1867. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



363 



tremely volatile, and exhibiting a strong ten- 

 dency to escape into the atmosphere unless 

 arrested by some substance capable of absorb- 

 ing and fixing it. 



KENTINQ FARMS, 

 The idea of going to the poor-house is 

 scarcely more repulsive to young American 

 farmers than that of cultivating a hired farm. 

 While we respect the ambition that prompts 

 the desire to become a land owner, we believe 

 that young men and even those more advanced 

 in life are frequently placed in circumstances 

 which make it advisable to hire for a few 

 years, at least, instead of purchasing at once. 

 We have recently published some suggestive 

 articles on this subject. A friend and relative 

 of ours, who now owns many broad acres and 

 pays a round income tax, commenced life on 

 leased land in an old town in New England. 

 We allude to this subject at this time, however, 

 from having noticed a statement made to the 

 New York Farmers' Club by J. T. Donavan 

 of Otranto, Iowa. He writes that for three 

 years the State has levied taxes on his home- 

 stead to the amount of $70. He was short of 

 means when he began, and has been able to put 

 only seventeen acres in cultivation. For this 

 sum he says he might have rented as much or 

 more improved land, and estimates that he 

 might have lived more comfortably and made 

 more money by doing so. 



THE MANGE 



Is a cutaneous disease, and contagious. If 

 in a large herd, a single animal is attacked, it 

 is seldom that any escape. The diseased cat- 

 tle should be removed to some distant stable 

 at once, where there can be no possible com- 

 munication with the others. 



The symptoms are a dry dandruf or scurf 

 about the roots of the hair, attended with 

 severe itching and inflammation, inducing a 

 violent rubbing. It is first seen about the tail, 

 and thence spreads in every direction. 



The causes are various. Over-feeding, or 

 under- feeding will produce it. A sudden 

 change from the lowest diet to the richest will 

 bring it on in its worst form. Filthy stables, 

 and want of cleanliness about the animals 

 themselves will produce it, — but not so readily 

 as improper feeding. The treatment to effect 

 a cure is simple. Prepare an ointment of 

 three gills of spirits of turpentine, three-fourths 



of a pound of flour of sulphur, and oil enough 

 to reduce the whole to a thin plastic unguent. 

 Rub this in gently, but thoroughly, with the 

 hand or a soft brush — the hand is best, and 

 there is no danger in doing it. Whale oil is 

 disagreeable to use on account of its smell, and 

 linseed oil is of too drying a nature. The best 

 oil, perhaps, would be new butter, before being 

 salted ; this would be sweet, soft and penetrat- 

 ing. This mixture may be kept in a tight ves- 

 sel for years, and would prove an excellent 

 remedy for the "mange," as well as for several 

 other cutaneous and contagious diseases to 

 which cattle are subject. 



THE GOLDEN GRAIN". 



The grain ! the grain ! the beautiful grain I 

 How it laughs to the breeze with a glad refrain, 

 Blessing the 



. .._ ^ I the grain l ine oeauiuui grain i 



How it laughs to the breeze with a glad r< 

 Blessing the famishing earth in her pain, 

 Making her smile with glee ; 



Lifting in praise each bright golden crown, 

 As it drinks the dew that the Father sends down, 

 Courting the sun's warm lover-like frown, 

 Returning it smilingly. 



The grain I the grain 1 the beautiful sheaves t 

 A song of joy their rustling weaves, 

 For the gracious gift that the earth receives, 

 Given most royally. 



From every hill side, every plain 

 ( omes thef irmer's song as he reaps the grain; 

 And the summer breeze wafts on the strain, 

 lu wildest harmony; 



A grateful song of rejoicing to greet 

 The Master, who sendeth the seasons sweet, 

 Giving the grain, the golden wheat, 

 A blessing for all to be. 



He pour* o'er the earth his brimming horn, 

 That the valleys may laugh and sing with corn, 

 While hope, with her death trance, rises new bom. 

 The brighter days to see. 



Our Father, we thank Thee I the beautiful grain. 

 Brings a blessing like that, when the soft summer rain 

 Comes down on the parched earth, nor bids it in vain, 

 Ktjoice and hope ever in Thee. 



Hope ever, and trust I Thy thoughts, not like ours; 

 Thou sendest the drougth.then bringest the flowers, 

 Withholdeth the jjrain, then, with magical showers, 

 A glorious harvest we see. 



And so for the grain I the beautiful grain I 

 The golden, the laughing, with glad refrain, 

 Blessing the famishing earth, in her pain, — 

 We ofl'er our worship to Thee. 



— Mrs. T. F., in Rome, Geo , Courier. 



Welding Iron. — M. Lietar, of Brussels, 

 has described a new method of welding iron 

 or steel, or iron with steel. He calcines and 

 reduces to a fine powder, 1 kilogr«nime of 

 iron or steel fillings, 100 grammes of sal am- 

 moniac, 60 grammes of borax, and 50 grammes 

 of balsam of copaiva. One of the pieces of 

 iron or steel to be soldered is brought to a red 

 heat, and after being cleaned with a wire 

 brush, the powder is spread upon it, and the 

 other piece of metal, at a white heat, is brought 

 in contact with it ; thus a perfect welding is 

 effected. 



