Dr. Underhill observed that the soaking in the solution of saltpetre stimulated the vegetation. As to planting potatoes, he said that if a potato be cut into three parts, and the middle section only be plaated, the crop will be much better in growth, and will be one-third more ; that the fewer shoots sent up by the middle section favor the crop much. I hope that our farmers will try this plan fully. Judge Van Wyck.-As to the methods of planting potatoes and seeds, there is still much contradictory opinion held by our farmers. Judge of New-York, said that aecording to his experience, it was bad farming to plant small potatoes. Judge Van Wyck.-The vast power of insects to injure our crops is owing much to their numbers, but yet more to their minuteness, and I may say, to their weakness. On that account we cannot grasp them as we can larger enemies more sensible to our sight and touch; and moreover their changes of form are so remarkably great, that we do not know them in their several mutations unless we are very careful indeed in our observations. They perplex us greatly in our endeavours to find them out. The caterpillar race attacks root, leaf and fruit. In the grub form they destroy often our Indian corn crops. A distinguished entomologist (Dr. Harris, an American,) considers this caterpillar race as fully destructive, if not more so, than any of the insect tribes. He styles some of them subterranean, (working under ground,) others superterranean, (working above ground.) Among these are the grub, the cut worm, and wire worm; they are the agrotidean race. The grub cuts off roots, it attacks our Indian eorn in June and July. The cut worms come to the surface and there cuts off plants. The wire worm does so to. Those excellent authors Kirby and Spence, of England, throw great light on the subject of insects. When land has been left for some time in turf, then ploughed and corn planted, the subterranean caterpillars sometimes cut it to pieces. A valuable and curious experiment has been tried in England: From a field where these caterpillars abounded, sixty-three bushels of the mould were taken up and sifted, and out of that quantity twenty-three bushels of the caterpillars were found. The crop of grain which had been on that field was entirely destroyed. Some times in meadows, they cut off all the roots, so that the upper part of the turf may be rolled up like a carpet. Dr. Harris advises the soaking of seed in a solution of copperas, the grub then will not touch it. It has been found that sowing a small quantity of common salt in a field, or lime, or unleached ashes, or plaster of Paris, is good to destroy insects. I have seen wheat sprinkled with lime dust saved from the Hessian fly, while the adjoining half of the field was nearly wholly destroyed by that fly. These applications also defend our crops in a measure from the birds, and make them more hungry after insects. Dr. Underhill.-The best plan, as to sod, is to plough it deep in the fall, so as to expose the insects to frost for that destroys them; and this method should always be pursued; millions of the insects are thus killed in one month. But if you omit the ploughing until spring, you will have them all alive. When I was a school boy I recollect, that on one occasion, I helped to roll up the sods cut off by worms, in great masses. The destroyer in that case is the black or large white grub, so called. The farmers that season were obliged to plough up their corn fields and to plant all over the second time, on account of the black grub, and they ate up that second growth. They then ploughed again and sowed buckwheat. Mr. Pitts. We find that grub in cultivated fields, not in new lands. Dr. Underhill.-That is true. Judge Van Wyck.-Insects do not like lime or salt. They will not climb a tree washed with lime. Dr. Underhill.-Sprinkle lime or ashes on melons and cucumbers early in the morning, while the dew is on them. I have lately visited the fine farm of Mr. Manice, of Long Island. He has a piece of land surrounded by a high fence; it is about 200 feet long by 150 wide. Here are his plum trees, and the whole surface is paved with bricks. The trees are about twelve feet apart. The result of this has been, that instead of the constant loss of the crop he has as many plums matured as the trees can well bear; for the curculio now attacks so few of them, that those destroyed are a real benefit to the rest. He is convinced that his high fence is ineffectual; that the pavement is the protection. It has been found that where the plum tree hang partly over water, that side bears fine fruit, while the rest hanging over land is ruined. So much for the sagacity of the curculio, which does not permit him foolishly to drop his child into water and drown it. Mr. Meigs, has noticed the fine fruit of Damson, growing in midst of stone pavement. Dr. Underhill.-Some seemingly insignificant fact, which has escaped the observation of men for all passed ages, once brought to light and put into general use, may add millions to our wealth. For protection to one of our finest fruits, the plumbs, the pavement may be found a cheap means. Planting so as to spread over a pond, or stream of water is a protection. Mr. Dederer.-Turn up rich land in December, and we have seen it white with the white grubs, it looks as if it was sprinkled with lime. Tarring the trunks of trees has been much tried, but the surface of the tar soon becomes so glazed, that the caterpillars easily crawl over it. Dr. Underhill.-The canker worm ascends the tree. A small gutter encircling the trunk and filled with oil stops them. Subjects for next meeting, insects, seeds, planting, grape vine. The Club then adjourned. H. MEIGS, Secretary. INDEX. Addresses at the 22nd Annual Fair,.. Henry Meigs, "Opening,". Levi Woodbury, "Anniversary,". John Alburtis, "Progress of the Mechanic Arts," Pago. 305 305 313 342 Thomas Antisell, "Philosophy of Manufactures,"... 354 .... 365 James M. Crane, "Manufactures of the Southern States," 393 Alburtis' Address on the Progress of the Mechanic Arts,...... 342 Antisell's Address on the Philosophy of Manufactures,........ 354 Appleton on the Alpaccas of Bolivia,... Barrilla-letter from Chas. Henry Hall,. Bay State Shawls,........ Books presented to the Library of the Institute by Mons. Alex. Chandeliers, Lamps and Gas Fixtures,. Colts' communication in relation to Alderney Cattle,......... 116 128 107 .. 168 421 114 109, 110, 151 153 170 Assembly, No. 199.] 35 Congress of Fruit Growers,. Page. 189 Crane's Address on the Manufactures of the Southern States,.. 393 Cultivation of Rye,..... 112 Tea in South Carolina,. 134 Dodge's Improved Cop Spinning and Winding Machine,...... 173 Dorking Fowls,... 111 Dick's Antifriction Power, 175 Edges' Instantaneous Illuminator,. 173 Endicott Pear Tree, (the)... 123 Entries of Stock at the Cattle Show,.... 14 Farmers' Club, Reports of Meetings, 441 Financial Condition of the Institute, Flax,... 10 160 .... 479 165 109 87 113 Imports of Linen, 1830 to 1848,. Jesup's Method of making Butter,.... Lands of Long Island, 159 110 Litchi of China and its Culture,.. Longworth on the Manufacture of the Sparkling Catawaba Meigs' Address,-Opening of the Fair,. 305 299 Merino Prize Sheep, New Garden Plants in the Himalaya Mountains, 115 485 3 117 21 |