PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 275 



Prof. Nash said that we raise potatoes by layering; for this 

 potato is not a root, but part of the top. So that all the pota- 

 toes of a race are one plant. Its long cultivation produces weak- 

 ness, and finally disease. Probably the yellow potatoes contain 

 more nutriment than the white; but no potatoes are economical 

 food. They are eaten as a luxury, and are expensive even as a 

 luxury. 



The Chairman. — I can hardly endorse that estimate. It is 

 admitted that an acre planted in potatoes will produce sufficie'nt 

 to sustain seven persons; while the average yield of wheat per 

 acre is only sufficient to sustain 2^ or 3 persons. 



Mr. Henry suggested that high manuring increases the liability 

 to rot ; and that the seed should be changed every year. 



The Chairman. — I never plant the potatoes I raise. I would 

 pay five dollars a barrel for western seed even if I sold my own 

 for five dollars. 



Mr. Burgess. — Seed for heavy land should be taken from sandy 

 land, and vice versa. We do not pay sufficient attention in this 

 country, to the fact that potatoes, like apples, are in season at 

 particular times. Potatoes which are in season in the spring 

 are not fit to eat in .the fall. 



gird's budding knife. 



Mr. E. D. Gird, of Cedar Lake, N. Y., exhibited a new budding 

 knife for orchardists. The blade has a curved piece across the 

 end, so that on pressing it upon the back, it forms at once both 

 the longitudinal and transverse cut. Keeping the end of the 

 blade in its place, and raising the handle, the curved piece is 

 brought underneath the bark, raising it for the insertion of the 

 bud. So that the two cuts are made and the bark separated 

 from the wood, at a single operation. There is also a blade for 

 cutting off buds without cutting into the wood, the form of the 

 blade being fitted to the curved surface of the limb. 



FLAX dressing MILKWEED. 



Mr. Mallory exhibited specimens of American flax, dressed 

 upon the Sanford machine. Also, specimens of Irish flax, dressed 

 in Ireland, and some of the same dressed upon the Sanford 

 machine. The latter produces about 30 per cent, more fibre ; and 

 the fibre thus produced, loses but one-third as much from hack- 



