JAN IB 
THE RURAL HEW-YORKER. 
38 
24 hours, or not until the second or third day. 
It is advisable to give first 10 grains and then 
only five grains for each additional dose as the 
drug is diuretic; and its effect may be too 
strong if repeated in the full dose. It would 
be unnecessary and not advisable to give it 
to a cow that is in calf. It has a similar effect 
upon all kinds of animals, but five grains are a 
full dose for a mare, Your cattlehave probably 
formed a habit which has becomes econd na¬ 
ture and maybe hard to overcome. 
12X cents per bushel, or superphosphate at 
$35 per ton? No outlay for hauling. 
Ans. —These two cannot be compared, kav- 
iug no similar qualities; nor can one be used 
as a substitute for the other. Ashes are very 
cheap at the price mentioned, unless there is 
a large quantity of lime mixed with them. 
Superphosphate, if a good article, is worth $35 
a ton. 
Miscellaneous. 
T. R. //., Monrovia, hid. —1. How can I 
prevent mice from girdling my young apple- 
trees? 2. vVhen ought peach-trees to be 
pruned? 3. Why did my vegetable oyster 
plants all run to -eedf The seed was grown in 
1882, but the roots are small, spindling and 
worthless. 
Ans. —i. For this purpose we have used the 
following mixture with satisfactory results, 
and Downing in the Fruits and Fruit Trees of 
America says that it is an effectual preven¬ 
tive. Take one spadeful of hot slaked lime, 
one of clean cow dung, some soot and one 
haudful of flowers of sulphur; mix the whole 
together with the addition of enough water to 
bring it to theconsisteuey of thick paint; with 
the compound paint the trunks of the trees 
high enough to be beyond the reach of the 
mice, choosing a dry day to apply the mix¬ 
ture. 2. In February, or as early in the sea- 
sou as possible, be careful to cut off all shoots 
close above a wood bud, and not a blossom 
bud. 8. We suppose the plants must have 
been severely checked during their season of 
growth by drought or something else: after a 
time growtli commenced again, and in conse¬ 
quence the plants went to seed just as they 
would have done had it been Spring, and they 
had had a Winter’s rest Our correspondent 
may feel assured that the quality of the seed 
had nothing to do with this singular and an¬ 
noying occurrence, and that it is not very 
likely to occur very soon again. 
U A Subscriber "Watlacetown, Va. —1. Where 
can the machinery for making starch from 
potatoes be obtained? Would potato-starch 
making be profitable when potatoes cost $1 
per bushel? How many pounds of starch can 
be made from a bushel of potatoes, and what 
is the price of starch per pound wholesale? 
2. A large bony knot was developed on the in¬ 
side of one of my mare’s hind legs last Hum¬ 
mer. Is it a spavin, and how should it be 
treated? 
Ans. —1. Starch-making is not very profit¬ 
able just now, as starch is lower than usual, 
selling at three cents or less per pound. The 
machinery is very simple, and can be easily 
made by a mill-wright. It is not made for 
sale. It consists chiefly of wooden vats, 
spouts, pipes and pumps, with a brick drying 
chamber provided with wire-gauze shelves for 
the wet starch to dry ou. A bushel of pota¬ 
toes makes from eight to fifteen pounds of 
starch, depending upon the quality and the 
skill of the maker. Some potatoes are not 
good for starch, as those which are wet and 
soggy. 2. The lump is a spavin. Blistering 
and rest are the only palliatives. It cannot 
be removed, as it is an enlargement of the 
bone. 
“ Juvenia," May mile. Mo.— 1. Two of my 
cows got into a field of corn and ate too much. 
Sick next day. Symptoms: Stiff in hind legs, 
pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, shivering. Fortu¬ 
nately, they got over it. What ought I to 
have done for them? If impaction had taken 
place, what? 2. Please describe operation of 
drenching a cow. 
Ans. —1. You should liuve kept the cows out 
of the coi n-field An ounce of prevention is 
worth 2.000 pounds of cure in such a case. 
Sheep are uot so subject to impaction of the 
stomach as coys, and do uot bloat so easily. 
