14 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
Cornsponfrence, Inquiries, &z. 
MANUFACTURE OF URATE. 
“ Farmer Hodge,” from near Baltimore, has re¬ 
quested some information in regard to this substance. 
He is right in supposing it is a preparation from urine; 
and its principal value is probably derived from the 
combination of the ammonia of the urine, (or that sub- 
stance, which makes Farmer H.’s hogshead “ smell 
loud,”) with the plaster used. When ammonia comes 
in contact with plaster, it is absorbed by the plaster, and 
the plaster rendered more fertilizing than before. If the 
plaster is mixed with the urine, not only is the ammonia 
absorbed, but the other salts of the urine are combined, 
making it still more efficacious. The plaster may be 
inclined to set, or become hard, but stirring would doubt¬ 
less prevent it. Lime, in a caustic state, or fresh burn¬ 
ed, would not be as good as plaster to mix with the 
urine. The preparation of urate is comparatively new, 
and the best methods of making and using are doubtless 
yet to be learned; and these things one farmer can ex¬ 
periment upon as well as another. Experiments in 
Paris proved that urate was so powerful as a manure, 
that considerable caution was required in its use; and 
the quantity used can but be determined by experience. 
DIKING MARSHES. 
In reply to an inquiry on the diking and improve¬ 
ment of salt marshes, made by a Nova Scotia corres¬ 
pondent, in a former number of the Cultivator, Mr. Jen- 
nison refers to Moorsom’s work on Nova Scotia, where 
the process and its advantages are described. Speaking 
of a marsh so diked, Mr. M. remarks, “ In the fourth 
year of its completion, the land is fit to receive the 
plow, and is then sown with wheat; the first crop is 
usually extraordinary, at least twenty-five bushels for 
one. On a marsh which has been diked and cultivated 
for a long period, eighteen bushels of wheat for one, or 
forty bushels per acre, is the average return, and from two 
and a half to three tons of hay per acre is the usual crop. 
Manure is never found necessary for diked marshes, as 
repeated crops of wheat may be raised in succession on 
this kind of land, without any further preparation than 
that of merely turning up the virgin mold, which is 
always found sufficiently rich without further prepa¬ 
ration. Whenever a marsh has been exhausted, or worn 
out with bad management, subjecting it to the overflow 
of the tide waters, where this is admissible, will restore 
its fertility. See said work, from page 188 to 194. 
We are not able at this moment to lay our hand on 
Bright’s Travels; and if Mr. Jennison will forward, as 
he proposes, a condensed account of the Hungarian Ag¬ 
ricultural School, we shall be happy to give it a place 
in the Cultivator. His suggestions respecting a price 
current for the country at large, shall receive considera¬ 
tion. 
OPERATION OF SPAYING. 
Oxtr correspondent,^ Floridian,’ at Tallahassee, has sent 
us some queries, the first of which is as follows:—“We 
wish you, Messrs. Editors, or some of your attentive 
correspondents, to inform a young reader of the most 
scientific mode of performing the operation of ‘ spay¬ 
ing,’ the reasons for the operation, and the proper age 
for doing it.” 
The reasons for spaying are simply to prevent the 
animal’s breeding, destroy all inclination for intercourse 
with the male, and, by rendering her quiet, increase the 
aptitude to fatten. Castration in the male produces sim¬ 
ilar results. 
The object in spaying is to remove the ovaries, which 
create the impulse to venereal intercourse, and are 
small round masses, varying with the age of the animal 
from the size of a large pea to that of a nutmeg, a lit¬ 
tle flattened, and attached to the uterus, or “ pig bag,” 
as the receptacle of the embryo young is commonly 
called. In young pigs, the ovaries are whitish, but 
when older, or during the estrus, they are reddish in 
appearance, and are more fully developed. Young sows 
are frequently spayed at six weeks old; in older ones, 
the best time is when they exhibit desires for the male, 
as the ovaries are then more easily distinguished. The 
only implements used, are a sharp pocket knife, and a 
long straight needle, with strong waxed thread. 
Strong cords are fastened to the hind legs of the animal, 
by which she is to be suspended from a spike or a pin 
in an upright post. The mouth may be tied to prevent 
squealing, and the fore legs held by an assistant. The 
operator then makes an incision, up and down, between 
the four back teats, commencing with the two back 
ones, cutting through the skin, the flesh and muscles 
beneath, to the membrane which envelops the bowels. 
