1863.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
381 
lil and stamens. One of these scales usually bears a 
beard or bristle as shown on the right hand of ttie Oat fig¬ 
ure. Though the flower of the Oat has neither calyx 
nor corolla, it lias both stamens and pistils, hence 
it is perfect. Where either stamens or pistils are 
absent, the flower is imperfect. In the Melon and Cu¬ 
cumber, and all of the Squash family, the stamens are 
contained in one flower, and fhe pistils in another. In 
each vine some of the 
flowers have stamens on¬ 
ly, and are staminate or 
sterile, and other flowers 
have pistils only, and 
'are pistillate or fertile. 
Fig. 31, represents the 
pistillate flower of the 
Cucumber, and fig. S3, 
the staminate flower. 
The pistillate flower is 
easily known by its hav¬ 
ing its ovary apparently 
below the corolla, this 
contains no stamens. 
The staminate flower, 
fig. 33, has no pistil, but 
stamens only, and these in this particular family of 
plants, are not only united, but the anthers are bent up in 
a most curious manner as shown at the left hand of thfe 
figure. In the Melon, Cucumber, Squashes, and all 
plants of that family, we have the staminate and pistillate 
flowers both in the same plant, but there are many cases 
in w hich these are in separate plants, and separated still 
further, as in the Hemp, Hop. Willow, etc. Now we 
have already stated that the ovary—the lower part of the 
pistil—contained the ovules which were to become seeds, 
and that these would never be perfected unless the pol¬ 
len—the fine powder furnished by the anthers—came in 
contact with the stigma. When the stamens and pistils 
are both in the same flower—as in the Flax—this contact 
of the pollen, or fertilization as it is called, can readily 
Fig. 31 — PISTILLATE FLOWER 
OF THE CUCUMBER. 
take place; but in the case of separated flowers like the 
Melon, etc., the pollen has to be carried to some distance 
Defore it can reach the pistils. The pollen grains (men¬ 
tioned in the July lesson) are finer than the finest dust, 
and are readily blown about by the winds. This is one 
way in which pollen can pass from a staminate to a pis¬ 
tillate flower, but insects also play an important part. 
Bees especially, enter flowers for their sweet juices, 
which they convert into honey, and for pollen, which they 
use as food for their young. Every one lias noticed how 
busy bees are among all the plants of the Squash family, 
to which the Cucumber and Melon belong. They go 
about from flower to flower in search of food, and at the 
same time they carry pollen from the staminate to the 
pistillate flowers, and 
thus render the plant 
an important service. 
We have probably 
said enough about the 
various shapes which 
the flower assumes, 
to enable you to find 
out in all our wild 
flowers, and in all the 
cultivated single ones 
the real position of 
the parts. General¬ 
ly you will find that flowers differ from the Flax in the 
union of parts of the same kind, the unequal size of parts 
of the same kind, the union of parts of different kinds, or 
the absence of either corolla, stamens, or pistils. We do 
not expect to teach you every thing about plants in these 
lessons, but hope that you will, by a thorough study of the 
illustrations we have chosen, get such a general idea of 
plants, and see that there is so much about them that is 
worth studying, that you will, another year, take up some 
book on the subject, that will give you a more thorough 
knowledge than we can impart in these short lessons. 
33 — STAMIXATE FLOWER. 
ISutton-IIole Scissors. 
Here Boys, is something useful which you can make 
for your mothers and sisters. It is not a new affair, 
though most things are new to boys. The one from which 
this little picture is sketched, was made forty nine years 
ago, and is good yet ! An aged friend of ours, whose 
“Golden Wedding” occurs next April, soon after he was 
married, toak an old broken-pointed pair of scissors and 
filed a notch out of each blade, 
close to the joint, as you see in 
the engraving. The ends were 
then ground off so as to leave 
about half an inch of cutting 
blade, or just enough to cut the smallest button hole. 
Larger holes can be made by a second cut with the blades. 
The next time you see mother or sister trying to make a 
button-hole with a knife or a chisel, if you can find an 
old broken pair of scissors or shears, go privately and get 
them up something convenient, like that described above. 
