1865.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
71 
asks, "Will some one explain why ?"— There Is no 
strong evidence that posts thus set will last longer than 
if they were set with the top end up. Until the evi- 
dence is produced, no reason need be sought why a post 
will decay sooner when it is placed top end up, than 
when it is set (he other way. To test this, we once set 
fence posts alternately top up and top down, in the same 
fence, and there never was any perceptible difference in 
the time of their decaying. 
Sa-wing Tl^oocl ^ritli Horse Po"%ver. 
A Subscriber in Darlington, Pa., writes: "I saw my 
fire-wood with a circular saw, driven by a two-horse 
railway power, and I find it such an advantage that I 
never intend to saw any more wond by hand. It pleases 
the women very much to have plenty of seasoned wood, 
partirolarly when baking buckwheat cakes." "VVe are 
acquainted with a young man in Cayuga Co., N. Y., who 
was accustomed to do all his threshing with a flail, and 
sawing wood by hand. At our suggestion, he purchased 
a two-horse threshing machine and wood saw. When 
he performed all this work by hand, he was obliged to 
labor very hard all winter. Now he does his own 
threshing and wond-sawing, and threshes for some of 
his neighbors. He sawed over 300 cords of wood for 
them during the past year, besides doing all his own 
work. He finds much more time to rest and read, and 
not half the amount of hard labor that was required 
when he threshed and sawed by hand. He saws, usu- 
ally, three cords of hard wood, twice in two, per hour 
ninning time. This practice of making the horses do the 
hard work, is worthy of almost universal adoption. 
Iflannre ft>r Onions. — B. Gardner, Hamp- 
den Co.. Mass. If you have plenty of night soil composted 
with loam and well rotted stable manure, you need not 
buy either guano or phosphate. An equivalent to 25 or 
30 bushels of night soil, or 20 to 30 loads of stable manure, 
should be used to the acre. The Wethersfield Red is 
perhaps the best market sort. Yellow Danvers is very 
productive. The white varieties produce less, but bring 
a higher price. Our Pamphlet on Onion Culture is in- 
valuable to a beginner. 
lIoTV Mncli Seed ?— The following table 
is frnm the new Seed Catalogue of Henderson & Flem- 
ing. N. Y. It will be found useful in determining how 
much seed to order, making allowance for defects, etc. 
I ounce of Asparagus ryid Cardoon. about 500 plants, 
do Broccoli, Cabbage. Cauliflower. Egg- 
plant, Kale. Tomato, Leek, and Pepper, 3000 " 
do Celery, Endive, and Lettuce, - 6000 " 
do Okra, and Spinach, mav be allotted for ev'v 100 ft. row 
do Beet, do do do' 150 " 
do Onion, Radish, and Salsify, do do 175 " 
do Carrot. Parsley, Parsnip and Turnip, do 200 *' 
do Cucumber, is sufficient for 150 hills 
do Muskmelon, " 100-125 " 
do Watermelon. " 40-60 " 
do Pumpkin and Squash, " 40-80 " 
1 quart Field Pumpkin, " 400-500 " 
do Dwarf or Bush Beans " 900 ft. of row or 300 " 
do Pole " 200 " or 200-300 " 
do Peas ** 150-200 ft. of row. 
RmsliTor Veas. — J. Cotton Eastnaan. The 
tall growing peas do better with brush. The medium 
sorts will, perhaps, fruit as well, but are more difficult to 
pick, if allowed to fall over. For garden culture the 
dwarf sorts, such as Tom Thumb and Bishop's Dwarf are 
convenient. Drew's new Dwarf, is a new sort said to be 
very good. We are always glad to hear from young far- 
mers, and to aid them when possible. 
Xhe l>epartnient of Affricnltnre. 
—If the agricultural community have any interest in the 
appointments of the new administration, which will be 
inaugurated on the 4th of this month, it is in reference to 
the Deparlment of Agriculture. They expect, and justly, 
that this Department shall have a fair chance to show its 
usefulness, and not be a subject of ridicule. They ex- 
pect the appointment of a head who is sought for by the 
place, and who does not seek the place. They look for 
a man who stands in intimate relations to the agriculture 
of the country, and not one whose chief claim to the 
place is his personal services to one particular family. 
They expect a Commissioner of broad views and execu- 
tive ability, who can devote his time to the interests of 
the country, and not to maiiing favor with members of 
Congress. They expect to see an experimental farm, 
which shall contain the best kinds of stock, and where 
their comparative value shall be established by accurate 
experiments. They expect that the mails will be no 
longer weighted down with rubbish from old Philadelphia 
seed stores ; that tropical seeds will not be sent to Wis- 
consin, and that useless seeds will not be sent at all. 
