1859. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



69 



jury to the farm for other purposes." So says the 

 first writer. On a fully improved farm, there 

 ought to be little rubbish to consume. But we 

 must take into account also, the value of the ma- 

 nure furnished, as well as the food consumed — 

 nor forget that a starved sheep is no more prof- 

 itable than any other half-fed animal. His state- 

 ment may be considered entirely true only under 

 peculiar circumstances, partly true under others, 

 and that sheep may be more profitable than ad- 

 ditional neat stock in other cases, while it may 

 be entirely false in regard to some farms and cir- 

 cumstances. 



In wintering sheep, it would be the poorest 

 policy in the world to keep them entirely "on 

 rubbish left by other animals." As Mr. W. says, 

 "they may survive, but not flourish, without ex- 

 tra feed." I would rather feed my sheep first, 

 and give what they refuse to other animals, than 

 to pursue the contrary course. "Attention to 

 their wants, the eye and thought of the owner," 

 alone can make sheep profitable. "Division of 

 the flock (according to age and condition) good 

 shelter, with (bean and oat) straw and a little 

 grain, will bring them to spring pastures in bet- 

 ter order, than if kept together, with double ra- 

 tions of hay, one-half of which is wanted by the 

 stronger animals, while the weak of the flock 

 pick up but a scanty living, and oftentimes fail 

 in that, befoi'e winter comes to an end." 



I have taken up this subject, more because it 

 is one that needs "stirring up," among us, and 

 to commend to every one Mr. Whitney's closing 

 remarks, than in any spirit of controversy or 

 fault-finding with his article. There are other 

 points in regard to sheep-culture on which I may 

 present views, hereafter, in their proper season. 



Eoyalton, N. Y., 1858. j. n. b. 



For the Netc England Farmer. 



A TUMOE OKT A COW'S BRAIN. 



A very valuable cow belonging to Mr. Nathan- 

 iel Johnson, of Sturbridge, was killed recently, 

 to put an end to her sufferings, and on opening 

 her head there was found a hard tumor on the 

 brain, but no disease in any other part. It ap- 

 peared that the vitiated humors of the animal 

 had settled on the brain, forming a hard excres- 

 cence, which must have caused the intense pain 

 that gave rise to the singular symptoms of dis- 

 ease which were perceptible for some six or eight 

 weeks. When first taken, she would turn her 

 head towards one side, and sometimes turn her 

 jaws slightly upwards, continuing in this posi- 

 tion, at times, for several minutes. To use the 

 common phrase, she acted strangely. When the 

 spasms were not on, she would eat, chew her cud 

 and give milk as usual, but would occasionally 

 push with her head against one side of the sta- 

 ble, knocking off the boards ; and although her 

 flesh wasted away till she became mere skin and 

 bones, yet, the night before she was killed, she 

 burst open the barn-door, (requiring surprising 

 strength in one so poor and sick) and was found 

 lying on the ground in the morning. The latter 

 part of the time she could neither eat nor drink, 

 except what was put into her mouth by means of 

 a bottle and the hand. Her tongue seemed te 

 be paralyzed, and she could not suck in water. 



As the difficulty gradually increased in severity, 

 Mr. J. feeling concerned for her safety, consulted 

 those who are reported to be skilful in treating 

 the diseases of animals, but no one could tell 

 what the matter was ; some pronounced it horn- 

 ail ; others thought she had been hurt on the 

 head or neck, or both, but there was no external 

 sign of bodily injury. Mr. J. employed every 

 kind of rational treatment he could think or hear 

 of, with but little relief to the cow. In short, he 

 snared no pains to cure her. 



This case is considered to be so singular that 

 Mr. J. is desirous of having it published in the 

 Farmer, to elicit statements of similar cases, with 

 their remedies, if any such be known. But to 

 dissolve a tumor on the brain of a living animal 

 is probably beyond the power of the healing art. 

 Had the disease been known on its first appear- 

 ance, it would have been an act of mercy to kill 

 her, for she must have suffered for nearly two 

 months a degree of acute pain which would, in 

 the end, have caused her death. 



In consideration of the loss, trouble and sick- 

 ness of Mr. J., his neighbors have promptly made 

 him a liberal donation, for which he feels exceed- 

 ly grateful. c. 



Sturbridge, Mass., Bee, 1858. 



PKOGRBSSIVE AGRICULTUBE. 



The N. Y. Observer says of progressive agri- 

 culture : — "Under its influence, spring up tasty 

 and convenient dwellings, adorned with shrubs 

 and flowers, and beautiful Avithin with the smiles 

 of happy wives, tidy children in the lap of 

 thoughtful age — broad hearts, and acts as well 

 as woi'ds of welcome. Progressive agriculture 

 builds barns and puts gutters on them, builds 

 stables for cattle and raises roots to feed them. 

 It grafts wild apple trees by the meadow with 

 pippins or greenings, — it sets out new orchards 

 and takes care of the old ones. 



It drains low lands, cuts down bushes, buys a 

 mower, houses tools and wagons, keeps good 

 fences and practices soiling. It makes hens lay, 

 chickens live, and prevents swine from rooting 

 up meadows. Progressive agriculture keeps on 

 hand plenty of dry fuel, and brings in the oven- 

 wood for the women. It plows deeply, sows 

 plentifully, harrows evenly, and prays for the 

 blessings of Heaven. Finally, it subscribes for 

 good religious, agricultural and family journals, 

 and pays for them in advance, advocates free 

 schools, and always takes something besides the 

 family to the county fair. 



Leaks Simply Stopped. — The Lijvn Kews 

 says : — "Some years ago I had a leaking 'L.' 

 Every northeast storm drove its waters in. I 

 made a composition of four pounds of resin, one 

 pint linseed oil, and one ounce red lead, applied 

 it hot with a brush to the part where the 'L' was 

 joined to the main house. It has never leake^^ 

 since. I then recommended the composition to 

 my neighbor, who had a dormer window which 

 leaked badly. He applied it, and the leak 

 stopped. I made my water-cask tight by this 

 .composition, and have recommended it for chim- 

 neys, windows, etc., and it has always proved a 

 cure for a leak." 



