120 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



about twelve inches long, and in that shape dried iot 

 burning. 



Clay, of itself, will undergo a process of calcination, 

 when dried (See BURNT CLAY) and we believe that, wiih a 

 suitable quantity of eiiner horse or cowdung, mixed with itj 

 and prepared in this way, it would answer tolerably well 

 for fuel, particularly when burned in a grate, with a trifle 

 of dry wood to set fire to the mass. Nor would this be any 

 great waste of manure ; as the ashes, thus made, or rather 

 the burnt clay, would probably be nearly, or quite, as val- 

 uable, as a manure, as the dung which would thus be 

 wasted. 



We would, lastly, mention that, in the Domestic Ency- 

 clopedia, published by Dr. Mease, of Philadephia, a fuel is 

 recommended, which is made of clay, with a suitable quan- 

 tity either of common coal, or charcoal, ground fine, and 

 mixed evenly with the mass ; when it is shaped in suitable 

 moulds, and dried for use. 



We are induced to think favorably of this method of 

 making fuel, as it is probable a small quantity of the last- 

 mentioned coal is sufficient, and Chat no great quantity of 

 the first is requisite ; though this must depend on the qual- 

 ity of that material. 



It is also said, that the shives of flax, or hemp, mixed 

 with clay, and dried as before mentioned, make good fuel. 



In the same Work, directions are also given tor making 

 fuel balls, as they are there called, for the purpose of 

 kindling fires, as follows : Take equal parts of coal and 

 charcoal, ground fine ; mix them with clay; form the mass 

 into balls, about as large as hen's eggs; dip them in a 

 strong solution of saltpetre, and then dry them; when they 

 will be found quite inflammable. 



FULLER'S THISTLE ( Dijisacus ) The heads of these 

 are used ior raising the knap on fi^e woolen cloths. From 

 their present scarcity, in our infant Manufactories, they 

 command a great price; and are, therefore, worthy of 

 attention. 



Sow the seeds, at the rate of about a peck to the acre, 

 about the first of May, on ground properly prepared by 

 ploughing and harrowing. Keep down the weeds by hoe- 

 ing, and let the plants stand about a foot asunder : All the 

 rest are to be cut away. Hoe them as often as the weeds 

 rise. The heads do not form until the second Summer. 

 When they are fit to cut, which will be about the first 

 of August, let them then be cut, tied in bundles, and dried, 

 under cover, or in the open air, according to the state 

 of the weather. 



