THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
Connecticut. Foquonock Bridge, Jan. 21.— 
The present 'rioter is proving more severe 
here than the last. lee, I am told, is being 
stored in large quantities in the different ice¬ 
houses around us. Provisions, excepting 
potatoes, are low, very low. Potatoes, how¬ 
ever, seem to be held back by the farmers for 
high prices. M * 
Persons are warned against subscribing 
through one Charles Ed. Williams of Utica, N. 
Y. Mr. Williams is not an agent of the Rural 
New-Yorker, and is not authorized to receive 
any money on its account- 
®|c (Querist, 
answers to correspondents. 
Lime ns n Fertilizer; Lime and Snlt; Lime and 
Plaster; Hilling and Drilling Potatoes. 
Inquirer, Fompey, N. Y-, asks : l. What ef¬ 
fect would lime have upon winter wheat or 
barley, and when should it be applied ? 2. 
Would lime and salt sown on the same crop be 
injurious to it; which should be sown first, 
and what time should be allowed to elapse be¬ 
tween the two applications ? B. How would 
lime and plaster agree on grass land ? 8. Will 
potatoes make a larger yield if planted iu drills 
than iu rows both ways, and if so, how much 
more will the yield be ? 
Ans.—1. The effect of lime is more marked on 
wheat than on barley, probably because of the 
longer time in which it can take effect on the 
former crop- Lime is a direct fertilizer, inas¬ 
much as plants contain more or less lime; and 
an indirect one. as it belps much to render any 
uudecomposed vegetable matter soluble and 
fit for plnut food; it also helps to dissolve pot¬ 
ash that may be held iu au unavailable condi¬ 
tion in the soil. Its effect on wheat is to stiffen 
the straw j to hasten the ripeuiDg; to produce 
a clear skin, aud a hard berry. It has a mark¬ 
ed effect on the clover which is generally seeded 
with the wheat, audin many localities farmers 
never think of seeding to clover without hav¬ 
ing previously dressed the field with forty or 
fifty bushels of lime per acre iu the fall. It is 
generally applied iu the fall; but it is equally 
effective if spread on the snow in the winter, 
and this is convenient to be done for several 
reasons. 2. Lime and salt have no effect upon 
each other when mixed. Salt is not nearly so 
effective as lime; for while lime is rarely used 
without apparent benefit, salt is used frequent¬ 
ly without any benefit at all. Salt has much 
the same kind of effect as lime as regards 
wheat; but with clover it is rarely of service. 
Five bushels per acre are generally used, and 
this amount can never do harm, if it does no 
good; 60 that it is perhaps worth trying for 
the chance of any benefit from it. Salt may be 
sown with the lime or separately. 3. Plaster 
consists, in part, of lime, and to mix it with 
lime would be useless. If lime is needed by 
the 6oii, the small quantity of plaster generally 
used would be insignificant and useless. If 
plaster (sulphate of lime) is needed, lime 
would not be a substitute for it. But lime is 
always used at a season when plaster is not: 
and although lime may have been used in pre¬ 
paring the ground for a crop, yet plaster may 
very well be used after the crop has progressed 
in its growth somewhat. For instance, if the 
wheat ground has been limed in the fall, plas¬ 
ter may be used with benefit on the young 
clover when the wheat lias been harvested, or 
in the following spring; and if lintc has been 
used in preparing for corn in the spring, as 
is often the ease, plaster may be found ser¬ 
viceable when sprinkled about the plants when 
they are eight to twelve inches high, in June. 
4. Any crop generally planted in hills will 
yield more when planted in drills, other things 
being equal, because more plants per acre can 
be thus grown, less room being taken up by 
each plant. The usual difference is about 
twenty-five per cent. 
Treatment of a Tender-footed Horse. 
/. E. R.. Lamariiiw, pa., asks what ails his 
mare aud a remedy for (lie ailment. She is 
lame in her fore-feet, and sets them out in 
front with the toe down and heel up. If she 
cannot be cured, he inquires whether her con¬ 
dition would injuriously affect her offspring. 
