THE WATER SPANIEL, ETC. 
17 
creation, as of a feather, a hair, the skin, &c., the 
more perfect it will appear. Works of art 
are but seeming perfections — Nature's alone are 
genuine. 
But our object is simply to give the hint, by 
which its imperfections can be made to subserve 
utility. In sharpening a razor, draw the edge 
from the heel to the point ; for a knife, carry the 
blade over the hone from the point toward the 
heel. Each of these operations will set the 
rough points, which really constitute the edge, 
in a direction to catch the beard, wood or other 
substances, and sever them in the most effectual 
and speediest manner. The principle is fully 
illustrated in the form of a mill-saw, which cuts 
with great rapidity in one direction, but scarcely 
at all in the other. 
In sharpening a knife, when brought to an 
edge, give it two or three strokes on the hone on 
both sides, with the back elevated a few de- 
grees, so as to make a stunt edge. This will 
take off the wire edge, and give it durability, and 
prevent checking or nicking. 
In shaving, lather with cold water ; this gives 
hardness, rigidity, or firmness, to the skin, which 
holds the roots of the beard firmly. But dip the 
razor in hot water, just before using, or warm it 
by the fire, or in your hand it will then cut easier. 
»»- 
THE WATER SPANIEL. 
Next after the sheep-dog in usefulness to the 
farmer, we rank the well-bred water spaniel. 
He is strong, hardy, courageous, active, saga- 
cious, obedient, highly affectionate, and makes an 
^ m 'ill **!«»- 
■WW £ ■•■ ; • 
%%>- sp 
Water Spaniel. — Fig. 4. 
excellent game as well as farm-dog ; working in 
water as readily as upon land. Fig. 4 is a spirit- 
ed cut, and shows the points advantageously of 
one of the best of this breed. 
The water spaniel varies somewhat in size ; 
but those most highly approved of approach, the 
Newfoundland in height, though they are ordi- 
narily about one-fourth less in weight. The hair 
is three to four inches in length, and quite curly, 
especially over the fore parts ; the color varies 
from neaidy pure white to jet black ; but we 
have more generally seen them of a buff color, 
or buff and white, and black and white. The 
best of the kind we ever possessed came from 
Ireland, and was jet black. It would hunt any 
sort of game either on land or in water, and 
would dive for a stone and bring it up from a 
depth of ten to twelve feet A better farm or 
watch dog, or more attached creature to its 
master never walked. 
SWAMP MUCK, OR PEAT, AS A FERTILIZER. 
This substance abounds in almost every section 
of our country, and is capable of producing the 
greatest fertility in old worn out soils. Some 
qualities of it will answer a good purpose if put 
upon the land just as it is dug, without any mix- 
ture of lime or other substance. We witnessed 
the greatest beneficial effects of muck or peat 
that we have ever seen, not long since, upon the 
farm of Mr. James Buckalew, and also upon the 
farms of Mr. Forman Hendrickson, and Mr. John 
L. Hendrickson, in New Jersey. The last named 
gentleman showed us a piece of corn that avera- 
ges this year sixty-three bushels to the acre. 
Seven years ago the field where it grew had a 
