1884 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
push, the laterals that have pushed from the 
upright or maiu canes, should be cut back 
to about one foot in length. They will push a 
new growth from each bud and bear a cluster 
of berries on the end of each. 
MILK KKVJCR IN* SOWS. 
W. II. ./., Edgewood, Pit. —A Berkshire sow 
that had pigs a few days ago, after one or two 
days, refused food and was highly feverish, 
while her breath was bad, and there was much 
inflammation in the udders, in which the milk 
dried up. Another, that has just farrowed, 
seems to lie similarly affected. She is mopish, 
and her eyes are blood-shot. 
Ans.—T he disease is milk fever, or puerper¬ 
al inflammation. It is probably due to a 
too high condition, or it may be that the sow 
was overfed. The treatment of all animals 
previous to parturition, should be very careful 
in regard to feeding. To reduce the food after 
the birth of the young, is too late, because the 
mischief has been done by the previous feed¬ 
ing. No grain food should be given for some 
days before this event, so as to get the system 
into a cool, open state, and so avoid the natu¬ 
ral tendency to inflammatory action. It is 
always safo to giveu moderate dose of physic, 
as two ounces of raw linseed oil, or two ounces 
of Epsom salts, in a bran slop when the ani¬ 
mal is in good condition, anil more especially 
with any of the pure breeds, which are more 
subject to these constitutional disturbances. 
A dose of salts should have been given to the 
sow Immediately on the appearance of fever. 
But prevention is always better than cure, and 
to prevent trouble, feed very lightly, giving 
bran slops and no meal of any kind, with clo¬ 
ver, corn fodder, grass, potatoes or turnips in 
moderate quautity, for some days before the 
time of parturition. 
STRAWBERRY QUERIES. 
./. II. L., Paunier City. Neb. —1. How can I 
raise good potted strawberries? 2. Where, 
when, and by whom was the Gipsey Straw¬ 
berry originated? 3. How should 1 treat one- 
month old strawberry plants, so that they will 
bear next year? 4. Other things being equal, 
which will yield the greatest quantity of 
strawberries—an acre planted three feet by 
one foot apart with the runners cutoff; or 
the same area planted in the usual way and 
allowed to mat in the row? 
Ans.— l. Sink two-inch flowerpots in thesoil 
at proper places so that the rims will be a lit¬ 
tle below the surface. Affix the nodes lust 
commencing to emit roots in the pots tilled 
with soil, and hold them in place with small 
stones or clods of earth. In 10 days, or two 
weeks, unless the ground should be dry, the 
pots will be found tilled with roots, when the 
plants should be removed from them, and 
planted where they are to fruit. 2. The GIp- 
sey Strawberry was originated by E. W. Du¬ 
rand, Irvington, N. J. We have not the date 
of its origin, 3. Keep the seedlings in a green 
house, or, if you have none, in n sheltered and 
partially shaded place in pots, aud water them 
every day until they have made several loaves. 
Then transplant to well prepared and highly 
fertilized soil. They require careful treat¬ 
ment in order to get fruit the first year. 4. 
If the vines are grown in matted rows, they 
will yield far more fruit, but it will not be so 
large and showy. 
ALUMINUM. 
H. G. G., Vanceburg, Lewis Co,, N. V.—I. 
What is the metal aluminum? 2. Where and 
how is it obtaiued? 8. What is the price, aud 
where can I got a small quautity? 
A N8,—1. Aluminum is a metal never found 
native, but it is one of the most abundant of 
all minerals, as it forms a part of 11)5 different 
compounds, among which are many of the 
precious stones, as ruby, sapphire, corundum, 
turquoise, and topaz. It is mostly found in 
clay, being the base of clay. The alum of com¬ 
merce is composed of potash, aluminum, and 
sulphuric acid. It is only within a few years 
that it has been known as a simple metal, and 
at present It is too expensive for common use. 
