264 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Of rhubarb plants a beverage can be made to take the place of cider, in 

 sections whei'e apples have entirely failed ; as is the case in Northern Ver- 

 mont; and also where grapes cannot be ripened for wine, and in such local- 

 ities, I recommend people to plant rhubarb, but do not be cheated by wine- 

 plant peddlers. They are humbugs, not the plant. 



Dr. Trimble. — We are very apt to run from one train of subjects to ano- 

 ther. We discuss the benefit of the grape for a disease without knowing 

 what the disease is. The other is wine. We are continually bringing this 

 subject before the club. We are like those persons who set for hours at 

 the dinner table discussing the flavor of various wines, we shall be consi- 

 dered as regular wine bibbers. 



Mr. R. H. Williams. — I have generally agreed with Dr. Trimble in his 

 remarks before the Club, but on this subject I must differ with him. Brandy 

 and wine is an excellent food, and combines all the elements that will make 

 a person robust and healthy. We are a people that live to eat, but I think 

 if we eat the produce of our fields and drink the pure juice of the grape, we 

 shall find our healths improving and stimulated to greater efforts. 



From my experience I think the reason why the people of Germany use 

 the grape cure is, that these persons have been in the habit of the free use 

 of wine, and when they can no longer use wine, they eat the grape, from 

 which the wine is made. 



Gutta-Percha Paint. 



The Chairman. — Last week we had a letter of inquiry about the value of 

 gutta-percha paint. The following is a very satisfactory answer, from a 

 very trustworthy man : 



" James B. Bradley, of Bridgport, Conn., painted for me in May 

 and June, 1860, several tin roofs, with what he called "Patent India 

 Rubber and Gutta-Percha Roof Paint,' the job amounting to $128. 94- 

 He had an abundant quantity of recommendations as to himself and his 

 ' Gutta Percha and India Rubber Paint.' He gave me a written warranty, 

 which is here in my hand, wan-anting it for seven years to stand and be 

 tight. In less than two j'ears the rust from the tin in places attracted my 

 notice, and on examination I found the paint nearly all washed off, and have 

 had all painted with ground paint-skins, which is the best roof paint I have 

 ever used." 



Lupine. 



Mr. John Lowrey, from Saratoga Springs, N. Y., writes a letter of inquiry 

 about the lupine, whether it has been tried with success in this country, and 

 where seed can be obtained. The answer to this is, that so far as this 

 club have knowledge, it lias not been tried to any considerable extent, 

 though often recommended for such land as that around Saratoga Springs. 

 In Europe it grows in light sand that will produce no other crop. Portugal 

 has fleen liighly benefitted by lupine. It grows rapidly, and draws suste- 

 nance from far below the surface, and is not, therefore, affected by drouth. 

 It is sown near Paris, about the middle of April, and used as a soiling 

 plant. The seed can be obtained of large seedsmen in New York. 



