National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1874-02-20
Farm, Garden and Household:
A Few Hints.

~ rev t1IUvos
Chocolate possesses considerable nutri.
ment, for cocoa beans contain twice %
much nitrogen as grain docs. Rabateau
and Parville classed chocolate among
the substances which prevent waste OF
tissues, like coffee tea, COCOA and alco.
hol, but experiments made with choco.
late in Paris during the investment
prove that it is really nourishing.
When the feet become blistered from
walking too much, the fluid in the
blister may be let out with worsted
needle, leaving the worsted thread nm
inch on each side through the blister,
and II much pain is caused, bathing the
feet in warm water will speedily give
the wished for relief; but Il should al.
ways be punotured just before retiring
to rest. 0 10. ta' .'ta-
To make a gallon Of good ink take
one pound OF gall.nuts, which bruise
aud boil for an hour or two in Q gallon
OF water, then 6 OF. OF gum, and 81 OF.
OF green copperas (sulphate OF irony,
separately dissolved in Q little warm
water; this will turn good color on ex.
posture to the air for day or two and
can then be bottled for use. Cost about
twenty cents.
To remove rust from steel, cover with
sweet oil we'll rubbed on. In forty-eight
hours use unslacked lime, powdered
very fine. Rub it till the rust dieap-
pears. To prevent rust, mix with fat
oil varnish four-ffths OF well.rectified
spirits Of turpentine. Apply the varnish
by means OF a sponge. Articles var
nished in this manner will retain their
brilliancy, and never contract any spots
OF rust.
To restore linen that has long been
stained, rub the stains on each side with
wet brown soap. Mix some starch to q
thick paste with cold water, and spread
it over the soaped places then expose
the linen to the sun and air, and il the
stains have not disappeared in three or
four days, rub off the mixture, and re-.
peat the process with fresh soap and
starch. Afterwards dry IL wet It with
cold water, and put it into the wash.
Certain facts have been made known
which show that time is good preserv-
or Of timber. Ships and barges used
for the transport of lime last longer
than others. A small coasting schooner,
laden with lime, was cast ashore and
sank. She was raised and set aAoat
once more. and remained sound for
thirty years. Again, platform Of nine
planks was used to mix water on during
three generations; then, being DO longer
required. was neglected, and at length
hidden by grass that grew over it. Sixty
years afterward, on clearing the ground,
it was discovered sound and we'll pre-
served. 20
Orchard and Nursery.
Much can now be done towards ma
king the orchard look we'll during the
summer.
Washing and scraping can be carried
on when mild days occur. A triangular
plate of iron attached to handle three
feet in length makes handy implement
for removing the loose bark from trees ;
the edges should be sharpened, but not
enough to injure the fresh bark. The
best material for washing after the
trees have been scraped, is strong, soft
soap thinned with water, so as to be
conveniently applied by brush a
solution of potash or soda will answer,
but soap is better.
Manure. out at any time when
convenient it is better for the teams
to have something to do during the
winter. If left in piles of sufficient
size in the field, fermentation will 60 on,
except when the weather is very cold.
See that plenty of absorbents are used
in the stables dry earth and leaves are
the best materials for this.
Planting.-The time for planting
must be governed, of course, by the
locality in the Northern States two
months hence will be soon enough,
while at the Sonth great deal will be
done the present month. Nothing is
gained by too early planting 4; better
wait until the ground is thoroughly
dry, as the trees cannot be injured If
properly heeled-in in dry spot.
Varieties must be selected according
as they are intended for market or home
use. Spring is the time for tree agents
and peddlers to make their annual trips
through the country. Do not buy from
their snowy colored pictures unless the
varities are known to be good, and even
then it is better plan to visit neigh
boring nursery if there is such in the
vicinity, where the varieties are kept
true to name. There are agents who
are undoubtedly honest in their deal.
ings, but there are 80 many of the
other sort that it is hardly safe to trust
to them unless they are personally
known.
Insects-A constant fight must be
kept upon the various insects which in
fest the orchard and nursery. Tent
caterpillars' eggs are easily seen now,
and can be more readily removed than
it left until they hatch. The female
canker-worm will appear on mild days,
and ascend the trees to deposit her
eggs. There are many patents for pre-
venting the ascent, but anything fast
ened around the tree which will serve
as barrier, will be effective, whether
strips of paper covered with tar or
printers ink, or troughs containing
petroleum.
Injured trees must be looked after,
and any limbs which have been broken
by wind or ice removed, after which let
the wound be carefully smoothed with
sharp knife, and covered with liquid
grafting-wax, shellac varnish, or COM
mon paint. If any trees have been
girdled by mice, the bark may be uni
ted by small twigs of the same kind
placed at short distances around the
trunk, so that the inner bark of the
tree is brought in contact with the in.
ner bark of the twigs, both at the top
and bottom. Then q plaster of COW
dung and loamy earth should be ap.
piled, and the whole bandaged with
cloth. tain 5H 5tf1 i
Cions.-Cut before the sap starts,