BREEDING OF HORSES. HI 



size, and should be planted either whole or cut into not more than 

 two pieces. It is evident that long continued use of the eye alone 

 from year to year has materially diminished the crops of many 

 localities. It is evident also that the planting of the stem end 

 alone produces a comparatively small number of potatoes, of even 

 growth and firm consistency, while the planting of the sprout 

 end gives an abundance of potatoes in number, less uniform in 

 size, and great luxuriance of vine. The potato itself is a plant, 

 and in order to get the best result from the planting it should have 

 the well-balanced effects of both ends — the stem and the sprout. 

 A whole potato then, for seed ; or a potato cut in two pieces, from 

 sprout-end to stem-end, in order that the balance may be preserved. 

 Of the size of the seed potato, it should neither be too large nor 

 too small. Small potatoes are immature, and are as unfit for seed 

 as an immature animal is unfit for breeding. Overgrown potatoes 

 are usually coarse in fibre, and unhealthy, and they are as unfit for 

 seed as an overgrown, coarse and feeble animal is unfit for breed- 

 ing. Immaturity on the one hand, and excessive growth on the 

 other, should be avoided. Either may answer for a short time — 

 but in the end, the evil effects will become manifest. 



Dr. Loring concluded by allusion to the value of the potato crop, 

 which has passed out of the list of common and cheap farm 

 vegetables into the list of luxuries ; and urged the utmost care in 

 its cultivation as the only source of profit. 



The exercises of the day following were opened by the delivery 

 of the following lecture on 



THE BREEDING OF HORSES, 



BY HON. THOMAS S. LANG. 



Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen : — I was not aware that I was to 

 be called upon to speak upon any subject before this Convention 

 until too late to prepare such matter as I should feel satisfied to 

 read to you. 



So far, through life, I have made it a point to do any thing in my 

 power that could add to the interest of agriculture, or any of its 

 branches. Therefore, I have answered the call of your Committee 

 of Arrangements, 



The subject assigned me, " The Breeding of Horses,'^ is so 

 broad, to go into detail, as to inspire misgivings that in the time 

 allotted I shall be able to interest you. 