Be careful not to let the file touch the cutting edges to be 
left, for they should be sharp. The notches should be 
X to 1 inch long, so as not to cut the edge of the cloth. 
No. 50. Illustrated Rebus.— A trutn too often forgotten. 
Partial List of 
PREMIUMS for 1864. 
Or Pay to Voluntary Agents who attend to 
Collecting and forwarding Clubs of Subscribers 
to the American Agriculturist. 
(Premiums open to all—No Competition.) 
< Owing to the greatly increased cost of everything con¬ 
nected with publishing, and our determination not to raise 
the subscription price, and not to diminish the intrinsic 
value of fhe paper, but rather to improve it, we had ex¬ 
pected to give no premiums hereafter, excepting the 
Great Strawberry which will be a premium to every sub¬ 
scriber, and ought to be enough to secure as many sub¬ 
scribers as could be desired. But the previous plan lias 
worked well, and many of those who have obtained pre¬ 
miums hitherto, express a strong desire to have an oppor¬ 
tunity to get some of the higher premium articles. After 
looking the ground all over, and making a careful esti¬ 
mate, we have decided to offer one general list, as named 
in part below. The list of premiums is not yet made up, 
as we have not completed our arrangements with manu¬ 
facturers, nor fully tested some new articles proposed to 
be added. Next month the list will be full. Any articles 
added to the present list, will be at about the same terms 
as to cost, number of subscribers, elc. We solicit any 
suggestions as to the premiums, if sent very soon. As 
many want to begin canvassing now, so as to take advan¬ 
tage of the special inducements now offered,of extra copies 
(see page 288,) and of an early place on the strawberry 
list, etc., we give the partial list of premiums this month. 
Therefore, any one desiring to do so, can go to work at 
once, and perhaps this very month get names enough for 
a good premium. All names sent in now, get botli the 
strawberries and the three extra numbers. Note that 
in all cases the five cents extra are needed when the 
No. 51. Mathematical Problem. —The following was 
contributed to the Agriculturist by Benjamin Albertson, 
Bucks Co., Pa., unaccompanied by any answer. From a 
hasty examination, it appears to us that not enougli con¬ 
ditions are given for its solution ; but we submit it to the 
mathematicians among our readers, for their decision. 
“ A. B. and C., with their wives, P. Q-. and R., went to 
market to buy pigs. Each man and each woman bought 
as many as they gave shillings for each pig. A. bought 
23 pigs more than Q; B. bought 11 more than P. ; also 
each man laid out 63 shillings more than his wife. Which 
two persons were man and wife ?” 
Questions to Teadi Observation. 
Do cats and dogs have the same number of claws or 
nails on each foot ? What is the difference in the manner 
of cattle and horses rising, after lying down? What is 
the difference in the teeth of horses and cattle ? How 
many have each ? How many has the sheep ? Answers 
to these need not be sent in, as all can ascertain them by 
simply examining for themselves. 
Answers to .Problems and Puzzles. 
Answers to Problems and Puzzles in August number, 
(page 249). No. 47. Illustrated Rebus. —He bears (or she 
bears) the palm, that ch ear full y follows duty ; or, He 
bears the palm that cheerfully follows duty. No. 48, 
Arithmetical Problem. He travels 40 miles an hour in 
going, and 25 miles an hour in returning. No. 49, Arith¬ 
metical Problem, has thus far received no answers by our 
readers; we therefore leave it unanswered for another 
month. Note. —In printing the answer to No. 46, last 
month, the figures were accidentally reversed. It should 
read, A, should receive $98 and 232-331 ; B, $171 and 99- 
331. The last figures are fractions, not cents and deci¬ 
mals, as some misunderstood. 
No. 52. An Enigma. —Contributed to the American 
Agriculturist by W. Painter, Harford Co., Md. 
I’m a mystical, word as you may perceive, 
And oft appertain to the daughters of Eve ; 
My pliant good nature no mortal may doubt, 
For I still am the same, tho’ you turn me about. 
If you cut me in twain each part you will find 
Is composed of materials of just the same kind. 
