ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Short-Horns or Durham s. 
J. J. A. I 1 ., Cassopolis, Mich., asks:—“Is 
the Durham breed a family of the Short-Horns ?” 
Ans. —No. It is simply au old name applied to 
the Short-Horns and associated with them—that 
is with the “Improved" or pedigreed Short- 
Horns. The ancient breeds out of which the 
breed came which we know as the Short-Horn, 
are natives to the North and East of England, 
particularly to the Shires of Durham and York. 
They are the Holdemess, Teeswater, Yorkshire, 
and Durham, and it is from this connection 
that the breed has been kuown in this country 
as the Durham or Durham Short-Horn. 
About Water Pipes. 
IV. H. IV., Chenango Co., N. F.-I have a 
spring about 120 rods distant from my dwelling 
house and barn, from which water has formerly 
been conducted iu or through pine logs, which 
are getting very much out of repair and must 
needs be Boon re-laid with modern pipes or those 
of some other material. About two-thirds of the 
distance from spring to house is pretty steep de¬ 
cent, the remaining distance water backs up. 
Any size caliber from % of auinch to l}-£ iuohes 
will answer my purpose. Now, I would like in¬ 
formation on the following points: (1) What 
would be the best material,all things considered, 
to re-lay it with; iron, wood, lead, earthen or 
water-lime ? (2) If wood is used, which would 
be the best kind of au augur to bore them with, 
viz: what is termed a pod or a screw-augur : if 
a screw augur ; would one work the best with a 
square or flaring bit; or in other words, which is 
the most improved or approved bind ? (8) Can 
logs or wooden pipe be purchased, and at what 
price per foot or rod and where ? (4) If iron is 
to be used, which is best, the common or that 
which is galvanized ? (5) If earthen, of what 
dealer purchased and at what price per rod or 
foot ? (6) If water, lime, or ceraeut. how Bhould 
it be mixed aud laid? (7) What is the best 
method of constructing a bench or frame where 
pump logs or w rodeu pipe is to be bored by 
hand, aud the best kind of augur for the pur¬ 
pose ? 
Ans.—W ill some of our readers who have 
practical experience with regard to the various 
questions here propounded, oblige us and our 
correspondent by furnishing the desired infor¬ 
mation ? Our own experience is limited to the 
use of one kind of pipe only in this connection, 
and it would doubtless be useful to many of our 
readers to learn the respective merits of the dif¬ 
ferent ones mentioned. 
Diseased Hogs. 
J. J. J)., Woodson Co., Kansas. —I write to 
the Rural to learn if it or any of its readers can 
give me any assistance in regard to my hogs. 
Last fall they were doing finely, but now most 
of them look gaunt and mopish and, iu some of 
the worst cases, the skin around the bind legs 
looks loose and wrinkled. All of them look 
more or less scurvy and some are losing the 
hair in patches. Quite a mrrnber of the pigs 
have died and, on opening some of them, I 
found the intestines full of worms from five to 
ten inches long, of a yellowish color, and 
pointed at both ends. The hogs have a range 
of 60 acres of timber land with a creek running 
through it, also good sheds for shelter and they 
have had plenty of corn iu the ear. 1 have fed 
them salt, sulphur, ashes, coal, copperas, tur¬ 
pentine, and charcoal, but as yet have fouud 
nothing to help them. If the Rural can give a 
cure for this disease or to remedy it, we will be 
thankful if it will print it. 
Ans. —Give more turpentine for worms. Use 
tobacco water, carbolic acid or soap for a wash. 
Have any of our readers fuller experience in 
this predicament ? 
Liquid Manure Tanks, 
J. W. S., Attica , 0, —Will the Rural please 
tell me (1), what kind of turnip seed J. R. of 
Freedom, Wis. used, and how much he put on 
one acre of ground ? I saw his statement in issue 
of Jan. 12th, 27th page. Please toll me also (2), 
how to make a “ liquid mauure tank,” and (3), 
bow the urine will hud Its way in where the com¬ 
mon plank floor is used. 
