POTATOES. — ROOT-CROPS. 13 



Since that time there has been a manifest increase in 

 numbers and quality of fowls and in the value of the prod- 

 uct, with a demand constant and highly remunerative. 

 Indeed, it may be safely asserted that there is always a good 

 market for poultry and eggs, upon which outside competi- 

 tion makes little impression. 



While this business may be undertaken with small capital, 

 and by those capable only of moderate labor, painstaking 

 intelligence is essential to success. The old way of keeping 

 mixed breeds to roam at large over farms, stealing their nests 

 upon hay-mows or under bushes, has given place very gen- 

 erally to systematic, careful breeding. 



There is great incentive to the increase of this business, 

 and a field for enterprise in the French systems of rearing 

 and fattening, that make the poultry and eggs of France 

 notably superior. Their methods are worthy of the study 

 and attention of our poultry-men. 



POTATOES. 



The dryness of the past summer was not favorable to the 

 yield of potatoes ; but the quality was excellent, and the 

 price remunerative. 



The annoyance of the beetle, or "potato-bug," continues 

 unabated ; but the crop can be perfectly protected by the 

 use of Paris-green, applied either mixed with water, plaster, 

 or damaged flour. Where the latter can be obtained, it is the 

 best means of extension : applied to damp leaves, it adheres 

 better than plaster. 



Other poisons are recommended, but their efficacy depends 

 upon their being made of Paris-green ; and it is better to use 

 the original article, which requires but one pound of poison 

 to one hundred-weight of flour, or seventy-five pounds of 

 plaster, or, if applied in water, a teaspoonful to ten gallons 

 of water. The best authorities declare, that, owing to the 

 insoluble nature of the poison, none of it can enter into the 

 composition of the tuber. 



EOOT-CKOPS. 



The impetus that was given to the cultivation of sugar- 

 beets by the promise of an active demand, at remunerative 

 prices, from sugar-mills, has met with a check. 



