davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22
Hints for the Month Of May.

The American A%griculturist furnishes
a vast array Of hints each month % I'll
Iers of the soil in all departments; EN-
bracine horticulture, Horticulture, dairy
inc. stock-breeding, poultry breeding,
and farming generally, which We find OF
sufficient value to transfer in whole or
~ nart 70 orr columns. We give be
low some of the hints and suggestions
contained in the May number:
The corn crop furnishes IN May the
chief ~emplovment of the northern and
western farmers. Planting earlier than
the first week in the month IS scarcely
advisable, as a late frost may render It
Necessary to repeat the work. 1T Is
safer to leave the planting until the
ground is warm and the weather settled.
4 crop planted in April may be III June
considerably behind one planted two
weeks later.
Replanting.-Therc is always some
replanting Of corn TO be done, because
of cut-worms. crows, black-birds and
weak plants. 1t is well to have q bed
made in a warm, sheltered place, which
may be planted thickly at the same
time as the main crop, to provide
plants for those lost. The vacancies III
the field may be filled from this bed By
transplanting on a rainy day, or when
the ground is wet after a warm ram.
1t is not generally known that corn may
be successfully t~ransplanted.
Clover fields will be benefited by the
application Of a bushel or two Of plaster.
as early this month as possible. There
Is no better place OF the farm to put
wood ashes than on clover. CHrcum-
stances are tending to make clover a
more important crop than We have re
earded it, ass preparation for wheat
some Of the annual varieties may be
SOWn.
TO insect pests which remain year af
ter year simply bee use we permit them,
no quarter should be given. The pota-
to beetle exists SO pl%entifully, because
careless farmers actually breed
myriads ofthem. Many fields of pota-
toes were abandoned to them last car,
and the n~elghboring country was thus
stocked for this year. This is one IN
that might be abolished by a com |
blned effort for 4 year or two.
Now that COWS are fully on the pas
ture, supply them regularly with salt.
One ounce a day is sufficient. and il
will prevent possible injurious effect Of
fresh succulcnt food which might
otherwise appear in the form OF severe
md dangerous disorders Of the blood. |
\ noon feed OF hay with a quart OF cot
seed will be useful this month, I'M
ii the grass becomes less succulcnt.
Ewes fiom which lambs have been
aiken, should be relieved Of some OF
heir milk if their udders are full. The
lock should be counted twice a dav.
md carefully examined for anything
hat may be amiss. Ewes that are to
'e fattened may be fed literally.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

TIE DocToRs.-Wc notice :; ;,
,Io5ee.'Inss OF the American Medical
so.;a''o,, iateiy m session at Atlanta,
y,GqI@la, 'hat DR.. Thomas !, Wood. 81
nl1ililSton, was appointed Secratar -.
81 the Section for 1850 on State MI:
Jinei Medlcal Jurisprudence. etc -.
/. ) Haywood, il, Of Raleigh 49,
me Committee oh Ne %roIogv H.,
Joshua {: Walker, OF this city. is a
member Of the same Section Of wb;.h
DR.: Wood is Secretary. "'ich
We learn from a gentleman who At
1ei!ueo the Association that Dr.. Euyena
"rlssoIn was among the most nr01,;
aent and respected, and that AT tbo
feast OF good things, a dinner or sunnar
ne made the best speech on the o.ca'
sion. vii. Sun. YEA
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

