PERUVIAN GUANO ON WHEAT AND GRASS.-ETC. 271 66 mates, and instances occur of the combat proving PERUVIAN GUANO ON WHEAT AND GRASS. fatal to one or both. On the light soils of Long Island, and generally By a letter from General O'Brien to Mr. William around New York, Peruvian guano has proved, the Walton, who received a gold medal in 1842, from past year, one of the best and cheapest manures the Highland and Agricultural Society, for a which can be applied to the wheat crop. We Satisfactory Account founded on Actual Observa- think we are safe in saying, that so far as our obtion and Experiment, to naturalize in Scotland, theservation extends, an application of 300 lbs. of Alpaca," we learn that In Peru, the rutting season Peruvian guano per acre, costing $7 to $8, has commences in the month of November, when the produced an increase in the yield of the crop of male alpaca throws off his tame and quiet habits, wheat of from 7 to 12 bushels per acre, and the pursuing the females until he separates from the after benefit of the guano on the succeeding hayflock one of his own choice. Her he woos with crop, may be counted upon as equivalent to a ton the most ardent demonstrations; and if she proves and a quarter of hay extra in the three succeeding coy and runs away, he follows her through the years; thus proving that a pure article of guano, country for miles, and until his importunities have judiciously applied, is a profitable fertilizer. been successful. At this moment, the flocks of If the soil is not leachy or exposed to be washed both alpacas and llamas sometimes break up and by winter rains, we will recommend that guano be disperse, running in different directions through the applied to wheat, rye, or grass, in the fall of the country, and weeks may elapse before the owner year, otherwise as early as March the following is able to collect them again. Hence, when this spring. Some sow guano and harrow it in either season approaches, the Indian shuts up his sheep, before or with the seed. Being so powerful a maseparating the male from the female, în pens, pur-nure, and when coming directly in contact with the posely constructed in such a manner as to allow of young roots of plants, burning and killing them, we their putting their faces together, and caressing think that this system is more or less hazardous; each other a week or a fortnight before the day ap- we would therefore recommend those using guano pointed to bring them out." for winter grain, to let the plant get up about three weeks high, and then sow broad-cast upon it, at the rate of 300 lbs. of Peruvian, or 400 lbs. of African per acre. If the causticity of the guano destroys some or even many of the leaves of the plants, it is of no great importance; for by this time they will have become well rooted, and others will immediately spring up to supply their place. The great benefit of applying guano, and indeed all other manures, to grain and grass crops in the fall, is, that they remain a slight covering to the ground, assist in keeping it warm, are gradually decomposing, and by early spring become soluble and well prepared for the crop to take them up and assimilate their elements for its rapid growth. It has been ascertained in England, that a crop of grass or grain guanoed in the fall, will ripen from a week to ten days earlier than the same would under similar circumstances un-guanoed. Before purchasing guano, we advise every farmer to look about him and gather up and apply all the manure and fertilizing substances that he can find upon or around his premises. Let him remember that a penny saved is twopence earned, and that it is easier to save than to earn. f Owing to the extremely lascivious disposition, however, of the Andes sheep, great care must be observed when the males are admitted to the females. Both by night and by day the shepherd should be vigilant; for besides quarrelling with one another, where two males are allowed to compete for the same female, they might trample her to death. Hence every possible precaution ought to be used to keep them apart. Upon this point General O'Brien remarks, that should the alpaca ever be introduced into Great Britain, on a large scale, and as a national benefit, breeders must adopt the Peruvian mode of separating the males from the females, at least a fortnight before the union of the sexes takes place, and in order to prevent their wandering away. In some parts of Peru," Mr. Walton observes, "the llameros prepare small folds, in which they shut up one of each sex. The male begins his caresses by antic tricks and boundings; the female, at first, appears shy, and moans, while at intervals one spits at the other. After a day or two they become more intimate, when at length the female, with her fore-legs bent under her, and resting on her breast, assumes that position in which only she can receive the embraces of her mate; but this is DETERIORATION OF BARN-YARD MANURE.