SEPT, if 
3 
638 
or, indeed, on any hard floor; if they do it is 
very liable to form ring-bones or otherwise in¬ 
jure their feot or le ,s. Dry sand or fine gravel 
is the best, for them to stand on, either in sta¬ 
ble or exercising yard; yot if these.cannot be 
hud, and the flooring is sufficiently adhesive 
to keep it damp and, above all, muddy, then 
it should bo so w 11 littered with straw or 
marsh hay as to keep it dry. 
If the mare is not worked after weaning her 
foal, she will do well enough in fair pasture or 
on good hay. If worked, she must have more 
or less grain morning, noon and night, accord- 
to the labor she does. If in foal, she ought not 
to boused except under the saddle or harnessed 
to a light wago’> and driven on dry, smooth 
ground. If jerked roughly about, or obliged 
to give a hard, sudden pull, she is liable to 
slink her foal, which might cause her death, 
and in any event greatly injure her. 
VA HtOtJS FKUITS. 
R. J. . Ioiv(i City, Tit-, was visited some 
time ago by a tree peddler representing an 
Illinois nursery concern, and having in jars 
specimens of various fruits, most of which he 
claimed were originated by the firm he was 
canvassing for, and our friend inquires about 
the following sorts which he offered for sale. 
A.\s.—Arn.ES—Red Bietigheimer. A Ger¬ 
man apple. Fruit large, yellow, with crimson; 
flesh white, sub-acid and pleasant. Early Fall. 
Said to be an abundant bearer. It is a large, 
handsome apple. Stump, originated near 
Rochester, X. Y., of medium size ; yellow, 
striped with red. Flesh juicy, tender, sub¬ 
acid. September and October. Very pro¬ 
lific. Mann. Medium size, very fair quality. 
Winter. Lady (Pomrne d' api), small, flat, 
with a fine red check on yellow ground. Flesh 
tender, sub acid, good. It is a fancy apple 
and brings high prices in the market. Henicher 
—do not know of it. 
Plums—W eaver. This is a now plum—one 
of our wild plums—of good size and flavor, 
and very productive. Tree hardy. Glass is a 
new plum which originated in Canada. La eg., 
purple. We know nothing further about it. 
Pears —Kieffer’s Hybrid is a new pear of 
good quality, raised from seed of the Sand Pear, 
supposed to be crossed with Beam' d’ Anjou. 
Large, glossy leaves. Fruit large a nd borne 
early. Ripens in October and November. 
Strawberries —Sharpie®, Large fruit, 
prolific, good quality. 
Raspberries —Grapevine. W© know noth¬ 
ing of this. It may be the Purple-flowering 
Kaspbeny, Reims odoratus. This has a grape¬ 
vine-looking leaf, but the fruit is worthless. 
It is used as an ornamental shrub. 
Gooseberries—D owning—good. 
Currants —L. B. Holland. Do not know it. 
CUTTING ANTS. 
R. T. Austin, Texas, is very much 
troubled by the cutting ants, which come out 
of their hiding-place at night and strip a tree 
of all its leaves, and he asks for some safe¬ 
guard against the pests. 
Ans. —This is CEcodona Mexicans, one of 
the strangest species of t his strange tribe of 
creatures. The ants build large nests several 
square yards in extent and more than a yard 
deep. These nests are provided with drains for 
carrying off the water from occasional rains, 
and with many store-rooms with spacious pas¬ 
sages (for ants), which are one to three inches 
in diameter leading to tho chambers where 
the eggs and larvae are kept and cared for. 
The leaves are cut from the trees and carried 
by a regularly ordered army in columns, into 
tho nests, but for what purpose this is done, 
whetluT for food or for building material, is 
not clearly ascertained. Those ants are found 
on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and in the 
interior. They are a great scourge and pest 
to agriculture, but any remedy against their 
depredations must depend upon the habits of 
the animals to a groat extent. War should be 
made upon them at their nests. They can be 
easily traced to these, and the nest should be 
destroyed. We would suggest the use of an 
explosive, as blasting powder, run down into 
the nest through the main opening, and a 
piece of fuse put down to the powder. After 
laying a few logs on top of tho nest to confine 
the blast , the fu.se should be fired and the nest 
would l>e destroyed. Or dry rubbish might 
be piled over the nest and burned. It may 
bo made a special study, but there is a way no 
doubt to manage it, 
RENEWING AN ORCHARD. 
