48 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[February, 
The Punielan tirafie. — The venerable 
Dr. Kirtland, of Cleveland, 0., had a vine of the Eumelan 
on trial among the first of those sent out. On Nov. 27th 
last, he wrote as follows: "The experience of the past 
season with the Eumelan grape has, with me, heen very 
favorable. While many other varieties suffered from 
mildew, scorching of the foliage, and impairment of the 
fruit, this variety seemed to escape from any unfavorable 
impression of the unusual season. Its growth was 
strong and healthy, and it ripened its three hunches of 
fruit in high perfection by the side of Delaware vines, 
whose fruit failed to attain maturity. I now consider the 
Eumelan a variety of much promise. " — These vines are 
offered singly in connection with the Am. Agriculturist at 
the thousand price, and as a premium for a few subscribers. 
Pyles' Seedling. — An apple with this name 
was sent from Delaware Co., Pa. It appears like a good 
•keeper, but we have many of its season of better quality. 
Pi-«»it Garden.— "Ex.," Lunenberg, Mass. 
Cross plow the piece where clover sod was turned under in 
the fall, and put on a good dressing of manure and plow 
again, and it will be in proper condition for small fruits. 
Cellar Apples is the name of the fungus 
found on the Red Cedar, and sent by "Eureka" from 
Lansing, Iowa. See account in Agriculturist, Aug., 1S66. 
Boot Pruning-. — " J. A.," Sunderland, 
Vt. Root pruning is done when vegetation is at rest, 
either in the autumn or very early in spriug. Probably 
the curculio caused the failure of your cherry crop. 
Freezing Seeds. — A correspondent asks 
us, what is the use of exposing peach and plum seeds to 
the action of frost. The shells of these seeds are com- 
posed of two thick and woody halves or valves ; the germ 
can only force its way out by separating these halves of 
the stone. When the stones have been allowed to be- 
come dry, they cohere with such firmness, that the germ- 
inating seed is not able to part them, but if they are ex- 
posed to alternate freezing and thawing the halves usu- 
ally separate with great readiness. Should any escape 
the action of frost, they are carefully cracked. By cover- 
ing the seeds with earth, tan or other materia], and al- 
lowing them to remain exposed through the winter, we 
imitate that which happens to the seed when the fruit 
propagates itself in the state of nature. 
Peas and Strawberries. — S. Payne, 
Jacksonville, Fla., tries to make us discontented with our 
lot by sending peas and strawberries picked at Jackson- 
ville, Fla., Dec. 16, We shall be even with him next June. 
JLenion Tree. — S. Reynolds, Kane Co., 111. 
Your seedling Lemon will bear sooner and give better 
fruit if budded. The operation is done the same as on 
the peach or other fruit, at a time when the bark will lift. 
You must have buds of an improved kind. If there is any 
florist near, better send the plant to him to be budded. 
Strawberries Mixing. — " B. S. B.," 
Concord, Pa. Varieties of strawberries "mix" only by 
the runners of one sort reaching over among and becom- 
ing established in the bed of another variety. Two and 
a half feet apart, as 3-011 propose, should be wide enough 
to prevent mixing if a little care be taken. If neglected, 
and the runners of both kinds be allowed to root in the 
intermediate space, there will soon be confusion. 
Sanford Corn. — Reports from several cor- 
respondents in various parts of the country show that 
this is an early and productive variety. 
©piton. — Mr. James Brittain, Prospect Plains, 
N. J., writes that he made an experiment in opium cul- 
ture, following the proper plan of gathering the exuda- 
tion from the wounded capsules. Judging from a small 
experiment, he thinks it must bring $20 per lb. to pay. 
As the wholesale price is §12, Mr. U's first attempt at 
opium culture does not look enc- .raging. Let us hear 
from those who have tried it farther South. 
Black E£nof..— " J. L. H." The finding of 
insects in a black knot no more prove them to be the 
cause of it, than finding rats in a corn-crib prove that 
they are the origin of the corn. It may be a "philosoph- 
ical solution," hut not in accordance with facts. It is 
just as well settled that the black knot is caused by a fun- 
gus, as that a plum tree grows from a seed. The remedy 
proposed— cutting them out with a knife when first form- 
ing, is the true one. They are usually left too late. 
