Proceedings of the Farmers' Clvb. 667 



beginning, preserving the earth from utter corruption, and continu- 

 ing and increasing its fertility ; and that the compost heap was the 

 result of the observation and experience of the practical tillers of the 

 soil in all ages. In answer to Mr. Wilbur, let me sav that wood ashes 

 should never be applied to hen or any other manure, as they expel, 

 instead of absorbing, the ammonia. Coal ashes, on the contrary, eon- 

 tain but little alkali and a large amount of alumina, which absorbs 

 the ammonia and retains it until drawn out and appropriated by the 

 roots of plants. Mr. Carpenter is all right in putting unleached wood 

 ashes in his hens' nests. lie should also rub a little oil of any kind 

 not corrosive under the wings and around the thighs and heads of his 

 fowls. These will prevent lice ; and, if they have become lousy, open 

 their feathers and rub them with the ashes a few times, and then 

 apply the oil. He will find it effectual. 



Adjourned. 



April 20, 1869. 



Mr. Natha:s C. Ely in the chair ; Mr. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



N^EW CROPS FOE SOUTHERN CLIMATES. 



Mr. J. W. Gregory having returned from a tour in the southwest, 

 said the chief object of his visit was to introduce to the southern far- 

 mers the castor bean, and the new textile plant. Ramie. 



The Castor Bean Plant 

 Requires a rich, strong soil, and readies the height of a tree when not 

 kept down by topping. It will fiourish best on the black prairie lands 

 of Texas, and the rich alluvions of Louisiana and Alabama. It is 

 ornamental as well as useful, and will grow as a garden plant as far 

 north as forty degrees, but cannot be cultivated as a crop with much 

 profit north of thirty degrees. 



The bean is not affected by drouth or worm, while its culture is 

 well suited to the present scarcity of labor, especially as in tlie 

 perennial form it will, as in India, produce five or six crops without 

 replanting. It should be planted in rich ground, early in March, 

 deeply covered ; the ground checked oft' as for corn, eight feet between 

 the rows, six feet between the plants in a row. Plant two beans in a 

 hill, cover, and work between, as for corn. When the plants are a 

 foot high, thin out to one plant ; pinch off the top of that, and if the 

 tendency is to grow rank, repeat the pinching on the end of each 



