NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



271 



is often caused by the horse standing or being used 

 much in the wind, and then allowed to remain in 

 the stall, with the feet uncleansed, in a cold, moist 

 place. I have a horse which three or four years 

 ago was diseased in this way. He remained so 

 nearly all winter, from the fact that I did not 

 know how to cure him. But I finally tried a re 

 medy, which very soon after the application effect- 

 ed a cure, — a lasting one, — for he has not been 

 troubled since. This remedy was linseed oil, mixed 

 with a small quantity of white lead, applied and 

 well rubbed in. Other remedies may be effectual, 

 but this had the desired effect in the case I have 

 mentioned. A. Todd. 



Smith field, R. I., April, 1852. 



Remarks. — The remedy mentioned above is also 

 excellent for galls, but should be used cautiously, 

 as the lead is a poisonous substance. We are al- 

 ways glad to hear a friendly word of that noble, 

 but sadly abused animal, the horse. 



A NEW GRASS. 



It was the intention of the writer of the follow- 

 ing letter that it should be read at a recent agri- 

 cultural meeting at the State House, when the sub- 

 ject under discussion was Grains and Grasses. — 

 From some cause it was not read, and it came to 

 us too late to be connected with the report of that 

 meeting. The subject of grasses deserves more at- 

 tention than it has yet received. The universal 

 crop of New England, timothy, or herds grass, we 

 are inclined to think is not the best among the 

 grasses for hay. We hope the grass of which Mr. 

 Willard speaks will have a widely extended trial. 



Lancaster, Feb. 23, 1852. 



To Hon. Isaac Davis : 



Dear Sir : — Feeling deep interest in the ob- 

 ject of the agricultural meetings held in the State 

 House, andBearning that you are expected to pre- 

 side at the next, and that the subject for discus- 

 sion is to be Grasses, will you permit me through 

 the chair to offer a brief description of a new vari- 

 ety, which I think, from some years' careful culti- 

 vation and various experiments, worthy to be 

 known and circulated as a valuable accession to 

 those at present cultivated by our yeomanry. It 

 has been analyzed, and is said to be a species of 

 Bromus, materially different from any thing I had 

 ever seen, till I found a single plant where I had 

 sown with imported English turnip, dressed with 

 guano. 



Its surpassing luxuriance and richness as feed 

 in pasture, and for summer soiling; its hardiness 

 and verdure, even in seasons of drought, and in 

 sandy soils, when and where other grasses fail ; 

 the heavy crops it yields in rich soil, and the avid- 

 ity with which it is eaten by all kinds of stock ; 

 its power to hold up clover, (when sowed with it,) 

 by its elasticity, so as not to lodge, and become 

 slippery and bad to mow ; its peculiar adaptation 

 as feed for milch cows, both green and dry ; the 

 superior fertilizing properties of the fleece plowed 

 in green, for manure, particularly for wheat and a 

 turnip crop, are among its properties. And last, 

 though not least, the value of the seed, (besides to 

 sell and to sow,) as food for poultry, of which I 



was not aware till since harvesting my last crop, 

 which being abundant, I have found the advantage 

 of a free use of it. The size of the seed is between 

 that of millet and rye. I think it may be prefera- 

 ble to hemp seed, for canaries, at least to mix. I 

 have tried it boiled and ground, for swine, horses 

 and neat stock, and am satisfied, from the fond- 

 ness of every animal for it, and from its gluten, 

 that, in its nutritive properties, it more resembles 

 flax seed than any otter. From the high price, 

 and the demand for the seed, I have not used it 

 sufficiently to speak confidently of its fattening 

 value ; but intend to know, by fair trial. We cut 

 it for seed as soon as it begins to turn yellow, as 

 it shells very easy. The straw is of course good 

 fodder or bedding. We had six tons thrashed last 

 week. Very respectfully yours, 



Benjamin Willard. 



For the New England Farmer. 

 A SUGGESTION FOR FARMERS. 



After the farmer has examined and repaired all 

 his farming implements that are worth repairing, 

 and thrown away all his old-fashioned, ill-construc- 

 ted plows, harrows, &c, and ordered those that 

 will do his work easily, and in a proper manner ; 

 and after he has planned every piece of work to be 

 done during the coming season, such as plowing, 

 fence making, draining, building, &c, there is one 

 piece of work, which, if not already done, should 

 not longer be neglected, and this is, putting win- 

 dows into the gable ends of the barns. 



These should be made to open and shut by slid- 

 ing horizontally, or if there is not sufficient room 

 for this, they may he hung on hinges at the top. 

 In either case they should be opened and shut by 

 means of cords and pulleys ; the end of the cord 

 reaching the barn floor, or within reach of the 

 smallest boy that will ever be sent to shut or open 

 them. Any practical mechanic will, with five pul- 

 leys and a sufficient quantity of cord, very readily 

 do this. The whole cost will not exceed $2,50 for 

 each window, or $5 to each barn, using new well 

 painted sashes, with twelve panes of 7 by 9 glass. 

 If they are done properly, no repairs will be called 

 for in many years. 



These windows are of great use in giving proper 

 ventilation to the hay and grain, but of much more 

 consequence to the health and comfort of the men 

 who pitch and mow the hay. The air rarified by 

 the heat from the roof passes out through the win- 

 dow, thereby creating a draft which is so much to 

 be desired during the sultry days of July and Au- 

 gust, making the barn as cool as the shade. 



I applied these windows to three barns last sea- 

 son, and during the haying, was more than repaid 

 for the trouble and expense incurred. 



David Lyman. 



Middlctown, Ct., Feb. 18, 1852. 



Mass. Horticultural Society. — We have re- 

 ceived the addresses of the retiring President and 

 President elect of this society, and also the sched- 

 ule of prizes for 1852, which amounts to the sum 

 of $2,520,00. The amount appropriated for 

 fruits is $020,00 ; for vegetables, $250,00 ; for 

 bouquets, wreaths, designs, &c, to be awarded at 

 the Annual Exhibition, $700,00. 