The best remedy iu such a case is to give a 
strong purgative and injections of warm wa¬ 
ter. For a sheep two ounces of linseed oil or 
of Epsom salts dissolved iu warm water may 
be given and plenty of warm drink, with half 
u teaspoonful of carbouate of ammonia dis. 
solved in it. If bloating occurs dangerously, 
puncture the stomach through the leftside, 
hulf way betweeu the last rib and the hip 
bone and let the gas escape. Bee wlmt Henry 
Stewart says ou this subject, under “ Veteri¬ 
narian,” iu this issue. 2, To drench a cow, 
give the liquid medicine from a horn or 
long-necked bottle, holding up the heud anti 
pouring the liquid in the side of the mouth, 
D. J. V. Caledonia. .V. V.—1. 1 have 300 
bushels of White Elephant Potatoes, for which 
I wish to realize the highest price; would 
the Rural advise advertising them ? 2. What 
are they worth ? 3. Wlmt is the usual size of 
barrels? 4 What kind of packing is used ? 
5. Who pays freightager 0. Would advertis¬ 
ing be too expensive ! 7. T have several hun¬ 
dred Shaffer Colossal Raspberry plants: 
will their tips which were turned down last 
Fall lie sufficiently rooted to ship next Spring? 
8. Is moss from the woods used for packing ? 
Ans. —1. It is very doubtful if advertising 
will pay you this year. 2. Potatoes of all 
It would not mature seed with you. 3. See 
“Western Stock Notes,” by Jonathan Periam, 
in last issue. 
O. F. D.. Sarnia, Ont. —What is a good 
poultry book; also poultry journal 
Ans. —Lewis's Practical Poultry book, $1 50; 
Wright’s Practical Poultry Keeper, $2.00. 
The Poultry World, Hartford, Conn., price $1 
per year. The books may be obtained from 
the American News Company, New York 
City. 
C. K., Marshall Co., Kansas. —What is a 
good sign that a mare is in foal ? 
Ans.—T he absence of the usual periodical 
excitement is a negative sign; a more conclu¬ 
sive and positive sign is the enlargement 
of the udder, which usually takes place in the 
second month of pregnancy. 
E. R. P., Smithville, Pa.— Does it injure an 
orchard to trim it on leap year ?” 
Ans.— Certainly not, unless you t rim too 
close. Be careful, however; it injures the 
orchard to trim it too close on “leap year” as 
much as on any other year. 
F. E. S.. Hudson Center, N. H. —What re¬ 
liable firm in New York City buys raw furs 
effid skins? 
Ans —Gunther & Co., Broadway and Fifth 
Avenue, and John B. Chemidlin, 53 Mercer 
Street. 
J. B. Franklin, Pa. —How did people learn 
to milk cows ? What was the name of the 
first person who did it ? 
Ans.—T he old saying tells us that it is easy 
to ask questions which it is difficult to answer. 
barrel you like. 4, None. 5. According to 
contract, 6. Yes. 7. Probably. 8. Often¬ 
times. 
-•1. AT., Aladison, D. T. —Which of the trees 
and shrubs mentioned in the Rural’s selec¬ 
tion can bo recommended to propagate from 
seeds in this locality ? 
Ans.— Lilacs, deutzias, mock-orange, wei- 
gelas (?), Japan quinces, Callicarpa Ameri¬ 
cana, Spiraea grandiflora, and most of the spi¬ 
nes, Kolreuteria pauicuiata, horse chestnuts, 
maples, Tulip-tree (Liriodendron tnlipifera), 
Magnolias acuminata and glauca, Yellow- 
wood (Cladrastis tinctorial, Halesia tetrep- 
tera (Silver-bell), Liquidambar, honeysuckles 
of the standard class. Some of the above will 
not prove hardy; but it might be well to tru 
all. 
E. L. D., West Andover, Ohio.—I, How can 
I get rid of white grubs in my market garden? 
2. Where can I get sweet potato seed ? 
Ays. 1, Ibis is the plan we have pursued, 
having been troubled in the same way: Dig or 
plow (accordiug to area) up the land late in 
the Fall just before freezing weather. Sow at 
the rate of 500 pounds of potash fertilizer 
(kainit, potato fertilizer, or unleacbed wood 
ashes) and at the rate of nine bushels of salt 
per acre. Prepare in the Spring for crops as 
usual. 2. Probably of D. M. Ferry & Co., 
Detroit. Mich. All leading Eastern seedsmen 
keep them. Most florists keep the plants. 
H. B. S., Roekport, Ohio,— When and how 
should the hickory be grafted ? 
