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the margin with all manner of farming tools and implements, with piles of stone and old rails to complete the

scene.

As long as swine have the freedom of the road, it is difficult to keep it free from weeds, for these animals are sure to root up every decent spot of grass as soon as it is fairly established. We once saw, however, a road-ride for perhaps half a mile, as clear of rubbish and as smoothly and greenly swarded as the finest lawn or park which ever met our eyes, and though many years have since elapsed, we often recur to the scene. Would that its counterpart might frequently grace our highways.

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[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.]

THE PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.

making to exterminate one of the worst maladies that has ever befallen the cattle raisers of the "Old Commonwealth." Should it be suffered to spread over this country, as it has over Europe, no one can make any adequate estimation of the injury it would be to cattle breeders and graziers, unless it be such as have lived in Europe and witnessed its ravages there. Now is the time to study prevention and thorough eradication—a work that should be faithfully performed, though it should cost the killing of every herd in Worcester and Middlesex counties, where the disease has prevailed.

Strange and incredible as it may seem-both in view of present facts and the testimony of numerous veterinarians and others of England and Europe, Veterinarians, so called, have denied that the pleuro-pneumonia epizootic is contagious this too, in view of the demonstrative fact, that not a solitary case of the disease has occurred without exposure, and hundreds have from exposure, as the history The State Commissioners charged with the bloody-work of the malady in Belmont and North Brookfield and viciniof exterminating the cattle malady, imported into Massa- ty do most incontrovertibly confirm and prove. Such chusetts about a year since, held a meeting in North stupidity would be incredible, but for the consideration Brookfield on Wednesday, the 9th instant, appointed that the race of quacks has not yet been quite extermifor meeting delegations from the various County Socie-nated by the genial reign of knowledge. Ignorance is a ties to consult as to the expediency, among other things, rebel; but, thanks to God, knowledge has the divine of holding cattle fairs the coming autumn. Commission- right to reign, and will in due time exercise the right ers Walker and Lathrop were present, and delegates from to exterminate utterly all empirics and mountebanks, about half of the County Societies, comprising, also, mem- that have hitherto fattened upon the fruits of honest inbers of the Board of Agriculture, with several prominent dustry. Whom the gods would destroy of olden times Hence the folly and madness degentlemen, among whom was Mr. John A. Taintor of they first made mad. Hartford. picted may, after all, be a hopeful indication. GEORGE.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.]

Several herds were examined and several animals were killed, all showing unmistakable development of the pleuropneumonia. A new case was reported in Sturbridge-the DRY AND BRITTLE HOOFS IN HORSES. disease having been carried thither by a cow purchased in the infected district. One consolatory fact attends every case of pleuro-pneumonia thus far, which inspires the Commissioners with hope, to-wit, that not a case has occurred that is not directly traceable, either to Belmont, or the "infected district" of the Brookfields, rumors to the contrary notwithstanding.

A reader of the North British Agriculturist, inquires what is considered to be the best remedy for brittle hoofs in horses, and what is the best application for encouraging the growth of the horn generally. In reply, the following advice is given, which we copy because it may be of service to some of our readers who may have It appears from a statement made, that this fatal epi- trouble about this condition of a horse's foot, or find a zootic was first introduced into this country in 1847, by a horse occasionally lame without being able to account for it, farmer in New-Jersey, Mr. Thos. Richardson. He dis--excessive dryness and brittleness of the hoof being, covered it among his imported stock, and before other though little suspected, one of the many causes of lameherds were exposed, knowing the malignant type of the ness. Keep the hoof moist when the horse is not emdisease, he immediately killed his whole stock, valued at ployed. During the summer, a damp-bottomed meadow $10,000, a most noble act. He lately wrote to a gentle- is the most suitable. During winter the feet may be stuffman in North Brookfield, that the only way to get rid of ed with a proportion (mixture) of clay and cow dung, to the malady, is to kill every herd which has been exposed. which a portion of common salt may be added. To euSome of the farmers assert that the disease has been con- courage the growth of the hoof, remove the hair by scisveyed by moving the hay from a barn where the cattle sors at the top of the pastern, and rub in a little blisterwere diseased. ing ointment. This will induce a more vigorous growth of the hoof; but it will not wholly remedy the defect if it is constitutional, or if it arises from founder."

