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hornbeam, and oak, and the lesser by yew and box. | XIV., and from whom the cemetery takes its name. There are avenue walks and berceau walks, verdant It was first used as a burial-place in the year 1804; houses, rustic seats, canals, ponds, grottoes, statues, between that time and 1832, it is said that nearly and other devices; and everything has its exact 30,000 monuments have been erected in it. counterpart, and the often quoted couplet of Pope, "Grove nods at grove," &c., is nowhere better exemplified.

The gardens round Rotterdam are generally many feet below the level of the canal. On the Cingle, a public road which surrounds the city, are a continued series of garden-houses, nearly a mile in extent; these miniature villas being separated from each other only by wooden partitions, which are generally neatly painted "To these the citizens with their wives retire on Sunday, to smoke and take coffee." (Neill.)

Notices of gardens in France previous to the 16th century, are rare; but at the end of this century, Francis I. built the palace of Fontainbleau, and introduced there some traits of the Italian gardening. In the beginning of the 17th century, Hirschfeld observes, that the gardens of France consisted only of a few trees and flowers, some plots of turf and pieces of water; and the whole totally devoid of taste, and completely wild and neglected.

The gardens of Versailles, the grand effort of Le Nôtre, and the model of excellence in the geometric school, are thus noticed by different writers. "Not as models of taste, but as models of a particular class or character of gardening." (Hirschfeld.) "The sum of everything that has been done in gardening." (Bradley.) "When I reflect on Versailles only, and what I have seen there, I cannot but think that I had a foretaste of Paradise: all my senses were struck with astonishment; and though I have the whole represented in fine prints, it is only a shadow of what was so naturally figured there." (G. A. Agricola.) Such symmetry is not

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In Granville's Travels in Russia, we find the following: "The Strelna road lies to the north of the capital; and an uninterrupted line of sumptuous palaces, built in every variety of chaste, fanciful, and imitative architecture, flanks the right side of it; while, on the left, fields, with many clumps of trees and brushwood, separate it from the gulf. Most of the country residences belonging to the nobility and gentry of St. Petersburgh, have gardens and pleasure grounds in front of and around them. In front of the gardens, and immediately on the border of the road, a lofty post bears inscribed on a small square board the name and rank of the proprietors."

The

In general, extent, exotics, and magnificent artificial decorations, are more the objects of gardening in Russia, than scenes merely of picturesque beauty. This is accounted for, partly from the general want of refinement of taste in that country, and partly from its inaptitude for the natural style. nobles of Russia, rendered aware of being distanced in point of civilisation by those of most other European countries, are resolved not only to imitate, but even to surpass them in the display of wealth. The most obvious marks of distinction, in refined countries, are necessarily first singled out by rude and ambitious minds, and large magnificent houses and gardens are desired, rather than comfortable and elegant apartments, and beautiful or picturesque scenes; since, as every one knows, it is much more easy to display riches than to possess taste; to strike by what is grand, than to charm by what is beautiful.

The first private botanic garden in Russia was for solitude." (Lord Byron.) that of General Demidof, begun during Peter the The gardens of St. Cloud are less celebrated than Great's reign. In order to fill this garden, two those of Versailles, but at the present day are con- botanists were sent to travel over the whole of sidered more beautiful. At St. Cloud, nature and Asiatic Russia. "One single anecdote will prove art are struggling for the mastery; whereas, at how eager Demidof was to enrich his garden. Versailles, art is everything. "The fountain at Being at Rome in 1773, he found in the garden of St. Cloud, which is called the Grand Jet, from its the Petits Augustins del Corso, the handsomest amazing elevation, and from its delightfully retired orange tree he had ever seen. The monks did not situation, is one of the most beautiful of the kind in wish to part with it, and he was obliged to employ Europe. It is formed of a single jet, which shoots a great deal of money and influence to overcome up from the centre of a quadrangular reservoir, to their scruples. Having succeeded, he caused the the height of one hundred feet. The gardens of St. tree, which was planted in the open air, to be taken Cloud abound in fountains; but this simple jet can-up with an immense ball, put in a large box, set on not fail to be preferred before all the fantastical de-a carriage made on purpose, and transported to signs of the grand cascade." (Batty.) Moscow." (Deleuze.)

