THB GENESEE FAEMER. 





Cnmiiuuiirntiiniii imii (BMturinl iOote. 



Under tte above liead we give a number of letters, with editorial notes, some of them 

 received just as we were going to press, and requiring answers previous to the issue of 

 our June number. 



Lice on Cattle. — We have received several inquiries as to the best means to get rid of lice on 



cattle. Grease or oil will kill theni, buttermilk or whey they do not like, and fine sand thrown over 



the animal removes them. A decoction of cedar bark or tobacco is also recommended by some, and 



Scotch snuff by others. 



♦♦-. 



(A Subscriber, Montgomery City, Pa.) Guano. — Previous to sowing, the guano should be passed 

 through a seive, to take out all the lumps, which must be broken fine, till they will pass through the 

 seive. Unless this is done, the lumps destroy all vegetation where they fall. It should never be 

 placed contiguous to seed, but should be well mLxed with the soil near it. In using it for corn, it is 

 convenient to sow it just as the corn is up, and cover it with the hoe. If, hoAvever, it could be sown 

 and mLxed with the soil in the hill previous to planting, we should prefer it, as it then gives the corn 

 a better start. From 200 to 400 lbs. per acre may be sown. It will increase the crop considerably, 

 but whether sufficiently to pay for the application at the present price of guano and corn, we do nqt 

 know, though we are afraid it will not. Please send us the result of the application. 



Bog Lime. — I have an acre and a half of bog lime, or shell marl, and I would much 

 like to know its value and the proper method of using it to the best advantage. I find, 

 when burned, it forms a substance white as chalk. Now, if you, or any of your readers, 

 can inform me whether it is prudent to use it as a fertilizer in its crude state, or whether 

 it must undergo some certain process before using, I shall be much obliged. J. A. G. — 

 Hillsdale. 



It is impossible to jndge correctly of its value, without some knowledge of its chemical composition. 

 Is there much organic matter driven away in burning ? Does the white substance left as ash effer- 

 vesce on the addition of vinegar ? If so, it is probably chalk ; but there may be alkalies and phosphates 

 united with it that would make a very valuable manure. "We would use some in the crude and some 

 in the burnt state, befoi'e making extensive application of it. 



Manure dropped in Summer. — Will you give information through your valuable 

 paper, respecting the use of manure dropped in the yard or otherwliere. I pick it up in 

 the morning, and immediately cover it with loam or some other material that takes up 

 the moisture, so that it will not escape into the atmosphere. I wish to know which is 

 the best mode of using it. Shall I haul it out in the fall, and plow it under ; or heap it 

 up till spring, and then plow under ? A Subscriber. 



In the fermentation of dung, there is given off water, carbonic acid, and carbonate of ammonia. 

 The loss of water, of course, is of no consequence, and if the manure is used for wheat or corn, the 

 carbonic acid is of little value. But the carbonate of ammonia is the grand fertilizer for all our cereal 

 grain crops, and it is particularly needed on all wheat fai-ms. If this is retained in the manure, the 

 more it is fermented the better, as there is then less bulk to cart, spread, and plow under, and the 

 mineral elements are probably rendered in a better state for assimilation by the process of decompo- 

 sition. To retain the ammonia is the great difficulty ; for as it is much lighter than atmosjiherie air, it 

 is very prone to take to itself wings and fly away, leaving the manure a comparatively worthless mass. 

 The heap should never be suffered to get hotter than blood heat ; and then if it is covered with loam 

 or other absorbent substance, and is not drenched with rains and the rain water from the buildings, 

 most of the ammonia, and soluble phosphates, and alkalies will be retained, which will act quick, and 

 K would therefore be most beneficial if applied to spring crops. 



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