1856. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



415 



Parish, the formex* able Editor, not only upon the 

 accession of strength brought to the journal, but 

 upon the agreeable and profitable associations he 

 cannot fail to realize with such a "companion in 

 arms." 



The terms for the Plough, Loom and Anvil are 

 $3 for a single year, $5 for two copies or $6 for three 

 copies. Office, 7 Beckman Street, N. Y. 



HOW WOLVES CAJOLE AND CAPTURE 

 WILD HORSES. 



Wherever several of the larger wolves associate 

 together for mischief, there is always a numerous 

 train of smaller ones to follow in the rear, and act 

 as auxiliaries in the work of destruction. Two 

 large wolves are sufficient to destroy the most pow- 

 erful horse, and seldom more than two ever begin 

 the assault, although there may be a score in the 

 gang. It is no less curious than amusing to witness 

 this ingenious mode of attack. If there is no snow, 

 or but little on the ground, two wolves approach in 

 the most playful and caressing manner, lying, rol- 

 ling and frisking about, until the too credulous and 

 unsuspecting victim is completely put off his guard 

 oy curiosity and familiarity. During this time the 

 gang, squatting on their hind quarters, look on at a 

 distance. After some time spent in this way, the 

 two assailants separate, when one approaches the 

 horse's head, the other his tail, with a shyness and 

 cunning peculiar to themselves. At this stage of 

 the attack their frolicksome approaches become very 

 interesting — it is in right good earnest ; the former 

 is a mere decoy, the latter is the real assailant, and 

 keeps his eyes steadily fixed on the ham-strings or 

 flank of the horse. The critical moment is then 

 watched, and the attack is simultaneous ; both 

 wolves spring at their victim, at the same instant — 

 one to the throat, the other to the flank — and if 

 successful, which they generally are, the hind one 

 never lets go his hold till the horse is completely 

 disabled. Instead of springing forward or kicking 

 to disengage himself, the horse turns round and 

 round without attempting a defence. The wolf be- 

 fore then springs behind, to assist the other. The 

 sinews are cut, and in half the time I have been 

 des;cribing it, the horse is on his side; his struggles 

 are fruitless — the victory is won. At this signal the 

 lookers-on close in at a gallop ; but the small fry 

 of followers keep at a respectable distance, until 

 their superiors are gorged, and then they take 

 their turn unmolested. 



How THEY USE GuANO IN Peru. — A gentle- 

 man writing from Arequipa, Peru, gives the follow- 

 ing account of the manner in which Peruvians em- 

 ploy guano : 



"It is applied to two crops only, maize (Indian 

 corn) and potatoes, carefully by the hand. To 

 maize, when the plant is about two months old, 

 and about three-fourths vara high, one-half handful 

 is applied near each root. A larger quantity is 

 said to be prejudicial, by "burning the plant." The 

 guano is then covered with earth, and a small quan- 

 tity of water (by irrigation) is applied to "fix the 

 guano." If the state of the soil does not absolute- 

 ly require it, no more water is appHed until after 

 six or eight days. 



The quantity required for each "topo," of 5000 

 varas (about 1 1 acre,) is four fanegas, or say 500 

 pounds. For potatoes the quantity required is the 

 same, and is applied much in the same manner as 

 regards the age of the plant, and a small quantity 

 of water to fix the guano. The stalk of the pota- 

 to is then about one-fourth vara in height, and the 

 earth heaped up in ridges the same as in Britain. 

 A person inserts a s])ade in the top of the ridge 

 beside each plant, whilst a woman follov/s, jjouring 

 about half a handful of guano into the hole thus 

 made, and covering it with earth, so that the ridge 

 remains the same as before the application of the 

 guano. 



To wheat the application of guano is not ap- 

 proved, principally, we believe, on account of the 

 rankness it produces in the stalk, thereby delaying 

 the ripening of the grain — a point of great impor- 

 tance in lands where they count on obtaining two 

 crops a year. 



For the New England Fanner. 



GOOD FARMING MAKES ITS MAE,K. 



Mr. Editor :— I am aware the time has been, 

 when a false idea prevailed in relation to ag- 

 riculture. It was deemed an employment onlv 

 proper for the lower classes of society. It would 

 do for the serfs of Europe, the "slaves" of America, 

 or men of little means and ingenuity ; but not for 

 men of great minds and ability, liberally stored 

 with knowledge. The time has been when such 

 men could levy no tax on mother earth by actual 

 experiment, without bringing themselves into disre- 

 pute. There have been, however, worthy exceptions. 

 Abraham Avas one, Lot another, Jacob, ]\Ioses, Job 

 and David were others, and then there have been 

 others ; but the idea, which has to a wide extent 

 prevailed, was, that "farming" did not require great 

 minds, that very little knowledge was ample for 

 such an employment, and that noble minds would 

 not be dabbling in such small matters. But where 

 did this opinion originate ? who started and held to 

 it ? They were shallow, simpering girls, and proud, 

 foppish dandies, who carried their character on their 

 back. They were either the Puritan stock all run 

 out, or some outlandish breed introduced. Their 

 opinion was as false as the head was empty which 

 formed it. The fact is, there is no employment on 

 earth more noble and elevating, more truly praise- 

 worthy, than that of the husbandman. Our Puritan 

 fathers well understood it, too, and so did their 

 daughters. Their parents did not object to their 

 marrying good, honest, common-sense farmers. 



Since the days of the Puritans, the false notion 

 referred to has been running its race. I am glad, 

 however, that the tables are being turned, and in 

 spite of all opposition, that agriculture is beginning 

 to take its proper stand with the other arts and 

 sciences. I am truly rejoiced to find the press speak- 

 ing forth the words of truth and soberness on this 

 important subject. I believe the JVeio England 

 Farmer a great aid to this cause, and were it in 

 every family in the land, they would, I believe, find 

 themselves abundantly enriched by its perusal. 

 Farmers must think and read as well as other men. 

 They do well to tax their brains as well as hands. 

 By thinking a little, many a fine touch can be jmt 

 upon matters and things around the house, or barn, 

 in adorning and decorating — or at least, putting 

 every thing in its place. 



