so that at the close of the next, autumn my steers’ 
horns watched perfectly well! Since that time it has 
been tried repeatedly by farmers in this vicinity, 
with the like success. The horns of steers while 
growing, can be turned in any direction, by the 
continued use of a weight over a pulley, which is 
but very little trouble and no injury to the steers. 
its exodus from a hive. When the bees leave, they 
are of one organization, all harmonizing as one 
family; and if they return within an hour or two, 
they are received back with cordiality: but if they 
are"gone a day or two. they arc wholly denied ad¬ 
mission and are treated as strangers. But how is 
this, that only the week previous they were all of 
one family, in perfect harmony, and now it is death 
for them to return? Does every hive have a differ¬ 
ent organization? If not, how do they detect spies 
and robbers? It is not to be expected that every 
they also tell us how to get the bone black, or char¬ 
coal. (we can get plenty of bones around here.) and 
the best method of constructing a filter, and how 
long will one last without being renewed? Would 
it not be well to make it in sections, so as to be 
more easily cleaned? Any information will be 
thankfully received. 
As the skimmer is the best clarifier I have yet 
tried, or seen tried. 1 will tell those wishing to 
know, how I make mine. Take a 10 by 14 inch 
sheet of heavy tin; turn up one side 2i inches, and 
both ends, in the form of a common duster, and 
hem in a strong wire on three sides. Have a socket 
four or five inches long soldered on, and strongly 
braced, to receive a light wooden handle two feet 
long. Now cut out a space of 4 by 9 inches within 
an inch of the back side, and insert, in one, fine 
wire gauze, such as is used for milk strainers, in 
another a piece of perforated tin, and you have one 
to take off the first scum, and one to use when the 
simp begins to get thick. They will cost forty or 
fifty cents each, and will pay for themselves every 
day in the improved quality of simp, and the ease 
of cleansing it. 
Some think cane grown on land highly manured 
yields a greater per cent, of sugar, and of a better 
quality. If those who make poor sirup would strain 
their juice two or three times, and then let it settle 
in a receiver, from which it could be carefully 
drawn through a hole an inch or more above the 
bottom, and keep everything neat and clean, they 
would lie pleased, and some of them surprised, at 
the result E - *• s. 
Cedar Co., Iowa, 1802. 
is untiring in the promotion ot your interest, uni\ 
a dollar or two for a whole year—and all the infor¬ 
mation, comfort, and instruction! Such things are 
invaluable, beyond the worth of money; and yet a 
little sum will bring to your door every week fresh 
matter of this kind, so that you are constantly inter¬ 
ested and benefited, though you may not so readily 
see it. And then the family, the children and the 
the servant and the neighbors, will 
' ' _ i think they will not be 
It is a secret influence, like elcc- 
Correspondents are again reminded that Anonymous 
Communications cannot be noticed or published in the 
Rural. Whatever is scut us for insertion must be authen¬ 
ticated by the real name and address of the writer — not 
necessarily for publication, but as a guaranty of good faith 
and*originality. Notices of Marriages or Deaths are not pub¬ 
lished unless accompanied by a responsible name. Obituary 
and marriage notices exceeding four lines are not inserted 
unless paid for. The number and length of such notices sent 
us for publication, has necessitated the adoption of this rule. 
— We cannot become responsible for tbe safety or return of 
rejected communications, especially on literary subjects. We 
receive such a mass of essays, sketches and poems, that we 
are unable to puAish all that is meritorious — and therefore 
again notify those who wish to become paid contributors or 
correspondents to our literary or miscellaneous, departments 
that we cannot make further engagements. We arc- always 
glad to hear front our friends on practical subjects, but the 
effusions of poets and essayists are not so cordially welcomed. 
Prevention of Wood Hotting. 
To prevent posts and piles from rotting, says 
the American Agriculturist , Ihe following coaling 
has been recommended, which is-the more suitable, 
since it is economical, impermeable to water, and 
nearly as hard as stone:—Take 50 parts of rosin. 4n 
oi finely powdered chalk. 300 parts (or less) of fine, 
white, sharp sand, four parts of linseed oil, one part 
of native red oxide of clipper, and two parts sul¬ 
phuric acid. First heat the rosin, chalk, sand, and 
oil, in an iron boiler; then add the oxide, and with 
care, the acid; stir the composition carefully, and 
apply the coat while it is hot. If it be not liquid 
enough, add a little more oil. This coating, when 
lit is cold and dry, forms a varnish which is hard as 
stone. 
