pendicular. This slant enables the digger that the rails may be firmly bolted together, 
to lower the handle of his spade and bring We use six-inch bolts, one-half inch iron, 
up a full spadeful, enabling him to do the 
work easily and expeditiously. 
lion. Josiah SiiULU of Ilion gave a de¬ 
tailed statement of the cost of building sev¬ 
eral kinds of fence. When round stone or 
boulders are upon the farm every good 
farmer, he said, would clear his fields from 
such stone, and the best place to dispose of' 
them would be at the line fences. A stone 
fence two feet wide at bottom, one foot at 
top and four feet high, will require three and 
two-thirds cubic yards to a rod in length. 
The cost he estimated as follows: 
For delivering stone ror one rod of fence. $0 82 
buying- them in wall. 75 
Cost per rod.$1 57 
Where ledge stone can be obtained at not 
to exceed three miles of hauling distance, 
j the dimensions of the wall being the same as 
above, the cost per rod, allowing for break¬ 
ing from quarry, 25 cents per cubic yard; 
for hauling, $1.25 per cubic yard, and for 
laying in wall, 20 cents per cubic yard, will 
be as follows: 
For breaking from quarry per rod of 
fence.$0 82 
Hauling and drawing Stone. 4 58 
Laying in wall........ 73 
Cost per rod..$0 13 
For wire fence Mr. S. said he would use 
cedar posts and four strands of wire, with au 
inch board six inches wide at top. This 
makes a good durable fence. The posts 
should not be more than eight feet and three 
inches apart. The ends or terminating posts 
should he well set in the ground so as not to 
give way when the wires are strained. The 
intermediate posts should be firmly placed 
in the ground and holes bored through each 
to run the wire from one end to the other ot 
the section of fence. The end post should 
have a pin with a ratchet and a square-head 
to wrench or strain the wire. The cost of 
such a fence will he as follows: 
Two cedar posts per rod. 
One six-inch board (8,y feet) . 
Six ten-penn v nails.,.... 
Four wires. No. 8, lOo. pot- It)... 
Laborforseulng posts, boriiigand wiring, 
extirpate the egg-cluster, or ovaries , in a sim¬ 
ilar manner to extracting the testicles from 
young cocks. Mr. Yarrell says, however, 
“ that it is quite sufficient merely to cut 
across the egg-tube or oviduct, with a sharp 
knife." Birds after once being caponized. 
are never subject to the natural process of 
moulting. If the work is properly done, as 
we said before, no fear need be apprehended 
as to the life of the fowl. J. Brace. 
irirn I’ntsbitnbri) 
(the common carriage bolt with head and 
nut,) and they are placed along the rails 
from three to four feet apart. Wooden pins 
may bo inserted iu the spaces between the 
bolts to hold any standard or upright not 
secured by bolts. When the bolts are in 
place and the nuts screwed up, you will 
have a substantial piece of work, if good 
lumber is used. 
The movable upright is now arranged at 
the proper distance to receive the neck of 
the animal, and a pin put through at the 
bottom, on which it is to move. The mov¬ 
able upright projects above the stanchion, 
and the end is sawed beveling iu order, 
when closing, to push up the stanchion fast¬ 
ening at top, which falls over the projection 
and secures it in place when the animal is 
to be confined. 
These fastenings are of cast iron, and can 
be had at most of the hardware stores at 
about one dollar per dozen. 
It is simply a rectangular piece of iron six 
inches long by three inches wide, with a slot 
cut out of the center one and a half inches 
wide, to receive the top of the movable up¬ 
right. There are two projections on one 
end, over which staples are driven into the 
rails, thus securing it in place and serving aa 
pivots on which it moves up and down. 
