162 
AMERICAN AaRICULTURIST. 
[Mat. 
Contents for May, 1877. 
Among the Farmers — No. 10.— A Ton of Fodder from 
One of Manure — Prickly Comfrcy — Cereals as Fod- 
der Crops— Pitting Green Clover — Wooden Harrows 
— Seeding to Grass— Trees by tlie Eoad-sidc— 
Eats and Mice — "Watering Manure Heaps — Tlie Po- 
tato Beetle n4-i'r5 
Bee Notes for May lUitstrated.. le^-l-iO 
Bine Glass in Horticulture 1S3 
Boys and Girls' Columns- Tlie Doctor's Correspond- 
ence — Baltimore Oriole — Ant- Lions — Kaleidoscope — 
Piano Kaleidoscope — Ivory Nut — Aunt Sue's Puzzle 
Box— Puzzling Puzzle — My Pet Birds — Aunt Sue's 
Chats— A Spring Day in the Country. . . .12 i//. .185-188 
Catalogues Received 195 
Cattle for Home Use and Export — Short-horns and 
Devons 2 lUustraiions..VtZ 
Cattle— The Foreign Meat Trade. .5 Illustrations . .\61-1W 
Cauliflowers ..183 
Clod-Brealier, Useful Illustrated. 1T6 
Cotton-Seed, A New Huller ^ Illustrations . .in 
Dairy Barn for 25 Cows 3 Illustrations. . 175 
Farm Work in May 162-103 
Fertilizers, Artificial — What Farmers are Doing 165 
Flower Garden and Lawn in May 104 
Forest Trees— Ked, or Norway Pine 1S2 
Fountain Pump or Sprinlilcr Illustrated .. ..Yth-l?^ 
Fruit Garden in May 163 
Fruit— The Berry Season, Preparation tor. Illustrated. .IIS 
Greenhouse and Window Plants in May 165 
Hints and Helps for Farmers. — A Bar Fence— Water- 
ing Places for Stocli — To Level with Square and 
Plnmb-line 6 Illustrations . .1'7& 
House Costing $1,000 5 Illustrations. . 171-172 
Honsebold Department — Home Topics — Floor Clean- 
ing—Washing a Wood Floor — Bathing — Graham 
Bread— Sour Milk and Soda— Refrigerator, Home- 
Made— Vines at the door 2 lUustralions . .W3-1S5 
How Flowers are Fertilized 182 
Kitchen and Market Garden in May Illustrated. .\%i 
Manurial Value of Food 177 
Market Reports for May 165 
Mowing Machine, Improvement in. 2 Illustrations. .179-180 
New York Horticultural Society 169 
Ogden Farm Papers, No. 87.— Mr. Beach's Herd — 
Cotton-Seed Cake 170-171 
Orchard and Nursery in May 163 
Orchards, Changing the Bearing Tear 182 
Phospiiates, Home-made 175 
Pig Pens, Portable 4 Illustrations. . 177 
Plant-Box, Adjustable 4 Illustrations.. 1G9 
Plants — A Cruel Flower. The Bladder Flower, 
{Arauja) Illustrated. .180-181 
Plants, The Dropwort Illustrated . .151 
Post-hole Digger H Illustratio?is..l'iS 
Science Applied to Farming 171 
Sheep Shearing, Helps in 2 Illustrations . .110 
Talk on Farm Crops— No 3.— Corn and Mangels, 
2 Illustrations 1T8-179 
INDEX TO "BASKET, 
Alsike Clover 194 
Am. Veterinary Review .168 
Ashes for Trees 168 
Ashton Salt 168 
Berkshire Record 194 
Black Quarter 169 
Breeding Sows 195 
Brick Making 195 
Broom Machinery 195 
Bull, Infertile 194 
Butter Cows 193 
CalfsNose, Color of. ...193 
California Plow 193 
Catalogues 195 
Cheap Farms 194 
Cheese and ButterFac's..l95 
Chufas Again 160 
Coal Ashes for Poultry. . .193 
Concrete, Strength of. . .194 
Corn, Compost 195 
Corn Drills 195 
Corn on Fall-Plowing 195 
Cow, a Good .' .. .194 
Dairy Farms 194 
Diseases of Swine 194 
Docking Horses 194 
East India Pea Tree 166 
Exporting Barley 194 
Fall Wheat in Spring. .. .193 
FertiliziTS for Mangels.. 195 
Fertilizer. Wheat.... 194-195 
Filling in Buildings 169 
Gambling at Ag'l". Fairs. 194 
Grasshopper Commissi onlG7 
Hogs, Feeding for Profit. 194 
Holstein Cattle 193 
Home Bmlding 168 
Horse, A Sick 194 
OR SHORTER ARTICLES. 
