AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 105 



from the aqueous decomposition of certain nitrides, such as the Nitride of 

 Boron and the Nitride of Titanium. 



The Secretary read the following on Curculio, viz : 



[Hancock county, Illinois, June 5, 1858.] 



THE PLUM— THE CURCULIO. 



Assuming that the Curculio is the greatest enemy to this most delicious 

 fruit, as it is, indeed, to all the smooth-skinned fruits — the writer proceeds 

 to give a number of remedies from Thomas' Fruit Culturist, and other 

 sources, most of which have been efficacious in some instances, but all of 

 which have failed in others, and cannot be relied on as infallible. 



But it is the design of this article to call attention to another remedy, 

 which it is hoped and believed will prove a safeguard against the ravages 

 of this destructive insect, aud supersede all others. We allude to the dry 

 lime remedy, as discovered and applied by James B. Mathews, of Warsaw, 

 Illinois. The experiment of Mr. Mathews was a thorough one, and proved 

 eminently successful. 



In the spring of 1856, Mr. Mathews had on his lot about a dozen thrifty 

 young wild Chickasaw plum trees, which fruited finely. They were grow- 

 ing in an irregular cluster, and were well situated for the experiment he 

 was about to make. 



Commencing before the curculio made his appearance, he divided the 

 cluster of trees into three portions ; on one of these he sifted fine lime 

 about once a week, through the summer, and until the fruit was beyond 

 the reach of the destroyer ; on another portion he put none whatever ; and 

 on the third he put none, until after the curculio had commenced operations 

 upon its fruit, and had made serious havoc, when he applied the lime about 

 as on the first. 



The result was: The fruit of No. 1 was emirdij profeded; on No. 2 

 the fruit was totally destroyed ; while on No. 3, the insects which had 

 commenced their depredations were driven away, and all the fruit which 

 was yet uninjured at the time was saved. 



His mode of appl^dng the lime was by means of a sieve attached to a 

 pole, long enough to reach over the trees and sift the lime down upon them. 

 This was done either in the morning while the dew was on, or after a rain; 

 aud thus the lime was made to remain a long time upon the tree, adhering 

 to the leaves, branches and fruit. 



The expense and trouble attending this mode of prevention are but 

 slight — much less than in most other cases. 



Mr. Mathews is of the opinion that this is the most effectual remedy 

 against the curculio ever yet discovered. 



[London Atheneeum, September, 1857.] 



BIRDS' SONG AT CERTAIN HOURS. 

 A German woodsman has marked time by birds : The chafiinah sings 

 before the dawn ; sylvia atracapilla or black cap, sings about one hour later ; 

 quail begins about half an hour after that ; hedge sparrow about half an 



