310 Traxsactioxs of the American Ixstitvte. 



Club, Lave, without dissent, appointed Mr. James. A. "Whitney, 

 associate editor of the Artisan, Professor of Applied or Agricultural 

 Chemistry. 



Professor James A. Whitney. — I hare reason to thank the Club, 

 and to tender my acknowledgements to the officers of the Institute, 

 for this honor. There are those who are unwilling to admit that 

 chemical science has done anything worth mentioning for the farmer, 

 I tliink it can be proved that the crucible and the retort are, when 

 properly understood and wisely applied, the best friends of agricul- 

 ture. Instances are numerous in Europe, and not wanting in this 

 country, where the most progressive, the most thrifty and sagacious 

 fj^rmers, have been excellent chemists, and often called in analysis to 

 aid experience. At some future time, at our next session, in fact, if 

 the Club please, I will present a paper in which I shall endeavor to 

 show how and where the laboratoiy will assist and advance the 

 agjiculture of the future. 



The Chairman. — Such an essay from our chemist will be peculiarly 

 suitable and welcome to the Club. We will regard it as the special 

 subject at next session. I will here say that Mr. E. II. Williams 

 proposes to read his views on the best manner of conveying agricul- 

 tural knowledge, and inspiring rural tastes in the yonng men of the 

 country. 



Cheap Cover for Haystacks. 



Mr. Charles P. Thatcher, Decatur, Macon Co., Illinois. — I should 

 like to inquire of the Club if they can recommend to a hay raiser 

 any article that would answer for the purpose of covering a stack,, 

 when partially completed, to protect from rain ; also as a permanent 

 cover when the stack is built. A large percentage of our hay spoils, 

 in the stack from the rain during the winter, and we are sadly in 

 need of some sort of a canvas covering that will be water-proof, 

 easily handled, and always ready ; not too expensive, and yet stronij 

 enough to resist pretty trying wind. An answer through the Club 

 reports will be very acceptable. 



Mr. J. B. Lyman. — Buy for each stack ten or twelve yards of 

 heavy, tight-woven, unbleached cotton cloth ; make it up square, 

 like a sail, with a hole in the middle for a pole, and bind a stout cord 

 around the edge. Boiled linseed oil, thickened with any powder o.r 

 stuff tliat will make a paint, will answer as a coating. Apply two 

 coats quite thick. If the weather is cool it will be better. Try the 



