AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 333 



Peter G. Bergen. — We have very little iron in the soil of Long Island, 

 and I want to know whether I can use iron to advantage as a fertilizer. I 

 can obtain it cheaply, but I don't know what effect may be produced by an 

 over-supply. 



Dr. Humphrey. — In small quantities, iron is doubtless beneficial to fruit 

 trees; when in excess it is injurious. 



Mr. Quinn. — In the heavy clay soil of New Jersey, we have iron in the 

 soil, and it probably has a beneficial effect upon fruit trees. Analysis gen- 

 erally shows iron in all soils. I think the greatest abuse of iron in agri- 

 culture is to let tools lay about till destroyed by rust. However that may 

 be a good way to get iron into the soil. Iron oxyd is not injurious to any 

 soil or crops. 



Andrew S. Fuller. — I have read a good deal about the advantage of iron 

 to fruit trees, but I have yet to learn whether iron is a fertilizer, or whether 

 the iron is a conductor of electricity that improves the soil. A neigh- 

 bor of mine had a grape vine planted along side of a lightning rod that 

 outgrew another vine a few feet away, more than two to one. Now, was 

 it the iron or electricity that produced the effect ? 



John G. Bergen said that he knew of some experiments some years ago, 

 with electricity, but it did not do much good. 



Mr. Quinn thought the extra digging to set the lightning rod had more 

 effect upon the grape-vine alluded to, than the iron, or the electricity. 



Mr. Cavenach said that he had used iron dust to sovne extent upon 

 flowers, to heighten color, but thought there was some danger in using it 

 fi'eely upon tender vegetables. 



Solon Robinson inquired if iron was ever injurions to plants, unless in 

 connection with acid; and if that was net why lime produced a good effect 

 upon soils over-charged with iron, that it neutralized the acid. 



The next meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 6, at noon, and the subject 

 of iron may be further discussed. Also spring planting, orchards, and 

 muck or peat, its value, and how to apply it. 



The meeting to day was very full, and quite interesting, but we give 

 only a brief outline of what was said. 

 . The Club adjourned. 



Wm. LAWTON, Secretary pro tevi. 



February 6, 18G0. 



Ptobert L. Pell, in the chair. Present 56 members. 



The Secretary read the following paper : 



We recommend to our members to examine their transactions ; among 

 others, the great question of destructive insects, and the remedy and preven- 

 tion, by Dr. Fitch. It appears that we shall have to impcwt and breed 

 armies of their enemies. We see no difficulty in bringing over the ichneu- 

 mon fly, who must live on our wheat destroyers. 



We ought to have before us all the works on this subject and study them. 



