sis 
AGRICULTURE 
while we will make a few suggestions that 
ductions, 
seem fairly inferable from the premises. 
The best calculations made in Europe on the 
capabilities of the soil, for producing food, assume 
that one and a half tuns of hay is the general or 
average yield per acre, and this is higher than the 
average yield in any of the States of our Union. 
By the table it will be seen that one pound of 
corn is equal to two of hay, so that to produce 
the same nutrition from an acre of corn, as from 
an acre yielding oue and a half tuns of hay, 
the former must yield twenty-live bushels, at 
sixty pounds to the bushel. Of course the differ¬ 
ence in cost of culture, effects on the soil. &c., must 
be taken into consideration. A wide range is shown 
in the value of turnips, but estimating the true value 
as one-sixth that of hay, it would require nearly 4.00 
bushels to the acre, to furnish an equivalent for one 
and a half tuns of hay, or twenty live bushels of 
corn. Three pounds of carrots are supposed to be 
about a fair equivalent for one of hay, but U3 we 
wish to be careful on this point, and not to encour¬ 
age expectations that will never be realized, we will, 
in our calculation, reduce its value to one-fourth 
that of hay, and one-cighth that of corn. Accord¬ 
ing to this it will require 1200 pounds of carrots, 
which is 200 bushels, at sixty pounds (o the bushel, 
to be grown on an acre, to lurnish an equivalent, for 
the one and a half tuns of hay. or the twenty-live 
bushels ot corn. Every one will observe, in a mo¬ 
ment, that this is little more than a quarter of a crop 
of carrots, as no one should think of growing less 
than six hundred bushels to the acre, and our State 
Agricultural Society very wisely refuses to consider 
applications for premiums where the quantity is 
less. At this rate, one acre of carrots will produce 
as much nutritive matter as three acres in hay, 
which gives one and a half tuns to the acre, or of 
corn- which yields twenty-live, bushels. Of course, 
the quantity of hay and corn, with which this is 
compared, is by no means a premium crop, nor do 
we consider six hundred bushels of carrots a large 
yield, for we find cases in which premiums have 
been, awarded, in this State, for more than double 
this quantity to the acre. Our remarks, however, 
are designed only to suggest the manner in which 
the table may be made very valuable, in inciting to 
thought and figures that may be ultimately worked 
out to the profit of our readers. 
MOORE’S RURAL NEW-YORKER 
laid in September, and protected thus against the 
weather. The young make their appearance in the 
latter part of May or beginning of June, and de¬ 
vour Aphids and the like with great relish when 
scarcely two days old. They undergo several 
moltings and changes lief ore they obtain wings. I 
can not avoid here to give some account of the 
superstitious notions connected with this class of 
insects, and the person who published the same, 
partly copied from Westwood, viz: 
“The Monkish legends tell us that St. Francis 
Xavier, seeing a Mantis moving along in its sol- 
emu way. holdingup its two fora legs as in the act of 
devotion, desired it to sing the praises of God; 
whereupon the insect carolled forth a fine canticle.” 
(ins. Arch., p. 63.) This statement matches the 
aecouut of the Saint himself', given in Hamilton’s 
East Indies, A. D, 1688—1723, respecting Xavier’s 
monument, lie says:—“It, is erected in the fine 
church at Goa, dedicated to St-sPaci,. About fifty 
years after his death, as a Portuguese ship was 
going lo China, it called at the island of St. Juan. 
Some gentlemen and priests went ashore, and acci¬ 
dentally found the Saint's body uncorrupted. It 
was deposited at. Goa, where it still looks sound, 
but has lost an arm. This loss arose from the 
Pope's demanding evidence of the identity of the 
body, before he made a saint of Xavier. Accord¬ 
ingly, the am was cut off, and sent to Rome to 
stand its trial. When the Pope bad viewed it, he 
called for pen, ink, and paper. While looking at it, 
amid the Cardinals, the Saint’s Band took hold of 
the pen, dipped it in the ink, and fairly wrote 
‘ Xavier.’” This miracle is still boasted of at Goa. 
