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369 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
on nature or the previous owner when I can, so I began 
here by a new foundation for the hen house, about one foot 
higher. I filled up inside with small stones covered with 
well packed clay, and on this put about three inches of 
sand. The floor was dry and would stay so. Next I put 
the roosts all on a level and only three feet from the floor, 
with a drop under each to catch the manure and make it 
easy to clean up, so that I could readily save the droppings 
every day ; doing so took but a moment. Then the nests 
all came down within easy reach of the roosts or floor. 
They were made dark, and “ arranged” for only one hen at 
a time. For results my hens’ legs and feet got well; I 
got more eggs and there were no broken ones which are 
commonly caused by several hens trying to lay in the same 
nest at once, and at night every hen was where I could 
reacn her without risking my neck, and there was no 
danger of catching a mess in my face while trying to sort 
out a certain hen. 
The Farmers Club. 
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
[Every query must be accompanied by the name and address 
of the writer to insure attention. Before asking a question, please 
see if it is not answered in our advertising columns. Ask only 
a few questions at one time. Put questions on a separate piece 
of paper.] 
Worms in a Colt. 
B. F. A., Charleston, S. C .—How can I get rid of worms 
in a 14-month-old colt ? 
Ans.—A colt may harbor at least 10 or 12 species of 
worms, several of which require special treatment for 
their removal. Our friend will have to be more specific, if 
we are to advise a remedy. If he has seen the worms he 
should describe them. If he has not seen them, by what 
symptoms does he judge that the colt is infested with 
worms ? 
Machine for Spraying Potato Vines. 
Several Subscribers .—We are interested in the picture 
of Mr. Warn’s “ bug wagon,” and would like to know if 
others of the R. N.-Y.’s subscribers have succeeded in 
making machines that work successfully among potato 
vines. 
Ans.—T he best machine, either home-made or “ manu¬ 
factured,” that has come under the R. N.-Y.’s notice is 
the one shown at Figs. 120 and 121. It was made by Mr. 
Edward Hicks, who furnishes us with the following in¬ 
formation concerning it. With the machine here illus¬ 
trated, Mr. Hicks causes the death of many millions of 
potato beetles every year, as he sprays the vines for the 
whole neighborhood. He says : 
‘‘This machine has been in use several years, and has 
undergone numerous changes and improvements. The 
original machine had a square pine tank, strongly made 
and bound with iron, with bellows to convert four 
small streams driven through atomizing tubes 
into spray. It was drawn by one horse, the driver 
walking and getting wet from the damp potato vines. 
A square tank is very costly and will shrink and leak 
from 10 months’ storage. A cheap second-hand cask of 
double the capacity, easily made tight, and costing but a 
trifle in comparison, has been substituted. The cut also 
shows that two horses are used, placed wide apart as in 
the Eureka Mower, and the driver rides. This enables 
him to keep the nozzles directly over the rows of potatoes 
with ease, by means of the levers near at hand. He can 
readily turn around at the end of the field without stop¬ 
ping the team and gets in the right rows without difficulty. 
The bellows and atomizing nozzle worked well, but gave 
considerable trouble by clogging and needing repairs. The 
Nixon nozzle and the Field double-acting force pump are 
now used. This pump should have brass cylinders, iron 
in contact with Paris-green corrodes rapidly and the 
rust scales are liable to obstruct the small apertures of the 
nozzles. A brass loop is soldered to the nozzle tips, and 
this loop is wired to the hose, to prevent the tips 
from unscrewing and getting lost. A funnel, seen 
at the right, is stationary and made of galvanized iron, 
with a fine brass wire sieve across the orifice leading 
into the cask. A fine wire sieve, in the form of a short 
pipe, is soldered to the outlet pipe at the bottom of 
the cask. This pipe extends 1)4 inch up into the cask to 
prevent the Paris-green from running into the pipe, when 
the machine starts up after remaining quiet for a time. 