.7. D, C., Westchester Co., N. Y., asks how 
to renew tho sod on an old orchard. If it 
should be plowed, when ? And what crops 
should be raised in the orchard. 
Ans.—W e would plow the orchard in the 
Fall and then either cross-plow it in the 
Spring or cultivate it thoroughly, according 
to its condition. Thorough working the 
ground will help the orchard and also the 
crop. It should be plowed shallow, especially 
under the times, and care should lie taken, 
not to break off or mutilate the roots. Much 
damage is done to orchards by careless plow¬ 
ing. Coni is the best hoed crop for an or¬ 
chard, and beans the next best. Potatoes 
should never be planted in an orchard, as they 
exhaust the potash from the soil and this is 
just what the apple trees require. Barley, or 
Spring rye is the best adapted to be sown 
for the seeding. Under tho apple trees, the 
grain should bo thinly scattered, for much 
seed would only be wasted on account of the 
shade, but the grass seed should be put, on 
thickly. The least exhaustive crops should 
always be grown in an orchard, or else the 
trees will be robbed of needed sustenance— 
hence it, is always best to pasture the ground 
rather t.hau mow it; nothing will run an or¬ 
chard down so fast as to make it a meadow, 
as it- is a double robbery. The ground may bo 
plowed in the Spring, but for an orchard we 
would prefer turning it over in the early Au¬ 
tumn in order that the trees may have the 
full benefit of the decayed sod and the more 
mellow soil. 
APPLYING FERTILIZERS TO WHEAT, ETC. 
F. W. S., Baden, Fa., says he can get, at 
the kilns, at a low price, lime that has been 
exposed to the weather since Spring, and he 
asks, 1, whether it is of any use; 2, would it be 
1 well to apply to wheat a mixture of hen man¬ 
ure and lime; 3, is there any danger that either 
of these would injure wheat if, mixed with 
other substances or not, they wore drilled in 
with the seed; 4, hotv should ground bone lie 
applied to wheat; 5, are apples likely to be 
high-priced this year—are they scarce or 
plentiful. 
Ans. — 1. Buell lime is not worth ns much as 
fresh lime, but as it is sold at a lower price it is 
frequently used for agricultural purposes, and 
goes by the name of agricultural lime. 2. 
Hen manure or other fertilizers containing 
ammonia should never be mixed with lime, 
because the contact sets free the ammonia and 
wastes it. 3, There is no need to mix the hen 
manure with anything: reduce it to a fine 
powder and drill 150 lbs. per acre with the 
wheat. It will not hurt tho wheat in the least. 
Lime should be spread on the soil after tho 
wheat is drilled; 20 or 00 bushels per acre may 
be used. 4. Finely ground bone is generally 
used with benefit, am 1 may be drilled at the rate 
of500 lbs. per acre without any harm. 5. Ap¬ 
ples are the most abundant of orchard crops 
this year; yet, as it is the *‘ofF*year generally, 
tho crop is short, and prices therefore should, 
as a rule, be fairly high—considerably higher, 
however, in some parts of the country than in 
others, according to tho relation of local de¬ 
mand and supply and the cost of transporta¬ 
tion to higher-priced markets. 
QUERIES ABOUT CREAM. 
H. T. F ., Wilton. N. I'., asks, 1, does 
cream rise more quickly when exposed to the 
air than when covered; 2, does exposed milk 
absorb any of the impurities in the air: 3, 
what is the best temperature tor the separa¬ 
tion of the cream. 