There are numerous small town-gardens in Paris, and many houses, as in Italy, have gardens of pots on their roofs. The public gardens and promenades of France are very numerous, and well arranged. The mildness of the climate makes the people enjoy passing much of their time in the open air, and their social disposition inclines them to congregate together. Public gardens and promenades thus betome necessary appendages to every town in France.

Garden cemeteries are not uncommon in France, the most celebrated of which is called the Cemetery of Père la Chaise. It contains about 70 acres of land, and was originally owned by a Jesuit, named Père la Chaise, who was the confessor of Louis

In Spain, horticulture, although now practised with very little attention to art, is of the highest antiquity. The study of plants was introduced into Spain and Portugal by the Arabs; and there was a considerable collection of plants at Seville early in the 11th century. The succeeding seven centuries present a blank, and the taste shown for botany in Spain and Portugal declined with the sciences; and that country where they had been cultivated, when the rest of Europe was in a state of barbarism, appeared to sink into apathy, after having shone with the greatest splendor under Charles the Fifth of Spain and Emanuel of Portugal.

The oldest garden in Spain is said to be that of the Moorish palace of Alcazar, near Seville. "The

124

FAT HEIFERS.-EXPERIMENTS WITH GUANO.

outside of the Alcazar is miserable in its appear- and cattle, and for cows giving milk, &c. Every

ance; but the first court after entering the gate has a very grand effect. The courts are ornamented with marble fountains, and are well shaded with corridors, supported by marble pillars. The garden is said to have been laid out by the Moors, and is preserved in its original state. It contains walks paved with marble, and parterres laid out with evergreens and shaded with orange trees. In many parts of it there are baths, supplied by marble fountains from an aqueduct, and there is a contrivance for rendering the walks one continued fountain, by forcing up small streams of water from minute pipes, in the joinings of the slabs, which, in this climate, produces a most grateful effect." (Jacob.)

"El Retiro, the seat of Count Villalcazar, lies a few miles from Malaga, and was formerly a royal residence. The gardens are laid out in the Moorish style, with straight cypress walks. They are remarkable for the lakes, fountains, and beautiful | water-works which they contain, the curious shapes into which the trees and shrubs are cut, and the great variety of flowers cultivated." (Loudon.) L. T. TALBOT.

FAT HEIFERS.

observing farmer ought to know at least, that for
such stock, in order to have them do well and make
a profitable return in any given time, their hay
should be of a superior quality, and such as they
will eat readily. Doubtless, in all profitable feed-
ing of sheep and cattle, for the shambles, some kind
of grain and roots should be fed regularly and daily.
But all the grain given them, with hay that they
will not eat with good appetite, will fall far short
of making them what they may be made, in feed-
ing less grain and the right sort of hay.
thing is, as they advance in flesh and fatness, the
more delicate and dainty are they in the choice of
food, and the more clean should be what is given to
them. It is true that I obtained less for the heifers
in market than I had anticipated, viz., only $190,
or about $9.50 cts. per cwt. Their live weight was
1,670 and 1,610 lbs., and the butcher who slaughter-
ed them, informed me, that their quarters weighed
1,988 lbs.
L. D. CLIFT.

EXPERIMENTS WITH GUANO.

Another

As the time approaches to determine what manures shall be used for spring crops, I take the liberty of sending you what I know of the effects of guano the past season. It is little to be sure; IN February last, Mr. Clift showed and sold in but as I feel much better satisfied of its value than New York two very superior fat heifers; one was before this experience, perhaps it may have the four and-a-half years old, weighing 1,670 lbs. live same effect upon others. At least one-half of the weight; the other, three years old, coming four, experiments I have seen tried have failed, and the weighing 1,610 lbs. The oldest was bred by Mr. experimenters heartily discouraged and frightened Clift; the other, and the better, was bred in West- from further use of it; not by any fault of the maern New York. Both were high grade Short-nure, but from want of care in using it. Horns. Their quarters alone weighed nearly 2,000 lbs. They did great credit to Mr. Clift's feeding. Their dead proof was admirable, as their living handling indicated. The following is Mr. C.'s statement of their feeding.