Divide me in three, and, if rightly disposed, 
Of a double eacli portion you’ll find is composed. 
Though intended by Nature for care and protection, 
You would think that I oft stood in need of correction, 
For sometimes asunder I rudely am torn. 
And to far distant countries each portion is borne ; 
One half you will find in fhe far distant South, 
In a Town by a river not far from ils mouth ; 
While Hie other (oh ! shame that I thus am abused,) 
In a Town far in Europe is constantly used. 
Like true love that burns with a still constant flame, 
My beginning and ending are always the same ; 
And to make you more closely my case understand, 
1 may say that my half is now fast in your hand. 
“ Agriculturist Strawberry ” plants are desired. This 
will, of course, be paid by the subscribers themselves. 
The names (with money for each,) can be sent in as fast 
as gathered, so that the subscribers can begin to receive 
their papers; the premium will be paid to anyone as 
soon as his list is completed. But, let it be distinctly 
noted, we can reckon for premiums only those names, 
which are marked as for Premiums when they are sent in. 
Hereafter all the seperate names thus sent and marked 
as for premiums, will be at once numbered in a special 
book, with the name of the sender, so that we can at once 
turn to a canvasser’s list, and see when it is full. 
Premium clubs need not necessarily be all at one Post- 
Office. Each list ought to contain a fair proportion of 
new names, for it is to bring the paper before new sub¬ 
scribers, that the premiums are in part intended. 
N. B.—Every article offered, is a good one—nothing 
second-hand or of poor make, or quality, or kind. We 
intend in all cases to deal fairly with every one, and 
esteem as special friends those who labor to promote the 
interests and circulation of this journal. 
This list may perhaps be altered or amended from time 
to time, if circumstances or change of prices, etc., require, 
but all names sent in during any month, will be reckoned 
at the premium rates announced for that month. 
We have not space to describe the premiums this month. 
Every article is really worth having. The Clothes- 
Wringer is a capital thing, and ought to be in every fam¬ 
ily, as a labor-saver and a ciothes-saver. The other 
articles are also all excellent. 
gsf 
§3 
Table of Premiums for 1864. 
Names of Premium Articles. 
-Good Books-«9^ terms beloio * . , 
•Best Familv Clothes Wringer. 
•Nonpareil Washing Machine. 
-Sewing Machine, ('Wheeler & Wilson).. 
-Sewing Machine, (Wilcox <fc Gibbs)... .. 
•Woodruff’s Mercurial Barometer. 
-Woodruff’s Mercurial Barometer. 
-The Aquarius. 
Five Octave Melodeon (best). 
Four Octave Melodeon (best)... 
Seven back Volumes Agricultruist, 
Six do 
-Five do 
-Four do 
-Three do 
■Two do 
•Oue do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
Jacob’s Portfolio Paper File., 
Osborn & Hodgkinson’s Paints-_ 
Premium Cylinder Plow... 
Eagle Plow* No. 20. 
Hay and Straw Cutter (best ). 
—Steel-tooth Cultivator (best). 
Family Lard and Wine Press. 
. $, 
.$10 
$45 
.$-10 
. $8 
.$12 
$10 
.$so 
.$55 
$8 
; $7 
: $0 
i $4 
> $0 
: $2 
5 $1 
$1 
• $1 
$10 
. $0 
. $9 
10 
40 
98 
82 
20 
30 
25 
170 
120 
28 
25 
22 
19 
16 
13 
45 
90 
195 
185 
68 
94 
07 
340 
234 
64 
58 
49 
42 
38 
24 
13 
17 
17 
78 
09 
05 
58 
54 
•Books.- Any person sending in 25 or more subs cribers, 
may select from our book list (page 285) to the amount 
of 10 cents for each name sent in at the club price of 80 
cents, or to the amount of 30 cents for each name at $1. 
(No books sent for less than 25 names). The preini urn 
books will be delivered anywhere in the United States, 
or to the border of the British Provinces, free of aU 
cost , by mail or express. Many Farmers’ Clubs have, 
by means of this premium, obtained a good library". 
