RURAL SPECIAL REPORTS. 
N. Y., Rome, Jau. 4.—The winter wheat went 
into Winter quarters in this vicinity lookiug 
very well. The ground was well soaked with 
water when the snow’ came, and there was no 
frost in it. We have had almost a continuous 
snow-storm and blow since free. Oth. except ou 
the 10th, and that was a very rainy day. The 
wind changed to the west at night and it snow¬ 
ed hard on Wednesday moruiug, and from that 
time to the present we have had suow and 
wind storms, such as are uot often seen with us 
at this time of the year, Christmas week was 
of unusual severity for the season. New-Year’s 
Day was mild and very pleasant. Since then 
we have had snow and wind, with thermometer 
at zero on the 2 nd; 10 deg. above zero on the 
3d, and 13 deg. to 20 deg. above on the 4th. 
The snow is badly drifted and there has been 
no travel on the roads for two days. The 
prices of produce are very low in this section, 
except potatoes, which are worth 81 per bushel 
at retail. Poultry has been very abundant and 
cheap, and mostly of extra good quality in our 
market. ,t. t. 
[There was nothing more plainly foreshad¬ 
owed in our Everywhere reports than that po¬ 
tatoes would be high tiiis winter. We are glad 
to know that a number of onr subscribers have 
profited thereby.—Fins.] 
California, San Gabriel, December 25,1878. 
We bought this land two years ago last 
spring, and immediately plowed it thoroughly— 
it had never been plowed before. We set out 
a row of Blue Gums (Eucalyptus globulus), for 
a fence. They were in seed boxes, the tallest 
one foot in bight. Last month we cut six of 
them for posts to the roof for a shelter for hay, 
and one of them measured forty-two feet in 
liiglit and six inches in diameter at the base. 
We set out some seedling ami some budded 
orange trees in June the same season, and all 
the budded ones have more Or less fruit on them 
this year. We have all the varieties of fruits 
of the northern or temperate zone, and all ul 
the semi-tropical that are to be got here. We 
expect to have limit of some kind Ire.sli from 
the tree from the first of January to the 
first of January. The Guava does well here 
and the Banana promises to do well also. As 
yet we have not. the latter thoroughly at home 
here, but it is doing well in Santa Barbara, and 
also at Orange, forty miles south of here, a. p. 
Penn., Schuylkill Haven, Jan. 9, 1879.—We 
are located on the southern border of the 
Schuylkill coal fields. Coal being low and a 
limited quantity having been sent to market 
during the past year, business of all kinds is de¬ 
pressed. The Pliila. and Reading Railroad Co. 
is the great controlling Corporation of this 
county, and this Company is now paying its 
employees in scrip worth 810 each, payable the 
15th day of April and May next. It is received 
at any time by the Company for fare, tolls, 
freight, Arc. This is proving to be a temporary 
relief. Produce of all kinds is low, as the 
masses arc poor and must buy low. il at all. 
The farmers complain bitterly of the depressed 
times, and yet they are much better off than 
any other class here. w. a. f. 
N. Y., Naples, Jau. 4, 1879.—A snow storm of 
three day’s duration already, is yet in progress, 
accompanied with heavy wind from 8 . W. veer¬ 
ing to N. W., and finally settling due W. Roads 
drifted full; business suspended. Thermome¬ 
ter, six to ten degrees below zero. Wheat at 
the beginning of winter in Ontario and Yates 
counties looked decidedly unpromising. The 
dry weatber at the time of seeding, checked 
the growth of what was then sown, while many 
delayed sowing until October, on account of 
dry weather and fear of the fly, so that, on 
the whole, wheal has a poor stand, and only u 
favorable winter and spring can insure a full 
crop the coming year. x,. d. f. 
New Hampshire, Dover, Strafford Co., Jam 
ibis town is situated on the Cocheeo river, 
and is noted for its cotton manufactures. The 
soil in the valley is well adapted to the produc¬ 
tion of grass. The past season crops were an 
average, with perhaps the exception of pota¬ 
toes. 'I hese are scarce and high—$ 1.00 per 
bushel. Hay is good and rather cheap from 
842 to 815 per ton. Beef is worth 85.50 and 
8 i.OO per cwt. Coru is uot raised here for 
sale, but even mauy farmers buy a good 
deal of it from the West, for which they pay 
from 81.10 to 81.20 per bag. 
