10 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
calling farmers together annually to listen to such ad¬ 
dresses as this of Gov. Hill, or many others we might 
mention, and have the objects they should keep in view, 
and the duties they should perform, as luminously 
spread out before them, the labor and expense of sus¬ 
taining them would be remunerated a thousand fold. 
Wood Painting. 
The advantages of covering wood buildings with paint 
are so obvious, that explanation or enforcement must be 
alike unnecessary; the only thing requisite would seem 
to be the ascertaining of the best method of performing 
the work. We paint our buildings in the first place for 
ornament, and in the second place to give their materials 
greater durability. The first is depending in a great 
measure on the coloring materials employed, and the 
taste shown in their adaptation ; the last on the quality 
of the articles used, and the skill with which the work 
is done. 
The closing of the pores of the wood, or saturating 
the surface of the wood so as to exclude atmospheric 
action, is the great point to be gained, and for this we 
must mainly rely on the oil, the coloring matter only 
serving to form a coating to the wood, or protecting the 
surface, so long as it is combined with oil. It is a com¬ 
mon complaint, that paint on buildings is not as durable 
now as it was formerly, and numerous buildings to be 
every where seen almost denuded of paint, that have 
stood but a few years, would seem to give some grounds 
for such an impression. If such is the case, the fault 
must be in thefmaterial, the preparation, or the putting 
on. There is unquestionably a great adulteration, both 
of oil and white lead, practiced in many cases, but it 
cannot be so general as to justify the inferiority of mod¬ 
ern painting. That it is not put on with as much care 
and skill, will hardly be admitted; the only inference, 
then, would seem to be, that the fault is in the prepara¬ 
tion, and such we believe to be the case. 
If we can ascertain what is necessary to have paint¬ 
ing durable, and determine the manner in which it is 
usually performed, we may perhaps arrive at the source 
of the evil, and so be able to point out a remedy. The first 
object to be attained, is the saturation of the entire sur¬ 
face with oil, and this should be applied as long as it 
will be readily absorbed. Utility should be attended to 
before ornament, and the coloring is comparatively of 
second rate interest. If oil without any paint was appli¬ 
ed once or twice,experience shows the wood will be much 
better protected, and perhaps in the end would be found 
the cheapest method; but the first cost would be con¬ 
siderably enhanced from the additional number of coats 
that would be required. Modern painters of buildings 
seem to direct much of their attention to the rapidity of 
execution, and this has been found incompatible with 
the proper filling the wood with oil, without extra in¬ 
gredients or preparation. Oil, in sufficient quantity to 
close the pores of the wood, applied with no preparation 
except the ground lead, would not dry so quickly as is 
desirable, where haste alone is consulted, or appearance, 
without regard to permanence, considered in the work. 
The preparing of drying oils, or the ingredients that, 
mixed with oils, will cause them to dry or harden almost 
at once, has become a regular branch of trade, and mix¬ 
tures of spirits of turpentine, litharge, &c. &c., are found 
for sale at the shops, and used extensively by painters. 
The consequence of this practice we believe to be, that 
the oil or paint so prepared, dries with such rapidity 
when applied to the wood, that little or none is absorb¬ 
ed, the pores are only closed by the paint, and as this 
has little firmness, owing to the decomposition of the 
oil by the ingredients added, or the small quantity of 
the oil combined, it soon gives way before atmospheric 
action, and the wood is at once left unpainted and un¬ 
protected. 
To be convinced that turpentine must be injurious to 
the durability of paint, we have only to remember the 
effect that turpentine produces on oil spots on clothing, 
floors, &c. The housewife is (veil aware of the effects 
in such cases, and the painter should know that the op¬ 
eration of the turpentine used by him, is precisely simi¬ 
lar in proportion to the quantity used, and that where 
mixed with oil, a decomposition of the latter is accom¬ 
plished by it. Every one is aware of the fact, that in 
painting pine boards, if what is called a fat knot occurs, 
(or one in which turpentine abounds,) it is almost im¬ 
possible to cover it with paint, and the reason is obvi¬ 
ous ; the turpentine decomposes the oil with which the 
paint is mixed, and the latter, left free, is at once rubbed 
off, since the principle of adhesion is destroyed. In 
painting a pine floor, a few years since, in which such 
knots occurred, we found it impossible to make the 
paint adhere, until by repeated applications of oil, and 
the consequent decomposition of the turpentine in its 
combination with the oil applied, the surface was so far 
freed as to permit adhesion. In modern painted build¬ 
ings, we frequently find that as soon as the superficial 
gloss wears off, the paint seems in the state of dry pow¬ 
der, easily rubbing off on every object it touches, or 
washing off in every rain. Here the cause of the defect 
is evident. So much turpentine, or other drying matter 
was added, that the oil was decomposed instead of being 
absorbed, and the oil, which is the only principle of du¬ 
rable adhesion in paint, being absent, as a natural re¬ 
sult, the paint soon crumbled to powder. Such paint, 
too, while it lasts, affords but little protection to wood. 
