SEPT 24 
S2S 
THE RUBAI. MEW»¥OBKER. 
present is the best opportunity that has ex¬ 
isted for studying the disease; but it will be 
only by comparison of many observations that 
any certain knowledge can be obtained. The 
only preventive is to avoid the causes which 
have been noticed as provocative of the dis¬ 
ease-debilitating conditions,like unwholesome 
food or water, overwork, sudden exposure to 
great heat, suddenly induced plethora, etc. 
L. J. M., Ithaca , Mich. —Which had I better 
do to increase the size of my sheep and also 
improve the quality of the wool—uso a fine 
wool—a Merino—first., followed by large ram, 
a South Down—or vice versa ? 
Ans. —We suppose the ewes are the common 
native stock. If so, they have as much 
Merino blood in them as is needed, and more 
would reduce the size, in proportion to the 
effect on the wool. A Shropshire ram would 
give size and weight and a heavier fleece of 
excellent, salable clothing wool, and feeding 
will do the rest. Well fed grade Shropshires 
may he brought up to 180 pounds at two years 
old, with a fleece of eight pounds of wool, and 
the lambs and mutton both are the very best 
for tbe market. If finer wool is desired, a de¬ 
laine Merino ram of 200 pounds weight would 
bo desirable. 
D. It. D., Esperance, N. Y. —What are the 
best varieties of winter wheat and rye for 
flour aud yield. 
Ans —Land re th or Armstrong has pleased 
us as well as any. The Thousand-fold Rye 
yields best at the Rural Farm. 
DISCUSSION. 
MORE ABOUT Tit AT REMEDY FOR THE CAULI¬ 
FLOWER MAGGOT, 
James Perkins, Somerset Co., N. J.— 
According to the articles by H. A. M., page 
530, and Peter Henderson, page 578, my wife 
and myself are liable to be well supplied with 
hats and spending money. I am in my 8Sth 
year and a market gardener of 40 years’ expe¬ 
rience. When I said that the “ liver of sul¬ 
phur” solution killed the maggots on my cauli¬ 
flowers, I did not jump at conclusions by any 
means. It appears that there are two things 
to be determined. 1. Will the solution injure 
the plants? I answer most emphatically, No. 
Since Mr. Henderson’s article appeared, I 
have made a solution six times as strong as 
that spoken of in the Rura' , or 1 ounce of 
sulphuret of potassium to one gallon of water. 
I put the liquid in a watering-pot and went to 
a seed-bed of plants too young for transplant¬ 
ing, and drenched them well, soaking the 
ground thoroughly with the liquid. I next 
went out to my plot of large plants ready to 
head, and selected some of the best for experi¬ 
menting upon. I drenchd each plant with a 
quart of the fluid and after two days of hot 
sun I find my plants not only uninjured, but 
looking more vigorous than ever. 2. Will 
it kill the maggots? Most certainly it wdl, or 
killed those on my cauliflowers, for I used 
thing else. Now I will repeat minutely 
»w I prepared the liquid. Take one ounce of 
sulphuret of potassium and dissolve it in one 
gallon of water. Heat the liquid to about 100 
degrees as shown by a thermometer, take a 
large spoon or something that will hold 100th 
part of a gallou, pour the liquid agaiust the 
stalk of the plant just above the ground, and 
the work is completed. I think these direc¬ 
tions are so plain that, any sane person can 
follow them without mistake. I think that 
as a preventive there is a hotter way of using 
the remedy. Another season’s trial will prove 
this; but when the maggot has once com¬ 
menced eating, nothing hut the liquid will ef¬ 
fect a cure. I pay 35 cents per pound for the 
pure stuff. The stuff when applied to my 
melons at once stopped the ants from bur¬ 
rowing in tbe hills, aud although we have had 
a bountiful supply of striped bugs, I don’t 
think one of my plants was injured by them. 
In the Rural of August 13, page 530, H. 
A. M of Skatget Co., W. T., offers a new hat 
for the Rural and a new crisp *10 greenback 
to anybody who has discovered a remedy for 
tbe cauliflower maggot—that is any applica¬ 
tion that will kill tbe pest without injuring 
the plant. In the Rural of September 3, 
Peter Henderson, in addition to the above, 
offers to give me a new hat and my wife 10 
new bonnets if my remedy, described in the 
Rural of July 2, is effective. I have proved 
that it is completely so, and either or both of 
these gentlemen can prove the same thing by 
following the simple directions given above. 
