THE GENESEE FARMER. 



45 



■therefore requires frequent attention to keep the head 

 •open and free of spray. 



This excellent apple originated, about twenty years ago, 

 in the State of New York, on the farm of Oliver Chapin, 

 of Bloomlield, near Rochester. It-belongs to the Spitzen- 

 burgh race, and bears some resemblance to the Esopus 

 Spitzenburgh. Gradually it became a favorite among 

 American orchardists, and in 1843 we find it one of the 

 sorts which were recommended " for trial" at one of the 

 Pomological conventions. 



We cannot say much for the colored plate, it does not 

 convey a very accurate idea of the fruit. 



Carrots for Horses better than Medicine. — So says 

 a correspondent of the Country Gentleman — and he is 

 right. We know a Right Reverend Doctor of Divinity 

 who fed short-horn carrots to his horse, but was obliged 

 to desist because they made him so friskey that he was 

 afraid to let the ladies drive him. They are the best "con- 

 dition balls " that can be used. 



To Stop Bleeding. — A correspondent of the American 

 Agriculturist writes that bleeding from a wound on man 

 or beast, may be stopped by a mixture of wheat flour and 

 common salt, in two parts, bound on with a cloth. If the 

 bleeding be profuse, use a large quantity, say from one to 

 three pints. It may be left on for hours, or even days, if 

 necessary. 



Grafting the Tomato on the Potato. — A correspon- 

 dent of the Horticulturist states that he succeeded, per- 

 fectly, in grafting a scion of the tomato upon the potato 

 vine. He cut about one-third of the potato shoot off, just 

 above a leaf, taking care not to injure the bud at its base. 

 The scion, being shielded from the sun, was every day 

 sprinkled with a little water, and it took readily. In the 

 fall the tomato was loaded with ripe and unripe fruit, and 

 had grown to a large size. The potato and tomato are 

 closely allied, botanically. 



Ferrets. — A correspondent of the Prairre Farmer, who 

 speaks from experience, says ferrets are among the most 

 useful, least expensive animals any nurseryman, farmer, 

 or grain-dealer can have around their premises, in the de- 

 struction of rats and rabbits, affording to those who have 

 them, many days of sport and recreation. We can en- 

 dorse all that is said of their value in this respect. But 

 whether thay can be easily kept in our severe climate 

 may be an open question. In England they are exceed- 

 ingly useful, and few farmers are without them. 



Clover and Grasses Enrich the Soil. — The Maine 

 Farmer well remarks: "Plowing under a thick, heavy 

 grass sward furnishes an ample manuring for several suc- 

 cessive grain crops. The decomposition of the abundant 

 roots and stems of the grass supplies nutrition for 

 growths of a different character, and having a greater 

 money value to the farmer. Hence it may be good policy 

 for the farmer to give a large share of his labor and atten- 

 tion to producing a heavy growth of grass on all lands 

 when devoted to this crop, knowing that this most cheap- 

 ly and effectively prepares his soil for the production of 

 other crops." This is true, especially in the case of clover. 



Mice and Fkijit Trees. — A correspondent of the New 

 York Observer says : "David Thomas, of Cayuga county 

 told us in the Genesee Firmer a few years ago, that trees 

 should be well banked up with dirt in the fall before 

 snow. I have always found this to be a good remedy." 

 The editor of the Observer truly remarks that "when 



banking with dirt has been neglected, tramping the snow 

 compactly around the trees will turn the mice away." 

 We had written thus far, when one of the most experi- 

 enced fruit-growers of western New York came into our 

 office. " What is the best way to keep mice from fruit 

 trees?" we asked. " Bank them up." What is the next 

 best? "Stamp the snow around them." 



Agriculture in 1900.— Maxwell's Sighs, Smiles ani 

 Sketches gives the following amusing sketch of Agricul- 

 ture in Devonshire, Eng., at the present day, and what it 

 may be in 1900 ; 



A. D. 1861, 

 Come, wife, 'tis time for we to rise, 



The clock is striking five : 

 Be quick and get the tatees fried; 



Now do, lass, look alive. 

 I've got to put my barley in. 



And now the first of May's come; 

 I don't know how us shall get on, 



If many rainy days come. 

 I've got to cart out all my dung 



And lime to till the tatees ; 

 The land's as wet as wet can be. 



How boihered my poor pate is! 

 There's Brisk and Boxer cruel galled, 



And Tidy Mare is gripy ; 

 And oats are down, and wheat's a'valled, 



And Roger's always swipy ; 

 And all the sheep have got the scab, 



And wool's a g< ing down ; 

 And I've to draw my produce in, 



Vul vourteen miles to town. 

 And Lady-day's a'come and gone. 



And I've not paid my rent yet. 

 And Bill, and .Ian, and little Joe 



Ha' ne'er to school been sent yet. 

 Us can't get on il times don't mend — 



'Tis raly quite alarming: 

 I only wish my lease was out, 



I'm zure I'd give up farming. 



A. D. 1900. 



Matilda! order chocolate; 



It's nearly ten o'clock ;. 

 And getting up at half-past eight 



Is really quite a shock. 

 I worked so hard till nine last night, 



To prove that last analysis, 

 That, should my brain be further tried, 



I really tear paralysis. 

 Well, I'll just take a quiet ride: 



James, bring my locomotive — 

 That halt-horse power, with trotting spring; 



Of health 'iwill be promotive. 

 And, James, do fetch a gallon of 



Concentrated Thames .water; 

 I'll just top-dress my cucumbers — 



Five acres and a quarter. 

 Well, hi-re I'm back; I've been all round; 



The farm i< looking splendid. 

 What fools ihey were, some years ago, 



To work as hard as men did ! 

 I've heard my grandsire say, his dad 



Met with some dreadful losses : 

 Ho wonder, when they used to work 



With those great horrid hosses. 

 And, James, just touch the telegraph, 



And bid my engineer 

 Turn out six dozen plows next week, 



To get Ihe'breaches clear i 

 And tell Professor Faraday, 



And my sub-chemist, Jones, 

 To forward, by next Monday's post, 



Their last extract of bones. 

 'Tis time 1 got my turnips in; 



I should not like to mess it; 

 And as I've only one square mile, 



There'll be enough to dress it. 

 And. James, do turn the battery on, 



The wheat is just in flower, 

 And give it one galvanic shock, 



It wants a gentie shower. 

 And syringe all the cabbage plants 



With ess nee of guano ; 

 And ask Miss Jane to milk the cows 



Willi the new -'vaccine piaDo." 

 And, James, fetch down my last balloon, 



With speed -retarding crupper; 

 I'm going to Barnet fair to-day. 



And shan't be tack till supper. 



