editor's table. 



abundance of their reproductive cells — wliicli sometimes constitute almost the entire bulk 

 of the plant — the extremely minute size and delicate nature of these cells, by virtue whereof 

 they are disseminated by every shower or zephyr, and the readiness with which these geraii- 

 nate ; and that, throughout the family, both in structure and products, there are many 

 analogies which bind them closely to the Phanerogamia, we cannot fail to increase our 

 surprise that a curiosity has not been sooner awakened to become familiar with the natural 

 history- of plants which strew the path of man wherever he roams over the wide world — 



which constitute the most universally diffused type of terrestrial vegetation." Twelve 



hundred guineas, or six thousand dollars, was lately paid by Louis Napoleon for an English 



bull ; but he gets his money cheap. Late experiments of mixing Mangel Wurzel with 



flour, to make bread and pastry, have demonstrated a saving in the price of from thirty-five 



to fifty per cent. Parsnips, carrots, and other roots, are also said to be applicable. A 



writer, in London, says : " In my opinion. Prince Lear is the best and most distinct hybrid 

 perpetual rose since the Giant, beautiful and erect in habit, and of very fine foliage. A good- 

 shajied yellow or blue hybrid perpetual, are the two colors in which there is a good opening 



for hybridizers. As an argument for steam-engines for farm-work, mowing-machines, &c., 



a correspondent says : " A machine, by being composed of inanimate matter destitute of 

 feeling and unsusceptible of fatigue, proceeds unswervingly in its assigned duty, and may 

 be forced to accomplish tasks which it would be both inhviman and impolitic to demand 

 from living creatures, and yet many human beings are employed as the moving force of very 

 ill-constructed machines intended to lessen and aid human labor. We are told by those 

 who have studied the subject, that the muscular energy of men forms the most insufficient 

 or the weakest of all the prime moving forces. Human labor is very limited in its compass, 

 and is the least to be depended on for regularity. The power exerted by one man is compara- 

 tively small, and it is both inconvenient and expensive to cause a large number of indivi- 

 duals to unite their powers in a continued or concerted effort." Thei'e are few good, hardy 



Evergreens that can stand sharp east winds in spring, not even the common Laurel. There 

 are few better than the varieties of Hollies, Tree-Box, common Arbor Vitres, and Evergreen 



Privets. Fowls, known in Normandy by the name of Creve Cceurs, are becoming great 



favorites abroad. They have more flesh on the breast than any other, except Bantams ; 

 they fatten externally, with a remarkable absence of ofi"al ; their eggs are remarkably large ; 

 the hens are low on the legs, with large, fleshy thighs, wings large, and body square. They 

 walk slowly, scratch but little, and do not fly ; plumage black, or black and white varie- 

 gated ; they carry on their heads a large tuft, and a small, upright, two-horned comb, whilst 



a large cravat of feathers under the neck gives them a matronly air. Farm-yard manure 



is treated, by Dr. Voelcker, Professor of Chemistry in the Royal Agricultural College at 

 Cirencester, in a way that will surprise some farmers. For example : The liquid drainage 

 of dung-heaps, he says, is more valuable than the urine of animals, because it contains 

 phosphate of lime, which is scarcely to be found in the other. That no loss arises from 

 spreading manure on the surface of a field ; on the contrary, the fermentation is stopped, 

 and the escape of volatile matters thereby ceases ; and if it be left to lie till the rain has 

 washed it in, is far more beneficial than burying it at once. And, " in the case of clay soils," 

 lie adds : " I have no hesitation to say the manure may be spread even six months before it 

 is ploughed in, without losing any appreciable quantity of manuring matters." What is 



the true theory ? The Legislature of Victoria, Australia, have passed a law against thistles ! 



Farmers and others whose lands are overrun with the j^rickly intruders, are to be officially 

 warned to destroy them, under penalty of a fine of from twenty to eighty dollars ; or the 

 authorities may cause the work to be done, and charge the cost to the offender. How would 



h a law be relished in oury^ee country '? The iSchool Commissioners of Ireland have 



considering the same subject, and approve a suggestion that the children of the 



