No. 129.) 261 



twenty-years ago, he remarked that the gravel under laid was 

 as free from all signs of manure as the sand of the sea shore. 



Prof. Mapes. — The whole experiment is readily tried, as I have 

 done it, in a barrel of sand, with surface soil, clay, &c. Th© 

 liquid manure will all be taken up, and nothing but pure watej 

 will pass through. 



President Tallmadge. — I am delighted at this method of gain- 

 ing information. Let me comment a little. On the surface of 

 land we have a few inches of soil commonly dark in color^ 

 then below some clay, perhaps yellow ; then often either some- 

 hard pan, dense, or perhaps sand or gravel. Through all theses 

 the atmospheric influences hardly penetrate. Then we till it 

 deeply and thus enable them to enter their powerful fertilizing, 

 properties, give room to the entrance of the roots of plants. 

 The system of roots of plants is beautifully seen by subjecting 

 them to a gentle but complete washing. We are astonished at 

 their wonderful construction, and learn lessons most important 

 as to their actual functions in supplying their plant with all its 

 pabulum, and also how we should prepare our soils for theraj, 

 and how we avoid trespassing on their indispensible ramifications,. 

 I feel more and more strongly the value of science faithfully and 

 practically applied to agriculture. All show the necessity of closes- 

 study. 



The Secretary said, that he had very often reflected upon th^ 

 great principle, by which our greatest, as well as our least plants^ 

 contrary to the constant power of gravity, rise from an inch high 

 to nearly three hundred feet of altitude, carrying up weight aitei 

 weight, 'til at last, like the great gum tree of Australasia, the 

 weight lifted upwards is four hundred tons!! Even small plants 

 lift stones, throw aside the earth, force room for their roots, &c. 



The Chairman observed, that heretofore he had been opposed to 

 under-draining on account of the expense, and of our peculiarly 

 dry climate ; for such was the quantity of hot sun we had during 

 summer, and the warm seasons generally, that we had no surplus 

 HMHsture left to be conveyed off by artificial means, especially 



