1858. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



So much for the condemnation of whitewashing, 

 which gives the trees a repulsive appearance, very 

 unlike that described by Downing. 



Dr. Fitch remarking on the remedies for bark- 

 lice, says, "infusion of quassia, tobacco or soap- 

 suds will destroy newly-hatched lice. These and 

 strong lye, potash-water, whitewash, dry ashes, 

 sulphur, and I know not how many more articles, 

 have been recommended by different writers. The 

 Michigan Farmer gives a favorable account of 

 the effects of tar and linseed oil beat together 

 and applied warm with a brush, before the buds 

 begin to expand in the spring. The remedy of 

 Esq. Kimball, of Kenosha, is probably one of the 

 most efficacious, and convenient of any ; he boils 

 leaf tobacco in strong lye, till it is reduced to an 

 impalpable pulp — and then mixes it with soap, 

 and applies it with a brush." Dr. Fitch does not 

 seem to recommend whitewashing. 



These are some of the remedies for the de- 

 struction of bark-lice, both natural, as birds and 

 insects, and artificial as the various washes. Only 

 one of these writers directly recommends white- 

 washing. With all due deference to the opinion 

 of the late Dr. Harris, the whitewashing of fruit 

 trees is becoming unpopular, and will soon be 

 reckoned among the things that were. This is a 

 cheering indication — one, among others, tending 

 to show that improvement is going forth in what 

 pertains to both agriculture and horticulture. 



Before planting fruit trees, prepare the soil 

 well by deep -and thorough tillage — manure well, 

 select good, healthful trees for transplanting — 

 put lime into the soil, — but do not on the trees, 

 — and with due care and attention, with the ap- 

 plication of some simple, harmless wash, like 

 Eure water, your trees will grow, flourish and 

 ear fruit in due time. L. W. 



MAKE THE MANURE. 



Now is the favorable time. The stock has 

 done roaming in the pastures, is sheltered at 

 night, and perhaps during the day, or is allowed, 

 at most, only a part of the pleasant weather in 

 the open yard. At any rate, it is so compact as 

 to bring its droppings into a comparatively small 

 space, where they can be easily collected and in- 

 corporated with other matter. How it shall best 

 be kept from waste is a question of importance. 



We cannot all have barn cellars just as we 

 wish, nor all the materials we may like, to mingle 

 with the fresh droppings. But much may be 

 done to prevent waste when we have become ful- 

 ly convinced that there is a depreciation in manure 

 when it is neglected, and consequently a money 

 loss to its owner. To those who do not believe 

 in loss by evaporation or drenching, our words 

 are but idle utterings — but to those who enter- 

 tain that belief, a few suggestions may be profita- 

 ble. 



There is no substance within our knowledge 

 wliich is cheap and abundant, that will absorb 

 and save the liquid portions of manure, and pre- 

 vent the escape of ammonia, like the muck which 

 is found all over New England, in swamps, mead- 



ows, and even in many valleys and uplands. 

 When it has undergone fermentation, it greatly 

 resembles pure cow dung, and the best of it is 

 nearly as valuable as the cow dung itself. Most 

 of our farmers have access to this, and we will 

 therefore speak of it first. 



Where there are trenches behind the cattle 

 when tied up, it is g, good plan to scatter dry 

 muck two or three inches deep, so that it may 

 receive the droppings while they are warm : in 

 this way the muck takes up nearly all the fluid 

 parts, and retains them until the whole is passed 

 thi'ough the opening into the cellar, when the 

 process of "cleaning out" mingles the mass more 

 intimately. This, however, is not enough, — for 

 when a considerable heap has been accumulated 

 below, if nothing more is done, drainage and 

 evaporation both take place ; the gaseous parts 

 speeding their way upwards, and the fluid soak- 

 ing into the sand or gravel, which compose the 

 bottom of the cellar, or flowing down some channel 

 which they make, perhaps, by their own specific 

 gravity. 



Near by the dung-heap there should be a pile 

 of dry and finely pulverized muck, and as often 

 as every other day the droppings should be level- 

 ed a little, and then covered to the depth of an 

 inch with muck. When this is carefully done, 

 there will be little or no flavor from the stalls 

 where the cattle are tied, or from the heaps them- 

 selves, — a pretty convincing evidence that there 

 is no fermentation going on and no waste by 

 evaporation. The eye must detect whether there 

 is any loss by leaking or drainage. If there 

 should be, a more liberal quantity of the muck 

 must be supplied. 



Under this treatment the manure heap will be 

 kept compact and neat, nearly all its valuable 

 properties i-etained, and when removed, will pre- 

 sent a black, exceedingly rich and unctuous paste, 

 that may be cut through with the shovel with 

 ease. In this condition, if one-half of the mass 

 is muck, we have no doubt the whole will be worth 

 more per cord than an equal amount of the clear 

 droppings under the ordinary neglect which it 

 suff"ers. 



If muck is not convenient, or cannot be ob- 

 tained, use loam, or even pure sand. 



Good muck, then, demands our first attention, 

 but as all cannot well obtain it, they may avail 

 themselves of other things worthy of especial at- 

 tention. Dried Leaves are excellent, as they are 

 not only valuable as an ingredient for manure, 

 but serve an important purpose as litter or bed- 

 ding for stock. They may be gathered on many 

 farms at little expense, and will amply repay the 

 cost of collecting and using them. 



Sawdust is another article extensively used, 

 and where horses are kept that are not at work, 



