298 [Assembly 



Soils mulched are more fertile, and if a board or }»hink lie 

 loosely on sward all winter and be removed in the spring, the 

 summer's growth of gra^s will show the Jbrm of the boaid. 



Some strawberry growers place slabs with the round side up 

 on the ground, cutting notches in the edges of the slabs at a dis- 

 tance of u foot apart, for the plants to grow through. This pre- 

 vents the growth of all weeds, and keeps (he ground fully cov- 

 ered. In localities wiiere salt meadow and other coarse grasses 

 are phn'y, n)any fields are mulched, and the only objection ever 

 ui-ged to ihis practice is the harboring of mice during winter. 



Strawberries can doubtless be enlarged beyond what they now 

 are, and a new kind is now being raised in France called the 

 Pele J^lellcville, which measures six inches in circumferance. The 

 Black Prince is one of the be>t .strawberries, but is a shy bearer. 

 The British Queen and Prince Albert are good when cultivated 

 properl}'. Wild stiawberries are always said to have the richest 

 flavor. Not so when the tannic acid is used on thegarden straw- 

 berries. The Prolific llautboy has a high and peculiar aroma 

 and fiavor. Tannic acid aids ihat too. 



Chaiiman — As tlie subject of teaching agriculture is for this 

 day, we should like t» hear gentlemen upon it. President Tall- 

 mriilge is not here — will Professor Mapes give some of his ideas 

 upon the matter? 



Prof. Mapes — I think we are doing harm by attempting an 

 Agricultural College 7.0W. If a Normal School was established 

 to make teachers of agriculture it might do, but I believe that 

 if the Legirdaturc of New- York should appoint a sufficient num- 

 ber of Competent teachers to visit farmers and talk with them 

 on their iarms in a plain way good would rapidly flow Irom it. 

 I have ju.-t returned fioin a visit to Eoston wliere I was invited 

 to addiess a meeting of the T.cuislature. Their bill fur a College 

 had been lost, but the Governor asstu-ed me tliat ihe real mind 

 of the majority was for ir. Any great exprnse in relation to a 

 College woul I be a deah blow to it. Fourteen Agtieulinral So- 

 cieties of Mass ic!iusetts sent rejir. si-fjtatives to a meeiing which 

 advised a College. They agieed upon it as we sliould if such a 



