No. 244.] 361 



Tried an old plan, but to me new, for raising potatoes, place the 

 potatoes on top of the ground, cover with 4 to 6 inches of sedge 

 grass (3 square) and they will grow ; they have grown finely; where 

 the s»^dge grass are too thin, the potatoes are bitter, but where 4 to 

 6 inches are used they are more regular in size and of as good a 

 quality as those raised under ground ; no weeds, no cultivation. 



Crops now in progress, cabbages of all kinds, two acres of melons, 

 cucumbers, lima beans, squashes, sugar beets and ruta bagas for cat- 

 tle, carrots, parsnips, &c. &c., indeed all the vegetables to be found 

 in Bridgman's catalogue, no hay nor oats. Am of the opinion that 

 market garden locations cannot compete with western New-York, 

 Ohio, &c., in raising grain or fodder crops, while hay can be had 

 at $10 per ton and other standard prices in proportion. 



Having kept accurate accounts of manures, plantings, and every 

 thing else, connected with my operations, shall be ready as the season 

 progresses to answer any questions the institute may have to ask in 

 relation thereto, and should be glad to see a Committee as often as 

 once a month during the season to examine my progress and favor 

 me with their advice. 



Yours, Respectfully, 



J. J. MAPES. 



Charles Henry Hall. — I wish that some gentleman who has visited 

 that farm, would speak of it. Here is science clearly and Y'^acti- 

 cally brought home to the farm. What Davy, Liebig, Johnston, 

 Boussingault have taught, here is by an able head and hand done, so 

 that we shall now come to some fixed conclusion. I move that 

 Prof. Mapes' excellent paper be laid upon the table, in order that it 

 miiy be taken up at a fuller meeting than this. This motion was 

 seconded and adopted unanimously. 



Mr. Wakeman. — In consequence of the alarm as to disease in 

 Cows &c. I move that the subject foi :.cxt meeting be " The Pre- 

 vailing Disease in Cows &c." 



Chairman — One farmer in Westchester has already lost two-thirds 

 of his cows by this unknown disease. Subject Adopted. 



Judge Van Wyck. — I think we had bettti <[)ti. i the ii..,:..;:ider of 

 the meeting on the subject of hay, this being the season of making 

 it. The great object in curing hay is to preserve the juices of the 



