the supply Of Kreen food to thirty or thirty-fi e 
pounds per day each. After each feed, four pounds 
of meadow hay, or twelve pound* per day » gnen 
to each cow, and they arc allowed water tw.ee per 
day, to the extent they will drink. 
“During May my cows are turned out on a rich 
pasture, near the homestead. Towards evening they 
are again housed for the night, when they are sup¬ 
plied "with a mess of the steamed mixture, and a 
little hay, morning and evening. During June, when 
the grasses are better grown, mown grass >a given 
them instead of hay, and they are allowed two feeds 
of steamed mixture. This treatment is continued till 
October, when they arc again wholly housed. 
For the purpose of testing the accuracy of his 
theory, he commenced weighing his milch cows in 
January, 1854. He continues, "It has been shown 
by what I have promised, that no accurate estimate 
can be formed of the effect of the food on the pro¬ 
duction of milk, without ascertaining its effect on 
the condition of the cows. 1 have continued this 
practice once a month, almost without omission, up 
to this date (I860). The weighings take place early 
in the morning and before the cows are supplied with 
food,—the weights arc registered, and the length of 
time'(fifteen months,) during which i have observed 
this practice, enables me to speak with confidence of 
the results. 
«The cows in full milk, yielding from twelve to 
fifteen quarts each per day, vary but little,—some 
losing, others gaining, slightly, the balance in the 
month's weighing of this class being rather a gain. 
“ It is common for a cow to continue a yield from 
six to eight months before she gives below twelve 
quarts per day, at which time she has usually, if not 
invariably, gained weight. The cows giving less 
than twelve quarts per day, and down to five quarts 
per day, are found, when free from ailment, to gain 
without exception. This gain, with an average yield 
of nearly eight quarts per nay, iB ut the rate of seven 
to eight pounds per week each. 
" My cow* in calf are weighed only in the incip¬ 
ient stages, but they gain perceptibly in condition, 
and consequently in value. They are milked to 
within four or five weeks previous to calving." 
The weights of three of his cows and a heifer arc- 
given, and the gaiu on each from July to April. 
Wi * 
bedding swine on the manure. 
No. 1854. 
ewt. qrs. ins. 
1 weighed, July, 10 1 20 
2 S » 8 2 10 
3 » “820 
4 (heifer) “ u 7 0 0 
1855. 
cwt. qrs. lbs. lb*. 
April, 11 3 0 gain, 148 
“ 10 2 0 “ 214 
“ 10 0 0 “ 184 
“ 9 3 0 “ 300 
"A cow, free from calf and intended for fattening, „ 
continues to give milk from ten months to a year ^ 
after calving, and is then in a forward state of fatness, . 
requiring but a few weeks to finish her for sale to the . 
butchers. It will thus appear that my endeavors to ‘' 
provide food adapted to the maintenance and im- 
provement of my milch cows have been attended 
with success. 
“ On examining the composition of the ordinary ! 
food which I have described,—straw, roots and hay,— 
it appears lo contain the nutritive properties which 
are found adequate lo the maintenance of the animal, !> e; 
whereas the yield of milk has to he provided for by a im 
supply of extra food. The rupc cake, bran, and bran e J' 
meal which 1 give, will supply the albumen for the ve( 
casein. It is somewhat deficient in oil for the butter, v '< 
while it will supply in excess the phosphate of lime thi 
for a full yield of milk.” fir 
After giving a description or *W b—■—a.i.aimuiu' ^ 
of such a »ysteiu N of reeding upon his pastures, which 
is very instructive, and important lie closes thlnj 
branch of the subject with the following important J 
fiicl. 
“Oh comparing the results from my milch cows 
fed in summer on rich pastures, and treated at the 
same time with the extra food 1 have described, with " 
the results when on winter food and while wholly 
housed, taking into account both the yield of milk ah 
ami the gain in weight, I find those from stall feed- 
jug fully equal to those from pasture.” ” 
On the subject of preparing food he says:—"I hj 
have cooked or steamed my food for several years. 
It will be observed that I blend bean straw, bran and (I 
malt combs as flavoring materials, with oat and other 
straw, and tape cake. The effect of steaming is to 
volatilize the essential oils, in wliich the flavor o 
resides, and diffuse them through the mass. The f 
odor arising from it resembles that observed liotu ^ 
the process of malting. This imparts relish to the q 
mass, aud induces tlm cattle to eat it greedily: in u 
addition to which I am disposed to think that it 
renders the food more easy of digestion and a$simi- c 
lation. 1 use this process with advantage lor fatten- y 
iug, when 1 am deficient in roots. With the same . 
