1884.1 
AMEEIOAE AGEICULTUEIST. 
511 
MASON C. WELD. 
What a Single Uumber Contains. 
The wonderful variety, liotli in matter and illurtra- 
tions, presented in a single issue of the American Agri- 
culturist^ under the changes and improvements inaugu¬ 
rated last June, are indicated to some extent hy Ihe 
following brief summary of the leading features of this 
November number ; 
Safe....Mary Winchester gives hints on Catering for 
the Sick, and Etliel Stone lias notes on Autumn Styl 'S 
in Dress... .Tile Boys and Girls liavo two stories; one 
by Miss Sage, A Red Letter Day, and one by W. M. Cary, 
wild illusiratos the doings of some boys and frogs.. ..Tlie 
curious ways of tlie Marmoset are descrilied and illus¬ 
trated by J. R. Coryell.... The Doctor Talks .about the 
ways of Flies, and an article on Boating and Canoeing 
will interest the older boys, while the beautiful picture, 
illustrating it, will please all_In numerous short 
items, including “Chats” and “ Basket,” tlie inquiries 
of many subscribers are answered, and a vast amount of 
information compressed into a small sptice_A number 
of new Books are noticed, and several important Swind¬ 
ling Schemes arc shown up in the Humbug Columns _ 
There are three full-page, and nearly one hundred other il¬ 
lustrations by sucli leading artists as Forbes and Bennett. 
Award of Prizes for Stories. 
After a careful reading, and re-reading of one 
hundred and sixteen stories, sent in competition 
for the prizes offered in the June American Agri¬ 
culturist, the judges render the following decision : 
1st Prize, SoO, to Julia Jl. Pott, Summit, N. J. 
2nd Prize, $10, to Agnes Cakii Sage, Brooklyn, N.Y. 
3rd Prize, $15, to John R. Cobyell, Brooklyn, N.Y. 
Honorable mention is due to several other com¬ 
petitors, namely: M. E. Bamford, R. II. Adair, 
S. May Norton, B. Haymond, Daisy II. Clark, 
Gertrude Christian, Mrs. J. Breckinridge, Mrs. 
Walter Mills, Fred Grundy, Miss J. D. Thompson, 
S. E. Boggs, Anna L. Hopkins, Miss Isabel Smith- 
son, and Amelia H. Botsford.—Twenty-eight States 
are represented in the list of competitors, and one 
of the stories comes all the way from New Zealand. 
Chat with Readers. 
Abundant Itlooiii but no Cherries.— Jas. P. Smith, 
Howard Co., Ind , has several trees which are full of bloom 
each spring, but the fruit falls off by the time it is half 
grown. The loss of fruit may be due to the insect that is so 
destructive to the plum—the Curculio. Spread sheets on 
the ground beneath them, and give the trees a sudden jar. 
Commence this soon after the fruit sets, and if the insects 
arc the cause of the trouble, some will be cfiught, and show 
that the jarring should be continued as long as any fall. If 
not the curculio, lack of nutrition is a probable cause, and 
a moderate manuring may be tried. 
Iteiiieily for Cockroaches.— G. E. Teeple, Summit 
Co., Ohio. Pyretbrum powder, wbetber the imported 
“ Persian,” or “ Dalmatian,” or that made in California as 
“Buhacli,” if persistently used, will free the bouse of 
cockroaches. Remove everything from the closets, and 
blow the powder, using a small bellows made lor the pur¬ 
pose, into every crack iii these, and in the room. Tlie in¬ 
sects will come from tlieir biding places, fall to the floor 
and die, or be too much stupifled to move, and may be 
swept up. Repeat tlie operation every few days, until no 
more, young or old, arc observed. 
Preserving Grape Juice.— C. TF. Dearborn, Alameda 
Co., Cal. The so-called “ Grape Milk ” is a preparation of 
w'hich the makers liold tlie secret. Grape-juice can be pre¬ 
served by treating it the same as fruits are in canning 
them, i. e., bring it to the bolliug point, and bottle and 
cork it while still liot. IVliile this would preserve the 
juice so long as air is excluded, it is probable that fermenta¬ 
tion would soou commence when it was opened, and in 
contact with the air. We have had no experience with 
salycilio acid as a preserving agent. We should prefer not 
to use it until more is known about its cfl'ects on the system. 
A Plant for a Name.—J. Jf. Davis, Essex Co., Mass. 
—Tlie orange-colored slender stems wliicli hanglike tangled 
threads upon various wild plants in low places, belong to a 
kind of Dodder, or Guscula. There are a number of spe¬ 
cies, and as it has not yet flowered, we can not say to 
which the one sent belongs. These iil.ants start from tho 
seed, and the slender stem soon attaches itself to some 
otlier plant by means I'f small sucker-like disks, through 
whicii it robs the supporting plant of its nutriment. 
After it is fairly established, the low'er part of the stem 
connecting it with tho soil dies away, and the dodder hence- 
fortli subsists as a parasite. 
