years seeded; what grass seed can I sow to 
make it more productive of hay? 2. Will 
sowing salt in tne Spring liberate plant food? 
5. Is not coarse ground bone more profitable 
than fine-ground, because it will last longer? 
My land is a sandy loam, 
Ans. —1. We think that an application of 40 
bushels of ashes per acre on this land would 
double the bay crop of both Timothy and 
clover, aud be much better than any addition¬ 
al grass seed. If there are bare spots, sow 
more seed, using one-third Orchard Grass, and 
a good harrowing of the whole land would not 
be a bad thing. 2, It is hard to tell what salt 
does to the land. It probably does have an 
effect to liberate plant food to a slight extent. 
3, Suppose it a fact that 100 bushels of corn 
fed to a certain number of pigs would make a 
given amount of pork, whether fed iu one 
year or two, which would pay the best, to 
crowd them along so as to get the pork iu one 
year, or to take the two? Every one can see 
that it would pay best to get the pork in one 
year, by saving interest, if nothing else. It is 
the same with the bone; the finer it is made, 
the quicker it is assimilated by the plants and 
returned in valuable products. 
RAISING SMALL FRUITS. 
O. S. S,, Middleburgfi , Pa. —1. I am 
farming 51 acres which I bought of my 
father, and in mysection little or no attention 
is paid to small fruit; don't you think I could 
make the raising of such pay better than 
wheat at 85 cents or even ?l a bushel? 2. I 
have some land moist, but not wet, would not 
quinces do well on it, and would they not pay 
if well cared for? 
Ans.— 1. In many sections there are large 
towns in which no adequate supply of small 
fruits is ever offered, and where the prices 
average much better the year round than in 
larger cities, and in all such localities the 
growing of small fruits can be successfully 
carried on, aud at good profit. What any 
one person can do at the business will depend 
altogether upon the character of the persou, 
his tastes, ability and energy, and upon the 
nature of the soil at his command. The 
growing of small fruits requires a combina¬ 
tion of qualities aud tastes not always found 
in the farmer. Among these are good judg¬ 
ment iu selecting the kinds adapted to one’s 
soil and the wants of the market at his com¬ 
mand, and a thoroughness and promptness 
that would give good cultivation at the very 
time needed, and would always pick the fruit 
when ready and market it in good order. We 
would advise any one wishing to try this 
business to begin in a moderate way, and if it 
turns out satisfactorily, to enter into it more 
extensively. 2. No one cau tell you what 
quinces would do on a particular piece of 
ground, without trial. They are the most 
uncertain of all fruit3. On just the right soils 
they do well and pay fairly; on others they 
are a failure. Try them in a moderate way, 
-»♦« ■- 
Miscellaneous. 
G. A., Dunght, 111. —1. How can I best 
preserve walnuts for spring planting? 2. 
Give a list of fruit trees—apples, pears, plums, 
cherries, grapes aud small fruits—best suited 
to stand the climate of Central Dakota? 3. 
What is the hardiest and most productive 
spring wheat? 
Ans.— 1. Put the uuts, when first gathored, 
in damp sand or earth in a box having a bot¬ 
tom and top made of wire netting or perforated 
iron, and bury in the ground a few inches 
deep, the object being to keep the nuts from 
mice and other animals. Keep them moist 
and allow them to freeze and thaw as often as 
the weather changes. Only a very little dry. 
ing kills the vitality of most uuts. 2. We cau 
only recommend an experiment with the 
Russiau sorts of fruits, now on trial by Prof. 
Budd, of Ames, Iowa, as nearly all Ameri¬ 
can apples succumbed last Winter in Minne¬ 
sota. Even the Wealthy wa9 badly damaged. 
Only the varieties of Chickasaw, or Western 
wild plums have so far been successfully 
cultivated. Of grapes, the Worden promises 
well, and most of the small fruits may be 
grown; but all these and the grapes should be 
laid down and protected in Winter. 2. We 
think the Saskatchewan (which is an improved 
Fife) is giving the best satisfaction in the 
North-west. 
C. V r „ Somerville, N. Y. —1. How does the 
French Prune Plum compare with the Dam¬ 
son in quality aud productiveness? 3. If I 
sow Orchard Grass next Spring, can I cut it 
the same year? 3. Will Orchard Grass grow 
on wet land which is poor and so low that l 
cannot drain it? 4. Did the Early Harvest 
Blackberry winter-kill last Winter at the Ru¬ 
ral Grouuds? 
Ans.— 1. There are several kinds which are 
called French Prone, and there are also several 
Damsons, so it is hard to answer this question. 
