1884.] 
AMEEIOAiT AGETOULTURIST, 
59 
One Hundred and Twenty Tliousand 
Miles !—Next to Agrieiiltiire and closely connect¬ 
ed witli it, by far the greatest interest of our couniry 
is the railroad system, an interest nearly unknown a 
short fifty years ago. Half of it is the growth of about a 
dozen years past as the mileage at the beginning of 1872 
was just half of that at the end of 18831 The figures, 
brought up to Christmas, show the construction of 6,600 
miles during the past year, making a total length in the 
United States of 119,421 miles, and the 79 miles lacking 
for a round 120,000 will he finished before this can reach 
the eye of the reader. Last year’s new construction ex¬ 
ceeded the entire length in existence here only thirty-five 
years ago. Taking the last census figures for agriculture, 
and reckoning the past year’s building of railroads at the 
previous average cost per mile, we have : 
Value of Farms in United States, including 
buildings, fences, etc., (Census 1^>.$10,197,096,776 
Value of all Farm Animals. 1,500,461,609 
Farm Implements and Machinery. 406,520 035 
Total invested in Agriculture. $12,104,081,440 
Total invested in Railroads in U. S. (Jan 1, ’84). $7,270,000,000 
That is, $600 have been used in building railroads for 
every $1,000 value of farms, fixtures and live stock re¬ 
ported in last census—and the chief business of the rail¬ 
roads is carrying farm products. Of the 770 million dol¬ 
lars earned by railroads for 1882, the latest reports made 
up, 202 millions came from passengers, 506 millions di¬ 
rect from freight carried, and of the remaining 02 mil¬ 
lions from miscellaneous sources, a large share was for 
freight carried by express companies.—Query—“Would 
the farms of the country have one-half or even one-third 
their present cash value, if there were no railroads? — 
The following table shows at a glance the annual progress: 
RAILROADS IN OPERATION IN THE UNITED STATES. 
Tear. 
Miles. 
Tear. 
MUes. 
Tear. 
Miles. 
1830.... 
23 
184S.... 
... 5,!l9(i 
1866... 
.. 36,801 
1831.... 
.. 95 
1849.. . 
... 7,365 
1867.,,. 
.. 39.250 
1832.... 
.... 229 
1850.... 
... 9,021 
1868.... 
.. 42,229 
1833.... 
. 380 
1851 .. . . 
... 10,982 
1S69.... 
.. 46,844 
ia34.... 
633 
1852. .. 
. . 12,908 
1870.... 
. 52,914 
1835,... 
....1,098 
1853.... 
.. .15,:360 
1871.... 
.. 60,283 
18:36.... 
....1,273 
1854.. 
.. .16,720 
1872.... 
.. 66,171 
1837.... 
....1,497 
1855.... 
1873.... 
.. 70,278 
18:38.... 
....1,913 
18.56... 
...22,013 
1874.... 
.. 72.383 
18:39.... 
....2,302 
1857... 
.. .24.503 
1875,... 
.. 74.096 
1840.... 
....2,818 
1858... 
,. .26,968 
1876... 
.. 76,808 
1841.. .. 
. ..:3,535 
1859... 
. .28.789 
1877... 
.. 79,089 
1842.... 
....4.026 
1869 .. 
.. .:30,6.35 
1878... 
.. 81,776 
1843.... 
....4,185 
1861... 
.. 31,2.86 
1879... 
1844.. .. 
.. ..4,.377 
1862... 
1880... 
.. 91,444 
1845... 
. ..4,633 
1863.. . 
.. .33,170 
1881 ... 
..101,733 
1846 
. 4.930 
1804. .. 
1882... 
..113,339 
1847..,. 
....5,593 
1S65.. . 
. . .35,085 
1883... 
..119;921 
Note that the mileage doubled between 1850 and 1855, 
and again between 1866 and 1874, and between 1871 and 
1883; that with two exceptions less than 3,000 miles 
were built in a year prior to 1869; that more miles were 
built in 1882 than existed in 1852. 
Otlier Striking Figures. —During the year 
1882, the latest period for which rojjorts have been re¬ 
ceived, the railroads carried 7>4’ times as many passengers 
(375,351,812). as the entire census population of the 
country 1 Of these, over 86 millions rode on the elevated 
railroads in N. Y. City. Leaving these out, the steam rail¬ 
roads of the Middle States carried 13 times the population 
of these States (N. Y., N. J., Pa., Md., Del. and W. Va). 
