PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 97 



the other, whichever will be apt to turn him into clear space, let- 

 ting up suddenly every time. The pull must be one calculated 

 to throw his body sideways, and not a sudden jerk, and don't pull 

 but one rein at a time. It will be simply impossible for the horse 

 to run. He will have to stop and hunt up his center of gravity 

 or fall down, and then he will surely be stopped." 



Paint for Outside Work. 



Mr. M. V. B. Hathaway, Calais, Vt., inquires : " What is the 

 best paint for outside use, with regard to economy, durability, and 

 appearance for dwellings ? What is the comparative value of 

 white lead and white zinc as a paint for outside purposes ?" We 

 answer lead, undoubtedly; but not what is usually, or at least 

 commonly, sold for "white lead, ground in oil." An analysis of 

 what purported to be such paint has lately been made by a chemist 

 in this city, showing the following results : Sulphate of barytes, 

 81.52 per cent; oxyde zinc, 7.28 per cent; oil, 11.20 per cent. 

 It will be seen that there was not a particle of lead in the compo- 

 sition, and that as a paint it must be nearly worthless. A pure 

 article of ground white lead brings 16c. from manufacturers' hands, 

 while this stuff was sold at 7^c. per pound, and at a great profit 

 at that. Such whiting is no better than white clay or lime ; 

 it will dry and rub off as powder; while lead hardens into a thin 

 metallic coat, which covers and protects the wood. 



Prof Tillman said the great objection to the sulphate of barytes, 

 which is sometimes called heavy spar, is that it does not possess 

 body enough to make the paint durable. It is as heavy and as 

 white as lead, and the adulteration is hard to detect until after it 

 has been used as a paint, and then it is too late. Silicate of 

 magnesia or white soapstone is often used to adulterate both lead 

 and zinc. If we could have zinc pure, it is undoubtedly best for 

 all inside work, as it is whiter, in the first instance, and does not 

 change color, and is not poisonous to those who use it. 



Sorgo Pl.inting. 



Silliman, Bowman & Co., Brockport, N. Y. : "The proper sea- 

 son for planting is as early as the ground gets in good Avorking 

 order, and no danger apprehended from frost. One and one-half 

 pounds of seed is considered sufficient for an acre, with a margin 

 for thinning. Most cultivators prefer soaking the seed in warm 



[Am. Inst.] G 



