6 
competitors (six roots of each variety), viz: j 
Bennie's prize purple top Swede turnip, 12G 
pounds ; long red mangel wurzel, 169X Pounds 
(second prize, 168 pounds) 5 yellow globe mangel 
wurzel, 211 pounds) ; white Belgian carrot, 37 1 / 
pounds; long red carrot, 27 pounds (second 
prize. 25 pounds) The heaviest collection of an 
exhibitor weighed 5G7# pouuds. Single roots 
were as follows: Rennie’s prize Swede. SO?* ( 
pounds ; long rod mangel, 33,V pounds ; yellow 
globe mangel, 41 pounds : white Belgian carrot. , 
pounds; rod carrots, 7 pounds. The follow¬ 
ing specimens woro shown (additional to prize 
list) by an exhibitor (six roots of each), viz. t 
parsnip, 28 pounds; long yellow mangel wurt- 
zel, 144pounds; white sugar beet, 1491J pounds. 
The roots were cleaned and trimmed. 
CHUFAS IN CALIFORNIA. 
Thf. Cbufa or Earth Almond. (Cypo-us esou- 
lentus,") id though introduced twenty years ago is 
still almost unknown among those who are placed 
in a position to need such a plant for feeding 
sheep and hogs. We have referred to it scores 
of times,and now do so again by giving tho fol¬ 
lowing note sent t.o the Pacific Rural Tress by 
ono of its correspondents who has been experi¬ 
menting with chufas. 
I send yon a sample of chufas raised by me. 
I got two pounds of seed from a friend in Florida, 
and from that amount of seed I have gathered 
100 pounds of nuts, and got them in May, rather 
too late to get. a full yield. I don’t think they 
can be beat by anything for yielding, and for 
hogs their fattening qualities are four times as 
groat as corn, and their yield three tunes greater, 
and you don't have tho trouble of digging them. 
You can turn in any kind of stock except hogs, 
and let them eat the tops 01 T while green ; it 
makes them stool out and fill the rows complete¬ 
ly. Then turn your hogs in and let them take it. 
Any land that will grow corn will grow chufas. | 
As for a nut to cat, I will let yon bo the judges 
of them. L. L. Bkqukttk. 
gjlioticultural, 
SILVER VARIEGATED DECIDUOUS TREES. 
This golden and scarlet variegation among 
trees is justly admired and eagerly sought by 
connoisseurs. Of oqnal beauty, although of 
softer brilliancy, is tho silver variegation. Tho 
silver-frosted va*0 has its own ch irms, e ven in 
contact with that which is golden chased. 
Among those silver trees tho following aro worthy 
of notice; 
Variegu ted Ash-leaved Maplo (Acer JS'egundo 
variegatum) is well known, and Jus a pure 
white variegation, covering half tho leaf. Its 
THE BUBAL MEW-70BKEB 
leaves and a white margin. It. is a striking va¬ 
riety. 
Silver Medlar (Mespilus argenlca variegald). 
The leaves have a faint pink tinge, with a silver- 
marbled variegation. 
Mottled Elm ( (Imus camprslris punctata vari- 
cr/ata). A mottled variety, with broad blotches 
of silvery white following the nervcB. 
White-Edged Elm ( lTtmus montnva albo-mar - 
ginata). Deeply silver variegated towards tho 
top and margins, with reddish leaf stems. 
Japanese Hilver-loavod Maplo (Acer polymer- 
phum atho- variegatum ). A variety with deeply 
cut leaves, variegated with white, yellow and 
green, and apparently of very recent introduc¬ 
tion. • 
The preceding aro a few of tho best variegated 
trees, and are all perfectly hardy against our 
coldest winters. S. B. Parsons. 
