202 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the farming community as a medium for the dissemination of practical and 

 useful knowledge was recognized by our Legislature last winter, as the appro- 

 priation for that purpose will attest. And now, ladies and gentlemen, J have 

 briefly stated to you the objects of the Institute as I understand them. 



In conclusion, permit me, in behalf of the farmers of this yiciuity, to bid 

 you all a hearty welcome, especially the professors of our Agricultural College 

 from whom we expect to hear something worth treasuring in our minds. All 

 in attendance are cordially invited to participate in the discussions and give 

 each question a proper ventilation. We do not expect to hear any great 

 oratory, but a plain statement of facts. After the reading of each paper or 

 delivery of speeches, time will be given for asking questions, and for free and 

 full discussions. Good attention and quietness is essential and respectfully 

 asked. 



The band then played another piece, after which Mr. John Preston, of 

 Alpine, read an essay on the subject of "Under Drainage." The subject was 

 discussed by Messrs. Willard, Preston, Johnson, Wilde, and others. 



Prof. S. Johnson read a paper on " Silos and Ensilage," which occupied 

 the remainder of the afternoon. 



At the evening session Mr. J. W. Kelley read a paper entitled 



BE MASTERS OF TOUR SITUATION, 



and Prof. E. J. MacEwan a lecture entitled 



HOME. 



The forenoon session of the second day was occupied by Prof. Beal, who 

 gave a leeture on lessons in 



PLANT GROWTH, 



followed by numerous questions, which were answered by the Professor. As 

 this lecture cannot well be separated from the ample illustrations by charts 

 and off-hand drawings on the blackboard which accompanied it, it will not be 

 published in full. We therefore give the following abstract of it here : 



The Professor said : Most plants are fixed in the spot where they grow, most 

 animals move freely from place to place, yet the reverse is true in some plants 

 and in some animals. Bark lice, oysters, barnacles, corals, move about when 

 very young, but become fixed in one spot as they become older. In one sense all 

 growth is a slow motion. Plants bend towards the light. Hoots bend towards 

 the dark. The young root — the first root of Indian corn swings or rotates 

 around as it grows forward. It sometimes makes a coil. In some cases the 

 first root grows in a horizontal position ; in rare cases it grows straight up. 

 This can be shown by fastening with a pin to a stick growing leaves of corn 

 over water in a dark place. Roots have nothing like intelligence. They do 

 not search for food. Fine small roots are put out in every direction. Those 

 roots which find proper nourishment grow best and gerd out branches which 

 branch again. In this way the best ground is fed all over. The sap in cells 

 circulates around in streaming currents. This can be seen in the sting of a 

 nettle, the prickles of squash vines, the young briars at the tip of a wheat 

 kernel. When ripe and dry the pods of many kinds of plants burst and 

 throw the seeds for some distance. This is done by a quick motion. The 

 cones of pines open to let pollen in to fertilize the seeds. The scales close till 

 the seeds are ripe, and open again to let the seeds escape. The pistils of the 

 violet, witch hazel, crane's-bill, balsam, and many other plants burst quickly 



