^ PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 189 



are both very restringent and stiptic, both used inwardly and outwardly ; 

 they resist putrefaction, and stop gangrene and mortifications.' 



In Rennie's Supplement to the Pharmacopeias, London, 1826, page 454, 

 is this notice : 



'' ' FJiiis Toxicodendron — Sumac, or poison oak leaves. A native of 

 America. Medicinally subacrid, stimulant and narcotic. A very doubtful 

 remedy. Applied externally for herretic eruptions, but is apt to excite 

 erysipelas.' 



" Miller evidently alluded to the plant mentioned by Mr. Veeder, and 

 Rennie would seem to know of no other sumac than the poisonous sumac 

 of America. Admitting Mr. Veeder's opinion of its virtues to be correct, 

 something more definite respecting the plant is certainly desirable." 



Considerable conversation ensued about the use of sumac leaves as a 

 substitute for tea, some persons evidently fearing danger of poison. 



Mr. A. S. Fuller said there is no danger of any mistake. The kind of sumac 

 recommended {Ehus typhi?ia) is common everywhere in dry land pastures, and 

 is as well known to people generally as apple or peach trees. The Rhus 

 toxicodendron, or poison sumac, is a very rare plant, and only found jn wet 

 land, and will not be likely to be mistaken for the other, which is quite 

 harmless to touch or taste. A tea made of the berries is often taken for 

 diseases of the throat. They are also used for coloring, and the leaves for 

 tanning. 



A Farmer's Pest in Ohio. 



Mr. Caleb Munger, Perry, Wood county, Ohio, says the white grubs have 

 become so numerous in all light soils, that the potatoe crop is materially 

 reduced, and the roots of corn stalks are eaten off so that they fall to the 

 ground, while the ears are ripening, and he wants to know if the Club can 

 advise him of any remedy for this pest of the Ohio farmers. 



Mr. Solon Robinson — I will recommend a liberal dressing of salt; also, 

 lime, and always plowing in autumn as late as possible. 



Remedy for Heaves. 



The Rev. N. Young, South Addison, Steuben county. New York, says : 

 " I took what well-cured smart- weed could be easily pressed into an eight- 

 quart kettle, boiled two hours, poured off the tea, let it cool; then, with 

 this I wet about ten quarts of wheat bran, and gave it at one dose to a 

 horse that, had had the heaves four years, and it proved an immediate 

 relief, and has apparently effected a permanent cure. I gave about half 

 the quantity to a two-year-old colt that had the horse distemper, and it 

 proved to be all the medicine that he needed." 



Bee Culture. 



Mr. W. A. Flanders, " Practical Apiarian," writes a long dissertation 

 upon bee culture, the only very strikingly new point of which is the fol- 

 lowing sentence : "Honey is a natural secretion, in greater or less quanti- 

 ties, in nearly all blossoms, provided, no doubt, to allure all honey-loving 



