i89i 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
385 
to a great degree to this fact. The cigarette victim is in 
danger therefore of opium poison as well as poison from 
tobacco. One of the largest tobacco manufacturers in this 
city refuses to make cigarettes on this account. 
“ The effects of using tobacco will be felt in almost every 
part of the system, but excepting in a few instances these 
effects are classed as functional in contradistinction to or¬ 
ganic and generally pass away with a discontinuance of 
the cause. As above indicated deafness will follow from 
extensions of the irritation to and into the tube running 
from the mouth to the ear (the eustachian tube). People 
have become blind from its use, the disease taking the 
form known as amaurosis—the eye not being able to re¬ 
ceive impressions of objects and in some cases even light. 
In tobacco amaurosis the optic nerve is destroyed by a pro¬ 
cess called ‘ white atrophy.’ Oat of 37 cases of amaurosis 
collected by Hutchinson, 31 were caused by tobacco. We 
may also have double vision, paralysis in its various forms, 
numbness of sensation, shaking palsy or paralysis agitans, 
etc., dyspepsia, headaches; and not the least among the very 
numerous affections caused by tobacco may be mentioned 
functional heart trouble. The company is frequently 
obliged to postpone or refuse applications on this account. 
There may be palpitation, a quick heart-beat resembling 
the tapping of a trip-hammer, an intermittent and irregu¬ 
lar action not only of the heart but of the pulse, and often¬ 
times blood murmurs. 
“ It is unnecessary to more than mention the fact that 
excessive use of tobacco will cause the most distressing 
form of heart affection—angina pectoris; and that con¬ 
stant pressure upon the lips by the stem of the pipe will 
frequently cause that form of cancer called epithelioma. 
“ Cigars will occasionally act as carriers of disease. In 
finishing the cigar the operator will sometimes put the end 
in his mouth, at the same time the saliva Is deposited upon 
it and with it whatever disease germs, generally syphilis, 
may be contained therein.” 
Knee-Sprung : Knuckling Over at the Knees In 
a Horse. 
It. V. W , Vancouver, B. C.—l have driven a fine seven- 
year-old horse on a plank road for eight months and he 
has lately begun to show signs of going over on the knees. 
I work him alternately with another horse ” day about ” in 
a light delivery wagon. He is a very chunky, broad chested, 
square built animal. What can I do to prevent him from 
going over ? 
Ans.— it is very doubtful whether a permanent recovery 
or even any permanent relief can be given a young horse, 
which is going over at the knees under the moderate work 
you are giving him. Evidently his knees are naturally 
weak, or were started over when young by over-driving 
or injury. For treatment the be3t results are obtained by 
giving the animal a period of rest on a restricted laxative 
diet. If possible place in a small yard, or preferably a 
small, partially shaded pasture, back from the highway, 
where the animal will not be induced to run by seeing 
other horses. Remove the shoes and lower the heels, so as 
to bring the joints partially back into line. Rub the back 
tendons from the fetlock to the knee once daily for 15 or 
20 minutes, with a stimulating liniment. The following 
will be excellent for this purpose: Camphor, three ounces; 
oil of sassafras, one ounce; rectified spirit, 16 ounces; 
strong aqua ammonia, Castile soap shavings and water, 
of each four ounces. Dissolve the camphor and oil in the 
spirit, and the soap in the water, pour all together and 
shake until thoroughly mixed. If one or two months’ rest 
and treatment give little or no relief, the horse had better 
be put at work requiring a slower pace, or sent to the 
country. 
Thrlps: Kerosene Emulsion. 
F. M., Naples, N. Y.— What are the inclosed insects? I 
found them in great numbers under the bark on the grape 
posts in my vineyard. Will they be harmful to the grape 
vines ? What is the best insecticide to kill thrips and the 
grape-vine hopper ? 
Ans.—T he insects are thrips. They are black, very 
small, and so broken that it would be difficult to make 
out the species. Insects should not be sent in an envelope 
but in a strong box, tin or wood. I do not think these 
thrips will injure the grapes. I think that kerosene emul¬ 
sion made as follows, is the best substance to use against 
the grape-leaf hopper: Dissolve one quart of soft soap— 
this is best—or one fourth of a pound of hard soap in two 
quarts of boiling water. While still hot add one pint of 
kerosene oil, and agitate the whole violently for three 
minutes, by pumping the liquid back into itself through a 
small nozzle, so as to stir the liquid violently. It then be¬ 
comes cream like, and the mixture is permanent. 
It is best to use soft water. Now dilute with 
an equal volume of water, shake or stir till all 
is homogeneous and it is ready for use. It should be 
thrown on the insects in a very fine spray. I recommended 
this years ago to Mr. Harford, of Bristol, Ind. He has 
found it a certain remedy for this evil. It may be applied 
by the use of any of the spraying pumps. It is well to start 
the insects by passing among the vines and as they fly 
forth, apply the spray. I presume that the Galloway 
sprayer would be very excellent for this work. The best 
results would come from throwing a wide spray in front 
of us as we walk through the vineyard, among the vines. 
