128 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[April, 
“ Our general system of. cultivation is in beds from 4 to 
S feet wide, made from single plants set in rows about 2 
feet apart, generally in the spring. Yet some very good 
results have been obtained when the row system of culti¬ 
vation has been adopted, mostly with Wilson’s Albany, 
which seems to be gaining confidence in the other town¬ 
ships besides Burlington aud Beverly, where it has been 
more generally cultivated for years. In addition to the Wil¬ 
son’s Albany Seedling, Downer’s Prolific, French’s Seed¬ 
ling, Cutter’s Seedling, and Ida, are the general favorites 
for cultivating for market purposes. The latter variety, 
though introduced recently, has been largely planted of, 
and as far as vigor, healthfulness, and productiveness is 
concerned, it seems to meet the wishes of the people ; yet 
the size being from medium to small, will, we fear, prove 
a drawback. The Jucunda, after another year’s trial, 
corroborates what was said one year ago, that it ‘is a 
poor grower on any but very strong soils.’ The foliage 
burns badly in the summer, and as far as has been tested 
in this vicinity is not worthy of cultivation. Metcalf’s 
Early, introduced from Niles, Michigan, represented to 
be several days earlier than the Wilson, producing a large 
crop in a very short time, has upon trial proven no earlier, 
and the berries are so soft as to render them unsalable 
in the market; hence we would deem it unfit for general 
cultivation. Among the new varieties on trial, are the 
‘ Stinger,’ a very vigorous grower, hardy, berries said to 
be large, bright colored, and firm, introduced by Charles 
Harmer, of Philadelphia. The ‘ Durand Seedling,’ in¬ 
troduced by P. Brill, of Newark, N. J., is a vigorous 
grower, of good flavor, promises to be a valuable variety 
for market. Barnes’ Mammoth, strong grower, berries 
large and handsome. One plant was on exhibition at the 
Strawberry Show, at Moorestown, the past season, which 
was of monstrous size, and full of fruit. The Philadel¬ 
phia, which fruited in this vicinity last season, was sev¬ 
eral days earlier than any other variety, good flavored, 
vigorous grower, good size and color.” 
TTBie Ives Grape. — “Worthington,” of 
Ohio, thinks that we praise the Ives too little and the 
Iona too highly. We never expect to suit all the grape 
growers. When we discuss quality we must put the 
Ives very low. If it is a question of adaptability to, and 
profit in, particular localities, then it takes a high rank. 
We say, grow the best grapes ttiat a locality will produce, 
and if the Ives is the best, as it seems to be in certain 
parts of Ohio, grow that. The Ives does finely with Mr. 
Knox, but is inferior with Mr. Husmann. In the present 
state of grape culture we are obliged to be cautious how 
we recommend any variety as the grape for every locality. 
'S’Biiflicey I&SaBalniirls. — “ J. O. D.” No seed 
to be had, and it would probably be very inferior in 
quality even if the experiment could bo made here. 
Seealisig- B»wn aai tlie Sps-Ssig - on 
©at Stubble.— “Inquirer,” of Canada. Rather than 
sow grass seed, as you propose, on the stubble, we think 
it better to wait and give the piece a very thorough 
harrowing, going over the ground until it is as mellow 
as a garden ; then sow the seed and bush it in. The 
grass will do better than if sown with any spring grain. 
5*otato I>ig'gei*s. —We most respectfully 
decline to take the responsibility of advising in regard to 
potato diggers—which to buy. There are serious, we 
may almost say radical, objections to all we have ever 
seen in the field. There are some, however, which, as 
the pomologists say, “promise well.” When we are as¬ 
sured of the success of any by personal inspection of its 
operation, and know that there Isa prospect of the market 
being supplied, our readers may expect us to speak out. 
Ca.talog-M.es Aclcnwwlealg-ed..— Seeds. 
