AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 147 



I can laud now in May. I do not condemn books that give directions about 

 the time to bud, because they are suggestive ; but the directions sadly 

 lack adaptation. The right time to bud, is just before the stock stops its 

 summer growth. I will give some illustrations of budding, as I do it, at 

 the next meeting. 



FENCES AND ESTRAYS. 



Mr. Blunt said he wished the Club would discuss the fence question. 

 The law about fences in this State, is one that should be discussed and 

 amended. Cows are taught in the country upon the same principle as city 

 street children — that is, to go out in the morning and bring home enough 

 to support the family over night. 



Mr. Lawton. — In New Rochelle we have no occasion to keep our garden 

 gates shut. No animal is allowed to run at large. This should be the 

 universal law. It is, in Massachusetts. Garden and streets are open 

 together in some towns. 



EMPLOYMENT FOR WOMEN. 



Mr. Blunt. — In regard to the movement being made to influence women 

 to take a greater interest in agricultural employment, I am glad to have 

 it discussed. We need more emplopment for the idle, and those who 

 would work if they could, who are dragging out miserable lives in the city. 

 Women take the lead in the harvest fields of England. 



Mr. Fuller. — It will be very becoming employment for women to work 

 among fruit trees and flowers, but not to make slaves of themselves 

 in digging, or in the harvest field. I should like to see them good botanists 

 and horticulturists. 



A letter from Daniel Barker, of West Meriden, Conn. 



CINERARIAS. 



" This beautiful class of plant is not half so well known or cultivated 

 as its beauty and easy culture entitle it to. For the conservatory, green- 

 house or drawing-room culture they are indispensable. With ordinary 

 care and attention, they may be had in flower from October until June; 

 and, with a good collection, flowers can be cut for bouquets during the 

 entire winter months, when Flora has but little to present us with. But 

 this is not their only merit ; for the decoration of the drawing-room, for eve- 

 ning parties by gas or lamp light, their beautiful colors are seen to the 

 greatest advantage, the appearance being much more beautiful, if possible, 

 than by daylight. 



"The plants from which the accompanying flowers were cut, have been 

 in magnificent bloom since last fall ; consequently, they are not now as 

 fine as some six weeks since. Som6 of these specimens from which they 

 were cut, measured nine feet six inches in circumference, and were one 

 entire mass of flowers. They are, moreover, pure natives, having been 

 raised from improved varieties in this country. I have imported the best 

 European varieties for some years past, and, beautiful as they have b 