mixed straw and oat shells, three to four pounds c 
each of rape cake, and half a pound of linseed oil, ^ 
but without roots, 1 have fattened more Ilian thirty ' 
heifers and cows free from milk, from Mureli up to v 
the early part of May. Their gain has averaged fully t 
fourteen pounds each per week,— a result I could t 
not have looked for from the same materials if ^ 
uncooked. This process seems to have the effect of f 
rendering linseed oil less of a laxative, hut cannot 
drive off any portion of the fattening oils, to volatile 
which would require a very high temperature. My 
experience of the benefits of steaming is such that if 
1 were deprived of It, I could not continue to feed 
with satisfaction. ' 
“To one leading- feature of my practice 1 attach 
the greatest importance,— the maintenance ol the 
condition of my cows giving a large yield of milk. I 1 
am enabled by the addition of bran meal in propor¬ 
tion to the greater yield of milk to avert the loss of 
condition in those giving from sixteen to eighteen 
quarts per day, while on those giving a less yield, 
aud in health, I invariably effect an improvement. 
“When wo take into consideration the disposition 
of the cow, to apply her food rather to her milk than 
to her maintenance aud improvement, it seems fair to 
infer that the milk oi a cow- gaining flesh will not. be 
deficient in either casein or butter. I have already 
alluded to the efficiency of meal in increasing the 
quantity of butter. I learn also, from observant 
dairymen who milk their owu cows, and cany then 
butter to market, that their baskets arc never so well 
filled as when tlieir cows have fed on green clover, 
which, as dry material, is nearly as rich in albumen 
as beaus. From this wo may infer that albuminous 
matter is the most essential element in the food of 
the milch cow, and that any deficiency in the supply 
of this, will be attended with loss of condition, aud 
a consequent diminution in the quality of her milk." 
f r. 
► , - - . 
?S Piles in Swine. —In answer to an inquiry in the 
| Rural, for a cure for piles in pigs, I will send you a 
lK simple but sure remedy, having tried it myself, and 
T having known others to do the same. In every 
U instance it has proved effectual. Take rosin, pul- 
V verizo fine, and sprinkle on the parts affected a few 
times, and, my word for it, you have the cure. If 
Mo any one tries the above remedy, let me know the 
result through the Rural.— T. W. H., Eden, N. Y. 
Ena. Rural New-Yorkek: — On page 54 current [ I 
Volume. I notice an article headed " A good bed for j 
Swine." Now it seems to me that Mr. Sanfi*i. 1> has ] 
one idea without the rest. I know not the exact i 
locality that Mr. S. resides in, and J think it matters i 
but little about that, but in Illinois (where I reside i 
when at home,) swine arc not generally allowed to - 
sleep on pianure piles (or heaps,) ol any kind, as it 
is deemed verv injurious, there being too much i 
steam and unnatural heat caused by fermentation. 1 
have Been swine come out of manure heaps (where 
they were allowed to sleep,) as still as an old foun¬ 
dered horse, and a chance if they ever got over it. 
My mode is this: Provide good shelter, warm and 
clean, with plenty of good straw, give them a chance 
to run Out all they choose, and a dry bed at night. 
I change their bed once in four weeks, for the same 
reason that our own beds are aired. This will bring 
my swine out in the spring all right. It may be 
proper to say that I am a farmer, on a moderate 
scale, 240 acres, 13 miles west of Chicago —and gen- 
orally fat from 25 to 40 swine yearly, and that I write 
from actual experience. — Ilunoian, Gouvemeur, 
N. Y., 1801. 
Eds. Rural Nrw-Yobker. —Seeing an article in 
your paper of Feb. 10th, from Jso. Sakkusld, recom¬ 
mending the “manure pile" as a “comfortable" 
sleeping place for swine, and fearing lest some inex¬ 
perienced farmer might be induced to try the experi¬ 
ment, T enter my protest against any such swinish 
practice. If Mr. 8. permits his hogs to occupy their 
“comfortable" quarters till spring, he will find them 
covered with a scurf and such an accumulation 
of filth upon them, that a Noah’s deluge would not 
wash them clean. Nothing short of strong soap-suds 
and an hour’s disagreeable labor, will cleanse them 
of the oleaginous excrement with which they are 
covered. No man should ever pursue sucli a dirty, 
filthy and unhealthy practice; if he does, bis hogs 
will soon resemble the rooter represented in your 
“ Rebus." Let Mr. Sankikld put his hogs in a good, 
» warm, dry pen, keep it well cleaned, and their bed 
renewed every few days, with plenty to cat, and he 
' will have pigs that, he will be proud to show to his 
neighbors. —TI. H. T„ Cochranton, Pa., 18G1. 
Ik you want a litter of sickly and crippled young 
pigs, you cannot accomplish that object better than to 
i let thorn lay on a pile of unfermented horse manure. 
1 Old hogs may have constitutions to stand through 
' the process of fermentation without any perceptible 
' injury, hut I have always found the young ones to 
r suffer from it. As for mixing the manure from the 
| h 0r « e and cow stable together, I endorse that, as it 
f! has a tendency to prevent the ammonia evaporating 
" from the horse stable manure in a d|-y season. — 
Tobacco Smoke for Bees. 
