1853 . 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
149 
am unable to say. Thus much I know, that I always 
preferred cement floors for cheapness and durability, to 
any other. I do not deal in the article myself, but I 
have had it used in large quantities for over twenty 
years, under my charge. Cement can be got here for 
one dollar per barrel of 300 lbs. It is proof against 
rats and mice. I have a cellar and basement which has 
been under water some time without injury. In fact 
all cellar walls ought to be laid in cement mortar. It 
will pay in the end. William Grant. Roscndale, 
Ulster Co., N. Y. 
Tumors on Animals. —J. H. Bryan inquires in re¬ 
gard to a bunch on a cow's udder. I have a horse, that 
some three years since, had a bunch on his neck, about 
an inch in diameter; that I cut off by tying a string 
around the neck of it, but it grew again, in a yery short 
time, to be one-third larger than before: I then ap¬ 
plied Nitric acid to it, at intervals of two or three days, 
and in a very short time it entirely disappeared, and has 
never troubled him since. E. S. Lewis. Bristol, 
Conn., March 11, 1853. 
Hop Culture. —In answer to the inquiries of L. 
T. S., “if at the time of grubbing hops in the spring, 
any soil ought to be removed from the top of the hills. 
Also, whether the old root from which the vine sprung 
the previous year, should be permitted to remain or 
should be cut off.” I would say, it is hardly possible to 
grub a hill of hops effectually without removing most 
of its covering. And this should be done, leaving the 
top of the bed-root nearly or quite exposed. The con¬ 
dition of the main root can then be seen, and if it is 
sound, cut off the old stump-like root from which the 
vine sprung, close to the bed-root. But should there 
appear to be a deficiency of eyes on the bed-root, then 
cut those stumps a little higher, saving some of their 
eyes or sprouts. These old stumps usually contain 
plenty of eyes; they ought not to be used as roots for 
planting new yards. An Otsego Hop Grower. ; 
Application of Guano. —I want to know the best 
way to apply guano to oats, to corn, and to meadow 
land. H. S. 
A. B. Allen, of New-York, thinks that the best 
method of applying it to crops in our dry climate, is to 
plow it into the ground, that it may become thoroughly 
incorporated with the soil. For grass land, it should be 
spread broad-cast, either in autumn, or early in spring. 
Poultry—Chinese Varieties. —S. B. W. inquires 
which are the best breeds of domestic fowls, for the 
Northern and Middle States, all things considered. 
I think it capable of demonstration, that the Chinese 
fowls, so called, viz: the Chittagong, Shanghai, Cochin 
China, when well bred, are the most profitable for any 
man who wishes to keep fowls; whether it is the far¬ 
mer who lets his fowls run at large, the cottager who 
keeps his half-dozen fowls about his door, or the scien¬ 
tific breeder, who keeps his thousand or two, with all 
the conveniences necessary for the same. 
They cannot be surpassed for layers, even by what 
they call their every-day layers, or their everlasting 
layers. Six good fowls of these breeds, will lay more 
eggs, and of a far superior quality, than twelve of the 
best common fowls, under the same circumstances; then 
their greatly increased size when wanted for the table, 
and their quiet peaceful domestic dispositions, render 
them small eaters and easily fattened, for the amount 
they return, and makes them easy to control mnd keep 
in any desired yard or enclosure. 
Among these three breeds, my preference is decidedly 
in favor of the Chittagong, as. possessing all these good 
qualities, and many more in a remarkable degree; for 
beauty and elegance of form, they are not surpassed by 
any fowl except the game fowl. They have a large 
body, with small legs, with a small delicate and beau¬ 
tifully proportioned head and neck, and must dress large, 
or in other words, have less offal than any other fowl. 
Dr. Bennett’s description of them in his Poultry Book, 
is very accurate, and the position he places them, in re¬ 
lation to other domestic fowls, is what justly belongs to 
them. They can be procured of John T. Andrew, Esq. 
of West Cornwall, Ct. B. F. Sherman. Ogdens - 
burgh, March 15, 1853. 
Information Wanted. 
Super-phosphate of Lime. —Wishing to make use 
of some of the Super-phosphate of Lime, I wish to 
know how it may be applied to a crop of corn to the 
best advantage; and also if it will pay to sow broad¬ 
cast upon meadow land ? W. W. W. New-Britain, 
Ct., March 14, 1853. 
Gypsum. —Can you or some of your subscribers, in¬ 
form us by experience, the difference between Nova 
Scotia and Western Plaster, through the columns of 
your paper ? A. S. F.-— 
Dorkings. —I wish to procure some Dorking fowls. 
Will some one inform me, through your paper, where 
they can be had, of undoubted purity? C. W. S. 
The Wheel Cultivator. —Can you or any of your 
correspondents inform me the through the Country Gen¬ 
tleman, of something to prevent the wheel cultivator 
from running into the ground so deep, as to cause sore 
necks on the horses or oxen in drawing the same; I find 
that when the wheels are placed near the center of the 
frame, as they usually are, even if the whiffle-trees are 
placed below the tongue, the tendency of the forepart 
is to bear too heavy on the necks of the team, and cause 
serious inconvenience. Would it be an advantage to 
place the wheels near the forepart of the frame, and 
have a smaller wheel or wheels to regulate the depth of 
the back-part, something like Root’s improved culti¬ 
vator? Also whether wheel cultivators, with a joint in 
the middle, like Geddes’ harrow, are liable to the same 
disadvantage. 
A reply through your columns, in time to make a few 
alterations before the season for using them, would 
be advantageous. J. M. Lock Berlin. 
Pumpkins with Corn. —Is it good policy to plant 
pumpkins, squashes, &c., among corn? Do they not 
act much in the same way as weeds, and materially 
lessen the corn crop? I know it is an universal, and I 
think an erroneous custom, among most farmers to plant 
pumpkins with their corn. Will some of your readers 
answer these inquiries, through the columns of your 
paper, and much oblige Young Agricola. Cayuga 
Lake. - -— 
The Sy'eet Potato. —I wish to obtain the best in¬ 
structions in regard to the cultivation of the Sweet Po¬ 
tato, and shall be greatly obliged if some of your south¬ 
ern correspondents will furnish the information desired. 
H. J. Alabama. — -— 
Preserving Eggs—Rancid Butter.— Some of the 
shippers in Boston, are in possession of a secret for pack¬ 
ing eggs, to keep on a long voyage. Can you inform 
me how it is done? Also, how to restore rancid butter 
to its oi'iginal sweetness. G. D. New- York. 
The Water Ram. —Permit me to make an inquiry in 
the Country Gentleman, respecting the use of the Water 
Ram. I wish to know if this article is durable or not? 
Is it frequently out of order, or will it continue to 
operate for a long time? I also wish to know what the 
result would be in a spring of water, where eight gal¬ 
lons are discharged in one hour with four feet fall, and 
it is desired to raise the water 20 feet? Any informa¬ 
tion on this subject, will be thankfully received from 
any one who has had experience in the matter. A Sub¬ 
scriber. North Springfield, Vt., Feb. 28,1853. 
Management of Cream.' —Will you or some of your 
subscribers inform me, whether the various modes of 
churning cream, materially vary the quantity of butter 
from the same amount of cream? And if so, what 
