No. 144.] 291 



Judge Van Wyck adverted to the new yam extensively grown 

 In China, as worthy of our attention, possibly as a substitute for 

 potatoes. 



Dr. Waterbury remarked that there was a modification of the 

 *' shortening in" process, which he had practised on potatoes with 

 very good effect. The plant has not blossomed much for the last 

 few years because it has been too feebk. It has two ways of re- 

 production, by buds on the tuber, and by means of the balls, and, 

 like other plants, spends its vigor in maturing its seed. Of these 

 two methods of reproduction, only one of them gives products of 

 any economical use, and this process (by the tuber) may be en- 

 couraged by the abrogation of the other (by the seed). In 1852 

 the incipient buds were nipped at the times of hoeing on an acre 

 of potatoes, and these potatoes in the fall were larger and more 

 " mealy" than those of a half acre near them, although the latter 

 were on the best land. The tops on the acre did not die as early 

 by two or three weeks as those of the half acre, although tliey 

 were planted at the same time. Nature indicates this method of 

 treatment, for this plant reproduces itself most naturally by the 

 seed in warm climates, while it does so by its tubers in cold re- 

 gions ' In Southern latitudes the tubers are worthless as articles 

 of food; and when the plant is raised from the seed in our lati- 

 tude it takes it some years to acclimate itself and change its ha- 

 bits of reproduction. This operation is no specific for the rot as 

 the plucking process suggested by Dr. Klottsh, of Prussia, and 

 recommended by Dr. Gregory, of Edinburgh, in 1850, was sup- 

 posed to be. It acts oaly by conferring strength on the vines, and 

 directing, so to speak, more juices to the tuber, and seems to be 

 analogous to that operation for a large time practiced on animals, 

 by which the development of the individual is secured by the 

 loss of its power of propagation. 



Judge Van Wyck renews his proposed subject, "Insects injuri- 

 ous to grain, especially corn and wheat." 



Solon Robinson prefers the question, " What can be done to 

 avoid such calamities from drought as we now suffer." 



Professor Mapes seconded it, and it was unanimously adopted. 



