1877.J 



THE-LANCASTEK FARMER. 



91 



to liavo .a erniiml floor. Xow it could ho arranged 

 this way : liavp a rollar aii<l have plenty of trap iloors 

 t.hroiiirh I lie lldor.and n lien you want dampness from 

 the i;ii'""'l lli'iii' "l'<''i ■''I' I'"' •'■''I' doors. 



IIakhv Mavkh ."aiil the olijcct was to kocp tlip 

 moislurc in toliacTo as lon«; a« possiMp, as it lii'lpnl 

 to i-ure it, and lie tliouclit luinftinir it on twine was a 

 pood way. He used iiati'nt hooks made in Conneeti- 

 eul, hut these were rather expensive, eoslini; aliiiul 

 ?'i2 to the aere. A irooil way was to ilrive a live- 

 peiuiy nail tlirouirh a lath, and this was nine 1 1 elieaper, 

 us a ke;r of nails woulil hani^ a i-ouple ot' acres. 



FvEVi 8. Kf.ist said tohaeeo Ituyei's from Connect i- 

 eut thoujjhl t<ihaeeo hulldin2:s ou^lit to have a tri'ound 

 floor. He tlM>n!;ht tlicre rniijlil he ft cellar placed 

 besi'le tiie house, liius securini; iioth a cellar and an 

 open i^i'iuind floor in the shcti 



M-K. Laxiiis Miouirht huiidin!;s ouirht to he very 

 eloBP, so that in fair weatlier they miirhl he elo.sed 

 very tijrht, an<l made dark, as dark huildinjjs made 

 the richest colorln;:: in tobacco. In wet weathiT this 

 shoulil he ojiened. 



Crop Reports. 

 Mk. Suiki'NKR said llie |ilanls were very slroni,' in 

 his section and seemid nuirli sironirer than usual. 

 There was a ureal deal in the <;round. 



Mil. l.iNius also said plants were slr-oni; in his 

 township. Ill' only knew of two lots i>f old lohae<-o 

 that wei'c not sold. He Ihoui^ht tlnU. more was 

 planted this year than last. 



Mu. Lane said jilants seemed to he a little hack; 

 farnu'rs in his section planted from June 1 to 1.5. He 

 would plant ahout that lime. No old tobacco on 

 hand. 



Mk. Kshi, F.MAN, of Paradise, said a great many 

 plants were set out in his section but seemed very 

 backward ; some were plantint^ now, and others 

 woulii not plant unlil June ; thus they would have a 

 variety. 



Hakkt Mayek said the plants were prosperins in 

 his nein;hborhooil. A f;;reat many plants would be 

 set out this week. His idea wastO!;et all Ihi'tcronnd 

 ready, and then set all his ["hints out at oni'c, so as 

 to he aide to top it all at once anil so get an oven 

 crop. There was no way of avoidin;; the cut worm 

 hy dift'ereuce in the time of planting. 



P. S. Keist, of Manheim, said that some of his 

 noighhors have all their [ilants onl and are cultiva- 

 ting them ; he saw some of them hoeing. A better 

 crop is exi>ectetl this year. 



The president thnngld this was premature. 

 Mn. Ksni.i-MAN said that in his township then' 

 was an impression that by planting early Ihcy would 

 avoid the cut worm. 



W. S. Hersmev saiil hog bristles were very bene- 

 ficial in the I'aising of plants ; there being about two 

 weeks differejice between those on which they were 

 used anil those on ivhieh they were not. Plants in 

 this section are abundant , both early and late. Some 

 large lots of old tobacco were still on hand. 



M. D. Kenhig said in his township jilanls were 

 very plenty, both early and late. As they did not 

 plant until about the first of .lune, they have plentv 

 of time. He thought that plants raised undergla.ss 

 had no adyanlage. They generally shot up with 

 large stalks and small roots ; they do not stand ,inv 

 exix)sure, and he was not in favor of them. 



Mh. Moohf said that plants had a very good pros- 

 pect in his vicinity. He thought rye was gooil as a 

 green manure. 



Referred Questions. 