Use of Hell Manure on Corn. 
E. Ali.es, of Pom I ret, Conn., in a recent issue 
of the Country Gentleman , gives his experience in 
the culture of corn and the use of hen manure as a 
fertilizer, thus: 
I have been in the habit of using hen manure, 
applied in tbe hill, on corn, tor a number of years, 
with excellent success. 1 take my hen manure to a 
convenient place—say a barn floor, and pulverize it 
thoroughly—then mix two-sixths ashes and one- 
sixth plaster, with an equal proportion of the manure 
in bulk of both ashes and plaster. After preparing 
my ground by spreading say twenty-live cart loads 
of stable or other good manure on the turf, and 
plowing it uuder, I mark out my ground without 
either harrowing or bushing, and then drop one gill 
of the above mixture in each bill, either planting 
my corn beside, or kicking on a little dirt with my 
foot, over the mixture, and planting directly on it 
I row both ways, three and one-half feet apart In 
this way 1 have succeeded in getting fine crops. I 
generally use about fifteen bushels of the hen 
manure mixture to the acre; but if I used no other 
manure to carry out the crop, I would certainly use 
at least forty bushels of the same. 1 think most 
farmers miss it in running over too much ground to 
get a bushel of corn, when, by manuring heavily, 
the'y get the same grain on less ground, and make a 
saving in labor, and leave the soil in a better condi¬ 
tion for stocking down. 
wife, and even 
read the paper; and do you 
influenced by it? 1- 
tricity. You may not see it; but yon feel it: you 
get the effect; and this effect is for good. IIow 
many pennies are saved through the course of the 
year by the daughter's or wife's reading the recipes 
or hints contained in your paper. These hints teach 
economy as well as oilier things. The frugal, intel¬ 
ligent wife or daughter is never without her paper 
or two, or even more; Ihe more intelligent, the more 
papers generally; and poverty is never permitted to 
cut off this source of intelligence—the very thing 
that helped make intelligent. And once thoroughly 
tasted, it becomes a necessity. Lutoffall sources of 
intelligence, and what would the world be Scatter 
it in all directions, to the fullest extent, and what 
would you see ? But the dollar goes hard out of the 
pocket. The man draws bis ••weasel-skin slowly; 
he is loth to part with so much real money; and be 
hands it over with a sigh. He forgets (if he has 
ever known it.) that this dollar is part of the specu¬ 
lating money of the farm, and the very best ol all 
the investments—the medium through which the 
speculation is carried out'—the goose that lays the 
golden egg. F> °* 
Starkville, Herk. Co., N. Y., 1862. 
A rout Free Advertising —time it is Sought .—We are in 
frequent receipt of communications strongly eomniemiatory 
'of the inventions, wares amt products of those desirous of 
enlisting the attention and patronage of our readers. These 
we arc expected to publish *' for the information ami benefit 
of the public." To secure advertising without, expense seems 
to be the ohject of many who have really valuable articles 
for sale, and various plans are resorted to for its accomplish¬ 
ment. The good nature, benevolence and public spirit of 
editors are appealed to by some;—others take advantage of 
an inquiry, or discussion of a subject, to write (or got some 
friend to do so.) an article in which their wares or products 
are incidentally yet strongly commended. As an instance, 
Sorghum culture having of late been agitated in the Rural. 