Ans. —It is not customary to graft this tree 
If one wishes to graft, it should be done in the 
Spring. Use thrifty stocks of last year's 
growth. There are various modes of glift¬ 
ing; but tbe main principle is to bring the 
uewly cut surface of the cion and stock to¬ 
gether, so that the fresh bark and young wood 
of each are in close contact: the wound should 
be covered with some plastic substance that 
will hold the parts together and exclude the 
air. 
B *4. C., La Conner, Washington Ter .—1. 
How would it do to harrow Spring grain af¬ 
ter it is up ? 2. What is Millo Maize: would 
it mature here ? 3. Which is the most profit¬ 
able breed of sheep for wool and mutton ? 
Ans.— 1. Wc have never tried it. The practice 
does not grow more popular. 2. It is said to 
be similar to the Rural Branching Sorghum. 
CORN QUERIES. 
IF. S. IF,, Greensbury, hul. —1. Iu culti¬ 
vating corn shallow and level, where the soil 
is very foul, how are the weeds got rid of in 
the row if rhe corn is drilled, and iu the hills, 
if it is planted iu checks? 2. What kiud of 
cultivator is the be6t to cultivate level? 3. 
Should seed corn be left on the cob till wanted? 
4. Does very cold weather injure seed corn if 
the seed is dry? 
Ans. —1. By hoeing or hand pulling. This 
is the only way. But our drills are very 
straight, so that we ruu quite close to tbe 
plauts. 2, We have a cultivator with two 
horizontal blades,the eudsof which come within 
a foot of each other. Iu front of these is a 
tooth or blade something in the shape of a 
flattened double share, which cultivates the 
foot of space not cultivated by the horizontal 
blades. It is a clumsy affair, but answers bet¬ 
ter than any other implement we know of. 
Next to this, we prefer the sulky spring-tooth 
harrow, as our laud is sandy. We takeout 
two teeth an 1 straddle the rows. 3. Leave it 
on the cob by all means. We bring our choice 
seed com in a warm room, and leave it there 
on the cob until seeding time. 4. It is said 
not; perhaps it is trite enough. Still we pre¬ 
fer to keep our seed corn warm. 
SPREADING MANURE—EARLY LAMBS. 
“A ReaderCohocton, X. T. —1. Which is the 
better plan, to spread manure from the wag¬ 
on as it is hauled out, or to pile itmhea(>s and 
spread it as it is turned under? 2. Is it a good 
plan to haul manure iu Winter and spread it 
on potato ground, where it is wanted? 3. 
What is the best kind of food for ewes with 
lamb? Is December too early for lambs? 
Ans.— 1. Manure should uot be left in heaps 
on a field. It is a great waste, as the ground 
gets too much under the heap and the rest is 
robbed. It is better to spread the manure as 
it is drawn, and from the sled and wagon. 
There is no loss of ammonia, as the ammonia 
is formed very slowly as the manure decays, 
and the soil aksorbs it as fast as it is evolved. 
This applies only to level ground; on hill-sides 
manure should he spread only as fast as it can 
be plowed iu, lest it might be washed aud 
wasted liy a raiu or by melting snow. 2. Yes; 
subject to the above restrictions. 3. Oats and 
a little corn are the best feed for ewes. D*»- 
cember is too early for lambs. March is a 
good time, when early lambs are sold for mar¬ 
ket purposes. May is the best time other wise. 
USE OF PLASTER AND LIME. 
I). J. i>\, Hurborton , N. J. —1. Is it well to 
use land plaster iu the barnyard to rot the 
manure? 2 Wheu Mapes's manures are used 
ou crops, is it good policy to use lime also; the 
lime costing 10 cents per bushel? 
Ans. —1. Plaster 1ms no effect whatever iu 
rotting mamire. it is best applied direct to the 
laud iu tbe Spring. It is usefully spread in 
the stable as a deodorizer, as it absorbs the 
amiuouia which is so prevalent in stables, and 
purifies tue air. 2. Lime is one of tbe necessary 
fertilizers If it is used just before or at the 
same time with superphosphate, it has an in¬ 
jurious effect upon it; but when used ufter it, 
no injurious results occur. Lime is rather 
dear at the price meutmued, but it may be 
used profitably even at that price, if it is used 
carefully aud not over-slaked. It should be 
made is flue as possible and used quite dry; 
very little moisture is required to dry slake it, 
aud too much injures it. 
