THE RURAL HEW-YORMER. 
are guilty of, and the attempts to dislodge them j 
often produce such injuries in the affected , 
horBes, that I cannot dismiss the subject without 
a few words. Bots, as found in the stomach, 
are the larval forms of soveral species of gadfly ; \ 
when in largo numbers, and especially when 
hoolted to tho walls of the sensitive part of the 
stomach, or to those of tho intestines, they in¬ 
terfere with the processes of digestion, and in 
that way may be a cause of sudden and fatal 
colics. A very few cases aro recorded by veteri¬ 
narians where one or two of theso parasites had 
perforated the walls of the stomach or bowels 
and were found in the abdominal cavity; but 
Buoh cases are extremely rare, and wocau only 
consider tho many cases given by farmers where 
the stomach was said to be riddled by these 
parasites as errors of observation. Tho great 
majority of colics have no connection direotly or 
indirectly with theso insectB; colic iB usually the 
result of indigestion from other causes, of nerv¬ 
ous cramps, of hard, impacted manure—cousti- 
pation—of congestion or inllammation of the 
bowels, hernia, etc., and must be treated accord¬ 
ing to its nature. The general practico of treat¬ 
ing all forms of colic with agents for the 
destruction of bots, is extremely irrational, and 
causes an immense loss to our farmers each 
year. I have sometimes thought that more 
horses die from such treatment thou from all 
other causes combined. It must bo remembered 
that, in cases of colic, the stomach and bowels 
are either inflamed or rapidly approaching this 
condition, and that we snould be extremely 
careful in our choice of remedies. But so far is 
this principle forgotten that the most irritating 
agents are generally used, and I have known of 
cases where even boiling water was poured down 
an unfortunate animal’s throat in tho hope of 
killing “ bots 1” 
HOLLOW-HORN. 
Turning to cattle, we And here, too, the same 
ignorauee of their diseases and the same blind 
adherence to the traditions of the dark ages. 
With the great mass of our farmers cattlo have 
scarcely more than two diseases—” hollow-horn ” 
and “ wolf-in-the-taii "—opinions too ridiculous 
for notice were it not for their prevalence and 
widespread character. The horns of. cattle are 
formed by tho growth of a bony projection, 
which soon becomes attached to the skull, and 
the transformation of the epidermis ovor the 
protuberance into horn ; they are, therefore, 
composed primarily of four different layors. 
Commencing on. tho outside, there is tho horn 
or epidermis ; then the true or sensitive skin; 
next to this, the periosteum or vascular mem¬ 
brane coveting the bone, and finally the bone 
itself. By pressure between tho horn and bone, 
the true bkin and periosteum bocomo consoli¬ 
dated into a single vascular and sensitive layer; 
and, very early in tho life of the animal, a cavity 
begins to form in the bone of the skull beneath 
the horn, which extends by absorption of the 
bone, reaches the bony support of the horn and 
penetrates this, and oontiuues to enlarge daring 
the life of tho aoimal. In old animals thero is 
only a thin shell of bone with a large cavity in¬ 
side, divided perhaps by a thin, bony partition, 
and lined with an internal periosteum and a deli¬ 
cate mucous membrane. This is tho natural 
condition of tho horn—a provision for lighten¬ 
ing what would otherwise be a heavy and cumb¬ 
rous structure j and so far from being a con¬ 
dition of disease it was designed by a wise Cre¬ 
ator as a benefit to the animal. 
Attention was probably directed to tho horns 
as the seat of disease, beoause in all serious 
troubles thore aro times at which the extremi¬ 
ties—the earB, horns and limbs—are cold, or 
alternately hot aud cold. By boring, they were 
found to be hollow when it was supposed they 
should be solid, and it was, therefore, deoidod at 
once that they were the principal seat of the 
affection. Boring the horns causes intense pain, 
something similar to forcing a gimlet through 
the finger-nail, tho tissues beneath, the bone 
and the flesh beyond it, and continuing till the 
skin is pierced on the opposite side; it oannot 
be defended from any point of view, and it is 
time for suoh treatment to be abolished in civil¬ 
ized and intelligent countries. 
