that it has been found effective on the first 
administration in CO per cent of his cases. It 
would be safest to persevere with this for two 
or three flays before resorting to manual oper¬ 
ation. 3, The colt is troubled with rheumatism. 
Give it three drachms daily of hyposulphite of 
soda dissolved in water or mixed with feed, 
and rub the back over the kidneys with spirits 
of turpentine freely for a. few days. 
A USELESS FERTILIZER RECIPE—THORLEY’S 
“CONDITION POWDEP-." 
J. E.S., Wellville, Va asks, 1, whether the 
following would be a complete fertilizer for 
corn on very poor soil—say 500 pounds to the 
acre:— 
No. J. Dry peat, or good, rich soil. .20 bush. 
No. 2. UnVaehed ashes. 3 bush. 
No. 3. Pure dissolved bone.3 bush., or iso its 
No. i. Ground piaster .3 bush., or 180 lbs 
No. 5. Nitrate ol soda. 41) lbs 
No. 6. -Sulphate of soda. 40 lbs 
No. 7. Sulphate of ammonia.. 40 lbs 
No. i. ttround plaster..3 bush., or 180 lbs 
No. 5. Nitrate of soda. 41 lbs 
No. 6. Sulphate of soda. 40 tbs 
No. 7. Sulphate of ammonia.. 40 lbs 
Mix Nos. 1, 2 and .3 well together; dissolve 
Nos. 5, 6 and 7 in five bucketfuls of water, and 
add to the first mixture. When well incor¬ 
porated add No. 4 and mix. Articles 1 and 2 
to be furnished by the buyer. 2. What is a 
good “condition powder” fora horse which 
has a poor appetite. 
Ans. —1. This recipe is an old one of Lie¬ 
big’s, and was patented in the United States 
in 1870, The patent has been recently an¬ 
nulled, and the recipe might equally well be 
annulled with it, as it is an absurd one. There 
is no use in handling 20 bushels of soil any¬ 
how, and if good soil is taken, some place is 
robbed of it. If good, genuine muck could be 
procured, that would be another matter. The 
sulphate of soda is entirely useless. With 
these exceptions the compost (for such it really 
is) would be a very good one. There is no 
need to fuss in dissolving any of the ingre¬ 
dients; thev will dissolve fast enough in the 
heap or in the soil. The great point is to get 
the whole very well and evenly mingled. 
This may be done by spreading them thinly 
on a floor and mixing them well with a shovel. 
If there is no muck, mix the rest dry as soon as 
you are ready to use it and put a handful in a 
hill. 2. The best condition powder, or condi- 
mental food, is Thorley’s. The recipe for this 
is as follows:— 
Powdered turmeric........... 40 
Sulphur. . 40 
Saltpeter. 20 
Powdered licorice . 27 
Ginger... ...... 3 
Aniseed.... 4 
Coriander seed . .. 10 
Powdered gentian. 10 
Cream-of-tartar.... 2 
Carbonate of soda.... C 
Levigated antimony. fi 
Salt. 30 
Powdered Peruvian bark.... . 4 
Fenugreek. 22 
These are intimately mixed and then added to 
900 pounds of corn meal and 900 pounds of 
ground linseed oil-cake meal ; or one handful 
of the mixture may be added to the ordinary 
feed once or twice a day. 
SEEDING TO GRASS—CANCER IN A COW, ETC. 
A. F. B., Ovid, Mich., asks. 1, how much 
unleached wood ashes should bo applied per 
acre, and how to apply them; 2, what should 
be mix with hen manure, and to what crop 
should it be applied to obtain the best resul's; 
3, having cleared a piece of elm and ash 
flats and wishing to seed it to grass 
this Spring, he wishes to learn what mix¬ 
ture of grasses should be sown and how much 
per acre; 4, last Summer one of his milch 
cows in good condition began slobbering and 
dried up four weeks afterwards. The tongue 
swelled until she could not eat, though no sore 
appeared either ou it or in the mouth Finally 
the beast fell away so that he killed her. 
Outwardly the tongue looked clean and 
healthy, but on splitting it open there were 
seen at least 150 sacs of yellow pus. ranging 
from the size of a pea to that of a small hick¬ 
ory nut, and we are asked what ailed her. 
