Proceebixgs of the Farmers' Club. 44r> 



more of large packages were forwarded and distributed. In his note 

 lie said : " After actual experiment, I have found it to be a specific 

 against the operations of all species of worms and bugs which infest 

 the garden ; and, notwithstanding the fact that Dr. Trimble declares 

 it to be against the teachings of science, I can assure you that it still 

 continues to make the currant-worms and squash-bugs ' move.' My 

 neighbors have all used it, and in many instances have arrested the 

 ravages of worms after half of the bush had been destroyed. I have 

 found it equally effective against all varieties of worms destructive of 

 fruit trees, rose bushes, &c. The better time for applying it is while 

 the dew is on or after a rain. The principal constituents you will 

 find to be carbonate of lime, sulphate of lime, sulphate of alminum, 

 phosphate of lime, magnesia, sulphur and silex. We have used it as 

 a fertilizer with better results than Nova Scotia plaster, particu- 

 larly upon leguminous plants." 



Dr„ Isaac P. Trimble. — It may be well at the outset to consider 

 what shale is. Many might suppose from this communication, and 

 the specimens sent, that it is something new as well as important. 

 In the Piedmont region, on the sunny-side slope of the Blue Ridge, 

 shale is one of the chief constituents of the soil. Eastern New Jer- 

 sey has a red shale, and you can generally see some of it on the b®ots 

 of gentlemen who come in from that locality. The Germans there 

 spread it on their gardens and vineyards, and they think it may be 

 of some value as a fertilizer ; nevertheless it is m&rely earth, and the 

 commonest kind of earth. If it will kill insects, and I have yet to 

 be convinced that it will, it must be on the principle of killing by 

 dusting, and any other dust would answer as well. Still, as it is not 

 best to examine the dental endowments of an equine gift, so, on the 

 same principle, perhaps it would be better for us to make some trial 

 of this thing before sweeping it aside with a flourish. 



Mr,- "Wm. Lawton. — I quite agree with the learned gentleman who 

 has just addressed us. So long as the inevitable conditions of exist- 

 ence continue to have influence, the principles hinted at must hold 

 swa}'. 



IIoW TO MAKE C(»NCKETE FOR BuiLDINGS. 



Mr. J. B. Tattershall, Hamilton, Mo., inquired by letter for suita- 

 ble instruction in regard to the building of concrete walls of water- 

 lime, how to mix the mortar, &c. In his section there is neither 

 brick nor stone; consequently, the question asked becomes an impor- 

 tant one to himself and his neiirhbors. 