And, as Pinkerton says (volume vm., pp. 354, in 
his travels and voyages) : — To doubt it, might 
baveexposed you to the terrors of the Inquisition.” 
I, of course, leave it altogether with the reader, 
whether the relation of tlm Saint respecting the 
Mantis , or the miracle of the S, ini’s arm, is a doubt¬ 
ful case!? 
Mouffet, also, informs us that “so divine a crea¬ 
ture is this esteemed, that if a childe aske the way 
to such a place, she (the Mantis) will stretch out 
one of her feet and show him the right way, and 
seldom or never misse. And she rcsembleth those 
diviners in the elevation of her hands, so also in 
likeness of motion; for they do not sport themselves 
as others do, nor leap, nor play; but, walking 
soitly, she retains her modesty, and shows forth a 
kind of mature gravity.” 
Yes, very modest and sober in its deportment, 
truly, the wile rogue; its insidious approach for 
ensnaring its prey, and however sanctimoniously it 
may, for an hour- at a time, remain stationary, in 
patient watchfulness, for some unlucky victim to 
cdtne within reach; its arms are not folded to pray, 
but rather for prey, a slight change in tho word 
comes nearer to its true character, so that instead of 
calling it as some do, the praying Mantis , it may 
with propriety be called the preying Mantis. 
In short, though harmless and great cowards, they 
are, nevertheless, regular cannibals, and as pugna¬ 
cious as they are voracious. They will spar and 
box each other with their long and strong spinous 
arms, scratching each other in a fearful manner, 
and it frequently happens that the slim, thin maiden 
(since Theocritus employs the word “Mantis” to 
designate such a girl, in one of his Idyls,) will 
overcome her swain, and after decapitating him, 
full to work and devour him, for love, no doubt, (of 
ealing.) The females are usually larger and 
stronger than the males, and come off victorious, 
seemingly an exception to the general rule. Kosei, 
observes that, iu their mutual conflicts, their ma¬ 
neuvers very much resemble those of hussars fight¬ 
ing wilh sabres; and the Chinese, aware of then- 
savage, pugnacious propensities, keep these insects 
in little bamboo-cages, and match them together in 
combats, us is done with lighting cocks.—(Barrow's 
China.) Here is a hint for the last young men of 
New York, which perhaps had better not been 
given; they might improve upon the oriental amuse¬ 
ment, and put gaffs on them yet,in addition to those 
nature has turuisbed them with. 
But, like all sneaking bullies, they are, however, 
as cowardly as barbarous; for the instant that 
Rosel introduced some ants among them, they 
endeavored to escape in every direction. They 
could not abide these industrious, valiaut little 
champions—so that the ants would seem to be safe 
from them, (when caged, at least); not so with 
other insects. J. Stauffer. 
Lancaster, J'a., 1862. 
THB LEADING AMERICAN WEEKLY 
RURAL, LITERARY AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER. 
CONDUCTED BY D. D. T. MOOSE, 
With an Able Corps of Assistants and Contributors, 
CHA3. D. BRAGDON, Western Correspondinst Editor, 
V3T yor Terms and other particulars, see last page. 
VALUE OP FOOD—ITS NUTRITION. 
Some of our readers will, no doubt, remember 
what we said last week ol the causes which affected 
the apparent nutrition of food, especially of one of 
these causes to which we called special attention,— 
the ease or difficulty of digestion. Corn that passes 
through the stomach undigested is of no more value 
than so much corn-cob, or wood. To obtain the full 
value of the food given to an animal, it must not 
only be put iu snob a condition by grinding , or 
soaking, that it can be digested by a healthy animal, 
but the stomach of the animal must be in a healthy 
state, ready for its appropriate work. Neglect of 
these points has caused many to form very unjust 
conclusions, and we urge all t > exercise care, so 
that their experiments, when completed, may give 
no “uncertain sound,” but announce important 
truths, that will benefit all who hear and heed. The 
nutritive effects of food are dependent upon other 
circumstances than (he health of the animal, and the 
condition of the food, such as the purposes for which 
it is fed; whether tho animal is young and growing, 
or r f ri ibire age; the mode iu which it is housed 
and protected from the cold, &c.; so that it will be 
apparent, that to establish a scale exhibiting the 
comparative nutrition of feeding substances, is a 
work of difficulty and liable to mistakes; and our 
readers must not be surprised should their experi¬ 
ence differ somewhat from the estimates given. Al¬ 
though we make this acknowledgment, which truth 
demands, the knowledge already gained on this 
subject is of great value, a3 it furnishes a useful, 
though not infallible guide. 
