6 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[January, 
to $1 each.The pretended benevolent prize-drawing 
at Lincoln, Neb., is neither more nor less than a lottery 
got up for individual speculation, and no wise person 
wil! invest a dollar in it. The same of the Omaha Grand 
Concert, called a “Noble charity.” They should be let 
alone severely.Young men (and old) should pay no 
heed to the benevolent (?) doctors, associations, etc., 
that offer them cures for certain diseases. Let any of 
them get a line from you, of inquiry even, and you might 
as well send them your last dollar at once, for they’ll get 
it by working upon your fears, and kindly offering to cure 
you—which they won’t.The Loan-Brokers’ Union, 
R. H. Lewis, 4 Bond st., N. Y., manager, with its im¬ 
mense pretensions, is a swindle.Dr, F. E. Andrews, 
of Albany, N. Y., and Lexington ave., N. Y. City, is a 
detestable quack, an unmitigated nuisance, as we have 
often before stated. Our Rochester friends will find him 
set forth in previous numbers of the American Agricul¬ 
turist .D. C. Hathaway & Co., 115 Nassau st., N. Y., 
is a revival of one of Hubbard’s old swindles. His pretty 
tickets, offering valuable watches for $2, are lies, as every 
one ought to know, but all do not, because of the plausa- 
ble agency statements coming with them.In S. A. 
Belmonte & Co.’s fine circulars of the Hamburg Lot¬ 
teries, put a u for the a, and drop the r, and save your 
money.Old Mother Noble, Aunt Lee, and Jonas Ap¬ 
pleby’s lying stories are successful enough we suppose 
to warrant another falsehood—that of Edwin Eastman 
about his capture by the Camanche Indiaus, and the me¬ 
dicine he got there, and how it is sold by Dr. Clark John¬ 
son, of Jersey City.One of the boldest thefts of the 
Livery of Heaven to serve the devil in we have yet seen, 
is the pretended Church Lottery of Brooklyn, N. Y., pro¬ 
fessedly to build a mission church on Myrtle avenue. We 
believe the authorities have suppressed the very Rev. (?) 
Wm. C. Clark, chief operator, and so we pass it by. 
One of the “Queer” or “Sawdust” swindlers is very 
active. Our newer readers will understand that these 
sawdust operators pretend to have counterfeit money so 
perfect, that no one can tell it from the genuine. They 
offer it at 10 cents on the dollar, or less. If you wish it 
by express, they will send it C.O.D., and you then pay for 
it to the express, and on going to a private place to open 
it, of course find a box of old papers, “ sawdust,” etc. 
They invite you to come to the city, and if you come, they 
will “ skin you alive ” without fail, by aid of their false 
policemen, etc. In all cases they get your money, and 
you get none, either real or counterfeit. They never 
have a dollar of it. They do a safe business, because 
only dishonest people, those who are willing to cheat 
others, ever respond, and such persons dare not appear 
as witnesses. Some write as if afraid of the threats of 
these fellows, if one exposes them. Don’t bealarr -i; 
all swindlers and mean men are cowards, and these opera¬ 
tors are no exception. The N. Y. P. O. authorities try 
to keep letters out of swindlers’ hands, and they have to 
change names pretty lively. Here are fifty names used 
in his circular by one single operator, who pretends to 
have been a U. S. engraver, and to furnish counterfeits : 
at No. GOO Broadway, Chas. Ayres, John Bergman, Otis 
T. Benger, Geo. Boone, A. M. Bond, H. C. Chester, n. 
Chester, Daniel Chapin, W. F. Cadey, Geo. Correil, E. T. 
Cogswell, A. T. Earle, Allan Eaton, Alonzo Everts, S. F. 
Ferguson, Geo. W. Gearey, T. S. Gowan, L. M. Grafton, 
T. M. Griswold, A. P. Gonld, Edwin Gregory, Geo. W. 
Haroll, Wm. F. Hume, H. Hodges, Geo. Holcomb, Peter 
Hoover, L. Hersch, S. L. Kent, E. S. Lennison, T. 
M’Lcan, Louis Marion, Hiram M’Call, W. L. Salem, G. 
M. Swift, W. T. Warnesey, Wm. n. Waltman,-at 34 
Amity street, he calls himself G. Brocken, L. T. Cooper, 
R. Camben, Theo. Cedar, K. P. Douglas, L. Goodline, H. 
Gentry, Andrew J. Lines, Bcnj. Lehigh, Col. R. M’Clurg, 
Dr. J. M’Farland, Dr. J. W. Pool, N. S. Tice, Louis T. 
Weeks. Quite a lot of other Humbugs must go over for 
notice next month, for want of room. 
Errors. —In spite of all care, typographical 
errors will sometimes occur, though we arc usually re¬ 
markably free from them. On page 13, instead of “April 
to August exclusive,” read inclusive , and on page 24, un¬ 
der Coral-Berry, read dioecious instead of “dioecious.” 
