280 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Prof. Mapes, — I have spoken upon this subject so often, and 

 my views are so generally understood by the Club, that I feel a 

 diffidence in opening the subject. I subsoil the ground, and after 

 planting say cabbages, I disturb the soil by a horse hoe. I prefer 

 using a mule to draw it, for the feet of this animal are smaller than 

 those of horses. For potatoes, I prepare the soil for planting ; but 

 before I put in the seed I run a subsoil plow through each fur- 

 row. In raising beets, carrots and parsnips, after they appear 

 above the ground, let the subsoil plow be run through the center 

 between the rows; this will loosen the soil. 



To teach a mule to do this Avork, I place two joice on the ground 

 three feet apart, and make the mule pass through them half a 

 dozen times; then I turn one of the joice, making the space four 

 inches narrower, and proceed in this way until the joice is twelve 

 inches apart. By this means, Avith a boy, a mule and the tools 

 mentioned, they will do more work than fifty men with hoes. 

 AVhen the crops are fit to gather, if a subsoil plow is run between 

 the rows, the roots can be drawn by hand at a very rapid rate, 



Mr. Carpenter. — In relation to row planting, I fully endorse all 

 Prof. Mapes has stated. I think our farmers can raise a larger 

 crop by planting in rows than by any other mode. A neighbor 

 of mine planted corn six inches apart, in rows three feet apart, 

 and he thinks the crop is full ten per cent, larger than when 

 planted in hills. 



I find that by planting potatoes twelve inches apart in rows 

 twenty-four inches wide, I grew a greater crop than by any other 

 means. 



Prof. Mapes. — I never could find a man to tell me why corn is 

 planted in hills. Corn is not improved by hilling; flat planting 

 w^ith us is in general use. If in planting potatoes you hill the 

 plant up, you induce the stem to throw out new tubers, but the 

 results will be very unsatisfactory, the tubers will be very small. 



Mr. Burgess. — I must differ from the views expressed here to- 

 day in relation to drill planting. The smaller roots may suc- 

 ceed, but I prefer to sow turnips. Mangel Wurtzel. &c., broad- 

 cast. 



Question for the next meeting. — Prof. Mapes proposing the 

 " cultivation of the lima bean," which was adopted ; also the 

 planting of trees." 



The Club then adjourned. 



JOHN W. CHAMBERS, Secretary. 



