For the New England Farmer other, if the soil possesses anything like a fair my neighbors, that the treatment will produce a degree of fertility; but this looked like indis- most astonishing effect upon the growth and procriminate slaughter, and could not be thought of duct of the bushes, and would advise others to for a moment. The finest specimens of garden give it a trial." products, which we see exhibited at horticultural shows, are those which have been well thinned and allowed every opportunity to develop themselves freely; and the same is true of ornamental plants, where a full, rich and luxuriant growth and bloom are obtained through the adoption of the same principle.-Country Gentleman. TALES OF A TRAVELLER. Somebody who signs "Far East" in the last weekly Farmer, and whose knowledge seems to exceed his faith, seems disturbed at my seeing white pines and hemlocks in the neighborhood of Baden-Baden, and thinks the discovery "will THE INTERIOR OF NORTH AMERICA. create quite an uproar amongst the botanists." Prof. Henry, of the Smithsonian Institution, He says truly that the trees in question "are held has collected facts representing the interior of to be natives of the new world only." Indian the United States, which will command the atten- corn and tobacco are held to be natives of the tion of scientific men and statesmen. The in duction from these facts is, that the entire region new world only, but fields of them are growing of the United States west of the 98th degree all along in Germany. I am myself a native of west longitude, (say the western boundary of the new world, and yet there are many who would Minnesota,) with the exception of a small portion testify that they saw me in Europe last summer. of Western Texas and the narrow border along But as to the white pines near Baden-Baden. the Pacific, (including California,) is a sterile waste of comparatively little value, and which can On the 3d day of August last I walked out with never be available to the agriculturist. The im- three friends from Canada, up a short, steep hill, portance of this statement will be more fully close by that city of fashion and folly. I was comprehended when it is considered that the line struck at finding myself among white pine trees, of Prof. Henry, which extends southward from which extended over many acres, covering the Lake Winnipeg to the Mexican Gulf, will divide the surface of the United States into two nearly steep side hill so far that I could not see their equal parts. termination. They looked thrifty, and as if they The intense heat and extreme dryness of this might have had forty or fifty years' growth, and region, which will make the Great American the ground beneath them was covered with their Plains a barren waste forever, is caused to a large leaves. I was as much surprised at the sight as extent, according to Prof. Henry's theory, by the passage over the ocean, after depositing a portion fact that the returning Trade Winds, sweeping our "Far East" friend is at the statement, and over the elevated masses of the Rocky Moun- while my companions reposed on the grass, I tains, are deprived of their moisture; in other wandered off to find a branch low enough to exwords, the heated air which ascends at the equator, amine, and finally returned with a handful of saturated with moisture it has extracted in its twigs, and explained to them my botanical noof its vapor in the tropics at the rainy seasons, is tions. They were white pines, as we all knew, further dessicated by the ridges and mountains though we were as much surprised at meeting which it meets, the vapor being condensed on the them as they were at meeting us, so far from windward side by the cold due to the increased home. The hemlocks I saw at the "old castle," vertical height, and it finally passes over and six miles, I think, from the watering-place. There strikes the plains as dry as a sponge which has been thoroughly squeezed. Without moisture is a heavy forest close about the ruins, and large there can be no fertility, no agriculture; and a trees growing up inside the walls, indicating the great portion of this wilderness, according to great antiquity of the structure. I took one of Prof. Henry, is as irredeemably barren, for the purposes of agriculture, as the deserts of Africa. my friends back a long way to convince him that If this theory be true, it will greatly modify the there were large maples growing there. The opinions which have been entertained by politi- woods look as wild as a New Hampshire mouncians and statesmen of the future destiny of the tain, and we spoke of the remarkable variety of "Great West." forest trees, as we looked down upon them from the towering old walls. As to how our native SOAP SUDS FOR CURRANT BUSHES.