— not a forced prosternation on her part. It is, on Dung, in the opinion of the late Judge Peters, bethe contrary, the easy and natural posture which gins to deteriorate after it is one year old. "I have she takes when reposing. If she evinces anything put it on," says he, " after lying several years, withlike caprice, and difficulties should arise from her out any perceptible benefit. But the practice of repugnance to assume the position required, the plowing in hot and fresh dung, has often been to me keepers place a slip-noose, called pajal, on the a subject of regret. It not only produces smutty lower part of the fore-legs, when pulling from behind, they trip her up, and alighting on her breast, with their assistance, she easily receives the act of generation. The state of excitement into which the male has been worked up, is at this moment so great, that he is immediately afterwards turned out separate, and left to repose, never being coupled twice in the same day. One, however, suffices for twenty females.” crops, in parts, over stimulated, but cannot be equally spread or covered, so that much straw and little grain appear in spots, which often lie down; and, in others, scarcely any advantage is derived. Muck, composted, will keep the longest, without injury to its fertilizing qualities. Dung and muck, in confined places, from which free air and moisture are excluded, undergo a degree of combustion, and become dry-rotten, mouldy, and useless." 272 TO PREVENT SMUT IN WHEAT.-SIDE-HILL PLOW.-ETC. TO PREVENT SMUT IN WHEAT. ALTHOUGH We have given directions how to prevent the smut in wheat in a former volume, many of our readers do not seem to have read them, and therefore we repeat them. Make a brine strong enough to bear up an egg, be careful that it is not above blood heat, then let the grain soak in it from one to twelve hours, as is most convenient. While in soak, stir up the grain occasionally, and every time this is done, take off the scum, foul stuff, and light seeds that rise to the top of the brine. As the grain is taken out, spread it on a floor or in the sun, and scatter slaked lime, ashes, or plaster, over it, to dry it. Lime is the best ma terial for this purpose, if to be had. It will dry in half an hour in the sun, and is then ready to be sown. Copperas water and urine are frequently used instead of brine to soak the seed; but we much prefer brine, as it is cleanly, and never dangerous in application. Some say grain may be soaked 24 hours in the brine without injury; but if it be a thin-skinned variety, we should think it would endanger its germination to soak over four hours or so. It is a good plan to prepare rye, barley, buckwheat, and oats, for sowing in the same way as wheat, especially oats, as they are frequently as liable to smut. THESE plows are so constructed that the mould board is easily and instantly changed from one side to the other, which enables the operator to perform the work horizontally upon side-hills, going back and forth on the same side, and turning all the furrow slices with great nicety, downward. This prevents the washing of the soil by heavy rains, to which all side-hills are more or less liable when plowed as level ground. They are much liked at the South for horizontal the Atlantic, and if the people of the United States plowing; for by this system of turning up and lay- expect any such thing, they will find themselves ing the soil, it is prevented from being washed into greatly mistaken; a rise of prices is only to be those deep gullies, so destructive to the general looked for after a bad harvest in one country or the face of the country. They are also highly useful, other. With our widely extended and highly ferand by many much approved for level plowing, as tile territory, and unprecedented increase of rural this leaves the field without any centre dead or population, there is a constant tendency in reasonfinishing furrow; nor does it make bauks or ridges ably favorable seasons, to produce a large surplus by turning two furrows toward each other. They of provisions. Now if we were obliged to keep are likewise useful in enabling the plowman to this surplus at home, there must inevitably be a turn the furrow from his walls and fences. Ano-steady fall in the prices of agricultural products, ther advantage, they save much trouble in enabling and a greater or less loss every year from the injuthe team to turn short about at the end of the fur-ries to which such bulky and perishable articles are rows, instead of obliging it to travel across the wide constantly liable. The ports of Great Britain being ends of each land in the field. Price $5 to $14. REPEAL OF THE BRITISH CORN LAWS. WE had the gratification in our last, of announcing the repeal of the exorbitant and odious Custom House duties which have been so long levied upon the importation of breadstuffs into Great Britain, to the serious injury, and often heart-rending sufferings of her people. It is one of the most beneficent acts of the age, and does honor to the men who were instrumental in passing it. The people of Great Britain and Ireland have