There is the remedy; wdiere are the dollars 
aud hats? The Rural can probably wait 
patiently for its head-covering; I shall try to 
do likewise, but my wife-well, which of 
your wives wmuld not be a trifle impatient 
while waiting not for one, but for 10 new 
bonnets! Shall we be allowed any preference 
in the matter of style ? Mr. Henderson, no 
doubt, has excellent taste; but what woman 
wouldn’t prefer to select bar own bonnet 
thau tu.lea ve the selectiou'to another—and that 
other a man and a stranger? Then again, if 
the 10 are of different styles, there will be no 
danger that the neighbors may think it’s the 
same old bonnet every time she wears a dif¬ 
ferent one. Half the pleasure from a new 
bonnet comes from the knowledge that the 
neighbors know it is a new one. What says 
Mr. Henderson, and the Pacific Coast loser ? 
H. W H— West Walworth, N.Y.—In re¬ 
gard to Mr. Plumb’s reply, in a late Rural, 
with regard to the killing of oats by treating 
them with sulphate of copper,to kill smut ac¬ 
cording to his advice, I do not wish to enter 
upon a controversy, but will give him some 
explanation regarding my seed oats. From 
the same bin I sowed a little over six bushels, 
not treated with sulphate, and harvested 140 
bushels of good, plump oats. Doth lots were 
sown the same day. 
IN NORTHERN IOWA. 
PRES. T. T. LYON. 
Vineyards flourishing; orchards winter- 
killed; search for hardy fruits; the Rus¬ 
sian importations ; President Chamberlain 
on dairying. 
The railroad down the west bank of the 
Mississippi runs aloug the foot of the high, 
rocky bluffs, generally also in full view of the 
opposite bluffs. Not only were we very agree¬ 
ably surprised at the vigor and health of the 
vineyards we saw in both Minnesota and 
Iowa, hut the corn crop, not in Iowa merely, 
but also in South Minnesota, proves to be in a 
far more flourishing condition than had been 
anticipated during the unprecedented drought. 
Even as far north as St. Paul dpnt corn is 
generally planted, and through Iowa the al¬ 
most interminable corn fields show unmistak¬ 
ably that this is the staple crop. 
To a resident eastward of Lake Michigan 
the well-nigh universal absence of orchards 
upon tbe broad and apparently well-cultivat¬ 
ed farms, is a notable and uupleasaut feature. 
It is said, however, that this was formerly less 
so, hut that the orchards have been almost 
universally ruined by the excessive severity of 
comparatively recent winters, which have 
“weeded nut,” aud in most cases utterly ex¬ 
terminates! all but the most hardy varieties, 
aud have compelled a complete revision of the 
fruit list of these States and the abandonment 
of all but the thoroughly hardy species and 
varieties. 
Attention has thus been turned to the crabs 
as a source from which thoroughly hardy 
apples may be originated; and Mr. Gideon, 
of Minnesota, has, for more than a quarter of 
a century, boou more or less effectively en¬ 
gaged In this work; while A. G. Tuttle, and, 
more recent lv, Prof. J. L. Budd, under the 
auspices of the Iowa Agricultural College and 
the United States Agricultural Department, 
as well as Charles Gibb of Quebec, ami others 
have been giving attention to the collecting 
and testing of the fruits of the arid aud 
arcto-torrid regions of central aud eastern 
Europe and Asia. Besides these, there have 
been constant efforts, though with apparently 
limited success, to originate varieties for the 
supply of this need, by newer originations 
from the old stock. C. G. Patton, the Presi¬ 
dent of the Horticultural Society, has been, 
and is still experimenting in this last direc¬ 
tion; and has also done very much in plant¬ 
ing and fruiting many of the introductions 
from Russia with the performances of which 
he seems, in very many cases to be by no 
means satisfied. 
A survey of his plantation, in Northern 
Iowa, near Charles City, not only betrays 
serious in jury and in many cases even death 
of the older Eastern aud Southern varieties, 
but often even of many of the supposed 
hardy Russians, by either blight iu summer, 
or the severe cold of winter. Even Tetofski 
is more or Jess severely injured, and in some 
cases killed. A seedling of this of very similar 
habit, but varying iu season, is thought to re¬ 
sist the cold of winter somewhat better than 
the parent. Not here only, but also within 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Oldenburg is 
winning a reputation as the hardiest, in tree, of 
such of these importations ns have been now 
fully tested in this country, although among 
such importations there are found to be a con¬ 
siderable number which differ very slightly, if 
at all from that, well known variety. As in Min¬ 
nesota, so here also, the Wealthy apple, an al¬ 
leged crab seedling, originated by Mr. P. M. 
Gideon, does not prove to be entirely hardy. 
