2000. If the consumer, instead of ordering a large supply of coal at once, will at first content himself with a sample, he may, with very little trouble, ascertain who will deal fairly with him; and, if he wisely pays ready money, he will be independent of his coal merchant; a situation which few families, even in genteel life, can boast of.2001. Indeed, we cannot too often repeat the truth, that todeal for ready money only, in all the departments of domestic arrangement, is the truest economy.2002. Ready money will always command the best and cheapest of every article of consumption, if expended with judgment; and the dealer, who intends to act fairly, will always prefer it.2003. Trust not him who seems more anxious to give credit than to receive cash.2004. The former hopes to secure custom by having a hold upon you in his books; and continues always to make up for his advance, either by an advance price, or an inferior article; whilst the latter knows that your custom can only be secured by fair dealing.2005. There is, likewise, another consideration, as far as economy is concerned, which is, not only to buy with ready money, but to buy at proper seasons; for there is with every article a cheap season and a dear one.2006. The master of a family who fills his coal cellar in the middle of the summer, rather than the beginning of the winter, will save one-fourth which it would otherwise cost him; and will be enabled to see December's snows falling without feeling his enjoyment of his fireside lessened by the consideration that the cheerful blaze is supplied at twice the rate that it need have done, if he had exercised more foresight.2007. We must now call to the recollection of our readers that chimneys often smoke, and that coal is often wasted by throwing too much fuel at once upon a fire.2008. To prove this observation, it is only necessary to remove the superfluous coal from the top of the grate, when the smoking instantly ceases.2009. As to the waste, that evidently proceeds from the frequent, intemperate and injudicious use of the poker, which not only throws a great portion of the small coals among thecinders, but often extinguishes the fire it was intended to foster.2010.Economy in Carpets.—In buying a carpet, as in every thing else, those of the best quality are cheapest in the end. As it is extremely desirable that they should look as clean as possible, avoid buying carpet that has any white in it. Even a very small portion of white interspersed through the pattern will in a short time give a dirty appearance to the whole; and certainly no carpet can be worse for use than one with a white ground.2011. A carpet in which all the colors are light, never has a clean, bright effect, from the want of dark tints to contrast and set off the light ones.2012. For a similar reason, carpets whose colors are all of what artists call middle tint (neither dark nor light), cannot fail to look dull and dingy, even when quite new.2013. The caprices of fashion at times bring these ill-colored carpets into vogue; but in apartments where elegance is desirable, they always have a bad effect.2014. For a carpet to be really beautiful and in good taste, there should be, as in a picture, a judicious disposal of light and shadow, with a gradation of very bright and of very dark tints; some almost white, and others almost or quite black.2015.Red Carpets.—The most truly chaste, rich and elegant carpets, are those where the pattern is formed by one color only, but arranged in every variety of shade. For instance, we have seen a Brussels carpet entirely red; the pattern formed by shades or tints, varying from the deepest crimson (almost a black), to the palest pink (almost a white).2016.Green Carpets.—Also one of green only, shaded from the darkest bottle-green, in some parts of the figure, to the lightest pea-green in others.2017.Brown Carpets.—Another, in which there was no color but brown, in all its various gradation, some of theshades being nearly black, others of a light buff. All these carpets had much the look of rich cut velvet.2018.The Curtains, Sofas, &c., of course, were of corresponding colors, and the effect of the whole was noble and elegant.2019. Carpets of many gaudy colors are much less in demand than formerly. Two colors only, with the dark and light shade of each, will make a very handsome carpet.2020. A very light blue ground, with the figure of shaded crimson or purple, looks extremely well; so does a salmon-color or buff ground, with a deep green figure; or a light yellow ground, with a shaded blue figure.2021.Rugs.—If you cannot obtain a hearth-rug that exactly corresponds with the carpet, get one entirely different; for a decided contrast looks better than a bad match.2022. We have seen very handsome hearth-rugs with a rich, black, velvet-looking ground, and the figure of shaded blue, or of various tints of yellow and orange.2023. A carpet decidedly light-colored throughout, has a good effect on the floor, or continues long to look clean.THINGS TO KNOW.2024. Why do candles and lamps "spirt," when rain is at hand?2025. Because the air is filled with vapor, and the humidity penetrates the wick, where (being formed into steam) it expands suddenly, and produces a little explosion.2026. Why does a drop of water sometimes roll along a piece of hot iron without leaving the least trace?2027. Because (when the iron is very hot indeed) the bottom of the drop is turned into vapor, which buoys the drop up, without allowing it to touch the iron.2028. Why does a laundress put a little saliva on a flat-iron, to know if it be hot enough?2029. Because, when the saliva sticks to the box, and is evaporated, she knows it isnotsufficiently hot: but when it runs along the iron, it is.2030. Why is the flat-iron hotter, if the saliva runs along it, than if it adheres till it is evaporated?2031. Because, when the saliva runs along the iron, the heat is sufficient to convert the bottom of the drop into vapor; but if the saliva will not roll, the iron is not sufficiently hot to convert the bottom of the drop into vapor.2032. Why do wet feet or clothes give us "cold"?2033. Because the evaporation absorbs the heat so abundantly from the surface of our body, that its temperature is lowered below its natural standard; in consequence of which health is injured. [This also explains why it is dangerous to sleep in a damp bed.]2034. Why is the health injured when the temperature of the body is reduced below its natural standard?2035. Because the balance of the circulation is destroyed, blood is driven away from the external surface by the chill, and thrown upon the internal organs, which are oppressed by this increased load of blood.2036. Why do not sailors get cold, who are frequently wet all day with sea-water?2037. Because the salt of the sea retards evaporation; and (as the heat of their bodies is drawn off gradually) the sensation of cold is prevented. Also, the salt of the sea acts as a stimulant, and keeps the blood circulating in the skin.2038. What is the cause of snow?2039. When the air is nearly saturated with vapor, and condensed by a current of air below freezing-point, some of the vapor is condensed, and frozen into snow. A few years ago, some fishermen (who wintered at Nova Zembla), after they had been shut up in a hut for several days, opened the window; and the cold external air rushing in, instantly condensedthe air of the hut, and its vapor fell on the floor in a shower of snow.2040. What is the cause of sleet?2041. When flakes of snow (in their descent) pass through a bed of air above freezing point, they partially melt, and fall to the earth as half-melted snow.2042. What is hail?2043. Rain which has passed in its descent through some cold bed of air, and has been frozen into drops of ice.2044. What is rain?2045. The vapor of the clouds or air condensed, and precipitated to the earth.2046. Why are rain-drops sometimes much larger than at other times?2047. When the rain-cloud is floating near the earth, the drops are larger, because such a cloud is much more dense than one more elevated. The size of the rain-drop is also increased according to the rapidity with which the vapors are condensed.2048. Why does the Bible say that God "giveth snow like wool"?2049. Because snow (being a very bad conductor of heat) protects vegetables and seeds from the frost and cold.2050. How does the non-conducting power of snow protect vegetables from the frost and cold?2051. It prevents the heat of the earth from being drawn off by the cold air which rests upon it.2052. Why are woolens and furs used for clothing in cold weather?2053. Because they are very bad conductors of heat, and therefore prevent the warmth of the body from being drawn off by the cold air.2054. Do not woolens and furs actually impart heat to the body?2055. No; they merely prevent the heat of the body from escaping.2056. Where would the heat escape to, if the body were not wrapped in wool or fur?2057. The heat of the body would fly off into the air: for the cold air, coming in contact with our body, would gradually draw away its heat, till it was as cold as the air itself.2058. What then is the principal use of clothing in winter time?2059. To prevent the animal heat from escaping too freely; and to protect the body from the external air (or wind), which would carry away its heat too rapidly.2060. Why are March winds dry?2061. Because they generally blow from the east or north-east, and therefore sweep over the continent of America.2062. What is the use of March winds?2063. They dry the soil (which is saturated by the floods of February), break up the heavy clods, and fit the land for the seeds which are committed to it.2064. Why is it said that "March comes in like a lion?"2065. Because it comes in with blustering east winds, so essential to dry the soil, which would otherwise rot the seed committed to it.2066. Why does "March go out like a lamb?"2067. Because the water, evaporated by the high winds, falls again in showers to fertilize the earth, and breaks the violence of the winds.2068. Why is it said that "March flowers make no summer bowers?"2069. Because, if the spring be very mild, vegetation gets too forward, and is pinched by the nightly frosts, so as to produce neither fruits nor flowers.2070. Why is it said that "April showers bring May flowers?"2071. Because April showers supply the principal nourishment on which the seeds depend for their development.2072. Why does a polished metal teapot make better tea than a black earthen one?2073. As polished metal is a very bad radiator of heat, it keeps the water hot much longer; and the hotter the water is, the better it draws the tea.2074. Why will not a dull black teapot make good tea?2075. Because the heat of the water flies off so quickly, through the dull black surface of the teapot, that the water is very rapidly cooled, and cannot "draw" the tea.2076. Do not pensioners, and aged cottagers, generally prefer the black earthen teapot to the bright metal one?2077. Yes, because they set it on the hob to "draw;" in which case, the little black teapot will make the best tea.2078. Why will a black teapot make a better tea than a bright metal one, if it is set on the hob to draw?2079. Because the black teapot will absorb heat plentifully from the fire, and keep the water hot; whereas a bright metal teapot (set upon the hob) would throw off the heat by reflection.2080. Then sometimes a black earthen teapot is the best, and sometimes a bright metal one?2081. Yes; when the teapot is set on the hob to "draw," the black earth is the best, because it absorbs heat; but when the teapot is not set on the hob the bright metal is the best, because it radiates heat very slowly, and therefore keeps the water hot.2082. Why does a saucepan which has been used boil in a shorter time than a new one?2083. Because the bottom and back are covered with soot, and the black soot rapidly absorbs the heat of the glowing coals.2084. Why should the front and lid of a saucepan be clean and bright?2085. As they do not come in contact with the fire, they cannot absorb heat, and (being bright) they will not suffer the heat to escape by radiation.2086. Why should not the bottom and back of a kettle be cleaned and polished?2087. Because they come in contact with the fire, and (while they are covered with black soot) absorb heat freely from the burning coals.2088. Why are dinner-covers made of bright tin or silver?2089. Because light-colored and highly-polished metal is a very bad radiator of heat; and, therefore, bright tin or silver will not allow the heat of the cooked food to escape through the cover by radiation.2090. Why should a meat-cover be very brightly polished?2091. If the cover be dull or scratched, it will absorb heat from the food; and instead of keeping it hot, it will make it cold.2092. Why should a silver meat-cover be plain, and not chased?2093. Because, if the cover be chased, it will absorb heat from the food; and instead of making it hot, will make it cold.2094. What is the smoke of a candle?2095. Solid particles of carbon, separated from the wick and tallow, but not consumed.2096. Why are some particles consumed and not others?2097. The combustion of the carbon depends upon its combining with the oxygen of the air. Now, as the outer surface of the flame prevents the access of air to the interior parts, much of the carbon of those parts passes off in smoke.2098. Why do lamps smoke?2099. Either because the wick is cut unevenly, or else because it is turned up too high.2100. Why does a lamp smoke, when the wick is cut unevenly?2101. Because the points of the jagged edge (being very easily separated from the wick) load the flame with more carbon than it can consume; and as the heat of the flame is greatly diminished by these little bits of wicks, it is unable to consume even the usual quantity of smoke. The same applies when the wick is turned up too high.2102. Why does a lamp-glass diminish the smoke of a wick?2103. Because it increases the supply of oxygen to the flame, by producing a draught; and it concentrates and reflects the heat of the flame; in consequence of which the combustion of the carbon is more perfect, and very little escapes unconsumed.2104.Hints about Making Butter(Seepage 287).