1878.1 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
87 
etc., we feel that we have a right to ask our friends to 
make it as simple as possible. 
The cost of the Experimental Fertilizers as given for 
the full Set A, is $7.00, and must be ordered entire. If 
one wishes to experiment with the “ extras,” they must 
be ordered in the quantities and at the prices named in 
that table. The cash must in every case accompany the 
order. 
Correspondence in relation to these fertilizers should 
be distinct from everything else. Please observe this. If 
writing about subscriptions to the Amei'ican Agricultur¬ 
ist, books, or any.gjhci' matter, to go in the same en¬ 
velope, put whatever relates to these fertilizers on a sepa¬ 
rate sheet, with date and ahdress upon it. 
When we have transferred the order to the “ Mapes 
Formula and Peruvian Guano Co.,” our responsibility 
ends. They will see to the packing and forwarding. 
Transportation.— If there is any choice as to route 
by which the parcels are to be sent, state it plainly on 
the order, otherwise they will be sent by what seems to 
be the most direct conveyance. 
Finaiat and Particularly.— The articles, and only 
those, in the quantities specified, are to be ordered. Re¬ 
collect these are experiments, made for your own future 
benefit, and we are not in the fertilizer trade. Jgf?” The 
prices are fixed to just cover the cost of genuine ferti¬ 
lizers, brgs, and putting up, printing, and other inciden¬ 
tals connected with the enterprise, without profit to any¬ 
body. It is expected that the increase of crop will, in 
large part, repay those who use the fertilizers, while 
the direct information obtained for future guidance in 
buying and applying fertilizers, will be of immense val¬ 
ue. The fertilizers sent out will be such as can be 
bought of reputable dealers generally, and it may be 
convenient to many to purchase them, in the quantities 
advised, nearer home. The only object of arranging 
to have all these experimental samples sent from a single 
house, at first, is to secure uniformity, and purity, by hav¬ 
ing them carefully tested. The Publishers of the Ameri¬ 
can Agriculturist receive not a penny direct or indirect, 
their only part will be to receive and disburse the money 
as requested by those concerned. 
Experimental Fertilizers. 
Materials. 
8 §“ 
Kind. 
A- 
Valuable 
£ s. 
*1 
mount. 
Ingredients. 
8. 
SET 
A. 
$ ct 
I. 
Nitrate of Soda. 
20 fts 
Nitrogen. 
1.00 
II. 
Dissolved Bone Black. 
30 “ 
Phos.Acid 
.70 
HI. 
Muriate of Potash. 
20 “ 
Potash. 
.60 
1 Nitrate of Soda. 
15 ) “ 
j Nitrogen. ) 
1.40 
IV. 
1 Dissolved Bone Black. 
30 ( “ 
1 Phos.Acid f 
V. 
j Dissolved Bone Black. 
30 1 “ 
j Phos.Acid 1 
1.25 
j Muriate of Potash. 
20 f “ 
I Potash. f 
( Nitrate of Sola. 
16 i “ 
(Nitrogen. ) 
■< Phos.Acid V 
VI. 
•< Dissolved Bone Black. 
30 V “ 
1 90 
( Muriate of Potash. 
20 ) “ 
( Potash. J 
VII. 
Plaster. 
20 “ 
-- 
.15 
Price or Set A. 
. $7.00 
EXTRAS. 
I a. 
Sulphate of Ammonia. 
15 lbs 
Nitrogen. 
.05 
16. 
• Dried Blood. 
25 “ 
Nitrogen. 
.80 
IIIo. 
Sulphate of Potash. 
20 “ 
Potasn. 
.85 
IVa. 
j Dried Blood. 
20 ) “ 
j Nitrogen. | 
1.25 
j Dissolved Bone Black. 
30 ( “ 
■j Phos.Acid f 
VIII. 
Pure Bone Meal. 
50 “ 
j Nitrogen. 
| Phos.Acid [ 
1.25 
IS. 
Fine Bone, Dissolved. 
50 “ 
j Nitrogen, j 
) Phos.Acid [ 
1.25 
X. 
Dry Ground Fish. 
50 “ 
) Nitrogen. 
| Phos.Acid j 
1.20 
(Nitrogen. j 
XI. 
No. 1 Peruvian Gnano. 
40 “ 
■{ Phos.Acid V 
1 Potash. ) 
1.40 
The Strongest Testimonials are con¬ 
stantly coming in from those best able to judge by ex¬ 
perience, as to the real value and effectiveness of our 
Microscope, and its marvelous cheapness. Higher insti¬ 
tutions of learning send in for them by the dozen and 
twenty, to be used by classes in Botany and Natural 
History. Any one failing to appreciate its value above 
the cost of both the Journal and the Microscope, has 
surely failed to use it properly, and should try again after 
carefully studying the 14-coiumn descriptive sheet and 
the microscope articles in this paper each month. 
