Question Box. 



[This interesting feature of our institute meetings is yearly growing in 

 popularity, and justly so, for in the " Question Box " is brought out the 

 practical side of farm life, expounded by active and i)n).iz:ressive f.-irmers 

 ■whose experiences and practices cannot help benefiting brother farmers. 

 However, it is impossible to give, in the small space at our disposal, the 

 " Question Box " of each institute, where so many are held, for to do this 

 would require a special work in itself. Again, not all questions asked are 

 of general interest, the majority being of a local nature, and frequently the 

 same questions are asked and answered at various institutes; so that we 

 have endeavored to select from an almost interminable mass of manu- 

 script questions and answers which, if they do not contain new ideas and 

 suggestions, will, at least, act as reminders and furnish food for thought 

 and mental digestion.] 



POTATOES. 

 How do you fight bugs? 



Mr. Litchard. — I pulverize 100 pounds of plaster and thor- 

 oughly mix with it one pound of paris green. As soon as the 

 plants are well up, sprinkle the mixture on the hills. This will 

 kill the " shell backs " to a large extent and prevent the appear- 

 ance, in great measure, of the slugs. 



What condition of soil do you favor for potatoes? 



Mr. Litchard. — A good, well-fertilized and fitted clover sod, 

 plowed seven to ten inches deep and thoroughly fined to a depth 

 of at least five inches, and the surface as free as possible from 

 stones and clods. 



What variety of clover do you sow? 



Answer. — Medium red and alsike, two quarts of the former 

 and four quarts of the latter. 



What do you do to prevent scab? 



Answer. — Scab is a fungous growth. It may be in the soil. 

 Do not plant seed that is scabby, nor plant clean potatoes on 



