230 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



May 



EXTRACTS AND REPLIES. 



SUNFLOWER SEEDS FOR OIL. 



Will it be convenient in some future number of 

 your paper to give information as to the best man- 

 ner of getting the oil from the sunflower in a pure 

 state, that it may supply the place of our bad whale 

 oil for lamps ? I understand, from what I have 

 read respecting this plant, the oil is equal to the 

 best Florence or oHve oil, and yields, some say 50, 

 some 70 gallons per acre ; while the stalks afford 

 good fuel. 



This plant has been much neglected, but I am 

 persuaded it is worthy of culture, especially at this 

 time, as we can hardly hope to see the best sperm 

 oil come into common use again. We do not think 

 either, how much fertilizing ashes might be had, if 

 the stalks of this plant were used so freely as they 

 might be, if we were accustomed to grow it. 



Yours, respectfully, G. P. s. 



Byjield, 1856. 



Remarks. — An acre of sunflowers, one foot apart 

 each way, will contain 45,560 plants. We find it 

 stated that an average product would be fifty bush- 

 els of the seed and fifty gallons of oil. The oil is 

 said to be excellent for table use, for burning in 

 lamps, and for making soaps. The refuse of the 

 seeds after the oil has been expressed, will produce 

 1500 lbs., and the stalks when burnt for alkali, will 

 give ten per cent, of potash. It would require a 

 powerful 23i"ess to extract the oil, but such an one 

 would soon be found. 



STUMP MACHINE — LIQUID MANURE. 



Mr. Editor : — I once saw a description of a 

 stump machine that pulled the stump by a screw, 

 and cost only twenty or twenty-five dollars. Can 

 you tell me anything in regard to such a machine. 

 (a.) Would you recommend farmers to adopt the 

 plan of using liquid manure as recommended by "T. 

 C, in Farmer Feb. 23 ? As this matter is quite new 

 here, I wish more light in regard to it. With what 

 should the tank be filled after the liquid is drawn 

 ofl", and how often should the liquid be applied to 

 the soil ? Should the tank be built entirely under 

 ground, or only level with the ground so as to be 

 easily opened ? Can they be made water-tight in 

 the manner described byT. C. ? S. G. Butler. 



Essex, Vt., 1856. 



Remarks. — The farmer must be governed in his 

 operations by the same laws which govern the man- 

 ufacturer, the merchant, or commercial maa ; by 

 the circumstances with which he is surrounded and 

 the capital which he can controL If a proper in- 

 vestment in the farm, or implements and stock, ab- 

 sorbs all his capital, we certainly should not advise 

 him to risk a large outlay in the fixtures and con- 

 veniences for liquid manuring, unless he possesses 

 a remarkably enterprising spirit, and means to give 

 farming his entire attention. We are far from be- 

 lieving in Dr. Beecher's theory, that the farmer 

 should 7iever incur a debt. 



But there is a way to begin the good work, which 

 is open to all, 



Jn a convenient spot, eear the buildings, make a 



cistern in the ground, four feet wide, six feet long 

 and eight feet deep, in the clear ; stone, or brick it 

 if perferred, though on firm earth it will answer all 

 purposes cemented directly on the ground itself. A 

 good way is to begin by laying a wall on the surface 

 of the ground, eight to twelve inches high on each 

 side of the tank, leaving the precise demensions de- 

 sired. Let the stones have a face inside, and level 

 the top to receive the plank which is to cover it. 

 Cement the joints of the wall, and then turf over the 

 outside. Then excavate the inside, being careful 

 not to disturb the wall. Into this cistern, conduct 

 the sink water, and over it set the privy ; in the 

 other end set a stout pump stock, and the cistern 

 is complete. It would also be well to conduct the 

 water from the roofs of the house into it at will. — 

 The cistern would be stronger if made round, in- 

 stead of square or oblong. The pump should be 

 made of inch boards, and about six inches square. 



Here, then, is a receptacle for all sorts of cast-off 

 stuff"; nothing of a perishable natm'e can hardly 

 come amiss. During a portion of the year liquid 

 contents may be applied directly to the fields, by 

 the aid of a cask mounted on wheels. Then, as an 

 adjunct, there should always be a hollow square of 

 meadow muck close by to receive the contents of 

 the cistern when it is too thick to be pumped out, or 

 when it is not convenient to distribute it on the 

 fields, or in the winter. 



If the odor should not be so much like that from 

 a bed of mignionette as you would like, dissolve a 

 few pounds of copperas in plenty of water and stir 

 that in with it, when you will be able to proceed 

 pleasantly. 



RED cedar seed. 



Can you tell me where I can procure the Red 

 Cedar seeds, and the amount it requires to sow fif- 

 ty rods ? When will be the best time to sow it, 

 and how ? How much will it cost ? 



I was led to inquire by seeing an account in your 

 paper a few weeks ago, by Mr. Sheldon. He says 

 it will make a good fence. A Subscriber. 



Manchester, JV. H., 1856. 



Remarks. — We have not the information desired. 

 Will Mr. Sheldon, or some other person, impart 

 it.P _ 



HOW TO MAKE NICE BUTTER. 



Mr. Editor : — Being a farmer's wife, and a con- 

 stant reader of your paper, I take this opportunely 

 of making a few remarks on the art of butter-ma- 

 king, during the winter season in particular. 



In the first place, my milk is put into six quart 

 pans, about two quarts in each pan. These are 

 placed in my pantry, on shelves about twelve inches 

 wide, leaving an open space through the shelves 

 of four inches. There it is kept at a moderate heat 

 through the day ; then it is carefully placed over a 

 kettk of hot water, or on top of the stove, until it 

 is brought to a heat about one-third above that 

 when taken from the cow ; it is then removed to 

 its former place, where it remains until the next 



