1872 .] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
325 
Wliislfey I*icUles.—Several correspond¬ 
ents have asked liow to make whiskey pickles. Wc have 
had no experience in making pickles in this manner. A 
correspondent of the Rural New Yorker gives the follow¬ 
ing: “Take one gallon of whiskey and three of water. 
Put into a tub or cask as you pick them, the cucumbers; 
put them in the pickle and cover with a cloth, which will 
have to be washed every few days, as often as the mold 
gathers on it. That is the way I did and had splendid ' 
pickles. You must use pure whiskey.” In this process 
the vinegar is made in contact with the cucumbers. All 
vinegar comes from the decomposition of alcohol, whether 
made from cider, wine, molasses and water, or by what¬ 
ever process. In the above a dilute alcohol—probably 
through the influence of the fermenting matter in the 
cucumber — becomes converted gradually into vinegar. 
The process does not seem to ns an economical one. 
Preserving - Okr:t. — “j T. S.,” Sullivan 
Co., Mo. Okra is preserved by slicing the pods (tender 
and fit for the table) crosswise in sections about half an 
inch long, running them upon a string and drying them in 
the snn. When wanted for use they are soaked until soft. 
Besides its use in soups and stews, fresh okra is liked by 
many boiled and dressed with drawn bntter in the manner 
of asparagus. 
Lombardy Poplars.— “ E. E. W.," of 
Nebraska, asks: “ How far apart should Lombardy pop¬ 
lars be planted to appear best as a feature in the land¬ 
scape on a rolling prairie. I wish to set out a single row 
for three quarters of a mile, fh the shape of a carpenter’s 
square.”—We should say that fifty miles wai near enough 
for Lombardy poplars in Nebraska or anywhere else. A 
more worthless tree can not be planted. It makes an in¬ 
sufficient wind-break, and is almost valueless as limber 
and fuel. Besides, it is excessively ugly, having no more 
beauty than a telegraph-pole. A plantation of the size 
proposed would be “ a feature in the landscape ” that 
would bo horrible to contemplate. Plant Silver Maple, 
Black Walnut, White Willow, or even Cottonwood or 
Ailanthus, but don’t disfigure your place with miserable 
Lombardy Poplars. 
A Boole on Gardening-How Not 
to ®o. —We print the following as a specimen to show 
the qneer things people will do, and how they seem to 
take pains to defeat their own objects: “ May 22. Would 
you please tell me in your next issue of American Agri¬ 
culturist where to get a good book, not too expensive , about 
gardening ? If you have any in stock, please let me know 
the price. Yours respectfully, W. C.”—Had the writer 
signed his name we could have sent him a marked cata¬ 
logue, and he would not have been obliged to wait until 
September for an answer. Even now we do not know 
whether he wants a book on kitchen, fruit, flower, or 
vegetable gardening. Month after month we advertise the 
largest collection of works on gardening in the country, 
and yet our correspondent writes to know where to get 
one. We have hundreds of jnst such indefinite letters. 
If “ W. C.” will tell us what he want3, w r e shall be very 
glad to reply. “A. E. S.,” who writes for Pastel Board, 
may consider the above. Had he sent his name we 
should have replied by letter.. We do not answer purely 
personal matters through the paper. 
Landscape Gardening. — The author 
of that valuable work, “ Beautifying Country Homes,” 
Mr. J. Weidenmann, having returned from a residence of 
some years abroad, is again practicing his profession in 
Hartford, Ct. Mr. W.’s work at Hartford and elsewhere 
attests his ability, and those who wish to consult a land¬ 
scape architect can be sure of being well served if they 
apply to Mr. Weidenmann. 
CastorBeans.—“ D. W.,” Polk Co., Texas. 
There are several kinds of beans cultivated for ornament, 
but, so far as we are aware, only one species is grown for 
commercial purposes. As this is a plant largely affected 
by climate, it would bo advisable for you to procure seed 
that has been found profitable in your State. Probably 
your seedsmen could supply you. The pomace or cake, 
after the oil has been expressed, is of positive value as a 
fertilizer. It contains a large amount of nitrogen, and 
forms a highly stimulating compost. 
IfiocJe 3>51 for Caterpillars.—Jas. H. 
Robinson, Lawrence Co., Pa., writes that for the last 
eight or ten years he has nsed crude rock-oil with great 
success. Ho keeps a vessel of oil at hand, and when he 
discovers a caterpillar’s nest, he applies the oil by means 
of a quill. He also uses it effectively for worms that 
molest his grape-vines. The oil he uses is the Mahoning 
crude oil, and no injury has resulted from its application. 