They expect that reports shall be made which shall not 
he diluted by writers by the page, but which shall give 
results, and be worth more than a yearly volume of any 
tfood agricultural paper. In short, thev expect that some 
one will be appointed to the head of the department who 
will get out of the old ruts, and start on a new track; and 
they don't wish the head of the Department to have a 
seat in the Cabinet. 
Soaliin^ Peas,— "Subscriber" asks if it is 
well to soak peas. They will come up sooner if soaked 
a few hours in warm water, and it is quite an advantage 
to treat them this way, if the ground is dry. If the peas 
have buss in tliem, pour on scalding water enough to 
cover them, and let them cool. This will kill the bee- 
tles, and not hurt the peas. 
Tlie Concord Pole Bean.— Two Massa- 
chusetts subscribers who have cultivated this new variety 
have w ritten in praise of it. One says : " It is very ele- 
gant in appearance, the earliest pole bean I have yet 
found. It is good as a string or shell bean, very pro- 
lific, averaging a pint ofthe dried beans to the pole. Mr. 
Burr (author of Garden Vegetables of America), in a re- 
cent article in Hovey's Magazine, gives a very high rank 
to this bean, and I think justly." We have received a 
sample of this bean, and it appears like what it is claimed 
to be, a cross between the London Horticultural and 
White Pole Cranberry, two excellent varieties. 
Cnnli floorers in IVinter.— P. Whitter- 
say. New Haven Co., Conn., writes that he is now en- 
joying fine, large cauliflowers, which came from small 
and poorly formed ones planted in the cellar last autumn. 
We have often advised this plan. 
Onion CHlfnre. — Numerous inquiries 
are made about tlie culture of onions. For all general 
information we refer to our book on Onion Culture, which 
gives the experience of numerous growers. See book 
list. A. C. Hayes, Washington Co., Iowa, asks if we 
would advise him to try an onion crop. No one should 
undertake to raise onions who cannot command plenty 
of help, as there is a great amount of hoeing and weei.iing 
to he done in order to succeed. Better try a moderate 
extent of ground at first to learn the routine of culture. 
New land is not suited to onions, but they should follow 
roots, corn or other hoed crops. Great quantities of ma- 
nure mi>5t be used, but the same land maybe cropped 
year after year. In the warmer section of the Middle 
States the season is too hot and dry for onions from seed, 
and there, sets must be grown in autumn, and kept through 
the winter for early spring planting. Where onions have 
not been before, it is advised to sow alternate rows of car- 
rots, as the onions are not injured, and if they chiince to 
fail, a good crop of carrots pays for the labor expended. 
Upland Cranberry, — R. Hanford, Mon- 
mouth Co., N. J., has confounded two things under 
the name of " Upland Crant>erry." The name is ap- 
plied by cultivators to a variety of the common cran- 
berry which they consider best adapted to dry localities. 
It is also one of the popular nanies of Uva Ursi, a Bear- 
berry. It is a great misfortune that many of our native 
plants have several popular names. 
Castor Oil Bean for Moles.— C. F. Ray- 
mnnd, of Fairfield Co., Conn., states that a dozen castor 
oil beans planted in his garden drove out the pioles, and 
that they staid out for some years. The plants were al- 
lowed to grow during the season. Others say the samo. 
Orass <br a I\anie.— J. Straur, Tabotville, 
C. W,, sends Phalaris Canariensis, or Canary grass, the 
seed of which is used as food for Canary birds. It is 
often found growing wild in waste places where rub- 
bish from bird cages has been thrown. 
Plant for a I^ame. — R. L., Boston, Mass. 
The specimen of "Fox plum," is MitcheUarepens^ usually 
called Partridge berry, sometimes Twinberry. and Tallow- 
berry. Probably is of too slow growth for a hanging bas- 
ket, and we doubt if it will endure the dry heat of a room. 
XHe Oreeley Prnit Prizes. — It will be 
recollected that the Hon. Horace Greeley last autumn 
offered a prize of $100 each for the best variety of grape, 
apple and pear for general cultivation. These prizes 
were to be awarded by the Horticultural Committee of 
the American Institute. The notice given having been 
too brief for general competition, the premium? are kept 
open for another year. At a recent meeting of the Com- 
mittee the following judges mere appointed for the award 
of these premiums : Doctor J. A. Warder, Cincinnati, 
Ohio, Chairman ; Charles Downing, Newburg, N. Y. ; 
Dr. I. M. Ward, Newark, N, J.; L. Ferris, Throg's 
Neck, N. Y. ; Dr. E. W. Sylvester, Lyons, N. Y. ; P. J. 
