Agricultural And Domestic

Arounii the Farm. Ip cabbages do not head properly, a pinch of salt to each licad will be beneticial, or, better, give them a slight watering at niglit with weak brine. This may be again repeated later ín tlio season. A single 'watering with quite weak brine is also excellent for watermelons, about the time tlie fruit is setting. The farmers aud fruit-raisers of the United States ought this sea&on to take better care thau usual of their apple orchards, as there is a reasonable probability that hereafter the European demand for this fruit will generally obvíate the danger of a surplus in this country. - Boston Commercial Bulletin. The Farmer' s Union, on the authority of the St. Charlea Union, reports that Minnesota farmers are many of them destroying Colorado potato beetles with good success by the use of alum water. Between f our and five pounds is put in a barrel of water, and when the alum is dissolved the liquid is sprinkled on the potato-tops, and the festive bug soon after retires from business. The Dangeb or Fokcing Daiet Cows. -President Paroell, of the Union County (N. J.) Farmers' Club, thinks that cows kept fat and fed high in order to forcé them to give large quantities of milk prematurely wear out, and are subject to attacks of milk fever, abortion, garget, sterility and sudden death. He has lost four or flve in this way within a few years. The most successful fruit-growers, East and West, have decided that there is no better remedy for the coddling moth than to pasture hogs in the orchards, to eat the wormy apples and the worms therein. If the orchards are too large for the number of hogs kept, sheep are turned in. If we all unite in this system we shall soon see its good results. There can be no doubt about its being effective. - Mural Home. We are glad to note a change in some quarters on this question of pedigree, whioh has been run clear into the ground of late years. Thirty thousand dollars paid for a single cow because she was a Duchess, with the known fact that she was a poor breeder, while inflnitely more perfect animáis went to the shambles for beef because they were " Seventeens, " is evidence, that the people are either fools or are going mad. - Pioneer Press. Lime Dtjst. - The following has been recommended as the best mode of preparing lime dust for slugs, mildew, etc. : Take a peck of fresh or sharp lime, broken into small pieces, and add to it four pounds of ilour sulphur. Add onethird as much boiling water, or just enough to slack the lime to a dry powder, and cover the vessel as soon as the water is poured on. By adding water it may be made into an excellent whitewash for trees, the sulphur increasing its efficacy. Making a Cow Give Down. - To persuade a cow to give down her milk against her will is a difficult and sometimes a hopeless task. A plan that has been highly spoken of is to lay a heavy chain across her back while niüking her. It is very certain that harshness and impatience will only make matters worse, and that kindness and petting will have the best effect. The use of milkingtubes might be effective. A poor cow, free from this vice, is better than the best cow that is afflicted with it. - American Agriculturist. Breaking Colts.- The best time for breaking colts is at the age of 2 or 3 years, as you will find that they are less inclined to have a will of their own ; but a horse of this age should never be allowed to do much hard labor. Colts that are intended to be put to work should be stabled during the months of February and March, with an occasional drive of several miles. This will be an excellent way to break them, and at . the same time toughen them for spring work. Colts require a more frequent chaoge of diet than older horses. When new grass is plentiful they should have an occasional duU at it. At the time of Btabliug they should be allowed two or three mashes of bran, followed by some condition powder. For the same rea son that the young colt should be allowed the milk of the dam directly after parturition, other colts should have their cleansing powders ; they will carry off gross humors and purify the blood. Next, it is necessary to have a collar that will fit, for a great many colts have to work in too large a collar. - Western Rural. Abont the House. Mocking-Bikd Food.- One pound hemp-seed, one-quarter pound butter crackers, one-quarter pound tice, onehalf ouiice lard; grind seed, crackers, and rice ; mix ; melt lard, and pour over the mixture. It is a mistake to wasn giass tumDiers, goblets, and the like in hot water; it cold be used a brighter and olearer appeai-ance is left when the glass is wiped dry. If the glass is particularly soiled, a pincli of soda in the water will cleanse it easily. HuCKLEBEKKY CAKE.- ÏWO OUpfuls of sugar, one of butter, ñve eggs, one cupf ui milk, one teaspoonful soda, one sniall lemon, a little nutineg, a wine-glassi'ull brandy, three cupiuls flour ; dredge a quart of huckleberries thickly with flojir aal add the last thing. Mint Sauce. - Take some green mint and chop it fine ; f or every heaping tablespoonful of the chopped mint add one even teiispoonful sugar and a wine-glassful eider vinegar ; put the vinegar and sugar in a sauce-boat, then add the mint ; let it stand fifteen minutes before serviüg. French polish for furniture can be made by putting half an ounce of phellao, the same quantity of gumlac, and a quarter of an ounce of gum-sandarac, into a pint of spirits of wine. Put them all together in a stone bottle near the fire, shaking it very often. As soon as the gums are dissolved it is ready for use. Baspbebky Jam.- Make by itself, or, better, combined with currante in the proportion of one-third currante to twothirds raspben-ies; mash the fruit well, and proceed as in currant jam. Mnke blackberry jam like raspberry, except that it shouid not be mixed with currants. Strawberry jam is made exactly like blackberrj . Plum Jblly.- This can be made in the same manner as curratit jelly, only a little water must be put with the plums to burst them and get out the juice; granulated sugar or white crushed sugar is preferable for preserves; and the pulp left frorn the plum in the sieve can be pressed through and boiled with a little sugar, making a rich, stift marmaiade. A ntsw drink to supply the place of gruel or barley water is recommended by the Times of India, "congee water, or the liquid in whioh rice has been boiled. This drink has three excellent qualities- it becomes impregnated with the properties of the rice boiled in it, and thus satisfies lmnger; it quenchea thirst, and is a capital draught in fever attacks; and lastly, when taken waara m bed, it is good for bad colds and influenza. , Singingr JHouse. A prettv little girl in Shreveport, La., told her "papa that thcre was a pretty little bird in her pretty little room smgin" a pretty Httle song. The affectionate parent told her to go back to bed, as it was probably only a katydid ; but when he went to bed himself, his wife toldhim to listen to the strange mupic of a mocking-bird which fllled the room. The devoted husband struck a match, and discovered the musician on the lower shelf of the wash-staud. It was a singiüg mouse. A KertÍbi. edits the Newbero Nut Shell.