102 
[April, 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
Into which are thrown various useful or interesting 
terns, Replies to Questions, Extracts from Letters, Glean- 
ngs from other Journals, etc. 
Many betters are on our desk, containing ques¬ 
tions and suggestions of importance to the writers and 
others. We will answer them just as fast as time and 
room will allow. More than this we can not do, notwith¬ 
standing the urgent and even imperative requests of some 
of the writers. With the Summer before us, and room 
for 50 to 75 basket items, and half as many articles in each 
number, we hope to attend to all these and others that 
come in. 
Loss of Appetite in Horses.— R. D. Patterson, 
Lawrence Co., Pa. asks how to improve the appetite of 
horses that refuse to eat when worked hard. Suclt ani¬ 
mals are probably overworked. Occasional feeds of car¬ 
rots given with oats, aid in keeping up the appetite. 
Disease among Stock.— Isaac Loveland, Jasper 
Co., Iowa, thus describes a contagious disease, known as 
“ Sore Tongue” now prevailing among horses, cattle, and 
hogs in that vicinity. The first symptoms are stiffness 
of the jaws and frothing at the mouth; the nose, lips, 
and tongue become very sore, and the skin peels off. A 
strong solution of copperas, borax, alum and saltpeter, in 
warm water, applied two or three times a day has given 
relief. 
Consult tiic Calendar of Operations.— Our 
readers will find a great ariety of useful hints for the 
season, in the preceeding ■ ilendar. It has been prepared 
with much labor, and cont ns a vast number of items in 
a condensed form. The directions must, of course, be 
varied to suit the different localities. 
N. B.— Defective Seed Envelopes.— Envelopes, 
properly stamped, and directed to the following persons, 
have been received ; but no figures or marks give the 
:east indication as to what kinds of seeds are wanted, and 
we must hold the envelopes for directions : B. F. Hugh¬ 
ey, Mo.; R. A. Killam, N. H. ; B. C. Black, O.; II. 
Brumbaugh, Pa.; I. B. Lewis, Pa. ; O. Comstock, N. Y.; 
C. Y. Erchenberg, Pa.; A. P. Rowe, Va.; E. Wiley, N. 
J.; E. Griffin, L. I.; Jno. Youngson, P. M., III. (2) ; T. 
Dorape, Ind.; J. Broad, Mass.; M. Warner, Mass.; J. C. 
Davison, N. J.; L. Valentine, Boston ; Geo. Wolf, Wis.; 
S. R. Freeman, Ill.; Rev. B. Halsted, Miss.-Sever¬ 
al other envelopes have stamps and numbers, but no ad¬ 
dress (one of these appears to be from Kewanee, Ill., 
another from Newton, N. J., and 2 others from White 
Cloud P. O. The rest have no marks.) 
Send for tl*e Seeds Now.— From the immense 
number of seeds sent out, we judge that most subscribers 
have sent in for them, but we have not yet had time to 
check off the Msts. Any present or new subscribers not 
having applied will please refer at once to our revised 
list (page 123.) and make application immediately, observ¬ 
ing the regulations—See next 2 items. 
Send two lists of Seed Numbers.— We have 
left out from our list of seeds, (page 123) such seeds as 
we are running short of, and can not be replaced. Lest 
other kinds should run short towards the close of the dis¬ 
tribution, those sending envelopes, hereafter, should put 
the 4 or 5 kinds wanted on the upper left hand corner, and 
on the lower left hand corner add a second list of a few 
kinds to be selected from in case any named in the upper 
list should be exhausted. Of most kinds we shall have 
enough for all subscribers yet applying. 
Seeds Not Scut by Express.— Many subscribers 
at a distance have asked seeds by express, where this 
mode of carriage would be much costlier than by mail. 
(No package can go to the Western States for less than 
50c.) In such cases, we have sent by mail, trusting that 
those receiving them will refund the postage we have pre¬ 
paid for them, or make it up in sending new names of 
subscribers. 
No More Microscope Premiums.— The 250 
microscopes provided(premium J page 122) are about gone. 
As they are only made in Paris, France, we can not get 
a new supply in season for this year, and this premium 
(J)is therefore discontinued. 
Insect Powder—Coal Tar.— This article, ad¬ 
vertised elsewhere, it is claimed has proved useful. Our 
experience has been different. The advertiser claims 
that the article furnished us was from the first made, and 
was not right. It may be so, and at his request we will 
try It again this season and report the result. Wo took 
the advertisement with the express understanding that 
this notice would be inserted. 
Dwarf Broom Corn.— Geo. Smith, of Tuscara¬ 
was Co., O., speaks in the highest terms of this, as do 
many others. We can not add it to our list the present 
year—the list is inconveniently large already. We have 
a little seed but it must be put with some other varieties 
to be given out only in special cases, as, for example, 
when persons send in new subscribers. 
