©EG. 3 
made as shown in the engraving annexed. 
The roof is made very sloping so that the 
fowls cannot stay on it. This is hinged and 
may be lifted up to remove the eggs. The 
openings are small so that when a hen is in a 
nest another cannot get into it. The nests 
may be made singly or in twos and portable 
so as to be lifted about; or in a range along 
the house. The roosts are best arranged on a 
level so that the fowls do not fight to get on 
the top ones and i»ot more than two feet from 
the ground, especially when the Large heavy 
fowls are kept. The following plan shows a 
good arrangement. 
The roosts a, a, a, Fig. 544, are fustened to the 
cross pieces and these rest on posts with strips 
from one post to another. The frame of roosts 
is fastened to a back piece c, near the wall d, 
so that it can be tin ned up for the floor to be 
cleaned under it. The roosts should be of 2x4 
FIG. 545. 
scantling with the tops round a little, or half- 
rouiul poles. 
FLAN OF A POULTRY-HOUSE. 
A. J.O., West Hawley, N. Y, asks, 1, fora 
plan of a poultry-house; 2, is Fall as good a 
time as Spring for setting out fruit trees; 3, 
how to increase his stock of grapes. 
Ans.— 1. A good, simple and cheap fowl-house 
may be made as follows. See Fiis 545 aud 546. 
The front is eight feet high, the rear five feet, 
the roof sloping. The width 10 feet, the length 
20 feet, for 50 or 60 fowls, which is enough to 
keep in one house under any circumstances. 
The roosts are at the rear and made on a 
level, and so that they can bo turned up to 
clean the floor under them. The nests are at 
the front raised a foot from the ground with 
a bench in front and sloping tops to keep the 
hens from roosting on them. A few sash are 
put in at A in front over the nests, facing the 
south for warmth in the Winter. The floor 
should be of dry sand and never of boards. 
There is no place for lice or other vermin to 
hide in such a house. 2. For your climate we 
should prefer Spring. 3. By cuttings, as re¬ 
cently explained >n the Rural. 
SOME PEACHES. 
W. S. B., no address, usks for information 
as to the merits of the Steadly, Waterloo, 
Wager and Comet peaches. 
Ans. —The Steadly originated with a man 
of that name in Bluffton, Mo. Tree is pro¬ 
ductive aud healthy. It is a promising kind, 
of good quality—large, handsome, late. It is 
a i'roe-stone, and the season is early October, 
The Waterloo is an early peach raided by Mr. 
II. Lusk, of Waterloo, N. Y. The tree is a 
prolific bearer. The fruit is of medium size. 
Adheres to the pit partially—of very good 
quality. Ripens late in July. The Wager 
originated in West Bloomfield, N. Y., with 
the late Benjamin Wager. Mr. Downing tells 
us that it is there valued asa market fruit and 
for canning. The tree is hardy and product¬ 
ive and bears good crops in unfavorable sea¬ 
sons, It is claimed that it often reproduces 
itself from seed. Fruit medium; skin of a 
golden yellow ; flesh yellow, quite juicy, 
sweet, slightly vinous—not rich. Season the 
first of September, or a little later than Craw¬ 
ford’s Eurly. The Comet is of large size- 
orange with a red cheek. It is said to be of 
good quality. It ripens in early October. Sal- 
way is a late English kind of good quality. 
See other numbers of the R. N.-Y. 
MAKING POTASH. 
O. II, T., Plainfield, N. J., having a large 
quantity of wood ashes asks, 1, whether there 
is any simple process for converting them 
into salable potash; 2, also whether ashes 
made by burning peat will produce potash. 
Ans. —1. Potash is made by leaching the 
ashes and boiling dowu the lye until the waiter 
is evaporated. The solid matter thus pro¬ 
duced is heated in the iron pots or kettles in 
which it has been boiled down until some im¬ 
purities are burned out of it and a light gray, 
solid, crystalline cake is left. This is the 
“ pot ashes” of commerce aud is brokeu into 
coarse lumps and packed in casks for sale. 
The ashes are leached in large, square wooden 
tubs or vats having the sides tapering towards 
the bottom, and each holding 100 or 200 bush¬ 
els. The popish kettles are large, heavy cast- 
iron pots holding from 200 gallons down to 
40 or 50 gallons. 2. Peat ashes contain so 
littlo potash, and the peat makes such light 
ash, and there is so little of it, that the potash 
made from it would not pay expenses. Only 
the best of hard wood, elm, maple, oak, beech 
and birch, and no soft wood, as pine or hem¬ 
lock, is used for making potash. 
