Origin of Mineral Constituents of Aerial Plants. 
E. 8. 0., Bergen Co., N. J., says: “In the 
ashes of air plants (Florida Moss, e. g.~) we 
And potash, phosphoric acid, etc. Such con¬ 
stituents of plants cannot come from the at¬ 
mosphere. Where do they come from?" 
ANSWER nr PROFESSOR 8. W. JOHNSON. 
The Florida moss or aerial orchids and other 
parasitic plants derive their phosphoric acid 
and their mineral elements generally from the 
medium in which they are rooted l'bc Florida 
moss I have never had an opportunity to ob¬ 
serve growing, but I suppose it lives upon 
living trees, and if so, probably it feeds, to 
some extent, on their juices. We have in our 
Northern forests a kind of lichen, commonly 
called moss, which grows upon dead piue or 
spruce trees, from whose branches it depends, 
often to the length of a foot or more. All our 
Northern forest trees and our fruit trees as 
well, support upon their old exterior bark, a 
large vegetable population of fungi, lichens and 
mosses. The outer bark of old trees contains 
no little amount of mineral matters, and is, in 
all essentials, a “soil” rich in humus, being 
as dead as the muck of a swamp, and only need¬ 
ing bteady moisture to support vegetation. 
Some of the aerial orchids which grow upon a 
bit of dead wood, would appear to have very 
slender supplies of phosphates, alkalies, etc. 
Such plants aru very succulent and really re¬ 
quire and coutain but a small amount of ash 
elements. It is not unlikely that a part of the 
mineral matters they need, is supplied by soil 
on the wing, i. e. the dust which is stirred up 
by every wind and from which the atmosphere 
near the earth’s surface is never long free. 
[We were not aware that Florida moss was 
attached to the trees upon which it grows.— 
Eds] 
Preserving Timber. 
C. B. S., Lang smile, Ohio, says that he has 
seen a recipe for preventing timber from rot¬ 
ting, which directs that the timber should be 
placed in a pit or vat with quick-lime around 
aud between each layer. Then sullicient 
water should be used to slake the lime. It is 
said that timber so treated will be rendered 
almost indestructible, and our inquirer asks, 
how long should the timber remain in the 
lime; should it be seasoued or not previously ; 
will a seasoned post last longer tUan a green 
one. 
Ans. —The effect of caustic lime (quick-lime) 
upon timber is to coagulate and render insol¬ 
uble in water the albumen of the wood. As 
albumen iB exceedingly ready to ferment and 
decompose, this renders the limber more dur¬ 
able. The practice of using lime as a preserv¬ 
ative of timber, used to be very common among 
ship-owners, who would fill the spaces between 
the inner aud outer skins of the hull of a ship 
with lime, or else seek a cargo of lime for 
every now ship. For fcucing the practice is 
to put the posts iu a pit, iutcrmingled with 
some quick-lime, and when the pit is tilled, to 
apply water to slake the lime. The posts are 
left in the slaked lime for 20 days or thereabouts 
that they may become saturated. The heat 
of the slaking lime will aid iu curing the um¬ 
ber, driving out air and water, which will be 
replaced with lime as cooling occurs. Thus 
green timber may be operated on better than 
seasoued, as the effect will be more thorough. 
A seasoned post unprepared iu any way will 
last much longer than a green one. 
Cutting Potatoea—Exterminating Poultry Lice. 
W. H. if., Irotng, Kans., asks, 1, it potatoes 
should be cut when planted or some time 
before ; 2, are small potatoes as good for seed 
as large ones ; 3, the name of the earliest pota¬ 
to ; 4, the address of the national seed depart¬ 
ment at Washington; 5, some way of ridding 
a hen-house of lice. 
Ans.— 1, Varieties that contain much moist- 
ture should be cut at least a week or so before 
they are planted, 60 that the cut surface may 
dry somewhat; they will then be less liable to 
rot in the ground. It cut immediately before 
plautiug, the pieces should be rolled iu plaster. 
