96 farmers' and mechanics' journal. 



has induced me to call and see him, and although I could point out 

 defects, or vvhat appear to me to be defects, yet I think you have 

 hardly done him justice. As you observe, I have seen prettier 

 horses. The Quicksilver was a prettier horse, to my eye, as far 

 as mere beauty was concerned, but he was not, on the whole, so 

 noble in his appearance; nor did he move with so much strength 

 and grace. I may be mistaken ; every one, as you observe, has 

 his whim or prejudice in the choice of a Horse. I am gratified to 

 learn, that there are others which have recently been brought into 

 this vicinity. 1 wish some one who has seen them, would give 

 some notice of them ; and F hope, that farmers will use a little dis- 

 cretion, atid select those that are best adapted for their Mares. I 

 mean those that will be most likely to correct their defects, in their 

 otTspring. Every Horse has his faults, or is defective in some 

 points, and it should be the duty of breeders, to guard against these 

 defects in their Colts, by carrying their Mares to Horses that will 

 be most likely to correct, rather than increase them. 



A friend to a good horse. 



For the Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal. 



Query. In what manner is Gypsum prepared for Plaister or 

 Cement ? 



PwTTY. I have learned by observation and practice, that two 

 parts of Whiting and one part of fine Plaister of Paris, makes a 

 Putty much superior for setting glass than the Whiting alone ; does 

 ,not often crack ; becomes hard much sooner, and is very strong ; 

 and am inclined to think, that, if it were as fine as Whiting, it 

 would alone make as good Putty as any used. 1 have also found, 

 that fine lime and linseed oil will make a putty or cement that 

 hardens under water. 



Potatoes. From an experiment, made last year upon a small 

 scale, I have reason to believe that Potatoes might be growed to 

 advantage upon the ground bark taken from the tan-pits, either in 

 the yard, or laid upon rocks, clay beds, or on the grass, or any- 

 where else — sufliciently thick to preserve moisture. They will 

 need no cultivation between planting and harvest. I would re- 

 commend to plant such pieces as will take about three to a hill, 

 put them eight or ten inches apart in the row, and have the rows 

 from 18 to 24 inches distant from each other. S. Hill. 



Union, Me. 



