PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS* CLUB 301 



A Fire-proof Roof. 



Mr. James M. Allen, New York — "As the Farmers' Club has 

 taken a deep interest in the question of plastic slate for roofing, 

 and as the question has been mooted whether the roof is fire-proof 

 or not, I send you a specimen from a burned building. You will 

 perceive it is neither consumed, charred nor weakened. It was a 

 soft mastic when the building took fire. Now it is solid, strong, 

 and thoroughly petrified. The roof was upon a wooden lien-to 

 against a brick building. It was so perfectly fire-proof, and so 

 tightly joined to the brick that it prevented the smoke rising to 

 blacken the wall above the junction. The super-heated steam and 

 air could find no egress. The room was filled with most inflam- 

 mable materials, yet with all the tire and heat none could escape 

 through the roof. It hardened and stood until all support was 

 burned away; when it fell, it broke into large sheets several feet 

 squai'e. 



This burning has therefore proved plastic slate fire-proof. You 

 will perceive, however, that the heat created gas in the soft sub- 

 stance which made it somewhat cellular, though hard and strong 

 when cold. If the supports of the roof had been of iron, the 

 slate would have remained, and formed a roof after the boards 

 were burned away. This fire has proved that if wood floors were 

 coated on the under side with plaetic slate, it would prevent fire 

 ever getting up through them. We are now satisfied that we can 

 make felt so stuffed with slate that it can be used as a perfect fire- 

 proof screen, either for roofs or for any other situation." 



Madder. 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — The club has received a number of com- 

 munications in relation to the culture of madder, I have compil- 

 ed the following from the best authorities: 



Madder is grown in Holland, France and Turkey. It is a native 

 of the Caucasian mountains, and roots brought from their forests 

 grow well. The demand has slightly fallen off' within a fewj^ears, 

 owing to the discovery of dyes obtained from coal oil. Eflfbrts 

 are about to be made to have madder cultivate(f in this country. 

 The value exported in 1864, Avas $838,872. 



It requires a deep, dry and rich soil, Avith a mixture of chalk 

 or lime. The roots are long, crawling, and divided into branches. 

 In Holland it is propagated by shoots; in the south of France the 

 seed is sown. The plants stand in drills, and the rows are about 

 two feet apart. As they grow, the branches gradually are to be 



