Woodstown register. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 187?-1892, 1871-03-07
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.


KEEPING RATS FROM HARNEss.-Al-
most every person who uses q harness
has been more or lessannoyed by having
them injured by rats. We give a few
hints as. to how this may be avoided,
though everybody knows, sor affects to
know what is best. The recipes here
given are collected from different sources.
Take about . tablespoonful Of cayenne
pepper, mix it thoroughly with q quart
of oil, and rub the harness with the
mixture. This, it is claimed, will not
| only prevent rats and mice from gnaw-
ing the harness, but it will also prevent
horses and colts from chewing the lines
or halters. Take two quarts of green
leeks, pour over them M gallon of oil,
and let it stand q few days before using
the longer it stands the better. A lit
tie benzine rubbed over the harness after
oiling is said to be a sure preventive,
but It is not recommended by many on
account of the idea that ii injures the
leather. One ounce of aloes to one gal
Ion Of oil willprevent rats from destroy
ing harness. It is also claimed that by
mixing . small quantity, say . table,
spoonfulof pine tar to d quart Of oil,
the harness WILDE most effeectually pro-
tected from injury +; but if too much is
put on, the leather will not absorb it.
It viii collect dirt, besides making the
harness unpleasant to handle.
CARRoTs FOR HoRsEs.-The virtues
of this root are not sufficiently known,
whether for contributing to the strength
nod 1--~.
the rapid recovery Of the sick Me-. To
the healthy they should be sliced in
chat. Half a bushel will bea fair daily
allowance. There is little provender Of
which the horse is fonder. The follow
ing account Of the value Of the carrot is
not exaggerated "This root is held in
much esteem There is none better nor
perhaps 50 good. When first given it is
slightly diuretic and laxative, but, as
the horse becomes accustomed to. it,
these effects cease toFbe produced They
improve the state Of the. skim They
form a good substitute for grass, and an
excellent Alternative for horses out of
condition. To sick and idle horses they
render grain unnecessary. They are
beneficial in all chronic diseases con-
nected with breathing, and have q
marked influence upon chronic cough
and broken wind. They are serviceable
in the diseases of the skin, and, in com-
bination with oats, they restore q worn
horse sooner than oats alone.p-Youatt.
EARTH EATING.-It is well known
that in different parts of the world there
are people who eat earth among them
are some Of the natives of Java, who eat
a red kind Of earth as a luxlry. This
earth, which is 'softA and smooth to the
touch, has been analysed by . German
chemist, who finds it very rich in iron,
with a small quantity Of potassa and
soda. Some tribes eat earth to stay the
pangs of hunger by filing their stom-'
achs, and because at times they a get
nothing better but the people in Java
eat their earth, baked in thin cakes, as
an agreeable variety in their general diet.
The cakes, when slightly moistened, are
rich and unctuous, and the enjoyment in
eating is supposed to consist in the SEN
sation produced by D fatty substance.
It is a curious fact in the history of hui
man habits am6ers's Journal.
FROZEN PLANTS.-Whenever house
plants are accidentally frozen, they
should be placed in q dark place, and
then sprinkled with cold water. Gera-
NUNS fuschias, and similar kinds Of
plants, may often beNsaved if care is giv-l
en- in thawi1g them out, even if frozen
| quite hard. The same rule applies to
dormant plants, such as grape-vines and
trees that become frozen while being
carried from one section of the country
to another. If packages of plants are
received in this condition they should be
placed in q cellar and then sprinkled
with cold water, and allowed to remain
undisturbed until thawed. Burying in
the earth will answer equally as well,
although seldom convenient in cold
weather. Hardy plants, when well
packed in damp moss, seldom receive
any injury fromfr