rlora. 
®{rt (Querist. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Susan.— It it be true, as you Hay, that you have 
not resided with your parents for three years nor 
receivod from them any assistance toward your 
support, but have earned your own living, they 
have no control over your correspondence, al¬ 
though yon are not 21 years old, and your post¬ 
master does wrong to deliver to them letters ad¬ 
dressed to you after you have directed him not 
to do so. It he persists In doing it, a complaint 
to the Post-otticc Department will bring him to 
his senses. 
W. W. Rush.—A. letter addressed to a person 
in New York, marked “to be called for,” or 
“Post-Office,” or, as in Europe, “Paste Res¬ 
tarts," would not bo put in the box if he has one, 
nor delivered to his address if found in the Di¬ 
rectory, nor advertised, until the expiration of 
two months. If not called for one month after 
being advertised it would be sent to the Dead- 
Letter olllce. Wo suppose the same rule is ob¬ 
served in all Post-ollioes through the Union. 
Lake Titicaca is usually called the most ele¬ 
vated lake in the world, having an elevation of 
12,795 ft., hut it is said that Lake Tsumercri. in 
the table lands of Tamar Central Asia, has a still 
greater elevation. 
Copper has been found in limited extent in 
many of the United States, but the mines in the 
region of Lake Superior arc almost the only oneB 
that have been worked with great profit. 
The Warm Currents of the Pacific Ocean 
wash the northeastern coast of North America 
and moderate the rigors of the climate. Por 
this reason, Sitka has the same average tempera¬ 
ture during the year as New York, and Puget s 
Sound is much warmer than the region of Lake 
Superior. But this latter docs not depend on 
the warm currents entirely, as ocean coasts in 
t he same latitude are usually wanner than into- 
Mary.—The lines you refer to are from Shel¬ 
ley’s “ Queen Mab,” and read thus: 
“ Wlioti the power of Imparting joy 
Is equal to the will, the human sou) 
Requires no other heaven." 
Rujus Prince. - The temporary foot-bridge 
between Now York and Brooklyn is made of oak 
strips four feet long and three inches wale, and 
with a space of two inches between t horn on tem¬ 
porary cable*; a safety tine is stretched on each 
side, supported at intervals. The bridge ascends 
from the anchorage on each side at an angle of 
about 20° to the top of thu towers over which it 
passes at a bight of 270 feet above the river. The 
distance between the towers is 1.595 feet. 
Merchant. —An “ accommodation note,” or a 
note given without valuable consideration, is 
valid in the hands of any party who has pur¬ 
chased it for a valuable consideration and before 
maturity. But if it be held as security for money 
advanced on it, the maker cannot be obliged to 
pay more than the Mini advanced, with legal in¬ 
terest thereon. 
W. J. Rogers.—We find an answer to your 
question in “How to Paint,” as follows:—To 
imitate Ground Glass -Dissolve one quarter of 
a pound of gum arable in a pint, of boiling water 
and add whitiug until the mixture is of the con¬ 
sistency of gruel or stilf paint. Then with a 
sponge dipped in the mixture, daub or paint 
the glass over on the inside until a smooth or 
even appearance is obtained; then lay a rule or 
“ straight edge" across the glass, and with a 
pointed stick mark the clear hues, 
J. I. Mai).—Wo sprinkled our currant bushes 
with soap-suds and white hellebore, when corn¬ 
ing out In leaf and bloom, and now the bushes 
are filled with beautiful fruit. Cau we use tbe 
fruit without danger from the poison? Ans. — 
We Bhould not consider tbe fruit at all injured 
by the application made weeks ago, as all tlio 
hellebore must have boon washed olf long since 
by the rain, and of course none could be ab¬ 
sorbed by the fruit or plants during growth. 
Nellie.— We are obliged for want of space to 
condense the answers to your many questions, 
but hope they will bo satisfactory to yourself and 
others of our young readers, who may now be 
pursuing geographical and historical studies. 
The regions most noted for Hurricanes or re¬ 
volving winds, are the Atlantic Ocean, east of 
the West Indies. The Indian Ocean near Mada¬ 
gascar. The Typhoons of the China Sea and the 
Ox-Eye of the Cape of Good Hope we also re¬ 
volving winds. 
Tropical Storms are variously named Torna¬ 
does, Hurricanes and Typhoons. 
The length of the longest days in various lati¬ 
tudes is as follows: at the equator, 12 hours ; 
latitude, 30°, 14 hours ; 50°, 10.2 hours; 60°, 
18% hours; 70°, 2 months; at the poles six 
months. 
The equatorial diameter of the earth exceeds 
the Polar diameter, by about 26 miles. 
