FES. 26 
pasture. The heads of sheep dying fro m 
the disease should be burned — not thrown 
away. 
Wool Waste. 
O. W. F., Blakeslone, Mass., asks how to 
make manure from the waste of woolen mills, 
which he can have for drawing It two miles. 
Ans.— These area very valuable fertilizer. 
Wool contains 17 per cent, of nitrogen or 340 
pounds in a ton; nitrogen is valued at 25 cents 
a pound when iu a condition to be made im¬ 
mediately available. Woolen waste decomposes 
slowly, and while it is not of immediate use, 
and therefore not so valuable as a material 
containing active forms of nitrogen, yet it is 
permanent and of lasting value. If the nitro¬ 
gen in it is worth half as much as that in 
guano, the waste should be worth about $40 a 
tou, at which price it is often sold for a fertil¬ 
izer. English farmers buy it for $25 to $50 a 
ton. The samples sent are numbered in about 
their relative value. If mixed together, they 
are a very good sample of the waste of a fac¬ 
tory in which shoddy and Inferior wool are 
used, aud which consists of short fibers, of 
wool with some dire and other foreign matter. 
This waste is specially valuable for hops, and 
is forked in about the roots; it is usually 
spread upon grass lands before they are broken 
up for corn or wheat, and is plowed in with 
alight furrow This is the beat manner of 
using it, as it is in no way improved by la¬ 
borious inelhods of composting. It is equally 
valuable in whichever way it is got into the 
soil, the only thing to consider being to get it 
mixed as evenly and as near the surface as 
possible, and yet have it covered. 
gait. 
C. W. W., Lowville, N. Y., wants to know 
how our saiLs are made, and what is the differ¬ 
ence between common salt and ‘‘factory filled;” 
2, is lime used in the manufacture, and 3, are 
not, Ashton aud Higgin’s salts imported ? 
I. Salt is principally made from brine pumped 
from wells which are sunk to the natural salt 
deposits, and this brine is evaporated in pans. 
The .difference in quality is largely due to the 
purity and freedom from deleterious matter of 
the briuu ; also, to the method of manufacture 
and the care taken during the process. The 
term "factory filled” was one adopted many 
years siuce in eontra-distinotioti to the term 
‘‘Liverpool grouud,” which was the common¬ 
est grade of salt made, and which was usually 
shipped in bulk. Tbe term is now applied 
more or less indiscriminately to most of the 
brands of Euglish salt. 2, We are not aware 
that lime is used in the manufacture of salt, 
but all brines contain more or lees lime, and it 
is a fault with American brines that they con¬ 
tain a large percentage. 3, Ashton’s aud Hig¬ 
gin’s brands are both imported; tbe latter is 
made by a new process for which the Euglish 
Government has granted a pateut, and this, it 
is claimed, is as great au improvement in the 
manufacture of salt as the Bessemer process is 
in that of steel. We are informed that the 
importations of this brand nave increased in 
four years from six thousand to over ninety 
thousand sacks per annum. 
Dairy Cows and Sheep. 
E. H. G., Watertown, Mioh., has had some 
experience with blooded stock, but has gen¬ 
erally bought iu a high and sold in a low mar¬ 
ket, and he asks whether sheep aud dairy cows 
go well together—he has some $25 Merino 
sheep 
Ans. —Dairy cows and sheep go very well 
together, as sheep can go on the pasture and 
eat off what cows reject. But it will not pay 
to keep $25 sheep for wool or mutton when a 
common native ewe will bring as good a lauib 
aud at least half as good a ileeee, at a cost of 
$3 or $4. We have this opinion of blood stock, 
(bat it will not pay the ordinary farmer to 
keep them if he has to purchase at a high 
price. Let the breeders breed them and let 
farmers cross tbem on their best native stock 
by buyiug good bulls and so raise grades of 
gradually improving character. The ambition 
to possess some costly cattle bas frequently 
injured aud sometimes ruined farmers, wbo 
cauuot make money out of $200 cows or $25 
flheep, or $50 pigs which will rarely be more 
productive than half-bred animals which will 
not cost more tbau a fourth of these values 
We consider dairying as the most eertaiu and 
substantial branch of agriculture, and ii is 
certainly the least exhaustive of the soil. If 
there iB one farmer better off than another 
to-day, it is the dairyman who keeps good na¬ 
tive or grade cows and feeds them well. 
