S16 TRANSACTIONS OF THK 



Andrew S. Fuller. — 'That book is not to be had in this country ; but the 

 secret of the practice is excessive pruning and high manuring. 



POROUS DRAIN TILE. 



Solon Robinson.— Another letter writer wants to know whether the 

 porous drain tiles lately exhibited at agricultural fairs, are an improve- 

 ment. I answer : Yes, if they can ise made on the farm cheaper than the 

 common earthen tile can be placed there. I cannot see why the '* porous 

 tile," as those made of cement are called, are any better than those made 

 of clay and baked, which appear as though they would last as long as earth 

 itself, when well laid. 



The Chairman.— I prefer stone drain to that of any kind of tile — ' 

 porous or earthen. I have many rods of stone drain, that cost from §3 to 

 $6 a rod. Still, I prefer them to tile at a much less cost. My stone drains 

 never fail. 



AGRICULTITRE IN THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. 



Judge Meigs, Secretary of the Institute, stated that he had received the 

 Transactions of the first Agricultural Society and fair ever organized in 

 that Republic. The Secretary read the following translation from the 

 volume ; 



" The fair was held at Palmero, in Buenos Ayres, on the 3d of April, 1859. 

 The Governor, Dr. D. Valatin Alsina, and others of the officers of govern- 

 ment were directors, and this fair was ordered by a government decree of 

 the 11th of October, 1858. 



" The opening address of the Governor was brief but eloquent. He urges 

 human minds and hands to help the mysterious works of nature by increas- 

 ing and ameliorating all the productions of the earth, for these works give 

 us wealth and pleasure and ennoble liberty and peace. 



*' The president of the board of directors, E. G. A. de Posadas, addressed 

 the people. He stated that the value of the industry of the Republic in 

 1858 was 271,000,000 of pesos (dollars), without including a grain of corn 

 or wheat ! This shows the infant condition of our agriculture, notwithstand- 

 ing the well-known richness of our soil, which will give us wheat on the 

 grandest scale in the world. Our improved and important races of animals 

 demand our attention. The inimitable cloths made by our Pampa Indians, 

 our vast mass of wool should fix deep our considerations. The furs of 

 the district of Azul would find marked rank at the World's Eshibptions of 

 England and of France. Our able horticulturist, Le Blanc, has distin- 

 guished himself by his choice collections of vegetables, fruits, and flowers ; 

 his camelias of abundant shades and beauty have been recently introduced. 

 The almost boundless fields of Sorgho Azucavado have proved rich last 

 year, and the honey made from it abundant. 



" The directors felicitate the government on the establishment of the fair, 

 whose end will be great if we persevere ; and persevere we must and will 

 forever ! 



