462 Transa ctions of' the American Institute. 



express companies will deliver it even in the West Indies, where 

 something of the kind is needed beyond expression. 



In Jamaica, for instance, the superintendent of the Jamaica Botanic 

 Garden would undoubtedly be glad of a small quantity to propagate, 

 and he could give in return some seeds of the new " Gambia grass," 

 on which they are now experimenting. It is noteworthy that the 

 most valuable grass known in the pasture lands of Jamaica, came 

 from Africa, and was introduced, like the Gambia grass, by sheer 

 accident. The seeds of the Guinea grass were thrown out in the 

 refuse of a cargo from Africa, and its strong succulent luxuriance 

 attracted attention, and caused it to be cultivated. The same thing 

 happened with the Gambia grass ; and the packing trash of some 

 Japan wares may have introducd the first seeds of the clover which 

 has naturalized itself in Georgia. 



The Farmers' Club and its reports may cause it to spread its 

 bounties over the over-worked fields of the south, and possibly extend 

 its blessings to the arable, but of late abandoned fields of Jamaica. 

 If I have not already trespassed too much, let me add that there are 

 thousands upon thousands of acres of once highly productive land 

 now wholly abandoned, and offered in market at four, five and six 

 dollars per acre, for want of some sure, quick-growing grass, that 

 might be pastured a year or two and then plowed under for corn, 

 potatoes, tobacco and sugar cane. Pray put the south, " and the isles 

 thereof," in the way of trying Georgia clover; for if it serve the pur- 

 pose, 10,000 poor struggling farmers will at once be taught the way 

 to comfort and independence. 



Adjourned. 



February 20, 1873. 



Nathan C. Ely, Esq., in the chair ; Mr. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



Root Chops as Feed for Cows. 



Mr. S. S. Bowman, Astoria, L. I. — How shall I feed mangel 

 wurzels % Are they better than turnips ? How much of either shall 

 I feed to each cow ? Will they taint the milk ? In short, I should 

 like to learn all about feeding root crops. 



Hon. George Geddes — These questions come from a man who 

 ought to go to a primary school ; for this is one of the first questions 

 on which a farmer ought to be posted. Mangels will make more 

 milk, but it will be weaker than if turnips were fed ; with either, 