To make a comparative estimate of the value of 
food,, it is necessary that some article well known, 
and used generally, should be taken as a standard, 
or starting point, with which to compare others. 
Meadow or Timothy hay has been selected as the 
article best adapted to this purpose, and is repre¬ 
sented by the number 300. Any article like pota¬ 
toes, containing one-half as much nutriment as liay, 
that is pound for pound, is put down at 200, showing 
that it would require 200 pounds of potatoes, or any 
article containing the like amount of nutriment, to 
produce the same result aR 100 pounds of hay. A 
pound of corn contains about twice as much nutri¬ 
ment as a pound of bay, and is therefore put down 
at 50, showing that fifty pounds of corn will produce 
the same effect as 100 pounds of hay. About three 
pounds of carrots are equivalent to one pound of 
bay, and this root is therefore found in the tables at 
300, though the experience of some has shown they 
are of more value than these figures indicate. The 
differences may be attributed fo some of the causes 
to which we have before alluded. Indeed, if any 
animal has been kept on dry food for some time, the 
withholding ot a few pounds of hay each day, and for 
each one substituting two pounds of carrots, will be 
found beneficial. Not, perhaps, because the carrots 
are equivalent in nutritious matter to the loss of 
hay, but because an animal in this condition craves 
moist, refreshing food, like the carrot or beet, and its 
health is thereby improved, and its cornlort secured. 
With this explanation all will be able to understand 
the table below, which we u have selected from the 
best authorities: 
Ouu old-fashioned, graceless style of building was 
so destitute of taste, convenience, and economy, that 
it soon fell before the vigorous onslaughts of Down¬ 
ing and other men of good judgment and refine¬ 
ment. The people felt the necessity ot improvement, 
and builders rushed into the work, often with little 
regard (o cost, durability, family requirements, or 
eveu good taste. We are, however, learning wis¬ 
dom by experience, and in almost all parts of the 
country we see farm houses in every respect credit¬ 
able to those engaged in their erection, and well 
worthy of imitation. The accompanying design, 
for an Italian farm house, was furnished us, some 
time since, by C. B. Rider, of Pike, Wyoming Go., 
N. Y. In appearance it is tasteful, without the 
common fault of excessive ornamentation, while the 
arrangement, is exceedingly convenient. The din¬ 
ing-room is well situated in its relation to both 
kiteheu and parlor, and two small bed-rooms are 
provided for on the ground floor, but one large one 
would perhaps be better. For a large family, or 
an extensive farm requiring dairy accommodations, 
the second plan will be found Ihe best. 
“I have long been impressed with the idea that 
the Italian style is the one most perfectly adapted 
to the wants of the farming community; accord¬ 
ingly I have selected it for the following study. 
My plan ol' constructing a frame is as follows;—The 
sills are 6 by 8 inches, laid flat, the slude are 3 by 4 
inches, ‘toe-nailed’ to tho sills, Uoo inches from the 
outer edge. The space of two inches is afterwords 
filled with 2 by 1 inch ‘ ribs,’ set diagonally, 3 feet 
apart, and nailed to the studs at each intersection. 
(Sec figure.) 
These ribs serve as braces to the building, besides 
acting as supports lor the outside boarding. I nail 
them on over doors and windows, and afterwards 
saw out those that interfere with the openings. It 
will be seen that it requires no more lumber or labor 
than to put them on horizontally, yet they make the 
building much stiffer. My house might lie rolled 
over and not. be crushed. The Italian style requires 
a low rool. Mine is one-fifih pitch. 