we arc in receipt of a well-written communication on the 
subject, in the body of which a certain patent apparatus is 
commended as the m plus ultra, and then its price, and the 
name and residence of the manufacturer, modestly added— 
all, of course, for the ostensible benefit of the public ! And 
similar experiments are tried upon ns by various parties, who 
evidently think the Rural designed to promote their individ¬ 
ual interests, under the guise of benefiting the community, 
and its editor verdant enough to “see it in that light.” We 
are oftcu temporarily deceived, and sometimes nearly sold, 
by these shrewd operators. Many a time have we been de¬ 
lighted on reading the first page or two of a well-written and 
logical essay only to find an advertisement in its center or 
toward its conclusion—and sometimes, when younger and 
less experienced, we overlooked the •* point" altogether. But 
we have taken the degrees, and a vast deal of labor and sta¬ 
tionery have beeu and are being lost upon us, l'or our appre 
elation of certain efforts is not as abundant as of yore, and 
withal we are less confiding. In truth, while we often com¬ 
mend wares and products considered worthy Ihe attention of 
the public, and never charge therefor. vw cannot consent to 
allow outsiders to do that kind of editing. Tlioy have access 
to our Advertising and Special Notice departments, and will 
be given great latitude (of both expression aud space) on 
compliance with our terms—and we submit that, after expend¬ 
ing thousands of dollars in establishing the Kvral, we are 
entitled to remuneration from those having the benefit of its 
large and wide circulation. 
Facts for Bee-Keeper's. 
Beeh in Missouri. — Mr. Thomas Allen, of 
Crystal Springs, St. Louis, Mo., says that in that 
section of country, such is the mihlness of the 
climate, that “ bees are often tempted out ol their 
hives in winter. Some years they begin to work in 
March, aud I have taken full boxes of newly made 
honey as early as tbe fifth of May. Tbe same hive 
will, in favorable seasons, bear robbing three times, 
and throw off perhaps three or four swarma of 
young bees.” 
If, in spring, a stock of bees is not very rich in 
honey, and much cold weather comes to hinder their 
work, they will be in great danger of being ruined 
and lost. The brood increasing, the old store spent, 
and none to be got abroad, they all perish together. 
Therefore, the stocks that are fullest of bees, without 
a sufficient store, are in the greatest danger.—Dr. 
Warder. _ 
Movable Frames, Arc. 
I will be obliged to you or some of year bee-keeping 
friends, for a description of tbe most approved construction 
of movable comb frames, and any method tllftt lias been 
adopted to secure them in addition to tlie rabbits, when made 
ten inches or more deep. Also, the most convenient method 
of raising spare queens in connection with artificial swarming, 
and the advantages, if any, over natural swarming.- James 
Heslop, West Ftamboro, C. IF, 1862. 
A SUGGESTION TO FAKMEBS. 
FARMERS’ INVESTMENTS-WOOD-HOUSES. 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:— As farmers are 
often greatly embarrassed in their neighborhood 
traffic for the want of a medium of eommunication 
between buyer and Beller, 1 would suggest a system 
of local advertising. 
Suppose that at some central place in each neigh¬ 
borhood—the store or post-office, for instance — 
there should be kept a book, wherein any person 
having live stock, seeds, or other produce for sale, 
could, for a small fee, have entered a list and 
description of the property lor sale. Now, this book 
being open for the inspection of purchasers, you 
will see that it would greatly facilitate local 
exchanges. 
Under the present method, or rather want of 
method, a man wishing to buy a horse or cow m&y 
run about for days before be can find what be wants, 
when perhaps a near neighbor has the desired 
article, and is equally anxious to find a customer. 
It would help the butcher to find stock and the 
laborer to find an employer, and in short would be 
a tolerable substitute for sale fairs, saving time and 
expense, and the immoral effects too often attendant 
upon a gathering of the masses. S. Reed. 
Scottsville, Monroe Co., N, Y., April, 1862. 
gnqttimsi and 
Removing Odor from Skins.—W ill some of the Rur.u/s 
many contributors please tell me. through its columns, bow 
to take the odor out of muskrat skins; also, tbe process of 
tanning with tlie hair on V—Anti-Dixie, Bristol , A* F.. 1862. 
The Martin. — Will you or some of your correspondents 
inform me, through the Rural, what 1 must do to entice this 
beautiful songster to the cage, and what cage is most suitable 
for the purpose?—1’. 1 11., West Galway, X. 1'.. 1862. 
Best Faint for Brick Buildings. — I have a house and 
barn, built of brick some thirty years ago. and wish to know 
the Lest Hiid cheapest paint used for such buildings. A reply 
through the Rural would be of much value to — A Sin- 
scBiiiEK. Wellington, Lorain Co., O . 1862. 
