326 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[September, 
63 years of age. In early life Mr. Gould took an active 
part in politics, but for many years he has devoted him- 
self to improved agriculture. As President of the N. Y. 
State Agricultural Society, and as lecturer on Mechanics 
as Applied to Agriculture, in Cornell University, he 
was thoroughly identified with agricultural pursuits. 
His genial manner made a favorable impression upon all 
who came in contract with him, and his cautiousness and 
careful judgment gave his opinions great weight. The 
State Society and Cornell University have lost a working 
member, and agriculture a most zealous promoter. 
The I>enth or filesiry Stephens, the 
author of the " Book of the Farm," took place at his 
residence, near Edinburgh, early in July last. He was in 
the SOth year of his age, and only three years before his 
death he completely revised and largely re-wrote his 
Book of the Farm, which is on all hands admitted to be 
the best practical work on British Agriculture, and which 
has furnished the materials ft>r not a few English and 
some American writers on agriculture. 
Perennial Phloxes. — These plants are 
gradually working their way into popular favor. There 
are now fine varieties from white to scarlet and crimson, 
bnt we have not seen so pure a white as is shown in the 
flowers of a seedling raised by Mr. White, of Jersey 
Heights, (Jersey City), N. J. The plant is very dwarf, 
truss large, and the flowers without any tinge of green. 
Mr. W. said ho had no name for it, and we suggested 
White's White, which if it were pronounced "whitest 
white," would not be a misnomer. 
Mr. 1?. I£. Elliott has removed from 
Cleveland; O., to New York, office 78 Duane St., where he 
offers his services as landscape gardener and consulting 
horticulturist. While we have had occasion to differ 
from Mr. Elliott in some matters, wc have never had any 
doubt as to his ability, and feel quite sure that from his 
long experience, he is capable of giving satisfaction to 
those who may wish his services. 
Comfortable Country Chairs. — The 
chairs illustrated last month, page 305, were noticed on 
their own merits ; we have since learned that they were 
made by A. E. Cooper, of Cooper's Plains, N. Y., whose 
catalogue shows that he makes a sreat variety ©f such 
wares. 
The Submerged Pnmp.— Having occa- 
sion to put a pump into a well this spring, and fiuding 
that several neighbors, who were using the Submerged, 
gave a good account, we fixed upon this style of pump. 
It is very simple iu construction, works easily, and 
answers admirably as a force-pump. The pump itself 
being under water it cannot possibly freeze, nor is there 
over any annoyance from its getting dry. Thus far we 
are quite- satisfied with its operation. 
Weipph and Measure Everything". 
— Now that the season for selling has arrived, we would 
impress upon our readers the necessity for accurately 
weighing and measuring everything they sell. There is 
too much guess-work done. Buyers are handling produce 
every day of the year, and they weigh and measure all 
they handle. They are well posted. Farmers are not. 
When it comes to estimate the fanners are beat. " It is 
naught, it is naught, saith the buyer. 1 ' And farmers are 
too easily persuaded by his pertinacity. Besides, farm- 
ers want the money and do not like to lose a sale. So 
they give way. There is no settler of disputes so stub- 
born as a good platform scale. A Fairbanks 1 scale will 
save many words, and mnch time and loss. Every barn 
Should be provided with one, and nothing should be 
taken out for sale until it is weighed and plainly marked 
with its weight. 
Butchers" Offal.— " D. B.," Champaign, 
111. Butchers' offal should be composted with earth in 
layers of a foot of each, and the pile well covered with 
earth. In this condition it should remain for a few 
weeks, when the pile may bo turned over or mixed and 
spread at once, to be plowed lightly under the surface. 
Crops in Kansas. — We have received 
from Alfred Gray, Topcka, Secretary of the State Board 
of Agriculture, a copy of the reports made by County 
Agricultural Societies, to the State Board of Agriculture 
of Kansas, of the acreage and condition of crops up to 
the first of July last. From these it appears that the 
acreage of almost every crop is considerably larger than 
last year, while the average condition is generally better 
than last year, wheat being the most remarkable excep- 
tion. The value of these reports is greatly enhanced by 
their promptness, and if the State and local societies 
elsewhere, would emulate the example of the Kansas 
associations, and take pains to make correct reports, the 
service to the farmers of the whole country would be of 
great value. Reports now of last year's crop, are about 
as useful as a last year's almanac. They are as plentiful 
as they are usclese. These reports from Kansas are the 
first we have seen of the' present crop, except general 
estimates not pretending to accuracy. 
