1861. 



NEW ENGLAND FAHMER. 



463 



•wishes in the form of snufF. This simple remedy 

 followed for a few months, has effected a cure in 

 the case above referred to, entirely beyond expec- 

 tation. Should the camphor be too powerful or 

 not enough so, reduce or add a small quantity as 

 the case may require, as it is desirable that the 

 camphor should be the principal agent. 



EXTBACTS AND EEPLIES. 



HARVESTING POTATOES. 



I suppose, in this free country, you expect and 

 wish for a free expression of opinion, provided 

 only no treason is lurking about, even if it be 

 in opposition to your own. With this view I 

 shall proceed to differ from you a little in the 

 matter of harvesting potatoes. 



My experience is in favor of digging as soon as 

 ripe, for the following reasons : If we have heavy 

 rains late in autumn, the ground does not dry as 

 readily as in August or early in September, and 

 consequently, adheres to the tubers in the form 

 of mud, and I think they are not near so mealy 

 after lying in the saturated soil for several days as 

 they frequently do. They are also liable to be- 

 come scurfy if left after becoming fully ripe. In 

 some cases, too, they are exposed to the depreda- 

 tions of rats and worms. 



Another consideration of some importance, is 

 that we frequently have more leisure at the time 

 when they ripen, than late in fall, and there is no 

 necessity for hurrying to get them out of the way 

 of frost. 



These remarks may not apply to some locali- 

 ties where the soil is very dry and the facilities 

 for good storage are deficient. 



I would suggest that the soil will be much less 

 impoverished if the tops are covered while dig- 

 ging potatoes, especially when dug before they 

 are dried up. This may easily be done by throw- 

 ing them into the hill last dug and then hauling 

 the earth on them from the next hill. No trace 

 of them will remain in spring except vegetable 

 mould. W. F. Bassett. 



AsJifield, Aug. 27, 1861. 



CAUTION — WHEAT. 



In one of the numbers of the Farmer there was 

 a communication from "E. L. Coy," stating that 

 if any one would send him a few post-office 

 stamps he would send them a package of sweet 

 German turnip seed. I sent the stamps but re- 

 ceived no seed. I wish you would mention this, 

 that others may not get served as I have been. 



1 have a piece of wheat, about one-half of which 

 is covered with the plant-louse, as many as two 

 hundred on a head. 



Hay plenty — other crops light. 



What is the price of bone meal, and where can 

 I get it the handiest ? William Oxton. 



Thomaston, Me., Aug., 1861. 



disease AMONG THE TURKEYS. 



I wish to inquire whether any of the readers of 

 the Farmer have been troubled with a distemper 

 among their turkeys. I had one hundred very 

 fine young turkeys of the large variety, in one 

 flock ; they were doing finely till about two weeks 

 ago, when I noticed that some of them were 



drooping, and since then about thirty have died. 

 I have tried different remedies, but to no purpose ; 

 they droop around three or four days, some of 

 them eating up to the last hour before they die. 

 Their crops are full of grain and bugs, as if they 

 did not believe in dying hungry. If any reader 

 of the Farmer can suggest what will be benefi- 

 cial, I should like to hear it. A. W. WiLCOX. 

 Poultney, Vt., Aug., 1861. 



strawberries and GRAPE VINES. 



I wish to inquire in regard to the best kind of 

 strawberries for cultivation among the several va- 

 rieties offered to the public. Which affords the 

 most fruit, and which the best quality ? 



Are there any circulars printed describing the 

 manner of cultivation, time of setting, &c.? If not, 

 can you give some information on the subject. If 

 there is any material difference between the Bunce, 

 Cutter Seedling, Austin Shaker Seedling, in 

 what does it consist, and which has the prefer- 

 ence ? 



I should also like to be informed if a large and 

 thrifty barren grape vine could be made to bear. 



Fishersville, Aug., 1861. Subscriber. 



Remarks. — During the month of August, just 

 passed, we have given all the information needed 

 by any one, to go into the cultivation of the 

 strawberry. We know of no way to make the 

 barren gi-ape vine prolific but by grafting it. 



THE PEAR BLIGHT. 



I have a fine pear tree that has been suddenly 

 attacked with the fire blight. I should like your 

 opinion in regard to the treatment of the same. 

 All I have ever done has been to cut off the part 

 affected close to the stem or branch. 



Worcester, August, 1861. G. H. Perry. 



Remarks. — We know of no other remedy than 

 the one you have applied. Barry says — "The 

 only remedy is, to cut away instantly the blight- 

 ed parts, into the sound wood, where there is not 

 the slightest trace of disease, and burn them 

 up immediately." He further adds, that, "some 

 special applications, such as coal, cinders, iron 

 filings, copperas, &c., have been suggested, but 

 no evidence has yet been produced of their effi- 

 cacy." 



A BROTHER QUILL'S OPINION. 



I cannot get along without your advice. I will 

 publish your advertisement, notice you, exhibit 

 you, keep you and have you bound, copy from 

 you, credit you and love you, if you will make 

 your visit to my office. If any back numbers can 

 be spared, let them come with you. Try me. and 

 see if I do not treat you handsomely. 



ESSEX PIGS. 

 I wish to inquire through the Farmer where I 

 can get a pair of full blood Essex pigs. 

 Bradford, Vt., 1861. A Subscriber. 



Remarks. — Three or four years since this 

 breed of swine was in the neighborhood of Bos- 

 ton — but recently we have seen none. 



