugar, which may be readily ob-
tained, and that the aggregate amount possi-
ble from tills source would be practically un-
limited ;" and in the emphatic statement
with which Professor Collins completes his
special report, "that the experiments have at
least established the fact that there is no
trouble in making sugar from corn and sorg-
hum, and that the sugars obtained were in a
most satisfactory condition, in every respect
comparing most favorably with the best raw
sugar of the market."
If the results already reached are accepted
in their full significance, there can be no
question that we are on the eve of a revolu-
tion in sugar manufacture, and of the rise of
a new and permanent industry in this country.
A DUTCH DAIRY FARM.
Mr. J. Howlett, of Syracuse, N. Y., says
the Ilassachusetls Ploughman, writes from
Europe: "After feeding the horses and rest-
ing a little while, we drove about eight miles
farther on to one of the best stock and dairy
farms in Holland. They used the very same
stable at the farm that they did in the four-
teenth century. They have little rings in the
ceiling with cords passing through tiiem, by
which the cows' tails are held up to keep them
from getting dirty. The stable was carpeted
and had plants and flowers in it. The floor of
the stables was of small bricks. At the back
of the stalls was a trough of masonry about
eight inches wide and nine inches deep, with
a ditch or reservoir of water at one end. As
soon as the trench was dirtied they turned on
the water and all the manure, etc., was car-
ried out to a covered vat, whence it could be
removed to the fields or wherever they want-
ed it moved to. The cows were as clean, if
not cleaner, than your horses. All the fast-
ening they have is a little cord around their
necks, and they are so gentle and quiet that
they do not require anything stronger.
They use brass milk pails instead of wood
or tin ones. We saw the way they make the
round cheeses that are sent to America. They
have wooden molds in the shape of two hem-
ispheres or half balls. These are hollow and
fit together. The cheese curd is roughly
pressed into shape and then placed in the
molds. The lower half of the mold is station-
ary, while the upper part is fastened to a kind
of screw working in a beam overhead. The
upper half is screwed down tight, and the
cheese is left for a week. At the end of a
week it ia screwed down tigliter and left an-
other week. At the end of a third week the
cheese is exposed to the air and the curing
begins. It takes three months for a cheese to
be cured, and a year before it is fit for the
market. Everything was as sweet and neat
as P.ny parlor I ever saw.
The stables and stall for the horses were cov-
ered with matting. You have no idea how clean
everything was, without seeing how it is done.
They use the same kind of churns, the same
kind of cheese presses, and the same kind of
pails, etc., that they did five hundred years
ago. They think it is showing disrespect to
their ancestors to make any improvements in
the implements that their forefathers used.
I inquired the price of the cattle, and found
that the cows cost from 200 to 350 guilders,
and the bulls from 300 to 450 guilders, or in
our money cows from 880 to $140, and bulls
from $120 to $180 or $200 each.
FIGHTING AGAINST TRESPASSING.
We are told that it is a very common im-
pression with people that " by law " they can
shoot trespassing dogs, chickens, pigeons, etc.,
if they only leave them on the ground where
they fall, and do not take them away. And
farther, that some justices of the peace have
the same views, anil freely give this advice to
people who complain of this trespassing nui-
sance. Even were this the law, it is never
wise policy to take this means of destroying
the troublesome property of a neighbor. It
always breeds animosity and hard feelings,
which generally result in greater losses than
the damage done. The friendly remonstrance
will generally prevail, but where this is un-
heeded, a dignified and firm resort to the nui-
sance-law, by which one is compelled to obey
the law, he can fall back on as a last resort.
The quarrel is then between the law and its
violator, and is not likely to take so pfrsonal
a turn as when one is suspected of "poisoning
my chickens," or " shooting my dog."
We very much doubt, however, whether
J,herc be any such law as that tradition reports
there is. If so, many judges and juries do
not seem to know of it, and some destroyers
of trespassing animals do not always get any
benefit from it. We noticed lately a trial in a
neighboring county, of a man for poisoning a
trespassing dog which annoyed him. He con-
fessed that he did, and thought he was justi-
ffed; but judge and jury thought otherwise,
and he was .sentenced to three months' im-
prisonment. Peaceable resorts in all such
cases are the best. It must be a very obsti-
nate and unneighborly man who will not abate
any nuisance of the kind comi)lained of, if
requested in the proper spirit. There is noth-
ing that makes a proper person feel so uncom-
fortable, especially in the country, as having
a bad and unfriendly resident close by him ;
hence trouble should always be avoided if
possible.
HOW CIVILIZATION BENEFITS OUR
BIRDS.
The result of all this is that the aggregate
army of singing birds east of the Mississippi
has "been very considerably enlarged during
the last two centuries, and is still on the in-
crease. This can only be owing to the fact
that by cutting down the forests, etc., man
has tempered the rigor of the winter, has
multiplied the sources of their food, has ap-
pended many additional places suitable for
rearing their young, and has eniibled them to
bring more fledglings to maturity by reducing
the ranks of their enemies. This has not only
augmented their numbers and modified very
appreciably their habits of nesting and migra-
tion, their physical natures and mental char-
acteristics, but probably has even changed their
voices. There is little doubt in my mind that
in making their lives less laborious, apprehen-
sive and solitary, man has left the birds time
and opportunity for far more .singing than their
hard worked, scantily-fed and timorous an-
cestors ever enjoyed ; a privilege a bird is not
slow to make use of.
But on the other hand it seems equally
certain that the music of our more domestic
birds, though greater in volume, is not so
sweet in tone as that of their wilder brethren.
Our street sparrows are naturally, I suppose,
rather harsh voiced; but whatever they might
have been a thousand years ago. they could
hardly be otherwise now, when the rattle-te-
bang of the city pavements has been their
only teacher for many centuries. The mock-
ing bird has learned' lo imitate the creak of
the farmer's wheelbarrow— no dulcet sound —
and the scream of the farmer's boy. Many
of the sounds constantly uttered by men and
evoked by their work are anything but melo-
dious, and young birds born and bred in their
midst must surely turn out less sweet and
accomplished singers than if reared among
the gentle whisperings of leafy woods, and
learning music only from the golden -mouthed
minstrels of the sylvan choii.— Sunday After-
noon for June.
loe
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
Our Local Organizations.
AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICUL-
TURAL SOCIETY.
The Lancaster County Agriculrural and Horticul-
tural Society met Monilav afternoon, July 14th, in
their rooms, in the Ci'y Hall.
The meetina: was called to order by the President,
Calvin Cooper.
The followini; members and visitors were present:
Joseph F. Witmer, Paradise; Levi \V. GrotT, West
Earl; Dr.S. S. Kathvon, city; M. D.Kendis, Manor;
Simon P. Ehy, city; J. M. Johnston, city; F. R. Dif-
fenderfTer, city; C. A. Oast, city; W. VVltiriest, city;
J. C. Linville, Gap; Ambrose Poivnall, S.adsburj;
L S. Reist, Manhcim; A. P. McUvaine, Paradise;
Charles Hershev, Leaman Place; W. Johnson, Para-
dise; Henry ShiffLer, Bird-in-Hand: A. F. Hoetetter,
city; Peter S. Reist, Litiz; \V. H. Brosius, Drumore;
C. H. Hostetter, Eden; Johnson Miller, Warwick;
John H. Landis, Manor; Israel L. Landis, Manheim;
Henry Kurtz, Mount Joy; Jacob B. Garber, Colum-
bia.
The minutes of the preceding meeting were read
and approved.
Dr. S. S. Kathvon, chairman of the committee ap-
pointed at the last meeting to draft a constitution
and by-laws, made his report, which embodied the
new constitution and by-laws submitted by the com-
mittee for adoption.
Mr. Witmer moved the adoption of the constitu-
tion and by-laws as a whole, which motion was
seconded by Mr. S. P. Eby.
The constitution and by-laws were then unanimous-
ly adopted.
Mr. Witmer said that since the society has been
organized it has been customary to take the minutes
from the newspaper reports, and asked whether,
since the society has been incorporated, it would be
necessary for the Secretary to write the report
Mr. Ebv said that the only lawful record of the
society will be the report of the Secretary himself.
Mr. Hostetter agreed with Mr. Eby, and suggest-
ed that the secretary might write his own report.
' He might then place in another book the newspaper
reports.
Mr. J. M. Johnston thought it was the duty of
the secretary to put down all the bufciness of the
meetings, omitting all speeches, debates, essays, etc.
He thought it unsafe to take newspaper reports, as
po two would be found alike.
Mr. Reist reported the hay crop good, with about
three-fourths; wheat crop would average about three-
fourths; oats is also about three-fourths, and good;
the rye crop is about one-balf; apple crop about
one-half; pear crop will be full; peaches will also
have a full crop.
Mr. Linville reported the crops is Salisbury to be
very good. Wheat and oats would be very short.
The fruit crop is very poor. Tobacco is very slow in
coming. The pasture is literally burnt up.
Mr. Kendig, of Manor, reported the growing crops
to be looking very good. The wheat and hay crops
will be about three-fourths. Oats will be very light.
The fruit crop will be very poor. The rain fall' for
the present month so far was 1 2-10 inches. The
tobacco crop is good.
Mr. Brosius, of Drumore, reported the crops in
that section to be very poor, but thought there would
be gathered about three-fourths.
Mr. Miller, of Warwick, said the re^-orts so far
would suit his section. The prospects for a good
corn crop are fair. The wheat crop is not so good.
Mr. Hostetter, from Eden, reported the grass and
hay to be fair, although the crop was light. The
kernels of the wheat were larger than last year, al-
though the quantity was smaller. The apple crop
would be very good. The season hasbeenaremaka-
bly dry one so far. Corn looks very well. He re-
ported good prospects for a fair crop in his section.
Mr. Keist, of .Manheim, said he had about SOO
peach trees, and did not expect half a crop. He has
about SOO grape vines and they are promising.
Mr. Cooper said, in answer to a question, that he
had experimented with Moule's winter wheat, and it
turned out pretty well, and he thought with early
Bowing it would do well.
Mr. Grotr thought it would be a good wheat to in-
troduce ; he tried it last year and the heads are very
laree.
Mr. Witmer sowed one package of the wheat, and
it has not yet ripened. It looks very promising,
however. In regard to crops he would report a poor
crop. The wheat is poor, although the quality is
better. The corn crop is very promising. Potatoes
are good. Tobacco is backward.
Mr. Reist said he got one bushel of Clausen wheat,
and it turned out be. ter than the Foltz wheat, and
asked for information as to where it came from.
Mr. GrofTsaid he did not know where it came
from. He sowed some for two years and it turned
out pretty well. He tried a small sample of white
wheat which did so well as to be almost remarkable.
It proved so satisfactory to some persons that some
one came in the night and cut a number of the heads.
Mr. Hostetter thought the question of wheat was
Of Importance at the present time. He thought it
was coming to be generally adopted that the Foltz
wheat should be discouraged as a milling wheat.
Lancaster county docs not hold a high place in the
(lour market, on account of this wheat. There was
a tendency among the millers to remodeling their
mills so as to more successfully compete with the
western millers.
Mr. Brosius thought if the Foltz wheat was tried
for some years longer, it might become acclimated,
and thought it would br unjust to condemnjthe wheat
at the present time. He said we should build up the
wheat and make it better.
Mr. Reist endorsed Mr. Brosius and said Foltz
wheat required very strong soil. He thought in a
few years it would become acclimated and prove as
good as any variety.
Mr. Groff thought farmers should try to get the
kind of wheat which will produce the greatest num-
ber of bushels to the acre.
Mr. Cooper thought the Foltz wheat was the best
wheat for this county. He thought it generally
turned out well, and if the millers could not make
good flour it was probably the fault of the machinery.
Mr. I. L. Landis said he thought the defect in
Lancaster flour did not come so much from the wheat
as from the machinery for milling it.
Mr. Witmer said the one great objection which the
millers had to the wheat was the small grain. The
miller could not get the same amount of flour out of
the Foltz wheat as from any other, on account of
containing more bran.
Mr. Brosius always found the wheat to turn out
very well.
Mr. Linville said the wheat did not contain enough
gluten. It was also too hard and brittle. He said
it was the most productive variety we have. It al-
ways turned out better than the Mediterranean vari-
ety. It is a hard wheat to thresh and hard to clean
when the season was dry.
Mr. Reist said in reference to the Mediterranean
wheat, when it was first sowed it did not turn out
very well, but it afterwards did better, until now
there is none better in the country.
Mr. Miller tried an expriment last j-ear. He mixed
Foltz and common red varieties together, and
found it to turn out remarkably well.
.Mr. Kurtz said the Foltz wheat was very produc-
tive, but it is not a good flour wheat. He thought
the farmers could raffee more Amber wheat from the
acre than the Foltz variety. He said the Amber
wheat brings better prices than the white wheat.
Mr. Hostetter said that although he was opposed
to the Foltz wheat, he would not be in favor of abol-
ishing it without a fair trial. He thought the mill-
ers should procure the dilferent qualities of flour
manufactured, and send them among the farmers,
with a description of the circumstances under which
the wheat was grown. They could then make their
selections.
Mr. Witmer offered the following resolution,which
was adopted :
Whereas, The Millers' Association condemns the
Foltz wheat and propose to discriminate in the price
paid to farmers; therefore.
Resolved, That the millers of Lancaster county be
requested to contribute to this society for distribu-
tion samples for experiment of such wheat as they
desire to have cultivated.
On motion, the discussion of the wheat question
closed .
On motion, the regular order of business was dis-
pensed with, aud the society took up the discussion
of a county fair.
Mr. Johnson .Miller said he was opposed to hold-
ing a fair at the Park Grounds on account of the
expense, and thought the society should try and pro-
cure the Northern .Market House.
Mr Linville thought the time was not a good one
to hold the fair, as the crops were not good, and it
should therefore be abandoned.
The question was discussed pro and con by a
number of the members, at the conclusion of which
Mr. Landis made a motion to reconsider the vote by
which the resolution authoizing the holdlog of a fair
had passed Carried.
The question recurring on the original resolution,
it was carried to hold a fair at the Northen Market
House, if it can be obtained .
A bill was presented by Dr. Rathvon for $2,50 for
binding the Lancaster Farmer. On motion it was
orderd paid.
Mr. S. P. Eby presented a copy of an act passed
by the Legislature in reference to the planting of
trees along the roadside.
Mr. Levi S. Reist presented some very flue speci-
mens of Earl Wilson blackberries, also Brandy wine,
Philadelphia, Herstine, and Reliance raspberries. He
also presented a prolific red berry, more valuable
than any other, for a name.
The following questions were presented :
"Is high farming a remedy for low prices?" Refer-
red to ^lr. Brosius.
"What is the best method of sowing wheat or corn
stubbles ?" For general discussion.
"Should the partridge be domesticated ?" Refer-
red to S. P. Eby, Esq.
On motion, adjourned.
[July,
POULTRY ASSOCIATION.
The Lancaster County Poultry Association met In
the rooms of the Agricultural and Horticultural
Society at half-past ten o'clock, Mondav morninE-.
July 7th. ^'
The following members were present : William
Schoenberger, eity; John F. Reed, city; J.B.Lichty,
city; D. C. Tobias, Litiz; Amos Rmgwalt, city;
Henry Wissler, Columbia; Frank R. Diffenderffer,
city; J. M. Johnston, city; C. A. Gast, city; Charles
E. Long, city; H. H. Tsliudy, Litiz.
The minutes of the preceding meeting were read
and approved.
The following questions were offered for discussion
at the next meeting of the society: "Are some vari-
eties of fowls more subject to disease than ( thers,
and if so, why?" "What is the best variety of
ducks for the farmer's purpose.
Messrs. Miller Fraim and J. Hay Brown, Lancas-
ter, were proposed for membership, and they were
elected.
On the question, "Is it advisable to hold a poultry
show next winter ?" Mr. Ringwalt thought such an
exhibition would help the society along. He would
go into the movement heart and hand.
Mr. Reed thought such a show would give the
members an opportunity of comparing their birds,
and be the means of improving their stock. It
would be expensive, but he thought it would pay In
the end.
Mr. Ringwalt thought the expense would not be
very great.
Mr. Lichty said the only question before the socie-
ty was the discussion of the advisability of holding
an exhibition, and thought a resolution should be
oflTered to that effect.
Mr. Long thought, as the meeting was very small,
it would be advisable to postpone the question until
there was a larger attendance. The expense would
be much greater than the members had any idea of.
Mr Tshudy was in favor of holding an exhibition
at the proper time, but did not think it would be ad-
visable to take any steps in the matter at such a
small meeting. He thought it would be beneficial
to hold such an exhibition, but thought the matter
should be postponed until the next meeting.
Mr. Lichty did not agree with the gentlemen, but
thought a resolution to hold an exhibition could be
rescinded, if the cost would be found to be too great.
Mr. Reed offered a resolution to the effect that the
society hold a poultry exhibition during the next
winter, and ordering the Executive Committee to in-
quire Into the cost aud report at the next meeting.
The advisability of the step was further discussed
by Messrs. Long, Lichty aud Reed, after which the
resolution was carried.
Mr. Lichty said the Executive Committee had
never been regularly organized, and thought it ad-
visable for the committee to hold an early meeting
and elect officers, and thought It would be bettei to
hold the meeting at Lititz, as most of the committee
resided in and about t.-iat place.
"Should fowl fanciers breed more than one varie-
ty?" The discussion on this question was opened
by .\Ir. Ringwalt, who did not see the harm in breed-
ing many varieties. He thought they could be bred
to advantaige by colonizing. He has eight varieties,
but thought he could do better by keeping only three
varieties. He thought by haying a few varieties
more care could be given them than if he had many.
Mr. Tshudy thought the question depends greatly
on the amount of room a man has for them. He
thought there was no doubt tha.t a number of varie-
ties would not receive the same attention that one or
two would. The most successful breeders have con-
fined their attention to only one breed.
Mr. Lichty thought it would be advisable to make
an amendment to the by-laws, imposing a fine upon
those members to whom were referred questions for
discussion, and who did not attend to open the de-
bate, and offered the following :
"Resolved, That the following section be added to
the by-laws of the association :
"If any member to whom has been referred any
subject for discussion, and who accepts the same,
fails to be present at the meeting when the question
is to be discussed, or in case of his absence fails to
send a written essay on the subject, he shall be fined
one dollar."
The question, '-'Are some varieties of fowls more
subject to disease than others, and if so, why?" was
referred to Mr. H.H. Tshudy for discussion next
meeting.
On motion, the society adjourned to meet the first
Monday in August.
LINN.«;AN SOCIETY.
The Linuasan Society held their stated meeting on
Saturday, June 28, President Rev. J. S. Stahr in the
chair. After the opening, the donations to the mu-
seum were found to consist of a fine specimen of a
"rattlesnake," the Crotalus dnrissus of Linnaeus,
also called C horridjts. This reptile came via ex-
press, alive, in a box covered with a wire screen, to
the address of Mr. Joseph Barnetts, the genial host
of the Cadwell House. It seems he is not partial to
such customers and declined to accommodate bis
1879.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
i07
snakeshlp. Dr. Ratlivon, our enterprising natural-
ist, took the waif Into keeping, and deBiring a fine
specimen of this in our museum, he tried to soak the
venom out of the beast by a long continuous bath
under the hydrant,- with perfect success. It became
not only thoroughly clean, but perfectly docile, and
allowed itself to be neatly coiled In a jar and covered
with proof spirits, without the least motiou of objec-
tion. The colors are well defined and can be inspec-
ted from the rattles to the snout with perfect clear-
ness in its embalmed condition. This was captured
near the New York State lino and sent by Mr. Ed-
ward Sheatr, formerly of this city, now of Lawrence
township, McKcan county, Pennsylvania. The com-
bined upper and lower shell of a "wood tortoise,"
(the gtyntemys insmlpta of Aga), the inside having
all been eaten out, leaving a perfect shell-work only.
The backbone and caudal vertebra, with a few other
detached bones, of some animal, dug up iu a garden
of this city. No Cuvler being present, the genus of
the animal could not be deflned ; in may have been a
mink.
A fine specimen of an extract from coal tar, man-
ufactured in Philadelphia, and sold at London at
?100 per ton, for the manufacture of aniline dyes,
per Mr. Joseph Spillinger.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences,
Philadelphia, Part Ist, January, February, March,
lb79 ; Proceedings of the American Philosophical
Society, Philadelphia, vol. XVIU. No. 103, January,
to June, 1879; United Slates Patent Ollice Gazette,
up to June u4, 1879 ; Lancaster county Farmeb for
June, 1S79; two pamphlets — M. VV. Dickcson
on "Ancient Alabaster in Virginia," and another
by bimond P. A. Brown on the hair of mammals,
per Mrs. Zell ; sundry pamphlets and catalogues of
books, both European and American, such as the
Book-Buyer, Book-Seller, Book Worm, and also his-
torical tracts, and No. 7 of vol. 2 of the Scientific
Observer, March, 1879.
Mr. Rathvon read three Interesting papers, Nos.
521, 52-2 and .523— the first giving a full account of
the reptiles called rattlesnakes and affinities, with
their various localities and names, in connection with
the one deposited. The second, on the tortoise fami-
lly, and detailed notes on the one the shell of which
only was deposited. The third paper, on the larvse
discovered by Prof. J. S. Stahr and his class on their
late excursion to the river. These maggot-like worms
travel in a rope-like cluster, which gives them a
snake-like appearance, and they are called "snake
worms," etc. A species of Diptera — Sciara — larva;
of several species of Tipulidie, since It Is found the
worms or larvae diO'es in different localities and sea-
sons. Professor J. S. Stahr read a highly Interest-
ing account of the excursion to York Furnace and a
few days' encampment on ttie Susquehanna river,
with tlie class of '81, from Franklin and Mar-
shall College, giving a list of botanical specimens
collected, their visit to the blowing cave, with his
remarks as to the cause, and also the geological sur-
roundings. Students in the open air and field meet
with much that is of practical utility, and the recre-
ation is healthy. No doubt the students will long
remember "Camp 'Si." It would be desirable to
publish the whole paper, although not so intended
by the author. Filed as No. 51i.
Under new business, bills were reported for ex-
penses in shelving, binding books, alcohol,etc., to the
amount of $28.64. On motion, ordered to be paid.
Unrier scientific miscellany Mr. J. Slauffer referred
to a publication in the Pioneer Press (St. Paul
Minn.) of a remarkable cave on the farm of David
Samuels, ten miles from La Crosse, lately examined.
The rock, a rather coarse, soft sandstone, forming
the interior walls of the cave, is filled with engraved
figures of buffalo, deer, rabbits, moose, and among
them a mastodon and hippopotamus; and by other
hieroglyphic figures; is supposed to have been the
work of the mound builders. This led to sundry
remarks. Adjourned to the last Saturday in July.
Entomological.
Cassida Guttata.
Prof. Rathvon. — "Enclosed is a bug, destructive
to the sweet potato leaf. Its habit Is to eat holes in
the leaf, which seems to poison the leaf very soon,
and cause the whole leaf to turn yellow. Ttiese
bugs are quite numerous on land of Samuel R. Hess
at Ephrata. Mr. H. is anxious to know what is its
name and other history, and would be pleased to
find a reference and history of It in The Lancaster
Farmer."—^. Konigmacher , July 10, 1879.
Your Insect has'becn received and examined. It is
the larva of a beetle belonging to the family Cas-
siDDi.*, all of which feed on vegetation, especially
winding plants, such as the sweet potato, the me-
derie, the morning glory, and the convolvulus gen-
erally. The difierent species may have a special
liking for a particular plant, but the same species
has been detected on different plants, and dilTercnt
species have been found on the same plant. It is
not always a sure way to determine the species from
the larva alone, unless we are well acquainted with
It. This U doubtless Catiida guttata, sometimes
called the "Tortoise," or "Tortoise shell Beetle,"
and is somewhat allied to the "Lady-birds." Tiie
females de|)06it their eggs on the leaves of the
plant, and the young arc hatched out there, and also
undergo all their transformations there. Therefore,
tliey may be destroyed by hand picking, or giving
them a sprinkling of powdered While JMcbore, a de-
coction of tobacco, or a solution of carbolic soap.
They have the singular habit of throwing their cast
off skins and their excretions, on their backs, but
other Insects have this same habit much more dis-
gustingly manifested. In this respect these insects
show their alUnitles to the Lemn Triviltata, or "Ihree-
lined-potato-beetle." By a little vigilance they may
be all destroyed, for they move slowly and are very
accessible.
Thomissus Celer.
Mr. P. W. A. Your pale spider, falntiv tinged
with green, found on the blossoms of the Heliotrope,
is the Thomissus Celer, or nearly allied to it. When
fully developed they have a pale yellowish tinge.
They visit different flowering plants on which the
blossoms are bunched together In clusters, and lie
in wait for flies, moths, and other small Insects, upon
which they feed. We have seen them capture in-
sects twice the bulk of themselves. I would hardly
know what vulgar name to give it. It might, per-
haps, be properly called the " White Blossom Spi-
der." It moves backward and sideways better than
forward.
Goniaphea Coerulea.
^fr. C. L., Lancaster, Pa. The young and old
birds we saw at the houses of both Messrs. Belile
and Keener on the 10th Inst., are the "Blue-Gross-
bcak" of popular fame, but the Ooniaphca Vmrulea
of ornithologists. Dr. Coucs says that It Is essenti-
ally a Southern bird, but being somewhat desultory
iu Its geographical range, it is occasionally found
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It nests low and
inartisiically, lays four or five plain pale blue eggs,
and feeds on hemp seeds, grass seeds, grain, and the
kernels of small fruits. It winters in Mexico and
Central America.
Spined Soldier Bug.
Prof. B. F. S.— The Insect found in Elizabethtown
borough, by Dr. A. C. T., and submitted to me by
you for examination, Is an Immature specimen of the
"Spined Soldier Bug" (Arma spi?wsa), a species of
ca.rmverous hemiptera (half-winged), and a special
enemy to the larvae of the "Colorado Potato Beetle."
These insects have been In Lancaster county for
many years, and have always preyed upon other soft
skinned insects ; but since the advent of the Colorado
beetles, they have greatly Increased, and appear to
have a preference for the luxurious feast which their
bodies afford ; and therefore they ought to be left
undisturbed, as one of the co-operative means by
which Potato Beetles may be held In check if not ul-
timately exterminated.
A Harmful Insect.
A friend having sent to this office a sassafras twig
punctured by some insect, asked for some informa-
tion concerning it. We referred the case to Dr. S.
S. Rathvon, and our correspondent may read what
he says below:
"Your sassafras branch contains the ova, or the
exuded larvae, of an insect variously called the
"climbing-cricket," "tree-cricket," or "snow-crick-
et" ( CKcanWjiis nivens). The fully developed male
Is of an Ivory white color, and, exclusive of the
wings, about half an inch In length, but the wings
extend nearly half an inch beyond the hind end of
the body. The antennae ar ^ very long and filiform.
The hind legs are also vpry long, but the femur is
sufficiently developed to show the Insect's alliance
with the cricket family {Achetada) . The wings are
narrow at the base, and broad and obtusely rounded
at the apex (shaped like a battledore), and one laps
horizontally over the other on the back. At the
nuptial season (August) the male utters a shrill
stridulation, which he sometimes continues all night,
and when they happen to enter a house the loud and
shrill notes of this insect become monotonous and
exceedingly annoying to would-be sleepers.
More than twenty-five years ago Dr. Harris, of
Boston, Mass., recorded this insect (on the represen-
tations of a Connecticut tobacco grower) as exceed-
ingly Injurious to the tobacco plant. Prior to the
Introduction of tobacco culture in Lancaster county,
this Insect was by no means common or abundant,
but now many complaints are filed against It. Last
year several tine, large leaves were sent to me,
having holes in them (caused by this Insect) large
enough to run my fist through. They commence
their operations on the young and tender leaves on
the top of the plant, and eat In them small holes.
They do not pierce or puncture, but being masti-
cating insects, they bite lli<> piece entirely out, and
inject Lo poison. The leaf is not retarded in its
growth by this bite, but usually grows on until it Is
fully developed.
But as the leaves increase In alze, tha holes in-
crease eorrespondently in size, so that by the time
the leaves are fully grown the holes are so large that
the usefulness of tlie leaves for wrappers arc in
many Instances entirely destroyed. During the early
morning or late in the evening, especially if the
weather Is a little cool, they become somewhat
sluggish, and may be captured by hand ; but at mid-
day, or In a warm sun, they arc very quick In getting
out of harm's way, either by leaping, hiding on the
under side of the leaf, or dropping to the ground ;
or when fully matured, by fight.
This branch Is suggestive. These Insects always
deposit their eggs In branches of one Inch to one and
a-half inches In circumference, but not always iu sas-
safras, but also blackberry, raspberry and other soft
woods. Therefore, If what has been written above
does not suggest the cutting off of all branches
bearing them early in the season and burning them,
as the best remedy, then It Is not true that ''an
ounce of prevention Is worth a pound of cure."—
Xeif Era.
Injurious Insects.
It is now the season when the Insects which prey
on fruit trees are most destructive, and require the
closest attention. "Eternal vigilance" will oe the
"price" of succesful contention with these tiny foes.
The tent caterpillar and the canker worm prcv on
the foliage of apple and cherry trees. The apple-
worm moth lays Its eggs in the calyx of the young
fruit, and the grub, as soon as it Is hatched, cuts Its
way to the core, causing the fruit to ripen prema-
turely. In some instances the worm continues in the
fruit without causing any apparent damage, and it
is only when the apple is being eaten or cut up that
the unwelcome tenant makes its appearance. The
.Spitzenberg seems to be a particular favorite with
this destructive insect, for we find a great deal of
this fruit wormy. A great many of the moths may
be got rid of by building fires in tne orchard at night.
They will be attracted by the light, fly into the blaze
and be destroyed. Some persons place a lamp in
the centre of a tub of water; the light attracts the
moths, they fly against the lamp, fall into the water
and are drowned.
The gooseberry and currant caterpillars begin
their work of destruction as soon as the leaves are
fully developed. The gooseberry caterpillar is the
larva of a species of saw-fly which lays its eggs on
the ribs on the back of the leaves, and as soon'as the
young worms are hatched they commence preyiug
on the leaves, eating their way Into them. Their
presence may he detected by the appearance of nu-
merous small holes, like pin-holes in the leaf, and as
a whole brood arc, at this early stage, confined to
one leaf, tliey 'an be easily destroyed by picking off
the leaf and "tramping on It.
Bark lice are very injurious to fruit trees, as they
find shelter under the bark, through the crevices of
whicli they prey on the sap, and injure the vigor of
the trees. Tliey may be destroyed by a wash of
whale-oil soapsuds, or a solution of potash^. Com-
mon soapsuds have been used against them with
success. The stems of all fruit trees cannot be loo
frequently washed, as by this means old dead bark,
which affords a hiding place to many noxious
insects, will be removed, as well as moss and fungi
wliich absorb the juices and consequently haten the
decay of the tree.
The fiea-beetle, better known as the black-bug or
turnip-fly, is very destructive lo the seed leaves of
turnips, cabbages, cauliflower, radishes, melons, cu-
cumbers, etc. It is Identical, or nearly so, with the
lurnip-fiy, {Ilaltica meinoruni) of Europe, which
commits such depredations on the turnip fields of
Great Britain and Ireland, France and Germany.
These fiee-beetles lie torpid during the winter In
heaps of rubbish, under stones, and clefts of the
bark of trees, and in chinks of walls. They lay their
eggs in the spring, on the leaves of the plants on
which they feed, and as soon as they are hatched the
young grubs burrow Into the leaves, feeding on them,
and forming in them little cells, In which they under-
go their transformations. Several broods are pro-
duced during the summer, so there is a constant
succession of these pests all through the season. A
solution of lime has been found very useful in pre-
venting the ravageg^Qf these insects, but a better plan
is the pulverization of the soil, in order to close up
all chinks where they can hide, and the application
of abundance of well rotted manure, to force the
plants into the rough leaves, as, when they reach
this stage of growth, the bugs leave them to seek
tenderer food. Chickens are very efficient destroyers
of these insects.— Western Rural.
Squash Bugs.
During the winter these bugs, full grown, remain
in a torpid state, secluded iu nooks and crevices,
whence they Issue during the first warm days of
spring. As soon as the vines of the squash have
put forth a few leaves, the female bug begins to lay
her eggs, which she does chiefly at night, depositing
them in little patches on the underside, the eggs
being glued to the surface. There, in a few days,
they hatch into young bugs, which at once begin to
suck the sap from the leaves by means of their pro-
I boscis, which Is tlirust into the leaf for this purpose.
108
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[July
The young are short and plump, of a pale ash color,
and emit the same disasjreeable odor as that which
rharacterizes the parent. During their gro*th they
shed their skins several times, gradually developing
wings and retaining their activity throughout until
they attain to the perfect winged state. At first
they live together in little swarms on the underside
of the leaves, which, in consequence of the numerous
punctures of the insects, and the quantity of sap im-
bibed by them, soon wither and appear as if scorched
by fire. When the leaves have been exhausted in
this way, they are deserted for fresh ones, and thus
the work of destruction goes rapidly on.
The eggs are not all laid at one time, but like the
Colorado potato beetle, the eggs and young may be
found in their various stages of development
throughout the summer.
The perfect bug measures six-tenthe of an inch in
length, is of a blackish color above, and a dirty
ochre-yellow beneath, while the sharp lateral edges
of the abdomen which project beyond the closed
wing cover is black, the wings transparent, but
dusky at their tips.
To prevent the ravages of these insects they
should be sought for early in the season and de-
stroyed before they have an opportunity of laying
their eggs. To this end they may be looked for
about the last of June or beginning of July, when
the dusky creatures may be found under the leaves
on the ground, or on the stems of the vines close to
the ground. If eggs have been laid they should be
sought out and crushed. A short time spent ia this
way early in the season will save much disappoint-
after
ard.
White Thrips in Graperies.
Having seen several articles in the papers com-
plaining of white thrips in graperies, I thought I
would give a little of my experience with this pest.
I say ppst, because' there is none greater, at least
none has given me so much trouble. Three years
ago I noticed there were a good many thrips in the
old grapery I have charge of, but paid little atten-
to them, having more work on my hands at the time
than one man ought to do, and as they seemed to do
little harm I thought best to let them alone that
year, and give the vines a coat of paint in the fall.
But the next year they were thicker than ever ; the
remedy had done no good. I did dot think of
tobacco smoke until the season was pretty well ad-
vanced, and the consequence was the fruit was
literally spoiled by ih.Mr excrescence falling from the
leaves. The fruit ripened well (at which I was
somewhali surprised), but it was not fit to eat until
it was washed. I tried the tobacco smoke as soon
as I thought of it, but it did no good. You might as
well try to smoke out a lot of rummies from a
corner groggery. They had got too long headel to
be fooled by tobacco smoke that year ; it seemed to
agree with them. Last year I thought I would be
even with them, so, as soon as the buds began to
swell, I gave the grapery a good dose of tobacco
smoke, and continued once a week through the
season with good results, having never seen a thrip.
Now, I think this goes to show very plainly that if
the grapery is treated as above the thrips are killed
as soon as the eggs are hatched, and if it is done
when they are young and tender there will be no
further trouble. I think it would be best to use the
remedy in time rather than run the risk of the thrips
getting the start, because if this is not done, there
will be no use to try and smoke them out after they
once get full grown.— G. Hunter, Jr. Berks Co.,
Capturing Curculio.
Mr. Benjamin F. May made a raid upon the cur-
culio that infested a peach tree in his son's garden,
recently, and captured a large number of them. He
arose in the early dawning of the day, and spread-
ing a sheet under the tree and providing himself
with a piece of board and an axe, proceeded to jar the
tree by placing the board against it and striking it re-
peatedly with the axe; this caused many of the
peaches that the curculio had wounded to fall upon
the sheet, and the ill-conditioned "varmints" being,
as most insects are at that time in the morning,
in a semi-torpid state, fell wllh the fruit and
were captured as stated. These "varmints" are
injuring the young peaches badly in the upper
part of the peninsula, and have destroyed most of
the fruit that escaped the other disasters.— Cecii
Con7ity Whig.
Value of Earth- Worms.
The common earth-worm,though apt to be despised
and trodden on, is a really useful creature in its way.
Mr. Knapp describes it as the natural manurer of the
soil, consuming on the surface the softer part of de-
cayed vegetable matters, and conveying downward
the more woody fibres, which there molder and fer-
tilize. They perforate the earth in all directions,
thus rendering it permeable by air and water— both
indispensable to vegetable life. According to Mr.
Darwin's mode of expression, they give a kind of
under tillage to the land, performing the same below
ground that the spade does above for the garden,
and the plow for arable soil. It is, in consequence,
chiefly of the natural, operations of worms that
fields which have been overspread with lime, burnt
marl, or cinders, become in process of time covered
by a finely-divided soil, fitted for the support of vege-
tation, this result, though usually attributed by
farmeis to the "working down" of these materials,
is really due to the action of earth-worms, as may
be seen in the innumerable casts of which the initial
soil consists, These are obviously produced by the
digestive proceedings of the worm, which take into
their intestinal canal a large quantity of the soil in
which they feed and burrow, and then reject it in
form of the so-called casts. "In this manner," says
Mr. Darwin, "a field, manured with marl, has been
covered, in the course of eighty years, with a bed of
earth averaging thirteen inches in thickness."
Curious Facts About Insects.
Nature prints a letter certifying that wasps and
bees, and by inference other insects of the same class,
when chloroformed and at the point of death pro-
trude their stings, and, bending the body until the
tail approaches the mouth, seemingly absorb a drop
of clear fiuid that exudes from the point of the sting,
and at once become motionless and apparently dead!
They may, howevor, subsequently recover, so that
the act cannot be' regarded as suicidal. The infe-
rence is that the poison is a narcotic of which the
insect partakes when an extremity arrives from
which he thinks there is no escape. If this be so It
is singular that these well-armed and pain-giving
creatures should be provided with a recourse that
may secure a blissful unconsciousness of pain in any
crisis of danger, and yet does not prove fatal should
the danger pass.
Borer's Eggs
Are laid on the bark near the roots of peach trees in
early summer, when they soon hatch, and the worms
find their way into the bark. At this time, say in
June, July or August, they are easily found, and as
easily removed. Coal ashes, or anything else
thrown around the trunk that will tend to protect it
from the borers, may do some good, but it is much
easier to destroy the insects when first hatched than
to build mounds for keeping them away.
Agriculture.
Lancaster Farming in Virginia.
Samuel Brookman, formerly of Lancaster county,
now of Manchester, Chesterfield county, Virgiuia,
writes :
"Isold my little home in Lancaster county, Pa.,
for which I was more than one-half in debt. I de-
sired to have a home of my own for myself and
family— which, by the way, is quite a large one, ten
in number— and I knew very well it was useless to
try and get a free home in Lancaster county with my
means. I came to Virginia with my family, without
ever having seen this part of the state. I bought a
small farm of forty acres, four miles from Man-
chester, settled on it on the 26th day of April, late
for spring crops. Now I am harvesting as large ears
of corn as we did in Pequea Valley, Lancaster
county. Nearly everything we planted has yielded
$1,000 would not buy it. We all like the country ,
have good neighbors, good water, fine climate and
are all enjoying good health. I have really never
met with kinder people than the Virginians. We,
as Tanks, and they, ss Jonnys, often talk over old
war times, and neither ever wishing to see another
war. I would say again to all who are seeking
cheap homes, come ; you will be welcomed by the
Virginians and the many Northerners already
settled here. With a little money, patience and
industry, you can in a few years have a home here
that I feel confident will be worth double the money
it cost you. What this country needs the most is
men of enterprise, men of muscle and good farmers,
that will clean up their waste lands, build fences,
grub out every bush, and in a short time our country
will be second to none. The most of the land lies
beautifully and is very easily improved. If any of
my friends North wish any further information from
me, write, and I will gladly answer."
Varieties of Wheat.
Joseph Galbraith, White House, Pa., an extensive
farmer in that rich wheat-growing valley of the
Cumberland, experimented last year with the fol-
lowi!:g varieties :
Canada Club, a white wheat, smooth ; Bohemian
red wheat, smooth ; Shoemaker red wheat, smooth ;
Boyton white wheat, smooth ; Arnold's victor white
wheat, smooth ; Russian spring wheat, smooth ;
Clawson white wheat, smooth ; Zeller Valley wheat,
smooth ; Uiehl white wheat, smooth ; Fultz red
wheat, smooth ; Gold Dust wheat, white, smooth ;
Arnold's Gold Medal white wheat, smooth ; Lan-
caster red wheat, bearded; Kodger's amber white
wheat, bearded; Big Seed wheat, red, bearded;
Russian while wheat, bearded ; Sanford white
wheat, bearded ; Early Ripe white wheat, beard-
ed ; Egyptian Seven-headed red wheat, bearded ;
Mediterranean spring, red wheat, bearded; Oregon
White rye. A few weeks ago we received
from Mr. Galbraith samples of Washington Glass
wheat, white, smooth, and Coffee wheat, white,
bearded— making in all twenty-one kinds of winter
wheat, one of spring wheat, and one of rye. Mr.
Galbraith experimented with all these varieties last
season, and says in a letter accompanying the
samples, "I cannot give you the aggregate amount
raised per acre, as the samples were too small ; have
the majority of them under cultivation this season
on a larger scale, and think I will be able to tell
more about them the coming season. Should they
yield as they did last season I can report some heavy
yields." We hope Mr. Galbraith will favor us with
a full report of his experiments this season.- Pt-oc-
tical Farmer.
Fultz Wheat.
Messrs. Best &, Sparks have mills both at Litch-
field and Alton, III., the latter an extensive concern
and the former a smaller one, but making and
shipping 140 barrels daily. Inquiring the name of
the wheat most grown and prized by millers and
farmers both, in that section, the unexpected reply
was the Fultz. But the Fultz had a bad reputation
in some sections. Did not the Millers' Convention
at Indianapolis discriminate against it? To be sure,
but that action was perhaps the work of patent
process men, which we do not use. We find the
Fultz, under the old processes, will make a barrel
of first-class, though not the highest priced flour, to
every four bushels and two-thirds, or 2.'»0 pounds.
The flour we sell in large, round lots delivered on
track, at ?4.25 to ?4.34, and it is quoted in New York
and Boston at §.5.75 to $8. In common with other
millers, we have reduced the speed of our burrs very
much — to 1.50 revolutions a minute. We use one
cast iron crusher to four buri'S, and have all the
modern appliances of the patent process but do not
use them. In this section there are nine bushels of
Fultz grown to one of any other kind. We have the
Blue Stem, the Lima, the Golddust and others ; and
have never seen or grown the Claw.son. We want
hard red wheats, because they make not only the
strongest but the whitest flour. We can tell at a
trlance the wheat produced on the prairie. The
timber-grown wheat is plumper, harder, heavier,
has thinnei pellicles, and makes the better and whiter
flour. — Country Gentleman.
Sowing Wheat.
I wish to ask, through the columns of your valu-
able paper, which is the best method of sowing
wheat — broad-casting or drilling in narrow rows?
Will the same amount of seed produce as much in
narrow furrows as it would if it was spread over
ground and covered evenly? H. s. [It is nearly the
universal result that drilling wheat affords heavier
crops than sowing broadcast. The chief reason is
that it may be drilled at a uniform depth, and every
grain will have a good and equal chance. When
sowed broadcast and harrowed in, the seed is cov-
ered at all depths from a quarter of an inch to three
or four inches, and the growth is not uniform. In a
few instances, drilling has not done so well as broad-
casting, but in these the depth of the tubes was not
proi)eriy adjusted, and the seed was burled too deep.
When wheat-drills were first introduced, so uniform
was the benefit from their use that manufacturers
offered to perform all the labor of sowing for the in-
crease in product. The practice has now become so
universal, that in ridingovertwenty miles in a wagon
through a wheat region of Western New York, we
were unable to find a single wheat field that was not
drilled.] — Country Gentleman.
Soot as a. Manure.
To strong-growing greenhouse plants, such as
pelargoniums, fuchsias, roses, carnations, chrysan-
themums, azaleas solanums, and many others, soot
is a valuable and easy obtained stimulant. A hand-
ful of it tied in a bag and stirred in a three-gallon
can of water has a marvelous effect on all the plants
just named, and on many others besides. It induces
vigorous growth, and adds freshness and substance
to both leaf and flower. It is better to use it in small
quantities and often rather than charge the compost
with more carbon than the plants can readily assimi-
late. For the most robust growers, especially if
if grown in small pots, mixture with fresh manure
from the cowshed is desirable, but this should be al-
lowed to settle before using, otherwise the grassy
particles will remain on the surface of the pots, and
while giving them an unsightly appearance, exclude
that free aeration which all healthy roots require. —
Montreal Gazette.
Charcoal on Land.
The absorptive power of charcoal is well known in
the arts. Its capacity in this direction is remarkable.
Accurate experiment has proved that in twenty-four
hours It would absorb ninety times its own volume
1879.J
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
109
of amraonlacal gas, elehty-Hvo ttmcB Its volume of
muriatic acid gas, and eixty-flve times its volume of
Bulphurous acid gas. It is this remarkal)lc quality
that makes it go valuable In destroying odor, color,
taste ill many substances, and preserving meats,
vegetables and fruit from rapid decay. Us use as a
fliterer In cisterns is well known, and Its value
here depends on the same quality. It separates and
appropriates to Itself the decaying matter and other
Impurities In water, rendering it pure and sweet. If
placed on the surface of the soil. It will gather
from the air moisture and gases and impart them
to the growing plants. On tlie same principle Its
value In the barnyard, stable and hog pens, as an
absorptive agent. Is Incalculable. When used for
this purpose to form a basis of manure, it should be
In the powdered state.— OAio Farmer.
Cutting Cornstalks.
We observe In some of our exchanges a discussion
of the subject of cutting cornstalks before feeding
to cattle. One writer states that by cutting about an
Inch long the hard ends cause soreness In the mouth
among his cattle. To avoid this another recommends
length of three in :hes. It will at once be perceived
that such coarsely chopped feed cannot be all eaten.
The best success we ever witnessed was in the prac-
tice of an old farmer many years ago, who gauged
his machine only a fourth of an inch long, and then
putting on his sI.'e horses, the whole of the corn-
stalks was rapidly reduced to a condition of Une
chaft'. The hardest stubs were thus made eatable,
and the cattle consumed the whole. He could thus
cut in half a day enough to last a week. Meal or
ground feed was easily mixed with it. It will be ob-
served as an important advantage in cutting corn fod-
der, that it greatly Improves the texture of manure,
by preventing the long, fibrous masses which are al-
most impossible to pitch, draw, spread and plow
under.
Corn-Cobs.
Feeders differ in their opinions about grinding cobs
with the meal for hogs ; some attach great value to
the method, while others reject it altogether.
Analysis of the corn-cob shows that there is si.v to
ten per cent, of matter which may be rendered, with
breaking up and boiling, capable of assimilation by
the animal in question. The general belief seems to
be that while there is not enough nutriment In the
cob to pay for the trouble of getting it out, au
occasional feeding of cobmeal is an advantage,
especially in the fattening process, when a certain
amount of inert matter is required by the animal.
This necessity induces hogs to eat coal, clay and dirt
when the instinctive want is not otherwise supplied.
Horticulture.
Rosewood.
Rosewood has always been considered an aristocratic
wood. It is used for fine furniture and pianos in all
civilized nations. We have no record of its first in-
troduction into use, but it is fair to presume that it
was soon after the discovery of Soutli America, as
old writers speak of rosewood cabinets and other
articles of furniture. It is found only in South
America, although a very near approach to it is used
by the Chinese, of which and bamboo they construct
all their furniture. The French call it palaisandre.
Bois de rose, or wood of the rose, is an African wood,
and is red, with yellow streaks. It seldom grows
over eight inches In diameter, and is cut into veneers
and used bias for borders in inlaid or marquetry
work. Rosewood, or palaisandre, is found of supe-
rior quality in Brazil. Kio de Janeiro exports all of
the tine quality of wood. Large quantities of infe-
rior quality are sent from Bahia, but this wood is
only used by cheap manufacturers, as the grain is a
dull brown, and posseses but little beauty of figure.
Honduras also exports a heavy, dull looking rose-
wood, which is mostly consumed for drumsticks and
canes. Rio Janeiro wood grows large, and the grain
is beautifully variegated. The most desirable wood,
that which is the most mottled, is selected for
veneers, and the plain straight-grained logs, when
brought to market, are very rough and gnarled. It
has latterly been sold by weight only. Some years
ago it was sold by the log, and the purchaser relied
on his acuteness for bargains. It contains an acrid
oil, which must be extracted by steaming, or by long
exposure to the air, before it can be relied on to hold
with glue. It has a pungent smell, and the men
who work in it seem to imbibe the odor into their
system, as no ablution will eradicate the smell, by
which the worker is distinguished from the worker
of other woods. The dust arising from sand-paper-
ing is not poisonous, although it gives a peculiarly
ghastly expression to the workman's countenance.
Rosewood, if well worked, is the most durable of all
furniture wood, and after a century's use it can be
polished to look as well as new. It is exceedingly
strong and hard, and becomes more solid from age.
— American Cabinet Maker.
Apple Orchards.
In the report of the discussions at the Western
New York Farmers' Club, furnished by the Rural
Home, we find the following statements, which we
glean from that account : Mr. Holton bought a six
acre orchard which was about six years old, hut for
fifteen years afterward obtained no fruit. He then
spread a wagon-load of manure around each tree,
thinned the top so as to favor low branches, and can
now pick three fourths of the crop from the ground.
He allows no grwss to grow on the ground, but does
not plow, and now obtains heavy crops. It Is be-
coming well established that no treatment tends
more to promote productiveness in rather feeble trees
of fome age, than the application of manure.
Mr. Newman, five years ago, became the owner of
an orchard of 300 trees, some twenty years old,
which for several years past had been In grass. One-
half were Baldwins, the rest Greenings, Kussets,
Spys,etc. Small crops were produced; about one
barrel on an average to six trees. Another orchard
adjoined it, which gave large returns formanv years.
This orchard was constantly tilled and manured.
This ii.dueed Mr. Newman to plow his orchard,
which cut off thousands of small roots. It was
manured at the rate of twelve or fifteen loads per
acre. The result was a heavy crop last ^ear (ilie
scarce year), and nearly no crop this year. The
bearing year seems to have been changed — a result
which we have known in other Instances by manur-
ing at the proper time. We do not know in what
part of the season he performed the plowing, but we
supposed he knew enongh to do it early in spring,
bel'ore the buds o^e-aei.— Country Gentleman.
Pear Blight.
There is no subject discussed at fruit growers'
meetings more elaborately than the pear blight and so
little apparently understood about it. Until within
four and five years we did not suffer in the least from
it upon our premises. But within that time we have
lost a number of fine trees, to all appearance perfect-
ly healthy only a day or two before. We had an un-
usually vigorous Belle Lucrative tree, which annu-
ally bore well ; in fact it bore too well and obliged
us to remove a large portion of the fruit, first when
they were not as large as marbles, and again when
they were nearly half grown. The last year that it
bore before yielding up its life to blight, at least
three-fourths of all the fruit was removed, and yet
in twenty-four hours the life was out of it. The va-
riety most subject to this disease has been Gloiit
Morceau. In a single night they have died. And in
all the losses we have met with we could discern no
cause. The trees have blighted in dry and moist
soil, in cultivated and in grass. Last Mi«i(«r we lost
four trees, some ten to twelve years set out. Two of
them bore good crops, and two none at all. We
have arrived at the conclusion that after soaping and
washing pear trees, and carefully pruning, and keep-
ing the ground in good heart, we must take our
chances. For fifteen or twenty years we do not re-
member to have lost a single tree from any cause ;
and as diseases of trees and the visitation of insects
come and go without letting us into the secret of
their movements, we had better do one's duty to-
wards all our crops and then await another cycle of
freedom and success. — Germantown Telegraph.
A Hint on Lawns and Hedges.
Any one who has taste in that direction cannot but
observe, within a dozen miles around Philadelphia,
where fine lawns are cultivated, how much damage
is done to the beautiful hedges and evergreens by
allowing the silver maple and other ugly and useless
trees to be mixed up with them, overshadowing them
to such an extent as must lead to their early defolia-
tion and destruction. The exhaustion of the soil also
by these worthless trees, docs more, however, to in-
jure the evergreens, than even the shade. Once let
the evergreen be damaged and they never recover.
What the object Is in permitting such trees to remain
in these lawns and along hedge-lines, we cannot im-
agine. Either the gardener is incompetent for not
suggesting their removal, or the proprietor is obsti-
nate in refusing to exterminate trees which he has
not knowledge enough to see are ruining his place.
If any one has a liking for silver maple and other
deciduous trees in their lawns, let him enjoy his
taste and not mix them up with evergreens. In large
lawns, it Is true, there may be varieties of trees
without injury to one another; but it is folly to mix
them on small lawns, or plant them close together.
Hedges, even the hemlock, which stands shade
better than any other, will show its dwarfing influence,
and cannot resist the exhausting of the soil by the
roots of large trees standing near; while no arbor
vitaes will long survive from either of these causes.
Curiosities in Pomology.
Some years ago one of citizens bought and set out
thirty young apple trees. On one of them he
neglected to remove the wooden label which was at-
tached to one of the limbs by a copper wire. Two
years later he found that the copper wire was entire-
ly imbedded and out of sight, in the bark of the tree,
and that year the limb was so heavily loaded with
apples that he was obliged to prop It up, while there
was not a blossom or apple on any other limb. Last
year one of our neighbors, when his young apple
trees were in full blossom, carefully girdled some
limbs on several trees, and the blossoms produced
no fruit on the limbs thus treated, but this year
those limbs have blossomed full and no blossoms on
the limbs that bore last year. Pomologists may
profit by further ezpcrimeuts in that direction.—
Hartford Evening Post.
Many farmers have an impression that their
apple, peach and pear orchards can take care of
themselves. The mots can stretch themselves
a little, but their foraging ground is limited, and to
suppose that within this limited space food can be
found to sustain growth and bear fruit for decades of
years, without any re-supply of the raw material, Is
unreasonable. No wonder that so many of our
orchards show moss-grown trunks, decayed branches
and stunted fruit.
To KEEP lawn fresh and green put on frequently a
slight sprinkling of salt or bone dust, or superphos-
phate, or any good fertilizer. When the soil is soft,
run the roller over ; It helps the appearance greatly.
The application of a little ground gypsum will also
freshen up the grass. But above all never neglect to
run the mowing machine over frequently.
Domestic Economy.
Barns and Barnyards.
Nothing so plainly shows the good farmer as large,
well-filled tiarns, and compact, sheltered barnyards
for protection of stock in winter. A great improve-
ment is taking place in these respects, and more is
needed and will be had as Its importance Is better
understood. Hiding recently through an excellent
farming town I was surprised to notice how carefully,
shrewd and prosperous farmers had utilized easterly
exposed knolls as sites for barns and barnyards. Our
coldest winds are from the west, and riding on a
north and south road I noticed for several miles that
every barnyard was located on the easterly side of a
liill, so as togivea basement underneath, and a level,
or a neariy level drive away from the west on
the barn floor above. In many places a corn-
house anl carriage-barn was placed on the north
and south sides of the yard, leaving only one
side exposed, which would be protected by a high
and tight board fence, and the basements uuder
tile barn would he further protected by straw
stacks and board partitions, leaving only doorways
for the passage of cattle. In such yards horses and
even cows can be wintered with the smallest possible
amount of labor, and horses not used during the
winter will keep better and come out better
and stronger in spring,' if allowed to run loose
in the barn-yard, than if carefully stabled on
wooden floors" during the winter. Take off the
shoes and let them run loose till the middle
of March or 1st of April. Much of their winter
keep will lie got from the straw-stack, to the great
saving of the hay mow, and when you begin to. feed
for spring work, the horses will soon be in better
condition than ever to resume spring work. This is
particulariy true of old animals that have apparent-
ly ceased to be valuable. Many a man has turned
his old mare in the barnyard to pick her living as
best she could with the cattle, and found the follow-
ing summer that she was better for work than In
several seasons previous. Stabling under ground
may not be good policy, but I am satisfied that letting
animals run loose in barn basements is advisable,
tying them only at night where they would other-
wise be too crowded, or the stronger would drive
the weaker out of ioora.— Country Gentleman.
Tne Best Yeast Known.
Vienna bread is said to be the best in the world.
It owes its superiority to the yeast used, which is
prepared in the following manner : Indian corn,
barley and rye (all sproutinsr) arc powdered and
mixed, and then macerated in water at a temper-
ature of from 149 deg. to 167 deg. Fah. Sacchar-
ificaliou takes place in a few hours, when the liquor
is racked oflT and allowed to clear, and fermentation
Is set up by the help of a minute quantity of any
ordinary yeast. Carbonic acid is disengaged during
the process with so much rapidity that the globules
of yeast are thrown up by the gas, and remain
floating on the surface, where they form a thick
scum. The latter is carefully removed, and consti-
tutes the best and purest yeast, which when drained
and comi)ressed, can be kept from eight to fifteen
days, according to the season.
Butter Making.
We note by the Western papers, and other sources
of information, that butter making is receiving an
increased share of attention over former years. In
some places they are indeed talking about the
\ business being overdone. This is almost always the
no
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[July
case when any great iudustry is taken hold of
enrnesUy, and is a trouble which soon rights itself
by the wealter brethren falling; out of the track.
From the same sources we note that it is believed the
quality has somewhat degenerated in the main,
and this also is a general result of over-production.
Many have an idea, when the market is poor, that it
does not pay to do things well. The sharp witted
take advantage of this. It is their golden opportu-
nity. Jtoat people who make money by farming or
gardening do it by always having a first.rate article.
The more poor stuff in market the better theirs sells.
Whatever is in general and steady demand will
always have an open market for the good article.
We do not expect butter-making of the right sort
will ever be overdone.
Ways to Use Stale Bread.
First dry all fragments of bread before they get
mouldy, in the open oven. When well dried, pound
the firead and put it away in a covered vesstl, where
it will be free from dust and moisture.
A delicious, wholesome and cheap dish for break-
fast or tea can be made of salt codfish and this bread.
Chop the fish when well freshened, and place it in a
pudding-dish in alternate layers with the pounded
bread. Upon each layer place small bits of butter,
and a little pepper. Nearly cover with milk, and
bake brown.
Bbead and Apple PnoDiNo.— One cup of
pounded bread and two cups of raw chopped apple.
Mix slightly, and add small bits of butter, nearly
cover with water and bake. Eat with liquid sweet
sauce, flavored with lemon. This 'pudding is very
simple, and easily made. The -'kuaek" is in baking
so that the bread shall neither be hard, nor soft as
mush.
PouTided bread is nearly as good as cracker for
stuffing a turkey or other meal to roast, and if
always kept prepared, the labor of getting the meat
ready for the oven is much lessened.
Hints on Cooking Poultry.
Steaming is preferable to boiling for tough fowls.
Remove the threads before sending roast fowls to
the table.
In winter kill the poultry three days to a week be-
fore cooking.
Poultry and game are less nutritious, but more di-
gestible than other meats.
Singe with alcohol instead of paper— ateaspoonful
Is sufliicient for cither a turkey or chicken.
Remember, much of the skill of roasting poultry
in the best mannerdepends upon basting faithfully.
To give roast birds a frothy appearance, dredge,
just before they aie done, with flour and baste liber
ally with melted butter.
When onions are added to stuffing, chop them so
fine that in eating the mi.xture one does not detect
their presence by biting into a piece.
Ladies doing their marketing will do well to re-
member that young poultry may be told by the tip.
of the breast bone being soft, and easily bent be-
tween the fingers, and when fresh by its bright full
eye, pliant feet and soft moist skin.
Farmers, Keep Accounts.
A very successful farmer says: "Farmers who never
keep accounts are,of course, always in debt, at least,
most of the year, and have enormous store bills to
surprise them. They doubt the honesty of merchants
and families are berated for extravagance, lieceipts
and expenditures are never noted; the profits and
losses in any branch of farming are unknown. Un-
consciously debts multiply, for it requins much
less time and ability to dispose of than to acquire it.
Accounts properly kept would admonish them when
to spend and to check up. Carelesness in one par-
ticular is apt to foster or beget carelesness in others;
consequently such farmers have little system in the
buildiu- of residences, barns, or out-houses. Fences
are poorly kept up, and a systematic rotation of
crops is seldom practiced.
Household Recipes.
Macaroni with Tomato Sactce.— Melt two
tablespoonfuls of butter in a saucepan, put to
It one medium-sized onion chopped fine, a small
piece of celery and a little parsley. Let it
cook slowly, but carefully, lest it scorch, which
would spoil all. Wlien the onion is delicately brown
put it in a pint of canned tomatoes, if in winter, or a
quart of fresh tomatoes in their season and boil for
an hour ; then strain through a fine sieve into a
clean sauce-pan, cook until as thick as catsup ;
season with salt, pepper and butter. This should
be all ready before cooking the macaroni, but keep
gently simmering to keep hot till the macaroni is
done.
Put half a pound of well-washed macaroni into
boiling salt water, cook twenty minutes, then drain
it in a colander. Place a layer of macaroni in a hot
dish then place over it a layer of the tomato sauce,
then another layer of macaroni, then a layer of
sauce, having the sauce on the last thing. Set in
the oven for five minutes and then serve very hot.
Potato Puff. — Take cold roast meat— beef or
mutton, or veal'and ham together — clear from gris-
tle, cut small and season with pepper and salt, and
cut pickles, if liked. Boil and mash some potatoes,
make them into a paste with an egg, and roll out,
dredging with flour. Cut round with a saucer; put
some of the seasoned meat upon one-half and fold
the other like a puff; pinch neatly round and fry a
light brown. This is a good method of warming up
meat which has been cooked.
Walnut Catsup— As this is the time to make
Walnut Catsup, I will give you my receipt. Gather
the Walnuts when they are so young that, you can run
a pin through them ; pour boiling salt and water on ;
change every third day, for nine days, then pound
them fine; to every dozen walnuts, put one quart of
good vinegar; stir them well every day for at least a
week; put them through a bag; to each quart of
liquor put one teaspoonful of ground cloves, one of
mace, half a nutmeg ground or grated ; garlick if
you like it; boil it twenty minutes, and bottle it.
Leoline.
To Make Good Cottage Cheese.— Take 12
quarts thick milk, scald it; stir it well while it is
scalding^ so that every part is done, now press it
through a bag, put it in a pan while it is still warm;
make it apart, and now sprinkle over it 1 teaspoon-
ful of fine salt, 2 of baking soda heaped, have your
hands clean, and work it with your hands, till it gets
all soft; now pour over it a cupfull of sweet milk
and cream mixed, put it on the fire, and stir it till it
becomes stringy ,which it will do iu 10 or 1.5 minutes,
pour it in cups or deep dishes to get cold. It will be
stiff when cold, and is very good, if the directions
are followed. Leoline.
Fruit Pudding.— One bowlful of nice thick
cream, 3 eggs, teaspoon saleratus ; mix and roll it
nearly an inch thick, then spread with fruit and roll
up and boil or steam in a sack for two hours. Eat
with cream and sugar.
Cottage Pudding.— Two eggs, half cup sugar
well-beaten together, add five tablespoons melted
butter, stir well, then add cup of sweet milk, tea-
spoon of soda, two of cream-of-tartar, 2}^ cups of
flour ; bake in square tins, and serve with sauce
made as follows, which is nice for almost a:ny pud-
ding: teacup of sugar, teacup of vinegar ; teacup
of water ; set over the fire and when it boils add
a tablespoon of flour and butter rubbed together.
Tapioca PuDDiNo.—Put eight large spoonsful of
tapioca to three pints of milk and let it become
milk warm and soak till it becomes soft, then mix
with it two spoonsful of butter, three eggs, well-
beaten, half cup of sugar, half a nutmeg and bake
immediately. Excellent, hot or cold.
Steamed Pudding.— Take about a quart of
buttermilk, add one teaspoonful of salt, one of
soda, and if in the season of berries I add nearly a
teacupful, if not 1 slice and pare one or two apples
into my dish, then thicken with either flour or
corn meal as thick as it will stir easily with a
spoon ; then I put it in a dish and set in the
steamer over my boiling dinner to cook ; it wants
to cook from one to two hours ; eat with sweetened
cream or butter and sugar, whichever is preferred.
To Cook Pumpkin.— Pare and cut up the same
as for stewing ; put It in a steamer and" set it over
a kettle of boiling water until it is soft, then empty
into a pan, take a potato masher, mash it fine; if
too juicy let it stand in the stove-oven for a short
time and it will soon be ready for use. I think
it it much less trouble than the old way.
Potato Cutlets with Tomatoes.— Cut some
small slices of cold mutton; spread mashed potatoes
nicely flavored with pepper and salt on each side of
them, and fry a nice light brown. Then take some
ripe tomatoes; remove their skins by plunging into
boiling wafer, when the skins will become loose and
peel off easily; stew the tomatoes in a small sauce-
pan, and break into them one or two eggs— one egg
to lour large tomatoes— stirring the mixture well
round until it is of the consistency of scrambled eggs.
Pile up the tomatoes iu the centre of the dish, ar-
ranging the potato cutlets round it. These should
be of a golden brown color, and the tomatoes of a
bright pink.
Potato Currt.— (1) Mash cold potatoes with
minced onion, salt, pepper, and curry powder to
taste; form into small balls with egg and bread-
crumbs, fry crisp, and serve with rich gravy flavored
with curry powder in mashed potatoes, allowing
rather more butter and milk than usual. This last
is a nice accompaniment to cutlets.
Tarragon Vinegar.— Take some tarragon; dry
it in the sun, and then put it into a jar, which fill
with vinegar. Let it infuse for a fortnight, then
draw it off, express all the liquid from the dregs, and
filter the whole; bottle it, cork tightly, and keep in
a cool place.
Stewed Pears.— Cut a number of pears In halves,
peel them and trim them so as to get them all of a
size ; put them in an enameled saucepan, with just
enough water to cover them, and a good allowance
of loaf-sugar, the thin rind of a lemon, a few clovep,
and sufficient prepared cochineal to give them a gord
color. Let them stew gently till quite done. Arrange
them neatly on a dish, s'.rain the syrup, let it reduce
on the fire, and then pour it over the pears.
PtTDDiNG-PiES.— To make pudding-pies, boil for
fifteen minutes five ounces of ground rice in one
quart of new milk; when taken from the fire, stir
in an ounce and a half of butter, four ounces of
sugar, add four well -beaten egg-s, a pinch of salt,
and half a small nutmeg. When nearly cold, line
some saucers with thin puff paste, fill three parti
full, strew thickly with currants, and bake gently
from fifteen to twenty minutes.
Coffee Cake.— One and one-half cups sugar;
one-half cup butter; two eggs ; one half cup strong
coffee; one teaspoonful saleratus, dissolved in the
coffee; two cups flour; fruit if you like. Bake in
very sloin oven.
Omelette Souffle.— One cup flour; one pint
milk ; one spoonful sugar ; small piece of butter,
size of a walnut. Scald the milk, flour, and but-
ter together. After the batter is cold stir in the
yolks of flve eggs, and stir in the beaten whites
just before baking. Bake in a quick oven. Eat
with butter and sugar, or sugar and cream.
Little Puddings.— Beat four eggs very light ;
make a batter of two teacups flour, one teacup of
cream, and three teacups milk, add the beaten
eggs to the batter, beat well together, put in a
spoonful of melted butter; bake "in cups twenty
minutes, in a quick ov^n.
In-growing Nails, Again.— It seems to be the
unanimous opinion that the nail must be flied down
Now, poor sufferer, don't do any such thing. Take
the advice of one who "has been there," and do
this: With a sharp knife, commence at the root of the
nail, about the sixteenth of an inch from the side
that is growing down, and cut gently to the point.
Care must be t-iken not to go too deep, to touch the
flesh. Work the point of the knife under the piece
as much as you can, to loosen it. Take a pair of
tweezers or small pincers, get a firm hold of the
piece, shut your eyes, grit your teeth, and give a good
strong, quick, jerk. Tou will have to do all your
groaning immediately, for that nail will trouble you
none afterward. I used to be a sufferer, and tried
the filing until I was sick of it. It has never troubled
me m the least since I dealt with it as above de-
scribed. A. I. Powers.
Sponge Gingerbread.— Melt a piece of butter
the size of a hen's egg ; mix it with a pint of nice
molasse.s, one tablespoonful of ginger, and a quart
of flour. Dissolve a heaping tablespoonful of soda
m half a pint of milk, and mix it with the rest of
the ingredients. The above makes a soft glno-er-
bread— but if you wisli a douarh, add sufficient
flour to enable you to roil out easily ; roll about
half an inch thick. Bake in a quick oven. We
have found this recipe very convenient.
Puff Pudding.— Three eggs well beaten, nine
tablespoonfuls of flour, one pint of sweet milk;
bake in cups in a quick oven ; serve with sauce.
Sponge Cream CkKr-.—Mlitora Farmer: As I
have seen so many sending receipts, I thoueht I
would send one I know to be good ; it is a sponge
cream cake: One and one-half cups of sugar, three
esgs, one-third cup of water, two tablespoonfuls of
cream, one tablespoonful of baking powder. Bake
in jelly cake pans. Dressing : One pint of milk, one
egg, two tablespoonsfuls of corn starch, one-half
cup of butter, one cup of sugar ; boil until thick
enough to spread. Millie.
New Wat op Cooking Oysters.— Take mashed
potatoes, mix a canful of oysters with the potatoes,
and with a knife cut the mass up fine; add one-half
pound of powdered crackers: fix off with butter,
pepper and salt, and moisten the whole with oyster
juice; take little pats of this, roll them into powder-
ed cracker crumbs, and fry till brown in butter, and
the result when served warm is delicious.
Oil for Sewing Machines.- Do not use any ani-
mal or vegetable oil, such as lard oil, whale oil, or
sweet oil; they all become rancid and gummy, and
if you do not use your machine for a few months it
will stick fast, and you will have to take it apart to
cleaait. The best cleanser, by the way, is benzine.
The best lubricating oil lor sewing machines, and all
kinds of small maclunery.is crude filtered petroleum
of the heavy and thick kind, such as is found in
Western Virginia. The heavy petroleum obtained
by high temperature distillation, after the kerosene
has been driven off. is not so good.
Live Stock.
The Value of Sheep.
Farmers as a rule, eat too much salted meat both
in summer and winter. There is certainly no reason
whatever why this should be the case during six
months of the year, and no valid reason, except
predjudice, why fresh meat should not be used in
summer to a far greater extent than it is.
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
Hi
The real reason is a groundlefs prejudice ajialnst
the use of mutton, llie most nutrllious, economical
and healthful of meats. It Is true there Is a slnsle
disability connected with the raising of sheep cither
as wool or mutton, and that Is, the numher of wortli-
less curs with which our vlllairee, and, Indeed many
of our farms abound; but this would be easily cured,
if more or less sheep were bred on every farm, since
It would then be to the interest of every farmer, not
only either to kill or educate the farm dogs, but also
wage unrelenting war against those not educated to
understand the rights of property.
One of the principal objections to the use of mut-
ton among farmers, we believe, Is the taste the meat
will contract from the wool, if not properly dressed.
This is easily avoided. All that Is needed is to
bleed, skin and disembowel as quickly as possible,
keeping the wool from contact with the flesh ; wash
thoroughly by dashing water Inside the carcass, and
cool as soon as may be. A small sheep, fat, weigh-
ing from sixty to eighty pounds, may easily be con-
sumed by an ordinary sized family before it gets
tainted, except in the hottest weatlier ; If larger, It
may be divided with a neighbor, to be returned in
kind, or sold if the neighbor does not keep sheep.
A small flock of sheep may easily be taught to heed
and be driven to and from the pasture with milch
cows. The wool will fully pay for thecare bestowed,
and the mutton may be considered clear gain ; and,
certainly, no one will deny, once having eaten a meal
of well fed mutton, that It is infinitely superior to
salted pork or bacon. Even when placed In compe-
tition with ham, either sliced or broiled whole, mut-
ton will undoubtedly compare favorabi} with it, at
least for a change. — Wes(ern Rural.
Milk and Beef.
Food is the support of the cow — that is, her sys-
tem, and the calf she carries, of the milk afterward
as a substitute. She can digest and use only a
certain amount— no more. Now, ii there is much
milk, the food eaten and digested will mostly go
to form this — and it requires good feeding to pro-
duce and keep up this large flow of milk, as with the
Ayrshire, the Jersey, and, in many instances, the
native cow. This is evidence against the idea, enter-
tained by some, that both milk and flesh (includ-
ing flit) can be secured at their maximum in the
same animal. To divide equally what is digested, so
that the milk gets half, and the flesh, fat, &c., the
other half, could not possibly, it seems to me, afford
a maximum quantity of milk, and, at the same time,
a full development of beef.
It is true some animals, like Fome of the short-
horns, aflbrd a good carcass, and, in addition, a
large flow of milk, when they are vigorous digestors.
At the same time these animals never get fat while
producing largely of milk. I' is a rule — is it not
universally the case?— that the milk must be stopped
when the animal is to be fattened— slops itself.
Indeed, when fattening. Besides, there is an apti-
tude for milk or fat which is bred. We breed tlie
one in the Ayrshire, the other in the short-horn.
This aptitude must consist In applying the food for
the purpose intended, either to produce fat or milk.
The stomach is the means for carrying out one or
the other of these purposes, to convert all tlie food It
can, and the quantity cannot be made sufficient to
carry both purposes to their highest extent unless
the digestive capacity is increased sutficiently. This
then, it strikes me, is the point. Increase digestion
and the two may be carried, aided by breeding for
the two. Or either may be correspondingly extended
—the milk increased in the milking strain, or in-
crease of flesh and fat in the other, as now.
Horses Lying Down.
I do not know why a horse should not be as much
rested and benefited by lying down as any other four-
footed beast. A horse often sleeps standing up, and
so does an ox. I know that it was claimed for a
gray horse once, as a special merit, that he would
not lie down unless his stall was'well littered; conse-
quently all expense of bedding might be saved, as no
doubt It had been. Horses are peculiar about lying
down. It seems as if they knew their helplessness
when in this position, and were bound never to
expose themselves to danger.
Although many may be lying down, every horse In
a stable Is on his feet at the slightest noise. It is,
besides, almost universally regarded, and usually
true, as a sign of ill-health, if a horse is found lylnsr
down in the day time. I have recently come to the
conclusion, however, that if horses are perfectly easy
In their minds, they will take as much comfort in
lying down as cattle do, and lean point to one stable,
not my own, where spirited, well-fed horses may be
seen lying down at almost any hour of the day or
night, and it comes from the perfect confldence they
have in their groom. — fiouthern Planter.
Balky Horses.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani-
mals recommends the following rules for the treat-
ment of balky horses :
1. Pat the horse upon the neck, examine the har-
ness carefully, first on one side then on the other,
speaking encouragingly while doing so; then jump
into the wagon and give the word ; generally he will
obey.
V. A teamster in Maine says he can start the worst
balky horse by taking him out of the •shafts and
making him go round the circle. If the first dance
of this kind doesn't cure him, the second will be
sure to do it.
S. To cure a balky horse, simply place your hand
over the horse's nose and shut off the nind till he
wants to go, and then let him go.
4. The brains of horses seem to entertain but one
Idea at a time ; thus continued whipping only con-
firms his stubborn resolve ; If you can by any means
give him a new subject to think of, you will have no
trouble In starting him. A simple remedy Is to take
a couple of turns of stout twine around the foreleg,
just below the knee, and tie in a bow knot. At the
first check he will go dancing ofl", and, after going a
short distance, you can get out and remove the
string to prevent Injury to the tendon In your further
drive.
Cows.
Treat them generous and kindly, but do not keep
them fat, unless they are to be turned ofl' into beef.
A cow Is a machine, a laboratory for converting raw
materials into milk. If little be given, little will he
received. All animals should have exercise, especi-
ally those kept for breeding. Some of them are nat-
urally lazy, but they will be better for stirring about
in the open air. It is cruel to keep animals tied up
or shut up for days at a time. They need light too.
Direct sunshine exerts a powerful Influence for good
on animals as well as on plants. Do not overlook a
good supply of pure water two or three times a day;
or good ventilation and proper cleaning of stables.
When the ground is frozen and covered with snow,
it may be well enough, on pleasant days, to scatter
the fodder and allow the stock plenty of room to
pick it up ; but when it is muddy, no one but a slov-
en will fodder on the ground. Good racks should be
made for the sake of convenience and economy.
A Remedy.
To avoid the ugly marks of broken knees, it is
recommended, that when the horse falls the wound
should be washed, by throwing a bucket of water
upon It, and never Irritating It by any friction ; dry
the wound then with a very soft cloth, and place
over It a layer of dry cotton, a finger length in
thickness, covering with a band of fiannel, and the
latter with the usual leather knee-cap not too tightly
strapped. Let the horse repose three or four days
and without touching the bandage; at the expiration
of this period, take off the bandage very delicately
and without touching the crust or the sore, ana walk
the horse for a little, but very slow, then replace the
bandage as before. In thirteen days the crust will
fall, the wound will not only have a new skin, but
will be rr-;ovcred with hair, and no change of color
will be perceptible.- Pari.s Letter.
Calves.
A calf that Is Infested with vermin, may be known
by its rough coat covered with ticks. The young
animals should be freed from these pests at once.
A mixture of lard and sulphur rubbed along the
spine and on the brisket will be effective; and a
dose of a tablespoonful of sulphur and molasses, once
a day for a week, will help greatly to drive away
lice and prevent disease.
Poultry.
Perches are generally placed too high. Probably
because it was noticed that fowls in their natural
state, or when at large, usually roost upon high
branches ; but it should be observed that In descend-
ing from lofty branches they have considerable
distance to fly, and therefore alight on the ground
gently, while In a confined fowl-house the bird
flutters down almost perpendicularly, coming into
contact with the floor forcibly, by which the keel
of the breastbone is often broken, and bumble-foot
and corns are caused. Somu writers do not object to
lofty perches, provided the fowls have a board with
cross-pieces of wood fastened on to it reaching fron;
the ground to the perch ; but this does not obviate
the evil, for they will use it only for ascent and not
for descent. The air, too, at the upper part of any
dwelling room or house for animals is much more
Impure than nearer the floor, because the air that
has been breathed and vapors from the body are
lighter than pure air, and consequently ascend to the
top. The perches should, therefore, not be more
than eighteen inches from the ground, unless the
breed is very small and light. Perches are also
generally made too small and round. When they
arc too small in proportion to the size of the binls,
they are apt to cause the breastbone of the heavy
fowls to grow crooked, which is a great defect and
very unsightly in a table fowl. Those for heavy fowls
should not be less than three inches In diameter.
Capital perches may be formed of fir or larch poles,
about three Inches In diumeter, split into two, the
round side being placed uppermost ; the birds' claws
cling to it easily, and the bark Is not as hard as
planed wood. Tlie perches, if made of timber, should
be nearly square, with only the corners rounded off,
as the feet of fowls a.-e not formed for clasping
smooth round poles. Those for chickens should not
be thicker than their daws can easily grasp, and
neither too sharp nor too round. When more than one
row of perches is required they should be ranged ob-
llquely-thatl6,onc above and behind the other. They
should be placed two feet apart, and supported on
bars of wood fixed to the walls at each end ; and In
order that they may be taken out to be cleaned, they
should not be nailed to the supporter, but securely
placed In niches cut In the bai , or by pieces of wood
nailed to it like the rowlocks of a boat. If the wall
space at the sides is required for laylng-boxes, the
perches must be shorter than the house, and the
oblique bars which support them must be securely
fastened to the back of the house, and If necessary,
have an upright placed beneath the upper end of
each. Some breeders prefer a movable frame for
roosting, formed of two poles of the required lengths,
joined at each end by two narrow pieces, the frame
being supported on four or more legs according to Its
length and weight of the fowls. If necessary, It
should be lengthened by rails- connecting the bot-
toms of the legs and by pieces crossing from each
ant'le of the sides and ends. These frames can con-
veniently be moved out of the house when they
require cleansing. Or It may be made of one pole,
suppnrliil at each end by two legs spread out widely
apart, like two sides of an equilateral or equal-sided
triangle. The perch may be made more secure for
heavy fowls by a nail at each side fastened to each
leg, about three inches from the foot.
The Dominique Fowl.
This truly valuable and meritorious fowl, as it
name implies, is the oldest of the distinctive Amerl
can species, being mentioned In the earliest poultry-
books as an indigenous and valued variety. In the
" New Standard of Excellence" they are described
as follows: "The cock, com!), double, square in
front, fitting close upon the head, top covered with
small points, with a peak behind turning slightly
upwards; wattles broad and full.well-roundcd on the
lower edge; beak bright yellow, short, stout at base,
I apering to the point; eye laree, bright and clear;
head medium size, carried well up: deaf ear red,
neck medium length, finely tapered, well speckled ;
breast very broad, deep aiid full; body large, very
square, compactly built; wings medium size, carried
up, bow and tips covered with breast and saddle
feathers; tall full, expanded, sickle feathers carried
medium height and well curved ; thighs large ani
stronjr; legs rather short, stout, well-spread apart,
free from feathers, and bright yellow in color ; color
of plumage light, slaty blue ground shade, each
feather barred or penciled across with l>andsof dark,
slaty blue, free from white, black or red feathers;
carriage and appearance very upright, noble and
grand. The hen, comb the same as cock, but much
smaller; wattles small and well-rounded; beak
bright yellow, short and stout ; eye large, bright and
clear; head small and very neat; deaf ear red;
breast round and full ; tail full, well-carried, expand-
ed ; legs short and bright yellow, and free from
feathers: color of plumage same as in cock."
Wright, in his "Illustrated Book of Poultry," says
of them : "The Dominique is an excellent layer,
very hardy, and good for the table. It grows fast
and feathers quickly, while its plain homespun suit
makes it very suitable for couittless localities where
more showy or 'valuable looking' fowls would be im-
prudent as out of place. It is to be regretted that in
its native home it has been of late comparatively ne-
glected, owing to the preference for Imported stock
of all kinds. However this may be, wc have no
hesiiation in recommending the Dominique as one of
the most generally useful 'all round' fowls we know."
It Is the farmer's breed for profit, and I feel confl-
deiit that whoever gives t';cm a fair trial will not
discard them for "Shanghais," "Cochins" or
"Brahmas." In conclusion, permit me to say that
the above must not be misconstrued into an adver-
tisement, as I have "nary an egg nor the shadow of
a hen" for sale, neither am I interested in the sale of
any. — W. E. Floirer, in dermantoum Telegraph.
Feeding and Treatment.
Dear Sir: On reading "how 'F. J. W.' makes h|8
hens lay," 1 could not resist the temptation o'
"scribbling" a few lines about my hens and how I
do it. I also feed a warm mush every morning,
through cold weather, and add all the curdled milk
I can get. I heat the milk and turn oflT the whey,
and use the curd. And twice a week I add to this
chopped vegetables— cabbage, beets, onions, turnips,
etc., just which I happen to have the hatidiest.
And in the afternoon feed whole grain, of any kind I
can buy the cheapest. And I do not fail to have
plenty of eggs through the winter. I have been
112
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[July, 1879.
troubled with roup, but since I bee:an to feed carbolic
acid in tbeir mush once a week I have had no cases
of roup.
I take a quart bottle, put in it an ounce of the
crystals at drus store, and then fill with water, put
a gimlet hole through the cork of the bottle, and fit
tightly a pine plug. Of this I feed, say a teaspoon-
ful to one dozen fowls once or twice a week in their
mush, and also use it freely around my house and
nests and perches once a week through winter, and
oftener in summer. The plug in the cork enables
one to throw it from the bottle in small quantities.
Any one who is troubled svith roup, try it, and see
how smart your chicks will act.
And if any sign of roup appears, and the owner of
the sick chicks has not the German Roup Pill, and he
lives away up near the north pole, as I do, and the
chick is sick, awful sick, don't wait to send to New
York or Hartford, but get a stick of gum licorice at
your drug store, and put down its throat a large
piece, and bathe its head and throat with kerosene ;
feed warm mush, and the next day do the same, and
In three days your sick chick will be convalescing,
and with careful handling may be made to do good
service through the remainder of the season.
I have seen in Poultry Yard a number of ledger ac.
counts with poultry; but in all, so far, some fancy
prices are mixed in. Now, what I want to see is an
account kept of actual market prices of eggs and
chicks sold and feed bought. I am keeping such a
ledger with my 32 White Leghorn chicks. I have
a very fine lot of full-blooded chicks, and I sell the
eggs at market price, and chicks ditto.
Will some one who has kept such a record, give us
the result I My 30 chickens gave me a profit through
the winter of t30. M. E. Bkown.'
Keep Pure-Bred Fowls.
Aside from the great pleasure which it affords, it
pays better to keep and breed pure-bred fowls than to
breed and feed a lot of mongrels, which latter many
do for fear of the expense of buying a few pure-bred
fowls to start with. In determining which breed of
fowls to get, make up your mind at the start that no
one breed can or does possess all the desirable quali-
ties you are In search of. If yon wish to breed for
laying, get Leghorns or Hamburgs ; if you wish a
breed for weight, get some of the Brahraas or
Cochins ; and if you wish a breed principally for or-
nament, get the Polish ; but give up the idea of get-
ting a grand combination of all these qualities in one
breed. Make up your mind what you wish in the
way of fowls, and then select such breed as will
answer those requirements best. Give them good,
comfortable quarters, supply them liberally with
water, giving them requisite care and attention, and
you will never have cause to regret your investment
in pure-bred fowls. When your neighbors see what
fine birds you have, they will naturally want some of
them, or a setting of the eggs, and thus will a de-
mand be created which will amply repay your first
outlay of cash and subsequent trouble and expense.
If you had bred nothing but mongrels, there would
have been little or no demand, and then merely at
market prices. A good trio of pure-bred fowls, of
almost any kind, can now be bought at fair figures
from reliable breeders, iu most sections of the country.
Parasites on Hens.
A hen was found so lame she could not walk.
Parasites under the scales around the joint just at
the edge of the feathers, were the cause. Two appli-
cations of turpentine effected a cure, followed by
anointing with coal tar. The turpentine killed ihe
insects, invisible to the naked eye, and the coal tar
healed the soreness.
Literary and Personal.
Of course, no one who reads the communication
on page 84 In our June number, or our editorial en-
titled "Southward Ho !" &c., will come to auy other
conclusion than that the lands offered in "Clover
Hollow," Va., are anything else but virgin lands,
land that is quite different from the worn out soils of
Old Virginia. Mr. H.'s communication fully explains
what they are. In our editorial, we were discussing
the subject of immigration per se, and only alluded to
the Houpt lands incidentally, by way of illustration.
When we remarked that "one old, or partially worn
out farm, renewed and restored to a productive con-
dition, is of more value to the country than a dozen
virgin farms that need no prolification," we had
reference to the general subject, and not to the
Houpt lands; just for the same reason that one re-
claimed sinner causes more joy in heaven than ninety
and nine just persons who need no repentance. In
the possibility of restoring old lands there is future
hope : because, the forcible abandoning of old lands
and taking up new ones, in a far off locality, involves
ultimately, a barren and deserted country, and
human retrogression .
Bulletin of the "American Berkshire Associa-
clation," vol. 1, No. 2, for July, 1879, Springfield,
Illinois, 36 pp. 8vo. giving the proceedings of said
association, with choice selections from the addresses
of some of the most distinguished journals and
speakers in Europe, Canada and the United States,
and a list of its officers, embellished with three full
page illustrations of favorite stock. A wonderful
amount of information on the subject of stock-rais-
ing and kindred occupations.
Summer Pamphlet of pot-grown strawberry
plants : for sale by I. T. Lovett, Monmouth Nursery,
Little Silver, Monmouth county, N. J., an 8vo.
pamphlet of 13 pp. with two beautiful illustrations
of the "Sharpless" and the "Glendale" strawberries,
the first named of which is beautifully colored.
Giving price lists of some fourteen varieties, with
full instructions for their cultivation ; nature of soil,
its preparation, and setting out plants under differ-
ent systems, and other interesting matters In relation
to their culture.
The Fancier's Weekly.— A super royal octavo
of 13 pages, devoted to the rapidly increasing Poul-
try interest. No. 1, vol. 1, of this enterprising jour-
nal has been placed on our table, and it looks "for
all the world" as if it was going to succeed; and if
it don't, then for once, excellence in letter press, em-
bellishments, paper and literary ability will go unap-
preciated and unrewarded. Live or die we extend
our hand and friendly recognition. Welcome into our
fellowship. SI a year, Albany, New York.
Ward's Muss;n\iof Mineralogy, Geology and Zo-
ology, No. 2, College Avenue, Kochester, N. Y.
Prof. H. A. Ward. A quarto circular of 8 pages,
giving lists of naturnal objects on hand and for sale,
in Mineralogy, Geology, Paleontology, Archaeology,
Ethnology, "Zoology, both vertebrate and inverte-
brate; relief maps, charts, pictures, &c., &c., the
details of which are exceedingly interesting to col-
lectors. By sending to the above address, "informa-
tion through circulars or correspondence may be ob-
tained. Prof. Ward purchases choice specimens of
American minerals and fossils, &c.
Premium List of the York coonty Horticultural
and Industrial Society. First Exhibition at York,
Pa., September 17, 18 and 19, 1879. 20 pp. royal 13
mo., containing also Rules and Regulations of the
Association, lists of officers, and an introduc-
tory address to the public. The premiums offered
are very liberal, and are for the best grades of fruits,
flowers, vegetables, dried fruits and grain, painting,
penmanship, drawings, pantry and kitchen products,
household manufactures, embroidery, crotchet and
tatting work, cabinet ware, saddlery, musical instru-
ments, sewing machines, new inventions and miscel
lany . This if an entirely different organization from
the York county Agricultural Society, and exhibits an
energy that our/ht to be contagious.
Premium List of the Twenty-seventh Indiana State
Fair, to be held at Indianapolis, September •.;9th to
October 4th, 1879. An 8 vo. of 40 pp. in paper cov-
ers, with an introductory; Lists of members of the
State Board of Agriculture; Executive Committee;
Superintendents; Rulas and Regulation; Instructions
to Judges: Forms of Protests; Programmes of De-
partments, and 48 "Books" of liberal premiums,
diplomas, silver medals, &c.; General Regulations;
and List of the District and County Fairs of Indiana,
for the year 1879. Indiana seems to be far ahead of
Pennsylvania, in this i-espect. In addition to the
State Fair, seventeen District Fairs, in as many differ-
ent places, and fifty-five County Fairs, in as many
different counties, have been already announced for
the year 1879.
Peck & Snyder's Illustrated Price List for 1879.
Being a Guide for Sportsmen, and devoted to the
advancement of all legitimate Sports and Pastimes.
both out and indoor. Published annually for the
benefit of their patrons and themselves. Price 10
cents. Manufacturers, importers and dealers In an
Immense variety of goods, almost literally— "from
a needle to an anchor." "Now by Saint Paul," we
like that. They publish it for the benefit of them-
selves, as well as that of the public. It Is so com-
mon for advertisers to simperlngly announce that
they have no interest whatever in the matter, and
that they are making the most extraordinary sacri-
fices for the interest of the public alone. 192 pages
12 mo. profusely illustrated, No. 134 Nassau Street,
New York.
La Belle Letter-copying Book and Ink. — A
quarto circular of eight pages, amply Illustrating
what is represented to be the best and most expe-
ditious system of transferring copies of written
letters to a book prepared for that purpose, extant,
and from a practical test in our presence, so far as
our experience is concerned, we believe it possesses
all the merit it claims. This is eminently a Chicago
invention; and, if the testimony of all the leading
Chicago newspapers, merchants. Court officials, mu-
nicipal officers, and county and city functionaries is
of any value. It comes strongly recommended, and
our testimony is certainly not adverse, but rather
confirmatory. Dr. E. B. Herv is the Agent for Lan-
caster county; who will give all necessary informa-
tion on
connty,
Quarterly Report of the Pennsylvania Board
of Agriculture, for March, April and May, 1879.
With the valuable and interesting tabulated statis-
tics, relating to farm wages ; board ; prices of farm
products and stock ; condition of stock ; acreage in
crops ; and condition of crops ; instituting a com-
parison between the years 1878 and 1879 during the
same period. 40 pp. royal octavo, creditably gotten
up as all its former publications. These reports
contain much valuable information as a whole, and
much that may be referred to with profit In the fu-
ture ; but, as reports of the growing crops, they are
not of much practical account ; simply because al-
ways a month or six weeks intervenes between the
period to which they are estimated and their publi-
cation, and six weeks in a growing season, is capable,
sometimes of working a wonderful revolution in the
conditionof vegetation, either beneficial or hurtiful.
Associated Dairying; Creameries and Cream-
ery Butter; Cheese and Cheese-making; Our Dairy
House and the best Butter; 74 pages 16 m. Price,
paper 20 cents. Limp cloth, SO cents. S. H. Zahm
& Co., Publishers, Lancaster, Pa. Not only farmers
and dairymen, but all who may buy or eat butter,
will find something of Interest Id this treatise. It
tells how the celebrated Creamery Butter is made,
and shows the workings of the now widely-extend-
ed system of associated dairying under which it is
produced. Cheese too has some space devoted to it,
but no odor of Limburger clings to Its leaves. No
other modern improvement in the practice of agri-
culture has proved more profitable and convenient
than 'he creamery, nor has any other added more to
the uniform excellence of its products; and the sys-
tem of which the Creamery is a part, has of late at-
tracted renewed attention.
The work is printed on ffood paper, and we think
will meet the wants of those who are looking for iu-
formatlon in regard to the subject treated. We com-
mend the work to our readers as a worthy produc-
tion.
"Four Roller Cylinder Press," of No. 8 Spruce Street,
New York, and is as beautiful a specimen of this
kind of picture printing as we have yet seen. Those
desiring further information, as to quality and ca-
pacity, will do well to send for their Illustrated Cat-
alogue of all their presses, which has just been pub-
lished.
A pure, unsophisticated and artless village maiden,
just blown into womanhood, seems to have been
gleaning— like another Ruth— and, with sickle and
canteen is returning from the field, bearing her sheaf
on her shoulders. Crimson marigolds are twined
low in her hair behind, and she seems absorbed in
deep contemplation, or perhaps only in a " brown
study," as to whether he will keep his promised
tryst. What .a pity that the airy castles of early life
should be doomed to the undermining process of
time, disintegrate, topple over and decay. But, per-
haps after all, the picture is only a "make-believe."
Those chubby hands don't look like the brawny and
bony digits of one accustomed to " pot-v"re6tling"
and the scullery; nor yet to the lacerated or callous
" paws" of the professional reaper and gleaner.
So much for the sentiment of the piece. The me-
chanical contrivance that can throw off such pictures
— perhaps as fast as they can be counted — is entitled
to a prior consideration ; just as a picture portrayed
by the hand, is of almost infinitely less considera-
tion than the hand that produces it, or the mind that
guides that hand.
Farm, Field and Fireside, devoted to agricul-
ture, markets, and home literature. A royal quarto
of 16 pages; Thos. W, Herrlngshaw, proprietor:
Fred. Haukohl, editor: Charles W. Cook, business
manager : published semi-monthly (?) at gl.OO per
year, in advance; single copies 5 cents. Professes to
be "the best Agricultural and Literary paper pub-
lished," and, under that binomial combination, we
are not preared to say that it is not; notwithstand-
ing the absence of a specific qualification may Indi-
cate the whole world. We are too young to know
what Is in the world, notwithstanding we have strug-
gled through a decade or more. To make a long-
story short this journal is worthy the companionship
of those excellent publications "The National Live
Stock Journal," "The Prairie Farmer," and "The
American Stockman," all domiciliated In that re-
markable Gotham of the West— Chicago. The
marked editorials, however, relating to the peculiar
virtues of "revolvers" are mal apropos, so far as
K'« are concerned. We are verging rapidly towards
"three score and ten," and yet we never had occa-
sion to use a weapon more formidable than a tooth-
pick in our life, and we have been in our time at
least 2,000 miles from home for months together.
Modern, improved, and cheapened revolvers may be
the visible outbirths of genius, but it is a genius that
is not evolved from the regions above. Anyhow, what
ean genius be thinking about, when it ultimates a
revolver that will "go off to a hair," and is "sure to
kill" at forty paces or more ? Nevertheless, the
Farm, Field and Fireside Is a capital journal within
the sphere where It professes to labor. Spicy and witty,
Jf it is "young." Heigho I we wish we were young.
THE LANCASTER FARMER
III
ELASTIC TRUSS
Has a Pad dif-
fering from
all others, ii
cup-ahaped,
with SELF-
AD JTJST'Na
BALL, is the
center, adapt!
itself to all
positions of the body,
whUe the BALL in the
Cup PRESSES BACK
THE INTESTINES
jrST AS A PERSON
■WOULD -WITH THE
FINGER. -With light
pressnre the Hernia la
held securely day and night, and a rad-
ical cnre is certain. It is easy, dnrabU
and cheap. Sent by mail, postage paid,
Circulars free.
Address, Eggleston Truss Co., Manfirsi
Or c. H. EGGLESTON CO., Chicago,IIL
An Enlaroeo View (
k Co., Portlaud, Maiu
LOWEST PRICES WILL RULE.^
Lowest Prices
Ever Known in the U. S. for Bones and Phos-
phates.
BAUGirS RAW BONE PUOSPOATE
$30 PER 2000 lbs. CASS,
WITH DISCOUNT TO DEALERS,
Delivered on board boater carsiuPhiladelpbiaor Baltimore.
Dealer** will take notice they will be protected in the
■ale of this Manure. Ouly one denier will be establish^'d in
a town, who will be furuished with the Phosphate at whole-
sale orices.
Early correspoDflence from those who wish to control the
above goods in speciai sections or townships, is necessary,
: as we are organizing for the Summer and Full busiaess a
system of unprecedented
LOW PRICES,
■which will Bhnvi
Bone Fertilizers
are beyond all question, unsurpassed in the
UNITED STATES.
LOW PRICES WILL RULE.
BATTGH & SONS,
Phil.^deli'iiia and Baltimore.
T9-5-lm
HEARING "'^''"^^^«iS
dlTQAWEEK. $12 a day at home easily made. Costly
ij) ( Zoutflt free. Address Tree & Co., Augusta, Maine,
jun-lyr-
M. HABERBUSH,
MANaFACTURER OF
Plain and Fine Harness,
NADDI.t:N.
COLLARS, 'WHIPS, FLY NETS, &c.,
AI;SO DEALER IN
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
BUFALO R0BE3,
Horse Covers, Lap-Rugs, Gloves, <fcc.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
1»-1-1»J I.ANOA8TBB, PA.
NICHOLS, SHEPARD& CO.,
I3attlo CroeU, IVIIell.
ORIGINAL AND ONLY GENUINE
THRESHING MACHINERY.
mHE ENTIUK ThreNhlni? K>
icac Improved M&cbla<
«d OD the dtffcreuce.
NOT Only Vastly Superior for Wheat, Oat«,
Barley, Rye. and like Gr«ln>. but the Okly Succc-u-
rul Thre.her In Flm. TIracthy. Millet. CloTe., «nd like
Seedi. Requires no *' attachmenu" or "rebu..ding" lo
IN Thorough irorkmanxhlp. Elegant Flnlnh,
Perfection of Parts. Complcleucs. of Kquipnient, etc..
A DEPARTURE
High Pricesfor Phosphates.
To mpet the demand of the tlmoH, we have commenced
the manufacture of
TIIK
TWENTY DOLLAR PUOSPHATB,
WE GUARANTEE
the following analyHlN. which will bo printed on
every bug :
Ammonia, - - - sA to 3 per cent.
Bone Phosphate, Soluble, 10 " 12 "
" . " Insoluble, 7 " 8 "
Price, $20 per 2000 lbs. in NewBae;sof
200 lbs. each,
Free on borrd ears or boats in l'iiilinii-li>hia or Baltimor*.
SOLR MANOrACTUREKS.
Philadelphia.
or FITS
CURED!
rtcreaffering for IS yeara wriUii
EPILEPSY
TiilAl. Packac
permanent. A
Dn. RoBll. Riehmond.lnd.— DMrVit':
grSefuli' Uurlnn tlio pa»t throe ye'ara 1 1
Tou to others »lio liavo also been cuied. no m..nry coui.
tuT whatyiinhftTodon'j f-rme. , _ ^""^^i , V.. . •
Por Ccrtificatea of N iimeroHB other Cnrei and lull Inlor-
BAUoa addrctr Da. ROSS, in Main St.. Richmond. 1d4.
-2m-t ■
[ hare been per-
rOPE Sizes of Separators Made,
TIOR Partirulnrs. Call
Dealers
■ lUustrated Clrcu:
A GOOD PLAN.
Anybody can learn to make money rapidly operating In
Stocks, by the "TwoUnei-riug Rules for Success" in Messrs.
Lawrence & Co.'s new circular. The combination method,
which this firra h/is m:ide ao succesisful, enables people with
large or small means toreap all tliebeuefltsof largest capital
and l>e8t skill. Thousands of orders, in various sums, are
pooled iuto one vast amount and co-operated as a mighty
whole, thus securing to each shareholder all the advantages
of thelargestoperator. Immeuseprofltsaredivided monthly.
Any amouut from $."5 to $5,000. or more, can be used success-
fully. N. T. BaptUl Weekly, September 2Gth. 1878, says,
"By the combination system $'5 would make $75, or .5 per
cent ; $50 pays $350, or T per cent.; $100 makes $1,000,
or 10 per cent, on the sk ck, during the mouth, accoidiiig
to the market." Frank LenHe'K lllitatrated Xexeipdper, June
29tb": Th<)couibinalion method of operating slocks is the
most successful ever adopted." A'eto York Independent
September lith: The combination system is founded u|iou
correct business principles, and no person need be without
an income while it is kept working by Messrs. Lawrence k
Co.' Brooklyn Journal, April 20th: "Our editor made a net
profit of $101.25 from $aO in oue of Messrs. Lawrence &
Co.'s combiuntlons." New circular (mailed free) explains
everything. Stocks and bonds wanted. Oovernment bonds
supplied. Lawrence & Co., Bankers, 57 Excbange Place,
i-12m
No. 0 Norlli Oueeo Street
LANCASTER, PA.
lEiii EXMiNER m mm
Is an old, well-established newspaper, and contains junt tb«
news deainible to make it an interesliug and valuable
Family Newspiper. It is published on VVedneaday and
S&turday, subscribera having the choice of whichever edition
that suits their mail facilities bast. The postage to eub-
Bcribers residing outside of Lancaster county ia paid bj Um
publisher.
Send for a specimen copy.
Two Dollars per Annum.
book of the year—
new, »eu-nu tic, practical, and inoneu'savinff — the
DISEASESOFLIVESTOCK
and their mos( rj?w«n( rtfm^rfiM. Including Horsefi, Cattle,
Sheep and Swine. A popular treatise, giving a descriptitm
of all the usual diseases to which these animals are liable,
and the most successful treatment of American, Euijllsh,
and European veteriuariaus, by LlOtd V. Tellor, M. D.
Pp. 461). Price, cloth, »2.5U. Hold only by subKriplion.
Specimen copy mailed ou receipt of price. Kvery Mloeli
ownernnd fanner will bn.r thin book on nlKht.
as it will save him hundreds nf dollars. AN AtiENT
WA!VTKI> IK KVERY TOWN. Agents are making
from $10 to 820 • dRy se ling It. For Circulara and
H. C.' WATTS CO. , 608 Minor St . , PhUadelphla.
Is published every afternoon (except Sunday) and contalni
the news by mail antl telegraph from all p^ifts of the world
up to the houref going to press. It is furnished to sub-
scribers at all the towns and villages In the county, acc«»-
sible by rail or stage, by carriers at Ten I'enta a WeelL,
or by mail at I'lve Uollam per Year.
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Proprietor,
No. 9 Nort^a Qneen St.,
LANCASTER,
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[Jnly,'1879.
A HOME ORGAN FOR FARMERS.
A MONTHLY JOUENAL,
Devoied to Agricu/fsire, Horticultum, Do-
mestic Economy and Miscellany.
Founded Under the Auspices of the Lancas-
ter County Agricultural and Horti-
cultural Society.
EDITED BY DR. S. S. RATHVON.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION :
ONEDOLLi^RPERANNUJf,
POSTAGE PREPAID BY THE PROPRIETOR.
All subscriptions will commence with the
January number, unless otherwise ordered.
Dr. 8. 8. Rathvon, who has so ably managed the editorial
department In the past, will continue in the position of
editor. His oontributions on subjects connected with the
science of farming, and particularly that specialty of which
he is so thorouhly a master — entomological science— some
knowledge of which has become a necessity to the success-
ful farmer, are alone wortb much more than the price of
this publication. He Is determined to make "The Farmer"
a necessity to all households.
A county that has so wide a reputation as Lancaster
ounty for its agricultural prodnote, should certainly be
able to support an agricultural paper of its own, for the
exchange of the opinions of farmers interested in this mat-
oter. We ask the co-oporation of all farmers interested in
this matter. Work among your friends. I^he "Farmer" is
only one dollar per year. Show them your copy. Try and
induce them to subscribe. It is not much for each sub-
Bcriber to do but it will greatly assist us.
All commanicationsln regard to the editorial management
Bhould be addressed to Dr. S. 8. Rathvon, Lancaster, Pa.,
and all business letters in regard to subscriptions and ad-
vertising should be addressed to the publisher. Rate* of
advextiBing can be had on application at the offloe.
JOHN A HIESTAND,
No. g North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
The Fearless
the propiT flff]
report of trial, address
79-7- 3m]
Shukers, whlohl
$66^.
WHY GO WEST
■When desirable Farm LandR in the Grrnt Frnlt DlN-
trlrt of the ■'.-ninNular Garden can be had?
Cool Bummms, mild winters, piire wafers, biud soil, and
every advantage of sjieedy cunimunicatiou by Kailroad,
Telegraph, and Daily Mails, A soil producing the finest
Grain, Fruits add Flowers, and the waters the cuoicest Fish.
Cyslers, Terrajiiu. and Wild Fowl in ."eason. As homes un-
equalled; as investments unBUr]iap8'-d. For I:liis!rated
Books inclose 2o stamp to LAND AGENT, P. W. & B. R. K.
Dei ot, Wilmington. Del. f»"Special advantages (jffered
to Colonies. [79-5-11
HOME-MADE
MANURES.
SCIEmiFIC FOeMOUS FOB IHEie MANUFUCIOBE ON THE
FAHM SENT FREE TO m mm
. The Cheapest, and we believe the most ef-
fective Manure in use, can be made with but
little trouble, by using our Fertilizing Chemi-
cals and Bones, which we furnish of the best
quality, and at lowest prices. We offer, of our
own manufacture or importation.
Dissolved Bones, Sulphate
Perfectly Pure Ground Bones, Fertilizing Salt,
Acidulated Phosphate Kock, Sulphate of Soda,
Phosphate Bock, fine ground, Muriate of Potash,
Laud Plaster, pure and fine Oil Vitriol, full strength,
ground. Sulphate of Magnesia
Sulphate Potash (Kalnit), (Kieserite).
Nitrate of Soda,
HARRISON BROTHERS & CO.,
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS,
AKD
Mannfactnrers of FertiliziiiE Cliefflicals.
(Established 1793.)
FACTORIES AND MILLS AT GRAY'S FERRY.
Office: 105 South Front Street,
PHILADELPHIA PA.
J". &tj^tjf'F':e}if^,
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
LANCASTER. i'A.,
23S EAST ORANGE ST.
All mattere appertaining to UNITED STATES or CANA-
DIAN PATENTS, TRADE MARKS, and COPYRIGHTS,
promptly attended to. His experience, eucceea a id faithful
attention to the interests of those who engage his servicea
are fuQy acknowledged and appreciated.
Preliminary eramiuations made for him by a reliable As-
slBtant at Washlngtou, without extra charge for drawing
wr deBoripUon. [7».l-tf
GRAY'S. SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
TRADE MARK. The Great RncrliHh TRADE MARK.
KCII10<I.T
ly and radically
■^■■v^-:,^ J V, -v^ijp-* perfectly harnjlesa, 1 _
Before Takino; ""«' m«g'f- and I.bs be^n Aftpr'ToWno.
o extensively used for over ■olieX iaEmg^
thirty years wiih ureal succesn. Full particulars in our
pamphlet, which we desireto send free hy mail to every one.
The specific medicine is sold by all druggists at $1 per pack-
age, or six packages for $5, or will be sent free by maU OB
receipt of the mor>ev hy Hddressing
THE GRAY MEDTCINE COMPANY,
No. 10 Mechanics' Block, Detroit, Michigan.
tWSold in Lanoaeler by H. B. Cochran. 137 and 139 N.
Queen St., and by drngaists everywhere. [T9-3-l«
ZIMMERMAN
JFSUIT AND TEGETAJBLS
DRYER & BAKE OVEN
Over 11,000 in use.
m»e BEST in the market.
Made entirely of Oalvanizedlron
AGENTS WANTED.
Send for Circular. Ad^'.ress
1879 SPRING AND SUMMER IS?©"
Coats a[]d Coatings,
PANTS AND PANTINGR,
VESTS AND VESTINGS,
SUITS AND SUITINGS,
OVERCOATS AND OVERCOATINGS
RATHVON & FISHER'S,
IJerchant Tailors, Drapiers and Clotljiers,
Corner N, Queen and Orange Sts.^
LANCASTER, PA.
as any other place in the city. Goods all wool, perfect, tnd
satiNraction giiaranteod. Orders respect-
fully solicited, and promptly executed.
1879 1»7»
Pji^^AI^
200 LBS.
OeJfPf
Is an energetic, natural manure, specially adapted for
summer crojis. It is highly recommended to tobaooo
growers, giving the plants a vigorous start and causius »
rapid growth tn maturity.
Price, 823.5U per ton on cars In PhUadelphla.
HIKAM E. I.1JTZ, IHannfactiirer.
Offiae, 1136 aiarket Street, rbiladelphia.
OITE DOLLAR PER ANNUM-SINGLE COPIES 10 CENTS.
Dr. S. S. RATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., AUGUST, 1879.
JOHN A. HIESTAND, Publisher.
CONTENTS O^HIS NUMBER.
EDITORIAL.
•The New Departure, ------ 11!
Couetilmiuu— By-Laws— Special Resolutioue.
• State. Agricultural Exhibition, . . - H^
, Palliser's American Cottage Home, - ■ - IK
.The Tobacco Fly, - 114
.Our Local Exhibition, ----- 114
QUERIES AND ANSWERS.
. Peach Beetle, ------- n;
^Cultivated vs. Uncultivated Wheat, - - - IIJ
Coveutry Famere iu Laucaeter county.
. White Grub Worms, IIJ
•Red Rust, lie
• Larvae of Saturnia lo, lie
CONTRIBUTIONS.
• Magnolia Glauca— Small Magnolia, - - - lie
'More Moonshine, 116
SELECTIONS.
•Artificial Fertilizers, 117
The New Law Regulating Their Sale— License Re-
quired lo Sell Thcra— Costs of Analyzing to be
Paid by the Manufacturers— Amount of Lioenso
to be Paid by Manufacturers- Penalties for Non-
Comiiliance— Wko Shall Make the Analysis-
What is tolieDonewitb the Money— What isMeant
by "Comme.-cial fertilizers"'— When the Law be-
comes Operative.
• Tobacco Culture in Lancaster County, - - 117
Its Culture in the Olden Tune— The Tobacco County
of the World— Qualities of the Weed— What
Fashion has Done — Preparing the Plant Beds —
Setting out the Plants— Requires Constant Atten-
tion-Time of Ripening— Cutting and Housing—
The Tobacco Barns- Who buys the Product-
Extent of the Crop— The Yield in Pounds and
Dollars- Amount Consumed at Home— Lancaster
County's Segar Industry- Is theCrop Exhausting?
• The Black Bass, U9
Practical Hints on Fish and Fishing— Second only
to the Sahnon and Larger Trout— Tlie Spawning
Season— Protecting their Progeny— Proper Bait
and Tackle— How to Hook Them.
•The British Wheat Fields of the Northwest, - 120
.Butter Factory Organized, - - - - 120
, July Report of the Department of Agriculture-
Corn, Potatoes, and Tobacco, - - - 120
^Valuable hints to Farmers, . - . . 121
• Cutting away our Forrests, - . . . 121
• The Common Elder, 122
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
•■ Agricultural and Horticultural Society, - - 122
The County Fair— Crop Reports- "Siould the
Partridge be domesticated ?"—Geueral Discus-
sion-Special Intercourse — Miscellaneous— On
Exhibition.
. The Lancaster County Poultry Association, - 123
Oufluished Business- Referred yuestions.
I Warwick Farmers' Club, ■
A New Question.
. Linnaeau Society, --.... 123
. The Beekeepers' .Association, - - - - i;4
Putting Empty Combs Between Brood- Getting the
Bees to work la the Honey Boxes.
• A County Fair, ---... X24
The Board ofjManagerB of the Lancaster Conntv
Agricultural and Horticultural Society Fix upon
Time and Place for Holding It— Committees Ap-
pointed—Committees.
. Poultry Association, 124
Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Society
at Litiz. •'
AGRICULTURE.
Weeds and Hay Fever,
Cutting and Curing Hay,
Utilizing Night Soil, - - - -
A New Wheat, - - . . .
,1s Clover a Fertilizer,
About Corn, ----..
The Best time to Cut Wheat, -
HORTICULTURE.
Bags for Protecting Grapes,
Cultivate More Turnips,
Fertilizers and Fruit Trees,
Setting Out Strawberries,
Growing the Crab Apple. -
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
Advantages of Staying in Bed, -
Have a Fish Fond if You Can,
Blackberry Wiue, ....
How to Deal with Rats, - - - -
Fruit Jams,
Duchesse Potatoes, - - - - .
A Delicious Vegetable Soup,
Elderberry Wine, - - . - .
HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.
Green Sage, - . . - .
123
To keep Potatoes from Rotting,
To Preserve cut Flowers, -
To Expel Foul Air from a Well, - - - 126
To Stain Wood, -.--.. 120
To keep Seeds from Mice, - - - - - 1 26
Tomato Stew, - - r26
Stewed Cabbage, ------ 126
Meat Cheese, ------- 126
To make Better Pure in Flavor, - - - 126
To Cleanse a Rubber Piano Cover,- - - 126
To Wash Stockings, - l'J6
To Bake Buckwheat and other Gridle Cakes, 1'2C
To Bake Eggs, 126
Cranberry Jelly, ------ \-2e,
Baked Indian Budding, . . - - . I'^r,
To Preserve Flowers, - - - - - 126
Waffles, - 126
NORBECK & MILEY,
PRACTICAL
kmm Builders,
126
LIVE STOCK.
Pigs, - 127
.Raising Pigs, 127
. Feeding Dry Cows, 127
Sheep and Wool 127
Fattening Calves, --.-.. 127
The Sheep Range, ------ 127
The Mad Itch In Cattle, 127
POULTRY.
The Mother of the Chicken, - - - - 127
The Migratory Quail, ----- 127
Animal Food, ----..- 127
Prolts of the Barnyard and Coop, - - 127
Turkeys, ---..-.. 127
■A White Duck that Lays Black Eggs, - - 128
Onions for Fowls, ------ 128
Destruction of Lice on Fowls, - - - 128
Literary and Personal, 128
m & cos 0L» STA^D.
Corner of Duke aod Vine Streets,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE LATEST IMPROVED
SIDE-BAR BUGGIES,
PHAETONS,
Carriages, Etc.
!llELlRCESLlSSORIiEi\'nnilF,(;in.
Prices to Suit the Times.
REPAIRING promptly attended to. All work
giiarantf.fd.
PHAKEH W. FRY.
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
WALL PftPER & WiHQOW SHADES,
HollnnclM, plain Shade Clotb,
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
ENJTSYtVANIA RAILROAD SOHEDUIiE.
Trains leave the Depot in this city, as follows :
Lancaster.
WE TWABD.
Pnoiflc EipresB'
Way Passengert
Kiagara Express
Hanover Accommodation.
Mall train via Mt. Joy
No. 2 via Oolumbia ,
Sunday Mail
Fast Line",
Frederick Accommodation.
Harrisburg Accom
Columbia Accommodation.,
Harrisburg Express
Pittsburg Express
Cincinnati Express'
EASTWARD.
Pbiladelphiii Expreset.
Fast Line*
Harrisburg Ex
Columbia Acconimodati{
Pacific Express*
Sunday Mail
Johnstown Express
Day Express"
Harrisburg Accom
2:10 p. I
2:15 p. I
5:15 p.]
T:2() p. 1
1:30 p. m.
3:45 p. m.
Col. 2:46 p. 1
12:30 p.
3:40 p.
6:00 p. 1
6:00 p. ;
7:40 p. :
9:U0 p.
The Hauover Accommodation, west, connects at Lancaster
with Niagara Express, west, at 9:35 a. m., and will run
through to Hanover.
The Frederick Accommodation, west, connects at Lancas-
ter with Fast Line, west, at 2:10 p. m., and runs to Frederick.
The Pacific Express, east, on Sunday, when flagged, will
stop at Middletown, Elizabethtowa, Mount Joy and Landis-
u. I'. :Bo^L7V3vt.ia.Kr,
AT LOWEVr POSSIBLE I>RI( E8.
Fully guaranteed.
No. 106 EAST KING STREET,
9-1-12] Opposite Leopard Botnl.
GLOVES, SHIRTS, UNDERWEAR. H
SHIRTS MAdFtO ORDER,
AND WARRANTED TO FIT.
E. J. ERISMAN,
56 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
Manufacturer of
Carriages, Buggies, Phaetons, etc.
CHURCH ST., NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA.
Large Stock of New and S*>oud-hand Work on hand,
very cheap. Carriages Made to Or.Ier. Work Warranted
for one year. [79-l-r2
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
And Manufacti
FURNITURE ^ND CHAIRS,
WAREROOMS:
102 East King St., Cor. of Duke St.
LANCASTER, PA.
NOTICE.
A VALUABLE WORK.
A TREATISE
—OS THE—
HORSE AND HIS DISEASES,
By DR. B. J. KENDALL, of Enoaburgh Palls, Vermont.
It is nicely illustrated with thirty-five engravings, and is
full of useful horse knowledge. Every horse owner should
have a copy of it.
SEND 46 CENTS FOR A COPY.
Jun-U
EDW. J. ZAHM,
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
WATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED WARE,
CLOCKS.
JEWELRY ITABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Ageut for the Arundel Tinted
SPECTACLES.
Repairiug strictly attended to.
North Queen-st. and Centre Square, Lancaster, Pa.
79-1-12
ESTABLISHED 1S'=>2.
Mauutacturers and deak-is in all kinds of rousli and
finished
r.X7IMEB]E:ft,
The best Sawed SHI.%Ci]a':K in the country. Aleo Sash,
Doors, Blinds, Mouidings, &c.
PATENT 0. G. WEATHERBOARDING
and PATENT BLINDS, which are tar superior to any
other. Also best CO A I, constantly on hand.
OFFICE AND YARD :
Northeast Corner of Prince and Walnut-sts.,
1-.ANCA.STKR, PJ^.
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLOGY,
MOXIOUSAND INNOXIOUS
IMSBCTS.
■emedies for their expulsion or extermiuation.
By S. S. RATHVON, Ph. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
This work will be Highly Illustrated, and will be put in
press (as soon after a sufficient number of subscribers can
be obtained to cover the cost) as the work can possibly be
accomplished.
79-2-
nmm
Fruit, Shade and Ornamental Trees.
Write for prices to
Qtyand suited to this climate.
LOUIS C.LYTE.
Bird-in-Hand P. O., Lancaster co.,Pa.
TljE LATEST!
Tlje New Tariff of Rates
Made by OAK HALL, four weeks
ago, sold oil' large lots of
INDUCED MANY TO IMITATE US
-AS USUAIj-
je®" Whatever is Done Elsewhere We
always do Better.-'^J^
This is the latest tariff for the
AS FOLLO-WTS:
An Elegant Business and Dress Suit,
All-wool Black Cheviot, |10. Identical
quality of goods sold by other parties
as a great bargain at $15. We never
sold them for more than $13.
$4.89 buy.s a First Quality Dress
Trousers, sold heretofore at $10.
Fur Beaver and Chinchilla Over-
coats, Good and Warm Cloth Bound,
$8.50, $8.50, 18.50, $8.50.
Next Higher Grade, Beautifully
Made and Trimmed, Cloth Bound,
Silk Velvet Collar, $10, $10, $10, $10.
The Same Goods in Young Men's
Sizes, $7, $7, $7, $7.
Boy's Double Cape Overcoats, with
all the Late Improvements, $5, $5, $5.
Boys' and Youths' Trousers, All
Wool, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39, $2.39.
Hundreds of Latest Styles Child-
ren's Overcoats, Soft Plush Lined,
Elegant Goods, reduced from $8.75 to
$6.50.
$25 Fine French Fur Beaver Over-
coats reduced to $15. (Beautifully
made, Piped with Cloth and the
Finest Linings)
A clear saving of $2.50 on a Fine
Dress Suit.
At our low prices we have sold
thousands of them at $15.00 ; but to-
day make a clean mark down to
$12.50. They are not odds and ends,
but complete lots. Hundreds biggest
men can be fitted. This one lot of
goods contained 55,120 yards, and has
proved the best bargain we have had
for our customers this season.
A customer can come one hundred
miles, and the saving on almost any
Suit or Overcoat will pay the fare
Doth ways.
Wananjaker & Brown,
OAK HALL,
Sixth and Market Streets,
PHILADELPHIA.
The Largest Clothing House ia
Ataerica.
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S. S. KATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., AUGUST, 1879.
Vol. XI. No. 8.
Editorial.
THE NEW DEPARTURE.
The incoi'iinnitiou of the Agi-iculturtil and
Horticultunil Society of Lancaster County,
may be apinopriately regarded as the starting
point of a "new departure. " But it will be
borne in mind by the members of that organ-
ization that this only purports to be the slarl-
4ng point, and as a departure may be retro-
gressive as well as progressive, they should
see to it that they do not move in the wrong
direction. At the July meeting of the Society
its final reorganization was completed by the
adoption of a Constitution, By-laws, and
Special Resolutions for its better government;
under, and in conformity with the act of
Incorporation. Below we publish the three
documents above referred to, in order
that the readers of our journal may know
exactly the laws uudcr which the Society
is working ; and if there are any members
who are not subscribers to The Farmer, if
they take a living and working interest in the
progress of the Society, that interest should so
far influence them as to become subscribers
without further delay. The Farmer pub-
lishes monthly, and has published monthly,
from its very first number in January, 1869,
the proceedings of the Society, as well as all
essays read before it, and a synopsis of all the
discussions had before it. These, together
with its organic laws, will enable the members
at all times to act intelligently in all that
relates to its welfare.
Constitution.
1. The name of the corporation shall be
"The Lancaster County Agricultural and
Horticultural Society."
2. The purpose for which it is formed
shall be to encourage and improve agricul-
tural, horticultural, domestic and household
arts, and any other matters pertaining to the
interests of agriculture and horticulture.
3. Its place of business shall be in the
county of Lancaster.
4. The term of its existence shall be perpet-
ual, subject to the power of the General
Assembly, under the Constitution of the Com-
monwealth.
5. The officers of the Society shall be a
President, two Vice Presidents, five Mana-
gers, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding
Secretary, and a Treasurer, to continue in
office for one year, and until others are
elected; all officers to be elected by ballot at
the annual meeting.
6. The by-laws of this Society shall be made
by the members in good standing, at a general
meeting called for that purpose, and shall
prescribe the time and place of meeting of the
Society, the terms for the admission of mem-
bers, the powers and duties of the officials,
and such other matters as may be pertinent
and necessary for the business to be transact-
ed; Provided that such by-laws are not
inconsistent with this charter, the constitu-
tion and laws of the Commonwealth, and
of the United States.
7. This Society to have all the powers and
authority, and be subject to the limitation
and regulations of corporations of the "First
Class" under act of Assembly entitled, an act
"To provide for the incorporation and regula-
tion of certain corporations ;" approved the
29th of April, A. D. 1874, and its supple-
ments.
Bt-laws.
1. The Society sh.all consist of annual
members, life members and honorary mem-
bers ; who shall bo proposed at one meeting
and balloted for at the next meeting, and a
majority of the members present voting in the
alliVmative shall constitute an election.
2. Annual members shall pay one dollar
initiation fee, which shall be considered their
regular dues for the first year, or any fraction
of the year ; but they shall pay one dollar
annually thereafter, beginning with the first
annual meeting after their election, and a
refusal or neglect to pay said annual contri-
bution for six months after they have been
notifieJby the Recording Secretary, shall sever
their connection with the Society, if so de-
termined by a majority of the members pres-
ent at any stated meeting when a vote is
taken thereon.
3. life members shall pay a fee of ten dol-
lars to constitute them such, but they shall
not be required to pay any dues or fees there-
after.
4. Honorary members shall not be required
to pay any fees or dues, and they shall be
entitled to all the privileges of annual and
life members, except that they shall not have
a vote for officers, nor on any question involv-
ing the financial responsibility of the Society.
5. The stated meetings shall be held on the
first Monday in each month, and the first
meeting in each year shall be called the
annual meeting, at which time all the elective
officers shall be elected: Provided, that under
certain contingencies it may be ordered other-
wise by special resolution, so far as it relates
to the day of meeting.
0. Seven members shall constitute a quorum,
for the transaction of business, and the Soci-
ety shall not be dissolved, or its property di-
vided, so long as ten members wish to keep it
in existence; Provided, that Jive members
may have power to adjourn to any day be-
fore the next stated meeting.
7. The hour of meeting shall be at 1 o'clock
p. m., and the place shall be specified from
time to time by special resolution.
8. The President shall occupy the executive
chair at all stated and special meetings; shall
give the casting vote on questions in which
the members are equally divided; sign all
orders on the Treasury; and shall perform
such other functions, and be entitled to such
privileges as usually appertain to his office.
9. Tne Senior Vice President shall preside,
during the absence of the President, unless
those officers mutually agree otherwise; but
as soon as the President enters the meeting
room, the chair so occupied shall be vacated
and accorded to him, except in cases of tem-
porary inexpediency, or he requests it other-
wise.
10. The Secretary shall record the proceed-
ings of all stated and special meetings ; attest
the President's orders on the Treasury and
shall receive all fees and dues, recording them
in the proceedings, and pay them over to the
Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same.
11. The Treasurer shall be the custodian
of all the funds of the Society, and shall pay
them out on the order of the President,
attested by the Secretary ; but no bill shall be
paid unless it has received the sanction of the
Society, or the Board of Managers.
12. The Corresponding Secretary shall con-
duct the correspondence of the Society, and
shall notify all persoBS who have been elected
members of the .same, and also the (luality of
their membership.
13. The Board of Managers, of which the
President shall be ex-offlcio the chairman,
shall have the general control of such prop-
erty, stocks, books or other values as the
Society may from time to time possess ; shall
direct and supervise all public exhibitions,
and under the sanction of the Society shall
have power to borrow and lend ; to make
contracts and fulfill contracts; and shall
designate three of their number to represent
them in making contracts with others. They
shall also appoint a Librarian, a Chemist, a
Botanist, a Mineralogist and an Entomologist,
who shall hold those offices during good
behavior, or until they voluntarily resign said
offices.
14. All officers shall submit an annual
report on the condition and work of their
respective offices, which shall be in writing;
Provided that the report of the President may
be in the form of an annual address, on such
geneial topics as relate to the progress and
advantage of the Society and its objects.
15. The Librarian shall have the custody of
the books, pamphlets, periodicals, papei-s,
manuscripts and such other literary property
as the Society may from time to time possess,
and shall label, number and catalogue the
same for the use of the members.
16. These by-laws may be altered, amend-
ed or supplemented at any time by a majority
of the members i)rcsent at any stated or
special meeting; Providtd that a proposition
has been submitted one month previous to the
vote being taken thereon ; and that such
alterations do not contravene the charter or
the laws of the Commonwealth.
Special Resolutions.
1. Should any person proposed and diUy
elected a member of this Society, refuse or
neglect to pay his initiation fee, as provided
by the By-Laws, for three months thereafter,
his proposal and election may be considered
null and void; but nothing herein shall be
so construed as to prevent him from a subse-
quent proposal and election.
2. The meetings of the Society shall be
held in the West Room on the third story of
the City Hall, in the city of Lancaster: ex-
cept in cases hereinafter designated, or as
may be otherwise from time to time provided.
3. Two thirds of the members present con-
curring, at any stated meeting of the Society,
it may be lawful to hold the next stated or
special meeting anywhere within the county
of Lancaster; Provided, that a resolution to
that effect has been offered at a previous
meeting; that such place shall be accessible
by railroad or stage, and that two such meet-
ings in succession shall not be held out of the
city limits of Lancaster.
4. "Goocf Standing" shall be interpreted
to mean, one who regularly pays the fees and
dues, provided by the By-Laws, and is free
from criminal offence.
5. When the first Monday in any month
shall occur on the first of January, first of
April, Easter Monday, "\\'liitsuntide Monday,
or on the fourth day of July, then the meet-
ings in those months shall be held on the
Second Mondays, and that fact shall be stated
distinctly from the chair at the previous
meeting, and shall be recorded in its proceed-
ings.
6. The official year shall begin on the first
day of January, and all official reports —
either financial, statistical, meteorological or
otherwise— shall be made and calculated as
near as possible to that date.
7. When any meeting is held elsewhere
than the city of Lancaster, as provided in
the second and third special resolutions, the
time and place shall be determined by a ma-
jority of the members present, and the chair
shall distinctly announce the same before the
meeting adjourns, and said meeting shall be
in lieu of the one which would otherwise have
been held in Lancaster.
8. If deemed necessary, the Secretary may
be authorized to duly advertise such meetings
as are contemplated bv resolutions three and
seven, as Meetings Extraordinary, at least
one week in advance.
4l4
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ August,
STATE AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION.
The Fair of the Pennsylvania State Agri-
cultural Society will be held this year in the
Main Building, Fairmount Park, and on the
grounds, opening on the 8th day of Septem-
ber, 1879, and, in connection with the Perma-
nent Exliibition now held there, it promises
to be second only to the World's Fair held
there in 1876; and, it is hoped that the joint
attraction will again crowd the structure and
the grounds with an immense concourse of
visitors. That every branch of American
art and industry in its latest and most perfect
develoement should be fully repi-esented, is
but a dictate alike of business interest and
patriotic pride.
The dairy industry, with its herds of thor-
oughbred cattle, and its lately introduced
processes and machinery for cheese and butter
making; the wool industry, with its improved
breeds of sheep; as well as the silk, cotton
and flax industries, with the products of the
loom; the finest breeds of swine and poultry,
and the results of fish culture, all will be rep-
resented there. The State Society offers
$9,000 in prizes for live stock alone. A ring
for the display and exercise of horses and
cattle will be provided, but all racing will be
prohibited. Liberal premiums are also offered
for all kinds of manufactured goods; heating
lighting, ventilating and cooking apparatus;
tools, implements and machinery, and the
products of the fine arts. The Turkish, Tu-
nisian and Scandinavian Courts in the east
nave of the building have been allotted to
fruits and flowers; and the products of vine-
yard, orchard, garden and conservatory have
never had more elegant accommodations pro-
vided for them heretofore. Horses and cattle
will be assigned to quarters within the main
building.
Of course the best of its kind should be
placed on exhibition there, but as it would be
impossible for any one to determine before-
hand which is best, let no one decline to be an
exhibitor, merely because he may think his
productions may not be the best— that can
only be determined by comparison. On the
whole, we thiuk it a good move on the part of
the State society to hold its annual exhibition
on the classic ground it has selected this year,
and, if it were to make them permanently
there, and in future become less of a tramp,
we believe it would be better for the Society,
socially and financially, and it also would be
more useful to the State at large. Let the
interior exhibitions be in the hands of the
counties or districts; because an itinerating
State exhibition, nine times in ten, does not
amount to as much as an ordinary county
fair, if it does not prove a failure.
PALLISER'S AMERICAN COTTAGE
HOMES.
This work is illustrated by forty plates,
each of which is nine inches by twelve in size,
containing fifty designs of modern low priced
cottages and workingmen's homes, suitable
for erection in city, suburb, village, or the
country. There are two hundred and sixty
separate drawings ; giving plans, directions,
perspective views, sections, details and speci-
fications; also descriptive letter press on the
back of plate, giving forms of contracts, and
other matters relating thereto. This, to all
intents and purposes, as well as utilities and
values, is a SIO.OO book, both in size and
quality, and in style it is just the thing needed
for such house' as are called for daily by the
masses of the people. If a poor man desired
to build but a single house in all his life, it
might be more to his interest than the cost of
a dozen copies of the book ; which can now be
obtained at the astonishingly low price of
$5.00. It is in one Koyal Quarto volume,
printed on heavy tinted plate paper, hand-
somely bound in half leather, with side stamp
in gold. It is eminently a book for the
people, and it is difficult to comprehend how
any carpenter or builder can aftbrd to be with-
out it. All the opinions of the press, whose
commendations are of any value in regard to
such a work, have given the highest testi-
monials of its character. If any of our
patrons or the public desire a copy of the
work, we will volunteer to be the medium
through which they may obtain it without any
trouble to themselves. The Scientific Amer-
ican says :
" This firm is doing valuable service in its
frequent publication of copiously illustrated
works containing designs for dwellings which
are not only moderate in price but in accord-
ance with a constantly improving popular
artistic taste. American village architecture
has long been remarkable for lack of beauty,
chiefly perhaps on account of the rapidity
with which new towns spring up in this
country, and the necessity of building at low
cost. Now that the best architects do not
think the planning of a workman's cottage
unworthy of their skill, we may look for the
application of better principles both in con-
struction and exterior appearance. The
present work is a notable instance of what
may be done toward adapting really tasteful
and new designs to the exigencies of moderate
outlay. Here are fifty designs, each giving
the necessary plans, elevations, and perspec-
tives of cottages, none costing more than
$4,000 to erect complete, and ranging from
that figure down to as low as $325 for a very
neat two-room one and a half story dwelling.
All are tasteful, many picturesque and ele-
gant. They are intended for the country and
look rural, which is much more than can be
said of the ineffectual attempts to imitate
French city architecture on a reduced scale,
which of late years many architects have
made in planning country homes. Full forms
of specifications and agreements are given, so
that the reader has only to select his design
and make a contract with a builder to have it
constructed."
THE TOBACCO FLY.
When the flies come to the top of the earth
they are very full of eggs, before they are fully
developed or their wings are formed. Its
body is thick and plump, and it will crawl up
on any bush, weed, grass, fence, or anything it
can get to, remaining there until its wings are
strong enough to carry the body. As soon as
they can fly they commence laying eggs.
They deposit their eggs the first night of their
winged existence. I have conflned them in a
room, and give it as my opinion that nine-
tenths of all their eggs are deposited the first
night after they begin to fly. Of course, they
are likely to be killed by sucking the flowers,
and are likely, also, to leave the tobacco and
go to the flowers before depositing all their
eggs ; but, accordmg to my observation, they
are too busy depositing their eggs to pay
much attention to blossoms. After they have
deposited all, or a great portion of their eggs,
then they are busy sucking flowers; their
bodies have become more sharp and elongated;
they can fly with greater ease and rapidity,
and have nothing to do but suck the blossoms
for two or three nights and die. And it is
during this time, when they have deposited
the greater portion of then- eggs, the largest
number of flies are killed. I have conflned in
a room, and provided for it everything to
sustain life, and flnd that it lives only two or
three nights after depositing its eggs. My
opinion is that the fly impregnates the worm
while it is on the tobacco. And with all due
deference and respect to the opinions of
others, in my humble opinion I do not think
the killing of the fly while sucking the blos-
soms will lessen the number of hornworms to
any very great extent.
Now, you ask just here what I propose in
the premises. Let the farmers throughout
the tobacco districts put in a fewer number of
acres — to lessen the crop one-half would not
be too much. Let what ground you do culti-
vate be of the best quality and well-manured.
We believe it possible to produce, with proper
manuring and cultivation, 1,500 pounds of
good tobacco per acre. Let no worms arrive
at maturity or become large enough to be
impregnated by the fly. Let the tobacco you
do cultivate be a better quality than has
heretofore been cultivated, and the results
will be that farmers will realize more money
for what tobacco they do cultivate than at
present. — Exchange.
We publish the above— although its author,
and the journal in which it was flrst published
a/e both unknown to us — simply because
among its glaring errors there may be some
grains of truth, and we give our readers an
opportunity to receive them in a practical, off-
hand way.
It is just DOssible, that those who may
depend upon destroying these "Tobacco-flies"
(Sphinx Carolina, et 5-maculata) by poison-
ing the flowers they visit in the evenings, or
by striking them down with paddles, or by
catching them in nets, may attach too much
importance to those remedies, or may kill the
flies after they have deposited all, or nearly all
their eggs; and then, supposing they may
have circumvented the enemy, may relax
their vigilance, to the detriment of their crop.
It may also be true that in the earlier life of
the fly it deposits the greater portion of its
eggs, although not before the females become
fertilized : but to assert that the fly "impreg-
nates the worm," is a most preposterous
assumption. True, the author does not say
that he witnessed the act, but he gives it as his
"opinion," an opinion, than which nothing
could be more absurd. As well might he
give it as his opinion that a cock impregnates
a chick when it is a day old, or a bull
impregnate s a sucking calf. Even if we had
never found the male and female tobacco flies
in the very act of coition, we could not
believe such a monstrosity as he refers to,
reasoning on analogy alone. The worm is the
infant of the fly, and in it the sexual organs
are as little developed as they are in a chick
or a calf, and are beyond the power of repro-
creation.
Nothing could more clearly illustrate that
editors of agricultural journals should have
sufficient knowledge of entomology to prevent
them from publishing such articles without
note or comment, no matter from whom they
may come. It is singular, too, that out of the
great body of tobacco growers in the country,
there are so few among them who seem
capable of making and recording accurate
observations upon the transformations and
habits of the enemies that so conspicuously
infest their crops. This opinion only excels in
absurdity the one we refuted and ridiculed
about a year ago, to the effect that tobacco
worms changed into grasshoppers, and in that
form deposited the eggs upon the plants.
And then one paper after another copies these
articles as standard agricultural literature —
sometimes enhancing their absurdity— but
never adding a word as to the impossibility oA
such wonder-working tales. It is true, there
are many wonderful phenomena in the trans-
formations of the insect world, but they are
all orderly in their development, and in con-
formity with pre-established law, clearly seen
and understood when those laws are known.
OUR LOCAL EXHIBITION.
By reference to the proceedings of our local
Agricultural and Horticultural Society, it
will be seen that a resolution was carried to
hold an exhibition the present season in the
Northern Market House, if the building can
be obtained for that purpose. This in our
opinion would be a very appropriate place,
and although we do not attempt to speak with
authority, yet we do not entertain a doubt
about its use being readily granted for that
purpose. The exhibition nJight be opened
there on Wednesday morning and continued
to Friday evening, without at all interfering
with the market hours. The stalls and tables
are ready at hand, and no expense would be
incurred in fitting up, and everything would
be protected from sun "or rain; besides, the
building is spacious and the ventilation per-
fect. All that is required is for the Board of
Managers, who, under the new by-laws have
the superintending control of all fairs, to be
energetic, and the members to earnestly sec-
i879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
115
ond their efforts, by a resonably active sup-
port.
The state of agriculture, horticulture and
floriculture has never been so unpropitious in
Lancaster county but what a creditable dis-
play of its productions could be luade in any
season, if only the people were honestly to
will it. People should exhibit what they
have, no matter how favorable or unfavorable
the season may have been. If the season has
been unpropitious in any districts of the coun-
ty, or in the whole country, it may be as in-
teresting to witness the evil effects upon the
productions of the soil, as to witness the good
effects of a favorable season.
We would therefore admonish the members
of the Society to ea.inestly go to work, and
get up such an exhibition as will do honor to
our "garden county,'' and we believe that
they can accomplish it in a far greater degree
than they may now suppose. We ought to
accept, appreciate and reflect the bounties of
natiu-e, just as she has.furnished them to us,
in order to show that 'we are worthy recipi-
ents of her gifts. The man or woman who
will not exhibit their productions of the soil
unless they can have the pre-assurance that
they are the very best among a display, may
be influenced by more self-pride and ambition
than is absolutely necessary to constitute
them good farmers, or farmers' wives. In
our view of the matter, a display that exhib-
its the average products of a county or a
State, is far more satisfactory botli to home
residents and strangers, than a few extraor-
dinary agricultural achievements that have
been the mere results of chance, and the pro-
duction of which it would be impossible to
communicate to another.
In a favorable season anybody or everybody
may produce handsome and thrifty specimens
©f vegetation, without hSving exercised any
more than ordinary skill or vigilance; but, if
under adverse circumstance, one man can pro-
duce better crops than another, it is of inte-
rest to the whole public— the consumer as
well as the producer— to know from ocular de-
monstration that such an effect has been pro-
duced, and the manner in which it was ac-
complished. The agricultural, horticultural,
and tioricultural products of the country lie
at the very base of our physical, social and
financial structure, and through these exer-
cises a corresponding influence upon our men-
tal and moral being, and instead of being
merely subordinates in the body politic, they
are absolutely primitives.
