No. 1. 



Fruit Ladders — Topless Potatoes. 



13 



account of the best experiment of turning in 

 a grass crop as a manure, $50. For the best 

 plantation of white oak trees, not less than 

 one acre, nor fewer than one thousand trees 

 per acre, raised from the acron, and three 

 years old on the first September next, $50. 

 For the best quality and greatest quantity 

 of hemp on an acre, $40. For the greatest 

 yield of carrots to an acre, $30, for mangel 

 wurtzel $30, for beets $20. And numerous 

 smaller premiums, besides a premium of .$20 

 for the best newly invented agricultural im- 

 plement, &c. &c. The total of premiums 

 amounts to $1550. 



Thus the enlightened agriculturists of 

 Massachusetts are endeavoring to excite their 

 fellow farmers to improvement in the agri- 

 cultural art. And as many of their premiums 

 are calculated to lead the emulous to experi- 

 ment in new branches, we doubt not that a 

 favorable influence will be felt throughout 

 the state, and the products of the earth be 

 increased. We should be glad to see a 

 similar course taken in this state. — Pough- 

 keepsie Telegraph. 



Fruit ladders. 



Fruit trees are often much bruised, and 

 greatly injured in consequence, by using lad- 

 ders which rest against the branches while 

 gathering the fruit. Very simple ladders 

 may be made, which support themselves, and 

 by which the fruit may be gathered with 

 great facility, even from the ends of the long- 

 est and most spreading branches, without the 

 slightest danger of injury to the tree. The 

 following is one of the simplest. There are 

 two upright slender posts, (which may be 

 from six to twelve feet long,) inclining to 

 within a few inches of each other at the top, 

 and spreading from three to five feet, (accord- 

 ing to the height,) at bottom. The rounds 

 of the ladder connect these posts together, 

 and the lower ones are made somewhat larger 

 in the middle than at the ends, in order to 

 give them greater strength. A third post 

 is attached to the upper part of the latter 

 simply by the upper round of the ladder pas- 

 sing through a hole in its under end ; thus 

 permitting it to turn freely, so that its lower 

 end may be placed at proper distance from 

 the other posts to enable it to stand firmly. 

 It may then be placed under any part of the 

 tree. 



Generally, however, where the required 

 height is more than ten feet, it is best to make 

 the ladder with the first two posts placed par- 

 allel to each other about eighteen inches apart 

 and then to connect, by suitable hinges (or 

 joints, two additional posts to the upper end 

 of the ladder, so that they may at the same 

 tirae be spread out from each other and form 



the foot of the ladder, thus forming, a sort of 

 tripod or three-legged stand. In this way, 

 one may be made lighter and more portable 

 than by the former method. — Gen Farmer. 



Topless Potatoes. 



We were, the other day, shewn a curious 

 specimen of new potatoes, that were grown 

 without any top, or leaves. About five weeks 

 ago, Mr. J. H. Hill, of Waterville, planted 

 some potatoes of the common kind in the 

 usual way. One or two hills did not come 

 up, and he last week dug down to them and 

 found that the potato which he had plant- 

 ed, and which was a whole one, had put out 

 several tubers. 



Two of them were as large as a pidgeon's 

 egg, each; and there were several smaller 

 ones beginning to show themselves. There 

 was not a sign of any top or leaves to be seen. 

 He found another hill in which the same 

 process was going on. 



We do not recollect of having seen an in- 

 stance of the kind. The growth of the new 

 tubers must have been quite rapid, having 

 grown out and formed to the size above men- 

 tioned in five weeks, of not very warm 

 weather. The question suggests itself — how 

 long and how large will they grow without 

 any stalk or leaf to prepare sap for their nour- 

 ishment 1 and also, will they continue to 

 grow after the parent potato becomes decay- 

 ed 1 and if so, from whence comes the nutri- 

 ment that gives their increase 1 



The potato that was planted is sound and 

 hard yet. 



Blackberry Cordial. 



This Syrup is said to be specific for the 

 summer complaint. From a tea-spoonful to a 

 wineglass, according to the age of the patient, 

 must be given at intervals till relieved. 

 How to make it : — 



To 2'quarts of juice of Blackberrys, add 1 

 pound of loaf sugar, ^ oz. nutmegs, ^ oz. cin- 

 namon, pulverized, i oz. cloves, i oz. alspice, 

 pulverized. Boil together for a short time, 

 and when cold, add a pint of fourth proof 

 brandy. — Fredonian. 



Tlie Chiutz Bug in Corn. 



People seem generally to have very contra- 

 dictory and inconsistent notions about the 

 nature of trouble. What one would look 

 upon as a very annoying and troublesome 

 matter, another will profess to consider as of 

 " no trouble at all ;" and some, by the habitual 

 use of the latter sentence, upon all occasions, 

 are frequently led to make exaggerated ap- 

 plications of it. The following from a South- 



