'- f AGRICULTURAL.

. I

344

From the New York Farm". SEED “’HEAT-

Mr. Editor,-—The preparation of wheat for seed, seems to have divided the atten- tion of our farmers to a very considerable extent. I know no practice better than the one I have used for some years past.— It is as follows :—

Take two wash tubs, fill one of them two thirds full of cold water, put in as much common salt as the water will dis- solve cold, pour into this brine about a bushel of seed wheat and stir it about for two minutes. All the chess and light and imperfect grains will rise to the top and may be skimmed off. Then lay two sticks across the empty tub, on which set a large basket. and pour the wheat and brine into it, the brine will run into the empty tub, leaving the wheat in the basket, which maybe emptied on a clean floor ; then put in another bushel of seed wheat, stir and skim as before. and so proceed till you have the quantity wanted. Your wheat may then be spread two or three inches thick over the floor, and abouttwo quarts of lime the bushel sifted over it stirring it frequently with a rake, in order to bring each grain in contact with the lime. Let it lie from twelve to twenty-four hours, and it is fit for use. If cockle is in the seed wheat, it should be run through a screen before it is wet ; if any rye. it may be cut out before harvest in the field.— The main object of putting salt in the wa- ter is to increase its specific gravity, so as to enable it to float the trash and light

rains.

By this method, none but the best grains will be committed to the earth, and I be- lieve the smut and eggs of the hessian fly are effectually destroyed by the salt and lime, and that the succeeding crops will be more likely to be clean than by any other mode ofpreparing the seed.

Yours, Ste. R. M. W.

Heaves in Horses—A writer for the New-York Farmer, with the signature '1‘. C. asserts that his old horse, who is now in his 20th year, has been cured of a dis- ease called the “ heaves,” by the use of ground ginger. Atable spoonful was gi- ven him daily for several weeks, mixed in his mess of Indian meal and cut straw. The horsa had been troubled with wheez- ing and a hard cough for a year or two, and had lost flesh so much that he seemed to have nearly finished his term of service. Since the use of the powdered ginger he has become quite fat, and appears to be years younger, and in good spirits.

SAYINGS FOR FARMERS. \ BY on. rnstuN.

l. SLOTK,’~III{8 rust, consumes faster than labor wears, whilst the used key is always b;ighL,‘

.4“ a

- awn.

THE BRITISH AMERICAN.

2. Dost thou love life ? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.

3. The sleeping fox catches no poultry.

4. He that riseth late must trot all day and shall scarce overtake his business at night.

5. Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, and wealthy, and wise.

6. He that lives upon hope will die fainting— industry need not wish.

7 . There are no gains without pains.

8. At the working man’s house hunger looks in, but never enters

9. Plough deep while the sluggard sleeps, and you shall have corn to sell or

5.” m «a

10. One 10-day is worth two to marrow.

ll. Handle your tools without mittens— a cat in gloves catches no mice.

12. He that by the plough would thrive,

Himself must either hold or drive.

13. The eye ofa master will do more work than both of his hands. Not to o-- versee workmen is to leave them your

urse Open.

14. A little neglect may breed a great mischief—for the want of a nail the shoe was lost—for want of a shoe the horse was lost, and for want ofa horse the rider was lost.

15. A fat kitchen makes a lean will.

16. If you would be rich think of saving as well as getting.

17. What maintains one vice would train up two children.

18. Beware of little expenses—a small leak will sink a great ship.

19. If you would know the want ofmo— ney, go and try to borrow some—for he that goesa borrowing goes a sorrowing.

20. Pride is as loud a beggar as want and a great deal more saucy.

21. Pride breakfasted with plenty, di- ned with poverty, and supped with infa- m . £22. Lying rides on debt’s back.

23. It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.

24. Creditors have better memories than debtors.

25. For age and want save what you

may. No morning’s sun lasts the whole day.

26. Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt.

“27 If you do not hear reason, she will surely rap your knuckles.

‘28. He that bath a trade hath an estate; and he that hath a calling hath a place of profit and houor. A ploughman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees.

TAR FOR SHEEP.

The following letter from Joseph Kersey, Esq. to the Corresponding Secretary of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Society, we find in the “ Memoirs” of that Society.-- New England Farmer.

130.44

Rnsrnc'ran FRIEND,—-I begleave to sub. mit to thee, a few remarks on the subject of some experience, which I have lately and dearly bought, in regard to my sheep.

Until the last year, I had been in the practice of applying tar to their noses, se- veral times in the course of the summer, with the view of promoting their health, as it is generally believed that pine or cedar shrubs have that effect; and tar is the best substitute within our reach.

Two of my Dishley ewes have lately been destroyed by what is here termed the gadfly, and three others are now aflected in a similar manner. Such a case never occurred while I used the tar ; but before I commenced this practice, I lost a number ofsheep, which were supposed, at that time, to have died of dropsy of the brain, but which I am now satisfied were killed by the above mentioned insect, as the symptoms were similar throughout ; and as the sheep were exempt from this disease, while I pursued the tarring process, it is reasonable to conclude that the fly was thereby prevented from depositing its eggs in the nose.

It is not in my power, at present, to de- scribe this insect with such precision that it might be known ; nor, indeed, canI posi- tively say, that the fly which [have noti ced, is the same which does the injury but I have observed one flying about th sheep from the seventh to the beginningo the ninth month, of which the animals were very much afraid. This fly resembles that which is so destructive to the peach ,tree, although it is not so large.

I have dissected the head ofone sheep, and found the maggot stationed near the brain, so that the inflammation produced by it extended to the brain ; and thus the disease might readily be mistaken for the dropsy of the brain. [have one preserved in spirits, and I intend to exhibit it at the next quarterly meeting of the Society.

I have little doubt that these insects cause the sheep to discharge so much mu- cus from the nose ; for which I have fre- quently blown snufl' up their nostrils with a quill, occasioning violent sneesing ; an . think it quite probable that the worm IS thrown out by these powerful efl'orts.

With sentiments of respect, I remain thy friend, J osnru Kenser.

CALVES.

Those which are brought forth early are generally best for raising, as they wxll en- dure the first winter better : and, if heifers, willgenerally be with calfa year sooner than those which are calved late. The most promising calves should be selected for rearing. and the rest fatted and killed. There are three methods of feeding calves; the first is, to let them run about Wit their dams the whole of the first year; a