373 



with the oily matter, should be scraped off and a fresh supply 

 used, after which a much larger proportion of the preserving soup 

 should be applied than in other birds which are not fat. If, how- 

 ever, the oil should get on the feathers, dilute a little ox gall with 

 water, and apply it with a sponge, washing with pure water 

 immediately afterwards. The following is a recipe for making 

 arsenical soap. We have kept skins free from insect attacks in an 

 open box for nearly twenty-four months by its means : Take 

 arsenic, ^ Ib. ; camphor, ij ozs. ; white soap, ^ Ib. ; salt of tartar, 

 3 o/s. ; and powdered lime, i oz. ; cut the soap in small thin 

 slices, put into a crucible with a small quantity of water, hold over 

 a gentle lire, and stir frequently with a wooden spatula. When 

 properly melted the powdered lime and salt of tartar may be 

 added, and thoroughly mixed. Now take it off the lire and add 

 the arsenic, gently stirring all the time. Reduce the camphor into 

 a powder in a mortar, with the addition of a little spirits of wine. 

 The camphor may now be added, and well mixed with the com- 

 position whilst oft" the lire, to assist in incorporating the ingredi- 

 ents, but do not heat it too much, as the camphor will escape 

 rapidly. It may now be poured into small earthenware pots, and 

 allowed to cool. This composition, if well made, will be about the 

 thickness of ordinary flour paste. W T hen you use it, put as much 

 as you imagine you will require into a small shallow pot, adding an 

 equal proportion of water. Apply the lather, with a bristle brush, 

 using first of all some solution of corrosive sublimate to the rump, 

 inside wings and legs, head, &c. Keep the composition as close 

 as possible, as it is a deadly poison. Australasian Farmer. 



DIGGING. To dig with a spade an acre of land, from 9 to 12 

 inches deep, a man will take from 14 to 21 clays in recently moved 

 soil. If old lea, will take, in some cases, double the time. 

 McConnclVs Note Book. 



DUMOULIX'S LIQUID AND UNALTERABLE GLUE. This is one 

 of the oldest forms, and one of the best. It is prepared as follows : 

 Soak 8 ozs. of best glue in half-pint of water in a wide-mouthed 

 bottle, and melt by heating the bottle in a water bath. Then add 

 slowly 2^ ozs. of nitric acid, spec. gr. i'33O, stirring constantly. 

 Effervescence takes place under escape of nitrous acid gas. When 

 all the acid has been added the liquid is allowed to cool Keep it 

 well corked, and it will be ready for use at any moment. It does 

 not 'geletanise, or putrify, or ferment. It is applicable to many 

 domestic uses, such as mending china, wood, &c. An iron pot 

 cannot be used in making this liquid glue, as the acid would act on 

 the metal. Glass or earthenware must be used. Trade. " Secrets}' 



EXCAVATION TEN HOURS WORK OF A LABORER. Hacking 

 ground with a pick, and thinning out ready for removal Compact 

 vegetable earth, 22 cubic yds. ; loamy clay, 16 cubic yds. ; stiff 

 clay, 10 cubic yds. ; hard gravelly soil, 7 cubic yds. ; chalk, 5 cubic yds. 



