THE GENESEE FAEMEE. 



a cause to an effect, we should well consider the effect. The sap rises in the spring, before the 

 leaves are out ; consequently they are not needed to draw it up. Capillary attraction fails; because 

 the sap does not rise at all times when the earth is wet. The sap is not drawn up ; because it will 

 overflow, and it will continue to run if the tree is cut off at the ground. It is not pushed up ; 

 because if we cut a tree just above the ground, when the sap is running up, and immerse the trunk 

 in colored water, it will rise and color the texture of the wood. 



When we have discovered the principle that gives motion to the heart of man, then we will be 

 able to answer the question, but I doubt if before. 



The conclusion of the article is the only part of it to which I can subscribe: " "With such facts 

 before us so simple, and so readily to be understood, we fll-e disinclined to attribute the whole action 

 of, to the words vital principle." I have no difficulty in believing that the author is so simple, and 

 easily understood, that he has attributed the rising of the sap to any power but the vital principle. B. 



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Impeovkmknt of Roads. — Nothing adds more to the beauty of a landscape or rural scenery, and 

 nothing is a surer indication of the enterprise and prosperity of its inhabitants, than to see hand- 

 some, straight, and well constructed roads, well fenced with boards, hedge, or wire, and sku'ted 

 with ornamental or useful trees. 



Many persons pursue a very slovenly practice of throwing along the road-side stones, old stumps, 

 or orchard brush, which they take from their fields, thus obstructing the way so that two teams can 

 barely pass, and the pedestrian who is compelled by necessity to use the only means of locomotion 

 which nature has provided, or the individual who chooses to avail himself of the healtliful and invig- 

 orating exercise of walking a few miles, is obliged in many instances to plod through the mud up to 

 his ancles or betake himself to the neighboring fields. 



Another great source of annoyance is the practice of letting their long-snouted quadrupeds run at 

 large, without rings in their noses, who root up the ground along the fenc^fS, leaving them rough 

 and imsightly, and causing Canada thistles and other noxious weeds to spring up in place of the 

 beautiful grass-sward which has been upturned by those voracious grunters. 



I would here remark that I have entirely eradicated several patches of Canada thistles along the 

 road-side, by cutting oft' every plant even with the surface of the ground as often as they made their 

 appearance, as I passed to and from my daily avocation. 



An error is committed by many of our path-masters in working the roads too wide, which neces- 

 sarily renders them flat, thus causing the water to stand on the surface, when the tread of animals 

 and the wheels of carriages soon make them very muddy. They plow close up to the fences on 

 each side, leaving no chance for a foot passenger to get along. A good side-walk should be left on 

 each side, at least six feet wide. The width of the road from the deepest part of the ditches may 

 be 32 feet, and the two side-walks six feet each ; making in all 44 feet clear of the fences, or about 

 two and a half rods, which is enough for any road except some great thoroughfai'e. Trees may be 

 planted along the road-side, especially on the south side of an east and west road, as their shadows 

 will be cast into the road, and will do little or no injury to the growing crops. The trees may be 

 cut away as soon as they attain a size sufficiently large for fence posts, and their places supplied by 

 setting out new ones in the intermediate spaces, or by letting a shoot grow up from the old stump 

 to form a new tree. New trees may be set in the spaces some years before cutting the old ones. 

 In this way the farmer can furnish himself with considerable timber and fuel with little expense, 

 beside adding beauty to his farm and the surrounding scenery. If all the road work were faithfully 

 and judiciously laid out, we sliould soon see a decided improvement in our roads ; and especially as 

 the practice of building plankroada has become so common, which throws more labor on the cross 

 roads. 



I would again call the attention of your readers to the law which requires the path-master in 

 each road district, the superintendents of canals, and the corporations of railroads, turnpikes, and 

 plankroads, to cause Canada thistles and other noxious weeds to be cut at least twice a year — once 

 between the 15th of June and the 1st of July, and once between the 15th of August and the 1st of 

 September in each year. Jason SMmi. — Tyre, JV. Y. 



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