There has hardly ever been an exhibition of
the agricultural, horticultural, and floricultu-
ral produce of Lancaster, that scores of tliose
who visited them, have not remarked: "Oh,
had I known it beforehand I could have ex-
hibited "—this, that or the other thing— "su-
perior to anything I see here." Doubtless
they have felt gratified, on the whole, but still
have been compelled to make the confession
that they could have contributed something
that would have been eciually gratifying to
some other person had they bt en willing to do
it. Now, these are the people who should
compose the company of an agricultural dis-
play. Of course there are hundreds who are
so situated that it would be impossible for
them to be anything else but auditors, but as
an exliibition without auditors would practi-
cally render the whole thing void, therefore
their presence in goodly numbers is also ne-
cessary, in order to make it a success, and to
difluse its benefits among society. Through
these channels also those social streams flow
which are the medium of friendly intercourse
between the diflerent elements of society.
"Freely ye have received, freely give," is an
inculcation that cannot be ignored with profit
in an era of humanizing progress.
By reference to page 124 of this number of
The Farmer, it will be seen that the Soci-
ety has obtained the Xorthern Market House,
and have adopted Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday, the 10th, 11th and 12th of September
next, as the time on which to hold the exhi-
bition.
Queries and Answers.
PEACH BEETLE.
Lancastek, July 23, 1879.
Dear Sir : These beetles were found on a poach
tree on the farm of lauae L. Landfs, In Manhcira
township. They puncture the bark and enter Into It
endways, and then work cavities underneath and
between the wood and outside bark. The tree was
full of them at the trunk or stem up to the limbs.
Is there anything new or not in their appearance
as peach tree borers. I never saw them before. —
Yours truly, Israel L. Zoniii*.
Your insects are not new, although so far as
my knowledge of them extends, they are not
very frequent. During the last six years
small infested branches of the peach tree have
been sent me, on two occasions from the
Southern part of Lancaster county, and once
from Cecil county, Md. In this last case the
branch was over an inch in diameter, and
three inches long, in which were at least a
dozen of the insects developed, besides those
that had escaped before I had received it. It is
a small, black, roughly punctured and striated
insect, and belongs to "the order Coleoptera,
and family Scolytid<e, and catalogued by
Dr. Harris as Tomicus liminaris. Dr.
Leconte, in a footnote, p. 88 of "Harris'
Treatise" of 18C2 says: This species differs
from the others known in this country, by
having the last three joints of the antenna;
tfilated laterally, forming a lamellate club
like that of the Scarabid^, it therefore
belongs to the genus Phloiotribus. I notice
that these specimens possess this characteristic
very distinctly.
Miss Morris, late of Germaniown, Pa., I
believe was the first to bring the notice of this
insect to the public as a depredator upon
peach trees, and as the trees were affected
with the yrllmcs, she hence attributed the
malady to this cause. Dr. Harris found the
same insect under the bark of a diseased elm.
As I have never found the insect on peach
trees, I am unable to say whether the trees
from which my specimens came were healthy
or diseased.
This whole family of beetles make excava-
tions under the bark of various trees, includ-
ing apple, pear, plum, quince, cherry, peach
elms, oaks &c., &c., and from the many
eccentric channels they cut, they have been
called " Typographer Beetles. "
They are so small, both in the larvae, the
pupa and the mature state, and are so com-
pletely domiciliated in the tissues of the bark,
that it would be impossible to apply a remedy,
other than than that of cutting off the infest-
ed limbs, or the whole tree, before the de-
velopment of the beetle, and submitting it or
them to a heating or charring process; or if the
wood is no object, burning it at once. Of
course as forest trees become fewer, these
wood and barkboring insects will be trying
their hand on the cultivated trees, whether
fruit or ornamental. Like the Colorado Potato
Beetle, the Curculio, the Striped Apple-tree
Borer (Saperda), they are partial to the culti-
vated objects of the vegetable world— in short
as the human species profess to be, they are
progressive, and "that's what's the matter."
Barbville, p. O., July l~th, 1879.
Prop. S. S. Rathvon— 2)cor ,S»)-: This season
the contrast between the cultivated and uncultivated
wheat was much larg:er in favor of the cultivated
(side by side, in the same field, the same quantity of
grain to the acre, and sowed the same time) , than
anytime heretofore. I was sorry that A. B. Groff,
the patentee, had been in the West all summer, and
I had been so very busy that I neglected to invite in-
terested persons to come and see the great difference
before them, in the growing of larger and better
crops. But I am happy and well pleased to state
that quite a number of gentlemen, some that saw It
last year, and were so well pleased with the improve-
ment that they were anxious to see it again ; and
others that had heard the many favorable reports
last year, came this season to see and judge for
themselves. Among said parties was a committee of
four gentlemen appointed from the Grangers of East
and North Coventry twps., Chester co. These gen-
tlemen are very much interested in the many
improvements concerning farming. I enclose you
the Montgomery Ledger containing their report, and
If you thmk It proper to copy It Into Tnp Fakmbr,
all right, if not I hope there Is no harm, and beg to
remain, — Yours truly, Levi W. Oroff.
We cheerfully comply with our correspond-
ent's request ; not only because he recjucsts it,
but because we are in sympathy with •any-
thing that tends to agricultural progress, and
promotes the welfare of the people, no matter
whether it culminates in our own personal
interests or not. We also feel a natural
pride in the progressive modes, systems, and
general institutions of our native county, and
imagine that if i( has no light to slicd upoa
agriculture — occupying the financial, social,
aiid geographical position it does— then we
arc at a loss to know where we might reason-
ably look for such light. We are confident
that our own county possesses many resources
within itself that it may be vainly looking
abroad for a realization of ; and many people
may also discredit things purely because they
originate at home.
The following is the report alluded to 'in
Mr. Groft''s communication :
Coventry Farmers in Lancaster County.
One day last week four prominent farmers
of North and East Coventry, Chester county,
Messrs John 15. Keill', David W. Jones, John
Ellis and William Davis drove to Bareville,
I^ancaster county, to examine the process of
cultivating wheat, practiced by Mr. Levi
Groff of tliat place. One of their nimiber has
written for the Ledger the subjoined interest-
ing account of what was seen by the party at
Bareville :
"Mr. Groff has two fields of wheat, lying side by
side, each having half the grain put in by the ordi-
nary drilling plan, and the other half drilled in,
leaving a sufBcient distance between the rows to
allow cultivation with a cultivator gotten up
expressly for the purpose.
Though the wheat planted by the old method is In
a very promising condition, and may yield '.iO bushels
per acre, the cultivated portion of the fields will
exceed this yield at least 50 per cent. In the opinion
of our party 45 bushels is a low estimate per acre for
the production of the cultivated wheat.
The observer Is especially Impressed with the
marked contrast between the two halves of each of
the two fields. The cultivated portion stands upon
strong straw, at least six inches above the uncultivat-
ted wheat, presenting a very luxuriant mass of
uniform heads, well filled, and from four to six
inches long.
In the drilled portion we saw many small heads
upon short straw, striving among the growing crop
for equality, as it were, and so common in ordinary
wheat fields.
Mr. Groff's plan of cultivation is to pass between
the rows of wheat with a cultivator as soon as the
ground is in condition to work in spring, and con-
tinue to do 60 until about the 10th of May, at which
time, and after the last cultivation, he sows the
grass seed (clover and timothy), and owing to the
mellow condition of the ground it grows quickly and
surely, as was demonstrated by the two fields shown
us, in which he had wheat last year, and cultivated
as described.
We left for home after having spent about three
hours more than we Intended, and having enjoyed
the cordial hospitality of our host, and feeling, too,
that we had gained not only In pleasure and satisfac-
tion, but had seen and learned by our visit to Mr.
Groff's farm what an industrious and intelligent
farmer can do to promote his own interest, and that
of agriculture generally. Mr. Groff's son has
Invented a drill with cultivator attachment, suitable
for his method of raising wheat, which Is patented,
for which every farmer should obtain a farm right,
to raise wheat in the same way, as we feel confident
it will pay to do."— Montgomery Ledger, June 2i,
1879.
WHITE GRUB WORMS.
Dr.S. S. Rathvon— i>ear Sir: Will you please
give a description of the worm which I have to-day
sent to your address.
You will notice that It feasted upon a potato,having
eaten out and lodged itself In a hollow In the potato.
There was another worm of the same shape, and
probably of the same variety, but of a brown tinge,
feasting upon potatoes. This Inclines me to think
that the one I sent you has not yet reached its
maturity. Please answer through the columns of
The New Era.— Yours, etc., J. A. Hhaar, liothsvilU,
Pa.,July:M,\S,Vi.
Your "worm" came to hand, dead, and
partially crushed. Things sent through the
mail shoidd be inclosed iu a stout paper, tin
116
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ August,
or wooden box. The object seems to be the
immature larva of one of three prominent
beetles, belonging to the coleopterous section
Lamellicornia, or "Book-horn Beetles;"
because the ends of their antennae are lami-
nated like the leaves of a book. It is prob-
ably a larva of the second year, as it takes
these insects from three to four years to
complete their larval condition ; but this
subject was too young, and too much injured
to determine its species. There are a great
number of these insects, and their larva are
generally known xmder the name of "White
&rub Worms."
They all live upon the roots of vegetation,
and a few of them are usually found in very
much decayed, moist wood. The most com-
mon and the most numerous in this locality is
the "May-Beetle" (Lacnoaterna quercina) also
called the "June-bug. ' ' This species is about
an inch in length, smooth, and of a deep
chestnut brown color, and when very numer-
ous they are very destructive to the foliage of
different kinds of trees.
1 have found the larva of these eating their
way into the potato on several occasions.
The next of these insects in numbers is the
larva of our common "Goldsmith Beetle"
(Gymnetes nytidcs), which has also been
detected excavating the potatoes, and the
beetle is often found hovering over potato
fields in June and July.
This insect is about the same length as the
first named, but much thicker ; of a velvety
surlace, and from a deep green to a yellowish
green in color. Nearly every boy knows what
a goldsmith is, and some of them cruelly tie a
thread to one of their legs and fly them like a
kite. The third species to which I allude is
the "Eastern Gold Beetle" [Cotalpa lanigem),
and although this beetle is often found
abundantly in the eastern tier of the counties
of our State, it occurs but rarely in Lancaster
county. Its generic name is derived from its
shining golden appearance, and the specific
name from the sparse covering of wool, or
hair, on the legs and under parts of the body.
Should these insects become sufficiently
numerous, at any time or place, to be injuri-
ous to the crops, it would be difficult to
exterminate them, especially as they usually
are hidden among the foliage and fly abroad
during the evening or at night. The life of
the beetle is short. We have seen hundreds
of the May beetles lying around dead in the
month of July.
There are some species of them that in the
larva state are destructive to the roots of the
grass, especially in meadows. In England
and France the governments sometimes offer
a premium for them, and they are plowed up
by the bushel. They are so fat that they
have been used to make soap. None of them
have been very destructive in our country.
RED RUST.
Mr. McO., West Orange street, Lane, Pa.—
Tour quinces are infested by an orange
colored fungus commonly called "Red Bust ;"
it is the TJredo ruhorwn var cydonum of my-
cologists. It belongs to the same family of fungi
that usually infest the raspberry, the hawthorn
the ash, wheat, oats, rye, barley, and many
other trees and plants, and is usually known
under the names of rust, smut, mildew, &c.
It generally succeeds a long, warm, dry spell,
followed by a close, warm, damp spell, and is
difficult to eradicate. The immediate re-
moval of the infected parts before the fungus
matures and discharges its spores, is the best
remedy, where that can be efiected. If the
tree and fruit are otherwise healthy, a wash
of weak lye or soap-suds, applied by hand,
will remove it and save the fruit, if the
disease has not progressed too far. Please
see The Lancaster Farmer for June, 1879,
page 82 and 83.
•
l^ARVM OF SATURNIA lO.
Mrs. P. E. O., Enterprise, Lane, co., Pa.—
The insects on your raspberry stalks, feeding
on the foliage, are the young larvce of Saturnia
lo, the ' 'American Peacock Moth. ' ' They do
not long remain thus congregated together,
but scatter and become of a deeper green,
with a bright orange and light brown si ripe
along each side, which is only slightly visible
now, and at full maturity they attain over
two inches in length. They then spin a close
spherical cocoon, partially covered with
leaves, and mixed with sufficient mucilage to
become pretty hard. They remain thus until
the following year, and the moth evolves
about the 1st of June, producing only one
brood a year, but never sufficiently numerous
to be very injurious. The male is yellow and
slightly mottled with light brown. The
female is much larger, her aler expansion
being 2J or 3 inches, and is of a much darker
color, almost brown ; both sexes have the
peacock eye or disk on the posterior wings.
They are not peculiarly a raspberry insect,
but are also found on the blackberry and
other shrubbery, as well as on trees.
Contributions.
For The Lancaster Farmer.
MAGNOLIA GLAUCA— SMALL MAGNO-
LIA.
This belongs to a class of trees distinguish-
ed for their elegant forms, rich, smooth foliage,
large fragrant flowers, and aromatic bark,
some becoming trees of great altitude. The
present species is more humble in its growth,
but not the less interesting.
This glauca is common in the Middle and
Southern States, very abundant in the mo-
rasses of Florida and Lower Louisiana.
About 30 miles north of Boston, where it at-
tains but small size, it is frequently killed to
the ground, by severe winters.
This is also known by the names of Sicamj)
Sassafras and Beaver Trees North; in the South
as Sweet Bay and White Bay. It is usually
found in swamps or boggy soil. It is some-
what difficult to raise in upland soil, , but it
acquires more symmetry of form when success-
fully cultivated.
The species native to the United States are
the following, viz:
1. M. Grandiflora. L. N., Carolina to Flori-
da, west to the Mississippi ; fls. large 7 to 8 in
broad, trees 60 to 70 feet high. Leaves 6 to 8
inches long.
2. M. Glauca. L. Ivs. oblong, oval obtuse,
white beneath ; flowers of 9-12 petals. May
and June very fragrant ; 2 to 3 inches broad.
White flowers.
3. M. Umbrella, {Lam.) (M. tripetala, L.)
Southern and Western States, New York and
Pennsylvania ; the umbrella tree ; trees 30 to
40 feet high. Leaves crowded ; 1 to 2 feet
long.
4. M. Acuminata, L. New York to Georgia.
Tree 60 to 80 feet ; flowers 3 to 4 inches in di-
ameter. This is the ciicu7nber tree. The cylin-
drical fruit is three inches long when green,
resembles a cucumber.
5. M. Cor data, {Miclix.) Carolina and
Georgia. Trees 20 to 40 feet high ; leaves
4 to 6 inches long. Flowers yellow, faintly
streaked with red.
6. M. Fraseri, (Walt.) On the Alleghany
Mountains. Pennsylvania to Florida. Trees
30 to 40 feet high. Leaves 8 to 12 inches long,
somewhat auricled below ; flowers white ; 2
to 3 inches long.
7. M. Macrophylla (Michx). Leaves whitish
beneath. Southern. Trees 30 to 40 feet ; leaves
crowded on end of branches ; 1 to 3 feet long.
Our tidip tree, white wood, or white poplar,
the Liriodendron tulipifera, [L.) belongs to
this order— "MagnoliaceaB."
This genus of trees was named by Plumier,
in honor of Peter Magnol, Botanical Professor
at Montpelier, who published several works
on botany. Magnol died in 171.5, at the age
of 77. With respect to the M. Glauca, figured
above, I may add that it begins to flower in
difterent parts of the United States in May,
June and July. The flowers are highly fra-
grant. A few of them shut up in a room over
night gives the air a heavy and almost insup-
portable odor, so as not to be advisable in a
sleeping room. The bark of the young twigs
is smooth and of a bright green color, with
rings at the intersection of and scars of the
leaves. The leaves are scattered. The
whitish color of the under side of the leaves
will distinguish the trees at a distance. The,
bark is rather bitter and has an aromatic
pungency, somewhat like sassafras or calamus.
The aroma resides in a volatile portion and '
may contain an essential oil, or a variety of
camphor. When dry and kept for some time
it loses this property. There is not much as-
tringency in the bark, yet as a medical article
the Magnolia is considered an aromatic tonic,
approaching in its character to cascarilla, .
canella and articles of their class.
It has attained some reputation in the cure
of chronic rheumatism. The bark, seeds and
cones are used in tincture. In intermittent
and remittent fevers the Magnolia is one of
the many tonics which have been resorted to
for cure by inhabitants of the marshy coun-
tries where they prevail. Sufficient ^testimony
has been given in favor of the bark of this
tree to warrant a belief that it is fully ade-
quate to the removal of fever and ague, when
administered like the cinchona (Peruvian
Bark), in like quantities, between the parox-
ysms. In the more continuous forms of fever
of the typhoid type it has also received the
commendations of eminent physicians.
Many of our eminent physicians, who would
rather use mineral preparations or matters
from the vegetable kingdom that come from
afar, may turn up their nose at such domestic
home remedies, but I do not write for their
edification. It is supposed that they know. all
about it and, of course, pay no attention to
such newspaper articles. I am writing as an
old botanist, as well as an experieilced drug-
gist, and simply wish the merits of our herbs
and trees to be known, whether appreciated, '
tested or not. I know what I am writing
about, and as I do it voluntarily, for the benefit
of the readers of The Lancaster Farmer,
and am not a vender or collector of the drug,
I simply give a hint to those who may see St
to do so. J. Stauffer.
For The Lancaster Farmer.
MORE MOONSHINE.
Mr. Editor : — I did not expect or intend to
be drawn into a controversy on solar influences,
but solely to draw out more light on this dark
subject, as I believed there were some "hints"
yet in embryo, that might enlighten our
understanding more clearly than heretofore.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
il7
But it appears your "Amateur Farmer" (?)
takes especial jiaius to deny that of whicli he
is evidently quite as ignorant as myself. How
can we judge of that of which wo know
nothing ? He denies in toto the moon's effect
on terrestial matter, without knowing any
more of those planetary orbs than the rest of
us "ignorant farmers."
He tells us he made some experiments, by
placing bricks on the ground, when the sign
was up, and again when the sign was down —
hut the moon would neither "raise tlicm up
nor press them down : but as the moon did
not notice tliem, of course he concluded,
did'nt do more than conlirm him in his unbe-
lief. He might as well have placed his bricks
on solid rocks.
It is useless to try and explain such myste-
rious influences, at least to "Amateur," who
of course, "if convinced against his will,
would be of the same opinion still."
However, with the editor's permission, I
will try and give some further remarks of
those whom he stigmatizes as the "ignorant,
as being" the only ones whose ignorance of
planetary laws, are believers in planetary in-
fluence. And asks, "can the believers in the
potency of the signs point to a single man
within the last hundred years, with enough
astronomical knowledge to calculate an eclipse,
or the rising or setting of the moon, who has
any belief in their theory?"
In my last article 1 mentioned Prof. Man-
sill of Rock Island, 111., who is not only a be-
liever in planetary influence, but also pub-
lishes full explanations "of the faith|that is in
him."
This gentleman is undoubtedly the peer of
any living astronomer. We judge him by his
abstruse calculations of the positions and con-
figurations of the various planets, and his
predictions of their influences on our earth,
by their many aspects of conjunctions, opposi-
tions, &c., each month in the year. But to
give only a brief statement of his predictions,
would fill our Lancaster Farmer. Another
celebrated astronomer, now no more, we may
refer to,Sir John Herschell, Astronomer Royal
of England, who during the present century
gave us a formula, which I have frequently
found to come true — that if the moon changes
at certain hours of the day or night, we may
look for rain or dry weather. Though its an
old saying, "all signs fail in dry weather."
I my.self do not pretend to much astrono-
mical knowledge, and may probably be con-
ered by "amateur," asamoug the "ignorant."
However, I have calculated the rising and
setting of the moon, and its place among the
planets — with all lunar and solar eclipses
thirty years ahead, from 1821, and found the
elements of all others some twenty years fur-
ther; but had not the time to make the calcu-
lations of the latter.
Amateur asks for ' 'a series of experiments, ' '
to prove the planetary influences. My dear
sir, could we be assured of a life as long as is
attributed to Methuselah, or even of others
who did not think of getting married until
they were over one hundred years of age,
then we might no doubt make "experiments"
to astonish even the skeptic ! But life is too
short at the present time for such experi-
ments.
The lame argument of "Amateur,"— that I
did not say of those two fences set on opposite
sides of the lane, as. the one staying up and
the other settling down— "that I did not say
if these fences were set in the morning or in
the evening." Now we farmers don't do such
jobs of setting 50 or a 100 panels of fences
either in the morning or evening; but it takes
several days work to do it— all day, and the
ground did not differ 12 feet apart I
A majority of astronomers admit that the
tides in the ocean are caused by lunar and
solar attraction and repulsion and" driving the
water up stream against the current many
miles.
There are "skeptics" on this subject as on
every other, but they do not attempt to give
any other theory that is at all plausible; even
our "amateur" fails to give us a reason why
or what causes this powerful force, to drive
the water miles into the interior of the coun-
try, but he simply tells us that, because this
"force" does not raise the water in his "little
frog pond" knee-high, the moon can not raise
the water in the sea! However, all calcula-
tions for the ebb and flow of the tides are
based on the theory of the moon and sun's
influence. When these planets are in conjunc-
tion, there is high tide, and when in opi)osi-
tion, low tide; thus the truth of the planet's
"force" is verified.
Then may we not justly infer that this
power or "force," acting on the water, through
the atmosphere, may also act, or cause tides,
•tor some "influence on or in the atmosi)here,"
and as a consequence on all animal and vege-
table matter. Thus all animals and vegeta-
bles "live and have their being" constantly in
this air or atmosphere. Is it not a positive
proof, that all creation on the earth, vegeta-
ble and animal, are more or less affected by
this all-pervading air or element "force," or
planetary influence, probably electricity.
As our friend "Amateur" lays such great
stress on Dr. Lardner's scientific attainments,
I will not pass him by, but fully acknowledge
that he was a well posted scientist.
Some thirty years ago I heard him deliver
a lecture on "sound," in Philadelphia, and I
gained more information from that lecture
than I had known before as to the "waves"
of sound. But notwithstanding his great ac-
quirement in science, he made two grand
mistakes. One I noticed before, when he was
predicting "that steam could never be used
profitably to cross the ocean; and the other
mistake was, "that he ran away from London
to Paris in company with another man's wife,
and for which he got a severe cowhidingfrom
the woman's husband and her son. Thus it ap-
pears scientists are human and maymake "mis-
takes" as well as the ignorant. '"'Nuf ced."
I might give many other instances of plan-
etary influence, hut leave this occult subject
for the present, only adding that from my
youth up to the present times have always been
"j4 seeker after truth.''''
Selections.
ARTIFICIAL FERTILIZERS.
The New Law Regulating Their Sale— Li-
cense Required to Sell Them — Costs of
Analyzing to be Paid by the
Manufacturers.
§ 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representativ.es of the Commonwealth of Penn-
sylvania in General Assembly met, and it is
hereby enacted by the authority of the same,
That every package of commercial fertilizer
sold, offered, or exposed for sale, for manurial
purposes within this Commonwealth, shall
have plainly stamped thereon the name of the
manufacturer, the net weight of its contents,
and an analysis stating the percentage therein
contained of nitrogen, or its equivalent in am-
monia in an available form, of potash soluble
in water, of soluble and reverted phosphoric
acid, and of insoluble phosphoric acid : Pro-
vided, That any commercial fertilizer sold,
offered, or exposed for sale, which shall
contain none of the above named constituents,
shall be exempt from the provisions of this
act.
Amount of License to be Paid by Manufac-
turers.
? 2. Every manufacturer or importer of
commercial fertilizers, as specified in section
one of this act, shall, on or before the first
day of August next ensuing, or before offer-
ing the same for sale in this Commonwealth,
file annually in the office of the Secretary of
the Commonwealth an affidavit stating the
amount of said fertilizer or fertilizers sold
within the State during the last preceding
year, and if said amount be one hundred tons
or less, he or they shall pay to the Treasurer
of the State the sum of ten dollars for each
and every such article of such commercial
fertilizer sold within the State during the last
preceding year, and if said amount shall ex-
ceed one hundred tons, and be less thiin
five hundred tons, he or they shall pay the
sum of twenty dollars as aforesaid ; and if
said anioinit shall be five hundred tons or
more, he or they shall pay the sum of fifty
dollars as aforesaid. If such mainifacturer or
manufacturers or importers shall not have
made any sales within the Commonwealth
during tiie i)rcccding year, he or they shall
pay the sum of ten dollars as aforesaid.
Every such manufacturer or importer shall at
the Siime time file with the Secretary of the
Board of Agriculture a copy of the analysis
required by section one of this act, and shall
be entitled to receive from the Secretary of
the Commonwealth a certificate, which shall
be countersigned by the Secretary of the
Board of Agriculture, showing that the pro-
visions of this act have been complied with.
Penalties for Non-Compliance.
? 3. Any jier.sons selling, offering, or ex-
posing for sale any commercial fertilizer
without the analysis required by section one
of this act, or with an analysis stating that it
contains a larger percentage of any one or
more of the above named constituents than is
contained therein, or for the sale of which all
the provisions of section two have not been
complied with, shall he deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, and on conviction shall forfeit
a sum not less than twenty-five and not
exceeding one hundred dollars for the first
offence, and not less than two hundred dol-
lars for each subsequent offence, one-half of
which shall be for the use of the informer and
the remainder for the county in which the
conviction is secured : Prnvidfd, Said inform-
er be the purchaser and the goods be for his
own use.
Who Shall Make the Analysis.
? 4. It shall ))ethe duty of the Board of Ag-
riculture to analyze such specimens of com-
mercial fortilizprs as may be furnished by its
agents, .said samples to be accompanied with
proper proof, under oath or afllrmation, that
they were fairly drawn ; the fee for such anal-
ysis .shall be determined by the executive
committee of the Isoard, and be based upon a
fixed rate for each dotermination, shall in no
case exceed seventy-five per centum of the
usual price paid for such services, and shall
be payable from the Treasury of the Common-
wealth in the manner as now provided by law.
What is to be Done with the Money.
? .'). The money paid into the treasury
under the provisions ot this act shall consti-
tute a special fund from which the cost of
such analyses shall be paid : Prm'ided, That
the total amount thus expended in any one
year shall in no case exceed the amount paid
into the treasury during the same year, and
that any moneys remaining in this special
fund at the end of the year shall be passed
into the general fund for the use of the State.
What is Meant by "Commercial Fertilizers."
? 6. The temi "conmiercial fertilizers," as
u.sed in this act, shall be taken to mean any
and evci^y substance imported, manufactured,
prepared or sold for fertilizing or manuring
purposes, except barnyard manure, marl,
lime, and wood ashes, and not exempt by the
provisions of section one of this act.
When the Law becomes Operative.
?7. This act shall go into effect on and
after the first day of August, one thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Approved— June 28, 1879, by Governor
Hoyt. ^^
TOBACCO CULTURE IN LANCASTER
, COUNTY.
Less than four hundred years ago tobacco
was imknown to the people of the Old World.
During this period no less than 800.000,000 of
people have learned to use it, and the annual
]iroduction has reached the cnonnous amount
of 2,000,000,000 pounds. No other narcotic
is so universally used, and its production is
yearly increased to meet the growing con-
sumption. That an agricultural product not
ii8
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[August,
a necessity to the human race should in such
a comparatively brief period increase to such
vast proportions is little less than marvelous.
It almost seems to imply the absolute neces-
sity of man's nature for mild stimulants of
Sjme sort.
Its Culture in the Olden Time.
Tobacco-growing in Pennsylvania is not an
affair of recent years. There was not a colony
of the original thirteen that did not begin
the business at an early day, and in this State
the culture soon reached considerable propoi--
tions. In 1689 fourteen vessels sailed from
the colony of Penn laden with this commodity.
In the year 1729, the time Lancaster county
was erected, the tobacco product of the colo-
nies, South and North, gave employment to
300 sailing crafts of various kinds, represent-
ing a tonnage of 24,000 tons and amounting
in value to S3,000,000. The price then was
fixed by the Government ; in 1617 it was three
shillings per pound, but thirty years later it
had fallen as low as sixpence.
The Tobacco Country of the World.
The United States may be regarded as the
great tobacco-growing country of the world.
It can be grown in every one of the States.
From the beginning in Virginia, this country
has now reached a production of four hundred
million pounds, worth about $33,000,000 in
its manufactured state. Fully fifty thousand
persons are employed in its manufacture,
earning $14,000,000 in wages and turning out
a product worth $72,000,000. Tobacco ranks
sixth on the list of our exports, and last year
we sent abroad about $50,000,000 worth.
Germany is our best customer, but Great
Britain follows closely.
Qualities of the Weed.
Wliile tobacco can be grown in almost every
country, there are some especially adapted to
it. Climate, soil, and skillful manipulation
are the chief factors in its successful growth ;
the latter two are of paramount importance.
The Vuelta Abajo of Cuba is everywhere
known for its flavor, while Pennsylvania and
Connecticut are noted for certain qualities
possessed by the tobaccos grown by them.
The tobacQO of the Northern States is called
seedleaf, and is almost exclusively used in the
manufacture of segars. That of the great to-
bacco growing States of the South is far
different in quality and chiefly used in the
manufacture of chewing tobaccos. The former
is softer and silkier in texture, while the lat-
ter is stronger in flavor, thicker, and as a rule
contains more gum, and so is better adapted
to the purpose for wliich it is employed.
What Fashion Has Done.
The growing of tobacco in Lancaster county
has been going on in a desultory sort of a
way for thirty-five or forty years. In early
days the rural population lived in blissful
ignorance of internal revenue laws, and the
tobacco was generally converted into segars
by the local segarmaker for home consump-
tion, and if there was a surplus, sold outright
to him. There is no way of arriving at an
estimate of the production twenty-five years
ago, but tlie amount was insignificant along-
side the crops of the present day. It was not
until about twenty years ago that our farmers
entered upon its cultivation on a large scale.
The war contributed its share towards this
end, and fashion did fully as much. Connec-
ticut had long been famous for the quality of
the tobacco grown in the Valley of the Housa-
tonic. Its fine, large leaves of admirable
color and texture often commanded as much
as seventy-five cents per pound, while forty
and fifty cents were no unusal prices. The
demand in those days by smokers was gener-
ally for light-colored segars, and this condi-
tion the Connecticut tobacco filled to perfec-
tion. But the inexorable law of fashion
stepped forward and demanded segars of a
rich brown. The Lancaster tobacco met this
want,'"and fashion has for once been stable ;
dark-colored segars still command the readiest
sale, and the production of this class of to-
bacco has progressed steadily. Color is not
all that renders this tobacco desirable. The
segar manufacturer requires a leaf of good
size, soft, tough and elastic, but not leathery
in quality, of which the veins shall be small
and not light in color, and that shall when
consumed yield a clear white ash. These
conditions Lancaster county leaf supplies in
a favorable season.
Preparing the Plant Beds.
The beds for planting out the seed are pre-
pared towards the latter end of February or
early in March, if the season will allow. An
early plant is generally considered desirable.
A warm spot with an eastern and southern
exposure is best. Generally, but not always,,
weeds, brush, cornstalks, or similar substauces
are burnt over it and the ashes raked over
the bed. It is deeply spaded, twelve inches
or more, and enriched by a liberal application
of barnyard manure. A warm, mellow soil
is indispensable to the growth of fine, strong
plants. Being very minute, a heaped tea-
spoonful of seed is sufficient to sow a bed cov-
ering one hundred square feet. Care must be
taken not to get the seed too deep or it will
not germinate. If the weather is warm, with
soft, frequent showers, the plants come on
rapidly. Some are raised under cold frames,
which secure them against frosts and have
other advantages, but in most cases the beds
are open ; these latter yield the hardiest
plants.
Setting Out the Plants.
The tobacco field must be thoroughly pre-
pared ; sometimes the ground is ploughed in
the fall, but generally not until spring, and it
is heavily manured. This manure is not lost,
for when wheat is sown — the crop that always
follows tobacco — the yield is commonly ex-
cellent. Barnyard manure is preferred to all
other. Eye turned down also makes an ex-
cellent fertilizer. Too much care cannot be
used in putting the ground into fine condition.
As the roots of tobacco go down deeply the
ploughing must be deep, and the finer and
more friable the soil the better.
Requires Constant Attention.
If the weather has been favorable the plants
will be ready to set out by the latter end of
May or the first of June, while the planting
season continues until the 25th of the latter
month. With the setting out of the young
plants the farmer's troubles begin. The
plants are set in rows twenty-four or thirty
inches apart, the rows being from three to
four feet asunder. Advantage is taken of a
warm, soaking rain to set out plants. They
require moisture, and if dry weather sets in
must be watered. The cut worms at once begin
their depredations. Some seasons they neces-
sitate two or even more replantings. The
ground must be continually cultivated to
destroy weeds and give the roots air. This
is continued until the leaves attain such a
size as to prevent the passage of horse and
cultivator between the rows, and then the
hoe must be employed until the crop is cut.
Meanwhile the hawk-moth has not been idle ;
when evening comes it sails over the fields de-
positing its eggs on the leaves, which in a
brief time develop into the tobacco worms.
Two or three times a week — daily would still
be better— boys go through the rows, careful-
ly examine every leaf, and when the worm is
found kill him. A few holes in a fine leaf
destroy its value as a "wrapper," and con-
sign it to a lower grade. Turkeys are good
destroyers of these worms. The hunt for
worms must not be relaxed until the tobacco
becomes ripe. The worms continues their
ravages while it remains standing in the field.
Time of Ripening.
Suckers also make their appearance. If
left, they crowd the leaves and appropriate
the vitality of the stalk. Towards the latter
part of July or the first of August, a plume or
shoot appears at the top of the plant, known
as the seed bud. This is pinched off, as the
stalk would bleed too much if it were cut.
How low to top the plant is a very important
matter. Low topping results in a larger
development of leaf. From twelve to four-
teen leaves are generally left on the stalk ;
they are enough, if fine leaves are desired.
Tobacco matures in from one hundred to one
hundred and twenty days from the time of
planting.
Cutting and Housing.
In September the greater portion of the crop
is harvested, but last year I saw some cut on
July 11 that had been planted on April 10.
The more rapidly it attains maturity the
better the crop ; slow growth makes it thick
and leathery. Certain indications, well
known to the planter, tell when it is ripe.
The plants are cut off at the ground ; some-
times they are hung up in the field several
days to wilt, but more commonly they are at
once taken to the tobacco-barns, to be hung
up and undergo a curing process. If hung
too closely together they will mould and rot ;
if hung too wide apart valuable space is lost.
The Tobacco Barns.
The tobacco barn is a high, commodious
building of timber, closely put together, with
either a perpendicular or horizontal method
of ventilation, the latter being preferable.
Twenty years ago, stables, wagon-sheds and
even the dwelling were used to hang up the
tobacco in. In 1868 upwards of two hundred
tobacco barns were built, at an estimated cost
of from $150,000 to $200,000. In these barns
the stalks hang until the moisture is dried out
and the process of curing is complete. Damp
weather is selected for taking them down and
stripping the leaves. They are then tied up
into "hands" and these into larger bundles,
and are then ready for the buyer.
Who Buys the Product.
Buyers come from New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, St. Louis, New Orleans and San
Francisco. The leaf is generally assorted into
two kinds or qualities, wrappers and fillers,
although some planters make three and four
classes. A careful assortment is always to a
grower's advantage. During the past season
fillers sold from two to eight cents, and wrap-
pers from eight to thirty-five. The price has
fluctuated much in diflerent years. In 1861
it was five and six cents ; in '64 and '65, from
twenty to thirty-fiye cents, and was again in
'66 down to five and six. Good tobacco may
be spoiled in the handling, while a poor crop
may be vastly improved by careful manipula-
tion.
Extent of the Crop.
It is packed into cases by the purchaser, each
case containing about four hundred pounds.
The crop of this county is estimated in cases,
not hogsheads, as is the custom in the South.
The crop of the county in 1878 was about
30,000 cases, and for the whole State 38,750
cases. In 1877 we grew about 41,000 cases in
this county alone, and even exceeded that
figure in previous years. A crop of 40,000
cases represents 16,000,000 pounds, far sur-
passing any other single county in the United
States. Christian county, Kentucky, in 1875,
grew 9,313,950 pounds, the nearest approach
that has ever been made to this county's pro-
duction.
The Yield in Pounds and Dollars.
The average yield per acre in 1877 was
1,380 pounds, but under favorable circum-
stances as many as 2,500 pounds have been
grown. As much as five hundred dollars
have been realized from a single acre, while
three hundred dollars and four hundred dol-
lars are not unusual figures. Still, the aver-
age is not the half of that, after the great
cost of planting, manuring, and preparing the
crop for market is considered. The growth
of fine tobacco, however, is still in its infancy
among us, and we will improve our product
and prices as the years roll away. The value
of our crop in 1876 was $2,400,000, and in
1877 $1,760,000, a sum perhaps double that
produced by any county in the Union, and
approaching those realized from wheat and
corn themselves. Yet this large sum was
derived from the comparatively small number
of 9,565 acres. If the entire surface of the
county were planted in tobacco, our yield
1879.]
would be equal to that of the whole United
States at the present day.
Amount Consumed at Home.
The entire production of seed leaf in the
country is about 130,000 cases, of which we
supply at least 30 per cent. Of the above,
about 4-2,000 cases are sent to foreign
countries, and 88,000 cases are consumed at
home. As was to be expected, this large
production of tobacco in Lancaster county haa
stimulated the growth of the segar manufac-
turing industry to an unusual degree. A large
number of establishments are in operation and
their production was, for the fiscal year end-
ing June 30th. 1878, 103,204,300 segars. No
less tlian 6,500 cases, or nearly 3,000,000 of
pounds of the weed, were used in making
them. The revenue derived from this source
alone by the Government, in this, the Ninth
Internal Revenue District, during the last
year, was S(510,585.80, the amount from all
other sources being only one-third of that sum.
Lancaster County's Segar Industry.
The following are the figures showing the
Internal Revenue collections in the Ninlli
District of Tennsylvania, for the fiscal year
ending June 30th, 1879. Particular attentior.
is directed to the item of segars, as showing
the immense proportion of that industry in
this district :
Whisky « 93,527 94
Tobacco and Segars .... 729,'.;71 53
Beer 24,094 48
Banks 18,257 97
Penalties 5,113 03
Total collections .... 8870,264 95
Tax collected on 116,811,000 cigars
amounting to .... $700,866 00
Excess of collections over last fiscal
year ? 66,458 02
Is the Crop Exhausting .'
There has been much said about the ex-
hausting nature of the crop, but opinions are
pretty evenly divided on the point. Little
danger, I think, need be apprehended from
this source. The average put out by each
farmer is generally small, and they understand
tlie character of their soil too well to let it run
down through tobacco planting. If it shall
be found, after a series of years, that their
lands are becoming less productive, they will
assuredly grow less tobacco or buy more ferti-
lizers. It has made a rich county still richer,
and I do not believe the influx of wealth from
this source will soon come to an end, any
more than will her overwhelming Republican
majorities.— i*'. E. Diffenderffer, in Progress.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
119
THE BLACK BASS.
Practical Hints on Fish and Fishing.
The black bass is called by plenty of hard
names by the scientists. Ccntrarchus fasciatus,
Gristes nigricans, Microptcriis nigricans, are
some of them, while the common people call
him more familiary, but no less variously.
Black Bass, Green Bass, Oswego Bass, Swago,
Yellow Perch, and.Black Perch, and in some
parts of tlie countiy even Trout ; yet he has
lived through it all, and is a Black Bass still ;
fish most desirable on hook or plate, and of
deserved and growing popularity.
When the salmon had been caught and
driven from almost their last river in the
Eastern States, and the trout had become
scarce in all but the least accessible ponds and
streams of the wilderness, the black bass
awoke one spring from his deep water hiber-
nation to find himself famous. Heretofore
he had been thought a good fellow enough,
worth fishing for when the noble Kalmonides
were not to be had, and when caught, well
worth dressing and bringing to the table,
where he was held to be at his best. Now, he
ranks
Second Only to the Salmon and Larger Trout
for game qualities; and column after column
of sporting journals, and page on page of
sporting books, are devoted to his praise, de-
scription, habits, and the methods of his cap-
ture. It may be stated, as a measure of the
growth of his popularity, that Frank Forrest-
er, in his "Fish and Fishing," published
twenty-five or thirty years ago, gives him less
than two pages and a faulty portrait ; while
Hallock devotes to him sixteen pages of his
Sportsman'' s Gazetteer, published in 1877,
wherein he gives a careful comparative de-
scription o( the two varieties, Micropterus
salmoides and Micropterus nigricans.
These fish are also favorites with fish cul-
turists, because of the rapidity with which
they multiply in almost all waters when intro-
duced, which is done, not by planting the fry,
as with most other artificially propagated
fishes, but by letting loose in the pond or
stream to be stocked some adults abundantly
able to take care of themselves, and at once
ready to give birth to and assume the care of
a numerous progeny. The spiny dorsal fin is
a defensive armor which Insures the young
fish, for the most part, fi-om the attacks of
other predatory fishes, and they soon grow to
an ability to hold their own with"any,in more
than mere defense. The rapid increase of the
black bass in many ponds where they have
been introduced, especially where small, soft-
finned fishes abound, is almost marvelous. I
cannot find or give a better
Description of Black Bass
than that furnished by Thompson in the Nat-
ural History Department of his "Vermont:"
"Form, somewhat elliptical, a little convex
on the sides and pointed forwards. Color,
dark greenish above, lighter and grayish white
beneath; sides of the head fine, light green.
Scales firm, moderate on the sides and oper-
culum. Properculum, with its upper limb
nearly vertical and nearly at right angles with
the lower, without spines or serratures. In-
teroperculum and suboperculum scaly on the
upper side and smooth below. Operculum tri-
angular, with a membranous prolongation
posteriorly, and the bony part terminating
posteriorly in two thin lobes, with a deep
notch between them, the lower lobe, which is
largest, ending in several short spines. Teeth
small, sharp and numerous in both jaws, on
the lower anterior edges of the palatine
and on the vomer, with a small cluster near
the base of the triangular tongue, all standing
like the pile on velvet, but hooking a little in-
ward, those on the .jaws largest. Fins small,
brownish, and their soft parts covered with a
rather thick mucous skin ; the dorsal round-
ed behind, low at the junction of the
spinous and soft parts, and the spinous rays
capable of being reclined, imbricated and
concealed in a longitudinal groove along the
back; ventrals a little behind the pectorals ;
the anal under the posterior portion of the
dorsal, and extending a little further back:
tail slightly emarginate with the lobes round-
ed. Vent a trifle nearest the posterior ex-
tremity. Eyes moderately large. Lower
jaw a trifle longer than the upper, with seve-
ral visible pores along its margin. Length,
nineteen inches ; the greatest depth equals
one-third of the length, exclusive of the
tail."
The Spawning Season.
These fish begin to spawn here, in Lake
Champlain and its tributaries, about the mid-
dle of May (sometimes a little earlier), and I
am sure all have not finished this labor before
the middle of June. Of three black bass
which I examined on the 20th of May, the
ova of one were ripe ; of another they lacked
a week or more of being so ; and those of the
third had the appearance of being at least
three weeks short of maturity. A few days
later I heard of beds in the same stream
where they were caught, that were black with
newly-hatched fry. The eggs from which they
came must have been laid at least ten days
before. It is the opinion of some that the fish
which have come to their first season of ma-
turity spawn considerably later, say up to the
middle of July; and what I saw in three in-
dividuals above mentioned would go to
strengthen this opinion; for the eggs in the
smallest spawner were least developed, but
1 would certainly have been ripe this season.
Bass leave deep water to spawn, and come
into the sliallow water of tlie lake, and into
such streams as suit them for that purpose.
They desert sluggisli water with a muddy bot-
tom, but are not unfrequently caught therein
on their way to a more congenial nursery.
Protecting their Progeny.
Tliey scoop a shallow basin for their spawn-
ing bed about twice the length of the fish in
diameter, and in this the spawn is deposited,
attaching itself to the bottom ; and till hatch-
ing, is carefully guarded by the female,
who fights off all intruders, and carefully
removes everything which, by chance or
design, is cast ui)on it. This habit is
turned to evil account by pot fishermen,
who, finding a bed, drop into it a hook, light-
ly baited with a worm, or even naked, which
the fish at once seizes, to carry ofi" to the
sacred precincts; but before she has time to
drop it, is liooked and landed, while the eggs
or n(!wly-hatched fry arc left to be devoured
by tlie first predatory fish that chances to
come upon them.
Inside of twelve days the eggs are hatched,
and for a time the female vigilantly guards her
young, continually swimming about her
swarming brood, little fellows as black as a
fresh hatching of poUywogs. It is said that
in a few days tliey scatter into deep water and
are seen no more until September; but I have
seen young ones, not more than two inches
long, in the middle of .sofl-finned minnows as
large as themselves.
Proper Bait end Tackle.
Bass are much fished for as soon as they
come on their spawning ground.s, and many
are taken then ; but bass fishing should not
properly or lawfully begin tilll the spawning
season is over, say the ist of July, or certain-
ly not earlier than the middle of June. The
baits used are various; worms, grasshoppers,
frogs, minnows, the villanous, looking dob-
son or helgramite, and for artifical lures, a
rubber imitation of the last-named, spoons,
and flies of various colors. The spoon is
used only for trolling from a boat with a hand
line or rod and reel, or walking along the
shore or bank, when a rod must of course
be used. Of all baits, the minnow is probably
the most killing.
For bait fishing, a light rod and tackle
must be used if sport is the object. The pot-
fisherman may attain his end with a sapling
and a line half as big as a pipestem. The
common practice of our anglers is to hook the
minnow through lightly from side to side just
forward of the first dorsal, in which way he
will live longest and swim most naturally — a
cruel business; but tliere is more or less
cruelty in all sports of the rod and gun, and
where shall we draw the line ?
How to Hook Them.
Now cast line gently alongside a shelving
bank, or where the drooping branches of a
willow ripple the smooth current, or in the
eddy that swirls below a tree-root or half-sub-
merged log. The bass sees an easy victim,
dallies with it a little, sets his teeth therein,
and then starts off to enjoy his easily-gotten
morsel in some chosen nook. Give him a
little time, and then take your own. You
have him hooked; and if you deal gently with
him, giving way to no rash impulse, he is
yours to have and to hold in creel and in pan.
In trolling for him a small spoon is best.
When a bass will take the fly, ho affords a
sport almost as noble as do the salmon and
trout. A large fly is used, of a dark color for
clear water, but more showy for turbid water.
In whatever way taken with the hook, he is a
hard fighter, throwing himself now two or
three feet out of water, now running up the
line at topmost speed, full of devices, and
game to the last gasp, and it needs a cool head
and a skillful hand to bring him to basket;
and lie who brings him there safely, and surely,
and scientifically, may rightly feel a thrill of
luide and satisfaction.— i?. K Bohinson in
Moort'^s Rural Life.
120
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ August,
THE BRITISH WHEAT FIELDS OF
THE NORTHWEST.
The greatest wlieat-growing region in the
world is now being opened to settlement.
The largest and most productive portion lies
within the British province of Manitoba, in
North America. It is sufficiently prolific
when fairly cultivated to make England inde-
pendent of the United States for breadstufEs,
and to create a powerful rivalry with us
elsewhere. On both banks of the Red river of
the North, from its source to its entrance into
Lake Winnipeg, and on both sides of the
international boundary between Canada and
the Uuited States exists this territory.
Thence the fertile belt, of which it is the
western extremity, sweeps in a northwestern
direction some 300 miles along the course of
the two Saskatchewan rivers, and forward to
the Rocky mountains of the West, embracing
an area, says a writer in The Nineteenth Cen-
tury, of at least 200,000,000 acres; nearly the
whole of which is to-day an untouched prairie
of the richest description. Since the con-
struction of the Northern Pacific railway has
been resumed this region has been made
accessible by the trunk line and lateral roads
to immigrants. Within a few years the city
of Winnipeg, at the junction of the Red river
and the Assiniboine, has sprung up from an
Indian post of the Hudson's Bay Company to
be a well-built town of 8,000 inhabitants ;
steamers have been introduced into the two
rivers that unite at her wharves, and a con-
tinuous railway 460 miles long connects this
Canadian city with St. Paul, the capital of
Minnesota. In seven month ending March 31,
1878, there were sold by the United Scates
Government and the railways in Minnesota
and Northern Dakotah 2,550,000 acres for
actual and immediate settlement. In Mani-
toba, across the Canadian boundaiy, 3,000,-
000 acres of wheat land were allotted last
year to actual settlers in this province alone.
The settlers in the Red river region are of the
most substantial character — well-to-do farm-
ers from the older States, from Iowa,
Wisconsin, from Canada and especially from
the best parts of Ontario. The dominant
nationalities settling on the Minnesota farms
are Americans, Scandinavians and Canadians
in about equal proportions.
They have been attracted to this remote
part of the Northwest by the peculiar advan-
tages of its soil for wheat-growing. Thirty
bushels to the acre is the average, while it
often yields forty and fifty bushels. Thirty
bushels to the acre of the first crop clears all
outlay up to that time, returns the capital in-
vested and leaves a first-rate fenced farm in a
high state of cultivation for succeeding
agricultural employment. "Where else,"
says the writer to whom we have referred, "is
there a business that in twelve months repays
all advances of its purchase and establish-
ment, and leaves as a profit a money return
and plant worth four times the original
outlay? It is this enormous profit that is
bringing so many heavy capitalists into the
ranks of this novel immigration, and inducing
men who have already worked themselves
into a good position to abandon for a time
the amenities of a settled life and embark
once more in pioneer farming." A Mr.
Dalrymple, in 1877, had 8,000 acres under
cultivation. They yielded him twenty-five
bushels to the acre, or over 200,000 bushels.
His total outlay for seed, cultivation, harvest-
ing and threshing was under SIO per acre,
leaving him a margin of over S15, or S120,000
on his 8,000 acres. This was in Minnesota ;
but north of the Canadian line they get a much
larger yield than this, and in twenty-seven
miles along the Assiniboine river in 1877 over
400,000 bushels were harvested that averaged
considerably over thirty bushels to the acre.
In the Northwestern Provinces of Canada
wheat often produces forty and fifty bushels
to the acre, while in South Minnesota twenty
bushels is the average crop, in Wisconsin only
fourteen, in Pennsylvania and Ohio fifteen.
Cultivated plants yield the greatest products
pear the northernmost limits at which they
grow. In Prince Albert and other new
settlements on the Saskatchewan forty bushels
of spring wheat to the acre, averaging sixty-
three pounds to the bushel, have been raised.
In the Southern latitudes the warm spring
develops the juices of the plants too rapidly.
They run into stalk and leaf, to the detriment
of the seed.
The extent of this enormous and rich
British territory is comparatively unknown in
the United States. It is estimated at 2,984,-
000 square miles, whilst the whole of the
United States south of the international
boundary contains 2,933,600 square miles. In
its centre is Lake Winnipeg, three hundred
miles long, fifty to sixty miles wide — the future
Black sea of Canada. At three of its four
corners it receives the water of a large river,
the main trunk of a hundred smaller ones ;
at the remaining northeast angle a fourth and
larger river, the Dardanelles of the system,
conveys the accumulated waters of nearly a
million square miles into Hudson's bay. This
Lake Winipeg receives the drainage of the
futm-e wheat field of the world. The Sas-
katchewan from its debouchure into the lake
eastward from the Rocky mountains by one
branch runs over a course of 1,054 miles and
by the other 1,092. One of the branches has
been navigated by steam over 1,000 miles and
the other nearly the same distance. The two
Saskatchewaus drain what is especially known
as the "fertile belt," containing not less than
90,000,000 acres of as fine wheat land as can
be found in any country. Through their
whole length they run through prairie land.
The united length of the three main rivers,
with their most important affluents, that pour
their accumulated waters into Lake Winnipeg
is not less than 10,000 miles. The outlet of
this magnificent water-system is the large
river Nelson, which discharges the surplus
waters of the lake into Hudson's Bay, and
which can be rendered navigable for steamers
to Port Nelson, a point eighty miles nearer to
Liverpool than New York is. All this mag-
nificent region of prairie, river and lake is
British territory. Within five years it is
calculated that 4,000,000 acres of this fertile
prairie land will be under wheat cultivation.
This means an addition to the wheat products
of the world of 100,090,000 bushels. The
exports of all America to the United King-
dom from the 11th of September, 1877 to May
11, 1878 — the eight shipping months — was
about 100,000,000 bushels. This amount,
large as it is, is not more than may be
expected within the next few years to be the
annual production of this new wheat field of
the Winnipeg watershed. The influence of
the opening up of this new district cannot but
have a most important effect on the supply of
the English market. '■^It will make the mother
country entirely independent of foreign supply. ^^
It is evident that our superiority as a grain-
growing country is likely to be seriously
threatened by the rich prairie wheat lands in
Northwestern British America.
BUTTER FACTORY ORGANIZED.
Some farmers living in the vicinity of Qua-
kertown, Bucks county, are tired of sending
milk to Philadelphia. Absence of springs has
militated against butter making. Thus a
large quantity of milk has been sent from
that locality. In December last a movement
was inaugurated to organize a butter factory.
Stock was subscribed at S5 per cow, each
dairyman being entitled to subscribe to shares
equaling in number the cows kept by him.
The total amount of stock subscribed is 300
shares, or SI, 600. It is estimated that the
buildings and fixtures will cost S3,000. The
buildings are under roof, and the inside work
will soon be completed. Size of buildings, 40
x50 feet. The ice house, 20x35 feet is under
the same roof. One room on the first floor,
and three on the second, will serv^ as the
residence of the superintendent. The build-
ings, with the exception of the engine house,
are frame. Floors are all cemented. The
site selected is the best that could be found in
Quakertown, Close to the property is an old
mill dam, which has had no water in it for a
number of years. This spot will be used as
an ice pond. A strong spring will feed the
dam. Only a few feet divides the mill dam
from the ice house. The receiving room, lOx
20 feet, is approached by a drive way. All
the milk received will be weighed and receipt-
ed for. The receiving room has a scale with
seven beams, and the milk of seven parties
can be weighed all at the same time. The
plan adopted for the raising of the cream is
known as the J. B. Marquis system. In
adopting this system the association believes
it to be the best of the many examined. Tlie
milk is conducted through pipes from the
receiving rooms into the pans placed in
position in the milk room. The size of this
room is 20x30 feet. In order to understand
the Marquis system it is necessary to explain
the construction of the pans. The pans are
made of tin, and encased in wood. Size of
pans— 10 feet long, three feet wide, and
eighteen inches deep. Each pan has a rounded
bottom, and is divided into two compart-
ments ; a four-inch pipe passing through each
division of the pan, at a depth that will
bring it immediately under the cream. The
pipe is also extended to all the other pans,
and is connected with a large ice-water tank,
capable of holding two hundred and thirty-
nine gallons. The tank is to be kept filled
with ice and water. A steam pump forces the
ice water through the pipe, and after passing
through all the line of piping connected with
the milk pans, it is forced back again into the
tank. Cream, by this system, is made to rise
in four hours. When the cream is risen the
milk is run off by means of cocks at the
bottom of the pans and the cream is left in the
pan. One man is expected to have charge of
2000 pounds of milk. The milk run off is
pumped into a tank, and the farmer the next
moring takes back his proportion of milk, to
be used in fattening pork. The same disposi-
tion is made of the buttermilk. The churning
room 10x20 feet, is located west of the milk
room, and is next the engine house. Two
churns have been purchased, of Burrel's
patent. The dasher of this churn remains
stationary and the churn makes the revolu-
tions. The capacity of these churns is 200
pounds of butter per day. The size of the
refrigerator is 10x20 feet. In this room the
butter is worked and stored. The room is
arched and a supply of ice is kept overhead.
The butter, after being churned, is placed on
a table and salted. After standing awhile
it is worked by means of a lever and then
moulded into one pound squares and stamped
with the monogram of the creamery. It will
be shipped in coolers, and is expected to reagh
New York and Philadelphia markets in as
good condition as when it left the refrigerator.
It will be the aim of the association to reach
the best custom. To secure trade, samples
will |be sent for inspection to leading hotels
and establishments. The managers expect to
secure the milk of six hundred cows, but
operations will be commenced on the milk of
a smaller number. The expected daily
receipts of milk for the present is set down at
2000 pounds. Ten pounds of milk are counted
on to make one pound of gilt-edged butter.
The motive power of the creamery is furnished
by a four-horse-power engine. The estab-
lishment will be in full operation by July 1st.
JULY REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE— CORN, POTA-
TOES, AND TOBACCO.
The .Inly report upon the condition of crops
has been issued by the Department of Agri-
culture and all the products are reviewed. It
says that for corn the middle states report a
fair condition, except some complaint of
drought in Pennsylvania. In this State the
only county adjoining this reported is Berks,
and there the crop is very promising. Of
tobacco it says :
The acreage of this crop compared with
that of 1878 is placed, in Kentucky, at 89 per
cent. ; in Virginia, at 90 ; Missouri, 76 ;
Tennessee, 95 ; Ohio, 75 ; Maryland, 96 ;
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
121
Indiana, 70 ; North Carolina, 103 ; Pennsyl-
vania, 112 ; Connecticut, 119 ; Massachuseti.s,
110; New York, 110; West Virginia, 73;
Wisconsin, 1'23 ; South Carolina, 100 ;
Georgia, !)-2 ; Alal^nia, 95 ; Mississippi, 100 ;
Texas,, 08; Arkansas, 80. Tlie six last
named States, and all others, as well as the
Territories, grow so little tobacco as to still
remain an unimportant factor in estimating
the total product of the country.
The four States in whicli the bulk of the
seed-leaf tobacco is grown (although Ohio and
one or two other States north of the Oliio are
increasing their product)— the four States of
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and
Pennsylvania— show an increase of acreage of
from 10 per cent, in Massachusetts and New
York, each, to 19 per cent, in Connecticut.
Pennsylvania planting largely in excess of the
three other States combined, we have for the
four an increase of about 13 per cent., or a
larger acreage than tliat of 1877.
The condition at this date for the whole
country is slightly below that of July 1, 1878.
Massachusetts alone of the States bordering
on the Atlantic shows an improved condition
over last year. Tennessee in the West places
her condition at 94 against 89 last year.
There has been a decided increase in the
area planted in potatoes, amounting to three
per cent, for the whole country. The increase
was the largest in Pennsylvania, and was 9
per cent. ; "in New York it was 4 per cent.
Maine, which is a large producer, shows no
change from last year. The Southern States
from Maryland to Texas, show some decline,
Alabama alone making an increase of 4 per
cent ; Tennessee and Kentucky each fell off
from 5 to 3 per cent. Of the States north of
the Ohio river, none show a decline, and
almost all make an increase. Michigan
reports as compared with last last year, 107 ;
Illinois, 104 ; Wisconsin, 104. In the West,
Iowa reports 105 ; Missouri, 105 ; California
and Oregon each make large increases.
The condition on July 1 was very favorable;
much better than last year. The drought
was severe on the early-planted varieties, but
the rains of June were very favorable in those
States where the bulk of the crop is grown.
In the New England States the Colorado
beetle is reported as very destructive, and it
is only by an incessant vvarfare that it is kept
under. New York and Pennsylvania each
report high condition and few insects. In all
the States south of Delaware the drought is
beginning to tell on the condition. North of
the Ohio river and west of the Mississippi, all
the reports are very favorable. Iowa reports
105. ^
VALUABLE HINTS TO FARMERS.
For the last Ave years I have not lost a
cucumber or melon vine or cabbage plant.
Get a barrel with a few gallons of gas tar in
it; pour water on the tar: always have it
ready when needed, and when the bugs
appear, give them a liberal drink of the tar
water from a garden sprinkler or otherwise,
and if the rain washes it off and they return,
. repeat the dose. It will also destroy the
Colorado potato beetle, and frighten the old
long potato bug worse than a thrashing with
a brush. Five years ago this summer botli
kinds appeared on my late potatoes, and I
watered with the tar-water. The next day
all Colorados that had not been well protected
from the sprinkling were dead, and the others,
though their name is legion, were all gone,
and I have never seen one of them on the farm
since. I am aware that many will look upon
this with indifference, because it is so cheap
and simple a remedy. Such should always
feed both their own and their neighbors'
bugs, as they frequently do.— C/(ieago Ti-ibune.
Many of the old farmers about us use the
leaves of the red cedar (Juniperus Virginiana)
in place of sulphur and kerosene for ridding
nests and henneries of lice. They say the
remedy is very effective. Perhaps perches
made of the wood would serve the same
purpose.
A German authority says that, when lettuce
shows signs of running to seed, if a knife be
passed through one-half of the stem of the
shooting head, the plant may be preserved
good for an additional week. The best plan
we have ever known for preserving lettuce
late is to transplant twice — once from the
seed bed, pricking the plants out four inches
apart, and then transplanting in the open
ground six by twelve inches apart ; as the
rows begin to fill cut out one-half the plants,
and the balance will form large, fine heads, if
the ground be rich and moist, and they will re-
main well into the summer. — Prairie Farmer.
Mr. J. Hapgood, Shrewsbury, Mass., favors
shallow setting of asparagus roots ; if placed,
as some advise, eight inches below the surface,
it "makes the crop one or two weeks later."
He further maintains, in the American Gulti-
vntor, that he has also "found that the idea
that salt is useful to this plant is mere theory,
like the trenching .system."
A correspondent of the Indiana Farmer
tried four different fertilizers for melons—
for poultry droppings, well-rotted cow manure,
barnyard manure and old bones (gathered
upon the farm and reduced by placing them
in alternate layers with ashes the previous
year), mixing all liberally in the different
hills; which were eight feet apart each way,
and he says : "Such a crop of melons as came
from the hills that had bone-dust I never saw
before."
The Indiana Farmer says : Water made
almost as thick as ordinary cream by the ad-
dition of fresh cow manure, and poured on
young melon vines, is the only effectual reme-
"dy I have ever found to prevent the ravages
of the striped beetle. Should one application
not be sufficient it should be followed by an-
other until the enemy becomes nauseated and
retires in disgust. Such a liquid is a great
stimulant to young plants. To retain it
about plants in sufficient quantity the melon
hills should be made with a slight cavity in
the centre. Phinney's melon is a variety
more easily grown and more prolific than
many others, but the flavor cannot compare
with white seeded, ice cream or peerless. At
least that is my experience with the three va-
rieties on my soil. In cultivating melons I have
noticed that the purest and most delicious
sorts are not as robust growers nor as produc-
tive as those in which an infusion of the
squash or pumpkin is perceptible, and that
the striped beetle is much more fond of
younger plants of the former than of the lat-
ter. The striped beetle has a most discrimi-
nating taste, never disturbing a pumpkin
plant while a melon or Hubbard squash plant
is obtainable.
The following preparation for destroying
bugs on squash and on cucumber vines has
been successiully tried for years. Dissolve a
tablespoonf ul of saltpetre in a pailful of water.
Put one pint of this around each hill, shaping
the earth so that it will not spread much, and
the thing is done. Use more saltpetre, if you
can afford it. It is good for vegetables, but
death to animal life. The bugs burrow in
the earth at night, and fail to rise in the
morning. It is also good to kill the grub in
peach trees ; only use twice as much — say a
quart or two to each tree. There was not a
yellow or blistered leaf on twelve or fifteen
trees to which it was applied last season. No
danger of killing vegetables with it. A con-
centrated solution applied to young beans
makes them grow wonderfully.
The best preventive for worms in celei-y is
to mix plenty of salt, soot, and fine lime with
the manure that is to be employed in trenches.
This should be added to the manure some
weeks before it is used, during which time it
.should be tiu-ned now and then. The mixture
above named also benefits the growth of the
celery, which will lift clean and spotless com-
pared with that grown in the ordinary way.
CUTTING AWAY OUR FORESTS.
The current number of Harper^s Magazine
contains an article on the "Destruction of
our Forests," which is not only of more than
usual interest but very timely, and well worthy
of the careful attention of land owners every-
where throughout this broad land. There
was a time when the man who swung the axe
in the heart of the i)rinieval forest was re-
garded as a public benefactor, and he who
felled most of the ancient monarchs wa-s the
greatest hero. To a certain extent this hom-
age was well deserved; to enlarge the b6unds
of civilization and make two blades of grass
grow where only one grew beforti, was cer-
tainly a most praiseworthy deed. But the
day has long since arrived in this country,
just as it has in Europe, when the work of de-
nuding a land of its forests brings in its train
a host of evils that will continue to bear harm-
ful fruit through all time unless means, ef-
fective and permanent, are instituted to
check the danger.
Nowhere In the world was there two centu-
ries ago 8>ich a wealth of noble forests as on
the territory now embraced by the United
States. From the Sabine to the Aroostook,
and from the Mississippi to the Atlantic, such
dense forests of valuable woods have never
elsewhere existed in the world during the
historic period. Pine, oak and hickory, the
most valuable woods known among men,
were the most abundant of all. Even a hun-
dred years ago it seemed impossible for these
timber-covered lands to become exhausted.
In truth, if the proper care had been ob-
served, and the timber applied to legitimate
uses only, this country would to-day still ex-
ceed all civilized lands in its magnificent
wealth of the timber resources. But this
course has not beeu pursed. The energy of our
people, their strivings after wealth and their
indifference to all hut immediate consequences
have led to results whose harmful influences
are not only felt hourly to-day, but will con-
tinue to affect mankind until the remotest
generation, unless we retrace our course and
endeavor to build where we have heretofore
only torn down.
Some of the evils we have brought upon
ourselves are beginning to be admitted. They
press upon our attention in so many forms
that we can no longer ignore their all pervad-
ing presence. The tornado, the flood and the
whirlwind are the direct results of our
thoughtless work. The high waters in our
rivers, our flooded valleys and deva.stated fields
are all to be laid to this one primal cause.
When yet the shade of our virgin forests was
cast over the land, these terrible forces of na-
ture were comparatively unknown among us.
Occassionally, it is true, they visited us, but
their visitations were infrequent compared
with our experiences to-day. While the ma-
jestic oak and the lordly pine still held their
proud crests erect and their myriad leaves ex-
haled moisture, filling the atmosphere and
establishing a mutual relation between earth
and air that resulted in frequent gentle
rains, the forces of nature seem to have been
held in control. Under their spreading limbs,
the cooling spring and the merry rivulet
found an abundant and never-failing supply
of water to make green the land and turn
the miller's wheel. The fallen leaves afforded
a covering for the soil that enabled it to re-
tain its moi-st condition, and throw off into
the upper air such supplies as were required
to preserve the necessary circulation.
The result was moderate rains at frequent
intervals, feeding the arterial sy.stem of the
land and preserving those material relations
in the physical world, rendering floods and
tornadoes a rarity, and in a thousand ways
rendering life more pleasurable and secure.
But the woodman's axe, wielded heedlessly
and ignorantly of consequences, has changed
the then existing order of things. As the
lands of whole districts have become deforest-
ed all this has been changed. The ground
once protected by the friendly shade now lies
expo.sed to the rays of a burning sun. The
soil, unable longer to retain its accustomed
moisture, has lost in part its ability to pro-
duce continuous crops. The rivulets and
smaller streams are no longer maintained at
a regular, unvarying stage, but are either
122
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ August,
half-dried up or converted into roaring tor-
rents tliat spread devastation far and wide,
■where they once were sources of unnumbered
blessings. Instead of tne gentle rains of the
earlier era, we have violent storms not only
of rain but of winds and hail that are terri-
ble in their severity and the damage they in-
flict. Even these violent rains fail, notwith-
standing the volume of water that falls, of
giving the soil the requisite amount of mois-
' ture. Unsheltered as it is, the sun and winds
speedily extract the water, leaving it as
parched as before.
We need only point to a few examples of
the workings of this system. There was once
no more fertile country in the world than
Spain. That was in the early days when the
land still boasted of its forest of oak. These
have been cut away and tlie Spain of to-day
in great part is almost a synonym for sterili-
ty, while her once famous streams exist only
in name. In Western Asia a like state of
things prevails. The old Eoman historians
tell us that tliis was once the granary of the
world. To-day those plains and valleys are
sun-scorched and barren, sustaining but a
tithe of the countless populations tfiat once
flourished in those favored countries.
Unless we shall adopt remedial measures,
the same fate awaits us. It will not come in
a year, nor a score of yeia's, nor even in a
century, but its arrival is none the less certain.
Most European nations have given timely at-
tention to this subject, Germany, especially,
has studied forestry with the utmost atten-
tion, and may hope to derive valuable benefits
from her enlightened course. We cannot too
soon follow in her footsteps. We are already
experiencing the results of our folly in storms
and floods, and these will increase in number
and violence as the process of cutting down
our forest goes on. Let there be speedy gov-
ernmental action, for in that way alone can
we hope for a better state of tilings. If the
matter is left to the people, it is idle to look
for remedial action ; the present course will
be continued and troubles from this cause be
increased.
THE COMMON ELDER.
This shrub, so common in all the Atlantic
States of our union, has commonly been con-
sidered a worthless plant, fitted only to mark
the abode of the thriftless farmer and to
annoy the neat one. But it has valuable re-
deeming qualities, some of which we will en-
deavor to point out. •
It has long been observed, that if permitted
to grow in fence corners its long roots take
such hold of the ground that it requires much
efibrt and time to eradicate it. This tenacity
to life can be utilized; planted in regions of
drifting sands, it becomes, in connection with
certain grasses, an important means of arrest-
ing the movements of the sands.
The inner bark has ho odor, to the taste is
at first sweetish, then bitter, acrid and nause-
ous, containsja resin, valerianic acid, and other
principles, and taken in moderate doses is a
purgative; in large do.ses acts as an emetic.
This inner bark boiled with lard makes a
salve good for old sores.
The flowers are abundantly used in domestc
medicine, for making a tea, (elder blow tea),
which is a harmless, efficient and pleasant
medicine, tending to produce abundant per-
spiration. A popular and pleasant drink is
made by boiling the blossoms in cider. The
flowers are also used in poultices, and boiled
with lard make a cooling and valuable oint-
ment. The flower buds may be pickled, for
which purpose they answer well. When dis-
tilled, the blossoms yield what is known as
"elder flower water," formerly used in per-
fumery and confectionery. Flowers gathered
and dried can be used at any time during
the winter.
The berries furnish a rich juice, which
makes a very fair wine, and in portions of
Kent, England, there are large plantations of
elder bush to supply the London market with
berries for wine making. When the express-
ed juice, before fermentation, is boiled down
to the consistence of honey, it makes an ex-
cellent medicine for children, being purgative,
diuretic and sudorific. The berries are also
used in making pies.
The hollowed stem can be applied to seve-
ral purposes. Anciently io was used as a
musical instrument, which its name {samhuais)
in Greek indicates. Boys now use them in
making popguns and whistles, while the
active t':acher can utihze them for many
purposes, as in the making of pumps in place
of glass tubes, &c.
The light pith has long been used in
electrical experiments, to exhibit attractive
and repulsive forces, and it is also cut into
small toys.
It has been a superstition that the elder-
bush exhales narcotic gases and that to sleep
in its shade is a dangerous experiment. The
American aborigines used the hollow stem
filled with sand and twirled between the
fingers as a drilling machine. — West Chester
Local News.
Our Local Organizations.
The Lancaster County Agricultural and Horticul-
tural Society met statedly in the Athenajum rooms
August i at two o'clock. Present, Messrs. H. M.
Engle, Calvin Cooper, S. S. Rathvon, M. D. Kendig,
Chrn. Hostetler, S. P. Eby, J. F. Witmer, Peter
Hiller, W. J. Kafroth, J. M. Johnston, Chrn. Gast,
Walter Kieffer, A. F. Hostetter, William McComsey,
and Wm. W. Griest.
The minutes were read and approved.
The Coming Fair.
In reference to the proposed fair or fall exhibition,
Mr. Cooper stated that the officers of the Northern
Market had been consulted, and consent to use the
market house for the exhibition had been gained.
The only expense attendant upon it will be the
janitor's pay, and also the payment of whatever gas
may be consumed.
According to the by-laws, the oficers of the society
are constituted managers of all exhibitions, and in
their hands this matter rests.
Crop Reports.
H. M. Engle, of Marietta, reported small fruits in
a flourishing condition ; grapes will be especially
fine. Corn will give a poor yield ; pasture is not
good, but potatoes will do ritrht well.
W. J. Kafroth, of West Earl, reported corn in
poor condition, pasture short, potatoes good, tobacco
good, and fruits promising.
J. F. Witmer, of Paradise, stated that the corn in
his disti-ict had done better than was expected.
Early potatoes are doing very well and the tobacco
was good. Clover was reasonably good, but the
straw of wheat was very thin on the ground.
M. D. Kendig, of Manor, had cheering news for
the tobacco crop, which had been greatly benefited
by recent rains. The rain fall for July had been 2\-^
inches. The other crops were about as they had
been reported in other districts.
Calviir Cooper, East Lampeter, brought cheering
news of the corn ciopinhis district. He had never
seen a finer crop, and its growth had been wonder-
fully accelerated by the rains of Saturday, which one
of his neighbors had declared to be a rainfall of 5' „'
inches. The speaker, out of curiosity, had measured
his corn on Saturday at six o'clock in the evening,
and by Monday at six o'clock it had grown 6.lj
inches ; by Tuesday, 7 inches more ; by Wednesday,
7 inches more ; and the measurement this morning
showed that it had gained 3 feet 10)^ inches since
Saturday.
"Should the Partridge be Domesticated ?"
This was the subject of an interesting essay by
Simon P. Eby, esq., and as it contained many useful,
practical hints, we produce it in full, as follows : .
I answer this question in the affirmative. There
seems to be a vacancy for this bird in, or rather at,
the foot of the list of our domestic animals. We need
some bird that can be turned into our grass and
grain fields to hunt for insects without the liability
of doing the injury to the crops that the common
fowl will necessarily do by its larger size and
scratching propensities— some smaller creature to fill
the place between our barn fowl and the wild bird,
whose usefulness can be controlled and directed to
the points where most needed.
The t,artridge, I believe, if tamed, would supply
this want. Their natural haunts are the grass and
grain fields, and up to the time of harvest, live
mostly on insects. A flock of tame partridges
would be a valuable help upon the farm to get rid" of
the numerous destructive insects.
The bird is unobjectionable in all respects. In ad-
dition to its usefulness, it is beautiful in appearance,
harmless in its habits, and of pleasant voice. Why
should it not be domesticated or tamed ? Its natural
tendencies are strongly in that direction, and it
would of itself become tame if only an opportunity
would be offered. A little kindness show^n ; a little
protection given to convince the bird that man is no
longer its enemy, persecutor and destroyer, but a
friend instead, would bring about the desired result.
The whistling flock would before long draw
nearer to man and his habitation to escape other
enemies, of which it has many ; and in winter season
learn to feed with the poultry. This much gained,
the following season the nest in all probability would
not be very far removed. Some of the eggs could be
taken out and given to bantam or other small-sized
fowls, while ihe partridge hen would still have
enough to hatch and take care of- In the following
autumn the home-raised and field-raised young could"
be let run together and learned to roost in some
open shed, provided for that purpose in the orchard,
or other suitable corner of the farm. In this way,
with patience and prudence, much might be accom-
plished. In the following spring the surplus males
might be taken out for table or other use; and the
flock left to pair about the farm, when the process of
the previous year might be repeated.
It is a fact somewhat remarkable that among our
domesticated animals ihere is but a single native one,
and that one, much to our reproach, gobbles about
our farm yards and graces our Christmas and
Thanksgiving tables under the foreign and most
outlandish name of "Turkey." And yet our conti-
nent is not wanting in other animals now left to
roam in their wild state which if domesticated,
might rival in usefulness the descendants of other
countries that form our flocks and herds.
The reason for this, I suppose, was that our ances-
tors found less trouble in accepting the natives of
Asia and Europe, already domesticated, and improve-
ing on them, than to supply themselves from natives
of the American continent by along course of subjec-
tion and training.
The period, however, I think has arrived when we
may, to some extent, turn our attention in a new
direction and experiment by adding from our native
wild animals to the domestic group, as we have
already profitably done by reclaiming and adding
from our native stock to our fruits and vegetables.
I think, at least, the subject is worthy of serious
consideration and trial, so far as the partridge is
concerned, and I would only feel too proud hereafter
that the trial was made in our county, and by one or
more of the members of our own society.
The difficulties to be encountered in this, like in all
other new enterprises, or experiments, would be
mainly in the beginning.
You would have to contend against the usual
enemies of the poultry yard, with perhaps a few
added. The hunters and neighbors' boys, looking
upon your partially tamed flocks as still in its wild
state, might undertake to.shoot or trap them. The
law regarding this species of property, as it now
stands, does not extend your ownership or protection
over them when they leave your premises ; but while
upon your own land it gives you ample authority to
protect them against everybody.
You can put up notices against gunners and order
off trespassers, and if they disregard either your
notice or command, you can punish them.
By a number of neighboring farmers joining, as is
now sometimes done, the ground over which your
flock could safely forage, would be easily enlarged.
Some writers on the subject have questioned the
capabilities of the partridge to become domesticated
— but even these are compelled to admit such ca-
pacity to a certain extent. The thing has never
been fairly tried.
On the other hand, with all the persecution to
which they are annually subjected, "they become,"
as Wilson says, "almost half domesticated, approach
the barn, particularly in winter, and sometimes in
that severe season mix with the poultry to glean up
a subsistence."
They are not migratory, and remain with us the
whole year, only shifting their quarters when driven
by severe weather or when too much hunted. This
is much in their favor.
The turkey in its wild state is much lesssusceptibla
of being tamed, and the original of our common
barn fowl can yet be found in the jungles of Java as
wild as our pheasants.
They have been domesticated, why not the par-
tridge?
.Mr. Engle, although he would not say that Mr.
Eby's ideas were impracticable, did not believe our
farmers would ever attempt, to any great extent, the
domestication of the partridge. The matter of
domesticating them would not be found so easy,
either ; they are a very wild bird. He remembered,
when a boy, to have placed a chicken on partridge
ea-gs, and after the birds were hatched out they
wandered off and were never seen again — utterly
disowning their step-mother.
General Discussion.
1879.;
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
123
discussion, when Mr. Kendlg arose and said that he
had tried the experiment one time, but It had proved
a failure. This was proi)abIy his own fault. He be-
lieved that If the corn were kept clear of weeds and
the soil properly cultivated, a good crop might be
raised.
Mr. Witmer said sowing wheat on corn stubs was
E common practice in his vicinity. The cern stubble
was ploughed down, and while, of course, it did not
make as smoofh a crop as oats stubble ploughed
down, the yield was generally vary good and paid
for the trouble. He gaveditlerent processes of culti-
vating wheat on corn stubble
Mr. Engle thought the best plan was not to plow.
Of course the ground should be well manured in
the 'spring. The stubble should be cut down, and
a cultivator, If not too heavy, could be used. If
there was clean culture a good yield might result —
provided that wheat was not plowed too deep; and
by the way, that is the great trouble in cultivating
wheat in this county, the farmers plow too deep.
For his part he had better luck from wheat planted
in corn than in potato ground.
Social Intercourse.
The chair now announced social intercourse, when
Mr. Engle said that he looked with regret upon the
small number present to-day. It had beeen resolved
to hold a fall fair, and he had supposed that the
committees would be appointed and that the affair
would go right on; but it looked to him now as
though some ol the membcis were going to shirk the
work. We must either hold a fair or not hold it,
and one thing or the other must be determined
" quickly. After announcing a fair, it would be a
great shame for a society like this to back out of it.
He hoped to hear the opinions of some other mem-
bers.
Messrs. Witmer, Kendig and Cooper were in favor
of the exhibition and thought it should be held ; but
they all agreed that they did not like to assume the
whole responsibility themselves, and the present
meeting gave them little encouragement. Mr.
Cooper felt confident that if premiums were offered,
a fine display might be made.
Mr. Engle was convinced that something was
wrong. The attendance to-day was unusually small ,
and he could think of no other reason for it than
that they wanted to shirk the responsibility of putting
their shoulders to the wheel in pushing forward this
important work. He referred to York's energy In
matters of this kind, and thought the example of
Lancaster county's neighbors ought to incite our
people to some exertion. He was so much discour-
aged that he felt like going to Kansas.
The discussion ended here, with the understanding
that those present would do all in their power to
make the contemplated exhibition a success.
Miscellaneous.
Two or three small bills were presented and
ordered to be paid, and Mr. Eby handed over a small
amount of money from the Poultry Association.
On motion of Mr. Engle, five hundred copies of the
by-laws, (now in type), were ordered to be printed
in pamphlet form, and Dr. Rathvon was entrusted
with the supervision of the work.
On Exhibition.
E. Burkholder, West Earl, pears for name; H. M.
Engle, Marietta, Garretson's Early, All-Summer
and Primate apples, and Hosenshenk, Bloodgood
and Osband's Summer pears.
A specimen of "Quince Rust," by Mr. McGrann,
of West Orange street, city.
Larva of "American Peacock Moth," (Saturnia
lo), by Mrs.JGibbons, Enterprise Lancaster county,
found on a raspberry stem.
After testing the fruits the society adjourned.
THE LANCASTER COUNTY POULTRY
ASSOCIATION.
The August meeting of the Lancaster County
Poultry Associatiou was held on Monday morning,
August 4th, at 10;30, in the old Athenaeum rooms.
City Hall. Present, Messrs. D. C. Tobias, President;
Jacob B. Lichty, Secretary; W.J. Kafroth, John F.
Reed, Charles Lippold, J. M. Johnston, Christian
Cast, Walter Kieffer, Silas N. Warfel, S. P. Eby,
David M. Brosey, Frank B. Buch, T. F. Evans,
Jacob A. Buch, G. A. Geyer, J. H. Habecker, and
Joseph F. Witmer.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read
and approved.
Reports of officers being in order, the treasurer,
Mr. 'T. F.Evans read his report, showing that the
receipts of the association to date had been ?41.7.5;
expenditures, $11.45 ; balance on hand, $:iO.:W.
Two small bills — one from The New Era and one
fr»m Chas. H. Barr, were approved, and then the
society proceeded to the consideration of
Unfinished Business.
Under this head, a resolution offered at the
previous meeting to amend the by-laws by imposing
a fine of ?1 upon any member who failed, aftcr
acceptingthe appointment, to serve on a committee
or prepare a paper, came up for action.
Mr. Kafroth thought the amendment carried with
it a punishment that was too levere and oppressive ;
he had never known such a law In any other associ-
ation, and he would oppose It.
Mr. Reed thought it would act as an Incentive to
members, making them more prompt in rendering
the service which they might voluntarily accept, and
he therefore favored the amendment.
Mr. Evans rather opposed the amendment, and
Messrs. Warfel and Winters also entered their pro-
tests, regarding the measure as quite too arbitrary.
Mr. Lichty explained the object of the resolution.
Questions had frequently been referred to persons
who afterward paid not the slightest attention to
them, although they were invariably present and ac-
cepted the task when it was Imposed upon them; the
member who had offered the amendment doubtless
thought the fear of this fine would stimulate them to
greater exertion.
The question was now called, resulting in the de-
feat of the resolution "by a large majority."
Referred Questions.
"What breed of fowls Is most profitable?" Referred
to Mr. Witmer to answer at next meeting.
"Are some breeds of fowls more subject to disease
than others, and if so, why ? This had been re-
ferred to Mr. H. H. "Tshudy, but as he was not
present, Mr. Warfel was called on to answer. He
said that he made a specialty of one breed of fowls,
and was therefore hardly prepared to discuss other
breeds; but he might have somethiug to say further
on in the discussion.
Mr. Kafroth had observed that disease was most
likely to attack heavy fowls. He had sad experi-
ence in this matter, and in his neighborhood the dis-
ease was most manifest, as he before stated, among
heavy fowls.
Mr. Evans had observed, in his neighborhood,
that disease was most common among the mongrels
or "dung-hills," his mother having lost more than
sixty chickens of the common breed in two weeks'
time. He believed the cause of disease to be the
neglect of introducing new breeds at proper times.
There ought to be a 'change of blood, he thought,
every year or two.
Mr. Eby's experience, in the last few years, had
been principally with game chickens ; but when a
boy he had chargeofhis father's chickens, commonly
known as mongrels, and they never had disease
among them, although they frequently roosted in
places so exposed that their feet and combs were
frozen. He believed that the chicken cholera among
our fowls dated from the introduction of the Asiatic
fowls, and he gave instances confirming this belief,
although he did not assert it to be a fact, but merely
an opinion, based on the results of close observation.
A chicken that is too closely confined is more liable
to the disease than another; but he did not believe the
disease was confined to any particular breed.
Mr. Geyer first noticed cholera' among his dark
Brahmas, then among his Cochins ; but after he
bought Leghorns he was not troubled with cholera.
Mr. Warfel believed that thorough-bred chickens
were more exempt from disease than others. He
had been breeding light Brahmas for ten years, and
had never had a case of cholera in his yard
Whether this was because of the breed or owing to
especial care on his part he was unable to say ; but
his experience and his observation and correspond-
ence led him to believe that thorough-bred chickens
were peculiarly exempt from disease.
Mr. Witmer corroborated Mr. Warfel's opinion,
and he believed the light Brahmas were among the
most healthy and profitable breeds.
Mr. Tobias, retinquishing the chair, took the floor
and gave bis experience — by request; or rather he
gave the experience of Mr. Tshudy, of Litiz, with
whose successes and misfortunes in chicken-raising
he was familiar. After explaining the difference be-
tween chicken cholera and diarrhcea,',he said that he
doubted whether Mr. Tshudy would like to tell how
many light Brahmas and Partridge Cochins be had
lost ; but the speaker did not believe it was all owing
to the breed, but thought — with no intention what-
ever to do injury to Mr. Tshudy — that his "run"
was not kept as clean as it might be. He did not
believe one variety was more prone to disease than
another, and there was no record to this effect.
What is wanted is pure blood— a good, solid fowl—
and this can only be attained by great cleanliness.
He advocated cleanliness, therefore, as the best pre-
ventive of disejise, and he also favored the building
of coops on high, dry ground.
Mr. Evans made a habit of feeding salt to his
chickens, almost dally, and Mr. Eaby said he was
glad to hear it, because the popular idea was that
they must not have sail — not even salt bread.
Mr. Warfel said that for years the generally ac-
cepted rule had been to keep hot only salt, but all
salty substances from chickens, and Mr. Evan's
plan was a new revelation to him. He, too, was glad
to learn that the chickens could be fed with salt, not
only without injury, but with positive benefit, ac-
cording to Mr. E.'s experience.
M r. Keed described a disease among chickens, the
name of which he could not give, but the symptoms
of which were very peculiar. No one present had
experienced the same disease among his poultry, and
no explanation of the disease or remedy for it was
Chairman Tobias had come to the conclusion that,
as chicken dlseasos were most prevalent in the hot
season, they were attributable In a large measure to
drinking loo much water. No creature of Its size,
to his knowledge, would drink one-half the quantity
of water on a hot day that a chicken would. He
believed that If chickens were given water in the
morning, at noon and In the evening, instead of
having it constantly around them, the disease* now
so prevalent would be greatly reduced.
Mr. Evans related his experience on the matter of
giving chickens water, and the discussion then
closed.
Mr. Witmer, to whom a question had been refered
for next meeting, declined on the plea of being loo
much occupied, as secretary of the Agricultural
Society, in getting up an exhibition for the near
future.
In the matter of holding a poultry show, the
chairman explained that through a misunderstand-
ing, the committee had not yet held a meeting, but
would meet before the next stated mertlng.
Mr. Lippold proposed William Klump andObadiah
Kendig of Lancaster, for membership; Mr. Evana
proposed Franklin Carpenter, of Brunnervillo ; the
three were elected.
Adjourned.
WARWICK FARMERS' CLUB.
The Warwick Farmers' Club met on the small
farm of John Grossman, jr., near Mlllway Station,
C. & R. R., on Saturday, August 2, 1879, the Presi-
dent, Uriah Carpenter, in the chair. In the absence
of the Secretary, John Grossman was appointed
secretary ;>ro tein.
As there was no particular question before the
meeting Mr. Grossman proposed one, which wa«
agreed to:
"What is the best way to prepare the soil for sow-
ing wheat, and how and when to sow ?"
Mr. Grossman said : Haul manure on the land and
spread it evenly; plow early and then roll it; let it
remain in that condition till near seed time, then
harrow it ; when it is lumpy shovel, roll and harrow
until it becomes fine. Sow about the 'JOth of Sep-
tember; the quantity of the seed varies from IJ^ to
2 bushels per acre, according to the quality of the
lands.
H. Huber said he once plowed early and rolled a
part of a field early, and the balance of it later, and
then it was dry and hard. After it was sowed a dif-
ference was seen until winter. The early plowed was
the greenest, but in harvest he noticed no difference.
In average he agreed with Messrs. Grossman and
Carpenter, and the most of the meeting.
Messrs. Huber and Carpenter, however, differed
from Mr. G. as to rolling. They thought it ought
not to be rolled until the weeds grow, and then har-
row first and roll afterwards.
Much was said on the subject of deep and shallow
plowing, but no conclusion was reached which was
best,
On wheat : Some of the members liked the Foltz
wheat best, because it yields more to the acre than
other kinds: but the millers don't like it so well;
but if it yields most grain farmers ought to raise it.
This question is open for discussion at the next
meeting of the club.
A New Question.
How best to keep milk cows and other stock. Ad-
journed to meet August 30, at 1 o'elo.-k P. M., at
the house of John Grossman, near New Haven
(Kissel Hill).
LINNiEAN SOCIETY.
Nearly the whole of the working force of tlic
Linnaean Society being at Ocean Grove on Saturday,
July i;6th,the July meeting was informally organ-
ized, in a pavilion, on the beach. In front of Joseph
Ross's restaurant, with the president. Prof. Slahr,
in the chair. The reading of the minutes of the last
meeting was dispensed with. Fine corallne speci-
mens of *Madr(pora cnlycnlaris and Tubipora
mnsica, were donated lo the museum by 8. S. Rath-
von, and specimens of quartz pebbles, and Algea
from the beach, by Mr. Slauffer.
The prevaling rains prevented any explorations
along the beach or Inland, and hence the pailcity of
the donations, which would have been far other-
wise, had the weather been more favorable. The
novelty of the occasion, however, which was entirely
impromptu, with the foaming ocean in front and the
beautiful town of Ocean Grove in the background,
rendered the meeting peculiarly interesting, although
brief. After some further social Intercourse, on
motion of Prof. Duhbs the society adjourned to meet
at the usual place on the last Saturday in August.
Mr. Stauffer reports that on his return home he
found quite a variety of snakes, lizards, fish and
insects, as well as a variety of finely-pressed plants,
collected by William B. Fahnestock, M. D., on his
late visit to (icorgia. They have not yet been
examined fully.
124
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ August,
THE BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
The Lancaster County Beekeepers' Society met
Monday afternoon, August 11, at 2 o'clock in the
parlor of the Black Horse Hotel. The following
members were present : Elias Hershev, Paradise ; j.
H. Deaner, Churchtown ; I. G. Martin, Earl ; John
Eitemiller, Strasburg; H. G. Shirk, Caernarvon ; D.
H. Lintner, Millersville ; J. F. Hershey, Mt. Joy;
Levan Weigle, Earl; A. K. Deaner, Caernarvon;
Abraham Mellinger, West Earl ; L. S. Fleekenstein,
Manor, and P. S. Reist, IVesideut, Litiz.
The meeting was opened by the President, P. S.
Reist. As the Secretary was absent, J. M. Johnston,
of the Intelligencer, VI a.s elected Secretary p?-o tan.
The President, Mr. Reist, reported the honey crop
of the United States to be about 8,800,000 pounds.
The amount of wax was about 6,000,000 pounds.
The total value of crop — wax and honey — was about
^1,200,000. The highest award at the honey show
in England was given to Americans. He reported
an increase of about 75 per cent, in his swarms. All
of his colonies were robbed, and they evidently had
no queens. His honey prdduct would be compara-
tively small, on account of the drought. The crop,
however, is in a tolerably fair condition.
J. F. Hershey, Mt. Joy, stated that his bees were
doing well. He obtained 050 pounds of honey. His
bees are doing little or nothing now. They are in
good condition so far.
Mr. D. H. Lintner, Millersville, said his bees did
very well during the months of April, May and June.
He started with fourteen hives, but swarmed twelve
more, making 26 hives. In June he commenced
transferring to twelve-form hives. His bees are all
in good condition. He took 250 pounds honey. His
bees paid 250 per cent, on money invested. Sold his
honey at 30 and 25 cents per pound. They have not
done much since July.
Mr. I. G. Martin, Earl, said he had twenty colo-
nies started in the spring. Tried to stop swarming,
and only had one natural swarm. Afterwards he
made artificial swarms, increasing the number of
colonies to thirty-one. He has taken .540 pounds of
honey, but since the harvest the season is very poor.
The honey crop is about over for the year.
Eli Hershey, Paradise, said his bees had increased
about 35 per cent. He had twenty-six hives; and
obtained on an average 25 pounds per hive.
Mr. Fleekenstein, Manor, said he had started
twelve hives, and could depend on one-half of them
for honey. Only had one natural swarm as he tried
to prevent them as much as possible. His object is
to gel more honey with less bees. He obtained on an
average 15 to 20 pounds to a hive. The season is not
over yet in his neighborhood. He lives near the
Susquehanna river, and his bees fly over to the -York
county side and gather honey from the buckwheat
fields.
Mr. John Eitemiller, Strasburg, said he started
with eighteen swarms, and now has twenty-seven.
He obtained 300 pounds of honey in the comb. His
bees are in good wintering condition.
Mr. J. F. Hershey answered the question, "What
is the best method of preventing swarming?" as
follows :
AS this question was referred to P. S. Reist and he
referred it to me, I will say a few words on the sub-
ject of preventing bees from swarming. I find that
there are lour points that must be made use of, and
those are shade, air, putting empty combs between
brood and getting the bees to work in honey boxes.
To prevent swarming commence as soon as the
nights are getting warm ,to keep the hives well
shaded ; but have them so arranged that the air can
pass over and around the hive. If a hive is ever so
well shaded and stands in a warm place where the
air cannot pass over and around it, shade will not
help to prevent swarming. Shade and air must both
be made use of at the same time. If shade is made
with a roof, keep the roof one or two feet above the
hives ; don't merely shade them by having the roof
right on top of the hive as then the rays of the sun
will come too close to the hive.
Putting Empty Combs Between Brood.
When the centre combs are well filled with capped
brood and the nights are warm, take an outside
comb, and if the comb is full of honey uncap it ; then
put it between two combs that are filled with brood.
In this way every eight days put a comb between
brood. If three combs are put between brood it is
enough, and not more than one comb should be put
between brood at a time ; if more is used at one time
the brood nest is spread too fast for the bees.
Getting the Bees to work in the Honey
Boxes.
Give each swarm two, three or four sections filled
with comb, and another section that is empty. As
soon as the bees gather honey, they will fill the
combs in the section, and at the same time will com-
mence to build combs in the adjoining empty section.
As soon as the sections are full take them off, and
put empty sections in their place. If the sections are
left on till they are full the bees will not have
enough room to build combs, and will commence to
build queen-cells, and the brood chamber being filled
with honey, the queen will have no room to lay.
A general discussion followed in which a number
of the members participated.
Mr. I. G. Martin said in answer to the question,
"Should glucose be fed to bees?" that he didn't
know ; that he never used it, and would like to hear
from some one who had tried it. He was not in
favor of experimenting with it.
Mr. J. F. Hershey said that he had never used it,
and never intended to. He thought it a rather risky
experiment.
Mr. Reist said that Mr. Thurlow, of this city, had
tried it. The bees seemed to like it, but the honey
tasted bitter.
Mr. J. F. Hershey showed a case of Italian bees
and also a frame, exhibiting his method of making a
comb foundation.
Mr. I. G. Martin exhibited a jar of extracted
honey, and a crate of honey in comb, prepared for
shipping, containing twelve two-pound boxes.
Mr. Lintner exhibited a pan of honey containing
eight or ten pounds.
Mr. J. F. Hershey showed a crate of honey, in one
pound boxes, size 3% by 5 inches, which he called
the right size boxes. He says they sell faster than
two pound boxes. He also showed several cases of
Italian bees and queens, put up ready for shipping.
The President stated that the Fruit Growers' As-
sociation was holding a meeting to determine
whether they would have a fair this season, and
stated that the society had been invited to assist in
case they agree to hold one.
Mr. Lintner read the following essay :
Some people will contend that bees are injurious to
crops. Now, instead of bees being injurious to crops,
I shall prove to you that they are an advantage.
First, the stamen and pistils of fiowers answer to the
different organs of the sexes — that is, male and
female. The stamen is the male, which furnishes
the pollen ; the pistil is the female, which must be
impregnated by this dust or pollen from the stamen,
or no fruit will be produced. Now, as we all know
that the breeding in and in of animals is detrimental, so
it is in the vegetable kingdom. The pollen from one
flower always falling on the pistil of its own flower
would deteriorate. Thus it becomes necessary that
the pollen produced by the stamen of one flower
shall fertilize the pistil of another, to prevent
barrenness. This is fully accomplished by the bees
traveling from flower to flower, and carrying the
pollen sticking to their legs and wings, to the next
flower, and impregnating the pistil of it. If all the
bees were to be destroyed, I for one, if a farmer,
would prefer to go into some other business. This
prejudice against bees seems to me has no founda-
tion, and I hope that the day is dawning when it
will be done away with.
The society now adjourned until the second
Monday in November.
A COUNTY FAIR.
The Board of Managers of the La:
County Agricultural and Horticultural
Society Fix upon Time and Place
for Holding it— Committees
Appointed.
The Board of Managers of the Lancaster County
Agricultural and Horticultural Society met Monday,
August 11, in their room in the City Hall, for the
purpose of discussing the subject of holding a county
fair. The officers of the society constitute the Board
of Managers and are as follows, all of whom were
present : President, Calvin Cooper, Bird-in-Hand ;
Vice Presidents, Henry M. Engle, Marietta, and
Jacob B. Garber, Columbia; Recording Secretary,
Jos. F. Witmer, Paradise ; Corresponding Secretary,
J. Miller, Litiz ; Treasurer, Levi W. Grotf, West
Earl township ; Managers, Martin D. Kendig, Manor
township ; William H. Brosius, Drumore township ;
Casper Hiller, Cdnestoga township; John G. Lin-
ville. Gap ; and Israel L. Landis, Lancaster.
On motion, they adopted Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday, September 10, 11 and 12, as the days
upon which to hoid their exhibition, and it will be
held in the Northern Market House, on North Queen
street.
Committees.
The President announced the following committees,
which were unanimously approved :
Committee of Arrangement — Daniel Smeych, city;
8. P. Eby. city; Israel L. Landis, city; Ephraim
Hoover, city. "•
On Fruits— Henry M. Engle, Marietta.
On Cereals— Jno. C. Linville, Gap P. 0.
On Flowers — Martin D. Kendig, Creswell ; Mrs.
Dr. Wilson, Lancaster.
On Vegetables — Casper Hiller, Conestoga Centre.
On Apiary— Peter S. Reist, Litiz.
On Poultry— Wm. J. Kafroth,West Earl.
On Domestic Productions — Mrs. Calvin Cooper,
Bird-in-Hand.
On Dairy Products— Johnson Miller, Litiz.
On Light Farm Implements — C. M. Hostetter,
May P.O.
On FiBe Arts, etc— Wm. H. Brosius, Liberty
Square.
On Musical Instruments— Ephriam Hoover, Lan-
caster.
On Agricultural Miscellany— Levi S. Reist,
Oregon.
The committee have power to appoint colleagues
if they deem it necessary.
All who desire to become exhibitors will make ap-
plication to the heads of the departments in their
line of articles, or to the Committee of Arrange-
ment.
Further details will be found in posters, adver-
tisements and a premium list, which will be issued
in due time.
POULTRY ASSOCIATION.
Meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Society at Litiz.
The meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Lancaster County Poultry Society was held at the
Litiz Springs Hotel, on Tuesday evening, August 12.
The committee was organized by electing Rev. D. C.
Tobias chairman and Jacob H. Lichty secretary.
The object of the meeting was to make suitable ar-
rangements for the holding of a "Poultry Exhibi-
tion," by the society, in Lancaster, some time in
December or January next. After a full discussion
of the subject it was" thought that a successful exhi-
bition could be made ; and the committee will at the
next meeting of the society — the first Monday in Sep-
tember— submit a report embracing the necessary
regulations to be made.
It is hoped that all interested in breeding poultry
and pigeons will assist in making this, their first ex-
hibition, a perfect success. The committee adjourned
to meet in the room of the society, in Lancaster, on
Tuesday, the 26th inst., at 101.; A.M.
Agriculture.
Weeds and Hay Fever.
It would seem that the general advantage of
thorough cultivation ought to be sufficient induce-
ment to incite the tiller of the soil to vigorous efforts
for the suppression of weeds. It is manifest to the
commonest observer that, if we expect remunerating
crops, we must not leave them to contend with hosts
of rival enemies in the soil, and yet this is often the
case, to a wide extent, throughout the country.
Not only are noxious weeds allowed to grow among
the crops, but often after the crops are removed
whole fields are abandoned to weeds of almost every
description, as also are roadsides. These are fruitful
nurseries, and their fiowering is thus protracted
until late in autumn, filling the atmosphere with the
impalpable dust of their pollen, irritating and
inflaming the delicate organs of the human system
in various ways. It is sometimes called hay fever.
The hay season, however, is short, and ought to be
much shorter if farmers would have hay of the best
quality; and is harmless as compared with the
tediousness of the weed-flowering season, during
which the eyes are affected with itching inflamma-
tion; the bronchial and nasal parts violently excited,
causing extreme and protracted intervals of sneezing,
and copious discharges of watery fluids from the
nose. This is often continued for months, until
frosts destroy these troublesome interlopers. In my
daily intercourse I meet with persons who are severe-
ly afflicted with this troublesome nuisance, and
entirely ignorant of the cause, being under appre-
hension that it proceeds from some radical defect in
their organization, and seriously contemplating the
necessity of seeking a more genial clime. In truth,
I am half inclined to think that many times those
complaints called influenzas have been treated by
medical men without suspecting their common
origin.
These disagreeable effects, arising from negligent
husbandry, are far more prevalent when the late
summer and early autumnal months are dry, as was
the case during the past year. Frequently showers
and rain storms carry the pollen to tlie ground,
where the greater part remains. The presence of
this evil is" a very serious abridgment of the
pleasures of rural life during the autumnal months,
when a walk through the fields, or a stroll in the
silent (voods amid the shadowy lights and falling
leaves, is especially enjoyed by contemplative minds.
Cutting and Curing Hay.
Though it is too late for the present season to talk
upon this subject, we feel inclined to take up a small
space in relation to it by merely referring to a dis-
cussion at a meeting of farmers who attend the
"Farmers' Market," at Twelfth and Market streets,
in this city, and who have formed themselves into a
cltTl) to discuss matters and things connected with
their pursuit, helding their meetings monthly in the
room of the directors of the company. These meet-
ings are well attended and comprise among its mem-
bers a great deal of intelligence; but, as in all meet-
ings of farmers, there is seldom an agreement of
views on any question formally introduced.
At the last meeting the question of cutting an(i
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
125
curing hay was diecussed, in which there was a
great diversity of opinion. Some were for early cut-
ting, some for late cutting, and some when the clover
heads were just in bloom, and timothy. when the
blossoms fell. In curing, some thought that hay
eenerallv was damaged by overmaking and m having
too much sun-heat. Others thought that grass
should be merely wilted; others again who had
some experience in this said the hay became mouldy
and rotten and no animal would eat it. Some
housed their clover the day it was cut, by keeping
the tedder at work all the time; another preferred
cutting one day and housing the next. Some thought
that there was not raking enough done, frequently
there was none until the wagons came along to take
the hay away. One declared that timothy hay was
worthless for dairy cattle; others said that their cat-
tle preferred timothy to clover.
Notwithstanding these adverse opinions, these dis-
cussions must prove proHtable by inducing exper -
mcnts of the various modes proposed, so that eacn
one can decide for himself which will best meet his
views and Inure to his profit. Sometimes on 3 6 cstab-
lishcd modcof conducting farm operations will favor
one course better than any other, and of course lie
will pursue that. Sometimes the lay of the laijd
favors one mode better than another.
Utilizing Night Soil.
On nearly every farm there is more or less of this
highly fertilizing matter to be disposed of, and in
some sections it is customary for farmers to haul it
to their farms from neighboring cities and towus.
How to treat it in the latter ease often becomes a
question with the inexperienced, who would gladly
avail themselves of the opportunity. In my own ex-
perience I have found the following as good a way as
any, and it proved generally satisfactory : Prepare
in advance a bed or basin of seasoned muck, or soil
and sods, making the bottom six to ten inclies thick
and raising the outer edges one to three feet high,
according to the amount of night soil to be compost-
ed. As most of the contents of city vaults are m a
fluid state, a watertight box or cask on wheels is
needed for carrying. This is backed up to one side
and emptied over the embankment into the bed pre-
pared for it, filled as desired. It is then allowed to
stand, settle and dry away, so that the whole
may be shoveled over aud well mixed, after which it
commences to warm, when it should be used at once,
or overhauled and plaster mixed with it. This over-
hauling is only a little less unpleasant than the
forking over of common yard manure, and often
much more exciting, and almost everything is found,
from gold watches down to hoop skirts, &c., among
the contents. According to our best chemists, this
manure should not be allowed to lie long before
using after being thus prepared, as oxidation sets in
and goes on rapidly, and its virtues as a fertilizer
deteriorate. I have found that this fertilizer thus
prepared should not be applied to the same soil in
successive seasons unless mixed largely with other
farm manure. Used in rotation alone, or mixed
with other animal manure, benefit results; but
where used alone successive seasons, results are
unsatisfactory.— W- H. White.
•
A New Wheat.
I send you a few sample stalks, not selected, of
ray new white wheat which I call "Centennial Black
Bearded" white wheat. I have only a small country
place, and am onlv an amateur. What I grow is
for my owu satisfaction and pleasure, and not '^"-
profit. I had in ISTfl two gills of th'
took it. The lessee gave it a coat of ashes and a
good sprinkling of clover seed. The rye yielded six
bushels per acre ; it was so thin that the clover had
suflicient room to grow. The next season the clover
covered the ground completely aud was allowed to
remain on the ground the entire season. In the
spring of the second year the whole was plowed In
and the field planted with corn, which yielded forty-
seven bushels per acre, and it has remained a fertile
field to the present time and is very valuable land.
About Corn.
Peter Cooper, In a recent conversation with a re-
porter, said: "About thirty years ago a man came
Into my offlce and olfered to sell me a great secret for
tliO. ilc was so persistent and his condition so piti-
ful that I concluded to buy It. I paid him the money
and he told me the secret." Mr. Cooper said It was
a process of treating seed corn which would double
Its productive power. The corn should be covered
with glue and rolled successively In lime, guano etc.,
and planted with the accumulation thus gathered
around It. "I gave the receipt," continued he, "to
a man in New York State, and he reported the yield
of corn so treated was double that of corn planted
In the usual way. I have a barrel of glue with me
and Intend to try the experiment."
Tub best time to cut wheat is when the straw is
yellow two or three joints from the ground. Every
day the wheat stands after the grain can be mashed
without producing any milk, the gluten decreases in
quality aud the bran increases in thickness.
the hills both ways ; though we know how nice it is
to have carrots with corn, corn alone has to do the
work.
Here Is the same trouble with the turnip, though
in a less degree to be sure. Every single turnip has
to be handled In pulling; and then aaer pulling
every one has to be gone over again and handled tp
take the top off. If we could manage to do this by
machinery, as we do so many other things, so as to
get rid of this hand-labor liuslness, no doubt the pro-
duction would soon be doubled, and use be found
for an Immense number more than Is now dreamed
of. This may come In time, for Yankee genius ll
equal to any achievement in this direction.— 0«rman-
lown Telegraph.
Horticulture.
heat which
I'sowcdon'a plat of well fertilized soil about 12 yards
square, harvesting one full peck of grain. In 187( 1
sowed the peck of seed broadcast on one quarter of
an acre of light rotten rock soil (earth not more
than 12 to 14 inches deep), with 100 pounds of fertil-
izer. I obtained I5].i bushels of seed, weighing 68
pounds per bushel, in 1878 I was very late (owing
to drouth) in getting the land ready for seeding, and
sowed, on the 1st of November, on about 3;^ acres;
5 bushels of seed. I have not threshed it out, but
am told by good judges that they will be about 200
bushels, the seed was originally from a foreign land.
I will be glad if you can say in your paper what you
think of it. I might add that the land on which I
sowed the past year, was mostly in corn in 1878, and
I did not give it any special preparation.
Baltimore, Md. , , „ -
The heads of wheat sent were large and full, of
goodshape, bearded. The beards heingblack, while
the chaff is white, with an occasional tinge gives
the head a striking appearance . The kernel Is white
or nearly so, except when shrunken, and has a dark,
smoky spot on the germ, or eye, rendering It very
distinct from any other sort. It is apparently a pro-
mising variety.— CoMnd'j^ Gcutlanan.
Is Clover a Fertilizer.
The following may throw some light on the
subject. About twenty years since a man obtained
by lease a large tract of land for a term of years,
most of which was worn out and exhausted rye land.
One field often acres was sown with rye when he
Bags for Protecting Grapes.
Below we give an extract from an essay read before
the Kentucky State Horticultural Society by Thomas
S. Kennedy, a well-known grape-grower near
Louisville. Mr. Charics Downing used these bags
years ago to protect his grapes from birds and
"yellow jackets," and with success. We have used
them also, and indorse all that Mr. Kennedy says.
The protection afforded by the netting is probably
fully as complete as can be attained without impair-
In" the ripening of the fruit. The netting should
hang rather loosely about the fruit. The extract
here follows :
"But a better protection from insects and disease
I have found in covering each bunch of grapes with
a close-fitting bag made of cheap cross-bar mosquito
netting, costing last season only forty-five cents per
piece of eight yards long by two wide— one square
foot being sufflcient for a bag. It is slipped over the
bunch and tied closely around the stem with a string.
This simple contrivance is a simple protection against
all kinds of insects, but only a partial preventive of
rot. I have used this covering for more than fifteen
years, and am satisfied that without this safeguard I
would not be able to save any considerable portion of
my annual crops from destruction by insects. Under
this covering the grapes have fully ripened and hung
long afterwards on the vines until wanted.
"About seven years ago, Mr. Younglove, of
Bowling Green, exhibited at the Louisville fair a
very large collection of grapes that had been pro-
tected with paper bags. These grapes were very
clear and translucent, and only slightly colored.
The darkest kinds of red grapes had only a light
pink tinge, and no person could tell what kinds any
of them were by their appearance. The paper bags
had evidently excluded the sunlight and caused the
o-rapes to mature without attaining their natural
color. The flavor, too, was insipid and watery. The
contrast between these and the rich colors of th:
grapes exhibited from my vineyards caused the
judges who awarded premiums to decide that the
netting was a better covering than paper bags."—
Rural Life.
Cultivate More Turnips.
We all know the value of the turnip crop to
England. It has been asserted that the interest of
their immense debt is annually paid by the product
of this crop. As to the United States, we do not
make half the use of the turnip we might do, by
increasing the consumption of the root and improve-
ment in the manner of its cultivation. The great
w ant of our winter- feed for cattle is succulence . We
somewhat obviate this want by using cut feed
moistened, but as a general thing hay and oats and
corn and water form the bulk of catMe-food. Car-
rots, potatoes, rutabagas and turnips are used at
times, but to a very limited extent to what they
might be.
One reason for this limited use may be In our old
enemy, dear labor. In the culture of the carrot, for
Instance, there Is a great amount of hand-work. As
soon as the seeds are up the plants must be tliinned;
and after every hoe-harrowing between the rows,
hands must go over again to keep the rank weeds
from smothering out the carrot plants. Carrots are
excellent horse-feed; but few of us have this hand-
labor to spare. It is so much easier to hoe corn iu
Fertilizers and Fiuit Trees.
I find that lime, wood ashes and old Iron, put
around the roots of declining fruit trees, have a very
bcncflcial effect. These fertilizers restore the trees
to a healthy condition, and also greatly improve the
fruit In quality and quantity. I made the applica-
tion on a WIncsap and Never Fall, about half a
bushel of mixed lime and ashes to each, and dug It
in with a hoe some six feet around the trunk, and
put old Iron immediately around the base of each.
The trees put forth with renewed vigor, bloomed
abundantly, and yielded a good crop of fruit. An
excellent wash for trees may be made thus : Heat an
once of sal-soda to redness in an iron pot, and
dissolve it In one gallon of water, and while warm
apply it to the trunk. After one application the
moss and old bark will drop off, and the trunk will
be quite smooth. The wash has highly recupera-
tive properties, making old trees bear anew.
1 have tried soft soap as a wash with good results,
and also a coating of lime In the spring season,
which is a fine specific for old trees. The question
is often asked. Is it best to manure trees in the fall or
spring? I have found the summer season to be a
good time ; have much faith In mulching, especially
voung trees, for several seasons after they am
planted. Apple trees are said to have two growths
during the season; the secondary growth takes
place after midsummer, hence It is that a top dress-
ing of good manure, and also coarse litter, facilitates
the late growth, and often produces very marked
results in the habit and formation of the tree. The
good effect that mulching has on young trees Is, that
it wards off the intense heat of the sun from the
tender roots, and also has a tendency to hold
moisture. A good top dressing of stable manure In
the fall, around young trees, with a good many com
cobs cast over the surface of the soil, gives satisfac-
tory ve&\x\ii.— Correspondence Rural Messenger.
Setting Out Strawberries.
In reply to some inquiries, principally from new
subscribers, as to the best time to plant out a bed of
strawberries, we would say September by all means.
And we would add that setting the plants some
fifteen inches apart and allowing them to form a
complete bed, more fruit and of larger size can be
obtained than if set in rows and the hill system pur-
sued. When this mode Is adopted the plant should
be set about two feet apart each way. It Is well to
change the variety after cultivating a bed for three
or lour years, to fresh ground. Generally a new
variety will do better altogether after cultivating It
for a series of years. We have raised more Hovey s
Seedling than any other ; but after running from six
to eight years it gradually diminished in yield. We
have In the same way done well with the Monarch of
the West, Triumph, Ja.-unda, and latteriy with Seth
Boyden, and Captain Jack. The Sharplessjust now
is the general favorite, but the cost of the plants Is
still pretty well up. All the foregoing are choice
varieties and will well repay any one either for the
market or for domestic use. In setting out the plant,
it should not be done too deeply, but firmly. Ihe
soil selected should not be low, or cold, or liable to
retain water.— (?o'mnn<own Telegraph.
Growing the Crab Apple.
In Pennsylvania there are very few crab apples
raised, though they would no doubt always com-
mand a goodprlce in our markets for "preserving,
as there is no fruit that Is so valuable and would
become so popular for this purpose. The Siberian
crab is the best for marketing. It is a beautiful
fruit, good tasted, and produces full crops where It
is grown in central parts of New York, as we wit-
nessed It several years ago. It also produces
abundantly all over the North and West, and we
cannot see why It should not be grown in Pennsylva-
nia There are a number of varieties of the Siberian
crai), some being better than others, and we are In-
formed on credible authority, that the variety known
as No 20 Is a superior kind, and we know it to be
highly commended in the West, where it can be pur-
chased at some of the vast nurseries In that section
of the country. We are also aware that it can be
obtained of Mr. Samuel Edwards, whose address Is
Mendota, LaSalle county, Illinois. We have read
the certificates of a number of leading men ol tne
126
tHE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ August,
West who unite in speaking in the moat decided
terms of praise. We should be pleased to hear of
some of our agricultural friends trying it, as we have
reason to believe that its culture would be both suc-
cessful and profitable.
Domestic Economy.
Advantages of Staying in Bed.
Taking an occasional day in bed, simply on
account of indisposition, is, however, a very simple
and rudimentary notion of this glorious institution.
Bed is the natural domicile of every man :
"lu bed we laugh, in bed we cry :
And born in bed, in bed we die."
Bavard the French physiologist, maintained that
man as an animal who exercised the thinking faculty
best In a horizontal position. Thus, there are high
artistic, social, and intellectual uses connected with
an occasional day in bed which imperatively claim
discussion. Brinley, the great engineer, when he
was fairly bothered and puzzled by some tough
problem, always betook himself to bed until he had
solved it. Most people have a great kindness for
Lord Melbourne, who, under the affectation of
frivolity, used to get up»Hebrew and the Fathers and
imperturbable good humor to bear with his wife,
Lady Caroline, while the pretty Byron-struck terma-
gant used to smash the drawing-room furniture.
His intimate friends would find the premier calmly
taking breakfast in bed, with letters and dispatches
strewed all over the counterpane. The poets have
been terrible fellows to get out of bed. I suppose it
is because the visions of the day and of the night
sweetly intermingle. The poet Thomson cultivated
laziness as a fine art, and thought out his poems in
bed. Pope was a still worse fellow. When he had
a fit of inspiration on him, he would keep the
servants running about for him all through the
night. He makes amends to them by the plenteous-
ness of his "veils."
Have a Fish Pond if You Can.
It is not every farm that can have a fish pond on
it, but there are many farms that could have them
as well as not. Wherever there is a good strong
spring to feed it there a profitable fish pond can be
made. Hundreds of farms have swamps or marshes,
too low to drain without great expense and fed by
springs, and these could be turned to profitable ac-
count by turning them into fish ponds. We don't
mean profitable in the way of making money, but in
saving it. The flesh of fish is a wholesome diet, bet-
ter every way than so much fat or measly pork. We
know plenty of farmers who scarcely taste fish from
one year to another. Not because they are not fond
of fish, but because they can't get them without
going some distance after them and paying a good
price in the bargain. A pond of an acre or so in ex-
tent, stocked with varieties adapted to the place,
would furnish abundance of the very best meat,
costing nothing to produce it either. As to catching,
it is only sport, and that part can be safely delegated
to the boys or girls. We are sure, also, that such
an institution on the farm would prove one of its
chief attractions, if your boys are inclined to leave
the farm . We write from knowledge in this matter,
having in earlier days caught many a "nice string"
of fish in a pond that was formerly a swamp. During
one dry August the owner, with two of his boys,
went into it with a plow, scraper and shovel, and in
a short time had a pond of nearly an acre in extent.
This he stocked with fish common to the sluggish
streams of the neighborhood, and some procured at
a distance, and for years thereafter it proved to be
the best acre on the place.
Blackberry Wine.
The following is my mode of making this wine or
cordial, after trying several other modes :
Take a five orten gallon keg,cleanse it thoroughly.
Take only ripe berries, crush them in a wine or cider
press, or if not at hand, in cloths. After expressing
the wine strain carefully, and to each quart of juice
add three pounds of the best yellow sugar and as
much water as will make a gallon, and in this pro-
portion for any quantity. Put the entire mixture in
a kettle and bring it to boil, skim and when cool fill
the keg three-fourths full and let it ferment for one
week ; then fill Bp the cask with freshly made
liquor, and when done fermenting bung up tight,
set away in the cellar, where it should be racked off,
the keg scalded out, and the liquor either returned
to the keg to remain permanently or bottled for use.
We prefer putting it in five-gallon demijohns Instead
of bottles. — Oermantoimi Telegraph.
How to Deal with Rats.
A writer in the Scientific Americaii says : We
clean our premises of these detestable vermin by
making whitewash yellow with copperas and cover-
ing the stones and rafters in the cellar with a thick
coat of It. In every crevice where a rat might
tread, we put the crystals of the copperas and
scatter the same in the corners of the floor. The
result was a perfect stampede of rats and mice.
Since that time no* a footfall of either rats or mice
has been heard about the house. Every spring a
coat of the yellow wash is given the cellar, as a
purifier as well as a rat exterminator, and no
typhoid, dysentery or fever attacks the family.
Many persons deliberately attract all rats in the
neighborhood by leaving fruits and vegetables un-
covered in the cellar, and sometimes even the soap
is left open for their regalement. Cover up every-
thing eatable in the cellar and pantry and you will
soon starve them out. These prpcautions joined to
the service of a good cat will prove as good a rat
exterminator as the chemist can provide. We never
allow rata to be poisoned in our dwelling, they are
so liable to die between the walls and produce much
annoyance.
Fruit Jams.
It is generally known that boiling fruit for a long
time and skimming it well without the sugar and with-
out a cover to the preserving pan, is a very economi-
cal and excellent way — economical because the bulk
of the scum rises from the fruit and not from the
sugar, if the latter is good ; and boiling it without a
cover allows the evaporation of all the watery parti-
cles therefrom ; the preserves keep firm and well-
flavored. The proportions are three quarters of a
pound of sugar to a pound of fruit. Jam made in
this way of currants, strawberries, raspberries or
gooseberries is excellent. — Oermantown Telegraph.
Duchesse Potatoes.
Mash one quart of hot boiled potatoes through a
fine colander with the potato-masher ; mix with
them one ounce butter, one small teaspoonful of salt,
half a salt-spoonful of white pepper, a pinch of
grated nutmeg, and the yolks of two raw eggs ; pour
the potatoes out on a plate, and then form it with a
knife into small cakes two inches long and one wide;
lay them on a buttered tin, brush them over the top
with an egg beaten up with a teaspoonful of cold
water, and color them golden brown in a moderate
oven. — Oermantown Telegraph.
A Delicious Vegetable Soup.
Fry two turnips, two carrots and two onions in a
little butter ; well wash a pint of lentils, and boil
them with the turnips, carrots and onions in a quart
of water till perfectly tender, then add a pint of
water and rub through a sieve ; add pepper, salt and
a spoonful of mushroom ketchup, also a small lump
of sugar, about half the size of a walnut. Boil a
quarter of an hour, and serve with or without rice. —
Oermantown Telegraph.
Elderberry Wine.
Two quarts of juice, two quarts of water, four
pounds of white sugar ; put into a jar, cover with a
thin cloth to protect from the flies, and skim every
day until well fermented. Then turn into cask, and
cork tightly.
Household Recipes.
Green sage put in a closet, will clear it of red ants.
Potatoes can be kept from rotting by dusting
them with lime, using about one bushel of lime to
forty bushels of potatoes.
As MUCH nitrate of soda as can be taken up be-
tween the forefinger and thumb in the glass every
time the water is changed will preserve cut flowers
in all their beauty for above a fortnight.
To Expel Foul Air from a Well. — The quick-
est way to expel foul air from a well is to heat a bar
of iron red hot, and lower it down into the water ;
the sudden formation of steam is effectual.
This is said to be a good recipe for staining wood :
For black walnut6tainsim(iy use sulphatum varnish,
thinned with spirits of turpentine, and apply with a
brush. It can be made light or dark, as desired.
Do NOT work butter too much nor too fast. Work
slowly, and until all the salt is thoroughly and even-
ly absorbed, otherwise the butter will not be of uni-
form color. Working It too fast will destroy the
grain.
To KEEP seeds from the depredations of mice mix
pieces of camphor gum in with the seeds. Camphor
placed in drawers or trunks will prevent mice from
doing them injury. The mouse objects to the odor,
and keeps at a distance.
Tomato Stew. — Scald and skin the desired num-
ber and place in a stew-pan without water; let them
simmer for half an hour. Add pepper and salt, a
good sized piece of butter, and a spoonful or two of
white sugar. Grate a few bits of stale bread overall;
boil up once, and serve very hot.
Stewed Cabbage. — Shred a small cabbage as for
cold slaw ; boil it in water for twenty minutes, then
drain thoroughly and cover with sweet milk. Cook
until tender, season to taste with butter, pepper and
salt, and just before serving add the yolk of a
beaten egg, mixed with a little sweet cream.
Here is a recipe for meat cheese: Boil an ox's
liver, heart and tongue; remove all the hard and
sinewy parts, and chop the remainder fine; add lo
this a pound of boiled pork, also chopped fine; sea-
son it well ; then tie it in a cloth or put it into a pan
and press it hard. After standing a few hours it will
come out in a solid cake, and is very nice to slice
from, for eating at breakfast or supper. — Ex.
Butter should be kneaded with fresh milk and
then with pure water. By this treatment the butter
is rendered as fresh and pure in flavor as when re-
cently made. This result is ascribed to the fact that
butyric acid, to which the rancid taste and odor are
owing, is readily soluble in fresh milk, and is then
removed.
To cleanse a rubber piano cover lay the cover on
a long, clean table, and sponge it all over with clean
warm water, containing a Utile powdered borax ; use
no soap ; with a clean soft cloth rub it dry. If it
looks dull or does not give satisfaction take another
soft cloth and drop on it not more than two or three
drops of sweet oil, and rub gently all over the cover.
Now that colors are so largely used in stockings,
alid so many are ruined in the laundry, a good plan
in washing them is to roll them, after being rinsed,
into a piece of white linen and squeeze it, to remove
all the moisture possible, then dry, and the stockings
will look new again. It is also a good plan to put a
small spoonful of spirts of salts into the water lu
which stockings are washed in order to keep in the
colors.
In baking buckwheat and other griddle cakes, a
piece of fat bacon as a "greaser" is by many thought
to be almost indispensable. Those who are of this
opinion will, on trial, soon learn that a turnip
divided in two answers the same or a better purpose,
as the odor — the most unpleasant part of cake
baking — comes from the greaser in contact with the
hot iron, whereas with the turnip very little of this
is perceptible.
To Bake Eggs.— Butter a clean, smooth saucepan,
break as many eggs as will be needed into a saucer,
one by one. If found good slip it into the dish. No
broken yolk allowed, nor must they crowd so as to
risk breaking the yolk after putting in. Put a small
piece of butter on each, and sprinkle with pepper
and salt, set into a well heated oven, and bake till
the whites are set. If the oven is rightly heated it
will take but a few minutes, and is far more delicate
than fried eggs.
Cranberry Jellt. — Put one quart of cranber-
ries, which have been carefully picked over, to boil
in one pint cold water ; have ready in a bowl one
pint white sugar ; when the cranberries are perfectly
soft mash them while hot through a colander into
the bowl which contains the sugar, and stir until the
sugar is dissolved ; then pour into moulds and set in
a cold place for at least twenty-four hours. If the
cranberries are good and no more water is used than
the recipe calls for, this way of cooking them makes
beautiful molds for the table.
Baked Indian Pudding.— Pour enough boiling
water on two cups of meal to wet it thoroughly;
then add one-half cup of butter, well beaten with
one cup of sugar, till like a cream ; two well beaten
eggs, a little salt, two cups of milk, two tablespoon-
fuls molasses, nutmeg and cinnamon to suit the
taste ; one tea-cup ef stoned raised, slightly chopped;
bake slowly three hours. If preferred, use two-
thirds of a cup of finely chopped suet instead of
butter; instead of raisins a cup and a half of dried
whortleberries are very nice, or two cups of finely
chopped sweet apples instead of any other fruit is
excellent.
To Preserve Flowers.— 1. Mix a tablespoonful
of carbonate of soda in a pint of water, and in this
place yonr bouquet. It will preserve the flowers for a
fortnight. 2. Sprinkle the bouquet lightly with
fresh water, and then put it in a vessel containing
soap suds. This will keep the flowers as fresh as if
just gathered. Then every morning take the bouquet
out of the suds, and lay it sideways— the stock en-
tering first — into clean water, keep it there a minute
or two, then take it out and sprinkle the flowers
lightly by the hand with water, replace it in the soap
suds, and it will bloom as fresh as when first gath-
ered. The soap suds needs changing every three or
four days. By observing these rules (says a lady
who has tested them), a bouquet may be kept bright
and beautiful for at least a month, and will last still
longer in a passable state. 3. We have heard that
the natural color of flowers may be preserved
for any length of time by dipping them for a mo-
ment in clear glycerine. When the glycerine dries,
the various tints are seen almost as bright as before
the flowers were plucked.
Waffles. — One quart milk, half cup melted but-
ter, yolks of threa eggs well beaten, one heaped tea-
spoonful of baking powder. Beat in flour enough to
make a thin batter, and add the well-beaten whites
of thethreeeggs the last thing. Maple syrup, golden
syrup, sugar and thick cream is usually considered
best to eat with waffles. But if sauce is preferred,
anj that is fancied on puddings is allowable on waffles.
1878. J
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
127
LIVE Stock.
Pigs.
BlacK or flesh-colored piRs are freest from skin
diseases in hot climates. Tlie choice is practically
between the Essex and Berkshire, for males with
which to improve the native stock of hardy grubbers
of the root-or-dic variety. Those who have tried
the former have been delighted at llrst, l3ut after a
few years began to recall with loncring the lean hams
and slim but solid and flavorous bacon of the old
race-horse breed. The trouble with the Essex pigs
for the south is that they are the eat-and-sleep to
sleep and-wake-to-eat kind, and their grades are, of
course like them. The side fat is superb, and so is
the leaf lard, and so far the breed is all that could
be desired; but the ham and shoulders are too fat
for profit, and the ham is not marbled with fat like
the Berkshires. These ithe Berks) are much more
wide awake, less easily controlled, but good foragers.
Their grades are a wonderful improvement upon tlie
original stock, may be made very fat, and yet the
proportion between the fat and lean hams, should-
ers and side pork or bacon, is such as to develop and
preserve the excellencies of the meat. The hams
are large and rich and juicy, with diffused fat. Berk-
shires are not quite so easily fattened wlien penned
and systematically fed as the Essex grade, but they
will take much better care of themselves m tlie
woods, and when penned or fastened for fattening,
may be finished oil' with half the feed the originial
"land pikes" would require.
With many northern and western breeders, the
Essex is a more profitable pig tlian the Berkshire,
because his nature leads him to take little exercise,
so that all he eats goes to flesh and fat. Respiration,
which, if rapid reduces fat greatly, is with him never
accelerated by moving about, and with plenty of feed,
the sole burden of life is to digest it. This breed is
pre-eminent among the black breeds^ and. excelled
by none as fat prod- '
ery year that sheep and
nee in the Northwest and
All our informa-
a pint rye flour in it, morning and evening. In the
winter I keep them in the stable three days, ami
with such treatment I never have a sick cow. My
father kept cows for 4.5 years, and he always gave
them rye Hour in the winter; he never lost a single
cow, and he owned as high as 30 different cows in
one year.— Z>. X. Kcan, in Practical Farmer.
Sheep and Wool.
We have Indicatioi
wool raising is on the
Western regions of the liepublic
tion, derived from not only agricultural publications,
but from the newspapers of the day, satisfies us that
this business is destined to become one of our most
profitable branches of agriculture. Not only is the
wool steadily growing in demand from our own fac-
tories, but the carcass is becoming more and more
used in domestic economy. Many families now con-
sume more or less mutton that twenty years ago
never had it upon their table. Mutton is a meat dif-
ferent from beef, veal or pork. These we naturally
take to as early in life as we are permitted to eat
meal at all. But mutton, unless we acquire a taste
for it in early life,issomesliines resisted until middle
life, when all at once we discover how much we have
deprived ourselves by not learning to eat mutton
earlier. Getting to like it, there is no meat so de-
sirable or palatable ; but it must be young, or what
is called "spring lamb ;" or old— that is three or four
year old sheep— and what is known as mutton.
Thus, good lamb must be young, three to four
months ; and good mutton may do at three years,
but ought to be four years old.
Considering that the raisers have the wool, the
carcass, and the best manure, the latter all remain-
ing on the land, it will be found on a careful figuring
up at the end of a year, that every farmer who has
the room upon his farm cannot do better than to in-
troduce sheep as a branch of his operations.
ricati Agriculturist.
Raising Pigs.
The National Live Stock .Journal gives the follow-
ing valuable information on the subject of raising
pigs : The most important thing for the swine
breeder at this season oi the year is to get the great-
est possible growth from his spring pigs. There is
no period in the life of the hog when so great a re-
turn for the food consumed is possible, as during the
first six months, and it is here that the advantages
of skillful feeding are apparent. Unless great care
be taken the growth of the pig will be seriously
checked when it is from three to five weeks old. The
milk of the dam, which was ample to promote a
rapid growth in the litter of pigs during the first two
or three weeks, is not sufficient to answer the de-
mands of the same litter as they grow older ; hence
the pi£s should early be taught to look elsewhere for
a part of their sustenance. This is an easy matter ;
a little milk, or nutritious food of any kind in liquid
form, placed conveniently by, where the pigs can
have access to it at all times, but beyond the reach
of the BOW, will soon do the work, and it should be
replenished frequently through the day. If this is
attended to there will be no "stunting" of the pigs
at this critical period, and their growth will be uni-
form and rapid. A good clover pasture is a valuable
adjunct and helps wonderfully. The true secret of
successful pork-making is to push the pig from the
date of birth until it is big enough for the market ;
and the earlier the age at which this point can be
reached, the greater is the return for the food con-
sumed. A slop made of corn and oats, ground in
about equal parts, with a littleoil-meal added, makes
the best food for the sow while suckling, to increase
the flow of milk ; and this, with clover pasture and
plenty of soaked corn during the summer, will pro-
mote a rapid healthy growth of the pigs.
Feeding Dry Cows.
It is a common practice among some dairymen to
give their cows while dry but scanty living. When
a cow ceases to give milk or is dried up any feed is
considered good enough for her. I think this a
great mistake, and the result is a diminished
product of milk both in quantity and quality when
she comes in. There is a large draft on the system
to sustain the calf while the cow is carrying it, and
to keep the cow in good condition good feed is as
important as when she is giving milk. It is my
opinion that a dollar's worth of food when the cow
is dry is worth $1.50 after she comes in. An animal
in poor condition can not digest as much food as one
In good condition. If the cow is poor when she
comes in she will not digest enough food to support
the system, and at the same time to make a large
quantity of milk. The practic of turning cows out
on poor feed while dry, expecting to make up when
they come in by good feed, is a very uneconomical
one, and will not be followed by good and careful
dairymen. The way I treat my cows when they get
a calf is as follows : In the summer time I keep
them in the stable for two days, feed good hay, give
one quart wheat bran morning, noon and evening. I
also give them a bucketful of lukewarm water with
Fattening Calves.
A sensible, practical farmer says that he has often
noticed that calves would thrive better on milk that
is not rich in butter than on what is commonly called
very rich milk. The nutritive elements of milk reside
chiefly in the casein. If you have a cow that gives
particularly rich milk, and one that gives a quality
poorer in butter, it is better to feed the calf on the
milk of the latter. The calf will thrive better, and
you will get more butter from the milk of the first
cow.
Evert sheep range shouldhaveplenty of shade.
Where trees are scarce, temporary shelters of boards
can be constructed, and should be changed from
time to time to keep out disease. The ground in
permanent shade must be scraped or plowed up,
that the standing room may be kept clean.
The mad itch in cattle is said to arise from their
eating indigestible substances, such as the woody
fibre of corn stalks after the juices have been ex-
tracted from them by hogs, and the feeding of hogs
and cattle togther in the West is given as a reason
for its prevalence there.
Poultry.
The Mother of the Chicken.
In some literary societies it is customary at the
close of the session to have a "funny night," when
all the orations, essays and declamations are humor-
ous, and when some amusing or ridiculous question
is set for discussion.
On one such occasion the following speeches,
written by a Randolph Macon student, were (in
substance) delivered on the question, "Which is the
mother of the chicken, the hen that laid the egg or
the one that hatched it ?" Messrs. J. and W. on the
afiirmative ; Mr. C. negative.
Mr. J.— Mr. President:
Tliis silly-Bouudiiig question, «lr,
CoucGmiiig fowls' lucreaee
Was siiecially desiguel, I think,
To allow U8 up as geese.
But since I'm bid to speak on eggs,
I'll not eggs-uuse nor sliriuk ;
And us a sptecU you will eggs-aot,
I'll eggs-piese wUat I think.
That like begets that which is Uke
The mother of a calf 's a cow.
That of a wren 's a wren.
And thus the mother of a ohick
Must surely be a hen.
Now set a duck on a hen's egg,
And. granting you have luck?
Pray, from that, egg say will there come
A chicken or a duck?
Or get a Shanghai egg?
Will a Shanghai hen hatch a Shanghai chiok
From a common egg, I beg ;
I'll take my chance with a common hen,
And a ge»oine Shanghai egg.
And the Shanghai pullet testifies
Whenever she does lay,
She cackleates a Shanghai chick
Is started on the way.
Then let jout hatchers strut around,
And cluck, ami scratch, and pick ;
But, sir, the hen that laid that egg
Is mother to that chick.
— From the I'ouUry World.
The Migratory Quail.
ForeU and Stream publishes a cut of the Italian
Migratory Quail, and says; "This quail is between
one-half and two-thirds the size of our Ortyz vlrgianut
(our native partridge),of lighter color, rufous brown,
suflused with fulvous; bill, slim, long and less
arched; legs, slender and nearly flesh color; wings,
larger proportionately than our quail. The female
constructs her nest, a mere depression in the
ground, in June and July, and lays from eight to
fourteen eggs, whitish-gray, marked with large
brown spots. They do not mate, the male being a
polygamist, and a desperate fighter in the early sea-
son His call is a twice repeated whistle. Food:
grain, herbs, hemp, poppy and turnip seeds; insects,
and insects' eggs and larv;e. When not migrating
they become very plump, and properly prepared for
the table, arc delicious morsels. As would naturally
be expected from its long migrations, the bird Is
strong and rapid of wing, and possesses, in this re-
spect every qualification for testing the skill of the
sportsman. According to Mundie the migratory
quail which appear in England feed in the early
morn=ng and in the evening, and squat at mid-day,
when they will hot flush until a dog is quite upon
tliem; and Bechstein, the careful German naturalist,
says that in Germany in August and September the
young birds, if marked down, may sometimes be
caught with the hand as they squat flat upon the
ground."
This bird, which has caused considerable interest
within a year or two, is not as handsome as our own
partridge,and looks as if it might he a cross between
the partridge and the meadow lark. We shall soon,
however, know more about It, as it is lieing Intro-
duced in a number of places, and, so far as known,
is doing well. We shall be glad to hear from any of
our correspondents where the bird has bean let out,
about its habits and the readiness with which it is
establishing itself and propagating.
Animal Food.
Animal food of some sort is necessary for fowls, if
we expect them to lay well. This they provide suffi-
ciently for themselves when they have their freedom ;
but when confined meat must be given them. Scraps
from the table, where but few fowls are kept, may be
sufficient ; or one pound of bullock's liver for half a
dozen fowls, twice a week, will suffice; and the In-
crease of eggs will always well repay the cost. A
less quantity will be enough, if the fowls have any
opportunity to obtain their natural supply of worms
and insects. The liver should be boiled, chopped fine
and mixed with meal, otherwise it is apt to interfere
with a relish for other food, and the more active
birds will get the greater share.
Eggs cannot be produced without nutritious food,
and cooked meat, wlten giren in moderation, while It
cannot injure the fowls, is more conducive to the
production of eggs than any other food. Horse
flesh, when it is to be had, is as good as liver. The
water in which it is boiled is useful for mixing
meal. — Bacon.
Profits of the Barnyard and Coop.
I have thought for sometime of sending my statis-
tics in poultry keeping, but not having the advantage
of oyster shells, bones, and such help in egg pro-
duction, my figures will fall below the score of some
poultry-keepers ; then the prices here are generally
low, which reduced the profit, but I think I have
done tolerably well for an old lady of sixty-two years.
I will give my account for four years. The first
year I commenced May 10, with 8 hens and 1 rooster;
result 50 dozen eggs. , „ ,. oo«
Second year 26 hens. Spanish and Brahma: 230
eggs, value «35.97 ; chickens killed, $14.90 ; cost of
feed, $18.90; profit, $:5'2..S7.
Third year 40 hens ; 581 dozen egg, value $98.94 ;
chickens killed, $18.^4 ; cost of feed, $40.75 ; profit,
Fourth year 60 hens; ew dozen eggs, value
$102.33; chickens killed, ?22.08 ; cost of feed,
§34.22 ; profit, 890.18, and I have 75 chicks this year.
—Poultry Yard.
•
Turkeys.
It does not cost any more, or much more, to raise
a pound of turkey than a pound of hen fiesh. In
the summer they require to be fed less, being mas-
128
tkE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ August, 1879;
terly campaigners on their owu account, while in the
winter very likely their nervous disposition demands
somewhat more stimulus than other fowls. If well
fed they do not require nearly as careful housing as
the hen, although it is a good policy to malce them
roost in-doors ; but left to themselves they prefer to
weather out the wildest storm in the tree-tops.
Finally, when brought to marlcet, their flesh is
worth much more than that of the hen, so that,
other things being equal, it is economy to keep them
instead. Also, and this is well worth considering,
allowing that the percentage of loss of young turkey
Chicks under most perfect management is greater
than the loss of the common fowl, yet turkeys that
survive reach such a great weight that a given num-
ber of pounds of turkey may, perhaps, be raised
with less labor than the same quantity of flesh of
I fovilB.—FoiMry Monthly.
A White Duck That Lays Black Eggs.
Mr. Henry Miller, tenant on the farm of Benjamin
M. Barr, in Martic township, is the owner of a young
white duck that lays black eggs. She has laid at
least a dozen of these dark colored eggs, some of
which are quite black, and one of which has been
handed to us for inspection. There are scratches
upon the black surface, showing the white shell
beneath, and the theory is that the dark pigment is
deposited just before the egg is laid, so that it is so
soft when the egg falls that the straw of the nest
scratches off the coloring matter in places. It is
certainly a curious natural phenomenon, and partic-
ularly so as the duck is a Democrat— a friend at our
elbow suggesting that it would not have been so odd
had the owner of the duck been a black Republican.
Onions for Fowls.
Too much can hardly be said in praise of onions
for fowls. They are a preventive of, and a remedy
for, many diseases to which domestic fowls are
liable. For gapes, onions are the best things that
can be fed. Give fowls as many as they will eat,
chopped fine, as often as three times a week.
