The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-04-21
AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.

The thought of the world is ever old,
but it has new dress with every
generation.
If you want knowledge you must toll
for it; if food you must toll for it, and
if pleasure you must toll for it. Toll is
the law. Pleasure comes through toll,
and not by self-indulgence and indo-
lence. When one gets to love work his
life is happy one.-R"shtn.
On Long Island, New York, an alarm
ing and fatal disease has broken out.
The farm of Stephen Brothers, at Lloyd s
Neck, was the first to receive a vista
ton, causing a loss OF 5000 worth of
swine. The disease has been various
ly designated by veterinary surgeons,
some pronouncing it hog cholera, while
others declare it to be tho black plague.
Hogs upon farms in the neighborhood
have been attacked with the disease,
which has invariably proved fatal in a
few hours, no method of treatment hav-
ing vet been discovered that would
check it. The farmers are taking every
precaution to prevent its further spread
and to keep those animals that are well
from contact with others.
The Illinois fish commission in its last
report said: From the 1st of August,
1879, to Sept. 50, 1880, there have been
taken from places where they would
have died if not rescued, and deposited
in the rivers and lakes along the Mis-
sissippi and Illinois rivers, and distribu-
ted to various ponds and streams
throughout the state, 199i bushels of
young native fish of all varieties, such
as bass, croppie, wall-eyed pike, perch.
sunfish, catfish, bullpouts, etc. The
commissioners estimate 10000 to the
bushel. which would give an aggregate
of 1896. 900 fish. Every native fish
planted in any of our streams is said to
be an assured success. The Com
missioners have on hand ready for dis
tribution about 10000 black bass. crop
pie, etc. These are kept in ponds and
live boxes, and can be had on applica-
ton. They have, as far as possible,
supplied all who came for them with
young native fish, and are pleased to
note a rapidly increased interest in the
subject of fish culture in almost every
section of the state.
A correspondent of Vick's lMugazine
says: There are very few people not
fond of lettuce in the early spring. Hav-
ing removed from the city, where early
lettuce could be bought ut the markets,
l was much at n loss for this refreshing
salad plant-at least, until quite warm
weather. Knowing it TO be quite hardy,
last autumnI sowed some seed in a warm,
dry spot, and in a week or two the
plants were up. Before hard frost
placed around my little patch some
boards-to be particular, an old door
frame-and over this some loose boards,
covering about two-thirds of the space,
so that there was about one-third un-
covered for light and air. 1t was were it
got the best of the sun, sloping southeast,
and it was q surprise to find how early
had Young lettuce from this rude bed. OF
course, this will be of no benefit to those
who have hot-beds and other convenien-
ces for forcing vegetables. but to
very many of your readers think the
knowledge may be useful.
The state of Nevada has remarkable
timber, known as mountain mahogany.
The trees are not large, averaging less
than foot in diameter. The seasoned
timber is said to be as hard as boxwoo cd,
of very fine grain, of rich color,
very heavy, and q fine material for the
wood carver. 1t is sometimes used for
making boxes for shafting, and wears
well under the journal. In the mining
districts it has been used for shoeing
and dies in quartz batteries. As a fuel,
it creates an intense heat, burning with
blaze as long rs ordinary wood, and.
with scarce a change in form, becomes
charcoal, lasting twice as long as ordi-
nary wood. 1t is extensively used rs
fuel, bearing price per cord equal to
the price of coal. 1t is, however, open
to the objection of such intensity of heat
as to burn out the iron of the stove more
rapidly than any kind of coal. AS to
the extent of the supply, we have no in
formation, but if all claimed for it be
true, it should be conserved for the use