1805.] 
AMERICAN AG-RICUT.TIJRIST, 
Q05 
of hell mantiie. which he wishes to ii.se in tlie liqniil 
form. A peck or so in a han el of water will make it 
quite strong cnotigli. This should not lie put upon the 
foliase. but ovet the roots of plants. It is better to apply 
it weak and have it diffusad in the soil, as far as the 
' roots extend. Once oi twine a week will be often 
enough, and if possible apply it just before a rain. 
B is* 5* or IPost- 
drette.—hcinnel Church, writes : “ In a past number 
? of the A gricuUurist I saw it stated that stovepipes, wa- 
' ter buckets, etc., etc... were taken from the niglit soil be¬ 
fore it was prepared for poudrette. I found in- a barrel 
of poudrettc a year or two ago. the fol.owing articles: 
‘ coal cinders, ashes, burnt and ujiburnt bones and shells, 
pieces of earthen, stone, gla.ss and china ware, pieces 
of window and looking glass, pieces of black, blue, 
green and white bottle glass, pieces of tobacco pipes, 
bricks, lime and cement, shirt and other buttons, nails, 
feathers, rosin, peanut shells, piece of lobsters claw, pins, 
piece of comb, a dress hook, hair pins, shavings and 
pieces of bark, isinglass, a pair of sleeve buttons, a hog’s 
tooth, a marble, whalebone, rattan, straw, fish scales, 
pieces of springs of hoop skirts, wire, leather, rags, egg 
shells, piece of slate, a carpet tack, matches, corn, oats, 
seeds of dales, oranges, watermelons, muskmelons, and 
raisins, two kinds of seeds name not known, cherry 
stones, saltpetre, a child’s toy of turned wood, dead 
leaves, etc., etc., etc.” A curious compost, truly ! 
of Turnip Seed per Acre. 
“ A. H. J.,” Morris Co., N. J., asks of the Agriculturist : 
‘‘ IIow much turnip seed is required to sow an acre 
broadcast.” There is no rule that can be recommended 
to suit different kinds of turnips, and a variety of soils. 
If the seed is good, and the soil in fine condition, one 
pint will be sufficient to seed it well, if distributed even¬ 
ly. Mingle the seed with eight or ten quarts of gypsum, 
dry sand, or ashes, anil sow both ways. Divide the seed 
into as many parcels as there are rounds sown. (.A round 
has the width of two casts—forth and back.) In this way 
the seed can be scattered very uniformly. If there is 
danger that the turnip fly w ill destroy more or less of 
the young plants in the seed leaf, better sow one quart of 
seed. Then, if they are too thick, after the tops are too 
large to be injured by the fly, go through them and thin 
out w ith a broad hoe or a bayonet hoe. A man can thin 
a large patch in a day. 
iSBcrits of B>»ra»-f ISroosn Corn.— 
Elias Reed, of Lucas Co., 0., writes to the Agriculturist-. 
“ The proportion of limber corn in my crop was compar¬ 
atively small, probably not more than one sixth part of 
the whole. But, without this, I know not what we 
should have done for the middle of the brooms, as the 
greater portion vvas only suitable for wrappers. Those 
who have seen the brooms made of this corn acknowl¬ 
edge that they are very nice and elastic. The stalks of 
Ihis variety, if cut up as soon as the corn is pulled off, 
which is the usual manner of harvesting it, afford more 
fodile.- than I know how to raise from any thing else, on 
the same ground. The leaves of the dwarf corn are large 
and numerous, of course they absorb from the atmos¬ 
phere more nourishment than small ones. The stalks 
are well covered with husks which, if properly cured, 
make nutritious feed for slock. It is doubtless two weeks 
later than the tall variety, and therefore should be plant¬ 
ed early and on rich soil.” Our readers will remember 
that we have published reports unfavorable to this variety. 
Each kind has its strong and sensible advocates. 
Ts'ce Protectors.— These are mostly eon- 
Blructed with a view to prevent the wingless female in¬ 
sect from crawling up the trunk of the tree to lay her 
eggs, from which the destructive worms (larvcs) are 
hatched, as noticed in an article on canker worms. Sey¬ 
mour’s Patent, manufactured by P. & F. Corbin, is very 
simple in principle, easily applied, and durable. “ Can¬ 
ker ” worms, and all that come from crawling ancestry, 
will be effectually headed off by their careful use. 
