THE CULTIVATOR. 
Answers to Inquiries. 
Guano. —Can you inform me through the Cultiva¬ 
tor, whether soil can be kept rich and to bring good 
crops, by only applying Guano or Lime, or whether 
Guano will only do for one or two years, and then cease 
to benefit by sowing it on, unless the ground is again 
made rich with manure. A Subscriber. Trexler- 
town, August 5, 1853. 
Guano, as usually applied, exerts nearly all its bene¬ 
ficial influence, the present season, a few rare instances 
being known where it has continued to exhibit its fer¬ 
tilizing qualities for several successive years. We are 
satisfied, however, that if properly made into compost 
before applying, so that all its valuable ingredients, in¬ 
cluding ammonia and the salts, could become thorough¬ 
ly absorbed by fine intermixture with large masses of 
clayey loam, turf, and other substances of like charac¬ 
ter, it might be made as durable as other animal ma¬ 
nure. 
Lime has proved a very durable manure in those cases 
generally where its application has been beneficial; but 
it should never be applied in connection with guano, un¬ 
less it has been completely converted to a carbonate, or 
unless the guano is largely and thoroughly diffused 
through a compost. - 
Salting Hay. — I think an improvement on the plan 
of “Observer,” in the August No. of the Cultivator, 
for salting hay, would be to sow fine salt broadcast, on 
the standing grass, while it was wet with dew, the 
morning previous to mowing. H. H. H. Moriah, Es¬ 
sex Co., N. Y. - 
Refuse of Salt-works. —In the Country Gentle¬ 
man of 11th August, some questions were asked about 
the refuse of the Onondaga salt works. In addition to 
what was then stated in reply, we may add that we find 
in the Report of the Superintendent of Salt Springs for 
1850, several analyses of these matters, made by Prof. 
Cook, of this city. 
The bitterns , as they are called, and which consti¬ 
tute the sediment taken from the boiling brine, consist 
essentially of plaster. The scale which forms in the 
kettles, called blocking , and which is taken out when 
they are cooled down, is a mixture of plaster and salt, 
varying in the propoportions of the ingredients with the 
thickness of the scale—the thickest being nearly all 
salt, and the thinnest containing 40 or 50 per cent of 
plaster. The sediment taken from the lime-rooms In 
the solar fields, is plaster. The most valuable manure 
about the salt works is the wood ashes. There are per¬ 
haps 200,000 cords of wood consumed annually, in 
making salt, at Salina, Syracuse, Liverpool, and Ged- 
des. These ashes usually have some salt mixed with 
them, which spoils them for making potashes, but does 
not diminish their value for manure. They are perqui¬ 
sites of the salt-boilers, and are sold at a nominal 
price. -- 
Thrashing Machines. —In answer to the inquiry 
of Warren Hill, of Machias, (Me.) who wishes to 
procure a machine suitable for small grain crops, con¬ 
sisting mostly of oats, barley and buckwheat, we state, 
that well finished machines, connected with endless 
horse-powers, may be had, completely furnished, 
of Emery & Co., and Wheeler, Melick k Co. of this 
city, for $158 for two-horse powers, and $125 for one 
horse powers. 
There are no better machines of this kind made in 
the country, than those manufactured by the above 
firms, and we think them well adapted to the purpose 
mentioned by our correspondent. Good machines are 
also made by E. W. Badger & Co. of Otsego Co., and 
at several other places in different parte of the State. 
Subsoil Plows. — I wish to ascertain through the 
Country Gentleman, what kind of a subsoil plow would 
be preferable on a clay or a clay loam soil, and whether 
it should be used in fall or spring for a spring crop, and 
also the price for the different kinds. A Subscriber. 
The only subsoil plows manufactured in this country, 
are all constructed on the same principle—the best are 
those of Ruggles, Nourse & Mason, and of Prouty k 
Co. The price, full rigged, is about $10. As the soil 
becomes gradually compacted together again in the course 
of a few years after the operation, it would be looser 
and in fresher condition if plowed in spring. Unless 
the soil is well drained, the subsoil packs together again 
too soon to be of much use. 
Treatise on Milch Cows. —In the Country Gentle¬ 
man, page 149, Guenon’s mode of examining cows is 
illustrated. Also on 308th page, is a notice of a method 
improved and simplified by John Nefflin. If you will 
be so kind as to inform me, through the Country Gen¬ 
tleman, where they can be purchased, and at what price, 
you will much oblige me. P. Y. Van Derveer. 
Guenon’s work can be had of C. M. Saxton, New- 
York—price 62£ cents. We presume Mr. S. could also 
furnish Mr. Nefflin’s work. 
Rosendale Cement. —Seeing in your last week’s is¬ 
sue an inquiry for Rosendale Cement, I would say that 
the office of the company is at Newark, N. J., where I 
believe all the writing is done. A letter addressed to 
II. Wylde, Secretary, Newark, N. J., will elicit infor¬ 
mation as to where it can be obtained. There are ge¬ 
nerally agents in all the principal cities and towns for 
its sale. D. L. Judson. 
Heavy Fleece. —I notice in the “ Country Gen¬ 
tleman” for August 11, an editorial for es Mr. Camp¬ 
bell’s Merino Buck Matchless.” The live weight, 280 
lbs., is within reason, as I have known it to be excelled 
by other breeds. As regards the fleece, (25 lbs. for one 
year's growth,) is it a very rough estimate, or do you 
know it to be the fact? C. E. K. 
By reference to the statement again, our correspon¬ 
dent will see that the weight of the sheep and fleece, 
are both given on the authority of Mr. Campbell—not 
on ours, as he seems to suppose. 
Strawberry Baskets. —Will you inform me where 
those small baskets can be bought in which strawberries 
are sold, and what they cost, and oblige S. H. 
They can be had of B. Bicknell, Albany—price 
$1.50 per hundred. - 
J. G. J., Ilion. —Thomas’ American Fruit Culturist 
is just the work you want. It can be had at most of the 
book stores throughout the country. Price $1. 
B. T., New-Haven, Ct.—The Wool Grower is pub¬ 
lished at Rochester, N. Y., by D. D. T. Moore —month¬ 
ly at 50 cents a year. 
