1817. 
THE CULTIVATOR 
ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES 
Grafting Large Apple Trees .— u Agrtcola,” 
(Enfield, Ct.) J. J. Thomas, in the Fruit Culturist, 
says, that when it becomes an object to change the tops 
of large trees by grafting, it is best, “ instead of cutting 
off the large branches and grafting them at once, to 
prune the top in part, which will cause an emission of 
vigorous shoots. These are then budded or grafted 
with ease and success; and as the grafts gradually ex¬ 
tend by growth, the remainder of the top may, by suc¬ 
cessive excisions, be entirely removed.” He recom¬ 
mends, however, that trees “ which are old, crooked, 
stunted, or diseased, should be rejected at once.” 
Low Blackberry Btjshes .—“ Agricola.” The 
low, or running blackberry, is a very difficult plant to 
eradicate. Its roots, which are very numerous, pos¬ 
sess the power of sending out sprouts, which become 
tops, from almost every part, and plowing or cutting 
seems only to multiply them. The best mode of de¬ 
stroying them which we have ever known, is pasturing 
closely with sheep. The sheep, if kept short, will bite 
off the briers as soon as they appear above ground, and 
this course, if continued two or three seasons, will de¬ 
stroy a large portion of them. 
Corn Sheller. —L. E., (Naperville, Ill.) We 
think Clinton’s sheller would answer your requisitions. 
It will fit ears of any size, and will shell the corn per¬ 
fectly clean from the cob. It is made both single and 
double. The single medium will shell one hundred and 
fifty bushels per day, having one man to turn and one to 
feed. The double one requires two men to feed it, to 
work to advantage, and is capable of shelling two hun¬ 
dred to two hundred and fifty bushels per day. It may 
have too cranks attached to it, or it may be easily fit¬ 
ted for horse-power. It is strong and durable, and not 
likely to get out of order. The price of single machines 
is $10, and of the double one, $13. They are for sale at 
the Albany Ag. Warehouse. 
Gooseberries. —H. P., (Clifton Park, Saratoga 
Co., N. Y.) Downing, in his Fruits and Fruit Trees 
of America, says all that is necessary to prevent mil¬ 
dew, is —■“ 1 st, to root up and destroy all inferior kinds 
subject to mildew; 2 d, to procure from any of the nur¬ 
series some of the best and hardiest Lancashire varie¬ 
ties; 3d, to keep them well manured, and very tho¬ 
roughly pruned every year.” A writer in the April 
number of the Horticulturist, states that his remedy 
against mildew in this fruit, is salt hay from the marshes, 
spread around the bushes to the depth of three inches. 
It is suggested that common coarse hay, soaked in 
brine might do as well. For further particulars in re¬ 
gard t». the best mode of cultivating the gooseberry, we 
refer to the article above mentioned. 
Ashes, Salt, and Plaster. —A Young Farmer, 
(New Britain, Ct.) We cannot cite any experiments 
in answer to your question; but would recommend that 
you try ashes, salt, and plaster, in the following man¬ 
ner: 1 . Apply the three substances mentioned, in the 
same way and at the same time, separately , to three 
rows of corn of equal length, giving an equal value of 
each substance to each row; next to these three rows, 
leave one row to which nothing shall be applied. 2. Mix 
together the same value of ashes and salt as in the first 
case was applied separately to two rows, and apply 
this mixture to two other rows; to the next row apply 
plaster as in the first case, and leave the fourth row 
without anything. 3. Mix together the same value of 
ashes, salt, and plaster, as in the first case was applied 
to three separate rows, and apply this mixture equally 
to three rows. 4. Apply a mixture of salt and plaster 
to two rows, as was specified for the other cases. Go 
through a fourth or half an acre in this way, in alterna¬ 
tion, in order that each division of rows may have an 
IAI 
equal chance in regard to soil, 8tc At harvest, care 
fully weigh the product of each Tow or division, both 
stalk and grain; note the result, and report to us. 
Locust Seed. — “ A Subscriber,” (Ballston Spa., 
N. Y.) Locust may be sown in spring as well as fall, 
but to insure their quickly vegetating, hot . water should 
be poured on the seeds, and they should remain im¬ 
mersed for five to ten minutes. This will Soften the 
hard skins, and if planted immediately, they will vege¬ 
tate in a few days. We cannot say what quantity of 
seed would be requisite for an acre. In our prac¬ 
tice of raising locust trees, the seed was sown in beds, 
and the plants transplanted the next season to the pla¬ 
ces where it was wished to have them grow. The yel¬ 
low locust is considered preferable for timber. It is for 
sale by Mr. Thorburn, of this city, at $1.50 per 
pound. Carrots may be grown to advantage on a clo¬ 
ver ley, with rich loamy soil, such as you describe. 
Ashes, Rotten Wood, Bones, &c. — 1. Does the 
decay of woody substances, (brush, small branches, &c.,) 
by rotting on or in the soil, furnish alkali, and benefit 
land equally, or to a greater extent than if the same 
had been converted into ashes ? a. 
2. Will bones require to be broken small before the 
application of sulphuric acid, and what is the best and 
most economical mode of performing the process of pul¬ 
verization, and what quantity is required per acre ? b. 
3. Is the fertilizing property of bones injured; and if 
so, to what extent, by calcination, and how. and in what 
quantities, should they be applied when burnt ? c. 
4. What is the best way of preserving cabbages 
through the winter in large quantities, fresh and green , 
as I sometimes see them ? d. P. 
a. Moi'e alkali would be formed by burning the 
woody substances, and if the soil was sufficiently light, 
perhaps greater benefit would be derived by applying 
the ashes; but if it was a compact, tenacious soil, the 
greatest benefit would probably be derived from the un¬ 
burnt vegetable matter, because its greater bulk would 
tend to render the soil more friable. 
b. The advantage of breaking bones before applying 
sulphuric acid to them., is t,hat they would dissolve soon¬ 
er than if used whole; but the breaking does not appear 
to be indispensable. They should be frequently stirred 
to accelerate the action of the acid. The quantity ap¬ 
plied per acre, varies from eight to twenty-five bushels 
[See Feb. No., p. 53.] 
c. By burning, the gelatine of bones , which is an ex¬ 
cellent manure, is dissipated, and onlv bone-earth, or 
phosphate of lime remains; but the exact difference in 
the value of burned and unburned bones, we do not 
know. 
d. We must leave this question to those who have 
had experience in the business. 
Proper Construction of Lightning Rods.— 
Severai inquiries have been received in reference to 
the best means of securing buildings against injury by 
lightning. There is no doubt that iron rods properly 
made and attached to the buildings, are a great if not 
certain protection against this subtle fluid. The great 
principles to be observed in the construction and erec¬ 
tion of lightning rods are, that the connection of the rod 
should be complete and perfect throughout its whole 
length; that it should be attached by non-conducting 
substances; that the rod should be protected aga'inst 
rust, at the points, which should be plated with some 
metal, such as silver or platina, which will not corrode 
by exposure to the atmosphere; that the lower end of 
the rod should be always surrounded by moisture. 
The following observations in relation to this subject 
were written some years since by Professor Olmstead, 
of Yale College, and published in SillimaAs Journal. 
1 . The rod should be closely joined together through¬ 
out, either by securing one part within another, or by 
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