AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 311 



crop of wheat at forty bushels per acre, worth about $2 a bushel, shows a 

 profit of $40 an acre, or on the whole 675 acres, at the same rate, some 

 $27,000 a year. 



The Royal Agricultural Society has given us, engraved, the results of 

 interesting microscopic researches in technology and animal tissue, and com- 

 ponents. A power of 400 diameters has been usually employed on wheat 

 ieaf, wood, mammary, gland, &c. The milk secreting follicles and lactifer- 

 ous or secretory ducts represent a tree with its branches loaded with fruit. 

 The milk shows roundish bodies, about jjj^s of an inch diameter and 

 some 5^xtVtj floating fluid of great specific gravity, so that these milk glo- 

 bules rise and form the cream. These constitute the oil of milk. 



There are also floating in the fluid egg-skaped globules, gramular, pale 

 yellow, numerous — some ^^^ of an inch diameter. These give a purgative 

 action to the milk. 



The cut section of grains of wheat, under the same power of 400 are 

 given, and they co7nnia7id our admiration, as also do the leaves and wood 

 of vegetables. The Eoyal Society uses its scientific power nobly in these 

 most interesting investigations. The natural figure of the starch cells of 

 wheat is always egg-shaped. So are the cells of Indian corn when first 

 formed, but when fully grown are clase-packed and have many fitting sides. 



DAVOL^S MOWING MACHINE. 



Report of Mr. B. Leonard. 



In compliance with request of the Farmers' Club, I herewith give my 

 views of a model mowing machine, exhibited by J. Davol, Esq. 



The machine being mounted on wheels, similar and about the size of a 

 common cart, can be hauled with less force over the ground than is re- 

 quired to drag the mowing machines mounted on small cast iron trucks, as 

 is common in the ordinary mowing machines. 



The large bevel wheel, nearly as large in diameter as the main wheel 

 of the carriage, giving motion to the cutting blade, through one pinion and 

 link,, possesses advantages over those machines which multiply motion 

 through several wheels and shafts. 



The levers are so arranged as to give the conductor complete control 

 over the machine, and especially the cutting bar, which is easily raised 

 over obstructions and thrown entirely over the carriage at will. 



The frame work to which the cutting bar is suspended, is strong and 

 well arranged. The side pressure upon the horses, must be light, and as a 

 whole, I think the plow a good one, and will meet the expectation of the 

 inventor as to its working properties. 



Respectfully submitted, 



W. B. LEONARD, Committee, 



American Institute, Jan. 4, 1860. 



CHINESE SORGHUM IN FRANCE. 



We have cultivated it now to a considerable amount for its sugar. An 

 Austrian by the name of Winter, has discovered a method of obtaining' 



