The Question Box. Ill 



same milk and found them to agree perfectly. The machine haa 

 been, and is being used in hundreds of factories in this and other 

 States, giving entire satisfaction to all the patrons. If the test 

 were not a fair one, it would have been discarded long ago. 



Question. — Will the Florida velvet bean renovate the soil, as 

 claimed by some writers? They say that one crop will bring up a 

 field that has " been down." If so, how much? 



Mr. Woodward. — That is what is known as the soja bean. It 

 is not as good as the cow pea, and not so easily or safely grown. 

 The hairy vetch is going to be the coming crop for that purpose; 

 but, as yet, it is difficult to procure the seed. 



Question. — What varieties of oats are best? 



Mr. Woodward. — I have been raising " Early Swedish," sev- 

 eral years. I like it best, but it will depend much on the quality 

 of the land. Oats want a balanced ration. If the land is too 

 rich in nitrogen, the oats will fall down. We apply potash and 

 phosphoric acid to the land, because we have nitrogen enough. 



Question. — Is there anything that will prevent peas from being 

 stung, and will they grow after they are stung ? 



Mr. Smith. — A fly stings the pod, lays its egg inside, which 

 hatches into a worm, which in turn becomes a fly. I know of 

 nothing to prevent the stinging process, but the worm in the 

 peas, as well as the fly, or other insect may be exterminated by 

 the use of bisulphide of carbon. Put a little into a saucer or 

 saturate a sponge with it, place it in the bin or bag, cover tightly 

 and let it remain awhile. The sulphide throws off a gas which, 

 being heavier than .the atmosphere, settles and so penetrates the 

 whole mass that it kills all animal life at once. All the large seed 

 dealers employ it. It is also used to kill woodchucks, by placing 

 a little of it in the hole in the ground and then closing the mouth 

 tightly. 



A Farmer. — In what sort of package does it come? 



Dr. Smead. — It is put up in several ways ; but the best is in 

 sealed pint-bottles. Being highly volatile, unless it is kept sealed 

 tightly it soon loses its strength. When the worm has eaten into 

 the pea it spoils it, as the germ has been destroyed. 



Question. — Should farmers favor the central township school 

 in place of the district school? 



Mr. Kreidler. — I will say, yes. Twenty years ago I taught 

 country school, but changes have come. The teacher does not 

 now have time to teach all the branches needed. Then, too, 



