386 Transactions of the American Institute. 



the Department operations, and to the general fund of agricultural 

 knowledge. The results of the local associations and efforts, 

 whether of county society exhibitions, of club meetings, implement 

 trials, sheep shearings or other gatherings, might be presented in 

 epitome, supplying facts that might not otherwise be so fully 

 received; and reports, in detail, of special agricultural enterprises, 

 of systematic experiments of individuals, and other occasional data, 

 would serve to enrich the national repertory of industrial facts, and 

 disseminate generally to other States a knowledge of the peculiar 

 discoveries and improvements in each. 



*' This cooperation might perhaps be extended with advantage to 

 the monthly crop returns, Avhich form the basis of current approxi- 

 mate estimates of growing or harvested crops, by recommendation 

 of the best men as reporters in those counties which cannot be rep- 

 resented by secretaries of the agricultural societies, and by concur- 

 rent data from other sources, and suggestions as to any peculiar or 

 local subject of inquiry. 



*' The idea is also presented for the consideration of State socie- 

 ties and State boards of agriculture, of a still more intimate coope- 

 ration, involving the direction of returns to the officers of State 

 secretaries in those States, their examination and consideration, and 

 a report of results to this Department, for incorporation in the 

 general statement for the entire country. 



" Your views upon the above suggestions are respectfully soli- 

 cited. 



"In return, I shall always hold myself ready to answ'er any 

 reasonable demands upon the resources or the courtesies of the 

 Department. 



" I am respectfully, your obedient servant, 



" HORACE CAPRON, Commissiona:" 



SORGHUM SIRUP. 



Mr. L. Pyle, Newcastle county, Delaware, sends the Club a small 

 jar of sorghum sirup, wliich was handed to Mr. J. B. Lyman for 

 his opinion of the same. 



Mr. Lyman having tasted the sirup of Mr. P., and noted its color 

 and consistency, pronounced it a superior article, of a clear straw 

 color, thick and well boiled, so as to give no taste of iron. 



RESEEDING OLD GRASS FIELDS. 



Mr. James Slocum, Brownsville, Penn., submit^ the following 

 inquiries in relation to plowing up and reseeding grass lands: 



