bly, size for size, the deepest milkers of the 
lot. They are docile and hardy, eminently 
poor men’s cows, giving milk that is very rich 
in quality, second to none, perhaps, save that 
of the Jerseys, They are now being culti¬ 
vated a good deal, are increasing iu popular¬ 
ity, and are said to auswer well in large herds, 
as practical dairy farmers’ stock, particularly 
in the domain of butter making, for which 
Ireland, as a country, is so exeelleutly adapted. 
t 
(i 
HEADS OR HAMS. 
Ix the Rural, page 199, J. M. Stahl says: 
“Pigs that cannot root are seldom healthy, 
and it is all sheer nonseuse to suppose that 
the rooting propensity is a characteristic of 
any breed.” 
I well remember seeing pictures of the an¬ 
cestral hog. and I have rnauy times seen, in 
the South, his unimproved descendants, which 
were literally compelled to “root bog, or die,” 
anil in these the labor incident to obtaining a 
scanty subsistence bad so developed the root¬ 
ing parts that, were we to lift them by the oars, 
it would be an even chance whether head or 
tail would go down, and the continued exer¬ 
cise of these parts would have continued the 
development of head and snout until, had no 
change been made, the hogs would have been 
all snout 
But a more intelligent and humane system 
of feeding reudered this incessant rooting 
unnecessary, and breeding with a better type 
iu view has so changed the form, that some 
breeds have not now sufficient development of 
nose to root if they were so inclined, and 1 had 
supposed that their natures had also become 
so changed that they could live and be healthy 
on sound food and plenty of good grass. It 
seems'tu mo preferable to restrain by rings, if 
necessary, any hog that shows an inclination 
to root (especially if it is to be used as a 
breeder), than to have the development of 
these undesirable parts stimulated by rootiug. 
I have been a breeder of hogs all my I arming 
life, and now run from 25 to 50 hogs at all 
times in my orchards, mostly Essex and 
Berkshires. All are fed and treated alike, 
aud have the free rim of the orchards, but I 
have yet to see an Essex rooting, or to see one 
with a dirty face, showing it had been iuduig 
iug in this “necessary, healthful exercise; 
while 1 seldom see a Berkshire (and Berkshires 
are much more quiet thausorae) tnat isnot half 
out of sight iu some hole where it is rootiug, 
unless it has a ring iu its nose, and yet I have 
never been able to see any difference in health 
in favor of the rooters. I much prefer grow¬ 
ing hams to snout, aud so prefer the quiet non- 
rooter. “RUSTIC.” 
fan Ccommuj. 
DO WE FEED TOO MUCH GRAIN ? 
ColoNHL, Curtis says so many good things 
and gives so much good advice, that l dislike 
very much to crtieise Ins writings, aud yet in 
the Rural of March 22, on page 181 , he makes 
a statement: so much at variauce with my ob- 
servation, and wnich I think so liable to inis¬ 
le ul yonug feeders, that l cannot let it pass 
unnoticed. He says, “Asa rule when cuttle 
are fed meal to make beef, they are given 
from one-third to one-half too much.” This 
may be true of Saratoga County; but within 
tile circle of my observation, which has by uo 
meaus been limited, either iu this or surround- 
iug States, not oue in ten, the country over, 
feeds anywhere uear enough to secure the 
most profitable results. Feeders have a cer¬ 
tain formula and they feed a certain limited 
quantity, thinking there is no profit iu crowd- 
iu; the animals forward, that a moderate 
amount is better digested and a larger profit 
obtained thuu by the use of larger grain ra¬ 
tions. It may be, aud probably is true, that 
the less grain the animal is fed, the larger the 
comparative proportion of nutrition extracted 
by the animal; but, on the other hand, a cer¬ 
tain amount of food is constantly needed to 
sustain animal existence, in keeping up the 
necessary temperature and repairing muscular 
I'aste; (( wo feed just enough to supply 7 this 
constant drain; to merely keep the machine 
ruuuiug, we have no profit, but absolute loss. 
Suppose we take a steer weighing 1,000 
pounds, and feed him euch day 80 pounds of 
hay; this with plenty of water will sustain the 
wastes, and keep him from falling off in 
weight, but will add nothing to his growth. 
This hay would be worth £10 per ton, and we 
should lose 15 cents each day we kept him. 
