S94 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



than those that are constructed on a level with the ground. If 

 they are not properly ventihited, as the side walls are usually 

 air tight, they are unhealthy places for any domestic animals. 

 Adjourned. 



March 26, 18G7. 

 Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair; Mr. John W. Chambers, Sec'y. 



Cobwebs and Spiders. 



Mr. Burgess, Glen Cove, L. I., presented a brief communication 

 on the importance of protecting cobwebs and spiders, as these 

 little animals will destroy a large number of noxious insects. 



Dr. Snodgrass said cobwebs are narcotic. Cobweb tea is an 

 excellent nervine — a tea for quieting the nervous system. 



Removing Hay without Waste. 



My. A. W. Burroughs, Hughsville, Penn., desired to know how 

 hay can be removed from one mow to another, without picking it 

 to pieces, thus exposing the hay to the drying influences of the 

 weather, by which a large proportion of its value is lost. 



Mr. W. P. Peck, stated that the gentleman can find relief by 

 the use of Sprout's combined fork and knife, with which hay 

 could be removed from the mow in large squares, without expos- 

 ino- it to the drvins: influences &i the weather. 



Mr. W. S. Carpenter, said this fork worked as well as the one 

 which received the premium, but it was thought liable to injure 

 those operating it. 



Flower Seeds. 

 Mr. George L. Dinsmore, Bruce, 111., says: The plan of dis- 

 tributing flower seeds of the club has made many western homes- 

 lovely and heavenly. Whole neighborhoods have bloomed. I 

 am making experiments with wild fruits, the results of which 

 I will give in the future. Experiments are needed in all parts of 

 the countr}'. 



Improved Water Pipes. 

 Dr. D. D. Parmelee exhibited sections of block-tin pipe encased 

 with lead. Where water runs in lead pipe only a part of the time, 

 it is likely to become poisonous, and this is called ''accumulative 

 poison," for though it accumulates by atoms, every atom remains 

 in the system, and seldom passes oflT by secretion. The diseases 