WEAK EYES FROM MEASLES. 
if. B., No address— asks for a remedy for 
weak eyes, the result of measles. 
ANSWER BY T. H. HOSKINS, M. D. 
Except in persons of a scrofulous constitu¬ 
tion the affection of the eyes in measles does 
not often require active treatment. The eyes 
should be guarded from strong light, bathed 
occasionally with tepid water, and the bowels 
be kept freely open. If the symptoms are more 
than commonly severe, leeches may be ap¬ 
plied to the temples, and blisters applied be¬ 
hind the ears, or the nape of tho neck. 
Quinine sulphate may be given in small doses 
with good effect, and a few drops of the fol¬ 
lowing solution should be dropped into the 
eyes morning and evening: Nitrate of silver, 
one grain, dissolved in distilled water, one 
ounce. This solution is better applied with a 
small camel's hair brush to the inside of the 
lids, in severe cases, but it usually requires an 
experienced hand to do this properly. And, 
any way, it is better to have a good physician 
see the case, rather than to seek treatment 
through the newspapers. 
TO REMOVE WARTS FROM A COW’S UDDER. 
An old subscriber. Saybrook, Conn., asks 
what will remove a wart from a cow’s udder. 
Ans. —Apply caustic potash two or three 
times a week, and it will soon disappear, or, 
tie a silk thread tightly around the base so as 
uearly to cut into it and wholly stop tho circula¬ 
tion, and it will come off in a few days. When 
the wart is broad aud flat or crowded by 
others this may be impracticable, in which 
case it may be removed by cutting it off and 
touching the cut with a hot iron to stop the 
flow of blood; or by applying very strong 
pyroligneous acid to the wound. Lunar 
caustic in a strong solution is also recom¬ 
mended. As the operation is painful, only a 
small number of the warts—if there are 
many’—should be treated at a time. 
Miscellaneous. 
.4 Reader, Niayara Co., N. Y., referring to 
the letters of Messrs. Holmes and Sweetland, 
asks, 1, can a young man do better in the West 
than in the East or South; 2, is Northern Da¬ 
kota sui>erior to Southern Dakota: 3, will 
sheep-raising and farming in Northwestern 
Iowa pay us well as sheep-raising in Kansas. 
ANSWER BY MESSHS. HOLMES AND SWEETLAND. 
1 . This depend* Upon several considerations 
—the present surroundings of the party; the 
extent and class of farming proposed; the hab¬ 
its and characteristics of the individual, etc. 
Of these a person could the better judge indi¬ 
vidually. 2. Yes; if localities are selected af¬ 
fording shade and shelter and thus adapted to 
the enterprise. These should lie considera¬ 
tions in either case. 3. It is not our mission 
to make eompari.-ons. Read “ Wheat Culture 
in Minnesota,” published in the Rural New- 
Yorker J uly 23; “ Statements Substantiated,” 
October 1; ” Wheat is Queen,” October 15; 
“ Facts and Figures,” October 21), and decide 
according to your choice and aim. 4. No. 
The climate is drier in Northern Dakota, hence 
less penetrating than the same temperature 
300 miles south. 5. Read “Truths from Kan¬ 
sas,” published September 10 ; ‘‘Beautiful 
Iowa," published in June, and “ Statements 
Substantiated,” October 1. If we knew the 
circumstances, tnstes, means and habits of 
any individual we would willingly suggest 
where, in Our judgment, he would be most 
likely to succeed. The West affords a won¬ 
derful variety in its adaptability to every de¬ 
partment of agricultural pursuit. 
T. G. T., Honxbrook, Fa., sends for name 
and habits two bulbs of a “ lily" brought 
from South America, aud which is known 
only by the name of “ Spirit of Santi.” It is 
white, shaped like a dove, and is reported to 
be very rare. 
Ans. —The bulbs received are those of some 
Amaryllis, but from the two immature bulbs 
with leaves attached, before us, we are unable 
to say to which species they belong. We 
would require to see the flowers before we 
could decide the species. When they have 
finished their year’s growth keep them dry for 
several weeks, then re-pot them into some¬ 
what smaller pots, water sparingly at first, 
but more freely when there are lots of roots, 
and abundantly when in full growth; or the 
bulbs may be planted out in Summer in an 
open, sheltered spot in the garden, in light, 
rich soil, and lifted before frost hurts them. 
The El Spirito Santo, or Holy Ghost, or Dove 
Flower, as it is commonly called, is a large 
and strong-growing orchid from Panama, 
botanically known as Peristeria elata, and a 
vastly different plant, from that which our 
friend has got. In orchid collections in pre¬ 
tentious gardens it is not rare; but as it re¬ 
quires a high temperature, moist atmosphere 
and green-house room to grow and bloom 
well, it is not a desirable plant for the dwell¬ 
ing-house or small conservatory. 
