No. 105.] 523 



EXTRACTS 



From the proceedings of a convention of Farmers^ and Silk Culturists 

 in JVew-York, on the 9th lOth and Wth of October. 



Mr. Perry, of Texas, presented as specimens of the products of the 

 " Lone Star," a grain somewhat resembling our wheat. It was ta- 

 ken from the banks of the Missouri river, on the 4th of March last, 

 twenty feet above water. It was when pulled three feet nine inches 

 high, but being carried many miles on horseback, it had consequently 

 become much broken. It was in full vigor when taken. He then 

 exhibited samples of wild oats, (moskeet grass,) taken from 

 Lake Sands near Preston. It remains green during the winter. Also 

 some of wild rye, taken from the bottom of the San Antonio river, on 

 the 6th April last. It begins to grow in the fall, continues green all 

 the winter, and comes to maturity in April. 



The president on presenting the specimens, remarked, that it was 

 the wish of the Institute, that all grains, grasses, and other products 

 of the earth presented to them, be accompanied by a particular des- 

 cription of the soil, climate, mode of culture, &c., which secures to 

 them the greatest prosperity. 



Mr. Hennen, of New-Orleans, remarked, that he understood the 

 Louisianians commenced manufactures in the United States, and that 

 they are now the greatest manufacturers in the world. They manu- 

 facture cotton from the seed. 



Recently they have introduced a new machine, by which one man 

 can gather and gin an amount of cotton in one day equal to the pro- 

 duct of the labor of forty men on the old system. It was invented by 

 Mr. Pierce, an Englishman. 



England has failed in all her attempts to raise cotton in the Indies 

 and elsewhere, and experience proves that the cotton plant will not 

 thrive except in about 3 degrees of latitude — between 30° and 34.° 



It grows well in Egypt, and seed has been imported from there to 

 Louisiana and found to do well. It is between the Sea Island and 

 the Mexican. The Mexican, or Gulf cotton, was raised to its present 

 perfection, by a careful selection of seed, and superior cultivation. 