More than 400 head of cattle have already been killed, and as many more, probably, stand upon the condemned list. The pleuro-pneumonia is the all-absorbing topic here, and no wonder, for the farms in this fine agricultural region are rapidly becoming herdless. Instead of the cattle upon the hills and the cows coming home at 5 P. M., to be milked as formerly, now may be seen the yawning graves soon to receive the bodies of the working oxen, spared until Saturday, the 12th inst., in order that the farmers may finish their work. The topic is one whose contemplation brings over the mind deep feelings of sad

ness.

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The above directions about keeping the hoof moist, are, probably, unexceptionable; but we have some doubts about the safety and expediency of cutting off the hair from above the hoof, and of rubbing in blistering ointment. First of all, the direction is too vague or indefinite, as no mention is made either of the amount to be rubbed in at a time, nor of how often it is to be done, nor of the mode of avoiding the unpleasant effects which may follow from applying blistering ointment, (more properly blistering plaster,) in the case of both man and horse. On Wednesday evening a meeting was held in the Town Were we pretty confident that the stimulation of the skin Hall of North Brookfield, and the Rev. C. C. Sewell, of with Spanish flies or blistering plaster, would really prothe Norfolk Co. Ag. Society was called to the Chair. duce some change in the growth of the hoof, we would Speeches were made by delegates from different parts of prefer to apply the blistering material in a liquid and more the commonwealth, in the approval of the work of the manageable shape, as by steeping the flies in diluted alcoCommissioners. The entirely inadequate appropriation hol or in strong vinegar. Any one disposed to try the made by the Legislature, to be expended by the Commis-efficacy of such an application should seek the assistance sioners in the extermination of the disease, has called for of a doctor or a druggist. But probably there will be the raising of a guarantee fund, to enable them to proceed very few who will wish to venture upon a trial, as we know with their work, of not less than $60,000. The meeting of nothing calculated to create any confidence in the effiadopted resolutions approving this, having no doubt that cacy for such a purpose, of blistering flies in any form, the next Legislature will make the necessary appropriation. except the fact that they are employed to some extent in Thus stands the record at present. the composition of "Hair Restoratives," and "Cures for Baidness."

It is hoped that success will crown the laudable efforts

A.

REFUSE TÁN, OR SPENT BARK.

This article can be had at almost every village without money, or for a mere trifle in the way of compensation. In some instances the tanner would be glad to have it taken away. The question has been asked by one whose teams returned, from an adjacent village, empty, a great times in a year, "Would it be worth the time of loading and unloading to stop at the tannery and get a load of spent bark, now and then?" Our answer was a pretty confident yes, and the following were the principal reasons alleged in support of it:

1. Among the various uses of refuse tan, none, perhaps, is so generally known as its power to absorb the urine or other liquids of stables or yards. A considerable amount of fertilizing matter may thus be saved by using tan as bedding for hogs, for cattle and cows, and for horses, or even perhaps in sheep-yards and under sheep-sheds. In the volumes of the Co. GENT. and CULTIVATOR, 1858, Mr. G. W. DURANT gives some account of his manner of using

tan-bark as an absorbent, and as litter for various kinds of stock. He says that he has been in the habit of employing about one hundred loads in this way every year. In the beginning of summer, for example, he puts a load or two in his hog-yard, and when that is used up (thoroughly saturated,) he puts in more, making his yard so tight that no liquid can escape. All along until winter he endeavors to keep his hogs dry by filling in fresh tan-bark. He lets these yards be undisturbed until spring, when he carts out the manure thus made on his corn ground. "It has all the effect of pure hog manure, which is said to be the best manure we can get for that crop, and produces pumpkins in a wonderful manner."