Destruction of Lice on FotvIs.
Carbolic acid, by dissolving half an ounce in a
quart of boiling water, and when cool rubbing the
chickens heads and necks, and a little under the
wings. It is death to the lice and life to the fowls.
Literary and Personal.
Prospectus of Around the World. — Every in-
ielligent person desires to travel, and, if this be im-
possible, desires to learn what travelers have seen
and heard and experienced in all parts of the world.
Many an ambitious boy has left home comforts and
bright prospects on shore and cheerfully encountered
the hardships and perils of a sailor's life, that he
might visit foreign lands and learn somethmg of
other countries than his owu. The most enlightened
governments have often sent out costly expeditions
to circumnavigate the globe and inquire into the
phenomena of nature in every clime, and the man-
ners, customs and resources of strange nations ; and
the stores of information thus obtamed have been
published for the benefit of mankind. In more recent
times enterprising individuals have, at their own ex-
pense, organized parties for the general exploration
of unknown regions, for general scientific research,
or for furnishing the advantages of travel to those
who could spare but a limited amount of time and
money for this object.
The Woodruff Scientific Expedition Around the
World is undoubtedly the grandest and most attrac-
tive undertaking of this kind that has ever been pro-
jected, and has awakened the liveliest interest
throughout the country. It has been for a consider-
able time before the public, and has steadily grown
in favor with the people. The difficulties which
pioneers in all great and novel enterprises must meet
and overcome have by no means discouraged its
managers and patrons, and they propose to persist
in all reasonable and honorable effort until some, at
least, of its magnificent possibilities have been
realized. This Expedition has been very appropri-
ately named a floating college because it is to be an
educational institution of a high order, well organ-
ized, thoroughly equipped and located upon a first-
class iron steamship which is to undertake a voyage
around the globe. The Clyde-built steamer General
Werder has-been selected for the use of the Expedi-
tion and fitted with every convenience for the
accommodation of two hundred and fifty professors
and students. She has beea inspected and approved
by officers of the United States Navy, and granted an
American register for the purposes of the Expedition
by a special act of Congress. Naval officers of large
experience and the highest reputation will be ap-
pointed to command and navigate the ship, and the
journey of nearly forty thousand miles on the land
and the ocean will occupy eighteen months, and will
he so planned as to reach all the principal cities of
the world in the most favorable season of the year.
President W. S. Clark, of Amherst, Mass., will
have entire control of the educational department of
the Expedition and will select the officers of instruc-
tion. The students will be furnished with uniforms
and cadet rifles, and thoroughly drilled in military
and gymnastic exercices with special reference to
physical culture and the preservation of vigorous
health.
The best sanitary and police regulations will he
enforced, and the highest Christian morality incul-
cated, while gambling and indulgence in alcoholic
liquors will be strictly forbidden. The students will
be divided into suitable sections according to their
ability and attainments, and each section will be
under the particular care of a competent professor,
though receiving instruction also from others. The
course of study will be arranged to meet the necessi-
ties and tastes of every student so far as possible,
but all will be required to attend faithfully to the
duties assigned. Persistent disobedience will be
followed by discharge from the ship, with a free
passage home by the most direct route.
Books, maps, diagrams, apparatus and other
necessary appliances tor study and investigation,
will be provided for the use of all members of the
Expedition. Detailed information concerning the
officers, the ship, the organization and the course of
instruction, may be found elsewhere in this paper.
It is confidently believed that the thought, time and
money hitherto bestowed upon this novel educational
institution has been well expended, and that the
results, as seen in the present arrangements, will
meet the entire approval of the most experienced
travelers, the most intelligent educators, and the
most prudent parents and guardians.
In response to the numerous favorable notices
which have appeared from time to time during the
past winter in public prints, hundreds of applications
have been received from young men who were ready
and eager to join the Expedition on any terms but
the payment of a large sum of money. Students
from various institutions in all parts of the United
States and Canada, and even the graduates of
colleges, have begged the privilege of serving as
sailors, waiters, or in any other capacity, for the
sake of seeing the world and participating in the
benefits of the proposed voyage. Inasmuch,
however, as more than half a million dollars are re-
quired to defray the unavoidable expenses of the
Expedition, and as it is not a benevolent institution,
it is evident that "those who dance must pay the
piper." While a considerable number of the appli-
cants are able and willing to give satisfactory
security for the cash payment of the required fees,
there is still a large majority who are almost without
pecuniary ability and yet would cheerfully make
areat sacrifices to enjoy the advantages offered.
Special efforts have therefore been made to devise
some means by which this numerous class of
ambitious and worthy students might secure for
themselves free scholarships.
It has long been the intention or the managers to
publish an illustrated weekly journal of the Expedi-
tion, to be printed regularly on board ship and to
contain all the most interesting facts and observa-
tions which might come to the knowledge of its
members. Such a publication under proper super-
vision would be a powerful and constant stimulus
to all the faculty and students to observe accurately
and record correctly, and in a pleasing'manner, the
incidents of the voyage, and whatever was new and
noteworthy in the varied scenes through which they
might pass. A copy of this paper sent to friends at
home would answer the purpose of many letters,
and thus save an immense amount of time and labor
for better uses. As soon as it became known last
winter, when it was expected the Expedition would
sail on the eighth of May, that such a journal waste
be issued from the ship in whatever port she might
happen to be on the day of publication, and that the
seventy-eight weekly numbers could be obtained,
postage free, for five dollars, subscriptions began to
come in from all parts of the country. It was at
once demonstrated that the people would gladly
welcome so unique a newspaper, especially if care-
fully edited, neatly printed, and well illustrated by
original sketches and photographs prepared by the
artists of the Expedition.
When on the eighth of May it was found that less
than half the requisite number of students had
deposited their fees with Drexel, Morgan & Co., the
bankers of the Expedition, it was promptly decided
to return the money to the depositors according to
contract, and to try a new scheme for the accom-
plishment of the desired object. Students were
abundant, while funds were scarce. Both were
essential to success, and success in so good a cause
seemed to be duty. After much deliberation it has
been determined to offer the following terms to all
young men of correct habits, who have attained the
age of fifteen years and are well versed in the com-
mon English branches of education.
First, the sum of three thousand dollars, paid in
advance on or before the day of sailing from New
York, will defray for one student all the expenses of
the voyage on ship and shore, including washing,
books and uniform.
Secondly, a free scholarship, including all expenses
as above specified, will be granted to any applicant,
qualified as above indicated, who shall secure six
hundred cash subscribers, at five dollars each, to the
paper called Around the World, of which this may
be regarded as a sample number.
Thirdly, any eligible person may pay his fee partly
in money, and partly in subscriptions at the above-
named rates.
Finally, any person, desiring to act as agent for the
Expedition in obtaining subscribers, will receive
authority and full instructions on application to
Woodruff Expedition, St. Nicholas Hotel, New York.
A certificate will be given to every agent at the close
of his engagement, stating how many subscribers he
has obtained ; and, if he does not wish to avail
himself of a scholarship, he may sell or otherwise
transfer the number placed to his credit to any
eligible person who may desire to join the Expedi-
tion, and who shall receive for the same the full
value of five dollars each in the payment of his fee.
In lieu of other compensation, any agent will, on ap-
plication to the office, be paid, before the sailing of
the Expedition, twenty-eight cents in money for each
subscriber he may have obtained. As soon as two
hundred students have secured their membership in
any one of the ways specified, notice will be given to
all agents of the fact, and the day of sailing will be
announced as soon as practicable thereafter. Excel-
lent accommodations will be provided for all who are
accepted as students, and the state-rooms will be
assigned by lot by the purser on board ship. Subse-
quent changes for the convenience oi individuals will
be made as may be found desirable.
All money received for subscriptions or in pay-
ment of fees will remain on deposit until the sailing
of the Expedition is assured, and will then be drawn
for use^ in defraying necessary expenses only by
drafts countersigned by a majority of its three
trustees. In case two hundred students should not
be enrolled after a reasonable time, and the Expedi-
tion for any cause should be abandoned, all money
for subscriptions and fees in the hands of the
treasurers will be forwarded forthwith to the several
owners thereof on return of the receipts for the
same.
From the foregoing statements it will be seen that
the Woodruff Expedition is not abandoned, but is in
a healthy and hopeful condition. It is now more
widely and favorably known than ever before, and
has been reduced to a plan which seems both feasible
and attractive, and which places its advantages
within the reach of any enterprising and energetic
young man. If its numerous friends will kindly
render it the assistance it deserves, there will be
little difficulty in securing one hundred thousand
subscribers to Around the World, and two hundred
students will soon be enrolled for one of the most
romantic, delightful and instructive excursions ever
undertaken.
The premium list of the York county Agricul-
tural Society, for 1879.
The twi'.nty-second annual exhibition, to be held at
York, Pa., on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday, October 7, 8, 9 and 10 : with the rules and
regulations governing the same — an 8 vo. pamphlet
of 22 pages, offering very liberal premiums to 37
distinct classes of stock. Agricultural, domestic,
mechanical, manufacturing, tine art and miscella-
neous productions, being from $15.00 down to $1.00
or a diploma. The premiums for speed, from $25.00
to $200.00, with liberal second and third premiums.
There is almost an endless list, and it would be
difficult to find any object of human production that
is not contemplated by the list.
Our readers will particularly notice that this is an
entirely different York county institution from the
one noticed in our July number, which comes off
Sept. 17, 18 and 19, 1879. It seems that our
neighbor of the "White Rose" aspires to be a
"double team," and perhaps looks upon the "Red
Rose" as a "one horse affair." Be that as it may,
we sincerely hope the "starboard horse may not fall
on the larboard horse, and the old mare get tangled
in the rigging."
Geo. D. Newhall & Co, successors to Dobmyer
& Newhall, and J. L. Peters, No. .50, West Fourth
street, Cincinnatti, Ohio. Printers and publishers of
new and select sheet music and music books, vocal,
instrumental and theoretical.
Latest and best household melodies ; new, pleasing
and popular ballads for hearth and home ; choice
concert and parlor songs ; family and choir sacred
songs ; festival collection of glees, songs and
quartettes ; humorous, dialect and plantation songs ;
society dances ; new Latin music for Catholic
churches ; the song Clarion, by W. T. Giffe ; John T.
Ivutledge's popular songs; Will. S. Hays' latest
songs, &c., &c., in short, any musical want supplied
at the lowest rates. Send for circulars.
Western Fanciers' Poultry Journal, and
Stock Breeders' Review ; an 8 p. Royal Quarto,
very handsomely gotten up, and devoted to poultry
breeding, stock, farm and rural miscellany. Pul>
lished at Miuneapolis, Minn., 'at one dollar per year,
by T. T. Bacheller. Semi-monthly.
Those of our readers interested in the poultry
trade of the country, and especially of the west,
cannot enjoy a fortnightly indulgence in its literature
more cheaply than by subscribing for this journal.
THE LANCASTER FARMER
ELASTIC TRUSS
Has a Pad dif-
fering from
all others, i»
oup-shaped,
with SELF.
ADJIJST'NG
BAI^Ii in the
center, adaptt
itself to oU
positions of the hody,
whUe the BALL in the
Cup PRESSES BACK
THE INTESTINES
JUST AS A PERSON
WOULD WITH THI
FINGER, W^ith light
HEARING
^N Enlaroeo View
pressure
the Hernia Is
held securely day and night, and a rad-
ical cure is certain. It is easy, durable
and cheap. Sent by mail, postage paid.
Ciroitlars free.
Address, Eggleston Truss Co., Man£ra.
Or c. H. EGGLESTON CO., Chicago.lN.
$5 TO $201.
& Co., Poriland, Mu
LOWEST PRICES WILL RaLE.
Lowest Prices
Ever Known in the U. S. for Bones and Phos-
phates.
e have thip day i-cdueed the price of
BALGD'S BAW BONE PllOSPUATE
$30 PER 2000 lbs. CASH,
WITH DISCOUNT TO DF:ALERS,
Delivered ou board boat or carsinPhiladeiphiaor Baltimore.
Dealers will take notice they will be protected iH the
sale of this Mauure. Ouly one dealer will be established in
a town, who will be furnished with the Phosphate at whole-
sale prices.
Early correspondence from those who wish to control the
above goods in ppeciai sections or towuships, is necessary,
as we are organizing for the Summer and Fall business a
system of unprecedented
LOV\^ PRICES,
which will show the AsrictUtural Community that our facili-
ties for Making and Soiling
Bone Fertilizers
are beyoud all question, unsurpassed in the
UNITED STATES.
LOW PRICES WILL RULE.
BAUGH & SONS,
PHILADELritl.V AXD BALTIMORE.
$72^
M. HABERBUSH,
MANDFACTURER OF
Plain and Fine Harness,
»>AI>I>L,KN.
COLLARS, WHIPS, FLY NETS, &o.,
AUSO DEALER IN
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
BUFALO ROBES,
Horse Covers, Lap-Rugs, Gloves, &o.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
7»-I-lS] LANOASTKB, PA.
NICHOLS, SHEPARD& CO.,
Battlo C'reoK, Mlfli.
ORIGINAL AND ONLY GENUINE
THRESHING MACHINERY.
fflHE Mstfhless Grnln-Sarinif. Time-SaTlnir
"- ""■'^'iriVSIjr.lr Rapid Work, PcrtictCle.olnl,
THE ENTIRE Threshins Expei
three to five times th:it am.,unt) cao tie niaae 1
Extra Grain SAVED by these Improved Machines.
LKAIN Raisers will not snbmlttotho 1
TVf ARTELOCS for Simplicity of Parts, using
Sifm less than oQc-balf the usual Belts and Gears. Hakes
Clean Work, with no Litterings or Scatterings.
rOCB Sizes of Separators Made, Banging
from Six to Twelve-Horse site, and two styles of .Mount.
A GOOD PLAN.
Anybody can learu to raakn money rapidly operating In
Stocks, by the "Two Unerring Rules for SiKxess" in Messrs,
Lawrence & Co.'s new circular. The combination method,
which this firm has made so successful, enables people with
large or small means toreap all thebeiiefltsof largest cai.ital
and beet skill. Thousands of orders, ji, v:,ri,.us m.his, are
pooled into one vast amount .1..] ,, ' ; -fifu
of thelarKestoierator. Imtii. ' ly.
29th;: The combination mei
most successful over ado;
September Pith: The contlii:
correct business principles,
an income while it is kept «
Co 'Broftklijn Journal, Apni
profit of $101.23 from Jan
Co.'e combinations." Niv
everything. Stocks and bonds wanted. Government bonds
supplied. Lawrence & Co., Bankers, 67 Exchange Place,
N. Y. C'9-S-12m
DISEASESOFLIVESTOCK
and their Tut^at vJUient renu^HeA, Including Horses, Cattle,
Sheep and Swine. A popular treatise, giving a description
of all the usual diseases to which these animals are liable,
and the most successful treatment of American, EnKlish,
and European veteriuariaus, by Li.Oyd V. Tkllob, M. D.
Pp. 460. Price, cloth, 83.50. itold only by nibscriplion.
Specimen copy mailed ou receipt of price. Every slock
H.C. WATTS 0O.,603Miuor St., PhUadelphia.
A DEPARTURE
High Pricesfor Phosphates.
To meet tht» dnnand
commenced
TWENTY DOLLAR PIIOSPOATE,
WE GUARANTEE
2.\ to 3 per cent.
Bone Phosphate, Soluble, lo " 12 "
" " Insoluble, 7 " 8 "
Price, $20 per 2000 lbs. in NewBaesof
200 lbs. each,
Free on borrd cars or boats in Pnlladelphia or Baltimore.
Philadelphia.
EPILEPSY
hy Da. RdSS' 1:1 Ml lill>. I. ■■.!>
permanent. A j ;-
Dr. Robb. Ricli
or FITS
CURED!
lished thirteen ye»«,
'4 tuiieedy absuluteand
40 munev coold
iAS.AilBAT.
a other Curea and full inigr-
1^ MainSt.. Kiohmond, lad.
OFFICE,
No, 9 U\\ Queen Sheet
LANCASTER. PA.
nW EKHIISER m EIPRESS
Ts an old, well-established newspaper, and contains Juat the
news desirable to make it an interesting and valuable
Family Newspaper. It Is published on Wednesday and
Saturday, subscribers having the choice of whichever editioa
that suits their mail facilities beat. The postage to sub-
scribers residing outside of Lancaster county is patd by tbe
publisher.
Send for a specimen copy.
Two Dollars per Annum.
Is published every afternoon (except Sunday) and contains
the news by mail ami telegraph from all parU ol the world
up to the hour ef going to press. It is furnished to sub-
scribers at all the towns and villages in the county, aocec-
sible by rail or stage, by carriers at Ten Cents a tVe«k«
or by mall at Five Dollars per Year.
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Proprietor,
No. 9 North Queen St.,
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[Aiigngt, 1879.
A HOME ORGAN FOR FARMERS.
A MONTHLY JOUENAL,
Devoted to Agriculture. Horticulture, Do-
mestic Economy and Miscellany.
Founded Under the Auspices of the Lancas-
ter County Agricultural and Horti-
cultural Society.
EDITED BY DR. S. S. RATHVON.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION :
ONEDOLLpPERANNUff,
POSTAGE PREPAID BY THE PROPBIETOB.
All subscriptions will commence with the
January number, unless otherwise ordered.
Dr. S. S. Rathvon, who has so ably managed the editorial
department in the imet, will continue in the position of
editor. HiB contributions on subjectB connected with the
Bcience of farming, and particularly that specialty of which
he is 80 thorouhly a master — entomological science— some
knowledge of which has become a necessity to the success-
ful farmer, are alone worth much more than the price of
this publication. He Is determined to make "The Farmer"
a necessity to all households.
A county that has so wide a repatatlon as Lancaster
onnty for its agricultural products, should certainly be
able to support an agricultural paper of its own, for the
exchange of the opinions of farmers Interested in this mat-
oter. We ask the co-oporation of all farmers interested in
this matter. Work among your friends. The "Farmer" is
only one dollar per year. Show them your copy. Try and
Induce them to subscribe. It is not much for each sub-
Bcriber to do but it will greatly assist us.
All communications in regard tothe editorial management
should be addressed to Dr. S. S. Kathvon, Lancaster, Pa.,
and all business letters in regard to subscriptions and ad-
vertising should be addressed to the publisher. Rates of
advertising can be had ou application at the office,
JOHN A. HIESTAND,
No. 9 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
The Fearless
The only machine awarded a medal on both Horse-Power and Thresher and Cleaner, at the Centennial
Exhibition, as shown by Official Report, which says : " For apcclal feuturei In the Power to aecnra
Uihtriinnineandmlnlmi.n.frlctlin. For the Ineer '" -•-w... „n«i. .
the proper aeltatlon to Separate the (raU lroin_ th<
mSaBD a4BDEB,"cobieekui.^ohoiiario'Co, N. t'.
$665
WHY GO WEST
When desirable Farm LantlB in the Oreat Fruit Dis-
trict of IJie Peninsular Gitrcten can be had?
Cool summers, mild winters, pure waters, kind soil, and
every advantage of sj.eedy cummuiiication by Railroad,
Telegraph, and Daily Mails. A soil producing the flnest
Grain, Fruits add FloweiB. and the waters the choicest Fish,
Oysters, Terrapin, and WUd Fowl in season. As homes un-
eaualled- as investments unBUrpafSed. For Illustrated
- • ■ ^InsB oc otiini,! to LAND AGENT. P. W. & B. R. B.
offered
Books inclose 20 stamp to LAND AGENT, P. W. & B. R. B.
Depot, W llmiugtou, Del. »»"Special adi ' : --— ^
to Colonies. n^-
HOME-MADE
MANURES.
SCI[I1IIFIC FOBMOUS FOR THEIR MJHOFACiyeE
urn im m[ lo iiiiy uddress,
m
The Cheapest, and we believe the most ef-
fective Manure in use, can be made with but
little trouble, by using our Fertilizing Chemi-
cals and Bones, which we furnish of the best
quality, and at lowest prices. We offer, of our
own manufacture or importation.
Dissolved Bones, Sulphate of Ammonia,
Perfectly Pure Ground Bones, Fertilizing Salt,
Acidulated Phosphate Rock, Sulphate of Soda,
Phosphate Rock, fine ground. Muriate of Potash,
Land Plaster, pure and fine Oil Vitriol, full strength,
ground. Sulphate of Magnesia
Sulphate Potash (Kalnit), (Kieserite).
Nitrate of Soda,
HARRISON BROTHERS & CO.,
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS,
AND
lannfactnrers of Fertilizini diemicals.
(Established 1793.)
FACTORIES AND MILLS AT GRAY'S FERRY.
Office: 105 Sontli Front Street,
PHILADELPHIA PA
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
LANCASTER, i'A,,
235 EAST ORANGE ST.
All matters appertaining to UNITED STATES or CANA-
DIAN PATENTS, TRADE MAEKS, and COPYRIGHTS,
promptly attended to. His experience, success ai-d faithful
attention to the interests of those who engage his services
are fully acknowledged and appreciated.
Preliminary examinations made for him by a reliable As-
sistant at Washington, without extra charge for drawing
or description. [79-1-tf
GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
Before Taking ;*
^^iryused'f'or!';;? After Taking.
thirty years with Kreat euecese. Full particulars in our
pamphlet, wiiich we desire to send free by mail to every one.
The Bpeclflc me diciue is sold by all druggists jit $1 per pack-
age, or six packages for $5, or will be sent free by mail on
receipt of the
ZIMMERMAN
FRUIT J.NI> TEGETASUB
DRYER & BAKE OVEN
Over 11,000 in use.
Tbe BEST in the Market*
Made entirely of Galvanized Iron
AGENTS WANTED.
Send for Circular. Address
ZIMMERMAN FRUIT DRYER CO.,
CUuAntiati, OhiOi
1879 SPRING AND SUMMER 1879
Coats arjd Coatings,
PANTS AND PANTIN(5S,
VESTS AND VESTINGS,
SUITS AND SUITINGS,
OVERCOATS AND OVERCOATINGS
RATHVON & FISHER'S,
IJerchant Tailors, Drapiers and Clotljiers,
Corner 3r, Queen and Orant/e Sts.,
LANCASTER, PA.
as any other place in the city. Goods all wool, perfect, and
satiNfavtioii {tiiarantced. Orders respeot-
fully solicited, and promptly executed.
1S79 1879
•rr'tM^y\ ATT 'O This remarkable medi-
Ji.Jt»JN ljI%.L*Lt S> cine will cure Spavins,
Splint, Curb, Callous, &c., or any enlargement, AND WILL
KEMOVE THE BUNCH WITHOUT BLISTERING o»
CIT^ A "^TTTW <=»»^'''8 " ="'■''■ No remedy ever
JStlrA.\A.SS discovered equals it for certainty
of action in stopping the lameness and removing the bunch ,
Price $1.00. Send for circular giving POSITIVE PEOOF
><4yy'nX* &t)LD BY DRUGGISTS or 8eut_by the in
Falls, Vt. John»ti
Philadelphia, Pa.
Enosburgh
ArehSt.,
T9-8-tf.
S£ND FOR
On Concord Grapevines, Transplanted Evergreens, Tulip,
Poplar, Linden Maple, etc. Tree Seedlings and Trees for
timber plantations by the 100,000.
J. JENKMTS' jrCBSERY,
S-«-T» WINONA, COLUMBIANA CO., OHIO.
ONE DOLLAH FEE AN2TX7M.-SI2TQLE COPIES 10 CEITTS.
Dr. S. S. RATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA.. SEPTEMBER, 1879.
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Publisher.
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.
EDITORIAL.
^Something about Tomatoes, - - - - 129
^Science, and its Relations to Agriculture, - 129
• Caterpillars, --..-.. 130
QUERIES AND ANSWERS.
. Mottled Horn-Beetle, ----- WO
•Drop-worm, ,------ 130
•Our Late Exliibitiou, ----- 131
CONTRIBUTIONS.
-The Moon's Signs and Pbascs, - - . - 1S2
■Moonseed— J. Utauffer, ----- 133
SELECTIONS.
•The Phylloxera in France, - - - - 133
ItB Marvelous Reproductive Powers — The Best
Mfiiiie of Checking its Raviiges— Superior Resiet-
iu)? Powers of Aninican Vines— Their Introduc-
tion jnio Fntuco Officially Recommended,
a Among the Newer Strawberries, - - - 135
f Valuable Advice, ------ 136
Wliiit to Do in Certain Cases, and How to Do It.
• Planting and Transplanting, . - - - 13H
• The Cutlock for Hogs, ----- 137
•The Sun, -------- 137
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
• Agricultural and Horticultural Society, - - 138
Report of the Committee— The Crops— The Com-
ing Fair-Sliall a Fee be Charged for Exhibits-
Appointment of Judges— Miscellaneous.
• The Poultry Association, - - - - 138
Members Present— New Bnsiness— Report of Ex-
ecutive Committee.
• Fulton Farmers' Club, ----- 139
Ejthibitsof Farm Pi o lucts— Asking and Answer-
ing Quesiions-Afi er;ioou Session- Literary Ex-
ercises— Regular Qtieitions.
, The Linnsean Society, ----- 140
Additions to the Ijbrary— Papers Read— New Rusi-
ness— Under Scientific Miscellany.
• Soiling, -------- 140
ENTOMOLOGICAL.
• The Snake Worm, ---..- J40
• Saddle-back Moth, ----- 140
. Bark Lice on Apple Trees, - - - - 141
• The Cabbage Worm, ----- 141
. Toads, -------- 141
. Self-Binding Reapers, ----- 141
AGRICULTURE.
■ The Origin of Wheat in America, - - 141
• Grass as a Renoyator, ----- 141
• Fall Ploughing, - 141
< For Pennsylvania Farmers, - - - - 141
. Treatment of a Worn-out Meadow, - - 141
• Minnesota's Wheat Crop, ----- 141
r Oat» and Wheat, ------ 141
.Storing Hay, ------- Ul ,
HORTICULTURE.
Pruning Fruit and Ornamental Trees, - . - 141
Currant Culture, ------ 141
The Blackberry, ------ 142
Famous Apples of Lancaster County Origin, - 142
Hotbeds with Muslin Sashes, - - - - 142
Pruning Grapevines, ----- 142
,The Quince, - J 143
Suckers Around Apple Trees, . - . 142
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
Breakfast Bacon, ------ 142
Hints for the Kitchen, ----- 142
Care of Farm Implements, - - - - 142
No Egg Good as Fresli ones, - - - - 142
HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.
Spiced Cautalcnp, ------ U2
Grape Wine, ----- . 142
Cheese Pudding, 143
Green Tomato Sauce, - - - - 143
Cucumber Pickles, ----- 14:5
Brattleboro Fricassee, - - - . 143
Tapioca Cream, ------ I4;3
.Sweet Green Tomato Pickles, - - - - i43
i Frogs and Tomatoes, - - - - 14;i
Fruit Jelly, - 14:3
Breakfast Biscuit, - - . . . 143
Boiled Pudding, ------ 143
Lamp Wicks, ------ 143
LIVE STOCK.
Pigs, - - - - . - - - - 14.3
Sheep in the Corn Fields, - - - . 143
Galled Shoulders and Backs, - - - - 143
Preserving Sheep from Dogs, ... 143
Driving After Eating, ----- 143
Hurrying the Cows, 143
APIARY.
The Harvest White Honey, - - - - 143
Why Bees Work in the Dark, - - - 144
Fertile Workers, 144
POULTRY.
Save the Choice Fowls, - - - - 144
Poultry Notes, 144
Vegetable Fruit, ------ 144
Poultry, ---...- 144
Literary and Personal ----- 144
S£XD FOR
On Concord Grapevines, Transplanted Evergreens, Tulip,
Poplar, Unden Maple, etc. Tree Seedlings and Trees for
timber plantations by the 100,000.
J. JENKIKS' NVBSERT,
»-»-T» WINONA, COLUMBIANA CO., OHIO.
NORBECK & MILEY,
PRACTICAL
Carriage M\im,
m & tO'S OLD ST.M),
Corner of Duke and Vine Streets,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE LATEST IMPROVED
SIDE-BAR BUGGIES,
PHAETONS,
Carriages, Etc,
Prices to Suit the Times.
REPAIRING pronijitly attended to. All work
guaranteed.
PHAHES W. FRY.
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
WALL PAPER & WINDOW SHABE8,
lIollaiKln, piHin Nhiido <'lotIi,
Piltures, Fringes, Tassels and all goods pertaining to a
Paper and Shade Store.
No. 63 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
11.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
PENNSTtVANIA RAILROAD
Trains leave the Depot in this city,
WE TWABD.
Pacific Exprees'
Way Passeiigert
Niagara Express
Hanover Accommodation. .
MaU train via Mt. Joy
No. 2 via Columbia
Sunday MaU
3?'a8t Line*
Frederick Accommodation .
HarriBburg Accom
Columbia Accommodation.,
Harrisburg Express
Pittsburg Express
Cincinnati Express"
EASTWARD.
Atlantic Express*
Philadelphia Expresst.
Fast Line*
Harrisburg Express.
Lancaster.
9.30 a. I
9:35 p. I
11:15 a. I
11:20 a. I
T:20 p. m.
7:25 p.m.
9:25 p.m.
11:30 p.m.
Columbia Accommodation.,
Pacific Express*
Sunday MaU
Johnstown Express
Day Express*
Harrisburg Accom
The Hanover Accommodation
with Niagara Express, west, t
through to Hanover,
The Frederick Accommodatio
ter with Fast Line, west, at 2:10 p. m., ana r
The Pacific Express, east, on Sunday, ^
stop at Middietown, Elizabethtown, Mount
Tille.
•The only trains which run daily.
tEuns daily, except Monday.
7:00 a.
7:40 a.
10:no a.
12:30 p.
Lancas-
uns to Frederick,
hen flagged, will
Joy and Landis-
$77^
u. I', :^o v«7"3Vt-A.i>a',
AT JLOWEiT POSSIBI.E PRICES,
Fully guaranteed.
No. 106 E^ST KING STREET,
79-1-12] Opposite T^eopitrd Botel.
GLOVES. SHIRTS, UNDERWEAR. H
SHIETS MAdFtO OEDER,
AND WARRANTED TO I'lT.
E. J. ERISMAN, *
56 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
S. IB. <Diz>:x.,
^Manufacturer of
Carriages, Buggies, Pliaetons, etc.
CHURCH ST., NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA,
Large Stock of New and SecOTd-hand -Work on hand,
very cheap. Carriages Made to Order. Work Warranted
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
And Manufacturers of
FURNITURE PD CHAIRS,
WAREROOMS:
102 East King St., Cor. of Duke St.
■LANCASTER, PA.
EDW. J. ZAHM,
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
WATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED WARE,
CLOCKS.
JEWELRY! TABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Agent for the Arundel Tinted
SPECTACLES.
Repairing strictly attended to.
North Queen-st. and Centre Square, Lancaster, Pa,
79-1-12
NOTICE.
A VALUABLE WORK.
A TREATISE
—ON THE—
HORSE AND HIS DISEASES,
By DR. B. J. KENDALL, of Enosburgh FaUs. Vermont.
It Is nicely mustrated with thirty-flve engravings, and is
fnU of useful horse knowledge. Every horse owner should
li»Te » copy of it.
SEND S5 CENTS FOR A COPT.
jnn-tf
ESTABLISHED 1832.
a. SENTEH & SONS,
Manufacturers and dealers in aU kinds of rough and
fluished
x.xt]!mib]e:r.
The best Sawed SHI>'«I-ES iu the country. Also Sash,
Doors, Blinds, Mo\ildingB, &c,
PATENT 0. G. WEATHERBOARDING
OFFICE AND YARD :
Northeast Corner of Prince and Walnnt-sts.,
LANCASTER, I? A.
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLOGY,
Embracing the history and habits of
NOXIOUS AND INNOXIOUS
INSECTS.
and the best remedies for their expulsion or estermtnation.
By S. S. RATHVON, Ph. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
This work will be Highly Illustrated, and will be put in
press (as soon after a sufficient number of subscribers can
be obtained to cover the cost) as the work can possibly be
accomplished.
fTBEES
Fruit, Shade and Ornamental Trees,
plant Trees raised in this county and suited to this climate.
Write for prices to
I.OUISC.I.YTE,
Bird-in-Hand P. O., Lancaster co.. Pa.
TI^E LATEST!
Ilje New Tariff of Rales
Made by OAK HALL, four weeks
ago, sold off large lots of
goods, and has
INDUCED MANY TO IMITATE US
\S USUAl,
8@"Whatever is Done Elsewhere We
always do Better. -"^a
This is the latest tariff for the
AS mOLLO^VS:
An Elegant Business and Dress Suit,
All-wool Black Cheviot, 110. Identical
quality of goods sold by other parties
as a great bargain at $1.5. We never
sold them for more than $13.
$4.89 buys a First Quality Dress
Trousers, sold heretofore at $10.
Fur Beaver and Chinchilla Over-
coats, Good and Warm Cloth Bouud,
$8.50, 5)8..50, $8..50, $8.50.
Next Higher Grade, Beautifully
Made and Trimmed, Cloth Bound.
Silk Velvet Collar, $10, $10, $10, $10.
The Same Goods in Young Men's
Sizes, $7, $(", $7, $7.
Boy's Double Cape Overcoats, with
all the Late Improvements, $5, $5, $5.
Boys' and Youths' Trousers, All
Wool, $2.39, $2..39, $2.39, $2.39.
Hundreds of Latest Styles Child-
ren's Overcoats, Soft Plush Lined,
Elegant Goods, reduced from $8.75 to
$6.50.
$25 Fine French Fur Beaver Over-
coats reduced to $15. (Beautifully
made. Piped with Cloth and the
Finest Linings)
A clear saving of $2.50 on a Fine
Dress Suit.
At our low prices we have sold
thousands of them at $15.00 ; but to-
day make a clean mark down to
$12.50. They are not odds and ends,
but complete lots. Hundreds biggest
men can be fitted. This one lot of
goods contained .55,120 yards, and has
proved the best bargain we have had
for our customers this season.
A customer can come one hundred
miles, and the saving on almost any
Suit or Overcoat will pay the fare
Doth ways.
Wananjaker & Brown,
OAK HALL.
Sixth and Market Streets,
PHILADELPHIA.
The Largest Clothing House In
America.
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S, S. EATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., SEPTEMBER, 1879.
Vol. XI. No. 9.
Editorial.
SOMETHING ABOUT TOMATOES.
We are apt to think the tomato is a vege-
table, or fruit, that has only come into general
cullinary use within the last forty years or so;
but this is a grave mistake. So far as we are
able to localize the event, we verily believe
we saw both the tomato and the egg-plant
raised as a window pot-jilant, and in fruit —
as many as five and fifty years ago. The
first named had beautiful crimson fruit about
the size of an ox-heart cherry, and was called
a "Love-apple." The other had white fruit
about tlie size of a bantam's egg, and was
called, as it is now, the "Egg-plant." Some
went to the trouble of calling it the "Artificial
Egg," but there was nothing artificial about
it, it was natural.
In Philip Miller's Gardener''s Dictionary,
published in London, and dedicated to Sir
Hans Sloan, in 1731, in reference to the
"Love-apple," [Lycopersicon) we quote the
following : "The Italians and Spaniards eat
these apples as we do cucumbers, with pepper,
oil and salt, and some eat them stewed in
sauce, &c., but considering their great mois-
ture and coldness, the nourishment they
afford must be bad. The iirst of these plants
is the sort directed for medicinal use by the
college in their dispensatory.''
By the "first," he means the yellow love-
apple ; for he describes what ho calls five
species, and distinguishes them by the form
and color of the fruit.
Johnson, in his 6ardener''s Dictionary, pub-
lished in 1872, follows the same specific
nomenclature, but enumerates ten distinct
species ; the earlier ones of which were intro-
duced into England in 1596, as ornamental
plants. What Miller says about the cultiva-
tion of the tomato in 1731, contains all, and
much more, than Johnson says in 1872 ; and
at a more seasonable period we may give it to
the public, merely to show how little advance
we have made in 148 years.
But now we have somewhat to say nearer
home. During the eight years of Jefferson's
Presidency, namely, from 1801 to 1809, he
kept a record of the fruit and vegetable
market of Washington city, carefully noting
down the date when each kind was placed on
market, how long it continued, and the date
when it was discontinued. It may seem
singular that the President of the United
States, and perhaps the greatest statesman
of the period, should give his attention to
such domestic details ; but so it is, in a tabu-
lated form in the first volume of his biography.
Amongst the vegetables enumerated he men-
tions tomatoes and egg-plants, as being sold
regularly during the period above named in
the AVashington market. To show what
kind of a vegetable market they had in Wasb-
iBgton, from 1801 to 1809, and that tomatoes
and egg-plants must have been cultivated for
culinary use, the kind of company they were
in may indicate that use.
Lettuce, parsley, spinach, sprouts, corn-
salad, radishes, sorrel, asparagus, broccoli,
cucumbers, cabbages, cress, cauliflower,
turnips, Irish potatoes, corn, snaps, arti-
chokes, carrots, salsify, squashes, unids or
beans, beets, parsnips, tomatoes, lima beans,
endive, celery, egg-plants, mushrooms, melons
and watermelons. Of fruits, there were
pears, strawberries, currants, raspberries and
grapes. Perhaps apples, onions and peaches
may have been too common to mention.
This was from 70 to 78 years ago. Just when,
or by whom they were first eaten in Lancaster
county we have not the means of knowing,
but many are still living who well remember
the time when the tomato was not included
in our edible vegetation, and even no one
dreamed it ever would become so general as
it has. We first tasted them in the summer
of 1832, anci we approached them very "gin-
gerly." Perhaps we would not have done so
then— for to us the odor of the plant was not
as "fragrant as peaches," but they had been
prepared by a little hand that was afterwards
laid in ouis, and has prepared them for us
from that period down to the present time, so
we could not refusi;. And since we have
mentioned iiau-hes in connection with the
subject, it reminds us that the generic term,
Lycopersicon, is a Greek compound, and liter-
ally means "wolf peach." (From lykos, a
wolf, and pcrsicon, a peach). It belongs to
the family SoLANACEyK, which also includes
the common potato, the egg-plant, the deadly
night-shade, the horse-nettle, the bitter-sweet,
the ground-cherry, apple of Peru, henbane,
jimson weed and the tobacco plant— not a
very edible family. The generic name is now
written Lyopersicum. The plant we cultivate
is said to have been introduced into England
from South America, which, if true, is
certainly very suggestive. It encourages us
to persevere in our attempts to acclimatize
foreign plants, fruits, &c. If we have suc-
ceeded in the peach, the cherry and the
tomato, who is prepared to say that we may
not succeed in other things, the Japanese per-
simmon for instance ? The tomato occupies
such an exalted position in culinary vegeta-
tion ; is so popular, so healthful, so widely
diffused, and has been so rapid in its increase
that it would be of importance to our next
decennial census to have a special column de-
voted to it alone in 1880. There is hardly a
family now so poor that it has not tomatoes
upon the table at least once every day while
they are in season, and they are so easily pre-
served by the canning process that many
families have them every day all the year
round, in some of their many forms of pre-
paration. Tomato stews, salads, pickels, pre-
serves, jellies, catsups, figs, wines, &c., are
leading household articles in many families
now, and we can hardly realize that five and
forty years ago they were almost unknown
for these purposes in Lancaster county ; and
to deprive us of them now, would be equiva-
lent to tearing up all our railroads, and going
back to stage coaches and Conestoga teams.
No grocery store is now considered complete,
without its stock of canned tomatoes. There
was another use of the tomato about forty
years ago in this country, which we had
almost forgptten, and to which Miller alludes
in the extract we have quoted. In a highly
concentrated or sublimated form, they were
used as medicine. Perhaps many of those
who have attained to fifty years, will be able
to recall the "tomato pills," "tomato tinc-
ture," and "tomato decoctions, "conspicu-
ously advertised in drug stores, with wreaths
of crimson fruit placarded on the boxes. But
as they grew into favor as an esculent, they
grew into disfavor as a medicine.
SCIENCE, AND ITS RELATIONS TO
AGRICULTURE.
Many intelligent farmers are annoyed by
the term Science, and many of the illiterate
are absolutely horrified at it, and will have as
little to do with it as possible ; just as if they
were able to entirely ignore it, or annihilate
it, and act altogether independent of it. The
fact is. whether they have any knowledge of
it or not, whether they recognize it or not
when it is brought to their view, or whether
they acknowledge its presence in the various
phenomena of nature or not, cannot allect a
single principle in its domain, for it still
"marches along" as it marched from the bc-
giuuing of time, "when the morning stars
sang together." No farmer can locate .and
lay ofi' into fields his farm, nor erect a barn,
nor hay nor wheat slack — and no farmer's
wife can bake a loaf of bread, make a pound
of soap, or a cake of cheese, without invoking
the aid of science, and this too whether they
understand its controling principles or not.
Science and her laws are as inseparable from
the domain of matter as a shadow is from its
substance, or as light and sound are from an
electrical concussion. Like truth, "The
eternal years of God are hers," and poor
feeble humanity can no more separate itself
from science and its ramifying influences,
than it can from the Creator of the universe,
whether it has a living faith in that Creator
or not.
Science is only another name for knowledge,
and those to whom knowledge is distasteful of
course will have little sympathy with science.
But science does not only imply a knowledge
of the truth, but it also implies a systematic
arrangement of truths according to their
mutual relations to each other. Science,
however, only takes cognizance of truths that
are capable of being demonstrated on a mate-
rial plane. When truth leads beyond that, it
enters upon the domain of spirit, which, as it
is separated from matter by a discreet degree,
has only an abstract relation to the present
subject. AVhen St. Paul, in his mission to
the Athenians, observed an altar inscribed,
"To the unknown God," he gave utterance
to the famous enunciation, "lie whom you
ignorantly worship. Him declare I unto you. "
The mission of science to the physical realm
is of a like character. Its object is to instruct
people how to do that intelligently which
they otherwise do ignorantly. If a woman
happens to bake a good loaf of bread, make a
good pound of soap, or a good cake of cheese,
science will teach her how she accomplished
these achievements, and if she fails in these
it will point out wherein she failed. If a
farmer by superior skill has succeeded in pro-
ducing a good crop, erected a symmetrical
stack of hay or grain, or constructed healthful
and well-ventilated buildings, science will
illustrate to him the principles upon which
his success depended, and if he fails therein it
will admonish him of the physical laws he has
violated, and which involved his labors in
defeat. The whole domain of physical knowl-
edge, whether domestic, mechanical, mathe-
matical, agricultural, commercial, chemical
or professional, is included in the category of
science. It abjures all arbitrary signs and
seasons and plants itself fundamentally upon
principles that are synonoraous with truth,
and if its deductions seem to be erroneous, the
errors will not be found in the scientific prin-
ciples involved in the case, but in the inabil-
ity of the human mind to comprehend them,
or in their false application.
The knowledges embraced by science are
many and diverse, some of them complex or
abtruse, and have only a remote relation to
the agricultural and domestic concerns of life;
and, although no single mind could expect to
grasp the whole— nor is it necessary that it
should— yet so far as any of its branches
relate to specific human avocations they ought
to become the subjects of thorough human
study. The agriculturalist should have a
knowledge of the chemical constitution of the
various soils, and how to supply any of the
fertilizing elements that may have become ex-
hausted, and also know what elements are
present in excess. Some farmers have a sort
of prejudice against scientific knowledge,
because they think it is only learned from
books, and they have a contempt for what
they call "book farming." If their illiterate
neighbor, after many years of patient and
careful experience, had discovered that
130
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[September,
certain mauipulations of soil — including sea-
son, location, and composition, ha,d always re-
sulted in certain beneficial effects, they
would readily believe and adopt his experi-
ences, if verbally communicated to them,
simply because their neighbor was a practical
man, and knew what he was doing ; but
should some person of literary ability write
out those modes just as they were developed
through the exneriences aforesaid, the book
in which they were recorded would not be en-
titled to credit, because of its scieutiflc char-
acter. Now, the one is just as scientific as
the other, and neither of them is so any
farther than they are /acts, and farther than
they are founded upon principles of truth;
and if either of them possesses these requisites
they are scientific, whether they have ever
been written and printed in a book, or only
recorded in human memory ; because, they
are knoxoledge, and possess power. Science
existed before the introduction of letters,
hieroglyphics or pictorial illustrations, and it
wiU survive all these.
For the sake of simplification science may
be divided into physics, or physical science,
exact science, and natural science ; the last
named including natural history, or the
history of the animal and vegetable kingdoms;
in which agriculture has a paramount interest,
for they have a direct relation to the produc-
tions of tlie soil, and the history and improve-
ments of domestic animals. The world is
progressing, population is increasing, and
through the drafts of these upon the virgin
fertility of the soil, its primitive substances
are becoming exhausted. By the aid of
scientific knowledge its exhausted elements
may be restored and continued, and tlie
animal enemies of the human family circum-
vented or extinguished. In the crude and
normal progress of the natural world there
are cheeks and balances which tend to preserve
and continue nature's equilibrium; but, under
the stimulations of progress and increase,
this equilibrium becomes disturbed or de-
stroyed, and hence, there are alternate
recurrences of paucity and redundancy.
Neither the uncivilized aboriginals, nor
the early civilized races, had any of the diffi-
culties to contend wilh that now beset society
in its abnormally stimulated progress and
improvement. Unlettered science is too
limited and superficial to supply the demands
of a fastidious progress. A more rapid
transit and a wider diffusion are now re-
quired to satisfy the yearnings of a restless
human ambition. Society, and all the
various interests and elements which compose
it, now require a written word, instead of
varying and unsubstantial traditions. Scien-
tific knowledge needs to be invoked, and
carried into all the concerns of life, from "a
needle to an anchor," from the humblest
kitchen, up through all the various domestic
and social gradations, to the higliest point of
agriculture and mechanical excellence. One
blade of grass is not sufficient now — nor yet
are two— it requires lialf a dozen where only
one grew before. The scientific principles in-
volving these truths are beginning to be
slowly apprehended by the intelligent yeo-
manry of the country, and as rapidly as they
are apprehended they will be adopted and
carried into practical operation. They are
the "upper and the nether mill-stones," tliat
will "grind into powder," the absurdities,
the stupidities, and the prejudices of the past.
Then welcome science as the beneficent
handmaid to agriculture, as she has always
been to commerce and manufacturers.
CATERPILLARS.
Friday, September 5th, Mr. Lemon, of West
King street, brought to us an apple branch,
about eighteen inches in length, on which
were grouped about 350 caterpillars. Tliese
caterpillars had stripped off all the leaves,
letting nothing remain but the midribs. They
were attached to the branch by the four pairs
of adbominal prolegs, with the posterior and
anterior parts of the body turned upward, and
appeared as rigid and immovable as if they
had been composed of wax. Wlien'disturbed
they only wriggled with a jerking motion
from side to side. They were so closely
compacted that no part of the branch they
occupied could be seen, and we conceived the
idea of preserving them just as they were,.but
this seemed impracticable ; nevertheless, we
made the attempt, and, contrary to our ex-
pectations, we succeeded. We cut the branch
into three pieces of six inches each, but as the
caterpillars were only grouped on two of them,
we introduced these two pieces into a six iucli
jar with a wide mouth. The insects were
disturbed very little by this process. Tliey
had taken their "position" and seemed de-
termined to "fight it out on that line."
We then introduced a gentle stream of
strong alcohol, and continued it until the jar
was full ; but the caterpillars remained rigid
and almost entirely motionless. Perhaps half
a dozen relinquished their hold upon the
branch and sank to the bottom, but all the
others, at this writing (eight day« after immer-
sion) remain just as they were when they
were first taken from the tree. We never
before witnessed such stoic indiflisrence to the
effects of alcohol in any insect. All— especi-
ally caterpillars — squirm, writhe, or contort
themselves in a more or less agonizing man-
ner, but these, except a gentle, tremulous
motion of a few of them — seemed to be
entirely indifferent to the pungent effects of
the alcohol, and "died game." They either
did not feel that sense of pain that is felt
"when a giant dies," or they are endowed
with the extraordinary faculty of almost
entirely ignoring it,. Through this experi-
ment, the Linnsean Society possesses the most
perfect specimens of alcoholized caterpillars,
as they appear in nature, that we have ever
seen, and we are by no means certain that tlie
experiment could be again as successfully
repeated with so large a number.
These caterpillars are from one and a half
to two inches in length, three-quarters of an
inch in circumference, and of a honey yellow
color. The head is large and jet black, and
the feet and a small spot on the upper side of
the terminal segment are of the same color.
The body is adorned with seven reddish lon-
gitudinal stripes, the dorsal stripe being about
twice as wide as the lateral and marginal
ones. The posterior pair of feet are very
black, and project backward like a pair of
caudal forceps. Immediately back of the
head, the first thoracic segment has a broad
dorsal spot, or collar, of nearly orange red
color.
We have made this record, because this is
said to be the apple-tree variety of the larva
of Detana Ministra — the "Handmaid
moth," an insect that is especially destructive
to the foliage of tlie walnuts and hickories,
and is also occasionally found on other trees,
the larva of which varies according to the
foliage it feeds on. Last year Mr. L. brought
us 1,200 of these caterpillars which he found
grouped together in a compact mass, near the
base of an English walnut tree on his prem-
ises, and of which they had stripped nearly all
the leaves, leaving nothing but the naked
midribs remaining. Those on the walnut
tree were of the same size and form as those
on the apple tree, but the body was a dull
white, and the stripes were somewhat broader
and of a deep chocolate-brown color. Last
year Mr. L. had none of these caterpillars on
his apple trees, this year he has none on his
walnut tree. After the mortality of 1,200
so summarily, a sole survivor may have
instinctively concluded that walnut trees are
unhealthy to the race, and hence the scene of
operation was transferred to the apple.
These caterpillars have one peculiar habit
which places them effectually in the power of
man, and if men permit them to perpetuate
themselves from season to season they ought
to be held amenable to law. They "moult"
or cast off the old skin and acquire a new one
four or five times before they perfect their
larval condition, and when about to undergo
this change, the whole brood on the tree con-
gregate in a mass on the trunk, sometimes
as low as the base — if not on the ground —
but never very fiir from the ground, and this
seems a practical suggestion to the proprietor
of the tree, to gather them up and destroy
them. If tliey are too repulsive to handle, a
syringing of hot water would prove an effec-
tive extinguisher. There is no excuse for
their continuance.
We have noticed these caterpillars for more
than thirty years, but those on the apple tree
we have always found congregated on the
small branches, where they usually feed ;
whilst those on the walnut tree we have always
found congregated somewhere on the trunk.
When feeding they scatter wherever they can
find ;food, but in their moulting trysts, they
are remarkably gregarious. When they have
matured their larval condition, they burrow
into the ground, pupate, and remain there
until the following mouth of June, when they
come forth a moth. The alar expansion of
the moth is from one and three quarters to
two inches. The body is thick and about
three quarters of an inch long. Tlie antennae
are slender, and finely serrated along the
anterior margin. The anterior wings are
various sliades of reddish brown, and the pos-
terior wings and abdomen are a dull, silvery
white. The thorax is a deep velvetv brown,
margined with lighter brown. There are
four not very conspicuous, transverse lines on
the anterior wings, somewhat darker than
the ground color. They are attracted at
niglit by lights burning, and this may suggest
the destruction of the mature insect.
Queries and Answers.
MOTTLED HORN-BEETLE.
Mr. 1. L. Oraham, Elkton, Jft?.— Your
postal card and small box by mail were duly
received. The box contained a most mag-
nificent specimen of the "mottled Horn-
Beetle." It is by no means a "Bug ;" it is a
Beetle, and was described by Linnaeus under
the name of * Scarahceiis tytius ; but modern
authors in entomology have placed it in the
genus Di/TMStea: therefore it is best known _
under the name of Dynastes tytius: family'
Scarab^ida, Section Lamellicornia, and
order Coleoptera.
The larva is a large, white crescent-shaped
"grub worm," very similar in form to those
tliat are found every season in the soil, only
much larger. What we mean by "crescent
shaped" is, that it is always found bent in the
form of a crescent.
It feeds (the larva) on decayed wood, and is
often found in the decayed heart of old trees.
About twenty years ago a large willow tree
was cut down at Safe Harbor, in this county,
and in the heart of it were found about fifty
of these beetles and their larvx. Individuals,
since then, have been captured in various
localities in this county ; but we have never
heard of so many of them being found in one
place as in the tree at Safe Harbor.
DROP-WORM.
Mr. E., Lancaster county. Pa.— The small
box you left for our examination on the 9th
inst., contained the follicles of an insect
known by the common names of "Drop-
worm," "Basket-worm," "Sack-bearer," &c.,
and by the Germans "Sach-trager. " It has
also received various scientific names, but is
now best known among scientists under the
name of Tliyridopteryz ephemcEniformis. It is
particularly destructive to the foliage of the
Arborvitse, but is also found on various other
trees; among which we may mention the
apple, quince, pear, cherry, apricot, nectarine,
elm, linden, locust, pines, cedars, &c., and
when it becomes numerous it is injurious to
the beauty, symmetry, vitality and general
health of the trees it infects ; but we know of
no insects that are more accessible in the
application of a remedy, if the remedy is
*Tytuts, m the heatheu mythology, wis a gigantic Ben of
Ju] 4':er and Elara, whom AioUo lulled foroffering violeuo©
to his mother, Latona.
ScarabKua means ft beetle.
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
i31
applied at the proper time, and especially producer and cohsuiuit, and enable them to I each under the 8ui)ervision of visitors, the
when the trees are low, like the arborvitae. , discuss intelligently the material results of public will be able to exercise a proi)er
The follicles or "sacks" of the females are labor, and to contemplate their various quali- appreciation of wiiat our county is able to
found dangling from the naked branches of i ties.
the trees all winter, and in trees that shed Below will be found the list of premiums
their leaves they become very conspicuous, awarded to exhibitors in the several classes :
In non leaf-shedding trees they are not so
visible as in the former, but still from the
fact that these sacks assume a dried and
crispy aspect, they may be easily detected on
pines, cedars and arborvita;s. If all these
sacks are gathered and bui-ned, any time
before the first of May in this latitude, it will
not be possible for them to increase or even
perpetuate their species, 'ihe female never
leaves her sack until she has deposited all her
eggs therein, and these eggs are contained in
the pupa shell, and warmly protected against
the most rigorous winter. They are hatched
out about the middle of May, when the young
immediately begin to form sacks for them-
selves, which are spun of a fine white silk, and
are covered over on the outsides with leaves,
leaf-stems and bits of wood ; enlarging them
as the insect grows larger, and carrying them
with them wherever they go; and from this
habit they have been named "Sack-bearers."
They have also the habit of dropping down
from the branches, suspended by a fine silken
fiber, and then drawing themselves up again,
and this has given rise to the name "Drop-
worm." Comparatively few persons ever
have an opportunity of seeing the male insect.
He emerges from the pupa and the follicle
during the month of September, and after
fertilizing the female, inside of her habitacu-
lum, he almost immediately dies. The fe-
male is entirely destitute of wings, antenna;
or feet — in fact, nothing but a wliite, oblong,
cylindrical sack, filled with small round
eggs, numbering from three to five hund-
red; with an exsertcd ovipositor at the
posterior end, and a rudimeutal head and
two small black eyes at the anterior end.
The male expands about one inch, and has
a body of about the same length, but with
the power of extending the abdomen, simi-
lar to the extension of a telescope. He is
covered with a thick coat of moderately
long, swarthy , brown fur, and at first his
wings are opaque, but he soon flutters off
the mealy substance, or scales, with which
they are covered, and they become more
or less transparent, especially the posterior
pair,
Class 1— Fruits.
"We the undersigned committee appointed
to report upon the grapes, peaches, plums and
melons, beg liiave to submit the following:
For the lari,'est collection of gra))os (22
varieties), H. M. Engle & Son, S3; for the
second largest collection (14 varieties), Daniel
Smeych, $2; for the third largest collection (9
varieties). Dr. C. Weidler, $1; best four
bunches of Concords, .T. Iluber, 50 cents;
best four Ininches of Clintjin, C. Hoover, 50
cents; best four biniches of Rogers, Samuel
Benedict, 50 cents; best four hunches Martha,
Daniel Smeych, .50 cents; lona, DrC. Weidler,
.50 cents; Allen's Hybrid, the same, 50 cents.
Discretionary premiums to J. F. Hershey and
J. II. Mayei", 50 cents eacTi.
For the largest collection of foreign grapes
(4 varieties), D. Smeych, $2; they also accord
special mention to L. S. Reist, B. L. Landis,
John B. Erb, P. 8. Reist, Eph. II. Hoover
and others for fine exhibits of grapes, and if
the committee has failed to mention more, it
is because of the dilliculty of discriminating
where fruit of the same kind is so widely
scattered.
For the best plate of plums (ten specimens),
Daniel Smeych, 50 cents. There were also
I ; b the pupa ;
lie adult female ;
appreciation
produce in the different lines of fruit. Much
credit is due to all the exhibitors for the fine
displays of grapes and poaches.
The following additional premiums are re-
commended: Best plate of Delaware grapes,
Abraham Summy, 50 cents; second best,
Samuel Jacobs, 25 cents; third best Dr.
Weidier, favorable notice.
Best plate of Telegraph grapes, John
Grossman, 50 cents; second best, H. M.
Engle, 25 cents; third best, F. Howell,
favorable notice; second best, Rogers, No. 15,
S. W. Bruckhart, 25 cents. Best five canta-
loupes. J. W. Bruckhart, 50 cents; second best,
J. K. Ryan, 25 cents.
Honorable notice to Reist & McCloud for
Brighton grapes, and also for large collection
of Concord and Martha grapes. Also to Mrs.
Ann Bushong for coimty raised figs, and to
Messrs. Garber, Hess, Hoover and Mellinger
for sundry grapes.
S. S. Rathvox,
Wm. McComsey.
We the undersigned committee, appointed
to examine and report upon apples and pears,
respectfully report the following:
For the largest collection of apples (50
varieties), L. S. Reist, %\\\ second largest (16
varieties), H. M. Engle, $2; third largest (13
varieties), J. C. Linville, %\. Best plate
Smokfehouse apples, Wm. Weidle, first pre-
mium, 75 cents; second best plate, Jacob
Zecher, second premium, 50 cts. ; best plate
Slienbern apples, Wm. Weidle, first prem-
ium, 75 cts. ; best plate golden pippins, first
Iiremiuin, Jacob Zecher, 75 cents; basket of
apples, Ambrose Pownall, first premium, 75
cents; plate of Porter apples, John B. Erb,
liist premium, 75 cents; plate of .leffriea
apples, John B. Erb, first premium, 75 cts;
one mammoth Rambo, Samuel Benedict,
first premiuiu, 75 cents; plate of quinces,
William Weidle, first premium, 50 cents;
John B. Erb, second premium, 25 cts. ; one
mammoth apple (16^ inches) very fine,
special notice.
Best collection of pears (38 varieties),
Wm. Weidle, $3; second best (26 varieties),
Daniel Smeych, $2; third best (24 varie-
ties), Samuel Benedict, $1.50; H. M. Engle
varieties),discretionary premium, 81.50;
(2
„ .ue .uu.. ,.. ,» ....,.» , . ...>. » ..^^.. , .. the C'asper Hiller & Son (33 varieties), discre-
The larva which inhabits the sack, and adult male ;e the opened sack showins the eegs ; /the sack tionary premium, SI. 50; Hon. J. B. L,iv-
never leaves it, when mature, is about an entire showing the manner of oonveyiug it from place to place; ingston (14 varieties), discretionary prem-
inch and a half in length, robust anteriorly, 9 "'<= yo"°g beginning to construct a sack. ium, $1.
and tapering backward ; it has a smoky color,
fleshy, and without intermediate feet or only
rudimental ones. The head and three
thoracic segments are smooth, hard, and
mottled with bluish white and black, or
brown. Being so perfectly incased in the
follicle, it cannot be destroyed by birds, and
is comparatively free from insect enemies.
OUR LATE EXHIBITION.
The fair was formally closed at 9 o'clock p.
m., on Friday evening, the 12th inst., and
whether an entire success or otherwise,
nothing appears more evident to our mind
than the fact that Lancaster county possesses
the demi'dXs of a first class exhibition, if only
the indifference or supineness of its people
can be so far overcome as to allow them to
give such an enterprise a sustaining support,
both as participators and auditors. This
support should by no means be a cold and
uninterested one, but on the contrary earnest
and hopeful, and accompanied by that self-
abnegation which gives assurance that the
Society is influenced by higher motives than
those that relate to scZ/ alone. It is true, that
these exhibitions should be self-sustaining,
but aside from this, the cultivation of the
useful and the beautiful, from moral and
social considerations, is paramount to merely
pecuniary gain. In any event these period-
ical exhibitions are the most practical means
that can be employed to bring before the
people the various productions of human
industry, because they bring face to face the
some excellent yellow or golden plums on
exhibition, but they lacked in number to
elicit a premium.
For the best specimens of Casaba melons,
M. C. Cooper, 50 cents; best cantaloupes 50
cents.
[XoTE— William Weidle exhibited 28 vari-
eties ot named pears and 8 unnamed; also, 5
named and 2 unnamed varieties of apples,
also, Susquehanna and Crawtbrd late peaches,
and Isabella grapes, which were overlooked
in the book of entries, but are entitled to
notice].
It was exceedingly diflicnlt to discrimmate
between the many excellent peaches on exhi-
bition; therefore the committee was under
the necessity of exercising discretionary
power. To the largest collection (13 varie-
ties) by Daniel Smeych, they awarded S2;
the next largest (17 apples), L. S. Reist, $1.
They also awarded the following persons for
superior plates of peaches 50 cents each:
Calvin Cooper. Susquehanna; Ciusper Hiller,
Crawford Late; Wm. Weidle, Crawford Early
and Susquehanna; M. D. Kendig, new seed-
ling; C. F. Long, new seedling; A. S. Keller,
Crawford Late; Wm. Richardson, Susque-
hanna; Joseph Samson, seedling; P. S. Reist,
J. H. Hershey, J. H. Mayer, ditto, and
Daniel Smeych, Sener peach.
The committee labored under the difficulty
caused by many of the peaches being un-
named, and others never having even a card
attached to them; Vmt as all entries have been
published in the daily papers, and they were
Best plate Sheldon pears, Adam S. Keller,
first premium, 50 cents; second best ditto,
Daniel M. Mayer, second i>remium, 25 cents;
best plate Bartlett pears, Mrs. Hannah Ran-
dolph, first premium, $l;best plate Duchess,
John B. Erb, first premium, 50 cents; best
plate Seckel pears, John C. Linville, first
premium, 50 cents; plate Seckel pears, J. M.
Mayer, second premium, 25 cents; best plates
Urbaniste, Flemish Beauty and AVashington
pears, Chas. E. Long, first premium, 50 cents
each; basket of assorted fruit, Chas E. Long,
«1; basket Bartlett pears, Chas. E. Lon^, 75
cents; basket of Clairgeau pears, Mrs. E. H.
Hager, 50 cents. Lot of cantaloupes, A. S.
Keller, 25 cents; cantaloupe and melon, J. K.
Rine, 50 cents; muskmelon, J. W. Bruckhart,
50 cents; citrons, Milton Cooper, 25 centsi
Casaba melons, Milton Cooper, 50 cents.
The following named exhibitors— E. S.
Hoover, P. S. Reist, Fannie Kready, J. M.
Hess, Calvin Cooper, I. L. Landis, CharL-s
A. Bauer, John Grossman, E. B. Landis, and
others— are in our judgment worthy of
special mention. _ _
M. D. KE>rDio,
LorisC. Lytb,
J. H. IlERSnET,
CvmmiiUt.
Class 2— Floweks.
First Prfniiu??!,'!.— Mrs. Fanny Bushong,
most extensive exotic collection of rare plants;
Casper Hiller & Son, best collection of
ornamental grasses; Chas Ileins, best ri:stic
basket; Miss Rosenmiller, best collection of
132
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ September,
cut flowers; George O. Hensel, best collection
of plants (106 varieties); George O. Hensel,
best collection of ferns.
Second Premiums.— C A. Getz, collection
of flowers (107 specimens); Lenora Hershey,
bouquet; George O. Hensel, second best col-
lection of ornamental and foliage plants.
Spemal Mentimi. — Mrs. Mary E. Wilson,
M. D., collection of plants; Mrs. Anthony
Mott, begonias; J. Frank Landis, century
plant; L. I. Steinhauser, orange tree and
foliage plants; Leonard Bacliler, passion
flower; Miss Ai'mstrong, passion flower;
Robert Dysart, hanging basket.
Class 3— Vegetables.
First Premiums. — Jacob M. Mayer, best
assortment of vegetables; Charles A. Bauer,
first premium each for carrots, Lima beans,
endive and yellow tomatoes; Casper Hiller &
Son, best Snowfiake potatoes; John C. Lin-
ville, best beets and cashaws; Benj. L. Lan-
dis, best red sweet potatoes.
Honorable Mention. — John B. Erb, cab-
bages, beans. Trophy tomatoes and sweet
potatoes; Benj. L. Landis, yellow sweet
potatoes.
Class 4 — Ceeeals.
First Premiums. — Joseph F. Witmer,
Foltz wheat, clover seed and timothy seed;
David M. Mayer, Red Mediterranean wheat;
J. F. Landis, oats; Johnson MiUer, rye and
yellow corn; Charles A. Bauer, sugar corn;
Calvin Cooper, Chester county, Manlmoth
corn.
Honorable Mention. — Elmer Cooper, Chester
county. Mammoth com.
Class 5— Domestic Productions.
First Premiums. — John C. Linville, three
pounds of butter; Mrs. E. S. Hoover, largest
display of canned fruits; Mrs. John Zellers,
two loaves home-made bread; Mrs. John B.
Erb, blackberry and grape wine; Mrs. Peter
Regennas, best canned peaches; Mrs. J. F.
Hershey, best hard soap; Mrs. Heinitsh, crab
apple jelly; Mrs. Adam S. Keller, best mixed
pickles; Mrs. D. H. Heitshu, best jar of
canned pears; S. G. Gensemer, best currant
wine.
Second Preinium. — Maria S. Landis, five
pounds Alderney butter.
Class 6— The Apiary.
First Premium. — J. F. Hershey, for honey
and hive of bees.
Honorable Mention. — Peter S. Reist, box of
honey.
Class 7 — Poultry.
First Premiums.— Dr. J. H. Mayer, best
collection of Brahmas; H. E. Stoner, best
Leghorns; H. H. Myers, best Bantams.
Second Premiums.— W. H. Amer, second
best Leghorns; Chas. E. Long, second best
Bantams.
Special Mention. — H. E. Stoner's collection
of Golden Hamburgs and Game cocks.
Class 8 — Light Implements.
No competition; discretionary premiums
awarded to John R. Buckwalter for tobacco
fork and I. L. Landis for posthole diggers.
Class 9— The Dairy.
■ Honorable Mention.— S. E. and G. S. Ball,
fine display of dairy products and salt meats.
Class 10— Fine Arts and Industrial.
First Premiums. — Benj. F. Landis, oil
paintings and crayon drawings; Mrs. A. F.
Spencer, wax cross; Mary Bachler, toilet set,
wax boquet, rustic cross, sofa cushion, thread
tidy and bullion work.
Discretionary Premiums. — Mrs. J. H. Hos-
tetter, afghan; Mrs. H. R. Barr, crayon
portraits; Christie "W. Gruel, counterpane;
Jennie Scheetz, quilt; C. R. Frailey, penman-
ship; Mrs. E. S. Hoover, tidies; Annie R.
Garber, water color painting; Mrs. C. Cooper,
cushion cover; Walter H. Kinzer, stufted
birds; Viola Bushong, vase of dried grasses;
Mrs. Peter Regennas, quilt; Lizzie C. Thomas,
marking on linen.
Honorable Notice. — Mrs. Jane Hess, quarter
of silk quilt; Annie Alexander, sofa mat.
Class 11— Musical Instruments.
First Premiums. — Alex. M'Killips, best
variety of organs; W. H. Manby, best tone
organ.
Class 12— Miscellaneous.
First Premium.— S. B. Urban, six leaves of
tobacco; J. M. Hess, four laths of tobacco.
Second Premium. — Chas. A. Bauer, six
leaves of tobacco.
Discretionary Premium. — L. S. Gross, six
stalks of tobacco.
We have been authorized to pay the above
reported premiums, so far as they are in ac-
cordance with the awards of the judges, made
in the books of entries. Therefore, all
holding premium cards will present them at
our place of business, corner of North Queen
and Orange streets, within thirty days from
close of fair, as after that date they will be
considered as forfeited to the Society.
Contributions.
For The Lancaster Fakmer.
THE MOON'S SIGNS AND PHASES.
Mr. Editor : I am not sure that it will be
profitable to your readers to pursue tlie con-
troversy with your "Seeker after Truth" any
further, but I will ask your indulgence for a
reply to his communication in the August
number of The Farmer.
Instead of endeavoring by facts and argu-
ment to answer the reasons I have given for
disbelieving that the moon's clianging signs
and phases have any influence on the weather
and the crops, he seems desirous of abandoning
the original ground of difference between us
and making it a matter of personal contro-
versy. Unless he wished to excite the preju-
dice of farmers against an opponent whose
arguments he could not answer, why does he
quote as if they were mine, the words "igno-
rant farmers" — a phrase of his own invention
or introduction, and never used by me.
Probably it was a slip of the pen, when at
the commencement of his article he speaks of
a "controversy on ''solar" influences, as I am
not aware of any difference of opinion in
regard to the sun's influence ; but when he
goes on to say that Amateur Farmer "denies
in toto the moon's effect on terrestrial mat-
ter," he asserts what he can find no warrant
for in anything I have written, and what is
in fact not true. Nor is it any nearer the
truth when he asserts that "he (Amateur)
simply tells us * * * that the moon can-
not raise the water in the sea. " He will look
in vain over my several articles in The
Farmer for any denial of the moon's influ-
ence in causmg the tides. I fully agree that
the moon exerts an influence on both the land
and water of the earth, as I am a believer in
the Newtonian theory of gravitation. But
this is a very different thing from believing in
the sign theory advocated by my opponent.
What I maintain and have attempted to show,
is not that the moon has mo influence on the
earth, but that the influence or power attribu-
ted to its changing signs and phases upon the
growth of vegetation, the state of the
weather, &c., is without warrant in philoso-
phy or fact— is in truth a delusion inherited
from a darker age — a mere notion, origina-
ting no one knows how, when or where, and
which its upholders of to-day can furnish no
substantial reasons for believing ; and so far
as I can discover are even unable definitely
and intelligibly to state just what their theory
is. In fact our "Seeker after Truth" appears
to have abandoned the attempt to sustain the
notion he favors either by facts or arguments,
for he admits that he is as "ignorant" as lam
of the laws which regulate this supposed in-
fluence, and therefore does not undertake to
enlighten us the least respecting the theory ;
and when I ask for facts— for "a series of ex-
periments extending over a considerable
space of time," he answers with one or two
isolated facts, and in his last communication
informs us that proof of the kind called for
need not be expected unless we "coidd be
assured of a life as long as that attributed to
Methusaleh I" Is not this equivalent to an
admission that the belief we are considering
is a mere notion, incapable of verification in
any way— a "superstition," in short, as
Chambers's Encyclopedia calls it — resting on
no rational or substantial basis whatsoever.
My opponent again refers to the tides as
tending to support the sign theory. I ask
again, as in a communication published in
the May number of The Farmer, how the
rise and fall of the tides lends any probability
to the belief in question, seeing that the tides
change from ebb to flood twice a day, while
the signs change from up to down only twice
in twenty-seven or twenty-eight days ? Why
does not "A Seeker" attempt to show that
the force of the tides is governed by or in cor-
respondence with the ascending or descending
signs ? If the changing of the signs has the
marked effect on the growth of vegetation and
the stability of fences, that is claimed by him,
one would suppose its effect would be no less
marked on the waters of the sea. Yet — to
say nothing of astronomers— no advocate of
the sign theory that I have heard of ventures
to assert that either tlie height of the tides or
the times of their recurrence is influenced in
the smallest degree by the changing signs of
the moon.
Whilst duly appreciating Seeker's efforts to
throw light on the subject, I would have been
still more obliged to him if he had explained,
as I asked him to do, what was to prevent his
lence, constructed when the sign was going up,
from settlingdown , after the sign turned down-
wards, two weeks or less afterwards; or have
the fences been alternately raising and sinking
each time the sign has changed, ever since they
were made V Does the power of the moon to
raise or sink fences become exhausted and
cease to operate forever after, as soon as the
first change of sign has occured ? It is either
so, or else it must have been some other cause
than the signs of the moon at the times in
which the two fences were built that caused
one to raise or remain up from the ground
and the other to sink into it.
In regard to my experiments with bricks
on a grass plot, "Seeker" says they might as
well have been placed "on solid rocks." But
he fails to tell us why the changing signs
would not have as much effect on my bricks
as on his fences. If he writes again I hope
he will explain this, and also tell us if he
thinks the numerous careful experiments by
scientific observers cited by Dr. Lardner,
tending to prove that the moon's changes
have not the eflect attributed to them, are t9
be discredited because of his one or two iso-
lated facts, unconfirmed, and I infer never
attempted to be confirmed, by further experi-
ments of the same kind. It is true he tries
to discredit Dr. Lardner by reference to a
mistaken opinion he expressed, and an alleged
disreputable affair in which he was once en-
gaged, but in my opinion it is not creditable
to one who professes to be "a Seeker after
Truth," to delve among the forgotten
scandals of by-gone days for the purpose of
discrediting an adversary in on a question
of physical science. It reminds me of the
man who undertook to dispute with another
respecting one of Euclid's geometric demon-
strations, and when he found he was getting
the worst of the argument, settled the question
(in his own mind) by declaring that Euclid
was a benighted heathen, and therefore un-
worthy of belief.
Never having before seen or heard of "Prof.
Mansill" or his almanacs, I can say nothing
of his ability to predict the coming weather,
though it is a little strange, if his predictions
have proved reliable or valuable, that a
knowledge of his works has not become more
diff'used among astronomers, meteorologists,
farmers and sailors, and all who are specially
interested in foreknowing the weather. It
may all be as " Seeker " alleges, but as he
does not say that the Mansill theory is based
upon or confirms the sign theory, I don't see
that it is particularly pertinent to the ques-
tion at issue between us.
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
133
Whether or not Sir John Ilerschel ever
wrote or publislied the formula for foretelling
tlie weathei-, which appeared in an American
Almanac many years ago in his name, and
now referred to by "A Seeker after Truth,"
I do not know; but there is reason to doubt
tliat that eminent astronomer had anything to
do with it. But whether he had or not, there
is one simple consideration which it seems to
me cannot help convincing every reflecting
person that no jiossible rule for foretelling the
weather, founded dm the moon's signs or
phases, or tlie times of its changing or fulling,
can be formulated, or at least none that is of
any practical value whatever. The con-
sideration I refer to is this : The alma-
nac we use in Pennsylvania answers also for
Ohio, Illinois and Nebraska. They liave the
same moon in those States that we have, and
the days and hours of its fulling and changing,
and passing from the ascending to the de-
scending signs are the same there as here. Yet
we all know it is constantly happening that
the weather is entirely different here on a given
day or week from wliat it is there, and that
extended general rains or snows scarcely ever
commence on the same day in the East as in
the West.
"Seeker" says he has "frequently found
the predictions" based on the formula attrib-
uted to Herschel "to come true." No doubt
of it. Any rule or general prediction respci-t-
ing the weather, no matter how groundloss,
will ^^frequenth/ come true;" but unles? it
comes true more frequently than it fails, it
can be of no value whatever. Lot it be
remembered that all predictions founded on
the positions or aspects of the planets, must
in the nature of the case be applicable to a
whole continent or hemisphere. Such being
the case, "Seeker" might claim that Her-
scliel's, or anybody else's weather predictions,
not only "frequently" but always "come
true," for pretty certainly there is not a day
or an hour when there is not rainy weather
and clear weather and every variety of
weather, in one part or another of our conti-
nent. In the nature of tlie case, then, how
worthless must all such general predictions
be, no matter by how high authority they
may be attempted to lie bolstered up. How
much wiser are we for being told that it will
rain on a certain day, unless we can know
whether it will fall here, or in Kansas or
Oregon, or in the Atlantic or Pacific ocean?
— Amateur Farmer.
KoR The Lancaster Fakmeb.
MOONSEED.
This interesting shrubby twiner belongs to
the natural order Menispermascece, or moon-
seed family, known as Menisperma Canadeiisis,
L. The cut shows the underground stem or
rizoma, which is of a yellowish color, hence,
it is also known as "Yellow Tharilla" in the
older books. The flowers and berries are also
shown, with a portion of the vine and leaves.
A section of the root, so called, shows the
central radiation, like in the ofTicinal Columbo,
called Menispervuim pahnatmn, and much
used in bitters. The berries have a crescent-
like seed, hence, called moonseed, and are
analogous to the Condus Indirus, what the
Germans call "Fisch Kierner." This plant
has no tendrils, but has a twining habit,
growing among rocks and under shrubbery,
found twining itself around the stems of trees
and .shrubs. The underground stem or
rizonia-likc root often extending from one
plant above ground to another not far
distant. This, when tasted is one of the
purest and most intense bitters of all our
plants. I called attention to its properties in
an article in the Mmmt Jni/ Herald, published
by my son Frank, in the first number of that
paper, under date of March 17, 18.")4. Very
little was known about its properties; the
Materia Medicato this day seems silent on its
true merits, and barely names it. My atten-
tion was called to experimenting with it, by
reading the following remark in Lindley's
Botany, who says, "Amslie in his Materia
Indica, speaking of several species of this
genus, that every part is extremely bitter,
and is much used among tlie Malays in treat-
ing of intermittent fever, and is esteemed as
[lowerful as Peruvian Bark." Being then in
the drug Imsiuess, 1 had frequent call for the
sulphate of quinine and barks in the treat-
ment of chills. I had made a pint of tincture
of this root in proof .spirits of an intensely
strong but pleasant bitter. Jacob Matcer, of
Mount Joy, a poor laboring man, began to
run up quite a bill for the sulphate of quina,
which would stop it, but only to return ; I
then got him to try the menisperma tincture;
this effectually stojiped and prevented a return
in the use of two ounces of the tincture. I
might report a number of such cases, and of
the success of a physician in the cure of inter-
raittents by it in his own iiractice. Not being
a selfish man that I know of, I have pointed
out the root or plant to several. A few years
ago when on a visit to Mr. Frantz, residing
near Millersville, in going with him over his
beautiful farm inspecting the luxuriance of
his cereal crops, and the general thriving
condition of this model farm and farming, I
met with this plant growing on his premises,
and it seems a portion of it was ju.st in liquor
and tested by a neighbor. Mr. Frantz in-
formed me that this neighbor speaks of it in
the highest terms; but not remembering his
name, Mr. Frantz is referred to if any are
curious about it. My object is simply to state
a valuable fact. This plant is very common
along the river opposite Marietta, and not
rare on this side, in certain localities. I found
some when in company with Mr. Myers Cur-
rier of this, and took up a few slender roots,
near the limekiln on the Conestoga, a few
miles from the city. In short it is not rare
and ought to be known. It is superior to the
officinal columbo root or any other bitter
known to the medical profession. This asser-
tion may seem strong, but I venture to pre-
dict a fair test will prove me to be correct.
It cannot be well mistaken, although there
are species of smilax and the poison vine that
at first sight might appear similar. The
menisperma however, has the petiole of its
leaves set in a little from its edge, somewhat
peltate, and lias from .3 to 7 angular lobes, the
end or central rib or lobe terminated on the
leaf by a kind of a hook. They are deep
green on the uiiper surface and paler on the
under side. The yellow underground root-
stem (Rizoma) has a bright yellow color. No
milk exudes when a leaf is broken off like in
the poison vine.
I would like to hear from Mr. Frantz or
those who have tested this root.
J. Stauk?-er.
Selections.
THE PHYLLOXERA IN FRANCE.
Its Marvelous Reproductive Powers — -The
Best Means of Checking its Ravages — Su-
perior Resisting Powers of American Vines
—Their Introduction into France Officially
Recommended.
The following is a translation of the official
report (in the form of questions and answers)
recently made on the subject of the phylloxera
by Dr. Menudier, of the Superior Commission
appointed for that purjiose by the French
government. That jiortion of it which re-
fers to the superior resisting qualities of
American vines will be found of especial
interest.
Whence conies the Phylloxera ? Even the old-
est documents Justify the assertion that the
phylloxera had never existed in Europe, wliile,
for a long time past, it has been found in the
United States, causing all European vines to
succumb to its attacks, after having been
planted three or four years. The first points
of attack in Europe have almost invariably
had American stocks near at hand. Every-
thing leads to the belief that the phylloxera
was imported from America on American
plants, and there are now scarely any, save
the importers, who will deny its American
origin.
From what period does the phylloxcra''s inva-
sion of France date ? Its ravages began in 186.3,
at Pujaut, in the Department of Gard. Its
invasion probably dates from about 1860.
At what period was the fact of its presence in
the Charente Tnferietire Department established?
In November, 1873, at Montils, in the Arron-
dissement of Saintes ; but the invasion must
have taken place between 18G8 and 1870, as
some vines had already been pulled up on ac-
count of the phylloxera's ravages.
What is the phylloxera^s line of march? Gen-
erally from south to north.
7s not the phylloxera^s presence due to a dis-
eased condition of the vine, superinduced by its
iceakened, condition, or the exhnustionof the soil?
No: for by placing this insect upon the roots
of very healthy and vigorous vines in a re-
gion previously unattackcd, all the external
symptoms of the disease, and finally the death
of the stock Itself, result.
Is there not reason to hope that the phylloxera
will disappear ? Up to the present time, it is
impossible to discover a single fact permitting
a belief in a result so fortunate.
Have there not been instances where vines in-
fected with the phylloxera have been left unculti-
vated, and have recovered by themselves? No; >
not a single vine really infected with the
phylloxera has, without treatment, been re-
stored to a complete state of health.
What is the extent of the ravages in this {Cha-
arente-Inferieure) Department? Of 168,945
hectares planted in vines in 187.'), 135,400 were
overrun, or appeared to be. at the end of 1877,
and later inquiries prove that the inroads did
not end there. Several thousand hectares of
vines have since been pulled up.
Is not the phylU>xera found, and may it not
subsist, upon other plants ? It ha.s been noticed
that plants the roots of which are mixed with
those of a vine, sometimes carry phylloxera,
but it has been established that it is upon the
vine only that the insect subsists.
JTow is the phylloxera propagated ? In the
months of July, August, and September, it
takes wing, and, either of its own accord, or
carried by the wind, passes in swarms over a
distance of several kilometers, to attack some
fresh point. It penetrates the soil through
the fissures between tlie roots and the earth,
and thus step by step passes from one root to
another, abandoning each as it becomes ex-
hausted. Tools which have been used in
working vines infected with the phylloxera
are also means of its propagation; so, also,
are plants, whether with roots or without.
134
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ September,
Is the phylloxera as prolific as is reported ?
And what are the conditions favorable to its re-
productionf The higlier the temperature, the
greater the deposit of eggs. Entomologists
estimate that, in a southern climate, a single
laying female will, in the course of one spring
and summer, make nine deposits, and, by suc-
cessive hatchings, attain a product of between
twenty-five and twenty-six million phylloxera.
U2}on what parts of the vine does the phylloxera
stay ? On the roots, the bark, the wood and
the leaves.
Upon what part is the winter eggs deposited ?
On the bark, both new and old, on the under
side of the leaves, and even on clumps of
earth.
Has the winter egg been found in this depart-
ment f All search for it has proved fruitless.
Has this winter egg the importance some have
attributed to it f When it was firstdiscovered,
scientists asserted that phylloxera when un-
dergound could not reproduce for a longer
period than one year without the intervention
of the others coming from this winter egg;
and that consequently, by destroying the lat-
ter, tlie destruction of those at the root would
follow. It was upon this assurance that tlie
idea of washing the vines was adopted. But
nnfortunately, it has been demonstrated that
phylloxera underground can reproduce for
three years without any assistance from those
coming from the winter egg, and it takes less
time than that to destroy the vine.
Are there any trench vines that resist the
phylloxera ? No, but there are some it takes
longer to destroy, such as the " Colombard "
and the "Cabernet Sauvignon."
Are there not some soils on which the phyllox-
era does less damage than others ? On land of
which ninety-five per cent, is sand, the ine-
qualities are so great that the phylloxera can
only advance with great difficulty. Upon
such soil consequently the vine can resist for
a very long time.
Are not all other kinds of soil overrun ? All
without exception, from the poorest to the
richest, whether calcareous, silicious, or clay-
ey, are overrun by the phylloxera.
Upon what kind of soil is the phylloxera'' s ad-
vance the most rapid, and upon what kind the
least so ? All calcareous, light, and surface
soils, and those in which the vine is obliged
to put forth roots clearly traceable, are very
unfavorable to resistance and defense. On tlie
other hand, all compact, moist, deep, and
rich soils, into which the vine pushes deep,
are favorable to resisting the phylloxera.
Has the age of a vine any influence upon its re-
sisting powers'? The younger the vine, the
less it resists; the older a vine is, and the
better provided with roots, the longer does it
resist.
Is it prudent, in proportion as vines arc in-
fected with the phylloxera, to replant in other
soil the same stocks as those that have succumbed?
Never up to the present time in a region
infected witli phylloxera, has a plant-
ing of French stocks succeeded; by tlie third
or fourth year they are overrun, and theii'
destruction is very rapid.
How long after the vines are pmlled up do the
phylloxera remain in the soil ? They maintain
themselves three or four years, inasmuch as,
when the vines are pulled up, there still
remain in the earth a certain number of roots.
It is consequently prudent to wait for that
length of time before replanting.
By leaving a wide space between the rows of
vines, may not their preservation be hoped for f
In setting out the rows from three to six
meters apart, the stocks spread out their
roots further, and have at command a mote
abundant nourishment ; and it in fact results
in such cases that their resistance lasts longer,
but they none the less succumb in the end to
the phylloxera's attacks.
Is it not possible to oppose the phylloxera, and
resist its advance by means of manures ? When
a vine has not been attacked, it is very certain
that its ssytem of roots can be augmented by
means of manures, and that there results
therefrom a great vigor, enabling the vine,
when the attack does come, to defend itself for
a longer time. But when a vine has once
been "attacked, and when the extremities of
its roots, which are necessary to absorption,
are partly destroyed, manures In such case
will bring about no good results, unless ac-
companied by insecticides.
By what symptoms may persons unaccustomed
to the phylloxera detect its presence upon a vine ?
In a region where the phylloxera's presence
has been announced, it may be detected as
soon as there are found to be some groups of
stocks the shoots of which are shorter than
tliose of others about them. By digging
about the roots, if they are the least bit eaten
away, there will be seen, in the latter part of
April some little yellowish spots, united by
plagues, and easily visible without the mag-
nifying glass, when one holds the roots up and
looks at them with his back to the sun. By
the aid of the magnifying glass the insects
themselves can be readily distinguished, and,
even if one does not find any, let the extrem-
ities of the roots but show signs of destruc-
tion, or little club-like swellings, and one
may be sure the phylloxera is there, or has
been. In winter, the insects are of a dark
brown, and it requires great difficulty to
detect them, but the ravages made at the
roots attest their presence or their passage.
How much time elapses hettveen the appear-
ance of external symptons of the phylloxera
and its actual invasion ? From one to two
years may be counted on ; less time in weak,
surface soils than in compact, deep ones,
where the external symptoms take longer to
declare themselves.
Are not ivaslwig and stripping of the vines
good methods of opposing the phylloxera?
Washing with coal-tar, or thick oil, mixed
with soap, and diluted with water, has been
resorted to to destroy the phylloxera and
what is called its winter-egg. But the pene-
tration of the fiber of the stock by the impure
pheuic acid contained in the oil has often
caused the death of the stock, a fact which
has necessitated the abandonment of tliis
method. The stripping of the stumps and
branches with a knife rasp, by freeing the
stock of its old bark, upon which are the
phylloxera and its eggs (as well as numerous
other insects, and especially the pyrale), gives
the vine powerful aid in point of healthful-
ness. At high points, and those where vines
do not usually suffer from frost, the stripping
is practicable in November, as the vines are
pruned. In localities suliject to frost vines
maybe stripped, beginning from January 15.
This work costs about 45 "francs per hectare,
and only has to be repeated every three years.
Tlie phylloxera's presence being once estab-
lished is there any practicable and effectual
means for opposing it? Yes: M.Dumas, the
learned Permanent Secretary of the Academy
of Sciences, having determined that the
quantity of air contained in 1,000 liters (one
cubic meter) of earth is about 333 liters, has
demonstrated by frequent experiments that
five or six grammes of sulphuret of carbon
introduced into this cubic meter of earth
amply suffices by evaporization to poison the
333 liters of air so as to kill all the pliylloxera
inhaling it. Sulpliuret of carlion is very
powerful, and it can hardly be hoped any
better agent will be found.
Is not some danger incurred in the use of this-
substance f It is, like alcohol, very inflamma-
ble, and great care should be taken not to
bring a lighted match or anything bm-ning,
near it ; above all when it is shut up in a room,
the latter should be aired before a light is
brought in. Tlie best way to keep it is under
a shed in the open air and sheltered from the
sun.
Has not an attempt been made to render sul-
pihuret of carbon easier to handle and less volatile
by mixing it with other substances ? By making
a heated solution of five parts black soap and
ninety-five parts water, and then, after let-
ting it cool, and at the moment when it is
to be used, mixing equal parts of this soap-
water and sulphuret of carbon in a can while
stirring, a non-inflammable and much less
volatile mixture is obtained. In tlie warm
ison, this is a good step to take, but in the
cold weathe; it may be dispensed with.
How many holes per hectare must be made in
order to thoroughly poison the soil, and what
does it cost? Tlie hectare' containing 10,000
meters, about 20,000 holes should be made.
As a workman can make from 1,200 to 1,600
per diem, the hand-labor costs 36 fr. ; ten
grammes of sulphuret of carbon to each hole,
200 kilos, at 60 francs, 120 fr. ; total 156 fr.
In the warm season, it is prudent to lessen
the quantity of sulphuret of carbon by one-
third, but not the number of holes.
Are all the phylloxera killed by this plan ?
No, but when the application is well and
timely made, a sufficient number of the
insects are destroyed to enable the vine to
sustain itself, and give a good yield.
Is it necessary to apply the treatment to an
entire hectare when only a portion of it is
infected ? From the moment when a spot is
discovered, dig around the roots that are
infected, inclose them with stakes, and in-
cluded in the treatment a certain number of
healthy stocks ; for instance, if 25 or 30
stocks are attacked, 100 or 150 about them
should be treated. The expense for an entire
hectare, considering the yield of the vines,
and the prices of vines, would evidently be
too great, but it should be remarked that the
owner of a single hectare would at first only
have to treat a twentieth or a tenth of his
vines, and that if he can stop the phylloxera's
propagation, and keep his vines some years
longer, he will be doing well.
Boes a single application of this remedy
suffice? If the vine is but little infected, a
single treatment may possibly suffice ; but in
cases where the wood of the vine is reduced
to 50 or 60 centimeters in length, it is neces-
sary to apply the treatment twice, once in the
course of the winter after the vintage, and
once in the spring.
Are there soils in which sidphuret of carbon
is more or less active, and are there instances in
which resistance is apt to prove so difficult that it
would be more prudent not to attempt it ? Ex-
perience indicates that in light calcareous
soils, possessing a vegetal earth of 15 or 20
centimeters, with a rocky subsoil, sulphuret
of carbon diffuses itself poorly and evaporates
in part only, with so much pure loss, and
aflbrding no advantage. But in clayey,
moist, and deep soils it diffuses itself quite
regularly and effects good results, which is all
the better, since it is upon such soils that are
usually found the heavy-yielding vines, which
will bear an outlay that the others would not.
Has temperature any influence upon the action
of this remedy ? Sulphuret acts with all the
more certainty in proportion as the tempera-
ture is low and the soil moist.
What happens ivhen insectides are injected
upon a pAant in full vegetation ? Usually there
is a stoppage of vegetation for several days,
and this is the more perceptible in proportion
as the vine is severely attacked ; beyond tliis,
the good results of the application scarcely
make themselves apparent before the follow-
ing year, as the stocks have to renew their
roots which have been destroyed.
Hotv far apart shoidd the holes be ? Whether
the vines be planted close together, or sepa-
rated by passage ways of two or three meters,
all the land attacked a,nd a little more should
be treated, and holes made for 65 or 70 centi-
meters in all directions, which would make
about 20,000 to the hectare.
How deep shoidd these holes be ? From 25 to
40 centimeters.
How far does the vapor of the sulphuret de-
posited in the soil extend? Practical results
indicate that the vapor does not remain con-
fined about the holes ; the scientific experi-
ments of the Paris, Lyons and Mediterranean
Railway Co., directed by Mr. Maurion, have
demonstrated that under the most favorable
condition it spreads nearly two meters in a
horizontal direction, and downward to a
depth at which it reaches nearly all the phyl-
loxera.
Has not srdpho-carbonate of potash also been
used against the phylloxera f And what is the
1879.J
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
135
method of vsing it? Sulpho-carbonato of
potash, according to the learned M. Dunius,
contains from 15 to 18 per cent, of sulpliuret
of carbon and the same proportion of potash.
It is not inflammable, and is more easily
handled than sulpliuret of carbon. It acls
not (mly by means of the latter substance, but
also by means of the potash, which is the
special manure of the vine. Its application
by injectors involves the inconvenience of
rapidly spoilin}; the instruments, and render-
ing them unfit for use. Messrs. Dumas and
Monillefert employ it as follows : When the
stocks are laid bare, about TjO Kranimcs of
sulpho-carbonate of potash are poured on ;
they are then watered with from 5 to 10 liters
of water, and covered up again. In general,
the results of this plan are very satisfactory,
but the cost, by reason of the hand-labor, the
carrying of water, and the u.se of sulpho-car-
bonate of potash, is much highe* than that of
sulpliuret of carbon. The former, being
much less easily evaporated than the lattei',
offers a certain advantage in the warm
season, but not sufficient, perhaps, to compen-
sate for its increased cost.
What is the cost of the sulpho-carbonate of
potash treatment ?
For a single' application there are required
50 grammes to the superficial meter, or 500
kilogrammes at (10 francs, 300 francs ; water
and hand-labor estimated at 200 francs ; total,
500 francs. Or about five francs per are. By
adding to these expenses the ordinary ones, it
will be seen at a glance whether the yield of
our vines is adequate to cover them.
7s it necessary to manure vines that hare been
treated by ivsecticMes f
The vine attacked by the phylloxera grows
feeble and becomes diseased, and it is highly
necessary to strengthen it by manures in
which potash dominates, azote and phos-
phoric acid in the proportion of two and three
per cent, sulphate of iron or green copperas
about five per cent. As a potassic and phos-
phoric manure, cinders of Isle of Resea weed
may be used In doses of 200 grammes per
stock. Soot has also a good efl'ect. Stassfurt
salts, in which chloruret of potash predomi-
nates, may (in doses of from one to two hun-
dred granjmes) be placed around the foot of
the stock to help the formation of the new
roots. In this way insecticides and manures
should go side by side, if it is sought to obtain
a satisfactory result.
Hare endeavors to f^ht the phyllorera by means
of insecticides and manures been made to some
extent in this department ?
Upon the Plaud-Chermignac property,
about G kilometers from Saintes, there is a
vineyard some 30 hectares and 50 ares in area,
which for six years has been overrun by the
phylloxera. The soil is very varied, in some
places the calcareous and the plastic, clayey
soils lie side by side, and it is very easy to
observe the diverse results obtained according
to the nature and depth of the different soils.
All the patches of vines, without exception,
have been attacked by the phylloxera, and
have been treated with sulphuret of carbon
and sulpho-carbonate of potash. In compar-
ing the vines that have undergone treatment
with the neighbors' vines that have remained
without treatment, one cannot help seeing the
good results of the use of "insecticides in con-
junction with manures.
Is not submersion a certain means of destroying
the phylloxera?
Submersion of the stocks for forty days is
unquestionably a certain means of destroying
nearly all the iihylloxera on a vine. But to
adopt this method the land must be low,
pervious on top, impervious beneath, and
located in the vicinity of water. In our
climate, where in low lands vines very easily
freeze, arreat care is taken not to plant them
there, and consequently submersion can
■ seldom be resorted to hereabouts. It should
also be noticed that as soon as a proprietor
submerges a vine be moistens the soil of his
neighbor, who, in cas^ie wants no water, has
a right to complain, aW may bring suit, as is
at present the case near Libourne. Submer-
sion, moreover, under any favorable circum-
stances involves an expense of about 150
francs per hectare. It should not be forgotten
that to this expense, annually repeated, must
be added the cost of manures, which are in
such a case indisjieusable, as the soil is infused
with lye by the use of the water.
Since Fiench vines do not mthaland the phyl-
loxera's attacks, woxdct it not be possible by sovntiij
to f^itain some new species that resist better, or to
graft French cuttings upon French vild vines f
All attempts of this character, made and
repeated at various points, have caused noth-
ing but disappointment and deception.
Jl appearing lltut Ihe iinlhods of fighting the
phylloxera by irisei-licidi-s, iiianiires, and submer-
sion lire not ulti mleil niH, profit in this locality,
except ill riia.s nf r!i,e.i planted in soil of consider-
able di pill, run III, re not be found in the rcsistaiice
ofl'ereil tin- }'liiiUnf, rit by certain American slockx
a more irniinni'ii'il nay to the preservation of our
oivn f And to begin with, is the resistance of these
American stocks real f
For fourteen or fifteen years past, in the
Departments of Gard and Gironde, the stock
called "Jacquez" has resisted very well, in the
midst of the phylloxera's ravages, and given
good yields long after the native stocks have
succumbed. The "Ilerbemont," the "Cun-
ningham," the "Taylor," the "York Made-
ira," and the "Vitis Solonis," after being
planted six or seven years in the very focus of
the phylloxera's attacks, are resisting, and
show a very handsome growth, while the other
stocks have succumbed.
M'ill this resistance be permanent ?
A resistance which in the case of the
"Jacquez" has existed for fifteen years, in the
case of the others for six or seven years, and
which has always existed in America, offers
almost indisputable assurance for the future,
and no argument or facts why it should prove
otherwise can be discovered.
Is the "Clinton," which is quite widely planted,
irorthy of recommendation f
Wlien planted in rich, fresh soil it sustains
itself passably well ; but deprived of these
conditions it does not resist the phylloxera.
It gives, too, a poor wine, with a foxy taste.
This stock has been abandoned by all good
wine growers.
How is the resistance of American slocks ex-
plained f
The fiber of American resisting roots is, ac-
cording to M. Foex, much denser and closer
than that of our European vines, and turns
into wood (lignifies) much more quickly. So
that in the American roots the phylloxera's
puncture only attacks the outer bark, upon
which it produces little excrescences which
fall off like warts. In the case of French
roots its puncture causes decay, Some stocks,
such as the "Jacquez," especially, the "Iler-
bemont," and the "Cunningham," can be
planted and will yield wine without being
grafted. They possess a resisting power
equal to every test. The "Jacquez," when
cultivated in this locality, blooms and ripens
at the same time with the wild grape ; it
produces a good red wine of a very dark color
and is highly valued by the trade. It is not
difficult of cultivation as regards choice of
soil. Its grapes, when ripe, keep for a long
time without decaying. Up to the present
time it is a stock against which nothing can
be said. The "Herbemont" yields a fine red
wine, not very dark in color. It blooms six
or seven days later than the "Jacquez," and
at the same time with the "Balzar." We shall
know this year whether it ripens in this
climate, which, however, is probable. It
would be a very good vine to plant in our dry,
calcareous, and stony soils, in which it flour-
ishes and grows extremely vigorous. The
"Cunningham" produces at once, and quite a
good wine, something like Madeira. In 1878
it bloomed in this locality ten or eleven days
later than the "Jacquez." We shall not be
decided until the fall as to its period of ma-
turity. Other American stocks yielding wine
at once are under trial.
7s there not some difficulty about the "Jacquez,"
the "Ilerbemont," and the "Cunningham" taking
rootf
In 1877, in this locality, the "Jacquez" and
the "IlerU'mont," being placed in nursery
and in fresh soil, yieUled a return of 70 per
cent. The "Cunningham" yielded less. The
"Kiparia," the "Wild Cordifolia," the
"Taylor," the "York Madeira," and the
"Vitis Solonis" have great powers of resist-
ance to the phylloxera, but yield so little wine
that they should be used only to bear graft-
ings from French stocks. They have 'the
advantage of taking root very easily.
What is the best method for yraf ting French vinei
on the American onest
Joining a French and American slip, by
means of the "English graft," and placing
them in the nurs ry for tlie winter and
spring. In the following year those that have
been successful arc carefully taken up and set
out, either with slats or in pots. Another
good way is this: The American cuttings,
after having been put in the nursery in winter
or spring, are taken up, the French slips are
then grafted upon them (by the English plan),
and they are then .set out. Success in this
way is almost certain. A third way consists
in planting the American slips permanently
in the vineyard, and then, in the second year,
grafting the native cuttings upon them,
whether by slitting or by the English plan.
7s there not some danger that French stocks
grafted upon American ones will yield an inferior
quality of wine f
Experience has already pronounced in favor
of French fruit trees and vines ; and the wines
coming from French stocks grafted upon
American ones are absolutely the same as if
they had not been grafted.
What, in short, is the best course to follow when
a vineyard is attacked f
If the vineyard is on surface soil, and the
spots on the vines not very numerous, try to
oppose the phylloxera in lavorable weather
by sulphuret of carbon or sulpho-carbonate of
potash, so as at least to retard its inroads and
damages. If the vineyard is on deep, moist,
and compact soil, struggle perseveringly and
incessantly. The outlay will be repaid with
interest ; for those who are able to preserve
their vines longest may be sure of bein»
largely remunerated for'their advances and
labor. On surface as well as on deep soil do
not hesitate to establish at once nureeries of
American resisting vines, whether for the
purpose of producing wine from them at once
or for use in bearing grafts of French stocks.
T17in( should be done in a section not yet over-
Manure the vines and cultivate them care-
fully ; and if chere is any ground not in use,
sow the grape stnnen of American stocks, so as to
be ready to start a second vineyard, and
thereby not be taken unawares. In sowing
grape stones there is absolutely no risk
whatever of introducing the phylloxera,
while, on the other hand, it would be ex-
tremely imi)rudent to introduce into any non-
infected section in this locality, either Ameri-
can or French stocks coming from regions
already infected.— Scienfi^c American.
AMONG THE NEWER STRAWBER-
HIES.
Eds. Country Gentleman.— In this
vicinity the season of 187'J has been a very
favorable one for the strawberry. A some-
what protracted drouth in May threatened
serious injury to the crop, but copious showers
about the first of June, at the time the
berries were setting, secured a fair crop of
finer fruit than is usually seen. In the
Rochester market immense quantities of
strawberries have been handled. As an
instance of this, I quote from the "Union" of
recent date as follows : "The sale of straw-
berries during the past few days has been
unprecedented, and a leading groceryman
informed a reporter of this paper, that the
day before yesterday he sold 2,500 quarts ;
yesterday he disposed of 4,000, and this
morning before eight o'clock he had sold 1,500
quarts. When we consider the large quantity
many other grocerymen like the above must
have sold, together with what the dealers
136
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ September,
shipped out of town, we will find that the
daily sales of strawberries have been unusu-
ally large." At Cleveland, where the fruit is
cultivated on a more extensive scale than at
Rochester, the sales are said to have amounted
to 2,000 bushels a day. Besides an increasing
demand, it is gratifying to note that the
larger and finer-flavored varieties are becom-
ing better known and appreciated. When
Wilson was selling at six cents a quart, S/iarjj-
less sold for twelve, and Trioniphe de Gand,
Jucunda, Cumberland Triumph and Monarch,
for eight and ten cents. Of such varieties
there has not been nearly enough fruit to
satisfy the demand, and growers will consult
their interests by giving more attention to
the larger and better kinds.
The favorable season has afforded us a fine
opportunity to test the many new varieties
now on trial. These novelties have revived
the interest in strawberry culture, and all
over the country there are enthusiastic ama-
teurs and growers who are waiting anxiously
for the result of the year's experience. We
propose to give ours as briefly as possible.
Arranging the sorts alphabetically, Cinder-
ella first claims attention. It is one of Mr.
Felton's seealings, and was sent out in 1876.
The fruit is of medium to large size, conical,
regularly formed, and of a bright, glossy-
scarlet color ; flesh firm, solid, with a mild,
rich, aromatic flavor; plant vigorous and
prolific. It is a handsome strawberry, and in
quahty fully equal to, if not better, than
'Iriomphe de Gand. It will undoubtedly prove
very desirable for the amateur's garden.
Contintntal, another of Mr. Pelton's seedlings,
and sent out with the above, is of medium
to large size, obtusely conical, regularly
formed, and of a dark red, almost black color
when fully ripe ; flesh firm and of fair quality,
but inferior to Cinderella ; plant vigorous and
very productive. Crescent Seedling, which
appeared so promising last year, has disap-
pointed us greatly this season— not in pro-
ductiveness, but in quality. Nevertheless, it
is an improvement on tlfe Wilson, and having
proved to be wonderfully prolific, must on
that account still claim a good deal of atten-
tion as a market berry. Captain Jack is
another variety, the quality of which does not
rank high, and it has the serious fault of
overbearing. A large portion of its fruit
does not mature sufficiently to render it
marketable. Grown in hills under high
culture, it may be of great value m some
localities. In Ohio, several strawberry-
growers esteem it very highly, some going so.
far as to call it the best variety. Cumberland
Triumph is one of the newer varieties which,
with us, has proved a real acquisition. The
fruit is large, regular, very uniform, and of a
beautiful bright red color ; unquestionably
one of the handsomest berries known. In
quality it is good ; plant vigorous and pro-
ductive. It is not firm enough to ship long
distances, but will be valuable for home
market on account of its uniform size and at-
tractive appearance. Duncan, of medium
size, has an exceedingly agreeable flavor, and
may be regarded as a valuable addition to the
list of good garden sorts. Duchess is early,
and the fruit large and handsome. In quality
it can only be rated as good, but is worthy of
culture on account of its size and earliness.
The plants are not productive enough to
render it a profitable market variety. Forest
Base is of large size and fine quality. The
plant is a strong grower and quite productive.
It promises well either for garden or field
culture, and we are pleased to rate it as a real
acquisition. We place it next to the Sharp-
less in value.
Glendale, one of the latest introductions,
has not fruited upon our grounds, but a fine
exhibition of the fruit was made at the
Nurserymen's Convention lately held in
Cleveland, where I had the pleasure of seeing
and testing it. The fruit is large, conical,
and of a bright red color ; flesh flrm'and of a
moderate flavor. Its size and appearance
may render it valuable as a market fruit, but
we do not think it will ever become popular
for the amateur's garden. A trial of it at
home may change our opinion. Golden Defi-
ance, raised by Mr. Miller, originator of the
Cumberland Triumph, is a large berry, round-
ish, regular, and of a dark crimson color ;
flesh moderately firm, solid, of delicate tex-
ture, and of fair quality. The fruit stalks are
remarkably short, which is a serious objec-
tion-; plant vigorous and moderately pro-
ductive. It ripens late, and may be valuable
on that account. Great American has not
improved much in my estimation. It is quite
productive, but a larger proportion of the
berries do not attain full size. Probably if
planted near a variety with abundance of
pollen, it might do better. A well-known
strawberry-grower says: "Plant the Forest
Rose near it, and you are sure of a good crop. "
The berry is high flavored, and may be worthy
of further trial. It should be grown in hills,
and must have good culture. Miner's Great
Prolific is large to very large, roundish, and
of a bright crimson color, but the flesh is soft
and deficient in flavor. On account of its size
and fine appearance I consider it worthy of
farther trial. President Lincoln averages
large to very large, irregular, and of a bright
glossy red color ; flesh moderately firm, with a
marked hautbois flavor, rendering it very
desirable for the garden. Sharpless is un-
questionably the best new strawberry. This
was my opinion last year, and every report
received thus far proves that I was not mis-
taken. We planted largely of it this last spring
for ^market. Springdale, another of Mr.
Miller's seedlings, did not do well with us last
year, but has borne a good crop of fine fruit
this season. In hot, dry weather the plants
sometimes suffer. We think enough of it to
give it another trial. Star of the West is un-
productive, and therefore of no value. Cen-
tennial, Favorite, Pioneer, Beauty, Glossy
Cone, all of them Durand's seedlings, have
not yet been sufficiently tested to give a fair
opinion of them. Champnon, Crystal City,
Windsor Chief and Damask Beauty, must
fruit again before their value can be deter-
mined. Longfellow, a new seedling raised by
A. D. Webb, of Kentucky, was shown at
Cleveland. The fruit was large and hand-
some, but the quality not of the highest char-
acter.— W. C. Barry, Mt. Hope Nurseries,
Rochester, N. Y.
VALUABLE ADVICE.
What to Do
1. Child two years old has an attack of
croup at night. Doctor at a distance. What
is to be done ?
The child should be immediately undressed,
and put in a warm bath. Then give an
emetic, composed of one part of antimony
wine to two of ipecac. The dose is a tea-
spoonful. If the antimony is not at hand
use warm water, mustard and water, or any
other simple emetic ; dry the child, and wrap
it carefully in a warm blanket.
2. Hired girl sprained her knee violently.
First bathe in warm water, then put the
white of an egg in a saucer, stir with a piece
of alum the size of a walnut until it is in a
thick jelly ; place a portion of it on a piece of
lint or tow large enough to cover the sprain,
changing it as often as it seems warm or dry;
the limb is to be kept in a horizontal position
by placing it on a chair.
3. Bees swarm, and the man who hives
them gets severely stung in the face.
The sting of a bee is hollow and barbed,
and as it contains poison, the first thing to be
done is to remove it. The part stung should
then be bathed in warm water, and a little
ammonia be rubbed in.
4. Some one's nose bleeds, and cannot be
stopped.
Take a plug of lint, moisten, dip in equal
parts of powdered alum and gum arable, and
insert in the nose. Bathe the forehead in
cold water.
.5. The child eats a piece of bread on which
arsenic has been placed for killing rats.
Give plenty of warm water, new milk in
large quantities, gruel, linseed tea, foment
the bowels. Scrape iron rust off' anything,
mix with warm water, and give in large
draughts frequently. Never give large
draughts of fluid until those given before
have been vomited, because the stomach will
not contract properly if filled, and the object
is to get rid of the poison as quickly as pos-
sible.
6. Young lady sits in draught, and comes
home with a bad sore throat.
Wrap flannel around the throat, keep out
of draughts and sudden changes of atmos-
phere, and every half hour take a pinch of
chlorate of potash, place it on the tongue and
allow it to dissolve in the mouth.
7. Nurse suffers from a whitlow on her "
finger.
Place the whitlow in water as hot as can be
borne, then pbultice with hnseed meal, taking
care to mix a little grease within the poultice,
to prevent it from growing hard. Bathe and
poultice morning and evening.
8. Child falls backward against a tub of
boiling water, and is much scalded.
Carefully undress the child, lay it on a bed
on its breast as the back is scalded, be sure
all draughts are excluded, then dust over the
parts scalded bi-carbonate of soda, lay muslin
over it, then make a tent, by placing two
boxes with a board over them in the bed, to
prevent the covering from pressing on the
scald ; cover up warm.
9. Mower cuts driver's leg as he is thrown
from the seat.
Put a tight bandage around the limb, above
the cut, slip a cork under it, in the direction
of a line drawn from the inner part of the
knee to a little outside of the groin. Draw
the edges of the cut together with sticking
plaster.
10. Child has a bad earache.
Dip a plug of cotton wool in olive oil, warm
it and place it in the ear. Wrap up the head
and keep out of the draft.
11. Youth goes to skate, falls into an air
hole ; brought home insensible.
Strip the body and rub it dry ; then rub
with a warm blanket and place in a warm
room. Cleanse away froth and mucus from
the nose and mouth. Apply warm bottles,
bricks, etc., to the armpits, between the
thighs and the soles of the feet. Rub the
surface of the body with the hand incased in
a warm, dry, worsted sock ; to restore breath-
ing close the nostrils and breathe steadily
into the mouth ; inflate the lungs till the
breast be raised a little, then set the nostrils
free and press gently on the breast until signs
of life appear. Then give a warm drink and
put to bed. Do not give up all hope for at
least three hours after the accident.
12. Child gets sand in his eyes.
Place your forefinger on the cheekbone,
having the child before you ; then draw up
your finger and you will probably remove it ;
but if you cannot get at the sand in this way,
repeat the operation while you have a knitting
needle laid against the eyelids ; this will turn
the lid inside out, and then the sand may be
removed with a silk handkerchief. Bathe in
cold water and exclude the light for a day.
PLANTING AND TRANSPLANTING.
The well-known three requisites for the
g ermination of seeds, are heat, air and
moisture, but not light. In a cold soil they
remain dormant ; it too dry they will not
sprout ; and if buried deep and compactly
beyond the action of the air, no movement
toward growth takes place. The small seeds
of weeds often remain in the soil for years
w hen turned under deep by the plow ; when
br ought again to the surface, the new and co-
pio us growth which at once takes place has
led superficial observers to the erroneous no-
tion that they have sprung up spontaneously.
Nurserymen sometimes keep peach-stones
dormant a year, when they happen to have a
surplus, by placing th^ two feet under the
soil till needed. Th^epth for planting must
depend largely on the size of the seed ; and
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
137
the general rule has been given to bury them
from three to five times as deep as tlieir
Uiameler. This rule will vary somewhat witli
the nature and condition of the soil. If licavy
and moist, the depth should be less than in a
light, dry and porous soil. In a moist, well-
pulverized soil, most seeds, whether large or
small, will grow if merely covered and kept
moist ; but this coudition cainiot be coinnion-
ly continued, as a few dry and warm days
will dry the surface of the soil and pirvcnt
the germinatiou of the seed. Hence the
common practice to vary this rule with
circumstances. Corn, planted early in the
season when the ground is moist, will grow
freely if buried only an inch deep ; but under
ordinary circumstances two inches will be
better. It will find its way feebly to the sur-
face after many days when buried six inches
below. Early in autumn, when winter wheat
is sown or drilled in, the soil is usually much
drier than in corn-planting time, and for this
reason : although the seeds are smaller than
grains of corn, it should be placed at a depth
of two inches. In a dry spring, corn should
be planted deeper than in a wet one, and the
old practice of pressing each hill witli the hoe
when the work was done by hand, was
useful when the soil was dry. When planting
is done with a machine, a roller to follow the
tube would be useful in dry weather.
in a dry season, as the present has been in
many places, much care is required to impart
suflicient moisture to seeds when planted.
If the particles of soil arc dry, the small
grains or lumps \^iich compose it will touch
the seed only at a few points, and the chances
for its germination will be small. Even itj
moistened by a shower, the water will touch
the seed only at a few points of contact. It
is better, therefore, to plant seed after a
shower than before it, as the soil is rendered
moist and yielding, and, pressing the whole
surface of the seed, causes germination at
once. On this principle, experiment has
shown that under common conditions seeds
grow much better if planted after than before
the rain. The exceptions are, when the soil
has been so liuely pulverized tliat it cases the
seed well on all sides while yet drv ; and when
the rain is so copious that it fills with water
for a suflicient time the interstices which sur-
round the seed.
An interesting experiment was reported by
Peter Henderson at the late nurserymen's
convention at Cleveland, showing the im-
portance of compactly enclosing the .seed with
the soil. Early in July he sowed twelve rows
of sweet corn and twelve rows of beets,
treading in the seed after sowing in every
alternate row. In both cases, those which
were trodden in came up in four days, while
the others remained twelve days befors start-
ing, and would not then have germinated had
not rain fallen, for the soil was quite dry
when they were planted. The seeds that
were trodden grew freely from the start, and
matured their crops for market by fall. The
undertrodden rows did not mature, as they
were eight days later in starting, and the
plants were partly feebled besides.
The same general rules apply in some
degree to the setting out of vegetables, and in
transplanting trees. If the soil is dry, it will
not come in contact with the whole surface of
the roots unless finely pulverized and firmly
pressed against them, and this process is
assisted by pouring in water to soften the soil,
taking care to cover she surface finally with
pulverized earth. Some writers prescribe the
use of water in transplanting in all cases,
whatever the condition may be ; others as
uniformly object to the practice. The truth
is, the rule should be adapted to circum-
stances, and every planter should have in-
telligence and experience enough to know
when each course would be advisable. Mr.
Henderson, in the article above quoted, says
he sent a dozen rose-bushes to a lady at
Savannah, and he subsequently r(^ceived a
woful story of the death of every one, with
the singular exception of one on which a fat
and heavy man had accidentally trodden.
This awkwardnesss on his part pressed the
dry soil about the roots and saved it ; the
others, loosely buried in dry earth, perished.
In conclusion wo may give the following
brief extniets from Mr. Henderson's remarks:
Experienced professional horticulturists,
however, are less likely to neglect this witli
plants than in the case of seeds, for the
damage from such neglect is easier to be seen,
and hence bettor understood. But with the
iiiiexperienced amateur, the case is dill'ereut.
When he receives his package of trees or
plants from the nurseryman, he handles them
as if they were glass; every bniken twig or
root calls forth a complaint, and he iiroeeeds
to plant them gingerly, straightening out each
root, and silling the soil around them, but he
would no more stamp down that soil than he
would staini) on the soil of his mother's grave.
So the iilant, in nine cases out often, is left
lo se and \v;iggling, the dry air penetrates
through the soil to its roots, the winds shake
it, and it shrivels up and fails to grow.
It has often been a wonder to many of us
who have been workers in the soil for a gen-
eration, how some of the simplest methods of
culture have not been practiced sooner. I
never pass through a year but I nm confound-
ed to find that some operation can not only be
quicker done, but better done, than we have
been in the habit of doing it. These im-
provements loom up from various causes, but
mainly from suggestions thrown out by our
employees in charge of special departments—
a system which we do all in our power to en-
courage.
As a proof of the value of such improve-
ments which lead to simplifying our opera-
tions, I will state the fact that though my
area of greenhouse surface is now more than
double that which it was in 1870, and the land
used in our florist's business is one-third
more, yet the number of hands employed is
less now than in 1870, and at the same time
the quality of our stock is infinitely better
now than then. — Country Gentleman.
THE OUTLOOK FOR HOGS.
The new live-stock paper in St. Louis, in
its first issue reviewed the prospects and con-
dition of the hog crop of the country, saying :
"In view of the anticipated yield of corn
throughout the corn producing states of the
west, which at the present promises to be more
than an ordinary one, it is well to consider
the probable prices of hogs during the coming
fall and winter months. During the last
packing seiison, the producers considered the
prices ruinously low, and many were the de-
clarations that they could not and would not
raise hogs again for such prices. Yet, not-
withstanding that, the small advance in prices
at the beginning of the summer packing
season was sufficient inducement to cause
heavy enough receipts to enable packers to cut
about 1.50,000 more hogs since March 1st this
year than during the corresponding time last
year. From but few sections of the country
have there come reports of sickness. And as
it is well known that the hog is a very prolific
animal the question arises, how can the pro-
ducer expect higher prices, when all things
tend to inilicate a greater supply of hogs at
all of the larger cities this year than last, and
no additional outlet for all products? It is
true that throughout Great Britain the
prospects are for very short crops, which of
course, means a corresponding decrease in the
number of cattle, hogs and sheep that will be
prepared for market, and this may cause the
export of meat to be larger than last year, and
if it is so, it may afford a temporary relief,
but the abundant corn crop, and the increase
in the supply of hogs will render it only
temporary, unless the t^dc with that country
should be greatly in excess of last year."
The Kansas City Price C>trr»nt of last week
(piotes the above and makes comment as
follows :
AVe think the Journal unncccessarily
alarmed as to the prices of hogs the coming
season. While the hog crop west of the Mis-
sissippi river promises to be a larger one than
last year, the states ea.st of it will have fewer
hogs than in 1878. The state auditor of
Illinois reports a decrease in the number of
bogs taxed this year of 3.'?1,673. Ohio also
rei)orts a shortage of 209,702, total 6:51,436.
In Kentucky and Tennessee hog raising is
being gradually abandoned as uniirofitable and
the supply from those states must fall much
short of 1S78. Nor is this all. The corn crop
in soutliern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Ken-
tucky from all reports must be a short one,
hence everything in those states has tended
to discourage hog raising. In the country
west oftlie Mississippi hog brcedingissteadily
on the increase. The g;im, however, in this
has not jjceii sullicic iitly large to balance the
lo.ss in the states east of us. Iowa reports a
g;un this year 79,316 and Nebraska 6.5,8.31.
Ueports from Kansas and Missouri have not
yet been received, but estimating the increase
in these two states at 1.50,000 we have a total
of2'.)5,147 in the four leading states west of
the Mississippi against a loss in the two
leading hog states east of the Mississippi of
031, 43o. It would be well to bear in mind
that many of the hogs tliat appear in these
reports have already been marketed, thus
further curtailing the winter supply. While
we in the new west will probably have a
larger sujjply of hogs than last year, the crop
of the entire western .states shows indications
of a shortage, rather than an increase; hence
there is no just grounds for fears of over pro-
duction, and feeders will find it to their
interest to keep cool and fully mature their
hogs before marketing and not allow them-
.sclves to be frightened into disposing of their
stock in a green or half-ripe condition.
The hog crop of 1877 was held back by
farmers wlio refused to believe that they
must accept the low prices current in the fall
and early winter of that year. AVhen the
year 1878 opened and it was found that prices
were still shrinking, the farmers began to
"cut loose," and there followed a rush of hogs
such as had never before been known. La.st
year, warned by the experience of 1877,
farmers let their hogs go early in the winter,
and a heavy part of the crop was marketed
before New Year's day. These facts served
to make the croj) of 1878 remarkably heavy,
but it should not be forgotten that the reports
of that year include stock which should have
been credited to 1877. It is our belief that
the general healtlifulness of the stock, the
extension of the business of hog raising in
the newer west, and the unequaled and
altogether wonderful corn crop will combine
to give us as many fat marketable hogs this
as we had last year.
THE SUN.
Professor Rudolph, in a lengthy paixir on
the sun, says: "It is a molten or white hot
mass, equaling in bulk 1,200,000 worlds like
our own, having a surrounding ocean of gas
on flre 50,000 miles deep, flame darting up-
ward more than .50,000 miles, volcanic forces
that hurl into the solar atmosphere luminous
matter to the height of 1(50,000 miles, draw-
ing to itself all the worlds belonging to our
family of planets, and holding them all in
their proper places ; attracting with such su-
perior force the millions of solid stray masses
that are wandering in the fathomless abyss
that they rush helplessly toward him, and fall
into his fieiy embrace. And thus he continues
his sublime and resistless march through his
mighty orbit, having a period of more than
18,000,000 years."
CLOVES.
Cloves are the dried flowers of a beautiful
tree that grows in the East Indies. Its cul-
ture is principally confined to the Island of
Zanzibar. After being gathered, the cloves
are prepared for shipment by smoking them
on hurdles covered with matting, near a slow
wood fire, to give them a brown color, and
they are further dried in the sun. They may
be cut ofl" from the flower-branches, and will
be found to be purple colored within, and fit
to be packed in bales for the market.
iSS
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[September
Our Local Organizations.
LANCASTER COUNTY AGRICULTU-
RAL AND HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.
The Agricultural Society met statedly in their
rooms on Monday afternoon, Sept. 8th, at the usual
hour.
Tlie following members and visitors were present:
Calvin Cooper.President,Bird-in-Hand; H. M. Engle,
Marietta; Jos. F. Witmer, Paradise; Levi \V. Groff,
West Earl ; M. D. Kendl^;, Manor : C. M . Hostetter,
Eden; Dr. S. S. Rathvoia, city; Israel L. Landls,
city; W. W. Griest, city; Frank R. Diffenderffer,
city; J. C. Linville, Salisbury: Rev. D. C. Tobias,
Lititz; C.A.Gast, city; Peter S. Reist, Lititz; Jacob
Bollinger, Warwick ; Johnson Miller, Warwick ;
Levi S. Reist, Manheim ; Ephraim L. Hoover, Man-
heim ; J. M. Johnston, city ; Henry Wissler, Colum-
bia ; Mr. Copenheffer, West Hempfield ; Peter Her-
shey, city; Peter E. Hershey, Intercourse; Harry
Cooper, city : M. Geisenberger, city ; W.H. Brosius,
Drumore ; Daniel Smeych, city; C. L. Hunsecker,
Manbeim; A. F. Hostetter, city; Elias Hershey, Par-
adise; J. W. Bruckhart, Salunga; Jacob B. Garber,
Columbia.
Report of Committee.
Dr. S. S. Rathvon, from the committee on general
management, said one hundred posters had been
printed and distributed ; three hundred premium
lists were also printed and sent out. There are
enough tickets somewhere to answer the needs of
the society; probably the librarian has them. He also
made a number of other suggestions relating to the
conduct of the proposed exhibition.
The President suggested that it might be advisable
to suspend the usual business to take up that con-
nected with the Exhibition. Deferred for the
present.
The Crops.
J. C. Linville reported great improvement in the
corn crop. Late corn will make a pretty good crop
and so will late potatoes. Tobacco has improved
much during JJie past five weeks. Clover was near-
ly scorched out and will be poor next spring. Ap-
ples, pears and grapes are all light.
H. M. Engle said the case was about as described
by Mr. Linville. The rains have improved things
very much. The young clover is a failure. Old
fields, however, have revived. Corn is nearly an ave-
rage crop. Potatoes are doing well. Apples are
short and pears a good crop. Peaches are a good
crop nearly everywhere. The rain fall for the month
of August was 5 3-16 inches. With all this rain fall
there was no time when the ground could not be
worked .
Johnson Miller said wheat and oats were an ave-
rage yield. Corn and tobacco have improved won-
derfully where properly attended . Apples are scarce.
Peaches are a full crop; pears an average one; grapes
a full one.
M . D. Kendig said the corn would be a heavy crop.
The tobacco crop will be the largest for years. Ap-
ples are scarce. Pears a tolerable yield. Rain fall
in Manor for August six and three-tenths inches.
Joseph F. Witmer reported the yield of wheat per
acre as good. Pasture fields are good. Tobacco is
very good. There will be an average crop of corn.
Some fields are badly washed. Farmers are well
on with their plowing. No seeding done.
The Coming Fair.
Israel L. Landis, from the committee on the com-
ing fair, said the committee had not yet organized .
J. F. Witmer wished to know whether the Secre-
tary was to provide the necessary books for the use
of the several committees.
Ephraim L. Hoover, another of the committee of
arrangements, reported that he had visited many
manufacturers and all had agreed to exhibit. A
meeting of the committee was called by mistake for
this afternoon, forgetting that to-day was the regu-
lar meeting time of the Society. He also inquired
concerning the printing of tickets.
Johnson Miller thouuht if any of the former tick-
ets were left, Mr. Alexander Harris had them.
H. M. Engle suggested an exhibition bv numbers
and not by names, which would put fruits and every-
thing else strictly on their merits. Judges are but
human, after all.
Levi S. Reist thought the names of exhibitors
ought to be on their exhibits. All have pride in
their productions; it is not satisfactory to have the
exhibits passed without names.
J. C. Linville also believed the names should beon
the exhibits. The Judges might act at once, and
then the names of the exhibitors might be attached,
which would satisfy both conditions.
Peter S. Reist was in favor of attaching the names
of exhibitors. The exhibit was in reality an adver-
tisement, and this would be done away with by the
proposed system of numbers.
A number of other persons took part in this dis-
cussion, the burden of opinion being in favor of the
same system.
A statement was made that the Oxford society
found it harmful to attach names.
Johnson Miller moved that the committee of ar-
rangements be instructed to put the names of exibi-
tors on the several exhibits, and the motion was
adopted.
Shall a Fee be Charged for Exhibits ?
J. C. Linville heard complaints from exhibitors who
were compelled to pay an exhibition fee. He did not
think it right to make exhibitors pay.
J. F. Hershey thought that as an exhibit was an
advertisement, they should be made to pay.
Johnson Millerthought;exhibitors should pay what'
other people pay.
H. M. Eugle spoke against season tickets; this
practice has been much abused. He did not favor
that way of issuing tickets.
J. C. Linville thought it was an injustice to make
exhibitors pay the same as outsiders.
J. F. Hershey moved that two tickets be allowed
each exhibitor daily.
M. D. Kendig amended by making the exhibition
free to all exhibitors. The amendment was accept-
ed, but, on motion, it was rejected.
H. M. Engle moved that exhibitors receive tickets
permitting free entrance but not transferable.
Carried.
Appointment of Judges.
H. M. Engle moved that the Secretary be added
to the committee of arrangements and these appoint
the judges. Carried.
Miscellaneous.
On motion, the appointment of doorkeeper and
ticket vender was left to the committee on arrange-
ments.
On motion, H. M. Engle was added to the com-
mittee on arrangements.
On motion, the treasurer was, in accordance with
the by-laws, required to file a bond for the safe keep-
ing of the funds of the society. Carried.
Johnson Miller said he had an invitation from the
Berks County Agricultural Society asking this Soci-
ety to send six delegates to attend their fair. He
moved the aptjointment of three delegates. Messrs
Ephraim L. Hoover, Johnson Miller and Levi S. Reist
were appointed.
A letter was read from the Pennsylvania railroad
company, ofi'ering to sell excursion tickets from all
points in the .lounty to the fair. The offer was, on
motion, accepted.
On motion of C. M. Hostetter, the secretary was
authorized to procure entry books for the use of the
judges.
It was moved that the corresponding secretary in-
vite a delegation of the Berks county society to visit
our exhibition. ''
It was also moved that the committee of arrange-
ments get the fair advertised in the papers.
The chairman appointed the following committee
to report on the fruit presented for examination-
Messrs. L. S. Reist, W. H. Brosius and H. M. Enrfe'
The committee reported as follows :
Tour committee find the following fruits on the
table for examination:
By Levi S. Reist, some excellent specimens of Old
Mixon peaches; Concord, Martha, Ember and
Brighton Grapes; the latter is one of the handsom-
est and best tasted grapes to be found; also, Rogers
Daniel Smeych exhibited a branch of the Sener
peach tree, loaded with fine fruit ; this peach is too
well known to require further mention; also a seed-
ling of the same, smaller in size and earlier than the
parent fruit, but believed equal in quality. He also
had two seedlings, eitremely handsome, large yellow,
showy and of good quality, and a bunc'h of fine
Black Hamburg grapes.
J. M. Johnston had a fine Bartlett pear grown on
a tree of last year's plantinar. The tree bore several
dozen of large size and excellent flavor.
C. Cooper had Rogers 9 and 15, Concord, Martha,
Brighton and Telegraph grapes, fine, Bartlett, Belle
Lucrative and Seckel pears, each of excellent ap-
pearance and flavor.
Mr. M. D. Kendig, Chairman of the Floral Com-
mittee, has appointed the following ladies and gen-
tlemen as associates: Miss Mary E. Wilson, M.D
Mrs. Samuel H. Reynolds, Mrs. Wm. P. Brinton,
Mrs. G. W. Arnold, Miss Hallie P. Watson, Mrs.
Joseph Preston, Mrs.Tacy Smith, Mrs. David Evans,
Mrs. J. P. Wickersham, Mrs. Marriott Brosius, Mrs
Reuben A. Baer, Mrs. Charles F. Rengier, jr., Mrs
Aug. Rhoads, Mrs. A. C. Flinn, of this city; Mrs.
S. H. Purple, Columbia; Mrs. Kate Barr, Bird-in-
Hand; Hon. J. B. Livingston, Messrs. S. W. Heinitsh
and Frank L. Sprecher.
THE POULTRY ASSOCIATION.
The stated monthly meeting of the County Poul-
try Association was held on Monday morning, Sep-
tember Ist, 1S79, in their rooms in the City Hall.
Members Present.
The following members were present : Rev. D. C.
Tobias, President, Lititz ; J. B. Lichty, city ; S. N.
Warfel, Strasburg ; John F. Reed, city ; Charles E
^,?.?/:' "^''^ V^- ^- Tshudy, Lititz ; C. E. Gast, city ■
\V illiam Schoenberger, city ; Amos Rinswalt, citv •
Frank R . Diflenderfl-er, city ; Henry Wissler Colum'
bia; Charles Lippold, citv ; John E. Schum citv •
Joseph F. Witmer, Paradise ; J. M. Johnston,' city •
John Tnssler, city; J. B. Long, city ; M.L.Greider,
The meeting was called to order by the President
and the minutes were read by the Secretary and ap-
proved. •' ^
New Business.
The following names were proposed for member-
shipj Ferdinand Sheaffer, city ; Joshua L. Lyte, city;
Dr. P. J. Roebuck,|Lititz; Dr. Berntheisel, Columbia
E.G. Eberman, city; Christian Miller, city. On
motion, all the above were elected.
The discussion of the regular question, "What
breed of fowls is most profitable?" was, on motion
deferred, as the other business on hand it was be-
lieved would consume all the time.
Report of Executive Committee.
The Chairman, Rev. D. C. Tobias, stated the com-
mittee had two meetings, one at Lititz and one at
Lancaster, and after a full discussion, it was decided
that an exhibition should be held.
Chas. E. Long read the rules and regulations
adopted by the committee as follows :
Section First.
HOW THE PREMIUMS WILL BE AWARDED.
Rulel. The premiums of this society are open to
general competition.
Rule 2. The new American Standard of Excellence
will be the guide of the judges on all the varieties
for which premiums are offered.
Rule 3. Premiums will be awarded by the follow-
ing scale of points :
First premium birds must score at least 170 points
to the pair.
Second premium birds must score at least 160
points to the pair.
Section Second.
DIVISIONS OF CLASSES— MANNER OF EXHIBITING.
Rule 4. In all the classes an entry will consist of a
pair of specimens shown in one coop together.
Rule 5. All specimens, whether for'competition
exhibition, or sale, must be shown in the coops of
the society.
Rule 6. All specimens must be exhibited in their
natural condition, with the exception of games and
game bantams. Any violation of this rule will ex-
clude the specimen from competing, and cause the
withholding of all premiums awarded the owner of
such birds.
7. All birds competing for premiums must be
strictly the property of the exhibitor. Any attempt
to ev.ide this rule in any particular will exclude all
specimens entered by the offending party from com-
peting if discovered in time ; if not, all premiums
awarded such exhibitor will be withheld.
Rule 8. Cards showing the name of the exhibitor,
the variety, and the entry number will be attach 3d'
to each coop as soon as placed in position.
Rule 9. Cards showing in detail the number of
"points" allowed to each specimen will be attached
by the judges to all coops of premium birds.
Rule 10. The term " specimen" implies anything
for which a premium is offered.
The term fowl— A specimen hatched prior to 1879.
The term chicken— A specimen hatched during
1879. ^
The term cockerel
during 1879.
The term hen — A femal
A male specimen hatched
pecimen hatched prior
The term pullet— A female specimen hatched dur-
ing 1879.
Section Third.
MANNER OF MAKING ENTRIE.S.
Rule 11. All entries must be made in writing and
must be received by the Secretary on or before .
In all cases, the variety, the number of specimens,
and full name of the exhibitor must be plainly and
explicitly stated on blanks for that purpose, which
will be furnished by the Secretary on application.—
Errors in making entries will bar the specimens
from competing unless corrected by the Board of
Direction before the coops are placed in position.
Rule 12. In no case will an entry be placed upon
the books of the Secretary unless the full amount of
fees accompanies the entry blank.
Rule 13. Remittances for entry fees, etc., must be
made by postal order, certified check, or bank draft,
and made payable to .
Rule 14. Exhibitors need not accompany their
birds. They can be sent direct to the exhibition
hall, and direction cards printed for this purpose will
be furnished by the Secretary. All specimens will
be promptly returned to their owners at the close of
the exhibition or otherwise disposed of, as thev may
direct.
Rule 15. The hall will be open for the reception of
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
139
specimens from 10 a. m. until 12 m. All specimens
received after that time will be excluded from tlie
exhibition hall, unless detained by unavoidable de-
lay, in which ease they may be admitted at the dis-
cretion of the Executive Committee. Excluded
birds will be cared for in the storage rooms.
Section Fourth.
ENTRY FEES*.
Rule. 16. Exhibitors must in all cases fully prepay
transportation.
Rule 11^ An entry fee of fifty cents will bechargcd
for fowls, and twenty-flve cents for pigeons entered
for competition.
Rule IS. No entry fee will charged for specimens
entered for exhibition or sale, but a coop rent of
twenty-five cents will he charged on such entries.
Exhibitors will be allowed to sell at their own
prices and no commission will be charged by the
society on sales made in the room. On all entries
for combination and special premiums an additional
charge often per cent, of the premium entered for
will be required.
Rule 19. Exhibitors competing for "Combination
Premiums" will be allowed to make three entries
for each combination, and will pay an entry fee of
ten per cent, for each entry made. Should there be
less than five entries for any one premium, the entry
money will be promptly returned. In case there
should be less than ten entries and more than five,
the premium will be divided in accordance with the
following scale :
Combination Premiums
$10 PURSE, WITH TEN PER CENT. ENTRANCE.
Ten or more entries, first premium, 16; second
premium, $i. Five entries, first premium, $'A ;
second premium, $2.
$5 PURSE, WITH TEN PER CENT. ENTRANCE.
Ten or more entries, first premium, ?3 ; second
premium, ?2. Five entries, first premium, $1.50 ;
secolid premium, ?1.
Section Fifth.
THE .TUUGES — APPEAL.S FROM THEIR DECISIONS.
Rule liO. Judges will not exhibit for competition
in the classes which they are to judge. They will
award all the premiums — regular, general, special
and combination— offered in their respective classes.
As soon as their awards are made for an entire class
they will report their decisions to the Executive
Committee, and under its direction will personally
attach the premium cards to the winning coops.
Rule 21. Any interference with the judges on the
part of the exhibitors, or collusion between them,
will bar the exhibitor from competing. If not dis-
covered until the wards are made, all premiums
given such exhibitor will be withheld.
Rule 23. No appeals from the decision of the
judges will be entertained except in caSes of clearly
proven fraud.
Section Sixth.
IN GENERAL.
Rule 23. The Executive Committee will have entire
control of all departments of the exhibition, and no
specimens will be removed without Its consent. All
eggs laid while the birds are in the possession of the
Executive Committee will be gathered by the Hall
Committee and their vitality destroyed.
Rule 24. The society will not be responsible for
losses or accidents. The birds will be carel'uUy
cared for, and every possible precaution will be taken
to prevent damage and loss.
Rule 25. Tickets of admission will be issued by
the Secretary as follows : Single tickets 15 cents.
Tickets for children under 12 years, 10 cents. No
complimentary tickets will be issued. Members and
exhibitors will be furnished at 50 cents each — not
transferable. Keprescnlatives of the pruss are re-
quested to present their indcutials to the Secretary,
who will atford them every facility for obtaining offi-
cial information.
Special Premiums.
FOR THE BEST VARIETT SCORING THE HIIiHEST.
For the best coop of any variety, not less than six
specimens, ?10.
Entrance fee $1.
Combination Premiums — with 10 per cent, en-
trance :
Light or Dark Brahma cock or cockerel, $10.
Light or Dark Brahma hen or pullet, $10.
White or Brown Leghorn cock or cockerel, ?10.
While or Brown Leghorn hen or pullet, $10.
Plymouth Rock cock or cockerel, $10.
Plymouth Rock hen or pullet, $10.
(lame cock or cockerel, any variety, .$10.
Game hen or pullet, any variety, ?10.
Game bantam, cock or cockerel, any variety, $10.
Game hen or pullet, any variety, $10.
Hamburg cock or cockerel, any variety, $10.
Hamburg hen or pullet, any variety, $10.
Cochin cock or cockerel, any variety, $10.
Cochin hen or pullet, any variety, $10.
List of Premiums.
BEST PAIR, $2. SECOND BEST, $1.
Asiatics— Light and DarK Brahmas, White, Black,
Buir and Partridge Cochins.
Games— Black Breasted Reds, Brown Rede, Yel-
low and Silver Duekwing, Red and White Piles,
Black and White.
Game Bantams— Black Breasted Reds, Yellow
and Silver Duekwing, Red and White Piles.
Hamburg— Black, Silver and Golden Penciled, and
Silver and Golden Spangled.
Spanish— Black .Spanish and White and Brown
Leghorns.
American — Plymouth Rocks and Dominiques.
Polish— Any variety.
French— Iloudans and Creve Coeurs.
Dorkings — Any .variety.
Miscellaneous— Sultan and Frizzled.
Bantams— Golden and Silver Sebrlghts, Roseeomb,
White and Black.
Turkeys- Bronze, Buff, Slate and White.
Ducks— Aylesbury, Pekin, Rouen, White and Col-
ored Muscovy.
Geese — Toulouse, Crubdcn, Egyptian and Hong
Kong.
PIGEONS — BEST PAIR $1 — SECOND BEST .50 CENTS.
Carriers— Black, Red and Dun.
Pouters— Yellow, Red, Black and Blue, Pied and
White.
Fantails— Black, Red, Yellow and White.
Jacobins— Black, Yellow and White.
Tumblers— Short Faced— Almond, Black, Mottled,
Beard and Baldhcad.
Tumblers— Long Faced — Any variety.
Turbets — Any variety.
Trumpeters— Black, Yellow and White.
