262 [ASSEMBL 



means so expensive as under-draining. In case of swamps, 

 morasses, or very wet farms, situated low, receiving the drains 

 of hills and higher grounds, it may be necessary to under-drain 

 these. Such cases, though, are few compared with our whole 

 country. From the account Professor Mapes gives us, of the 

 expense of draining his farm, (about fifteen dollars an acre,) it is 

 certainly lower than it has been generally thought it would be, 

 in our country. 



Professor Mapes. — This reduction of expense is owing to better 

 implements and system. The narrow drain is just as effectual 

 as a large one, so that by less digging, and a well adapted ditch- 

 ing spade, a man can dig several feet deep, the cost is lessened 

 to one-half of that of only one year ago. 



Dr. Underbill, of Croton Point, offered the following resolu- 

 tion, viz : 



" Whereas, the benefits of under-draining, by which a greatly 

 increased production in our crops may be secured, have not been 

 obtained by our farmers, from the difiiculty of procui'ing suitable 

 and cheap tiles for the purpose. Therefore, 



" Resolved, That it be recommended by this Club, to the Amer- 

 ican Institute, to offer a premium for the best and cheapest tiles, 

 to secure all the benefits of under-draining for agricultural pur- 

 poses." 



Carried unanimously 



President Tallmadge moved that the next subject for conside- 

 ration of the Club, be " Education of Farmers." He remarked, 

 that in making this motion, his purpose was to call forth intelli- 

 gence from all who may please to give it — for some positive im- 

 provement in agricultural intelligence, for I am pained to say 

 that we are backward. It is a melancholy truth that we are so 

 notwithstanding all our boast. 



France has about one hundred and thirty such schools, and the 

 culture of the crops -f the fields, and the fruits of the garden, 

 are cared for by her ruiersl They are cherished! We need a 

 little of all. Massachusetts and Connecticut have just asked the 

 question — ''Has New-York an Agricultural School yet?" lam 



