208 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[June, 
“A Fairbanks ” is a convenient synonym 
for a weighing machine or scales, as nearly perfect of its 
kind as it is possible to procure, whether it occupies a 
place on the druggist’s counter, or is at a freight depot, 
and large enough to weigh a loaded train. The firm of 
Fairbanks & Co. have a world-wide reputation, and wo 
are glad to learn that, since the Centennial, their already 
important foreign trade has increased in a most gratify¬ 
ing manner. Every well appointed farm should have the 
means of weighing every thing that is sold from it or 
bought for it,and this can be supplied by Fairbanks & Co. 
North Carolina, ahead of New Jer¬ 
sey.—Those who do not know what improvement has 
taken place in the past few years, regard the Southern 
States as much behind others in agricultural progress. 
So far from this being the case, Georgia has a Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture, that for real usefulness to the farm¬ 
ers of the Statg, is superior to any other we know of. 
Later, North Carolina has waked up, and an Experiment 
Station has just been organized, and placed in charge of 
Prof. A. R. Ledoux, who will at once exercise a control 
over the fertilizer trade similar ts that which exists in 
Connecticut. Last winter the Board of Agriculture of 
New Jersey, applied to the Legislature of that State for 
a small appropriation to start an Experiment Station. 
The Legislature, composed largely of lawyers, laughed 
down and turned the affair into ridicule. The legislators 
of North Carolina, in this respect, are more wide-awake 
to the interests of the farmers than those of New Jersey. 
Small Fruit Culture in N. JJ.— 
There is no doubt that the growing of strawberries and 
other small fruits for market, began in those portions of 
New Jersey opposite to New York. The business, now 
so important and extended, had a very small beginning; 
at first the growers took their own fruit to the city in 
small baskets, strung on poles, and hawked it about the 
streets. At the Annual Meeting of the N. J. State Hor¬ 
ticultural Society, Mr. C. W. Idell called attention to the 
fact that but little is known of the early history of this 
culture, and gave a number of interesting items which 
he had gathered in conversation with some of the “old¬ 
est inhabitants ” of Bergen Co. These gave the Society 
a desire to know more, and a committee was appointed 
to gather statistics and materials for a history of small 
fruit culture in the State. We hope that all who have 
any facts concerning the introduction of the early varie¬ 
ties of these fruits, or any other points in the history 
of the culture, will place themselves in correspondence 
with C. W. Idell, 227 Washington St., N. Y. 
Tlie American Bornological Soci¬ 
ety will hold its 16th biennial session at Baltimore, Md., 
on Sept. 12th next, and continue for three days. It is 
none too early for distant members to so arrange their 
plans as to be present at this, which promises to be a 
most interesting gathering. We learn from friends in 
Baltimore that preparations for the meeting are already 
going forward. The Maryland Horticultural Society, at 
whose invitation the Society meets there, will hold their 
Annual Exhibition at the same time, and hope to out-do 
themselves. Col. Wilder, whose health has been a cause 
of anxiety, now writes cheerfully of his improved con¬ 
dition, and hopes to be in the President’s chair, a hope 
in which all pomologists will join. 
Autmnn Fairs.— Nebraska, and "Washing¬ 
ton Co., R. I.—the far East and the far West, set an ex¬ 
ample that other States and Couniies should follow. 
They have decided when their fairs are to be held, and 
give us timely notice. We hope that secretaries of State 
and other Societies will favor us with early notice of 
the holding of their fairs. We would suggest to the 
County Societies the propriety of naming the State in 
their circulars. “ Washington Co.’’ or “Franklin Co.,’’ 
are not especially definite as to locality. 
Fertilizing value of Apple Pom¬ 
ace.— “C. G. S.,” Dauphin Co., Pa. Apple pomace has 
very little value as a fertilizer. The best manner of us¬ 
ing it is to feed it to cows, swine, and horses, all of 
which will readily eat it, either when fresh, or preserved 
in barrels or even in a compact heap. It will remain fit 
for use for several months, and when fed in small quan¬ 
tities, will be a healthful addition to the ordinary feed. 
If used for manure, it should be composted with lime, 
when it will be worth as much as so much swamp muck. 
Doluiul-Cliiiia Record.—We are glad 
to notice that a Record for pure bred Poland-China Swine 
is proposed, and hope it will be carried into execution. 
We understand that Mr. Carl Freigan, of Washington, 
Fayette Co., Ohio, proposes to undertake the work. Un¬ 
der the system proposed by him, of recording anything 
that may be sent in, doubtless much mischief may re¬ 
sult. This work should be under the supervision of an 
assooiatlon of breeders, who would be interested in pre. 
serving the purity of the breed, and not be controlled by 
one individual, with whom profit may be the chief object. 