Carmel, Putnam Co., N.Y. My method of feeding these heifers was as follows: They were both in what we call good strong flesh to begin with, when turned out to pasture last spring; they had previously, for about one week, four quarts of cob and corn meal a day each. After running the usual time at grass, or it may be a little earlier, on account of the drought which prevailed throughout the season, I commenced to give them a sheaf of oats each, and a feed of green corn daily; this was continued until the time of green corn was over; this was followed by only one feed of meal per day, oats and corn, and sometimes buckwheat, mixed in about equal quantities, and never to exceed eight quarts to each heifer, a day. This, it may be said, was pretty light feeding as respects grain, and especially in an attempt to make very fat or extra animals.

But what I conceive to have been the greatest aid or benefit in the laying on the flesh of these heifers was, that during the time they were on hay, they were well protected by shelter, and had clean litter, and the privilege at all times of going to a mow of the choicest fine sheep hay, such as I cut on my old upland meadows early in the month of June, and had put up as green as possible.

I could write a longa rticle on the great importance of having the proper grass, and making out of it the right sort of hay, for the fattening of sheep

The most favorable results, as yet, have been with wheat, applied both at the time of sowing and in spring. In most cases it has been sown broadcast, in a pure state, without being mixed, and consequently liable to great loss by evaporation, unless the soil by chance contained something capable of retaining the gases. I presume in this way its effect will not be seen for more than one or two crops, and will give rise to the opinion that it will not last.

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Experiments on corn have not done as well. In some cases, half a gill has been thrown on the crop, and but slightly mixed by the planter, the corn carelessly dropped and covered; there most of it lies still, for aught I know: one thing is certain, not more than half of it has yet made its appearance above ground. In other instances, it has been mixed with rich earth, or coal ashes, just before using, in proportion of two or three times its bulk, amounting to about the same thing as not being mixed at all, so far as preventing the grain from germinating is concerned; these all shared the same fate as the first. No one complains of its effect on what did get above ground; in fact it is admitted to do good above most manures of the same value; but then for this crop it is considered a kind of kill or cure medicine, which they are not over anxious to try except in desperate cases. I do not know one instance in which the application has been made in a way to receive the full benefit of its action, not excepting the small experiments made by myself.

I bought a few hundred pounds last spring without much faith, and with small hope of getting my money back, which was rather lessened than increased by the tough stories I had read of its aston

POLLED CATTLE.

ishing effects: it seemed to require something in addition to its own merits to make it sell. You may suppose, and it is the case, that, under the circumstances, I was not over particular in using it.

125

this which so affected his “ eyes and nose" as he speaks of above.

(b) Our correspondent had not our last number when he wrote the above article. In that he will find the requisite directions.

POLLED CATTLE.

On the 1st of April I mixed a quantity with damp coal ashes, which immediately caused such an escape of gas as my eyes and nose never before met with from manure (a). This began to give me a I MUST ask the favor of you, to look out at your better opinion of my guano, and although I was leisure, for the polled dairy cattle for me. It is not well aware some of the best of it was fast depart- desirable that they be large. My own observation ing, I felt glad of it, for it was some satisfaction to satisfies me that large breeds usually are not as rich know from experience that it was formed of such and copious milkers in proportion to size, as small material. I immediately spread some of the mix-breeds. An inquiry in your paper might lead to ture over a piece of winter wheat, on the poorest the discovery of the desired stock. gravelly hill in the field, at the rate of 180 pounds unimportant, though red or roan is preferred. of guano to the acre. I thought if it would show Whether foreign, grade, or native, is immaterial. itself there, it would anywhere. For grass it was The only requisites are to be polled, with high dairy For corn, mixed the same, qualifications, and good form and constitution. and put in the hills, at the rate of 300 lbs. guano per acre.

used in the same way.

Color is also

We have a good many polled cattle in this region, usually small, some of which are called here good As the experiments were not commenced with a milkers. I have three of them, which, if fat, would view to test its value minutely, none of the crops weigh only about 450 nett—that is, 112 per quarwere measured; but from a careful examination at ter. In the height of the milking season, upon clover harvest, I think the wheat was increased one-half, pasture, they will yield each 16 to 20 quarts daily. and the straw lengthened some six or eight inches, Is this good milking in proportion to size? [Yes; over that adjoining on the same kind of soil. The heads were well filled, indicating heavy weight of grain; whilst their neighbors stood erect as if waiting for a further supply. The increased growth of the grass was very perceptible in ten days after the application, and the crop of hay increased at least

one-third.

