Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-09-24
AsrirnItnraI.


WEEDS AS WATER PURIFIERS. Mr.. ]. J.
Mechi writes as follows to the London Agriessl-
tnrsI Gazstte: Into my pond runs a stream of
twenty-five gallons per rinute Of pure water
from drain which cut twelve feet deep some
thirty odd years ago. Weeds will grow and
thrive in this pond, and we have annually to
rake out large quantities of them. They look
very beautiful as they grow IN the peilucid wa
ter, which is used for household purposes. Said
a visitor to me one day. 'If you had a pair of
swans your pond would be free of weeds - so a
kind friend presented me with pair, and very
soon they cleared the pond, pulling the weeds up
by the roots and feeding on them. My family
delighted with the graceful swans and the
removal of the weedy obstructions to boating
but although the pond was free of weeds, the
waite: was no longer pure and pellucid, but
most decidedly muddy in taste. and when the
steam issued from the kettle, the smell of mud
was unmistakable. Well, no one thought il
could be the swans, but at last l came to the con-
cluson, and, despite family and other remOn-
stranees, returned them the original owner.
After short period the weeds reappeared, and,
as they increased in bulk, the water gradually
was himself again." What the weeds do forthe
water and its occupants the land vegetation docs
for the air meu, animals, Snd other living erea-
lures poison it, while vegetation absorbs the in
furious gases, and reconYerts them into whole
some food and fuel for man and beast, filling
the atmosphere with that precious oxygen with
out which men and animals and other living
creatures could no longer exist. So it is in the
vast ocean, whose living occupants and vegeta-
tion probably exceed in quantity that which is on
land. We owe to the river vegetation much of
the purify of water. 1t is the excess OF inpuri-
ties from our towns which are beyond it's powers
OF appropriation.
CALIFORNIA, which wants TO do everything
that can be done, now proposes to manufacture
Of condensed milk, large quantities of which are
said to be demanded by the japan and China
ma ket. And she will do it and make money at
it. She will find, too, if it has not already been
done, that farming is better than mining that
its benefits far more diffused and that this
will always show itself in the number and ap-
pearanee of the towns and the general aspects
of the dwellings and populaee.
JUST now idIIneFS anu udlryDen BcGeFanJ
will lose nothiug by extra care in their surround
ings. Their own drinking water should be pure.
Wells should be far away from and drainages
which might injure the quality OF the water.
All bad smells should be corrected, and above
all IL is well TO remember that the same causes
which operate against human health, affect more
or less animal life also and that good food and
and good water profitable for stock, and
ceanly habits as necessary for diaries, as among
men, or in our domestic affairs.
FRUIT CULTURE AT THE SoUTH.-Frub cul-
ture in the South appears to be assuming 4
prominent position among the new enterprises of
that section. The Memphis Dolly appeal says
that city has realized considerable profit by ship
ping fruit North, and millions of dollars have
been received by the South through this trade
is near at hand when the North will be furnished
before their own ripens, with all the varieties of
fruits and vegetables.
The South begins to appreciate its own vast
resources, and the people are learning how to
utilize then.
BKooM-CoRS should be ''broken down" as soon
as the seeds have arrived at full size. By this
precaution you will have straight brush, and it
will be easier gathered. The seed makes splendid
chicken feed also, when ground, is valuable
feed for hogs.