176 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



these costly foods ; nor a reference to the circulars give much insight into 

 their composition. One professor of chemistry reports, however, that on 

 analysis, he found besides nitrogenous and mineral matters, upwards of 50 

 per cent of resj)iratory matter. 



[Societe Imperial Zoologique crAcclimatation. Paris, September, 1858.] 



This powerful body was organized on the 10th of February, 1854, under 

 the protectorship of Napoleon III. 



The members are several emperors, a dozen kings and eighteen princes, 

 and 1,650 individuals and societies. 



The purpose is to naturalize in France every animal of use or beauty. 



Mr. Bataille has recently sent from Guiana seven red ibis, four penelope 

 yacon, one jabirn, one heron honoro, one savacon huppee (top knot). 



The red ibis is one of the most beautiful ornamental birds. They are 

 easily bred ; they arc fed as poultry are ; we believe they are easily domes- 

 ticated. The penelopes are still more beautiful than the ibes. 



FOWLS. 



The greatly increasing interest in the breeds is a phenomenon as curious 

 as it is new. Long ago England, Belgium and Holland opened a new way 

 which we did not seem willing to go. We overlooked it with a superb 

 indifference, as if fowls were unworthy of notice and care. But 1850 

 revealed some private efforts and successful competition at our agricultural 

 fairs, and now we and all Europe are busy with fowl raising.* 



Classification is advised, and the best breeds to be carefully separated 

 and improved. 



PRIZE ESSAY ON MANURINa GRASS LANDS. 

 By J. Dixon. 



Experience of the last twenty years, extensively, has enabled me to say, 

 without hesitation, that bones are pre-eminent above all other manures, 

 when permanency and cost are considered. Some farmers boil them to 

 have more immediate effect, thinking also that they last as long. Raw 

 bone is best. For immediate eifect, grind them fine and throw them over 

 the grass in early spring and in showery weather. 



Of the permanency of raw bone. — After sixteen years the land (which 

 had been well manured with bone broken with a heavy hammer) was the 

 most fertile of any in the district. It is now seventy years since the bone 

 was put on, and the land is still markedly luxuriant beyond any grass land 

 in the district. It is said that bones do not materially help land that is 

 limed, for the lime neutralizes the fertilizing properties of the bone. I 

 tried this in 1848 on half an acre of heavily limed laud, and that is this 

 day superior to the rest. Bone sawings of button, comb and knife-handle 

 makers is always efi"ective on grass land. 



* Five years before that the American Institute gave premiums on poultry on my motion. — 

 H. Meigs, Secretary of the Farmers'' Club. 



