The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-12-26
FARM TOPICS.

POPLARs AS LIGHTNING RODS.-
Professor Asa Gray says that the reason
which lies at the bottom of the general
belief, on the Continent of Europe, that
lightning strikes the Lombardy poplar
trees in preference to others, is coming
to light. Green heritage, and green
wood-sappy wood-are excellent con
ductors of electricity. A tree is shat
tered by lightning only when the dis
charge reaches the naked trunk or max
ed branches, which are poorer con-
ductors. An old-fashioned Lombardy
poplar, by its light, by its complete
covering of twigs and small branches,
and their foliage, down almost to the
ground, and by its sappy wood. makes
capital lightning-rod, and cheap
one Happily, no one can patent 1t,
and bring it round in wagon, and in
sist upon trying it on. To make it sur
er, the tree should stand in moist
ground, or near water; for wet ground
is a good conductor, and dry soil poor
one. 1t is recommended to plant a
Lombardy poplar near the house, and
another near the barn. If the ground
is dry, the nearer the well the better
except for the nuisance of the roots that
will get into it. In this connection it Is
interesting TO know that in Paris and In
several other French towns, there is Il
system of official inspection of light
ning-rods. The rods are tested once a
year, or oftener, with a galvanometer,
to see if they are in working order.
Probably many of the accidents that &C.
cur are due to the deterioration of the
apparatus. As soon as the lightning
rod men hear of this they will equip
themselves with galvanometers, and
thus have an infallible means of prov
ing the worthlessness of any ones light
ning-rods. journal Of Chemistry.
CARBoLIC ACID IN THE POULTRY
HoUsE.-Until the discovery of the
uses of this acid poultrymen, as well as
host of others, were sadly in need OF
some really good deodorizer and disin-
fectant, though now we have something
which can be relied upon for these pur-
poses, while the various uses it can be
and has been applied to are so numerous
we shall not attempt to enumerate them.
Lice, mites and other parasites which
infest the poultry-house as well as the
poultry, have wholesome dread of this
acid, the mere odor from it, which is
very penetrating, causing them to skip
for pastures new in double-quick time
1t has also been used, diluted with
water, as q remedy for scab leg or poul
try itch, but it must be used with eau
ton here, or it may cause considerable
suffering at the time to the fowls. i
can be largely diluted with water ant
scattered all over the house, inside, witt
long whisk. The nests can also have
a sprinkling, while the floor under The
roosts and roosting-benches and else
where can be treated to some of TIT
same, and you will feel satisfied tina
the acid has helped you in many way
to make your fowls more comfortable
Poultry Monthly.
How FARMERS LOSE MoNEY.-By no
taking one or more good papers.
Keeping no account of farm opera
tons; paying no attention to the max
i'm that I" s. stitch in time saves nine,
in regard to sowing grain and planting
seed at the proper time.
Leaving reapers, ploughs, cultivators
etc., unsheltered from the rain and tn
heat of the sun. More money is lost Il
this way annually than most person
would be willing to believe
Permitting broken implements to %
scattered over the farm until they ar
irrepairable. BY repairing broken i'm
plements ct the proper time many do
lars may be saved-a proof of the asseI
ton that time is money.
Attending auction sales and purcha'
ing all kinds of trumpery, because,
the language of the vender, the article
are very cheap.
Allowing fences to remain unrepaire
until strange cattle are found grazing