2, No.-3 Alpha is among the earliest, if not the 
earliest potato iu cultivation. 4, lu all mailers 
relative to the Agiicullural Department address 
Gen. W. G. Le Due, Commissioner of Agricul¬ 
ture, Washington, D. C. 5, Remove all the 
beddiug from the ucstB and burn it; put into 
an iron pot, iu the center of the house, a pound 
of brimstone aud with it a lump of iron heated 
red-hot. Close the house us nearly air-tight as 
possible aud leave it so for a couple of hours; 
then open aud ventilate, Dust out the house 
and sweep it thoroughly. Wash every part of 
the house and appurtenances with a solution 
made of a pound of potash dissolved in a quart 
of hot water. Go over everything again with 
kerosene applied with a palm brush whieh 
may be also used lor the preceding operation. 
Put fresh beddiug in the nests, and if any lico 
are on the hens they will soon get off on to the 
warm nests, aud he killed. Too much trouble! 
Well, it is a Lille troublesome; but, then, it’s 
very effectual. 
Remedies fur (spavin and Wind-smoking, 
L. F. 8., Delaware, Ohio, asks, 1, if anything 
can be done to alleviate the lameness caused by 
a very small BpaYW 90 a horse; 2, caq aoy 
thing be done for a young horse just contract¬ 
ing the habit of wind-sucking. 
Ans.— 1. If within reach of a veterinary sur¬ 
geon have him fire and blister the hock joint 
at once; then, after a rest of four to six weeks, 
if the lameness has not disappeared, repeat the 
operation or apply a strong blister (pulo can- 
tbarides, 1 oz.; lard, 6 oz.) well rubbed in, and 
as Boon as the place on which it has been 
applied heals, repeat. A long rest (pasture), 
with a succession of blisters, will relieve the 
lameness. We should prefer the firing and 
blistering at once. 2. Wind-sucking and crib- 
biling go hand-in-liand, and are iuduced by in¬ 
digestion and warn of work. A strap placed 
around the neck tightly will sometimes pre¬ 
vent it; also keep salt in the manger to occupy 
the animal and improve digestion. 
The Bunker Hill Monument. 
E. W. B , Factory Point, Vt., asks when the 
Bunker Hill Mouument was erected, of what 
material is it made and its dimensions. 
Ans.— The corner-stoue of Bunker Hill Mon¬ 
ument was laid by Gen. Lafayette during his 
visit to this country, on June 17th, 1825, the 
50th anniversary of the battle it commemo¬ 
rates; but the structure was not completed 
uutil 1843, and it was dedieated ou June 17th, 
1843. Daniel Webster was the orator both on 
the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone 
and the dedication of the monument. It is an 
Qbel'n-k, built of Quincy granite, and measur¬ 
ing 231 feet in hight, 31 feet squure at the 
base and 15 feet square at the top. Inside of 
the shall is a round, hollow cone, seven feet 
wide at the bottom and tour feet two inches 
wide at the top. It is encircled by a winding 
staircase of 2W stone steps, which leads to a 
chamber immediately under the apex, eleven 
feet in diameter. This chamber has four win¬ 
dows, which afford u wide view of the surround¬ 
ing country, and contaius two cauuons, named 
respectively H.mcock and Adams, which were 
used iu many engagements during the Revolu¬ 
tionary war. The entire cost of the monument 
is something over #150.000. 
Glycerine. 
P. 8. W., Newmarket, Va., wants to know 
what glycerine is made of, and if it is poison¬ 
ous. 
Ans. —Glycerine is a substance produced 
from animal fatiu the process of soap-making. 
