152 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



idea whether any of tliem ever pass into the plant to nourish it, or what 

 combinations they form with the earth or atmosphere to improve the 

 growth of the plants ; and we are never destined to know more about it 

 than we now do, unless nature withdraws the veil that enshrouds in dark- 

 ness the hinges on which this whole matter rests. All the farmer can do 

 is to combine science with practice, and not attempt to influence physical 

 causes and external agencies, without becoming diffidence, which will in- 

 crease his admiration and reverence for the great creator of all things, 

 who never fails to supply everything created with the required nourish- 

 ment, in the most regular and harmonious manner, utterly beyond man's 

 finding out. 



Asparagus. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter advised spring planting, but a groat deal depends 

 upon making the bed properly. 



Strawberries. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — I would recommend the setting out of straw- 

 berry plants in spring. I do not consider it good practice to set plants 

 out in July and August. 



Irrigation of Strawberries. 



Dr. Trimble asked if any of the members had any experience in irrigat- 

 ing strawberries. 



The Chairman. — I heard of a neighbor who has a muck swamp, from 

 which he has taken hundreds of loads of muck; he has dug a deep ditch 

 through it. On this swampy ground he has made a strawberry patch, and 

 I must say that I have never seen a strawberry patch look better than 

 his. This season, while all his neighbors' beds had dried up, he proved 

 this patch was able to supply rhcm all with fruit. 



Silesian Wool. 



Mr. Jas. Wilson, Masontown, Penn., sends to the Club 20 staples of 

 wool, they are Silesian. I have been engaged in wool growing for thirty 

 years. The specimens were considered very superior. 



On motion it was 



Resolved, That when we adjourn we adjourn to the 22d of Sept., 1863. 



Adjourned. 



John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



September 22, 1863. 

 Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair. 



Cement Flooring for Stables. 



R. L. Beardslee, Warrenham, Penn., says: 



" I write you to learn the opinion of the Farmers' Club on the relative 

 expense and durability of cement flooring for cattle stables. I propose 

 fitting up stalls in a shed without flooring, and if cement is preferable I 

 would like to use it." 