Benzole and common clay VII clean
marble.
Coffee Is a most convenient and eff
fectivc disinfector.
a bit OF glue dissolved il Skim-milk
and water will restore rusty Grape.
Cream Of tartar rubbed uDon >.,iled
white kid gloves cieanSes them well.
eek o chcs will flee tie paint which
has been washed in cool aium-wator
The tomato Is a powerful ~aperient.
and IS a wonderfully effective curative
agent for liver and kidney affections
1t IS also L thorough remedy for dvs-
pepsia.
Pillows long used acquire a disacreea-
be odor. Tie tucks should be cnntiod
ami washed, the feathers put INTO !
bag and exposed to the heat Of the sun
Tor several hours.
10 keep seeds from the d~cDreJafions
OF mice, mix some pieces Of camnhnr-
gum with the seeds. Camphor placeJ
n trunks or drawers will prevent me-
from doing their injury.
The two best hedge plants for General
purposes are the csa4e orange AMI I'm
ey locust. The former does bette IN.
Their South, and TIE latter further
Moth. "'hoi
The a 1-%icultural di%tcIles Of the Ro-
mans were opened or closed the 'atter
usually three feet ii the top. ciohtnen
Inches at bottom. The lower n]nrtion
was MED with stone or gravel. = iaynr
Of pine leaves Or willows. and then tha
eaftn replaced. Sometimes a large ore
OF wIthes, Or a bunI,e Of noes W.
placed at the bottom. va
Farmers lose money by keeping no
Q 81 farm operations, paying no
a tentIon to the maxim that "a stitnb
III time saves nine" allowing fenres f.
lema'n un.epaifeI until STRANGE ca++Io
found grazing i'll the meadow. o,a;n
iieids, or browsing on the frnit traas
planting fruit trees without givinr tI,n
frees the attention required to mako
item profitable, and many other t;orn,s
Of neglect. '0i iofhis
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22
4 CoLD WATER UoRROR.-Itisd iA

\ CoLD WATER IIoRRoR.-Itis diff
cult to imagine a more crueldevice than
that known as the water torture In
japan, the o~liginators of which relied
upon the torments of thirst as more
powerful than mere corporal suffering.
The prisoner is for seyera, days confined
to an extremely salt diet, without rice
or water. When two or three DAYS
have passed the craving for water be-
comes lncesSant, an, the sutierings OF
the tortured man approaches the bonds
Of insanity. Efforts are then made to
obtain confession by subiecting the
sufferer to the agony endured By Ianta-
lus when in the midst of the eternal
lake whose water he could touch. On
all sides the thirst distracted prisoner
beholds water-"ater for which he
would sacrifice eycrything-hut which
he cannot touch except upon the con-
ditions OF confession.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22
FERTILIZERS FOR HOUSE PLANTS

FERTILIZERS FOR HOUSE PLANTS
When a plant is in a bad condition. # i
a mistake to apply a stimulating f~erti!i-
ger. The causes OF lli,health Me many.
but the most general one with those
who have no experience IN the care Of
plants Is, overwhelming. Plants. to
live, must have water, therefore the
mole water the better seems to be tho
reasoning, and the consequence i
starved, nearly leafess sticks IN nots Of
mud: In the majority of eases with
holding the water is the one th;na
needed, and with invalids. d stimu'at;nS
fertilizer is the one thing. Of ali etbarI5
not needed. When plants are in = An.
ishing condition and making orortI
then fertilizers may be useful es1eo;a.h,
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

4 DRUNKEN \ SWALLOWS TIE
GLASS OF A WHIsKEY FLASK AND
DIES IN TERRIBLEAGoNY.-Mr. Cichla.
OF Lensburg, lie Sueur county, got on a
spree last week Monday, at Montgolne-
~, and offered to wager that he could
swallow the glass contained in a whisky
flask. The wager was taken I'D by one
OF the party present, whereuDon the
drunken nan proceeded to swallow the
pulverlzed glass, and also a tallow can
Gle. Strange to relate, that night he
feit no i'll effects caused by the rash
deed, but next day the glsss began to
cut and grind his bowels, compelling the
man to writhe and scream in agonv.
his continued until Thursday morning.
when the poor wretch was b O ,ght to
New Plague IN the delusive hone that .
physician could save him from his in
evItable and fast approaching death
Of course the physicians skill could not
save OF wen prolong the life which had
been 50 deliberately though u~nknowing'r
taken. 1t was pitiful and he~a,t-rendSn9o
TO hear the poor mortal moan and
scream IN agony as the death-deaIino
glass slowly bat constantly cut its way
INTO the @vitalS. This could NOT Iona
continue, however, and death kindly re-
Iie'ed the suffering man Thursday after
noon. \ poSt-mortem examinations w,s
held and the mans stomach and into
tines were found to be literally ground
\ wife and nine children are left de-
pendent b. the foo.hardincs; Of = ma,
cirazed By drink. THIS NAV nrnya =
timely. warning u those addicted ia tb"a
excessive use Of a substance as dcaIjv
IT. iinai effects as that swallowed -.
the man who amc 70 50 nnti,"clI, :?
end. sbah"pee Argus. al
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