—Milk should never be set for butter in a dark, damp cellar—as in the case with butter-makers in this section—as the cream is thereby moulded before it has had time to rise, which gives the butter a mouldy taste.2105. The milk is allowed to stand too long before being skimmed, which gives it a cheesy taste.2106. The cream is kept too long before it is churned, after it is skimmed, which gives it the taste of the other two; and also a sour taste.2107. The butter should never be washed in water, because it takes away that beautiful aroma so essential in good butter.2108. It should never be taken in a person's warm hands, as the heat melts a certain portion of the globules, which gives it an oily taste, and makes it become rancid very soon.2109. The milk should be set in good clean tin or earthen pans, in a dry, open, airy and shady place, above ground, if possible, although a cellar may be so built, and ventilated, as to answer the purpose.2110. It should never be set over twenty-four hours in warmweather; and for a dairy of three cows or over, the cream should be churned every morning, and never be kept over forty-eight hours, in warm weather; in cold weather it may be kept longer.CLEANLINESS.2111. The want of cleanliness is a fault which admits of no excuse. Where water can be had for nothing, it is surely in the power of every person to be clean.2112. The discharge from our bodies, by perspiration, renders frequent changes of apparel necessary.2113. Change of apparel greatly promotes the secretion from the skin, so necessary to health.2114. When that matter which ought to be carried off by perspiration is either retained in the body, or reabsorbed by dirty clothes, it is apt to occasion fevers and other diseases.2115. Most diseases of the skin proceed from want of cleanliness. These indeed may be caught by infection, but they will seldom continue long where cleanliness prevails.2116. To the same cause must we impute the various kinds of vermin that infest the human body, houses, &c. These may generally be banished by cleanliness alone.2117. Perhaps the intention of Nature, in permitting such vermin to annoy mankind, is to induce them to the practice of this virtue.2118. One common cause of putrid and malignant fevers is the want of cleanliness.2119. These fevers commonly begin among the inhabitants of close, dirty houses, who breathe bad air, take little exercise, use unwholesome food, and wear dirty clothes. There the infection is generally hatched, which spreads far and wideto the destruction of many. Hence cleanliness may be considered as an object of the public attention.2120. It is not sufficient that I be clean myself, while the want of it in my neighbor affects my health as well as his own.2121. If dirty people cannot be removed as a common nuisance, they ought at least to be avoided as infectious. All who regard their health, should keep at a distance, even from their habitations.2122. In places where great numbers of people are collected, cleanliness becomes of the utmost importance.2123. It is well known, that infectious diseases are caused by tainted air. Every thing, therefore, which tends to pollute the air, or spread the infection, ought with the utmost care to be avoided.2124. For this reason, in great towns, no filth of any kind should be permitted to lie upon the streets. We are sorry to say, that the importance of general cleanliness does by no means seem to be sufficiently understood.2125. It were well if the lower classes of the inhabitants of the United States would imitate the Dutch, in the cleanliness of their streets, houses, &c.2126. Water, indeed, is easily obtained in Holland; but the situation of most towns in the United States is more favorable to cleanliness.2127. Nothing can be more agreeable to the senses, more to the honor of the inhabitants, or conducive to their health, than a clean town; nor does any thing impress a stranger sooner with a disrespectful idea of any people than its opposite.2128. It is remarkable, that, in most eastern countries, cleanliness makes a great part of their religion. The Mahometan, as well as the Jewish religion, enjoins various bathings, washings, and purifications.2129. No doubt these were designed to represent inward purity; but they are at the same time calculated for the preservation of health.2130. However whimsical these washings may appear to some, few things would appear more to prevent diseases than a proper attention to many of them.2131. Were every person, for example, after handling a dead body, visiting the sick, &c., to wash and to change his clothes before he went into company, or sat down to meat, he would run less hazard either of catching the infection himself, or communicating it to others.2132. Frequent washing not only removes the filth which adheres to the skin, but likewise promotes the perspiration, braces the body, and enlivens the spirits.2133. Even washing the feet tends greatly to preserve health. The sweat and dirt with which these parts are frequently covered, cannot fail to obstruct their perspiration. This piece of cleanliness would often prevent colds and fevers.2134. Were people to bathe their feet and hands in warm water at night, after being exposed to cold or wet through the day, they would seldom experience any of the fatal effects which often proceed from these causes.2135. In places where great numbers of sick people are kept, cleanliness ought most religiously to be observed. The very smell in such places is often sufficient to make one sick. It is easy to imagine what effect that is likely to have upon the disease.2136. A person in health has a greater chance to become sick, than a sick person has to get well, in an hospital or infirmary where cleanliness is neglected.2137. The brutes themselves set us an example of cleanliness. Most of them seem uneasy, and thrive ill, if they be not kept clean.2138. A horse that is kept thoroughly clean, will thrive better on a smaller quantity of food, than with a greater, where cleanliness is neglected.2139. Even our own feelings are sufficient proof of the necessity of cleanliness. How refreshed, how cheerful and agreeable does one feel on being shaved, washed and dressed; especially when these have been long neglected.2140. Most people esteem cleanliness; and even those who do not practice it themselves, often admire it in others.2141. Superior cleanliness sooner attracts our regard than even finery itself, and often gains esteem where the other fails.2142. A clean, fresh, and well-ordered house exercises over its inmates a moral no less than a physical influence, and has a direct tendency to make the members of a family sober, peaceable, and considerate of the feelings and happiness of each other; nor is it difficult to trace a connection between habitual feeling of this sort and the formation of habits of respect for property, for the laws in general, and even for those higher duties and obligations the observance of which no laws can enforce.PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS.2143. The following regulations should be engraved on the memories of all:—2144. As most sudden deaths come by water, particular caution is therefore necessary in its vicinity.2145. Stand not near a tree, or any leaden spout, iron gate, or palisade, in time of lightning.2146. Lay loaded guns in safe places, and never imitate firing a gun in jest.2147. Never sleep near charcoal; if drowsy at any work where charcoal fires are used, take the fresh air.2148. Carefully rope trees before they are cut down, that when they fall they may do no injury.2149. When benumbed with cold, beware of sleeping out of doors; rub yourself, if you have it in your power, with snow, and do not hastily approach the fire.2150. Beware of damps.2151. Air vaults, by letting them remain open some time before you enter, or scattering powdered lime in them.2152. Where a lighted candle will not burn, animal life can not exist; it will be an excellent caution, therefore, before entering damp and confined places, to try this simple experiment.2153. Never leave saddle or draught horses, while in use, by themselves, nor go immediately behind a led horse as he is apt to kick.2154. Ride not on foot-ways.2155. Be wary of children, whether they are up or in bed; and particularly when they are near the fire, an element with which they are very apt to amuse themselves.2156. Leave nothing poisonous open or accessible; and never omit to write the word "Poison" in large letters upon it, wherever it may be placed.2157. In walking the streets, keep out of the line of the cellars; and never look one way and walk another.2158. Never throw pieces of orange-peel, or broken glass bottles, into the streets.2159. Never meddle with gunpowder by candle-light.2160. In trimming a lamp with naphtha, never fill it. Leave space for the spirit to expand with warmth.2161. Never quit a room, leaving the poker in the fire.2162. When the brass rod of the stair-carpet becomes loose, fasten it immediately.2163. In opening effervescing drinks, such as soda-water, hold the cork in your hand.2164. Quit your house with care on a frosty morning.2165. Have your horses' shoes roughed directly there are indications of frost.2166. Keep lucifer matches in their cases, and never let them be strewed about.ADDITIONAL DOMESTIC HINTS.2167.Easy method of Breaking Glass to any required Figure.—Make a small notch by means of a file on the edge of a piece of glass, then make the end of a tobacco-pipe, or of a rod of iron of the same size, red hot in the fire, apply the hot iron to the notch, and draw it slowly along the surface of the glass in any direction you please: a crack will follow the direction of the iron.2168.Cleansing of Furniture.—The cleaning of furniture forms an important part of domestic economy, not only in regard to neatness, but also in point of expense.2169. The readiest mode indeed consists in good manual rubbing, or the "essence of elbows," as it is whimsically termed; but our finest cabinet-work requires something more, where brilliancy of polish is of importance.2170.China and Glass Ware.—For the best way of cleaning, see page31.2171. Much of the red now used in China is actually produced by theanottoextracted from the cuttings of scarletcloth, which have long formed an article of exportation to Canton.2172. It ought to be taken for granted that all china or glassware is well tempered; yet a little careful attention may not be misplaced, even on that point.2173. Ornamental china or glassware are not exposed to the action of hot water in common domestic use.2174. It will be proper never to apply water to them beyond a tepid temperature.2175. An ingenious and simple mode of annealing glass has been some time in use by chemists. It consists in immersing the vessel in cold water, gradually heated to the boiling point, and suffered to remain till cold, when it will be fit for use.2176. Soap and labor may be saved by dissolving alum and chalk in bran-water, in which the linen ought to be boiled, then well rinsed out, and exposed to the usual process of bleaching.2177. Soap may be disused, or nearly so, in the getting up of muslins and chintzes, which should always be treated agreeably to the oriental manner; that is to wash them in plain water, and then boil them in congee or rice-water: after which they ought not to be submitted to the operation of the smoothing iron, but rubbed smooth with a polished stone.2178. The economy which must result from these processes renders their consideration important to every private family, in addition to which we must state that the improvements in philosophy extend to the laundry as well as to the wash-house.AGRICULTURE—MORE HINTS.(SEE PAGES198AND264.)2179.Small Farms.—Never have more land in culture than can bewell cultivated.2180.Be a Farmer, not a mere earth-scraper, lazily scratching up sufficient earth to destroy the face of the soil, and throw seed away, or you will always have to scratch hard for a living. But make your farm a source of pride, and it will surely become a source of profit. Make the object to be not to havemany, butrichacres.2181.Turnip Flymay be expelled by the use of fish-oil, one or two gallons to the acre.2182.Bone Dust.—An English proverb says, "One ton of bone-dust saves the importation of ten tons of grain."2183.Corn.—Sprinkling with salt and water will check the weevil. Of all the grains, corn is the most valuable, taking into view quantity and price. Soaking the seed in a solution of saltpetre keeps off the worm, and largely increases the crop.2184.Ryeis more thrifty on soil of a dry, sandy, or gravely texture, if well manured, and winters best when sown early.2185.Lime, as manure for wheat, is of great importance Use about three bushels to the acre.2186.Fields.—As a general rule, with but few exceptions, square large fields are more advantageous than small irregular ones, requiring less fence, and being more easily watered, manured, plowed, and harvested.2187.Musty Grainis made sweet by putting it in boiling water, (double the quantity of grain), letting it cool in the water, and then drying it well. Skim the water.2188.A Single Weedmay draw out the nourishment that would have given fullness to half-a-dozen ears. To be free from taxes is far less important than to be free from weeds.2189.Fences.—Around each post hill the earth, to carry off the water, andcharthe end a few inches above the surface. Cedar fences last about 15 years, which should lead owners to inquire where the fences are to come from hereafter.2190.Manure.—Every farmer can double the quantity of his domestic or yard manure, with scarcely any additional expense. At least fifty per cent. of the nutritive properties of yard manure are lost by drenching of rains, excessive fermentation, and injurious application to soil.2191.Plow deep.—Let a farmer examine the extent and depth to which the roots of grain, in a loose and favorable soil, will spread, and he will cease to wonder at the failure of a crop where the subsoil has never been stirred by the plow.2192.Green vegetables, when put under the soil and submitted to the process of decomposition, are efficacious in restoring exhausted soils.2193.Fertilizing.—Buckwheat and clover are striking instances of this power in green crops to fertilize soils, and both have been extensively used for this purpose.2194.Agricultureis worthy the most liberal patronage of our governments, state and national; it ought to be enlightened by a better (and thorough) education of the agricultural class.2195.Three Pillars of the State.—Agriculture, manufactures, commerce, stand together; but they stand together like pillars in a cluster, the largest in the centre, and that largest is agriculture.2196.The Civilizer.—Let us never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. Man, without the cultivation of the earth, is in all countries a savage. When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.2197.Independence of Farmers.—We live in a country of small farms; a country, in which men cultivate with their own hands, their own fee-simple acres; drawing not only their subsistence, but also their spirit of independence, and manly freedom from the ground they plow.2198.The Glory of Agriculture.—"The task of workingimprovements on the earth is much more delightful than all the vain glory which can be acquired by ravaging it with the most uninterrupted career of conquests."—Washington.CATTLE.(SEE PAGE289.)2199.—Treat Domestic Animals kindly and tenderly.—Domestic animals of all kinds from a horse down to a chicken, should be treated with gentleness and mildness; men or boys who are rash and bad-tempered, ought not to be permitted to have charge of them or to interfere with their management. Animals that are kept in constant fear of suffering never thrive well, and they often become vicious and intractable by unkind and cruel treatment.2200.Keep Stock in good condition.—An animal may be kept short of food in the latter part of the fall or first of winter, at a small saving of food but at a loss in the condition of the animal.2201.Stables and Food.—Provide comfortable sheds and stables. Remember that awant of comfort is always a waste of flesh. Give a sufficiency of food and drink, with great regularity. A meal ten minutes later than the usual time, causes the animal to fret, and fretting lessens flesh.2202.Drink and Litter.—Most animals will drink several times a day, and should therefore have it as often as they want it. They should have plenty of clean litter as often as needed. With such management, there will be an almost incredible saving of food.Tight Stablesshould always be ventilated. The breath and manure from animals always causes impure air.2203.Oxen.—Being well-mated, oxen are more easily trained; and the more easily to effect this, much self-denial on the part of the driver, much coolness of temper, more training by motion and less by voice, may be highly advantageous to man and beast.2204.To Select.—Adopt the practice of selecting bestlambs every year, for stock. In a few years you have first-rate sheep. The same course will produce the same effects in every kind of animal.2205.Hogs.—Food.—If pumpkins, roots, apples, or any of them be fed to fattening hogs with corn, the advantage will be salutary. Most of the food for swine should be cooked. Swine fatten much faster on fermented, than on unfermented food. Salt, charcoal, and once in a while sulphur, are excellent for hogs under all circumstances.Good Medicine.—When your hogs get sick, you know not of what, give them ears of corn, first dipped in tar, and then rolled in sulphur.2206.Bees.—(Seep. 176).—Every farmer should keep bees; a few swarms to furnish honey for his own use, if no more. They toil with unremitting industry, asking but a full sweep of the wing, and no monopoly. Every man, in either town or country, can keep bees to advantage.2207.Care of Bees in Winter.—A cold, dry, dark room, is the best winter-quarters for bees. They will consume less honey than if left on their summer stands, and will not be weakened by the loss of thousands, which, tempted out by the premature warmth, are caught by the cold winds, fall to the ground, and never rise again.2208. "Never kill a bee."—The smoke of thefungus maximus, or common puff ball, when dried so as to hold fire, has a stupefying effect on the bees, and renders them as harmless as brimstone does, without any of its deadly effects.2209.Mignonette, Sweet.—Is especially mentioned as easily cultivated by drills in a garden, and is one of the finest and richest flowers in the world from which the honey-bee can extract its food.2210.Horses.—Seepage 199.2211.To cure Scratches on a Horse.—Wash the legs with warm strong soap-suds, and then with beef brine. Two applications will cure the worst case.2212.Bite of a Spider.—Catnip bruised and applied to the wound, is said to be a cure for the bite of a spider.2213.To preserve a Granary from Insects and Weasels.—Make the floor of Lombardy poplars.2214.To prevent the Creaking of a Door.