32 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



[February, 1876. 



who should fill the posts of dignity and trust, frame 

 and administer the laws, and represent the nation 

 abroad. But to accomplish all this, self-reliance, 

 conscious ability, and conscious worth must co-exist 

 — these are not the work of a moment, nor the simple 

 union of material forces. No combination alone can 

 achieve permanent success. The only patron the far- 

 mer needs is himself alone — educated and trained to 

 fill his high destiny. 



Large Poultry Yard, 



The followine: account of the largest poultry yard 

 in New York is given in the Fancier's Journal : 



It is at Greene, Chenango county, N. Y., and is 

 kept by Mr. A. B. Robeson. He has 6,000 ducks, 

 4,000 turkeys, and 1,200 hens. They consume daily 

 sixty bushels of corn, two barrels of meal, two bar- 

 rels of i)otatoes, and a quantity of charcoal. The 

 meal, potatoes and charcoal are boiled together, and 

 form a pudding which is fed warm. He has com- 

 menced to kill them off, and employs fifteen hands to 

 pick, two to kill, and one to carry away and pack on 

 racks until frozen, then they are ready to pack for 

 shipping. He also employs two men to cook the feed 

 and feed them. He has twelve buildings for his 

 fowls, from one to two hundred feet long, fourteen 

 feet wide, and seven feet under the eaves, with a door 

 in each end of them. 



Mr. Robeson bought most of his ducks in the West, 

 and had them shipped in crates — three dozen in a 

 crate. He also has an egg-house, 35 by .50 feet, and 

 four stories high. The outside is eighteen inches 

 thick, and built of cut stone, laid in mortar, boarded 

 up on the inside and filled in between. the outside and 

 inside wall with sawdust, it taking 3,000 bushels. 

 Mr. Robeson claims that he can keep eggs any length 

 of time in this building. He also keeps the poultry 

 that he is now dressing until next May or June, 

 which he sells for eighteen to twenty-five cents per 

 pound, and it cannot be told from fresh dressed 

 jmultry. He gets ten cents per pound for turkey's 

 feathers, twelve for hen's and sixty-five for duck's. 

 He says there is money in poultry, and he thinks 

 he can make out of his 0,000 ducks enough to 

 pay for his egg house, which cost S7,000. He intends 

 to keep a great many more next season, and has 

 agents out all over the country buying up poultry 

 and eggs. 



The State Agriculturists. 



At the quarterly meeting of the executive commit- 

 tee of the State Agricultural Society, the following 

 was adopted : 



Resoli'cd, That this executive committee recom- 

 mend to the incoming representatives of the Pennsyl- 

 vania State Agricultural Society the propriety of 

 omitting the annual exhibition of 1870, for the reason 

 that the common desire of the citizens of Pennsylva- 

 nia is to contribute to the success of the commemora- 

 tion during the year of the completion of the first 

 century of our republic as a nation. 



The following olliecrs of the State Society were 

 elected : 



President — George Scott. 



Vice-Presidents — .James A. M'Crea, Geo. Blight, 

 A. L. Kennedy, William S. Bissell, A. D. Levering, 

 David H. Branson, Win. H. Holstein, Tobias Barto, 

 S. S. Spencer, Daniel H. Neiraan, Joseph P. Connor, 

 Ira Tripp, Lyman Nntting,John A. Sniull, James E. 

 Carmalt, J. B. Potter, S. Baker, John S. Miller, 

 Daniel O. Gehr, L. A. Mackey, George Rhey, John 

 Murdoch, jr., Alex. Speer, Joshua Wright, J. B. 

 Lawson, J. D. Kirkpatriek, John W. Hammond. 



Additional members executive committee — A. Wil- 

 helm, Abner Rutherford, J. S.Keller, Benjamin G. 

 Peters, R. S.Allen. 



Ex-Presidents, Members of the Board — Frederick 

 Watts, D.Taggart, Jacob S. Haldeman, Thomas P. 

 Knox, A. Boyd Hamilton, Amos E. Kapp, John C. 

 Morris, J. R. Eby. 



Corresponding Secretary — Elbridge M'Conkey. 



Chemist and Cicologist — S. S. Haldeman. 



Assistant Chemist and Geologist — Hugh Hamilton. 



Librarian — William H. Egle. 



The Pestilential East Wind. 



I believe it is an admitted fact that an easterly wind 

 is more deleterious to man, beast, and vegetation, 

 than a westerly wind. I have observed that if an 

 east wind should come while the cherry and raspberry 

 were in bloom, they are sure to be mostly blasted. 

 I have noticed, too, that all kinds of stock require 

 more attention during an eastern wind or storm than 

 in one from the west. Man, as a general rule, feels 

 more dull, stupid, and inactive during an east wind. 

 We read in the Bitjle of the pestilential east wind; so 

 we infer that during the patriarchal days, in Asia, 

 it was observed to be the more deleterious. The ques- 

 tion has often been asked. Why is this so? Philoso- 

 phers, who reason from cause to ettect, have searched 

 for a cause. I will give my phylosophy for it, and 

 those who peruse it may take it for what it is worth. 



