323 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
Every German Cultivator and Laborer 
on the Farm, or lit the Garden, OUGHT 
to have the German American Agriculturist, and thou¬ 
sands of new subscribers are taking it this year. It 
contains not only the Engravings and all the essential 
reading matter of the American edition, but an additional 
Special Gentian Department , edited by the Hon. Frederick 
MUncli, of Missouri, a skillful and successful cultivator 
and excellent writer. No other German Agricultural or 
Horticultural Journal in America has been solongissued; 
no othercontaius so much useful information andso many 
engravings. ] 
Reliable Business Men, those who have 
both the ability and the intention, to do what they 
promise, are the only ones invited to use the business- 
pages of this journal, and those in charge of that depart¬ 
ment are under positive instructions to admit no.others 
at any price, and they try to live up to it, and generally 
do, though once in a while they may make a mistake—to 
err is human—but this seldom occurs. We could make a 
fortune in a single year, and supply the paper at lower 
rates, if the advertising pages were thrown open to those 
who gladly pay high prices, as they can afford to, 
because they give little for much. But we mean our ad¬ 
vertising pages shall be a valuable source of trustworthy 
information to our readers.—When ordering from, or cor¬ 
responding with any of our advertisers, or sending for 
catalogues, etc., it is well to state that you are a reader 
of this Journal. They will know what we expect, and 
what you expect of them as to prompt and fair treatment. 
Trade With Sandwich Islands.— Mr. J. B. 
Castle, a resident of Honolulu, referring to Mr. Bellamy's 
article in the American Agriculturist for August, says: 
The history of the reciprocity treaty, and the statistics of 
trade between the United States and Hawaiian Islands, 
show the treaty in a highly favorable light. It is not a 
mere question of the absolute amount of coin paid into 
the U. S. Treasury, but a choice between a small inac¬ 
tive trade, and an intimate, prosperous commercial rela¬ 
tion between this country and a natural source of supply 
for the Pacific Coast. The report of the Stat istical Bureau 
at Washington, shows the increase alone of our exports to 
the Sandwich Islands to be nearly equal to the amount 
annually paid for duties previous to the treaty. Its ten¬ 
dency steadily and strongly turning trade from other 
countries to this, and assisting our manufacturers to a 
free competition in supplying the Islands. Could you 
give the space, it would be easy to show any intelligent 
and thoughtful inquirer the real reciprocity of the treaty. 
For want of time and space I omit reference to other 
statements of Mr. Bellamy — but I hope all interested will 
refer to the statistics and reports of the working of the 
treaty, published in Washington, April 17, 1878. 
Advantages of a Feed-Cutter. —“A. D.,” Du 
Quoin, III., writes, that in 1S71, he hand 30 acres of land, 
4 cows, and a pair of mules, for which he found it difficult 
to provide fodder. For economy, he bought a feed-cutter, 
and then had plenty of feed and increased his stock. This 
increased his manure, and that doubled the supply of 
feed. The stock was again added to, and at present there 
are 22 head of cattle and horses on the 30 acres, and more 
feed than can be used. He now has a steam engine at¬ 
tached to a large-sized cutter. His prosperity dates from 
the day he used a fodder cutter. 
Simple Signals for Rifle Ranges, Farm¬ 
ers, etc.— Since sending page 347 to press, several 
trials have been made of “ talking at a distance,” with 
gratifying results. After a few minutes’ practice, a boy 
at a distance called off the numbers 23, 3, 23; 322; 21, 
1, 113, 113; 32, 11; 11, 212, 2, 132; 322; 211, 1. 132, 32, 2, 
211 (“ did the ball go over the target ? ”) almost as fast as 
we could indicate the figures with our bands, and he 
promptly signalled back with his hands: 122, 11; 3, 211; 
213, 2, 122, 211; 211, 11; 322; 132, 3, 32, 33, 211 (“Wo; it 
went to the right"). In shooting at long range, 500, 800, 
000, or 1.000 yards, it is desirable to be able to readily 
communicate with the marker, and this mode will be 
found very convenient. Even if the whole alphabet be 
not used, it will be easy to arrange a few numbers to re¬ 
present the most common requirements, as 132 ‘for: 
“Repeat your examination of the target” (right hand 
up, left hand out, right hand out, 1, 3, 2), and so of other 
sentences. Hunters can use this sign language for silent 
communication about game appearing, or otherwise. 
The Farmer, by having the table of letters and numbers 
learned by all on the farm, which can be quickly done, 
will have the easy means of communicating with men or 
boys in distant fields, and thus save a world of steps. 
Winter Oats. —“G. H. A.” An experiment with 
winter oats last season was a complete failure with us. 
They grew until the latter part of the winter, when every 
spire was destroyed. We do not advise any one to risk 
sowing them for a crop, so far north as the latitude of 
New York, until tested in a small way first. 