The way in which Mr. D. uses tan-bark in his stables is as follows:-To a span of horses he puts in a load as bedding, or enough to cover the entire floor eight or ten inches deep. This is forked over every day for ten or twelve days, and then carted out and put in piles, or heaps, fresh bark being supplied in the stable. This method is pur sued until hard, frosty weather prevents its being used as bedding, when straw is substituted. The manure or compost thus made, he applies to his carrot ground or garden. The urine of the horses has the effect to turn the bark black, and seems to rot it very quick. He mentions as an illustration of this effect, that a pile made in the spring could not be distinguished from clear muck when carted out for wheat in September. Mr. D.'s mode of using the bark for stabling cattle, is nearly the same as with horses. He covers the floor about six inches deep with the bark, which, he remarks, makes a nice, clean, soft bed for them, and has the stable cleared every morning of all that gets wet, and the remainder leveled off. This method of bedding cows and cattle is employed except when frosty weather prevents. Mr. D. also fills up his cattle-yard occasionally in the fall and during the winter, with bark sufficient to keep them dry; and so also during the summer, he spreads a few loads sufficient to keep the cows that are yarded over nights, dry and clean. The compost or manure thus made is occasionally forked over, and then carted out in September for wheat.

Probably the chief reason why spent bark is so little valued is on account of the slowness of its decomposition. The foregoing mode of employing it indicates one way in which this objection may be obviated, or by which the decomposition of bark may be accelerated.

ployed with advantage to some soils-chiefly to tenacious.

cold clays. Applied to these it acts mechanically, and must serve to make them somewhat more friable. For such soils tan might even be of more advantage than manure, in many cases acting mechanically to loosen and lighten up the soil while it remains undecomposed, and at the same time giving out some fertilizing elements during its slow decomposition. In order to secure the fertilizing qualities of the spent bark more speedily, some tanners, we have been informed, burn it and apply the ashes to the land. The method employed by Mr. DURANT is, however, far more economical, as a rich compost is thereby secured. would be likely to prove injurious to land, perhaps the As some have a fear that tan in its undecomposed state

best way of using it, even for clay soils, would be to have it, at least, partially decomposed, either by urine or the liquids of a yard, or by mixture with lime or ashes. Either partially or wholly decomposed it will make heavy soils lighter, and tenacious soils more friable.

3. Spent tan is certainly useful as a mulch in almost all cases in which mulching is expedient.

4. Spent tan is useful as a direct fertilizer. It contains several earthy and saline ingredients useful and necessary in the growth of plants.

5. It is stated in the Farmers' and Planters' Encyclo pedia, that refuse tan is useful occasionally as a top-dressing on some grass lands, in a half putrified or even fresh

state.

[For the Cultivator and Country Gentleman.] SUGAR MAKING.

EDS. Co. GENT.-The sugar crop in Vermont is becoreof the farmer's staple products. The sugar maple abounds ing an item of considerable importance; in fact it is one here in almost unlimited numbers, and ever stands ready to yield up its sweet stores to add to the farmer's profits. There is no sweet that has such a delicious taste as that made from the maple, when it is made so pure and nice as to be almost without color. There are but few sugar makers, that make real genuine sugar. This may be owing partly to carelessness in saving the sap, by allowing leaves and other impurities to go into the pan; but we believe the main fault is in boiling. It has been found by experience and by experiments carefully conducted, by committhe sooner the sap is converted into sugar after it runs tees appointed by the "Farmer's Club" in this place, that from the tree, the purer and better the quality of sugar. The sheet-iron pan is at present almost universally used. This is a very great improvement on the old fashioned way of boiling in cast-iron kettles; it not only boils faster, but makes a better quality of sugar than could be made in the old way.

When the sugar pan was substituted for the old kettles, people were satisfied and never thought of having any thing better; but in sugar-making, as well as all other things, there has been improvements.

as much of an improvement over the common pan as the The recent invention of "Cook's Sugar Evaporator," is pan is over the old cauldron kettles hung up in the woods by a chain. I have used one, and can cheerfully recommend it to all sugar-makers, and especially those that are about fitting up new sugar works. Every one knows the those contemplating building new sugar works, or repairimportance of starting right in any kind of business, and ing old ones will find it to their advantage to examine Cook's new method for boiling sugar. The plan has decided and important advantages over the present system.