SHIPPING EGGs FOR HATcHING.-A
corr espondent of the Nashville Rural
Sun says that the prejudice against the
shipping of eggs to hatch is fast disap-
pearing under the present way OF pack
ing by practical breeders. II eggs are
flesh laid and properly packed, there is
no reason why they should not hatch
just as well ii thousand mites away as if
set at the place where laid. When the
eggs are taken from the package they
should be handled with ext,eme care; if
any are broken, be careful to wipe offall
that has adhered to those that remain
whole, for if they are not clean the eggs
will fail to hatch.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22
For the FARMER n MECHANIC.
The Pioneer Agricultural Club Of
Halifax County, N. G.
{ Concluded. J

K. j. BOyd-Once knew a man that
even saved the blood when he killed a
pig-he saved everything, i'll the way
of manure, and yet he did not improve
more han his neighbors, and was al
ways hard up for money. But thinks it
will pay to haul some dirt into our lots.
Thinks pine straw a fine thing to litter
with-believes he has lost much by
composing his stable manure dry-fnds
that it is liable to fire-fang. Has com
posted largely, but not satisfactorily
and believes he would have done better
had he used commercial fertilizers with
1t. Believes green manures very good.
Don't think wheat straw very good feed
for cattle.
Il. w. Harris-It will not do to cul-
tivate poor land, and our resources are
such as to enable us to make our lands
reasonably productive made a success
full experiment i'm wheat and peas.
Continued this experiment four years
on the same piece of land, and found
that the land would produce four-fold
more wheat at the end of that time.
Thinks that rye might have been better
than the peas to have sowed and turned
under green. Has found pine straw
very fine for litter when the manure is
intended for cotton. Has seen fine re-
suits from burnt straw and dirt ON cot
ton. People who give most attention
to manures succeed best. Thinks the
chemicals may be advantagcousIy used,
but We should do more at home.
The discussion being ended the club
was entertained by remarks from yisi-
tors.
G. S. Bells read an essay on dried
potatoes and fruits, dried in a patent
dryer.
w. f. Bowers read a facetious report
on w. III. Thornes' farm.
L. }. Macon and ID. III. Rittenhouse
were admitted to membership in this
club.
A motion prevailed to furnish IA copy
of the proceedings OF last meeting to
Roanoke Neaos for publication, and ofthe
present meeting for publication in the
FARMER AND MECHANIC.
This is one of the Oldest agricultural
organizations in this part of the State,
and it is composed of some of the best
farmers of the community and first men
OF the county. 1t was organized in 1856
with its maximum number of twelve
members, and it still retains four of its
original number.
The meetings are held monthly at
some members house, and the time is
looked forward to by its members with
pleasure. The social feature alone will
many times repay the trouble and ex-
lense OF its meetings. 1t is a day of
recreation and f~easting to body and
mind, and both are encouraged and
strengthened for their labors. To Mrs.
s., ON this occasion, the club and visi-
tors are indebted for a sumptuous din
ner of wholesome bread, savory meats,
q I'd rich dainties, which were pa. taken
OF by all with a zest of appreciation.
This club enjoys a reputation of being
an eating institution, but there are
other good features about it, be-
sides this II of the home consumption
pa~tronization. | will close this report
by rendering my thanks for the kind
to be present on this occasion.
1tesl ectiully, n. +. j. .
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

BIRDS NOT INJu8IoCs.-ProL l.M
of the Michigan Agricultural co..-
from examinations Of the crops ot h-,
extended through Il long tine and w""
many species, gives it As his oH.aa
that nearly all our birds, not cNoa'
robin, jay and grack!e, are the iua..s
efficient aids and worthy Of his t~o-tc-'-
care, Many farmers Will Object t.1..
two latter, and many hortIcHItnlr.s +.
the former. From our experience 81.
are satisfied the professor IL, a0.
correct. Nevertheless, q little tla'l.-
after Matching time, and wien rher.-
are ripe will not be out of p.acy"Ha ...
robin.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

