1853. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



145 



nearly two inclies, irregular, slender, set with very 

 little depression. Calyx open, but little sunk. — 

 Flesh juicy, a little coarse, but very melting, 

 sweet and delicious, with a rich perfume. Ripe 

 August and September. 



AT HOMS AGAIN 



On returning from our late attei;d:inceupon the 

 first annual meeting nf the United States Agricul- 

 tural Society, at Washington, we find an accumu- 

 lation of communications, inquiries, new books, 

 papers, &c., upon our desk which could not nil be 

 noticed in the brief space of a week, but wliich 

 shall receive respectful attention at an early mo- 

 ment. We beg leave to utter new expressions of 

 thankfulness for these favors — these sure indica- 

 tions of progress and improvement among the 

 thousands of our readers. 



Our last year's volume was increased some one 

 hundred and sixty pages to make room fn* the con- 

 tributions of our friends. But this increased space 

 will not sufficiently accommodate their increased 

 activity of mind. The occupation has now a litera- 

 ture ; farmers have broken down the partition 

 walls that long separated them from the world of 

 letters. Wi^-^ their new modes of culture they 

 have found new modes of expression, and are con- 

 stantly furnishing the agricultural press with clear, 

 and cotnprensive statements of their operations. 

 Such contributions are ah'eady giving tone and 

 character to these publications, and will prove of 

 essential benefit to every inquirer in the art. 



Our visit at the metropolis was a pleasant one. 

 Its direct object being accomplished, a few days 

 were devoted to friendly interchanges among old 

 and dear friends, and in conversation with gentle- 

 men from various parts of the Union. One day 

 was most agreeaVdy spent on the plantation of Mr. 

 Calvert, in Maryland, in looking at his one hun- 

 dred milch cows, his new and unique barn and 

 sheds, and other matters of interest. These may 

 form topics of remark hereafter. In returning, a 

 day which will long be remembered, was passed 

 in a visit to the Caloric ship Ericsson — that beau- 

 tiful structure, and wonderful embodiment of man's 

 genius. We went among the depths of her ma- 

 chinery, examining the finish and nice adjustment 

 of its parts, and kindled with enthusiasm as we 

 believed that upon bidding she must "walk the 

 water like a thing of life." An hour or two at 

 the "literary emporium" of the Harper's closed 

 the day. 



Now, again at our post, not only your written 

 favors, but your faces, kind readers, we shall be 

 glad to see. The interest in which we are engaged 

 is a common one, and each must "magnify his of- 

 fice" as best he may. 



To Kill Lice on Sv.-ine. — The N. Y. Agricultor 

 says that sour, warm buttermilk, well salted, and 



rul)bcd upon the backs of swine, will destroy all 

 the vermin there. 



A 



"Q 



Fis: I 

 Cattle Proban 



REMEDY FOR CHOKED CATTLE. 



We were not aware, until quite 

 recenlly, that there is an annual 

 loss by the choking of cattle which 

 amounts to a very serious item in 

 the commonwealth. On raention- 

 iug the subject lately, a gentleman 

 informed us of several instances of 

 quite recent occurrence, some of 

 which proved fatal. 



Having a cow in the habit of get- 

 ting choked, we found it necessary 

 to find some ready way of relieving 

 her, or else to see her die. The 

 plan described below is easy and 

 sure. At any rate, we have known 

 a woman " unchoke a cow," re- 

 peatedly, alone, with these imple- 

 ments. 



Take a round stick, fifteen inches 

 long, and two or two and a half 

 inches in diameter, and bore an inch 

 hole through the centre, as shown 

 in Fig. 2 at b; take a common broom 

 handle and pass its upper end 

 '"' through the hole at h, in the stick. 

 Fig. 2, and draw it along to the lower end, at let- 

 ter a. The end of the stick at a, must be wound 

 with cotton cloth to make a bunch about two and 

 a half inches through, and 

 the cloth nailed on so as to 

 prevent all possibility of its 

 slipping off, — then cover 

 the cloth with lard, so as 

 to make it slip easy. Now 

 place the stick, Fig. 2, 

 across the cow's mouth, 

 and fasten it with strings 

 or straps about the roots of the horns, then gent- 

 ly press the stick, or probang, down the throat, 

 and the work is done I 



These articles may be fitted ready for use in 

 half an hour, and should always be in readiness. 

 After having them by us for several years, we find 

 that the practice is an old English one, and the 

 same operation is described in some of the English 

 books. 



For the New Ensland Farmer. 

 A RARE BROOD. 



Mr. Editor : — I have been interested in the 

 accounts published in your paper, relating to 

 Fowls, their treatment, profit of keeping, &c. I 

 have a few of several varieties, but having lately 

 commenced farming, have no rcsw/Zs to offer as yet. 

 A fact, however, has come under my observation, 

 which I think may not be uninteresting. A neigh- 

 bor of mine has a hen which hatched last spring, 