It consists of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, 
and is not poisonous. Its soft, agreeable qual¬ 
ities fit it eminently for use in cosmetics aud 
perfumery; it is used in many diseases aud is 
an excellent ingredient in toilet soaps, hair 
tonics, etc. A glycerine ointment of much re- j 
pule for chapped hands is made as follows: 
one-half ounce of spermaceti is melted together 
with a drachm of white wax and two fluid 
ounces of oil of almonds, by a moderate heat. 
The mixture is then poured into a wedgewood 
mortar, then a fluid ounce of glycerine is 
added to it, when it is rubbed till the ingredients 
are thoroughly rn.xcd aud cold. Nitro-glycer- 
ine, a uowtilul explosive, is formed by treat¬ 
ing glycerine with concentrated sulphuric and 
nitric acids. 
Birds and Cherries. 
8. C., West Nor tli tit Id, Mass., in Rural for 
May 1, page 283, asks how to keep birds from 
destroying cherries and other small fruits. 
The best way I have found to do this is 
to plant so many trees as to have plenty of 
fruit foi the birds and myself too. I have only 
a few acres devoted to fruits, but ou them I 
planted, ten years ago, 34 cherry trees of various 
sorts and great quantities of the smaller truits. 
The result has been that ever since the fruits 
began to bear well I have had all I wanted iu 
abundance for my family and friends, and also 
for the birds. I love to see birds on my prem¬ 
ises, and if for nothing else I would plant 
plenty of fruit in order to induce them to come 
and nestle in the trees and shrubbery around 
my cottage. I never permit a gnu to be fired 
ou the premises, and quail are so tame as to 
come often within 20 feet of my dwelling, aud 
run all about the lawn aud in the garden with¬ 
out fear. a. b. a. 
Evorgrceus for Cemeteries. 
E. K., Bath,Pa., asks what ornamental ever¬ 
green trees, that do not grow high or spread 
much, are suitable for planting in a cemetery 
plot. 
Asa.—There are numerous evergreens which 
are suited lor this purpose. Of Arbor-vitas, 
the varieties compacta, maculata aud the 
Golden Oriental are very handsome shrub*. 
Juniper Canadensis pyrauiidalis, and the 
Swedish Juniper will also auswe., and so will 
Golden Yew (Taxus elegautissima), T. Btricta, 
seveial Retinosporaa, the Suu-ray Fine, (Pinus 
Massoniana), if a specimen can be obtained, 
Rhododendrons, hardy Azaleas, and in any 
others. Select from a reliable nurseryman’s 
catalogue in which descriptions are given of 
the different varieties, which will enable you to 
judge of what they are. 
Shoulder Lameness—Stringhalt. 
A. 8. L., New London, O., has a horse stiff 
in the shoulders, aud in warm weather his 
neck gets sore under the pad, but it will heal 
again on the advent of cold weather. On start¬ 
ing with a load, he dives forward and is hard 
to goverc ; 2, he also has a one-year-old colt 
troubled with stringhalt, and he asks for reme¬ 
dies for both ailments. 
Ans.— 1. The horse is of a nervous disposi¬ 
tion and worries while at work, especially 
when starting a load, and requires a steady 
and careful driver to preserve his usefulness. 
Bathe the shoulders with a mixture of tincture 
of arnica and myrrh, equal quantities, nights 
and mornings; also procure a collar that will 
fit his peculiar neck. 2. 8tringhalt is a here¬ 
ditary disease, and is only an illustration of the 
importance of breeding only from sound mares. 
There is no cure for it. 
Speedy Cut. 
W. L. M., Zanesville, Ohio, has a five-year- 
old horse with a good deal of speed in him: but 
when going fast he hits one knee with the op¬ 
posite fore-foot, while at a slower gait he hits 
lower down, and he asks for a remedy. 
Ans. —This sort of interfering is called 
speedy cut, and is seldom, if ever, entirely 
remedied. It may, however, be partly pre¬ 
vented by special attention to shoeing, and 
dealers in saddlery and other horse-furnishing 
goods sell caps or straps, especially intended 
for application on the knee, as well as speedy- 
cut boots, in which there is a pad buckled on 
the inside of the leg. reaching from the knee 
to the fetlock. 
