174 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[Apkil 
Public School Children—Striking Figures. 
We fully believe in providing school privileges at pub¬ 
lic expense, for every child in the United States. The 
people are the sovereign rulers, and no one unable to 
read, write, and add, subtaact, multiply and divide, can 
intelligently rale either himself or others. Whatever 
may be the abstract right, or the expediency, it seems an 
absurdity for a man to cast a ballot which he can not 
read, or to vote for measures or laws which would be 
utterly incomprehensible to him if only written and 
placed before him. But this by the way.—We were just 
examining statistics for 1881 by Hon. Neil Gilmour, 
Superintendent of Public Instruction for New York 
State. He reports over one million attendants at 
the Public Schools during the year (1,021,282). Turning 
to the February American Agriculturist , page 46, we sec 
that the children in the Public Schools in New York out¬ 
number the entire population in each of nineteen States, 
or in exactly half the States in the Union ! 
To supply this education the people of one State 
cheerfully paid out nearly eleven million dollars during 
the year, besides expenses for academies and normal 
schools, and other large sums for private schools, semi¬ 
naries, colleges, etc. And during the past thirty years 
some two hundred and fifty million dollars have been 
expended for the same purpose, while in only ten years 
past over sixteen million dollars have been expended on 
school buildings 
One-fiftieth of the entire population of the United States 
attended the Public Schools of New York during 1881. 
Notwithstanding the constant influx of the ignorant 
population from other lands, nearly 97 persons in every 
100 in New York State, over ten years of age, can read, 
and nearly 96 in every 100 can also write. Again, the 
teachers in 30,826 Public Schools in the single State of 
New York outnumbered the entire United States army, 
officers and men included I We give these figures from 
a single State, as a striking illustration. Some other 
States make even a better showing, in proportion to the 
population. Who shall say that we are not an intelligent 
people, or at least trying to become so ? 
Since putting the above in type, we have gleaned the 
following: In 1879, there were 272,685 teachers in the 
Public Schools of the United States, or more than ten 
teachers to one soldier in our regular army (a capital ex¬ 
ample to the governments of Europe), and an aggregate 
expenditure of over seventy-eight million dollars, 
though, unfortunately, this was only about one dollar 
for each seven dollars expended for liquors—to say noth¬ 
ing of tobacco 1 Then, besides the great number of 
Academies, Seminaries, and Private Schools, there were 
364 Universities and Colleges, having 4,211 instructors, 
and 60,072 students. But, per contra, of the fifteen mil¬ 
lions of school age, that is, four to twenty years old, only 
about nine and a half millions, or not quite ttvo-thirds, 
were enrolled in the public schools ; but of those last, 
however, about two-fifths attended other schools. 
Cotton Seed and Sauflower Seed Meal.— 
“ E. D. It.,” Sullivan Co., Pa., having seen it stated that 
Sunflower-seed meal is nearly as valuable a food as 
Cotton-seed meal, asks if where wood ashes are plenty 
it would not pay to raise sunflower seed for stock in 
preference to buying cotton-seed meal. We should say 
decidedly not, for without reference to the intrinsic value 
of the two, cotton-seed meal is a secondary or by-product. 
So far as we are aware, there is not much demand for 
sunflower seeds for pressing, and if raised solely for 
feeding, would cost vastly more than the cotton-seed, 
which, until recently, was nearly a waste material. 
What is tUe Farmer’s Grape? asks “G. F. 
T.”—Fifteen or twenty years ago, we answered, “The 
Concord.” And taking a view of the matter at present, 
and well aware that there are vastly better grapes we still 
say that, considering the fact that the question is pro¬ 
posed without reference to locality, or the circum¬ 
stances, the soil, the experience of the planter, or the 
care that will be given, we still answer, the “ Concord.” 
Waterproof Boots.—A correspondent of "The 
Garden ” (Eng.), states that the best application for 
rendering boats waterproof, is the fat of fowls, or, as 
we should say, “chicken fat.” (In England one can not 
get “ roast chicken,” but “ roast fowl ” is abundant). 
The fat is saved when the fowls are dressed, melted, 
and applied to the leather as needed. 
Sorgiinm In New J ersey. —The 18th Bulletin, 
issued by Professor Geo. II. Cook, Director of the New 
Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is full of inter¬ 
est, not only to residents of that State, but to those of 
neighboring States. It comes too late for us to make 
extracts from it, and it is sufficient to say, that the re¬ 
sults, in a most unfavorable season, show that, under 
proper conditions, Sorghum may be profitable. The 
chief “condition” being that there shall be in each 
Sorghum growing neighborhood, a mill to work up the 
cane. The idea that every farmer can convert his own 
cane into sugar and syrup, must be abandoned before 
Sorghum culture can take its proper place in our agri¬ 
culture. 