 The first question that came up was " What are 

 best methods of destroying the cut worm.'" Keferred 

 to Harry Mayer. 



He thought the best method was to mix Paris 

 green and gypsum together and sprinkle the mixture 

 on the plants, always takingcare not to cd looniiich 

 ou as it would kill "the jilanl as well as tlic worm. 

 His mixture was one jiound of the green to about 

 three pecks of gypsum. He also used hellebore, hut 

 this was objectionable as it was necessary to apply it 

 too frequently, and this was very expensive. Bran 

 was good, placed around the roots of the plant, as 

 the worm liked bran almost as well as the plant, and 

 when thus got amongit they could be caught. Where 

 poultry had not access to the field it was well to ap 

 ply bran and Paris green mixed, as the worm ate the 

 mixture. 



Mb. Landis said he thought Mr. Mayer spoke 

 from experience, but he had never used Paris green, 

 and did not know whether it was good or not. He 

 used bran ami found it very gooil.as the worms filled 

 themselves and then were easily caught. 



.Mr. Mooke thought plaster was good for the 

 plants, as it liotli killed the worm and manured the 

 plants. 



Peteu Keist thought that Paris green was in- 

 jurious to the plants. 



.Mr. Hersuev said It was reported that since 

 farmers limed so much gypsum was not as good as it 

 was at one time. 



.Mr. Kexou; said that he had read an essay by a 

 professor in some college, proving that gypsum was 

 very hcnefitial to plants. 



Mr. SniFFNER was in favor of gypsum. He 

 planted about a thousand plants, [ml ting gypsum on 

 them all and he only lost about fifty of them. He 

 manured tobacco about as heavily as he did com. 



Mr. Esm.EMAN said it had a good effeet on the 

 plants, driving away both the worm and ants. 



Mk. Lajjois thought bran was injurious, as it 



attracted ants. 



Mr. Hkrh, speaking of the dilTcrenee helweeu 

 lime and gyp.sum, said he had experimented on a 

 field of corn ; |iutling lime on one part, gypsum on 

 another, and nothing at all ou a third, and he saw no 

 dill'erence in the corn. He thought that limo was 

 just as good as gypsum. 



The second (picstion was: "What is the best 

 method of setting out tobacco plants J" This has 

 been referred to .lacoh Frantz, hut he was not 

 present, so they proceeded to a general discussion of 

 the question. 



.Mk. Kkndii; thought the best way was to have 

 the land thoroughly cultivated, and as fine as pos- 

 sible, not allowing any clods at all. If this is done 

 there is no trouble. This is his plan, and his tobacco 

 patches arc in a better condition tlian ever before. 



Petek Heist said in his neighborhood they had a 

 half-do/.en ditlerent ways. .So far this season they 

 are ridging the field. He thought the nutin thing was 

 in being ready with the ground when the weather is 

 ready. If wc have the ground all prepared, when- 

 ever the wi-ather becomcR favorable we can plant. 

 When this is done it docs not matter much how you 

 plant. When (he weather is dry a hole should " be 

 made, water jiut in the hole, and then the plant set 

 in. 



JIk. SiiiKFNEB thought that any small plant, no 

 nnitter what it is, could be started by making a 

 bole, filling it with water and then putting in the 

 plant. 



Mr. Maver in dry weather used a small dipper 

 made especially lor tiie occasion. He made a small 

 hole, put in the plants, and then jiourcd in the 

 water, thus se|iarating the tillers of the roots; then 

 he filled the hole with mellow dirt. liy following 

 this nu'thod the ground did not liakc around the 

 plant. He thought that tobacco plants would stand 

 a great deal more drought than any one su|iposcd, 

 and all thai was necessary was right mellow soil. 



.Mi;. Miiohe agreed witji Mr. .Mayer and thought 

 his plan was a good one. He knew of instances 

 when planters waited until after a heavy rain and 

 then got to work and set out all their tobacco. This 

 generany failed, as the ground was too wet. 



Ifu. Kenthi; said iflherewas a large, strong plant 

 and idenly of mellow soil, it did not matter much 

 about the weather. 



The third question was : " What are the best fer- 

 lili/crs.'" For general di.<e«ssion. 



