THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
AU8. 44 
flomrstir €rotiom$. 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY MAPLE. 
GREEN COEN. 
\Yk find, in the London Gardener’s Chronicle, 
an interesting article upon Green Corn signed 
“ G. T. Bergen Co.. N. J. It is amusing enough 
to have conic from the pen of the editor of (.ho 
American Agriculturist, vrho lives in Bergen Co., 
N. J., and whose initials are the same. But the 
article does not need Ills name or fume to enable 
it to stand upon its own merits. We copy that 
part of it only which may suitably he placed in 
this department. 
“ As to cooking for the table your correspon¬ 
dent s directions to boil for half an hour are 
proper, though twenty minutes is usually long 
enough. He is mistaken in the idea that boiling 
makes the corn tender ; it coagulates the con¬ 
tents of the kernel, which excessive cooking will 
only toughen. The general way of serving is au 
naturel. The Lusks being stripped off, and all 
remaining silk removed, the ears are boiled for 
twenty minutes, and served hot. There is but 
one way to thoroughly enjoy sweet corn, and 
that is to cat it from the cob. Thu over-guiitcei 
have the kernels cut from the cob, but this, to a 
real lover or sweet corn, is to spoil it. Butter 
and salt being first mixed upon the plate—some 
add pepper—a portion of the ear is dressed with 
the salt and butter, by the use of the knife, and 
the kernels thus buttered are—well, not to put 
too fine a point upon it-gnawod off. To be 
sure a lino young lady does not appear at her 
best when she thus plays the part, of a rodent, 
but whoever has once tasted sweet oorn at its 
best will forgive appearances, knowing the in¬ 
ward satisfaction that accompanies them. The 
silversmiths ruako "green corn-holders." A 
handle is furnished with prongs which are thrust 
into each end of the ear, and allow it to bo held 
without touching the com with the fingers. This 
ia a superfluous refinement, adopted by but very 
few. Those who have imperfect teeth usually 
slit the kernels by drawing a sharp knife length¬ 
ways of the rows; this cuts through the rather 
tough hull, and allows tire contents to slip out 
readily. Some boil the corn and cut it. from the 
cob, whioh is readily done with a sharp knife, 
cutting dow n from one end of the car to the 
other, taking two or three rows of the kernels at 
ft time. Tire kernels thus cut off are seasoned 
with salt, butter, and milk, or cream, and served 
liko peas. A more delicate way is to slit tire 
kernels by running a sharp knife lengthways of 
the rows, and thon scraping out their contents 
with the back of the knife. Our furnishing 
stores sell “corn cutters," which slit the kernels 
and press out the contents at. one operation, and 
do it very rapidly. 
During the season wo endeavor to have sweet 
corn—no matter what else there may be—at din¬ 
ner every day. Last, season, on account of the 
unprecedented drought, some of our crops failed, 
aud there were wide gaps in t he supply. It is our 
custom to cook more than will be disposed of a t 
dinner, to have a, supply for breakfast. What is ‘ 
left from the dinner is cut by means of the •‘corn ' 
cutter" above referred to and either dressed ] 
like peas, or, v*hat ia greatly to bo preferred i 
made into fritters. 
Corn Fritters.—To two coff ee-cupfu Is of corn, j 
removed from the cob as above directed, add , 
three well-beaten eggs, one small cupful of flour, J 
aud stir well together; add cream or milk to thin 
B, so that it will readily drop fiom the spoon, 
and fry, ae for other fritters. These are some¬ 
times oalled “corn oysters,” but they are good 1 
enough, to fct&nd on their own merits* 
Some Europeans do not at first take kindly to 1 
green oorn. When I meet one, and with an in¬ 
dication as to how fur he has become American- * 
ized, I ask, “Doyou like green corn?” If the * 
answer is in the affirmative, I am sure that he v 
will remain in the country. Our great abundance 8 
of Toniatos, our Water-Melons, our huge Black- 1 
berries. and other peculiar American products, * 
Europeans eeenr to accept much sooner than they ’ 
do our green corn, A few years ago. a story went ^ 
the rounds of the papers, whioh showed Pat's c 
view of this favorite vegetable. Atom- hotels c 
green corn is set before each person a. <t matter 1 
of course; a newly arrivod irishman, seeing 1 
that others partook of it, gnawed away at iiia a 
corn with much satisfaction. When iio had U 
nothing but. bare “ cobs " left, he oalled to the v 
attendant—“ Waither, an’ will ye be afiher put¬ 
ting some more pays on these shtioks!” I 
for hanging cr.n be purchased for 10 cts. a piece, 
aud is much better than twine, as exposure causes 
the latter to break readily. Fill with rich eerth; 
plant Ground Ivy therein, or whatever suits your 
individual taste ; shade and water well and faith¬ 
fully, and the result is a very cheap, living, beau¬ 
tiful ornament. The effect of a basket of Ivy on 
either side of a lighted hall lamp is very pleasing. 