Owing to the absence of oil, it soon becomes permeable 
to moisture, the pores of the wood, being unclosed, re¬ 
tain it, the apology for paint retards its evaporation, 
and experiments and experience would seem to show, 
that wood thus nominally protected, decays faster than 
it would if left to the usual action of the elements, in its 
natural state. 
All the preparation that oil needs to make good paint 
(and in this we are confident every painter who under¬ 
stands his business will agree with us,) is a thorough 
boiling to free it from its impurities, and render it per¬ 
fectly clear and limpid. The desire of despatch has led 
to additions to the oil, which indeed ensure that object, 
but are destructive of durability, and certainly add little 
or nothing to the finishing or the ornamental part. We 
strenuously advise farmers to paint their buildings, yard 
fences, &c., as it contributes to give a look of neatness 
and thrift to the farm, that nothing else will do, and be¬ 
sides, if well performed, it increases their value and du¬ 
rability, in a much greater degree than the expense.— 
But they should remember that in painting, every thing 
is depending on having the work well done, the articles 
good, and the operations skilfully performed. Great 
haste in painting is inadmissible ; oil must be applied to 
the wood, and time allowed for absorption. Some paint¬ 
ers talk of laying on two coats of paint in a day; they 
may do it, but we are confident they will not for him 
who looks more at durability than despatch, and has 
more regard to permanence than to the saving of a few 
shillings in expense, or a few hours in time. 
Ilactliing Chickens. 
A contrivance, to which a long Greek name has been 
given, has been put in operation in London, one of the 
uses of which, and the most prominent one, is the hatch¬ 
ing of chickens. The heat is supplied by water, which 
gives a more uniform temperature than can be derived 
from any other agent, and though not quite equal to the 
chicken ovens of Cairo, the machine, while it occupies 
little space, does a respectable business, turning out 
about a hundred chickens daily when in operation.— 
Hens sometimes addle their eggs in hatching them, the 
machine never. If the egg is good, the chicken is sure 
to appear at the proper time, and is as vigorous and ac¬ 
tive as if under the care of its proper parent. It feeds 
without difficulty, though it experiences no inconven¬ 
ience from going without food for 12 or 20 hours after 
leaving the shell. Darkness is found most proper in the 
process of incubation; and the remarkable fact has been 
disclosed, that the chick, at the moment of leaving the 
shell, is heavier than the whole egg was in the first 
place. The older chickens brood the younger ones, and 
the pleasure from this operation appears mutual. It is 
to be presumed that the Eccaleobion will become a part 
of every poultry establishment; and that hens, saved 
the drudgery of hatching and providing for their young, 
will be confined to their legitimate business of providing 
fresh eggs for the table, or such as are required for 
hatching in the machine. 
Items from our Hotels o oft, Ho. 1. 
Hedges and Fences. 
The following remarks, copied from a letter of Col. 
Springer of Stanton, Delaware, published in the West¬ 
ern (Ohio) Register, agree in the main with the obser¬ 
vations we have been able to make of the success, or 
probable result, of the efforts at hedging in this country 
The best specimens we have noticed, exhibiting a close¬ 
ness and freshness of verdure that indicated health and 
permanence, were between Geneva and Canandaigua, 
near the former, and in the town of Sodus, near Lake 
Ontario. Unless we are misinformed, these hedges in 
both places were planted by the same individual, an En¬ 
glishman, and are of the thorn so much used in that 
country. Our hot and dry summers are unfavorable to 
hedges, or at least to the plants commonly used for that 
purpose, when treated in the ordinary manner. No 
where in the United States have more persevering at¬ 
tempts been made to cultivate hedges than in the dis¬ 
trict of Delaware alluded to by Col. Springer. 
“ I will merely tell you, for your information, that all the 
kinds of thorn used here for fences, are fast going to decay. 
I have seen no young hedges planted for the last three or 
four years, but numbers have been cut down, and numbers 
more will soon have to be done so. I think you would pro¬ 
bably render yourself and the public great service, if you 
would carry out your project of planting a forest of chestnut 
into successful operation. It is decidedly the most valuable 
timber for fencing with which I am acquainted. It is very 
durable and of rapid growth. I think that ten acres, once 
well set, would keep your whole farm well fenced. Black 
locust would also be very valuable as a timber for posts.— 
Chestnut grows here on almost every kind of soil.” 
Baulkey Horses. 
There are multitudes of these most uncomfortable and 
vexatious animals in the country, many more than there 
would be, if common prudence and care in breaking into 
the harness were used; and if the following mode of 
treating them, which we copy from a Boston newspaper, 
should perform what it promises, it would prevent much 
hard swearing, and save many a poor beast a cruel and 
useless beating. 
“ A truckman m Boston, that had a refractory horse that 
would not draw or move forward, beat him most unmerci¬ 
fully. A gentleman came along, who told him he must not 
beat him any more. ‘ VVhat shall I do V said the man, ‘ my 
horse has stood here these two hours. Shall I stand here all 
the day?' ‘ Oh no, the horse must go, but you must not 
beat him any more. Get me a rope twice as long as the 
horse.' The rope was got, secured to his tail, and then pass¬ 
ed between his legs forwards, then a smart pull on the rope 
was given. The horse was frightened and showed symp¬ 
toms of kicking, but the pulling was continued. Suddenly 
he started forward, and went off without any more beating. 