Omo, Attica, Seneca Co., Jan. 0.—The cold is 
very severe here now, the thermometer gener¬ 
ally keeping close to zero, and sometimes siuk- 
mg from six to eight degrees below that point. 
lough an artisan and uo farmer, I generally 
'wuter about -10 hens, and on an average they 
bring me from 840 to 850 a year over and above 
cost—not counting those we eat. I sell but 
\eij few elsiekens, but I sellagreal many eggs 
u " inter, when eggs fetch a good price. I am 
iunv selling from six to eight dozen per week, 
at from 18c. to 20 e. per dozen. c. l. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
W 
Wisconsin. Evansville. Jan. 2 .—Fanners 
hereabouts were right glad that bad weather 
delayed its arrival until the corn was all har¬ 
vested, for it was so badly blown down by 
storms last September that otherwise it must 
have been spoilt before spring. Corn, oats 
and late potatoes yielded well. Early potatoes, 
however, were a failure. Fruit was a better 
crop than usual. Feed was good throughout the 
entire fall and stock is in excellent condition 
for winter. Corn is worth 20c.; oats, 15c.; 
wheat, 90c.; buckwheat, 40e.; pork, 82.50; 
beef, 82.00. There is no sale for poultry. 
G. A. B. 
Wisconsin, Washotah Station, Jan. (>.—This 
place is about 30 miles west of Milwaukee on 
the St. Paul, Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad. 
The health of our people is good, though there 
are some cases of chicken pox ainoug the 
children. Cattle, sheep und horses are looking 
in fine condition. Farmers, here at any rate, 
are all happy and prospering. There are good 
schools, good churches, and a good many good 
church-going people. h. f. s. 
Maryland, Greensboro’. January 7.—Last 
scasou I raised over 500 bushels of corn from 
six acres. The best yield from a single acre 
was 92i bushels of shelled corn. I think I 
should have got over 100 bushels to the acre 
were it not that a heavy storm broke off a 
great many stalks and prostrated those not 
broken. w. c. s. 
Illinois, Virginia, Cass Co., Jan. 0.—The 
mercury here is 18° below zero, snow a foot 
deep, sleighing splendid. t. j. n. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Dandruff and its Remedy. 
J. E .1). P. ; Waverly , N. Y.. asks whether 
washing the scalp.with water in which salts 
of tartar have been dissolved, will remove 
dandruff without injuring the hair. 
Ans. —It is necessary to explain the nature 
of “dandruff" before an intelligent answer 
can he given to this question. The whole ex¬ 
ternal covering (epidermis or scurf skin) of 
the body is in a constant state of growth and 
removal. I pon the smooth parts of the body 
this takes place so readily and constantly, 
lb rough washing and the friction of the cloth¬ 
ing, that il is not nsually noticed. But upon 
the sculp, the presence of the hair prevents 
this, aud the scales of dead epidermis remain 
among the roots of the hair. In some people 
desquamation is much more rapid thau in others, 
and these are they who are troubled badly with 
“dandruff”. No external application will 
“cure” it. Anything that lessens the activity 
of the dermal, or skin circulation lessens iis 
formation, and this occurs by ohunges of health 
or constitution. If any sort of “dandruff 
cure" chances to be used at such a time, it will 
be regarded us effectual. The wash mentioned 
above will do neither harm nor good. Cut¬ 
ting the hair short aud washing the head fre¬ 
quently in soft water, with a little soap, brush¬ 
ing also frequently with not too stiff a brush 
are the best means of keeping the scalp free 
from dandruff. Fine combs and stiff brushes 
increase it by exciting the dermal circulation 
and producing irritation. 
Alfalfa. 
M. E. B., Ellenburgh Center, A'. Y., wants to 
know if Alfalfa will do well a v s far north as 
Clinton county, and where he can get the seed. 