—Rub a bit of soap on the hinges.2215.Sulphuris valuable in preserving grapes, plants, &c., from insects.2216.Saltis really necessary to horses, cattle, and sheep, and they should be supplied with it at regular stated intervals throughout all seasons of the year.2217.Manure, on a wet soil, produces but half its effect; and gypsum, that grand stimulant of dry soils, on a wet one is useless.2218.Hen-Houseshould be warm in winter, well-ventilated, white-washed, and kept clean. For the floor, useslakedlime, fine gravel or ashes, or burnt oyster shells. (Seepage 200.)2219.A single dozenfowls, properly attended, will furnish a family with more than 2,000 eggs in a year, and 100 full-grown chickens for fall and winter stores.2220.Expense.—The expense of feeding the dozen fowls will not amount to 18 bushels of Indian corn. They may be kept in cities as well as in the country, and will do as well shut up the year round as to run at large, with proper care.2221.A Fact.—Eggs the nearest to roundness produce females, and those pointed at one end always produce males.2222.For Fattening.—BoiledIndian, wheat and barley, is better than oats, rye, or buckwheat. One-third is gained byboiling.2223.Eggs, little boiled or poached, in small quantity, convey much nourishment; the yolk only should be eaten by invalids.2224.Salt for Poultry.—Salt is good for water-fowls, but death to land fowls and birds.2225.Salt for Pigeons.—Pigeons are fond of salt, and it keeps them in health. Lay a large heap of clay near the house, and let the salt-brine that may be done with in the family be poured upon it.2226.To Fatten Fowls in a short time.—Mix together ground rice well scalded with milk, and add some coarse sugar. Feed them with this in the day-time, but not too much at once; let it be pretty thick.2227.Pork cured.—Soon as cool enough to cut, and before it freezes, pack a clean cask full, with plenty of salt on all sides of each piece. Fill up with water, taking care, by means of a large stone, to keep the pork under the pickle, and covered from flies, in a cellar. Never boil pickle.2228.Pork Feeding.—It is a well-ascertained fact, that more meat will be made on half the weight of corn, if ground and made into mush instead of being fed whole.2229.In Smoking Hams, &c., be careful not to have the fire too high, or the smoke-house top tight. It is best done in an upper story, to which the smoke is conveyed in tubes, from oak or maple chips in the cellar. (Seep. 324.)2230.Hollow Horn.—Where supposed to exist, feed half-peck potatoes twice a week, and treat your cattle kindly in food and shelter.2231.Sheepmust be fed well, kept dry, have salt often, and pure air, and be grazed in hilly stony pastures.2232.Cows.—Those who wish their cows to give large messes of milk in the winter season, should give them warm drink. The extra trouble will be more than repaid in the increased quantity of milk. (Seepp. 285-6.)2233.Wild Onionmay be destroyed by cultivating corn, plowing and leaving the field in its plowed state all winter.2234.Remember.—The great rule in relation to animals holds perfect in its application to vegetables; breed only from the best animals;defects and imperfections have always a tendency to propagate themselves, and are always, in a greater or less degree, transmitted.2235.Wheatshoots strongest when there is an interval between the time of plowing and sowing, butbarleyis most vegetative when sown immediately after the plow.2236.Grease Wheels.—Fifty parts, by weight, of pulverized black lead, 50 of lard, 50 of soap, and 5 of quicksilver. Rub the lard and mercury first together, then the lead and soap. If well mixed, it is invaluable.2237.Plants, when drooping, are revived by a few grains of camphor.2238.Flowersbeginning to fade, can be restored by putting the stems in scalding water.2239.Bacon Hams in Summer.—Pack in a barrel, in clean dry ashes or charcoal; head up the barrel and put it where it is dry, and as cool as possible.2240.Timbercut in the spring and exposed to the weatherwith the bark on, decays much sooner than thatcut in the fall.2241.In Feedingwith corn, 60 lbs. ground goes as far as 100 lbs. in the kernel.2242.Apples.—Experiments show apples to be equal to potatoes to improve hogs, and decidedly profitable for fattening cattle.2243.Pearsare greatly improved by grafting on the mountain ash.2244.Ratsand other vermin are kept away from grain by a sprinkling of garlic when packing the sheaves.2245.Wet Land.—Money skillfully expended in drying land, by draining or otherwise, will be returned with ample interest.2246.Grass.—Sweet and nutritious grass gives a richness and flavor to milk, attainable from no other source.2247.Curing Fodder.—Bundles may be so placed around centre-poles as to form a hollow-stack, having a foundation of brush, sticks, &c., admitting a circulation of air that will thoroughly cure fodder in the shade.2248.Turnipsof small size have double the nutritious matter that large ones have.2249.Ruta Bagais the only root that increases in nutritious qualities as it increases in size.2250.In transplantingtrees, the hole should not be proportioned to the extent of the rootsas they are, but to their extent as theymay beandshould be.2251.Toadsare the very best protection of cabbages against lice.2252.Peach Treesare protected from hard winters by covering the roots a foot deep with straw, inJanuary, after the ground has become thoroughly frozen, which keeps the frost in the ground, and so prevents the sap from starting until the Spring is fairly opened.2253.Save your Fire Wood.—Mr. Madison, in his Notes of Agriculture, says, "Of all the errors in our rural economy, none perhaps is to be so much regretted, because none so difficult to be repaired, as the excessive and injudicious destruction of fire-wood."2254.Sorrelmay be killed out by lime, while ashes have no effect on it.2255.ShumacorSumac, a poisonous shrub or plant, which grows wild in abundance, and frequently where nothing elsewill, is used for dyeing in England, at the rate of thirteen thousand tons per annum. It might be made a source of profit to our farmers.GARDENING(SEE PAGE291.)2256.Kitchen Garden.—This is one of the most important parts of general domestic economy, whenever the situation of a house will permit a family to avail themselves of its assistance, in aid of butcher's bills.2257. It is, indeed, much to be regretted that small plots of ground, in the immediate vicinity of the metropolis more especially, are too often frittered away into shrubberies and baby gardens, when they might more usefully be employed in raising vegetables for the family, during the week-day residence in town, than wasting their sweetness on the smoky air in all the pride of lilac, hollyhock, and bachelors' buttons, to be merely smelled to, by the whole immigrating household on the day of rest.2258. With a little care and attention, a kitchen-garden, though small, might be rendered not only useful, but in fact, as ornamental as a modern grass carpet; and the same expense incurred to make the ground a labyrinth of sweets, might suffice to render it agreeable to the palate, as well as to the olfactory nerves, and that even without offending the most delicate optics.2259. It is only in accordance with our plan to give the hint, and to record such novel points as may facilitate the proposed arrangement.2260. It is one objection to the adoption of a kitchen garden in front of the dwelling, or in sight of the family apartments, that its very nature makes it rather an eye-sore than otherwise at all seasons.2261. This, however, is an objection that may be readily got over by a little attention to neatness and good order, whilst the plants themselves, if judiciously attended to, andthe borders sown or planted with ranunculus, polyanthus, mignionette, &c., in succession, will really be ornamental.2262. But then, in cutting the plants for use, the business must be done neatly, all useless leaves cleared from the ground, the roots no longer wanted taken up, and the ravages of insects to be guarded against by sedulous extirpation. It will also be found a great improvement, where space will admit of it, to surround the beds with neat espaliers, with fruit trees, or even gooseberry and currant bushes trained along them, instead of these being suffered to grow in a state of ragged wildness.DRYING HERBS.2263. Fresh herbs are preferable to dried ones, but as they cannot always be obtained, it is most important to dry herbs at the proper seasons:—2264.Basilis in a fit state for drying about the middle of August.2265.Burretin June, July, and August.2266.Chervilin May, June, and July.2267.Elder Flowersin May, June, and July.2268.Fennelin May, June, and July.2269.Knotted Marjoramduring July.2270.Lemon Thymeend of July, and through August.2271.Mintend of June and July.2272.Orange FlowersMay, June, and July.2273.Orange Thyme(a delicious herb), June and July.2274.ParsleyMay, June, and July.2275.Sage, August and September.2276.Summer Savory, end of July and August.2277.Tarragon, June, July, and August.2278.Thyme, end of July and August.2279.Winter Savory, end of July and August.2280. These herbs always at hand will be a great aid to the cook.2281. Herbs should be gathered on a dry day; they should be immediately well cleansed, and dried by the heat of a stove, or Dutch oven.2282. The leaves should then be picked off, pounded and sifted, and put away for use.PROPERTIES AND USES OF VEGETABLES.2283.Parsleyis very cooling and softening.2284.Catnipis a warm herb, of a diaphoretic or sweating nature.2285.Pennyroyalis much the same, only more powerful. It retains a very powerful pungent oil.2286.Spearmintis pungent and hot, but of an astringent nature.2287.Calamintis much the same, but not so strong.2288.Hoarhoundis very strengthening to the lungs, and is somewhat of a pectoral. It is excellent in a cough, or stopage in the stomach.2289.Everlasting, orIndian Posey, is a very balsamicherb—healing and cooling, and excellent in salves or ointment.2290.Johnswortis much the same.2291.Pea Balmis a cooling and sweating herb, and is good in fevers and inflammations.2292.Chamomileis a great restorative to the lungs, and promotes perspiration. It is good in salves and ointments to take away swellings.2293.Mayweedis of a pectoral nature, and is good for a pain in the side.2294.Garden Coltsfootis a great restorative to the lungs, and is good in syrups for coughs.2295.Melilotis good in salves and ointments for swellings and inflammations. It is mollifying and cooling.2296.Sageis the greatest restorative to human nature of any herb that grows.2297.Bloodrootis a very powerful emetic or purge: steeped in spirits, it will serve for an emetic; and boiled in fair water it serves as a purge.2298.Mandrakeroot is an excellent physic, dried and pounded.2299.CumfreyandSpikenardare so well known that they need no describing.
2000. If the consumer, instead of ordering a large supply of coal at once, will at first content himself with a sample, he may, with very little trouble, ascertain who will deal fairly with him; and, if he wisely pays ready money, he will be independent of his coal merchant; a situation which few families, even in genteel life, can boast of.2001. Indeed, we cannot too often repeat the truth, that todeal for ready money only, in all the departments of domestic arrangement, is the truest economy.2002. Ready money will always command the best and cheapest of every article of consumption, if expended with judgment; and the dealer, who intends to act fairly, will always prefer it.2003. Trust not him who seems more anxious to give credit than to receive cash.2004. The former hopes to secure custom by having a hold upon you in his books; and continues always to make up for his advance, either by an advance price, or an inferior article; whilst the latter knows that your custom can only be secured by fair dealing.2005. There is, likewise, another consideration, as far as economy is concerned, which is, not only to buy with ready money, but to buy at proper seasons; for there is with every article a cheap season and a dear one.2006. The master of a family who fills his coal cellar in the middle of the summer, rather than the beginning of the winter, will save one-fourth which it would otherwise cost him; and will be enabled to see December's snows falling without feeling his enjoyment of his fireside lessened by the consideration that the cheerful blaze is supplied at twice the rate that it need have done, if he had exercised more foresight.2007. We must now call to the recollection of our readers that chimneys often smoke, and that coal is often wasted by throwing too much fuel at once upon a fire.2008. To prove this observation, it is only necessary to remove the superfluous coal from the top of the grate, when the smoking instantly ceases.2009. As to the waste, that evidently proceeds from the frequent, intemperate and injudicious use of the poker, which not only throws a great portion of the small coals among thecinders, but often extinguishes the fire it was intended to foster.2010.Economy in Carpets.—In buying a carpet, as in every thing else, those of the best quality are cheapest in the end. As it is extremely desirable that they should look as clean as possible, avoid buying carpet that has any white in it. Even a very small portion of white interspersed through the pattern will in a short time give a dirty appearance to the whole; and certainly no carpet can be worse for use than one with a white ground.2011. A carpet in which all the colors are light, never has a clean, bright effect, from the want of dark tints to contrast and set off the light ones.2012. For a similar reason, carpets whose colors are all of what artists call middle tint (neither dark nor light), cannot fail to look dull and dingy, even when quite new.2013. The caprices of fashion at times bring these ill-colored carpets into vogue; but in apartments where elegance is desirable, they always have a bad effect.2014. For a carpet to be really beautiful and in good taste, there should be, as in a picture, a judicious disposal of light and shadow, with a gradation of very bright and of very dark tints; some almost white, and others almost or quite black.2015.Red Carpets.—The most truly chaste, rich and elegant carpets, are those where the pattern is formed by one color only, but arranged in every variety of shade. For instance, we have seen a Brussels carpet entirely red; the pattern formed by shades or tints, varying from the deepest crimson (almost a black), to the palest pink (almost a white).2016.Green Carpets.—Also one of green only, shaded from the darkest bottle-green, in some parts of the figure, to the lightest pea-green in others.2017.Brown Carpets.—Another, in which there was no color but brown, in all its various gradation, some of theshades being nearly black, others of a light buff. All these carpets had much the look of rich cut velvet.2018.The Curtains, Sofas, &c., of course, were of corresponding colors, and the effect of the whole was noble and elegant.2019. Carpets of many gaudy colors are much less in demand than formerly. Two colors only, with the dark and light shade of each, will make a very handsome carpet.2020. A very light blue ground, with the figure of shaded crimson or purple, looks extremely well; so does a salmon-color or buff ground, with a deep green figure; or a light yellow ground, with a shaded blue figure.2021.Rugs.