Georgia in Asia belongs to Russia. 
The four European Republics are Switzerland, 
France, Andorra uud 8an Marino. 
27te Sargasso Sea , so-called, is on the Western 
Coa st of Africa mainly between latitude 20° and 
30° N. Longitudes 20° and 35° W. It is an im¬ 
mense accumulation of Sea-weed and drift wood, 
so dense in places as to seriously impede naviga¬ 
tion, and is supposed to have been formed by the 
action of the ocean currents. 
Nigni Novgorod is a city of Russia about 250 
miles easterly from Moscow. It is not a large 
city but is extensively known on account of its 
annual fair held on the months of July and Au¬ 
gust. at which congregate from two to three 
hundred thousand people, coming from all parts 
of Asia, and embracing persons of all classes, 
tribes, religions, costumes and manners. 
The. Waters of the Five Great Oceans are esti¬ 
mated to contain 145,000.000 square miles. 
The Most Noted 1M Winds are the Siroccos of 
Italy and Hicilly, the Hvlano of Spain, the Har- 
mattan of Western Africa, the Simoon of Arabia, 
and the Khamsin or 50-days' wind of Egypt. 
The. Ottoman Empire, comprises 1,900,130 
square miles. 
'The People, in that portion of the District of 
Columbia west of the river, having no interests 
lu common with those on the eastern side, and 
preferring to live under a State Government, de¬ 
sired to he reannexed to Virginia, which, as the 
territory was in no wise needed by the General 
Government, was agreed to, and in 1846 the 
portion ceded to the United States by Virginia 
was retroceded. 
Before 1665 tire territory now comprised in the 
State of Connecticut was under two Govern¬ 
ments—the Colony of New Haven having its 
separate Government, with the capital at New 
Haven, while the capital of Connecticut was 
Hartford. At the time of the union of the 
colonies, neither was willing to relinquish its 
capital, and the Legislature met alternately at 
Hartford and New Haven until 1876, when Harl- 
ford became the sole capital. In like manner 
Rhode Island, formed from the Providence 
Plantations and the Settlement on Rhode Island, 
retains both Providence and Newport as capitals. 
J. B. R-, Watet'vliet, Mich .—I would like to 
ask, through the columns of the Rubai-, if there 
is a Grain Drill manufactured to run with one 
horse und sold for #12 ? if so, I would like to 
know- where it is made, &«,■-Yes. AddressjG. 
it. P. Cornell-, Albany, N. Y. 
G. G. Burton.— Mr. Green, one of tbe numer¬ 
ous patentees of tube wells, succeeded, some 
time back, in gaining judgment against one of 
the men who used tbo process he had patented. 
This judgment invalid until it Hlia.ll be passed 
upon by the Supreme Court of t he United States 
which is the only tribunal to which an appeal 
can bo made from the Court which affirmed the 
decision in his favor. The expenses of such an 
appeal are so heavy that it would not pay any 
single person to risk the results of a suit with 
the possible consequences. Although it is the 
opinion of almost all the best legal authorities 
that the decision of the Supreme Court iu the 
ease would ho adverse to Geken, yet the trouble 
and outlay uecessary before tbe Court could pass 
oil the. case would be too great to be incurred by 
any single individual in preference to paying 
Green's exorbitant claim. It is a matter in 
which a combination of all aggrieved by the exac¬ 
tion should at once he made. These include alt 
classes of citizens, manufactories, railroads, etc. 
Local combinations have already been formed in 
many purls of the country, and these should 
now unite their contributions and efforts, and 
obtain the services of a first-class patent lawyer 
to manage their ease. For this purpose proba¬ 
bly tho man most likely to secure a favorable 
verdict would bo R. H. Dukll. late Commission¬ 
er of Patents. ’Twas he who took out the first 
patent on the subject in 1864 for James Sugoett. 
He also appeared successfully in a subse¬ 
quent suit in a case of interference between 
Suggett, Hedge and Green, with all three of 
whom he is personally acquainted, having lived 
in Cortland, N. Y., where the process was first 
introduced by them. We understand he is now- 
practicing law in that village, but cannot say 
w hether he would undertake the conduct of such 
a suit. 
ral writer, to Prof. Fajrman Rogers of Washing¬ 
ton, D. C. This we give, and at tbe same time 
fully endorse the sentiments therein expressed: 
Newport, It. L, April 28 , 16TT. 
Faebman Rogers, Esq. —Dear Sir: * * * 
So far as I am able to understand the need of 
our farming interests for government aid, the 
only chauce for any real benefit lies in the direc¬ 
tion of purely scientific help. 