Shrinkage of Corn Ears. 
J. J. S., Mendham, N. j., asks what should 
be the shrinkage in 21 loads of corn ears put 
into the crib in the fall and taken out the fol¬ 
lowing April. 
Ans. —Newly gathered, sound and ripe corn 
will shrink in the crib 25 per cent, in weight 
and 15 per cent, in bulk from November to 
April. Therefore, if 21 loads were put in, 
about 18 should be taken out, or a loss of about 
one-seventh would occur. If the corn is part¬ 
ly unsound, with many nubbins in it, the 
shrinkage will be proportionately greater. 
Miscellaneous. 
J. IF., Westfield , N. Y., has a farrow cow 
seven years old, that two months ago lost her 
appetite for a few days, then got down aud 
could not get up again ior 18 hours. For three 
weekB afterwards she got up occasionally with 
great difficulty, but for the laet five weeks she 
has beeu unable to me at all. She is in good 
store condition with an excellent appetite, but 
appears to be unable to use her hind-quarters, 
and our friend asks what ails her and how to 
treat her. 
Ans. —The cow should be assisted to rise and 
supported for a time, if uuable to stand, by 
means of two strong sacks put under her and 
held by ropes rastened to beams above. What 
the trouble may be precisely is impossible to 
sav without knowing more about the circum¬ 
stances. It is possible and probable that the 
trouble arises from disorder of the spine and 
the nervous system of the loins and hind¬ 
quarters, which center in the lower part of the 
spinal cord. But to indicate any other treat¬ 
ment than to assist the cow as above and feed 
her well, would be somewhat delusive, and 
might be daugerous. 
To mant Inquirers. —The articles on Sor¬ 
ghum, the milk trade, and on the Osage 
Orange were written to answer a number of 
inquiries more fully than the space that can be 
spared to au answer in this department, would 
admit. It frequently happens that when queries 
on any subject accumulate, or come so fast as 
to show a general interest in the snbject, we 
publish au article telling all the truth about it, 
and so answerlug several questions at once. In 
such cases, of course, no special answers are 
needed. By the wav, it’s a good idea for our 
friends to tell us just what they want, for it's 
not at all unlikely they know what this is 
at least a trifle better thau even we do; and we 
wish them to fully understand that the paper ia 
theirs, and that it is our endeavor and ambition 
to make it all every one of them can reasonably 
desire. 
i 
msr i_ _ _ . _[_ 
mn-ic for Scndat HcirnoLS ha? appeared. If wo con¬ 
sider the Hymns, wo fin>l the best and most orleritial 
CATT'iNJ T~A A ~V7"lhouKhtH expres ed la 
V-J \ * v/V 1 pure poetry of good lyri- 
ehftractor. Such phrase* ns •• Pttynw Savior, look 
with bloBP 1 u > r, ,, , Tr , iPt hIni over,.rhe butter veais be- 
icin.” Only a little while." 11 Precious love.” '* Era tha 
*up (roes down," “The Eden hill* ” aud - A home, weary 
pilgrim;’’taken al- Q* f'l T T /~\? \ r c-i t 
most at random ‘ ’ v.' I V M / 1 
from its pages. Indicate it* tendernn** and beauty. 
Thereare 125 songs; nil Rood one*. Win rtj Robfs will be 
mulled to any addi " ~ 
Abbey and M. J. 
In ** for Scots, (stamps.) By A. J. 
Monger. Price suets,, or $3 per doz. 
TEMPERANCE JEWELS. (IVcts., or $3.B0 per dozen.) 
TEMPERANCE LIGHT. (12cts„ or $10 per hundred.) 
These are extra Rood Temperance Sonar Rook®, differ¬ 
ing in price and size, but not in quality Temper. 