When the stanchion is to be opened, this 
iron Is to be filled up by the projecting knob 
or handle,but in closing, the beveled top of 
the upright, as It la pushed in, lifts the iron 
up and over the end of the upright. In Her¬ 
kimer, basswood lumber is usually employed 
for making stanchions, and when lumber can 
be had for twenty dollars per thousand, the 
whole cost of materials and selling up is a 
trifle over a dollar per cow. There is a na- 
CAPONIZING FOWLS, 
0«- Littlk Falla, IJliikimiik County, Niiw York, 
The question is frequently asked by poul¬ 
try breeders, as to the best and safest way to 
make capons, with the least trouble. Mr. 
Yarrell, in the " Transactions of the Royal 
Society ” of England, gives a succinct and 
extended description of the mode practiced 
by eminent breeders in both England and 
France. 
The operation is performed somewhat sim¬ 
ilarly in this country by many breeders, and 
with but very little variation from that de¬ 
scribed by Messrs. Yarrell and Mowbray, 
The effect produced on emasculated fowls 
is wonderful indeed—rendering them more 
easily fattened,and requiring, seemingly, less 
than half the food it does were the birds left 
with their reproductive feelings. 
Cockerels intended for capons can be oper¬ 
ated upon at any time after they are a month 
old, but they are preferable at from three to 
six months of age. The operation should 
be performed previous to the first of July. 
Capons made later in the year do not do as 
well. It is said the flavor of their flesh is 
not so sweet or nutritious when brought to 
the table. 
The implements needed to perform the 
operation are, a couple of seven - pound 
weights, a good sharp pocket-knife, a pair 
of forceps, a sharp-pointed hook, a teaspoon 
and a needleful of strong linen thread or 
liorse-hair. 
FENCING DAIRY FARMS 
Views of Dairymen iu Recnril ro Construc¬ 
tion, Material anil Cost of Fences. 
With what material and in what manner 
shall dairy farms be fenced V This question 
begins 10 occupy considerable attention in 
old dairy districts. In many sections rail 
timber lias become scarce, and the unsightly 
" zig-zag ” or “ worm fence " must be aban¬ 
doned for something less wasteful in timber. 
Division lines between farms should al¬ 
ways be marked with a good, substantial 
barrier. When stone are plenty upon the 
lariu, they are well employed iu division 
or line fences, but it is hardly advisable to 
use them for interior harriers, especially such 
as may require to be moved from time to 
time. For interior farm fences several kinds 
have been recommended, such as post and 
rail, post and board, different forms of wire, 
and movable panels. That which is most 
common is made with post and hoards. This 
question of fencing was recently discussed at 
a meeting of the Little Falls Farmers’ Club. 
We were present at the discussion, and ob¬ 
tained the following gleanings: 
Mr. Whitman said the log and rail fences 
of the early settlers have both Had their 
day. Neither is to be recommended except 
perhaps in heavily wooded regions, where 
timber is of little value. On our cultivated 
farms iu this section the material for such 
fences is altogether too expensive, and the 
advantages or disadvantages of that form of 
fence need not lie discussed. We do not 
fence against the strength of cattle, for if 
our animals were so inclined thev coidd 
CHICKEN CHOLERA. 
The fatality of this disease in North Caro¬ 
lina is really distressing. One gentleman 
has lost his fowls three limes during this 
year, having twice concluded the disease 
was gone and bought a fresh supply. From 
him I learned that the first sign of the dis¬ 
ease is a drooping appearance, the feathers 
soon becoming ruffled and the wings trail¬ 
ing. Some of them wheeze so loud as to be 
heard over fifty yards. The looseness of the 
bow-els, though a common and prominent 
symptom, is not invariably attendant. When 
the sufferers reach the w-ater they sometimes 
drink till they die. On dissection the only 
abnormal condition which is developed is the 
great enlargement of the liver. 
