now give its possessor a start in the business with any 
chance of deriving his support from it for the first year 
or two. Places are to be found in Sout hern Missouri, 
Southern Kansan, and perhaps in some regions further 
North where moderate sized flocks would scarcely re¬ 
quire winter feed: and where Uncle Sam allows all and 
sundry to use his pastures without, paying any reut. 
not yield as many bushels of seed to the acre as 
the Brown seed, but makes one pint more oil to 
the bushel. It is as good for liber as any flax 
that is grown. 
Five years ago, I got seed from Ohio —the 
White. Brown and Red. It did not do well the 
first year: the second year it was better; the 
third year I sowed tifty-five acres of the White 
and Red mixed, equal parts, and had as good 
Last year it was not 
ot seed out of 
THE LAMB PRODUCT OF 1864, 
CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE, 
As we have undertaken to show in a pre¬ 
ceding article, (given on first page,) sheep in 
the Northern United States have, as a whole, 
wintered considerably worse than usual: and it 
follows as a natural consequence, that the pro¬ 
portionable product of good, healthy lambs, this 
spring, is less than usual. Poor, weak ewes 
have little milk — and are much.more inclined 
to disown their iambs. We have heard of these 
difficulties to au unusual extent, in nearly all 
directions. That loss of the use of the limbs 
(often after the lamb is two or three weeks old,) 
which is described in the Practical Shepherd as 
rheumatism, appears to be extending. So far 
as we can judge, from our correspondence, the 
number of goitered lambs, and of puny and im¬ 
perfect ones, is about as large as usual. 
Coal Oil for Swellings. 
“C. G.” writes.*—“I have used Coal Oil 
with success, in the reduction of swellings 
caused by the collar, on horses’ shoulders. 
Three or four applications are sufficient, with¬ 
out stopping the horse from labor. Has any 
one else tried it? If so, we ought to hear from 
TO AGENTS AND SUBSCRIBERS. 
A NEW HALF VOLUME AND NEW TERMS. 
Numbering English SHEEr.—Mr. Cuas. Dawbam. 
of Stauwicli, Connecticut, write- us:—“I have been 
con-espondins with an old friend, one of the principal 
English breeders of improved Lincoln? In a letter 
containing some valuable hiui? — bat almost too long 
to trouble you with—he mentions his method of nuin 
bering his tups, thus: ‘Ariel the rams are shorn, a? 
soon as the wool is long enough, we ti« a small lead 
ticket, with a number stamped on it, to a lock of tbc 
wool at the back of the neck aud just on top of the 
shoulder. A few days before we begin to soil or let 
we brand the same number? on the side with hot pitch 
and tar mixed, a small piece of lard being put in to 
keep the brand from sticking. The brand is of iron, 
aud the letters about two and a half inches long.' " 
Will Mr. Dawba si forward us a copy of the entire 
letter, as he offers to do ? 
flax as need to be raised, 
a? good, and this year I have 
the town to sow; for I think seed is not worth 
sowing after it has been sown in the same neigh¬ 
borhood for six or seven years. 
The Red seed is longer and slimmer than the 
Drown. It is called Saplin seed. It grows tall 
like the W hite, and has a good tiber. I cannot 
tell any difl'erenee between the White and Red 
seed except the color. If I should sow flax for 
the seed I should sow the Brown, and should 
expect to get three bushels more to the acre 
than from any other seed. 
The White and Red will yield more fiber, and 
I should sow them if I wished to save both 
seed and fiber. To save my seed, I pull the 
best aud cleanest of my flax, aud keep the seed 
separate to sow. C. D. Farman. 
Gainesville, N- Y., 5 Si Vi. 
Remarks.— We thank our correspondent for 
this letter. Facts and experience of this sort 
are of great value. Who else can talk on this 
subject ? 
proximo. A goodly number or subscriptions expire 
with the present month, and as our terms are strictly 
in advanee, those wishing the uninterrupted continuance 
of tlie paper should renew at once—either by remitting 
the single copy price or joining clubs. Each subscriber 
whose term expires with the present half volume 
(June 25.) will find the number of liia or Iter last 
piper—No. 151—printed afier name on address label. 
