200 Transactions of the Aiierican Institute. 



Raise your own Garden Seeds. 

 G. J. Knight. — Now is the time to prepare for saving seeds, and a 

 little attention will save many dollars ; besides, one is certain of 

 having pm-e seed. Some persons set out cabbage stalks. I prefer 

 medium-sized heads. Prof. Mapes said farmers' seeds deteriorate; 

 this may be tlirough improper cultivation. In my experience our 

 vegetables have improved. Care should be taken to select the best 

 and earliest peas, beans, squashes, cucumbers, and corn for seed. 



Coal Ashes. 



Mr. Jacob E. Kimble, Vestal, N. Y. — In what way can I use coal 

 ashes best ? 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — Let him sow them on his grass lands. They 

 will do more good there than on plowed ground. Coal ashes have 

 less potash in tliem than wood aslies, but they have a good deal of 

 silex in a fine state, and this is useful for grass especially ; also for 

 oat straw. But they have but little effect on grain of any kind. 

 They are useful as an absorbent of bad smells, and on that account 

 can be used to advantage around a sink or cess-pool. 



Mr. A. S. Fuller. — "With me, coal ashes are worth three dollars or 

 four dollars a load, especially on sandy soil. 



Shavings on Wet Lant). 



Mr, E. Howe, Speedville, N. Y. — Are pine or basswood shavings 

 good for wet land when plowed under? 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — He had better burn them and use the ashes 

 as manure. They are of little use as shavings, unless first used about 

 yards and stables, and thoroughly saturated with some fertilizing 

 fluid. 



CATERriLLARS. 



The commander of the military post at Detroit wanted to know 

 how to destroy tree caterpillars. 



Dr. I. P. Trimble. — The cedar birds, killed in great numbers and 

 Bold in our markets, are most active and industrious friends to the 

 farmer, eating many of the worms and bugs that prey upon his 

 fruits. Many of our worst enemies, as the canker worm, suddenly 

 disappear. It is found that another little insect, a parasite, comes 

 along and lays his egg in the egg of the canker worm and thus kills it 