As a class, the Damsons are of good quality 
and very productive. Prune d’ A gen la 
most commonly called French Prune. This 
is quite a small plum: but very produc¬ 
tive and it is of value only as as a culinary 
plum. 2. No. 3. Not at all. 4. It was a 
ittle injured. 
S. K., Westfield . N. F.—What is meant by 
"live weight" in speaking of cattle; and what 
percentage of “live weight" is “dressed"? 
An3. —The term “live weight" means what 
the words express—the weight of the animal 
on "the hoof," before it is slaughtered. The 
proportion of "dressed" to "live weight” 
varies in accordance with the condition of 
different animals, well fed. fat beasts giving 
a larger proportion of dressed meatthan those 
in poorer shape. The beef breeds also give a 
larger proportion than other stock in like con* 
dition; from 52 to 58 pounds of dressed meat 
to 100 pounds of live-weight would be a fair 
proportion. 
C. L. II , Harvey's Wharf, I a.—What 
should be done for a cow that is hide-bound? 
Ans. —This condition is due to disordered 
digestion, deficient or poor food, exposure to 
rough weather, intestinal worms or chronic 
disorder of the lungs. The hair is rough, 
the skin hard and adhering to the ribs. Treat¬ 
ment must be employed for the disease that 
causes the condition. Not knowing what is 
the special cause iu this instauce, we cannot 
tell what would be the proper treatment. 
J. O. E., Clinton, iV. Y„ and E. G. B., 
Penn's Grove, .V. J.—l. What style or make of 
thrasher is used on the Western N. Y. Farm 
to shell the corn? 3. What method of storage 
is employed there to cure and preserve the 
shelled corn? 
Ans. —1. The thrasher used by us Is the 
Pitts Separator, made at Buffalo, N, Y.; but 
a thrasher of any make will do the business 
equally well. 3. We spread the shelled corn 
upon the barn floor, about a foot thick. We 
open the doors, allowing the air to circulate 
freely, and shovel the corn over once or twice. 
In an ordinary Fall, a very few days suffice to 
season the corn, so it is safe to put it in bins. 
D. L. 0„ Logansport, Ind. —1. Are there 
any reliable facts showing that a thorough¬ 
bred female is injured as a breeder of pure 
breeds by sexual connection with a different 
breed or a mongrel? 2. In view of such dis¬ 
couraging reports regarding carp, I wish to 
know if there are varieties of fish that can be 
profitably raised in small ponds and where 
they can be obtained. 
Ans.—I. Yes. Plenty of them. Read Dar¬ 
win's Variation of Animals. 3. If you will 
communicate with the American Angler, 252 
Broadway, N. Y., stating the bind of water 
whether spring cr stagnant, and how the pond 
is fed, you will obtain very full information. 
A. E. H., Verona, Y. J.—I cut my corn¬ 
stalks about three inches long. Tbe cows eat 
the most of them. Now will it pay to cut 
them finer and crush them with the idea of 
having the cows eat the buts? 
Ans. —It will not pay. Your present 
method puts them into good shape for hand¬ 
ling in the manure pile, and, no doubt, the 
cows eat all that is worth eating, and probab¬ 
ly all they would, unless you were to put meal 
upon them, andjit is very questionable whether 
it is a good plan to induce stock to eat food 
they woul 1 otherwise reject, by mixing meal 
or other provender with it. 
A. B., Saddle River, N. ./.—Is partially rot¬ 
ten wool waste of any use as a fertilizer, and 
how much dissolved boneshould be mixedwith 
a two-horse load of it for application, next 
Spring, on a field to be sowuto Orchard Grass? 
Ans.— Yes, it has nitrogenous value If 
rotted— otherwise not, since it decomposes too 
slowly in the soiL With a two-horse load you 
might mix any quantity you chose. Propor¬ 
tionately, however, 200 pounds would be 
enough. All depends upon the extent of the 
decomposition of the wool. 
H. A. H., Wading River, N. F,—1. Are 
apple seeds of any value as food for fowls? 2. 
Is there anything that will remove tbe smell 
from my hands after handling hogs iu killing? 
My horses are very much afraid of the smell, 
and will uot allow me near them at such 
times. 
Ans. —1. Yes, of as much value as oats. 3. 
Wash the hands in a weak solution of carbolic 
acid or of chloride of lime, and then dry them 
thoroughly in the smoke, if possible, if not, 
then over a hot stove. 
A. L. IF., Adrian, Mich. —1. Some of my 
Little Gem Squashes are as large as a large 
pumpkin, and others as small as a saucer; 
why this difference? 2. What is the color of 
the White Elephant Potato? 
Ans.— I. The squash has been crossed with 
larger varieties evidently. 3 The White 
Elephant is a white potato, with spots a little 
pinkish when grown in some soils. 