Ans. —Construct a pit just as you would a ciB- 
tern, either at, or to, a lower level than that of 
the dung heap, and let it be of sufficient capacity 
to contain not only the liquid excrements of ani¬ 
mals, that may flow to it through a drain di¬ 
rectly from the stable, but also the drainings of 
the dung heap. The bottom and sides of the 
tank should be rendered impermeable to water 
by means of a thick layer of clay, or much bettor, 
by a lining of brickwork and hydraulic cement. 
The mauure is iu this way prevented from pene¬ 
trating the ground and the drainage from the 
roofs of farm buildings, rain and waste water 
is carefully excluded. Iu all cases, liquid manure 
tanks should be oovered, both to exclude rain 
water and prevent the escape of their volatile 
riches. In addition to this, means should be 
taken to prevent the escape of ammonia by the 
use of what are known to be fixers of ammonia. 
Sulphuric acid and sulphate of iron, when they 
can be bad at a cheap rate, are by far the most 
efficient materials for this purpose, one pound of 
of oil of vitriol being, on an average, sufficient 
for 150 pounds of liquid manure. The acid 
should be first diluted with water before being 
poured Into the manure tank. Gypsum is another 
“ fixer," but when it is used the contents of the 
tank should bo frequently stirred up, as it is not 
easily soluble in water, while on account of its 
specific gravity, it readily settles at the bottom of 
the tank. Sulphate of magnesia also serves the 
same purpose. 
(3.) Behind the stalls of the animals iu the 
stable, there should be a slight trough or de¬ 
pression to receive the urine cVc.. that escape 
from the litter, and from the trough there should 
be a drain to convey the liquid voidings to their 
appropriate tank. 
About Ewes Adopting Lambs. 
R. N. Stockmeyer, —In past years I have suf¬ 
fered considerable loss by the death of iambs 
soon after their birth, aud the refusal of the 
ewes to adopt other lambs ; can the Rural help 
me to avoid such losses in future, by suggesting 
Borne means of inducing the bereaved ewe to 
adopt another lamb ? I have tried several plans, 
but with only partial success. 
Ans.— Among the many methods of inducing 
ewes which have lost their lambB, to take to 
other lambs, the following two are said,on excel¬ 
lent authority, to have proved very successful: 
First; put the bereaved ewe in a small pen 
away from the rest of the flock. Hold her while 
the lamb suckles, and milk a little of the milk 
on the lamb. Repeat this four or five times a 
day, especially the last thing at night aud tho 
first thing in the morning, and almost invariably 
the ewe will take the lamb in a couple of days, 
if not sooner. Second ; cut off a portion of the 
skin of the dead lamb and tie it over the neck 
aud shoulders of the living one, wool side out, 
aud the dam of the dead lamb will at once adopt 
the living one. 
Subsoiling. 
F. C. Mansfield.—1 see a great deal in the 
papers about subsoiling. Is it beneficial for all 
lauds, aud if not, on which should it be applied ? 
Ans.— The object of subsoiling is to loosen 
the soil beyond the reach of the ordinary plow, 
and in this way subject it to the action of the 
air, allow the roots to go down and the moisture 
to come up. If the subsoil is a loose gravel 
allowing a free circulation of air, there is no c.sc 
for a subsoil plow. If it contains substances 
injurious to plants, the first crop at least, would 
probably be injured by the loosening. If it is 
so wet that the roots of the plants cannot go 
down into it, it would not be worth while to 
subsoil it. Well-drained lands are most bene¬ 
fited by the operation, and, in nearly all cases, 
pay well for subsoiiiug. By subsoibug a few 
furrows and comparing the crop on them with 
that on the rest of the land you can best deter¬ 
mine whether subsoiling will pay. 
hereabouts. Indeed I never knew it to fail if 
taken in season. A Rural reader in Mich, has 
a valuable horse that has heaves; he has never 
read that recipe, and he offered §50 for a cure. 
There may be many that take the Rural, who 
arc like him in regard to this recipe; and for the 
sake of that noble animal, the horse, please pub¬ 
lish it again. 