-A cor- trees came there, history is by no means silent. respondent of the Indiana Farmer says: "I have found the cultivation of currants to be very profiLoudon, in his Arboretum, vol. 1, p. 147, says: table. By care and attention I greatly increased "The margraves of Baden have, from the earthe size of the bushes and the quality of the liest ages, been much attached to planting and fruit. My bushes are now about six or eight feet gardening. The worthy old margrave Charles, in height, and are remarkably thrifty. The cause who died about 1805, and one of his sons yet of this large growth I attribute, in a great meas- alive, may be reckoned amongst the most zealous ure, to the fact that I have been in the habit of promoters of the planting of foreign trees and pouring soap-suds and chamber-ley around their shrubs, in proof of which we need only refer to roots during the summer season. I am satisfied, the parks at Carlsruhe, Schwetzingen, Mannheim from my own experience and that of some of and Baden-Baden." EXTRACTS AND REPLIES. MOWING MACHINES. The same author says the planting of the cas-fourths of a mile of fence, all of which fence was tle garden at Heidelberg was begun in 1615, and in due time made. He gathered last harvest"at Haroke, near Helmstadt, there is a very in- 295 bushels of wheat; 150 bushels of corn; 140 bushels of oats; 90 bushels of buckwheat; 85 teresting garden laid out in different scenes, bushels of potatoes; 50 bushels of turnips. Mrs. which are called Canada, Virginia, &c., from the Scofield, in the meantime, made 250 pounds of native countries of the trees planted in them." butter from the milk of four cows, from which we It need not surprise us that our forest trees of infer that she is not herself afraid of work. Mr. Scofield has labored the whole season under the full growth are found all over Europe. The white disadvantage of having no team of his own. This pine (pinus strobus,) was introduced into Kent, deficiency he supplied by "changing work" with in England, so early that the trees "began to bear a neighbor-he himself working one day for the cones with perfect seeds," says Loudon, "about use of the team another day.-Galena Advertiser. 1720.” Perhaps my expression was not precisely accurate when I said that the white pine is found near Baden "in its natural growth." I meant that it grew as it naturally grows, not that MR. EDITOR-I have heard so much said it was a tree that was originally found there. I about this class of implements, that I sought the presume the pines I had in mind were grown abstract of returns from the several societies, to from the seed artificially planted, and that the learn which was best to be purchased. But to present forest about the old castle sprang up of and these in a manner that I could not demy astonishment, I found there only three spoken from the seeds and sprouts of those planted there cide which was to be preferred. Allen's, Manny's centuries ago. At all events I defy Nature herself and Ketchum's are the machines mentioned. Áll to make a more "natural growth" than may be seen of these appear to have done good work-but each and all of them are open to exceptions. Is it not time that our farmers should be informed of I hope no Down Easter will hold up to view an implement unexceptionable in its character ? the spelling of some of the proper names in my We do not expect this information from the maletter from Lyons in the April number. It gave kers and venders themselves, because they have me a profitable admonition to write plainer in too much interest in their own wares not to puff future, especially when dealing in the names of French and German places. H. F. FRENCH. April 3, 1858. there now. For the New England Farmer. CULTURE OF MAIZE OR INDIAN CORN. them. But we do expect it from those who are REMARKS.-We think our correspondent, *, is It is refreshing, in these days of visionary asking too much; there is no mowing machine speculation, to find such salutary instructions as have lately appeared on this subject in that truly in existence, probably, which is "unexceptionable sensible journal, the Country Gentleman. While in its character"—that is, so perfect that no fault one is hunting the arid sands of Africa for Im- can reasonably be found in it. Is it not quite phee, and another is importing his Sorghum (for likely that "those who are clothed with the ausugar) from China-the substantial farmer from the granite hills of New Hampshire tells how we thority of the State," may entertain different may prosper best by cultivating our own Indian views of the merits of the several machines, as Corn. This plant we know, and have known it well as others ? ever since our sires first rested on the sands of We can see