Antwerp— Any variety.
African Owls— White and Blue.
Swallows— Red, Blue and Black.
English Owls— Blue and Silver.
Dragons— Any variety.
Magpies— Any variety.
Nuns — Any variety.
Runts — Any variety.
Helmet s^Any variety.
Moorheads — Any variety.
Cage birds— Belgian Canary, German Canary,
Mockingbird ; Talking Parrot.
Sundries — Best improved incubator in operation,
$10 ; best Improved coop, $1 ; best poultry water
fountain, 50 cents.
J. F. Reed thought that the matter should be left
with the Executive Committee.
H.H.Tshudy also thought that the best plan,
after hearing the suggestion of the members.
S. N. Warfel suggested an entry of birds not al-
ready on the list.
Several other members made similar suggestions.
A motion was made by F. R. DifTenderfler that
the Executive Committee be continued, and the en-
tire details be lelt to them, which was agreed to.
Chus. E. Long moved that the Executive Com-
mittee be increased by the addition of city members,
as upon those residing In the city the work at the
exhibition will fall.
At this point the members of the society entered
into a Ions; and exhaustive discussion as to the initial
steps requisite to make the coming exhibition a suc-
cess. After a full exchange of opinions was had the
hearty co-operation of all present was promised,
measures were agreed upon which leaves no doubt
of the ultimate success of that step. We think,
therefore, we can promise our readers that some
time during the winter they will have an opportunity
Of seeing what they have heretofore been compelled
to go abroad to see — a flrst-class poultry exhibition.
Messrs. Charles E. Long and John F. Reed, both
of this city, had on hand model exhibition coops,
H lii<'h \vi le regarded very favorably.
ThiTi' lii-ing no further business before the Society
a motion to adjourn was made and carried.
FULTON FARMERS' CLUB.
The club met at E. H. Haines', Fulton township,
on y<ptcm\)er 6. Members all present except Wm.
1'. Haines and Wm. King, whose families were rep-
resented. Visitors, Joseph Brosiue and wife and
Lewis Newcomer and wife.
The minutes of the preceding meeting were read
and apinoved. The last meeting was held at Day
Wood's, and was large and interesting.
Exhibits of Farm Products.
Sol. Gregg: Two varieties of peaches, one "Slump
the World," the other a seedlinir ; also a branch five
inches long containing seven good sized pears, of the
Lawrence variety.
MontlUion Brown : Some grapes, which had been
destroyed by the honey bee. The subject had been
discussed before, but the bee was not thought guilty
then by most persons. Ills grapes grew near hie
bee hives and they were constantly upon his grajieR.
The i'lea that a wa.sp accompanied the bee and stung
the fruit before the bee attacked it was advanced,
but the members were not decided which insect made
the beginning. The bee was, however, considered
very destructive. Mr. B. also exhibited a fine speci-
men of white fox grapes.
R. D. King: lona and two kinds of grapes for
name ; one was Christiana, and the other no one
knew.
Franklin Tolllnger ; A sample of timothy seed
from Ohio, which contained some small black seed,
but no one knew what kind it was.
Asking and Answering Questions.
J. Brown : Has any member a good set of grass?
None of the members were satisfied. Most of their
clover looked well when their wheat was cut, but the
hot sun and dry weather had killed It.
E. n. Haines : What are you going to do with the
Rag Weed ?
Some would leave It alone. If they were going to
plow in the spring ; others <^id not like to plow the
weed down. Sonic advised cutting and hauling Into
the barn yard. One would cut and leave the winter
weather rot It. If they were going to mow next
summer some of the members thought the weed
would protect the grass through the winter. It was
remarked that these are sometimes called " the
farmer's friend." They also protect the young grass
from the hot sun. Those who have sheep would
stack them In a convenient (jlace for feed during
winter, preferring them to hay. One spoke of using
them for litter, and considered them of more value
used In that way than when left on the ground.
Lindley King : Would you plow stalk cround, or
cultivate for wheat?
A majority would cultivate only when barnyard
manure was used. A few would plow a! d one would
drill without any other preparation.
R. D. King : Which Is the greater evil to the com-
munity—the man who breaks into your house or
store and robs it, or the man who sells you rum ?
This question created a lively discussion, and one
which most of those present took an Interest in.
One thought it not a proper question In this place;
that the members are a temperance people, so there
was little opposition. Kum selling is a busipess
sanctioned by law, consequently the man does not
break the law, while the thief does. Rum was con-
sidered the forerunner of all evils, and tobacco was
mentioned as second to it. The Legislators arc most
to blame, and those who vote for them are very llttte
better. The man who votes for prohibition alone
can be clear of the crime.
While in the midst of the discussion the hostess
announced dinner. The question was dropped, and
for want of time was not taken up again.
Afternoon Session.
Criticisms of the host's place were called for.
Nice cabbage and hogs. A beautiful new carpet
and bookcase, showing that although the host would
complain of his business not paying he was at least
not going back.
The beautiful lawn — its walks and flowers — dis-
played a taste for the beautiful ; some weeds In the
orchard were noticed. One advised less labor In the
yard and more among the weeds, but upon the whole
everything indicated progress. The host read a
selection from the American Agriculturist, entitled
"Success in Farming," showing the Importance of
taking care of the tools, fences, etc. Dogs do not
make good gates or fences and cost more. A little
care at the proper time will save a great deal-
Literary Exercises.
Mabel A. Haines recited "Seed-time and Harvest,"
and Carrie Blackburn "Things I Love." Mabel
Haines read an article from the ITomehold MagaztTie,
entitled "Poetry of Housekeeping."
Sadie A. Brown had received a communication
from "The Old Man," In reply to one which was
found on the floor under the chair of one of our
most sedate members at last meeting, from "The
Old Woman," complaining that the young folks had
made a surprise — a "Golden Wedding" they called
it ; but it did not please her ladyship to get married
again before she was a widow, at any rate; and as
for the baskets of good things they brought, she
was cooking what would have been much better for
them — a good farm dinner. She didn't much believe
in these new-fangled Ideas, and, besides, they tore
her house upside down, and all they brought would
not pay for the horse feed .
The "Old Man" was ashamed of the "Old
Woman," to write to the Club after the way she ate
the good things. He was sure people would con-
clude she had forgotten; but women are changeable.
For his part he was very well satisfied ; he feared
they would need some of the good things for Polly's
funeial dinner. His married life, he said, had been
sometimes sunny and sometimes extremely stormy.
He had noticed the "cats" peep round the corner
to see whether they might venture in, and had
adopted the same plan, and made it suit to stay out
when he would have come In. These were the.
stormy days. It w.as with them "love at first sight,"
and he sometimes blamed Polly for throwing the
dust in his eyes ; but, all things considered, he would
take Polly In preference to anyone else, if it were
fifty years ago.
140
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ September,
Regular Question.
"Is sheep raising more profitable than any other
business farmers can engage in?"
If farmers depend upon hired labor sheep were
considered most profitable ; while if you do not have
to hire, dairying took precedence. A ewe was allowed
to gain one hundred per cent, by some, while others
considered it a very poor cow which would not pay
as much. If we had a stringent dog law sheep
raising would pay. The "city gunner" makes the
law and the farmer submits. If the farmer has a
nice flock of birds or has squirrels they come and
shoot them. It is so much trouble and expense to
enforce the law that it is seldom done. You dare not
set a snare or shoot a bird until a certain day, and
the "city gunner" sets the day. It was remarked by
one that the dog makes sheep raising profitable.
Upon the whole, it is whatever you are suited to that
pays, and not the business in itself.
Question for discussion at next meeting — Will
stock pay fed upon purchased feed ?
Appointments for next meeting : Saffle Brown and
Mabel Haines for selections and essays; Mabel H.
Haines, AUie Gregg, Carrie Blackburn and Phebe
King for recitations.
Adjourned to meet at Franklin ToUinger's, on the
first Saturday in October.
THE LINN.ffi;AN SOCIETY.
A stated meeting was held on Saturday, August
20, Vice President Rev. J. R.Dubbs, in the chair.
The minutes and preliminary opening attended to,
the following donations to the museum were exam-
ined.
Quite a number of coleoptera and other insects,
that were donated by Prof. Miles Rock, and collected
a few years ago by him in South America, and neatly
mounted and arranged by Dr. S. S. Rathvon, (for-
merly noticed,) were now beautifully displayed for
detailed Inspection. A pair of small gold flsh in a
bottle ; a spirobolus, a species of millepede from
Soufh America, by David Baxter; a bottle contain-
ing the larvse — one the pupte and another the imaga
or perfect insect, of the elm beetle, by Dr. S. S.
Rathvon ; a gall found on beech trees in the grand
duchy of Baden, and a bottle of sea ,water, dipped
up in mid ocean on his return home by Franz Bender.
In a clear flat-sided bottle, a full sized Attacus
cocropia, inserted while yet soft from its escape from
the cocoon ; this now tightly corked displays the
expanded wings of this large and pretty-colored
butterfly, and a new mode of preservation, per S.S.
Rathvon. William B. Fahnestock, through Jacob
StauflTer, donated a variety of coleoptera, hemiptera,
hymenoptera and diptera ; also four pretty, small
snakes, one new to our collection— the beautiful scai-
let snake Osceola elapsoidea (Hoi.) The ring-necked
snake Diadoplds punctutns, the abdominal scutillae
being beautifully iiuirkid with a central black spot
on the whitish >;rnuiMl ; ri.liir, dark slate colored
with a white riim .inmn.l llji- iinck ; occasionally met
with in LanciiftcT ((iiiniy, two specimens having a
dark color, orange red alidomen and three yellowish
spots on the back of the head. The Storeria Occipi-
tomaculata, -DOt new to our collection; a small lizard,
by some called the cameleon, a specimen sent us by
Mr. Charles Nauman, from Florida, named Anolis
principalis by Prof. E. D.Cope; also a reddish spot-
ted salamander, Nothalotnus punctahtni ; six small
sized fishes, much like our Ehinichthix and a speci-
men much like our striped bass, called down South
the "Coneras trout," but it is a percoid fish, and has
no analogy to our trouts. This was caught in the
Coneras creek, Oconee county, South Carolina ; a
remarkable long-legged fly, with upper joint of the
taris very much enlarged, like a paddle of a broad,
oblong and obovate shape, and skims upon the water
with outstretched wings. Mr. Stauffer, after figur-
ing it carefully, found that Prof. Glover has it also
beautifully figured among his dipteria, plate 1. fig.
16, but no name is attached, nor was it hunted up.
The doctor also collected and neatly pressed a num-
ber of plants. Mr. StauflTer has arranged and named
them ; some are new and not found in this locality,
such as the Shrankia Vncinata ; Spigelia Marilandi-
ca ; Oeranium Caroliiiiana, &c.
Mr. Stauffer also presented a singular fungus, cut
through the centre. This was given him by his
neighbor, Mrs. Solomon Sprecher, found growing in
their garden. Itishemisphericallyconic; the base has
centrally a wiry root. When cut it presented a cen-
tral core, milk white, embracing on each side a dense
dark granular mass joined above, and outside of
this an amber colored, jelly-like mass of a shining
and dense consistency, next the parchment-like epi-
dermis. This is much like the two specimens sent
us by J. C. Haub, September 26, 1877, found in the
crevice of an ice cellar at QuarryviUe. Having cut
open one specimen, which was also figured and
described by Mr. Stauffer, and the other sent to W.
G. Farlow, M. D., of Boston, our most noted Fungio-
logist, who, in his letter of October 18, 1877, informs
us that during the time it had developed into a
species of P/iailus, of which genus Mr. StauflTer has
five species figured. These show a sack of jelly-like
substance at the base, a stout central stripe, with a
perforated cap on its upper end, and wholly different
from this puflT-ball like fungus at this stage In ap.
pearance-
Additions to the Library.
Pamphlets : Collections of the Old Colony His-
torical Society ; papers read during the year 1878 ;
report on the Chaco cranium, &c., by H. J. HoflTman,
M. D.; Moore's Rural Life, No. 1, Vol. I, for 1879;
The Lancaster Farmer for July and August,
1-.N79; United States Patent Office Gazette up to
August 26, 1879. Circulars : Preble's History of the
Flag of the United States. Report: Central Park
Menagerie ; Book Catalogues, new publications ; a
copy of the Cherokee Advocate, in part in that
language.
Papers Read.
Dr. S. S. Rathvon read a paper making special
notes of information given him by Prof. Miles Rock.
When here on a late visit from Washington, on see-
ing his collection displayed, pointing to a large
hemipterous insect of the Reduvian family, which
the Spaniards call Vinchucas. This secretes itself in
and about beds, and is a bloodthirsty villain to the
poor sleeper who has been careless to exterminate
him. This giant bed bug gorges itself without dis-
turbing the sleeper often, and a dozen of them might
prove fatal. Another was the luminous beetle — the
Elater Noclilucus, a kind of skip-jack. These at
night emit a steady phosphorescent light. Three or
more put in a bottle will enable one to read by them.
The Spaniards call them "Quco," and decoy them
by a torch light, and the words repeated, "Quco
toma-pan," that is Quco take bread ; but these night
flyers are rather attracted by the light than the invi-
tation to take bread. In looking over them Mr.
Rock associated mHch of interest which the memory
brought up that we cannot here report. Paper No.
J. Stauffer read a list of the names of the objects
deposited by Dr. Wm.'B. Fahnestock, with remarks,
to put on file. No. 525.
Mr. Rathvon read a detailed account of his obser-
vations of the Elm Tree Beetle, to put on file,
No. 526.
New Business.
Dr. David B. Wilson was nominated by Dr. Dubbs
and Mr. John Burrowes by J. Stauffer, as active
members. A balot was had for each, and both were
unanimously elected active members of this society.
Mr. Rathvon reported, as chairman of the com-
mittee appointed to number and catalogue the sub-
jects in the museum, that J. Stauffer having made
accurate drawings of the cases and compartments
in and around both rooms, with letters and num-
bers, in accordance with which a portion have been
numbered and catalogued in such divisions; but
much remains to be done, and members are
earnestly requested to come forward and assist in
speedily completing the work.
Under Scientific Miscellany.
Mr. J. B. Kevinski made a verbal report of a late
visit, in company with Mr. J. T. Reading and Mr.
J. Gumpf, to the blowing cave on the Susquehanna.
On their way Mr. Henry Yost, near Good's mill,
on the Pequea, called their attention to his luxuriant
tobacco patch ; which surpassed anythnig they had
yet seen in that line. They measured one leaf which
was 50 inches h ng, 36 broad quentrally and 24 inches
wide, 18 inches in from the ends. Arriving at the
foot of the mountain they tasted the temperature of
the Spring. They then zigzagged their way up the
hill side, and inspected the several openings through
which a cold current escapes, and went up to the
higher opening. Into this Jhey descended to a
ledge, down from which a rope ladder was dropped
about twenty feet. Messrs. Reading and Gumpf,
being less in bulk, could descend, and found a
number of fissures and tortuous galleries In every
direction and at various angles from 45° to 80° but
nothing like an open chamber. It seems as if the
rocks had been rent and the seams laid open by
some upheaval; but no truly scientific inspection was
made, only they found the temperature the same as
the water in the spring 100 feet below them, and
that the wind fell above was the draft that entered
beneath, through the flue-like crevices rising up-
wards.
Mr. Kevinski, at the close of his remarks, made a
formal donation of his case containing thirty draw-
ers now in the room, but excepted the contents. A
vote of thanks was cordially offered, but he objected
to having it published. A vote of thanks to Dr. Wil-
liam B. Fahnestock and other contributors was also
given.
No further business offering, on motion, ad-
journed.
Soiling
saves fences, one of the most expensive features of
ordinary farming; prevents the seeding of weeds ;
and keeps stock from trampling down and wasting
more fodder than they eat. It doubles the amount
of stock which can be kept on any given amount of
land, and there is a vast increase in the amount of
valuable manure that may be saved. There is some
additional labor, but the returns are so much greater
that soiling is the system of the present as well as
future agriculture.
Entomological.
The Snake Worm.
This singular little animal is only met with occa-
sionally, but Its singular habits never fail to elicit a
good deal of interest, and especially among the
uninformed or those who have seen it for the first
time. On this occasion it appeared on Thursday
morning, (24th) in the back yard of Mr. G. M. Zahm
West Chestnut street. It Is not a single worm, as
the above term might imply, but thousand^ of small
worms which mass themselves together In sections
of greater or lesser numbers, the heads of the one
section seemingly attached so the tails of a preced-
ing section, thus forming a long, ropy, snake-like
procession, and to keep the resemblance to a snake,
the column Is usually enlarged in the middle and
tapers toward the ends. They come up out of the
ground, and move very slowly ih an obtuse zigzag
or wavy line, which still more'enhanees their snaky
appearance, and finally they disappear in another
locality. Each little worm, or maggot, is almost a
quarter of an inch in length, and about the thick-
ness of a common knitting needle; their color Is a
dirty white, with a middle longitudinal streak of an
earthy color, and a small very black head. The
streak is caused by the contents of the stomach seen
through the translucent tissues and skin of the
worms. The whole mass Is protected from the sun
by a shiny secretion from their bodies similar to the
protecting slime of the "pear slug." The proces-
sion of these worms in Mr. Zahm's yard was over
three feet long, and It moved northeasternly, from
nearly opposite the kitchen door, to the southeast
corner of the main building, where it ensconced
Itself in a crevice between the house wall and the
paving. We think it made a mistake, for the sun
shone on them hot and dry in the afternoon, and
many of them no doubt perished. The nature, or
object of these migrations, is more or less conject-
ural. Some suppose it is seeking a more favorable
feeding ground, while others suppose it for the pur-
pose of selecting a better place to pupate and under-
go final transformations.
These maggots are the larvae of small dipterout
insects (two-winged flies) and which to the family
of TiPUDiDjE, which includes the craneflies,
mosquetoes, and others. The individuals under con-
sideration belong to the genus Sciara and although
it Is difficult to name them specifically from the
larva alone, yet it is very probable that they
are toxoneura. There are many species of them
however, and they are liable to be confounded.
Some years ago specimens were sent from Bethle-
ham. Pa., that had come up between the cracks in
the floor, of a part of a house under which there
was no cellar. It is diflScult to continue artificially
the conditions necessary to their successful develop-
ment, and hence — although they have been observed
more than a hundred years ago on the continent of
Europe — there is a lack of definite knowledge in
reference to their life, habit, and transformations.
They have been observed from May to September at
various periods.
'Saddle-back Moth."
Dozens of these insects in their larva state have
been brought to us during the past month, which
were found feeding on apple, cherry, pear, quince,
plum, rose, cabbage, corn, gladlola, willow, currant,
and other species of vegetation, illustrating the ex-
ceeding omnivorous character of their feeding hab-
its— indeed, they seem to have been more numerous
the past summer than we have ever known them In
any previous season; or, it may be that the observ-
ing habits of the people are more active than they
have been at any other time. Many of the people
had never noticed them before and these thought
that they must have been something new and rare,
and very pretty withal. There Is a number of genera
that are more or less allied to this insect, and they
are commonly called "Hag-moths." They belong
to the section Heterocera, their antennm being
very variable and the forms and habits of the larva
still more variable. They are included in the family
CoNCHiLOPiD.*, and the Genus Empretia, the most
numerous species of which is, stimula. The "body
and forewingsof the moth are a uniform ferru.inous,
with two small subaplcal white spots, and in the
male, two more near the base of the wing beneath
the median nervure ; but they are rarely seen in the
moth state. The body of the larva is semi-cylindri-
cal and obliquely truncated at each end, with a pair
of anterior and posterior, long, fleshy, and slenderly
spined horns, and two smaller pairs beneath them.
That part of the body which is between the anterior
and posterior horns, is of a fine bright green color,
bordered with white, with a central dorsal, oval,
reddish brown patch, bordered with white and black.
The lower part of the body Is fleshy and whitish,
and they do not appear to have any forelegs, but
seem to glide steadily along rather than walk. The
spines on the horns produce an exceedingly painful
sensation, when they happen to come In contact
with the naked back of the hand, or any other
tender portion of the body.
1879.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
141
Bark Lice on Apple Trees.
Judicious pruuing of the branches, draining the
land where the trees stand, manuring the soil and
keeping it free from grass and weeds, all have the
elTecl to promote vigorous growth, and are therefore
useful in preventing the depredations of bark lice.
Unless a vigorous growth of a tree can be insured It
is of little use to apply substances to kill the lice.
The little lady-bird, whose presence should always
be welcomed on farms, is the mortal enemy of the
bark louse, as it is of many other sorts of insects.
But hurtful Insects Increase so much faster than use-
ful birds do that we may never expect to see the lat-
ter exterminate the former. Indeed no amount of
cultivation and no number of birds ever collected In
an orchard will be sullicient to clear it of the scale
bark lice, if they are geuerally distributed among
the trees.
If but a few trees have bark lice on them and they
are well covered with them, It Is best to cut them
up. This heroic treatment will prevent their spread-
ing to other trees. The time to kill the insects is
when they begin to hatch. They are most readily
killed by applying some wash to the bark with a stiff
brush or swab. The articles most highly recom-
mended for killing the lice are strong lye made of
wood ashes, a solution of caustic soda of potash, di-
luted solX soap, and a mixture of lime whitewash
and kerosene oil. If the latter is employed the pro-
portions of the mixture should be one pint of kero-
sene to a gallon of the whitewash. Whatever sub-
stances are chosen should be applied thoroughly.
To insure complete destruction of the insect a seeoud
application should be made some days after the first.
The Cabbage AVorm.
Repeated inquiries come to us for the best remedy
for this formidable destroyer of the cabbage. From
the many experiments made, we are Induced to dis-
card the various applications which soil or contami-
nate the leaves. When the plants are young, and
when the worms first make their appearaiice In
comparatively few numbers, they are to be removed
by hand. The plants may be cleared as raprdly as
by the various applications used, counting in the
time in preparation or procuring these applications.
As soon as the heads form, use hot water. If any
injury results from the heat, it will be only to the
edges of the outer leaves. The body of the head
cannot become heated. If the Insects have become
numerous, this will be found a rapid mode for their
extermination. We are often asked for the degree
in temperature to which the water should be heated.
We cannot give the precise degree. The watering-
pot in which it is carried will not retain a high heat
long, and the fine streams of water from the rose are
partly clooled in their passage through the air. It Is
supposed that a temperature of 120° will kill the
worms, but a gr^at -r heat is* better, provided the
cabbage leaves are not scorched. Some practice is
required to do the work'right,and the operator may
experiment on a few small heads, or else begin with
warm water and gradually Increase the temperature.
In a little time he will learn to apply the water as it
should be. Immediately after filling the watering-
pot, when the water is hot, he will give a quick or in
Btantaneous dash, and this will be sufficient to de-
stroy all the worms; after the water has partly cooled,
the washing will continue longer. The great advan
tage of this treatment is that the cabbages are left
perfectly clean. — Country Gentleman.
The Origin of Wheat in America.
It Is diflicult in tlic pretfut day to realize the fact
that wheat was at one time unknown In America ;
yet, prior to the discovery of that continent by
Columbus there was no cereal In America approach-
ing in nature to the wheat plant. It was not, ob-
serves the American Miller, until 1530 that wheat
found Its way into Mexico, and then only by chance.
A slave of Cortez found a few grains of wheat in a
parcel of rice and showed them to his master, who
ordered them to be planted. The result showed that
"fsw heat would thrive well on Mexican soil; and to-
day one of the finest wheat valleys In the world is
near the Mexican capital. From Mexico the cereal
found Its way to I'eru. Maria D'Escobar, wife of
Don Diego de Chauves, carried a few graijis to Lima,
which were planted, the entire product being used
for seed for several successive crops. At Quito,
Ecuador, a monk of the Order of St. Francis, by the
name of Fray Jodost Bixi, Introduced the new cereal;
and it Is said that the jar which contained the seeds
is still preserved by the monks of Quito. Wheat
was introduced into the present limits of the United
States contemporaneously with the settlement of the
country by the English and Dutch .-/'oH Mall Oazctte.
Toads.
Many gardeners already appreciate the valuable
services of the common toad, and afford them pro-
tection for their insect-destroying propensities,
while as many more, perhaps, are ignorant of their
usefulnsss. To the latter class It may be Interesting
to know that toads live almost wholly upon slugs,
caterpillars, beetles, and other insects, making their
rounds at night when the farmer is asleep — and the
birds, too — and the insects are supposed to be having
it all their own way. English gardeners understand
these facts so well .that toads are purchased at so
much a dozen, and turned loose, and the best of It is
that the toads generally stay at home, so that the
garnener is not troubled with buying his toads over
again every few days
The toad can be tamed, and will even learn to
know "its master," and will come when called ; the
writer has not only had such pets himself, but could
give other instances of toad taming that have come
under his observation. Toads can be made very
useful about the house, and will do no little good in
destroying cockroaches, flies and other household
pests.— iV. r. Tribune.
Self-Binding Reapers.
The self-binding reaper was brought into use In
1874, when fifty tons of wire were required for
binding sheaves; in 1875, :J40 tons; In lS7f;, 2,800;
in 1877, 6,500 tons ; In 1878, H,000 tons. This last
amount is quite as much as all of the wire which
was manuufactured in this country in I860.— Atlaii-
tic Monthly.
Agriculture.
Grass as a Renovator.
Many farmers labor for years. Ignorant of the fact
that a close, well-set sod is the foundation of good
farming and the basis of good crops. Soil that will
produce an immediate and firm set of grass, will
liring a good crop of any kind. There is no better
way to test the producing capacity of the soil than
by its grass production. If a field yields a scant
grass crop, and is uneven or full of barren spots. It
will not be safe to depend on such soil for any other
crop without extra heavy manuring, and even then
the crop is not of so great certainty as if the ground
was covered with a firm sod at plowing time. There
is something in a heavy sod that will perfect a crop
even in an unfavorable season. I never have failed
of a good crop on such land. Soil will soon be reno-
vated after partial deterioration, if grass can be
densely set on the surface; and this mode of renova-
tion, I claim, is the quickest, surest and cheapest o%
any. There never was a mistake made so full of loss
to the farmer as to allow naturally good soil to dete-
riorate at all; and when the farmers understand and
act on this principle, our productions will never fall
below an average, or even to this point. — Cor.
Country Oentleman.
Fall Ploughing.
The better the preparation of the ground the bet-
ter the crop. The high average yield of the English
farms is no doubt largely due to the thorough prep-
aration of the ground before seeding. Our climate
is superior to that of England for wheal growing;
yet a yield of 64 bushels per acre is not at all infre-
quent among good farmers there, while here 40
bushels per acre is an unusual yield. Two plough-
ings, several harrowings and, in many cases, rolling
or crushing, and the excellent preparation of the
soil by a previous root crop, must have a much bet-
ter effect upon the soil than one ploughing, very
poorly done, because of the hardness and dryness of
our soil In midsummer, and very imperfect harrow-
ing. It might be well for us to lay out more labor
on our wheat crop, and so prepare the ground bet-
ter, and raise our average from 12 to at least 20
bushels per acre. The difference In the amount of
wheat at harvest would pay for a good deal of extra
work in ploughing, etc., and yet leave a profit;
beside the soil would not forget the generous treat-
ment in one year nor two.
For Pennsylvania Farmers.
Since the 1st of August every package of com-
mercial fertilizers offered for sale in this Common-
wealth must have plainly stamped thereon the name
and the place of the manufacturer, the net weight of
its contents and an analysis stating the percentage of
nitrogen or its equivalent in ammonia In an available
form, of potash soluble in water, or soluble and re-
verted phosphoric acid and of insoluble phosphoric
acid. Under the act the term commercial fertilizers
applies to any and every substance imported, manu-
factured or sold for fertilizing or manuring purposes,
except barnyard manure, marl, lime and wood ashes.
All other preparations sold as fertilizers come under
the provisions of the new law, and It must be of
great value to both consumers and honest manufac-
turers and dealers. With the protection against
spurious fertilizers guaranteed to farmers under the
act the sale of useful artificial manures must be
greatly increased.
Treatment of a Worn-out Meadow.
Meadows that have been run down, become so
bound or covered with moss, sorrel, or other weeds,
may be renovated without plowing. The old sod
needs to be disturbed, but a thorough harrowing or
chopping of the surface with a disk harrow will dis-
turb It sufficiently without plowing. Fresh seed is
needed, and a dressing of lime may in many cases
be all that Is required In the way of a fertilizer. If
it can be afforded, a moderate quantity of fine ma-
nure, used as a top-dressing, and harrowed in just
before sowing, will be of great benefit. The work
may be done at any time before September, so that
the grass and clover, the latter more particularly,
should be well set before severe fronts occur. Orchard-
Grass will thrive upon soils that are not rich eqougb
for timothy; but It is better to have the ground good
enough for the latter even if the former Is to be
sown. Grass Is a crop for which tlie soil can not be
too rich, for if the growth is excessive It can be cut
at any time and made Into hay or fed green.
Minnesota's Wheat Crop.
The returns from the Thrashers furnish a basis for
an estimate of the probable yield of wheat in this
Slate. The whole average Is much better than last
year, but lower than was expected. The early wheat
is the poorest in the southern counties, where the
average yield Is from ten to twelve bushels, and
steadily improves to the north, till it reaches twenty
to twenty-five in the Red Kiver Valley. The grade
will be largely No. 2 in the south and No. 1 in the
north. A conservative estimate places the average
In two-thirds of the wheat area in the State at thir-
teen bushels per acre, and In the remainder at seven-
teen. This would give 40,000,000 bushels as a whole
crop, and more than half of It No. 1.
O.^ts and Wheat.
The experiment has been made of sowing oats and
wheat together with a view to gaining a winter cov-
ering for the wheat. The seed, In the proportion of
one part of oats to two parts of wheat was sown In
the fall and the oats sprang up quickly and were
killed by the early frosts, the stalks and leaves lying
on the ground all winter, keeping the snow from
blowing away and preventing the tun from thawing
the frozen ground. In the spring the dead oats made
a good top dressing for the growing wheat. The crop
of wheal secured on the following season was re-
ported to be excellent, while wheat on adjoining
land, planted in the usual manner, was of no value.
ticrihner for September .
Storing Hay.
When properly cured, hay keeps the best in a largt
mow in which it has been thoroughly packed. Hay
thrown up loose on a scaffold loses that aroma and
freshness which characterizes that from the center of
a large mow. Hay docs not demand the large spaces
between the outside boards of many barns in order
to preserve it. Put the boards close together and
keep out the air and rain, and save the hay, which
would otherwise spoil by weather staining. It looks
better, too.
Horticulture.
Pruning Fruit and Ornamental Trees.
We read a great deal about tlic proper lime of
pruning trees, and especially the apple tree. Some
prefer fall, some mid-winter, some early spring, but
scarcely one recommends the very best time in our
humble opinion — mid-summer. Doubtless some old
fogies will open their eyes and hold up their hands at
such an innovation, and denounce it as an absurdity;
but we think we will be sustained by a majority of
the "live" men of the day.
If we desire to improve the form of a fruit treeand
get rid of some of the superfiuous wood, we should
prune in winter; but If we dssire fruit and a perfectly
healed stump, we should prune from the fifteenth of
June to the twentieth of July. We have done this
often with the happiest results. The fruit-beds form
after this, and the operation In suddenly cutting off
its growth produces buds, while the winter or early
spring pruning will produce only wood.
In pruning ornamental trees in midsummer, the
bark. Instead of receding from the stump, grows
over it, and in a few years will completely cover it
and make a perfect amputation. We have noticed
this upon our own premises as well as upon those of
others many times. This pruning is done when the
tree Is taking its mid-summer "siesta," and then
wakes up, refreshed for another start, and the bark
gradually steals over the stump as If ashamed of
the shabby looking exposure.
When the tree Is In full leaf, and presents its full
form to us, we can see exactly where the pruning
should be done, in order that while the overgrowth
may be removed, the symmetry of the tree may be
preserved. Especially is mid-summer pruning to be
preferred, first, to produce buds on fruit-bearing
trees as before stated; and second when large limbs
are to be removed.
Currant Culture.
The currant worm has played havoc with one of
our most productive and healthful fruits. The con-
sequence is that the price of currants have quad-
442
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ September,
rupled with a few years. Those market gardeners
who have fought the worm with persistence are re-
ceiving from 15 to 20 cents a quart against 4 and 5
cents received in former years. Then again, instead
of the small currant, improved and larger varieties
are cultivated. The Ked and White Dutch and
Cherry varieties are a vast improvement on the old
berry. The size of the Cherry will always give it an
extra value in market, but for the family there is
nothing superior to the old standard Red and White
Dutch. Currants will grow in any soil where corn
grows. The fruit, however, is best in a rich sandy
loam, kept well pulverized and free from weeds. It
is one of the peculiarities of fruit growing that high
cultivation increases the pulp and lessens the seed.
Wood ashes make the best fertilizer for currants.
Where ashes are not to be had, the bushes should be
mulched wi'h leaves or leaf mold. The best mode
of propagating is by slips or cuttings. The slips, a
foot long, may be cut in the fall and planted imme-
diately where they are desired to grow permanently,
or thickly in some day soil where they can be left till
spring. The worm has done less damage than usual
this season than heretofore; all that is needed to
rout him is a complete peppering with helleboie. As
no fruit, not even apples, is more easily raised, and
as the money returns are more compensating, an
extensive, well-cared for patch of currants will cer-
tainly pay handsomely.
The Blackberry.
The blackberry requires nearly the same treatment
as the raspberry ; but being a more rampant grower
it should have more room, and needs more pruning
or pinching. The distances of the rows may be 6 to S
feet apart, and the plant, if kept single, two feet in
the row. Sometimes they are allowed to grow
thickly or in a continuous line, in which case they
should be well cultivated and properly pruned. Con-
stant cultivation is always better than much manur-
ing. Pruning the blackberry is commonly but little
understood. We hear comp aints of the rambling
and straggling growth of the bush, extending across
alleys, tearing dresses, at the same time proving un-
productive. This is owing to a neglect of summer
pruning. As soon as the new shoots have reached
2J4 or 3 feet in height the ends should be pinched ofl'
with the thumb and finger, which will cause the
protrusion of laterals. These in turn are to be
pinched off when they have grown from 12 to 18
Inches. It will be necessary to pass along the rows
every two weeks in doing this work, as new shoots
will be constantly thrown out during the entire sum-
mer. The plants, being thus kept within bounds,
will present neat, compact and productive bushes,
instead of the unproductive stragglers, as if left un-
touched.
Famous Apples of Lancaster County
Origin.
Charles Downing, of Newburgh, N. T., the
famous horticulturist, writes to the Countrij Qen-
tlenian that inquirtrs after the history of the Belmont
or Gate apple will tind it in the transactions of the
Ohio fruit growers and nurserymen, held at Co-
lumbus in September, 1S47. The following is an
extract; "The residence of Mamma Beam, mother
of Jacob Nessley, sr., was uear Strasburg, Lan-
caster county. Pa. The Gate apple is from a seed-
ling which grew at her gate, from which circum-
stance it was called by the family the 'Gate apple,'
though by the neighbors it was called Mamma
Beam, after the old lady. It was brought to the
Ohio river, above Steubenville, by Jacob Nesslev, sr.
a nurseryman, about the commencement of the
present century, and propagated throughout the
West." Dr. J. K. Eshleman, who introduced the
beautifnl and excellent "Fanny" apple informed
Mr. Downing that it originated within one hundred
yards from where the Gate apple did, and on prop-
erty formerly owned by Jacob Beam.
Huckleberries.
Speaking of the culture of berries, the Massachu-
setts Plottylitnan says : "Tlie culture of the straw-
berry has been carried to such perfection that it has
become a staple article of produce as much as corn
or potatoes. The blackerry is fast coming into gene-
ral favor. Huckleberries have been popular from
our earliest recollection, yet we know of but few in-
gtances where any of our market gardners have tried
to improve any of the numerous varieties which can
be found wild on almost any hillside. If the wild
strawberry can be made to produce, by cultivation,
such fruits as we have seen in the markets this sea-
son, cannot the huckleberry be made to grow pro-
portionately large ? We hope those of our market
gardeners who have not already begun, will give
this small fruit the attention it deserves."
Hotbeds with Muslin Sashes.
RufuB Mason in the Cincinnati Orani/e Bulletin
says : "Three years' experience with muslin sashes,
where the thermometer ranges from twenty degrees
below zero to seventy degrees above, satisfies me of
their superiority. I make a frame of one and one-
fourth inch stuff with a single bar of the same size
down the middle, cover it with common, heavy,
unbleached muslin; paint it over two coats with
boiled linseed oil and find it far better than glass.
Have had no freezing or scalding, but better colored
plants, more stocky, and. better able to withstand
early transplanting. After the hotbed is filled
with manure, lay in the soil so as to come within
three inches of the muslin, sloping exactly as it
does. As the season advances the bed will
settle about as fast as the growth of the plant
requires it. This plan prevents the plants from
becoming long-legged, which is the main cause of
the slow aftergrowth, and in the cabbage family, of
so many plants failing to make solid head."
Pruning Grape Vines.
Trim in autumn after the first hard frost. Re-
move tlie ojd wood as much as possible, leaving six
canes of present summer's growth which are the
largest and most thrifty, and as near the base of the
vine as canbe found. All of the other wood is cut
out, being probably fully nine-tenths of that which
is on the vine. This comprises all of the trimming
needed for the whole year, with the exception of
removing the extra buds in spring. Go through the
vineyard often to see if anything is amiss, and to
admire the magnificent bunches of fruit as they are
growing, but scrupulously avoid handling them, as
Dame Nature has provided a delicate bloom for a
covering, which, if rubbed off, destroys the luscious
ripening process.
The Quince.
The quince, of the fine old orange variety, is mak-
its appearance in our markets from California, and
commands a good price. Their cultivation has been
generally abandoned in this region, owing to the dep-
redations of the worms in the roots. As the roots are
at the very surface of the ground it is difficult to
protect them by covering, as we have suggested the
dwarf-pear should be, the stock of which is quince.
There is no other way to dislodge the worm than by
ferreting them out twice a year with a wire. The
only other way to get quinces is to let the worm
alone in its operatious and always have a fresh lot
of trees coming on. They will bear six years before
Requiring renewal.
Suckers Around Apple Trees
are permitted in some neglected orchards, disfiguring
the trees and doing them harm. Now is the time to
clear them oif, and so that they will not sprout again.
Seize them by the tops with both hands, place the
cowhide boot which you wear upon them, between
the sucker and tree, and one stamp with the foot
and corresponding jerk with the hands will tear
them off at the base. If too large cut them out
with a gouge and mallet ; do not leave a stub to
sprout again.
Domestic Economy.
Breakfast Bacon.
There is something sensible in the suggestion con-
tained in the following article which we clip from
ihe Western Stock J ournal . There is no good reason
why farmers should not have the choicest and most
substantial food in the land — unless it be that lack
of skill necessary for properly preparing the mater-
ials is a good reason. We quote:
"For country town or village, the most convenient
and to many persons acceptable dish for the morning
meal is breakfast bacon. Yet, while it is charged
upon the farmer that he lives upon pork, breakfast
bacon, that which is worthy of the name, is seldom
seen upon the farmer's table. In any first-class
hotel in the larger cities it is regularly found upon
the bill of fare, and to say that it is a popular dish is
the least we can say. But mind you, these houses
don't buy the tough, flabby old meat known among
the soldiers as "sow belly," nor the thick, greasy,
over salted and over-smoked sides of a three-year
old, four hundred pound hog. The farmer's 'wife
who reads this, and knows not of the reputation
which the standard bill of fare breakfast bacon has
before travelers and what are termed genteel board-
ers, is ready to ask: "Well, tell us exactly what it
is?" We will tell you how to make it. When new
corn is ready to feed, select two or three early spring
pigs that are strictly healthy, yet are thin in flesh.
Feed these up rapidly, thus causing the fiesh to be
tender. At butchering time take the sides and hams,
and the shoulders if you like, into your own keeping.
Sugar-cure these in the most careful manner, using
plenty of sugar, and a small amount each of salt
and saltpetre; after being about six weeks in this
preparation, smoke moderately, not for a month or
two, steady, until the meat is as brown as the skin
of a mulatto,three-fourth6 black,but gently browned,
and having the flavor of the curing process slightly
through the meat. Do not pursue that abominable
practice of leaving the meat in the smoke-house to
be treated to a heavy dose of smoke once a week, to
keep the flies away, but encase each piece separately
in heavy paper and pack away in dry wood ashes.
When wanted, take one piece at a time from the
storage place. Cut thin, not half so thick as the
ordinary farmer's bacon is cut. Broiling is better
than frying, and as the saying is, " do it nicely, and
if you have prepared the bacon and hams from two
such pigs as a first venture, you will need to double
the allowance for the next season.
Hints for the Kitchen.
If your coal fire is low, throw on a tablespoonful
of salt, and it will help it very much.
A little ginger put into sausage meat improves the
In boiling meat for soup, use cold water to extract
the juices. If the meat is wanted for itself alone,
plunge in boiling water at once.
You can get a bottle or barrel of oil off any carpet
or woolen stuff by applying dry buckwheat plenti-
fully. Never put water to such a grease spot, or
liquid of any kind.
Broil steak without salting. Salt draws the juices
in cooking; it is desirable to keep these in if possible.
Cook over a hot fire, turning frequently, searing on
both sides. Place on a platter; salt and pepper to
Beef having a tendency to be tough canbe made
very palatable by stewing gently for two hours,
with pepper and salt. Taking out about a pint of
the liquor when half done, and letting the rest boil
into the meat. Brown the meat in the pot. After
taking up, make a gravy of the piU of liquor saved.
• A small piece of charcoal in the pot with boiling
cabbage removes the smell.
Care of Farm Implements.
For farm implements of all kinds having metal
surface exposed, for knives and forks and other
household apparatus, indeed for all metals likely to
be injured by oxidation or "rusting," we know of no
simpler or more effective application than that fur-
nished by the late Professor Olmstead. He used it
on air pump telescopes and various other apparatus.
Take any quantity of good lard, and to every half-
pound or so add of common resin (rosin) an ampunt
about equal to half the size of an egg or less — a lit-
tle more or less is of no consequence. Melt them
slowly ^together, stirring as they cool. Apply this
with acloth or otherwise, just enough to give a thin
coating to the metal surface to be protected. It can
be wiped off nearly clean from the surface, where it
will be undesirable, as in the case of knives and
forks, etc. The resin prevents rancidity, and the
mixture obviates a ready access of air and moisture.
A fresh application maybe needed when the coating
is washed off by the friction of beating storms or
otherwise. There was talk of patenting this receipt
at one time, but Professor Olmstead decided to pub-
lish it for the general good.
No Eggs so Good as Fresh Ones.
For the life of me I cannot see the sense in pack-
ing eggs for winter use, when, with proper care,
Brahma, Cochin or Plymouth Rock hens will keep
the family supplied with fresh-laid eggs. I have
tried all the ways that I ever heard of, but never
succeeded in keeping eggs over three months. At
the end of that time they were good for eating, bet-
ter than half the "fresh" eggs sold in cities, but
still I could tell them from new-laid eggs. At the
end of six mouths they "would do" for cooking — if
you could get none better — but it was like "tolera-
ble" oysters. After they had been in pickle eight
months I scrambled some (they looked best that
way), and tried to eat them, but my stomach re-
volted.
Household Recipes.
Spiced Cantaleup.— We prefer the rough skin,
firm fruit, though ripe. Take out the seed, cut and
pare, then cover the whole quantity with good cider
vinegar. We use a large earthen crock and let it
stand dver night. Next morning measure the vine-
gar and throw away half of it. Then to every quart
that is left add three pounds of sugar, and put it on
the stove with the fruit, and let it simmer until you
think it is done. 1 think we did ours over two hours.
Don't forget to cook with it half an ounce of cloves
and one oiince of cinnamon. I suppose that amount
of spice to every quart of juice is the right way, but
I only put thiit quantity to five pints of juice or
vinegar. I also use white vinegar, and think it cheap
as any. I know a good cook who does the most of
her spicing and preserving in tin pans, and I followed
her example and had no trouble; there is more
danger of burning preserves. — Becky, in Qerman-
towH Telegraph.
Grape Wine. — As this is now the season for
making grape wine, I send you the following recipe,
which is so simple and produces such excellent wine,
that I hope every one having grapes will try it :
Five Gallons IFme.— Express the juice from
twenty pounds grapes, rinse the pulp and skins in as
much water as will cover them, mash them and
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
143
strain through a coarse cloth, add this to the juice
and put in two pounds of brown sugar to each gal-
lon; when the sugar is dissolved, pour the whole
into a keg, having the bung open, and let ii stand
where the temperature will be about 70 degrees until
fermentation ceasei ; then bung tight, and let it rest
for a month to settle, when it should be drawn off
quietly, the keg well-washed, and the wine returned
to it, adding one pound good raisins; and if the wine
docs not seem sweet enough two pounds sugar may
be added to the whole. The necessity of doing this
depends upon the kind and quality of the grapes.
The wine should remain until the keg is wanted
the next season, when it may be bottled for use. — M.
H. a., Oermantown Telegraph.
Cheese Pudding.— Melt half an ounce of fresh
butter in a sauce-pan, stir into a tablcspoonful ol
flour; when the two are well amalgamated put in a
■small quantity of milk and about three ounces of
grated Parmesan cheese. Stir the mixture on a slow
Are till it assumes the appearance of thick cream,
but be careful not to let it boil; then add some Cay-
enne pepper, mix thoroughly, and if required, add a
little salt; keep on stiring the mixture at a very
moderate heat for about ten minutes; take the sauce-
pan off the fire and stir the contents occasionally
until quite cold; then stir into them the yolks of
three eggs, beaten up with a little milk and strained,
and linally the whites of five eggs whisked into a
stiff' froth. Put the mixture into a pudding dish,
and put into the oven at once. Serve quickly as soon
as the pudding has risen and the top is well browned.
Green Tomato Sauce. — One gallon of green
tomatoes and one pint of onions chopped fine, two
pints of vinegar, one pint of sugar, two table-
spoonsful of salt, one tablcspoonful of ground black
pepper, one tablcspoonful of spice, one tablcspoonful
of cloves, either whole or ground, one and one-half
tablcspoonsful of table mustard, one tablcspoonful
of red pepper, a few mustard seed, and boil all
together until quite tender. It is best to put up in
CucDMBKR Pickles. — The question has been
asked how to put up cucumbers from the vine.
Take three gallons of water, to which has been
added one quart of salt, put it in a kettle and let it
come to a boil. Then prepare your cucumbers in a
jar. Now pour the boiling water over them and let
stand twenty-four hours, when the salty water must
be poured off. Then take cider vinegar make it
boiling hot and pour it over them while hot. It is
then ready for use.
Brattleboro Fricassee. — Take two chickens,
cut them up neatly, and lay them iu a skillet with
two slices of thin-cut ham, two small onions, and a
few blades of mace, seasoning with pepper and salt.
Add a little water, and put on a quick fire. When
about half done, add a pint of cream, and a lump
of butter the size of a walnut, rolled in flour. Keep
constantly stirring until done.
Tapioca Cream.— Put two tablcspoonsful of
tapioca to soak iu cold water ; set it on . the stove,
and, when thoroughly dissolved, pour in a quart of
milk. When this begins to boil stir in the yelk of
two eggs well beaten, with a cup of sugar. When
this boils stir iu the whites, beaten to a stiff frorli,
and take it immediately from the Are. Flavor to taste.
Sweet Green Tomato Pickles.— Wash, remove
any imperfections, weigh out eight pounds, chop
fine, add four pounds of white or light brown sugar;
boil slowly for three hours, then add a quart of
vinegar and a desertspoonful each of ground cinna-
mon and cloves. Boil fifteen or twenty minutes
longer, and when cool, put into bottles or jars.
Frogs and Tomatoes. — Put your frog-legs in
boiling water; take them out and place then in cold
water ; prepare your tomatoes as for a sauce, put in
a casserole your frog-legs, with a piece of butter,
and fry them gently, serve the legs nicely arranged
in the tomato sauce ; garnish with toast cut into
lozenges.
Fruit Jelly.— One box of gelatine, rind of a
lemon, one pint of cold water ; allow this to stand
one hour and a half, then add two and a half pints
of boiling water, two pounds of granulated sugar,
one pint of any fruit syrup; stir gently until the
sugar ia dissolved, then pour into mould.
Breakfast Biscuit.— Rub butter in flour in the
proportion of % of a pound of a former to a quart
of the latter; add % of a tcaspoonful of pulverized
baking soda, and a little salt; mix with thick milk
and bake in hot oven.
Boiled Pudding. — Six egg, well beaten; seven
tablcspoonsful flour, one quart milk, nutmeg ; boil
in a pudding boiler one hour. Sauce: Cream, one
cup of butter and two cups fine sugar ; add one
claret glass of sherry or currant wine.
When molasses is used in cooking it is an im-
provement to boil and skim it before you use it. It
takes out the unpleasant, raw taste and makes it
almost as good as sugar.
Lamp Wkks. — Lampwick soaked for a quarterof
an hour in vinegar and then dried before being put
into a lamp will not smoke. Try so simple a cure.
Live Stock.
Pigs.
Black or flesh-colored pigs are freest from skin
disease in hot climates. The choice is practically
between the Essex and Berkshlrcs for males with
which to improve the native stock of hardy grubbers
of the root-or-die variety. Those who have tried the
former have been delighted at first, but after a few
years began to recall with longing the lean hams and
slim but solid flavorous bacon of the old race-horse
breed. The trouble with the Essex pigs for the
south Is that they are the eat-aud-sleep to sleep-and-
awake-to-cat kind and their grades are, of course,
like them. The side fat is superb, and so is the leaf
lard, and so far the breed is all that could be desired;
but the ham and shoulders are too fat for profit, and
the ham is not marbled with fat like the Berkshires.
Tlicse (the Berks) arc much more wide awake, less
easily controlled, but good foragers. Their grades
are a wonderful improvement upon the original
stock, may lie made very fat, and yet tlic proportion
between the fat and lean hams, shoulders and side
pork or bacon is such as to develop and preserve the
excellencies of the meat. The hams are large and
rich and juey, with diffused fat. Berkshires are not
quite so easily fattened when penned and systemati-
cally fed as the Essex grade, but they will take much
better care of themselves in the woods, and when
penned or fastened for fattening, may be flnished off
with half the feed the original "land pikes" would
lire.
With many northern and western breeders the
Essex is a more profitable pig than the Berkshire,
because his nature leads him to take little exercise,
BO that all he eats gois to flesh and fat. Kesplration,
which, if rapid, reduces fat gently, is with him never
accelerated by moving about, and with plenty of
feed, the sole burden of life is to digest it. This
breed is pre-eminent among the black breeds and ex-
celled by none as fat producers. — American Agri-
culturist.
Sheep in the Corn Fields.
A correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial
says that he has found the corn fields excellent
places for sheep. After the corn is laid by tlic
sheep may have a week's run there with great ad-
vantage. There is fresh grass along the fence
rows, and perhaps weeds that will give variety.
We have never had lambs do better than in the corn
fields in the fall. We bring them out every night.
In this way they do not break down the corn. The
day is busily spent, and the field as well as the flock
looks the better for the run there.
After the corn has eared we have turned the
whole flock into the fields and been well pleased
with the practice. The sheep eat millions of weed
seeds and very little or no corn. Should an ear be
pulled off, which is very rare, every grain on that
ear will be picked off and eaten by the sheep, and
find no trouble in the practice of turuiug them into
tliecorn fields after roasting ears have well formed.
At that time pastures are generally the poorest and
need rest. Changing the sheep to the corn fields
will give the needed rest. Then the sheep can take
the grains of the pasture bel'ore the severe frosts
injure the grass. After these frosts the sheep may
find a fresh change in the corn fields. Sheep need
frequent changes of range, and we who have no
woods or waste lands on our farms can make a
porfitable change to tlie corn fields.
Galled Shoulders and Backs.
During the hard work of seed time, farm horses
are, in some seasons more than in others — in wet and
warm seasons — subject to galled shoulders and backs,
which, when not attended to, are apt to produce
troublesome sores. The ekin is not only abraded by
the collar and saddle, but irritated and inflamed;
and if the irritation is kept up, an ichorous discharge
takes place, which is difficult to heal without giving
tlio horse rest. When a saddle-gall is observed, the
harness should be looked to, and the pressing points
which have caused tlie sore should be relieved. A
lotion should then be used to anoint the bruised parts
every night, after they have been washed with warm
soap-suds, and dried with a soft clotli. The follow-
ing is a useful application: Take hot lime shells of
the bulk of two quarts, and pour upon them two
quarts of cold water; and, after they have intimately
combined, pour off t'.ie liquid into a dish. Add to
this liquid five wine-glassfulls of linseed oil and two
ounces of fine powdered sugar of lead, dissolved in
a little water. Stir them together, and then bottle
and cork up for use. After the bruises have been
washed in the evening, anoint them with this liquid
with a feather until the wounds heal.
the dogs ; they turn their tails and leave the sheep,
fearing the noise of the bells will lead to their ex-
posure. The ratio of bells may be made to vary ac-
cording to the size of the flock.
Driving After Eating.
The digestion of a horse is governed by the same
laws as that of man, and as we know that it is not
best for man to go at hard work the moment a.liear-
ty meal is eaten, so we should remember tliat a horse
ought to have a little rest after his meal, while the
slomacli is most active in the process of digestion.
Many a good horse lias been ruined by Injudicious
haste in working him with a full stomach.
Preserving Sheep from Dogs.
On one sheep in every ten of the flock put a
bell of the usual size for sheep. The instinct of the
dog prompts hira to do all his acts in a sly, stealthy
manner ; his attacks upon sheep are most I'rcqucntly
made at night while they are at rest, and the sim-
ultaneous jingling of all the bells strikes terror to
Hurrying the Cows.
If moderation is needed anywhere on the farm, It
is in tlie driving of cows. A boy or a dog that will
hurry, and therefore worry, the cows as they are
taken to and from the pasture should be — to put it
mildly- attended to. Boys-, do not run the cows
home, even if it Is getting late, especially if it is on
the way to the yard and their udders are full of
milk.
Apiary,
The Harvest White Honey.
Our honey harvest usually commences al)out June
'JOth, and closes from July 20th to August lOlh, un-
less we get a yield of buckwheat honey, and in that
case it closes about September Ist, we almost always
having a period of nearly two weeks scarcity be-
tween the white honey liarvest and buckwheat. The
4th of July is the earliest we ever took off any box
honey, we believe, so we will sup|)Ose that our
swarming is all done up by the time this reaches
you, and we are ready to look after the boxes. If
you did not forget to put your boxes which were
nearly full of comb in the centre, on top of each
hive, you will now only need to look after those
to ascertain if any are fit to come off, as those will
certainly lie the first finished. To do this, get
your smoker, gently pry the cases apart with a
stout knife, blow in a little smoke so the bees
will get out of the way, and you can see If
they are completed. If they are, pry the cases off a
little at the bottom, and then lift out gently the case
holding the finished boxes, and give it a quick shake,
as you would a frame, to dislodge the bees from it.
Shake the bees off at the entrance so they may read-
ily enter the hive, remove the boxes from the case,
and shake off from each separate box the few bees
that may still cling to the honey ; fill the ease with
empty boxes provided with starters, and put it in
place again on the hive. Set your honey in your
wheelbarrow or cart which you have to carry the
honey to your honey-room with and go on to the
next hive, and so on until tlie apiary is gone over.
There is little danger of robbing at this season, but
if the bees seem disposed to follow your honey, keep
it covered with a sheet.
In a week start over the apiary the second time,
and so keep going over it once a week, being sure
that all filled boxes are removed, and thus your
honey will be nice and the combs as white as snow.
If you use side hnxi-s, raise the partly filled ones
from the sides and put tlium in place of the full box-
es, raise the partly filled ones from the sides and
put them in place of the full boxes taken off, and
place the empty ones at the sides. We usually place
but one tier of boxes at the sides at first, and then
when the bees get well at work in them, push them
out and place the other tier between them and the
side of the hive, thus inciting the bees to greater ac-
tivity. As the season draws to a close, we raise the
side boxes to the top and close the sides with the fol-
lowers, so as to get all boxes commenced in filled, if
possible. With the top box hives, we crowd the
partly filled ones together, placing the empty boxes
on the outside instead of the centre, as at first. It
usually takes us four days to go over the apiary in
the height of the season, leaving us two days to
look after our nuclei and attend to the many duties
which devolve on the apiarist.
Store your honey in a small, tight room, placed on
scantling, so that the fumes from burning sulphur
can enter or pass between each box, so as to kill the
larvae of the wax moth, which always appear to .a
greater or less extent, burning three-quarters of a
pound of sulphur to every two hundred cubic feet
contained in the room. To best do this your scant-
ling should be raised at least a foot from the floor,
and a kettle with some coals in it placed beneath.
Pour on the sulphur, close the room tight, and leave
it for fifteen minutes, when it should be opened
to let the smoke out, for if it settles on the combs it
will give them a greenish tint, or if you burn more
than the above amount it will turn the combs green.
We have found it a nice point to burn just enough
sulphur ; if you use too much it hurts the looks of
the honey, and if too little all the worms are not
killed. Burn your sulphur two weeks after the boxes
are removed from the hives, as the eggs are generally
all hatched by that time, and if you store all In the
144
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ September, 18?0.
same room sulphur once in two weeks till the last is
off. Tour honey should be assorted, as piled, into
about three grades — first, second and third quality.
Put nothing but No. 1 in the first, the colored combs
and the mixed in the second, and the buckwheat in
the third. By this way you will be saved trouble
when you come to crate for market. In short, have
an eye to business, as this month is the harvest time
for beekeepers in most localities, and leave no stoue
unturned that will eive you a pound more honey. —
G, M. Doolittle in American Bee Journal.
Why Bees Work in the Dark.
Every one knows what fresh honey is like — a clear
yellow syrup, without any trace of solid sugar in it.
After straining, it gradually assumes a crystal ap-
pearance— It candies, as the saying is, and ultimately
becomes a solid mass of sugar. It has been sus-
pected that this change is due to photographic action
— the same agent which alters the molecular ar-
rangement of the iodine of silver on the excited col-
lodion plate and determines the formation of Cam-
phor and iodine crystals in a bottle, causes honey to
assume a crystalline form. M. Scheiber inclosed
honey in well corked flasks, some of which he kept
in perfect darkness, while the others were exposed
to the light. The result has been that that portion
exposed to the light soon crystallizes, while that
kept in the dark remains unchanged. Hence we see
why the bees are so careful to work in the dark,
and why they are so careful to obscure the glass
windows which are sometimes placed in their hives.
The existence of the young depends on the liquidity
of the saccharine food presented to them, and if light
were allowed access to this, in all probability it
would prove fatal to the inmates of the hive.— West-
ern Farm Journal.
Fertile Workers.
At the Western Illinois Convention, Mr. Argo said:
Fertile workers used to be my masters, but now I
am their master. About mid-day take out two or
three middle frames from the hive, with a fertile
worker ; go about ten yards from the hive and shake
off every bee in a pile, then take the frames to a
strong stand and exchange for frames full of brood,
with the young bees just emerging. Brush back the
bees and jjive the frames to the fertile worker-stand
and close urp. Then you can give them a queen in
the cage or cell to rear one by night, as by that time
there will be young bees enough out to accept and pro-
tect either. Besides, if the fertile workers ever found
there way back to the hive, they will kill them when
they have a queen or a cell. I never failed in this
method.
Poultry.
Save the Choice Fowls.
It is too commonly the practice among our fan-
ciers who are so fortunate, year after year, as to be
able to produce finer specimens of fowls — of one
kind or another — to dispose of their better kinds to
the first comer who will pay the fancy price demand-
ed for these best examples.
The temptation of twenty, thirty or fifty dollars
for a choice pair, or often for a single specimen that
is A 1 in a quality, is very great, it must be admitted.
But it is rarely that such successful raiser of these
beautiful fowls reflects upon the importance of re-
taining in his own possession these extra cocks and
hens — with which he may be able to produce, in a
little while, dozens or scores of their like — should he
kdep and breed them himself.
We suggest the propriety and advantage to the
original breeder of such exceptional fowls of saving
these choice samples for himself in many cases. No
one can breed these birds so well as he can. No pur-
chaser can take such extra fine fowls away and breed
from them so successfully as can the man who knows
how they are produced and what they should be
mated with, to yield the average future good results.
At the least, we conceive it most advisable to re-
tain some of our choicest breeders for use in suc-
cession. We went into the yards of an Asiatic
fancier recently, who has bred some rare birds in the
past three years, and were astonished when we asked
to see the splendid fowls we knew had taken so many
prizes latterly, to be informed that he had " sold
them all — at very good figures, too!"
He relies apon his young stock, now coming up,
for future operations. But we could not avoid the
impression that he had made a mistake in thus clean-
ing out his pens of the fine old birds.
Save some of the best ones annually. Tou may
make a few dollars by your sales, but your patrons
are the men who make the test of this bargain with
you in the end. — Poultry World.
Poultry Notes.
Take care of the young chicks; protect them well
at night from rats, cats, and "varmints," keep their
coops out in a clean grass plot, and keep the hen-
house well cleaned and whitewashed. Don't pen up
chickens, if you wish them to be healthy; let them
run and catch the insects.
The value of milk as a drink for chicks, or as a
fluid, when scalded, with wliich corn meal and bran
may be mixed for their early diet, can scarcely be
overestimated.
Feed often. All the younglings can eat up clean
at a time should only he furnished. Pouring into
the coop a mass of meal-posh, uncooked and watery
— to " save time " — is not feeding chickens well. If
hungry, they will devour a portion of this mess, but
it does them little good comparatively. The balance
sours, thej peck it for lack of something better, and
shortly we find them scouring, getting ill, weaken-
ing in the legs, and dying off by degrees. Good,
sweet, sound food is indispensable.
Some farmers make it a practice to keep their
poultry in their orchards from early spring until cold
weather sets in, and they find that it pays. A picket
fence should be built around the orchard, high
enough to prevent their flying over, with suitable
buildings in one corner of the yard to shelter them
at night. Thus situated the poultry will thrive and
prosper, keeping themselves in good condition, and
the increase of eggs will be greatly augmented and
their usefulness enhanced to their owners at least,
on account of the myriads of insects and worms
they destroy, and which will more than repay the
cost and labor of building the fence. By keeping
them inclosed in this manner, a large number of
ibwls may be retained in the orchard, and the con-
tinual scratching which is done by them will prove
advantageous both to the soil and trees themselves.
— Western Agriculturist.
Vegetable Food.
Any of the roots — as potatoes, rutabagas, turnips,
carrots, etc., when boiled and mixed with corn and
rye-meal — make an excellent and economical daily
food for poultry. In this form fowls are fond of the
diet, and it works very kindly with them.
Most inexperienced breeders think it necessary to
dole out dry grain only to their chickens — generally
whole corn — from year's end to year's end. And
where large numbers of fowls are kept it is often
considered too troublesome to supply cooked vege-
tables for the fowl stock, the dry-feed system being
the handiest, of course.
But there is nothing that Is so great a help to the
poulterer, first and last, either in the cost or
through the benefits to be derived to the stock, as a
regular feed every day of cooked vegetables. We
have tried this particularly for years, and we have
found it highly advantageous, as compared with
any other method of feeding.
There are other kinds of vegetables also which
are quite as valuable as are the roots mentioned, for
use among poultry, in their season. The leaves of
turnips or carrots, raw cabbages at any time of the
year, green corn in the ear, etc., may be given to
poultry freely, and these will all be relished. But
if at least one-half of all the food given them be of
some sort of vegetable and green, fowls will con-
stantly be found in better thrift and in finer con-
dition than when fed in any other way. — Poultry
World. '
Poultry.
Poultry needs far more care during damp, rainy, or
wet weather than durmg the dry, warm weather or
the clear cold of winter, for dampness engenders
numerous disorders, many of which are difficult to
cure, therefore it is always better to apply the pre-
ventive than to administer the supposed cure.
Literary and Personal.
Circular letter of Commissioner of Agricul-
ture, relative to the manufacture of maize and
sorghum sugars, 'l\ pp. octavo, Washington, D. C.
W. G. LeDuc, Com.
Quarterly Report, of the Kansas State Board
of Agriculture, for the quarter ending, June ."0, 1879.
Also containing statistics relative to industries, popu-
lation, &c., &c., by counties. Alfred Gray, Secretary,
Topeka, Kansas, with table of contents, 66 pp. 8 vo.
Report of Condition of Crops to Aug. 1st, 1.S79.
25 pp. octavo, including Table of Statistics, Wash-
ington, D. C.
The foregoing documents are all interesting and
useful to the farmer and the farm, and may be ob-
tained by sending a postal card to the respective
addresses.
Wholesale Price List, of the Bloomington Nur-
sery. Principal office % mile N. E. of Court House,
and one mile south of Normal School : three blocks
south-cast of Normal Passenger Station, Blooming-
ton, McLean Co., 111. For the fall of 1879. Baird
& Tuttle, agents. For J. S. Tuttle and A. Follet,
Proprietors, 20 pp. octavo.
A General Index of the Agricultural Reports of
the Patent Office for twenty-five years, from 1837 to
1861, and of the Department of Agriculture, for fif-
teen years, from 1862 to 1876. By the commissioners
of agriculture. This is an octavo of 225 pages, and
will be exceedingly convenient to those who wish to
consult those reports, and especially to those who
possess them ; and will add materially to their value.
Not a subject that has been treated in those reports
during the last forty years, but what may be found,
under" its proper letter, in this index, and the Gov
ernment has been very considerate in publishing it.
We are indebted to Cyrus T. Fox, Esq., Secretary,
for a complimentary copy of the Premiums, Rules
and Regulations of the Berks County Agricultural
and Horticultural Society, at their twenty-fifth an-
nual Exhibition; to be held at Reading, Pa., on
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Sep-
tember 30th and October 1st, 2d and 3d, 1879.
Berks county is famous for its agricultural shows,
and to judge from the enterprise manifested in this
premium list, the one this year is going to be a
success, for it is exceedingly liberal, and looks more
like business than any we have seen the present
season.
Afield and Afloat. A demi-folio of 12 four
column pages; devoted to such subjects as may be le,
gitimutely included in its title, namely sporting intelli-
gence in general, and the manipulations of the Rod
and Gun, and military matters, in particular. Pub-
lished by the "Afield and Afloat" Company, at 607
Sansom street, Philadelphia, every Saturday, at
$2.00 per annum. W. C. Ha.-ris, managing Editor.
This is a remarkably well gotten up journal, with
faultless typography and a fine quality of paper; and
on the whole, its literary composition is of a superior
order in the sphere of its operation. To those who
lean towards the pleasures of the rod and gun, it is
of inestimable value.
Carpentry and Building, a 9 by 13 quarto of
28 three column pages, devoted exclusively, in its
advertising and literary departments, to the inter ests
of theoretical and practical building ; finely em bel-
lished with appropriate illustrations, printed on
fine white calendered paper, and in clear type. The
August number before us has seventy-two illustra-
tive figures, explanatory of elementary and practical
building, exclusive of those which exemplify the
advertisements, and 60 separate articles on various
collateral subjects. One dollar a year, monthly, 83
Read street. New York; 220 South Front street,
Philadelphia; 77 Fourth street, Pittsburg; Merchants'
Exchange, Cincinnati; Eighth and M arket streets,
Chattanooga ; a single number, 10 cents.
Annual Report upon Explorations and Surveys
in the Department of the .Missouri, by E.H. Ruffner,
let Lieutenant of Engineers U. S. A. Being Ap-
pendix S. S. to the general work. Through the
kindness of Prof. Herman Strecker, of Reading, Pa.,
we have received a copy of this work, in octavo, and
about 200 pages. In addition to other matters it
contains reports from Prof. Asa Gray, Prof. T. S.
Brandegee, Prof. Cyrus Thomas, and Prof. Herman
Strecker, on the Botany and Entomology of the
survey.
Prof. Strecker's paper is illustrated with beautiful-
ly colored figures, making two full page plates,
among which are eight new species of Lepidoptera.
Our thanks are due for this act of kind considera-
"Thb South" — A journal of Southern and
Southwestern progress — Ably inculcates the doctrine
that "wealth is a natural element to be utilized by
labor. The highest human condition is possible
where climate, soil and minerals exist in the greatest
perfection." Office No. 9 Spruce street, Printing-
House Square, New York; August, 1879. $1.50 a
year in advance. This may be called a monthly
demi-fblio of 20 pages, and four columns to the page;
and as it is solid and mainly in small type,it contains
a more than ordinary amount of well written and
well selected reading matter on subjects relating to
its specialties, as set forth in its enunciation of prin-
ciples— prmeiples that underlie our whole social sys-
tem, however the rigidly righteous may affect to
despise them; for wealth is the great lever of pro-
greesB, and when we regard it as a "natural ele-
ment," and subordinate it to the rational and the
spiritual, it may become the medium of human re-
generation.
Kussel on Scientific Horseshoeing, for the
different diseases of the foot. An octavo of 142
pages, with a full page portrait of the author, and
fifty excellently executed wood-cut illustrations,
distributed throughout the work ; together with
fac similes of the International diploma of 1876, and
of Centennial and Cincinnati Industrial medals ; in
eight chapters and an appendix. This is a remarka-
bly well gotten up work, printed with clear type, and
on fine tinted calendered paper. These chapters
treat respectively on anatomy, the practice of shoe-
ing, shoeing of different kinds of horses, diseases of
the foot, forging, speedy cutting, &c., gaiting and
balancing the action of horses, the mule, and shoes
us^d for specific purposes, with observations on the
training and responsibilities of farriers, &c. If
horses are to be shod (and we think to be used in
cities with paved streets, and over hard macadamized
roads, they ought to be, notwithstanding the modern
theory to the contrary,) then they ought to be scien-
tifically, artistically and practically shod ; and relia-
ble information on those very subjects is what this
work professes to furnish. Substantially bound in
cloth, and published by Robert Clark, & Co., Cio-
cinuati, Ohio.
THE LANCASTER FARMER
ELASTIC TRUSS
Has a Pad dif-
fering from
all others, U
oup-shaped)
with SELF-
ADJUST 'NG
BAI.I. in the
center, adapt!
itself to all
positions of the body,
whUe the BALIi in the
Cnp PRESSES BACK
THE INTESTINES
JUST AS A PERSON
WOULD WITH THE
FINGER. W^ith light
HEARING
VERY&HARPKK,
pressure
the Hernia is
held seonrely day and night, and a rad-
ical cure is certain. It is easy, durable
&nd cheap. Sent by mail, postage paid.
Circulars free.
Address. Eggleston Truss Co., Manfira.
Oi^ C. H. EGGLESTON CO., Chicago,lll.
NICHOLS, SHEPARD& CO.,
:Bttttlo Creole, Mlc-ll.
ORIGINAL AND ONLY GENUINE
THRESHING WftCHINERY.
THE Matchlewi Onln-SaTlnif, Tlme-SaWnf
»qA Mnnpy-Savtng Thri'ntitTB oftlilii d«y •pd gcuer*
uid for Bftrlog Orftln from WftaUge.
$5 TO $20K
LOWEST PRICES WILL RULE.
Lowest Prices
Ever Known in the U. S. for Bones and
phates.
we have this day reduced the price of
BAl^GirS RAW BONE POOSPIIATE
$30 PER 2000 lbs. CASH,
WITH DISCOUNT TO DEALERS,
Delivered ou board boator carsiuPhiladelphiaor Baltimore.
Dealers will take notice they will be protected in the
Bale of this Mauure. Only cue dealer will be established in
a town, who will be furnished with the Phosphate at whole-
Early correspondence from those who wiah to control the
above goods in «iieciai sections oi- towuships, is necessary,
as we are organizing for the Summer and Fall busiaesa a
system of unprecedented
LOV^ PRICES,
how the Agricultural Community th;
ikiiigr aiid MclUn^
Bone Fertilizers
are beyond all question, uneurpaesed iu the
UNITED STATES.
LOW PRICES WILL RULE.
BAUGH & SONS,
Philadelphia and Baltimore.
lOutflt free. Address True & Co., Augusta, Maine.
M. HABERBUSH,
MANDFACTUREP. OP
Plain and Fine Harness,
COLLARS, WHIPS, FLY NETS, &o.,
also dealer in
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
BUFAiO ROBES,
Horse Covers, Lap-Rugs, Gloves, &c.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
-1-1»] LAHOASTEB, PA.
THE ENTIRK Threshing Expenses (and often
three U) Ave times that aiiiouot) can be made by the
Extra Grain SAVED by these Improved Machines.
GRAIN Knlsers will not submit to the enor-
NOT Only Tastly Superior for Wheat, Osts,
Millet. Clovci, and Uke
JLWARTELOUS for Simplicity of Parts, usinR
Clean Work, with no Litterings or Seiitteriogs.
rOUR Sizes of Separators Uade, Banging
from Six to Twelve-Horsesize, and l»o styles of Mbunl-
ed Horse Powers to match.
TlOB Particulars, Call on onr Dealers or
A GOOD PLAN.
Anybody can learu to make money rapidly operating In
Stocks, by the "Two TTneiTiui? Rules for Success" in Messrs.
Lawrence & Co.'s new circular. The combination method,
which this firm has made so successful, enables people with
large or small meaus torenpall th.-benefitSof largest capital
and best skill. TlmuBauds of oniers, in various sums, are
pooled iuto one vast amouiil and co-operated aa a. viighty
whole, thus HeL-unnt< to -.luU shareholder all the advantages
of thelargfHtoperalor. Imnu-nseprolltsaredivided monthly.
Any amoun! from $.t to $3,0(»>. or more, can be used success-
fully. N. Y. BapiiHt Weekly, September 26th, 1S7S, says,
"By ihe combination system $'5 would make $75, or 5 per
cent ; $50 pays $:^.J0, or T per cent.; $100 makes $1,000,
or 10 per cent, on Ihe stock, during the month, according
to the market." Frank Leslie's f/lunfrated Xcwupaper, June
29th;: The combination method of operating stocks is the
most successful ever adopted." New York Independent
September l'2th: The comtiinrition system is, founded upon
principles, and no iiernon need be. without
Co.'s combinations.'
everything. Stocks and hi.
supplied. Lawreuce & Co,
N. V.
DISEASESOFLIVESTOCK
of all the usual diseases to which these uttimals are liable,
aud the most successful treatiuent of American, Eugliah,
and European veteriuariaus, by Li.otd V. Tellob, M. D.
Pp. ««. Price, cloth, 82.50. /{old only by mttKripUon.
Specimen copy mailed ou receipt of price. Kvery Mtock
owner and farmer will buy this book on Hieht,
as it will save him hundreds of dollars. AN ACIENT
WANTED IN EVEKY TOWN. Agents are making
from $10 to 820 a day se ling it. For Circulars and
terms, addr
. C. WATTS CO., 608 Minor 8t., Plliladelphia.
A DEPARTURE
High Pricesfor Phosphates.
TWENTY DOLL:\R PHOSPHATE,
WE GUARANTEE
tbe following analysis, which will be printed ou
every bag :
Ammonia, - - - a} to 3 per cent.
Bone Phosphate, Soluble, 10 " 12 ''
" " Insoluble, 7 " 8 "
Price, $20 per 2000 lbs. in NewBaesof
200 lbs. each,
Free on borrd cars or li.mu in I'lilliidi'lpbia or Baltunore.
Philiidolphla.
ARMS
the Kansas Pacifio
llbikaj. 3,000,000
Acres for Sale in tbe
GOLDEN BELT.
HOMES
""nlf"M.,j')a'ar.'l' fui'l Mi'fi.in"',lll.'n' Fl
8. «Il.JitOBE, Land Coiiimi,».ui.,.r
79-9-.3meom]
OFFICE,
9 North Queeo Stteel
LANCASTER, PA..
Is an old, well-established newspaper, and contains just the
news desirable to make it an iuterestiug and valuable
Family Newspaper. It is published on Wednesday aud
Saturday, subscribers having the choice of whichever edition
that suits their mail facilities best. The postage to eub-
Bcribers residing outside of Lancaster county is paid by tbe
publisher.
Send for a specimen copy.
Two Dollars per Annum.
Is published every afternoon (except Sunday) and oont.ini
the news by mail and telegraph from all parts of the world
ui> to the hour ef going to press. It is furnished to sub-
scribers at all the towns and villages in tbe county, acces-
sible by rail or stage, by carriers at Ten €«aU a Week,
or by maU at Five Uollnrs per Year,
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Proprietor,
No. 9 Nortti Queen St.,
THE ,,'LANCASTER FARMER.
[September, 1879.
A HOME ORGAN FOR FARMERS.
A MONTHLY JOUEN AL,
to Agriculttire, Horticulture. Do-
mestic Economy and Miscellany.
Founded Under the Auspices of the Lancas-
ter County Agricultural and Horti-
cultural Society.
EDITED BY DR. S. S. RATHVON.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION :
ONEDOLLpPERANNUtll,
POSTAGE PREPAID BY THE PROPBIETOR.
All subscriptions will commence with the
January number, unless otherwise ordered.
Dr. 8. S. Rathvon, who has so ably managed the editorial
department in the past, will continue in the position of
editor. His contributions on subjects connected with the
science of farming, and particularly that specialty of which
he is 80 thorouhly a master— entomological science— some
knowledge of which has become a necessity to the success-
ful farmer, are alone worth much more than the price of
this publication. He Is determined to make "The Farmer"
a necessity to all households.
A county that has so wide a reputation as Lancaster
ounty for its agricultural products, should certainly be
able to support an agricultural paper of its own, for the
exchange of the opinions of farmers interested in this mat-
oter. We ask the co-oporation of all farmers interested in
tills matter. Work among your friends. The "Farmer" is
Only one dollar per year. Show them your copy. Try and
induce them to subscribe. It is not much for each eub-
acriber to do but it will greatly assist us.
All communications In regard tothe editorial management
ehould be addressed to Dr. S. 8. RathTOn, Lancaster, Pa.,
and all business letters in regard to subscriptions and ad-
Tertising should be addressed to the publisher. Rates of
advertising can be had on application at the office.
JOHN A HIESTAND,
No. g North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
The Feaeless
The only machine awarded a medal on both Horse-Power and Thresher and Gleaner, at the Centennial
Exhibition, as shown by Official Report, which eaya : " For Kpeclnl features In the Power to secure
Ucbt runnlUK and minimum friction. For the Ini-enlouo form of the Struw Shakers, which Insuro
tSe proper uKltatlon to Separate the tralD from the straw." For Catalogue,»Prlce-Li8t, and full
report of trial, address MINABD HABDEH, CobleskiU, Schoharie Co, N. Y.
79-7-3nfl]
$66'
Address
lyr«
your c
WHY GO WEST
When desirable Farm Lands in the Great Fruit Dis-
trict of the Feiili>»ular Garden can be had?
Cool summers, mild winters, pure waters, kind soil, and
every advantage of speedy communication by Railroad,
Telegraph, and Daily Mails. A soil producing the finest
Grain, Fruits add Flowers, and the waters the choicest Fish,
Oysters, Terrapin, and Wild Fowl "
equalled;
Del.
For Illustrated
LAND AGENT, P. W. & B. R. B.
fWSpecial advantages offered
[79-5-1 t
HOME-MADE
MANURES.
scimfic FflfiMULss Foe iHEie MAnypftciyeE on
\m im m lo m jooress,
The Cheape.st, and we believe the most ef-
fective Manure in use, can be made with. but
little trouble, by u.sing our Fertilizing Chemi-
cals and Bones, which we furnish of the best
quality, and at lowest prices. We offer, of our
own manufacture or importation,
Dissolved Bones, Sulphate of Ammonia,
Perfectly Pure Ground Bones, Fertilizing Salt,
Acidulated Phosphate Rock, Sulphate of Soda,
Phosphate Rock, fine ground. Muriate of Potash,
Land Plaster, pure aud fine Oil Vitriol, full strength,
ground. Sulphate of Magnesia
Sulphate Potash (Kamit), (Kieserite).
Nitrate of Soda,
HARRISON BROTHERS & CO.,
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS,
Maniifactnrers of FertilizinE Clieiicals.
(Established 1793.)
FACTORIES AND MILLS AT GRAY'S FERRY.
Office: 105 Soutli Front Street,
PHILADELPHIA PA
J". ST^^XJIi^IJ^IEIin.,
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
LANCASTER, JfA.,
235 EAST ORANGE ST.
All matters appertaining to UNITED STATES or CANA-
DIAN PATENTS, TRADE MARKS, and COPYRIGHTS,
promptly attended to. His experience, success aud faithful
attention to the interests of those who engage his services
are fully acknowledged and appreciated.
Preliminary examinations made for him by a reliable As-
sistant at Washington, without extra charge for drawing
or deMripOon. [7»-l-tf
We call the attention of our readers in search of
good homes in the West to the advertisement of
Farms and Homes in another column, and advise all
to send to S. Gij-moke, Salina, Kansas, for a free
copy of the Homestead, a paper published in the
interests of all desiring cheap homes in a good
country.
GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
fpctlv
Before Taking i'^/e's^^dyuseV/or oTe? After Taking.
thirty years with great success. Full particulars in our
pamphlet, which we desireto send free by mail to every one.
The specific medicine is sold by all druggists at $1 per pack-
age, or six packages lor $>, or will be sent free by mail on
receipt of the mouev by addressing
THE GRAY MEDICINE COMPANY,
No. 10 IKeohaniCB" Block, Detroit, Michigan.
rS^SoUl in Liiucaster by H. B. Cochkan. 137 and 139 N.
Queen St , aud by dnijjKisis eve: y where. [79-3-12
ZIMMERMAN
FItZriT AND VEQEIASZM
DRYER & BAKE OVEN
Over 11,000 in use.
The BEST in the market.
Made entirely of Galvanised Iron
AGENTS WANTED.
Send for Circular. Address
1879 SPRING AND SUMMER 187»
Coats aijd Coatings^
PANTS AND PANTING8,
VESTS AND VP:STINGS,
SUITS AND SUITINGS,
OVERCOATS AND OVERCOATINGS
RATHVON & FISHER'S,
IJerchant Tailors, Drapiers and Glotljiers,
Corner N. Queen and Orange Sts.,
LANCASTER, PA.
Underclothing and Fnrnishiiie Goods. All the noT-
elties of the Season.
as any other place in the city. Goods all wool, perfect, and
satisfHctiou guaranteed. Orders respect-
1S79
isfHctiou guaranteed, orders res
fully solicited, and promptly executed.
lf«79
KENDALL'S "oe ;iir:cu^flpa"v^nt
splint. Curb, Callous, *c., or any enlargement, AND WILL
REMOVE TIIH HUNCH WITHOUT BLISTERING or
C« 13 A ITTlWr causing a sore. No remedy ever
^ W^ n. V XXII discovered equals it for certainty
of action in stopping the lameness aud removingthe bnuch.
Price $1 00. Send for circular giving POSITIVE PROOF.
^^TTTS T 8ULD BY DRUGGISTS or sent by the in-
yj \J ^&Xi ventor, B. J. Kendall, M. D..
FaUs, Vt. Johnston, HoUoway & Co., Agts., 6C
rhiladelptiia, Pa.
79-8- tf.
rgu
St.,
ONE DOLLAR FEE ANNUM.-SIITGLE COFZES 10 CENTS.
Dr. S. S. BATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER. PA., OCTOBER, 1879.
JOHN A. HIESTAND, Publisher.
145
CONTENTS OFJHIS NUMBER.
EDITORIAL.
. The Weather,
• Common Sense, ......
• Our Late Local Exhibition, ....
. Maple Coccus, - - . . . -
^Thanks,
QUERIES AND ANSWERS.
. Large Water-Beetle, 145
• Spectre Insect, --..-.. 145
COMMUNICATIONS.
- Letter From Missouri— .B. F. Wylde, - - 146
•Introductory, - 146
March to the Sea— J. WittJch.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
.TheHepatica, or Liver Leaf— ,;■. .SfaHjTer, . 147
SELECTIONS.
• Lancaster County Cattle, - .... 148
• Revised Fruit List, 148
• Home and Export Tobacco Market, ... 149
Seed leaf— Siiles— Quotations.
• Sheep Husbandry in the United States, . 149
, Raising Horses in Texas, . - - - - 149
, Growth and Development of the West, - - 150
. Production and Keeping of Eggs, - . - 1.50
.Tobacco, ... .... 151
• Essay on the Subject of Manuring Land and how
to Apply it, ...... 1.51
. Labor-Saving Implements, - . . . i.^i
.The Balance of Nature— Fish, .... 152
^ Standard of the American Jersey Cattle Club, . 152
f Whole Acres of Perfume, .... 1,52
, Altitudes in Pennsylvania, - - . -153
»The Cattle Disease, 153
■ Singular Discovery, ...... 153
,A New Use for the Mullein, - . - . 1,53'
< Juice of the Tomato Plant an Insecticide, - 153
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
• Lancaster County Agricultural and Horticultu-
ral Society, I53
Report of Special CommitteeB— Crop ReportB—
Should C)rch,irdB be Cultivated— The New Society
— Fiirmiug iu the far West— Amendmeut to By-
l.aws— Bneiness for next Meeting- Fruits and
Flowers.
- The Poultry Association
Report of Committee—;
. Fulton Farmers' Club, . - - - . 154
Exhibit of Farm I'rodncts- Asking Questions-
Viewing the Farm— Afternoon Session- Literary.
• The Linnsean Society, 155
Historical Section — To the Library— Papers read,
AGRICULTURE.
• Application of Manure, 155
• Plowing Down Green Crops, . - . - 155
, Putting in the Wheat Crop, .... 155
t Smut in Grain, I55
'*• Western farms Much Favored, - - - 156
, CultijTtating Wheat in England, . . . 150
■ , To Kiil^tael #nd Clean Gravel Walks, - 156
• Fall Plow!^-;^'r Porn, 156
' Business.
HORTICULTURE.
Growing the Fear, - - - . . . 156
Small Fruits, 156
Mulching Strawberries, ..... 1.50
Distances for Grapes, - - - - - 1.50
.Putting Away Potatoes, .... 1,57
.Beet Sugar, - 157
Apples — Picking and Keeping Them, . . 157
Seedling Fruits, 157
Olives in California, 157
,To Prepare a Strawberry Bed, . - - - 157
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
Extravagance of American Housekeepers,
,A Geose, .---..-
157
Roast Goose— Green Goose, to Roast — Roast Ducks
—To Boil Ducks— Ducts Stewed with Red Cab-
bage— To Roast Geese and Ducks.
. Proverbs iu Cookery, ..... 157
. Facts About Flour, 158
Chinese Cookery, 1.58
A Cheap Ice House, --.... 158
HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.
. To Polish Steel, ...... 158
Salad Dressing, 158
, Rancid Butter^ ...... 158
To Destroy Aphides, 158
Gumbo Soup, ....... 15S
•Apple Omelette, 1.58
CoB'ee Ice Cream, 158
. Green Tomato Soy, 158
Domestic Champagne, .... - 158
, To Remove Rust from Steel, . . . - 158
Petroleum, 158
To Pickle Fruit, - 158
Tomato Soup, 1, 158
', Tomato Soup, 2, 158
Beef Soup, 158
Ice Cream with Eggs, 1.58
, Squash Pie, -..--.. 158
Rabbit Stew, 158
Matelolte D'Anguilles, 1,58
Mock Oysters, --..... 15s
LIVE STOCK.
•ows in Early Winter, ..... 15s
Runaway Horses, ...... 1,59
The Wild Cattle of Great Britain, . . 1,59
The Cattle Belt, -...-. 159
Swiss D.iirymen in California, . . . 1.59
Hints for Horse Trainers, ..... 159
Colic in Stock, 1.59
How to make Cows give Milk, - . . .159
Polling Cattle, ...... 159
Salt for Stock, . - ... . _ -1,59
To Tell a Horse's Age, 159
POULTRY.
Hints to Poultry Breeders,
Red Canary Birds,
Chicken Cholera, ....
Young Fowls, - - . -
Literary and Personal,
159
— THE—
FIRST ANNUAL EXHIBITION
or THE
LANCASTER COUNTY
POULTRY I^SSOCIATION,
WILL BE nKI-1) IN
LOCHER'S BUILDING,
CENTRE SQUARE, LANCASTER, PA.
Januarv 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, 1880.
$500 OFFERED IN PREMIUMS.
Premium List sent on appliaition after No-
vember 15, 1879.
J. B. LICHTY,
Secretary.
PHARES ^V. FRY.
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
WftLL PAPERS WINDOW SHABES,
Ilollnndn, pinlii SliiKie C'lotli,
FREEGiFT!
use Kook win
■mt 10 any per-
son afflicted with 4'OiiNni»|.lioii, IlronrhltiH,
Astlima, Sorr Thront, or A'anal Catarrh. It
ie elejiautly ijriuled and lUuetraled. 144 I'agen, l^luo. 1879,
It hao been the means in the inovidmcc of God of sai-iag
many valuable lives Send name and post office address,
with six cents postafte for mailing. The book is valuable to
persons sufiTeriug with any dieeaee of the A'ONe, Throat
- • Idrcss, Dr. ST. B. WOI.FE. Clncin.
(79-10-«m.
LnnirM. Ad
i, Ohio.
6ERMANT0WN TELEGRAPH,
Which is generally acknowlcd,<td to be the best Literary,
Fanningaiid Agricultural Newspaper In PenusylvaDia, Is
issued weekly at a«mianlown, Philadelphia, at 83.50 per
annum. It will commence Its 60th volume with the first
number iu Much, proximo, being establisbed and conduct.
e<l by Its present editor and proprietor. No family glvUlg
it a trial for a year would be willing to do without It iS
double the subscription price. Address
PHILIP R. IKE AS,
T»-10-lm] OermantowD, Phils.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
ENNSYrVAXIA RAIl.ROAO SCHEDULE.
Trains leave tlie Depot iu ttuB city, as follows :
Lancaster.
WE TWARD.
Pacific Express'
Way Paseengert
Niagara Express
Ko. 2 via Oolumbia. ,
Sunday Mail
Fast Line*
Frederick Accommodatii
Harrisburg Accom
Columbia Accommodatic
Harrisburg Express . ...
Pittsburg Express. ...
Cincinnati Express"
EASTWARD.
Atlantic Express*
Philadelphia Expresst.
Fast Line*
Harrisburg Express..
1:20 p,
3:45 p.
Col. 2:45
7:40 p.
Columbia Accommodation
Pacific Express*
Sunday Mail '....
Johnstown Express
Day Express*
Harrisburg Accom
The Hanover Accommodation, west,
with Niagara Express, west, at 9:35 a. m., ana wui run
through to Hanover.
The Frederick Accommodation, west, connects at Lancas-
ter with Fast Line, west, at 2:10 p. m., and rune to Frederick.
The Pacific Express, east, on Sunday, when flagged, will
stop at Jliddletown, Elizabethtown, Mount Joy and Landia-
Tille.
*The only trains which run daily.
tRuns daily, except Monday.
$77;
■js. IE', :BO\7«rivr.A.3xr,
AT l.eWE!»T POSSIBIrE PRICES,
Fully guaranteed.
No. 106 KAST KING STREET,
9-1-12] Opposite Lpopard Hotel.
GLOVES, SHIRTS^UNDERWEAR. H
SHIRTS MAdFtO OEDER,
AND WARRANTED TO FIT.
E. J. ERISMAN,
56 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
S. ^. OOiXl.
Carriages, Buggies, Phaetons, etc.
CHURCH ST„ NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA.
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
And Manufacturers of
FURNITURE PD CHAIRS,
WAREROOMS:
102 East King St., Cor. of Duke St.
■LANCASTER, PA.
NOTICE.
A VALUABLE WORK.
A TREATISE
—OH THE—
HORSE AND HIS DISEASES,
By DK. B. J. KENDALL, of Enosburgh Falls, Vermont,
It 1« nicely iUustrated with thirty-five engravinga, and is
full of usefBl horse knowledge. Every horse owner should
hAve a copy of it.
SEND 2S CENTS FOR A COPT.
Jun-tf
EDW. J. ZAHM,
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
WATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED WARE,
CLOCKS,
JEWELRY I TABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Agent for the Arundel Tinted
SPECTACLES.
Repairing strictly attended to.
North Queen-st. and Centre Square, Lancaster, Pa.
79-1-12
ESTABLISHED 1832.
*
Or. SENER & SONS,
X^XTlVEBSFt,
The best Sawed SHI^'GIiESiu the couutry. Also Sash,
Doors, Blinds, Mouldings, &c.
PATENT 0. G. WEATHERBOARDING
OFFICE AND YARD :
Northeast Comer of Prince and Walnut-sts.,
LAJSrCASTKR, Fj^.
79-1-12]
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLOGY,
Embracing the history and habits of
NOXIOUS AND INNOXIOUS
INSECTS,
and the best remedies for their expulsion or extermination.
By S. S. RATHVON, Ph. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
This work will be Highly Illustrated, and will be put in
press (as aoou after a sufticieut number of subscribers can
be obtaiued to cover the cost) as the work can possibly be
accomplished.
Fruit, Sliadeand Ornamental Trees.
plant Treea raised in this county and suited to this climate.
Write for prices to
LOUIS C.LYTE,
Bird-in-Hand P. O., Lancaster co.. Pa.
Smoketown, six mile* east of Lancaster.
-12
FARMERS,
Look to Your Interests
IMPORTANT TO FAKMERS, TRUCKERS
AND GARDENERS.
A NATURAL FERTILIZER !
RICH IN DISSOLVED BONES.
PHOSPHORIC ACID.
POTASH, SILICIC ACID, dC.
I Permanently Enriches Every Variety of Soil.
It Doubles the Yield of Grass.
change for land after the
Lime.
In successful use here over 100 years, and more than two
thiids of the cropped land of Europe^improved with Marl.
It is not a stimulant, as patent manures are, but Its eflecta
are lasliug.
Farmers, why then pay from $S0 to $40 per ton for Phos-
phates, when you can buy a Natural Fertilizer at the low
rate of
$10 PER TON,
that will yield yoa a rich return and be a lasting benefit
to your soil.
Its History, Analysis, Application to different Soils,
Crops, Testimonials, and further information regarding its
uses, will be given on application to
D. P. BITNER
Oeneral Agent for
LANCASTER COUNTY.
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S. S. RATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., OCTOBER, 1879.
Vol. XI. No. 10.
Editorial.
THE WEATHER.
Has the "oldest inliabitaiit" ever before
noticed sixteen consecutive days in tlic month
of October, durinr; whieli the temperaturo was
elev.ated to the BU's and 90's of the thermom-
eter ? We confess that wo never liave, and
we are now as old as AVashington was when
he died. We have seen one or two days,
rarely three, but never seventeen as has been
the case the present season, including tlie last
day of September, which was nearly as warm
as the sixteen following days.
The southern portion of Lancaster county
is, and has been for some weeks, very dry,
and the water in the streams and wells very
low; indeed some of them have been compelled
to "dry up," a contingency very inconvenient
and uncomfortable to domestic life, especially
on farms which have no running streams flow-
ing through them. A good long "soaking
rain" would now be desirable, but not accom-
panied by such warm weather as we have had
for two weeks or more.
Such weather is a great breeder of the Hes-
sian-fly, midge and other noxious insects. It
also heats the ground and invigorates the
"grubs" and other insects hidden therein.
Even plowing them up during such weather
would hardly compass their destruction.
First, because during warm weather they
have sutticieut vital energy to rebury them-
selves. Moreover, the birds are now about
leaving us and many of them have alre.ady left
for the sunny South, although, perhaps, had
they known it would have continued so warm
they would not have been in such a hurry.
This being the case, few birds except crows
will be on hand to eat up the grubs and other
insects that may be turned up by the plow.
On the 18th of October, the hot spell of weather
was, in a measure, broken, but still it con-
tinued warm and murky, good weather for
the growing crops, but with warm rains likely
to bring them too far forward to bear the
winter well.
Up at Lancaster, N. 11. , the heat was 100
on the 9tli, and from many other poiiits simi-
lar reports come in. On the 15th the large
and beautiful butterfly {Danaus archippes,)
was flying about the streets of Lancaster as
gay as in midsummer, and the "White Cab-
bage Butterfly" (Pitrcs rapm,) was quite
plenty on the 14th and 15th. TheJSusquehanna
is now quite as low as it was in 1803, which
is the lowest on record. The mill streams are
getting hnv and flour is getting high. Many
wells and springs have become dry that have
not been in that condition for half a century —
and still no rain.
"COMMON SENSE."
We have received a very handsome little
volume purporting to be a common sense
treatise on the treatment of asthma, con-
sumption and catarrh, and especially nasal
catarrh, or "cold in head," (or any other nose,
throat or lung disease,) by Dr. N. B. Wolfe,
of Cincinnati, Ohio. The doctor has made
the' treatment of the organs of respiration a
special practice for over thirty years, and has
put his varied experiences and reflections in
this little monograi)li, which he offers "a
free gift" to any person suffering from any of
the above diseases. Tiie book is very hand-
somely printed and illustrated, and not the
least conspicuous is the portrait of the doctor
him.self. He invites all to send for it by all
means, especially if suffering from sore throat
or lungs, cough or disease of the nose, &c.
Dr. Wolfe was formerly a citizen of Colum-
bia, in this county, and we think w.as born
there or at Wrightsville, immediately oppo-
site, in York county. We knew him, or knew
of liim, "long, long ago," when, as a little
"Nap," he commanded a company of juvenile
volunteers in the borough of Columbia. AVe
have peru.sed his book, aud we tliink that
in the abstract he is on the right track in the
treatment of nasal catarrli and bronchial in-
flammations. We have suffered many weary
years with nasal catarrh, and if we could
Iiave had access forty years ago to treatment
akin to his system we believe we could have
saved our hearing, which now, alas, we fear,
has departed forever. We have long been
using medicated fumes, vapors, infusions and
deturgents, and without pretending to say
that these alone have arrested tlie chronic
character of our case, yet it is chronic no
longer, and in acute attacks we invariably re-
sort to inhalations, and generally with good
results. A physician who makes this mode
of treatment a specialty would, no doubt, be
preferable to one who only employed it inci-
dentally. Without intending to forestall the
judgment of our readers we think we can
commend the perusal of this book to their
favorable consideration.
OUR LATE LOCAL EXHIBITION.
The Fair of the Lancaster County Agricul-
tural and Horticultural Society, at the North-
ern Market House, on the 10th, 11th and Idth
of September last, was, under all the circum-
stances, both financially, and in respectabil-
ity of display, a success. It illustrated fully
that with the proper time and effort, Lancas-
ter county can and tuill get up an exhibition
that will rival successfully any other district
of the "Keystone State. " With a liberal and
systematically detailed premium list, an early
and energetic beginning,and a more extensive
advertisement, we feel confident that the so-
ciety in future will be able to accomplish its
end with credit to itself and the community.
The present season has been peculiarly a pro-
lific one in the getting up of exhibitions all
over the country, and so far as we are able to
learn, they have been generally successful.
As long as they do not involve a financial loss
to the societies getting them up, or to exhibi-
tors participating in them, we may regard
them as successful, for there are compensations
accruing to the participants in them and tlie
public at large that are beyond immediate pe-
cuniary calculation — like bread cast upon the
■waters that will return after many days.
MAPLE COCCUS.
A new insect, to this locality, made its ap-
pearance during the present season on two
"sugar maple " trees {acer sacharium) stand-
ing in East Orange Street, on the south side
of St. James' Church, which seems to be the
Pscudo-C'iccais aceris, of Europe, or an insect
nearly allied to that species, and is supposed
to have been, in some manner, imported from
that country. There are millions of them,
but it does not yet appear to what extent they
will be injurious to the trees they infest.
None have yet been noticed on the "silver
maple" (acer dasy carpunn); but there are
very few leaves on the sugar maple that have
not more or less of the white floculent or cot-
ton-like matter on the under sides, which
they secrete, and which covers them. All the
fissures in the bark, on both the trunks aud
the branches are filled with granulations of
the same white substance, and many of the
insects are secreted under it, and will thus
pass the winter. Those attached to the leaves
will probably perish; but as they are tolerably
active, although almost invisible to the naked
eye, and may crawl up the trunk, it would be
well to gather up the leaves as fast as they
ftiU and bum them, even though they may be
as harmless as the famous "kegs," during
the revolution.
THANKS.
It gives us more than ordinary pleasure in
having occasion to return our snicere thanks
to Messrs. William Weidlc, M. I). Kendig,
and Daniel Smeych, for generous donation.s of
Peaches, Pears, Grapes and Apples, of a lus-
ciousness and a flavor most grateful to the
"touch and taste." These gentlemen are
celebrated for the production of fine fruit, and
in that respect, may justly he ranked in the
class of Horticultural benefactors ; and in
nothing is this more manifest than in their
kind remembrance of the toiling editor. If
the man who causes two blades of grass to
grow wliere only one grew before may be es-
teemed a benefactor, how much more those
men, who, through thought and patient labor
of head and hand, have wrought such wonder-
ful improvement in the size, the texture, and
the flavor of the different varieties of fruit.
May they receive their reward.
Queries and Answers.
LARGE WATER-BEETLE.
A fine large specimen of Cf/bistcr fimbrio-
lalus — a chestnut-brown Water-Beetle — was
placed in my possession by Mr. Hiram Stamm,
that had been captured alive by Mr. John J.
Tripple, of Safe Harbor, Lancaster county,
Pa. Mr. T. captured this insect in his ram-
stand, and never having seen anything of the
kind before he is naturally anxious to know
what it is, aud how it got into liis rain-stand.
These insects breed in the water, and al-
though, other things being equal, it might
have bred in a rain-st^nd as easily as else-
where, still I do not think it did ; simply be-
cause in its larval condition it is a most
voracious feeder, and would not be likely to
find food enough there— indeed, they have
been known to be very destructive to the fry
of fish in fish-ponds. Although they are
aquatic in their habits, yet in the adult state
they arc provided with ample wings, which
lie folded up laterally and transversely be-
neath their elytra, or shield-like wing-covers,
and by the aid of these they are able to mount
into the air and fly a considerable distance,
and hence they often fall on the roofs of
buildings, from whence they find their way
into the gutters, down the spouting, and into
rain-stands and cisterns. I have found them
in the gutters of our streets, or in the street
itself, floundering about without being|able to
make much headway. They pass the winter
in the mud, at the bottom of ponds and
streams. This subject would probably have
been in the mud by this time had it not been
for the extraordinary warm weather now
pending, which doubtless has deceived it, and
should it continue much longer we may next
look for a return of the swallows. This in-
sect is nearly two inches in length and one
inch broad, elliptic in form, and a polished
chestnut-brown in color. Its hind limbs are
like a pair of oars, and it uses them as such.
It uses them very effectively in water— its
natural element— but it is an indifferent
pedestrian on land.
SPECTRE INSECT.
Mr. L. H., North Queen Street.— The large.
gray, and long-legged and long-bodied insect
you sent me is the "Spectre insect," or
"Walking-twig," {Spectrum femoratum,) and
belongs to the order Okthopteba, section
Ambulatoria, family Phasmiadce. It feeds on
vegetation and is remotely allied to the
crickets, grasshoppers and trae lociusts. It
146
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ October,
ususually feeds on the leaves of trees— especi-
ally the sassafras — and instances are known
in which it has been destructive. This is a
female specimen and is unusually large.
COMMUNICATIONS.
LETTER FROM MISSOURI.
Benton Citt, Audi-aiu county, Mo., }
Sept. 27th, 1879. <,
Messes. Editor : U you think the follow-
ing would interest your readers please give it
room in your columns :
Benton city is on the St. Louis, Kansas
City and Northern Railroad, one hundred
mOes from St. Louis and seven miles from
Mexico, which is the county seat of Audrain
county, and has a population of about 6,000,
but no saloon. Good unimproved land-
prairie and timber — is worth from $4 to $8,
and improved land $8 to $16 per acre. Wheat
is yielding 15 to 30, and corn 30 to 60 bushels
per acre. We have good soil, markets, lumber
and water. Also, good schools and good
society, and a healthful climate, but the
country needs more farmers and manufactur-
ers. I have lived here several years and I
find that I can do better on a farm here than
I could do in any of the several States in which
I formerly lived. The stock range is an item
of considerable importance. Sectional preju-
dice is a thing of the past here now. The
population is from all parts of the Union, and
sectionalism would not know where to begin. —
Bespectfully, B. F. Wi/lde.
INTRODUCTORY.
We offer no apology for publishing entire,
in the Farmer, the following diary of a trip
from Elk Grove, California, to the shores of
the Pacific. It is written by an old and es-
teemed native citizen of Lancastec- county,
who cast his fortunes in the Golden State
thirty years ago, and who will probably end
his days in that modern El Dorado. He has
always been plain, unostentations, honest,
frugal and industrious — an honor to his town,
his county and his State— and his domicilia-
tion in California, we feel confident is as great
a gain to that State, as his absence is a loss to
ours. We beheve our readers will be inter-
ested in his narrative, and some of them may
wish, as we have, dozens of times in reading
it over, that they had been with him, to have
had a practical demonstration of the scenes he
describes so graphically. From it they may
gather something about the civil and physical
geography of California — its products, its curi-
osities, its world-wide wonders, and its local
phenomena. Of course, he makes no preten-
sion to scientific lore, or he might have devel-
oped much that would have been of material
interest to the scientific specialist. As it is,
it cannot but be interesting and also useful to
the farmer, the fruit grower, and tlie cultiva-
tors of cereals and garden truck. Under any
circumstances, a journey of that character
far more satisfactory in making personal ob-
servations upon the country passed through,
in relation to its quality, its soil, its hills and
valleys, its productions, its people and their
ways of doing things, their social and domes-
tic condition, and its climate, than in passing
through it at a rapid railroad speed— at one
motnent elevated in mid ah-, and the next
driving through deep excavations and dark
tunnels, with all visible objects swiftly reced-
ing from view, and apparently running with
reckless speed in an opposite direction. Com-
mend us to this "good old way" in gaining a
a knowledge of the texture and composition
of the country we are traversing for pleasure
and profit.
" March to the Sea."
Elk Geove, September 11, 1879.
Editor Lancaster Farmer — Dear Sir :
General Sherman marched from Atlanta,
Georgia, to the Sea; but according to the
adage of the famous Sam Patch, "some things
can be done as well as others." My friend, Mr.
Stewart, Mrs. Stewart and myself, fitted up a
two-horse wagon for the purpose of going from
Elk Grove, Sacramento co., Cal., to the shores
of the Pacific Ocean. We set out on the iith
of Jtdy, 1879, at 7:30 a. m., and arrived at
Sacramento City at 12, m. Here we purchased
a tent, provision, and an outfit for camping at
our various stopping places. After loading
up our cargo we started again on our journey,
and crossed the bridge that spans the Sacra-
mento river, entered Yolo county, continued
up the river, keeping on the levee until we
reached Mr. Clark's ranch. The day being
very warm, we made our first camp for the
night. Mrs. S. got us»up a nice supper of
beefsteak, boiled eggs, coffee, cake, and
cheese. After supper we pitched our tent in a
shadv grove, where the Alfalfa clover was
two feet high.
July 25. This morning we started for Wood-
land, which is quite a large town, situated in
the wheat-growing district of Yolo county;
they were at this time busily engaged in
threshing their wheat of which they had a
large crop. After leaving Woodland the next
place we arrived at was Madison, a prominent
railroad station.
There is an immense flouring mill at this
place ; also large storehouses ; and there are
hundreds of tons of wheat piled up in and
about the place. After leaving Madison we
took our course up the Cache Creek Valley.
This valley has some of the best farming land
in the county of Yolo, or perhaps anywhere
else in the State. After reaching the head of
the valley we entered the canyon, which has
a very heavy grade. After traveling up this
grade we reached the top of the mountain and
came to a fine sulphur spring, on a ranch be-
longing to the widow Fisk. To-day we saw
the first deers,* on the grade descending the
mountain on the otlier side, and alter driving
pretty late we pitched our tent and camped
on Mr. Hall's ranch.
Jidy 26. This morning we had "California
Quail"! for breakfast, and it being Sunday we
remained late in camp to rest our horses.
After starting out again we visited some of
the quicksilver mines, being now in Lake
county. We also came across a sulphur spring,
and also some soda springs, and after resting
ourselves and horses we started on and camped
for the night two miles from the town of
Lower Lake, in the county aforesaid.
Jidy 27. This morning we drove into town
and fed our horses. This town is supported
by the quicksilver mines, and the small moun-
tain ranches in the neighborhood ; after leav-
ing here we drove on until we came to good
water and grass, and here camped for the
night. There is a ranch of 480 iCcres of the
most splendid land here on the top of the
mountain. The man that lives here informed
me that he could not grow corn nor vegetables
on his ranch, as the deer were so numerous
that they destroyed everything in the shape
of garden truck. They have to make a high
fence around their enclosures in order to keep
out the deer.
July 28. This morning we met a camp of
hunters. They brought in two deer and we
bought a hindquarter from them, so we had
venison for breakfast. After breakfast we
struck camp and reached Kelseyville at 8
o'clock, A. M. From there we went to Lake
Valley, which is, in my opinion, one of the
greatest wheat-growing valleys in the State of
California, and raises immense crops. At 11
A. M. we arrived at Lake Port, which is quite
a fine town, situated on the upper end of
Clear Lake. This lake is about forty miles
long and has several steamboats navigating
it. After leaving Lake Port we passed
through Scott's Valley, which is small but
very rich. The people were just engaged in
heading (harvesting) their wheat. At 2 P. M.
we arrived at Potter Valley, and after dinner
we hitched up and took the road for Blue
Lake. Traveling about twelve miles we held
Pacific coast of North America.
fCallfornia Quail" {Lcphortyxcali/or.
crested bird belonging
family.
up and camped for the night. Our bill of
fare, as usual, was fresh venison and quails,
prepared in Mrs. S.'s best style ; and doubt-
less they were better than those of the Israel-
ites in the wilderness.
July 29. After setting out from camp this
morning, we arrived at Blue Lake at 10 a. m.
Blue Lake is one of the most beautiful sheets
of water that can be imagined, and is as blue
as indigo. It is about four miles long, and
we continued down its margin until we came
to a place called "Valley Rest," where we
stopped to lunch. After traveling down the
Canyon for some distance we came to a stream
that was literally filled with trout,* and here
we camped for the night, being just one week
from home.
July 30. Mr. S. got an empty barley sack
and made a seine and commenced fishing,
with indifferent success. At 10 a. m. we ar-
rived at Ukiah which is the county seat of
Mendocino county. There is a very fine
Court House here, and it is a lively and
handsome town. This is a good wheat grow-
ing valley, settled among the mountains.
After buying supplies we started on the up
grade for the mountains. This was the heavi-
est grade we have thus far met with. We ar-
rived at the top of the moutain at 6 p. m.,
and camped at a spring called " Shady-side."
Here we fell in company with Mr. Lapham,
wife and brother, from Ohio. He is an artist
taking steroscopic views of some of themouu-
tains and valleys, of which these are some of
the most magnificent in our country.
July 31. This morning Mr. Lapham took a
view of our two camps, and the scenery
around them. We now commenced to enter
the Red-woodt timber over a heavy grade,
and after traveling all day we camped at a
place called "Prairie Camp."
Awjust 1. This morning we crossed the
north fork of Big river. In crossing the
mountain we saw a small bearj, but as we had
not lost anything we passed him by. At noon
while feeding the horses, we picked a bucket
full of huckleberries, there! being acres of the
finest here. At 4i p. m., we arrived at Men-
docino city, and the Pacific Ocean. Here the
weather was so cold as to render a change of
clothing necessary in order to be comfortable.
We encamped at Little river in an enclosure
belonging to Mr. Stevens, which sheltered us
from the winds, which nearly always prevail
along the Pacific coast. We were now just
ten days from home.
Augusfi. This day was spent in taking a
view of the coast, and collecting shells, of
which there are sometimes an abundance, and
occasionally some rare ones.
Awjust 3. To-day Mr. S. and myself col-
lected shells and crabs, 5 when the tide was
out, and we had them for dinner, with pota-
toes baked in the ashes, and huckleberry pie,
and they were eaten with a relish more than
usual.
August 4. To-day Mr. S. and myself, ac-
companied by an old German, went out on
the coast to collect Abolonies, but it proved
a complete failure. We then made arrange-
ments with an old sailor to go out again next
morning.
August 5. This morning Mr. S. went out with
the sailor, and they soon came back with a
sackful! of the "Abolonies. "If We did not
want them for the animal mollusk so much as
we did for the shell. Mrs. S. fried one of the
*Tlii8 was pfobably the common biook trout {iatmo fon-
tinalis), which abounds in many of the clear streams of
northern North America.
+Red-wood.— This may be the Red-pine or Norway pme
(Pinus-rubra) which is so widely distributed throughout
our coubtry and is so exteusiyely used in shipbuildmg,
and especially for mastB, It not, what is it ?
tProbaWy the yonuK, or a variety of the Blacli Bear,
(Urmi.^ avierimmui). The "Cinnamon Bear" of California
and OreROU is said to be only a variety of the common
yxhe -e are four species of "huclileberry" in' the United
states (GoyiussiKia). namely the Box (trocycera). Dwarf
(dumom). Blue (/roni/oso) and Black {rennasa), of which the
arf I
)the
: ABC»
■edible
5 Probably the comn
abounding along all our coasts.
tXhe term "Abalony" is new to ua and must be very
local. From the fact three or four adult persons
made a meal off it, and that probably the shell was saved
entire, it must have been a large bivalve, sea shell.
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
147
aboloaies for dinner, and I do assure you it
was very fine. She was so well pleased with
them that she went to the old sailor's camp
and presented him with a can of fruit. ^Irs.
S. is a real lady— one of nature's nobility—
and enjoys camp life hugely. She is never
tired, and is always in a good humor and ready
for anything that may turn up in the way of
rational pleasure or fun. We spent our time
very ple;isantly on the coast, but the weather
is mucli colder than it is in the interior, or
even five miles back in the timber lands. This
is a great timber country. There are saw-
mills all along the coast and ou all the streams
ruiming into the ocean. There is a very large
business done here in the way of getting out
railroad ties and fence-posts. The timber is
red-wood. The weather being cold and windy,
and the fogs and dews heavy, Mr. S. took
sick, he being unwell when we left home, but
gaining all the way until we came here. We
had to leave the coast after being here just
one week.
August 7. This morning we struck our tent,
broke camp, and went down the coast about
seven miles. At this poiat we left the coast
and started for the mountains. After travel-
ing eighteen miles we reached Navaro river,
where we pitched our tent at a tine soda
spring. There are quite a number of persons
here from San Francisco and Oakland. After
sojourning here four days, on Aug. 11 we
set out on our journey up the Navaro river to
White Hall, vs'here we struck Rauchero river,
and at 5 o'clock P. M., we camped near Rus-
sian river, in famous Sonoma county.
August 12. This county has the reputation
of having the largest vineyard in California,
if not in all the world, having an area of over
seven hundred acres. "How is that for high V"
Nothing but grapes on grapes, "far beyond
the straining vision's gaze." We camped at
a place called Alder Glen, kept by Mr. R. J.
Shipley.
August 13. Here there are a number of
soda springs, four of them being all in a line,
and can all be covered with a sixteen feet
board, and each spring had a different kind of
water flowing from it. They are visited by a
great many invalids. It is a beautiful place,
just fitted up this season with rustic seats and
line walks on the mountain, and other im-
provements.
Attgust 16. Mr. Shepley is to-day bottling
soda water and shipping it to San Francisco,
and does a very large business in that line.
Although everything is very nice here, and
Mr. S. seems to be a nice sort of a man, yet
he is something of a "bilk." After making
a bargain with him for hay for our horses he
charged us just double the price we agreed
upon, when we were ready to start <away.
There is within three miles of this a lady
doctor, by the name of Preston, who claims
to have received her gift directly from God,
and professes to cure almost any kind of dis-
ease. She is not a medium, and disclaims
having anything to do with spiritism. There
are hundreds of patients here in waiting.
Every house in the neighborhood has as many
boarders as they can accommodate, and in
Cloverdale it is the same, besides a great
many that live in tents. I had a good oppor-
tunity of seeing and conversing with a num-
ber of those who had been treated by her, as
many of them came to the springs every day
for soda water while 1 was there. No person
drinks any other kind of water while here.
There is one gentleman here who had doc-
tored with all the best doctors in the State,
and had spent thousands of dollars in vain.
He had cancer of the stomach, and his phy-
sicians all told him that they could do nothing
for him, and he therefore must die. He heard
of Mrs. Preston and thought he would trii her,
anyhow. When he first came here he was
carried into the house. He is now well, and
the day before we loft the springs he went out
and shot a deer and carried it half a mile on
his shoulders. This is only one ca.se out of a
great number. Mr. Stewart was ou the sick
list when we left home and when we came
here he went to see her. She told him the
nature of his disease — his aches and pains-
much better than he could tell himself, and at
no time was within six or seven feet of him.
She is truly a wonderful woman,;and all speak
in her praise.
Auguxt 17. After remaining three days at
Alder Glen, we started for Clover Dale,
which is three miles from the Glen. Clover
Dale is (luite a nice town with railroad com-
munication with other towns. Here we
crossed Russian river and followed Sulphur
creek to the Geysers. These are among the
gi-eatest wonders of the world. These springs
throw up great volumes of water of every
temperature, from icy cold to hot enough to
scald a hog or boil an egg hard. There is a
jierfect fog or cloud of steam every morning
for over a hundred feet high, and a person can
smell sulphur for a mile around. Here we
pitched our tent and camped between two
streams, not four rods apart. One we used
for drinking and cooking, and the other was
hot enough for a hot-batli.
August 18. This morning we started up the
mountain and at 1 p. m. we reached "Pine-
flat," where there are some old quicksilver
mines, but since they have ceased working
these mines, Pine-flat has "flattened out,"
flat enough. It was at one time quite a town.
We saw but two men and one woman in the
whole town. From here we passed through
Kellogs. This is a place of great resort and
recreation for many of the San Francisco
people. After traveling five miles further
we camped for the night.
August 10. This morning at 10 a. m., we ar-
rived at Mark West Springs. This is the
handsomest fitted up place that wc have yet
seen. It is fitted up with bath houses, cot-
tages, swings and croquet grounds. The ho-
tel is large and the accommodations good and
ample, but the springs do not amount to much.
After leaving here we started for the Petrified
Forest, which is one of the greatest curiosi-
ties of California. There is about a mile
square covered with petrified Red-wood
trees. There is one— the largest we saw-
that is eleven feet across the stump, or butt,
and eight feet at the top. The petrified log is
sixty-eight feet long. This place was discov-
ered, and is now owned by an old Swiss sea
captain named Evans. He has three hundred
and forty acres and asks fifty thousand dol-
lars for it. Here we again meet our friends
from Ohio. Mr. Lapham took another pho-
tographic view of our camp and fixtures. We
parted with him while he was taking views
of tjie petrified forest, and started for Calis-
toga, and arrived there at 12 m. Over one of
the springs there is a sign board which has in-
scribed upon it — '■'■Cook for yourscl/,^^ and on
a .shelf there are two dishes, one containing
pepper and the otiier salt. You put a little of
each in a cup, and fill it up with water out of
the spring, and you have as good chicken
broth as you desire to drink. After leaving
Calistoga we struck the valley runing to N-apa,
and were in Napa county. There are some
large vineyards in this valley, and also some
very large wine cellars. AVe passed through
St. Helena, which is a very lively town. Napa
valley is thirty miles longand about five miles
wide, and has some of the best and most ad-
veanced improvements of any place I have
yet been in. Napa is the county seat. When
we arrived in Napa city we pitched our tent
in Mr. Davis's large yard, he being an old
acquaintance, formerly residing in Elk Grove.
Nai)a has between five and six thousand in-
habitants, a College, a Seminary, a number
of Public Schools, and the State Insane As-
.sylum.
August 215. We expected to hear Dennis
Kearney speak to-day, as his name had been
announced, but after the shooting of Kalloch
by De Young, at San Francisco, he was tele-
gi'aphed to come down, when he immediately
left. We, however, had the gratification of
hearing White, the candidate for Governor on
the H. B. ticket, ("Ilonoralile Bilks.")
August 24. To-day (Monday) we drove out
seven miles, to a splendid place owned by
Mr. Iludemann. It is in the biisin of the
mountain, and he has a beautiful little lake
and four or five fountains, with every imagin-
able kind of flojvers. The place is fitted up
with rustic bridges, seats and tables. After
having tarried three days at Napa and here,
we started out for the great wheat fields of
Solano and Yolo counties, and passed through
Bridgeport, Suisun, Elmira and Dixon, and
stopped the last night from home, at the
ranche of Mr. Poorman. Mr. B. keeps
bachelor's hall, has an organ in the house,
which he plays tolerably well for an amateur,
in my judgment very well.
August 28. ^Ir. P., this morning, refused
any compensation for the hay he furnished
our horses. We hitched up our horses this
morning for the last time, and started for
home. We arrived at Sac city at 2 P. M.,
and at home at 8 P. M. We had now been
out forty-two days and had traveled between
four and five hundred miles, and taking it
altogether we had a splendid time. Had I
given the details I might have written a
book.— /.• Wittkli.
Contributions.
For TnK I.ancarter Fabmeb.
THE HEPATICA, OR LIVER LEAF.
This is an humble but interesting plant,
and one that usually puzzles the young
botanist. The botanical, like the common
name, has reference to the lobes, as well as
color, often, of the leaves, to the^lobes of the
liver. This is one of our earliest flowering
plants, very common from South Carolina to
Canada ; according to Bongard as far nortli
as Sitka ; blooming in February, March and
April. There are two forms noticed in the
leaves of the common Hepatica triloba, named
by Chaix. Linnaeus named it Anemone Ifepa-
tica, but it seems the name given it by Chaix
has the priority. One form has the lobes
roundish obtuse, the variety ohtusa; the other
has three to five lobes, which are spreading
and acute, the acuta. Loudon gives us six
European varieties of the Hepatica triloba :
the blue, cecrulea; the double blue, coeruko-
plena; red, rubra; double red, rubro-plena ;
red-anth white, alba; snowy-white, nivea.
These are in Europe great favorites of the
flower border, being evergreen in its foliage,
and for its abundant blossoms and great
variety of colors and shades. It is a question
whether our common wild plant would not,
under cultivation, become equally attractive,
148
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ October,
but so it is that common things are too .often
neglected, when if some attention were be-
stowed upon them would prove them to have
uncommon hidden properties to be developed.
To analyze these flowers, the usual calyx in
them is like in the Anemone (only much
closer to the flower), an involucre resembling a
three-sepalous calyx ; so that it really has no
petals, but the sepals are petaloid, from 6 to 9
in two or three rows. The involucre one-
flowered, leaves radical, entire or three-
lobed. They belong to the cow-foot family,
order Rammculacece. To cultivate them they
should be grown in a light, sandy soil and a
shady situation ; and, as they have a pro-
pensity to raise themselves out of the soil,
they should be taken up every two or three
years, in autumn, and replanted. If this be
not done the earth should be raked or hoed
up around them, so as to cover the roots ; if
these are left exposed they will wither and
the plants may die out. The flowers of the
Hepatica, unlike those of most other plants,
possess their full color from the first formation
in the bud. Another remarkable fact is, the
flower lies a year complete in all its parts
within the bud ; the seeds are oblong-ovate,
involved in a silky substance, and many of
them abortive. The plant is a mild astringent
and corroborant, and formerly used with these
intentions in an infusion like tea, or in a
powder, given to the quantity of half a spoon-
ful at a time. It is found wild in Sweden,
abundantly in Denmark, Switzerland, France,
Spain, Italy, and other parts of Europe ; in
woods and among bushes, with blue, red and
white flowers, single. Cultivated in England
in 1596, by Gerard. In the language of flowers
the Liverwort, as it is often called, or Hejxdica,
signifies confidence. When the gardeners see
the pretty flowers of the Hepatica they say :
" The earth is in love, we may sow with con-
fidence."— J. Stauffer.
Selections.
LANCASTER COUNTY CATTLE.
Chief among the many attractions at the
York Co. Agricultural Fair were the splen-
did herd of Jersey cattle shown by Colin
Cameron, of Brickerville, Lancaster county.
Pa. They are a part of the well known and
justly celebrated herd the property of the late
G. Dawson Coleman — a gentleman of large
means and fine culture, and who was second
to none in his effort to further the cause of
agriculture, having especial pride, in his well-
cultivated lands and in the increase of his fine
and pure bred stock.
He chose the Jerseys on account of their
graceful beauty as ornaments for his lawn,
and again for the rich lusciousness of their
cream, and the peculiarly gratifying nutty
flavor of their golden butter. He bought the
very best specimens from the best importers,
and as it was his pride to improve on
the original animals he was signally fortu-
nate in getting Colin Cameron to dh-ect that
improvement.
Mr. Cameron has gone into the best herds
of this breed of cattle in America, and bought
some of their choicest animals to keep up,
and if possible raise the high standard of the
herd in his charge. How successful he has
been the cattle on exhibition will testify. All
are registered in the herd book of the Ameri-
can Jersey Cattle Club, and of the thirteen
animals on exhibition not one is an imported
animal — all are home bred.
The bull at the head is Vespers Eoyalson,
No. 2,946. The editor of the York Daily
says, in shape and general outside appearance
he is the finest Jersey bull it has ever been his
pleasure to see — his extremely yellow horns
and fairly yellow skin, and his rudimentary
teats— almost the size of a yearling heifer's
— indicate him to be — as his get proves — a
sire of unusual worth.
To follow him in his herd, Mr. Cameron
has purchased of Mr. Mackie, who is one of
the oldest and best known breeders in the
country, a young bull, called Coxcomb of
Pine Cliff, No. 3,507. He is from the famous
Hebe family of Jersey cows, being so thorough-
ly inbred that there can be no doubt of his
being able to stamp his worth on any herd.
He is prized very highly. The last of the
bulls is Kilgore, No. 3,909. He was bought
of T. J. Hand, and is of aristocratic extrac-
tion, as far as the records at the pail are
concerned, and being of very fine appearance,
straight of back and fine of limb, mellow of
skin, we judge, with his owner, that he is a
coming treasure.
The cows are LaBride, No. 2,617 ; Mount
Lebanon, No. 4,557 : Lebanon Girl, No. 6,-
104 ; Lebanon Mother, No. 6,107. The heifers
over one year old are Lady Seelock, No. 6,932;
Wilson Dawson, No. 7,581 , Emmie Dawson,
No. 7,582 ; Alice Dawson, No. 7,583 ; those
under one year being Belle Dawson, No.
8,270, and Lewis Baron, yet a calf.
The cows upon examination prove to be an
even lot of very high excellence. They are
typical representatives of the Jersey cow that
is famous for thick cream and rich butter, and
in every particular that points to the produc-
tion of those articles they show the hands of
the skilled breeder.
The fine, clean cut heads, small crumpled,
waxy horns, light necks, wedge-shaped bodies,
thin thighs, large, square and well propor-
tioned udders, fed through large, prominent
and knotted milk veins, indicate these ani-
mals to be large producers of milk, and to
have undoubtedly descended trom a race of
great performers at the pail.
Standing almost side by side are three gen-
erations in one family, being mother, daugh-
ter and granddaughter, in the order named :
LaBride, Lebanon Mother and Alice Dawson.
Mount. Lebanon reproduces herself in Belle
Dawson.
Another noticeable feature is that five of
the animals shown— Lady Seelock and all the
Dawsons— are sired by that famous old bull,
Commodore Eoxbury, No. 1,586, that won
the First Prize and highest commendations
wherever he has been shown, as being not
only the finest, but having the thinnest, mel-
lowest and richest skin, and the best escutcheon
of any Jersey Bull in the United States ; and
a careful examination of these heifers would
endorse the sound judgment of the men who
eulogized the old bull. Lady Seelock is a
marvel in development of her mammary
structure, while none of the rest are far be-
hind her.
The Daily adds that taking the herd, as a
whole or singly, it is one of the very best ex-
hibits that has graced the grounds of the York
County Fair for a long time ; and he only
hopes for the manager of the herd the success
he deserves, and that each year may fiud him
there to record his advancement in the study
of the science and the practice of the art of
breeding.
REVISED FRUIT LIST.
Since the last publication of our fruit li.st
we have, for satisfactory reasons, changed our
opinion with respect to a few of the fruits
which it contained. But in regard to the list
as a whole we can see no just grounds for dis-
turbingit. Indeed, we do not see how it can
be improved for this section of country, or a
general list for all the Middle States. Some
of each of the separate selections may not do
well upon one premises that will succeed ad-
mirably on another. Each grower must find
out for himself the particular apples, pears,
&c., especially adapted to his soil and location.
According to our present preference we
should select the following for our own plant-
ing :
Standaid Pears.— 1, Giffard ; 2, Doyenne
d'Ete ; 3, Early Catharine ; 4, Kirtland ; 5,
Bloodgood ; 6, Summer Julienne ; 7, Tyson ;
8, Brandywine ; 9, Bartlett ; 10, Belle Lucra-
tive ; 11, Manning's Elizabeth ; 12, Seckel ;
13, Howell ; 14, Anjou ; 15, Shelden ; 16, St.
Ghislan ; 17, Lawrence ; 18, Reading.
For those who may desire a smaller num-
ber we should select : 1, Giffard ; 2, Early
Catharine ; 3, Bloodgood ; 4, Tyson ; 5, Bart-
lett ; 6, Belle Lucrative ; 7, Seckel ; 8, Law-
rence ; 9, Reading. They ripen in about the
order they are arranged.
In the above list, from No. 1 to 8 are sum-
mer varieties ; from 9 to 16 autnmn (early
and late ;) and 17 and 18 winter, thus attbrd-
ing a sufficient number for each of the periods
of the best known sorts for this region.
Dwarf Pears.— 1, St. Michael d'Archange ;
2, Bartlett ; 3, Comice ; 4, Rostiezer ; 5, Diel ;
6. Tyson ; 7, Belle Lucrative ; 8, Lawrence ;
9, Ott ; 10, Louise Bonne; 11, Bose; 12, Bous-
sock ; 12, Glout Morceau.
Apples.— I, Maiden's Blush ; 2, Baldwin ;
3, Smokehouse; 4, Jeffries; 5, Smith's Cider;
6, Fallawater; 7, Cornell's Fancy; 11, Graven-
stein ; 12, Tompkin's King ; 13, Roxbury
We add to the foregoing list Tompkins'
King and Roxbury Russet, both most excel-
lent varieties ; indeed the King is regarded
by some as unsurpassed.
Peaches. — 1, Crawford's Early ; 2, Hale's
Early ; 3, York Early ; 4, Old Mixon ; 5,
Crawford's Late ; 6, Ward's Late ; 7, Smock's
Late ; 8, Susquehanna.
There is no solid reason to change this list
so far as it goes. We suggested to peach
growers to favor us with a list of their own,
and a few did, but where they differed from
ours we did not deem it an improvement.
Grapes. — 1, Telegraph ; 2, Concord ; 3,
Hartford ; 4, Clinton ; 5, Slem ; 6, Rogers'
No. 32.
We have added to the list Rogers' No. 32,
which, should it maintain its present charac-
ter, will be the best out-door variety culti-
vated. It is a beautiful pink, or rather ma-
roon colored grape, at times is transparent.
It bears regular crops yearly with us. Clinton,
in the foregoing list, is only for wine, and is
probably the very best for that purpose in that
section.
Cherries. — I, May Bigarreau ; 2, Belle de
Choisy ; 3, Black Tartarian ; 4, Black Eagle ;
5, Black Hawk ; 6, Eton ; 7, Downer's Lane ;
8, Early Richmond ; 9, Early Purple Guigne;
10, Del. Bleeding Heart.
The ripening of the list will range from the
earliest to the latest, thus carrying one
through the whole cherry season. No one
can go amiss in adopting this list.
Baspherries. — 1, Hornet ; 2, Herstine ; 3,
Philadelphia ; 4, Brandywine.
Straiobcrries.—l, Captain Jack ; 2, Seth
Boynden ; 3, Monarch of the West ; 4, Tri-
omphe de Gand.
Currants.— 1, Black Naples ; 2, Red Dutch:
3, White Grape.
These three varieties are the best among
the different colors. The Red Dutch is a
regular bearer and is of better quality than
any other. There are others larger, but they
are more acid. The white grape is trans-
parent, of good quality, and ought to be more
generally grown, but it is not a great bearer.
Oooseberriea. — 1, Houghton, 2, Downing.
These are the two best gooseberries grown
in this country. They bear every year heavy
crops, are free from mildew, and are of excel-
lent quality. They are large enough for all
practical purposes. Keep clear of the giants
and their big prices.
Blackberries.— 1, New-Rochelle ; 2, Mis-
souri Cluster ; 3, Wilson's Early ; 4, Snyder.
The Snyder, a new Western blackberry, is
highly spoken of at distant points, but we
prefer to wait another year before recommend-
ing it, but in the meantime we give it a trial.
It is better for those who intend to cultivate
fruit and have to make purchases, to take
this list with them to the nursey and adhere
to it as far as possible.
In selecting fruit trees, or any others, be
careful to choose those with smooth, healthy
looking bark, and have entirely shed their
leaves, with plenty of small fibrous roots.
Trees on which the leaves remain after frost
sets in, and stick to the branches in the spring,
may be regarded as not healthy and in some
way lackingstamina.— CrcrmajitoMwi Telegraph.
Please send in your back subscriptions.
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
149
HOME AND EXPORT TOBACCO MAR-
KET.
Below will be fouud the raoiitlily trade cir-
cular of Messrs. J. S. Gans, Son & Co., to-
bacco brokers of 86 Wall street, New York.
From it we learn what has for sonic time
been wliispered in trade circles— that the 1878
crop of IVnnsjlvania leaf is not up to what
was expected. The best portions of it, such
as were first purchased, will no doubt bring
full prices, but the inferior kinds will have
hard work to hold their own :
Seed Leaf.
With large offerings of 1878 pro]) by stripped
samples, we have an extensive business to re-
port, principally in Pennsylvania and New
England. The former does not by any means
come up to expectations, as far as leaf is con-
cerned, and wl\en comi>ared to the 1877 crop,
appears very liigh-priced; so much so, that
some of our manufacturers, after a thorough
examination of the various packings, en^'crly
bought nearly all good lots of 1877 remaining
on the market. As we are, however, bare of
old tobaccos, there is no doubt but that all
the finer lots of 1878 Pennsylvania will be
rapidly taken by consumers, whilst we haidly
believe that present asking prices for common
lots can be maintained.
The better classes of New England to-
baccos, (including Housatonic) look extreme-
ly well, and with, as we hear, the demand for
abominable black cigars falling off, we should
not be surprised to see this long neglected
article again come into fayor.
Ohio tobaccos are also meeting with ap-
proval from home buyers; in fact, with Wis-
consin nearly out of the market, it is the
best and most useful article for cheap cigars.
The export trade oll'ered no new features;
factors, who this year have been nearly the
only exporters, dispose gradually of theiroffer-
ings abroad, but at by no means satisfactoiy
profits, and the German markets have, accord-
ing to our latest advices, become duller.
Of the new crop we hear the most flatter-
ing reports, and only regret that some let us
hope not too sanguine operators have already
commenced buying eastern and western Ha-
vana Seed and other sorts; in Wisconsin
nearly all the Havana has been bought at
from 8 to 12 cents through, unpacked.
Sales.
CHOP OF 1877.
New England 600 cases.
Cbop or 1S7
Pennsylvania .
New York
Ohio
Wisconsin
New England:
Harana seed
Wrappers, co
Quotations.
do seleelious..
Seconds
Fillers
Pennsylvania*
Assorted lots, commoi
,.1C @n
..IS @25
..27>^@35
@...
.... @...
13 @U)i
16j!f@18
20 @40
9 @1»
Wrappers
FiUers
New York:
Assorted lots, good 13 @15
Ohio, assorted lots, good 9 ©12
do wrappers 12 @18
hSBorled lots 8ii@10
Wiscoi
do
Hava
Crop of '78.
22 @30
13 @16
16 ©18
20 @25
27>|(®35
10 ®12>i
5 @6X
10 @12
13 @15
17 @22
... @...
12>i@15
8 @14
... @...
8 @13
1 Jan
SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE UNITED
STATES.
There is warrant for saying that this coun-
try is entering upon a new era in sheep hus-
bandi7 which is fraught with great promise
for the future of that important industry— an
era which will bring wealth and honor to in-
telligent and carefiil flock-masters, and to the
counti7 at large.
First there is the assured demand for wool
to meet the requirements of the manufacturers
of woolen goods, or, rather, the consumption
of sucli goods by the people. During the
period of business depression through vvliicii
the coimtry has passed, there was under-con-
sumption of woolen fabrics. Thousands of
people were not able to buy them, and to sup-
ply cheaper goods, the mills turuedouta class
of fabrics into whose texture entered, more
or less, cut-up rags. Shoddy goods were the
rule, and straight woolen fabrics the excep-
tion. Now this is vastly changed. People
will buy good goods if they are able to do so,
knowing that the best is the cheapest. Western
nulls, almost without exception, make straight
good.'i, and eastern manufacturers will be com-
pelled, sooner or later, to adopt the same
policy. Indeed, the percentage of the stufl"
which circumstances made necessary for some
years past, forms an inconsidcrable"porlion of
the product of tlie mills at the present time,
and as it is being relegated to the rear, there is
little proljability that it ever regain the place
it recently occupied.
Again, notwitlistanding the quantity of re-
fuse with which rag-dealers furnished the
mills, the country has been a large importer
of wool and woolen goods; in other words,
we have fallen short of supplying our home
requirements for wool by millions of dollars'
worth. If this was the case while prostra-
tion marked almost every branch of industry,
how much greater must be the deficit with
labor of all kinds employed, and every manu-
facturing industry in active operation, unless
the wool product is largely increased? We
have not taken into account the increase of
population, which, as recent statistics show,
is being greatly augmented by immigration,
and constitutes an item by no means insig-
nificant in forecasting the future requirements
of the country for wool and woolen fabrics.
The foreign meat traffic furnishes, also, an
opportunity to extend sheep husbandry in the
production of mutton, which must, we opine,
awaken a far greater interest in that branch
of the business than has hitherto been known
among us. The export trade in mutton— live
and dead— is increasing every year, and must
do so for some time to come. It is, as yet, in
its infancy; and as American farmers come to
understand, more generally, what the foreign
market requires, it needs no seer to predict
that this traffic will reach proportions com-
pared with which its present volume is insig-
nificant. Our capacity for the production of
mutton of fine quality is almost without limit,
and upon the quality of the product more
than anything else the volume of this traffic
depends. That it may be vastly augmented
does not now admit of question; and that it
will continue to grow in greater ratio even
than it has yet done is scarcely less probable.
Greater care in selection, in breeding, itr rear-
ing, in alimentation, on -the part of farmers
who make this branch of sheep husbandry a
part of their business, will mark the future of
this industry, and place it on a higher plane
than it has yet occupied in American agricul-
ture, for the inducements are greater than they
have ever been before.
But another feature which renders the fu-
ture of sheep husbandry still more promising
has been inaugurated. The rearing of sheep
for breeding purposes to supply tlie require-
ments of fai-mers throughout the country has
long been a specialty with some breeders. The
demands, also, of flockmea in the southwest
and far west, have for the last few years con-
siderably stimulated this branch of the busi-
ness. But the shipment of sheep to foreign
countries for breeding purposes has com-
menced. It has not been long since a ship-
ment of American merinos was made by Mr.
Markham, of New York, to fill an order
from the Government of Japan. Nor is this
all. American merinos have been sought and
bought by Australian wool-growers, to cross
upon the sheep of that region, which, as in
the case of Japan, there is hardly room to
doubt, will be followed by increasing orders.
From South America, also, there are inqui-
ries for our sheep for breeding purposes. The
fact is, our American-bred merinos are supe-
rior in all essential characteristics to their
French, English, or .Spanish congeners, and
foreigners who are largely interested in wool-
growing learned that fact at the centennial.
Tlio fruits of tliat knowledge are beginning
to be gathered. The American sheep of this
breed have greater hardiness and constitu-
tional vigor, and at tlie same time produce a
heavier fleece than others, the the shrewd
flockmasters of the vast sheep-walks of Aus-
tralia, South America and elsewhere are be-
gining to find it out ; and knowing that the
maximum of profit lies in breeding from such
sheep, they are turning tlieir attention this
way to secure breeding animals. It is, there-
fore, a reasonable supposition that this branck
of American sheep husbandry will develop
steadily in the luture, and become an im-
portant source of wealth, as well as fame, to
this country.
From every point of view, therefore, the
outlook for sheep and wool is encouraging.
The oportunities are not wanting to make this
industry more prosperous than it has ever
been in this country, and judicious flock-
masters, breeders and farmers will turn them
to advantage. As has aptly been said by a
prominent authority in this industry — "The
'luck' of sheep husbandry is so thoroughly
within the control of the flock-master that he
randy need look beyond his own management
for those causes and efl(3cts which go to make
or mar his fortune." The present isatime,
we believe, when the chances are all in the
flock-master's favor.— ^merioon Stockman.
RAISING HORSES IN TEXAS.