The agitator is a dasher made of barrel staves that fit 
closely to the bottom of the cask. This dasher rises only 
about two inches and keeps the Paris-green from the bot¬ 
tom with but little waste of power. A brass safety-valve 
is attached to the force pump and an adjustable spring 
keeps down the lower valve. The weight sent with it was 
found to bob about too much to be satisfactory. The waste 
is returned to the cask. The safety-valve gives uniformity 
to the force of the spray, for when the pump is newly 
primed it pumps much more than after it has been used 
a while. The can seen at the right under the funnel has a 
tight lid and holds 50 pounds of Paris-green and a pound 
measure. This can is only removed to be refilled every 
morning when the machine starts out on duty. The 
wheels have three-inch tires and ratchet hubs and are 
placed six feet apart to work in the potato drills about 
three feet apart. A cog-wheel upon the shaft actuates a 
spur cog upon a crank shaft, that works the pump and agi¬ 
tates the levers. Hardwood boxes are used for the shafts ; 
they are more durable than iron in dust and mud and 
easily replaced when worn. The force pump sets in a gal¬ 
vanized box. One of the lengths of hose was wound with 
wire—sphincter grip. By the driver’s seat is a tool box 
containing an oil can, wrench, wire, string, etc. On ac¬ 
count of its careful construction this machine has gone 
over from 150 to 175 acres of potatoes in a season, using 
.from to 1)4 pounds of Paris-green to the acre. A 
caskful will spray 2)4 acres and the cask can be refilled 
in an hour if water is ready in the field. That it should 
be at hand is required of the patrons as nearly every 
potato grower wants his potato field gone over with 
the bug machine at about the same time, except the few 
who hope that by delaying a little one application will 
suffice. So many want their potato vines sprayed that only 
large fields and those convenient to each other and near 
home are attended to. 
Tan-Bark Ashes. 
C. C. H., I'hilipsburg, Pa .—How do the ashes of hem¬ 
lock bark compare in potash with manure at 50 cents and 
$1 per one or two-horse load respectively ? How many 
bqshels of leached ashes would offset one bushel of good 
hard-wood unleached ashes ? 
ANSWERED BY PROF. S. W. JOHNSON. 
I am unable to refer to any analysis of the ashes of hem¬ 
lock bark. If, as is perhaps probable, the inquirer refers 
to bark burned after it has come out of tan vats, it may be 
safely asserted that the ashes contain very little potash 
and coatain carbonate of lime as the main ingredient after 
allowing for a considerable admixture of sand and clay. 
Many years ago I analyzed “ ashes of spent tan” presum¬ 
ably from hemlock bark, with the subjoined results: 
Potash and soda. 2.60 
Lime. 51.32 
Magnesia. 1.90 
Alumina and oTlde of Iron. 2.47 
Oxide of manganese. 1.05 
Phosphoric acid.unwelghable trace. 
Sulphuric acid (SO 3 ). 5.63 
Chlorine. trace. 
Silica. 4.63 
Carbonic acid (CO-j) .26.46 
Coal and sand by difference. 5.92 
100.00 
Potash and soda were not separated in those days; 
both were regarded as equally useful and needful to vege¬ 
tation. It is manifest that there is no comparison between 
spent tan-bark ashes and un leached hard-wood ashes or 
stable manure. They are more like leached wood ashes in 
composition, though destitute of phosphoric acid. 
Eversion of the Womb Following Twin Calves. 
A Subscriber, East Paris, Mich .—Having a cow due 
to calve, I looked her over in the evening and supposed her 
all right. In the morning I found her dead, having pro¬ 
duced a pair of twins, for which she had apparently cared, 
as tbey were dry and lively. Seemingly the entire repro¬ 
ductive organs were protruding, which, I think, was the 
cause of her death. What could I have done to prevent 
such an occurrence; she was eight years old, and to all 
appearances in good health and condition. 
ANSWERED BY DR. F. L. KILBORNE. 
Eversion of the womb with complications was the cause 
of death. Simple eversion alone rarely causes death within 
24 hours: when death does occur it is usually in from two 
to four days. For cause and treatment, see “ Eversion of 
the Womb in the Cow,” in the Farmers’ Club, for April 
19th, page 251. After keeping the animals in the best 
possible general condition and giving them good comfort¬ 
able quarters in which to calve, the only way I know to 
avoid an occasional accident of this kind would be to keep 
a constant watch upon the animal when about to calve. 