This must be divided carefully, that the intestines may 
not be wounded; and in doing it, the knife should be 
placed at the lowest point of the opening made, with 
the back of the blade inwards, and passed upwards until 
a slit, two inches in length, or sufficient to admit two 
fingers into the wound, has been made. The fingers 
are introduced, and the uterus grasped, which to the 
touch will appear like a wet empty bladder, partially 
flattened. The operator must retain his hold, at what¬ 
ever point this is seized, gradually drawing it towards 
him, and working his fingers forward until one of the 
ovaries is felt, which he will recognize by its hard 
kernel-like feeling, and its color, when he grasps it be¬ 
tween his finger and thumb, and cuts it off as near the 
uterus as possible. The uterus must still be held, the 
other ovary sought for, and exterminated in the same 
way. Care must be taken to excise the ovaries com¬ 
pletely, or close to the uterus, or the operation may 
prove ineffectual. The wound is now to be sewed up; 
and the object is to make the wound unite on its inner 
part first, and as equally as possible. For the first 
stitch, the needle is placed on the belly, on the right 
hand side of the lower part of the slit, and passed 
through the skin, &c. into the bowels, taking care that 
the point does not touch the intestines. The most of 
the thread is now drawn through, the needle made to 
enter beneath the outer skin, and passed into the bowels 
as before. Four such cross stitches, only drawing to¬ 
gether the inner part of the wound, will be sufficient to 
place the inner edges of the wound in contact; and the 
outside is now closed by a similar series of stitches in 
the outer skin, when the ends of the thread are tied, and 
some tar salve rubbed over and around the wound. The 
animal should be kept fasting for some twelve or eigh¬ 
teen hours before the operation, that the intestines may 
not be distended. 
It is somewhat difficult to describe such an operation, 
so as to be understood fully; but if a person chooses, he 
may, when pigs are butchered and hung up, make such 
experiments, when opening them, as will show the po¬ 
sition of the parts, and enable him to operate without 
difficulty. 
WELLS—COVERED OR UNCOVERED. 
“Is it better to cover wells, or leave them uncovered? 
I have heard old experienced men say, that water in 
wells that are covered is impure, full of worms, &c., 
and that water in wells not covered is always clear and 
pure. They say that the sun has an effect in purifying 
the water. What is your experience ? Floridian.” 
Water to which air can have free access, is better than 
that from which it is excluded, other things being equal; 
and wells where a bucket is used, are usually better than 
those with pumps, owing to the frequent agitation of the 
water. But in places where surface impurities are liable 
to be lodged in a well, it is better to have them closed. 
We have found that a trout, kept in a well, was the 
surest preventive against all worms, bugs, and similar 
nuisances in wells. Floridian will see that, at the 42d 
degree of latitude, the sun could have very little effect in 
a well. 
We are unacquainted with the goat, or its diseases, 
and can find no reference to such a disorder as the one 
respecting which Floridian inquires. 
“PEARL” AND “COMMENTATOR.” 
We have received some well written remarks from 
our correspondent, “ Pearl,” of Mississippi, whose com¬ 
munication on the subject of stirring the earth during 
drouth, in the August No. for 1841, elicited some re¬ 
marks from “ Commentator” in the succeeding number, 
and should lay a principal part of them before the 
reader, had not “Pearl” positively vetoed such a mea¬ 
sure. But we make the following extract, on which to 
hang- a few words in reply. Pearl says, “I believe in 
plowing deep—in the fall, if it can be—or in the spring, 
cultivating shallow, stir often, keep clean, and think it 
well done; and unless heavy beating rains occur, no 
need of a plow in after culture. Now, dear sirs, do we 
agree, except in moisture rising ? I can understand 
something of the effect of the air and fine tilth, but if 
dry, cannot see how moisture can rise.” 
Our creed, founded on our own experience, may be 
stated in a few words. Manure your cultivated lands 
highly; in preparing them for a corn or other similar 
crop, or indeed for any, plow deep, for this not only 
eventually makes a deep and fertile soil, but gives room 
for the roots to spread and feed; in cultivating the crop, 
keep the surface frequently stirred, since this keeps it 
clean, promotes the absorption of gases, and greatly 
aids vegetation, as well as prevents crops from suffering 
by drouth; and disturb the roots as little as possible, or 
as is consistent with the necessity of keeping the surface 
friable, or open for the admission of air. So far, it is 
believed, we and our correspondent shall not differ. As 
to the effect which stirring- the earth has, in the preven¬ 
tion of drouth, it appears to us that that operation acts 
two ways; first, by promoting the deposition of dew, 
and secondly, by promoting the capillary ascension of 
the moisture in the earth below. Neither the earth or 
the air, in their natural state, is ever entirely destitute of 
moisture. Stirring the earth promotes the deposition of 
dew, by allowing a more free radiation of heat from the 
soil; and it promotes capillary action, by pulverizing-the 
soil. We have never cultivated a soil where sand 
greatly predominated, but it is evident pure sand would 
neither cause as copious deposits of dew, or facilitate 
capillary ascension of moisture, or retain moisture when 
supplied by rain, as well as soils properly constituted. 
Clay retains water more strongly, and conducts it more 
freely, than Other earths. Every farmer knows that it 
is almost impossible to make a strong clay soil, where 
the necessary depth has been given by previous deep 
plowing and manuring, too dry. 
“Pearl” is right in supposing that “Commentator” 
is a “brother farmer.” He is so, and he is one of 
which the country has reason to be proud. He speaks 
from personal observation and experience, and there¬ 
fore considers himself authorised to speak plain. 
“Pearl” will see that his criticisms are not confined to 
our correspondents, but that our own opinions are com¬ 
mented on with the same freedom as those of others. 
