WIRE fences are attracting much attention in all parts of the country. When they have failed, it has usually been owing to poor iron or too small wires, in endeavoring to make them cheap. Where stone for walls, or timber is scarce, they may prove valuable. Col. Capron, of Maryland, made two-thirds of a mile in one entire piece, stretching the wires the whole length between two stout main posts, the wires being supported by intermediate posts 8 feet apart. The main or end posts must be firmly braced, as in the above figure. Col. Capron used No. 5 wire next the road, weighing one pound to 8 feet, and costing about 70 cents per rod for 6 wires. He thinks No. 7 wire, weighing one pound to 11 feet, will do for partition fences. Some use No. 10 wire, which is about 24 feet to the pound, but it is liable to become broken, except under unusual circumstances. A wire fence, patched with rails and boards, as we have often seen, where small, wire was used, is not a pleasing object. The wire must be annealed.

The wire passes through the end posts, and may be fastened to the intermediate posts by staples, made as follows: wind a wire closely round a flat iron bar, passing from one end to the other; then with a cold chisel cut the wire along the middle on both sides, which will both flatten and sharpen the newly made points. Gas tar will prevent the rusting of the wires, but being so black will make them very hot in the sun, and they will lengthen and contract more by heat and cold, than if painted with yellow ochre. Col. Capron keeps his wires always equally stretched, by means of a 150 pound weight, acting on a lever at one end. His two-thirds of

a mile of wires, by expanding and contracting, cause this weight to rise and fall about thirty degrees.

Before using, the wire should be wound on a large cylinder, which may be attached to a wheelbarrow. The ends are looped together thus, (fig. 2,) or if large,

Fig. 2.

by flattening each end, and then binding them together with small annealed copper wire. It is tightened in the main posts by means of screws passing through the

a

posts by turning a nut, (a) as in the annexed cut, (fig. 3;) the wire having been drawn tight and keyed in the previous post, braced for this purpose. Square headed, iron bed-screws, may be bought cheaply by the doFig. 3. zen, and the ring or hook welded on by a blacksmith. In making the fence, the hands must be protected by thick leather mittens. If a ridge is thrown up by two furused, seven wires will be enough in all rows at bottom, or a bottom board cases, at the following distances apart: 44 inches, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9. In secluded or unexposed places, wire fences, with small wires, have been made for fifty cents per rod; but a good substantial one can not be made for much less than one dollar per rod, and some have cost considerably more.

DRAINING LAND.-Many persons mistakenly suppose that it is not necessary to drain land in a dry climate. A want of draining is often the reason that land suffers from drouth. When water-soaked early in the spring, it cannot be well plowed; or if plowed, it is worked into mud and bakes hard. But if well drained, it may be plowed early and deeply; and being thus made deep and mellow, it retains moisture through the summer.

A crop of oats or barley is some times one-half larger merely in consequence of being put in a fortnight earlier on well drained land, that can be worked at all times. Trying to farm well without draining, is like beating up stream against the wind-every thing tends to baffle the husbandman.

DRAINING ON A LARGE SCALE.-Prof. Norton, of Yale College, visited a farm in Scotland; the surface of the soil was stiff, and the subsoil a close clay. The owner had drained 900 acres, with a length of drains equal to 300 miles. He had a machine for making tiles for his drains, which turned out 400,000 a year. The rent of the land was immediately raised by this improve. ment, from $2.50 to $6.50 per acre.

DRAINING IN WESTERN NEW-YORK.-A field of several acres in Cayuga county, was so wet that it scarcely produced eight bushels of wheat per year. It nevertheless contained a very fertile soil, but its fertility was locked up and rendered useless by being submerged in cold water during an important part of the year. The owner run under-drains through every part, and the first crop of wheat after the operation, was forty bushels per acre.