One of the most prolific sources of wealth
in this county, and, in fact, throughout the
entire State, is tlie raising of horses. This
frontier country, until within a very recent
date, did not indulge in the luxury of thorough-
breds. In former years tlie Lone Star State
boasted of fast pacing or fast runnmg ponies
and Mexican mustangs. Tliey were small
in stature, and in many cases quite rapid, the
speed of some reaching a quarter of a mile in
twenty seconds. Within the past few years
greater interest has been taken in stock, and
the crosses of Kentucky and Canada and
other more hardy and vigorous horses with
the Texas ponies have vastly improved the
breed. Each year increases an interest in
horse raising in Texas, and produces better
animals. As the blue grass region of Ken-
tucky aflbrds such delightful food for horses, a
more extensive and greater crop of mesquit
grass, peculiar to Texas only, furnishes to the
stock-raiser a far better article of food, and
almost without limit. Everywhere west of
the Trinity river it is abundant, and east of
that river it is found in many localities.
Until very recently stockmen and horse-
raisers encountered severe trials from the
Indians, who would frequently make raids
and rob tliem of much of their property,
taking on these occasions the very best stock
on the ranch. One of the peculiarities of all
the Indian tribes is their knowledge of and
extraordinary fondness for the horse. They
seem to have an intuitive understanding of
all the strong points about the animal, and
generally steal the best of the horses on the
ranch or in the corral, or wherever else these
governmental thieves make their predatory
incursions. Keeping or raising horses is much
easier than cattle or sheep. After securing a
ranch, which is similar to selecting the proper
location for cattle, the owner divides his
stock into "bands," or "bunches," or "caval-
lards" of twenty or twenty-five mares and
their colts and as many yearlings, and places
a stallion with them, which acts in the
capacity of herder. The bunches are placed
about a mile apart. The stallion guards the
cavallard with a jealous eye, and allows no
interference from other horses, often battling
so ferociously with any and all intruders that
when the owner or herdsman approaches he
is compelled to use stones or other missiles
before the guardsman allows him to enter the
range over which he holds supreme jurisdic-
150
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
t October,
tion. When the horses go to water his equine
majesty drives them to the creek, stands over
them while tliey drink, quenches his ovrci
thirst, and then leads tlie band back to their
accustomed feeding-grounds. He also brings
the bmich up to the salting-place, keeps the
closest watch over those intrusted to his
guardianship, and when all have received
their quota of salt the chief circles and leads
them back as before. Heiding or di'iving by
the cavallard horse exhibits the sagacity of
the animal. In case of either of the mares,
colts, yearlmgs, or two-year-olds wandering
or running off, the attendant promptly fol-
lows, circles, or promptly runs around the
estray, and, with ears well set, puts his head
near the ground on the side opposite to the
direction in which he desires them to go ; and,
understanding his nod, usually yields willing
obedience and starts back to the ranch, or
wherever the cavallard may be. Should the
mares become rebellious the stallion picks and
bites them until they become obedient and
placed under complete subjection. The su-
preme command of this horse, and the auto-
cratical manner in which he shows his au-
thority, is delightful to behold. He is a verv
severe disciplinarian, a most careful and com-
petent, guardian, and as kind to those under
him as a mother can be to a babe. When by
chance two cavallards hajspen to meet, the
stallion representing each will advance and
commence to battle. It is generally sharp
and decisive. The bunches, when their lead-
ers begin to fight, move off to the right and
left, every step widening the distance between
them. The stallions run up and down their
respective columns with more anxiety, and
exercising even greater surveillance, than a
faithful colonel at the head of his regiment.
When the engagement terminates, and quiet
is fully restored along the entire line, the
stalUon takes his accustomed position in the
rear. When on the move for better grass,
and it is found, and it is necessary for the
bunch to step, the stallion selects the ground,
and, running ifbrty or fifty yards ahead, puts
his ears back, his head down, and comes to a
halt, facing those under his charge. The
bunch will instantly obey this signal and go
to grazing. Branding the colts is the work
for October, November and December. The
bunches, or cavallards, are driven into a pen
or corral, when the herdsman and two others
enter. A lasso is then thrown over the head
of some colt by one of the men, while the
other expertly ropes the colt's hind legs.
When this is done the colt is thrown to the
ground. While the first one plants himself
on the colt's neck the second lariats the fore
legs ; the third, with branding-iron, red-hot,
proceeds to apply the brand in exactly the
same manner that is used in branding cattle.
The profits on horse-raising are not so large
now as they were a few years ago. At present
they will possibly not exceed 30 per cent.
There are about 2,000 head of horses raised
in Parker county annually, and each year
now adds to the number. Every farmer
raises all he has facilities for attending to,
and considerable rivalry is going on between
many of them in the production of improved
breeds of horses. — American Stockman.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF
THE WEST.
During the closing session of the American
social science association at Saratoga, on
September 12, Mr. Eobert P. Porter, of the
Chicago Inter-Ocean, read an interesting paper
on the growth of the West. The immigra-
tion at the West, and especially in Kansas
and Minnesota, he said, exceeded anything
known in the past history of the country. It
is not altogether nor chiefly an immigration of
foreigners, but also a movement of the agri-
cultural population of the States east of the
Missouri and Mississippi, their places being
rapidly filled up by a population less exclusive-
ly of the farming classes, and who are pro-
moting the general industrial development of
the sections into which they are moving in an
unexpectedly rapid way. The centres of the
great industries and manufactm-es are travel-
ing westward, and Massachusetts and Penn-
sylvania discover that they can no more retain
the monopoly of the handicraft industries of
the country than New York can hold a
monopoly of its import and export trade.
This movement is an entirely natural one,
and therefore wholesome. While it deprives
sundry sections of the monopolies secured to
them by the combined forces of legislated
protection and aggregated capital, it in turn
induces these sections to rely upon their
strong natural resources. It teaches Phila-
delphia the folly of depending upon a home
market exclusively, and sends commercial
travelers from that city to every port in the
West Indies and South America to sell goods
of American manufacture, and should do the
same with Baltimore. Mr. Porter contributed
a glowing analysis of the resources of the
great West, and of its capacity for reproduc-
tion and its energy in self-development. The
great corn belt of the Northwest, with
the adjacent subsidiary areai-s, produced
in 1877 8225,000,000 worth of corn. The
wheat fields of the Northwest the same year
grew crops yielding $208,000,000. The graz-
ing lands fed cattle the same year the produc-
tive value of which was 1125,000,000, Be-
neath these purely agricultural resources lies
a subsoil teeming with the potentiality of
manufactures of illimitable variety and ex-
tent. Illinois alone contains a seventh of all
the known coal on the continent. In Mis-
souri, throughout whole broad districts, the
iron ore has been piled up by nature into
mountains, while Wisconsin and Michigan
can still furnish timber in practically inex-
haustible quantities. The growth and de-
velopment of manufacturing centres in the
West may be inferred from the surprising
fact that while in 1860, in a total population
of 18,000,000, 72 per cent, was rural, against
28 per cent, urban, in 1870, total population
23,000,000, the rural population was 66 per
cent, and that of the cities and towns was 34
per cent. The census of 1880 will probably
show a much larger diversion of population
from farming to manufactures in the great
Western country. Labor in the West, ac-
cording to Mr. Porter's figures, is more re-
munerative, in proportion to the scale of liv-
ing and general expenses, than it is in any of
the other great sections. In Illinois, Indiana,
Missouri and Michigan "manufacturing," he
says, "can be carried on cheaper, and labor
paid better, in proportion to the cost of living,
than in the Middle and Eastern States. Lots
are cheap in Western towns, and the careful,
industrious mechanic soon has a home of his
own and he becomes identified with the city
in which he lives." As a Rockford (111.)
manufacturer is reported as saying : " Our
firm have aimed to keep the hands partly em-
ployed through the hard times, and now that
we have started up in full blast again I find
hardly a new face in the shop. We have
tided the men over because they have become
part and parcel of the city of Rockford."
They stood by their employers and now the
latter stand by them. The rate at which the
West is growing in manufactures is very sur-
prising. Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and
Kansas, with hardly any water power, last
year produced upwards of 30 per cent, of all
the railroad iron produced in the United
States. Missouri and Kansas produced one-
seventh of all the rolled iron. The iron ores
of Missouri and Michigan, owing to their
freedom from phosphorus, it is claimed, must
soon become the standard ores in the manu-
facture of steel, and steel will shortly sup-
plant iron in all the more important branches
of this great industry. Chicago has already
outstripped Pittsburg in the production of
Bessemer steel rails, and as for furniture, that
city supplies all the country west of Grand
Rapids. The population of Missouri, Kansas,
Nebraska, and the six Northwestern States,
exceeds that of New England, New York,
New Jersey and Pennsylvania by more than
300,000 ; at the same time the growth of the
former States is more than twice as rapid, and
their public debt and local taxation but little
more than half so much as those of the East-
ern States enumerated. Mr. Porter's paper,
of which we have been able to give but the
barest abstract, neglecting many important
particulars, has only to be read by the ob-
servant to make them appreciate fully what
is meant by the term, "The Great West."
And yet the Middle States of the East present
attractions for successful industry and comfort
in living which few equal and none surpass.—
Baltimore Sun.
PRODUCTION AND KEEPING OF
EGGS.
Oftentimes it is a matter of importance to
keep eggs for a time. When prices rule low,
they may be preserved in comparative fresh-
ness for several weeks, even in July and Au-
gust, if care be taken to place them on end as
soon as brought in from the nest. One not
accustomed to the handling and care of eggs
can form no idea of the shortness of time
required for the yelk of an egg to settle on
one side, where it adheres to the shell and
quickly spoils in warm weather. Always
place the egg on the big end. I have tried
both ends, and have decided in favor of the
former position. Eggs should be gathered
from the nest every day, and where there are
many hens kept, twice in a day. It matters
not for what purpose we desire eggs, the hens
that produce them should always be young
and healthy. Eggs that are to be kept for
any length of time should always be those
from young hens, or if two years old, only
from those in perfect health. If this rule is
closely observed by breeders who export eggs
for hatching, from one locality to another,
there will be better satisfaction given. It is
of much importance that the eggs have per-
fect shells, and a hen not in perfect health
may drop her eggs regularly, yet the shells
may possess imperfections that render them
unfit either for keeping or hatching.
A hen in perfect health will not drop an
egg daily for more than three days in succes-
sion. Fowls that are conftsed in narrow en-
closures for any length of time cannot be in
perfect health. They are forced out of their
natural habits, and the restraining of nature
tells on the system, sooner or later. Eor im-
mediate use, their eggs, perhaps, are as good
as any. With increasing age the egg-shells
grow thinner, and some drop them with no
shells at all. Strength and stamina of the
system, supported by good wholesome food,
produce the shell. It is a calcareous sub-
stance that forms around the egg after it is
perfected in the oviduct. The completed egg
consists of several component parts, each one
of which draws on the vital energy and
stamina of the bird, which is so formed that
its body performs its natural functions in
regular order when in health. We must con-
'sider that they are forced out of their natural
order when we feed them up for great egg
production. Did any one ever hear of a wild
bird that dropped a soft egg, or ever see a
shelless egg that was dropped by a wild bird?
We have produced poultry that do not sit.
Nature intended the hen to sit on her eggs
for three weeks, and afterwards to nurse and
run with her chicks for four or five weeks
longer. In this interval the system gains tone
and strength. It is an entire change ; a di-
vision of labor, and the fowl gathers strength
and tone for future egg production. The
regular sitters seldom drop more than sixteen
eggs in a clutch, and then comes broodiness.
Our non-sitters are the result of successful
breeding from fowls which had manifested
little desire to sit. It was a great achievement.
They are a manufactured race, and must be
cared for differently from the old common
breeds much giving to sitting and little lay-
ing. Many years back perpetual layers were
unknown, as well as the production of eggs
in winter. Among the birds of the air there
is one species known as "cow blackbird," that
never sits, but perpetuates its kind by drop-
ping its eggs into the nests of other birds, by
which the young are brought up. Generally
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
151
the nest of a smaller bird is chosen, and in
rearing, the smaller birds are frequently robbed
of their foodand perish, the overgrown bird's
beak salting the larger share of food. Tlie
cow blackbird cannot be any great layer, or
their eggs are discarded by the other birds
thus imposed upon, for tlie species is not very
plentiful. Eggs dropped in May and .June
keep much better than those dropped later in
the season. The reason is that the fowls are
in better condition. After the middle of July,
the close summer heats and sultry nights come
on. and the birds are more or less cxliausted.
The moulting season is close at hand, and the
whole sy.stcm is preparing for a chnnt;!', th(^
recovery from which is a (luesiiDn (irtiuic and
care. 15y this time, if left unheeded, their
roosting places have become foul and infested
with vermin. From this time out, stimulants
and mild tonics should be given to the pcrjiet-
ual layers as required. To be thoroughly
profitable, these fowls should not be kept over
the second winter, unless it be in exceptional
cases. There is no breed of fowls that accepts
management as readily as the Brahmas. They
yield to confinement, in time, place, and food,
without repining, yet they are tender, and
require more care and forethought in feeding
than any of the other races of sitters. Perfect
eggs, after once obtained, should be set up on
end in good, sweet, clean oats, and kept in a
cool place, and there will be found little diffi-
culty in saving them to obtain a fair price at
the fall markets. They must possess good,
thick, perfect shells, or they will not keep.
TOBACCO.
The Tobacco Leaf gives a large assortment
of the views of New York leaf tobacco mer-
chants and importers on the condition and
prospects of the seed leaf and Havana to-
bacco trade of this country. We select some
of them of local interest for republication :
A. S. jRosciitrtwni it Co.— We consider trade
in a sound condition, and the prospect is good
for a continuance of the same, providing peo-
ple do business at a fair profit, and do not go
into speculation. The crop of last year is thus
far affording only a small proportion of fine
wrappers, and prices for those that are fine
will be well sustained throughout the season.
E. Roscnwald <t Bro. — It seems to us that
all seed leaf tobaccos will maintain their
prices, and fine wrappers of the 1878 crop will
go higher than they are at present.
H. SchubartA Co. — We find trade very good
and consider the prospect very favorable.
Dealers look forward to and must have higher
prices, as they do not want to, nor intend to,
lose money on their investments. Those who
have good tobacco will get higher prices than
are now paid. Cigar manufacturers must get
higher prices for their goods than they are
now receiving.
J. S. Gmis's Son & Co.— The condition of
trade is very satisfactory, and notwithstand-
ing the high prices of the 1878 tobacco, manu-
facturers will be compelled to take it very
freely before long. In fact, during the pres-
ent month they have been liberal buyers. We
doubt whether the prices that are at present
ruling will in all instances be maintained. We
are convinced that no further advance in
prices is to be expected.
Charles F. Taij <fc Son. — There will probably
be a legitimate advance on the stock on hand,
enough to cover the interest and charges, but
we don't exisect a large advance. We look
forward to a legitimate supply and demand
business. The new tobaccos have been bought
rather high, and it is going to be a slow busi-
ness to sell them. The old stock is almost all
entirely exhausted, and while manufacturers
will have to take the new we do not antici-
pate a speculative movement in it.
L. Gershel <fc JBro.— Our idea is that trade
has never been in a healthier condition than
at present, and we feel that in the next sixty
days higher prices than are now paid for seed
leaf tobacco will be obtained. There is very
little old stock on hand, and the new crop
contains but a small portion of fine goods.
Those who hold fine wi-appers are in posses-
sion of good property and will get their prices
for them.
N. Lachcnh-mch & Bro.— In fine goods the
market is very bare, and we think for them
higher prices will certainly rule in the near
future. AVe believe all grades of Pennsylva-
nia tob.acco that are anyway useful, good
property to hold ; as also fine wrappers of the
growth of other .States. We are having offers
for our 1878 tobaccos very close to our prices,
and think it will noi be long before those in
want of them will come up to our figures.
We are satisfied prices will range still higher
than they are at present. The market is in a
very good condition indeed, manufacturers
l)(ing very busy, and yet holding exceedingly
liglit stocks.
ILivciuci/rrs & Viijeliw.—Tvude is in a dull
and unsatisfactory condition. According to
oia- oiiinion tobacco was bought at too liigh
prices last year, speaking exclu.sivcly of the
1878 crop. Taking into consideration the fact
that a large crop has been raised, one that
has been pronounced to be good in every
State — not only good but excellent in every
State— there i.s, according to our idea, no
likelihood of an increase in price. As trade
is now we certainly cannot look for a great
trade ; it is cut up so much that there can
not be.
M. Opjmihcimer.—I consider trade in a
fair, healthy condition, and the prospect of
its remaining so is good. There is a satisfac-
tory demand for good tobaccos. In general
the 1878 crop is of better quality than we
have had for a long time. The Connecticut
and Ohio are both leafy crops, and will yield
as many wrappers as ever before ; and as
much may be said for the other green or new
crops.
Buvzl A Dormitzer. — Trade is very^good.
We are selling as fast as we are sampling,
and what we do not dispose of in this country
we find a ready market in Bremen. We are
getting a poor crop in wrappers, that is, poor
in serviceable wrapper leaf, but the demand
is steady and legitimate. There is more of
the new crop going to Europe than is gener-
ally known, the Messrs. Rosenwald and our-
selves sending a good deal there of which no
account is made public.
ESSAY ON THE SUBJECT OF MANUR-
ING LAND AND HOW TO APPLY IT.
The proprietor of the Reading Enijh offered
two premiums for two of the " best'essays on
the subject of manuring land and how to
apply it." To pass upon the different esSays
written in response to these premiums, Hon.
George D. Stitzel, Ezra High, J. H. Punk,
W. G. Moore and Christian Shearer, all prac-
tical farmers, agreed to act as a committee to
read and pass upon the essays and award the
premiums. *
The committee examined the different
essays submitted to them by the writers
thereof, and after due consideration awarded
the highest or first premium to John S. Eckert,
of Womelsdorf, and have decided to hold the
remaining essays under advisement. FoUow-
mg is Mr. Eckert's essay:
I live in Heidelberg township, a short dis-
tance below Womelsdorf, on a farm owned by
one of my best friends, George B. Eckert, of
Reading. I have lived on this farm for the
last fifteen years. The community know the
condition of this farm when I first occupied
it and believe I have improved the soil as well
as the general appearance of the farm vei-y
much. From what 1 know of fertilizing land,
I believe barnyard manure to be better than
guano or phosphates. I do not believe in top-
dressing with manure, for after you seed the
ground the manure will still be on top and a
large part of the ammonia will be lost, instead
of entering the soil and enriching it. My
plan is to manure oats stubble and plow it
under. The best wheat I ever raised was by
plowing down sod, well limed. Manuring the
sod or the oats stubble is very Mod, and I
believe with a good season a splendid crop
will reward the farmer.
I believe farmers make a mistake in seeding
timothy. It would be better to cast the tim-
othy seed into the sea and double seed with
clover. To plow timothy sod you will find it
hard and touch, the ground looking poor and
the soil not in a good condition. Clover sod
is right the opposite of timothy — clover being
blacker and richer. Some farmers argue if
they do not raise timothy they will not be
able to feed their stock, as their soil is marshy,
and clover will freeze out. Such is not the
fact if farmers will use barnyard manure in-
stead of phosphates, which I do not believe
pay the farmer at all. Phosphates may pay
small truck farmers near a city or book farmers.
The latter conclude to quit the city and live
in the country, then buy a farm and expect
results from it just as practical farmers get.
These fancy book farmers forget the long and
patient toil and close observation of the laws
of nature which a practical farmer mu.sl pos-
sess to make farming profitable. A fancy
book farmer believes a man must sei-ve an ap-
prenticeship to become a watchmaker, but that
anybody can farm. This is a great mistake.
Exi)erience on the farm is worth more than
anything else. I think that after manure and
proper cultivation of the ground a good .season
comes next, for without weather to make
what we plant grow a farmer's labors will not
amount to much. Every farmer should know
that the better the soil is tilled the more it
will produce and pay. Keep your weeds
down.
There is a great difference between lime-
stone and gravel soil, and also between rolling,
level and low lands. Rolling lands will require
more feeding than level land on account of the
drainage. Heavy rains on rolling land will
wash it and carry off the fertilizers, which is
not the case with level lands with good drain-
age. To raise a good crop of com plow roll-
ing land in the spring and level land in the
fall. Rolling land when plowed in the fall
will become mellow and wash out the sod,
while such is not the case with level land. I
believe in deep plowing, if the soil allows it.
Deep furrowing for planting will save corn
from drouth and it will not blow down so
readily.
Canada lliistlcs cun be killed by using fine
dust from the furnaces put on about four
inches thick. I have killed Canada thistles in
this way, and also have enriched the .soil by it.
You can get the fine dust from furnaces with-
out cost,and you will be richly repaid for your
labor.
A grave question for the consideration of
farmers in the future will be fencing. As the
country becomes more thickly settled and
timber becomes more scarce fencing will cost
much more than now. To overcome thLs pro-
spective trouble I haveosagc orange, which
will last a lifetime and will not cost iis much
as post fence. I plant osage orange for two
thousand feet at the cost of tln-ee and a half
cents a foot, which are growing nicely. I
would also urge my fellow farmers to plant
shade trees around their dwellings, for in this
way you will make youi- homes more comfort-
able and valuable.
Often city people speak of farmers being
careless in their dress. We cannot be as tidy
in our dress as city people, for our business
will not permit it, but against this we know
how much better fresh mdk is from a cow than
after it is hauled to the city and drank by city
folks. We also know hpw much better fresh
vegetables are than after they are kept for
several days and then sold and eaten by city
people.
To my fellow farmers I would say again,
plow deep while sluggaixls sleep, and we will
have grain to sell and to keep.
Remember, any work well done will bring
its reward.
LABOR-SAVING IMPLEMENTS.
A great historian of civilization declares
that "wealth alone gives leisure for study,
culture, and true education." On this con-
tinent, the adaptation of every description of
power to agricultural and household imple-
ments whereby human labor and toil is saved,
152
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[October,
gives the required leisure that insures rest and
recreation, and that leads to culture. We are
wont to look at this saving of labor exclu-
sively as the means of multiplying and cheap-
ening the products, and ignoring that greater
and more important fact of the time it saves
to every sou and daughter of toil. It is in
the memory of many of us, before the adap-
tation of power to mowing machinery, that
it was a day's labor of ten hours to cut an
acre of grass; to-day, through the triumphs
of inventive genius, the same man can ac-
complish ten times the amount of labor in a
day, wherehy ninety hours of toil are gained.
A portion, it is true, goes to the increasing
and cheapening of the product, but the greater
gam is for leisure, to be devoted to moral and
intellectual improvement. This Is true of
every implement in use in human industry.
It is this adaption of other than the power of
the human muscle to farm improvements that
has elevated, by rest and education, more
people than all other agencies of modern
times. It is this that will, in its progress,
make agriculture a profession rather than a
mere occupation. The genius which gave to
the field and the fireside labor-saving imple-
ments, emancipated thirty million laborers,
men, women and children, in this country
alone, from the bondage of incessant toil.
That genius gives wealth to found institutions
of learning, and sons and daughters their
whole youth to profit by them. It gives wealth
for ten thousand periodicals of agriculture,
of art and science, and gives you time to read
them. It creates public and private libraries,
and gives leisure to study them. A half cen-
tury ago the tilling of the soil was the merest
manual labor ; to-day it is a question of skill,
art and intelligence. Then the measure of
the producing power of any region was the
number of those who dug and delved. Now
it is from the number and character of farm
implements, and the skill and intelligence of
those who use them. Then the farming popu-
lation represented mere muscle ; the employer
alone represented the brain. Now an agri-
cultural population represents the brain ; the
implements the muscle. The agricultural
population represents a great producing power,
but labor saving machinery represents a vastly
greater.
•
THE BALANCE OF NATURE— FISH.
It is diiflcult to convey an adequate idea of
the number of individual fish which may
compose a shoal of herrings, and it has been
averred that they would speedily impede navi-
gation were it not for the vast number of
agencies that are at work to prevent an un-
due increase of their number. As the result
of recent inquiry we have been informed that
the quantities which man takes from the water
for food uses do not represent a tenth of what
are captured by the sea birds, or devoured by
marine enemies. As the herring is the only
fish of which statistics of the capture are col-
lected and tabulated, we are in possession of
figures which aflbrd us a rough idea of the
number annually withdrawn from the sea for
food purposes. In a recent year sufficient her-
rings were taken to fill a million barrels , and
as each barrel contains, on an average, 700
fish, we have thus a number equal to 700,000,-
000. This quantity, it must be observed,
represents cured fish only, and only those
which are caught in Scotland under the super-
intendence of the Fishery Board. It is pretty
certain that as many herrings are cap-
tured and offered for sale as fresh fish and
"reds" as are cured for the markets in Scot-
land and offiered for sale as salt herrings;
which gives us the prodigious total of 1,400,-
000,000 withdrawn annually from the sea ;
and even this number, vast as it is, does not
include what are used in the form of white-
bait, or those which are sold as sprats. After
draining the sea to such an extent it might
also be supposed that there would' be scarcely
so many herrings left as would suffice for a
breeding stock ; but the demands of man are
a mere fraction of what are taken out of the
shoals. All that are captured, as well as all
that are wasted during the capture, and
destroyed in the process of curing, sink into
insignificance when compared with the vast-
ness of the quantities which are devoured by
other enemies of the fish. Cod and ling are
known to prey extensively on the herring ;
and a calculation, based on the number of cod
and ling annually caught under the auspices
of the Scotland Board of Fisheries (3,500,000
were taken in 1876), assumes that there is a
capital stock of these fish in the Scottish firths
and seas of 70,000,000 individuals ; and that
each individual consumes 420 herrings jier
annmn, which, at the rate of two herrings
every day for seven months in the year, shows
a consumption of 29,400,000,000 individual
herrings. Nor does the account stop at this
point. The commissioners who recently col-
lected information on Scottish herring fisher-
ies assume that in Scotland alone the gannet
(a sea-bird) will annually draw on the shoals
to the extent of 1,110,000,000 herrings. In
addition to dog-fish, cod, gannets and other
sea-birds, the herring has many other enemies ;
porpoises, seals, cod fish and other |predaceous
fishes are constantly lying in wait to fall upon
and devour them. A female herring, we
know, yields over 30,000 eggs ; but at the
shoaling-time myriads of these eggs are de-
voured by a variety of enemi,es, besides which
hundreds of thousands of the eggs are never
touched by the fructifying milt of the male
fish, and so perish in the waters.— C/iawi6e?'s'
Journal.
STANDARD OF THE AMERICAN JER-
SEY CATTLE CLUB.
A letter has come to hand, written by a
gentleman interested in dairy matters to some
extent, in which the writer takes exception
(and we think very justly) to the standard
adopted by the American Jersey Cattle Club.
We have not that standard before us, but
have examined it hitherto, and do not, there-
fore, speak of it altogether at random. Our
correspondent desires to know what our views
are in regard to the scale referred to, and es-
pecially in reference to what he calls "the
frills and furbelows" with which it is orna-
mented.
Not having the scale of points before us,
we are not prepared to examine it in detail,
but from recollection and some figures given
by our friend we shall not have much difficul-
ty in pointing out what we think are serious
faults it contains, and at the same time
plainly indicate our position in regard to some
things which such standards should recognize,
as well as some tilings they should ignore.
In deciding upon standards of excellence
by which to measure any class of stock, it has
happened not unfrequently that the import-
ance of the real merit has been overlooked,
or that the most desirable points have not
been given the prominence they deserved,
while fanciful and non-essential characteris-
tics have received too much consideration in
the scale. The behests of fashion have thus
been obeyed to the detriment of true interests
which were at stake. It is only proper to re-
mark here that we have no unfriendly feel-
ings against the American Jersey Cattle
Club, or any other similar club or association.
And so far as Jersey cattle are concerned, we
look upon them as a very useful and desirable
breed for certain purposes. We are dealing
entirely with a scale of points laid down by
the clubby which Jerseys are judged, which,in
our our opinion, is inimical to the welfare of
breeders of and dealers in that breed of cattle
in this country ; hence we are free to say in
all kindness and candor that in catering to
fanciful tastes and placing undue value upon
non-essentials, we believe that the club stands
in its own light, and is really, though unin-
tentionally of course, doing an injury to the
Jersey cattle interest. Eesults at the pail and
in the churn are what Jerseys must show —
results that at once recommend them to
farmers, -io dairymen and other's— if they are
to retain i=eputati^n.- If these are sacrificed
to the color of hair, hor-ns,4ioofs, and to high
up nostrils, it is but a questioa-of time ^ben
the breed wiU lose much of its prestige and
prominence. As the value of tlie Jerseys
consists almost exclusively in the richness and
quantity of the milk they produce, the true
policy, of course, is to preserve these qualities;
but how long can this be done, if they are
made secondary or subservient to other things
which are not material, or which really count
nothing by the side of these useful character-
istics. In the scale adopted by the club there
are thirty-four points, and of this number
four only relate to the lacteal characters of
the cow, viz. : the milk veins, the front and
rear udder, and the teats. Twenty-nine points
are required to entitle an animal to a prize at
a competitive trial, or to be classed as a prize
animal, and it will be seen, therefore, that a
cow or heifer of this breed— whose chief and
almost only recommendation consists of its
milk quality — may secure a prize without
possessing a single one of the points indi-
cating excellence in that direction. The color
and size of the ears count two in the scale,
and the length and quality of the tail also
count two, so that ears and tail equal in the
count the number of points given to milk
veins, front and rear udder and teats. Now
we respectfully submit that milk veins, udders
and teats are likely to be more favorably can-
vassed than delicate and deer-like ears by
dairymen and others desirous of adding Jersey
cows to their herds or purchasing for family
use ; and further, that with such persons it is
more a problem of pail than of tail. The
question of utility is paramount, and hence
the folly of giving undue prominence to tests
of no real value, or at least of such small
consequence as to entitle them to little ap-
preciable weight in any proper standard or
scale of points. We repeat that performance
at the pail is the highest test. The quantity
of butter a Jersey cow produces within a
year, or what profit she yields to her owner in
dairy products, has more to do with her value
than anything else ; all others are secondary,
and some that are present in this standard
are worse than useless. — American Stockman.
WHOLE ACRES OF PERFUME.
The Swiss limes says : Some idea of the
magnitude of the business of raising sweet-
scented flowers for their perfume alone may
be gathered from the fact that Europe and
British India alone consume about 150,000
gallons of handkerchief pej-fume yearly; that
the English revenue from French Eau de
Cologne of itself is |40,000 annually, and the
total revenue of England from other import-
ed perfumes is estimated at $200,000 each
year. There is one great perfume distillery
at Cannes, in France, which tises yearly about
one hundred thousand pounds acacia flowers,
140,000 pounds of rare flower leaves, 32,000
pounds of jasmine blossoms, and 20,000
pounds of tuberose blossoms, togetlier with
an immense quantity of other material used
for perfume. Victoria, in New South Wales,
is a noted place for the production of perfume-
yielding plants, because such plants as the
mignonette, sweet verbena, jasmine, rose,
lavender, acacia, heliotrope, rosemary, wall-
flower, laurel, orange, and the sweet-scented
geraniums are said to grow there in greater
perfection than in any other part of the world.
South Australia, it is believed, would also be
a good place for the growing of these perfume-
producing plants, though they are not yet
cultivated to much extent. The value of per-
fumes to countries adapted to their produc-
tion may be gathered from the* following esti-
mate of their growth and value per acre, as
given in the London (England) Journal of
Horticulture: An acre of jasmine plants,
80,000 in number, will produce 5,000 pounds
of flowers, valued at 11,250; an acre of rose
trees, 10,000 in number, will yield 2,000
pounds of flowers, worth $375; 300 orange
trees growing on an acre, will yield, at ten
years of age, 2,000 pounds of flowers, valued
at $250; an acre of violets, producing 1,600
pounds of flowers, is worth $800; an acre of
cassia trees of about 300, will, at three years
of age, yield 900 pounds of flowers, worth
1879.J
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
153
8450; an acre of geranium plants will yield
sometliing ovur 2,000 ounces distilled attar,
worth $4,000; an acre of lavender giving over
3,500 pounds of flowers for distillation, will
ylelda value, of $1,500.
ALTITUDES IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Following is the elevation ;il)ovenieaii ocean
level at riiiladelphia of points on thi' Penn-
sylvania Railroad and hranelies, compiled
from the second geographical survey of Penn-
eylvania, which it would he well to preserve :
West Philadelphia, :54
Lancaster, •''•W
Columbia, 2.51
HarristiurR, 3J0
P. R. H. bridge over Sustiucliumia liver, . MO
Mifllin Wl
Lewistown, 4'.)8
Hunlingdou, • '322
Bedford, B. & B. R. K. I,llli2
Tyrone, 907
Sandy Kidge, Tyrone & Clearfield R. R., . 1,922
Phillipsburg, Tyrone & Clearfleld K. R., 1,433
ClearBcld, Tyrone & Clearfield U. K., . 1,10:!
Curwensviile, Tyrone & Clearlield K. R., 1,141
Bell's Mills, Junction of Bell's Gap K. R., 1,000
Point Lookout, Bell's Gap R. R., . . 1,915
Lloydsville, Bell's Gap R.R., . . . 1,1S0
Summit, Bell's Gap R. R., Bench Mark Sum-
mit of Mountain 3,."01
AUoona, lil'J'S
HoUidaysburg, Hollidaysbui-g Branch, . 9oS
Springfield Mines, Williamsburg Branch, 1,.S79
Henrietta, Morrison's Cove R. K., . . 1,423
Kittanning Point, 1,594
Dennington Furnace 2,0.3«
Gallitzin, 2,161
Crcsson, 3,017
Ebensburg, at High and Centre streets, ap-
proximating, ...... 2,160
Conemaugh, 1,2_'5
JohnstoVn, 1,184
Blairsville Intersection, 1,113
Blairsville station, Indiana Branch, . . 1,011
Indiana, terminus of Indiana, . . . 1,311
Latrobe, 1,006
Ligonier.Ligonier Valley R. R., . . . 1,151
Greensburg, I 1,091
Connellsville, S. W. P.R. R., ... 915
Irwin 884
East Liberty 918
Pittsburg 745
THE CATTLE DISEASE.
In his oSlcial report to the Governor of his
work under the act of May 1st, 1879, during
the month of September, Secretary Edge re-
ports the quarantine of seventeen Irerds in-
fected with pleuro-pueumonia. These herds
contain 285 animals, and are lucahxl in the
counties of Chester, Delawan'. .Moutfcuniery,
Bucks and Lancaster. One lierd eacli in
Chester and York counties have IJcen released
from quarantine, and the latter county is, so
far as known, clear of the disease.
In order to prevent the further spread of the
disease in the herd, and to prevent its spread
to adjoining herds, sixty animals have been
appraised and killed. In all cases the disease
has thus far been confined to the herd, after
it has been strictly quarantined, and the Secre-
tary reports that all owners of infected cattle
have supported him in his attempts to prevent
the spread of the disease.
In Chester county the Sheriff has levied on
one of the quarantined herds and he now
finds a conflict of duty between himself and
the agent of the Governor ; the matter will
undoubtedly be settled amicably, but if forced
to a legal decision, would give room for the
display of much legal lore.
Secretary Edge also reports that in these
herds, (one of which is that of Mr. Turner, in
Colerain township, in this county,) the disease
has shown itself in an unusually malignant
form, and that the greatest loss has been in
these herds. So far as known every infected
herd has been quarantined and it is hoped
that the authorities have the disease in check.
All cattle imported from Europe are quar-
antined in Philadelphia before they can be
sold, and must show a clear bill of health at
all times after their shipment in England.
One importation has been thus quarantined,
and another is expected soon.
When compared with neighboring States
of New York, Massachusetts and New Jcr.'iey,
the exjienso in Pennsylvania has thus far been
very sliglit. In Massachusetts the eradica-
tion of the disease cost 807,500 ; New York
has appropriated 835,000, and New Jersey
$25,000.
SINGULAR DISCOVERY.
A Lafayett(^ (Ind.) man accidentally made
a most singular discovery rc^spcctiug the elec-
trical influence of the ordinary morning glory
vines. Seated near the lattice work over
which the vine was trained, his attention was
attracted to a single branch tipped with a
growing vine extending straight out from the
rest, and speculated within himself whether
the tiny hairs with which the stem was
clothed were not placed tliere for the purpose
of conducting the electric fluid of the at-
mosphere to the plant. In order to continue
his investigation, he approached his linger
within about half an inch of it, and was
amazed to observe a slight, almost impercep-
tible, yet unmistakable motion of the stem.
As he pushed his finger a little nearer the
stem trembled very visibly, and was •seem-
ingly attracted and repelled from him. The
hairs which he noticed before did not move,
but remained erect. There was no wind at
the time, and the motion was purely an in-
duced one. After this interesting experiment
he placed his finger within a short distance of
the growing bud and slowly moved it in a
circular direction. The stem followed the
motion until it was bent in the form of the
letter C, and when the finger was withdrawn
instantly regained its former straight posi-
tion. The last experiment was witnessed by
several persons, all of whom tried it with
varying success.
•
A NEW USE FOR THE MULLEIN.
A correspondent writes to an exchange as
follows about the flower of a well-known
plant :
I have discovered a remedy for consump-
tion. It has cured a number of cases after
they had commenced bleeding at the lungs
and the hectic flush was already on the cheek.
After trying this remedy to my own satisfac-
taction, I have thought philanthropy required
that I should let it be known to the world. It
is common mullein, steeped strongly, sw'eet-
encd with coffee sugar and drank freely.
Young or old plants are good, dried in the
shade and kept in clean bags. The medicine
must be continued from three to six months
according to the nature of tlie disease. It b
very good for the blood vessels also. IL
strengthens and builds up the system instead
of taking away the strength. It makes good
blood and takes inflammation away from the
lungs." Itisthe wish of the writer that every
periodical in the United States, Canada and
Europe should publish this recipe for the bene-
flt of the human family. Lay this up and
keep it in the house ready for use.
JUICE OF THE TOMATO PLANT AN
INSECTICIDE.
A writer in the Deutsche Zeitung states that
he last year had an opportunity of trying a
remedy for destroying green fly and other in-
sects which infest plants. It was not his own
discovery, but he found it among other receipts
in some provincial paper. The stems and
leaves of the tomato are well boiled in water,
and when the liquor is cold it is syringed over
plants attacked by insects. It at once destroys
black or green fly, caterpillars, etc. ; and it
leaves behind a peculiar odor which prevents
insects coming again in a long time. The
author states that he found this remedy more
eft'ectual than fumigating, washing, etc.
Through neglect a house of camellias liad be-
come almost hopelessly infested with black
lice, but two syringings with tomato plant
decoction thoroughly cleansed them.— jLojuZoh
Gardener's Chronicle.
Our Local Organizations.
In the United States the consumption of
tobacco is 4^ pounds per head of population ;
in Germany, about 6 pounds.
LANCASTER COUNTY AGRICULTU-
RAL AND HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.
The regular stated meeting of the Society was
held on Monday afternoon, October 6th, in their
rooms over the City Hall.
The following is the list of members and visitors
who were present ; Calvin Cooper, President, Blrd-
iu-Hand; H. M. Englc, Marietta; M. D. Kendlg,
Manor ; Joseph F. Witmer, Paradise ; C. .M. Hostet-
ter, Eden; S. P. Eby, city; \Vm. McComsey, city;
VV. W. Grlest, city ; Frank R. DifTendcrller, city; J.
M. Johnston, city ; John U. Landis, Manor ; W. H.
Krosius, Drumorc ; Dr. S. H. Rathvon, city ; Johnson
Miller, Warwick , Webster L. Hershcy, East Hemp-
field ; E. S. Hoover, Manhclm ; Peter S. RcUt,
Litiz; Jacob B. Garber, Columbia, Daniel Smcycb,
city ; Israel L. Landis, city.
The members were called to order by the Pregl-
dent, Calvin Cooper.
The minutes of the preceding meeting were read
by the Secretary, and on motion approved.
Report of Special Committees.
The Committee of Arrangements of Die fair that
was held last month made a report, which showed a
small balance In favor of the society.
On motion, the report was received and the com-
miltee discharged.
Johnson Miller said he was one of the committee
to visit the Berks county fair. The fruit display was
better than at the State fair. The cattle were very
fine. The attendance was very large. The fair was
a complete success. He thought we ought to be able
to do at least as well here as they can in Berks.
Crop Reports.
H. M. Engle reported fall pastures good. Most of
the wheat is sown and is growing very rapidly — In-
deed, too much so. The fiy will ravage it in all
probability. The rainfall for September was 3)4
inches.
M. D. Kendig, of Manor, reported the wheat as
being all sown. The winter fruit crop is very small.
The rainfall for last month was 2^4 Inches.
C. M. Hostetter, of Eden, reported grain looking
very well. The fly is already at work. Water is
becoming scarce. Wells are drying up Pasture Is
getting poor. Corn is not yet husked.
W. H. Brosius of Drumore, said that corn Is a
medium crop ; grain looks well ; grass fields are
drying up ; there has been hardly atiy rainfall ; the
potatoes are half or two-thirds of a crop.
Johnson Miller said wheat in Warwick is good ;
the corn crop will be the largest for years ; pasture
is good and grass growing finely, except young
clover ; some farmers had to take their tobacco down
because it was rotting.
H. M . Engle said some of the tobacco in Donegal
was 60 hail cut that it was thrown on the dung heap.
Should Orchards be Cultivated.
H. M. Engle said this was a mooted question.
Some successful fruit growers never cullivate at all ;
others believe just the reverse. The best fruit he
had ever seen was from cultivated orchards. In
peach orchards the ground Is always cultivated. He
was not certain this rule was good for apples. Thos.
Meehan never cultivates, and he is one of our best
fruit growers. Mr. Satterthwait cultivates all the
time and is also very successful. Tobias Martin, of
Franklin county, is the greatest pear grower in the
country, and he plows annually. He was therefore
not prepared to say what was best, but he would
say while trees are young you can't cultivate too
much ; if you don't they will become stunted. As
for himself, he inclines to cultivation, but favors
very shallow plowing ; a common cultivator is per-
haps as good as a plow. We must, however, ma-
nure ; we cannot draw on our orchards without mak-
ing lliem some return.
W. McComsey did not think he could settle this
question, but he believed cultivation and fertilization
were absolutely necessary to keep orchards in good
bearing condition. His own experience has proved
this to him clearly. Whether it was owing more to
cultivation or the manuring he was not able to say,
but he attached more importance to the latter than
the former. He gave an instance where a fine tree
began to give inferior fruit from year to year. He
used some pig manure and the change was really
wonderful. He believed it all due to the manure.
He was not so sure as to th« advantages of cultiva-
tion. He cultivated an orchard that had run down,
and also manured it ; the results were good.
Johnson Miller hasaa orchard that was not culti-
vated for twenty years and yet produced wonderful
crops. He gave other similar Instances. He hag
planted a young orchard but Jdid not cultivate it,
and it has done very well. He believed in manuring
orchards.
The President said his practice was not to culti-
vate ; he manures and limes often, and has good
crops ; he leaves all the grass and weeds on the
ground ; he bas pruned but little ; he grubi the
154
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
t October,
grass 1
thin three feet of the stem of the tree. His
; branched within three feH of the ground.
H. M. Engle thought while one man succeeds by
cultiTation another may fail ; therefore there is no
certain rule ; certain soils are better adapted to
fruit-growing than others; this must be conpidered ;
this may account for these differences ; it is so with
nearly all crops. These facts must not be forgotten.
Some trees also bear better crops than others. Some
are surer bearers ; one orchard may have more of
these latter than the others. Tlie soil, however,
needs replenishing.
E. S. Hoover gave the experience of a friend, who
thought that an orchard ought to be cultivated from
the beginning ; then the roots would go down and
the trees not be injured. He has an orchard that
latterly is not doing well, although manured and
cultivated. He can't account for the change. He
was careful not to cut any large roots. He will not
cultivate again, but he believes in manuring as reg-
ularly ai for any other crop. Perhaps, also, his
orchard is growing too old. It is a nice question
whether we can cultivate our orchards without in-
juring the trees.
Webster L. Hershey spoke of an orchard that has
not been cultivated much but has heen regularly ma-
nured but seldom gives a crop ; the trees are of the
same age, and in the same kind of soil ; pear trees
in these orchards show the same results ; some
seedling trees also show the same effect under the
same condition.
W. H. Brosius asked whether hogs feeding in an
orchard were injurious. He was told they might not
hurt the fruit crop, but they would the sod and roots.
E. S. Hoover had a peculiar experience; he tore
down an old hog pen and planted there several kind
of trees — pear, peach and apple — all of which died ; '
finally he planted a crab apple tree, which grew
wonderfully.
H. M. Engle said wood ashes were more con-
ducive to the growth of trees than anything else. He
gave instances of their beneficial effects at the State
Experimental Farm.
The Ne-w Society.
W. McComsey called attention to the fact that an
impression prevails that our meetings are now only
the meetings of the officers and not of the society in
general. He thought this had affected the size of
our meetings. If it was the same old society he
thought it ought to be stated.
H. M. Engle also observed our attendance is
smaller than formerly. He thought that the Presi-
dent ought to make a statement, setting this thing
in its proper light, and publish ft in the papers.
Considerable discussion arose over this question,
whether , the members of the old society are full
members of the present one, all holding that they
ought to be.
F. R. Diffenderffer said that when the society ob-
tained its charter it was held that the new organiza-
tion was a different body, and it was then proposed
that all the members of the old should by resolu-
tions be made members of the new.
W. H. Brosius thought that as the charter was
obtained by consent of the members they must be
considered as members of the new organization.
F. R. Diffenderffer offered the following resolu-
tion, which was unanimously adopted:
" Hesolved, That all the members in good standing
of the Lancaster County Agricultural and Horticul-
tural Society prior to its incorporation, be and are
hereby declared full members of the chartered
society, and as such entitled to all the rights and
privileges of the society."
W. McComsey said that John H. Landis, a mem-
ber of the State Legislature, was present, after hav-
ing made an extended tour through the far West.
He moved that the gentleman be invited to address
the societj .
Farming in the Far West.
Mr. Landis responded, and gave an account of the
immense crops that were grown in the new States of
the West. Bu.siness is reviving. Capital no longer
seems afraid of making new investments. All the
great industries are looking up. Everything seems
flourishing. Different causes have contributed to
this. Among these, perhaps, is the feeling that peo-
ple once more have confidence in the money 'they
now have. They feel that the dollar they have will
be a dollar all the time and everywhere. Surprised
at being called upon, he was not prepared to say
more.
On motion a vote of thanks were extended to Mr.
Landig for his remarks.
H. M. Engle, having Been West, was also asked to
relate his inipressions, but as he had already written
several articles concerning that trip he asked to be
excused for the present.
John H. Landis consented to deliver an address
before the society at its next stated meeting.
Amendment to By-Laws.
The following amendment to the by-laws, h.aving
been offered at the last meeting, was called up: The
Treasurer of the society shall before entering upon
the duties of his office, give bond with approved
security for the safe keeping of the funds and proper
disbursement of any funds of the society which may
come into his hands.
On motion the resolution was adopted.
Daniel Smeych exhibited the branch of a pear tree
loaded with fruit ; this tree has for years borne
Hosenshenk pears, but has lately commenced bear-
ing entirely different fruit. The limbs are gradually
varying from the original variety. Some look like
the original, and some are entirely different. The
change seems to be going on constantly. The mem-
bers were seemingly doubtful of such a freak of
nature, and were inclined to think a stray bud or
graft may have surreptitiously been put on the tree.
Business for Next Meeting.
The business committee reported the following
questions for next meeting :
What kind of horses are most profitable for the
farm ? Referred to E. S. Hoover.
What branch of farming will pay best ? Referred
to C. M. Hostetter.
Are large or small farms most profitable? For
general discussion.
Jos. I. Witmer, H. M. Engle and others thought
we ought to adopt some new features to make our
meetings more interesting. We ought, now that we
are taking anew departure,to make some advances in
our proceedings. It was suggested that the German
element ought to be brought in. No people any-
where Understand farming better ; if they would
come here they might teach us much ; we ought to
have them by all means.
Fruits and Flowers.
H. M. Engle had for examination a number of fine
pears : Urbaniste, Bosc, Kingsessings, Buerre Langa-
lier. Mount Vernon and Sheldon.
M. D. Kendig had a Hericort pear and also a hardy
shrub with plumes — the Xflalia Jajionica Varegata,
and a handsome flowering plant, the Hydrangia
I'aniculata Grandiflora.
There being no further business before the society
a motion to adjourn was carried.
THE POULTRY ASSOCIATION.
The stated monthly meeting of the Lancaster
County Poultry Association was held Monday morn-
ing, October 6th, in their rooms in City Hall.
The following members and visitors were present:
Rev. D. C. Tobias, President, Lititz ; J. B. Lichty,
city; Charles E. Long, city; Wm. Schoenberger,
city; W. W. Griest, city; Charles Lippold, city; Frank
R. Diffenderffer, city; J. M. Johnston, city; T. F.
Evans, Lititz; Amos Ringwalt, city; Frank B.Buch,
Lititz ; Henry Wissler, Columbia ; Ferdinand Sheaf-
fer, city; Washington L. Hershey, West Hempfleld;
Jacob B. Long, city; William J. Kafroth, West Earl;
S. C. Garber, Rapho.
The meeting was called to order by the President.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and
apprpved.
Report of Committee.
Charles E . Long, from the Executive Committee,
reported that that body had met at Lititz and trans-
acted a large amount of business, among which was
the securing of the room above D. P. Locher's Bank-
ing House, at a rental of g3.00 per day.
The committee on procuring judges for the com-
ing exhibition stated it was not yet in a condition to
report.
The time fixed for the exhibition is from the sec-
ond to the seventh of January.
New Business.
Harry Myers, Mt. Joy ; J. W. Bruckhart, Salunga ;
John Lorentz, Benj. F. Cox, John L. Metzger,
Gideon Arnold and Joseph A. E. Carpenter, from
the city, were unanimously elected to membership.
J. B. Lichty stated that since last meeting a num-
ber of new subscriptions had been received, making
a total up to this time of $81, towards setting the
coming poultry show on a sure financial basis. Other
members came forward and put down their names,
swelling the list considerably.
A long informal discussion occurred at this point.
The chairman of the Executive Committee stated
that while the success of the coming exhibition was
undoubted, his committee, nevertheless, felt some
reluctance in going ahead until they had enough
money in hand to pay any and all expenses that
might be incurred, so that under any circumstances
the society would be able to meet its obligations. A
number of plans were suggested to meet the desired
end. The most liberal disposition was evinced by all
the members present, all being willing to do their
utmost and even increase the number of tickets they
had already agreed to take. A committee of three,
consisting of Messrs. William Schoenberger, J. B.
Lichty and Chas. Lippold, was appointed to solicit a
few outside subscriptions to make assurance doubly
sure. This committee will call upon the hotel keep-
ers, and perhaps some others, for subscription to
tickets, and as it is believed a large crowd will be
drawn they may easily realize far more than the
cost out of the persons who may visit the city to see
the exhibition. We think we are not mistaken in
promising the people of this city a poultry show that
will compare favorably with those of societies ten
times as old as this one.
A letter was received from A. H. Shriner, of
Sporting Hill, resigning his membership on the Ex-
ecutive Committee, because of the impossibility of
being present often enough. The resignation was
accepted. The filling of the vacancy was deferred
under the rules untirthe next regular meeting.
A motion was made and carried to meet in two
weeks from to-day, in order that the business con-
nected with the exhibition could be more fully dis-
cussed.
There bemg no further business before the society
a motion to adjourn was made. Carried.
FULTON FARMERS' CLUB.
The Club met October 3d, at Franklin Tollinger's.
The members were all present during part of the
day, and they also had the pleasure of the company
of three neighboring farmers as visitors — Davis A .
Brown, Isaac Bradley and Edwin Stubbs. The Club
was called to order by the president.
Exhibit of Farm Products.
Josiah Brown exhibited a radish of immense size,
weighing eight pounds, some Yellow Dent Corn, a
few large sweet potatoes from an enormous crop for
a smali number of plants, and an apple for name,
pronounced the Northern Spy.
C. S. Gatchell: Two varieties of apples for name,
one Paradise, the other still unknown.
J.R.Blackburn: Four varieties of grapes, which
were enjoyed by all present. Among them he called
our attention to some good sized fruit that had blos-
somed and grown since the 11th of July, at which
time a very severe hail storm passed over his and ad-
joining farms, in all cases leaving little or no vegeta-
tion.
Mr. B.'s Isabella grape vine seems to have suffered,
but being of good cheer it went to work and put forth
its blossoms anew, and although the fruit was not
ripe it shows by example that we are intended never
to get disheartened when difficulties overtake us, but
turn the bright side to the task and with willing
hands and hopeful spirit try to win.
Davis A. Brown : Four kinds of apples— King of
Tompkins county, Rhode Island Greening, Smith's
Cider and Winter Sweet.
Montillion Brown: Corn.
Asking Questions
What would the club do with cabbage when the
heads are bursting?
Most would loosen the roots by pulling it to one
side, and thus prevent it from growing; and some
others plant late, so that it would only mature in
time to put up for winter use. Still others would
make sauer kraut, and by this method preserve those
that had already burst.
How is sauer kraut made? D. A. Brown endeavored
to give a recipe, but we failed to gather it accurately
enough to report.
Day Wood was called upon to give a report of his
experience of the Cooley creamery. Having no writ-
ten report, he gave some idea of the mode and his
opinion of the plan. He considered it a very great
saving of work, as there is little washing required to
keep them clean, and when the milk is put in there
is no danger of dirt or insects getting into it. The
only objection was that it took more room to hold
the cream and a larger churn to churn the cream.
Not the great increase of butter, but the bulk of
cream must be greater. It requires very little ice.
One of the ladies gave a recipe for removing white
spots from varnished furniture caused by heat. Rub
them with spirits of camphor. She had tried it, and
was quite successful.
Dinner being now announced, the club adjourned
until afternoon. The table was not only laden with
good things to eat, but a large and beautifully ar-
ranged bouquet of choice fiowers, presented by one of
the lady visitors, Mary H. Stubbs, graced the table
and was the centre of admiration by both sexes.
Viewing the Farm.
After dinner the gentlemen took their accustomed
stroll over the farm, while the ladies had a general
good time.
Afternoon Session.
The minutes of the last meeting held at this place
were called for, and aft* the reading of the criti
cisms of the farm, &c., were in order. These, how-
ever, were more in the form of praise, and truly our
host deserved all they gave him. He, with the as-
sistance of a valuable wife, or helpmate, has earned
for himself a comfortable home with everything
comfortable around them.
If the young men who look on would take our
host as an example and contrast him with those who
started at the top, they would, we think, try to
save the littles. It is the young man who rides in
fine buggies, drives fast horses, smoke cigars and in-
dulges in his social glass who will be the poor man
of a few years, for then the boy who is now poor, if
he has proper ambition, will step into his shoes as he
steps out.
Literary.
The essay of the host was substituted by Lauretta
A. King, who read a selection entitled, "Why some
1 men are poor." It laid all misery, suffering, mis-
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
165
fortunB, etc., at the door of neglecting little thintrs;
but we are not certain that such perfection could be
reached, and if it were, whether it would be prodt-
able. One of the memberB suggeetod that the man
who wrote it was like the temperance lecturer who
waB listened to by two Scotchmen. After it was over
one said to the other, "What do think of that?" "1
think he must have been a bad lad, or he would nay
hae kenned so wcel ."
One present thought the easiest way to bring about
a reform was to slop the large taxes, and the first
step in this direction was to vote for prohibition.
The man who does not vote for less taxes in the form
of prohibition votes for a large tax, and not for him-
self alone, but to Buppo-t others who arc made desti-
tute by the use of intoxicating liquor.
Allie Gregg recited the "Yankee Girl," by John
G.Whittler; Carrie Blackburn, "How Maud Kept
Watch ;" Phebe King, "The Will of St. Keen ;"
Mabel A. Haines, "The Death of the Flowers."
The regular question was now taken up, "Whether
it is profitable to feed stock on purchased food V
This was discussed by nearly all present, but we
think no one could get a definite idea from the dis-
cuBsion of tlie truth of the matter. Hogs were the
only stock that seemed to pay, and some thought
they would not.
Question for next meeting— "All things considered,
what advantage has the AVeslcrn farmer over the
Eastern?"
Essays for next time : Sadie Brown, Allie Gregg,
Renie Tollinger, Mary A. King and iUbel A. Haines.
Adjourned to meet at G. A. King's, on the second
Saturday in November.
THE LINN.ffi;AN SOCIETY.
The Society held their stated monthly meeting on
Saturday, the liTth of September, President Kev. J.
S. Stahr in the chair. After attending to the opening
duties, the donations to the museum were examined,
found and to consist of a well feathered, full sized
flicker or Golden-winged Woodpecker, Colaptus aura-
tns. This,in its flight.came in contact with a telegraph
wire and was captured, and donated by Albert Clark,
city, and neatly mounted. A conglomerated mass of
caterpillars, adhering together, in alcohol, by S. S.
Rathvon. A small jar containing a House or Milk
snake, a small ring-necked snake, and several^red,
black-spotted salamandcrs,J,name not given. Dr.
IJaker found a caterpillar covered over with small
cotton-like pellets. These were the cocoons of a
small parasitic fly, of a family related to the Ichneu-
mons. A beautiful specimen of pipe ore, a variety
of brown hematite, from the Mourer mine, at New
Providence, Lancaster county, donated by A. H. Pea-
cock, esq. A fine specimen of Margarite, from
Pequca, no name given. A singular encrouite, picked
up iu the street at Erie, per S. W. Mifflin, esq. A
number of the winged fruit, a species of maple,
picked up at Saratoga, by Dr. Baker. These, instead
of being in pairs, were iu triplets, and each had only
one seed vessel which was riot eaten out by some
creature. This seemed curious that one should be
spared, but Dr. Davis discovered, on inspection, that
all those that were not eaten out or defaced were
abortive and had no kernel in them. A sagacious
creature — it would not waste time to open a barren
shell. Mr. Melton found a maple tree of considera-
ble Bize, grown wild, the leaf of which is like the
introduced species — the Norway maple — no fruitseen;
rather thick leaves, with long red petioles ; seems to
difl'er from the sugar maples, The five-legged frog
donated by Mr. Snyder, North Queen street, having
been put in strong vinegar instead of whisky, when
inspected was found all softened to the very bones,
so that nothing could be done with it. Dr. Davis
took it along to experiment whether it was possible
to harden it so as to retain its anatomy of the bones,
It is well that Mr. Staufl'er had an accurate copy of
it illustrated in the Scientific American for September
18, 1879. No. 11, vol. XLI, page 165, otherwise this
Interesting monstrosity would have speedily become
oblivious. To the
Historical Section,
was added two fine plaster casts, taken from moulds
furnis'aedby the actual stones sculptured in England
from a kind of calcareous rock known as Oolite or
Koe-Btone, having the coat of arms of Thomas and
Richard Penn on the north side, and that of Lord
Baltimore on the south side. Every fifth mile had
one of those stones marking the boundary betweeu
Pennsylvania and Maryland, known as Mason and
Di.xon's line. The intermediate mile stones had
simply a P on the one, and an M on the other side.
William. M. Lee, esq., of Green postoffiee, Lancas-
ter county, at some trouble and expense, hunted two
of the most perfect of these stones to copy from, as
all were more or less defaced. We understand that
he has a few duplicates which he will dispose of at a
reasonable price. Those donated to the society are
truly beautiful and highly valuable mementoes of
our early history. Mr. Rathvon also deposited ten
envelopes containing 15.3 clippings of newspaper arti-
cles of historical interest.
To the Library,
was added a general index of the Agricultural re-
port of the Patent Office and Department of Agri-
culture; the Patent OIHce Gazette, up lo September,
1879; Tlie Lancaster Farmer for September, 2:i, 1879,
and book circulars.
Papers Read.
Rathv
paper,
' Observations
Pteudo-coecuK aeeris," Infesting the leaves and lodg-
ing in the bark of the sugar maple. Acer Sacchar-
ium, in Lancaster Pa., Illustrated by drawings, per
J. Staufl'er, No. 527. The remarkable development
of a fungus illustrated, and a description given by
J. Stauffer, No. r>2S. This Is of a fungus found
growing In the same locality In Mr. Sprechcr's yard,
from which that was taken in the report at the last
meeting (August 27.) This was left in the ground
until morning of September 23, when it had attained
to the height of seven inches. The gelatinous bulb
was ruptured and a thick stipe of a while color,
composed of large open cells, and centrally hollow,
surmounted with a cap only attached to the upper
end of the attenuated stipe; this cap hung loose, like
a boll, smooth inside; on the outside it had thin, high
meshes or cell-walls, of-various forms, with its lower
edge bent np and terminated by curved points; from
the stipe under the cap, a loose pendant net work all
around like a veil of lace, having coarse open meshes.
This proved to be like a specimen found by Mr. H.
L. Zahm, in his garden, October 0, 1876, a drawing
of which was sent to Dr. Farlow,' Boston, who makes
this class of vegetation a specialty ; he called It the
Phallus indccsiatus. In its first stage it was like those
.sent from Quarryvillc, by I. 0. Raub, September 20,
1877; one sent to Mr. Farlow had partially devel-
oped, and he supposed it would be the P?iaUus
inpudieus, which, however, has no such pen-
dant lace-work like veil. That such a potato-
like, elastic bulb, which looks more like a large puff
ball, should turn into a Phallus is a very Interesting
fact in its development. Mr. Staulfer also read a
paper. No. 529, on the history of the facsimiles of
the line stones donated by Mr. Lee, and the date of
their erection, size and fiuting.
On motion a vote of thanks was cordially given to
Mr. Lee for his liberality in bestowing so great a
favor on this society.
Mr. George F. Rathvon, who has a share of stock,
and was supposed to be a member, was on motion
unanimously elected an active member of this society.
On motion of J. Stauffer, Mr. Wm. M. Lee was
elected a corresponding member of this society.
Scientific gossip was indulged in on various topics
suggested by articles deposited, and an interesting
meeting had.
Society adjourned to the last Saturday in October
next.
the old earthen pattern, so that the roots cannot ex-
tend dt)wn, but outwards.
These and other European experiences all favor
the idea of surface-feeding. We are Inclined to think
also, that the average American experience has been
in favor of keeping the manure near the surface.
Some even go so far as to assert that It Is best ap-
plied wholly on the surface, and not buried in the
earth at all, and we may add that It is becoming
more and more the custom amonj; our best farmers
In Eastern Pennsylvania. Nevertheless we shAuld
like to see the matter tested more thoroughly than
we think it has been, and the results sent to us for
publication. As we have said, It seems that the best
testimony is in favor of surface dressing; but there
is much to be said on the other side, and our columns
arc open to hear from it. — r/ermnulumi Teleijraph.
AGRICULTURE.
Application of Manure.
Manure is becoming to most American farmers
something more than a mere luxury— it is really to
plants in these old-established places one of the ne-
cessaries of life. We cannot afford to waste it, and
hence any information that leads us to use it with
economy, is welcome to us all.
The subject comes up periodically as the fall comes
round, and seeing its importance, it is not to be won-
dered at. The proper application is the great
question. Singularly enough, though pages on
pages have been written about this, the most in-
telligent of our agriculturists seem to differ about
it. Some insist that they have the best success
when they bury the manure deep into the earth,
while others contend that the nearer the surface the
better.
Judging by what we read, much of the arguments
used in this question are theoretical. One tells us
that he has found roots of grain and grass two or
three feet from the surface, and as they thus wan-
der so far, manure ought to be scattered all along
the road traversed by them. Others contend that
the mass of roots are generally near the surface, and
that the food ought to be chiefly placed where there
are the most mouths to require it. For our part we
have little faith in any rule of agricultural practice
that is derived from mere theoretical considerations,
knowing how often they fail when put to the test.
We know that in Europe, where the theories of in-
telligent men have been put to practical test, it Is
found that the nearer the roots can be kept to the
surface, the better are the crops. Not that they favor
shallow soil, or shallow culture, for they subsoil and
underdrain at an expense per acre that would frighten
us; but this is chiefly to keep the ground open that
water may pass rapidly away, or that moisture may
come up by capillary attraction at a dry time. But
after working the ground up thus deeply, they take
pains not to let the roots run deep. We noticed re-
cently in a chapter on grape growing In England,
that they even go to the trouble of raising roots oc-
casionally in the grape borders, so as to bring them
nearer the surface, and it Is well known in Germany,
that in order to have walnuts in perfection, the roots
must be compelled to keep near the surface; and this
they insure, by planting under the tree a milk pan of
Plowing Down Green Crops.
The more I sec of plowing down green crops the
more I become convinced of its utility. Even If there
is only a short growth so that It covers the ground
well, and though young and tender, exhibiting little
manurlal value according to analysis, yet the effect
is undoubted and considerable. It adds to the fer-
tility and Improves the mechanical condition beyond
what the means would seem to warrant, though It is
known that shading the ground mellows and cools it
and thus lessens what evaporation of its fertilizing
gases might take place. The vegetable growth
plowed under also furnishes humus rapidly, acting
at the same time chemically upon the soil, and In an
advantageous way from Its equal distribution through
the soil. Certain it Is that here is a benefit and a
profit on the outlay. This Is especially the ease
where plowing can be avoided, as with stubble land,
where only the harrow, or eultlvsitor followed by the
harrow, need be used to secure a seed bed. Where
the land is designed for a spring crop rye Is perhaps
the best to sow, as it grows a heavy mat by late fall,
and if Intended for corn quite a heavy growth can
be turned down before planting, if the soil is In good
condition and its fertility not too much reduced.
Buckwheat may be substituted for rye. This is
especially good for earlier sowing where a crop of
rye, or wheat, or barley has been removed. The
ground in this case will be better shaded and hence
protected, will be mellower and weeds arc kept down.
The pea also is a great benefit. Any plant that
grows well and covers the ground will answer.
The matter Is dependent somewhat upon circum-
stances, such as the cheapness of the seed, the plant
best adapted to poor or rich land, sandy or clay soil,
etc.; also whether plaster has a good effect, which It
almost always has upou the pea, and being the
cheapest of manures in such case and readily aijplicd,
recommends itself. This little labor and expense the
after part of the season can, in most if not all cases,
be afforded, as the harvest Is then secured and the
work Is less crowding. Our stubble land, instead of
lying idle and exposed to the elements, should be
given something to do so as to protect and improve it.
Putting in the Wheat Crop.
A singular discussion arose in the papers lately as
to whether there was really any advantage In the
drill over broadcast sowing. It is strange to find
such subjects conling up. To experienced minds It
is like arguing whether we had not better abolish
reaping machines and return to the old cradle, if
not, indeed, to the sickle at once. To us a more
reasonable matter would be the width of the drills.
We do not know of any extended and satisfactory
experiments m the country so as to test the matter
beyond question. At any rate, what a foreigner
would call very close sowing is the rule here. In
England, however, where close calculation Is much
more the rule in farming among the more Intelligent
than with us, there Is a growing feeling in favor of
wide drills. Some set them as wide as ten Inches,
and the reports, especially this year, are generally
iu favor of the wide drills.
The great trouble with most of the experiments of
this kind is, when made in experimental grounds,
that they extend but over a single season, when it is
only after trial through a series of years that a gen-
eral rule can be formed. It makes a great dilference,
for instance, whether the experiments are made
through adry season or a moist one. In a dry season,
when there is a deficiency of moisture in the ground,
a wide row will have the advantage over the nar-
row, as there would not be enough for all. In other
seasons when there is moisture, and enough for all,
the result might favor closer rows. So, also, the
nature of the soil might make much difference. A
soil which does not dry out easily will permit of
closer sowing. The one element of moisture for the
growing crop alone makes a considerable element to
be considered. Still an average of years would show
what would be best on the whole, and we should like
to see such figures^
Smut in Grain.
The black powder observed In grains of wheat,
oats, barley or rye, and ears of corn, is generally
known as smut. Viewed under a microscope of high
power this smut is seen to be a mass of black, round
156
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[October,
balls. These are the seeds of a plant or fungus
which has several intermediate stages of growth,
and finally reproduces a new set of spores. These
seeds will float in the atmosphere and adhere, with-
out being noticed, to the grain. When grains of
wheat are sown with this fungus attached, the
fungus strikes a filament into the tissue of the plant
and afiects it as with poison. The parasite pene-
trates throughout the tissues of the plant sometimes,
as with corn bursting out upon the stock, but gener-
ally appearing in the ear. It has been discovered
that caustic allies destroys the substance of smut ;
and, also, that the application of sulphates of iron,
copper and zinc have the same etfect; of these latter
the sulphate of copper— the commonly known blue
vitriol— is the most useful. The usual method of ap-
plying these remedies is to steep the seed in a solu-
tion of the various substances. The solution may be
made as follows, and either the one or the other may
be used, as found convenient :
One pound of common salt in one gallon of water.
One pound of glauber salts in one gallon of water.
Four ounces sulphate of copper in one gallon of
SulHoient of the solution should be made to satu-
rate the seed, or thoroughly moisten every gram.
When the seed has steeped for two hours it is drained
and spread upon a floor and sprinkled with dry lime
in powder, that which has been air-slaked, by ex-
posure to the atmosphere in a covered shed, until it
falls into a fine dusi, is best fitted for the use. The
seed is then shoveled and stirred until each grain has
been coated with lime. In an hour or two it will be
dry and may be sown. There are at least fifteen
species of the smut fungus known to botanists.
Western Farmers Much Favored.
The growers of wheal in the Mississippi Valley,
and the owners of cattle ranges in the prairies beyond
are certainly favored individuals. In opening up a
new channel of trade, most persons have immense
difficulties to contend with; they have not only to
pay what might be called regular charges, but usually
have extra demands of one kind or another to meet
ID consequence of their ignorance of existing cus-
toms. In the aase of the person referred to above,
this friction of inexperience seems to have been
avoided. A comparatively new trade has been started
of shipping surplus grain and surplus cattle to Eng-
land from the far West, and by this arrangement
the Western farmer is put in an exceptionally easy
position. From the farm to the seaboard his pro-
ductions intendsd for export are carried by rail at a
much lower rate than that asked for taking the
wheat of an Eastern grain merchant from Chicago
to New York. The same consideration is shown on
ship board, and the Granger sends his wheat and
cattle across the Atlantic at about a third less than
he would pay if he shipped them directly from New
York. We had supposed that|the advantage ended
here, and that, when once in England, even the
farmer of the mighty West was placed on a plane of
equality with the rest of the world. In this judgment
we were, however, mistaken, for, from a debate
which recently took place in the House of Lords, it
appears that his influence is as great abroad as it is
at home. The English farmers and dealers com-
plain that their interests are sacrificed to cncourge
American trade. They point out that the railroad
companies take American beef from Liverpool to
London at 25 shillings a ton, while they charge 50
shillings for transporting English beef over the same
distance; again a preference in rate of about one-
third is given to American grain over home produc-
tions.
Cultivating Wheat in England.
Our readers well know that we have not favored
what is called the new system of "cultivating"
wheat, which for the last couple years, in the eastern
part of our state, has caused some excitement among
onr farmers. In pursuing the "new" method it was
fortified by the statement that it had been adopted
by the best farmers in England to the exclusion of
all others. In our reading we could not see that this
statement was endorsed to any considerable extent,
though some some years ago it became somewhat
practiced. The editor of the Rural New- Yorker,
wishing reliable information on the subject, wrote
to Dr. J. B. Laws, of Rothamtted, England, and
received the following reply : , ,, .
"No one here cultivates wheat, nor has thin seed-
ing ever made much way. At the present moment
the great bulk of the wheat grown in this country is
drilled in rows about five inches apart, and the seed
used is about two bushels per acre. It stands to
reason that if one plant of wheat has possession of
one or two square feet of soil, its power of growth
must be increased, but except upon garden soil, or
upon farms in excessively high condition, I feel sure
that thin seeding will never be successful."
This would seem to settle the question, alike as it
regards cultivating, thin sowing and drilling-in the
crop In England, where labor is cheap and a ready
demand for every bushel of wheat that can be raised
at good prices, they are quick at taking up every
new idea that looks to an increased production at
reduced cost ; and this ought to cause American
farmers to hesitate to adopt a system that kas been
tried and abandoned under circumstances so clearly
condemnatory of H.—Germantoim Telegruph.
To Kill Sorrel and Clean Gravel Walks.
A correspondent remarks : I have seen several in-
quiries about eradicating sorrel but having been en-
gaged hitherto unsuccessfully in attempts to do the
same thing, I have had no suggestions to offer. But
I have recently made a discovery which I think is
valuable. The gravel walks in my lawn have given
me much trouble to keep free from weeds, of which
sorrel was the most persistent. The fingers and hoe
might free the gravel from this pest to-day and in
two weeks the walks would be again covered with it.
This method of weeding was too costly, and remem-
bering an old plan of my father's, I purchased two
bags of cheap salt, and gave the walks a liberal
dressing of it. There were sorrel, chickweed, purs-
lane, plantains, crab grass, so called, of various kinds,
ragweed and others of which I knew not the names.
The sorrel was the first to succumb; the chickweed
followed; the crab grass and ragweed, and some
grass spread from the lawn, mainly blue grass and
white clover, were uninjured till I doubled the dose;
then every green thing gave in, and tlie walks were
clean. The fact as to the sorrel prompted me to try
salt on portion of the lawn overrun with it. The
effect was gratifying. A dressing which just made
the place white as though hoar frost was upon it,
killed all the sorrel but left the grass uninjured.
Fall Plowing for Corn.
Heavy clay soils that have a good covering of
clover or grass sod may be plowed in September for
a crop of corn next season. We would not plow the
furrows flat, but set them on the edge. In the
spring a good harrowing, lengthwise the furrows,
will give a sufficient depth of mellow soil for plant-
ing, leaving the decomposed sod just where the
roots can reach it. A light application of artiflcial
manure, before the harrowing in the spring, would
be beneficial. The planting should immediately fol-
low the harrow, while the soil is fresh. Light or
mucky lands had better be left till spring, as this
treatment is not proper for them^
Horticulture.
Growing the Pear.
For some reason or another, pear-culture as a
profitable investment has only been exceptionally
successful ; and yet it would seem that there ought
to be some way to make them as good a paying crop
as the apple. There are, however, many special
localities where pear-culture has proved very remu-
nerative ; and in some places not specially favorable
there is once in a while an individual who does pretty
well with them. It is more than probable that much
of our ill-success in this line is owing to the wrong
varieties being planted. We doubt whether the
summer varieties ever paid very much, except those
who personally attend to their own retailing. They
keep but a very short time, and are often rotten if
not sold in a week from gathering. Fall pears,
which will keep a few weeks, do better ; but the
winter pear, when well-ripened and cared for, is the
kind which pays. , ^ . ,
The pear is one of the most regularly beanng ot
all fruits in Pennsylvania. There is rarely a season
when they are total failures, as apples sometimes
are ; and if the kinds suited to the location are
judiciously selected, and then proper attention
o-iven to ripening them, they ought tcrbe among the
most profitable of all crops in the vicinity of popu-
lous towns. As a fruit for country people we do not
think as a matter of profit the pear will ever com-
pete with the apple. They cannot be barreled and
shipped as readily as the apple can, without danger
of rotting by the way. They cannot stand hard
treatment as the apple can. And then they cannot
be put to as many uses. The apple can be cidered,
and dried, and buttered, and lots of other things ;
and even when it reaches the kitchen there are num-
berless uses to which the apple is put to which the
pear durst not aspire. But on the other hand the apple
on the dessert-table, no matter how roseate and
smiling it may be, is always passed by when a deli-
cious pear is present. In this particular line it will
always rule, and for this purpose will always com-
mand a readv price when goodly specimens are
offered. Now'it seems to us that in pear culture the
inhabitants of town neighborhoods have a great ad-
vantage which the apple growing country cannot
emulate. ,
There is another advantage in growing the pear.
It usually throws its roots deep dawn into the earth,
and does not seem to eat out the surface soil for a
lono- way around as the apple does. After an apple
orchard comes fully into bearing, we must give up
the ground wholly to it; but we can crop up almost
to the trunk of an old pear tree, and get very near as
good vegetables there as in any other part of the
garden ground. This is of course in alluston to old
standard pear trees where the branches have been
trimmed up to a good height ; as however rich the
soil, good vegetable crops cannot be grown if shaded
by branches. The main point is that the roots of
the pear tree do not rob the surface earth near so
much as the apple roots do.— Geraiaii^own Telegraph.
Small Fruits.
H. M. Engle & Son, nurserymen, Marietta, this
county, after considerable experience with straw-
berries and raspberries, give their opinion about vari-
ous varieties, as follows:
STRAWBEBRIES.
Chas. Downing— One of the best for cultivation.
Seth Boyden— Large and of good quality; a vig-
orous grower.
Cumberland Triumph- Berries large and uni-
form shape, bright red and of good quality. One of
the best for home market, but not firm enough for
distant shipment.
Crescent Seedling- Although not recommend-
ed by some,we think this a most valuable sort for gen-
eral cultivation. It is a rampant grower, an immense
cropper, and when not allowed to run too closely, the
fruit is very fine and of a good quality. It is a
pistillate, and should be planted near some staminate
sort to insure proper fertilization.
Sharpless— From one season's observation and
experience with this variety we are disposed to place
it at the head for size and vigor of growth ; while
its quality and productiveness are all that can be de-
sired. It will, perhaps, more than any other sort,
repay careful cultivation, and when kept in stools or
narrow beds, will yield a handsome crop of the finest
berries.
President Lincoln— Although not yet exten-
sively fruited with us, we think well of this variety.
It is of immense size, irregular in shape and of best
quality.
RASPBERRIES.
Brandtwine— We have tested quite a number of
new varieties of raspberries, but have thus far found
nothing so desirable among red varieties as Brandy-
wine. There may be sorts of better quality and
larger size, but for beauty of color, productiveness,
and general market purposes, we consider it the best.
DooLiTTLE and IVIiami are black-cap varieties of
good quality and very productive.
Gregg— A new black-cap variety of great promi-
nence, a strong grower, very productive, and berries
of largest size and best quality.
Mulching Strawberries.
A correspondent of the Country Gentleman says :
Ground stirred frequently and kept fine serves as a
mulch to some extent and promotes growth ; but a
special mulch has been made to do better. Sawdust
has been objected to as possibly souring the soil. But
I doubt whether this is the case, or at least enough
to form an objection, as I have seen plants grow in
it in the most thrifty manner, only a little dust being
mixed with it, resulting from the thawing of ice
embedded in it. Leaving the winter covering on
strawberry plants till late— till after the freezings
and thawings are past— which serves in a measure
as a mulch, I find to be an excellent plan, protecting
them against the changes of the weather. The pres-
ent season I applied a heavy mulch of buckwheat
hulli and dust obtained at the mill. This being dark
absorbed the heat of the sun, and is one of the best
materials for holding moisture. During all the dry
weather it kept the ground moist. Green weeds and
swamp grass I have used for years around trees with
good results. I give a thick coat, which hugs the
ground closely, and when decayed affords
into it. Especially is it good on clay. It also retards
the pushing forth of weeds and grasses. We do not
mulch enough, and we do not mulch thick enough.
The soil should always be worked mellow before the
mulch is applied. A thick porous mulch is to the
soil and the roots of the tree what an air chamber in
a house is to the room and its inmates--a guard
a<'ainst the extremes of heat and cold and sudden
changes of temperature. Now is the time to apply
it, before the summer drought has relieved the
ground of its moisture, the mulch serving as a pre-
ventive. Muck, forest mould, sawdust, cut straw
and chaff, each makes a good covering. Where fer-
tility is lacking coarse manure is the best mulch, but
should be applied either late in the fall or eariy in
the spring, so as not to push the growth too late in
the season. ^
Distances for Grapes.
The strong-growing American grapevine must have
ample space to grow. They may be restricted for a
few years and bear moderate crops, but when they
are older they should have a full chance to throw
out their long arms. The late Wm..A Underbill, of
Crown Point, N. Y., showed us a part of his twenty-
year Isabella vineyard, where he had allowed the
vines to extend over a roadway, giving them some
sixteen feet more room. The improvement in the
crop was striking. Mr. A. Hood, of Ontario, planted
Concords six feet apart each way. They bore litue
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
157
fruit. The BprinR of the eeventh year, he took out
every alternate vine, and then had a fine crop. He
tried a similar experiment on a large Catawba vine-
yard planted eight feel apart; the result was a
greatly increased quantltv of grapes. lie also stated
that Concord vines covering 54 to 48 trellis, carried
by actual measurement more grapes than any ad-
joining vines 12 feet apart and occupying the same
extent of trellis. An experienced grape-grower has
just stated to us that he had planted bis vines 15 feet
apart, and had grafted every alternate vine with
another sort. The grafts failed to grow, and the
old vines, being tlius thinned to one-half in number,,
gave a much better crop than the whole did before.
We might cite many other cases— all showing the
importance of giving ample space to strong growers.
And one other precaution should always be observed,
never to allow the vines to overbear; thin out the
numerous bunches. We do not now hear vineyard-
ists, as formerly, boast of the many tons of grapes
they have raised to an acre, as they have learned
that the fruit is better and the vines less exhausted
when the thinning has been properly done.
Putting Away Potatoes.
The (icruiantown Telegraph says : "Every method
has been tried by farmers to store and preserve their
potatoes through the winter, and we may say until
potatoes come again. It Is the most valuable of all
vegetables, though here._and there we And a person
and a writer who undertakes to tell us of its un-
wholesomencss. It Is universally consumed in all
civilized countries, as where it cannot be grown it is
imported, which can be done long distances without
injury when ventilation is attended to. In sorting
potatoes several methods are adopted, yet they are
all practically the same, the object being to protect
them against freezing, whether buried in pits or
stored in cellars. The first consideration is to keep
them in perfect darkness ; the next is the bins should
not be too deep— not over three feet— to produce
warmth and cause them to sprout. When stored in
the field straight trenches are dug, say twenty feet
in length and four or five wide, which arc filled to
the depth of three feet with potatoes, then well
covereii with straw, on top of which put eighteen or
twenty inches of earth. In a pit twenty feet long
there should be about three gas escapes or ventilat-
ing openings, which should be plugged with straw
and covered with a board set an angle to turn- the
rain. If in cellars, barn or otherwise, the bins should
be covered with rugs, old carpetings or strjw . Those
intended to be kept for late spring sales should be
frequently examined and all sprouts removed, for as
soon as a potato begins to sprout it loses its solidity,
dryness and quality."
Beet Sugar.
Already somi' fourteen companies have been formed
In the states and Canada for the manufacture of this
sugar, and the demand for seed last spring was so
great that immense quantities have been imported
from France. Several tons were ordered early in the
year for New Brunswick and Delaware parties ; the
Maine Beet Sugar Company took three tons on the
14th of April, and on the 13th of May an equal
amount arrived for the farmers of the Connecticut
Valley. These are but a few among the many in-
stances which might be named. As six pounds are
held to be ample for planting an acre, it can easily
be seen that a great area was devoted to this root
this year. Good beets ought to yield from nine to
ten pounds of sugar, to ten hundred weight, which
is rather more than the samequantityof cane will do.
The effect of beet culture on the prosperity of a
community is well exhibited in France. OlHcial
records show that the production of cereals and
meat has steadily increased in those departments
where the roots were regularly cultivated, and the
same is true of similar sections of Germany and
Belgium. This year's venture in this country will
have a more iinpartant influence on the future of this
Industry here than any which have preceedcd it.
But the complete success which has crowned the
efforts of those who have heretofore raised the sugar
beet on a small scale cannot well faU to be the reward
of those who are now making trials much more ex-
pensive.— I'hiladelphia Record.
Apples— Picking and Keeping Them.
Stephen Belts, a well known fruit grower of Bucks
county, says in an essay read before his county soci-
ety: "We think the time to pick apples is from the
25th of October to the 10th of November. This may
seem too late to some; but our experience is that ap-
ples left on the trees late keep much better and are
better flavored than those picked earlier. We have
reference now to.cider and Kidge Pippin apples, Bald-
wins would have to be picked atiout the 10th of Oc-
ober. Winesap apples ought to be left out about as
long as they will remain on the trees.
For keeping apples in an ordinary cellar it is well
to have the bottom of the bin eight or ten inches
from the floor; keep doors or windows open as long
as it does not freeze much in the cellar, for we may
let it freeze a little without injury; but wh«n we are
c ompelled to close the cellar tight there should bo
some means of ventilation. Probably a board flue
placed In the window on cither side and extending
above ground two or three feet higher than the first
floor, would be as cheap an arrangement as could be
adapted to the common cellar. We would prefer a
flue, for we cannot always be at home to open and
shut windows or doors to suit the weather.
Seedling Fruits.
In raising seedling fruits, wherever it has been
attempted, the usual way is to take some kind
already superior, and from this endeavor to procure
a seedling of still better quality. It is remarkable
that all attempts of this kind have failed, so far as
we know. No person has ever been known to origi-
nate a good variety in this way. All our best fruits
are the results of accident. Those who have perse-
vered In the old line rarely offer us anything good,
while the popular kinds are generally such as have
been found In wastes or fence corners. The Seckcl
pear is an admirable illustration. This was found
wild in a meadow below Philadelphia. It Is the
most popular of all pears for flavor, but It Is small,
a slow grower, a long time coming into bearing, and
ripens at a season when pears are plenty. If these
imperfections could be remedied, what a grand thing
wc should have 1 So seeds are saved of the Seckel,
and in all cases, so far as we have ever known, with
results inferior to that of the parent. Most of the
seedlings seem to have a tendency to produce earlier
fruit instead of later. The Ott, a seedling of the
Seckel, is earlier, but not as good, and never will be
80 popular. — Oertnantown Telegraph.
Olives in California.
Recently Mr. Ellwood Cooper, of Santa Barbara,
Callibrnia, shipped to San Francisco 1,000 gallons of
well clarifled olive oil, the product of his orchard at
Santa Barbara. According to the San Francisco
Alia, Mr. Cooper has 6,000 trees, some of them seven
years old, and these produce 20 gallons of berries.
Trees ten years old in a good soil will average .50
gallons of berries in a good year, but sometimes will
yield 150 gallons. After a good crop the tree usually
takes a year's rest, so that its good years alternate.
The whole yield from a mature orchard may be set
down at 200 gallons of oil to the acre, and of this
50 gallons may be deducted to pay for gathering the
berries and making and marketing the oil.
The Alta believes that the olive should receive
more attention in California, since it will bear good
crops, on poor soil, with less care than any other
plant. The hillsides, now worthless, should be cov-
ered with olives. The olives requires no irrigation,
grows on clayey or rocky soil without much cultiva-
tion, and begins to bear in five years, coming to full
bearing In ten years.— ScientiJIr ' -'-■
To Prepare a Strawberry Bed.
If you want the strawberry bed that has borne you
a good crop one season to bear well the next year,
you must work it out thoroughly and manure well
as soon as it is through bearing. Don't put it off
until the bed is filled with weeds and grass. First,
plow or spade the ground between the rows, cutting
the rows down narrower; then work the rows out
well with a fork potato-digger, and scatter in them a
good quantity of well-rotted compost, guano, or
poudrette. It is a good plan to draw fresh earth in
among the plants.— /"cjii^ Recorder.
Domestic Economy.
Extravagance of American Housekeepers.
Mr. Delmonico, talking about entrees, says that
Americans ought to copy "the French method of
utilizing small bits of raw meats and fowls, and of
recooking all kinds of cold joints and pieces of cooked
meat which remain day by day from dinner in almost
every family." The success of such dishes depends
mainly on the sauce, which is best made from broth.
The following is his receipt for a favorite sauce :
"Take an ounce of ham or bacon, cut it up in small
pieces and fry in hot fat. Add an onion and carrot,
cut up, thicken with flour, then add a pint or quart
of broth, according to quantity desired, season with
pepper and salt, and any spice or herb that Is relished,
(better though without that spice,) and let simmer
for an hour, skim carefully and strain. A wine glass
of any wine may be added if liked." Cold roast or
broiled beef or mutton may be cut into small squares,
fried brown in butter, and then gently stewed in the
sauce above described. Mr. Delmonico describes
croquettes as the attractive French substitute for
Amcricanhash,and tells how to make them : "Veal,
mutton, lamb, sweet-breads, almost any of the
lighter meats, besides cold chicken and turkey, can
be most deliciously turned into croquettes. Chop the
meat very fine. Chop up an onion, fry it in an ounce
of butter, add a tablespoonful of flour. Stir well
and then add the chopped meat and a little broth,
salt, pepper, little nutmeg. Stir for two or three
minutes, then add the yolks of two eggs, and turn
I the whole into a dUh to cool. When cold mix well
together again. Divide up Into parts for the cro-
quettes ; roll Into the desired shape In bread crumbs
again fry crisp, a bright golden color. . Any of these
croquettes may be served plain, or with tomato sauce
or garniture of vegetables."
A Goose.
Trussing.— Pick and stub It clean, cut the feet
off at the joint, and the pinion off at the first joint.
Then cut off ihe neck close to the back, leaving the
skin of the neck long enough to turn over the ^ack.
Pull out the throat and tic a knot at the end. Loosen
the liver and other matters at the breast end with
the middle flnger, and cut It open between the vent
and the rump. Draw out all the entrails except the
soul, wipe the body out clean with a cloth, beat the
breast-bone flat with a rolling-pin, put a skewer Into
the wing, and draw the legs up close; put the skewer
through the middle of the leg, and through the body,
and the same on the other side. Put another skewer
In the small of the leg, tuck it close down to the
sidesman, run it through, and do the same on the
other side. Cut off the end of the vent and make a
hole large enough for the passage of the rump, as
by that moans it will keep in the seasoning much
better.
Roast Goose.
Clean and wash the goose, not forgetting to put
a spoonful of soda In next to the last water, rinse
out well and wipe the Inside quite dry. Add to the
usual stufi'ing of bread-crumbs, pepper, salt, etc., a
tablespoonful melted butter, a large sized onion
chopped fine, a tablespoonful chopped sage, the yolks
of two eggs, and some minute bits of fat pork. Stuff
the body and craw, and sew up. It will take fully
two hours to roast, if the fire is strong. Cover the
breast until it is half done with white paper, or a paste
of flour and water,removlng this when you are ready
to brown. Make a gravy as for roast duck, adding
a glass of sherry or .Madeira, or ( if you can get It)
old Port. Send to the table with cranberry or apple
Green Goose, to Roast.
Put a lump of butter the size of an orange Into
the goose, spit, and lay it down to roast; singe,
dredge with flour, and baste well with butter, and
when done enough, dredge again, and baste till a
fine froth rises on it, and It becomes a nice brown.
Gooseberry sauce is the correct one, but apple with
a little ginger and sorrel juice answers as well.
Roast Ducks.
Clean, wash and wipe the ducks very carefully.
To the usual dressing add a little sage (powdered or
green), and a niluced shalot. Stuff, and sew up as
usual, reserving the giblets for the gravy. If they
are tender, tlicy will not require. more than an hour
to roast. Baste well. Skim the gravy before put-
ting in the giblets, and thickening. The giblets
should be stewed in a very little water, then chopped
fine, and added to the gravy in the dripping-pan,
with a chopped shalot and a spoonful of browned
flour. Accompany with currant or grape jelly.
To Boil Ducks.
Let them lie iu hot water two hours. Then wrap
in a cloth dredged in flour ; put them in cold water,
salted at the rate of half a teaspoonlul of sugar for
each pint. Let them simmer half an hour ; then
take them up, and pour over them a sauce made
of melted butter rubbed into flour, and seasoned
(Pith lemon-juice, salt and pepper, and thinned with
gravy or hot water. Wild ducks must be soaked iu
salt and water the night prevjous, to remove the
fishy taste, and then in the morning put in fresh
water, which should be changed once or twice.
Ducks Stewed with Red Cabbage.
Cut the cold ducks Into convenient pieces, and
warm them very gradually in a good clear irravy, by
the side of the fire. Shred some red cabbage very
fine ; wash it, and drain it on a sieve ; put it to stew
with a good proportion of butter, and a little pepper
and salt, iu a stewpan closely covered, shaking it
frequently. If It should get too dry, add a spoon-
ful or two of the gravy. When well done and tender,
add a small glass of vinegar ; lay it on a dish ;
place the pieces of duck upon it, and serve.
To Roast Geese and Ducks.
Boiling water should be poured all over and inside
of a goose or duck, before you prepare them for
cooking, to take out the strong oily taste. Let the
fowl be picked clean and wiped dry with a cloth, in-
side and out; fill the bodv and crop with stuffing.
If you prefer not to stuff It, put an onion inside ; put
it down to the fire and roast it brow " •"'
about two hours and a half.
iriU take
Proverbs in Cookery.
The second of Miss Dods' demonstrative lectures
In cookery was given recently. Miss Dods' lectures
are full of little bits of information that might
properly be called culinary proverbs. Here are a
few of them :
The only kind of a stove with which you can pre-
serve a uniform heat is a gas stove ; with it you can
simmer a pot for an hour, or boil it at the same rate
for twenty minutes.
Single cream is cream, that has stood on the milk
158
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ October,
twelve hours. It is best for tea and coffee. Double
cream stands on its milk for twenty-four hours, and
cream for butter frequently stands forty-eight hours.
Cream that is to be whipped should not be butter
cream, lest in whipping it change to butter.
There is a greenness in onions and potatoes that
renders them hard to digest. For health's sake put
them in warm water an hour before cooking.
Good flour is not tested by its color. White flour
may not be the best. The test of good flour is by
the amount of water it absorbs.
A few dried or preserved cherries, with stones out,
are the very best things possible to garnish sweet
dishes.
Nelson's gelatine is the best, be.jause it is stronger
than any other kind.
To beat the whites of eggs quickly put in a pinch
of salt. The cooler the eggs the quicker they will
froth. Salt cools and also freshens them.
In boiling eggs hard put them in boiling water ten
minutes, and then put them in cold water. It will
prevent the yolk from coloring black.
Facts About Flour.
Flour is peculiarly sensitive to the atmospheric
influences, hence it should never be stored in a room
with sour liquids, nor where onions or fish are kept,
uor any article that taints the air of the room in
which it is stored. Any smell perceptible to the
sense will be absorbed by flour. Avoid damp cellars
or lofts where a free circulation of air canrot be ob-
tained. Keep in a cool, dry, airy room, and not ex-
posed to a freezing temperature nor to intense sum-
mer or to artificial heat for any time above 70° to
75° Fahr. It should not come in contact with grain
or other substances which are liable to heat. Flour
should be sifted and the particles thoroughly disinte-
grated and then warmed before baking. This treat-
ment improves the color and baking properties of
the dough. The sponge should be prepared for the
oven as soon as the yeast has performed its mission,
otherwise fermentation sets in and acidity results.
Chinese Cookery.
Americans who dine with the Chinese are surprised
at the perfection to which they have carried their
cooking. During a recent Chinese banquet at San
Francisco, an orange was laid at the plate of each
guest. The orange itself seemed like any other
orange, but on being cut open was found to contain
within the rind Ave different kinds of delicate jellies.
One was at first puzzled to explain how the jellies
got in, and In a worse quandary to know how the
pulpy part of the orange got out. Colored eggs
were also served, in the inside of which were lound
nuts, jellies, meats, and confectionery. When one
of the Americans present asked the intrepreter to
explain this legerdemain of cookery, he expanded
his mouth in a hearty laugh, ajid shook his head
and said: '"Melican man heap smart ; why he not
findee out'"— III. Ch. Weekly.
A Cheap Ice-House.
He lays down some rails for the bottom, on which
he places a fifteen-inch layer of sawdust. He then
pack" his ice, leaving around the outside a space of
fifteen inches, to be packed with sawdust. Straw or
boards can be used to prevent (he sawdust from
escaping through the cracks between the rails. Two
or three feet of sawdust should be placed on the top
of the ice ; and finally four posts or forks should be
set up, one at each corner, to support some planks
for a covering. It would be well to place the whole
under a good shade-tree, and with such a device one
may have ice throughout summer. — Rural Jfem
Yorker.
Household Recipes.
To Polish Steel. — Kub it with a piece of emery
paper from which you have removed some of the
roughness by rubbing an old knife with it.
Salad Dressing. — Three tablespoonsful of oil,
half a spoonful of tarragon vinegar and same of
common vinegar, a little black pepper, a toaspoonful
of salt. Mix very smooth. Do not stir until used.
Rancid Butter. — I know of nothing that will
make bad butter good ; but it may be reformed and
improved somewhat by churning "it awhile iu good
new buttermilk, then working the buttermilk out of
it, as at first.
An English florist says that quassia and soft soap
will destroy the aphides found upon roses; used by
steeping four ounces of quassia chips half an hour
iu about one gallon of water. Strain, and when
cold adding two more of water and six ounces of
soft soap; with this syringe the bushes.
Gumbo Soup (as made in Florida). — One chicken,
fried brown ; one gallon water, four slices of ham ;
put this on the tire to cook slowly from 8 o'clock to
lli M.; have ready one quart of okra, chopped fine,
one pint green corn, one pint tomatoes, peeled, one
onion, chopped fine ; salt and pepper to taste. Let
all cook till done.
Apple Omelette. — Take about six large apples,
pare and stew them as for sauce, beat them smooth
while hot, adding one tablespoonful of butter, five
tablespoonsful of sugar, nutmeg to taste, or lemon
should you prefer ; when cold add the beaten yelks,
and lastly the whites of three eggs ; pour into a but-
tered dish, and bake in a moderately hot oven, and
serve for tea with graham bread.
Coffee Ice Cream.— Three pints of cream, one
cupful of strong, clear coffee, two cupsful of sugar,
two tablespoonsful of arrowroot wet in cold milk;
heat half of the cream to boiling; stir in the sugar,
and, when this is dissolved, the cofl'ee; then the
arrowroot; boil all together about five minutes; when
cold, beat up very light, whipping the rest of the
cream by degrees; then freeze.
Green Tomato Soy. — One peek green tomatoes,
sliced without peeling ; twelve good sized onions,
also sliced; two quarts vinegar, one quart sugar, two
tablespoonsful of salt, two tablespoonsful ground
mustard, two of black pepper, one tablespoonful of
allspice, one also of cloves ; mix all together and
stew until tender, stirring carefully lest they should
scorch ; put up in small glass jars.
Domestic Champagne. — When grapes are just
turning, or about half ripe, gather them, pound
them iu a tub, and to every quart of pounded fruit
add two quarts of water ; let the mixture stand four-
teen days, then draw it off ; to every gallon of liquor
add three pounds of loaf sugar ; when the sugar is
dissolved pour it into a cask ; after it is done work-
ing put in a cellar ; in six months bottle and wire
the corks tightly.
To Remove Rust from Steel.— The steel to be
cleaned should be washed with a solution composed
of one-half ounce cyanide of potassium in two
ounces of water, then brush with the following
recipe: Cyanide of potassium, one-half ounce;
Castile soap, one ounce ; whiting and water sufficient
to form a paste. Cyanide of potassium is a most
violent poison, and persons using it should be par-
ticularly careful.
Petroleum has a strong perservative power,
converting soft, perishable woods to the durability of
red cedar. It improves all farm implements, baskets,
all wooden tools, as rakes, hoe handles, common
water-pails or any wooden tool which is exposed to
the weather. It may be found valuable, also, for
rustic work, rustic furniture or chairs left upon a
piazza. Give them a good coat of this oil occasion-
ally. It will harden the wood, give them a dark
color and make them last longer.
To Pickle Fruit. — The following excellent mode
is practiced in many families : To each peck of fruit
allow four pounds of sugar, a pint of sharp vinegar,
and spice to taste ; boil the vinegar and sugar to-
getlier for a few minutes, then drop in the fruit and
boil until moderately, soft ; when done pour the
vinegar over them and let them stand until cool
before covering. Plums, peaches, pears, &c., can be
done in this way.
Tomato Soup, I. — Take a shin-bone, have it
broken, and put in soup-kettle with five quarts of
cold water; allow it to boil steadily and skim; in an
hour put in four dozen of good-sized tomatoes; do
not skim them; boil until your soup is reduced to
one-half; take a potato-masher and crush the toma-
toes; pass through a strainer; return to kettle, and
remove the beef before serving; season with salt and
pepper. Tils is a plain country tomato soup.
Tomato Soup, II — I make a good clear stock
the day beforehand. I take two quarts of the broth
and a dozen large, full-ripe tomatoes, a bunch of
herbs, and a quarter of a pound of rice. I scald the
tomatoes and peel them first before introducing
them. ,1 let all come to the boil, and skim frequetnly.
I reduce to about one-half. This makes rather thick
soup. If I want it thin, I cook my tomatoes first,
just as if for stewing. Cull out the rice, and add
the stewed tomatoes to the broth an hour before
serving, letting the soup simmer gently.
Ice Cream with Eggs. — One quart of milk, four
eggs — the whites and yolks beaten separately and
very light — four cupsful of sugar, three pints of
sweet cream, five teaspoonsful of vanilla; heat the
milk to boiling ; have your yelks well beaten ; pour
the milk into the yelks; add the sugar, then the
whites, beating all the while; return to the fire and
beat again, stirring and watching carefully until it
begins to thicken like custard; then set aside to cool.
When cold, beat in your cream and flavoring. Freeze
as soon as possible after it is thoroughly cool.
Beef Soup.— Three pounds good juicy beef, cut
into about 20 pieces ; two carrots, one turnip, six
large onions, teaspoonful salt, one-half teaspoonful
pepper, two good heads celery ; cut the vegetables
small ; put all into a large pot, witli four quarts
water ; let it boil very gently, or rather, let it sim-
mer eight hours ; let it stand all night ; take off the
pot next morning ; make it boiling hot when wanted
for dinner; this is excellent, Jproperly made. —
Amy.
Squash Pie. — Stew the squash as usual with a
little salt; rub it through a colander, and have it
perfectly smooth; mix the squash with sweet milk;
if you have cream it will be all the better; make it
about as thick as batter, adding the yolks of two
eggs; sweeten with pulverized sugar to taste, flavor
with rosewater or with nutmeg; line a pie dish; fill
with squash, and bake for half an hour; if you do
not want a pie, make fritters and fry brown, with
good butter; when about to serve, sprinkle a little
sugar on them; squash does not require much sweet-
ening.
Rabbit Stew (Gibelotte.) — Skin and cut the
rabbit in eight pieces, and split the head two ; cook
it in a stew-pan, with a little olive-oil ; brown it
slightly, season with pepper and salt, add to it a
teacupful of good stock ; put in one-half bottle of
good red wine, and a small wineglassful of brandy;
let it all simmer until the sauce is reduced one-half;
serve as hot as possible. — Comperi Loriot.
[Agreater use of sweet-oil in cooking is advised.
It is no more expensive than butter for basting or fry-
ing and in many cases gives'better culinary results.
There is no doubt that good olive-oil is more readily
assimilated than butter]
Matelotte D'Anguilles (Stewed Eels). —
Take some small white onions and stew them in the
best butter, season with thyme, bay leaves, and a
very small bit of garlic, not bigger than a pea;
sprinkle this with a little flour, and add a coffee-
spoonful of brandy; cut the eels across, in pieces of
about inches; moisten the whole with a teacupful of
bouillon and about the same of red wine; add salt
and peppe;-; when it is on the boil, put in the pieces
of eel; cook not more than ten minutes; before dish-
ing, let it keep warm, so as to evaporate the sauce a
little.— CTemencJn, Chef of the Steamer La France.
[This matelotte of eels has been tried and found
to be excellent.]
Mock Oysters. — Take one-half dozen of good-
sized ears of corn; put them in cold water, and when
it begins to boil set it on the back of the range, and
let it simmer for one-half hour; then put the corn
in cold water: when cool, wipe the ears with a dry
towel, and grate them ; then put them through a
hair-sieve to rid them of the shells of the corn; have
two eggs well beaten, two tablespoonsful of cream,
two of grated crackers, one teaspoonful of salt,
one-fourth teaspoonful pepper; beat this all well
together; have a lump of good butter about the size
of half an egg; put it in a frying pan; when hot put
the corn mixture in by table6poonsfuls,allowing space
that they do not run together; when they are a nice
brown, turn them over and fry the other side; it re-
quires aBout five minutes to cook them ; this will
make about two dozen oysters; serve them hot. —
M. A. M.
Live Stock.
Cows in Early Winter. _^
At no season of the year do cows need better and
more generous diet than in early winter. The change
from grass to dry fodder is of itself sufflcient cause
to produce more or less derangement of health.
But when the animal's tone and vigor have been
lowered by a long period of milking, and she is then
subjected at the same time to the rigors of winter,
and a change of food from nutritious herbage to dry,
coarse, and often innutritious fodder, a severe tax is
laid on her system. Yet, on many farms it is the
practice to feed to cattle in early winter only a coarse
and inferior fodder, and the poorest hay, because
these articles have been stowed last in the barn, or
on the tops of the mows, and must, therefore, be
disposed of before the better portions of the supply
can be reached. This, however, is a great mistake,
as the best food should be given when the cows first
go into winter quarters. Afterward, when they have
been dried of their milk and have grown accus-
tomed to the chauge of diet, the poorer food may be
used, or, better still, asauimals, like men, are fond
of variety in their diet, the coarser and less nutri-
tious fodder may be advantageously used in con-
junction with that of a better quality.
Through neglect of this precaution, however, it
frequently happens that cows iu milk lose flesh in
November and December, and sink into a bad con-
dition to endure still more severe weather yet to be
expected. To avoid this misfortune, in cases, where
poor or damaged fodder has necessarily to he given
out first, the feed should be supplemented wilh
rations of ground grain, oat and corumeal raixed,
bran, or shipstuft", to add a proper amount of nutri-
ment to a given bulk of fodder. Compelling cows to
consume an excessive bulk of inferior food, in order
to enable them to support life and yield milk, over-
crowds the stomach, tends to derange health, and is
by no means a rare cause of serious ailments. More-
over, on the score of self-interest, as well as of hu-
manity, cows should not be allowed to lose flesh in
early winter, for it would require much more food
to restore them to good condition in cold weather
than in summer. Besides this, as lean animals are
more susceptible to cold than those in flesh, and a
proportionately larger amount of the food they con-
sume is therefore expended in generating a sufllciency
of animal heat, it would require considerably more
1879.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
159
food to carry a poor beast through winter than a fat
one, even though nothing may be added to the ani-
mal's condition.
"fhe necessity of shelter for all kinds of stock
from the storms, frosts and inclemency of this bleak
season, has been frequently dwelt upon In these
pages, and its economy as well as its humanity fully
demonstrated.— .Bunii Xeie Yorker.
Runaway Horses.
If you arc in a wagon and the horses take fright,
and gets on a full jump before you can bring your
strength to bear on the bits, there is nothing for it
but to hold on and try your best to stop him, "saw-
ing" if neccessnry on the bit. Failing in this, you
perhaps keep him in the road until his wind gives
out, or should a good opportunity occur, you may
turn him against a fence or the side of the house, or
in fact anything tliat will stop him. This last is a
dangerous recourse, but we have seen it done with
success. When a span of horses are running, the
difficulty is increased, and more strength, more skill,
and better luck on the part of the driver, are very
desirable qualities. A strong hand and a determin-
ed will nearly always sufflce to stop runaways, if
nothing breaks. If the lines break or the bits give
way, an active person may, without much dilliculty.
Is Increased, and more strength, more skill, and bet-
ter luck on the part ftf-tha driver, are very desirable
qualities. A strong hand and a determined will
nearly always sufflce to stop runaways, if nothing
breaks. If the lines break or the bits give way, an
active person may, without much difhculty, climb
over the dashboani, get on the animal's back, and
check him by grasping his nose. Leaping from the
carriage while the horse is running is almost certain
to involve more or less injury. An active person
may do it safely, but it is the part of pluck, and
generally that of wisdom, to stay by the carriage as
long as the traces hold. When the horses is fairly
stopped, treat him kindly, and if possible let him
stand until his nerves are quieted. If a horse is
running toward you, courage and adroitness may
eiiable you to stop him. If you can secure a hold on
the reins of one of them near the bits you are all
right. Hold on and within a few rods at the most
the horse will stop, unless he is a most extraordi-
nary animal. In case of a span, if you stop one
horse the other must stop too, if nothing gives way.
We can tell those who have never tried it that it is
not a pleasant pastime to stand tiy the roadside and
watch the approacli of a frantic horse, making calcu-
lation the while to catch some part of the harness.
The Wild Cattle of Great Britain.
The Chillingham herd are the oonneclin
link
between the wild cat
Scotland — beautiful crcaluri's, witli lihitk rars mid
muzzles; "their horns line, wiUi a bold and cknaiit
bend," who hide their youug and leed iu the uitrlil ,
ahd whose calves lay in the form like hares. It has
had many chroniclers, and Bewick and Landseer
took portraits among its members. The late Lord
Tankerville observed their manners and customs at-
tentively, no easy task, as he would sometimes, in
summer, be for several weeks at a time without
getting sight of them. At that season, on the
slightest appearance of any one, the wild cattle
retire into their forest sanctuary; but they come
down for food into the inner park, and will let one
come almost among them, especially if on horse-
back. Here is a pretty picture of these strange
creatures, remnants of an old world, which have
hitherto been preserved under extraordinary diffi-
culties, but cannot, we should think, long continue
to exist ; "When they come down into the lower
part of the park, which they do at stated hours,
they move like a regiment of cavalry in single file,
tKe bulls leading Ihe. van; and when they are in
retreat, the bulls bring up the rear. Lord Ossulton
was witness to a curious way in which they took
possession, as it were, of some new pasture, recently
laid open to them. It was in the evening, about
sunset. They began by lining the front of a small
wood, which seemed quite alive with them, when all
of a sudden they made a dash forward altogether iu
line, and, charging close by him across the plain,
they then spread out, and after a little time began
feeding." The wild white cattle are ferocious
animals, valiant fighters, capable of domestication
when taken very youug, but once partially or wholly
grown up, quite uutamable. Mr. Storer says that
they hate and fear man, scenting him, as related by
Botchius, and he adds : "I am convinced that if
any of them were placed in captivity his description
would beveiifled: they would be 'sa impacient that,
eflir thair taking, they deit for importable dolouro.' "
The Caitle Belt.
"The cattle belt" of the United States begins to
attract attention from its enormous extent and the
rapidly increasing value of its products. The cattle
yield of Colorado is said to exceed its bullion pro-
ducts in value. A banker in Denver, it is reported,
says that he would rather have one hundred stock
dealers' accounts than three hundred mining ac-
counts from depositors. The "cattle belt" rel'erred
to begins at the Klo Grande, near Corpus Christi,
and extends northwest through the interior to the
frontiers of Manitoba. In its extreme southern
and northern portions it is neither highly elevated
nor particularly dry, but for the greater part of
tlie immense area included under this distinctive
denomination— and it Is said to be an area of H50
miles In width by 2,000 miles In length— It lies along
the surface of high table lands, of which Northern
Texas and Colorado are fair types. Cattle on these
plains need to be herded and watched, in order that
they may receive water at proper Intervals, but it Is
claimed that the cost of raising a four-year-old
steer, selling at the depots at an average of $30,
does not exceed from $2.50 to $:(..')0. The average
natural increase of the herds is about TO per cent.
The business is one which requires large capital at the
outset, regular wages, and strict attention to the
best markets, and the inference is that it will
speedily fail Into the hands of a few large drovers
and butchers. The enormous droves on the plains,
said to number at the present time nearly 1.5,000-
000, are thought to be In some danger from the ap-
proaches of pleuro-pneumonia, but the rapid conver-
sion of grazing lands Into farming lauds Is probably
the chief danger to the profits of the system, which
is now immiaeat. —Jialiiinore Sun.
Swiss Dairymen in California.
Fully two-thirds of all the dairy business of the
upper coast counties in California, says the San
Francisco Chronicle, is In the hands of Swiss, either
as renters or owners. "They seem to be peculiarly
adapted to the business, and are turning out a very
good imitation of Swiss cheese. Most of the prosper-
ous dairymen in the itate are men who but a decade
since came here without money and have made valu-
able homes, and stocked their farms with the best
breed of cattle, by their own Industry and ecouomy.
One of the peculiarities of this people is their dis-
position to assist one another. A Swiss settlement
takes the form of a practical mutual aid society,
and the system is to be commended all the more, on
account of the absence of all selfishness. A poor
boy comes from his native land and begins by work-
ing ill one of the dairies by the month. By scrupu-
lous economy, in two or three years, he has accumu-
lated money enough to reut a piece of land a and few
cows. His countrymen take a practical interest in
him, loan him money as he needs it, and in every
way assist him to become the owner instead of
tenant, and when he has achieved that result, he iu
turn helps the next poor countrymau who shows a
willingness to work. The Swiss dairyman prefers a
small farm, in a high state of cultivation, on which
lie nus«p the finest stock, and the best of feed for
Uiriii. The average California dairyman figures on
lioiji loui to seven acres to support each cow, while
a Su l^^ ilairyman will reverse the order of things
iuid keep seven cows on one acre very soon."
gives all the milk that is wanted In a family of eight,
and that from It, after taking all that Is required for
other purposes, StjO pounds ofbutter were made this
year. This is in part his treatment of the cow;— "If
you desire to get a large yield of rich milk give your
cows every day water slightly warm and slightly
salted, in which bran has been stirred at the rate of
one (luart to two gallons of water. You will find, If
you have not tried this daily practice, that your cow
will glvetwenty-llve per cent, more milk Immediately
under the effects of It, and she will become so at-
tached to the diet as to refuse to drink clear water
unless very thirsty. But this mess she will drink
almost any time, and ask for more. The amount of
this drink necessary is an ordinary water pall full at
a time, morning, noon and night.
Polling Cattle.
The horns of our cows seem to be neither orna-
mental nor useful. As a means of warfare they can
only have consideration, but warfare and goring Is
precisely what we desire to keep away from the
barnyard. English farmers, whose herds are prob-
ably more precious and closer confined than In
America, have introduced the practice of unhorning
cattle by clipping the small projections in calves,
when half an Inch long, using simply a strong pair
of shears. It is true It hurts the calves somewhat.
There will be a little bleeding, but that will stop In
an hour or two and the calves will soon resume
eating.
Salt For Stock,
I have never been so successful In producing quan-
tity and quality of milk, or even flow, as wh re the
cows had access tosalt at their opiion; and I k now
that it affected the butter and churning, the butter
being better and "coining" sooner with than without
salt. Furthermore, cattle having salt as freely as
they choose, look smoother and do not have a staring
coat, as do animals which had no salt, or only a
trilie at long Intervals. May not these favored Indi-
viduals who sujiply no salt to their stock, fall to dis-
cover that their slock is supplied from some unknown
source! — JSx.
To Tell a Horse's Age.
After a horse is nine years old a wrinkle comes in
the eyelid, at the upper corner of the lower lid, and
every year thereafter he has one well-defined wrinkle
for each year of his age over nine. If, for Instance,
a horse has three wrinkles he is twelve; if four,
thirteen. Aiid the number of wrinkles to nlue and
you will always get at it.
Hints for Horse Trainers.
Never try to beat a colt into doing a thing, for if
nervous he may turn out a vicious horse, and if
stupid he may become stubborn. Remember that
by patieuce and gentleness he can be got to do any-
thing that will not hurt him.
When the horse shows signs of shying at an object
do not beat him, but lead him up to it, allowing him
to stand and look as he comes close, and after he
examines it a few times he will not fear anything of
the kind again. In passing by hedges with a colt,
throw in stones and stop him until he takes no notice
of the noise.
Before putting on any article of harness let your
coll smell it, and then rub against his head, neck
and body-
Always start a horse with the voice, never with
ilie cut of the whip. In starting turn a little to one
side; ill stopping when going up a hill do the same.
— Norristown Herald.
Colic in Stock.
A correspondent of the Massachusetts rioughnum
gives the following cure for colic iu horses, which is
convenient at all times and easily applied. He says
he has never known it to fail : Spread a teacupful
or more of fine salt on the back of the animal over
the kidneys and loins, and keep it saturated with
warm water for twenty or thirty minutes, or longer
if necessary. If the attack is severe, drench with
salt. I have a valuable bull, weighing nineteen or
twenty huudred, which had a severe attack of colic
a year ago last summer. I applied salt to his back
as above, and it being difficult to drench, we put a
wooden bit into his mouth, keeping it open two
inches, and spread salt upon his tongue which,
together with the salt on his back, relieved him at
ouce, and within a very short time equilibrium ap-
peared fully restored. I have for several years past
successfully applied this treatment to other auinials
ill ray herd.
How to make Cows give Milk.
A writer in the Southern Farmer says his cow
Poultry.
Hints to Poultry Breeders.
A correspondent of the Massachusetts Ploughman
writes some good hints about the management of
poultry in answer to an article on that subject :
"First, you say. If eggs in winter are wanted the
light Brahma or white Cochin is best for that pur-
pose. An experience of ten years with fowls of dif-
ferent breeds has not brought about such a conclu-
sion with me. I keep fowls foi the eggs— black
Spanish, white and brown Leghorns— and have no
trouble about their laying iu winter. I find
as much trouble in keeping fowls cold In the sum-
mer as I do in keeping them v^rm in winter. I keep
Brahmas for hatching. They discount all other
breeds In that line of business, and their motherly
qualities are without a rival. I find the expense of
food for twenty black Spanish, white and browu
Leghorns, to be the same as that of fourteen Brah-
mas. There is no question in my mind but what the
Plymouth Hock excels all others, when brought
upon the table as an article of food. For eggs the
Plymouth Rock still stands as second, which is say-
ing much in their praise, wheu we consider the num-
ber of good laying breeds with which they have had
to compete. A hen that lays one hundred eggs iu a
year is not an unprofitable one. Still she cannot be
classed as a very profitable one. A hen to be in favor
with me must produce from one huudred and thirty
to one hundred and eighty eggs a year. At the latter
figure I can make them pay three hundred per cent.,
on the investment, beside the cost of food.
"If it is desired to obtain a stock of hens for lay-
lug eggs to sell when they bring the highest price I
like the hatching to take place the first week in
.M-ay, if of the black Spanish, white or brown Leg-
horu breed. They will lay as soon as the tenth of
October. From that time until the first of March is
when I find it a good time to sell eggs. In the mat-
ter of feeding feed so that your hens shall be healthy.
The healthy hens are those from whom we may ex-
pect eggs, and not those that are extremely fat.
Wheu a hen does not lay four months In succession
1 know no way by which she can be made to make
up for lost time, any more than I can tell how a
farmer can be made to make up the loss of twodays'
time per week iu a grocery store discussing his neigh-
bors' business. As for a hcu not being profitable to
160
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[October, 1879.
keep for laying after she is two years old 1 cannot
indorse it, as I have hens that are four years old and
Btill continue to deposit one dozen a month. Still, I
prefer young liens. In selecting hens to set select
eggs from those hens in TOur flock that you know are
constantly laying. Black Spanish, white and hrown
Leghorns, are not of much account for the table.
Tekill them for the market is folly."
Red Canary Birds.
At the London Exhibition in 1872 Mr. Bembrose,
of Derby, exhibited some red canary birds. The
birds received no prizes, however, as the jury had
doubts as to the origin of their color, and believed
them to be dyed. The following year, at the exhi-
bition held at Whitby, the red canaries were recog-
nized as a new variety, and they became all the rage.
In numerous controversies Mr. Bembrose had given
his word of honer that the color of his bird was not
due to any fraudulent processes, but had been really
obtained through a special mode of feeding. But as
a friend to whom he had communicated his secret
had abused his confidence and sold it, the author has
believed it his duty to make known to the public the
process which he used to obtain his results. It
appears, according to him, that the birds are fed
upon hard-boiled eggs crushed up with the crumbs
of common white bread and dusted over with cay-
enne pepper. Dr. Dusch, a Belgian amateur, adds
the following : Purchase at the druggist's some of
the very best qualitv of cayenne pepper, ground very
finely; for each meal mix some of it with stale bread
macerated in well water, and press it together so
that it will crumble, but not form a paste. Instead
of bread the white of an egg may be used if preferred.
This kind of food should be given to the bird only
before and after moulting. It is well to add that it
would be a waste of time to experiment on any other
canaries than those of the Norwich breed or on birds
that are not of a very dark strain. This statement
is made on the authority of Les Mondes.
Chicken Cholera.
The New York Times gives the following remedy
for chicken cholera: Give one-fourth of a blue pill
to the fowl as soon as it seems to be sick, and repeat
this the second day after. Then give half a tea-
spoonful of castor-oil. After the fowl improves, give
scalded corn-meal, in which a teaspoonful of black
pepper for each fowl has been mixed. Poultry need
a little salt, and if they were supplied regularly and
moderately tliey would be more healthful than they
usually are.
Young Fowls
Are the best for laying eggs. It is not good to keep
hens beyond the second year. A good authority on
such matters says : "Feeding will do a great deal —
a surprising work indeed — in the production of eggs,
but not when old hens are concerned; they may put
on fat, but they cannot put down eggs. Their tala
is told, their work is over."
Literary and Personal.
French and Belgians.— By Phebe Earle Gib-
bons, author of "Penusylvania Dutch," and other
essays. Published by J. B. Lippincott & Co., Phila-
delphia, Pa., 1879. Price, $L'.00. Pp. 441. This
may be called a royal 12 mo., and is executed in the
publishers best style, on fine, faintly-tinted, calen-
dered paper, a clean print, and substantially bound
in embossed muslin. People may difl'er in opinion as
to its literary merits— and they have a perfect right
to differ— but the reader cannot but accord due
credit to the author for the energy, the industry and
perseverance with which she executed her mission,
and the fund of information which she has de-
veloped (sometimes, too, under difHculties which
would have discouraged one of a less tenacious con-
stitution,) and the interesting and inslruf-tive manner
in which she has presented it to the public. The first
chapters may, perhaps, be regarded as somewhat
desultory, anil may contain a few things not specially
French and Belgian, but alike common to humanity,
or the natural world at large, but taking the work
all through it will be found an epitome of the social,
domestic, political, educational and religious life of
France and Belgium, reflected from a plane of ob-
servation to which the fewest numbers of travelers
and writers ever attain. It may be true that the
peculiar style of the writer may not be the most
agreeable to all readers, being mainly in the first
person, present tense, as for instance, "I say," "I
ask," "I see," "I go," &c., but this only evinces the
greater practical authenticity, and that the autlior
narrates what she has actually experienced— what
she herself has seen, heard and done. Many facts,
opinions and principles, as they exist among the com-
mon, the agricultural and the middle classes, are
brought out in this book that we find in no other. Buy
it and read it.
How TO Select Cows.- The Guenon system
simplified, explained and practically applied. By
Willis P. Hazard, secretary of the Guenon Cnmmis-
sion, &c., Ac, &c., with nearly one hundred illus-
trations, photographed from Guenon's engravings.
I. M. Stoddard & Co., 787 Chestnut street, Philadel-
phia, Pa. This is a royal octavo pamphlet of 84
pages, printed in clear type, with a portrait of
Francis Guenon, and a resume of his entire method
in selecting stock, and seems to be a reprint of the
same article, with some additions, as published in
the Report of the State Board of Agriculture for
1878. Of course, we cannot speak of the system ex-
perimentally, but in as much as some of the best
stock men in the country are takins: hold of it ap-
provingly, we commend it to the examination of
our stock dealing and dairy readers. Price 50 cents.
Cloth 75 cents.
Department of Agriculture.— Report special.
No. 12. Investigation of diseases of swine, and in-
fectious and contagious diseases incident to other
classes of domestic animals. Containing an intro-
ductory and reports of Drs. Detmers, Law, Vogles,
Salmon, Dunlap, Dyer, Payne. McNutt and Hives,
together with correspondence relating to the preva-
lance of diseases among domesticated animals, in-
cluding pleuro-pneumonia, rinderpest, glanders, and
a strange disease among cattli in North Carolina.
29.; pp. royal octavo, with 17 full-page plates and
one chart, embracing 81 figures and groups of
figures, and 28 tabulated series of experiments. This
work is handsomely gotten up, and the full-page
plates, illustrating the diseased condition of the vari-
ous animal organs, are colored to life. The quality
of the material and the letter-press are rather
in advance of the usual documents issued by that
department. The work contains an alphabetically
arranged index, and on the whole must prove a valu
able contribution to our veterinary literature and
practice, although our personal opportunities and
experiences are too limited to pronounce an unquali-
fied endorsement. The commissioner desires the
work to be as perfect as possible, and therefore he
solicits the co-operation and assistance of the practi-
cal portion of the farming and stock growing public.
But, in order to bring the chief of the department
and the public concerned, in rapport, we append his
appeal as an appropriate conclusion of our remarks :
Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C,
Sept. 25, 1879. Sir : In forwarding you this copy of
the"Investigationof Diseases of Swine, and Infec-
tious and Contagious Diseases incident to other
classes of Domesticated Animals," it is with the
hope that you will give the work a careful perusal,
and favor the department at your earliest conveni-
ence with such criticism as you may think it deserves.
In this connection permit me to say that I will be
pleased to have the results of any experiments you
may have had in the prevention, treatment or cure of
infectious and contagious diseases of swine and other
classes of farm animals, and the extent to which
such diseases prevail in your locality. Stock breed-
ing and rearing has become one of the largest in-
terests of the country, and any facts or observations
that are likely to bring about a more intelligent
system of breeding and treatment of farm animals
will prove of interest and value to the whole coun-
try. If you have been successful in the prevention
of diseases among your domeeticated animals, pleas*
give your system of breeding, rearing, and preparing
for market, and the preventives employed, if any
were used. If remedies have been employed with
any degree of success, please state the ingredients
and the proportions in which they are compounded
and the quantity given. Any observations relating
to this subject which you may think will prove of
interest to the public will receive the careful atten-
tion of the department.— rows, respectfully, Wm.
O. Le Due, Commissioner.
The North American Entomologist.— Edited
by A. R. Grote, and published by Reinecke & Zesch,
No. 500 Main street, Buffalo, N. Y. Eight pages,
8vo. illustrated. $2.00 a year in advance. We have
received a complimentary number of this work (Oct.
1879) aad we are much pleased with it. We wel-
come it into the ranks of entomological literature,
and sincerely hope it may have a longer life lease
than the Practical Entomologist and the American
Entomologist, and doubtless it will if enough sub-
scribers can be found in the country who can appreci-
ate its value. It is about the size and is gotten up
in the style of the Canadian Entomologist, and de-
serves to be as well supported. This number contains
the history and description of a new carniverous
species of Lipedoptereo {Dakruma coccidevora).
which is something very unusual for insects of that
One of the sweetest songs we have heard this
many a day is entitled, ' ' We Shall Meet all the Little
Ones There." Words and music by Will L. Thomp-
son, of East Liverpool, Ohio. Although all our little
ones are graciously spared in the editorial home we
must confess to a breakdown in tears when trying to
sing these touching words. The song is an inspira-
tion of comfort, surely, to all whose homes have
been invaded by death. It is one of the few composi-
tions which will live for generations. To all lovers
of music we may say, send 40 cents to the author
and bless the household by a copy of this gem.—
Methodist Record.
Local Government, at Home and Abroad.—
By Robert R. Porter, Esq., Chicago. Being article
No. 1 from the Princeton Review. Price 5 cents, at
the office of publication, 37 Park Row, New York.
This able paper was originally published in the
Princeton Review for July, 1879, but is also pub-
lished in a separate royal octavo pamphlet of 25
pages, and those pages should be read and thought-
fully pondered by every man who aspires to or is
thrust into a legislative administrative or judicial
office, whether it be National, State or municipal.
There is doubtless a great deal of reckless legisla-
tion, executive administration and judicial decision
that is the result of present impulse, entirely ignor-
ing the experiences of the past, and having little re-
gard to the welfare of the future. This pamphlet
discusses with ability the nature and origin of
local government in the several States of our
own country, as well as in foreign countries, and
shows that all forms of government, domestic or
foreign, are the outbirths and embodiments of local
governments from time almost immemorial, and
that the tyranny or liberality of governments are due
to their original local form. The vassalage of the
Feudal System was nothing more than local govern-
ment,althoughnot self-government so far as concerns
the masses of the people ; out of vassalage as a local
form grew monarchy ; out of local self-government
grew republicanism ; and the success of both are
largely influenced by the financial systems that have
been incorporated with them. Send for the pamphlet
and read it.
The Phrenological.- We have received the
Phrenological Journal and Science of Health for Oc-
tober, and find it filled with material at once lively,
entertaining, criSp, instructive, and seasonable. The
features which constitute this a scientific publication
with a special department are prominent, hut dis-
cussed in so pleasant a manner that we scarcely
know that we are learning important principles as
we read the attractive pages. First in the order of
contents we notice a leading railroad man, Daniel L.
Harris, and next there are some very pertinent re-
marks on Precocious Children, which we would ad-
vise all doting fathers and mothers to examine care-
fully. Then there is a pleasant little conversation
on the nature of brain development, which knocks
the under-pinning out of the common talk we hear
about "bumps" and "bumpology." Dr. Wines pro-
vides a second letter on Prison Reform. A new in-
stallment of Brain and Mind, entitled the Physiolo-
gists and the Cerebellum, appears in this number, in
the course of which the writer shows, with every ap-
pearance of candor, the merits of most of the litera-
ture nowadays current with regard to the functions
of the cerebellum. We think that Phrenology has
decidedly the advantage in the contest. Mr. Temple,
in his third installment of The American Novelist,
writes down some hard facts. A portrait is given of
Chastine Cox, the murderer of Mrs. Hull, and a
very frank consideration of his character as indicated
by organization. Some hints are thrown out which
are suggestive of new and reasonable views of the
mentaforganism. Other topics of interest are The
Women of Italy ; House-cleaning ; The Difference ;
The Tea Americans Drink; Soldier-bound. The de-
partment allotted to Correspondents is rich in inte-
resting counsel, and indeed the whole number is wor-
thy a careful, conscientious reading. The Journal is
now published at the low price of $2,00 a year, with
a valuable book premium worth |i.50, and the bal-
ance of this year (three months) free to new sub-
scribers. A single number is 20 cents, but is oflfered
to new subscribers "On Trial" three months, in-
cluding October number, for only 25 cents. Every
reader of this paper should send 25 cents at once and
see for themselves the peculiar merits and fascinating
nature of this magazine. Letters should be ad-
dressed to S. R. Wells & Co., Publishers, 7.'57
Broadway, New York.
The Entomologists' Exchange.—" Vestigia
N-ulla Rdrorsum." New Berlin, N. Y. Addison
Ellsworth, editor. Monthly, at 25 cents a year. 4 pp.,
royal octavo. No. 5, vol. 1, for September, 1879, of
this spicy little sheet has been placed on our table,
and we consider it an interesting and useful contri-
bution to the periodical entomological literature of
the country. Every entomologist, at least, ought to
have a copy of it in his library.
QnARTERLY Report of the Pennsylvania Board
of Trade, for June, July and August, 1879. 22 pp.
royal 8vo., containing lists of officers and members :
State fairs, district fairs, county agricultural socie-
ties, with names and addresses of secretaries, and
programme of coming fall meeting at Mercer, Mercer
county. Pa., together with sundry enactments re-
lating to agriculture, and other valuable and inter-
esting matter.
Bryant's Nurseries, established 1845. Retail
price list and catalogue of fruit and ornamental
trees grapes, small fruits, forest trees, seeds, &c.,
for autumn of 1S79 and spring of 18S0. Princeton,
Illinois. 22 pp., 12mo.
Department op AoniouLTURE, Special Report,
No. 17, upon the condlUon of crops to September 1,
1879 22 pp. royal 8vo. The wheat crop of 1879 is
92 against 87 last year. We are "marching along."
THE LANCASTER FARMER>
III
MISCELLANEOUS.
Fine Engravings.
We have received from George Sliuson & Co., Art
Publishers, Portlaud, Maiue, a proof copy of the
maKiiitieent steel ensravinj; "La .Madonna," after
the celebrated painting by J. Sant; also a proof copy
of a fine work of high art representing "Italy"— the
land of art and music. This enirraving is after a
painting by the renowned artist Mr. K. H. Pclham.
in our opinion these fine works of high art belong in
the front rank, and are equal to any ever brought
out by American Publishers. The plates were en-
f raved in London for Messrs. Stinson & Co, by Mr.
.Bromley and C. Tompkins, two of the foremost
engravers in the world, at an expense of two thou-
sand pounds sterling, or ten thousand dollars.
This house publishes all dcseri|)tlon8 of fine
pictures. Those who wish to beautify their homes
at moderate expense, should send for tlieir Art Cat-
alogue.
Comsumption Cured.
An old physician, retired from practice, having had
placed in his hands liy an East Indian missionary the
formula of a simple vegetable remedy for the speedy
and permanent cure for Consumption, Bronchitis,
Catarrh, Asthma, aud all Tliroat!and Lung Affec-
tions, also a positive aud radical cure for Nervous
Debility and all Nervous Complaints, after having
tested its wonderful curative powers in thousands of
cases, has felt it his duty to make it known to his
suflering fellows. Actuated by this motive and a
desire to relieve human suffering, I will send free of
charge to all who desire it, this recipe, iu German,
French, or English, with full directions for prepar-
ing aud using. Sent by mail by addressing with
stamp, naming this paper? W. W. Sherab,149 Pow-
trs' Slock, Sochcster, N. Y. [oct-Sm
The Poultry Exhibition.
The first annual exhibition of the Lancaster County
Poultry Aasociation will be held in Lancaster, in
Locher's building. Centre Square, on the 3d, 'Ad, 5th,
6th and 7th days of January, 1880. Tl)ere will be
five hundred dollars offered in premiums and this
should certainly be an inducement to all who own
fine poultry to put it on exhibition. This is the first
effort of the Association aud we trust that they will
receive such encouragement as should be given to
them. On and after November 15th the premium
lists will be ready for distribution and can be had on
application to the Secretary, J. B. Liehty, Lancas-
ter, ?a. From ttie interest now manifested in the
exhibition we have proof that it will certainly be a
Zahm's Corner.
As the holiday season is approaching and our
readers are thinking of the presents they intend to
buy for their friends, we desire to call attention to
the full line of Jewelry, Silverware, Watches, etc.,
for sale by E.J. Zahm, Zahm's corner, Lancaster,
Pa. Their advertisement appears in another column
of The F.^kmer, but they cannot in that tell our
readers of all the magnificent goods they have
suitable for presents, and the best plan will be when
you want to buy anything in their line to call and
see them. They will not allow themselves to ba
undersold, and their stock of Jewelry, etc. is as good
as the best.
Fearless Railway Threshing Machine.
We call the attention of farmers and threshermen
to the advertisement of the Fearless Horse-Power
and Thresher and Cleaner, elsewhere in this number
of our paper. This machine is the only one that
received an Award on both Horse-Power and
Thresher and Cleaner at the Centennial Exhibition,
Philadelphia, and ranks as best of its class. An Ex-
President of the New York State Agricultural Soci-
ety said of Harder's Machines, "they are the best
ever made," and the same testimony has been borne
by equally good authority time and again.
For further information send to Minard Harder,
'Cobleskill, N. Y.
A Natural Fertilizer.
In another column of The Farmer is the adver-
tisement of D. P. Bitner, who is the agent for Lan-
caster county of "Fossil Marl of New Jersey." It
is claimed that it is rich in dissolved bones, phos-
phoric acid, potash, and enriches every variety of
soil, and insures good crops of wheat, corn, potatoes,
vegetables and fruit. It is an excellent change for
land after the continued use of lime, and the price is
very low in comparison with other manures. Its
history, analysis, application to different soils and
crops, testimonials and other information regarding
Its uses, will be given on application to the agent.
lOur farmers should call to see him in regard to it.
Furniture.
One subscribers iu need of anything In the furni-
ture line, would do well to call on WIdmyer cfc Uick-
secker, corner of East King and Duke streets. They
have on hand a very large stock of furniture of all
kinds and styles to select from and at such prices as
can defy competition. They are an old firm, reliable
and whatever representations are made In their es-
tablishment the buyer can depend on as being correct.
Any one desiring any kind of furniture should call
and see their stock and prices before purchasing.
Bicycle Tournament.
On Saturday, November 1st, there will be on the
grounds of the Agricultural Park Association, a
grand Bicycle Tournament, Velocipede Itace and
Balloon Ascension. Prof. Lippott, who Is the mana-
ger, and who managed the last one, which was so
great a success, is sparing no expense to make No-
vember 1st a "Grand Jubilee Day." The low rates
of admission, 10 and 15 cents, makes it within the
reach of all, and any one goiugcau feel assured that
they can spend a very plea^iaut afternoon at the Park
The Secret Key to Health.
The Science of Life, or Self-Preservation, HOO pages.
Price, only ?1. Contains fifty valuable prcsciip-
tions, either one of which is worth more than ten
times the price of the book. Illustrated sample sent
onreceiptof6 cents Ibr postage. Address, Dr. W.
H. Parker, 4 Bulflnch St., Boston, Mass. oct-3m
Watches and Clocks.
Ezra F. Bowman, East King street, opposite the
Leopard Hotel, has as large an assortment of
watches aud clocks as is in the city, and if you are
in need of a good timekeeper go and see him. He
also deals in spectacles, eye glasses, chains and
jewelers' materials.
Free Gift.
Dr. N. B. Wolpe, of Cincinnati, generously offcrg
as a Free Gift, his able work, "jl/erficof Cotmnon
Sense," to all whosuffer with Consumption, Asthma,
Catarrh, and similar troubles. Read what he says
in another column.
ELASTIC TRUSS
Has a Pad dif-
fering from
all others, it
cup-shaped,
with S£IiF>
ADJTJST'NG
BALL in the
center, adapts
itself to all
positions of the body.
irhUe the BALL in the
I Cup PRESSES BACK
THE INTESTINES
JUST AS A PERSON
WOULD WITH THE
FINGER. W^ith light
pressure the Hernia U
beld securely day and night, and a rad-
ical cure is certain. It is easy, durable
and cheap. Sent by mail, postage paid.
Circulars free.
Address. Eggleston Truss Co., Manfira.
O^ C. H. EGGLESTON CO., Chicago.llL
79-T-ly]
A GOOD PLAN.
Anybody can learn to raake money rapidly operatiuR In
StockB. by the "Two Unerring Rnlee for Success" iu MenHiB.
Lnwrence & Co. "8 new circular. The combination method,
which this firm hae made so eucce«sful, euables people with
large or email means toreap ail thebenefltsof largest capital
and l>eHt skiU. Thousands of orders, in various sums, are
pooled into one vast amount and co-operated as a rnt'ghty
whole, thus securing to each shareholder all the advantages
of tbelargeatoperator. Immeuseprofltsaredividod monthly.
Any amount from $f> to $5,000, or more, can be used succesB-
fully. N. Y. BaptUt Weekly, September 2f.th, 1878, says,
*'By the combination system $'5 would make $75, or 5 per
cent ; $50 pays $350, or 7 per cent.; $100 makes $1.0«0,
the stock, during the month, according
to the market." Frank Leslie's liUtstraXed Newnpaper,
29th*: The combination method of operating stocKs
moal successful ever adopted." New York Independent
system is founded upon
principles, and no person need be without
an income while it is kept working by Messrs. Lawrence &
Co.llirooklyn Journal, April 20th: "Onr editor made a net
profit of $101.25 from $aO in one of Messrs. Lawrence &
Co.'s combinations." New circular (mailed free) explains
everything. Stocks and bonds wanted. Government bonds
supplied, Lawrence & Co., Bankers, 67 Exchange Place,
t:9-5-12m
September 1
N. y.
J Address Stibson & Co., Portland, Maiue.
M. HABERBUSH,
MANDFACTUIIEU OF
Plain and Fine Harness,
NAItltl.KN.
COLLARS, "WHIPS, FLY NETS, &o.,
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
BUF.^LO liDBES,
Horse Covers, Lap-Rugs, Gloves, &o.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
-1-12] LANCASTER, PA.
ARMS
Goodclimale
fine BChoolM,
acid good
the Kansas Pacific
llhikiy. 3,000,000
Acres for Sale in Iha
LDEN BELT.
HOMES
)PDl7 Mnpa iiM.i full .ul-m.-.i, i, KKKK,.
S.tlIIjrtOBK, Laud c„mu„.».»i..-., =......-
-9-3meom]
$72^
OFFICE,
No, e North Queeo M\
LANCASTER, PA.
m
Is an old, well-establiehed newspaper, and contains Just the
news desirable to make it an interesting and valuable
Family Newspaper. It is published on Wednesday and
Saturday, subscribers having the choice of whichever edition
that suits their mail facilities best. The postage to sab-
scribers residing outside of Lancaster county is paid by the
publisher.
Send for a specimen copy.
s-crBscxair"xioiT i
Two Dollars per Annum.
Is published every afternoon (eicept Sunday) and contains
the news by mail and telegraph from all parts of the world
up to the hour of going to press. It is furnished to sub-
scribers at all the towns and Wllagcs in the county, acces-
sible by rail or stage, by carriers at Ten Centa » Week,
or by mall at Five ttollarw per Tear,
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Proprietor,
No. 9 North Queen St.,
LA-NCASTKR. PA..
THE LANCASTER FARMER
[Ootoher, 1879.
A HOME ORGAN FOR FARMERS.
The "Fearless
A MONTHLY JOURNAL,
Devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture, Do-
mestic Economy and Miscellany.
Founded Under the Auspices of the Lancas-
ter County Agricultural and Horti-
cultural Society.
EDITED BY DR. S. S. RATHVON.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION :
ONEDOLLpPERANNUHf^
POSTAGE PREPAID BY THE PROPRIETOR.
All subscriptions will commence with the
January number, unless otherwise ordered
botb Horse-Power
Bhown by Official Keport, which
Usht running and minli -- ..
the proper Dflf ' '
-• — *-'al,
report of trial, addresB
79-T-3m]
loiiA form or tUe Straw Shakers, which Ins
„ Htraw." For OAtalogue,«Frice-LiBt, and
MINABD HABDES, Cobleokill, Schoharie Co, »
NORBECK & MILEY,
Dr. 8. 8. Rathvon, who has eo ably managed the editorial
department In the past, will continue in the position of
editor. His contributions on subjects connected with the
science of farming, and particularly that specialty of which
he is so thorouhly a master — entomological science — some
knowledge of which has become a necessity to the success-
ful farmer, are alone worth much more than the price of
this publication. He Is determined to make "The Farmer"
a neceesity to all households.