This popular and valuable breed of swine should not be 
exposed to the possible injury that might result from 
the recording, and endorsement, of ill bred animals, as a 
hitherto good reputation might be seriously endangered. 
New White IBydraiagea “Thomas 
Hogg.” —In October last, we gave some account of 
this as a new addition to our collections, of great prom¬ 
ise, and gave an engraving which, being much reduced 
in size, failed to give a proper idea of the plant. Re¬ 
cently, through the attention of Mr. John Cadness, of 
Flushing, L. I., the florist into whose hands the plant 
fortunately fell, we have been able to see a fair specimen. 
A stem 15 inches high is surmounted by a broad cluster 
which is but a trifle short of a foot across ; the individu¬ 
al florets are from two to two and a half inches across. 
Like the common Hydrangeas the flowers of this are at 
first greenish, hut at length, when fully developed, be¬ 
come of a clear full white. This is manifestly one of 
the finest plants of late years, and Mr. Hogg and Mr. 
Cadness, the one as the discoverer, and the other as the 
disseminator, deserve the thanks and congratulations of 
ail lovers of fine plants. 
To prevent Calves from Sucking. 
—“ C. C. P.,” Galveston, Texas. In the American Agri¬ 
culturist of November, 1876, a description and illustra¬ 
tion were given of a perforated bit to be worn by wean¬ 
ing calves, for the purpose of preventing them from 
sucking. Very full directions are there given so that the 
bit may be made by any blacksmith. 
Gapes iu Chickens.—“ O. K.,” Hart Co., 
Ky. To prevent gapes in chickens, it is only necessary 
to have each year fresh ground upon which fowls have 
not been previously kept. This may be done, either by 
spading old gronnd deeply each year, or providing a 
different locality for the poultry yard. 
Carting- N'if^Satsoil.—“Subscriber,” Pem¬ 
berton, N. J. It would not pay to cart nightsoil 15 
miles if it were mixed with several times its bulk of 
coarse coal ashes. For the cost of cartage, (say S3) 100 lbs. 
of guano could be bought, which would be worth as much 
as 1000 tts. of ordinary wet night soil, free from ashes. 
Blow to Treat a Hiring Elorse.— 
“J. J. C.,” Hartford, Wis. If the horse is dangerous 
use a muzzle; if not so bad as that, punish the animal 
at each attempt to bite by a smart blow on the nose with 
a switch or a slap with the open hand. 
Questions relating; to Poultry. — 
“M. J. McC.,” Hartford, Ct. The thickened scales on 
the legs of poultry are caused by a mite, similar to the 
scab-mite of the sheep, which burrows beneath the skin. 
The remedy is to apply to the legs of the fowls a mix¬ 
ture of one ounce of lard, one teaspoonful of kerosene 
oil, and one teaspoonful of sulphur, well mixed and 
rubbed together. Rub this on the affected legs every" 
night, until a cure is effected. Leg-weakness may be 
prevented or cured by giving in the feed a teaspoonful 
of cayenne pepper and one of sulphate of iron, (copper¬ 
as), for every dozen fowls, once in two days, and con¬ 
tinued for a week. Wheat is perhaps the best food for 
poultry as a steady diet. Too much com is not good. 
Weight of Pig's. —The Secretary of Lan¬ 
caster Co., (Pa.) Agricultural Society, sends the follow¬ 
ing account of eight pigs raised by Levi W. Groff, of Lan¬ 
caster Co., being the first litter of a young sow; they 
were dropped June 16th, ’76. On Nov. 27th, three of the 
smallest of the lot, then 5 months and 10 days old, were 
killed, the dressed weight of each respectively was 139, 
151 and 159 lbs. On Jan. 2d, ’77, the remaining five pigs, 
then 6 months and 16 days old, were killed, the dressed 
weight was respectively 201, 214, 228, 229 and 231 lbs. 
Total net weight of last five killed being 1,103 lbs., 
an average of 220 3 / 6 lbs. net weight each. The average 
age of the lotwas 182J days. Average net weight, 194 lbs. 
lVhcat lira, it as a Eertilixer.—“ F. 
M. N.,” Moscow, N. Y. Wheat bran contains consider¬ 
able fertilizing constituents, but yet it would not be an 
economical fertilizer. Peruvian guano at 3 cents a pound, 
bone and meat dust, or a mixture of superphosphate of 
lime and fish scrap, would, either of them, be much 
cheaper and more rapidly effective. The best and most 
profitable manner of utilizing wheat bran would be to 
feed it to pigs, or other animals, and save their manure. 