--- 
A NEW GOLDEN TREE, 
Speaking of Yam Geeiit’s Nursery at Calmp- 
thout, Belgium, tho English Journal of Horti¬ 
culture says: 
It is here, too, (Calmpthout) whore tho 
choicest of tho rich collection of hardy trees 
with variegated foliage oro increased, such as 
that valuable acquisition, tho Goldon Poplar, 
Copulas canadensis atirca Finn Overti, tho finest, 
of all golden-foliage hardy trees, of free and 
noble growth; ami not goldon in Belgium only, 
for this treo Jus proved, In the Hammersmith 
nurseries of Messrs. J. & C. Lee, all that it was 
represented by its raiser, as boing as freo in 
growth as Mjp common Canadian Poplar, and 
with leaves not. of a sickly hue, but of a warm 
and vigorous golden tint, tho color increasing in 
intensity the better tho trees aro nourished and 
tho more they aro ‘exposed to tho sun. Easy as 
this treo in of increase, tho great demand for it 
has taxed tn tho utmost Mr. Van Goert’s endeav¬ 
ors to establish a sutTicient stock, and conse¬ 
quently the trees in tho Antwerp nursery were 
all in a small state. This tree, which in all pro¬ 
bability will, in a few years, lighten and brighten 
tho park and forest scenery of many countries, 
is the result simply of attentive observation and 
tho turning to account, as it wore, of a freak of 
Nature. Mr. Van Geert, in passing through a 
much-frequonted district, had noticed a bright 
yellow branch growing on an ordinary Poplar 
tree, and observing that it grew a < freely as the 
rest of the treo, that it assumed its goldon 
tint, oarly iutho summer and preserved it, through¬ 
out. tho season, that this was nota freak poculiai 
to ono season, hut, was tho same year after year, 
the Iron or branch was secured for further ex¬ 
periment, and thus the treo which will add so 
much to landscape scenery aud its preserver's 
fame waB obtained, increased and distributed. 
Thousands Of passers-by had noticed tho “ gol¬ 
den patch," but, one only had turned tho circum- 
effect upon a lawn is particularly fine, and it is j stanco to account—tho observant and fortunate 
highly valued in England undone ortwolocali- j Charles Van Geert. 
ties in this country. It suITers fatal injury from -------—— 
our summer sims, and is uot much used hero, ' 
except as a pot plant. WT]) P 0 VSfUlflll 
Variegated A*h is a very bountiful variety, not ^ 1 AJG13UUUIU 
vet known in Europe, but, recently sent to Flush- . - 
ing from Japan byThos. Hogg. Its white is AltniTT “BALKING” 
well defined and pure, covering nearly half the 1 
leaf and fairly rivaling the preceding in its A writer in the Golden Rulo makes somo very 
beauty. It, will bo a very valuable addition to H <- in siblo remarks ou this subject. If tho cduca- 
this class of trees. tion of t ho colt has beon conducted in accordance 
Another Variegated Ash from Japan is anew correct principles ho will not balk. Balk- 
and curious variety, with its irregular blotching on ^j, e p ar tof colts is. for tho mot part, tho 
of silver or gold. Being of dwarf habit, it would rotl uH, of tho trainer's ignorance or passion. 
Hence it is that contact with horses, and an ac¬ 
tual experience in teaching thorn, is ono of the 
finest disciplines a man can have. Ho grows to 
lovo tho colt hois teaching ; and no nature is 
utterly depraved in which is going on tho exor¬ 
cise of affection, no mutter how humble tho ob¬ 
ject may be. ilis employment makes it iiccch- 
sary for him to think: and this ltcops intellect, 
which might otherwise have no development, 
alive. Tho language of tho stable is not, as 
many pious and ignorant people iningino, all 
Blang. Care and anxiety are felt in tho groom’s 
room, and consultations hold upon tho issuo of 
which tho health and safety of valuable property 
depend. Plans aro formed and methods of pro¬ 
cedure adopted, upon which famo and vast sums 
of money eomo and go. Fanils of nature aud 
errors of education and practico aro corrected, 
and tho trainer discovers that in schooling God’s 
creatures lm is being schooled himself. Thus, 
as in all other branches of honorable industry, 
tho horseman discovers that ho is tho point from 
which ono current goes forth and another enters 
in. Ho bestows, and ho receives ; ho educates, 
and is educated ; and tho lifo which so many 
thoughtless people despise closes, as in tho caao 
of Hiram Woodruff—tho uptight in heart and 
acts with honor, and a fame which cau fail only 
when kindnosH toward animals and integrity 
among men aro regarded as of no account. 
