Proceedings of the Farmers^ Club. 329 



November 19, 1867. 

 Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair; Mr. John TV". Chambers, Secretary. 

 SOWING PLASTER. 



Mr. W. E. Davis, Gallon, Crawford county, Ohio, asks informa- 

 tion in regard to sowing plaster, and whether two bushels are as 

 good as ten. 



Mr. John Crane. — I generally put on about two bushels to the acre. 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — He must experiment on his land and 

 see what it requires, for on some soils it will do but little good. 

 It is reported to fail in many places on the sea coast. I have used 

 it without much effect. But fifty miles further in the country it 

 produces astonishing results. 



Dr. J. E. Snodgrass. — I have had a good deal of experience in 

 the Shenandoah Valley. I would put on three or even five bushels 

 for spring wheat. 



Dr. Isaac P. Trimble. — A bushel of plaster has great effect. Peo- 

 ple did not like to use it at first, but after a trial they have found 

 great advantage in its use. After the soil gets a good supply of 

 phosphate of lime, it will not need plaster. It is important to 

 understand this. 



A SINGULAR GOURD. 



Dr. J. C. V. Smith. — I wish to point to this gourd, which was 

 grown in this city at Highbridge. It is over seven feet long. These 

 gourds are found in Africa, where they grow on trees, from which 

 they hang down, looking like boa constrictors; they will grow in 

 this country against a wall with a southern aspect. Cattle and swine 

 are fond of them when dry; they are also good for fuel; they arc 

 easy to raise, and they grow rapidly. 



BRIDGEPORT KNITTING MACHINE. 



The Bridgeport Knitting Machine Company exhibited one of their 

 machines. It is worked like a sewing machine, with a treadle, and 

 the knitting is done by a revolving belt of loup needles, while 

 widening and narrowing are performed by adding to or taking from 

 the number of loup needles. The machine is said to work very 

 well, and as it is cheaper than the old kinds it ought to come into 

 general use. 



paine's stovepipe cylinder. 

 Mr. J. C. Paine, Dubuque, Iowa, sent for the inspection of the 

 Club a new stovepipe cylinder. This new invention consists of a 