As yet it is not known that a specific 
remedy has been discovered. Of course a 
great variety of prescriptions is recom¬ 
mended. Among those which have some 
claim to confidence are asafetida in the 
water and dough—tar (pine tar) in the 
trough—tansy in the water—astringent barks 
in the water—a considerable proportion of 
common salt in the dough—soft, soap in the 
dough, <fec. As the disease seems hepatic, 
one lady tried calomel with very slight suc¬ 
cess. It moves on iu slow advances, from 
3 ’ear to year, like the Asiatic cholera, in my 
section, appearing to move in an easterly ox- 
south-easterly direction. As a rough esti- 
BUTTER FROM MILK 
Many persons in making butter think they 
must not churn anything but pure ci’eam, 
and would rather lose some of the cream in 
skimming than to have any milk gel in with 
it. I believe I can make fifty pounds of 
butter more from one cow during the season 
by churning all the milk, than I could by 
churning the cream alone. Iu the greater 
part of the season the milk will sour before 
half the cream is risen, the atmosphere being 
warm and sultry, and the cream will often 
sour and taste bitter before a churning is 
gathered 
per rod. 25 
\\ mujlimg pi us. . 01 
Cost per rod. 43 
To build a substantial and durable fence of 
lumber, he would use cedar posts and inch 
hemlock boards. The boards should be six¬ 
teen feel long, six inches wide, and four 
boards to a panel. The posts should he set 
seven and one-half feet apart; fasten the 
boards at each end with a seven-inch spike 
and a two and one-half inch slat, resting the 
hoards on the spikes. At the lap use a seven 
inch spike, and at the middle a six-inch 
spike. The lap on each end of the boards 
should he six iuclies on the post. The cost 
at present prices is as follows: 
Two posts 25 cents each.$0 50 
Four hoards, 33 feet, at $18 per 1.000 . 57jtf 
Two slats. 4 
Four seven-inch spikes (one pound). (5 
Four six-inch spikes. 3 
Labor to construct. 20 
Per panel or 15 feet.... $1 40V 
Or $1.54# per rod. 
Mr. Shull regarded a fence three feet 
eight inches high amply sufficient to turn 
dairy stock. He said any cattle that could 
not be turned by such a fence as last de¬ 
scribed are too ugly and unruly to be kept 
on a farm, and are only fit for the shambles. 
In regard to hedges, several members hacl 
tried the willow and other descriptions of 
live fences, but the general opinion was that 
such fences were not profitable on the high- 
priced dairy lands of Central New York. 
In the first place you confine the cockerel 
between the two weights, on a table or board, 
as you choose, (see engraving,) laying him 
with the left side downwards, and placing 
his wings locked across the back, which 
assists in holding him down; the legs ex¬ 
tended backward, with the upper one drawn 
furthest out. Leave the head and neck 
free. Pluck the feathers from the right side, 
near the liip-joint, from an inch to an inch 
and a half in diameter, and on a line with 
the shoulder. The skin should then be cut, 
on the bai-e spot, and drawn far enough off 
so ns to lap over and cover the wound after 
the operation is performed ; 
incision 
In cold weather it will not rise, 
and if we *W»rm it (as many do) we hurt the 
quality of the butter. 
Many persons, in setting milk, put about 
two quarts iu one pan, thinking the cream 
will rise better. Think of the cream that 
will adhere to the edges of a pan in skim¬ 
ming, and then the number you would have 
in setting the milk of a number of cows. 
Drachms make ounces; ounces make pounds. 
In churning the milk we do away with the 
labor of setting, skimming, washing and 
scalding. The expense of crocks or pans 
for a number of cows is considerable. 
I have cream crocks holding from four to 
six gallons, easily handled. I strain one 
churning in two or more, cool it, let it stand 
Filling for Hennery, - I intend to build a hon- 
Itouse, twelve by sixteen feet, for about thirty 
iienH. W hat is tno best tilling between the lining 
tw make it warm ? Will tun bark or sawdust do? 
1 wish to know how to arrange the inside in a 
cheap way, how to build roost, feed boxes, lov- 
hig and selling boxes, A-o. -L. XV. Barnes, .\<W- 
ark Valley , Oct., 1869. 
Tan bark, well tamped down between the 
coiling or lining, i6good tiding for your hennery 
—far better than sawdust. Have the eaves pro- 
Joe! over far enough so that the water will not 
settle under the sills; if not the lining will gather 
dampness. Boosts may be made in a most con¬ 
venient form by starring them—1. e., place them 
in a slanting position, one above the other. 