CULINARY Uses FOR LEAyES.-A
write. in the London Iron Irade Er-
change, calling attention to a neglected
source of culinary ~iayors, says that,
with the exception of sweet and bitter
herbs, grown chiefly for the purpose,
which is neither bitter nor sweet, but
the most popular of all flavoring plants,
comparatively few other leaves are
used. Perhaps | ought not to except
the sweet bay, which is popular in rice
and other buildings, and certainly i'm
parts one OF the most pleasant and ex-
quisite @favors; bur, on the other hand
what a waste there is of the favoring
properties of peach, almond, and laurel
leaves, Sc richly charged with the es-
sence of bitter almonds, SO much used
in most kitchens. OF course, such
leaves must be used with caution, but
SO must the spirit as well. An infusion
of these could readily be made, either
green or dry, and a tea or table spoon
ful of the tlavoring used. Cine Of the
most useful and harmless Of all leaves
for tiavoring is common syringa. When
cucumbers are scarce these are a perfect
substitute in salads or anything In
which the flavor is desired. The taste
is not only like that of cucumbers, but
IDENTICAL curious instance of the
correlation of fiavors in widely different
families. Again, the young leaves Of
cucumbers have a striking likeness in
the way of flavor to that of the fruit.
The same may be affirmed Of carrot
tops, while III most gardens there is a
prodlglous waste Of celery flavor i'll the
sacrifice OF the external leaves and their
partially blanched toot-stalks. Scores
OF celery are cut up into soup, whenthe
outsldes would flavor it equally well or
better. The young leaves Of goose
berries added to bottled fruit gives a
ficsher flavor and "a greener color to
pies and tarts. The leaves Of the
Towering currant give Il sort of inter
mediate flavor between black currants
and red. Orange, %citron, and lemon
leaves impart Il flavoring equal to that
OF the fruit and rind combined, and
somewhat different from both. \ few
leaves added to pies or boiled in the
milk used to bake with rice, or formed
INTO crusts or paste, Impart an admira-
bic and almost inimitab!e bouquet. I'm
short. leaves are not half SO much used
Tor seasoning purposes as they might
be.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

the largest amounts: Vermont 1884,
800, New York 6,692, 040, Ohio 3:469,-
Us, New Hampshire l,S0O, 704, Penn
sylvania I,245, 9l9, Indiana l,332,3 52,
Virginia and West Virginia 155,699,
Wisconsin 507, 1872, Massachusetts 399 :
500. Kentucky 269,4l6. The total
quantity ofmaple molasses or syrup was
2I.O51 gallons. OF course the actual
production Of both syrup and sugar must
have been considerably greater than the
amounts returned by the census, for IN
all such cases the sins of omission both
on the part of %canvassers and small
makers are always numerous.
The industry IS at present conflnei
chiefly to the few States mentioned,
with small contributions from the other
States East Of the Mississippi and
North of the 10th parrellel Of latitude,
for West of the Father of Waters the
sugar maple is seldom met with, while
in the Southern States it is found only
along the mountains. The black sugar
maple which Michaux classed as a dis
tinct species, IS now regarded as only
a veriety Of the commrn kind, and Is
generally considered the most product
i've sort.-Rurdl Neu Yorker.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

\ PRETTY WINDOW =,

\ PRETTY WINDOW pt,,~
who have never tried II.
may at a trifins COS, have
hanging plant in the East ~
dow OF the sittiuuoom H..
very thrifty and reta-r
color for months.
lake a round piece ~
sponge, and soak it thorn
water until it is flly exr.,-
out most Of the water. .r
opened holes OF the saarr.
oat, barley graS,, mill, S.
seed. Hang this ;mnra.
where the sun viii reach
portion of the day, ami I'm
depositing the seed, .g..
sprinkle the sponge E.6. @
ing 70 keep the inside 4u..
wet.
In a little while the .asf.
mence to push out their
from every part Of the
falling down IN graceful taol
rapidly Increase, there Wifi
formed a pretty mass of Il
fringe, that viii remain IL
cheerful to the eye for a l,..
carefully sprinklcd, later on
will bloom before the mas, a..
roots. Now is a good time ny. ~
70 commence the growing af-1.
bat pretty hanging window r.....
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

