PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 217 



CARROTS. 



Prof. Mapes called attention to the method of raising carrots 

 with oats, so that the oats should protect the young carrots from 

 the sun and from the growth of weeds. 



The Chairman. — I tried it in 1856 and did not succeed. It is 

 a good deal of labor to take the oats off. I thought if I should 

 ever try it again I should try buckwheat. 



SODA ASH SWEEPINGS. 



Mr. Carpenter inquired what soda-ash sweepings were worth 

 for agricultural purposes. 



Prof. Mapes. — Very little compared with potash sweepings. 

 You can better get the soda from common salt, by the salt and 

 lime mixture, when it also gives you chlorine to form chloride of 

 lime. I think they have a value; but they are not worth more 

 than one-fifth as much as potash sweepings. 



Subject for discussiori. — The subject of "Flax" was continued 

 until the next meeting. Adjourned. 



December 30, 1861. 

 Mr. Edward Doughty, of Newark, N. J., in the chair. 



HYBRIDIZATION. 



Mr. Robinson read a letter from a correspondent in Indiana, 

 inquiring why his Rutabaga turnips did not do well this year. 

 They grew up with long stalks like cabbage stalks, and made very 

 small roots. Mr. R, attributed it to the mixture of the seed plants 

 with cabbage. 



Mr. Carpenter attributed it to their not having had time to 

 bottom. If planted late, with stimulating manure, they will 

 make large tops, but have not time to form roots. If there is 

 time enough, it is desirable that they should form large tops. 



Dr. Trimble. — If two such vegetables as the turnip and cab- 

 bage will intermix and form a tertium quid, we have almost 

 unlimited power over vegetables. 



Mr. Carpenter. — The Kohlrabi is supposed to be a cross between 

 the turnip and the cabbage. 



Rev. Mr. Weaver. — I think it is a distinct vegetable. 



Prof. Nash. — Hybrids tend back to the original forms ; and if 

 the Kohlrabi were a cross, there will be a tendency to return 

 either to the turnip or the cabbage. 