Aa we purpose making the ensuing half volume 
quite as interesting and valuable as the present, it is 
hoped that all herein addressed will kindly remem¬ 
ber the llr-RAi. and make some effort in its behalf. 
We trust, especially, that those who have the welfare 
of the paper, the cause it advocates, aud community, 
A Durable Water Pipe. 
C. Todd writes concerning a water pipe 
that is durable and will not poison the water:— 
“ I know of pipe that has been laid sixteen 
years, aud is still sound, and the water as pure 
as at the fountain. Said pipe was made of one 
part good water lime to three parts of clean 
sand, and laid deep enough to be below frost. 
And I think, if it will last sixteen years, it will 
last as long as iron.” 
CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE, MINOR 
ITEMS, &c. 
To Cure "Sweenie.” 
Benj. Lillie, of Ottawa Co., Mich., sends 
us a recipe which be says will cure “Sweenie:” 
“ Take one pint alcohol; two ounces camphor 
gum; two ounces oil of spike; two ounces oil 
of orgauuin; two ounces oil of wormwood. 
Mix all together, and bathe the shoulder and 
rub it in well once a day, and your horse will 
soon he better.” This may be of use when the 
difficulty is in the shoulder; but if in the foot, 
it will hardly be of service. See our recent 
article on this subject. 
at heart, will lend a little timely aid in the way of 
adding to our list a few hundred or thousand names'at 
rate? which will afford some profit —for, as Two inti 
mated months ago, most of the subscriptions to onr 
present volume, (certainly all received at the elnli rates 
previous to May 1st,) pay ua no profit whatever. 
Though we are bound to keep the Rural afloat, and 
up to tl»e standard, even at a pecuniary loss, we think 
that, while most of it? subscribers are more prosper¬ 
ous than formerly, it is entitled to substantial recogni¬ 
tion from the thousands who acknowledge its merit? 
and the benefits derived from it by individuals and 
community 
For reasons alluded tn above, and more fully stated 
in previous numbers —such as the great advance in 
prices of printing paper and other material, wages, pro¬ 
lusions, elc , — we are constrained to increase the Sub¬ 
scription Rales of the Rural, and hence on and after 
the 1st of July, 1864, they will bo as follows — Single 
Copy, $2.50. To Clubs stid Agents, Three Copies for 
$1; Six Copies for $13; Ten Copies for $ 20. Agents 
who have formed club? for ttie present volume can 
make additions at the rate of $0 per yearly copy or $1 
for six months 
— The above rates are very low in proportion to the 
price of stock, material, 
William 8. Elliot, of Greentown, -, gives ns 
information in regard to wintering sheep, &c., in his 
region of country, which would be interesting if we 
knew where that country was—but as he does not men¬ 
tion his State, and as the post ofllce mark is illegible, 
the information is useless. 
Ticks. —A correspondent from Ovid, N. Y., who 
signs himself *‘ A Subscriber to the Rural and a Read 
er of the Practical Shepherd.’’ wishes to know how to 
kill ticks on tegs. We can give him no better advice 
on the subject than we have done in the lat ter named 
work If they are suffering very severely now, (Ma\ 
23th,) shear them at. once and dip them in tobacco 
water. The sample of wool sent is fme enough—hut it 
is somewhat lacking in crimp and luster. 
Samples.— The sample of wool sent us by D. G. 
(Jheever, of Clinton, Rock Co., Wisconsin, is of fair 
quality for a ram, aud is well crimped and of good 
length. It carries the complexion, however, of loose, 
open wool. 
Communications, <£tc 
LOOK OUT FOE RAIN. 
Rheumatism —C. C. Woodruff, of Watertown, N. 
Y., writes us that 30 lambs of his, dropped iu March, 
remained healthy and thrifty until turned out to grass 
on the 1st of May. ‘* Several of them then begun lo 
go as if they had no strength in their legs, and finally 
lost the use of them. Their appetite remains as good 
as ever.” They wen- let, out to grass very gradually, 
and were well cared for in every way. This is the dis¬ 
ease we have elsewhere described as rheumatism. Its 
appearance is comparatively recent (within the circle 
of onr experience) and its treatment is not yet well 
understood. Some farmer- have administered three 
teaspoonsful of lard and one of turpentine to each 
lamb affected—repeating the dose if required and t hey 
have thought they derived material advantage from 
this treatment. Spooner recommends, in the case of a 
grown sheep, 2 oz. cpsmn salts, one drachm of ginger 
and half an oz. of nitrous ether—rubbing the affected 
parts with stimulants like hartshorn or opodeldoc. 
