, 1860-12-14
Agricultural.

beef cattle from the live weight on the
scales, varies according 10 quality, size and
nge, aud after oil is no rule at all, because
It is entirely matter of agreement between
the parties at the time 1t also depends
upon the locality. In New York, the net
weight Of the beef in the quarter only is
wanted. In Boston, the hide and fat ore
included, counting those products equal to
one-quarter Of the beef, or rather, calling
the whole five quarters. There the net
weight Of fat bullock is estimated at 60
To 6S pounds Of each 100 Of live weight.
In extra fine animals the percentage is
higher. In New York, where the hide and
fat are left out Of the calculation, the bull
locks are estimated at SIS or 60 pounds net
to each 100 pounds gross, and if the ami,
NAL is very fine, the estimate runs from 6l
to GA pounds net to each 100 pounds gross.
Extraordinary animals sometimes dress 65
to &C pounds, and even higher, and ordi-
nary aud lean stock run from So down to
Al, though not often below so pounds, or
Ons-hnlf the live weight at home. The
common practice at the West, is to weigh
fatied cattle some hours after feeding, aud
q little exercise, and calculate the net
weight at So pounds per 100 Of the live
Weight.-1TibuHe.
How RooTs FEED-Can the roots Of
plants take up only such substances which
are dissolved in the ground and thus pre-
pared for them, or can they themselves
dissolve them 7 This question has been
solved by Liebeg, and by experiments
made before the Society Of Natural Science
in Carlsruhe, be has proved that the roots
Of plants, by giving forth some acid, prob
ably carbonic acid, do dissolve the alkali,
ammonia, aud phosphorus in the soil. DR..
Sehimper showed the meeting, as further
proof Of Liebig's doctrine, some pebbles
which evidently had been eaten into by
roots Of plants. The fact was visible the
process, however, is not yet clear This
valuable discovery Of the great chemist
goes clearly to show US why the rains aud
foods cannot wash out Of the ground the
substances forming the food OF plants on
the contrary, we now know that the earth
takes from the liquids which touch it, aud
solidly appropriates substances which the
roots Of the plants again absorbs by their
action. In tho same, way we clearly per-
ceiVe how plants can draw from the soil
Substances which are solids, and which are
soluble by water-DsrtSehet Magazine.
The CHINA Hoe.-Of this truly valua-
bic breed of swine there have been many
importations made directly to this country,
as well as to England, where they ac-
knowledge them as the principal fOunda-
ton Of improvement in most of their mod
ern breeds Of swine. The true China be-
long to the class Of small breeds. They
are short, deep, and thick 6ne bones,
short legs and short snout, small ears, me-
dium coat, varying in color from black to
white, red to sandy, with q different color
ed belt around the body, back OF the fore
legs. a .l
They are very prolific, but not very good
nurses; are rather delicate as pure breed,
but for this country are as well calculated
10 use as sires on the course looking, large
breeds as any we know Of-being very qui-
Of, early to mature, and quick feeders.
The progeny thus obtained are relieved
Of that rough, racer like appearance that
characterizes our large swine. They are
we'll calculated for city marketing as pork
lDgs or rOasters, and, with protection in
winter, and access to plenty Of water 10
summer, will prove a profitable animal
The herdsmen should avoid feeding heating
food, or grains their food should consist
Of oat meal, or wheat bran, mixed with
milk, whey, or wash from the kitchen.
Cooked vegetables Of almost any kind they
will eat with aVidity, after becoming used
to them; a little caution at 6rst is all that
Is requisite in not feeding too much. One
thing is indispensable with China hog to
have them do well, that is, a plenty Of grass.
The sows selected for breeding should be
long bodied, and have o chance for from
twelve to sixteen pigs to suck at once, and
above all, be kept on light food, washes,
or what most people term swill.-Amcrican
Stock Journal . ...........- -...
WAY TO GET RID OF FLEAs-We think we
shall deserve special premium for the fol-
lowing excellent plan which we now give
to get rid Of fens from a sleeping apart
ment: Set the night light in pan of soap
suds upon the floor Of the room the aeas
will naturally seek the light and fall into
the soap-Water, and one who tries it will
find the plan sure to rid them Of every flea
in the room.-Cahfornia Farmer.
BUcKwHEAT STRAw.-J. A. Hubbard
writing to the ". e, Farmer, from 10
cality in Maine where this grain is exten
slvely grown, says that buckwheat straw
IS injurious to young pigs, and if they lay
in it, it will set them crazy, and they viii
hnally die 1t is hurtful 70 hogs aud young
stock to ron through it when green, ma
klng their head and ears sore aud itch very
much" Is this so
A GREAT EGG.-Mr. Matthew Thomp
son, Of Russell county, Alabama, says al
exchange, sends US an egg laid by a Shang
hai, hen, and it is truly an ovoid man
moth. 1t measures full eight inches in cir
conference the oblOng woy, and weigh