38 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[February, 
trom the Rhubarb. Nor can a liquor be made which re¬ 
sponsible parties will positively contract for in laige 
quantity at $2 per gallon, or even much lower figures. 
Some of the speculators may offer to take a little, in or¬ 
der to sell their roots. They are buying up all the Lin- 
nmus Rhubarb plants in the country, if they have not al¬ 
ready done so, at various prices, from $1 50 to $3 per 
barrel—latterly at $10—and at $18 to $50 per 1000 roots, 
and then working them off as “ wine plants,” at $250 to 
$100 per 1000 ! It takes good strong roots until the second 
season after planting, to produce a fair crop of stems. If 
picked at all the first season, the roots, will be worth little 
the next year.—A dozen Rhubarb roots in the garden are 
valuable to yield early pie material—but as a “wine 
plant ” they are of little account. 
“ My Cows Slirnnk their Milk from 
eating either oat-straw, or acorns. Neighbor A. says, 
straw. Neighbor B. says acorns. Which was it?”—If 
cows in full milk were changed from good feed to oat- 
straw alone, A. is right. If they were well fed and oat- 
straw constituted a part of their feed, previously, and the 
'the acorns were extra, then B.’s theory is correct. 
Bad Habits Isa ISoa’ses.—Revillo Rice, 
Oswego Co., N. Y., informs the readers of the Agricul¬ 
turist, that after many years of observation, and having 
examined numerous horses affected with the habit of 
hanging their tongues out, he has invariably found, that 
such horses carried their tongues over the bit. He has 
therefore contrived a “ reverse-curved bit,”—one with a 
large n bend in it. While this is used, the tongue must 
be kept below the bit. The inquiry of “ M. B. P.,” last 
month, page 5, is thus answered. 
Cattle Breeders’ Comvesatiosi.— The 
6th Annual Meeting of the Cattle Breeders’ Association, 
referred to last month, page 17, takes place at Worcester, 
Mass., on the first Wednesday in March next. 
Ticks osa Sheep and Lambs. — The 
time to rid a flock of ticks is about two or three weeks 
after shearing—at which period the ticks all leave the old 
sheep and go upon the longer-fleeced lambs. Then dip 
the lambs in strong tobacco-water, using tobacco stems 
from the segar makers. At this time of year use mercu¬ 
rial ointment (unguentum) mixed thoroughly with four 
or five times its weight of lard. Open the fleece and rub 
the unguentum upon the skin, in lines down the back, 
around the neck, and around the belly. This ought not 
to be done in cold raw weather. 
Wool Growers in Nebraska.— At a 
meeting of wool-growers at Omaha City, N. T., a com¬ 
mittee was appointed to draft a bill to be reported to the 
Legislature for the benefit and protection of those en¬ 
gaged in the business in Douglass and other counties. 
Another committee was appointed to prepare and publish 
an address on wool-growing in Nebraska. 
Plaster near Salt Water.— The general 
experience seems to be, that in the vicinity of salt water, 
plaster (sulphate of lime, or gypsum) is not particularly 
valuable applied by itself. It is useful in the stable and 
in manure making. We shall be happy to receive reports 
of experiments with plaster on grain, hoed, or forage 
crops (grass), within 5 miles of the ocean. 
Good Barley.— Robt. Powers of Ozaukee 
Co., Wis., reports the crop of a neighbor of his at 80 
bushels per acre. Two bushels of seed were sown; land 
a black sandy loam, well plowed in fall; seed harrowed 
in, in spring. He estimates 15 bushels lost by the grain 
lodging badly, and thinks sowing 4 bushels per acre, as 
reported by Mr. Watkins, page 362, Dec. Agriculturist, 
is altogether too much. Land differs very much in this 
respect, strong soil requires fewer seeds. 
Dwarf Broom Dors*.— Mary A. Witliing- 
*on, Medina Co., O., writes that the brush of this variety 
makes superior brooms, and that it brings a high price in 
the market. We have had numerous applications for 
seed, but do not know where it can be obtained. Those 
who have it for sale should advertise it. 
Bees in Houses.— J. J. Pruden, 
Morris Co., N. J. writes to the American Agriculturist 
that he has kept bees for 25 years, and experimented to 
ascertain the best method for placing the hives.-IIe found 
it a good plan in winter to cover each hive with an out¬ 
side box, the front of the box being left open to the sun. 