She has bad three very fine colts and will be 
eight years old in the spring. 
Ans.— The peculiar way of holding the foot 
here mentioned, which is known ink pointing, 
does not indicate, as is generally believed, any 
single diseuso. It simply shows that there is 
pain in the back part of the foot The most 
common causes of this are corns aud navicular 
disease. A careful examination of the foot, by 
slightly paring out the angle between the Imr* 
ami hoof wall and producing a certain amount 
of pressure on thi- part «itli pincers, should 
decide If corns arc the cause of the trouble. 
If both feet are affected, as we understand from 
the above, und corns wo found, it is probable 
f bat side-boues also exist. Disease of the na¬ 
vicular bone is more likely to cause the lame¬ 
ness ; but It Is often a difficult matter for u per¬ 
son without experience to decide If this V the 
case lu bad cases there is tenderness iu the 
deep part of the hollow above the heels; ten¬ 
derness is also shown on striking the middle of 
the sole with a small hammer, and there is 
usually considerable contraction of the back 
part of the hoof. This is a very unsatisfactory 
disease to treat, and without seeing the animal 
we could not advise a treatment. Iu case of 
corns and side-bones, have the animal shod so 
that the shoe will not bear on the affected 
heels ;-do notallow much paring of the sole, 
bars or frog in shoeing; have the shoes changed 
often enough to prevent the horn of the sensi¬ 
tive heels from growing in coutact with them. 
If there is much tenderness, poultice and use 
hoof ointments and afterwards apply a blister 
above the hoof but not in the hollow behind 
the pastern. 
It is best not to breed from lame animals, but 
lamenesses are not always trnsmitted ; this de¬ 
pends greatly on the conformation of the ani¬ 
mal and the use to -which it is put. 
Silk Culture. 
G. A. L., Corsicana , Texas, asks. 1, wheth¬ 
er there are any records of silk culture in this 
country; 2, where can he get the materials for 
starting in the business; and, 8, the name of 
some, work on the subject. 
Ans.— Yes, there are iu large libraries and 
sometimes in the hands of those specially in¬ 
terested in such matters, several records of se- 
ri-culturc in this country. Before the com¬ 
mencement of this century, silk culture was 
carried on to a considerable extent in Ga., S. 
C., Va., Pa., Conn., and Mass., but the business 
was ruined in all these places by the revolu¬ 
tionary war. The southern parts of Ohio, the 
east of Kentucky, Tennessee and north Geor¬ 
gia. both as resards soil and climate, have been 
fouud well adapted to this industry. In 1840 
the total product of silk raised iu the United 
States was reported at 61,5631bs, worth 8250,- 
000. In 1844 it had risen to 396,?901bs, worth 
81.400,000; but in 1850, it had fallen to 14,- 
7631be, and for the last half-a-dozen years no 
statistics arc given of native silk culture. Du¬ 
ring the period of the highest production here 
mentioned, there was a regular mania on the 
subject, which is sadly remembered by some as 
the Monts multicauUs frenzy. Many lost 
heavily at the time through investments made 
in expectations of great returns, but since then 
silk culture here has been generally carried on 
only as a pastime. A couple of years ag6, 
however, an enterprising foreigner started in 
the business in Kansas, but nothing has been 
heard of him or his undertaking of late. It is 
also reported that raising silk has been tried 
successfully in Cal. In 1875 there was in San 
Jose one cocoonery with 1,000,000 silk-worms, 
and at the same time an association for the 
promotion of silk culture was established in 
Sanoinu Co., aud a silk factory in San Francis¬ 
co. 3. We do not know of any one who has 
silk-worms, etc., for 6ale. 3. An excellent de¬ 
scription of silkworms aDd siJk culture can 
be found iu the American Naturalist, Vol. 1., 
1867. 
Squash Buga, etc. 
8. B., Palmyra, N. Y., wauts to know 
where he can obtain the variety of duck 
known as Muskoka, described in the Rural 
under date of Dee, 28. ’78. He also wants to 
know the variety of corn best suited to the cli¬ 
mate aud soil of Western New York; and how 
to raise squashes In a garden infested witli the 
squash-bug. 
