1851. 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
59 
quantity of oxygen it receives from the nitric acid fits 
it for a material in gunpowder—giving to that powerful 
agent its principal power. 
A plate, tumbler and scrap of paper, with a little 
water, will enable any teacher or parent to perform an 
experiment on oxygen equally simple, instructive and 
interesting. In a deep plate pour some water. On the 
water place a scrap of thick paper, piece of cork, or 
Other light substance; on that another piece of paper 
or cotton moistened with oil. On lighting the paper or 
cotton, place over it a large empty tumbler. The com¬ 
bustion continues for a few seconds, and when it is ex¬ 
tinguished the water occupies about one fifth of the 
space in the tumbler, showing the necessity of oxygen 
for combustion, and that it constitutes about one-fifth 
the air we breathe. What man, woman, or child would 
not like to be familiarly acquainted with an element so 
abundant and an agent so active as oxygen, especially 
when such an acquaintance is equally simple, useful and 
delightful? 
ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES. 
Best kinds of Corn for garden cultivation. —T. S. 
The best early variety for “green corn,” or “roasting 
ears,” is the Early White Flint, or Canada White Flint. 
It is an eight-rowed kind, with small stalk, and quite pro¬ 
ductive in ears. It has been known to reach the state 
fit for boiling in eight weeks from the time of planting. 
The “Darling Sweet Corn,” (originated by the late 
Judge Darling, of New-Haven,) is nearly as early as 
the above, but is not as prolific. The best variety for the 
latter part of the season is the “ Large Sweet.” It has 
usually ten rows to an ear, ears nine to ten inches long. 
It is the kind grown by the Shakers for drying for win¬ 
ter use. 
Clover Hay.—C. H., Cayuga county. If clover has 
been cut at the right time, or while most of it is in blos¬ 
som, and rightly made—that is, preserved with its heads 
and leaves on the stalk, free from mustiness—it is worth 
as much per pound or ton, as any other hay. It is bet¬ 
ter than timothy for fattening stock, milch cows or sheep. 
It is more bulky in proportion to its weight than most 
other kinds of hay, and hence the mistake frequently 
made in regard to its being of less value. The objection 
that it is liable to waste more than other kinds in feed¬ 
ing, will not apply to that which is passed through a cut¬ 
ter. If it is cut, none need be wasted, if the mangers or 
feeding troughs are of the right kind. 
What time should Ewes yean? —B. 1ST., New-York. 
The period of pregnancy in the sheep is five months. 
For flocks which are kept chiefly for wool, it is general¬ 
ly preferred to have the lambs dropped about the time 
the grass starts, so as to. afford sheep a “good bite.” 
The advantage of this is, that grass causes the ewes to 
give a supply of milk for the lambs, (which Merino 
sheep will not have without grass, unless great attention 
is paid to their feeding.) and the lambs are reared with 
more certainty and less trouble. Where lambs are de¬ 
signed for the butcher, it is best to have them dropped 
as early as Marchj and by feeding the ewes with good 
hay and plenty of succulent food—as carrots, turneps, 
&c., the lambs will grow rapidly. 
Rye-Grass. —C. T. B. This variety of grass is better 
for pasturage than for hay. It starts very early, and is 
ripe before most varieties are in a sufficiently mature 
state to cut If is good for sheep-pastures, both from 
its earliness, and from its being well relished by sheep. 
The kind called Pacey’s rye-grass, is generally preferred. 
Half a bushel of good seed is generally sown to the acre. 
It is not a good grass for lawns, as it grows too much in 
bunches or stools, which make the surface uneven. 
Compost of Muck.— W. S. We should prefer ashes 
to lime to mix with muck. Lime does not as readily 
neutralize the acid of the muck, and the compost is more 
soluble from the use of potash. 
India-rubber Milker.—W e have never seen the arti¬ 
cle tried. It is for sale by Jas. McMullen, of this city, 
at $2.50 per set. 
Pine Apple Cheese. —FI. M. M., St. Charles county, 
Md. We will give an article on this in our next. 
NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
Youatt on the Structure and Diseases op the Horse, with 
their remedies; also practical Rules to Buyers, Breeders, Breakers, 
Smiths, &c.; being the most important parts of the English edition 
of “Youatt on the Horse,” somewhat simplified: Brought down 
to 1849, by W. C. Spooner : To which is prefixed an account of the 
breeds in the United States, compiled by Henry S. Randall; with 
numerous illustrations. Derby & Millfr, Auburn, N. Y. 
This is a work of nearly 500 pages duodecimo. It is 
handsomely “ got up,” and embodies a large portion of 
the valuable matter contained in the English works re¬ 
ferred to in the title. We shall take occasion to notice 
it more particularly hereafter. 
Harper’s Hew Monthly Magazine. —The December 
number of this work is the commencement of the second 
volume—two volumes being given in a year. The pub¬ 
lishers have introduced a new feature—that of giving 
“ occasionally some of the master-pieces of classical Eng¬ 
lish literature, illustrated in a style of unequalled ele¬ 
gance and beauty.” The December number contains 
Goldsmith’s Deserted Village , with beautiful engrav¬ 
ings, and much other interesting reading. 
Water Cure Journal and Herald of Reforms.—• 
This monthly publication, it will be seen by an adver¬ 
tisement in this number, has been greatly enlarged and 
improved. It is beautifully printed, on paper of very su¬ 
perior quality, and altogether presents an appearance not 
excelled by any work with which we are acquainted. Its 
reading matter is of an interesting character. Published 
by Fowlers & Wells, New-York. 
The Horticulturist, and Journal of Rural Art 
and Rural Taste. This magazine has been published 
four and a half years, and its influence in reference to 
the objects to which it is devoted, is strikingly shown in 
the rapid progress of improvement in various parts of 
the country. It is a work which is alike useful to the 
amateur, and commercial gardener and horticulturist 
and is, indeed, indispensible to all who would keep up 
with the march of knowledge on these subjects. The 
editor, Mr. Downing, is known both in this country and 
Europe, as one of the ablest writers of the age, on all 
branches of horticulture, landscape gardening, rural ar¬ 
chitecture, &c.; and its correspondents include many of 
the most intelligent cultivators of the country. This 
work is issued on the first of each month, in the best style 
i of the periodical press; each number containing 48 pages, 