Ans.— 1. As many as you can afford; 100 
bushels per acre would not be too much for 
the land, however the pocket might tempora¬ 
rily suffer. 2. Mix double the quantity of 
plaster. Apply to potatoes or corn. 3. Sow 
six pounds of Timothy, ten pounds of Red 
Top, five pounds of Tall Oat Grass. Make the 
ground fine and mellow and sow without any 
grain. If you want clover, add five pounds of 
seed to the above. When it dies out after the 
second year the Red Top will be filling up the 
ground. 4. The disease was incipient cancer 
of the tongue. After a time these cells reach 
the surface and form ulcers which are incura¬ 
ble except by incision. This case was neces¬ 
sarily fatal, 
PROTECTION AGAINST GRAPE-ROT, ETC. 
O. B. Belleville, Ohio, asks for a preventive 
of grape-rot; what sort of bags to use over 
grapes; where to buy them, and the price; 
2, what is the best fertilizer for grape-vines; 
3, and for strawberries; 4, what for potatoes. 
Ans.—G rape rot is a sporadic disease, origi¬ 
nated by climatic causes. There is no specific 
for it. Among preventive measures may be 
mentioned the free use of sulphur and diluted 
carbolic acid; protection from cold winds by 
evergreens, taking advantage of naturally 
protected locations; tile-draining; bending 
thevines,down; covering them during Winter. 
I Manilla paper bags are useful, but not always 
a successful remedy. Different sizes for dif¬ 
ferent sized clusters are needed, and they 
should be put on early. Get them of the 
nearest grocer, who will give you prices. 2. 
Cow dung. 3. Water, enriched with liquid 
manure. 4. Potash, Turn over an old, rich 
pasture, harrow well, and sprinkle hard-wood 
ashes over just as they come out of the ground; 
give flat culture, and plenty of it. 
FOR FATTENING HOGS. 
C. II. J., Coopersville, N. Y., asks what 
crop can be profitably grown for fattening 
swine, on hills where corn is an uncertain and 
expensive crop for that purpose. 
Ans, —Peas are excellent for fattening 
swine and do well where the season is too 
short or cold for corn. Many farmers sow 
oats, peas and barley mixed for fattening 
pigs. This crop is much more easily grown 
and is more certain than corn. Two bushels 
per acre are required for seeding in such 
proportion as ma3 r be most readily or con¬ 
veniently obtained. The usual proportion is 
one bushel of peas and half a bushel each of 
oats and barley. The grain should be covered 
with a cultivator or drilled in after the land 
is well prepared by thorough harrowing. 
Plaster is an excellent fertilizer and also cheap 
for this crop. If your land is suited for 
potatoes they may also be grown for the pur¬ 
pose desired. When cooked nud mixed with 
corn meal or the above grain ground they 
are excellent for fattening hogs. 
RURAL FREE SEED QUERIES. 
G. E. L., Suffolk Co., L. I., asks, 1, whether 
the prizes given for the best yields of Rural 
corn are for that raised next seasou; 2, how 
close can two varieties of wheat be sown with¬ 
out “mixing,” and whether the Rural 
wheats are to be sown next Fall; 3, how close 
to the old flint corn can the Rural seed corns 
be planted without their “mixing.” 
Ans. —Yes, fur next season. 2, Wheat 
cannot “mix” except by careful crossing by 
hand. Yes, in the Fall unless you prefer this 
Spring. You may compete for premiums 
either way. 3. It would be safe to plant them 
as far apart as you can. They may not ripen 
at the same time. In this case they might he 
planted near each other. Corns ripening at 
the same time may “mix” several miles apart if 
the wind, etc., are favorable at the time of 
flowering. Generally kinds separated by a half 
mile will not “mix.” 
“DRIVEN WELL” CONTESTANTS. 
L. II. M., Lansing, Mich., asks for the 
names of some parties who are now legally 
contesting Green’s “ driven well” patent. 
Ans. —The following attorneys are engaged 
in litigations against this patent, most, if not 
all, of them representing a combination of 
farmers and others unwilling to submit to ex¬ 
tortion,—Calvin E. Keaeh, Lansjngburgh, N. 
Y.; Lake & Harmon, Independence, Iowa.; 
Wilson & Gale, Winona, Minn,; Huron & 
Winter, Fletcher Block, Indianapolis, Ind ; 
George Cochrane, Farmington, N. H.; James 
Buchanan, 140 East State Street, Trenton, N. 
J.; R. A. Stanton, Norwich, N. Y., L. L. 
Bandy, Oneonta, N. Y. ; Ralph Applewhite, 
Brownstown, Ind.; Burrell &. Robinson, Can- 
isteo, N. Y.; Norris, Smith & Erwin, Muske¬ 
gon, Mich.; E. B. Youmans, Elmira, N. Y. 
currants. 
