528 Transactions of the American Institute. 



Mr, William Lawton. — I can say for my part that I want nothing 

 better than cedar shingles. I have on my place some shingles put 

 on sides of buildings in 1776, and they are good still, and on roofs 

 they last at least fifty years. These shingles have been kept well 

 whitewashed. 



The Chairman. — I have on my place a painted roof, put on in 1824, 

 the very day that Lafayette landed here, and it is still in good con- 

 dition. It is well known that the color had better be light and not 

 dark, because the latter attracts the heat more than the former. 



Dr. J. V. C. Smith. — I once listened to a Frenchman in Paris, 

 who talked long to a company of his distinguished countrymen, and 

 convinced them, as he did me, that to paint shingles is great economy. 

 I am glad to have this opinion confirmed by what 1 hear in this 

 room to-day. 



Mr. D. B. Bruen. — But there is something more to be said. There 

 is a house in Newark, I have seen it frequently, it was built before 

 the revolution, and the shingles with which it is sided are apparently 

 as perfect to-day as they ever were. Of course, they have always 

 been kept well painted. 



Prof. J. A. Whitney. — It is also a good method to treat the sliin- 

 gles to a solution of sulphate of iron, as railroad ties are treated in 

 England. 



Preparing Celery for Market. 

 Mr. P. T. Quinn. — Every cultivated plant has its special charac- 

 teristics which become familiar to those who study the laws of 

 vegetable physiology. The practical farmer, knowing these facts 

 from observation and experience, will lay out his garden with a view 

 to give each kind of plant the exposure and locality most congenial 

 to its habits of growth. Again, it is a fact well known to market 

 gardeners that each kind of vegetable, to command the highest price, 

 must be prepared, in a certain way, and if the arbitrary rule is not 

 strictly adhered to, the produce will not bring half its market value. 

 There appears to be no obvious reason why nine long raddishes tied 

 in a round bunch, are not as good as the same nine tied in a flat one, 

 or why three or four stalks of celery made up into a round bunch are 

 not as palatable and in every way as good as when made into a flat 

 bunch. Still, in the one case, they will find plenty of customers at 

 the best market rate, while in the other there is no demand, and 

 would not bring enough to pa}"- expenses. 



