150 



KEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



March 



fixed, and if these are true, the rest becomes easy. 

 Shear all off evenly between these points, and 

 * we have the form of a triangular prism, which, 

 in the opinion of the writer, is the best, both as 

 regards beauty and well-being of the hedge. 

 Practically, it should not be sheared quite to a 

 point on top, but nearly so. The shape of the 

 one represented in the drawing is varied a little 

 from that described, by being rounded a little ; 

 but in practice it is difficult to make this perfect- 

 ly true, which mars the beauty of the whole. 

 However, every one may consult his own taste ; 

 and skill in manipulating the shears is only gained 

 by experience. After the third year, the hedge 

 needs only to be trimmed evenly at midsummer, 

 and it will soon become dense and smooth. — Ru- 

 ral Annual. 



EXTB.ACTS AND BEPLIES. 



BITING HORSES — UPLAND CRANBERRIES — ESSAY 

 ON MANURES. 



You tell us, and tell truly, that to whip a con- 

 trary horse is not the way. How is it in regard 

 to a disposition to bite ? Can this be corrected 

 by the whip ? 



Does it pay, as a general thing, to attempt to 

 cultivate the upland cranberry ? If so, where 

 can plants be obtained, with directions as to soil, 

 cultivation, &c.? 



Where can Reynolds' "Essay on Manures" be 

 obtained ? E. 



Framingham, Jan. 19, 1861. 



Remarks. — Kindness, if anything, will cure a 

 horse of any bad habit. The law of love will do 

 more for any creature, man or beast, than all the 

 parchment laws that were ever framed. Make 

 the horse understand by all the means in your 

 power that you are his friend — that you will not 

 hurt him, and you will soon find a wonderful 

 sympathy growing up between you. This is the 

 whole secret of Mr. Rarey's wonderful power 

 over horses. 



Cranberries can be raised on moist upland. 

 Get the plants from some meadow in your neigh- 

 borhood that produces good fruit. 



A few copies of Reynolds' "Essay on Manures," 

 might, perhaps, be obtained from him at Concord, 

 or of the Massachusetts Society for the Promo- 

 tion of Agriculture. 



A GOOD HORSE CART. 



If the following is regarded by you an answer 

 to the inquiry for a description of a good horse 

 cart, you can use it. 



In the spring of 1856, I concluded to do my 

 work with a horse, and wanted a wagon and 

 cart both, which lead me to conceive of the plan. 

 I had a stout wagon built. The fore-axles were 

 \% inches, hind 15 inch, tire 2 inches wide ; oth- 

 erwise light as could be to correspond. Had the 

 rocker and hind axle connected l)y three pieces, 

 the same as a light wagon, the body connected 

 to those by bolts, which may at pleasure be taken 

 out and the body placed back on the hind wheels 

 and attached by hooks so that it will tip as a cart. 



The only disadvantages are, it requires more 

 room to turn than with two wheels, and the fore 

 wheels are somewhat in the way about unloading. 

 The advantages are, a horse works much easier 

 than on two wheels, and I think will draw more 

 over plowed ground and rough land. The short 

 body is easily laid aside, and a long rack put on 

 for hay by bolting this extra rocker up to the 

 rack body. The economy is, the one carriage 

 answers every purpose of farm work, saving 

 also extra harness. After so long trial, I would 

 not exchange for cart and wagon. 



Londonderry, N. II., 1861. J. A. Holmes. 



REMEDY FOR CHOKED CATTLE. 



I noticed the inquiry in the Farmer for some 

 remedy to relieve choked cattle, and have read 

 the several answers. Permit me, Mr. Editor, 

 from actual observation, to give my experience. 

 A few months ago, while on a visit to a friend, a 

 valuable ox was choked with a large potato while 

 driving through the potato field ; the ox appeared 

 in great distress, and began to bloat very badly. 

 It was evident he could not live long unless re- 

 lieved. The usual remedies were talked over, 

 when an old lady came to the rescue. She said 

 that in her younger days they used to turn 

 down warm lard in such a case. Accordingly 

 the ox's head was fastened and about a pint of 

 Avarm lard turned down his throat through a tin 

 horn, and in less than two minutes the potato was 

 thrown to the ground. 



WASHING FLUID. 



Can you, or some of your subscribera, give a 

 good recipe for washing fluid, and thus help an 

 old lady to keep good natured on washing day ? 



Bridgeport, Vt., Jan., 1861. Experience. 



Hot Beds. — You who love the garden, and in- 

 tend that your tables shall be graced with the del- 

 icacies of the season, will not forget to prepare 

 the hot bed in good time. Do not look upon it 

 as a scientific operation, one requiring a carpen- 

 ter or any other artizan to construct it, but take 

 the square, saw and hammer, and make it your- 

 self in double-quick-time. Purchase the sash, if 

 you have no old ones. In some sheltered and 

 sunny spot, throw out the earth to the depth of 

 a foot, fill in with horse manure, and on that six 

 inches of fine loam or leaf mould, and put on the 

 glass. Water properly, and when the whole is 

 sufficiently warm, put in the seeds. 



A Hot Bed in the Kitchen. — A peck mea- 

 sure, an old box or earthen pot may be filled with 

 proper soil, and tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, cab- 

 bages and other edibles started successfully with- 

 out the cost of anything but a little pleasant care 

 — and the pleasure of seeing them burst into life, 

 and grow, will repay all this, to say nothing of 

 the fun of eating them. Will the women see 

 that this is done ? 



