256 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
Wind Mills. 
Some weeks ago, we published a figure and descrip¬ 
tion of a wind mill for farm purposes, and promised as 
soon as practicable, to furnish another and cheaper 
contrivance. This we are now enabled to do by insert¬ 
ing two engraved figures with a description, from 
Thomas’ new work on Farm Implements : 
The force of wind may be usefully applied by almost 
every fanner, as it is a universal agent, possessing in 
this respect great advantages over water-power, of 
whit.-h very few farms enjoy the privilege. 
Wind may be applied to various purposes, such as 
sawing wood by the aid of a circular saw, turning 
grindstones, and particularly in pumping water. One 
of the best contrivances for pumping is represented by 
Fig. 1, where A is the circular wind-mill, with a 
number of sails set obliquely to the direction of the 
wind, and always kept facing it by means of the vane, 
B. The crank of the wind-mill, during its revolutions, 
works the pump-rod, I, and raises the water from the 
well beneath. In whatever direction the wind may 
Fig- 2. 
blow, the pump will continue working. The pump-rod, 
lo work steadily, must be immediately under the iron 
rod on which the vane turns. If the diameter of. the 
wind-mill is four feet, it will set the pump in motion 
even with a light breeze, and with a brisk wind will 
perform the labor of a man! Such a machine will 
pump the water needed by a large herd of cattle, and 
it may be placed on the top of a barn, with a covering, 
to which may be given the architectural effect of a 
tower or cupola, as shown in Fig. 2. 
Lime and Ash^s for Muck. 
Messrs. Editors —Is it proper to use ashes and 
lime together, to decompose muck ? If so, what pro¬ 
portion of ashes to lime, should be used 1 How many 
bushels of the mixture, will decompose a cord of muck I 
Can muck, decomposed as above, be used with impu¬ 
nity in compost with stable manure, without the lime 
contained in the muck driving off the ammonia ? If 
it can, how many cords of the prepared muck, to one 
of stable manure, can be used, with a view to make 
the utmost advantage ? 
Can muck, prepared only with lime, be used with 
stable manure, without endangering the ammonia ? 
How many bushels of lime will decompose a cord of 
muck. How many bushels of ashes will do the same ? 
Long Islander. 
Is it proper to use ashes and lime together to decom¬ 
pose muck. The ashes should be in smaller quantity 
than the lime, but no definite proportions can be given 
to suit all cases. The refuse lime containing ashes, 
from kilns where wood is used in burning, may be 
used in this way to good advantage. As far as actual 
decomposition is concerned, perhaps lime is as good as 
such a mixture, but we add other ingredients in the 
ashes and hasten the process. . , 
As to proportions of the mixture to be used, muck 
varies so much that definite proportions I cannot give. 
I have seen no farmer use any exact rule in such cases. 
When lime alone is used, the amount is varied, from 
one to five bushels per cord (128 solid feet) are used ; 
two bushels are generally amply sufficient. 
Such decomposed muck should not be used in com¬ 
post heap with stable manure, unless it has lain ex¬ 
posed to the air a long time before mixing it with such 
manure, and even then some loss of ammonia is like¬ 
ly to occur. The same is true, whether lime or lime 
and ashes, are used to effect the decomposition. 
Muck varies greatly in its composition, properties 
and effects. The use of lime, (or other alkali,) is to 
neutralize certain organic acids found' in it almost 
always, and perhaps to effect some other important 
changes. The same thing can often be effectually 
done by exposing it to the action of the air, one sea¬ 
son ; but many good farmers prefer the use of lime, 
mixing the two thoroughly some time before they wish 
to use the mixture. Such is used with very good ef¬ 
fects in the western part of the state upon various crops. 
When lime is not used in its decomposition, it may be 
used in compost with stable manure. B. 
Grubs in Apple Trees. 
Some writers tell us that the ravages of these worms 
can be prevented by putting lime -or ashes around the 
trunks of the trees. This may do a little good, if the 
grubs have not entered the trees : but after the grubs 
have penetrated the tree, and bored a hole upward 
four or five inches from the place of entry, to say that 
they can be driven from their hiding place by putting 
lime around the foot of the tree, is a perfect humbug. 
The only way to destroy them is to dig them out with 
a sharp pointed knife or other suitable instrument, and 
kill them. Elihu Cross. Hoosick , N. Y. 
^4 