We recommend the following close of our Mississippi 
correspondent’s letter to the notice of “ Commentator:” 
“ I have a great horror of being held up to ridicule, 
even by a farmer—it is not charitable; but tell c Com¬ 
mentator’ I’ll practice, and give him a drubbing—if he 
will come down this way—only, however, in the way 
of a good true southern hearty welcome; and we will 
laugh over his logs and pearl of price, and philosophise 
at our leisure.” 
CULTIVATION OF BARLEY. 
We have received from C. C. Kelly, Esq., of Spring- 
field, Ky., the following inquiries in relation to this 
crop: 
“1. In what spring month should barley be sown? 
2. What kind of soil is best suited to its growth ? 3. 
How should the ground be prepared? How much seed 
is necessary per acre? Should it, as is recommended 
in Scotland, be cut before it is fully ripe? Will it not, 
in its crude state, be a good food for stock, and for what 
kinds mainly?” 
Barley should be sown as early in the spring as the 
ground can be well fitted for its reception. We have 
known it sown from April to June; but it may be ob¬ 
served, as a general rule, that on soils equally prepared, 
the early, sown grain always gives the best sample^. 
From the 1st to the 15th of May may be considered the 
usual time of sowing. It rarely suffers from spring 
frosts. 
Any soil that will produce good roots, or clover, will 
grow barley. It should be rich and friable, moist, but 
not wet. Cold, heavy, tenacious soils, are unfit for this 
crop. Stagnant water is destructive to it. 
Barley succeeds best after hoed crops, potatoes, tur- 
neps, or corn, crops that require heavy manuring, and 
keep the ground clean. Manure, applied directly to 
this crop, is not advisable, as it gives too much straw, is 
apt to lodge it, and injures the berry. It is frequently 
sown on clover sward; and in all cases, the soil must be 
made fine for the reception of the seed. 
Thin skinned, plump, and rather pale seed is to be 
selected. Soaking the seed in a weak solution of nitre, 
for twenty-four hours, has proved of great service. We 
use from two bushels to two and a half bushels per acre. 
Poor soils require more seed than rich ones, as the 
plants do not tiller as much. In England, greater quan¬ 
tities of seed are used than here, from three to four 
bushels being the amount recommended. 
Barley should never stand, before cutting, until it is 
dead ripe. When the ears droop and bend down to the 
stems, and lose their previous reddish cast, barley should 
be cut. The straw will now be of a yellow color, and 
if allowed to stand longer, becomes brittle, the heads 
break off, and thus easily wastes. Cut early, the berry 
will be finer and of brighter color than if allowed to 
stand longer. 
Barley is a good food for any animal, but is generally 
grown for the purpose of mailing- pork, for which it is 
only exceeded by corn. Bariey, if fed to horses, should 
be ground, and fed with cut straw. If given them in 
the same manner and quantity as oats, it is apt to produce 
fever, a proof that its nutritive powers are great, and 
that some more bulky substance is required for the dis¬ 
tention of the stomach. 
VARIETIES OF THE PARSNEP. 
Messrs. Editors—I would ask whether you have 
seen or heard of more than one kind of parsnep, the 
common or Dutch Parsnep? Some twenty years since, 
when I resided in Ohio, a kind of parsnep, called the 
Guernsey, was introduced by some emigrants from the 
island of that name in Great Britain, and soon came into 
general use, as they were larger, richer, and of superior 
flavor to the common ones. The method of cooking 
might have had some influence in producing this superi¬ 
ority, which was in baking the root with pork, or 
boiling it with a small quantity of water only. I sent 
some of the seed from Ohio to this place, where for one 
or two years they appeared to retain their fine flavor, as 
in Ohio; but they seemed to degenerate, and become 
more in appearance and flavor like the common pars¬ 
nep. For this degeneracy, I have been unable to ac¬ 
count. Would it not be advantageous* for farmers in the 
northern and middle states to import their seed from 
Guernsey? Wm. Jennison. 
There are several varieties of parsneps, such as the 
Dutch, Garden, and Guernsey, of which the latter is the 
most highly prized. Loudon says, “The variety best 
suited for the field, is the large Jersey, (or Guernsey,) 
the seed of which should be procured from the island, 
as that of the Garden parsnep, sold by the seedsmen, 
never attains the same size.” Prof. Low says this 
parsnep is most approved of for cultivation, whether in 
the garden or field. Of the Guernsey parsnep, there are 
two kinds, “one of which is fusiform, and strikes 
deeply into the earth; the other becomes thick, and 
tends to the napiform.” The cause of the degeneracy 
may arise from the soil, or in consequence of the seeds 
being mixed with the common or inferior qualities. 
The fact that British farmers find it necessary to get 
their seed from Guernsey, is conclusive as to the pro¬ 
priety of our obtaining it from the same source. Pars¬ 
nep seed should always be new, as two years old seed 
does not come up freely. 
Some other inquiries, now on hand, will be an¬ 
swered hereafter. 
