320 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
[August, 
tica dioica , which is naturalized in this country, especial¬ 
ly in the older States, where it is found along road sides 
and in waste places—a plant which the old herbalist, Cul¬ 
pepper, said could be “ found by feeling in the darkest 
night.” In the wild state it is only two or three ft. high, 
but in rich soil it will reach 6 to 10 feet. It is a,perenni¬ 
al, and a plantation, with manuring every two years, is 
said to he productive for 12 to 15 years... .It, should not 
be forgotten that, at the time of the Ramie excitement, 
our friend, Sam'] Miller, then of Bluffton, Mo., suggest¬ 
ed that our native Wood-Nettle (formerly Urtica Cana¬ 
densis. , hut now) Laportea Canadensis , would yield quite 
as good a fibre as Ramie, and he sent seeds to all who 
wished to try it. Had not Mr. Miller, after his nature, 
been free-handed with the seeds, but charged $1 for 10 
seeds, we should probably have heard of the results. 
The Death of Doct, Moore.— Death has been 
busy among European horticulturists during the present 
year, and now the name of Doctor David Moore, the 
well known Curator of the Botanic Garden of the Royal 
Dublin Society at Glasnevin, is added to the already 
long list. Doct. Moore is mentioned as a model Cura¬ 
tor, and his name has long been prominently connect¬ 
ed with important botanical and horticultural work. He 
introduced many new plants, and has of late been noted 
for his success in hybridizing the Sarracenias—our 
native Pitcher Plants, which, in his hands, gave interest¬ 
ing results. The “ Gardeners’ Chronicle,” in its issue 
for June 14th. gives a likeness of Doct. Moore, which is 
a model of excellence in the way of a portrait upon wood. 
Catlisli Spawn. —A subscriber inquires for the 
spawn of Catfish, evidently supposing it can be trans¬ 
ported for stocking new waters in that condition. We 
are not aware that the spawn of Catfish has ever been 
taken by pisciculturists. Their attention has been di¬ 
rected, very properly, mainly to the propogation of fish 
of the best quality, and of greatest commercial impor¬ 
tance—the various members of the Salmon family and 
the Shad. The Catfish is of inferior quality, and hardly 
worth cultivating where anything better is within reach. 
The Orystes nigricans , the Northern Black Bass, and the 
Orystes salmoides , or Southern Black Bass, are much bet¬ 
ter fish, and the latter flourish in many of the Southern 
and Western rivers, where Catfish are found. It is not 
difficult to transport them alive for several hundred 
miles, and it is by this method that new waters are gen¬ 
erally stocked. They are both game fish, and it will pay 
to plant both of these species in suitable waters. 
Sq siasli Jam.— It is very amusing to find the Eng¬ 
lish horticultural journals discussing the question of 
jam from the Vegetable Marrow, which is, in England, a 
poor substitute for our squashes. One writer says, that 
for the production of jam, “ the Vegetable Marrow stands 
unrivalled_The white-fleshed marrow, naturally pro¬ 
duces the palest jam, but the flesh of the darker kinds, 
especially that of the Ohio squash, [whatever that may 
be], not only produces the richest color in the preserve, 
but also the best flavor.” The same writer adds, “ much 
depends upon the making.”—A remark that applies 
equally to stone soup. We have known preserves to be 
made from tomatoes and sugar, and have even seen peo¬ 
ple eat them, as if they liked them—but squash jam! 
“American Jute.” —“V. C. R.,” Mendon, Ill., 
writes that the article in the July number on “ American 
Jute,” is “ interesting, and queer reading for this part of 
the country.” He states that the plant, Abutilon Avi¬ 
cenna, Indian Mallow, or Velvet Leaf, is one of the worst 
weeds in this part of the State, and that it frequently 
grows 10 feet or more in hight. That when a field is 
once seeded with it, there is scarcely a possibility of 
killing it out, some thinking that the seed will remain 
in the ground 10 or 15 years, and germinate when the 
land is broken up again. We suppose that the “queer¬ 
ness” of the article, is in the idea, that a plant, such 
a pest with him, should be elsewhere encouraged. As 
the fibre is in perfection before the seed is formed, the 
fact that it may be a troublesome weed, will not stand 
in the way of its cultivation, should it be found profitable. 
Tlie “Tribune” and tlie Ailanllius.— 
The New York Daily “ Tribune,” in common with other 
city papers, has had its annual denunciation of the 
Ailanthus as a street tree. It sets forth in language 
strong and truthful the fact that the most unpleasant 
odor of the flowers quite unfits it to be planted near 
dwellings. It says “ everybody knows it as a street tree, 
where it is a nuisance unmitigated save by the single 
fact that it does not harbor worms or insects, because no 
self-respecting worm can be induced to approach it.” 