The IMstaiice for Blackberries.— “R. S. T.” 
—It depends upon the soil and variety. In our own 
light, Bandy land, six feet each way. But as we have 
seen Mr. Roe's success with much closer planting, we 
are convinced that, on heavy land like his, he is right in 
making his rows six feet apart, and setting his plants 
every three feet in the row. He keeps his plants cut 
back to four or five feet, and the sight of his bushy 
hedge-like rows, when loaded with fruit, show that this 
closer planting is best for similar soils. 
Artichokes. —" J. G. R.,” Oldfield, Out. Probably 
hogs can be furnished with food more cheaply by means 
of a crop of artichokes than in any other manner. Farm¬ 
ers in the Western States estimate that 40 head of hogs 
and their pigs can be kept for four or five months upon 
the produce of an acre in artichokes. The kind with 
short, round tubers, called “ The Brazilian,” is regarded 
the most productive. 
That Million of Postage Stamps.— “ P. P.,” 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. This 6tamp matter has been re¬ 
vived every how and then for the past fifteen years, ivith 
variations. At one time a young lady could be relieved 
from trouble by them, and at another, a large price 
would be paid for the million of old postage stamps. 
The thing is all a hoax. If the stamps could be cleared 
of the gum upon them, they would be worth the price of 
any other old paper. The thing started years ago in 
England, and at first excited considerable interest. 
Seeds of Osage Orange.— “J G. L.,” Juniata 
County, Pa. To get out the seeds, stack up the balls 
where they will be exposed to the weather and freeze 
and thaw. When mild weather comes, pound them in a 
tub or barrel, and wash away the pulp or refuse by fre¬ 
quent waters; the heavy seed will sink to the bottom. 
To prepare for sowing, pour scalding water over the 
seed and pour off when cold ; then keep the seed moist 
and covered, in a warm place, until they begin to show 
minute sprouts, when they should be sown. 
Worms In a Well. —“S,” Pittston, Pa., is 
troubled in summer by angle-worms which get into his 
well and render the water unfit for use. He has filled in 
around the well to the depth of two feet with coal-ashes 
and cinders, and there is no crevice near the surface 
through which they can enter. Worms go much deeper 
in the ground than is generally supposed. In a dry time 
they go down until they come to permanently moist 
earth, and this is sometimes six feet or more. We 
should think that placing the protecting layer of coal 
ashes much lower than it is at present would prove a 
remedy. Who has had experience in this matter? 
How M li e Si Lime ? asks "A. B. C.,” Tecumseh. 
Mich. The amount of lime to the acre depends so much 1 
upon the condition of the soil, as to vegetable matter, | 
that no rule can be given. From 30 to 150 bushels per 
acre are used, and sometimes much more has been ap¬ 
plied with benefit. Experiment can alone determine the 
quantity best to apply to your land. 
1'acklng Butter to HLeop.—“ .T. J. L.,” Md. It 
is asserted by experienced dairymen that the butter of 
some breeds of cows can not be made to keep. The 
buttermilk must he thoroughly worked out, and only 
the purest salt used ; much depends upon this. The 
head of the tub should not touch the butter, which is to 
be covered with a new cloth dipped in strong brine. 
Keep the butter in a cool place. 
Plaster anil S.irne.— “J. J. L.,” Crisfield. Md. 
Plaster is often applied to clover with beneficial results, 
while on some soils it produces no apparent benefit. 
Experiment only can determine whether it will be of 
use in your case. The usual quantity is two to four 
bushels per acre, the smaller quantity on light soils. The 
question whether ground shells will answer as well as 
burned shells has been answered recently in an article on 
Lime and Limestone. There is the same difference be¬ 
tween burned and unburned shells as between lime and 
ground limestone. 
Ants in the Closet. -“B. W.” The best ant- 
trap we have tried is an ordinary dinner plate, the in¬ 
terior of which, all below the flaring rim, was smeared 
with lard. Lay cards or a few sticks from the shelf to 
the edge of the plate, to afford a bridge upon which the 
insects can pass up to the inside of the plate, and reach 
the lard, of which they are very fond. Of course this 
trap will only succeed where the temperature will keep 
the lard soft and adhesive. From time to time scald out 
the plates, apply fresh lard, and set them anew. 