Quinn, Newark. N.J. ; P. B. Mead, and W. S. Carpenter, 
New-York City. Three exhibitions will be held In 
September. October and November next, the conditions 
of which will have timely publication. This arranqe- 
Hient is made with the consent of Mr. Greeley, and will. 
doubtless, be satisfactory to fruit-growers generally. 
—In this connection we add, that in a recent communi- 
cation which we have not room for, Mr. Byram distinct 
ly disclaims any intention in anything he has previously 
Bald or written, of attributing to Mr. Greeley, any but 
the most noble and philanthropic moti-/es in offering 
those prizes. He says : *' Mr. Greeley is too noble and 
high-minded to lend his aid to any dishonorable or cor- 
rupt measures to advance his own interest or tliat of his 
best friend." 
Fine Camellias.— Mr. Wm. Chorlton, of 
Staten Island, has a way which we commend to the con- 
sideration of other florists. Every winter he makes a 
show upon our tables of the most beautiful Camellias. 
Those exhibited this year are of the finest varieties, and 
beautiful specimens. As Mr. C. is not a commercial 
florist, he does not do this as an advertisement, but just 
for the love of it, and in so doing he gratifies hundreds 
with a sight of excellent specimens of this costly flower. 
Orapes <br Michigan.— J. G. M., Oak- 
land Co., Delaware, is the hardiest of the good grapes. 
Concord and Hartford Prolific would doubtless do well 
with you, and are good market varieties^ It makes but 
little practical diflerence whether stakes or trellises are 
used, provided the training is properly carried out. Be- 
fore investing much in a vineyard it will pay to visit 
Kelley's Island or some other locality where there are 
established vineyards, and study operations there. 
I>elaTvare Orape From Cntting^s. 
—J. M. Cook, Ottawa Co., Mich. Cuttings of the Dela- 
ware so seldom succeed in the open air, that it is about 
useless to try them. If buried in the fall below the reach 
of frost and then put in a warm and moist place, a few 
may grow, but more likely all will fail. The nursery- 
men use single eyes, and start them in sand by means of 
bottom heat. The details, which would occupy too 
much space, are fully given in Fuller's Grape Culturist. 
Tlie Peach on tlie WilIo>r.— The con- 
tributor who sends us a description of the manner in 
which peach trees are grown in California, by grafting 
them in a split willow, is informed that he has been 
hugely humbugged by some traveller's yarn. 
Xhe Xrihnne Stra-wberries.— T. L. 
Stringer and others. These were sent out numbered 
1, 2 and 3, by notches upon tlie tallies, which were at- 
tached. Thenames are: first, Col. Ellsworth; second, 
Monitor ; third, Brooklyn Scarlet. 
ISlaclc j^aples C arrant.— Several sub- 
scribers think that we did not deal justly by the Black 
Currant in last month's basket. We there expressed 
our opinion that it was a disagreeable and worthless 
thing, and now wc let others say that it *' makes a good 
jelly, fine jam and excellent wine ; that it is belter foi 
tarts, pies and preserves than the white currant." Medi- 
cinal qualities are also ascribed to it. Now both sides 
are given, and let those who like them grow them. 
Pears on the Thorn.— J. G. D., McLean 
Co., III., has tried grafting the pear on the wild thorn 
with fair success. The trees produced moderately, and 
the fruit was good. He thinks that it may be made to an- 
swer a good purpose where other stocks cannot be had. 
The grafting should be done on the root. 
*'Animohium" wishes to know how to make 
the seeds of AmTnobium alatum germinate. We never had 
any difiicilty with it when sown in the ordinary way. 
Probably the seeds were covered too deep — a common 
cause of failure with most flower and other seeds. 
Cnltivation of Bnlhs.— C. C. Smith, 
Marshall Co., Iowa ; Bliss of Springfieldi Mass.; Vick of 
Rochester, Thotburn, and Bridgeman, both of New 
York City, and others, publish special bulb catalogues, 
which contain directions for the culture of each sort 
and which will be sent on application to them. 
Fnller is Going;.— A. S. Fuller, the well- 
known nurseryman, finding his place in Brooklyn too 
small, has taken extensive grounds in New Jersey. His 
address until May 1st. will be Brooklyn, and after that 
date, Godwinville, N. J. 
IVovelties Among Floorers.— B. K. 
Bliss advertises a pure white Dicentra spectabiU s, -wyixch 
by the way, florists will persist in calling '* Dif/y^ra." 
Under either name it will prove valuable if it is as good 
as the original. Peter Henderson comes out with a new 
Pansy, which rejoices in the name of "Good Gracious." 
Despite the odd name it is very double and verv pretty. 
We shall next have flowers labelled " How you talk ;" 
" I want to know," and" You don'tsay so." 
