NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



283 



6 1 



CHURN THERMOMETER-BUTTER MOULD. 



The smaller cut represents a neat and cheap ther- 

 mometer, made expressly for dairy purposes. The 

 body is of wood, which makes it firm and durable. 

 On the lower part is a brass guard protecting the 

 bulb of the thermometer, which turns on a rivet, 

 and may be turned up when used, so that it will be 

 necessary to immerse only the bulb in the cream or 

 milk. A mark is made at which the mercury indi- 

 cates that the temperature of the cream is at sixty- 

 two degrees, the proper point for churning ; and if it 

 varies from this mark, the temperature may be 

 readily changed by adding hot or cold water. 



This implement is very important to the dainjisf, 

 as the exact temperature is obtained, instead of 

 guessing at it, as Ls the case where one depends on 

 judgment. No person who makes butter should be 

 without a thermometer ; and every one can afford it, 

 even if he keeps but one cow, for this article, so 

 well adapted to the purpose, costs only twenty-five 

 cents. 



The larger cut represents a butter mould, with 

 stamps placed in the bottom, of various patterns. 

 This mould is six square, a convenient form for pack- 

 ing, so as to leave no interstices between the lumps. 

 The same form is used by bees in forming their cells, 

 for which they have been complimented as perfect 

 mathematicians. The mould holds just one pound of 

 butter, so that this plastic production, with this 

 simple and cheap apparatus, costing only one dollar, 

 may be quickly put up in pound lumps, without the 

 trouble of weighing, having the most convenient 

 form for packing, as well as the best shape for use ; 

 and, at the same time, it may be stamped with any 

 of the various designs, on the stamps, that the oper- 

 ator maj' choose. 



We would commend these dairy improvements to 

 those who have them not, as affording peculiar ad- 

 vantages, and at prices so low as to be within the 

 range of the most rigid economy. 



THE UTILITY OF THE MOLE. 



" Some ten years since," says Mr. G. Wilkins, 

 " when I came to my living, and commenced culti- 

 vating the little land I hold, it was, I may say, full 

 of wire-worms. Nothing could have been worse, 

 for my crops were in some places ruined by them 

 entirely. What, then, did I do ? I adopted a plan 

 which I saw recommended and published in period- 

 icals many years since, namely, encouraging moles 

 and partridges on my lands. Instead of permitting 

 a mole to be caught, I bought all I could, and turned 

 them down alive ; and soon my fields, one after 

 another, were full of mole-hills, to the amusement 

 of all my neighbors, who at first set me down as a 

 lunatic ; but now, several adopt my plan, and are 

 strenuous advocates of it. My fields became exactly 

 like a honey-comb, and this continued even among 

 my standing and growing and ripening crops ; not a 

 mole was molested, but I still bought more. I'his 

 summer I had fourteen bought, which I turned 

 down, but they were not wanted ; I have nothing 

 for then; to eat ; all that moles live upon is destroyed, 

 and so, poor tilings, they must starve, or emigrate to 

 some distant laud, and thus get bowstringed by sav- 

 age men whom they aim to serve. Adopt my plan, 

 and it will be sure to answer. If you have a nest 

 of partridges, also encourage them ; all the summer 

 they live upon insects, wire-worms, &c. ; and consider 

 how manj- millions a covey will destroy in a single 

 summer ! Again, always remember that moles feed 

 upon insects, and of which the wire-worm is the 

 chief; if you doubt this, open a mole and peep into 

 his stomach. Agjvin, do not fear that moles injure 

 your crops, cither in a Held or in a garden ; it is a 

 low and vulgar error to suppose that they root u[) 

 young corn ; they never go any where till the wire- 

 worms have first destroyed the plants, and tlien, in- 

 nocent things, they are punished for others' faults. 

 If you do not like to see their hills, knock them about 

 with a hoe, as I did ; it is a healthy amusement, and 

 they will do your lands good. Do not despise any 

 plan because the farmers will not adopt it in your 

 neighborhood ; farmers will adopt nothing till driven 

 to it, and nothing that is new and good." 



A thing of beauty is a joy forever. 



