1860. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



159 



dissolving saltpetre and sometimes hen manure 

 in water. In these we soak garden and some field 

 seeds for twelve, twenty-four, thirty-six or more 

 hours, according to the readiness or slowness of 

 any particular seed to germinate. 



Far/e 15 — Care of Old Apple Trees. — From an 

 experience of methods resembling that recommend- 

 ed in this article, we are confident that wherever 

 it is adopted it will renew the youth of many a 

 seemingly useless tree. 



Fage 16 — A Carrot Crop. — It is gratifying to 

 see proofs every now and then that this crop is 

 raised more extensively and successfully than 

 heretofore 5 for we are convinced that each cow and 

 horse on a farm might derive both comfort and 

 increase of usefulness from the occasional use of 

 this root — to the extent, say, or forty or fifty bush- 

 els each, during the fall and spring months. 



Parje 25 — The Xeio Plow. — The testimony of 

 Mr. Colburne in favor of this plow will be satis- 

 factory over a wido extent of country : for he is 

 pretty extensively known, both to the East and 

 the West, as a man of good judgment, character 

 and reliability. 



Page 24 — Lice on Apple Trees. — Admirable ad- 

 vice. 



Page 31 — Pumpkins for Coics.- — Observation at 

 sundry times has confirmed me in the opinion 

 that the seeds of pumpkins cause so much in- 

 creased action in the kidneys as to efTect a con- 

 siderable decrease in the secretion of milk in 

 cows. To many fowls jjumpkin se^s are j^oison- 

 ous, and cause death. 



Page 40 —Dadd on the Diseases of Cattle, &c. 

 — It would be well for man and beast, if every one 

 would heed your remark, viz : "A ])roper care of 

 stock will prevent most diseases ; and when it has 

 invaded the system, nature left to herself will or- 

 dinarily do more to effect a cure than all the nos- 

 trums of the shops." More Anon. 



Jaminette Pears. — The beautiful pears sent 

 Vi^hy^^ A Subscriber, Salisbury, Mass.," are the 

 Jaminette, so called because they were raised by 

 M. Jaminette, of Metz, from the seed. It is an 

 excellent winter pear, produces abundant and reg- 

 ular crops, and is well worthy of general cultiva- 

 tion. We have it growing in our grounds, and 

 answering to those sent us, and the description 

 giv^n by Downing is as follows :— 



"Fruit of medium or large size, varying in form, 

 but mostly obovate, a good deal narrowed at 

 the stalk. Skin, clear green, paler at maturity, 

 considerably marked with russetty brown, espe- 

 cially near the stalk, and sparkled with numerous 

 brown dots. Stalk scarcely an inch long, rather 

 thick and obliquely planted, without any depres- 

 sion. Calyx open and firm, set in a basin of nwd- 

 erate depth. Flesh white, a little gritty near the 

 core, but very juicy and melting with a sugary, ar- 

 omatic flavor. Ripe in November and December. 



- Mr. E. Mehttran, of Middletown, Vt., has a 

 fat ox, six years old, which weighs 3000 pounds. 

 He is of a bright red color, very short legged, and 

 if he lives to grow up, will be a credit to his trwner. 



A FABMEK'S BAEOMETEK. 



The introduction of the subsoil and steam- 

 plows, seed-sowers, seed-separators, new machines 

 for mowing and reaping, the introduction of new 

 plants and fruits, and the art of thorough drainage, 

 are not to be in the future the only items of pro- 

 gress on the farm, or topics of discussion in the 

 farmer's family. Another kind of investigation has 

 already been introduced through the aid of meas- 

 ures, scales, books, the microscope and the ha- 

 romefer. 



^Vhatever pleases, while it instructs the younger 

 portions of the farmer's family, will greatly tend 

 to attach them to the soil, and to supply that skill 

 which has never yet been brought to bear upon 

 our modes of fafming. It Avill be long before the 

 truth will be received into all minds, that the at- 

 mosphere is the great store-hovse of supply for 

 our plants, and that a deeper and more reliable 

 knowledge of its action is essential to a success- 

 ful husbandry. ;; 

 For several years past we have had a barome- 

 ter hanging by the door, and have been pleased 

 and instructed by its timely and valuable warn- 

 ings. The recent examination of a new, simple, 

 and yet effective instiniment, has brought its im- 

 portance to mind with a new freshness and inter- . 

 est, as our reflections have suggested the great 

 value which it may prove to agriculture when it 

 becomes common, and its teachings are properly 

 regarded. The instrument to which we have al- 

 luded, and which is now before us, is the inven- 

 tion of a Mr. TiMBY, and while it is constructed 

 upon strictly scientific principles, is also a beauti- 

 ful ornament for the librai-y or parlor, where its 

 perpetual suggestions must have an important in- 

 fluence upon both mind and business. In refer- 

 ence to this particular barometer, the Scientific 

 American "bespeaks for it a universal adoption, 

 especially among agriculturists, as they, more than 

 any other class save seamen, need the council of 

 this faithful monitor, which leaves nothing to con- 

 jecture, but tells with promptness of the coming 

 storm long before a threatening cloud is visible in 

 the sky." Mr. Timby, as we learn, has not only 

 introduced the first marked improvement in this 

 instrument, but has so reduced the cost as to en- 

 able most persons to avail themselves of its ad- 

 vantages. 



As great as the value of the barometer is ac- 

 knowledged to be to the navigator, a little reflection 

 and investigation will satisfy many that its com- 

 mon use will be of scarcely less importance to the 

 tiller of the soil. Let us bring to our aid, for a 

 moment, the omnipotence of figures, and see what 

 revelations they will unfold. The United States 

 Census of 1850 gives the valuation of the agri- 

 cultural products of the country, (but only includ- 



