The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-01-12

A AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.
A Word for Muller.


We are glad TO see that the use of mules
for all kinds of hard, rough work is steadily
gaining ground. These animals are not
beautiful or musical, but they are useful and
economical. They are for work younger
than the horse. since they are put to service
three years old, though they do not reach
maturity until seven years or age. Their
temper, health and usefulness depend very
much on the manner Of breaking them. The
80 called stuborness and obstinacy of this
animal arises chiefly from the abuse he Is
wont to receive when young. He seldom if
ever bites or kicks those who treat him
kindly. But the fact is, that the club and
whip and whip handle and boot toe are ap>
piled to him without mercy; and yet he is
expected to be always as patient and gentle
asac COW?
The mule will do more work, and require
less grain than horse; he is less liable to dis.
ease, and RECEIVERS from sickness and injury
quicker then horse. He works better when
old, and holds out longer. He seldom takes
fright, or runs away. He does not like over
urging when drawing heavy loads; and he
should never be driven very fast. In making
mp spans those of Is to l5s hands high make
most seryceahle teams, those ofsimliar dis
positions should be chosen and pnt together
80 that they will work together pleasantly
work-he thrives under it, and is better in
spirits and temper than when idle.-Ameri-
can 4griculturdiist
Hoe CHoLsRA.-The veterinary editor of
the North British Agricult,aist recommends
the following treatment;
As the disorder is so rapidly fatal, remedi
al measures are seldom of much avail. The
stomach and bowels should be unoaded IL
the pig is toerably vigorous, by an eme,ic of
sui phurate Of zinc; dose of castor oil sho' d
afterwards be given; and if there is pain and
securing, the physic may be united with
little laudanum. warm, comfortable, clean
bed is essential; the diet should consist of
milk and water, or we'll boiled Cruel We
have seen little pigs benefited in the earlier
stages by warm bath. Spirits and water,
or amnoniacal stimulants, should be freely
used 10 sustain the failing strength. The
prevention of cholera will be effected b3
cleanliness, comfortable houses, and proper
diet; avoiding especially all purifying food
and filthy water.
Bors IN HoRsEs.-A correspondent Of the
Department OF Agriculture gives the follow
ing recipe for Kidding the horses stomach OF
the bots
"You are aware that j, Is hard sometimes
and one Of the colo; this remedy, however,
is equally efficient for either The reason
that bot can resist the action of agents adj
ministered, is his power Of drawing his head
into the walls Of the stomach by his tenta.
Giles. But he cannot resist tie chloroform.
A tablespoonful of chloroform, screened by
q couple of spoonfuls of any good mucilane,
will make him let go his hold on the stomach
even after having bored nearly through.
IMPROVED CONDITION OF FARNEgs.-A co
temporary thinks farmers live in better
houses, with better furniture, ride in better
carriages, wear better clothing, 90 more reg
ulariy TO church, enjoy more of social inter
course, EXHIBIT greater degree Of intelli
gence and more refined manner than did their
ancestors, as class, thirty years ago.-Prdi-
RE IdrmeF.
Wool ON TIE PAciFIc CoAsr.-The wool
clip of California for the current year, thus
far brought to market foots up 5000, 900
pounds, Of which three FITS have been taken
BY the San Francisco mills. Oregon raised
about 100000 pounds, OF which 100000
pounds was used at home.
RATS EATING HARxEss.-A correspondent
of the Rural Ner Yorker complains of the
rats and mice eating his harm ess, after it lad
been freshly oiled, and asks for remedy.
Belts in machine shops are also made prey
TO the same class of depredators. 1t in said
to be fact that rats will not touch anything
smea-ed with castor oil, and to guard against
their as.acks i, is only necessary TO mix
quantity of this with the other preparation
put on the leather. 1t is an excellent oil for
leather but tends to shrink it.
PRoBlrrgR OArs.-This is variety Of oats
which is being distributed in limited qnsnt-
ties by the Department this year, and is thus
referred to by one of its correspondents II
commenced With five quarts. from which
estherel two and half bushels. Through
the carelessness OF servant, one bushel Of
this WAS fed TO the horses. Hence, one and
n half bushel was sown broadcast on about
half an acre, on the 9th day of April last.
From this have received twenty nine and
half bushels of splendid grain, weighing thir-
" pounds to the bushel. The straw is deci
dedly superior Us forage, it being better sup.
piled with leaves, and the stalk is by far less
brittle than the common varieties. Indeed,
one could not well imagine the difference in
favor Of the former, after passing through the
fhresher. While the common varieties are
broken into shreds, the other is merely
bruised, with very large per cent of the
leaves remaining to the stalk.
Coax .CsoP For lss6.-The monthly re-
mort of agriculture for December, contains
a final estimate for the corn crop for 1866.
The total result is $4,000, 900 bushels. In
the eleven States not hitherto reported, 1885,,
600. 900 bushels, against 100000 bushels
in 1859. In the twenty-five Northern States,
$4,000, 600 bushels, instead of To4 600 900
bushels in 1865, showing decrease Of 20
600. 900 bushels, while the decrease in quail.
" is equivalent to $1,000, 900 bushels, msk-
ing loss in feeding value equivalent to 100,
900, 900 bushels.