Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-08-11
FARM, GARDEN L., HOUSEHOLD.
Questions and Answers.
To DESTROY sUMAC.

N. NJ, Peruville, NY, writes: "Can
sumac be killed by cutting, and if so
what time of she year is best suited to
kill them? Or if they cannot be got rid
OF In that way, is there any other way to
do it save by grubbing themg / have
nearly thirty acres that are more or less
covered"
Reply.-The present time is the best
to cut any sort OF brush. Being in full
vlgor of growth, the check given by close
moving with brush scythe or hook is
generally fatal. A weak growth may
sprout from the roots, and a second cut
ting close to the ground next month will
kill all but the most persistent of them.
These should be plowed mp. and the
roots gathered with the harrow. No
better-course could be pursued than this
In the case above mentioned.
REMEDY FOR FLEAs.
Westchester writes: els there
any remedy for heas, either to keep
them from swine, the house or the per-
son? If there is any exterminator or
means to keep them, especially from the
house or person, l would be very glad
to know"
Reply-Swine may be freed from feas
by keeping the pens clean, remov-
ing the bedding frequently, and by
sprinkling the floor with kerosene oil or
solution of carbolic acid. The swine
may be rubbed on the back and beneath
the legs and shoulders with mixture of
four parts of sweet oil and one part of
kerosene oil. To free the person from
IDEAS is very easy by using perfect clean
illness in the clothing and bedding, and
by keeping dogs and cats out of the
house. 1t is generally the case that the
source from which the dwelling house is
infested, is the stables, pig pens or poul-
try house, or dogs, cats and small ver-
min. As soon as the cause is removed
the pest will cease.
CULTURE OF CELERY.
W. L. W., Oswego, n. Y, writes: 'I
have number of celery plants set out,
and wish for some information as to the
proper time to keep the earth around
them. Some tell me to keep the earth
around them all the time, leaving only
the leaves above the surface, and some
tell me to let them get up a little and
then put the earth around them. 1 have
some trouble with the worms eating the
leaves off and even the stalks level with
the ground. The worm is about an inch
long and one-eighth of an inch in dame
ter, and striped, and seems rather dor
mant. Please tell me what will kill
them"
Reply.-The proper method of cul-
ture of celery is to set out the plants in
narrow trenches about six inches deep
and three feet apart. The plants are set
about six inches apart in the rows. AS the
plants grow and reach above the surface
OF the ground, the stalks of each should
be gathered together and the trench
filled with loose earth, care being taken
not to permit any earth to get into the
hearts of the plants. AS they are plant
cd pretty thickly, they will grow up tall
and will need no more attention until
full grown, when they should be again
handled, the stalks gathered, and the
earth banked up against them, leaving
but six inches of the leaves above the
top Of the bank. The stalks then under
go what is known as the process of
blanching, and need no more attention
until the time for gathering them arrives.
If the plants have been set out different
ly from the above method, it may be
necessary to earth them frequently to
force an upward growth of stalk. The
only remedy for the worms is to pick
them off by hand, or to water the plants
with solution of quassia.
Medical Hints.
REMEDY FOR WHooPNd COUGH
Take half an ounce each of spirits of
hartshorn and oil of amber; mix them
well together; every night and morning
anoint well the palms of the hands. pit
OF the stomach, soles of the feet, arm
pits and backbone. AS long as the oint-
ment is being used do not allow the
parts anointed to be washed; the back OF
the hand may be washed, but not the
palm; care must be taken afterward not
to take cold. This cannot iniure the
smallest infant. Keep the bottle well
oorked.
A CURE FOR RHEUMATIsM.-Lem
juice is recommended as a certain cure
for acute rheumatism. 1t is given in
quantities OF q tablespoonful to twice tAe
quantity of cold water, with sugar every
hour.
MOTH PATCHES ON THE FAoE.-Batht
the face two or three times a day il
borax water; teaspoonful of powdered
borax in basin Of warm water.
PoULTIoEs. AS to inflammation, sores
cuts, wounds by rusty rails, ETC., the
great remedy is warmth and moisture
because these promote evaporation anC
cooling; whatever kind of poultice is ap
piled, that is best which keeps moist the
longest, and is in it's nature mild; hence
cold light (wheaten) bread, soaked il
sweet milk, is one of the very bes
known. There is no specific virtue il
the repulsive remedy of the "entrails O.
a live chicken" of scraped potatoes
turnips, beets, carrots, or any othe,
scrapings; the virtue consists in th,
mild moisture of the application. Henc,
the memory need not be burdened witt
the recollection of particular kinds O
poultices, but only with the principl,
that the poultice is best which keep
moist longest without disturbance.