122 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
WORK FOR THE MONTH. 
Saving Seeds. 
Every farmer should endeavor to save such seeds as 
he may want, selecting from the best and most produc¬ 
tive plants. There is scarcely an article cultivated by 
the fai mer or the gardener, that may not be improved by 
selection and care. Plants, the varieties of which are 
liable to intermix, when intended for seed, should be 
planted at such distances from each other, that the 
pollen of their flowers cannot intermix. Beets, cabba¬ 
ges, lurneps, squashes, melons, and even corn, should 
be planted at a distance from other varieties of the 
same plant, if pure seed would be had. Seeds keep 
well, by simply cutting them when sufficiently ripe, 
hanging them up in a dry place, until thoroughly dried, 
or until wanted. Herbs too should be saved, as more 
or less of them are wanted in every family for culinary 
or medicinal purposes. There are many who might, 
were it not for their negligence, secure an abundant sup¬ 
ply of good seeds, and pot or sweet herbs, that when 
such things are wanted are obliged to rely on the greater 
forethought and charity of their neighbors. 
Plowing Heavy Land. 
Land that is heavy or tenacious should never be plow¬ 
ed when wet, and those who are summer fallowing fields 
of this stamp, should be cautious in working it when 
there is sufficient moisture present to render it adhesive. 
A disadvantage in two ways results from plowing such 
land when too wet; it not only breaks such land into 
large lumps, but the pressure of moving renders it so 
compact that they do not crumble readily or quickly, 
and the roots of plants find little nutriment among such 
masses; and the action of the plow in passing through 
a soil so conditioned, presses and smooths the bottom of 
the furrow in such a way, that when dry, an artificial 
hardpan is produced, only to be removed by the action 
of frost, or by still deeper plowing in a dry season. We 
have before us a pregnant instance of the bad effects of 
plowing heavy land when too wet. A field of three or 
four acres intended for corn and potatoes, of heavy, but 
rich land, and which has uniformly grown fine crops, 
owing to peculiar circumstances, could not be seeded or 
planted until so late in the season that further delay was 
not admissible, and the last plowing, striking out, and 
planting, was performed when the ground was saturated 
with moisture, and in a very unfavorable state. Dry 
weather followed, and the moved earth adhered in large 
lumps, hard as dried brick, butmanyofthem much larger. 
The corn in some instances was unable to force its way 
through the dried crust covering the hills; and as the 
masses in such cases do not crumble readily, at hoeing 
there was not pulverized earth enough to place around 
the plants, and it will readily be conceived, that the air 
will circulate rather more freely than is consistent with 
vegetation, through a hill of potatoes or corn construct¬ 
ed of such coarse materials. Never have we before 
seen, what English writers call a locking up of the nu¬ 
tritive powers of the soil, effected so completely as in 
the present instance, and it now appears clear that for¬ 
mer friability will not be restored, until the earth is sub¬ 
mitted to the action of frost. 
Destroying Weeds. 
It cannot be denied by any one, that those pests of 
good farming, noxious weeds, have increased, and 
are increasing, at a most frightful rate in nearly every 
section of our country. Insignificant in their appear¬ 
ance or results at first, the farmer treats them with con¬ 
tempt, but before he is aware, they have obtained a hold 
on the soil, which enables the intruders to set him at 
defiance. The only safe course with weeds is to meet 
them early in the field, and allow them no rest until the 
extirpation is complete. Where plants are propagated 
only by seeds, as charlock, stein krout, 8c c. they can 
be eradicated more easily, than when they are propa¬ 
gated both by seeds and roots, as johnswort, Canada 
thistle, elder, 8c c. If the seed of the first is not al¬ 
lowed to ripen, the danger is past, and consequently 
careful pulling will destroy weeds of this class; but 
where the roots retain their vitality, or in other words 
the plant is perennial, the labor of extirpation is much 
increased. In the Genesee country the stein krout has 
become so prevalent in the wheat fields, that compara¬ 
tively little precaution is used against it, and as large 
quantities of wheat are annually distributed from that 
section of the state to others for seed, the spread of that 
weed is of corresponding extent. So with the Canada 
thistle, that prince of noxious plants; it has become so 
extensively spread over most of the northern states, 
that enormous as the evils caused by its presence on a 
farm are, it excites little attention, and mixed with clo¬ 
ver, timothy, or other grass seeds, is rapidly extending 
itself to districts and states hitherto exempt. Asa first 
and important step, every farmer should resolve that no 
consideration shall induce him, to allow any foul stuff 
to perfect its seeds on his farm. Were this generally or 
universally done, the most effective cause of increase 
would be arrested at once. It is nothing less then sui¬ 
cidal to the prospects of a farmer, and inflicting great 
evils on those around him, to allow such plants as the 
thistle, johnswort, steinkrout,charlock, sweet elder,ever¬ 
lasting, daisy, See. 8cc. to ripen their seeds, and propa¬ 
gate unmolested on his premises. Weeds then that can¬ 
not be pulled should be mown, cut or beat down, in such 
a way that no seed can possibly ripen, and it should also 
be remembered, that all mutilation or injury done to 
the leaves or stems of a plant, have an effect in retard¬ 
ing the vigor or spread of the roots, and not unfrequent- 
ly cause their destruction. 
