170 
1843. THE CULTIVATOR. 
-crop benefited by this course, but I have yet to learn 
that it causes any additional labor, A neighbor who 
-usually planted in rows but one way and hoed twice, 
was induced a year or two since to change his method 
of planting, to rows both ways, and to hoe three times; 
one of the hands informed me that a gain of several 
days was made by the change, the same field having 
been in corn the previous year. Hilling corn is gene¬ 
rally, and I think justly disap proved-by writers on agri¬ 
culture, and yet I find it difficult to hoe in such a man- 
sier as to leave the ground entirely level. 
The last hoeing should be completed before the tas¬ 
sels generally appear. The labor of suitably prepar¬ 
ing this ground for this crop, is not a trifling affair; 
but taking into consideration, the ample returns it is 
wont to make for all reasonable outlays, and that a 
succeeding crop is also at the same time amply provid¬ 
ed for., there is every reason for doing up the work 
faithfully. 
The practice of some, is occasional’^ to intermingle 
other crops with this, as potatoes and beans. I have 
no experience in this matter; but incline to the opinion 
that as a general rule, one kind of grain at a time on 
a given piece of ground is better than more. 
A few remarks about harvesting, will close this re¬ 
port. The usual method was, formerly, to top the 
stalks after the corn was generally glazed, and put 
them in small stocks between the rows, and when the 
crop was ripe, proceed to husk it ©n the hills, or in 
some cases, to pluck off the ears, carry them to the 
barn, and then get up a husking-foee, an evening frolic 
for the youngsters of the neighborhood, i am not quite 
-certain that any better method has yet been discovered, 
so far as the value *©f the grain is concerned, than to 
suffer it to remain on the hills till fully ripe, though it 
has been asserted by good authority, I suppose, that 
corn gathered into stocks, will produce more whiskey 
than when harvested by the first method. If this he a 
fact, who can doubt the importance of Us universal 
adoption? 
The proper time either to top the stalks ©r to cut 
up the crop and put it in stocks., I conceive to be, a 
matter of no small consequence. We are often told to 
do it as soon as the kernel is glazed. This l am sure 
is a mistake. I have done both in several instances, 
too early, and yet the com had been glazed for some 
time. The consequence was, quite a shrinking and 
looseness on the cob. The stalks may be worth more 
at that period as fodder, but a diminished value in the 
grain will be the consideration for it. With the above 
explanations, and in view of the whole subject, espe¬ 
cially with reference to fodder, I have no hesitation in 
giving my preference to gather in stocks. 
l>f§eases ©f Aiaimstls* 
Diseases of Poultry. 
The diseases of poultry have seldom received atten¬ 
tion in this country, from persons qualified to treat them 
judiciously. The management of this interesting and 
useful description of farm stoek, both in sickness and 
health, is usually entrusted to children, or persons who 
are incapacitated for other business. The consequence 
is a general ignorance of their peculiar natural habits, 
as welt as their diseases. But within a few years men 
of intelligence have .turned their attention to this subject. 
This has been the ease, particularly, in England, where 
the natural history and diseases of poultry have been 
Investigated in a scientific manner. 
We have been greatly interested with the articles of 
two correspondents of the English Agricultural Gazette, 
the one using the signature of “ D. S. E.” and the 
(.©Iher u Df The former has written more frequently 
on the diseases of poultry, and the latter chiefly on their 
natural history and habits. In regard to diseases, we 
propose to give occasionally such abstracts of the re¬ 
marks of the writer alluded to, as seem calculated to 
be useful to our readers. 
Fluxes, Scour and Diarrhoea. The first symp¬ 
toms of these maladies are an unusual looseness. “In 
the early stages,” (says D. 3. E.) “ this is occasioned 
by a superabundant discharge of liquid from the kid¬ 
neys. The first of these, scour, generally precedes the 
second, diarrhoea, which becoming habitual soon produ¬ 
ces great emaciation, and gives rise to the third, fluxes. 
These last assume two forms, often attendant on roup, 
and are very fatal and difficult to cure. They are probably 
occasioned by a secretion of acid from the intestines. 
The first is characterised fey the passing and adherence 
of a certain irritating calcareous matter, having a very 
pungent ammoniaeal smell, very adhesive and acid, 
soon producing excoriation, which is succeeded by in¬ 
flammation extending up into the intestines.” In the 
second form of the disease, there is a constant flow of 
straw coloured fluid; and the last form is a blood flux. 
The causes are believed to be exposure to cold and 
wet, improper diet, sour food, salted meats, the refuse 
of vegetables lying about the yard till they putrify, and 
corrupt the water sometimes standing on the surface 
of the ground from which the fowls drink; and lastly, a 
general neglect of the important requisite of cleanli¬ 
ness. 
Cure. In the first stages of scours, the writer states 
that proper shelter, cleanliness and judicious change of 
diet, will often prove effectual, without medicine. If 
the disease progresses to the second stage, it is recom¬ 
mended to mix water from a blacksmith’s forge with 
the water provided for fowls to drink; oxide of iron or iron 
rust, mixed in pellets of barley meal is mentioned as a 
powerful tonic and astringent. u Part of the yolk of 
an egg boiled hard, mixed with bruised hempseed, or 
boiled barley, diluted with wine, (gin is preferable,) is 
an old French remedy.” Another remedy highly re¬ 
commended, is water in which the rust of iron is infused 
with an equal portion of new milk. 
In the third stage, fluxes, the writer states that he 
has found the following most effective; two parts castor 
oil with one part syrup of white poppies, combined. 
This, he states, acts quickly in checking the disorder. 
Two tea-spoonfuls is the quantity for a grown fowl. It 
is added, however, that this remedy when repeated will 
sometimes produce the contrary effect, when castor oil 
must fee used alone as often as required. 
For flux of blood, which is of very rare occurrence, 
alum, dissolved in the fowls’ drinking troughs, is recom¬ 
mended to be used, and riee boiled in milk, with a little 
starch added. 
Constipation is a disorder the reverse of the above. 
It is described as follows ; u Symptoms —straining, very 
evident to the watchful poultry keeper; and when fatal 
is mostly ©wing to neglect or ^ignorance. Causes — 
deficiency of green diet; feeding too long on dry grain; 
want of a sufficiency of clean water, free access to which 
graniverous birds in particular require, owing to the 
peculiar construction of their intestines, as compared 
with quadrupeds. Cure— a moist laxative diet, boiled 
instead of dried grain. When the crop requires stimu¬ 
lating, as before stated, one or two teaspoonfuls of gin 
is preferable to cordial horse-ball, and castor oil to calo¬ 
mel, as often recommended; and soot and fresh butter 
rolled in barley-meal ; chopped suet or fat in roasted 
potatoes, and also lard mixed, have been advised ; and 
pollen and bran with lard. In very aggravated cases 
a little sweet oil as a clyster, has been said to be very 
effective. Rye flour or meal, to which is added a litte 
honey, is a French remedy.” 
