1851 
THE CULTIVATOR 
283 
testimony of some of the best farmers in Columbia county, N. Y., to 
the effect that a compost made of equal parts of muck from an ash 
and elm swamp, with barn-yard or stable manure, would produce 
greater effects, and better crops, for any length of time,-than unequal 
quantity of clear manure. We will not pretend to say what is the 
principle contained in this substance, which produces these effects— 
whether it is the carbon which is ultimately combined with oxygen, 
and forms carbonic acid, and thus feeds the crops, or any other cause, 
is of secondary consequence to the farmer, so long as the effects at e 
produced—and of these there is no doubt. 
Keep up the War against Weeds. —The war which all farm¬ 
ers should wage against weeds, should be one of extermination. 
Hence it should be continued to so late a period in the season that 
there can be no chance for them to form seeds. If they grow so 
much among crops that they cannot be dug up, or pulled up, cut them 
off before the seed matures. The more closely this labor is followed 
up, the lighter will the labor be, year after year, and the better will 
be the crops, from not being injured by their enemies. It will pay well 
to mow stubble fields in autumn. Sometimes the herbage which is 
obtained will afford a very good fodder for winter, as a change either 
for cattle or sheep. The bitter plants which frequently constitute a 
great part of the growth, serve as condiments to assist digestion and 
promote the appetite. Packed away with straw in alternate layers, 
they will not spoil by heating, and will impart a relish to the straw. 
But the greatest advantage of cutting the weeds which grow in stub- 
ble, is to prevent them from seeding the ground, and to clear them 
off out of the way of the crop of grass or clover the next year. A 
horse-rake can be used to gather the crop. 
Drain Tiles. -—By Messrs. Babcock & Co.’s advertise, 
ment it will be seen that he is now making tiles on an 
extensive* scale, and we trust they will he able to supply 
the great and increasing demand for them. We are in. 
formed that many persons who have not used tiles for 
draining, have an idea that it is necessary to connect the 
ends by passing one tile into another. This is not at all 
necessary. The following are the directions which 
Messrs. B. & Co. give, and which may be safely followed: 
u The ditch should he formed wedge-shaped, and dug 
from 2| to 3 feet deep, and should be smooth on the hot- 
tom, with a proper descent. The tiles are simply placed 
end to end j wedged a little on the sides, if necessary, 
to keep them in line ■ the top of the joints covered with 
a sod, turned grass side down: if sods are not at hand, 
use shavings or straw for a covering. Water will find 
its way through the joints: experience will prove that 
you can not keep it out. In wet lands lay the drains 
25 feet apart: other locations, from 30 to 50 feet. On 
soft bottoms, lay under the Tile a narrow board, and fill 
up the ditch with earth.” 
ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES. 
Climbing Rose.— H. B. D., Middletown, Ct. The Queen' 
°f the Prairie and Baltimore Belle, will be found preferable. They 
may be set either in autumn or spring. 
Iuce on Cattle. —Young Parmer. Unguentum, a preparation 
of mercury, is most effectual in destroying vermin on cattle, but it is 
not a safe remedy to be applied to stock running at large, because if 
they get wet under its operation, it is liable to produce salivation and 
weakness of the limbs, See . Oil, or any kind of grease, will kill the 
vermin, so far as it comes in actual contact with them. Tobacco de¬ 
coction will also kill them, but is liable to sicken and weaken the 
stock for a while. Everything considered, whale oil, is perhaps, the 
best application. It should be put on those parts of the body where 
the vermin attach themselves in the greatest numbers. 
Scouring in Calves. —The cause of this disease is often indiges¬ 
tion dyspepsia. In its early stage it may generally be cured by 
chalk—allowing the animal to lick from a lump whatever it chooses. 
If the attack continue, give castor-oil, in doses equal to those usually 
administered for adult persons. This will cleanse the intestines, and 
in most cases will check the disease. 
