72 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



want of more extended experience, but made the remark as a 

 suggestion to future observers. Some varieties of trees escaped 

 by coming out late, as Rawle's Genet and the Northern Spy. 



Mr. Carpenter said that Wilson's strawberry, and the Jenny 

 Lind, and Scott's seedling, the latter being sweet strawberries, 

 had escaped the frost. Downer's Prolific seemed also to be per- 

 fectly hardy. The Hooker had been frozen out. 



Prof Mapes remarked that in using a cold frame it is not at all 

 necessary to guard against freezing, but to take care and not let 

 it thaw. The cold may be the original cause of the harm, but 

 the sudden increase of heat is the danger to be guarded against. 



MARKET GARDENING. 



Mr. Trimble suggested for discussion " The Agricultural 

 Topography of Eastern Virginia with reference to Supphnng the 

 New York Market." He considered it important, especially at 

 this time, that this subject should be taken up and considered by 

 the club. These gardeners contributes to the comfort and plea- 

 sure of life by prolonging the season for vegetables, and ought to 

 be protected. 



Next subject for discussion : The subject of Indian corn and 

 potatoes was continued. 



Adjourned. 



May 13, 1861. 

 Mr. Edward Doughty, of Newark, N. J., in the chair. 



A NEW MANURE. 



Dr. J. A. Thompson described the composition and mode of man- 

 ufacture of a new disinfectant and manure, the basis of which is 

 the Cayuga plaster. This plaster has been extensively used in 

 Western New York as a top dressing with good effect. The new 

 manure contains six parts out of twelve of this Cayuga plaster. 

 When thoroughly dr}', two parts, by measure, of lime of the best 

 quality, are added, while hot, and ground with the plaster. Any 

 superfluous moisture will thus be taken up by the lime. From 

 wood of a porous structure a charcoal is then prepared, sucli as 

 is best suited for disinfecting purposes. The wood is converted 

 into charcoal in an iron cylinder. The charcoal thus produced is 

 ground in an ordinary cob mill. Certain kinds of wood, contain- 

 ing upon analysis large quantities of the earthy phosphates, are 