"Liunp upon a Mare." — "J. G.," 
Preston Co., W. Va. A swelling upon the abdomen, near 
the udder, of a mare, which has recently foaled, may be 
due to several causes. It may be the result of inflamma- 
tion of the udder, or what is known as " mammitis," or 
it may be caused by an injury in getting over a fence. In 
cither case it would be safe to bathe it with cold water. 
V^ime upon Wheat* — "J. T. G.," Lafay- 
ette, Va. Lime is rarely used in less quantities than 15 
to 40 bushels per acre. Any quantity that could be sown 
with a guano attachment to a drill would be too small an 
application to have any effect. One of the useful effects 
of lime is its mechanical operation upon the soil, and 
another i3 its chemical action upon the vegetable matter 
contained in the soil, and for either of these effects to be 
made apparent, at least 15 bushels per acre should be used. 
Ice-Houses and >IilK-l£ooms. — The 
numerous inquiries for a connected ice-chamber and 
milk-room are not unnoticed. Press of other matter so 
far has forced their postponement. 
Sowing Guano or Plaster. — "D. 
B.," Champaign, 111. Guano or plaster may be sown 
broadcast by a Seymour's broadcast sower, which sows 
evenly from 25 pounds to 1,000 pounds per acre. It is 
disagreeable to sow either of these fertilizers by hand. 
Applicaliou of Superphosphate. — 
"C. F. W.," Shufordsville, N. Y. Wc have found the 
best method of applying superphosphate to the wheat 
crop to be to sow half the quantity, or 150 lbs. M'ith the 
seed in the fall, and the other half in spring, as soon as 
growth commences. For spring crops it should be sown 
with the seed, and as near to it as possible. 
Wistaria.— "A. M. P.," Norwich, N. T. 
In localities too severe for the Wistaria, it should be laid 
upon the ground and covered with a few inches of earth. 
If it is necessary to do this, care should be taken in sum- 
mer that the stems do not get so entangled with the 
trellis as to make removal difficult. If the Chinese is 
not hardy, why not grow the American ? 
Sunflowers.-" Alabama," we have not the 
slightest faith in the story that sunflowers will prevent 
" chills and fever. 11 The leaves of this plant can do no 
more than any other foliage in purifying the air, and 
where this disease prevails, there is usually foliage in 
plenty. This sunflower matter is an old story. The 
latest thing is the Eucalyptus, or blue gum, which is said 
to be a sure cure. We have no more faith in this than in 
the sunflower, and singularly enough, its anti-malarious 
properties arc not known in its native Australia. 
Paris CJreen.— "J. H. F.," Monroe Co., 
Pa. Paris Green is not soluble in water, it is only sus- 
pended. It may be applied by a watering pot. stirring it 
as often as it settles, or by means of a whisk broom. 
Seed Bye.- "II. C. M.," Rockland Co., N. 
Y, You can procure excellent seed rye of R. H. Allen & 
Co., 189 Water St., N. Y. It is grown by William Crozier, 
of Northport, Long Island. 
Weed Named. — "Farmer," Wcstford, Vt. 
The specimens sent is the Rough Corn-flower, Hudbeckia 
hirta, a plant which a few years ago was rare in the 
Eastern States, but which is now unfortunately becoming 
too common. We know of no specific treatment for this 
or any other weeds, except good cultivation. One thing 
should be done at once— cut the tops and prevent its 
spreading by seed. 
Kahhits.— U E. A. T.," Pa. We have not 
much faith in the proiltablenets of rabbits— that is, to 
sell as food. The wild rabbits, or hares, are offered in 
the markets at a very low price, and meet with but slow 
sale. We are not a rabbit-eating people. 
Hydrangea.-D. T. Ness. The flower of 
Hydrangea Hartensia frequently comes blue, like the 
specimen you send. Gardeners endeavor to produce 
this color by the use of peat, iron, and other applications, 
but it often appears without any special treatment. 
Cider Mills.— " H. T. E.," Belleville, N. J. 
The price of a good portable cider mill, such as the 
"Keystone," or the '* Buckeye, " or some others, which | 
are to be found described in our advertising columns, is 
from $10 up to $40 or $50, according to size. The cheap- 
est is a size suitable for small orchards. 