Eds. Ri’kai. New-Yorker:—As a general thing, 
I have been much pleased with the articles in yonr 
paper found under the heading “ The Bee Keeper" 
But there is one thing in your issue of Feb. 18, to 
which I decidedly object, and that is the recom¬ 
mendation of tobacco smoke for quieting beeB. This 
is wrong. It i» inhuman to sicken the poor things 
with the fumes of tobacco, when the same object can 
be attained just as easily, and by an'instrumentality 
far more congenial to the feelings of the bees. Sprin¬ 
kle them with sweetened water, and I will guarantee 
you that they will be as quiet, and in much better 
humor, than if you blow tobacco smoke in their face. 
The bee loves sweets, and cannot resist the tempta¬ 
tion to sip them whenever presented, and when once 
full, is as hurralcs* as a bee without a sting. It will 
never volunteer an attack. You may handle it the. 
without any fear of the dagger at its extremity. But 
If people will have smoke, let them use cotton, or 
cotton rag*,—it will answer as well, and be less inju¬ 
rious to bees. H ' H ' T- 
Coehranton, Feb. 20th, 1861. 
We don’t know that tobacco smoke injures the 
bees, but we do know that sweetened water will quiet 
them just as well, and perhaps better. 
k.j& 
those substances w-hich afford nourishment to the 
body, which is evidence in my mind to prove that 
cobs are nutritious to cattle. Ruminating animals 
are furnished with digestive organs capable of ex¬ 
tracting nutriment from substances which for swine 
would be entirely inert. Bwine being destitute of the 
ruminating apparatus, derive no nutriment from 
cobs, ground or uogronnd, after the com is ripe. I 
have repeatedly given my hogs ears of corn partially 
ripe, and they were very careful to avoid as much of 
the cob as possible. I have occasionally fed my 
swine, of late, with cob meal, and the poor brutes 
resented the treatment like a dainty boarder, and 
would grunt for unadulterated meal. On the whole. 
I have made up my mind that cob meal is very good 
for cattle, but worthless for hogs. Gobs, by the 
pound, are probably of equal value to butts and stalks, 
and when ground with the corn, are a substitute for 
chopped fodder for cattle and hors**. 
Robert Douglas, Tntxton, Cort. Co., A. Y., 18G1. 
---♦- • ♦ - 
SALTING CATTLE, AND THE SCAB. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:— Sometime last Decem¬ 
ber or January, T made an inquiry through the col¬ 
umns of your paper, concerning the “ Scab" on the 
eye-lids of my cattle, and the remedy. I have 
received several communications from different indi¬ 
viduals, and also answers from several gentlemen 
through the columns of the Rural. Among the 
first was the suggestion of Mr. EikiKRTOn, in regard 
, _.n. ■ •' ' ut 
once I also washed the parte aflfeeted with strong 
brine, which very soon effected a perfect cure. 1 
have noticed the fact, and I believe it is id most 
universal, that farmers neglect to salt their cattle often 
enough during the winter months, especially Novem¬ 
ber aud December, or during the change- from green 
to dry feed, which I believe is the cause of the 
“Scab.” Others have mentioned other causes, such 
as lice going to the eyes, and causing an irritation 
around them in order to furnish themselves with 
food. This was not the case with my cattle, for 
there are no lico on them that T can discover. I 
have killed deer that were affected with the same 
disease to all appearance, and I know there are no 
“deer licks" in all this region of country, conse¬ 
quently they get no salt at all. 
In regard to Mr. Johnston’s remedy, in the Rural 
of February Id, to apply a “little ungnentum ou the 
eye-lids, but be careful to put on very little," T think 
the suggestion as to the quantity used is a very good 
one, and my experience with the drug is, the less 
used the better for the cattle, 
My plan for salting cattle in the winter, is to pro¬ 
cure a basswood log,—or some other timber that 
will split and work easy,—about eight or teu inches 
in diameter, length according to the number of 
cattle. Split it in two parts, dig out troughs, set 
them on legs about two and a half or three feet high, 
place them in the open yard, and scatter salt the 
whole length of them as often as needed. Let the 
cattle “lick" whenever they please. They will keep 
the troughs free from snow and water, and I think 
will not be troubled with disease of any kind, if well 
fed> W. W. Chatman. 
Brookfield, Mich., 1861. 
___> * ^ —-- . 
Stic grt-ifctirr. 
American Bee Journal. 
For some time we have been aware that the 
Apiarians of this country have seriously contem¬ 
plated the publication of a /icc-Journal, to he 
devoted exclusively to the Honey-Bee. Accordingly, 
on the first day of January, the American Bee Jour¬ 
nal made its appearaftee in Philadelphia, and we 
have now the first three numbers on onr table. It is 
a monthly of twenty four pages, well printed, and 
edited with great ability by the most experienced 
Bee-Keepers in the country, while among its con¬ 
tributors are numbered Borne of the best Apiarians of 
Europe. It is published by A. M. Spangler & Co., 
of Philadelphia, at $1 per year. 