The disease is Thought to be oltenest occasioned by 
tamo? being exposed too suddenly to rains, or iying on 
the damp ground—where they have previously been 
kept in a warm, dry stable. 
When you see the following 
signs, prepare 
for a heavy rain storm, or a shower, at least: 
First .—When the air seems light or hollow 
and sounds reverberate, you hear the wood¬ 
man's axe, the rap of the hammer, and other 
distinct sounds a long distance, and echoes of 
the human voice distinctly, then you may ex¬ 
pect a storm to commence within twenty-four 
hours. 
Second. — When you observe several little 
whirlwinds raising the sand, dust, weeds, &c., 
into the air, and move along with rapid turn¬ 
ing, a shower of rain, generally, soon follows. 
Third .— My venerable father, when in earth- 
life, did not depend upon the changes of the 
moon, nor look into the almanac, to foretell the 
weather. How r ever, Ire had observed for years 
one sign, which he said he had never known to 
fail. In the year 1816, the spring aud summer 
held cold, and little or no rain fell in any of the 
Northern States. A famine was the consequence, 
as many living can well remember. One day, in 
the fall season, he returned from his stock farm, 
and said, “ this day I have seen my old ami 
never failing sign? uf rain: but we shall fail this 
time, as all signs fail in dry weather.” It was 
simply the cattle licking their hind feet. How¬ 
ever, a vain soon commenced, and continued 
several days. I very well remember the cir¬ 
cumstance, though only eight years of age. 
These are of importance to the farmer, if cor¬ 
rect S. W. Jew ett. 
Rio Bravo Ranch, Kern River, Cal. 
About Milking and Talking. 
A CORRESPONDENT asks:—“Does it affect 
the quantity of milk a cow will give if conver¬ 
sation is carried on between milkers when milk¬ 
ing?” We do not think there is any doubt 
about it — especially where the daily is made 
up of young cows. We would not have a loud 
talking milker in the stable. And it would be 
better without doubt, if conversation were en¬ 
tirely tabooed when milking. We remember 
some years ago, a dairyman asserted at a meeting 
of a farmers’ club, that he had discharged a 
man because he would talk and interrupt the 
milking in his dairy, and that in three days the 
increase in milk was equal to the man’s wages. 
Such are important facts, if established. 
CORN CULTURE. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker: — While there 
are various notions respecting the culture of 
corn, some the result of careful observation, aud 
others only notions, my experience respecting 
the growing of this valuable cereal may be ol 
service to those who don't know any more about 
My father, when alive, used to 
I have always 
was the thing 
Tains, and I failed to see why it 
But more 
it than I do, 
say “plow shallow for corn.” 
been certain that deep plow-in, 
for sowed 
would not answer for all crops, 
extensive practice lias taught me that my 
father’s adage was true; and although he gave 
no reason why, I have one, namely, that bi 
shallow plowing the large roots of the corn¬ 
stalk get bold of the strength of soil or decom¬ 
posing sod early in the season and hasten the 
crop forward to its maturity, while deep plow¬ 
ing supplies the nourishment only in time Lo 
create a large growth of “suckers,” which de¬ 
tract from the support which the main stalks 
need just at the time of earing. 
An “ash peddler” called at my house not 
long since, and wanted to trade soap for ashes, 
or pay seven cents a bushel for what was worth 
twenty-five cents to me and every other man 
who wants to raise good corn: and I would say 
pay cash for your soap aud keep your ashes on 
the farm. 
In the spring of 1860 I planted fifteen acres of 
corn on au old pasture, which seemed much 
infested with, grubs. They did’ut scare me, 
cither. Immediately after planting I put a 
cost of living, etc., and we 
have been strongly advised to make the single copy 
price $3.—but wc only make such advance a? is neces¬ 
sary, looking to the “good time coming,” when “ (his 
cruel war is over ” and peace restored throughout the 
land, for actual profits. 