1st. More sugar can be boiled with the same amount of wood than in the old way.

2d. It boils faster, and consequently is a saving of time. 3d. The sugar is of a much better quality than can be

2. But even in its undecomposed state bark may be em. made in any other way.

Mr. Cook's evaporators are made of galvanized iron or copper; the copper oues are said to be the best.

very mellow, and on that spot I had the best potatoes. I
then sowed the lot to rye, and on the clay mound the rye
was very heavy-as much again as on any other part of
the lot. Ever since the lot has been in pasture, and on
the clay mound the grass can be distinguished a number
of rods up to this date as decidedly more luxuriant, and
the cattle gnaw it more closely as if sweeter. Such are
the simple facts. How can the above extract be recon-
ciled with this statement?
STEPHEN BULLOCK.
Columbia X Roads.

The one I have is a No. 3, made of galvanized iron; is about eight feet long and four feet wide, and is fitted to a furnace that is made for the pan. There are fourteen flanges raised on the bottom of the pan which are one and a half inch deep, and about four inches shorter than the width of the pan. These flanges make fifteen channels crossways of the pan, and are left open at every alternate end for the free passage of the sap. A tub of sap is placed at the forward corner with a faucet, so as to run into the first channel, which begins to boil, with a good RAISING EVERGREENS FROM SEED. fire, in the third channel, and continues to boil, growing sweeter and sweeter until it reaches the opposite end and MESSRS. EDITORS-Can any of the numerous readers of opposite corner of the pan, where it runs out in the form the COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, tell how to make evergreen seed of good syrup into a tub or pail, and is ready for " sugar-grow-such as pine, cedar, arborvitæ, spruce, fir, &c.? ing off." I did not get my pan in season for the first run Some say it will take them eighteen months or two years of sap, or not until after the 20th of March; but I must to come up. Now I want to plant some the present spring. say that all the sap boiled in this pan made most excellent An answer soon to the above query, would be thankfully sugar; in fact, some made after the 5th of April is fully received. equal to any I ever made in the common way from the first run of sap.

Mr. Cook's Evaporator comes highly recommended from persons in high standing, for boiling the juice of the sugar It is said that sugar of fine quality is obtained from the juice of the Sorghum, when boiled in this pan.

cane.

Our best sugar makers have found that the secret for making the best quality of sugar, is mainly in boiling the sap as soon as possible after it runs from the tree, and have practiced syruping down several times a day.

By using the Evaporator you never boil the same sap more than half an hour, as in that time it will be converted into syrup; the sap is running into one end and at the same time you have a small stream of syrup at the opposite end. GEO. CAMPBELL,

West Westminster, Vt., April 20.

SAND CRACKS IN HORSES' FEET. As a cure for sand cracks in horses' feet, I will tell you what cured a horse I owned for a year after he recovered, and had perfect feet-although I have seen blood ooze from both fore feet when he moved. Take a wide chisel,

D. M.

Plant the seed in fine rich mould, covering them by sifting fine earth or mould over them, to a depth of a fourth to half an inch-keep the soil constantly moist by shading, and if the seed are good and fresh, they will come up in a few days. The depth of planting must vary with the size of the seed. The young plants will need constant shading, at least the first season.

PRODUCT OF A NATIVE COW.

Among the premiums offered by the Essex (Mass.) Ag. Society in 1859, was one of ten dollars for the best milch cow of native breed, who should yield the largest amount of milk, a correct statement being given to the committee of the weight and measure of her milk; but no animal possessed those qualities which, in the opinion of the committee, entitled her to receive the first premium. To the native cow "Daisy," owned by David Merritt, Jr, of Salem, a second premium was awarded. "Daisy" was four years old in April, before being exhibited in September, and dropped her second and last calf 14 inches is best, place it at right angles with a crack just August 3d. From May 20th, 1859, to September 29th, her above the hoof, and strike it a smart blow with a mallet or feed was nothing but fair pasturage, except a little of the first hammer. If the crack is a bad one, draw it together with crop of English hay night and morning. From Mr. Merritt's screws put in diagonally between the shoe and top of hoof statement, as published in the Trans. of Essex Ag. Society of -keep the shoe on, the hoof damp, so as to make it 1859, we learn that her milk was measured morning and grow, and give the horse rest for a few days, and you will evening from the 15th of August to the 27th of September, see the crack grow out as the hoof forms above it. If the and it was also weighed. The average daily yield during this chisel was driven to the bottom of the crack, which gen-period was 29 pounds, or 14 4-5th quarts. For the first ten erally not over half an inch, the horse must not be driven days in September the average of milk was 32 pounds per

