FARMERS' CLUB. 



REPORTS OF MEETINGS, 



March 21, 1848. 



Judge R. S. Livingston, in the Chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary. 



J. S. Skinner, editor of the Farmers' Library, read an extract from 

 a letter from the Hon. M. Neill of Maryland, on the method of rais- 

 ing potatoes free from disease. This is (said Mr. S.) a well worn 

 topic, but I have always been anxious in ray researches in agricul- 

 ture, to bring forward such facts as are undoubted and useful to far- 

 mers, with regard to the potato crop in question. A gentleman of 

 Frederick county, in Maryland, planted some potatoes which he had 

 obtained from Mr. Nell, who now slates from that gentleman the 

 mode of culture pursued. That was, to manure and prepare the soil 

 well, then plant the potatoes, about three or four inches deep, in drills 

 about eighteen inches apart, and one foot in the drills, and then im- 

 mediately covering the soil with straw to the thickness of three or 

 four inches. This covering of straw prevented the growth of weeds 

 and the necessity of cultivation. The result was an excellent crop 

 of sound potatoes, so far as they were covered by the straw, but those 

 which happened to be left uncovered v^'ith straw, were affected with 

 the potato rot! Mr. S. observed that the last words induced him to 

 read the extract to the club, and Mr. Naill considered that excep- 

 tion with uncovered potatoes, as well worthy of consideration. Such 

 particulars as this are far more important to farmers than general 

 speculations. 



Mr. Skinner then took up the subject of drainage, and occupied 

 some time in giving extracts from the most valuable writers, espe- 

 cially from Von Thaer, and Stephens. The most important ofwho.'»e 



[Assembly, No. 244. J T 