Ans. —1. Of any of the leading poultrymau, 
if Muscovy is meant. 2. We shall answer 
this question iu our special corn number, 
which will be published in a few weeks, 
better than we can auswer it now. 8. 
The Squash-bugs, Coreus tristis. appear at the 
same time as the young plants, lay their eggs 
on the uuder side of the leaves aud live on the 
juice of the plants. The bugs hide under chips, 
pieces of boards, etc., that may be fouud 
around the vines ; hence, by placing such ob¬ 
jects about the vines, they will collect under 
these, and may be gathered and destroyed early 
every morning during the first pari of the sum¬ 
mer season While the plauts arc still small it 
is also well to look over the leaves aud dostroy 
all eggs that may be found. There is also a 
Squash Bort-r, Meliltiu cucurbits*, which enters 
the vine near the root, aud often destroys the 
plant before there are any indications of its 
presence. To open the vine with a small knife 
and take out the larva, is the only remedy for 
this yet discovered, as far as we know. 
Unking Division* In « Poultry House. 
Ruralist, Walden, Jf. Y. —Iu building his 
third poultry house has utilized the suggestions 
given on the subject of such structures from 
time to time in the Rural. He has placed it 
iu the center of a thrifty orchard. The build¬ 
ing faces the south, and is 14x36 feet long. It 
is supported by posts 8V feet high. The east 
side has 8x13 and the south 7x23 feet of glass, 
and next to the ridge on the south side of tho 
roof, a covering of glass, H feet wide and 
36 feet long, stretches along the whole length 
of the building. There are two doors—one at 
each extremity of the south side, close to tho 
ends of the building. The house is intended 
for laying bens during the winter and for mis 
ing earh cbickcus. He has several plans for 
dividing the building, but washes to get the 
benefit of suggestions through the Rural. 
Ans. -A method of dividing the house is 
shown herewith. A central department may 
be set apart, for nests, which may open both 
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f\OOSJ73. 
into the large rooms and the central one. The 
roosts would be at the back of the house, and 
may be arrauged as described in the article on 
poultry conveniences in a late issue. 
Duuglns Mixture for Poultry. 
Z>. M. L., Great, Valley, -V. FT, having seen 
that the Rural recommends the use of Douglas 
Mixture for poultry, asks whether there is 
danger in using too much of it; what quantity 
should be given ; how often; how is it made, 
and what are its effects. 
Ans. —There is danger of uneasiness, at least, 
in eating too much of anything, however 
healthful enough of it might be ; about, a table- 
spoonful of the “ mixture ” iu a quart of drink¬ 
ing water, is about the right proportion ; it is 
composed of sulphate of iron, sulphuric acid 
aud water iu the proportion of half a pound of 
the first, half an ounce of the second and two 
gallons of the third. Besides being a pre¬ 
ventive. of roup, a streugthener during molting 
time and beneficial in several other ailments 
to which fowl Jlesh is heir, its use two or three 
times a week, or oftener, gives a bright red 
color in the ears and comb, add3 much to the 
appearance of the birds iu the show pen, and it 
is generally a healthy, invigorating tonic. 
Fowls Eating Feathers. 
C. W., Evanston, Id., feeds a mush made of 
bran and meal to his poultry together with 
pork scraps in the feed, yet the hens keep pick¬ 
ing the feathers off his rooster's neck, and he 
asks why they do so, and how to prevent the 
practice. 
Ans. —Confinement, and want of occupatiou 
arc among the chief causes why fowls eat 
feathers. The former is often inevitable in 
winter, but the latter can be avoided by buy¬ 
ing some of their grain food in sand and allow¬ 
ing them, to hunt for it, which will afford them 
pastime and healthy occupation. Give them 
some green food, fresh meat two or three times 
a week, burnt boues, oyster shells, charcoal, 
clean water and a cleau hennery, and if all this 
doesn't cure them of the habit, follow Lewis’s 
advice and wring their necks, for they are in¬ 
curable. 