hard or trotted fast for at least three weeks. After I sold
the horse I spoke of, he was taken to New-York and put
in livery. I saw him a year afterwards, and his feet were
sound yet.
JAMES THOMPSON.
Rose Hill, near Ballston Spa, N. Y.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.]
CLAY AS A FERTILISER.
MESSRS. EDITORS-In Co. GENT., March 29, I find an
article over the signature of J. G. C. He says, page 203
-"but if, as in this case, the surface is loam and the sub-
soil pure cold clay, it is ruinous." It 1843 or '44, one of
my neighbors wanted to get clay from my land for the
manufacture of brick. Willing to accommodate, but
not desirous to have a large surface dug over, I request-
ed him to dig as deep as the clay was good. He dug so
deep that they used a ladder to get out of the pit, and
threw the clay on a staging, and then out-pure cold sour
blue clay. The elay was drawn a few rods, and there left,
and when more convenient it was drawn about one-fourth
of a mile and manufactured. There was two or three feet
depth of clay left, it never having been removed from the
first place drawn to. A year or two after, I plowed up
this field-it still is rather low and moist, and plowed
through this mound of clay, and planted the field to pota-
toes. Where the clay had been deposited it plowed up

day.

This cow came from a favorite cow, and was raised by E S. Parker, of Groveland, Mass. She dropped her first calf December 21st, 1857, at the age of two years and eight months In his account Mr. Merritt further says: "I bought her January 12, 1858, and between then and the 13th of January, 1859, she gave 2615 quarts of milk, beer measure, or 7027 lbs., at 2 lbs. 11 oz. per quart, or 9 quarts, 1 pint and I gill per timates the cost of keeping her for the year to be $71.46. day, wine measure, or 191 lbs. per day for the year." He es

CHEAP FENCES.

L.

MESSRS. EDITORS Your readers will find the following a cheap fence. It has the advantage of taking up but little room, as the rails are laid nearly straight. It is made as follows: Take your rails and place stones near where the rails lap-then drive two stakes, five feet long, one on each side, and lay up your rails until the third onethen take wire and fasten the stakes together-then lay up your rails to the desired height, and fasten wire across the top of the stakes close to the upper rails, and your fence is complete, making a large saving of land.

Crotches 3 feet long, sharpened and driven in the ground, then staked and ridered, make a quick cheap fence, suitable to keep cattle, &c., out of growing sprouts, &c. North Chester, N. J. J. T. HOWELL.

ABOUT PLASTER.

MESSRS. EDITORS-" Lock the barn after the horse is stolen," is a trite saying-so asking counsel after the deed is done, may exhibit about the same forethought. I have ten acres of meadow-soil neither wet nor dry, but about medium-that was seeded about three years ago, to timothy and clover, but the last two hard winters (hard for meadows) have entirely killed out the clover. Now, had I better sow plaster on this meadow? or, as I have already done it, have I done right? In other words, is it advisable to use plaster on timothy-will it pay? Clover, undoubt edly, is greatly benefitted by it, but I am not so certain about other grasses. I should like also to know the best time for sowing plaster-whether quite early, or will it do to sow it the fore part of May, or later? Further, would plaster benefit barley and wheat enough to pay the expense, at $4.50 per ton?

Being of an inquiring turn of mind, allow me to ask a a question or two more and I have done, In what way does plaster benefit a crop, when applied? Is it an active fertilizer, or does it attract and retain nourishment from the atmosphere or the soil?

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.]

