APRILS. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
(Continued from page 219.) 
The surface of the field would appear as 
shown in Fig. 154, the water being directed in 
the way it should go by small gates or barri¬ 
ers stuck in the ground wherever they may bo 
wauted. In the second ease the plan of the 
meadow would be quite simple. The dam is 
carried across the land on both sides of the 
stream Fig. 155, or if on one side only, a re- 
‘ 
<5 
V 
tr> 
Do.nv 
Fig. 155. 
tainiug dam is made along the bank on that 
side. When the meadow lies along both sides 
of the stream a gate is fitted in the dam and 
this is closed when the water is needed and 
the water slowly backs up over the grass. This 
is usually done in time of freshets or during 
t'.e winter, when the water brings down a 
large quantity of rich sediment which fertilizes 
the soil exceedingly and in time makes it very 
productive and able to bear very large crops 
of grain. The sediment thus brought down 
by even small streams is sufficient at times to 
cover the soil to a depth of one or two inches 
at every flood; or the dam maybe made at 
the upper part of the meadow aud the water 
divided as far as possible on each side and dis¬ 
charged as shown at Fig. 154; or the water may 
be taken from the stream in a side channel 
and led to the higher ground and distributed 
upon the land. All these modes of preparing 
the laud are simple enough for easy compre¬ 
hension and need only the use of a very com¬ 
mon level to lay out the channels. 
The most common method is that shown at 
Fig. 156. The water flows over each section 
Fig. 156. 
n turn, and is retained upon it, if desired, for 
a sufficient time to effect its purpose. A 
series of spouts are fixed in the bauks (Fig. 
57), by which tlu water is discharged into 
the ditch below and spreads over the next sec¬ 
tion, and so on, finally escaping into the 
stream at the foot. These methods will in the 
aggregate cover a multitude of cases. I have 
been consulted in many such instances and 
have adopted one or more of them in every 
case, finding no difficulty that could not be 
surmounted, whenever the prime necessity, an 
adequate water supply, was at band, and even 
where this is not the case, the difficulty may 
be got over in some cases in which it may ap¬ 
pear insurmountable, by making a stream at 
a lo\v level, by the force of its current raise a 
sufficient supply to serve the purposes desired. 
The distributing ditch for the main supply 
should have as little fall as possible, for the 
obvious purpose of coveriug as much laud as 
may be. In general, it should meander with 
the surface of the ground, which is cheaper 
than to carry it over an uneven surface by 
means of deep cuts or timber culverts. The 
fall need not be more than one foot in a thou¬ 
sand, which gives a current of 130 feet in a 
minute, or a mile and a quarter an hour; and 
even a fall of six inches to the 1,000 feet has 
been found ample when the soil has been 
clayey and retentive of the water. The fall 
should be regular from the beginning to the 
end, or the current may vary iu rapidity and 
the banks may wash in places, or bauks of 
sediment may form which will disturb the 
level and interfere with the flow. In sandy 
soil an inclination of six inches to the 1,000 
feet, or 2A feet to the mile, is the limit of 
safety to prevent the caving of the banks. 
STABLE FLOORS. 
An earth floor for stable is an exceedingly 
disappointing one and should be used only 
when no other materials can be procured. 
Clay of the toughest character is the best ma¬ 
terial. This is cut up aud mixed with water 
into a soft, plastic condition,when it is put in 
a heap to become uniform aud plastic. It is 
worked over with a hoe, as mortal - is, to make 
it sticky aud adherent until it is as nearly dry 
as it can lie worked. It is then made into 
large balls and carried to the stable where the 
floor is to he made. A hall is laid down and 
beaten into shape to the level of the floor; 
then auother is laid aud beaten down, and so 
on until the floor is roughly made. It is then 
thoroughly rammed down with a log of w r ood 
furnished with baudles to lift it by aud drop 
it ou the floor. The floor is then w - etted and 
worked over with the smoother, which is 
made of a piece of plank with a sloping hau- 
dle spiked on to it (both implements are 
shown at Fig. 158) until the surface is hard 
Fig. 158. 
aud smooth. As it dries aud cracks with the 
drying, it is rammed aud smoothed until it is 
hard aud firm w - heu it becomes water-proof 
aud solid and almost rat-proof. Coarse coal 
ashes mixed with the clay beaten iu this w - ay 
will make a floor almost as hard as cement. 
BAKE OVEN. 
Farmers often times desire to build bake 
jvens. It is frequently asked if concrete is a 
suitable material for such work. It will not 
-esist fire under which it will soon crumble. 
k domestic bake overt should be built of hard 
>riek in the following manner. A foundation 
s first built over a frame of strong plauks, 
is a non-conductor of heat. The floor is made 
jf the smoothest bricks laid in fire clay. Fig. 
