i8o JVotes and Gleanings. 



American Pomological Society. — The coming session of this society, to 

 be held at Richmond, Va., on the 6th, 7th, and Sth of September, will undoubt- 

 edly be one of the most important sessions the society has ever held. This be- 

 ing the first meeting held so far south, and being in a region so well adapted to 

 the growth of fruit, and among so many fruit growers, we may anticipate much 

 of novelty, as well as of value otherwise. As we understand from the president, 

 it is intended to make a special effort to complete the catalogue by adding the 

 di\'ision relating to the Southern States. The collections of fruit will no doubt 

 be of interest, as comprising varieties dra\\-n from a wider extent of countr}- than 

 heretofore, including the south as weU as the north and west. 



Department of Agriculture. — General Capron, the Commissioner of 

 Agriculture, availed of the opportunity of the late commission to St. Domingo, 

 to send the botanist of the department, Dr. Parry, and his assistant, Mr. Brum- 

 mell, to investigate the flora of the island, as far as limited time afforded. They 

 made diUigent use of the opportunity, and have brought home for the large new 

 conservatory of the department seventy or eighty kinds of new plants, including 

 the Columnar Cactus, which grows thirty feet high ; the Agave antillarum, 

 with orange-colored flowers ; and the A. sisalana. Sisal Hemp; also the AUi- 

 gator pear, several new ferns, and various hard wood plants. Where it was not 

 practicable to obtain the young plants of desirable trees, they procured seeds, 

 as the Lignum Vita, Red Wood, Star Apple, Sappodilla Plum, etc., comprising 

 upwards of one himftred medicinal, fibre, and economic plants, all useful in the 

 arts, as well as many beautiful plants for ornamental purposes. R. 



Analysis of KLajnit. — The disco\-ery of kainit is one of the most impor- 

 tant of modem times, and it cannot fail to be of great service to agriculture. 

 With plenty' of potash coming to us at cheap rates from natural sources, and 

 with the phosphates from our own immense deposits in South Carolina and New 

 Jersey, the future of agriculture is full of promise. We must not expect to reap 

 immediate satisfactory advantages, as it is by slow processes that the gifts of Na- 

 ture are made fuUy available. But the time is near at hand when plant food will 

 "be furnished in great abundance, and at low prices, to husbandmen everj'where. 



Kainit in commerce is a calcined and ground product, and, according to an- 

 alysis, contains 



Sulphate of potash ..... 30.00 



" " magnesia ...... 20.00 



Chloride, " " . . . . . . J. 00 



" " sodium ...... 35.00 



Sulphate of lime . . . . . . 10.00 



The product is not uniform, as it varies in quality in various localities or parts 

 oi the same def>osit. These potash, magnesia, soda, and lime salts are all of 

 great utility in agriculture, and we think kainit, as soon as it is understood, and 

 the best methods of preparation or combination are known, will be largely em- 

 ployed. Boston Journal of Chetnistry. 