IHorse's Swelled Legs. . . 195 
Land and Game Birds... 168 
Mare Won't Plow 194 
Marketing Produce. . 169 
Minks and Minkeries 195 
Mowers for Lodged Grassl95 
Muck and Marl 195 
National Repository 167 
No Milk in the Bag 195 
Over-reaching 195 
Phosphate, Value of 195 
Poke for Animals 195 
Polled Cattle 194 
Potash as Fertilizer 167 
Potato Beetle 168 
|Potalo. Making Most of.. 168 
Potato Premiums 166 
Ponltry Matters 107 
Questions, A Variety 194 
Sawdust in Poultry-housel94 
Sawing a Log True 194 
Seeding to Clover 193 
Sheep Gu.Twing Trees... .194 
Shed, Movable Roof 195 
Short-horn Prices 195 
Soil for Mangels 195 
Stubborn Cows 193 
Stumps, Clearing 194 
Sundry Humbugs 167 
Sweet Potato' " Early 
Peabody" 167 
Technical Education . . . .195 
Tiiree-Horse Eveners . . .195 
Tobacco Trade Directory.168 
To Puzzlers 166 
Western Kansas 195 
What is Thoroughbred ?.194 
Wide-awake in Australia. 167 
m i»i »i . 
Xo Prevent :v Cow Siickins Hei-- 
self.— " V. D. Van N.," Hightstoivn, N, J., nses the fol- 
lowing method of preventing a cow from sucking her- 
self. A surcingle is buckled around the cow's body, and 
a piece of sack-cloth is hung to it in front of the udder. 
With this cloth in the way the cow can not suck herself. 
Calendar for May. 
«i 
c- 
« 
•^ 
c- 
o- 
s» 
^ 
c: 
5 
5 
4 
1 
T 
^ 
W 
H 
T 
4 
h' 
5 
S 
fi 
s 
, 
\1 
H 
■1' 
H 
iV 
111 
■I' 
11 
!'• 
12 
K 
i:j 
S 
14 
M 
15 
'1' 
IB 
W 
Il- 
■r 
ls 
!•' 
19 
K 
ill 
s 
21 
M 
•a 
■r 
SH 
w 
24 
■f 
n 
h' 
211 
X 
2i 
s 
M 
M 
2!1 
■1' 
m 
w 
31 
T 
Bo^tmi.yEilfj 
land. iV. York 
Stale, Michi 
gan, iri.sco7i- 
siii. Intoa. and 
Oregon. 
H.M 
4 53 
4 53 
4 33 
4 50 
4 49 
4 
4 47 
4 
4 45 
4 44 
4 43 
4 42 
4 41 
4 40 
4 39 
4 08 
4 3 
4 3 
4 :« 
4 ai 
4 31 
4 33 
4 32 
4 32 
4 31 
4 30 
4 29 
4 29 
4 as 
4 27 
4 26 
.. 
=c ¥ 
n.M 
7 
7 1 
7 2 
7 3 
7 4 
7 5 
7 fi 
7 7 
7 « 
7 9 
7 111 
7 11 
7 12 
7 13 
7 14 
7 15 
7 Hi 
7 ir 
7 IJi 
7 19 
7 20 
r '21 
7 22 
T/A 
; 24 
7 ',!5 
r 2li 
7 ''7 
7 9S 
7 "9 
i 29 
U. M. 
11 41 
morn 
24 
58 
1 2". 
1 47 
2 7 
2 26 
'2 45 
3 4 
3 25 
.^ets 
S 31 
9 33 
10 36 
11 27 
mom 
7 
40 
1 6 
1 28 
1 51 
2 13 
2 36 
3 3 
rises 
8 37 
9 33 
10 18 
10 57 
11 20 
N. T. Cmj. C(., 
Philadeltjhia. 
j\>?r Jersey. 
Pemi.. Ohio. 
Indiana, and 
Illinois. 
