18 THE YEAR-BOOK OF AGRICULTURE. 



on behalf of the Light-hou-o IV^ir 1, to engage in the cultivation of the rape and colza — 

 plants extcn-ively anil most profitably grown in Europe. 



It is a serious question whether our agriculturists, in importing foreign seeds ami plant-, 

 are mi neglecting valuable products and materials which are abundant at our very doors. 

 The ootton-seed annually wasted at the South is capable of affording a large amount of su- 

 perior oil. Recent experiments, made in Scotland, -how that the ootton-e I cake, after 



pressing, is equal to linseed, rape, or bean cake for the feeding of stock, Indeed, its im- 

 portation from New Orleans into Great Britain, for this purpose, has already commenced. 

 Other facts, of a similar character, might also be adduced. 



Many of our readers will remember the splendid collection of woods, seeds, mineral and 

 vegetable products sent from British Guiana for the New York Crystal Palace. This valuable 

 and. at the same time, perfectly unique collection, made by the colonial government at great 

 expense, has been secured, through the exertions of Dr. Gale, of Washington, ami the aid of 

 the British Minister, for the National Institute, and will, hereafter, form an important feature 

 in the museum of this Society. 



In Ru-ia. for some years past, a peculiar disease, called " rinder-pest." or cattle-plague, 

 has been committing fearful ravages among the flocks ami herds of that country. During 

 the past year it has exhibited some tendency to spread westward into Austria and Prussia. 

 The authorities of the latter country have, therefore, just published a proclamation totally 

 prohibiting the importation from Russia of horned cattle, sheep, goats, pi'/-. d< gs, and poul- 

 try; fresh skins of oxen and other animals, horns, unmelted tallow, fresh beef. furs, manure, 

 and stable implements that have been used. The following articles are prohibited if there is 

 son to believe they are the produce of infected or suspected districts: Raw wool, dried 

 hides, and the hair of animals, with the exception of lions' bristles. All persons who. from 

 the nature of their avocations, may be fairly supposed to have had personal contact with 

 infected cattle, such as cattle-dealer-, butchers, graziers, drovers, tanners, leather-merchants, 

 and poultry-dealers, will not be allowed to enter the Prussian territory : and ahould special 

 reasons exist for making exceptions in particular cases, they must remain for some days 

 before their admission under the surveillance of the authorities, submitting to Buefa regula- 

 tions as may be considered needful for the general security. In order the more effectually 

 to maintain a control over travellers and goods arriving from Russia, they will only be allowed 

 to cross 'lie frontiers at specified points, all others for the present being closed. 



The subjed lias n lso come before the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and the 

 matter U also under serious consideration both on the part of the Society and of the (bivern- 

 ment. There is some reason to believe that the disease has made it- appearance also in the 

 Crimea among the animal- intended for the allied armies, and the French government have 

 es pe cially instructed their veterinary Burgeons in reference to its nature and propagation. 



The potato disease appears to be diminishing in intensity, and but little complaint ooss> 

 paratively has been made of it during the past season. The British Meteorological Booiety, 

 m the " ill of :i lot of observations, have recently published the following summary 



\>{ Conclusions to which they have arrived : — 



That the vital energy of the potato Is unimpaired, and that it never becomes 

 until the Stage of lowering, which is about one hundred day-, or about three months, from 

 the time of planting; that the causes are simultaneous in their action over ■ large tract of 



intry, and at great diets -. and are peculiar to the soil and air. That the object of the 



agriculturist ought to be the proper cultivation of the -oil, and endeavor to economise the 

 vital power of the plant at the time of (lowering; and tht removal of th» fio*nrbqfbrt 



formation of uld tssm to eorUribuU to thu tnd. 



sg productions have been recently introduced into the Jardin dee Plnntes, at 



Pari-, i bj M i r, formerly consul-general of France in that country. 



tine i- the red and yellow ocas, which is of the form of ■ long potato, and has il>" taste of a 

 ehestnul . the other Is the millooo, which has the taste and form of our best p ot ato e s. These 



two P".t-, which are found in great abundance in the neighbor!) 1 of Quito, grow readily in 



the poorest land. The oca is cultivated in the ftsldl Of Mexico, but only -nee. c, I- in the 

 warmer district*. 