The occurrence is so rare, however, that it is not worth 
this trouble, except perhaps in special cases where difficulty 
is expected at parturition. 
A Fractious Colt. 
W. B. C., Elk Dale, Pa .—My three-year-old mare has 
lately begun to cause trouble. In going down hill she 
prances for a short distance and then rears and plunges. 
If petted she goes on a short way and acts strangely, as if 
she didn’t like to hold back. There’s a brake on the 
wagon, so that there is not much downward pressure. 
What should be done ? 
Ans. —This is a matter of training and discipline. So 
much depends upon the methods of each person in hand¬ 
ling horses and the disposition of the animal to be trained, 
that no satisfactory, definite rule can be given for correct¬ 
ing cases like the above. While one colt would be made 
to fall into line and travel properly by one or two smart 
cuts with the whip, another with a different disposition 
might be made to kick or balk. In general, this colt, as 
well as many others that are put into service without any 
special preparation, would probably be benefited by a 
thorough course of training at the hands of a competent 
horseman. 
Cough In a Cow. 
W. M. P., Bluff Point, N. Y .—My seven-year-old grade 
cow has a cough which is getting worse. She seems to be 
all right in other respects. What should be done for her ? 
Ans.—B lister the throat externally with a liniment of 
equal parts of strong ammonia, sweet oil and oil of tur¬ 
pentine well shaken together. Apply daily until the skin 
is well blistered. Internally give the following paste twice 
daily, smeared well back on the teeth and tongue. Ex¬ 
tract of belladonna two drams, nitrate of potash four 
drams, with sufficient honey to form a thick paste. 
Live Stock Insurance Companies. 
O. T. B., Warsaw, N. Y .—The R. N.-Y. has had con¬ 
siderable to say about live stock insurance compani&s. 
How are such companies conducted and what animals can 
be insured ? 
Ans.— From quite an extended collection of prospectuses 
of such companies, the R. N.-Y. selects that of a newly 
organized company doing business in Western New York. 
In order to have an animal insured in this company, the 
applicant is obliged to fill out a blank form containing a 
series of questions regarding the animal. Suppose it is a 
horse. The owner gives its value, states how long he has 
owned it, and gives the full particulars regarding any 
sickness it may have had. The following diseases are 
specialized: Pink-eye, colic, staggers, inflammation of the 
bowels, poll evil, heaves, lung fever, fistula, founder and 
distemper. Horses that are blind, cribbers or habitual run¬ 
aways, or that have the heaves or blind staggers, at e not 
insurable at all. The owner is obliged to describe any 
blemishes, such as bad sight, spavin, contracted hoofs, 
ringbone or curb, and guarantees that the horse shall be 
well fed, well cared for and not abused. He also guaran¬ 
tees that his policy shall be cancelled if he has made any 
misstatements as to value, age or soundness. After this 
application has been made out, a veterinary inspector ex¬ 
amines the animal and gives a detailed report as to its con¬ 
dition. If his report is satisfactory, a policy is issued 
about like those issued by the standard mutual companies, 
the rate, of course, depending upon the age and condition 
of the horse and the character of the work he is to do. 
Policies are not issued on any animals which the veteri¬ 
narian concludes are not worth $100, and they are limited to 
a valuation not exceeding $400, no matter how valuable the 
animal may be. Policies are written for three-fourths of 
the valuation, so that the smallest policy is $75 and the 
largest $300. Whenever an animal is taken sick, the owner 
must at once procure the services of a veterinarian, the 
company paying for the first visit. The cost of entering 
stock is three per cent, of the estimated value and 50 cents 
policy fee. Policy-holders also pay one per cent, annually 
to cover losses. If the losses are heavier than expected, 
extra assessments may be made not exceeding one per 
cent, per year. As to the merits of live stock insurance, 
the R. N.-Y. speaks without any experience. Our horses 
are insured against loss by fire, and we have been very 
“ fortunate ” in keeping them in good health by using 
them carefully and feeding them properly. We have not 
had occasion iD the past three years to use medicines or 
condition powders. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
W. A. F., Homewood, Pa. —I have a young horse that 
was kicked on the pastern joint last winter; the cut is 
well; but the joint is still large; what shall I do for it ? 