L. M. D. F., Troy, N. Y., asks, 1, whether 
mrrants require cultivating and how to pro¬ 
pagate them from cuttings; 2, the best currant 
’or market, and where to get it. 
Ans. —1. Yes, the soil about currant bushes 
bould be kept clean and friable. Wood ashes, 
)one or farm manures should be applied oc- 
sasionally. For cuttings, select last year’s 
rood—say six inches long—and plant them 
irmly in the soil leaving a bud or so above 
ground. Do this now or as soon as the soil 
will permit, and cover with straw or some¬ 
thing else until the nights grow warmer and 
there is no likelihood of severe frost. 2. Fee 
Fruit Supplement. Send for the nurserymen’s 
catalogues announced in our advertising 
columns. ° 
SOWING PEAS. 
T. A. M., Owensboro, Ky., 'wishing to sow 
10 acres of peas for fattening pigs, asks how 
early in the season can Canada peas be sown 
here without incurring danger from frost. 
Ans.— Peas may be sown as early in the 
Spring as t he ground will admit, without any 
danger from frost. They are one of the hardi- ' 
est crops iu this respect which can be grown. 
They are often planted before the frost is out ' 
of the ground, and do well. When sown late - 
in the seasou they are apt to mildew, and on 
this account generally yield better when sown 1 
early. They will stand a severe frost after t 
they come up—one which would destroy corn. s 
Miscellaneous. a 
“A Subscriber," Michigan, asks whether it d 
would “do” to fill silos with Michigan marsh 
hay on prairie grass; 2, how to send us speoi- e 
men potatoes to be tested at the Rural Farm; o 
3, have we ever raised the Early Rose. ’ tl 
Ans.— Silos are intended for the preserva- 
be out of place in one. We should judge that 
marsh and prairie grass is too coarse and has 
too much woody fiber to be economically 
saved in a silo, by itself. Mixed with more 
nutritious fodder, however, it may make a 
satisfactory ensilage. The process is really so 
“new” .yet, that experiments are the only sure 
test, and we can recall none made either with 
marsh or prairie grass. 2. By mail. Tie the 
parcel and the charge will be for second-class 
matter; otherwise letter postage will be 
charged. The name and address of sender 
may be writti n on the paper. 3. Yes. It is 
not productive and rots at the heart with us. 
M. O. B., Clarksburyh, IF, Va., has a fine 
Hambletonian horse, which is a little “ over” 
in his knees, owing to excitement and fright 
on being shipped from Ky., and our friend 
asks how to treat him, 
Ans. —This contraction of the back tendons 
is a constitutional defect, and not the result of 
excitement. It- may never be remedied, and 
is doubtless inherited. The treatment, how¬ 
ever, is to put on a shoe made very thin at 
the heels, and to pare the heels down well, 
leaving the frog to touch the ground; then ap¬ 
ply a blister to the back part of the leg from 
the knee to the pastern joint, and let the horse 
rest in a loose stall where it can move about at 
will. Afterwards the lower limbs should be 
supported with a laced bandage. 
N. Q. R ,, Gustavos, Ohio ., says that an 
agent thereabouts has been selling Osnge 
Orange hedge plants, and to the objection 
that the roots spread too far he answers that 
if the tops are pruned well back the roots will 
not extend so far as if the plants were allowed 
to grow naturally, and our friend inquires 
whether this is really the case. 
Ans.— There is always such a relation be¬ 
tween the roots and tops of tiny plant that if 
the one is cut back the other suffers. The 
roots of a plant grow in the same proportion 
that there are leaves and branches to support. 
Hence the necessity when a tree is transplant¬ 
ed to cut back the top as the roots are muti¬ 
lated. 
IT. M. IF., Georgetown, Texas, a-fes, 1, what 
kind of onions will do best there for market, 
to raise from seed; 2, where is the best place 
to get good seeds for Texas; 3, will Spring 
wheat raised in the Northern States do well 
there. 
Ans. —1. Red "Wethersfield are as good as 
any. 2. R. Buisfc, Jr., 922 and 934 Market 
Street, Philadelphia, Pa., grows and deals in 
reliable seeds for the South; 3. Northern 
wheats do not differ materially from thevari 
eties grown in the South, and they will do 
fairly in the wheat region of Texas. Nicara¬ 
gua is considered good for the South. 
