324 Transactions of the American Institute. 



a change of seed a good crop will be produced. This itching uneasi- 

 ness may gratify a curiosity, but it will not of itself insure a crop. 

 Soil and cultivation are the essential requisites, and the farmer should 

 build his hopes on these more than on a flaming advertisement. 



Mr. D. B. Bruen — I have planted beans and corn for a good many 

 years now, and invariably use the seed descended from that which 

 used to be grown in my father's garden, and I have as good crops as 

 ever. Of course, I am always careful to select the seed, and use none 

 which is imperfect. 



Laed and Sulphue foe Lice. 



Hiram H. Barton, South Shaftsbury, Yt., stated that two years 

 since his fowls were affected with lice, so much so that it was unsafe 

 to step in the poultry house. He " applied lard upon the top of the 

 poles on which the fowls roosted, and sifted freely on the lard sulphur. 

 The pest was soon gone and has not again appeared. The remedy 

 is so easy and simple that every person keeping one hen should be 

 compelled by good sense to use it." 



Dr. L. Bradley — Rubbing a little lard under the wings would proba- 

 bly have the same effect. 



Mr. D. B. Bruen — Fumigation with sulphur is better still. 



Lightning-bods . 



Mr. W. P. Porter, Hartstown, Pa. — Are lightning-rods of any use 

 whatever, and if so, what material is most suitable, iron or copper, or 

 is the old fashioned rod good as the best ? 



The Chairman — I have before expressed the opinion here that 

 these rods are of utility, if for no other reason than that they make 

 the women folks "and the children comfortable. But there is a gen- 

 tleman present who knows all about the subject, and who can give 

 other reasons if such exist. I allude to Professor John Phin, editor 

 of the Technologist, and shall be glad if he will favor -us with his 

 views, and thus answer the question once for all, and save people the 

 trouble of coming to us week after week, burdened with the same 

 song. 



Prof. John Phin — Whatever differences of opinion may exist in 

 regard to the authorship of the discovery of the identity of lightning 

 and electricity, there can be none in regard to the fact that Franklin, 

 and Franklin alone, invented the lightning-rod ; and, strange to say, 

 when it left his hands it was nearly as perfect as it is to-day. Not- 

 withstanding the many patents that have been issued for alleged 



