THE CULTIVATOR. 
JttNE 
We believe the general establishment of such depots will 
prove useful both to the wool-grower and manufacturer, 
and we are glad to hear that Mr. B. has thus far suc¬ 
ceeded to the full extent of his anticipations. 
Subsoil Plowing. —H. N. Gillet, in the Ohio Culti¬ 
vator. in speaking of the importance of subsoiling, noti¬ 
ces the hard stratum of earth, a few inches below the 
surface, “ almost impervious to water, and impenetra¬ 
ble to the roots of plants, occasioned by the pressure 
of the. bottom of the plow and the tread of the furrow 
horse, for a long series of years. The importance of 
admitting the roots to the subsoil, was strikingly shown 
by an experiment in digging a well, where a deep bed 
of the subsoil produced ears of corn 22 inches in length, 
which, he says, “ were 6 inches longer than I ever saw, 
and 4 inches longer that I ever heard or read of.” Sub¬ 
soils vary in fertility, and experiment must be resorted 
to, to prove their relative value. 
ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES. 
Root-Cutters—Churn. —N., Nelson county, Ya. 
The best kind of root or vegetable cutter made in this 
country, so far as we are acquainted, is that made by 
Messrs. Ruggles, Nourse & Mason, Worcester, Mass., 
mentioned in our January number. The price is $12. 
For a churn we should prefer either Kendall’s or 
Galt’s. The various sizes of Kendall’s were spoken of 
in our March number, page 98. The price of Galt’s is 
$2, $2.50, $3, $3.75, $4.50, according to size. The 
largest will answer for a dairy of 40 cows. All these 
implements are for sale at the Albany Agricultural 
Warehouse. As to the cost, of transportation to Rich¬ 
mond, it would probably be from fifty to seventy-five 
cents each. 
Rat-proof Granaries.—- W. F. B., Davidsonville, 
Md. The usual way of protecting granaries from rats, 
is to place the building on posts two or three feet high, 
with flat stones two feet (or more) square, on the top 
of the posts. Suitable stones should be placed at the 
bottom of the posts, to afford a firm foundation. A 
granary thus protected, will be free from rats and mice, 
unless they are carried in by some means. Where stones 
cannot be had, we have seen shallow tin pans, bottom 
upwards, used instead, with good advantage. 
Hay-Caps. —J. H., Warwick Neck, R. I. Hay-caps 
are made in a very, simple way. Four posts, about six 
by eight inches square, are set up at about ten to twelve 
feet apart. A square roof, as it is called, that is, one 
having four sides, is made to fit these posts, and it is 
kept in place, and may be raised or lowered at will, 
pins to support it being put through, the posts. Pine, 
spruce, or cedar, are best for the posts. A rough foun¬ 
dation should be laid on the ground before filling the 
cap, to keep the hay from the ground. 
Horse-power—Lucerne. —T. B., Pleasant Hill, 
Alabama. We do not know whether Warren’s horse¬ 
power would be adapted to working cotton-gins or not. 
We think it probable, however, that it would give the 
requisite speed—which you state to be “ 300 revolutions 
per minute, with an 8-inch wheel upon the gin, and a 
walk of the horse.” There are other machines which it 
might be well for you to examine—as Hall’s, (see Cul¬ 
tivator for ’44, p. 344,) and Taplin’s, (same vol., p. 
377.)—Lucerne seed can be had by the quantity at 30 
cents per lb. If it is Sown broadcast, and without any 
other seed, 12 lbs. is recommended per acre. If sown 
in drills, 8 inches apart, 3 lbs. is sufficient. We cannot 
tell what quantity of seed an acre will produce. 
Prices of Rams. —J. McG., Charlotte, Me. We 
hardly know what kind of a ram to recommend for *the 
purpose of improving your flock, “both in mutton and 
wool.” The best mutton sheep do not produce fine 
wool. If you wish for a medium soft of sheep, as your 
question seems to imply, we think an improved Cotswold 
or good Licester ram would suit. The price of one 
here would be from ten to fifteen dollars, and the cost of 
transportation to Eastport, via railroad to Boston, 
would probably be from two to three dollars, freight and 
charges included. 
Guano.— W. C., Federalsburg, Md. About 200 
bushels of guano to the acre is a medium quantity. It 
is spread on the surface and harrowed in for corn as well 
as other crops. 
NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
A Report on the Trees and Shrubs growing naturally in 
the Forests of Massachusetts : published agreeably to an 
order of the Legislature, by the Commissioners on the Zoologi¬ 
cal and Botanical Survey of the State. 
The author of this report is Geo. B. Emerson, Esq., 
a gentleman well known for the efficient aid he has ren¬ 
dered the cause of education. The leading object of the 
work appears to be to describe the trees and shrubs 
growing naturally in Massachusetts in relation to their 
economical uses, and to present the modes by which they 
may be most successfully preserved, propagated and 
improved. The author informs us that it was not writ¬ 
ten for men of science—though such may find in it many 
particulars not before recorded—but for the “ common, 
unlearned citizens who live on farms in the country, and 
have few books and little leisure.” We are certain that 
the volume contains a large amount of useful informa¬ 
tion. The descriptions are exceedingly well given, in 
language readily understood by all. The author informs 
us that “ every important tree and shrub has been de¬ 
scribed from copious notes taken under or near the grow¬ 
ing plant itself.” We shall at another time present a 
more extended notice of the contents of this valuable 
book. 
Abstract from the Returns of Agricultural Societies in 
Massachusetts for the year 1846 : by John G. Palfrey, Secre¬ 
tary of the Commonwealth. Dutton & Wentworth, Boston. 
This work embodies the principal information in re¬ 
lation to'•agricultural concerns, which has been brought 
out by the various agricultural societies in Massachu¬ 
setts during the last year. On looking over the pages 
we find some interesting facts, though we have not room 
to refer to them particularly at this time. 
It appears the State Ag. Society of Massachusetts 
have taken active measures for the promotion of know¬ 
ledge in reference to the anatomy and diseases of ani¬ 
mals. They have purchased in Paris, at a cost of $809. 
a figure of a horse of full size, so constructed that it 
may be taken to pieces, and will accurately represent 
the muscles, blood-vessels, heart, lungs and other or¬ 
gans, of their natural size and appearance. They have 
also directed the preparation of full-sized skeletons of 
the horse and ox. They have engaged Dr. Brooks t® 
give a course of lectures on the diseases of the horse, 
which it is expected will be given next winter. 
The following remarks on plowing and plowing- 
matches, which we find under the head of re-prints from 
the Essex Agricultural Society, we commend to the 
special attention of committees or judges appointed on 
such occasions : 
“ It is not useful at a plowing-match to attempt a 
display of work such as a good farmer would not ap¬ 
prove on his own farm. What, we want is that kind of 
work which would be most valuable when applied upon 
the same kind of land in the ordinary process of culti¬ 
vation. * * * In judging of plowing, we think it 
proper to notice the form of the plo w used • the condi¬ 
tion of the cattle : the manner in which they work : the 
skill with which the plow is used ; the size and position 
of the furrow-slice-: and combining the' considerations 
