212 [Assembly 



but thaw so slowly that they are not in the least degree injured. 

 On the contrary, I sell such winter plants for a dollar^ and the 

 ipriog planted lor twenty-five cents. 



Mr. Robinson — Mr. Roberts, of Michigan, who has so well suc- 

 ceeded in raising sound potatoes, covers his potatoes with leaves. 



Mr. Bergen — We are in the habit (on Long Island) of plowing 

 up our potato fields to put in turnips, and we often find sound 

 potatoes after being a winter in tlie ground— more after some 

 winters than after others. All on the surface are killed by the 

 winter. 



Prof. Mapes — The potato left as it grew, has what may be 

 called a jacket about it, which is a cause of safety. They mus6 

 not be disturbed at all. 



Mr. Robinson— They bear the cold when left in their natural 

 positions. 



Mr. Meigs — Has found apples as well as potatoes entirely sound 

 in the soil after a severe winter. They were however at least ten 

 inches deep, and I supposed that their safety was owing to their 

 having been frozen but once, and then very gradually thawed. 

 The ajiples had lost their good taste. 



Prof. Mapes — I have often noticed that such potatoes as had 

 been disturbed were spoiled by the cold. 



Mr. Bergen — Have you much clay in your soil 1 



Prof. Mapes — Yes, sir; and kellis and hard pan. 



Mr. Bergen — Does your land compact 1 



Prof, Mapes — I have deeply subsoiled my farm and under- 

 drained it, it therefore does not compact, as I will illustrate by 

 drawing with chalk upon this board. [The professor here exhi- 

 bited drawings showing how the excess of water was entirely 

 withdrawn from his deeply disintegrated soil. Rain had no effect 

 whatever in compacting his land.j 



Mr. Bergen — After we have ploughed our land much it packs, 

 but my potatoes are good. I feel in doubt what to say about 



