418 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



great failure of 1858, and the average would be 26 bushels per 

 acre for five years; and three years out of the five sowed in April 

 and May. Let the advocates of sowing Spring wheat in January 

 and February show a better yield for five years out of eight, and 

 then I am ready to admit that there is some defect in the rule I 

 have laid down, and not till then. 



Barn Cellars. 



Mr. Alfred Ruthl)un, New London, N. Y.: I am about to build 

 a barn and am undecided Avhether to arrange the cellar for a cow 

 stable, or for storing manure. 



Mr. N. C. Meeker.— Cellar stables usually are dark, and are 

 likely to breed disease. Cattle like to look out. Horses in par- 

 ticular are anxious to see what is going on. They will even look 

 through cracks and knot holes, with all the curiosity of a boy. 

 Use the cellar for manure, for hens, and the storing of farm imple- 

 ments. If much stock is kept, have elevated platforms or bins 

 below, to catch the manure, whence it can be slid into a cart. We 

 know of a small stable where all the manure falls directly into a 

 cart below, and when loaded it is drawn to the field. To handle 

 manure is the hardest work on a farm. Very often farming is 

 made profitable or otherwise by considering wisely the question 

 of saving labor. 



Pruning and Cultivating Grape Vines. 



Mr. Holton of Haverstraw, delivered an address on this subject, 

 accompanied by illustrations on the black-board, which was listened 

 to with attention. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter said he was much pleased with the 

 remarks, coming as they did, from a practical and skillful grower, 

 and he moved a vote of thanks, which was carried unanimousl}^ 



Dr. R. T. Underbill of Croton Point, made some sugges- 

 tive remarks on grape culture in general. He said it was his 

 experience that the wine of the best flavor only can be produced 

 from a soil mostly mineral. A cold clay soil is not favorable. 

 The dryer the soil the better, the more you force and manure the 

 poorer will be the vine. The smaller the sap vessels of the vine 

 the better will be the wine. Where they produce such a large 

 number of gallons from an acre, the quality must be poor. He 

 used to plant deep, but n(jw he does not, and the upper roots 

 which are of no use, are to be cut ofl:' with the cultivator and plow, 

 for it is important that the atmosphere should have access to the 

 troos. Adjourned. 