A county that has so wide a reputation as Lancaster
onnty tor its agricultural products, should certainly be
able to support an agricultural paper of its own, for the
exchange of the opinions of farmers Interested in this mat-
oter. We ask the co-oporation of all farmers interested in
this matter. Work among your friends. The "Farmer" is
only one dollar per year. Show them your copy. Try and
Induce them to subscribe. It is not much for each sub-
scriber to do but it will greatly assist us.
All communications in regard to the editorial management
Ihould be addressed to Dr. S. S. Kathvon, Lancaster, Pa.,
and all business letters in regard to subscriptions and ad-
vertising should be addressed to the publisher. Rates of
advertising can be had on application at the office.
JOHN A HIESTAND,
No. 9 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
TRADE MARK. The fciroat Enjtrlisli TRADE MARK.
overwork of
perfectly harmless, tct
Before Taking l^^^e'sifiry usedt'r ove" After Taking.
thirty years with great success. Full particulars in our
pamphlet, which we desiretosend free liy mail to every one.
The speclBo medicine is sold by all druggists at $1 per pack-
age, or sii packages for $5, or will be sent free by mail on
receipt of the money by addressing
THE GRAY MEDICINE COMPANY,
No. 10 Mechanics' Block, Detroit, Michigan.
rt*-Sold in Lancaster by H. B. Cochran. 137 and 139 N.
Queen St., and by druggists everywhere. [79-3-12
PRACTICAL
Carriage Builders,
cox & CO'S OIB ST1M>,
Corner of Duke and Vine Streets,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE LATEST IMPROVED
SIDE-BAR BUGGIES,
PHAETONS,
Carriages, Etc,
Prices to Suit the Times.
REPAIRING promptly attended to. All work
guaranteed.
S£ND rOR
On Concord Grapevines, Transplanted Evergreens, Tulip,
- ■ - Tree Seedlings and Trees for
WINONA, OOLUIMBIANA CO., OHIO.
KENDALL'S
CURE
Falls, Vt, Johns
Philadelphia, Pa
iijg tlie lameness and removing the bunch,
d for circular giving POSITIVE PROOF,
SOLD BY DRUGGISTS or sent by the in-
veutor, B. J. Kendall, M. D.. Enosburgh
ton, HoUoway & Co., Agts., 602 Areh St
79-8-tf.
1879
FALL AND fflSTER
188»
Clotljs, Cassirperes, Coating
Vestiijgs, and
Suitiijgs,
FURNISHING GOODS,
Inchiding the usual fashionable varietias of the season,
PLAIN, STRIPED AND FIGURED.
ALSO,
READY-Mi^DE CLOTFIING,
of "all sorts and sizes."
AT THE VERY BOTTOM PRICES.
LANCASTER.
RATHVON & FISHER,
R^erchant Tailors, Drapers and Clotljiers,
Coi'ner i>r. Queen and Orange Sts.
*' A penny saved is sixpence earned."
SAWING THE LOG.
THE GREAT success! .
SrMK>^c™...,f...
demonstrated bv the number in u^e and the Pi^ent
demand for them It saw 3 Logs of any size On*
man can saw more logs or cord wooa in one day
and easier than two men can the old way. I' J^'
saw a two foot log in three minutes. Evejy jF""""?:
er needs one. Township agents wanted. SBnd for
Illustrated Circulaj- am. Te^-.|^^^ ^ ^^
178 Elr"' ""- -" "'
79-1 0-2m
lUU Plants gr<
PLANTED WITH BERRIES.
■ 10« varittic-8 of Schri.d Fruil,
i grrown tor traniiplaiitiDK, and
Fruit for the market. CEJ-SteNew Cutaloau*
for what sorts to plant. Sent tree. . Address
JOHN S. COLLIN&\ Moorestown. New Jersey,
ei?- Also JERSEY KEB PIGS. aU pure stock.
FARM ACCOUNTS !
Every Farmer should know how to keep them. An eetii-ely
new and complete system just deviHed, Send postal for
free Circulars to the Bryant & Strattoii Business
College, 108 S. Tenth Street, Philadelphia. [79-10-3in
OJHIS uviti^Jxa jrna r^j^tr* ujxl.— oiiNUJ^i:! \j\jci.£iii lu y^stj^xo.
NOVEMBER, 1879.
HIESTAND, FubliBher.
.•lOCOIKl <lllSS Ml
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.
EDITORIAL.
. Hermiin Streiker — Stonecutter ami Lepidopter-
,Thc Colli Snap, - - - -
Heavy Snow Storraa Rerorted i
Ould Weather Uni rccedciited.
North— The
. A Grape Phenomenon, 162
.-The Memories of Bees, IC>^
.The Poultry Show, 1C3
•A Queer Fish, - - T'"
Golden Carp with a Doulilc Caudal Aypeiidagp.
. A Natural Fertilizer, . - - - - I'iS
-The "Lancaster Farmer," . - - - Ki.i
• Monthly Reminders, ----- 103
COMMUNICATIONS.
. A Visit to Herman Streukei— Zj/tiio D. Zell, - 163 |'
. Colorado— Pitl«in and its Progress, - - 16+
A new Mining lC»uii) outhe Western Slojio of the
Uookifs that Uivals Loadsille ia Riches— H. A.R.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
»An Experience in Draining — A.B.K. - - 164
, Coptis Trifolia, Salisb, ----- 16.5
Three-lea ved Gold Th read; Mont h Koot— J. .svaiitfcr.
ESSAYS.
.California, 165
SELECTIONS.
•The New York Seed Leaf Marlvet, - - 167
Sales for the week.
• Starting a Flock of Sheep, - - - - 168
• Pasture Fields— Their Renovation, - - 1C8
. Comfortable Quarters for Stock, - - - 168
• American Butter and Cheese in England, - 169
• Management of Horses, 169
•What a Deed of a Farm Includes, - - - 169
« When to Sell, ------- 170
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
' Lancaster County Agricultural and Horticultu-
ral Society, ------ 170
Keport on Artificial Fertilizers— Weather Reports
—Calif oruia— Heading Trees Low— Referred Ques-
tiouB — The Most Profitable Crop — New Business
— Business for Next Meeting— fc'ruits on Kxhibi-
•Boiie Dust, - -
• Fall Plowing for Corn,
Storing of Fodder-Corn,
HORTICULTURE,
Care of Potatoes, Beets, Turnips, Carrots and
I'arsnipi!,
Cirafliiig (irape-vines, - - .
Apples and Apple Trees, . - - -
FLORICULTURE.
,Careof Plants in Winter, - - - - -
I* The Abutilon,
»The Quinine Flower, -
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
, Oatmeal in the Household, - - - -
. Inspect Your Cellars, . . . - -
» Hints for the Kitchen, - - - - -
.Facts About Flour,
• A Cheap lee House, - - - - -
• Rest After Ealing,
HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.
.To Clean Wall Paper,
Poultry Association, ------ 171
Adjourued Jlectiug— Reports of Committees— Un-
fluished Business- Now Members— Stated Meet-
ing.
,Thc Beekeepers' Association, - - - 171
Reports- WiiiteriDK Bees— Hiuls to Beginners-
Some Mietakts- When and How to Start an Apiary
Don't be Afraid of Being Stung- Comb Founda-
tion—Italian Bees— Honey Comb Foundations.
Society, 172
I Library— Papers Read.
. Stewed Pigeons, - - - -
I Rice Snowballs, - - - - -
) Rolls,
Miss Parlon's Recipe for Angel Cake, -
Rabbit Cutlets, -----
Welsh Rare Bit,
Apple Jelly, -----
,To Clean Black Lace, - - - -
• Ginger Snaps, - . - - -
,Hair Invigorator, - - - - -
A Nice Tea Cake, . - - -
Lemon Cake, ------
Baker's Gingerbread,
LIVE STOCK.
, Straw as Food for Cattle,
Feeding Cattle, --■"---
Sugar Beets for Fattening Swine, -
POULTRY.
1 Winter Care of Fowls, - - - -
Poultry Habits, - - - - -
Salt for Poultry, - - - -
■ Eggs from Different Breeds,
.Whole Wheat for Fowls,
Literary and Personal, - - -
• Linuaeati
v___A«aiuc
• Fulton Farmers' Club, - - -
Exceedingly luterestiug — Kxprcssin
Ijitorary Exercises- East or \^■e8t, '
gramme for Next Meeting.
• Meeting of the State Board of Agricultur
The Law of T
AGRICULTURE.
Summer Cultivation of Wheat,
' A Mlitnre of Grasses,
■ Changing Seed, - . . -
172
NOTICE.
A VALUABLE WORK.
A TREATISE
HORSE AND HIS DISEASES,
By DR. B. J. KENDALL, of Enosburgh FaUs. Vermont.
It is nicely illustrated with thirty-five engravings, and Is
full of useful horse knowledge. Every horse owner should
i»Te a copy of It.
SEND 26 CENTS FOR A COPY.
Jnn-tf
OFFICE,
No. 0 North Queen Stfeet,
LANCASTER, PA..
THE
Is an old, well-egtabllshed newspaper, and coutains just the
news desir.ablu to makef it an niteresting and valuable
Family Ncwspiper. It Is published every Wedne»d»y
morning. The postage to subcribers residing outsideof
Lancaster county is paid by the publisher.
Send for a specimen copy.
Two Dollars per Annum.
Is pnlilished every aftoiuoon (except Sunday) and contains
the news by mail and telegraph from all p.irts of the world
up to the hour of going to press. It is furnished to sub-
scribers at all the towns and villages iu the county, acces-
sible by rail or stage, by carriers at Ten Centii a Week,
or by mall at rive Dollnr«i per Year.
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Proprietor,
No. 9 Nort^A Queen St.,
LANCASXKK. PA.
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
LANCASTER. FA..
235 EAST ORANGE ST.
All matters ai-pf-rtaiuhiR to UNITED STATES or CANA-
DIAN TATENTS, TRADK MARKS, aud COrVRIOHTS.
promptly attended to. His experience, succcbb and faithful
attention to the IntereHte of thoae who engage his service*
are fully acknowledged and appreciated.
PreUmiuary examinationB made for him by a reliable A»-
iiatADt at Waahlngton, without extra charge for drawing
ur dMOriptloo. [79-l.tf
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
-pEJfNSYI-VAHriA V
XT Trains LEAVE fie Bei
WE TWARD.
RAILROAD
ot in this city.
Leave
Lancaster.
2:40 a. m.
5:00 a. m.
10:05 a. m.
10:10 p.m.
11:05 a.m.
11:07 a.m.
10:50 a. m.
2:10 p.m.
2:15 p.m.
7:25 p.m.
8:50 p. m.
11:30 p.m.
Lancaster.
12:25 a. m.
4:10 a. m.
5:20 a. m.
7:35 a. m.
9.10 p. m.
1:25 p. m.
2:00 p. m.
3:0.^ p.m.
5:20 p. m.
6:25 p.m.
ion, west, conn
t, at 9:35 a. m
tiou, west, cou
10 p. m., and ru
ou Sunday, w
a daily.
NrHEDlJL,E.
18 toUows :
Arrive
Hanisburg.
7:50 a m
Hanover Acconmiortatiou,.
Mail train via Mt. .Toy
Col. 10:40 a. m.
12:40 p. m.
12:55 p. m
Sunday MaU
12:40 p. m.
Frederick Accommodation.
Harrisburg Accom
Columbia Accommodation..
Harrisburg Enpress
Pittsburg Express
Cincinnati Express'
EASTWARD.
Col. 2:45 p. m.
T:40 p. m.
Col. 8:20 p.m.
8:40 p. m.
10:10 p. m.
12:45 a. m.
Philadelphia.
3:00 a. m.
PhUadelphia Expresst
7:00 a. m.
Harrisburg Express
Columbia Accommodation..
10:00 a. m.
12;0 p.m.
3:40 p.m.
, 5:00 p.m.
Johnstown Express '
5:30 p.m.
7:20 p. m.
The Hanover Accommoda
with Niagara Express, wes
through to Hanover.
The Frederick Accommod
ter with Fast Liue, west, at 2
The Pacific Express, east
stop at Middletown, EUzabet
ville.
■The only trains which ru
tUuns daily, except Mond
cts at Lancaster
.,and ^vill run
nectsatLaucas-
UB to Frederick,
aen flagged, will
loyand Landis-
NORBECK & MILEY
PRACTICAL
Garriage Builders,
cox & CO'S OLB STA^D,
Cornef of Duke and Vine Stfeets,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE LATEST I.MPROVED
SIDE-BAR BUGGIES,
PHAETONS,
Carriages, Etc,
Prices to Suit the Times.
REPAIRING promptly attended to. All work
guaranteed.
79-2-
Manufacturer of
Carriages, Buggies, Phaetons, etc,
CHURCH ST., NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA.
Large Stock of New and Second-hand Work on hand,
very cheap. Carriages Made to Order. Work Warranted
tor one year, [19-1-1'i
EDW. J. ZAHM,
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
WATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED WARE,
CI.OCKS,
JEWELRY! TABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Agent for the Aruudel I'iuted
SPECTACLES.
Kepairiu;^ stdcUy uttended to.
North Queen-st. and Centre Square, Lancaster, Pa.
AT I.OWKST I>OS.SIBL,E PltH^ES,
Fully guaranteed.
No. 106 EAST KING STREET,
79-1-12] Oppmite J.iopnrd Hoti-I.
ESTABLISHED 1832.
a. SENTER & SONS,
MaiiufacturerH aud dealers iu :\\\ kiuds of rough and
fluished
x.X7im[B]e:r,
The best .Sawed .SHINOI.ES iu the country. Also Sash,
Doors, Blinds, Mouldings, &c.
PATENT 0. G. WEATHERBOARDING
OFFICE AND YARD :
Northeast Corner of Prince and Walnnt-sts.
LANCASTER, PA.
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLOGY,
Embracing the biBtory aud habits of
NOXIOUS AND INNOXIOUS
INSECTS,
and the best remedies for their expulsion or extermination.
By S. S. RATHVON, Ph. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
This work will be Highly Illustrated, and will be put in
press (as soon after a sufficient number of subscribers can
be obtained to cover the cost) i
accomplished.
19-2-
the work (
$77;
Fruit, Shade and Ornamental Trees.
Plant Trees raised in this couuty and suited to this climate.
Write for prices to
LOUIS C. LYTE,
Bird-in-Hand P. O., Lancaster co.,Pa.
Nursery at Smoketowu, bIx miles enst of Lancaster.
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
And Manufncturers of
FURNITURE PD CHAIRS,
WAKEROOHS:
102 East King St., Oor. of Duke St.
LANCASTER, PA.
79-l-l'2]
Special Inducements at the
NEW FURNITURE STORE
W. A. HEINITSH,
pro. XS 1-2 :E. 2£.III8'<3- S>I'H.:EU1',
(over Bursk's Grocery Store), Laucanler, Pa.
A genei-al assor'raent of furnitureof all kinds constantly
on hand. Don't forget the number.
XS X-2 XiASt EClxxg Stx-eet,
Nov-ly] (over Bursk's Giocery Store.)
For Good and Cheap Work go to
F. VOLLMER'S
FURNITURE WARE ROOMS,
No 309 NORTH QUEEN ST..
(Opposite Northern Market),
Also, all kiuds of picture frames. iiov-ly
GREAT BARGAINS.
A largeassortmeut of all kiuds of Carpets are still sold at
CARPET '"f^LL 'offf's. SHIRK,
No. 202 West King St.
Call aud examiue our stock aud Batisfy yourself that we
can show the largest assortment of these Brussels, three
plies aud iugrain at all prices— at the lowoat Philadelphia
prices.
Also on hand a large aud complete assortmeut of Rag
Satisfaction gu:iranteed bath as to price aud quality.
You are invited to call aud see my goods. No trouble in
Bhowiug thom even if you do not want to purchase.
Don't forget this uotice. You cau save money here if you
^'ork.
Particular attention give
Also on hand a full assortment of Counterpanes, Oil
Cloths and Blankets of every variety [uov-iyr.
PHILIP SCHUM, SON & CO..
38 and 40 "West King Street.
We keep on hand of our own manufacture,
GUILTS, COVERLETS,
^ COUNTERPANES, CARPETS,
Bureau and Tidy Covers. Ladies' rurnishing Goods, No-
PHILIP SCHUM, SON & CO..
-ly Lancaater, Pa.
THE HOLMAN LIVER PAD
Cures by absorption witliont medicine.
Now is the time io apply these remedies. They will do
for you what nothing else on earth cau. Hundreds of citi-
zens of Lancaster say so. Get the geuuine at
LANCASTER OFFICE AND SALESROOM,
22 East Orange Street.
Nov-lyr
C. R. KLINE.
5ATT0F(NEY-AT-|:iAW,
OFFICE : 15 NORTH DUKE STREET,
LA-NCA-STKR. FA..
NOT-ly
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S. S. RATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA., NOVEMBER, 1879.
Vol. ZI. No. 11.
Editorial.
ORGANIZATION.
Its Order, Its Organic Forms and Its Power.
It has often been written, und as ollen re-
peated, that " Order is /tfai'cn's first law,''''
and, we niiglit lejiitiinately add, that true
order cannot possibly exist witlioiiL ort^aniza-
tion. The most obvious nicauiiii; of ori,Mni-
zation is simply the arrangfiiiciit of the ele-
mentary parts and prineiplfs of things, in a
consecutive series of order, and HuoukIi the
combined energies of this order tho.se ele-
mentary principles are ultimatcd in visible
forms. There are no energies within the
realms of the created universe that are not
subordinated to the principles of order tlirough
organic manipulations. The Creator of ihe
universe himself works not arbitrarily, but by
orderly means. Every creiited thing on the
earth, in the waters '"under the earth," and
in the starry canopy above the earth, is obedi-
ent to the organic laws through which it was
brought into sentient being, and which both
stimulates and limits all its active energies.
Every beast of the lield, every fowl of the air,
every fish of the sea, and the innumerable
hosts of creeping things "that pass through
the paths of the sea, "are all in harmony with
the order in which they were created, and
their organic functions are a reflex of the or-
ganized energy through which they "live, and
move, and have their being."
The inanimate world is equally subjected to
such organic laws iis are adapted to its de-
velopment and perpetuation, and its progress
is proportioned to its harmony with those
organic laws. There is not a rock, a tree, a
shrub, a flower or a perfume that is not the
subject of orgauic laws, and they all find their
highest development in their obedience to
those laws; and so far all is "very good."
But, there is one exception in the scale of
creation, and that exception embraces the
human family— the highest intelligence and
the crowning work of the whole. Man alone
is restive under the rules of order which have
been instituted for his supremest good, both
physically and morally. He alone, under the
simulation of liberty, places himself in an at-
titude antagonistic to order; he alone, except
for selfish or ulterior ends, is unwilling to
subordinate himself to organic rule, he alone
is indifferent to that unity which is the result
of thorough organization'. "I care for nobody
and nobody cares for me," becomes the sel-
fish motto of a large proportion of the human
family ; in the degree and to the extent that
they imagine themselves independent of the
ministrations of their fellow-men ; a senti-
ment that is entirely oppo.sed to the very
spirit of creation— opposed to every law of
preservation and perpetuation — opposed to
social organization and progressive de\elop-
ment — opposed to anything and everything
that does not culminate in self.
In all the vast catalogue of created objects,
there is no one thing that is entirely indepen-
dent of all other things. Every single thing
is immediately, mediately or remotely, depen
dent upon, and connected with some other
thing, for its comfort, its convenience, and
its progressive development. And, in the
category of vast creation no subject assumes
the attitude of isolated independence more
pertinaciously than man, even when he may
be in a condition of the most,abject surveilence.
On the one hand he may ignore or resist the
restrictions of organic rule : whilst on the
other hand he may be the veriest slave of
impulse, or the victim of the most tyrannical
habits. In a quasi jiolitical sense man may
be said to be independent, but he is not so
morally, socially, or physically, as he stands
related to his Creator, or his fellowman. It
is true, that ni;in may be inlniisically fn^ .so
far as thai fiT.-d.iia nMatrs to tlic ,;x.'n-isc of
his own moral and spiritual volition, liut,
extrihsiciilly, he is only in rational IVeedoin iii
proportion as tlie trutk makes him free. All
libertv independent of, or beyond this stand-
ard, 18 lial)le to digeiiorate into .selfishness,
irresponsibility, recklessness and lieeiise, and
these attributes are adver.-e In those organ-
ized forms of aeiinii, and llmse mutual con-
cessions, 80 essentiiil to lieallliy luogress.
Destroy the cohesive attraction through
Inch the physical universe is organized and
continued in orderly se(iuence, and the whole
structure would lieeoine disintegrated, and its
component atoms \v(jnld lly off in so many
tangents throuiih illimilalilc space. Destroy
the .social and fraternal (•ohesion through
which the human race is bound together, and
the column of human atliliation would topjile
over, and men would become moral and
social "fugitives and vtigabonds" on the
earth. Nothing is really a(:eom|)lished— no
permanent and widely dill'used progress is
made through independent individual action
alone : Even in cases where the outward ap-
pearance seems otherwise, there are unseen
sympathies, aids and aspirations, which give
impulse and energy to, and determine the
quality of external actions. The greatest, the
most potent and rapid strides in human
progress, are those that are made in man's col-
lective and organized capacity; and those tire
most effective where human energies are sub-
ordinated to those rules of order which iire
deemed essential to effective organization.
The true principles of order involve energetic
unitt/, and an abnegation of self for the sake
of the common good. Where these principles
prevail there is not an integer in the social
compact that will become the subject of pre-
meditated neglect. Every function will be
exercised— every interest will be served; and
whatever other reward may incidentally
follow, the chiefest compensation will be the
delight afforded in the performance of the use.
Social organization is deemed essential to
the prosperous advancement of all the various
interests which may distinguish social pro-
gress. All enterprises, all objects, and all
pursuits avail themselves of the benefits of
organization, and adopt general and special
rules of order for their better government.
In proportion as such rules are fiiithfuUy ob-
served in their inherent integrity, in that same
degree will the organization adopting them be
successful. These principles of action do not
contemplate, nor do they involve any species
of coercion, any farther than the individual
may feel disposed to impose such coercion, or
self-compulsion, upon himself. Hut an actiui-
esence in them may be cultivated or become a
habit. It is nothing to tlie credit or the hap-
piness of any individual that he scorns organic
rule— that lie repudiates social government,
or that he assumes an attitude of selfish inde-
pendence. As well might any of the mem-
bei-s of his body repudiate the vital energies
of his heart— the ccntresttmce of his very
being — and proclaim its independent isolation.
This thing of regarding ourself iis a mere
looker on, and taking no interest at all in the
various enterprises that are entered into
among men for the advancement of their
social and moral condition, or of withholding
all sympathy from their efforts, is likely to
narrow down the minds of men into selfi.sh
exclusiveness. This state of mind is the fruit-
ful source of prejudices and aversions towards
others, without an adequate cause. It does
not realize our connection with the source
from whence the wliole family of man origi-
nated, nor the harmony of action and reac-
tion. It does not seem to comprehend that
there can be no true happiness where there is
isolation and loneliness. When anything is
separated I rom the part to which it belongs
there is alua>s nmre or less imperfect action
and a (endeiH^v to unite tigain ; and while
that tendeiiryeontinues there is more or less
unrest and in. ilieieiicy. In social union there
is the tiue^i hai'i'iness, because there is then
a freer eir<-ulatiou of all the vitalizing ele-
ments and properties that uplift and stimulate
prou'iess, an<l a more liarnioiiious action of
huinan unity is recognized. These sentiments,
of course, do not contemiilate those oi)po8ite
extremes through which social union and sym-
ptithy degenerates into clanship, proliigaci-,
and indolence or idleness.
J5ut, intermediate between tlie true forms of
order, and their absence altogether, is a con-
dition which has been appropriately styled
the ''unter of disorder," and this status is un-
consciously assumed by many of the organiza-
tions of the country. It is true, that no one
wills it so, and at heart all may desire the suc-
cess of the organization in which they liold
an irresponsilne membership; but, in its out-
ward manifestation such is the effect in all
cases involving a unity of energy for their
success. Look abroad in the world and see
what has been accomplished by associated
efforts and energies. From the smallest or-
ganized association- if it be only a partner-
ship of two or three— up to the largest— as for
instance an army— an efficient exercise of
their functions is based upon an adhesion to
the principles of order. In a certain sense
every human being thiit has attained the age
of civil, nttional, and moral accountability, is
a society in its least form, and from this indi-
vidual form we pass up through the various
degrees of associated organizations, until we
embrace the entire universe; all are subject to
the rules of order, and without such rules,
things would be ever sttindiiig in each other's
way, and nothing would be in process of suc-
cessful accomplishment.
Political parties understand the potency of
organization, ;ind their general efficiency and
often theirsuecessdepeiidsentirely upon their
laithl'uhii --> lo tlie rules lliathave been institu-
ted for their ^ovennnent. Even when parties
lieeoinedisinFegrated, or split up into factious,
the first st'eps taken by the several factions
are toward a reorganization of the various
elements into separate iiarties ; for they know
full well that without oiganiziition they can-
not contend with those who are antagonistic
to them with any hope of success. The very
church, all leligfons and educational institu-
tions, manifest their powers through organi-
zation; and although all power upon earth is
from the Deity alone, yet that Deity does not
iict arbitrarily ;ind immediately, but through
the medium of organic instrumentalities, and
according to eternal principles of order.
All philanthropic movements; all financial
enterprises ; all great manufacturing estab-
lishments ; all public improvements ; all in-
corporated communities, and all scientific, his-
torical and profession institutions may be iu-
cludi'd in the same category, and their prac-
tical efliciency will depend upon their unity,
their energy, their integrity, and the perfec-
tion of their organization.
Amidst all this physical, political, meclian-
ical, intellectual and moral machinery of the
universe, is there no example in it fit for the
imitation of the laborious tillers of the soil ?
Must that great and paramount liuman
interest, which underlies, and fundamentally
underpins the moral, civil and social structure
of tlie world, continue to occupy a subordi-
nate jiosition, or to be kicked about like a
footbtill by till the others, for the want of ef-
fective organization, or because it cannot
162
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[November,
subordinate itself to tlie simple rules of order
that are necessary to its unity or its efficiency
as a body politic ? It is true, efforts towards
a closer and more compact organization of the
farming public have been made all over the
union, but still the masses stand aloof. The
masses refrain from taking hold of the various
enterprises, and assist in bearing the respon-
sibility. The masses seem to be restive under
rules of order. If it be true that "order is
heaven's first law," the inference would seem
to be a rational one, that men should subordi-
nate themselves to it, or bring themselves in
harmony with it, as a preparation for those
beatitudes in that world where order perpetu-
ally reigns— and selfish aspirations vanish
away.
HERMAN STRECKER,
Stonecutter and Lepidopterist.
"There are a great many people in Reading
who do not know that the finest collection of
Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) in Ameri-
ca is in their own city. The gentleman who
has brought together and preserved this mag-
nificent array of lepidoterous insects is Mr.
Herman Strecker, who among his fellow-
citizens passes for a mechanic with artistic
taste, but among scientists is recognized as an
enthusiastic entomologist. He is a modest,
unassuming man, whose studies have been in
a field which a few patient, thoughtful, perse-
vering specialists have all to themselves.
Even the number of people who can take an
interest in their work is comparatively small.
Mr. Strecker earns his living by making
memorial monuments, and those who have
visited the Charles Evans Cemetery at Read-
ing need not be told that he is a sculptor as
well as a mechanic. He has devoted his
leisure hours to the study of entomology and
to the gathering of specimens of the different
varieties of butterflies and moths from all
parts of the earth, until he has a museum
such as cannot be duplicated on the "Western
Continent. In this issue of The Press will be
found an interesting sketch of Mr. Strecker
and his museum."
"We clip the above from the Philadelphia
Press, and only regret that our limited space,
and our peculiar specialty prevents us from
inserting the long and interesting article
alluded to in the above extract. Mr. Strecker
is yet comparatively a young man (we were
married two years before he was born) and is
now presumably in the prime of life, although
so far as our experience goes, the collection,
care and keeping of a large cabinet of such
fragile objects as Lepidopterous insects are is
about as great an "elephant" as could possi-
bly be committed to human hands, and if
there were no compensations in the pursuit of
such a subject itself, it involves a patient and
persevering labor that the average of man-
kind will hardly ever appreciate or requite,
and unless a man is endowed with more than
ordinary powers of physical recuperation,! here
is suflicient "wear and tear" in it to make
him prematurely old. It is unfortunate forsuch
men, and also for science, that in so many
instances they belong to that class who are
compelled to follow incompatible secular oc-
cupations in order to sustain themselves and
their families— burning the midnight oil, and
laboring while others are resting or carousing
in the lap of luxury, and "half the world is in
solemn darkness hung." But "time makes
all things even," and Providence "ruleth over
all."
THE COLD SNAP.
Heavy Snow Storms Reported in the North.
The Cold Weather Uuprecedented:
"A despatch from White Hall, New York,
says a heavy snow storm prevailed all day on
Monday along the western shore of Lake
Champlain. At Plattsbnrg about ten inches
of snow has fallen; at Point Henry and Crown
Point twelve inches; also ten inches at Kere.
This is the most severe storm which has ever
prevailed there at this season of the year.
There was also heavy snow in New Eng-
land and Nova Scotia. In New Hampshire
and "\^ermont the fall in places was from 15 to
20 inches, and railroad travel was delayed.
A despatch from Buffalo says the wind and
snow storm on the lakes on Sunday nighl was
very severe. Some minor disasters are re-
ported.
A severe snow storm prevailed throughout
Ontario on Sunday night and Monday morn-
ing, and in some sections there is one foot of
snow on a level. The trains on the various
routes are running on time.
A despatch from "Winnipeg, Manitoba, says
an ice bridge has been formed on the river
there, and people are crossing on foot. The
weather is clear and cold."
Tlie foregoing gleanings from various news-
paper and telegraphic sources, we clip from
the columns of tlie JVeto Era of the 4tli inst.,
as indicative of the initiation of "bleak No-
vember." How very different from the char-
acter of "frosty October," which up to the
18ch was not only unprecedentedly mild, but
was absolutely warm, if not really hot. What
the character of the weather may be before
the month is out, we can tell better at its end-
ing than we can now, but this far it has some-
what shaken our faith in those prognostica-
tions which so confidently presaged a "very
mild November." Somehow both September
and October "slipped through" without
bringing the usual characteristic "equinoc-
tials." Can it be possible that they have
been transferred to November V At the
meeting of the society on Monday the 3rd
inst., one of the members reported that "the
cold snap" had arrested the progress of the
"Hessian-fly." This is then the good result-
sug from an autumnal cold snap, immediately
following an unusually warm one. Not only
the Hessian-fly, but also many other noxious
insects may come to grief through the inter-
vention of excessive cold, and if the farmer
could now contrive to turn over the soil with
the plough the benefit of the cold snap, in this
respect, would be greatly increased. "It is
an ill wind that blows nobody good," is an old
saying, but is also a true one.
A GRAPE PHENOMENON.
Through our neighbor, Mr. David Hartman,
of North Queen street, we were presented
with two fine and luscious clusters of Concord
grapes, from Mrs. Nathaniel Ellmaker, of
Salisbury township, Gap, Lancaster county.
For the 22d of October the freshness and
flavor of these grapes were remarkably pre-
served. Although both of these clusters grew
on the same vine, yet there was a marked
difl'erenCB in their size and also in the inten-
sity of their taste and flavor. On the one
cluster the berries were pretty uniformly
three inches in circumference (a few were a
trifle more and a few a trifle less,) whilst on
the other cluster the berries did not average
more than one and three-quarter inches in
circumference. The smaller berries were the
sweetest and the most pronounced' in their
flavor. This distinction has often been ob-
served before, betwoen large and small fruit
of the same variety, in apples, peaches, pears
and strawberries, as well as in grapes, and
especially in the mammoth specimens cultiva-
ted in Kansas and California, when compared
with the same varieties cultivated in Penn-
sylvania, and it has also been noticed in large
and small specimens of the same variety in
the same locality. In unusually large fruit —
where it greatly exceeds the normal size-
quantity is gained at the expense of quality.
"Volume is gained, but the inherent sweetness
and flavor are in the same proportion diluted.
The extra gain is mainly water, and although
this may not always be the case, it is apt to
be the case when the transition is sudden.
But why the sudden difference in size ? So
far as we understand the representations
made to us, the case is simply this. Last
year, or last spring, Mr. Ellmaker laid down
a lateral and covered it with earth for a
distance of five or six feet from the base of the
main vine, leaving a few buds above the
ground at the end. From these three vigor-
ous scions sprung, and he pruned the two
weakest, letting the strongest one stand.
This was practically a "survival of the fittest."
This vigorous shoot bore a few clusters of ab-
normally large grapes, whilst the main vine
bore its usual crops. The reasons for this
are obvious. The layer, in addition to draw-
ing upon the parent stem, at each joint made
roots of its own, and thereby increased its
supply of the sustaining and developmental
elements. Moreover, buried in the surface
mould, and more susceptible to the influence
of heat and moisture, it had feeding opportu-
nities not accarded to the parent vine, whose
roots may have penetrated the less nutritious
subsoil, or clay, or ground beneath. Separate
that layer from the parent vine, and plant it
elsewhere, with the usual volume of root, and
it is very probable that its fruit may relapse
to its normal size, although, with generous
and judicious cultivation, it is po.ssible that a
larger variety may be developed. Cultivation
has much to do in increasing the size and
quantity of any variety of fruit, even where
it does not enhance its quality. We are
thankful for the grapes, and relished them all
thd same, whether this be a true explanation
of the phenomenon or not.
THE MEMORIES OF BEES.
No doubt bees remember where they once,
or oftener, have been, and especially so when
they have been able to make a "good find" of
honey at such place, or places; but there is a
grave question whether they have any appre-
ciation of "probabilities" — whether they have
any instinctive perception of seasons — whether
beyond mere temperature, they can tell win-
ter from summer. Let an unusually warm
day occur, either in autumn, winter or spring,
and the bees will seek the places they visited
before the last "cold snap" in great numbers
— the wariner and the more continuous the
warmth, the greater the numbers — and free-
ly and eagerly appropriate the saccharine
matter such places aflbrd; and this is especi-
ally the case about grocery stores, cider mills
and presses, or warehouses where sugar and
molasses is stored. As the first and last of
these places furnish the mellifluous substance
they are in search of all the year round, per-
haps it requires very little sagacity on their
part to find the way back to them as often as
they are physically vivified by intervening
warm days during the winter season. But we
noticed them in considerable numbers in our
leafless- grape arbor on the 10th of this pres-
ent November, just as we noticed them there
during July, August and September, or as
long as a single grape remained on the vines.
It is not our purpose to discuss the question
here, "Do bees sting grapes?" (of course, by
this people mean, do bees cut the skins of
grapes ?) any farther then to say, that, not-
withstanding all the testimony 2yro and con
during the past two years, the question seems
to be still in an unsettled state. Our grape
arbor is forty-five in length and has a southern
exposure. It is covered with vines from one
end to the other, but on the 10th inst., it had
hardly a dozen leaves on it, and these were
crisp and ready to fall at the firs^; blast of
wind. • About noon of said day the sun shown
out warm and genial, and at 2 o'clock, when
we made the observation, the bees were then
exploring the naked vines from one of the
arbors to the other, just as they had explored
them when they were hanging full of ripe
fruit, and they continued to do so for at least
half an hour, or longer ; and they seemed to
be restive and chagrined, when they found
their search a barren one. Now, it perhaps
is not at all surprising that they should have
remembered that they had found grapes there
on former occasions, but that they should ex-
pect to find them there at this season, is little
short of a reflection upon that instinctive
quality which they in other respects so largely
possess — about equivalent to a man taking hia
eun and going out to shoot bull-frogs on a
mild day in December, January or February,
months in which sportsmen have no expecta-
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
163
tion of finding that kind of game. Of course
they also visited every belated flower, for in
our garden flowers are blooming all winter
(notably a Black Hellebore) but we have
grapes only a few weeks in the year.
THE POULTRY SHOW.
What we would like the readers of The
Farmer to know, is that they should do all
they can to encourage and assist the Poultry
Association in their first exliibition, which is
to be held in Locher's Building, Centre
Square, Lancaster, on January, 2d, 3d, .")th,
6th and 7th. 1880. The members of tlie
association are doing all they can to make the
exhibition a success, and if it receives the en-
couragement from tliose outside of the socie-
ty that it does by tlie members it will certain-
ly be a success. We think it will, and trust
our readers will help make it so. Don't think
the only encouragement you can give is to go
and see it; but if you have any poultry you
think is good, enter it tor a premium; make
the exhibition a big one. If your neiglilwr
has any fine poultry tell him to enter liis. The
Fmiitr;/ W'/rkl, says :
"Poultry raieiug to advantage is no louger a prob-
lem, as to its paying results, where the operator at-
tends to his work sensibly, and j»ives to this under-
tajtintf the same care and judicious management ,
that any business enterprise requires. Hundreds and !
thousands of our people have proved this all over
the country, and at no time, within our Itnowlcdu-e,
ous prosperity in this direction than all the Indica-
tions afford at the present time."
This is true, no doubt. Improve your stock,
get better chickens and it will pay you better
in the end. The way to do this is to visit the
exhibition; see what is there; get eggs from
the owners of some of the fine chickens; raise
fine cliickens yourselves and yon will find that
it will pay. The Society ofters five hundred
dollars in premiums, and besides a number of
special premiums have been ofiered by various
parties. Talk the show up; come and see it
yourself; tell your neighbor to come, and see
if a visit to it does not end in your improving
your stock of poultry next year.
A QUEER FISH.
Golden Carp with a Double Caudal Append-
age.
Mr. Jno. C. Long, of this city, is the posses-
sor of not only a "queer fish," but also an ex-
traordinary fisli, and the extra consists in an
unusual caudal development. It is a fine
active specimen of the common Golden Carp,
or "Gold Fish" {Cj/j;n'iH(S(H/ratMs,) and is pro-
vided with both a vertical, and a horizontal
caudal fin, and from the adroit manner in
which it manipulates this compound append-
age, it seems to possess more than ordinary
balfincing and motive powers. The caudal
fin or tail consists of three lobes, two of which
are horizontal, and the third one is vertical,
and is of the same length, and immediately in
the middle between the other two. Of course
this is an abnormal development, for we know
of no species that normally possesses this rare
combination, but our knowledge of fishes is
too limited to say positively that there are
none. But generally the caudal fin is vertical.
It is rarely that we see an animal malforma-
tion so symmetrical. There must be some
cause for this departure from the ordinary
tail-type, but it would be u.seless to enter into
speculations upon tlie subject, and therefore,
like the five-legged frog and other animal
monstrosities, we must record it as a lusm
naturoc. Nor do we think that the fish itself
has any reason to regret it (always provided
that a fish has the attributes of reason or
regret,) but on the contrary, if a fish is en-
dowed with any degree of emotion, it must
certainly be as proud of this caudal appendage
as a "dog with two tails. " If that fish should
happen to die— which the Fates forefend— we
should like to possess it immediately there-
after, as a contribution to the museum of the
Linnoean Society. In any event, we trust
that no attempt will be made to preserve it
in vinegar, as was the case with the rare
"five-legged frog" last summer; through
which the bones were softened and the flesh
reduced to a mass of incohesive pulp.
A NATURAL FERTILIZER.
Those of our patrons and readers who may
be in want of a fertilizer to recuperate their
soils, will be instructed what to get and when
to get it, by consulting the advertisement of
Mr. D. P. Bitner, which will be found in the
third column on the second page of this num-
ber of our Journal. "The fossil Marl of
New .Jersey " is no "villainous compound,"
but is a natural product of the marl beds of
New Jersey, and has an established and un-
questionable reputation, of long standing and
increased appreciation. The marls are ricli
in dissolved bone, phosphoric acid, potash,
silicic acid and other fertilizing elements, and
impart a permanent richness to the soils that
receive them. Mr. Bitner is the agent for
Lancaster county, and is too well known
among its people to engage in an enterprise
that would discredit the reputation which he
has estaV)lished as a fair business man. With
oar increasing population and enhanced pro-
duction, the demands we make upon our soil
cannot be honored without increased fertili-
zation ; therefore our farmers will be natural-
ly looking about for the "cheapest and the
best;" a rare combination which is more like-
ly to be realized in a native element than in
one that is artificial, under all circumstances.
Even if it should be no better than others, the
price at which it can be obtained, involves
less risk and loss to make a trial of it, than
any other fertilizer in the market. We com-
mend the subject to the favorable considera-
tion of our readers.
THE "LANCASTER FARMER."
This journal for October, 1879 (for reasons
perhaps unavoidable,) comes to hand this
month a little later than the usual time, but
as its literature is mainly of a standard char-
acter, its issue a little earlier or a little later
does not make any material difference.
Although this number does not contain as
much original matter as usual— which may
be due more to the delinquency of (^ntribu-
tors than to either editor or publisher— yet
from the solid character of its selections and
the interesting proceedings of our local socie-
ties, it is a number of more than usual
interest to the farmer and to the housekeeper.
On the whole, it contains seventy-five
articles, editorial, contributional, commimi-
cational and selected, the monthly proceed-
ings of four local societies, twenty household
receipts, and twelve literary notices, an
amount of solid literary matter rarely found
in a journal of its size. The Farjier has
no huge block-letters, no widely leaded edi-
torials, and no unsightly advertisements dis-
tributed through its columns (in which self-
interest is often more manifest than any
consideration for the reader) on the contrary,
it is compact all through, and when bound
makes a respectable looking quarto volume,
both inside and outside, which may be profit-
ably perused at any time. It avoids as much
as possible merely ephemeral literature, and
desires to make a permanent record. It pre-
sents a rare opportunity for the intelligent
and progressive farmers of Lancaster county
to place themselves on record in a permanent
form — a form easily preserved and easily re-
ferred to on any future occasion.
In publishing the proceedings of the dift'er-
ent societies and clubs in Lancaster county,
it is doing more to "uplift the liring estima-
tion" of the county, than any other journal
published within its boundaries, and this is
necessarily so from the fact that its contents
and enunciations are reflected from no merely
partisan plane; and through its medium noth-
ing is sent abroad in relation to the county
that reflects upon its moral, its political or its
religious integrity. The man who reads The
Farmer twenty, fifty or a hundred years
hence will not have to blush for the "crooked-
ness" of his ancestry, but under the influence
of those mysterious cycles which often char-
acterize the progress of eventful time, he may
rediscover something that is beneficial for him
to know and which intervening generations
may have reglected or forgotten.
"How is The Farmer sustained ?" is an
inquiry more often and more anxiously made
by people abroad than bv those at home. Out
of the one hundred and thirty thousand inhabi-
tants of Lancaster county, the half of whom
at least are farmers, the subscription list of
their local journal should number /iff thousand
at least; aiid it will attain to tliat number as
soon as the spirit of that query — "Is not this
the carpenter's son V"— made nearly nineteen
hundred years ago is dissipated, and men
begin to look at home and within. The atti-
tude of tlie agricultural interests of tlic county
and country is assuming sucira prominence
that they cannot well afford to dispense with
their local representative journals.— Ayricofa
in Examiner and Express.
MONTHLY REMINDERS.
In the Middle States, the season for garden-
ing is drawing to a close; indeed, it is limited
to the preservation of roots, and the hardier
vegetables for winter use, and such operations
as may be preparatory to another season.
Now is a good time to transplant fruit and
ornamental trees, shrubery, <!tc. On loamy
and light land, we prefer decidedly fall plant-
ing; on heavy soil, or where the subsoil isclay,
thus retaining the moisture near the surface,
Spring man be a more favorable season; and
it is also generally esteemed the best for ever-
greens.
Asparagus beds, winter dress. Beets dig
and store. Cabbages place in safe quarters.
Carrots dig and store. Celery earth up
finally, drain vacant grounds if needful.
Ilorsc-radish dig and store for convenience.
Onions in store, examine. Parsnips di^ for
convenient access. Salisify ditto, &c. From
the Ist to the '20th of this month, according to
locality, the Winter supply of turnips should
be cared for.— Lamlreth^s Rural Register.
We welcome to our columns again our es-
teemed contributor, A. B. K. of Safe-Harbor,
who, through physical indisposition, has been
absent from them for some months. We hope
that his health lias been permanently restored,
and that he may be able to scatter abroad the
seeds of agricultural knowledge for many
years to come. We know his contributions
have been much esteemed by our knowing
readers, who will be equally grateful for his
return. AVe sorrow, however, to think that
the physically and intellectually strong men
of our county are so remiss, and cast the bur-
dens of literary responsibility upon the shoul-
ders of the weak.
Communications.
For The Lancasteh Fabmeb.
A VISIT TO HERMAN STRECKER.
Being in the city of Heading, recently, I
recollected that it was the home of Herman
Strecker, whose name is known wherever
the study of Natural Science is prosecuted or
recognized. Yielding to the desire to see this
indefatigable student of nature, I consulted
a directory and found Herman Strecker, mar-
ble cutter, number and street of his residence
designated. Upon inquiring at his hou.se, we
were directed to the marble yard, where we
met him in working dress, much dusted with
marble dust. He is tall, good figure, eyes
blue-gray, heavy beard and moustache, two-
thirds gray, though but forty-one years of age.
He has made a speciality of the order Lepi-
doptera.
The butterflies and moths of this order
must be ranked amongst the most elegant
objects found in insect life, the delicacy of
form of most of the species, the charming
contrast of colors in the wings of others,
while some seem studded with pearls, or gems,
or gold or silver. None who have had the
pleasure of seeing the almost unrivaled col-
lection of this gentleman will wonder that he
164
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[Novembei',
is au enthusiast, a devotee. I was .so fortu-
nate as to be invited to inspect his treasures;
his museum is quite private. Time with him
is of the utmost value; he worlds ten hours
every day for a salary; every evening is spent
in the study, never retiring before one or two
o'clock, and he has continued tliis practice
for twenty-five years. lie began to collect
when a boy; his fascinating study became his
ruling passion. Earns money to get the
means to enrich his museum and library. He
has expended twenty thousand dollars on his
cabinets of specimens. The library is very
valuable, containing the old and new in scien-
tific works in Latin, Greek and English.
Nothing has been paid for tine bindings, blue
and gold, and gilt-edged volumes; many are
in paper covers; the study is a small apart-
ment and looks smaller from the way it is
crammed. Books ranged on shelves from
floor to ceiling around three sides of the room,
the cases of drawers containing his specimens
are ranged through the centre of the room,
only space enough between to open the door;
the foremost case encroaches on the writing-
table so closely that a segment of a circle is
cut out to admit of opening the door, the table
being of white pine, without paint, baize or
oil-cloth; no uselessly fine furnitm-e has been
spoiled, for the cost of it would procure some
rare exotic of a moth. I was shown three
specimens of Papilio antennce, which sometime
since cost ninety dollars, and the pleasure de-
rived from their possession is keener than so
much money invested in Queen Anne styles
of furniture. Some of the insects are interest-
ing because of their rarity. A C'olias Boothii
was taken in the second Ross expedition.
This is probably the only specimen extant; it
is not very pretty; dun color with dots
and markings of a darker shade. Every
known or accessible part of the globe is repre-
sented: Finland, China, Japan, Africa, Aus-
tralia, Central and Soutli America. This
collection numbers sixty thousand specimens,
and is third largest in the world of the order
Lepidoptera only. In the collection from
("hina is seen those wonderful imitations of
the leaves; the mimicry is quite startling; even
the midrib and reticulated venation are preser-
ved; what seems a twig to which a pair or two
of dead leaves are attached, or small bunch of
oak leaves, is a perfect insect; even the tliighs
are foliaceous, some are bright green. It is
asserted by the natives where they are found
that these insects are all green at first and
change color with the foliage, but they are
different species. They have the significant
family name of Phyllidce. The subject of
this article, whose labors are very imperfectly
noted, for his correspondence, home and
foreign, is very largo, and I have no list at
hand of his publications— is a noteworthy
example of what might be accomplished
in a lifetime. Never one of leisure; en-
gaged ten hours every day in the marble-
yard, all this labor has been accomplished in
the hours usually given to recreation and
sleep. But how does his health stand this
strain of eighteen hours out of twenty-four ?
Very much better than if addicted to nightly
visits to the taproom. He says his health is
perfectly sound. One sort of work seems to
be an antidote against the exhaustion or
fatigue of another.— Lydia D. Zell, Oct., 1879.
COLORADO.
A New Mining Camp on the Western Slope
of the Rockies that Rivals Leadville
in Riches.
Pitkin, Colorado, Oct. 27, 1879.
This is a new mining camp of recent discov-
ery, situated on Quartz creek, about five
miles from its head, in the county of Gunni-
son, and about twenty-five miles northeast of
Gunnison City. It is one of the most beauti-
ful and convenient town sites on the western
slope of the Rocky Mountains. Most of the
discoveries in this region have been made
since February last, some of which a/e ex-
ceedingly promising. The best mines discov-
ered thus far, lie within a radius of about
four miles. The character of the ore as far as
developed, is remarkable, and exceeds in rich-
ness those of the famous Leadville Camp.
Among the most promising mines are the
"Fairview," recently sold to Mr. Nathaniel
Slaght, of Michigan, assays from which run
un into the thousands, and the "Silver Islet,"
anew strike, showing wonderful mineral, at
a few feet below the surface. There have
been assays made from all parts of this won-
derful vein, and the general average was
found to be between 160 to 170 ounces to the
ton. Among the other promising properties
maybe mentioned the "Silver Age," acontin-
uation, or extension of the Silver Islet, a mine
which will doubtless prove equal to the latter;
the "Red Jacket," the "Black Cloud," the
"New Dollar," the "Iron Cap," and the
"Terrible;" the latter a lode "rich in free
gold, and carrying at the same time a remark-
able rich vein of silver and galena.
The ores found thus far at Pitkin are easily
treated, and are not what are properly termed
"dry ores." A number of sites for smelting
works have already been taken up, and there
are parties here now who are going to put up
a "smelter" this fall. One of the great ad-
vantages of this mining camp is its accessibil-
ity. AU the roads to the south are open for
travel, and loaded teams can come in and go
out in every month in the year. According
to present indications there is not a doubt but
that we sliall have a booming town here
before the opening of the coming spring.
About six miles from here are the "Hot
Springs," equal in medicinal qualities to those
of Arkansas. A wagon road is now being
made to that point, and capitalists who visit
Pitkin can avail themselves of a fine opportu-
nity of enjoying the benefits of these springs.
The owners of the hotel are also building a
road from their mines down to town, and
erecting buildings over their mines, so as to
keep the work going all winter. The mines
are at an elevation of about 12,000 feet alwve
sea level. Prospecting will soon cease for the
winter, and those who intend to remain in the
mountains will soon get in the necessary
supplies to last until spring, and work their
prospects. In order to work a prospect
during the winter it is absolutely necessary to
have a good, comfortable house or cabin over
the works. Judging by surface indications,
this is said to tar exceed any portion of the
Gunnison country, and surpasses any portion
of Colorado. The Fairville bids fair to
be equal to anything in Colorado now, except-
ing the famous "Bassick," of Rasilea. What
Leadville is to the Eastern Slope Pitkins will
no doubt be to the Western.
When I arrived here last spring from Lead-
ville, there was hardly half a dozen cabins,
whilst now there are nearly a hundred, the
larger number of which have been built since
the first of August last. Since folks on the
outside have convinced themselves of what is
here, capital has made a path directly to us
on all sides. The Denver and South Park
Railroad made their survey through here
some time ago, and their intention is to push
the road through to Pitkin as quick as they
possibly can.
About fourteen miles from Pitkin is the
Fuonichi, which receives the waters of Quartz
creek, and is also a tributary of the Gunnison.
This is one of the finest hay bottoms in the
Gunnison country, and its waters abound in
trout. The stream is settled up from its
mouth to its head by ranchmen, and tiiey
furnish butter and other farm produce of an
excellent quality. Such game as deer, ante-
lopes, bears and elk abound in considerable
numbe)-s, to say nothing aliout the feathered
kin was formerly called QuaHzville, a name
that was temporarily derived from Quartz
creel; on which it is located.
From the rajiid manner in which towns
grow up in this State, when they are located
in the vicinity of paying mines, and from
present indications, it would not be irrational
to prophesy that Pitkin, before long, will be
a county seat, and literally a "city on a hill,"
having an altitude greater than any other in
the American Union. H. A. R.
Contributions.
writing our camp, and those
around Pitkin generally, are assuming a bet-
ter appearance than they have had since their
foundation. The way to reach Pitkin and
our camp from Leadville, or the east, is by
way of Alpine, across the main range.
It is presumed that every one at all posted
in the geography of Colorado, knows that Pit-
For Tb
AN EXPERIENCE IN DRAINING.
The need and usefulness of draining low or
wet soils is denied by none, and no doubt
there are hundreds of acres in many sections
that would have this desirable improvement
made but for the diflBculty of gettmg the drain
tiles.
It seems to be one of the anomalies of busi-
ness enterprises that drain tile makers do not
advertise their wares. How many farmers
have ever seen grain tiles advertised in their
regular weekly paper? Even the agricultu-
ral papers seldom contain such advertise-
ments.
There are many excellent works on drain-
ing, and it is very desirable before commen-
cing operations to consult such a work, on
account of the many hints which may be
gathered. But with the exception of large
areas of vei-y level land it is not at all neces-
sary to employ surveyors or engineer to set
out stakes for the depth of the ditch or the
course of the drain. Waring's "Draining
for Profit and Health" is a cheap work and
will answer every purpose of those of a
higher price.
About an acre of our meadow was so low
and swampy that nothing would grow on it
except calamus and some coarse sedges.
When we once attempted to plow a surface
drain in order to lead off the water so that we
could plow up this part and destroy the cala-
mus the water ran in a stream after the
plough, .and we had quite a difficulty at some
places, as the ground was so soft and yieldiug
that the team became alarmed and did not
want to cross such spots. We then concluded
to drain it the succeeding spring.
The first difficulty we experienced was to
gain an outlet of sufficient depth, as the brook
that flows along the lower end of the meadow
was scarcely eighteen inches below its surface,
and a drain should be at least four feet deep
to work to good advantage. The neighbor
below us now came to our help by deepening
his part of the brook to guard against an over-
flow, and we were enabled to start in at a
depth of about three feet; this soon increased
to the required depth as the ditch advanced.
We determined by eyesight the greatest
depression, and run the drain along that,
using stakes solely to give as much straight
line as possible, and nothing to mark the
depth. The slope of the bottom was gotten
by digging a few feet of ditch nearly as deep
as the bottom of that last finished, and then
taking a good strong hoe and working out the
bottom to nearly a dead level, allowing only
slope enough to cause a gentle flow; after the
ditch was four feet deep more slope was
allowed,so as to keep at about this depth,or a
little more, according as the surface varied,
the object being to keep the slope of the
bottom as uniform as possible, so as to facili-
tate the laying of the drain. The drain
should be laid as fast as a sufficient length is
dug or the banks may cave in, this caving
being more difficult and more disagreeable
t J remove than the original excavation, as it in
a short time becomes like mortar. The width
of tlie ditch at the top was made about
eighteen inches and the bottom about ten
inches, though the top can be made as narrow
as twelve Indies and the bottom six or eight
inches, but it is unpleasant to work in such
narrow quarters.
It is often recommended that draining be
1879.J
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
165
iloue in tiiue ofu droulli, aiul no doubt it is
nuicli pleasiinti'i- working in the ditch at sucli
a timt than in the spriui; when the soil is full
of water. But unless .vou are one of the
heroic sort, that detenumes what should be
done and then does it, do the draining in the
spring: or anv ollu-r time that the soil is full
of wati'r, for then you can tell exactly what
is needed. If the drainiiii; is done in adrouth
you may extend tlie drain only so far as to
where water will cease to come into the ditch,,
and the ne.xt spring, or the lirst wet spell you
will discover that your work has not been
carried as far as it should have been.
Xot Ining able to get drain tiles without
much tnmlile, recourse was had to the folio w-
injj method :
A .saw-miller was directed to rip some inch
hoards into three incli and four inch .strip.s,
and these were nailed loucther in the form of a
sloped troufih (V), nailinj; the strips so thatthe
inside of the trouuh was three inches. Had
the strips been laid on each other it would
have made a light joint which was to be
-guarded auain.st. \u old leather trace, less
than a (piartcr of an inch thick was therefore
cut into inch scpiare pieces, and the pieces
laid between the edges, thus leaving a place
along the whole length of the trough for the
water to enter. These troughs were then laid
in the drain, sharp end down, at the places
where two troughs came together to make a
joint; short pieces of trough (twelve inches or
less long) were laid under so that the ends of
the main trough mbt about in the middle.
This prevented either end from sinking below
the level of its adjoining neighbor. Strips
from five to si.\ inches wide were used as a
cover to these troughs, taking care that the
joints of the cover did not meet those of the
troughs, the idea l)eing to always i)reak
jomts," as it is termed. As soon as this
cover WHS on, the earth was tilled back, and a
drain was had that worked as nice as any
drain ever made. The only objection against
it is that it will rot out in the course of some
years, while a drain made of earthen tiles is
practicably indestructible.
But why was the trough laid iii with the
sharp end down V Would it not bo (jp,sier to
lay down the wide board first and then invert
the trough over this ?
It would be easier to lay it in this manner
but it was done in the other way for this pur-
pose : If the broad l)oard was laid down and
the trough inverted on this, the surface of the
bottom I'f the drain jiipe — as it might be
termed now — would be some "3 inches or more
wide and when little or no rain had fallen for
some time, the water would be extremely
shallow on this bottom, and move very slug-
gislily, allowing all sand and other heavy for-
eign matter to sink to the bottom, and in time
close up the drain. On the other hand with
the sharp part down a very little water soon
makes a brisk curri-nt and carries all such siit
to the outlet.— ^1. B. K.
COPTIS TRiFOLIA, SALISB,
Three-leaved Gold Thread; Mouth Root.
This interesting' littU^ plant derives its name
from the (Jreek woid '-/vi/jz/.s" to cut, allud-
ing to the divided leaves, and its eoimnon
English name "Gold-thread," from its long,
bright yellow, bitter fibres of the root. The
leaves are evergreen, shining, obovate-wedge-
form, sharply toothed, obscurely 3-lobed, scape
1-tlowered, sepals 5-7, petal-like, deciduons.
Petals 5-7, small, club-shaped, hollow at the
apex, stamens 15-25. Pistils 3-7 on slender
stalks. Pods divergent, with three parted
root-leaves, tlowers small, white. An old au-
thority says the name Coptis is derived from
the Greek word sKimla, in reference to the cut
leaves. Mr. Salisbury changed its generic
name given it by Linnajus, which was IkUf-
horiia trifnliun, liifVering, however, in having
a caducous corolla, &c.. forming anew genus.
Tliis plant, although much sought for, is
rarely found outside of shady and cold boggy
situations. 1 met with it at Ilauch's Gai) —
above the cold springs and other sections of
Lebanon cc. Pa. We are informed that the
dark sphagnous swamps, which iu the north-
ern parts of our continent are covered with a
perpetual shade of firs, cedars and pines, are
the favorite haunts of this elegant little ever-
green. The oldest situations seem to favor
its growth, and it flourishes alike in the mo-
rasses of Canada and Siberia. On our highest
mountain tops it plants itself in little bogs
and watery clefts of rock, and perfects its
fructilicalion in the short summer allowed in
tho.se situations. Our Alpine regions of the
White mountains foster it among the Uiaptn-
sia and Azuhvs of Lajiland, the blue Mf„zi-
esla, the IVa-nml .Mpine Hnlr„s and other
plants of liigh iicirthcrn latitudes: it forms the
link of botanical connections between the two
mis
Here we have a delicate plant to all appear-
ance, thai will not abide hot-liouse culture,
nor open sunshine — but has to be sought for
in solitary, damp and cold situations; hence I
presume it is hard to raise or cidtivate. .John-
son in his Gardener's Dictionary— says of
Coptis— (the^ only mentioned species "tri-
fnlia,") •■Tlie iiKits ot this plant are used in
the United .^lalcs medicinally, under the
name of 'Gold Thread." Ilanly, herbaceous
perennial, division of the roots and seeds;
sandy, peaty soil; requires the protection of a
cold 1)11 in winter." I cannot see why it
should need such a protection. As to its
medicinal ]n-oiierties. Dr. J. Bigelow in his
American Medical Botany (1817) says : "The
root of this plant is a pure intense bit-
ter, scarcely modified by any other taste. In
distillation it communicates no decided sensi-
ble (piallty to water. The constituent with
which it most abounds is a bitter extractive
matter; soluble both in water and alcohol. It
seems destitute of resinous or gummy por-
tions, since the residuuni from an evaporated
solution In alcohol is lead ily dissolved in water,
an<l vice ver.sa. It Is devoid of astringency
when chewed iu the month, anil it gives no
indication of the presence of tannin or gallic
add, when tested with animal gelatin, or
with sulphate of Iron." Dr. B. gives other
tests and experiments. "Of this arll<de,"says
the Doctor, "larger ipiaidities arc sold in the
druiTLiists' shops in Boston. Ilian of almost any
indigenous pnxluctlon. Tlie demand for it
arises from its sui)pose(l elticiicv a- a local a))-
lilication in aphthous, and dthri iilreral ionsof
the mouth. Its reputation, iiouevii-. in this
case is wholly unmerited, since it po.ssesses no
astringent or stimulating quality, by which it
can act on the ulcerated siwts." Now, there
are sometimes otlierelements come in |)lay,that
may be new to our experience; hence even a
I)opular belief, usually has some foundation.
He admits, however, that "Aa a pure tonic
hitter, capable of Htrengtheinng the viBCera
and promoting digestion, it is entitled to rank
with most articles of that kind now in use.
Its character resembles that of Geiilian,
(^wmsid and ('nlwiiho, being a simple bitter,
without aroma or astringency. The tinc-
ture, made by digesting half an ounce of the
bruised roof in eight ounces of diluted alcohol,
forms a preparation of a line yellow color,
possessing Hit whole bitterness of the pinnl.
In case of dyspepsia and convalescents it is
very satisfactory. Ten to twenty grains in
substance, is a" dose and rests well on the
stomach. Dr. Grillith says the CojttiH teita is
peculiar to India, and is much esteemed
among the natives as a tonic and stomachic,
and from the experiments made with it by
Mr. Twining It would appear to justify the
high character that has Ik-cu bestowed upon
it; and adi's, it very closely resembles the
Ci)])lh trifiilia In Its sensible qualities and
medical properties. This may appear of no
special interest to farmers in general, but no
one meeting this elegant little plant could
help to notice it; and the beautifully golden
yellow roots, when taken uj), would arrest at-
tentlou, and a desire to know more about it ;
to me, in mv bolanlcal rambles, known only
from having seen It lignrcd and de8eril)ed,
so that when I met with it, it afforded me
as much joy as if I had found an humble,
worthy friend in a solitary place, of whom I
had heard much, and desired to make him a
pcreonal acqnaintencc.
I a.ssure you it was a welcome contribution
to my dry garden — and oh, how eagerly I
gathered a number of specimens, and what
satisfaction it afforded me to press and pre-
serve the specimens, in ray herbarium. Those
who observe and seek to know the plants that
flaunt themselves by the wayside, or seek the
solitude and reveal" themselves only to those
that seek them out, this description with its
illnstration may not be unacceptable as an
object lesson.— J. Siauffa:
Essays.
*CALIFORNIA.
That the world moves is as manifest, if not
more .so, on the distant shores of the Pacific,
as it is anywhere el.sc on the continent. The
lieople are infused with a goaheadtiveness,
such as you fail to find in the Ea.st. It un-
questional'ly is dueto the extraordinary energy
and perseverance of the people, that they have
made such advances in the several industries,
esiiecially iu the practical pursuit of agricul-
ture.
Not more than a generation ago the now
great State of California was yet a wilder-
ness, liittle did the pioneer then dream of
how civilization would spread itself and in
the near future convert the then almost un-
known teiTitory into the prosnerini; and flour-
ishing young empire which California really
is to day.
Topographically speaking, Califi rnia is the
most peculiar State in the American Union
to-day. No other State can lx)ast of so many
natural divisions.
California to-day contains within her geo-
graphical limits '.IO,ROO,(W( acres— almost one
hundred million acres. A piece of territory
three and a half times as larire as the Stiitc of
Pennsylvania, lar<:e enough to make one hun-
dred and sixty Lanea-xfer counties. Although
she is a sma'i empire within herself in her ex-
tent of territory, there is no other siiotof that
size in the whole world that can boast of the •
same number of varied interest*, that com-
prises so many natural divisions, interspersed
bv so many natural wonders and curiosities.
This Empire State of the Pacific coast has
•Head Ixsforetbe Lancaster Couuty
ticultural Sooiel J. by John H. Landli
166
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ November,
her isolated volcanic peaks, her towering
domes of granite, steep and awe-inspiring
mountains, deep and fertile valleys, desolated
plains, spacious bays, navigable rivers, beauti-
ful waterfalls, inexhaustible mines, forests of
giant trees, such as are nowhere else seen—
these, all these are hers.
She is yet a youthful state, liaving been ad-
mitted into the Union in 1850, only 29 years
ago. Although 29 years of age, she to-day
has a population of 700,000 souls, over one-
seventh of whom are Chinese. I have it from
the best of authority that there are over 100,-
000 Chinese on the Pacific coast to-day. I
have but a word to say of the Chinese. They
are noted for their industry, economy, sobri-
ety, are true to those in whose employ they
are, are of a well behaved and peaceful dispo-
sition, kind in their manner, are very prompt
in the payment of debts; and perhaps more
than any other people, are disposed to interfere
with or molest no one, and attend to their
own business. There are 30,000 of them in
San Francisco alone, mostly engaged in the
laundry business and peddling fruit and vege-
tables. I'd put them up against the world as
laundrymen. It is to John Chinaman that
San Francisco owes it that she is the cleanest-
collared and best starched-bosomed city on
the continent. John is a perfect laundry. He
is hard on the clothes however; he does not
rub them as a Pennsylvania wash-woman
does, but with a brush made of very stiff
bristles he scrubs them, &c.
One morning I met an old "forty-niner, as
he called himself; he came to California in
1849, and he told me that he had no idea then
that in the red, sunburnt soil in that country,
there could ever be raised either crops of
grain or of vegetables. He said he stood there
in a land of desolation, hundreds of miles
beyond the pale of civilization, kicking the toe
of his boot into the sand and wondering what
such soil was made for anyhow. That very
spot to-day is part of the richest valley on
this continent. When the old forty-niner
came there he never dreamt that in less than
thirty years from then, in that same valley,
he would see steam used as a motive power in
ploughing the ground and threshing the splen-
did crops of grain. Would a man have told
him then that would he live thirty years and
visit that same place and there see machines
that could head and thresh and clean and bag
2,000 bushels of wheat per day, he would with-
out any hesitation have put down the man
who told him so as a confirmed lunatic. And
why should he not, when there are persons
in this room here to-day who cannot help but
doubt the truth of my assertion when I say
that this is actually the case ? Nevertheless
it is true. The wheat is not cut close to the
ground. The heads are merely taken off and
the straw left on the field.
When the glad tidings of the discovery
of gold reached the east, it gave a stimulus to
immigration to that country. Since the day
when the first particles of gold were discov-
ered in the tail-race of Sutter's .saw-mill, in
the county of El Porado, many of our most
progressive, persevering and energetic young
men in the land came here and cast their lot
in this empire of mineral and agricultural
richness, and have built up one of the wealth-
iest and greatest states in our union. During
those thirty years California has minted
millions of its gold, her farms have raised
billions of bushels of wheat, corn and barley,
and millions of bales of alfalfa. Her orchards
annually yield in abundance the most luscious
fruit the world produces, her vineyards cover
thousands of acres in which grow the finest
clusters of grapes found in the markets, and
above all she raises a crop of boys and girls
who in a few short years will merge into
manhood and womanhood in whose counte-
nances are visible such evidences of health as
are seldom seen. It is no wonder indeed that
California has escaped the effects of the recent
panic of '7.S as she has, and it is almost
impossible for one to see how there could be
any possible complaint of hard times, or how
business could be depressed, the crazy state-
ments and wild theories of the uncouth
bellower of the "sand lots" to the contrary
notwithstanding.
Plant the counties Alameda, Butte, Colusa,
Contra Costa, El Dorado, Merad, San Joaquin,
Santa Clara, Sonoma, Sutter and Yolo amid
the glens of Scotland, among the Alps or the
plains of Lombardy, within the dykes of Hol-
land, and give to it a population of Germans,
Swiss, Italians, Belgians or Austrians, make
them the owners of the fee of the soiI,aad they
would consider themselves immeasurably
blessed with unthought of riches, and they
would never dream to complain of hard times,
as the people of the East are so apt to do
when they are not only blessed with the
necessities of life but are enjoying so many of
its luxuries.
Popular education is on the asceiuleut in
California, although the adoption of the new
constitution has given it a backset; yet I have
reasons to believe that in the near future the
constitution will again be revised, and steps
will be taken to bring the thousands of chil-
dren in the state who are growing up in utter
ignorance into the schools and educated. It
may surprise you how large a percentage of
the children do not attend school at all.
After I tell you, you will be still more sur-
prised that Dennis Kearney has no more
followers than the last election indicates.
There are to-day 136,000 children of school
age in California, of these 73,000 go to school,
although some of them but a small portion of
the year, while 63,000 do not attend school at
all. Think of it, 63,000 children growing up
in ignorance. Is it a wonder the brayer of
the sand-lots has the following he has ?
Take those children into the schools, educate
them, and you will make such citizeus out of
them that when they come to exercise their
rights to the elective franchise they will sweep
Kearney ism from their state and it wiil forever
be a stranger in their midst.
Garden vegetables grow with a luxuriance
that is not found elsewhere; beets, radishes,
squashes, pumpkins, onions, cabbage, aspara-
agus, melons, citrons, beans, peas and twice
as many others which do not grow with us,
and hence know very little of.
Cabbages weighing 15 lbs. are wonders in
N. Y. In San Francisco they are common;
whole fields of cabbage heads weighing 20 lbs,
each have been grown, and hard solid heads
with no loose leaves, weighing forty-five and
fifty-three lbs. each, are on record. One cab-
bage which did not make a head grew to be
seven feet wide, throwing out leaves three
and a half feet long on each side.
The largest squash produced in California
weighed 260 lbs., and the vine which l>ore it
had several others weighing over 100 lbs.
each. E! «where 60 lbs. is a very large squash,
and there is scarcely a record in the Atlantic
States of a greater |Weight than 100 pounds,
which has been frequently surpassed here. In
1857 one squash vine on the ranch of James
Simmons, in Yuba county, produced 130
squashes weighing in all 2604 lbs. In the
same year J. Q. A. Ballon, at San Jose, grew
two squashes weighing 210 and 204 lbs. respec-
tively.
The largest California onion weighed 47
ounces avoirdupois, and measured 22 inches
in circumterence.
The largest beet weighed 118 lbs— five feet
long, and a foot in diameter. It was three
years old. The first it grew so large that
because of its size it was reserved for seed, but
it disap7)ointed its owner, and instead of
producing seed the next year, merely kept on
growing, and reached the size of 86 lbs., and
the following year got to 118. Such beets
can be grown in abundance. A. beet of 20
lbs. is a wonder in New York or Loudon;
here it is too common to attract more than a
glance. Beets are frequently from 3 to 4
feet long so that it requires no little trouble
to dig them out.
The largest common turnip weighed 26 lbs;
largest carrot 10 lbs. ; largest watermelon 65
lbs. ; largest tomato measured 26 inches in
Circumference.
Our vegetables grown in the open air are
in the market during a greater part of the
year than any other of the United States.
We have cabbage, lettuce, turnips, beets, car-
rots, cauliflower, parsnips, radishes, horse-
radish, celery, green onions, leeks, salsify and
parsley throughout the year; green peas,
beans, watermelons and cantaloupes from
June to November, tomatoes from May to
October; Lima beans and sweet potatoes from
June to September; asparagus from March to
July. Our tables are thus supplied with a
great variety of fresh and wholesome vegeta-
bles throughout the year. Garden vegetables
may be left in ground all winter. Potatoes
are sometimes not dry until January, and
turnips and beets are generally left in their
beds until they are to be sent to the market;
there is never enough cold to freeze them.
Fruits. — As a fruit growing State, Califor-
nia takes a high position. In no part of the
world do fruit trees grow so rapidly, bear so
early, so regularly and so abundantly, and
produce fruit of such large size. Peaches,
pears, apples, apricots, nectarines, plums,
olives and strawberries are thrifty, healthy
and productive.
In the California orchards fruit trees are
trained low, the lower limbs being within a
foot, or at most two feet of the ground. Men
do not walk under the trees or cUmb after the
fruit. The advantages of low training are
that the trees bear earlier, the trunk is shaded
and protected against the disease called sun-
scald; the earth about the roots is kept moist;
and the trees are protected against the wind.
The trees are planted much nearer together
(only half as far apart) in most instances than
in the Eastern States. This is an additional
protection against tlie sun and wind. The
ground is ploughed several every summer and
is kept clean.
Fruit trees in California are generally as
large at two years old as they are in New
York at three or four years. The instances
of unusually rapid growth here are without a
parallel elsewhere. Cherry trees have grown
to be fourteen feet high in one year, pear
trees 10 feet, peach trees to have trunks from
two to three inches in diameter. These were
all f r(Jm buds on yearly stocks, and were well
provided with branches — not trimmed to gain
height. At Petaluma, a cherry tree two
years old from the graft, and three years old
from the seed, had a trunk 7| inches in cir-
cumference, a plum tree three years from the
seed was 11 feet high and had a trunk seven
inclies in circumference; and a peach tree one
year from the bud was eight feet high and
eight and a half inches in circumference.
Apple orchards begin to bear fruit the
second or third year.
In Alamedo county plum trees have grown
twelve feet in one year from the bud.
Abundance of fruit. — Of the temperate fruit
trees California'has over 4,000,000. 1. 2,450-
000 apple trees; 840,000 peach trees; 360,000
pear trees; 243,000 plum trees; 122,000 cherry
trees; 31,000 nectarine trees, 78,000 apricot
trees; 19,000 prune trees. Total 4,143,000.
2. Of the sub-tropical fruit and nut trees
there are 252,000, including 60,000 almond
trees; .58,000 English walnut trees; 50,000 fig
trees; 39,000 orauge trees; 38,000 oUve trees;
7,000 lemon trees. Total 252,000.
3. Besides these, 30,000,000 grape vines,
14,000,000 strawberry plants, 1,000,000 rasp-
berry bushes and 500,000 blackberry bushes.
In all there are 44,500,000 trees, vines, plants
and bushes bearing fruit or nuts, covering an
area of more than 100,000 acres, or nearly
half an acre in fruit for every man in the
State.
4. The trees generally are in good condition;
Cherries and plums are not troubled by the
curculio, and apples are free from worms.
Grrqjes. — California is a favorite land of the
grape. The grape vine supposed to be the
largest in the world is at Montecito,near Santa
Barbara. It is of the Los Angeles variety,
was planted in 1795, has a trunk 15 inches in
diameter and its branches are supported by an
arbor 115 feet long and 78 feet wide. It has in
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
i67
a favorable year borne four tons of grapes,
but is now losing its vigor and will probably
not live much longer. The state has a num-
ber of vines whicli bear 2000 bunches annually.
(hdnijm.—K good tree, ten years old, will
bear 1000 oranges annually ; and the average
price of tliese, delivered at the orchard, varies
from SIO to »30, or $500 to .f 1,500 per acre.
Strawberries are cultivated extensively in
Santa Clara county for San Francisco market.
The best fields of vines in their third or fourth
year will yield from 4000 to GOOO pounds per
acre, and the wliolesale price in San Franci.sco
is about 0 or 7 cents ])er pound, makinc; a
gross yield of $210 to .*420 per acre, the
cost of picking is 2 cents, of railroad freight
4 cent, drayage in San Francisco ^ cent, and
commissions 8 percent. The amount of straw-
lierries received is sometimes from (iO.OOO to
70,000 pounds daily, indiciil ins a lively con-
sumption for a city of 180,0(1(1 inluibitants.
Strawl)errics are usually grown on tlie shares
by Oliinamen, who give half the crop for the
land. As the vines produce nothing the first
year, and the Chinamen are poor, the land-
owner usually loans his credit for provisions,
and clears SlOO per acre. Six Chinamen do
the work in ten acres of strawberries, except
in the picking season, when three extra men
are employed to the acre. Strawberry fields
have fallen into the possession of the Chinese
within the last five or six years, and the profits
tif the landlords are greater than under the
old system of paying wao;es. It would he im-
possible to grow the berries profitably without
Celestial help, and, except in a few moist
spots, without irrigation.
OrnatiicnUd Gardens. Professional garden-
ers say tliat California is better fitted by
nature than any part of EuVope or the Atlan-
tic slopes to have beautiful ornamental gar-
dens. The shrubs are more numerous, grow
larger, remain green longer, and Iiave a longer
blooming season than tliose of other States.
The rose, daisy, pansy, oclyssuni, clyanthus
l>etunias, verbena, hollyhock, Ethopion lily,
bloom here in the open air every month in the
year. The honevsuckle and myrtle bloom
"from March to Christmas ; the geranium and
snowball from April to October; the violet
from Oct. to May, and the camelia, japonica
from January to May. Among the creeping
vines grown in California is the Australian
bean, which has a dense, bright, evergreen
foliage, and abundant llowers throughout the
year. It climbs stiings, and is therefore well
suited to shade verandahs and to grow in the
front of porticoes.
The rose, honeysuckle, veronica, oleander,
lanrastiuus, japonica, verbenas, may safely be
said to make twice as much wood in a year
as they do on the Atlantic coast. The gera-
niums" in San Francisco are almost trees. Rose
sprouts often grow twenty feet in a season,
and other i)lants in proportion.
Arh(,n'ri(lturc. The cultivation of forest
and shade trees is yet very limited in California.
For timber purpose s the blue gum or eucalyp-
tus is iirelerred on iiccount of the rapidity of
its growth and the hardne.ssand durability of
its wood. The black locust grows rapidly but
it gives trouble by the numerous sprouts that
rise from its roots. The sycamore, cotton-
wood, Lombardy poplar, the ailanthus and
California maple are used for shade. A dis-
tance from the coast, where the summers are
not very warm and shade is not much needed,
tlie Monterey cypress and the pine are pre-
ferred on account of their beauty and regu-
larity of growtli.
The largest vineyard of the State is that of
the Bueno Vista Vinecultnral Association,
which has 300,000 vines near the town of
Sonoma. B. D. Wilson, at San Gabriel, has
200,000 vines ; L. J. Rose, near the same
place, has 130,000 ; Matthew Keller, at Los
Angeles, 100,000. In Capo Valley, 36 miles
west of Sacramento, there is one of 100,000 ;
Pi. Chalmers, at Coloma, has 100,000: B. N.
Bugbey, near Folsom, 100,000; S. L. Wilson,
near Sacramento, 75,000. Most of these vine-
yards are planted with 700 or 800 vines to the
acre.
AjJple.s. Apple trees are generally planted
from fourteen to eighteen feet apart. The
reason is to prevent injury by the wind and to
keep the eartli moist by shading it against the
sun. The IVuit usually grows larger here
thiui else whnr. The Glorio Mundi, which
.seldom exiicils t'ourteen ounces in weight, in
California friciuently reaches twenty ounces
and some have attained the great size of two
and even two and a half pounds. The flavor
of apples here is not quite equal to those
grown in the Atlantic States. They are less
juicy and more mealy. The best varieties, .so
far as ascertained, about the bay of San
Francisco are the Summer Pearmain, Red
Astraehen, June .and Early Harvest, for early
apples; the Porter, Gravenstein and Summer
Queen for late summer ai)ples; the Baldwin,
Roxbury Russet and Rhode Island Greening
for fall apples; the Golden Russet, Northern
Spy, Yellow Newtown Pippin, White Winter
Pearmain and tlu^ Spjt/enberg for winter
apples. The best eider apjile is the Smith's
Cider. In Sacramento Valhy the Newtown
Pippin, Swarr and Rawli.s .hannette, are con-
sidered the best winter apple; on the slopes
of the Sierra Nevada, from 1000 to 3000 feet
above the sea, the Spitzenberg and Wine Sap
are preferred. Of the ai)ple trees in the State
1.200,000 are in Santa Clara county, 200,000
in Sonoma, 00,000 each in Alameda, Sacra-
mento and El Dorado.
Peac/if.'!.— The varieties generally preferred
are the Late and Early Crawford, Late Ad-
mirable and the Smock.
Apricots.— The apricots thrive well and
bear abundantly. The apricot tree is more
healthy than the peach, and produces more
abundantly; its fruit supplies the place of the
peach in many districts.
Pears. — The pear is the most healthy and
productive of the fruit trees of California. It
thrives in all parts of the State, and every-
where its fruit is delicate in flavor and large
in size. There are pear trees at San Jose
which produce 2.500 pounds, or 40 bushels
each, of fruit annually. The varieties most
prized are the Madeline, Bloodgood. Diane
d'ete, Deerborn's Seedling, Seckel and Bart-
lett for summer pears; and the Winter Nelis,
Glout Morceau and Easter Beurre for winter.
California has 3,500,000 acres of cultivated
land, upon which she raised last year, 17,000,-
000 bushels wheat; 6,100,000 bushels barley;
3,000,000 bushels corn; 1,400.000 bushels oats;
200,000 bushels rve; 10,000 bushels buck-
wheat; 1,000,000 bus. peas; 450,000 bus. beans;
220,000 tons Irish potatoes; 8,000 tons sweet
potatoes; 200,000 bushels peanuts: 130,000
bushels onions; 900,000 tons hay, 30,000 tons
beets; 3.000,000 pounds hops; 1,300,000 pounds
flax; 300,000 pounds tobacco; 150,000 pounds
cotton; 16,000,000 pounds wool; 1,500.000
pounds honey; 6,000,000 pounds butter; 3,000,-
000 pounds' cheese; 6,200,000 gallons wine;
300.000 gallons brandy.
This is a great beer drinking state, hut I am
unable to give you the number of gallons of
beer brewed. You can form a faint idea
however, when I tell you th.at according to
the returns filed in the United States internal
revenue collector's ofllice of the fir.st district of
California, which embraces the City of San
Francisco only, there were 260,780 barrels of
beer sold during the year 1878.
Mining.— The annual products of the
mines of California may be thus stated : gold
$20,000,000; quicksilver $3,000,000; silver
81,000,000; coal »800,000: lead $300,000; cop-
per SIOO.OOO; borax $100,000; asphaltum $.50,-
000: sulphur $.50,000. Total $ 25,400,000.
Climate.— YoM frequently start out in the
morning, chilly as December In Pennsylva-
nia, at eight o'clock you unbutton tlic upper
buttons of your coat, at nine vou unbutton all
the way down, at ten you take it off and put
on a light one, at eleven you take off that one,
at two it commences to gi-ow a little cooler
again, and you put on the light coat again, at
three you take it ofi"andput on your heavy
coat, at four you button up again, at five you
are buttoned up to your chin, and if you arc
out on the street you will be as cold as blazes
until you get warm in bed, and you won't get
warm there if you have a lighter cover than a
heavy woolen blanket. Yet it is rarely that
the thermometer falls as low as 32 degrees
Fahrenheit (freezing point.) The number of
cold nights in sau Francisco, those in which
the thermometer fell to 32 degrees, numbered
seventy-four during twenty years, less than
four to the year on the average. Of these
seventy-four cold days, twenty-four occurred
in December, thirty-tliree in January, eleven
in February, four in March, one in April and
one ill May.
January is the coldest month in California,
having an average temperature of forty-nine
desrrecs. .September is the warmest month,
and has an average temperature of fifty-eight
degrees. October is as warm as July, and
some years it has been warmer. In June,
July and August heavy, wet, cold mists,
come up from the sea at six o'clock in the
evening and continue until eight or nine
o'clock in the morning. In the winter these
fogs are very rare and in these respects
winter is the pleasantest season of the year on
the Pacific coast.
The average temperature of Spring is 54
degrees. The average temperature of Sum-
mer is 57 degrees. The average temperature
of Autumn Is .56 degrees. The average tem-
perature of Winter is 50 degrees.
The following table indicates the average
temperature each month in the year in the
State of California.
At sunrise. At noon.
January,
February, -
March, ... 48
April, ... 49
May, - - - 50
June, - - - 51 " 68
July, - - - - 52 " 67
Aui;u6t, . - - 53 " 67
September, - - 5.3>i " 69
October, ... 53 " 68
November - - 49 " 62
December, - . 45 " 55
65
Average,
49>^
Selections.
THE NEW YORK SEED LEAF MARKET.
The Tuhiu-i-o Jnurnal say.sof the market and
last week's sales : "Pennsylvania of the '78
crop is slowly looming up again as an article
of trade In our market. It will be dealt in
vigorously before much time has elapsed. It
must be bought because it is and will be
wanted. Those that sold this week profess to
have made no money out of it, a declaration
which finds hardly any disbelievers. Ohio of
the '78 crop also sold in limited quantities,
while but little '78 Connecticut changed
hands. In 1879 Connecticut purchases, a
standstill is perceptible. Farmers claim that
it is owing to the weather, which permits no
examination of the crops. We claim that
packers have come to their senses, and that
in future they will not pay extraordinary high
prices. We repeat our last week's remarks
regarding the '79 Pennsylvania. Growers
there need not give tobacco away— they can
expect reasonable prices, but not such as they
received last year. The crop is too large for
that. Many of our exchanges, seemingly, are
dissatisfied with the decisive way in which we
offer our opinions and advice. We state the
condition of things as we find them and draw
such conclusions therefrom (which, as we
need hardly say, are inevitably unbiased) as
our long experience enables us to. Those
that heretofore have taken our advice found
us correct and gained by it. Last week's
transactions sum up as follows :
Pennsylvania— Crop '77: 200 cases, small
parcels, fillers, 13 ceute, wrappers 40 to 50
cents.
Crop '78 : 1,000 cases running; reported 14
to 16 cents (?)
Connecticut— Crop '78 : 400 oases, 17 to 20
cents.
Ohio— Crop '78 : 630 cases, 10 to 12i cents,
running.
168
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ November,
Wisconsiu— Crop '78 : 72 cases, p. t.
Havana — Transactions in '79 arrivals con-
tinue brisk. Quotations for them in bond ;
Remedios, 45 to 48 cents; Partido, 46 to 50
cents; Vuelta Abajo, 55 to 65 cents. The
remainder of 1877 stock sells easily at former
figures; '78 moves in small parcels.
Sales for the week.
Sales of seed leaf tobacco reported by J. S.
Gans's Son & Co., tobacco brokers, Nos. 84
and 86 Wall street, New York, for the week
ending Nov. 10 : 600 cases '78 Pennsylvania,
fillers, 8K3!9ic; assorted lots, 10|@16c; 50
cases '77 Pennsylvania, wrappers, 18(5 30c;
400 cases '78 New England, ll@30c; 50 cases
'78 state, p. t.; 1,500 cases '78 Ohio, 6(S14c;
93 cases '78 Wisconsin, p. t.; 100 cases
sundries, 9@17c. Total, 2,793 cases.
STARTING A FLOCK OF SHEEP.
The increasing interest in sheep husbandry,
consequent upon the advance in wool, gives
this industry more prominence among farmers
than it has occupied for several years past.
We would, however, advise caution and dis-
cretion in this, as in all other branches of
farm economy. It is with this, as with
other callings; a sharp upward turn in the
price of a given product, often induces a
stampede in that direction, and the result is,
that it is soon overdone, prices fall by reason
of over-production, entailing losses and dis-
appointments, in greater or less degree, to
those who rushed into the business without
due consideration and judgment.
While we are certain that the present con-
dition of the wool market is not due to specu-
lation, but is on a substantial basis, and that
prices will not only be maintained, but will
very likely harden still more before another
wool clip comes in, there is little doubt that
there will be a large increase in the crop next
spring. It is well to recollect that the stocks
of woolen goods in the country before the rise
in the staple last spring were very low. The
prospects for fine crops and a market abroad
for all of our surplus food products, together
with a return of confidence upon the heel of
resumption, caused a revival in all branches
of business, and the woolen industry was
among the first to feel its influence. A
demand, strong and extensive, sprang up for
woolens; which has been kept up, and will no
doubt continue. Of course, the price of wool
was stimulated and as long as the present
rate of consumption of the staple continues it
is not likely that it will decline. There is
still room for many millions of pounds of
home-grown wool to supply the reciuirements
of our people for woolen goods and manufac-
turers, and besides, the foreign demand for
mutton gives the subject of sheep husbandry
additional importance, as the American Stock-
man has hitherto frequently pointed out.
That more sjeep will be raised is now certain,
and we are gratified that an impetus has been
given to the business. To get the best
results, however, requires thought and care
from first to last. Those wlio have had much
experience in the business well understand
this fact, but to such as have not hitherto
given it much attention a few suggestions will
hardly be taken amiss.
In the first place, it is important to start
right. Loss of time, money and labor may be
avoided by beginning with the right kind of
stock. By tliis we do not refer to a)iy partic-
ular breed; we mean that the foundation
sliould be good, young, healthy, vigorous
sheep. Every fall many common sheep are
disposed of to the butcher for mutton, and
among them are frequently found young ewes
which are suitable for breeding to a good
buck. In selecting them, uniformity in size,
*ige— yearlings are old enough— and general
characteristics should be kept in mind. This
will give a uniformity in the flock and the
progeny, wliicli will be of great advantage hi
the outcome, as every experienced breeder
knows.
When a sufficient number of such ewes
have been obtained, they should be bred to a
thoroughbred ram, and no other. Whatever
breed may be the choice of the buyer,—
whether Cotswold, Southdown, Merino,
Leicester, Sliropshiredown, or other sort, —
let it be a pure-bred sheep by M means; and
the best way to get such a ram is to go to an
honest, well-known breeder of the kind wanted,
who will not risk his reputation by selling a
ram he represents as piu-e-bred, unless it is of
undoubted purity. This course will secure an
animal that will stamp his characteristics on
his progeny. His valuable qualities will be
transmitted to his get, and when he has been
in use two years, the breeder should sell him
and get another of the same kind, or better,
but of course of the same breed. Rams should
be changed every two years, and after breeding
the ewes two years let them go also. Thus a
very fine flock of sheep may be produced in a
short time, — one which will be profitable to
its owner as well as a credit to his intelli-
gence and skill.
This, it is hardly necessary to say, is upon
the supposition that the sheep are well taken
care of, which includes proper feeding and
good general management.
It may be thought that the price asked fin-
thoroughbred rams is too high for the majori-
ty of farmers to pay, and fancy prices — or
what may be called such— may deter some
from purchasing a good ram. It may be well
to ascertain the terms of a number of pro-
fessional and well-known breeders, and to
purchase where a good animal of undoubted
purity of blood, vigorous and sound in every
way, can be had for the least money; but no
considerations of false economy should ever
be allowed to weigh a feather between a good
and bad ram. Good animals cannot be had
for scrub prices; it has cost too much to pro-
duce them. They represent a value, so far as
the future of the flock is concerned, so far
above a scrub, or a grade, that a comparison
is absurd. — American Stockman.
PASTURE FIELUS— THEIR RENOVA-
TION.
Looking over an old pasture ground this
fall, we are tempted to tell what its appear-
ance told us. If it has not told the same tale
to others, we are much mistaken, and when we
see so many pastures as this one was, we sup-
pose there must be many more deaf ears than
attentive ones in tlie world. This particular
piece said to us that it was really desirous of
trying to turn its talents to some account, but
that it was found to have rolled them up in a
napkin. It called us to witness that at least
four-fifths of its legitimate ground had been
stolen from it by coarse weeds, that not a
hungry cow would eat, and so much of what
was free from these thieves was plastered
over by the excrements of animals, as to
make the product unfit for cattle food. And
we found it so just now. On the higher parts
of the ground the worst part of the herbage
consisted of oxeye daisies and butter-cups,
around which the cows had picked a bit here
and there. In the bottom land most of the
herbage consisted of asters, golden rods, iron
weed, rushes and coarse sedges. The cows
were almost hidden by the weeds' luxuriance,
and how ever it could pay to keep such a pas-
ture as this was a mystery to us. Yet this
land, probably ten acres, was on a property
which the owner held at four hundred dollars
per acre. Now taking the whole utilized
product of this lot as we saw it, it would cer-
tainly do no more than keep one cow for a
year, so that the interest of four thousand
dollars, besides labor and etceteras, went to
support one cow. Our friend is one of those
who believes that soiling cattle does not pay.
There are some objections to this plan we
know, and we have done our share in point-
ing them out, as the duty of weighing both
sides which public journalism imposes on us
calls for. But if such specimens as this was
all the advocates of pasturing had to depend
on, there would be no question as to which
was the best side.
Our terrestrial informant clearly showed
that with a very little care it was good land
The high needed a little manure at'times and
the lower needed ditching and draining. It
would cost but little to do, and when done at
the very lowest two tons of good hay to the
acre would be the result. Now the product
of this, at the lowest figure for hay, would
be the interest of six thousand dollars at
least, or considerably more than double that
which it was. Not more tlian a quarter of
this would have been required to keep a cow
on the soiling plan, while another quarter
would have been paid for the extra labor, the
other half would have probably been profit.
The simple breaking up of a lot like this, so
as to clear out the coarse weeds, and the little
improvement required to bring a good growth
of grass, is equal to a saving of two hundred
dollars a year, even at the owner's estimate
of four hundred dollars an acre as the value
of the ground. — 6 ermantoxvn lelegraph.
The sharp frosts and trying winds which
are common at this time of the year admon-
ish us of the severe weather that will soon be
upon us. A ride over a portion of country a
day or two ago brought to mind the lack
which exists on many farms of comfortable
quarters for domestic animals. This is not so,
however, in all cases. There are provident,
humine farmers in all this region by scores who
have provided warm stables and barns wherein
to house their stock, and protect them from in-
clement weather. The contrast presented, how-
ever, in a neighborhood is striking. On one
farm you will find barns and stables construct-
ed so as to combine comfort and utility, having
every convenience and appointment calculated
to render the care of stock easy, expeditious
and perfect. Nothing seemingly, has been
overlooked, and there is an air of complete-
ness and humanity about the premises which
is pleasant to contemplate. We are forcibly
reminded, in the language of the aphorism,
that 'a merciful man is merciful to his beast. "
Humanity, in the first instance, should in-
cite the owner of useful domestic animals to
provide shelter and suitable food for them
during the winter season; but on tlie score of
economy a prudent man understands what is
for his interest in this behalf. He knows that
warmth and a sufficient quantity of good food
given to his stock every day represents money.
It has value in dollars and cents; it touches
the pocket.
A decade has wrought a wonderful change
in this behalf in most of the western states,
but there are yet very many farms, we regret
to admit, on which the old order of things
may be seen. A n old shed or two, or perhaps
a rickety old stable or barn, with broken win-
dows and wide cracks between boards, is the
only protection there to keep out the pierc-
ing winds and driving snows; and in some
other instances the lee side of a straw stack
or a corn crib is the only protection afforded
to the shivering, suffering brutes whose mis-
fortune it is to belong to so pitiless an owner.
In this climate it is a shame for any man who
l)retends to keep domestic animals to subject
them to such treatment. Such a condition of
things should never be found on the farm, nor
should the miserable structures,such as we have
referred to, which are a travesty and a bur-
lesque upon the name of shelter, be tolerated.
While we are glad to know that cases of this
character are becoming fewer from year to
year, it cannot be denied that they are far too
common, and that there is considerable room
for missionary work for our humane societies,
whose specialty is the prevention of cruelty to
animals.
It would appear that on the score of econo-
my alone the necessity of providing proper
shelter for stock would be apparent to every
man. Warmth represents food , vitality and
health, and in the case of young animals,
growth also. Profit in live stock lies in the
direction of improvement. Deterioration is
loss, and it is a loss which rejiresents more
than is apparent at first view. When animals
are kept in a healthy, thriving condition
during the winter by proper food in kind and
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
169
quality, and good care in other respects, tlioy
come out of winter quarters In the sprinj; and
start off with the now season in a condition r.o
realize to th.Mi- owner all Hint ■■an or niav be
they are s.i n'dueed that weeks nnist elapse
ere they reach a point approxiniatiug the con-
dition wliich good care an<l management
would have secured. It is a dead loss which
represents tiinc and money, in tlie case of each
animal, and luisan inlhiencc iil'iiMitimes inthc
progeny of such slock, which represents a
value that cauunt lie coniputeil. — Anicricun
IStiK-hmn.
AMERICAN BUTTER AND CHEESE IN
ENGLAND.
Col. Robt. M. Littler, of Davenport, Iowa,
is the Secretary of the national Butter, Cliecse
and Egg A.ssociation, lie is an inteiliiieni,
active, energetic man, ftdly alive to the im-
portance of the great industries to which his
time and talents are devoted, and a very val-
uable man to (he interests whicli foituiialfly
receive his .services. Tie was a d.legal.^ IVomi
this country to the rulcrnalioiial Dairy Kair
held in London this year, and kept his e) es
and ears open not only while there, but during
a somewhat extensive trip to several marts of
trade in tireat Britain. The other day he
was at the Dairy Board of Trade in Elgin and
gave some account of his triii. lie returns
home fullof hojie and enthusiasm in regard lo
the futur.; of the butter and cheese interests
of this country so far as the foreign trade is
concerned, but exhorts dairymen to strive to
make good articles of both; for that iiuality is
t'le only kind that can be disposed of in Great
Britain. We are pleased to know that Col.
Littler emphasizes this point. He tells us
plainly that poor goods are not wanted over
tliere. It is idle to suppose that anything but
OSS and disappointment will attend the ex-
portation of poor butter and cheese. There
is always a demand for good goods, and the
evidence of Col. Littler goes to show that the
better the quality the quicker they sell. By
making first class articles a far larger quanti-
ty of dairy products from this country can be
disposed of in foreign countries at fair, remu-
nerative prices. It is by no means compli-
mentary to us that but about five per ceut.
of butter made in this country is of that
grade.
Col. Littler visited stores and markets in
several large cities, and found American
cheese at all of them. It sells there from six
to sixteen cents, according to <piality. Since
his return a marked improvement in prices
has occurred. He was informed that the
people there relished American cheese fully
as well as the English article. We have .said
repeatedly that our exjiort of dairy products
can be vastlv increased by raising the stand-
ard of quality of the bulk cjf our make, and
this is now all that is re(iuired to render this
industry one of the most profitable in which
our people are engaged.
Col. Littler added a word at Elgin for the
success of the International Dairy Fair, to be
held in New York city in December next. We
join in urging daiiyineu here and elsewhere to
send samples of their products, as this lair
will draw a large number of foreign buyers,
and therefore an opportunity will be afforded
for the inspection of goods which producers
will do well to imiirove.
This fair will be held during the second
and third weeks in December next. It
will be the seiMind exhibition of the associa-
tion held in Xew York, and extensive prep-
arations are being made to render it far more
interesting and useful than its predecessor, or
any similar exhibition which has occurred.
at least, in this country. The entiic Ameri-
can Institute has been engaged in order to
provide ample room for tlu' display of dairy
products, utensils, etc. No facility will he
lacking for the manufacture of butter and
cheese on a large scale. In order that any
machinery may be seen in motion which it is
desirable to thus exhibit, ample motive power
will be employed. Another feature, which is
novel in connection with such exhibitions in
America, has been arranged for, and that is a
sh.iw of dairv cows, a provision for space hav-
ini; been made, and as a ixooelly number of
breeders have sJunilied their intention of being
on hand with stock, it is more than probable
that this department of the exhibition will be
among its most interesting features. We un-
derstand that th.' pidspects of a large and
varied display of foreign dairy products are
very good,— a result of the "elVoi-ls of Col.
Littler and other geMlleman who have been
abroad and enlisted foreigners in the enter-
prise.
The premium list ha.s not yet been announ-
ced, but that it will be liberal and varied
there is no room to doubt, embracing all
classes of desirable goods. As usual, |)apers
in connection with dairying will be read from
eminent sources, and discussions held on
prominent topics pertaining to this interest.
Those who wish any information in regard to
this .■xbiliit, other than is here given, can
address the .secretary of the executive com-
mittee, Mr, T. Mortimer Seaver, iJOO Green-
wich street. New York oily.— American
Slnrkliiiln.
MANAGEMENT OF HORSES.
The horse is, and will remain In this coun-
try, the main sonrci' of power on the farm.
In some |>arts of ivn-opi; steam power is used
on a few lar^i' estates, but the horse, after
all, is the main dependence there as well as
here. This noble animal has been the servant
and the friend of mau from a period beyond
the records of history. In peace and in war
he has alike been serviceable and, indeed, in-
dispensable to the human race. Ilis intelli-
gence is greater, and his nature higher than
any other species of the brute creation.
Under varying conditions of treatment and
care, he is found in various types and forms,
adapted to every use in which his services are
required, from the fleet Arabian, and the
English thoroughbred, to the immense
Percheron and Clydesdale. These diverse
types and forms are the result of breeding and
numagement, and demonstrates what may be
done by systeuuitic, careful breeding and
management.
The mass of farmers in this country have
hitherto pursued, at best, a wretched policy
in rearing horse stock; or perhaps it would be
nearer the truth to say that they have fol-
lowed no policy at all, but adop'ted a hap-
hazard, bit or nii.ss, (tonrse in breeding with
results which niiglit have been f.u-e.seen. A
want of judgment and discretion in coupling
sire and dam has left a stock of nondescripts,
of almost every form and disposition. It is
but proper to say, however, that a marked
improvement herein has been going on within
a few years in the west, (and it is this jiortion
of the country to which these remarks speci-
ally apiily.) In the caily days in this region
the i)ioneers could only use such sires of horse
stock as were within their reach, and the sons
of these men followed In iheir footsteps until
within a comparatively recent period. With
such limited opportunities, of couree, there
could only result a mongrel class of horses,
with now and then a fair animal in size, style
and action. But, as we have said, within a
few years a marked change has occurred and
IS now going on. With the rapid develop-
ment of the country, the growth of towns and
cities, bringing a demand for horses for
various uses, thisluaneh of rural economy has
necessarily attracted more attention. ' Tl\e
in<iuiry for horse stock in towns and cities is
rapidly increasing. Driving horses, for bug-
gies and carriages, fleet roadsters, and fine
steppers are in demand, as are also heavy
Ileuses of great strength and good action.
\\\i\ this demand must .always exist. The
service's of this useful animal are ever in
demand and ever will be, and its magnitude
gives this branch of stock raising a signifi-
cance which, in its way, is as important as
any other. We must have horses— horses for
a variety of uses, requiring different types
and styles. We must raise thoroughbreds —
the blood horse proper, ns distinguisliud from
other lireeds— and the horse for general pui-
poses ; wi' must have light harness heirsesand
roadsters, and heavier, stylish b.ir.s.s lor car-
riages ; we euigbt [o rai.se anel use more saddle
boi-si's; anel last, but neil least, luravy draft
Ileuses, wbe.se- Weight, size and muscular
peiwei- :Hla|.i liieni especially for lieavy work.
All these- ela-esof horses can be prexluced of
excellent leuin imd style' as easily ii.s the mon-
grels that are' now raised by thcmsand.s. Wo
need not rely so nnich upein foreign countries,
becau.se already men of foresight, enterprise
and means have imported and reared horses
to breed from in large numbers. To these
horses and their progeny we may look for a
rapid improvi'iiii iit of thi' horse .stock of the
ceiuntry, an.l e'spei'ially of the' West. But in
this, as iiie-viiy eitluu' biauehof live stock hus-
banelry, it is eif prime' iiii|ieutauce to breed
only freim full blood sire's, and to select dams
well sniteel for breeding the style of animal
desireel. A fe'w goeiil teip-crosses will give, if
judiciously manageil, a horse possessing the
form and chaiacter of full blood animals, and
thus in time-- and not a very long time either
—the poor, abnsiil infeiior horsc^s which are
to be seen everywlii re' among western farmers
maybe siippleini'iite il by a class eif horses of
the variiuiseh'siralile breeels, which will add
very materially tej the wealth eiflhe individu-
al breeders, as well as to the aggregate wealth
of the country.— .dnier/cau ISlockiuan.
WHAT A DEED OF A FARM INCLUDES.
The following is from an address of Hon.
Eilnumd 11. Bennett, delivered before the
Massachusetts .State Board of Agriculture:
"Of course every one knows it conveys all the
fences standing on the farm, but all might
not think it also included the fencing siufl',
posts, rails, I'te:., which had once been usi'd in
the feiK'c liut had bee n taki'ii elowii and piled
up feu- futiiic ii>.e again in thi'.same place. But
new feiie'ing material just benight and never
attached to the seiil weuilel not pass. .So piles
of heieip peiles, steireel away, it once used on
the lanel have be'cii e'.insieh're'el a part of it; but
loose beiarels eu' scalleilel pe)les laid clo.sely
across the beaius e.t the barn and never
fastened tei it weiuld neit be and the .seller of
the farm miglil take them away. Standing
trees, of course, also pass as part of the land;
so do trees blown or cut down and still left iu
the woods where they fell, but not if cut and
corded up for sale ; tlie wood has then become
liersonal property.
"If there be any manure in the banij'ard
or in a compost heap on the field, ready for
immediate use, the buyer ordinarily takes
that also as belonging to the farm, though it
might not be so if the owner had iireviously
.sidd it to some other party and had collected
it together in a heap by itself. Growing crops
also pass by the deed of a farm, unless they
are expressly reserved, and when it is not in-
tended to convey those, it should be so stated
in the deed itself; a mere oral agreement to
tiiat effect would not be valid in law. Another
mode is to stipulate that po.ssessiou is not lo
be given until some future day, in which case
the cre>p3 or manure may be removed liefore
that time.
"As to the buildings on the farm, though
generally mentioned in the deed, it is not abso-
lutely necessary they should be. A deed of
lanu ordinarily carries all the buildings on it
beleiiiging to the grantor, whethi'r mentioned
en- iieit ; and this ruU' includes the lumber and
timber of any old building which has been
taken down or bleiwn down and been packed
away for future use eui the farm.
•'But if there be- any buildings on the farm
built by some thirel persein, with the farmer's
leave, the eleed weuilel iieit convey these, since
such biiililings are perseinal [iroperty, and do
not beleeiiu' tei the laneiowner to convey. The
real owners ther.'e.f might move them off,
although the purchaser e.f the farm suppo.sed
he was buying and iiaying for all the build-
ings on it. Ilis oidy remedy in such a case
would be against the party selling the premises.
i70
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[November,
As part of the buildings conveyed, of course
the window blinds are included, even if they
be at the same time taken off and carried to
a painter's shop to be painted.
"It would be otherwise if tliey had been
newly purchased and brought into the house
but not yet attached to it. Lightning rods
also go with the house; if a farmer has any on
his house. A furnace in the cellar, brick or
portable, is considered a part of the house,
but an ordinary stove with a loose pipe
running into the chimney is not, while a
range set in brick work is. Mantel pieces so
attached to the chimney as not to be removed
without marring the plastering go with the
house, but if merely resting on brackets they
may be taken away by the former owner
without legal liability. The pumps, sinks,
etc., fastened to the building are a part of it
in law, and so are the water-pipes connected
therewith bringing" water from a distant
spring. If the farmer has iron kettles set iti
brickwork near his barn for cooking food for
his stock, or other similar uses, the deed of
his farm covers them also, as likewise a bell
attached to his barn to call his men to dinner.
If he indulges in ornamental statues, vases,
etc., resting on the ground, by their own
weight merely, and sells his estate, without
reservation, these things go with the land."
WHEN TO SELL.
Every one who is engaged in any depart-
ment of agriculture or manufacture is sup-
posed to have from time to time something to
sell or exchange. On the disposition of this
surplus depends the supply of all articles that
the person does not raise, embracing all im-
plements and improvements of every kind
that require an outlay. Hence it is a matter
of moment that the sale of these thin s be
made at the time the best price, all things con-
sidered, will be obtained. Is it possible to be
certain of this time ? In general, no. There
are many articles that constitute exceptions.
Those that cannot be conveniently preserved
must, of course, be thrown on the market at
once. Others that are in demand in certain
seasons only, will be governed by the season's
trade. But the most common and valuable
products of human industry are always in
market, and yet are subject to frequent fluctua-
tions in price. Such are the leading products
of the farm and most of the useful manufac-
tures. As to these no fixed rule can be given,
but the following suggestions will commend
themselves to the prudent :
One should keep himself informed of the
state of the market, especially in places ac-
cessible to him, and as fer as practicable in
places whose trade affects directly his local
market. The best way to secure "this, is to
take and read good papers, that give not only
the tabular market statements, but also intei-
licent and impartial comments and counsels.
When necessity compels one to sell, he can
only submit, regardless of prices; but in all
other cases he ought to govern him.self con-
sistently by reasonable probabilities. Unless
in the face of a comparative certainty that
there will be no advance, economy plainly
forbids the disposal of a commodity at a price
that is not more tlian its cost to the jiroducer.
Business cannot live on losses. A certain far-
mer, who always prospered, made it a rule to
sell everything he could spare as soon as it
was in marketable condition. He never made
much at one time; but he avoided all risks of
rogues and fires, all injuries by vermin and
weather, all the trouble and expense of pro-
tracted storage, all the reduction of shrinkage
and incidental waste, and he was receiving
money now and then through the year.
It is safe advice to say that every one should
be content to sell at a reasonable profit. To
wait for very large prices is dangerous policy,
and especially as to the necessaries of life,
very bad morals. Wliat man nmst have, his
fellow-man should be willing to furnish at
r.itps that are not exorbitant or oppressive.
Business should never violate the principles
of magnanimity and true ch-diitj.—Bural
New Yorker.
Our Local Organizations.
LANCASTER COUNTY AGRICULTU-
RAL AND HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.
The reg:ular monthly meeting of the Lancaster
County Agricultural and Horticultural Society was
held in their rooms in the City Hall, on Monday
afternoon, November 'i.
The meetins; was called to order by the President,
Calvin Cooper.
The following members and visitors were present :
Calvin Cooper, Bird-in Hand ; Joseph F. Witmer,
Paradise; A. B. Groff, West Earl; Daniel Smeych,
city; J. C. Linville, Gap; M. D. Kendig, Manor;
Jacob Bollinger, Warwick ; C. A. Gast, city ; F. R.
DifTenderffer, city ; J. M. Johnston, city ; C. H. Hos-
tetter, Eden; JohnH. Lan4is, .Manor; Mr. Broom-
eal, Christiana ; Henry M. Engle, Marietta ; Wash-
ington L. Hershey, Chickies; Amos Eshleman,
Paradise ; William McComsey, city ; Peter Hershey,
city; S. S. Rathvon, city, Johnson .Miller, War-
wick; Casper Hiller, Conestoga ; Christian L. Hun-
secker, Manheim ; And. Frantz, Wabank ; Webster
L. Hershey, West Hempfield ; Simon Hershey,
Salunga.
On motion the reading of the minutes was dis-
pensed with.
Mr. Peter Hershey was proposed and elected to
membership. He signed tlie constitution.
Report on Artificial Fertilizers.
J. C. Linville, from the Committe on Artificial
Fertilzers, said the committee had not yet met, but
he had made some investigations for himself. He
tried three kinds of fertilizers on wheat. They were
the Star Phosphate, the High Grade Nitro and the
Crop Grower. The application of the first named
two gave good results. They were drilled in with
wheat, about 200 pounds to the acre ; the yield was
six or seven bushels per acre more. That which was
drilled in gave much better results than that which
was harrowed in. When only a small quantity is
used it seems much the best to drill it right along
with the grain, so that it can reach the roots. The
cost was $4 per acre. The Crop Grower proved a
failure.
Calvin Cooper also sowed some of the Crop
Grower fertilizer broadcast and derived no benefit
from it.
Peter Hershey said his experience was like Mr.
Linville's. He sowed phosphate on the surface but
it did little good ; on grass, however, it gave good
results. When drilled in with wheat it increased
the yield. This is the only way he has derived benefit
from artificial fertilizers. He had been prejudiced
against these manures, but has now changed his
mind.
H. M. Engle applied fertilizers to corn for two
seasons and the effect was marked. He used Nitro
phosphate. This fall he used South Carolina phos-
phate on his wheat and the result, of course, cannot
yet he foretold. He knows nothing about the Crop
Grower, but he would not condemn it from one trial.
On other soils it might have done better. He thinks
the drill sowing may show more immediate efi'ects
and the broadcast better afterwards. We must know
what our lands require. If we know that we cannot
go far wrong in getting just the thing we want.
Some ingredients produce their best effects in the
spring jind others in the fall. A single year's ex-
periment is not sufficient. One may do well in one
crop and not in another. These points must all be
considered. He alluded to a report made by Prof.
A. F. Allen before the State Board of Agriculture,
at its recent meeting at Mercer, on this very subject,
and to be published in the next Agricultural Society's
report.
J. C. Linville thought the members ought to read
a work by Joseph Harris on manures, a most valu-
able and exhaustive work. Farmers have not time
nor money to try these experiments for themselves ;
they can avail themselves of the results obtained by
others.
Peter Hershey said an Englishman raised wheat
for thirty years successively off the same land by
sowing about eight hundred pounds of fertilizers.
Weather Reports.
H. M. Engle said the cool weather has checked
the ravages of the fly. The rain fall for October was
2% inches.
In Manor township the rain fall was l'^ inches, as
reported by M . D. Kendig.
An interesting discussion here ensued on rain-
gauges in general, some contending that the ordinary
gauge is not a true one.
California.
John H. Landis, who had been put down for an
essay, read a very lengthy article on California, in
which the various productions, diversified interests,
people, climate and other things belonging to the
Golden State were told.
On motion of M. D. Kendig, the thanks of the
society were given to Mr. Landis for his essay.
In answer to a question he said there was uo rain
fall from June to September, and that the fields are
irrigated by water pumped from wells and cisterns
and conveyed to the fields by pipes.
Heading Trees Low.
M. Kendig asked why we do not head our trees
low here, as is done in some other places.
H. M. Engle said it had several advantages. The
trees were more shielded from the winds ; the fruit
was more easily picked, and the ground is not dried
out so easily. Through the west trees are branched
low.
Referred Quetions.
Ephraim Hoover, to whom was referred the ques-
tion, "What kind of horses are most profitable to
the farmer ?" being personally absent, sent a brief
essay on the subject, as follows :
"This question I shall try to answer from my own
experience and observation. For the farmer to con-
fine himself to a heavy stock of horses does not
meet his ends for practical purposes. If, for in-
stance, he selects heavy breeds, adapted for heavy
draught only, and on the other hand, if he breeds
from stock of light build and great speed entirely,
they are not adapted for farm purposes. The sug-
gestion then naturally comes, that we should select
or breed such stock that combines both qualities.
For instance, cross heavy stock with light stock,
noted for speed and gentleness. This gives the farmer
a stock of horses adapted both for roadsters and
reasonably heavy draught, making a breed of horses
that will do more work on a farm, move with more
ease and also be more adapted to be taken from the
heavier farm draught to a light pleasure carriage. I
would, therefore, have a breed of horses for farm
purposes that combine draught with speed— good
size, well boned, with a cross of English blood-
weight from eleven hundred to thirteen hundred.
This is my idea of the horse for practical farm pur-
poses, after a number of years of experience with
the different breeds."
Joseph F. Witmer thought we needed fast walkers
on our farms. They can easily be followed and get
over the ground much more quickly than slow ones.
He liked the Morgan horses as well as any.
H. iM. Engle also thought we ought to have bet-
ter walking horses. We either have slow or fast
ones. The custom was to put colts into a four-horse
team or into a plow to be broken, where they ac-
quired a slow gait. This is wrong. Put them in a
wagon and you will remedy the matter.
Dr. Rathvon, who was charged with the payment
of the premiums won at the late fair, made his re'
port. He made a report showing how much he had
paid and how much remained unclaimed. All who
have not lifted their premiums have forfeited them,
the time for so doing having expired. The sum of
$26.50 was accordingly paid into the treasury.
J. C. Linville thought a colt ought to be ridden to
make fast walkers. Our farm horses are too small.
We want larger, heavier horses; that is the kind we
must raise if we want to sell them. We need large
mares to breed from. We are apt to run after fast
travelers. A good business can be done by growing
heavy horses.
Jacob Bollinger agreed with Mr. Linville. It is
our own fault that we have no fast walkers. He
bought a slow horse and by riding him daily he in-
creased his walking gait almost one hundred per
cent. He believed in heavy horses. They cannot
only walk fast but do heavy work better than light
animals.
J. F. Witmer did not agree with the advocates of
heavy horses. Besides they eat much more than
smaller ones, and thus cost more for feed.
W. L. Hershey did not favor light horses. A
heavy horse is to be relied on in emergencies. A
good strong team is required to break up heavy sod.
There is more demand at the present time for heavy
horses. They sell better. They have more endur-
ance. A horse for driving purposes should be kept,
and he ought not as a rule to be used for heavy
draught purpos
H. M.Engletl
horses. H« believed the four horse teams wouU
soon be things of the past. In other States two
horse teams are almost exclusively used. The day
has gone by for heavy horses for farm purposes.
Calvin Cooper gave his experience in which a slow
walker was taught by a companion to become a fast
walker. He was opposed to heavy horses.
J. F. Witmer thought it did not pay most farmers
lo keep a roadster; they could not afford to keep one
for that purpose alone.
The Most Profitable Crop.
"What branch of farming will pay best?" being
referred to C. H. Hostetter, he admitted his inability
to answer it. It could not be answered to suit all
men.
C. L. Hunsecker said this depended on circum-
stances. Some make money out of hay, tobacco and
wheat, but tobacco seems latterly to have been the
most profitable. Some make money out of one
thing, and others fail completely at the same thing.
Out in Spring Garden there were twenty-eight still
houses kept going by distilling apples, which made
apple growing profitable; but that was many years
ago.
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
171
Jacob Bollinger thought we ought to dl6CU68 this
question thoroughly. Corn gave him the beet
results. He has never had less than 00 bushels and
this year he got 69 bushels to the acre. Wheat does
not give him so good a profit. If he could get any
thing more profitable than corn ho would grow it.
He feeds nearly all his corn.
H. M. Engle said all depends upon circumstances.
One can do best with one crop and his neighbor with
another. Market gardening pays better even tlian
tobacco.
New Business.
New business being in order, Casper Hiller Said :
Pearl Millet has with me during the past season
by no means come up to what we were led to expect
from the glowing accounts that seed dealers gave of it.
It was said that iu fortj-fivc days after planting It
would grow to seven feet high, that it could bo
mowed ^three times a season, and would aggregate
from eighty to one hundred tons of grass fodder, that
would cure fifteen Ions of dry feed. In forty-Uve
days after planting, mine was nearer seven inches
than seven feet. But then it commenced to grow
and by midsummer, at the time it was cut, it was
about four feet high. The second growth was some-
what better, and was ready to cut about the ist of
October. I made no estimate of the quantity pro-
duced. Tlie seed did not come up regular.
From my experience with the plant I would infer
that two mowings a season is all that we can make.
That with good seed and a good season it will yield
more forage than any other millet, and probably
more tluin Indian corn, and will besides be easier to
handle than corn.
H. M. Engle agreed in part with Mr. Hiller about
Pearl Millet; he will leave it alone hereafter; he does
not believe it as good as corn fodder for stock.
Business for Next Meeting.
H. M. Engle proposed that all questions for dis-
cussion be first referred to some individual member.
The following referred questions were proposed for
discussion at the next meeting :
"What constitutes high farming !" Referred to
Henry M. Engle.
"What are the advantages of diversified farming!"
Referred to Peter Hcrshey.
"Will dairy farming pay in Lancaster county?"
Referred to J. C. Linville.
"Is stock raising profitable to the Lancaster county
farmer?" Referred to M. D. Keudig.
Casper Hiller called attention to Blunt's prolific
corn, of which he had a specimen, with four large
ears on it, at hand. Hardly any of the stalks have
less than two ears, many have four, while one had
twelve. We must have a corn that is prolific in ears
rather than large ears, if we want to grow big crops
of corn. He also gave the results of some interest-
ing experiments in root pruning practiced on corn.
Th3y were quite successful.
Fruits on Exhibition.
The Committee on Nomenclature made the follow-
ing report :
Lawrence pears, from W. L. Hershey, fair; a seed-
ling apple, by Daniel Smeych, large size, of good
quality, worthy of propagation in case it proves a
reliable bearer.
Also a fine apple above medium size from S. b>.
Spencer, quite ^howy and of excellent quality, name
not known to cooimittee.
Apples for a name, by W. L. Hershey, of good
quality, but small. By same, apples named Kauif-
man's seedling, similar iu size and quality to those
for a name, both of which are not sufliciently valua-
ble while there are so many varieties of superior
value.
H. M. Enole,
M. D. Kendki,
Casper Hillek.
There being no further business, the Society ad-
journed.
POULTRY ASSOCIATION.
Adjourned Meeting.
A special meeting of the Poultry Society was held
on Monday morning, Oct. 20, in the Society rooms,
the President, Rev. D. C. Tobias, in the chair.
The following members were present: Rev. D. C.
Tobias, Lititz;~J. B. Lichty, city; Wm. Shoenberger,
city; Charles E. Long, city; Charles Lippold, city;
Frank R. Diffendcrfl'er, city; H. H. Tshudy, Litilz ;
J. B. Long, city; T. D. Martin, New Haven; Frank
B. Buch, Lititz; Jacob A. Buch, Lititz; G. A. Geyej-,
Spring Garden; J. A. Stober,Schoeneck; Eli J.Barr,
Lititz; J. R. Trissler, Lancaster; Obadiah Kendig,
Lancaster; William Krump, Oregon; J. M. Johnston,
city; David M. Brosy, Manheim; Miller Fraim, city.
On motion, the reading of the minutes of the last
meeting wai dispensed with.
Reports of Committees.
W. H. Schoenbergerjreported having visited some
of the landlords of the city relative to procuring sub-
scriptions. He found a disinclination to do so. They
prefer to take tickets when the proper time comes.
Rev. D. C. Tobias reported that efforts were in
progress to secure proper and competent judges,
but he was not ready to make a full report as yet.
Unfinished Business.
Charles E. Long read the list of all who had agreed
to take ticke's, and the amount oftheir subscriptions.
Some of the members present who had not already
subscribed did so now. The amount is such that the
Executive Committee is now prepared to go ahead.
The money on hand is sufficient to pay all the neces-
sary charges, including the cost of coops, hall rent,
printing and all other expenses, giving assurance that
all winners of prizes will get their money and not be
sent away dieappoinlod, as has been done at other
places that might be named.
Jacob B. Long moved that as there had been a
sulliclent amount subscribed, including what was in
the treasury, to warrant us iu going ahead, the Exe-
cutive Committee be Instructed to go ahead and have
the tickets reudv lor distribution at the next meeting.
H. H. Tsliudy si^coudcd the motion, and accom-
panied it with assuring remarks, feeling satisfied
there would not be a particle of risk.
Charles E. Long suggested that perhaps members
mightbo willing to pay their yeariy dues in Decem-
ber and thus strengthen the treasury against all pos-
sible contingencies.
New Members.
H. C. Demuth, John P. Wclse, William Henderson,
Henry 8. Leibley, from the city, and Dr. J. H. Mayer,
of Willow street; F. U. Gantz, Marietta; Pierson N.
Eberly, Reamstown; Samuel Denlinger, Groff'sStoi'e;
Martin Bowman and Adam Flowers, of Mt. Joy;
Peter Hiller, of Conestoga; and Jacob H. Hershey, of
Rohrerstown, were nominated to membership and on
motion unanimously elected.
On motion the Secretary was instructed to notify
all members of the next meeting and. request their
attendance, as very important business will undoubt-
edly come up, and a full meeting is desired.
A letter was read by the Secretary from H. H.
Stoddard, editor and proprietor of the Poij^fcj/ H'orW
and the American Poultry Yard, of Hartford, Ct.,
offering the above two periodicals, value $2.00, as
special premiums for the best Light Brahma cockerel
on exhibition at the show. In addition to the above,
he made the same offer for a cockerel of each of the
following breeds: Dark Brahma, Red Pile Game,
White Pile Game, Black Game, Blue Game, Malay,
Black Hamburg, White Leghorn, Brown Leghorn,
Black Leghorn, Black Spanish, Andalusiau, Ameri-
can Dominique,Plymouth Rock, White Grcsted, Black
Polish, Crevecoeur, La Fleche, Sultan, Silky, Y. D.
Game Bantam, R. Pile Game Bantam, R. C. Black
Bantam, best pair White Holland Turkey, African
Geese, Wild Geese.
On motion, the above offer was accepted and the
thanks of the Society were tendered to Mr. Stoddard
for his offer.
Charles L. Long also moved that a special com^
mittee of three members be appointed losolicit.other
special premiums from citizens, to be offered for par-
ticular classes of birds. Carried. The President
named the following members as the committee:
Messrs. J. R. Trissler, J. B. Long and John F. Heed.
There being no further business, the Society, on
motion, adjourned.
Stated Meeting.
A stated meeting of the Poultry Association was
held in the room of the Agricultural Society, on
Monday morning, November 3, commencing at 10
o'clock.
The followmg members were present : Rev. D. C.
Tobias, President, Litiz; J. B. Lichty, Secretary,
city ; Amos Ringwalt, city ; Wm. Schoenherger,
city; F. R.Diffenderffer, city; C. A. Gast, city; J.
M.Johnston, city; Charles Lippold, city; Charles
E. Long, city ; H. H. Tshudy, Litiz ; Geo. A.Geyer,
Spring Garden ; Henry Wissler, Columbia; S. P.
Eby, cily; J. A. Stober, Schtsneck ; S. N. Warfel,
Slrasburg ; S. F. Stauffcr, Adamstown; J. B. Long,
city ■ P. .M. Eberiy, J. Hofl'man Hershey, East
Heniptield; John F. Reed, city; W. L. Hershey,
Chickies.
J. B. Long, from the committee on special premi-
ums, reported progress ; he said he had called on
several citizens, who had promised to offer special
varieties of fowls to be named hereafter.
President Tobias reported that the executive com-
mittee had secured the services of John E. Diehl, of
Beverly, N. J., and W. T. Rogers, of Doylestown,
Pa., to act as judges at the coming poultry exhibi-
tion ; and these gentlemen had very generously
agreed to make a reduction in their usual charges if
the society shall not have sufficient funds to pay them.
Mr. Lichty stated that he had waited on .Mr.
Sturgis and ordered fifty coops at ?1.50 each, with
privilege to have as many more as may be needed at
the same rate.
Mr. C. E. Long suggested that at least oue page
of the premium list should be filled with special
premiums to be offered by individuals.
The following special premiums were then volun-
teered :
S. E. Stauffer offers a trio of White Leghorns for
best pair of white-faced Black Spanish fowls ou
exhibition.
Charles Lippold offers a pair of Antwerp Carriers
for the best pair of white Calcutta Fantails.
Amos Ringwalt offers a trio of Golden-spangled
Hamburgs for best Silver-penciled Haniburgs.
J. B. Long offers a trio of Plymouth Rock chickens
for best pair of Light Brahmas.
Col. Win. L. Pelper offers $3 for best pair of
Plymouth Rocks.
Mr. Keiper offers a Bno chromo for the heaviest
chicken on exhibition.
Charies L. Gill offers a fivc-pouml iced lady-caWe
for the best pair of Black Leghorns.
Isaac Dlller offers 82 for best pair of Malay Games.
Chas. E. Long offers a pair of White Calcutta
Fantail pigeons, valued at l.'i, for best pair of Pea-
comb Partridec Cochins.
.i. W. Heluitsh offers a collection of mixed gladiola
bulbs for best pair of black-breasted red Game
Bantams.
Rhnads & Reed ofi'er a gold pen and holder for the
best Brown Leghorns.
W. J. Kafroth olfcrs a year's subscription to one
of the Lancaster dally newspapers (to be selected
by the winner) for the best pair of White Leghorns.
Mr. C. E. Long moved that the committee on
premiums be authorized to place all special premi-
ums not placed by the parlies offering them. Adopted.
John V. Reed was unanimously elected a member
of the Executive Committee vice Mr. Shrelner re-
signed.
The following gentlemen were nominated for
membership, and were, on motion, elected by accla-
mation : Hon. D. W. Patterson, Hon. John T. Mac-
Goulgle, Hon. A. HcrrSmllh,Col. Wm. L. Peiper,
Dr. II. E. .Muhlenberg, John D. Skiles, John R.
BItner, B. J. McGrann, II. Z. Rhoads, D. P. Locher,
Wm. D. Weaver, Esq., Charles Eden, G. W. Hull,
John Hull, Philip 8. Baker, Wm. Cox, A. F. Hos-
tettcr, Cupt. E. McMellen, Samuel Groff, B. F.
Eslilemau, Esq., Jacob S. Strinc, John H. Zellcr,
Chas. B. Kaufman, Esq., Lawrence Knapp, Benj. P.
Miller, James H. Marshall, Lewis S.Hartniau, Peter
8. Reist, Dr. S. A. Raudenbush, Adamstown; W.
K. Seltzer, Esq., Ephrata.
On motion of F. K. Diffenderffer it was ordered
that on payment of $1 by the above named members
and of members previously elected, who have not
yet paid their annual dues, they shall be credited not
merely with this year's payment but with payment
for the ensuing year.
On motion of S. P. Eby it was ordered that in the
absence of the corresponding secretary (Colin Came-
ron,) the recording secretary (J. B. Lichty,) shall
notify the members elect of their election.
Tickets of admission to the fair were distributed
among the members who had subscribed and paid
for the same.
Jacob H. Miller, of Mt. Joy, sent in a postal re-
signiotr his position as a member of the Executive
Committee, because of his inability to attend the
meetings regulariy. His resignation was accepted
and the vacanay will be filled at the next stated
meeting.
THE BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.
The Lancaster County Beekeepers' Association
met statedly at two o'clock Monday afternoon,
November iOth, in the parlor of the Black Horse
Hotel. *
The following members and visitors were present:
J. F. Hershey, Mount Joy; I G. Martin, Eari
township; F. C. Pyle, Drumore; PeterS. Reist, Litiz;
Elias Hershey, Leamau Place; Frank R. Diffenderf-
fer, city.
Reports.
Reports on the past bee season having been called
for, the following members responded :
J. F. Hershey, of .Mount Joy, who is one of the
largest beekeepers in the couuty, said that the
pre^sent season could not be regarded as a very suc-
cessful one. In the early part of the season the con-
ditions were favorable. There was an abundance of
flowers and the bees stored it quite rapidly. This
state of things lasted until haymaklug, say about
June :iO, when the dry spell came on, and from that
time until the present the little honey makers were
unable to do much. The season is now over, and
the honey crop has been gathered. It may be re-
garded as about half an average yield. This is not
the case in Lancaster couuty alone, but seems to be
the prevailing condition of things the whole country
over.
But there has not only been a poor honey season;
many colonies are in a [wor condition to go into
winter quarters. Cases arc reported where colonics
have already starved, not having gathered suflicient
to last them until uow. There is no question but
that many beekeepers will have to feed at least a
portion of their bees during the approaching winter.
An average colony will consume about twenty
pounds of honey or its equivalent between the time
when the honey season closes and the first of May.
Where a considerable number have to be fed this will
be quite a tax on the owners.
The Italians as usual have done better than the
native black bees. The former have in almost
every instance filled the lower box and have again
commenced work In the upper boxes, although in
some instances the black bees have done the same.
172
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ November,
The increase in new colonies with Mr. Hershey has
avenijfcd about 63 per cent., which is less than the
average, but Mr. H. gives more attention to raisins
queens than to honey orswarmiug. He started with
62 colonies last spring. He reported having raised
aOO queen bees, 1.50 ofwhieh were sold at an average
of S1.50 each, realizing in all ?225 from this source.
He also got about 650 pounds of honey, aud sold five
swarms, and now has 72 colonies with which to go
into winter quarters. All his own swarms have
plenty of honey. He will winter them in tlic pecu-
liar house, half underground, already described in
our former reports. He also submitted the following
remarks on
Wintering Bees.
This is one of the most important points in bee
keeping. Each colony should be carefully examined
before it is put into winter quarters, to ascertain
whether it has honey enough and bees enough. If it
is too weak in bees, then unite two swarms; if short
in honey, feed it. Food is prepared by taking two
pounds of ordinary coffee sugar and one pound of
water, and bringing them to the boiling point.
Protect your bees from the north aud west winds.
Take off the honey boxes and put d,u old quilt or
blanket on the top of the frames, and place on a cap
of straw. Place a protector on the alighting board,
to keep the sun off from the entrance when there is
a loose snow on the ground; if there is no snow on
the ground, leave the protector away from the
entrance and let the bees have the full benefit of the
sun's rays.
Never disturb bees when it is cold. If bees are
long in confinement when there there is a loose snow
on the ground, and there comes a warm day — warm
enough for the bees to fly— take away your protector
from the entrance, to allow the warmth of the rays to
fall directly on the entrance. Scatter straw in front
of the hives on the snow, for the distance of about
fifteen feet from the hives, for the bees to alight on,
in case any should drop down from cold or other
cause .
So soon as the weather becomes warm and bees fly
freely, al! swarms should be examined to see whether
they have queens. If some are queeuless, unite the
colonies with weak ones that have a queen. Cage
the queen about twelve hours after the colonies are
united, as they will sometimes kill her when two
swarms are put together. Colonies that are short in
honey in '.he spring, ought to be fed, for they require
a great deal of food to supply the brood in March
aud April. They consume more honey at that time
than during the three winter months.
I. G. Martin, of Earl township, started into the
honey season with twenty colonies. These have
increased to thirty. From these he has taken 660
pounds of honey of excellent quality. His colonies
are amply supplied with liuney for the winter's con-
sumption. He will put them into winter quarters
on the summer stands, as is his usual custom, with
a protection of chaff, as heretofore described.
He presented the following interesting paper:
Hints to Beginners.
In writing a few remarks upon bee culture I wish
to state in the outset that I shall not perhaps present
anything new to inany of the members, but I will
offer a few hints to beginners. The old opinion
ught by this time to be entirely exploded, that
bees will take care of themselves and
iruig us large
returns for little or no investment of capital or labor,
is still a stumbling block to prosperous bee-keeping.
Added to this are the misrepresentations of unscru-
pulous dealers, whose advertisements are sure to
mislead the uninformed.
Some Mistakes.
None of us like to tell of our failures or of bad
years before the public, and consequently the reports
In the papers usually show only the bright side and
large yields. Ignorance of the business then is the
fault of a large proportion of ill success. What then
is essential is a thorough knowledge of the business
— plenty of application and hard work. Much
useful information may be obtaiaed by leading the
best works and papers on the subject, hut actual
practice in the apiary is indispensable. Many
persons are naturally unfit for the business from
carelessness and inaccurscy about their work. I
know of no out-door work where so much depends
on the right thing being done at the right time aud
in the right way.
When and How to Start an Apiary.
Avoid the common blunder of rushing into bee-
keeping just after there have been oue or two good
seasons. The fact is that an extra good yield is
usually followed by a very moderate or poor one.
Beginners should purchase but a small number of
colonies at first, and the bees will increase as fast as
your knowledge will increase. Buy always the best
that can be found, even if they cost more; for it will
often pay you the first season. Spring is the best
time to buy, for then tiiey are through the wiuterand
then you have not much risk, and they will then
soon be a profit to you. Use some good movable
flame hive, for with the box hive the best results
cannot be obtained.
Don't be Afraid of Being Stung.
A very great hindrance to handling the bees is the
fear of stings. Every beginner should supply him-
self or herself with a good bee veil, which will pro-
tect the face, and a good bellows smoker is fas
necessary for the beekeeper as a plow is for a far-
mer.
The extractor, for removing the honey from the
comb without injuring them, is a very important
implement, for then you can use the combs again,
and it will increase your yield of honey.
Comb Foundation.
Use comb foundation for the brood-chamber, for
it will insure all the workers comb, which is of great
importance. A piece of drone comb, two inches
square, in the center of the brood-chamber, is a
small thing, yet it is a space in which every 21 days
200 worker bees might be raised, and in which they
will raise a lot of drones, which are not producers,
but consumers of honey.
I have but mentioned some of the necessary fix-
tures of a first-class apiary, without which success
cannot be obtained. But do not make the mistake
of thinking that if you get these fixtures you are
sure of success. They are only aids aud it will take
work and knowledge yet to get the full benefit of
your work.
Italian Bees.
The merit of the Italian bee are thoroughly estab-
lished among enlightened beekeepers. I cannot now
mention all their points of superiority, but I would
advise all beginners to try the Italian.
Mr. Samuel Dillman," of New Holland, presents
the most favorable report so far heard from in the
county. He had 17 colonies last spring. He has by
judicious swarming increased these to 24, and got
besides 800 pounds of honey, nearly all comb honey.
W. B. Detwiler, of Mt. Joy, started with 7.5 colon-
ies last spring. "These have now increased through
swarming to 100. He got from them about SCO
pounds of honey. All his bees are in good condition
to go into winter quarters.
Other beekeepers were reported as having done
about (he same as those who reported personally,
llev. S. S. Henry, of Hinkletown, began with two
colonies last spring and by natural increase now has
seven colonies. He increased their numbers largely,
but the consequence was he got hardly any honey.
C. Sensenig, of Earl township, began the season
with four swarms, which increased to 16, but he got
no honey from them.
Another gentleman was reported as having taken
327 pounds of honey from 15 colonies ; one of these
alone yielded fifty-five pouuds.
Honey Comb Foundation.
The following letter was addressed to the chair-
man of the association:
Sprout Brook, N. Y., Nov. 6, 1879.
Presuming all appliances tending to advance the
interests of the beekeeping community will be wel-
comed at your meeting, we send you samples of flat-
bottom honey comb foundation for distribution to
your members. We have used the thin foundation
this season in surplus boxes f'ullsized sheets one-six-
teenth of an inch from tin- hidis, ami In.iii i.iii.-.|uar-
ter to one eighth of an inrh Ir i \ir hoi injn, a<Miiiu-
thereby largely to the yirld ,,l' 1h,ii..v, mnl also hi its
market value. The wirc^l Inuiidai ion lias also bei-ii
used with good satisfaction during the past seasou.
Respectfully yours.
J. Van Deusen iVi, Sons.
There being no further business, the society ad-
journed. The meeting was very pleasant and inter-
esting, and it seems a pity that beekeepers, as a rule,
take so little interest in these gatherings.
LINN/EAN SOCIETY.
A stated meeting of the Linnsean Society was held
on Saturday, October 25, President Rev. J. S. Stahr
in the chair. After attending to the preliminary
duties, the donations to the museum were examined,
and found to consist of two specimens of rattlesnake
{crvluiiis iliirixsiis), i)i\i- -ji large black snake (Bas-
caiiU'ii fi'ifxtr'iclui-). from Luzerne county, Pa. Also,
a lar:;r and i>aui itnlly variegated snake from the
Islaiul of ('uha. Tliis, like the veuemous serpents,
hastlir raiidal aial abdominal scutllla undivided,
but no r.iiil. — a class now under two divisions,
those lia\ in- no |,oi>nn fangs, the genus Boa, (the
Boa I on.-i ri' hjr is <iiH- of the largest serpents); the
Sci/lfin li.ivr lan^s and are separated from the Boas,
and no raitlr .lisiinit from crotalus. The snake in
question comes very close to that described by Dr
Russell as the Boa paeiala, donated by Mr. George
Kinzer, who has lately left this city. He also donated
twelve specimens of silver, copper, lead and other
ores and minerals from Virginia City, Nevada, and a
fossil vegetable formation from Luzerne county. Pa.,
for which a vote of thanks was cordially given him.
As also to Mr. Geo. Miller, of the restau.-ant. East
Kiug street, for a Mud puppy or Hell-bender (the
3/cnopoma AUeghenienHis). A spector insect or walk-
ing-stick, the tipectrumfemoratum,yev Levi is Haldy,
city. C. A. Heinitsh, Esq., donated a copper spike
given to his father, Mr. J. F. Heinitsh, in 1»36, by
Captain Budd. U. S. Navy, taken from the rudder
of the United States frigate Constitution, (the old
Ironsides,) while undergoing repairs at Boston;
originally built in 1798. It is a valuable historical
relic. Mr. Heinitsh also donated a very desirable
case glass sash, placed on the attic for specimens. A
cordial vote of thanks was given him for his liberal
consideration. A sample box of glass-covered cells,
containing 18 kinds of seeds, different kinds of wheat,
corn, ifcc, under cultivation, and a large lump of the
smoky mica, per J. Stauffer.
Additions to the Library.
Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Natural
Science, per the Corresponding Secretary ; Reports
of Explorations and Surveys in the department of
Missouri, per Prof. Herman Strecker, Reading, Pa.;
Report of Agriculture for 1877, per Hon. A. Herr
Smith ; Atlas of Ferns— Coal Flora, of Pennsylva-
nia, by Leo Lesquereaux ; second Geological Survey;
Minerals of Pennsylvania, per William "A. Ingham,
Esq.; annual reports on Railroads, Canals, etc., for
1878; Internal Affairs, industries aud statistics for
1878 ; Inspectors of Mines ; Penn Life Insurance
Reports for 1878, per H. C. Demuth, Esq., of this
city ; Patent Office Gazette up to October 21, 1879 ;
The Lancaster Farmer for October, 1879 ; sundry
book circulars ; historical ; two envelopes containing
twenty-seven clippings of historical interest ; a bogus
fifty-cent coin as a specimen chip, per S. S. Rathvon.
