264 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



England, and an order came back by the first post for fifteen 

 bales. 



Dr. Smith, one of the reporters, inquired what effect dampness 

 had upon this new material — that is new to him. 



Solon Robinson — I will answer that question, having seen mil- 

 lions of tons of the moss growing, and in all its stages of decay ^ 

 manufacture and use. This wiry fibre is almost indestructible j it 

 will remain a long time — longer than wood on the damp ground 

 without decay, and in any state of moisture is but little affected; 

 and it is said that a mattrass made of it will not carry epidemical 

 diseases. It grows in such abundance that it can be furnished in 

 any desired quantity, and increased demand will cheapen the 

 price. If this process of preparing the crude material for use 

 comes into general use, it will add another to our industrial pro- 

 ducts, furnish a new article of export, and give better and cheaper 

 beds to the people. 



T. W. Field — Yes, enable the poor to get more, and more? 

 wholesome sleep. 



Dr. Waterbury— Any cheap, good substitute for feathers will 

 be a national blessing. I am glad to see this new article, and to 

 hear the remarks made upon it. 



GEORGIA PEACHES. 



C. M. Saxton sent in a basket of peaches from Augusta, Ga., a 

 fine yellow freestone. 



Mr. Field stated that Mr. Saxton was in the weekly receipt of 

 this choice fruit, and for aught he could see we shall have to look 

 to the South for a supply of peaches, since the tree seems des- 

 tined to fail entirely in this climate. The original disease of all 

 trees is propagated by our system of budding and grafting, by 

 which we only continue to grow limbs of the original trees. If 

 the natural life of an apple tree was fixed at a given period, say 

 150 years, the natural life of the grafts would be the same. 



BUTTER. 



The subject that has been for some time pending was called up 

 to hear a report from Dr. Waterbury. He said : 



The subject of production of butter is not sufficiently appre- 

 ciated. Nor is the value of all our different crops. Taking all 