HOW TO DESTROY WHITE GRUBS. MESSRS. EDITORS-A correspondent, some time last fall, writes you that the white grubs destroyed his nursery, and asked for a remedy. As I have not seen an answer, I will give him some of my experience with them. In the spring of 1846, a field came into my possession which had been infested with the large white grub for 15 years, to my certain knowledge, to such an extent that they would destroy every hoed crop, and most of the grass or grain. I built a barn near the field, and stocked it with fifteen common hens. When I commenced plowing in the spring, with a little grain I trolled them into the field, and they quickly learned to follow the furrow, greedily swallowing all the grubs in sight. The field was planted to corn.

When I stopped working the land, they commenced scratching, and every time the corn was hoed and hilled the hens would level the ground again. Indeed they dug closely to the roots of the corn, often laying them bare to such an extent that I was fearful they would destroy the crop; but it was far otherwise; the crop was a good one, I have been led to these last questions, from some queer and not a single stalk missing, where there had not been statements made in regard to its application. For instance, any corn raised for fifteen years, although several times one individual says he has used it in his garden, upon tried. The worms were entirely exterminated that year, cucumbers, melons, squashes and vegetables generally, and there have never been any seen in the field since. with decided advantage, but that it is just as well to put it Now if your correspondent is a practical man, which he into a tin cup, or dish of any kind, and place it near the no doubt is, he will know how to adopt these hints to his plant as to sprinkle it upon the ground around the plant--particular circumstances, without any advice from me, if the benefit being as great in one case as the other; this he should think it worth a trial. he knows, for he has tried the experiment. Of course, if Beekmantown, N. Y. he knows, that ends the matter-nothing more need be said. His reasoning upon the subject is about as clear as mud-I shall not attempt to give it.

I believe there are many opinions as to the effect of plaster, or how it operates as a fertilizer, as well as to the application of other manures. I think the best way is for every one to make and apply all the manure he can, in some form or other, and the man who keeps his eyes open, and observes as he goes along, will be likely to learn about as much from experience as from the multitude of theories advanced. J. L. R. Jefferson Co., N. Y

When timothy and clover are sown together, the latter being mostly (not always) a biennial plant, usually gives place to the former about the third year, unless special pains are taken to re-seed the clover. Plaster is usually very useful to clover, but very little so to timothy or grain crops, and we would not recommend it for them. We prefer, as a general rule, to sow quite early in spring, but we have known striking results in some instances, when sown after the clover was six inches high.

J. A.

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] CATERPILLARS ON FRUIT TREES. MESSRS. EDITORS-There is an old adage which says that "an ounce of preventive is worth a pound of eure." Allow me to advise your fruit growing readers to apply this wise saying to their fruit trees at once, and destroy the embryo "apple tree caterpillars" that infest them. To some this advice will not need to be given, to others it is very important, for an hour spent now in destroying this caterpillar's eggs and freshly hatched young, will save days a few weeks hence, when they have spread forth their tents to our view and great disgust. At the present date, April 20th, to 30th, the eggs of this moth-the "American Lacky Moth," are commencing to hatch, and à little practice in close observation of our trees will enable any one to easily find and destroy them. For the benefit of those that are not acquainted with their appearance I will describe them. And perhaps the words of Dr. Fitch, our accomplished State Entomologist, are more appropriate and accurate than any I can give. He says:Intelligent chemists now favor the opinion that plaster "The eggs from which these caterpillars come are placed proves beneficial by forming a constituent part of the plant. near the ends of the twigs, in clusters, forming a ring, or Hence early sowing facilitates its early solution by rains and rather a broad, thick belt, surrounding the branch entire. ly or in part. In these belts I have counted from 300 its descent among the roots. There are, however, theories to 330 eggs. They are about three-fourths of an inch in enough beside for our correspondent to choose such as he length, and a tenth of an inch thick. The eggs are covered likes best. As specimens we condense a few, as given by over with a thick coating of glutinous matter, which entirely a German chemical writer, as follows: According to hides them from view, and protects them from the weather." Kollner, the lime forms useful compounds with the oxygen discover these eggs, and now is the time for active work. This description being so clear will enable any one to and carbonic acid of the air; according to Ruckert, it acts Many are already hatched, and the young worms will be merely as food; according to Mayer, it improves the tex-found usually toward the end of the same twig upon ture of the soil; according to Riel, it is an essential con- which they were hatched but being minute will not stituent of the plant; Hedwig called it the gastric juice of be seen without careful examination-they should all the plant; Girtaner, and others, regarded it as a stimu- be crushed and the unhatched eggs carried to a fire and lant; Chaptet supposed that it was useful by absorbing burnt, for if merely scaled off and dropped upon the water. According to Laubender, it merely excites without ground, they will hatch and find their way to the tree. mixing with the sap; according to Liebig, it absorbs am- With the most careful examination, some clusters will monia; according to Sprengel, it supplies sulphur; others escape, but the work of destruction will be comparatively have thought that it promoted fermentation in the soil. small afterwards. And before concluding again, allow me We hope our correspondent will not understand that we to give farther advice, namely-cherish the presence propose to endorse all these views-some of them, on the around your homes of that bird of beautiful plumage and contrary, have been proved erroneous by direct experi-sweet song, the American Oriole, or hanging bird; plant ment-but in citing so many, we merely aim to show how doctors disagree.