Another way for a cheap hanging basket is to 
take a epoDge, and, after damping thoroughly, 
fill the tiuy pores with seed of the Water Cress. 
Keep constantly damp and it grows luxuriantly. 
A friend “ way down in Dixie" sent mo my seed. 
And still another way is to iibo cocoanut shells. 
If these arc used, he sure and crochet a cover of 
light yarn to fit the shell tightly. It bideB the 
shell, and peeps out like bright eyes from among 
the green. If a different shape from oval is de¬ 
sired, take a wooden butter-bowl, and cut in two, 
fastening the pieces together witL narrow bits of 
tin nailed on. 
Potato Stain .—Rubbing the hands with lard— 
or, in fact, any grease—before peeling potatoes, 
will, in a measure, prevent their staining. 
Brifntiftr anti Useful. 
HOW DOCTORS ARE MADE. 
BY LESTEB A. EOBEBT8. 
Splints. —I have found that splints—so much 
in vogue now—make very neat mats for wash- 
stands. Take twelve pieces, weave into a square, 
putting two extra pieces through each corner. 
Do not use colored yarn to fasten, as it is not 
necessary. Try seal-brown yarn when making 
baskets, wall-pockets and the many different 
things that tasty, skilirul fingers soon find to 
make when splint-work is once taken up. I liko 
it as well as the red and blue ho commonly used. 
Very neat, pretty—though not very substantial— 
racks for Ivies to twine over can also be made. 
Remedies awl Reliefs.— For Weak Eyes—Bathe 
five or six times a day in pure cold water. For 
r. If ah ache—Apply frequently oil of sassafras. 
To Destroy Robe-slugs—Sprinkle with white hel¬ 
lebore, dissolved in water. For Cabbage Worms 
—Sprinkle with lime, or warm water, or flour. 
To Set the Color in Crayon Painting—Immerse 
in a solution of sweet milk and water. 
Bracket. Ornament.—Take wheat heads, juBt 
when fully ripo; break off the stems closely and 
place in a wine-glass (it is one of the very best 
uses, ray friends, for such glasses, aud the least 
harmful) of water. In a few weeks there will be 
something pleasant to look at, if you try it. I 
havo three; and already the grain is mounting 
ceilingward at a rapid rat®. 
Lambrequins —Made of green paper muslin, 
eu: in points, are cheap, and really the effect is 
good. The ourtaius should be looped with the 
same. 
i Vinter Bouquets.— Now is the time for gather¬ 
ing grasses, and many wood treasures that, are so 
useful by-and-by, wheu we make up wreaths, 
bouquets and floral decorations for our home in 
flowerless winter-time. Let all improve the blos¬ 
som-time, and give to others the lessons learned. 
Poplar Place, Pa. Anna M. C. 
DOMESTIC RECIPES. 
HINTS, USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL. 
Ranging Baskets .—Take old tin cans, no mat¬ 
ter if they nru rusted—the quart size is preferu- 
hio to hair gallon—with a pair of sharp cissors 
out, in half-inch wide ships, to within an inch of 
the bottom ; bend each strip over at the top, and 
secure firmly by running a strong wire through 
ah holes in the bottom, also in the top of 
three strips, by using a nail and hammer. Wire 
Chocolate Caramels.— Mary B. wishes a recipe 
for caramels, “suchas one buys.” The follow¬ 
ing we have found to make this palatable com¬ 
pound, rich, crumbly and delicious: One and 
one-half pounds ilry brown sugar, mixed with 
one-half pint of rich, sweet milk, and placed in a 
porcelain kettle over the fire ; oue-half pound of 
butter and one-fourth pound or baker’s choco¬ 
late are meitod and added to the milk and sugar; 
as it comes to a boil note the time, and for 
twenty-five minutes boil steadily; stir iu one 
tablospoouful of vanilla extract; pour into but¬ 
tered tius, and when partially oold, block off into 
email squares, with the back of a kuife. 
Should any of our readers know of a better 
recipe, we should be pleased to hear from them. 
Please insert a recipe for making Blackberry 
wine, and oblige— Constant Readeb. (0. J. A.) 
Blackberry 1 Fine.—Crush the fruit; press 
through a colander, and then through a flannel 
hag ; to every quart of juice allow two quarts of 
water and three and one-half pounds of white 
sugiir; stir until the sugar is dissolved; then 
put into jugs, filling entirely, adding each day a 
little juice—reserved for the purpose—until fer¬ 
mentation oeases ; then pour off carefully into a 
demijohn, leaving the cork out fur a day or two, 
or until there is no danger of more fermentation; 
cork tightly, and leave iu a cool place for three 
months, then bottle. Our “next-door neigh¬ 
bor *' says that broren sugar is the kind to use, 
and the browner the better; and to prove it, she 
gave us a glass! ul of her wine, two years old, 
which was really fine. 