This ooviates the necessity of moving the hives to and 
trom winter quarters in a shed or bee house. He thinks 
now of housing his bees summer and winter. He has 
Kept two hives in his dwelling during two years past, and 
found them more prosperous than colonies of equal or 
superior strength out of doors. Mr. Quinby says in re¬ 
gard to the proposed change, that one or two, or even 
half a dozen such experiments will not justify the expense 
of putting up a large building for bees. The loss of 
queens by mistaking their hives when returning from 
meeting the drones, would more than counterbalance 
profits, unless raising queens artificially were resorted to, 
which few bee-keepers are competent to manage. The 
plan can not be recommended until at least five years, 
successful experience has demonstrated its value. 
Mnngarian Grass astd Millet are not 
the same thing, though botanically of the same species, 
(Setaria Italica). One bears about the same relation to 
the other, that the little dwarf pop-corn does to the great 
horse-tooth corn of the West. 
Elye Grass.— Charles Juzi, Mason County, Ill. 
The seed of this grass may be had of the dealers in this 
city. It may be well to experiment with it, but we fear 
that it would not stand the drouth any better than timothy. 
We would also try a mixture of clover and orchard grass. 
Cottom In Missouri.— G. C. Spence, sends 
a sample of good cotton from south-eastern Missouri. In 
the absence of factories it is worked up by hand in fam¬ 
ilies, who find that the product of half an acre is as much 
as they can take care of. 
Colonizaliom of the South.— A highly 
important movement has recently been set on foot in 
New-York City, having for its object the settlement of 
unoccupied or sparsely inhabited tracts in the Southern 
States. The plan has been organized under the direction 
of Mr. Eli Thayer, whose large experience in similar un¬ 
dertakings gives promise of success. It is designed to 
encourage and assist, but not direct emigration. Per¬ 
sons proposing to locate in the region referred to, may 
obtain at the central office here, by letter or personally, 
valuable information concerning the most inviting dis¬ 
tricts, and they may then emigrate singly or may join 
colonies to be formed, and share in the advantages of as¬ 
sociation. Mr. Thayer’s headquarters are 239 Broadway. 
Yiiiaelasid. S^anids.— In the Agriculturist for 
last May, we published an account of a hurried visit to 
Vineland. Some have complained that our observations 
were too brief to admit of the formation of a correct es¬ 
timate of the real value of the land. We made a plain 
statement of the time spent there, and the grounds for the 
opinion expressed. To avoid all appearance of any un¬ 
warrantable prejudice against the Vineland Enterprise, 
we admit upon page 63, as an advertisement, the account 
of Mr. Robinson, who has twice visited the locality, and 
whose opportunities of judging have, of course, been 
greater than our own. If possible, we shall, during the 
coming summer, take occasion to further examine not 
only Vineland, but other tracts of land in New-Jersey, 
which have long lain unoccupied, but are now being 
brought prominently before the public. 
A Good Yield from am Acre.—P. 
Cooper, Lancaster Co., Pa., divided an acre of ground 
into 48 rows; gave no extra manuring; and kept the soil 
well worked and free from weeds. Here are his returns: 
17 rows Sorghum, 60 gallons Molasses, 80c...$48 00 
1 row Pickles, Beans, and Melons. 6 00 
5 rows Cabbage, 650 heads. 30 00 
13 rows Sweet Potatoes, 50 bushels. 40 00 
5 rows Early Boiling Corn. 6 00 
7 rows Early Mercer Potatoes. 10 00 
Turnips, 30 bushels on margin. 7 50 
Total.$147 50 
The Agricultural College of Penn- 
sylvanla.— The fifth annual catalogue of the officers 
and students of this Institution has been issued. It con¬ 
tains a lithograph t>f the college building, just completed. 
The building is 334 feet long, extends back 80 feet on 
the wings, 130 feet in the central portion of the building, 
and is six stories high. Notwithstanding the invasion 
of the State by the rebel army, and other causes of disturb¬ 
ance, the success of the college during the last year has 
been very satisfactory. During the year 142 students 
and resident graduates have been in attendance. The 
Institution is managed by 12 Professors, Assistants and 
Superintendents, acting under a board of Trustees elect¬ 
ed tri-annually by Delegates sent from the County Ag’l 
Societies of the State. The catalogue gives the grades 
of all the students in their studies, and in their work upon 
the college farm, garden and nursery. The course of 
study extends through four years, and a fifth year is added 
for resident graduates who wish to devote themselves to 
scientific investigations. A Primary department has also 
been established for students not sufficiently advanced to 
enter the college course. The regular course for studies 
embraces thorough instructions in all the natural sciences, 
especially those relating to agriculture. The Pennsyl- 
vinia Legislature at its last session bestowed the proceeds 
of the Congressional Land Grant upon the college. The 
session for 1864 will open on the 24th of February, and 
continue 10 months. Persons wishing further particulars 
should address the President, Dr. Pugh, Agricultural 
College, Centre Co., Pa. 
