Year: 1875

THE DISTRIBUTION OF SEEDS.
Mr.. Darwin and others have called
attention to the numerous and curious


means by which the seeds of plants
have been distributed over the globe


Particularly since the occupation of the
earth by L an, and the spread of com


munication by commerce, the artificial
(both accidental and intentionaD trans


portation of vegetable species has gone
to such an extent as to mask in many
cases the operation of those general
trace in studying the geographical dis.
tribution of specific forms. A striking
instance recently came before the Phil
adelphia academy of sciences. A guam
tity of mud from the channel of the
Delaware river having been spread on
some low ground on the banks below
the city, it was observed that two
species of plants, one an East Indian
and the other West Indian, soon made
their appearance in great numbers. DIR.
Leidny thinks that the seeds were con-
tanned in the ships ballast, which it
had for long time been the custom
to dump on these grounds, and that the
deposit of mud upon them quickened
them. Mr.. Mechanism equally emil
nent authority-adds that perhaps it
was the reclaiming of the low lands
from the water, by the process of fill
ing up, which gave the seeds, previously
smothered, as it were, by the water, a
chance to grow. 1t is intimated that
the matter will be further examined.





The editor of the Maryland Farmer
says : "Drjlled Indian corn is a stand
ard soiling crop in this country; but
we have found lucerne properly man
aged more profitable than it or any
other crop. A light loan, very deep
and fertile and not steep, we have sue
ceeded best with in the growth of
lucerne. The soil should be free from
weeds, in thorough tilth, and the seed
should be planted with a Prass-seed
sower, attached to the grain drill, drop
ping the seed in the open drills, z to 8
inches apart, covering with light seed
ing harrow, and following with roller;
IA pounds of seed per acre will be
found proper quantity. Try a half
acre, and you will put in more next
year. We never grew better paying
crop than lucerne, rightly planted and
mansged. We have cut three full crops
in season, and left on proper stand
for winter protection. 1t is very fond
of bone meal"


INVITE THE SMALL BIRDS.


A correspondent of The Rural World
writes We may induce them to come
around MS by putting up old, discarded
fruit and oyster cans, etc. Place them
in the trees so that you can fasten them
by driving a small nail through the cor
ner of the cans, being careful to place
them so they will be shaded when the
leaves come out. Or you may place
them on the shady side of some build
ing, driving two nails through the edge
of the can into the building. These
birds will accept such houses for their
summer homes, in which to rear their
young. All this is cheap. Then why
not all enjoy these birds company and
music? All living in the country, In
villages, or the suburbs of our large
cities, may do it. / have about 200 of
these bird nests around my buildings
and in my orchard of some 65 acres.
I hope to see them more common else
where. These birds harm nothing, but
destroy many larvae, also the perfect
insect and, in addition-and this
comes in to make up life with meas l
pass through my grounds daily, trou-
bled it may be on all sides, L am also
cheered in the midst of my cares by
the constant and pleasant company and
music of these birds. 1 bless the
Giver of all good for the birds.


HAM AND EGGS.


A correspondent Of the Country
Gentleman writes This favorite spring
dish may be made wholesome or poison
Gus, inviting or disgusting, according
to the skill of the cook.


To make it as bad as possible, cut the
ham thin, don't take out much of the
s alt, fry 1t very brown take it out of
the frying pan, and drop in the eggs.
The pan must be smoking hot, and
we'll covered with brown substance.
Cook the eggs until the yolks are hard,
well crisped and frizzled. Place eggs
around the ham on q dish and pour
some of the half burnt fat over ali.
Then eat as much as you can, and as
fast as you can, and it will not be the
fault of this receipt, if you do not feel
uncomfortable. A regular course of
ham and eggs cooked in this way will
ensure any amount of spring fever,
dyspepsia, etc. To make
dish of ham and eggs as good as posi-
BILE, cut the ham nearly half an inch
thick, boil it in plenty of water till
barely cooked through, pour off the
water, and put the pan in place Just
hot enough to brown the fat part of the
ham slightly, but not hot enough to
make a smoke, or 10 brown the lean
meat much. When this is finished re-
move the frying pan from the fire, take
up the ham, pour off the fat into cup,
and wipe the pan till it shines like
mirror, without single speck to mar
the polish. Then put in spoonful of
the clear part of the fat, brake in the
eggs, and set the pan in place scarcely
hotter than boiling water; cover 1t and
let the eggs cook as slowly as possible
for four or five minutes, taking them
up as soon as they can be lifted out.
Place them around the ham, and do not
pour any of the fat on the dish. Eat
with mashed potatoes.


VALUE OF sUMAoH.


The Ohio Farmer, through a CORES
pondent, says: An acre in full bearing
will produce about three tons, and if
well prepared, is worth $50 to 800 per
ton CuFarR nav QhOuf ono cent mar n.