Pennsylvania Frnit-fcj rower#’ As¬ 
sociation will meet at Reading on the 15th inst. This 
is a wide-awake society, and its annual gatherings are 
always interesting. 
Beeves &. Simonson. —Mr. E. A. Reeves, 
formerly in the agricultural implement business, has as¬ 
sociated himself with Mr. I. J. Simonson, and will carry 
on the seed and florist business at 5S Cortlandt st., N. Y. 
Fanciers’ Association anti Bul¬ 
letin. —The publication of the Poultry Bulletin having, 
with its increasing business and circulation, become too 
much of a care to the officers of the N. Y. State Poultry 
Society, an Association has been formed to conduct it. 
At a meeting of stockholders the officers elected were: 
President, Philander Williams, Taunton, Mass., with four 
Vice-Presidents ; Secretary and Treasurer, W. Lee Dar¬ 
ling, New York City, and five Directors. The name of 
the paper was changed from “ The Poultry Bulletin” to 
“ Pet-Stock, Pigeon, and Poultry Bulletin,” and the 
organization adopted the name of “Associated Fanciers.”' 
A Wisconsin. Flock. — The Western 
Rural tells of a flock of 1,700 merinos, owned by Eli 
Stilson, of Oshkosh, Wis., which produced 7,135 pounds 
of wool, bringing $4,096. The flock now numbers over 
2 , 000 . 
Bean-Soup. —Faith Rochester writes us, 
too late for us to make the correction, that in her direc¬ 
tions for bean-soup, page 26, she intended to say, “ strain 
the beans through a colander.” 
Carrot Seed.— E. White, Mich., raised a 
bed of carrots, and a large share went to Beed. He asks 
if this seed would be good.—By no manner of means. 
Best Force-Bump. —A “ Michigan Cor¬ 
respondent ” will find the American Submerged Pump 
the best force-pump for ordinary use. 
Spavin. — “S. H. B.,” Miami Co., O., wants di¬ 
rections how to treat a spavin.—The request is so vague, 
and there arc so many sorts of spavin, and spavins occur 
under so many different conditions, that it would be worse 
than useless to give any advice. Spavins are very often 
made worse and the animal permanently injured by injudi¬ 
cious treatment. Either give exact descriptions or apply 
to a veterinary surgeon. 
Veterinary Surgeons. — It is apparent 
to any thoughtful man who reads the agricultural jour¬ 
nals, that a wide opening exists throughout the country 
for properly-educated veterinary surgeons. A vast amount 
of misery to poor suffering beasts is Occasioned by cruel 
and improper treatment, and the amount of money lost 
yearly, would suffice to support an educated surgeon in 
every county in the country. 
Breeding Mules. —“C. O. B.,” Vosburg, 
asks what is the character of the best jack and dam to 
breed mules, and are large mules objectionable.—We 
should be glad to hear from some one who has had expe¬ 
rience in these matters in reply to these questions. 
What are tlie Cheapest Brains?— 
“C. O. B.” asks which are the cheapest drains where 
stone is plenty, stone or cement tile.—If the stone is pro¬ 
perly laid, stone is undoubtedly the cheapest. (The ar¬ 
ticles mentioned can be procured at any agricultural store 
in any considerable town.) 
About Beans. —“ J. R.,” New Casco, Micli., 
tells us what he knows of beans. He raised a crop, and 
from one stalk picked the pods, in which there were 850 
beans. This is about equal to the traditional bean-stalk. 
Stump-Pulling-. —“ G. C. A.,” Marcion 
Co., Oregon. No stump-puller will take out the largest 
stumps without some assistance occasionally, in cutting 
the large roots when they spread far. As good a stump- 
puller as any we know, and one that will take out the 
largest stumps, was described and engraved in the Agri¬ 
culturist of September, 1871. 
Preparing Fence-Posts. — “H, W.,” 
who incloses stamp but gives no address, asks to be in¬ 
formed of an economical way of preparing fence-posts to 
increase their durability. The best way probably is to 
season them thoroughly and then steep the lower part of 
them in hot gas-tar or pine-tar for about a foot above the 
level of the ground when set. Another way is to soak 
the butts in a strong solutiou of sulphate of copper. 
Pisciculture. —Wm. Clift, Mystic Bridge, 
Ct., is a proper party to apply to for advice as to stocking 
springs or ponds with fish, or as to procuring fish for 
that purpose. 
Brive-TVells. —“ C. B.,” St, Johns, N. B., 
wants to be put in communication with the manufacturer 
of the drive-well pipes.—Unfortunately we can not find any 
advertisement of him. The drive-well is a valuable thing, 
in suitable localities, and should be made widely known. 
