74 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Dr. Thompson remarked that he found it best not to grind the 

 plaster to an impalpable powder, but to leave it sufiSciently coarse 

 to require time for its complete solution. 



Mr. Bergen presumed that the farmer for one-half the cost 

 could sow his plaster, lime, sulphur, charcoal, ashes and salt, in 

 such proportions as his land might require them. However 

 valuable the manure might be, it seemed necessarily an expensive 

 way to obtain it. 



Mr. Pardee said that much of the value of the manure 

 depended upon its containing the right ingredients mixed toge- 

 ther in the right proportions and under the right conditions. 

 Sowing the different ingredients separately would not have the 

 same effect. The manufacture requires an apparatus and a degree 

 of skill and chemical knowledge which renders it impracticable 



for the farmer to undertake it. 



* < 



SPRING PLANTING. 



This subject was postponed until the next meeting, and made 

 the subject for discussion at that time. 

 Adjourned. 



May 20, 1861. 

 Mr. W. S. Carpenter in the chair. 



DECEASE OF JUDGE MEIGS. 



Mr. Robinson. — I rise, not to move business, but out of respect 

 to the memory of Judge Meigs, who departed this life at half past 

 ten o'clock this morning, to move an adjournment of the Farmers' 

 Club. Long years we have had him with us, one of the leading 

 spirits of this Club, and I think it is due to his memory that the 

 Club should adjourn in consequence of his death. 



Mr. Pardee. — I cordially second that motion. The memory of 

 Judge Meigs is very pleasant to us all — very courteous, very gen- 

 tlemanly, very intelligent upon a great many subjects. We shall 

 never forget the pleasant hours we have spent here with him. 



The Chairman. — I can add my testimony to the worth of this 

 departed friend. I have received great satisfaction and infor- 

 mation from my intercourse with him. He has been an advocate 

 of agriculture and horticulture to as great an extent, perhaps, as 

 any member of this Club. It is with deep regret that I have 

 heard the announcement of his death. We shall certainly mis 