On Saturday, Aug. 17th, we were indebted 
to President Patton, for a trip of eleven tniles 
across the country, to Nashua, to listen to an 
address by President Chamberlain of the Iowa 
Agricultural College, upon dairying and en¬ 
silage, as it is proposed to be practiced this 
season at the college, as a means of sup¬ 
plying the deficiencies consequent upon the 
unparalleled drought of the past summer. 
Subsequently we visited the college, and saw 
something of this process. I therefore reserve 
a notice of this portion of the address, to ac¬ 
company an account of the visit. 
Mr. Chamberlain’s remarks pertaining to 
the dairy were prefaced by a reference to the 
fact of his comparatively short acquaintance 
with Iowa and its peculiarities of soil and cli¬ 
mate. Referring to the fact. that, the first of¬ 
fice of food is to supply fuel with which the 
animal heat is to be maintained, he urged the 
great importance of warm and, if possible, 
frost-proof stables; and also as a means of 
maintaining the flow of milk in winter and of 
gratifying the desire of animals for a change 
of diet, he suggested the desirableness of root 
crops, or. as an alternative, a resort to the 
growth of green crops to be preserved in silos 
—for such purpose. 
The remark was injected into the address, 
(which was impromptu) that the College 
Farm, like other farms, should he managed 
upon business principles, and should be made 
to pay its way. This latter remark was re¬ 
ceived with hearty applause, indicating 
strongly, to my apprehension, that it may 
have been taken in a broader sense than was 
probably intended, or than may be even pos¬ 
sible; and, if so, that it may very possibly 
“return to plague the inveutor.” 
That the residents here, have already be¬ 
come feelingly conscious of the importance of 
conserving warmth, both for themselves and 
their animals upon those bleak prairies in 
winter, is evident from the circumstances 
that, upon very many of the farms along the 
route, tbe residences, barns, yards, and out¬ 
buildings were, in the direction of trying 
winds, sheltered by dense growths of timber, 
either of natural growth or artificially plan¬ 
ted. 
RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
Delaware. 
Dover. Kent Co., Sept. 7.—Since about the 
middle of August we have had cool weather; 
a number of nights have been almost cool 
enough for frost, but it is warmer again at 
present—S4 g in the shade to-day. We have 
had but little rain for some days, and fann¬ 
ers are improving the time by gathering corn; 
much of it is done on the old Southern plan 
i. e. topping and blading. This is the most 
economical way to save the fodder, although 
somewhat tedious. The crop will he fully up 
to the average. The peach season is pretty 
well over; probably not over 2,000 car loads 
in all will be shipped from this peninsula, 
Prices have niled unusually high; but little 
good has netted less than *1, and yellow fruit 
has brought as high as $3 per basket, and the 
fanner that is lucky enough to have a crop 
has made a nice year’s work, but through this 
section where one has had a crop a dozen 
others have had scarcely any Apples are a 
light crop, the supply at no time has more 
than met the home demand. Grapes are a 
failure owing to the destruction of the young 
grapes by the rose-bug early in the season. 
Canneries and drying houses have done but 
little work on peaches owing to high prices, 
and the usual supply of evaporated peaches 
will be light. Usually great quantities are 
dried for city trude. 
About the usual amount of wheat will be 
sown. Fallow ground is being prepared and 
much will be sown ou corn ground. Horses 
aredyiug with staggers. A number of valuable 
ones have died in this section; it has proved 
fatal in almost every case, and it is feared 
that it will take the form of a general epi¬ 
zootic. No hog cholera is reported yet, al¬ 
though in- some sections of Mary land it is 
raging. Fall pasture is good, and as the fly 
season is about over stock is improving, 
Much damaged wheat is still held by growers 
which, if ever sold, will bo at a greatly re¬ 
duced price. A large acreage of tomatoes 
was set out for canning; the vines have made 
a heavy growth, but the crop will not be near 
an average. The worms aro doing much 
damage to the plants, and all the farmer’s 
spare time has to be spent in bis tomato patch 
with shears decapitating the pests. Prices:— 
Wheat, 70 to 78 cents; corn 55 cents; oats, 25 
to 30 cents; potatoes, white, 40 to 45 cents; 
sweet, 60 cents: butter, 25 cents; eggs, 17 
cents; poultry, 10 to 12 cents; peaches, ?1 
to $1.50 per basket; apples, 30 cents; quinces, 
75 cents to $1; tomatoes, 20 cents; other farm 
truck, fair prices. a. g. s. 
Illinois. 
Newton, Jasper Co.—Our corn crop is al¬ 
most an entire failure, so are potatoes; wheat 
a small acreage, a fair average crop. I raised 
about 21 bushels per acre. Oats good aud a 
large acreage. Grass a fair crop aud of fair 
quality. No pasture. Drought still contin¬ 
ues. Present prospects for this county are not 
as favorable as might be desired. h. v. 