J. W. B., Allentown, Pa., wishing to graft 
apricots and prunes in March, and having no 
cions, asks, 1, whether he can cut cions from 
both sorts of trees and right awaygraft them; 
2, who keeps an assortment of bee-hives, hnd 
what do we think of the “Simplicity” Hive. 
Ans.—1; Yes, you may cut the cions as 
needed. Nurserymen will supply them also. 
2. A. J. Root, Medina, Ohio; G, M. Doolittle, 
Borodino, N. Y.; C. Dadant, Hamilton, Ill. 
The “Simplicity” is a good hive, made by 
Mr. Root. 
J. J,, Spring Grove, Minn., asks whether we 
know an apple called Hesper Hoss. It is said 
to be transparent, aud one man—a Canadian— 
is reported to have the exclusive right to sell 
it, 
Ans. —"R e do not know any apple of that 
name, nor is there any generally known apple 
called Hesperus or any like name for which 
“ Hesper Hoss”is a mispronunciation. What¬ 
ever the apple may be, the claims said to be 
made for it are certainly false and fraudu 
lent, 
R . E. H., ho address, asks where can pyre- 
thrum powder be obtained, and whether it 
will destroy cabbage worms without being 
dangerous to the human family, 
Ans.—W e shall soon give an illustrated ar¬ 
ticle on this pyrethrum. It may be obtained 
at drug stores. Ask for Persian Insect Pow¬ 
der. Several careful experiments prove it 
will kill the cabbage worm. It is perfectly 
harmless. We expect great things from this 
pyrethrum as soon as it is raised in large 
enough quantities to be sold low. 
TF. E. M., West Springfield, Pa., asks where 
can he get the Rural Dent and Thoroughbred 
Flint Corn in quantity. 
Ans.— You cannot get either until it is of¬ 
fered for sale by seedsmen or others. Our 
friend must see that the Rural’s rule not to 
sell its seeds must be invariable. We have 
answered questions of this sort so often that 
doing it now is a trifle monotonous. 
R. G. B , Baton Rouge, La., asks, 1, where 
can he get White Elephant Potatoes; 2, can he 
obtain seed of the Baggerly’s Prolific Cotton 
through this office. 
Ans.— 1. Examine catalogues noticed in the 
in. 2. No. We sell absolutely nothing ex¬ 
cept the Rural. 
Many Inquiries .—Are the wheats offered in 
the present Rural Seed Distribution Winter 
or Spring wheats ? 
Ans. —Winter wheats. Those who choose 
may try them as Spring wheats; but we do 
not advise it except in Spring-wheat-growing 
sections. 
F. IF., Neenah, TFis., asks whether the Red 
Mediterranean is a hardy wheat. 
Ans. —Our Crop Reports show that Red 
Mediterranean is generally sown as far north 
as Wisconsin. It is as hardy as Clawson. 
.7. S. M ,, Baldwin, III.., asks whether his new¬ 
ly cleared land—hazel and sumac soil—would 
bo suitable for oats and sorghum cane. 
Ans. —Should say yes, without further 
knowledge than the above gives as to kind and 
richness of soil. 
C. K. S. Coal's Grove, Mich., having had no 
good opportunity to plant some of the R,ural 
seeds last year, asks whether they will ger 
minate if put in the ground this year. 
Ans. —Most of them will. But not so well. 
T. F. M., Fredericksburg, Va., asks, 1, which 
is the best churn. 
Ans.—O pinions differ as to which churn is 
the best. We do not wish to act as judge in 
the matter. All the churns advertised in our 
columns are good. 
A. E. S., Clin/ Center, Kansas, asks where 
cuttings of the Russian Mulberry, said to have 
been brought to thiscountry by the Menuonite 
immigrants, can be obtained. 
Ans. —From A. M. Purdy, Palmyra, N. Y. 
L, G. IF., Bear Creek, I Pis., asks where the 
plant Ardisia can be had. 
Ans. —Many of the nurserymen’s catalogues 
announced in our advertising columns men¬ 
tion it. 
M. R. IT., Newcastle, Me., having three Ag- 
apanthus plants at least four years old, that 
have never borne a flower, asks how to treat 
them. 
Ans. —Set them out in the garden as soon as 
the soil is warm. 
C. A. B., Brooklyn, N. B., asks the cause of 
abortion in cows. 
Ans. —See the excellent article under the 
heading “Dairy Cow” elsewhere in this issue. 
IF, J. R, Ashley, Pa., asks how much seed 
of the Rural Branching Sorghum would be 
required for an acre. 