-»♦» 
HORSES AND MULES EATING DIRT. 
A coriREsroNOKNT of tho N. Y. Tribune, asks 
why horses and nmloB eat dirt when turned out 
of closo stables, to which Prof. Low veplios: 
Most commonly the habit is nu indication of 
acidity of tho stomach, and to bo corrected by 
improving the iligostivo functions. Horses aro 
at a special disadvantage in tho matter of stom¬ 
ach complaints, inasmuch as they caimot, rid 
themselves by vomiting of anything that dis¬ 
agrees, and aro unablo even to belch up accumu¬ 
lated gas. Thou tho stomach is much too Bmall 
to allow of heavy feeding or tho formation of 
much gas without injurious overdtstension; 
hence, of all domestic animals tho solipeds 
should bo fed with the greatest care and judg¬ 
ment. Like human boings, they have their 
periods of acidity or heartburn, and having no 
opportunity of taking sodft or magnesia, they 
lick the lima from their walls or tho earth from 
their pathway. For temporary relief a piece of 
chalk may bo kept in tho manger, but wo should 
seek to remove tho radical evil by giving abetter 
tone to tho stomach. Feed sound grain and hay 
in moderate amount and at regular intervals, and 
don't drive or work hard for an hour after each 
meal, lest digestion should ho Impaired. 
Givo a few carrots, turnips, or other roots, if 
available; water regularly, and never Just after 
a rnoal, anil put an ounco of common salt in tho 
food or water daily. Any existing weakness of 
digestion should bo corrected by a course of 
tonics such as: oxide of iron, 2 ounces ; calcined 
magnesia, 2 ounces ; powdered nux vomica, 1 y 
drums; powdered fennel seed, 2 ounces, mix. 
Divide into 8 powders, and givo ono morning and 
ABOUT “BALKING.” 
A writer in the Golden Rule makes somo very 
sensible remarks ou this subject. If tho educa¬ 
tion of tho colt has beon conducted in accordance 
with correct principles ho will not balk. Balk¬ 
ing on the part of colts is, for tho mo;-t part, the 
result of tho trainer's ignorance or passion. 
find a striking position in front of a mass of yelling and whipping on tho part of tho trainer 
darlt-foliagod shrubs. 
Variegated Japan Dogwood ( Cornu* brachybo- 
trya rariegaUi) was also seut from Japan Lv 
Thomas Hogg, and promises to bo tho most | 
striking aud valuable of the silver variegations. 
Its hardiness has been thoroughly proved in this 
country, both iu winter and summer. Tho white, 
or light yellow, is clear, pure and well defined, 
covering half tho leaf, and a group of it on a 
lawn would bo a striking object. It is very diffi¬ 
cult to propagate, and must, remain rare somo j 
time. 
Another Variegated Dogwood is the Cornua 
mas. variegala, which runs from silver to gold, 
but of a decided and permanent color. It is a 
tree of moderate growth, scarcely abovo the 
largest of tho shrubs. Its fruit, liko that of the J 
commwn variety, is esteemed by many. It 
formed a pleasant addition to my daily dessert, 
when spending a few months in Lausanne, Swit¬ 
zerland, in the markets of which it was regularly 
offered for sale. 
Silver-Edged Oak (Quercus pedunculate, r.arle- 
gnta ) is a very bountiful variety, clearly and per¬ 
manently marked with a well-defined margin of 
white, whicli the hottest sun does not affect. 
Spotted Oak (Quercuspeduncutaiapundala )is 
spotted with whito points, and is somewhat 
changeable in color. 
White Rnd Green Oak (Quercus pedunculate, 
albo viridi) is irregularly blotched with white, 
changing more or loss into gold. 