Subscriber, address mislaid .—The best food 
for eggs is a variety with wheat as the chief 
food. Alternate with corn and once In a while 
oats. Give green food in some form dally. It 
is well to boil small potatoes with bones or 
meat, and mash them. We do not approve 
of special food for forcing hens to lay. Keep 
them warm. Keep the houses clean, aud see 
that they are supplied with fresh water. Bone 
meal may be purchased of any fertilizer firm. 
G. M. A., East Deering, Me .—I am making 
a compost of fish offal, loam, manure, and 
plaster; is the plaster a benefit, and would 
ground bone give addditional value to the 
compost? 
Ans. —Tbe plaster maybe beneficial—a trial 
alone can tell. We would advise you to add 
potash in some form, rather than bone to tbe 
fish. Still this again will depend upon whether 
your land needs much or little phosphoric 
acid. 
M. J. S., Monroe , la .—What is the best knit¬ 
ting machine for family use? 
Ans.—T he Tuttle Knitting Machine, made 
by the Lamb Knitting Machine Co., Chicopee 
Falls, Mass., is as good as any. 
C. V, W., Dwninerston, Vt .—What is the 
best plow for opening the trenches for pota- 
toesraised according to the Rural’s plan? 
Anh. —We don’t know. The Syracuse shovel 
plow, with adjustable wings, was used. 
J. J. H., Double Bridges, Tenn .—For work 
descriptive of the resources of Kansas, apply 
to W. Sima, Secretary of the State Board of 
Agriculture, Topeka, Kansas. 
A. C. M., Northcote, Minn .—Harris on the 
Pig and Coburn's Swine Husbandry are both 
good works, but the latter is the later and 
larger. 
DISCUSSION. 
F. L. K , Washington, D. C.—A late Ru¬ 
ral told of one method of catching rats; here 
is mine, which I think an improvement. I 
take a shallow box, 15 to 20 inches square, or 
an old eight-quart milk pan; fasten the steel 
trap to a niece of board that will fit into the 
box or pan (in case of the box the trap may be 
fastened to the bottom), and heavy enough so 
that the rats cannot drag it off. Set the trap 
very lightly and place it upon the board or in 
the bottom of the box. Sprinkle in fine saw¬ 
dust, bran, or wheat to fill to the level of the 
top of tbe trap, just covering it. Over the 
vicinity of the trap place carefully a few bits 
of cheese, fresh meat, or any delicacy for the 
rats, and place the whole anywhere the rats 
“most do congregate." They are sure to be 
caught. I have even used this method suc¬ 
cessfully in a well-filled corn house or granary. 
When the rats become suspicious of a certain 
box, change the box for one of another design, 
or from box to pan and vice versa , and set in 
some other locality. 
J. W. P., Milt.burg, Mass.—In a late 
Rural, a report was given of tbe poisoning of 
a flock of fowls by feeding them dough upon 
which the brine from an ice cream freezer had 
been poured. While it may be that it was tbe 
salt which sickened the fowls aud killed four 
of them, I am quite sure that they must have 
ate a large amount of it. It is a common 
opinion with many that salt is poison to 
fowls; but Ido not want the Rural to indorse 
the idea that a reasonable amount of salt in 
their food is in any way injurious to them. I 
have made a practice of giving my fowls salt 
in their food for years, and believe they need 
it as much as other stock. 
CABBAGES AND PLANT LICE. 
E. S. G., Geneva, N. Y.—Iu the Farmers’ 
Club, page 793, the soap emulsion and whale- 
oil soap are recommended as applications for 
ridding cabbage plants of aphides or plant 
lice. Last July I determined to see whether 
or not a cabbage plant badly infested with 
lice could be cleansed of its parasites by the 
soap emulsion, I first removed all dead or 
shriveled leaves and then applied the emulsion 
upon both sides of all the remaining leaves 
and upon thestem until every portion of the 
surface was thoroughly wet. The emulsion 
proved instant death to all the aphides it 
touched, and, of course, temporarily cleared 
the plant. Iu a few days, however, the lice 
appeared as numerous as ever. I have never 
succeeded in permanently clearing a cabbage 
plant from aphides by the us9 of insecticides. 
Yet, strange to say, I have known a plaut so 
harrassed by these pests as to make no growth 
for weeks, to become suddenly freed from 
them by some mysterious influeuce. I have 
more faith in thorough cultivation and manur¬ 
ing as a preventive of aphides on cabbage, 
than in the use of auy amount of insecticides. 
Communications rkckivkd soh thk Wkkk Ending 
Saturday. Dkcksibkh 5,1885. 
T J. T.-T. G. T.-J. S.-J. McL-.T. B. J.-J. S. B.— 
E. F. B.—M. V. B. Andrews, please send your address. 
We have lost It.—C. E. B , toaulcs.—J. G.—B. F. J.—A. 
