154 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. ^ 



WORMS IN POTATOES. 



Mr. John G. Bergen inquired how he should destroy the worms 

 which trouble potatoes. He stated that he had abandoned the 

 growth of the Peachblow potato, finding it to require more 

 manure, to deteriorate in flavor when large, and not to be invul- 

 nerable to the potato rot. 



Mr. Pardee recommended using the salt and lime mixture, and 

 frequently stirring the soil. This would be so offensive to the 

 worms that they would leave. 



Mr. Bergen stated that he had a piece of ground which had 

 become so Avormy as to be worthless for potatoes. It had been 

 frequently stirred, had been limed, and seaweed, containing salt, 

 had been applied to it. 



Prof. Mapes. — That would not be a hundredth part enough 

 salt. I have tried it for fourteen years and know that it will 

 keep the worms away. 



Mr. Bergen. — That is not sufficient ; I have other ground where 

 the worms keep away without it. 



Rev. Mr. Weaver suggested that Mr. Bergen should try that 

 mixture on this piece of ground. 



Dr. Trimble. — I would not recommend him to take that trouble. 

 I do not believe in these mixtures at all. These insects are won- 

 derfully erratic. One year they come upon us like the aphis of 

 this year, and the next are gone. Any chemical ingredient which 

 will destroy the larvfe of Ihese insects will destroy the seeds of 

 vegetables and vegetables themselves. 



Prof. Mapes said the lime and salt mixture had been known 

 and valued from the time of George III. Applying lime or salt 

 separately, or at different times, will not produce the same effect. 

 The mixture must be formed so as to make a chemical combina- 

 tion, producing chloride of lime and carbonate of soda; and this 

 chemical union will not be found in the soil. 



Subject for discussion. — The subject of " Flowers, Fruits and 

 Vegetables of the Season" was selected for discussion at the 

 next meeting. 



September 23, 1861. 

 Mr. John G. Bergen in the chair. 



EGYPTIAN CORN. 



A specimen of grain sent for identification was stated by Prof. 

 Mapes to be a variety of millet known as Egyptian corn, the seed 



