384 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Auo. 



most efFectual absorbent of ammonia, but it needs 

 a mixture of sandy loam or muck to prevent its 

 great adhesiveness, — and thus all the fertilizing 

 properties of sewcrasje may be retained in a tenth 

 part of the original bulk. The question is, will it 

 pay ? H. A. Sheldon. 



Middleburxj, Vt., 1868. 



IS SUPERPHOSPHATE SUITABLE FOR CLAY LAND. 



I wish to obtain some information in rcccard to 

 the efficacy of superphosphate w-hcn ajiplied to 

 certain soils. I have a lot containing about four 

 acres, a part of which I plantechwith potatoes last 

 year. This licld is of a moist, arf,'iIla('coas nature, 

 and the crop obtained, with a lil)rral snpplj' of phos- 

 phate, was far from being satisfactory. Whether 

 this resulted from the unVavorablf'uess of the sea- 

 son, tlie want of virtue in the phosphate, or its 

 unadaptability to soils of this nature, is the ques- 

 tion which I now propose for an answer through 

 the columns of j'our excellent journal. I would 

 also inquire whether phosphate is better than Ijarn 

 yard manure for fruit trees, garden vegetables, &c. ? 

 I ask these questions to get the experience of 

 others, rather than make unprofitable or expensive 

 experiments. D. F. Whitney. 



Spencer, Mass., June 20, 1863. 



■WHITE SPECKS IN BUTTER. 



I wish to inquire through the Farmer, what is 

 the cause of white specks in butter, and how to 

 prevent them. Some persons think they are 

 caused by too sti'ong a current of air upon the 

 cream while it is rising, others by too great heat. 

 A remedy for it wiil greatly improve the look as 

 well as the quality of the butter. a. b. 



Essex, Vt., June 25, 1868. 



Remarks. — The specks ought not to be there. 

 But dairy women are not exactly agreed as to the 

 cause which prodaces<hem. As you remark, some 

 think they are caused by air or heat operating on 

 the surface of the cream, either before or after it is 

 taken from the milk ; others asmbe their origin 

 to the mingling of the imperfectly churned cream 

 or "scrapings," which collect on the top and sides of 

 the churn, with the butter jast as it is "coming;" 

 while others believe that these white specks are 

 particles of the sour milk taken with the cream in 

 skimming, which become hard like cheese. 



The remedies proposed vary of course with the 

 various theories of the different individuals who 

 propose them. Those who hold that these specks 

 are particles of the dried or heated surface of the 

 cream, recommend measures that will tend to 

 prevent such drying and heating. But in regard 

 to the proper treatment of the cream after it is put 

 into the pot, there is a dilTcrence of opinion ; some 

 recommending frequent stirrings, while others 

 would add the successive skimmings to the top of 

 the jar with as little disturbance of the mass as 

 possible, believing that the thick sour milk which 

 settles to the bottom should not be mingled with 

 the cream. 



Those who regard these specks as dried or hard- 

 ened particles of sour or coajulated milk, are care- 

 ful not to allow the cream to remain too long on 

 the milk or in the crock. In a communication in 

 the Farmer, some years since, on this subject, 

 Mr^ "M. E. C," of Warner, N. H., said, "I have 



never had the 'luck' to have my butter specked, 

 unless I kept my milk too long before skim- 

 ming, or my cream too long before churning. 

 The milk should be skimmed before it curdles, 

 and the cream churned before it has either white 

 or black specks." Mrs. S. Pierce, also, in the 

 Monthly Farmer, 1859, says these white specks 

 are "formed in the bottom of a neglected pot ot' 

 cream ;" and ironically advises to "go a-visiting to- 

 day, and churn to-morrow." 



wounded colt. 



I have a valuable four-years-old colt that was 

 turned out in the montlL of May, with a number 

 of young cattle. I now rind he has been hooked 

 by them, and has a hard, large, flat bunch on his 

 belly, covered with flies, the rupture being between 

 the ribs and belly. The sore runs freely, and he 

 eats and drinks well. If you or any ot your cor- 

 respondents can tell me, through your estimable 

 paper, what is best to washthe sore with, and what 

 is the cause of the bunch, and what will cure it, 

 you will greatly oblige E. A. Raymond. 



Eoyalston, Mass., June 22, 1868. 



Remarks. — Mr. Allen well remarks, in his new 

 book on American Cattle, that "the best surgeons 

 now regard water as an important auxiliary in 

 treating wounds. Lavements, pourings, wet com- 

 presses, &c., are used for the human subject ; and 

 water answers equally well for animals. Simple 

 cut toounds, when cleansed and dressed with wa- 

 ter usually heal without suppuration, especially, if 

 the blood be in a healthy state. There being a 

 tendency in all wounds to fever and inflammation, 

 water dressings, in the form of wet bandages, 

 keep dow^n the unnatural heat, and allow nature to 

 go on with the healing process. The lips of the 

 wound may, generally, be held together with ad- 

 hesive straps, or a few stitches, and the water ap- 

 plication put over. The most dangerous wounds, 

 near some vital part, are frequently healed with 

 the aid of water to keep down the inflammation. 

 Wc remember a fine mare that stepped on a hoe, 

 thjE handle of which had been split, leaving a sharp 

 end, and throwing the handle up under her belly, 

 caused a deep, ugly wound, and so lacerating the 

 bowels, that, being in August, it was thought al- 

 most useless to attempt saving her. But by dress- 

 ing the woundconstantly with water, the flies were 

 kept out, inflammation prevented, and the wound 

 healed in two months, leaving the animal as valu- 

 able as before. 



Where the wound is considerable, and important 

 parts are affected, the most decisive means should 

 be speedily employed to keep down inflammation. 

 Immediately after which, a purgative, or relaxa- 

 tive drink should be given, and the parts be fo- 

 mented with a decoction of mallows, hemlock, or 

 elder, until the inflammation, if any, subsides. 

 Keep it ahcfii/s icashcdclean, and if warm weather, 

 keep the flies away. 



After the inflammation caused by the wound 

 has subsided, it should be examined with a probe, 

 in order to ascertain if any matter be confined ; as 

 it Is sometimes necessary to give it vent by enlarg- 