Malignant Anthrax or Black I.eg. 
J. J. li., Pulaski, 0., asks for a preventive 
aud remedy for a disease that is playing sad 
havoc with cattle in that neighborhood, aud 
wh eh he describes. 
Ans. —This is evidently “ Malignant Anthrax" 
and the disease runs such a rapid course that 
there is little lime for remedial measures be¬ 
fore death takes place; therefore at once en¬ 
deavor to secure the balance of the herd from 
this disorder. Give to each one of the herd a 
good purge, from one-half to one pound of 
Epsom suits according to age of annual, fol- 
THE RURAL 
HEW-Y01 
R 
low with two-drachm doses of chlorate of 
potassa or saturated solutiou of quitiia, or 
common salt or small doses of turpentine 
twice a day (dose dessert-spoonful mixed with 
white of egg or linseed oil). If possible re¬ 
move the animals to auotbor location aud 
change their manner of feed ; quality and quan¬ 
tity must be good and generous. Drain lands 
and disinfect barns and sheds. Bury all animals 
that die of the disease, as it is highly contag¬ 
ious, and be careful in handling the carcasses, 
as human beiDgs are liable to contract the 
malady if infected by the poisonous prin¬ 
ciple through wounds in the hands or per¬ 
son. 
Oolted Wool. 
L. L. L., Northeast, Pa., asks the cause of 
wool cotting in a sheep’s back, 
Ans. —Cotted or felly wool is caused by low 
condition of the sheep; by a natural deficiency 
of yolk aud exposure to wet, or by a constitu¬ 
tional defect, Under 6ome circumstances it is 
the nature of wool to felt and mat together. 
These are, moisture, warmth, pressure aud the 
presence of alkaliue grease (soap) in the wool. 
When a sheep is exposed to rain and the lleece 
is soaked, the yolk (which is a trno soap con¬ 
sisting of potash aud oil) is dissolved, aud 
when the sheep lies down the wool is warmed 
and pressed together. The result is precisely 
the same as when a felt-hat maker takes a 
handful of wool, dips it iu hot. soapy’ water, 
and presses it with his roller. The fibers of 
wool being armed with interlocking scales, 
these become entangled and the wool is matted 
together—the matting being assisted by shrink¬ 
age. Some sheep inhei’it the fault, and a thor¬ 
ough wetting of the fieece is followed by 
sbiinking and cotting. Others are deficient 
'in yolk for want of good feeding, aud the wool, 
being insufficiently lubricated with this oil or 
grease, is felted when the lleece is soaked with 
water. 
Egyptian, or Rice Corn. 
A. A. 8., Macon City, Mo., asks where Egyp¬ 
tian or Rice Corn can be bad ; be has seen it 
recommended as better than corn. 
Ans.— It is advertised in our columns and 
several of the seed catalogues noticed iu our 
columns of late. We have raised thisaud other 
varieties of sorghum vulgare. valued either for 
grain or for fodder. Its value as a grain is not 
fully determined, though in nutritive qualities 
it is thought to be inferior to corn. There is one 
variety that throws up 8 or 10 stalks from a 
single seed, tal. ing so firm a hold of the soil 
that it is seldom lodged by high winds. This 
proved with us lust summer onu of the most 
valuable fodder plants we have ever raised. 
The seeds were marked " Doura,” though we 
find that other seeds, so called, throw up but a 
single stalk, and are valuable for grain chiefly. 
We should have added this to our Free Seed 
Distribution had we oeen able to procure *eds 
known to be the tillering sort in sufficient 
quantity for that purpose. 
Flax Culture. 
J. li., Outagamie Go., Win,, asks for informa¬ 
tion about flax culture. 
Ans.— Flax requires good soil. Moist, rich 
meadow land newly plowed, or new prairie 
land is excellent for this crop. A bushel and a 
half of seed per acre is sown, and the treat¬ 
ment is much the same ns for oats or any other 
small-grain crop. Tixin seeding encourages 
branching ancl the formation of seed stalks, 
although the best fiber is produced from a 
thickly grown crop cut before the 6eed is ma¬ 
ture. Wlieu both seed aud finer are required, 
moderately thin seeding is practiced. The 
yield common in the Western States is 12 bush¬ 
els of seed and one ton of straw per acre, al¬ 
though a good crop should produce 25 bushels 
of seed per acre. Flax leaves the ground iu a 
good condition for wheat, as it shades aud 
mellows the soil as much us bubk wheat or peas. 
