PROCEEDiyGS OF THE FARMERS* ClUB. 349 



induce many to undertake the production of improved varieties of 

 Bucli things. Their production certainly ought not to he overlooked. 

 The originator ot the English Fluke potato benefited England and 

 other countries to an incalculable amount, and died in poverty, having 

 received no remuneration, simply for the want of legislation. That 

 improved varieties of fruits are desirable few will deny. If the Bald- 

 win, a second rate apple, and the tree not hardy in many sections, 

 is the best apple for general culture, and the Concord, a second rate 

 grape, although a hardy vine, is the best grape for general culture, 

 as a certain fruit committee have decided, there is certainly room for 

 improvement. There are almost innumerable varieties, it is true; 

 but few indeed that combine in the requisite degree the principal 

 qualities of vigor, hardiness, productiveness, and excellence. N^ature 

 is not profuse of prodigies. The field for improvement in horticul- 

 ture is quite as wide as that of invention ; "besides varieties wear out 

 like other things, and new ones require to be raised from seed. Civil- 

 ized nations have accorded protection to inventors and authors, and 

 great good has resulted from the stimulus of such measures. 



Yalue of Broom Cokn Seed for Food. 



Mr. L. Smith, Cadiz, Ohio, inquires as above ; also, the value in 

 comparison with oats. 



Mr. N. C. Meeker. — -Chickens eat 1>room corn seed, and horses are 

 said to thrive on it, but it seems rather too woody. Those who have 

 experimented will please let us know more. As a general thing, an 

 article so well known as broom corn seed has no qualities which are 

 not generally known. 



Stkes' Reveesible Plow. 

 This invention has just been perfected, and a working specimen 

 was brought before the club by the inventor. The mould board 

 reverses by swinging up instead of down, and the weight is so bal- 

 anced that it moves with great ease. It works on level land as well 

 as on a side hill, and by using it the dead furrow or sink in the mid- 

 dle of each land is prevented. This has a cast iron plow beam, and 

 is in all respects made strong and durable. The inventor is making 



them at Sufiield, Connecticut. 



Adjourned. 