The EllVcts of the European War 
upon American Agriculture.— The first effects 
of the war in Europe upon the produce market in this 
country may easily tend to mislead. The sharp rise in 
prices which occurred, was chiefly speculative and rapid¬ 
ly lost itself in a sudden reaction—leaving, however, a 
permanent though not very large advance. The effects 
of the war upon the produce business, have been 
largely discounted, and preparations have been made 
to meet it for some time back. Should the war be pro¬ 
longed, it is not probable that we shall see any sudden 
greatly increased demand for provisions or grain, but 
such a steady drain towards Europe as will keep the 
markets at least in a satisfactory condition. Everywhere 
except in the Cotton States a healthy business will prob¬ 
ably be maintained ; but there the demand for cotton 
may fall off and prices subside somewhat. The very 
plain interest of farmers everywhere will be to grow as 
much of food crops as possible. In the South this will 
help to mitigate the possible loss of a market for some 
cotton and keep the price of a reduced crop to a higher 
average. In the East, North, and West, it will give 
farmers plenty of salable produce, which if it does not 
bring high prices, will at least secure satisfactory profits. 
Sliropsiiire Slieep.—“H. M. G.,” Peconic, 
L. I. The best flock of Shropshires in America, is that 
of II. M. Cochrane, of the Province of Quebec, Canada. 
These are very valuable sheep, and are rather strangely 
neglected by our breeders. They are intermediate, both 
in wool and flesh, between the Cotswold and Southdown. 
Pettcngill’s Newspaper directory 
and Advertiser’s Hand-Book. - The well 
known advertising firm of Messrs. S. M. Petterigill & Co. 
liavejust issued their “Advertiser’s Hand-Book’’ for 1877. 
This is a complete and thorough list of all the news¬ 
papers and other periodicals published in the United 
States and JBritish America. It contains also a list of 
newspapers by counties, for the special convenience of 
such advertisers as desire to cover certain portions of 
any of the States. The work is in every way -editable 
to the enterprising firm who issue it. As a Record, with 
description of the entire press of the country, it is in¬ 
teresting and valuable to any one. Octavo, 344 pages, 
bound in cloth. Price $1.00—by mail. 
Questions Concerning Butter.— 
“ T. A. G.,” Livermore, Colorado. Barrels in which but¬ 
ter is packed, should be perfectly clean and free from any 
odor or taint, otherwise the butter will absorb it. An 
underground cellar, or cave, would be an excellent place 
for the storage of butter, provided it was well ventilated 
and free from bad odors. Ordinary soft-finish muslin 
may be used to pack butter in, after it has been thorough¬ 
ly washed and then soaked in clean brine. Common 
barrel salt, if it is pure, may be used for dairy purposes, 
but it should be previously crushed fine, by rolling it 
with a large pastry roller, or pounding it with a mallet. 
It is best to use pure salt, such as the Ashton salt, or 
Onondaga factory filled. For making brine for packing 
butter in barrels, good ordinary salt will do, if the brine 
is boiled, and skimmed, and strained. 
Profit in Poultry. —“D.H.M.” Lancaster, 
Pa. We do not think that one half of those persons 
who keep poultry as a special business make ends meet, 
unless they sell eggs or fowls at fancy prices. Every 
one can not do this. Those only succeed who have more 
than usual tact, patience, perserverance, and aptness to 
learn, if they have not already had experience on a farm. 
It is not advisable for any person to embark in the busi¬ 
ness largely at first, but it would be wise to begin in a 
small way and let-it grow by success. 
Feeding; a, Brood. Mare. — “K. S.,” 
Lake Park, Minn. It is no injury to a mare with foal to 
be fed with a moderate quantity of grain, the quautity 
depending upon her usual rations, if the grain is good 
and sound, and is not solely corn. Corn and oats will do 
very well, but oats alone is the best food along with hay. 
On good pasture, when not working, the mare needs no 
grain. To starve the mare is had for the colt. 
Strawberries.—Mr. E. XV. Durand, of Irv¬ 
ington, N. J., a celebrated grower of strawberries, invites 
all interested in the culture of that fruit to visit his place 
about the middle of June, to examine his large collection 
of varieties, mostly seedlings of his own raising. 
The Department of Agriculture. 
—Many journals and individuals, assuming that some 
one is to be appointed Commissioner of Agriculture in 
place of the venerable Mr. Watts, are busying them" 
selves with nominating his successor. We have been 
asked to advocate the appointment of no less than six 
different persons, and several agricultural journals have 
made their nominations—some of which are eminently 
unfit to be made. We are not especially enthusiastic in 
the matter, for so long as the Department is kept upon 
its present footing, it really does not make so very much 
