'AMERICAN INSTITUTE. l75 



done by changing tlie crops. A change of manuring will always produce a 

 change in the growth of weeds. I get rid of daisies by sending men into 

 the field to pull all out by the roots. 



Mr. Pardee. — The most important thing that can be said about weeds, 

 is not to sow the seeds. I would never use barn-yard manure until com- 

 posted, and the vitality of seeds destroyed. 



Mr. Fuller. — I suppose it won't do to say that weeds come spontaneously, 

 yet these pests come wherever the white man goes. It is almost impossible 

 to prepare manure so as to kill all the seed of weeds. 



Mr. Burgess, a practical gardener, said he did not believe the weed seeds 

 could be kept out of gardens if they were fenced with cloth forty feet high. 

 He continually observed some new weed coming in to take the place of 

 any that might be extirpated. 



Solon Robinson. — We shall always be cursed with weeds while we main- 

 tain that miserable system that formed another branch of our subject that 

 was to have been discussed to-day. I allude to farm fences. They are 

 the very nurseries of weeds, particularly the old stone walls. It is the 

 pest of fences that maintains the pest of weeds. 



Mr. Fuller recommended strongly, to all gardeners and farmers, the 

 faithful reading of Dr. Darlington's work on botany. It is in compact 

 form — plain and sound. 



Mr. Lawton remarked that when we plant a higher order of plants, they 

 extirpate the lower order. 



The subject of fences at next meeting will necessai'ily include " Stall 

 feeding." 



The Club adjourned to Monday next. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



June 6, 1859. 

 Present, forty-two members. Mr. Pardee in the chair. 

 Mr. Meigs read his translation as follows : 



[Journal de la Societe Imperiale et Centrale d'Horticulture. Paris, 1859.] 

 BEST VARIETIES OF RHUBARB. 



The English gardeners have cultivated rhubarb, and ameliorated it 

 greaty, so that it has become one of the most agreeable and wholesome 

 legumes of our modern gardens. It is largely used in England, and in 

 many portions of Germany, and will spread over Europe. 



Mons. de Spreckelsen observes that the petioles (foot stalk of leaves) 

 partake of both vegetable and fruit, and come before the summer fruits 

 and vegetables. The surest method of deciding their good quality is their 

 redness, — the best being deepest colored. The length of the stalk is of 

 much less importance. The best variety now known, the Neue A>-o?na- 

 tische, or Nouvelle Aromatique — iVe?/' Aromatic rluibarb, has the short- 

 est leaf stalks, and has the advantage of coming about a fortnight later 