Now supposing we add a ration of eight 
pounds of coru-meal at a cost or, say, eight 
cent=»; this would make it cost us 28 ceuts to 
keep the steer, aud he would probably gain 
one pound a day, and this pound costs 23 cents, 
of course; now we add to his feed another 
eight pounds of meal, making his daily food 
cost 81 cents and bis gain two pounds. The 
gain would then cost us 15} £ cents per pound. 
If we add still another eight pouuds, his daily 
cost of keeping would then be 39 cents and his 
increase three pounds, costing only 13 cents 
per pound. 
A few years ago I took a lot of fine steers 
and began feeding corn-meal, gradually in¬ 
creasing the quantity to as much as they 
could perfectly digest. I then added bran to 
their ration, without diminishing the corn- 
meal. This I also increased gradually until 
they were eatiug as much bran in bulk as of 
meal, and with uo indications of overfeeding 
or loss. Keeping the meal and bran ration 
constant, I then began feeding a moderate 
quantity of mangels, and gradually increased, 
until each steer was eating three eights of a 
bushel daily. Next I began increasing the 
meal and bran ration, and found that when 
the animals were eating mangels I could feed 
nearly one-half more than before their use. I 
alsofouud that the higher fed, the more the 
steers gained in proportion, making no allow¬ 
ance for the quantity consumed in mere ex¬ 
istence. 
Every observant feeder, if of only moderate 
experience, can tell at once on entering a 
stable, even though blindfolded, if any of the 
cattle therein are overfed, doubly so when he 
has the use of eyes, nnd nose as well. Over¬ 
feeding will inevitably cause a loosening of 
the bowels, and the voidiugs will have a very 
disagreeable aud sickening odor, unmistake- 
able to tne experienced feeder. So long as an 
animal eats with a relish, and the voidiugs 
look aud smell natural, there need be no fear 
that it is getting too ranch feed. • 
Instead of teaching that, asurule, too much 
food is given, we should urge each feeder to 
experiment and thus ltaru how so to com¬ 
pound rations for each individual case as 
to iuduce the auimals to eat, and the stomach 
to digest the largest possible amount of the 
richest foods in the shortest possible time, and 
the intelligent feeder will seek to learu these 
facts, aud will find the arnouut of his profit 
corresponding to the thoroughness with which 
he has learned his lesson. o. J. c. 
c 
^ i 
au 
CHANGES EFFECTED IN PISTILLATE 
VARIETIES OF STRAWBERRIES BY 
FERTILIZATION. 
In the Rural of January 12, iu the notice 
of the article of Mr. Lovett, copied from au 
agricultural cotemporary, he mentions the 
effect produced on pistillate varieties of 
strawberries by their being fertilized with 
other varieties. Recent observations tend to 
demonstrate the fact that the pollen effects a 
modification in the fruit of the pistillates as 
to shape, size, color, firmness, etc. 
Iu the case of the Crescent fertilized with the 
Wilson, the imparted qualities are produc¬ 
tiveness, firmness aud keeping qualities. 
The consumer must uot be too fastidious 
concerning the eating qualities of the berries 
thus produced. As to flavor aud high quality, 
1 doubt if they could be had. They would 
make first-rate shippers aud that only. 1 
have never seen one resulting from this com 
bination, of good uiarket color. From ex¬ 
periments aud observation I am convinced 
that many of the so-called failures in straw 
berry culture result from the want of proper 
affinities iu the setting of the plants. The 
Manchester will be cither a prize berry or a 
failure, according to the variety of its next- 
door neighbor. Jersey Queen, that much de 
rided berry, is truly a queen if it has a proper 
king; if, however, only a jack is its accom- 
pauiincut, a drone will result. 
In the Rural of last year (p. 494) it is said 
that when the Manchester was fertilized by 
the Wilson, the best of the berries were only 
second-class, aud the majority were poor, as 
poor could be. Others say, the Manchester did 
as well with them as the Bid well, being fully 
equal to it in every respect. Here the magi¬ 
cian was the Bid well. Only yesterday a friend, 
who last Fall asked mo what variety he 
should plant to fertilize the Manchester with, 
said, “You told mo I must experiment, as you 
did not know. I did so. The Manchester 
with the Bid well was equal to the Bid we 11; 
with Miner’s Prolific, it was medium iu quali¬ 
ty; with Wilson it was a failure.” 
At the late meetiug of the American Bo¬ 
rnological Society, the Charles Dowuiug 
seemed to be a favorite as a fertilizer: at least 
several mentioned it, and many others iu re¬ 
calling marked successes with pistillates, 
named this as the male plant. I cannot speak 
of it from personal experience. 
