510 [Assembly ! 



table would grow. The best time for sowing the seed is from the 

 middle of March, or (as early as possible,) to later periods ; and 

 for autumn, sow in August. Fourteen pounds of seeds are enough 

 to sow one acre, either drilled or broadcast, but drill is best, 

 twelve inches apart. Must be carefully weeded. If sown very i 

 early, two crops can be raised in the year. The leaves of it are \ 

 very small, and do not at all injure clover growing under them. \ 

 No insect touches it, not even the aphis — the cabbage louse. The | 

 seeds are known to be ripe when the pods assume a gold color. ; 

 Care is necessary in gathering as soon as ripe, or the seed i8 

 spilled. A good season gives about thirty-two bushels of seeds ■ 

 per acre, from which 540 pounds of oil can be obtained — more 

 than can be got from flax seed. (Differing from Lindley as to j 

 the cake.) The seed is extremely nutritious, and has no superior | 

 for feeding cattle. The oil is yellow and smells like linseed oiL \ 



AMERICAN INSTITUTE LIBRARY, MARCH, 1855. ' 



Just received from Alexandre Vattemare, in addition to nume- ! 

 rous recent donations of books, the quarto volumes to 1853, of i 

 the great French work " Bulletin de la Societe d'Encouragement, 

 pour I'Industry Nationale." 



The objects of this interesting society are analogous to those of 

 the American Institute, and those who are seekers after know- 

 ledge should have it by them for reference. It is now in its 54th 

 year. It was recognized by the French government, in 1824, as 

 of high public utility. The volume for 1853 says Paris is tlie 

 most industrious and productive city of the whole continent; that 

 it has 325 classes of industry, in which there are employed 

 64,816 masters and foremen, 342,530 workers, of all ages and 

 sexes ; making the working hands of Paris 407,346. 



This society publishes every new discovery or improvement in 

 every art and business of home or abroad, and illustrates them 

 "with very faithful engravings. 



The chairman announced the subjects for discussion, " Improve- 

 ment of swamp lands," and " how to cut asparagus." 