4 38 6 56 
4 57 6 S 
4 56,6 58 
4 55 6 59 
4 54 7 
4 .52 7 1 
2 
4 51 
4 50 
4 49 
4 48 7 
4 47I7 
4 45|7 
4 44 7 
4 43 7 
4 42 7 
4 41 7 
4 40'7 
4 39 7 13 
4 3S7 14 
4 S8 7 15 
4 3717 16 
4 36,7 17 
4 36 
7 19 
7 19 
7 20 
7 20 
7 21 
7 ?2 
7 23 
7 24 
n. M. 
11 35 
morn 
17 
53 
1 21 
1 44 
2 6 
2 26 
2 45 
3 6 
3 28 
set.<( 
8 15 
9 25 
10 2S 
11 20 
morn 
1 
36 
1 3 
1 27 
1 51 
2 15 
2 40 
3 7 
rises 
8 ^8 
9 26 
10 11 
10 .50 
11 21 
Wa.^hington, 
Mai'yland, 
Virtjinia. Ken- 
tucky, J/i.s.sou- 
rj, and Cali- 
fornia. 
H.M 
5 2 
5 
5 
4 58 
4 5- 
4 56 
4 53 
4 54 
4 53 
4 52 
4 51 
4 50 
4 49 
4 48 
4 47 
4 46 
4 45 
4 44 
4 43 
4 43 
4 42 
4 41 
4 40 
4 40 
4 "" 
4 39 
4 38 
4 38 
4 37 
4 37 
4 36 
U.M 
6 
6 53 
6 54 
6 .1 
6 56 
57 
6 58 
59 

1 
2 
3 
4 
4 
8 
9 
10 
7 11 
12 
7 12 
7 13 
7 14 
15 
7 16 
16 
17 
H. M. 
11 28 
morn 
11 
46 
1 16 
1 41 
2 4 
2 25 
2 46 
3 6 
3 32 
sets. 
8 8 
9 ]8 
10 20 
11 14 
11 56 
morn 
32 
1 
1 26 
1 52 
2 17 
2 43 
3 13 
rises 
8 21 
9 18 
10 4 
10 44 
11 15 
1'H.^SES OF THE MOON. 
JIOON. 
BOS'l'ON. 
N.TORK, 
WASn'N. 
cha'ston 
CHICAGO. 
n. 
IT. M. 
II. M. 
H. M. 
n. M. 
n. >i. 
81I Quart. 
6 
6 35 mo. 
6 23 mo. 
6 41 mo 
5 59 mo. 
5 29 mo. 
New J\rn 
13 
45 mo. 
33 mo 
21 mo 
9 mo. 
11 39 12'h 
1st Quart 
19 
8 12 ev. 
8 ev. 
7 4S ev. 
7 36 ev. 
Full M'li 
26; 11 21 ev. 
11 9 ev. 
10 57 ev. 
10 43 ev. 10 15 ev. 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
NEW YORK, MAT, 1877. 
Needs for tlie Future — Tlie Prospect. 
It is very evident that raising and feeding animals 
for meat, must receive more attention tlian has 
hitherto been given to this branch ol farming. The 
speculation in pure bred live stock, if it has been 
an evil at all, or has been carried to excess, as many 
persons have believed, has not been an unmixed 
evil by any means. As we have thought, and have 
frequently said, the speculative furore excited pub- 
lic interest, and the undoubted merits of the ani- 
mals themselves, have fastened attention upon 
them, and by their means vast improveijient has 
beeu effected in our herds and flocks. If some 
people have gone in too heavily, and have sunk 
money out of present sight, they have at least 
gained wisdom, and by and by the increase of their 
stock wtll bring ends to meet again. The vast in- 
crease of wealth contributed to the agricultural in- 
terest by these improved animals, is now being 
manifested. As good stock is coming forward from 
the prairies and plains of Kansas and Colorado, as 
have hitherto come from Illinois and Kentucky 
pastures. The value of the product is thus doubled. 