•--- 
It a linn Bees. 
Eos. Ruhaj. New-YOkkkr:— I see advertised in yonr 
valuable paper, by two different people, the Italian Beea. 
Being aware of numerous humbugs advertised in the papers, 
I appeal to you whether I would be safe in purchasing a hive, 
and whether they are superior to our native bees? A. H., 
Bridgeton, Cumberland Co., .V. J,, 1861. 
The Italian bees are said, by the best apiarians we 
have, to be less irritable in their disposition, and to 
be more industrious, accumulating more honey than 
our common bees. From the evidence we have seen, 
wc judge this to be the tact. 
_• • 4- 
gfn n\ spirit of ttw 'Qxtw. 
Benefits of Irrigation. 
Tue Boston Cultivator states that Mr. Ephraim 
Mastin, of Button, N. H., raised the past season 
“herd-grass which grew «ve feet nine inches in 
height, with heads seven inches long. Jt was taken 
from a field where the twentieth successive crop grew 
without the application of any manure, except the 
semi-annual deposit of a small stream from Kearsarge 
mountain, which 1ms been turned upon it in the 
spring and fall." 
On I Straw ns Food for Sick Animals. 
T hank often noticed, says Dr. T)add,* in the 
American Mock JouriwLto at sick horses will eat oat 
i“)w in h'-aW ' ‘ of fbddcrj im» 
matter of unurHCy lioweqtW. fiulBW win fru 
German ..Keepers’ Convention. 
The Ninth Annual Convention of German Bee- 
Keepers was held in the city of Hanover, early in 
September last. Four hundred and fifty members 
were in attendance, aud the discussions, wo aie 
informed, were animated and interesting. We 
expect to receive a full report at an early day. 
The Tenth Annual Convention w ill be held next 
September, in the city of Grate, the capital ot Lower 
Styria. Count Joseph Kottkrlinsky, was chosen 
President, the Rev. Anthony Semlitscu, Vice Presi¬ 
dent, for the current year. Mr. Andrew Schmid, of 
Eichstadt, is the stated clerk.— Am. Bee Journal. 
Straw Bee-llives. 
Eds. Rural Nkw-Yobker:— In alate issue of your 
valuable paper a request was made for a Straw Bee- 
Hive adapted to the present improved state of bee 
culture. I wish to state through your columns to all 
lovers of this branch of rural industry, that I have 
constructed such a hive —combining all the advan- 
vantagee of warmth, absorption, and evaporation of 
moisture, both lateral and upward, that the old con¬ 
ical straw hive does, and at the same time receives 
the surplus honey boxes with same facility as the 
best hoard hives. It is alike adapted to the movable 
frames or cross bars. It can be made ot any required 
warmth, size or shape. The want of such a hive has 
long bceu felt by the bee-keeping community. The 
facts adduced in the article alluded to, commend 
1 themselves to the intelligence of practical Apiarians. 
To bee-keeping friends, (and I suppose there is a 
little more of the genuine article in that fraternity 
f than in most others,) I would say, any information 
> desired concerning this hive will readily be given. 
Manlius, N. Y. MsLA-vemox Stilwell. 
at ikw ill lire*- , ' . torj fakind of fodder; ioi » 
matter of conrscy howe^r. sotw vnrtei—.—- Are i 
Oat straw contains a larspl proportion of nutrimental 
matter and some 'phov’piiues, hd, " hen converted 
into a sort of bran by means of mill-stmies, is a very 
nourishing diet. This sort of ailment is useful when 
combined with ground oats, for animals whose sys¬ 
tems lack the requisite amount of phosphates. A 
milch cow, for example, the subject of a prostrating 
disease, is very much benefited by food of this kind. 
Quantity of Food for Slock. 
Frequent observations have shown that an ox 
will consume two per cent, of his weight of hay per 
day to maintain his condition. If put to moderate 
labor, an increase of this quautity to three per cent. 
will enable hifo to perform his work, and still main¬ 
tain his flesh. If be is to be fatted, he requires about 
four and a half per cent, of his weight daily in nutri¬ 
tious food. A cow to remain stationary, and give no 
milk, cats two per cent, of her weight daily; and if 
in milk, she will consume three per cent. It is evi¬ 
dent therefore that two cows may he kept in milk on 
the same amount that it would take to keep three 
doing nothing. So sayk the Michigan Parmer. 
., woeten5 iiU " C.’iit Bay Im t ows. 