a few trees of the weeping elm, from whose slender branches he can swing his nest and rear his young, and

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(For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.]

Roup in Fowls---Homœopathic Treatment, &c. Of all diseases domestic fowls are subjected to, the one we most dread is the roup, catarrh, or swelled head. All fowls, and particularly pheasants, are liable to it, and it generally proves fatal. In most cases we should say, kill a roupy fow! at once, unless it is valuable, as the ri-k of its contaminating the whole yard is great. At all events, when disease of any kind seizes an individual, it is safest to remove it from the others as soon as discovered, and put it by itself, or it may spread over the whole flock.

in

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] DRIVING BEES.

MESSRS. EDITORS-In answer to the inquiry of "B. B. B.," ving bees, that if it must be done, the 21st or 22d day after your issue of May 3d, relative to the proper time for drithe issue of the first swarm is the best time to secure the least possible waste. The reason why, is obvious, from the fact that no eggs will be deposited until another queen, as yet immature, matures, becomes impregnated and assumes maternal duties. By this time, the eggs last deposited by the old queen-excepting a few in drone cells have hatched, become larve, passed through the various metamorphoses, and together with the pre-existing larvæ and sealed brood have come forth from the cells matured, leaving the combs nearly empty of brood. There is no other period, during the working season of bees, when the combs contain so little brood. If bees are driven as soon as they commence working in the spring, there is much danger of their starving, unless liberally fed; and further, will be of but little or no profit to their keeper that season; for the reason, that in spring, they are comparatively few in numbers, and if they are obliged to build combs, requiring a large amount of honey, time and labor, a long time must necessarily elapse before the new progeny of the queen will be added to their numbers, during which their own scanty few are daily diminishing, so that the colony will be very much reduced by the time of the new recruits. Besides this, there will be much loss of valuable

By some it is considered a catarrhal disease, similar to the influenza in human beings, producing a thickened state of the membrane lining the nostrils, mouth and tongue. It is supposed to originate in changes of weather and variations of temperature; and the malady becomes confirmed with running at the nostrils, swollen eyes, and other well known symp-brood in the combs from which the colony is to be driventoms-they are termed roupy. The symptoms most prominent are difficult and noisy breathing, a sort of rattling in the throat. The head becomes feverish and much swollen, and the eyelids livid, with decay of sight and total blindness. There is considerable discharge at the nostrils of foetid matter; at the commencement thin and limpid, but afterwards becoming thick, putrid and very offensive.