Cow-peas Again, 
<?. 8., Spring Lake, Mirk., asks where can 
Cow-peas be obtained by the bushel, aud 
whether they arc likely to thrive in that lati¬ 
tude. 
Ans.— We beg again to call attention to our 
notices of catalogues in late and future num¬ 
bers of the Rural New-Yorker. Most of 
them will be forwarded to subscribers without 
charge. Some of our acquaintance and ex¬ 
changes state that the Rural, Lu its advocacy 
of a trial of the Cow-pea, is but bringing up 
an old failure to be again tried aud to be again 
proven a failure. This may be. it will be 
tried in a small way during next season by not 
lees than 10,000 farmers of the North, aud their 
reports will determine, as It has never been 
determined before, whether the Cow-pea for 
certain purposes is of any value or uot. 
Pluming Duurn, etc. 
D. T. K., Lebanon, Va ., asks, 1, for the best 
cheap feed cutter; 2, how to plant Doura. 
Ans.—1 , There are mauy excellent feed cut¬ 
ters, the relative merits of which we do not feel 
at liberty to pronounce upon. Ou r inquirer bad 
best write for catalogues and circulars of those 
advertising incur columns aid judge fo; aim- 
self. 2, As to Doura, we last 6easou, prepared 
ur laud as for corn, marking off the rows four 
o 
feet apart, and dropping one seed every six 
inches in the row Then at the first hoeing, 
hoe out the plants so as to leave them 18 inches 
apart. This is for the Douia that sends up an 
average of eight stalks. For the drooping 
kinds that have but one stalk leave six iuehes. 
Miscellaneous. 
E. L., Fall Creek, Wis.. aBks, i, how long 
can a ram be used ou the same flock of sheep 
without producing any ill effects on the off¬ 
spring; 3, is there any benefit in grinding the 
cob of com with the grain as cattle feed; 3, is 
the Big Giant corn mill a good machine ; 4, 
would walnut trees planted among fruit trees 
keep insects away, as he has seen stated in 
some papere. 
Ans. —1, Although in the hands of skillful 
and experienced breeders, good results have 
attended in-and-in breeding, yet general ex¬ 
perience shows that while to breed a ram to 
his own lambs may be permitted, to breed to 
the second generation of offsprings should be 
avoided. To change the ram the second year 
would be to act ou the side of safety, and ex¬ 
cept iu rare instances, and for the attainment 
of definite results, this should be tbe limit of 
close breeding. 2, The results of some recent ex¬ 
periments in this connection are fully set forth 
by Prof. E. W. Stewart in Rural, for Feb. 7, 
and epitomized in notice of the I-X-L. mill in 
Rural of last week, and to these we must refer 
our inquirer. 3, Yes. 4, If such were the case 
the entomologists and pomologistsof the world 
would long ago have found it out and been 
saved a world of trouble. 
O. 8. if., Burdett, N. Y., asks, 1, what tbe 
difference is between potash and pearlash; 2, 
where can these products be bought at the 
prices quoted in N. Y. market reports, and 
which is cheapest to put around trees—potash 
or pearlash ; 3, what are Mapes's fertilizers, 
and where can they be had; 4, the address 
of a reliable dealer in commercial fertilizers 
nearest to his place. 
Ans. —1. Pearlash is the name given to pot¬ 
ash after it has been heated in a reverberating 
furnance. It contains more carbonate of pot¬ 
assium, and less sulphur and other impurities 
than potash. 3. Of wholsale druggists. Pot¬ 
ash will be the cheaper. 3. They are what 
arc called “special” fertilizers, containing all 
the ingredients of plant food needed by the 
crops they are made for, and which are usu¬ 
ally not supplied in sufficient abundance by tbe 
soil. They can be had from the manufacturers, 
158 FrxAst-gtrcet, this city. 4. Crocker Jc Co. 
Buffalo. N. Y., are as near as any. 
W. S. M., Bentlerville, Pa., asks informa¬ 
tion about late kinds of potatoes and especial¬ 
ly about certain named varieties, such as the 
Dunmore, etc. 
Ans. —The Dunmore is a fine potato. Send 
for J. J. H. Gregory’s Catalogue (Marblehead, 
Mass.) Send for Bliss’s Potato Catalogue (B. K. 