Ans. —We have not sufficient data to warrant 
the belief that Alfalfa will prove a more profit¬ 
able crop than the clovers or other forage 
plants in the above locality, though we have 
seen a small patch do well at Michigan Agri¬ 
cultural College, where the climate is as severe 
as in ilie above section. Letters in some of 
our “exchanges ” also show that it has been 
successfully grown as far north as New Hamp¬ 
shire, and one man claims to have obtained a 
good growth in Ontario, Canada, but the seed 
did not mature in either place. It Is preemi¬ 
nently a plant for warm climates and is grown 
extensively in tlm south of France and other 
countries of southern Europe. In California 
il is ruled among the best forage plants, both 
by reason of its quality aud profuse yield. We 
are told that iu the Sacramento valley 40 tons 
to the acre during [lie year are uot an unusual 
crop, i’ho roots penetrate deep, thereby en¬ 
abling it to withstand drought. To do well it 
must have a rich, mellow soil, as it fails alike 
on light sand aud heavy clay. As experience 
is the best teacher, our advice is to try a small 
plot. Seed can be procured from any large 
seed store. 
Plowing Under .Manure for Garden Vege¬ 
tables. 
A. S. II ., Elm Grove, Ohio Co., IF. Fa., asks 
which is the better plan for gardcu vegetables 
—to plow manure under in the fall or early 
winter, or to put it on after plowing in the 
spring aud thoroughly stir up the ground 
then ? 2 . He also asks for a good plan of a 
lime-lciln for burning limestone ? 
Axs. -1. The experience of practical per¬ 
sons is almost universally' iu favor of applying 
manure in the fall to ground that is to be crop¬ 
ped in the spring. Field and garden culture dif¬ 
fer from each other only in the intensity of the 
methods employed, so to speak ; that is, the 
difference is only in the quantity of manure 
used and the labor applied, both of which, in 
garden culture, are the greatest that can be 
afforded. It is a well-founded principle in cul¬ 
ture of the soil that the manure should be kept 
near the surface, for it is there exposed to the 
Influences of warmth and the atmosphere. 
Thus the needed decomposition takes place 
most rapidly und the chemical reactions upon 
the soil itself of this decomposition are most 
effective. The rainfall dissolving the soluble 
portions of the manure, carries them down as 
rapidly as can he desired, in any case. If the 
manure is perfectly decomposed before it is 
used, it may be spread in the spring and then 
thoroughly mixed with the soil with the best 
results. Otherwise it may be applied in the 
fall or early w inter and be covered in in the 
spring; aud this latter method will be found 
most generally applicable both to the condition 
of the manure and the convenience of all per¬ 
sons. 2. See illustrated article to be published 
in next issue. 
Founder (Laininitis). 
J. IF, Jr., Ingham Co., Mich., asks what is 
best to do for a horse that has been foundered 
and remains stiff ? 
Ans.— Founder is a disease that needs prompt 
aud careful treatment, and if it receives it, the 
vast majority of cases will recover in a few 
days. This treatment consists of a good dose 
of physic, (four to five drachms of Barbadoes 
aloes) 130 drops tincture of aconite root three 
times a day, and hot poultices to the feet. This 
may, or may not be followed by nitrate of pc- 
tassa, according to the condition of the animal. 
When such treatment is not given in time, 
however, a condition known as chronic laiui- 
nitis generally results and ibis is much more 
difficult to remove thau the former. The treat¬ 
ment recommended by Prof. Law is probably 
the best. A broad-webbed bar-shoe, beveled 
on its upper and inner surface, and thinner at 
the heels thau at the toe, is applied; ihe hoof 
walls and soles of the feet are coated daily 
witli hot tar, aud gentle blisters are applied 
around the coronet. Owing to the displace¬ 
ment of the bone of the foot by the inflamma¬ 
tory exudation, the animal often remains ten¬ 
der-footed for life. 
Plowing Uiu'kwbeul Under. 