THIS is a breed, as yet nearly new in this country. In Scotland, they have the reputation of being remarkably hardy, and thriving under apparently very adverse circumstances. They yield on an average 5 lbs. of long wool, washed upon the back; ewes at five years have weighed 60, 70, and even 90 pounds-and some wethers 200 pounds. They promise to be an excellent breed for mutton. Their introduction and trial seem very desirable, especially in a country like ours, where there is such a diversity in climate, soil, and aspect, as well as in the various demands for long and fine wool, mutton, &c.

This estimate is founded on an actual trial, and the amount would amply pay every year all cost of suitable sheds-not counting the comfort and satisfaction of see

ing. A shed, (adjoining

a hay barn) 18 by 26 feet, with 13 feet posts, will furnish room for two flocks of sixty each, including the space for feeding boxes. The annexed figure represents one large enough for hay at one end. It is 25 by 34 feet, with 12 feet at the right end for hay. Where rising ground cannot be had, a raised ascent, as in the cut, is made for enter

ing the upper story. The upper floor should be matched, to prevent the liquid manure from dripping through on the sheep below. The basement has double doors, so as to admit backing in a cart or sled. A folding plank is opened in the upper floor, through which the manure is passed in loading. The hay is pitched in through the door at the right.

SHELTER FOR SHEEP.-L. A. Morrell, one of the best sheep raisers in the United States, has found that he saves a ton of hay for every hundred sheep, by good shelter. He found that the increase in the amount of wool was 1,250 lbs. in four clips. The increased number of lambs exceeded a hundred a year.

knowing that one is practicing good, instead of bad farming.

THE AGE OF SHEEP.The age of sheep may be known by the front; teeth. They are 8 in number, and appear the 1st year, all of a small size. In the 2d year, the 2 middle ones fall out, and their place is supplied by new teeth.which; may be easily distinguished by their larger size. In the 3d year 2 other small teeth, I on each side, fall out, and are replaced by 2 larger ones; so that there are now 4 large teeth in the middle, and 2 pointed ones on each side. In the 4th year, the large teeth are 6 in number, and only 2 small ones remain, 1 at each end of the range. In the 5th year, the remaining small teeth are lost, and the whole front teeth are large. In the 6th year, the whole begin to be worn; and in the 7th year, sometimes sooner, some fall out, or are broken. It is said that the teeth of ewes begin to decay at five or six; those of wethers at seven, and those of rams at eight. Sheep sometimes continue strong and productive until fourteen or even sixteen years old, and occasionally longer.

PROF. WILSON, in Blackwood's Magazine, asks: "In what one imaginable attribute, that it ought to possess, is a tree, pray, deficient? Light, shade, shelter, coolness, freshness, music-all the colors of the rainbow, dew and dreams dropping through their umbrageous twilight at eve or morn-the grove, the coppice, the wood, the forest-dearly, and after a different fash ion, do we love you all! And love you all we shall, while our dim eyes can catch the glimmer, our dull ears the murmur of the leaves-or our imagination hear at midnight, the far-off swaying of old branches groaning in the tempest."

And yet with what aniimosity is every fragment of our wild, rich, natural plantations assailed by the new settler; till nothing is left to shelter the newly erected dwelling from the burning, bleaching sunand how many of the older homes, which ought to be now richly embellished with these most perfect of all rural adornments, are repulsive from their bleakness; exposed to torrid reflection in dog days, and to drifting snows and whistling winds at midwinter. And yet all the endless intermixture of intricacy, and beauty, and richness, and gracefulness, to say nothing of real, substantial comfort, may be had with scarcely more than the trouble of planting the

|| lindens, ashes and sycamores, elms and birches, among the forest myriads which fall before his axe, to make an attractive home for his children, even if he should forget that a handsomely adorned dwelling would give him a higher price for his land? And why will not every land owner in the older districts be willing to

trees, even under the most unfavorable circumstances. Why should not every settler and land-clearer be willing to leave a few of the best selected maples and

COOKING FOR THE SICK.