—Robert Buist, Jr., Philadelphia; John Vanderbilt & 
Brothers, New York; J. M. Thorburn & Co., New York ; 
Jas. Vick, Illustrated Catalogue and Floral Guide, Roches¬ 
ter, N. Y.; Henderson & Fleming, Illustrated, New York; 
Jas. J. II. Gregory, Marblehead, Mass.; Alfred Bridge- 
man, New York; E. Newbury, Brooklyn, Conn.; M. 
O’Keefe, Son & Co., Rochester, N. Y.; Haage & Schmidt, 
Erfurt, Prussia; F. A. Haage, Jr., Erfurt, Prussia; John 
Stewart & Sons, Dundee, Scotland; Henry A. Dreer, Il¬ 
lustrated, Philadelphia; B. K. Bliss & Son, Illustrated, 
New York; Theodore Ch. Wendel, (Tree Seeds,)Boston. 
Hovey & Co., Boston, Illustrated; J. R. Decatur, N. Y.; 
J. W. Elliott & Sons, Philadelphia; L. D. Scott & Co., 
Huron, Ohio; Vilmorin & Co., Paris, France. 
Small Fruits and Vines. —S. D. Redman, Newfane, N. 
Y.; H. B. Lum, Sandusky, Ohio; D. J. B. Haines, Gaines, 
N. Y.; Myron De Wolf, Delavan, Wis.; J. Knox, Pitts¬ 
burgh, Pa.; D. H. Brown, New Brunswick, N. J.; Ferris 
& Caywood, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.; Purdy & Ilancc, South 
Bend, Ind.; Thus, ft. Andrew, Moorestown, N. J.; Francis 
Brill, Nuwark, N. J.j O.W. Grant, Iona, near Pceksklll, 
N. Y.; R. W. Holton, Haverstraiy, t. Y. ; John W. Bailey 
& Co., Plattsburgh, N. Y.; David Long & Son, Williams- 
ville, N. Y.; Elijah Myrick, Croton Junction, Mass. 
Nurseries. —Joseph Cochrane, Havana, Ill.; B. M. Wat¬ 
son, Plymouth, Mass.; Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, 
N. Y.; Hoopes, Bro. & Thomas, Westchester, Pa. ; Wm. 
S. Little, Rochester, N. Y. ; C. Raoux, N. Y., Importer; 
J. W. Manning, Reading, Mass.; John W. Adams, Spring- 
field, Mass.; Mahlon Moon, Morrisville, Pa. Potatoes. 
—Reisig & Hexamer, Newcastle, Westchester Co., N. Y. 
Green-House and Florists. —George Such, South Amboy, 
N. J.; Peter Henderson, South Bergen, N. J.; John Saul, 
Washington, D. C.; Bennett & Davidson, Flatbush, N. Y. 
SelftmilliiMg Cows.— Several Inquirers. 
—Slitting the tongue for an inch or two, even cutting a 
slender V-piece out, may do sometimes; it will not work 
in all cases. Muzzles set with nails often fail, though we 
think they ought not to, if the nails are made sharp 
enough and the muzzle is attached by three or four straps 
to the halter, so that it will hang as low as possible on 
the nose. The neck yoke, described on page 335 of the 
Agriculturist for November, 1865, is effectual. This ar¬ 
rangement is very simple ; eight round hard-wood sticks, 
% of an inch in diameter, are arranged to form two square 
frames surrounding the cow’s neck, and held about 10 or 
12 inches apart, by driving them into holes bored at right 
angles to each other near the ends of four 1% inch 
square sticks, also of hard wood. This entirely pre¬ 
vents the cow bringing her head around to her side. 