I incline to the opinion that certain her¬ 
maphrodites or “perfecf’-lloweriug varieties 
are also modified by their affinities. With re¬ 
gard to the Sharpless and Glendale, aud Sharp¬ 
less aud FTimo, in each case the Sharpless 
would seem to control, in a marked degree, 
the other two. On the other hand, in case of 
the Sharpless and Cumberland Triumph, the 
Sharpless becomes very soft, partaking in this 
respect of the Cumberland characteristic. I 
1 think the Cumberland will bear close obser¬ 
vation to determine whetherornot it may not 
be a wolf in sheep’s clothing among the ber¬ 
ries in the matter of rendering many varieties 
very soft; hence poor keepers. 
This modification of one berry fertilized 
with the pollen of another, may be the secret 
of such diverse reports concerning many of 
the older aud newer varieties of strawberries. 
Cue will say, “The berry did splendidly and 
was a success.” Another, “It was not worth 
cultivating.” May not the saying that a be¬ 
ing is known by the company he keeps, apply 
to berries as well as men? 
The eyes ot man were made to see with, 
yet the majority of men go through an entire 
lifetime as if they were blind. Horticulture, 
above all other pursuits, needs close observa¬ 
tion and attentive eyes. Its secrets, many of 
them can be seen, if the cultivator is only on 
the lookout. Cause and effect must be studied. 
Here then in this question, we have a broad 
field for experiment. Observe and see what 
company your berries keep. Notice the modi¬ 
fications of character resulting from that 
company. Reason from cause to effect, and 
let the results of your research be known to 
others. Sufficient time has not elapsed from 
the first observations that were made as to the 
seeming modifications of strawberries by the 
pollen of different varieties, to fully demon¬ 
strate the truth of such as a fixed fact, yet 
enough has been seen aud is known to war¬ 
rant closer investigation and observation, in 
order that a determination can sooner be 
reached. j. B Rogers. 
Milburn, N. J. 
SMALL FRUITS IN MISSOURI. 
strawberries. 
Of strawberries 1 have a large number, but 
few uew varieties that are better than, or 
even as good as, the Crescent and Charles 
Downing. 
Manchester is large aud productive but 
does not appear to withstauil our Summer 
heat. 
Mount Vernon and Bid well do not ap¬ 
pear to be as good as some of the older varie¬ 
ties. 
Big Bob is also large and fine, but it is not 
adapted to our hot climate. 
Jersey Queen is large, not bright in ap¬ 
pearance or productive. 
J AMES Vick has not yet fruited, but it looks 
healthy aud thrifty. 
BLACKBERRIES. 
I have but few new' candidates among black¬ 
berries 
Taylor is better than the Suyder, aud 
neither is any better than many of our wild 
sorts. 
Ozark is better and more productive than 
either. 
Stayman's Early is the earliest variety 
that I am acquainted with, and of excellent 
quality aud production. 
raspberries. 
I have a great number of raspberries and 
some are very valuable. GVegg, among the 
Black caps, is the largestaud best late variety. 
Souhkoan is nothing but the Improved 
Doolittle, so far as I can judge. At least it 
is uo earlier or larger; neither is it more pro¬ 
ductive, ami it is ideutienl iu growth, spines, 
and foliage. 
1 yler is n valuable early variety that 
ripens soon after the Thornless. It is all that 
has beeu claimed for it, aud is one of the best. 
Hopkins is u very strong, thorny grower of 
good size and quality, but not as early as the 
Doolittle. 
Duncan or Kentucky is a late variety of 
largo size, but 1 prefer the Gregg. 
Siiaesers Colossal is a very strong 
grower, and the largest of all, but is too dark 
iu color and acid except for canning. 
Black s Early Prolific is the best early 
Black-cap variety that I have seen. It is a 
very strong grower, almost thornless, very 
hardy, and the most productive of all and the 
best i u quality. It is as la rge as the Souhegan, 
and has ripened from three to four days earlier 
when grown by its side. It is considered the 
best on my grounds. 
Crimson Beauty is much the best of the 
red varieties that I have. It is better in qual¬ 
ity thau the Turner, of larger size and more 
productive. 
Superb is too dark iu color aud did not 
prove altogether hardy last Wiuter. It is of 
the Reliance type, but peril* ps of better 
quality. 
Lost Rubies was killed nearly to the 
ground last Winter. It is too acid and not 
productive. 
St. Louis Co., Mo. j. stayman. 
