PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS* CLUB. 165 



altogether, and fails, and pronounces the whole thing a humbug, a super- 

 stition, &c. Good soil and good cultivation will generally produce a good 

 crop, if planted at any other time of the moon, but if planted in the best 

 time, would produce a better crop. Perhaps we had better suspend the 

 further discussion of this subject for the present, and wait the results of 

 experiments of the coming season. If they are made fairly, I have no 

 fears for the result. If made with potatoes, there will be the greatest 

 difference in the production in poor soil, or under poor cultivation. (1.) 



" And now a few remarks about animals. According to the doctor, 

 there is one animal that, under certain circumstances, may be influenced 

 by the moon. In fact, that doctor who does not know that the sick some- 

 times may be influenced by the moon * for better or for worse,' had better 

 go to school again and finish his education. (2.) Almost every one may 

 become sensible of the influence of the moon upon him or herself, if they 

 will carefully watch the change of their feelings with the different phases 

 of the moon. True, they may be slight ; they may be interfered with by 

 exciting causes. They will be more perceptible in delicate, nervous, and 

 very sensitive persons, also in retirement, where the person is free from all 

 excitement. (3.) My son returned home the other night singing merrily ; 

 one cause, a bright moonlight. (4.) Why do parties choose a bright moon- 

 light night for sleigh-rides? Because they are pleasanter than dark nights. (5) 



" Will not some learned astronomer give his views on the subject of the 

 moon's influence, and tell us, if he can, what is the use of the moon, and 

 why we have a moon ?" (6) 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — I wish to reply briefly to a few of the statements in 

 this last letter. 



1. I will give Mr. Cruger, or any other person a prize of ten dollars, and 

 I think nine other men here will do the same, if he will prove this assertion 

 about potatoes, by actual experiment. 



2. No man with education sufficient to fit him for a doctor, in these 

 days of light and science, can believe that a sick person was ever influ- 

 enced by anything about the moon but its light. If confined in a dungeon, 

 he would never be able to tell whether the moon was new or old, unless the 

 notion of its influence was very old. 



3. This postulate I deny in toto. It is not susceptible of proof, any more 

 than all the rest of the " signs" and wonders ascribed to this wonderful 

 luminary. 



4. Wasn't that singular — that a boy should sing upon a bright, moon- 

 light evening ? Do you think that his vocal powers were enlarged by the 

 size of the moon ? I have heard before of persons being moonstruck, but 

 this appears to be a remarkable case of luno-musico. I hope the case will 

 wane with the moon. 



5. This is another extraordinnay piece of testimony to prove the influ- 

 ence of the moon upon animals. It has actually influenced people to go 

 sleigh-riding upon moon-light evenings rather than in dark ones. Oh, thoa 

 great moon! In future will I believe in thy influence. 



6. Ah, do tell us, if you can, what is the use of the moon, and why we 



