PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS* CLUB. 191 



was a perceptible diflference through the season in favor of those not com- 

 posted. They came up earlier, looked greener and grew longer. Twenty- 

 six pounds in favor of no compost is in a 100 rows 2,600 lb., or a little over 

 43 bushels, which at 70c. per bushel, at which I am selling, is over $30. 

 My present opinion is that this State was kept for a fish pond so late that 

 the salt has not yet got washed out of it, hence an addition is detrimental. 

 I am, however, inquiring, and if not otherwise satisfied, future experiments 

 must decide. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — Ashes and salt is a good manure for potatoes. 

 I am certain this manure is good for any land in Westchester county. 



New Variety of Potatoes. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter presented a new variety of potato, cooked and un- 

 cooked. It is called the prairie seedling; is white or yellow skinned, with 

 a blush somewhat like pink eyes, and an uneven surface and grows large. 

 The flesh is graytsfe white, and dry when cooked. 



Mr. Robinson. — It has a rank smell which will condemn it for table use. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter said this variety yields enormously, and no doubt 

 would be grown extensively for market. 



Adjourned. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



Nov. 24, 1863. 

 Mr. Martin E. Thompson in the chair. 



Marl in Canada. 



Mr. Carpenter, Prince Edwards Co., Canada, presented a deposit found in a 

 pond near Lake Ontario, which appeared to be very minute shells of a 

 white color. A farmer in the neighborhood had drawn this upon his land, 

 and found great benefit from its use, especially upon corn and other garden 

 products. He asked what soils it would be most beneficial to. 



Mr. Wm, S. Carpenter. — This article would be very beneficial to clay 

 soils. 



Mr. Solon Robinson stated that he knew of beds of the same substance 

 in the West, forty feet thick, so far progressed that nearly all the shells 

 had become comminuted so as to lose their form, and in that condition the 

 deposit is called "a marl bed ;" and where limestone is scarce, it is some- 

 times molded like brick, and burned and slaked for the use of masons. It 

 is beneficial upon almost every soil, but will not pay for long transporta- 

 tion any further than any other lime for use as manure. 



Mr. A. S. Fuller. — I should think it excellent on any kind of soil. 



Peat from Vermont. 



Rev. Mr. Weaver presented a box of peat from the farm of Mr. Noyes, 

 near Burlington, Vt. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — I took a piece of this peat home some days since, 

 and found it to burn with a bright flame. I think it a valuable article for 

 fuel. 