50 is the ground-plau which may be six feet 
Fig. 150, 
mg by three wide. The roof is arched, as 
down at Fig. 151, which represents the section 
rom the door at A to the rear and chimney B. 
a 
S 
■ 
■ 
■ 
jj 
■■i 
Fig. 151. 
of sharp, cleau sand, rather coarse, a layer 
of finer sand, a layer of pulverized char¬ 
coal with dust blown out, theu a layer of sand 
the whole occupying one-third of the jar. 
he walls aud roofs should he as thick as the 
ill length of a brick, aud the bricks should 
e laid in fire clay and cement mixed or very 
ood lime mortar. The oven is most conven- 
mtly built iu au annex to the kitchen, having 
le door in the wall, aud covered outside with 
good roof having an air-space of three or 
>ur feet above the oven. The oven is covered 
rjth fine, clean sand held iu retaining walls.as 
aown iu Figure B. Any man who has a reun¬ 
ion share of brains can build a good oven by 
illowing the directions and plans here given, 
'lie arch is laid over a floor of wood supported 
n a frame which is knocked out w - hen the 
:ork is dry and hard. A very small fire should 
e kept iu at first to warm it slowly. 
CHEAP FILTER. 
KETTLE RING. 
It is often convenient to heat water out-of- 
doors. At butchering time, tryiug out lard, 
or boiling soap, apple-butter or cider, it is of¬ 
ten unhandy to run to the house. With a 
ring like the one shown at Fig. 149, such trou- 
Tiie Scientific American describes the filter 
bowu at Fig. 147 as cheap aud easily han¬ 
dled. Two stone pots or 
jars are used, the bottom 
one to be a water jar with 
side hole if possible. If no 
faucet is to be used the top 
jar can lie removed so that 
the wator can be dipped 
out. The top jar has a hole 
drilled or broken in the 
bottom aud a small flower 
pot saucer inverted over the 
Fig. 147. hole. Then fill in a layer 
Fig. 149. 
ble cau be done away with. Any blacksmith 
can make it. It cau be placed on the ground 
on any part of the farm, the kettle placed on 
it, aud a fire built under it. You ought to 
have one. 
Newark, N. J. 
iittiscfllafifoiis. 
CATALOGUES, ETC., RECEIVED. 
F. E. McAllister, No. 22 Dey Street, N. 
Y.—Amateur’s Guide for 1887, a book of 150 
pages.—Many novelties among garden, flower 
and field seeds are furnished. 
Valentine’s School of Telegraphy.— 
Pamphlet from this institution, located at 
Janesville, Wisconsin. The reasons why one 
should study telegraphy, and particularly 
why he should study at this school are well 
given in this pamphlet. Telegraphy is a 
trade. Those who are most proficient iu it 
earn the most money. All who propose to 
master the trade will do well to send for this 
pamphlet. 
The Practical Poultry Book.— This vol¬ 
ume is sent out by the Associated Fanciers, 
287 S. Eighth Street, Philadelphia, Pa. It 
contains description of the various breeds of 
poultry, with illustrations and hints concern¬ 
ing poultry management. We have had deal¬ 
ings with this association aud can recommend 
it. 
Children’s Fine'Carriages.— Catalogue 
from the Luburg Manufacturing Co., 145 N. 
8th Street Philadelphia, Pa.—These carriages 
are first-class iu every respect, strong, light 
and haudsome. A stout brake is attached to 
each carriage. This prevents the deplorable 
accidents which sometimes occur when car¬ 
riages are left standing ou sloping grouud. 
Something starts the carriage into motion and 
it goes rolling down the slope, sometimes 
causing the baby to fall out. 
Oil '& Water Color Painting.— This 
little work costs 20 cents. It is sent out by the 
Essex Paint Works, Essex, Conn. It gives 
some excellent advice to new beginners iu 
painting, and contains some useful receipts for 
cleaning and removing stains. 
Improved Dairying Apparatus.— Circu¬ 
lars from Moseley & Stoddard Manufacturing 
Co., Poultuey, Vermont.—The well-known 
Stoddard churn and creamery are made by 
this firm. Both of these implements are well 
known aud are used by rnauy excellent dairy¬ 
men. It will interest any p.-rsou who makes 
or eats butter, to read the circular headed 
‘(Why.” Besides the clnutis and creameries 
dog powers, milk pails, lever butter workers, 
dairy scales, butter prints, milk strainers, aud 
butter packages are described. We invite au 
examination of the circulars. 
Janesville Machine Co.—Circulars from 
this concern, Janesville, Wisconsin.— I he 
Crown Mowers and Reapers, Prairie City 
Seeder and Leder Drills, made at Janesville, 
are well known as good and useful imple¬ 
ments. A specialty for this seasou is the Bud- 
long Disk Harrow. This is manufactured 
under license covering the patents of La Dow 
and others. The mauy excellent features, 
claimed for this implement are too numerous 
to be mentioned here. They can be best ob- 
s°rved by studying the circular. Be sure and 
send for catalogue ‘D” 
Royal Stock Food.— Circulars from E. 
