550 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Dec. 



sense explanations of facts, with the "whys and 

 wherefores." 



From ten years' experience with various kinds 

 of hydraulic rams, in every variety of location, I 

 am fully convinced that any arrangement, or 

 want of arrangement, by which this reverse mo- 

 tion of the water in the driving pipe is wholly 

 prevented, will wholly prevent the successful op- 

 eration of the ram for any length of time. A 

 practical prevention causes very imperfect oper- 

 ation. Hence, one great cause of failure in the 

 scores of rams set by inexperienced workmen in 

 every part of New England. 



Hoping to hear from you or your scientific cor- 

 respondents soon, I will anxiously watch your 

 columns. P. J. 



Vermont, Sept., 1859. 



EXTEACTS AND REPLIES. 

 INFLUENCE OF THE GENTLER SEX. 



In perusing the last number of the Farmer, 

 which contains so much interesting information, 

 I was ready to query why the value of this use- 

 ful work should not be appreciated by every til- 

 ler of the soil in New England, at least ? It has 

 been my privilege to peruse its contents from its 

 commencement, and it has often occurred to me, 

 that a single number had, to me, been worth a 

 year's subscription, and from present appear- 

 ances I think it is increasing in interest. 



I have again and again perused with deep in- 

 terest an article in the last number by one of the 

 gentler sex. I think it must commend itself to 

 the admiration of all, as replete with sound 

 sense, and is an honor both to herself and her 

 sex. Let others do likewise. She says, "Farm- 

 ing is an occupation in which Avoman has a part 

 to perform ; then let her express her estimation, 

 her interest in it, and she will help to lend an 

 enthusiasm, a charm to agriculture, such as will 

 interest and animate our young men ; and she 

 will prove her influence to be more potent than 

 all the wise counsellors found among our grand- 

 father and father farmers of old New England." 

 What can be more truthful ? I rejoice to see 

 such noble contributions of the gentler sex to a 

 paper that I already take so deep an interest in, 

 fully believing that such contributions will have 

 an influence on the circulation of the Farmer. 

 Constant Reader. 



Vassalboro', Me., 1859. 



Remarks. — Such commendations as the above 

 are not unfrequent in the letters we receive, and 

 they serve to encourage us in our labors. But 

 grateful as they are, they are not so encouraging 

 as the fact to which our correspondent alludes, 

 that women are becoming more and more inter- 

 ested in the business of the farm. There are 

 many who are good horticulturists, as well as 

 floriculturists, now, and some who manage whole 

 farms with ability. The cold barrier of indiffer- 

 ence is broken, and a new era in agriculture is 

 dawning upon us. 



TIME TO CUT FENCE POSTS. 



I wish to thank "R. C. H." for his opinion in 

 your paper of Oct. 8, in regard to an inquiry of 



mine, of Sept. 24th, about cntting fence posts. 

 But first, I should thank you for the valuable 

 space you give us in which to make inquiries. 



Will "R. C. H." give us his reasons for "cut- 

 ting them in the month of June, and setting 

 while green ?" I have always noticed that stakes, 

 withs and fence poles, cut when full of sap, de- 

 cayed sooner than those cut when there was the 

 least sap in them. John W. Town send. 



JVorth Lisbon, jY. E., 1859. 



A SUBSTITUTE FOR MILK FOR YOUNG PIGS AND 

 CALVES. 



A porridge made of Indian meal and hot wa- 

 ter is an excellent substitute for milk for young 

 pigs, when milk is scarce, or not to be easily ob- 

 tained. It will well repay the trouble of making 

 the porridge to witness the thrifty condition of 

 the pigs, they doing equally as well upon it as 

 upon milk, if not better. One pint of meal is suffi- 

 cient for every gallon of water, sifting it in grad- 

 ually, while the water is boiling. Or it may be 

 made nearly as thick as pudding, thinning with 

 water while hot. The same is also excellent for 

 young calves, adding a little salt occasionally. 

 This, although it has been well tested, has not 

 become as extensively used as it is worthy to be, 

 and I am not aware of its publication before. 



Springfield, Mass., 1859. J. A. A. 



SAW-DUST AS A FERTILIZER. 



Can some of your numerous correspondents 

 inform me through the Farmer of the compara- 

 tive value of saw-dust as a fertilizer, and of the 

 best manner of preparing and using the same ? 

 J. Brad. Philbrick. 



South Deerfield, JV. E., 1859. 



Remarks. — Saw dust, as a litter, and an ab- 

 sorbent, is excellent — whether it has fertilizing 

 properties of its own that are valuable, we must 

 leave to others to decide. 



WITCH grass. 



I noticed in one of your numbers that a gentle- 

 man wished to get the seed of dog grass or v/itch 

 grass. I call it devil grass, as I know of no oth- 

 er seed or grass that's a greater thorn to the 

 flesh. All he need do is to get a few roots and 

 set them fifty feet apart, and I guaraiitee he will 

 have his farm seeded as fast as he wants it. 



M. Robinson. 



WareJiam, Mass., Oct., 1859. 



CONTRARY COLTS. 



What is the best method of preventing con- 

 trariness in colts that seem inclined that way ? 

 If the habit is once formed in a horse, young or 

 old, can it be broken ? If so, hov/ ? QuERO. 



Remarks. — A friend at our elbow, who knows 

 every hair in a horse's hide, says, "Be gentle, 

 be patient ; use soft and persuasive language ; 

 make the animal understand, what you want to 

 teach him by kind words and acts, and when he 

 learns that, he will serve you cheerfully to the 

 extent of his power. You must be in sympathy 