The truth of this assertion rests upon the self-respecting 
character of the insect, or “ worm.” We never knew 
entomologists, who are supposed to know insects moral¬ 
ly as well as structurally, to charge Saturnia Cynthia 
tvith any want of “ self-respect,” yet that has such a de¬ 
cided preference for the Ailanthus leaves over all other 
food that it lias received for this reason, the popular 
name of “Ailanthus Silk-worm.” This insect, by the 
way, has become quite naturalized in parts of Brooklyn, 
and in some streets the trees are, or were a few years 
ago, a greater nuisance on account of the “ worms” they 
harbored than for their odor. Besides, other insects do 
feed upon the Ailanthus. It is one of the curious facts 
concerning the daily paper, that it can not write about 
plants without making some ridiculous blunder. The 
“ Tribune ” is not alone in this respect, but its comicali¬ 
ties in this line are all the more conspicuous for the 
reason that it asserts itself as a farmer’s paper. 
Pocket Gopliers.— Our notes on Gophers last 
month, have called out the experience of several, who 
have successfully destroyed them. The use of Strychnine, 
which we have mentioned many times during the past 15 
years, still seems to be the chief reliance. The method 
of administering it, as given by “J. O. M.,” Sauk Centre, 
Minn., will serve as a sample of several notes of the same 
purport. Hesays: “Take a small potato, and insert a grain 
of the poison in each end, place it in their underground 
path, leaving a small opening, to let in the light. The 
Gopher will come to fill up the hole, and stop the light, 
find the potato, and that ends him.For ground 
squirrels, I soak corn, open the “ chit ” with the point of 
a small knife-blade, insert a grain of Strychnine in each 
kernel, and scatter the corn in the front door of their 
habitations. By ‘ grain,' of Strychnine, I mean a very 
small quantity indeed.” Of course so deadly a poison 
as Strychnine, should be kept where no accident may 
happen from carlessness. In new countries it is so freely 
used, to poison wolves, and is sold for that purpose, in 
tlie smallest country stores, that it is a wonder that no 
more accidents occur. Perhaps its most intense bitter¬ 
ness is a safe guard against this dreadful poison. 
Carrying tlie Head to One Side.—“II. J. 
R.,” Rockland Co., N. Y. A colt that carries the head to 
one side may be trained aright by fastening a thin, light, 
stiff hickory rod to the collar and to the ring of the bridle 
when driving. A check-rein fastened tightly on the op¬ 
posite side would prevent the habit. 
Fruit as Food. —The liberal use of the various 
fruits as food is conducive to good health. Fruit is not a 
solid and lasting aliment like beef and bread, as it is 
composed largely of water, and contains very little nitro¬ 
gen. It does not give strength, to any great extent, and 
cannot be used for a very long time alone. But fruits 
contain those acids which both refresh, and give tone to 
the system during the season when it is most needed ; 
are agreeable to the palate, and valuable in their cooling 
and health-giving effects. During warm weather eat a 
plenty of fruit, provided, of course, that it is always 
thoroughly ripe and as freshly gathered as is possible. 
Horse Gnawing a Manger. — “II. G. B.” 
writes that he completely cured a horse of the habit of 
gnawing the manger and halter straps by saturating the 
woodwork and straps with kerosene oil. One thorough 
application produced a permanent cure. 
Insuring a Good Crop.— “T. B. P.,”Goldsboro, 
N. C. If we, or any other persons, could “ give a plan that 
would insure good crops on poor, hard land,” it would 
leave nothing to be desired in the way of accumulating a 
fortune. But. the method has not yet been discovered, 
and is hardly likely to be at present. Perhaps the best 
plan under the circumstances would be to plow and har¬ 
row thoroughly, to get the soil in good tilth, and kill 
all the weeds possible, and sow the crop with what fer¬ 
tilizer can be afforded. If one can not get all that he 
wishes for, lie must be content with the best he can get. 
Holding for Higher Prices.— “II. M.,” Hal¬ 
stead, Ivans, if will be found that to sell one’s products 
of whatever kind, so soon as they are ready for market, 
is the best in the long run. To hold for higher prices is 
to speculate ; and in the majority of cases, to speculate is 
to lose. If the price is not satisfactory, one may hold His 
property, but as soon as products are ready for sale, and 
they are not sold, losses of various kinds begin to occur, 
and wool is subject to damage and loss as well as grain. 
If stored in a very dry time, it loses weight and depreci¬ 
ates in quality, and this should be considered. There 
does not seem to be any prospect of an excited recovery 
of business; after so long a depression, things will prob¬ 
ably move slowly, and the slower the surer, perhaps. 
