PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. lOt 



The Chairman said that a vigorous plant was less liable to be 

 attacked with the mildew, which is a fungous growth. 



Mr. Pardee had never seen mildew upon a plant, unless that 

 plant was neglected. He believed that there was no necessity 

 for mildew upon the best English gooseberries. 



Dr. Trimble produced a specimen of his gooseberry, mentioned 

 last week, and asked why that did not mildew ? 



Mr. Pardee replied that it was an American gooseberry, the 

 mate to Houghton's seedling, which is not liable to mildew undea: 

 fair cultivation, a valuable variety for common cultivation, for 

 cooking, preserving, or for wine. The English gooseberries are 

 preferred because they are more showy and highly flavored. 



Mr. Carpenter said that the system of pruning illustrated by 

 Mr. Hite had been brought to great perfection in England by Mr. 

 Rivers. It is now applied successfully to the pear, which may be 

 planted at distances not greater than two feet. 



The Chairman suggested that this method of pruning allowed 

 the wood to mature more thoroughly. 



Mr. Hite was trying the experiment of the spindle system with 

 the pear; and also a system of connecting a row of trees by in- 

 arching and pruning them upon the espalier plan. 



Subject for discussion. — On motion of Dr. Trimble, the sub- 

 ject of " The Fruits of the Season " was selected for the next- 

 meeting. 



Adjourned. 



July 15, 1861. 

 . Mr. A. S. Fuller, of Brooklyn. L. I., in the chair. 



PEDAL ENGINE, 



Mr. Hotz exhibited his Pedal engine. It resembles the Hydro- 

 pult, but is constructed to be worked with the feet, thus enabling 

 the operator to exert a greater force with less labor. 



Mr. Carpenter remarked that it was a more powerful machine 

 than the hydropult, but not so convenient to carry. 



Dr. Trimble said that especially in drawing water from a deep 

 well to water a garden, which requires more force than can well 

 be applied by the hand, this implement might be very useful. 



