336 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



All chemists are agreed as to the source from which the oxygen 

 and hydrogen of plants are derived, the principal of which is 

 water. All of them agree that tlie carbon of vegetables, is de- 

 rived principally from the air, partially only from the soil. 



It becomes evident that, from most conclusive proofs, that 

 humus, in the form in which it exists in soil, does not yield the 

 smallest nourishment to plants. 



Mr. Stephens, the author of " The Book of the Farm," has at 

 the request of the Marquis of Tweeddale, stated the operations 

 at Tester, carried on under his Lordship's superintendence. The 

 great dilference between the ordinary and the Tester plan is thus 

 stated. " The only object in using the plow and some other 

 large implements is the pulverization of the soil-surface and sub- 

 soil in part. The ordinary and the yester treatment of either 

 soil both aim at the same object, but the difference is this, that 

 the ordinary practice attains only an imperfect and temporary 

 pulverization of a little more than surface soil seven or eight 

 inches deep, for subsoiling is very seldom practiced, while the 

 Tester plan attains an effectual and durable pulverization of both 

 soil and sub-soil to the depth of twenty-two inches. It does not 

 like common plowing lay over smooth furrow slices, glazed by 

 the plow, but deep, broad, and broken furrow slices in immediate 

 precedence of the upraising of the sub-soil from a great depth as 

 far as and no farther than to mix it completely with any desired 

 portion of the surface soil.'' 



We consider that great merit is due to the Marquis of Tweed- 

 dale for foreseeing the good effects of deep pulverization, &c. 



It cannot be denied that agriculture is much indebted to science 

 for its unprecedented progress during the last fifteen years. 



ON CHINCH BUGS. 

 Farmington, N. Eichmond, Henrico Co., Va., 

 August 18tk, 1855. 

 Dear Sir : — Knowing your deep interest and ardent enthusia- 

 ism in the advancement of the agricultural interest, as also that 

 all important facts have not simply an individual but also a 

 general interest, I presume to call your attention, and tlirough 

 you the Farmers' Club, to the enclosed bugs. In this section of 

 country they are known as the " Chintz Bug; " when mashed or 

 crushed they smell like a bed bug, which are also called ' ' Chintz 

 Bugs " here. 