Wool in New York.— We copy the following from 
Walter Brown's Monthly Wool Circular, dated 
June 1st:—May doe? nor usually witness a very active 
Wool market, and. the month just passed has not been 
an exception. As a general thing, manufacturers 
have bought only (o supply present wants, their atten¬ 
tion being turned 10 the approaching tew clip, from 
which they expect to derive better selections if they 
do not realise lower rates. Some buyers with large 
contracts for good? have, however, thought it prudent 
io secure without delay a portion of ihuir needed sup¬ 
plies The demand from this source, together with 
the advanced rate of exchange, the high price of Wool 
abroad, and the probability or a largely increased 
tariff, has maintained a firm feel ng with holders, and 
prices arc somewhat higher than a mouth ago. As 
usual, at this period of the year, those interested in 
Wool are anxiously waiting to see what the opening 
prices will be, and runny opinions are held on ttie sub 
ject, but with the probability of an increased tariff, 
growers will demand full prices. Congress ha? not 
taken final action on the new tariff law; it is there¬ 
fore Impossible to state with confidence what increase 
of duties will be made, but a material advance on the 
existing rate is almost certain. We think manufac¬ 
turers will prefer to take their chances in the market 
rather than to lay iu heavily in the country at what 
they consider exorbitant rates, and dealers will to a 
great extent participate in this feeling; wo may, there¬ 
fore, look for a steady, though, perhaps, not a very 
rapid movement of Wool from West to East through 
the coming season, and anticipate a regular healthy- 
trade in our market here. 
Balled Wools have been in active demand, and good 
lots of Super have been taken freely and are still 
sought for l>y flannel manufacturer? and others, who 
wish to lay in supplies while the assortment is fair; 
the season is about over, and price? will probably im¬ 
prove. for the stocks on hand. California Wools are 
iu light stock and firmly held; they are growing stead¬ 
ily in favor with those who use them. The first ship¬ 
ments of spring clip that have arrived by steamer are 
in good condition, and we think will meet with ready- 
sale Good medium Foreign Wool? are very scarce, 
and all grudt-s are held for extreme rates, some owners 
declining to sell at any price. Advices from Europe to 
the 14th ultimo represent their markets a? quite active, 
and price? tending upwards; shipment? to the United 
States were almost suspended. 
How a Broken Horn was Treated. 
J. Van HoeSex, of Clinton Co., Mich., 
tells how he successfully treated a broken horn 
for the benefit of others who may have occasion 
to do so. A two-year old heifer broke one of 
bet* horns “out of the head,” so that he could 
thrust his thumb almost the entire length into 
the cavity. A neighbor declared he could see 
the brain, and advised killing tlie animal. In¬ 
stead of doing so, however, he treated her as 
follows:—“I took a large spoonful of rosin, a 
small roll of sticking salve, and a spoonful of 
very salt, butter and melted them all together, 
spread it upon a rag and pressed it slightly into 
the cavity and bound it up with long strips of 
cloth fastened about the other horn and head so 
as to exclude all the air. I put her in the stable 
and took good care of her; the result is she got 
entirely well.” 
Metalic Ear Marks.— 0. L. Hovt, of Spring Mills, 
Allegany Co., N. Y., states how he ha? put in practice 
“the idea? he got in the Rural of 1SU2 ” on this sub¬ 
ject. He says —“I sent to Geo. Glanbreciit, Die 
Sinker, 'J5 Fallon St,., N. Y., for a set of steel figures, 
310, and initial lei ter? ’ t inch; next got a strip of zinc 
and cat out my plate? and stamped them. 1 marked oil 
the ziuc in checks 1 by 1R inches, and cut or broke it 
into strips 1?, inches wide and folded over one edge at 
a tinner’s, (to make it double above the hole for the 
ring;) thou cut the other way. Next 1 stamped initials 
at the bottom and figures in the middle, and punched 
a bole just under the fold, aud cut small corner? from 
bottom, and a long one from each side, widening at 
top, leaving the plate at the top afloat h inch. I used 
No. 1-t iron wire for the rings, and coiled them at a 
tinners, a little less than 5* inch. Brass wire isn't stiff 
enough. I cut the coils into rings with pliers or black¬ 
smith's “ nippers.” filed the ends square, pressed them 
ABOUT PLOW BOLTS. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:—I would say 
to Peter Wykoff, about plow bolts, (although 
I am not a plow maker.) that one moment’s 
attention to the reason why plow bolts are made 
so as to turn the nut left-handed, ought to have 
answered his question. Mr. \V 
the else ones said that my corn would “never 
come up,” but it did come up to the tune of 
eighteen hundred bushels of ears from the field. 