NortU Carolina is having good work done in its 
Agricultural Department, by Dr. Le Due, its chemist, in 
the important fertilizer question. His labors have tended 
to place the manufacture and trade on a reliable basis, 
which means much when it is considered that about one 
million dollar’s worth of fertilizers are sold and used in 
that State every year. We understand that preparations 
are now being made for more extensive experimental 
work and investigations under the auspicies of the De¬ 
partment, and that an excellent assistant chemist, Mr. 
Geo. Warnecke, who first came from Germany by invita- 
i tion to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station 
at Middletown, has already been engaged. 
Bat Guano.- “W. W.,” Round Rock, Tex. This 
manure is not yet in the market as a commercial article. 
Its composition varies widely, according as it is pure, or 
mixed with inert matters, or been wet or dry. It is 
especially valuable for the nitrogen it contains, the pro¬ 
portion of which varies from one to ten per cent; it also 
contains from J to -If per cent of phosphoric acid. Its 
value, compared with commercial fertilizers, is from $10 
to $10 per ton. Bat guano, found in the caves frequented 
by these animals, will make a good manure, especially 
for grains, but may also be used with profit on any crop 
requiring a strong manure, not rich in potash. 
Tomato Catsup.— There is a wonderful difference 
among the various articles called Tomato Catsup, from 
the rich sauce, so thick it will hardly pour, to the thin, 
watery stuff that would not keep but for the vinegar and 
salt it contains. Every family should make its own, 
not only as a matter of economy, but of safety. If one 
must buy , avoid the bright red attractive looking com¬ 
pounds, as they are artificially colored. The cheap stuff 
sold to restaurants is made from the peelings and other 
refuse of the canning factories. Good catsup can only 
be made when the fruit is in perfection ; towards the 
end of the season, when the nights get cool, and 
growth is slow, the fruit is watery, and will not yield 
the rich pulp of the best fruit. Select ripe tomatoes, 
cutting away any green portions, cut in pieces, stew 
until thoroughly done, and rub through a sieve fine 
enough to retain the seeds. Evaporate what passes the 
sieve to the desired thickness ; for this, no rules by 
quantity can bo given, as a bushel of some tomatoes will 
yield twice as much pulp as others. The evaporation 
should go on over a slow fire, being careful not to scorch 
it. When thick enough to pour from a cruet, without 
inconvenience, add salt and spices. Here the recipes 
give the greatest possible variety. Be sure and use salt 
enough ; a chopped onion, or clove of garlic, tied in a 
cloth and cooked in the pulp, to give just a suspicion of 
the flavor, is liked by many; Allspice, Black Pepper, 
Cayenne, and Mustard, are the principal spices, and are 
used according to the taste of the consumers. One re¬ 
cipe directs for a half bushel of tomatoes ; Cloves, two 
teaspoonfuls, Cinnamon, Allspice, and Black Pepper, 
two tablespoonfuls each ; these are not to be ground, 
but bruised, placed in a little bag and boiled, in the 
pulp while it is being evaporated ; when the pulp is 
thick enough, remove the bag and add Mustard, ground, 
two tablespoonfuls ; Cayenne Pepper, two teaspooufuls ; 
good Vinegar, two quarts, and salt to the taste. Another 
recipe uses all ground spices, viz.: For the pulp from f 
bushel of fruit: Allspice and Cloves, J oz. each ; Mus¬ 
tard, If oz. Black Popper, 3 oz. ; Mace, f oz. ; Cayenne, 
i oz.; Salt, 6 oz. or sufficient, and Vinegar, 2 qts. Add 
the spices, boil a minute or two, cool, and bottle. 
Cucumber Catsup.—This recipe, given several 
years ago, is republished by request. Take overgrown 
cucumbers, before they turn yellow, peel, and grate on a 
very coarse grater. Allow the pulp to drain on a colan¬ 
der, then sift through a coarse sieve to separate the 
seeds. Half fill wide-mouthed bottles or preserving jars 
with this pulp, and fill up with good vinegar. When 
served, add salt and pepper. It has precisely the odor 
and flavor of fresh cucumbers, and makes an acceptable 
accompaniment to cold meats. In our first attempt at 
making this, finding no grater coarse enough, and hav¬ 
ing a large cover which had outlived the wash-boiler to 
which it belonged, using a large nail, we converted this 
into a grater, which, if not handsome, was efficient. 
Lassell Seminary, Auburndale, Mass., presents 
features too seldom found in educational institutions for 
girls, in being especially strong in those branches of study 
bearing on'domestic life. The practical methods of 
training adopted, are spoken of in high terms by people 
familiar with the working of the school. 
