270 j ASSEMLBY 



one on each side, from tlie top of the post lo the iron box at tho 

 foot of the post. Mr. Coon spoke of the long known evils of the 

 old wooden fences, the space they occupy, the accumulation of 

 SEOW about them, the heaving out of the wooden posts, the short 

 deration of them, and the near future which will render wood too 

 expensive in a few years. The iron box at the foot of each iron 

 post being hollov/, keeps off the oxidati(;n which otherwise would 

 occur at the surface of the earth. Cost according to size, and 

 from one or two dollars per rod, upwards. 



Professor Mapes— I have had some iron fence on my farm for 

 the last five years, and do not perceive the least appearance of 

 decay as yet. Iron fences must be made sufficiently strong to 

 perfectly stop cattle, and that the animals may see it, and avoid 

 running against it, to their own damage and that ot the fence, it 

 iihould be painted white. Great advantages besides will attend 

 the use of iron fences : the post is readily moved and driven down 

 In. a new place, and the whole material of such fencea is likely to 

 remain valuable for an indefinite length of time. 



Chairman — D. J. Browne, the proposer of the subject, '^ Native 

 Grasses of America," not being present, and no one olfering to 

 speak, although several have been invited, I will make a f'ew re- 

 marks, byway ot inducing others to assist in the discussion. No 

 !>ranch of agriculture is more important to the farmers of our 

 country than the grasses, and in my humble opinion, not one as 

 much so. The horses, the neat cattle, sheep, swine, wool, dairy, 

 the various grains, even man himself, all live and thrive, directly 

 or indirectly, on tho grasses. Tiiey are the greatest source of 

 manure ; without pasture and forage or hay, very little stock 

 could be raised and kept on tlie farm. Stock is the great source 

 fiom' whence our large inland farmers get their manure. Grass, 

 while growing and falling or trodden down on the land, as much 

 of it does and will be, especially at the close of the season, decays, 

 mixes and assimilates with the surface earth, and assists materi;il- 

 Ijj with the droppings of cattle feeding upon it, in farming what 

 88 called the surface soil, the bed or matrix of tho whole vegeta- 

 ble kin (jdom. 



