The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-01-28
USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.


USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.
SUMAc.-The Scientific American
says: Sumac Is largely used in tan
ming the finer kinds of leather, espe-
cialIy in the manufacture of hard
grained morocco and similar goods. 1t
is also employed as the base of many
colors IN calico and delaine printing.
Probably the consumption of this article
throughout the country for eli pur-
poses aggregates more than 20, 600 tons.
of which about two-thirds are imported
from Sicily, not because just as good
sumac cannot be grown in this country,
but because until a few years ago, our
people did not know its value, or in
what way to prepare It for the market.
The sumacs of Virginia, Maryland and
Tennessee in particular are said to be
the best in the world, and even their
worst articles have been officially pro-
nounced by experts to be better than
any imported from Sicily. Almost
bushes. They are called by some
"shoemake; by others, cred shoe
make" Probably many farmers may
have tried to kill them by cutting down.
If they have, they know how difficult
task it is. It grows like asparagus,
all the better for BEING cut and when
once started upon lot and cut once a
year, it is as easy to cut as fodder. The
only trouble is curing it properly.
This must be done with all the care
that is given to tobacco or hops. Ex-
posure, after cutting, to a heavy dew,
Injuries 1t, and a rain storm detracts
materially from its value. It is cut
when in full leaf. and when properly
dried is ground, leaves and stalks to-
gether. An acre in full bearing will
produce not less than three tons, ard
when fit for market it is worth from $50
as the curers are called, pay about one
cent pound for il in a green state. A
sumac- mill costs about 50, 900.
WHAT Is MANURE ?-Any thing which,
upon being applied to the soil, causes
it to produce q more abundant crop, is
manure. Manure is of three kinds
natural, mental and mechanical. Nat
ural manure is any thing which, being
decomposed, assists the earth TO sup
port plant life. It was natures original
agent IN preparing the barren waste,
which our earth formerly was, as a fit
ting abode for man. The progress OF
decay and death in the animal and veg
etable kingdoms is the only mode of
creating natural manure The final
destiny of all animal and vegetable life
is to be transformed to natural manure.
This is the beginning as well as the end
ing of all earthly things.
Mental manure is brains-not the
animal composite which we call our
brains, but the active, creative princi-
pie, which is the guiding power of Ian,
and which, when applied to the opera
tions of farming, produce the third kind
of manure, the mechanical. Mechan- |
zeal manure is the result of brains ap.
piled to rural affairs. Mechanical |
manures are of more real value to the |
farmer than either or both of the other |
two. Mechanical manures consist of |
plOws, harrows cultivators, rollers,
spades. shoVels, rakes, etc id On7nes. |
If the farmer hooks on to the mechan- |
zeal manures, guides them by a /
thorough application of the mental |
manure, and stirs up the natural ma
nure, he farms understandingly, he /
1ooseDs up the soil, the life giving |
atmosphere enters in, heat and moist
ure, in contradistinction to cold and |
wet, pervade the earth, nature asserts
her prerogative, seeds find themselves
in a congenial element, the growing
crop feels the treble impulse, manures,
and comes to harvest abundantly.
All these manures are depend
ent upon one another. It is first
necessary to cover the earth with the
natural; then the mental comprehends
the necessities of the case, and applies
itself to the good work, and calling in
the aid of her oldest son, the mechani-
cal, so manipUlates our mother earth
that smiles spread over her whole face.
finally bursting into a laugh of golden
Joy, which rings through all the happy
harvest.
I" And thus may We three meet again,
Whene'er we COW our fields to grain"
HARMLESS NETTLEs.-It has been
ascertained by accident that, immedi-
ately after a strong wind, nettles are
comparatively harmless. Some French
laborers, having occasion to work in q
field infested bv this nOxiOus weed, on
day succeeding a severe wind-storm,
found that they could handle the nettles
with impunIty. Their sting had lost
its virrulence. 81. Naudin, in explain
ing the occurrence, states that strong
wind stimulates the exhalation of the
poison in the stines of the nettle, and
after time the entire store secreted by
the plant will be completely exhausted. |
Such was the case in the instance re-
corded. The truth of the statement is
supported by the fact that, eight DAYS
af er the gale, the nettles had refilIed |
their sacks of poison, and were as
vicious as ever.
KEEP THE Hoes OUT OF TIE WATER.
"A correspondent of the Colonial
Farmer, whom the editor declares to be
practical breeder, writes that to han
die hogs to the best advantage a pas
ture is needed of green grass-cloveF,
blue grass and timOthy-and It is best /
II there is no running water or stock
ponds IN the lot. Hogs do better where
there are no branches or stock ponds to
wallow in. In place thereof have we'll
water pumped for them. Have troughs
made and nail strips across, eight inches |
apart, to keep the hogs from lying down
in the water, and let these troughs be
placed on floors, to keep them from |
digging up wallowing-ho holes. If feed /
be given, it should be soaked iD swill- /
barrels for twelve hours before feeding |
no lOnger-and feed to them as drink. |
PAPER IMITATION OF IEATHER.-A /
most deceptive imitation of leather is /
manufactured, according to q process |
discovered by DawidOwski, from pareh-
ment paper. It Is as soft and pliable /
as leather, and resembles it perfectly |
in color and finish, and, like It, can be |
glued, pressed, stamped, gilded, etc. |
It, therefore, forms perfect substitute |
for the fancy leather for many pur- /
poses. As binding Of books it resiRts /
abrasion extremely well, and is not |
affected by dirt or even water. 1t is |
also free from the objections to leather
as lining for hats, since it is unaffected /
by perspiration.
HEART DIsEAsE.-Many persons suf- |
fer with heart disease without knowing /
it-suddenly they drop of, and their
4vf.a de- -sak,-- IL.