More striking still are the freight statistics. During the 
year the railroads carried 360,490,375 tons, or 720,980,750,- 
000 pounds—equal to an average ofl4,414 lbs., or over 7 
tons for each of fifty million men, women and children 1 
This was all carried an average of lOSJf miles—equal to 
carrying a ton nearly forty billions of miles (39,302,209,- 
249 miles), or nearly sixteen hundred thousand times 
around the world, over two hundred times to the sun and 
back I And the average charge for the whole country was 
only 1 cent and 2 mills per mile, for carrying a ton of 
freight—in the Middle States only one cent per ton per 
mile. Imagine a team hauling a ton of grain 25 miles for 
25 cents, including driver, team, wagon, loading and un¬ 
loading, and boarding themselves 1 
Interesting and. ICemarkable Compar¬ 
isons. —Hitch up all the teams in the United Stales 
and Territories. The census gives us nearly half a mil¬ 
lion (496,920) yokes of working oxen, and over ten mil¬ 
lions (10,357,488) horses, with near two million (1,812,- 
808) mules and asses. The last two, if two-thirds are in 
working age and condition, would give us over four mil¬ 
lion spans; or with the oxen about four and a half mil¬ 
lion (4,553,685) teams. These teams to do the hauling 
done by the railways, would each have to draw a ton over 
8,639 miles 1 In other words, in order to transport the 
freight now carried by railroads, every team in the coun¬ 
try would have to pull a ton weight about 29 miles a 
a day, during three hundred days a year, and at the aver¬ 
age railroad charges, would receive about 34 cents a day,, 
for man, team and wagon, outof this pay board, feed and 
repairs ; the balance for wages, interest and wearl But 
allowing fcri’eturn trips, each team going 14)<J'miles a 
day and back, our whole team force would have to be 
doubled to do the freighting now done by the railroads. 
Chat with headers. 
Liabor-Saviiig Devices.— Mr. IF. A. Roberts, Center 
Ridge, Kans.—Please accept our thanks for kind words, and 
the sketch and description of a feed rack, and other aids in 
farm operations. We arc always pleased to hear in like 
manner from our subscribers in all sections of the country. 
The Best Book.—" G. IT'. N. H.,'asks: " What is 
the best book for information upon general farm subjects ?’’ 
—The best work for general reference is, “ Allen’s New 
American Farm Book.” Tlie author was a practical far¬ 
mer, and gives just the information that farmers are most 
likely to need. 
Hydraulic Iiiiiie.— A correspondent who does not wish 
his name given, asks j “ Will Hydraulic Lime do as a substi¬ 
tute for cement in concrete ? ''—Hydraulic Lime and 
Cement are names for the same thing. In England it is 
called Portland Cement, and on the continent of Europe, 
Pozzuolana. In this country, that from a particular locality 
Is called Rosedale Cement. 
Good Retui-ns.— i. Coe, Ill., (who omitted to give his 
town), writes us that he was induced, by seeing an article 
in our pages, to make a bed or patch of Water Cresses. He 
now values his patch as worth at least one thousand dollars. 
Ho was selling five dollars worth weekly even in October, 
which is quite out of season. No wonder that Mr. C. 
writes: “the America?i Agriculturist just suits me.” 
Utilizing Slaugliter-Houise Ifcefuse.— C. Souder, 
Atlantic Co., N. J.—This consists of scraps of flesh, entrails, 
blood and otlier animal ofial. It may be decomposed by 
covering It witli muck, or even with common earth. The 
least troublesome method of disposing of the refuse, would 
be to place it in the manure heap, distributing it to prevent 
violent heating. It will add to the value of the manure. 
Heatiug a Poultry House.—“ C. E. M.,”Fall River, 
Mass., asks the most economical method of warming a 
poultry house. . The best method of warming a plant 
house, will no doubt be best for poultry. This is by circu¬ 
lating hot-water in iron pipes. Portable heaters are now 
made on the principle oE the base-burner stove, which are 
effective, and require no more care than ordinary stoves. 
Use of Potash Uey.— " G. W. Jl..” Merrimac Co., N. 
H., asks if there is any fertilizing value in potash ley, in 
which corn has been hulled. The corn can remove very 
little if any potash from the ley, which is undoubtedly of 
value. The best way to use it, and other fertilizing mate¬ 
rials of which one has but a small quantity, is to scatter it 
upon the manure heap. Whatever there is of value will be 
saved, and it will add to the richness of the manure. 
