WINTER MEETING AT LEBANON. 291 



The size yield was probably influenced by the lateness of planting, 

 as a large per cent of the tubers were under size. Little or no scab 

 was seen, and only one or two cases of rot. The time of blossoming- 

 was from June 17th to July 1st, or from 44 to 55 days after planting. 



The growth of the vines was good, no disease showing itself up to 

 July 24, when the foliage was green and healthy. At this date I went 

 East, and was gone about a month. On my return I found that the 

 one left to take notes during my absence had failed to note the ripening 

 of each of the several varieties, but stated they were all fully matured 

 August 12th, and for this reason I cannot give the dates of ripening. 



The average yield of potatoes per acre for the State the past sea- 

 son, as given by the Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, was 

 103 bushels, and the quality was 97 per cent. 



The average yield of potatoes given in the official returns from 

 Washington for the whole country is 76 bushels per acre. 



In the Eastern and Middle States the crop was poor both in yield 

 and quality. The crop of the State of New York is given as only 56 

 bushels per acre. 



The yield in the Western States is given as better. That of the 

 Rocky mountain region was much less than was expected, and the 

 quality scarcely medium. 



MELON'S. 



J. A. DUEKES, WESTON. 



As cities increase and population centralizes more and more, easy 

 and rapid transportation is sought for to carry th,e fruits from distant 

 fields to the consumer, in conditions pure and fresh as possible. With 

 railroads and express trains, this, at the present day, has become a mat- 

 ter of perfect ease, and to supply the vast markets of the land becomes 

 the aim and study of the grower; he finds that certain localities have 

 a peculiar adaptation to certain fruits or vegetables, and ever being 

 alive to opportunities thus presented to him, makes a specialty of it. 



Melon-growing, at the present age is becoming a specialty. There is 

 not a person in this broad land in possession of a small tract of land 

 or lot in town or village but delights to have and tend his patch of 