A Pupil in Horticulture. —Our Editor, 
who lives at “The Pines,” writes: “For a number of 
years I have had young men here who were not properly 
apprentices, and not exactly pupils. A young man of de¬ 
cidedly horticultural tastes can here pick up a knowledge 
of almost everything relating to horticulture, except 
such refinements as the culture of stove-plants. To one 
who is both a student and worker—and it has been my 
good fortune to have had such heretofore, I can give 
opportunities for improvement in botany and horticul¬ 
ture. The position will soon be vacant. No pay, and a 
plenty of work, though the work is largely instructive. 
Applicants may address “The Pines,” 245 Broadway, N. 
Y., with particulars as to age, previous occupation, etc. 
Motes About the Microscope. 
Every Subscriber to the American Agri¬ 
culturist for 1878, can have one of our Microscopes de¬ 
livered free anywhere in the United States , on remitting 
55 cents as his share of the cost. The rest is borne by 
the Publishers. 
Turn off tbe Diaphragm.—It is necessary 
to repeat :— In beginning to use the Microscope, always 
turn to one side the diaphragm— that is, the rubber 
plate, with the round hole in it, above the lowest lens. 
This is only to go between the lenses when one lias 
become skillful in their use, and wishes to examine 
carefully some very small thing. We hear from anumber 
who have neglected this, and were disappointed at being 
unable to see clearly any ordinary object, but they were 
agreeably surprised on using the instrument when this 
was turned out of the lenses. 
Read the 14-Column Descriptive Sheet, 
which comes around each box that holds the Microscope. 
We have heard from several who carelessly threw this 
away, taking it to be only a wrapping paper. One sheet 
is given with each Microscope, and it is full of important 
suggestions for those not already very familiar with mi¬ 
croscopes. Any one who lias lost this sheet, should 
forward a stamp and his address for another copy, speci- 
fying particularly “ the 14-column sheet.” 
ii Where Is Illy Microscope ? I sent for it 
five or six weeks ago....” This is the substance of quite 
a number of letters. The Answer is, in nearly every case, 
the same, viz.: “It was promptly forwarded to you by 
express.”—We always send them by express, where there 
is an office of the Adams, American, or United States Ex¬ 
press Companies in the town where a subscriber who is 
to receive one resides. But in many cases they have not 
been called for at the express office,wad. small parcels, car¬ 
ried at special rates, are not, as a rule, delivered to resi¬ 
dences.—So if any one’s expected Microscope lias failed 
to arrive, please call or send for it at the express office. 
A Capital Object, to examine now, or at any time, 
is a U. S. Bill of $ 1 , or any other size. All Government 
paper for money is now made at one mill, near West¬ 
chester, Pa., which is constantly guarded by officials, 
night and day. In making this paper, fine slireds of red 
and blue silk thread are mixed with and dropped upon 
the pulp. These can be plainly seen with one, two, or 
three lenses, by reflected light, and they distinguish 
genuine from counterfeit bills. The different lines, etc., 
in the engraving of the bills, are a pleasing study under 
the Microscope, either as a Hand-glass or on the Stand.— 
P. S.—If you have no bills, borrow one for this purpose. 
Many Hints, useful as well as interesting, about 
the Microscope, will be given in successive numbers of 
this Journal. Note and apply what is said about clover 
seed on page 103. 
To Guard the Eyes.— As previously stated, we 
tried various plans for shortening the upright rod which 
supports the lenses. This needs to be 2 inches long to 
raise the lowest power (upper) lens far enougli from the 
object. But every contrivance of the many suggested 
would add too much to the expense. It is so often desir¬ 
able to use the lenses ns a hand-glass, that it would not 
do to put a permanent knob on the top. We find no dif¬ 
ficulty, ns it is unnecessary to bring the eye quite so near 
to the lenses, as the top of the upright. Some suggest 
putting a small cork on the upper end. On page 106 
another contrivance is shown.—Mr. J. II. Burnett, of 
Skaneateles, N. Y., writes: “_I received the Ameri¬ 
can Agriculturist Microscope a few days since. It is cer¬ 
tainly a very neat and complete little instrument in every 
particular. Some inexperienced may have expected 
something as large as a telescope, but to me it is a mys¬ 
tery that yon areable to get up so complete an instrument, 
and send it out at the remarkably low price asked of 
subscribers. Ttie rubber work is neatly finished, and I 
know the grinding of the lens is an expensive operation. 
... .But the object of this letter is to suggest a small cap 
or ball for the top of the standard... .Having a lathe, I 
turned a neat little brass cap for the top, tapering the top 
end of the wire for 14 -inch to slip it on. We think it 
even adds to the finish, and is not the least in the way. 
Yon might suggest topping the wire with gutta percha 
or sealing wax.... A friend writes me that he is exceed¬ 
ingly anxious to get his American Agriculturist Micro¬ 
scope, and try it on a ten-cent piece, and see if it will 
magnify it up to ten dollars.” —[That will lie attended to 
by Congress, perhaps.'] 
Sleeping: Upon Iron.— A reader need 
not be very old to recollect the cumbrous mahogany bed¬ 
stead, with its four high posts, and massive headboard. 