Ans, —One quart is sufficient. 
J. II. R., (Bloomfield). —Clematis catalogues 
will be announced later. Several general cat¬ 
alogues have good lists of clematis. 
Mrs. S. J. It. Abbott .—Grape-vine grafting 
is explained elsewhere iu this issue under 
“ Notes from the Rural Grounds.” 
E. E. IF., Cherokee, Iowa, sends muskmelon 
seeds for name. 
Ans. —Probably it is the Cassaba. 
J. H., Cleveland, Ohio, asks whether the 
bulb of the Madeira Vine is edible. 
Axs.—No, 
tion o, tod*,. - to* marsh Hay would I RhK.h 
Communications Received for ti»k Week Ending 
Saturday, Feb, 23, J8R*. 
H. S.—Dr. fi. li, CV E. E. W.—James Rennie, thanks 
for fieed.—L.Bros—A. E. S.—W. H., thank* for seed.— 
J. B. B., thanks for ct>rn. The wlieul* are for Fall sow 
ini?. But all who choose can try them Tor spring 
wheats and compete for the premiums all the same.— 
\V. K. TL, thanks.—F. V. O,—>1. Mel..—J. T, A —S. 1’ 
Jr.—K. D. M.-W, J. It.—0. B, I,.-L. M. bet,-A. SI. b 
-Its H. B.-M, O. s.-M. R, It.—Mrs. J. It. fj. Tile sup¬ 
plement is merely a part ol' t he Fair Number explain¬ 
ing (lie seed dlslriblilloh. Wc are out Of the Fair Ed¬ 
ition and send the supplement to new subsevi bars.— 
A. H. t*.—T. lb—A. w. L,, thanks for seed —J. 0. ii. 
-D. C. W.-L. W.-F, M.-G. 0.-I,. n, w A . c,_C. 
B. —C', A. P.—H. S.—R. l\ 2., thanks for all works of 
experience.—C>, W. ft—S. B. P., Mich., thanks, —\v. T, 
M.-N It. fi.-P.B. M.-W, F, B.-T. F. M., we shall try 
to answer by mall —T. T. L.—C. C. G., thanks.—J. B. 
—A. L. J.-T. T. L.—G. F. R. L.-R, C.-B. F, L.—J. J 
B.—M. F. C.-R. L -J. B.—M, C. P.—N. Q. R,—Mrs. 
W. S. T, (Ark,), thanks; we hope you will have the 
Doura ground into flour,—W. E. M.—T. L., Guilford; 
should be pleased to hear further of your farm expe’. 
[ Hence*.—S. P. W.-A Subscriber.-C. a 0., thanks. 
-J. P. C.-L. P.-B, F. ll.-S. Ib W.-C. L. & W. P. 
Oo.—J. B. A., (hanks.—,I B. W.—8. A. U.—F. p, n,— 
W F.B.-II. N. S„ Kansas City, thanks; would be 
glad to hear from you as to Kansas agricultural mat- 
ters.-IV. ,T. C.-M. B. P.--A. C -W. B. P.-G R, 
thanks.-S. IT. II, S. ft. M -G. W. R.-W. R. D.-A. 
' ' 1 M • ft Clayton We would gladly answer all of 
your questions m full but this would be a repetition 
of.What It is of t* n been Said before. Wo shall answer as 
best wo- may.-B, J. E.-E. A. n.-jf. s ._j D N 
thanks. We have not yet received the grass seed.- 
James Davis, thanks. It Is as you any. Will attend 
-E. A. F„ the history you ask for l r , merely waiting 
a chrome for publication, F. d. C.—j. L. Warner 
thanks for your good article,—P. S. c.—J A. T [•; — 
Mrs. S. A. M. The supplement is merely a part of the 
Pair Number explaining the Seed Distribution pre¬ 
miums, etc.—Mr. F„ K. Smith. It. A. Johnson and 
‘Union Grower” have our i hanks for culling atten¬ 
tion to the errors respecting the yield per acre and 
the amount of seed to sow —p o E. -T. R. W , p^d, 
twigs not yet received.—A. W. S. - A. B. A. W. C. II. 
Albion, Mleh., yiautss. 'dad to receive more of vour 
experience -W. M -T G. T„ thanks.-E A. H.-H. M. 
1. C. K.—J. H.—W. F. S.—J. E. P.—F. L. B.—E. H. F 
—H. N. M.-M. B.—F. B.-J. D-K. F. D.-M. Ml—A. 
p X.-A. S.-E.IL 
