1870.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
407 
A Hog - Pasture. — A Kentucky farmer 
writes: "Where a hog pasture is desired, is it best to 
sow clover alone, or with orchard grass ? And if sown 
in the spring can hogs go on it the first year ?" We 
should not sow orchard grass. Pige prefer clover to any 
of the grasses. Sow red and white clover, Bay 12 lbs. of 
the former and 2 lbs. of the latter per acre, either with or 
without a grain crop. We have never tried it, bat think 
that where it is desired to secure a pig pasture at once, 
a good plan would bo to prepare the land thoroughly and 
sow wheat, barley, or some other grain, and seed down 
heavily with clover. Then turn the pigs in as soon as 
the crop is large enough to eat. The pigs will eat the 
grain crop while the young clover is growing. We 
should be glad to hear from our readers on this subject. 
Protecting: Strawberries.— H. Neff, 
Lancaster Co., Pa., asks if any who cultivate strawberries 
upon a large scale give winter protection, and if- it will 
pay to apply it by the acre. Winter covering is prac- 
tised by our best growers and is necessary if one would 
obtain the best results. The covering not only prevents 
the plants from injury by the heaving of the soil, but 
being left on until the fruit is ripe it serves as a mulch 
to retain moisture, and also keeps the fruit from being 
soiled. Near the coast, salt hay is the most available, in 
other places straw is used, and in some parts of the West 
corn-stalks are found to be serviceable. Any obtainable 
litter that will not introduce weed seeds will answer. 
Good Loiigf-wool Sheep. — A farmer in 
Ohio, writes as that he has some Cotswold and Lincoln 
sheep that have prodnced wool 17 inches long, and he 
has had twin lambs that at 4 months old weighed 100 lbs. 
each. A cross between Lincoln ewes and Cotswold 
rams has produced some splendid sheep in England. 
But of course such cross-bred sheep are not a ll breed. 1 '' 
It frequently happens that grades are better than the 
thorough-breds, but we must have thorough-breds in 
order to get such splendid grade animals. 
Irrigation. — A. T. Taylor, of 8auta Cruz, 
California, wants to irrigate ten acres of garden land. 
He lias a stream of water with a fall of 5 feet, and needs 
to raise the water 85 feet. In view of the quantity of 
water necessary for such a purpose, a ram would not an- 
swer-. The best plan will be to use an overshot water- 
wheel wit li bucket capacity to consume a heavy amount 
of water (say 3 feet breast), and to connect with itaforce- 
pnmp at least 3 inches in diameter — working with an air- 
chamber to give uniformity to the resistance, and so 
eqaalize the power required. The piston of the pump 
should be worked directly by a crank on the axle of the 
wheel, to avoid loss of power by gearing. 
An Unpatented Harrow, — John T. 
Smith, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, claims to have used for 
five years a harrow made with four arms at each side of a 
double and hiuged centerpiece. The arms are placed 
at intervals of one foot, aud are 2 inches thick. The 
teeth, made of 54-inch round irou, are 8 incheB long, and 
arc iuserted at an angle of 45 degrees (sloping backward, 
we suppose). Iu the first pair of arms they are 6 inches 
apart, in the second pair 5 inches apart, in the third 4 
inches, and in the fourth 3 inches. Mr. Smith says: 
41 It is truly laughable to sec the clods ground up, as they 
seem to dodge under the harrow. * * * The above 
is not patented, and can be made for between $5 and 
$10." — We would advise the use of steel for the teeth. It 
would be cheapest in the long run. 
Ten Gallons of Itlilk a Day.- A 
subscriber to the Agriculturist in Lebanon, Iowa, writes 
us that his neighbor. Nelson Steed, has a cow which 
gives 10 gallons of milk a day, and which makes V/ s lb. of 
butter per day. " She is fed on clover with au allowance 
of wheat bran at each milking." This subscriber did not 
sign his name (like many others), yet he sent money for 
a sptcimeu of Hearth and Home, which was sent to his 
neighbor named above. It is very curious; but hundreds 
of people write letters and either omit their names, Post- 
Otnees, or States. 
The >ew-York Poultry Show, which 
is announced for December 14th to 22d, promises to be a 
very Hue one, as entries are already coming iu freely. 
The State Poultry Society have put forth the most com- 
plete and liberal premium list ever issued iu this coun- 
try for a similar exhibition. This Prize-list will be sent 
and other information given by addressing the N. Y. 
State Poultry Society, P. O. Box 310, N. Y. City. We are 
glad to set? that this Society follows the lead of the State 
Agricultural Society in requiring entries to be made, by 
letter or otherwise, before Dec. 8d. 
The Connecticut Poultry Society, 
holds its Fair at. Flartford, beginning Nov. l*t : and here 
too, a fine show is promised and confidently expected. 