" WOLr-IN-THE-TAIL." 
This trouble usually coexists with the so-called 
hollow-horn, and is equally without foundation 
as a cause of disease. I have space to devote 
but a few words to its consideration. Any one 
examining the tail of a healthy cow will And the 
bones, which are quite largo at tho root of the 
organ, gradually diminish in size till thoy finally 
disappear entirely when their place is supplied 
by a rather soft, flexible gristle. Daring any 
serions internal disease the circulation in the 
tail, as in other extremities, is lessened, and the 
part is consequently rolaxed; there is even at 
times a slight dropsical infiltration which adds to 
the delusion aud makes it no difficult matter for 
one to oouviuco himself that some of the bones 
are really wanting. Their absence is thon ac¬ 
counted for by supposing thorn to have been de¬ 
voured by a hypothetical worm—the “ wolf." 
This worm has never, to my knowledge, been 
discovered by a veterinarian, though it is not 
rare to find “ oow leeches " who claim to have 
removed it. But even admitting the existence 
of such a parasite- which I am far from doing— 
it could not cause the general symptoms which 
are attributed to it; it might produoe a local In¬ 
flammation, of little consequence at the most, as “ 
wo see with the larva* of the oestrus which de- S 
velop along the back of cattle, but no more. 
The fact is, the ailments which I have men- ft 
tioned are imaginary diseases—in the vast ma- 0 
jority of cases they are merely symptoms of the ri 
real disease, but have no connection near or n 
remote with its cause. Tt is time for farmers to tl 
tecosnize the fact that they are generally unable 
to discover the true disease; that they cannot C 
trace its course or its complications ; that it re- a 
quires one with a thorough knowledge of the 
nature and effects of medicine, of the make-up * 
of the aDimal body, and of the use and Dormal o 
activity of every part of it, to be able to treat f 
animals in a proper manner. It is time the use - G 
fulness of a veterinary profession was recog- 1 
nized; that efforts were made to provide com- c 
potent practitioners for evory section, and that r ~ 
these be called npon, as aro human practition- E 
ers, at the first appearance of serious disease. 1 
When these prints are appreciated, we shall see ^ 
such cruel and unreasonable practices gradually 1 
give way—and instead of being killed in an effort 1 
to euro, the natural tendency to recovery will be c 
assisted, and we cannot doubt that millions of 1 
dollars’ worth of property would be saved in our * 
country each year. ' 
fittetrkl Sforieties, ' 
THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIE. 
St. Paul, Aug. 16th, ISIS. 
The approaching exhibition of the Minnesota 
State Agricultural Society will be held at St. Paul 
the first week in September, and bids fair to bo 
one of the largest and beet fairs held in the 
West. The applications for space and kindred 
matters are so groat as to keep Mr. Geo. R. 
Finch, the President, and R. C. Judson, the Sec¬ 
retary of the Society, busy almost day and night. 
fpThe Premiums amount to 89,875 in cash, be¬ 
sides silver plate and medals. Competition is 
open to the world. Tho prospects of a large 
exhibit are promising. Geo. E. Brown of Ill., 
the Holstein breeder, T. L. Miller, of the Bamo 
State, the Hereford breeder, Peter Davy, the 
Galloway breeder, and in fact, breeders of all 
noted stock will bo ably represented, including 
sheep and swine. 
The Purses offered amount to 814,500, which 
will undoubtedly attract a largo number of fast 
horses. Rams and Great Eastern have been en¬ 
gaged to trot during the week. 
Thero is a large colony of English gentlemen 
in that State who have agreed to enliven the ex¬ 
ercises by a series of English sports and games 
that will be exact imitations of the originals 
as seen in England, consisting of hurdle racing, 
fox chasing, steeple chasing, etc. Dr. Carver 
and Captain Bogardus, the greatest riflo and 
wing shots of the world, will display their skill 
during the Fair. A decided novelty will bo Col. 
