358 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
December, 
Scuwcv«l as a Manure. — S. Coatee, 
Washington Co., R. I. Seaweed is most economically 
applied as a compost. Your proposed plan lo decompose 
it with lime and soil or muck, is the right one. The gel- 
atinous sorts like Ribbon-weed, Rock-weed, and Devils- 
apron, are the most valuable, while the eel-grass, which 
is frequently called seaweed, is worth but little. The re- 
port upon the geology of your Stale has, if we recollect 
rightly, some interesting matter upon this subject. 
&»li<?* oi* Leaves. — "Will the leaves of the 
flic same plant, grown in different soiJs, contain in their 
at lies different proportions of any earthly materials which 
may be abundant in one soil and scarce In another ?" 
hiil'iiires W. II. Washburn, Waldo Co., Me. The ashes 
nf (he same plant grown under these different circum- 
-laiicr*, are very similar, but important differences may 
sometimes be noted, and these are particularly observ- 
ni Hit leaves. Still the ash of the leaves will not 
necessarily contain " any earthy materials which may 
abound" lor clay at least is not taken up by the roots. 
Olliei things may also be rejected. The proportion of 
potash and soda, of lime and'magnesia, and of oxide of 
iron, silica, phosphoric and sulphuric acid, and chlorine 
may and do vary. 
Tobacco. — "J. B., 1 ' of Pleasant Valley Mills, 
neat Staunlun, Newcastle Co., Del., writes to the Agri' 
cultnrist about some very fine leaves obtained from Cuba 
seed, and his line crop generally. He says his system of 
culture is very different from the methods given iu the 
pi ize essays published by the Agriculturist, and described 
in other works. Any new method should be well tested a 
year or two at least, before giving it to the world. One 
can not judge of his success before the crop is cut, 
cured, and weighed. The use of any process of culture 
which would make the labor less by doing away with the 
necessity Of thoroughly enriching, working, and weeding 
the soil, would be most unfortunate, for it is in these that 
tobacco culture is of any real value in our agriculture. 
**<nin« l.\ Ulue <*rass. — J. L. "Wood- 
bury, Kent Co., Del. Kentucky Blue Grass makes good 
hay, but the yield is much less than with Timothy or Red 
Top. It has the disadvantage that it is a long lime In 
making a dense sward. It is more valued as a pasture 
than kg a meadow grass. Experiment only can deter- 
mine whether it will do better than Timothy with you. 
X. tjioou Crop from ai» Acre. — M. 
Mlteii, of Columbia Co., Wis., writes to the Agriculturist: 
" f have on one acre raised 5370 pounds of ears of corn, 
Pijtlal to 74 bushels of shelled corn ; 800 pumpkins, 8 
bushels white beans, and a few turnips on the same acre. 
Corn worth 50 cts. per bushel, $37, beans rated at $16, 
pumpkins worth $8, making a total of $61. No extra 
preparation or care. Can New-England do heller?" 
In ton Sweet Corn.— Au ear of sweet 
com having the national colors, red, while, and blue, in 
liic kernels, has been placed on our exhibition tables. It 
was raised by Col. Sylvester R. Hazard, of Newport, R. I., 
a veteran of the war of 1812. Such specimens are the re- 
sult of a mixture of varieties, and can not be depended 
upon to reproduce the same assortment of colored kernels. 
l*oi»iBlsir Chemistry. — There is a great 
deal ol nonsense to be found in agricultural and other 
papers, w Inch passes for science among those who are ig- 
norant of chemical facts. As an illustration of this we 
« ile directions for making a tree wash which appeared in 
a paper edited by a " professor." " Heat sal-soda red hot 
in an iron vessel ; to do this the vessel should be imbed- 
ded in, not over a hard coal fire; this will drive off the 
water and carbonic acid which it contain?, rendering the 
soda caustic." We should like to see sal soda rendered 
caustic by heating in an iron vessel. Everyone who 
knows any tiling about chemistry knows that this can not 
be done by the action of heat alone. The water is driven 
oft and whet) the heated soda is dissolved to make the tree 
wash, the solution will be precisely the same as it would 
have been If it had not been heated.— Another exchange 
commenting on the use of salt as manure remarks that 
" in the vicinity of salt water the lands are salted by the 
dews which fall." Will he please procure a small boltle 
lull of this salt dew for exhibition ; scientific men would 
hail it as the most remarkable discovery in meteorology. 
Detection of Water in Milk.— The 
manager of an extensive cheese dairy in New-York con- 
Mills us in regard to methods of testing the purity of milk. 
