No. 216.] 757 



Aaron H. Palraer, is now and has been long: eno-ag-ed in Jnvestio:at- 

 5ng new sources of commercial profit especially in the Eastern world, 

 stated to this Club, that the Percha is a gum obtained from a large 

 tree which abounds in the Malay peninsula, in Borneo, Celebes, &c., 

 and that it attains six feet in diameter. In many respects this gum re- 

 sembles caoutchouc, but has not yet been subjected to critical chem- 

 ical examination, such as its extraordinary qualities W'ould warrant. 

 It IS soluble in turpentine — a varnish may be made of it. At the 

 temperature of the atmosphere it is almost unelastic. In boiling 

 water it softens to a pulp, and may then be moulded in any way and 

 retain the forms when cold. Acids and the re-agents do not appear 

 to affect it, nor damp, nor changes of the temperature of the air. — 

 When in the pulpy state, it may be forced through small holes, pro- 

 ducing threads which when cold are said to be as strong as catgut. 

 Cloth woven Vv'ith a portion of these threads is exceedingly strong. 

 It is believed useful for many purposes, more so than any other sub- 

 stance yet knov.'n. Its price is advancing. 



Mr. Wells, of Northampton, presented a specimen of gutta percha 

 prepared for bookbinding. 



Mr. Wakeraan. We are a part of the State Agricultural Society, 

 and v/e ought to be strongly represented there. We have made a 

 good and a just impression at Albany in reference to our petition for 

 an Agricultural School. 



Mr. Wakeman then moved for a committee of three members to 

 frame a petition to the Legislature for an Agricultural School and 

 Experimental Farm. Seconded and carried. 



The Chairman named on that committee, Messrs. George GifK")rd, 

 Meigs and Wakeman. 



The Chairman then called up the subject of the day. 



Judge Van Wyck observed, that certainly .some portions of manures 

 tltscend, and others, the gaseous for instance, ascend; the more po- 

 rous the soil, the deeper the descent. As to subsoils, there is no 

 doubt that upon their being brought up and exposed to the air, rains, 

 light, heat, &c , they gradually acquire some fertility. 



Mr. Pike. The matter resolves itself into tv.'o i.ieas. Manure 

 contains salts and also gases, so that the advocates for ascent and de- 