Tlie " Grape Culturlst." — We regret 
to notice that Mr. Husmann finds the support of this 
journal insufficient to warrant him in continuing it, un- 
less the subscription is largely increased. There should 
be enough engaged in grape culture to support a journal 
devoted to their specialty. The journal has been ably 
conducted, and the price, $1 a year, very low. 
Slany Apples. — " R.," Centre Co., Pa., in- 
forms us that "Henry Garvcr, of Mifflin Co., Pa., raised 
this year on a branch 26 inches long, and ^ of an inch 
thick, 20 Pennock apples, the aggregate weight of which 
was (after thorough drying in the house) 7^4 pounds." 
White Grass.— "J. L. H.," Tuftonborottgh, 
N. H., writes that " White-grass" is taking possession of 
fields and pastures, and asks if salt or ashes will prevent 
it. — We suppose the grass referred to to be IIolcus lanatus, 
the Velvet-grass, which prefers poor soils and is nearly 
worthless. Enriching the land and encouraging the growth 
of better grasses will probably drive it out. We should 
look for no good result from any specific application to 
destroy the grass, except so far as it acted as a fertilizer ; 
hence ashes would be of much use, and salt but very little. 
"The Best Tiling in the World." 
— Many recipes for remedies come to us, with the as- 
surance that they are the " best thing in the world," for 
this or that disease. It is astonishing, the number of 
people who have tried everything in the world and found 
out the best. We very rarely publish any remedies, and 
these only of the most simple kind. There is altogether 
enough "dosing "with drugs on the slightest provoca- 
tion without our encouraging it. When we see the dan- 
gerous remedies published by some of our cotemporaries, 
we pity those who try them. Every intelligent house- 
keeper has a few things at hand to use in such indispo- 
sitions as will not yield to good nursing and dieting, as 
well as in sudden emergencies. Doctoring, as such, 
had better be left to those who understand it. 
Pears.- "B. S. B." The Bloodgood and Bart- 
lett will doubtless suit you for very early and later. 
Strawberries and raspberries may be cultivated between 
the rows of trees in a young pear orchard. 
Papasiculteur.— A Frenchman calls him- 
self a Papasiculteur. He is not a cultivator of Papaws, but 
only a potato grower. Papas is the Spanish for potatoes. 
Arbor Vita? ami other Trees. — 
"A Young Housekeeper." The turning of the foliage 
of the Arbor Vitre is not due to any want of pruning or 
other matter within control. It is the great fault of the 
tree. This and other evergreens are best transplanted in 
spring and pruned in autumn. The questions about other 
trees and shrubs can only be answered on knowing 
whether the writer lives in Maine or Texas, a bit of in- 
formation not imparted. 
Creaky Boots.—" W. L. D." finds his en- 
trance into church attracts too much attention on ac- 
count of his creaky boots, and asks us for a remedy. The 
noise is caused by the rubbing together of two surfaces 
of leather in the soles. It usually disappears when the 
boots are somewhat worn. Soak the soles thoroughly 
with warm water, and while wet apply a liberal coating 
of oil or grease and dry itiu. This will add considerably 
to the wear of the boots, and cure all but the most 
inveterate cases of creaking. 
Plowing UBidet- Clover ©m EBeavy 
Land. — Where hay and pasturage are cheap, the prac- 
tice of plowing under clover to ameliorate and enrich 
heavy land is undoubtedly a good one. The only question 
to be considered is, whether the soil cannot be rendered 
as mellow by the repeated use of the plow and cultivator 
at a less cost, and destroy the weeds at the same time. 
The answer depends very much on circumstances. 
Not IVorway ©ats.— The sample of oats 
sent by John Butler, of New Lisbon (State not given), 
are not Norway oats, in onr opinion. 
Steaming Corn for Pood. — "P. W. 
F.," of Phillipsburg, N. J., asks the best and cheapest 
way to steam corn for a limited number of pigs. The 
question is rather indefinite. The best, when a barrelful 
is wanted at a time, is to put the corn (on the ear) into a 
pork barrel, and cover it with water, putting on a layer 
of roots to keep the corn down. Then run the flexible 
nozzle of the steamer into the barrel, nearly to the bot- 
tom, and turn on the steam. If there is no steamer on 
the place, and a less quantity is wanted at a time, it will 
answer to take a wash boiler, or other large vessel, and 
fill it with corn (on the ear), that has been soaked in wa- 
ter for 36 hours, pouring in 3 inches of water and stand- 
ing the vessel on the fire. Cover the top tightly, and 
boil for half an hour or more ; before the water is all 
evaporated, remove from the fire and cover it closely with 
a blanket to keep it warm. After a couple of hours, it 
will have cooked itself by means of its accumulated heat. 