Gradually the posts disappeared, and after a while it was 
found that in many cases a neat light iron bed-stead ivas 
preferable to a wooden one. The bed has undergone no 
less striking changes. It is not long since “feathers” 
and “ bed ” were synonymous, and a family must be poor, 
indeed, if it did not own its feather-beds. At last con¬ 
siderations not only of health, but of comfort, have driven 
out feathers, and no one accustomed to a mattress of 
curled hair for a few weeks would return to feathers. But 
everyone could not afford curled hair, and numerous have 
been the substitutes. Southern “ moss,” sponge, palm- 
leaf, com-husks, (not a bad substitute if prepared at 
home, but miserable if done at the factory), and various 
other materials down to wood shavings and straw have 
been used. At last, some one hit upon—of all things in 
the world, the most unpromising for a bed— iron. There 
are now offered iron—or iron wire—mattresses of various 
kinds. One that we have had in use for some months is 
made by the “National Wire Mattress Co., New Britain, 
Conn.” The makers claim that “ it can not sag.” We 
know that it has not sagged, and that it is as e’astic and 
pleasant ns one need wish. With a foundation of this 
kind, the mattress, or bed alone, is of much less conse¬ 
quence, than with the old styles. The wire mattress re¬ 
ferred to lias the merit of being packed into a small space, 
and is so simple that any one may set it up. After a trial 
of several months, we are quite satisfied that it combines 
many useful qualities, including comfort and cleanliness. 
Its appearance when set up is shown by the engraving 
on the last cover page of this number. 
Sales of Poland-Cliina Swine.— 
D. M. Magie & Co., Oxford, Ohio, report sales of pigs 
for 1S77 as follows:—January, 35 ; February, 34 ; March, 
20; April, 7; May, 21; June, 62; July, 113; August, 48 ; 
Sept., 37; Oct., 41; Nov., 50; Doc., 43. Total, 611. 
Books for Poult rymen. — “C. S. M.,” 
Effingham, N. H. For beginners in the poultry business 
some useful hints may be gathered from “ An Egg Farm,” 
by n. n. Stoddard, (price 75c.), and the “ Poultry Farm 
and Market,” by Prof. Corbett, (price 76c.). These books 
arc sent post-paid from tills office, on receipt of the price. 
Preserve tlac Numbers.— The numbers 
of this Journal during a year, bound, or stitched together, 
make a good-size double-quarto Volume, the reading 
matter of which would make many $1.50 books in ordi- ■ 
nary book type. There are at least 600 larger and smaller 
engravings. With index supplied in December, it is easy 
to refer to any desired topic or article. Mr. Sam’l Smythe, 
of Pittston, Pa., writes similarly to many others:—“I 
have taken the American Agriculturist ten years, and 
always carefully preserve and bind the numbers. Nothing 
else in the house so much interests visitors, as well as 
members of my own family, as thege bound volumes of the 
American Agriculturist.” 
Pringle’s New Wlaeuts.—In an item 
last month, we omitted to say that these very promising 
wheats were offered by Messrs. B. K. Bliss & Sons, 
but their advertisement was so conspicuous that those 
interested can have hardly failed to see it. 
CSooil News for Eon**' Islsistc! Farm, 
era and Gardener.?.— Long Island is one of the 
great market gardens that supply New York City. Much 
of its soil is warm, light, and well adapted to raising 
farm and garden “ truck.” The breezes from the south, 
coming over the Gulf Stream, temper its climate, and even 
the northern winds are more or less modified in passing 
over Long Island Sound. Thewestem end of theisland, 
as far out as can be connected with the New York market 
by a day’s wagoning, has long been a great market gar¬ 
den. The long lines of market wagons bound towards 
New York every evening, and during the night, and 
homeward bound during the forenoon, have been a strik¬ 
ing feature on the roads of the Island. The expenses for 
teams, wagons, drivers,and tolls on roads and ferries, have 
been a heavy draft upon the profits of the producers— 
expenses which are now in a way to be greatly lessened. 
Thanks to the enterprise and public spirit of such men 
as Conrad Poppenhausen, and others. Long Island is 
thoroughly intersected by railroads. A circular recently 
issued by Sam’l. Spencer, Esq., General Supt. of the rail¬ 
roads,addressed to Truck Farmers and Deaiers.annonnces 
that during the coming season “ Prompt and fast Freight 
Trains, at satisfactory Freight Rates will be run. at such 
hours as will best suit the requirements of shippers, and 
of the market dealers. Truck gathered one day can be 
shipped to market that night, and if necessary, trains 
will be stopped at other than the regular stations to receive 
the freight of those shippers who would otherwise be 
subjected to long hauls to depots. Arrangements have 
also been perfected for the delivering in market of ship¬ 
ments from parties that may not have provided such 
facilities for themselves. It is the intention of the Man¬ 
agement to offer every possible convenience to shippers.” 
Here is a corporation with a soul I What do our Western 
friends, who have so strongly, and often justly com¬ 
plained of the arbitrary rules of their railroads, think of 
this? But hotter still; Sam’l. Spencer, Esq., does not 
