plates, made thin and rather wide, are the beet. 
Wo would have no shoes on the hind feet, unless 
the land has some stones on it. 
Sheep on Permanent Pasture. 
T. A. C., Mill Bridge , Korean Co., N. 0., in¬ 
quires whether it will hurt his permanent pasture 
to let sheep run on it after wheat harvest nntil 
fall, if not eaten too closely. 
Ans —Sheep will eDrich land by feeding upon 
it, as they eat almost everything and convert it 
into rich manure. Their urine is also a valuable 
fertilizer, and ns they distribute this and their 
droppings generally over the field, the beneficial 
effects of pasturing land with sheep are apparent. 
When the pasture is poor and the growth is stop¬ 
ped on account of drought, they will eat too 
close for the good of a permanent pasture, but 
—B. P. at., No. 2 . — B. P. at., No. 3. — W. H. W.- 
I. O. A. — A. C., thanks—W. J. F. — C. atcC. - 
W. C. L. D. — B. P. at., No. 4. — A. C. W. — A. at. 
v. A.—A. E. F.—air. Culbertson, accept thanks.— 
A. It. C.— T.—C. S. R. — J. P. R. — S. A.—“Trcd- 
well." 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS 
Blowing up Stumps with Dynamite. 
A. C. Jr., Arcaster, Ont., and several others 
inqtiiro bow stumps can be removed by dynamite, 
its cost and where it cau be purchased. 
Ans.— No. 2 Giant Powdor would be the 
proper kind to nso. It is furnished in cartridge 
rolls which may he safely cut into lengths weigh¬ 
ing four, six or torr ounces as required. The 
consistence of the powdor is much like that of 
brown sugar or damp Graham llonr. Each car¬ 
tridge costs about fifty cents. The fuse is to 
lie inserted in the metallic cap which accompan¬ 
ies the cartridge, and held in its place by indent¬ 
ing the lower rim of the cap upon it. A hole is 
(lien made in tho end of the cartridge with a 
stick of tho proper size, and the cap with tho 
fuse, is pushed into the cartridge. To make 
room for the oburge. a hole must bo made as 
near as possible to the center of tlieptumpby 
means of a crowbar or other implement. It i* 
thi n tramped firmly with earth Ly the use of a 
wooden rod. The more compact the ground the 
better tho result.. If on sloping ground the hole 
under the si mop should bo made from the up¬ 
per side. Wbcu all is ready, the fu«o is fired 
tike an ordinary blast. A heavy charge throws 
out and shatters tho stomp; a lighter one splits 
it, twists off the larger roots, amt leaves it in a 
shape to tie easily dealt with by the ax and draft 
cattle. As a very heavy charge throws the frag¬ 
ments of wood and possible stones to a 
great distance, it is safer to use only so 
much powder as will bring the stump into 
manageable condition. The greener, tough¬ 
er, and firmer tho stump the better the 
result b, as tire loroe of the explosion is 
then mainly expended in shattering it. With 
proper care dynamite is quite as safe as any 
other explosive, but from w ant of skill in hand¬ 
ling it, and carelessness oflon arising from long 
immunity from accidents t r from recklessness, 
its nse is sometimes dangerous. Whore a good 
deal of ground encumbered with stumps is to 
be cleared in any neighborhood, it would be well 
for the land-owners to engage the services of a 
man skilled In the use of Iho article. The cost of 
removing stumps in this way w'ould probably 
average from forty to fifty cents each. This 
would bo a heavy tax on some farmers settled on 
such lauds, who would thus have to pay as much 
for clearing it as its original purchase oostthem; 
but the extra yield of crops and the greater ease 
in tilling would in many oases amply repay the 
outlay. The conditions of each case and the 
state of the farmor’s purse must determine this 
matter. Dynamite can be purchased in this city 
from A. W. Desfaud, 20 Cedar street, who would 
probably furnish more detailed information 
suitable to the special circumstances of any one 
who may correspond with him on the subject. 
Probably the best way for auyonc to secure a 
supply, would bo through some dealer in gun¬ 
powder in the next town or village, as the dealers 
in it in this city do a wholesale business chiefly. 
Use of a Drained Mill-Pond, Etc. 
J. E. E., Sheffield Mills, E'ovn Scotia, says: 
We have a mill-pond covering about 100 acres, 
which has been flowed for nearly 120 years. It 
is surrounded by cultivated land and fed by sev¬ 
eral streams. Two years ago it waB drained for 
the purposo of converting it into hay-land, by 
draining it in summer and flooding it m winter. 
