JAN. 6 
THE BUBAL. NEW-YORKER. 
bacco crop of this county is yet hanging on 
the poles, the weather not having been favor¬ 
able for taking it down. This is not a pleas¬ 
ant state of affairs for growers who have large 
crops to handle, and much anxiety is felt by 
many lest they will be seriously delayed with 
the work of stripping and sorting their crop. 
The entire crop of this tobacco-growing sec¬ 
tion has passed into the hands of buyers at 
prices ranging all the way from 10 to 14 cents 
per pound. The crop of this section is esti¬ 
mate 1 at 10,000 cases, or about 4,000.000 
pounds. The cold weather has sharpened the 
appetites of all kinds of stock, which has 
strengthened the prices of hay and straw, 
which at present range from $14 to $18 for 
hay and $0 to $13 for straw. Wheat brings 
$1.10 to $1 15; corn, 00 to 65c ; barley, 70 to 
80c; oats, 38 to 40c ; butter ranges from 20 to 
28c per pound. G. A. 0 ,Jk. 
S. 0.—Aiken, Aiken Go.—Knowing your in¬ 
terest in Doura, 1 take pleasure in sending you 
a single stalk, cut from a plant containing seven 
others of about the same size and length, 14 
feet, also a stub from which three cuUings have 
been made, each averaging three to live feet 
length. These plants were produced from a 
single seed, and grown upon land that this 
year would not produce ten bushels of corn 
per acre. I just placed a plant upon ihe Beales 
cutoff at the surface : Us weight Is26$ lbs. 
If the 6ilo system is a success there is no 
trouble now to produce and preserve an 
abundance of cheap, nutritious fodder. As 
this far excels pearl millet, prickly comfrey, 
Teosinte, or anything lhave seen grow. 
It is especially valuable lor milch cows, im¬ 
parting to the butter a deeper color than is 
produced by feeding upou Indian corn. Have 
not tested the feeding qualities of the seeds, 
ibut believe they will make excellent meal. 
S. G. Sattektuwait. 
Vt., Brandon, Rutland Co., Dec. 26.—Not¬ 
withstanding the drought, and the growlers, the 
past season has been one of unusual prosperity 
to those who have worked hard and waited 
patiently for 'he results. The hay crop, al¬ 
though somewhat smaller than usual in quan¬ 
tity was of flue quality. The oat crop wa3 
good. Fruits were rather scarce, in the State 
generally, but there was an abundance in near 
localities with easy modes of transportation, 
so that we have had a liberal supply at moder¬ 
ate cost. Wool and dairy products have 
brought remunerative prices. Thanks for the 
Rural's Seed Distribution, there is no lack 
of attractive plants for the Winter, or whole¬ 
some vegetables for the cellar. n. b. 
Wisconsin, Elkhorn, Walworth Go., De¬ 
cember 26th. In the 6eed distribution made 
by the Rural two years ago, I received among 
other kinds, seeds of the Rural Acme Tomato. 
I took the first piemium at our county fair, 
last September, on a dozen of them. They 
were of such desirable smoothness, size,flavor, 
etc., as to leave little to be desired farther in 
the tomato line. 
The weevil-eaten peats so frequently dealt 
with that I have often thought of giving an 
opinion on the subject. X know a practical 
farmer who says that if the pe.ts are kept over 
a year the weevil dies and the germinating 
power of the peas remains [Yes, remains im¬ 
paired .—Ens ] No particular experiment was 
made to shew how large a percentage failed 
to grow, but oue year, haviug au unusual 
quantity of peas, he stowed them away and 
the barrel supplied several families with 
seed for two or three years, and no fault was 
found with the crop, and ihe seeds were the 
kind of peas I understand to be weevil-eaten ; 
that is, they had small holes in them—not 
eyery pea, but a goodly proportion of them. 
b. c. 1). 
<% (fumst. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
[Every query must be accompanied by the name and 
address of the writer to insure attention.] 
The Sorghum Sugar Literature. 
li. II. Glen, If. Y., asks what works have 
been published on the manufacture of sirup 
and 6ugur from sorghum and corn-stalks. 