It is a bluish-white metal, without odor or 
taste, and nearly as malleable as gold and sil¬ 
ver. It is mixed with silver—one-third silver 
and two-thirds aluminum—aud this alloy is 
harder than silver, aud is used for forks, 
spoons, and tea service. It is mixed with cop¬ 
per—10 parts of aluminum to 90 Of copper—and 
forms aluminum bronze, from which bogus 
jewelry uud watch cases are made. 2. The 
process is too long to be described here; but it 
is obtained from several of the bases, and may 
be obtained from any of them. 3. It is worth 
$1.25 per ounce, aud ean be obtained from C. 
Platt, 4 Liberty Place, New York City. 
MARL AND LIME. 
E. B., Inland, Ohio. —1. What is the value 
of a marl as a 1'erlilizer on clay lauds, also on 
light sandy land; both to be used for wheat 
this Fall? An analysis of the marl shows, 
carbonate of lime 72 87 per cent.; phosphoric 
acid .4 per cent.; silica .35 percent.; oxide 
of iron .83 per cent.; organic matter 6.54 per 
cent. 2. How would ground limestone do on 
fight sandy land? 3. Is it better to sow clover - 
seed this Fall or next Spring? 4. Has H. M. 
Jaques the pure Cross-bred Diehl-Mediterra¬ 
nean Wheat, and is he responsible? 
Ans. —This marl should be valuable on any 
soil needing lime. It would also contuin about 
eight ]K>unds of phosphoric acid in a ton. It 
is at least worth trying in a small way—say a 
few loads—putting it here and there, leaving 
some places without any. If worth applying, 
its effects should appear quite plainly. 
2. Ground limestone would be uo better than, 
if as good as the marl; at least it would not be 
nearly as effective as burned lime. It might 
pay, however, if the soil was very deficient in 
lime. 3. It is much safer and better to sow 
clover in the Spring, as soon as the prospect 
is good for it to germinate, 4. Yes. He is 
also “ responsible.” 
LIVER AND LUNO PARASITES IN SnEKP. 
G. C., Prairie Center, III.— 1. About a 
month ago, a swelling, half as large as her 
head, appeared under the jaw of a two-year- 
old ewe, and her milk at once ceased, aud she 
began to fall off in flesh. The swelling has 
now gone down, but she is as thin as she can 
be, while there is a running at the nose, 
tinged now and then with blood; what, ails 
her? 2. Will it do any harm to cross a {Shrop¬ 
shire buck once on his own lambs? 
Ans. —1. The ewe is suffering from parasites 
in the liver or lungs, aud possibly both. These 
impoverish the blood and produce the dropsi¬ 
cal condition complained of. The remedy is 
to give turpentine in tablespoonful doses one 
hour before feeding in the morning. The tur¬ 
pentine may be mixed with hulf a teacupful of 
cow’s milk, and a tablespoonful of molasses, 
or with the molasses alone, and given daily for 
10 days. After that, give a teaspoon fill of 
salt daily. A regular supply of salt is one of 
the best preservatives against these parasites. 
2. It will do no harm to cross the ram (a male 
sheep is a ram, a buck is a male deer) on his 
own ewe lambs once, or even tho second gene¬ 
ration, if it is a good one. 
SHIPPING STRAWBERRY PLANTS, ETC. 
D. J. Caddress mislaid —1. How should 
strawberry plants he paekod for shipping 
2,000 miles? 2 Is oiled paper used for wrap- 
piiigtliem? 3. How are plants packed for mail¬ 
ing? 4. To whom can I apply for a correct 
description of South-eastern Kansas? 
Ans. —1. To ship such a long distance, get 
a box ns large as desirable, and about 15 
inches deep; place It on end or side with the 
cover removed. Having put the plants 
straight In bundles of 20, tied very loosely, 
lay them in the box in layers, putting some 
damp moss all about and among the roots. 
