No. 129.J 373 



tain all of four per cent, per ton of the same phosphoric. Before 

 using them they should be exposed to the air for some time. 

 Urine contains the largest share of it of any barn-yard manure, 

 and this is to a great degree lost for want of proper care. 



Dr. Underhillj of Croton Point, said that barn-yards were gene- 

 rally (nine out of ten) badly constructed, they lose one-half of 

 the urine. 



Dr. Church. — Add common salt to manure, and with the am- 

 monia, it will form muriate of ammonia, thus fixing that volatile 

 substance, and when applied to the soil aiding the growth of 

 plants, preventing the evaporation of the ammonia. 



Dr. Underbill. — That is right. Ammonia, always in the air, 

 comes down in the rain, colors it yellow. Charcoal takes the 

 ammonia out of the rain water and leaves it clear. Snow brings 

 down ammonia abundantly. Late snows in the spring on grain 

 are well-known fertilizers. 



Col. Morris was obliged, by business to leave the chair, which 

 was, on motion, taken by Dr. Underhill. 



Dr. Church.— -It seems to resemble, in effect, the practice 

 called mulching or covering; covered spots favor the collec- 

 tion of nitre. 



Dr. Underhill. — Where snow lies deep and long, much ammo- 

 nia is collected. In valleys watered by streams of melted snow, 

 the goitre is very prevalent ; this swelling of the glands of the 

 throat may be owing to the quantity of ammonia in the water. 



Dr. Church. — The experience of Dr. Coventry in the goitre, 

 caused him to refer it to the use of the water of a spring contain- 

 ing alum. Idiocy is a common effect of goitre. 



Dr. Underhill. — It produces a diminished intellect — a stupor. 

 Cases of goitre are very rare in this country. 



Judge Van Wyck. — Idiocy is common with goitre. 



Dr. Underhill. — Chemistry has demonstrated the large propor- 

 tion of the phosphate of lime in wheat. We have been for l&O 



