212 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
lowest price being 18c., at the same time that what were 
called good berries went at 12c. to 15c. per quart in this 
market. I could have sold many times more berries at 
my highest rates if I had them. I prepared my plot by 
trenching it 25 to 30 inches deep, working into the bottom 
rotton leaves, corn-stalks and green weeds, and mixing 
with the earth, chip manure and scrapings from road-side 
gutters. Atop-dressing of ashes was used.” 
Salt barrels ffor Apples.— Mr. C. W. Cook, of 
Waterloo, states that he purchased live barrels of apples 
from one pile and placed them in the cellar in barrels, one 
of which was an empty Syracuse salt barrel. In this 
barrel the apples were sound and fresh on the 1st of 
April, while in the other four they were mostly all dam¬ 
aged. A hint worth remembering. 
Education off Farmers’ Sons. —H. Gilford 
of Oneonta, inclosing a renewal of subscription, writes : 
“-lam but a boy, but feel as did the King of Sparta, 
when on being asked ‘ what things he thought boys ought 
to learn,’ he replied : 1 Those things they are to practice 
when they become men.’ Farmers do not follow this 
counsel, since they select the best timber among their 
sons for the learned professions, but compel the others to 
a sojourn of a few brief Winters at the district school, and 
then to graduate at the tail of the plow_When young 
farmers pursue their avocation with the same mental dis¬ 
cipline, and with the same perseverance, energy and pride, 
as the professional man, then, and not till then, will the 
waste places literally become fruitful, and the deserts 
blossom as the rose.” 
Mot Mouses.— How to Build, Heat, Ventillale, &c.— 
By Robert B. Leuchars. Saxton & Co., Publishers. 
Priced 1 25. This work has been before the public some 
years. It contains much information on the special sub¬ 
jects of which it treats, and will be useful to those con¬ 
templating or constructing Hot and Green Houses, Con¬ 
servatories and Graperies. For a practical work it de¬ 
votes too much space to the discussions of the principles of 
Chemistry, heat, &c. For those persons indicated above 
it is, perhaps, best as it is, but a selection of one-half of its 
pages leaving out the preface and introduction, and a 
part of the rhetoric and minute details of science, would 
make a more popular work for the masses. 
Draining', —R. W. Arnold, Essex Co., N. Y. In the 
absence of abundant stone, drain tiles are doubtless best in 
almost any soil. We know of none manufactured nearer 
you than Albany. See Advertisement. “Munn’s Land 
Drainer,” though not so good a book on this subject as is 
needed in this country, is the best and only one published 
here. It is, however, worth its cost, 50 cents. 
Doing- West.—“ New England,” of Litchfield Co., 
Conn., writes more at length upon this topic than we can 
give space for. His conclusions are, after residing upon 
a New England farm for fifty years, during which time he 
has traveled over the West and Northwest, that there are 
far more really poor farmers among those who have left 
their Eastern homes for the West, than there are among 
those remaining. He thinks many err in their estimates 
of the value of farms in the populous regions of the East, 
with good buildings, fruit trees, roads, schools, churches, 
&c., as compared with the wilderness of the West, even 
when the land is taken at Government price. 
‘‘New England” is partly right and partly not so, for there 
are many fine openings for young farmers at the West. 
If having a capital, we should, perhaps, go to the Valley 
of the Great Miami River, in Ohio, or to some other place 
just like it. With a small capital, we would go to Cen¬ 
tral, or South Central Illinois. 
SiajterpikospIficB.lLe.—M. S. D., Poughkeepsie. We 
agree with you that some articles sold as superphosphates 
of lime are ‘‘ good stuff.” Unburned bones dissolved pro¬ 
duce a good manure, but a majority of superphosphates 
sold in market are burned bones (nearly valueless) dis¬ 
solved in sulphuric acid. To this is added a little guano 
or some other organic material which gives the chief 
value. We hold that the same materials can be procured 
Cheeper than to buy them in most of the manufactured 
articles sold as superphosphates. 
Men Manure—Guano.—John S. King, Portage 
Co., Ohio. For ultimate effect the dried hen manure will 
be almost as valuable as the same weight of guano. For 
immediate effect the guano being in a more advanced 
state of decay would be much more active than the poul¬ 
try droppings. The comparison between hen manure and 
horse m inure could not be made with accuracy without 
an analysis in each case. There is a wide difference be¬ 
tween fresh stable manure and that which has been fer¬ 
mented a few days or weeks. 