Have the roots all towards tho bottom of the 
box, and pack in tin's way until the box is 
tilled. Next place it right side up, aud nail 
a few strips about two inches apart across the 
top. 2. Oiled paper is seldom used except in 
shipping by ma il. 3. Put some fine, dampened 
moss alsiut and among the roots; then roll the 
roots up snugly in some oiled paper, letting it 
come more loosoly ubout tho tops; lastly, 
wrap the whole in some manilla or strong 
wrapping paper, and tie up. 4. To the Com¬ 
missioner of Immigration, Topeka, Kansas; 
but don’t rely on any information so far 
as to move there,until you have personally in¬ 
spected tho place. 
MUCK FOR CELERY. 
W. C. II., Shrewsbury, Mass .—Would the 
muck, of which a sample is inclosed, be suita¬ 
ble for celery growing, or would the bed need 
to be manured. Please have it analyzed. 
Ans —We cannot undertake the analysis of 
anything. The State Chemists are the proper 
persons to do that. From so small a sample 
and with no information as to the condition 
of the land or the growth of the soil, it is 
extremely difficult to give precise information. 
Wo incline to the opinion that this is nearer 
peat than muck, and that, when it becomes 
dry, it becomes quite hard. If so, it would re¬ 
quire several years’ plowing and working and 
the application of lime and ashes to get it in¬ 
to condition for growing any valuable crop. 
But if it now grows good grass and is suf¬ 
ficiently drained, it may be that it would grow 
good celery. Soil that looks much like this— 
only finer—forms the uoted celery beds of 
Michigan; but even there, on those soils prop¬ 
erly drained, an application of barnyard ma¬ 
nure is found to pay. 
PLANTS FUR WINDOW GARDENING, 
F. II. A/., Weisburg, Ind .—How can 
rhododendrons be kept through the Winter, 
aud what plants are best adapted for window 
gardening? 
Ans.— Rhododendrons are, many of them, 
hardy, andean !>e left out through the Winter. 
For a window garden, a long list of plants is 
suitable, but itis best to begin with the hardier 
varieties and experiment with more delicate 
sorts before investing largely. The best soil 
for pot plants is made by mixing leaf mold, 
well rotted manure, aud garden soil: the soil 
made in this way will not pack when wet, 
and will be cleau and mellow when dry A. 
layer of gravel or broken pots in the bottom of 
each pot, will permit drainage. Geraniums, 
cacti, oxalis, English Ivy,smilax and callus, will 
respond generously to ordinary care; ver¬ 
benas, aud petunias make pretty window 
plants if trained on a frame; pansies, daisies, 
and forget-me-nots are suitable. Water only 
when the top soil is dry in the pots. 
Miscellaneous. 
C. G. G., Lenox, Mass. —1. What is an av- 
erage yield of Hubbard Squash per acre, and 
the price ill Boston market? 2. What is the 
average yield of marrow beans, and tho price? 
3. Would onions be more profitable? 
Ans. —With good land, well manured, the 
Hubbard or Turban will yield about six tons, 
worth, in Boston market, from $15 to $25 tier 
ton. Boston Marrows, under like conditions, 
will yield from seven to eight tons, worth 
from $12 to $20 per ton. 2. Marrow beans 
yield all the way from 15 to 25 bushels per 
acre, and are worth from $1.50 to $4 per bush¬ 
el in New York market; they are now worth 
from $3 to $3.15 for now ones. 3. If the 
ground is made very rich, onions would usual 
ly pay better. 
If. K., Kansas City, Mo. —1. Would well 
composted manure spread on strawberries 
set out last Spring, increase the crop next 
year where the hill system is followed? 2. 
Should the James Vick be kept in hills to pro 
duce the largest crop of the biggest berries? 
Ans. —I. We should now wait until early 
October before spreading the manure. 2. Yes. 
This variety needs plenty of food and careful 
cultivation. It is inclined to set more ber¬ 
ries than it can ripen. 
R. It. It., Foster, Oregon .—1. Which vari¬ 
eties of small fruits are best adapted to a 
jight, sandy soil? 2. Would the Yellow-wood 
do well on such a soil, and in a climate such as 
this, subject to extreme drought in Summer? 
Where is it to be had? 
Ans. —1, We can scarcely advise as to this. 
