Sod and Sub-Soil Plows. 
Sod and Sub-Soil Plows , as 'perfected in No. 33, 
constructed by Ruggles rf* Co. of Boston. 
This form of plow received the unqualified approba¬ 
tion of the committee on Agricultural Implements, at 
New York Crystal Palace ; and is, in my judgment, 
one of the most complete implements for the purpose 
designed, that has been constructed Like every oth¬ 
er plow, it works best, where there are least obstacles 
in the way ; but still it is not easily directed from its 
course ; it moves with greater steadiness and uniform¬ 
ity, than any single plow can be made to move;—it 
can be regulated to any' depth of furrow slices;—it 
completely turns over the first furrow slices, so that 
the second is thrown without any embarrassment di¬ 
rectly upon the first; and so lightly that it can be 
pulverized, with great ease. When the ground is free 
of roots and stones, we know of nothing more complete 
than the work of this plow. Prom repeated experi¬ 
ments we are satisfied that it is operated with even less 
power than is required to turn a single furrow, of the 
same depth and width as the two combined; and when 
done, that the work is worth double for all the purpo¬ 
ses for which a plow is ordinarily used. Our confi¬ 
dence in this plow is such that we can not commend it 
too highly. P. May 30, 1854. 
Preparation of Bones for Use. 
Messrs. Editors—I have recently read an account 
in one of your papers, of bones dissolved by ashes, 
which has suggested to my mind another method, 
equally as sure, and much more speed} 1 -. 
Instead of placing the bones in the ashes, place 
them in the lye extracted from the ashes, which will 
dissolve the bones in twenty-four hours. 
I have tested the truth of this by experiment, and 
found that a hard bone will become, by this process, 
as soft as pulp. The chemical process is undoubtedly 
the same in both cases, but this one is much quicker. 
This is also a very cheap method—much cheaper 
than to employ acids. The amount of strong lye which 
might be extracted from two barrels of good wood 
ashes, would dissolve a very large bulk of bones— 
twenty times the amount which any farmer could find 
upon his premises. This is not only a cheap method, 
but a very simple one—one which any farmer could 
try without putting himself to any extra trouble. 
Yours, &c., Henry E. Decker. Nassau, N. Y. 
Pruning Orchards. 
It is a very good rule, and the nearer it is followed 
the better, that no shoot should be allowed to remain 
longer than one year on a tree, that will require re¬ 
moval at any future time. By observing the form 
which a young tree should take, and rubbing or cut¬ 
ting off improper or unnecessary shoots in time, any se¬ 
vere pruning at a subsequent period, may be entirely 
avoided. Hence, the remark has much truth in it, 
that pruning-saws and axes should never enter an or¬ 
chard—which is strictly correct in all cases provided 
the needless shoots have been lopped in time, when the 
work may be done with the pocket-knife only. A very 
common error is to allow the growth of too many 
branches, the result of which is they become over¬ 
crowded, a part die, the leaves and new growth are 
small and imperfect, and as a necessary consequence, 
the fruit is half grown and stunted. The head'should 
therefore be left open, the branches few, and so evenly 
'distributed through space, that none shall be crowded, 
and all subjected to the action of air and sunshine, 
and all continue: thrifty and vigorous. ,A moderate 
share of care and attention to these particulars, might 
be made to give a very different report of our orchards, 
from that new presented by the great mass of apples 
sold in market. Larger prices, larger crops, and bet¬ 
ter satisfied purchasers, would be the result;—and 
most strikingly so provided good cultivation -were giv¬ 
en in connectfon with judicious pruning. 
Now is the time that young orchards should be ex- 
To Protect Yeung Vines from Bugs. 
The idea that young vines may be protected from 
the depredations of bugs, by the application of soot, 
ashes, or any thing of the kind, is in my opinion a 
humbug. I have tried all such applications on my 
cucumbers, melons and squashes, without success. 
The only way to preserve vines, is to place over each 
hill a box, say six or eight inches square and four in¬ 
ches high, and cover it with oiled gause or glass. This 
is a sure method, and costs but very little. I plant 
my vines on very rich gravelly land, put about a 
quart of finely pulverized hen manure, covered two 
inches with fine earth, in each hill, water them occa¬ 
sionally with a mixture of one qt. hen manure to two 
gallons of water, taking care not to let it touch the 
plants or roots, and always am repaid by a good yield. 
S. Castleton,Vt., May 8, 1854. 