This is but the beginning of the shower, which 
must by and by become a torrent. Achannel seems 
to have been opened for the increased supply of 
largely improved beef, mutton, and pork, now be- 
ing produced, which promises to be highly profita- 
ble. Thus the long hoped for opportunity of 
changing our system of farming, has probably ar- 
rived, or is very near. While we wait and hope, 
events shape themselves by force of circumstances 
which we cannot control, and which seem to be 
mere accidents. Thus the experimental shipment 
of a few carcasses of beef to England, a year ago, 
seems to have opened a way for us to change our 
exhaustive system of farming. Let us avail our- 
selves of the opportunity ; feed as many animals as 
we can, and raise root and fodder crops for this 
purpose. At first we must use artificial fertilizers 
freely, and afterwards as may be needed, to keep 
crops up to the highest limit. "High farming" 
must now be the rule if we are to make money. We 
must get rid of our scrubs : of beeves, that don't 
make beef; of cows that neither give milk nor 
yield butter ; of sheep that afford neither wool nor 
mutton ; of pigs that make no pork or lard, and of 
poultry that lay no eggs. We must keep only the 
best, that is, grades from pure bred males ; we must 
feed high and mature quickly, make rich manure, 
grow heavy crops, cultivate thoroughly, turn off 
from one acre as much as we have done heretofore 
from two, three, or four, and then American Agri- 
culture, which is the freest industry in the world, 
will be the most profitable. 
HCints al>out "Wopfc. 
Cor^, — This is our great national crop, and ever 
will be. No known vegetable production can take 
its place with us. This month the thoughts and 
labors of the majority of American farmers are di- 
rected to this crop. But in by far too many in- 
stances an insignificant amount of either thought 
or labor is given to it. This is shown by the very 
poor average yield of the crop. We set our figure 
at 75 bushels per acre. Sometimes we have reached 
or exceeded this, but more frequently have fallen 
short. But this is no reason for despair. It is rarely 
that any person fails that he can not see how he 
might have succeeded, had he only been more care- 
ful. The main point's for success are : plant on 
freshly stirred soil, the planting following closely 
on the plow ; use some active fertilizer in the hUl 
or drill — Peruvian guauo or blood fertilizer will be 
found excellent ; use well selected, sound seed, and 
begin to cultivate, if the ground is hard or baked, 
before the young corn is seen. For the rest we shall 
have something to say next month. 
Crows and Cut-imrms. — We believe the crow is a 
much abused bird. No one doubts about the cut- 
worm. If the seed com is washed in warm water, 
in which some fresh pine tar is well stirred up, and 
then dried in plaster, the cut-worms will rarely dis- 
turb the sprouts, and if there are no cut-worms 
about the hills, few crows will disturb the crop. 
Quick planting on a newly turned sod will give 
the worms work enough on the grass roots. 
Hoots. — Sow mangels this month. Mr. Harris 
"Talks" about this crop this month, and recom- 
mends 8 lbs. of seed per acre. This is very heavy 
seeding ; 4 lbs. will give a good stand if the seed is 
good. The cost of the extra four pounds saved, 
will buy 50 lbs. of nitrate of soda, or 70 lbs. of 
guano, and the saving of labor in singling a few 
thousand plants on an acre,WLU buy more fertilizers. 
Some farmers favor heavy, others light seeding; and 
vei-y few who grow roots thin the crop enough. If 
8 lbs. of seed is sown, the plants must be thinned 
vigorously. Those who have grown roots wUl 
follow their own method ; those who have not had 
better try both quantities of seed, and decide by 
their success which is best. The points essential 
to success with corn, apply to root crops as well. 
Clover. — Those who have neglected to dress the 
clover fields with 100 pounds of gypsum per acre, 
should do it at once. If the ground is poor, 100 
pounds per acre of either Peruvian guano, or SO 
pounds of high grade muriate of potash, would 
help the crop greatly. The money will be returned 
in the seed which may be saved at the second cutting. 
Meadows. — There are meadows that have been 
pastured since they were green up to the present 
time, that wUl be expected to give a crop of hay 
in June or July. The homely old adage, "you 
can't have your ealie and eat it too," will apply to 
this unprofitable practice. It is cheaper to buy 
hay than to pasture meadows in spring. 
Manure. — See that the manure in the yards is not 
washed by the rains. Pile all of it up neatly, and 
keep the sides square, and the top flat and dishing. If 
for want of rain the pile heats and becomes too dry, 
turn it over. The labor will be well expended. 
Add in every possible way to its bulk and quality. 
Ibtatoes. — Plant the bulk of the crop as early as 
possible, to get ahead of the late broods of the 
Colorado beetle. Procure a supply of pure Paris 
green in readiness for active warfare as soon as 
the enemy appears. Devoe makes a Paris green 
which is warranted pure ; procure this in the 
original packages. A few farmers may club to- 
gether and get a 14-lb. can from headquarters. 
Means. — This crop deserves better treatment than 
it frequently receives. Those who know its value, 
give it a fair chance. There is more profit in 35 
