?42 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



May 



too, by absorption, might sicken and die, as we 

 knew once to be the case, where this mercutial 

 pre])aration was rather too lavishly used. 



Some of our older farmers contend that the lice 

 go as regularly to the animal's nose to drink, as the 

 cow does herself to the brook. Hence, they saj', 

 that the best mode to get rid of them is, to bore a 

 gimlet-hole or two in the stanchions, and fill with 

 the ointment, so that it may be rubbed off upon the 

 neck of the animal, or by applying a circle of it 

 around the horns and neck. Others, upon the same 

 principle, apply oil about the head and neck, and 

 declare it to be effectual, leaving the lice to perish 

 on the premises, or quit, just as they choose. — 

 Whether the theory be correct, or otherwise, I am 

 not prepared to say. Will you enlighten me ? 



Waltham, March, 1856. s. B. E. 



Remarks. — The caution about unguintum on 

 cattle is a timely one. It never should be used. 

 Even when applied moderately, a little exposure 

 may make the animal so susceptible to external in- 

 fluences, as to cause great mischief by it. It is a 

 preparation of mercury or quicksilver, a metal, and 

 passes into the circulation of the system, and, it is 

 said, into the bones themselves. The teeth some- 

 times become loose so that the animal cannot eat, 

 even if it had appetite. Good feed, cleanliness 

 every way, frequent carding, and the careful appli- 

 cation of soft oil, will prevent the access of vermin. 

 Lamp oil is too clogging. A little neat's foot oil 

 will cover a large surface if carefully applied. The 

 hand should he oiled, then draw the hair of the an- 

 imal through it from every part of the body, and 

 rub the oil down to the skin. This should be re- 

 peated as long as any live animal appears. 



For the New England Farmer. 



POTATOES TO BE PLANTED. 



_ Mr. Editor : — In your paper of March 8, I no- 

 tice some sensible remarks about potatoes to be 

 planted, — probably from the pen of the intelligent 

 superintendent of the county fiirm at Ipswich, as I 

 have before met something of the same kind about 

 his operations on the grounds under his care. I 

 know of no man whose observations are better en- 

 titled to respect. It is so common to speak of the 

 "tuber" or the "root" of the potato as the seed to 

 be planted that whoever would use the term "seed" 

 in a different sense, is bound to explain its mean- 

 ing. 



That fair potatoes can be grown, from what are 

 called "small potatoes," there can be no doubt ; — 

 but if the practice of planting only "small potatoes" 

 is continued for several years, the crop will degen- 

 erate, there can be as little doubt. For planting, 

 I would select those of fair size and firm texture, 

 fully ripe. I would have the ground fairly fertil- 

 ized — but would take care that the potatoes plant- 

 ed should not come directly in contact with the 

 manure, for when they do, there is more danger of 

 the rot. \*. 



March, 1856. 



Note. — In the same paper I noticed Mr. Dri- 

 ver's account of his Ayrshire cow, that gave about 



eight quarts of milk per day, for each day of the 

 year ; this, if I do not mistake, is quite equal to the 

 best of your neighbor's Devons. The fact is, that 

 no man has anything so good that another cannot 

 be found with something to match it. 



For the New England Farmer. 



MANUaE--URINE. 



BY H. D. V^'niTE. 



Much has been said and written of late on the 

 subject of liquid manures; yet few of our farmers, 

 comparatively speaking, appear to be aware of their 

 importance. Urine contains principles that act 

 with great energy when this liquid is applied as a 

 stimulus to vegetables. In most Euro])ean coun- 

 tries, its value is so well understood that it is there 

 rigidly economized, and appropriated with as much 

 care as are the soHd voidings of animals. 



Of cows' urine, Brande gives the following ana- 

 lysis. In one hundred parts, those found to be 

 present — 



Of Hydrochlorate of Potass and Ammonia 1.5 



Sulphate of Porass 0.6 



Carbonate of Potass 0.4 



Pliospbate of Lime 0.3 



Urea 4 



Water 96.8 



100.0 



The urine of the horse, according to Vauquelin, 

 contains, in one hundred parts — 



Of Carbonate of Lime 1.1 



CarVwnate of Soda 0.9 



Hippurate of Soda 2.4 



Hydrochlorate of Potass 0.9 



Urea 0.7 



Water 94.0 



100.0 



Human urine, adopting the analysis of Berzelius, 

 contains, in one thousand parts — 



Of Urea 30.20 



Lactic Acid 17.14 



Uric Acid 1.00 



Mucus 0.32 



Sulphate of Potass 37.01 



Sulphate of Soda 



Phosphate of Soda 3.16 



Phosphate of Ammonia 2.94 



Hydrochlorate of Soda 1.65 



hydrochlorate of Ammonia 4.45 



Phosphate of Magnesia and Lime 1.50 



Silicic Acid 1.00 



Water 933.00 



1000.00 



In the above tabular exhibit, the quantity of sul- 

 phate of soda is not given — probably an omission by 

 the compositor ; but this is by no means a material 

 defect, as the quantity of that article, be it more or 

 less, would affect but slightly its value as a manu- 

 rial agent. The components of the solid excre- 

 ments, including those of the ash, or residuum re- 

 maining after deflagration, are here given, as^ it 

 may be interesting to some to compare them with 

 those of the liquid voidings. The first analysis is 

 by Haidlen, the second by Jackson : — 



' Fre.sh cow manure, in one hundred parts, — the 

 animal being fed on hay, straw, beans and pota- 

 toes, — gave — 



2.2 of bile in a state of alteration. 



8.3 mucus, &c. 



14.1 non-digested (erude) vegetable remains and ashes. 

 75.4 water. 



The ashes, which amounted to six per cent., were 

 composed of the following ingredients : 



