TABLE II,

Showing comparative composition of certain grasses and other plants, calculated to water-free substance:

Proceeding with this table as before, we find that the nutritive

Arranging these substances in order with clover at the head, we see that the cow pea vine stands third as a fodder material. 1, red clover; 2, timothy; 3, cow pea vines; 4, corn-fodder.

Fat.

TABLE III,

Showing the comparative fertilizing value of the cow-pea vines from composition of 1,000 lbs., water-free substance:

One thing will be noticed at once on examining this table, the high per-centage of soda. This will be accounted for when we remember the character of the soil upon which the vines grew. It was charged with soda-salts, and deficient in potash. Soda and potash being often interchangeable in the composition of plants, we can well believe that the cow-pea vines, grown upon a soil heavier than that at Chapel Hill, containing much potash, would show a decrease in soda-salts, and a proportionate increase in potash. We notice that in phosphoric acid the vine exceeds both clover and millet.

These analyses, with one exception, were made in duplicate. The determinations of cellulose, fat, and albuminoids are the average of from three to five different determinations.

THE "BURTON AIL."

BY THE SECRETARY.

The secretary of the board in his reports, and in papers prepared for publication in public journals, has often made reference to a disease among neat stock in the town of Albany, in Carroll county, formerly called "Burton." The disease was named for the town for the reason that it is more manifest there than elsewhere, though it is not limited by town lines, but prevails in sections of neighboring towns, and now and then at a distance where the soil and soil-products are similar to those in Albany.

The secretary has visited the locality of the disease in Carroll county, and has examined the animals affected by it. They are not attacked suddenly, but indicate the presence of the affection by a rough coat, slight at first, which in a short time stands at right angles to the body, or turns towards the head.

During this time the animal has a dull appearance of the eye, and becomes very costive, as named by Professor Dana. At this stage, if removed to a locality of good soil and vigorous vegetation, the animal undergoes a favorable change, and in time recovers. The farmers are in the habit of exchanging cattle so as to remedy the evil.

In 1822, Prof. Dana, of Dartmouth college, was appointed by the state medical society to visit the locality and make an examination of the disease and its causes. He made a report, which we copy in full as a curiosity, as well as for the purpose of showing the entire misapprehension under which Dr. Dana labored.

DISEASE OF CATTLE.

Report on a disease afflicting neat cattle in Burton (N. H.), read before the New Hampshire Medical Society, June, 1822, by James F. Dana, M. D., professor of chemistry, mineralogy, &c., Dartmouth college.

At the last meeting of the society I had the honor to be appointed to visit the town of Burton, in this state, and inquire into the causes of a disease to which neat cattle are there subjected; and I have now the pleasure of submitting to the society the result of the observations which have been made in consequence of this appointment.

That part of the town in which the disease is most prevalent is surrounded by lofty hills and mountains, the highest part of which is a very elevated point called Corway-peak mount, and is visible from a great extent of country. The predominant rock of which these hills are composed is granite, a soft decomposing variety in which the crystals and grains of feldspar are very large, and are suffering a rapid decomposition, by which the whole is disintegrated and broken down. The loose stones consist principally of rolled masses of granite, quartz, feldspar, and some specimens of hornstone; a bed of bog ore of iron is also found here. The soil of this place is fertile, and is such as we should expect to be produced by the decomposition and disintegration of granite rocks, viz., a sandy loam mixed occasionally with coarse gravel. No peculiar appearances were noticed in the vegetation. The usual crops raised by the farmer grow in Burton as in other places, under a similar culture and management, and probably the town would be a flourishing agricultural place if neat cattle could be kept and raised there. The fact is sufficiently established, that young neat cattle cannot be raised there, and that cows and oxen cannot be kept there for a number of years without being afflicted with a singular and fatal disease; and it is not a little remarkable that horses and swine have never been attacked by the complaint. Cattle are more liable to the disease at some seasons of the year than at others, and are usually attacked by it at the close of winter. The symptom which marks its commencement and progress is a loss