254 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



tained the seed of what he conceives a new kind in this country, and 

 valiiahle variety of grain, which instead of selling at a dime a seed, 

 or $5 for a little tin pill-box full, like some Chinese ^'am specu- 

 lators, see what he offers to do with it. Here is his letter, dated 



West Macedon, N. Y., Saturday^ Jiug. 2, 1856. 



Eds. Tribune — With a view of giving this new variety of grain 

 a simultaneous introduction into every town and district of the 

 Union, I make my proposition through the columns of The Tri- 

 hune^ a? the most likely means of effecting this object. This 

 valuable grain is a native of China. The subscriber commenced 

 wdth seven grains thiee years ago, and the quantity, though insuf- 

 ficient now to prove its merits by grinding or malting, is still suf- 

 ficient to supply one head containing 30 to 60 grains, to all who 

 will take an interest in having a hurley without beards. Thousands 

 of our barley-growers will at first doubt the existence of such a 

 thing as "barley without beards." But, gentlemen, on their re- 

 ceipt of a post-paid envelope, bearing your own address, I will 

 cheerfully send you one head^ which will prove itself, and all 

 shall he stcpplied who ask, though it should reduce my stock to a 

 single head. 



I offer this as a treat to the rural readers of The Tribune, being 

 well aware of what may be the result of my offer to such a host of 

 readers, viz: 200,000 calls ; but I am prepared fi)r it; nothing 

 would please me better than to devote about three months' time, 

 more or less, to the distribution of this grain. Therefore, if you 

 will give the above card an insertion, I will perform my part of 

 the contract with the greatest pleasure. Inclosed area few heads, 

 by which you will see it is a beautiful grain, aside from that very 

 desirable quality, "beardless." 



Very respectfully, yours, &c., 



J. W. BRIGGS. 



These heads w^ere much admired by the Club, as well as the 

 spirit tliat animates the writer. 



THE ITALIAN HONEY BEE. 



Solon Robinson read a lengthy communication from Samuel 

 Wagner of York, Pa., upon the Dzeirzon theory of bee culture, 

 and the great improvements in progress in German}^, where the 

 subject is fostered by several State Governments, and a journal 

 published devoted to the Apiarian. We extract tlie following pas- 

 sage from his letter about the "Italian Bee :" 



" It has been satisfactorily ascertained that this species (the 

 Italian bee,) when of pure blood, is more industrious, hardier and 



