1860. 



NEW ENGLAND FAEMER. 



215 



SURFACE MANUKING. 



Much has been said of late of "surface manur- 

 ing." I do not fully understand the meaning of 

 the term ; or perhaps Ihad better say, I do not un- 

 derstand the exact method of applying manure in 

 that manner. I suppose it means something dif- 

 ferent from the "top-dressing" of grass lands, but 

 exactly what I do not know. Will you explain ? 



Querist. 



Rejmrks. — What is the best way to apply ma- 

 nure, is a question upon which there is much dif- 

 ference of opinion, and in the discussions which 

 take place upon it, the words "surface manuring" 

 quite often occur. We suppose the terms are not 

 confined to what is generally understood by "top- 

 dressing," but whether manure should be kept 

 near the surface, or plowed under from three to 

 ten inches. The opinion is gaining ground among 

 many good farmers, that more benefit is derived 

 from manure kept within yb?<r inches of the sur- 

 face, than when it is covered deeper. 



SPONTANEOUS C05IBUSTI0N IN HAY — VEGETABLES. 



I noticed a communication in the Farmer from 

 "Omega," of Roxbury, and "Mr. G. Whitney," of 

 Vermont, on "Spontaneous Combustion in Hay." 

 Some years ago, when in St. Johns, N. B., I re- 

 member an instance of hay becoming so heated as 

 to ignite the timbers and burn to the depth of 

 three-fourths of an inch ; by removing the hay 

 and remaking, it kept perfectly. 



Permit me to suggest the use of a corner in 

 your paper for the assistance of novices in gar- 

 dening ; although Mr. Bridgman's book is intend- 

 ed for that purpose, it is not adapted to our cli- 

 mate ; by stating the time when to plant, and 

 when to transplant, the different kinds of vegeta- 

 bles, you will contribute useful information to 

 many of your Subscribers. 



Remarks. — Will you "fill a corner" with this 

 information yourself? 



GUANO FOR RYE — RYE WITH BUCKWHEAT. 



Will you permit me to inquire Avhether Peruvi- 

 an, or in fact any other guano, can be profitably 

 used as a top-dressing for rye ? If so, will you 

 give the best mode and time of application, and 

 the amount needed on a light gravelly loam which 

 will best ensure success ? 



Also, whether rye can be sown at the same time 

 and with buckwheat, with a reasonable prospect 

 of a good crop the next season ? M. 



Wllbraham, March, 1860. 



Remarks. — Guano, at the rate of 250 or 300 

 pounds per acre, sown as soon as the ground is 

 thawed to the depth of four inches, or as soon af- 

 ter as is convenient, will usually bring more than 

 paying results. Try a portion of the field with 

 American Guano, as it is called. It is pulverized 

 ready for use, and can be purchased for $40 per 

 ton. 



We have never known rye sowed at the time of 

 sowing buckwheat, and are inclined to think it 

 would make too rank a growth the first season. 



RINGWORM OR TETTERS IN CATTLE. 



Eight weeks since, one of my yearling heifers 

 was attacked with ringworm or tetters around the 

 eyelids. The eruption has continued to spread in 

 circular form to the diameter of six inches. The 

 pustules now begin to form about the roots of the 

 horns, and also about the muzzle. 



]My whole stock of thirteen head of from one to 

 three years old are infected now with the same 

 disorder, in its first stages. Can this disease be 

 subdued or cured, or must it be left to run its own 

 time ? An early notice will be duly appreciated. 

 Charles S. Weld. 



Damon, Me., Feb. 27, 1860. 



Remarks. — We have had no experience with 

 this disease, and find nothing of it in the books 

 under the term "ringworm" or "tetter." We hope 

 some one having facts will reply. 



USE OF GUANO. 



Will the editor of the Farmer, or some one who 

 has had experience in using guano, inform me 

 whether it is profitable or not ? If so, in what 

 way should it be applied, and the quantity to the 

 acre ? J. G. G. 



Shelburne Falls, Mass., March, 1860. 



Remarks. — Guano is profitable when used un- 

 der favorable circumstances, and when it is pur- 

 chased at a fair price. We doubt whether our 

 common farmers can make it profitable at $60 a 

 ton. From 50 to 500 pounds are used to the 

 acre, sometimes broadcast, and at others compost- 

 ed with muck or loam. Do not use it until you 

 can have a better knowledge of the condition un- 

 der which to employ it, than we can impart in 

 these brief lines. 



TWO LARGE HOGS. 



Mr. John Bates, of Danversport, has two very 

 large pigs, two years old next month. The girth 

 of the largest is 6 feet 7 inches ; length from tip 

 of nose to extremity of body, 7 feet 11 inches. 

 The girth of the other is 6 feet 6 inches, length 

 7 feet 11 inches. They are small limbed, and per- 

 fect patterns of good hogs, and seem to be as thrifty 

 now as at any former time. Good judges estimate 

 that they will weigh, when dressed, 750 lbs. each ! 



Danversport, Feb., 1860. B. D. Wilcox. 



orchard grass SEED. 



Having seen the orchard grass highly recom- 

 mended for hay and pastures, I should like to in- 

 quire where the seed is to be had, at what price, 

 and if it will do to sow it with harrowing it in on 

 land that was sown with rye last fall, and if so, at 

 what time in the spring should it be sown ? 



Palmer, Mass., 1860. A. B. D. 



HAY-CUTTER AND PUMP. 



Please inform me what is the best hay-cutter 

 now in use, taking into account the cost, ease of 

 operation, and durabilitj^ for all kinds of fodder. 



Also, the best pump for farm use for a well 40 

 feet deep. Albert Emerson. 



Haverhill, Mass., 1860. 