Plying and sitting boxes should be placed in the 
darkest part of the hennery, where the fowls 
will bo leas liable to be disturbed. A screen 
might be built before the nests, If the boxes are 
placed in a position to allow of it. Fowls will 
then make an 
with a sharp knife, (so that it will 
not tear the flesh, but cut smoothly,) between 
the last, two ribs, commencing an inch from 
the backbone, and extending obliquely down¬ 
ward from an inch to an inch and a half, 
cutting only deep enough to separate the 
ribs. Care should he taken not to wound 
the intestines. Gradually stretch the wound 
open wide enough to examine the parts to 
lie removed. Carefully cut open the tissue 
or membrane that covers the intestines. If 
they are not sufficiently drawn up, they may 
be pushed forward toward the breast-bone 
by inserting, in the cavity, the handle of a 
teaspoon, and pressing gently upward. As 
the testicles become exposed to view, it will 
be observed that they arc connected to the 
back and sides by a small, thin membrane, 
which passes over them. Tills may lie re¬ 
moved, by the help of a pair of forceps, and 
drawn aside so that the operation will not 
be obstructed. "With the left hand introduce 
into the cavity the bowl of the spoon, and 
place it under the left testicle, which is near¬ 
est the rump. Then adjust a loop, made of 
strong brown linen thread or horse-hair, with 
the right hand, over the spoon and down 
under the howl that holds the testicle, so as 
to bring the loop to act upon the part which 
connects the testicle with the back; and by 
drawing the ends of the loop backward and 
forward the cord or tissue of the testicle is 
severed; pull it out and repeat the same 
operation with Hie right or upper testicle. 
After the operation is performed,—which 
may be done by a skillful hand in a few mo¬ 
ments,—the skin should be carefully drawn 
over the wound, and one or two stitches 
taken in it with flue linen thread—then re¬ 
lease the fowl. Feed should he given it as 
soon as liberated. In a few days it will be 
restored to perfect health, if the operation 
has been rightly performed, and soon com¬ 
mence to put on flesh and fatten rapidly. 
We have seen common cockerels caponized, 
which, when properly fattened, weigh from 
six to eight pounds each. 
Young pullets may also be caponized, so 
as to deprive them of their reproductive 
powers. It has the same effect upon them 
that it does upon the cockerels—rendering 
them more easy to fatten. A pullet that has 
no inclination to lay regularly can be got rid 
of in this way with profit to the breedei-. 
The usual method of making poulardes, as 
caponized hens are termed in France, is to 
How f’olor Affects Prculncls, — fri reply to com¬ 
munication Of IlANIEI. RJ-.NNETT, ill till- JCl'KAI. 
of November 6th, in which he attributes Impu¬ 
rity in light ilrahtrms to the eggs beiug hatched 
by dark colored hens, I will give you the bcm-Ut 
ql my experience. In July last I received tw o 
dozen light Bmhma eggs from Oneida, N. Y. 
Immediately on arriving they were placed under 
tin old dark colored hen, who hatched out six 
chickens. They were in appearance perfect and 
without a dark spot, on them, and they w ill com¬ 
pare favorably with any I ever saw.—H enry 
Paoe, Little Hack, Ark., Ami. 9, i860. 
The idea of 1'owls changing their plumage by 
having their eggs hatched under different col¬ 
ored hens is “all moonshine.’’ You might as 
well say that if you put turkeys’ eggs under bens, 
they would be transformed into anything but 
turkeys. Seriously, we think there were other 
causes than those given by Mr. Bennett for the 
transformation of the plumage of his fowls—L. 
THE STANCHION IN THE NEW 
YORK DAIRY DISTRICTS. 
