6 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[jAmJAKT, 
under the care of Prof. A, Gray, which posts up the bo- 
tanical news. If A. E. E. will send us his full address, 
we shall be glad to communicate with him. 
Vitality of Sprouted WUeat.-W. 
Watkins, Warren Co., 0., writes to the American Agri- 
culturist that wheat which has been sprouted by expo- 
sure during rain, is not entirely worthless for sowing. 
He experimented with 100 grains of grown wheat, under 
unfavorable circumstances, and 15 grains sent out 
sprouts. None of those grains grew, which had previously 
advanced far enough to throw out roots. However this 
may be, sowing such wheat would be wholly unadvis- 
able, unless no other could be obtained. 
Moof-rot in Sheep. — Sometimes sheep ex- 
hibit symptoms of this disease when they come into 
winter quarters. It should be treated at once. Separate 
the bad cases ; turn the rest into the thawing snow for a 
few hours, and then drive them slowly through a trough 
filled with a strong hot (not scalding) solution of blue 
vitriol. The trough should be 13 to 16 feet long, and the 
solution should be 4 inches deep in it. This will require 
about 6% gallons to commence with. Meanwhile the 
shed should be cleaned out and fresh littered. The bad 
cases, after having the hoofs softened by the wet snow or 
grass, should have every particle of diseased horn and 
flesh removed, down to the quick, but not so as to cause 
bleeding, and then be subjected to the hot vitriol foot- 
bath, and made to stand in it longer than the rest. After 
about a week repeat the application upon the whole 
flock, without distinction. The symptoms of foot-rot very 
frequently decrease and almost disappear in cold weather 
to return in Spring and Summer. 
A Wool Growers' Convention is to 
be held in Columbus, O., January 5th. Hon. H. S. Ran- 
dall gives the address. All interested are invited to attend. 
Cliittagong Fowls. — A. E. Bates, Union. 
Co., O., says that his experience with Chittagong fowls 
has not been encouraging. They were so tame as be- 
came a nuisance, requiring one person most of the time 
to keep them out of the dwelling-house. They would 
not hunt for food,, and were altogether unprofitable. 
Foul Brood in Hfiees.— J. T. Cooley, La 
Salle Co., III. — Foul brood in bees is a disease of the in- 
sect, while yet in the larva state, and of course before 
it emerges from the brood celt. If a hive be much infect- 
ed, a noisome smell proceeding from the dead and de- 
caying bees will reveal its presence. At its first appear- 
ance, it may be delected by the changed color of the 
larva? in the sealed brood cells. These while living are 
white, but turn black after death. The origin of the dis- 
ease is not certainly known. It is undoubtedly conta- 
gious, and no time should be lost in removing bees from 
a hive found infected. 
Water Wan.— Several responses have come 
to Young Tennessee's question about a water gap. "We 
shall give a few, with illustrations, in the next number. 
Ends of Drain-Files. — " Greenhorn," 
Marengo, 111. The upper end of a drain made of tiles 
should be closed, the lower end or outlet left open to dis- 
charge the water, but secured by a wire grating to 
exclude mice, toads, etc. The ends of the separate tiles 
are brought close together as possible ; the water will 
easily find its way through the joints. Very full di- 
rections for draining were given in a series of articles in 
the Agriculturist, Vol. XX, (1861.) 
Time to Prune Sugar Maples. — J. M. 
"Woodruff, Sangamon Co., 111. The growing season is 
the best time ; probably May. 
How To Treat Girdled Trees.— P. 
Schweizer, Waterloo Co., U. C, says that for trees from 
which the bark has been gnawed by mice and rabbits, he 
makes a plaster of cow dung and swamp mud, adding 
cow or horse hair enough to make it quite stiff. This 
preparation is spread upon a cloth and bound around the 
iree as soon as possible after the injury is discovered. He 
says he has never lost a tree if the application was made 
before thawing took place. 
drafting: I^iBt-I>earing; Trees.— " J. 
IC," White Plains, N. Y., and several others, have asked 
about this subject. As already slated, flute budding lias 
been used in Europe. This is done by removing a ring of 
bark from the stock and replacing by one containing buds, 
from a cion of the same size. We would suggest to those 
disposed to experiment to try herbaceous grafting, i. c, 
to graft cions of new growth upon stocks of new wood. 
