FAllMERS' INSTITUTES. 291 



gerniinfition, and consequent growth ami niatuvity of all plants. There is a 

 certain place at which a wheat seed should be placed to obtain the greatest 

 amount of nature's element for its development. 



When the seed has been deposited three or four inches below the surface, it 

 will be noticed that a single upward shoot has been formed, with a few germ 

 roots at the starting point; following the shoot from this point, we find, at a 

 point one inch from the surface, the roots, which are destined to feed and 

 support the growing top; the lower part eventually dies, and a certain part of 

 the nourishment designed by nature to support the plant is lost, and a conse- 

 quent backwardness of the plant is noticed. Is it not evident, then, that th° 

 point at which the roots form is the proper place to deposit the seed. 



Experience for the last few years with the Hessian lly has strengthened my 

 convictions that at this point is the proper place ; ior all the properties involved 

 in the seed for its purpose, germination, is spent in the most economical man- 

 ner, and we may look for as complete a plant as the circumstances of the soil 

 warrant; indeed, a good rich soil, with the elements of plant food in the right 

 position for the early development of the plant, is a good remedy against the 

 attack of the fly, and as the plant when young draws its nutriment from near 

 the surface, the richest soil should be at this point, to secure a rank early 

 growth, which is considered a sure index to a good crop. And this should be 

 taken into consideration in applying manure to the soil ; and the question, 

 where will it do the most good, should be carefully considered. In this con- 

 nection the question of deep plowing will arise. jSTow I do not want to raise a 

 discussion upon this subject; but if I were preparing a piece of ground for 

 wheat, and a rich top soil had been plowed down nine or ten inches deep, and 

 a 2)Oorer one brought to the surface, I should get it back again as soon as pos- 

 sible and then keep it at the point where it would do the most good ; in short, 

 I would imitate nature by putting the manure on the top and mixing it witli 

 the surface soil, and the manurial elements in a liquid form will, by the aid of 

 frequent rains, go deeper into the soil, furnishing food for the plant as roots- 

 extend, thus securing all the benefit to be derived from it. 



No one would expect to grow and fatten young animals by putting their food 

 five or six inches beyond their reach, waiting for them to grow to it, and yet it 

 would be no more inconsistent with the laws of nature tlian it is to bury the- 

 rich top soil and manure five or six inches beyond the reach of young plants. 



Prof. A. J. Cook gave a lecture on the "Destruction of Farm Insects.'" 

 (See lectures given at more than one Institute.) 



A paper, by H. N. Addison, of Loonidas, on "Farm Fencing and Stock on 

 the Highways," of which we have not the manuscript, closed the afternoon 

 session. 



FRIDAY EVENING SESSION. 



The following paper was read by Chas. Betts, of Burr Oak, on 



FARM FERTILIZERS. 



A beautiful connection exists between the life of man upon this earth and 

 the varied productions of the soil suited to his support and development. His 

 progress in thoughtful research, his skill in labor and design, his ambition to 