—If you cannot obtain a hearth-rug that exactly corresponds with the carpet, get one entirely different; for a decided contrast looks better than a bad match.2022. We have seen very handsome hearth-rugs with a rich, black, velvet-looking ground, and the figure of shaded blue, or of various tints of yellow and orange.2023. A carpet decidedly light-colored throughout, has a good effect on the floor, or continues long to look clean.THINGS TO KNOW.2024. Why do candles and lamps "spirt," when rain is at hand?2025. Because the air is filled with vapor, and the humidity penetrates the wick, where (being formed into steam) it expands suddenly, and produces a little explosion.2026. Why does a drop of water sometimes roll along a piece of hot iron without leaving the least trace?2027. Because (when the iron is very hot indeed) the bottom of the drop is turned into vapor, which buoys the drop up, without allowing it to touch the iron.2028. Why does a laundress put a little saliva on a flat-iron, to know if it be hot enough?2029. Because, when the saliva sticks to the box, and is evaporated, she knows it isnotsufficiently hot: but when it runs along the iron, it is.2030. Why is the flat-iron hotter, if the saliva runs along it, than if it adheres till it is evaporated?2031. Because, when the saliva runs along the iron, the heat is sufficient to convert the bottom of the drop into vapor; but if the saliva will not roll, the iron is not sufficiently hot to convert the bottom of the drop into vapor.2032. Why do wet feet or clothes give us "cold"?2033. Because the evaporation absorbs the heat so abundantly from the surface of our body, that its temperature is lowered below its natural standard; in consequence of which health is injured. [This also explains why it is dangerous to sleep in a damp bed.]2034. Why is the health injured when the temperature of the body is reduced below its natural standard?2035. Because the balance of the circulation is destroyed, blood is driven away from the external surface by the chill, and thrown upon the internal organs, which are oppressed by this increased load of blood.2036. Why do not sailors get cold, who are frequently wet all day with sea-water?2037. Because the salt of the sea retards evaporation; and (as the heat of their bodies is drawn off gradually) the sensation of cold is prevented. Also, the salt of the sea acts as a stimulant, and keeps the blood circulating in the skin.2038. What is the cause of snow?2039. When the air is nearly saturated with vapor, and condensed by a current of air below freezing-point, some of the vapor is condensed, and frozen into snow. A few years ago, some fishermen (who wintered at Nova Zembla), after they had been shut up in a hut for several days, opened the window; and the cold external air rushing in, instantly condensedthe air of the hut, and its vapor fell on the floor in a shower of snow.2040. What is the cause of sleet?2041. When flakes of snow (in their descent) pass through a bed of air above freezing point, they partially melt, and fall to the earth as half-melted snow.2042. What is hail?2043. Rain which has passed in its descent through some cold bed of air, and has been frozen into drops of ice.2044. What is rain?2045. The vapor of the clouds or air condensed, and precipitated to the earth.2046. Why are rain-drops sometimes much larger than at other times?2047. When the rain-cloud is floating near the earth, the drops are larger, because such a cloud is much more dense than one more elevated. The size of the rain-drop is also increased according to the rapidity with which the vapors are condensed.2048. Why does the Bible say that God "giveth snow like wool"?2049. Because snow (being a very bad conductor of heat) protects vegetables and seeds from the frost and cold.2050. How does the non-conducting power of snow protect vegetables from the frost and cold?2051. It prevents the heat of the earth from being drawn off by the cold air which rests upon it.2052. Why are woolens and furs used for clothing in cold weather?2053. Because they are very bad conductors of heat, and therefore prevent the warmth of the body from being drawn off by the cold air.2054. Do not woolens and furs actually impart heat to the body?2055. No; they merely prevent the heat of the body from escaping.2056. Where would the heat escape to, if the body were not wrapped in wool or fur?2057. The heat of the body would fly off into the air: for the cold air, coming in contact with our body, would gradually draw away its heat, till it was as cold as the air itself.2058. What then is the principal use of clothing in winter time?2059. To prevent the animal heat from escaping too freely; and to protect the body from the external air (or wind), which would carry away its heat too rapidly.2060. Why are March winds dry?2061. Because they generally blow from the east or north-east, and therefore sweep over the continent of America.2062. What is the use of March winds?2063. They dry the soil (which is saturated by the floods of February), break up the heavy clods, and fit the land for the seeds which are committed to it.2064. Why is it said that "March comes in like a lion?"2065. Because it comes in with blustering east winds, so essential to dry the soil, which would otherwise rot the seed committed to it.2066. Why does "March go out like a lamb?"2067. Because the water, evaporated by the high winds, falls again in showers to fertilize the earth, and breaks the violence of the winds.2068. Why is it said that "March flowers make no summer bowers?"2069. Because, if the spring be very mild, vegetation gets too forward, and is pinched by the nightly frosts, so as to produce neither fruits nor flowers.2070. Why is it said that "April showers bring May flowers?"2071. Because April showers supply the principal nourishment on which the seeds depend for their development.2072. Why does a polished metal teapot make better tea than a black earthen one?2073. As polished metal is a very bad radiator of heat, it keeps the water hot much longer; and the hotter the water is, the better it draws the tea.2074. Why will not a dull black teapot make good tea?2075. Because the heat of the water flies off so quickly, through the dull black surface of the teapot, that the water is very rapidly cooled, and cannot "draw" the tea.2076. Do not pensioners, and aged cottagers, generally prefer the black earthen teapot to the bright metal one?2077. Yes, because they set it on the hob to "draw;" in which case, the little black teapot will make the best tea.2078. Why will a black teapot make a better tea than a bright metal one, if it is set on the hob to draw?2079. Because the black teapot will absorb heat plentifully from the fire, and keep the water hot; whereas a bright metal teapot (set upon the hob) would throw off the heat by reflection.2080. Then sometimes a black earthen teapot is the best, and sometimes a bright metal one?2081. Yes; when the teapot is set on the hob to "draw," the black earth is the best, because it absorbs heat; but when the teapot is not set on the hob the bright metal is the best, because it radiates heat very slowly, and therefore keeps the water hot.2082. Why does a saucepan which has been used boil in a shorter time than a new one?2083. Because the bottom and back are covered with soot, and the black soot rapidly absorbs the heat of the glowing coals.2084. Why should the front and lid of a saucepan be clean and bright?2085. As they do not come in contact with the fire, they cannot absorb heat, and (being bright) they will not suffer the heat to escape by radiation.2086. Why should not the bottom and back of a kettle be cleaned and polished?2087. Because they come in contact with the fire, and (while they are covered with black soot) absorb heat freely from the burning coals.2088. Why are dinner-covers made of bright tin or silver?2089. Because light-colored and highly-polished metal is a very bad radiator of heat; and, therefore, bright tin or silver will not allow the heat of the cooked food to escape through the cover by radiation.2090. Why should a meat-cover be very brightly polished?2091. If the cover be dull or scratched, it will absorb heat from the food; and instead of keeping it hot, it will make it cold.2092. Why should a silver meat-cover be plain, and not chased?2093. Because, if the cover be chased, it will absorb heat from the food; and instead of making it hot, will make it cold.2094. What is the smoke of a candle?2095. Solid particles of carbon, separated from the wick and tallow, but not consumed.2096. Why are some particles consumed and not others?2097. The combustion of the carbon depends upon its combining with the oxygen of the air. Now, as the outer surface of the flame prevents the access of air to the interior parts, much of the carbon of those parts passes off in smoke.2098. Why do lamps smoke?2099. Either because the wick is cut unevenly, or else because it is turned up too high.
2000. If the consumer, instead of ordering a large supply of coal at once, will at first content himself with a sample, he may, with very little trouble, ascertain who will deal fairly with him; and, if he wisely pays ready money, he will be independent of his coal merchant; a situation which few families, even in genteel life, can boast of.
2001. Indeed, we cannot too often repeat the truth, that todeal for ready money only, in all the departments of domestic arrangement, is the truest economy.
2002. Ready money will always command the best and cheapest of every article of consumption, if expended with judgment; and the dealer, who intends to act fairly, will always prefer it.
2003. Trust not him who seems more anxious to give credit than to receive cash.
2004. The former hopes to secure custom by having a hold upon you in his books; and continues always to make up for his advance, either by an advance price, or an inferior article; whilst the latter knows that your custom can only be secured by fair dealing.
2005. There is, likewise, another consideration, as far as economy is concerned, which is, not only to buy with ready money, but to buy at proper seasons; for there is with every article a cheap season and a dear one.
2006. The master of a family who fills his coal cellar in the middle of the summer, rather than the beginning of the winter, will save one-fourth which it would otherwise cost him; and will be enabled to see December's snows falling without feeling his enjoyment of his fireside lessened by the consideration that the cheerful blaze is supplied at twice the rate that it need have done, if he had exercised more foresight.
2007. We must now call to the recollection of our readers that chimneys often smoke, and that coal is often wasted by throwing too much fuel at once upon a fire.
2008. To prove this observation, it is only necessary to remove the superfluous coal from the top of the grate, when the smoking instantly ceases.
2009. As to the waste, that evidently proceeds from the frequent, intemperate and injudicious use of the poker, which not only throws a great portion of the small coals among thecinders, but often extinguishes the fire it was intended to foster.
2010.Economy in Carpets.—In buying a carpet, as in every thing else, those of the best quality are cheapest in the end. As it is extremely desirable that they should look as clean as possible, avoid buying carpet that has any white in it. Even a very small portion of white interspersed through the pattern will in a short time give a dirty appearance to the whole; and certainly no carpet can be worse for use than one with a white ground.
2011. A carpet in which all the colors are light, never has a clean, bright effect, from the want of dark tints to contrast and set off the light ones.
2012. For a similar reason, carpets whose colors are all of what artists call middle tint (neither dark nor light), cannot fail to look dull and dingy, even when quite new.
2013. The caprices of fashion at times bring these ill-colored carpets into vogue; but in apartments where elegance is desirable, they always have a bad effect.
2014. For a carpet to be really beautiful and in good taste, there should be, as in a picture, a judicious disposal of light and shadow, with a gradation of very bright and of very dark tints; some almost white, and others almost or quite black.
2015.Red Carpets.—The most truly chaste, rich and elegant carpets, are those where the pattern is formed by one color only, but arranged in every variety of shade. For instance, we have seen a Brussels carpet entirely red; the pattern formed by shades or tints, varying from the deepest crimson (almost a black), to the palest pink (almost a white).
2016.Green Carpets.—Also one of green only, shaded from the darkest bottle-green, in some parts of the figure, to the lightest pea-green in others.
2017.Brown Carpets.—Another, in which there was no color but brown, in all its various gradation, some of theshades being nearly black, others of a light buff. All these carpets had much the look of rich cut velvet.
2018.The Curtains, Sofas, &c., of course, were of corresponding colors, and the effect of the whole was noble and elegant.
2019. Carpets of many gaudy colors are much less in demand than formerly. Two colors only, with the dark and light shade of each, will make a very handsome carpet.
2020. A very light blue ground, with the figure of shaded crimson or purple, looks extremely well; so does a salmon-color or buff ground, with a deep green figure; or a light yellow ground, with a shaded blue figure.
2021.Rugs.—If you cannot obtain a hearth-rug that exactly corresponds with the carpet, get one entirely different; for a decided contrast looks better than a bad match.
2022. We have seen very handsome hearth-rugs with a rich, black, velvet-looking ground, and the figure of shaded blue, or of various tints of yellow and orange.
2023. A carpet decidedly light-colored throughout, has a good effect on the floor, or continues long to look clean.
2024. Why do candles and lamps "spirt," when rain is at hand?
2025. Because the air is filled with vapor, and the humidity penetrates the wick, where (being formed into steam) it expands suddenly, and produces a little explosion.
2026. Why does a drop of water sometimes roll along a piece of hot iron without leaving the least trace?
2027. Because (when the iron is very hot indeed) the bottom of the drop is turned into vapor, which buoys the drop up, without allowing it to touch the iron.
2028. Why does a laundress put a little saliva on a flat-iron, to know if it be hot enough?
2029. Because, when the saliva sticks to the box, and is evaporated, she knows it isnotsufficiently hot: but when it runs along the iron, it is.
2030. Why is the flat-iron hotter, if the saliva runs along it, than if it adheres till it is evaporated?
2031. Because, when the saliva runs along the iron, the heat is sufficient to convert the bottom of the drop into vapor; but if the saliva will not roll, the iron is not sufficiently hot to convert the bottom of the drop into vapor.
2032. Why do wet feet or clothes give us "cold"?
2033. Because the evaporation absorbs the heat so abundantly from the surface of our body, that its temperature is lowered below its natural standard; in consequence of which health is injured. [This also explains why it is dangerous to sleep in a damp bed.]
2034. Why is the health injured when the temperature of the body is reduced below its natural standard?
2035. Because the balance of the circulation is destroyed, blood is driven away from the external surface by the chill, and thrown upon the internal organs, which are oppressed by this increased load of blood.
2036. Why do not sailors get cold, who are frequently wet all day with sea-water?
2037. Because the salt of the sea retards evaporation; and (as the heat of their bodies is drawn off gradually) the sensation of cold is prevented. Also, the salt of the sea acts as a stimulant, and keeps the blood circulating in the skin.
2038. What is the cause of snow?
2039. When the air is nearly saturated with vapor, and condensed by a current of air below freezing-point, some of the vapor is condensed, and frozen into snow. A few years ago, some fishermen (who wintered at Nova Zembla), after they had been shut up in a hut for several days, opened the window; and the cold external air rushing in, instantly condensedthe air of the hut, and its vapor fell on the floor in a shower of snow.
2040. What is the cause of sleet?
2041. When flakes of snow (in their descent) pass through a bed of air above freezing point, they partially melt, and fall to the earth as half-melted snow.
2042. What is hail?
2043. Rain which has passed in its descent through some cold bed of air, and has been frozen into drops of ice.
2044. What is rain?
2045. The vapor of the clouds or air condensed, and precipitated to the earth.
2046. Why are rain-drops sometimes much larger than at other times?
2047. When the rain-cloud is floating near the earth, the drops are larger, because such a cloud is much more dense than one more elevated. The size of the rain-drop is also increased according to the rapidity with which the vapors are condensed.
2048. Why does the Bible say that God "giveth snow like wool"?
2049. Because snow (being a very bad conductor of heat) protects vegetables and seeds from the frost and cold.
2050. How does the non-conducting power of snow protect vegetables from the frost and cold?
2051. It prevents the heat of the earth from being drawn off by the cold air which rests upon it.
2052. Why are woolens and furs used for clothing in cold weather?
2053. Because they are very bad conductors of heat, and therefore prevent the warmth of the body from being drawn off by the cold air.
2054. Do not woolens and furs actually impart heat to the body?
2055. No; they merely prevent the heat of the body from escaping.
2056. Where would the heat escape to, if the body were not wrapped in wool or fur?
2057. The heat of the body would fly off into the air: for the cold air, coming in contact with our body, would gradually draw away its heat, till it was as cold as the air itself.
2058. What then is the principal use of clothing in winter time?
2059. To prevent the animal heat from escaping too freely; and to protect the body from the external air (or wind), which would carry away its heat too rapidly.
