122 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[April, 
containing a great variety of Items, including mam/ 
good Hints and Suggestions which we throw into smaller 
type and condensed form, for want of space elsewhere. 
Jlarlc All Subscriptions sent iu, as Xeioox Old. 
Hotv to Remit :— Checks on Weir- 
York Banks or Bankers archest for large sums ; 
made payable to the order of Orange Judd A; Co. 
Post-Office ITIoney Orders may be obtain- 
ed at nearly every county seat, in all the cities, and in. 
many of the large towns. We consider them perfectly 
safe, and the best means of remitting fifty dollars or less, 
as thousands have been sent 1o ua without any loss. 
Registered Letters, under tlie new system, 
which went into effect June 1st, are a very sate 
means of sending small sums of money where P. 0. Mon- 
ey Orders cannot be easily obtained. Observe, the Beg- 
istry fee, as well as postage, must be paid in stamps at 
the office where the letter is mailed, or it will be liable 
to be sent to the Dead Letter Office. Buy and affix the 
Stamps both for postage and registry, put in the money and 
seal the letter in the presence of the postmaster, and take his 
receipt for it. Letters sent in this way to us are at our risk. 
l*oMtsig;c. — To our published terms for the 
American Agriculturist, postage most in all cases be add- 
ed when ordered to go out of the United States. For 
Canada, send twelve cents besides the subscription money 
with each subscriber. Everywhere in the United States, 
three cents, each quarter, or twelve cents, yearly, must be 
prepaid at the Post-office where the paper is received. 
Bound Copies of Volume XXVII 
(1868) are now ready. Price, $-2. at our office, or $2.50 
each, if sent by mail. Any of the previous eleven vol- 
umes (16 to 26) will be forwarded at the same price. Sets 
of numbers sent to our office will be neatly bound in our 
regular style for 75 cents per volume. (50 cents extra if re- 
turned by mail.) Missing numbers supplied at 12c. each. 
4 'aua<la Postage Stampn cannot be 
used or sold here. Please remit in United States or Can- 
ada money. 
Few Premium Animals Lcl'i. — It 
will be seen by the list on page 144, that only a few pre- 
mium animals remain for distribution as premiums, viz : 
two Alderney bulls, five sheep, and some fowls, of which 
Ihere were ten pairs of each kind originally offered. Those 
wishing these should hurry up, as the Publishers* rule is, 
"first come, first served." Of all the other good articles 
now in the table, the supply is abundant for all who want 
them, and we look for a large demand, judging from the 
success of our friends in April last year. Nos. 29, 30, 31, 
and 32, will not be wanted after this month. 
**I Haven't a Toot of Land/' 
writes a City Merchant, "and I may never have, but 
I take your paper for the advertisements. It is a luxury 
to get hold of at least one flourishing, well-patronized 
paper, and look over its business items with a feeling 
that they are, as a class, from good men. I actually read 
them all through, and often buy things that I would not 
think of sending for if I saw them announced along with 
a lot of good, bad, and indifferent advertisements. Ton 
have adopted just the right rule, in requiring advertisers 
* not known to the editors personally, or by good repute, 
to furnish evidence that they have both the ability and 
intention to do what they promise to do in their advertise- 
ments.* That rule, with the rejection of the villainous 
quacks and patent medicines, thoroughly lived up to for 
a few years, would be the making of any paper in the 
country. Can't you stir up all your contemporaries to the 
importance of this, both for themselves and for the peo- 
ple ? If practiced by all newspapers, it would every 
year save millions on millions of dollars, and thousands 
of lives, now destroyed by the oceans of syrups and de- 
coctions, and the tons of pills, etc., annually consumed.** 
W bite washing'. — In these days of spring 
cleaning, the whitewash brush and pail are freely used 
by the good housekeeper, and none too freely, for aside 
from the effect that whitewash has upon the appearance 
of the dwelling rooms, hs use in cellars, outhouses, etc.. 
is doubtless of salutary effect. The essentials In white- 
washing are, good lime and a good brush. Freshly 
burned hard lumps of lime are the best. Rhode Island 
lime has long hecu celebrated for its excellence, ami is 
sent for long distances away from the little Stale. The 
brash should be a good one ; not a cheap affair made to 
«ell, but with long, good bristles, and plenty of them. 