INTERESTING ENrEBINr>r NY
Flour French chemist Hast .
exposed a quantity Of -four To- I....
pressure of 300 tons, which r.I:ooI.
a fourth Of It's original bulk. v..
impairing the quality, He laG..
portion Of it in tin boxes and
them up, doing the same with re
pressed flour. When opened IN ID
months, the former was in better .
seryation than the latter. y Gen ..
into bread, the pressed article Wa- .
dcdly superior. After tic Ia.-e
year other cans were opened aHtt.o
pressed flour had become spoiled. v.
the pressed remained sweet, and was.
cellent when baked.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

GROWING Koor CHop>.-u..
sons IN raising Potatoes for fam.
and for exhibition at our onr
the rule will apply more a,
spindle shaped and other
satisfy, larsnip, carrot. etc.. r...
mistake in applyinr fresh mama.
potatoes, there Is noth5r. be.-.- p.
clover sod manured tine parr;...
and planted the succeeding
breaking. Ashes an. lime
may be used. Green nanaru -
potatoes to grow knobny. aa.
to grow lorkei aud irregular.
should not have the hills disturb.
ter they have commenced e. ....
tubcrs. Ii the soil is dry. gn...
Of liquid manure between Gr .
The feeding roots Will find IT,. +
heavy manmine at the time o. p.
ing, especially If the summer e..
is dry, gives Il large growth olt....
Very few potatoes.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22
Notes.

The folly Of forcing young animals Tor
show purposes is acknowledged on all
sides, and those which possess the most
valuable blood will not run the risk OF
damaging their animals by forcing.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

A correspondents of The National
Farme,. having tried many plans for
keeping smoked meat through fly time,
finds this the best Of all: Put each
piece in a muslin sack, with sweet hay
stuffed closely around it inside. and
hang in a clean, dry place.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

Agriculture feeds the world; it is by
the hard labor of the farmer. Com
merce guides the world it IS by the su-
perior profits Of its vOtaries. Politics
rules the world; it is by chicanery and
frauds. All industries, however, flourish
by and through the efforts of the farm.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

On the farm. in the garden, and in
fact everywhere, annual weeds are
making their appearance. They are
harmless, inoffensive little things to be-
gin with. Then is just the time to fight
them. Cultivate often and do not allow
them to get a start. Perennial weeds
should be watched for all through the
growing season and not allowed to 20 to
seed.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

A singular chemical change is ONE
times effected by the mixing Of the
cream of a full mich cow with one well
along with calf. The cream thus mixed
has been churned a whole day continu-
ously without making butter, and then
abandoned but upon the withdrawal Of
the cream Of the COW III calf, the other
would make butter with no difficulty.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-22

1t has been demonstrated that it
makes IA great difference whether you
scald or steam the feed Of dairy stock,
or give it Out IN Il raw state. \ dairy
man asserts that he has made a gain Of
eight gallons per day on thirty cows, by
simply scalding the feed with hot water,
and the same d~airyman has practiccd
scalding OF steaming for several years
past.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-03-21

certain, always provided the election of
one OF their own number is hopeless and
that one of those named as opponents OF
the Ex.Speaker, is likely to defeat him
without Republican interference.
It is currently reported that President
HAYES will approve the bill repeating the
imposition OF the test cath on U. S. Jurors,
aud that specially empowering him to sta
lion troops at the polls, but will veto any
repeal oi the L. s. election laws. Having
no particular knowledge OF what the Pres
ident has said or left unsaid do not be-
icye he has been so injudicious ns to pro.
claim what his action would he upon any
subjects OF probable legislation. 1t would
! be q bad, not 10 say foolish, precedent; for
under many imaginable circumstances to
thus anticipate legislation on the part Of
! the Executive might appear very much
| like II menace put out to influence the nc
ton Of Congress, and ns such he very prop
erly resented. But it Is not unlikely that
| MIR. Hayes views are very accurately re-
| flected in this gossip. Though majority
OF Republicans in the 45th Congress was
opposed to the repeal Nj either, they did
propose in conference committee To yield
the two points named by way of comprom.
ise If the Democrats would yield their po-
silion relative to the election laws. No
juggling of the kind contemplated by di-
ylding the legislative, executive and judi
cial appropriation bill into three parts and
attaching them to Republicans, obnoxious
legislation to that providing for the Prcsi.
dents salary, can save Democrats from the
appearance of trying to furce his approval
OF legislation under durcss and menace.
DEWITT.