Aftermath or Rowen. 
It has been questioned by some, whether it is not bet¬ 
ter to allow the grass that springs up after mowing to 
remain to perish, or protect the roots in winter, than to 
cut it for use as hay. The latter practice it is clear would 
exhaust the plant less than the first; but this second 
cutting makes such an excellent food for calves, colts, 
lambs, See. that it is probable the custom of mowing 
for rowen will still be continued by many farmers. 
Where this mowing takes place, or where the grass is 
feed off by cattle, experience proves it to be a good plan 
to manure such meadows with well rotted manures, or 
compost, soon after mowing, and go over it with a brush 
or other light harrow; or if such an implement is at 
hand, a spiked roller will be found very useful for loosen¬ 
ing the earth and preventing the increase of mosses, 
coarse grass, &c. Meadows, in which the valuable 
grasses are what is called running out, may be restored 
by scattering the seeds of the plants wished, with the com¬ 
post and dragging them in at the same time. There 
need be no danger apprehended from this occasional 
scarification of the surface of a meadow ; no good roots 
will be injured, and the mosses that bind down the roots, 
and prevent strong vegetation in the grasses, are dis¬ 
placed and their growth checked. 
Budding or Inoculating. 
August is the month for this operation, and the lovers 
of good fruit should not let it pass without improving 
the time for adding to their stocks of select fruit, or ex¬ 
tending and multiplying those already possessed. Am¬ 
ple directions for the different processes of budding have 
been given in the former volumes of the Cultivator, and 
where good buds can be obtained, and the bark of the 
tree to be inoculated starts freely, the process is so sim¬ 
ple, and the growth so certain, as to recommend the 
practice to all. Where grafting has been neglecte 
budding comes in as a valuable substitute, and can be 
adopted in some cases where the first can with difficul¬ 
ty be performed. 
Ashes for Turneps. 
A great object is gained by bringing turneps forward 
as rapidly as possible after they come up, as the princi¬ 
pal danger of destruction or failure is before the rough 
leaf is put forth. In England, bone dust is usually 
drilled in with the seed, to hasten the early growth; 
here bone dust is comparatively rare, but a mixture of 
soot and ashes, or ashes alone, is found to be a very 
good application, particularly for the common turnep, 
and may be sown upon them broad cast, or scattered 
over the rows by hand. It will hasten their growth, 
prove a partial protection against insects, and iwprove 
the size and goodness of the roots. 
VALUABLE RECIPES. 
For Scours or Dysentery in Horses. 
One fourth of an ounce of gum gamboge, half an 
ounce of aloes; half an ounce of saltpetre; reduce all 
to a fine powder; add flour and water till it makes a 
thick dough or paste. Divide it into four pills; give 
one pill every night and morning. Give the horse half 
an ounce of ipecacuanha, dissolved in about two quarts 
of hot water, by adding half a pint of this solution into 
a pail of water for him to drink every four hours. 
When 'the fever has abated, take a quart of oak bark, 
pour two quarts of hot water upon it, and let it stand 
till cool. Give the horse a pint of this bark tea in a 
pail of water, and let the horse drink of it freely. 
R. M. W. 
Another .—Take a table spoonful of saleratus, reduce 
it to a powder, and give it to the horse in a pint of new 
milk. Repeat the dose if necessary. This remedy has 
proved effectual in some severe cases. C. W. 
Another .—Put into a junk bottle one pint of good gin, 
and one ounce of indigo; shake well together, and turn 
it down the horse. It will usually effect a cure in a 
very short time. A. H. Id. 
Another. —Mr. Robinson of Lake C. H. Indiana, states 
that the bark of the sweet gum, or liquid amber tree, of 
the west, is a certain remedy for the dysentery, in man 
or beast, and that in a multitude of cases, he has never 
known it fail. — 
Horn Distemper. 
Spirits of turpentine rubbed in around the base of the 
horns, when the disease is in its incipient stages, will 
usually arrest its progress, and effect a cure. If it has 
so far advanced as essentially to lower the temperature 
of the horns, or horn, (for sometimes only one is attack¬ 
ed,) boring with a large nail gimblet on the under side 
of the horn, three or four inches from the head, will be 
necessary. If the horn is found very holloxv at this 
place, another opening still nearer the head, may be ne¬ 
cessary. The horns must be kept open, that the mat¬ 
ter may freely escape; and they should be thoroughly 
syringed or washed out, twice or three times a day. 
Salt and water, or soap suds, is good for this. Alio,wing 
the matter in the horn to escape, relieves the distress 
of the animal, checks the inflammation about the head, 
and unless delayed too long, effects a cure. 
Sore Backs, or Galls in Horses. 