Dead.— “ Miner’s Rural American ” departed from a 
troublesome life on February 23d. We regret that it was 
unworthy to live, and sympathize with those who lost 
their money by paying in advance. 
Endorsing Advertisements.— R. E. M. We 
do not endorse every thing said by advertisers. Theie 
are some things advertised in this journal which we would 
not care to buy, some books, manures, etc., for example ; 
but our constant aim is, to admit no advertiser whom we 
do not think will fulfill all he promises by advertisement. 
Humbugs, cheats, unreliable dealers, e'.c., are excluded. 
Cure for Potato Rot. —Daniel Rhoads, Freder¬ 
ic Co., Md. We have no faith in the “ sure cure ” adver¬ 
tised in this city. It savors of humbug. After diligent 
inquiry we have not been able to find the advertiser. The 
people at the office where he hails from “ don’t know him.” 
Gift Enterprises fare liard in Kentucky.— 
A man was recently fined $100 in the Brecken Circuit 
Court, Ky., for selling chances in a Gift Enterprise set on 
foot in New-Jersey. The counsel for the defendant vain¬ 
ly tried to escape the penalty, on the plea that the en¬ 
gravings were worth what was paid for them, aside from 
the extra chance for a big prize, which was of course the 
principal inducement for purchasing the picture. Good 
for Kentucky law, and Kentucky Judges. 
Plowing for a Drain. —J. A. Pollock, Hunting¬ 
don Co., Pa., writes that a drain for tiles may be opened 
with a plow, almost the required depth, by means of a 
chain, about eight feet long, between team and beam. 
Cost of Draining. —An old subscriber of the 
Agriculturist, in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., referring to the 
draining of Messrs. Maxwell & Bro. at the cost of $100 a 
mile as noticed on page 6, Jan. No., says that in August 
last he employed a person recommended as the best 
drainer in Albany, to lay tiles on about 3 acres of hillside, 
soil a rich loam, and the cost, as per agreement, was as 
follows: 25 rods 7X inch tile at $1.80= $17 ; 13’f rods 
of OX inch tile at $1.30= $18.97 ; 127 rods 3 inch tile at 50 c. 
per rod $86. Total cost $151.97, or at the rate of $228 per 
mile. [If the whole had been 3 inch tile the cost would 
have been but $160 per mile ; while if it had been 2 inch 
tile, the size most generally used, the cost would not have 
been greatly above that of the Maxwells.—E d.] 
Niglit Soil—Leaclicd Ashes.— II. A. Trench, 
Eaton Co., Mich. The leached ashes thrown into the 
privy vaults in large quantities would absorb the liquid 
and somewhat diminish the odors. They would probably 
not contain alkali enough to expel ammonia. Leached 
ashes, muck, or even good soil mixed freely with the 
night soil will aid in its removal and application. 
Manure Cellars under Barns.— Robert Hutch¬ 
inson, Ashtabula Co. O. They can be so constructed as 
not to affect animals above, by having close double floors, 
and an outside opening. See description of our own barn, 
August number, 1860. 
Cider Pomace for Manure. — Chas. W. 
Bradley, New Haven Co., Ct., and others. Apple pom¬ 
ace, like other organic materials, is doubtless valuable 
as a fertilizer, and Worth sowing and using. We have 
no means of estimating its exact value. The best 
mode would be to mix it with manure in the yard. 
Unleached Ashes or lime in moderate quantity would 
doubtless improve it by destroying the large amount of 
acids. If not convenient to compost it with manure, it 
may be applied to the soil, after the use of ashes and lime, 
and be then plowed in. 
Sowing Winter Wheat in Spring—Club 
Wheat—Smut —J. C. Bishop, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., 
writes to the Agriculturist that he has frequently sown 
small quantities of winter wheat in Spring, and obtained a 
good yield the same season, by putting it in very early and 
wetting the surface of the ground thoroughly, so that the 
wheat will be soaked and frozen. It starts early and 
matures. He intends treating the “ Giant Wheat,” re¬ 
ceived from us, in this manner, and expects to ripen it. 
He says the Club Spring Wheat which has been much 
grown there, is running out.—He prevents “ smut” by 
soaking seed wheat in strong brine, and drying it with 
fresh slaked lime. This was practiced as long ago as we 
can remember, and with almost uniform success. This 
hint alone, which we published some time since, gave 50 
bushels extra of good wheat to one of our subscribers 
A similar field of 10 acres, not so treated, was filled with 
smut, and every way inferior. 
Lime on Seed Potatoes.— Several subscribers 
speak of good results from a method described in the 
Agriculturist some time ago, which was, to cut the po¬ 
tatoes, roll them in fresh slaked lime, and let them lie six 
to ten days before planting. The reports are, that pota¬ 
toes so treated sprout sooner after planting, grow more 
rapidly, and are not affected by rot. This looks reason¬ 
able ; the lime corrects acids in the cut tubers,and what is 
probably of most utility, the alkalies assist in decompos¬ 
ing the organic matter around the seed, and thus immedi¬ 
ately supply more nourishment. 