A CORRESPONDENT lof the Connecticut Homestead, 
in an account of a notjd milk farm near Hartford, 
says the farmer, Mr. Gates, cuts most of his hay in 
winter, moistening it, thoroughly mixing it with 
a thin swill of rye, cok and cotton-seed meal, and 
water, allowing the mat to lie irfetn one feeding time 
to another, to swell am! sweeten before using. " 1 say 
sweeten, not turn sour.L he feeds before it comes to 
that." Thu writer thfeks the process analagous to 
that undergone in a r*ur apple, which “ il braised 
on the side, the juice f that spot becomes decidedly 
sweet iu a short time, j the saccharine ferment, con¬ 
version of starch int i sugar, and all that," taking 
place. _1_ 
Jefferson Co. Premium Cheese. a 
At the Winter Meeting of the Jefferson Co. (N. Y.) £ 
Ag. Society, the first prize on Cheese was awarded to c 
Reuben Lekfwowell, of Henderson, and the second 
to A. D. Stanley, of Adams. Accompanying their 
exhibit were statements of the manner of making, j 
which we condense from the Northern New York f 
Journal, as follows: 1 
Mr. Leffingweli. keeps 35 cows; has 80 acres of 
pastnre, June grass and white clover; 40 acres mea- 1 
dow. seeded to lierdsgrass and clover; feeds meal and f 
shorts in spring; average yield of cheese per cow is , 
450 lbB. Bet night’s milk into tin vat, and take off 
cream in morning. Return cream by dissolving in - 
warm milk, then put rennet in with cream anil turn i 
the mixture into the milk in the vat. Warm milk 
with steam to temperature of 85 degrees for reception 
of rennet. Preserve rennets with salt. Separate 
whey from curd with a perforated tin strainer. Scald 
with steam two hours at the temperature of 100 
degrees. Salt at the rate of 3 lbs. of salt to 100 lbs. 
of cheese from press. Color curd with annatto 
applied at the time of setting milk. Put curd to 
press warm, press about 20 hours, average weight of 
cheese 75 lbs. Bandage cheese about 2 hours after 
going to press, turn ouce in 24 hours. Feed whey 
mostly to cows. Average income last year per cow, 
forty-three dollars. 
Mr. Stanley has 35 cows, feeds on 75 acres; 
grass, timothy, red top, and clover, meadow equal to 
50 acres, of the same kind as pastures. He says, 1 
feed grain and roots, corn meal, and carrots cut in 
the spring, till the grass comes; average yield per 
cow, 400 lbs. 1 set my milk in tin vat at night, take, 
off cream in the morning, return cream most of the 
season, put the. cream in strainer and pour the morn¬ 
ing’s milk to it; warm milk by putting warm water | 
into a wooden vat that the tin vat sets in, sometimes 
use thermometer, hut generally common sense; the 
usual heat to receive rennet 82 degrees in cool 
weather, and less in warm; prepare rennets, wash 
1 them, fill them with salt, hang them up to dry, to fit 
them for use, soak them in pure water with a mixture 
* of sage and salt: set my milk in tin vat; separate 
! w hey from curd with a perforated tiu strainer; scald 
' bv putting water between wooden vat aud tin; com¬ 
mence scalding when we are through cutting up; 
scald gradual till well cooked. Usual time three 
» hours, use about 4 ounces salt to 12 lbs. of curd, 
t Color cheese in spring with annatto when T put in 
, rennet: put my nurd to press when cold. I give it 
,-n nniount' j^»r«iire sufficient to pre»A “ in et 
. 10 . 
Rural Notes anil Stems. 
To CoRRBSPONDKfTS. —The manifold fa tors we are receir 
in K from practical friends are gratefully appreciated. The 
most timely and important will appear as fast as our space 
permit*. We often receive several good articles on the same 
subject, and it is difficult to decide which to publish, but, like 
President LINCOLN in forming his Cabinet, bare to “assume 
the responsibility' of selection — perhaps rejecting better 
timber, often, thao that used. We beg to repeat here, that 
anonymous articles, however good, are excluded by our rules. 
Receiving so much that is genuine, we have little time to 
examines and no space wherein to publish, the essays of those 
who are too modest to give us iheir real names We do not 
insist upon giving the names of writers to the public, but 
must have them as evidence of good faith and originality. 
Another thing We do not, at present, wish to engage con¬ 
tributors for any department of the Rrusi.; nor can we 
undertake to return rejected articles—especially stories, 
poetry, and other miscellaneous effusions. Onoe more. We 
cannot, at any season, attend to half the inquiries received 
asking replies by letter, and recent illness has precluded us 
from responding to even the most important of this class. 
Courtesy is a good thing, but not practicable under some 
circumstances, as we can attest from experience. 
- 1 ; 
hoice iu Silting D :ns. 
