AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 355 



Tlie Agar, of Malay, is extensively exported to China — it forms 

 sweet jelly. The Chinese lanterns are saturated with this gum to 

 make them transparent. 



Wherever these sea weeds with their Iodine and Bromine are 

 used, there is no Bronchocele ! 



Mr. Meigs read the following translations and extracts, made 

 from articles received by the Institute, by the last steamers : 



One of these mentions the manufacture of parchment paper. 

 This is made by dipping common paper in strong sulphuric acid, 

 diluted with one-half its bulk of water, being first allowed to 

 cool. The paper is then instantly washed free of its acid, first in 

 plenty of water, and then in a weak solution of ammonia. A 

 band of common paper that will break with a weight of seven or 

 eight pounds, will sustain a hundred pounds after being thus 

 prepared and allowed to dry. 



The rationale of this is, that the acid changes the fibre of the 

 paper material into gelatine, somewhat similar to the substance 

 of skin parchment. This conversion is not any more remarkable 

 than the conversion of cotton into a substance in solution with 

 ether, that forms a tough skin like human cuticle, when it is 

 spread out in the open air. The paper which gives an account 

 of the parchment paper thinks the discovery will lead to many 

 useful purposes. 



WINTER FEEDING STOCK. 



This important question was adopted for discussion at a former 

 meeting. It is one of the most important that has been talked 

 over, since the waste of feed is almost or quite equal to its con- 

 sumption — taking the whole country through. The most econo- 

 mical kind of food for stock, as well as the most judicious pre- 

 paration of it for different classes of domestic animals, is just 

 what every farmer should absolutely know — not guess. 



The few thoughts elicited here to-day, at this Club, should be 

 counted as seed planted for them to cultivate. 



Dr. Waterbury — I have some doubts about the economy of 

 cutting food for cattle to the extent that it is done by some in 

 this country. I have seen lately an account of undigested cut 



