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To Dry Roots

They should be rubbed in water to get rid of the dirt and also some of the mucous substance that would otherwise render them mouldy; the larger are then to be cut, split, or peeled, but in most aromatic roots, the odor residing in the bark, they must not be peeled; they are then to be spread on sieves or hurdles, and dried in a heat of about 120° Fahr., either on the top of an oven, in a stove, or a steam closet, taking care to shake them occasionally, to change the surface exposed to the air. Thick and juicy roots, as rhubarb, briony, peony, water-lily, etc., are cut in slices, strung upon a thread, and hung in a heat of about 90° to 100°.

Squills are scaled, threaded, and dried around the pipe of a stove, or in a hot closet. Rhubarb should be washed, to separate that mucous principle which would otherwise render it black and soft when powdered. Potatoes are cut in slices and dried.

1890. To Transplant Large Shade Trees. In the autumn, before the frost comes on, dig a trench around the tree and

1886. Method of Covering a Bank of Earth With Grass. To cover a steep cut the roots, but not too near the tree. Rebank quickly with grass the following method move the tree through the winter, when the is recommended by a German Horticultural ground is frozen. Raise it up with the frozen Association: For each square rod to be planted, take 1/2 pound lawn grass seed, and mix it intimately and thoroughly with about 6 solid feet of good dry garden earth and loam. This is placed in a tub, and to it liquid manure, diluted with about of water, is added and well stirred in, so as to bring the whole to the consistency of mortar. The slope is to be cleaned off and made perfectly smooth, and then well watered, after which the paste just mentioned is to be applied with a trowel, and made as even and thin as possible. Should it crack by exposure to the air, it is to be again watered and smoothed up day by day, until the grass makes its appearance, which earth adhering to the roots. The whole mass is easily raised with levers on to a strong sled, and can then be drawn erect by means of oxen or horses. Trees from 20 to 30 feet high can be moved by this method, and they will grow in the spring.

1891. To Drain Land in Level Places, sink a well down to the first porous stratum.

The water from the upper soil will flow readily into the well, especially if drain pipes or tiles be laid in its direction. will be in 1 or 2 weeks, and the whole declivity The Extermination of will soon be covered by a close carpet of green. Vermin. The following compara- 1887. Substitute for Glass for Hot-tively few receipts and directions for destroy- Houses. Apply, with a common painter's ing, trapping and driving away insects and brush, boiled oil, or Canadian balsam, diluted vermin of all kinds, have been selected as the with oil of turpentine, to the surface of white most efficacious, from a large amount of informuslin previously stretched out and fastened in the position it is intended to occupy. mation on the subject.