W. Blatchford <fc Co., 70 N. Clinton St., Chi¬ 
cago.—This food is not to be considered as a 
medicine, a stimulant, or a condition powder. 
It is a food proper well spoken of after care¬ 
ful experiment by such men sa Prof. Sanborn, 
Prof. Morrow aud scores of breeders aud feed¬ 
ers. Analyses of the food 
tains 
Moisture... 
Fat. 
Ash ... 
Alhumlnolds . 
Carl lolmi rates. 
Crude Filter..,,. 
show that it con- 
9.68 
6.94 
H.30 
87.76 
88.78 
K.r.'i 
Its best use is for feeding in combination 
with corn fodder, straws, chaff, roots and 
other foods poor iu albuminoids. For such 
feeding it will undoubtedly prove of great 
benefit to farmers. The food cau be deliv¬ 
ered, freight paid, for §30 per ton. It will 
certainly pay stock feeders to investigate the 
merits of this food. The circulars give all 
needed information. 
High Class Poultry— Circular from Orson 
Wiuans, Oak Hill, Green Co., N. Y. Good 
specimens of Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks, 
White Leghorus, Brown Leghorns, Game and 
Bronze Turkeys are used in the breeding pens. 
Healthy, serviceable fowls are the order 
here. Prices are reasonable. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
[Every query must be accompanied by the name 
and address of the writer to lusure attention. Before 
asking a question, please see tf It is not answered In 
our advert Islnft columns. Ask only a few questions at 
one t ime. Pul quest ions oil a separate piece of paper.] 
ANASARCOUS OR DROPSICAL SWELLING IN A 
HORSE. 
A. M. J ., Merrimack, Wis.—My 11-year- 
old horse, after having beeu exposed more 
than usual, had, the other day, a trembling 
spell. Next day one of his fore-legs began to 
swell until the skin seemed ready to burst. 
The swelling extended up iuto the breast and 
chest. Next day blotches or pimples appeared 
on the back part of the leg. On pressure with 
the hand a yellowish matter would come out 
The animal breathed hard and deep. Iu four 
or five days he began to improve. Now - the 
swelling is in the bind legs and sheath. Eyes 
bright and appetite good. What is the trou¬ 
ble f 
ANSWERED BY DR. F. L. KILBORNK. 
It is a mild case of acute anasarca, or as it 
is often called Purpura biemorrliagicn. This 
is primarily a disease of the blood aud capil¬ 
lary vessels, iu which the blood becomes ab¬ 
normally fluid, followed by eltusiou and ex¬ 
travasation of the blood serum from the capil¬ 
laries iu connection with the skin and mucous 
membrane, where it permeates the connective 
tissues, causing the more or less exteusive, 
abrupt swellings. It is a disease of debility, 
and most commonly met with as a sequel to 
such debilitating disorders as strangles, influ¬ 
enza, or other affections of the respiratory 
organs: but it is also liable to follow any con¬ 
dition or disease which debilitates the system 
and thus impoverishes the blood. Sudden 
chills or exposure, especially wbeu heated, aud 
close, impure, damp stables are especially pre¬ 
disposing. The disease will probably be more 
or less prevalent the c i ug season, following 
the generally severe u it-er aul the numerous 
outbreaks of influenza iu various parts of the 
country. The treatment of this disease is usu¬ 
ally successful if taken at the outset and pro¬ 
perly handled. Occasionally, however, the 
dropsies extern! to internal ofgaus, in which 
case it is usually fatal. The shiftmg or mov¬ 
ing about of the swellings Ls very character¬ 
istic of the disease. Iu mild cases the swell¬ 
ings will often entirely disappear without 
medicinal treatment, if special attention is 
given to the diet and care of the uuimal. in 
more severe coses medicinal treatment is also 
desirable. At the outset of the disease it is 
well to give a mild laxative—one pint of olive 
or linseed oil—followed by copious injections 
of warm water until the bowels move freely. 
Iu very severe cases with extreme prostration, 
or where the disease has run some time, the 
injections alone should be giveu to relieve 
constipation. Then give a half-ounce dose of 
chlorate of potash, aud follow with two-dram 
doses of the chlorate every four hours until 
the swellings have subsided. Also give thrice 
daily an ounce each of powdered gentian aud 
sweet spirits of niter. If the urine becomes 
scanty, add two to four drums of nitrate of 
potash to the above. As soon as the 
swellings have gone down, a course of bit¬ 
ter tonics is demanded to improve and give 
better tone to the system. 
Give three times daily one-half ounce each of 
powdered cinchona bark, powdered gentian 
and ginger. After a week or two, if the sys¬ 
tem becomes stronger, replace the cinchona 
ou alternate weeks by two drams of sulphate 
of irou. Should the bowels now become costive 
repeat the injections, or add one dram Barba- 