CHICKEN, BEEF, OR VEAL BROTH.-Cut up the chicken, or an equal quantity of lean veal or beef, and boil with two spoonsfull of washed rice, until tender. Then keep it covered in a bowl or pitcher, for use. When wanted, add crumbs of crackers or cold bread, with a little salt. It is very palatable for a sick person.

WATER GRUEL.-Boil a pint and a half of perfectly clean water, in a perfectly clean vessel; add it gradually to a mixture of two spoonfuls of Indian meal in three spoonfuls of water, in a bowl. Then pour the whole back into the vessel and boil it nearly half an hour, stirring it. Skim it and season it with salt. When admissible, one quarter of milk added and boiled up once, makes it more palatable to some.

ARROWROOT.-Add a teaspoonful of the powder to a tablespoonful of cold water, rubbing it smooth. Add a spoonful of warm water, and again stir it till perfectly smooth. Then pour on half a pint of boiling water, and stir it till transparent. It may be seasoned with salt, or lemon juice and sugar, or sugar and nutmeg, with a little milk.

PANADA.-Split a Boston cracker, place it in cold water in a pint basin on the fire, with a dozen raisins. The moment it boils, remove it from the fire, and add two or three lumps of loaf sugar, and nutmeg, if desired by the patient. This is much better than to crush the cracker, and is one of the most agreeable and nou

plant at least ten trees per year for the same purpose? Half the time now consumed with reading the interminable debates of Congress, would be enough to change the whole appearance of the country in ten years, in half the States of the Union, to say nothing of the improvement on the manners and morals of the people.

A less wild, and more cultivated and finished appearance, is given to grounds composed chiefly of native trees, by intermixing a few of the finest exotics, or rarer natives. The Magnolias are much admired for this purpose. The accompanying figure is an exact portrait of a tree of the Chinese White Magnolia, fourteen years old, and twenty feet high, standing on the grounds of A. J. DOWNING, at Newburgh, N. Y. There were over three thousand blossoms open upon it at once; and for the last ten years it has never failed in a single season, to produce a fine display of blossoms.

GRAPES.-Every farmer, and indeed every person who has a yard, and the side of a building on which it may be trained, should have an Isabella grapevine. In a few years it will furnish a plentiful supply of grapes.

rishing kinds of food for the sick. The raisins are only to impart flavor, and must never be eaten.

TOAST WATER.-Very few know how to make toast water right. Toast the bread carefully to a full brown, but not in the least burnt. If not enough toasted, it will taste raw; if too much, it will be bitter. Put it while hot into cold water, and it will be almost imme

diately ready for use. Boiling water renders it insipid.

BEEF TEA.-This is given to patients when very low, and has remained on the stomach when nothing else could, and succeeded when other means have failed.

Cut thin a pound of lean fresh beef, place it in a jar or bottle, add a little salt, and place it for one hour in a kettle of boiling water. Then, by straining it, a gill of pure, nourishing liquid will be obtained. Begin with a teaspoonful, and increase it as the stomach will bear.

DESTROYING CANADA THISTLES.-A great number of persons, the writer included, have completely destroyed large and thickly matted patches of Canada thistles, in one season, at a trifling cost, thus: Plow deeply and thoroughly once a month, beginning by the first of summer. The plants are thus kept smothered; they cannot breathe; and the whole bed of roots dies. At the last plowing, the soil will be clean, mellow and loose, and in the best condition for sowing wheat. Warranted not to fail, if well done-the patch will be killed forever. Never feed a hog unground or uncooked food.

