No. 12. Proper time for cutting Timber. — To Butter Makers. 



369 



and expense of their application. If a grape 

 vine grows in a paved yard, where aslies 

 cannot be dug in, nor scattered over the sur- 

 face, the application of soap-suds would be 

 particularly desirable. If the vine roots ex- 

 tend much, the soap-suds might be applied 

 in different parts of the yard, where the 

 pavement is not, and where it is supposed 

 the roots of the vine are. The soap-suds 

 might be thrown on the ground as fast as it 

 can absorb it, and this application may be 

 made every week, until the mould has left 

 the vines, and the grapes quit falling or 

 shrivelling. If the vines be very young, or 

 it is desirable, in consequence of the leaves 

 being very much moulded, to apply the soap 

 suds directly to the leaves, instead of the 

 roots — the operation should not be performed 

 while the sun is shining, unless it be early 

 in the morning. 



Wood or coal ashes slightly dug in, are a 

 much more safe application than strong ley, 

 nitrate of potash, guano, poudrette, &c. — 

 they are not so liable to kill the vine when 

 used to excess. Chemico. 



Wilkesbarre, June 27th, 1846. 



From the American Farmer. 

 Proper time for Cutting Timber. 



The communication of R. S. Livingston 

 to the "American Agricultural Association," 

 and tlie conversation growing out of it on 

 the subject of " the proper season for felling 

 timber," as published in the May No. of the 

 American Farmer, induces me to say a word 

 in relation to this matter, which may prove 

 beneficial to some, and induce persons hav- 

 ing time and means, to make experiments on 

 the subject. 



Some years ago, in clearing a piece of 

 land, I was induced to cut the hickory out 

 first. It suited me to have it done between 

 the first of June and some time in August. 

 The whole of it was cut for fire-wood — part 

 of this laid over the following summer, and 

 when used in the winter for fuel, was found 

 entirely clear of worm holes, and as sound 

 and solid as the most durable of our kinds 

 of timber. 



It has been repeated by me three several 

 times, and always with the same result. In 

 one instance, a few hickories could not be 

 cut until their neighbours, the oaks, were 

 removed, which could not be cut until the 

 winter — the winter came; they were cut, 

 and the following summer they were lite- 

 rally riddled by the worm, while those cut 

 within the time designated above, were as 

 solid as metal. 



These are the facts in the case, but how 



to account for them, I was at a loss until the 

 publication of Liebig's work on Agricultural 

 Chemistry, lie says, "after August the 

 leaves form no more wood— all the carbonic 

 acid which the plants now absorb, is em- 

 ployed for the production of nutritive matter 

 for tlie following years: instead of woody 

 fibre, starch is formed and is diffused through 

 every part of the plant by the autumnal sap." 

 I at once saw why no worms existed — be- 

 cause there was no nourishment in the wood 

 for them to subsist on. 



Some few persons in this vicinity prefer 

 cutting oak timber for rails in August, while 

 others prefer February. The difference in 

 the times of cutting oak is not so great as 

 in hickory, as the former is not so liable to 

 be injured by worms. A question here pre- 

 sents itself, however, whether it is not bet- 

 ter to fell all timber at a season when it is 

 devoid of all nutritive and fermentakle 

 matter? And whether oak, as rails, or any 

 uses exposed to the weather, would not be 

 doubly durable] May not the dry-rot, from 

 which the shipping interest has suffered so 

 much, have its origin in a want of attention 

 to this matter] 



Governments have instituted experiments 

 purposely to find a preventive after the tim- 

 ber has been cut ; but as far as my know- 

 ledge extends, very little attention has been 

 given to the proper season for felling it. 



I would here suggest, that in all proba- 

 bility the precise time might be the two 

 last weeks in July, and two first in August. 



Any of your readers may have an oppor- 

 tunity of trying experiments through the 

 course of the present season, and thereby 

 render a benefit to several great interests. 

 Let us try to " do a little good." 



Daniel Zollickoffer. 



Lauderdale, May 16th, 1846. 



From the N. Y. Tribune. 



To Butter Makers. 



Messrs. Editors, — As the season of but- 

 ter manufacture progresses, it may not be 

 amiss to hint to your numerous subscribers 

 engaged in the same, to be careful and not 

 salt their butter too much — keep it in new 

 white-oak firkins of 50 and 100 lbs. — propor- 

 tioned to the number of cows — which are 

 perfectly air-tight. One half-inch salt at 

 top and bottom, without brine, unless to soak 

 the firkin, is all sufficient; keep it in a cool 

 cellar until frost comes, and then forward it 

 to market. It is atmospheric air which 

 ruins butter, and if kept free from it in cool 

 situations it will keep sweet for years. 



A Butter Dealer. 



