1861.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
G9 
Angers Quince Seed.—D. C. Benton, Adams Co., 
Ill. Quince seeds will not produce the particular sort 
planted, any more than apple seeds. Better get cuttings, 
or a few rooted plants which you can afterward layer. 
You will find the Bloomington (Ill.) Nurseries advertised 
in February Agriculturist , and other reliable ones in this 
and other numbers. We do not knowingly admit adver¬ 
tisements of unreliable men. 
High manuring.—George R. Underhill, Queens 
Co., N. Y., whose experiments in potato culture were 
noticed in the Feb. No., p. 43, writes that last Spring he 
prepared 3 acres of land for an asparagus bed, on which 
1000 one-horse loads of manure were used, and 300 loads 
more will be applied this year. Another plot just com¬ 
menced will receive about an equal quantity. His expe¬ 
rience warrants high manuring. We shall be pleased to 
receive accounts of the experiments Mr. U. proposes to 
make, the coming season. 
Clover Hoots and Tops.— “ Subscriber.” Clo¬ 
ver roots contain more solid matter than the tops, pound 
for pound. All parts of the plant are valuable fertilizers ; 
and land will be enriched more rapidly by plowing all 
under, than by leaving only the roots to decay in the soil. 
How much manure ?—Mr. Boynton of Sand¬ 
wich, Mass., has a well drained meadow of 4% acres, to 
which, every November, he applies the year’s manure of 
15 horses. As the result, he gets from 26 to 34 tuns of hay 
annually, including two cuttings. The second growth, or 
aftermath, ranges from 7 to 10 tuns. 
Prolific Sheep.— A subscriber writes to the Agri¬ 
culturist, “ I have one ewe of the Tartar breed, that had 
two lambs in August, 1859. In January of last year she 
brought forth three, and on August 20th, she dropped too 
more ; making seven lambs produced in about one year. 
Her first twins are also now with lamb. I find the Tartar 
crossed with the South Down give the best lambs I 
ever butchered.” 
Aged Horses.— G. E. Kimberly, New-Haven Co., 
Conn., writes that he has a white pony, which, to the best 
of his information, is 40 years old. He weighs 600 lbs., 
and does all the work connected with a store. 
largest Horse in the World.— Wilkes’ Spirit 
of the Times says that a gentleman named Potter, re¬ 
cently exhibited a horse at Newcastle, Penn., that weighs 
1777 pounds. He is a bright bay, of the Clydesdale breed, 
nnd was bred in Cumberland, England. The American 
Stock Journal, speaks of this as “ the largest horse in the 
world.” We refer our cotemporary to the Farmer’s Mag¬ 
azine (London), which has an account of the dray horse 
that took the first prize at the Royal Agricultural Show at 
Norwich, in 1857. This horse was reported to be 17% 
hands high, and to weigh 2463 pounds. 
Good Cattle in Penn.— The Chambersburg 
Times mentions six fine steers, all raised on the farm of 
Philip Merper, Letterkenny, Franklin Co., the total live 
weight of which was 10,655 lbs. 
Double Calf.— S. Uttee, Pike Co., Pa., says he had 
a heifer which could not be delivered of her calf, and on 
killing her, he found a large calf with a double head com¬ 
plete, and double joints in its hind legs, and asks if such 
occurrences are common ? They are quite rare. 
Corn and Cob Meal for Swine.— Mr. A. Reed, 
says in the Dairy Farmer, that he has known this meal to 
produce constipation in several instances. Two years 
ago this Winter, he fed six fine shoats exclusively upon 
corn and cob meal. After three or four weeks feeding, 
several of the pigs refused to eat, and in three or four 
days bloated and died—a post mortem examination of 
these showed that they were constipated. To those still 
alive, one ounce of Epsom Salts was daily given to each, 
in their food, and an injection of warm soap suds, they 
were also given one feeding of carrots per day. All thus 
treated recovered. 
A Large Pig. —Henry Mariton, Cumberland Co., 
Me., writes that he has slaughtered a pig, just 20 months 
old, which weighed, when dressed, 668 pounds. 
Are Bees Domestic Animals?— A singular 
point of law was recently submitted to the French 
Courts. A boy having been knocked down and killed by 
a horse that had been stung by some bees, the father 
brought an action against the owner of the bees. The 
lower court held that bees are “ ferocious animals,” which 
no one can be expected to control, and, therefore, the ac¬ 
tion could not be maintained. An appeal was presented 
to the Higher Court, and after long arguments, the Court 
decided that bees are “ domestic animals,” and that the 
owner is responsible for any injury they commit. 