Rough Rice for Poultry. — "Mrs. A. M. D..” 
Springfield, Ga. Rice is almost pure starch, and we 
should prefer to use it for fattening rather than for lay¬ 
ing fowls. It is desirable to give laying fowls a variety 
of food, and rice may form a part of their rations. 
Buckwheat, oats, and corn are all good, but neither 
should be fed exclusively long at a time. If the fowls 
are shut up and can not get insects, give animal food of 
some kind, scraps of fresh meat, and shells or ground 
bone. Moreover, do not forget fresh vegetables; cab¬ 
bages are excellent; give them the outer leaves and 
stumps, and all parings and refuse of other vegetables. 
Concrete Wall. — “A. .T. B..” Allegan, Mich. You 
can build a very serviceable foundation ■wall by using 
stones in the concrete instead of gravel. 
Royalty on a May Stack. —"B. N. C.,” Bethel, 
Me. It is very difficult to advise in snch cases. Every 
right-minded man, if he has unintentionally infringed 
upon the rights of others, will be ready to make amends. 
On the other hand, the one who claims that he has suf¬ 
fered, if his claim is just, will be easily settled with. 
But there are chaps who go about the country claiming 
royalty on all sorts of devices that have long been in 
common use. Such are swindlers, and their claims 
should be resisted. There are a few things to be observed 
in such cases. A suit for infringement can only be 
brought in a U. S. District Court, and there will be 
abundant time to send to the Patent Office at Washing¬ 
ton for a copy of the alleged patent and its date. If the 
claimant is in the right, he will agree to this. If he ob¬ 
jects, it is an indication that hiB claim is not just. Cases 
of this kind show the need of a Farmers' Club in every 
neighborhood, where such matters can be properly con¬ 
sidered, and farmers can act in concert for their mutual 
benefit and protection. 
Temperature at Which Seeds Germinate. 
—“J. W. C.,” Olney, Ill., names a dozen grasses and 
grains, and asks the lowest temperature at which the 
seeds of each will germinate. We can not answer in 
each case, and doubt if it has been ascertained. In prac¬ 
tice, plants are divided into two classes—hardy and ten¬ 
der. In Mr. O’s list, all except Indian corn, and perhaps 
Hungarian grass, belong to the hardy plants ; these ger¬ 
minate when the average temperature is 45°, while the 
tender plants require a temperature of GO". Any other 
than this general division has no practical raise. 
Are Gooseberries Profitable ?—“ C. R. S.”— 
The aStswer may be yes or no, according to circum¬ 
stances. Green gooseberries are often profitable, ripe 
ones, rarely. It will not pay to grow gooseberries to 
send to a great distance. If you are near a market, 
especially if near a factory town, where many people of 
European birth are employed, they will probably pay, if 
three conditions are observed: 1st, plant only American 
varieties, such as "Houghton,” “Downing,” etc. : 2d, 
meet the caterpillar, and promptly conquer it with Helle¬ 
bore ; 3d, make sure of the needed help at picking time. 
With the English varieties here failure will follow. 
Mailed Corn.— “C. A. B.,” Philadelphia. This 
old-fashioned preparation of corn is made by removing 
the thin hull with ley. One recipe directs shelling a 
dozen ears (a white flint variety the best) and putting 
the kernels in an iron kettle and covering them 
with water. Two teacupfuls of good, unleached wood 
ashes are tied up in a cloth and put in with the 
corn, which is to be boiled for an hour or more. Then 
pour off the ley, removing the bag of ashes. Add fresh 
water and simmer until the corn swells up. The hulls 
usually come off without difficulty in the stirring ; if they 
do not, turn oft' the water and rub the corn in a towel. 
The simmering should be continued until the corn be¬ 
comes soft all through. In the absence of wood ashes, 
a small lump of potash or soda ash may be used. After 
the hulls are loosened, the water in which the corn is 
boiied should be repeatedly changed until no alkaline 
taste remains. 
Time to Set Raspberries.— “ S. T. C.”—The 
canes which are to grow and bear fruit the second year, 
come from buds that start below ground, and commence 
their growth very early in spring. When the shoots liist 
start they are exceedingly tender, and are liable to be 
broken in handling and in transportation. For this 
reason we have advised planting in autumn. But it is 
better to plant the coming spring than to wait for next 
fall, and the earlier in the season it can be done, the 
better. The only use of the piece of old cane given by 
nurserymen \qith the root is as a handle in planting. 
The useful growth comes from the underground shoots. 