Hat for a Cow in Winter—Stalk-Cotters. —Would it 
be troubling Rural readers much to answer tlie following 
questions :• What weight ofgood hay per day is sufficient for 
a milch cow during the w inter, and how often should it he fed 
to them ‘t Whose, stalk cutter is considered the best V what is 
the price of it ? aud where can it be had ?— J. B C., Water¬ 
loo, Seneca Co., X Y , 1862. 
Coffee CCLTT7RK — Cotton Seed.— I am desirous of trying 
an experiment by raising coffee the coming season, and wish 
you, or some of your correspondents, to inform me. through 
the columns of the Rural, where the seed tnav he obtained, 
and also give tlu* mode of cultivation. 1 hope the Rural can 
tell us. before it is too late, the exact place to purchase cotton 
seed, nud oblige all of its inquiring friends. Colton lias been 
raised near thus place.—A SUBSCRIBER, Hartford , Fan Jhiren 
Co., Mich,. 1862. 
Tlie Government lias procured a considerable quantity of 
cotton seed, both on the Atlantic coast and in Tennessee. If 
• subscriber " will apply to Mr. J. F. Reynolds, Secretary 
Illinois State Ag. Society, at Springfield 11L. we doubt not he 
can' be supplied. _ 
Lousy Calves.— For a number of winters past, we have 
been favored with lousy calves, to benefit which, by way of 
destroying the lice, we bate labored faithfully, trying every 
known remedy, with but little, if any, effect. If tbe Rural, 
or its readers, w ill furnish a remedy, it will oblige—T. C. B. 
Anstinburg. .ishl. Co., Ohio, 1862. 
Sand, ashes, or any fine dirt sifted into the hair, will gen¬ 
erally compel tlie pesta to evacuate or be destroyed. Should 
wood ashes be used, keep tlie animal away from moisture, or 
tlie hair might get a start as well as the lice. An excellent 
lotion for vermin is thus compounded:—Corrosive sublimate, 
two drachms; nib down in two ounces spirits of wine, and 
add a pint of water. Dr. Dadd would wash the skin night 
and morning with the following: — Powdered lobelia seeds, 
two ounces; boiling water, one quart. After standing a few 
hours it is fit for use. and can be applied with a sponge. 
When you begin the work of exterminating the lice, feed 
the calves more generously, and improve their condition. 
Building Cisterns.—T he best way to make a durable cis¬ 
tern is to wall up with cobble stone and then put on two good 
coats of water lime.—W., Fast Troy, ITis. 
Compound for Wounds on Horses.—S eeing an inquiry in 
the Rural as to tlie best compound for wounds on horses, I 
will give the following from the pen of Dr Dadd, which I 
have found to be tho best compound for wounds, saddlcgalls, 
&c. that l bayc ever seen: Pulverized aloes, 8 q«zs.; pulverized 
myrrh, 4 ozs.; pulverized catechu, 4 ozs.; pulverized benzoin, 
4 ozs.; new rum, 1 gallon Let the mixture stand for two or 
three weeks, frequently shaking, and filter through fine linen 
— G. M. M., j Xorth While Creek , Wash Co., X. I'.. 1862. 
Rural Waifs.— The Wheat Crop presents a promising 
appearance throughout Western New York, so far as we can 
ascertain Accounts from the West are also favorable.- 
Maple Sirup is being made by many Vermont farmers who 
formerly made sugar only. Tlie sirup is put up in air tight 
that it can be kept fresh the y ear round.-A Flock 
tied by G. W Bradford, Conway, N. Y., 
three of them 
- The Skel- 
Stccping Burley before Sowing. 
A writer in the Homestead recommends that 
seed barley should be steeped before sowing, in a 
solution of copperas or blue vitriol, the same as is 
often done for wheat, and then rolled in plaster 
enough to dry it. He says it has the effect of-giving 
it a rapid start, and makes it come up strong and 
dark colored. He thinks the VienefU equal to ten 
extra loads of manure per acre., 
cans, so 
of Sixteen Sheep, owi 
lias this spring produced thirty-one lambs — 
having triplets, nine twins, and four one each 
etnn of Eclipse, the fastest horse known, who died in 1780 at 
the age of 25 years, bos beeu purchased for tr hundred guineas 
by tlie trustees of tlie Veterinary College at Edinburgh- 
The Xaples Ag Society (Ontario Co.,) elected the following 
officers for 1862: President — Seymour H. Sutton. Fice Pres¬ 
idents — D I). Reiner, and J B. Johnson. Treasurer —J. L. 