Rarely, if ever, have I seen apple tree plant lice and other 
species as abundant as they are this spring. I dare say 
that the open winter was the cause. We find often a score 
or more newly hatched lice on a single bud. If used very 
early before the bud opens, these lice can be killed by the 
use of the kerosene emulsion as given above. I think it 
will not pay now. The leaves are so developed that they 
protect the lice, and so spraying with the kerosene is not 
an efficient remedy. Happily enemies of the lice are com¬ 
ing to the rescue. Already the syrphus fly maggots are 
numerous and active, and are destroying the lice very ex¬ 
tensively. Saw flies are also very common, and as early 
in appearance as they were last year. Here again the 
warm winter gives an explanation. I fear the same will 
be true of cut worms. [prof.] A. J. cook. 
The Horseshoe Truss for Barns. 
Several Subscribers.— In the article by Edward F. Dibble, 
on page 755, of last year’s R. N.-Y., mention was made of 
a peculiar system of bracing used in supporting the roofs 
of big barns which gave increased space and room for un¬ 
loading grain and hay. Will The R N.-Y. give a descrip¬ 
tion of it ? 
Ans.—T hrough the courtesy of Mr. Wells, the designer 
of this “ horseshoe truss,” we are permitted to make a 
drawing from his plans. It is shown at Fig. 135 the first 
time, we think, It has been printed. The picture shows 
how the truss is made. At regular distances the beams 
cross the barn on a level with the tops of the posts. On 
these rest the points of the shoe, while the round part 
rises and is fastened to the roof, thus leaving plenty of 
room for tracks or slings in unloading hay. It is cheaply 
and conveniently constructed, being made by spiking three 
planks together. It supplants purline posts and plates 
and tie girts, and is strong enough to hold the heaviest 
roof. The Inventor is now using it in building a mam¬ 
moth hall or pavilion on Staten Island. The truss is 
patented. 
Inflammation of The Kidneys In a Mare. 
R. Bros , Wren, Oregon —Our mare first showed a strong 
disinclination to move her hind feet, together with tender¬ 
ness in the region of the kidneys. Then in about a week 
she showed great misery by spasmodically raising and 
setting down her hind feet, and a contraction of the belly, 
as though she were about to part in two. We gave her 
calomel, 15 grains, and opium, 25 grains, at a dose; 
three doses a day for three or four days, which seemed to 
relieve her. The sorenesss about her kidneys has gone; 
the contraction of the belly is better, but she still 
straddles with her hind legs and continually lifts the 
right one ; moreover, she has not lain down since she was 
severely taken two weeks ago. She has a good appetite, 
but very little thirst. She does not appear to be very 
costive, but her urine is scanty and dark. Since her sick¬ 
ness began her feed has been bran and chopped oats, well 
wet with hot water. It was oats and oat hay before. 
What is the matter and what should be the treatment ? 
It appears to us the kidneys are inflamed. 
Ans.—Y our diagnosis of inflammation of the kidneys was 
probably correct. One quart of raw linseed oil or one pint 
of castor oil could have been given at the outset to advan¬ 
tage, or may be given now, to move the bowels, the dose 
to be repeated in 36 hours if the mare is not sufficiently 
purged by the first. A free movement of the bowels will 
partially relieve the kidneys of their work, thus giving 
them some much needed rest in which to recover. To 
stimulate a healthy action of the kidneys without acting 
directly upon them with diuretics, which would be very 
undesirable at this time, a half pound of ground mustard 
may be wet up with tepid water into a thin pulp, and be 
well rubbed into the hair over the kidneys and loins; then 
cover with a blanket. After one to two hours the dry 
mustard may be rubbed off, but the blanket should be re¬ 
applied. Repeat the mustard application every two or 
three days until relieved. Your diet for the mare has 
been good, and there might be added to the ration, grass, 
roots or other suceulent food to keep the bowels quite 
loose. As soon as the bowels have been freely moved give 
two tablespoonfuls of the following powders in the feed, 
twice daily : Sulphate of soda one pound, powdered gen¬ 
tian eight ounces, powdered nux vomica four ounces, mix. 
Moderate exercise or light work only, should be allowed 
for several weeks ; and even then severe straining should 
be avoided for several months. 
Over-dlstenslon or Rupture of the Stomach In 
Horses. 
C. B. R., Glasgow, Ky.—A disease with the following 
symptoms Is killing a great many horse3 in this neighbor¬ 
hood. What is the matter, and what should be the treat¬ 
ment ? When first noticed, a two year-old colt of mine 
seemed stupid, with eyes closed. He did not want to 
move, and when forced to do so lifted his feet very high. 
