AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 305 



Prussian Scahto?is, or Mourning Bride. — Eight large flowered varie- 

 ties, in bloom all the season; very beautiful for summer bouquets. 



Calliopsis. — A fine display of brilliant colors ; ten varieties. 



Convolvulus Minor. — Six varieties of this beautiful gem. 



California Poppy. — Very splendid ; blossoms all the season. 



Morning Glory. — (Ipomea). — From Prussia; striped and varied colors 

 of the most vivid hues. 



Galardia Pieta. — Very fine ; in blossom all the season. 



We have also the Foxgloves, with their tall spikes of nodding bells, 

 displaying their leopard-like spotting, in which the bee 



"makes her sweet music." 



Zinnia Elegans. — Very splendid ; mixed. 



French and Indian Mary gold. — Magnificent and effective ; a splendid 

 display. 



Globe Amaranths. — Very brilliant ; purple, white and variegated. 



Petunias, Portulaca, Mexican Ageratum (Alba), &c. 



Solon Robinson. — I have a word to say on this winter feed for stock. 

 It is more by way of query, and for feeders to think of, than by way of 

 instruction. My experience in feeding domestic animals is not sufiiicent to 

 warrant me in giving instruction. I have served my time in too rough a 

 school for that. I have fed a good deal of hay, worth from $1.50 to $5 a 

 tun ; and corn from ten to twenty-five cents a bushel, and other grain iu 

 proportion, and straw absolutely valueless. While living in such a district, 

 I have often been asked the question why I did not raise more roots for 

 my cattle? I answered: Simply because it would not pay. I did buy a 

 lot of rutabagas one autumn, delivered at my house at six cents a bushel, 

 and the use of them taught me that they were dear food. I would now, if 

 living in such a district, feed roots to stock just so far as I thought neces- 

 sary to keep the animals in good health, and no more; not if I could buy 

 at the same price, which was one-fourth the price of sound corn ; and I 

 question the economy of feeding any kind of roots at the same rate of 

 value, to any greater extent than is required for health. That roots, par- 

 ticularly white turnips, are too largely fed in cold weather, to young cattle, 

 I have no doubt. They are so full of water, that too much of it is taken 

 into the same stomach with the food. If roots, or any other watery food, is 

 too largely fed to milch cows before and after calving, you will be sure to 

 have a mean calf. If we will think, and take reason for a guide, as to 

 what man requires for healthy food, we shall not go far wrong with domes- 

 tie animals. Man loves roots occasionally, and so he does soup, or other 

 sloppy food ; but what would he be good for if fed week after week upon 

 such watery stuff as turnips, or such porridge as some people compel their 

 cattle to eat ? After all, this question of winter feeding is a question of 

 values; and it is not alone the value, counted by first cost, but the value 

 of results. Now what is the use of giving my opinion that this or that 

 kind of food is the best, or most economical, when I cannot say of a single 

 thing, I know. I don't know, and don't know anybody who does. It is 

 [Am. Inst.J 20 