J. Bisshopp’s stud of Shetland ponies, number¬ 
ing some thirty or forty, which will be exhibited 
aud driven before Rowan Chariots, four abreast, 
while A. H. Mooro, of Dakota, will offer the op¬ 
posite extreme in his traiued Elk, that will be 
speeded before a trotting wagon. He will also 
show how the training of Elk for this purpose is 
accomplished. A patriotic feature will be '* Old 
Abe ” the Wiscouson war eagle. He will be iu 
custody of the veterans of Minnesota. 
A new industry, the manufacture of Minneso¬ 
ta sugar, will be one of the sweetest things on 
tho grounds. The importance of this industry 
has boon suitably recognized by the erection of 
a building, containing machinery, where all may 
see and have explained the entire process, it 
being the desiro of the managers to impress 
farmers practically with its importance. 
The best breed of dogs will be displayed at 
the Bench-Show of the Minnesota Kennel Club, 
which has consented to hold its first exhibition 
on the grounds during the Fair. Tho dogs will 
be under the management of Mr. Chas. F. Lin¬ 
coln, a gentleman well-known throughout the 
land, in connection with such displays. The 
bench-shows will close with a grand field-trial 
the following week. 
Tho legitimate features of the Fair, such as 
grains, vegetables, woods, etc., will be t imple¬ 
mented by a similar exhibit grown upou the 
lines of the different railroads iu the State, 
which will be an instructive showing for those 
contemplating immigration. The Stato Agri¬ 
cultural oollege will have a special display of its 
own. 
Altogether the Fair this year promises to so 
far exceed former exhibitions as to bo note¬ 
worthy iu this respect alono, and the officers of 
tho Society deserve the thanks of the communi¬ 
ty for their untiring efforts to accomplish tho 
result. The customary arrangements with 
transportation companies for reduced fares and 
like details have been completed, and the Min- 
nesotians may congratulate themselves on the 
prospect of a splendid exhibition. i. 
—- 0 « ♦ 
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NEW YORK 
STATE FARMERS’ ALLIANCE. 
The Second Annual Meeting of the New York 
State Farmers' Alliance will be bold at Associa¬ 
tion Hall, in Syracuse, commencing Wednesday, 
September 1, at_11__A : m. Rep o rts from t he 
Special Committees orfTaxation, Transportation 
and Insurance will form an interesting feature 
of the occasion; and these, with discussions on 
recommendations they may offer, and addresses 
and debate upon topics of vital importance to 
the farming class, will make up the programme: 
Any delegate from any Agricultural Society. 
Grange. Farmers' Club or other association of 
agriculturists in the State, is entitled to mem¬ 
bership, on presentation of the proper creden¬ 
tials and payment of one dollar, and every such 
organization may send at least one delegate, or 
f ueb number as shall not exceed three per cent, 
of its own membership. Soveral oounty al¬ 
liances have been organized, and now enjoy full 
or partial representation. Only a few of the 
existing County Agricultural Societies are repre¬ 
sented, and these but partially. But a small 
number of Granges are adequately represented. 
Those who believe id equitable taxation, just 
legislative representation, and equal Btatute 
rights, for farmers not less than for other 
classes of men. are earnestly urged to join in 
this movement, and to take such action as will 
secure to their respective localities full member¬ 
ship in this Alliance. 
The time is ripe for successful opposition 
against monopoly and injustice; and to insure 
reformation of those abuses which tho Alliance 
was organized to correct, we need only make 
prompt, and vigorous unitod effort, after wise 
counsel together. 
A special meeting of the Executive Board will 
be held at the Temperance House, in Syracuse, 
Tuesday, Sept. 3d, at 11 a. m., and the several 
8pecial Committees are requested to be present 
thereat. Harms Lewis, 
A. A. Hopkins, President. 
Secretary. 
