The National tribune., 1883-06-14
RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers.
THE cAmpHoR TREE.

The camphor tree (CGmphord CffcincruH) has
become naturalized in California and IN many
of the Southern States. A correspondent wishes
10 ascertain how the camphor is extracted, and
whether or not il would be profitable TO grow
the tree extensively for the sake of this pro-
duct. We have no knowledge Of the profits Of
the business but can briefly repeat the process
rs stated 10 be employed in the Island of For
m0sa where the tree Is grown in great abund-
ance.
Camphor is obtained by chopping the wood
and roots into small pieces and boiling them
with water in an iron vessel till the camphor
begins to adhere on the stirring utensil; the
liquor is then strained and the camphor con-
cretes on straining. 1t is afterwards mixed
with a inely-powdered earth, and sublimed
from one metallic vessel into another. In
japan. the chips are boiled In a vessel 10 which
an earihen head containing straw las been
fitted, and the camphor su5limes and condenses
on the straw. Grade camplsor very much re-
selnbles moist sugar before il is cleaned. 1t is
refined by subimation, an operation which re-
quires care and experience 1T is soft and
t0ugh, but can be readily pulverized If moist
ened with a few drops Of spirits of wine 1t
evapoFases IN the air at ordinary temperatures,
and gradually sUblimes in close vessels, and
attaches Itself TO the surfaces most exposed 10
the light. One part of camphor requires about
1909 parts Of water for solution; 100 parts of
forming caaPR0rated spirits.
SEA KALE.
This is perennial plant which grows to the
height Of two or three feet; its leaves are
large, way, and deeply notched at their edges,
and have thick tiesay footstalks and midribs.
1t is a native OF sandy coasts in Europe; the
leaves have been used for greens since a very
remote period, and the yoang shoots gathered
as they appeared above the sand, Were cooked
and eaten as asparagus. 1t is much used in
some parts Of Europe bat always in blanched
state by covering the plants from light when
they start TO grow. either by covering them
with sand or partially decayed manure; but
where the vegetable is regularly cultivated
and in demand, large pots, somewhat like
flower pots inverted. having a movable lid or
cover, are employed. These are set over the
plants and covered over with leaves and
manure, which terment. and the heat thus
generated forces the plant into early growth.
In starting a plantation from seed the usual
method is 10 sow in hills which are placed
three feet apart. Three plants are retained to
each hill The plants will attain considerable
size the first year, and should be protected
from severe frost by covering of manure or
leaves. Previous to growth in spring the
plants should be uncovered and the crown
pared of, in order TO prevent the formation of
flower stem and TO encourage side buds to
develop, which VIII not produce seed. The
botanical name Of the plant is CrGRbe martina.
on KEEPING CROPS CLEAN.
1T needs no argument to prove that it is not
profitable TO grow weeds. In one aspect weeds
are blessings In disguise as the work of their
removal from crops disturbs the SOIL and the
result is what is termed cultivation. We sell
dom realize the extreme Importance of stirring
the soil, but we know that no amount of ma
mural applications can supersede the action of
the plow and harrow. 1t is often the case that
the paramount object Of the farmer when he
cnitivates his growing crops is that of killing
the weeds. If no weeds appeared less cultiva-
ton would be given, and as consequence the
production wOaid be lessened. The benefit of
allowing free access for air and moisture to the
roots OF plauts is seldom factor of considera-
ten by so-called agricultural chemists. They
pay but little attention TO the physical condi-
1ion OF the SOIL because that does not enter into
the work OF the laboratory, where their knowl-
edge OF farming is mainly learned There is
soon 70 be q change in this respect, when it
VIII be recognized by our scholarly teachers
that plants do not take their food in bulk as
COW eats grass but that it comes from the at
m0spaere. or thorough atmospheric influence.
IN isEoriBg the decomposition Of matter in the
sol.
DTPHTHERIA N a MILK CAN.
The dangers to which dwellers in towns and
cities are sometimes expos d, in consequence of
the gross carelessness or ignorance of their
country providers, is strikingly shown by a re-
cent outbreak Of genuine diphtheria in Hen
don. England. Fifteen residents were violently
attacked the same day. On investigation it
appeared that all Of them had milk of the same
dealer, and that there were no other cases Of
the disease IL the town, excepting among those
supplied from this dairy. On pushing the in
curry further IT was found, not that there was
diphtheria IL the family of the millzman but
only that the cans were rinsed with water from
foul and dirty stream that ran bv The house
and yard; and q microscopic examination of
the water revealed the presence ofliving organ
1sfns supposed TO be the cause Of diphtheria in
general. The person who could use such water
for such purpose, and calling it washing milk
cans, WAS responsible for all the suffering and
danger that came from it. This is said to be
the hrst time. at least in England that this dis
ease has been directly and Enthusiastically traced
10 injection by milk. although there has before
been good reason to suspect il.
SUMNER MANAGEMENT OF PIGS.
Every farmer should make the best of his
resources. Grass is cheap food for pigs. and
most healthy and profitable diet Much of
The pfo'lt on pigs must come from a proper use
OF grass as Q summer food. Some have ex-
pressed very grave doubts whether pigs can be
He'd at profit in pen all their lives, but we do
mo- hAtiA LilSTe IS any doubt about II. For if
me best feeding VIII not pay for the food given
pigs, then they must be considered unavoidable
annals position wholly untenable. as it
has been abundantly proved that the pig is the
best GtlllzeT OF food on the farm. We fully be-
heNe IN the use Of grass for pigs, and if obliged
70 Keep pigs constantly in pen, would carry
the grass to them purely as a matter of health.
D0t better health viii make better thrift. We
know that pigs viii pay a profit when
every pound OF food from the first to the last
day Of their lives is charged at the market
price But this requires full feeding, with due
regard to every precautiOn FOR health.-Na
Lsre Stock Journal Chicago.
JETHRo TULL.
IL is popularity supposed that Jethro Tull
ignored nanures Of all kinds and put his
iaith altogether in stirring the soil in order to
produce crops. This is not the exact truth.
He believed that thorough "puiveration." that
is, complete disintegration of the soil YVES tbe
s,'Mn'itia dons9a Of agriculture BY this. he
tnonSht that the air was admitted freely into
the earth, and nitrifcation," as he termed it.
was effected, which, together with some
Aearfhs, was the food Of plants. By this, too.
the roots or mouths" Of plants were enabled
70 traverse the soil, or travel, !" so as 20 an
preach and use the food, and this he called the
paaturagep Of plants. The pulycration.D he
sald. might be effected by two processes. one
by mechanical means, which is the cheapest.
arc the other by The means of dung, which is
inc most expensive. he thought that the only
nss q manure was that Of "lighteningn and
pi4HCr1Zlng the soil. Whatever Y,.a.y 10 cola