THE Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, in England, have || been for the last ten years public property, thrown open for the benefit of the public, and augmented by various additions, till they now comprise about two hundred acres. They contain almost every thing that is interesting, and valuable, and magnificent, and extraordinary, in the vegetable world. Among other things, they have over twenty glass structures for plant houses, the largest of which is the enormous building contain ing the palm trees, which cost about $200,000. It is thus described in the Horticulturist: "It consists of a centre and two wings, (as you will see by the above figure.) The whole length is 362 feet; the centre is 100 feet wide, and 66 feet high; and the wings 50 feet wide, and 30 feet high. It is entirely constructed of iron, stone, brick, and sheet glass-not a particle of wood being about it. The roof is circular. The iron posts are inserted in great Cornish granite blocks. It is heated by 12 furnaces, and by hot-water pipes and tanks, carried beneath the floor. The aggregate length of these pipes is about five miles. The smoke from the furnaces is conveyed through a subterranean flue, in a brick tun

nel, 6 feet high, (through which one may conveniently pass,) to the distance of about 400 feet, where an or namental shaft or tower is erected, 96 feet high. In the top of this chimney and tower is a reservoir, to supply the houses with water; and at its base is a coal yard. and from this the coal is conveyed on a railroad through the tunnel alluded to. In the centre of the building is a gallery 30 feet high from the floor, ascended by a spiral staircase. From this gallery the plants are easily watered over the top; and the taller plants are more easily examined, and appear to much better advantage than from the floor level. It is really a charming sight which you have from this gallery, looking down on magnificent Palms, Sugar Canes, Cocoanut Trees, the great Strelitzia augusta, and many rare and beautiful tropical trees, in the most healthy and luxuriant condition.

"It affords one some positive idea of tropical vegetation. The plants are all in tubs, so that each one is placed where it ought to be, and can be moved about as circumstances may require. All the pillars in the house are clothed with climing plants of variety and beauty."

TO MAKE KISSES.-Beat whites of three or four eggs to stiff froth; add one-half pound pulverized white sugar, and a few drops of essence of lemon. Of this. drop a teaspoonful on white paper, and place on buttered tins, and dry in a moderately heated stove. Cool and eat.

RASPBERRY SYRUP.-To every quart of fruit add a pound of sugar, and let it stand over night. In the morning boil and skim it for half an hour; then strain it through a flannel bag, and pour it into bottles, which must be carefully corked and sealed. To each bottle add, if you please, a little brandy, if the weather is so warm as to endanger its keeping.

RASPBERRY JAM.-Take one pound loaf sugar to every pound of fruit; bruise them together in your preserving pan with a silver spoon, and let them simmer gently for an hour. When cold put them into glass jars, and lay over them a piece of paper saturated with brandy; then tie them up so as carefully to exclude the air.

BLACKBERRY SYRUP.-We are indebted to a friend for the following receipt for making blackberry syrup. This syrup is said to be almost a specific for the summer complaint. In 1832 it was successful in more than one case of cholera. To two quarts of juice of blackberries, add one pound loaf sugar, half an ounce nutmegs, half an ounce cinnamon, pulverized, half an ounce cloves. quarter of an ounce alspice, pulverized. Boil all together for a short time, and when cold, add a pint of fourth proof brandy. From a teaspoonful to a wineglass, according to the age of the patient, till relieved, is to be given.

SAUSAGES.-The best proportions are 3 lbs. salt, 10 oz. sage, 10 oz. pepper, to every one hundred pounds chopped meat.

EGGS, wholly imbedded in salt, the small end downwards, will keep from one to three years, perfectly fresh.

THE Alderney Cows have formerly been famed for three qualities for producing exceedingly rich milk--for the smallness of their size-and for destitution of beauty in form. "Except in Hampshire," says Youatt, "they are found only in gentlemen's parks and pleasure grounds, and they maintain their occupancy there partly on account of the richness of their milk, and the great quantity of butter which it yields, but more from the diminutive size of the animals. Their real ugliness is passed over on these accounts; and it is thought fashionable that the view from the breakfast or drawing room of the house should present an Alderney cow or two grazing at a little distance." This animal, although small, is a voracious feeder. The quantity of milk

which she yields is never large, but its richness is unequalled, affording more butter than can be obtained from any other cow. There is an instance of one of these on record, which afforded nineteen pounds of butter per week for three successive weeks.

