206 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
HILLING POTATOES. 
Several years ago we made an experiment to ascertain 
whether hilling potatoes was of any advantage. We left 
two rows with the ground level—those on each side were 
hilled in the usual mode. At harvest time it was found 
by careful measurement, that the two rows left level, 
yielded most—how much most we have forgotten. Since 
that time we never “ hill up” potatoes, unless the ground 
is too wet and we want to turn off the water. An inch 
or two of earth over the tubers will keep the sun from 
injuring them, and that is all that is needed. We see 
some one who signs “ An Old Farmer,” gives the result 
of an experiment of this nature in the N. E. Farmer. 
He left two rows in the piece unhilled—or only gave 
them a little earth at the first hoeing. At harvest he 
measured the product of the two unhilled rows, as well 
as that of two rows on each side, and the unhilled rows 
gave Jive pe-sks more (and larger potatoes) than either 
two of the other rows. He argues (and reasonably) that 
by hilling we deprive the crop of the benefits of moist¬ 
ure. He jays potatoes need a mellow soil, but this can¬ 
not be well secured by increasing the size of the hill 
after planting. A correspondent of the London Garden¬ 
er's Chronicle says, “ moulding up potatoes retards the 
formation of the tubers.” The editor of that publication 
doubts the conclusion of his correspondent, and says— 
“ Potatoes are stunted and swollen branches proceeding 
from the sides of the main stems, which alone rise into 
the air, clothe themselves with leaves, and so convey 
their food to their underground progeny. * * * Now 
the quantity of lateral branches will be in proportion to 
the quantity of earth through which the stem passes; 
tubers are lateral branches, and therefore the quantity of 
tubers will be regulated by the same cause. Moulding 
up is a contrivance to increase the quantity of earth 
through which the main stems have to pass, and should, 
therefore, according to the theory, be a beneficial opera¬ 
tion.” 
Now we do not understand how it is that “ potatoes 
are stunted and swollen branches,” &c. We believe that 
potatoes proceed from a class of roots or stems entirely 
different from others, and designed particularly" for the 
production of tubers. In the next place the editor con¬ 
tends that as “ moulding up” increases the number of la¬ 
teral branches, the quantity of potatoes would also be 
increased by the same means. Our experience has taught 
us a somewhat different conclusion. We admit that the 
large quantity of earth through which the main stem 
passes has a tendency to increase the number of lateral 
branches, but we have not found this increase of 
branches or roots accompanied by a corresponding 
increase in the weight or yield of potatoes. In other 
words, we have found earthing or “ moulding” up, to 
increase the number of roots, and the number of tubers, 
but not the yield either in weight or measure, because 
they were “ small potatoes.” We have also noticed that 
those varieties which throw out a great number of lateral 
branches, produce many tubers in number, but few in the 
aggregate weight. 
The editor speaks of potatoes being produced in the 
dark which formed all over the branches, of which he 
gives an engraving. We have often seen potatoes pro¬ 
duced in this way—have found them very numerous, but 
never knew any but small sized ones grown in such cir¬ 
cumstances. 
CARBON CONSUMED BY ANIMALS. 
Most farmers have noticed the greater quantity of food 
required by animals when exposed to a cold atmosphere, 
than when placed in one of moderate temperature. The 
true reason for this is, that carbon is as necessary for the 
support of animal life and heat, as for the support of 
flame, and the quantity of carbonaceous food which the 
animals require, will always be in proportion to the de¬ 
gree of cold to which they are exposed. We find this 
principle well illustrated in some remarks made by Mr. 
Nesbit in a late speech before an agricultural association 
in England. The same amount of heat is said to be gen¬ 
erated by the combustion of a pound of charcoal, whether 
it is rapidly consumed in oxygen, or by ordinary burn¬ 
ing, as in the lungs of animals. A pound of charcoal if 
made to give off an intense heat, might be consumed in 
one minute, while in the breathing of an animal a pound 
of charcoal would generally be consumed in twenty-four 
hours. From this it is easy to understand how the Es¬ 
quimaux are able to eat eight or ten pounds of whale 
blubber, and drink a gallon or two of train-oil per day. 
A large amount of carbon is consumed in that cold cli¬ 
mate in keeping up the animal heat of the body, which 
must be supplied by large quantifies of food which con¬ 
tains carbon. In a warm climate proportionably less 
carbon is consumed in keeping up the animal heat, and 
less carbonaceous food is required. These facts should 
teach the necessity of keeping animals warm in winter. 
INSECT IN GRASS. 
At one of the agricultural meetings in Albany, last 
winter, Hon. Mr. Rhoades observed that an insect simi¬ 
lar to that found in wheat, sometimes called the weevil , 
had been seen in grass. We have this season discovered 
in the spear-grass, or Kentucky blue-grass, (Poa pra- 
tensis ,) what we suppose to be the insect referred to. It 
is not, however, of the same class as the wheat insect—it 
more nearly resembles in character the spindle worm of 
Indian corn, classed by Dr. Harris under the name Non- 
agriadce. The insect, in the larvse state, may be found 
around the stem of the grass above the upper joint. It is 
so small that it is not readily seen by the naked eye, ex¬ 
cept when nearly full grown. We have not yet disco¬ 
vered it in the perfect or fly state. The period of its 
attack on the grass, is soon after the head makes its ap¬ 
pearance, and (judging from what we have this year seen) 
continues but a few days—their ravages having ceased 
before the grass comes into bloom. The effects of the 
insect are easily seen by the dead grass. The egg from 
which it proceeds, seems to be deposited between the 
stem and leaf, (or sheath,) and the larvse preys on the 
juices and tender part of the stem, which soon causes it 
to die and turn white down to the first joint. We have 
noticed on some fields where the kind of grass mentioned 
prevails, that nearly all the heads were dead. We have 
not seen it on any other kinds of grass than that men¬ 
tioned. We should not suppose that it would occasion 
much damage, as it only attacks the stalk in the manner 
described, and the variety of grass to which it seems to 
be confined is chiefly valued for its leaves , which are not 
injured, and probably not lessened in quantity. 
Berkshire and Sand-Hill Hogs.— A writer in the 
Southern Planter, objects to the Berkshire, and what he 
calls “ No-bone” (China) hogs, that they have too short 
legs, too large a body, and too little ability to get their 
food. He says, “give me something of the South Caro¬ 
lina Sand-Hill hog, a hearing ear, (at least in acorn time,) 
a light body and long legs, then a good range, and I will 
ensure meat enough.” 
These objections remind us of a similar one we heard 
from a large farmer at the west. Neighbor C. was re¬ 
commending to neighbor A., the improved breeds of 
swine. Their propensity to fatten, the fine quality of 
their flesh and their quiet dispositions, were highly extoll 
ed. A. listened to the eulogium for a while with silent 
attention, when accosting C., he said, “ but can your new 
breed run well ?” “ Oh no,” said C., “they can hardly 
run at all.” ‘‘Well then,” rejoined A., “I don’t want 
any of ’em, for I intend my hogs shall get their living 
somehow, and I ivould'nt give a cent for one that could' nt 
out-run a dog.” To those farmers who want hogs to “ cut 
their own fodder,” we say, take the “long legs and light 
body.” Then “ with a good range,” (and they will 
scarcely permit you to set bounds to their “ range,”) you 
may have plenty of hogs and a little “ meat” (not pork,) 
provided you can catch it. 
Damp Beds and catching cold. —Visitors are often 
lodged in beds not in common use, and which have as a 
consequence, contracted a dampness, causing dangerous 
colds. To prevent completely this disaster, spread a 
well aired blanket on the bed-tick, and the sheets over iL 
