No. 133.] 383 



Mr. Saiitli recommended , as a subject deserving the investiga- 

 tion of the Club, sumach, both lor dyeing and for tanning. 



Dr. Uuderhill. — The effects of electricity on vegetation, by 

 means of wires arid copper and zinc plates, were investigated by 

 this Club se^^eral years ago ; and we found no influence whatever 

 in these, nor have any knowledge which others possessed suc- 

 ceeded. Practical chemists have examined the matter, and pro- 

 nounced it a vain experiment — an ignis fatvus. We are in want 

 of facts to which we must closely stick. By so doing we shall 

 get the thanks of sound and industrious farmers. 



Dr. Wellington spoke of the action of oxygen as mentioned in 

 the experiments with manganese alluded to, and said that the 

 galvanic experiments exhibited the oxygen gas, light, heat, &c., 

 in the connection. 



Dr. Church had found seeds stimulated in germinating by steep- 

 ing three or four hours in a weak solution of chloride of lime — 

 a piece as large as a hickory nut, dissolved in one pint of water, 

 with one tablespoonful of vinegar. I tried this experiment upon 

 the bean seeds which I had found difficult to grow ; and I was 

 anxious to raise it for the benefit of my patients. When so steep- 

 ed they grow rapidly. The seeds of the locust are difficult to 

 germinate. I put some of them in a ball of moist sand, placed in 

 the sun three da>s, with great advantage to their vegetation. 



Mr. Pike has remarked their very slow germination, being a 

 year or two in coming up. 



Mr. Carter had remarked the same slow growth. 



Dr. Underhill said that immersion for a few moments in boil- 

 ing water, accelerated their germination. 



Chairman — Tliat method has brought them up in two months 

 at the right season of the year. 



Gen. Chandler presented a sweet potato, just received from 

 Lewis Morris, Esq., of South Carolina, raised on his plantation 

 there, it weighs four pounds and fifteen ounces, its length is fif- 



