No. 244. 1 59 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FARMS AND GARDENS. 



American Institute, Sept. 6, 1848 

 The Visiting Committee, appointed by the American Institute to ex- 

 amine gardens and farms, repaired to the farm of Richard and John 

 Cooper, at Bushwick, four miles and a half from Williamsburgh, 

 where Henry Meigs, on behalf of the committee, with their approval, 

 made the following notes on the spot. 



Tomatoes^ of the finest quality about sixteen hundred bushels, for 

 which they received on the average 37^ cents per bushel. The first 

 sales in the market of New-York, were at $2 per bushel, and the last 

 at one shilling a bushel. 



Peppers., long and round, about 40 bushels, worth ten shillings a 

 bushel. These long peppers, intended for Cayenne, were planted 

 very closely,'in order that the peppers might be small. The product 

 would average aDout 400 bushels per acre. 



lAma Beans, 2400 bushels, which yielded about an average of 40 

 cents a bushel. 



Cabbages, from 9,000 to 10,000 ; worth from $200 to $300. 

 Pfas, early, 542 bushels, yielded an average 75 cents a bushel. 

 Siring Beans, between 8 and 900 bushels ; average 40 cents a 

 bushel. 



Potatoes, 1,000 bushels ; worth on the average 68 cents a bushel. 

 Refugee Beans and Cabbages took the place of the early potato. 

 Indian Com, several acres of the large white tlint 8-row corn ; 

 generally large and fine ears. This was manured by putting one 

 shovel full of ashes of anthracite coal on the top of each hill. Here 

 was a noble growth of stalks and ears. 



The culture of this farm is as perfect as we have ever seen. If a 

 premium had been offered for weeds, no one could have made it worth 

 while to look for them. The rows straight, sufficient distances be- 

 tween them, and all the plants carefully placed so as to give each the 

 best supply of air and light. 



These young farmers work^constantly, and also employ four able 

 men during summer, two horses and two mules, and they keep two 

 cows. 



The committee refer to the account of the visit to the farm last 

 year, and now add, that in their opinion, this is a model farm for a 

 small one, and deserves the praises of all men. 

 JOHN W. CHAMBERS, JAMES DEPYSTER, Chairman. 

 HENRY MEIGS, BENJAMIN AYCRIGG. 