Aftalicisil flbi* CHiclkems.— 
When chickens are artificially hatched, either by turkeys 
or by the heat of warm water, artificial mothers are need¬ 
ed to brood the chickens. “ G. F. G.,” of Kalamazoo, 
Mich., describes one which he uses, as follows: “A thick 
woollen blanket is hung by the corners in some sheltered, 
dry place, so that about 3 feet square will rest-upon the 
ground or floor. A mother hen is suspended in a box 
above the centre of the blanket, and the chicks feed 
around the outside. The clucking of the hen will call them 
towards her when they need brooding, and as in seek¬ 
ing the hen they cluster in piles under the centre of the 
blanket, the mutual warmth imparted is sufficient for all 
purposes. When the flock is large, if the outside ones 
become cold, they work their way to the centre, and 
it is only necessary to use the hen for a few days.-” 
fPreserviang- Egg's.—Take a bread-pan or 
other pan, put slaked lime into it, till it has enough to al¬ 
low the eggs to stand upright, small end downwards. As 
soon as the layer is completed, fill up till they are covered 
and there is an even surface. When you have enough 
eggs to npike another layer, put in slaked, lime suf¬ 
ficient to be filled up by the eggs you have ready. You 
may continue till the pan is full. If the eggs are put in 
fresh, you may keep on, and they will be fit for breakfast 
at any time, and be like new-laid eggs. But if they are 
stale when put in, this process will, not restore them. 
ILi©e on Cattle anti Slieeji.—The 
spring is the season when most annoyance is caused by 
these parasites. We have so many letters asking for and 
recommending cures, that we are induced again to allude 
to that wonderfully effective destroyer of such vermin, 
Carbolic Acid. This is used in the form of soaps, which 
may be easily applied in water, making a moderately 
strong suds. Cresylic acid is a cognate substance, almost 
always associated with carbolic acid, and under the 
trade name of “ Cresylic Soap,” an excellent article is ad¬ 
vertised and furnished. We have employed this soap to 
rid our shelves of ants, our cupboards of cockroaches, 
poultry of lice, dogs and cats of fleas, and not having 
occasion to use it upon our horses or neat stock, have 
supplied acquaintances whose stables were infected. We 
have even prescribed a bath of Cresylic Soap and water 
for a newly arrived immigrant, and in every case of its 
application have had the satisfaction of learning of its 
efficacy. Farewell to mercurial' ointment, that eflicient, 
but very dangerous article in careless hands! So long 
as we can obtain carbolic compounds, we banish it. 
WkilsiMt Worms,— “Subscriber,” Pome¬ 
roy, Ohio. We cannot tell how to preserve your Walnut 
trees, unless we know what worm infests them. Next 
season, put some in a box with leaves, and mail to us. 
©anvim’s Yariation ©F Animals 
and Plants Under Domestication.—Since our 
announcement of the reprint of this work was in type, 
the London Gardeners’ Chronicle has come to hand with 
an extended notice, from which we extract the following: 
“ Mr. Darwin’s work on domesticated animals and plants, 
whose appearance we announced a fortnight ago, is one 
of such importance to both the practical and theoretical 
gardener, as well as to all persons with whom tho gar¬ 
dener is most closely associated, professionally and social- • 
ly, that it must claim a large share of our attention, no 
less on this account than for its special merits, and the 
stores of information it contains. Written in admirable 
English, using no scientific terms but such as are com¬ 
prehensible to men of fair education, lucidly arranged, 
and indexed with scrupulous care, there is not a gardener 
in the country who has any taste for the history or theory 
of his art but will peruse it with pleasure and profit, and 
find it difficult to say whether he values it more as a store¬ 
house of facts or as an incitement to observe and to 
think. Is his employer a sportsman ? he will find in Mr. 