Manure Spreading on Grass Land..—B. H 
Spaulding, of Cavendish, wishes to know the best time 
for this operation. October is considered the best month 
Kye in IPa.— Mr. C. Thomas, o Shohola, Pa., cut 
this year 9,999 large sheaves of Rye rom 40 acres, esti¬ 
mated to yield about a bushel to 14 s eaves. 
Millet—Eg-yptiats Wlicat.—Jno W. Ladd, of. 
East Orange, O., sends us a sample of seed, furnished, he j 
says, to his brother-in-law, Joel Vjfyther, of Wyandott ! 
City, Kansas, by Gen. Whitfield, as Egyptian Wheat from 1 
the Patent Office. We have examined the specimen, and 
cannot see that it differs from the common Millet, and, 
therefore, think the kind offer of our correspondent to 
furnish samples to his brother Agriculturist readers will 
scarcely be worth the trouble. 
Moon’s Influence.—' Warren Winchester, of 
Alleghany Co. We agree with you exactly. Thisplaut- 
ing, sowing, making soap, killing animals, castrating, 
&c., &c., by the stage of the moon, or the “ signs ” in the 
almanac, is contrary to science and reason—it's all moon¬ 
shine, or ” gammon” as you term it, and on a par with 
the superstitious dread of comets, Ace. Plant when the 
ground is ready and the weather right, and so of other 
matters. The moon will not interfere, but “ keep right 
on ” in its course. 
Root. Grafted ’Trees. -J. A. Bailey, Canada 
West, asks our opinion of apple trees grafted upon small 
pieces of roots. If the roots are complete—that is, each 
one the whole bottom, of a small tree—grafting them may 
answer pretty well, although they do not make as 
straight, handsome grow th as budded trees. We would 
by no means graft small roots from larger trees. Exten¬ 
sive experience in this line leads us to condemn the 
practice. 
Whortleberry.—A. F., Massillon, O.—The whor¬ 
tleberry improves both in size and flavor by cultivation. 
This has been sufficiently proved in Massachusetts, 
where they have been grown for market purposes nearly 
twice as large as the ordinary wild varieties, and of a 
rich juicy flavor. A comparatively light and dry soil suits 
them best. 
ild ESHacls. Cherry.—Andrew Shaw, of Huron 
Co., Mich., asks what kind of fruit can be grafted on the 
Wild Black Cherry. We know of nothing, save the im¬ 
proved varieties of this cherry, Some are much larger 
and sweeter than others, and may be engrafted to advan¬ 
tage. We have repeatedly seen the tame cherry grafted 
upon the wild stock, but never knew it to succeed so as 
to be of any profit. The stocks are not sufficiently allied 
to each other for a successful union and future growth. 
^ eteSiies? Tei'aml Grass? anid. tfosiSe’s 
Wineat.—J, A. Russel, Granville Co., N. C.— Neither 
the Spring nor Winter Vetch is raised to much extent in 
this country. Our seasons are not as favorable as the 
moist climate of England. We should like to see more 
experiments with this forage crop. Sweet-scented Vernal 
Grass will doubtless succeed in your locality. It is coming 
into favor in many places. Soule’s Wheat is a white, 
beardless variety', for Fall sowing. 
Wheat Insects.— J. Frazier, of Ohio, and others 
will find a reference to their inquiries in the wheat article 
on page 197. More information is greatly needed. The 
“cause and cure ” of these insects, like those of the potato 
rot, the curculio, the cholera, &c., are yet involved in 
obscurity. 
®ki-4s and Oyster JPSant.—H. B. Ingham, of 
Chillicotlie, will find directions for using the Vegetable 
Oyster, on page 31 of this volume (Feb. number). We 
prefer leaving most of them in the ground till Spring. 
Pick the pods of Okra while they are young and tender, 
say from two to three inches in length, and boil with soup; 
or they may be stewed, and served with butter. 
Kisig- Philip (lorit.-H. B. Ingham, of Ross Co., 
O., writes, he had good roasting ears from seed sent by 
us, in just nine weeks from planting. At the same date 
(August 14) the sugar cane was full ten feet high. 
SSoohs 022 Nurseries.—J. A. B., of C. W.—You 
will find good books on this topic, in “Downing’s Fruits 
and Fruit Trees of America,” a very good work 
price $1 50; Barry’s “Fruit Garden,” price $1 25 ! 
and Thomas’ “American Fruit Culturist,” price $1 25. 
Wheat Soil iai Missouri.—J. M. F., of Dade 
Co., Mo., says Wheat fails in Spring, on a soil producing 
good corn, oats, fruit, &c., and asks why. From the 
brief description that it is “land of a dark appearance,” 
we cannot judge of the cause of failure. If it be a light 
vegetable or muck soil, it is quite probable that it is not 
firm enough to protect the roots in Winter. If there be 
heavy soil below, bringing a portion of this up by deep 
plowing would improve the surface for wheat. A coat of 
lime will probably benefit it. Deep plowing would also 
remedy its “ dryness.” 
