154 Extracts from the Journals. [Jan., 



her doubts. Science has already investigated the subject, and dis- 

 covered, 



First, That the evil consists primarily in a deficient quantity of 

 lime in the soil, and after a few years of bad farming, a deficiency 

 also of animal and vegetable matter. 



Second, That the only remedy is to supply the soil with those 

 deficient materials. 



Mrt, at once assures us that lime cannot be procured in quanti- 

 ties and at a price that will admit of its being employed exten- 

 sively for such a purpose, and that it would be hopeless to attempt 

 to procure animal and vegetable matter sufficient to enrich a com- 

 mon farm. 



Science, more calculating, takes the subject under consideration. 

 She ascertains that it would require from 100 to 200 bushels of 

 lime to effect an essential and permanent change in the quality of 

 one acre of our clay lands. This would cost from $25 to $50; 

 but that from one or two bushels of Plaster of Paris, correctly em- 

 ployed, would answer an equally good or better purpose. This 

 might cost seventy-five cents. 



TO GUARD SHEEP FROM THE DEPREDATION OF 



DOGS. 



The American Agriculturist recommends the active, red, 

 sharp horned cattle of New England. First put a few active 

 cows with their sucking calves into the pastures with the flock, 

 with four or five three year old steers. Take a gentle dog into 

 the field with a long light cord about his neck, the cord held in 

 the person's hand, and then set him on the sheep. The cows 

 W'ill at once proceed to attack the dog in defence of their calves, 

 and the steers will follow their example. The sheep will retreat 

 behind them. A few exercises of this kind will be sufficient to 

 break in the steers, when the cows may be removed from the pas- 

 ture. They will then gore any dog who attempts to molest the 

 sheep. It is well known that a sheep killing dog, like all sheep 

 stealers, are great cowards, and will flee on the first appearance 

 of danger. 



What food will produce the most wool. — The Boston Culti- 

 vator maintains that that food which contains the most albumen 

 is the best for sheep. Hence, peas, beans, and vetches may be 

 regarded as those substances in which the most material is found 

 which is peculiarly adapted to the growth of wool. 