U. w. IL, in tue Farm* and Gardener, says:— 
“Not every lieu thut rumples up her feathers and 
clucks, clucks, clucks, with affected matronly indig- 
natiou and important r, is fit for the great duty ol 
bringing forth a hrooj. A good sitting hen should 
he large. Size is important, because of the greater 
amount of warmth iurpaped to the eggs, as well as 
giving the hen the ability to cover the eggs thor¬ 
oughly, and thus sjeurt regular hatching. She 
should he welt feathrnd. .f the lieu which shows a 
desire for incubation, has f> meager coat of feathers, 
try and get her out of the lotion. If she will sit in 
spite of you, give b<4' but few eggs. Avoid cross- 
grained, ‘fuss and fjather jens.’ They may do the 
hatching very well, hut prov: poor mothers. ’ 
Cobs and Fab Me*l for Cuttle and Bvviue. 
A CORRESPONDENT of tht New England Parmer 
says that breeders txprees d.ffereut opinions about 
the value of cobs as fpod for domestic animals; some 
regard them as no hotter thau sav-dust, while others 
think they contain nutriment. I agree with the lav 
ter, in opinion, from practical ibservation. Soon 
after the last corn harvest, I had vecasion to shell a 
quantity of corn before the cobs vere fully dry. I 
sat by our oxen a m3 cows, broke up he oobs, aud led 
them to the cattle, who devoured tlRm with apparent 
good relish, I have often fed cattle i itb cobs before, 
and observed them to feed at a he p of threshed 
cobs for a definite time, but as cobs grew dry they 
become tougb, and hard lo masticate and therefore 
cattle are not so fond of them, fatie and swine, 
like human beings, have an instinctive jreference for 
hours. The average weigTTtnr Cheese up to this tunc, „i 
70 lbs. I baud i&o my cheese when I turn them, in m 
three or four hours alter putting to press; apply ley I 
to them when taken out of press; after which apply J* 
whey; butter while curing, turn them once in 24 “ 
hours. Dispose of my whey by feeding it to calves 
and hogs. My soil is clay loam, sandy loam, gravel, 
and black muck; do not keep a full dairy account, u 
Average income per cow last year thirty-five dollars. 
gnqumts anti i 
r 
Hamburgh Crkesr.—I t would be very grntifyius to me if r 
some of tWe Rlrai.'s rcudere would I'tmii-b. through its (l 
columns the manner ol making the “ Hamburgh Cheese " so . 
j„ s tly celebrated throughout Western New York.— F. T. 1 
Hasi.ktixk, Muzomanir, Bane Co.. lUot., 186J. * 
J 
Pbopoktionb of I.imk a.vd Sand in i atim. Water Pipe.— ; 
Will some of vour contributors or readers, who have expert- 
men ted. inform me how much watertime, or cement, it takes 1 
to the rod for laying pipe to convey water? 1 saw in the i 
New• Yorker, a year or so ago. that pipe can he constructed , 
of Hint) aud sand’ hot I have no idea how much it will take to 
a rod,—H. Wood, Jr.-. Indiana Co., Pa.. 1861. 
Vitiated Taste in Cm.vi s — Men oftentimes, through a , 
perverted tasle, acquire a liking for strange things, hut such 
is seldom the cnee with the brute creation. However, I have 
a calf which exhibits (would you call il the progress of civili¬ 
zation?) a peculiarity, and I mo “In tho pursuit of know! 
edge ’’ This calf is JO the habit of eating slivers from the 
fence, the huts of cornstalks, fee. hut has im relish for hay. 
meal, or any good fodder. Will not some of the Rural's 
readers tell me how to correct these practices? J. M Rdgnr 
TON, Watson. Aiityan Co.. Mich.. 1861. 
Bund Staggers in Horses.—I n the Ri-kal of March 2d, 
1 saw a remedy for blind staggers:—Gum camphor, one ounce; 
whisky or brandy, one pint Can this be given at any time, 
or must it he given when the staggers are coming on?— 
Querist, Lindanville, A. 1861. 
The remedy is published just as we found it, with its proper 
credit, &c. We suppose that the general rule, applicable to 
all remedial agencies, is in full force with respect to this, viz., 
when they are needed, the sooner administered the better. 
Horn Distemper. —1 noticed iu a late issue of the Kriui,, 
the inquiry of a gentleman for a remedy to cure the Horn 
Distemper. I do not propose giving one, but simply to c>ul 
vour attention to the same subject. I have a cow that was 
taken with this disease last July aud from the thousand or 
more infallible cures recommended. I tried cutting offi her 
tail (supposing, of course, that T had commenced at the 
right end, ) rubbing her back with salt, pepper, and vinegar, 
pouring turpentine on her head. fee-, all of which did no 
good. 1 then bored her boros, (which were nothing hut a 
shell.) putting in pepper, salt and vinegar. After ft lew days 
they began to discharge, and continued so to uo for three or 
tour months, when the How ceased. During this time tue 
’ cow seemed to be getting much better, but as soon M the 
matter stopped she grew worse, declined eating, and J think 
would have died but for the singular ciicuraotance ot her 
breaking out in the forehead, from which place she has cou- 
i tiaued to discharge ever since, with occasional exceptions, 
and at such limes she is worse. As a matter of course she is 
very thin io flesh, and seems to be on the decline. II any o 
i vour readers can inform me what to do for her, they will 
confer a very great favor. — O. F. B., Belleville, -Y J 1861 • 
We do not think it at all strange that --a decline " in the 
5 condition of the cow has resulted from the treatment received. 