no other way than for farmers to Plymouth, where it is still cultivated as success-test them for themselves, and then compare the fully as anywhere we know. It is easy to demonstrate that a net profit of fifty dollars an acre opinions made up from such tests. There were can be realized annually by the growing of this several machines used in this State last year crop. Any farmer possessing one hundred acres, which worked well: Manny's, Ketchum's and Alcan find the means of cultivating ten acres of len's were in general use, and we have great concorn, and hence an income of $500. The remain-fidence that the Heath Machine, to which was der of his land will meet other expenses of the family and farm; and let this course of industry awarded the thousand dollar premium, is to take be followed for ten years, he will have the means a high stand among them all. Some errors in of paying for his land, and settling down truly the construction have been corrected, and it is independent. April, 1858. now ready for the public, manufactured with great care, and preserving the plan of the original machine. GUTTA PERCHA PIPE. WHAT AN INDUSTRIOUS MAN CAN DO.-What an industrious man can do in a single year as a farmer on our soil, is sufficiently explained by what Mr. S. P. Scofield, of the town of Russ, in Can you or any of your correspondents inform this county, has done since last March. He com- me where gutta percha pipe can be obtained, and menced by splitting rails enough to make three-at what price per foot for or inch hole, and if it is healthy to use the water passing through it? been raised from two or three hen turkeys. I Also, if it is cheaper than lead pipe, and whether would like to inquire in regard to the feeding and it must be laid in logs or without? Will it bear other care bestowed, by which such a fortunate the pressure that ten ounces lead pipe per foot result was obtained. In this vicinity many of will? W. J. SMITH. our farmers find it extremely difficult to raise even a small number of this valuable fowl. Gloucester, April. 1858. G. H. PROCTER. Ludlow, Vt., 1858. REMARKS.-Gutta percha pipe of any size and in any quantity may be obtained of Charles Stodder, 75 Kilby Street, Boston. It costs about the same as lead pipe; does not affect the water, and need not be laid in logs. Cannot tell you about the pressure it will bear. SHAKER GRAFTING CEMENT. I have forwarded you a few pounds of grafting cement, and wish you to give it a trial. It is composed of such ingredients as make it the best article for grafting in its various forms now in use. It is perfectly pliable at a proper temperature of the weather, and may be spread upon the cut surface of the grafted stalk, with the most perfect ease, with the fingers, by touching them to a little tallow, which all grafters usually have with them. The greatest heat of the sun will not cause it to run off the stalk, neither will it crack or pull of, as most other cements do the second year. PETER A. FOSTER. I have used this cement more than twenty tive in this species of grain, but which had failed years, and have yet seen nothing of the kind that to produce it for some years, except in very diwill equal it. Others who have used it, acknowl- minished quantities. On examining the texture edge it to be the best article in their knowledge. of the straw, it was found to be lax, and very I call it Shaker Grafting Cement. "flabby," something like a towstring, without soShaker Village, Merrimac Co., N. H. lidity or strength. The cause of this was at once REMARKS.-Thank you, Sir. We shall try apparent. The soluble silex of the soil necessayour "Shaker Grafting Cement" in a few days, ry to the production of a firm, glossy straw, and if it proves good, we will tell the "world's been exhausted by the previous crops, and the people" so. LAMP OIL. To Remove Lamp Oil from Cotton and Woolen Goods.-Rub in thoroughly with the hand some clean, fresh lard, let it remain for two or three hours, then apply soft soap, and wash in warm water. This can be depended on. MILCH COWS. had present one had failed from want of a supply. No wheat can be produced where this mineral ingredient does not exist. It is still more difficult to grow barley where there is not considerable sand or gravel. Land for wheat should not be made very rich; if it is, there will be a great growth of long, coarse straw, which will be quite likely to fall before Can you inform me if a book entitled, I think, the berry is formed, and the crop fails. There is "Guenon's Cow Book," is in print now, and where little danger of this in the Indian corn crop-it it can be obtained? The book contained, what will bear almost any amount of manure. Where was claimed to be, a discovery made by Mr. it is intended to lay land to grass with wheat, it Guenon, a Frenchman, of a never-failing means of ascertaining the milking properties of cows by is best to manure rather lightly for the wheat, if the direction of the growth of the hair upon the the land is in tolerably good condition, and add rump of the animal. It was transcribed entire to the fine manure to the young grass immediately the pages of the Monthly Journal of Agricul- after the wheat is harvested. ture, published by Greeley & McElrath, New York. B. F. M. Lowell, Mass., April 12th, 1858. REMARKS.