The stomach and sheath were cold. He seemed to have 
spasms, falling over a wire fence twice, and over a plank 
fence and down a 10-foot bank. While led to the stable 
he would rear and jump forward. After being put in the 
stable, he would stand with his head pressed against the 
sides of the stall. He would rub his nose with some force, 
and strike his head so hard as to almost knock himself 
down. He seemed to be blind and insensible to touch. 
Toward the last he breathed hard, his nostrils contracted, 
and his breath was very offensive. 
Ans.—T he symptoms point to over-distension or rupture 
of the stomach as the cause of death, in either case, prob¬ 
ably due to some fault or neglect in the care and diet of 
the animals. A more complete history of the cases, in¬ 
cluding age, condition, diet, for what purposes used, to¬ 
gether with the lesions after death, would be necessary to 
enable us to give a more definite diagnosis and course of 
treatment. 
Will Hen Manure " Burn” Crops? 
A. T. T., Franklin Park, N. J.—A writer in The Rural 
states that there is little nitrogen in hen manure. While 
I do not know the analysis of hen manure, I know that if 
put in the hill at planting time it will “ burn” your corn 
roots as quickly as almost any other form of fertilizer, or 
even more so. Of course it must come in contact with 
the roots to act as destructively as experience proves that 
it does. It is, however, so unsafe an application that 
much greater precaution must be used with it than with 
ordinary commercial fertilizers. Now, If it is not the nitro¬ 
genous property that does the “ burning,” what other 
chemical does it contain to render it so unsafe ? I have 
talked with farmers on the subject and almost to a man 
find them objecting to its use for fear of killing the crop. 
Sowed broadcast and harrowed into the newly plowed 
ground, it is doubtless safe enough ; but Its use in the hill 
unless thoroughly incorporated with muck or some other 
diluent or blanket to keep it from actual contact with 
them is pretty sure death to many forms of young vege¬ 
tables. 
ANS—Severa^years ago The R. N.-Y. planted corn in drills 
in contact with various fertilizers. The seed was retarded 
in every case and many kernels did not germinate. The con¬ 
tact of seed with dry fertilizer or dry manure of any kind 
is always undesirable. According to the strength of the 
fertilizer will the seed be retarded or harmed. Hen man¬ 
ure is no exception. It is not very high in any essential 
plant food, and if wet when applied and kept so by show¬ 
ers, would not, perhaps, do much harm. It differs more 
than any other farm manure in its composition, depend¬ 
ing largely upon the food given the hens, the quantity of 
feathers found in it and the absorbent used, whether pos¬ 
ter, muck, sawdust, sand or coal ashes. An average sam¬ 
ple of dry hen manure will contain a trifle over two per 
cent of nitrogen, two per cent of phosphoric acid and nearly 
one per cent of potash. As frequently applied to the soil, 
in large, hard dry “chunks,” the hen manure cannot prove 
very useful. It will pay to pound or grind it up fine for 
broadcasting or mixing with soil or chemicals. Many 
farmers prefer to keep this manure wet in a soft, pasty 
condition ail the time, arguing that it thus loses less 
ammonia and is in better form for applying to the soil. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
Wisconsin Immigration..— H. J., Long Island. Letters 
addressed to the Commissioner of Immigration or Secretary 
of State, Madison, Wis , will bring information regarding 
Wisconsin lands. 
Egg Plant Culture— S. A. B., S. Byron, N. Y.—Prof. 
L. H. Bailey, of Cornell, Ithaca, N. Y., has just issued a 
bulletin giving a full account of the cultivation of egg 
plants. 
Testing Milk — Several subscribers.—The Babcock milk 
tester was never, patented. It is made by at least six 
manufacturers in different sizes and shapes. It is one of 
the most valuable contributions to the dairy business that 
has been made in recent years, and it will soon save 
enough to more than pay the entire cost of the experi¬ 
ment stations. It is not only used by creameries and 
cheese factories to determine the value of different sam¬ 
ples of milk, but breeders use it to test their cows. 
Trade in Beans .—F. H. R., Perry, N. Y.—Most of the 
Red Kidney Beans go to the Spanish Republics or other 
South American countries. We understand that the com¬ 
mon small varieties of beans are used to make the bean 
meal of commerce. A Spanish paper, called Revista Pop 
ula, is printed at 48 West 126th Street, New York. 
“Sired by a Saw.'”— J. H. C., Monroe, Mich.—It has 
been claimed by many advocates of dishorning that by 
cutting the horns from several generations of cattle they 
could produce a polled breed ; that is, that the tendency 
of this continued dishorning would be to prevent the 
growth of the horns. The R. N.-Y. Is now collecting in¬ 
formation from numerous sources on this matter. Thus 
far we have been unable to find a single case where the 
facts warrant the theory. 
Finding a Farmer.— W. S., Otsego Co., N. Y.—The best 
way to find “parties in want of a good, practical farmer 
to manage a farm” is to insert a card in the advertising 
columns of The R. N.-Y. 
