1880 .] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
177 
appears in almost every paper; even those journals that 
profess to discriminate in advertisements, probably de¬ 
ceived by the “Reverend” part, publish this. It offers 
“to all who are suffering from the errors,” etc., of youth, 
“a recipe that will cure yon free op charge.” Of 
course this is a very taking offer, to be cured and “ free 
ofchurge” meets tile case of a vast number. The appli¬ 
cants for the “ recipe ” receive a four page circular, which 
gives the personal history of Rev. Joseph, and tells how 
he was cured by what he calls the “Corrassa Com¬ 
pound.” The “ Recipe ” we give once more : 
Extract op Corrassa Apimis .Eight Drachms. 
Extract op Selarmo Umbelifera .Four Drachms. 
Powdered Alkermes Latifolia .Three Drachms. 
Extuaot op Carbadoc Herbalis .Six Drachms. 
Then follow directions to mix it and to keep it well 
covered, and for taking it. The recipient of this recipe 
if he takes it to an apothecary, will be told that they have 
no such articles; he will learn the same story at the next 
drng store, and so on. If he applies to a competent and 
educated apothecary he will learn that there are no such 
articles, that the wonderful recipe is nothing but a useless 
medley op bogus names, 
made up to appear like scientific names, and badly done 
at that. These names stand for no drng known in phar¬ 
macy or medicine, and for no plants known to botaliical, 
or other science. If the disappointed holder of the 
“ Recipe ” reads the circular more carefully, he will find 
that his trouble has been anticipated. He wilt read on 
pagefi. “ As the drng stores can not be relied upon to 
procure new remedies of pure quality [the scamp!], 1 can 
forward the Corrassa Compound in packages, ready for 
use (put up safe from observation), to those who need it, 
at the price which it costs me [Hear him]. My means 
make me independent. I seek no other reward for send¬ 
ing the remedy than the satisfaction of doing good, and 
the blessing of an approving conscience” [Good boy!]. 
We read further: “The cost of each package (includ¬ 
ing the Government stamp) is Three Dollars and Thirty 
Cents (|3.30), [nothing like being particular, that30cents 
gives a charming ait of accuracy.] The postage is t wenty- 
one cents. The price then of one package, sent by mail 
to any address, is Three Dollars and Fifty Cents ($3.50).” 
All the rest iennimportai t. The “Free of Charge" ac¬ 
cording to the Reverend Joseph T. Inman is $3.50. This 
is his trick, a very mean one it is, as it is nothing more 
nor less than obtaining money nuder false pretenses. 
(Hhe fellow advertises to send a recipe free of charge—tie 
sends a recipe which is a printed lie. He knows that the 
unfortunate can't get his staff, offers to provide it at a 
rousing big price—for $3.30 what probably did not cost him 
30 cents—and adds to his cheatery the cant about an “ ap¬ 
proving concience.” Joseph, yon are a first class hypo¬ 
crite. Our friends can help check this fellow’s career. 
Many papers pnblish his advertisement in ignorance of 
these facts. Wherever your local paper publishes his pro¬ 
posal, show the editor this story of Inman and his recipe. 
MORE ABOUT THE BATTERY. 
What Is said above about the battery .was written after 
tin examination of the circular and its engravings. Since 
then we have procured the thing itself, and find it even a 
werse fraud than at first supposed. We give its “ portrait 
life-size.” It consists of a central piece of copper */,„ 
inch thick, with a scolloped edge; in the middle of this 
piece is a circular hole plugged with a bit of white metal. 
Aronnd this copper 
eent-er are small metal 
discs of two sizes and 
of three kinds, arranged 
as shown in the en 
graving, where the dark 
portions indicate cop¬ 
per, the shaded ones 
brass, while the light 
portions are of some 
white metal—but not 
having a blow-pipe or 
chemicals at hand, we 
can not say what kind 
of tea-pot stuff it is. 
These 14 pieces are set 
in a white metal ring, 
into which they are 
crowded, and are held 
in place by friction ; 
though we are not sure but the larger white discs have a 
minute touch of solder. We have been tlius particular 
in showing how the tiling is made, as those who have bnt 
tire most elementary knowledge of electrical action will 
Bee at onee that it is absolutely 
IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANY ELECTRICITY 
to he generated—that is, any free electricity—with these 
different metals in absolute contact, unless indeed it 
may be of the “gimlet-pointed ” kind, a style unknown 
to science, however it may he to “Professor” Boyd. 
There is no more development of electrical action be¬ 
tween these bits of metal than there is between the coins 
in one’s pocket—and we pronounce the tiling to be an 
UTTER BARE-PACED FRAUD. 