Ans.— 1, The cream is thicker when the milk is 
set in shallow pans and the cream is exposed to 
the atmosphere. Cream rises more quickly in 
deep pans at a low temperature, than in shal¬ 
low pans at a higher temperature. Exposure 
to air makes no difference in the time of the 
cream’s rising. 2, Milk quickly absorbs odors 
arising from any impure or decomposing sub¬ 
stances. The genus of mold or mildew pro¬ 
duce fermentation and acidity in milk, there¬ 
fore moldy cellars are quite unfit for keeping 
milk in, and so are cellars in which vegetables 
arc kept. As the cream lies upon the surface, 
this is, of course, the most exposed to impur¬ 
ities in the air, and we usually find these con¬ 
centrated in the cream. 3, When milk is set 
in deep pails. 45 to 50 degrees is the best tem¬ 
perature, when in shallow pans, a temperature 
of 60 degrees is preferable. 
RAISING RICE IN VIRGINIA. 
.7. E. S., WellsviUe, Nottaway Co., In, asks 
how to raise rice, as he wishes to cultivate it 
there. 
Ans. —No rice is at present raised in Vir¬ 
ginia, and it is probable that the conditions 
for the profitable production of tins crop do 
not exist in the State; or if they do it is to a 
very limited extent, in 1860, something more 
than 3,000 lbs, were raised. No report of any 
production since that, period has been made. 
It had already at that time declined one-half 
from L850. If J. E. S. lives on some large 
water-course, from which his lands can lie 
flooded, lie might succeed in raising rice, but 
it would require considerable capital and out¬ 
lay in building canals, dams and flood-gates. 
The rice area is confined principally to a few 
counties in Bouth Carolina and Georgia, and a 
few parishes in Louisiana. A little is raised 
on the tide-water lands of North Carolina, and 
a still smaller amount in Florida, Mississippi, 
Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Tennessee. 
Raising up land rice has been tried in several 
States, but it hasn’t proved profitable. 
APPLYING LIME AND HEN MANURE TO WHEAT. 
T. F. D., Oshtemo, Mich, asks whether it 
would be safe to drill in air-slaked lime with 
wheat alone or in combination with un¬ 
leached ashes; also whether hen manure 
mixed with road dust might be safely so drilled 
in with wheat. 
Ans. —It would be safe enough;but it would 
be of little effect, because lime .so applied must 
bo deficient in quantity; 25 bushels of lime per 
acre are little enough to produce any marked 
effect. It Ls not safe to apply ashes with tho 
seed, as the caustic effect would be injurious 
to the young genu if not to the seed. Hen 
manure beaten fine with a flail and mixed 
with an equal port of fine gypsum might be 
safely and usefully drilled with wheat. It would 
beau effective fertilizer to start the growth, 
but not to maintain it in vigorous condition. 
The best way to apply lime is to scatter it 
broadcast before the final harrowing and the 
drilling of the seed. 
MEASURING HAY IN A MOW. 
./. R. B., Rettnum, Ohio, asks, how to 
measure hay in the stack or mow. 
Ans. —100 cubic feot of hard-packed, clear 
Timothy hny will make a ton ; so will 500 
cubic feet of mixed clover and Timothy hard 
packed. Clover alone requires 600 to 700 
cubic feot for a ton, and common mixed 
meadow hay, including a large proportion of 
Red Top and June Grass, will require 700 to 
800 feet. The weight depends somewhat upon 
the ripeness of the hay ; ripe hay is heavier 
than that made from early cut grass. No rule 
can therefore be given that will give ac¬ 
curately correct results ; but the general rule 
is : Multiply the length in yards by the bight 
in yards and the product by the width in yards 
and divide the product by 15 ; the quotient 
will be approximately tile number of tons. 
Miscellaneous. 
C. FI. D., Occoqnan, Ya. 1, has some land 
which is now under corn for the second year, 
and wishing to seed it down to clover and 
wheat this Fall in the following maimer, he 
asks whether we approve of it:—After cutting 
and removing the com he intends to use tho 
shovel-plow, sow the wheat broadcast with at 
least 300 pounds of fertilizer; and harrow it in, 
then sow the clover and brush it in. One 
part of the land he wishes to seed to Alsike, 
and the rest to Red Clover. 2, Wishing to 
put two acres of upland in Alfalfa, our friend 
asks whether it is likely to thrive in that part 
of the country and whether it should bo sown 
in Fall or Spring. 
