262 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



take the 'best course to ensure the discovery of any value they 

 possess. They consist of 



1. Wheat, barley, and three species of beans, from Japan. 



2. Two species of beans from Shanghae, China. 



3. Beans from Madagascar. 



4. A few apricot pits, and one peach pit from Shanghae. 



5. Beans from Singapore. 



The seeds from Japan are perhaps more curious than valuable^ 

 Yet from them might be secured some new and valuable variety. 



The beans from Madagascar may, I think, prove a valuable 

 acquisition to the vegetable garden, and perhaps even for field 

 culture to the farm. I first saw them on the table of a gentleman 

 in the island of St. Helena. 



But the beans from Shanghae appear to me peculiarly valuable. 

 Being but a theoretical agriculturist myself, fond of reading upon 

 the subject, but ignorant of the practice, I send them to you, 

 hoping that you will bring them to the test of a practical experi- 

 ment. 



It is from these beans that the inhabitants of Northern China 

 procure the oil which they universally use for purposes of cook- 

 ing and burning. The beans are steamed and the oil expressed. 

 The residuum resembles our oil-cake, and is applied to the feeding 

 of horses, cattle, sheep, etc. 



It has occurred to me that this bean might be advantageously 

 introduced into our " rotation," as it is a renovating rather than 

 an exhausting crop. The oil certainly could find a market, if not 

 for cooking as amongst the Chinese, yet for burning and many 

 other purposes. The " cake " is probably equal to the " linseed 

 cake," if not superior to it. 



The land about Shanghae, where this bean is cultivated in 

 great abundance, is level, low, aujd wet, producing principally 

 wheat, cotton, rice, and beans. The bean, planted in drills about 

 one foot apart, flourishes here. But it is grown with equal suc- 

 cess upon the higher grounds adjoining the mountain ranges. 



I regret that I did not bring with me specimens of the oil and 

 cake, and that I can give no data as to the number of bushels pro- 

 duced to the acre, or the quantity of oil yielded per bushel. All 