Mtmier. Secretary — V. O. Hart. Executive Committee — E. 
Wells. H, M.ixfiold, O. W. Lcvalley, J. Covel, L. Hotchkiss, 
1. Story.- The Susquehanna Valley Ag. Society is to bold 
its next Anuuol Fair at Uoaddla. Sept. 26d and 24lh.- The 
Sunrise Temperature at Framingham, Mass., for March, aver¬ 
aged 26.3*. Sleighing lasted until the 20th. Spring birds 
were late — the hrst Song sparrows appearing on the 18th, and 
robins and blue birds on the 25th.- Spring Weather, ix 
balmy atmosphere, at least one warm rain, and singing birds, 
are among the noteworthy arrivals of tlie past tew days. 
*» Hail, joyous spring»"- The Spring Work must necessarily 
be performed in a short period, this year, and it behooves all 
to take time by the forelock, using every means at command 
to facilitate out-door operations. Men, teams, implements, 
&e., should be ready and “up to time, every day, during the 
busy season. _ ^ _ 
in tlie movable frames. Is there such a tiling; and if so, is it 
effectual? Apiarian. 
Wf. have heard of several inventions for compel¬ 
ling tlie bees to build straight combs, but that most 
known, and probably the best, was invented by 
Richard Colvin, of Baltimore. The engraving 
shows this guide. 
The Bee Journal thus speaks of Mr. Colvin’s 
guide:—“It has been in use several seasons, and 
has, we believe, invariably caused straight combs to 
be built, in tbe hives in which it was employed. 
We have seen a number of large sized combs built 
under constraint of these guides, which, lor straight¬ 
ness and uniform thickness, precisely adapted to _ 
worker-brood, much surpassed those constructed by 
bees left to the operation of their own whims. 
The guides consist of partitions as represented 
above, of the same length and depth as the comb 
frames. They may be made of tin, wood, or oiher 
material. Though tin is somewhat expensive, (25 
cents each, or $2.00 per set,) yet it is preferable, as 
it takes up less room than wood. The guides are 
made of slats; and if of tin, witli a bead around tho 
edge, to keep it straight and out of wind. The slats 
are placed about three-eighths of an inch apart, and 
are about i g inch in width- The top one, including 
bead, two inches. 
In using these guides, if of tin, one frame only 
need be removed out ot the hive, to give the requi¬ 
site room. If of wood, three-sixteenths of an inch 
thick, two frames must be taken out, leaving only 
eight in the hive. Then set the two ontside frames 
in their proper places, and the other eight or nine 
(as the case may be,) equidistant from each other, 
bo as to fill out the intermediate space; and next, 
hang one of these guides exactly in the ce'nter be¬ 
tween each two frames. The sides of the hive should 
be set perfectly level with each other; and care 
should be taken to see that both guides and frames 
hang plumb before tbe swarm is put in, as well as 
afterwards. When it is placed on a lend stand, raise 
Cotton Growing is to bo tried in Western Pennsylvania. 
The Erie Dispatch says a number of citizens of that county 
propose to test cotton culture this season, and adds: — “The 
experiment has never before been tried; but from the mild 
temperature of the climate until late in the fall, rendered so 
by the w aters of the take tempering the cold north winds over 
a belt of land several miles wide, and extending from the 
State line almost to the western hounds of Ohio, it is confi¬ 
dently believed that cotton can he successfully raised here." 
— We have no doubt cotton can he matured in the section 
named, but whether it can he successfully {or profitably) 
raised is another question. Mr. E. M. Cakpicnteu, ol this 
city, has favored us with a boll of matured cotton, grown by 
hint last season in the open air. This demonstrates that 
cotton is a possible production in this latitude, but whether it 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker.— Last spring you 
recommended the Kohl-Rabi as an excellent and 
productive root for feeding stock. At once I pro¬ 
cured a quantity of seed, and transplanted the 
plants about the tenth of June. At the same lime I 
transplanted an equal quantity of the Sweet, or 
White Swede Turnip, under the same circumstances 
of location, soil, Ac. With the same care and atten¬ 
tion in culture, the Sweet Turnip produced one- 
balf more than the Kolil-Rabi. While the former is 
tender and delicious for eating, the latter is tough 
•and woody, and of disagreeable taste and odor. 