Bsaelcthorm and Gophers. — " B H.," 
Glenroy, Iowa, says that he never knew a Buckthorn 
hedge to be injured by gophers ; also, that insects do not 
trouble it, and cattle will not browse upon it. 
Brewer's Grains for Poultry Peed. 
— "I. D. R." We have never used them, but think they 
could do no harm fed with moderation. If the experi- 
ence of any of our readers bears upon the subject, we 
would be glad to have it communicated. 
Color of Sefton Pigs.— A Rhode Island 
correspondent asks the color of Sefton swine. They are 
white and black ; sometimes all black, but more often all 
white— generally white with black or smoky spots. 
The Taste of Turnips in Butter. 
B. H. Baldwin, of Bergen Co., N. J., says : "When cows 
are fed upon turnips or cabbage, the taste may be pre- 
vented in the butter by adding about four tablespoonfuls 
of a solution of saltpetre (1 oz. to the pint of water) to 
the cream pot before putting in any cream, and stirring 
thoroughly each time that, cream is added." This is his 
experience, and we have heard the same from others. 
Labor per Acre. — On a farm of 800 acres 
the late Mr. Hudson, of Norfolk, Eng., paid £2,000 per 
annum for labor— say $12 per acre, In gold. Here the 
same labor would cost at least $20 per acre. 
The Best Time to Sow Plaster.— 
This is a question we are frequently asked. We would 
draw the plaster when the roads are good, or when there 
is good sleighing. Then sow the plaster on the clover at 
any time you can most conveniently get on the land — the 
earlier in the spring the better. But it is better to sow 
it even as late as May than not at all. 
Shall we SowBarley this Spring? 
—If you have been in the habit of sowing barley, and 
your land is well suited for the crop, do not change your 
system. Barley is as likely to pay as any other crop. 
But if you have never raised barley, do not rush into its 
culture simply because it has, for a year or two past, paid 
better than wheat. Barley requires the best of soil and 
culture, and few farmers, who have had no experience 
with the crop, would be likely to succeed the first year. 
Boiled Wheat for Cows. — In many 
sections wheat, at the present time, is the cheapest grain 
that can be fed to stock. We have found boiled wheat 
excellent food for milch cows. When wheat costs less 
than $1.25 per bushel, give the cows from two to four 
quarts each per day. It will pay. It need not be ground. 
Put it in a kettle and cover it with water, add a little 
meal, and boil uutil it bursts open. If the pigs get a 
little of the same article it will not hurt them. 
Cost ©f Keeping a Cow. — An Eng- 
lish agricultural paper thinks it costs £20 a year to keep 
a thorough-bred Shorthorn cow in food and attendance. 
■What to Bo ■with Farrow Cows. 
—Feed them liberally and they will give rich milk, 
though, perhaps, not much of it. Let them have three 
or four quarts of meal a day through the winter and 
spring, and do not stop giving it them when grass comes. 
As soon as it dries them up they will be fit for the butcher. 
Will it Pay to HJse Plaster at 
$10 per Ton? asks a farmer in Wisconsin. We 
cannot say. It depends a good deal on the soil. Try a 
little on clover and on corn, and note the result. On 
dry upland, the probabilities are that it will pay well, al- 
though $10 per ton is a high price. 
Seeding- E>own -with Barley. — Of 
all spring crops, barley is the best to sow clover and 
grass seeds with. If the land is in as good condition as 
it should be to insure a good crop of barley, and it is 
sown as early as it should be, clover will "catch "as 
well as if sown on winter wheat. 
Marrowing Manure.— Where manttro 
has been spread on grass land during the winter, it 
should be harrowed as early in the spring as possible. A 
few warm days will soften the upper part of the manure 
while the ground is still frozen, and it is well to avail 
ourselves of the opportunity to go over the field with a 
brush-harrow. We have found Thomas' harrow, which 
has slanting teeth, a good implement for the purpose. A 
common harrow, turned upside down, might break the 
lumps, and do good work. At any rate, if the field is to 
be pastured, do not neglect to harrow it in some way. 
