AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 319 



cultivator between the rows. If the okl plants are well cut away 

 the new shoots will be stronger. I think the quality is very 

 much improved by training the vines upon trellises. The fruit 

 is larger and better upon strong shoots, and nothing feels the ad- 

 vantage of high manuring more than all the bramlile family, par- 

 ticularly the application of liquid manure. You may manure all 

 the bramble family with animal offal. They can convert flesh 

 into fruit. This is also the case with grape vines. They are 

 ranl£ feeders. I have found arching and tying the vines together 

 a good plan. 



In reply to a question. Prof. Mapes said he had had no rotten 

 potatoes upon any land where he had drained or subsoiled, but 

 upon some rented ground, that had always l^een shallow^ plowed, 

 the rot had affected the crop; and upon all land in the neighbor- 

 hood that had not been subsoiled the rot ])revails. A new variety 

 of potatoes, called the Golden Mercer, and another called the Eoy- 

 den potato, do not rot. Both are excellent in quality. The Nut- 

 meg potato, that w^as thought to be proof against rot, has not 

 proved entirely free this season. 



The next subject will be a discussion upon "the proper manner 

 of treating Indian Corn; particularly as to the disposition of the 

 growing crop — whether it is best to top it, cut it up and shock it, 

 or let it stand and ripen, and risk the frost." 



Farmers from the country are invited to attend, or send com- 

 munications of their opinions upon this all-important matter. 



The meeting will be Tuesday, September 15, at noon, at No. 

 351 Broadway. 



jfhe Club then "adjourned. 



HENRY MEIGS, Secretary. 



^'ovemher 17, 1857. 



Present — Messrs. Hon. John D. Ward, of Jersey city, Professor 

 James J. Mapes, Dr. Isaiah Deck, Dr. Waterbury, Dr. Wellington, 

 the venerable Dr. Darling, Dr. Smith, Mr. Issachar Cozzens, Solon 

 Robinson, Mr. Davoll, George B. Rapelye, Mr. Van B(jskerck, 

 and others. 



Hon. John D. Ward, in the chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary. 