Sweet Potato Plants.--n7 S. Npcracc?', Norfolk, Neb. 
Persons who desire only a few sweet potato plants, and live 
near large cities, can usually buy them clieaper than to 
raise them. The young plants will bear transportation well 
if properly packed. Gardeners who wish these plants in 
larger quantities, should grow them at home. There Is a 
small book with ifull directions for raising sweet potatoes, 
published by the Orange Judd Co., price fifty cts., post-paid. 
Au Onion Question.— “ A. C. Z.”—With reference to 
an article in December last, where we speak of “ Potato On¬ 
ions, or Multipliers,” asks whether themaraes do not belong 
to two distinct kinds of onions. We first knew the onion 
many years ago, in a Western State, as “English Multiplier,” 
nnd “Multiplier.” We first heard the name “Potato "ap¬ 
plied to the same onion, when we came East. The onion is 
more or less flat, or somewhat long, according to the shape 
of those selected for planting. 
Fifty Acres of Pasture.—" G. 11. P.,” Teagus, Mo., 
is about to lay down fifty acres in pasture, but he wants hay 
for next winter. He has been advised to sow rye with the 
grass-seed, and by cutting early make hay of it. He asks 
our opinion. Rye makes such large clumps of roots, that 
we should prefer to sow oats with tlie grass. If cut early, 
oats will makea more nutritious hay than rye. If any of 
our readers have sown rye under such circumstances, will 
they give us their experience ? 
Mulching Tomato Vines.— E. D. Moore, East Sagi¬ 
naw, Mich., makes frames, or bottomless boxes, seven 
inches square, and four and a half Inches high, of half- 
inch stuff well nailed togetlier. After the plants are set 
out, one of the frames is placed over each, having the plant 
in the center. The frame is then filled to within half an 
inch of the top. with fine dawdust. The sawdust acts as a 
mulcli to prevent the evaporation of moisture from the soil. 
If in a long drouth it becomes necessary to water the plants, 
the water can be applied through tlie sawdust, and the bak¬ 
ing of the surface of the soil avoided. 
Netherlands International Exhibition.—Hol- 
steins.— “Z. Zf.,” Eye,N. Y.—An exhibition will be held at 
Amsterdam this year, from August 25th to September 6th. 
Tlie programme offers premiums for exhibits “from all 
other countries.” besides those for home products. Those 
in this country who claim that there is a breed of cattle 
known as" Holstein,” must be at loss to explain why, in a 
large agricultural exhibition, held in the alleged country 
of the “ Holsteins,” no notice is taken of ttiat breed in the 
prize schedules. The liberal premiums offered for agricul¬ 
tural machinery and implements should induce our manu¬ 
facturers to be represented at this exhibition. 
How to Use Hen Manure ?—This question comes 
from several subscribers. The condition of the manure dif¬ 
fers with the management of the poultry house. If the 
house is swept daily, and the space under the roosts 
is covered with eartli to recieve the droppings, no prep¬ 
aration will be needed. If, as usual, tlie manure is al¬ 
lowed to accumulate, and only occasionally removed, it 
comes out in solid masses or lumps. The lumps must be 
broken up by a pounder, rnd the manure sifted and mixed 
with dry peat, or dry woods-earth, or in the absence of 
these, dry soil may bo used. Mixed one part to ten of 
muck, etc., it will be useful upon farm and garden crops. 
Cinquefuil or Five-Finger as a Weed.-“E.,” 
Belknap,Pa., sends a 'dne and asks how to get rid of it. The 
plant is evidently Cinquefoil (Potentilla Canademis), also 
called “ Five-finger.’' tVe never before heard of its being 
aggressive as a weed, though it sometimes over-runs fields, 
the soil of which is not fit for any other purpose. There is 
no special application that will kill one plant aud not 
another, and weeds must be crowded out by occupying the 
soil with other plants. Cinquefoil, so far as we have seen 
it, grows upon land too poor to be worth cultivating, unless, 
enriched. A crop of Buckwheat would no doubt smother 
the plant, and this may be turned under to enrich the soli. 
Giicuoii’s Esciitclieou.— “ A. T. T.," "Wheaton, Ill.— 
It would not be possible to present the “Escutcheon 
theory ” in full, if we gave up the whole paper to it, and an 
abstract, to be of any use, would require more room than , 
can properly be given to one topic. One to make use of 
Guenon’s rules for judging cows, needs to have the diagrams 
before him, and these are given, with the descriptions, in a 
book which is a much more convenient form than the pa¬ 
per would be. As to the value of this method of judging the 
milking capacity of cows, we find that the most intelligent 
breeders, while they do not depend upon it altogether, find 
it of too much value to he ignored. 