A Subscriber, Middletown, N. Y., asks:—1. 
whether it would pay to plow' under buck¬ 
wheat, green, and then seed down with winter 
grain; if so, is the season long enough to sow 
buckwheat twice and plow it under each time, 
and would it pay to do so ; and if so, how early 
should it be sown the first time? 2. What va¬ 
riety of spring wheat would succeed best in hie 
locality? 
Ans.— In our opinion it would not be ad¬ 
vantageous t» sow buckwheat with the in¬ 
tention of plowing it under green on land 
calculated for wheat next fall. Two crops 
of buckwheat could undoubtedly be grown 
in a long season, but it would require very 
early sowing. We have seen buckwheat sown 
early and allowed to mature, then harvested 
and the stubble turned for w heat. We would 
give this mode the preference. 
2. This question eau be answered moat cor¬ 
rectly by the successful farmers of the neigh¬ 
borhood. It might be well to try Cbampilain 
aud Defiance. 
The Old-Mail Cactus, etc. 
6'. L. R., Springfield, asks, 1. whether the 
Old-Man Cactus bears blossoms, aud if so, 
what kind? 2, whether we have grasses for 
sale, and what is our price for them and the 
Old-Mau Cactus ? 
Ans.—A ll Cactuses bear flowers. The blos¬ 
soms of the Old-Man Cactus are comparatively 
insignificant, aud seldom, if ever, produced on 
pot-grown plants,—at auy rate so far as we 
know. But the oddity and beauty of the little 
fellows amply compensate for their shyness iu 
blooming. They are advertised for sale by 
ilr. Louis Menand, Nurseryman, Meuaud Sta¬ 
tion, Albany. N. Y. ; also, by George Such, 
South Amboy, N. J.; John Saul, Washington, 
E-. C., and others, w r ho likewise sell ornamental 
grasses. We absolutely sell no flowers what¬ 
ever upon any consideration. 
Daphne U'neoruiu—Ilyat'lndui* candicans. 
G. U. A., New Haven, Conn., asks, 1, does 
Daphne Cueorum have seeds? 2, what is 
Hyacinth us caudieaus ? 
Ans.— 1. Yes; but so far as we have been 
able to observe, it seldom produces its small, 
round, white berries in this section of the 
country. 
2. A very handsome summer-blooming spe¬ 
cies, a native of the Cape of Good Hope. The 
flower-stems rise to a bight of from three to 
five feet, and are terminated by many nodding* 
white, Snow-drop-like blossoms. The bulbs 
should be lifted iu the fall, kept dry all winter, 
and transplanted again out-of-doors in spring; 
in fact, they should be treated precisely like 
those of Gladioli, than which they are hardier 
»orrel-Tree and Hatehet-Lenved Arbor-Vine 
T. I). Bristol, R. I., sends two numbered 
eimens of plants and asks their names. 
Ans. —1. Oxydendrmn arboreum—the Sor¬ 
rel-tree or Sour-wood. It belongs to the Heath 
family and is a tree of much beauty, bearing 
white flowers in long, one-sided racemes clus¬ 
tered in loose panicles at the end of the 
branches of the seasou, in early summer. 
2. This is Thuiopsis dolahrata—the Hatchet- 
leaved Arbor-vita 1 —a tree from 40 to 50 feet in 
hight. Prof. Tkunberg says: “A lofty, vast 
and beautiful tree, of all evergreens the fair¬ 
est.” It is notable for its fiat spray, broad and 
blunt leaves which are green above and whitish 
beneath. 
Inflammation of the Eyelids of a Horse. 
T. B. Easton, Talbot Co., Mo., asks the cause 
and remedy for inflamed eyelids of a horse ? 
The eye discharges matter. 
Ans. -The data here given are insufficient to 
enable ns to decide which of several causes or 
several forms of disease this evil must be at¬ 
tributed to. We would urge our friend to se¬ 
cure at ouce the services of a veterinary prac¬ 
titioner, as diseases of the eye are much more 
readily cured if attended to in good time, than 
if neglected for some weeks. 
Miscellaneous. 
