The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-09
Farm. Garden and Household.
snm, F.er, 30 undsrdraInInE.

been done IN England, determined 70
try for himself in this country, what
good II would do. There was no tiles
made in America, 80 he had TO send to
Europe for them. This was in 1885.
In 1888 he induced some American 10
make them. In recent New York
Tribune, Mr.. johnson gives his latest
opinions, derived from continuous OBJ
seryation. He says, in regard TO the
depth at which drains should be laid,
that there is no rule. They have 10 go
below the hard pan, however deep that
may be. He has no drains on his farm
but two.and-a.hRli feet deep, and they
act Just rs well as some would at four
feet. The range Is generally from two
Rnd,A.hRli to four feet.
In undertaking, It is the practice to
make main drain, somewhere where
there is n good fall, and then the lateral
drains are led into this one. There has
been some dispute as 20 how large the
main drains should be. For instance,
IL there is one main OF four inches in
diameter and dozen smaller ones-say
two inches lead into II, people are apt
10 calculate that there is the combined
bores Of the dozen-say twenty-iour
inches-to discharge into the four
inches, and arc apt to argue that this
cannot operate but Mr.. JOHNSON has
twenty-five OF these two-inch drains
running into one four.inch main, and
he finds that the water goes through
Just as we'll as II the main were larger.
Por time he could not understand
this, but at last no found the pressure
Of so much water behind increased the
velocity OF the water passing through
the main. It made up in velocity what
the pipe was short Of in bulk. This
principle Is we'll known to everybody
when once It is suggested, and yet IL Is
fact people are very liable TO forget
when engaged in undertaking opera
tons.
As to what land 1t is profitable TO un-
derdrain, this Is a subject which, like
the depth OF drains, depends altogether
on circumstances. II good farm land
can be had in the vicinity for say $50
per acre, II is very doubtful whether II
will pay TO spend $3.50 per acre in un-
derdraining It. It would be more profit
able to sell'the wet land which needed
draining, and buy other lands that did
not. Again, where water does not re-
main very near the surface, but sinks
soon after each rain ten feet or more.
undertaking will add very little more
TO the value. There are many parts OF
the country where water stunds for
months but few feet from the surface,
on account OF asolid clay deposit known
as hard pan, and in such cases II will
pay, in all probability, TO underdrain
ones land. Mr.. johnson made II pay
handsomely. Many have followed his
example injudiciously, aud have had no
benefit which would compensate for the
capital involved. In some cases there
Is great benefit-at the same time there
is no department OF improved agricul-
ture that requires one TO move SO
thoughtiully as in undertaking.
Forney's Weekly Press.
Bird Flowers,
In the middle OF the space occupied
by Brazil in the Vienna Exposition is
large standing case filled with stuffed
birds Of the brightest plumage, and aow.
ers mado Of feathers in bouquets and
wreathes OF the richest color conceive
bic. Here is flower Of seven petals, q
bud or two, and leaves along hanging
stem. Alas every petal, every bud and
leaf, Is made OF tho breast OF gold.
throated humming bird. So brilliant
and yet so cruel, who could wear them
with pleasure? One could as soonrelish
nightingales' tongues. There are many
Of the flowers made out OF n great yarie.
ty OF humming birds breasts. No ma
terial half so rich or SO wonderful in
color could be found for this purpose.
The gold, or green, or blue, upon the
breast Of these tiny creatures, is only
spot surrounded with very dark color;
these are so shaped that each petal and
leaf takes the bright spot on q border
upon the edge Of dark, making flower
very rich, but not so beautiful; indeed,
not ct all so when one thinks OF the
twelve or fifteen bright fairy birds that
once glanced in the sunshine, and now
represent very unnatural flower.
An UnriyAIisd Pudding.
Stone and cut but do not chop one
and one-half pounds Of muscatel raisins,
and cleanse without cutting one pound
OF Bultana raisinB wash and dry two
pounds Of Zante currants; cut into
small. thin slices nx ounces OF mixed
candied peel CRATE the rinds Of two
lemons and one ounce Of nutmeg; add
one ounce Of ground cinnamon, half an
ounce OF pounded bitter almonds, two
pounds OF fnely-chopped beef.suet, and
two pounds Of bread.crumbs. Mix
these Ingredients well together. Beat
the yolks OF sixteen eggs and two
pounds OF sugar 10 froth beat
separately the whites Of the eggs till
they will cut smoothly. When this is
done stir quarter Of pint Of brandy
into the dry Ingredients add quickly
the beaten yolks and whites little at q
time alternately; beat the whole
rapidly together till well mixed. But
ter well and -four a stout new pudding.
cloth or pudding.mould put In the
pudding, tic down very tightly and
closely boil eight hours. Serve with
brandy or lemon sauce. This quantity
is enough for fourteen persons.
Keeping Apple, in sAwdust.
I made an experiment last winter and
spring Of keeping apples in dry saw.
dust, with good results. l packed sew
eral barrels, putting in few at q time
and then filling with dust by shaking
down. These kept fresher and better
than the others. kept Vicar pears yb