Papers Read.
Dr. S. S. Rathvon read a paper. No. .5:30, on "Ob-
servations during the mild weather of October, inst.,
and the stir of insect life and vegetation."
The treasurer reported bills, $5 for subscription to
the proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences,
and $1 to George Flick, Esq., for mounting a flicker
for the Society . Ordered to be paid. Mr. Heinitsh
presented an article published, read by Mr. Stauffer,
with regard to flowers being found on a corpse un-
disturbed for ten years, of a yellow color, with
sepals, stamens, etc. This led to the observation of
fungoid matters, sometimes found growing on living
and dead matter, had been observed, but notwith-
standing the Doctor's high position, the stamens
may ha\ ebcen sporules in a split head raised on a si ipe.
This led to mention of other freaks of nature which are
often past finding out. Mr. Stauffer referred to the
buds of the abutilon clamping one of the pointed
lobes of a leaf in numerous specimens, as witnessed
in the yard of J. M. Johnston, No. 9 South Queen
street, this city, aud published in the Intelligeneer .
Rev. Mr. J. H. Dubbs, Stahr, Heinitsh and Hostetter
had something of interest to impart under the head
of scientific miscellaney. After a pleasant session
the society adjourned.
FULTON FARMERS' CLUB.
The November meeting was held at the residence
of G. A. King, on the 8th inst. The attendance was
small.
Visitors : Will Moore, Alvin Kiug and Alfred
Wood in the forenoon, and Joseph Jenkins in the
afternoon.
The President being absent. Day Wood was ap-
jiointed for the day. The minutes of last m-eting
not hi'in'j; present were omitted.
S|Hrinirn6 for exhibition : E. Henry Haines, four
va lilt ins of apples; a visitor, Black Coal, Rhode
island Greening, Pinoch and Nottingham Browns;
William P. Haines, beet, weighing 6i<^ pounds, and a
black winter radish.
Answering questions : Are winter radishes worth
raising? No one present had any experience. Tliey
are to be sown with turnips. 2. Is it better to sell
chickens at nine cents a pound live weight, or at
thirteen cents per pound dressed, aud pay a commis-
sion ? Most of the members favored selling at nine
cents, unless the feathers were an object. 3. Does
the soapstone griddle do Its work well or is it like
some other things, useful for a time and then laid
aside among |the things that were U6eful|? St me
had used it and found that the particles of st na
wear off in the cakes and make them disagreeable.
Some disliked the noise, &c. None of the ladies
present kept them in constant use. One of the gen-
tlemen suggested that it might not be safe at all
times to put a stone in every woman's hand. 4. Do
you think wheat will advance to $1.50 per bushel,
or would you advise to sell at the present price ?
Some thought wheat would advance in May, and if
you have a good place to store it, would keep il;
oth'ers would sell now. 5. Would you sell pork at
85.00 per hun-^red at the present price of corn »
No definite answers. 6. How many farmers can tell
whether lime is paying? One of the members had
put river lime on aud thought it paid. Most of the
others thought lime had made the land what it now
is, but it now has lime enough in it, and needs some-
thing else. Some few, however, still stick to lime,
probably for the good it has done.
Exceedingly Interesting,
Dinner being announced the club adjourned to
the dining room, when the inner man was bountifully
supplied with good things.
The gentlemen took their usual stroll over the
farm, viewing the stock, &c.
Minutes of last meeting held at this place were
read upon reassembling.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
173
Expressing Opinions.
Criticisms were next called for. The corn crop
tolerable; lioRS looi; well, but their pen miplit be
improved. Tliere should be flowers in the front
yard, some thought; others thought a well kept yard
looks better without flowers, though the majority
favored flowers; they tend to reflncnient. One of the
ladies thought they were like children— they are a
pleasant trouble.
Literary Exercises.
Recitation, "Good Old Farm," by Vhebc King;
Mabel A. Haines recited "An Incident," setting
forth the diflferenl positions to which some are born,
and how a little cliild was sent with a bottle to get
filled with rum on a cold night, and was found by a
lawyer, who had been musing and wondering why
he was favored more than others. On going but he
lound this little creature almost dead. He tried to
bring her to life, when she begged to be left to die
saying, that even for her father, wliom she dearly
loved, she could not enter the dreadful ihu. And
also showing it to be the duty of every man to vote
for prohibition, and do everything in their power to
banish intoxicating liquor. Mabel Haines read the
"Woman Farmer," showing what a woman can do.
East or West, Which?
Regular question, "What advantages have the
Western farmers over the Eastern?" The principal
advantage was that no fertilizers are needed, but to
balance this they get small prices for their produce,
and they have to undergo many privations. If we
are willing to live here as we have to in a new coun-
try, we would make money equally as fast. A farm
in the West, where a person can live comfortably,
costs almost as much as East, (a farm with all the
Improvements). The only advantage, if you must
endure privations, is your neighbors are like you and
here you would be alone. Many persons who go
West do not succeed, most of them becoming discon-
tented ; upon the whole, we think the argument was
in favor of staying East and improving the advan-
tages we have. We do not have such severe storms
and do not have so many destructive insects.
Programme for Next Meeting.
"Would the average farmer who owns a farm be
justifiable in buying another of the same size, going
into -iebt for the latter, the other being free, if he
could get the money at five per cent ?"
Literary appointments: Sadie A. Brown, Nettie
.lackson, Mabel A.Haines, Phebe and Mary A. King,
for recitations or selections.
Adjourned to meet at the residence of Josiah
Brown, on the first Saturday of December.
MEETING OF THE STATE BOARD OF
AGRICULTURE.
A meeting of the State Board of Agriculture was
held at Mercer, October 17, 1879. Dr. Calder, Presi-
dent of the Slate College, read an essay, entitled,
"Should Agricultural Text-Books be Introduced in
the Common Schools?" Dr. Calder is too well
known to question his ability to handle well
any subject he undertakes. His arguments in the
affirmative were strong, and were heartily
endorsed by the meeting. A resolution was passed
to that efiect. I shall be disappointed if .such a
measure will not be carried into effect in the rurtil
districts in the near future, as the head of the scliool
department expressed not only his willingness but
also hie desire to give it his hearty co-operation.
An essay on potatoes, their culture and best varie-
ties, was read by Hon. N. T. Underwood, of Wayne
county. From his essay it was easily understood
that he is no novice in potato culture. It was evident
that we were in a potato region, as the essay elicited
quite an interesting discussion, which placed promi-
nent some varieties not extensively cultivated in
your section. Early Vermont and Early Ohio were
considered more desirable than Early Rose. Early
Ohio was especially highly spoken of. Burbank's
seedling was highly spoken of as a late variety, both
as to quality and productiveness. Cuttings or whole
potatoes lor seed came in for a lively debate, but, as
usual, may be considered a drawn game; nothing
was proven except that both methodswere best.
The Law of Trespass.
Mr. G. W. Hood, of Indiana county, read a paper
on "The Laws of Trespass as They Relate to Agri-
culture." The gentleman is a lawyer by profession.
He defined quite a number of laws which every
farmer should know for himself, as it would, no
doubt, prevent many litigations which are invariably
much more expensive and unpleasant than a little
study of common laws would be. The discussion
upon this subject culminated in an apparently unani-
mous agreement that a small manual containing the
matter referred to should be published and circulated,
so as to be in reach of every farmer. Who, in the
face of so many lawyers throughout the country
will prepare such a work ?
"What crops are most profitable on the cleared
pine lands of Pennsylvania?" by Mr. J. A. Herr, of
Clinton county, contained many excellent hints,
which if put into practice would prove that there is
room for thousands of farmers to purchase cheap
lands that would pay good interest by proper man-
agement, without going 1,000 miles or more west-
ward. Mr. Herr is of Lancaster county stock, and
well posted generally.
A paper was read by Dr. Roland, of York, enti-
tled, "The State Boaril of Agriculture." in which he
reviewed the past, defined the present, and ventured
some prediction of the usefulness of the Board In the
future, if it continues to discharge the duties for
which it was created.
The doctor's term expires with this year, and he
does not expect to return, which is to be regretted,
as he is one of the most efllclent members of the
Board.
Prof. F. A. Allen, of Tioga county, read an essay
on "Experimental agriculture— its results and
lessons," which was replete with many valuable
hints of interest to farmeis generally, but especially
to such as are not afraid to step out of the old ruts.
He advocated experimenting in agriculture, but not
loosely, as is the very common practice, which is
mostly guess work and is unreliable.
Mr. Allen experiments extensively, but is very
cautious in drawing conclusions. He applies com-
mercial fertilizers largely, and is quite successful in
raising regular and large crops; but on being asked
the eti'eels of certain fertilizers, he almost invariably
answered, "I don't know." His method is appar-
ently to supply his land witli fertilizing material,
such as he knows crops generally require, without
relying too much on specialities.
All the papers presented having been read and
discussed, tlic meeting adjourned «»«; (itc on Thurs-
day, Ifith inst., at 2.:i0 p. m.
It is not the province of your correspondent to
discuss the merits or demerits of the State Board,
but he would direct the attention of every farmer in
the State to its published volumes of 1877 and 1878,
and the forthcoming one of 1.S79, which they should
carefully compare with publications of the same
kind, which will enable any fair-minded man to
decide whether agriculture receives sufficient lienefit
to justify the continuation of the Board.
Agriculture.
Summer Cultivation of Wheat.
The results of the experin.cnts in the cultivation
of wheat during the past year have not realized ex-
pectations ; at least not in this section of the coun-
try. Several farmers in tliis and the adjoining
county of Chester last autumn put in a small quan-
tity of wheat, generally from one to three acres,
with wide spaces between the drills, in which to har-
row in the coming spring. Generally these were
stirred three times and the grass-seed sown after the
last dressing, all the cultivation being finished about
the 10th or 1.5th of May.
And while the crop of wheat in this locality is not
nearly so good as last year, when it was the largest
grown for a great many years, it is still above "the
<in:raf/e of several years past, and the cultivated
wheatsown alongside of wheat raised in the ordinary
way in the same field and with the same manuring,
is not so good, neither in straw nor grain. Several
bushels of grain per acre seem generally to be the
deficiency. This result causes us to inquire whether
this method of raising wheat is adapted to our
cliraatC: or whether Uie present season had anything
to do with it. In one instance at least in this county
in other years — that of GroflT's — the superiority of
the cultivated was most marked and beyond dispute.
Some will say it is contrary to the nature of wheat
for the earth around the plant to be disturbed while
growing; but this view I think can hardly be sup-
ported by any just analogy with other species of
growth. It is not considered good farming to let our
corn go unworked, no matter how thoroughly the
ground was tilled previous to planting. In setting
out a new orchard it is considered of the utmost im-
portance to cultivate it until the trees are pretty well
grown ; and the belief is pretty general that even
rank weeds will grow better when the earth is stir-
red around them than if left to become hard and
compact. And I believe this theory is supported by
the best English wheat-raisers who hoe their wheat
in the month of May.
Now let not our progressive farmers be discouraged
by the result of this experiment for only one year,
but try again. 'Tis perseverance that uinavcls the
secrets of nature and teaches the farmer useful
things.— r. JBaker, Lancaster county, I'a., October,
187il, in Qermantomi Telegraph.
A Mixture of Grasses.
It is a well known fact that mixed crois are r
productive than those sown singly. Thus one acre
sown to oats and barley, or oats and peas, will yield
as much, or nearly as much, as two acres sown
singly to either crop. So in grass lands, clover and
timothy, mixed, will produce nearly twice as much
as if the ground were seeded to one of these alone.
It is also a well known fact, that our grass lands
are not so productive as we could wish, and the
reason of this may be, and probably is, that we have
but one or two kinds of herbage in Ihem. If we ex-
amine an old, thick, luxuriant sod, in a pasture or a
meadow, it will be found to consist of a variety of
trasses and other plants, each of which seems to vie
with the other in occupying the soil for Itsetf. This
Is the result of natural seeding, and gives us a
lesson which we may well proflt by. There Is
another reason why grasses should be mixed; this Is
that the periods of greatest vigor of different varie-
ties occur at different times. We can therefore
secure a succession of herbage lor a long season by
sowing a variety of grass seeds.
To grivc examples, we might mention that a
mixture of orchard grass, red clover timothy and
Kentucky blue grass will produce a pasture which
will be in good condition for grazing from April,
when the first mentioned grass is In Hnc condition,
up to October, wlien the last is In Its most vigorous
state, the clover and timothy serving to fill up the
interval. With one of these alone there would be
but one month of good herbage, and that coarse if
given the whole field to Itself. In like manner, a
quantity of rye grass added to u meadow would help
to furnish a qu.ck-growlng herbage which rapidly
and constantly recuperates after cutting or eating
down.
The fact is, that we make much less of our advan-
tages in regard to our meadows and pastures than
we might. — On the average, seven acres of pasture
arc required to keep one cow through the pasturing
season, when by the best management one acre, or
at the most two, ought to be sufflcleut. This Is due
in great measure to the prevalent fashion of seeding
down with but one variety of grass, with clover
added sometimes; a fashion which, hereafter, expe-
rience teaches us should be more honored In the
breach than in the observance. — Atnerican Ai/ricul-
tnrist.
Changing Seed.
Much has been written on this subject, and much
of it is true. A single fact has been brought to my
notice this year, which Illustrates the good effect of
such change. Not having seed corn enough for a
field, a dozen ears were bought — all there was of a
choice sample of Dutton corn, a variety long grown
in this neighborhood and well liked. This sample
was planted in one corner of the field and marked.
In its growth nothing particular was noticed. When
we came to cut it up, the ears were better than on other
portions. We selected twenty-four strings of two
dozens ears each, a very choice sample for seed. The
remainder was also nice. From no other part of the
field of the same extent can one-half as much select- .
ed seed be picked. The land is no better, and only
in one way can I account for such extra growth — a
cliange of seed. — Correspondence Country (Jentleman.
Bone Dust.
As a general rule when American farmers use
bone dust they apply too small a quantity to show
decisive results. Thus in improving pasture a hun-
dred pounds or so might not show much good result,
because the growth being removed daily the increase
is not readily recognized^ Only think, if a pasture
season be considered one hundred and fifty days,
then a ton increase of feed per acre is but about
thirteen pounds a day over an acre. In England,
where -hone manuring is in favor, large quantities are
used with advantage. Prof. Tanner recommends
bone dust, applied at the rate of one ton per acre in
the autumn, for the improvement of grass lands.—
Scientific Farmer.
Fall Plowing for Corn.
Heavy clay soils that have a good covering of
clover or grass sod may be plowed in September for
a crop of corn next season. We would not plow the
furrows flat, but set them on edge. In the spring a
good harrowing, lengthwise the furrows, will give a
sufficient depth of mellow soil for planting, leaving
the decomposed sod just where the roots can reach
it. A light application of artificial manure before
the harrowing in the spring would be beneficial. The
planting should immediately follow the harrow,
while the soil is fresh. Light or mucky lands had
better be left till spring, as this treatment is not
proper for them.
Storing of Fodder-Corn,
The succulence of green corn-stalks renders them
difficult to dry thoroughly. To stow away uncured
corn-fodder in stacks or barns, without precautiODB
to prevent moulding, is unsafe. A good plan is to
shock the bundle in a convenient place, covering the
top of the shock with a sheaf of straw, and binding
the top tightly to exclude rain, and leaving the
shocks out of doors until used. A few s'.iocks may
be brought in when needed, and will be found fresh,
green and in the best order. Sweet cornfodder, with
many small ears and nubbins on the stalks, may be
covered and kept in this manner in the best condition.
174
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
t November,
Horticulture.
Care of Potatoes, Beets, Turnips, Carrots and
Parsnips.
Much has been said and written about the cultiva-
tion, care and quality of the potato. I wish to add
my testimony also. Beina: out from home a few
days ago to dinner, and amone; other things on the
table was some fried potatoes; it was about as much
as I could do to eat them— so strong. The question
came to my mind, what is the cause of so many
strong potatoes ? I find it is a general complaint. A
friend writing me from an Eastern city, says : "The
potatoes are so poor and strong." Now for the ques-
tion. Does not light injure potatoes? They are ama-
tive of darkness — that is, they grow under ground —
and if by chance any of them come to the surface
they turn green by being expo.«ed to the light. I
have frequently seen in an Eastern city potatoes lay-
ing in the market from day to day and fiom week to
week, exposed to the light ; is not this one cause ?
And, furthermore, I sold a person once a load of
potatoes for planting, and as his ground was not
quite ready he left them exposed to the light, and
also, I presume, to the sun for a period of time. I
met him a few months after. He says to me, "Those
potatoes I bought of .you I planted and they never
came up." I replied, that is very strange, for I
planted out of the same lot and every one of mine
grew. On inquiry I found the fact as above stated,
that they had remained for two weeks exposed to
the light and sun. A second case, a neighbor of
mine carried out a number of bushels for planting.
the potatoes remained for one v.-eek exposed to the
light and sun, and then he planted them, but they
did not grow in those two cases ; they were not only
injured but killed . The way I do it, in this latitude,
I never let them remain in the ground longer than
the first week in October. If I have a large quantity
I put a sufficient force to dig them at once, after let-
ting them remain a very short time to dry. I remove
at once to my da-k cellar or root house, there to re-
main till called for. The result is I always have
good potatoes.
I wish to say now something about the care of
beets, carrots and parsnips : After digging them I
remove to my cellar or root-house and pack them
away in barrels or boxes, and cover them .with dry
sawdust and sand to the depth of six inches ; as they
are used the remainder is kept covered. In this way
I keep carrots and beets till they come again. In
this latitude parsnips are very liable to rot if they
remain in the ground through the winter, and in
order to make sure of them I dig them late in the
fall and pack them the same as the beets and car-
rots, and then I put them in my wood-house or
granary and let them freeze up and remain frozen
through the winter and use them in a frozen state —
they may not be quite as good, j'et eatable, as left in
the ground through the winter. It in early spring
the beets and carrots should sprout I take them out
and remove the sprouts and repack them.
Grafting Grape-vines.
Those who wish to graft their vines over with other
vines shi.uld remember that winter and not spring is
the time for it — and in this the grape is diflferent
from most other trees. It is different in this; that in
the spring of the year there is such a tremendous
pressure upwards by the ascending sap that the
parts of the scion and stock, which to unite must of
course touch one another, are forced by the sap apart.
When the grafts are put in at this season there is
little of this. The several cells granulate and heal,
and when the sap is ready to flow upward strongly,
it goes up through its regular channels in the graft
without any tendency to breakout through the junc-
tion.
How to graft grape-vines admits of many various
replies. The best is probably that described years
ago in our pages by Samuel Miller, then of Lebanon,
In this state, now of Missouri, who was very success-
ful as a grafter of the grape. He drew away the
soil from the stock to be grafted, cut it down about
two inches from the surface, then cut with a stout
sharp knife a long and narrow wedge-shaped notch
in the stock, and shaped the scion as a wedge to fit
in the notch in the stock. The lips of the notch are
then tied together and the earth drawn in and around
the hole, leaving the uppper eye of the graft above
the ground.
We may say that it is very astonishing that grape
grafting is not more generally practiced, and especi-
ally since the discovery tnat the greatest success of
the Concord, Clinton and a few other grapes is not
owing to any extra constitutional hardiness, but to
the fact that the power to throw out numerous
fibrous roots is greater in these kinds. If this be
true, and it seems to be really the case, wc may have
the choicest and best of grapes by grafting them on
these vigorous rooting stocks.
For once the French seem to have taken a start
ahead of us in this matter. They sent an agent to
this country some years ago — a shrewd, observing
fellow — and he took the whole situation at once.
The result has been that millions on millions of Con-
cord and Clinton cuttings have been sent to France
the past five or six years, and in future wines of that
country may be brought to a higher grade of per-
fection than ever before.
Apples and Apple Trees.
Apples are much of the same nature as pears.
While there are good crops in some sections, there
are failures in others. We notice this the present
season. Then again there are certain varieties that
we are told will not produce any longer; the trees
get sickly and after a time die. Newer varieties do
better, though they are not equal in quality and d.i
not sell so well. Bat the truth is the old kinds fail
to do well because the vigor of the tree is exhausted,
and they look bad because they have finished their
course, and should be succeeded by an orchard of
young trees. Indeed there should always be two
orchards upon a farm — the young one to take the
place of the old; in such case we fancy there would
be little complaint. Smith's Cider, which continues
to produce such fine crops, has only reached middle
life, but it must be noticed that the oldest of them
are beginning year after year to bear fruit of a re-
duced size. Even the White Doctor, which was
supposed to have died out, bears well upon young
trees. A farmer told us the other tlay that on a
moderate-sized tree he had full ten bushels of the
finest apples he had ever raised— large, smooth and
uninjured by the worm.
Farmers should not therefore give up the good old
kinds, which formerly were so popular; but when
they get old and pruning is no longer of any avail,
try new orchards of them. Of course they will go
on planting all the new profitable varieties, but give
the old a chance again, and see whether what we
say is not correct,.— Germantown Telegraph.
Floriculture.
Care of Plants in Winter.
Slips should be cut smoothly from the plant just
below a joint or where they join the main stem. Any
time during the growing season will do, though July,
August and September are the best months'. Most
slips stand well in the sand, or a mixtureof half and
half soil, kept wet. If wanted for the house in
winter it is better to stand the slips in small pots
sunk in the ground, as they can be left in the pots or
transferred to larger ones without disturbing the
roots. Oleanders, honeysuckles, southerwood ai:d
some other plants are best started by putting in a
vial of water on a partly-shaded window sill, putting
a piece of cotton around the stem at the neck of the
vial, both to steady and protect the plant, and pre-
venting too rapid evaporation. Plants for the house
in winter will not do well iu smaller than four or
five inch pots. Place a saucer under each. Water
every day, toward night putting on water till some
of it runs througli into the saucer. The water should
always be tepid and once a week a few drops of
ammonia or liquid manure should be added to each
quart of water. Do not water if the soil is still
moist ; some plants do not need as much water as
others. A little top-watering only does more hurt
than good; the water should go to all the roots.
After January they will need more water, as then
they begin to grow ; before that most plants simply
live. Cactuses and aloes should have no water in
the early winter : they must rest if you wish them
to bloom well later. Keep callus standing in water.
Keep the pots and leaves clean by frequent washing.
Plants will not thrive if dusty. Some plants do bc't-
ter in glazed pots or wooden boxes, the common pots
being so porous as to extract all the moisture from
the roots. If you simply wish to keep slips for next
year's garden fill a starch-box with sandy soil, set a
number of slips in it, keep wet and in a sunny
window.
The Abutilon.
One of our scientific contributors writes : J. M.
Johnston, reporter of the Jntdligencer, called my
attention to a remarkable growth in the attachment
of one of the prolonged and sharply toothed lobes of
a leaf firmly clamped by the terminal combined
sepals of the fiower buds. I was astonished to see
this peculiarity in every eightor nine buds out often.
In the first place, I never saw a larger or finer plant
of this species, the "Abntilon striatum.i' The ex-
panded fiowers are truly beautiful, and altogether,
as a plant, I question whether it would not carry the
premium at any fioral exhibition, as it now stands
in his yard. No. 9 South Queen street.
The Abutilon belongs to the Mulvacea, or "Mallow
family." This species is properly called a green-
house plant; it is also called sida picta. The
Abutilon striatum is a native of Brazil, and half
shrubby, with bell-shaped flowers of a bright yellow,
strongly veined with scarlet, which hang down on
slender stalks. Johiison, in his Gardener's Diction-
ary (Ed. London, 1S70,) describes eleven species.
The above and the A. Venosum seem almost iden-
tical. I can find no clue to account for the strange
freak in this instance. If the leaf-bud and flower-
bud were actually combined during the early stage
of development, the entanglement of the long termi-
nal point of one of the deep cut and toothed lobes of
the leaf might account for it. On examination I
found no actual union, by growth or mingling of the
tissues, between the leaf and the green flower- cup,
usually flve parted; in this stage, I noticed that the
edges of three on one side and two on the other side
of the flower were coherent to the point, like a simple
two-parted flower-cup, as those in the poppy; but a
slight force separated them into flve parts. The
leaf, on its petiole, is separated distinctly from the
unexpanded flower-bud and a few inches off; still one
point and often that on the opposite side of the leaf was
turned over the body of the leaf and crumpled and
clamped in or between the points of the calyx and
flower actually clamped fast. It looked as though
the point of the leaf had been attracted by and taken
hold of between the points of the flowering-bud. A
single case might be accounted for as an abnormal
or accidental occurrence, but when it comes to the
general character of the developments, some law in
vegetable philosophy not yet understood, would seem
to demand attention: hence I go to some length.
Mr. Johnston can corroborate the fact, as any one
else who will go and examine the bush. Has a simi-
lar case ever been noticed before ? If so, let us hear
of it, and how we can account for this cohesion of a
leaf-lobe with the unexpanded bud ? In some cases
the flower cup was drawn off by the expansion of
the leaf, and attached in a withered form to the end
of the lobe or point. In short, I can offer no solution.
I can trace no connection with it and insect inter-
ference, nor abnormal growth or development, other
than the singular contact, and leave it for one more
skilled in this particular than J. S.
The Quinine Flower.
The American Garden' quotes the following in
regard to the "quinine flower," by Dr. Palmer, of
Florida. From its description and effects we should
consider it identical with what is well known as
"boneset," a very valuable wild plant in cases of
chills and fever, and malarious disease. It is an
annual from twelve to eighteen inches high, has an
erect green stem, linear leaves of from one-half to
one inch in length, and small white fiowers. The
root consists of numerous slender fibres.
It is a native of Florida, and is found most abun-
dantly in fiat pine woods, in a moderately dry soil,
making its appearance in March or April, and
flowering from July to September. The specimens
furnished me were gathered three or four miles
south of Monticello, in Jefferson county- In the
lower portions of the country it is very abundant, and
is successfully employed by those living in its vicin-
ity for the cure of different types of malarious fever,
the whole plant being used, either in the form of
decoction or extract, and is given ad libitum, or
until the patient feels the effects of quinine in his
head.
It is a curiouo fact, that persons brought under
the influence of this remedy experience similar sen-
sations, such as tension or fullness in the head, ring-
ing in the ears, or partial deafness, as when under
the influence of quinia and hence its name. Its repu-
tation as an anti-periodic was established during the
civil war, when owing to the scarcity of quinia every
opportunity was offered for testing the relative value
of the various substitutes.
The quinine flower is intensely and permanently
bitter, yielding its properties to water and alcohol.
A saturated "tincture, in doses of one teaspoonful
every two hours, was found suBicient to break the
paroxj'sm of intermittent fever. Large quantities,
however, may be given in obstinate cases, or in the
remittent«form of the disease.
Domestic Economy.
Oatmeal in the Household.
In Great Britain children of all ranks are raised on
an oatmeal diet alone, because it causes them to
grow strong and healthful, and no better food can
possibly be found for them. It is also quite as de-
sirable for the student as the laborer, and for the
delicate lady as for her hard-working sister ; indeed,
all classes would be greatly benefited by its use, and
dyspepsia, with all its manifold annoyances, can be
kept at a distance. Oatmeal is more substantial
food, it is said, than veal, pork or lamb, and quite
equal to beef or mutton, giving as much or more
mental vigor, while its great desideratum consists in
one's not becoming weary of it, for it is as welcome
for breakfast or tea as is wheat or Grahom bread. It
can be eaten with syrup and butter as hasty pudding,
or with cream and sugar like rice. It is especially good
for young mothers upon whose nervous forces too
great a demand has been made, when they lose the
equilibrium of the system and become depressed and
dispirited. Oatmeal requires to be cooked slowly,
and the water should be boiling hot when it Is stir-
red in.
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
175
Inspect Your Cellars.
Many of our farmers who have no special place
built for wintering vegetables and fruit, store them
In the cellar of the dwelling-house. In order to keep
them from freezing there, the cellars are banked up
tightly in the fall. No ventilation is provided for,
and the only way for the escape of the noxious gases
arising from decaying vegetables, is through the
openings In the floor Into the living rooms above,
where it is dealing disease and perchance death to
the occupants. Is it surprising that diphtheria and
scarlet fever, and every other fever, result from such
total disregard of the laws of health? A person
will pay this inattention to sanitary measures, and
then if his children sicken and die he blames the
weather, or murmurs and grumbles at tlie dispensa-
tion of Providence — cannot conceive why God
should afllict him thus severely. The Almighty is
not to be blamed at all in such Instances; the fault
lies at the man's own door, or rather In his cellar,
and he ouje ht to condemn himself, and mourn over
his own neglect of duty, instead.
Hints for the Kitchen.
If your coal fire is low throw on a tablespoonful of
salt and it will help it very much.
A little ginger put into sausage meat Improves the
flavor.
In boiling meat for soup use cold water to extract
the juices. If the meat is wanted for itself alone
plunge in boiling water at once.
You can get a bottle or barrel of oil off any carpet
or woolen stuff by applying dry buckwheat plenti-
fully. Never put water to such a grease spot, or
liquid of any kind.
Broil steak without salting. Salt draws the juices
in cooking ; it is desirable to keep them in if possible.
Cook over a hot Are, turning frequently, searing on
both sides. Place on a platter ; salt and pepper to
taste.
Facts About Flour.
Flour is peculiarly sensitive to atmospheric influ-
ences, hence it should never be stored in a room with
soui liquids, nor where onions or fish are kept, nor
any article that taints the air of the room in which
it is stored. Any smell perceptible to the sense will
be absorbed by Hour. Avoid damp cellars or lofts
where a free circulation of air cannot be obtained .
Keep in a cool, dry, airy room, and not exposed to a
freezing temperature nor to intense summer or to
artificial heat for any length of time above 70 to 72
degrees Fahrenheit. It should not come in contact
with grain or other substances which are liable to
heat. Flour should be sifted and the particles
thoroughly disintegrated and then warmed before
baking.
A Cheap Ice House.
In giving the following cheap plan for an ice house,
the Fruit Record leaves one without excuse on the
ground of expense. "If you have no house ready
draw one hundred or more blocks of ice ; pack them
close together in a solid block on the north side of
a building, where the drainage will be good. After
the ice is all packed together build up around it a
cheap board or rail fence, one foot away from the
ice, packing the space between the sides and ice with
straw ; over the top throw a few inches of saw dust,
and, putting over all a cheap roof, leave a good air
hole in the top. Ice may be kept in this way until
September or October."
Rest After Eating.
The digestion of a horse is governed by the same
laws as that of a man; and as we know that it is not
best for man to go at hard work the moment a
hearty meal is eaten, so we should remember that a
horse ought to have a little rest after his meal,
while the stomach is most active iu the process of
digestion. Many a good horse has been ruined by
injudicious haste in working him with a lull stomach.
Household Recipes.
To Clean Wai.i, Papek.— Sometimes spots will
accidentally get upon papered walls that deface
them badly. If it should be a grease spot, a paste of
hot laundry starch, made very thick and spread on
while boiling hot, quite thick over the surface of the
spot, and left till dry, then rubbed off with a soft
cloth, will remove all the grease a'nd not deface the
paper. An ink spot, or other dark stain can be cut
out with a sharp pen-knife, pulled off, and a bit of
new paper matched and pasted over, which may
save the trouble and expense of repapering the whole
room. When the paper is dingy with smoke, take a
quart of wheat bran and tie up in a thin bag loosely,
and rub the walls with it quite hard. Shalieupthe
bran occasionally, and you will be quite surprised to
see how clean and nice it makes the paper look, well
paying for the labor of cleaning . When the edges of
the paper start up, a little paste or starch applied
with your finger to the under edge, and pressed
down with the surface smooth, will keep the walle
neat In appearance and well preserved.
Stewed Pigeons.— Truss and season tlie pigeons
with pepper and salt, and having stulle.il them with
a mixture of their own livers, shred with beef suet,
parsley, bread-crumbs, marjoram and two eggs, sew
them up at both ends and put them into the jug,
breast down, with half pound of butter; cover up
the jug so that the steam cannot get out ; then set
hem in a pot of water to slew. They will take two
lOurs and more in doing, and they must boil all the
time. When stewed enough to take them out of the
gravy,skim off the fat , put iu a spoonful of cream, a
little lemon-peel, an anchovy shred, and a few mush-
rooms; add a little white wine to the gravy, and
liaving thickened it with butter and Hour, and dished
up the pigeons, pour the sauce over them. Garnish
with sliced lemon.
IJicE Snowballs.— Ingredients— six ounces of
rice, one quart of milk, fiavoring of essence of
alnr.onds, sugar to taste, one pint of custard. Mode
—boil the rice In the milk with sugar and a flavoring
essence of almonds, until the former is tender,
adding if necessary a little more milk should it dry
away too much; when the rice ie quite soft put It
into teacups, or small round jars, and let it remain
until cold. Then turn the rice out In a deep glass
dish, pour over a custard, and on the top of each ball
place a small piece of bright colored jelly. Lemon
peel or vanilla may be boiled with the rice instead of
the essence of almonds, but the flavoring of the
custard must correspond with that of the rice.
Rolls.— Two quartsof flour, one-half cup of sugar,
a piece of butter or beef drippings the size of an egg.
Scald one pint of sweet milk and let it cool, then
make a hole in the middle of the flour and pour in
the milk and half a cup of yeast, a teaspoonful of
salt, and set to rise in a warm place over night or
until very light. Then knead it and let it rise again.
When well risen cut the rolls half an inch thick,
shape round, spread over each round a little melted
butter, and double over so the roll is a half circle,
then let rise very light and bake. Place the rolls in
close contact in the baking.pan so they may keep in
shape.
Miss Parlon's Recipe for Anrel Cake.— The
whites of eleven eggs. One cup of flour after sifting,
one teaspoonful of cream tartar. Sift the flour and
cream tartar four times. Beat the eggs to a stiff
froth, and then beat in one and one-half cup of sugar
and a teaspoonful of vanilla. Add the flour and
beat lightly but thoroughly. Bake in an ungreased
pan, slowly, forty minutes. The pau should have a
thin strip projecting above each corner, in order that
when it is turned over to cool the air may circulate
freely under it. Cut it out when cool.
Rabbit Cdtlets. — Prepare the rabbits as you
would lor a stew ; cut the different limbs into the
size of cutlets — such as the shoulders cut in half,
also the legs, with the ends of the bones chopped
off. Have'ready some bread-crumbs and the yolk of
an egg beaten up. Drop each cutlet into the egg,
and then coverwithbread-crumbs, as for veal cutlets.
Fry them a nice brown, and when you dish them
pour around them some rich, brown gravy, which
may be flavored with tomato sauce if approved, and
put around them rolls of fried bacon.
Welsh Rare Bit.— Slice bread half an inch thick,
and toast it very slightly on both sides, cutting oif
the crust. Then slice some rich cheese not quite so
large as the toast, upon which lay the cheese in a
toaster before the fire. Watch it, lest it burn or grow
hard. Butter each piece slightly, and use in eating
it mustard, pepper and salt.
Apple Jelly.— A very nice, firm, rich jelly made
from the parings of-apples and the cores. Cover
them with water and let them boil until the water
has wasted a little, and the appleskins are very soft;
then strain them and add an equal quantity of sugar
as there is liquid.
To Clean Black Lace.— Take the lace and wipe
off all the dust carefully with a cambric hankerchief,
then pin it out on a board, inserting a pin in each
projecting point of lace. Wash it alTover with table-
beer, and do not remove the pins until perfectly dry.
It will look fresh and new.
GiNOER Snaps. — One cup lard, one cup sugar,
one cup molasses, one-half cup water, salt, onetable-
sponful ginger, one tablespoonful cream tartar, one
tablespoonful soda, roll very thin; bake quick and
you will have delicious ginger snaps.
Hair Invigorator. — Bay rum, one pint; alcohol,
half a pint; castoroil, half ounce; tincture of cantha-
rides, half ounce; mix them well. This mixture
will promote the growth of the hair and prevent it
from falling out.
A Nice Tea Cake. — One-half cup of butter or
cream ; one of sugar ; one egg ; one-half cup of
thick milk oi buttermilk ; a teaspoonful of soda ; a
handful of currants. Use flour to make the proper
thickness.
Lemon Cake. — One cup of sugar, four eggs, three
tablespoonfuls of sweet milk, three tablespoonfuls of
melted butter, three tablespoonfulsof baking powder
and one cup of flour.
Baker's Gingerbread.— Three-quarters of a
pound of flour, one quart of molasses, one-fourth of
a pound of butter, one ounce of saleratus and oue
ounce of ginger.
Live Stock.
Straw as Food for Cattle.
To form a strictly fair comparison between the
diflerciil descriptions of straw it would be ne.:e8eary
that each kind of straw should be cut at exactly the
same stage of maturity. But, on the other band,'la
practice we And that for the sake of the grain it is
usual to allow one crop to attain a greater degree of
ripeness than another. In the case of wheat, for ex-
ample, It Is better to cut the crop before It is quite
ripe — and this is the custom of most good farmers.
It is In this case quite feasible to take advantage of
the superior conditions of the straw, in a slightly
unripe condition, without In any way Injuring or de-
teriorating the quality of the grain. But barley Is
usually considered more suitable for the purposes of
the malster when In a well ripened condition, and
l>arley is therefore usually allowed to stand ripening
in the field for a comparatively longer period than
wheat — and barley straw is, therefore, usually riper
than wheat straw. Oats, again, are usually cut in
an earlier stage of ripeness even than wheat, since
the pendulous grain Is liable to be taken out by the
wind and so lost, if the crop is allowed to ripen too '
much.
Wheat straw, in an average condition, neither
under nor over ripe, was found on analysis, by Dr.
Voelcker, to contain between 1 and 2 per cent, of
fatty matter, from 2 to 3 of nitrogenous compounds,
about 4 to 6 per cent, of sugar and mucilaginous
matter soluble in water, and about 30 per cent, of
fibre In a sufficiently soft state to yield to the action
of digestive liquids. Oat straw.ls somewhat similar
iu composition, as far as the proportions of oil and
nitrogenous compounds are concerned, but it con-
tains more sugar and extractive matter, and a much
larger proportion of digestible fibre. While in the
case of wheat straw rather more tlian one-fourth of
the fibre is digestible, in the case of oat straw con-
siderable more than one-half of the fibre Is soluble
in solutions corresponding in strength to the gastric
juices. Oat straw is, therefore, as a rule, superior
in feeding value to wheat straw, inasmuch as It con-
tains a much larger proportion of digestible, fat-
forming and heat-producing principles. Barley straw
contains more nitrogenous matter than either wheat
or oat straw, but in the ripe state, in which It is
most often harvested, it contains but a very small
proportion of sugar, more than nine-tenths of the
fibre it contains being iu a perfectly indigestible
form. When less ripe, however, barley straw Is of
a much more digestible nature, and on account of Its
superior value as a flesh-former it must, in that case,
be considered as better fodder than wheat straw. It
is, however, rarely that barley straw is harvested in
such a condition as to be equal in feeding value to
good oat straw.
It Is interesting to consider, side by side with straw
of the cereals, the so-called "straw," or more proper-
ly speaking, the haulm, of peas. Pea straw con-
tains from U to 9 per cent, of nitrogenous compounds
and about 2 per cent, of oil, about 8 per cent, of
sugar and soluble extractive matters, and about GO
per cent, of fibre, of which nearly one-third may be
regarded as digestible. Its composition more nearly
resembles that of hay than does that of any of the
common cereal straws, and it is a justly-prized arti-
cle for both sheep and cattle.
Feeding Cattle.
The theory of good stock is very simple and the
mode apparently would suggest itself to any feeder
who proposed to pursue the most profitable course,
which is that the animal should be kept constantly
in a growing, thrifty condition by having a full diet
of nutritious food adapted to the growth and building
up of the young animal frame. Muscle and bone are
the constituents of all growing animals, while fat is
the surplus accumulation of the matured beast. Fat
is an unwholesome product of the young of all
species, and adds nothing to the well-being and good
health of the old. But the breeder of stock who
allows It to stand still or not gain steadily in flesh,
without over feeding to fatness, is losing sight of his
own profit. J. D. Gillet, of Elkhart, Illinois, who
exhibited the fat prize ox at the fat cattle show held
at Chicago, last December, gives his mode of feeding
young animals. He says :
"I feed my young cattle just enough to keep them
strong through the winter months. After they are
two and a half years old, commence feeding corn
winter and summer until I send them to market.
Attend to them closely and keep them improving
from the time they are fed on corn to the time they
leave the farm. 'Generally feed eight to twelve
months on corn. Intend from this time to feed one
year younger and send one year sooner to market.
Think I can get my steer at thirty months old to
weigh 1,700 lbs. This course will pay much better
than to keep them until thirty-six to forty-tw»
months, and get an average of 2,000 to 2,100 lbs
out of the cattle."
This Is a very brief and plain direction — so plain
that It would seem that even a wayfarer could not
err, and yet those who keep their stock, young and
176
tHE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ November, 1879.
old, on short rations through the winter under the
mist,iken notion of^ economy, are legion. Such
feeders pursue tlie unwise policy of saving at the tap
and letting run at the bung.
Sugar Beets for Fattening Swine.
An experiment was tried some time ago by a New
England farmer in fattening a pig which fed largely
on suirar beets. The animal was about a year old
and the feeding on boiled sugar beets, tops and roots,
began on the 10th of August, and was continued
three times a day until the 1st of October, after
which ground feed was given, consisting of two parts
of corn and one of oats, three times a day until the
animal was slaughtered, the meal being mixed with
cold water. The result was, on the 1.5th of August,
when sugar beet feeding was begun, that the weight
was S06 pounds; September 1. -520 pounds, October 1,
4.50 pounds; November 1, .520 pounds. This is the
substance of the statement given, by which we per-
ceive that the increase the last of August, when fed
on boiled sugar beets, was at the rate of two pounds
per day; the rate of increase on the same food con-
tinued through September. When feed on ground
corn and oats, made into cold slop, the gain for the
next fifty days was less than a pound and a half per
.day.
Poultry,
Winter Care of Fowls.
Now that the cold weather is coming on, those
who keep poultry should see to it that everything
practicable is done to make their fowls comfortable
while the fall and winter last. I assume that pro-
fessional poultry-raisers will attend to this matter
without any advice or hints from others, but it is a
fact that a great many people who keep hens and
other fowls only as an accessory to their farming or
other occupations, are accustomed to show some de-
gree of neglect to their poultry during the winter,
letting the hens, lor the most part, take care of them-
selves and do the best they can, without being care-
ful to funi'.^h them with proper food and quarters.
Now, if poultry is worth keeping at all it is worth
keeping well, and no kind of livestock will pay better
proportionally for proper care in winter weather than
is the ease with poultry.
To a certain extent, the warmer the quarters for
the fowls the better. If it can possibly be helped
they should never be kept in a place where water
will freeze, and it would be all the better if their
quarters could be kept ten or twelve degrees above
zero all the time. It is shameful to keep poultry as
some of our New England farmers do, in old, rickety
barns, with chinks an inch wide or more between the
boards, where the snow can drive in and the wind
whistle through. In such cases the hens cannot do
much, if anything, in the way of egg making. The
man who expects that his hens will lay eggs when
they are obliged to expend nearly all of their vital
force in their ciTort to keep warm, and to stand on
one leg in order lo keep the other from freezing, will
find himself sadly mistaken, and no little disap-
pointed in the size of the egg-product. If you wish
to have your hens lay in winter, above all things
keep your hen-houses warm, even if you have to
burn a little wood in them on the coldest days. The
good effects of warm quarters will be seen not only
in winter but in spring as well, for it will not then
take the poultry so long to recuperate from the in-
jurious etfects of the winter weather.
If the ]ii.uUry-l]()Uses are warm enough it will not
so mucli iiKLitir wliat kind of food the hens have,
provided ji i^ u lu'lr-orne and adapted to egg-making.
But it i.s wi'll IM niia.sionally feed them with warm
mashed potatoes and boiled apples, which the hens
will eat voraciously. If, however, the hen-houses
are as warm as they should be, the necessity for fur-
nishing the poultry with warm food will be so much
the less, although it will do them good in any case.
As to drinking, the hens should have all the water
they need, but the quarters should be so warm that
the water will never be in danger of freezing. Give
the fowls good quarters, good feed and plenty of
water, and they will amply repay you for your ex-
penditure of time and money. Otherwise, you will
probably find poultry keeping a dead loss in winter. —
AtncHcari Cultivator.
Poultry Habits.
Of all stock, hens are the most easily taught. The
education of hens can be commenced at any age ;
but best while young. They should be housed and
shut in every night, and not be allowed to roost
on sheds, well-sweeps, or trees; even a neglect to
shut the door on them for one night will cause the
timid ones to seek a higher roost the next night,
and that can only be found out of doors. This
leads to laying out of doors— a great nuisance —
and to constant loss from night enemies. At
sunrise every morning call the hens around you,
and scatter a full feed for them; let this always
be done on the same spot of ground. Keep in a
convenient place, a reservoir of fresh clean water,
if you have no running stream. At certain and
regular limes in the day, you will find the whole
flock there. Throw no scraps of food around the
dwelling, or you will teach them to become a house
nuisance. Burn all the egg shells, or you will
teach the hens to eat eggs in the nests. If you
coop youi- chicks, take hen and brood to the hen
house as soon as the crop is dispensed with; other-
wise, when winter sets in you will have to spend
hours every night for a week before they will house
well. Protect hens while sitting, by a light board
or lattice cover to the nest, so "that they shall not
be annoyed by other hens wishing to lay with them.
In fact, any bad habit, or any which does not
suit your surroundings, may be entirely broken up
and changed by reasonably preventive measures. —
Sural New Yorker.
Salt for Poultry.
The question as to whether salt is injurious to
poul'ry has often been mooted. To get at the facts,
1 have been feeding salt to all my poultry, young and
old alike, and closely watching the result. I have fed
it in cold mush and hot ; in bran and everything else,
all the spring and summer, so far, w ith the follow-
ing result : The poultry will eat all kinds of salted
food in preference to unsalted; they are better in
general health ; not a louse of any kind in young or
old (the first year I have been able to say so), and
they are beginning to molt, many of them laying as
though not molting. Eggs are cheap now, and the
hens will be ready for fall laying when the weather
is cold and eggs scarce. This may or may not be
the result of feeding salt, but I am compelled to
believe this to be so, as are some other peculiari-
ties. I have noticed one feature, which may not
be in favor of salt — the hens have seemed to be
more persistenlly inclined to sit, it being very diffi-
cult to break off the inclination ; they sit much
closer than usual. All seem voraciously fond of
green food of any kind, and have eaten a large
quantity of clover, grass, young corn and other
similar food. My observations lead me to the con-
clusion that salt is a needed condiment for all our
poultry, and in all points beneficial to them. Pigeons
are excessively food of salt in any form, and why
should not our poultry also ? Such being the status
it behooves us to consider their needs and attend to
them.
Eggs From Different Breeds.
A correspondent of the Ohio Farmer says : After
repeated experiments with the different varieties of
fowls, and comparisons with others who have exper-
imented in the same direction, I have concluded that
the laying capacity of the principal varieties is about
as follows :
Light Brahmas and Partridge Cochins — eggs seven
to the pound, lay loO per annum.
Dark Brahmas — eight to the pouad, 120 per an-
num.
Black, White and Buff Cochins— eight to the
pound, 125 per annum.
Plymouth Rocks — eight to the pound, 115 per
annum.
Houdans — same as Plymouth Rocks.
La Fleche — seven to the pound, 130 per annum.
Black Spanish — seven to the pound, 130 per an-
num.
Leghorn — nine to the pound , IfiO per annum
Hamburgs— nine to the pnunl, 1.50 per annum.
Polish— nine to the pound, 125 per annum.
Bantams— sixteen to the pound, 90 per annum.
Whole Wheat for Fowls.
The PouUry ^yor}(l says: "There is more solid
nutriment in whole wheat, as a feed for poultry,
than in any of the cereals, weight for weight. It
is an excellent kind of grain for this use, "though
somewhat more expensive than other sorts: but too
much of this hearty feed is detrimental, particularly
when carelessly fed to Cochins, Brahmas, etc.
Fowls are very partial to wheat. It helps the laying
capacity of hens, but. it should not be used except
with discretion as to the quantity allowed them daily.
An excess of this raw grain will induce a looseness
in the bowels very frequently. It is easy of diges-
tion, and should be furnished in moderation, as a
needful and most desirable variety, in conjunction
with other dry grains, such as cracked corn, oats,
barley, buckwheat, etc. If not more than one-third
or one-fourth of wheat is allowed with the other
cereals mentioned, for ordinary purposes in the lay-
ing season, hens will do quite as well, and they
can thus be kept in better average condition than
by a greater allowance."
Literary and Personal.
Land and Home. — "For land owners and home
lovers every where. — farmers, gardeners, stockmen,
village folks and city people with rural tastes."
Terms $2.00 a year in advance, 37 Park Row, New
York. No. 1, vol. 1 of this beautiful 16 page quarto
monthly has reached our table. The quality of the
paper and the typographical execution are faultless,
and nothing has come within the focus of our vision
for a number of years that is so easily read by those
advanced in life. This may be no special merit with
the young, but it is a mighty great one with the old.
Single numbers may be obtained for five cents, and
we feel satisfied that those who are interested in the
line of its specialties cannot do a better thing than
to send for a number and judge for theniselves.
The articles are crisp, short and able, and are on
various subjects within its line of specialties. It is
solid all through, in the style of The Farmer, and
has only one column more than a single page of
advertisements. The great increase, emigration,
and great expansion of our population would seem
to indicate an opening for such a journal, and if
there is, we deem Land and Iloine a worthy candi-
date for it.
The Naturalists' Directory for 1879, contain-
ing the names, addresses, special departments of
study, &c., of the naturalists, chemists, physicists,
meteorologists and astronomers of North America.
Edited by Samuel E. Cassino, Boston, Mass., 299
Washington street, S. E. Cassino, publisher. This use-
ful little 12 mo. volume — which, only three years ago
was only issued as a pamphlet — has already assumed
the dimensions of a clever sized book of 278 printed
pages, exclusive of a number of blank pages (for the
pui|if>,4r oi lilliii- ill such names as may come to the
knowlr^ljr .,i 11. r i„,s,sessor.) The edition 1879 con-
tains :.i::'.i niniirj., together with a copious index
arruii-iil alplialntirally in States. Price $1.00 in
paper covers, and from |1.25 to §1..59 in other styles
of binding. The army of naturalists seems to be
increasing, or at least their whereabouts are becom-
ing known, creating a community where there had
previously only been isolation, and in this consists
the main usefulness of the work, not only to natur-
alists themselves, but also to the public who may
desire to be in communication with them.
Illustrated Home Almanac for 1880.— Price
10 cents. Published by C. W. Leach, Concord, Mass.
This is a remarkably well executed 12 mo. of 32
pages, containing the usual calculations adapted to
the various latitudes in the United States and Canada,
besides thirty interesting literary articles and fifteen
finely executed illustrations, exclusive of an orna-
mental title page on the cover. How forcibly the
illustrations on the cover represent two prominent
periods in human life, both of which we have often
experienced. Old Father Time is represented driving
a horse and sleigh, with a single passenger in a seat
behind him. In the first tablet he is accompanied
by a youth, who is urging him forward and says,
"Do drive on. Father Time, I never saw such a
wretched old slow poke as you are in my life." In
the second his passenger is an old man, and he says,
"Hold on ! hold on my friend, don't drive so fast, I
am not in a hurry." Some of the other illustrations
are equally characteristic, especially that entitled
"April fool— Boys will be boys."
The Fruit Recorder and Cottage Gardener.
—"To till and keep, and of the fruit to eat, and the
bi'autiful to enjoy," monthly at $1.00 per year, A.
M. Purdy editor. Palmyra, New York, published at
Rochester. This is a 16 page royal quarto, similar
in style to the foregoing, and devotes eleven columns
of the October number to "Questions and Answers,"
a very instructive feature where people are suffi-
ciently inqui-sitive to ask the questions, which is not
always the case. This journal is exclusively devoted
to fruit anl garden vegetation, and contains a great
amount of practical information on these useful
subjects. The question and answer department,
wliioh is even more extensive than that of the Neien-
lifie American, we regard as a most useful feature in
horticultural literature.
The Journal of Science.— An illustrated peri-
odical of practical information, designed for popular
i-eading and devoted to the diffusion of knowledge.
A demi folio published monthly, at ?1.00 a year in
advance, by the " Journal of Science Publishing
Company," Toledo, Ohio, E. H. Fitch, editor. A
very handsome little paper and just what its title
indicates it to be. Its matter is mainly original, and
is written with scientific ability, and the illustrations
are ample and of a superior order. Typographically
it is faultless and easy to read ; in this respect it is
admirably adapted to the vision of the advanced in
life, which is a gre&t desideratum.
The Bee-Keepers Exchange. — A m<agazine de-
voted exclusively to the best interests of producers
and consumers of honey. Published monthly at
Canajoharie, New York State. J. H. Nellis editor
and publisher. Seventy-five cents a year in advance
with liberal deductions for clubs. This is an octavo
of 14 pages, exclusive of tinted covers, and seems to
cover the ground iiTdicated by its title, and is liberally
embellished. Its matter is practical and instructive.
Eclipse Era. — "Something good for everybody."
A demi-octavo of 34 pages. Published by Frick &
Co., quarterly, at Waynesboro', Franklin county.
Pa., "U. S. .\." Contains, in a condensed form, a
widely diversified quantum of solid literary matter.
No. 5, Vol. I, for October, has been laid on our table
and we like it.
Case's Botanical Index and illustrated Quar-
terly Botanical Magazine, Richmond, Indiana, comes
laden with its usual freight of fruit and floral riches,
30 pp. 8vo., finely illustrated, and only $2.00 for five
copies, or 15 cents for a single number.
THE LANCASTER FARMER-
MISCELLANEOUS.
Comsumption Cured.
An old physician, n-tirea from practice, havlnp had
placed in his hands by au East Indian missionary the
formula of a simple vegetable remedy for the speedy
and permanent cure for Consumption, Bronchitis,
Catarrh, Asthma, aud all Throat'and Luue Affec-
tions, also a posliive aud radical cure fpr Nervous
Debility aud all Nervous Complaints, after having
tested its wouderful curative powers in thousands of
cases, has felt it his duty to make It known to his
sullcring fellows. Actuated by this motive and a
desire to relieve human sutlerinfj;, I will send free of
charfjc to all who desire It, this recipe, in German,
French, or English, with full dlreetious for prepar-
ing aud usiui; Sent by mall by addrcssiUK with
stamp, uaminsr this paper, \V. W. 8iikkah,149 Pow-
ers' Jilock, Hochesler, X. Y. loct-'im
Worthy of Attention.
Each volume of the American Ayriculturut gives
some 800 original engravings, with descriplious of
labor-saving and labor helping contrivances, of
plants, fruits, flowers, animals, etc., includiug many
large aud i)leasinK, as well as instructive, pictures
for young and old. The constant, systematic ex-
posures of humbugs and swindling schemes by the
AgricuUnrift are of great value to every one, and
will save to most persons many times its cost.
Altogether, it is one of the most valuable, as well
as cheapest, journals any where to be found. The
cost is only $1..50 a year, or four copies for $5.
Single numbers 1.5 cents. Subscribe at once for
18S0, aud receive the rest of this year free, or send
three-cent stamp for postage on a specimen copy.
Address Orange Judd Company, Publishers, 345
Broadway, New York.
A New Book.
\V. H. Bici-ly, Esq., of the Williamsport (I'u.) bar,
has issued a new book, "The Kigiiis and Duties of
County and Township Officers." It contains all the
acts and decisions in relation to the various county
and township offices, is a complete hand-book for
election officers, aud treats the tax laws fully.
Every officer aud tax payer will buy one. It con-
tains 300 pages, ueatly printed, bound in cloth and
gold, and sold at $i per volume. The ^Vellsboro'
Agitator says : " A book of this kind is badly
needed by the local officers of the State, and we
believe Mr. Bierly's compilation will be found of
great service. Members of the bar cpmmend it
heartily."
Munn & Co's. Hand-book.
The Scientijic Hand-book is the name of a work
published by Munn .t Co., New York, aud is a
valuable little book to inventors, authors, aud in
fact, almost every one. It is a treatise relating to
patents, caveats, designs, trade marks, copy-
rights, labels, etc.
"They are the publishers of The Scientific Ameri-
can, a large first-class weekly paper, 16 pp, pro-
fusely illustrated with engravings representing the
newest inventions and the most recent advances in
the arts and sciences.
Schum's New Store.
Philip Schum, Son i& Co. have opened a store in
the building formerly occupied by H. Z. Khoads
& Bro. as a jewelry establishment. They keep on
hand of their own manufacture, quilts, coverlets,
carpets, counterpanes, etc., besides ladies' furnish-
ing goods and notions. They pay particular atten-
tion to the manufacture of customer rag carpets,
besides doing dyeing and scouring of all kinds.
Their store is a handsome one, and is well worth
a visit.
The Examiner and Express.
Thts Weekly Examiner and Expresa is published
every Wednesday at No. 9 North Queen street. It
is a large four-page paper, with a supplement, and
contains just the kind of reading matter to make
it a desirable family newspaper. The subscription
price is two dollars a year. Subscribe for it.
The Secret Key to Health.
The Science of Life, or Self-Preeervation, HOO pages.
Price, only ?1. Contains fifty valuable prescrip-
tions, cither one of which is worth more than ten
times the price of the book. Illustrated sample sent
on receipt of 6 cents for iwstage. Address, Dr. W.
H. Parker, 4 Bulflnch St., Boston, Mass. oct-Jto
The Dentaphone.
The American Dentaphone Co.. 287 Vine street,
Cincinnati, Ohio, advertise iu this issue of Tns
Farmeu the Dentaphone. It is an instrument to
take the place of the ear trumpet, and on applica-
tion they will send a pamphlet explaining it.
FARMERS,
Look to Your Inteests,
IMPOUTANT TO FARMERS, TRUt KERS
AND <JAHnEXERS.
A NATURAL FERTILIZER !
Jerse
RICH IN DISSOLVED BONES.
PHOSPHORIC ACID.
POTASH, SILICIC ACID, dC.
I Permaunutly Enriches Ever-y Variety of Soil.
It Doubles the Yield of Grusfl.
It Insures Gtood Croi)s of Wheat, Com, I>olatoe8 Vegeta
bles aud Fruit.
Au excelleQt change for land alter the coutinudd use of
In successful use here over 100 years, and more than two
thirds of the cropped laud of Europe^improved with Marl.
It is uot a stimulaut.as patent manures are, bnt Its eflects
are lasting.
Farmers, why then pay from $30 to tto per ton for Phos-
phates, wUeu you cau buy a Natural Fertilizer at the low
$10 PER TON,
a lasting benefit
different Soils,
ion regarding its
D. P. BITNER,
General Agent for
LANCASTER COUNTY.
Agencies where BLARL is kept constantly on
iiand :
B, & B. F. Walter, Christiana, Pennsylvania Railroad.
Joseph C. Walker, Gap, •■ "
Henry H. Bohrer, Leaman Place, " "
.T. B. Newhauser, Bird.in-Hand, " "
Jacob Mauck, Rohrerstown, " "
M. G. Shludle, Mountville,
II. F. Bruuer, Columbia, " •*
Miller fc MuBser, Upper Marietta,
Groff fc Rutt. LandisWIIe, " '•
B. G. Groff, Elizabethtown. ■' "
Cassel h KIlug, Mount Joy, " "
Shultz&Bio., Washington Bor., Colum'a k Port Deposit R.
Samuel Harnish, Pequea Station, '• ••
Kirk Brown, Haines Station *' **
•\V. Q. Mellinger, West Widow, Quarryville Railroad.
James A. Meok, Refton Station, " "
Achcsou & Swarr, Mechanics Grove, " •'
H. W. Graybill, Petersburg, Reading h Columbia Railroad.
Hershey & Danuer, Manheim, "
Wm. Evans h Son. Litiz, " "
P. S. Brubaker, Millway, " "
Sener & Bro., Ephrata, " "
Brubaker h Co., Union, " "
Diller h Sutton, New HoUand, Wayneaburg Railroad.
D. P. BITNER, Lancaster, Fa.
T»-10-lm.
—THE—
FIRST ANNUAL EXHIBITION
111' TMK
LANCASTER COUNTY
POULTRY i^SSOClATION,
WILI, UE IIEI.U IN
LOCHER'fS BllLDING,
<'E\TRE SiJlARE, I,AN( ASTER, VS..
January 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7,
$500 OFFERED IN PREMIUMS.
Premium List soiit on ai>pliciition to
J. B. LICHTY,
Secretary.
. M. HABERBUSH,
MANUI'ACTUREUOF
Plain and Fine Harness,
K.4l>l»I,f:S.
COLLARS, "WHIPS, FLY NETS, &c.,
ALSO DKALKH IN
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
BUFALO UUBKS,
Horse Covers, Lap-Rugs, Gloves, &c.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
-1-12] LANOASTKR, PA.
GLOVES, SHIRTS, UNDERWEAR. Ih
Ed
SHIRTS MADE TO ORDER,
AND WAUUANTEU TO KIT.
£. J. £RISMAIf .
56 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
PHAHES W. FRY.
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
WftLL PAPERS WINDOW SHABE8,
HoIInnflM, Plain Shadp 4'lolli,
1879 FALL AND WINTER 1880
Clotljs, Cassinjeres, Coatings, Suiliijgs,
Vestirigs, and
FURNISHING GOODS,
lucludiuK the vinual faBhiouable variolies of the seaaon,
PLAllV, STRIPED AND FIGURED.
AI,80,
READY^M/^DE CLOTtJING,
AT THE VERY BOnOM PRICES.
LANCASTER.
RATHVON & FISHER,
fjerchant Tailors, Drapers and Clotljiers,
Corner N. Queen and Orange Sts.
" A penny aaved is sixpence earned."
Mddrens Stibbom & Co., Portland, MalusJ
lY.
Trails 2>te:-^77-
ELASTIC TRUSS
HasaPaddif
fering from
all others, is
cup-shaped,
with SELF-
ADJUST'NG
BALL in the
center, adapts
itself to all
.^gj^^^^fc^ positions of the hody,
^SQ^M^Ki while the BALL in the
URBSHFJCnp PRESSES BACK
^SS^Sr THE INTESTINES
^S^ JUST AS A PERSON
"" WOtTLD WITH THE
*" ^""^^pJ.'"" " ITNGER. With light
pressure the Hernia is
bield seonrely day and night, and a rad-
leal cure is certain. It is easy, durable
and cheap. Sent by mail, postage paid,
Circulars ft-ee.
Address, Eggleston Truss Co., Manfira.
Ov c. H. EGGLESTON CO., Chicago.lH.
t9-T-ly]
THE LANCASTER FARMER'
[November, 1879.
1 GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
TRADE MARK IlieOroal i'ng;liHli TRADE MARK.
"■ [•niedt willrromit ^■~-
ally .mc;
V case of
\uub Deliili } and £iK^^'^\
OurlalLbt inipro\ed sawing machine cuts
off a 2fcot l.jr m 2 minutes. A $!00
PRESENT will be given to two men who
can saw as much in the old way, as one man
can with this machine. Circulars sent free.
W. Giles, 741 W. Lake St., Chicago, IlL
iig Co
stopping all infringements upon
wd W. W. Bostwick and Farmers'
lakiug machines like "Ura. We have
Star City. Ina., for using and sell-
A GOOD PLAN.
Anybody can learn to make, money rapidly operating In
Stocks, by the "Two Unerring Rules for Success" In Messrs.
Lawrence & Co.'s new circular. The combination method,
which this firm has made so successful, enables people with
large or small means to reap all thehenentsof largest capital
and best skill Thousands of oraeis in \arous sums are
pooled into one^ast amount and no itei as a. vughty
ttAo^, thus securing to p ch shTrohold l lU tbe advantTges
of thelaige=to!H t t-t r ntsaiedivided monthly
Any amount fr le can be used a xcces^
fully. N \ ember ''jth 1S78 says
"Bythecon Id make $75 or ■> per
cent ; $dO \ °inn mikei $1 000
orlOpercBu 1 > tl orrting
to the marke / k J June
29tb;: Tbe combination i the
most successful ever a I i t d^nt
September 12th The com 1 i 1 ol
correct business pnncii le ml i bout
an income w hile it is kept \\ rki i^ ) V s T nee V
Co.^BTQoUijn Journal Ai nl 20th Our editor made a net
profit of JlOl '>5 from $aO in one ot Messrs Lawrence &
Co. 'a conibiuatlons J,c-n cirt-uHi (ma led free) e\pla ns
everything Stocks and bonds wanted Ctovernn ent hoijde
supplied Lawrences. Cn B ukcis 6" Lxehauge Place
JJ. T. [i95i2m
THE BEST PAPER! TRY IT
BEAUTIFU LLY ILLUSTRATED,
3Stli YEA.R,
The goientiflc Amerioan.
ATTENTION ! FARMERS
New Process Unseed Meal.
THE BEST AND MOST ECONOMICAL
« ATTI.E FOOnS.
GROVE & BRO.,
2I« Kare Street, I'hlladclpbin
p.iperou fruit and flowers. Specimen free.
ssfor ilKelj: Address rUEDY. of Pahnyra, N. Y.
THE DEAF HEAR
I
THROUGH THE TEETH!
EliFECTI.V. all Ordinary Conversation
pectures. Concerts, etc., by NEIV CLani.pL.
" Deaf ind''nu'mb-S°e JV™ r'ik UtrMd
jttplaeen all E.nr-triiinneMi. size o
dlnarr Watch. Soml for oiir I'HEE pnni|,l,l
AMERICAN DENTAPHONE CO.. 287 vine SL, (
Nov-3m
I
ARMS
the Kansas Pacific
I Railway. 3,000,000
Acres for Sale in the
I GOLDEN BELT.
1 20 tu 50 bnsbel9 ; Corn
I 4O10l0Olni«h.pe.ncr<-.
I Noittannroneodnl.
1 Goodclimate, p'ir..\v;iti'i ,
I fine KChooU, ehiircli.^,
j and good society. P.;ijli.i,'
I S-OIUaOBE, LaudC
mm
The Scient
News) arer of
style, profuse \
aentiligthe n^
in the Arts ;r,
Medical Prog!
Astronomy, Tl
rce First-Class Weekly
tl ii) llic most beautiful
naravinrjs, repre-
Hea:
i History, Geology,
ihi.itle prailiCil papers, by emi-
nent writers in all departments of Science, will be found in
the Scientific American.
Terms, $3.20 per year, $1.60 half year, which includes
postage. Discount to Agents. Single copies, ten cents.
Sold by a'l Newsdealers. Remit by postal order to MUNN
& CO., Publishers, 37 Park Row, New York
"D A T'T'WTT'Q I" connection with the
jrA.A.jUiyi X9( SeicntiHc American,
Messrs. Munn & Co. are .Solicitors of Ameilcan and Foreign
Patents, have had 35 years' expeiieiice, «jd now have the
largest establishment in the world, i'atents are obtained on
the best terms. A special notice is made in tbe Soleiitifle
Atnerlcan of all Inventions patented through this
Agency, with the Hame and residence of the Patantee. By
the immense circulation thus given, public attention is di-
rected to the merits of the new patent, and sales or intro-
daction often easily efi'ected.
Any person who has made a new discovery or invention,
can ascertain, /rfp o/ charr/p, whether a patent can probably
be obtained, by writing to' Mdnn b Co. We also send free
our Hand-Book about the Patent Laws, Patents, Caveats,
Trade-Marks, their costs, and how procured, with hints for
procuring advances on inventions. Address for the Paper,
or concorntng Patents,
MUNN & CO.. 37 Park Bow, New York.
Branch Office, cor. F & 7th Ste., Washington, D. O.
^pOAdd
L your own town. Terms and $5 outfit free.
)Addre88 H. Hallbtt b Co., Portland, Maine.
■ jan-lyr»
(h70A WEEK. $12 a day at 1
O ( Zoiitflt free. Address Tur
juu-lyr-
FREE GIFT!
.Sei
jcted with 4'oiisiiinpti
Asthma, Sore Tliront, or Nns.tl <'alarrh. It
is elegantly printed and illustrated. 144 pages, 12mo, 18i9.
It has been the means in the providence of God of saving
many valuable lives. Send name and post office address,
with six cents postage lor mailing. The book is valuable to
persons sulTering with any disease of the Nose, Throat
or I.iiiigs. Address, Br. Sf. E. WOI.FE, ICincin-
natj, O
KS. J
hio.
79-10-2m.
SEND FOR
On Concord Grapevines, Transplanted Evergreens, Tulip,
Poplar, Linden Maple, etc. Tree Seedlings and Trees for
timber plantations by the 100,000.
J. JENKIDfS' NURSERY,
3-2-79 WINONA, COLUMBIANA CO., OHIO.
jd fitcbj mall to every one.
11 druggists at $1 per pack-
MEDIOINE COMPANY,
^ Block, Detroit, Michigan.
SAWING THE LOG.
WONDERFUL IMPRO^TD
Latior Saviiie RIi>l.'«« S 1« M 4Cin.\i: 13 fUlly
demonstrated hv the numher in n<ip and the present
demand for them It s.iws I.oas of any size One
and easier than two men can tbe old way. It will
saw a two foot log 117
er needs one. To
Illustrated Circular and Terms.
Address W. W. BOSTWICK A CO..
178 Elm St., Cincinnati, Oi.
79-1 0^2m
inn APRFQ PLANTED -WITH BERErES.
11911 Awn to lOOvarietiesof Se!ec(e(i J'-ru.V..
lUU Plants grown for triinsplantiiie, and
Fruit for tbe niai'ket. re'""See New t'atalosue
for what surta to plant. Sent free. Address
JOHN S. COLLINS, Moorestown. New Jersey.
83f- Also JBliiSEY itEU PItiS, all pure stick.
FARM ACCOUNTS!
cm. Au eotirely
Send postal for
A GHOICi: GIFT
For all times,
HOLIDAYS, WEDDING, BIRTHDAY,
*NNI«ERS«RY, or any other day; for
PASTOR, TEACHER, PARENT. CHILD, FRIEND,
WEBSTER'S UNABRIDGED.
NEW EDITION.
Containing a SUPPLEMENT of over
4600 JiEW WORDS and Meanings.
AL.SO ADDED, A NEW
Biographical Dictionary
of over 9700 NAMES.
A NATIONAL STANDARD.
WEBSTER'S is the Dictionary used in the
Government Printing OtMce. Jan. 1879.
Every State purchase of Dictionaries for
Schools has been of Webster.
Books in the Public Schools of the United
States are mainly based on Webster.
Sale of Webster's is 20 limes «9 great as the
sale of any other series of Dictionaries.
THIRTY-TWO THOUSAND COPIES have been
placed in the public schools of the U.S.
E'l^mtrinjs,— contains 3000, nearly three
times as many as any other Dictionary.
Reciimmeniied by State Supt's of Schools in
3.5 States, and by 50 College Pres'ts.
Published by G. & C. MERRISM, Springfield. "!»
Nov-
GENTS I READ THIS I
n We will pay Agen
month and expoHses
1
Nov-Om.
ary
a lar
and wanderful iuventtinns.
ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM- SINGLE COPIES 10 CENTS.
Dr. S. S. EATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER, PA.. DECEMBER, 1879.
jCHN h. HIESTAND. Fub'.ijher.
noivv at l.ii
CONTENTS OFJTHIS NUMBER.
EDITORIAL.
To Our Pat 10118, ..----
Analysis of the Farmer, - . - - -
Special Notice, .-.-.-
Our Contributors, ------
Condensed Truth, ------
The Incubator, -------
How to Hatch Ctiickeus wilhoin Hens.
Meteorological Contrast,
tJupreceileute<lI> Cold Weatlur Tliroiigbont Europf
Scientific Nomenclature, - - . - -
QUERIES AND ANSWERS.
Aphids Persica, ------
Aphids, ------..
Cicada Septendecim, - - . - .
CONTRIBUTIONS.
A Christmas Greeting, - - . - -
Cisterns, -----..
SELECTIONS.
Wool Manufacturers and Sheep Husbandry,
Our Grain Capacity,
Geese— And Something About Them,
Remedy for Diphtheria, . - - .
Oatmeal, -
Ice-Houses, -------
The Duty of Our Farmers, - . - .
The Intelligent Farmer, - - . -
How to Cook Cheese, . - - . .
Whisky— Revenue List of the States, -
Coffee— A Coffee-flcid in Brazil,
AVashing Fowls, ------
How to Keep Fowls, -
The Grain Crop, ------
Comparative Value of Woods, - . -
Statistical, - - - . . - - - , i
OUR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Lancaster County Agricultural and Horticultu-
ral Society, ----.. i
Crop Reports— High Farming— Dairj FaimIng—
Slock KaiBiLg— Slate Agricultural Society— BuBi-
uege for Next Meetlug.
Poultry Association, ------ i
MeuiberB Preseut— The Catalogue— Election of Kew
.Members — Filling a Vacancy — Securing an Idch-
bator— EgKS Wanted— Misoellulieous.
Special Meeting of Poultry AsBociation, - - 1
Linnseau Society, ----.. i
Additious to the Library — Hiatorical Collectious
PaperB Read.
AGRICULTURE.
The Origin of Wheat In America, - - 1
A Senator's View of Farming, - - - i
Depth of Sowing M'heat, - - - - ]
Wheat and Oats, ...... i
Feeding Mowing Lands, - . - . 1
Plowing by Electricity, ----- i
About Corn and Wheat, - - - . i
Rolling After Sowing Wheat Fields, - - 1
18t«
IHO
190
HORTICULTURK.
Principles of Pruning,
Fruit Exports of the United States, -
Fastening Zinc Labels on Trees,
Cleaning Fruit Trees, - - - ■
Manuring Fruit Trees,
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
Chickens to Boil, . . - .
Fried Chicken, . - - - .
Roasted Chicken or Fowl.
Roast Duck, - - - . -
Our Receipt for Curing Meat,
Cough Mixture, . ■ - .
HOUSEHOLD RECIPES
Pie Paste, ------
Ufeful Accomplishment,
Cleaning Tinware, - - - -
Rice Pudding, - litO
Indian Meal Pancakes, ----- 190
Beefsteak Omelette, ----- 190
Cream Muffins, - - 190
Delicate Cake, ------ 190
Japanned Ware, .--.-• 190
Sooty Chimneys Cured, - - - - 190
Lemon Pies, - - - -
Chicken Cheese, -
Mince Pies, - - - -
To Cure Hams, -
Oat-Meal Pudding, -
Pumpkin Pudding,
Tea Biscuit, - - - -
Orange Pudding, -
LIVE STOCK.
•hoosing Stock for the Farm, -
Feeding Cows, - - - -
Mixed Foods, - - - -
A Few Suggestions to Horse Trail
Hay as Food for Hogs,
Cracked Heels, - - - -
Unhorning Calves, -
APIARY.
Dysentery as a Bee Disease,
How Far Bees will go for Honey,
Profitable Bees,
Wonderful Feats with Bees,
POULTRY.
Fattening Turkeys, - - -
Poultry Interests of America,
Poultry Breeding, - • -
Pure-Bred and Common Fowls, - - ■ 19.
Feeding Troughs for Poultry, - - - - 192
Eggs for Winter Use, - - - - - 192
Literary and Personal, . . - . - 19^
191
191
SEND FOR
Poplar, Liiuleii .Mui I
timber pluutations lij
J. JK\KII«N< Nl
8-»-7» WINHNA. COLUMBIANA CO., OHIO.
THE
]V\\\ i ITI
OFFICE,
Noi 9 North Queen Street
LANCASTER. PA..
lEILI EMIIlHi m EXPRESS
Is an old, well-eBtabllBhed newspaper, and contains just the
news desirable to inak(wit an iiiierestiug and valuable
Family Newspiper. Il^ls published every Wedueeday
morning. The posiage to subcribers residing outside of
Lancaster couuty ia paid by tbe publisher.
Seud for a specimen cojiy.
Two Dollars per Annum.
Is published every afternoon (except Sunday) and contains
the news by mail ami telegraptl from all p;trt« ot tile world
up to the hour of going to press. It is furuished to sub-
Bcrit)ore at all the towus and villagca )u the county, aocee-
Biblc by rail or stage, by carriers at Ten Onlit a We«k.
or by mail at Five Dollnrs per Yenr.
JOHN A. HIESTAND. Proprietor,
No. 9 Nort'A Qneen St..
J". ST-A-XJI^JE^EjF^,
SOLICITOR OF PATENTS,
LANCASTER, j^A,,
235 EAST ORANGE ST.
.Ml matterB appertaining to UNITED STATES or CANA-
DIAN PATENTS, TKADE MAKK8, and COPYBIGHTS,
promptly attended to. His experience, success a d faithful
attention to the interests of those wlio engage his servicea
are fully acknowledged and appreciated.
Preliminary examinations made for him by a reliable Af-
sistant at Washington, without extra charge for drawiim
or description. [7»-l-t
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
Jr Trains LEAVE the Dei
WE TWARD.
(AII.ROAD
ot iu this city.
Leave
Lancaster.
2:40 a. m.
5:00 a.m.
10:05 a.m.
10:10 p. m.
11:05 a.m.
11:07 a. in.
10:50 a. m,
2:10 p. m
2:15 p.m.
5:46 p. m.
7:20 p. m.
7:25 p.m.
8:50 p.m.
11:30 p.m.
Lancaster.
12:25 a. m.
4:10 a. m.
5:20 a. m.
7:35 a. m.
9.10 p. m.
1:25 p. m.
2:00 p. m.
3:0.^ p. m.
6:20 p.m.
6:25 p. m.
ion, west, coun
, at 9:35 a. m
tion, west, con
to p.m.. and ru
ou Sunday, w
htowu, Mount .
J daily.
y-
SCHEDITLE.
IS follows :
Arrive
Hanisburg.
4:05 a. m?
7-50 a m
Mail train via Mt. Joy
Col. 10:40 a m.
12:40 p. m.
Fast Liue*
3:25 p. m.
Frederick Accommodation.
Harrisburg Accom
Columbia Accommodation..
Harrisbuvg Express
Pittsburg Express
Cincinnati Express"
EASTWARD.
Col. 2:45 p. m.
7:40 p. m.
Col. 8:20 p. m.
8:40 p. m.
10:10 p.m.
12:45 a. m.
Philadelphia.
3:00 a. m.
PhUadelphia Expresst
7:00 a. m.
Harrisburg Express
Columbia .\ccommodation..
10:00 a. m.
12:0 p.m.
Johnstown Express
Day Express*
6:30 p. m.
7:20 p. m.
The Hanover Acoommodat
with Niagara Express, wes
through to Hanover.
The Frederick Accommod
ter with Fast Line, west, at 2
The Pacific Express, east
stop at Middletown, Elizabet
•The onlv trains which ru
tRuus daily, except Mondj
!Cts at Lancaster
.and will run
nectsat Lancas-
ns to Frederick,
len flagged, will
oyand Laudis-
NORBECK & MILEY,
PRACTICAL
Carriage 'Builders,
(OX & (JO'S m STA »,
Corner of Duke aoJ Vine Streets,
LANCASTER, PA.
THE LATEST I.MPROVED
SIDE-BAR BUGGIES.
PHOTONS,
Carriages, Etc,
M
Prices io Suit the Times.
KEPAIRING promptly attended to. All work
Sjuaranteed.
79 -2- ^__
£». ^. <Do:s.,
Manufacturer of
Carriages, Buggies, Phaetons, etc.
CHURCH ST., NEAR DUKE, LANCASTER, PA.
Large Stock of New and Second-hand Work on hand,
very cheap. Carriages Made to Order. Work Warranted
for one year. [79-1-li
EDW. J. ZAHM,
AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
WATCHES,
SOLID SILVER & SILVER PLATED WARE,
CLOCKS.
JEWELRY ITABLE CUTLERY.
Sole Agent for the Arundel Tinted
SPECTACLES.
Re]»airiuK strictly atteLided to.
North Queen-st. and Centre Square, Lancaster, Pa.
fTBEES
Fruit, Shade and Ornamental Trees.
Plaut Treea raised in thiM couuiy uud waited to tills climate.
Write for prices to
LOUIS C. LYTE
Bird-in-Hand P. O., Lancaster co., Pa.
Nursery at Smoketown, six miles east of Laiicaster.
WIDMYER & RICKSECKER,
UPHOLSTERERS,
And Manufactu
n. T». :^o W]vx^a.ra,
AT LOWEST l>4»>«SIBL,E FRI4'E8,
Fully guaranteed.
No. 106 EAST KING STREET,
79-1-12] Oiipnsirr l.eopmd Sotrl.
ESTABLISHED 1S32.
ia^^.
4
(-1. SKXEli & i^OIS'S.
Miiuufacturers and dcah-rs iu all kinds of rough and
fli.i.shed
The best Saw.d .SHI^'GEESiu the country. .Vlso Sash,
Doors, Bliiidp. MoulJiugs, Sic.
PATENT 0. G. WEATHERBOARDING
OFFICE AND YARD :
Northeast Corner of Prince and Walnnt-sts.,
LANCA.STKR, P^.
PRACTICAL ESSAYS ON ENTOMOLOGY,
NOXIOUS AND INNOXIOUS
INSECTS,
By S. S. RATHVON, Ph. D.
LANCASTER, PA.
This work will be Highly Illustrated, aud will be j.ut in
press (as soon after a Rufficieut number of subscribers can
be obtained to cover the cost) as the work can possibly be
accomplished.
79-2-
FURNITURE PD CHAIRS.
WAKRKOOM.S:
102 East King St., Oor. of Dake St.
LANCASTER, PA.
Special Inducemenis at the
NEW FURNITURE STORE
W. A. HEINITSH,
3V«=.. IS X-2 lEJ. XCXl^rcSr Sn-MJUT,
(over Bursk's Grocery Storei. Laucabter, Pa.
A general assor'ment of furniture of all kinds constautlf
on hand. Don't forget the number.
iS X-a XJAst IS:ixxs street,
Nov-ly] (overBurtk's Grocery Siore.)
$77 >
For Good and Cheap Work go to
F. VOLLMER'S
rURMTURH WARE ROOMS,
No 309 NORTH QUEEN ST..
(Opposite Nurfbern Market),
Xja.xxo£i.istex-, X*a..
Also, all kinds of ].iclu.e frame,. noi'-ly
GREAT BARGAINS.
A liirgf assoctnifiit of uU kiudH of Carpets are still sold at
CARPET HALL OF "hTs. SHIRK,
:So, 202 West King St.
Call iiud exjiniine our stock jiud satisfy yourself that we
can ahovt the largest iissurtmeut of ttiese Bruesels, three
plies aud idgralu at all prices— at the lowest Philadelphia
Also on haud u large aud oODiplete assortment of Rag
Carpet.
Kiitiatacliou guaranteed bath as to price and quality.
Voii ;uv invited to c ill and see my goods. No trouble m
sbuwiiit^ ibe(n I'ven if you do not want to purchase.
Dniit foif^rf this liolice. You can save money here if you
PHILIP SCHUM, SON & CO.,
38 and 40 "West King- Street.
We keej' on band of uur own manufacture,
QUILTS, COVERLETS,
^ COUNTERPANES, CARPETS,
Bureau and Tidy Covers. Ladies' Furnishing Goods, No-
Particular attention paid to customer Rag Carpet, and
scowering aud dyeintjof all kinds.
PHILIP SOHUM, SON & CO.,
Nov-ly I.iincaster, Pa.
THE HOLMAN LIVER PAD
Cures by absorption witLont niediciiie.
Now is the time io apply these remedies. They will i
for you what nothing else on earth can. Hundreds of cil
zens of Lancaster sty so. Get the genuine at
LANCASTER OFFICE AND SALESROOM,
22 East Orange Street.
C. R. KLINE,
^TTOF(NEY-AT-|:.AW,
OFFICE : 15 NORTH DUKE STREET,
LA-NCA.STKR, VA..
NoT-ly
The Lancaster Farmer.
Dr. S. S. RATHVON, Editor.
LANCASTER. PA., DECEMBER, 1879.
Vol. XI. No. 12.
Editorial.
TO OUR PATRONS.
Thi.siiuinlHTC(incliules (lie <lnrnth mhimr
of The I,AN( ASTKi: Fai:mi:i;. :m<l we tinder
to our patrniisouiaiuiu.il ( 'hri.-iliiias^i-cctiims.
We have strus;,'lfa tlir(>u!,'li annlluT year, ami
we luive done wliat litlle we eiuild in advaiie-
in<j the material and .soeial iiileiests of the
ch>ss we represent. That we liave not done
more may liave been from a want of resourci!S
more than from a want of will. From the
dark night of adversity throne;h which we, in
common with the great majority of our coun-
trymen, have lieen jiassiiig for a series of
eventful years, we trust that we now are
emerging into the light of a brighter day, and
that the facilities for a higher and more en-
larged usefulness, ou our part, may be speed-
eatpgoiy of modern improvement; l>ut, as true
progress can make no step l)ackward, it would
bejust aspossihl.' to dispense with all these
things, as to dispense witli newspapers and
other liteiiuy piil)lieutions, and especially
tho.se devoted' to the interests of local agri-
culture. It is these considerations which
have stimulated us in our efforts to build up
in Laneaster cniintv an agrieMltural journal,
isl
ily and amply developed. Time, tircnmst.ance,
aud home and foreign opinion, have only more
lirmly ti.Ked in our mind and lieart, tliat our
great county cannot allonl to be witliout a
local exponent of her aiirieultmal interests,
whether she herself is cognizant, or ever will
be cogniziiut, of that fact or not. Neitlier in-
dividuals nor communities are always tlie be.st
judges of what omjht to be. Progress is ag-
gressive, reformation is aggressive, and so is
social improvement. If it wrir hi'i lo tlie
dictation and movement of tiic ma.-si ,, ihcre
would be little, if any, either inonil. s.i.ial or
mechanical progress, riio minority, and often
the few, stimulated by irresistible impulses of
progress, harness themselves to the car of
improvement, and pull it and push it through
avenues and into places it never would be
found, if it had to Ije accomplished by the vol-
untary aiMl simultaneous efforts of the masses.
Hence the whole newspaper and publishing
machinery of our country, and all other civil-
ized countries, has ever been an aggressive
work. It has not stopped to cavil with the
people, as to whether its presence has been a
necessity or not, but it has labored to make
itself a necessity, and slowly but surely the
people are beginning to recognize its empire.
Anihilate the press," and you'seal the doom of
civilization. The pregnant fact that the press
is so amply sustained in our country, in the
very face of its great abuse, is a living testi-
mony of its use, as a lever of civilization. If
this is true as a general proposition, it cannot
be otherwise than true in its particular appli-
cation. Tliat community which most liber-
ally sustains tlie press, must necessarily be
endowed with a corresponding degree of men-
tal culture, for it is the ignorant and illiterate
who do not read. With these views as a pre-
liminary, it must be ai)parent that the higher
and more important the industrial interest,
the greater need of a medium tlirough which
its principles and its progress may be brought
before the people. Agriculture is not merely
a secondary, or a third rate interest. It stands
first and foremost, a head and shoulders
higher than any other interest that can possi-
bly engage the minds and hands of men. It
is the base of our social structure, and it
would be but a natural conclusion to expect
that sucli an interest should have its literature,
and its literary rejiresentative wherever it ex-
ists as a human occupation. Time was when
there were no agricultural publications, but
for the matter of tliat, tliere was a time when
there were no publications of any kind. So
also there was a time when there was no
modern plow, reaper, thresher, and numerous
other implements used in husbandry, which
have been developed through the necessities
pertaining to domestic economy. So also
there was a time. when there were no steam
engine, no railroafl, no telegraph, no gaslight,
and many other things now included in the
"fixed iustitiilioir," no degree of prosiierity
or adversity can diminish the demands of the
human family upon the storehouse of its sus-
taining treasures. When many occupations
become a hixunj too exiieiisive to be indulged
in, agricultiiiv still iciiuiiiis as an all-pervad-
ing and ever-pn siiil lur, .-^aHii.
We desire our patrons and the public to
maturely ponder these things, and rellect
whether the sphere of our journal cann ,t, and
ought not, to be m.atorially increased. The
lirospeets now are that the American farmers
will liicoine the feeders of the world, and it is
lliiduyh tlie mediiun of the press that their in-
tertsts, Ijoth at lionicand abroad, can be most
effectively represented. The American farm-
ers are now enjoying a degree of prosperity
not enjoyed by any other occupation, nor by
any otlier country in the world; they have a
• siiiT thing" under any circumstances, and
om- wish is that they always shall have. Time
is 'inarcliing along," and it is but meet that
they should " keep step" and march abreast
with it, if not in advance. A year of reason-
able health and plenty to the farmer, is now
coming to a close, and if there is no occasion
for thankfulness and liberality now, then it is
not likely such an epoch will ever occur. But
before the advent of another year we will pass
through that festive season which commemo-
rates ' 'peace on earth, good will towards men, "
and if there has been the least goodness or
liberality hidden down in the will and affec-
tions, during the year, that could not be ulti-
mated on account of the cares and anxieties of
business life, the "coming event" will be
likely to develop it then. That peace, friend-
ship and good cheer may be the lot of all our
friends and patrons is our greeting being
their Memj ChrisUnas holidays.
ANALYSIS OF THE FARMER.
In preparing the index of The Lancaster
Faiimer, for tlie year 1879, we were more
than ordinarily imi)ressed with the amount of
labor the editing of our journal involved dur-
ing the year, a labor of which few can form a
just conception, until the matter is analyti-
cally and statistically brought to their notice.
We find that volume eleven, of which the
present is the concluding number, contains
one hundred and ten editorial articles, from a
quarter column to a full page or more in
length. But this is not by any means the
most laborious division of the work. We be-
lieve we but reflect the general sentiment of
the editorial "craft," when we say that "con-
ning" half a hundred monthly and semi-
moiithlv exchanges, periodically, and making
selections therefrom, adapted to any special
locality, is more laborious, perplexing and
fatiguing, that writing ori.ginal papers. Of
course this may not be universally the case,
but it is measurably so, as far as «'e are con-
cerned. Many people imagine that an editor
ought to remember all tliat he has WTitten
during the year, and be able to recall it in de-
tail, under any circumstance, and at any time
or place ; but as well might they expect a
compositor to recall and repeat all th.at he has
put in tyi)e during the year. In addition to
the above number of editorials, Jive commu-
nications, fifty-seven contributions; twenty-thru.
essays; tvienlii-one (\\\cr\es and answers, . and
iim lni„d,;,l' „„d (innty-liro personal and lit-
erary iioticis, lia\i' appeared among its origi-
(h-id mill siiriili, II original papers, a little over
one for each working day in the year. In ad-
dition to these we have published eiijhty-seren
special selections, sonic' of which covered more
than a page; besides i !iiliti/-Uira excerpts on
agriculture: si >■, niii-ilini on horticulture;
siriiiliiii oil lloricuitlire; snriiti/-tiro on do-
mestic eeonomy; Jij'ly-ci'jlit on live stock;
xiirnty-imf i)\{ poultry; (/iiV(.i/-s(a; ou insects,
and eiijhlcen on the ai)iary'. We have also
publislied the proceedings of «/wr<e«?i meetings
of the Agricultural and Horticultural .Society;
tirebe ot thf I'oultry Association; fmir of the
Beekeepers' Society; lu-clve of the Liunsean
Society; .Sfwi of the Fulton Fanners' Club;
four of' the Warwick Farmers' Club; one of
the State Board of Agriculture; one of the
State Miller's Association, and one of the
Pcnnsvlvania Fruit Growers' Society; besides
one hunih-cil nwl fifty-eight household receipts.
All these literary items, numerically amount-
ing to ten hundred and fifty-eiyht, wheth-
er original or selected, had to be carefully
read, picked over letter by letter, and put
into print, for the delectation and instruc-
tion of the farming public. This literary
feast has been furnished during the year 1879
for the small sum of one dollar. Our main
object has been to furnish permanent and
standard matter that will not "siwil". by being
kept for future reference by posterity.
SPECIAL NOTICE.
We wish to imjiress it upon the memory of
the subscribers of The Farmer, that the
editor has nothing whatever to do with the
subscription list and book accounts, nor with
the terms and tenure of the advertising de-
partment; those matters belong to the specific
domain of the publisher and proprietor. It
seems superfluous to nmkc this statement
here, for it is made in evci7 number of The
Farmer throughout the year. But we are
so often written to on subjects purely relating
to the publishing department, that we feel
compelled to admonish the patrons of the
paper to read, think and act in accordance
therewith in relation to this subject. Of
course, when convenient, we hand these com-
munications over to the publisher or his agents,
but our residence is not in or near the print-
ing ollice, and if we are too much engaged,
the matter is likely to be forgotten Ijefore we
may have occasion to visit the office. The
functions of editor and publisher are entirely
distinct; and it appears to us that no one of
common intelligence could possibly make a
mist.ake in this respect; and yet it is made over
and over again. Editor.
OUR CONTRIBUTORS.
We return our sinceri'st thanks to those
friends w)io have coutrilmled to our columns
during the year IS"'.), and especially to those
who have continued their contributions
through "rain and shine," through "thick
and a\in," through "ill-report and good,"
those who have lifted themselves up, and only
considered the advancement of our journal
and the dignity of our eomminiity, without
regard, to person. While we arc none the less
thankful to all, no matter how brief their do-
nations to our columns, or how "few and far
between." we still must regret that those have
almost ceased to "write for The Farmer,"
whom we had flattered ourselves felt the
deepest solicitude for its success. Of course
we mean no rebuke, for every one is presumed
to know hisown business best, and how far it
is within the scope of hi.s time, convenience,
178
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ December,
or ability to write. We admonish them how-
ever not to entirelj' forget us. The status of
an agricultural journal is very much what its
literary contributors make it. We hope to
hear from them anon.
CONDENSED TRUTH.
"Every farmer of Lancaster county should
subscribe for and read the Lancaster
Farsieb, our home agricultural organ— and
the many thousands of farmers elsewhere
throughout the union would also find that by
subscribing for The Farmer they would be
making a most judicious investment of a
dollar, as it is published in the most advanced
agricultural community in the land, and is
thoroughly practical throughout. Farmers,
try it for one year and be convinced of its
value. J. A. Hiestaud, publisher, Lancas-
ter, Pa."— Nei« Holland Clarion, Bcvember IS,
1879.
A great truth compressed into a very small
space— indeed good things generally come in
"small packages." Tue above is only one
among the many testimonials to the excellence
of the Lancaster Farmer which we have
received during the past year, and we prefer
to make use of this because it comes from
nearest to our own home. Our excellent
contemporary knows whereof he speaks, and
no more appropriate time could be taken
advantage of to follow his wholesome advice
than just now. If you wish to know the
intrinsic excellence of a thing the best way to
obtain that information is to ask those who
are nearest related to it. If you wish to know
the quality of a man, ask his .wife, his chil-
dren or his neighbors. Newspaper publica-
tions have their difierent spheres of operation,
within wliicli spheres nothing out of them can
so eli'ectually perform their special uses. The
country press is much more than the country
gives it ciedit for. Take any of our metro-
politan journals and notice how largely they
quote from the country press, and if that
source of information was entirely suppressed
they would be very dull things for general
country reading. The Lancaster Farmer
is the only purely agricultural journal in
Pennsylvania, outside of the city of Philadel-
phia, and is published in the centre of one of
the most wealthy, proUHc and intelligent
districts in the State. As an advertising
medium of any thing relating to its specialty,
it has no superior in the county, if in the
entire State, and it scatters its information
in regions far beyond our State aud county
borders. What we ask for ourselves we also
ask for other local journals, and especially for
the New Holland Clarion, which has most
deservedly become one of the fixed institutions
of our county. May its lamp continue to
burn, even if ours should be extinguished.
THE INCUBATOR.
How to Hatch Chickens Without Hens.
"The incubator which is to be in operation
and on exhibition at the show of "Tne Lan-
caster County Poultry Association" has
arrived here, and is now being put in opera-
tion at the liouse of Mr. J. B. Lichty, in order
that the chicks may be coming out on the
several days of the show, and for the present
is under the care and management of Mr.
John (J. Burrowes.
At first view the incubator looks like a box
with two drawers in the front, a hole with a
valve in it, an electric battery with an electro-
magnet and some clock-work on the top, and
a lamp with a boiler on the end. When the
drawers are opened, the bottom of which is
wire netting, are seen a pyrometer and a
thermometer. Under the egg-drawer there
is a large, shallow pan filled with water; this
is to keep the eggs moist. Between the pan
and egg-drawer there are iron tubes with
small holes in them, extending from side to
side of the machine. 'Xhese are to give a free
circulation of fresh air. Directly above the
eggs there is a tank extending over the whole
top of the machine. This tank is in connec-
tion with the boiler at the end, and there is a
circulation between them, so that all the water
is kept at about the same temperature.
But what is the use of the electric appara-
tus ? Well, when the heat gets up to a
certain temperature it acts on the pyrometer,
which is connected with the battery and the !
magnet, and completes the circuit. As soon
as this is done, the magnet attracts the
armature, and this starts the clock which
opens the valve and lets in cool air until the
pyrometer contracts and breaks the circuit,
when the valve closes. In this way a very
regular temperature is maintained. A great
deal more might be said about this ingenious
machine, but the above will do utitil the time
of the exhibition, when all can go and see for
themselves, and will be fully repaid for so
doing."
We clip the above from the daily Intelligencer
of the lath inst., as an additional reminder to
our readers {if such a thing be necessary) of
the great poultry show to come off at Locher's
building, corner of West King street and
Centre Square, commencing January 2d, 1880.
Everything indicates that this will be the
greatest event of the season— indeed it bids
fair to eclipse any thing ever gotten up in
Lancaster heretofore. The statistics of the
egg and chicken trade of our country are
matters of great magnitude, and they are
rapidly increasing. None of our readers
should by any means fail to witness it or
become exhibitors. The list of premiums is
very liberal, and everything will be done to
render ample justice to all who may feel dis-
posed to participate in it. Therefore we say,
"don't fail to come and see."
METEOROLOGICAL CONTRAST.
Unprecedentedly Cold Weather Throughout
Europe.
"London, Dec. H.-^The weather contin-
ues severe throughout the kingdom. In Paris
the Seine is frozen over for the first time since
18(31. Vienna reports hardest and most con-
tinuous frosts at this season of year since 1838.
Snow in Sicily and Calabria still impedes com-
munication. In Berlin the cold is still in-
tense. In Upper Silesia, where famine pre-
vails, the thermometer marked twelve below
zero, Fahrenheit, Thursday." •
From the foregoing paragraph it will be ob-
served that the people of Europe are not
favored in their meteorological conditions as
we, thus far, have been in this western hemis-
phere of ours; and that instead of having un-
precedentedly cold weather, it has been almost
directly the reverse. On the 8th of December
a pea-sprout, nearly two inches long, was
given us, that had been found growing be-
tween two bricks in a paved yard, where it
had no weather protection whatever. Now,
young pea-plants are amongst the most deli-
cate of our culinary vegetation. That the
seed of the pea should have germinated and
grown in such a situation, is an indication
that our weather must have been very mild
indeed — something like May or June. On the
9th of December we took a stroll down to the
extreme southern extension of S. Duke street.
The sun was very warm, although the air was
bracing, and withall, exhilarating. Among
other subjects of the vegetable kingdom, we
found a "dandelion" {Taraxacum densleonies)
in full bloom; a golden flower of which we
plucked and brought it home with us. That
fact must surely indicate a pleasant condition,
contrasted with the physical condition of the
poor distressed people of foreign countries.
Two or three winters ago we found the dan-
delion in bloom every month, from November
to May; therefore it would be ditticult to de-
termine whether our "find" on the 9th inst.
was an immature one of 1879, or a premature
one of 1880. It seems they are always ready
to bloom when they have the necessary heat
and light. On the 10th of December the bees
were in our garden. The only plant in bloom
was the "black hellebore, "and the bees fairly
reveled in its widely expanded flower-cups.
Since then we have had warm rains, a "clear
up," and a moderately "cold snap," and slight
freezing.
SCIENTIFIC NOMENCLATURE.
The great similarity in scientific
often sorely taxes the mental energies of the
novice or the amateur, especially if he has re-
ceived no education in the languages. But,
there are some of these names that seem so
arbitrary and "far fetched" that if we even
know their roots we find little or no analogy
whatever between the specimen and the
object or objects from which it derived its
name. As many of the generic and family
names of plants and animals are Greek com-
pounds it is possible that in the long lapse of
time since Greek was a living language the
meaning of many words may have become
contracted, corrupted or entirely changed.
This must also be the case with many Latin
names. We remember our disappointment
when we consulted a Latin dictionary to find
the definition of Cicindela (a name applied to a
genus of "Tiger-beetles,") to find that it
meant a "glow-worm ;" because we had pre-
viously been familiar with the glow-worm as
a species of Lampyridce, a luminous insect
having no more generic or family alliance
with a cicindela than a goose has with a
golden pheasant. It is not only the arbitrary
alleged roots of names in natural history, but
also theii similarity that perplexes the student
of nature. This is however unavoidable, for
their volume, numerically, so increases that
it is difticult for language to supply terms by
which to designate them as fast as they are
discovered. Moreover, the specific shades of
ditt'erence are so slight that they only warrant
a slight modification of the name. Below we
adduce a few familiar examples out of the
multitudes that exist.
Lycopodium : this term is a Greek com-
pound, and literally means "Wolf's-foot,"
from Lykos, a wolf and pous, a foot, and is
applied to a family of mdfses, (LycoPODiACiE)
familiarly called "club-mosses." When this
moss is in fruit the spikes look Mke diminu-
tive "clubs," and a cluster of these spikes
might, by a prolific exercise of the imagina-
tion, be contorted into the form of a wolf's
foot. Notwithstanding these names may
seenx "far fetched," there is no help for it
now, therefore, we must accept them as they
are and make the best of them we can.
Lycopersicum : this is also a Greek com-
pound, and literally means "Wolf-peach,"
from Lykos, a wolf and persicon, a peach, and
is applied to a genus belonging to the family
SoLANACBiE embracing the nightshades.
There is but one plant belonging to the genus,
and that is now known under the name of
tomato, although formerly it was known as
the "Love Apple." The potato, [Solanum
tuberosum) belongs to this family, and as it
bears an apple on its vines which contains
seeds similar to tliose of the tomato this may
have originally suggested the name of apple
for the fruit of the tomato. But there is
nothing in connection with the latter that
could possibly suggest the ideas of tcolf or
peach, and therefore these names are entirely
fanciful.
LycofeRDON : this is another Greek com-
pound, and litterally means "WoK's-f— t.,
from Li/kos, a wolf and perdon, to eructate or
"break wind;" the latter of which may allude
to the explosion which follows the pressure of
a "pufl'ball;" for this name is applied to a
genus of Puffballs belonging to the family
Lycoperdace^, which includes the spher-
ical/u/ii/i. The objects in natural history are
so numerous, and the poverty of human lan-
guage is so manifest that we must bear with
tliese remote, and in many instances, insig-
niflcnat, derivations of names.
Lycopbrdina : this is also a Greek com-
pound, but it is not primitive in its character
and significance. It is the name of a genus of
small beetles that belong to the family En-
domychid^. Possibly this genus may origi-
nally have been found feeding on puff"-
balls, and received its name from that
circumstance; just as Boletaphagus derives its
name from feeding on a species of fungus
named Boletus.
Lycopus: another Greek compound, and
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
179
also meaning a wolPs foot, from Lykos, a
wolf and poifs, a foot, and is applied to a
fjentis of plants belonLriug to the family
Laiuat.k, wliicli iMLliiiii'S the Mints, Dit-
tany, IVniiyidyal, Ihiarliound, &c.- As these
plants are familiar to most readers, they will
see how much any of them resemble a wolf's
foot.
Lycopsis : a Greek compound, meaning a
wolf's eye. Applied to a small genus of Bor-
ragewortij, (BnrrutjiaucKv) including tile
Heliotropes, Borra<;es, Buglosses, Comfreys,
&c. The name is suggested by the small blue
flowers of Lycopsis, which fancy has likened
to a wolfs eye.
Tlie reader may be surprised that the wolf
is so signally symbolized in naming the sub-
jects of tlie vegetable kingdom, liut he will
remember that if it had not been for a wolf
we probably should never have had a Bomu-
Uis, nor a Konie.
Queries and Answers.
II.
APHIS PERSICA.
R. F., Lanciistcr, Pa.— The peach
branches sent us near the end of November,
infested by a very large number of small
brownish insects of different sizes wore duly
examined, and we think tlinl I he insects with-
out a doubt are the hist ImikmI (if tlic season of
the •'Peach-Louse" (Aphi.-: p. ,si.,(.) They ap-
peared to be male, f( iiuih^ ;uid young of
various sizes and ages. Of course by this
time they all have perished, but it i.s very
likely the females have ''bridged" the season
by the deposition of many eggs, which will
incubate and bring forth a numerous brood
next spring, as soon as the weather becomes
warm enough to hatcli them out. We never
saw so many aphids crowded together in the
.same space before at this season of the year,
which, we think is due to the extraordinary
warm weather we had during the past
autumn. It would be difficult to say positively
what would be good for them. So far as it
concerns the aphids themselves, they are
easily destroyed. White Hellebore, powdered,
diluted Paris-green, lime, ashes, road dust or
finely powdered tobacco, if applied after a
shower, or when the trees or plants are
covered with dew, or after an artificial
shower, will effectually destroy them if the
application reaches them. A tobacco decoc-
tion, common lye diluted, a solution of whale
oil soap, besides many other liquid substances
will have the same effect — indeed they are
such delicate little creatures that millions are
destroyed by a common shower of rain, espe-
cially if it be a cold rain. But from the fact
that the eggs on the naked branches will
endure the cold of the severest winter, even
when the branches are covered for weeks with
ice or frost, it must be api>arent that the ap-
plications can have but little effect upon thim.
Well, what then ? Why, so far as it can be
judiciously done, prune away the branches
that are known to have been infested and burn
them, and begin early in the spring with your
applications, or as soon as the young aphids
emerge from the eggs. A little patient and
persevering labor bestowed ou trees and
plants at that period will saAe a great deal of
trouble during the summer and autumn fol-
1 owing.
APHIDS.
LouELLA P. O. Delaware co.. Pa., 1
November 18, 1879. )
"S. S. Rathvon— i»f«r Sir: Enclosed I
send you some insecets gathered from carna-
tions in my green-house. The plants are
potted plants, and came from Schroyer's
green-house, Lancaster, about a week ago.
Other carnations from Schroyer's, taken from
the garden about the same time show no signs
of in.sects of any kind. Please enlighten me
on the subject. "— Fery truly yours, S. W. M.
Your insects are also aphids or "plant-
lice," but are of a different species from the
above, and would yield to the same remedies.
Being in the green-house you would be likely
to have them all winter, and could apply the
remedy or remedies at any time. We notice
that a few of them (two or three) are infested
by a parasite. If the temperature of the
green-hou.se was congenial to their develop-
ment these parasitcs(CiiALCiD.E) might even-
tually destroy the apliids. Of course if you
destroy the aphids you must involve the
chaleids in (.he same destruction. The history
of aphid life, habit and procreation is a very
singular and comi)licatcd one. The develop-
ment of the s;inie species would be different
in the open air from what it would be in the
greeu-house, at least it would differ in its
powers of continuation. The aphids tliat
infest perennials also differ in their economies
from those which infest annuals, or succulent
vegetation. Those that infest tress and shrub-
bery, we may suppose, deposit their eggs on
the branches, and are carried over from one
season to another in that manner, the eggs
hatching in the spring as soon iis the leaves,
the bloom and the young and tender scions
appear.
It is not so easy to account for the appear-
ance of those that infest plants. For instance,
the seeds of plants of different kinds, may be
sown and no aphids seen until they are pretty
well advanced, or in bloom, as is often wit-
nessed in cabbages, about the time they begin
to " head," and in a very short time a whole
'•patch may be overrun with aphids, although
none had been seen before. Some years ago
the oat croii all over Lancaster county, and
otiui paiis cif Pennsylvania, (in some locali-
tii's also tin \ (iiing wheat, after the blooming
seasiiii) was MTiously infested by the "red-
aphis" or oat aphis, (Aphis anena). There were
millions upon millions of them, giving the fields
a brick-red color, and diminishing the size and
weight of the grain ; in many instances re-
ducing the crop to a merely straw value. We
passed through oat fields of from ten to twen-
ty acres in each, and found the aphids from
the centre to the circumference of the fields,
the stems and grains perfectly festooned with
them, all engaged in pumping the very life
out of the crop. It was during the war of
the rebellion, and an extensive purchaser of
supplies for the army informed us that much
of the oats of that season only weiglied from
fourteen to sixteen pounds to tlie bushel,
whereas the standard weight is from thirty-
three to thirty-five pounds. After the de-
pleted crop ripened, the aphids disappeared,
and except in a few isolated instances, and in
limited numbers, they have not since then re-
appeared. They were not noticed on the oats
until after the bloom, and the grains began to
fill. Now, the problem that needed solution,
and is still unsolved, is, where had they or
their eggs been secreted from the opening of
spring until their appearance on the wheat
and oats ¥ It is very certain that had the
aphids appeared in such vast numbers when
the oats and wheat were only a few inches
high, they would never have been able to put
forth heads and form grains. On that occa-
sion we noticed more "lady birds" and their
larvae,and also the larvae of more "lace-wings,"
in one day, than we before or since have no-
ticed in a whole year. We also noticed that
the spaces between the fence rails on the
windward sides of the fields there were more
"cobwebs" than we ever before or since no-
ticed, and these were densely covered with
winged aphids, for both sexes of this species
were amply provided with wings, which is not
the case with all the species. Two years ago
the cherry trees of this county were seriously
infested by a dark brown or nearly black
aphis, (Aphis cerossi) commonly known as the
"black" or "cherry aphis," which were most
numerous about the time the cherries began
to ripen. On that occasion we found a young
cherry tree about six feet high in the very
centre of a twenty acre enclosure of a thickly
wooded forest land, and that small tree was
covered from the base to the apex of all its
branches with these black aphids, and there
was hardly a single sound leaf on it. About
one in a hundred of these had wings. Al-
though the underwood was dense, and there
was much tall and succulent vegetation, yet
we saw no apliids in the enclosure save those
on the little cherry tree, and these were the
same species as those found elsewhere on the
cherry. This may illustrate that although
there are species that feed indiscriminately on
different sorts of vegetation, there are other
species that confine themselves to one kind.
The peculiarities of the history, habit and
transformations of some species are not diffi-
cult to trace and observe if we have time and
patience, but others are more or less enig-
matical. For instance, out of the eggs de-
posited on the branches of the trees in the
iall, a brood of fertile females will he pro-
duced the following spring. These will differ
entirely from the parent that deposited the
eggs from which they were developed; in short
tiiey are not oviporoiui but ricij)orous. and ac-
cordingly bring forth their young alive, and
one at a time, just as a cow brings forth her
calves ; and this process will be continued
"all summer," or, as some say, to the "four-
teenth generation;" but we think, as
long as the weather continues warm and
genial, as we have observed them so bringing
forth their young during warm "spells," as
late as the middle of November.
But usually when the cool autumn weather
approaches and the leaves begin to I'all, and
vegetation in general loses its succulency, a
brood of males and females are produced, the
former fertilizing the latter, which then
become oviporous and dei)osit their eggs and
then die Tliese eggs perpetuate the species,
carrying tliem through the most rigid winter
unharmed, and from these eggs the next
season's crop is propogated. Now it has been
demonstrated that if infested plants, trees and
shrubbery are removed to a hot or green-
house the aphids will continue in their vivip-
orous condition, and in that manner continue
reproducing, just as if no winter had inter-
vened, especially in those species infesting per-
ennials. Although there are distinct species of
aphid that infect distinct species of plants, or
more than one species found on the same
vegetation, yet there is reason to believe that
there are some species that are perfectly at
home ou various kinds of vegetation, especi-
ally if it be of the same family. For instance,
the Aphis brassica or cabbage aphis would in
the absence of cabbage be likely to infest the
cauliflower, kale, broccoli, turnip, radish,
mustard, or any other of the CRiTciFER.iE.
Plants potted and left out in tlie garden with
a view of subsequently removing them to a
greeu-house, may become inoculated or in-
fested from others in pro,\imity to them
before their removal, and by this means be
carried into the greeu-house, where finding
the temperature congenial they would rapidly
increase, much more than they would outside,
where they might be subjected to hindering
casualties. It is not at all remarkable that
plauts in a green-house, where they receive a
more careful and constant supervision, should
be entirely cleiin, whilst those on the outside,
subjected to contingent incursions, snould be
more or less infested.
There is perhaps not a tree, a shrub or a
succulent plant that is not liable to aphideous
infestation during some period of its develop-
ment, either its, leaves its flowers, its tender
branches or its roots, but there are many
instances of their seemingly sudden appear-
ance in immense numbers, in which it might
be difflcult to demonstrate where they came
from or what became of them. Moreover,
the eggs of all the species of ajMs are exceed-
ingly minute, not visible to the ordinary
naked eye, and those that are deposited on
the branches of trees, at least, are covered
with a protecting mucilage, insoluble by
water. We may infer therefore that the eggs
of other species are similarly protected
wherever they may have been deposited.
For many years it had been supposed that the
Ailanthus was entirely exempt from in.sect
enemies of any kind, yet a few years ago we
found them infested by millions of a large
species of Aphidid^, and it is well known
i80
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[December,
that the leaves of the same tree are fed upon
by the Attacus cynthia. Analogous to the aphids
in this respect, are the Coccip^. We have
had an orange tree in our possession ever
since it was a foot higli. For a long period
it was perfectly clean, and we never discov-
ered an insect on it of any kind, but after it
was large and old enough to bloom we discov-
ered that it was infested by the "orange
coccus," (Cocats hesperidum) the same species
that infests the oranges of Florida and
Europe. These insects were first noticed in
February or March, months after the tree had
been appropriately housed. We know of no
other tree in the near neighborhood. These
insects are easily removable by a little time,
patience and an old toothbrush. We cannot
account for the presence of these cocci any
more than we can for the presence of aphids,
for although the males of the former have
wings and are able to fly abroad, yet the
females never have wings, but remain station-
ary during their lives after they are once
located.
CICADA SEPTENDECIM.
Mr. J. T., Lancaster, Pa.— Your round-
backed, clay-colored insect, with the large
anterior feet, is the larvce of Cicada septende-
cim, or seventeen-year locust, in the eleventh
year of its development. It is therefore about
two-thirds grown, and had six years work yet
before it could celebrate its majority. It
would be an interesting cabinet to have a
collection of these larvse from one year old up
to seventeen years. Some one perliaps will
do it sometime.
Contributions.
For The Lancaster Fabmeb.
A CHRISTMAS GREETING.
A Happy Christmas to all, and may charity
warm the hearts of all those who have food
and fuel, toward those less fortunate, and yet
equally deserving. "Remember the poor;"
this is easily said, and each one may hope his
neighbor may not neglect so great a duty.
Individually, it is not so convenient to hunt
them up that may be deemed truly deserving,
and they, so situated, understand the selfish-
ness of mankind, and know by sad experience,
that charity is cold, and they would rather
suffer tlian to be under obligations to those
who preach their charity from the house top,
and who, out of their abundance, do ostensibly
manifest a spirit of cliarity. Well, thanks that
even that much is done by them, but alas !
they do not feel the sweet reward of a gener-
ous" outgushing, sympathizing soul, that gives,
and however little, with God's blessing en-
hancing its value, to accompany it. The re-
cipient feels greatful for the trifle, realizing
that the gush of pure fellowship of humanity
is alive in that soul, and that all are not dead
and barren. He thanks God and takes cour-
age, for as Mrs. Hemans says: —
We pine for kindred natures
To mingle with our own;
For communings more full and high,
Than aught by mortals known."
We all crave sympathy in the hour of our
misfortune, though a conscious pride and self-
reliance may disguise it from the observer,
but when like a sweet melody which touches
the heart strings, so in the voice of a deep-
felt sympatliy, breathed gently, lovingly, into
our souls," the cloistered, or pent up self-
hood melts by the warmth of love, and owns
the cliord that binds humanity. So more es-
pecially if the Christlike spirit is deeply en-
shrined, it makes us akin to heaven,' and
quiets all our fears, drawing out our soul's
adoration of love and trust in Him, whose ad-
vent is so generally held in grateful commem-
oration. To those it is indeed a Happy Christ-
mas, and by a genuine faith, links happiness
with all time to come, for time and eternity.
But alas! each must be wise for himself, nor
does it profit us mucli by an increase of knowl-
edge, since our kuowledge is simply what we
accept; so we accept the 25th day of Decem-
ber as our feast day of the nativity of Jesus
the Christ. That he was and is we know; yet
while St. Chiysostom informs us that in
primitive times the same day both feasts were
celebrated the Christmas and Epiphany. This
latter was, or may still be, a church festival,
signifying the manifestation of Christ, and
referring to the appearing of the star which
announced his bkth to the Gentiles. It is ob-
served on January Gtli, tlie twelfth day from
Christmas. Tliat Father also observes that it
was but of a little while that Christmas had
been celebrated at Autioch on the 25th of
December as a distinct feast, and that the use
tliereof came from the west. The Armenians
made but one feast of them, as low as the 12th
century. It is commonly maintained that
Pope Telesphorus was tlie first wlxo ordered
the feast of the nativity to be held on the 25th
of December. John, Arclibishop of Nice, in
an epistle on tliis subject, relates that at the
instance of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Pope Julius
procured a strict enquiry to be made into the
day of our Saviour's nativity, which, being
found to be on the 25 of December, they began
tlienceforth to celebrate the feast on that day.
However, the precise day, or even the month,
on which our Saviour was born, is extremely
uncertain. Some, as Clemens Alexandriuus
informs us, affixed it to the 25th of the moutli
Pachon, corresponding to the 16tli of May.
But there are some circumstances which
should rather lead us to conclude that he was
born in autumn, as this was, in every respect,
the most proper season of the year for a gen-
eral assessment, which took place at the birth
of Christ, and which required personal atten-
dance; and as there were shepherds watching
their flocks by night at the time when Clirist
was born, and therefore it is probable that the
sera of the nativity was either in September or
October.
After scanning the various epochs in chron-
ology to find the difference between epoch and
era, I find the doctrine and explanations very
perplexing and extensive. The Jewish, Mo-
hammedan, Greek Olympiads, that of the
Romans, Persians, Nabonassar, &c., while it
may have its use in calculating from certain
data to other certain data, or supposed certain
data, be they what tliey may, the fact re-
mains. The Christian year or A. D., dates
from his circumcision, that is from the first of
January. This period being the 471.3th of tlie
Julian period, by adding 1879, the present A.
D. to this, it would be the 6592d"year of the
Julian period. Now, so also, to find the same
Julian period, when we read 752 before Christ,
deduct this from 4713 and you have 3961, the
Julian period of that date. But figures, if they
do not lie, are nevertheless dry to the major-
ity of readers, and as to years to measure du-
ration, it is like a yard stick to measure space.
Those who heard Proctor's lecture on astron-
omy, would find their head to swim in chaotic
confusion, did they attempt to reason it out.
Poor finite man, be he farmer or philosopher,
lias to plow and sow in faith, trustingly; that
the seasons would be auspicious, lie dare not
withljold his hand, because he cannot overrule
the rain or sunsliine, or breathe fertility into
the germ. But trust that the life is in the
germ, and properly to prepare tlie soil, watch
its development, remove obnoxious weeds,
give it God's sunshine, and verily it will grow,
blossom and yield its fruit, and reward you
for the care bestowed upon it. So, however
conflicting theories and systems may be, how-
ever antagonistic, yet with an eye single for
the truth, an humble, trusting, filial love to
Him from whom the vital breath of your life
Cometh, seek that the sun of righteousness
may warm that God-given germ into life, cul-
ture it, let your soul stretch forth its tendrils,
entwine them around the beloved, be in Him
and He in you, as the branch is in the vine,
and then will you realize the joy, the comfort,
by the assurance of your knowledge and faith
in Him who giveth liberally and upbraidcth
not. Such are still my humble thoughts and
aspirations after all tlie learned contentions,
materialistic suggestion sand so-called heresies.
There is a truth, a God, our father, love and
final compensation — so let us aU enjoy a
Happy Christmas. — /. Statiffer
CISTERNS.
An article in the Lancaster Hew Era a
short time ago set me to looking up a few
facts on the above subject, and I now give
them to the columns of The Farmer.
Rain water cisterns will be often found use-
ful even in many parts of the country where
runnilig water is close by or wliere wells are
never-failing— as the advertisements run —
because this rain water is soft. Where water
soft enough for cleansing purposes can be
reached by wells of not more than 30 feet
deep, cisterns are of course needless.
In this section of the country rain water is
very little used as a drinking water, as it is not
"brisk" enough to the taste, being insipid and
"flat" to tliose not used to it. Nor is it used
much for culinary purposes, the women ob-
jecting to using it because of the sediments-
dust, «&c., washed from the roofs— and object-
ing, above all, to the "wrigglers" found in
most rain water which has been standing for
some days in the summer and early fall
months. I must confess to a little squeam-
ishness on this point myself. These so-called
"wrigglers" are the larvae of mosquitos, and
can be prevented by making tlie cistern so
tight everywhere that the mosquitos cannot
enter and lay their eggs. The dirt from tlie
roof can be nearly all avoided by making tlie
entering movable and then moving the pipe
aside after each rain, so as to lead the water
away from the cistern; then when a rain
comes on, the first water from tlie roof, and
which contains the objectionable matter will
be prevented from entering ; as soon as the
roof is washed clean the pipe can be turned
into the cistern, and the result will be that no
cleansing of the cistern will be required for
years, aiid the water is as clean as any well
water.
Thus far we have looked at rain water
only as a houseliold convenience ; for the pur-
pose of furnishing water to stock, cistern or
well water is far superior to running water.
In the winter it never gets that icy chill to
which the latter is subject, and which even if
it does not freeze over entirely often leaves
the edges of the brooks so slippery as to en-
danger the limbs and lives of the stock.
In building a cistern it is an important
point to find out the amount of water needed
in three or four months, as we have had the
experience in the last tew years that some-
times it must be provided for that length of
time. Tlie amount that is usually needed for
household purposes can be readily found out,
but for tlie wants of stock it is not so easv to
determine. Most farmers can tell about how
much a horse will drink in a day, but wlien it
comes to cattle, they liave very vague ideas as
to the amount consumed. The American
AqriculUirist states that for cattle the capacity
of" a cistern should be ten gallons for each
liead.
Below is given a table of tlie contents in
gallons for the given diameter and deptli in
feet:
a
Depth.
1
6
8
10
12
868
1,157
1,447
1,736
1,250
1,067
3,084
2,500
7
1,701
3,288
2,836
•2,'i22
2,963
3,704
4,400
2,811
3,748
4,686
5,623
10
3,472
4,630
5,788
6,9.54
12
5,000
6,667
8;3.34
10,000
1.5
7,81.3
10,418
13,02:3
15,627
20
13,891
18,521
23,152
Where accuracy is not essential the con-
tents of any cistern can be foinid out by the
following rule :
Multiply the square of the diameter {%. e.
the diameter multiplied by itself,) by the
depth and this product by 5|. Thus a cistern
7 feet in diameter and 8 feet in depth would
1879.J
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
18i
hold 7x7x>^x5J, or 2254 gallons, which is some,
less than the iictual quantity. The rule has
the advantage of being short, easy to reuieni-
luT and easy to calculate.
Now if a family uses 10() gallons of water
l>cr wiik and want to make sure ofasupjily
for I'lHir niiinlhs, a cistern would lie ncedi-d of
a caiiacitv ofaliout 170(1 j^allons. One of 7 ffrl
diauieler and (i feet deep will liolil lliis.
Wlier<' all licniselidld iiurpDses must be sup-
plied from the rlslcin, it should have a capa-
city of at lc;i>l 10(1(1 gallons. This would
re<pnre one lA'.i Irct diameter and 9 feet deep.
In lU-t.^rniiiiiiiL^ tlie size waided it is well to
reniemli.r that a cistern with llie depth and
diaini'ter almnt the same will cost less, and
take less work than one in which this is not
the case. Thus a cistern o feet in diameter
an<l 12 feet deep will hold about the same quan-
tity as one 7 feet in diameter and (j feet deep,
but will take more than one-fom-th more bricks
than the latter. Kxeept in v<-rv favorable
soil a cistern sliould not lie more than \2 feet
deep, as the [iressure of the water on tlw^ bot-
tom is so great that leaks are apt to be sprung.
With the water 12 feet deep, the pressure at
the bottom is 700 pounds per square foot.
To make a Rood job out of it the cistern
should be entirely under ground, and one
built in a hillside, with one face out, as I have
seen them, will try the patience of the best
Job among us. Built in the latter manner a
cistern will be always leaky from the beavint;
effects of frost. In" northern localities it has
become common to put them entirely under
ground. iiriu^inLT them only to within two or
tlirrc lect of the surface, covering them with
.some duialile timber and then filling earth on
top of this, leaving a man-hole for the pump
and as a place to enter if any cleanini; or re-
I)airing is needed. Fixed in this manlier no
danger from frost need be apprehended, and
the water will be nice and cool in summer. In
view of the latter fact this is also one of the
best ways to build for warm localites when it
is intended to use as a drinking water.
Arches of brick may be used as a cover in-
stead of tindii'i-, as they are more durable and
will cost little if any more. In the smaller
diameters the arch is made with the edge of
the brick facing ; in those of a larger size the
ends of the bricks are made to f;ue, and con-
sequently tlie thickne.ss of the arch is the
len^'th of II brick, or about nine inches. When
the diameter is lifteen or twenty feet, a central
column of about two feet in diameter shoidd
1 e made, and the arch sprung from this towards
the sides.
In the construction stone may be used, but
they should not be of as large a size as are
used in common mason work, as they will not
make a tjood job and the wall will be thicker
than is needed. Hard burned bricks are the
best material, but are more expensive, par-
ticularly where the distance they have to be
liauled is considerable. In some places no
wall is made at all, but the cenjent laid di-
rectly on the earth lo the thickness of an inch
or an inch and a half; this kind of a cistern
is usually egg-shaped, benig widest at the top.
Walled cisterns have perpendicular sides and
are usually round, but I have known of some
that are square ; the latter, when of the same
capacity, cost more than the round ones, as
they lake eonsidc-ralile mor(! material.
The luunber of bricks required for a cistern
can be pretty I'losdy found by the following
rules: For the liottoin, when the bricks are
laid Hat, multiply the diameter by itself and
this product by .'! ; for the sides, when the
edge faces, nuiltiiily the diameter bv thedeiith
and Ibis product by 2(1-. for the arJb, if one is
ma<l.-, the edgeof Uic brick facing, aild one
to the diameter, fnuUiply this amount bv
itself and the resulting product by 7.
Thus in a cistern of 8 feet in diameter and
10 ti'ct dee]! the following numbers of bricks
would be 1 (led : Fm- the bottom. Kx8x^ =
l<t2; for the side. Sn|(Ix:.'0. ic.oo; f,,,- the arch,
8 + 1, or OxOxT .Mm. ( nnipletcd, without
arch, about isiio: with aidi. about 2H.".0.
The waste pipe is an important part of a
cistern, and should be placed at such a height
as will keep the water from Hooding any
woodwork or running over top and endanger
the sides by eating away the supporting
earth. It should have at least the capacity of
the entering pipe, or in a heavy rain it might
not discharge the surplus water fast enough.
Wliere the cistern lies higher than the place
where the water is mostly used a great saving of
labor can be made b.\ putting in a. siphon with
a sloii cock. The iVmbest part of the sijdion
should be a litl le lower lliau the wiisle pipe,
as llun it the siphon isempiv and the water
raises until it Mows out at the wast.' pipe the
siphon will lill by mere opening the stop-cock.
The submerL'ed leg should not <piite reach the
bottom, or the .sediments, if any, will be
sucked up. ^Vhere there is a bank of only (l
or 8 feet thickness the siiihon of course need
not be used, but a hole can be drilled through
the bank and a direct pipe laid at much less
expense. To draw the water in this manner
is very pleasant and easy and will be found
particularly useful in the case of stock or
wherever largo quantities of water are used.
If a pump is used, three important points
should be remembered in selecting the kind :
1. It should throw much water.
2. It should work very easy.
3. It should be durable and not liable to
get out of order.
The common cucumber pmui) will do very
Well for common family use, but is not dura-
ble enough and does not throw water enough
when large quantities are needed. Never put
in a chain pump, as they are a great nuisance
after they are used a year or two.
The tenor of the article looks to making
the cistern large enough for all probable
wants. But may not the cistern be built of
a larger capacity than the amount of water
from the roof needs. Taking the average of
a number of years the depth of rain that falls
is about 44 inches. Making it only 40 inches
every 100 square feet of building sheds about
2,50() gallons of water per year ; this, in a
house of 20 by 30 feet, would give 15,000
gallons or nearly 300 gallons per week ; if so
much water as this was con.sumed, a cistern of
5,000 gallons would be needed. Some years
the water falling on such a building as the one
supposed would not amount to more than
12,000 gallons ; in the years of a maximum
amount of rain fall, more than 20,000 gallons
could be gathered.
And then, as to the cost, a cistern of twice
the capacity will not cost twice as much
money. Thus, a cistern of nine feet diameter
and ten feet deep will hold about 4,700 gal-
lons ; one of seven feet diameter and eight
feet deep will hold about 2,300 gallons ; the
former takes less than 800 bricks more and
holds 2,400 gallons more.
Cisterns as large as twenty feet in diameter
are mostly used in irrigating vegetable and
flower gardens.— .4. B. K.
Eruata : In November Farmer, page
165, first coluinn, thirty-first line from top,
put semicolon ( ; ) after word doiun ; thirty-
third line, after word juint, put comma ( , ).
As it stands little or no sense can be made.
Selections.
WOOL MANUFACTURES AND SHEEP
HUSBANDRY.
At a late meeting of woolen manufacturers
in Philadelphia, the .secretary, .John L. Hayes,
LL. D., read the annual report, which was
very lengthy, and detailed the i)rogress of the
Anierican wool industry since 18G0. Refer-
ring lirst to what it termed the agricultural
branch, it slated that in 1800 our wool pro-
duction, accordini: to census returns, was, in
round uuuilurs, i'i( 1.0(10.000 pouiuls. Careful
42.0(10,000 jiouuds, a gain in the twenty-four
years previous to 18t>0. of IS.ooo pounds'. The
iu'oduction in 1807 reached 147,ooo,oooiiounds.
In 1877 it had reached 208.ooo,0o(' ]ioiinds,an
increase of 246 per cent, in eighteen years
from 1860, as compared with an increase of
but 44 per cent, in the twenty -four years pre-
vious to 18C.0. A more rtMuarkable fact is that
the product of 1867 was from 42.oiio,0(IOsbeep,
while the product of 1.S77 was from :J5,00(J,000
sheep, the substitution of superior races, im-
provements in breeding, and a more advanced
husbandry being th(^ cause of the greatly in-
creasc<l avera-e yi.Od of (Icoce since 1836.
Tbci-e has been a constant decline in liie num-
ber ..!' sheep ill ilie nldei' states. 80 that, wliile
the w 1 prndiiction in the whole country is
five limes as great as in 1830, there is now in
the older states less than half the number of
sheep than at that period. This has been
comiiensated by the growth of sheep husband-
ry in the new states and territories. lu 1802
llollisber & Dibbles introduced four hundred
pure Spanish Merino ewes to California. In
twelve years tlie increase of pure stock from
this flock was 28,0(W. The iiroduction from
this single state has reachen 50,(KX),0»H) pounds
in one year.
Although Texas in 1845 had no sheep but
native Mexicans, with a fleece almost value-
less, and scarcely a sensible progress had been
made before the war, since tliat period all the
original stock has been ameliorated by the in-
fusion of Merino blood.
Her sheep exceed 4,000,(X)0; her produce of
wool exceeds 14,000,000 pounds; and wool,
but a few years ago regarded as the poorest in
the market, much of it equals that of Ohio.
Sheep husbandry is extending throughout the
South, for wliieii industry that section i.s ad-
mirably fitted. Mr. Hayes then referred to
the worth of ilerino sheep husbandry, saying
the progress at the best recorded yield in
Merinos in 1809 was 9i per cent., and tlie
heaviest fleece 27 pounds. In three rams bred
in Vermont since 1873 the yield to live weight
was 27i per cent, of unwashed wool, and the
average weight of fleece 34^ pounds, while,
what is more remarkable, the finest of the
fibre equaled that of the Saxon super-electa
breeders in Australia and South America on
importing these animals to improve their
flocks.
The secretary of the National Wool Grow-
ers' Association, has this season carried 200
American sheep to Japan, each one among
the.se in good condition, and Dr. Hayes re-
ceived a letter from him in China, on his way
to Mongolia, with the object, under the au-
spices of General (hant, who favored his mis-
sion and gave him letters to the high Chinese
otlicials, cif intnHlucing American sheep in
that distant quarter of the world.
Speaking of the improvements in manufac-
ture, he said, in 1800 hand-combing prevailed
in our few worsted mills. Since that period
it has been displaced, first by the Lister
comber for long wools, one machine doin^the
work of fifty men, followed by the Noble
comber for fine wools, introducing a quality of
yarn wholly unknown in our mills fifteen
years ago. Carpet filling was spun by hand;
it is now spun by power with a great gain of
economy. In our cloth mills self-operating
heads have been applied to the hand-spinning
jacks, and self-operating mules have been in-
troduced, effecting a saving of from 20 to 40
per cent., according to the fineness of yarn, in
the cost of spinning. Self-feeders on the first
breaker and finisher have been applied to card
machines, dispensing, it Is declared, with half
the help in the card-room. Improved wind-
ers, dyers anil cloth pressers give greatly in-
creased rapidity to the processes of finishing.
Looms also have been greatly perfected. The
first and most important fact illustrative of
progress is the cheaixMiing of goods to the
consumer, effected within the period under
review by our manufacturers, and an increased
supply of our domestic wool.
The second great fact is that the ta-stes and
necessities of American consumers are not
only cheaply but more adequately supplied by
the improvement of old and the" introduction
of new fabrics, or those not in-eviously made
here. While we produce certain fabrics not
made abroad, such as the fine blankets for
bedding, and coarse ones for horse covering,
the latter exported to England, and our indigo
blue suitings, we make, wilh the exceptioa of
182
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[December,
certain especial fabrics, woven on hand looms,
the last novelties in dress goods and uphol-
steries, the fine merinos and cashmeres, all
the fabrics for popular consumption, made in
the European mills, instantly adopt all the
changes of style required by European fash-
ions, preserving the cosmopolitan character
which is the chaiacteristic feature of the
fabrics of this age.
The third great fact indicative of progress
is the diminished consumption of foreign
fabrics. In 1860 we imported in manufactures
of. wool, $37,937,190. In 1878, with a popula-
tion increased at the lowest estimate not less
than 12,000,000, we imported a value of S2.5,-
230,154, a decline owing in part to commercial
inactivity, but mainly to our increased capac-
ity to supply onr own consumption. The di-
minished importations in certain classes, even
in later periods, are remarkable. Even so late
as 1872 the value of our importations of ear-
pets was $5,727,183. In 1878 the value of the
importation was but $308,389. Our principal
import is in dress goods, chiefly for wealthy
consumers, amounting last year to $12,000,-
000, though diminished $8,000,000 since 1872.
This is the youngest branch of our wool man-
ufacture, and presents the field in which the
next victories over our foreign rivals are to
be won.
In 1872 about five and a half million yards
of carpets were im])orted into this country; in
1878 only two hundred and seventy thousand
yards. We are making to-day six million
more yards of carpets than we were 1872, and
of a quality equal, if not superior, to any for-
eign carpets. It has often Ijeen asserted that
in Philadelphia 'more j'ards of carpets were
manufactured tlian in the whole of Great
Britain. According to the latest statistics
before us, it is now manufacturing fully twen-
ty million yards of all kinds of carpets annu-
ally. The latest published statistics of the
exports of the United Kingdom for the year
1878, are six million seven hundred and fifty
thousand yards. Allowing the same quantity
for their own home consumption, it gave
Great Britain a producing capacity in 1878 of
thirteen million five hundred thousand yards,
while the city of Brotherly Love has an annual
production of twenty millions. The Eastern
States will swell the total to thirty million an-
nually, showing that we manufacture and sell
more than twice as many yards of carpets as
the whole United Kingdom manufactured and
sold in 1878. While these statements might
appear incredible, they are, nevertheless, facts
compiled from official documents. Endand,
with a population of 30,000.000 of people, and
her dependencies on which the sun never sets,
with 400,000,000 more, cannot, nor do they,
consume one-half the quantity of carpets we
do with a population scarcely one-tenth in
number.
OUR GRAIN CAPACITY.
A Chicago journal says : Tlie statement
frequently made of late, that Western farming
lands are becoming exhausted by constant
cultivation, etc., is easily answered. It was
long ago demonstrated that by rotation of
crops, an occasional deep plowing and crop-
ping with clover once in eight or ten years,
the original fertility of the soil is not only
preserved, but increased. The crops for the
years 1877, 1878 and 1879 are the largest ever
harvested, and this is true of the oldest as
well as the newest cultivated land. The
officers of the Illinois Agricultural Depart-
ment estimatp that when the level lands now
in cultivation in Illinois are tile drained, the
total average production of the entire State
will increase something over thirty per cent.
That work has begun in earnest, and is now
being pushed forward rapidly.
The surface soil of the Illinois prairies is
composed largely of vegetable loam, strongly
impregnated with lime; it absorbs from the
atmosphere readily ammonia and other fer-
tilizing properties, and is so deep that fresh
fertile soil may be thrown up from any depth
at which it is possible to plow. There are no
stones in the ground; hence the plowing is
comparatively easy and costs the farmer Ijut
little. When the land becomes so valuable
that owners can afford to bear the expense of
enriching it with fertilizers, the yield of crops
will be greater of course, but until that time
comes, the production will be increased very
largely by other agencies.
The Illinois wheat crop of 1879 is the
largest, and largest average per acre ever
grown in the State, being 45,714,661 bushels,
against 33,883,399 in 1878, 32,490,556 in 1877,
and 33,371,173 in 1864— the three largest pre-
ceding crops. It is claimed by some, especi-
ally the advocates of greenbacks ad libitum,
that the farmers are making very little net
profit, because of the low prices lecoived for
products, and instance that, although the
Illinois wheat crop of 1879 is 17,000,000
bushels greater than that of 1867, the smaller
crop had a greater money value by some $12,-
000,000. How little there is in such a claim
is easily understood when it is considered
that in 1867 everything the farmer had to ))uy
was from 100 to 300 per cent, higher; that the
price paid for labor was fully double, and that
freight rates were more than twice as higli ;
for instance, in 1867 grain freights from, say
Lincoln, 111., to Chicago, were 28 cents per
hundred, now they are little more than one-
third as much.
Even as late as 1871 lumber from Cliicago
to Kansas City was $100 per car, now $40
would be regarded an outside rate; grain
from Kansas City to the Atlantic was $1.05,
now it is only from 33 to 35 cents per hundred.
The carelessness and extravagance of those
times added immensely to the cost of living,
and, taking all the facts into account, it will
be readily conceded that $1 has as great a
value to the people now as $2.50 did then, but
even at the rate of two to one, which is cer-
tainly far mider the mark, the practical value
of the wheat crop of 1879 is $78,861,278, as
compared with $55,160,000 for 1807. The
same rules that apply to the wheat are equally
applicable to all other crops.
An important element to be considered in
estimating future production is the financial
condition of the State and the local govern-
ment of localities from which the increase is
anticipated. It is important to know whether
the people, the producers, ai-e now, or are
likely to be, loaded with taxation whicli will
paralyze their eflbrts and retard necessary
public improvements, or wliether their condi-
tion is such as will favor the making of needed
expenditures and a liberal development of
their resources. The farmers in these States
have, as a class, accumulated wealth very
rapidly; perhaps more so than any large agri-
cultural community ever had before, and, as
a natural consequence, much of extravagance
and local abuse of credit has followed, but at
the same time the financial afflairs of the
States and corporate subdivisions have, in the
main, been well cared for, and are now, as a
whole, in good condition; and there is but
little taxation except in cities.
So far as the capacity of this country to
produce grain and provisions in large quanti-
ties and deliver them cheaply at the sea-board
is concerned, it may be safely assumed that
the past was little more than preparatory to
the future.
GEESE.
And Something About Them.
A farmhouse looks rather incomplete with-
out its usual surroundings of poultry in the
background, and nice well-kept poultry are
rather iin ornament than otherwise, and a
variety is the charm, adding beauty and utility
to the surroundings. None of our domestic
birds arc more hardy than the goose. They
are thoroughly aquatic birds, yet they will
thrive with only water sufficient to drink.
The goose will endure almost any amount of
cold without sufl'ering, and subsist on coarse
diet such as hay, frost-bitten grass and dis-
carded vegetation, without injury, whereas
our hens and chicks would perish. Still it is
better to allow them some shelter from the
winter's severity and driving storms, and to
give a handful of corn each daily. In summer
they will take care of themselves, and should
be allowed some waste place on the farm— an
unclaimed swamp or boggy marsh. In these
places tlie grass springs up early in the season,
and is fresh and lender— just the food desira-
ble for young goslings. Goslings do not re-
quire much feeding if taken from the nest
early in the season, while the grass is sweet
and nourishing. They, however, need a lit-
tle start with unsifted meal, moistened with
water, adding a little salt. Goslings make
rapid growth, and consequently are weak and .
require protection from pelting storms. A
hard .shower will destroy a whole brood of a
month or six weeks' growth, simply from the
beating of the rain on their uncovered backs.