Iron Hurdles.— " T. G.," Kittrelfl, N. C. 
We do not know of any maker of iron hurdles. If there 
arc any such, possibly your inquiry may attract the notice 
of the parties. 
Virginia State Agricultural So- 
ciety.— This association offers premiums of various 
values, form $50 downward, for essays upon such practi- 
cal subjects as the following : on the best management of 
a farm of 150 acres, devoted to mixed farming ; separate 
essays for different districts requiring different treatment, 
being called for; on the best management of various 
crops; on grasses adapted to Virginia; on swine; on 
cattle, etc ; for the best experiments in the cultivation of 
various crops, and in the use of fertilizers. We could 
suggest only one addition to such an excellent list, which 
is a premium for the best managed and cultivated farm. 
To Bee and examine the best managed farm in any dis- 
trict, would be worth a world of written description. 
SUIWRY HUMBUGS. — In former 
months wc have had occasion to notice the fluctuating 
character of the " humbug business." At some seasons 
we are overrun with complaints of old and new schemes, 
and at loss to which to give prominence ; then again 
there seems to be very little activity among the swind- 
lers. The present is one of those seasons of quiet. These 
fellows find the greater number of their victims among 
the rural population, and they no doubt arc aware that 
in hay and harvest time the farmer and his family are too 
busy to read their persuasive documents. So these 
schemers of all kinds during the summer keep very quiet. 
The successful ones, and some of them are very success- 
ful in money-making— especially the quack doctors — 
may be found at the watering places, cutting a dash with 
their splendid horses and costlier carriages, and vieing 
with the gamblers in making a vulgar display of diamonds. 
WALL STREET. 
Some chaps advertise that money invested by them in 
stocks and gold, pays 200 per cent a month, and strange 
to say, apparently sensible people believe this, and ask us 
if it will be safe to invest in the hands of the advertisers. 
Safe ! bless your heart, yes, so safe that mortal eye will 
never see it again. One of these inquirers writes that he 
wishes ta invest $10 — let him do so by all mentis, it will 
not be paying very dearly for a lesson. If this correspon- 
dent really thinks that any business which pays 200 per 
cent, monthly, needs to advertise for customers, be can 
afford to pay $10 to be taught better. lie says, " tell us 
all you know about the Bankers and Brokers of New 
York city." We have had some funny requests in our 
day, but this is the funniest. Still we can reply briefly. 
There are bankers and brokers even in Wall street, who 
are men of the highest honor, and who would lose their 
right hand, before they would do a mean thing. This 
class do not hold out ridiculous inducements to their pa- 
trons. Then there are those who call themselves bankers 
and brokers, who will do anything to make a dollar, and 
woe be to the man who gets into their hands. We do 
not claim to have an acquaintance with this style of 
brokers, but it comes in our way now and then, to know 
something of their operations. About a year ago a gentle- 
man, who had in successful business in a Western city 
accumulated what he thought was a handsome compe- 
tence, came to New York to live at his ease ; he became 
interested in Wall-st., and thinking that he might as 
well increase his moderate fortune, placed his available 
means in the hands of one of these brokers. He was kept 
along with reports of enough successes, to encourage 
him, and the speculations continued all winter. When he 
came to square accounts with his broker, $5 was all that 
he had left. Our friend turned his face westward, quite 
convinced that be bad seen enough of Wall street. Now, 
if a man of fair business talent, and who, being upon the 
spot, could watch matters daily, fared so poorly, what 
sort of chance has one who lives at a distance, and knows 
nothing of the tricks of the street, if he pnts his money 
in the hands of a curbstone-shyster? If one has money, 
be it only $10, he is quite right in trying to invest that 
sum in such a manner as will increase it. but he may be 
quite sure that the way not 1o do it. is to intrust it to the 
tender mercies of sharpers calling themselves brokers 
Complaints still come with regard to dealers in 
CHEAP SEWING MACHINES. 
Wc have said all that need be upon this subject. We 
repeat that there is no help, so far as we are aware, for 
those who have sent money, and received no returns. It 
Is impossible for us to comply with the request of those 
who ask us to investigate their cases. We could not pos- 
sibly give the time to the matter, even if it would do any 
good. The chaps need only say that no money had been 
received from the complaining party, and that would be 