-- 
Fairs. —There will be local fairB held under 
the auspices of the “South Kentucky Fair 
Ground Association,” at Glasgow, Ky., October 
lst-4th ; Lamoille Co. Fair Ground Association, 
Morrisville, Vt., Sept. 17th aud 18kh ; the Poult 
ney Industrial Society, Pou’tney, Vt., September 
17th-19tb. 
aoter. In a long-continued hot and wet spell, 
chickens do not find much convenience for dust¬ 
ing. And during such times lice are apt to in¬ 
crease fast. To remedy this, Bee that there is 
, some dry corner, that is kept dry, with plenty of 
dust and sand in it. When the chickens take to 
it, put in some powdered sulphur, which will 
greatly assist in cleansing the birds. 
Supply them with plenty of fresh drinking 
water, under the shade of a tree or something to 
protect it from the sun’s rays. Negtect at 
this season often lays the foundation of disease. 
If birds aro not kept in health and vigor now, 
they will not be worth mnoh when they reach 
maturity; I have always found the success of 
the year greatly to depend on the condition 
of the young flock in August. H- H. 
isrtUatuous 
MODE OF EXTRACTING GAPE WORMS. 
Take a low seat, hold the chick's feet tightly 
between your knees, with its head to your right 
hand; open its month, and with your right 
thumb and finger take hold of its tongue aud 
draw it forward so as to bring the entrance 
to the wind-pipe so Tar forward that you can nee 
the entrance plainly and get at it easily ; pass 
your left hand ou tho off bide of the patient, 
and place your left thumb ou its tongue to keep 
it forward. The back part of tho tongue forms 
a shoulder; placing the thumb ou this ena¬ 
bles the operator to hold il still, with the left 
forefinger under its lower mandible; the unoo- 
oupied lingers of tho left hand can be placed 
behind the bird’s head to prevent its pulling 
back. Have a stiffish feather—a secondary qnill 
of a hen will do for chicks six or eight weeks 
old—regulated aocordiug to the size of the par 
tient, but just stiff enough to prevent itB doub¬ 
ling while it is being inserted. It must be slip¬ 
ped to within one-balf or three-quarters of^au 
inch of its end. To cut off the barbs close to 
the stem with the scissors, is tho best way, as 
the stem often tears through if stripped by 
hand. Wet the tip end aud twist it bo that it 
forms a sharp point, and brush back the remain¬ 
ing barbs so as to form an arrow-head with the 
feathers. 
When the chicken is held as described, you 
can see the wind-pipe opening and shutting ; 
catch the opportunity while the wind-pipe is 
open and run down tho feather as far as it will 
go without too much force, keeping the chick's 
head up and its throat extended up straight, so 
that the feather passes readily down. Make 
suro the feather is in the wind-pipe and not in 
the throat. When quite down commence to 
twist it sharply and draw it up slowly and it 
generally brings the worm or worms the first 
time. 
Sometimes it is necessary to insert the feather 
a second time, but not often, as it disturbs the 
worms, so that tho patient often coughs them 
out. The points to be remembered iu this op¬ 
eration are: the preparation of the feather, the 
size to suit that of tho chick, and the holding of 
the patient’s tongue tightly,with the entrance to 
wind-pipe well forward and its head up, and neck 
up straight, to facilitate the operating of the 
feather. Henry Hales. 
DOG DAYS AND CHICKENS. 
Auocbt is a tryiug month with most stock on 
a farm ; the cows and horses are tormented 
with flies, pigs eanuot keep cool, bnt chickens 
have a hard time in wet showery weather, when 
thoy ofteu get wet. Even though tho water is 
not cold, yet the continual drabbling from wet to 
hot sun, produces disorder? of a malignant ohar- 
WHAT OTHERS SAY. 