Ans,— The literature of maize and sorghum 
sugar manufacture eousists of two works, one 
by F. L. Stewart, Murrysville, Pa,, and 
auother by I. A. Hedges, of 8t. Louis. The first 
is a modem work which explains very clearly 
the whole process from the preparation of the 
6oil, the planting and culture of the corn or 
sugar caue, the harvesting and working of the 
stalks to the tnakiug of the sirup and sugar. 
The directions given are very plain and leave 
no difficulties which may not ba overcome 
after a short experience by any intelligent 
person. This work has special reference to 
the use of certain materials to be used for 
cleariug the sirup and crystallizing the sugar 
aud which are patented by ihe author, wno 
aloue can supply them. The second treats 
only of the different varieties of the sorghum 
and the manufacture of sirup and sugar from 
them. It refers specially to a process of Mr. 
Hedges in which a preparation made by him 
is used for the purpose of clearing and crys¬ 
tallizing the sirup. It also gives plana and 
descriptions of machinery and buildings re¬ 
quired for the manufacture. These two pro¬ 
cesses are rival methods and it does not seem 
to be settled as yet which is the better of the 
two, excepting so far as Mr. Stewart's method 
includes sweet corn and common maize, as the 
raw materials, along with the various kinds 
of sorghum. Good sugar is profitably made 
by either process. The book is published by 
the Republic Gompany, Washington, D. C. 
Mr. Uedges publishes his book himself. We 
have just learnt that Mr. Hedges intends to 
publish in book form his latest experience in 
the sorghum sugar and sirup industry at an 
early day. A small but excellent pamphlet on 
the subject has also been published by Mr. 
A. J, Russell, Superintendent of the Sorghum 
Sugar Works at Grystal Lake, Ill. 
Green .Manuring for Poor Land. 
O. M. T., Orland, Ind , asks of what value 
to poor land it would be to sow corn on it in 
the Spring, to te plowed in as a fertilizer. 
Ans. —The attempt to improve poor land by 
plowing in green crops is a somewhat delusive 
business. The effect of the crop plotqpd in is 
in proportion to its bulk. If the land is so 
poor as to be unable to biiogacrop, it is 
hardly possible to get sufficient green matter 
to plow in with benefit. Green manuring is 
more useful to Keep land in good condition 
than to restore poor land to fertility. The best 
thing that can be done is by some means to 
get the land in clover and plow that in. The 
most practicable method we can suggest is 
probably to plow well twice and harrow 
thoroughly. Then 6ow buckwheat iu May. 
Plow that down in July and sow again, and 
plow this uuder iu September and seed down 
to rye. Plow the rye in iu May and plant 
corn in drills 30 inches apart and three inches 
apart in the drill. Cultivate well, but don’t 
plow, keeping the ground level- Then plow 
the corn iu, early iu August, across the drills, 
dragging it in with a chaiu so as to cover 
well; harrow two or three times to keep the 
ground loose; finally work over shallow with 
a cultivator and seed to wheat, and in the 
Spring seed to clover. This is a good deal of 
labor and expense, but nothing can come out 
of nothing, and when a soil is worn out and 
poor it has to be tteated as a sick mau who is 
restored to strength only by a slow process of 
nursing and feeding. There is but oue other 
alternative, and that costs money; viz., to ap¬ 
ply artificial fertilizers and get the ground into 
grass and clover at once by seeding with 
Spring rye or alone ; then pasture aud plow in 
the sod and repeat ihe operation. It mast be 
a woi k of lime aud patience anyhow. 
bugar from sorghum aud Coru stalk*. 
E. II., Outagamie Oo., Wis., asks for infor¬ 
mation about Amber Sugar-cane and Us man¬ 
ufacture into sugar andsirup; 1, does tht man¬ 
ufacture of the former differ from lhat of the 
latter ; 2, does it require expensive apparatus 
to make sugar; 3, is the manufacture of sugar 
from the caue an assured success; 4,bhou!d the 
juice of the caue be cleaned and purified 
before boiling into sugar; 5, has anybody been 
successful in making sugar or sirup from the 
stalks of sweet or common corn. 
ANSWERED BV A. J. KC3SBLL. 
1. To manufacture sugar from sorghum 
the treatmeut must be somewhat dtffereut 
from that Lor Lire production of sirap. 2, Tae 
most economical sorgo steam train for mak¬ 
ing sugar will cost about $3,030, witn a 
capacity for working 03 to 70 tons per day 
of 24 hours. It is not necessary to fit up ex¬ 
pensive vacaum-pau works that cost from 
$10,000 upwards, to make a beautiful com¬ 
mercial sirup and sugar, iu paying quantities. 