Whether this particular kind of petroleum J3 different 
from that from other localities, we are not informed. The 
use of petroleum in general upon plants has been at¬ 
tended with variable results—sometimes injury has been 
done, while others, like Mr. R., use it with impunity. 
This induces us to think that there is a difference in 
petroleum as far as its influence upon vegetation goes. 
Agricultural Colleges.—The “Kansas 
Farmer” is doing a good work in showing up the man¬ 
ner in which in several States the Agricultural College 
Fund has been misappropriated. It is through the efforts 
of this paper that the management of the Kansas College 
has been kept out of the hands of lawyers, doctors, and 
antiquated clergymen. 
Crops in Southern Ohio.—Col. J. T. 
Worthington, of Chillicotlie, writes: “ The hay crop is 
short all over Southern Ohio, wheat very good in quality 
but not over two thirds of an average in quantity. Our 
main crop, corn, promises well, and will probably be 
over an average. We have a fine fruit year. Apples, 
peaches, pears, grapes, melons, and figs are doing or 
promising well.” 
Ituddiug.—In the article upon “ Propagation 
by Budding,” pages 343 and 344, it should have been 
stated that figure 1 was from “ Warder’s American 
Pomology,” figures 2, 8, and 9 are from Mr. Fulton’s 
very thorough work upon “Peach Culture,” and figures 
3 to 7 from “ Barry’s Fruit-Garden,” a work that should 
be in the hands of every one who wishes to propagate or 
grow fruit trees. There is no other work that contains 
so much of just the information that every grower of 
fruit, whether on the large or small scale, requires. 
llnglisli Gardeners isi America,.— 
Our associate, Peter Henderson, now in Europe, has 
written an article to “ The Garden ” with the above title. 
Its object is to give advice to English gardeners who 
propose emigrating to this country. One point that he 
particularly insists upon is that they should not arrive 
here during the summer and fall months. In February 
and March labor is always in demand, and there is no 
difficulty in obtaining places, while at other seasons it is 
very rare that a competent man can find a situation, no 
also advises men with families not to come out unless 
they hive first engaged a suitable place. 
Wire for Pegs and Stitches.— The 
American Cable Screw Wire Co. manufacture boots and 
shoes in which a screw-twisted wire takes the place of 
pegs or stitches. A trial of these goods for several 
months past, and the testimony we have from dealers, 
proves this method of fastening soles to be a good im¬ 
provement. There is no ripping; the wire holds until 
the sole of the shoe is fairly worn out. 
Sowing Clover on Timothy.—“ B. H. 
W.,” Iowa City, Iowa, asks if he can get a catch of clover 
on a timothy meadow, by sowing the seed on the snow. It 
would be better to wait until the sod can be harrowed in 
the spring as early as possible, and sow six quarts of 
clover per acre, immediately afterward, and then run over 
the field with a brush harrow. 
In|mry to the Iloof.—“J. G.,” Macon 
Co., Mo., has a horse which injured its hoof, and proud 
flesh has appeared in the wound. He wants to know 
what to do in this case. A solution of sixteen grains of 
chloride of zinc in a pint of water, applied as a wash to 
the wound, would probably remove the proud flesh and 
cause a healthy action. 
•ffersicy Cattle. — Col. Waring, of Ogden 
Farm, Secretary of the American Jersey Cattle Club, has 
edited a very comprehensive essay on this breed, as a 
contribution to the first volume of the Club’s Herd Re¬ 
gister. This essay is now published in pamphlet form, 
together with the Constitution of the Club : a list of its 
members, with their addresses; and instructions for 
offering pedigrees for registry. The price is 50 cents, by- 
mail, post-paid ; for sale by Orange Judd & Co., 245Broad- 
way. New York. 
IParsous £c Co. —This well-known firm 
has dissolved, and formed two separate establishments. 
The extensive stock of evergreens, rhododendrons, ca¬ 
mellias, and other specialties, has been divided between 
the two new firms, Samuel B. Parsons & Sons, and 
Robert B. Parsons & Co., both of which will carry on 
the business in Flushing. 
Jersey Herd - Book.—11. Q. Tenney, 
Colorado. The cost of a record in the “Jersey Herd- 
Book ” is two dollars. 
Travelisig-CIgairs for In¬ 
valids.—It often happens that invalids who are unable 
to walk, and persons who have received injuries, retain 
considerable strength in their hands. All such can 
enjoy the pleasures of locomotion in-doors and out, by 
using Smith’s chairs. These are made of different Bizes 
and patterns, but the principle is the same in all. There 
are large driving wheels which are easily moved by the 
hand, and the contrivance for changing direction is very 
simple and easily managed. Hundreds of invalids 
would derive great comfort from a chair of this kind. 