Jewelsie by J. II. Ten neu and R-n. E. .4 Huffman, vad 
TemperanceLiahtisby Geo, C. UuouBXi&M.E. Servos*. 
THE .SunOS’ NATIONAL SCHOOL FOR 
THE HEED ORGAN. By W. F. Budds. (.‘81.50.) 
Mr. S. ia well-known a* one of our best composers 
for the Pianforte His new School contains a great 
deal of fine mui-ic. and a pood Instructive course, and 
has the recommendation of a moderate price. 
OLIVER DITSON A CO„ Boston. 
C. II. Dltaoo A r«„ J. E. Olson A Co.. 
SIS Broadway, New York. . 1228 Chestnut St.. Pbila. 
. A CJACrilFlC^NT CIFT t W 0 
vhisoud t tie Fireside at Home (» 
‘ mauitnolhSpittle40.colimii> IMuatrurert Liter- 
I nry iia'l Family Journal, proof .V. 1'. ledger, 
filled with charming stories, Skewin'.*, Poems, I'.iofril Knowledge, 
tie., rural!) ou trial three months tur only |5 c--nts. 
u:ul to each subscriber we will give, free, aoopy of our ocw .\r,d 
ungbtflMBt Art Portfolio, entitled, AC) A bllm of Ar¬ 
tistic Gems,” containing *lx exquisite .nine engraving? 
of American ami foreign scenery, pli aamg home entgcct*. cu 
bound in hxii'l.om* covers, the whulo forming one of the mo t 
rosgniliceat adornment* for the parlor mine that could hr devised. 
This valuable premium 1 j an Absolute Free Cift. to 
Induce all to trv Th* Fiucmo* »v Ifim* for three mooihi. Kc- 
lAciuber, only 1 S cents fur A three months' auhrcripcion to 
the paper aud the premium free I Jhe " Album of Gem«” aloao 
is worth three times the price. Postage stamps taken. Foursab- 
acrfptlons and four premiums for 50 cents, or 8 for 61.00, Address, 
F. M. HiFTO.N, Publisher. 27 Park Place, Now York. 
plants, &r. 
BFDBV f’1?Anni?0 it Baskets. In use 10 yr’s 
DEjltlil LJtiiil JCiij Best and Cheapest made 
Send for Free Circular. 
N. 1). BATTERSON, Buffalo, N. Y. 
CUTHBERT ESS 
Green plants of this year’s growth now 
ready. Packed without, charge at 50 cents per 
doz ; $3.00 per 100; $20.00 per 1.000 Plants 
set within the next six weeks will make fine 
bearing canes by fall. I have already set two 
acres and have scarcely lost a plant. Careful 
directions given to all applicants. 
Address. 
Y. 
Cornwall-on-Hudson 
J 
THE DINGEE & CONARD CO’S 
BEAUTIFUL EVER-BLOOMING 
THE BEST IN THE WORLD. 
Our Great Specialty is growing and distributing 
these Beautiful Roses. We. deliver Strong Pot 
Plants, suitable for immediate bloom, safety by mail 
at all post-offices, S Splendid Varieties, your 
choice, all labeled, for Sl» I'd for S3; 19 for ST* 
26 for 31? 3"» for SO; 75 for ®IO* 100 for $13. 
flS-Seiid fur our New Guide to Rose Culture — 
6b pages, elegantly illustrated— and choose from orf-r 
Five Hundred Finest Sorts. Address 
TIIE DINGEE <fc CONARD CO., 
Rose Growers, West Grove, Chester Co., P* 
_ PiiSfcUattgoRg. _ 
WANT ED. 
Young Men and J.adies to learn Telegrarhy. Good 
situations guaranteed. Address with vtimp 
J. A. SHERIDAN, Supt., Oberlin, Ohio. 
PIANOS m ORGANS 
PIANO** 3150 TO S400 (with Stool, Cover and 
Book)—All strictly Firnr-eln** nnd sold at Whole¬ 
sale factory prices. These Pianos nude one of the 
finest display* at the Centennial Exhibition, and were 
unanimously rocoiwueinled for the Highest Uonokw. 
