406 Traxsactioxs of the American Institute. 



alone, cut in this way. Some prefer planting the sets immediately 

 after they are cut. The better way is to get them cut a week 

 before the time of planting and to lay them out on a barn or garret 

 floor to dry." He furthermore adds: "The mode of planting is in 

 drills thirty inches asunder — sets dropped three inches to eight 

 apart." Now, in my opinion, here is where the mistake lies — for I 

 find that my crops have increased since I reduced the eyes one to 

 a set, and increased the distance between the rows as well as the 

 distance between the sets. And I therefore lay it down as a rule: 

 First, no more than one good eye to a set: second, drills at least 

 three feet apart; third, sets at least a foot apart (perhaps better at 

 fifteen or sixteen inches) ; fomlh, ground cultivated deep, kept 

 fine and clean, and well worked up to the plants as they grow. If 

 600 bushels of potatoes can be raised on an acre in England, some 

 progressive Yankee will yet find out a plan to grow 1,000 bushels 

 in America, and he who does, deserves a patent, besides the thanks 

 of eveiy man and woman, and will prove himself a benefactor to 

 the world. 



At the conclusion of this paper, the thanks of the Club were ten- 

 dered to the author. 



REMARKABLE POTATOES. 



Three potatoes of great size and fine appearance were sent by 

 Isaac W. Vere, of Ciimden, Seward county, Nebraska; two called 

 the Shaker Eussett, and one the Prairie Flower. He says he raised 

 242 bushels from one potato, and one of his neighbors produced 

 312 bushels to the acre. The specimens were given to Dr. Hex- 

 amer, with the request that he raise as many as he can from the eyes, 

 and give the Club the product for seed. 



UMA BEANS. 



Mr. O. F. Lyon, Pleasant Valley, Washington county, Pa. — What 

 amount of Lima beaus can be raised from an acre, and how far apart 

 should the rows be planted? Also, do they require rich ground? 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — I plant mine in good rich soil, about 

 three or four feet apart, and to insure success they should be put 

 in about the 1st of May. 



Dr. Wm. B. Peck. — They are planted from two and a half to five 

 feet apart each way. A good crop is from twenty to fifty bushels 

 shelled, and they sell from two to ten dollars per bushel. 



]Mr. Thomas Cavauach. — We plant three by four feet — about tho 

 15 th of May. 