Increased Yield of Butter. —The dairy of the 
Hon, Zadoek Pratt of Greene Co., N. Y., shows amarked 
improvement for the last four years. In 1857 he made on 
an average one pound of butter from 39 lbs. of milk ; in 
1858 from 32 lbs., in 1859 from 29 lbs., and in 1860 from 24 
lbs. Here, in other words, 39 lbs. of milk, or 19 quarts, 
produced 10 ounces more of butter in 1860 than in 1857. 
Such an increase would add largely to the profits of dairy¬ 
men generally. Would not proper skill and care secure 
the same result everywhere ? 
To Expel Earthworms.— In answer to the 
query in last month’s Basket, “Pennsylvania” writes. 
We have not proved the common earthworm destructive 
to pot-plants, but have sometimes watered them with 
weak lime water—a small teaeupful to a plant in a 2 qt. 
pot, and in less than 24 hours have found at least three 
kinds secreted in the saucers below, frequently in great 
numbers. The appearance of some of them made it quite 
satisfactory to have them removed from the tender roots. 
If they are not destroyed by the operation, it is of import¬ 
ance to displace them immediately after disturbing the 
pot, as they will often crawl back on finding their hiding 
place discovered. 
Salt for Wire Worms.— Several inquire about 
this. It is confidently asserted by some that two or three 
bushels of salt sown broadcast on an acre will destroy 
wire worms. We have always doubted this. Fifty to a 
hundred bushels per acre might have some effect; but 
even the larger quantity would hardly make the ground 
salt enough to disturb the worms. We have somewhere 
seen a statement that two bushels of salt put upon a rod 
of ground badly infested by wire worms did not stop their 
ravages. This amount (160 bushels per acre) would give 
less than a gill to each square foot—not enough to pickle 
it very strongly, if 8 or 10 inches deep. 
Salting Wheat. —R. Sewell, Baltimore Co., Md., 
inquires if three to four bushels of salt per acre, sown on 
Winter wheat, will prevent the fly, (Hessian, or midge ?); 
also whether the application will injure the grain. Will 
those who have tried it please answer. 
Larks Wanted. —F. Boyce, Washington Co., O., 
is of opinion that the grain fields of Germany are kept 
free from insects by the large numbers of larks, which 
make their home i* the grain fields alone. He states that 
the bird is held almost sacred there ; no man or boy would 
injure one. He thinks they should be imported and dis¬ 
seminated here. A good suggestion ; though were there 
less slaughter of our own native birds, there would be 
more slaughter of insects, and less loss of grain. 
Cure for Gapes. —J. W. Rockwell, Fairfield Co., 
Conn., writes that gapes in fowls may be prevented by 
mixing cayenne pepper with their feed, a tablespoonful to 
a pint of meal, as soon as they are observed to sneeze. 
Previous to adopting this remedy, he lost nearly all his 
chickens, but for two years past in which it has been 
tried, all have been raised. 
Shooting Hats—Also Worrying them Out. 
—S. Paschol, of Chester Co., Pa., recommends shooting 
a few, and says the rest will leave. Wool should be used 
for gun-wadding to avoid fire, and great care should be 
taken, as many barns have been set on fire with guns used 
in killing rats. [This method has often proved effectual, 
but few persons can afford the time to watch, wait for, 
and shoot the pests.—E d.]—I n another case, Mr. P. wor¬ 
ried them out, by stopping up all new holes as soon as 
made, except one before which a steel trap was placed. 
The rats got disgusted and quit. 
A very Large Potato. —Mr. J. S. White, Johnson 
Co., Ind., writes to the Agriculturist that he last year 
raised a potato which weighed 3% lbs.; he asks who can 
beat it ? 
Sugar Beets.— R. B. Cram, Hillsboro’ Co., N. H., 
and some others, ask for the experience of some practical 
grower, of the best method of raising sugar beets, and 
their value for feeding purposes. 
Onions in Danvers, Mass. —Within six miles 
of South Danvers, Mass., 100,000 bushels of onions have 
been produced in a season. This crop does not exhaust 
the soil; since it has been continued on the same land for 
20 years, yielding from 300 to 500 bushels per acre, each 
season, at a net profit of $100. 
Premium Corn Crop. —G. P. Urich, Berks Co., 
Pa., thinks the soil in his vicinity equal to any other, but 
it will not produce such tall corn crops as that of Mr. 
Long, (see Basket Item in January Agriculturist.) He 
thinks there must have been a mistake in measuring the 
land, or the corn was weighed, cobs and all, to get the 94 
bushels per %■ acre. If really correct, Mr. U. hopes to 
see the method of raising given in the Agriculturist. 
Will Mr. Long respond ? 