Ans. —Paint once a week with the compound tincture of 
iodine. If this fails to reduce the enlargement, fire lightly 
with the hot iron in points. 
R. J., Livonia, N. Y. —Both the hind legs of my three- 
weeks-old colt are swollen and feverish all around the 
gambrel joint. The first week after birth they were all 
right. I applied a liniment and took off some hair, and 
the swelling on one joint broke and some matter ran out. 
What’s the trouble ? 
Ans. —The joints were probably swollen at first from 
weakness, and should have received mild stimulating ap¬ 
plications with hard rubbing, but should not have been 
blistered. In their present condition we cannot advise 
treatment without a personal examination to ascertain 
the nature and extent of the trouble. 
E. C. A., Aberdeen, Dakota. —How can tallow be 
treated so that it will keep in a fluid state, and be fit for 
use instead of machine oil ? It sells here for two to 2)4 
cents per pound, while the cheapest oil costs 50 cents per 
gallon. 
Ans. —As tallow consists largely of stearine, which is a 
solid fat, it cannot be kept in a liquid condition for use on 
light machinery. It may be melted and mixed with com¬ 
mon olive or seal oil and a fourth part of the total of fine 
black-lead, all stirred until cool, and then it makes an ex¬ 
cellent lubricant for heavy and slow-running machinery. 
The oleine, or fluid part of it, is separated by heavv pres¬ 
sure, leaving a hard, crystalline cake of stearine much like 
wax, but it can be treated profitably in this way only in 
large quantities and with expensive machinery. 
P. (?., Oswego Falls, N. Y. —1. What is the general prac¬ 
tice of strawberry growers in planting—to'take all plants 
from the row as they come, or to take only the last runners 
from the edges of the rows ? Is it not better to take only 
good, big plants for planting ? 2. What is the value, (as a 
commercial fertilizer), of fresh bone cut up in a Mann’s 
green-bone cutter, to be used as a fertilizer and as a 
chicken food ? 3. If the chopped green bone is valuable 
and is fine enough to be easily available as plant food, how 
should it be used—and with what mixed ? 
Ans.— 1. The last runners are the best—they are the re¬ 
newals of the old plant—a fresh rooted cutting so to speak. 
2. We do not know of the bone cutter alluded to. Coarse 
ground bone is wQrth about half the price of that which is 
as fine as flour. As to the comparative value of bones as a 
chicken food, poultrymen are not agreed. If coarse, the 
bones are not digested and they assist less in digestion 
than shells. 3. It should be mixed with potash and nitrogen 
in some form to make a complete manure. The trouble 
will be that the phosphoric acid and nitrogen of the bones 
will not act as soon as the other constituents. 
L. S., Westport, Oregon.— I have a 10-acre field with a 
sand subsoil five feet deep washed down from the hills on 
each side of a creek. It has been burnt over several times 
and has good drainage, but becomes rather dry in summer. 
I intend to irrigate it and seed it down to meadow. What 
grasses should be sown ? 
Ans. —This land possesses all the qualities for growing 
Alfalfa, which thrives best on dry, deep soils, with irriga¬ 
tion. Twenty-five pounds of seed are sown to the acre in 
drills 13 inches apart, and the first year the weeds must 
be kept down by hoeing or other cultivation. Irrigation 
for the Farm, Garden and Orchard, by Henry Stewart, is 
the only work on this subject published in the United 
States. It costs $1.50, and explains the whole science and 
practice of irrigating crops. It is supplied by the Rural 
Publishing Company at this office. If it is desired to seed 
the land with grasses, those varieties which thrive best in 
your locality should be chosen, but Alfalfa is more prolific 
than any grass crop, and remains in the soil many years 
under suitable conditions. It is a plant closely allied to 
clover, and is used for green fodder or hay, as that crop is. 