Rub white lead in sweet oil until a good paint is 
made, and apply a coating of this to the injured place. 
Milk will do, where the oil is not to be had. It is one 
of the effective applications. Some for the same diffi¬ 
culty use a solution of vitriol in water, for a wash ; but 
in most cases, the white lead is to be preferred. 
Roup, or Gapes in Poultry. 
Soap mixed with the food of chickens, or Indian meal 
wet up with soap suds, and fed to them, is said to be a 
cure for this disorder, that is so fatal to poultry. 
For weak or Sore Eyes. 
One of the best and easiest applications for weak eyes, 
is to take a small piece of copperas, (white is the best,) 
of the size of a pea, and dissolve it in a two ounce vial 
of soft water. When clear, this may be used for bath¬ 
ing the eyes, and with the best effects. 
Bloating in Cattle. 
Where other means have failed to reduce bloating or 
hoven in cattle, the volatile spirit of ammonia has fre¬ 
quently afforded almost immediate relief, owing to its 
chemically decomposing the gas generated in the sto¬ 
mach. The dose for a cow or ox, is a table spoon¬ 
ful ; a tea spoonful for a sheep, diluted with water, or 
other convenient liquid. 
Cure for Wounds—King of Oils. 
This invaluable remedy for wounds in cattle or hor¬ 
ses, particularly the latter, has lately been brought be¬ 
fore the public, by Silas Gaylord, of Skaneateles, and 
we have known some very surprising cures performed 
by it, in the case of severe wounds in horses. The fol¬ 
lowing are the directions given for preparing the medi¬ 
cine : 1 ounce of green copperas, 
2 “ of white vitriol, 
2 “ of common salt, 
2 “ of linseed oil, 
8 “ of West India molasses. 
Boil over a slow fire fifteen minutes, in a pint of 
urine ; when almost cold, add one ounce of oil of vitriol, 
and four ounces of spirits of turpentine. Apply it to 
the wound with a quil or feather, and the cure will be 
speedily effected. 
FARMING IN MISSISSIPPI. 
Extract of a letter from a subscriber at Raymond, da¬ 
ted 23d June, 1840:—“ Until twelve months past, agri¬ 
cultural operations have been conducted in this state 
with very little judgment or providence in regard to 
food for man and beast. But the pressure has brought 
us to our senses; and we are now endeavoring to ‘live 
at home’ as much as possible. We are striving to raise 
our own meat and bread at least; and are succeeding 
beyond our expectations—endeavoring also to improve 
our stock of cattle and hogs; but find much difficulty in 
obtaining good stocks, except when several unite and 
send an agent expressly for the purpose. 
“ I am trying experiments this year, with millett, su¬ 
gar beet, ruta baga, and mangel wurtzel. They pro¬ 
mise well, thus far, and the first will probably suit us 
for rough winter food for mules, oxen, and cows—I 
mean the hay or straw. The three last will probably 
yield well—but the yam and Spanish potatce can be 
raised here so readily, and our servants are so much 
I better acquainted with their cultivation, that the culture 
of these is not likely to be superseded by those. This 
potato is probably as valuable for food for man and 
beast, also ; and it is not difficult to raise from 3 to 500 
bushels to the acre. 
“ I found that my cattle and hogs were much benefit¬ 
ed last fall, by an abundant growth of peas and pump¬ 
kins, raised in the corn field. And, having an oat field 
this year, under the same enclosure with corn, which 
prevents stock from being turned in, I am now plowing 
in the oat stubble, and harrowing in peas, sown broad¬ 
cast. In the corn ground, the peas are drilled between 
every row at the last plowing. 
“ The northern counties of this state, present a fine 
opening for stock growers. The counties of Marshail, 
Fayette, Yallabusba, &c. &c. are well watered, suitable 
for clover and the grasses; and the southern counties 
would furnish a market for all the superior stock that 
could be raised. It would be an excellent business for 
a Northern man, and he might be assured of health, 
comfort and profit. 
“ A few of us in and around this village, have paid 
some attention to the Morus multicaulis, and silk rai¬ 
sing. The experiments this year, in feeding the worms, 
were satisfactory and encouraging; they fed well, and 
spun well, with very little loss; probably not three per 
cent. None however entertain an idea of going into the 
business largely or exclusively. It is thought favorably 
of for employing the house servants and children, and I 
doubt not, that the business will extend until the employ¬ 
ment of such persons, in this way, becomes general.” 
MAKING BREAD. 
A late French journal slates that an important series 
of experiments is now going on in the city of Paris, by 
order of the government, and under the direction cf a 
committee of bakers, to test the value of a new disco¬ 
very in bread making, that promises the most important 
results. In the new mode of preparation, the flour that 
fovmerly made ICO lbs. of bread, now yields from 120 to 
125 lbs. The discovery consists in an improved mode 
of fermenting it, by which a greater quantity of water 
combines with the gluten, and the nutritious qualities 
are more fully developed. A loaf of the new bread is 
found to be equally nutritive with the old, and decidedly 
improved in flavor. 