2060. Why are March winds dry?
2061. Because they generally blow from the east or north-east, and therefore sweep over the continent of America.
2062. What is the use of March winds?
2063. They dry the soil (which is saturated by the floods of February), break up the heavy clods, and fit the land for the seeds which are committed to it.
2064. Why is it said that "March comes in like a lion?"
2065. Because it comes in with blustering east winds, so essential to dry the soil, which would otherwise rot the seed committed to it.
2066. Why does "March go out like a lamb?"
2067. Because the water, evaporated by the high winds, falls again in showers to fertilize the earth, and breaks the violence of the winds.
2068. Why is it said that "March flowers make no summer bowers?"
2069. Because, if the spring be very mild, vegetation gets too forward, and is pinched by the nightly frosts, so as to produce neither fruits nor flowers.
2070. Why is it said that "April showers bring May flowers?"
2071. Because April showers supply the principal nourishment on which the seeds depend for their development.
2072. Why does a polished metal teapot make better tea than a black earthen one?
2073. As polished metal is a very bad radiator of heat, it keeps the water hot much longer; and the hotter the water is, the better it draws the tea.
2074. Why will not a dull black teapot make good tea?
2075. Because the heat of the water flies off so quickly, through the dull black surface of the teapot, that the water is very rapidly cooled, and cannot "draw" the tea.
2076. Do not pensioners, and aged cottagers, generally prefer the black earthen teapot to the bright metal one?
2077. Yes, because they set it on the hob to "draw;" in which case, the little black teapot will make the best tea.
2078. Why will a black teapot make a better tea than a bright metal one, if it is set on the hob to draw?
2079. Because the black teapot will absorb heat plentifully from the fire, and keep the water hot; whereas a bright metal teapot (set upon the hob) would throw off the heat by reflection.
2080. Then sometimes a black earthen teapot is the best, and sometimes a bright metal one?
2081. Yes; when the teapot is set on the hob to "draw," the black earth is the best, because it absorbs heat; but when the teapot is not set on the hob the bright metal is the best, because it radiates heat very slowly, and therefore keeps the water hot.
2082. Why does a saucepan which has been used boil in a shorter time than a new one?
2083. Because the bottom and back are covered with soot, and the black soot rapidly absorbs the heat of the glowing coals.
2084. Why should the front and lid of a saucepan be clean and bright?
2085. As they do not come in contact with the fire, they cannot absorb heat, and (being bright) they will not suffer the heat to escape by radiation.
2086. Why should not the bottom and back of a kettle be cleaned and polished?
2087. Because they come in contact with the fire, and (while they are covered with black soot) absorb heat freely from the burning coals.
2088. Why are dinner-covers made of bright tin or silver?
2089. Because light-colored and highly-polished metal is a very bad radiator of heat; and, therefore, bright tin or silver will not allow the heat of the cooked food to escape through the cover by radiation.
2090. Why should a meat-cover be very brightly polished?
2091. If the cover be dull or scratched, it will absorb heat from the food; and instead of keeping it hot, it will make it cold.
2092. Why should a silver meat-cover be plain, and not chased?
2093. Because, if the cover be chased, it will absorb heat from the food; and instead of making it hot, will make it cold.
2094. What is the smoke of a candle?
2095. Solid particles of carbon, separated from the wick and tallow, but not consumed.
2096. Why are some particles consumed and not others?
2097. The combustion of the carbon depends upon its combining with the oxygen of the air. Now, as the outer surface of the flame prevents the access of air to the interior parts, much of the carbon of those parts passes off in smoke.
2098. Why do lamps smoke?
2099. Either because the wick is cut unevenly, or else because it is turned up too high.
2100. Why does a lamp smoke, when the wick is cut unevenly?2101. Because the points of the jagged edge (being very easily separated from the wick) load the flame with more carbon than it can consume; and as the heat of the flame is greatly diminished by these little bits of wicks, it is unable to consume even the usual quantity of smoke. The same applies when the wick is turned up too high.2102. Why does a lamp-glass diminish the smoke of a wick?2103. Because it increases the supply of oxygen to the flame, by producing a draught; and it concentrates and reflects the heat of the flame; in consequence of which the combustion of the carbon is more perfect, and very little escapes unconsumed.2104.Hints about Making Butter(Seepage 287).—Milk should never be set for butter in a dark, damp cellar—as in the case with butter-makers in this section—as the cream is thereby moulded before it has had time to rise, which gives the butter a mouldy taste.2105. The milk is allowed to stand too long before being skimmed, which gives it a cheesy taste.2106. The cream is kept too long before it is churned, after it is skimmed, which gives it the taste of the other two; and also a sour taste.2107. The butter should never be washed in water, because it takes away that beautiful aroma so essential in good butter.2108. It should never be taken in a person's warm hands, as the heat melts a certain portion of the globules, which gives it an oily taste, and makes it become rancid very soon.2109. The milk should be set in good clean tin or earthen pans, in a dry, open, airy and shady place, above ground, if possible, although a cellar may be so built, and ventilated, as to answer the purpose.2110. It should never be set over twenty-four hours in warmweather; and for a dairy of three cows or over, the cream should be churned every morning, and never be kept over forty-eight hours, in warm weather; in cold weather it may be kept longer.CLEANLINESS.2111. The want of cleanliness is a fault which admits of no excuse. Where water can be had for nothing, it is surely in the power of every person to be clean.2112. The discharge from our bodies, by perspiration, renders frequent changes of apparel necessary.2113. Change of apparel greatly promotes the secretion from the skin, so necessary to health.2114. When that matter which ought to be carried off by perspiration is either retained in the body, or reabsorbed by dirty clothes, it is apt to occasion fevers and other diseases.2115. Most diseases of the skin proceed from want of cleanliness. These indeed may be caught by infection, but they will seldom continue long where cleanliness prevails.2116. To the same cause must we impute the various kinds of vermin that infest the human body, houses, &c. These may generally be banished by cleanliness alone.2117. Perhaps the intention of Nature, in permitting such vermin to annoy mankind, is to induce them to the practice of this virtue.2118. One common cause of putrid and malignant fevers is the want of cleanliness.2119. These fevers commonly begin among the inhabitants of close, dirty houses, who breathe bad air, take little exercise, use unwholesome food, and wear dirty clothes. There the infection is generally hatched, which spreads far and wideto the destruction of many. Hence cleanliness may be considered as an object of the public attention.2120. It is not sufficient that I be clean myself, while the want of it in my neighbor affects my health as well as his own.2121. If dirty people cannot be removed as a common nuisance, they ought at least to be avoided as infectious. All who regard their health, should keep at a distance, even from their habitations.2122. In places where great numbers of people are collected, cleanliness becomes of the utmost importance.2123. It is well known, that infectious diseases are caused by tainted air. Every thing, therefore, which tends to pollute the air, or spread the infection, ought with the utmost care to be avoided.2124. For this reason, in great towns, no filth of any kind should be permitted to lie upon the streets. We are sorry to say, that the importance of general cleanliness does by no means seem to be sufficiently understood.2125. It were well if the lower classes of the inhabitants of the United States would imitate the Dutch, in the cleanliness of their streets, houses, &c.2126. Water, indeed, is easily obtained in Holland; but the situation of most towns in the United States is more favorable to cleanliness.2127. Nothing can be more agreeable to the senses, more to the honor of the inhabitants, or conducive to their health, than a clean town; nor does any thing impress a stranger sooner with a disrespectful idea of any people than its opposite.2128. It is remarkable, that, in most eastern countries, cleanliness makes a great part of their religion. The Mahometan, as well as the Jewish religion, enjoins various bathings, washings, and purifications.2129. No doubt these were designed to represent inward purity; but they are at the same time calculated for the preservation of health.2130. However whimsical these washings may appear to some, few things would appear more to prevent diseases than a proper attention to many of them.2131. Were every person, for example, after handling a dead body, visiting the sick, &c., to wash and to change his clothes before he went into company, or sat down to meat, he would run less hazard either of catching the infection himself, or communicating it to others.2132. Frequent washing not only removes the filth which adheres to the skin, but likewise promotes the perspiration, braces the body, and enlivens the spirits.2133. Even washing the feet tends greatly to preserve health. The sweat and dirt with which these parts are frequently covered, cannot fail to obstruct their perspiration. This piece of cleanliness would often prevent colds and fevers.2134. Were people to bathe their feet and hands in warm water at night, after being exposed to cold or wet through the day, they would seldom experience any of the fatal effects which often proceed from these causes.2135. In places where great numbers of sick people are kept, cleanliness ought most religiously to be observed. The very smell in such places is often sufficient to make one sick. It is easy to imagine what effect that is likely to have upon the disease.2136. A person in health has a greater chance to become sick, than a sick person has to get well, in an hospital or infirmary where cleanliness is neglected.2137. The brutes themselves set us an example of cleanliness. Most of them seem uneasy, and thrive ill, if they be not kept clean.2138. A horse that is kept thoroughly clean, will thrive better on a smaller quantity of food, than with a greater, where cleanliness is neglected.2139. Even our own feelings are sufficient proof of the necessity of cleanliness. How refreshed, how cheerful and agreeable does one feel on being shaved, washed and dressed; especially when these have been long neglected.2140. Most people esteem cleanliness; and even those who do not practice it themselves, often admire it in others.2141. Superior cleanliness sooner attracts our regard than even finery itself, and often gains esteem where the other fails.2142. A clean, fresh, and well-ordered house exercises over its inmates a moral no less than a physical influence, and has a direct tendency to make the members of a family sober, peaceable, and considerate of the feelings and happiness of each other; nor is it difficult to trace a connection between habitual feeling of this sort and the formation of habits of respect for property, for the laws in general, and even for those higher duties and obligations the observance of which no laws can enforce.PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS.2143. The following regulations should be engraved on the memories of all:—2144. As most sudden deaths come by water, particular caution is therefore necessary in its vicinity.2145. Stand not near a tree, or any leaden spout, iron gate, or palisade, in time of lightning.2146. Lay loaded guns in safe places, and never imitate firing a gun in jest.2147. Never sleep near charcoal; if drowsy at any work where charcoal fires are used, take the fresh air.2148. Carefully rope trees before they are cut down, that when they fall they may do no injury.2149. When benumbed with cold, beware of sleeping out of doors; rub yourself, if you have it in your power, with snow, and do not hastily approach the fire.2150. Beware of damps.2151. Air vaults, by letting them remain open some time before you enter, or scattering powdered lime in them.2152. Where a lighted candle will not burn, animal life can not exist; it will be an excellent caution, therefore, before entering damp and confined places, to try this simple experiment.2153. Never leave saddle or draught horses, while in use, by themselves, nor go immediately behind a led horse as he is apt to kick.2154. Ride not on foot-ways.2155. Be wary of children, whether they are up or in bed; and particularly when they are near the fire, an element with which they are very apt to amuse themselves.2156. Leave nothing poisonous open or accessible; and never omit to write the word "Poison" in large letters upon it, wherever it may be placed.2157. In walking the streets, keep out of the line of the cellars; and never look one way and walk another.2158. Never throw pieces of orange-peel, or broken glass bottles, into the streets.2159. Never meddle with gunpowder by candle-light.2160. In trimming a lamp with naphtha, never fill it. Leave space for the spirit to expand with warmth.2161. Never quit a room, leaving the poker in the fire.2162. When the brass rod of the stair-carpet becomes loose, fasten it immediately.2163. In opening effervescing drinks, such as soda-water, hold the cork in your hand.2164. Quit your house with care on a frosty morning.2165. Have your horses' shoes roughed directly there are indications of frost.2166. Keep lucifer matches in their cases, and never let them be strewed about.ADDITIONAL DOMESTIC HINTS.2167.Easy method of Breaking Glass to any required Figure.—Make a small notch by means of a file on the edge of a piece of glass, then make the end of a tobacco-pipe, or of a rod of iron of the same size, red hot in the fire, apply the hot iron to the notch, and draw it slowly along the surface of the glass in any direction you please: a crack will follow the direction of the iron.2168.Cleansing of Furniture.—The cleaning of furniture forms an important part of domestic economy, not only in regard to neatness, but also in point of expense.2169. The readiest mode indeed consists in good manual rubbing, or the "essence of elbows," as it is whimsically termed; but our finest cabinet-work requires something more, where brilliancy of polish is of importance.2170.China and Glass Ware.—For the best way of cleaning, see page31.2171. Much of the red now used in China is actually produced by theanottoextracted from the cuttings of scarletcloth, which have long formed an article of exportation to Canton.2172. It ought to be taken for granted that all china or glassware is well tempered; yet a little careful attention may not be misplaced, even on that point.2173. Ornamental china or glassware are not exposed to the action of hot water in common domestic use.2174. It will be proper never to apply water to them beyond a tepid temperature.2175. An ingenious and simple mode of annealing glass has been some time in use by chemists. It consists in immersing the vessel in cold water, gradually heated to the boiling point, and suffered to remain till cold, when it will be fit for use.2176. Soap and labor may be saved by dissolving alum and chalk in bran-water, in which the linen ought to be boiled, then well rinsed out, and exposed to the usual process of bleaching.2177. Soap may be disused, or nearly so, in the getting up of muslins and chintzes, which should always be treated agreeably to the oriental manner; that is to wash them in plain water, and then boil them in congee or rice-water: after which they ought not to be submitted to the operation of the smoothing iron, but rubbed smooth with a polished stone.2178. The economy which must result from these processes renders their consideration important to every private family, in addition to which we must state that the improvements in philosophy extend to the laundry as well as to the wash-house.AGRICULTURE—MORE HINTS.(SEE PAGES198AND264.)2179.Small Farms.—Never have more land in culture than can bewell cultivated.2180.Be a Farmer, not a mere earth-scraper, lazily scratching up sufficient earth to destroy the face of the soil, and throw seed away, or you will always have to scratch hard for a living. But make your farm a source of pride, and it will surely become a source of profit. Make the object to be not to havemany, butrichacres.2181.Turnip Flymay be expelled by the use of fish-oil, one or two gallons to the acre.2182.Bone Dust.—An English proverb says, "One ton of bone-dust saves the importation of ten tons of grain."2183.Corn.—Sprinkling with salt and water will check the weevil. Of all the grains, corn is the most valuable, taking into view quantity and price. Soaking the seed in a solution of saltpetre keeps off the worm, and largely increases the crop.2184.Ryeis more thrifty on soil of a dry, sandy, or gravely texture, if well manured, and winters best when sown early.2185.Lime, as manure for wheat, is of great importance Use about three bushels to the acre.2186.Fields.—As a general rule, with but few exceptions, square large fields are more advantageous than small irregular ones, requiring less fence, and being more easily watered, manured, plowed, and harvested.2187.Musty Grainis made sweet by putting it in boiling water, (double the quantity of grain), letting it cool in the water, and then drying it well. Skim the water.2188.A Single Weedmay draw out the nourishment that would have given fullness to half-a-dozen ears. To be free from taxes is far less important than to be free from weeds.2189.Fences.—Around each post hill the earth, to carry off the water, andcharthe end a few inches above the surface. Cedar fences last about 15 years, which should lead owners to inquire where the fences are to come from hereafter.2190.Manure.—Every farmer can double the quantity of his domestic or yard manure, with scarcely any additional expense. At least fifty per cent. of the nutritive properties of yard manure are lost by drenching of rains, excessive fermentation, and injurious application to soil.2191.Plow deep.—Let a farmer examine the extent and depth to which the roots of grain, in a loose and favorable soil, will spread, and he will cease to wonder at the failure of a crop where the subsoil has never been stirred by the plow.2192.Green vegetables, when put under the soil and submitted to the process of decomposition, are efficacious in restoring exhausted soils.2193.Fertilizing.—Buckwheat and clover are striking instances of this power in green crops to fertilize soils, and both have been extensively used for this purpose.2194.Agricultureis worthy the most liberal patronage of our governments, state and national; it ought to be enlightened by a better (and thorough) education of the agricultural class.2195.Three Pillars of the State.—Agriculture, manufactures, commerce, stand together; but they stand together like pillars in a cluster, the largest in the centre, and that largest is agriculture.2196.The Civilizer.—Let us never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. Man, without the cultivation of the earth, is in all countries a savage. When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.2197.Independence of Farmers.—We live in a country of small farms; a country, in which men cultivate with their own hands, their own fee-simple acres; drawing not only their subsistence, but also their spirit of independence, and manly freedom from the ground they plow.2198.The Glory of Agriculture.—"The task of workingimprovements on the earth is much more delightful than all the vain glory which can be acquired by ravaging it with the most uninterrupted career of conquests."—Washington.CATTLE.(SEE PAGE289.)2199.—Treat Domestic Animals kindly and tenderly.—Domestic animals of all kinds from a horse down to a chicken, should be treated with gentleness and mildness; men or boys who are rash and bad-tempered, ought not to be permitted to have charge of them or to interfere with their management. Animals that are kept in constant fear of suffering never thrive well, and they often become vicious and intractable by unkind and cruel treatment.
