New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-01-27
INDUSTRIAL BRIEFLETs.
Various Topics of Interest snatched
from the Waystde.

great quantity of nitrogen in the succu-
lent green plants that works the chief
part of the miracle, while the decompo-
sition of the fresh vegetable matter un-
derground gives off carbonic acid, which
attacks the inert silicates and turns them
into assimilable salts. But besides this
the vetches, until they have quite rotted
away, hold moisture for the roots of the
following grain crop-a great point in
sandy ground and when decomposition
is complete they give a vegetable mold
which is invaluable as bond in loose,
ungrateful, silicious soil. Prof. Vile,
of the Paris Natural History museum, is
now making great efforts to introduce
this system in the vast tracts of similar
poor land in France. The expense is
not great; in fact, the manure is rela-
lively cheap, not costing more than
about 81 per acre.
The receipts of faxseed in Chicago
during the last month reached the fol-
lowing astounding aggregate of 1885,
600 bushels of tifty-six pounds each, and
during one week the receipts of seed
actually exceeded those of wheat. For
the first three months of the current
year the receipts were nearly 100000
bushels larger than, and the shipments
were more than l, 800, 900 bushels in ex-
cess of those for the corresponding time
last year. About 100000 bushels have
been already exported, and as much
more is under orders to move across the
ocean. It will take the place in the old
world of so much Calcutta seed, and
perhaps made amends for an alleged
failure Of the crop in Russia.
Prof. Arthur states, in his late report
from the New York experiment station,
that he.examined peach orchards near
Kings Ferry, on Cayuga lake, and
found hillside orchard which had be-
come entirely worthless, and only
waited convenient time to be uprooted.
In the meantime a portion Of it was
bowed and fertilized to be cultivated as
a garden, and the trees on this part sur
prised the owner by assuming most
vigorous and healthy growth, with deep
green foliage. This case afforded an
interesting contrast between the effect
Of entire neglect on one hand and gen
erous treatment on the other.
j. S. Harris, of Minnesota stated, at
a meeting of the Wisconsin Horticul-
tural society that native plum, called
the Rolling Stone, had been introduced
by 0. NJ. Lord, of Minnesota City, the
fruit keeping nine days after picking,
while the skin peels as easily as that of
q tomato for table use or for canning.
It has something of the flavor of prunes.
The original tree, twenty years old, is
in good condition and bears well. 1t is
not probable that the quality would
suit eastern cultivators, but the plums
may be valuable in the northwest, where
it would endure the cold winters.
A bees working tools comprise
variety equal to that of the average
mechanic. The feet of the commoA
working bee exhibit the combination Of
basket, a brush, and pair of pincers.
The brush, the hairs of which are ar
ranged in symmetrical rows, is only to
be seen with the microscope. With this
brush of fairy delicacy the bee brushes
its velvet robe to remove the pollen dust
with which it becomes loaded while
sucking up the nectar. Another article,
followed like spoon, receives all the
gleanings the insect carries to the hive.
Joseph Arch, who commenced
movement in favor of elevating the con-
dition of farm laborers in England some
twenty years ago has been elected to
parliament from the northwestern dis
trict of Norfolk county. His opponent
was Lord Henry Bentinck. The bust
ness of Mr.. Arch was that of setting
out and trimming hedges, but he obtain
ed a national reputation as founder of
the agricultural laborers' union. Farm
laborers in this county are not elected
to congress, or even to state legisla-
lures.
In the horse, good width between
the eyes, the eyes prominent but placid,
with a good height from the eye to the
ear, indicates intelligence. If the fore
head is prominent and smooth it indi-
Gates mild, equable temper. Around,
rather long barrel indicates good diges-
ton; double loin, strength; an oblique
shoulder, surefootedness. With flat,
hard bones, long in the arms, speed is
indicated,
In memoir by Sir j. B. Lawes it is
maintained that while the atmosphere
is the main, if not the exclusive, source
OF carbon for crops, the soil is the prin-
cipal, if not the only source of their nj
trogen. The author is of opinion that
arabic soil loses as much nitrogen in
fho <,f -