1868. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



127 



were to plough manure eight inches under the sur- 

 face, I should feel like saying "Good-bye manure." 

 lu some soils it may work differently. 



JxVMEs H. Hebard. 

 West Randolph, VL, Dec. 25, 1867. 



PROFIT AND LOSS IN POKK RAISING. 



Mr. David W. Wilber of this town, slaughtered 

 on the '2d instant four pigs, eisht months and two 

 days old, whose aggregate weight was 1420 pounds. 

 They were bought at eight weeks old. 



Cost of the four $24 00 



PAid lor corn meal 12ii 00 



$150 CO 



1420 pounds pork, 10c 142 CO 



Profit and loss $8 00 



The meal was cooked. No account is made of 

 skim milk from two cows, which was fed to them for 

 nearly three months. s. 



Somerset, Mass., Dec. 23, 1867. 



Remarks. — Neither is there any account made 

 of the manure produced by these hogs and by the 

 meal they consumed. The quality of the pork 

 thus produced, compared with the average of that 

 which regulates the market prices, should also be 

 considered, so far as it is intended for home con- 

 sumption, at least. For a year or two past pork 

 had been very high, and therefore last season 

 "everybody" went into hog raising ; pork is now 

 lower, and probably the same "everybody," being 

 very wise and sharp, will leave the business in dis- 

 gust! 



REMEDY FOR LAUREL POISONING. 



I see by the answer to my inquiry regarding 

 laurel poison that there is no sure antidote or 

 remedy generally known. Perhaps the gag may 

 save the lives of some, but it is a cruel remedy. 

 By a note from a friend in the western part of the 

 State, and the owner of a large flock of sheep, I 

 learn that he lately lost a large number by this 

 deadly poison. He knew of no remedy at the 

 time but the gag. I wish to communicafe through 

 vour valuable paper a sure remedy, and one that 

 has been used in this neighborhood ever since my 

 earliest recollection. Take of sweet milk one glass ; 

 two table spoonfuls of molasses, and two table 

 spoonfuls of New England rum. Shake well to- 

 gether, and give milk-warm. The above prescrip- 

 tion is for lambs. Full grown sheep would re- 

 quire a larger dose. It will do no harm if given in 

 larger doses, as the intoxicating effect of the spirit 

 will soon pass away. The effect of the dose will be 

 vomiting and purging. I have never known a case 

 where it did not cure, and usually within thirty 

 minutes. e. l. m. 



Franklin, Mass., Dec. 30, 1867. 



THE SEASON AND PRICES IN ORANGE COUNTY, VT. 



We had a severel)'- cold December, with no 

 snow of consequence, leaving the ground at liberty 

 to freeze as deep as was best. The first week in 

 January has been more moderate, coming in 

 with a slight thaw, and several hours' steady rain. 

 But the ground was ,so deeply frozen that our wells 

 and springs were but little affected by the water 

 that fell. Little trouble, however, is as yet felt in 

 getting sufficient water for stock, but if we don't 

 have a right good "January thaw," many springs, 

 brooks and wells will be likely to "give out." We 

 now have about 18 inches snow, (most of it having 

 fallen this month,) which as yet has not been reor- 



ganized liy the wind, and lies favorably for sledding 

 as well as sleighing. 



Notwithsiandini,^ the very high prices for stock 

 feed, all our good fanners are keeping their stock 

 in a good thriving order, farmer Slack and his 

 cousins, being exceptions. Hay ^20; corn )g;l-50; 

 oats 70 to 75 cents ; wheat f 2 50 to .fpS.OO ; Indian 

 wheat 70 to 80 cents ; potatoes $1.00. n. 



Randolph, Vt., Jan. 6, 1868. 



PATENT HAY LOADER. 



Can the Southern colored people be employed to 

 advantage, here in Vermont, as farm help ? If so 

 where can they be oljtained ? 



There has been a man through this county sell- 

 ing rights to make and use a patent hay loader at- 

 tached to one side of the cart or wagon, the wheel 

 being the motive jiower. Is it of any practical 

 value ? Ye who have tried it please answer. 



Washington, Vt., 18G8. Enquirer. 



Remarks. — From our own observation, we are 

 inclined to tlie opinion that the climate of New 

 England is not favoraljle to the colored race, and 

 that the training and habits of UiOse raised on 

 Southern pliintations are not well adapted to qual- 

 ify them for service on our farms. 



We have never seen the particular hay loader 

 referred to, in operation. By looking at an en- 

 graving of it, we thought it might be economical 

 where a hundred tons of hay are to be loaded on 

 land that is smooth. We would not purchase one 

 without testing it, and would advise you not to, as 

 we have heard of the fraudulent operations of 

 agents for the sale of implements of this kind, in 

 several sections of the country. 



SICK HOGS. 



I have lost twenty-four hogs within the last two 

 years, from various causes ; if any of your patrons 

 can give me light on the subject, it will be grate- 

 fully received. Some of these hogs are attacked 

 with bunches on their legs, and they become weak, 

 and in a few weeks die. Another kind of attack is 

 when the hog is in good condition, apparently, 

 and at once fills down, squeals a little and is dead 

 at once. If any of the readers of the Faumek can 

 suggest a remedy it may save my porkers from 

 premature destruction. 



There are .many hogs in Fianklin county that 

 die ; some think it is the keeping ; others think it is 

 for a want of exercise. I have iricd various reme- 

 dies without success. John E. Chamberlain. 



West Enoshurq, Vt., Jan. 2, 1868. 



Remarks. — It seems to us that some epidemic 

 must be abroad among the hogs in that region. 

 We have heard of nothing of the kind elsewhere. 

 We hope some of our readers will be able to come 

 to the aid of brother Chamberlain in this matter. 



milkmen's and farmers' PROFITS. 



In looking over the report of the transactions of 

 the Milk Raisers' Association, one is led to believe 

 that the public would be enabled to judge more 

 Correctly of the relative profits of milk raisers and 

 those who deliver the nulk to consumers, if they 

 were conversant with the habits of Ijoth. If the 

 gentleman from Concord, (Mr. J. D. Brown,) had 

 infurmed the Association in regard to his net 

 profits per year, in the milk business alone, we 

 think he would have shown that the milk business 

 has been very profitable to him. People well ac- 