Pastilring Grass Fields, especially newly- 
seeded stubbles, is a bad practice, and recognized as 
such by most good farmers in this country. In other 
countries, and in sections of this where the ground does 
not freeze hard, it may do no harm, indeed be a positive 
benefit to graze fattening animals on grass fields, as then 
there is no danger of damage by frost, and the droppings 
[September, 
of the cattle serve to enrich the land. But in the colder 
regions, the grass roots want all the protection from 
frost that the uncut aftermath provides. Instead of 
feeding such lands, particularly those newly seeded, it is 
more profitable to fertilize them, either with a fine com¬ 
post or some artificial fertilizer. Fall applications of 
manure strengthen and multiply the grass roots, and 
put the plants in a vigorous condition to withstand the 
winter, and for an early start in spring. All fertilizers 
should be applied to grass as early in the season as pos¬ 
sible-better immediately after haying—so that it may 
be used in this season’s growth. If not applied until 
late, much of it may be wasted by leaching in light soil, 
and washing away cn heavy lands. It is said above that 
fattening cattle only were suitable for grazing grass 
fields. This is because that in the production of fat 
none of the elements of fertility—save those supplied in 
abundance by nature—are taken from the land, all of 
these being returned in the feces. But a growing ani¬ 
mal takes large amounts of phosphates for its bones, 
and of nitrogen for its muscle ; and a milch cow takes 
phosphates for her milk ; both take some potash. This 
fact should always be remembered, that mature fatten¬ 
ing animals do not deteriorate the land, while growing 
animals and milch cows draw on its fertility. 
Mistakes About Goats.—" W. II.,” Watertown, 
Mass. Goats do not have kids four times a year, nor two 
or more at a birth. All hope of profit or fortune from 
such increase as that will have to be abandoned. Goats 
increase the same as sheep, and are no more prolific. 
Fucking Mutter (or Winter.— “Mrs. V.,” 
Summit Park, Col. To pack butter for winter, begin 
when the weather is cool, and the butter can be kept 
hard. Free the butter from milk by repeated washing 
with cold spring water. Salt at the rate of one ounce to 
the pound, and set the butter away for 24 hours. Then 
re-work, getting all the milky brine away, and add one- 
fourth as much salt as before, to replace the waste. Then 
pack closely in layers two inches thick in clean, new, 
white oak tubs or pails, which have been scalded and 
soaked in brine. When the tub is full to the top, cover 
the butter with a piece of muslin dipped in cold water, 
and cover with salt. Fasten the cover, and put away in 
a dry, cool cellar. 
Exports and fiitiports. —The family that pro¬ 
duces and sells more than is bought, is growing richer. 
So with a nation. The official reports for the fiscal year 
up to July 1st, shows that this country sent abroad of its 
products to the amount of $352,049,639, while it imported 
only $285,757,455--a gain to us of $76,292,184. The ex¬ 
port of our products, exclusive of specie, were $51,327,- 
709 greater than for the year ending July 1, 1877, and 
$77,808,842 greater than for the year ending July 1, 1876. 
The Colorado ESeede.— Experience shows that 
we have this enemy in our power, if we only make use of 
the simple means at hand for putting an end to him. In 
many localities the beetles and larva; are but few 
in number, and the potato vines are strong and vig¬ 
orous. For these reasons we hear farmers say, “the- 
beetle is doing no harm, it is not worth while to bother 
with him.” So the pest is left to gather force for another 
year. If every one possible were destroyed, but few 
would go into winter quarters, to appear next season. 
While the beetles are thus reduced in numbers, we may 
effectively prevent them from doing much harm next 
season, by poisoning all of the late brood wherever they 
may be found. This is a duty every man owes the- 
community, and no one should be so selfish or unmind¬ 
ful of other's rights, or convenience, as to neglect it. 
The American Agriculturist in Japan.— 
S. Tsuda, Editor of the “No-Gio Laslii,” the Japanese 
agricultural journal, mentioned some months ago, 
writes: “Let me assure you that your paper has been of- 
great benefit to the Japanese... .It is my great desire to 
make the “No-Gio Lashi ” to Japan, what the American 
Agriculturist is to America and the rest of the world.” 
As to Sowing' Wheat.— “ T. S. C. H.,” Essex 
Co.. Mass. Very full directions for sowing wheat will he 
found in the monthly “ hints for work.” The soil must 
be well drained, or wheat will not thrive, and it will be 
liable to be heaved out by frost and winter killed. The 
Clawson wheat is now very popular. Wheat straw is of 
little vaiue for feed, without a generous mixture of ground 
grain and roots, say corn and turnips ; but neither of 
them is good for growing and fattening animals. 
Information About Poultry. —“B. C. E.,” 
Port Robinson, Out. It would be misleading to give 
estimates of what can lie done in poultry raising with¬ 
out knowing all the facts in the case. General informa¬ 
tion can lie had from the following hooks: “ An Egg 
Farm,” by Stoddard; “ Wright’s Practical Poultry 
Keeper,” and "Poultry Farm and Market,” by CorbelL 