Weis’llias oa ftlie Farm, of ^r.ain, wool, 
cattle, etc., would in many instances be of great ad¬ 
vantage to the producer. With a good scale at hand, 
there will be no need of estimating in selling produce by 
weight. The increase of stock under different modes of 
treatment can be correctly noted, thus enabling one to 
’udge of the proper management. Fairbanks’ scales ad¬ 
vertised in this paper, have a long tried and fully sfstained 
reputation for accuracy and durability. Their manu¬ 
factures are we believe the most varied and extensive in 
this country, if not in the world, 
IjigUtwinsr Kods.—Some oneconceruedin 
the sale of a patent lightning rod, writes to say, that the 
article published in the June Agriculturist, uiron the 
Btr'Jlcture of lightning rods, docs him great injustice. To 
which we reply, we can not help it. We gave some 
general principles, such as are recognized by scientific 
men. and if this is unjust to any patented notion, so much 
the worse for the patent. Now. we have nut the least 
doubt, that most of the patented rods will protect a build¬ 
ing, if properly applied, for they generally fulfil the es¬ 
sential conditions stated in the article referred to. and the 
patented portion usually applies to some unimportant 
peculiarity, which it is easy to make people, who under¬ 
stand nothing of the subject, believe to lie essential. As 
we never before heard of our correspondent's rod. we 
eertainlv had no reference to him, and as his especial 
grievance is. that the article recommended iron, while 
ha sells copiier rods, we will say that copper is a much 
better conducter than iron, and that a rod of copper of a 
given size will conduct electricity much more readily, 
than an iron one of the same diameter. As an iron rod, 
sufficiently large and properly placed, will afford ade¬ 
quate protection, it is generally used on account of its 
greater cheapness and stiffness : but there is no reason 
why those who choose to do so, should not use copper. 
CIotStes-^V*"i«*g'CJ’@ have deservedly become 
a household institution in the land, to the great satisfac¬ 
tion of the housekeeper, and the benefit of those who 
have to pay for clothing. From several years’ experience 
with the Universal Wringer, we believe it has paid for 
itself every year in the saving of the wear of garments, 
to say nothing of the relief to the wu ists of the washer¬ 
woman. We have sent out hundreds of these imple¬ 
ments as premiums for obtaining subscriptions to the 
Agriculturist, always with satisfaction to the recipients, 
and we have yet to hear of a family where they have 
been thrown aside from dislike, after being well tried. 
Mixing or Sqnasiscs. —“ Long Island.’’ 
Different varieties will mix, but the readiness with which 
they do so, seems to vary. We have excellent authority 
in proof that squashes and pumpkins will form a cross. 
As to the question whether the results of such a mixture 
w'ill be manifest in the fruit, or only be seen in its proge¬ 
ny, it is one upon which we have but little positive infor¬ 
mation, and concerning which we should be glad of 
facts. We have given, last year, all the proof upon this 
point in our possession. The general belief is that the 
fruit is not affected, and we know one large cultiv.ator 
who grows the different varieties in proximity, and says 
he can discover no change in the fruit, but that he never 
plants seed of his own raising for fear of crosses. Please 
give us the result of the planting of your squashes and 
pumpkins near together. 
Canada. Tlii.stle.— A Canada correspondent 
is “ in a state of mind’’because this farmers’ pest is in 
our country called after Ajs country, and thinks it is in 
some way an unmerited reproach upon Canada. If we 
had had the naming of the plant, we should have spared 
our neighbors over the border, but as it is now we are 
obliged to use a generally recognized name. The 
British-subjects dignify one of their troubles as the Am¬ 
erican Blight, so we don’t see but the account is square. 
We suppose that the thistle is named so because the 
plant first found its -way to this country from Europe by 
the way of Canada, and the people of that country 
ought to be made to suffer a little for giving such a rebel 
aid and comfort, until he was strong enough to make a 
raid across our borders. If it will comfort our Canadian 
friend, we w ill admit that Cursed Thistle, one of its Euro¬ 
pean names, is more expressive and appropriate. 
eSrapes and Wine.—O. D. E. It is not 
possible to make wine from unripe grapes. If your 
grapes have a “ very thick skin,” the variety is probably 
not worth cultivating. It makes but little difference 
whether they drop or not. It is likely that the Juice of 
green grapes, with the addition of sufficient sugar,would 
make a liquid which some people call wine, as will the 
Juice of rhubarb stalks.but we don’t encourage the mak¬ 
ing of such stuff. We shall probably have something to 
say of wine-making at the proper season ; in the mean¬ 
while see article in last October’s Agriculturist. 
<5i*ape Vines in I*ots.— M. H. H., Mount 
Pleasant, Iowa, writes to know how to dwarf a grape 
vine so that it will grow in a pot. Our native vines may 
be grown in pots for amusement, and we should select 
the Delaware for the experiment. Plant a 1-year old 
vine in a large pot, and treat as we directed April, 1864. 
Vii*e Cnitnre at tlie Soiitii.—The gen¬ 
tleman who advertises respecting vine culture in the 
Southern States, comes recommended to us as one of 
experience and reliability, and one whose reputation is 
worthy the attention of Northern capitalists. 
Aspai'a^iis ISeds and Cnrrant 
ISusUcs. —“ Subscriber,” Carlinsville, Ill., asks “ how 
deep should Asparagus roots be covered with soil?” 