Ans,—T bo reoipe here referred to was origi¬ 
nally published ou the authority of a Michigan 
farmer, in the Rural for Sept. 14th, 1872. 
Sowing Clover. 
Mrs. Mary McC.— Will the Rural please tell 
me the best time to bow clover ; and what fertil¬ 
izers should be applied to it. Which is the 
best kind for plowing under ? 
Ans. —The best time to sow clover is probably 
in August. It should be Bown on well-mellowed 
ground with a dressing of plaster, say ten bush¬ 
els to the acre. The pea vine variety makes a 
very coarse hay, but it is probably the best for 
plowing under green. In the spring clover does 
very well sown upon winter grain or with spring 
grain, but it does better by itself. For light 
lands plowed in tho spring to be Bown with 
clover, suitable top-dressings are piaster, ashes, 
any line comnoBt, or Peruvian guano, made 
fine and mixed with plaster aud soil, or super¬ 
phosphate of lime. 
Applying Fertilizers to Spring Wheat. 
J. M. Danis.— Would it pay to apply a top¬ 
dressing of bone-dust or superphosphate to win¬ 
ter wheat in the Bpring ? 
Ans.— The increase of wheat alone would prob¬ 
ably not pay for the manure ; but besides caus¬ 
ing an aotual increase, bone-dust would so ben¬ 
efit the land for succeeding crops, that in the 
end the outlay would be amply returned. For 
immediate effect on the wheat, one of the best 
applications is a mixture of Peruvian guano and 
superphosphate, 150 lbs. each per acre. Sow it 
as early in the spring as possible. Sift the guano 
to get out all the lumps ; then break them up 
and pass them through the Bifter, as no lumps 
larger than a Marrowf_t pea should be sown. 
Besides the increased yield of the wheat crop, 
the extra straw and clover resulting from this 
treatment, will be a valuable consideration. 
Remedy for Heaves in Horses. 
H. L. K. —Will the Rural please publish again 
the recipe for the cure of “ Heaves in horses”— 
Nitrio acid and milk. It has cured some cases 
Since then several assnrauoes as to its efficacy 
have been received, quite as strong as that from 
our present correspondent: give once daily a 
teaspoonful of aqua fortis, nitric acid, prepared 
as follows : mix it with a toaspoonful of sour or 
skimmed milk, mix thiB with bran and the bran 
with the grain fed. The catarrhal affections of 
the throat make rapid amendment under this 
treatment, which should be continued if neces¬ 
sary until a pound of acid is given. 
Guano and Ashes. 
C. L. M.— Would it be advisable to mix aBheB 
with guano, as a mauure for potatoes ? 
Ans.— No, as they would set free more or Ibbs 
of the already formed ammonia, especially if 
they were moist. Both might, however, be ad¬ 
vantageously applied to potatoes, though care 
should be taken not to mix them before the ap¬ 
plication. 
Miscellaneous. 
A. Hoys. —Do you import Bermuda Grass 
seed ? If so, what is the cost per bushel or half 
bushel ? If you do not import, can you tell me 
who does ? 
Ans. —We have repeatedly stated in these col¬ 
umns, that our sole business is tho production of 
the Rural New-Yorker. Bermuda Grass is 
propagated by roots aud joints. It does not pro¬ 
duce seeds in this climate. 
W. J. Gould — Will the Rural please tell me 
whether land plaster loses it manurial qualities 
by keeping ? 
Ans.— If it is kept dry, no change will take 
place in it to lessen its manurial value, aud after 
months it will be just as good as if obtained 
fresh from the mill. 
K E. B., Pierson, Mich. —I wish to purchase 
two or three head of Jersey cattle and do not 
know any dealer iu them. Would tho Rural 
please inform me of the names of two or three, 
and oblige. 
Ans. —Col. M. C. Weld, 189 Water Street, 
N. Y. Messrs. Smith & Powell, Syracuse, N. Y. 
Dermis Nelligan, Monson, Mass.— Having 
seen iu the Rural New-Yorker mention of & 
plant called Dipladenia Williamsii, I should 
like to get the seed of it, also the seed of Crown 
Imperial or FritiUaiia, if they are house-plants. 
