48 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Jan. 



trouble was in her back, this course would do her 

 no good, I have discontinued it. Can you, or any 

 of the readers of the Farmer, tell where the 

 trouble is, and what course to pursue with her ? 

 West Hartford, Vt., Nov. 5, 1866. H. 



Remarks. — Not being well satisfied what course 

 to recommend in this case, we have consulted sev- 

 eral men of large experience in the management of 

 cows. Like ourselves, most of them are undecided 

 as to the character of the disease, and even to its 

 location. Some spoke of it as "founder;" others 

 thought it was the result of "inflammation." But 

 whether caused by the over-dose of corn or by the 

 physic administered, was another question on 

 which our advisers were in doubt, as we are not 

 informed what medicine was used. Among the 

 causes of inflammation of the kidneys, mentioned 

 by Dr. Dadd, are "cold, external injury, or inju- 

 ry from irritating substances often sent full tilt 

 through the kidneys — as spirits of turpentine, gin 

 and molasses, saltpetre, saleratus," &e. In speak- 

 ing of founder in horses. Dr. Gunther, in his 

 Homoeopathic Veterinary Manual, remarks that 

 founder "frequently supervenes on hard riding or 

 driving ; and more especially if the horse has had 

 a purgative administered, ft-om which cause I re- 

 collect three well marked cases." He also mentions 

 "heating, and indigestible food" as a cause of 

 founder. In case of founder from excess of food, 

 Dr. G. recommends, "If signs of inflammation are 

 observed, a dose of aconitum immediately, and af- 

 ter some hours, arsenicum is to be employed. Ar- 

 nica may be administered in case of rigidity of the 

 limbs and inflammation of the feet ; bryonia, in 

 doses frequently repeated in hydarthrus ; mix vomi- 

 ca, when there is paralysis, abdomen tucked up, 

 and an aversion to food." So much for founder 

 and homoeopathic treatment. 



For inflammation of the kidneys. Dr. Dadd says : 

 "Relax the muscular structure by the application 

 of a blanket or horse-cloth wrung out in hot wa- 

 ter. Injections of a mild, soothing chai-actei" — 

 slippery elm, or flax-seed-tea — should be used, but 

 not purgatives. The application of a poultice of 

 ground hemlock — as near the parts affected as pos- 

 sible, will generally be found useful ; the object 

 being to invite the blood to the surface and extrem- 

 ities." 



The cow did not bloat probably because the com 

 was in an undried condition, and we are inclined 

 to the opinion that the cow would have recovei'cd 

 had she been properly exercised, instead of taking 

 the medicine. 



WATCHING FOR THE METEORS. 



After dreaming of clouds of shooting stars and 

 brilliant meteors, I have risen in the small hours of 

 the morning to find that tills my last, like some 

 other dreams of a life of more than forty years, 

 has not l)een realized. The night is clear and 

 quite light for a moonless one, but tlie stars seem 

 content tills year at least, on the thirteenth of No- 

 veaiher, to follow their accustomed orbits quietl.y, 

 I know that this is always so, though appearances, 

 which arc often deceitful, might sometimes lead 



one to think they were suddenly leaving for parts 

 unknown. Our Heavenly Father holds and guides 

 them all by His almighty power,, so that there is 

 no jarring or discord. Would He do less for us, if 

 we would submit to His control ? 



Six months have come and gone since my last 

 comnuinication for the Farmer. The dittcrent 

 varieties of seed have been sowed or planted, have 

 germinated, sprung up and ijorne, some thirty, 

 some sixty, and some a hundred fold. While we 

 farmers have been cultivating the earth thus care- 

 fully and successfully, have any of us neglected 

 the good seed of the word and teachings of our 

 Heavenly Father, which has been sown in our 

 hearts from time to time ? Now that our harvests 

 are gathered in, let us inquire whether we are pre- 

 pared for a harvest of eternal blessedness. 



W. I. SiMONDS. 



Roxhury, Vt., Nov. 13, 1866. 



Remarks. — Now that we are soon to be able to 

 offer our friends better accommodations than here- 

 tofore, may we not hope that your calls will be 

 much more frequent than once in six months ? 



rowER cider mill. 



Can you infonri me who has a power mill in your 

 State for griniling and pressing apples tor cider, 

 driven by water or steam ? I have been told that 

 two or three were owned in Essex Co. I would 

 like to know how they work, and the price of them, 

 and whether the)' make as good cider as the old 

 wooden mill. I supposed that the cider coming in 

 contact with the iron mill would discolor and give 

 it an odd taste. j. o. 



Portland, Me., Nov. 12, 1866. 



Remarks. — Messrs. WTiittemore & Belcher, 34 

 Merchants' Row, Boston, have "Emery's Portable 

 Hand or Power Cider Mill," complete, with triple 

 screw press — capacity 6 to 10 barrels of cider per 

 day, $65. It is said that, practically, there is no 

 injurious effect from the iron, as the pomace or 

 juice does not remain long enough in contact with 

 the metal to be perceptibly injured. We have no 

 knowledge of either steam or water power having 

 been used in cider-making, either in Essex County, 

 or elsewhere ; although either might readily be 

 applied to this and perhaps to other mills. 



barn building. 



In a recent nuinber of the Farmer a correspon- 

 dent recommends tight barns for keeping hay, on 

 the same principle as fruit is preserved by "can- 

 ning." An acquaintance of mine in an adjoining 

 town put in his hay, or stored it, on that piunciple, 

 not long ago, excluding the air as much as possible. 

 The hay kept first rate till it was almost rotten, 

 when he gave up his theory, called in neighboring 

 help and itncanned it as rapidly as possible. But 

 possibly he did not cure it enough, or can it right. 

 I hope to sec more upon the question whether tight 

 or open barns are best for keeping hay ; and is it a 

 fact that liay requires to be better cured for stack- 

 ing than for housing ? Querist. 



WRINKLES ON HORNS, AND GRAINS IN WOOD. 



From an obsciwation of more than forty years, I 

 find that wrinkles commence at the head of the an- 

 imal and work nj) towards the end of the liorn. 

 l'!ach year a new one begins at the head, caused by 

 cheeking the growth. If an animal was kept at an 

 equal stage of growing the yeari-ound, there would 

 not be any Avrinkles in its horns. It is usually 