2100. Why does a lamp smoke, when the wick is cut unevenly?
2101. Because the points of the jagged edge (being very easily separated from the wick) load the flame with more carbon than it can consume; and as the heat of the flame is greatly diminished by these little bits of wicks, it is unable to consume even the usual quantity of smoke. The same applies when the wick is turned up too high.
2102. Why does a lamp-glass diminish the smoke of a wick?
2103. Because it increases the supply of oxygen to the flame, by producing a draught; and it concentrates and reflects the heat of the flame; in consequence of which the combustion of the carbon is more perfect, and very little escapes unconsumed.
2104.Hints about Making Butter(Seepage 287).—Milk should never be set for butter in a dark, damp cellar—as in the case with butter-makers in this section—as the cream is thereby moulded before it has had time to rise, which gives the butter a mouldy taste.
2105. The milk is allowed to stand too long before being skimmed, which gives it a cheesy taste.
2106. The cream is kept too long before it is churned, after it is skimmed, which gives it the taste of the other two; and also a sour taste.
2107. The butter should never be washed in water, because it takes away that beautiful aroma so essential in good butter.
2108. It should never be taken in a person's warm hands, as the heat melts a certain portion of the globules, which gives it an oily taste, and makes it become rancid very soon.
2109. The milk should be set in good clean tin or earthen pans, in a dry, open, airy and shady place, above ground, if possible, although a cellar may be so built, and ventilated, as to answer the purpose.
2110. It should never be set over twenty-four hours in warmweather; and for a dairy of three cows or over, the cream should be churned every morning, and never be kept over forty-eight hours, in warm weather; in cold weather it may be kept longer.
2111. The want of cleanliness is a fault which admits of no excuse. Where water can be had for nothing, it is surely in the power of every person to be clean.
2112. The discharge from our bodies, by perspiration, renders frequent changes of apparel necessary.
2113. Change of apparel greatly promotes the secretion from the skin, so necessary to health.
2114. When that matter which ought to be carried off by perspiration is either retained in the body, or reabsorbed by dirty clothes, it is apt to occasion fevers and other diseases.
2115. Most diseases of the skin proceed from want of cleanliness. These indeed may be caught by infection, but they will seldom continue long where cleanliness prevails.
2116. To the same cause must we impute the various kinds of vermin that infest the human body, houses, &c. These may generally be banished by cleanliness alone.
2117. Perhaps the intention of Nature, in permitting such vermin to annoy mankind, is to induce them to the practice of this virtue.
2118. One common cause of putrid and malignant fevers is the want of cleanliness.
2119. These fevers commonly begin among the inhabitants of close, dirty houses, who breathe bad air, take little exercise, use unwholesome food, and wear dirty clothes. There the infection is generally hatched, which spreads far and wideto the destruction of many. Hence cleanliness may be considered as an object of the public attention.
2120. It is not sufficient that I be clean myself, while the want of it in my neighbor affects my health as well as his own.
2121. If dirty people cannot be removed as a common nuisance, they ought at least to be avoided as infectious. All who regard their health, should keep at a distance, even from their habitations.
2122. In places where great numbers of people are collected, cleanliness becomes of the utmost importance.
2123. It is well known, that infectious diseases are caused by tainted air. Every thing, therefore, which tends to pollute the air, or spread the infection, ought with the utmost care to be avoided.
2124. For this reason, in great towns, no filth of any kind should be permitted to lie upon the streets. We are sorry to say, that the importance of general cleanliness does by no means seem to be sufficiently understood.
2125. It were well if the lower classes of the inhabitants of the United States would imitate the Dutch, in the cleanliness of their streets, houses, &c.
2126. Water, indeed, is easily obtained in Holland; but the situation of most towns in the United States is more favorable to cleanliness.
2127. Nothing can be more agreeable to the senses, more to the honor of the inhabitants, or conducive to their health, than a clean town; nor does any thing impress a stranger sooner with a disrespectful idea of any people than its opposite.
2128. It is remarkable, that, in most eastern countries, cleanliness makes a great part of their religion. The Mahometan, as well as the Jewish religion, enjoins various bathings, washings, and purifications.
2129. No doubt these were designed to represent inward purity; but they are at the same time calculated for the preservation of health.
2130. However whimsical these washings may appear to some, few things would appear more to prevent diseases than a proper attention to many of them.
2131. Were every person, for example, after handling a dead body, visiting the sick, &c., to wash and to change his clothes before he went into company, or sat down to meat, he would run less hazard either of catching the infection himself, or communicating it to others.
2132. Frequent washing not only removes the filth which adheres to the skin, but likewise promotes the perspiration, braces the body, and enlivens the spirits.
2133. Even washing the feet tends greatly to preserve health. The sweat and dirt with which these parts are frequently covered, cannot fail to obstruct their perspiration. This piece of cleanliness would often prevent colds and fevers.
2134. Were people to bathe their feet and hands in warm water at night, after being exposed to cold or wet through the day, they would seldom experience any of the fatal effects which often proceed from these causes.
2135. In places where great numbers of sick people are kept, cleanliness ought most religiously to be observed. The very smell in such places is often sufficient to make one sick. It is easy to imagine what effect that is likely to have upon the disease.
2136. A person in health has a greater chance to become sick, than a sick person has to get well, in an hospital or infirmary where cleanliness is neglected.
2137. The brutes themselves set us an example of cleanliness. Most of them seem uneasy, and thrive ill, if they be not kept clean.
2138. A horse that is kept thoroughly clean, will thrive better on a smaller quantity of food, than with a greater, where cleanliness is neglected.
2139. Even our own feelings are sufficient proof of the necessity of cleanliness. How refreshed, how cheerful and agreeable does one feel on being shaved, washed and dressed; especially when these have been long neglected.
2140. Most people esteem cleanliness; and even those who do not practice it themselves, often admire it in others.
2141. Superior cleanliness sooner attracts our regard than even finery itself, and often gains esteem where the other fails.
2142. A clean, fresh, and well-ordered house exercises over its inmates a moral no less than a physical influence, and has a direct tendency to make the members of a family sober, peaceable, and considerate of the feelings and happiness of each other; nor is it difficult to trace a connection between habitual feeling of this sort and the formation of habits of respect for property, for the laws in general, and even for those higher duties and obligations the observance of which no laws can enforce.
2143. The following regulations should be engraved on the memories of all:—
2144. As most sudden deaths come by water, particular caution is therefore necessary in its vicinity.
2145. Stand not near a tree, or any leaden spout, iron gate, or palisade, in time of lightning.
2146. Lay loaded guns in safe places, and never imitate firing a gun in jest.
2147. Never sleep near charcoal; if drowsy at any work where charcoal fires are used, take the fresh air.
2148. Carefully rope trees before they are cut down, that when they fall they may do no injury.
2149. When benumbed with cold, beware of sleeping out of doors; rub yourself, if you have it in your power, with snow, and do not hastily approach the fire.
2150. Beware of damps.
2151. Air vaults, by letting them remain open some time before you enter, or scattering powdered lime in them.
2152. Where a lighted candle will not burn, animal life can not exist; it will be an excellent caution, therefore, before entering damp and confined places, to try this simple experiment.
2153. Never leave saddle or draught horses, while in use, by themselves, nor go immediately behind a led horse as he is apt to kick.
2154. Ride not on foot-ways.
2155. Be wary of children, whether they are up or in bed; and particularly when they are near the fire, an element with which they are very apt to amuse themselves.
2156. Leave nothing poisonous open or accessible; and never omit to write the word "Poison" in large letters upon it, wherever it may be placed.
2157. In walking the streets, keep out of the line of the cellars; and never look one way and walk another.
2158. Never throw pieces of orange-peel, or broken glass bottles, into the streets.
2159. Never meddle with gunpowder by candle-light.
2160. In trimming a lamp with naphtha, never fill it. Leave space for the spirit to expand with warmth.
2161. Never quit a room, leaving the poker in the fire.
2162. When the brass rod of the stair-carpet becomes loose, fasten it immediately.
2163. In opening effervescing drinks, such as soda-water, hold the cork in your hand.
2164. Quit your house with care on a frosty morning.
2165. Have your horses' shoes roughed directly there are indications of frost.
2166. Keep lucifer matches in their cases, and never let them be strewed about.
2167.Easy method of Breaking Glass to any required Figure.—Make a small notch by means of a file on the edge of a piece of glass, then make the end of a tobacco-pipe, or of a rod of iron of the same size, red hot in the fire, apply the hot iron to the notch, and draw it slowly along the surface of the glass in any direction you please: a crack will follow the direction of the iron.
2168.Cleansing of Furniture.—The cleaning of furniture forms an important part of domestic economy, not only in regard to neatness, but also in point of expense.
2169. The readiest mode indeed consists in good manual rubbing, or the "essence of elbows," as it is whimsically termed; but our finest cabinet-work requires something more, where brilliancy of polish is of importance.
2170.China and Glass Ware.—For the best way of cleaning, see page31.
2171. Much of the red now used in China is actually produced by theanottoextracted from the cuttings of scarletcloth, which have long formed an article of exportation to Canton.
2172. It ought to be taken for granted that all china or glassware is well tempered; yet a little careful attention may not be misplaced, even on that point.
2173. Ornamental china or glassware are not exposed to the action of hot water in common domestic use.
2174. It will be proper never to apply water to them beyond a tepid temperature.
2175. An ingenious and simple mode of annealing glass has been some time in use by chemists. It consists in immersing the vessel in cold water, gradually heated to the boiling point, and suffered to remain till cold, when it will be fit for use.
2176. Soap and labor may be saved by dissolving alum and chalk in bran-water, in which the linen ought to be boiled, then well rinsed out, and exposed to the usual process of bleaching.
2177. Soap may be disused, or nearly so, in the getting up of muslins and chintzes, which should always be treated agreeably to the oriental manner; that is to wash them in plain water, and then boil them in congee or rice-water: after which they ought not to be submitted to the operation of the smoothing iron, but rubbed smooth with a polished stone.
2178. The economy which must result from these processes renders their consideration important to every private family, in addition to which we must state that the improvements in philosophy extend to the laundry as well as to the wash-house.
2179.Small Farms.—Never have more land in culture than can bewell cultivated.
2180.Be a Farmer, not a mere earth-scraper, lazily scratching up sufficient earth to destroy the face of the soil, and throw seed away, or you will always have to scratch hard for a living. But make your farm a source of pride, and it will surely become a source of profit. Make the object to be not to havemany, butrichacres.
2181.Turnip Flymay be expelled by the use of fish-oil, one or two gallons to the acre.
2182.Bone Dust.—An English proverb says, "One ton of bone-dust saves the importation of ten tons of grain."
2183.Corn.—Sprinkling with salt and water will check the weevil. Of all the grains, corn is the most valuable, taking into view quantity and price. Soaking the seed in a solution of saltpetre keeps off the worm, and largely increases the crop.