Thus far, our Agricultural Department may 
have been useful as a means in the hands of 
public officers for paying cheap compliments to 
their constituents, but I do not believe that it 
has really demo any good to the farming class, 
that would Dot have been (and has not boon) 
better done, at far less cost, by private enter¬ 
prise. As a source of seeds of new and useful 
plants, and as a source of information, it has 
been utterly worthless, in view of the much 
greater efficiency of seedsmen who have had a 
practical knowledge of our requirements, and of 
publishers of agricultural hooks and newspapers, 
who know our needs and whose business it is to 
cater to them in the most effective way. Thq 
government has given seeds to those who would 
not plant them,—or who would not propagate 
them,—and books to those who would not read 
them. The professional dealers and editors have 
supplied tho class who cared enough for what 
they had to offer to pay money for them, and 
who have thuB given the only safe guarantee 
that they would make good use of them. 
There is another field, however, which offers 
no temptation to business enterprise and which 
it is of the utmost consequence to have well 
occupied. Pure scientific research will pay no 
profit to those who engage in it, and it offers 
much needed benefits which can bo secured in 
no other way. 
Here, it seems to me, is the proper work of tbe 
agricultural branch of the government,—to get 
knowledge which we shall all be the better for 
huviug, and which no individual is likely to get 
for us. Ido not mean the sort of knowledge 
that would come of successful Polar Explora¬ 
tion, or of an observation of the Transit of 
Venus—valuable though this is,—but tho knowl¬ 
edge which will be of directly appreciable worth, 
as applied to tho business details of American 
farming. 
The possible range is a very wide one, and it 
would be bal’d to say how far it may reach. 
These occur to me now :—1. The cause of abor¬ 
tion in cows—a question of millions of dollars— 
which baB baffled all efforts thus far made to 
elucidate it. It is as important to our dairy 
interest as was that of the Phylloxera to the 
w-ine grow-ers of Franco. 2. A practical applica¬ 
tion of tbe science of entomology to a prevention 
of some part of our loss from the ravages of in¬ 
sects. 8. The convincing of our legislators that 
they should stop frauds in tho sale of adulter¬ 
ated fertilizers. One might go on almost indefi¬ 
nitely. What we need is a simple, straight-for¬ 
ward application of the resources of the govern¬ 
ment to the acquirement of practical knowledge, 
as opposed t» the showy, favor-seeking demon¬ 
strations of past years. In this way the Depart¬ 
ment of Agriculture may do groat good. In the 
old way it can only serve as a sop to a factitious 
demand. 
The first step will be to secure the services of 
a competent Commissioner, and I think we may 
congratulate ourselvos if the man finally selected 
shall be one with tbe thorough scientific training 
and accomplishments of Dr. Le Conte. In his 
hands I should hope to see tho printing-house 
and seed-shop features vastly modified and sub¬ 
dued, and the less demonstrative and more im¬ 
portant work of a scientific department most use¬ 
fully developed. Very faithfully yours, 
Geo. E. Waring, Jr. 
rial jilts. 
WHOLESOME ADVICE. 
for the farmers, and especially those who have 
suffered most severely from the late unfavorable 
seasons, all their coni has long since been sold; 
very few have straw to properly bed their cattle, 
and so great is the scarcity of thiB latter that it 
is actually making more money than hay. The 
time has come when farmers must look this dif¬ 
ficulty in the face; and landlords, if they hope 
to maintain their rents on strong lands, must 
help. 
“Now, what is to be done? Provide covered 
yards for the stock, which will economize bed¬ 
ding at least one-half, and allow farmers to sell 
all the hay and straw they can spare. We are 
satisfied from practical experience that 7 per 
cent, can well be paid for tho outlay in Dutch 
bams and covered yards ; and farmers may yet 
live on strong land, aye, and make money. Of 
course, there must bo no narrow rules as to 
cropping. As long as land is clean and big crops 
can bo grown, the more the bettor; four quar¬ 
ters of wheat and 30 hundredweight of straw, all 
marketable, make a fair return. There are other 
points of vantage connected with covered yards 
that must not bo lost sight of. The comfort and 
consequent thriving of the animals when they 
are dry and protected, as against their miserable 
condition when constantly standing in water, 
will make a material difference In the results of 
feeding, and there must bo a decided saving of 
food. The manure protected from the washing out 
of the soluble portions will tie of greatly increased 
value. We have harped on this string before, 
because we know it to be a subject, of grave im¬ 
portance at tho present time, when farmors are 
suffering. We are satisfied that the only way in 
which English farming can bo made profitable, 
and English farmers can compote with the for¬ 
eigner. is by the judicious application of a greatly 
increased capital. It iB quito possible that in 
this way a fair return may bo obtained.” 