The jiortrait of the Founder of the American Agricul¬ 
turist, the venerable A. B. Allen, will pleasantly remind 
many readers of the early days of ibis Joiiru.nl, while the 
account of a recent visit to him will inform them that he 
has lost none of his love for and devotion to agriculture 
..Ill “Walks and Talks,” Joseph Harris, besides other 
metiers, presents experiments by Messrs. Lawes & Gil¬ 
bert, in the use of superphosphates upon iiolatoes, 
giving important results not before iiublislied in tills 
country .. That farmers owning good mares should 
breed salable work-horses, is enforced by Col. M. C. 
Weld, and illustrated by Forbes, in life-like portraits of 
Percberon and Clydesdale grades. Tlie same writer, in 
“Among tlie Farmers,” lias useful liiiits upon Silos, and 
also describes a superior Shortliorn cow... David W. 
Judd, in Editorial Notes, presents matters of interest to 
those living in the West, and to tiiose who contemplate 
going there to establisli a lionie... Tlie jiecnliarities of 
German Farming are described and abundantly illustra¬ 
ted by Alfred Trumbull... Trapiiiiig Rabbits, wliicli are 
the great pest of tlie Attslraliaii farmer, affords subjects 
for an article and several engravings, ...Tlie Ailments of 
Domestic Animals are prescribed for by Professor D. D. 
Slade, of Harvard University... .J. W, Powell treats of 
Forest Fires, wliich cause sticli an annual loss of timber 
_Timely information on Poultry is given by D. Z. 
Evans, Jr_Shelters for Swine are described by J. M. 
Stahl, of Missouri.. ..Tliat farmers may be legally held 
liable by llioso they employ, is sliown by H. A. Haigli, 
of Micliigan.. ..Ill some far weslern regions liay is the 
cheapest fuel ; tlie method of preparing it is described 
and illustrated by R. 6. Newton, of Dakota_DoctorB. 
D. HaDted writes on Old and New Breeds of Canaries. 
The Ox Bot-fly, Tlie Prize Pugs, Sliall we Destroy 
the English Sparrow, and otlier tojiics.. .The Relation 
of Plants to Health, and How to Water Pliints, are dis¬ 
cussed by James Slieelian_Elias A. Long describes 
and illustrates tho best manner of laying out small Front 
Yards_Doctor George Tliurber describes a Fisli-kill- 
iiig Plant, a New Race of Pears, Fruit Without Flowers, 
tells wliat Sphagnum is, etc_Seasonable directions for 
the management of Bees, are given liy W. Z. Hiitcliiiison, 
of Michigan_Home-made farm coiiveiiiences, long a 
characteristic feature of tliis journal, are here represent¬ 
ed liy several G.iteways and Gates, an Imjirovised Saddle, 
a Clod-cruslier, a Wagon Jack, a Wheelbarrow with 
Springs, etc....Especially timely articles are, Care of 
Pigs ill Winter, Watcli tlie Flues, Underdraiiiing in 
W'Lter, Hints About Work, etc., etc,.. .The Hoiiseliold 
has tlie usual useful variety; Converting a Closet Door 
into a Wash-stand, is illustrated by Mrs. Biisyhand, of 
Illinois_Mrs. Welsh gives directions for making 
sev'Tal useful and ornamental articles_L. D. Snook, 
of Florida, describes and illustrates as easily made Meat 
A Weed for a Name.— “ TF. R.,” Andes, N. Y. Had 
the full name been given, you would have bad an earlier re¬ 
ply. The plant is Mugwort, Artemisia vulgarU, own 
brother to Wormwood, which, as you suggest, it resembles, 
but differs from it, among other points, in liaviug its leaves 
dark-green above. 
About Meal Worms.- An inquiry in a former number, 
asking liow to keep meal worms, is answered by Jf. Zehler, 
M ntgomery Co., Ohio, wlio says in reference to his ex¬ 
perience in Europe: “We placed tlie worms in a box with 
bran, shipstuff, and woolen rags all m tatters. IVe always bad 
as many worms as our ulghtlngales and larks required.” 
A Weed in Oats.—J. Phail, York Co., Pa., sends a 
plant with a milky juice, the root of whicli is so deep he 
lias failed to find it. The plaut Is Flowering Spurge (E«- 
phorbia coroUata). On account of its numerous, small 
wlilte flowers, it is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental 
plant. A succession of hoed crops will probably extermi¬ 
nate it, but it is very tenacious of life. 
Osage Orange Seeds.— G. Terrill, Jefferson Co., West 
Va., hasan abundance of the fruits of Osage Orauge, and 
wishes to know how to separate the seeds. The balls 
should be placed in a heap, where cattle can not reach 
them, and allowed to thaw and freeze all winter. In sprin<>- 
they will be found soft and partly decayed, when the seeds 
may be separated by crushing the balls in a barrel or box, 
with a wooden pounder, and washing awaythe pulp, etc.” 
from the heavier seeds. ’ 
“Is it Good for Hay?”— Chess or Cheat iBromus 
srcaiiraMs), a common weed, especially in grain fields, is a 
tall, showy grass, and frequently sent us for a name. Those 
who do not know the grass, usually ask as to its value for 
hay. None of the species'*of Bromus rank high as nutritive 
grasses. The one in question was offered many years ago 
as “ Willard’s Bromus,” but after a thorough trial before 
cattle, swale hay was eaten in preference. It is an annual, 
sometimes a biennial, and worthless in agriculture. 
