528 Proceedings. 



3. "A System of Weights and Measures," by J. Carruthers, M. Inst. 

 C.E. {Transactions, p. 155.) 



The author proposed to change the radix of couutmg from 10 to 16, and to adopt 

 the latter number as the radix for all weights and measures. 



Dr. Newman did not altogether object to the decimal system ; it was most useful in 

 some cases. He considered 12 a better number than 16. 



It was resolved that the discussion of this paper should be postponed in order that 

 members might have an opportunity of studying it. 



4. "Further Kemarks upon Prickly Comfrey, with Description of a 

 mode of storing it and other Forage Plants," by J. C. Crawford, F.Gr.S. 



ABSTEACT. 

 In continuation of his former paper on Symphytum asperrimum,* the author quotes 

 largely from an article in the "Gentleman's Magazine" for March, 1877. From this it 

 appears that the prickly comfrey contains an unusually large percentage of nitrogen, 

 and is the earliest spring crop on the farm. When green food becomes abundant the 

 prickly comfrey should be regularly cut and stored in tanks or pits after the Algerian 

 custom, for use during di'oughts or winter. The successful experiments of several French 

 gentlemen are recorded. The pits are of stone or brick, in one case being 36 feet long 

 by 6 feet in breadth and width (but the deeper the pit the better is the forage owing to 

 the pressure) and a pit of that size will hold 40 tons of green maize mixed with about 

 one-fifth of its weight of rye-straw chaff: The fodder is trodden down in the pit, and, 

 after the top layer is sprinkled with salt, it is covered with straw and planks weighted 

 down. It is necessary to examine the pits every day at first or the settling of the fodder 

 may caiise cracks in the straw roof and admit the air. One gentleman builds his pits on 

 the slope of a hill to facilitate the escape of moisture. Another has found the sour keep 

 excellent food for oxen for five years past. In England too much salt was often 

 employed, which retarded fermentation. Opinions differ as to the degree of ripeness the 

 crop should be allowed to attain before being cut, but the leaves and flowers are never 

 allowed to become so dry as to drop off during transport. Crops cut in wet weather in 

 1876 and stored after being quickly cut up were found quite equal to that put up in dry 

 weather. It requhes to remain in the pit at least six weeks before being consumed, and 

 some caution is necessary in feeding with it, as the presence of lactic acid in excess may 

 cause diarrhoea. The author says that soils generally in New Zealand require phosphate 

 of lime, and quotes an English authority, who advised, with regard to an Auckland soil, 

 the use of half-inch bones to supply phosphate, and the ploughing in of some leguminous 

 plant to supply nitrogen. The author concludes by saying that land for pasture should 

 be laid down rich, as few croj^s being taken off beforehand as possible, giving an 

 illustration of successful practice in Northumberland, and he thinks that the growth of 

 good forage plants will helf) towards this, because from thek consumption manure woiild 

 be produced. 



5. " On the Improvement of Wellington Harbour in providing addi- 

 tional Wharf Accommodation," by J. C. Crawford, F.G.S. 



ABSTRACT. 



The author says the chief wind against which shelter is required is the wind varying 

 from N. to W.N.W., commonly called the north-west wind. In the original reclamation 



* Ante, p. 523. 



