214 
AMERICAN ACRICULTURIST 
[JCTNE, 
Tlie hens can be set about the first of February, and the 
young I'hicUs will do well, making early spring chickens 
for inai ket, or will come in aslaying hens early in autumn, 
and may be depended upon for eggs the next winter.’’ 
AilJiwtJsii.s Isajaii'uosis to S*ear‘s.—W. 
I. .\llen. N. V., asks if '• an Ailanthns tree planted in the 
midst of and overshadouing a lot of dwarf pear trees, 
would htive any injurious effect upon them.” Yes, it 
would probably injure them seriou.sly—and so would any 
other tree, if the dwarfs are as near together as usual. 
If he fancies the Ailaiuhus, let him put it by the roadside. 
SSsmI S^sacis: wifEi CUserry —H. L. 
Souihwonh, Utah Co. The Alahaleb pits probtibly be¬ 
came loo dry, from the overland journey, to grow. Get 
them in winter if possible, ami mix wiih earth, in a box, 
exposed to cold but sheltered from rain. The advantage 
of the Mahaleb is, th;it it is a dwarfing stock. 
'ffS8e Kiisjslserry frossa Ciitiiitg’S. — 
J. T. U. Waite, Somerset Co.. .Md., asks if he can prop- 
agtite the Raspberry from cuttings. Green wmod-cut- 
tings, in moist ground and properly shaded, will grow. 
ISsast osi alse SSi»'t»5sI>ej”a"y.—E. A. King. 
Last year we bad several other complaints of this trouble, 
besides yours. The rust is ;i itarisitic fungus vrhich 
grows upon the leaves, and probably finds some seasons 
more favorable to its development than others. We have 
not known any remedy to be tried, but should make an ex¬ 
periment with sulphur on its first appearance. If any 
one h.is found an effectual cure, we sliould be glad to 
hear of it, as the trouble threatens to be a serious one. 
'^ViBates* CEtea’i-iest. — “Subscriber” asks 
what these are. The Winter Cherry, also called. Straw¬ 
berry Tomato, is a species of Physalis, a plant closely re¬ 
lated to the tomato ; it bears a small round berry as large 
as a medium sized cherry, atid quite enveloped in the en¬ 
larged calyx or husk.. Those berries have a very fruity 
flavor, and will keep for it longtime, if allowed to remain 
in the husk. Tney make a very pleasant preserve with 
sugar. The plant is raised as easily as the tomato, and 
is very fruitful. The see I is sold by all the dealers, who 
usually catalogue it as Strawberry Tomato. 
'fi'iBe ^aaaii FSo’^ver.—A correspondent in 
Pomeroy, Ohio, succeeds in growing in the open air the 
Snail Flower, figured in Februaiy last. The seed is 
started in a hot-bed. and the plants transferred to the 
open border w hen the weather is warm. “ It d.oes not 
flower the first season, but if kept over winter from frost 
an I damn, will crow luxuriantly and bloom the second 
year, and I think it will continue to bloom iierennially.” 
I*B-op;is’SB4l3j,g Sloses.—Hattie.—Layering, 
is the sui est way, but there are some Roses that require 
two years to root. Make a slanting cut near a bud in the 
part that goes into the ground. See that the soil is rich 
ami keep it from becoming dry in summer, by a mulch of 
moss or sin ilar covering. / 
lSo.se SjtiycB-.—Mrs. L. 11. James, Hillsbor¬ 
ough Co.. N. II. If the layer was put down in Septem¬ 
ber, it was quite late and may not be rooled. A little 
careful digging will determine this point. Should it nut 
be rooted, let it be another year. The shoot should have 
been “ longue 1” or cut half way through with a sloping 
cut with something put in lo keep the wound from clos¬ 
ing. This may be done now, if neglected Ihen. If well 
rooted, Ihe layer may be rcmnveil to a good, rich soil. 
From the description we gunxs it is Queen of the Prairie. 
iJirr ^^iosaanler.—L. Tay¬ 
lor. Young growth, taken just as it is becoming firm, 
will root with great ease in warm weaiher. A very 
common way is to put the cuttings w ith their lower ends 
in a bottle of water, and when rooted set in rich soil. 
fliii'ds.—J. Hyde, Washington 
Co., 111., finds his peach twigs wholly .stripped of buds; 
thinks it was done by a bird, and wishes tokiMWwhat 
bird does it. Partridges w ill sometimes, in a .scarcity of 
fond, eat Ihe binls of apple trees, but we never knew 
them to trouble those of the peach. 
Ac\vs|»3>pei’.s <>ai fSli*si'»vl»CETic!'».— It 
has become the fashion of late for the secular and re¬ 
ligions papers lo have an “ Agricnltnral Department.” 
