216 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
AUGUSTA, GA: 
VOI.. XV. NO. 7 ..JUI.Y, 1857. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Best Cows for Mii-kebs. — W. H M — T[ is hard for 
us to answer this question. In proper localities, and with 
an abundance of suitalde food, some br mcL'rs of the Dur- 
ham family are unequalled for qaantUii. The AyrsMres 
and ALdemeys are famous in England for richness of 
cream and fine quality of flutter. VVe have heard the 
Rrahmisis and grade Rrahmui-s highly spoken of; but 
as yet, they have scarcely had a fair trial in this country. 
The Bernese cattle (from the Canton of Berne, in Switzer- 
land) are noted diroughuut Europe as milkers, and we 
obierved that hey created a great sensation at the late 
French Exposition. For beauty, hardiness, adaptation 
to the Sjut'i, good beef, and fair milking qualities, how- 
ever, our own experience induces us to prefer the pure 
bred Norik Detons ^ of the Patterson stock — such as main- 
ly compose the the herd of Mr. Peters, of Atlanta, and 
others which have heretofore been fully described in these 
pages. We shall be glad to get the experience of out- 
friends who have tried the improved breeds of cattle, in 
various sections of the South. 
CuRCFLio.— H. W. R, — Your communication will ap- 
pear in our next number. 
CosGRETS AND Ct-AY HousEs. — E S — Our clay negro 
house is not yet finished or fully tested, but so far we are 
entirely pleased with it. We used common red clay, 
moderatrly tenacious, slightly wet up, sprinkled with cut 
broomsedge or pine straw, and ureli mixed with a hoe, like 
common lime mortar. A mud-mill, such as is used in 
brickyards, would, of course, greatly facilitate the opera 
tion. T'liere should not be much gravel in the clay, and 
it should be packed into the boxing as dry as pos- 
sible, and rammed down hard. [For modij of con 
structing boxing, see May number, page 152,] If 
the clay mortar is made thin, it will crack too much 
in drying. Therefore use as little w^ater as pos.'^ible 
and mix or “temper” the clay and straw well to- 
gether. The door and window frames must be of three 
inch pine, and as wide as the wall is thick, say, one 
foot for a small building If these frames liave a 
“ priming” co.U of paint before they are set into the wall, 
they Will aosorb less moisture from the clay and werj 
less. The “ plates” are the size of the wall, 12x3, ami 
are laid flat on the top course of clay, bedded dovvn even 
with a little thin mortar. The girders rest on thesi 
plates in the u-Udl manner. The rafters must exieniai 
leaA two iect beyomi the eaves, so that the vertical rain> 
may be kept fnim the wail, and for architectural effect ^ 
also. We eschew outside ciiimneys— they are unsiglitly 
abominations. Our chimneys, of brick, are all inside, 
and each one gives us two good fireplaces. The partition 
walls separating the different apartments or houses are 
also of clay, one foot in thickness, and running up to the 
roof. These inside walls will all be finished with one 
good coat of “ brown (lime) mortar,” and neatly white- 
washed. The outside will be “ flushed off” smooth with 
fine clay mortar, and when that is thoroughly dry, so 
there is no danger of cracking, a thin coating of mastic, 
or common hydraulic lime cement, will make it imper- 
vious to ail the rain that may beat or spatter against it. 
Mr. Jas. F, Murphky, of tliis city, has been with us 
from the beginning of our building operations, and tho- 
roughly understands the process of erecting concrete and 
ad(ibe houses. He mig’at be induced to go to your village, 
if he could he assured of a remunerative contract. A 
letter addressed to him (care of D. Redmond) will receive 
attention. 
Saw Mills. — A subscriber says : “ Lumber is scarce 
and hard to get here. 1 wish you would ascertain the 
cheapest and best engine and saw mill to saw lumber, and 
inform me through your columns,'’ &c. Will such of our 
readers as have had the proper answer this 
question I 
Corn Mills for Meal. — E. S.— Felton's Mill might 
answer your purpose. Address the agent, Dam.el Chaf- 
fee, Augusta, Ga. 
Reprints. — The demand for our paper has been such 
that we have been obliged to reprint the January and 
February numbers of present volume. This fact will ac- 
count for the delay in forwarding setts, which will now be 
filled up as soon as possible. 
Illustrations. — We have, in preparation, an engraving 
of“Fruitland Cottage,” and apian fora simple and cheap 
Mill for grinding the Chinese Sugar Cane. We hope to 
lie able to give both in our August number. 
Concrete Houses. — In answer to several inquiries, we 
would state that the May number of the Cullixator con- 
tains all the necessary directions for constructing concrete 
walls. Any person who reads these directions carefully 
and follows them out, can erect a substantial and durable 
house The earlier it is commenced the better, as the 
walls should be thoroughly dry before the fall rains come 
on. Those who desire a competent superintendent in the 
erection of such a building or buildings, may address 
Jas. F. Murphey, (care of D. Redmond,) as elsewhere 
mentioned. Any intelligent bricklayer or mason, who 
understands the use of the trowel and plumb-line, can 
carry on the work successfully. 
Hen Persuaders. — Tlie fepringfield Republican, in 
speaking of a new invention fur a hen’s nest, whereby the 
eggs drop through a trap door, and so deceive the hen 
that she keeps on laying, is responsible for the following : 
Blobbs met with a loss, however, with one of the per- 
suaders. Blo!i!)s had a lovely young Sliarighai pullet of 
Doundless ambition. Blolibs bought a persuader, and his 
lovely Shanghai used it She went upon the nest in the 
tiorning. Blolibs saw her go, and his heart hounded 
w'ithin hi.m. Alas! he never saw her erme olt again ! — 
.At night he visited the persuader. In the upper com- 
partment was a handful of feathers, n few toe-nails and n 
bill In the lower eonipartment were three dozen and 
I eleven eggs! Bioblis saw it all! Her delicate coiu'-titu- 
ution had heen unfqual to the tfl’ort, and fired by young 
ambition, she had laid herself away ! 