The planet revolving from west to east, and a west 

 wind going the same direction, the surlaee air, a por- 

 tion at least, is thrown ofi' into space — consequently 



the higher and purer atmosphere is pressed down to 

 the surface; hence we do not get all of the poisonous 

 miasma in the air during a westerly wind. My idea 

 may become more clear by statihg a fact that many 

 have observed. By pouring water on a grindstone 

 and turning it rapidly, a portion of the water is thrown 

 from the surface, just so with a western wind; it 

 brings into requisition the centrifugal force, a ten- 

 dency to fly from the surface, while with an east wind 

 the reverse is true; the centripetal force is brought to 

 bear. Hence an east wind coming against the planet 

 is constantly clinging to the surface; therefore we 

 are subjected to all the impure air, &e. 



I have here briefly given what seems to me the 

 true cause for the more injurious effects of an east 

 wind, and I shall adhere to this, unless some one can 

 give something which appears still more philosophi- 

 cal. — A. Allen JVoe, Lancaster, January 1, 1870. 



Influence of Food on the Mind, 



Good food, a variety and enough to satisfy the de- 

 mands of the stomach for the time, exercises a pro- 

 digious influence on mental operations. A hungry 

 man has no wide range of thought, neither has a glut- 

 tou . Those are extremes which endanger the physi- 

 cal well-being of the body. Just enough to relish con- 

 tributes immensely toward that condition of mind es- 

 sential forthe exercise of reason and judgment. When 

 food is imperfectly digested, or not at all, the vital 

 processes arc diminished in force, which is shown in 

 direct debility and an enfeebled state of the brain. 



Great brain workers are generally great eaters. 

 The blood requires frequent meals from which to 

 elaborate something essential to its full contribution 

 of those elements that sustain the most wonderful 

 organ ever brought under the eye of a naturalist in 

 the conduction of its mysterious functions. Stranger 

 still, the brain quickly uses up the quickened influ- 

 ences conveyed to it in the blood; and if more is not 

 soon supplied, the deficiency is indicated by nervous 

 disturbances and abnormal derangements which food 

 alone can re-establish. 



A regular, systematical served diet, of a mixed 

 character, embracing both animal and vegetable ma- 

 terials, proportioned agreeably to the taste of an in- 

 dividual, secures the highest condition of mind for 

 carrying on those studies in literature, science or art, 

 characteristic of the best types of civilized man. 

 Neither savages, barbarians, mendicants in search of 

 a dinner, nor gourmands write books or contribute to 

 the moral progress of mankind. 



Hurtful Reading. 



A had book, magazine, or newspaper, is as danger- 

 ous to your child as a vicious companion, and will as 

 surely corrupt his morals and lead him away from 

 the paths of safety. Every parent should set this 

 thought clearly before his mind, and ponder it well. 

 Look to what your children read, and especially what 

 kind of papers get into their hands, for there are now 

 published scores of weekly papers with attractive 

 and sensuous illustrations, that are as hurtful to 

 young and innocent souls as poison to a healthful 

 body. 



Many of these papers have attained a large circu- 

 lation, and are sowing broadcast the seeds of vice and 

 crime. Trenching on the very borders of indecency, 

 they corrupt the morals, taint the imagination, and 

 allure the weak and unguarded from the path of in- 

 nocence. The danger of young persons from this 

 cau.se was never so great as at this time; and every 

 father and mother should be on guard against an 

 enemy that is sure to meet their child; 



Look to it, then, that your children are kept free as 

 possible I'roni this taint. Never bring to your house 

 a paper or periodical that is not strictly pure, and 

 watch carefully lest any such get into the hands of 

 your growing-up boys. 



•»• 



Celery. 



The habitual use of celery is more beneficial to us 

 than is commonly supposed. A writer who is famil- 

 iar with its virtues, says: "I have known many 

 men, and women too, who from various causes had 

 become so much affected by nervousness that when 

 they stretched out their hands they shook like aspen 

 leaves on windy days, and by a moderate daily use of 

 the blanched foot-stalks of celery as a salad, they 

 became as strong and steady in limb as other people. 

 I have known others so nervous that the least annoy- 

 ance put them in a state of agitation, and they were 

 in constant perplexity and fear, who were also effect- 

 ually cured by a moderately daily use of blanched 

 celery as a salad at meal time. I have known others 

 cured of palpitation of the heart. Everybody engag- 

 ed in labor weakening to the nerves should use celery 

 daily in the season, and onions in its stead when not 

 in season." 



of sweet milk, two cups of flour, in which have been 

 thoroughly mixed two teaspoonfuls of baking pow- 

 der, or two of cream of tartar and one of soda, and 

 flavor with one teaspoonful of extract of bitter al- 

 monds (or other flavor desired) . Lastly, stir in one 

 cup of corn starch, which acts both as food and 

 shortening. Immediately bake in a moderately quick 

 oven. 



