2|94 [Assembly 



inscribed on it, proved to be at least two thousand years old; and 

 in one of its closed hands, was found a tuberous or bulbous root. 

 This root he planted in a sunny soil, and after a few weeks had 

 elapsed, it grew, and eventually blossomed into a beautiful dahlia. 



J. D. Wyckoff presented Malay potatoes, brought by him from the 

 island of Java They resemble the sweet potato, but are white flesh- 

 ed, and are nearly devoid of the sweet taste. 



On motion of the chairman, the potatoes were directed to be sent 

 to Grant Thorburn, now at Charleston, South Carolina, for cultiva- 

 tion. 



Extracts from the Gardener's Chronicle and Agricultural Gazette, London, Decem- 

 ber 9, 1848, sent to the Institute bj' Joseph Cowdin, U. S. Consul at Glasgow. 



COTTON CULTURE IN AUSTRALIA. 



*• I found the cotton plant growing vigorously on the banks of the 

 Brisbane river, in latitude 27^° south, from seed from America, — the 

 black or sea island. The cotton here is exceeding beautiful. The 

 Australia cotton will be a very superior article, in the fertile soil, in 

 the splendid climate of Australia. In addition to this, coffee, sugar, 

 tobacco, indigo, arrow root, sweet potato, pine apple, banana, &c., 

 flourish." 



What is a show of tat cattle to teach? 



Exhibitions of this kind hold the same relation to agriculture as 

 exhibitions of other kinds hold in relation to other arts. The Smith- 

 field show possesses greater professional or technical utility, than al- 

 most any other, unconnected with agriculture, that can be named. 



Extract from a letter from Junius Smith, Esq., to Gen. Adoniram Chandler, dated, 



Greenville, South Carolina, Dec. 29, 1848. 



Dear Sir — In this morning's newspaper, the 'Mountaineer,' pub- 

 lished in this town, I perceive an extract from the New- York Cou- 

 rier and Enquirer, under the head, 'What are the Planters of the 

 United States to do?' over your name. I am obliged to you for 

 your kind notice of my humble efforts to aid in giving an effectual 

 answer to the enquiry, and for your commendation, to those in this 

 part of the Union most deeply interested in the success of Tea cul- 

 tivation. 