There is one melancholy feature in the exposure of 
such successful humbugs—for, so far as the numbers sold 
go, tills has been a success—that is, tlie comment it sug¬ 
gests upon tlie intelligence of tlie community. We make 
boasts of onr popular education, of the general intelli¬ 
gence of tile people and all the rest of it. Yet here is a 
tiling, in its structure violating the simplest laws of 
science, bought and worn by hundreds, who deliberate¬ 
ly assort that tiiey can feel its electrical action, and claim 
to lie benefited or cured by it. Yet it can have no more 
effect than the horse-chestnut carried about their persons 
by the ignorant, as a "preventive of rheumatism I” 
Peach Trees and Frost.— A frost at blossom¬ 
ing time ruins the peach crop every year—in the papers. 
Aside from this regular killing there are seasons 
iu which real damage is done and an actual frost, 
when the trees £re in bloom, must seriously diminish if 
it doep not entirely cut off the crop. Several years ago 
we suggested that owners of peach orchards try the 
method of warding off late frosts followed in the vine¬ 
yards on the Rhine, which is to make a smoke. Asa 
curtain of vapor in the form of clouds will prevent frost, 
so will a curtain of smoke. The danger of frost is great¬ 
est in the hour or two before sunrise ; the vines which 
have been gradually cooling all night, do not reach a 
temperature so low as to be dangerous until towards 
morning. Then the smoke heaps are started and a cloud 
of smoke hangs over the vineyard until the appearance 
of the snn removes all danger. Fires of brush and wood 
rubbish are started, and wet straw is thrown upon them 
to produce a copious smoke. Frost occurs only on calm 
nights, hut even then there is usually a slight current 
or air and the fires should always be at the windward 
side. If any have tried this method in the peach orchard 
we should be glad to hear with what results. It seems 
a matter well worth testing, and may he of great value. 
A Veteran Peacli Tree.—P. M. Augur, reports 
in the Middletown, Conn., “Constitution” that he exam¬ 
ined a peach tree at the residence of Henry Hart, in Say- 
brook, Conn., which, at2 feet 10 inches above theground, 
measured 4 feet around. It had four principal branches 
having the circumferences respectively of 2J feet, 2.15 
feet, 2 feet, and 1.14 feet—a total of 8i feet, or twice that 
of the main trunk. The tree has been a constant and 
abundant bearer.—This indicates that the peach tree is 
not necessarily a short-lived one, as is generally supposed. 
Hens Eating their Eggs.— Where this habit 
has been formed it is a difficult matter to break , it up, 
and it is generally the best and quickest way to kill the 
hens. If the bird is worth the trouble, a nest may he so 
I arranged that the egg, when laid, will at once roll out of 
sight and reach. Some one has invented a "bit” to 
prevent the habit, hut we know nothing of its value. 
Late Frosts.—We expect early frosts, and in nntumn 
accept the damage they do as a matter of course. Late 
frosts in spring are most disheartening ; one crop, which 
was yesterday pushing forward so encouragingly is to¬ 
day blackened and dead, and we have either to begin 
anew with seed sowing, or witli transplanted crops: fall 
back upon the reserves which the careful gardener pre¬ 
serves for such a contingency. Bnt few are aware hew 
slighta thing will protect from frost. It is the radiation 
of heat from the plant; its rapid cooling that kills it. In 
a clear night every exposed tiling on the face of the earth 
is giving offbeat, and when these cooi down to a certain 
point, tlie moistnre in the air falls upon them in frozen 
particles and we call it frost. If the night is cloudy, tlie 
cooling is less rapid, the clouds are said ton-fleet the 
heat given off; the ai r may seem as cool, hut there is no 
frost. For tender plants a thin muslin, even a paper, 
snspended over them, will prevent injury. Tomatoes in 
tlie vegetable garden, and a host of tilings in the flower 
garden may he saved by the use of a curtain or screen, if 
only of paper. Whatever will prevent rapid radiation of 
heat will answer. We once had a bed of tender plants 
too broad to readily arrange papers upon and frost was 
predicted. A lot of brush was handy and this was stnek 
rather thickly in tlie lied, anil then some light hay scat¬ 
tered upon tlie brush. The plants were saved. The ob¬ 
ject of the brush was to keep the weight, of hay from 
crushing the plants. Tlie French gardeners build a little 
straw tent over their tender plants ; this is so arranged 
that the plants can lie uncovered by day and housed by 
night. Cucumbers and other such plants will grow much 
more rapidly if covered at night. Though not cooled 
down so low that frost is deposited, they are so much 
cooled during tlie night as to seriously check their 
growth, and if they are covered regnlarly this is avoided. 
