1883,] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
235 
is comparatively easy to answer. We have 
instruments with which to measure the fine¬ 
ness of powders. The second question is 
very difficult. It depends upon a great 
many conditions. The best we can do is to 
use the solvent commonly employed by 
chemists to represent this power of the 
plants. This is a solution of citrate of am¬ 
monia. It is used to represent the plant- 
root juices, soil-water and other solvents in 
the soil, and can completely dissolve the very 
fine precipitated phosphates and other ex¬ 
ceedingly finely divided phosphates. 
We give in the table the figures obtained 
for some average representative samples of 
each kind. Tho first two columns show the 
degree of fineness, the last column the degree 
of their solubility in the citrate solution; 1, 
2 and 3 are from identically the same phos¬ 
phate rock and the same mill. So are 4 and 
5, the product being generally caught in two 
different chambers, the coarser in the first 
and the finer in the second. Ho. 6 is a differ¬ 
ent rock from all the others. They are all, 
however, South Carolina phosphates, as near 
.alike as can be found. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Per cent finer than 
0.0003 inch, linear. 
Per cent finer than 
0.00015 inch. 
Per cent of the phos¬ 
phoric acid present solu¬ 
ble in citrate solution. 
"1. Ordinary grinding of 
stones. 
10 
19.32 
'2. New mill, caught in first 
chamber. 
40 
30 
20.59 
-3. New mill, caught in sec¬ 
ond chamber. 
99 
95 
25.09 
4. New mill, another place, 
first chamber.. 
20 
17.81 
5. New m 11, another place, 
second chamber. 
85 
15 
21.06 
■8. Extraordinary fine grind¬ 
ing of stones. 
20 
16.75 
The mill product is indeed much finer than 
the best grinding of the stones. A large 
part of “3” is an almost impalpable powder. 
But even this is very far short of the fineness 
of a chemically precipitated powder. The 
fine grinding does effect the solubility in 
citrate very distinctly, we see. One-fourth 
of “3” is dissolved, but the difference is not 
great between this and the stone-grinding. 
After all we must remember that this test 
is only an imitation of what goes on in the 
soil, and only gives us a hint as to how it will 
be there. The fine raw phosphate needs to be 
tested in the soil. Soils containing much 
vegetable matter will probably dissolve it. 
Possibly this can be done in compost heaps. 
Wear Plate for Harness Tugs and Collars. 
BY h. D. SNOOK, TATES CO., N. T. 
In the manufacture of improved harness 
trimmings, devices are employed to prevent, 
as much as possible, the wear and breaking 
of the tugs where the buckle tongue enters 
them. This is quite an important point with 
those purchasing new harness. The single 
Fig. 1.— WEAR PLATE FOR TUG. 
contrivance, such as is shown in figure 1, 
consists of a thin iron plate a little narrower 
than the tug, and about two inches in length, 
with a hole for the reception of the buckle 
tongue when placed between the tug and the 
buckle. The strain from the buckle upon 
the tug is equally distributed over the entire 
surface against which the plate rests. A 
harness thus equipped will last many years 
longer than those not so provided. There is 
another part of 
the harness that 
is the cause of 
much trouble, 
mainly the part 
where the tug 
comes in contact 
with the collar. 
The tug and its 
fastenings to the 
hame soon wear 
through the col¬ 
lar and compress 
iiames. the latter so 
much that during heavy pulling the horse’s 
shoulder is often pinched, chafed, and lacer¬ 
ated. This is worse than carelessness on the 
part, of the teamster, as the collar should be 
kept plump at this point, by re-filling when 
needed ; yet, very much of this trouble may¬ 
be avoided by tacking to the underside of the 
hame a piece of leather, as shown in figure 
2. It will be found not only to save the col¬ 
lar, but prevent chafing of the shoulder. 
Portable Water Pence. 
The water fence herewith illustrated is one 
of the best we have ever used, and those who 
live near or on tide-water will find such a 
one very useful. This fence is made usually 
of pine, the larger pieces, those which lie on 
the ground and parallel with the “ run” of 
the fence, are 3 by 4-inch pieces, hemlock or 
pine, and connected by three cross-bars, 
of 3 by 4-inch pieces, mortised in, 3 feet apart. 
Into the middle of these three cross-pieces 
(the upright or posts), are securely mortised 
while two common boards are nailed under¬ 
neath the long pieces to afford a better rest 
for the structure when floating on the water, 
or resting on the ground. Stout wires are 
stretched along the posts, which are four 
feet high. D. Z. E. 
There is a general impression that salt 
may be made useful in destroying weeds, 
but there is very little positive testimony on 
the subject. A correspondent writes us: “If 
one will, when the dew is on, sprinkle a 
little fine salt on the leaves of any plant he 
wishes to kill, he will be both surprised and 
pleased at the result.” Beginning some 
years ago with a few quarts annually, he 
now uses some thousands of pounds of salt 
each year in killing weeds, while no injury to 
the land or the crops is perceptible. 
A Hay Barn. 
The English Hay Barn, of which we 
give an engraving, is a model of cheapness, 
and may be easily constructed by the intelli¬ 
gent laborers on any farm. The movable roof, 
descending as the quantity of hay is reduced, 
A HAY BARRACK, OR ENGLISH HAY BARN. 
protects the contents of the barn from storm. 
An estimate of the cost of this bam is as 
follows: 
Roof, 10 yards by 6, and Iron Straps.$108.50 
4 Poles, 30 feet long, 9 by 6 in diameter, and 
pickled in creosote ($5)... 19.85 
2 “Crabs”. 32.50 
8 Pullies and 16 Screw Pins. 18.90 
57 yards of J B B Short Link Chain .. . 11.65 
Wrought Iron Clips at end of Chain. 2.35 
Screw Pins to secure “Crabs”. 1.25 
$195.00 
Docility as a Matter of Training. 
Numbers of farmers who are interested in 
the improvement, at least of their own stock, 
regard bulls as ugly creatures not fit to be kept. 
As those creatures are commonly handled 
the opinion is quite correct, and we might 
go further and recognize the full danger of 
having to do with these animals, which are 
often made unruly by the carelessness or cru¬ 
elty of those who have them in charge. All 
cattle find it difficult to get at the place just 
back of their horns. They often solicit from 
some other member of the herd a friendly 
office in giving that particular spot a “ good 
licking.” They approach with head and horns 
depressed, sometimes giving their mate a 
rather vigorous poke under the throat, to 
call attention to the urgency of their wants. 
Cattle that are carded and cleaned as they 
ought to be are comparatively few in num¬ 
ber. At this season of the year bulls carry 
the accumulated hay seed and other dirt of 
the season's confinement well matted in their 
crests and manes. The attendant in going 
around such an one is almost sure to begin 
to scratch him in the top of the head. Of 
course the animal likes that, holds down his 
head, tries to express his delight by run¬ 
ning out his tongue, and by other motions. 
When the man ceases this attention, to go 
about his work, the animal may indicate its 
desire for a continuance by a stroke with its 
horn. Such a blow, given in playfulness, 
should not be resented, even though it be 
more severe than amusing. A passionate 
man may, by hastily returning the blow with 
one from the pitchfork, create a serious out¬ 
break, in which the animal is severely beaten. 
A few lessons of this sort are apt to arouse 
