206 
AMERICAN AaRIGULTURIST. 
[July, 
ITIuck ana r.ime Compost.— *F. V. 
F." Fairfield Co., Conn —There are so groat differences 
in and various qualities of muck that it is impossible to 
compare it wiili any standiird. Barnyard manure is 
about as uncertain a one as could be named. In com- 
posting with lime. u?e jibtnit twobushels of good oysler- 
sliell lime (best slafkeii on the place) with one load (say 
25 bushels) of muck. It will, if fine, make a good top- 
dressing for rye and may be applied in the spring, but 
belter in the fall, at the rate of 30 or more loads to the 
acre. Dress grass lands with it in August or early in 
Autumn, rather than in the spring. In compoj^ting muck 
Willi lime, ashes, soda ash, or any such thing, spread a 
layer 6 inches thick and sprinkle over the lime or other 
article in due proportion, and make the heap of conve- 
nient highl by placing other layers in the same way. 
After a few weeks cut the heap down, beginning at one 
end. and pile it up again, shoveling it over and thus 
mixing all together. 
Ho^v to Clear L.aitct of W ild Car- 
rots.— B. B. Satterlee.— Put the land in hoed crops and 
keep it c/«m and frequently stirred in such weather as 
the seed will sprout in, for two years. Most of the seed 
in the ground will thus germinate and be killed. On 
sward land it is hard to kill them, but never letting one 
go to seed, and letting no seeds from the road or neigh- 
bor's fields wash on, will work an effectual fiddance. 
Plants named.— M. R. Allen, York Co., 
ftle.— 1, Cornus Canadensis, the Dwarf Cornel or Bunch- 
berry. 2, Smilacina bi/olia, or Two-leaved Solomon's 
Seal. 3. Uvularia sessiti/olia, Sessile-leaved Bellwort. 
D. W. Hooker, Vt., the seed of some kind of Big- 
nonia or Trumpet-creeper, but the particular one cannot 
be told from seed alone F. Schreiner, Crawford Co., 
Pa., the American Yew, Taxus Canadensis Miss E. 
Noble, Shawanfi Co. One of the Morels, which are gen- 
erally eatable fungi, but whether this is a wholesome one 
or not we are unable to say — J. Foulke. Chionanthus 
Virginica figured in the Agriculturist for June, 1864 
E. D. Velie, Suspension Bridge, Oldentandia purpurea 
var. ciliolnta, Bluets. . .We are obliged to repeat that we 
cannot undertake to^uess at poorly crushed fragments ; 
thougli willing to name plants for our friends we must 
ask them to send fair materials. One lady sends us some 
25 fragments, each rolled, when fresh, in a scrap of paper 
and lied with a thread. To open eacli one of these mi- 
nute bits would take more time tlian we can well afford. 
If the lady will press her plants and give specimens at 
least as large as will cover an envelope it will give us 
pleasure to name them for her. 
Bottle tfce Frnit. — Preserves are becoming 
and should be obsolete. It Is so easy to put up fresh 
fruit in bottles or jars, that every one may thus preserve 
almost everv kind of fruit and sauce, and keep it in nearly 
its fresh state. We use Ihe Baker, or Potter & Bodine 
glass jars almost exclusively, after having tried numerous 
other kinds. The ripe but not over-ripe strawberries or 
other fruits, are picked clean, put into a glazed vessel 
■with a little sugar. (>^ to a 3^ the weight of sugar, ac- 
cording to the sweetness of the fruit) and simply heated 
through— just boiling up once is usually sufficient. The 
glass jars are warmed as wanted, by plunging them 
rapidly into hot water a few times, then filled with hot 
water for a few minutes, when they are emptied and Ihe 
hot fruit is dipped in carefully, to keep it as whole as 
possible. The jars are filled to the top, allowed to stand 
a minute or two, and gently jarred to cause the rising 
and escape of any air bubbles. They are thi-n filled 
again to the top, the top edge of the jar wiped off with a 
damp cloth, the caps fastened on firmly, and then set 
away in a cellar until wanted for use. Rhubarb, toma- 
toes, etc., are simply cooked as for the table, and put up 
hot, without any sugar. 