If the land is well drained, we should suppose 
any of the small fruits would thrive with ju¬ 
dicious management. 2. Yes, we think so. 
It may be purchased of any nurseryman. 
J. G., Grand. Rapids, Mich .—What will be 
the beneficial effect of the pouring of a tea- 
spoonful of turpentine on tho top of a cow’s 
head at the base of the horns I 
Anh. —It would have a slightly irritating 
effect, something of tho nature of a mild 
blister, and also a tendency to increase circu¬ 
lation in the parts. 
C. L , Plano, III.. —How can I get rid of 
plautaius on my lawn? 
Ans. —Cut off the crowns of the plantains, 
and pour a little kerosene on the roots. Close 
mowing and a liberal application of manure 
will assist materially in ridding the lawn of 
Knot Grass, sorrel, and plantain. 
B. P., Mount Erie, III.— Where can I get 
American Sebright Cochin chickens? 
Anh. —We do not know of any such breed of 
poultry. It is not mentioned in the “Standard 
of Excellence,” nor is it advertised in any of 
the poultry papers. 
C. L. T,, Crystal City, Manitoba, sends a 
plant for name. 
Anh.—I t is Solanum nigrum. Black Night¬ 
shade. It is reported to be poisonous; but is 
used medicinully. The tomato belongs to the 
same family. 
A Subscriber, Dover's Woods, Tex., asks the 
name and value of grass inclosed. 
Anh. —It is Cynodon dactylon, Bermuda or 
Scutch Grass. It is useful in the South in 
sandy soils. 
G. P., Oaroga, N. Y .—1. What is the price 
of Phoenix fowls per pair? 2. Are the wheats 
of the last F. S. D., Spriug or Winter? 
Anh. —1. We do not think they have been 
offered for sale yet. 2. Winter. 
W, A. D., Sprague City, Wash. Ter., sends 
grass for name. 
Ans. —It is Spartiua cynosuroides—Fresh- 
water Cord Grass, a coarse, sedgy grass, not 
valuable fer stock. 
II. S., Port Henry, N. Y .—Who is a respon¬ 
sible dealer in such roots as blood-root, snake- 
root and ginseng? 
Ans. —McKesson & Robbins, drugs, 91 Ful¬ 
ton St., New York City. 
W. II. It., Tolona, Mo .—Where can I get 
a work on wagon anil carriage building? 
Anh. —From the American News Company, 
New York City. 
./. II., West Granby,Conn. —Sends plant for 
name. 
Anh. —It is Aletris farinosa—common Colic- 
root, Blood-wort, or Star-grass. 
J. E. C., Humboldt, Tenn .—What is the 
address of Thomas B. Wales, Jr., Secretary 
of the Holstein Breeders’ Association? 
Ans.—I owa City, Iowa. 
F. IJ., Burlington, Kans. —Is H. M. Jaques, 
I 
who advertises Diehl-Mediterrauean Wheat, 
reliable? 
Anh.—Y es. 
G. D. It., Ella, Wis ., sends leaf for name of 
plant. 
Ans. —It is Lychnis coronaria — Mullein 
Pink. 
W. I)., Fannrille, Va., seuds leaf and seeds 
of vine for name. 
Ans. —It is probably the Dish-rag Gourd. 
DISCUSSION. 