Some papers by selections from the standard Agricnltur- 
al Jonrnal.s, make a very readable column, while Ihose 
which attempt to be “original,” are frequently so in every 
sense of the word. The N. Y. Times has an article on 
“How to Raise Strawberries,” in which it gravely stiys: 
“Three Ihings were suggested to our mind while looking 
about the fields of Mr. Lambert, as being absolutely es¬ 
sential to the successful and profitable cultivation of 
strawberries, namely, a sandy soil, a liberal supply of 
manure, and clean cultivation. These things compre¬ 
hend all the important requisites in raising a remunerat¬ 
ing crop of strawberries. Clean cultivation and manur- 
ing bountifully will prove eminently satisfactory on 
heavy soils ; yet. a light sandy soil is the place for this 
kind of fruit.”—There are some strawberries lliat will 
succeed on sandy soil with plenty of manure, but these 
are not, as a general thing, the choicer varieties, and 
though one may by artificial means overcome the natur¬ 
al barrenne.'s of a simt, no one who knows anything 
about Strawberries, w'ould ever put a samly soil down -as 
an important requisite. A good rich, not stiff, soil is 
necessaiy, if one would grow llie best fruit. 
IIosisc Sewag’c iai 4 !bc €« 5 ei’ 41 cis. — 
Those who have not tried it have no conception of tlie 
utility of liquid manure when applied to growing plants. 
Many of tliose wlio buy poudrette, and otlier coinmerciai 
ferlilizei's, probably allow materials to nin to waste on 
their own premises, which are equal in value to those 
tliey pnrcliase. All tlie house slops, including sewage of 
all kinds, should somehow find their way upon tlie land. 
In January last, page 14, we have given methods for 
utilizing the contents of privies, and in August, 1865, a 
plan for a tank for liquid waste was shown. Tlie method 
shown in the last named article is only practicable in 
peculiar situations. In Engiand, much more attention is 
given lo saving domestic manures than vvitli ns, and we 
give, from the Gardener’s Magazine, an engraving of the 
form of receptacle employed there. The cistern is built 
witli two oomparlments, and deep enough to secure a 
good fall for the contents, which enter at i, into the com¬ 
partment. 1. Here the coarser portions settle at c, and 
the more liquid portions overflow tlirough tlie sypliun. d, 
into the otlier division of tlie tank, and are removed as 
wanted for use by a pump attached lo tlie tube, e. Tlie 
setliment at c, is removed once a year, or as often as it 
accumulates in sufficient quaiuily, and is highly valuable 
as a fertilizer. 
BiftodoB-iatCB".—“T. C.'H.” asks: “ What will 
deodorize tlie contents of a privy, as soon as applied 
•An abundance of good loamy soil will do it as quickly 
as any tiling, and bring tlie materials into a condition to 
be slioveled over, and used as manure immediately, 
tliougli it is better to let it lie in a lieap a few days. Dry 
swamp muck and finely crumbled peat require a less 
weiglit to affect tlie same result—lienee make less cart¬ 
age—but do not act so promptly as fresli soil. 
Btsiskliels of BBi tSsc I'lsii*.—A biishol 
of ears of corn is obviously a measure full of ears of 
corn, lieaped a full jieck above tlie rim ; but a busliel of 
corn in tlie ear is, as obviously, a busliel of corn, witli the 
cobs counted out. I!y cornmoii consent tlie cobs that 
hold a bushel of corn, are allowed to weigh 12 pounds, 
and so, where tlie weiglit of a busliel of corn is fixe,I le¬ 
gally at 58 pounds, that of a Inisliel of corn on tlie ear is 
legally fixed in many Slates at TO pounds. 
Si’ai-m of fo»i3- —This pleas¬ 
ant account of experience in farming in a small way, 
has a fresliness of .style wliicli makes it a readalile wmrk 
to any one ; and to those wlio have only limited posscs- 
.sions. it offers many useful siigge.slions as to the manner of 
making Ihe most out of a small amount of land. Price, 
by mail, 60 cents bound ; 30 cents in paper covers. 
ISoolc oil IiiAiait CH>i*»i.—The value of a 
thorough book on lliis subject lias long been fcdl. Tlie 
one before ns in part supplies llie want, llunmh tlie sub¬ 
ject is so great that no one could expect it to be exhausted 
in a 12ino. of 300 pages. Tlie author sliows hirnsell 
quile familiar with the only liierature upon liis theme, 
which is really reliable, viz : the articles in the agricul¬ 
tural journals. From these and from other sources not 
so easily accessible, a mass of practical information is 
conilensed, and very well arrange I. No cultivalor of 
the great American cereal can peruse the volume with¬ 
out learning much which lie may well apply in Ihe 
preparation of his soil, selection of his seed, cultivation, 
liarvesling and feeding of his crop. Sent by mail for $1.75. 