I have cultivated the Sweet Turnip for five years, 
and have never failed to harvest a good crop. Some 
of the roots have weighed twenty-two pounds. The 
soil is a gravelly loam. It must be made rich. 
The plants may be raised in the same manner as 
and when three or 
Horses in the Future. 
There is a certainty of advanced prices in 
horses, from the demand which is sure to follow the 
close of the war. Here is what the Secretary of the 
Vermont State Agricultural Society says on this 
subject in his annual report: 
‘•The number of horses in Vermont before the 
breaking out of the rebellion was about 55,001), 
since which, nearly 10,000 have been carried from 
This immense levy 
Wren to Plant Sorghum. —Thu Rev A. Mykks, of Bucj- 
rus, Ohio, in an article contributed to tlie Forum of that 
place, states that tlie experience of forty persons of his 
acquaintance demonstrates that early planting is not practi¬ 
cable “Of all the experiments from tlie last of April until 
the 10th of May, not one matured ; those from the 10th of 
May until the 20th, were ripe or nearly so ; and all. without 
exception, from tlie 20th of May until tlie 1st of June, were 
perfectly matured, demonstrating conclusively that Uie latter 
part of May is the best time to plant. It is absolutely essen¬ 
tial to success in making sugar, he says, that the sorghum 
should be fully matured, and. as early planting is not safe, 
he thinks we must have some preparation to bring the seed 
up speedily. What that is, he professes to have discovered, 
and will announce in lime for planting. 
the State for army purposes, 
for horses has been made throughout the entire 
country. When it is considered that comparatively 
few of these horses will find their way back; that 
the number which will die of disease or become un¬ 
fit tor service is twenty times as great as it would 
be were they used for any other kind of business; 
that to meet this great want of the Government a 
large proportion of the business horses of our large 
cities, which have been thrown out of service by 
general prostration, have been bought up; it readily 
cabbage plants, iu the open air 
four inches high, transplant on a moist day. about 
the 20th of June. If planted before this period they 
will sometimes run to tops. They may be put out 
as late as the 20th of July, with good success, and 
grow good-sized roots. For feeding to cattle and 
sheep, they are greatly superior to beets. The tur¬ 
nips will be eaten with avidity, while the beets will 
remain untouched. We are now feeding them to 
ewes with Iambs. The ewes give plenty of milk, 
and the lambs thrive finely. 
All first-rate farmers now grow some kind of 
roots to feed stock, during the winter and spring 
months, along with hay and grain. Believing the 
Sweet Turnip to have superior merits. I take pleas¬ 
ure in recommending it to Rural readers. 
West Bloomfield, N. Y., 1862. Mark D. Willson. 
Jumping CoLT 3 .— On picking up a late Rural I noticed an 
inquiry for a remedy for jumping colts. 1 freely give one that 
lias proved most successful with the least injury to tlie animal. 
Take a piece of strong canvas or liuen that will cover tlie fore 
part of the head from the ears down, cut holes in it for the 
evw, theu take »tin cup made for tlie purpose, about four or 
five inches in diameter (we have them made fiaring, so that 
the bottom is not as large by half or one inch,) hind tlie edges 
with leather, fasten or sow them in the above mentioned 
holes, punching holes enough in the tins to prevent injury to 
the eyes, This arrangement prevents them seeing distinctly, 
vet admits air enough to prevent harm.— W. H. 8., Ontario, 
Tub Reaping Machine as Ancient Lnykntion.— In the 
Agricultural Report of the Patent Oflice for 1860, page S2, 
(under heading of “The Reaping Machine known to our 
Celtic ForefaUiers,") is the following translation of a passage 
from Pliny's Natural History, Book IS, Chap. 3* :—“ Of reap¬ 
ing itself there are various methods. In the broad plains of 
the Gauls, enormous machines, with teeth set in a row, 
placed on two wheels, are driven Uirough the standing corn, 
a horse being uttached to h in a contrary w ay to the usual 
mode of attaching horses, [jumento uoutrario juneto.] Thus 
the com. 
varjee in price; and at its close, when business shall 
revive and trade resume its former channels, the 
demand for good horscB must exceed the supply. 
