68 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



while Livci[)cx)l stands third, the imports tliere beinj^ about 250,000 qnar- 

 tiM-8 annuully. Newcastle', Hristol, (jiloucoster, and a few others receive 

 smaller amounts. 



" Now, ■whence do we derive our supplies of these seeds? The aromatic 

 seeds come from Europe and Africa; the grass seeds from Gerjnany and 

 France, except a little Tiniothy from North America; the p^arden seeds 

 chiefly from Holland, Ilel<^iu?n, France, and IIambur<:;, and the oil seeds 

 mostly from Kussia and Imlia, altliouj^h Egv|)t, Italy, and Prussia now 

 send us increasing' quantities. The pulse, lentils, &c., arc principally 

 from Ej^ypt and Portugal. The aromatic seeds and others are used for 

 cooking-, for confectit)nary and medical purposes. The great bulk of the 

 oil seeds furnish beside painters', burning, and other oils — oil-cake for 

 cattle food and manure, of which our imports are not so large as they for- 

 merly were, probably because it is found that we can make a better 

 article at home. The wretchedly foul condition, however, in which UMich 

 of the seed is received renders it extremely diirioult to make a palatable 

 cake for cattle, much of it being refused by beasts, owing to the quantity 

 of earth and sand with which it is mixed." 



What is a "Quarter" of Grain ? 



Mr. Solf)n Robinson. — The discussion on the change of duties in England 

 elicits a distinct statement from those engaged in tlie grain trade, as to 

 the meaning of the English term " quarter," as a measure of grain, when 

 it is calculated on the wtitjhl instead of by actual measurement. One of 

 the speakers at the meeting (f the Corn Trade, at the London Corn Ex- 

 change, gives the following standard weights to the quarter of eight 

 bushels of the diiFerent grains: 



Wheat 496 lbs. to ttc Quarter— equal to 62 lbs. per Bushel. 



Harlcy 4O0 do do do 50 do do 



Oats.'. 320 do do do 40 do do 



The Yield of Broom-Corn. 



Afr. Solfjn Robinson. — It is estimated by broom-corn growers that an 

 average of seven acres of good corn is required to produce two tuns of 

 brush. An acre will average 35 bushels of seed, which is worth 40 cents 

 a bushel, and is tolerable food for all kinds of stock and poultry. There 

 are four varieties of broom-corn usually cultivated. First, the Sanq)son, 

 which has long, heavy, coarse brush, lit (^nly for coarse, heavy brooms, and 

 is unprofitable to the manufacturer. Secondly, the Early broom corn. This 

 ripens some three weeks earlier than the other varieties, and has a fine, 

 t<jugh brush, juuch liked by broom-corn makers. Thirdly, the South Caro 

 lina Dwarf, which has short, fine brush, suitable for wisps, and small, fine 

 brooms. Fnurthly, the common variety, which, for ordinary puri>ose3, is 

 profitable alike to grower and manufacturer. The crooked and short stalks 

 should not be thrown away, as they answer well for the inside of brooms- 



A White Wistaria. 



Mr. A. S. I'liIhT presented some very handsome flowers oi AVhite Wista- 

 ria, a seedling of the Wintaria fuhjcnx, produced by Ellwanger & Barry, at 