SaXN'HSST SIIJilIBLOS.—“Stealing the 
Livery ol Heaven ” to serve mammon, is variously prac¬ 
ticed. We don’t like to throw a straw in the way of 
securing wide contributions to assist feeble churches, 
and, whenever there is a spare dollar in the exchequer, 
wo enjoy taking a hand in any effort to establish a beacon- 
light of the gospel in a dark corner. But those who send 
out circulars to the general public, asking for small sums 
in aid of churches, will need nowadays to furnish pretty 
strong evidence of the genuineness of such appeals, and 
that the money will be properly used, because snndry 
thieves, locating themselves in out of-thc-way places, 
make up very plausible appeals for such objects, which 
are well calculated to deceive unwary benevolent people. 
The money generously sent to aid such churches is pock¬ 
eted by pseudo “ treasurers,” who usually assume a name 
of the feminine gender. We have exposed some such 
operators, and have before us circulars not yet investi¬ 
gated fully, that are suspicious, to say the least. In one 
case of this kind we wrote for information, and received 
an answer “All right,” but, as it afterwards appeared, 
our letter was intercepted and answered by the operator 
himself. Every leading Christian denomination has a 
regular organization (called Church Extension Society, or 
similar name), which will receive and properly apply 
contributions of this kind.Another Thief of Heaven’s 
Livery is the following: 
“ ZW To Consumptives.— The advertiser, having been 
permanently cured of that dread disease, Consumption, 
by a simple remedy, is anxious to make known to his 
fellow-sufferers the means of cure. To all who desire it, 
he will send a copy of the prescription used (free of 
charge), with the directions for preparing and using the 
same, which they will find a sure Cure for Consump¬ 
tion - , Asthma, Bronchitis, etc. Parties wishing the 
prescription will please address Rev. EDWARD A. WIL¬ 
SON, 194 Penn street, Williamsburgh, N. Y.” 
This fellow has been operating for many years. Wc have 
often exposed him, hut he still finds plenty of ignorant 
dupes, for we see the above advertisement in many 
papers, marked to be inserted for a whole year, and ha 
has paid a great many thousands of dollars for advertis¬ 
ing, ail of which has of course come out of the pockets 
of poor, deluded sick people, or those who think they 
are sick. This so-called Rev. Wilson claimed to belong 
to the “Methodist New naven Conference,” until we 
published the fact that there was no such conference 
known to Methodists, since which time he lias used other 
subterfuges. In his circulars he talks very sanctimo¬ 
niously, and works upon the feelings of his patrons—says 
“he sends the prescription to consumptive sufferers, not 
from any mercenary or selfish motives, but from a sense 
of Christian duty,” etc., etc.—a lot of bosh that ought to 
put any intelligent person on his guard. For the benefit 
of our newer readers, we republish his prescription as 
he now gives it to those who answer his advertisements: 
Extract Blodgetti, 3 ounces; Hypopliosphites of Lime 
and Soda, % ounce; Alantin (pura), 1 drachm; Meconin 
(pura), 'A scruple; Extract Cinchona, 2 drachms; Loaf 
Sugar, t ft.; Pure Port-wine, X pint; Cold Water. 1 quart. 
Mix well, etc. Dose, one large table-snoonful before each 
meal, anrl a fourth one before going to bed. This for 
adults. For delicate females, and persons under 18, one 
third less for the first week. 
There you have what the very Rev. fellow pays thousands 
of dollars in advertising, to inform you you can get free by 
sending to him. We make you no charge for giving it to 
everybody free. But we will- just hint that you can not 
get any such dose put np by a druggist, even if it were 
worth buying. But here comes the benevolent, very Rev. 
Wilson (so called), and offers to supply it to you for $4, 
you paying the express; or, lie will send all except the 
wine, sugar, and water, by mail, post-paid, for $3.30: and 
here is where the “ prophet ” comes in to this fellow, 
who claims to be a “ poor man.” He is an outrageous 
swindler, one of that mean kind who work upon the 
fears and hopes of poor sick people by his hypocritical, 
pious asseverations, and take from them money which 
they can illy spare, without returning an equivalent. We 
are sorry to see editors of respectable papers helping 
him, by inserting his advertisement—because lie divides 
his profits with them in the form of pay for the use of 
their columns.And here let its remind the reader that, 
as a rule, they can place no reliance on quotations from 
newspapers recommending varfous medicines, etc. It is a 
trick of operators to insert notices, letters, and other 
commendations of themselves, or their wares, in the ad¬ 
vertising columns of newspapers, and then give quota¬ 
tions from these advertisements as if they were editorial 
indorsements.“Married women,” and all other's, 
should promptly burn all the printed trash sent them by 
the fellow calling himself “ Madams (Mmes.) Geary, 