CONDITION OF ENGLISH FARMING. 
The Department of Agriculture has been, 
since the present Administration came into 
power, in kind of transition state, nobody seem¬ 
ing to know how matters aro to end with it, but 
its condition has prompted much good advice 
from its friends, as well as anathemas from its 
enemies. Among the heat advisory letters that 
have come under our notice, is one from Mr. 
Geo. E. Waring, Jr., the well-known agricultu- 
A GRANGE MEETING. 
Union Granoe No. 244, Jamestown, N. Y., 
held its annual harvest feast at “The Fluvanna 
House,” kept by Bro. H. A. Wuittemohe, May 
10. The day was delightful—attendance large, 
128 partaking of the bountiful repast provided 
by the sisters of the Grange. Seven tables were 
spread iu the spacious dining hall, and a more 
sumptuous feast it would he difficult to provide 
for the 22 who were advanced to the Fourth De¬ 
gree. There were a few invited guests who ex¬ 
pressed a desire to unite themselves with this 
thriving fraternity. After dinner toasts and 
speeches were in order, and some very pleasant 
and profitable hits and sound practical advice 
were given. The ladies of tbe Grango, through 
their worthy Lecturer, presented tho host and 
hostess, H. A. Whtttemorb and lady, with a 
beautiful silver flower receiver, accompanying the 
gift with an appropriate speech, to which H. A. 
Whittkmouk responded in his accustomed off¬ 
hand manner, with thanks for the beautiful 
token of their esteem and with many wishes for 
their happiness and their prosperity as Grangers, 
closing with “ Hail, Brother and Sister Grang¬ 
ers ! he that name your glory and your shield. 
High now is your position among the sous and 
daughters of men; responsible and great aro 
the duties it involves. The foes of tho Grange and 
the friends alike, will look to your e xample and 
judge the cause by you. Be faithful to the cause, 
for all our laws require tend but to your lasting 
good.” A. GRANGER. 
ilurat (f-nmi 
ON RURAL EXPERIMENTAL GROUNDS. 
GOLDEN LEAF POTATO. 
The following extract from the London Field 
goes very clearly to show the peculiar condition 
of agricultiu’al iudustry in England, and is inter¬ 
esting as foreshadowing an inevitable future 
condition of this industry here. That our farm¬ 
ers are their own landlords, does not alter the 
fact that they must needs use more capital to 
make their labor profitable; for, if they own 
their land, they naturally and properly look for 
fair interest on their capital thus invested. If 
their land pays no rent or interest on its cost, it 
is intrinsically worth nothing, and is a very poor 
investment. But, as we have often shown, the 
richest land is actually uou-productive without 
the outlay of money as well as labor upon it, 
and precisely how much of this working capital 
we need to make our farms yield the most, we 
are now in process of learning. The following 
is very pertinent to this question: 
“ Those who have wheat unsold will find it 
advisable to take advantage of the present ex¬ 
citement. The advanced prices will be certain 
to stimulate importation. No one, however, can 
foresee tho duration of the war; and we should 
not be surprised to see white wheats reach 80 
shillings a quarter, which was about the figure 
reached during the Crimean war. Unfortunately 
Among the novelties growing in the Rural’s 
Experimental Grounds this season, is a varie¬ 
gated-leaf potato, which promises to be a great 
acquisition to our list of ornamental-leaved bed¬ 
ding plauta. The leaves are largo, of a deep- 
green color, blotched and variously marked with 
deep golden yellow. A dozen plants, raised from 
one smalt tuber, all show the markings very dis¬ 
tinctly. The tubers are of excellent quality, 
consequently this new bedding plant will serve 
a double purpose, for while it is very ornamental, 
it is at the same time useful, and is likely to be¬ 
come more so aB the Colorado potato beetle con¬ 
tinues to increase. Who knows hut our flower 
gardens will yet have to furnish us with vegeta¬ 
bles, and if so the golden-leaved potato may 
come in with tho ornamental variety of kale, 
being both good to look at and good to eat, at 
the same time. 
VARIEGATED LEAF COMFREY. 
This is another handsome plant which appeal’s 
in our grounds this year for the first time, al¬ 
though it is not quite so new as the potato men¬ 
tioned above. The leaves of the comfrey are 
silvery-white, with just enough green in them 
to keep the plant healthy and vigorous; for as 
every horticulturist knows, plants with pure- 
white leaves are extremely delicate and difficult 
to propogate or perpetuate. The silver-leaf com- 