at length attained the common rights of humanity, and are now enabled to supply themselves with food where it is to be had best and cheapest. We hope henceforth to hear no more cries for bread, from half-famished thousands, when it can be had at a low price from a neighboring country. It is not, however, as an act of beneficence wholly, that we desire to call the attention of American farmers to the repeal of the British Corn laws, but as one likely to redound to their permanent interests. We are not, and never have been so sanguine in our belief, that their repeal would raise the price of breadstuffs materially on this side of now nominally free, we shall easily get rid of our surplus produce, and thus be able to maintain fair prices. If the tillers of the soil will take this fact duly into consideration, they will see that it is likely to be a greater boon to them than fluctuating high prices. Under the former tariff, Indian corn, one of the largest productions in the United States, was virtually a prohibited article-now it can be exported in large quantities. Notwithstanding the promising harvest in Europe the present year, it would not surprise us if the exportations of corn, wheat, beef, pork, lard, butter, and cheese, should amount to twelve or thirteen millions of dollars. This amount will be steadily on the increase, and in a few years doubtless approximate to twenty millions; while the freight and charges earned by American citizens will be five millions more-and let it be recollected that those engaged in the transportation of these products are consumers, and not producers. Hence the disastrous effects cannot be so great as apprehended by some, as many of our farmers will grow richer by the sales of their produce, our shippers and sailors will find employment, and the country will still prosper. FOREIGN CATTLE.- -SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE. FOREIGN CATTLE, 273 tracting considerable notice, as the attention of C. N. BEMENT. SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE. I NOTICE your remarks in the July No. of the Agriculturist, on the subject of Foreign Cattle, and heartily coincide with the opinions advanced. The question has often occurred to me, "Do we gain much at the present time by continuing our importation of cattle from England?" It has for some time appeared to me that we have all the materials for improving our stock to any extent, among our- I HAVE for some time past been examining the selves; and that we have as fine, well-bred, and as American Agriculturist, and the interest manivaluable animals among our cattle, sheep, and fested by it in the South, and the many valuable swine, as could be found in England, with perhaps items of information it contains, induce me to bevery few exceptions. It appears to me, we are come a permanent subscriber. You will therefore, getting in this respect, as well as in many others, if you please, forward me the numbers for the preto place too much value on a thing merely because sent year, from its commencement. While I am it has been imported. I may be mistaken, but it writing, perhaps it may not be amiss or irrelevant seems to me the practical effect of this continued for me to make a few remarks. There is a gradual disposition to look abroad, is to lessen the prices change creeping over the minds of the Southern obtained by our enterprising breeders at home, planters in regard to the leading features of agriculwhen the home-bred animals are in every respect ture-they are more ready to catch at any im equal, if not superior, to the commonly imported provement, and more eagerly take interest in any Occasional importations will continue to be novelty in the profession-they do not dislike innecessary; the fundamental laws of good breeding, novation. This I can readily believe is brought and occasional infusion of blood from other races about by agricultural works becoming accessible to of the same family, demand this; but further than the mass, and from the interest which seems to be this I can scarcely conceive it necessary at present felt by the scientific in the analysis and synthesis of to go. soils, the application of manure, rotation of crops, Acting upon this principle, I have always pur- deep plowing, and in fact in all matters relating to chased my stock at home instead of sending abroad, the business. Feeling, as I do, an all-absorbing although many of them were imported. I had the interest in the advancement of our profession, I good fortune to obtain some of the Ayrshire cattle consider it the duty of every man, to add into the you" saw standing in the Ayrshire quarter of the common stock every item of practical information, State Cattle Show at Poughkeepsie," in 1844. Iso as to repay, in part, for the advantages he has purchased the imported bull and cow, together with their produce, and have now in my possession one male, and five females, all thorough-bred Ayrshires, abandoning all other varieties, although I must confess I am well pleased with the cross