NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



203 



GRINDSTONE ON ANTI-FRICTION ROLLERS. 



This mode of hanging a grindstone renders the 

 turning much easier than the old way, in Avhich 

 much labor is required to overcome the friction. 

 These grindstones may be had all rigged upon 

 frames, Avith a crank on one side, and a treadle on 

 the other, by which the grinder can turn the stone 

 himself with his foot, which is frequently a great 

 convenience. 



Those who would prepare their own implements 

 and machines as far as possible, can obtain cranks 

 and rollers for grindstones for about the expense of 

 having an iron crank without rollers made to order. 

 This shows how cheaply this improvement may be 

 had under proper management. 



Ilecently an improvement has been made by a 

 flange on the arbor, forming a plate against which 

 the grindstone is placed, and fastened there. This 

 flange keeps the stone firmly in its place. The flange 

 is not represented in the above cut. 



AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION. 



For a nximber of years past, a great deal has been 

 said in this state, as well as in other sections of the 

 country, on agricultural education, and the subject 

 has frequently been before the meetings at the State 

 House, Avhere, in some cases, the same speeches have 

 been repeated year after year. The past winter, at 

 these meetings, it was thought that it was high time, 

 and a favorable time, for action. 



Every body in the state seemed conscio\xs that 

 something should be done for the agricultural in- 

 terest, and all appeared willing to help on the good 

 work ; and the joint committee on agriciilturc in 

 the legislature reported a biU, the substance of 

 which was, that a commission of ten persons should 

 be a^jpointcd to examine and report on the subject, 

 also to examine and purchase a suitable tract of land 

 for a pattern or experimental farm, and for the loca- 

 tion of an agricultural school. 



But unexpectedly, this bill met -witb. opposition, 



and after a while many members of the legislature 

 got an idea that the object of some was to establish a 

 school on a grand and expensive plan, for the edu- 

 cation of rich men's sons, and that notwithstanding 

 all the state might do to encourage the school, the 

 expenses would still be so .great for tuition and 

 board, that the sons of men in middling circum- 

 stances, or in an humble condition as to property, 

 woidd not be able to avail themselves of the advan- 

 tages of this public school. 



Speeches were made against the bill, and it did not 

 pass. A committee of conference was appointed, 

 and after much discussion, a bill was reported and 

 passed, and finally approved of by the governor, ap- 

 pointing a commission of five to examine the sub- 

 ject and report to the next legislature. 



With this modification it will be perceived that 

 the commission is shorn of most of the power de- 

 signed to be delegated to it by the former bill ; and 

 perhaps this is as well, and may be better ; for if the 

 commission had much authority, and did not use it 

 to the general satisfaction of the state, it would have 

 a discouraging eff"cct, as considerable expense will 

 have been made. 



The governor and council have appomted the fol- 

 lowing gentlemen to this commission: Hon. Mar- 

 shall r. Wilder, of Dorchester; President Edward 

 Hitchcock, of Amherst ; Thomas E. tayson, of How- 

 lew ; Samuel A. Elliot, of Boston ; and Eli Warren, 

 of Boston ; to consider and report to the next legis- 

 lature upon the expediency of establishing a state 

 agricultural school. 



TiiopicAL Fhuits in Florida. — The cultivation 

 of the pineapple has been commenced in Florida ; 

 and with a little protection occasionally in winter, it 

 is believed this delicious fruit can be raised in that 

 state in abundance. The banana, guava, fig, date, 

 plum, orange, and, in fact, all tropical frxiits, are now 

 successfully cultivated in the neighborhood of St. 

 Augustine. 



Labor conquers all. 