Within a few years, an association of farmers in the Island of Jersey, have made great improvements in this breed. By selecting the very best shaped animals to breed from, they have been able to raise a new race, greatly superior in appearance and in fattening qualities, to the old Alderneys, without lessening their milking properties. Some of the improved breed have afforded fourteen pounds of butter per week, and ten pounds being more common during the spring and summer months. The old stock appear to be scarcely hardy enough for our more northern States. The new sort appear not to have been yet introduced.

MILCH COWS.-The value of milch cows is depending on several circumstances, such as the quantity of milk produced, the butter it will make, the time of going dry, and the gentleness of disposition, ease of milking, &c. It is not always the smoothest and handsomest cows that are the best milkers; on the contrary, a disposition to take on fat is rarely found combined with great milking qualities. In England, the Ayrshires are great favorites as milkers; but there, as here, occasional instances in all breeds are found, where large quantities of milk are produced. In this country, considerable discussion has taken place as to the respective milking qualities of the Short-horns and the native breeds, and an ample list of the best that could be selected on both sides, with the quantities of butter and milk produced, may be found in Mr. Colman's 4th Report. We select a few of both kinds, to show the immense difference there is in profit, between keeping good cows and poor Butter per week. S. H., Mr. Powell,... 20

ones:

Cow. Belina, Blossom,. Oakes cow, Nourse cow, Springfield,.

S. H., Mr. Canby,

N. B., Mr. Quincy,

N. B., Mr. Nourse,

171

191

20

N. B., Mr. Henshaw,. 21

WHAT A FARMER OUGHT NOT TO DO.-A farmer should never keep more cattle, horses, sheep, or hogs,

CATTLE.

than he can keep in good order; an animal in high order to the first day of December, is already half wintered.

the

RELIEVING CHOAKED CATTLE.-If the potato or apple is near the mouth, (ascertained by feeling the neck) draw it out from above, by running the arm down and seizing it with the fingers, preventing the animal from biting by propping mouth open with a plow clevis, held firmly by two men. A strong box.made on purpose,open at top and bottom, with projeeting pieces to hold it by, is still better. The writer speaks from experience, having often thus drawn the potato from COWS' throats. But when low

down, it may be pushed into the stomach by means of a tarred rope an inch in diameter, with a ball of tow at one end as large as a hen's egg, bound with soft leather. A wooden rod of any kind is dangerous, and usually ruptures the gullet and kills the cow.

TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF STOCK.-Mix, occasionally, one part of salt with four, five, or six parts of wood ashes, and give the mixture to different kinds of stock, summer and winter. It promotes their appetite, and tends to keep them in a healthy condition. It is said to be good against bots in horses, murrain in cattle, and rot in sheep.

Horseradish root is valuable for cattle. It creates an appetite, and is good for various diseases. Some give it to any animal that is unwell. It is good for oxen troubled with the heat. If animals will not eat it voluntarily, cut it up fine and mix it with potatoes or meal.

Food

Feed all animals regularly. They not only look for their food at the usual time, but the stomach indicates the want at the stated period. Therefore feed, morning, noon, and evening, as near the same time as possible. Guard against the wide and injurious extremes of satiating with excess and starving with want. should be of a suitable quality, and proportioned to the growth and fattening of animals, to their production in young and milk, and to their labor or exercise. Animals that labor need far more food, and that which is more nutritious, than those that are idle.

Guard all descriptions of stock against cold and exposure, especially against cold storms of rain, sleet and damp snow, and against lying out on the cold ground in cool nights, in the spring and fall.

In a dry time, see that animals have a good supply of pure water. When the fountains are low, they drink the drainings of fountains, streams, and passages of water, which are unwholesome.

If barns and stables are very tight and warm, ventilate in mild weather, even in winter.

In feeding animals on apples or roots, begin with a small quantity and gradually increase it. It would be better to have all changes in food made gradually, when there is a material difference in the nature of the food; as from hay to grass, and the reverse; from much fodder to much grain, and the reverse.-Amer. Veterinarian.