with the Durham and Ayrshire. For the dairy, I esteem them superior to my full-bred Durhams. It was from a heifer of this cross that one pound of butter was produced from eight quarts of her milk. ones. himself gained from the experience of others. My feeble efforts have always, and shall ever be, for the benefit of farming in the South. In respect to our worn out lands, it is almost useless for any one to waste paper and ink to write to the Southern planter, telling him to manure. It is well enough for the Northern farmers to talk; they can well afford to fertilize their little spots of ten or a dozen acres; but a southern plantation of five The very laudable attempts which have been or six hundred acres in cultivation, would take all made to improve our farm stock by importations, the manure in the parish, and all the force to do it and, in some instances, by judicious crossing and justice. Our plantations are too extensive to magood keeping, cannot but prove highly beneficial to nure thoroughly, consequently it is half done, or our country. Our native cattle, it is true, originally not done at all. Again; we have no time to haul sprang from the same stock as those of Great Bri- large quantities of manure to the field; for it genetain; and, with the attention to improvement that rally takes until January to get out all our cotton, has been bestowed in England, they would, at this and we have to rush it then, to get time to make retime, probably have been inferior to none. But pairs, before we go to plowing for our next crop. from want of care in retaining the best individuals You might say, why not take part of the hands and as breeders, and from an almost total disregard to put them to making manure, while the others are purity of blood, and propriety of crossing, in our stock of neat cattle, we are unable longer to identify distinct breeds, and consequently we have been, till within the past few years, retrograding rather than improving in this branch of our business. In Great Britain, the business of rearing, or, in other words, of improving the form and value of domestic animals, has, on the contrary, formed a distinguished and lucrative branch of farming, for the last eighty or hundred years; and the success of the gentlemen engaged in this business has not only greatly increased the agricultural wealth of the nation, but procured for many large fortunes. The Ayrshire breed of cattle are at present at picking? Because we then would have to leave a great deal of cotton in the field, which would be a loss; and many other things would have to go undone which we should have done. Only place a Northern farmer in our places, and he would be about as bad off as we are-what with waste, depredations, the buying of all we have. However, not to look all the time on the dark side of the picture, we will see what is the remedy which exists and has existed with us. Our lands have yielded nearly all the nutriment to exhausting crops, by the ruinous system of farming thus year after year the same crop is planted, until the land is totally worn out. I know fields now in 274 REMOVING STAINS FROM CLOTH. of the surface, because the dust which rests on it is lighter. Alkalies dissolve most readily these stains, but there is great danger of injuring the more delicate colors; hence they should not be used except by the most experienced scourers. Any good hard soap will answer to remove the stains from blacks, blues, browns, drab, invisible cotton, where the same staple has been cultivated for fifteen years consecutively. What wonder, then, that our lands are worthless! Here a judicious rotation of crops, with a proper system of manuring (gradual), cleansing the ground with the cow-pea, soiling with this and other green crops, and if possible wood earth, if it can be hauled and thrown into the drill (it would require too much to lay it broad-green, &c., by means of hot water, and the soap cast); then small portions of lime, if necessary, to promote decomposition. And here let me say a word in relation to lime. Some of our northern friends recommend from 50 to 300 bushels of lime per acre. This might do among those who have the carbonate within 100 yards of their doors, and get it calcined there; but those who have to import it and have it re-shipped as we do, until a barrel of lime is worth as much as the land, would find it rather an uphill work. We have some cold clayey land to which lime would be beneficial, but not in the large quantities as recommended above. and water may be removed by a sponge, rubbing the nap in the right direction. In any delicate colors, if soap be used, we should always first try a piece of the same kind of goods with the agent before using it on the article to be cleaned. In all cases, where several colors are involved in the stain, as in carpets, it is preferable to use the white clay or French chalk. The latter is better, on account of being easier to remove, although either will answer the purpose, and in the absence of both, common chalk will do