This boring, sawing off horns, and cutting oft the tail, ib bar¬ 
barous, and yet so prevalent, that every cow leech considers 
himself “ armed and equipped according to law." if be has a 
,. gimlet in his pocket and a saw under his aTra. Our corres- 
t pandent asks the advice of Rural readers, and we hope it 
will be freely given, though we have little faith, under the 
circumstances, that anything can now be done in the way of 
S restoration, as the power of working miracles has departed. 
r Nature will do much, even when subjected to gro» abuse, 
1 but there is a turning point iu the scale, which, having onoe 
a passed, she can never recruit wasted energies, or rally the 
I declining functions of animal life. 
Maple and Sorghum Sweets.— We are indebted to Mr. 
Martin A. Hoadley, of Wallace. Steuben Co., N. Y., for a 
sample of Maple Sugar of light color and superior quality— 
both good looking and toothsome. Mr. H. says the only 
secret of making sugar white is to keep it clean, aa black sugar 
invariably ha* dirt in it. 
_Mr. A. U. Miller, of Laporte, Ind., sends us a sample of 
Sorghum Sugar — a very handsome, dry article. We think 
the flavor, though good, is not superior. Mr. M. writes: — 
“ This sugar was made by -imply boiling down the juice to 
the proper density for sugar, without the introduction of any 
foreign substance whatever to either cleanse or cause it to 
crystalize, but simply neutralized tbe free’ acid in the juice 
with lime water. In one experiment f tried the bone-black 
filter. This improved the taste, but not tbe general appear¬ 
ance of the sugar.—nor did it increase the per cent , the 
effect being to facilitate draining " Mr. M. sends ua also his 
annual report of the Manufacture of Sugar from the Chinese 
Sugar Cane, which contains further evidence that, this branch 
of husbandry can he rendered profitable in tbe West. 
Stock Raising in tue West. —An article in the Fort 
Wayne (Ind.) Times of the 6th inst., indicates that Short¬ 
horns arc being appreciated in Indiana and lllinoia, as well as 
in other sections of the West. It says that I D. O. Nelson, 
Esq., of that county, who is one of the best and mostsuc- 
ce^ful cattle breeders in the West, has just sold a fine lot of 
Short-horns—consisting of one bull, one cow, and eight 
varlings —to Mr. Jons (J. Bui.ach, of Princeton, Ill. The 
Kile includes Mr. N. s stock bull “Emigrant" (sired by im¬ 
ported Emigrant) and several of his calves, and it is believed 
they will make their mark in Illinois. The Times adds that 
“Mr. Nelson commenced breeding Short-horn Durliams in 
1854. by purchasing at the Kentucky Stock Company’s sale 
one bull calf (GoWftnder) four month* old, for wliich he paid 
5175 , one heifer at $300, another at $340, and two or three 
j other* at less prices, but none less than one hundred dollars 
each. It was regarded by nearly everybody as worse than a 
hazardous experiment, but he has by untiriug industry and 
perseverance, proved it a complete success. He has realized 
from one of bis cows alone nearly as much as he gave for the 
whole of his first purchase.” 
Experiment with Guano— Spring Wheal — Writing to the 
Journal of N. Y. Plate Ag, Society, our observing and 
I experienced friend, Joseph Watson, of Clyde, Wayne Co,, 
- reports “That on the trial of the ‘Phoenix Island Guano,’ 
. on corn, potatoes, carrots aud beans, and vines in plots and 
' r ow* adjoining them, on which plaster was applied, could not 
pecelve that Guano was any better, if as good as plaster.” 
| We have received returns of some other applications, where 
1 the Guano was decidedly advantageous. It may be owing to 
1 tlm kind c«r soil. J Mr. W. says:—“ Crops, generally, good 
* ugnlii Hits iKvafin, An —- - ' - 00 Ewr-L^ta 
. of spring wheat from three acre*. I'll try it agito — a^-e+ss 
1 such success, and such cjuaJily s* obtained thin season, of Tea 
y Wheal variety, I’ll abandon winter wheat —a rotation of 60 
y bushels of corn, 30 bushels of wheat, 2)£ tuns of clover, and 
j 2'-a bushels of seed, for three years, and rest and pasture the 
fourth year, will do for me." 