2184.Ryeis more thrifty on soil of a dry, sandy, or gravely texture, if well manured, and winters best when sown early.
2185.Lime, as manure for wheat, is of great importance Use about three bushels to the acre.
2186.Fields.—As a general rule, with but few exceptions, square large fields are more advantageous than small irregular ones, requiring less fence, and being more easily watered, manured, plowed, and harvested.
2187.Musty Grainis made sweet by putting it in boiling water, (double the quantity of grain), letting it cool in the water, and then drying it well. Skim the water.
2188.A Single Weedmay draw out the nourishment that would have given fullness to half-a-dozen ears. To be free from taxes is far less important than to be free from weeds.
2189.Fences.—Around each post hill the earth, to carry off the water, andcharthe end a few inches above the surface. Cedar fences last about 15 years, which should lead owners to inquire where the fences are to come from hereafter.
2190.Manure.—Every farmer can double the quantity of his domestic or yard manure, with scarcely any additional expense. At least fifty per cent. of the nutritive properties of yard manure are lost by drenching of rains, excessive fermentation, and injurious application to soil.
2191.Plow deep.—Let a farmer examine the extent and depth to which the roots of grain, in a loose and favorable soil, will spread, and he will cease to wonder at the failure of a crop where the subsoil has never been stirred by the plow.
2192.Green vegetables, when put under the soil and submitted to the process of decomposition, are efficacious in restoring exhausted soils.
2193.Fertilizing.—Buckwheat and clover are striking instances of this power in green crops to fertilize soils, and both have been extensively used for this purpose.
2194.Agricultureis worthy the most liberal patronage of our governments, state and national; it ought to be enlightened by a better (and thorough) education of the agricultural class.
2195.Three Pillars of the State.—Agriculture, manufactures, commerce, stand together; but they stand together like pillars in a cluster, the largest in the centre, and that largest is agriculture.
2196.The Civilizer.—Let us never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. Man, without the cultivation of the earth, is in all countries a savage. When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.
2197.Independence of Farmers.—We live in a country of small farms; a country, in which men cultivate with their own hands, their own fee-simple acres; drawing not only their subsistence, but also their spirit of independence, and manly freedom from the ground they plow.
2198.The Glory of Agriculture.—"The task of workingimprovements on the earth is much more delightful than all the vain glory which can be acquired by ravaging it with the most uninterrupted career of conquests."—Washington.
2199.—Treat Domestic Animals kindly and tenderly.—Domestic animals of all kinds from a horse down to a chicken, should be treated with gentleness and mildness; men or boys who are rash and bad-tempered, ought not to be permitted to have charge of them or to interfere with their management. Animals that are kept in constant fear of suffering never thrive well, and they often become vicious and intractable by unkind and cruel treatment.
2200.Keep Stock in good condition.—An animal may be kept short of food in the latter part of the fall or first of winter, at a small saving of food but at a loss in the condition of the animal.2201.Stables and Food.—Provide comfortable sheds and stables. Remember that awant of comfort is always a waste of flesh. Give a sufficiency of food and drink, with great regularity. A meal ten minutes later than the usual time, causes the animal to fret, and fretting lessens flesh.2202.Drink and Litter.—Most animals will drink several times a day, and should therefore have it as often as they want it. They should have plenty of clean litter as often as needed. With such management, there will be an almost incredible saving of food.Tight Stablesshould always be ventilated. The breath and manure from animals always causes impure air.2203.Oxen.—Being well-mated, oxen are more easily trained; and the more easily to effect this, much self-denial on the part of the driver, much coolness of temper, more training by motion and less by voice, may be highly advantageous to man and beast.2204.To Select.—Adopt the practice of selecting bestlambs every year, for stock. In a few years you have first-rate sheep. The same course will produce the same effects in every kind of animal.2205.Hogs.—Food.—If pumpkins, roots, apples, or any of them be fed to fattening hogs with corn, the advantage will be salutary. Most of the food for swine should be cooked. Swine fatten much faster on fermented, than on unfermented food. Salt, charcoal, and once in a while sulphur, are excellent for hogs under all circumstances.Good Medicine.—When your hogs get sick, you know not of what, give them ears of corn, first dipped in tar, and then rolled in sulphur.2206.Bees.—(Seep. 176).—Every farmer should keep bees; a few swarms to furnish honey for his own use, if no more. They toil with unremitting industry, asking but a full sweep of the wing, and no monopoly. Every man, in either town or country, can keep bees to advantage.2207.Care of Bees in Winter.—A cold, dry, dark room, is the best winter-quarters for bees. They will consume less honey than if left on their summer stands, and will not be weakened by the loss of thousands, which, tempted out by the premature warmth, are caught by the cold winds, fall to the ground, and never rise again.2208. "Never kill a bee."—The smoke of thefungus maximus, or common puff ball, when dried so as to hold fire, has a stupefying effect on the bees, and renders them as harmless as brimstone does, without any of its deadly effects.2209.Mignonette, Sweet.—Is especially mentioned as easily cultivated by drills in a garden, and is one of the finest and richest flowers in the world from which the honey-bee can extract its food.2210.Horses.—Seepage 199.2211.To cure Scratches on a Horse.—Wash the legs with warm strong soap-suds, and then with beef brine. Two applications will cure the worst case.2212.Bite of a Spider.—Catnip bruised and applied to the wound, is said to be a cure for the bite of a spider.2213.To preserve a Granary from Insects and Weasels.—Make the floor of Lombardy poplars.2214.To prevent the Creaking of a Door.—Rub a bit of soap on the hinges.2215.Sulphuris valuable in preserving grapes, plants, &c., from insects.2216.Saltis really necessary to horses, cattle, and sheep, and they should be supplied with it at regular stated intervals throughout all seasons of the year.2217.Manure, on a wet soil, produces but half its effect; and gypsum, that grand stimulant of dry soils, on a wet one is useless.2218.Hen-Houseshould be warm in winter, well-ventilated, white-washed, and kept clean. For the floor, useslakedlime, fine gravel or ashes, or burnt oyster shells. (Seepage 200.)2219.A single dozenfowls, properly attended, will furnish a family with more than 2,000 eggs in a year, and 100 full-grown chickens for fall and winter stores.2220.Expense.—The expense of feeding the dozen fowls will not amount to 18 bushels of Indian corn. They may be kept in cities as well as in the country, and will do as well shut up the year round as to run at large, with proper care.2221.A Fact.—Eggs the nearest to roundness produce females, and those pointed at one end always produce males.2222.For Fattening.—BoiledIndian, wheat and barley, is better than oats, rye, or buckwheat. One-third is gained byboiling.2223.Eggs, little boiled or poached, in small quantity, convey much nourishment; the yolk only should be eaten by invalids.2224.Salt for Poultry.—Salt is good for water-fowls, but death to land fowls and birds.2225.Salt for Pigeons.—Pigeons are fond of salt, and it keeps them in health. Lay a large heap of clay near the house, and let the salt-brine that may be done with in the family be poured upon it.2226.To Fatten Fowls in a short time.—Mix together ground rice well scalded with milk, and add some coarse sugar. Feed them with this in the day-time, but not too much at once; let it be pretty thick.2227.Pork cured.—Soon as cool enough to cut, and before it freezes, pack a clean cask full, with plenty of salt on all sides of each piece. Fill up with water, taking care, by means of a large stone, to keep the pork under the pickle, and covered from flies, in a cellar. Never boil pickle.2228.Pork Feeding.—It is a well-ascertained fact, that more meat will be made on half the weight of corn, if ground and made into mush instead of being fed whole.2229.In Smoking Hams, &c., be careful not to have the fire too high, or the smoke-house top tight. It is best done in an upper story, to which the smoke is conveyed in tubes, from oak or maple chips in the cellar. (Seep. 324.)2230.Hollow Horn.—Where supposed to exist, feed half-peck potatoes twice a week, and treat your cattle kindly in food and shelter.2231.Sheepmust be fed well, kept dry, have salt often, and pure air, and be grazed in hilly stony pastures.2232.Cows.—Those who wish their cows to give large messes of milk in the winter season, should give them warm drink. The extra trouble will be more than repaid in the increased quantity of milk. (Seepp. 285-6.)2233.Wild Onionmay be destroyed by cultivating corn, plowing and leaving the field in its plowed state all winter.2234.Remember.—The great rule in relation to animals holds perfect in its application to vegetables; breed only from the best animals;defects and imperfections have always a tendency to propagate themselves, and are always, in a greater or less degree, transmitted.2235.Wheatshoots strongest when there is an interval between the time of plowing and sowing, butbarleyis most vegetative when sown immediately after the plow.2236.Grease Wheels.—Fifty parts, by weight, of pulverized black lead, 50 of lard, 50 of soap, and 5 of quicksilver. Rub the lard and mercury first together, then the lead and soap. If well mixed, it is invaluable.2237.Plants, when drooping, are revived by a few grains of camphor.2238.Flowersbeginning to fade, can be restored by putting the stems in scalding water.2239.Bacon Hams in Summer.—Pack in a barrel, in clean dry ashes or charcoal; head up the barrel and put it where it is dry, and as cool as possible.2240.Timbercut in the spring and exposed to the weatherwith the bark on, decays much sooner than thatcut in the fall.2241.In Feedingwith corn, 60 lbs. ground goes as far as 100 lbs. in the kernel.2242.Apples.—Experiments show apples to be equal to potatoes to improve hogs, and decidedly profitable for fattening cattle.2243.Pearsare greatly improved by grafting on the mountain ash.2244.Ratsand other vermin are kept away from grain by a sprinkling of garlic when packing the sheaves.2245.Wet Land.—Money skillfully expended in drying land, by draining or otherwise, will be returned with ample interest.2246.Grass.—Sweet and nutritious grass gives a richness and flavor to milk, attainable from no other source.2247.Curing Fodder.—Bundles may be so placed around centre-poles as to form a hollow-stack, having a foundation of brush, sticks, &c., admitting a circulation of air that will thoroughly cure fodder in the shade.2248.Turnipsof small size have double the nutritious matter that large ones have.2249.Ruta Bagais the only root that increases in nutritious qualities as it increases in size.2250.In transplantingtrees, the hole should not be proportioned to the extent of the rootsas they are, but to their extent as theymay beandshould be.2251.Toadsare the very best protection of cabbages against lice.2252.Peach Treesare protected from hard winters by covering the roots a foot deep with straw, inJanuary, after the ground has become thoroughly frozen, which keeps the frost in the ground, and so prevents the sap from starting until the Spring is fairly opened.2253.Save your Fire Wood.—Mr. Madison, in his Notes of Agriculture, says, "Of all the errors in our rural economy, none perhaps is to be so much regretted, because none so difficult to be repaired, as the excessive and injudicious destruction of fire-wood."2254.Sorrelmay be killed out by lime, while ashes have no effect on it.2255.ShumacorSumac, a poisonous shrub or plant, which grows wild in abundance, and frequently where nothing elsewill, is used for dyeing in England, at the rate of thirteen thousand tons per annum. It might be made a source of profit to our farmers.GARDENING(SEE PAGE291.)2256.Kitchen Garden.—This is one of the most important parts of general domestic economy, whenever the situation of a house will permit a family to avail themselves of its assistance, in aid of butcher's bills.2257. It is, indeed, much to be regretted that small plots of ground, in the immediate vicinity of the metropolis more especially, are too often frittered away into shrubberies and baby gardens, when they might more usefully be employed in raising vegetables for the family, during the week-day residence in town, than wasting their sweetness on the smoky air in all the pride of lilac, hollyhock, and bachelors' buttons, to be merely smelled to, by the whole immigrating household on the day of rest.2258. With a little care and attention, a kitchen-garden, though small, might be rendered not only useful, but in fact, as ornamental as a modern grass carpet; and the same expense incurred to make the ground a labyrinth of sweets, might suffice to render it agreeable to the palate, as well as to the olfactory nerves, and that even without offending the most delicate optics.2259. It is only in accordance with our plan to give the hint, and to record such novel points as may facilitate the proposed arrangement.2260. It is one objection to the adoption of a kitchen garden in front of the dwelling, or in sight of the family apartments, that its very nature makes it rather an eye-sore than otherwise at all seasons.2261. This, however, is an objection that may be readily got over by a little attention to neatness and good order, whilst the plants themselves, if judiciously attended to, andthe borders sown or planted with ranunculus, polyanthus, mignionette, &c., in succession, will really be ornamental.2262. But then, in cutting the plants for use, the business must be done neatly, all useless leaves cleared from the ground, the roots no longer wanted taken up, and the ravages of insects to be guarded against by sedulous extirpation. It will also be found a great improvement, where space will admit of it, to surround the beds with neat espaliers, with fruit trees, or even gooseberry and currant bushes trained along them, instead of these being suffered to grow in a state of ragged wildness.DRYING HERBS.2263. Fresh herbs are preferable to dried ones, but as they cannot always be obtained, it is most important to dry herbs at the proper seasons:—2264.Basilis in a fit state for drying about the middle of August.2265.Burretin June, July, and August.2266.Chervilin May, June, and July.2267.Elder Flowersin May, June, and July.2268.Fennelin May, June, and July.2269.Knotted Marjoramduring July.2270.Lemon Thymeend of July, and through August.2271.Mintend of June and July.2272.Orange FlowersMay, June, and July.2273.Orange Thyme(a delicious herb), June and July.2274.ParsleyMay, June, and July.2275.Sage, August and September.2276.Summer Savory, end of July and August.2277.Tarragon, June, July, and August.2278.Thyme, end of July and August.2279.Winter Savory, end of July and August.2280. These herbs always at hand will be a great aid to the cook.2281. Herbs should be gathered on a dry day; they should be immediately well cleansed, and dried by the heat of a stove, or Dutch oven.2282. The leaves should then be picked off, pounded and sifted, and put away for use.PROPERTIES AND USES OF VEGETABLES.2283.Parsleyis very cooling and softening.2284.Catnipis a warm herb, of a diaphoretic or sweating nature.2285.Pennyroyalis much the same, only more powerful. It retains a very powerful pungent oil.2286.Spearmintis pungent and hot, but of an astringent nature.2287.Calamintis much the same, but not so strong.2288.Hoarhoundis very strengthening to the lungs, and is somewhat of a pectoral. It is excellent in a cough, or stopage in the stomach.2289.Everlasting, orIndian Posey, is a very balsamicherb—healing and cooling, and excellent in salves or ointment.2290.Johnswortis much the same.2291.Pea Balmis a cooling and sweating herb, and is good in fevers and inflammations.2292.Chamomileis a great restorative to the lungs, and promotes perspiration. It is good in salves and ointments to take away swellings.2293.Mayweedis of a pectoral nature, and is good for a pain in the side.2294.Garden Coltsfootis a great restorative to the lungs, and is good in syrups for coughs.2295.Melilotis good in salves and ointments for swellings and inflammations. It is mollifying and cooling.2296.Sageis the greatest restorative to human nature of any herb that grows.2297.Bloodrootis a very powerful emetic or purge: steeped in spirits, it will serve for an emetic; and boiled in fair water it serves as a purge.2298.Mandrakeroot is an excellent physic, dried and pounded.2299.CumfreyandSpikenardare so well known that they need no describing.
