so Changes v^Jdch take place in the Field 



substances pulled to pieces or cut up so as to obtain a clear 

 insight into tbeir general formation. 



In putting up specimens for preservation some kind of mag- 

 nifying glass is always needed. It is, however, in the preparing 

 parts of objects, so as to be able to get a good view of the part 

 required to be seen, that the dissecting stand is absolutely essen- 

 tial ; for more perhaps depends upon the rightly displaying the 

 object than in the after examination of it. 



Specimens of seeds and numerous other substances that would 

 be found useful to the farmer for reference, may, for a very 

 trifling sum, be purchased of the opticians, who are supplied b}" 

 persons whose sole occupation consists in preparing and mount- 

 ing objects for the microscope. These object -preparers will 

 assuredly be ready to provide an ample supply of specimens to 

 meet all the requirements of the farmer, should the microscope 

 become generally resorted to, as it most probably will be at no 

 A^ery distant day. 



II. — Oji the Changes luldcli take jilace in the Field and in the 

 Stack in Haymaking. By Dr. Augustus Voelcker. 



If grass or clover could be made into hay without undergoing 

 any change in composition, the hay, when made, would no 

 doubt be found as valuable as the green food from which it was 

 derived. Fi'om exposui'e to the broiling heat of the sun on a hot 

 summer's day, cut grass or clover hardly lose anything else but 

 water, neither do their constituents undergo material alterations 

 if the grass is not much bruised, and the drying process takes 

 place Avith sufficient rapidity. The green colour, sweet taste, 

 and aromatic smell of well-made hay plainly show that such is 

 the case, and that haymaking is not always or necessarily 

 attended with serious loss of nutritive matter. I am aware, 

 however, that many practical men maintain the opinion that 

 grasses and clovers are less nutritious as hay than when consumed 

 green : though this may be true as a matter of fact in nine 

 cases out of ten, I conceive this is not a matter of necessity, but, 

 f it were always practicable to resort to artificial means of 

 desiccation, or to have under complete control the natural drying 

 rocess in the field, no material loss would be experienced ; the 

 green colour of grass Avould be preserved, nothing but water 

 escape, and all the solid constituents remain behind in much 

 the same state of combination in which they occur in the 

 succulent produce of our grass-fields. 



No attempt has been made as yet to apply artificial drying 