B -- 
’ The Personnel op Barky, the Horse Tamer— now giving 
II* “ raree shows " in Philadelphia, where be has made a great 
I. hit, the receipts of liis exhibitions averaging over $1,600 
each_Is thus described by the Philu. North American:— 
“Barky weighs one hundred and sixty-eight pound*, stands 
five feet eight inches high, and has sandy hair and com¬ 
plexion. Hi* eye is gray, hi* brow* prominent, and his 
if nostril i* of that peculiar conformation that I.avaTKR 
1b describes a* indicative or powerful will. Ilia phiaique 1* 
p’ indurated like that of a gladiator. His arm is like a solid 
strand of whip cord, and his cordial shake of the hand grips 
you like a vice. Ho wears side whiskers and moustache, and 
T iu voice and personal appearance, is singularly like to on! 
handsome fellow citizen councilman Freeman. In lecturing 
,0 Mr. Rakky lays no claim to literary merit, hut merely seeks 
I" 1 to fulfill hismuwion of teaching humanity forthe dumb brute.’ 
til 
What Ailed the Pigs. — In the Rural of Feb. 2d, is the 
above inquiry. A few years ago some of my pigs were sick, 
breathed hard, ears and nose turned black, when one of my 
neighbors told me the cause was bedding the young pigs with 
oat straw. I removed the oat straw bedding and saw no more 
of the disease. Since then 1 have heard of several farmers 
that have lost pigs from using oat straw for bedding while 
they were young. — A Subscriber. Albion, N. Y., 1861. 
Influence or the Rural— Another Partners' Club. — A 
correspondent writing from Gouverneur, St, Lawrence Co., 
speaks in high terms of the value and influence of the Rural 
New-Yorker, After alluding to our recent article on 
Farmers’ Clubs — it* suggestions relative to orgaoiziug and 
conducting thorn—he adds:—“The farmers cd our town have 
formed themselves into a similar association for the purpose 
of exchanging ideas and otherwise mutually benefiting mem¬ 
bers. The club meets every Wednesday evening. Several 
interesting and instructive discussions have already been 
held, and essays read on a number of practical subjects. It is 
intended to form a library The officers of the club are as 
follows: President— John Thomson. Wee Ptest's — Andrew 
Dodds 2d, Goodman Carpenter, Irwin S. Barnes. Secretary— 
Edwin A. Dodds, Treasurer —William Ells. Librarian — 
George Parker. _ 
Change ok the Patent Law.—B y the Tecent amendment 
to the patent laws it is provided that “ all patent* hereafter 
grauted shall remain in force for seventeen years from the 
date of issue, and all extension of such patents is hereby pro 
hibited.” We think this a most judicious act, as it will put a 
stop to a vast amount of corruption and intrigue at Wash- 
ington. Wi*h it also prevented the exten»ion of patent- 
heretofore issued, especially those from which fortunes have 
been realized, like that of McCormick’S F.eaper. It is be¬ 
lieved, however, that Mr. McC.'s attempt to obtain a renewal 
will prove unsuccessful. 
-. » -- 
Tonawanda Valley Ag. Society.—A t the last annual 
meeting of this progressive Union Society, tho lollowing 
board of officer* received a unanimous vote: President —J G. 
Shepard, Alexander. Fire Presidents—Dr. S. L. Grosvenor. 
Wm. Powers. Attica. Heman Blodgett, Alexander; Dr. E. C. 
Holt, Bennington; M. Wallis, Ebenezer Losee, Darien. It- 
Secretary— S. Folsom, Attica, Cor. Secretary— E. Bishop. 
Treasurer —F. R. Wright. Librarian —G. Dorrance. 
— - - 
Washtenaw Co (Mich.) Ac. Society— The following are 
! the officers of this Society for 1861 President —J G. Lkland, 
1 Northfield. Fire Presidents —Calvin Wheeler, Salem; Wm. 
S. Maynard, Ann Arbor; L. S. Wood, Lodi; I. V. Wakemnn, 
! Dexter; N. Sheldoin, Lodi Bee. Seoretary—L. WoidetimanD. 
! Ann Arbor. Cor. Secretary— W. N. Strong, Ann Arbor. 
1 Treasurer —l' B. Wilson, Ann Arbor. 
’ The Farmers’ and Mechanics' Clcb, of Franklin, Del. 
J Co., was recently organized and the following officers chosen: 
J President — Be ill a ii L. Bowers. Fiee Presidents — M. S. 
Kellogg, AY. M. Mills, Eli Hopkins, Hiram AVhitney. Seers 
taiy —Henry E. Abell. Treasurer—Harvey Mann. Directors 
* —S. F. Miller, Elijah Roe, Enos Munson. P. F Nortkrup, J- 
•i Edgar Payne, _,_ 
Read the advertisements. The new ones are timelyand 
interesting, and somewhat numerous withal. Business mea 
lire evidently of opinion that the season is at hand for active 
operations, and that it is unnecessary to wait longer fcr 
politicians, or the Government, to arrange affairs. 
-YA v’D; 