This is a matter upon which there is almost no reliable 
information, and we should be glad to hear from those 
who have succeeded. 
Warts on Cherry Trees. — G. W. Bat- 
tles, Trumbull Co., O. The only known remedy is to cut 
out the limbs thus affected and destroy them by burning. 
If allowed to remain they will infect other trees. 
The Hartford Prolific Grape.— Hov- 
ey's Magazine impliedly calls our veracity in question, 
by saying that our remark that the Hartford Prolific will 
hold its fruit if properly pruned and not allowed to over- 
bear, is "sheer nonsense." We simply reiterate the state- 
ment, and can prove it at the proper season, by showing 
the fruit which has been kept hanging on the vines into 
October. We wish the Magazine a long life, for what 
would the world do for horticultural wisdom, if it should 
" happen to die some day ?" Its lease of life and popular- 
ity would be increased no doubt, if it put on less airs 
and acquired a little more courtesy and enterprise. This 
is a big world, neighbor, if Boston is its " hub." Try and 
be a littie more cosmopolitan. 
Moveable Grape Treltts.— W. B. Waldo, 
Dutchess Co., N. Y., proposes to make a trellis on the 
plan already given in our pages, but to have the upper 
part pinned to the posts in such a way that it can, with 
the vines, be laid in a horizontal position. This is not a 
new idea, as we have seen a model showing the same. It 
might answer for young vines, but the bend would pro- 
bably be too short for old ones. 
Borer In Peach Twigsl— W. W., La- 
fontaine, Ind. We are unable to identify the grub sent. 
Watch it and get the perfect insect and send specimens. 
Russell 9 s Prolific Strawberry.- H. 
C. Sigler, Clark Co., Iowa. We have not fruited this va- 
riety, but those in whom we have confidence, consider it 
one of the finest of the new strawberries. It can be had 
of W. S. Carpenter and other growers. 
Fejee Tomato. — Loughsey, Alleghany Co., 
Pa. This variety is a week or more later than the com- 
mon red, but bears abundantly until frost. It is culti- 
vated in the same manner as the other, but the vine being 
more vigorous, we should set them further apart. Its cul 
lure as a market sort is increasing, If is a greater bearer 
and a better fruit than the common sort. 
Investing in Patents— To Several 
Correspondents.— Frequent letters have been re- 
ceived by the proprietor of the Agriculturist, describing 
various inventions made by the parties writing, and ask- 
ing aid in bringing them before the public, by advancing 
money to pay for getting out letters-patent, etc. Usually 
an offer is made to share the profits, if such aid be fur- 
nished; Our business is to make a first-class agricultural 
journal; this leaves no time for such outside enterprises, 
and we cannot therefore spend time in investigating their 
merits, nor in personally answering letters on the subject. 
Will it Pay to Advertise in tlae 
Agriculturist.— One of the most prominent seed 
dealers thinks it will. He says that he has no doubt that 
it will be to his interest to take all the money he ex- 
pends in advertising and concentrate it upon the Agri- 
culturist. He evidently knows how to reach the people. 
"Over $500 for an Index."— Two or 
three subscribers were surprised {to put it in a mild form) 
at our statement last month, that the mere addition of 4 
pages extra for the Index, cost over $500. They inti- 
mate that this was an error, or even something worse. We 
repeat, then, that the cost was over $550 ! The edition 
was just about 90,000. The paper was 5 lbs. per ream 
heavier than that commonly used in this journal. Please 
get a printer to estimate the cost, reckoning at the stan- 
dard New-York City rates of 35c. per 1,000 ems for 
simple type-setting, and including 45 reams of paper, 
stereotyping, press-work, folding, etc. We do not reckon 
in the above sum, over $50 paid for making out the Index 
Medical Humbugs.-" Private Diseases," 
" Confessions of an Invalid," " Physical Debility," " Mar- 
riage Guide," "Nervous Debility," "Warning to Young 
Men," "Cause and Cure'," "Benevolent Association," 
"Howard Assocation," "Certaia Cure," "Manhood Re- 
stored,' 1 "Essence of Life," "Medical Advisers," "Ad- 
vice to the Married," "Early Indiscretions," etc., etc. 