Shipping Eggs to a Distance for Hatching 
R. AfcD. S-, Oak Grove, Texas, asks whether 
ho could have Light Brahma eggs shipped to 
that place, aud if 60 , whether they would 
hatch, and if 60 , where coulcl he got them. 
Ans.— Eggs arc shipped every year greater 
distances than this, and yield satisfactory re¬ 
sults. Eggs sent from the New England States 
to the Pacific coast usually hatch well; much, 
however, depends upon the packing. If care¬ 
fully packed and haudled. the journey should 
not hurt them at all. Any of the advertisers 
in this paper who breed that variety will sup¬ 
ply eggs to order. 
Pigment from Clover Set'll. 
In a late issue of the Rural a question was 
asked about the process of extracting coloring 
matter from clover seed, and we replied that 
after a good deal of research and inquiry, we 
could obtain no information on the subject. 
A correspondent has just written to us that 
largo quantities of clover seed—principally 
such foul seed as would not answer for seed¬ 
ing purposes—are shipped to France and Ger¬ 
many for coloring prints, etc., and he referred 
ns to a firm in this city who could give full in¬ 
formation on the subject. Inquiry from the 
firm mentioned, however, has failed to obtain 
any information. 
Prices of Jersey Heifer and Bull Calves. 
Several subscribers ask the prices of Jersey 
heifer aud bull calves. 
Ans.— Jersey heifer calves range from 850 to 
8100; yearlings, $75 to $150; two-year-olds, 
coming in, $150 to $350. Exceptionally fine 
animals bring fancier prices—bull calves and 
yearling bulls. $40 to $100; good oucs attain¬ 
able at, say, $50 to $75. Exceptionally good 
oner, from best butter stock, full black points, 
light-colored hide and very yellow skin, are in 
demand at fair prices, say. $350 to $500. All 
the above refers to animals capuble of registry 
lu tho American Jersey Cattle Club Register. 
Mack-Crested, White Polish Poultry. 
D. E.. South Xortcalk, t'f., asks about the 
“Black-Crested, White Polish" spoken of on 
page 806, Rural of Dec. 21st nil. 
Ans.--T he variety is extinct. No specimens 
have been seen for fifteen or twenty years. 
They were always rare, and we do not believe 
they wore over seen by any of the writers on 
poultry In tin* United States. Numerous ef¬ 
forts have been, and are being made, to repro¬ 
duce the variety, but thus far without success. 
Miscellaneous. 
F. S. Sleeper, GaU'sburgh, Kaianttuov Co., 
Mich , asks where can lie get seed of Lost Na¬ 
tion Wheat. He wants the address of our cor¬ 
respondent C. G. H. Watkins, Ohio, who wrote 
about it, so as to be able to correspond with 
him on the subject. 
Ans.—W e give our friend’s name so that C. 
G. H. may correspond with him. We have re¬ 
ceived a number of good accounts of this 
wheat. Dr. Hoskins, of Vermont, may give 
the needed information. A letter addressed to 
him at this office will be forwarded. We do 
not feel at liberty to make public the addresses 
of our contributors. 
G. P., TV. Y. City , asks the present residence 
of an actor he mentions. 2. Whether any 
entomological periodical is al present pub¬ 
lished in the United States ? 
Ans.—W e do not keep the "run" of actors. 
An inquiry addressed to the Clipper would 
probably elicit the address wanted. 
2. The Canadian Entomologist, London.Can- 
ada, is the only strictly entomological journal 
we know of. The American Naturalist gives 
large space to the subject and is published in 
Philadelphia. 
J. A. AT., Margaretvillc, Pel aware Co., A r . Y., 
asks where can he get the seed of the Jujube 
tree. 
Ans.—T his tree is not hardy, we believe, 
north of Georgia. Its botanical name is Ztzy- 
phus; it belongs to the Rhamnaceie, or Buck¬ 
thorn, family and is a native of Asia- Seeds 
can be procured of Thorbnrn <k Co. of this 
city and of prominent Southern bou'es—per¬ 
haps of P. J. Borckmans of Augusta, Ga. 
