228 transactions of the american institute. 



Flower Seeds for Distribution. 



Mr. Wm. R. Prince has sent to the Secretary the following flower seeds 

 for distribution: 



Clematis Viticella purjnirea — Purple Virgin's Bower, a hardy climber. 



Bignonia fiava — Bright Scarlet Trumpet Flower, a hardy shrubby climber. 



Hibiscus roseus JaUidus — Pale rose Hibiscus, a hardy perennial. 



Cassia Marylandica — Maryland Cassia, a hardy perennial. 



Bignonia Princei — Prince's splendid Bignonia. 



California Splendid Liqnn — Perennial. 



Liatus pyramidalis — Purple spiked Liatus, perennial bulb. 



Hibiscus militaris — Halbert-leaved Hibiscus, 



Indigo Shrub. 



Mr. Prince says of the Crimson Bignonia, that it is a seedling of B. 

 grandiflora. It is the most magnificent of the whole family, and blooms in 

 immense pendant clusters. Not a plant exists out of my possession, and 

 these are the first seeds distributed. Any lady inclosing a prepaid envelope 

 to John W. Chambers, Secretary of the Farmers' Club, New York, he will 

 take great pleasure in forwarding the latter seeds, with any other he may 

 have on hand, to the applicant. 



Planting Forests on the Western Prairies. 



Mr. James Vincent, Taber, Fremont county, Iowa, having approvingly 

 read in the reports of the Club an article upon the economy of fuel, is moved 

 to make an urgent appeal to all prairie farmers to plant timber trees as 

 among the most profitable crops they can put upon a portion of their lands. 

 For this purpose the soft maple and cotton wood is valuable out here, as 

 both will grow rapidly on the high land. I have in my garden soft maples 

 from four to ten inches in diameter at the butt, which I raised from the seed 

 planted seven years ago. Some of them have borne seed for two years, 

 ftom which I have raised other trees. These I have sold, though I do not 

 make this my business. In no other way that I know of can a farmer so 

 rapidly improve his farm and increase its value out on the prairie as by 

 planting a part of it to timber. Soft maples, one or two years old, will 

 bear transportation well, and would it not be well to suggest through the 

 ' Farmers' Club' the use of this valuable wood and handsome tree, for the 

 improvement of prairie farms in Illinois and Iowa. 



To Prevent Rabbits Eating Trees. 



Mr. C. H. Bradish, Adrian, Mich., says: "Make a strong decoction of to- 

 bacco, simmer down in lard to the consistency of thin paint, add a little 

 soft soap, stir well, and it is ready for use. Apply with a swab or brush 

 from the root of the tree to above the reach of the rabbits. We have also 

 found that this remedy is equally good in preventing the depredations of 

 the so-called ' Sap-sucker.' " 



Blind Staggers in Sheep. 



Mr. James B. Anderson, Sparta, III., asks for an easy remedy for a dis- 

 ease in his flock, which according to his description is known as the blind 



