12 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, [1878. 



In answer to a question, which five vegetables would you recommend 

 as the best for market cultivation? He said no advice could be given. 

 Peas, green corn, cabbages and squashes are prominent ; potatoes would 

 probably rank first in importance. 



In answer to other questions he said he would apply Paris green in 

 water as the easiest method. 



Mr. S. A. Kewton said he found it easier to mix the green with cheap 

 flour, or shorts, and apply it dry with a sieve. 



Mr. G. H. Harlow of Shrewsbury questioned whether Paris green is 

 not poisonous to the plants, and told of a neighbor who lost two cows and 

 had others sick, from eating potato tops which had been treated with it. 

 He questioned also whether a farmer living six miles from the city could 

 make vegetable culture profitable. He said he earned all he got twice — 

 once in growing the crop, and again in trying to sell the crop. He thought 

 a man near by who had a milk route could build up a trade, but a com- 

 mon farmer might as well give his crop away. 



Mr. J. B. Sibley said he had half an acre of potatoes; he applied one 

 pound of Paris green in twenty pounds of plaster, and the second crop 

 of bugs got three pounds of the green. He applied it with his hands, 

 and gave an amusing experience of a dog which ran through the field 

 and got himself covered with the poison, without injury. 



George S. Coe of Shrewsbury said the cows which died in that town 

 drank rain water which had been caught in buckets tainted with Paris 

 green. 



Mr. Harlow contended that the green was poisonous, and thought 

 farmers should use it, if at all, with extreme caution. 



Mr. O. B. Hadwen suggested an inquiry from experienced men on the 

 matter of growing special crops, and leaving the insects until they are 

 reached in the list of subjects arranged for discussion. 



Mr. Geo. H. Rice spoke of the growing of onions which usually prove 

 a difficult crop. He found tbera Jo grow best on old ground ; they will 

 not do well on turned sward ; they follow carrots very well ; an abun- 

 dance of manure is needed ; this should be spread and ploughed in 

 lightly in the fall; in the spring the soil is pulverized with a cultivator 

 or harrow, care being taken not to make it too mellow ; he would roll the 

 ground if too mellow ; the onion grows best on the top of the ground, 

 and the seed should be left very near the surface, almost without cover- 

 ing ; he would sow early in April ; the best results come from rows thir- 

 teen inches apart and sown so thinly that no young plants need to be 

 removed ; frequent light moving of the soil between the rows is neces- 

 sary, and in May, June and July it is important to keep the young weeds 

 down ; they may be pulled in August, carefully cured and put under 

 shelter, when they can be kept cool ; there is more danger of heat than 