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The corn, although not more than two-thirds of it came up, was better than any adjoining, treated with same value of poudrette, ashes, and sugarhouse dirt, all of which, from previous experience, I hold in high estimation. On some rows near tried some urine, which has surpassed either of the others; but as I did not know its cost, could not ascertain its comparative value. I obtained enough for an acre in return for a little work and an outlay of 50 cents; and plenty of it may be had on most

farms at the same rate.

I do not anticipate lasting effects from these applications of guano, from its not being properly mixed before sowing, and then used as a top-dressing (except on corn) on a loose soil, with everything to facilitate the speedy evaporation of its soluble parts, and little to prevent it; it would be singular if it proved beneficial for a longer time. I gave half a handful to some hills of corn when they were about 18 inches high, but saw no effect.

To sum all up, I have no doubt of its importance as a manure, more valuable than any in general use, requiring only a few judicious applications to bring it into the good graces of even old-fashioned farmers We look to you as head master for directions (b). Issue the order, we will obey, only don't talk about too small quantities, we are not accustomed to that in this land of moss bankers and

muscles.

D. K. Y.

Syopeth (late Oyster Bay), Long Island.

(a) By reference to our March number, page 76, line 22, and on, our correspondent will see that by mixing ashes or lime with guano, it rapidly expels the ammonia, the most valuable part of it. It was

very good indeed. ED.] How does it compare with your best dairy stock at the North, not forgetting their small size? [The comparison is highly favor able to the South; we have few such good animals at the North, we regret to say.] From such material as these three cows, can I reasonably hope to breed a tribe of polled cattle valuable for dairy purposes? [Yes; if put to a bull bred from a good milking strain.] Your answers fully, and in detail, It is very important, as you know, to start in to these interrogatories, will materially oblige me. breeding with the right sort of stock. G. W. J. Milton, N.C., Feb., 1846.

Can any of our readers inform us where we can procure polled cows, which are not only themselves good milkers, but have been bred from milking

ancestors? We would also like a bull or two at a

moderate price. We were always greatly in favor of polled cattle, as the horn is of very little use. It consumes considerable food to make it grow, and keep up its waste. Besides, horned cattle are dangerous to themselves and to men. They cannot be close as the polled cattle, nor are they so easily packed in yarding, in stable, or in transportation, as cultivate the horn? Some contend that a horned handled in any position. Why, then, should we To our taste utility is beauty in growing the domestic animal is the handsomest. Why, we know not. animals. If we were keeping sheep, we would soon have a flock of Saxons and Merinos without horns.

But to cattle again. How long and how often must we ask the farmers of this country to pay How few, in breeding, ever regard this point, or more attention to the dairy qualities of their cows? indeed any point at all! Pray do awake to your interests, and take some pains in this matter. When asked to purchase good milking cows (which we frequently are), we scarcely know where to look for them, except among the high-priced Durhams. This is disgraceful to the country, and shows an apathy in breeding good milkers, among the great body of our farmers, which is really astonishing.

126

TO KEEP NEW LANDS IN GRASS.-HOOD'S BALANCE GATE.

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course two years, and the meadows will usually produce good crops of hay again.

As I have spent the best of my days in the woods, this is the first time I have attempted to (b) Ashes are usually cheap in a new country, write. You will not expect much of me; but as and these, whether leached or unleached, should be others have had something to say of their country carefully saved and applied broadcast upon the in your columns, why not I? The people of West- land, at the rate of 20 to 30 bushels per acre. There ern Pennsylvania are very much engaged in the is no better top-dressing for grass lands. Lime or business of lumbering. Our forests present a for-plaster may be applied when cheap. As to other midable growth, some of the pine trees of which are manures, they are usually too costly to think of in from 4 to 5 feet in diameter, and from 120 to 150 a new country.