The variety was Eight-rowed Yellow. After 
hoeing first time, which I do as soon as the 
rows can be seen, I usually give a dressing of 
ashes and plaster mixed, about equal parts. 
I have tried various experiments with “scare¬ 
crows," but am certain that twine and other 
devices must be put up as soon a8 com is planted, 
and then I am not sure that they-are always 
effective. 
In the spring of 18611 soaked my seed coni in 
coal tar-water and rolled it in plaster. The 
crows did not injure it, but it was near the 
house. Last year I used common tar, and they 
pulled nearly two acres regardless of windmills, 
twine, newspapers, dead owls and gunpowder. 
Of varieties, I have tried the White Flint, 
White Ited-blaze, Eiglit-rowed Yellow, King 
Philip, aud the Yellow Red-blaze. The last 
variety I think the best for this locality. It is 
eight-rowed, long ears, large kernel, small cobs, 
easily husked, and makes tip-top “Johnny” cake. 
’Twill do to cut in one hundred days from time 
of planting. It never should be planted nearer 
than three and one-half feet each way. I con¬ 
sider narrow board or rail cribs much better 
than any corn barn can be made to be. I should 
like to hear from some practical farmer on 
ana gVttsuvm 
will observe, 
when a plow is in the furrow, the nut that holds 
on the plowshare is very near the earth; conse¬ 
quently when the plow i~ moving it will strike 
any small stone that may be in the bottom of the 
furrow, which, if the nut is made left-handed, 
will serve to tighten it; but if it were made 
right-handed, it would soon become loose, and 
Mr. W.’s “inexperienced help” would be more 
perplexed than they are with the left-handed 
nut; and perhaps the plow maker might get a 
reprimand for not using some better method of 
fastening on his plowshares than by the use of 
the plow bolt. If Mr. W. thinks that the right- 
handed nut is best, let him get one made and 
use it. He will soon become “educated” on 
that point. j. u. w. 
Bristol, N Y.. 1864. 
Schools.—“A Rural Reader,” Point Quiet, yt, 
asks where there is a school or schools where students 
may teach and pay their tuition. We cannot answer. 
Cheese Strainer.—W hat i? the best kind of cloth 
for cheese strainers—cotton or linen, coarse or fine? 
We have some trouble with strainers sticking to the 
cheese after pressing.—A Beginner 
Sheep Wintering in Ohio — J. Stan-let, of Clyde, 
Sandusky Co., Ohio, informs us that sheep have win 
tered extremely well in that portion of Ohio—that is, 
the portion lying about the west end of Lake Erie. 
He thinks in well cared for flocks the loss of old sheep 
has not exceeded one per cent, and of tegs still less. 
Mr. 8 has onr thanks for the specimens sent to illus¬ 
trate the wool of his region. 
WAter Lime Wash for Fences and Out Build¬ 
ings.—(E. 8. II., Benson, Vt.) See page 101 current 
rol. Rural for reply to your question. See article 
entitled “The Out Buildings.” 
To Curf. a TIARn Milker. —Can you. or any of the 
readers of the Rural, tell me what will cure or help 
a cow’s teat that milks very hard, and is nil right to all 
appearances, lint a stoppage of the milk in the extreme 
end of the teat?—0. D. Hill. 
A. D. Orcutt, of Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y.—Your 
sheep, judging from the description of symptoms, suf¬ 
fered from that winter decline which we have so repeat¬ 
edly described, and for which we know of no remedy. 