The lime is slaked by pouring boiling water upon it, 
stirring until the lumps disappear; more water is added, 
until a creamy liquid is obtained, of proper thickness for 
application. The pail should have a stiff wire stretched 
across the top, against which to draw the brush, to re- 
move the excess of whitewash. Commence by sweeping 
the ceiling and walls, to remove all dust; then go over 
the surface, making the strokes of the brush all in one 
direction, and parallel; when the first coat is dried, ap- 
ply another in a direction across, or at right angles with 
the former. A large paint brush will be found useful for 
corners and intricate places. Those who have never 
whitewashed must not be surprised to see the work look 
very badly while it is wet ; the effect can only be judged 
of when dry. "With a little practice, the operation can be 
done without spattering or letting a drop fall. Stir the 
whitewash occasionally, dip the brush in perpendicular- 
ly, and then draw it across the wire above spoken of, so 
as to leave as much in the brush as it will hold without 
dropping. Salt, white vitriol, starch paste, and other 
things are added with a view to prevent the wash from 
rubbing off, but there is little whitewash that will 
not rub off. For nice work, the lime may be slaked sev- 
eral weeks before it is used. A thin pellicle or crust of 
carbonate of lime will form on the surface, which is to 
be skimmed off, and then the wash may be poured off 
from the gritty particleB which settle to the bottom. 
Kaxsominlng is a term given to another method 
of whitening walls. It is Paris white, which is a very 
fiuc whitening or chalk, to be had at the paint and 
drug stores, and puton withagluc size. The proportions 
are a quarter of a pound of white glnc to six pounds of 
Paris white. Put the glue iu water enough to well cover 
it, aud let it stand until perfectly soft ; then put the ves- 
sel containing the glue into a kettle of hot water, and stir 
until it is thoroughly dissolved. Put the Paris white into 
a pail, add hot water gradually, stirring all the time, 
until it is brought to a smooth, creamy consistence ; add 
the dissolved glue, and then water enough to thin it suf- 
ficiently to work well with the brush. It is applied in 
the same manner as whitewash, and is used for hard- 
finished ceilings and walls that have become discolored. 
Allen's " i\ew American Farm 
Book. 9 ** — Allen's American Farm Book has been one of 
the standard farmer's hand-books for twenty years. It 
was a real hand-book, where one might go for reliable in- 
formation about a thousand and one matters of practical 
or farm policy. This work is still valuable, but not up to 
the times, and as its author. Mr. R. L. Allen, could not 
give time to its revision, this was undertaken by his 
brother, Hon. Lewis F. Allen, the distinguished farmer 
of Niagara County, editor of the American Short-horn 
Herd-book. The New American Farm Book is just pub- 
lished. It contains much of the same matter as the other, 
but is greatly enlarged, and full of suggestions from the 
rich experience of its editor and reviser. It contains 526 
pages. Published by Orange Judd <fc Co. Price, $2.50. 
Our Young: Folk*.— The March number 
of this boys' and girls' magazine is at hand, and as fresh 
aud bright as a spring morning. This journal combines 
amusement with instruction in the most happy manner. 
There are pleasing stories, little poems, puzzles, and the 
like, and besides these, excellent articles on Glass-mak- 
ing, the Mariners' Compass, etc. The wonders of glass 
manufacture, cleverly told and illustrated, give just the 
kind of knowledge every boy and girl should have; indeed, 
most grown people might learn something from the article. 
The history of the production of things iu daily use has a 
great charm for intelligent youth. We are glad to learn 
that the magazine is meeting with the success it deserves. 
lona Inland. — This Island, which has been 
so long identified with the cultivation of the grape, is 
sold by Dr. Grant to Messrs. Hasbrouck & Bushnell. 
Oil*, Safe anu irnsafe.— On several 
occasions we have pointed out the dangerous character 
of the Kerosene oil generally in use, and stated that that 
only was safe which would bear to be heated to 110° be- 
fore it would take fire. As very little in the market would 
stand this test, there has been a general alarm felt iu re- 
gard to the matter, and many letters have been received 
asking how good oil could be obtained. Mr. Charles 
Pratt now offers an oil, which, accordingto the testimony 
of competent chemists, will bear heating to 113° to 12S° 
before forming an explosive vapor, aud to 134° to 156° 
without burning. This, then, indicates perfect safety as 
far as danger from explosion goes. As it often happens 
that dealers purchase good oil and mix it with benzine 
and other dangerous fluids, Mr. Pratt has adopted a new 
plan of packing. Instead of sending it out in barrels, he 
puts bis oils in cans, which are closed with a soldered 
seal of thin metal. Each can is placed in a box, and the 
whole is as readily handled and transported as a box of 
soap. The perfect seal is a guarantee that the oil has not 
been tampered with. We have known Mr. Pratt from 
the time when he was struggling to acquire an education 
under difficulties, until he became a member of one of 
the largest establishments in the country, and have con- 
fidence in his integrity. We depart from our usual 
custom in especially commending a particular manu- 
facture, as the welfare of the whole community is con- 
cerned, and it only needs that Mr. Pratt's endeavors to 
furnish a safe burning oil should be Euccessful, to 
induce all other manufacturers to follow his example. 
