PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS* CLUB. 369 



trees. Its seeds and the white and red elm ripen in May, and 

 should be planted then. Sometimes such are found in abunda, ce 

 along streams. Tulip white wood comes from Southern Illinois, 

 and sells at about six dollars a thousand. Sugar maple and the 

 ashes mature their seed in autumn, and should be planted then, or 

 mixed with damp sand or mold, to keep it from drying, and planted 

 early in the spring. The American larch or tamarack sell from 

 five to eight dollars a thousand, and the European larch from .six 

 to twelve dollars; both grow fast, and are useful for ladders, hay- 

 racks, &c. European varieties are not as hardy or as valuable as 

 our natives. 



Mr. N. C. Meeker — Our prairie farmers will be under obligations 

 to the friend of everg^reens and hard-wood trees for the suo-o-estions 

 thrown out in the above communication. 



Treatment of Poultry. 

 Mr. C. Taber, Brooklyn, L. I., recommends a close barn, shed, 

 or cellar, with windows on the sunny side, and one opening to let 

 them out when the weather tempts, secures the first condition. 

 With nothing but an open hovel, or the still more open trees for 

 them to roost in, with the mercury down among the zeroes, the 

 fountain of eggs is completely frozen up. If the ground is frozen, 

 give them fresh earth occasionally from the cellar, so as to replen- 

 ish their grinding organs with pebbles. Ashes for them to dust 

 in should also take the place of the dry earth in summer, and they 

 should have meat in some form — the most available of which is the 

 pressed cakes or greaves from the tallow manufacturers. A spoiled 

 liver or other meat from the butcher, boiled and cut from occa- 

 sionally, is excellent. Then some chopped cabbage or mashed 

 boiled potatoes, with a little corn and wheat screenings or other 

 grain, and a few pounded bones, lime, or oyster shells, ^\nth which 

 to cover the eggs, will complete the diet. Feed regularly every 

 morning, and always in the same place. The hens will be found 

 in waiting for their breakfast, and almost before they have finished 

 will run ofi' to the nests for relief. Hot buckwheat cakes are also 

 excellent, and they should have tvarm drink occasionally. It is a 

 great mistake to compel hens to eat snow and ice. Try the above 

 gentle persuasives, and they will reciprocate the kindness, and 

 cackle their thanks as they drop an egg about every other day — 

 at least the writer's have done this in the late severe weather. 



[Am. Inst.] X 