G. IF. K., Harmony Grove, Ga., referring 
to Tobacco Notes iu the Rural, says it has 
been the rule there to hang up tobacco by sus¬ 
pending it on sticks close together in the house 
until it becomes yellow, and then it is hung in 
the sun until it has dried: but this is too ex¬ 
pensive a process, as it has to be housed and a 
fire has to bo built under it in w-et weather, 
and he asks, 1, what is the general plan of dry¬ 
ing; 2, whether a tobacco grower can make and 
sell tobacco to tho consumer or manufacturer 
without getting a license. 
Ans, —1. The production of “fancy” or “ yel¬ 
low” tobacco requires artificial heat during the 
process of curing. The common grades of 
tobacco, whether seed-leaf or “ cutting,” rarely 
need this, and the usual method of curing is 
simply to hang the plants, when harvested, iu 
curing barns, where they remain undisturbed 
until dry or cured. 2, A tobacco grower has 
no right to manufacture tobacco or retail it 
to consumers without a license. 
J. E. S.y Wellsvilte, Fa., asks, 1, whether 
in selecting seed com from stalks having two 
or more ears, one only should be taken, or 
more; 2, do pine needles contain potash, and 
are they of any value as manure: 3, where 
can seeds of the Rural Branching Sorghum 
be obtained. 
Ans. —1, If both are about the same size as 
to ear and kernel aud both equally well 
tipped, we should choose the topmost. If the 
lower were in essential particulars better than 
the top ear, we should choose the lower. 2, 
Pine leaves have a small per ceut. of potash, a 
considerable per cent, of phosphoric acid and 
lime and a very little magnesia. They are of 
value as manure, though very slow to rot. We 
have seen well rotted pine leaves used with 
good results in vegetable gardens of the 
South. 3, Leading seedsmen, we presume, will 
procure seeds, if they can, of this very valu¬ 
able forage plant. 
J. J. W., Jamestown, R, asks, 1, whether 
Fall is a good time to move evergreens; 2, 
how to take up canna roots; 3, how to winter 
carnations—is it best to pot them or cover them 
iu the garden. 
Ans. —1. The Fall is the worst time, the 
Spriug the best tune to transplant all kinds of 
evergreens. 2. Canna roots should be taken 
up after the first frosts have harmed the leaves. 
The earth should be washed off. the roots dried 
in the sun and then placed in sand for the 
Winter. This is the best method of preserv¬ 
ing them we know of. Keep the box or bar¬ 
rel in which they are stored in a temperture 
as near 40 degrees as may be. 3. You can do 
either. They should stand the Winter if cov¬ 
ered loosely with straw or hay. 
.4. S’. M ., Peterborough, Canada, asks the 
name of some good work on gardening and 
small fruit culture, and says he did not re¬ 
ceive the Rural’s last Free Seed Distribution. 
Ans. —Peter Hemlersoa's Gardening for 
Profit is as good as any we know of. But it 
does not treat of small fruits. Really for this, 
there is no better work than a year’s file of the 
Rural New Yorker, which gives special at¬ 
tention to horticulture in all its parts. Roe’s 
book on small fruits and their culture is an ex¬ 
cellent guide. The seed distribution was this 
year and will be next, sent to all of our sub¬ 
scribers who apply, inclosing two three-cent 
stamps. 
L. R., Paris, N. Y., asks, 1, in which loca¬ 
tion will the Laurel-leaved Willow thrive best 
—a wet or a dry one; 2, where should the 
Hardy Catalpa (C. speeiosa) be planted. 
A ns. —1. We have the Laurel-leaved Willow 
(Salix pentandra *) growing within three feet 
of the house (high grouud). It grows luxuri¬ 
antly. We ha ve one on a sandy hill, where it 
also thrives. We have it on our lake banks. 
Here it grows rapidly, but the bank is raised, 
several feet above the surface of the water. 
In wet places it winter-kills- 2. The Catalpa 
speeiosa seems to thrive almost anywhere. We 
have it in sand and clay. Probably it would 
not like a wet position. 
R. M., York, Ohio, asks how much com can 
be safely fed to sheep during the Winter? 
Ans. —Two to three bushels per head form 
the common ration, where corn is depended 
on, though sometimes as high as six or seven 
bushels are fed without injury. The best 
results will follow where grain is fed as soon 
as the early frosts damage the pastures, 
gradually increasing the quantity as the 
weather becomes colder and the pastures 
scantier. Then if the flock is regularly and 
liberally supplied with hay, good straw or 
corn fodder and plentiful water, any amount 
that is consumed with seeming relish may be 
fed. 