as a substitute. The mineral should be reduced to a fine powder, and made into a thin paste with water, and spread over the stain, and when dry removed by whipping with a rattan, and using a brush. The oil having greater affinity for the chalk than for the goods, is thus taken up and removed. If the stain be not entirely removed by the first trial, the process should be repeated. There are many planters who could afford a few weeks hauling for one or two teams, between the 20th of December and 15th of January. To those I would most strongly advise to make their manure piles after the manner of Bommer; to clean out their stock yards, pens, stables, &c.; put the manure in a pen and add wood earth, ashes, soap suds, dirt, and all kinds of refuse and offal. It may happen that none of the above materials This by the end of the year would become quite a can be obtained on the farm or plantation, at the pile, and thus gradually increasing without any ap-time when an accident happens, but ox-gall could parent effort, will, in the following spring, greatly increase the fertility of the land. Now, by changing the water furrow and drill, every other year, or every third year, all the land will be gradually enriched. If corn or cotton is planted, I would drop peas between the rows. I think other crops may be made as profitable as cotton, and it is worth the attention of the Southern planter to experiment and publish statements. At this present writing I am trying several experiments with different manures. When arrived at maturity, if you wish it, I will take pleasure in forwarding you a statement. I am growing some Cuba tobacco after the manner of the West Indians. I derived my information from a suppressed pamphlet sent to me from Havana. always be had in such an emergency, and is both safe to use and certain in its efficacy to remove the stains. It requires some preparation, and should be kept on hand for that purpose. It dissolves all fatty or oily bodies, and has a tendency to make the colors brighter rather than more dim. Now re Preparation.-Pour the galls of recently killed oxen into a jar or basin, and after settling 12 hours, pour off the clear liquid into a shallow basin of copper or earthenware such as would float on a like basin partly filled with water. Now apply the heat of a charcoal fire to the latter, and by means of this water-bath evaporate the gall to the consistence of molasses, or thin paste. move it from the basin, and spread it out on a shallow plate before the fire, and there let it dry, until it becomes quite solid, not horn-like, but only so as to be yet somewhat flexible in the fingers. Put it by in earthen jars loosely covered, for future use. When it is required, dissolve a small portion, enough when dissolved to cover well the stain, in 12 to 15 times its bulk of hot water; spread it on the goods, and when it has remained long enough to perfectly saturate them, add a little more, enough to make the stain thoroughly wet; remove it, by rubbing with a sponge, until the stain is removed. It must be remembered that a recent stain is removed very easily, while one of long standing requires more effort to remove. I will next point out the method of removing stains of acids, ink, and iron rust. New York, July, 1846. G. 1. Stains from Oils, Fats, or Grease.--Removed by soap, chalk, white clay, French chalk, or ox-gall. They most frequently occur on carpets and articles of dress. They give a deep shade to the ground color of the goods, and continue to spread for some time after the accident has happened. They hold CURE FOR THE YELLOWS IN PEACH TREES. — fast whatever dust falls upon them. On a very On the first symptoms of the disease, grub up the dark ground the stain becomes lighter than the rest trees, and commit them to the flames. MANAGEMENT OF HONEY-BEES. NO. 3. MANAGEMENT OF HONEY-BEES.-No. 3. 275 have any ventilation above the bottom of the hive, presuming that the bees would never take the pains THE bottom being hung three-eighths of an inch to so closely cement the upper structure of their from the body of the hive, affords ingress and hives, if it were necessary that they should have egress from all sides, which contributes greatly to ventilation in that quarter. Now, a few more the success of the bees, for the reason, that they are words regarding ventilation below. I have found enabled to perform much more labor than when re- that the more the fresh air is infused among the stricted to a single opening in front, on the ordinary bees at the bottom of the hive, both in summer and plan. When they are confined to an entrance of a in winter, the healthier are the bees-the greater few inches, the clusters of idle bees that almost their increase-the fewer die, and when spring constantly, in the heat of summer, hang about the opens, my hives are full, strong, vigorous, and entrance of every strong stock, prevents, in a great healthy; in fact, I am astonished at their appearmeasure, the entrance of the workers, or, at least, ance, being but a very few