The laud can lie easily drained, is quite free 
from stumps and nearly all of it is covered with 
an exceedingly rich deposit, from two to three 
feet thick. Last year we cut over 100 tons of 
hay, all of which caruo iu naturally, without any 
seeding. On some parts tho crop was from three 
to four tons to the acre. If flooded in winter, 
what would be the most profitable seed to sow 
on it ? Can Timothy or Herd’s-grass be grown 
on it successfully ? Will Alsike clover do well on 
such laud, or will it die out in winter ? (2.) 
What would be the best kind of wagon for cart¬ 
ing off the hay ? (8.) How should shoes for 
horses, fit for traveling on soft land, bo made ? 
Ans, —Wo think unless the mill-pond is flood¬ 
ed for the purpose of propelling machinery, it 
would bo better to keep it drained and cultivated 
for a grain crop. Timothy would kill out before 
a sod would form, and undoubtedly it would be 
a waste of time and money to seed with any kind 
of clover. Tho flooding would destroy it. The 
variety of grass most sure to succeed, and one 
of great value as hay for cattle, is lied Top, tho 
llerd's-grass of the Southern States. We have 
kuown it to yield four tons to the acre and over. 
A small percentage of Timothy can be sown with 
it. The former will help to retain the latter. 
This has boon our experience. It would be 
wholly useless to sow it alone. 
2. For carting off the hay, a wagon with very 
wide felloes, similar to those in use in the north¬ 
ern part of Indiana, would be best. 
3. Eor horses working on soft ground, wrought 
THE CONKLIN WAGON. 
The advantages of good implements, tools, 
etc., are never so strikingly apparent as when 
one has been persuaded, from economical or 
other motives, to purchase an inferior article 
and finds, at the moBt inconvenient time to ac¬ 
quire the kuowledge, that it is not well to put 
CONKLIN WAG-ON. 
one’s trust in shoddy. This is strikingly tine of 
wagons. Some of our readers—not many we 
hope— may recolieot with dismal distinctness 
how a low price and bright colors have in¬ 
duced them to invest in a vehicle that served 
every purpose until, in a time of great hurry, 
tho wagon was slightly overloaded, and driving 
over a small obstruction, lo! there are annihila¬ 
tion and a waste of time and temper whose 
money value outbalances Iho difference between 
the price of a good and bad article. 
In nothing, perhaps, has one to buy on repu¬ 
tation to so groat an extent as in tho purchase 
of vohioles, 
not otherwise. On account of this same ten¬ 
dency they are useful to feed upon fallow 
ground, as they will keep it clean and free from 
weeds. 
What Alls the Canary ? 
O. Maxwell, Butler • Co,, Pa., wants to know 
what’s the matter with a pot Canary. IIo com¬ 
menced molting and ceased singing, eight 
months ago ; appears well, but continues to lose 
his feathers, and though anxious apparently to 
Bing, is unable to do so. 
Ans, —All that we can advise is only to keep 
the bird away from ail draughts and change its 
food. We have never known a Canary affected 
in this way to resume singing with its previous 
zest. Does any reader know a remedy ? 
Miscellane ous. 
F. V. Boylan, Allegany Co., N. Y., asks what 
can he mix with or put on his seed corn to pre¬ 
vent the cut-worm from eating it. 
Ans. —We know of no remedy except to open 
the earth about oaoh plant every morning and 
kill the worm. It will always be found just 
under the surface and within a few inches of il^t 
plant. Wo could give a score of said-to-be reuu 
edios, but after testing most of them, can recom¬ 
mend only the above tedious but effectual means 
of extermination. There are various kinds of 
lame kuown as cut-worms. We presume our 
inquirer refers to tho greasy, ash-gray caterpil¬ 
lars that, cut off tender young plants during 
dune and July. 
Vcnoria, Tecumseh, Mich., asks: (1. How 
soon will Geraniums flower from the seed ? (2.) 
Does the apple-scented variety blossom ? (8.) 
Which are the most desirable varieties to grow. 
(4.) Will Verbena, sowed the last of April, flower 
freely this summer? 
Ans. —1. If the seeds are planted now, they 
will bloom by Christmas ; if planted in the fall, 
they will bloom in J uly. 
2. Certainly. 
3. There are thousands of variotioa and it 
would bo difficult to select. Eor doublo we know 
of nono better than Mario Lomoino, rose ; Dr. 
Jacoby, salmon ; Dioul do Btrimburg, deep rosy- 
purple. For single, Madame Vauchor, white; 
Jean Sisley, scarlet, white eye; Mas. Christine, 
rose; Wellington, maroon-oriiUBon. 