Cottage Pudding.— For the benefit of Mrs. T. 
D. C., we give the following: One enp of su¬ 
gar; one-half cup of butter; two eggs; two- 
thirds or a cup of milk j three cups of flour; one 
teaspoonful of soda, aud two of cream-ol-tartar. 
Sauce,—One cup of sugar; oue-half cup of 
butter; one tablcspoouful of corn-starch Mix 
together; then add two cups of boiling water; 
boii two minutes; then add wiue, braudy, or any 
flavoring yon choose. The success of this pud¬ 
ding depends upon the sugar, butter and eggs 
being well beaten, and, that it must be served 
the instant it is done. 
Aitee a careful computation we think that 
• the different medical colleges of the United 
f States oonfer yearly upon at least 2000 young 
• men the title of M. D., and Hend them forth le- 
' gaily authorized to kill or cure, as their success or 
• failure in wrestling with disease may determine, 
r Of these, far the greater portion are of the allo¬ 
pathic, or as they prefer to bo called the “ Reg¬ 
ular” School of Practice. The Homoeopaths are 
i gaining in membera slowly but steadily. The 
Eclectics, or do-ns-you-pleaso class, have a mod¬ 
erate number, and occasionally one comes before 
the public an a vowed enemy of aii pills and po¬ 
tions, calling himself a Ilygoopath, and depending 
for his success upon the proper remedial use of 
air, water, exercise and diet. 
It is not our present, purpose to discuss the 
merits or even the cluims of the different schools, 
but merely to point out the modus operands by 
which doctors are made. 
Asa rule, students entering medical oolleges are 
not required to pass any examination. Wo know 
of but one exception, that of Harvard. All that 
is demanded is that, the applicant be at leaBt, 
eighteen years old, be possessed of a certificate 
that his moral character is good, and that ho has 
for a preceptor some legally qualified and re¬ 
spectable physician. This last clause has a dif¬ 
ferent moaning in different colleges. The Reg¬ 
ulars usually insert in their circulars as follows 
“ Certificates of preceptorslflp from Eclectic, Ho¬ 
moeopathic, or Other so-called “irregular ” prac¬ 
titioners, will not bo received.” 
Once entered, the prooeaB of cramming com¬ 
mences. We have before ns au order of leotures 
of the Bellevue Medical College of New York. 
There are twenty-seven leotures and nine clinics, 
(and sometime.-, twelve) every week—each aver¬ 
aging about an hour in length. In addition to this 
is the study of text books on Anatomy, Physiol¬ 
ogy, Materia uiedica, Pathology, and Practice of 
Medicine, Surgery, Chemistry, Medical Jurispru¬ 
dence, dto. 
Is it not a wonder that with such an amount 
of instruction to digest, a mental dyspepsia is not 
incurred, aud the student unfitted for study dur¬ 
ing the rest of his life ? The receptive capacity 
of the mind haB, however, its limits, and much 
that is heard during these lectures, falls upon 
the ear only, the understanding beiug unable to 
assimilate it. 
Applicants for the degree of M. D. must be 
twenty-one years old, have a certificate showing 
a pupilage of three yours after eighteen years of 
age; havo attended two full courses of medical 
lecture*, the last in the college where application 
is made, and the other in some approved college; 
have proper testimonials of character and pass a 
satisfactory examination. The expenses of a 
course of lectures vary in different colleges 
from one hundred to one hundred and fifty dol¬ 
lars. A graduation fee of from twenty-five to 
fifty dollars, is also charged. How much this fee 
aids iu smoothing the track at the examination 
we don’t know. It is true, however, that all 
the oolleges are very reticent as to how many 
candidates are rejected, but, so far as we have 
known the proportion to the whole number ex¬ 
amined, is much smaller than would be supposed. 
Now let us follow a 6tudent through the course, 
and see what may be, aud sometimes, we hope 
not often, is done. A young man twenty years 
old applies for admission at a medical college. 
He has not the first qualification for a student. 
Hxs education has been neglected, he can neither 
speak nor write correctly, his acquaintance with 
books is meager, but he has concluded that the 
medical profession is the easiest in which to gain 
a living, or, if in good ciroumstanoe, that a title to 
his name would be a gratification to himself and 
hie friouds. 
That many suoh apply, alt, who kuow anything 
about it, will bear testimony. By ohoo&tag liis 
colleges he can enter, take one course of lectures, 
go immediately to another, and have received his 
two oourses in less than a year. The certificate 
of preoeptorship, whioh certifies that for three 
years previous he has been under instruction, 
need not for the purpose state how much or 
little the instruction amounted to, and is often 
too easily obtained, for physicians, as well as 
other men will sometimes strain a point to oblige 
a friend, and thus with really less than a year’s 
real medioal instruction, he presents himself for 
examination. If he has a good memory, a large : 
class, aud is fortunate iu receiving none but easy ' 
questions ha get* his diploma. 
