Proceedings of the Farmers' Club. 211 



Micliigan and attempt to put their tlieories in practice, tLey ^vonld have 

 to cave in. " The most successful grain raisers whom I know do uot 

 on an average plow deeper than from six to eight inches. The root- 

 lets of the plants require the influence of the sun's rays, and the roots 

 of wheat and corn do not descend perpendicularly more than three 

 or four inches. Those roots are the largest which run laterally and 

 nearest tlie surface. This is demonstrated by the largest roots of a 

 tree running laterally. The top root is a prolongation of the trunk. 

 Each root diminishes in size in exact proportion as it leaves the sm*- 

 face. Finally, the soil is most porous in its natural condition, which 

 is proved from the fact that the dirt we shovel out of a hole will 

 not again fill it. These facts and experience teach me that eight 

 inches, with surface well enriched, is sufficient for all kinds of grain." 



Blue Gkass akd Clovee Seed, 



Mr. J. H. McKinsey, Secretary Stamford Farmers' Club, Lincoln 

 county, Ky., sent specimens of the above, which were handed around 

 among the members and much admired. That of the blue grass was 

 cut June 10, and was over four and a half feet high. The seed of 

 the cane, such as fish poles are made of, Solon Robinson called a 

 curiosity, as it has been thirty-five years since the cane blossomed. 

 The blue grass, the writer said, is allowed to grow from twelve to 

 eighteen inches high before it is grazed. Crop prospects in Kentucky 

 are flattering, though fruit will be liglit. There is a great want of 

 manufacturing establishments of all kinds, and in particular of 

 agricultural implements. Mechanics even with limited means can 

 do well. Lands are of every grade, from one dollar to $100 an acre. 

 Clover seed comes from the second crop, which should be allowed to get 

 dead ripe ; it should be stacked the day after cutting, and in the 

 same way as hay ; it must uot be dried too much, or a considerable 

 seed will be lost in handling. Cover the stack with at least eighteen 

 inches of straw or timothy hay. If no clover huller is to be had, it 

 may be tramped out in dry frozen weather. A good average yield is 

 two bushels of clover seed to the acre. 



Mr. J. E. Snodgrass.-— Having recently been through a part of Virgi- 

 nia, I saw that the time has come to introduce machinery there. 



Bakbeery Hedge. 

 Mr. P. AUyn, Benton Harbor, Micliigan. — I want to say a few 

 words about the barberry. One fact is worth half a dozen guesses. 