Wild Pepper Grass.— James Mitchell, of Clarke 
Co., Pa.—The seed and specimen of “ Wild Flax” for¬ 
warded, on examination prove to be the “ Lcpidium 
virgmicum,” or “ wild pepper grass,” a very troublesome 
weed over a wide extent of our country. Clean tillage, 
with hoed crops, is the surest way of killing it; after 
which, use no foul seed. The fibre of this plant ’is not 
sufficiently firm for manufacturing purposes. 
Dissolving SSones. — An article soon. 
Agricialtura'l Drenviiirnis.—A large number 
Agricultural Societies have offered this Journal in th 
premium lists. We notice over two hundred offered 
the Armstrong County Society (Pa). Were we not st 
posed to be interested, we should say that this is one 
the best possible plans for disseminating information : 
awakening an interest among farmers. 
Grape-Mot.—E. Kohler, Lehigh Co., Pa.—\ 
know no way to stop the rot in your Grapes, now tl 
the disease is progressing.' The abundance of rain, a 
lack of sufficient drainage, are the probable causes. ' U 
less the vine is planted on a side hill, or on gravelly s, 
with a good natural drainage, the ground should be d 
out, and stones placed at the bottom, with a drain runni 
from the borders, or the berries are very liable to rot, 
Send the odd change in Post-Office Stamps. 
Hardy Grapes.—Mr. Hasbrouck, of Ogdensbui 
N. Y„ states that the Isabella Grape is killed there, ai 
inquires for a hardier substitute. This question is ful 
answered at page 158 (July number). The “ Concori 
will probably best meet the wants of your locality. Tl 
Clinton is perfectly' hardy, but less delicious. 
Crass Sherries.—E. II. Loper, De Kalb Co., Ill.—T 
Cranberry will probably succeed in your locality. Plan 
are not obtained from salt marshes, as you suppose, b 
from low grounds, partially covered with fresh wate 
Directions for propagating were given in the June nui 
ber, page 130. 
The Money Crop.-M. Quinby, of St. Johnsvill 
N. V ., wrote us Aug. 6 that all the good weather for bee 
this year, was between the 4th and 25th of July; and tl 
honey crop will be short in consequence, there being ve 
little of the first quality made. The amount of secoi 
quality will depend upon the buckwheat crop and tl 
weather. 
Map off Matrimony.—Received from G. ] 
Kelsey, of Conn. As you say—hardly “agricultural 
enough for discussion here. 
S’. ©. Stamps for Odd Chatjge.—Fraction 
parts of a dollar are best sent in Postage Stamps ; 3-cei 
are far preferable to 10-cent stamps, the latter being did 
cult to use or dispose of. Always put them in dry, 1 
they often get spoiled by sticking to the paper or ink. 
Stop 'Thief ! 
M e diiect especial attention to the advertisement of 
horse thief. Any one nabbing the rascal will secure 
valuable reward, and confer a benefit upon the commi 
nity. 
Smiths Soiim, 
’ Fifty Cents a Line. 
MERCHANTS 
From abroad visiting New-York or Boston, eti 
now secure the sale of Grover & Baker’s Sewin 
Machines in their several localities, with great profit 1 
themselves and advantage to their customers. 
These Machines embrace twenty different varietie 
and contain all the latest and most valuable improvi 
ments, and are unquestionably the best machines in th 
market. These are the only Machines suitable for doin 
family sewing in the best, neatest, and most durable mar 
ner. No family can afford to do without a Grover & Ba 
ker Machine. Merchants from the South and West wh 
commenced the sale of the Grover & Baker Machine 
last year, are all, without one exception, in the full tid 
of success. 
These Machines are always on exhibition at the Sales 
rooms of the Grover & Baker Sewing Machine Compa 
ny, No. 495 Broadway, New-York; No. 18 Summer-st. 
Boston ; No. 730 Chestnut-street, Philadelphia. 
GROVER & BAKER’S CELEBRATED FA MILA 
SEWING MACHINES 
These Machines are unquestionably the best in th 
country. 
No well-regulated family can afford to do withou 
a Grover & Baker Machine made expressly for famil 
sewing. GROVER & BAKER, 
Sewing Machine Co., 
495 Broadway, Nc-w-York . 
18 Summer-street, Boston , 
730 Chestnut-street, Philadelphia ; 
87 Fourth-street, St, Louis, Mo. 
