New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-19
FROM WASHINGTON.
UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.
PTTH sRssION-THIRD DAY.
Ieuce Of The N. Y. Tribune.

FIFTH SRSS1OE-TIIRD DAY.
~(orrespOndeace Of The N. Y Tribune.
WASHINGTON Jan. 16, 1857
The meeting was called TO order at O'Clock by
the President, Marshall Z. Wilder when, after the
transaction of miscellaneous business, a diploma
was awarded to Richard S. Peters, OF Atlanta, Ca,
for bis exhibition of the strip of the sorgho made
at the recent Philadelphia Fair. On motion OF Mr.
Wager of New-YOrk vote of thanks was gwen TO
the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution for the
use OF their rooms for the present exhibition, as
also for the valuable cooperation which the United
States Agricultural Society had received at their
hands. Thanks we're likewise voted to Lieut.
Maury for his invitation to visit the National
Observatory, aud it was accepted.
Before proceeding further desire to make men,
ton Of the visit to the President of the United
States--tO which previous reference, TO his nvi-
tatiOn having been rendered, has been made On
the adjournment of yesterdays meeting President
Wilder accom- panied by about twenty members,
paid their respects TO President Pierce. We were
received in the grand audience room, in most
urbsDe and friendly manner. Mr.. Pierce expressed
the delight he had experienced from his visit to our
meeting OF the day prevOus said the labOrs of the
Society had his most hearty concurrence, and he
trusted to be able to return TO Washington at tu-
ture day and assist in its deliberations. In reply to
on inquiry in the address of President Wilder, he
al nounced his intention to devote his entire atten-
ton to farming. Mr.. Wilder ielicitoutly remarked
that he reOiced to know the fact that on descending
from bis present high position the President weuld
mount to a higher One-that of q Nst1- England
Farmer. The visit was most agreeable one to
myself and / think my fellow visitors will heartily
concur.
After the acceptance of Lieut. Maury's invitation
Mr. Lewis of Mass called the attention OF the meet
ing to the startling amount of disease prevailing
among the swine OF all parts of the country, and
known as the "hOg cholera" In view of the mani
fest Importance of this interest, he thought strict
investigation should be made as to the canse aud
cure Of the malady, and suggested the appointment
Of Committee The members were In favor
Of the motion, and committee will be appointed
Mr.. Olcott of New-YOrk at the request OF the
Chairman, commenced the reading Of an important
naner con the Relations of Phosphorus to the
"Animal and Vegetable Kingdoms" written by
Prof. Webster OF Portsmouth, Virginia, but, owing
IN press of business and its Importance, 1t was
referred to the Executive Committee.
The Hon. Mr.. Underwood OF Kentucky offered a
request that Professor Henry should furnish for
publication II copy of his last years address. on
1.-The Origin and Action Of Power applied TO
1.-The Vegetable Kingdom" to which request the
learned gentlemen courteousy sssented.
Mr. Charles l.. Flint the able Secretary OF the
Massachusetts, State Board Of Agriculture dellv-
cred an instructive and carefully -dlgested address,
on the "Grssses of the United States The grass
known as billiards Bromss has been sold at high
pFlca (SOnle % or CO per DuSh' J, ouu VI
the public as most valuable The yender oil the
article made the stipulation in each instance that
1t should not be suffered TO 90 TO seed. Owing TO ITS
prolific Weld and Wanted superiority, 1t has been
eagerly bought up aud sOwn. The grass was sown
nj the State Farm of Massachusetts IN 1890, and
according to agreement, cut before ripe. IL was
admitted to an intelligent jury of cons TO test lts
excellence as compared to other popularly-knowu
species but their verdict was adverse to its cu
tire The past year (lS56) it has been suffered tC
mature its seed, and this has been submitted Il
the closest microscopic scrutiny sy Mr. Flint and
Professors Gray of Harvard University and Dewe!
ofNew-York. These distinguished gentlemen have
decided that the wonderful Bromus IS no more MOI
less than the common CHEss-the brOnss secdhRu'
of botanists, and of course perfect pest TO the
farmer This is q new evidence OF the necessity
for the introduction of agricultural studies into ouI
district schools. Mr.. Flints address alluded to The
value of the grass and hay croP-S3OO 0OOO 900; the
practice of using too much seed; necessity i"i
making a more extensive mixture OF varieties
when seeding our meadows and pastures; and ad
yised cutting grass when in blossom, or as sool
after as possible 4 vote of thanks was preSentet
70 the author and on motion Of Mr.. FraZee OF New
Jersey a copy was requested for publication lh'
uext lecture in order that of Prot. Henry, OF
the Meteorological observations of the Smithsonian
Institution. The learned gentleman enlarged upOI
the labrs ard influence of the Smithsonian Instl
futon ns the field of meteOrology, spoke of the d
versity in the climatic conditions OF various latl
tudes, and the change of currents Suggested tina
if Lieut.. Maury would confne his labors to the sea
the army of the western district Of the service cOu(
take the West for careful observation, the Csnadi
and Hudson's Bay Company the North and th,
Smithsonian Institution the East, and by such 60
operations and fellowship among laborers in all tn,
different grand divisions of the country, most mag
nfcent results could be arrived at. The labor wa
too vast for concentration, aud should be divided
among all. There are already more than POO gen
tlcplen making simultaneous observation and send
ing returns. He eulOgized the labOrs of Prof Espy
and closed with other happy remarks.
DIR. Newberry next delivered a lecture on tn,
Agriculture Of Oregon and California. He had ell
,ertaiIcd prePOsSession in favor of Oregon al
agricultural State, but his Investigations and re
searches during the past two years. in COM ectoI
with Lieuts. Williamson and Abbot, have forced
change in his opiniOns-a decision in favor of Cali
forna: but, DR.. \. said, the valley Of the Mssis
sippi was superior to either. The soil of Sacra
mento valley is rich in soluble inorganic matters
but there is great lack of water. The usual vot,
OF thanks and request for copy for publication wa
offered.
Prof. Nash of The Plotc, Loom and 4RrR, mad,
some interesting remarks on the subject Of Wool