Such are the expressions that shamelessly stare out in 
advertisements which are constantly admitted into not 
only the unprincipled City papers, but into otherwise re- 
spectable country journals, and, shall we say it? into 
some religious periodicals. We do not speak at random 
in saying that without exception, all these advertise- 
ments are not merely money humbugs, but they diffuse 
the rankest poison to the minds as well as the bodies of the 
young. No parent or guardian should permit one of 
these advertisements to even be seen by the youth under 
his care ; better banish the journal containing them, or 
deface its vile pages before it goes into the family. This 
is not the place to enter into a discussion of the impor- 
tant subject of "private diseases." We hope Dr. Hall 
will take it up thoroughly in his paper, or in an ex- 
tended "Health Tract." We will furnish him some 
letters, etc., on the topic, if he desires. His December 
Journal of Health contains a beginning, which it may be 
well for parents to read before consulting any of these 
advertising quacks. A dime sent to Dr. W. W. Hall, 
831 Broadway, will doubtless secure a copy. 
Frozen ESonse Plants.— Miss F. A. 
Bronaugh, Clay Co., Mo., wishes to know what to do 
with plants which have been injured by freezing. Some 
very tender kinds will be killed at the slightest frost. 
Others of a more hardy nature will only have the succu- 
lent growing portion injured, and if severely pruned will 
start out again. Most roses will bear slight freezing with- 
out much harm. After the trouble has occured, the 
change to a higher temperature should be very gradual. 
Sealded. Cream. — Francis C. Cholvin, Ver- 
non Co., Wis., requests some of the readers of the Agri- 
culturist to furnish a recipe for making a dish called, 
"scalded cream," which he says is a favorite relish 
among the Cornish people. We are not acquainted with 
the composition, by that name. 
Onion Culture.— The most valuable in- 
formation to be found, in regard to all the particulars of 
onion growing, from the selection of the seed to the har- 
vesting and marketing of the crop, is given in seventeen 
prize essays, from as many practical grower, published 
together in pamphlet form. Price 20 cents, post-paid. 
BfiooB*s. — "Subscriber," Crawford Co., Wis. 
The works may be had at the large book stores. We can 
not look up things entirely out of our line. Send such or- 
ders to Mr. Lane, or to any bookseller. 
My Farm at Etlg-ewooel.— Donald G. 
Mitchell, better known as Ik Mar.vel, went upon a farm 
with the desire to enjoy country life, and with the inten- 
tion to make it pay ; he has recorded his experience 
in a most enjoyable book, with the above title. Those 
who take it up as a farm manual will be disappointed, 
though every farmer might draw from it many service- 
able hints. To persons who have passed their lives in 
the city, and think of taking a farm, this work will be 
suggestive and useful. It is a common impression, 
among the inexperienced, that farm life is free from 
thought and care, and that stock and crops will in a 
great measure manage themselves. The tale of "hin- 
drances and helps" so genially told by the author will 
serve to correct this mistaken notion. The book is en- 
livened by humorous touches, has its pathetic passages, 
and with a vein of strong common sense running through- 
out, it affords pleasant and profitable reading. Price$1.50. 
Works On Propagating Plants. — 
John Arnold, Paris, C. W. McMahon's American Gar- 
dener, ($2,50) and Downing's Loudon's Flower Garden. 
(SI, 50) give directions for the propagation of most green- 
house plants — they are both in our book list. Parsons & 
Co., of Flushing, N. Y., can probably supply the plants. 
P. JT. Willis &. Co. is a ISumung; of 
course, who for effect assumes, as near as he dare, the 
well-known name of N. P. Willis, the author, and one of 
the publishers of the Home Journal. His letters, dated at 
Covington, Ky., but to be answered to box 2100 New- 
Yoik City, ought to deceive no one deserving to have the 
$10, which is so ingeniously and plausibly solicited by this 
lottery dealer. Will Mayor Opdyke please look after 
letters coming to " Box 2100?" 
Humbng Sewing-MacIniEne Com- 
panies.— The previous volume of the Agriculturist 
contained repealed warnings for our readers to be on 
their guard against swindling "sewing-machine compa- 
nies." Letters from new subscribers— asking for informa- 
tion about this or that "Agency" from which circulars 
have been received, and whose advertisements appear in 
widely-circulated journals — call for additional notice of 
their operations. Briefly then, after considerable inquiry 
and investigation, we have been unable to find a single 
reliable company or "agency" among the many that 
send out circulars inviting the parties addressed to be- 
come agents. In these circulars splendid inducement" 