He uses two lactometers, neither of which he thinks 
" will detect the presence of 1 gallon of water in 'JO, 40 or 
8,0 gallons of milk." That is, neither will show 5 per 
cent of water which is 1 gallon in 20 (1 gallon in 80 is 
only \H per cent). Of course not. The specific gravity 
of good milk is about 1.031 to 1.032 ; that of milk rich in 
butter, is 1.030 to 1.031, and the addition of 10 per cent of 
water will reduce the specific gravity of good milk only 
to about 1.029 ; 20 per cent to 1.025, or near it. Different 
samples of pure milk often show more variation in their 
specific gravities than 5 per cent of water added to cither 
would effect. The only way to judge accurately of the 
value of milk brought from various sources is to have 
some man or woman of good judgment devote him or 
herself to the study of the different samples, testing, 
and noting down every day the character of the milk 
from each dairy. Noting 1st, the cleanliness ; 2nd, the 
specific gravity; 3d, the length of time, before souring; 
4th, the amount of cream, and its character, setting about 
a gill of each sample for these purposes ; 5th, the color of 
the skim milk; and 6th, if sweet, its specific gravity. 
Thus those who furnish the milk can each be credited 
according to the quality of that furnished. 
Prolific Hens. — People always like to com- 
pare notes about poultry. J. B., of New Castle Co., 
Del., says, six hens costing $2 50, placed in an empty 
hog pen, fed on scraps from the table, egg shells, etc., 
with the sweepings of the mill floor, gave 407 eggs and 8 
chickens in 172 days. He estimates his only outlay $4.37, 
including 50 cents deterioration on stock. The eggs 
were worth 19cts. per dozen=$7.S6. The chickens at 20 
cents each are worth $1.60, and the manure made is 
worth J8cents (estimated too low)— in all, $9.64. Sublract- 
ing cost, $4.37, leaves $5.27 profit in less tiian months. 
Damage to Sheep in Ohio. — 36,778 
sheep are reported killed by dogs in the year 1S62; 24,972 
injured, and the total damage estimated at $126,347. Will 
any body tell us how much good was done by all the dogs 
in Ohio, dining the year 1862 ? Also tell us what Ihe board- 
ing bill of these dogs amounted to. 
Ants aud Bees. — A writer iu the Rural 
New-Yorker in directing how to get rid of ants from bee- 
hives, advises to blow smoke into the hives, which will 
expel both bees and ants, and then with a feather apply 
spirits of turpentine or kerosene to the places where they 
have harbored, which will keep Ihem away. He forgot 
to add that bees also are very sensitive to unpleasant 
smells, and that they too would probably stay outside the 
premises, if they could not immediately cover over the in- 
fected parts that the odor would be suppressed. 
White Flax Seed. — John Monteleiu, Ste- 
phenson Co., 111., informs us that he once purchased some 
bushels of this variety, and that more or less of it has 
been raised in his vicinity for eight years. He can discov- 
er no difference between this and the brown seed either 
in the fibre or the oil. 
What cau he I>one on Scrub Oak 
Land.— Mr. Win, Erwood, an English gardener, who 
8 months ago cleared up some scrub-oak land upon 
Long Island, has sent to the American Agriculturist 
Office specimens of his products, comprising fine Brus- 
sels sprouts, good cauliflower and co Hards, and on 
ions of full size. Mr. E. stales that he has fine potatoes 
and corn, and is altogether pleased with his attempt at 
making a farm in such an unpromising locality. 
A Good Suggestion.— E. G. Topping, 
Whiteside Co., III., says that every farmer should keep 
on hand a supply of hoop iron and rivets, which can be 
procured at almost any store having an assortment of 
hardware. It requires but a few minutes work to re- 
place a hoop from a cask, pail, or tub ; and this if done in 
time, will often save the purchasing of a new vessel. 
(Queries About Trees and Shruhs.- 
L. Kessinger, Buffalo Co., Wis. The Crataegus coccinea 
of this country is not the same as the European Medlar. 
The objection to the use of our native thorns as hedges is 
(lie early fall of their leaves. Where this Is not a considera- 
tion they will answer. The Persimmon does not succeed 
much north of New-York city. It is hardly probable that 
it would do well with you. We think that the Mulberry 
is hardy enough to stand your climate— at any rale we 
should try it. We know of no peaches that are likely lo 
be successful in your locality — I. F. McLain, Morrow 
Co., Ohio. The soil for Osage Orange should be well 
pulverized by deep plowing. If sod ground is used, the 
sod should be broken up and left to rot. The planting is 
generally done in the Spring. The plants are cut back to 
fi or 8 inches, and the roots are trimmed. The hedge is 
not trimmed the first year, but the second and following 
years it is brought into shape. 1 1 requires about four or 
five years to form a perfect hedge. We have not space 
for details winch have already been given in former vol- 
umes of the Agriculturist, ami may be found in Warder's 
Hedges and Evergreens which is on our book list D. 