feet high-some declare there are individual trees For further particulars on the subject of cultivat200 feet high. These are intermixed with a sturdy ing newly cleared lands, we refer our correspondent growth of beech and maple, and most other kinds to Vol. 3 of the Agriculturist, pages 3 and 174. of timber peculiar to our country-consequently, there is chopping and logging for boys to do here HOOD'S BALANCE GATE. before they can go to farming. And that is not all, THE inventor of this gate having felt the inconthere are some stumps and roots in the way after venience and danger connected with the ordinary this; but sometimes we get good crops of potatoes, road gates, arising from the necessity of getting out corn, wheat, and oats, and we sometimes get good of the carriage and leaving the horses, to open the grass; and we want to know what is the best way gate, and again, after leading them through, being to keep those grasses in, for they frequently run obliged to return and shut it, thereby exposing his out before the stumps and roots get sufficiently vehicle to be run away with, gave his mind to the rotted so that we can break up with the plow to subject, and the result was the plan of the above advantage (a). What are the best manures we can gate, which he now submits to those interested, and get here, seeing lime is high, and a considerable as entirely adapted to obviate this danger and troudistance off to haul it; and plaster the same, only ble; besides, being a complete protection against the $7 to $10 per ton; and your guano and poudrette inroads of cattle, as it will be seen, by examining are still farther off (b). Our soil is generally a sandy the principle, that a carriage cannot pass through loam-in some places a gravelly loam. without leaving it closed. The gate has been in I should like to keep my farm in grass as much use now for twelve months; never been out of order, as I could at present, and clear for grain every year, and on no occasion has it failed to answer the puras my stock increases faster than my pastures and pose intended; and it can be made very ornamental meadows. I should like to have some of your as well as useful. choice implements and farming tools here to try experiments with; also some of your Merino sheep and Short-horned cattle, to draw logs with, and see if they would outdraw my Bakewell steers; and, finally, Mr. Editor, please to give us all the information you can how to manage our farms and stock in this new country. A YOUNG FARMER.

(a) We have had considerable experience in clearing and cropping forest lands, and the best method we found to keep in the grass was, as soon as it began to run out, to let the first growth of the season go to seed, and when the seed was ripe, roll down the grass with a roller. The second growth also should not be disturbed, and if any bare a fence as represented by the drawing, and may be The gate is hung on a centre, and surrounded by spots show themselves in the month of August, either square or oval, according to fancy, with two or the following spring, harrow them, then sow openings of the ordinary width, with posts furnishgrass seed and roll. The fog or dead grass would ed with catches, to receive the latches at the end of be rather in the way of mowing the next year, we the gate; these latches are moved by either of the therefore should prefer pasturing it, and mowing handles placed on the top-rail of the gate, about the succeeding years. By this system the land lies 4 feet from the centre post. idle one year; but this gives it an excellent opportunity to re-seed and manure itself; and consider- that the gate is always open for the admission of It will be observed on reference to the sketch, ing the low price of land in all new countries, it is carriages, for ingress or egress. the best and cheapest plan we know of. Another up to the handles farthest from the opening he enThe driver comes method is, to harrow the bare places the moment tered by, he unfastens the latches, and, by a slight the frost is sufficiently out of the ground to do so in push, he sends the gate to the opposite post, when, the spring, sow grass seed plentifully upon them, by the impetus given to it, it fastens itself, and ho then sow plaster over the whole field at the rate of then can drive on without moving from his seat. three bushels per acre, and as soon as the grass gets up to a good bite, turn the cattle upon it, and keep them there the whole season. In the fall of the year go over the field with dung beetles and beat the droppings of the cattle fine, and in doing so, distribute them as evenly as possible. Follow this!

house of A. B. Allen, No. 187 Water Street, and
A model can be seen at the Agricultural Ware-
inquiries answered.

the farm of the inventor,
The gate is always to be seen at the entrance to
ANDREW HOOD.
Westfield, Staten Island, N. Y.

Ladies' Department.

THE GARDEN.-No. 2.

LADIES' DEPARTMENT

Now up and away, country lassies, fair and brown; wrap your shawls about you, and we will soon find out what is to be got ready for our summer campaign. First, we will loosen the wrappers about the tender shrubs; stir the top-dressing of the borders; rake the grass plots, and the leaves that have gathered under the bushes, and then all will look neat and ready for the next warm rain. The seed-box must be inspected, and supplied with such as failed of the last year's crop; the labels must be taken out, and rewritten; the props and small ladders for everlasting pea and other shoot vines must be neatly re-painted-of course they were mended last autumn, and put carefully away--it is rather too late to have new ones made now, when one is almost ready to use them. Among the first spring work in the garden, the last trimming should now be done, as shrubs are liable to be much injured, or even killed, by being trimmed when the sap is in full flow, and the leaf buds expanded.

