184 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR 
®|e S0ttt|ent fylilMux. 
AUGUSTA, GA: 
VOL. XII!, KO. 6 JUNE, 1865. 
ANSWERS TO INQIHEIES, &C. 
Burr Mill-Stone. — The specimens of rock that ap- 
peared very much like Burr Mill-Stone, sent to us by Mr. 
Robert, of Orion, Pike county, Ala., turned out, on the 
application of chemical tests, to be carbonate of lime. 
The samples ah elfervesce freely with hydrochloric acid; 
Sw'EET Potatoes. — L. D. — We prefer the White Hayti 
Yam to all other varieties. It yields abundantly, is of 
superior quality, and keeps admirably. In planting this 
variety, “draws” or even cut vines are better than the 
roots, for the reason that when the “draws” are set out, 
the first roots that branch off make tubers; while the po- 
tato itself lies in the ground and slowly decays before any 
new rootlets or tubers are formed. We have succeeded 
in making table potatoes from “draws” planted as late as 
the middle of July, but we prefer May and June — the 
earlier the better, after the ground becomes warm, and all 
danger of frost is over. When our “draws” are ready we 
never wait for a “season,” but plant according to the di- 
rections given in our Wo7-k for the Month, present num- 
ber. 
“Cholera,” or Distemper in Poultry. — F. T. G. — 
Prevention is much better than an attempt to cure, which 
generally fails. However, as you ask our advice, here it 
it Keep your fowls out of the fields and woods in wet 
or damp weather or until after the dew is offin the morning 
— coniine them to a clean, dry, gravelly yard — put a piece 
of red oak bark into their water, and let it remain, changing 
fhe water every day or two. If your fowls are taken sick 
and drop down helpless, feed them by hand, carefully, 
with balls of corn meal dough, or baked bread, saturated 
with common table mustard (‘mixed with water) ora drop 
or two of a mixture called ^'Radvmy's Ready Relief You 
may be obliged to continue this treatment (hand feeding) 
for several days, as the fowl is too weak to pick up or as- 
sist itself. We have cured many fine young Brahmas in 
this way, and would advise you to try it. It is not worth 
the trouble, to doctor cornraon or ordinary fowls. When- 
ever we see one of these seriously affected, we cut its 
head off and bury it deeply m the compost heap or ma- 
nure pile. 
Plaster, or Gypsum, (A. D. B.) may be profitably ap- 
plied as a top dressing to Cow Peas, Melons, Turnips, Pota- 
toes, &c. Mixed with ashes and salt (in the proportion 
of 10 parts Gypsum, 4 of Ashes, and 1 of ISalt) it may be 
US( d in the corn field with decided benefit. A small hand- 
ful, or about two tablespoonsfid to the hill, sprinkled close 
to the stalk, after the first hoeing, will seldom fail of pro 
ducing a vigorous growth and an increased yield. Gyp- 
sum, or Plaster of Paris is a sulphate of lime, and is com- 
posed (100 parts) of Sulphuric Acid, 43; Lime, 33; 
Water, 24. For its introduction into general use, in thi» 
country, we are indebted to that eminent agriculturist, the 
late Judge Peters, of Pennsylvania. The gentleman to 
whom you allude in your poscript, (R. Peters, Esq., of 
Atlanta), is the grandson of Judge Peters, and as a prac- 
tical farmer and stock-raiser, he fully keeps up the repu- 
tation of his ancestor. There is no Plaster at present in 
this market. Address Wm. Allston Gourdin, Charles- 
ton, S. C. 
Hydraulic Rams. — Wm. B. L. — It is said (with how 
much truth we do not know’, from experience,) that a fall of 
ten feet will raise a column of water one hundred and 
fifty feet high, at the rate of five quarts, (or a gallon and a 
quarter) per minute. At this rate, there is only one part 
raised to eleven wasted, where the ram is only supplied 
by a two inch pipe- A larger pipe, with a larger ram, 
would, doubtless, elevate all the water you need. A 
gentleman of Pennsylvania claims to have recently made 
important improvements in the construction of rams. His 
address is J. C. Strode; Philadelphia, Pa. 
Irrigation. — “Water is the life of vegetation,” as our 
friend, “R. N.” truly says ; but we are not aware that 
any systematic efforts have yet been made in the South to 
irrigate farms and plantations. We believe our Rice plan- 
ters are the only persons who give the subject any particu- 
lar attention. No country under the sun needs artificial 
watering more than the parched, arid and drouth-stricken 
lands of the planting States, and w'e shall rejoice to see 
even a small beginning made in this matter. If irrigation 
is beneficial in the cool, damp, rainy and foggy climate of 
England, how much more necessary is it in this land of 
almost perpetual heat and sunshinel It is well known, 
that the roots of plants can only derive food from the soil 
in liquid form; and the fertilizing materials in a soil are 
decomposed and rendered soluble with a rapidity propor- 
tioned to the abundance of water supplied them. “ The 
quantity of water,’’ (says Mr. Knight, a noted English 
gardener,) “ w;hich may be given with advantage to 
plants of almost every kind, during warm and bright 
weather, is, I believe, very much greater than any garden- 
er who has not seen the result will be inclined to suppose 
possible; and it is greater than I myself could have be- 
lieved, upon any other evidence than that of actual experi- 
ence.” Will not our very capable and experienced corres- 
respondent, “R. N.” write out, for the benefit of our readers, 
the very interesting “talk” he gave us on this important 
subject, not long since I (In reference to the watering of 
gardens, see article headed “Grouting, Mulching, and 
Watering,” in present number.) 
Missing Numbers. — A. G. — All letters relating to the 
mailing or other business department of this journal, must 
be addressed to Wm. S. Jones, and all communications 
intended for our columns to “Editors Southern Cultivator, 
Augusta, Ga.” 
Plaster of Paris. — Z. D. S. — We suppose you desire 
calcined Plaster. It may be obtained from almost any 
Druggist. We have enclosed your note to Wm. R. Schir- 
mer. Mill Stone Manufacturer, of this city. 
Corn, Cob and Shuck Crusher. — E. M. M. — Address 
J. Rowe, Tampa Bay, Florida. Scott’s Little Giant, 
sold by Carmichael & Bean, of this city, is an excellent 
Corn and Cob Crusher, but we do not think it will cut up 
or pulverize the shuck, like Row'e’s. Have answered 
you per mail, also. 
“Holcus Saccharatus.” — L, B. — Do not be disppoint- 
ed, if this “ Chinese Sugar Cane,” should prove to be 
closely allied to, if not identical with, the well known 
Broom Corn. It evidently belongs to that family ; and, 
as we before remarked, may prove valuable tor fodder. 
Battey PoTATOE.— -J. W. B., of Woodville, Miss., and 