QUINCE CULTURE. 
IF. A? Mali., Ellisville, HI.— What is the 
best method of culture for the quiuce? I have 
been advised to dig around and salt the tree's 
every Spring. 
Ans. —It would be best for you to propagate 
by bending branches down in the Spring 
under the soil, leaving a few buds out. Such 
layers will usually root by Fall, \. hen they 
may he cut from the main stem, and be trans¬ 
planted. If plants are purchased from nur¬ 
series, transplant iu the Spring. The quince 
needs a deep, rich soil, ami it should bo well 
prepared. An application of manure should 
be given every two years. Cutout all suckers 
aud confine the tree to one stem. Plant them 
10 to 12 feet apart The Orange aud Rea's 
Mammoth are the best varieties. We have 
never had any positive proof that salt bene¬ 
fits the quiuce. 
ASHES AND SUPERPHOSPHATE. 
/.. R„ Oenessee Co., N, Y .—Which is the 
more profitable ashes from a lime kiln at 
Communications Received for the week ending 
Saturday, Jan. 12. 
E, S for prize no l.—More are competing for No. 
l than for any of the others. -••Amateur" for prize V. 
—A J. C.—J. E. S.—N. J. S. fur prize n.-.T, H.-D. J. 
C. t. D. M L, I. I .—A. L. L.—J. K—C. H. Garber, 
thanks—H. E. E. R.—E. A E . thanks—A. L. L — W. 
E. D.- W. A. E., thanks-C- W. S -T. S. S. for prizes 1 
IX St L—G. A. B. for prize VIII—Jt. L. H. tor prlzeV.— 
G. H. H. —G. R.—B. J. B.—E. L. B. for prize I—D. R.— 
H. D.—T. R. *V.—W. J. W„ for prize L—D. H.—G. E. M.— 
Orville Tot man. thanks for corn—J. H. for prizes_ 
f-s.M.—'T. M. A.—J. J.—S. P„ for prizes—J. B. C.—F E. 
F. —C. D.. thanks—L E. G.—E. J. C,—K R. G., thanks.— 
D. A. K.—A. W. thanks—W F. B.—K. A. E.— J. P. S.— 
E. L. D.—L.—L. 8. H.—8. S. E.—O. B., for prizes—J. H. 
M . ans. by mail—S. M. T.—A. L. C.—F. >1, S.—B —J. H.— 
S. F. M.—IV. G, P. V. S.-P. C.-L. S. E. ( for prize VII. 
-S. 0,-C. J. M.-C. E. F.-A. D. P —F. P.-J. C. B., for 
prize V.-A. E. W.-N. J.-T- B.-H. C, B.-A. R. C.-B- 
F. J.—H. S.—T. E. K.—J. S. C.—A. F., for prizes I., V. 
VIII., X.—I. P. R.—SI. B. H.—Miss A. S., for prize n. — 
G. N. S.-H. SleL.-H. S.—L. S. H.-S. T. P.-J. M. R.- 
W. W.—B. S.—C. H.-D. M. 
iTm.s;, and plants 
About the middle of January our NEW DESCRIPTIVE-PRICED 
FLOWER and 
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J. M. TH0RBURN & CO., 
IS Jolin Street 
embraces every desirable Novel tv of the season, as well as all standard kinds. A special feature 
for 1£B4 Is, that you can for C select Seeds or Plants to that value from their 
Catalogue, and have included, without charge, a copy of Peter Henderson's New 
Book, “tinrdcu ami Farm Topics,” a work of 250 pages, handsomely bound in cloth, 
and containing a steel portrait of the author. The price of the book alone is $1.20. Catalogue 
of “livery thing lor the Darden,” giving details, free ou application. 
PETER HENDERSON & CO • 35 & 37 Cortlandt St., New York. 
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H ARDENERS’ C OMPANION 
PRIC'U lO CENTS. The most complete and brilliantly embellished Seed Catalogue ever 
mibllshed. CoetiUK fifteen route. The article on Market Gardening under Glass Is worth 
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we mail a copy, and ou orders for Seed will give credit for that amount. Address 
LANDRETH & SONS, Seed Growers, Lock Box,Phila.Pa. 
FOR ALL CLLHATES, ALL SOILS, ALL CROPS. 
siHTts seeds' HIRAM SIBLEY & CO. Rochester,N.Y 
