1858 , 
THE CULTIVATOR 
143 
commences the propagation of its species. It may be 
found upon the squash vine of all ages at once, from the 
first of July to the middle of October, showing that 
many successive broods are hatched irregularly through 
the summer. In Fig. 5, b, is represented an insect 
which in several instances I have found preying upon 
the larva of the Coccinella, by inserting its proboscis in 
the body of the latter and sucking out its contents. On 
being disturbed, it carried off the larva elevated on the 
end of its sucker. This insect destroyer must not be 
mistaken for another squash-bug of similar shape, but 
larger, which is exceedingly destructive to this plant. 
Fig. 7—Magnified view of the Larva. 
The only remedy which I have found effective to pre¬ 
vent the injury from the Coccinella is hand picking. 
Lime, dusted upon the leaf while wet with rain or dew, 
is some assistance, but will not be in itself sufficient. 
A small basin or cup filled with strong brine to brush 
the insects into, can be used advantageously; and re¬ 
member that one hour spent in this work when the in¬ 
sect first appears, and before its eggs are laid, will be 
of more service than many hours after that time. A. 
0, Moore. New- York . 
-o-ao- 
Man vs. Horse Power for Mowing. 
Messrs. Editors —In my opinion your correspond¬ 
ent Darius Clizbe, (see Co. Gent., p. 173,) takes a 
wrong view of man mowers and horse mowers. In the 
first place, in this section of country, for several years 
past, no good mowers could be hired for less than $1.50 
per day and board, and I never saw five mowers to¬ 
gether that would average over one acre each, daily, 
and seldom that where the acre would yield two tons 
of dry hay, and if cut as close and even as the ma¬ 
chines, not near that. For years before we had mow¬ 
ing machines, I often let my mowing by the acre, and 
paid from $1.25 to $1 50, besides board. Now' I could 
get any quantity I ever had, or ever will have, to cut, 
done for 62| cents per acre by horses, and they will cut 
ten acres per day. The difference of board of ten men 
in place of one man and one pair of horses, is no small 
item. But we can cut our grass at much less expense 
with our own machines and horses, than to hire it done 
at 62 2 cents per acre, as any smart boy, or lazy far¬ 
mer, or old man, can drive the horses, and that is all 
he has got to do; and farmer’s horses would be gene¬ 
rally idle when he is toiling at cutting down his grass. 
No, no, Mr. C., you are altogether in the fog on men 
versus horses. John Johnston. Near Geneva. 
-o-»-e- 
Griiyandolte Muffins. 
Two eggs, three cups, of corn meal, three cups of 
flower; stir in sour milk enough to make a stiff batter, 
add three tea-spoonfuls of melted lard, a little salt and 
one tea-spoonful of soda dissolved in warm water. 
Pour your rings half full, and bake quick. Practi¬ 
cal Housekeeping. Kanawha Valley. 
Farming in Illinois. 
A subscriber in Fulton county, Ill., writes us as fol¬ 
lows :—Taking a dislike to mercantile business, I sold 
out, and have gone to farming. I had one hundred 
acres under the plow last year, and did the whole with 
one pair of horses, which were in good condition all the 
season. I raised 2,250 bushels of corn, (75 bushels to 
the acre,) and 850 bushels of small grain—18 acres 
spring wheat averaged 23 bushels per acre, besides 
about 60 bushels spoilt by getting wet. One field of 
three acres averaged 30 bushels per acre. I don’t work 
much myself, and paid last year about $200 for labor, 
and yet cleared from 80 acres in cultivation $1,000. 
Farming here, even at present low prices, is a paying 
business, and by industry and economy a man can get 
ahead fast. It takes no manure and no plaster to 
make corn grow, and as to wheat and barley, the only 
trouble is the land is too rich. We need men to work 
out here. There are plenty of places, and good ones 
too, for hired help—wages ruling at $150 for ten 
months, or $175 per year.” 
- 0 - 0 —»- 
Onions Running to Tops. 
A Kansas correspondent some time since, mentioned 
the case of his onions growing all tops, although, he 
says, in rich ground. The probability is that the seed 
was sown late ; if so, it most likely was the true cause. 
That, and the virgin soil of the prairie, undoubtedly 
was. It is useless to try to get a fine crop of ripe on¬ 
ions, if the seed is not got in early; it can scarcely be 
too early, providing the frost is sufficiently out of the 
ground. It is well also, if the ground is loose from re¬ 
cent spading or plowing, to make it closer either by 
rolling or treading with the feet. This is a very old 
custom of onion growers, e. s. 
Prices and Sizes of Hay Caps. 
The Boston Cultivator furnishes the following infor¬ 
mation on this subject: 
We have called on Messrs. Chase & Fa v, 14 City 
Wharf, Boston, and obtained some information in re¬ 
gard to hay caps. They make four sizes of the follow¬ 
ing dimensions and prices No. 1, 54 by 48 inches, 
sheeting, 25 cents each. No. 2, 72 by 72 in., sheeting, 
37c. No. 3, 53 by 48 in., drilling, 37c. No. 4, 72 by 
72 in., drilling, 62c. The material used has passed 
through the process called Kyanizing, by which it is 
said to he proof against mildew. The caps are pre¬ 
pared with a loop hole at each corner, into which a 
metal thimble is fastened. Strings are tied to the caps 
through the holes, and pins to hold the caps to the hay 
are attached to the strings. The pins may be either 
of wood or iron. Those made of No. 8 wire, fifteen 
inches long, are furnished with the caps, if desired, at 
one cent each. Caps of the largest size here mention¬ 
ed, will protect 100 lbs. of the coarsest clover or other 
hay, and the others will cover a proportionate quanti¬ 
ty. It is easy to see from this how many would be re¬ 
quired to the acre, the yield being stated. There is no 
question as to the utility of the article—especially for 
clover and in “ catching weather ” like that of last 
season. The testimony of all who have used them, so 
far as we know, is strongly in their favor. 
■-•-©-«- 
Calblbage Salad, 
Chop enough cabbage fine to fill a vegetable dish. 
Heat a coffee cup of strong vinegar, with a piece of but¬ 
ter in it the size of a small egg. Pepper and salt. 
When hot, beat an egg very light and stir in ; then 
pour it all on to the chopped cabbage, m. h. k. 
