130 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
Importance of Recreation.— The following felicitous 
passage occurs in the admirable speech of the Hon. Ed- 
ward Everett, at the Webster Festival at the Revere House, 
in Boston. The orator, in referring to Mr, Webster’s 
taste for manly sports, added these words: 
“The American, as a people — at least the professional 
and mercantile classes — have too little considered the im- 
portance of heaknful, generous recreation. They have 
not learned the lesson contained in the very word which 
teaches that the worn-out man is re-created, made over 
again, by the seasonable relaxation of the strained facul- 
ties. The old world learned this lesson years ago, and 
found out (Herod 1, 173) that as the bow always bent will 
at last break, so the man, forever on the strain of thought 
and action, will at last go mad or break down. Thrown 
upon a new continent —eager to do the work of twenty 
centuries in two — the Anglo American population has 
over-worked and is daily over-working itself. From 
morning to night, from January to December, brain and 
hands, eyes and fingers, the powers of the body and the 
powers of the mind are in spasmodic, merciless activity. 
There is no lack of a few tasteless and soulless dissipa- 
tions which are called amusements, but noble athletic 
sports, manly out door exercises, are too littte cultivated 
in town or country.” 
To Make a Balky Horse Draw. — The London Times 
gives a remedy which proved successful. After all sorts 
of means had been tried and failed, it was suggested that 
a simple remedy used in India should be tried — that is, to 
get a small rope and attach it to one of the fore feet of the 
stubborn animal, the person holding the end of the rope 
to advance a few paces, taking with him the horse’s foot, 
when, as matter of course, the horse must follow. The 
suggestion was at first ridiculed, but at last a rope was 
brought and applied as described, when the horse imme- 
diately advanced, and in a few minutes was out of sight, 
much to the amazement of the crowd. The experiment 
is simple and worth a trial. 
THE FIRESIDE. 
BY MARY HO WITT. 
Afire’s a good companionable friend, 
A comfortable friend, who meets your face 
With welcome glad, and makes the poorest shed 
As pleasant as a palace. Are you cold 1 
He warms you — weary '? he refreshes you — 
Hungry '? he doth prepare your food for you — 
Are you in darkness ? he gives light to you — 
In a strange land '? he wears a face that is 
Familar from your childhood. Are you poor 
What matters it to him I ' tie knows no difference 
Between an emperor and the poorest beggar I 
Where is the friend that bears the name of man. 
Will do as much for you 1 
• "O" • 
Birds vs. Insects, — The late Dr. Harris, who was 
well known for his entomological researches, held the foi- 
ling sentiments respecting birds and insects : 
In order to aid in checking the ravages of noxious in- 
sects, protection should be given to their natural enemies. 
To this end, a stop should be put to the indiscriminate 
and prevailing slaughter of insect-eating birds and quad- 
rupeds by the murderous gun. Those persons who now 
waste their time and powder in killing these innocent and 
useful creatures, would be better employed in planting 
corn and trees, and in making two blades of grass to grow I 
where only one grew before. Your wood-peckers have 
already sliown themselves to be your friends ; let them 
have all due encouragement 
Important Discovery.— Jean Blanc, of New Orleans, 
says the New Orleans Price Current, represented to be 
an agriculturist of considerable scientific attainments, has 
secured letters patent from the United States for the dis- 
covery of a process of converting thirty different varieties 
of plants, which grow wild in enormous quantities in 
various sections of the Union, into flax, of great strength 
and beautiful texture. Specimens are now in New York, 
and among them are said to be the flax made from the 
stalks of the cotton plant, large quantities of which are 
burned on the Southern plantations to get them out of the 
way; the century tree, or wild Manilla, which grows in 
abundance in Florida ; the wild holly- hock, with a fibre of 
ten or fifteen inches long; the gold nankeen, of a natural 
nankeen color; the vegetable silk, and the vegetable 
wool. 
0^"ln a letter received from our friend Wm. C. Hoffman, 
of Frederick county, Md., he says: “While writing, I 
will take the liberty of giving my opinion of the use of 
lime on such land as mine (clay based on yellow slate, or, 
as here called, chestnut land). I cannot perceive any im- 
mediate benefit to the wheat crop from its use : but corn 
and clover are greatly improved by it. Last spring I limed 
a part of a field of corn, and the superiority of the limed 
part was so manifest, as to attract the attention of the 
hands in gathering ”■ — Farm Journal. 
Disinfectants. — The chloride of lime, the sulphate fo 
lime (plaster of Paris), a weak solution of copperas, and 
pulverised charcoal are recommended as far preferable to 
lime. The effect of the chloride of lime is especially as- 
serted to be far more, salutary. 
The New England Farmer says that common hard 
soap applied to the end of a recently pruned vine will ef- 
fectually stop the bleeding. 
Somtstit CcDnmiui nnii 
FOOD FOE THE SIGE. 
Always have everytliing you use very sweet and clean 
as the sense of taste and smell are very ser.sitive in sick- 
ness. Never cook articles for the sick uver a smoke or 
blaze, as you vv ili ihns impart a .smoky L-.st.e When the 
mixture is thick, stir often to prevent burning. Be very 
careful, in putting in seasoning, not to put in too much, 
as it is easy to add, but not to .subtract. 
The nicest way to flavor with orange or lemon peel 
is to rub loaf sugar on tlie peel till tije oil is absorbed into 
it, and then use the sugar to flavor and sweeten. Plerbs 
and spice when boiled to flavor, should be tied in a rag, 
as they will not then burn on to the ves^ei at the edges. 
Always have a shawl at hand, aLo a clean towel, a clean 
handkerchief and a small waiter when you present food 
or drink. Many of the articles for desserts and evening 
parties are good for the sick. 
An excellent Relish for a Convalescent some cod- 
fish to bits the size of a pea, and boil it a minute in w'ater 
to freshen it. Pour off all the water, and add some cream 
and a little pepper. 
Split and toast a Boston cracker, and put the above 
upon it. Milk and a little butter may be used instead of 
cream. 
