1858. 
THE CULTIVATOR 
111 
The Wood Duck —Anas Sponsa. 
DRAWN AND ENGRAVED FOR THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN. 
Among all the whole tribe of ducks known, there 
is none that will compare with the beautiful little 
Wood Duck, for richness and variety of colors—the 
only one approaching it being the Mandarin Duck of 
China, which indeed it strongly resembles. To describe 
it would require a colored plate, or the duck itself, as 
words are inadequate to do it justice. It is called 
Wood Duck from the circumstance of its making its 
nest in the hollow trees. It is familiarly known in 
every part of the United States, from Florida to Lake 
Ontario. During the summer only it is seen in this 
state, migrating southward on the approach of cold 
weather. Its favorite haunts are in the solitary deep 
and muddy creeks, ponds and mill-dams of the interior, 
making its nest frequently in old hollow trees that 
overhang the water. In its wild state its food consists 
of acorns, seeds of aquatic plants, and insects. It has 
been found from 19° south to 54° north latitude ; and 
breeds from Mexico to the Columbia river, and east- 
wardly to Nova Scotia. It is peculiar to America. 
The Wood Duck seldom flies in flocks of more than 
three or four individuals together, and most commonly 
in pairs ; they are not Mormons, but live in pairs like 
pigeons. The common note of the drake is “_pee£,” 
“ peet;” but when standing sentinel, if he sees danger 
he makes a noise not unlike a young sucking pig, “or 
eek!” “or eek!” Their flesh is not equal to that of 
the blue-winged teal. Formerly they were not unfre¬ 
quent in the markets of New-York and Albany. A 
few years ago large numbers were taken in a seine on 
Lake Pleasant, and sold alive in the Albany market. 
This most beautiful duck has often been tamed, and 
is chiefly valuable as an ornament to pleasure grounds, 
on account of its brilliant plumage. They soon become 
nearly as tame and familiar as other fowls. It is ge¬ 
nerally conceded, we believe, and there can be no 
doubt but that all domestic fowls we now possess, have 
been reclaimed from a state of nature. We are certain - 
the turkey and the Brazilian duck have been recently 
reclaimed; and we see no reason why many more may 
not be domesticated as well, if any pains were taken to 
do it. Some forty years ago, as we are informed, a 
Mr. Nicol, who lived on the west side of Gunpowder 
Creek, had a whole yard swarming with the Wood 
Ducks, which he had tamed and completely domesti¬ 
cated, so that they bred, and were as familiar as any 
other tame fowls. 
Some three or four years since, Mr. Vassar procur¬ 
ed of Messrs. Haines of New Jersey, a pair of these 
elegant little ducks. He was unfortunate in losing the 
drake after the first season, but succeeded in rearing 
until nearly full grown, a brood of seven, when a ras¬ 
cally weazel, mink, or some other “ varmint,” stole 
into the yard in the stillness of night, and killed all 
but two of the young ones, leaving one male and one 
female; these, with the old duck, now constitute our 
breeding stock, but as the drake is no potygamist, we 
must be content with the produce of one duck. Last 
season one of the ducks laid her clutch of eggs and sat 
on them, but was so often disturbed by visitors that 
none were hatched. We hope to be more fortunate the 
coming season. They are kept in the poultry-yard 
with other fowls, having a tank of pure water to play 
in, with suitable accommodations for laying and roost- 
ing. 
To show how far they are reclaimed in the second 
generation, we will mention that a few evenings since 
the drake got frightened at something, and flew out of 
the yard, and nothing was seen of him until the next 
morning, when he was found near by, and when the 
gate was opened he marched in with apparent gratifi¬ 
cation. C. N. Bement. Springside. 
---- 
Apple Seeds—Hot-Beds—Grapes.. 
Will you give the best way to plant apple seeds in 
the spring, and also the best plan of a hot-bed? And 
if you know anything of a German plan of using a 
white cloth painted with oil and eggs in the room of 
glass, will you inform me whether it is an improvement 
over the old way? Also, what is the best work on 
grape culture, and where can the book be obtained, 
and at what price? A Subscriber. 
Apple seed, which have been kept in proper condi¬ 
tion through the winter, that is, mixed with sand or 
peat, are planted early in spring an inch deep, as soon 
as the frost is out of the ground, and vegetate freely. 
Planting in the autumn half an inch deep, and cover¬ 
ing with an inch of clear manure, gives them an earlier 
and more vigorous start. 
The last Rural Register contains a good description 
of the mode for making hot-beds. 
We have never tried the described mode of making 
hot-bed covers, and cannot spoak of its comparative 
merits—but think glass will be found best on the long 
run. The proportions we have seen recommended are, 
one quart whitewash, one pint linseed oil, and whites of 
three eggs. 
The Treatise of J. F. Allen on the Grape, is full and 
complete of its kind; Chorlton’s American Grape 
Grower’s Guide is an excellent practical work; and 
Reemelin’s Vine Dresser’s Manual gives full directions 
for vineyard culture and the manufacture of wine. The 
first is furnished for one dollar, the second for sixty 
cents, and the last for twenty-five cents, all sent pos¬ 
tage free by A. 0. Moore, Agricultural book publisher, 
New-York. 