WasSiiiija’ MacSaiaic.—Among 
other commendaiions of our premiums, R. F. Roberts, 
of Racine, Wis.. writes: “ The American Agriculturist 
Premium Washing Macliine, sent me for subscribers, lias 
done the washing every week since it came, for a family 
of eiglit persons, without the least liand rubbing, in less 
than lialf llie time, and willi a good deal less tlian half 
tlie labor, it would have required with the washboard. 
It can not be too highly recommended.....” 
C«iiraaaaei‘<iial €|aaes>tioaass.—“ Inquisitive.” 
We cannot undertake to answer queries about the prices 
of oils and other articles not in the line of our experience. 
Usilersmentcci Wiiae.— H. Neff, Hunting¬ 
don Co., Pa. We cannot tell you liow lo make it, as 
tiiere is no such thing as uiifermented wine. Any kind 
of syrup may be called wine, but it is a misuse of the 
term. Wine, according to the authorities we accept as 
guides in the use of language, is defined as llie fermented 
juice of the grape. AVhen use.l for Ihe juice of other 
fruits, the name of the fruit is always mentioned, as cur¬ 
rant wine, etc. Unfermented grape juice is called “must.” 
IBta.elc'berry lSo«t.—Wo have inquiries 
as to which variety louse the root of medicinally. It 
1 makes little difference wliich. All are^istringent. 
'fi'lae sisicl Siirg-iciil ISe- 
porter. —This lias always been a welcome excliange, 
not only for its medical new s, but for general ."cientifle in¬ 
telligence. Our professional readers will be glad lo learn 
that lids e.xcelleiit medical journal is now enlarged to 40 
pages, and is puolislied bolh in New York and Pliila- 
delphia w'eekly, at $5 per year. S. W. Butler, M. D., 
Philadelphia, is ihe principal editor. 
SSed AiaSs.—“ H. P.” w rites : “ I have tried 
various remedies—‘ Persian insect powder,’ and sponges 
dipped ill sugar and water, etc... but the cry is still tlicy 
come. What will prevent them?” (See |iage 228.) 
— B4s l*i "PSca-vsEi iosa iaa Mot 
Weatlier.—“ C. H. E.,” Ilookingharn Co., N. II., 
W'l ites to tiie American Agrictilturist : “ It w ill be useful 
and convenient for pattern and caliinet makers and 
others, to know tliat if a piece of zinc, the usual lldek- 
ness l-6th of an inch, ;tird 2 or 3 inches in diameter, be 
placed ill the bottom of tlie pot containing the glue, and 
kept there, it will prevent tlie glue from becoming putrid 
andspoilerl. I do not say positively tliat it will prevent 
putrefaction in every case, but I saw it tried with perfect 
success during last July and August in a shop wiiere 
eight or ten men used glue every day.” 
S®sc4u 3-C!« J>ieM4.- A. L. Skinner, Panola. 
No clue to lier State. The sketches sliow an apprecia¬ 
tion of liumor, but a lack in knowledge of drawing. Our 
best advice is. to study good drawings and learn to draw 
outlines correctly before attempiing elaborate work. 
A'ot “ lie,'” IsiiS —E. Northup, of 
Fairfield Co., Conn., sends a specimen of a substance 
found in a brook. As the material bnrns, lie jocularly 
inquires if he lias “struck ilo.” The article in question 
is anpavenlly Adipocere, a soap-like compound, some- 
limes found w'here animal mailer is long under water or 
buried in a wet place. Wliole bodies have been found to 
be changed into this substance. 
'I'o SSsii'i, IBii-sty .Allis.—A little carbon 
oil (kerosene), dropped on, will penetrate the threads, 
and tlie screw can lie immediately turned. 
ISig CB'Oj»,s.—Tlie Salt Lake Tclcc’raiih is re¬ 
ported as saying, that on two and-a-half acres President 
Young raised last year 750 busliels of peaches, 400 liu-h- 
els of apple.s, 22 linsliels of plums, 25 busliels of slraw- 
berrles. 2 busliels of pears. 25 pounds of clierries. 1.875 
poiind.s (if grapes, and gooseberries, raspberries and cur¬ 
rants in multitude.-The absurdity of ibis will be ap¬ 
parent w hen one foots up tlie figiire.s and fin is, allowing 
56 pounds to Ihe busliel for clierries and grapes, that Ihe 
product of tliese various fruits is very nearly 500 bushels 
per acre, and more than 3 ^ bushels to each square rod. 
