AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 177 



ERGOT 



Is found not only on grain but on many grasses, on rye grass especially 

 at the period of its going to seed. Almost all grasses are affected by the 

 ergot, -which produces abortion in female stock. Grazed land is most sub- 

 ject to ergot. 



NEW LAND BROUGHT INTO CULTIVATION BETWEEN NEW 

 YORK AND" PHILADELPHIA. 



Mr. Landis, who is engaged in this new settlement, was requested to 

 speak of it. He presented the first evidence of a new American settlement, 

 that is, a newspaper. The Haminonton Farmer, in Atlantic county. New 

 Jersey, volume 1, No. 15. 



It appears that within a very short time this county, which had never 

 before been settled, has already in the town a thousand people, a hundred 

 and fifty houses, two churches nearly finished, school houses and a news- 

 paper. As to its soil, climate and health, a highly favorable report has 

 been made by the distinguished Dr. Jackson, of Boston. The grape 

 flourishes there, the sweet potato and the peach, which is especially fine. 

 A three mile fresh water lake, handsomely girt by trees, full of fish ; water 

 some thirty feet depth. Lands easily made fertile, and kept so by the 

 natural means there, such as muck, marl, &c. Cheap and ready access to 

 the greatest markets in America — New York and Philadelphia. Climate 

 much milder than the more northerly parts of Jersey. Those who desire 

 to know more about this desirable spot for farms and gardens, will learn 

 at the office of the parties, 87 Bleecker street. New York. 



Mr. Provost, of Williamsburgh, presented for examination samples of the 

 wine and brandy made by him on his vineyard there. He covers the ground 

 with grape vines, and fertilizes them liberally with poudrette. His crop 

 of wine last season was about fifteen hundred gallons from one acre. He 

 makes one gallon of brandy from five gallons of wine. He sells the brandy 

 at eight dollars a gallon for medicinal purposes. He can therefore make 

 three hundred gallons of brandy from one acre, which, at $8 per gallon, is 

 two thousatid four hundred dollars an acre. The wine was pronounced 

 very good, and the brandy pure and excellent. 



The subject of farm fruit and preservation of fruit was taken up. 



Prof. Mapes being known to be well acquainted with the processes of 

 preservation, was requested to speak of them. He said that the ordinary 

 method of boiling the juices of fruits with sugar, almost destroyed the 

 peculiar flavor of them. That the true plan is to simmer the juices, taking 

 away scum and all impurities, and then add the sugar, so that a fine jelly, 

 having the genuine flavor cf the fruit, is produced. The juice of the 

 Catawba grabe treated thus, forms a fine jelly. Mr. Lawton in trying to 

 make jelly of citron melon, succeeded in making it very good. The pro- 

 fessor is now engaged in a series of experiments upon keeping his finest 

 pears, and will report how, if he is as successful as he believes he will be, 

 by what he has already done. 



[Am. Inst.] 12 



