184 



Folds. — Convenient Barns — Lime. 



Vol. X. 



the others being Aug before the rains came. 

 Hence I have been confirmed in an opinion 

 before entertained, that the rot was produced 

 by wet mucky weather. About the year 

 1827, I had a potatoe patch that ran into a 

 spoijty soi], and a path crossed it at the com- 

 njencement of the wet ground, and I was 

 told if the blossoms were picked off the po- 

 tatoes, the crop would be increased; so I 

 concluded to make a trial ; and all the blos- 

 eoms below the path were picked off as they 

 appeared; the summer was rather dry; no 

 difference appeared in the tops; about digging- 

 time it came on wet, and as soon as the 

 ground \vould admit they were raised, and 

 to my utter astonishment, where the blos- 

 soms were taken off there was not one po- 

 tatoe, so I did not try that trick again ; but 

 since, I have found them several times rot- 

 ten after wet v/eather. I intend next spring 

 thnt our tenants shall give Prouty's Subsoil 

 plough a trial ; I think it a great invention, 

 and am very sanguine of the happiest result 

 from its use on either wet or dry soils. 



S. M. Stapler. 



Newport, Del., Tnelfth mo., ]S45. 



FoAvls. 



To tJie Editor of the Farmers' Cabinet: — 



A WRITER — R. C. — in your last paper, p. 

 146, who dates from Beaufort, South Caro- 

 lina, complains of his fowls not being pro- 

 ductive, or of fine quality for the table. 

 From his description I judge they must be 

 a mixture of the large India breed with .some 

 other here, also of large size. The Bucks 

 county, and Booby fowls are very large, but 

 do not lay many eggs, and I think their flesh 

 rather coarse grained. 



The best breed of fowls that I have seen, 

 are those denominated by me the "Jersey 

 Blues;" having obtained them from New 

 Jersey some years ago. They are of large 

 size, good form, great layers, and as good 

 nurses as any that I have known. I have 

 known pullets of five to six months old, pro- 

 duce eggs. They are the breed from which 

 the large and fine capons are produced, that 

 command such high prices in our markets 

 in February and March, when well fatted ; 

 and weigh from 14 to 20 lbs. per pair. They 

 are generally of a glossy black, or mixed a 

 little with grey. Those most admired have 

 their breast and under feathers of a dark 

 stone or ash colour, with black necks and 

 backs — all have dark legs. I have supplied 

 numerous persons here and in other State.-;, 

 and all have been much gratified with them 

 as far as I know. 



Yours, &c., Aaron Clesient. 



Philadelphia, Jan. 2nd, 1846. 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 

 Convenient Barns— liime. 



To THE Editor : 



Sir, — A full description of a convenient, 

 large barn, with two floors, to drive over a 

 bridge on the second above the stables, with 

 room for threshing-machine and granaries; 

 and the kind of wood for timbers, would be 

 very desirable. I have never seen a thorough 

 description of a convenient a,r.d large barn. 

 To be attached a cattle yard and sheds, and 

 the manner to be put up, and the manure to 

 bo preserved. 



Lime. — A more elaborate and complete 

 account of the qualities and uses of lime is 

 desirable.' Some writers state that its effects 

 are enduring — others that it impoverishes 

 the earth after a short time — and others that 

 its beneficial efi'ects are felt for many years. 



It is stated by one, that this season is good 

 for it, and by anotiier, that; but a Chester 

 county farmer winds up with saying it is 

 good at any, and all seasons. The adverse 

 statements are very great, owing in part to 

 the partial commentaries. 



A New Subscriber. 



Dec. 23rd, 1845. 



We have no description or plate on hand of such a 

 barn as is enquired for. The editor apprehends, if "A 

 New Subscriber" wishes to build a good and conveni- 

 ent barn, he could hardly do better than take a ride 

 with his carpenter among our best farmers and man- 

 agers, and examine their barn accommodations. If, 

 however,some one will furnish a description and block 

 of a first-rate barn, &lc., it will give pleasure to pub- 

 lish it. 



It would seem as if our friend had not looked suffi- 

 ciently into his back volumes of the Farmers' Cabinet, 

 or lie would have come across almcst every thing, pro 

 and to^, that can be said about the use of lime in Penn- 

 sylvania. Any one who has more to say, shall be 

 heard. — Ed. 



To GET A TIGHT RING OFF A FINGER. The 



New York Spirit of the Times contains the 

 following directions for accomplishing this 

 sometimes difficult operation: "Thread a 

 needle flat in the eye, with a strong thread; 

 pass the end of the needle with care under 

 the ring, and pull through a few inches to- 

 wards the hand ; wrap the long end of the 

 thread tightly round the finger, regularly, 

 down to the nail, to reduce its size. Then 

 lay hold of the short end of the thread and 

 unwind it. The thread pressing against the 

 ring, will gradually remove it from the fin- 

 ger. This method will remove the tightest 

 ring without difficulty." 