Construction. —The order of putting the house 
together is:—'I he cellar walls, sills, and lower joists, 
studs and upper joists, rafters, ribs, vertical board¬ 
ing. window frames, cornice, and lastly tho roof. 
All the joists are 18 feet long. 2 by 8 inches, and 16 
incheB apart, bo that the lower joists will rise 2 inch¬ 
es above the sills, which are G by 8 inches. This ar¬ 
rangement is for the purpose of giving the Bills 
plenty of air, as nothing contributes more to the 
destruction of timber than dose confinement. The 
space thus left between the floor and sills must be 
filled with cobble stones and coarse gravel, to allow 
the air to circulate, and keep the rats out. I prefer 
machine-planed vertical boarding to clapboards, 
but they must be of uniform width, and 11 inches 
wide ; battens 2 inches. 
The Roof.— Zinc or copper gutters must be used 
where tho tower joins the main building, and at tho 
angles of the roof. 
The Tower will be considered by many a need¬ 
less expense. I do not think so. The lower story 
forms the open porch, the second may be used as a 
library or bed-room, and the third as an observatory, 
a summer sleeping room, a room for drying herbs, 
&c., and as a means of reaching the roof, in case of 
fire, Ac. It is the most picturesque aud not least 
valuable part of the house. At all events the style 
requires it 
THE MANTIS, OB, BEAR-HORSE 
Eds. Rural New-Yorker:—I avail myself of 
your columns, to describe some peculiarities and 
historical facts, concerning an insect sent me by an 
old friend, from Kentucky, requesting to know 
something about it. Figure 1 will give a better 
idea of its size, shape, and attitude, than a lengthy 
description. The color is light brown, the wings 
mottled with brown spots, and its two pair of ambu¬ 
latory legs are of a pale green. Whether this is 
the Mantis Caroliniana, of Lrxx.urs, or not, i am 
unable t.o say, not having seen hia description, nor, 
indeed, any other, except its notice in the Agricul¬ 
tural Patent Office Report for 1854, where it is 
called “The rear-horse,” (and Mantis ? with a 
doubt appended.) 
w:HOUSE 
i6 X 20 
PANTRY 
5 X 10 
D. ROOM 
9 X 10 
KITOHEN 
OINING ROOM 
14 X 18 
B. ROOM 
9 X 10 
PORCH 
9X9 
PARLOR 
17 X IS 
DAIRY H. 
PLAN A.—GROUND FLOOR. 
Cellar. —The cellar requires 14 cords of stone. 
It will be found as cheap to make the cellar under 
the whole building, as the wall should be of the 
same height, seven feet throughout, to prevent une¬ 
qual settling. Cellars are generally dug too low. 
My excavation is only IS inches. The practice of 
setting stone edgewise for • underpinning’ shouldjbe 
avoided ; they are better laid flat, taking care that 
none reach through the wall. 
Theoretical. 
Kjctkkimentb, 
Food. 
Fig. 1, Mantis Caroliniana, or Rear-Horse. Fig. 2, Eggs. 
Fig. 3, Wing. 
I have no doubt as to its genuine character. This 
insect belongs to the order Ortiioptera. and the 
section Raptoria, comprising the single family 
Mantidac. In Europe they are called soothsayers, 
from their curious motions, as well as camel crick¬ 
ets, from the great length of the neck. Our species, 
in habit and character, accord with the Mantis relU 
giosa of South Europe. 
Those common about Washington, differ in color 
from specimens found in this vicinity, by Mr. Geo. 
Hensel, of Lancaster, as well as from the specimen 
sent me from Kentucky. A close comparison may 
reveal that we have several species in the United 
States. 
They, with the Iieduvius (Prionotus) Novena- 
rious*, figured in the Rural for August 23d, 1862, 
are classed among the insects beneficial to the Agri¬ 
culturist, as their food consists of other insects inju¬ 
rious to vegetation, and both secure their eggs ou 
branches of trees with a glutinous substance, such 
as the gummy exudations of the cherry, peach, &c., 
in a brown, round or oblong, grooved mass, easily 
mistaken for an excrescence or knot on the bark, 
Meadow Hay.. 
