AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 59 



who had but six pustules of it and soon recovered. It was then tried on 

 criminals successfully. This was the first step since creation to destroy 

 one of the most frightful of human maladies ! The second step, about sixty 

 years ago, was by Jenner, who, from the milk maids of northern Italy, 

 caught the knowledge that the light disease about the udder of the cow was 

 a preventive, and gave it out to mankind. So that at this moment there 

 are fifty millions of people living who would have died of small pox. 



Therefore, I say, it is permitted to us to search out causes and cures, 

 " Felix qui potuit exquirire causas rerum." Happy he who can search out 

 the causes of things. 



Solon Robinson. — The' subject is one of such vast importance to the 

 world that we may discuss it at every meeting, and may be laughed at for 

 our pains ; yet if our discussion should be the means of discovering a 

 cause, or a cure for the disease, we could well afford to lay down at last, 

 satisfied that we had at least done one good thing in our lives for the benefit 

 of our race. 



A. Bergen, — I do approve discussion upon all questions relating to agri- 

 culture, as it may develope something beneficial, not only relating to pota- 

 toes but fruits. Our old stock of Long Island cherry trees has failed, and 

 we have not found out the cause, or a good substitute. A few years ago 

 we could raise barley ; now that has passed away, and we are obliged to 

 substitute other crops. By talking with one another we may learn the 

 cause. 



Prof. Nash. — After all the discussion we know nothing about the potato 

 disease, yet we may discover something. I am sure that if we plant early 

 we are more likely, or at least, so far have been, to get good crops. Yet 

 this may fail. Another point of a practical nature is this : that if we pre- 

 pare our ground well, and feed it such ingredients as the crop needs,, we 

 are more sure to get a good crop than by the opposite course. 



Mr. Field. — I am sure that I know that on wet soils, or on recently 

 manured soil, potatoes do rot more than upon dry, manured land. So, if 

 we have learned this fact, we may learn others by continual discussion of 

 the question. 



Mr. Lawton. — This theory will not hold good, since I have failed upon dry 

 soil, while in the same field, on very wet soil, my potatoes were entirely 

 sound. 



Prof. Nash. — The fact that the writer of that letter did plant large pota- 

 toes and get a greater yield, is unimportant, and it corresponds with the 

 experience of most farmers. As to potatoes on wet or dry soil, I have 

 known a crop good on swamp land and bad on the adjoining hills, the same 

 year. 



Mr. Field. — Lime on carbonaceous soil has the effect to make the vines 

 less succulent and more hardy, and that may account for its prevention of 

 rot on such soil. 