4. Not until the latter part. 
M. N. U., Hoboken, N. J., asks for instruction 
concerning the making and management of an 
“ Incubator " for hatching chickens. 
Am—From some personal experience and a 
good deal of information gathered from books 
and poultry adopts, we have come to the decided 
conclusion that tho malting and use of an " In¬ 
cubator " by one unskilled in tho matter, will re¬ 
sult in disaster oftener than nine times in ten. 
If success with one of those devices is attainable, 
the probability of it lies in purchasing one made 
in accordance with the results of experience by 
practiced hands. Should our correspondent 
make such an investment, ample directions for 
the management of the special contrivance will 
accompany his purchase. 
5. F. W., Niagra Falls, N. I 
It is ho easy for unscrupulous 
dealers to substitute unsound for sound timber, 
trusting to a plausible varnish and pleasing 
paint to disguise these sins of omission: and 
they do it. 
The Conklin Wagon, made at Olean, N. Y„ by 
W. H. A, D, C. Conklin, is an honest piece of 
work. It is constructed of sound, selected, tim¬ 
ber and put together with a view to combine 
lightness, strength, easy draft and durability. 
Tho wheels have fourteen and sixteen spokes, 
well proportioned to the gears, and the tires 
rarely have to be roset. An extension reach, or 
coupling, simplo and easily shifted, is used. 
Box is of good length and proportion, with top 
box and seat. Minor appliances, such as brakes, 
etc., are the beat to be obtained. In fact, ev¬ 
erything is complete. All (ho wagons are sot up 
and fully inspected before leaving ihe works. 
The founder of the firm first made wagons in 
Wyoming Co., Fa., some forty years ago, with a 
capital consisting of a thorough knowledge of 
the business, good health and a conviction that 
to succeed required industry, intelligence and 
push. It has been an axiom of the firm that 
they could only succeed by selling an article 
worth the money asked for it, and to this belief, 
put into practice, do they attribute their unvary¬ 
ing success. 
The manufacture is personally supervised by 
the firm, and it is only necessary to add that by 
striot adherence to these principles tho sales 
have steadily increased, and lbe reputation of 
the Conklin Wagon is second to none. 
FOWLS FOR EGGS, TABLE AND HARDI¬ 
NESS. 
HENliy HALES, 
Being requested to give the readers of the 
Bubal advice on tho best poultry to buy for 
eggs, table and hardiness, I must necessarily 
go over some of the same ground that has been 
gone over before in tho Bubal, but, as the 
subscribers to tho Bubal aro constantly in¬ 
creasing, and young members of the families 
who take the Bubal are growing up, I offer nc 
further apology. 
For tho farm the Leghorns occupy the first 
place as layers. The eggs aro large, white aud 
of handsome shape; a large basket of them 
has a liner appearance than a lot of odd sizes 
and colors, aB laid by a mixed lot of barn-yard 
fowls, and they will sell better on the market. 
Between the White and Brown Leghorns the 
difference is principally this: the Browns lay at 
a younger ago than tho Whites, and will lay 
more eggs in a given time, treatment being 
, inquires 
where Fuller’s Teasel—Dipsacus fullonum—eau 
be obtained. 
Ans —E. B. Gregory, Skaneateles, N. Y. 
Communications heckivkd fob the week endino 
Saturday, April, 20th. 
A. D. — B. 8. W— B. P. M. — E. D. O—A. L. J.— 
V. S. 11. — M. E. W. — L. A.R.-VV. H. N. — “ Ida 
AtWOOd”—MISS 8. E. It.—E. M. 8.—A. C.—D. B. B. 
APR3L 27 
equal, although many of the eggs are rather 
small for the market, but if the smallest are 
picked out they make a good marketable size. 
On the other hand, on an average the Whites 
lay the greatest weight of eggs In a given time. 
In wanner localities, say south of Philadelphia, 
the Black Spanish, Minorcas, and Andalusians, 
are the best broods, as they lay very large eggs 
without stint. The Black Hamburgs arc also 
hardy, and lay a fair-sized white egg, but I have 
not known of any kept on a farm in large num¬ 
bers. They rank high as prolific layers, and bear 
confinement in a moderate-sized place, with a 
small grass plot. All tho Hamburgs are very 
handsome aud for u family whero the eggs are 
consumed, nothing can equal them in beauty ; 
but the silver golden breeds lay small eggs, 
yet they arc tho most prolific layers known. 
They will not. stand keeping many together, 
nor close coufhierueut, as they aro of a restless, 
active temperament and pine in confinement. 