-The book you inquire for may be found at this office, as well as all the best works on agricultural and horticultural subjects. The pamphlet edition of Guenon costs 37 cents. THE BORER.-Mr. TRAVIS, of Natick, states that a mixture of one part salt, two parts fresh slaked lime, and two parts soft soap, applied to the lower limbs and the body of the apple tree, after first scraping the tree gently, will prevent the borer from depositing its eggs in the bark. It should be applied about the middle of April. Some few months since I noticed in your pa- He states that the success of this remedy is comper an article stating that sixty-six turkeys had plete. TURKEYS-HOW TO RAISE ? Every body loves a good horse,-and when As roadsters, coach or stage horses, they can holding the ribbons behind one possessing the scarcely be equalled, while they are rarely excelled symmetry and spirit of the one presented in our in fleetness by any other breed on the turf. engraving, it inspires us with a feeling kindred to R. B. Westover, Esq., of Castleton, Vt., the that which the eagle seems to possess, of going owner, says that Tom Howard, the subject of our where we will without restraint or fear of fatigue. cut, was sired by the celebrated Black Hawk, forFor beauty of form, and power of endurance, merly owned by David Hill, of Bridport, Adadded to gentleness and graceful activity, proba- dison county, Vt., (now dead,) widely known as bly no breed of horses in the world surpasses the sire of Ethan Allen, Lancet, Black Hawk the Morgans. When well treated, they are kind Maid, Bill of Saratoga, Black Ralph, Lady Litchin every harness, and in the hands of those who field, and other famous trotting horses, and as beare willing to take some pains with them, will ing the parental head of this most distinguished soon learn so much of the road or the farm, as family of Morgans. Tom Howard's dam was the to show a surprising degree of intelligence. The noted Henry Mare, sired by Barney's Henry G. Morgans are seldom vicious, are strong, compact, D. Queen Bess, sired by Sherman Morgan, Barsure-footed, and weigh about ten hundred, vary-ney's Henry by Allen's Young Signal, he by old ing both below and above that size occasionally. Imported Signal; his clean, lean head, his broad A friend whose knowledge of horses is scarcely forehead, bold, full and prominent eyes, delicate surpassed by that of any person in New England, ears and flat, clean limbs, give unmistakable evtold us the other day that his father long owned idence of a large infusion of superior blood. a Morgan horse that he frequently drove from Tom Howard is a beautiful raven-black, not a Brattleboro', Vt., to Hartford, Conn., 80 miles, in white hair on him, stands 16 hands high, weighs one day, attached to a chaise containing two per- 1250 pounds, and will be 7 years old the 20th of sons, and that he did this service handsomely af- June. For style, symmetry and action, he canter he was 24 years old! not be surpassed; is a splendid stepper; his colts are justly celebrated for speed, bottom and good temper, and are eagerly sought after, commanding prices from $200 to $2,500, according to age. BEAUTIFUL HANDS. For the New England Farmer. HOW DEEP SHALL WE PLOW? Who can answer this question? the first that arises on going into the field to cultivate. Shall it be four or twelve inches deep? or any intermediate quantity? It would seem, as all plants As a young friend was standing with us notic- that grow make use of twelve inches or more of ing the pedestrians on the sidewalk, a very styl- soil, that it should be stirred to this depth, if ish and elegant girl passed us. "What beautiful practicable. The best cultivators I know, adopt has!" exclaimed our friend. this practice. Those who plow less depth than "What makes them beautiful ?" this have more regard to ease of labor than prof"Why, they are small, white, soft and exquis-its of crops. I am quite well assured, that no itely shaped. The fingers taper down most deli- one can grow a fair crop of Indian corn, wheat cately, and there is a roseate blush on the finger- or barley, on shallow culture. Some are afraid nails that no artist could imitate." to start the hard pan or subsoil, through