Wash for Harness Buckles —Will some or yonr 
numerous correspondents inform me through the 
Rural what I can use to wash the buckle? of a silver- 
plated harness, where the plating is worn off? Of 
wimi is tile wash comtiosed, and the method of apply¬ 
ing it?—B J Hall, RenwUvr Co . A. r 
Eating Wool —W G RtcaET, of Malone, Franklin 
Co., N- Y , is informed that it is not uncommon for 
sheep to cal off the wool of others. Whether it is 
caused by some irregularity in the system which pro¬ 
duce? a depraved appetite, or whether it i? merely a 
vicious trick, i? not definitely known—aud no efficient 
remedy has yet been pointed ont but killing the wool 
eater, or wholly separating it from other sheep. 
THE CLOVERS. 
Crop Prospects in Canada West.— Under date of 
June 6, Mr. Wm. E. Siblf.t writes from St. Catherines, 
C. W., as follows:—“ Have recently been over several 
of our beat counties between this place and Luke Huron, 
and find fruit prospects pretty good. Winter wheat is 
badly winter.killed in all the frontier counties. But in 
the North purl of the Province, where there was a cov¬ 
ering of snow, it is good Spring work has been very 
backward, and much or il badly done,—but the fine 
warm weather of the last two weeks is bringing every¬ 
thing on rapidly, and thiuk with a favorable summer 
the spring crops will be good.” 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:—A re there two 
kinds of red clover? In addition to the answer 
given last week to J. F. M., Carmel, Iud., it 
may be as well to state that iu England there 
are two distinct varieties in constant common 
use, viz., the perennial and annual; the latter 
being always sown where the crop is broken up 
for wheat the first year, as it is two weeks 
earlier and cuts a great weight the second mow¬ 
ing. On land lying two years in seeds, us they 
are termed, it is customary to sow clover, rye 
grass, of the perennial species, and white clover; 
say about half a bushel of rye grass, eight lbs. 
of red clover, six lbs. of white Clover, and some¬ 
times four pounds of trefoil. When red clover 
alone is sown, fourteen lbs. to twenty lbs. are 
used. T’biek sowing causes a finer texture, and 
as this kind of hay is always cut there before it 
is fully out in blossom, the quality is first rate 
for sheep or any kind of stock. The pasture is 
excellently adapted for all young aud growing 
animals. George Gardner. 
Slirewsburg, Pa , 1861 
Curing Sowed Corn for Winter Forage.—Wc 
have Inquiries for the best mode of curing sowed corn 
for winter forage. Wc have already given some expe 
rieoice ou that point. But we shall lie glad, for the 
s ike of our readers, to hear from others, who have 
succeeded in storing and keeping it in goed condition, 
their wr.dui f.prnvuli. 
Number op Sheep to be Kept in Sam e Building 
—Mr. Geo. T. Paull, of New Florence, Westmore¬ 
land Co., Fa., inquires if St is advisable to have one 
barn hold 500 sheep; and how it would do to bnlid on 
a hi!! side and have one lot of sheep kept tc the lower 
story and smother over them ou a perfectly tight and 
well littered tipper floor. In a time of perfect health 
among sheep, it would be safe to keep 500 in the saiue 
bani, provided it was divided into proper apartments, 
and a thorough system of ventilation kept up and 
adapted to every change of temperature—and provided 
there was a separate and suitable out-door yard connect¬ 
ed with each apart inent But epizoot ic diseases would 
fall with the most destructive effects ou such establish 
ments; and every disease would be liable to take on 
more or less of an epizootic, or, more strictly speaking, 
enzootic character, among such large and deuso aggre¬ 
gations of sheep Consequently such establishments 
would be always perilous, and we cannot believe that 
Any saving of materials or time that would accrue from 
them would be sufficient to counterbalance these disad¬ 
vantages. Using two stories for sheep stables would 
be practicable enough, where the lower part 
ly excavated from a hill side—but. in cliinattf where 
much winter feed is used, it requires the upper story of 
a barn of ordinary height for the convenient storage of 
sufficient hay, etc. 
A Sow Kill? her Pig?. —With care, 1 selected what 
haa proven to b«—from form and easiness to keep—a 
good sow t'm breeding Recently she dropped a litter 
of pig?, which she killed, manifesting no disposition 
to eat them. She was confined in a pen by her-elf— a! 
ways very quiet Would tt be prudent to try again? I? 
there any way whereby a like occurrence can be pre¬ 
vented? Will not pome one who ha? had experience 
enliehten a tyro in all pertaining to the business?—J. 
