166 [Assembly 



season, as a protection to the cattle from the inclemency of the 

 westerly and northern winds. This might be done with double 

 gates or doors, hung at each post planted in the ground, and sup- 

 porting the plate for the roof. These doors will admit of ingress 

 and egress at any part of the shed, for the purpose of hauling in 

 litter, muck, or compost of any kind, or of taking out manure, 

 as well as also for ventilation during the heat of the summer 

 months. I need not say that the eaves of all the buildings should 

 be provided with gutters sufficient to carry off all the water fall- 

 ing upon the roofs, when no portion of it may, for any pur- 

 pose, be wanted. 



Having given my own arrangement and experience in this mat- 

 ter at the meeting of the Club last week, I will only add, that in 

 case the farmer is desirous to adopt the " soiling system," as it is 

 usually termed, that is, by keeping his cattle yarded during the 

 summer season, cutting and feeding his fodder green, I know of 

 no better arrangement for convenience and for the comfort of his 

 cattle than this spacious shed supplied with the kind of suspend- 

 ed fodder racks — models of which having been already exhibited 

 and explained — both as a protection of cattle stock from the mid- 

 day sun, &c., as well as a perfect security from all loss or waste of 

 manure. 



George Waring, Jr., said — Mr. Chairman, should any one at- 

 tempt to apologise tor the existence of weeds, he would not be 

 without arguments to sustain his position. Even mosquitoes have 

 been found of use in keeping us from complete idleness in the 

 months of languor. Weeds shade tender plants from the too ar- 

 dent rays of the sun, and in a measure serve as a mulch to the 

 ground. Some weeds by their offensive odor drive away many 

 insects. They may serve as a green crop to be placed in the soil 

 and increase its organic matter. They make us stir the soil, and 

 thus increase its fertility. Still, Mr. Chairman, while thinking 

 out these uses of weeds, we find more urgent reasons why they 

 should not be allowed to grow. 



They occupy the soil to the disadvantage of cultivated crops. 