Bliss & Sons. 34 Barclay St., N. Y.) Look over 
the Potato Number of the Rural N ew-Youker. 
The catalogues in general noticed every week 
in our columns will best, answer such ques¬ 
tions. Indeed, there is scarcely a point rela¬ 
tive to potatoes and their cultivation that has 
not beep treated in the Rural Nkw-Yoreler 
for 1879. 
C. H. E., Montgomery, Mich., asks whether 
the Dhoura or Chinese Corn referred to in a 
work he has, is the same as the Doura spokeu 
of in the Rural ; 3, if so, should he get the 
White Dhoura or China corn. 
Ans.—W e cannot say, not having tried and 
but Jittle trust can be put in variety names. 
Our seed was presented to us by R H. Allen 
<fc Co., (box 378. New York City) as Douraand 
it was from this seed that an average of eight 
or nine stalks grew. It is the only variety of 
Sorghum vulgare that we deem of much value 
as a fodder plant. The others are valuable 
chiefly for their grain, 
J. F. A., Saline, Mich., asks. 1, which are the 
best varieties of beets and turnips; 2, is there 
a potato superior to the Early Rose that is as 
early ; 3, which are the best three varieties of 
potatoes; 4, is this a good time to trim apple 
trees. 
Ans. —1, We have found the Beauty of He¬ 
bron as good iu quality as the Early Rose and 
far more prolific. This has been the ver¬ 
dict of a majority of the thousands to whom 
we sent the potato last year. Whether it will 
prove of more value to you can be ascertained 
only by trial. 3, Early Ohio, Alpha, Early 
Snowflake. 4, Yes, this is a good season of the 
year for pruning fruit trees. 
G. A. C., Queens Co., L. I., sends a little 
bulb which formed ou the stem of a Lily in 
her greenhouse, and asks whether such bulbs 
will produce plants like the parent, and what 
causes them to form on the stem. 
Ans. —These are really axillary buds which 
finally drop off and, it covered by soil, grow 
aud propagate the variety or species. Bud 
variations are not. uncommon, but generally 
variations occur through seminal or seed re¬ 
production. 
li. A. W., Gennesee, N. Y., (see page 91, Ru¬ 
ral) can procure the Ouondaga Grape of 
Smiths A Powell, Syracuse, N. Y. It originated 
at Fayetteville, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and is 
described as amber-colored, of good Bize, thick 
skin, very sweet and fine, the flavor resemb¬ 
ling both Delaware and Diana of which it is 
probably a cross. Personally, I have no know¬ 
ledge of the value of this grape. It is probably 
worth a trial. n. k. 
P. M. L., Laceymlle, Pa, asks whether hen 
manure and ashes would be as good for pota¬ 
toes as for corn, and how much should be ap¬ 
plied to each hill. 
Ans. —Hen manure and ashes are good for 
any crop. About half a gill will be enough for 
each lull. Should be mixed with the surface 
soil and not put together until just before or 
at the time of application, as otherwise the 
contact with the ashes would set free much of 
the ammonia in the hen manure. 
W. S. P-, Adams Station, N. Y., asks, 1, what 
kind of artificial manure is best for Raspber¬ 
ries, anc! 2. which is the cheaper—artificial or 
stable manure, the latter costing one dollar a 
load and then to be drawn live miles. 
Ans,— 1, Bone flour and sulphate of potash 
are good. 2. Good stable manure is cheap at 
that price, and if it can be drawn at a time 
when the team would otherwise be idle and 
over a passable road, we should consider stable 
manure the cheaper of the two. 
V B., Phillipsburg, Kan., asks 1, whether 
beech nuts should be frozen to produce germi¬ 
nation ; 3, where can he procure the Tulip 
tree. 
Ans. —1. Freezing seeds never increases their 
germinative powers. The most important con¬ 
sideration is to keep them moist—not wet— 
aud thus prevent their becoming dry and hard. 
2. Tulip trees can be procured of any nursery¬ 
man. 
C. C., Damascus, Pa., bought two trees of 
Panlownia imperialis a few years ago with the 
assurance that they were hardy; they were, 
however, winter-killed, and he now asks if it 
is worth while to try it again. 