Frames 6 inches high and a foot square covered witli a 
pane of glass will he found very nsefnl in the garden, 
especially in forwarding cucumbers and melons. An 
ELECTRIC BATTERY. 
efficient substitute may be found iu soap, starch, and 
other store boxes; the cover and bottom are removed and 
a hit of muslin lacked over the top. Sucli frames, when 
their convenience is once experienced, will alwuys he 
kept at bund, as their cost is insignificant. 
Sorglium—Early Amber. —The fact that the 
variety of Sorghum introduced a few years ago as the 
Minnesota Early Amber, is now called by the shorter 
name of Early Amber or Amber, is an illustration of o ir 
frequent protest against complex names. Life is too 
short and farmers too busy to say Minnesota Early Amber 
Cane when Amber Cane will answer the purpose, which 
is to distinguish the variety. That it produces a fine 
amber-colored syrup is just now of more general import¬ 
ance Ilian tlie fact—apparently established beyond a 
doubt—that it contains a paying amount of cane sngar. 
When those who have never before cultivated sorglium, 
learn how to raise it and to properly hnndie it so as to 
produce a superior article of syrup, a great point will be 
gained, and the farmer will then he prepared for the next 
step—the production of sugar. But we think it would be 
a great mistake for one entirely inexperienced to .sow a 
large breadth to sorglium with a view to the production 
of a large amount of sngar. Go slow in this, as in all 
new things. Even in smail quantities for syrup, the 
means of working up the crop should be thought ot 
But few are able to purchase a mill and evaporator for 
merely making syrup for their family use. If some one 
at no great distance is prepared to work up the cane for 
otlierp, then it may be safely planted. If there is no mill 
in tlie neighborhood, then there should be co-operation. 
One farmer can procure an outfit, if several other farmers 
will raise enough cane to keep him at work during the 
season. Or several may unite to purchase in common. 
This matter should be determined upon well in advance, 
and the machinery ordered early, so that it may be set up 
and in working order well in advance of tlie harvest. 
Successful Farmer* In Hard Time*.—An 
agricultural writer who has recently returned from a trip 
through the Eastern States says in an exchange: “ A 
most noticeable thing in travelling among farmers is, 
that those who have held their own the best through the 
recent times are the ones who are the most progressive. 
By this I mean those who have been quick to see what 
was best adapted to their line of farming, and who 
endeavored to supply what the local demand called for. 
Such men have been the first to apply improved methods 
of cultivation and to cultivate well; to apply a liberal 
dressing of dung or chemical manures to their soils, 
knowing that it costs no more to cultivate a field which 
will yield a hundred fold than one that will yield thirty- 
fold. If the prices are low the largest yield may pay 
a good profit, while the lowest means a serious loss.” 
Lawn Mowers. — Pennsylvania—Phila¬ 
delphia.— We are not about to discuss tlie merits of 
these excellent mowers. Their makers usually set forth 
the superior qualities of their machines, respectively, m 
our advertising columns. But to have Ihc maker of one 
mower advocate the merits of the rival machine is a 
novelty. Yet this is just what was done last month, 
when Messrs. Lloyd, Supplee & Walton were made to 
claim a high rank for tlie Philadelphia Lawn Mower, 
while in reality they are makers of tlie Pennsylvania 
Lawn Mower. The substitution of one name for another 
in this case is one of those unaccountable blunders that 
will sometimes occur with types—of course it is tlie fanlt 
of tlie types—and all we can do in the case is to state the 
fact that it is tlie “Pennsylvania Mower" and not tlie 
Philadelphia Mower that is made by Lloyd, Supplee & 
Walton, and that their machine has met with approval 
wherever it has been used. As to the Philadelphia 
Mower, its reputation is well established, and as every 
one knows is made by Graham, Emlen & PaBsmore, who 
will prefer to present its claims over their own name. 
The Poultry Standard.— All who exhibit fowls 
are aware that the judging is—or ought to he—done in 
accordance with tlie American Standard of Excellence. 
This consists of a “Scale of Points” for eacli breed of 
land and water fowls, carefully considered and fixed iqion 
by the American Ponllry Association, and is by the an- 
tliority of that body published in a book. At the Animal 
Meeting for 1880, held at Indianapolis, a number of 
amendments were made to tlie Standard affecting several 
important breeds. These have been published on a 
sheet as a Supplement, and can he obtained by sending 
a 3-cent stamp to the Secretary of the Association, Geo. 
S. Josselyn, Fredonia, N. Y. 
Portable Sweep Power.—“W. n. S.” A por¬ 
table sweep power would not, be nearly so convenient n« 
a tread power, bnt any of the large dealers in agricultural 
machines, whose names appear in the advertising col¬ 
umns. could supply one. One is about as good as another, 
as they arc all made on essentially the same principle. 