Variegated Cherry (Cera a us Mohaleb varie- 
gota) has downy glaucous shoots, ovate glaucous 
after, until tho skin and its pores had bceomo 
natural again. 
Treat all affiicted animals in your stable on 
the same day, else tho groom will infoct a cured 
horse, the second time, with his hands or somo 
stable utensil. 
If you aro vigilant, fully alivo to its infectious 
character, and spare no pains, but follow these 
instructions closely, you will succeed; but half 
comply aud you will bo cursed with it so long as 
your laziness lasts. 
fithstnnl fnqjlcmmts. 
A USEFUL INVENTION. 
The National Republican seems to have a 
high appreciation of Col. Dickey’ Fan Mill. It 
says: 
At tho Centennial Col. A. P. Dickey, Racine, 
Win., received tho first prize and medal fora 
Fan Mill. An exhibition of tho practical work¬ 
ing of this machine is wort hy of mention. Tho 
“ Y'ouug Giant" id a specimen mado for tho 
Centennial Exhibition, of California red wood, 
with silver-plated gearings, occupying a space of 
only 4 1 .j feet, in length and 2U' foot in width, 
and is valued at $50. It curried through somo 
lino Kansas wheat, from 75 to 80 bushels per 
hour, separating it into three grades. Tho Kan¬ 
sas Fultz of first grade looked like tho prizo 
Australian, with no appearance of the weevil. 
Farmers lose from 10 to 15 cents per bushel by 
not grading their own wheat, giving this great 
profit to tho middlemen, when by tho uso of one 
of thoso fans, costiug 838 aud $30 apiece, 
freight free from Maino to Georgia, they will 
save tho cost Of tho machine tho first year, its 
merits over others of this class aro its compact¬ 
ness, as abovo given, its noatness and beauty of 
finish, its noiseless motion and great simplicity. 
•- - 
EXCELSIOR PRINTING PRESS. 
It is only sinco small Presses havo attainod 
their present mechanical perfeotioq that they 
have become useful to business men. An active, 
pushing man finds it to bo of tho utmost im¬ 
portance to uso printers’ ink Kb Wally. Thcro is 
constant need of new pamphlets, Laud-hills aud 
small job work, whieli, wUUo it in expensive to 
havo done at tho usual job offices, can bo accom¬ 
plished cheaply and expedition-ly if a small 
Press is at hand. Tho comfort of having your 
work turned out precisely according to vour 
own ideas is a point not often given its full 
value. 
At this season our seedsmen and nurserymon 
havo an enormous quantity of printing to do, 
and in no way cau it bo more economically ac¬ 
complished than by ono of these small Presses. 
Messrs. K husky A Co., Meriden, Conn., mako 
a Press that embodies all recent improvements 
and seems to fulfill tho requirements demanded 
of it. 
Thoso neoding a Printing Press should inves¬ 
tigate tho merits of tho “Excelsior." Tho 
night. Tho habit has been sometimes caused by manufacturers send circulars aud information 
or driver, overloading, sore shoulders, or ill-fit¬ 
ting collars—those are tho causes that make 
horses balk. But if you have a horse or colt 
that balks, while ono cannot, w ithout a personal 
knowledge of tho subject, toll you w hat to do, 
wo can tell you what not to do never whip. II' 
ho won’t go let him stand still and think it over, 
lie will very often think better of it, and after a 
few momenta’ reflection and a few tosses of tho 
head go on of his own accord. Or if this does 
not answer, get out of tho wagon and pat him 
and talk to him kindly. A horse is very suscep¬ 
tible to kindness; and the writer says he has 
known more than ono quite vicious horse soothed 
into good behavior by a few gentle pats from a 
ladv'rt gloved hand on the moist neck and veined 
muzzle. Sometimes it is well t<> loosen a strap 
or start a buckle. The mom act of unchecking 
and reelieoking tho [animal has sometimes an¬ 
swered the purpose. It took his attention off in 
another direction, changed the current of his 
thought, and broke up his purpose and determin¬ 
ation to resist. For this same reason an apple, 
or a bunch of grass from tho roadside, or a hand¬ 
ful of oats, or a few kernels of corn, will often 
accomplish what an hour of beating could never 
effect. 