M. W. G., Tecumseh, Mich.,asks : —1. How 
early should a new cock be placed with pullets 
so as lo insure a new strain of chicks to be 
hatched in April ? 2. Would lime-water injure 
a Chinese Primrose or Calla Lily, when used 
at the root to destroy white worms ? 
Ans.-1. Two weeks will usually do. hut perhaps 
three or four are better. Witli a good, strong, 
vigorous cock, impregnation will sometimes 
last from twenty to twenty-five days. Cases 
of this kind, though, are rare, the influence of 
the cock rarely lasting over seven to ten days. 
2. No. Lime-water of ordinary strength is 
beneficial to plants. Unless very strong, it 
could do no hurt. 
11. 1). Lock Haven, Pa., says lie saw lately iu 
the Ri KAi.au advertisement of a watch claimed 
to he worth 812 but offered for 83, and also 
another advertisement of a new Russian model 
revolver, and usks if we know whether the 
goods are what they claim to lie. 
Ans. —We have seen the watches and think 
they arc worth what is asked for them, namely 
83. We should uot advise any one however, 
to purchase three-difilar watches with the ex¬ 
pectation that they will prove good time¬ 
keepers. The pistols we have also seen and 
used aud they are as represented so far us we 
are capable of judging. 
D. J. R. Sardis, Pa. —1. Seuds a sample of 
oats ami asks the name of the variety. 2. He 
also usks what is the matter with & Calla Lily 
that did well during the summer, but which 
lias grown little, if auy, since he brought it into 
the house, although the lazy thing has good 
soil, plenty of water, but perhaps too much 
shade, as it is out of the sunshine. 
Ans. —1. We eanuot name the variety from 
the sample. 2. It is taking a rest: give it less 
water and a little sunshine. 
T. M. H., Milford, Bel., asks the name of a 
first-rate work on farriery. 
Ans. —Law’s Farmers’ Veterinary Adviser, 
price 83, contains the best and latest informa¬ 
tion on veterinary matters concerning the horse 
and all other farm animals. Of works exclu¬ 
sively on the horse, May Lew’s Illustrated Horse 
Doctor, price 83, is as good as any. Of works 
on horse-shoeing, Coleman on Pathological 
Horse-shoeing, 82, and Miles on the Horse’s 
Foot, 75e., are good. 
M. //., RVst Granby, asks the uame and pub¬ 
lisher of tlie best Atlas that can be got for 83 
or $4. 
Ans. —Harper Bros., of this city, are now 
publishing some fine works of the kind. Write 
to them for description of their New School 
and General Atlas. 
Mr. A’, ff'. McKinney , Texas, asks where can 
he get genuine Couiptou corn, and at what 
price per package or bushel ? 
Ans. —Of R. H. Allen & Co., or Thorburn A; 
Co., of this city. Four dollars per shelled 
bushel. 
Communications keceited for the week ending 
Saturday, January 11th. 
W. v. A.—S. B. F.— D. M. s., we will endeavor to 
answer questions lu due time. Seed distribution 
win nor begin tor a mouth at least—T. H. H,—J. U. 
A. —J. W. K.—S. E. >1. K.—C. A. G.—T. P.—A. L. 
J— M. J., many thanks—J. M. U.—E. M. T.—J. W. 
R.—D. S. 51.—L. B.—R. H. II.—J. T.—F. E. L.—E. 
G.—A. B. Culver, we have lost your address, as It 
was not given In your last communication— a. p_— 
E. K.-C. A. B.-S. M. P.-J. T. A—B. K.-C. G. .fi¬ 
ll. S.—VV. F.—G. C.—S. S.—fi. S:—J. S.—R. P. C.— 
L. W. S. C.—K. B.—A. S.—R. T. McN.—E. C F.— 
B. P.—A. D. R.~L. D. 8 .—L. D. F.-J, II. P.—M. C. 
G.—R. Ifi—C. S.—W. S.— L. L. D.—VV. A. F.—S. VV. 
—R. L. T.—D. C. H.—E. B. T.—E. II.—P. P.—F. D. 
C. —F. 51. A. B. 