Can the Rural please tell me where they can be 
purchased ? 
Ans.— Mr. Geo. Such, South Amboy, N. J., 
could probably supply Dipladenia aud also bulbs 
of Crown Imperial. Tho latter is a hardy 
spring bloomer—the former a stove climber. 
E. D. J-, Auburn, N. F—Where can I pro¬ 
cure a hand-mill that will make flue flour from 
the whole grain ? I wish something that com¬ 
bines cheapness with excellence in work. 
Would I need a small bolting attachment ? I 
suppose the ordinary coffee-mill does not grind 
fine enough ? 
Ans— Yes. Write for circulars to Blymyer 
Mf’g. Co., Straub Mill Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and to Nordyke, Marmon & Co., Indianapolis, 
Ind.; U. S. Wind Engine «nd Pump Co., Batavia, 
Ill. A postal-card will secure you complete in¬ 
formation. 
//.’ B. Knorner, Westminster, Worcester Co., 
Mass. —Being a new subscriber to your paper I 
would like to ask through its columns, where I 
could get tho Chinese Yam for seed; and what 
would be the price per pound, or if you would 
furnish them ? 
Ans. —We soil absolutely no seeds. Write to 
R. H. Allen & Co., 189 Water Street, N. Y. 
Subscriber. — I value the recipes in the Rural 
very highly, and wish to preserve them for 
future reference. I also wish to preserve my 
papers as nearly intact as possible. Could you 
not arrange to print the recipes on the back of 
some advertisements, or other matter of no 
value or interest for preservation, so that when 
cut out, the paper although marred in appear¬ 
ance, will not be intrinsically injured ? 
Anb. —We are always happy to receive sugges¬ 
tions from our readers. The above suggestion 
is good, but for reasons that it would uot be 
interesting to explain, impracticable. 
T. W., Kalamazoo, Mich.— Would the Rural 
please toll me the address of Mr. Willard, who 
seems, according to its opiuion, to be one of the 
most experienced men in the country on dairy 
matters ? 
Ans.— Little Falls, N. Y. 
ip. jr._will the Rural please tell me which 
are the best hens for winter laying, 
i Ans.— Brahmas are generally considered the 
most prolific breed in winter; though with this 
opinion there are some who disagree. Perusal of 
the valuable articles on poultry,that appear, from 
time to time in the Rural, will give our corres¬ 
pondent full information concerning the merits 
as well as the best treatment of tho different 
varieties of fowls. 
8. H .—In the issue of the Rubai, for Feb. 23, 
is a description of a “ Cheap Poultry Hause,” 
by 8. Rufus Mason. As I am about to construct 
a poultry house (a cheap one if I can) I would 
like if Mr. Mason would kindly give me, through 
the columns of the Rural, a little further light 
upon the subject. What is tho object of the 
two rows of posts, four feet apart ? Is this 
what you call “the wall" which is to be filled 
in with straw ? Is the roof to be perfectly flat ? 
How are the windows arranged ? If you could 
give a rude sketch of the house it would be a 
considerable help. 
COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED FOR THE WEEK ENDING 
Monday, March, 4th. 
“ Reader” — J. G. R. R. — M. W. — R. L. P. — 
E. P. U.—G. B. F.—M. A. L.—J. W.—W. J. F.— 
Edward — A. L. J.— E. M. — W. H. W.—J. W. S.— 
F. S. R.-R. W. F.—8. R. L.—R, A. — W. F.— 
T. B. M.—“ Bitter Sweet”—W. C. H. — L. P. S.— 
J. H. B.— W. B. C. — G. II. F. — “ Frontier”— 
D. I. B.— C. McC.—E. C. F.—W. H. II.—“ Bertie 
A. Winkler” — E. L. M.—L. S. W.—J. B. V. — 
W. W.—W. H. K.—J. C.— P. H. A.— C. C.—E. R. C. 
—S. S.—S. B. P, 
ftflDS of tj)f Mull. 