Incog., Sharon Centre, N. Y,, asks, 1, 
whether slate roofs are not cheaper than 
shingles; 2, what are the best slates and how 
much do they cost. 
Ass.—We can answer that, if well laid, 
they are lasting and cheaper than shingles. 
But a poorly laid slate roof is a perpetual tor¬ 
ment and expense. 2, The Chapman slate is 
the best in market and costs about -$11 per 10 
feet square. This is not a smoothly-finished 
slate, but it w 11 last long. Vermont slate is 
cheaper, but the quality is not as good. 
R. M., Albany, N. Y, asks for a remedy 
for a leaking teat in his three-year-old Jersey 
cow. 
Ans. —Place a soft India rubber band 
around the base of the leaking teat, and in 
order to prevent it from sinking too deeply as 
well as to facilitate its removal at the time of 
milking, wrap around the upper part of the 
teat a layer of linen or thin, soft leather for 
the band to rest on. At milking time the 
band may be easily removed. 
J. C. McC., Tixlioute, Pa., asks w T here can 
he obtain second-hand veterinary books. 
Ans. —At any large second-hand book store 
in the large cities or through local book deal¬ 
ers, now and then, in the smaller places. Leg- 
gatt Brothel's, Chambers Street, this city, are 
the largest dealers in that sort of books here, 
and could doubtless supply any work either 
rightawny from their stock or after a time by 
hunting it up. 
E. H. N ., Charlevoix, Mich., asks whether 
the Wagener apple tree is short-lived; and, if 
so, is it because it is an early bearer. 
Ans. —The Wagener is an early bearer, but 
we were not aware it was specially short-lived. 
As a law of nature, however, it is not un¬ 
reasonable to suppose that early maturity and 
early jlecay go together. 
L. H., Atlantic, N. J., asks for a remedy 
for stringhalt in a mare. 
Ans. —There is no remedy for stringhalt. 
No sort of treatment is of any avail. Horses 
so affected are able to do all sorts of work; 
but the affection is considered a form of un¬ 
soundness. 
H. M. IF., Georgetown, Texas, asks where 
can he get some White Elephant Potatoes and 
R. B. Sorghum seed. 
Ans.— The White Elephant Potato is for 
sale by leading seedsmen. The R. B. S. wall, 
no doubt, be offered in leading Spring cata¬ 
logues. 
T. J,, Lyle. Minn., asks how much postage 
shall he send for a named selection of our next 
free seed distribution. 
Ans. —We divide the postage with our sub¬ 
scribers, they paying us six cents. We send 
the entire list to all, as it would be impracti¬ 
cable to divide it. 
J, M. Allen, Urbana, Neosho Co., Kansas, 
asks who has Oxfordshire Down Sheep for 
sale. From a late description of them in the 
Rural he infers that they are just the sort 
he wants. 
G. IV, R., Dayton, Ark., asks what is the 
best pasture grass for that southern latitude. 
Ans. —Bermuda Grass, if not objected to. 
Probably Kentucky Blue Grass next. 
J. II., Lynchburg , I’d., and others, ask 
where can the Marlboro Seedling Raspberry 
be bought. 
Ans. —It is not yet for sale. 
F. S. H., Hersey, TFis., asks whether the 
Rural pinks will live all Winter and come up 
in the Spring. 
Anl. —Yes, if lightly covered with straw 
or leaves. 
M. H ., Stoughton, III., asks where can he 
get the Early Ohio Potato? 
Ans.—F rom any seedsman. 
Communications Received for the Week Ending 
Saturday, Nov. 26,1881. 
W. F. P.-L. R.—A. S. M.-E. H. N.-H. & S.-A. M.— 
F. D. C.—J. 51. H.-S. B. P., Michigan, thank*.—W. F. 
B., thanks.—W. H. K.—T. G-—W. F.—W. F. B.—W J. 
F.-H. S.-R. A.-K. A.-A. F. E. L.-D. C.-M. D.- 
E. B.-R. E.-T. E.-A. U.-G. U.-L. L.-C. B.-M. B— 
S. D.-D. D.-O & E. C.—A. L. J.-A- F.—J. S. B.-A. H- 
—A. B. A.—S. B.—R. H—H. W„ Floyd Co., Iowa, 
thanks.—G. A. G., Jr.—D. J. C-—M, A. D.—T. C. D.— 
A. J. P.—J. H- K.—W, W.—F. B. T.—S. C. H.—E. J. Me. 