- 144 - 
HARDINESS OF SMALL FRUITS IN 
PROVINCE OF QUEBEC, CANADA. 
Every year the seedsmen and nurserymen 
of our nearest city in this “cold North,” write 
, to the head of this fruit farm something in 
this wise:—“In your large experience, will 
yon kindly inform us what small fruits have 
wintered best with you, so that we can recom 
mend to our customers before purchasing?’ 
It is sometimes difficult to make answer to 
such questions, but we invariably make out a 
list of such varieties as we can mark best; but 
so much depends upon treatment, protection, 
fall cultivation, and many other things, that 
even au opinion, however faithfully given, is 
not always reliable. For instance, this morn¬ 
ing, as the boys raked the loose straw from a 
bed of Sharpies*, we found the plauts weak 
and tender, in comparison with a bed that had 
been subjected to the treatment recommended 
by E. P. Roe. which was, to turn a furrow of 
earth lightly over the plants just before freez¬ 
ing, and rake it off early in Spring. Some 
seasons a certain variety escapes, perhaps the 
next it suffers severely, while we are in the 
dark regarding the cause. Raspberries, as a 
rule, are not so tender with us as in sections 
where there is not so much snow, and grapes 
aud roses, if protected by a board, a stone, or 
any earth to keep the tips down, generally 
come out fresh and strong. 
Many wonder at the hardiness of deutzias 
and the Rhus Cotinus, or Smoke Plant, with 
many others; but I thiDk a good deal is due to 
the natural protection of the snows. The 
Briuckie’s Orange Raspberry, marked tender 
by horticulturists, does not winter-kih m this 
locality. Of the newer kinds of strawberries, 
Manchester and Jersey Queen have come out 
equally fresh: James Vick has not lost a leaf, 
but Big Bob i3 very weak, aud so is Ironclad. 
A city nurseryman sent to know if we could 
let him have a few of the Shirts variety—and 
on going out to the row, not half a dozen 
plauts were left; while on the same ground we 
had Bid well strong and healthy, and Long¬ 
fellow green and flourishing, with the same 
treatment. 
I always feel grateful to the Rural for 
sending me Cumberland Triumph; it is really 
a fine berry, and holds well to the last. My 
plant of Fay's Currant is alive to the tip. I 
wish I had more of them. The little plants of 
the Caroline Raspberry look quite lively and 
the Clarks are, as usual, fresh to the top, 
while Cuthben proves itself quite hardy. 
ANNIE L. JACK. 
EARLY MATURING PLANTS. 
In looking over the advertisements of seeds- 
meu lasc Bpring, I noticed several were sending 
out selected packets of vegetable seeas at great¬ 
ly reduced rates. Most of these seeds were to 
produce mammoth vegetables, and large pre¬ 
miums were to be given for the nest exhibitions 
at county or State fairs. With visions of nice, 
crisp bank-bills for pin moDey. I invested in 
these choice garden seeds. But alas! for my 
bright hopes. A cold, backward Spring, no 
doubt, had much to do with my failures. But 
even those seeds that were well started in the 
house, aud had the very best culture, did not 
mature The fact was, they were not adapted 
to our northern climate with its short summer 
season. 
When we first came to this county, I sent 
to the late Mr. James Vick for garden 
seeds that would come to maturity verv earlv, 
as our growing season was of short duration. 
He kindly made the selection: and asa result, 
we had au abundance of early and late vegeta¬ 
bles for the table during the entire season. 
The lesson learned from the two experiments, 
is to get seed that will have time to grow and 
mature in the section where you live. Then 
if the soil is properly prepared, you will receive 
the reward of your labor, 
I want to say a word in favor of the Ben 
Davis Apple, which does not seem to have 
many friends; and when oue desires an ap¬ 
ple to eat from hand, l must confess it does 
not deserve much credit; but as there is never 
a wilderness without its flowers, uora human 
heart, however bad, without some tender 
spot, so the Beu Davis, with all its flintiness, 
has some good qualities; aud these must be 
pointed out, to tie fully appreciated by the 
great mass of fruit lovers The trees bear 
some fruit every year, which cannot he said 
of the superior varieties, and one cau always 
have sauce, and something for the “inevitable 
pie,'’ if he has a good supply of these apples, 
and they make splendid sweet pickles. 
Manistee Co., Mich. may maple. 
SQUASH BUGS AND CHICKENS. 
I have planted Hubbard Squash seed eleven 
successive years. Seven of the eleven years 
I handpicked, tried Paris-green, and eveery 
