98 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



water before planting, and not covering more than one-half to 

 three-fourths of an inch deep with earth ; while others advise 

 planting dry. Of course, to plant soaked seed, the top of the 

 ground should be moist, and the earth packed nicely on the seed. 

 Care should be taken not to plant contiguous to broom corn, as 

 the corn and cane will hybridize. Four by two and one-half feet 

 is a good distance to plant ; that allows cultivation both ways ; 

 leave ten stalks in a hill. A dry, sandy, gravelly loam, moderately 

 rich, is considered preferable for the highest development of the 

 saccharine qualities of the cane. Do not manure heavily with 

 fresh manure. The soil should be plowed qnite deep, and very 

 thoroughly." 



Barometers for Farmers. 



Prof. Tillman. — While I coincide entirely with the remarks of 

 Mr. Eobinson last week — that an ordinary barometer is entirely 

 useless for a farmer, particularly if he endeavors to follow the 

 printed rules — yet I am happy to state that a new instrument has 

 been constructed by Prof. Hough, of Albany, by which the changes 

 of weather can be indicated with a degree of certainty. The 

 instrument is so connected with an electrical machine that both 

 are operated together, and so accurate and delicate is the machine 

 that it will record the thousandth part of an inch in the rise or 

 fall of the mercury ; and 1,200 changes in 24 hours by the pencil, 

 which is operated by the machinery. It has also been ascertained 

 that it is not the rise nor fall of the barometer that indicates an 

 approaching storm, but it is what may be termed a fluttering of 

 the column of mercury in such minute waves as to be impercepti- 

 ble to the eye. By careful observation of this peculiar property, 

 the Professor thinks storms may be accurately predicted. 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — There is one difficulty in the way of this 

 instrument coming into use, that is the cost ; the manufacturer at 

 present charging about $250. It is to be hoped, however, that 

 the' time will soon come when farmers will be able to avail them- 

 selves of this important discover3^ 



Manures — Salt, Ashes, Lime. 



Mr. C. H. Boyd, Niagara County, N. Y. : " Will the Club tell 

 me how to use concentrated manures upon vines — watermelons, 

 for instance. Shall I apply in the hill or upon the surface ?" 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — Either will answer. If guano is used, 