Preservins* Frnit. — In May last we gave 
an account of Prof. Nyce's house for preserving fruits. 
Now, in the middle of June we have the oppoi tunity to 
lest some of the fruit that has been kept there since 
last autumn. Apples, such as Baldwin, Rambo, etc., 
are now as fresh, crisp and sprightly as one could wish, 
and the process may be regarded as a perfect success. 
SMacUberry Root ixood tor Sum- 
mer Complaint.— We have great faith in a decoc- 
tion of fresh blackberry root for looseness of the bowels. 
Last summer it comidelely cured a severe case of chron- 
ic southern or army diarrhoea, after the other remedies of 
the best physicians had proved unavailing, and it in- 
variably cured in many other cases where it was after- 
wards reciimniended. Dig the green roots, rejecting 
those that are large and woody. Wash thoroughly clean, 
and steep in water at the rale of a quart to half a pound 
of the root. Boil down one-half, and then strain or pour 
off. Put the liquid in a bottle with about K its bulk of 
brandy, whiskey, or alcohol, to keep it from souring, 
and cork tight. A tablespoonful ofihis, rather less for a 
child, is to be taken three or four times a liay, say before 
ench meal time. We would not go from home, especial- 
ly snuthward, without taking this preparation along. 
The blackberry brandies or conlials made from the ber- 
ries are of Utile account as a remedy for diarrhcea. The 
virtue lies in the roots, not in the berries. 
Inquiry- abont Cider Mill.— C. B, R., 
Portage Co., 0., inquires for the best and cheapest kind 
of cider mill, with which the apples are ground by horse 
power, and the cider to be pressed out without laying up 
a cheese with straw, and capable of making 40 or 50 bar- 
rels per day. If tliere are any cider mills of this capac- 
ity in existence, we have never heard of them. There 
are those capable of grinding apples enough in a day to 
make 60 barrels of cider ; but thepomare must either be 
laid up in a cheese with straw, or a large wootien curb 
must be employed to retain the pomace in place. In 
order to make good cider, pomnce should not be pressed 
until after it has been ground 20 or more hours. Where 
cider is made on a large scale, the apples are ground by 
water-power, or steam, and kept in large vats 15 or 20 
hours before the cider is expressed. A hydraulic press 
maybe used. By this means the grinding and pressing do 
not interfere with each other, and the pomace is allowed 
to remain long enoush to secure a good flavor and color 
for the cider, which it cannot have if pressed as soon as 
the apples are ground. 
Broccoli, — R. S. Cotterell, Minn. Broccoli 
should head the same year. It is usually surer to head 
than cauliflower, but is a poor substitute for it. 
Iflusliroom Ciiltnre. — "Subscriber" will 
find an account of the manner of making the beds, etc., 
by one of our most successful growers, in the Agricul- 
turist for May, 1864. 
Frnit Stains. — It does not appear to be 
generally known that the stains of strawberries, and of 
most other fruits, as well as coffee stains, may be readily 
removed from table linen and other white .fabrics by 
pouring boiling water upon them before washing. 
Plioto;^rapli$ of I^incoln will :^dorn 
the homes of thousands of those who cherish his memory. 
Those published by F. P. Whiting, in this city, are cor- 
rect likenesses, and handsomely finished. The represen- 
tation of " Lincoln at Home," will probably be a favorite. 
Xlie '^ ^Vasliin^^ton ITIntnal If enefit 
Association)" for which circulars are widely distiib- 
uted by mail at the West is a swindle. Atkinson Depot, 
N. H., is gaining an unenviable notoriety as the point 
whence such operations are carried on. Will not some 
one there enforce the law against lottery swindling? 
Bo'vren's Microscope, advertised in 
many papers to be sold for 25 cents, is worth nothing. 
