SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
19 
can possibly command, I will give you an outline, how- 
ever, and at a future time, if necessary, give you a full 
report. The figure of the house I have now in progress is 
an octagon, of 19 feet to the side, two stories high. First 
story, 11 feet from floor to ceiling; second, 10 feet 
There are four rooms, each, above and below, of an aver- 
age of 330 square feet. These rooms, from the necessity 
of the case, are irregular hexagons, all having fire-places 
in a common centre. Besides these eight rooms, there 
are eight triangular ones, as per exhibit herewith sent. 
The chimney occupies the centre, being eight feet square. 
The roof has 2 1-2- inches rise to the perpendicular foot, 
and projects 5 1-2 feet on all sides. The roof is of can- 
vass, with three coats of Croton lead and one of sand. 
There are 22 windows and 19 doors. 
I estimate gravel at 5,000 bushels, and rock at the same. 
I will give you my expenses up to the present lime; 
Paid laborers at different times and for various 
purposes, - - ' - - - - SlOO 00 
Paid carpenters 200 00 
Cost of roofing, including lumber, canvass, 
paint, &c., - - - - - -150 00 
Lumber in the aggregate - - - - 175 00 
Paid brick masons, 8 00 
Paid for brick, (4,600,) 30 00 
Contract for plastering 200 00 
Carpenters’ work on hand, - - - - 30 00 
Painting yet to be done, - - - - 50 00 
Total amount of moneyed expense, - - S942 00 
This is exclusive of nails and implements used in opera- 
ting. 
The amount of labor done by my own hands, (8 in num- 
ber,) would probably be worth 8 or S900. This labor, 
however was done at times when hands and teams were 
not essentially needed on the farm. In fact, I have never 
made a better crop than last year. I will say, cover- 
ing all contingencies, the house will not exceed ^1,100; 
and when completed, will be worth ^$.3000. Had I time, 
I could give you ray plan of operation, and my reasons 
for it. Like all new projects, were I to build again, I 
should vary in some things greatly, viz : I should use 
more lime in proportion to sand and gravel, but less mor- 
tar in proportion to rock. The cement should be rich. 
To obviate the expense, I would then break my stone and 
beat them into the mortar ; compression being an essen- 
tial item of a strong wall. The foundation should be o 
stone for two feet above the surface of the ground. 
Yours, truly, R. C. Saxon. 
Pleasant Hill, Ga., Sept., 1856. 
TO CURE FOOT EVIL — BACON. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — I notice the inquiry 
of “Felix,” in the September number, for a “Sovereign 
Remedy for Foot Evil.” I have suffered some loss among 
my own stock from this disease, and believe, from the 
trials I have made myself and the results of the experience 
of others, that the following is a sure remedy, viz: As 
soon as you discover any lameness in the anim.al, exam- 
ine the foot, and you will generally find considerable 
tenderness, just at the edge of the hoof and hair. Wash 
the foot well with warm water and soap, dry it, have 
ready a strong solution of sulphate of copper, (blue 
stone,) and with a swab, made by tying a rag to a small 
stick, rub the solution well in, round the edge of the hair, 
where it appears to be affected ; next morning grease it 
with fresh lard or oil, to stop the action of the blue-stone; 
at night wash again and apply the solution, and thus con- 
tinue until the disease is stopped, which seldom requires 
more than three applications. Then tie a {fiece of cloth 
round it, to keep the horse from gnawing his foot, and let 
him rest until well. If applied in time, this will, I be- 
lieve, in most cases, prevent the loss of any portion of the 
hoof. 
To Preserve Bacon. — I noticed, also, the article on 
“Hogs, Pork and Bacon,” which has induced me to give 
you my experience in preserving Bacon from the skipper. 
The plan is simple and efficacious. When your meat is 
fully dry, have some oak bark ground, (the same as pre- 
pared by tanners,) and pack the meat away in it, being 
careful not to let the pieces touch each other. In this 
manner meat may be kept bright and sweet, free from 
skippers, for two years, and how much longer I cannot 
tell, as two years is the extent of my experience. I thought, 
and also those who eat of it, that the meat was as good as 
any that we had ever tasted. There is no unpleasant taste 
imparted to the meat. M. 
Dahlonega, Go,., Sept., 1856. 
BUIIiDINCf CEMENT CISTERNS. 
Editors Southern Cultivator — As I think the month 
of October one of the best for cistern building, I hand you 
the latest improved plan, viz : Let the cistern go down 
perpendicular to thi-ee feet of the bottom, which should then 
have the shape of the larger and of a hen’s egg. The 
next improvement is in having the cistern twenty or 
twenty-five feet deep, which enables you the more easily 
to keep the water cool. The next is not to fill the cistern 
nearer than eight feet of the top, and the last to cover the 
cistern with charcoal or saw dust, as they are non-conduc- 
tors of heat. 
Permit me to suggest the use of cement to make troughs 
for keeping milk cool during the summer. Say for shal- 
low vessels, as butter plates, &c., two inches, then the 
next four inches, the next six, the next eight, &c., increas- 
ing by two inches. 
_ . 
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The value of the cemented trough is that, however, long 
it may be without water it never leaks and then two 
hours is ample time (if it would dry) to make half a dozen. 
The same way a bathing establishment can be made say 
six feet wide and twenty-five yards long, five feet deep for 
caching children and ladies to swim, with double can- 
vass around to protect them from the sun, &c., with suit- 
able dress for each sex. Let the South teach all how to 
swim, without regard to age or sex. It should be done, 
for I have known the necessity a time or two, and have 
long been a great advocate of teaching each sex the art 
of swimming. 
Can any one of your numerous, readers suggest a more 
suitable plan than the one I have mentioned'? How easily 
one of these could be attached to the artesian wells of 
South Alabama or to any one of the many springs in the 
Southern country. If the water is too cool, convey it some 
distance in flat troughs through the sun. In w’inter let 
there b*e no water in them lest they are broken (being im- 
pectly made) during cold weather. The water in cisterns 
is rarely frozen, being so deep in the earth and covered 
over carefully. 
I was glad to see that Col. R. M. Johnston, of your 
State, favors the idea of teaching ladies to swim, &c., &c. 
I am greatly pleased with the Address. G. L. J. 
Cmnming, Ark., 1855. 
Our Government lands cost Si an acre on an aver- 
age, and champagne S2 a bottle. How many a man dies 
landless, who, during his life, has swallowed a town- 
ship, trees and all ! 