CONDENSED NEW YORK TELEGRAMS. 
Tuesdat, Feb. 26 .—Vice-President Wheeler Is 
111. There is a rumor In Washington that a writ 
of ouster has been prepared to contest nayes 
title to the Presidency. Louisiana has declared 
against all forms of repudiation and in favor of 
paying the State debt. 
The Russians are massing their troops around 
Constantinople. The Czar while guaranteeing to 
Turkey that tho Russians shall not approach 
nearer to Constantinople than Ban Stefano, de¬ 
clares that he has great difficulty iu restraining 
the Grand Duke Nicholas from entering the city 
as a conqueror. Russia wants the Conference to 
meet, the first time, on on appropriate day—the 
first of April. 
Wednesday, Feb. 27.—Gen. Gourkha with 30,- 
000 men, is marching on San Stefano, on the out¬ 
skirts ot Constantinople. The Russians are press¬ 
ing Turkey to be allowed to enter the city; but 
the latter persistently refuses. A levy of 75,000 
Bulgarian troops. Just ordered, will be command¬ 
ed by Russian officers. 
Thursday, Feb. 2$.—It Is probable that the 
State Legislature will pass a law rendering the 
canals free. Gov. Halllday of Va. vetoed the hill 
virtually repudiating a portion of that State's In¬ 
debtedness, and his veto has been sustained by 
the Legislature. 
In England, Lord Napier of Magdala, of Abys¬ 
sinian rame, has been appointed COHimander-ln- 
chtef of any expeditionary force En gland may send 
against Russia, with Sir Garnet Wolseley, of Asli- 
autee renown, as Ills chief of staff. Still talking 
earnestly or pBace while actively preparing for 
war. The new Pope discourages visitors and 
pilgrims from speaking on political matters. 
Friday, March l.—The amended silver bill was 
yesterday promptly passed by more than the 
needed two-thirds majority over the President’s 
veto In both houses of congress. 
Despite the report of a better understanding be¬ 
tween Great Britain and Russia, the former is 
straining every nerve to expedite preparations 
for war. The Porte lias yielded to nearly all the 
Russian conditions of peace. Both Powers pro¬ 
fess warm friendship! All see now what we said 
last week ; that there is little use in a Conference 
aud it Is doubtful whether It will he held. The 
Italian Mluistry has decided the “Papal Guar¬ 
antees” granting the Pope certain Immunities 
and a large annual income, are constitutional 
laws which Parliament cannot Interfere with. 
Saturday, March 2.—The Stiver Bill will cause 
the coinage of three and a halt or perhaps, lour 
mlllon dollars amontu, and will Increase the vol¬ 
ume of currency, thus making money more tree 
and It is to be hoped more easily to be got hold or 
by deserving folks like our subscribers and our¬ 
selves. Benjamin Franklin Wade, better kuown 
as "Old Ben. Wade,” ex-Senatoi, and once aotlng- 
Vice-President ot the United States, has Just died 
at half-past six this a. in. at Jefferson Ohio, In his 
78th year. 
The Czar Is Impatient of the delay lu sighing 
the treaty, guessing that England is causing it, 
while pushing on her warlike preparations. 
Count Andrassy Is about to ask 30 , 000,000 florins 
to prepare the army for emergencies. Canada 
will send 10.000 troops U> the war la Europe, 
should England become Involved In hostilities 
there. The Cuban Insurrection, after a nine 
years’ struggle, Is dow ended; the Insurgents are 
all surrendering to the Spaniards who are treat¬ 
ing them kludly. Much wrath aud many charges 
ot treachery and cowardice from some of the 
brave Cuban patriots who have been fighting 
carpet battles lu this anil other American cities, 
while a few of their courageous compatriots, 
a lot of run-away slaves and a number of foreign 
adventurers have been robbing, plluglng, sacking 
and now and then fighting in the “Ever-Faithful 
iBland.” 
