374 
REVIEW OF THE SEPTEMBER NO. OF THE AGRICULTURIST. 
Neuroptera. —This order is composed of masti¬ 
cating insects, having four wings, two of which 
are always transparent, the other two being in 
some, clear, in others, opaque. As respects their 
wings this order may be mistaken for the Hemi- 
tera, but the difference between the two orders may 
e immediately distinguished by their mouths, the 
Neuroptera having strong jaws for devouring their 
food by mastication, while the Hemiptera have 
none, but are.supplied with a proboscis for suction. 
The principal divisions are represented by the 
dragon-flies, cockroaches, grasshoppers, locusts, 
&c. Dipterous insects connect the Ptilota or four¬ 
winged class with that of the Aptera or wingless 
insects. L. T. Talbot. 
REVIEW OF THE SEPTEMBER NO. OF 
THE AGRICULTURIST. 
French Mode of Making Apple Butter. —Now, 
with all due deference to French cooking, I do not 
believe that this French dish is a better condiment 
than the old-fashioned Yankee apple sauce, when 
Composed of three-fourths rich, sweet apples, and 
one-fourth quinces, thoroughly cooked in good 
sweet cider, after boiling five gallons into one. 
[Neither do we, and we wish we knew where we 
could get a half barrel of it for our winter supplies.] 
I am sure the domestic is the best, but let those 
who can, try both. Who will tell how the west¬ 
ern or southern apple butter is made ? In a journey 
we once made from Massachusetts, through those 
states, we found this article good and cheap. [We 
hope some of our readers will answer our corre¬ 
spondent in the matter of apple butter.'] 
Preservation of Apples. —Strike out from the 
directions for packing all the articles but the sand, 
and be sure it is very clean, very dry, and that it 
Alls all the interstices so that no two apples touch. 
Any warm upper room is better to keep the cask in 
than a cellar, unless it is a very cool one, and un¬ 
usually dry. It will take a very hard frost to in¬ 
jure fruit so packed. All kinds of vegetables may 
be preserved a long time fresh in the same way. f 
have known potatoes so kept at sea, much longer 
than any other way. One voyage in particular I 
recollect, our decks were often swept by the sea 
breaking over them, and leaking down through the 
hatchway among the potatoes, endangering them by 
the moisture. Who knows but potatoes might be 
kept thus from being affected in winter by the rot ? 
£We doubt whether sand-packing would preserve 
them, but are confident fine charcoal dust would. 
The latter would also be a much better preservative 
at sea, as it is a great absorber of moisture.] 
Such articles as these are among the most valuable 
of a work like the Agriculturist, but the directions 
should always be very plain and simple, and, 
above all, correct. 
Importation of Pure-bred Merino Sheep. —I am 
well pleased that we have got one importation of 
pure Merinos, about which there can be no dispute. 
It is pleasing to see such a devotion of wealth to 
such a national object of benefit to the cultivators of 
American soil, as this act of Mr. Taintor, who is 
entitled to receive a meed of praise from all the 
friends of agricultural improvement in the country. 
It as £ great pity that many other men of wealth do 
not “ occupy their leisure hours with as useful a 
hobby.” It is my opinion that this kind of fine- 
woolled sheep, taking all things into consideration, 
are the very best of any in the United States for 
profitable wool-growing. Though, indeed, I enter¬ 
tain serious fears that, under the new tariff, that 
branch of American industry is destined to be 
prostrated. [We have no fears of the kind. We 
will turn out American intelligence, industry, and 
perseverance, in growing wool, against the whole 
world, tariff or no tariff.] 
Patent Fence. —I do abhor this disposition to 
patent every new thought. In fact, this is not 
new, and is unworthy a patent. I have thought 
and talked of the same plan years ago, but gave it 
up as worthless. The interest on the cost extra 
over wood posts, will amount to enough and more, 
than to pay for replacing them. I cannot discover 
“ its cheapness.” And unless made very heavy, 
these posts will not prove “ imperishable.” They 
are not so strong as stone; and unless very hard 
burnt, will rot about as soon as locust or cedar 
timber, and be very likely to be broken by frost. If 
this country must continue for ever to be taxed one 
hundred millions of dollars a year for useless 
fencing, the sooner we commence building iron 
fences the better. (See January No., page 171.) 
I mean my language to be plain enough to show 
that I am not“ on the fence.” 
Symptoms of Disease in Animals. —Will you 
please to tell us where to feel the pulse, and how to 
know whether it is “ full and frequent,” or not? 
Otherwise this article is not of much practical benefit 
to us unlearned diggers of the soil. Veterinary 
surgical knowledge is at a very low ebb in this 
country. [The poets say, “ there is a pulse in 
every vein ;” so now, Mr. Reviewer, we think you 
will be at no loss to find it. If you are, call upon 
the arteries ; and if you cannot find these, the next 
time you skin an animal, just map them out on a 
paper or wooden animal, and set the same up on 
your kitchen mantel-piece for the study of yourself 
and family. All this is easier done than plowing 
straight lines.] 
Use of Gypsum, fyc. —Although you cs presume 
that most intelligent farmers are perfectly acquainted 
with everything concerning it,” I assure you that 
not one-tenth of them know anything about it. To 
many of your readers, I presume your remarks of 
its uses and benefits will be new; and it will also 
be new for them to learn, that by using a small 
quantity of gypsum at a trifling expense, they may 
absorb and prevent nearly all of the unpleasant 
smell of a privy, &c. Will one in ten do it ? Tan 
bark applied daily will effect the same purpose; so 
will ashes or lime in a great measure. 
Anderson’s Patent Hammer. —Of all the improve¬ 
ments ever made upon this important and indispen¬ 
sable little tool, this last is undoubtedly the best. 
The greatest wonder is, why it was not thought 
of before. 
Tomatos. —Of all the modes of cooking them 
there is none quite equal to “ our way.” Scald 
and peel them ; then stew them in their own liquor 
a long time, till there are no lumps; then add 
crumbs of dry bread to absorb nearly all the juice. 
They are good when first cooked while hot, and 
equally good when cold, or when warmed up again. 