G. E. Cleeton, New Haven, is Secretary. 
What are old Cider Cheeses good 
for ? — Hogs will eat old cider cheese if they get it in small 
quantities ; the supply is usually too great to use in this 
way. When it is in large quantities, as about most cider 
mills, the best plan no doubt to economize it is to break 
it up and compost it with quick-lime and sods or muck. 
We would use at least an equal bulk of muck, and about 
2bnshel6 0f lime to the cart-load of cheeBe, applying the 
lime upon the apple. As soon as a good heat comes on 
and goes through the heap, the compost should be re- 
laid with about half as much lime. Shell or stone lime 
may be used slaked, sufficiently to crumble, 24 or 4S hours 
before using. If thoroughly slaked shell lime be used, a 
somewhat larger quantity will be required. 
Badly Run-down White Oak Land. 
— We have frequently received letters inquiring how to 
bring up badly worn " White Oak Land," without yard 
or stable manure.— Without having had experience on 
exactly this soil, we are nevertheless confident that the 
application of 500 pounds of good superphosphate of lime 
will secure a crop of wheat and a good growth of red 
clover. This clover should be turned under in June of 
the year following, and 15 to 25 bushels of lime, accord- 
ing to the weight of the clover crop, harrowed in. Thor- 
ough tillage with a Shares or Nishwitz harrow, and the 
application of 300 to 500 pounds of ground bones, would, 
we think, put the land in heart again at a very moderate 
expense. Where stall mannre can be obtained, or where 
cattle or hogs are kept, there is no need to purchase other 
fertilizers than plaster and lime ; for every beef and hog 
fattened, and every cow and horse kept, ought to produce 
five to ten loads of good manure, and still more of good 
compost, which might be worth nearly or quite as much. 
A Sample of iTIuclc received from J. C. 
Sheldon, of'Lorain Co., O., does, indeed, as he says, 
"look as if it might he good for poor land." It is one of 
the best looking samples of muck we have ever seen, and 
we have no doubt it will pay to haul nearly as far as the 
beBt barn-yard mannre, provided upon being thrown out, it 
sustains the action of frost, and gets so dry that a load will 
be a big one. The comparative value of different speci- 
mens of muck may be tested approximately, thus : 1st, 
cut exactly a cubic foot, or other measure, of different 
kinds— the one which is lightest when perfectly dry is 
best, in this respect. 2d, Burn a pound or two pounds of 
the dry muck, — the one which leaves the least ash, in this 
particular, is best. 3d, Take a small shovelful, better a 
teacupful of the live coals of each kind, as soon as they 
have done smoking— the one which will give the most of 
a white cloud when a feather dipped in muriatic acid is 
held over it is indicated as being richest in ammonia. Of 
course we cannot carefully analyze the samples of soils, 
muck, rock, etc., sent us. The cost of a thorough anal- 
ysis would be $25 to $50. And any examination by a 
competent chemist would cost at least $10 ; but with the 
tests we have suggested any man of good judgment can 
make a close guess as to which is the best. 
Testimony about Alsike Clover.— 
B. R. Blackstone, of Aroostook Co., Me., thns gives his 
experience with Alsike clover, for which we are much 
obliged: "It has been described as a giant white clover, 
which is hardly correct, as it has many of the character- 
istics of red clover, which it resembles in its manner of 
growth. Its stalks arc much finer than those of red 
clover, though growing to about the same bight. From 
a four-years' acquaintance with it, I think it will produce 
as many tons of hay to the acre, as either the white or 
red variety ; that the hay made from it is equal to the 
best white clover hay; that it affords an excellent feed 
for bees ; and that it winters well. I have not tried it for 
pasturage, but see no reason why it would not succeed 
well for that purpose. My soil is thoroughly uuderdrain- 
cd by nature, like all Aroostook land, and is therefore 
well suited to cither grain or grass." 
Gapes in Chicks.— The strongest tonic 
which the chick will bear is often an efficient cure, be- 
cause it gives the little suffering thing strength to throw 
oft' the worms from its windpipe— assafcetida, onions, and 
Bome other drugs act in tins way, and seem also to para* 
lyze the worms. Pepper acts solely as a tonic, we suppose. 
Many Counterfeits of the Agricultural 
College Land Scrip have been discovered. Hence cau- 
tion in the purchase of this Scrip is important. 
Injection I*i|>e for Horse or Cow. 
— V 'J. R. L.," Manchester, Iowa, writes: " In the Anwl- 
can Agriculture-' for October, yon offer several simple de- 
vices for giving a horse or cow an injection. bn( the sim- 
plest and cheapest way is to take a common gourd, such 
as is commonly taken for a dipper. Cut it the same as 
you would for a dipper, then cut off the end of the han- 
dle, and you have a first-class syringe. I have tried it on 
Beveral occasions, and found it to answer every purpose." 