Kansas. 
Walnut, Crawford Co., Sept. 4.—Corn is 
now coming into market,"and is a good aver¬ 
age crop. Hay an average crop, and secured 
iu fine condition. Potatoes, notjnuch cultivat¬ 
ed, alight crop. Apples, two thirds of a crop. 
Grapes, where projierly cultivated, good; but 
where neglected and left to take their chances 
with weeds and grass, a failure We had a 
heavy rain on July 20 and 21. and since Aug¬ 
ust I fi we have had plenty of rain. Stock is 
iu good condition, ns there had beeu uo lack of 
water or grass, and' the pastures* are now ns 
fresh and green as iD May. There U an abund¬ 
ance of everything for the comfort of man 
and;beast. Corn* is selling for 30 cents per 
bushel; hay $3.00 per ton, aud coal at the 
mines 5 cents per bushel. h. g. 
Michigan. 
Wales, St. Clair Co.. Sept 9.—The seeds 
received from tbe Rural last spring were 
planted with the following result: The Pond 
Corn is early and quite productive. The Ped¬ 
igree Corn is very early and of good quality; 
a desirable variety. Tbe Valentine Beau is 
early, productive and a very even cropper. 
The Orange Squash is a valuable, variety, 
early, productive and of good quality, j. m. 
Vermont. 
Wilmington, Windham Co., Sept/8.—The 
Early Orange squash, sent out in the Rural’s 
Free Seed Distribution.proves to be very early 
and of good quality; if it proves a good 
keeper I shall ’value it 'highly. The Pond 
corn is not as early as the common field corn 
raised here. The*Sweet corn is too dwarf to 
be of much account and is no earlier than 
some other kinds. The melon seeds I did not 
plant, as tbis,is not much.of a melon country. 
I takejeight different weekly papers and-tbe 
Rural stands at the head. e. c.b. 
Salt. —Prof. Goessiunn, director of the 
Mass. Ag Ex. Station, talks about salt in a 
late bullelin. There are three sources of sup¬ 
ply for the manufacture of salt, namely, sea 
water, brines aud rock salts. None of them 
yield by any current mode of manufacture a 
chemically pure article of sodium chloride; all 
three may be successfully turned to account 
for the manufacture of the various brands of 
salt in our market. Our home manufactured 
salt,, “coarse,” “.fine,’ 1 aud “dairy salts,” has 
been produced until of late, entirely from 
natural brines, sea water included. All natu¬ 
ral brines contain more or less of foreign, 
saline admixtures. Most prominent among 
these are the sulphates of lime and of magne¬ 
sia and the chlorides of calcium aud magne¬ 
sium. The same circumstances apply with 
equal force to the salt produced. The less chlo¬ 
rides of calcium and of magnesium a salt con¬ 
tains the better will be considered its quality 
from a commercial standpoint. The presence 
of sulphate of lime within certain limits, is 
far less objectionable. 
A salt which contains luit one-fourth of one 
per cent, of the chlorides of magnesium and of 
calcium might prove highly objectionable to 
the dairyman on account of their hitter saline 
taste :— while the sulphate of lime rarely 
amounts to less than one and one-quarter per 
cent, in the best reputed brands of dairy salts, 
home and foreign. The most common cause 
of injuring the composition of salt for dairy 
purposes in particular is a too liberal use of 
lime during its manufacture, to secure a de¬ 
sirable white color and a flue granulation of 
the salt produced. The natural consequence 
of that course of operation is an alkaline re¬ 
action of the salt, a most objectionable quality 
of a dairy salt—for it hastens on the decom¬ 
position of the butter. The peculiar nature 
of the products of the dairy, butterand cheese, 
as well as theuuusua! pecuniary risks involved 
in their successful manufacture, renders it ne¬ 
cessary that only first-class articles of salt 
should be applied for dairy purposes. The 
fitness of uuy of the various brands of salt in 
our markets for dairy use is not restricted to 
those obtained from uuy particular natural 
source or locality, but depends cut irely upon 
a suitable good chemical composition and a 
suitable mechanical condition. A good dairy 
salt ought to be of a neutral reaction and of a 
pure saline taste; free from offensive odor and 
without any stain of color; of a properly re¬ 
duced size to favor a speedy solution, and,what 
is scarcely of less Importance, free from col¬ 
ored specks. As the application of dairy salt 
in form of saturated solutions enables with 
but litt le trouble the removal of insoluble for¬ 
eign admixtures, this mode of using salt iu the 
dairy industries, whenever admissible, de¬ 
serves eommeudation. 