Mr. EsHt.EMAN thought gypsum was good as a 

 top dressing. 



Peter Heist said one of his men used chicken 

 manure, putting about a handful in each hill, and it 

 was very beneficial. He Iboughl there was very little 

 difference between lime and gypsum, and that the 

 cfTcet was about the same. 



Mk. Esmi.kman said he heard agreat many farmers 

 say gypsum was not beneficial. He thought it was 

 possible that those who think so might not have used 

 the pure article, but an adulteration. He knew of 

 mills in the large cities that ground in marble chips, 

 oyster shells, refuse of saiul used in making card 

 |ia|ier, and ocean sand. 



Peter Keist said farmers were accused of diH"er- 

 ing on so many subjects. He would give one of the 

 subjects of their ditlering. How is it that if a shock 

 of grass is left stand in the field in warm weather I he 

 young grass would mature? In very warm wcivthcr 

 when all the grass in the field is dead, that under the 

 shock is green ; in wet weather when the grass in tlie 

 field is green, that under the shock is dead ; There 

 was much discussion of this question among fanners. 

 -Mk. I,ANnissaid Ibis subject was a very important 

 one,' but as the afternoon was wearing away he would 

 move that it be continued till next meeting. 



Mr. Heist said he wanted to say a few wiu'ds 

 about the reporters. Uc thought they gave excellent 

 reports of the meetings and deserved to be thanked. 

 His friends came to him and told him that there was 

 no necessity for them to attend the meetiugs, as they 

 could read all that was satd in the papers. 



Mk. Laniiis was of the same opinion and thought 

 they deserved the thanks of the society. 



Mk. .Tohnston, of the /iilflliifciiiry, said that 

 here he thought it was necessary to say a word. For 

 his part ho did not and could not give as full reports 

 as he wished, as they did not have the room. He 

 thought that persons who only rcarl the reports in 

 the papers missed a great deal of what was said. 



Mk. HrNSECKiCK also thought the reporters de- 

 served thanks. As to the quest ion in hand bethought 

 it ought to be continued, as much was yet to be said. 

 The proper application of manure was a very imixjrt- 

 aut question. 



Levi S. Kkist said some years ago, when the 

 association was first started, the press did not take 

 much interest in it, and the jieoplc did not care what 

 they did. Now, thanks to the reporters, the jieople 

 were becoming used to reading the proceedings of 

 the society, and took great interest in them. 



Ou motion the question was continued until next 

 meeting. 



The following questions were presented and refer- 

 red to ditlerent members : 



1st. Can fertilizers he properly applied to tobacco, 

 after the plants grow, and if so, what kinds, and 

 how should they be applied ( Keferred to Peter 

 S. Keist. 



lid. What is the best method of cultivating to- 

 bacco, from the first working up to finishing; What 

 machines and utensils are best adapted for use in the 

 tobacco lands known ! Heferred to .F. Frantz. 



:id. Dues the growing of tohiieco exhaust our soils 

 so as to alfect other crops ? For general discussion. 



On motion, adjourneil. 



The Linnaean Society. 

 The Linna'an .Society held their stated meeting on 

 Saturday, May lit) ; six members were present. In 

 the absence of the President and Vice I'residcnt , on 

 motion, I'rof. T. H. Kakcr took the chair. .Vftcr at- 

 tending to the collection of dues and reading of the 

 ndnutes, the follow iug donations were found added 

 to the museum. 



Contributions to the Society. 



The head and leet of a fireen Heron, Ihiloriiks 

 Vifenciiix, in alcohol, with a goodly-sized river bass 

 sticking half-way down the gullet, which it seems 

 this feeder ou fish could neither swallow nor eject 

 again, on account of the dorsal s|)iiie6 in the anterior 

 tin common to the perch family, and in the scnille the 

 bird was drowned and fell a victim to its greediness. 

 .Sent by S. Evans, esq., of Columbia, who was an eye 

 witness to the contest. 



A singular sport in the common earthworm, hav- 

 ing the lower half separated into tw pial branches. 



Sent by Mr. (_ieorgc Simmons, engineer at cotton 

 mills, per .Mr. Gill. 



