NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



369 



THE GATE AS IT APPEARS, OPENED. 



of two separate parts, one being attached to each 

 post by two hinges operating vertically. 



The gate is so jointed as to close up something 

 after the manner of a lady's fan, yet in a very firm 

 and substantial manner. As each half of the gate 

 is but four or five feet long, it can easily be made 

 strong and durable. This gate is balanced upon its 

 hinges by counter weights beyond the posts, and 

 is operated by the wheels of the carriage or run- 

 ners of a sleigh, which moves the rod over which it 

 passes. This rod operates the side bars or chains, 

 which are attached to the cranks outside the posts, 

 and which move the gate as desired, opening it on 

 approach, and closing it on leaving. 



We are informed that the inventor is prepared 

 to deliver the gate represented in the engravings, 

 boxed for shipment, Avith directions for putting it 

 up, so plain that any ordinary mechanic can under- 

 stand them — without the main posts, which can be 

 constructed to suit the taste of the applicant — for 

 $35, which is less than it could be manufactured for 

 without the labor saving appliances possessed by 

 him. 



Any orders may be addressed to Fowler & 

 Wells, or to the inventor, at Elizabeth City, N. J. 



French Surgery. — The following anecdote, 

 told of Sir Astley Cooper, is a fine illustration of 

 the difference between the French and English 

 mind ; the one content with outward display, the 

 other only with substantial fruit. 



On visiting the French capital, he was asked by 

 the surgeon en chef of the empire how many times 

 he had performed a certain wonderful feat of sur- 

 gery. He re]ilied that he had performed the oper- 

 ation thirteen times. "Ah, but Monsieur, I have 



done him one hundred and sixty times. How ma- 

 ny times did you save his life ?'' continued the cu- 

 rious Frenchman, after he looked into the blank 

 amazement of Sir Astley's face. "I," said the Eng- 

 lishman, "saved eleven out of the thirteen. How 

 many did you save out of one hundred and sixty ?" 

 "Ah, Monsieur, I lose dem all, but de operation 

 was very brillante !" 



PRESERVING SHINGLES ON ROOFS. 



Some paint roof shingles after they are laid. 

 This makes them rot sooner than they otherwise 

 would. Some paint the courses as they are laid ; 

 this is a great preservative, if each shingle is paint- 

 ed the length of three courses. But about as sure 

 a way to preserve shingles, and that with little or 

 no expense, is a mode recommended in a letter to 

 us by Hon. David Hunter, of Clinton, on the 23d 

 of Feb. last. We republish so much of his letter 

 as relates to this subject, in hopes that it may be 

 of service to many of our readers. 



"There is one thing more, that nearly all people 

 know, if they would only attend to it; that is, to 

 sprinkle slaked lime on the roofs of their buildings, 

 in rainy days. Put it on considerably thick, so as 

 to make the roof look white, and you never will be 

 troubled with moss, and if the shingles are covered 

 ever so thick with moss, by ])utting the lime on 

 twice, it will take it all off and leave it white and 

 clean, and will look almost as well as if it had been 

 ])ainted. It ought to be done once a year, and, in 

 my opinion, the shingles will last almost twice as 

 long as they will to let the roof all grow over to 

 moss. I tried it on the back side of my house ten 

 years ago, when the shingles were all covered over 

 with moss, and they appeared to be nearly rotten. 

 I gave the roof a heavy coat of lime, and have fol- 

 lowed it nearly every year since, and the roof is bet- 

 ter now than it was then, and to all appearance, if 

 I follow my hand, it will last ten or fifteen years 

 longer. The shingles have been on the roof over 



