62 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



way along the road, and that is all. Cattle in the roads, and particularly 

 along railroads, are a great nuisance, and I rejoice that the new statute 

 has settled that point in this State. 



Obstructing Roads. 



Mr. Carpenter called attention to a reprehensible practice that prevails 

 in some parts of Westchester county by owners of land placing logs along 

 the sides of highways, so as to confine the travel to a narrow space along 

 the center. Others plant trees so that they obstruct the right of way on 

 narrow roads. 



The Chairman said it would be more sensible to require landowners to 

 keep the road sides properly dressed in grass, and allow nothing else to 

 grow, and have no obstructions in the highway — the worst of which is cat- 

 tle; and I am glad that New York State has taken a step to get rid of the 

 nuisance. A similar law has been of the greatest advantage to Massa- 

 chusetts. 



Insects Found in Dry Grain. 



Solon Eobinson read the following letter from D. W. Brannan, dated 

 Wadham's Mills, May 3, 18G2: 



" Inclosed I send you a quantity of live stock. These animals were cap- 

 tured by W. L. Wadhams, a manufacturer of flour, in this place. He dis- 

 covered them a few days ago in his smut mill. Our wheat last season 

 was covered with lice. Can these be the ofispring of those flies or lice ? 

 Who can tell? What may we expect from them the coming season? If 

 your learned and scientific men want a supply, Mr. Wadhams can furnish 

 them by the bushel. I am of opinion that those lice deposited the nit of 

 these." 



These specimens were examined by several members, none of whom could 

 give any satisfactory information, but looked upon them as a new pest of 

 the farmer. 



Cultivation of Celery. 



Mr. Carpenter said that he had found it absolutely necessary in sowing 



the seed to do it in a shady spot, else the plants were liable to dry up and 



die before they attain any size. The ground should also be kept moist. 



vVhen the plants get large enough to prick out, I set them in rows two or 



hree inches apart to grow until large enough to set where they are to 



tand. Some of the most successful cultivators do not set celery in trenches, 



ut on a level, with room enough between the rows to liaul up dirt around 



lie stalks. It is asserted by those who have tried both ways, that this 



mode requires less manure, and that the early growth of the plants is 



better, because the surface is more fertile than the bottom of a trench. 



Barren Grape Vines. 



C. L. Foster, Topsham, Vt. — In looking over the report of the "American 

 Institute Farmers' Club," I noticed a mention of " a barren grape vine," by 

 "A. Lester," and a dilTerent remedy than the one recommended suggested 