Agricultural Books.— Norton’s “ Elements,” and most of the 
Agricultural Books advertised in the Cultivator, can be had at this 
office. 
Weakness op the Spine in Pigs. —A Subscriber, Berks coun¬ 
ty, Pa. Weakness of the spine is sometimes an indication of weak¬ 
ness of constitution, and is often very prominent in animals which 
have been bred from parents having this tendency. It is a serious de¬ 
fect, and should either be corrected in the stock in which it appears, 
by a “strong cross,” or the stock should be given up altogether. 
There is, however, a weakness of the back which is different from 
this, and is caused by what is called the “ kidney-worm.” The ani¬ 
mal drags its posterior parts, as you describe. The best remedy we 
have known, is to feed with corn soaked in lye of wood ashes. 
NEW PUBLICATIONS. 
Harper’s new Monthly Magazine. —The number of this maga¬ 
zine for July, is particularly rich and excellent both in its illustrations 
and matter. It opens with an article on “ Our National Anniversary, 
by B. J. Lossing, embellished with beautifully engraved portraits of 
the Revolutionary Fathers, with brief sketches of their characters, a 
copy of the Declaration of Independence, and fac-similies of the 
original signatures. Next we have an article on life-boats and life- 
cars, by Jacob Aebott, with eleven excellent illustrations. There 
are also many other interesting and valuable articles in the number— 
particularly one on the Eclipses of the month of July, 1851, by 
Charles Colby, of the Cambridge Observatory,—and those on the 
Solar System, Somnambulism, See . Published by Harper & 
Brothers, 82 Cliff street, New-York. 
Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution. —-Nos. 14 and 15 o 
this excellent work have been received. The former comprises 
principally historical incidents connected with the State of Rhode- 
Island and its vicinity. Its illustrations are of a highly interesting 
character, and, as usual, are executed in the finest style. Among 
them is the Old Tower at Newport, Head Quarters of the British 
General Prescott, Scene of the Battle on Rhode-Island, in 1778, 
Portrait and Sign-manual of King Philip, Gen. Washington’s Head 
Quarters at Newburgh, Sec. No. 15 brings down the history to the 
capture of Andre. This number abounds with fine illustrations rep¬ 
resenting various points of interest on the Hudson, especially the old 
fortifications at West Point and vicinity, some of which are among 
the best the work has contained. This work ought to be in every 
family in the United States. The author is Benson J. Lossing, and 
the publishers are Harper Sc Brothers, New-York. It will be 
completed in about twenty numbers, which are sold at 25 cents each. 
Albany Prices Current. 
Albany, July 15. 
Flour. —We have had a better demand for flour during the month, 
and prices of most descriptions can be quoted 12|-a25c. higher, in¬ 
duced mainly by an increased shipping demand, and an aetive specu¬ 
lative movement. Advices from the Western and Southwestern 
States in reference to the harvest, for all descriptions of grain.are very 
favorable; in Ohio, Indiaifa," Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and North 
Missouri our accounts agree in stating that the crops of wheat and 
corn are exceedingly promising for both qualify and quantity. An 
increased breadth of land has been seeded, and the harvest this year 
will undoubtedly exceed that of any preceding one—and this comes 
in the face of low prices. The sales of ihe month add up 38,000 to 
40,000 bis., closing at $3.75ai$4 for common Western and inferior 
State ; $4a$4.25 for good State and Michigan, Indiana and Wiscon 
sin; $4.25a$4-31£ for Ohio; $4.37 ja$-1.50for Genesee; $4.50a$4.62£ 
for extra O.; $4.62£a$4 87£ for fancy Gen. and $5a$5.25for extra Gen. 
Corn meal is in steady demand at $1.ISfe. per cwt. in bags. Liverpool 
dates of July 1st, received by the Franklin, slate that the fine weath¬ 
er had caused a complete stagnation in the fio^r market and sales 
would have been made, had buyers appeared, at a decline of 2s. per 
brl. on American, and Is. per sack on French flour. The receipts 
