620 Transactions of the American Institute. 



so, bone-dnst will stiffen it. My use of guano in a similar emergency 

 only served to increase the ditficulty. 



Prof. J. A. Xasli. — It is probable that he " runs his land too hard," 

 as we may say in the country. For stificuing the straw there is nothing 

 so good as agricultural salt, at the rate of five bushels per acre. 



Dr. E. W. Sylvester. — I should judge from the description that 

 the land in question is clover-sick, aud if so, bone-dust, lime, and 

 leached ashes will restore it. 



Mr. P. T. Quinn, — There certainly is a difference between the skill 

 of farmers or in the climate, and I don't know which. The English 

 wheat grower can get thirty and forty bushels as often as the farmer 

 on this side can get twenty or twenty-five bushels of wheat. I think 

 the difference mainly in the kind of manure used. For a time, for a 

 series of years, clover will do all that needs to be done to make a 

 good wheat soil, but there comes a time when clover turned under 

 won't make wheat. Tlie English use more bone than we do and the 

 droppings of stall-fed beasts, especially such as are fatted on oil cake. 

 I would recommend to try bone and strong stable manure. Salt has 

 been found excellent on some soils to stiffen straw, and Mr. G. 

 should try it. But as the subject is one of the first importance, I 

 move that Mr. Galbraith's letter be referred to the Hon. George 

 Geddes, of Syracuse, with the re({uest that he favor the Club with 

 his experience. This motion was carried unanimously. 



Pkotection for Farmers in the Market. 

 Mr. FAnk D. Curtis. — The farmers of the State have revived the idea 

 of uniting together in associations for mutual protection and for the 

 advancement of their interests. In the town of Cambridge, Wash- 

 ington county, they have held several meetings, and are earnest in 

 their endeavors to accomplish something in this direction. In the 

 spirit of progress, and with the laudable desire to aid the farmer, 

 this Club has appointed a committee to report upon the possibility of 

 doing away with so many "middlemen," and so man}'' profits 

 between the producer and consumer, thus helping both. Kow, if it 

 is possible to devise any scheme to increase the income of the farmer 

 which is now running very low with the decline in the price of his 

 products, and thereby make his toil more remunerative, it should be 

 done. I am not clear in my mind how such an important result can 

 be accomplished ; hence I think it would be well to make this matter 

 a subject of discussion, and to request the committee alluded to to 