Agricultural College I.amds.—A bill 
has been introduced into the U. S. Senate, by Mr. Hen¬ 
dricks, of Indiana, “ To extend the time in which States 
■may accspt lands granted by the United States for Agri¬ 
cultural Colleges.” The Indiana Legislature does not 
meet until January 1865, and the object of the bill is to 
enable that State to secure her portion, 390,000 acres. 
A Good School.— Though unsolicited, we 
take pleasure in calling attention to the announcement 
of the Fort Edward Institute, given in the advertising 
columns. The character of the school, and its advan¬ 
tages are there set forth',' in part. The alphabet seated 
J, and K, side by side through our college course, and 
we know Dr. King “like a book.” What he has charge 
of, will not be poorly done. Those who have sons and 
daughters to send away to school, will do well to apply 
for the Fort Edward Catalogue. 
"Frees fron Nurseries. — S. A. Mat¬ 
thews, Champaign Co., Ohio. We should not hesitate to 
take trees from a nursery situated further north than the 
place where they are to be planted, always provided that 
the trees have been well cultivated, and have good roots. 
'When can "Frees be Cast down and 
not Sprout ?—Some trees will sprout if cut down at 
any time. Usually they are less likely to sprout if cut 
during the growing season, than at any other time. The 
most fatal time is just after the leaves are well developed. 
Injury to Trees by Ice.— The trees 
around Boston, Mass., were completely encased in ice on 
the 17th of Dec. last, and so great was the weight of 
the accumulations, that a great number of trees, especially 
elms, were entirely ruined. In some cases every limb 
was torn from the tree. A limb with the ice on was found 
to weigh fifteen pounds. After thawing off the ice the 
weight was less than two pounds. 
White Maple Seed. — Thomas Bell, Jo 
Davies Co., Ill.—In December Basket this was inadver¬ 
tantly included among the seeds to be preserved in sand. 
It is one of the most difficult to keep; is ripe in May, 
and should be gathered and planted in moist soil at once. 
Stump Maclaines.— W. H. Deane, C. W. 
We know of no stump machine worked by steam. 
Have sent your letter to agent of horse-power machines 
We have seen sulphuric acid tried for destroying the 
stumps without any appreciable effect. 
Farm Wagon Philosophy—Query. 
—Which is easier for the team, a spring wagon or' one 
without springs, load and other things being equal ? An¬ 
other Query. —Which are easier, iron axles or wooden 
ones, other things being equal ? 
Strawberry—Note to Inquirers.— 
The variety now called the “ Agriculturist Strawberry” 
is hermaphrodite or perfect, requiring no other varie¬ 
ty to fertilize it. 
Planting Strawberries.— Benj. F. Mor¬ 
rison. Three feet apart is too great a distance for the 
rows unless it is intended to work between them witli a 
horse-hoe. A more economical use of the land, would be 
to put the rows 18 inches apart, with alleys 3 feet wide 
between every four rows, and cultivate with the hoe. 
Hill culture is best whether the ground is weedy or not. 
Grape Queries.— Dr. A. Szendery, Huron 
Co., O., and others. Six feet apart in the row will do for 
Delawares, with rows as far apart as the trellises will be 
high. Brackett’s seedling is regarded as a promising va¬ 
riety and worthy of trial. The Iona will succeed wher¬ 
ever the Catawba will. The Alvey is a small black grape, 
said to make good wine, but for the table it is not to be 
compared with the Delaware and many others.“ J. 
W. J.,” Low Point, Ill. All varieties of grapes will no( 
succeed where wild grapes grow. The Delaware, Clin¬ 
ton, Concord, and Hartford Prolific are the hardiest of the 
approved varieties — Samuel Godshall, Trumbull Co., 
O. Rooted layers may be removed in spring or fell, as 
most convenient. Coal ashes will answer to rendei 
heavy soils less compact. Their value as a fertilizer de¬ 
pends mainly upon the ashes from the wood or charcoal 
used in kindling — “G. W.,” Bloomin-gdale, N. J., sends 
us his plan for training a vine around the trunk of a tree. 
While some graceful climbers may grow there with good 