Thiee to four inches. “Shoul’d the seed that fill van 
nua'Iy he .suffered to siirout and grow ?” No. the young 
asp-iragus [ lants are as troublesome as any other weed. 
*• Does the bed need a protecting coat of manure in this 
latitude?’' 'V’es. not only as a protection but for the 
nourishment thus afforded. See method of training the 
Gooseberry and Currant on page 339, November, 1803. 
Traillissji' liar —W. A. Duff, Wells 
Co.. Inil. This is hut Mule T>racti.sed in our country. 
Pinch the end of the plant when it has made two leaves; 
this will cause two runners to grow, (one from the axil of 
each leaf) which are slopped by pinching when they have 
made 5 or 6 leaves, and the branches which start from 
these may be allowed to run. or be stopped by pinch¬ 
ing when sufficient fruit is set. 
Foi’aH of F3ii>ivrr BBrdr* In Tiirl'.— 
“Lady Stibscriber.” An oval is the most generally 
pleasing form. A crescent with rounded points, is very 
appropriate in some situations. Avoid all angular 
shapes or anything elaborate. 
TSae B-’iirlatsisi drops its Imdst.— “M. D. 
W..” Portage Co., O. There are but few of the Fuch¬ 
sias which will bloom during the winter, and probably 
your plant needed rest. The best way with Fuch¬ 
sias generally is, to put them in the cellar after they have 
dropped their leaves in autumn, and keep them there till 
March orAiu il. Then hv watering them and placing them 
in a sunny window, they will start into a vigorous growth, 
and give an abundance of flowers a.I summer. 
A Flsie Aaalra. —There was shown on oiir 
exhibition table a rnagnificient specimen of Azalea Ivery- 
ana, remark.alily wel. shaped, over three feet across and 
so completely covere t with bloom, as to conceal the fo¬ 
liage. This plant wi.“ a vvmie floral exhibition in itself, 
and reflects great cieult upon Its grower, Wm. John Hut¬ 
chinson, gardener to F. .A. Lane, Esq.. Staten Island. 
Ab* EverlasIlMg- B-’SoAverlTor .’’%’;*me.— 
“ U. B.,” Adrian, Mich. The specimen is Gnaphalium 
fa'.tidum, -SO much used uy the French under the name of 
immortelles, to forn fune-al w.eaths. The seeds may be 
had at seed stores, and it does best in rather poor soil. 
Seedinjs: down ■will* SI«5«“'aj*lsio* 
Grass. —E.Wilson. Westchester Co. This millet makes 
so much leaf and sh.ades the ground so much, that it is 
hardly possible for the grass sowed with it to get suffi¬ 
cient strength to bear the sun after the Hungarian grass 
is cut. We have seen a seeding take very well and 
make a good sward tl-e first season, sowed with Hunga¬ 
rian grass, but this is not a usual occurrence. 
Tei’fsiniiiioBa Seed.—J. L. Martin, Merrick 
Co., Kanstvs. We never had occasion to plant these , 
should gather the seed when the plant was thoroughly 
ripe and keep in sand until spring. 
Tlie I5istf.oB*w»ods. — “Buttonwood” 
Philadelphia, asks what is the matter with some trees in 
his vicinity. The unhealthiness of the Buttonwood or 
Plane trees, extends to most parts of the country, tiiid we 
have not seen a flourishing one this year. The trouble, 
with how much truth we cannot say, is attributed to not 
maturing the growth of the year before. The trouble 
first became serious in 1842, and since then the trees 
have had a hard struggle for existence, and they seem to 
look worse this year than ever before. 
tiOCiist SiiclfCB'S.— A. J. Richards asks, if 
the common locust will throw up suckers if raised from 
seed. Ves. It will sometimes sucker under any cir¬ 
cumstances, and especially if the roots are wounded by 
the plow or otherwise. 
I*apaAV-Ba*-l£ Ibr Tyinj^. — J. A. 
Whistlitt, Ray Co., Mo., uses the bark of the papaw as a 
substitute for bass bark to tie up grape vines, etc. The 
bark is removed from the tree and soaked in water 
until the layers separate readily, taking care not to let 
it be in the water too long, as it becomes weakened. 
I®laists in Partial ^liadc.—C. D.ays, 
Huron Co., C, W. Among fruits, raspberries, goose¬ 
berries and currants of vegetables, carrots, celery, late 
lettuce, radishes, spinach, and probably some other things 
will do well when not in the sun until afternoon. 
Soap -Avaste Tor Caterpillars.— A cor¬ 
respondent takes the liquor left after mttking hard soap 
from soft by means of salt, dilutes it with two parts of 
water, and throws the liqitid over the trees by means of a 
syringe; he says that it effectively destroyed caterpillars 