11. Warner,’ Clermont, lown. 
The American Artisan and Patent Record is 
the name of a newspaper which comes tons from New 
York, devoted to Arts, Mechanics, Manufactures, 
Mining, Engineering, Chemistry and Reporting of 
Patents. Published weekly by Brown, Cot m as A Co., 
at $9 per year. Its mechanical appearance is excellent, 
and Its content? are manifestly prepared with consid¬ 
erable care and ability- Its editors and publisher? are 
men of professed experience, and we wish them all 
merited snccess. 
VARIETIES OF FLAX. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:—As you ask 
your flax-growing readers wliat varieties of 
flax they grow, ami whether flax seed is simply 
flax seed with us or not, &e,, 1 say:—As for me 
flax seed is simply flax seed when it is three dol¬ 
lars a bushel; hut I have a choice in the kinds 
that I sow. 1 have* sown four different kinds; 
one is called Hungarian flax seed. One seed of 
this kind is as large as four or five of our com¬ 
mon seed. It grew about two feet high and had 
but little seed. Thinking the soil and climate 
not right for it here, I did not sow* it again, but 
wish I it ad; for experience shows that western 
seed will not do as well here the first year as it 
will afterwards; and 1 think it would have been 
so with the Hungarian seed. 
I have had good crops from the White seed. 
This seed was brought from Mexico into Ohio 
iu 1848, and has been quite extensively grown 
there since, as I have been informed. It does 
To Prevent Cows SucutNO Themselves.—A cor¬ 
respondent recommends fwiat we have s»cn named 
before but thu-k Ip too brutal) splitting the tip of the 
tongue two Indu s. We have seen muzzles made by 
allacbtng a broad band of stiff leather about the chop? 
near the muzzle of the cow, and over It fasten another 
leather driven full of sharp pointed nails, points turned 
out. The under strip of leather prevents the nails slip¬ 
ping ont, and protects the muzzle from the friction of 
the beads. 
What a Cow did in December—'T. B Champ 
write? us:—“Being iu Lima, N. Y., a few days since, a 
friend there, Mr. 11 Cox, Informed me that hi? wife 
made, in the month ot Dee. from the milk of one cow, 
fifty-six and three-fourths pounds ot butter, and used 
what milk was needed In the family besides; butler 
selling at 80 cents per pound. They would have made 
a? much in January ami February hud ihey sold no 
milk. Who has beat this?” 
CORN AND CHINCH BUGS. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker: — As it will 
soon be bug season, I will give our plan to pre¬ 
vent chinch bugs injuring corn, where it is near 
a wheat field in which this pest has been at 
work. Leave a narrow strip of land between 
the wheat, and corn, say two rods wide, and sow 
it with buckwheat at the usual time for sowing. 
Tite bugs will not disturb the buckwheat, nor 
will they pass through it to the corn. 
Cumberland Co., Ill., May, 1861. 8. B Kelso. 
The Best Bee Hive.— (L. A. Brice, of Monroe Co., 
N. Y.) We do not know which is the best bee-hive for 
slimmer and winter use. We do not know of anybody 
who does. But we think the value of any hive to any 
man must depend largely upon his attention and core 
of his swarms. No man need hope to get a hive that 
will take care of the bees for him. There are some 
kinds of hives that afford facilities for handling boos 
which others do not But with the simplest hives, the 
attentive apiarian succeeds. Success does not general¬ 
ly depend upon the hive. 
The Sheep Shearing, at Canandaigua last week, is 
reported to have been vory successful — a fine exhi¬ 
bition, and well attended. We are unable to give par¬ 
ticulars this week 
Starting in the “Sheep Bcsiness.' — Frank J. 
Allen, of Centre, Eaton Co., Mich., wishes to “start 
in the sheep business” with a capital of $500, and 
wishes to know if we would advise him to “go on the 
prairies, and if so, where?” The prairie? are the only 
regions we know of where so small a capital would 
A House Show is to be held at Lyons, N. Y., July-lth. 
See advertisement. 