G. M. II, Rich Hill, Ohio.— In the F. C. 
of the Rural for August in, 1 notice the ob¬ 
jections urged by a correspondent to some 
remarks made in the Club in a previous issue 
against the use of tobacco. It was said that 
by discouraging tho uso of tho weed, there is 
a risk of injuring an important agricultural 
industry; that tho majority of civilized man¬ 
kind use it, aud therefore that it is somewhat 
Pharisaical for any one who dislikes it, to 
stigmatize its use as a filthy Imbit, and that its 
growth is a source of profit to a multitude of 
famiurs iu every State and Territory of the 
Union. I must say, that I thiuk the original 
remark in the RURAL was right. I consider 
the uso of tobacco pernicious to health and 
morals, as well ns filthy. Thousands of medi¬ 
cal men have testified to its evil effects upon 
mental and bodily vigor and health, while it 
is well known that the use of it encourages 
the habit of drinking intoxicants. Did you 
ever know a smoker who was not also a drink¬ 
er? I know there are a very few—just enough 
to confirm the rule that a smoker is sure to 
be a drinker. Indeed, the aleohol in whiskey 
and other spirituous liquors is, to a certain 
extent, an antidote to the nicotine in tobacco, 
and the smoker naturally craves for it. It is 
said to soothe the nerves; but where it. doos so, 
in nine cases out of 10—nay, in 999 out of 
1,000 -the nervous system lias previously been 
injured by its use. The use of it, while ex¬ 
pensive to the smoker and Chewer, is offensive 
to more than half of mankind; for the num¬ 
ber of men and children who dislike it, more 
than offsets the number of women to whom it 
is not disagroeable. More than half the to¬ 
bacco used is poor stuff, the fumes of which 
are disgusting oven to smokers of good tobacco, 
ami abhorrent, to non-smokers; what right 
have tho users of this stuff to pollute God’s 
free air for all In their neighborhood -to cause 
amioyauce to others, iu order to gratify a 
nusty, acquired taste of their own? ( 'hewers 
themselves, who are not absolute beasts, ac¬ 
knowledge the habit to lie a filthy one, and 
are constantly ready with some wretched 
apology for it. As for suuff, either for 
dipping or tho nose—faugh! If thoro 
is one point made clearer than another 
by medical science, it is that the ha¬ 
bitual uso of tobacco encourages the drink¬ 
ing habit, obfuscates tho mental powers, and 
tends to produce nervous disorders, epithelial 
cancer, and insanity, as well as some forms of 
pharyngitis, dyspepsia, aud palpitation of 
the heart. As an offset to the many 
evils, direct and contingent, arising from tho 
use of tobacco, what, in the name of common 
sense, are the benefits, immediate or remote, 
which it produces? Tho use of it is a nauseat¬ 
ing habit acquired through suffering, and the 
person who has never used it, never feels the 
loss of the “pleasures” It confers on ite vota¬ 
ries at the oo&t of much money and risk of ill- 
health to themselves, uud of not a little an¬ 
noyance to mothers, sisters, wives, and female 
friends and relations generally, ns well as to 
tho public at large. Statistics show that about 
as much money is spent every year for the 
luxury of tobacco as for the necessity of bread, - 
although less than u quarter of our population 
use the former and every man, woman and 
child iu the country uses tho latter I Could 
there lie a stronger argument against the sel¬ 
fish habit? Tho plea that the “vast majority 
of civilized mankind” uho the weed, is egre- 
giuualv unfounded, if womankind, tho best 
part of mankind, and youth and childhood, 
the hope of mankind, be included; and if 
these are excluded, to what u miserable hand¬ 
ful of sedtish sybarites is tho habit confined! 
We are told that the “vast majority of man¬ 
kind” are on the road to perdition; is that 
any reason why either you or I shmild join 
them on the way ? I don’t believe in following 
u multitude to evil, I teach my children to 
shun the use of tobacco, and I will not raise 
tobacco to sell for the sake of making money. 
1 do not consider money-making the chief end 
of our labors, nor do I think it right, for my 
own pecuniary profit, to sell a product that 
will injure my neighbor. I shall never be 
either a nan or tobacco seller or producer. 
Communications Kkckivkp vok thu wkkk endinu 
Hatuiipay, A moist 80. 
n. Youuic, plants received.—J. 8. C., plants receiv¬ 
ed.—A. Sophie D., thanks; answer liy mall.—G. W., 
potatoes received; we hope to try them.—M. C., 
thanks.—J. 8 M.—A. O. McK.—T. D. N.. thanks.—I. E. 
K., thanks; plants received.—Mrs. M. J. 1 J ., thanks.— 
H. L. C.,thauks.-W. U. K.-H. W. B.-J. H. W,-J. N. 