F. , thanks.—U. A. C.-M. J, C.-R. A. M.-J. K -J.S.— 
J. I. B. R., thanks.-J. G.-T. H. G. L.-H. 
G. . thanks.—M. & D. I.. - J. M, -O, W. K., thanks —G, 
H. G.-J. C. M.-W. n. a. -A. M. B.-W. W. U.-J. A. 
C-J. A. M,—A. J. C. A. G.-J. S. C.—A. L. R-P. H. 
J—C V.-C. V. W.-E M , thanks.—C. M. P -O. M. B. 
—B. P. B.-J.T. -R. T.-T, H R. T. H. H.-R. P, McA. 
T. H. H.-J. T.C.-N O. H.-K, S (».—ft. S.O., the Seep 
Distribution will begin In January, earlier than ever 
before.-B M. M.-C. R.-A. W. MoL.-A. A.-K. J. W. 
—M F.-J. S. B.-L. E. H„ lbanka.-W. E J.- W. M. 
K. -J. F. H.-J. S. W.-E. W. ft —C. O. MeO.-B. I.—J. 
R.—K. A. C.—T. ft. T.—John Htnehcllffe, thanks.—R. 
R. D.-C. B. 
HOLIDAY GOODS. 
Ilolstery Department. 
Artistic and serviceable 
presents, consisting of 
Plush and L<ace Embroid¬ 
eries in Table and Piano 
Scarfs and Covers, Mantel 
Lambrequins, Tidies, Mou- 
choir Cases, Sofa Cushions, 
Hand PaintedFireScreens, 
etc., etc. 
BED SETS. 
JAMES IcCREERY k CO. 
BROADWAY & I IthSt. 
NEW YORK. 
EPPS’S 
GRATEFUL—CO WI FOR TINC. 
COCOA 
HOW TO BE UP I prim PAVM’Q 
IN BUSINESS TOPICS. ? IJ& 1 I A I JN Jii U 
Business Letter Writer and Book of Commer¬ 
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B' ok ever published. Containing 200 cages, bound 
In hoards, cloth back, price 50 cents. Sent post¬ 
paid, on recel at ot Dries 
EXCELSIOR PUBLISHING HOUSE. 
29 A 31 Beekina.il Street. New Vnrk. N.Y. 
No More “Chapped Hands.” 
fall I honehi a siinnlv nf vonr Barber's Bar Soap 
fur toilet uae, an I found i- ihe ftne.t thing lexer 
med, haring escaped *ch:tnr>od hands' for the lirSt uiu- 
tcr in 20 years," LKWI«s MKRRlAM. Greenfield, Mass. 
ForlhaTOltET EXQUISITE, lor SHAVING st'PER- 
mMv Ask your druggist for it. or send 2c stamp to 
tUo manufacturers for trial sample. 
GOLD MEDAL, PARIS, 1378. 
BAKER'S 
Breakfast Cocoa. 
Warranted absolutely pure 
Cocoa , from which the excess of 
Oil has heeu removed. It has three 
times the strength of Cocoa mixed 
with Starch, Arrowroot or Sugar, 
and is therefore far more economi¬ 
cal, costing less than one cent a 
cup. It is delicious, nourishing, 
strengthening, easily digested, and 
admirably adapted for invalids as 
well as for persons hi health. 
Sold by Grocers everywhere. 
W. BAKER & CO., Dorchester, Mass. 
Toil Can Bye 
ANYTHING 
ANY COLOR 
With Diamond Byes, for lOets They never 
fail, 32 fast colors. They also make ink-, color photo’s, 
etc. Send for colored samples and Dye book. Gold, 
Sliver, Copoerand Bronze Paints for any use—only 10 
cents a package. Druggists sell or we send post paid. 
Wells, Uiclinrdson A l'o.. Burlington. Vt. 
PIANOS: 
New mode of 
Stringing. Do 
not require one- 
quarter as 
much tuning as 
Pianos on the 
prevailing 
" «• res t-piu' 1 
system. Re¬ 
markable for 
purity of tone 
and durability. 
ORGANS: 
Highest Hon¬ 
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World's Exhi¬ 
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eighteen years., 
One hundred 
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l-or Cash. 
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or Rented. Cat¬ 
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ORGAN ANDP1AS0C0. 
164 Tremont St..Boston. 46 E.14th St. (Union Sq.), 
N.Y. 149 Wabash Ave., Chicago. 
Jfo, NCLO-SWISSyil 1/ 
CONDENSED mlLlXi 
MILKMAID BRAND. 
Economical and convenient for all 
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uneondensed milk. Sold everywhere. 