The gentleman had seen that method tried on that most re¬ 
fractory of animals the Jackass of South America. If you 
question this, you that have obstinate horses, try it for your¬ 
selves.” 
Seton or Rowel. 
There are numerous cases in which the use of the 
seton in the treatment of horses is most beneficial. The 
following, in substance, from the Franklin Farmer, is 
one of the simplest methods of performing the operation, 
and at the same time will be found effectual. 
As to the seton, it is thus prepared: Cut as many 
small thongs of leather as may be needed, about eight 
inches long, and rather less than an inch wide, one end 
to be cut rather pointed, the other must have a slit near¬ 
ly one inch from the extremity of the broad part, and 
one inch in length. Then draw the skin of the animal 
with the forefinger and thumb, the skin being thus drawn 
clear of the flesh, thrust a sharp and narrow pointed 
knife through the skin between the fingers and the flesh, 
and introduce the leather immediately. Pull it through 
to about half its length, then let go the skin and rub the 
leather with besillean ointment mixed with Spanish flies ; 
turn the strap so that the mixture will be well introduc¬ 
ed, and secure the seton by drawing the pointed part 
through the slit of the other end. Leave it for twenty- 
four hours, then rub the string again with ointment, and 
move it as before. The discharge will soon commence, 
which is the object sought from the introduction. 
Galls from the Harness or Saddle. 
Major Long, in his well written and valuable account 
of his expedition to the Rocky Mountains, says that his 
party found white lead moistened with milk, to succeed 
better than any thing else in preventing the bad effects 
of galls on their horses’ backs, in their fatiguing march 
over the plains that border the mountains. Its effect in 
smoothing and soothing the irritated and inflamed sur¬ 
face, was admirable. 
Bee Moth. 
Mr. James Thatcher, author of the “American Orchard- 
ist,” &c. &c. in a communication to the New-England 
Farmer, says: “I will embrace this opportunity to com¬ 
municate, for the benefit of the cultivator, what I believe 
to be an infallible remedy against the bee moth, which 
has proved so destructive to bees throughout our country 
of late years. The remedy is simple and easily applied. 
It consists merely in covering the floor board on which 
the hive stands, with common earth about an inch thick. 
A hive set on earth will never be infested with worms 
for the bee moth will not deposite her eggs where the 
earth will come in contact. She naturally resorts to a 
dry board as her element. The remedy has been em¬ 
ployed by a number of persons in this vicinity for seve¬ 
ral years, with the most complete success.” 
Mites in Cheese. 
We copy the following from the Zanesville Gazette, 
and shall publish it for the special benefit of cheesema- 
kers and cheesemongers, not doubting that jt will mate¬ 
rially increase the consumption of the article. Were it 
as fashionable to drink spirits of turpentine qs spirits of 
wine or brandy, the first might be substituted for the last 
in its application to cheese, and quite as effectually. As 
it is, we go for the brandy decidedly, r and recommend its 
use to the possessors of all colonized cheeses. 
“ All who deal in cheese, whether housekeepers or mer¬ 
chants, know their liability to be attacked by skippers, and 
the better the cheese the more liable they are to such attacks. 
To drive them out, the following mode will be found effec¬ 
tual, while the flavor of the cheese will be greatly improved. 
Cut out a large plug in the upper side of the cheese, and fill 
up the cavity with the best French brandy, and repeating 
the operation two or three times, when the plug may be re¬ 
stored, and pasted over, for the skippers will be found to have 
left the cheese, making their way outside. A lover of 
GOOD CHEESE.” 
Value of Sweet Apples. 
A recent writer, who thinks apples, especially sweet 
ones, decidedly superior to many root crops for feeding 
farm stock, says: 
“ Their greater cheapness is also becoming established. It 
has been already shown that they may be afforded, at a rea¬ 
sonable compensation of the expense of planting the orchard 
and the price of the land, at the rate of half a cent a bushel. 
This, of course, is only to be expected from good culture and 
the selection of proper variefies. The expense of root crops, 
when cultivated iu the cheapest manner, may be considered 
on an average as ten times that amount, or five cents a bush¬ 
el. Apples are especially valuable, as, in addition to feed¬ 
ing other animals, they are so admirably adapted to the fat¬ 
tening of hogs. For the preceding reasons alone, it may be 
safe to predict, that in a few years the crop of anples will be 
considered as only second to the wheat crop.” 
Saltpetre for Gargets. 
“B. W. F.” in the Maine Farmer, gives an account of 
the use of saltpetre for this troublesome disease in milch 
cows. We have generally found the garget or scoke root, 
a sufficient remedy, but as it appears to have sometimes 
failed, the use of saltpetre may be the means of saving 
many a valuable cow. In the use of the garget root our 
method has been to cut it up fine and feed it to the ani¬ 
mal in a mash of grain. The saltpetre is dissolved and 
given in the same way. Mr. B. W. F. says: 
“ Taking sometime since a hint in the Farmer, I have tried 
saltpetre as a remedy for the garget in cows, and am able to 
