BOTs. 289 



above. Some throw, occasionally, powdered red pep- 

 per on the fire, as it is said to prevent the attacks of 

 insects on the bacon after smoking, and somewhat im- 

 proves the flavor. 



If the smoke-house can be kept perfectly secure 

 against the entrance of insects, and is dark and cool, 

 the bacon may be left in it till wanted for use ; but 

 there are few houses of this description, and, on the 

 approach of warm weather, must be taken down and 

 packed away secure till required for the table. Salt, 

 clean hickory-ashes, or oats, will secure it from insects 

 or dripping, if placed in a dry or cool position. It is 

 sometimes kept by white-washing the surfaces, by dip- 

 ping the hams in strong lie, which converts the sur- 

 face into a kind of soap, and sometimes by sewing 

 them up closely in cotton. Probably the best mode, 

 however, in all respects, is to pack them down in pow- 

 dered charcoal, which will not only effectually exclude 

 all insects whatever, but, by keeping the meat dry, 

 and correcting any tendency to unpleasant flavor, keep 

 the meat in good order for any length of time. — Gen- 

 esee Farmer. 



[From the Pictou (N. S.) Farmer.] 



BOTS. 



The committee will conclude their report with a 

 few remarks on bots in horses, although, strictly speak- 

 ing, without the limits of their subject. 



The estrus communis, or horse-bee, as it is common- 

 ly calkd, is seen depositing its little yellow eggs on the 

 legs of horses, during the summer and autumn : these 

 are taken ofl" by the horse, biting at flies, or scratching 

 himself^ and swallowed. In the stomach of the horse 

 25* 



