294 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Some people appear to thiuk that if it is very dry, so that a clean burn can 

 be had, it is all the better. Probably millions of dollars worth of the very 

 best kinds of vegetable substances have been reduced to ashes by burning' 

 over land when too dry. It is true ashes are valuable as manure, and it is 

 also true that some lands are made better by severe burning ; but in many 

 cases where land has been cleared the ashes are not near so valuable as 

 the rich mold would have been had it not been reduced to ashes. 



WHAT WOULD CONDUCE TO FARMER's HEALTH. 



Anytliing conducive to the health of horses, cattle, sheep, &c., would be 

 considered legitimate subjects for discussion among farmers' clubs ; and 

 as I cannot see whj'' it is not full}^ as important that the farmer, who takes 

 care of the horses, cattle, &c., should have his health attended to, I will 

 briefly remark, first, that after several years consideration of the subject, 

 during which I have had considerable experience bearing thereon, I have 

 come to the conclusion that if farmers were to invariably have large open, 

 fireplaces in their houses, instead of stoves, to warm by, much bad health 

 would be prevented. Second, that if farmers' wives would, as far as they 

 can consistently, prepare no food and drinks but such as are known to be 

 healthy, there w«_)uld be considerable ill health avoided, and consequently 

 the good things a kind Providence has sent us would be better welcomed 

 and enjoyed than in some cases they now are. 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — Upon the matter of strawberries I doubt whether 

 a dozen persons present believe that a crop ever grew, even on a garden 

 bed, at the rate of " 720 bushels to the acre," notwithstanding I have here- 

 tofore had similar statements of what is possible with this fruit. 



Mr. Thomas Cavenach said it had been often stated of late that the "Wil- 

 son strawberry was not sure for more than one crop. This is a mistake. 

 They are not sure, because their rank growth and great productiveness 

 exhausts the soil. If the bed is covered in autumn, not with straw or 

 sedge, but v^ith an abundance of good, rich, fine manure, it will prevent 

 the frost from heaving out the roots, and the second crop will be bfetter 

 than the first. 



Mr. W. S. Carpenter said it was also important to keep off the runners, and 

 then, if covered as suggested, the Wilson vines will continue to bear well 

 for years. 



Ventilation of Farm-Houses. 



Dr. John B. Rich earnest]}'' appealed to farmers to give their dwellings 

 better ventilation. His attention had lately been called to this subject by 

 finding such a large portion of the females in ill health which he attributes 

 to the effect of badly ventilated houses, particulary the old-fashioned sort 

 with low ceilings and no openings, where the old fire places have been 

 closed up and cooking stoves substituted. He inquires if it is possible for 

 a family of eight or ten persuns to be healthy in a small room, with a cook- 

 ing stove and all the cooking and its effluvia mixed with the air. Is it any 

 wonder that the women exhibit such pale faces and feeble bodies. He 

 also spoke pretty strongly of the mode of cooking, and the general want of 

 g'ood wholesome food in farm houses. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — I think the houses in Westchester county are 