Darwin’s pages such information regarding dogs and 
horses, their breeds and individualities, as never entered 
the brain of the gamekeeper, equerry, or master of the 
hounds. Is he a farmer? here are anecdotes and observ¬ 
ations regarding cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, which no 
professional breeder can match for number or truth, and 
which too few of these will believe or care about, not 
because they are not true, but because most so-called 
practical men take no interest in animals beyond what 
immediately concerns themselves. Is my lady a fowl 
fancier, or has she an aviary ? her gardener will here fiud 
a wealth of information on domesticated birds of all 
sizes, voices, and uses, from the canary bird and peacock 
to the turkey and goose! Lastly, do his master’s children 
seek his advice about their rabbits, pigeons, honey beeS, 
goldfish, or silkworms ? If they do, here are curiosities 
of natural history about each aud all, treated with master¬ 
ly skill and originality. With regard to these zoological 
subjects, we must confine ourselves to recommending the 
study of them in Mr. Darwin’s pages to those who have 
time to do so, and proceed briefly to expound the purpose 
and method of this remarkable book in so flu- as it is 
devoted to the vegetable kingdom.” 
A Nfovel asial UscFstl Enatei-pj’Ise.— 
For many years we cherished the idea of securing in a 
central city location, a large floor, where, in connection 
with our office, we could have room for a sort of Agricul¬ 
tural and Horticultural Museum or show-room. The 
great increase in our publishing business has rendered it 
impossible to give the needed time and attention required 
to organize and carry out such an enterprise. — Recently 
Mr. L. L. Whitlock, (the son of our old friend and in¬ 
structor, Prof. Whitlock, now deceased) has hit upon a 
similar idea, without any hint or word of suggestion from 
us. He has leased the first, second, and third floors over 
the main Agriculturist Office, 245 Broadway, each floor 
114!4 by 25 feet, with extension upon Murray street of 
25 by 12J4 feet. Here he proposes to receive on permanent 
exhibition samples of implements of all kinds pertaining 
to soil culture, where they can be examined in connec¬ 
tion and at leisure by citizens and visitors — a kind of 
perpetual Fair, and also provide room for meetings or 
gatherings of cultivators, horticulturists, fruit growers, 
for conventions, discussions, etc. The enterprise seems 
to be a very desirable one for all classes, and with Mr. 
Whitlock’s enterprise, fertility of plans, industry, and 
good intention, we can hardly doubt that the scheme will 
prove highly successful. The locality is one of the best 
in the lower or business part of the city—nearly opposite 
the City Hall, and fronting upon Broadway and the open 
Park. For particulars see Mr. Whitlock’s advertisement. 
ESesitiiag- Mtiaoajres isa tflae Mali For 
Potatoes. — The use of lien-manure composts, night 
soil, or even barn-yard manure, in the hill 'or drill with 
potatoes, is rarely or never advisable. It is much better 
to distribute it evenly through the soil. The best prac¬ 
tice is to use no fermenting manure except such as might 
have been incorporated with the soil the autumn previous. 
Wood-ashes and plaster, either or both produce almost 
invariably good effects. Castor pomace and Fish guano, 
both oily manures, may, perhaps, be regarded as excep¬ 
tions to the rule, “ No fermenting manures in the hill 
for potatoes’’—for they frequently produce good crops. 
lastoi-estssag- Eig-aii'es Fr©Esa Osti- 
Mail ISooms.—The Chief Clerk furnishes the follow¬ 
ing figures from his book, showing the actual work ex¬ 
pended in mailing a single number of the American 
Agriculturist: Folding and Stitching, Girls’ Work, 390 
Days. Writing Wrappers, Men’s Work, 96 Days. En¬ 
closing in wrappers, tying, and packing in Mail-bags, 
Men’s Work, G5 days, Boys’ Work, 26 days—in all 91 days. 
Total days work, 577, equivalent to 58 persons during 10 
days. About 500 Mail-bags, holding 4 bushels each, or 
2,000 bushels, are required. Weight of the papers when 
ready for the Post-Office, 18 tons ! These are scattered to 
every part of the Continent, an average of nearly half a 
dozen to every Post-Office in the United States and Ter¬ 
ritories, aud the British Provinces, besides large numbers 
to every part of the world wherever the English or Ger¬ 
man language is read. Large bundles go to South 
America, the West Indies, Australia, tho Sandwich 
Islands', various parts of Asia, and even, to Afi-ica. 