8. Tne business is an assured success, the best 
evidence of the fact beiug the increasing of 
their capacity by established works. 4. With¬ 
out a perfect cleansing of the juice before 
boiling into sirup, nothing can be expected 
but a rank, unpleasant article, and no sugar 
that will pay for purging. 5. Sugar has been 
made from corn-stalks, in small quantities, 
but those who have tried it ou a large scale 
say that they can make sugar but not in suffi¬ 
cient quantities to pay for manufacturing. 
The highest price obtained iu the Gkicago 
market for the sirup, is 20 eents per gallon. 
Catarrh lu feheep. 
S. C. M., Rome, Pa., says that for the past 
year his sheep have been troubled with an 
excessive discharge at the nose, although they 
have received excellent care and in other re¬ 
spects appear to be in good condition, aud hu 
asks what is the matter with them. They have 
salt, sulphur and resin, aud tar once in a while. 
Ans. —The sheep are troubled with catarrh, 
a very frequent disorder but not serious as 
lotyt as the lungs are free. The danger is that 
it may by-and-by iuvolve the lungs if it be¬ 
comes chronic. Thu cause may be lhat the 
sheep are kept too warm aud take cold. Sheep 
are well jacketed aud do m t requite auy more 
shelter than a dry shed, protected from storms 
aud very well ventilated. A dry, clean yard 
should’be attached, for' the coldest nights the 
sheep will as often lie out in the yard as in the 
shed if they have dry litter. Give no sulphur 
or resin. These are dangerous. Btilphnr 
causes too free perspiration from the skin and 
is weakening, and resin acts too much on the 
kidneys. A little tar is useful occasionally. 
Stir the water once a week with a tarry stick 
and if any sheep are much troubled with naeal 
discharge rub the tar on the nose and lips so 
they will lick some of it off. Salt once a week 
is sufficient. 
Creomery and Dairy Butter. 
F. McM , Red Bank A r . J.. asks what is the 
difference between creamery and dairy but¬ 
ter, 
Ans. The difference between creamery and 
dairy batter is simply that one is made in a 
•• creamery" or batter factory and the other 
is made in a private dairy. Creamery butter 
has the better reputation in the market be¬ 
cause it is made iu large quantities with 
every modern improved appi auce and by 
the best attainable skill, and comes to market 
fresh and in the best condition, and in large 
straight, or even, lots; while dairy butter is 
in general subject to many disadvantages iu 
the making, and is not always skillfully made, 
and comes to market in uneven and varying 
qualities and packages. Bat there is no reason 
why dairy butter might not be fully equal to 
creamery, and, in fact, some dairies are of 
tuch superior quality as to be eagerly sought 
for and taken for special consumption before 
they can reach the general market. 
MUcelluaeou*, 
J. G. K., Port Hope, Ont., sayB that among 
200 grape-vines he planted out last Spring, 
some were of the Lydia variety ; since then, 
however, this grape has been expunged from 
the list of the nurseryman from whom he 
bought the vines ; yet as it made by far the 
strongest growth ou his grounds, he asks 
whether it is likely to fulfill its early promhe 
of excellence. 2, He has a hedge of Honey 
Locusts which be has cut down to the ground 
the second year and close back about July 12, 
aod it has a flue, busby appearance ; wishing 
to plant another of Pyrus Japouica, he asks 
whether he should treat it in the same way. 3, 
He inquires which is the best work ou the 
treatment of the gooseberry and the Rod and 
Black Currant. 
Ans.— 1. The Lydia, which originated with 
Mr. Carpenter, of Kelly's Island (Lake Erie), 
was considered years ago a vine of good prom¬ 
ise. We tried it for three years at the Rural 
Grounds, but, as it made a sickly growth, it ( 
was then discarded. We had not heard this 
grape mentioned for years before, aud the pre¬ 
sumption is that it does not fulfill its early 
promise. 2. We would advise leaving the 
plants to grow as they will for two years and 
then cutting them hack in the Spring of the 
third year. 8. Really, upon this subject there 
is uo better work thau a good agricultural 
journal. We have several times given all the 
information there is upou euoh subjects. 
