328 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



will not vegetate. A small quantity of radish or lettuce seed 

 should be mixed with the Sorgho seed, so that their quick growth 

 and appearance above ground may enable the farmer to run a 

 cultivator through the rows in time to destroy young weeds. The 

 soil most suitable to Sorgho growing is either rich sandy loams, 

 bottom lands or other light land; but, as at the Farm School, it 

 may attain luxuriant growth even on coarse gravel. By giving 

 proper attention to surface stirring of the soil with Knox's horse 

 hoe, and loosening up the sub-soil with the one horse soil lifter, 

 the certainty of a fine second crop will be greatly increased. It 

 is to be hoped that during the coming season very general atten- 

 tion may be given to its cultivation and the manufacture of its 

 products, for by careful experiment we shall obtain the favorable 

 results of which its previous history is the prophecy. 

 Kespectfully. 



GREEN SAND MARL OF NEW JERSEY. 



A note from George W. At wood. Secretary of the New Jersey 

 Fertilizer Company, was read, and a specimen of the marl in its 

 natural condition was placed on the table, with printed statements 

 of its properties, quantity used per acre, etc., confirming the expe- 

 rience of a long time past of its high importance to our agricul- 

 ture. This was well understood by our first citizens. The distin- 

 guished Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill was loud in its praise and care- 

 ful in its examination forty years ago. This native manure is now 

 delivered at Keyport, Jersey, opposite to Staten Island, on board 

 vessels at seven cents per bushel. It is a heavy article, not much 

 if any lighter than stone. 



Prof. Mapes spolie highly in its fiivor, as also the Secretary and 

 others. 



Prof. Mapes was requested to take up the subject proposed by 

 him, " Isomeric compounds for agriculture," since members who 

 would discuss the orchard question, such as Messrs. T. W. Field, 

 of Brooklyn, President Pell, and others, were still absent. 



The Professor then said it is well known that there are sixty- 

 four substances known as primaries, and that of these all things 

 in nature are composed. These primaries are all found in the 

 original rocks, which by their debridalion formed the soils. Hence 

 they are all to be found in the soils. They are probably also all 