What it will do. — If a mechanic or clerk saves 

 only 3':i' cents per day, from the time he is twenty- 

 one until he is threescore and ten, the aggregate, with 

 interest, will amount to .S3, 900; and a daily saving of 

 27y, cents reaches the important sum of $i39,000. A 

 sixpence saved daily will provide a fund of S7,000 — 

 sufficient to purchase a good farm. There are few 

 employees who cannot save daily, by abstaining from 

 the use of cigars, tobacco, liquor, etc., twice or ten 

 times the amount of the six cent piece. Every per 

 son should provide for old age, and the man in busi- 

 ness who can lay by a dollar a day will eventually 

 find himself possessed of $100,000. 



Corn Starch Cake. 



This is a simple and digestible cake, easily and 

 quickly made, and generally liked. Rub well together 

 one cup of butter and two cups of sugar. Add the 

 whites of si.x eggs beaten to a froth. Stir in one cup 



LITERARY AND PERSONAL. 



The Pocket Guide for the Centennial Vis- 

 itor, compiled by John W. Frazer, .and published 

 for gratuitous circulation by .John B. Ellison & Sons, 

 723 and 72.5 Market street, Philadelphia, is a 13mo. 

 pamphlet of 73 pages, and contains fifty-five finely 

 executed illustrations — most of which are full page — 

 of the buildings, ground plans, scenery and surround- 

 ings of Fairmpunt Park, and the bridges, avenues, 

 &c., in, and leading thereto. 



Briggs & Brother's Quarterly Illustrated 

 Floral Work for January appears in a more com- 

 pact form and less ornamental than heretofore, for 

 the reason that they are preparing to recognize our 

 Centennial year by an elaborate work which shall be 

 substantially bound, and will contain exhaustive 

 treatises upon the care and culture of all the plants, 

 flowers, bulbs, &c., that are of practical service in 

 this country. It will be a standard work, fit for the 

 parlor or library, and will be sent as a premium to 

 their customers. Their lithograph of "The Great 

 Tomato Race," is one of the finest things of the kind 

 ever published. In rivalry to produce the best toma- 

 toes, Briggs & Brothers seem to be ahead. 



The Semi-Tropical for January comes to us from 

 the sunny land of orange groves in an entirely new 

 dress, with a beautiful and appropriate design forthe 

 cover. The paper and typography throughout are 

 first-class, equal to the best of the northern maga- 

 zines. It is devoted to Southern Agriculture, Horti- 

 culture and Immigration ; Literature, Science, Art 

 and Home Interests. Now that Florida is attracting 

 so much attention from northern people, the Semi- 

 Tropical forms an admirable channel of communica- 

 tion of just such information as they ought to have. 

 We look upon such creditable literary enterprises as 

 the very best evidence of the coming reconstruction 

 of the South on a solid basis. It is well edited by 

 Harrison Reed, assisted by an able corps of contribu- 

 tors, and is published by Chas. W. Blew, Jackson- 

 ville, Florida, at ^3 a year. 



The Sanitarian : The February number of this 

 admirable exponent of sanitary science comes to our 

 table heavily freighted with good things. The lead- 

 ing paper is on the " Effect of Loss of Consciousness 

 upon the Memory of Preceding Events," by Prof. F. 

 H. Hamilton, M. D. Articles from able pens on the 

 " Perils of Massing of Population in Cities," " The 

 Health of New York," " Pulmonary Consumption in 

 Cities," " Infant Diet," " A City of Health," "Sewer 

 Gas Poisoning," " Education in the United States," 

 etc., help to make up an unusually rich table of con- 

 tents. This journal was recently incorporated with 

 the Jtledico- Legal /oio'na!, and is published by Messrs. 

 McDivitt, Campbell & Co., the eminent law and med- 

 ical book publishers. Dr. Bell still remaining in the 

 editorial charge. §3 a year. Everybody interested 

 in sanitary affairs should be a subscriber. 



Notes on the Yucca Borer : This is a beautifully 

 printed pamphlet, containing notes on the Yucca 

 Borer, (Jfegathijmus Yucca) by Prof. Charles V. 

 Riley, M.A., Ph.D., which were furnished by him 

 for the Transactions of the Academy of Sciences, of 

 St. Louis, (Vol. ill, January, 1876). The subject is 

 an interesting one, from both a scientific and practi- 

 cal point of view, because the Yuccas — .\loes or alli- 

 ed to them — with their spined or threaded fleshy leaves, 

 are becoming every year more popular as ornamental 

 garden and conservatory plants; and no doubt those 

 having sickly or stunned plants, would be surprised to 

 find a borer excavating the stems and roots, almost 

 their entire length, which, when it attains its full 

 size, is nearly four inches long, almost as large as 

 the common tobacco worm — and an inch and a half 

 in circumference. We fully endorse the quotation 

 from Westwood, namely, that " He who, by a min- 

 ute analysis of any animal, enables to solve any du- 

 bious point connected therewith, does more for the 

 elucidation of this much abused natural system than 

 the greatest and most ingenious theorist who has yet 

 taken the subject in hand," and we know no one who 

 has more fully succeeded in undertakings of this 

 kind, than Prof. Riley. 