Price of Beef— Ilfe^v CrOTernment 
Contract. — In the April AgricuUurist, p. 107, we gave 
the terms and conditions of the contract for supplying the 
army and navy fiom March IStoJune 15th. The contract 
has been taken for three months more by the same parties, 
and on the same conditions, but at a large reduction in 
prices. The previous contract was at $13.49 per 100 lbs. 
live weight for first quality cattle ; the new terms are 
$9.35. a reduction of nearly thirty-one per cent., or from 
24 cts. to 10*^ cts. per lb. for the dressed weight, reckon- 
ing 56 lbs. dressed to the 100 lbs. live weight, which is the 
usual shrinkage allowed for good cattle. The contractors 
are pretty likely to understand the state of the supply in 
the country and the probable range of the market For 
the terms of delivery, quality of cattle, etc., see pagfe 107. 
Exhibition Xables at ttie Office of 
the American Ag^riculturii^t. 
The following articles have been placed on our tables 
for exhibition during the past few months. Want of 
space has prevenled noticing them previously. This list 
does nut include the fine show of strav\ berries recently 
held, details of wOiich are given elsewhere ; 
Fruits.— Isabella Grapes, well kept. John Cole, Slaten 
Island... Iron Apples; G. M. Usher, Port Richmond, N. 
Y Model of Duchess Pear, original weij^lit 35X oz. ; 
Dr. I. M. Ward, Newark, N. J . .Strawberries. Agri- 
culturist plant in fruit; Isaac Pullen, Hightstown. N. J. 
. ..Triomphe de Gand; Daniel Hax, Egg Harbor City, 
N. J Russell, GreenProlific, Downer's, La Constante, 
Agriculturist, and Lennig's White ; C. S. Pell, N. Y. 
Orphan Asylum Wilson ; E. D. Cadwell, New Bruns- 
wick, N. J Agriculturist, G. M. Usher, Port Rich- 
mond, N. Y,, and W. Teft, Fordham, N. Y., also from 
W. Teft. fine seedlings from Agriculturist Chorlton's, 
Triomphe de Gand, Crimson Favorite, and Agriculturist; 
John Cole, Tompkinsville. N. Y Wilson ; O. F. Tilson, 
Highland, N.Y — Black HamburgGrapes, cluster weigh- 
ing 2 lbs., 1 oz. ; John Ellis, Hart's Corners, N. Y 
Peaches, Nectarines and Apricots ; John McGowan, 
gardener (o BUkesly Wilson. Esq., Hudson City. N. J. 
....Normandy Pippins, imported from England; Dr. 
Hall, N. Y. City. 
Flowers.— Beautiful Camellias ; Wrn. Chorlton, 
Staten Island, N. Y Gorgonias ; A. N. Roberts. N. Y. 
City — Bouquet of Everlasting Flowers; Jas. Vick, 
Rochester, N. Y Fine Cut Flowers; Miss M. E. 
Corlelyou, Staten Island .. New Seedling Tea Rose; 
I. Buchanan. Astoria, L. I Fuchsia; C. M. Mande- 
wirth, N. Y. City Fuchsia, Tulips, Narcissus, Ixia, 
Wistaria, etc. ; C. S. Pell. N. Y. Orphan Asylum ...Cut 
Flowers; T. Karanagh. Brooklyn, N. Y... New Seed- 
ling Rose; Wm. H. Burgess. Glen Cove, N. Y Fine 
Bouquet; Keyser's Island, South Norwalk, Ct- . . Dahlias 
in Bloom ; John Abberlee, N. Y. City Splendid plant 
massed with blooms of Azalea Iveryana, and blooms of 
Passiflora Decasineii ; John Hutchinson, gardener to F. 
A. Lane, Staten Island Purple Hyacinths in bloom; 
Jacob Newkirk, Hudson City, N. J — Lilium auratum ; 
Dr. Payton, N. J Bloom of Clematis Sieboldii bi- 
rolor; W. S. Carpenter, Rye. N. Y. 
Vegetables, Grain, etc.— Fine Yellow Flint Corn, 
Wm. Brush. Sandwich. Conn — Cracker, Dover, or Irish 
Cup Potatoes ; S. P. Champney, Saunderville, Mass.... 