Reasoning from these, premises, no more profitable 
labor can be engaged in than the production of good 
business horses.” 
Hatching Steers Horns. 
In answer to a query recently propounded by 
the New England Farmer , how to match the horns 
of steers, if one horn is growing down, a corres¬ 
pondent replies to this effect:—Five years since I 
had a very fine pair of Devon steeTS, nicely matched, 
with most beautiful horns, except one horn in one of 
them inclined to turn down, so as to look very 
badly, and the question was, how to remedy tbe 
detect, and have the horns grow alike. As I had 
previously tried scraping steers’ horns to change 
their shape, and without any benefit in a single 
instance, I adopted the following plan:—I fastened 
a pulley to tho floor directly over the steer's head, 
and another pulley at a point where a weight could 
safely be suspended, then passed a cord over each 
pulley, putting one end of the cord on the horn 
that was down, and to the other eud of the cord 
a weight of two pounds, kept the cord on the horn 
moBt of the time during the winter, when my steers 
were in the stable. In that way I raised the horn 
Kicking Horbks. Again.— I noticed in your issue of March 
26, an inquiry from “ A Subscriber,” how to cure a horse ttiat 
lacks in the stable. I will give him a remedy; Place a ]>lank, 
securely fasteued not more than two inches above his hips, 
across tlie stall, and the horse will soon get sick of try ing to 
kick, for kick he cannot. If he is ati inveterate kinker, and 
will kick without tlie plank to prevent him, then “Subscriber" 
will find it much cheaper to keep the preventive in operation 
than to build new stalls.— Farmer, Pariihvillc Center, St. 
Law. Co., X. T , 1862. 
About Kicking Horses. —In answer to “A Subscriber," 
in the Rural of March 29, 1 wish to relate the following that 
came under my notice some years ago. The horse was a fine, 
full-blooded animal, aud kicked at everything moving in the 
stable. After trying every remedy without effect, a strong 
swing was hung a short distance behind him its he stood in 
being cut off. falls into tlie furrow. 
Another Weighty Male Bovine.—M r. W. D. Palmer, 
of Horuellsville, writes — “ Having noticed in a late Rubai. 
an account of a Durham hull of 1 immense proportions and 
huge preponderosity,' belonging to Mr. Vincent, of Pike, 
Wyoming Co., 1 would state that we have some pretty good 
stock in Steuben Co. also. I hnve a young Durham bull, (not 
yet 2 years old.) which weighed when 13 months old, 1220 
lbs., and when 22 months old, 1600 lbs. Idont wish to boast, r 
but think this quite as good as Mr. Vincent's. I will also n 
state that my animal has never had extra keeping, no more so - 
than my other stock." J 
Bomb Parsnips. -Friend Hknrt Case, of Irondequolt, /p 
near tills city —whose “Quaker butter” aud other choice v 
usually sell above market figures —a few days ago t 
About Bees Again. 
Eds. Rural New-Y'orkeb: —There has been 
much said and written about bees and their opera¬ 
tions, but there is one peculiar point that I have not 
seen recorded, and that is their mode of recognizing 
each other. It is well known to apiarianB that the 
bees comprising one hive have a rule for knowing 
every bee belonging to their hive, although there 
are many thousands. They meet at the entrance of 
the hive, and with their antenna? or horns make 
certain motions or signs whereby they recognize 
If a bee from a neighboring hive comee 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:— Being a volunteer 
in the “Rural regiment,” I know no better mode 
of gaining information than at “headquarters.” 
Being a member of the “home guard,” I desire to 
make our agricultural breastworks as strong as pos¬ 
sible, by using every modern improvement, and arm 
them with every new resource for "home produc¬ 
tion,” in these times of close pecuniary quarters. 
Having had tolerable success in making molasses, I 
have concluded to put in several acres this year, 
and have already agreed to work several acres for 
my neighbors; and believing that by filtering either 
ihe juice or the sirup, a superior quality may be 
made. 1 wish anyone having tried either plan, would 
give us their experience through the Rural. Will 
each other. 
among them, they make the sign, but he is unable 
to meet it, and they pronounce him an enemy and a 
robber, and he is killed and drawn out But the 
most mysterious thing is when a new swarm makes 