Grass Seed xvitli Oats. — “ D.” Hempstead. Seed¬ 
ing with oats is often successfully practiced, though sow¬ 
ing with winter grain is generally preferred. The White 
Poland Oats are an excellent variety. 
Carrot Seed per Acre, etc,—J. L. Abbott, Ross 
Co., O. Better-use about 2 lbs. seed per acre to be sure 
of enough. Sow in drills 16 to 18 inches apart, and thin 
to 4 or 6 inches distant, according to the variety. 
Asltes on Sandy Soil. —H. M. Atwater, St. Law¬ 
rence Co., N. Y. Your sandy soil, which has been over¬ 
cropped without manure, would doubtless be benefitted 
by bringing up an inch or two of the subsoil, applying a 
coat of ashes, or lime, sowing clover, or clover and timo¬ 
thy, and afterwards turn this under. In this way or¬ 
ganic matter will be restored to it from the air. Alkalies 
(ashes or lime) are worse than nothing on light warm 
soils, unless you turn under manure or green crops. 
Madder — fRubia Tinctoria )—Mrs. Mary I. Hale, 
Trempealeau Co., Wis. Madder is grown to considerable 
extent in Ohio, but we question whether it will succeed 
well in your latitute (44°). It is raised from both seed 
and roots. The seed can be had of seedsmen at about 
$1 per lb.,—the roots from persons growing them. The 
roots are perennial and are the portions containing the 
the coloring matter. Plant roots in August or Septem¬ 
ber, in deep soil, and sow seed in early spring. Growing 
plants may also be set out in May or June. The roots 
are used to extract color when two and three years old, 
and nearly the size of one’s little finger. 
Hedge Plants—Distance Apart.—N. S. Du 
Bois, Oregon. Set thorn and honey locust, osage orange, 
and buckthorn, 1 foot apart for hedges, and cut back one 
half when two feet high, to make them branch. 
Planting Locust Seed.— Martin Allen, La Salle 
Co., Ill., plants locust seed in the spring at corn planting 
time. He first pours boiling water on, and stirs the mass 
thoroughly, and plants as soon as the seed is dry enough 
to handle. He says, all good seed treated thus, will grow. 
He has some fine groves, where the seed was dropped in 
the hills with corn. 
Fruit Outlines. —S. M. of Calmdale, Pa., commu¬ 
nicates to the Horticulturist his plan of taking fruit impres¬ 
sions as follows: Cut the fruits (apples, pears or quinces) 
lengthwise; cover the cut side with ink, and press it firmly 
upon white paper, stem and all. Under the outlines 
thus made, make such notes of the time of ripening, name 
of variety, etc., as are desirable, and paste the whole in a 
book kept for that purpose. 
Frnit on Hillsides. —Geo. Thomson, Mich. Steep 
hillsides may be set with fruit trees, especially apples. 
Grafting AVax.— J. McMeekin, C. W. The wax 
described in a previous volume is made of 2 lbs. rosin, 1 
Jb. beeswax, with tallow or lard sufficient to soften until it 
can be readily applied with the hand. Some grafters pre¬ 
fer 6 lbs. rosin, I lb. beeswax and 1 pint linseed oil. 
Stuartia and Wistaria.—J. G. Ilovey, Buchanan 
Co., Iowa. Stuartia pentagynia is propagated by cuttings 
and layers. Parson’s catalogue offers it at 75 cents per 
plant. Wistaria or Glycine is propagated in the same 
way, and costs 35 cents per root. They can be sent safely 
by express, adding say 25 cents for packing. 
N. Y. State Agricultural Society.— The fol¬ 
lowing officers for 1861 were elected at the last meeting 
of this society, viz.; President —Hon. George Geddes, 
Onondaga. Vice Presidents —1st district, John Jay, New 
York; 2d district, Benjamin F. Camp, Westchester; 3d 
district, Herman Wendell, Albany ; 4th district, John A. 
Corey, Saratoga ; 5th district, Solon D. Hungerford, Jef¬ 
ferson ; 6th district, Ezra Cornell, Tompkins; 7th dis¬ 
trict. D. D. T. Moore, Monroe ; 8th district, Samuel W. 
Johnson, Cattaraugus. Corresponding Secretary —Ben¬ 
jamin I’. Johnson, Albany. Recording Secretary —Eras- 
tus Corning Jr. Albany. Treasurer —Luther II. Tucker, 
Albany. Executive Committee —T. C. Peters. Genesee; 
N. Lapham; Clinton; John Winslow, Jefferson; E. Sher- 
rell, Ontario ; Samuel Thorne, Duchess. 