Ans. —1. The plan proposed for sowing Al¬ 
sike and Red Clover will answer provided the 
clover is sown not later, at furthest, than Sept. 
20th. Earlier than that would be still better. 
2, No reliable tests of Alfalfa have been made 
in Virginia. It is doubtful whether it would 
succeed on upland, unless the latter were tur¬ 
ned to a depth of twelve inches at least. Not 
being as hardy as Red Clover, the seed of Al¬ 
falfa should be sown in the Spring—in the 
latter part of March or 1st of April. It should 
be sown alone without any protecting crop. 
E. W. K., Glens Falls, X. V., sends for 
name specimens of a plant the tubers of 
which are quite eatable when boiled or baked, 
tasting somewhat like a sweet potato. The 
vine climbs up 20 to 30 feet and dies down to 
the ground every Fall. 
Ans. —Botanical ly it is Apios tnberosa— 
Ground-nut. The tubers are nutritious, and 
would perhaps be cultivated had we not the 
other tuberosum iSolanum), otherwise known 
as the Irish potato, It is a pea vine, something 
like the popular Wistaria. It blooms in July 
and grows wild from the Eastern States to 
South Carolina. 
.17. C. X., Springboro ,’ Pa. asks, 1, at 
what age should peaches be budded; 2, should 
the operation be done in Fall or Spring; 3, 
should the buds be taken from the main or 
lateral branches, from the ends of the branch, 
or from some other part. 
Ans. — 1 , The first or second Summer is the 
best time; j n the latter case they should be cut 
down the previous year and only one shoot 
should be permitted to grow. A strong shoot 
for the bud will thus be insured. 2, Now. 3, 
Select the buds from the strongest shoots. The 
terminal bnds of the peach are often the 
hardiest. 
5. T. E., Sctavkrt, X. F., wishes a remedy 
for pea weevils. 
Ans. —The eggs of the weevil are deposited 
on the pods, so that the young grubs become 
fully grown about the time the peas ripen, 
and in tho peas they remain and change to 
beetles during the Autumn. As they remain 
in the peas during tho Winter, all peas saved 
for seed should be kept in air-tight boxes or 
cans, and a little benzine be poured in on the 
bottom of the box. The vapor arising from it 
will kill the weevils. Persian Tusect Powder 
may bo sprinkled in the box with good effect. 
A Constant Reader, Chadwick, Mich., 
says:—“Several weeks ago I saw in the Rural 
an inquiry from Mr. J. R. Livingstone, as to 
where he could get Quack Grass seed, and 
having seen no reply in the paper, 1 suppose 
the answers were sent directly to him, as his 
full address was given. As there are two or 
three fools of just the same stripe anxious to 
sow Quack seed in this neighborhood, I should 
be obliged to Mr. Livingstone if he would let 
us know whether he has obtained the seed and 
from whom.” 
IF. M. K., Washington, D. C. , referring to an 
item in a late Rural, telling of the new Cali¬ 
fornian method of preserving grapes by pack¬ 
ing them in wheat bran reduced to charcoal, 
asks how to reduce the bran to charcoal. 
Ans. —The bran must be charred in a close 
vessel. A large cast-iron caldron may 
be used, with a cover fastened down with 
clamps and luted with clay. An open¬ 
ing must, be left to allow the gases of combus¬ 
tion to escape. Fire is made under the 
caldron and around it, but the cooling 
must be very slow or tho caldron will be apt 
t,o crack and the charcoal to inflame. 
J. A. S. y Vim Wert, Ohio, asks, 1, what is 
the best way to propagate the Calla Lily; 2, 
is cold well water a pplied to plants bedded 
out injuroilS at this season; 3, would it be too 
early to lift bedded-out house plants now and 
would they do better if cut close; 4, what is 
the best means to make celery grow faster. 