E. E. B., Canterbury, Conn , has two plants 
of the Iris Laavigata six inches high in four- 
inch pots, aud asks, 1, whether they should be 
treated us house plants during the Winter or put 
away tu the cell ir ; 2, which is the better breed 
of poultry for early chicks—Light Biahinaor 
Plymouth Rock ; 3, how would the Partridge 
Cocaine cio for this purpose; 4, will cranber¬ 
ries thrive ou upland. 
Ans. —Perhaps it would be better to treat the 
Iris Ltevigata like a geranium this Winter. 
They should not be watered too much. Plant 
theta out iu the Spring after frosts. 2. We 
preier the Plymouth Rocks. Partridge Co¬ 
chins are slow to mature aud slow to lay. The 
breed is a stupid, unprofitable one, according 
to our experience. 4. We have heard of a few 
eases where fair crops have been obtained 
from cranberry plantations on upluuds; but, 
as a rule, they are wholly unprofitable. 
J. A*. J., McGregor, la., asks who offered a 
premium of $3,GbQ for the most convenient car 
for the transportation of stock. 
Ans.— The American Humane Association 
offered a premium of $5,000 for a satisfactory 
caitle car for the conveyance of live stock, 
with facilities for feeding and watering. Plans, 
specifications aud models were to be sent in 
before the 1st of January, 1881. Tfie offices 
of the association are in New York. The time 
is now so nearly expired that it would prob¬ 
ably be impracticable to get iu such detailed 
description of the car as would entiilc it to 
competition. 
0. L. R., Highland, Ids., asks, 1, the proper 
time for sowing salt on wheat; 2, how much 
should be 60 wu per acre; 3, ou what sort of 
land will it do most gooij. 
Ans. —1. Early Spring. 2. The amount will 
depend on the condition oi the soil; but about 
five bushels per acre will not be too much. A 
trial will be the best way to determine on what 
soil, it will produce the best effect. Although 
it has the reputation of Increasing the crop by 
four or five bushels per acre, besides strength¬ 
ening the straw still, it sometimes produces uo 
effect and occasionally an injurious oue. 
J. H. Mo., Mifflin town. Pa., asks, 1. whether 
Clark's root-cutter, sold by the Higganum 
M'f'g. Co.. Higganum, Coun., will clean itself 
after it has been used, or must it be cleaned 
out every time so as to leave nothing to freeze 
up In it; 3, will it cut whole pumpkins as well 
as roots. 
Ans —The cutter will clean Itself so that no 
pieces are left to freeze. After all the roots 
needed have been cut. give the wheel a few 
turns and every piece will drop out. 2 It will 
cut all pumpkins thatare not toolarge to reach 
the knives. 
W. R. Jeromeville, Ohio, asks 1, at what age 
a persimmon tiee is supposed to bear ; 2, 
what can be done to bring a tree, now ten 
years old, into bearing. It has bloomed pro¬ 
fusely for four years, but borne no fruit. 
Ans. —Dig a treuch about the roots three feet 
from the stem; or cut a circle with a sharp 
spade, severing the roots as deep in the earth 
as the spade can be thrust. Girdling the 
branches, as explained in Mr. Chamberlain’s 
article a few months ago, or bending down 
ihe branches by weights might also be re¬ 
sorted to. 
H. A., Jemsonville, Mich., wishes to know 
how to raise grape-vines from cnttlngs ; should 
they be taken from last year’s growth or from 
an older growth. 
Ans. —Cuttings may be made of such a length 
as to include two joints. Well ripened canes 
of last year's growth should be selected. Set 
these in mellow ground just so as to leave the 
uppermost joint out of the ground. Cover 
with hay or long manure until frosts are over. 
W. U. W., Medina, N. 1'., asks, 1, which is 
the best and most prolific Black-cap raspberry 
for drying; 2, what is a fair yield per acre; 
3, how far apart 6honId the plants be set. 
Ans. — Would recommend the Mammoth 
Cluster ana Gregg. 2 The Mammoth Cluster 
will yield from 75 to 100 bushels to the acre. 
3 Three feet apart in the row—the rows six 
feet apart. 
C, E. II., Rochester, Minn., says a young fat 
sheep got its head fast in its manger, aud in 
tryiDg to get out choked itself to death. I 
hung it up aud dressed it immediately and the 
meat looks as nice as any meat. Is it whole¬ 
some ? 