As I shall have very little to say about gardening for some months, I must not omit here to warn the

127

I will crawl away, and go to work again as merrily as ever! Another method, equally effective, and much more convenient, as it will entrap them during the day-but stop-I must not go quite so fast my fair friends will pardon me for keeping this a profound secret, lest I should be suspected of doing homilies I have written upon the advantages of anything to encourage lazy habits, after all the early rising.

A lady's dress should always be adapted to her employment, and is of more importance in the garden than she perhaps is aware of. The material shrubbery; plain in color, or it will too soon show must be strong, or it will be rent to tatters in the be in the way, and look untidy. Summer winds are dirt; without trimming, and short, or it will always hard upon the complexion, therefore, her neck and throat will be covered by the deep cape of her gar

GARDEN GLOVE. FIG. 38.

den bonnet; and if she will try the advantages of thick, wash leather gloves, with a broad stiff cuff to pro

tect the hands and wrists from the sun and briars, she will wonder how she ever did without them.

Her shoes-shall I give a drawing of one of them also? Dear Mr. Editor-it must come out-but I tremble for the effect of my next paragraph-how can I recommend gum elastic shoes to young ladies, who perhaps pride themselves upon being like

-"feet beneath her petticoats, Like little mice stole in and out, As if they feared the light."

ladies of one plague which will mar the beauty of their choicest plants, unless timely care be taken to prevent it. I mean the snails, or slugs, as they are more properly called, which are so destructive to vegetation, that I have known in a wet season, when more numerous than usual, every plant in the garden defaced by them, and scarcely a leaf escaped their ravages. But however disagreeable her whose it may be to have one's flowers devoured so unceremoniously, it is a mere trifle compared to the horror of the risk one runs of eating the depredators boiled in the spinage, or turning up a fine fat one on the "Little mice," indeed! Why, a lady's feet, lettuce, while dressing it at dinner. Bah! the very cased in high gum shoes, are as ugly as black pudthought is enough to make one eschew vegetable dings, or young walruses; and, as to fearing the food for the rest of the season. Yet I have seen light, they seem to have such an undue sense of both happen at a well-ordered table! The war their own importance, that it is almost impossible should begin in the autumn, and every snail be de- to hide them. I believe the least said upon this stroyed as soon as found; they then congregate in ugly subject is best; but if the girls have not disnumbers just below the surface of the ground, cretion enough to wear them, they had better give around posts, trees, and shrubs, as well as under up working before breakfast; which is the only flower pots; in short, wherever they can find a se- time I can, with a safe conscience, advise them to cure, damp lodging for the winter. If they are devote to it. cleared well from these hiding-places, and killed, they will hardly become so numerous as to be very troublesome the next season.

She must also have her own tools, and attend to them herself; always rub, clean, and put them in their own place, as soon as she has done with them. Every one must have noticed, when at work in A lady's spade should be about half the usual the spring, little clusters of bluish-white globules, width, with a handle as light as is consistent with almost transparent, under the little clods of earth on strength; two trowels, of different sizes, with the the beds and borders; these are the eggs, which are sides sharp and turned inwards, so as to take up deposited in April and May, and are easily destroyed, small plants without disturbing the earth about the if thrown out where the sun will shine upon them. roots; a small iron rake; a hoe; a pruning knife; An excellent way to capture those that have a pair of scissors, so contrived, as to hold the flower escaped the vigilant eye of the gardener in the early after it has been severed from the stem; and a part of the season is, to spread cabbage, or any basket to receive the weeds as fast as they are pullother thick leaves, about the plant you wish to pro-ed up. In addition to these, which are absolutely tect, and examine them while the dew is on in the indispensable, she ought to have a small light morning for even snail-hunting requires early wheelbarrow, with long handles, curving upwards, rising. They will be covered with them. Dip the leaves in water, and the snails will fall instantly to the bottom; but as they do not easily drown, care must be taken not to throw the water on the ground, nor let it stand unnoticed too long, or they

which, by throwing the weight principally upon the wheel, is moved with much more facility than those with long, straight handles; does not strain the shoulders so much, and is better suited to a woman's dress, as she is not obliged to bend the body

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