The Color or Soil and its Temperature.— 
Professor Wolley has recently undertaken a aeries 
of experiments upon the influence of the color 
of soil upon its temperature, the results of which 
are now published in a German paper and con¬ 
densed by the London Farmer. Earlier investi¬ 
gation on the same point had already shown that 
in cold climates the development of plants 
whose growth requires a high degree of warmth, 
can be considerably encouraged by choosing a 
dark-colored soli, and that, on the other hand, a 
light-colored soil may be advantageously fixed 
on in extremely hot districts. Dard-colored 
Boils not only become warm more quickly than 
those of a lighter hue, but they also appear to 
have the power of retaining the heat acquired 
from the sun for a longer time. Among these 
earlier observations may be noted that of Lam- 
padius, who succeeded iu bringing melons to 
perfection in the cooler months of the summer 
by strewing the soil with an inch-thick layer of 
charcoal powder; [Charcoal powder being one 
of the best of non-conductors of heat, its use 
over the surface of tho ground would retard rath¬ 
er than promote maturity.— Eds,] and those of 
Girardin, who found that potatoes arrived at 
maturity sooner or later according to the darker 
or lighter color of tha soil. In the new experi¬ 
ments of Wolley, coguizance is taken of the im¬ 
portant influence upon temperature of the 
amount of water retained in the soil, and in 
order to exclude errors from this source, ho op¬ 
erated on dry earth. The conclusions he arrived 
at are as follows 1- During the warmer part 
of tho year, dry earth, whose smface is dark- 
colored, is on the average warmer than light- 
colored soil. 2. The daily variations of tem¬ 
perature are greater under dark than under 
light soil. 3. The difference is most marked at 
the time of the daily maximum soil-temperature, 
and least marked at the time of minimum tem¬ 
perature. 4. The 1ob8 of heat at night goes on 
with greater absolute rapidity iu dark-colored 
soil than in light, but tho temperature does not 
sink to a lower point in the former than in the 
latter. 5. The differences of temperature be¬ 
tween dark and light soil become less as tho 
depth under the surface increases, and dis¬ 
appear altogether in the absence of sunshine, 
and at the colder seasons of the year. 
Guinea Fowls aro now being extolled for 
their destructive disposition towards the Colora¬ 
do beetle. G. S. Scoville, of Hadley, N. Y., de¬ 
clares that they eat the Colorado beetles “ as 
fast as other poultry eat corn," and that one 
Guinea hen will protect an acre of potatoes— 
which is giviDg the bird credit for large con¬ 
sumptive powers. These fowls also prey on 
other insect pests, lay more eggs than common 
poultry, and eggs unequaled for cakes, and, 
finally, are valuable as weather indicators, al¬ 
ways setting up a terrible screeching just before 
a storm, and keeping it up until the storm 
bursts upon them. The Germantown Telegraph 
copying the above, adds : “ They are good pro¬ 
tectors against thieves, as they will always give 
the alarm of anyone approaching the premises 
they occupy. But woe to the little chicks they 
may encounter. Carefully guarded against as to 
these, the Guinea fowl, we should say, was val¬ 
uable to the general farmer." 
Cracked clays and good wheat crops are con¬ 
comitants, for the warm air is admitted deeply 
into the deep sub-toil, and evaporation from it 
is permitted, and it is a saving clause, even on 
undrained land. I can plunge my stick a yard 
deep down tho cracks, 1}-.j to 3 inches wide at 
the surface, and they ramify in every direction. 
At the bottom of the cracks the point of the 
stick finds wet uncloven clay, and the wheat 
rootB are there supplying the plant with mois¬ 
ture. The wheat roots descend 4 or 5 feot, as I 
have frequently witnessed.— J. J- Mechi, in sev¬ 
eral English Journals. 
Nitrate ok Soda.— The tnauia for nitrate of 
soda will cause ultimate loss to many a farmer 
who is not aware that he shonld concurrently ap¬ 
ply in the eub-soil plenty of phosphates. Its 
tendency to m?ke crops look green and promis¬ 
ing deludes many a farmer, who thus gets color 
and often mildew, instead of healthy increase, 
i its price will come down as rapidly as it has 
risen.— J. J. Mechi,. 