Taking these considerations into account, 
tho Leghorns are the farmer’s fowls. They 
willlav as well, if not better, pure bred than 
moused, if the cocks are procured from un- 
i dated stock every year. This must bo done in 
all oast s to promote a full development of eggs, 
but if any cross is made the Light Brahma is 
preferable; some of them will then sit. I should 
have s tiil all the above are non-sitters, except¬ 
ing an occasional hen. aud she will generally 
bo a Brown Leghorn. 
For sitting hens there aro a number of 
varieties to pick from. First as careful mothers 
are the Dorkings. They also keep longer with 
their broods than other hous. The Brahma 
and Cochins aro good sitters but are not 
adapted for small eggs, as they are heavy and 
clumsy. They do well on their own for the 
shells aro thicker. But a cross-bred hon of any 
kind, especially if of part Brahma blood, will 
do to hatch with. 
For the table, Dorkings and Hondans are the 
first both in flavor, heavy moat, and tenderness. 
They have king breasts, and small bone for 
their weight, but I would not. advise any farmer 
to breed thorn puro for early chickens. Cross 
with tho Light Brahma and you have a bird 
that will mature earlior than any pure-bred 
fowl of its weight. They feather quickly, and 
make fine broilers when eight to twelve weeks 
old. Other large breeds are too bony at that 
age. Two cocks, Dorkings or Uoudans, will 
improve the progeny of twonty-fivo hens and 
increase their value as tablo fowls materially. 
Dorkings or Houndans puro are still better 
table birds, but they require more care iu cold 
winter. Iu milder climates they will do well, 
and are good layers. As farmers' fowls in mild 
localities they aro first-rate; the Dorkings doing 
Uu:ir own hatching and being great foragers, 
cost but lit tle to keep on open ground. 
I. have not said much, as may bo noticed, so 
far of tho large breeds, or Asiatics. Kept 
for laying nr killing, bred pure, they cousutne 
too mtioh food for profit, but aro just tho birds 
for a small piano whom fowls must bo kept 
confined. They aro so quiet aud hardy that 
the introduction of the Chinese fowls was the 
greatest acquisition any country ever received 
in the poultry line. They can stand any climate, 
aro content* d anywhere, ir only well fed, and lay 
in winter. For hardiness no other fowl equals 
thorn; that is why they are recommended to 
cross with on a faint. About one-eight Light 
Brahma hlood will make Leghorns hardy, but 
will not improve their laying. If one has a 
proper, warm house for his stock iu winter, 
tins is not a necessity, but if they have to take 
the run of cold out-buildings, a lot to which 
poultry must submit on moat farms, then a 
cross is indispensable iu cold climates. 
In regard to the cost of thoao fowls, it de¬ 
pends much on what a person expects. If 
tho *• Ainoncau (Standard of Excellence" is con¬ 
sulted, birds bred pretty true to the points 
there laid down, are expensive; for but few birds 
of any variety reach near such perfection, nor for 
utility to a farmer are they wanted. Of under¬ 
weight birds, if not stunted by being late 
liaUdiod, Light Mrahmas of six or seven pounds 
are as good as heavier birds or even better. 
All the others above mentioned that are a little 
off feather can be procured at a moderate price, 
flow one to two dollars each, but do not expect 
show birds for the lowest price. 
LIGHT BRAHMAS-AN ERROK CORRECTED. 
In tho Bubal of April 13th, Mr. Hales bases 
sundry arguments, iu regard to Light Brahmas 
being seen m England before they appeared in 
this country, on an allegation,' that “three 
American shipments of fowls all produced Light 
Brahman ! ” I deny that there wore ever imported 
into the United States any flight Brahmas, ex- 
OOpt the one pair bought and bred by Mr. Cham 
bkrlatn, of Hartford, Coun., in 1847; aud I 
hereby agree to pay oue hundred dollars to any 
man who will prove me to be in error. Now, 
Mr. Hai.es, give ns tho proofs that “ three im¬ 
portations of Light Brahmas ” wore made, being 
the original stock in this oountry. Mr. Burn¬ 
ham never adduced any proofs of such importa¬ 
tions, nor has any other man. Ho has said a 
good many IbingB about these fowls that are 
mere bosh, which I have many times shown to 
bo so. Mr. Hai.kh speaks of my asking, why 
tho fowls claimed to have beeu iu England be¬ 
fore any appeared iu this country, (18*16) were 
not exhibited at Fairs. 1 asked no such ques¬ 
tion that referred to that date, lmt I referred to 
1852 and '53 when poultry Bhows were in exis¬ 
tence. T. B. Miner. 
Linden, N. J. 