Peach Blow Potato, weight 1 lb., 9 oz. ; H. G. Randall, 
Middle Island, N.Y — LargeTurnip, weight 21 lbs.; Mr. 
Lott, Milford. Pa Improved China Tree Corn; J. L. 
Huesled, Greenwich, Conn — 8-rowed Yellow Corn; J. 
Van Woert, Fort Lee, N J,... Carrot, curious growth 
Capt Nimmo, Flushing, N. Y -. Clover and Timothy 
Hay, handsomely cured ; J. B., Westchester County, N. 
Y Large Mushrooms, Judge Sturges. New Durham, 
N. J . .Large Corn and Carrots; Cornelius Van Horn. La 
Fayette. N. J.... Deep Red Corn; H. B. Rogers. Hunt- 
ington. L. I 2 Stalks Rhubarb, weight 3 lbs. 8 oz. ; E. 
Frapwell, gardener to M. A. Ferguson. Lakeland, L. I. 
Asparaeus, 19 Stalks weighing 4 lbs.. 5 oz. ; Edward 
Windust. Oak Neck. N. Y... Stalk of Sugar Cane, 24 
feet long ; Mr. Kirkham, Porto Rico, W. I. 
Miscellaneous. — Specimen of powder, used in firing 
the 300 pounder on Morris Island at Charleston ; from 3d 
R. I. Heavy Artillery Squankum Marl ; Thos. Winsor, 
Farmingdale. N. J Mistletoe from an Oak Tree; A. 
W. Roberts, N.Y. City. ... Sharks Teeth found in Marl , 
Etiward Pitcher, Monmouth Co., N. J. . .Native Austra- 
lian's Boomerang ; A. W. Roberts, N. Y. City Large 
Brahma Pootra Egg ; Mr. Saunders, Port Richmond, N, 
Y — Gopher Skin ; L. Bishop, Jackson, Kansas Ex- 
cellent Sorghum Syrup ; Henry Marsden, Columbia City, 
Iowa Large Hens' Eggs; A. E. Noble. Brooklyn. N. 
Y. : J. S. Heddon, Verona, N. J. ; Robt. Sullivan. Brook- 
lyn. N. Y.; W. H. Bridpens, Oyster Bay, N. Y. . . , Bayonet 
from Battle Field of Petersburg, Va., Brick and Wood 
from Libby Prison. Richmond. Va. ; O. Judd, N. Y. City 
Australian Nut, used by native girts for bracelets; 
Dr. Hall, N. Y. City.. Perfect egg contained within 
another of extraordinary size ; A. G. Dean, Staten Island, 
N. Y - - Wood of Apple Tree destroyed by Borers, 
Smith Brown, West Farms, N. Y. 
Hints on Showing Poultry.— Poultry 
Show at the Museum. 
During the last week in April a poultry exhibition was 
held at Barnum's Museum, at which there were not only 
many fine birds shown, but a number of amateur and 
professional poultry raisers met, and improved the occa- 
sion to make each other's acquaintance, and to talk over 
their pets. All the more prominent families of fowls, 
from the mammoth Biahmas and Cochins to the diminu- 
tive but haughty Seabright Bantams, were there. The 
Black Spanish. Brahmas. Polands, and Hamburgs. were 
the varieties best represented. It was a disappointment 
not to see the Dorkings, white and gray, in better display, 
for these fine birds, not without reason, claim the first 
position as the most useful for all purpo.ses. The most 
symmetrical trio of Black Spanish fowls was shorn of first 
honors by reason of the cock having a drooping comb. 
The greatest merit a Spanish fowl can have, is a perfectly 
white face, but If a cock had the best and most faultless 
face that ever was seen, it would not excuse a dro<iping 
comb. Such a bird, according to the inflexible decision 
of all fanciers of this courtly and most elegant breed, 
must be thrown out of competition. 
This may be a useful hint to those intending to exhibit 
at State fairs, and we make one more suggestion, in re- 