Good. —A farmer in Watertown, Ct., has been fined 
for letting Canada thistles go to seed on his own land. 
Get Clean Seed. —The foul seed grievance is a real 
one. Farmers buy nine-tenths of their weeds when they 
purchase their seed, and thus are made to pay for what 
costs them many dollars, year after year, to get rid of. 
Sorghnm Brooms. —The Delaware (Ohio) Ga¬ 
zette mentions the receipt of some superior brooms man¬ 
ufactured from the brush of the Sorghum or Chinese 
Sugar Cane. It is claimed that besides being better than 
the ordinary broom corn, the yield of brush is much 
larger, to say nothing of the value of the main stalk for 
syrup and sugar. [Is there not some mistake here ? The 
Sorghum as we have grown it, and seen it grow, has not 
a brush of sufficient length and fineness to be adapted to 
making good brooms.— Ed. American Agriculturist.) 
Sorghum Syrup In Iowa.— A. H. Perry, Cedar 
Co., Iowa, writes that he made 2,500 gallons syrup the 
past season, most of which was of very good qualitv. He 
wishes to know how to convert it into sugar. 
Profitable Acre. —J. G. D. B., Coxsackie, N. Y., 
last year sold currants, plums, pears, and apples from 
part of his acre of ground, to the amount of $235, after 
paying for freight, cartage, and commission. The remain¬ 
ing part of the plot is occupied by the dwelling, front 
yard, and kitchen garden. This shows what can be done; 
many readers would like to know how it is accomplished 
—also how much labor and money were expended to bring 
the place up to such productiveness. 
Strained Honey in Boxes. —J. C., Windham 
Co., Conn. We know nothing of the clear honey put up 
in beach wood boxes, to which you allude. 
Coal Oils, it is said, and perhaps truly, have the val 
liable property of never becoming rancid. All other oils, 
vegetable and animal, absorb oxygen, and decay ; but the 
mineral oils derived from coal, are permanent compounds, 
like water, and do not experience corruption or change 
from time and exposure. 
California Beer Seed.— Mrs. E. Weed, Obion 
Co., Tenn. The substance described in your letter, re¬ 
sembles in its effects, the ferment plant, sometimes called 
the “ Vinegar plant,” notes on which were published in 
the Agriculturist, Vol. XVIII, pp. 247, 307 (Aug. and Oct. 
Nos.) In form and appearance, however, it differs from 
that article. We shall be pleased to receive and examine 
the specimen you kindly offer to send. 
AVet Cellars. —“ Subscriber.” A coating or two of 
cement upon the bottom and sides of a cellar will general¬ 
ly exclude water which comes in through the soil. If the 
ground be springy, a thick grouting of stones and cement 
will be needed to keep water from bursting up through 
the cement. If it enters from near the surface, dig a 
drain to cany it away. 
Soap Stone Griddles.— P. C. W., Town Hill, Pa., 
writes that his experience with them is not favorable. He 
found it took too long to heat it, monopolizing the stove 
nearly an hour ; the cakes would stick a little to the grid- 
cle, and more to each other, and finally the whole thing 
“ blew up,” scattering the fragments and the batter all 
over the kitchen! 
Tire Largest Tree in Massachusetts, is said 
to be an Elm, situated upon the Hubbard farm, in North 
Andover. It is 110 feet in hight and its branches spread 
over 100 feet in width. Its girth, at 6 feet from the ground, 
measures 22% feet. 
Green AVood and Matrimony.— Mrs. C. J. 
Allison, Richland Co., Ill., says very truly “ There’s 
nothing takes the romance out of a young wife, like punch¬ 
ing wet, green, or soggy wood in a cook stove.” Truer 
than some preaching. The man who requires such a 
vexatious task of his wife, by neglecting to provide ? 
well seasoned wood pile, deserves “ punching” himself- 
shiftless farmers please make a note of it. 
Starch in Vermont. —At Stowe, Vt., there are five 
factories in whicli starch is made from potatoes. Each 
consumes about 20,000 bushels per annum, and. eight 
pounds of starch is the yield of each bushel. 
Accidents with Farm Implements.—Next 
to steamboats and railroad accidents, says an Iowa paper, 
more people have been killed last year by harvesting and 
threshing machines than by any other cause.-This 
is guess work and rather random guessing, thinks the 
American Agriculturist. 
Ditehing Machine. —Thomas S. Hall, Stafford 
Co., Va. We know nothing, practically, of the machine 
you refer to. 
Death from Matches.— The Dublin Medical 
Press states that a child aged sixteen months, was poi¬ 
soned to death by sucking the phosphorus from lucifer 
matches, which had been given him by a little companion. 