Rogers' Grapes. — Mr. M. B. Bateham 
writes that, in compliance with the request of the Lake 
Shore Grape Growers* Association, Mr. E. S. Rogers, of 
Salem. Mass.. has proposed the following names for the 
leading varieties of his hybrid grapes, hitherto designated 
by numerals : No. 1, Goethe ; 3, Massasoit ; 4. Wilder ; 
9, Lindley ; 11, Gxrtner; 15, Agawam; 10, Merri- 
mack; 23, Requa: 41, Essex; 43, Barry; 44, Herbert. 
Sweet Potatoes.— " S. F.," Green Co., O. 
A bushel of potatoes will produce from three to five thou- 
sand sets, which are to be removed as soon as well rooted. 
The quantity required for your bed can be estimated by 
measuring the space covered by a bushel of potatoes laid 
out so as to nearly touch one another. Only the large po- 
tatoes are split lengthwise. Around New York the beds 
are made about the first of April. 
Y :in Vuren's Golden Dwarf 
Pencil.— "A. M. H.," Oregon. 111. This is not a '■hum- 
bug." It is more of a pomological curiosity than a va- 
riety to be planted for profit. It is pretty for small gardens, 
and bears a fruit (cling) of fair quality and great beauty. 
Horticultural Protection. — A com- 
mittee of the Lake Shore Grape Growers' Association has 
petitioned Congress to pass a law to grant patents for 
new varieties of plants. We regard this movement as 
premature, inasmuch as horticulturists have not yet fairly 
considered the subject, and when a movement of this 
kind is made there should be unanimity of action. AI 
ready Mr. P. Barry has entered his protest against the 
scheme, Mr. A. J. Caywood has replied at length, and 
the articles of the two indicate anything but harmony of 
views. Mr. C. ha6 printed both articles iu a small pam- 
phlet, which he sends us, and asks the influence of the 
press in favor of the proposed law. We think it would 
be wiser to leave the whole matter until the meeting of 
the Am. Pomological Society in September next. Thcro 
is much to be said for and against the proposed law. 
Both sides should be fairly heard, and the subject duly 
deliberated. It is too important to be hastily disposed of. 
Tree Invigorators. — Circulars of these 
are continually sent, asking our opinion of the merits of 
the stuff advertised. One of these precious documents 
says; "When applied to the tree it penetrates every 
pore, destroying the worm in the heart, and by connecting 
with the mineral substances of the earth destroys the 
cause, and prevents the creation of auy destructive in- 
sect," — and more of the same sort, all utter nonsense. 
Sundry Hum1>u£$.— It is again neces- 
sary to call attention to the "Music Box Swindle." 
Every week some new complaint is sent to us, seeking 
redrew. The musical instrument, properly called the 
Music Box, is not to be had for $1.00 anywhere, no mat- 
ter of how poor quality ; and offering a " music box" for 
$1.00 is an attempt to swindle. Paul & Paul, who are 
among the largest advertisers in the business just now, 
are not to be found at the number given. One of our 
readers sent $1.00 to said firm, aud got in return a ten- 
cent toy known as a " French Harp," or " Harmonica " 
He was induced to send for the " Music Box" by seeing 
it advertised in an " agricultural " journal. It is a shame 
that agricultural journals, or any other, should admit the 
advertisement of such things "Alaska Diamonds" 
are now offered by unscrupulous men, who are taking 
advantage of a desire for tawdry jewelry, and flooding 
the country papers with their advertisements of *' Alaska 
Diamonds." A firm in Hartford, Conn., and Messrs. 
Monroe & Co., Mew York, are perhaps the largest deal- 
ers. The following, from the New York Tribune, will 
show the plan of operation pursued by Monroe & Co : 
"In their advertisements they Btate that, when for- 
warding them anonler.it is necessary to inclose them 
a ring, to enable them to select one of the proper size. 
When they receive an order containing a size rin<r. if the 
ring is of any value, they retain if. and send the " Alaska 
diamond" line;, the price of which is collected on de- 
livery. A case of the kind occurred a few days since, 
where a lady, seeing one of their advertisements, sent 
the "firm" twelve dollars, and a gold ring for a speci- 
men of the size wanted. She received the " diamond " 
ring, worth, probably, twenty-five cent-, but not the one 
she had sent Them, which she valued at five or six dol- 
lars, and as she did not care to lose it. she wrote on to 
the " firm," and receiving no reply to her comninnicn- 
tion. wrote toother and responsible parties, who, alter 
making diligent search and inquiry, came to the very 
