658 TuAysACTioys of the Amerwan Institute. 



heard from those that have used small quantities of seed. I for one, 

 would like to hear from those that believe in heavy seeding; not the 

 result on a few square rods of ground, but the average of several 

 acres. I had a small piece in my garden ])lanted (not sown) very 

 thin. I cannot give the exact yield as part of the crop was destroyed 

 before being gathered, but it was probably somewhere between 150 

 and 200 bushels per acre. I do not consider this any guide, as I 

 have not the manure, nor can I obtain sufficient to make my farm as 

 rich as my garden. These oats have a very thin hull, and were 

 awarded the first premium at the New York State Fair last fall for 

 this reason, I send you one-half bushel (sixteen pounds). They are a 

 fair sample of the oats. I think their appearance will show they 

 have not greatly deteriorated in the four years they have been raised 

 here. 



The Chairman. — I have requested our Secretary to put these oats 

 up in quart parcels and distribute them at the next meeting, and I 

 hope they will be fully tested and reported on next season. 



The Secretary. — Here is a specimen of " Surprise oats " forwarded 

 by Mr. George Goddard, of Port Jervis, N. Y., but grown in Chick- 

 asaw county, Iowa. I have put them on the test scale, and find that 

 they weigh at the rate of forty-three pounds per bushel. 



Mr. Adrian Bergen. — In this connection I would like to be 

 informed why oats raised on rich soil are so likely to lodge. 



Prof. J. A. Whitney. — In rich land, commonly so called, there 

 may be an excess of ammonia in proportion to the mineral elements 

 of plant food. When this is the case the green parts of the plant 

 will have a rapid growth, but when the plant begins to ripen, a 

 greater proportion of phosphoric acid is needed for the kernels, 

 together with potash and soluble silica to give stiffness to the straw. 

 The silica is seen in ripe straw in the glistening coating. The use of 

 wood ashes and mineral superphosphates would dou])tless remedy 

 t^Q difiiculty. 



Mr. J. B. Lyman. — Experiments were made by the New York 

 State Agricultural Society which tended to show that it is to the inte- 

 rest of every farmer to try salt in such cases. There is no positive 

 knowledge beforehand that it will bring the desired result, but it is 

 likely to three times in four. 



Prof. J. A. Whitney.— Salt is found to be an excellent fertilizer 

 in some cases, but in others, apparently identical, it has failed. It 

 can act in two ways by its gradual decomposition in the soil. The 