A correspondent inquires concerning 
stanchions used iu Herkimer county for con¬ 
fining cows in the stable, and how they are 
usually made. The height of the stanchions 
from Die floor is five feet, and three feet is 
allowed for a cow, Die distances being 
marked off from center to center of the 
spaces which hold the cow’s neck. A stable, 
therefore, sixty feet long will confine twenty 
cows. This space is usually considered 
sufficient for the cows, but we should prefer 
that each animal have a little more room— 
say a space of t liree feet three inches, or even 
more, if room can he conveniently had and 
the cows are large. 
All the lumber should be sawed six inches 
wide, and any desired length, so that it will 
cut without waste, 
Chicken Cholera.—Can you give me a cure for 
chicken cholera? 1 have lost, during the past 
season, a flue brood of Brahma chicks from this 
disease.— W. Barker, Eric, Pa. 
The best remedy wo know for the chicken 
cholera is to keep the fowls in a good dry shel¬ 
tered hennery. When they ore flrst attacked or 
show symptoms of the disease, give, as feed, 
Indian meal, (cooked,) red pepper, gunpowder 
and turpentine mixed together. Put in a day’s 
feed, for a dozen or more fowls, a tablespoonful 
each of red pepper, gunpowder and turpentine, 
well mixed through the meal. Give them this 
food every other day for a week or so, and it 
will in most eases effect a cure.—b. 
The rails, double at, the 
bottom and top, should he two,inches thick, 
and the uprights one and one-fourth of an 
inch thick. It will take three uprights to a 
cow. one on each side of the cow’s neck 
and one between the two stanchions, so that 
the cows will not be getting their heads into 
the wrong spaces when they are driven into 
the stable to take their places. The space 
confining the neck should be seven inches 
wide. Now in making these stanchions, 
the rails are laid down on the stable floor, 
and all the uprights except the movable 
one are tacked to their places with nails. 
The other rails are now laid upon these at 
top and bottom, care being taken that the 
double rails break joints, and, having been 
lightly tacked, ao as to hold them in place, 
you can begin to bore the holes, in order 
offence for years, moving it back and forth 
and from place to place, as desired, and 
never had any trouble in regard to cattle- 
breaking over il. For a line fence he would, 
perhaps, prefer someth 
Konsas Cheete Farm. — LONGWOOD. Smith's 
Fails, Ontario.—Mr. Long’s cheese farm is near 
Ellsworth, Ellsworth Co., Kansas. Fine, rolling 
prairie lands may be had of the Government 
within a few miles of Lawrence or Leavenworth 
for $4.50 per acre. In Southern and Western 
Kansas, homesteads are pre-empted. At differ¬ 
ent points on the line of the Kansas Pacific 
Railroad, a large farm may be had for $1,000.— 
Mintwood. 
mg more permanent, 
but for interior fences, the kind lie had de¬ 
scribed was very cheap and durable. Where 
posts are to he -set, the holes can he dug ex- 
peditiopsly after Die following methods: 
First strike a line ami mark off tho dis- 
ig?'' lances between the posts, sticking small 
r__p stakes about four inches from the line. Then 
Lw make the center of tho hole opposite the 
pSv stakes. The digger stands lacing the line 
ot> fence, making the hole the width of the 
ndV spade at the line, and slanting towards him 
Wp? as lie digs, while all the other sides are per- 
Lium-u Fowls.—Is there any sign or mark by 
which the male Guinea fowl can be distinguished 
from the female when run uing at large ?— n. n. it. 
Tnn only distinction we know of is that the fe¬ 
male alone uses the call “come back,” “come 
back,” giving a strong accent to the last syllable. 
The male never uses this call. 
How Long to Keep a Low.—The American 
Stock Journal says:—“A cow is in her prime 
(all things considered) from five to ten years 
old. Some cotvs hold out much better than 
others, as with men and horses, and are really 
as young to all intents and purposes at twelve 
years, as others are at nine or ten.” 
Gapes,— Mr. Cleft, in his statement to the 
Farmers' Club that tobacco smoke is a remedy 
lor gapes in chickens, is probably correct. I 
knew a gentleman who was accustomed tc blow 
tobacco smoke down their throats as a cure. 
Sometimes it killed them, but often cured 
them— a. 