In alcohol, a speeimeu of the common squid, 

 " Liitii/'i fSiirti-iiiuU" taken from the stomach of a 

 common liass (black bass or sea'bass, we sujiposc) 

 usually sold on market. From Mr. .hihn H. .\lbright. 

 This is, indeed, a miniature representation of the Oc- 

 topus, so called from having eight arms, each of 

 which is six limes the length of its body, and fiir- 

 nihbeil wilb li;n pairs of suckers, a formidable mon- 

 ster (when fully grown) of great jiowcr. This has 

 long arms and suckers much like it in character, 

 and belongs to that class of t'cphaloiKids, and is quile 

 a curiosity. 



Mrs. (;ini!ONs had a few of the dm beetle and a 

 wire worm. 



Mr. Rathvon sent in a bulterfiy caught on the 

 wing in November last, the Divkuis' Arc/ii/irx, mil too 

 late or too early— and caged and preserved on that 

 account. Mr. Kathvon also put on special dejiosit 

 a cloth made out of the pulp of haik by the natives 

 of the Sandwich Islands, of a nniform, close texture, 

 about 2'„ yards sqiLire, called Tapa, or Kapa, which 

 he received about ten years ago from the laic L. 

 Zublin, a eorrcspiuident of this society. 



A stalactite and slalactical coneretions from a small 

 cave recently discovwrcd near May town, in this county. 

 By Mr. Samuel Book. It may be .stated here, that'a 

 cave near Bainbridge, this "county, was explored 

 lately by Dr. Bean, of the Smithsonian Institution, 

 and Indian relics consisting of slonc implements, 

 pottery, darts, arrow lieads, etc., obtained. 



A box containing very fine kaolin-iikc, decomposed 

 feldspar. From .Mr. Henry Braekbill, of Landis 

 Valley, which erojis out on a hillside, and was turned 

 out by the plow, of the uniform quality show n in the 

 sanqiic. It is like kaolin to the loiich and in fine- 

 ness, only it has an ochrous, yellow I ingc. It might 

 be valuable for manufacturing pur|)ose8 in delf or 

 porcelain ware. To Hie library and historical section 

 was aildcd a eojiy-of No. -tT, volume 7, of The fulcr- 

 (Icriin, issued May IS, 1S77, at Chicago, III. This 

 number contains 'JDl jiagcs, and has I'.lfi pages de- 

 voted to the delinquent tax advertiscmenls. The 

 compositors' work cost more thanS'<,l)((l). 

 The La.ncastek Farmer for May. 

 Two envelopes of sundry scraps, of historical 

 licaring. 



("ireulars from |mblishing houses in the Tnited 

 Stales and Europe, addressed to the I,inna'an So- 

 ciety. 



Blanchard's Historical Map of llie Inited States, 

 with a small descriptive pamphlet of it. Price $S. 

 Catalogue of Bolin's Libraries, etc. 



Papers Read. 

 An illustrated paper. No. .Vili, was read by Prof. .1. 

 Stautfer, on a singular gall fiirmation on Ihe hickory, 

 presented by S. P. Eby, esq., of this city. The in- 

 sect is similar to the Phylloxera, first considered a 

 root insect only, but now fiiund to he of Ihe same 

 genus first deseribed by .\sa Fitch, in ls."ii'., as Ihe 

 I'finpliitjus Viti folia, if not identical with that found 

 so destructive to the grape vine roots in France, and 

 named by I'rfif. Planchoii, I'hyUorrra Vaxtrnlrir.. 

 A parasile was also found in some of the cells, feast- 

 ing upon the hirv.i: and pupa crowded in each — all 

 accurately figured and colored. 



Mr. S. S. Kathvon read a descriptive paper on the 

 deposits to the museum. No. .">fi7. 



Notes and observations by Mrs. P. E. Gibbons, on 

 the elm tree beetle, found scattered within the dwell- 

 ing, i\:c.. No. ."jfiS. 



A letter from Mr. Win. L. Gill was read. On 

 motion it was moved and agreed that the error of 

 society be corrected, and his name placed among the 