P. Leonard, Washington Co., Ohio. Locust seed may be 
planted as soon as gathered, or be kept until Spring in 
boxes of earth exposed to the action of the weather. The 
seed bed should be of good soil, well prepared, and the 
seeds sown thinly and covered over half an inch deep 
The plants will grow from 2 to 4 feet high the first sea- 
son, and can be transplanted after the first year's growth 
Propagation of Forest Trees.— "T. 
C. H.," Pleasant Plains, N. Y. Cions may be cut any 
time during Winter, aud treated like those of fruit 
trees. The Hickory has such long tap-rools that it is 
difficult to transplant; the seed should be planted when 
the tree is expected to stand. The Chestnut may be 
removed more readily, and small trees from the forest 
may succeed, but the only sure way is to get or grow 
seedlings whiih have been several times transplanted. 
...i\lilden Luther, Boone Co., Iowa. Mix the Red Ce- 
dar berries with earth and leave them in an exposed 
situation, where they will freeze and thaw during the 
Winter. Sow when the ground is ready iu the Spring. 
They sometimes remain a year in the ground before they 
start, but treated in this way there is more probability of 
their growing the first season.... Thos. Bell, Joe Davie - 
Co., III. White Birch and White Maple seed, as soon 
as it Is gathered, should be mixed with sand or moderately 
dry earth, as without this precaution they get too dry 
and lose their vegetative power. Prepare the surface of 
the seed-bed by burning rubbish upon it, to destroy the 
seeds of weeds, and cover the seeds very slightly after 
sowing. To prevent the soil from drying, a light Cover- 
ing of litter is to be thrown OTer the bed, to be carefully 
removed as soon as the young plants begin lo come up. 
What Trees to Plant.— Harry Grundy, 
Montgomery Co., II]., asks what trees he shall plant 
about his house. Advice of this kind is very difficult to 
give without knowing the character and climate of the 
locality. As the maple grows with Mr. G., we presume 
most of our hardy shade trees will do well. It is well 
to plant both evergreen and deciduous trees. For 
evergreens, the Red Cedar and Norway Spruce. Instead 
of putting out only one kind of deciduous trees, we 
should select a variety, not only as producing a more 
pleasing effect, hut for the reason that disease or insects 
frequently attack all the trees of a particular kind within 
a large district. Having a variety of trees will often save 
one from great disappointment. The American maples, 
the Sycamore Maple, Elm. Whitewood, and Button- 
wood, would probably all flourish, and give a variety. 
•* Responsible Nurserymen."— C. O., 
Hendricks Co., Ind., pertinently says that we recomnfend 
planters of trees to "send directly to some responsible 
nurseryman" for them. He followed the advice aud 
sent, and obtained from "a nurseryman of large busi- 
ness, and reputed honesty and responsibility, badly grown 
and almost worthless trees." Now he says : " I insist on 
the purchaser selecting his trees, etc., personally." So 
we have often advised, to always do when practi- 
cable; but it is not always possible, and we musUru&t 
somewhat lo the nurserymen. There are few men in the 
world who will cull out from their nursery rows the must 
saleable trees to send to a stranger. If he comes cash iu 
hand, and makes the selection himself, it is a different 
thing. Sllll, there is no excuse for sending a poor lot 
of trees or vines, when a first class price is charged. 
Pears iu Illinois.— Jabez Webster, of Ma- 
rion Co., 111., writes that " pears suffer much from blight 
in his neighborhood. The Bartlett does best, and the 
Howell next, but this year even these have suffered. The 
Vicar of Winkfield grows well, but does not bear as a 
dwarf or standard. The Tyson, Beurre Giffard, Louise 
Bonne, and others on quince, neither grow nor bear. 
Bartlett, Vicar, Flemish Beauty, and Osband's Summer do 
much better as standards without manure than they do as 
dwarfs with manure." Mr. W. says that "dwarfs are 
about ' played out' thereabouts ; people begin to open their 
eyes to the fact that they are not enough adapted to the 
climate to pay for the labor and trouble, while standard 
trees will flourish as well as apple trees and come into 
bearing as soon." 
The Penn Pear.— The Rev. A. R. Bud, 
presented us with two specimens of this" pear, which has 
also been known by the names of Frazer and Railroad 
Fuss. The latter name was given because Ihe original 
tree was the subject of some difficulty at the time the 
Camden & Amboy R. R. was made. It has been called 
Penn, because it originated opposite the old Penn estate. 
The shape of the pear is remarkable, it being very much 
depressed and broader than long. Downing classes it as 
"very good." The specimens were tested at the fruit 
growers' meeting and hardly warranted this endorsement, 
probably because they had not been properly ripened. 
