Proceedings of the Farmers' Club. 285 



Dr. Isaac P. Trimble. — A few years ago the revenue of the British 

 government was so seriously affected by the falling off of the tax 

 receipts arising from hops, that a committee of the House of 

 Commons was appointed to examine and report as to whether there 

 is a remedy for the louse. After a long investigation they reported 

 that the only remedy lies in having a large number of children 

 employed to pick off the lice, but this is to be done only at a par- 

 ticular stage of growth, for if only a few hours pass it will be too 

 late. 



NEW USE FOR PAPER STOCK. 



Mr. Solon Robinson showed a bonnet made of paper, by the 

 Emporium Hat Company of Watertown, N. Y. This was from 

 Manilla pulp, molded on a block, then spread with dissolved shellac 

 and covered with woolen flock or clothiers' waste, and pressed till 

 it has a velvet appearance. These may be any color. At present 

 the demand is great, but they can be made at less cost than by any 

 other process, not exceeding t^n cents. 



PEAT. 



JVIr. G. P. Tripp, Union, Broome county, N. Y., sent a specimen 

 of peat taken from under alders and large trees. 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — This is peat from the lower part of the 

 bed, and if taken out and molded, and dried, it will make good 

 fuel. It is also valuable for manure. Two loads mixed with one 

 of stable manure is of more value than thi'ee loads of common 

 manure. It is also valuable as an absorbent, when added to all 

 kinds of liquid mauure. There is a plenty of peat all through the 

 country, and yet people do not know its value. 



LEAD AND TIN PIPE. 



JVIr. A. A. Woolsen, Lisbon, N. Y., inquired of the Club its 

 opinion on the lead-incased tin pipe, manufactured by the Colwell, 

 Shaw & Willard INIanufacturing Compan}'. Quite a discussion fol- 

 lowed, in which the pipe was indorsed, both as to cheapness and 

 safety, as it had been before by the Club; but a difference arose 

 as to the danger of common lead pipe. Dr. Snodgrass thought we 

 ought not to be alarmed, and that the danger of using it had been 

 exaggerated. 



Dr. J. C. V. Smith. — When water was introduced into Boston, 

 Dr. Dana wrote a book on the subject, to prevent the use of lead 

 pipe, to which it was answered that some people would not be 

 attacked by lead poison, and the average was stated at one in one 