We have given above, a case possible, but for- , 
tuuately not common. But take the very best i 
side of the matter, admit that with a moderately i 
- good education, (and that is as much as medical 
. students will average,) the three years of fair 
pupilage, and the two courses of lectures, with 
■ the attendant anatomical and hospital experience 
are all conscientiously taken, dees it seem rea¬ 
sonable to suppose that the student in that time 
can beoorne fitted to take npon himself the re- 
: sponsible duties of a physician ? We do not en¬ 
trust a case at law, involving only dollars and 
cents, to a lawyer without experience. In fact it 
requires a longer and closer application to 
study to pass an examination for a lawyer than 
as a physician, but we are expected to receive 
the diploma (which the owner is not often com¬ 
petent. to read), as evidence that we may safely 
place onrselves or our friends under charge of 
its possessor. 
Our object in writing the above, is to call the 
attention of the public to what we believe to be 
a needed reform. If there is a position in life 
full of responsibility, and needing the highest 
culture of the facnltics that go to make a thought¬ 
ful, judicious, cartful man, it ia that of a physi¬ 
cian. If it he life or death to the patient, depends 
often on his doctor’s instant judgment, which 
must be formed on his perception of the disease 
and its nature. Hnrnan life is too sacred to be en¬ 
trusted to ignoramuses. This whole matter is in 
the hands of the publio. It should Le insisted 
that the State laws be so changed as to demand 
that an applicant should first show on examina¬ 
tion, that ho has a mental capacity and sufficient 
education on which to found a medical knowl¬ 
edge, and this being done that that knowledge 
should bo imparted to him no faster than it 
can bo understood and assimilated into his 
very being. 
The medical school connected with Harvard 
University, has recently adopted n course that 
brings it nearer to our idea of what is needed 
than any other of which we have knowledge. Here 
a degree conferred by some recognized college, or 
scientific school, or an examination, is required 
on admission. The course of study extends over 
three years, and in each year there are two ses¬ 
sions of about seventeen weeks each. So good 
an example should be followed, if not improved 
upon, by all medical schools and Colleges in the 
oountry. 
■ -- - 
THE CHANNEL TUNNEL. 
The association for constructing the sub-mar¬ 
ine tunnel between England and France held a 
meeting in Paris lately to hear a report on 
the geological explorations and soundings exe¬ 
cuted last year. The account given stated that 
the surveys were made throughout the zone in 
which it is proposed to pierco the tunnel, and 
which consists of a bed of clay perfectly contin¬ 
uous and homogeneous, and that the excavation 
may be made between the two shores through 
the same chalk system. The engineers are now 
as oertain as possible that the execution of the 
tunnel is quite practicable. They have already 
fixed on the exact spot for the shafts for bring¬ 
ing up the chalk exoavated, aud the direction of 
the gallery for carrying off the water infiltrated. 
The construction of this gallery for a short dis¬ 
tance will permit them to obtain an absolute 
oertainty of the conclusions drawn from the 
geological study of the surface of the chalk. 
-**-*.- 
SCIENTIFIC AND USEFUL NOTES. 
Thebe are two or three grades of carbolio soap. 
The toilet article is very excellent for human 
beings, as it destroys all odors and is very heal¬ 
ing. The toilet is much weaker than the kind 
used for dumb auimals. If children's heads 
were occasionally washed with carbolic toilet soap 
no insect would be there after the operation. 
The strong carbolic soap may be used for killing 
insects on horses, dogs, sheep, hens or cows. It 
ought not to be put into the mouth, as it is a 
poison. 
If a glass bottle, containing water, be covered 
with a cloth whioh is kept wet with water, the 
evaporation from the wet cloth will soon dimin¬ 
ish the temperature of the oontents of the 
bottle. It the cloth were moistened with alcohol 
or with ether, the oold would be much greater, 
because the evaporation is so much more rapid. 
Earthen vessels of porous earthenware act iu 
the same manner as the cloth described. By em¬ 
ploying this simple device one can have oold 
water on the warmest dayB without the use of 
The sulphate of iron, called in commerce 
green vitriol or copperas, may be bought iu mar¬ 
ket for five cents per pound or less. It may be 
applied as a wash for fruit trees. It appears to 
be destructive to insects that infest the trees 
aud poisonous to the animaleulce that prey upon 
the roots and their fibrous ramifications, and, it 
is a good fertilizer of every tissue of the tree, 
trunk, root, leaf aud branch, making it strong, 
vigorous and healthy, aud able to resist all those 
causes, whatever their name or nature, either in¬ 
sect animalculse, electricity or sun scald, that 
create or cause the pear blight. 
