AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 231 



tlie clothes line. A post with four cross arms, each eight feet long, is eo 

 constructed that after hanging the clothes upon a hundred feet of line, 

 extending from arm to arm, the whole can be hoisted to the top of a post 

 fifteen feet above the ground, by a windlass and pulley that operates easily. 

 The arms revolve on the post, so it is not necessary to approach it upon 

 only one side. 



ASHES FOR MANURE. 



Solon Robinson. — Here is a letter from J. J), Lynde, and is dated 

 Fariba^ult, Minn., July 28, 1859. 



'* I read with much interest the reports of the meetings of the 'Farmers' 

 Club,' and as I am just commencing to farm and desire to make my land 

 the most productive possible with the means at hand, I have thought it 

 best to ask you for some advice, so that from the experience of yourself 

 and associates, I might proceed with safety. I can obtain any amount of 

 stable manure and wood ashes — both have lain out doors and been wet 

 again and again by the rains. I should like to know their relative value 

 as fertilizers (1.)? Also the best time to apply the ashes and the manner 

 of doing it (2.)? And in what quantity (3.)? And will ashes with the 

 manure make the land more productive than manure alone (4.)? The land 

 is a loam or gravelly clay subsoil.". 



" P. S. — I shall follow the suggestions of the ' Club,' when practicable, 

 and will report my success if desired." 



Mr. Fuller. — (1) — The relative value of these manures depends entirely 

 upon the soil. Some western soils are already so rich that manure is of 

 •no use. (2). It is not very important when manure is applied (3), nor in 

 what quantity, since that all depends upon circumstances. 



Mr. Pardee. — (4) — I would apply the ashes and manure composted 

 together, and it may be put upon almost any crop, or could be here, to 

 great advantage. 



Solon Robinson. — I would, if here, apply it entirely as a top-dressing 

 upon grass land. Some western soils are full of potash now and don't 

 need ashes. 



Spalding's prepared glue. 

 Some of this substance was introduced and very highly spoken of by Mr. 

 Pardee and others. Mr. P. said that he had used it upon wood, glass, 

 leather, &c., and found it one of the most convenient articles he had ever 

 used. It is said to be prepared with some substance that holds the glue 

 in solution, just as boiling water does, which evaporates quick and leaves 

 the glue to fasten the two substances together, similar to an ordinary glue 

 joint. 



THE cultivation OP WINTER GRAIN. 



Adrian Bergen. — Our practice on Long Island formerly was to plow the 

 land very much. Now we prefer to plow but once, and that in September, 

 and sow immediately, adding no manure until Spring, and then top-dress 

 with manure, guano, or other fertilizer. We use potato or oat ground ; 

 the soil is clay-loam, and pretty level. In Pennsylvania, I saw farmers 