Ans.—O f course. Disease only makes 
meat unwholesome. It is better to bleed in 
killing because the meat is less dark in color. 
U F .BrlLlion, Wis., asks, 1, whether Silver 
Chaff wheat is hardy enough to withstand the 
climate of Northern Wisconsin; 2, where it 
can be bought ? 
Ans. 1—Yes, we think it is. 2 We do not 
know where it can be bought at present. No 
doubt the catalogues ol seedsmen will offer it 
in time to he sown next season. 
R. M. P.. Bi ockport, If Y., asks whether he 
can buy half a bushel of Rural Branching Sor¬ 
ghum anywhere at any price. 
Ans. —Not that we are aware of. In fact, 
we are nearly positive that it cannot be ob¬ 
tained. 
W. U. B., Union Co., Ia., asks whether ba 
could get grape vine cuttings from New York 
or New Jesey wrapped up so that they will 
grow next Spring, if sent by mail; aud if so, 
when should they be mailed. 
Ans —Yes. At anv time. 
S. G, C., Clinton, W. F, sends an ear of corn 
for name. 
Ans. —This ia the ordinary 8-rowed Yellow 
Flint of a well bred strain. 
COMMUNICATIONS KECK1VKU rOR TUB WEEK END¬ 
ING Saturday, Jan. I. 
Mrs H. L. W., the papers have been sent twice 
according to our office reports. Shall attend at 
once.-A. K. B-G. H F.—K. L. S.—F. H. 8.—J. 
L (AuburudaL) happy to hear from you again,— 
W. II. T.—J. >1. L —A. F B.—G. A. Bruce, thank* 
lor ear ol corn.—w. P.—W. II. W.—J. D. 8.—H. C. 
8.—W. J., thank you lor reports. We cannot 
always use them, but we are obliged all the same. 
—A. B. A. 
We must beg our contributors to bear with ns 
on account of the delay la publishing their favors 
caused by the Index and corn numbers.—F. McM. 
—W. M. L —M. E. A.—S. 0. U., thanks for the 
com—W. H. D.-R. M. P.—N. B — D. S. M.,no, 
we are thankful for all well-meant suggestions.— 
D. E. 8—J. 8. 8.—A E. B., this has not been our 
experience.—A, D. J.—J. P.—W. F. Jr., a remark¬ 
able statement,—F. K. G., no, thanks, we are full 
ot dahlias —•• Mystic," many thanks. We think 
you might occasionally tavor Ray Clark or Emily 
Maple.—A. J. R.-K. M. L — D. M. H.-E. E. B.— 
M. E, H.-Il. S.-A. W,—It. 8. 8.—G. D. S.-J. G. 
K.—J. T., com received—thanks,—F, H. D,—R. 
N. -T., continued.— M. W.-F,—P. B. M —T. T. L.— 
G. G.—8. B. P.. the metric system la a few weeks 
—thanks.-G. A. G. Jr—E T—F. K. M.—E.L. B. 
-L. K.-T. W-—L A. U.—H. S.—R. L S.—C. L. R. 
—A. E. 8.—W. U. B —M. W. F.—I. D.-O. W. D.— 
I. T.-J. G. K.—F. H. D., j ea.—G. E. N\—A. B. A. 
—G. A. B.-J. B —P. M. A —J. B.—F. A. E —L. S. 
-J. S. W. t thanks.—P. D. 8.—W. L. F,—N. R.—E. 
H. B.-R. II. B.-W. E.-J. T. L.-R. W. 8.-R. J. 
D.-J. E. B.-G. L.T.-H. B. S.—A. W.—A. L. J.— 
J. B.—“ Bessie Victor."—C. D, W-—A. J. 8.—K. B. 
S. —M and L.—E. A. 8 —W. G.—E. 8. A.—W. P. 
C.—P. T. J —W. Ii IX—C. A. G.—8 —J. 8.—“ Oak 
Dale.”—U. T. 8.- -J. J. P.—F. C.—W. M.—T. H, H. 
J. P.-G. L.—R. G.—J. J. H. G.-M. C.-A. 8. T.— 
T. J. B.—G. A. B.-J* G. B.-C. C. G.-J. A. C.—M. 
