306 



Lancaster Co. Lime, fyc. — Dead Animals. — Fencing. Vol. VII. 



tity of magnesia, and the other half with 

 Spring Lawn lime, noting its proportion of 

 magnesia also ; using both in excess, say at 

 the^rate of 500 bushels per acre. In our 

 estimation, the man who would undertake 

 such an experiment, would deserve a gold- 

 en plough and the gratitude of the agricul- 

 tural community; and yet, how easily might 

 it be accomplished by a few enlightened 

 friends conveniently situated in both dis- 

 tricts ! We fancy that we see our excellent 

 and intelligent friend, Mr. Kinser, at the 

 head of such a patriotic band of citizens, 

 and already employed in the enviable task ! 

 With his broad-wheel wagon of 100 bushels, 

 and his magnificent team of horses, he could 

 soon accomplish his share of the labour. 

 J. Pedder. 



April 27th, 1843. 



P. S. At p. 142, vol. 2, of the Cabinet, is 

 the following observation by Mr. Daniel 

 Buckley, of Salisbury, the person mentioned 

 bv Mr. Van Leer, as having spread plaster 

 with a shovel, at the rate of 25 or 30 bushels 

 per acre. As in all probability the lime he 

 speaks of was obtained from the quarries 

 now used by Mr. Kinser, they being within 

 sight, the testimony borne to its perfectly 

 harmless character when used largely, comes 

 well in place for corroboration. He says, 

 "there are good farmers who differ as to the 

 quantity of lime that is most profitably ap- 

 plied ; some say 60 bushels per acre, some 

 70, and some more. I have applied 100 

 bushels on an acre of limestone land at a 

 dressing, but have not been able to discover 

 any benefit in using it thus freely, nor any 

 injury, except in the loss of the lime." 



Dead Animals. — By covering dead ani 

 mals with five or six times their bulk of 

 fresh soil, mixed with one part lime, and 

 suffering them to remain, their decomposi- 

 tion would impregnate the earth with solu- 

 ble matter, so as to render it a most valua- 

 ble manure, which might be applied in the 

 same way as other manures to crops. — Davy. 



It is recommended not to allow the lime 

 to come in contact with the carcass, else the 

 decomposition would be retarded. The lime 

 may be spread over the surface of the heap 

 of earth, where it would imbibe the gasses 

 as they evolved during the decomposition of 

 the dead animal ; that having ceased, then 

 the whole mass may be turned over toge- 

 ther; and after a season, the compost, may 

 be carried abroad as a dressing of superla- 

 tive value. It is said, in France the value 

 of a dead horse is oftentimes far greater 

 than that of a living one. 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 

 Fencing. 



Messrs. Editors, — Believing that few 

 matters are of more importance to the com- 

 munity — whether farmers or others — than 

 the economy of " Fencing," I was exceed- 

 ingly pleased with the suggestions of your 

 correspondent, the "Old Farmer, of Salem," 

 in your last January number. 



Upon inquiry, it appeared the half inch 

 iron rod of four feet and a half in length, 

 would weigh above three pounds — at least 

 so said my steel-yards — and could not be 

 procured in Baltimore, our most convenient 

 market, at less than five cents per pound, 

 making the cost of each bar from 15 to 17 

 cents, instead of seven, as stated by your 

 correspondent. 



This being a most material item in the 

 cost of each panel, I must ask the favour of 

 your correspondent, or of "J. P.," who says 

 in your last February number, he has tried 

 it, or any kind friend capable of giving the 

 information, to tell us where such rod iron 

 can be purchased at the price stated. My 

 decided impression is, that if the iron can 

 be purchased for seven cents, at a place 

 from which it can be conveniently and 

 cheaply transported, this species of fencing 

 will be adopted to a considerable extent. 



Allow me, while on the subject, to sug- 

 gest whether a slight clinch or rivet head 

 on the lower end of the bar, with a perfo- 

 rated piece of sheet iron or tin, in the na- 

 ture of a washer, may not be the cheapest 

 and best mode of arranging the rod. It will 

 then lay flat upon a stone or other substance 

 placed under it, and by a very little labour 

 the rod may be prepared with this rivet 

 head, before taken to the field. Chester. 



Kent CO., Md., March, 1843. 



Upon inquiry, we learn that f or J inch iron rods 

 may !>«■ obtained in this city, at about five dollars per 

 cwt. — Ed. 



To destroy thistles, fern and colts- 

 foot. — Having once a pasture field that 

 seemed one entire bed of common thistles, 

 and having occasion to carry manure across 

 it to another field, I observed all the thistles 

 completely killed wherever the carts went, 

 I therefore set to and rolled the whole field 

 with a cast-iron roller, once in the latter 

 end of May, and twice in the beginning of 

 June. The field has been free from thistles 

 ever since. Fern and coltsfoot I have ex- 

 terminated in the same way. — London Hor- 

 ticultural Register, for August 1831. 



Let every man mind his own business, 

 and then every man's business will be at- 

 tended to. 



