NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



59 



SELF-ADJUSTING OX-YOKE. 



This yoke was invented by Mr. David Chappel, of 

 Vermont, and an improvement has been made in its 

 construction by Mr. Daniel Chase, of the same state. 

 By combining the inventions of both patentees, a 

 great and decided improvement is made in the 

 yoke. It is composed of a straight beam of wood, 

 which is strengthened and protected from wear by 

 iron plates on the edges. Blocks are fitted to the 

 oxen's necks, which play on the under side of this 

 beam, to which they are fastened by bands of iron. 

 The bows pass up through these blocks, which slide 

 back and forward as the oxen haul off or crowd. By 

 an iron rack, with cogs, fastened to each block, and 

 playing into a cog-wheel in the centre of the yoke, 

 both bowa play outward, or inward, according to the 

 motion of the oxen, at the same time and dis- 

 tance. 



"When cattle arc travelling on uneven roads, or 

 in deep snows, or ploughing rough lands, the bows 

 slide outward or inward, accommodating themselves 

 to the motion of the oxen. If they pass, with a rock, 

 or stump, or other impediment between them, the 

 yoke widens to their convenience ; and in going 

 through a narrow pass, it contracts by the inward 

 pressure of the cattle. The bows may be adjusted 

 80 as to give cither ox any desirable advantage, which 

 he will retain in all its changes by self-adjustment. 

 Or any width may be given, and permanently fixed. 

 All these arrangements may be made in a few min- 

 utes. 



This yoke evidently possesses great advantages, 

 accommodating the cattle to various circumstances, 

 and saving a vast amount of strength often wasted in 

 crowding and hauling off, which frequently amounts 

 to as much as is necessary to perform the usual labor 

 with this improvement. This yoke costs but little 

 more than a nice article of the common construction. 

 It will doubtless be for sale in a short time. One is 

 left at this office for a few days. 



CONVENTION OF FOWL-BREEDERS. 



A convention of fowl breeders and fanciers will 

 meet at the Representatives' Hall, on Thursday even- 

 ing, the 28th inst., for the purpose of forming a per- 

 manent association for the improvement of this im- 

 portant branch of domestic economy. All interested 

 in the subject, and all who are disposed to encourage 

 this laudable enterprise are requested to attend, if 

 convenient. This meeting will take the place of the 

 agricultural meeting. 



DESTRUCTION OF THE WIRE WORM. 



Mr. Little, in a recent number of the " Illustrated 

 London News," observes that he had tried the appli- 

 cation of the most powerful poisons to the wire worm, 

 such as preparations of corrosive sublimate and arse- 

 nic, without destroying its vitality. Even vitriol and 

 aquafortis did not consume the worm till after a con- 

 siderable time. He next tried liquid ammonia, {harts- 

 horn,) and the result is said to have been marvellous. 

 The worms were shrivelled up in an instant, and 

 reduced almost to a state of cinder. He afterwards 

 took a portion of the earth containing the worm, 

 mixing it with a small quantity of lime, adding some 

 powdered sal-ammoniac ; the result was the decom- 

 position of the latter by lime, and the liberation of 

 ammoniacal gas, which had precisely the effect of the 

 liquid ammonia. This experiment is worth pursuing 

 on a larger scale. Ammonia, it should be remem- 

 bered, constitutes a most valuable portion of manure. 



Observation on the Miller which annoys Bees. 

 — Last season, I allowed about six sunflowers to 

 grow near my beehives; when in flower, they at- 

 tracted the miller, which fed on them late in the 

 evening, appearing quite stupid, so much so, that 

 I could pick them off with my hand, and deal 

 with them as I could wish. I am now trying sev- 

 eral experiments with my bees, the result of which 

 I will make known through the Farmer. — Michigan 

 Farmer. 



