420 MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. 



and vegetation, and of course exhaustion before planting. We understand that 

 the deep planting recommended in the English extract is confirmed by Mr. Gow- 

 an's experience. 



We shall doubtless meet with other practical hints on this subject as we ga 

 along, looking over the journals before us. 



Entomological Societies. — Nothing has so much tended to promote progress 

 in arts and industry, as the division of labor — the confinement of attention to a 

 single branch ; but there is in this respect great room for improvement in our 

 country. Instead of having separate associations for the increase of knowledge 

 in each branch of natural science, and in each art and industry, we undertake so 

 many at once that nothing is half done. 



Thus we have one society to exhibit and give premiums for sheep, and cattle, 

 and fowls, and Howers, and plows, and bridles, and all sorts of products and man- 

 ufactures — instead of dividing these objects, and carrying ihem all to a much 

 higher state of melioration. We ought to have, for example. Veterinary Socie- 

 ties, for the improvement and care of the Horse — Societies expressly for the ex- 

 hibition and improvement of Sheep and Wool — for the Grape Culture and Man- 

 ufacture of Wine — and various other things. Why not, particularly it may be 

 asked, an Entomological Society ? 



We are reminded of this at the moment by seeing, in the paper already re- 

 ferred to, the following — which shows that we may go to London for a better 

 knowledge even of the insect destructive to our own great Southern staple ; and 

 that a Society there is taking measures to have observations made on its habits, 

 by a citizen of still another country in Europe, now traveling in the United States ! 

 Is it that nothing has attraction for us, with all our vain-boasting, that may not 

 be at once converted into the almighty dollar, unless it be militarij glory ! 



"Dec. 6. — W. Spence, Esq., F. R. S.. President, in the Chair. Mr. Spence communi- 

 cated a note from Rev. Mr. Meadows, of Wituesham, near Ipswich, accompanied by speci- 

 mens of Bruchus graiiarlus, which has proved especially destructive to crops of green Maza- 

 gan Beans in Suffolk, at least one-third of the crop being attacked in some places. He also 

 stated that the Tuniip crop had suffered to a great extent from the ravages of the grub of 

 Ai^rotis segetnvi — adding that part of a field, which had been dressed with " bm~nt earth" 

 at the rate of about GO cart-loads to an acre, had entirely escaped, ; but that the remainder 

 of the field, manured with London manure at the rate of about 20 cart-loads to an acre, had 

 been greatly attacked.* 



Mr. Spence read a note relative to several species of insects which infest the Cotton crop 

 in North America, and suggested that the su'bject was very worthy of the attention of ento- 

 mologists — nothing definite having been hitherto recorded, and the successful cultivation of 

 the crops of that article having so great an influence on the prosperity of our manufacturers, 

 and that more especially since vigorous attempts were now making to grow the Cotton iii 

 our Indian temtories (the plants being introduced from America). It was, therefore, re- 

 solved that the celebrated entomologist, Dr. Schaum, now in North America, should be re- 

 quested to direct his attention to the subject, on behalf of the Entomological Society." 



Effect of Turnips o\ Ewes in Lamb. — Mr. Robinson (Veterinary Professor in England)- 

 asserts — and his assertion seems to have attracted much notice — that " when lambing-ewes 

 are allowanced a large quantity of tmnips with a small amount of other food through the 

 winter, abortion is a frequent occurrence ; their supply of milk is very deficient, and their 

 lambs are dropped of various sizes and far from healthy. If the ewes are allowed free ac- 

 cess to salt, the lambs are still more unhealthy, and many die of indigestion and disease of 

 the liver. The mortality of the lambs in these cases may, I think, be fairly attributed to 

 the amount of salt taken by the dam ; for admitting that a small portion only is directly 

 given them, the quantity positively taken in their food in turnips is somewhat considerable." 

 A Lincohishii-e flock-master remarks on the above : " According to this it woidd appear we 



* See Gardeners' Chronicle, 1847, p. 442, for another instance in which a difference of manure operated 

 as a check againet the attacks of insects. Entomolosists and agriculturiet* have not hitherto studied the 

 effects of manures upon insects bo carefully as is evidently necessary. 

 (820) 