fear of hands Miss enumerated to make the hand desirable ?" "Is that all that constitutes the beauty of the turning up a barren or unproductive substance. hand? Is not something more to be included in This is because they do not understand their your catalogue of beauty which you have not business. The best way of guarding against drought, the chief bugbear of New England cul"What more would you have ?" ture, is to plow deep and fertilize liberally; tak"Are they charitable hands? Have they ever ing care to save manure from evaporation, by infed the poor? Have they ever carried the ne- termingling or covering it with soil. I am not cessities of life to the widow and the orphan? unmindful that no general rule can be prescribed Has their soft touch ever soothed the irritation that will be suited to all soils and to all crops; of sickness, and calmed the agonies of pain? but still I think there are some principles, which Do the poor bless those rosy-tipped fingers as are applicable, to some extent, to all crops.their wants are supplied by them? Among these, I believe, complete pulverizations "Are they useful hands? Have they been of the soil and complete intermingling of the taught that the world is not a playground, or a manure will be found conspicuous. I have never theatre of display, or a mere lounging place? known any crops to be prejudiced by this being Do those delicate hands ever labor? Are they done; but have often known them to suffer for ever employed about the domestic duties of life the want of these operations. If cultivators -the homely, ordinary employments of the house- would be vigilant in thus applying their energies, hold? Or does the owner leave all that to her they would find their reward, in seasons of harmother, while she nourishes her delicate hands vest. I have personal knowledge of a farm, in idleness? where the soil was considered very gravelly and "Are they modest hands? Will they perform unproductive. On this farm, within ten years their charities or their duties without vanity? last past, deep plowing, say from nine to twelve Or do they pander to the pride of their owner inches, has generally been introduced. The conby their delicacy and beauty? Does she think sequence has been, crops have been grown equal more of their display than of the improvement to those on the best farms around. Whether of her intellect and character? Had she rather deep plowing was the cause or not, I will leave be called 'the girl with the beautiful hands' than for others to say. to receive any other praise for excellency of con- April, 1858. duct or character? "Are they humble hands? Will their owner MR. MORRILL'S LAND BILL.-The Washingextend them to grasp the hard hand of that old ton correspondent of the Philadelphia Enquirer schoolfellow, who sat at the same desk with her says of the new bill giving lands to the States and on the same recitation bench, but who now must earn her living by her labor? Or will they for agricultural and mechanical purposes: remain concealed, in their exclusiveness, in her "The entire amount thus given to the States aristocratic muff, as she sweeps by her former exceeds six millions of acres. Instead of being companion? apportioned according to the various areas in "Are they religious hands? Are they ever acres or square miles, it is distributed on the baclasped in prayer or elevated in praise? Does sis of Congressional representation, allowing she remember the God who has made her to dif- 20,000 acres for each Senator and Representative fer from so many of her sex, and devote her mind, in Congress. The result is that the largest States her heart, her hands, to his service? Does she sometimes gets the smallest quantity of land. try to imitate her Saviour by going about doing The distribution will be as follows: New York, good? Or are her hands too delicate, too beau- 700,000 acres; Pennsylvania, 540,000; Ohio, tiful to be employed in good works? 460,000; Virginia, 300,000; Massachusetts and "These are qualities that make the hand a Indiana, 260,000 each; Kentucky and Tennessee, beautiful one, in my estimation. There is an 240,000 each; Illinois, 220,000; North Carolina amaranthine loveliness in such hands superior to and Georgia 200,000 each; New Jersey and Misthe tapering slenderness of the fingers or the ro- sissippi, 140,000 each; Connecticut, Louisiana seate hue of the nails." and Michigan, 120,000 each; New Hampshire, "P'on, poh, you treat this subject too seriously. Vermont and Wisconsin, 100,000 each; Rhode Besides, you forget the most valuable particular Island, Arkansas, Texas, Iowa and California, tea young man like me. Will she cheerfully give 80,000 each; and Delaware and Florida, 60,000 me that hand to keep?"-Hartford Courant. each." |