We have a large number of letters and postal cards asking where various seeds, plants, shrubs, trees, silk-worm eggs, bone dust and so on and so forth to an indefinite extent, may be obtained. We have answered some of these inquiries by letter, some through the paper, but they still keep coming. We have one favor to ask of those seeking this sort of information: First look through the advertisements carefully, and see if what is wanted is not advertised. The seedsmen's advertisements do not, of course, enumerate all the parties have for sale, but it may be taken for granted that they keep nearly all kinds of grass, grain, and vegetable seeds. We would also say to seedsmen that it will probably be found to pay them to advertise the seeds of the new grasses, alfalfa, the special fertilizers, etc., that are now being so much inquired about. We have a large number of inquiries about where to obtain silk-worm eggs. Persons who have them certainly make a mistake in not advertising them freely.
Questions Answered.
O. G. B., Sheboygan Falls, Wis.—Will you give directions which will be practical for tanning skins or pelts with the fur or hair on by the use of oak bark?
Answer.—We know of no way the thing can be done unless a part of the methods are used that are employed in the tanning of goat skins for making Morocco leather. These are: to soak the skins to soften them; then put them into a lime vat to remove the hair, and after to take the lime out in a douche consisting of hen and pigeon dung. This done, the skins are then sewed up[] so as to hold the tanning liquid, which consists of a warm and strong decoction of Spanish sumac. The skins are filled with this liquid, then piled up one above the other and subsequently refilled, two or three times, or as fast as the liquid is forced through the skins. If the furs or pelts were first soaked to soften them, all the fatty, fleshy matter carefully removed, after sewed up as goat skins are, and then filled and refilled several times with a strong decoction of white oak bark, warm, but not hot, no doubt the result would prove satisfactory.
Dr. J. F. Schlieman, Hartford, Wis.—Are there any works on the cultivation of the blueberry, and if so could you furnish the same? Do you know of any parties that cultivate them?
Answer.—We have never come across anything satisfactory on the cultivation of the blueberry except in Le Bon Jardiniere, which says: "The successful cultivation of the whole tribe of Vacciniums is very difficult. The shrubs do not live long and are reproduced with much difficulty, either by layers or seeds." The blueberry, like the cranberry, appears to be a potash plant, the swamp variety not growing well except where the water is soft, the soil peaty above and sandy below. The same appears also to be true of the high land blueberry; the soil where they grow is generally sandy and the water soft. You can procure Le Bon Jardiniere (a work which is a treasure to the amateur in fruit and plants) of Jansen, McClurg & Co., of Chicago, at 30 cents, the franc. Some parties, we think, offer blueberry plants for sale, but we do not recollect who they are.
H. Harris, Holt'S Prairie, Ill.—Will it do to tile drain land which has a hard pan of red clay twelve to eighteen inches below the surface?
Answer.—It will do no harm to the land to drain it if there is a hard pan near the surface, but in order to make tile draining effective on such land, the drains will have to be at half the distance common on soils without the hard pan.