374 WISCONSIN AGRICULTUEE. 



ment may prove, this much is certain at least, that many have 

 had the opportunity of gratifying their curiosity in the trial of 

 what it would do. During the present fall, patches of it may 

 be seen growing in almost every garden in the State, towering 

 far above every other annual vegetable around it. And back- 

 ward as the season has been, the prospect is that the seed will 

 ripen sufficiently for planting another year. 



Ample experiments are being made to show conclusively, 

 also, that it is going to prove highly profitable for syrup making 

 at least, and not unlikely for sugar, even here in our northern 

 latitude. Experiments that have come under our observation, 

 show that the yield of syrup will be large when expressed with 

 efficient and proper machinery ; probably not less than 200 gal- 

 lons per acre. Whatever its final merits may prove, one thing 

 is certain, and that is, that through the aid of the State Agricul- 

 tural Society the seed has been widely distributed. And if, per- 

 chance, it turns out that it does not ripen sufficiently ordinarily 

 in our climate, to grow well again, and without deterioration ; 

 even in that case it will be but a small expense to obtain it in 

 ample quantities from the south. 



The interchange and distribution of seeds, cuttings, &c., from 

 the older countries to a new one like ours, is a matter fraught 

 with more importance than is ordinarily realized, even by the 

 sagacious. It is a field in which the Society will undoubtedly 

 continue to labor, even upon a more enlarged and ample scale 

 than hitherto ; and one in which they may do so with a tolera- 

 ble certainty of usefulness. 



The growth and protection of timber is a subject that is be- 

 ginning to engage their attention, and undoubtedly will receive 

 a largely increased attention in time to come, especially as it is 

 a matter of the first magnitude in an economical point of view, 

 to many portions of the State. 



The Executive Committee, also, passed a resolution directing 

 the publication of a volume of transactions, embracing the seve- 

 ral past years, since the publication of the last volume. This 

 was deemed good policy, and even necessary, for divers and 

 sundry reasons. Nearly all the other States north of Mason & 