2200.Keep Stock in good condition.—An animal may be kept short of food in the latter part of the fall or first of winter, at a small saving of food but at a loss in the condition of the animal.
2201.Stables and Food.—Provide comfortable sheds and stables. Remember that awant of comfort is always a waste of flesh. Give a sufficiency of food and drink, with great regularity. A meal ten minutes later than the usual time, causes the animal to fret, and fretting lessens flesh.
2202.Drink and Litter.—Most animals will drink several times a day, and should therefore have it as often as they want it. They should have plenty of clean litter as often as needed. With such management, there will be an almost incredible saving of food.
Tight Stablesshould always be ventilated. The breath and manure from animals always causes impure air.
2203.Oxen.—Being well-mated, oxen are more easily trained; and the more easily to effect this, much self-denial on the part of the driver, much coolness of temper, more training by motion and less by voice, may be highly advantageous to man and beast.
2204.To Select.—Adopt the practice of selecting bestlambs every year, for stock. In a few years you have first-rate sheep. The same course will produce the same effects in every kind of animal.
2205.Hogs.—Food.—If pumpkins, roots, apples, or any of them be fed to fattening hogs with corn, the advantage will be salutary. Most of the food for swine should be cooked. Swine fatten much faster on fermented, than on unfermented food. Salt, charcoal, and once in a while sulphur, are excellent for hogs under all circumstances.
Good Medicine.—When your hogs get sick, you know not of what, give them ears of corn, first dipped in tar, and then rolled in sulphur.
2206.Bees.—(Seep. 176).—Every farmer should keep bees; a few swarms to furnish honey for his own use, if no more. They toil with unremitting industry, asking but a full sweep of the wing, and no monopoly. Every man, in either town or country, can keep bees to advantage.
2207.Care of Bees in Winter.—A cold, dry, dark room, is the best winter-quarters for bees. They will consume less honey than if left on their summer stands, and will not be weakened by the loss of thousands, which, tempted out by the premature warmth, are caught by the cold winds, fall to the ground, and never rise again.
2208. "Never kill a bee."—The smoke of thefungus maximus, or common puff ball, when dried so as to hold fire, has a stupefying effect on the bees, and renders them as harmless as brimstone does, without any of its deadly effects.
2209.Mignonette, Sweet.—Is especially mentioned as easily cultivated by drills in a garden, and is one of the finest and richest flowers in the world from which the honey-bee can extract its food.
2210.Horses.—Seepage 199.
2211.To cure Scratches on a Horse.—Wash the legs with warm strong soap-suds, and then with beef brine. Two applications will cure the worst case.
2212.Bite of a Spider.—Catnip bruised and applied to the wound, is said to be a cure for the bite of a spider.
2213.To preserve a Granary from Insects and Weasels.—Make the floor of Lombardy poplars.
2214.To prevent the Creaking of a Door.—Rub a bit of soap on the hinges.
2215.Sulphuris valuable in preserving grapes, plants, &c., from insects.
2216.Saltis really necessary to horses, cattle, and sheep, and they should be supplied with it at regular stated intervals throughout all seasons of the year.
2217.Manure, on a wet soil, produces but half its effect; and gypsum, that grand stimulant of dry soils, on a wet one is useless.
2218.Hen-Houseshould be warm in winter, well-ventilated, white-washed, and kept clean. For the floor, useslakedlime, fine gravel or ashes, or burnt oyster shells. (Seepage 200.)
2219.A single dozenfowls, properly attended, will furnish a family with more than 2,000 eggs in a year, and 100 full-grown chickens for fall and winter stores.
2220.Expense.—The expense of feeding the dozen fowls will not amount to 18 bushels of Indian corn. They may be kept in cities as well as in the country, and will do as well shut up the year round as to run at large, with proper care.
2221.A Fact.—Eggs the nearest to roundness produce females, and those pointed at one end always produce males.
2222.For Fattening.—BoiledIndian, wheat and barley, is better than oats, rye, or buckwheat. One-third is gained byboiling.
2223.Eggs, little boiled or poached, in small quantity, convey much nourishment; the yolk only should be eaten by invalids.
2224.Salt for Poultry.—Salt is good for water-fowls, but death to land fowls and birds.
2225.Salt for Pigeons.—Pigeons are fond of salt, and it keeps them in health. Lay a large heap of clay near the house, and let the salt-brine that may be done with in the family be poured upon it.
2226.To Fatten Fowls in a short time.—Mix together ground rice well scalded with milk, and add some coarse sugar. Feed them with this in the day-time, but not too much at once; let it be pretty thick.
2227.Pork cured.—Soon as cool enough to cut, and before it freezes, pack a clean cask full, with plenty of salt on all sides of each piece. Fill up with water, taking care, by means of a large stone, to keep the pork under the pickle, and covered from flies, in a cellar. Never boil pickle.
2228.Pork Feeding.—It is a well-ascertained fact, that more meat will be made on half the weight of corn, if ground and made into mush instead of being fed whole.
2229.In Smoking Hams, &c., be careful not to have the fire too high, or the smoke-house top tight. It is best done in an upper story, to which the smoke is conveyed in tubes, from oak or maple chips in the cellar. (Seep. 324.)
2230.Hollow Horn.—Where supposed to exist, feed half-peck potatoes twice a week, and treat your cattle kindly in food and shelter.
2231.Sheepmust be fed well, kept dry, have salt often, and pure air, and be grazed in hilly stony pastures.
2232.Cows.—Those who wish their cows to give large messes of milk in the winter season, should give them warm drink. The extra trouble will be more than repaid in the increased quantity of milk. (Seepp. 285-6.)
2233.Wild Onionmay be destroyed by cultivating corn, plowing and leaving the field in its plowed state all winter.
2234.Remember.—The great rule in relation to animals holds perfect in its application to vegetables; breed only from the best animals;defects and imperfections have always a tendency to propagate themselves, and are always, in a greater or less degree, transmitted.
2235.Wheatshoots strongest when there is an interval between the time of plowing and sowing, butbarleyis most vegetative when sown immediately after the plow.
2236.Grease Wheels.—Fifty parts, by weight, of pulverized black lead, 50 of lard, 50 of soap, and 5 of quicksilver. Rub the lard and mercury first together, then the lead and soap. If well mixed, it is invaluable.
2237.Plants, when drooping, are revived by a few grains of camphor.
2238.Flowersbeginning to fade, can be restored by putting the stems in scalding water.
2239.Bacon Hams in Summer.—Pack in a barrel, in clean dry ashes or charcoal; head up the barrel and put it where it is dry, and as cool as possible.
2240.Timbercut in the spring and exposed to the weatherwith the bark on, decays much sooner than thatcut in the fall.
2241.In Feedingwith corn, 60 lbs. ground goes as far as 100 lbs. in the kernel.
2242.Apples.—Experiments show apples to be equal to potatoes to improve hogs, and decidedly profitable for fattening cattle.
2243.Pearsare greatly improved by grafting on the mountain ash.
2244.Ratsand other vermin are kept away from grain by a sprinkling of garlic when packing the sheaves.
2245.Wet Land.—Money skillfully expended in drying land, by draining or otherwise, will be returned with ample interest.
2246.Grass.—Sweet and nutritious grass gives a richness and flavor to milk, attainable from no other source.
2247.Curing Fodder.—Bundles may be so placed around centre-poles as to form a hollow-stack, having a foundation of brush, sticks, &c., admitting a circulation of air that will thoroughly cure fodder in the shade.
2248.Turnipsof small size have double the nutritious matter that large ones have.
2249.Ruta Bagais the only root that increases in nutritious qualities as it increases in size.
2250.In transplantingtrees, the hole should not be proportioned to the extent of the rootsas they are, but to their extent as theymay beandshould be.
2251.Toadsare the very best protection of cabbages against lice.
2252.Peach Treesare protected from hard winters by covering the roots a foot deep with straw, inJanuary, after the ground has become thoroughly frozen, which keeps the frost in the ground, and so prevents the sap from starting until the Spring is fairly opened.
2253.Save your Fire Wood.—Mr. Madison, in his Notes of Agriculture, says, "Of all the errors in our rural economy, none perhaps is to be so much regretted, because none so difficult to be repaired, as the excessive and injudicious destruction of fire-wood."
2254.Sorrelmay be killed out by lime, while ashes have no effect on it.
2255.ShumacorSumac, a poisonous shrub or plant, which grows wild in abundance, and frequently where nothing elsewill, is used for dyeing in England, at the rate of thirteen thousand tons per annum. It might be made a source of profit to our farmers.
2256.Kitchen Garden.—This is one of the most important parts of general domestic economy, whenever the situation of a house will permit a family to avail themselves of its assistance, in aid of butcher's bills.
2257. It is, indeed, much to be regretted that small plots of ground, in the immediate vicinity of the metropolis more especially, are too often frittered away into shrubberies and baby gardens, when they might more usefully be employed in raising vegetables for the family, during the week-day residence in town, than wasting their sweetness on the smoky air in all the pride of lilac, hollyhock, and bachelors' buttons, to be merely smelled to, by the whole immigrating household on the day of rest.
2258. With a little care and attention, a kitchen-garden, though small, might be rendered not only useful, but in fact, as ornamental as a modern grass carpet; and the same expense incurred to make the ground a labyrinth of sweets, might suffice to render it agreeable to the palate, as well as to the olfactory nerves, and that even without offending the most delicate optics.
2259. It is only in accordance with our plan to give the hint, and to record such novel points as may facilitate the proposed arrangement.
2260. It is one objection to the adoption of a kitchen garden in front of the dwelling, or in sight of the family apartments, that its very nature makes it rather an eye-sore than otherwise at all seasons.
2261. This, however, is an objection that may be readily got over by a little attention to neatness and good order, whilst the plants themselves, if judiciously attended to, andthe borders sown or planted with ranunculus, polyanthus, mignionette, &c., in succession, will really be ornamental.
2262. But then, in cutting the plants for use, the business must be done neatly, all useless leaves cleared from the ground, the roots no longer wanted taken up, and the ravages of insects to be guarded against by sedulous extirpation. It will also be found a great improvement, where space will admit of it, to surround the beds with neat espaliers, with fruit trees, or even gooseberry and currant bushes trained along them, instead of these being suffered to grow in a state of ragged wildness.
2263. Fresh herbs are preferable to dried ones, but as they cannot always be obtained, it is most important to dry herbs at the proper seasons:—
2264.Basilis in a fit state for drying about the middle of August.
2265.Burretin June, July, and August.
2266.Chervilin May, June, and July.
2267.Elder Flowersin May, June, and July.
2268.Fennelin May, June, and July.
2269.Knotted Marjoramduring July.
2270.Lemon Thymeend of July, and through August.
2271.Mintend of June and July.
2272.Orange FlowersMay, June, and July.
2273.Orange Thyme(a delicious herb), June and July.
2274.ParsleyMay, June, and July.
2275.Sage, August and September.
2276.Summer Savory, end of July and August.
2277.Tarragon, June, July, and August.
2278.Thyme, end of July and August.
2279.Winter Savory, end of July and August.
2280. These herbs always at hand will be a great aid to the cook.
2281. Herbs should be gathered on a dry day; they should be immediately well cleansed, and dried by the heat of a stove, or Dutch oven.
2282. The leaves should then be picked off, pounded and sifted, and put away for use.
2283.Parsleyis very cooling and softening.
2284.Catnipis a warm herb, of a diaphoretic or sweating nature.
2285.Pennyroyalis much the same, only more powerful. It retains a very powerful pungent oil.
2286.Spearmintis pungent and hot, but of an astringent nature.
2287.Calamintis much the same, but not so strong.
2288.Hoarhoundis very strengthening to the lungs, and is somewhat of a pectoral. It is excellent in a cough, or stopage in the stomach.
2289.Everlasting, orIndian Posey, is a very balsamicherb—healing and cooling, and excellent in salves or ointment.
2290.Johnswortis much the same.
2291.Pea Balmis a cooling and sweating herb, and is good in fevers and inflammations.
2292.Chamomileis a great restorative to the lungs, and promotes perspiration. It is good in salves and ointments to take away swellings.
2293.Mayweedis of a pectoral nature, and is good for a pain in the side.
2294.Garden Coltsfootis a great restorative to the lungs, and is good in syrups for coughs.
2295.Melilotis good in salves and ointments for swellings and inflammations. It is mollifying and cooling.
2296.Sageis the greatest restorative to human nature of any herb that grows.
2297.Bloodrootis a very powerful emetic or purge: steeped in spirits, it will serve for an emetic; and boiled in fair water it serves as a purge.
2298.Mandrakeroot is an excellent physic, dried and pounded.
2299.CumfreyandSpikenardare so well known that they need no describing.