Proceedings of the Farmers' Club. 361 



heathen legend, of the phoenix that rose, radiant and bright from the 

 dark ashes of its funeral pile, and another proof of the truth of the 

 Baying, that we may find sermons in the commonest objects before us, 

 and good in everytliing. 



Dr. J. Y. C. Smith. — Mr. Chairman : I rise to express my gratitude 

 to the author of this paper. I have followed him through his able 

 and exhaustive account of the chemistry of manures, and I know he 

 has inade a valuable contribution to the science of agriculture. Few 

 that have not tried it are aware of the time and study required 

 to prepare such a paper, and I move the club tliat we tender 

 Mr. Whitney our thanks, and request of the author a copy of his 

 essay for publication in the annual report of the Society. 



The motion was seconded in some appreciative remarks from Mr. 

 P. T. Quinn, and the motioil passed by a unanimous vote. 



TuE ISTew Fabric Plant — The Ramie. 



Mr. Gregory stated that having lived in the south he had learned 

 something of this prospective new staple. It is a native of the Island 

 of Java in the East Indies, and has been cultivated since the war in 

 the southern parts of the cotton States. First it was brought to 

 Cuba, then to Mexico, then to Louisiana, where it is now grown in 

 large fields. It is similar to the large stinging nettle, and resembles 

 the hydranga, without the flower. Planted like corn it fills the 

 ground with roots, which may be taken for layers ; it suckers much, 

 and it is thought it may be propagated from eyes. The yield is four 

 times as much as cotton. Tlie whole stalk is used, and the quality 

 is equal in its fabric to Sea Island cotton, which it is alleged it will 

 supersede. 



Grindstone for Mowing Machines. 



Mr. D. W. Ayres, Chicago, 111., showed a small emery wheel of 

 conical shape. This is made to revolve rapidly by proper gear, and 

 is held on the bend of the teeth of the cutter bar. They can thus 

 be sharpened in the field without removing a bolt. 



Goodwin's Strawberry Trimmer. 

 Mr. W. C. Goodwin, Hampden, Conn., showed a cultivator with 

 spur and wheel attached so as to cut strawberry runners, and at the 

 same time clear out the weeds between the rows. It was referred to 

 a committee who will make trial of it at the Xew Jersey State fair, 

 on the 29th inst. Its retail price is §10. 