Fruit in Missouri. — FT. Schultz, Kings Co., N. Y. 
Missouri is an important fruit-growing State, and its Horti¬ 
cultural Society is showing enterprise in publishing a 
Monthly Report, giving fruit statistics by counties. The 
yield of apples, in the entire State, is fifty-eiglit per 
cent, of a full crop. The varieties standing highest are; 
first, Ben. Davis; second, Willow Twig; third. Smith’s 
Cider. The grape crop will be only about fifty per cent, of 
the average. The Society will make a large display of 
fruit at the New Orleans Exhibition. 
“Egyptian Evergreen 3IiHet.” —C. 77. Smith, 
Yellowstone Co., Mont., sends us a specimen of grass, the 
seeds of which lie received from California witli tiie above 
name. He would know as to its value, and If likely to be¬ 
come a weed. The grass in question has several names, 
but is most extensively known as Johnson Grass, Sorghum 
Halepense. In the Southern States it is highly esteemed, to 
feed green, and. as hay. Some parties in Georgia and Ala¬ 
bama raise it on a large scale for baled hay. It is hardly like¬ 
ly to become a troublesome weed in the Northern States. 
Strawberries iu Autumn, and Pegging down 
Kiiuuers.—T l k. Itipley, Middlesex Co., Mass., sends us 
some strawberries that ripened in September. In a warm 
season, it is not unusual for some of the flower buds, wliich 
are prepared for next spring, to be forced into flower, and 
even ripen tlie fruit iu the fall. He writes : “ I should like 
to tell those readers who have a small bed of strawberries, 
liow easy it is to direct the runners, and have tliem take 
root in the desired idacc. 'l ake a common wooden tooth¬ 
pick (five cents buys a large boxi, bend it in the middle, and 
with one point on each side of the runner, thrust it into the 
ground. This obviates the use of stones, chips, etc., to liold 
the runners in place.” 
Cloth iu Place of Glass.— G. S. Tiffany, Putnam 
Co., Fla., asks us how cloth is prepared to use on a cold- 
frame in place of glass. The preparation used by the late 
L. C. Hoot, of Illinois, who employed cloth (sheeting), to 
cover franies extensively, was as follows : To one quart of 
linseed oil add one ounce of pulverized sugar of lead, 
and four ounces of pulverized rosin. Heat in an iron kettle 
until tliorouglily dissolved aud mixed. Apply while hot to 
the musliii stretched upon a frame. Mr. Root said ; “En¬ 
deavor to apply when two successive clear days can be had, 
to dry it well before placing it over the vapor and lieat of a 
b-'d.” Rings were sewed to the edges of the muslin, fifteen 
inches apart, to hook over small nails driven into tho frame. 
Rabbits and Young Trees. -TF. II. Carpenter, 
Livingston C6., Mo., writes us that he is obliged to wrap 
the trunks of all young fruit trees with some material to 
prevent the attacks of rabbits, and asks liow it would ans¬ 
wer to use paper saturated with coal-tar. IVe would not 
advise the use of coal-tar in contact witii the bark of young 
trees, as it is sometimes injurious. The old method was to 
shoot one of the rabbits, cut it open, and rub the trees with 
its flesh. This led to the use of blood, which iu some local¬ 
ities is a common application, and an eflective one. Blood 
is procured from a slaughter-house, and sprinkled on the 
trees with a swab, made by tying corn-husks to a stick. 
Rabbits have a great dislike to the odor of blood and flesh, 
and any method that will apply these to the trees easily and 
cheaply, may be adopted. 
Agricnltural Colleges.— G. E. Teeple, Summit Co., 
Ohio, asks us: “ IVhat is your opinion of sending boys to 
Agricultural Colleges iu order to become practical far¬ 
mers ? ”—In our opinion the result will depend somewhat 
upon the college, and more upon the boy. In some States, 
the college fund has been given to Institutions which do 
not teach the operations of agriculture, and do not provide 
for, or require manual labor. Some of these are most ex¬ 
cellent institutions, but whatever else a boy may learn at 
them, he must go elsewhere to be taught to be a “ practical 
farmer.” Frequently a farmer’s boy goes to an Agricultural 
College for the express purpose of learning those things 
wliich will enable him to gain bis livelihood iu some other 
occupation than that of his father. This is not the fault of 
the college but of the student. There are a number of 
Agricultural Colleges which teach not only the principles 
of agriculture, but its mecbauical operations, and at which 
a boy can become a “practical farmer” if be really so desires. 