The square Grands oontuiu Mathushek’s new patent 
COAJ4UN10ATION8 RKC8IVKD FOR THE WKXX RNDINO 
Satukoay, May 16th. 
I. S.M.flE. S.—C. D. S.-E. A. C.—G. P.—S. W. 
H.-L. U. D—A. C. P.-E. E. L.-W. W. C.—L. F. 
N.-M. F. C.-A. A. C.-F. C. L.-L. B.-C. C, M.- 
J. M. L.—G. N.—H. L. P.—W. L„ thanks.—L. D. L. 
B. B.—8. T.—S. P. D., thanks.—C. D, B.—M. G.— 
L. P.—D, D. C.-C. G.-L. H.-T. W. L.-J. B. H.— 
J. B.—E. 8.—J. 8. M.-J. W.—N. P. R.-D. B.-S. 
W. J.—J. B.B.—M.fl. H.-K. W. S.—C. 1). 8.—S. 
D. R.—A, B. A.-F. H. M.-E. D. R.-F. H. 8.—C 
J. K , thanks.—O. K,—R. 3.—E. G.—E. P.—A. P 
—J. L. 8.—C. W.—L. 8. S.—M. J. C—G. M. M.- 
8. E.—W.-J. C. Con.—A. L. J.—W. A. H.—D. C 
C. —I. O.—F. D. C.—E. P.-C. W. B.—L. E. 8. 
thanks.-E. A. 8.—Y. H—C. C. D.-Yes.—L. F. P. 
G.—W. D. C. M.—F. A. W.—NO.—C. D. 8.—G. M. 
D. I. C. 8. I. S.-W. D. A.—T. U. I—P. E. E —C. 
W. L.—F. T.—L. L. M.—Yes.—B. L. C.—P. L. W.— 
C. D. 8—L. C—8. R. W.—C. L. P.—H. L.-C. M. 
M. —C. C. P.—U. P.—W. F.—J P. T.—J. U.—V. L., 
thanks.—C. P. R.—L. N.—W. C. T.—W. M., 
thanks.—L. P. M.—C. P. L.—N. P.—J. C. L.—W. 
L. F.—C. T. W.—L. C.—L. L. G.—M. M. C.-L. G. 
p._R. B. W.—G. B. L.—.S’ W— C. C.—D.L. L.— 
T. E. J.—W. E. S.—G. B. B.—R. A.N.—II. J. 8. 
i J UB1LEE ORGAN*, the best m *he world- An 
* stop organ only igiki: 13 stops. « 9 l-with all iho latest 
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effects anri perfect *t>vp action. Solid Walnut ernes of 
beautiful dnaitni and eWant finish. Circular free. All 
Pianos andors-aiui sent ou is rtuy* u*d tml—/retgJU 
free if unsatisfactory. Don’t fall townie ua betore 
buying. P.»Atively we offer lUe beat barpm* lac. 
torv nml Wnreronms, 57th St. and 1 Oth Aye. 
SHEET MUSIC »t S price. Catalogue of 3,uOU choice 
pieces sent for Sc. stump. Address. 
MENDELSSOHN PIANO CO„ Box 205S N. Y. 
,, Gold, Crystal Lace, Perfumed & Chromo Cards 
Li name in Gold and Jet, 10c. 
CLINTON & BRO , ClintonviUe, Ct 
52 
THE AMERICAN FRUIT DRIER. 
“Address, 
Practical 1 
PorlabV I 
Correct Pi ia- 
rip]or. Corn, t> 
ly Applied, il¬ 
lustrated Cata¬ 
logue Fiviri-r 
much valuable 
information 
mailed fre*. 
America n Fruit Drier <’o., 
Chambersbuxir, Pa., U. 6. A. 
