No. 144.] 307 



means they more than double the amount of their crops, and this 

 too without any additional manure other than that which would 

 foe used in the absence of such arrangement. 



So much then for the effects of drought. But can these effects 

 be avoided in ordinary dry seasons? We answer yes; for in well 

 underdrained and deeply disintegrated soils, the deposit of mois- 

 ture on the cold surfaces of particles from the atmosphere circu- 

 lating within them, always insures crops against drought. Who 

 ever knew corn to curl, or a meadow to run out, on well under- 

 drained and sub-soiled land ? The farmer who properly prepares 

 his soil may defy drought in the growing of ordinary crops, and 

 those requiring large amounts of pabulum in extreme dilution, 

 can be better grown in soil deeply prepared. Such soils too, are 

 more benefited by irrigation than others, because the water, as it 

 passes rapidly through them, dt^posits its fertilizing powers while 

 it passes off, and is replaced by atmosphere following in its course. 



Mr. Robinson proposed as a subject for the next meeting of the 

 Club, " Selling all farm and garden products by the pound." 



Paul Stillman — All California does so, and it is the best and 

 fairest method. 



Judge Van Wyck renewed his proposal of" Insects injurious to 

 vegetation." 



Prof Ma pes mov^d that both subjects be adopted and discussed 

 at an extra meeting, to be held on the 26th, at noon. Adopted. 



The Secretary read the following letter from John G. Adams, 

 M. D., relative to Mr. Field's present to the Institute, divided as 

 a scale into ten parts joined, decimetres; and the whole into 100 

 parts, making it, as it is called in common use, a centimetre. 

 Also two common measures used in the shops, of red tape, marked 

 into 150 decimetres, or one metre and one half. Also an en- 

 graved figure of each of the French weights and measures. Also 

 examples ot fine wrapping paper, which receives ink writing as 

 well as the best writing paper. Also a sheet of letter paper, with 

 envelope, weighing one-quarter of an ounce, and notwithstanding 



