The Placer herald., 1871-04-29
HOUSE AND FARM.

SAFETY BRrpLE.-J. Weatherhead, San
Jose. Cal. This improvement relates to
that class of brides in which face straps,
which are secured to the rings Of the bit, pass
up over the head of the horse and between
his ears. Here the two face straps are at
tached to a ring upon the top Of the horses
head. Short straps then connect from this
ring to the bride reins upon each side, which
serve the same purpose as the lside straps of
the ordinary bride. Besides these straps,
there is attached to the same ring single
rein, which passes to the hands of the dri-
yer, and enables him instantly to throw the
horses head in the air by a slight pull, and
prevent him from running, kicking or doing
other damage. The device is exceedingly
effective, and puts the horse entirely under
the control Of the driver or rider. az a pull Oh
the strap, at the first indication of unruliness
will put the horse out of condition to kick or
run away.
ALMOND TREES. Col. W. w. Hollister,
Of Los Angeles has set out, this season, fifty
thousand almond trees. OF this valuable
tree the Santa Barbara Press says: Even
our own people have very inadequate know
edge, at least many Of them, as to the
growth and productiveness Of the almond.
In the kitchen yard Of Mr.. Forbush stands
an almond tree which is only thirteen years
old and measures forty inches in circumfer-
ence a yard from the ground, while it casts a
shadow at monday fifteen feet across, and
the tree stands now twenty feet high. Last
year it bore 80 pounds, worth $35; while
this year it promises to bear so pounds worth
$40. Quite valuable shade tree, is it not ?
Yet how few have even one growing. So
we said last year Of this fine tree. 1t is now
April l, 1871, forty-nine inches in circum-
ference, and twenty-five feet high, and full Of
young nuts and blossoms.
GALL-SoAp.-Gall-soap, for the washing
of fine silken cloths and ribbons, is prepared
in the following manner: In vessel of cop
per one pound Of cocoa-nut oil is heated to
6Odcg Fahr, whereupon half a pound of
caustic soda is added with constant stirring.
In another vessel, half pound of while
Venetian turpentine is heated, and when
quite hot, stirred into the copper kettle. This
kettle is then covered and left for four hours,
being gently heated, after which the fire is
clear, whereupon one pound Of ox-gall is ad-
ded. After this enough good, perfectly dry
CASTLE soap is stirred into the mixture to
cause the whole to yield but little under the
pressure Of the fingers; for which purpose,
frsm one to two pounds of soap are required
for the above quantity. After cooling, the
soap 10 cut into pieces. 1t is excellent, and
will not inure the finest colors -BuHder.
PRoFTTABLE CRossING.-It is known to
most, if not all our readers, that the farm
ers in the eastern counties of New York +,
have long derived handsome profit from
the purchase of strong, healthy, common
ewes in the fall; breeding them early to the
South Down or long wool mutton rams, and
selling the following season in the New York
market, the lambs and such Of the ewes as
reach a marketable condition. There seems
to be nothing to prevent Western farmers,
large or small, doing the same thing. a
South Down or Cotswold ram to a grade
Merino, or common eve, will give lamb,
which, dropped in April, may be sold in
Chicago, St. Louis, or Cincinnati market,
in July or August, for four to six dollars. 81
Oregon Farmer.
SLEEpLEssNEss AND INDIGESTION -" How
should sleepleSsness in very young babe
be treated also, what will cure indigestion
and acidty Of stomach ?"
Cure the indigestion, and the sleeplessness
will disappear. To do this feed the baby
less frequently, and do not allow it to take
anything whatever into its stomach except
milk, and that only at certain stated times,
not less than three hours apart. If the acid
ity does not soon disappear, extend the time
to four hours. BE sure and be regular in
the times Of feeding. 1t is very important.
Herald Of HealM
FIRs AND WATERPROOF PAINT FOR SHIN
GLE RooFs. Stake stone lime, by putting
it Into tub to keep in the steam. When
slaked, pass through fine seve, and to
each six quarts of it add one quart of rock
salt and one gallon water, boil and skim
To each FIVE gallons of this add pulverized
alum, one pound; copperas, one halfpound /;
potash, one-half pound; hard wood ashes,
sifted, four pounds. Apply with whitewash
brush.-A. W. Spaulding.
The London Co-Operator, speaking of
close farm-houses, says: More sickness Is
caused by vitiated air than can be named.
1t is one Of the most prominent causes of
scrofula, which is but another name for
half the diseases that afflict the human body
1t vitiates and destroys the whole fountain
of life-the blood"
The Massachusetts Ploioma1 says soap
suds can be applied with great advantage to
the roots Of fruit trees, small fruit shrubs,
grapevines, and roses 1t contains the ali
ment of plants in solution, and applied to
plants, acts with immediate and obvious ef-
feet, and with long-sustained energy.
ANswER.-To "Subscriber" of Jan. 2Sth.
For Aeas, find nothing better than to
sprinkle fine, dry air-slacked lime, in small
quantities and often, around the stables,
shed and nests where the hogs sleep. 1t is