284 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Nov. 28, 1859. 



The Rev. Amos Brown (President of the People's College) in the chair. 



During the hour devoted to miscellaneous business, a variety of matters 

 ■•were brought forward. 



The Secretary read a translation from the Journal of Horficulture, 

 Paris, about a disease now prevailing in almost all the nurseries of France 

 and Belgium. This disease is even worse than the one now prevailing in 

 this country in the old orchards. Also a paper upon the construction of 

 bridges, upon the principle of an arch up stream, to resist the force of 

 floods. He thought this an important matter to farmers, who generally 

 construct the country-road bridges without much science. If built upon 

 the plan proposed in this French paper, the ends firmly fixed in the banks, 

 with the arch opposed to the current, the bridge is capable of resisting the 

 force of a great flood. He thought it a very proper subject to bring up 

 before a Farmers' Club, since more thought upon the manner of building 

 bridges is certainly needed. 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



The Secretary gave a list of Agricultural Societies in the several States 

 of the Union, amounting in the aggregate to seven hundred and eighty-six, 

 nearly all in the northern States. 



SEED POTATOES FOR BELGIUM. 



An Inquiry is made as to the best kind of potatoes to send to Belgium 

 for seed. 



Wm. S. Carpenter. — I would recommend the Prince Albert as the most 

 exempt from rot of any of the many varieties that I have tried. The 

 Davis Seedling is abcut the best potato I have grown. I have raised 

 sixty varieties. The Peachblow is a good potato, and so is the Dykeman. 

 The Buckeye, with me, is apt to grow hollow. 



Solon Robinson. — I have found the Buckeye potato one of the best early 

 potatoes, grown in a loamy soil, moderately rich. 



ICE-HOUSES. 



"Wm. Lawton asked about ice-houses, — whether ice put in in very cold 

 weather would keep the best. 



Prof. Nash answered that the eastern icemen prefer to put in ice in very 

 cold weather. 



Wm. S. Carpenter, in answer to the question, said saw-dust is the best 

 of all substances for packing ice in. Salt hay is next best, then rye straw. 

 Ventilation is important. I exclude the air as much as possible opposite 

 the ice, but in the top give free circulation. 



Mr. Leonard, agent of the Institute. — I have lost my ice twice for want 

 of ventilation, and then after fixing the two different ice-houses alike, my 

 ice kept perfectly. 



R. Gr. Pardee. — A great many of the failures of ice-houses are for want 

 of drainage and ventilation. If stone is used in the bottom it should be 

 covered with shavings, sawdust, or tan bark. If the ventilation and drain- 

 age are perfect, ice will keep almost anywhere — above or below ground. 