Spring Wheat in Indiana. — “D. L. E.,” 
Shelby Co., Ind. Shelby Co., Ind., is not a spring wheat 
section. In 1810, about 700,000 bushels of winter wheat 
were grown in that country, and not a bushel of spring 
wheat. It is not safe or wise to act in opposition to the 
general practice of any locality. Customs are fixed a3 
the results of experience, and in growing wheat, the con¬ 
ditions of the climate fix the boundaries of profitable cul¬ 
ture of the two varieties, spring and winter wheat. 
Spring wheat needs a cool season; winter wheat needs 
a moderate winter, and will stand hot spring weather 
which would destroy spring wheat. 
Plowing by Electricity.— This is the latest, 
but it has been done with perfect success in Sermaize, a 
three horse-power machine being used. 
Trouble witli Butter.— “ Mrs. M.” It is un¬ 
usual to have trouble with the churning when cows are 
turned to grass; generally it is the reverse, and the 
butter comes sooner. Blue-Grass, called June-Grass in 
some places, makes excellent butter, and is considered 
superior pasturage, when young; when old and dry, it 
is perhaps the poorest grass for milk, and it may be that 
your Blue-Grass lias passed its best stage, and lias be¬ 
come dry and woody. A small quantity of green corn- 
fodder given daily might remove the difficulty. 
The Charleston Phosphates are found in a 
great geological basin, which extends over many hun¬ 
dreds of thousands of acres, and the supply is practically 
inexhaustible. When treated witli Sulphuric Acid, it 
gives about 12 per cent of the Superphosphate of Lime. 
Nearly two-tliirds of the 200,000 tons annually “ mined,” 
goes to England. 
Tethers for Cows.— We are asked which is the 
best Tether, and refer our inquirer to the one described 
and figured in the August number, page 298, of the 
American Agriculturist for 1878. 
The Changes of the Season are the most 
critical times with animals, because important changes 
are then made in their food and consequently in their 
nutrition. This affects the entire system, and the more 
easily animals are let down from one kind of feeding to 
another, and the more nearly an even balance is kept, the 
more healthy they will be. Good feed one day or sea¬ 
son, and poor feed another, and frequent irregularities, 
cause many of the diseases of cattle. 
Beet Sugar. —France produced last season over 
eight hundred million pounds of beet sugar. They have 
over 500 successful manufactories. There would seem to 
be no reason why we can not compete with the old world 
in this industry, except the higher cost of our labor. 
Iiive Stock. —Stock that has been running upon the 
pastures, usually require but little extra attention up to 
this time. Now that the pastures are becoming dry and 
hard, it is well to supply the animals with some extra 
food. But two months more come between summer and 
what may be considered winter as regards foddering. It 
is time now to consider what should be done to bring the 
stock into good order for the winter, remembering that 
to go into winter quarters in good condition is conducive 
to thrift all through the coming season. 
Phylloxera and Black Rot.- Professor C. Y. 
Riley, who has given a great deal of attention to this 
subject, is confident that there is no relation of cause or 
effect between these two serious troubles of the grape. 
1st, the Black Rot does not accompany, nor follow the 
Phylloxera in Europe. 2nd, in many cases those least 
affected by the Phylloxera suffer most from the Rot. 
The Floating' Apiary of Mr. Perrine’s, so much 
talked of last year, was in reality a failure, and the enter¬ 
prise is abandoned. So many bees left the hives and 
never returned, that a floating apiary does not succeed. 
Pleiiro-Pneunionia has diminished greatly in 
those European countries where inoculation for it has 
been introduced. We may soon see this terrible cattle 
disease successfully treated by this method, as the dread¬ 
ed small pox is now in the human subject by vaccination. 
Seventeen-Year IiOcnst.— This destructive in¬ 
sect is making its appearance in Missouri. The perfect 
insect lives but a short time, depositing its eggs in the 
branches of the orchard trees and nursery stock. The 
mutilation of the branches, caused by the female insect, 
injures them and causes them to break off. 
Overhanging Trees.— There are sometimes un¬ 
pleasant feelings arising from fruit trees standing near 
and overhanging the boundary lines. In such cases the 
law is that the tree and its fruit belongs wholly to the 
one on whose land the trunk stands, and he has a right 
to pick his fruit from his neighbor’s side. If “on the 
line,” the tree and fruit are to be equally divided. 
Jersey and Alderney.— “J. A. R.,” Delaware, 
Ohio. The Jerseys are frequently called Alderneys, but 
this is wrong, as the two breeds are distinct. These are 
both rich butter makers, but the Jerseys are larger and 
more valuable than the Alderneys. The Jerseys, as a 
breed, are the best butter makers in existence, although 
now and then a cow of another breed may excel them. 
