408 [ASSEMBLT 



Mr. Backhouse presented a pine, the fruit of an Italian pine, re- 

 sembling a pine apple, and as large as a small one, having seeds, 

 under its outside imbrications, which are eatable. 



The chairman read an article, proposed by him on the subject of 

 the manure of the cow, and on the comparative merits of soiling and 

 pasturing. Judge Van Wyck did not entirely coincide in the pre- 

 ference given to soiling over pasturing, except where population is 

 dense and land dear ; and here there were exceptions ; for in Hol- 

 land, one of the most densely populated countries of Europe, they 

 grazed their cattle, and were famous for their good butter and 

 cheese. These generally bring from 10 to 20 per cent, more in 

 European markets than any other, and this was ascribed in no little 

 degree to their rich soil and nutritious pastures, and grazing their 

 cows upon these in summer. The subject had been much discussed 

 in this club heretofore, and as it has been unexpectedly introduced, 

 and was not much connected with the regular subjects of the day, 

 he would rather say but little on it now. 



Mr. Meigs said that it is believed by agriculturists that the ferti- 

 lizing elements produced in cities is of a value equal to the susten- 

 ance of its people. 



The secretary read the following communication from Dr. Boyd ; 



In the presentation of specimens of Poudrette, prepared by the use 

 " Le Doyer's Disinfecting Fluid," as intermixed with night soil and 

 common garden mould, the power of removal of sulphuretted hydro- 

 gen, and the retention of ammoniacal gas, by fixation in combination 

 with nitrogen as obtained, is the claim of the proprietors, by patent, 

 of this agent, leaving to the experience already had to decide upon 

 the comparative value of animal manure over all others, and for 

 their manner of preparing the compost, they claim superiority. 



That the claim is established, the specimens exhibited, so far as 

 its capability to render night soil inodorous, must fully satisfy, it re- 

 mains only to show, (without reference to the experience heretofore 

 obtained in France and England,) the greatly increased power of 

 compost prepared by this agent ; that on chemical principles the re- 

 sult must and will be as claimed ; and quoting Professor Leibig^ 

 from his Essay on Chemistry in its application to agriculture and 

 physiology, we find that he says, in part 1, chap. 1 : — " The ulti- 

 mate constituents of plants are those which form organic matter ia 