Ans. —Our friend’s own experience ought to 
enable him to judge. Paulo wuia cannot bear 
hard frosts, and except in very mild winters, 
will winler-kili in the above latitude if not pro¬ 
tected. 
A Subscriber asks, what is the difference be¬ 
tween white aud bronze turkeys. 
Ans. —There is no recorded difference be¬ 
tween white aud bronze turkeys except in 
color. Some assert that white are more deli¬ 
cate, but experience does not prove it to be so. 
0. E. T., Chicago, says that she has used a 
linseed oil barrel for a window garden for two 
winters and failed each time, while with the 
same kind of soil used in jars, she succeeded 
and she asks whether the fault is in the bar¬ 
rel, aud if there is a remedy. 
Ans.— iVe have no experience as to this. 
A Deader, Monroeville, N. Y., having plenty 
water convenient, wishes to try irrigation and 
asks for the experience, as to the best way of 
distributing the water, of any Rural reader 
who has practiced the plan. 
A. J. P., Johnston. N. Y., asks when is the 
best time to trim a hedge of the Norway 
Spruce. 
Ans. —About the beginning of August. Trim 
off about three-fourths of last season’s growth. 
Simply disbudding in September or pinching 
back the spring growth are good plans. 
.4. Z. B., Guilford, Kan., asks for the .best 
way of starting red cedar seed. 
Ans.— Sow in a seed-bed in the fall. 
See advertising columns. —W. H. W. for hand 
seed drill; R. H. and others for fetilizers ; W. 
N. C. for Doura. 
L. & W., Marianna, Ark., see Farm Econo¬ 
my. 
Communications rrcrtved for the week ending 
Saturday, feb. 14th. 
J. R.—W. P.—J. E. J.—F. E.—V. B.—A. A. S.— 
B. F. T.—A. L. J.—E. B., rather too personal.— 
H. L. W., will be used with Illustrations.—H. S.— 
C. V. R.—II, G. L. D.—E. A. C.—I. P. K.—D. W. C. 
—T. F. M.—J. S. H—G. IS. M-—G. E. 1'.—A. J. P. 
O. S. B — A. B. R.—C. R.—E.M. I>.—n. B.—S. E. 
w., please repeat queries.—M. C. D.—n. L. \V.— 
E. B.—G. C. B.—A. L. R.—“ Subscriber.”—M. C.H. 
—L. L. L.—B. F. T.—S. C. S.—W. K. £.—A. B. A. 
—G. H. O.—F. E.—J. E. J.-J B. L.—W. S. P.— 
C. O—G. W. S.—G. C. B.—M. J. McM.—W. H. C. 
J. H. A.—G. W. P—G. K.—S. R. S.-J. S. G.—P. 
M. L —8. O.—M. A. H. B.—M. P. B.—A. B — F. 
P. H.—L. N. O.—A. H. W.—W. 8. M.-J. 8.—A. 
A. A. Y.—H. F. S,—V. B.—P. M. A., thanks.—J. 
H. D. G.—J. L. G.—O. E. B.—A. B.—A. 8.—F. B. 
C.—A. H. G.—N. C. H. E. L —J. B. C.—E. L. C.~ 
<?. H. F.—L. L. A.—G. C. H.—A. S.—W. H. V.— 
H.—D. S. H.—M. G.—T. S. A.—A. L. ,T —G. A. G. 
Jr..—G. S.—E. A. II.—C. K.—M. B. McL,—W. H. 
N. —A. B. A.—E. R. F.—F. 8. II.—A. G. W.—G. F. 
N., we do not publish articles that are sent to 
other papers.—F. K. M., thanks —H. c. B.—R. R. 
—A.. E. B —W. S M.—8. R. P — O. M .8 —C. E.F.— 
J, J. R.—A. E.S.—T. D. 11.—O. M.—M. D.—W. I. C. 
—N.M. C.—J. V. S,—A. ». D.—.J. N.—B. C.—1. IT. 
—W. H. A.—8. B. V.-N. C. G—E. A. G.—R. A. G. 
—J. H. D. G.-S. O.—X. M. C.—IT B —A. D„ It 13 
hardly suitable for our columns.—A. E.S—A. Ii. 
—T. C. D.—W. L. D., thanks—0. E.—F. D. C.—J. 
B. —H.—S. R. s„ thanks—M. O., better luck next 
time—J. E. S.—J. 0. E,—E. A. G.—8. B. A,— 