O. A. S., Mason City, Mo., pleased with the 
representation of berries on our •‘Index ” sheet, 
asks where he can get roots and at what price. 
Ans.—O f any of the nurserymen advertising 
in our columns. The prices so vary according 
to kinds that we could not make out a list, but 
they can be learut from the catalogues which 
most of the firms furnish grads to intending 
purchasers. 
W. M, J/., Ashley."III., asks whether the 
“ Learner’s Instrument ” advertised in Rural 
of Dec. 21 is a humbug and whether its adver¬ 
tiser i6 reliable. 
Ans. —We have hitherto heard no complaints 
of the instrument, and before the advertise¬ 
ment was admitted into our columns we made 
satisfactory inquiries in regard to the standing 
of the advertiser. 
“An Occasional Reader ,” Blackslone, Mass., 
asks why the Rural is sold at retail in his 
town for six cents when the price should be a 
cent less. 
Ans.—P robably because the newsdealer fixes 
the price at that figure. It is retailed at the 
“news" stands here for five cents. He can 
easily remedy the matter by subscribing for 
the paper and becoming a “Constant Reader.” 
B. G., Askoira, Out., asks 1, what is the latest 
and best work on green-house work; 2, is 
there any good reliable periodical devoted to 
green-house work. 
Ans—-A late work by Peter Henderson of 
this city. He can furnish it. 3, Not that we 
know of. 
,7. n. R., Utica, N. Y., asks whether the fac¬ 
tory opened in Maine, some time back, for 
making sugar from sugar beets, has turned out 
a success. 
Ans.—I t will require auother year at least 
before the experiment here mentioned, can be 
called a success. 
L. S. Plattenburgh, X. J.. asks where he can 
get “ Carbolic Salve” and “ Douglass Mixture” 
for poultry. 
Ans.—B oth can bs got from Geo. S. Josselyn, 
Fredonia, N. Y. The “ Mixture” can be " put 
up" by the next druggist; the reelpe for com¬ 
pounding it is given elsewhere iu this depart¬ 
ment. 
S. MrN.. Jamestown, Pa., risks for informa¬ 
tion about budding and grafting fruit trees. 
Ans. -A copiously illustrated article treating 
of this subject exhaustively, appeared iu our 
issue of March 16, ’“8, page 166, and we refer 
our friend to it. 
Mrs. TV. J.. Baldwin. Butler Co., Pa., asks 
whether the dealers in Mendelssohn pianos, 
who advertised lately In the Rural, are re¬ 
liable. 
Ans.—T he Company i6 reliable, but we have 
received eoniplaiuts that the piano disappoints 
customers. 
S. C. So. Vernon. VI. asks whether the Hul- 
less Oats are of any value as a crop. 
Ans.—O f no special value. See Brevities 
last week. 
Communications received vor the week ending 
Saturday, January 25th. 
J. F.—C. B.—W. T. it. .Kmpste”—E. E,—E. 
K.2.-H, P.F.-L. S. A. r. Tt. IU—G. B. A -E. 
K. S. E. It.—A. V. B. -L.. F. ( ,-F. K. M.—A. L. J. 
—w. B. IU—.u U. It- N. -!> S, au— K. B.—AY. H. B. 
—M. A\\—L. H,—1 J, B. Fanner's Wife."—\Y. ,T. 
I K.-J. S. B.—L. J. T.—T.—AY. K. Z.—F. D. C.—* 
C\ It.—J. D. G.-At. J.—A. L. M. O.-AA-. G.— 
J. S. C. G.—AV. .1. B.—AU 51. D.—X. It.—A. AY. 
M.— H. L.AW—\Y. It. A.- -AV. \A .—T>. B. X. — 1C. AV 
thanks.—1,. IU- W. Ll. • Kuricola" A. w. M. 
M. B. P.-AA’. S, A. B„ F. K A.. 51 l). H. N. 
