90 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Feb. 



buried in the ground for winter use ; some are 

 forgotten or are not wanted and they vegetate the 

 following spring. He is, however, mistaken in 

 supposing the planting to be carried on annually 

 of necessity, or that "the oldest seedlings annu- 

 ally die." The plants come up and throw out 

 from two to six leaves, and continue to do so from 

 year to year, until the pines decay or arc removed, 

 and the light and air come to them, when they at 

 once commence a vigorous growth. I have marked 

 within fifteen years, hundreds of oaks in their 

 dormant state, and have never lost sight of them. 

 There they are, just as when I first discovered 

 them. Others I have opened to the light and 

 air, by clearing away the pines which shadowed 

 them, and they are vigorously taking their places. 

 Providence has wisely made this provision for the 

 future. These plantations are existing all around 

 us, with no oaks within a large circuit — they have 

 been all sacrificed years ago, yet the clearing up 

 of a pine grove will reveal the careful providence 

 of nature. If no oak has ever grown in a district, 

 none will grow, for want of seed, but once plant- 

 ed and germinated, it is never lost. 



The squirrel is equally efficient in planting the 

 pine seed as the acorn. The cone of a pine con- 

 tains from thirty to sixty sound germinating seed. 

 The squirrel, with his sharp teeth, cuts off the lit- 

 tle flaps which hold them and pouches them, car- 

 rying them to his retreat, where they are lightly 

 buried. A common chipmunk will take in his 

 pouches or cheeks more than a hundred seeds at 

 a time. 



It is not only the pine that acts as a sentry 

 over the oak, preparing for its future growth by 

 the annual decay of its spikelets. The birch, to 

 some extent, performs the same office. If you care- 

 fully look through what appears to be an entire 

 birch cover, you will frequently find the young 

 oaks beneath abiding the period of its more rapid 

 decay. R. J. F. 



BUCKWHEAT. 

 This grain, which possesses a high value for a 

 variety of purposes, should be sown between the 

 fifteenth of June and the first of July. The soils 

 best adapted to buckwheat, are those of a sili- 

 cious or sandy texture. The frequent failures 

 which have attended the cultivation of this grain, 

 are attributable, in a majority of cases, to lack of 

 attention in managing it. The soil should not 

 only be rich in soluble extractive matters capa- 

 ble of yielding aliment to the plants, but of such 

 a texture as to admit of its being reclaimed by 

 the action of the harrow and the plow to a very 

 fine tilth. Purity of seed, also, is another im- 

 portant consideration. It should be of good qual- 

 ity as to fullness and roundness, and not above 

 three pecks allowed to the acre. The application 

 of the roller to the surface after sowing the seed, 

 will be beneficial, as it tends not only to compress 

 the soil around the seeds, but to facilitate the la- 

 bor of harvesting by producing a level surface. 

 This is important, as it enables the mower to 

 carry his scythe near the roots of the stalks, and 

 to obviate the loss of seed which a more elevated 



stroke would shatter out. Clayey soils, unless 

 thoroughly drained and pulverized, are un suited 

 to this crop. The soil congenial to this crop is 

 upland green sward, inclining to sand, plowed in 

 June. 



LEGISLATIVE AGRICULTIEEIAL 

 SOCIETY. 



The first meeting of the Legislative Agricultu- 

 ral Society was held in the Representatives' Hall 

 at the State House, on Monday evening, Jan. 7, 

 which was wtll attended. 



The assemblage was called to order by Col. 

 Stone, of Dcdham, and Simon Brown, editor 

 of the New EiKjland Farmer, was unanimously 

 elected President of the evening. 



On taking the chair, Mr. Brown spoke briefly 

 of the importance of these meetings, and of the 

 desire of the people of the Commonwealth to 

 learn, through the papers, what is said at them. 

 He spoke, also, of the necessity that every farm- 

 er should avail himself of the real improvements 

 in agricultural implements and machinery, so 

 that he may keep progress with other industrial 

 pursuits in obtaining his products cheaply. He 

 said that he believed farming to be the most prof- 

 itable pursuit ever engaged in by man, when the 

 true meaning of the word profitable is considered, 

 and that it is as honorable as any other. He 

 made several interesting illustrations, and closed 

 by appealing to the members of the Legislature 

 to sustain these meetings by their presence and 

 teachings. 



On motion of Col. Stone, Mr. Mason, of Dart- 

 mouth, was chosen Secretary. 



A committee of seven, consisting of Messrs. 

 Freeman Walker, of North Brookfield, Lan- 

 sing J. Cole, of Cheshire, Elipiialet Stone, of 

 Dedham, Josiaii White, of Petersham, I). Or- 

 lando FisKE, of Shelburne, David H. Merriam, 

 of Fitchburg, and Silas T. Soule, of AVareham, 

 were appointed to furnish subjects for discussion 

 for future meetings. 



Mr. White, of Petersham, being called on, 

 said, that of the utility and importance of these 

 meetings there could be no doubt, and he trusted 

 this was the first of a series to be held by the 

 Legislature that would benefit every one who at- 

 tended them. He always felt bound to give all 

 the aid he could to advance the interests of the 

 agriculturist, and he thought in the short time 

 left, the time would be well devoted to the sub- 

 ject of Improvements in Agricultural Implements, 

 expressing the opinion that these had been 

 brought about by the farmer's success. 



Col. Stone complimented the previous speaker, 

 and said that in his opinion these meetings were 

 better conducted without restraint, and he hoped 

 to hear all take part in the discussions. 



