1867. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



95 



now-a-days, without a cellar, is about as inconsis- 

 tent as a good bouse without a roof on it ! Sec re- 

 marks on "Building a Barn," on another page, in 

 reply to A. F. Mason, of Lancaster, N. H. 



FEEDIXG AND WINTERING BEES. 



I have a swarm of bees which I am satisfied will 

 not winter without feeding. They arc in an "old- 

 fashioned box hive" with a place for honej^ boxes 

 on the top. I ara desirous of saving the swarm if 

 possible, and want to know of some of your old 

 bee-keeping readers the best manner of feeding said 

 swarm. Also the best time and place in which to 

 do it. Shall I remove them into the house, or let 

 them remain with the rest in the bee-house ? 



East Randolph, Vt., Dec. 31, 1866. p. e. s. 



Remarks. — The winter care of the "little Inisy 

 bee," and the time and manner of feeding, seem 

 to be undecided questions with the apiarians. Mr. 

 Quimby saj^s that in ordinary circumstances it is 

 doubtful policy to attempt to winter stocks that 

 will require feeding before spring. "Will some of 

 our bee-keeping readers give "p. e. s." the neces- 

 sary directions and advice ? 



PULVERIZING THE SOIL. 



I should like to inquire through the Farmer 

 what is the best cultivator in use for pulverizing 

 the soil of broken up ground, when it is plowed 

 from ten to twelve inches deep, and not disturb the 

 fuiTows ? 



On the same kind of ground, after it has been 

 planted with corn, what will pulverize the soil 

 from 4 to 6 inches deep, and level the rows so as to 

 fit the ground for seeding with oats and grass seed ? 



W. IVaterford, Vt., 1867. Old Vermont. 



Remarks. — A harrow, called the '^Peppereli 

 Harroic," will put your broken-up sward land into 

 splendid condition for planting. It has teeth like 

 a doulile mould-board plow, so that it lifts the earth 

 as it passes along, and not only breaks it to pieces, 

 but leaves it lying light. It is a heavy implement, 

 and ought to have a pair of oxen or horses to move 

 it properly. It is often used, however, with one 

 horse only. 



The best implement we have ever found to culti- 

 vate with between rows of corn, is Roc/er's Steel 

 Tooth Cultivator. Both implements are sold at the 

 agricultural warehouses in Boston. 



CONVENIENCES FOR WATER — NO. 1. 



I propose to send you a few short articles upon 

 the subject of water, — its uses and its abuses aljout 

 farm buildings. Having had nearly 20 years' ex- 

 perience in arranging and supplying farm houses 

 ana baiTis with water, by every method, from the 

 common wooden pump to the most diliicult posi- 

 tions for the simple aqueduct, the syphon and the 

 hj'draulic ram, I have Icanied some things by ex- 

 perience that may be of use to the readers of the 

 I'armer. I hope also, to draw out others upon the 

 subject that I may learn that which may be useful 

 in the future wants of this community. 



I propose to mention instances that have come 

 under my observation and experience that have 

 been successful, and those that have proved fail- 

 ures. 



In my practice with the hj-draulic ram, I have 

 had the extremes of eight to two hundred and for- 

 ty feet elevation; with aqueducts a little over a 



mile in length, and with wooden pumps, an ex- 

 treme elevation of 40 feet above the water-mark, by 

 suction, (the books to the contrary notwithstanding) 

 have come under my observation. 



Let me also add that a new invention is about 

 being completed for a submerged cistern pump, 

 throwing entirely in the shade all others, in point 

 of simjilicity, cheapness and capacity. 



Our farmers, yes, and their wives too, are far too 

 easily satisfied with conveniences for water. They 

 make it a necessity for man and beast, instead of a 

 luxury, constantly at hand, as its Giver designed. 



Headers of the Farmer, look at your convenien- 

 ces for water, and say if most of them are not in- 

 conveniences. How much would it cost you to 

 put your water in your house where a constant 

 supply within reach of the tin dipper would great- 

 ly facilitate the labors of the wife and daughters ? 

 How mm-h to put it in the stable, or at least in the 

 yard r :Make your figures, and you will find the 

 conveniences more than 7 3-10 interest on the out- 

 lay. 



In my next I will mention some cases of unsuc- 

 cessful efforts in this line, and the causes, p. j. 



Randolph, Vt., Dec. 1, 1866. 



STABLING STOCK. 



Allow me to say to "C." Craftsbury, Vt., that 

 leaving cows out in the yard or in the pasture till 

 "cold nights come on in the fall," is among the 

 things that used to be done, but which have long 

 since given way, with our best farmers, to the 

 practice of stabling nights all summer, in order to 

 save a pile of manure of four times the value of 

 that vmder the old yarding system. Manure, Mr. 

 Craftsbury, is what will make your stock sleek 

 next winter. p. j. 



Vermont, 1867. 



NUMBER OF RIBS WITH HIND QUARTER OF BEEF. 



Please insert in your Extracts and Replies, if 

 you have the infonnation, what the rule is, or if 

 there is any law specifying how many ribs shall be 

 left on the hind quarter of a beef. p. 



Hanover, N. H., Dec. 24, 1866. 



Remarks. — The Brighton butchers inform us 

 that there is no law or fixed rule at this market. 

 Either two or three ribs are left upon the hind 

 quarter, as is thought will best suit the buyers. 



CURE FOR SPAVIN IN HORSE AND RHEUMATISM IK 

 MAN. 



Half pint of brandy, half pint neatsfoot oil, one 

 ounce oil spike, one ounce of camphor gum, and 

 one beef gall ; simmer half an hour. Rub well and 

 heat in well with a hot iron. a. k. 



Alstead, N. H., Jan., 1867. 



AGRICUIiTUKAIi ITEMS. 



— ^Dairy fanns in Herkimer County, N. Y., have 

 changed hands at two hundred dollars per acre. 



— Seven pounds of pork for a bushel of com is 

 considered a good yield. 



— Rats are said to dislike coal tar very much, and 

 mixed with sand it is effectual to stop rat holes. 



— Ex-Governor Anderson, of Ohio, recently pur- 

 chased 10,000 acres of grazing land in Lyons Coun- 

 ty, Ky., and is now stocking it with choice sheep. 



— At a recent rent audit, the tenants on the estate 

 of Mr. J. E. Heathcote, of Apedale Hall, Eng., were 