The truth is, a man must govern himself be¬ 
fore ho can hope to govern lower animals. A 
man flushed with passion, liis brain charged with 
heated blood, and eyes blazing with rage, is not 
in a condition to think clearly ; and it is just 
this thinking clearly (liat is, above all else, 
needed in directing and controlling horses. 
a deficiency of mineral matters in the food grown 
on very poor soils, but this may bo corrected by ‘ 
a Himilar treatment. 
MANGE IN HORSES. 
A correspondent of the Chicago Field, gives 
the following as a safo and speedy cure for 
mange. 
Treatment .—Mako a mixturo in tho following 
proportions; Train or whale oil, ono and ono- 
half pints; oil of tar, two pints; spirits of tur¬ 
pentine, one-half pint; common sulphur, ono 
pound. 
Take the horse on to tho stable floor, and with 
a bottle of convenient size in ono hand, com¬ 
mence at tho horse's ears, determined to saturate 
every hair on his body, rubbing it in well with 
tho other hand. When there aro scabs on the 
skm they must bo raised with tho finger nail so 
that the mixturo may roach their seat. When 
tho animal has been thoroughly treated, take his 
stall iu hand. Remove and throw away all tho 
litter, scrub off tho floor, and dust sulphur from 
a cloth or hag all ovpv it. Wash tho sides and 
manger, and everything the horse has come in 
contact with in benzine with as much turpentine 
in it as you can afford. Boil tho horses clothing 
and rub clothes in soap suds. Cleanse the har¬ 
ness, girths, halter, brushes—everything that is 
used about, tho horse or that the groom handles, 
with tho benzine and turpentine. 
If tho animals treated aro running to pasture 
tWoy should be changed to another field for three 
weeks, else they will contract it again from their 
scratching places. 
One thorough application of tho mixture is 
sufficient, which ought to he made in warm 
weather; for I should hesitate about filling a 
long winter coat of hair with it. 
In cold weather I should clip tho horse before 
application, and keep him in an apartment 
warmed with fire for three or four days there 
FOOT LATHE. 
The uses to which a Foot Latho can ho applied 
in work about tho farm aro greater than appear 
without, reflection. Mr. N. II. Baldwin, Laco¬ 
nia, N. It , manufactures an admirable Lathe, 
anil it will ho a revelation to many to learn why 
and for what it is used. Good tools, as ail 
thrifty and successful farmers know, are one of 
tho main elements of prosperity, because they 
do the alloted work accurately and without 
waste. Wo would recommend thoso needing 
Foot Lathes, or who havo hut a dim idea of their 
usefulness, to send as above for pamphlets ex¬ 
plaining the article. 
Jusutwc Jlrprlraciit. 
FAILURE OF LIFE INSURANCE COM¬ 
PANIES. 
Quite recently the Security Life Insurance 
Company of New York has been adjudged insol¬ 
vent and a receiver appointed to wind up its af¬ 
fairs. Its liabilities aro estimated at about three 
aud one-third millions und its valuable assets at 
about one-eighth as much. A .year sinco it was 
apparently sound and had a surplus. Tho .St. 
Louis Mutual Lifo has met the same fate aud 
tho other companies allied with it aro said to bo 
seriously complicated. The ftupt. of the Insur¬ 
ance Department of this iState is now busily en¬ 
gaged in examining alt the companies wulitis 
believed that several of the weaker will no de¬ 
clared unable to meet their obligations. Tho 
Superintendents of other State Departments nro 
engaged in overhauling the companies under 
their especial charge, aud there is room for hope 
that the.results will lie beneficial Public confi¬ 
dence iu lire In-siirano© cun be restored only by 
the enactment and enforcement of laws which 
will render impossible the frauds and misrepre¬ 
sentations that have robbed tho public of untold 
millions of money. It is to be hoped that they 
will invent a better system of supervision aud 
control of these corporations. A worse system 
is impossible. 