Ans.— 1, By offsets grown in small pots. 
2, We should prefer to let it stand awhile. 
3, No. Some would and some would not. 4, 
Manure water. The other questions will b« 
answered later on. 
.7. B., Union, Broome Co., X. Y. asks, 1, 
whether Quack Grass will grow from seed; 
he has tried to get a “catch” for two year* 
but failed, although the land would produc* 
good crops of coni, oats, rye and potatoes; 2, 
Ls there any other grass that will produce as 
much feed per acre as Quack and do it as 
early. 
Ans' —We have never sown Quack seed, 
but believe that good seed will germinate freely 
—as freely as wheat. Kentucky Blue Grass 
is early, but it will not “ make as much feed. ” 
N. L. S., Ouaquaga, X. F., having lately 
lost several hens, asks what ailed them, 
and how to cure others similarly affected. On 
opening the defunct ones their livers were 
found to be very largo and the fowls very fat. 
Ans. —This is tho result of over-feeding 
which engorges the liver and causes it to in¬ 
crease very much in size. Give them a dose of 
starvation for a week or two ; let them pick 
their own food. 
W. H. C., St. Joseph, Mich., says that 
Golden Grains or Palestine Mammoth Wheat 
is being sold t hereabouts, in 5fl-cent packages, 
at the rate of $120 per bushel, and he asks 
what we think of it. 
Ans. —We believe it to be Black-bearded 
Centennial. It is too late, as we believe, for 
your climate. See Wheat Number. 
— W. M., McGrauwille, X. Y., asks, how to 
root the tips of Black-cap raspberry canes, 
and when it should be done. 
Ans. —The tips of the bent-down branches 
root very readily when covered with earth or 
even when merely in contact with the ground. 
August or September. 
Note. --Several specimens of quince have been 
sent us affected with a reddish-yellow fungus 
which causes the fruit to shrivel up and fall. 
The fungus is Rcestelia aurantiaca and the 
only remedy suggested by those of whom we 
have made inquiries, is to destroy the infested 
parts by burning, so as to prevent the dissem¬ 
ination of the spores. 
J. B. C.. Factoryvillc, Pa., sends for name 
specimens of a caterpillar found on apple trees. 
Ans.— It is commonly known as the Red¬ 
humped caterpillar, so named from the red 
hump on the third ring of the body. Differ¬ 
ent broods make their appearance during 
August and September. 
T. D. E., Terminus Ranch, M. T ., sends for 
name specimens of a grass he finds growing in 
his meadows and in low places. 
Ans. —It seems to be Kentucky Blue Grass 
—Poa pratensis. 
A. A. G., Brantford, Canada, asks, 
whether it would bo advisable to sow salt on 
Fall-sown wheat. 
Ans.—O nly as an experiment. Spring is 
the best time to sow salt on wheat. 
Communications received for wbkk hnd- 
ing Saturday, Sept. 10 . 
We have received two apples from W. H. 
Atkins, Westfield, Mass., unaccompanied by 
any note of explanation or inquiry.—C. E. P. 
—R. T. I., (Austin, Texas.) We may do so 
next year—J. S. C.—H. A.—J. F. H.—N. R. 
—W. S. H.—W. F. B.—W. A. S—W. 0. R.— 
I. J. B.—M. W.-F.—W. F.—E. B. P., 
(Amenia.) Thanks for Dianthus specimens.— 
George Arehard. This is one of the finest 
panicles of oats we have ever seen. Thanks— 
Scott Montgomery. Many thanks for your 
excellent specimens.—E. Gould—One of the 
pinks (single) is different from any we have 
seen. Thanks.—J. W. B.—F. M.—W. S. Jr. 
—Mrs E. A. N.—The Fair Number goes to all 
subscribers. J. H. S.—J. M. W.—0. AY. D.— 
J. H. (Delta, York Co., Pa,) Please do so.— 
S. T. T.—L. A. R—E. A.—J. N. C.-R. E.— 
