NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



155 



GEDDES FOLDING HARROW. 



This harrow is very highly esteemed by many 

 farmers who have used it. The two sides are 

 joined by hinges in the centre, so that it adapts it- 

 self to an uneven surface, and operates equally 

 upon all parts. By this arrangement one part can 

 be elevated or thrown on the other in passing 

 stones, stumps, fruit trees and other obstructions. 

 And for deep harrowing, or on a tough hard place, 

 it may be used in this way, giving double the usu- 

 al weight to the part in operation. The teeth are 

 made to fit a mortise tapering to the top, where 

 they are fastened with nuts screwed down on an 

 iron washer, which prevents their falling out, or 

 working up as is the case with some teeth. This 

 harrow is drawn from the centre, with a steady, 

 regular motion, and either side may be conveniently 

 elevated to free it from sods, stones, or other im- 

 pediments, without disturbing the operations of 

 the other part. 



Sufficient attention is not paid to harrowing. It 

 is the most important operation after ploughing. 

 When the harrow is used sufficiently and properly, 

 it causes a thorough pulverization of the soil, 

 which is essential to the production of good crops, 

 and which saves much expense in hoeing and 

 weeding. 



The price of these harrows varies from $8 to 

 $14. They have from fourteen to thirty teeth. 



The Way Domestic Animals collect theiu 

 Food. — The horse, when feeding on natural herb- 

 age, grasps the blade with his lips, by whicli it is 

 conducted between the incisors, or front teeth. 

 These he employs for the double purpose of hold- 

 ing and detaching the gra-ss, the latter action being 



assisted by a switch of the head. The ox uses the 

 tongue to collect his food. That organ being so di- 

 rected as to encircle a small bundle of grass, which 

 is placed by it between the incisor teeth, and an 

 elastic pad opposite to them in the upper jaw, between 

 these the herbage is pressed and partly cut, its com- 

 plete severance being affected by tearing. The 

 sheep gathers his food in a similar manner as the 

 horse, but is enabled to bring his cutting teeth 

 much nearer to the roots of the plants, in conse- 

 quence of the upper lip being partially cleft. For 

 his upper lip is thin and susceptible of considerable 

 mobility; while that of the ox is thick, hairless, 

 with a very limited action. 



REARING COLTS. 



The raising of this kind of stock is rendered prof- 

 itable where the right blood can be obtained. The 

 colt requires but little attention after he is one week 

 old. Until then, he is so feeble that it may be ne- 

 cessary to confine the mother to a limited pasture, 

 as too much exercise for the first few days greatly 

 injures him. Judicious farmers confine the celt in 

 the stable if the mare is obliged to perform a large 

 day's travel; but care should be taken, when the 

 mare returns at night with a bag distended with 

 milk, that the colt be kept from her until three 

 fourths of the milk has been extracted by hand, for, 

 by remaining in the bag so long (especially if tlie 

 weather be warm,) it is rendered impure. When 

 colts are five months old, they can safely be weaned, 

 after which they will require fresh tender clover, 

 and rowen. They need warm stabling for the first 

 two years. If the breaking process is commenced 

 carefully at two years old, it renders them the more 

 valuable. 



Charcoal in Cisterns. — A writer in the Hor- 

 ticulturist says, that six qnarts of charcoal, nicely 

 pulverised, and put into a cistern of the capacity of 

 fifteen hogsheads, will make the water perfectly 

 ?weot at any time. Well worth the trial. 