Gypsum, Plaster, Land Plaster, 
Plaster of Paris, Sulphate of Lime,— These 
all mean about the same thing, if we regard the chemical 
character of the article bearing so many names. — Gypsum 
is the mineral as found in the rocks, and often forming 
rocks and even mountains, so abundant is it in some 
places. It is quite Boft, easily cut or ground, consists of 
sulphuric acid and lime combined, together with several 
per cent of water, which it holds, but which heat will drive- 
off. When ground, it becomes Land Plaster, or Plaster. 
The finer and whiter kinds are used for interior finishing 
by masons, but are first " boiled," as it is termed ; that 
is, the ground plaster ie heated and stirred until all the 
water is driven off, which makes the mass appear to boil, 
and thns Plaster of Paris, or boiled plaster, is formed. 
This is the material of which the plaster casts of busts, 
images, and architectural forms are made ; for when wet 
to a paste with water, it takes it up and combines with it 
again, becoming hard and stone like. The action of 
plaster on different soils and crops cannot be said to be 
well understood; it is, however, a very valuable and 
cheap manure, affecting especially clover and other legu- 
minous plants ; though most of our common crops are 
often greatly benefited by it. 
Apple-leaf Louse* — "G. T.," Mich., has 
dipped the ends of the twigs in tobacco water, but the 
lice come again. We can give no better advice than to 
keep at them next spring when they first appear. 
Sundry Hiimbngs. — Well, well! Here'6 
a curiosity shop, and no mistake. Our Assistant has 
been busy for a month past receiving, examining, mark- 
ing, and assorting the Humbug Schemes returned to us 
from 35 States and Territories— and such a lot ! Here is 
a good sized basketful from 26 States, all from the 
swindler who calls himself " James Fisher & Co., BS 
Liberty Street, N. Y." The Post-mark dates on the en- 
velopes returned to ns, indicate that he meant to get his 
circulars out just when the October Agriculturist went to 
press, so as to have a month to operate in before our next 
issue. (We shall have to open a humbug column in our 
weekly Hearth and Home soon, so as to give the rogues 
only 7 days swing.) But we got hold of his scheme in 
time to give him a passing card last month. Jas. Fisher 
is somewhat shrewd, but he will have to find a good 
many dupes, to get back the expense of printing and 
postage on the circulars that have come to us. ne sends 
his scheme in type print, and then sends along his litho- 
graph letter to enforce it. He entreats, implores, and 
commands yon not to write him by mail, but to send by 
Express only. Good for friend Gayler, who forbids his 
getting any letters through the P. O. But enough of him. 
He is doubtless all ready with a new lot of circulars, giv- 
ing a new name and address, to go out as soon as this 
column Is stereotyped. Our readers will find the opera- 
tions of these swindlers fully set forth in our last paper 
(Oct. No., pages 365-6). To several inquirers wc repeat 
that their names are all recorded on the books of these 
swindlers. That the P. O. box number is often addressed, 
indicates, where this is done, that persons, connected 
with their own Post-Offices are in league with the opera- 
tors, and it will sometimes be well to look into it. In 
one case, however, a man employed to collect the names 
for the swindling lists described last month, stationed 
himself in a P. O. aud took down the names of call- 
ers and noted the number of the boxes from which 
they got their letters: and we presume this is often 
done, without any connivance of the Post-Office clerks. 
Many letters indicate that Edward B. Kane, 23 Dutch 
Street, alia-< James A. Holt, 116 Fulton Street, alias 
Thomas G. Allison, 85 William Street, alias Francis Og- 
den, 39 Maiden Lane, alias etc., etc., etc., is sending out 
the " Queer" circulars largely. He, too, taboos letters 
by mail— will only deal through the express, and urges 
you to call at his den (and get cleaned out by hi? bogus 
policemen, as described last month).— Kufus Stockton, 
(whose real name proves him a descendant of old Motbo 
" Hubbard" and who, like her, " lives in a cupboard. 11 
in the upper regions of No. 904 Broadway.) i? ready 
to swindle you, but you must not address him by mail, nor 
by the Auier. Merchant's Union Express Company. We 
hope soou to Bee every Express Co. denounced by these 
operators. N. B. —Every one, coming to N. V. to respond 
to one of th<-se urgent invitations to call, should take a 
genuine policeman along as an escort J.D.Terhune&Co., 
90S Broadway, Btill offers you $10,000 for $."i00, aud less in 
proportion : llw is to say, he will pocket all yon send, and 
give yon not iin_ of value in return.— Chas. Humble. No. 1 
Chambers i . : - Y . ditto. R C. Steele, North Copake, 