About ten days ago we discovered our Golden Pheasant to be ailing, moping about, feathers staring, and one eye partly closed, rending it difficult for him to pick up his food. On a relose examination, we found his head feverish and much swolden, one eye closed, some foetid matter running from his nostrils, his tongue and the roof of his mouth coated with a yellow substance, -all sure indications of the presence of roup. Being a rare and costly bird, we were very anxious to save him if possible, as we had suffered by the loss of one of the same kind of bird two years ago. Noticing in the 5th number of the present volume of the Country Gentleman, an article on Homopathic treatment of fowls for this disease, we commenced by bathing his head, around his eyes and nostrils, with sugar-of-lead-water-his head being hot and feverish; then administered four or five drops of belladonna, diluted with an equal amount of water. Before giving the belladonna, we caused the eyes and nostrils to be washed with the arnica lotion, wiping out the offensive matter collected there; then putting him in a warm cage. This treatment was repeated for three days. After the second operation we found evident improvement, the swelling of the head gradually decreasing, his eye open, and picking up his food. After the third operation, and fourth day, the effect of the medicine was so apparent, that we restored him to his old quarters, so far recovered that he is running about eating and drinking as freely as ever. Springside, N. Y. C. N. BEMENT.

(For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] GOOD VARNISH.

MESSRS. EDITORS-I send you a recipe to make an excel lent varnish, in answer to the query of a "Subscriber," in No. 15, present vol. of "Co. Gent.," which we recommend particularly as applicable and beneficial to leather, such as boots, shoes, harness, &c., and will also answer a good purpose to hasten the finish of furniture made of wood, being perfectly dry in fifteen minutes after being applied. In the application of it, it will be necessary to prepare the article, whether of leather or wood, with a coating of oil; the former with fc mer with fish oil, and with linseed for the latter: Take 1 gallon of Alcohol.

1 pound of Gum Shellac.

8 ounces White Turpentine.

4 ounces Rosin.

2 ounces Oil of Lavender.

And when used for leather, 1 ounce of Lampblack

Put the ingredients all together in a clean crock, let it stand about two weeks well covered. Stir it once a day, and when fully dissolved, it will be fit for use. D. SHALLENBERGER. Pike Run, Pa

to say nothing of the value of the combs themselves.
Having stated what was required by your correspondent, I
would now caution him, as well as others who may be inter-
ested, against the ruinous practice of driving bees too fre-
quently. If the combs have become mouldy or filled with
diseased brood, it might be advisable to drive the bees into a
clean empty hive, or what is better still, one filled with bright
healthy combs. Do not by any means drive the bees if the
combs are healthy and in good condition, even though they
have been in use five or six years. Should any bee-keeper
still persist in changing his bees as frequently as some, it
would be far more economical to use Langstroth's movable
frames, and transfer the best combs and those containing
brood to the frames, which can be done at any season of the
year. M. M. BALDRIDGE. Middleport, Niagara Co., N. Y.
RED ANTS.

Will any of your readers give through the columns of the COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, a remedy which has been tried and found effectual, for the plague of small red ants, which infest our sugar and cake closets in July and August, and oblige Middletown, Conn. A DISTRESSED HOUSEKEEPER. We have been told that by spreading ordinary cotton-batting upon the shelf, and placing the bowls of sugar or plates of cake upon it, the red ants may be prevented from getting into them-their legs not being adapted for use upon the loose and fibrous cotton.

This remedy has the advantage of cheapness and facility of trial, and we should like to learn the result if any of our readers put it to the test.

1

[For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] THE BEE-MOTH.

MESSRS. EDITORS-The bee-moths are excessively annoying here, and as I know of no remedy but lifting the gums every morning, which is very troublesome, I would like very much to get a hive which would keep out these insects. There are a great many patent hives for sale here at the south; but they are generally so complicated, and so many have proven to be failures in respect to keeping out the moth, that I have no confidence.". A have my bees hived in the hollow of a gum log, sawed off 21 feet long. Common salt sprinkled under the bottom of these gums or hives keep the moths off in some measure. But still I find some every two or three mornings. N. A. C. Tillon, Geo.

(For the Country Gentleman and Cultivator.] CLAMS AND OYSTERS.

Four eggs-half a pint sweet milk or cream-twelve clams.
Bake fifteen to twenty minutes.
OYSTERS-three eggs, half a pint cream-half pint oysters,
and a little salt-bake.

Y.

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