bees less in March than retards their operations, and after having gained there were in November preceding. These facts admission, they are then compelled to force their taken into consideration, satisfy me that my plan of way through a solid mass of bees, to such parts of hanging the bottom-board is absolutely necessary the hive as they wish to attain; whereas, if admis- to perfect success. I do not say that it is solely sion is afforded on all sides, they can enter on my plan. I believe it was first practised in the such side as they wish to deposit their honey, Eastern States. pollen, or farina, whatever it may be, with no ob- Having settled the matter of size of hives, &c., struction, and depart in the same easy manner. I the next point is the bee-house or bee-stand. Beelook upon this system of arranging the bottom houses I condemn in toto. If I had a dozen prosboard as the most important branch of the manage-perous hives of bees, and wished to get rid of ment of bees, and of sufficient importance to justify them in the course of a year or two, I could not me in dwelling upon it. Indeed, I am fully satis- more effectually do it, than by housing them up exfied that no system can ever fully succeed perma-posed to a hot sun, and the cool air excluded from nently, on any other plan. It appeals so forcibly the back and ends. The winter season would do to our reason, as a mere matter of ingress and the job for them, if placed in some very warm nook egress, that we cannot but admit its necessity; yet, or corner, where the rays of a mid-day winter sun as a means of ventilation, it is of no less conse- would raise the thermometer to about 50 or 60°, quence. That bees require the healthful influences when in the open fields it would stand, say at 30 of fresh air, in the greatest possible degree, does or 40°. This is the way many people do. They not admit of a doubt in my mind, yet it must come from the bottom of the hive; and to stop up every avenue for the admission of air to hives, except a small aperture in front, and then place them on the south side of some close fence or building, exposed to the burning rays of the sun, I consider down-have to do is to let them stand, and almost every right cruelty, yet this is the practice of many people. think if they but place their bees in some nice warm place in winter, where the bleak westerly winds cannot reach them, they are safe enough. This is the very best way to destroy bees that I know of, except the brimstone method. All you It is a beautiful sight to see one's bees all lie dead clear still day, when the thermometer in the open fields would stand at about 35 or 40, hundreds will The subject of ventilation of hives has long be allured forth, by the false temperature immedioccupied the attention of bee-masters, the different ately around them, never to return. But the best modes of which are too tedious to mention; suffice sport of all is immediately after a heavy fall of it to say, that in my opinion, no air should be ad-snow, when the sun shines clear and warm, just mitted at any place except at the bottom. Let us around the hives. It is a most capital trap for look into the philosophy of this. Bees, while in them. The silly bees take it for granted that there the embryo state, require a heat of at least is no difference in the surrounding warmth, and seventy degrees, in order to arrive at maturity. they come out by thousands-fly a few rods-give This heat is artificially produced by the bees when a wheel or two, and drop down on the snow. the temperature is lower without the hive; now, if a ventilator is placed at the top, or side of a hive, near the top, the only effect must be to operate to the detriment of the larva in its natural state of development, by causing a current of air to flow among the brood combs, rendering the natural heat of the hive, in certain parts, below what is requisite to bring the young broods to maturity. This, as I view it, is placing a strong barrier to the natu- most of the bees may be taken out dead about the ral and successful operations of the bees, as nature first of March. For my part, I am not partial to intended them to be, in the matter of the re-produc- this amusing way of killing bees; I like to have tion of their species. Again, if we examine the my hives as full in February and March, as in the operations of the bees, we find them carefully fall previous, so I follow a different plan. I hang cementing every crack and corner of their domicil them up in the open air in the following way. above, and if any small aperture is made, though select a place as near my house as convenient, in the rains cannot possibly penetrate in any situation, which there can be no deception as regards the yet they close such openings with great care, when general temperature of the atinosphere. I do not not too large, which, to my mind, is conclusive shun a northerly or westerly exposure in the evidence that it is not necessary that they should least, nor do I want any board fence, shed, or any |