,, Proceedings of the Farmers' Club. 311 



our American farmers to "seasons remarkable for droughts or rain, 

 scanty or abundant harvests, that such facts may be communicated 

 to that department;" adding, that if such law be ascertained, " what 

 a valuable saving of time, labor and crops would result to the 

 farmers and the nation." 



The universality of this principal emboldens me to ask of you 

 its publication. We are, in this western continent, continually 

 reminded of your skillful looms and vineclad hills, and we shall be 

 much more indebted for those products of the mind — ;th^t " uni- 

 versal exposition" which blesses both giver and receiver. 



- w.ii i FLEAS IN ILLINOIS. 



Mr. Jatnes ' F. Dunn, Galesburg. — Some of us are annoyed 

 exceedingly with fleas; they live and breed where there are no cats 

 or dogs. Can you give a flea-bitten citizen a remedy ? 



Mr. Wm. B. Harrison. — The essential oil of pennyroyal, sprinkled 

 on a bed or on clothing, will drive them away. In Louisiana, we 

 used to sprinkle it around the rooms to keep off the musketoes. 

 One should be careful not to get any of it in his eyes. 



Mr. Doty. — A few weeks ago, when I was in Louisville, the land- 

 lord furnished me with a vial of this to rub on my face, and I 

 found it effectual, though in the middle of the night it was neces- 

 saiy to make another application. 



LIGHTNING RODS. 



Mr. Jared Walters, Vineland, Wisconsin. — I would like to leant 

 if there are trustworthy statistics showing the amount of protec- 

 tion bestowed by lightning rods ? 



The Chairman. — If Mr. Solon Robinson were here he would 

 decidedly tell us these rods are of no manner of use. For my 

 part, I fancy there is security in them, and having five in my house, 

 I sleep during a thunder storm without apprehension, whatever 

 may be the facts in this case. 



Mr. Allen. — Last summer, in Ohio, I was shown a two-story 

 brick house which had a lightning rod, down which, one night, the 

 lightning descended part way, went into a bedroom, passed along 

 sl bed rail, then crossed the bed, killing a young man. Whether 

 the rod was properly put up, I do not know. 



Dr. Israel Jarvis. — One not properly put up is not a lightning 

 rod. 



Dr. J. M. Crowell. — A house with trees standing around it, 

 higher than the house, is perfectly protected, .^ 