Rye straw,_ 
Oat straw,.. 
Barley straw.. 
Wiieat strawj.. 
Pea straw. 
Buckwheat straw. 
Mangold leaves,_ 
Carrot leaves,__ 
Swedes.. 
Mangold Wurtzel,. 
White SiJkiun beet, 
Carrots__ 
Potatoes,__ 
Turnips,.. 
Indian Corn,_ 
Buckwheat,_ 
Barley,_ 
Oats,. 
Rye,. 
Wheat,. 
’Since writing my former article, Mr. Iskky, of this city, 
brought me specimens of the Pkionothvs Novknarious, 
alleging that he was much annojed by them while engaged 
varnishing cabinet ware, feeling rather fearful of an insect 
armed with "hat he styled a • circular saw,' 1 on its back, 
though the saw is by no means dangerous, they can, never¬ 
theless, give a painful 6ting with the lance concealed in their 
proboscis. But what led to his surprise was to see one of 
them engaged in scooping from a pendant drop of copal var¬ 
nish. with its front leg, or claw, a portion of the varnish, and 
lodging it upon the femora of its hind leg. till a large globule 
was deposited, with which it Hew away, for the purpose, no 
doubt, of securing its eggs, as they have beeu seen to do, 
ltora the gum exuding from peach trees. A fact I have as 
yet never seen stated before. Their eggs are subject to being 
made the nidus for several species of Iehneumomms Hies, and 
thus many are destroyed by these parasites. How the var¬ 
nish will answer their purpose, in place of the natural gum, I 
have not yet learned. 1. s. 
PLAN B. 
A, Wood House ; B Kitchen ; O, Parlor; D, Hall; A Porch; 
F. Sittiug Room ; O, G, Bed Rooms; a, Pantry ; 6, 6, 
Closets. 
Cost. — Where ‘clear stuff’ costs $24, ‘house- 
boards’ $16, and ‘barn-boards’ $8, hemlock scant¬ 
ling $7 per thousand; stone $6 per cord, and joiner 
work $1,50 per day, this house can be built for 
$1,200. If the builder furnishes stone from his own 
land, aud does a considerable part of the 1 coarse 
work,’ of course it can be built for much less. 
For those requiring a more complete establishment 
plan B is offered—it is simply an extension of the 
original.” 
The theoretical value, being that shown by anal¬ 
ysis, as given above, is from Bopssi.vgault, and the 
value, as shown by feediug experiments, bears the 
name of the experimenter at the head of each 
column. These will exhibit how far tho results of 
actual experiments differ from those obtained by 
aualysis and from each other, and from these facts 
and figures practical men can make their own de- 
S! . 'l ' ' 1 U.T'Vu. 
arrangement of studs and ribs. 
Tue Frame. —A well-made ‘balloon’ frame is 
much cheaper and better for all houses of moderate 
height than a timber frame. It adapts itself better 
to circumstances. It is more plastic, so to speak. 
Water Iu 100 
parts. 
Nutritive equiv¬ 
alent. 
Petri. 
Thaer. 
Pabet. 
11 0 
100 
100 
100 
100 
18.7 
479 
500 
666 
350 
21.0 
383 
200 
190 
200 
11.0 
460 
180 
150 
200 
26 0 
426 
360 
450 
300 
8.5 
64 
200 
130 
150 
11 6 
240 
200 
88.9 
230 
600 
7o 9 
135 
... 
91.0 
676 
300 
300 
250 
.... 
400 
400 
250 
85.6 
669 
87.6 
382 
250 
300 
250 
75.9 
319 
200 
200 
200 
92.5 
885 
600 
626 
450 
18.0 
70 
52 
12 5 
55 
64 
13.2 
65 
61 
70 
50 
12.4 
60 
71 
86 
60 
11 5 
58 
65 
71 
60 
10.5 
55 
52 
64 
40 