Homesteading. — “H. D.,” Madison Co., 
Iowa, wants to “ homestead ’’apiece of land, and asks our 
opinion about Montana and Dakota, and whether those 
territories will soon be open to settlement.— “H. D.” 
had better write to the land agent of the North Pacific 
Railroad Co., St. Paul, Minn., who will forwaad him all 
the information necessary. We are acquainted with 
parties in both territories who are well pleased with the 
country and are successful there. The soil is said to ba 
rich, and the climate agreeable and healthy. 
How to Raise Ducks.- 11 F. M. B.,” 
Great Falls, N. H., wants to know the best breed of 
ducks for table use, and on what food to feed them.—We 
have found the Aylesbury ducks very good, while others 
prefer Rouen. Corn-meal, and chopped vegetables, such as 
cabbage, lettuce, and onion-tops, are good feed. 
What Breed of Fowls. —A “Subscrib¬ 
er,” Lyme, Ct., asks which is the best breed of fowls for 
size and quality of eggs and steadiness of laying.—We 
have had pure light Brahmas to lay eggs steadily through¬ 
out the winter; the eggs of Brahma hens are good size 
and of pleasant flavor, with a deep-colored yolk, much 
liked by cooks for cakes and puddings. Leghorns are 
much thought of by some as good steady layers; proba¬ 
bly the next best are the Black Spanish. Eggs by express 
properly packed should hatch, if good, without fail. 
Cistern. Filter. —“Subscriber,” Boone Co., 
Ark., asks if water will filter through a brick wall four 
inches thick built for a partition in a cistern.—Yes, if the 
brick is what is called soft brick, which is very porous. 
But it is not the best way to make a filter. A good cistern 
filter is figured in the Agriculturist for March, 1872. 
Scratches. — “T. W.,” Tuscumbia, Ala. 
Scratches or grease is generally caused by wet pastures 
or filthy stables. It is often cured by removing the cause, 
washing the heels clean with carbolic soap, drying with 
a soft cloth, and anointing with glycerine or lard per¬ 
fectly free from salt. If this is not effectual, one pound 
of carbonate of potash should be dissolved in two quarts 
of water. A quarter of a pint of the solution is mixed 
with a gallon of water, and the heels bathed there¬ 
with twice a day for half an hour. 
Sundry Questions.— “ C. F. K.,” West- 
ford, Mass., asks the following questions: (1st) Will it pay 
to sell his farm and go West, and loan the money at 12 
per cent, when he makes only 4 per cent at home by 
farming ? (2d) Where can he buy a thorough-bred Ayr¬ 
shire cow ? (3d) Would not pressure burst the butter- 
globules in milk and make butter better than the dash- 
churn? (4th) Will dry corn-meal make milk? (5th) 
How much more will it make if fed as gruel ? (6th) Will 
it pay to feed it when milk is 4 cents a quart?—Replies 
—(1st) Yes, he is one of the men who can do good by going 
West. (2d) Write to L. A. Chase, Florence, Mass. (3d) 
No; pressure will not burst the globules. (4th) Not 
much. (5th) Several times more. (6th) Yes. 
Tar-Fever.—“ J. W. K.,” Cleveland, Ohio, 
has lately lost a valuable horse by what the man who 
doctored him called “ tar-fever.” When the horse was 
opened the lungs were found inflamed.—The quack prob¬ 
ably meant catarrhal fever, a name sometimes given to 
the results of a cold. The disease may have been 
pneumonia, pleurisy, or congestion of the lungs, eitherof 
which has well-marked symptoms and generally yields to 
proper treatment. The case shows the necessity for em¬ 
ploying a skillful veterinary. 
Covered Manure Heap. —“E. B. S.,” 
Manhassct, L. I., asks if it would be well to cover the 
manure heap with a shed to protect it from rain. No, if 
it is protected from wash from roofs, that is sufficient; 
the rain that falls upon it will be all needed to prevent 
dry rot and to cause it to decompose properly. The top 
of the heap should be made dishing, to collect the rain. 
A Knuckle**.—“ T. E. C.,” Bridgeton, N. J., 
has a horse that knuckles very badly, and would have a 
cure if possible.—This double action of the pastern-joint 
is caused by weakness or disease in the liock-joint. If 
weakness is the cause, feed the horse well, and give him 
tonics, as sulphate of iron, half a teaspoonful, and twice 
as much gentian-root, powdered, inliisfeed,onceortwice 
a day. If the liock-joint is out of order, npply two parts 
of olive oil with one part of creosote and oil of turpentine 
to the joint twice a week. 
Corn and Clover on Peat.- 11 E. G. 
H.,” Cook Co., Ill., finds a difficulty in growing a perfect 
crop of corn or clover on a piece of land that was former¬ 
ly covered with a pond, and which consists mainly of 
peaty matter of a light texture. Ho asks how shall he pro¬ 
ceed, —The difficulty would probably be removed by the 
use of lime at the rate of fifty bushels per acre. There 
is too ranch vegetable matter in the soil. 
See Pages S2 & 9S. 
