PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 271 



not want for rain, and averaged three bolls to the branch, and ripened 

 more bolls in good season than the remainder that was planted on dry, 

 poorer soil, which was hindered at least three weeks in growth for want 

 of rain, and equally as much in ripening. I did not pick it until after all 

 crops ought to be harvested. Our fierce Kansas winds did not injure it in 

 the least. A machine for ginning all cotton for domestic use is easily made 

 of two cylinders, sixteen inches in length, five-eighths of an inch in diame- 

 ter, with rakers two inches in diameter, each driven with a power cylinder 

 seventeen inches in diameter, with crank. That will separate one pound of 

 clean fiber from the seed per hour. From my own experiment, as well as 

 a great many others equally encouraging, I have arrived at the conclu- 

 sion that if Kansas does not produce cotton next season sufficient for her 

 own use, and the wants of at least two other States, it will be for want of 

 seed; for I feel confident it could be easily done without materially less- 

 ening her other agricultural enterprise." 



Prof. Mapes. — The mode of cultivating cotton practiced to a great extent 

 at the South, is so different from the mode of cultivation at the North, that 

 I will devote a few minutes in explaining the difference. The cotton at 

 the South grows upon ridges, and after a time part of the ridge is cut 

 down and leaves the plant growing upon small pyramids, but by the appli- 

 cation of improved implements I am sure flat culture would produce a bet- 

 ter crop. 



Mr. John G. Bergen. — In visits I have made to the South it appeared to 

 me that the mode of cultivation pursued was similar to our own, viz., flat 

 culture. 



The Oriental Sugar P^oot. 



Mr. Isaac Martin writes from Marlborough, Chester county, Pa., for infor- 

 mation about something advertised by one Wm. B. Marston, Utica, N. Y., 

 as the " Oriental Sugar Root." Mr. Martin says: 



" If one-half claimed for it be true, it deserves to be brought to the notice 

 of the public. If it be nothing but a humbug, the confiding public should 

 be apprised of the fact. Hoping that some of your members may be able 

 to give a trustworthy account of the article, I shall be much pleased to see 

 your opinions in the proceedings of your next meeting." 



Prof. Mapes. — I suppose the root alluded to is the sugar beet, but as 

 there are many plants from which sugar is made, such as the sorghum and 

 imphee, farmers should be careful in purchasing seeds of roots with names 

 only calculated to mislead. 



Seeds by Mail. 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — Are our farmers aware of the postage law which 

 allows seeds, grafts, cuttings, &c., to be sent by mail at one cent per 

 ounce ? Congress, at its last session, reduced the price to half a cent per 

 ounce, to take eff'ect on the first day of June next. 



How TO Dissolve Bones. 



Mr. C. C. Shaw, of Milford, N. H., writes to inquire how to dissolve 

 bones. 