Russian Apples.— E. Nmit/i, Bruley Co., Dakota, asks : 
“ Are the Russian apples any better than our own ? The 
nurserymen praise them extravagantly, and ask about 
twice as much for them as for Ben. Davis. Winesap, and 
other well known kinds. Is thei e any humbug about Rus¬ 
sian apples?”—The best of the Russian varieties are not equal 
in quality to the best of our own. but they are much hardier, 
and will give fruit where the others fail. There is no reason 
for planting them where other apples can be relied upon, 
but where it is a question of Russian apples or none, they 
are valuable. The number of tested Russian varieties is as 
yet small, and these have not yet been propagated so largely 
as others, hence the higher price. 
How Many Fowls.— “A Reader," in New York City, 
asks how many fowls can be kept in a house ten by fifteen 
feet, with a yard ten by eighty-five feet. Also, how 
many nests should such a house have. From twenty- 
four of the large fowls, such as Brahmas, to thirty- 
six of thesmali breeds, such as Leghorns, maybe kept. The 
number that can he safely kept in one inclosure, depends 
upon the care given to cleanliness. If the floor is daily cov- ■ 
ered with dry earth or coal ashes, and daily cleaned, the 
numbers here given may be exceeded. The house must be 
perfectly dry, and provided with means for ample ventila¬ 
tion. As to the number of nests, probtibly one-third as 
many as there are hens will be sufficient. I’Ve would sug¬ 
gest that a portion of the yard be occupied by a shed or 
covered run, in which the birds can take exercise and 
dust themselves in stormy weather. 
Sheep Raising.— Mr. C. Grant, Baltimore, Md.—It is 
not possible to estimate with accuracy, the Increase in the 
number of a flock of sheep for a period of five or ten years. 
In general the twins will make up the losses of lambs by 
death, so that the increase will be equal to the number of 
mothers each year in the flock. The profits upon one thou¬ 
sand head of sheep depend upon so many things, that they 
cannot be closely calculated. Much depends upon the 
healthfulne.ss, age, size, etc., of the sheep, and the abun¬ 
dance of dogs ; the cost of feed both winter aud summer;. 
and the care given to the flock. A hundred early lambs, 
well-fattened for early spring market, will sometimes bring 
a greater profit than ten times as many late lambs raised 
for wool. But only the best favored can succeed with early 
lambs, aud they need to be pure, or half-blood mutton- 
sheep. Themarket price of wool, and the cost of producing 
it, are the leading factors in the problem of profitable 
slieep raising in the far IVest. 
The Peach-Tree Borer,— Mr. Geo. M. Caywood, 
Ewing, Ky.—The Borer is a wide-spread and destructive 
pest in the peacli orchard. Ttie mature Insect is a moth,, 
whicli appears from the middle of July to the last of August. 
The female deposits her eggs singly on the bark of the 
tree, near the surface of the soil. The young borers work 
downward into the roots, forming small winding channels. 
A full-grown borer is half an inch long, and is soft, pale 
yellow, and with strong black jaws. The borers make 
leathery cocoons out of castings or “ sawdust,” gum and 
silk, in whicli they remain in the inactive or pupa state, 
near the surface of the soil. If the earth is loose, the cocoons 
may be an inch or more below the surface. There are sev¬ 
eral remedies, and more preventive measures for this pest. 
The presence of the borer is known by the dust and exuda¬ 
tion of gum, and when these arc found, the burrow should 
be probed with a slip of whalebone, or a short wire, and the 
borer killed. Hot water is sometimes used, the earth 
around the base of the tree having been removed. The 
knife and probe used in late autumn or early spring, are tlie 
most effective means of reaching and killing the borer. 
Care should be taken not to cut the tree more than neces¬ 
sary. Among preventive measures, is the banking of the 
tree with earth for a foot or so. This mound with the earth 
firmly pressed around tlie tree, may be permanent, or better 
still, thrown up in spring, aud leveled in autumn, after the 
season of egg-laying is passed. Ashes and cinders are 
sometimes heaped around the trees instead of mounds of 
earth. A covering of stout paper, a plastering of clay, or a 
wash of tobacco water may help to keep the egg-laying 
moth away from the trunk of the tree during the summer. 
