184 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



The Professor digressed here to insist on the value of mulching ground 

 with refuse hay, salt hay, anything. Sometimes farmers discover that a 

 thick coat of barnyard manure spread on in the fall is of great service to 

 their laud, and think that it is all a mistake about the ammonia's being 

 wasted when manure is spread in the fall. But the ammonia is all wasted, 

 and a coat of shavings would have done just as much good. The chief value 

 of the manure was as a mulch, keeping the ground from early freezing. 



The remarks of Prof.- Mapes were received with several manifestations 

 of applause. 



He remarked on Gurneyism — that the ground covered for a time gathers 

 fertility — if it was floored over for a time it would prove so. He spoke of 

 an ingenious gardener who used slabs with their barks on, cutting notches 

 in them to correspond. He laid them over the beds, flat side down, and 

 set strawberry plants in the notch holes — the crop was excellent. After 

 some time he lifted these slabs and dug up the ground, and then replaced 

 them. By this kind of mulching, he gained all the benefit of Gurneyism, 

 and had perfect command over all weeds. 



He mentioned with great respect the late Br. Enderlin, a most distin- 

 guished pupil of Leibig's, whose researches in chemistry were giving prom- 

 ise of rich rewards, in the system of producing flowers, almost if not quite 

 equal to those of nature, in perfumes and tastes. A subject which still 

 engages Prof. Mapes. 



Mr. Burgess, of Long Island, related some facts illustrating these state- 

 ments. 



The club adopted the following questions for next meeting : " Winter 

 treatment of manures ;" "Root feed for stock ;" "Effect of winter on clay 

 and on sandy soils, ridged in the fall of the year;" " Sorghum compared 

 with corn stalks, as winter fodder." 



The club unanimously requested that the meetings hereafter be on Tues- 

 day, of each week. 



The still and the sparkling Scuppernong white wines, and the Red Pam- 

 lico Mish grape wine of North Carolina, were tasted, and considered good, 

 but having too much sugar. A fine sample of pure alcohol from the Scup- 

 pernong wine, was also presented by Dr. Gallagher. 

 A member asked about the production of brandy. 



Prof. Mapes said that brandy was made, better in quality from Claret 

 wine worth 07ily ten dollars a hogshead, than from pure Maderia wine 

 Viorih.five dollars a bottle.. 



The club then adjourned. H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



December 14, 1858. 

 Present — Messrs. Prof. Nash, Chilson, Doughty and Pike, of Jersey ; 

 Prof. Mapes, Hon. Hugh Maxwell, Hon. Frank Tuthill, of the Assembly ; 

 Dr. Adamsou,, B. SilUman, Esq., Mr. Davol, Daniel C Robinson,, Mr. 



