editor's table. 



doubtless, plantations of this tree might be formed in many parts of the South, from which 

 vast quantities of oil might be produced, and thus add another link to the great chain of our 

 national wealth. The Patent Office has taken measures to procure some of the seeds of this 

 tree for trial in the South and South-west. — Bath Sun. 



The newspaper press generally pays so little attention to scientific affairs, that it is quite 

 refreshing to meet with a paragraph like the above, which can be understood. The plant allu- 

 ded to, is better known to gardeners under the name of Jatropha, or Curcas, its original name. 

 It is very closely allied to the Ricinus, or Castor oil plant so common in gardens, and like that 

 plant, the oil produced by it is of the most violently purging character. The whole family of 

 plants, to which the present subject belongs, Eupkorbiaclee, is celebrated for their oily and 

 gummy properties, and many of them might be made of more service in the economic arts, 

 than they even are at present. Plants of it might be obtained from some of the English old 

 Botanic gardens. 



Academy of Natural Sciences. — The great additions and improvements to the 

 Academy of Natural Sciences in Broad street, Philadelphia, are now completed and 

 visitors are admitted as heretofore on Tuesdays and Fridays, from one o'clock until sun- 

 set, with tickets obtainable gratuitously from members of the society. There is not in 

 the United States a museum of Natural history better worthy a visit than this; its 

 collection of birds alone, entirely unique and very extensive and superb would well repay 

 a lover of nature for the longest journey. Modestly and scientifically conducted by a 

 few well instructed naturalists it forms a curious contrast to the be-mtisicked and be-pujfed 

 so called museums in some places that we could name. This Academy is a real thing, 

 and no sham, and therefore it is not much visited by the many ! We are a great people. 



Catalogue of Seeds. — The Catalogue of seeds for sale by Mr. Thomas Meehan of 

 Germantown, Philadelphia, embraces nearly everything that can be collected, and will 

 prove of great value to nurserymen as well as amateurs. The prices appear to be very 

 reasonable. 



The Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society have published their regulations for the 

 next exhibition at Harisburg. The days selected for the Fair are Tuesday, Wednesday, 

 Thursday and Friday, the 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th days of September. The Ploughing 

 Match will take place on Friday, the 28th, in the field adjacent to the place of exhibition. 

 Competition is invited from all parts of United States. 



Corn in Tassel. — The Savannah Georgian of June 8th says : Corn is backward — it has only 

 just begun to tassal. Wheat hax-vest is over, and the crop is a good one. 



Progress of Reaping Machines. — We have been informed by a manufacturer of agricul- 

 tural implements — on who is excellent authority — that between fifteen and sixteen thousand 

 reaping machines will be manufactured and sold this year in our country. The demand is so 

 "■roat that manufactures cannot make them fast enough for their orders. This affords evidence 

 of agi'icultural prosperity, as the cost of these machines will amount to nearly two millions of 

 dollars. Our farmers exhibit wisdom in using and patronizing machinery. A reaping 

 machine will save the price of itself in one season. — Scientific American. 



