Industrial Brieflets

Dr. Wiley, chemisttothe departraent of agriculture, wiltesi Occasionally reports are maile whloh Ie ad us to believe that evil elï'octs may soraetimes follow the uso of sorghuru as a fodder. Generally any such in jury is attributel to the poor condition in which the fodder is used. XwoFranoh chemists, Berthekt and Andre. have latterly shown that the lower part of tbe sorghum contains enouh nitrates to maUe lts use objectionable. It has been estimated that in one hnndred pounds of sorghum as much as six ounces of niirates aro found. Since theso salts are tuostly in the lower part of the stalk it is recoruinendud to cut sorghum rather high When it is to be used for fodder. By observing this precnution and also seeing that when sorghum is preserved in á silo it is fed in good condition, no danger neod be apprehendcd. The cause of the fertility produccd n fruit trees by bending the twigs at an acute angle. has been investigated by Professor Soraner. He finds that the bark on the lower surface of the twig, below the bend, is thrown into transverso folds, hcre and there dotached trom the wood. New woody tissue is formed in these caviües, which is filled with starch grains, nnd after this there is a formation of ncwwoody tissue of a normal character, but alwavs thicker there than elsewhere, and especially on the convex upper súrface. The mass of woody tissue checks the flow of water toward the tip of the branch, to the great advantage of tho bud directly beneath, which is thus more likely to develop as a fruit bud. ) Some observations made in France by M. Cosson may throw light upon many mysterious lires. In one instance ipontaneous uring arosa from an air current heated to77degree3, Fahrenhcit only. The wood slowly carbon.zed kt that temperatura, and, being thua made extremely pomos, a rapid absorption of oxygen resulted, and suflicient heat was Uien produced to inflame the dry material In another case the warmth from the air-hole of a stove iras sufficient to set üre to wood-work. When files havo become clogged with oil and grease the best plan is to boil them for a few minutes in some itronor caustic soda-water. A little icrubb'ng with an old tooth-brush w ill be beneficial bcfore rincing thim in boilbg water and drying bofore a fire. The "pins," which ara so harmful to fine work, can be removed by a thiii, hard piece of sheet brasa. These "pins" may to a great extent bo avoided by nsing chalk on the file if it bo used dry, or oil when that may be applied. Some experiments carried out at the Ontario Agricultura] college to test tho germinating qualities of seeds of varius kinds, ten years old, havo given the percentage of gormination: Tares, 90; niangolds, 72; turnips. 82; buekwheat, 16; clover, 6; timothy grass, 2; b;irley, oats, rye, beans, and peas, 0 Several lamples of most varieties were tfied. [d the case of beans, though ten samples falled to germinate, two tried separatelv gave a per cent of 35, I Bad breath in cows indícate some disorder of the stomacli, aad is generally Mjcompanied by fevensh symptoms, íither hot or cold horns, and a falling off of mille. The feeding of a handful or two of pulverized charcoal witheaeh leed of moal or bran, and mixed with [t, in onr experience is one of the best eoriect ves that can be used. It is equally valnable for all other domestic animáis, and not lcss so in the family, only the quantity should be decreased. I An English food-inspector, Mr. James Bell, linda that horseflesh and beef can not be positivcly distinguishíd by external appearance, but that the tat is a reüablo test. The horse-fat is fluid at a temperature of 70 degrees, and has a specific gravity at 100 dojrrees of about 908.7; while the fat of beef meltsat 110 to 120 dcgreej, and is eonsiderably lighter. The low nielting point of the fat will show when lausages are made from borse-meat. Bruises may be taken out of the troodwork of scientific instruments by wett ng with warm water. Then lay Dn the place brown paper about five lajers thick, and apply a hot flat-iron antil the moisture is evaporated. If the bruise s not gone repeat the process. If the bruise is small, merely loak it with warm water, and apply a redhot poker very near tho surfaee. Keep the wood wet and iu a few minutes tho bruise will dhappear. Tlie annual general meeting of the British Beukeipera' association was held Feb. 16 at No. 105 Jermyn street, Pco;idilh-, the Baroiioss BurdettCoults, president of the association, be Dg in the chair. The report for the past year, which was adopted, showed thal the work had been more sucoesstul than previoush", the improvement being due to royal patronage, and to the support "given by tho county affiliated branches. A. I. Brown urged tho importance, it h Maine pomological meeting, of ivery person providing an abundant lupply of fresh fruit at all times for thn home table. He asserts that he knew from experienco that blackbenies luid raspberries in that state could bo produced and picked for 2J cents a basket, and that as niany bushels of Itrawberries as of potatoes could be raised on one square rod of land. Great iuterest is taken in lish propagation in Louisiana at present. The legislaturc has passed stringent lasvs against the wanton destruction yf fish, and against catching them in traps during the spawning season. It isclairaed tliat the stato has as large a lake area as M nnesota, and it is believed that niany northei'n people will come there during the winter to catch li.sh. ! In Great Britain butter is carried in the mails at very low rates, and a large number of dairy farmers send butter to eusloiners regularly in this way. It is placed in sraall wooden or metal packagi'8. and tho postage is prepaid by itamp.s. By employing the mail-packago service the profits of middlemen are saved, and consumers get fresh butter ajl the year. Seth Green state3 thatsuccess in fishraising can uot be acquired by the reading of a book any more than skill in watch-raaking can. Many faets can be learned, but experionce is needed to enable one to raise fish. He recommends that operaüons be commenced on a small scale, and that the business be extended as one's knowledge increases. A common custom of cattle king landgrabbers on tlie plains has been to buy the altérnate suctions of railroad lands and fence the contiguous corners ia such a way tis to incloso tlio governmout sections, tlius preventins; tlio passage of those who migltt want lo "take up" tlie Litlr. Tlio attorney geueral declaras sucli fencing Ilegal. Every farmer who Bkniglitat hoL and makea sausages sbouUl raise sage, sutnmer savory, and tlivme to uso in flavoring them. Pulverizod swcct herbs should be sprinkled on fresli pork bcfore it is roastcd. On farms where tliere is plenty of help these herbs eau be raised wlth profit for the supply of the local market. When screwiug np the mits on the ends of a rod it often happens tiiat the rod will turn with the nut. To prevent ths the nut on the otlier end must be kept from turning by sorewing on a check-nut and a wreuch on this will hold the rod whiïe the first-mentioned nut is serewed on. The secoud annual sheep-shearing, nndcr tho aus[)iccs of the M ssonri Wool-Growers' assoeiation, will be held at St. Louis, May 11, 12 and 13. Cash prizes to the oxtent of $l,7G0 are offered. Partion I ara may be had npon application to H. C. West, look-box 699, St. Louis. A Massachusetts paper claims that a nevv grange of the Patrons of Husljandry is orgauized in that state i;vcry day.