The wing feathers are slow in coming, and
when once fully matured, entirely cover the
back, the tenderest part of the goose.
From their peculiar habits, which lead them
to inhabit places that are more or less subject
to accidents, from the vermin whicli infest
such grounds, they (especially the young) are
exposed to much danger, and liable to injury,
if not total extermination, by those enemies.
If the birds are allowed to frequent a pond of
water, the sna.pping-turtle also dwells there,
and lurks beneath the smooth surface of the
water, occasionally thrusting a head above.
The unsuspecting goslings launch on the ele-
ment which they are so well fitted by nature
to navigate, and immediately, ten chances to
one, a bird is seized by the leg, which iseitlicr
broken, or if the bird be young it is swallowed
entire. Many young are lost in this way, the
prey of lurking enemies, which do not trouble
the' full grown. In order to be entirely suc-
cessful with goslings, they should he kept
from such places, and confined in grassy
places or iuclosures, and supplied with fresh
water daily. When limited in their range,
they must he fed. Give them a coarse kind
of feed, such as cold, boiled samp, cooked un-
til tender and salted. They thrive better on
coarse diet than do chiekens.
Wlien full grown, if the feathers be regu-
larly plucked throughout the season, they
should be given a trough of water to bathe in.
This practice of plucking feathers from the
live birds may seem cruel, yet it has been fol-
lowed for many years, and will continue to be,
so long as people enjoy the luxury of feather
beds. If done by an expert, and at a certain
time, when the shaft is fully ripened, tlie
plucking is rendered easy for both. The breast
feathers are the principal ones desired, and
tliese, on our common gray geese, come read-
ily. If allowed to remain tliey will fall off,
and thus be lost. Do not pluck the feathers
under the wings, or many of those coarse
ones growing on the thighs They are of
small value, yet afford a support for the wings.
In wrencliing away the quills, draw only the
primaries and leave the secondaries, as they
cover the back, while the former fold under.
Where there is any wild blood intermixed,
the feathers come liarder. As there is always
a certain knowledge to be acquired in the per-
formance of any labor, so also is there a
method in picking geese. Confine the bird's
legs, protect the beak (as some birds will bite)
by drawing a stocking over and down the
neck, lay the bird on the back across your lap,
witli the legs and tail under the left arm, and
witli tlie riijlit forefinger and tliumb proceed
to the cruel business. If every one who now
nightly occupies a feather bed were obliged to
pluck each feather one be one from the breast
of a live goose or gander, feather beds would
be few and far between^ Any one who lias
once i)lucked a Wvc old gander, or even a
odose. has had occasion perhaps to arrive at
some approximate idea of the amount of
strength they possess, more especially if a
blow be received from the wings. The better
way for tender-hearted and sensitive beings is
to rear a large brood of goslings and slaughter
tliem in the fall, and be satisfied with feathei-
beds from young geese picked after death.—
C. B. in County Genllevian.
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
183
REMEDY FOR DIPHTHERIA.
Impkrial Kussian Legation, 1
Washington, Nov. 16, 1879, |
III view of llie increasp of fliphtlicria in
several places of the State of New York, I
hasten to communicate to you for publicity a
very simple remedy, which, having been used
in Russia and Germany, may prove edective
here. Out of several others, i)r. Letzerich,
who made extensive experiments by the appli-
cation of this reme<ly, li:is used it in twenty-
seven cases, eight of which were of a very
serious nature, all of which had a favorable
result except in one case, when the child died
■ from a eomplication of diseases. For chil-
dren he prescribes the remedy, for internal
use eveiy one or two hours, as follows :
Nath. licii/oic. pur. ."> 0 solv. in aq. di.stillat
a(i. nienth. |iipcr. ana 40 Osyr. cort. aur. 10 0.
For children from one to three years old he
prescribed it from seven to eight grammes for
mu grammes of distilled water, with same
syru]); for children from 3 to 7 years old he
prescribed ten to (ifteen grammes, and for
grown persons from fifteen to twenty-five
grammes for each 100 grammes.
Besides this he uses also with great success
the insufflation on the diphtherial membrane
(hroiigh a glass tube in serious cases every
three hours, in light ca.ses three times a day
of the uatr. benzoic pulver. For grown
people ho prescribes for gargling a dilution of
ten grammes of this pulver for 200 grammes
of water.
The effect of the remedy is rajjid. Alter
twenty-four or thirty-six hours the feverish
.symptoms di.sai)pear completely and the tem-
I)eraturc and pulse become moral. This
lemedy was used also with the same success
by l)r. Braham Braum and Professor Klebs,
in Prague; Dr. Senator in Cassel, and several
other in Russia and Germany.
Hoping that the publication through your
widely spn ad jiaiier will prove beneficial in
the United Stales, Irema in, yours very truly,
—F. Sliishkin, Minister of Russia to the United
States, to 2few York Herald.
THE BEEFSTEAK FUNGUS.
The Article as an Edible.
At the last meeting of the West Chester
Microscopical Society, there was exhibited an
edible fungus, known to mycologists as Fistu-
iina hepatica, or, where it is extensively used
as an article of food in Europe, commonly
known as " beefsteak fungus. " It is found in
our woods and clearings during the latter
part of summer and in early autumn, growing
on stumps and at the base of trees, particu-
larly the chestnut, in some abraded or decay-
ing portions of the tree. It grows rapidly in
damp weather; and on the authority of
Berkcly, has been known to attain to the
weight of nearly thirty pounds.
When fresh it is of "a blood-red color, and
advancing in age it bears a striking resem-
blance to liver— hence the specific name; and
the term "liver steak" is sometimes employed
as a designation. When cooked in the ordi-
nary way of treating the common mushroom,
the taste is very similar to the latter, although
toughness (not a very connncndable charac-
teristic) might be mentioned as one of its
qualities. A transverse section of the plant
being shown, exhibited a streaked appearance
not unfrequently observable in beefsteak.
By reference to the fourth volume of Cham-
bers's Encyclopedia, under the head of Fistu-
lina, this plant is well-figured. The writer
observes: "This fungus is much esteemed in
some parts of Europe as an esculent; it is
wholesome and nutritious, and tlieabuiulance
in which il may often be procured UKikes it
the more worthy of regard, whilst tlicre is al-
most no possibility of confounding it with any
dangerous finigus. Its taste resembles that
of the common mushroom, but is rather more
acid. When grilled it is scarcely to be distin-
guished from broiled meat. It furnishes itself
with abundance of sauce."
OATMEAL.
Its Value as an Article of Food.
(Mmeal is a food of great strength and
nutrition, having claims to be better known
and more widely used than it is at present.
Of much service as a brain food, it contains
phosphorus enough to keep a man doing an
ordinary amount of brain-work in good health
and vigor. Ali medical authorities unite in
the opinion that, eaten with milk it is a
perfect food, and, having all requisites for the
development of the system, it is a pre-emi-
nently useful food for growing children and
the young generally. Oatmeal requires much
cooking to effectually burst its starch-shells,
but when it is well" cooked it will thicken
liquid much more than equal its weight in
wheaten flour. The oats of this countl-y are
superior to those grown on the Continent and
the southern part of England, but certainly
inferior to the Scotch, where considerable
pains is taken to cultivate them, and it is
needless .to point out that the Scotch are an
example of a strong and thoroughly robust
nation, which result is justly set down as
being derived from the plentiful use of oat-
meal. IJr. Guthrie has asserted that his
countrymen have the largest heads of any
nation in the world— not even the English
have sucli large heads— which he attributes to
the universal use of oatmeal, as universal it
is, being found alike on the tables of the rich
and on the tables of the poor— in the morning
the porridge and in the evening the tradition-
al cake. The two principal ways of cooking
oatmeal are iiorridge and cake (bannock)
which I will describe, and also .some other
modes of cooking, in order to afford an agree-
able variety of dishes: First, then, we will
commence with a recipe for poiTidge. To
three pints of boiling water add a level
teaspoonf ul of salt and a pint of coarse meal
stirring while it is being slowly poured in;
continue stirring until the meal is diffused
through the water— about eight or ten
minutes. Cover it closely then, and place it
where it will simmer for kn hour; avoid stir-
ring during the whole of that time. Serve hot,
with as little messing as possible, accompan-
ied with milk, maple syrup or sugar and
cream. To make oatmeal cake, place in a
bowl a quart of meal, add to it as much cold
water as will form it into a soft, liaht dough,
cover it with a cloth fifteen minutes to allow
it to swell, then dust the paste-board with
meal, turn out the dough and give it a vigor-
ous kneading. Cover if; with the cloth a few
minutes, and proceed at once to roll it out to
an eighth of an inch in thickness; cut it in
five pieces and partly cook them on a griddle,
then finish them by toasting in front of the
fire.
ICE-HOUSES.
And How to Build Them.
An ice-hon.se simply to keep ice in for sum-
mer use may be a very simple affair. If straw
is used for filling, the walls should he at least
two feet apart. The interstices .should be
packed tightly whatever the material used.
Straw is one of the poorest non-conductors,
easily obtained, and sawdust one of the best.
If tan bark is used, from oen to twelve inch
space between the walls are left to be filled.
Two by four inch scantling are securely
fastened by bed pieces in two regular lines,
and about two feet apart, and of the required
distance asunder required for the filling ma-
terial. To these, rough boards are securely
nailed. A house twelve feet square and
twelve feet liigh will hold plenty of ice for
family use, and for an ordinary family dairy.
No ventilation is required except at the top,
over the ice. The i-oof may be of boards and
the gables may be of the same, with a window
at each end for ventilation. Doors must be
made at one end of the sides or end
to allow the ice to be luit in, and afterward be j
closed and filled with tan bark. The bottom i
must )ye provided with jjerfect drainage to j
allow the water from the melting ice to pass [
away. The first course of ice may be laid on
boards, loosely laid on beams, i)laced closely
enough together to prevent sagging. Pack
the ice in i)erfcctly square cakes, as closely to-
gether as possible, even with the plates.
Cover with eighteen inches of slough hay, or
twelve inches of fine wood shavings, and the
ice should keep i)erfectly. Have no part of
the ice-house underground. Any competent
carpenter should be able to build it.- If a
cooling room is required under the ice, it will
be altogether better to apply to an architect,
.since it will involve a very strong and sub-
stantial building, with scientific ventilation
that cannot be well explained in the limits of
a newspaper article. In fact, except a rough
building such as we have described is to be
.built, and such a one will keep ice as well as
the best, the work must be undertaken by a
professional builder. A roimli ice-house may
be built by any one who can lay a foundation
S(piare, ))uild vertical sides, saw boards
square, and drive nails. For dairying or farm
use we do not advise an expensive building,
with cooling room underneath. An ample
refrigerator, according to the quantity of
goods required to be kci>tcool, may be cheaply
built, and tem)>eraturc kept down, by the use
of ice from the ice-house. In answer to your
question as to the proper dejith at which
water pipes are to be laid to prevent freezing,
three feet will do, but three and a half feet
deep will do better. Dig the ditch in which
the pipes are to be laid, with vertical sides,
and as narrow as possible, and pound the
earth firmly, when it is filled up.
THE DUTY OF OUR FARMERS.
We have repeatedly directed the attention
of farmers to the imperative necessity of ex-
ercising extreme caution to prevent the
spread of the disease known as pl-uro-pneu-
mouia among the cattle of this country. But
circum.stances have cojne to our knowledge
which impress us still more of the importance
of bringing this matter before our farmers.
Pleuro-pneumonia is one of the most conta-
gious of diseases, and such being the case,
the great importance of keeping infected
members of a herd completely isolated is too
apparent for further argument. Isolation
and the killing of such as have reached the
incurable stage of the disease have been
found to be the only means of safety. This
fact has again and again been imjiressed upon
the public by Secretary Edge, of the State
Board of Agriculture, and it cannot be too
often reiterated.
It has come to our knowledge that, instead
of diminishing, this dreaded disease is likely
to increase in the lower end of this county.
There has been in Colerain township for
quite a time an infected herd of cattle
belonging to Mr. Jas. F. Turner. The most
effectual measures have been adopted by the
State authorities to stamp it out on the very
farm where it first developed itself, and there
was every reason to believe the efforts adopted
would prove successful. Some time aa:o,
however, two farmers, neiahlxus to the owner
of the diseased herd, had the misfortune to
have their dairy, of some thirtv cows, get
into the meadow where the infected cattle
were grazing, and now they have lost the first
cow from the disease, and in all probability
have an infected herd, which mav crive no
little trouble, and cause no little lo.s's before it
is finally stamped out. No less than three of
Mr. Turner's neighbors now have the disease
on their farm.s. This may not be due to care-
lessness, but it may be" a want of proper
caution. Indeed, there seems to be no other
way of accounting for the spread of the dis-
ease in Mr. Tumer's neighborhood. In
Montgomery county an entire herd has been
lost by the introduction of the disease by
moans of a cow bought at a Philadelphia
stock yard, and which was coughing at the
time of purchase.
' All these facts go to show that nothing but
the utmost vigilance can prevent the intro-
duction of the disease toother herds, in tha
neighborhood . of an infected one. Cattle
184
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[December,
sliould be kept as far from the diseased herds
as possible. Under no circumstances ought
healthy cattle be allowed to graze in fields or
roads where diseased ones have been feeding.
It is true that the State authorities have been
very vigilant in the matter and have succeeded
in keeping the disease in check, but unless
their hands are strengthened and they have
the active co-operation of farmers themselves,
their efforts must prove comparatively futile.
It is to the inter, st of farmers to immediately
report manifestations of the disease. A time-
ly effort may save the animal attacked.
Should it be a very valuable one the farmer's
pocket is at once nearly concerned. If it
becomes necessary to kill infected cattle the
State becomes responsible for the value of the
destroyed ones, wJiereas it takes no note of
those that die without having been reported
to the authorities. The State is willing to do
its utmost in fifbnishing gratuitously veteri-
nary aid and in paying for the cattle it kills,
but it demands co-operation from its citizens
besides. Unless this is freely extended, its
most strenuous efforts will be ineffectual to
battle with this enemy. There should be no
temporizing, no waiting to see how things
will t um out, no reliance on doubtful reme-
dies, Init an immediate report to headquar-
ters, and the employment of the measures
recommended from thence.
THE INTELLIGENT FARMER.
The innumerable articles which appear con-
tinually on " How to make the farm pay" are
enough to make a horse sick. People should
know by this time that fortunes do not grow,
but are made. Once in a while one may stum-
ble over a fortune, as lighting strikes a tree;
but these are providential occurrences and arc
not in the everyday hands of man. A man
may have the most fertile soil and raise the
biggest kind of crops; but if he has not brains
enough to know how-to go about selling what
he has to the best Advantage, somebody else
will reap the best profit, not he. Or he may
have the best knowledge in the world as to
where the best market is, and the best knack
of finding out who will give the best prices;
but if he has no judgment as to what crops to
raise, or how to grow them, he does not get
along. How to make the farm pay is alto-
gether a matter of brains It is no more of a
practical question than how to make the mill
pay, or how to make the store pay. Not more
than half the men in the world have any
brains to spare. The other half have more
than they need. They spare a little for those
that are short, but charge a big interest for
the use thereof.
A piece of public work is to be done, and
here are a hundred men to do the work, but
ninety-nine don't know how to go about doing
it. They can work when directed, but who is.
to direct? The one steps out and some of his
brain is loaned to the other ninety-nine. He
makes twenty-five or perhaps fifty cents a day
on each— clearing twenty-flve or perhaps fifty
dollars a day. This is the percentage on the
use of his l)rains. Without this the men could
do nothing. They could not earn their salt.
One dark-skinned friend was not ftir wrong
when he indignantly denied that he had
charged one dollar for killing^the calf. It was
only fifty cents for killing— the other was for
the "know how."
If there be not more money made at farm-
ing than there is, we take it to be for the want
of spare brains. Brains to loan out as capital
to other men who have none.
There is a good deal of truth in the popular
saying that no man can get rich by hard work.
But this large grain of truth is only so when
it has to pay a large tax to the brain that di-
rects it. The employer generally works harder
than the one he employs. After he works at
hard manual labor for years, using his sui-
plus brains to make a little more than his
daily need, and to put that little away, and
when the time comes to loan his surplus
brains, he has to work early and late to keej)
business together; while the laborer knows
just when his work is done. It is not that the
employer has no hard work to do. It is not
that he is making money by hard work. He
is simply making money by the loan of his
brains to those who have not enough of their
own, or have not had time to lay by suflicient
of their surplusbrain earnings to loan to others
in the same way.
To make the farm pay, then, one must be a
capitalist— have brains to lend. Yet how
many ever think of this ? By one's own per-
sonal labor, a boy or man, or half a dozen
horses only, how can one make much.? We
never could see why a farm might not be car-
ried on as any other business is— by the em-
ployment of large numbers of men who luive
no idea how to manage themselves; or, what
is the same thing, the larger use of machinery
so as to do farming work on a large scale.
This is the basis of all the fortunes that are
made. There is no other regular way to
make them. We see perhaps a solitary man
standing in his little office in a crowded city,
handling bits of paper in some commercial
transaction, employing no one. But he really
has hundreds of men in the background pay-
ing their little tributes of a few cents only
perhaps for the use of his brains, doing for
them what they are unable to do for them-
selves.
And we are quite sure that those farmers
who have made most money from their call-
ings are tliose who have employed the most
men, not recklessly and foolishly, but wisely
and well. Business— the farming business
included— is not a mere chance game. It is
an art — an art like the art of war; and as in
war, Providence generally smiles on the heav-
iest battalions. We want first a general witli
an abundance of brains; then the more men
he has to loan them to the better for his cause.
— Germantown Telegraph.
HOW TO COOK CHEESE.
The first one, the best known, the most eas-
ily made, is stewed cheese. You remember
that in the well-known Welsh rarebit, fresh
cheese is cut into slices, put upon buttered
toast and laid in a cheese toaster until it is
melted. But if this plan were followed with
cheese that was beginning to get dry it would
not melt easily, and therefore cheese of this
sort is better to be stewed. For this it should
be cut into thin slices and put into a saucepan
with a little old ale, then stirred over the fire
until it is melted. The saucepan should then
be taken off the fire for half a minute, and
supposing there is a quarter of a pound of
cheese, the yolk of one egg beaten up with
half a teaspoouful of mustard and a little
cayeupc pepper should be stirred into the mix-
ture, first off the fire and then on the fire for
about two minutes. The preparation should
then be turned into a very hot dish and served
as hot as possible, little three-cornered ineces'
of dry toast being stuck into it here and there.
If the cheese is not very rich a little butter
may be put into it, and will help to soften it.
I can assure you that very many people would
highly appreciate cheese served in this way,
but I am bound to tell you also that it is one
of the most indigestible of all dishes.
Macaroni cheese, always so much liked by
gentlemen, is much more wholesome. For
this grate the cheese as you would grate nut-
meg, only on a coarser grater, and take two
ounces, weighed after it is grated with a little
pepper and salt. Wash half a pound of Naples
macaroni, break it up, throw it into boiling
water with a lump of butter in it, and boil it
till it is perfectly tender, but firm and 'not at
all broken. It should be remembered that the
commoner the macaroni the more quickly will
it be done. The best will take about half an
hour to boil. When tender drain it dry; melt
an once of butter in a stewpan, mix with it
over the fire an ounce of flovu- to make a smooth
paste. This paste .should be made smooth
with the back of a wooden spoon. Add half
a pint of cold milk and stir the sauce till it
boils. Season it with salt and pepper and a
pinch of cayenne if liked, or half a teaspoouful
of mustard may be mixed with it; add half
the grated cheese and the macaroni drained
dry." Turn it upon a hot dish, sprinkle the
rest of the cheese over it, and brown the top
in front of the fire. Serve the preparation
very hot. The best way to brown the top is
to hold a red-hot salamander over it for a
minute or two; that does the business both
(piickly and well; the only difficulty is thai it
is not every one who possesses a salamander;
but an old iron fire shovel will answer the
same purpose, and most people have that.
All that is necessary is to make it thoroughly
hot and hold it over the macaroni, moving it
about so that the surface may be equally col-
ored. I can assure you that if it is nicely
made the macaroni cheese is sure to find favor.
But now I must tell you of another excellent
dish to be made with grated cheese, and that
is cheux-fleur au gratin. It makes a capital
dish for supper or luncheon, and is inexpen-
sive. It can be made of a whole cauliflower,
or, if preferred, the sprigs only of one or two
vegetables can be used.
When it is well managed the cauliflower kept
whole looks the best. It is, however, rather
difficult to keep it compact, and when it is
straggling all over the dish, it does not look
very tidy. In order to avoid this, however,
it is only necessary that the cook, just before
she pours the sauce over it, should squeeze
it together with a clean cloth held in both
hands. For the sauce procure a moderate
sized cauliflower, close and white. I need not
say, be careful that there are no caterpillars in
it. Cut the stalk quite close and trim away
the outer withered leaves. Put it head down-
ward into a large saucepan, with plenty of
fast-boiling water, slightly salted, and let it
boil until it is tender. It will take from a
quarter of an hour to twenty minutes. If it
turns over in the water, as it is very apt to
do, it mu.st be turned back again with a fork,
for the flowers will be whiter if they are kept
well under water. Care must be taken, too,
to remove any scum that rises. When the
centre of the flower yields readily to pressure,
it is done. Take it up carefully with a slice
and drain it on a sieve. But while it was
boiling the sauce should have been prepared.
You will need two ounces of grated cheese,
grated as for the macaroni, half an ounce of
butter, an ounce of flour, a quarter of a pint
of cold water, a tablespoonf ul of cream, and
as much r-aveniie ppjiiier as would barely cover .
the (lat siu'ihce of :i, split pea. Put the butter
and tlie llour iiilo ;i small stew-pan and mix
them thoi-uu.nlily. (ilitlie fire, with the back of
a wooden spoon. Add a quarter of a pint of
cold water and stir the sauce over the fire till
it is thick and quite smooth; then add the
cream and the cayenne and a pinch of salt.
When the cauliflower is done enough to take
it up, cut off the outside green leaves, place it
on the dish on which it is to be served, and
squeeze it together, as I said before, with a
cloth held in both hands. Stir half the cheese
into the sauce, and then pour it gently over
the flour. Sprinkle the remainder of the
chi'esr (i\.r til.- t<<\) and brown it as the maca-
nini was lu-i'W ih il. Surve it very hot.
Cnislaili's iiiti\- be made some day when
cook 1;. IS been making pastry and has a few
trimmings left. The pastry should be good,
and should be rolled out very thin, after
which small patty pans or moulds should be
lined with it. Grate two ounces of Parmesan
into a basin, and mix with it an ounce of
waruK'd (but not oiled) butter, the yolks of
two and the white of one egg, a saltspoonful
of salt and a pinch of cayenne. Cayenne
should always be used with preparations of
chepse. If the (■ij;gs are small three yolks will
be rcipiircil instead of two. Put a small spoon-
ful nf th ' mixture into the lined moulds, and
hak'' I 111' ciiistades in a moderatelj'-heated
ovrn. \\'li(n tlie.\- ai-L- set and the pastry is
liolitly (•(iIiiiimI till') :ni' done enough. Their
apprarauci- will \ir improved if a single sprig
uf fried iiarsle.y is put on the top of each anil
grated cheese sprinkled over that.
Now for the cheese straws. Grate two
79.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
185
ounces of Parmesan into a liowl. Mix tKi«
with a pincliof salt, a little cayenne ami two
ounces of tlonr, and rub two ounces of l>ulter
into the tuixtuie. Make the iui;roclients into
a stiff paste with the yolk of one ej;f;. Flour
the iia^trv board and the roUinc; \)\u, and roll
the past iv out rather tbiMlvlill it isabnid half
a(piartcr.,tan inch thick. .\> tl,c si r:nvs arc
to licalmut live iiiclics luim it will be vv.'ll to
roll tlic pastry to this widtli. Cut the [lastry
into lingers half a (luarter of an inch wide;
lift them carefully one by one upon a buttered
baking sheet and bake them in a hot oven.
When thev are a pale lirown color thcv are
done enoul'h; Ihevwill take aliont ten "min-
utes. Soiuetiiiies small rini;s about the size of
a penny piece are cut out of the paste ami six
or eii,'ht straws are imt throuL;li each nt these,
in iniilali«aiof a bundle of sticks; or the straws
arc served piled on a dish in transverse rows.
They arc cal.en cold. If put away in a tin
they will keep awhile.
WHISKY.
Revenue List of the States.
In the whisky revenue list the following is
the percentage of tlie thirteen leading States :
Illiuois 30.5H
Ohio 21.40
Kentucky 10.3s
Indiana 10.0r>
New York t;.'.'il
Missouri 4.ns
Peuiisylvauia V.yo
MaeBachusettB 'i.-i.i
Wisconsin I 7u
NebraeKa 1 -I'-i
Maryland 1.41
Teuuesaee 1.35
California 1 O.i
phens
SU|l|li
and .Sci
If llepresentative Sti
Conklins were ri,<;ht in
place where wliisk> is made and the ta.\ on it
is collected pays the tax, tlic t'orcgoinj,' tabli-
would make a frightful exhibition of some of
the States. For the tax is really paid by the
consumers. If Illinois, for instance, pays
more than thirty per centum of the whole tax
it follows that she drinks more than ihirty
per centum of the whole quantity of whisky
swallowed in the Unitial States. ITpon this
theory. Illinoi.s, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana
drink more than three times as much whisky
as the remaining thirty-four State.s. New
York has been supposed to do her share of
spirituous absorption, Ijiit upon this showing
she drinks about aljout one titlh as much as
Illinois, less than one-third as much as Ohio,
and only three-lifllis of the quantity guzzled
by eitlier Kentucky or Indiana. It is there-
fore in the interest of the good character and
steady standing of the several States as well
as of economic truth that Mr. Stephens and
Mr. Conkling ought to revise tlieir notions
on this subject. Tlie next time they refer to
the matter in Congress let them remember to
say that the New York toper who crawls out
at daybreak for his morning dram, or the cus-
tomary tii>pler who is seen wiping his mouth
susi)iciousiy about 11 o'clock in Wall or
Broad street, or the man who evades the
l)iohii)ition law in a dark closet in Maine,
contributes to the internal revenue wlienever
he raises liis glass to his lips. In this way
there will l)e a fair distribution of the whisky
as well as the tax.
COFFEE.
A Coffee-field in Brazil.
From a very full account of the UraziHtin
Cortce Industiy in Srrihncr for December, we
take this description of the tield-work, written
from personal observation by Herbert H.
Smith:
In southern Brazil, a colfee-field .seldom
lasts more than thirty years. The plantations
are made on the fertile hill-side, where the
forest has been growing thick and strong. But
the soil here is never deep— six or eight inches
of mould at the utmost. In the tropics there
are no long winters with mats of dead vegita-
ble matter rotting under the snow. The
leaves fall singly, and dry up until they break
into dust; logs and decaying branches" in the
shady woods are carried away by white ants
and beetles; hence the mould bed incre;ises
very slowly; in twenty-live or thirty years,
the strong-growing coli'ec-trces eat it all up
Most i)lanters simply cut down the forest and
leave the trees to drv in the sun for six or
1 eight weeks, when they are burned. S ,
more providei.l. lets the logs rot where they
lie. whieh liny do in a year or two; iu the
open sunlight they are saved from in8ects,and
the ground receives a large accession to its
strength.
Back of tlic house there are two yards or
small lields, four acres, perhaps, together.
close together, oiilv leavihi; little patliwa\s at
intervals. Kaeh oVthe two hundred tliousand
pots eoiitains a thriving young coffee-plant.
The ground tonus a gentle slope, and water
is cdiistantly running over it, so that it is al-
ways soaked. The pots, tlirongh orifices at
keep the roots moistened. The young plants
are protecled from the .sun by mat screens
stretelied (111 poles aliove tlie ground.
This is a .cslU svsteni. Most of the plan-
ters take rnnt -hoots at random from the old
lields and .set them at •<• iiiio unprepared
ground. Sr. S 's expei inienl Ikis msl him
probably $20,000; the pots alum r.,si .-1 l.nuo.
But he will make at least :^."ii).iiiiii liy the ope-
ration. In the first phw'e, he gains a good
year in the start that he gives to these young
plants. Then they are not put back in the
transplanting; the pots are simply inverted
and the roots come out with the earth. They
are set into mould or compost which has been
prciiared in deep holes. The tender rootlets
catch hold of this at once, and in a day or two
the plant is growing as well as ever.
The nur.slings come from selected seeds of
half a dozen varieties. Sr. S has them
planted at first in small pots. A dozen slaves
are engaged transplanting the six-inch high
shoots to larger pots. Little tired-looking
children carry them about on their shoulders,
working ou as steadily as the old ones, for
they are Well trained. Sr. S wants to
make his plants last fifty year-s, so he is careful
and tender with them. The little blacks will
be free in lSi)2, so his policy is to get as much
work as possible from them while lie can.
The plants are set in rows, about ten feet
apart. They grow, and thrive, and are
haiipy, out ou the hill-side. Warm sunshine
cansses the leaves; generous rains feed the
tender roots; the ground js kept free from in-
truding weeds and bushes, and the planter
waits for his harvest. After four years, the
trees are six feet high and begin to bear. By
th(' si.xth year, the crops are very large— three,
or even four pounds per tree at times. Mean-
while, corn and rnandiocaare planted between
the rows. Often in a new plantation the ex-
penses are nearly covered by these subsidiary
crops.
In this month of November only a few of
the princnpal gathering month, and almost
the whole force must tie at woi'k in tlie licar-
ing orchards. From sunrise to sunset, men,
women and children are gathering the berries
in ba.-kets, working silently and .steadily un-
der the over.seer's eye. Every day, each slave
gathers on the average berries enough to pro-
duce lifty pounds of dried coflije. The pick-
ings are collected in carts and brought to the
mill-lKULse, where the seeds must be prepared
for the market.
WASHING FOWLS
One of the correspondents who asked for
this article, observed that he found his birds
looking rather dirtier after his washing than
before, which brings us face to face with the
first ditliculty and its remedy. The ditiieulty
itself all consists in the facti hat people al flr.s't
have no idea how tlioiowjh the icuxhhKj of a fmrl
\ for (fhihUion has lobe. They give tlieir birds
a very mild soap over with a sponge, rinse
j tliein, and think they are washed. Not a bit
of it. Think a little, about wa.shiiig, say a
I pair of hands. If they are tolerably cleau,
and you plunge them into a hit of black mud,
they will (!oiiie out black enough, but you can
wash (/iwdirt olV with very little trouble. But
suppose your hands have not been washed for
a good while, anil Mill have been in contact
with a lot of things, including a little oil or
grease for a specimen, let iis say an engine-
litter's hand>, at the close of a'dav's work.
CarefuUv wiped, ihey will show far less dirt
than the muddy hands before menlioifed; but
this kind of dirt will take long and persistent
scrubbing to remove. Now, the dirt on a
fowl is more or less like the last .sort. It is
old: it is wiOl worked in; and it is iiieorpora-
feil with the oil of ilie pl,i„i:ig<>. And it lakes
dowiiri-hl thon.:<,,h washin- to -et it off.
You niii.sl havi' a large tnl), at least a foot
deep, and fill it half full with water at, say
90'. Make this water into strong suds by
rubbing a good large cake of soaji into it till it
latfieis well. The suds must i.e good and
strong, or it is no use. Then put vonr bird
in, and with a good .sponge drench it all over
witli suds, and rub it thoroii^'hly, taking an
occasional rub of the s|ioiil'i another jiiece
of soap. Yon must nevei ruh ",- ih.' Iniiher;
but otherwise nib awav fieeU , le.t ciih down,
but a little across in both direct h.n.s; not furi-
ously, of eoujse, but still as if you me'iut to
el. ;in the bird down to the ski'ii. For the
hiaiK mid legs you must take a brush, which
tilings ciut the freshness of the combs wonder-
fully, if there is any in them. Uememlier this
one simple thing: that your birds may look
rough and untidy liecause you arc inexperi-
enced in drying, but that if. after washing,
they still look rlirti/, it is for no other reason
than that vou did not wash them moiujh.
AVhen washed, lift into another tub of clean
warm wati't, and with a clean sponge rin.se
out as t horoughly as possible. Here, too, peo-
])le often think the .soa|) is out when it is not;
and wIkmi you see fowls with the iilumage ai)-
pearing to hang in rilaments, instead of web-
liing out smooth as before, llie reason is that
soap has been left in. The first rinsing in the
wann water will not get all out as it .should
be, liut sli..nld get all the stron- suds out. A
third tub will get the bird pretty clear of so-aj);
and, finally, we strongly recommend a thor-
ough plunge— head, ears, and all— into a tub
of clean i-ohl water, or, in default of that, to
turn on cold water from a hose.
The drvinu is a more ticklish matter. Stand
the miserable lo.iUing object you have jiro-
duced on a bench or the top of an empty biis-
ket, and with a sponge iia.s.sed gently over the
way of the feather, ab.soib all the water that
a tightly wrung-out sponge will take up. Get
off all you can this way, when the fowl is
ready for the lire. It must be taken pretty
near, but not exposed to fierce heat, which
would blister the face and curl the feathers.
Much depends on the room; but the object is
to have the whole bird in a veri/ warm but not
fierce atmosphere. If attention can be given,
the hrsi plan is to carefully turn the bird round
now and then, so tliat no part is exposed too
long to direct heat: and there should be a
screen to keep olf the col.l air. A large box
with the o|ien side turned to the fire, and bed-
ded with clean well bruised oat straw, keeps
the air warm round the fowls verv well; and
in such a hot chamber the fowls inay be left
with an occa.sional inspection; but to dry well,
care must betaken toturiiany espe iallv damp
place towards the beat when iieedid.' The
great thing here is to dry as fast as pn.ssible
without violent heat, but to dry ujuidh/ —
otherwi.se the plumage is apt to tret curled", or
bent or twisteil in a very prejudicial way.
Whilst drying, the wings should be several
times opened to get thi' heat. When only a
.sort of damp seems to remain, most people
think it best to placi! each bird in a chaii lined
basket, bedded in .^(ft .straw, like oat .straw,
ami leave this near the fire. TheliniiiL' of the
basket keeps in a gentle steain, which assists
the feathers in webbing together. — From
'•Washing Poultry for Exhibition," in Fan-
ciers^ Jnuriml of December.
Send in your subscriptions.
186
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ December,
HOW TO KEEP FOWLS.
There are always a number of people living
in large towns or in the suburbs, who would
very much like to keep a few fowls for the
sake of a new laid egg, and who at the same
time would like to enter into the excitement
of exhibiting their birds, but for want of
sufficient room, and the absence of aerassrun,
are deterred from making a start. Now it is
astonishing what a small space is sufficient to
keep Spanisli in the most perfect liealth and
the brightest of plumage. A run only a few
yards square will be ample if proper attention
is paid to tlieir wants, and they are kept
clean, and theirsleepingplaces well ventilated.
When poultry can be kept, and even success-
fully exhibited under such conditions, it is not
surprising tliat all the best Spanisli are bred
in or near to large towns, as there are so very
few varieties of fowls which can be kept sat-
isfactorily by an amateur not living in tl)e
country. We do not wish to mislead our
readers, or for them to imagine that there are
no difficulties in breeding and rearing these
birds, and we will at once state that Spanisli
require more attention and care than any
other variety we know of, tliat is, if a fancier
intends to enter into successful competition;
and unless he is endowed with an unusually
large amount of patience and perseverance,
and a real love for poultry, we should not
advise him to attempt to l^eep them, as these
qualities will be well tested when the birds
get heavy in face, large in comb, and in
trimming them for exliibitiou; but to tlie
fancier who is found of being with his birds,
and studying their habits, they will be a con-
tinual source of amusement and relaxation.
For eating, their flesh is somewhat drier,
and wanting the luscious flavor of the Dorking,
eame and French breeds ; but, as egg pro-
ducers, there is not another fowl that can
equal them, although they do not begin to lay
quite so early in the season as some other
varieties. Pullets, however, if well fed and
eared for, will mostly commence to lay when
about six or seven months old, and they will
continue laying almost without intermission
for eight montlis, producing from four to five
eggs per week. Hens do not lay quite so
freely, but with good feeding they will gener-
ally 'lay every other day for seven or eight
months in the year; and when it is remem-
bered that any one living in the midst of
London can obtain a plentiful supply of very
large new laid eggs, and can successfully
compete for prizes, it is not surprising that.
Spanish are such great favorites with town
fanciers.
To exhibit this variety with a degree of
success, it is necessary that they should be
sent out in the very best condition, for with
Spanish this is of greater importance than
most other breeds. Many times have I seen
inferior birds carry ofl a prize entirely owing
to the capital condition in which they were
exhibited, although there were far better
birds in the class. It is, therefore, absolutely
necessary that these birds should be exhibited
without being pinky or shabby in the face,
and with a bright coral redness in tlie comb,
hard, glossy appearance on the featliers.
which can oiily be accomplished by having a
house properly constructed for them. Tliis
must be so 'arranged that the birds are
sheltered from tl)e cold winds, the heat of the
sun, and from damp or rain. but. more espec-
ially, from the eflects of the sun during tlie
summer when tlie weather is very hot; while
in tlie winter they require to be liept moder-
ately warm, though at the same time plenty
of fresh air is most essential, or their combs
will lose the ruddy appearance and turn pale.
—From "The Spanish Fowl," in Fanciers'
Journal of December.
THE GRAIN CROP.
Tlie grain crop of the United States is
greater this year than ever before. In Europe
till total deficiency is estimated at 7,000,000
tons, viz. : Great Britain, 2,850,000 tons;
France, 2,700,000 tons; Italy, 426.000 tons;
Spain; .570,000 tons; Holland, 285,000 tons;
Switzerland, 169,000 tons. To meet this de-
ficiency there will be required supplies to the
amount of 5,570,000 tons, which will be drawn
from various countries in tlie following ratio :
From the United States, 3,750,000 tons ;
Hungary, 180,000 tons; India, 280,000 tons;
Australia, 500,000 tons; South Russia, 650,000
tons; Danubian Principalities, 140,000 tons;
Egypt, 70,000 tons.
The crop of this country this year is said to
be equal to 400,000,000 bushels, and, there-
fore, the foreign demand for 140,000,000
bushels can be easily met by us without
causing a material imiMTisc of (irice at lionie.
The deficiency to be siii.i.lird to Great Bri-
tain alone willam<iniii in value to not less
than $200,000,000; to France over $100,000,-
000; Holland, Belgium and Switzerland to-
gether $125,000,000; or a total of over $425,-
000,000, nearly four-fifths of which come from
tliis country. These figures are not tlie mere
guess of irresponsible persons, but are sup-
plied by official antliority, and may, there-
fore, be depended upon to be pretty nearly
correct. They demonstrate, at least, one
reason for belief in an advancing era of
prosperity, for they show that our farmers are
to find a good market and excellent prices for
their grain, and, when the farmers do well,
so do all the rest of tlie people.
COMPARATIVE VALUE OF WOODS.
It is a great convenience to kiiow^ tlio com-
parative value of different kinds of wood for
fuel. Slielllxirk liickory is regarded as the
lii.Ljbost standard of our forest trees, and call-
ing that 100, other trees will compare with it
for real value as fuel for house purposes, as
follows: Shellbark hickory, 100; pignut hick-
ory, 92; white oak, 84; white ash, 77; dog-
wood, 75; scrub oak, 73; white hazel, 72;
apple tree, 70; red oak, 67; white beach, 65;
black birch, 62; veilow oak, 60; hard maple,
59; white elm. 58; red cedar, .56; wild cherry,
.55; veilow pine, 54; chestnut, 52; yellow pop-
lar, "54; butternut and white birch, 43; white
pine, 30. It is worth bearing in mind, that in
wood of the same species, there is a great dif-
ference according to the soil on which they
grow. A tree that grows on a wet, low, rich
ground will be less solid and lesfe durable for
fuel, and therefore of a less value than a tree
of the same kind that grows on a dry and poor
soil. To the ordinary jiurehaser, oak is oak
and pine is pine, but for house use the tree
grown on dry upland, and standing apart from
all others, is worths great deal more.
SUGAR
Sorghum and Corn Stalks Being Made to
Yield an Excellent Crystallizable Syrup.
A leading feature of the report of the Com-
missioner of Agriculture will be a dissertation
on the manufacture of sugar from sorghum
and corn stalks.
The chemist of the Agricultural Depart-
ment has been experimenting this year, in
order to ascertain at what age the different
varieties of plants give the best re.sults. The
Early Amber variety of sorghum proves to be
the most profitable. Stalks of this iilant were
gathered on the 18th of July and cut in
halves. The tops gave .0420 per cent of suc-
rose, or crystallizable syrup, and .0465 percent
of glucose, or uucrys'tallizable syrup. The
experiments were continued with stalks gath-
ered about once a week until August 30, when
the seeds were just beginnhig to become dry.
The sucrose or valuable matter at the last ex-
periment had increased to .1482 per cent, and
the glucose had decreased to .0115 per cent.
The experiments made with the lower halves
of the stalks gave .0465 per cent of the sucrose
and .0288 of glucose on the 18th of July, and
.1471 per cent of surcose and .01.50 of glucose
on the 30th of August.
Commissioner Le Due has just returned
from the West, whither ho went to inspect
the processes of various sugar growing and
manufacturing enterprises. He reports that
the most promising results have already been
obtained. He visited one manufactory in Illi-
nois, where 43,000 pounds of sorghum sugar
iiave been made this season, equal in every
respect to the best product of the sugar cane;
and this enterprise has been carried on under
exceptional difficulties. He visited or received
reports from many other loculities to whicli
he had sentsorghum seeds, all speaking in the
most favorable terms of the prospects. Indi-
vidual farmers in Texas, Minnesota, Virginia
and intermediate States report having made,
at very little expense, their own yearly supply
of sugar from seeds supplied by the depart-
ment.
"You may ridicule the project to your
heart's content," said the Commissioner to a
correspondent, "and call me as many names
as you like; but I tell you that it will not be
many years before this country will raise
sugar to export."
STATISTICAL.
Our Agricultural Products.
Mr J. R. Dodge, the statistician of the
Bureau of Agriculture at Washington, has
prepared a table to show the quantity and
value of our main products for the past ten
years. The figures are startling in their enor-
mous aggregates. The average quantities and
values (at home) of our crops per year for ten
years are as follows : Corn, 1,068,959,550
bushels; value, ,$525,211,602. Wheat, 273,-
831,746 bushels; value, .$301,481,540. Rye,
18,016.030 bushels; value, $15,091,207. Oats,
291,036,670 bushels; value, $156,810,592.
Barley, 30,606,609 bushels: value .$25,385,459.
Buckwheat, 10,938,070 bushels; value. $9,204,-
801. Hay, 35,000.000 tons; value, $300,000,-
000. Cotton, 4,000,000 tons; value, $360,000,-
000. The total annual products, reduced to
pounds, aggregate 173,343,320,500 pounds;
valued at $1,553,175,201, or nine-tentlis of a
cent per pound for all products. The aggre-
gate value of the products for ten years is
$15,637,752,010, or very nearly one-half of the
total valuation of the country by the census
of 1870. The improved lands of the country,
which were 188,000,000 acres in 1870, now
exceed 200,000,000 acres, and upon this basis
the average product of each acre of. arable
land in cultivation is .43 of a ton of all sorts
of agricultural returns, the avenge home
value of the ton of products being $17, on the
basis of a ten year valuation. By this it ap-
pears that the average annual product for ten
years ot improved lands in the United States
has been $7.37 per acre, including of course,
a good deal of produce consumed at home.
The butter products this vear are estimated
at .$170,000,000; cheese aiid milk, $1.30,000,-
000; beef and its products, $270,000,000; iiork
and its products, $250,000,000; cotton, $270,-
000,000; corn, $410,000,000; wheat, $410,000,-
000. The increase this year in production of
cereals over the averatte of the past ten years
promises to be about 28 per cent, but tlie ag-
gregate value will not be greater.
Our Local Organizations.
LANCASTER COUNTY AGRICULTU-
RAL AND HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY.
The stated meeliug of the Lancaster loiiuly Agri-
cultural and Horticultural Society was held in Iheir
rooms in City Hall, Monday afternoon, December 7,
the following members hein? present :
Henry M. Engle, Marietta; Joseph F. Wiimcr,
Paradise; Dr. S. S. Rathvon, city; John C. Liuville,
Salisbury; Casper Hiller, Conestoga; I. L. Landis,
Miinheim; George W. Mason, city; Jacob Bollinaer,
Warwick; Henry Kurtz, Ml. Joy; Levi S. Heist,
Manheim; Johnson Miller, Warwick; John H. Lan-
dis, Manor; Wm. H. Brosius, Drumore; Ephraim S.
Hoover, Manheim; J. M. Johnston, city; M. D. Ken-
dig, Manor; W. W. Grieet, city; Elias Hershey,
Leamau Place; Harry G. Rush, Pequea;Tind John H.
Moore, Donegal.
The President, Calvin Cooper, being absent. Vice
President Henry M. Engle was called to tlie chair.
Crop Reports.
Casper Hiller said the growing wheat Ijelween
Lancaster and Conestoga Ccutie looks well, with
here and there a field sllishtly injured by the fly or
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
187
the drouth. He saw but one field that looks decid-
edly bad. The clover sowed in March last looks
well, while that sowed In .May Is generally poorly
set.
Henry Kurt/., of Mount Joy, said the late-planted
wheat in his section of the county looks very well,
while the early-planted, looks bushy and spotted,
beiiiff Injured by the fly. The young clover, sowed
last spring, is very poor, and some of it Is so bad that
It will have to be turned under to make room for
corn. Some tobacco has been sold in his neighbor-
hood. One crop at SO cents for wrappers, 15 for
seconds and 5 for flilers— equal to about 27 cents
round. He had heard of other sales at about the
same figures, and had scon a telegram to Capt.
Bricker, of Litiz, otTcring him for his crop 25, 10, 10
and 5, which offer, he heard, had been accepted.
Joseph F. Witmer, of Paradise, said thai in his
neighborhood the fall wheat looked very well indeed.
A number of tobacco buyers had been in the neigh-
borhood and sales had been made as low as 17 and li,
and as high as 29 and 5, these prices being regarded
as very satisfactory by the growers. The young
clever, though rather backward, is improving.
Wm. H. Brosius, of Drumore, said that in his
neighborhood the wheat, considering the dry weather,
looks very well. He saw but few fields well set in
clover.
Henry M. Engle said that as far as lie had seen the
growing wheat looked very well ; he had seen none
that was seriously affected by the fly; he tliiiiks the
grain goes into winter quarters in remarkably good
condition. The young grass is not so well set ;is it
usually is, but it too looks pretty well, so that alto-
gether there la cause for congratulation. .\ friend
from the Cumberland valley told him that in some
sections of the valley the wheat looks so bad that il
is thought the farmers will not get as much grain as
they sowed.
J. C. Linville, of Salisbury, said that in his neigh-
borhood the young clover had failed entirely.
High Farming.
The question "What constitutes high fanning, and
will it pay?" was opened by Henry M . Engle, who
said the question was a hard one to answer." Amonir
eminent agriculturists there exists a great diversity
of opinion. Some say that high farming consists in
a heavy application of manures; others that high
farming consists in making the farm yield the best
paying crops. In this view tobacco growing in this
county may be regarded as high farming as it un-
doubtedly pays just now better than any other crop.
It should be remembered, however, that the tobacco
gets the best land, the best manure, the best cultiva
tlon and the most unremitting care; while the potato
patch in the adjoining field gels poorer soil, little or
no manure, is but slightly cultivated, and is rankly
overgrown with weeds. Where this state of affairs
exits there is no high farming. As a general rule he
would say there was high farming where everything
is neat and clean and all the crops well cultivated;
where buildings, fences, &c., are kept in good condi-
tion and where the farm products exceeded the farm
expenses. The highest farming that has come under
hlB observation was that of truck farming, where two
or three crops are grown in a single season on the
same ground and any one of the crops would pay cx-
expenses. In truck gardening he had known as
much as $2,000 worth of products to be taken from
a single acre. There is of course a system of high
farming that does not pay. This system may be
illustrated by the experience of Ucv. Henry Ward
Beecher, who when asked how he could afford to
pay *000 per acre for land and get such indifferent
crops, said he did it by putting a little more on the
land than he took off. This kind of high farming
may do for those who have a heavy bank accouiif,
and farm merely for show, but is not to be recciu
mended to farmers who expect to live from tin ir
farms. High farming should result in havingeviry
thing neat and tidy about the farm, in growing goeU
crops at less expense than they will yield in return,
save money to the farmer and leave the land in
better condition than it was.
John C. Linvillo said there was a distinction to be
made between liiL;li r^uniinf; ;nid good farming. By
a prudent api)liraii.in ol liTlilizcrs and good cultiva-
tion, 40 bushels ol ulu^t |irr acre might be grown.
By extending §.;0 more per aiie .50 bushels might be
grown, but the extra ten bushels of wheat would not
pay for the extra $20 expended. He agreed with
Prof. Lowes, who classed that which will pay as
"good farming" and the extra exi;enditure8 that will
not pay as "high farming."
Henry Kurtz would not class the trucker as a
farmer;" it might he very easy to do with an acre
what would be impracticable on a large farm. He
only called those farmers who followed a system of
rotation of crops, and the high farmer was he who
made these crops pay. He mentioned several eases
which he knew of tobacco farmers who rcufed land
at ?40 per acre and grew tobacco yielding $400 per
acre. This he regarded as high farming and good
farming.
Casper Hiller said we have had much high and
profitable farming in Lancaster county. Thirty
years ago the townships south of Lancaster did not
yield half as much per acre as they do now. Men
who were then tenants are now wealthy farmers,
owning one, two or half a dozen farms. They
farmed high, fertilized liberally, and had a regular
rotation of crops, thus constantly Improving the soil.
His idea was that no farming Is high farming that
does not pay.
Mr. Brosius thought it would be dimcult to deter-
mine where common farming ends and high farming
begins. Good farming is that which Is made to pay
best by the exercise of good judgment, practice, ex-
perience and ol)6ervation, whether It be by a liberal
or economical use of fertilizers and other means.
High farming, as he understood it, was the greatest
possible amount, In bushels or pounds, from an acre,
without regard to what the cost might be.
Dairy Farming.
"Will dairy farming pay In Lancaster county)"
was the subject referred for an answer to John C.
Linv He. Ilesaid the solution of the question greatly
depended on the location of the farm, the condition
of the soil, and the water supply. The dairy busi-
ness has languished in Chester county, where they
have better facilities than we have. Our limestone
land is not well suited to dairying. He did not
believe it advisable to let cows run over land worth
$300 per acre, ifil could be put to more profitable
uses. He estimated that it would cost $40 per year
to feed a cow, and this, taken In connection with the
high prices of good cows, their liability to abortion
and other diseases, sometimes resulting fatally,
would outweigh the profits. In the southern part
of the county, win re the land was cheaper and the
[fras.'i better, dairying might pay: but even there it
will he found the great cimpetltion will come from
the Western states, where land is cheaper and where
by the concentration ofereat numbers of cows in a
single dairy butter can be made cheaper and better
thiin in small dairies. Some of the best dairymen of
Chesler county say they cannot make butter the
year round for less than 60 cents per pound.
Henry M. Engle said there were places no more
eligibly located tlian some in Lancaster county where
the dairy business was profitable. It must be re-
membered that the dairy business embraced milk-
scllinL', butter-making and cheese-making. For
milk the bliort-horn cows are the best; for cheese the
.\yrshire, and for butter the Jerseys. Success de-
pends in getting the kind of cow best suited to the
several branehes. As to the cost of keeping cows It
had been demonstrated that it costs but little more
than half as much to keep them by the soiling sys-
tem— that is by stabling them and feeding them
green food in summer — as it costs to let them run at
large, while the yield of milk and butter will also be
Levi S. Reist believed that dairying always pays
near large towns and cities if it was properly attend-
ed to. lie cited several cases of dairymen near Lan-
caster and Columbia who had become rich.
In answer to a question Mr. Linville said that the
introduction of oleamargerine had not affected the
market for first-class butter, but that il had greatly
affected the market for low grades of butter.
Indeed the oleamargerine is preferable to much of
the low grade butter, and when good butter becomes
very cheap, oleamargerine cannot compete in price
with it, as il cannot be made for less than 15 cents
per pound.
Stock Raising.
"Is stock raising profitable ?" was the question re-
ferred for answer to M. D. Kendig. lie estimated
that a cow worth ^40 will have cost by the time she
comes into milking $.57.50; and he estimated her
yearly product in butler, milk, &e., at $62. To
raise a calf for beef would in three years, at which
time it «!iould weigh 1,300 pounds, cost the farmer
slii.si, ,11- :,<.. cents per pound. A western steer of
I 111 ,^ iiiH Hiight^pight be bought for 4 or 4' j cents
|M'r |i(Hii!ii . On thc^whole he thought stock raising
lunirolilal.lc.
Joseph F. Witmer anAyHenry Kurtz thought that
stock raising might be miwV; profitable with proper
care, and gave some instanece in their own experi-
Ephraim S. Hoover said that th;e raising of cattle
on our high priced tillable land would not pay but
that It would pay to raise them on low, unlillable
land, where there were rank grasses or on other
lands that were not tillable.
State Agricultural Society.
The secretary read a communication from the
secretary of the State agricultural society slating
that the term of membership of H. M. Engle was
almut to expire; that he had been an efficient and
useful member of the society and that it would be a
very satisfactory to the board to have him re-elected.
On motion of Mr. Engle the matter was deferred
until next meeting.
Secretary Witmer called attention to the fact that
the prizes awarded to Henry M. Engle and Casper
! Hlllcr for their essays on wheat culture had never
been paid .
It was ordered that the treasurer be directed to pay
them, and thereu;K)n Mr. Engle donated his prize to
' the society. (Mr. Hiller was not present.)
I Israel L. Landis presented a number of very large
chestnuts sent to him by Mr. Samuel Potter, of
.Montgomery county. They were four times as large
as the ordinary chestnut and equally rweet.
H. M. Engle urged the Importance of introducing
this variety Into our county by grafting. He said
there was more money in it than in planting choice
fruit trees, while plenty of waste land on almost
every farm may be found snflal)le for its growth .
John H. Landis exhibited some specimens of
Georgia cotton bolls.
Business for Next Meeting.
The following questions were adopted for discus-
sion at next meeting.
"Which Is the belter farmer — he who makes the
most manure, or he who buys the most." Referred
to Eph. S. Hoover.
"Does it pay to raise trees for fencing purposes?"
Referred to .M. D. Kendig.
"Is there siifnclent evidence that 'ensilage' Is a
successful method of preserving food for stock?"
Referred to Joseph F. Witmer.
"Does it pay to cut dried corn fodder for stock ?"
Referred to William II. Brosius.
Adjourned.
POULTRY ASSOCIATION.
I'll. I 111 ill r I oiinty Poultry Society met stated-
ly III M ' 11 Monday mornlnir, December 1st,
ai Ii.mI ,. ■ 'II . j.irk-.
Ill i! 11! - 11 i| ilie President, Rev. D. C. Tobias,
the rnoilinL' "^i" called to order by <i. A. Ciever, the
first Vice President.
Members Present
Ml f i;ii, ( ni ron. Brickervllle; David M. Bro-
s. V 1 I iM/D. .Martin, New Haven: W.J.
Kill ! I " i 111: T. E. Evans, H. H. Tshudy,
IVhi ~. I II I, i i 1/.; G. A.Geycr, J. H. Menaugh,
L. (.. Mill I 111, S|.iiiig Garden; Charleti E. LouL',
Jacob B. Lichty, Charles Lippold, John C. Biirrowes,
Jacob B. LoiiL', Joseph R. Trlssler, Fcrlinand
Sheatfer, Charles Eilcn, Amos Rinirwalt, Lancaster;
Joseph F. Witmer, Paradise; J. .M. Johnston, C. A.
Gast, Frank (ireist and Geo. W. Mason, Lancaster,
reporters.
The Catalogue.
Chas. E, Long suggested that all business except
such as pertained to the approaching cxhibitioo be
postponed. He re|K>rted that Mr. Lichty and him-
self had succeeded in getting .500 catalogues printed
without any expense to the society for printing or
mailing, the cost having been paid by inserting ad-
vcrtisements in the book.
Election of New Members.
Edwin Brackbill, Morris Bachman and John Ha-
gens, of Strasburir; E. II. Burkholder and Rudy
Frankhouser, of West Earl, were elected members of
the Society.
Filling a Vacancy
Joseph R. Trissler, W. J. Kufrolh and Henry
Wisslerwere nominated to fill the vacancy in the ex-
ecutive committee, caused by the icRlgnati'in of J.
H. .Miller. The two latter "named gcnlleincii de-
clined, and Mr. Trissler was unanimously elected.
Securing and Incubator.
Secretary Lichty spoke of the importance of se-
curing an incubator for the approaching exhibition,
and stated that Mr. Reed had corres|)onded with a
number of firms manufacturing the machine, and
found that one could not be secured for exhibition
for less than ?25, and additional expense for ex-
pressagc, etc.
Mr. Chas. E. Long read a letter from Mrs. Colin
Cameron, in which the proposition was made that if
the Society would purchase the "Eclipse" Incubator,
manufactured in Massachusetts, price $75, .Mr.
Cameron would take the incubator at $.50. Mr.
Long favored accepting Mrs. Cameron's proposition
and said as the time was short, the Society sliould
decide at once, "so that the machine could be secured,
and the ecgs placed in it, in order that the chicks
may be coming out during the exhiljition,
Mr. Lichty thought the society should not hesitate
about getting the incubator, as he believed il would
prove of sufficient interest to draw enough people,
who otherwise would not visit the exhibition, to jiay
all expenses.
Amos Ringwalt also favored getting I he incubator,
and said even if it didn't pay, a rich society like this
should not be afraid to incur §20 expense.
Jacob B.Long offered to be one of a number lo
take $5 worth oflickels to insure the society that the
additional expense would be made up.
T.F. Evans thought the society should not take
the money out of the treasury to pay the cost, and
argued that even If the members "did take the
amount in tickets, it would be the same thing as
paying the money out of the treasury. He doubted
the expediency of getting the incubator, and sug-
gested that the society wait until its next exhibition
to secure one.
Charles E. Long called on members who were
willing to pay 32. .50 a piece out of their pockets to
cover additional expense, beyond that insured by
Mr. Cameron, to rise In their places.
188
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[December,
Mr. Liclity opposed this proposition. He was
sure the exhibition would be a success. Already
$22.5 was guaranteed, and he didn't believe in a few
nieinbers paying out of their own pockets this money.
He thought there were enough honorable gentleman
in the society to make up any deficiency that might
occur.
A number of members planked their dollars down
ou the table, and there was a long rambling discus-
sion on various propositions to secure the machine.
Finally, H. H. Tshudy moved that the Society
accept the offer of Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, providing
the cost does not exceed #20. This motion was
carried. Mrs. Camr^ron stated that the expressage
would be paid by her husband.
There having been considerable talk about the
inability of some members to dispose of their ticket.-,
Mr. Kingwalt suggested they be usetj as currency.'
lie had adopted this plan and found it worked first-
Eggs Wanted.
Mr. Long stated the oOO good, fresh eggs would be
needed for the incubator, and asked memljers to
donate the same. W. J. Kafroth said he would
furnish 50, J. H. Menaugh guaranteed 100 from
Spring Garden, Mrs. Cameron agreed to send some
game egge, but wanted them mixed with the others
so that no person would be able to secure a flock of
game chicks. Mr. Evans said Litiz would send HO.
It is intended to sell the chicks hatched to visitors at
the exhibition.
Miscellaneous.
Mr. Liehty moved that the treasurer be authorized
to draw his check for |70, the price of the incubator,
so that the machine could be at once sent for.
Adopted.
H. H. Tshudy moved a vote^jf thanks be tendered
the gentlemen who got up the catalogue for their
labor in securing the printing without cost to the
Society. Adopted.
Mr. Evans suggested members furnish corn,
wheat, buckwheat, etc' for feeding the fowls at the
exhibition.
Mr. Tshudy suggested and Charles E. Long moved
that the secretary be authorized to employ some
competent person to wait on the newly-elected mem-
bers to the society in this city, and solicit their mem-
bership fee. It was adopted.
On motion of John K . Trissler, it was decided to
hold the next meeting of the society on December
1.5, at lO;^ o'clock a.m.
On motion of Mr. Johnston, the society adjourned.
SPECIAL MEETING.
A special meeting of the Lancaster County
Poultry Society was held in their room in the City
Hall, Monday morning, December 1.5.
The following members and visitors were present :
Charles E.Long, city; Charles Lijipold, city; Wil-
liam Shoenberger, city; Hev. D. C. Tobias, Litiz J.
B. Liehty, city; S. N. Warfel, Strasburg; John A.
Stober, Schoeneck; A. H. Hostetter, city; Frank R.
Diffenderffer, city: C. -\. «ast, city; George A. Geyer,
Spring Garden; John Burrowes, city; H. H. Tshudy,
Litiz; J. B. Long, city; W.J. Kafroth, West Earl;
Ferdinand Shaeffer, city; John E. Sebum, city; Eli
J. Barr, Litiz.
On motion the reading of the minutes of the
previous meeting was dispensed with.
Mr. Charles E. Long, from the Executive Com-
mittee, reported tliat the incubator had arrived, and
was working very satisfactorily. The machine is at
present at 111' residence of Mr. J. B. Liehty, who
has charge of it. He thought the machine was
going to prove a success. The eggs were placed in
the incubator, and unless no unforseen accident
sliould occur, chickens would be hatched every day
during the show.
Mr. Warfel said there were a few features in
poultry shows that are very interesting, and among
these features he mentioned the exhibition of golden
pheasants. He thought some of these fowls should
be procured for exhibition, as they would add greatly
to the show.
Mr. Lippold suggested that the society should
buy a pair and place them on exhibition.
Mr. Long said there was no doubt these fowls
would prove a valuable addition to the show. They
were very expensive, however, and would require a
very large cage in order to accommodate them. He
also suggested that .Mr. Warfel be instructed to
corrc6|>oiia with Mr. 1 ;:, nfNew York, and make
.Mr. Wui 1. I n-|.r, iiuli\ ihclined the honor, and
thought till- alhiii roulil hr ;nn-iided to more promptly
and with belter ^ul•^•l■^^ Ijy the Executive Committee
of the society, and he therefore moved that the sec-
retary be instructed to procure the pheasants.
The motion was amended by providing that the
cost shall not exceed $10. The motion as amended
was carried, and the secretary was instructed to
procure the birds.
Mr. Warfel said that Mr. Drexel, of Philadelphia,
had some white peafowls, and he knew they could
be procured by the society free of charge. He also
thought they would be a valuable addition to the
show.
Mr. Lippold said that the express charges would
not be overS'1.25, and he therefore moved that the
matter be placed in the hands of the Executive Com-
mittee, with power to act. The motion was carried.
Mr. Liehty said that several entries had already
been made for the exhibition; and he urged upon the
members the necessity of making their entries as
soon as possible, in order that should additional
coops be required, they could be ipanufactured in
time for the opening.
Mr. Lippold said that -Mr. Liehty was kind enough
to offer a silver cup for a match between Antwerp
pigeons. He thought, however, that the distance
the birds should fly should be announced in iime to
perniii tlir- binlR tn lie trained somewhat.
Mr I i. 1:!'. .Ill iliathe had purchased a cup for
tlir|i,i i .nril. The birds are to be placed
oil . Ill , II , I III ;-,liow. The birds are to fly from
lu Id I.". MiHr., Ill ilie winner to receive the cup.
He would not iiicntion the place from which the
birds are to be flown, as it was his desire not to give
the birds any practice. He was, however, willing to
make the distance 25 miles.
Marcus G. Sener, of Lancaster, Aaron Good, of
Elizabethtown, H. L. Stehman, of Rohrerstown,
Samuel Engle, Marietta, B. J. McGrann, of Lancas-
ter, J. Gust Zook, of Lancaster, and Samuel Eaby, of
Elizabethtown, were elected members of the society.
Mr. Schoenberger thought it would be advisable
to set apart a day for school children, and lower the
price of admission to five cents on that day.
Mr. Long suggested that they be admitted on
certain days for several hours for a reduced rate of
admission.
On motion a committee was appointed to make
nominations for otlicers to be elected at the meeting
in January.
The following is the commitk-e: Messrs. J. A.
Stober, H. H. Tshudy and J. B. Long.
On motion of Mr. Ktifroth, an invitation was
extended to the Children's Home to visit the show at
a convenient time.
On motion the society adjourned.
LINN.ffiAN SOCIETY.
On Saturday the 29th of November, the Linnsean
Society met statedly, and on motion, Professor T. R.
Baker took the chair. Tlie preliminary opening
being attended to,4he donations to the museum for
this month were examined and found to consist of a
number of specimens sent to Dr. Rathvon, from Cali-
fornia, per Mr. John Wittich, of Elkgrove, Sacra-
mento county, California. Among them were the
following:
Petrified wood from that geological wonder, the
buried forests of California, lately illustrated and
fully described. A large shell of the HalioHs tnbcr-
cidiila ov CAY shell. Mr. W. states they are called
"Alialniii-;" that they .idhere tn the rocks so firmly
that IK) our i.x nlilrlfi jiiill tl i off with the b.and6
only: tluit Mil III 'i i- - liil lis a piece of pork and
far'lii-itri- III I li I n -jiiak.-. Iriim experience.
TliifppiTinirii IN. I,. II' ihili.s in width and 8 in
length, uijil lii-auiiiiii:> nia-iin in its inner cavity.
There are about ma' I nninil s|ii-(i<-s described
Other shells of Gasl, r. ■:>■„! n, ii liy-lbotcd Mollus-
cous" animals, embraiinL' > i^lii ouli is, smong which
are specimens of FU^m-Jia, ahicld-bliaped, perfora
ted at the summit, exterior surface ribbed. Nine
species of the "Limpet" family , rather too water worn
to decide the exact species. "A sea-urchin" or sea-
egg of the family Ectiiiioxidif, but broken into frag-
inents on its way, not being protected by a tin or
wooden box. A rather novel specimen of the "chiton
family," which seems to be a species of Trachyder-
moH. A most magnificent cluster of J'ullkipes,
having a tubular, "tendinous, scaly |K-.lun(le, of
which six speciesof each geniis an .1, ^iriln .1, and a
specimen of each figured. This lainil\ nl I'irrhi-
p:rfa has ten genera, among wliii h ar.- ihr Itarnacles
balUHiis. Several iiatiM- saline sp. i iiiieiis, one of a
white color, like a larlnmair III soda; the other
yellow, of a highly stypiir ia>tr, liki- sulphuret of
iron combined with aluniiiui. Min.ials— A specimen
of "Serpentine," one n appearance of black quartz;
another, a kiud of brown oxide of iron. Also among
the lot a delicate algae, and a skin of some rodent,
allied to the squirrels. Mr. Willich's diary was
published in the October number of the Lancaster
Farmer, which gives much information of interest.
The Linnasan Society give their hearty thanks to Mr.
Wittich, and hope others will do likewise. Thirty
cents po.xtage for a distance of 1,000 miles by mail,
is a small item, while its benefit in a scientific point
of view is great.
Mr. C. M. Hess, of Quarry ville, left specimens of
a micaceous oxide of iron found abundant near his
place, to be analyzed by the State assayist at Harris-
burg, Pa.
Another addition was a large specimen of the
Fsmulotrifon, now under Hartnesque's name of
N/ielcrpes logicmulHs, Cave Salamander. Mr.Stauffer
said of this: I would remark here, that I have the
longicanda colored and figured, and named by Prof.
Cope for me. Then I have another specimen figured
which has a shorter and fiattish tail like the tritons
and is like the specimen figured,which has a shorter
and fiattish tail like the tritons and is like the speci-
men donated by Master D. Knight. Although alike
in color and spots, I am inclined to think that it is
an undescribed species, and confounded with the
longicanda, and deserves further attention. H. L.
Hendriekson donated a very large specimen of a water
bug, tbeBeloxtoma gramlU, captured intheChickies.
The follicles of the "sack-bearer" or "basket
worm," unfortunately named "Thyridopteryz ephe-
nuera forinis," taken from the arbor vitse, by Mrs.
Ellmaker, Gap, Lancaster county. A seventeen year
locust (Cifiuto neptemdcciiii.), in its pupa state, at
eleven years of age, dug out in September last by
George 0. Hensel. A fine specimen of a crustaccau
taken out or from among oysters, by Samuel Road-
man.
Specimens of leaves of the Elm tree pasted on a
card, to show the work of perforation by the Elm
Beetle, Oaleritea^aiithmnalena, iurinu: this summer
on our city shade trees. Also the leaves of the
Maple (Acer mcchareurii) infested by Pseudococcm
aceris, during October last, neatly pasted on ca.-ds
with flocculent cottony masses adhering. A singu-
lar large oblong pellet of hog's hair packed together
taken from the stomach of a fat hog owned and
slaughtered by Mr. Aaron Zell, of Springville, Lan-
caster county, Nov. 24, 1879. A large puff-ball,
Lycoperdon, from the office of the jVchi Mra.
Additions to the Library.
Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1878,
with the compliments of the Commissioners, amply
illustrated. Special report No. 18, an essay ou tea
culture in the United States, by William Saunders.
Report of the Commissioners of Education, 1877.
Pamphlet, Bibliotheca America. Book Catalogues.
Patent Office Oazette up to November 25, 1879. ' The
Lanoasteb Farmer for November.
His orical Collections.
Afac simile of a. petition, dated August 27, 1726,
to the court of what was part of Chester county, for
a license to open an ordinary (otherwise a brewery)
at Donegal run, on the road leading from Marietta to
.Mount Joy; donated by Samuel Evans, E.sq ., of
Columbia, Pa. About a. year ago Squire Evans
published short biographical mtices of these' signers,
ministers, church niembers and farmers. The house
is still standing and in good condition to last another
century. A pin on a card, from an assessment roll
dated 17.51, per S. Evans, Esq. A photosrraphic
bird's-eye view of Paris and Exposition, 1879. An
original bill dated October IS, 1787, against Jasper
Yeates, Esq., debtor to Franklin College lor one quar-
ter's tuition for John, .£1. Receipted and signed
W. Reichenbach, per D. M. M. Stauffer. Eight
European papers sent home per Mr. C. A. Heinitsh,
druggist, during his visit in 18-18; donated by Mr.
Heinitsh. Three envelopes containing forty-three
clippings of historical interest, by Dr. Rathvon.
P.ipers Read.
Dr. Rathvon read a paper on the California and
other contributions, with notes and comments. No.
,531. J. Staufi'er read an illustrated paper. No. 533,
on the crustacean given him by .Mr. S: H. Roadman.
It compares nearly in evir y particular with a species
described in the Uiiiiiil .~;'iairs ri-li Commissioners'
Report page .571-2. Tlir -V. / n- ',i ffmulit, ^y Harger,
the only specimen yet taken, timnil on the dorsal fin
of a fish. On comparisira with numerous others, it
failed to agree generically, hence he considers it a
species of Xerocila.
Under scientific miscellany, various topics were
discussed. M. L. Davis, M. D., Mil lersville, depos-
ited the remains of the skeleton of the five-legged
frog. The fifth leg seems to have been double in
its long structure and the muscular portions adherent
from the opposite sides only. The pelvic articula-
tion was, however, higher up and to one side, with-
out an osseous cavity; a caililaginous ligature held
it in place.
The Society adjourned to meet (annual) on Satur-
day the 27th of December next, 1879.
AGRICULTURE.
The Origin of Wheat in America.
It is difficult in the present day to realize the fact
tliat wheat was at one time uukown in America; yet,
prior to the discovery of that continent by Columbus
there was no cereal in America approaching in na-
ture to the wheat plant. It was not, observes the
American Miller, until 15:i0 that wheat found iis
way into Mexico, and then only by chance. A slave
of Cortez found a few grains of wheat in a parcel of
lie and showed them to his master, who ordered
them to be planted. The result showed that wheat
would thrive well on Mexican soil ; and to-day one
of the finest wheat valleys in the world is
near the Mexican capital. From Mexico the
cereal found its way to Peru. Maria D'Escobar,
wife of Don Diego De Chauves, carried a few
grains to Lima, which were planted, the entire pro-
duct being used for seed for several successive crops.
At Quito, Ecuador, a monk of the Order of St.
Francis, by the name of Fray Jodost Bixi, introduced
the new cereal; and it is said that the jar which con-
1879.]
tHE LANCASTER FARMER.
189
tallied the seeds is still preserved by the monks of
Quito. Wiieat was introduced into tlic present limits
of tlie United States contemporaneously with the
settlement of the country liy the English and Dutch.
I'ull Mall Gazette.
A Senator's View of Fanning.
Senator Chandler of Michigan, had lived many
years in Washington, and is familiar with ollicial
lite as it exists in the Senate and iu the departments.
What his opinion is of it when compared with farm-
ini; may he learned from the following :
If I had a boy today, I would rather put him on
ail eighty-acre lot that never had a plow or an axe
upon it, than place him in the best (Jovcrnmeut
oHice in the land.
Make your houses pleasant. Make them so at-
tractive that your sons and daughters will love their
homes better than any other place on this earth.
Make tlie business of I'arming so agreeable that your
sons will see that It is the most healthful and prolil-
able occupation in which they can engage. Build
good houses and buy good implements. Don't get
an old cracked cook-stove, but put iu a good range.
In fact, have every conveuienco that you can, so that
your wives and daughters will deem it a pleasure to
perform their household work.
In this way you can bring up your sons and
daughters on the farm; but when you make the
home repulsive, you drive them into clerkships and
other menial positions, when they ought to be God's
anointed lords of creation.
Depth of Sowing Wheat.
Farmers who are wide awak^ and given to iuvcfti-
gation don't sow so much wheat per acre as they
formerly did, and they don't sow it so deep. The
great, heavy harrows of ten or twenty years ago are
not now employed, by them in covering seed, and
the drill, which can be depended on better, is be-
coming universally popular. In broadcast sowing,
after the ground is thorouirhly prepared, the
Thomas smoothing harrow covers the seed deep
enough. A Wisconsin writer gives the results of an
experiment in planting at different depths— on the
surface, one-fourth inch, one-half inch, three-fourth
inch and so on to several inches. That on the sur-
face lay two weeks before sprouting ; that oni-
fourth to three-fourth inches deep came up iu four
or five days, and so on, getting later as the de|)tli
increased. The last to come up was planted thico-
and-a-half inches deep, and wis fourteen days in
reaching the surface. None planted deeper ever
reached the surface. At the end of six weeks that
planted one-fourth to one-half inch deep stood far
aliead of the rest.— ijecord and Fanner.
Wheat and Oats.
A number of agricultural journals have advocated
sowing oats and wheat together. The leaves of the
oats are supposed to keep the snow from blowing
away, to prevent the sun from thawing the frozen
ground and to make a good top-dressing for the
growing wheat in the spring. But it seems plain
that if wheat make a fair growth in the fall its own
leaves will arrest the snow as well as oat leaves,
while they would serve ju.st as well to arrest the
action of the sun upon the frozen ground
'top-dressing" we do not belli
the wheat
■rop
vould be appreciably benefited. Not until the
leaves were plowed under and rotted in the ground
could any benefit be derived from them as a manure.
So far as we can see, therefore, the oats, instead of
benefiting the wheat, would simply exhaust the soil
of nutriment and moisture.
Feeding Mowing Lands.
Of the many errors that farmers are likely to fall
into there is none more prolific of injury than that of
closely feeding those fields from which the hay crop
has been taken, and from which it is expected in the
future. During the late summer and early fall
months, when the feed in pastures becomes short,
and the flow of milk diminishing, with a field of good
feed that.has sprung up since cutting the crop of
hay, the temptation is very strong to "turn in the
cows" for a baiting. This may be all well enough
if not persisted in; but A-hen animals are allowed to
feed in such fields until the whole is gnawed so
closely as to be nearly as smooth as a house floor,
such a field cannot be depended Ui,oii for much of a
crop of'hay the succeeding season, unless a liberal
top-dresjSing of some sort of fertilizer is applied.
Plowing by Electricitj .
Some interesting experiments of plowing by elec-
tricity took place theother day atNoisiel, in France,
in the park of the well-known Deputy and chocolate
maker, M. Menier. The motive power was supplied
to the plow by a Gramme machine, itself set in
motion by water power, which is abundant on M.
Menier's estate. The plow did about the same work
as if it were drawn by four oxen. It was a Fowler
plow, with six shares. The motive power was sup-
plied by a wire at a distance of nearly half a mile.
To a profane looker-on it was amazing to see a plow
propelled by an unseen agency without teams or
steam. The Gramme machine employed was the
same that supplied M. .Menier's manufactory with
electric light
iba\xt Corn and Wheat.
Corn loses one-llflh by drying, and wheat one-
fourteenth. From this the estimate is made that it
is more profitable for farmers to sell uiisholled corn
in the fall at 7.5 cents than at $1 a bushel In the fol-
lowing summer, and that wheat at 9l--5iu Decem-
ber is equal to $1.50 In the succeeding June. In the
case of potatoes — taking those that rot and arc
otherwise lost— together with the shrinkage, there
is but little doubt that between October and June
the loss to the owner who holds them Is not less
than thirty-three per cent.
Rolling After Se-wing Wheat Fields.
The objection to rolling wheat fields after being
sown has been made that the snow will blow off or
collect in drifts here and there. But If wheat Is
sown early the leaves should cover the entire sur-
surface before winter, and we should suppose would
hold the soil as well as a rough soil surface. Whether
this supposition is well founded or not, we have this
fall rolkii five fields after the seed had been drilled
in or sown broadcast, and another season will prob-
ably enable us to test the question.
Horticulture.
Principles of Pruning.
Barry, in his "First Garden," rests the theory of
pruning of fruit trees on six gen(>ral principles ;
First. The vigor of a tree subjected to pruning,
depends in a great measure on the equal distribution
of sap in all its branches. To accomplish this the
following means are devised to be successively em-
jiloj'ed : (1) Prune the branches of the most
vigorous parts very short, and those of the weak
jiarts lo :g. (2) Leave a largo quantity of fruit on
the strong part, and remove tlic whole or greater
part t'roiii the feeble. (:i) Bond the strong parts
ami kro|i the weak erect, and the more erect the
livaiiclirs are, the greater will be the flow of sap to
I ho ;;ru\viiig parts. This remedy is especially
apiiHoil to CBpalier trees. (4) Kemove the vigorous
part.s (it the superfluous shoots, as early in the
Boasoii a.s piiBSible. (.5) Pinch early the soft extrem-
iiios nl' I ho shoots on the vigorous parts and as
lato as possible on the feeble parts, except always
any shoots which may be too vigorous for then-
position, (fi) Lay in the strong shoots on the
trellis early, and leave the feeble parts loose as long
as possible in espalier trees.
Second. The sap acts with greater force, and
produces more vigorous growth on a branch or
shoot pruned short than one pruned long; hence the
practice of pruning short where wood branches are
desired, and long for fruit branches.
Third. The sap tending always to the extremities
of the shoots, causes the terminal bud to push with
greater vigor than the laterals.
Fourth. The more the sap is obstructed in Its cir-
culation, the more likely it will be to produce fruit
buds.
Fifth. The leaves serve to prepare the sap ab-
sorbed by the roots for the nourishment of the tree,
and aid the formation on the shoots. All trees,
therefore, deprived of their leaves, are liable to
perish .
Sixth. When the buds of any shoot or branch do
not develop before the age of two years, they can
only be forced into activity by close pruning, and in
some cases, notably the peach, this even will often
fail.
Fruit Exports of the United States.
From a paper issued by the Agricultural Depart-
ment at Washington, we And the following on the
subject of dried fruit : "The European demand for
American fruits increases with the supply, and
proves to be very generally remunerative. There is
enough fruit raised in the United States to supply
both our own country and Europe. The first ex-
portation of apples was made MO years ago, when
the apples commanded from six dollars to eight dol-
lars a barrel in Liverpool. That city now receives
00,000 barrels of apples annually. The value of the
fruit exported last year was ?2,!):i7,025. The ex
portation of canned fruit is rapidly increasing. The
supply of dried fruit has never been equal to the
demand. The extraordinary increase in the pro-
duction of dried fruit in the last few years has been
met by still greater consumption."
Fastening Zinc Labels on Trees.
Unless frequently examined, the wire used to
fasten labels to trees, as recommended by "Gris-
wold" in a late Hural, is apt to injure the tree by
cutting into apd sometimes girdling it. An im-
provement on|this is to make and attach the labels as
follows : A convenient size is five or six inches long,
an inch wire at one end, tapering to a point at the
other. Write the name, date of setting, and auv-
thlng else of special Interest in connection with the
specimen, on the widest end with a common lead
pencil, and wind the pointed end around a limb. As
fast as the tree grows the flexible zinc unwinds with-
out Injuring the tree. The pencil marks unite chemi-
cally with the ziuc, and soon become indellible. The
best zinc for the purpose Is that which is thin, old
and corroded. I obtain them at the tin shojis here,
cut to order, for twenty-five cents per liundrcd.—
Correnpomlent of t/tr. Hiiral .Yeif Yorker.
Cleaning Fruit Trees.
Autumn is the best time, says the Rural .^t."
Yorker, to cleanse fruit trees, and, indeed, all
plants, from scales and other InsectB. Now the
fruit trees can be handled with less Ifabilfty of
breaking buds and spurs than in the spring, after
the buds have begun to swell, and the work will be
as efrecflvc now as then. Use strong soapsuds of
whale oil soap. Apply It with a stiff brush ;,and do
not confine the washing to the trunk, but go over all
the small branches and everywhere on the tree
where scales are found.
Manuring Fruit Trees.
Now is the time to mulch and manure fruit trees,
and prepare them to endure and thrive under the
severe cold of the coming winter. Well rotted
barnyard manure, mixed with loam, is probably the
best— but a sprinkling of wood ashes n-vind each
tree will have a good cflTcct. Even cu.i. aohcg Is
better than nothing. The spread keeps the roots
wariTi ami moist, and keeps out the frost to a large
cxtini. I'niii i]o. s need manuring and care just as
muoli ah (ilhci- iijanls and crops.
Domestic Economy.
Chickens to Boil.
Dress in the usual way, cutoff the neck, legs,
wings, and break the back in two; put into cold
water till the animal heat is gone, then put Into a
kettle of cold water and boll till nearly done; salt
and pepper and boil the water nearly out. If the
fowl is not fat add a lumpof butter v lien thoroughly
done, and It is ready for the table. Or, a belter
way, after cooking as above, mix a spoonful of flour
with one egg and a quart of milk; add to the chicken
and boil one minute.
Fried Chicken.
Chickens must be younir to fry well. If no larger
than pigeons they may be fried whole; if larger,
dissect as above, wash, rub salt on while wet,
pepper and fry in butter or lard, keeping the dish
covered. Mix one or two eggs with a spoonful of
flour and a teacup of milk, and pour over the
chicken when done, setting the frying-pan in the
oven long enough to cook the egg.
Roasted Chicken or Fowl.
In dressing do not scald enough to shrink the
skin; it Is troublesome. Cut as little as possible In
cleaning; remove the neck bone as low as you possi-
bly can slip the skin down. Loosen the crop all
around with one finger and draw it out at the neck.
Hold something hard under and with a hammer
break the bone an inch above the joint at which you
cut off the leg, then you can easily remove it when
it becomes bore and perhaps burnt by touching the
oven. Kub salt outside and in while the fowl is wet,
pepper, cut the neck, gizzard, liver and heart iu
small pieces; put in cold water enough to fill
the fowl ; boll half an hour, salt and pepper.
Adil as much old bread sliced thin as the water will
wet ; put in a little butler, stir well niid put into the
chicken ; sew up with coarse thread ; fill the neck
and tie it. Put Into the oven, keeping the bottom of
the dripping-pan covered with walir, which dip over
t.he fowl occasionally, and turn carefully twice.
Chickens eight months old will roast well in au
hour, old fowls require half a day ; they had better
be lioiled. When done take out the chicken, dip off
most of the oil and make a gravy by adding a
spoonful of flour and a pint of rich milk.
The above directions are good for turkey, goose or
duck, except the two last especially, should lie tat to
be good, but not to be eaten. Keniove all the fat
you can easily both before and after cooking ;
enough will be left then.— 5. A. It. LimUcy, Smr/ue-
haniia comity. Pa.
Roast Duck.
Pluck, singe and draw ; blanch the feet and re-
move their skin ; make a stutling with sage, onions
(previously blanched and chopped fine) and bread-
crumbs, using twice as much onion as sage, and
twice as much bread-crumbs as onion, add a little
butter, pepper and salt to taste. When stuffed
truss them, tie some thin slices of bacon over the
breasts, roast for fifteen minutes before a brisk fire,
basting well with butter ; remove the bacon from
the birds a minute or two before they are roasted
Serve with gravy in the dish, but not over the birds.
— Theresa, 'Germantown Telegraph.
190
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[December,
Our Receipt for Curing Meat.
As tlje season has arrived wheu curing m3at is in
order we publish, as of old, our famous receipt for
curing beef, pork, mutton, haras, etc., as follows:
To one gallon of water take 1'4 tbs. of salt, Jo tb.
sugar, \i oz. saltpetre and }.i oz. potash.
In this ratio the pickle can be increased to any
quantity desired. Let these be boiled together until
all the dirt from the sugar rises to the top and ie
skimmed otT. Then throw it into a tub to cool, and
ivhi-n cold pour it over your beef or pork. The meat
must be well covered with pickle, and should not be
put down for at least two days after killing, during
which time it should be slightly sprinkled with
powdered saltpetre, which removes all the surface-
blood, etc., leaving the meat fresh aud clean. Some
omit boiling the pickle and find it to answer well,
though the operation of boiling purifles the pickle by
throwing off the dirt always to be found in salt aud
sugar. If this receipt is strictly followed it will re-
quire only a single trial to prove its superiority over
the common way, or most ways of putting down
meat, and will not soon be abandoned for any other.
The me&t is unsurpassed for sweetness, delicacy and
freshness of color.
Cough Mixture.
The whites of six fresh eggs beaten to a froth with
half a teaspoonful of fine white sugar; add juice of
four lemons, three tablespoonfuls pure honey, quar-
ter ounce of laudanum; beat all together, bottle and
cork tightly. Take a spoonful when the coughing
comes on; shake well before taking; crushed sugar
rolled fine with a roller is the best to use.
Household Recipes.
Pie Paste. — To prevent pie paste from soaking
the liquid contained in the filling of the pie, glaze
the under crust with a beaten egg.
Useful Accomplishmknt.— To be able to solder
basins and pots and pans is an acoomplishment well
worth the trouble of boys and girls to acquire, and
the tools necessary for the work are few and inex-
pensive.
Cle.^xing TiNw.iKE.— The best thing for clean-
ing tinware is common soda. Dampen 'a cloth and
dip in soda, and rub the ware briskly, after which
wipe dry. Any blackened or dirty ware can be
made to look as well as new.
Rice Pudding. — One scant half cup rice, one-third
cup butter, two-thirds cup sugar, season with nut-
meg ; fill a three-pint basin or pudding dish two-
thirds full of milk aud water, half andhalf ; bake
slowly one and one-half hours.
Indian Meal Pancakes.— Beat 4 eggs, add a
little milk and form into a paste with ten spoonfuls of
Indian meal ; add nearly a pint of milk and one lea-
spoonful of Royal baking powder; work smooth and
fry, rolling them up with butter, sugar, nutmeg and
lemon juice.
Beefsteak Omelette. — Three pounds raw steak
and one slice salt pork, chopped fine ; then soda
crackers rolled, one egg, half a cup of milk, small
piece of butter, two teaspoonsful salt, one teaspoonful
of sage, half teaspoonful of pepper ; mix with the
hands ; pack in a tin and bake one hour and a half.
When cold slice thin.
Cream Muffins.— An excellent and well-tried
recipe. One quart sweet milk — half cream, if you
can get it — one heaping quart of Graham flour, six
eggs, and salt to taste. Bake immediately in hot
muffin rings. Your oven should be hot, and the
muffins sent to the table as soon as they are taken
up.
Delicate Cake. — Take half a pound of butter,
one pound of "Ugar, one pound of flour, half a pint
of sweet milk or water, four eggs. Beat the butter
and sugar to a cream, then add the beaten eggs,
then the milk or water, then the flour; mix thorough-
ly and put the batter into your pan; sift fine sugar
over the top and bake immediately in a moderate
oven.
Japanned Ware. — Do not pour boiling water
over tea-trays, particularly if japanned, as it will
make the varnish crack and peel ofl". Wet a sponge
in warm wa'er and dampen it over ; then wipe off
with a soft cloth. If a tray becomes spotted, take a
bit of woolen cloth and dip into a little sweet oil,
and rub it as hard as possible, and the marks (if
effaceable) will disappear.
SoOTT Chimneys Cured. — The accumulation of
soot in chimneys is a great nuisance, and may be
remedied by mixing considerable salt with the mor-
tar with which the bricks composing the chimney
are laid. Tbe salt acts by absorbing moisture when-
ever it is damp and rainy, and the soot, becoming
wet and heavy, falls into the Are below. This is an
English idea, and is said to give very satisfactory
results.
Lemon Pies.— Beat four eggs very light, add to
them, gradually, a quarter of a pound of fine sugar,
whisk these together for a few minutes, strewing
lightly in one ounce of corn starch flour; then stir
in by degrees three ounces of melted butter; beat the
whole well together, and stir in the juice and grated
yellow rind of one large lemon. Line your pie dish
with a good puff paste rolled thin, fill them two-
thirds full of the mixture, and bake for twenty
minutes in a moderate oven.
Chicken Cheese.— Boil two chickens till tende'r.
Take out all the bones, and chop the meat fine;
season with salt, pepper and butter. Boil down the
liquor the chickens were boiled in, until there
remains only enough to make the chopped meat
quite moist. Put the meat into a mold of any shape
that is desirable or convenient. When cold, turn
out and cut into slices. It is excellent for picnics,
or for a lunch when traveling.
Mince Pies.— The following receipt for mince
pies, which are now in season, is confidently recom-
mended after using it for many years : Boil a fresh
beef tongue tender, let it get cold, then chop it fine
with one pound of suet, half peck of apples, two
pounds of currants, picked and washed very care-
fully ; pound of citron sliced, half an ounce each of
powdered cioveh, nllspice, cinnamon and ginger,
three pints of sweet cider, one pint of Madeira wine,
half a pint of tiiaudy with enough sugar to sweeten
to your taste. Tliis will make a large jar full.
To CuKF, Hams.— This receipt is 50 years old, and
I think it is the' best. To each 30 pounds of green
meat make a mixture of one-fourth of a pound of
brown sugar, and a dessert spoonful of ground
saltpetre; rub this well by hand into the meat; then
with coarse salt cover the bottom of a barrel, say,
to half an inch; put in hams, and cover with half an
inch of salt, aud so on until the barrel is full; hams
should remain in a cool place four weeks; when
salted, wipe and dry them, and get some whole
black pepper, which you must grind yourself, and
pepper thoroughly, especially about tlie hock and
bone' let the hams lie for two days; then smoke for
eight weeks.— Old Man.
Oat-Meal Pudding.— Put in a basin a fourth of
a pint of cold milk and mix into two ounces of finely
ground oat-meal, then add to it a pint of boiling
milk— mixing it this way prevents lumps; put it on
the fire and let it boil 10 minutes; have some dried
bread-crumbs, and, taking oflT the oatmeal, mix in
the crumbs until the whole is rather stiff; chop two
ounces of suet; cut up as fine as possible one small
onion, beat up the whites and yolks of two eggs and
a sprinkle of sage and marjoram, and mix these with
the cold poi ridge; butter a pan, put in your mixture,
and bake for an hour. When roast beef is scarce,
oat-meal pudding, with a little gravy, ekes out the
feast for many a— Poor Scot.
Pumpkin Pudding.- Take one pint of pumpkin
that has been stewed soft and pressed through a
colander; melt in half a pint of warm milk, one
quarter pound butter and the same quantity of
sugar, stirring them well together; one pint of rich
cream will be better than milk and butter; beat eight
eggs very slight, and add them gradually to the
other ingredients alternately with the pumpkin; then
stir in a wine-glass of rose water and two glasses of
wine mixed together, a large teaspoonful of powder-
ed mace and cinnamon mixed, and a grated nutmeg.
Having stirred the whole very hard, put it into a
buttered dish and bake three quarters of an hour.
If you try it once you will try it again. — Polly.
Wliilemarsh, Monlijomery county, Pa.
Tea Biscuit.— Sift four pounds of flour into a
large wooden bowl ; make a cavity in the centre of
the flour, and stir in slowly one pint of lukewarm
milk, with half a pint of good yeast, using just
enough flour to make the yeast and milk into a batter
of the consistency of rich cream. Cover this over
and let it stand for two hours; then cut up one
pound of good butter into one pint of warm milk,
with a little salt; now mix all the ingredient togeth-
er, work well, dust the top with flour and let stand
one hour, after which make the dough into biscuits,
about the size of an egg; butter the baking tins and
lay the biscuits in rows about three inches apart;
place in a warm situation to rise, and, as soon as
light, bake them to a nice brown, in a hot oven; as
soon as they are taken from the oven wash over the
tops with a soft brush dipped in milk.
Orange Pudding. — Peel and slice three or four
oranges, aud lay in a pudding dish with one-third
cup of sugar; make a custard of one-pint of milk,
the yoks of three eggs and one spoonful of corn
starch; and one-third cup of sugar; when coald pour
over the oranges; beat the whites of three eggs and
one-third cup of pulverized sugar to a stiff froth and
pour over ; put in the oven a few minutes to brown.
To be eaten cold. Another style — Stew six' large
apples and pass through a seive; rub together a quar-
ter of a pound of butter and half a pound of sugar;
stir in the apples while hot. After taking the skin
and white pith from two large oranges, chop very fine
and add to the other ingredients; beat the yolks of
six eggs very light and add; reserve the whites for
for the meringue. Bake in a rich paste. Flavrr the
meringue frosting with orange juice and a little fine-
ly grated rind.
Live Stock.
Choosing Stock for the Farm.
This is a very important matter. The great variety
of soils and of stocks enables us to make a close
adaption of the two, and here is the foundation of
profit. The kind of stock must be governed also by
the variety of feed economically attainable, by the
ability of the owner to house and care for them, and
by the market to be supplied. If for beef, milk, but-
ter, cheesse, the breed must be exactly suitable to
these points as well as those referred to above. Many
serious mistakes are maade for want of due previous
consideration, and changes cannot be made without
great loss of both time and money.
It is better to aim at some one point, some especial
market and then select to suit as near as possible; but
one point is essential— an animal that will utilize the
most food. To secure this the stock must be healthy,
hardy, quiet and of large frame, so that when neces-
sary to be fattened off' there shall be room for meat.
If th s is not provided for a final loss — more than
covering all previous profit — is a sure thing. A quiet
animal will eat more, will assimilate closer, retain
flesh easier, and fatten much quicker than one of un-
easy disposition.
Of all the stock kept by farmers in this country it
is safe to say that three-fourths of it is not really
profitable, and one-fourth is not as valuable as it
ought to be, or as it might be made to be. — S. Unfits
-1/rt«art, in Gerrnantown Telegrapfi.
Feeding Cows.
No rule can be made which will apply to all cows.
Overfeedins for one would be semi-starvation for
another. One cow, with a large frame and strong
digestive powers, may need fifty or sixty per cent,
more food than another which is small and dainty.
The latter should have food of a good quality, and
it should be given in as easily digestible form as
possible, but neither one should be fed beyond its
power to digest and as.similate the food. Cows
which have an abundance of fresh air and regular
exercise will eat and digest more food than they
would if they were kept closely confined in their
stables. Regularity of feeding and plenty of pure
water also tend to keep the cows in good health,
and allow them to use a liberal quantity of food
without injury. Many men will buy a cow, feed her
all the meal she can bear, and in two or three years
sell her for beef. Up to a certain point high feeding
pays, but it does not pay to try to make a cow pro-
duce fourteen pounds of butter per week when she
is not capable of yielding more than ten. Old cows
will bear this forcing process much better than
those which are young, and in all cases high feeding
should not be commenced before cows are six years
of age .
Mixed Foods.
A mixture of feeding substances is always con-
ducive to the health of animals. It operates as a
change of food, and it is more convenient to mix
several substances aud to use them together, than to
feed them separately. For horses, the basis of the
grain feed should be oats or barley. It might be
remarked here that barley is too much neglected as
a feeding substance ; it is nutritious and healthful
even as a single food, while mixed with corn it re-
duces the heating character of the latter. Equal
parts of oats, barley, corn, wheat or rye bran and
linseed, ground together form a perfect food for
horses, containing no element of nutrition in excess,
and having the laxative effect of the oily linseed to
keep the digestive organs in perfect order, the skin
loose, and the coat smooth and glossy. For cows,
the linseed may be changed for cotton seed meal,
which has an excellent influence upou the milk and
character of the butter.
A Few Suggestions to Horse Trainers.
Never try to beat a colt into doing a thing,
for if nervous he may turn out a vicious horse, and
if stupid he may become stubborn. Remember that
by patience and gentleness he can be got to do any-
thing that will not hurt him. When the horse shows
signs of shying at an object do not beat him, but
lead him up to it, allowing him to stand and look as
he comes closer, and after he examines it a few times
he will not fear anything of the kind again. In pass-
ing by hedges with a colt throw in stones and stop
him until he takes no notice of the noise. Before
putting on any article of harness let your colt smell
it, and" then rub it against his head, neck and body.
Alwayt start a horse with the voice, never with the
cut of the whip. In starting turn a little to one side;
in stopping' when going up a hill do the same.
Hay as Food for Hogs.
Says the Nebraska Farmer : "But few men are
aware of the fact that hay is very beneficial to hogs,
but it is true nevertheless. Hogs need rough food
as well as horses, cattle or the human race. To
prepare it you should have a cutting box (or hay
1879.]
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
191
cutter,) and the greener the hay the better. Cut
the hay as short as oats, or shorter, ami mix with
bran shorts or middllnEs and feed as other food.
Hogs soon learn to lilte it, and if soaked in swill, as
other slop food, is highly relished by them. In
winter use lor the hogs the same hay as you leed to
your horses, and you will find that while it saves
bran, shorts or other food, it puts on flesh as rapidly
as anything that can be given them. The use of hay
can be commenced as early as the grass will do to
cut, and when run through the cutting box can be
used to advantage by simply soaking in fresh water
until it sours."
Cracked Heels.
Exposure to wet and mud, scarcely avoidable in
autumn, will surely produce cracked heels in horses,
unless precautions arc used. When the cracks are
once formed, they arc ditlicult to heal, because at
every motion of the foot they are opened and the
granulations are disturbed. Prevention consists in
frequent cleansing of the feet by washing with clear
water and wiping dry at once with a cloth or towel
kept for the purpose. The dryine of water upon
the skin is injurious, and should be carefully avoided.
A little of the veterinary cosmoline, or even crude
petroleum, which is the basis of the cosmoline,
applied in the morning before the horses are taken
out, will prevent mischief, and the same remedy,
with regular cleansing with soap and water, will
cure cracks very rapidly. If the cracks are severe,
from neglect or otherwise, the pastern should be
protected by wrapping a bandage around it.
Wnhorning Calves.
The horns of cows seem to be neither ornamental
nor useful. As a means of warfare they can have
consideration, but warfare and goring is precisely
what we desire to keep away from the barnyard.
English farmers, where herds are probably more
precious and closer confined than in America, have
introduced the practice of unhorning cattle by clip-
ping the short projections in calves, when half an
inch long, using simply a strong pair of shears. It
is true it hurts the calves somewhat. There will be
a little bleeding, but that will stop in an hour or two,
and the calves will soon resume eating.
Apiary.
Dysentery as a Bee Disease.
At the late meeting of the National Bee Keepers'
association at Chicago, Mr. E. Rood read an essay
on this subject, which we give somewhat condensed:
Foul-brood I believe has often been conquered, and
the bees, hives, combs and honey saved, but it is
not one-thousandth part as destructive as dysentery.
Let us endeavor to find the cause and cure of the
latter disease. It is true that in the northern states
there has been a coiueidenee with the extreme cold
winters and the dysentery; but has this disease never
made its appearance in mild winters or milder lati-
tudes? Has it not been fully as destructive in
scientifically protected apiaries as those on their
summer stands without protection ? Few will doubt
that bees properly protected in winter are far more
exempt from ordinary casualties. Many know that
the best of atmospheric protection will not ward oil'
this disease. If the extreme cold causes it, we must
suppose that Maine, Vermont, Poland, Northern
Russia and Siberia, must import fresh colonies every
Spring, for those states have as long and continu-
ously cold a winter every year as New York, Michi-
gan and many other localities in similar thermal
latitudes had last winter, and the winters that the
disease visited us some few years since with such
fatal and wide spread results.
Again, the disease has been charged to the juice
of the apple ; but is it not a fact that the disease
prevailed in many apiaries out of the reach of cider
mills ? It has been supposed and asserted that it
was caused by late-gat lieri'd thin honey, and that
this soured before it was sufficiently evaporated to
be capped over. With the splendid dry autumns in
this latitude (especially that of last fall), is such a
cause possible ? I do not think so ; but for the sake
of the argument, suppose some honey of that kind
is gathered. Is it not probable that every drop was
consumed between the first killing frost and the time
the weather was too cold for them to.take purifying
flights ? Two other obstacles are presented to the
theory and reasoning of the beneflts of purifying
flights, and capped or thick honey. We know, and
assert without fear of successful contradiction, that
they died as rapidly when being fed exclusively upon
thick, capped honey, gathered in the preceding June
and July, and with the purifying flights of from
once in two weeks to every day, from the middle of
March to the time of fruit bloom. I am giving facts
that occurred under my own observation, at a cost
of twenty colonies, strong, well packed with chaff,
with proper ventilation, and on their summerstands.
We, as well as many others, have lost as large a
proportion of our bees from dysentery, when housed
in perfectly constructed and ventilated depositories,
as when left on their summerstands. You, nodoubt,
expected me to give some preventive or remedy for
this fearful disease. I know of none. I can guess
that to extract all of their honey in the fall and feed
them sufllcieut of sugar syrup they would winter
well on it alone, or upon sugar candy, into which a
proper proportion of rye meal, or some other substi-
tute for pollen, was subsiltuted ; that they will live
for at least six weeks upon plain sugar candy, placed
ill close contact and at the top of the cluster, I
know ; that all the liiincy gathered in the summer
months, which is thick and capped over, is not good
to prevent dysentery, I know ; that the disease is
caused by honey-dew, I suspect; that it maybe
caused by a condition of the at3iosphei'c,l8 |>os8ible.
How Far Bees Will go for Honey.
The precise distance that bees will lly in search of
forage I am unable to stale. Some consider three
miles the extreme limit, while others place It as
high as twelve. The most satisfactory results may
be expected if abundant stores can be found within
two miles, ft is evident that they will work more
freely ui>on blossoms at some little distance from
the apiary than uix)n those close by. If I were to
sow anything with a view to a supply of honey, 1
would prefer that it should not be in the immediate
vicinity of the hives. Their flights arc evidently
modlfled by local conditions. During the large yield
from basswood in 18T4, as the blossoms failed in the
valley, the bees continued bringing in the same
quality of honey, following the basswood day by day,
as it opened on the hills, until the first week In
August, when they still came in heavily loaded but
very tired from a long flight. I drove to the hills,
six miles distant, and found that basswood was just
there coming in bloom. I iininediately moved 48
swarms to this location, and in the following week
these 48 colonies gave me one ton of surplus honey,
while the 71 swarms left at home did not secure
one-half that amount, yet they continued working
on the same ground during the entire period. This
is a flue illustration of the advantage of obtaining
forage within a reasonably short distance. I have
never had direct pronf lu the ellVc-.t (yet there is
ground for the bclict ) ilui ii Imiiry could not be
found nearer the li.i-u,,i;M m! lly the di.stance
named without bein- ^ijlii, I, i, 1..! ainngby newly-
opening blossoms, a^ in tin' ■ a-ic mentioned. —
Quiitby's Xriit Bee-Keepinr/.
Profitable Bees.
A well-known bee-keeper gives in the American
Bee Journal a report of his profits from bee-keeping
for the past seven years. He says :
"Our average yield for each colony in the spring
of 187:5, was t^O pounds; in 1^74, a fraction of a pound
less than a hundred; in 187.5, a little over lOii; in
l,s76, just 50; in 1877, a little less than lfi7; 1878, 71;
and in 187il— the present season — .5S pounds, making
an average yield of a little over 00 pounds per colony
for the term of mvi-m years. By looking over our
diary we asci rtain thai, nur honey was sold at an
average pricL- nt :.■! > , iinis per pound, the highest
price havinir l"iii ohiairn-.i (28',.ic.) in 1874, and the
lowest (10;<4C.) ill 1S7>;.
"From past experience, we believe a thorough
practical workingman can do all the work required
to be done with 100 colonies of bees, and from the
above he should obtain for an average term of years
(>,000 pounds annually, which at '^I'/ic. per pound
would bring him a yearly income of $1,912,50.
Although the average yield per colony for seven
years to come may be increased, yet the price during
that time is likely to be lower, as the high prices
caused by the war' are passed, and unless we have
some unforseen event to raise the price of honey; it
will probably never bring 28 cents per pound again.
Still, with a much lower price for honey than that
averaged for the last seven years beekeeping ranks
favorably with almost any other pursuit."
Wonderful Feats with Bees.
The Prince of Wales, who manifested so much in-
terest in the honey recently exhibited in the Kilburn
Show, has been presented with an American beehive.
To Mr. Hodge, who explained the method of operat-
ing the hive, the Prince expressed an opinion that
the stories recoi-ded of Mr. Wildman's command
over bees must, to a great extent, have been mythi-
cal ; but Mr. Hodge assured his Koyal Highness that
he could demonstrate to him that they were quite
possible, and, acting upon his assertion, he moved
his hand about for a little while among the sw^irm
of live bees which he had with him, when they began
to cluster about his right hand, assuming the shape
and appearance of a huge bunch of grapes. He
then worked amongst the bees with his left hand,
and at the word of command they began to shift
and settle upon it, then placing a little tube, madcof
wire guuz, between his teeth, the bees began to ac-
cumulate about his face and hang like a long beard
from his chin. He next coaxed the bees back into
the hive. Mr. Thurber, the honey merchant, says
that the secret of Mr. Hodge's and also Mr. Wild-
man's control over their bees, lies in securing the
queen bee, which in Mr. Hodge's case was confined
in a wire lube, which all the bees followed from one
place to another.
Poultry.
Fattening Turkeys.
It is a goodly sight, as the summer days wane, to
see the flocks ol^ turkeys coming home from the
woods and pastures at nightfall with full crops. If
the farm has not been overstocked with these birds,
they have very largely made their living upon grass-
hoppers, crickets, worms and other small fi;y. The
regular food they have had has been rather to keep
them wonted than to supply any lack of forage. As
the cool nights come on and the supply of insects
declines, the business of fattening projieriy coa-
menccB. It should be remembered that plump, well-
dressed turkeys not only bring a higher price in mar-
ket, but enhance the reputation of the producer, and
make his market sure for future years. The turkey
Is one of the fluished products of the farm and one
of the greatest luxuries in the market. The farmer
should do his best in preparing his flock for the
shambles. The main business now is to lay on fat,
and the bird should have every night and morning a
full supply of nutritious and fattening food. In-
stinctively the turkey follows his feed, and if the
supply Is abundant at the farm yard he will not stroll
far from home. Boiled |K>tatoe!i, mashed and mixed
with meal, and fed moilerately warm, is a very ex-
cellent feed both to promote growth and to fatten.
If the pigs can be robbed of a part of the hot pota-
toes and meal, it will very much improve the dish.
It is very desirable to supply the place of insects
with some kind of animal food, iin i butchers'
scraps is one of the cheapest and lu ■' desirable
forms of food for poultry. tJraIn should be given at
least once a day with the soft and warm feed.
Nothing is better than sound corn. The Northern
corn is thought to contain more oil than that of
Southern growth. Old corn should always be used
for this purpose. The new corn keeps them too
loose. In feeding only so much corn should be
thrown out as the birds will eat up clean. Take a
little time to feed them, and study icsthetics as you
watch the iridescent hues upon the glossy plumage.
There is nothing more charming u|K>n the farm In
the whole circle of the year than a hundred or two
of these richly-bronzed turkeys feeding near the corn
crib. You can afford to enjoy the disappearance of
corn while the turkeys are increasing in weight.
Poultry Interests of America.
In speaking of the poultry interests, I refer princi-
pally to the breeding of pure bred stock for pleasure
or profit. A glance at a few simple statistics will
surprise even those who have heretofore considered
themselves posted. .Mark the change in a few years.
Ten years ago not a paper in the country was pub-
lished in the interests of poultry; to-day there are
more than a dozen, with a combined circulation of
upwards of thirty thousand subscribers. We can
add to this nearly a hundred agricultural papers
which devote a department to this now important
branch of farm industry. A few years ago there
might have been found a breeder here and there in
the Eastern States; now they may be found in every
part of the country, and are numbered by the tens
of thousands. Tlien not an exhibition was made;
to-day there already over forty advertised to be hclil
in various parts of the country, and as many more
will be held later on. Even Oregon holds its State
exhibition. In every New England state there will
be from two to half-a-dozen exhibitions, and in New
York, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Indiana, there will
be six to ten each, and sixteen states are represented
in some way. The cash premiums alone at these
exhibitions will exceed one hundred thousand
dollars.
That this interest at the present time is growing
more rapidly than ever before is apparent upon
every side. With the improvement that is now
taking place in business circles in every part of the
country, the interest in fine stock, including poultry,
will also secure a flrmer hold. The good prices of
the past will be fully maintained in the future, and
really extra choice specimens will yet And purchasers
at the figures obtained in England, where the "gold
cup" prize Black Red Game cockerel at the Crystal
Palace exhibition in 1877 sold for £100 lOs, (nearly
?500.) Within two months, 8l(iO has been offered
in New England for single birds of this season's
breeding.— 3". F. F.
Poultry Breeding.
Within the past few years public attention has
been repeatedly called to the question of poultry
breeding, and great surprise has been manifested at
the flgures given by those who speak with authority.
Every village and hamlet in our country has been
reached by the "fancy," and the story Is being
everywhere told of flue feathers, large size, high
scoring pedigree birds. To have claimed a pedigree
for a hen ten years ago would have entitled a man to
a certi^cate of admission to an Insane asylum ; yet
to-day we flnd that among our most reliable breeders
are those who keep an authentic pedigree of their
stock.
192
THE LANCASTER FARMER.
[ December, 1879.
Two results have been, and are being realized by
tlie agitation of tliis subject ; more attention is being
given to the value of poultry, both for eggs and mar-
ket, and more than all this, the value for production
either for eggs or table has been n>aterially advanced.
Buyers of poultry for market state that they find the
best specimens in those communities where the
greatest interest is taken in breeding, and that the
improvement all through the country is marked.
Poultry is brought to market in better condition, in
better shape, and attention is paid to growing that
which will produce meat of best color and most
evenly distributed over the body. All of these ques-
tions have been considered by the breeder in match-
ing up his pens, and the result is manifest on every
hand. The fact that more attention has been given
to the care of poultry, their feed and health has
given greater value to the eggs.
These things must enter into a consideration of
the worth or magnitude of poultry breeding.
If what is claimed is true, that birds of better
color and size are offered for sale in our markets, and
that the average eggs are larger, and so uf greater
value than formerly, then the breeders have accom-
plished part of their mission.
There is work for the future. More attention must
be given to the production of table fowl. There is
room for improvement still, and while there is room
we ought to labor.
One great obstacle is the law governing the sale of
eggs. As long as a premium is put on small eggs,
the breeds which produce them will be eagerly
sought after. Let the law be repealed, and let eggs
be sold by weight, and the small, unsightly, black
meated, blue legged fowl will not long be seen in our
markets. — Zip, Town and Cuunly.
Pure-Bred and Common Fowlss.
The views of the roultry World on this subject
are expressed as follows : A certain writer discredits
the claim that pure-bred fowls are better flesh and
egg producers than common stock. While admit-
ting that they do usually furnish more meat and
eggs than art: furnished by the farmer's Hock, he
thinks this is due to superior care and feeding. He
says that a person who pays two or three dollars
per dozen for eggs, or a higher price for fowls, will
be very apt to give them extra care. There is, no
doubt, much truth in the saying that " the breed is
in tlie feed," but it is only the statement of a half
truth. Good feeding and care will compel any flock
of fowls to do Aeir best ; but, after all, the charac-
teristic differences of the varieties remain, and can-
not be changed by feeding. These differences are, in
many cases, constitutional ; that is, by a long course
nl •jilrriinii aiid local intluences, certain traits have
I" !• |i niiinently fixed. The blood of certain
\Hi. 'ir- i~ vi-ry strong, and will show itself for
i;rij r;i iMii- in each successive cross. The Game
ccick Hill transmit his game qualities, his proud
carriage and closeness of feathering; the Leghorn
bis sprighly disposition and wonderful productive-
ness; the Asiatic indolent habits and tendency to
lay on nesh and fat ; all these beino- marked features
of the breeds mentioned. Now, feeding will not
alfect these distinctive tendencies— at least not to
any extent. They were formed by climate influences,
operating for thousands of years, aided by a long
process of selection, sometimes natural and some-
times guided by man. In late years we have taken
in hand the several families of domestic fowls, and
by earel'ul s-jpction anl hrcfliim- Inv "^•:iL'r"r:itPd,
as it Wri-.-, I l|.-!r |„Tllli:i|- llMiK. r l,f.
come \'-r\- - - Iv iii,irl>r,] . '|. , - , i , , ,: . i jmt,
as a Brahma will do in eight or uiuc mouths, is to
allirm what a fair trial will show to be false.
• Feeding Troughs for Poultry.
Feeding trouLcbs for |icMiltry, properlyeonstructed,
ought to" be gc-iieraily siilistitutcil for the wasteful
practice of feetliiiL; Innii tin- urouml. Where there is
a scramble for the food that is thrown helters-kelter
the weak are prevented by the strong from getting
their share until the latter are satislied and the food
is trampled in the dirt. It is no advantage to fowls
to eat sand, dirt or gravel mixed with their food.
The gravel and other indigestible substances neces-
sary to the proper trituration of their food in the giz-
zard can be given separately, and should be. A simple
trough may be made, defended by slats placed ver-
tically on a convenient angle, with spaces sufficient
for the passage of the head, thus preventing the
trampling and soiling of the food, which will not be
wasted, as in the ease where it is thrown carelessly
on the ground.
Fatening Poultry for Market.
No foul over two years old should be kept in the
poultry yard, except for some special reason. An
extra good mother, or a finely feathered bird that is
desirable as a breeder, may be preserved until 10
years old with advantage, or at least so long as she
is serviceable. But ordinary hens and cocks should
be fattened at the end of the second year for market.
When there is a room or shed tliat can be closed,
the fowls may be confined there. The floor should
be covered with two or three inches of ^ne sawdust,
dry earth, sifted coal ashes, or clean sand. The
food should be given four times a day, and clean
water be always before the fowls. A dozen or more
fowls may be put at once in this apartment, so that
there may not be too many ready to sell at one time.
The best food for rapid fattening, for producing well-
flavored liesh and rich fat, is buckwheat meal,
mixed with sweet skimmed milk, into a thick mush.
A teaspoonful of salt should be stirred in the food
for a dozen fowls. Two weeks feeding is sufficient
to fatten the fowls, when they should be shipped for
sale without delay, and another lot put up for feed-
ing. If the shed is kept dark and cool, as it should
be, the fowls will fatted all the quicker for H.— Cul.
tivator.
Eggs for Winter Use.
It is a foolish plan to be seeking the best methods
for putting down eggs for the winter use. This used
to be one of the first tests of thrifty housekeeping.
But it is better and just as easy to have hens lay all
the year around. If hens have a warm house and
enough to eat, and of the right kind, they will lay
in winter as well as in summer. Farmers always
expect to feed some grain to the fowls, then if they
would save all of the waste meat and scraps that
accumulate from the table, and feed it to the hens in
winter they would be repaid in fresh eggs. It is
also a good plan to hatch out some early and some
late chickens, as in that way the late ones will be
laying when the older ones want to set.
Literary and Personal.
Farm Field and Fikeside.— Devoted to agricul-
ture, markets, live stock and home literature. A
royal quarto of 16 pages, monthly at $1.00 yer year,
Chicago, Illinois.
Fine paper, fine engravings, fine letterpress, fine
editorials, and fine selections— in short, like all
Chicago publications, this one is truly what its name
indicates in the realm of journalism.
Ati.as of the Coal Flora of Pennsylvania,
and of the carboniforous formation throughout the
United States. By Leo Lesquereux, fossil botanist,
Harrisburg. Published by the Board of Commis-
sioners for the Second Geological Survey. We are
indebted to K 'presentative Demuth , of this city, for
a copy of this the most creditable and best executed
work ever published by the Commonwealth of Penn-
sylvania, 87 plates with explanations.
Department OF AnnicfLTrRE— .Special report —
No. 18, containing " T.-a Ciillun; ;is a Possible
American Industry." By William Saunders, Super-
intendent of Gardens and (injiiniLs, Department of
.Agriculture. Head before the Xc«- York Horticul-
tural Society at its meeting in New York city, Oc-
tober 7, 1879. The subject is ably discussed, but it
relates to an industry in which our latitu'e is not
mechanically interested, and yet is in sympathy with
its success wherever it can be made available.
Dominion Bazaar. — ".MuLtum in Parvo." To-
ronto, Canada. "Published in the interest of society
in general, and the publishers hi particular. Office,
No. 3 Adelaid street. Thisisal pageddemi-octavo,
and is devoted to the dissemination of Philatelic
knowledge, or, the history, collection, exchange,
sale and preservation of postage stamps. Monthly,
at ;35 cents per annum. On the first page of the
November number is an article entitled "Stamp
Collecting Not so Foolish Aftef All," which has
more j'oint than many people would suspect could
be made on such a subject.
Holiday— Christmas.— "A Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year," 12 pages octavo, contain-
ing a beautiful poem, handsomely illustrated, pub-
lisTied only by Rowley & Chew, Mo. 712 Chestnut
street, Philadelphia, and specially intended for the
Christmas and New Year trade, in which old Santa
Claus figures very conspicuously, laden with his
holiday gifts for the children. It is snowy and
sleighy all through, and could only be fully realized
on a snowy day. Its object is an advertising me-
dium for holiday goods. 250 copies with bus ness
card on front, *7.00; 500 copies, §12.00; 1,000
copies, $22.00, and 2,000 copies, gli.OO. Beautiful
winter scenes.
Mind and Matter. — "Physical Life — The pri-
mary department in the school of human progress,"
Philadelphia, No. 713 Sansom street, $2.15 per
annum in advance, by the "Mind and Matter"
Publishing house, J. M. Roberts, editor. A remark-
ably fair and well printed 8 page demi folio, devoted
to spiritualistic philosophy. No. 1, vol.2, contains
a biographical sketch, and a well executed wood cut
of Dr. James V. Mansfield, the great medium. A
very intellectual looking picture, and also a very
positive looking one. The utterences of this journal
are as positive as those of the Mormon faith, and
time may demonstrate that either one cannot he
crushed out by coercion any easier than the other
can. They are "cither of God or of men."
The Fanciers' Journal for "December closes
Vol . 6. The articles are varied and of interest to
poultry and pigeon Fanciers. We have first the
Dusky or Black Duck, so well known to American
sporlsnK'ii. Next the new variety of bantam to be
reporliil La- thr Standard for the first time next
year, i ijc spaiii.xli Fowl, the conclusion of Exhibi-
tion <iaini-s. Kuli's lor Management of Laying Hens,
Washing Poultry lor Exhibition, and a column of
Poultry Shows fill the poultry bill of fare. Next
follow Homing matters. In this, the Journal leads
everything outside of Belgium. Two pages give the
record and pedigree of the Homing bird's of the past
season's flight. There is, further, a portrait of a
champion bird, a chapter on the care of Homers, a
page or more of flights of the past month, and
Homing items. Fancy Pigeons are treated bj J. C.
Lyell of Scotland, J. Matthews Eaton and others.
Show reports and notices, with a page of contribut-
ed matter upon poulti-y and pigeons, completes the
number. $1.50 per annum: single copy 15 cents. —
E. S. Starr, Editor and Proprietor, Springfield,
Mass.
Southern Illinois Farmer.— "Devoted to
Christian and political economy, statistics, commerce,
agriculture, education, meehanicism, science, litera-
ature and news." "Independent in all things,
neutral in nothing." J. P. M. Howard, A. M.,
editor, Effingham, Illinois, monthly, at $1.00 per
year. This is a large quarto of 8 pages; a new enter-
prise, the number before us being the first of vol. 1,
December, 1879.
It should have specifically included poetry in Its
catalogue of specialties, for nearly every editorial
ixiragraph is prefaced with a poetical quotation. To
us it very forcibly recalls the "Wag of Windsor."
"I'm alderman and sexton here,
My name is Caleb Quotum;
I'm palate . glazier, auctioneer,
lu short I am Factotum.*'
Its typography and the quality of the paper arc
fair averages of country journals in general, and its
literary "make up" is spicy, entertaining and in-
structive. Indeed, having so many specialties, and
consequently so many sources to draw from, it
cannot well be otherwise than interesting and useful;
and, therefore, we wish it "God speed." As its
name implies, there is much more of its contents
devoted to husbandry than to any other subject,
which must make it a popular journal among the
reading farming public.
Human Nature. — How to Study Phrenology:
With Hints on Co-operative Observation and Prac-
tice ; Directions for the Formation of Societies, with
Constitution and By-Laws ; References to the best
Text-books, etc.; also, An Outline of the Princi-
ples of Phrenology, by H. S. Drayton, A.M., Editor
of the Phrenological Journal, with forty illustrations.
This is the title of a pamphlet specially prepared
for the use of students of this most valuable of
human sciences, in answer to the question so many
times asked by young and old, " How can I study
Phrenology?" It will be found to answer the in-
quiry very fully, giving names of books recom-
mended, and many suggestions to the student in re-
gard to the general and special application of the
subject.
The outline of "First Principles" supplies th.e
reader with the name and definitions of the organs
of the brain, and brief expositions of the functional
relations of the several faculties in the action of the
mind. Over forty illustrations add their interest to
the text.
Price, in paper, only 10 cents. Send the price, in
stamps, to the publishers, S. R. Wells & Co., 7:57
Broadway, New York.
Department of Agriculture. — Annual reports
for the years 1877 and 1S78. We are indebted to
Hon. A.'Herr Smith tor a copy of the former, and
to Commissioner Le Due for a copy of the latter.
These two volumes contain 1,200 octavo pages, and
98 full page plates, and many figures illustrating the
various subjects treated of in the volumes ; also,
four folded maps, 168 pages of the letter press, and
•^.2 of the plates are illustrative of the many phases
of entomology, being the last i-eport of Professor
Glover, and the only annual report of Professor
Riley during his brief incumbency of the office of
United States Entomologist. Just exactly how
much use an entomologist may be to a nation, a
State, or to a local district, will depend entirely
upon how much use the people make of his practical
teachings — how much, and how understandingly
they read, remember, and practice what they read.
In the matter of remedies for the destruction of
insects, and especially the traps and implements in-
vented for their capture or extermination, a vast
deal has been suggested and promulgated that
speedily becomes obsolete ; not always because they
possess no merit, but because they are often expen-
sive, unwieldy and undurable, or not of easy appli-
cation. A.s a single instance. Peck's atomizer for
the application of liquid Paris green cost $10.00,
was burdensome, and required two very diverse
motions in its operations ; and now Peek has in-
vented a hand implement, of far easier manipula-
tion, which only costs 75 cents. Of course this must
supplant his first invention, and remand it to the
great infirmary of obsolete and superannuated im-
plements. The people want something cheap.
THE LANCASTER FARMER
III
MISCELLANEOUS.
Comsumption Cured.
An old phybiiiaii, retired from practice, having had
placed in his liandsliy an East Indian missionary the
formula of a simi)le vegetable remedy for the speedy
and permanent cure for Consumption, Bronchitis,
Catarrh, Asthma, and all Throat'and Lung Affec-
tions, also a posidve and radical cure for Nervous
Debility and all Nervous Complaints, after having,
tested its wouderful curative powers in thousands of
cases, has fi-lt it his duty to make it known to his
suliering fellows. Actuated by this motive and a
desire to relieve human suffering, I will send free of
charge to all who desire It, this recipe, in German,
French, or English, with full directions for prepar-
ing and using Sent by mall by addressing with
stamp, naming this paper, W. W. Shkuak, 14!I I'ow.
ers' Block, Jfoc/iesler, X. Y. [oet-ISm
A Novelty in Roses.
Buds of the new striped Tea Kose, "American
Banner," were worn for the Hrst time in New York,
by the ladies waiting on the tables at the great Fair
of the Seventh Itegimcnt, on the evening of Wednes-
day, December 3. This rarity among llowcrs, from
Its novelty and scarcity, is likely to become in great
demand this winter ; but as it can only yet be sup-
plied in small quantities it will cost more than its
weight in gold !
The Secret Key to Health.
The Science of Life, or Self-Preservation,:iOO pages.
Price, only $1. Contains tifty valuable prescrip-
tions, either one of which is worth more than ten
times the price of the book. Illustrated sample sent
on receipt of <1 cents for postage. Address, Dr. W,
H. Parker, i Bultinch St., Boston, Mass. oct-Sm
Xfy a„nu„l
Se,-,! for 1880
theoriginulB, wi!
rff tuhlg and t'loux'r
i>;s. from photographs, of
ill who »pply. My old
Mrroneof the largest col-
.uit by any seed house
. ii were growu on my six
Itivatifm on each pack-
in Araericft, a 1 ri:
Bted forms. ruU
age All sfe.l u-airanted lo be both frcih and
80 far, that should it prove otherwise, / «ji7( refill the order
gratis. The original ititrnrtucer of the Hubbard Squash,
PhiuneyV Melon, Mnrhlebeail Cabbages, Mexican Corn, aud
Bcores of other vegetables, I Invite the patron:ige of aU who
are anxitins in have their fteed directly from the grower, fresh,
trxie, and of the very best strain.
New Vegetables a specialty.
<iec-6m]
FARMERS,
Look to Your Inteests,
IMPORTANT TO FARMERS, TRUCKERS
ANIXIARDENERS.
A NATURAL FERTILIZER!
Jisiy
!}°«|3 Printing Press
iForbuiine«orplpaiun.. y(.uneorold. fctoyonrowniid-
■ -ertl.lnR ud pflnOng. CftUIOEUe of T>r«ue(, type, cardt,
- Mait. Kelwr AOo.Merlden,Oa*a
RICH IN DISSOLVED BONES.
PHOSPHORIC ACID.
POTASH. SILICIC ACID. £C.
I Pcimannntly Enriches Every Variety of .SoU.
It Doubles the Yield of Grass.
It Insures Good Crops of Wheat, Corn, Potatoes Vegeta
bles and Fruit.
An excellent change for land after the continued use of
Lime.
In successful use here over tflO years, and more thaw two
thirds of the cropped land of Europe'iinproved with Marl.
It is not a BtimiiUut,uB patent manures are, bnt its eflects
$10 PER TON,
that will yieM you a rich return and be a lasting beuellt
Its History, Analyslfl, Application
D. P. BITNER,
General .4gent for
LANCASTER COUNTY.
Agencies where MARL is kept constantly on
B. & B. F. Walter, Christiana, Peunsylvania Uailroad.
Joseph C. Walker, Gap, •• "
Henry H. Uohrer, T^eaman Place, '* "
J. B Newhauser, Bird-iu-Hand, " "
.Tacob Mauck, Kobrerstown, " **
M. G. Shindle, Mountville,
H. F. Bruner, Columbia,
Miller & Musser, Upper Marietta, " "
Groff t Rutt, Landisville, " "
B. G. GrofT, Elizabethtowu. " "
Oassel & K ling. Mount .Toy, " •<
Shnltz&Bro., Washington Bor.,Colum'a b Port Deposit R.
Samuel Uaruish, Pequca Station, '' «'
Kirk Brown. Haines Station " "
W. G. Mellinger, West Willow, Quarryrillo Railroad.
James A. Meek, Beflon Station, " "
Acheson b Swarr, Mechanics Grove, " "
H. W. Oraybill, Petersburg. Heading b Columbia Railroad.
Hershey b Danner, Manheim, '*
Wm. Evans b Son. Litiz,
P. S. Bnibakcr, MiUway, " "
Sener b Bro., Ephrata, " "
Brubaker b Co., Union, '• "
Diller b Sutton, New Holland, Waynesburg Railroad.
D. P. BITNER, Lancaster, Pa.
-THE-
FIRST ANNUAL EXHIBITION
LANCASTER COUNTY
POULTRY i^SSOClATION,
WII.I, BK UKM) IN
LO(HER'S BUILDING,
CENTRE SQUARE, LANCASTER, PA.
Januarv 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, 1880.
$500 OFFERED IN PREMIUMS.
Premium List sent on appliciitioii to
J. B. LICHTY,
Secretary.
M. HABERBUSH,
MANUFACTURKIt OF
Plain and Fine Harness,
n.4I»i>i,s.:n.
COLLARS, "WHIPS, PLY NETS. Sec,
.\IX) i)i;.\!,i-;i; in
TRUNKS, TRAVELING BAGS,
BUFAU) UOBKS,
Horse Covers, Lap-Rugs, Gloves, &c.,
No. 30 Penn Square,
-1-12) I.ANCAHTKU, PA.
GLOVES, SHIRTS. UNDERWEAR, iw
SHIRTS MADE TO ORDER,
ANb WAUKANTEl) TO HT.
E. J. ERISMAN.
56 Nortb Queen St., Lancaster, Pa
PHAKES W. FKY,
Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
WftLL PftPER& WIMOOW SHftQES,
lIollantlH. pinin Slindc 4'l»lli.
Fixtures, Fringes, T^issels aud all goods pertaining to a
Paper aud Sbade Store.
No. 63 North Queen St., Lancaster, Pa.
1879 FALL AND WINTER 1880
Clotljs, Cassinjeres, Coalings, Suitiijgs,
Vestirigs, and
FURNISHING GOODS,
Incluiling the U8u.il fashionable varietien ol the iieason,
PLAIN, STRIPE!) AND FIGURED.
ALSO,
READY-M|DE CLOTfjING,
ATTHEVKRY BOnOM PRICES.
LANCASTER.
RATHVON & FISHER,
Rjerchant Tailors, Drapers and Clolljiers,
Corner A\ Queen and Orange Sts.
■' A penny saved is aiipence earned."
THE LANCASTER FARMER'
[December, 1S79.
THIS l^TElTT^r
ELASTIC TRUSS
center, adapts
^^ itself to all
^-l^^^ftfc positions of the body,
nl^Bmki -"^I^e the BALL in the
KJH^SPPJCnp PRESSES BACK
^SS^S»^THE INTESTINES
^^^^ JTJST AS A PERSON
^^^ -WOULD WITH THE
%H EMLAMED VIEW OF DINGER. With UgM
pressure the Hernia is
held securely day and night, and a rad-
ical cure is certain. It is easy, durable
and cheap. Sent by mail, postage paid.
Circulars free.
Address, Eggleston Truss Co., Manfips,
Or c. H. EGGLESTON CO., Chicago.HI.
li GOOD nm.
Anybody can learu to main money rapidly operating m
Stocke, by the '-Two Unerring Rules for Success" in Messrs.
Lawrence & Co.'s new circular. The combination method,
•which this firm has made so successful, enables people with
large or small means to reap all the benefitsof largest capital
and best skill. Thousands of orders, in various sums, are
pooled into one vast amount and co-operated as a mighty
whole, thus securing to each shareholder nil the advantages
of thelargestoperator. Immeuseprolitsaii- divided monthly.
Any amount from $5 to $o,00i), or more, can be used succes--
fully. N. Y. Baptist Weekly, September 26th, 1878, says,
"By the combination system $ 5 would make $75, or 6 per
cent ; $50 pays $.S50, or 7 per cent.; $100 makes $1,000,
or 10 per cent, on the slock, during the month, accordmg
to the market." Frank Lenlie's Illiuitrated Newspaper, June
29th': The combiuation method of operating stocks is the
most successful ever adopted." AVio York Independent
September 12th: The combination system is founded upon
correct business principles, and no person need be without
an income while it is kept working by Messrs. Lawrence it
Co.'Brooklyn Journal, April 20th: "Our editor made a net
profit of $101.25 from $aO in one of Messrs. Lawrence &
Co.'s combinations." New circular (mailed free) explains
. everything. Stocks and bonds wanted. Government bonds
BUpplied. Lawrence & Co Bankers, 67 Exchange Pla
N. Y.
[79-5-12
THE BEST PAPER! TRY IT!!
BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED.
GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
Sawing oS a Log,
Easy and Fast,
Our latest improved sawing macliine cuts
off a 2-foot loCT in 2 minutes. A $IOO
PRESENT will be given to two men who
can saw as much in the old way, as one man
can with this machine. Circulars sent free.
W. Giles, 741 \V. Lake St., Chicago, 111.
TAKE NOTK'E.— We have sold our exclusive right to
11 our Sawing Machines to A. H. Frank, of Buffalo. N.
'..for the folUnving States, to wit: New York, Pennsylva-
lia, Maryland, Delaware. New Jersey, Mass., Conn., Khode
sland. Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, to whom all
ommunications and orders should be sent for said States.
dec-It]
WELL-AUQER
Ours is guaranteed to be the
cheapest and best in the
nothing can beat our SAAVING MA-
3Stli YEAK.
The Scientiflo American.
The SciEKTiFic American is a large First-Clasa Weekly
Newspaper of Sixteen Pages, printed in the most beautiful
style, pro/mely ilhiifrated icith splendid engravings, repre-
senting the newest Inventions and the most recent Advances
in the Arts and Sciences; includinx New and Interesting
Facts in Agriculture, Horticulture, the Home, Health,
Medical Progress, Social Science, Natural History. Geology,
Astronomy. The most valuable practical papers, by emi-
nent writers in all departments of Science, will be found in
the Scientific American. ,..,.. , ^
Terms, $3.20 per year, $1.60 half year, which mclndes
postage. Discotmt to Agents. Single copies, ten cents.
Sold by a'l Newsdealers. Remit by postal order to MDNN
& CO., Publishers, 37 Park Row, New York
T* A rWlTTtt'fllC! In connection with the
Jt'^XXjJN XlS* Scieiitilic American,
Messrs. MCNN * Co. are Solicitors of .Vinerlcau and Foreign
Patents, have had 35 years' experience, and now have the
lareest establishment in the world. Patents are obtained on
the best terms. A specal notice is made in the Kci«lltlHe
American of all Inventions patented through this
Agenov with the same and residence of the Patantee. By
the immeiise circulation thus given, public attention is di-
rected lo the merits of the new patent, and sales or intro-
duction often easily effected.
Any )ierson who has made a new discovery or invention,
can ascertain, /rc« 0/ charge, whether a patent can probably
be obtained, by writing to Munn & Co. We also send free
our Hand-Book about the latent Laws, Patents, Caveats.
Trade-Mai ks, their costs, and how procured, with hints for
procuring advances on inventions. Address for the Paper,
or concerning Patents, .....'
LIUNN & CO., 37 Park Bow, New York.
Branch Office, cor. F & 7th Sts., Washington, D. C,
$66a
your own town. Terms and $5 outfit tree.
Address H. Hallett & Co., Portland, Maine.
lyr»
NOTICE.
A VALUABLE WORK.
A TREATISE
HORSE AND HIS DISEASES,
By DB. B. J. KENDALL, of Enosburgh Falls, Vermont.
It is nicely illustrated with thirty-five engravings, and is
full of useful horse knowledge. Every horse owner should
lAve a copy of it.
SEND 25 CENTS FOR A COPY.
thirty years with t^r.at
pamphlet, wliicb we it. .
The specific medicine is
age, or six packages for
receipt of the money by addn
THE GRAY MEDICINE COMPANY,
No. 10 Mechanics' Block, Detroit. Michigan.
AGENTS WANTED '^n,Z,::i'^^
complete and l^rilHant History of the great ttutr of
Gen. GRANT ^^°Ji»"> WORLD
by Hon. J. T. Headley, the prince of descriptive au-
thors. A Hplcndia gift book, ff:^ 4 million people
want it. 7 he best chance of your life to make money. Be-
; ware of imitations by unknoum authors. The Superior
i authorship, nni<iue illwitrations, eldqnent ;»a;j#r. and
marvelons cheapness render this book immenfiely
popular. aO.OOO BOOKS SOI.D. Circulars /re«,
terms extremely i«era(. Otitfit %l.iiO. Address
j HUBBARD BROS.. 733 Sansom St., Phllada., Pa.
dec-ltl
inn ACRES !5d^Jl?ieyo?ISfS.
lUw Pla.Qt8 grown for tra.nHplantin«, and
Fruit for the market. l^"See New Catalosue
to plant Sent free. Address
t,. v^OLLINS, Mnorestown, "
JKKSEY 6eb rUiti,
-10-6m
JOHN I
ARM ACCOUNTS!
THE DEAF HEAR
I THROUGH THE TEETH infH
PEIIUCCTLV. all Ordinary Converaation.t^B
Leomres, Concerts, etc.. by ''*'? ,'i""^te^B
lh°/ Deor Ind 'Dumb-See N^^ Tork tferaliT^H
dlKDlaeeii all Ear-trumpeta. ^iie of an or- ^H
Every Farmer should know 1
new and complete system
free Circulars to the Brym
<'«llese. 108 S Tenth Strt
w to keep them. An entirely
St demised. Send postal for
A .Stratlon Business
, Philadelphia. [79-1 0-3m
A CHOICE GIFT
For all timefl,
HOLIDAYS/ WEDDING, BIRTHDAY,
«NNI»ERS*RY, o' any other day; for
PASTOR. TEACHER, PARENT. CHILD, FRIEND.
Uplaeen all Ear-trumpeM. Slie
dlnsry Wotoh. 8en<1 Tor our HlHE vninp
AMEIICAN BENTAPHONE C0..a87Vb»Bt.,
ARMS
80 to 50 bushels; Corn
40 10 100 bush, per acre.
No Manure needed.
fine achools,
and good Bocielv. Railroad a
lent? Maps and full lufon
S. UILlnOBi:, Land Com
79-9-3meom]
the Kansas Pacific
Railway. 3,000,000
for Sale in the
DEN BELT.
.»7 per aae^ 11
HOMES
WEBSTER'S UNABRIDGED.
NEW EDITION.
Cont*ining % SUPPLEMENT of o^er
4600 ^EW WORDS and Meanings.
ALSO ADDED, A NEW
Biographical Dictionary
of over 9700 NAMES.
A NATIONAL STANDARD.
rEBSTER'Sis ihe Dictionary us-ed in the
w*
, Prin
! Offic
s
$72^
rlWed-
FREE GIFT !|n.
son 'tUicted villi 4'<>ii.siiin|>tlon. Bronchitis,
Astliiua, Sorp 'ihro.-it. or Nasal t'atarrh. It
is elegantly printed ami lUustratefl. 144 pages. 12mo, 1819.
It has been tLe means in the providence of God of saving
many valuable lives. Send name and post otace address,
■■■ six cents postage tor mailing. The book is valuable to
- ■ '■' luv disease of the Xose, Throat
Ur. N. B. WOLFE, t'incin-
[79-lll-2m.
ry State purchase of Dictionaries for
Schools has been of Webster,
ooks in the Public Schools of the United
States are mainly based on Webster.
i/e of Webster's is 20 times as great as the
sale of any other series of Dictionaries.
HIRTY-TWO THOUSAND COPIES have been
placed in the public schools of the U. 8.
icjratnngs,— contains 3000. nearly three
Die
ary.
Published by G. & C. MERRIAM, Springfield. '«»
Nov-
persons suflcring wit
or I.nng:s
nali. Ohi
KENDALL'S ^ ^^r^^
splint. Curb, Callous, &o.,or any enlargement, AND WILL
REMOVE THE BUNCH WITHOUT BLISTERING or
C« •r%- A TTTTVT causing a sore. No remeay ever
i^ir,a. V XIM discovered equals it for certainty
of action in slojipiiig the lameness and removing the bunch.
Price tl.no. Send for circular giving POSITIVE PROOF.
^<<VTT^ T* SOLD BY DRUGGISTS or sent by the ia-
*^ \j Xkilj veutor, B. J, Kendall, M. D., Enosburgh
Falls, Vt .lohnston, Holloway k Co., Agts., 602 Areh St .
GENTS I READ THIS!
Salary of $100 per
A.
month and expeH!!«eM
sion, to sell our uew ii.n<:
Nov-6ra.
ATTENTION ! FARMERS
Now Process liinseed Moal.
THE BEST AND MOST ECONOMICAL
t'ATTI.E F001>S.
It is worthy of your immediate attention. Write to us /o)
Chart giving value of the different foods.
GROVE & BRO.,
ai6 Kace Sireet, Philatleiph io.
**^^^