exhausting to land than any of the cereal grains. It is true the crops do not succeed well sown in succession, but all other crops succeed better after flax than any other, and it is my favorite crop to lay down in grass seeds; and I have uniformly had seed take better after this crop than after any other.

Analysis of the Seed and Straw of Flax.

We give, in connexion with the above article of Mr. Newcomb, an analysis of the seed and straw of flax, showing what substances are extracted from the soil in the cultivation of Flax, and also a prepared manure to restore fertility to the soil in consequence of the exhaustion resulting from this crop. The attention which is being given to the cultivation of flax, will render the accompanying statements valuable and useful to the farmer.

A composition of the Ash of the Seed and Straw of Flax. Johnston's Lectures, 381, 2d edition.

Flax seeds leave from 44 to 51 per cent of ash when fully burned; the entire dried plants leave nearly the same proportion.

These analyses were made upon the ash of the entire plant. When the flax plant is steeped in the ordinary way of preparing it for the flax mill, much of the saline matter is extracted by the water.

A portion of this steep water has been examined by Sir Robert Kane, and the nature of its saline constituents determined. He found the dry solid extract obtained from it to leave, when burned, 42 per cent of ash, of which the composition was as follows:

From this table it appears that the salts of potash and soda, as we should expect, are principally dissolved out during the process of steeping. We have as yet no experiments which show how much of the whole saline matter of the plant is removed by the steep water.

It is not by any means all removed. The scutchings or outside por tions taken off at the flax mill, contain much mineral matter, and the flax itself—both the pure fibre and the coarser parts or pob, removed from the dressing-leaves, when burned, a considerable portion of ash. The ash of dressed flax and of the pob analyzed, gives the following proportions:

Suppose the flax-steep water to be returned to the land, and even the scutchings also, the fibre, as it comes from the mill, and even as it goes to the market, would still carry off a considerable quantity of valuable matter from the soil.

The importance of providing for the exhaustion made by the flax crop, renders it important to secure the manure that will restore fertility to the soil. The following recipe for supplying what is carried off by the seed and stem of the plant respectively, as prepared by Prof. John ston, cannot fail of being interesting as well as useful. The substances contained in 100 lbs. of seed, supplied by the following mixture:

Linseed leaves 6 per cent. of ash, so that for every 100 lbs. of linseed reaped, 13 lbs. of the above mixture require to be added to the land.

The following mixture will supply what is contained in 100 lbs. of the ash of the stem of flax:

The dry stem of the flax plant leaves 5 per cent. of ash; every ton therefore, carries off the land 112 lbs. of inorganic matter, to replace which 150 lbs. of the above mixture must be added. If this be carefully done, and if that which the seed carries off be also replaced, and if the fermented scutchings be returned to the land, the culture of flax will cease to be exhausting.

NORTH AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL CONVENTION.

We give extracts from the proceedings of the convention which was held at Syracuse the 14th of September, after the close of the Fair, received from the secretary of the convention. It will be perceived by the proceedings that a committee was appointed to confer with the American Congress of Fruit Growers, in relation to an union of the associations, and which we are pleased to announce was consummated; and but one association now exists, which is to hold its meeting for 1850 at Cincinnati.

There wil be found in the extracts which we give, many valuable suggestions on the subject of fruit culture, the selection of fruits for cultivation, which cannot prove otherwise than practically useful to the fruit growers in this State.

The members and delegates of this, the second meeting of the N. A. Pomological Convention, assembled at the common council room at 9 o'clock, A. M.

Delegates were in attendance from the States of Ohio, New-York, Pensylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, Kentucky, Alabama, Maine, and from Canada east and west.

The collection of fruits was far better than expected, from the fact of there being very few this season, grown in any of the western or eastern states, as compared with usual seasons. Splendid collections of apples were sent from Illinois, and fine collections of pears, peaches, and grapes, were presented by gentlemen from various parts of the States and Canada.

James Dougall, of Canada West, called the convention to order, and nominated Col. Benjamin Hodge, of Buffalo, as temporary chairman. On motion of Dr. Herman Wendell, Mr. M. B. Bateham, of Ohio, was appointed temporary secretary, who proceeded to read the call of the convention, from the proceedings of last year's convention, as follows:

Mr. J. D. G. Nelson, chairman of the committee of seven, appointed to take into consideration the propriety of holding future Pomological Conventions, reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted.

The committee appointed under the resolution inquiring into the expediency of calling future Pomological Conventions, having had the same under consideration, make the following report:

Whereas, The N. Y. State Agricultural Society, in drawing together this present convention, have brought together an assemblage of men and fruits which promises great advantage to the public at large, it is thought best to perpetuate the same, therefore,

Resolved, That hereafter an annual assemblage or convention shall be held under the name of "North American Pomological Convention." Resolved, That this convention shall be held in the coming year of 1849, in the town or city in which the New-York State Agricultural Fair may be held; to convene its session the first day succeeding the closing of the fair; and that the Recording Secretary of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society shall be entrusted with the charge, and respectfully solicited to give due notice of the time of meeting, by means of agricultural journals and cards of invitation to gentlemen pomologists and horticultural societies throughout the Union and the Canadas, that they may send delegates, or attend, and bring or send specimens of fruits for exhibition.

On motion of Mr. Goodsell, of Greece, a committee of five persons was appointed by the chair, to nominate officers for, and also to report rules and regulations for the guidance of the convention. The following gentlemen constituted that committee, viz :

N. Goodsell, of Rochester; F. R. Elliot, of Ohio; Charles Downing, of Newburgh; A. Bryant, of Buffalo; J. P. W. Allen, of Oswego. The committe reported the following names for officers, who were du ly appointed, viz:

President, J. A. Kennicott, Illinois.

Vice Presidents, James Dougall, C. W.; Dr. Herman Wendell, N. Y.; C. M. Hovey, Mass.; M. B. Bateham, Ohio; H. P. Byram, Ky.; Jas. J. Mapes, N. J.

Secretaries, F. R. Elliott, Ohio; B. Hodge, N. Y.

The president, on taking the chair, expressed himself grateful for the honor conferred upon him, and regarded it as a compliment to the west. Seeing the venerable pomologist, David Thomas, present, he desired that he be invited to take a seat with the president. The invitation was made and cordially tendered to Mr. Thomas, who took a seat with the presiding officer.

The following order of proceedings was adopted:

1. A committee consisting of Chas. Downing, P. Barry and S. B. Parsons, appointed to bring up varieties of fruits, in order for an expression of members of the convention, as to qualities, &c.

2. That members shall be desired to make brief remarks, and comport themselves to advance the rapid performance of the business of the