AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 375 



With results universally in favor of the whole seed, though it uses more seed 

 the quantity being from 12 to 14 bushels per acre. 



Several others spoke to this question, which appeared so unsettled when 

 the hour of adjournment arrived, that it was proposed to continue it until 

 the next meeting, which will be Monday noon, March 12. 



The club then adjourned at 2 o'clock P. M. 



H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



Monday, March 12th, 1860. 

 Present between 60 and 70 members. George Geddes in the chair. 

 The Secretary read the following papers, viz : 



[From Marshall, London, 1803.] 

 TAPPING TREES FOR TRANSPLANTING. 



Dig a trench, or hole, by the side of the tree, large enough to make room 

 to undermine it, in such a manner as to be able to sever the tap-root ; 

 which done, fill in the earth again. Let the tree stand from 07ie to three 

 years, according to its age. By that time it will have its horizontal roots 

 furnished with strength, and with fibres, especially those roots which was 

 lopped ofi" in the digging ; then transplant the tree. This is not so safe on 

 an older tree as it is with seedlings ; for plants that have never been re- 

 moved have long branching roots, and the fibres lie at a distance from the 

 body of the plant. As a general rule, the more roots the better for removal. 



AIR-HOLES FOR THE ROOTS ! 



With a crowbar make eight or ten holes around the roots, and as deep 

 to admit air. 



Note by Meigs. — [Mai'shall recommends growing potatoes in level, well 

 tilled soil ; no hilliiig .'] 



I am convinced that the best lessons of the last fifty years, containing 

 deep tillage, thorough stirring of soil, and especially under-drainage, have 

 never been excelled by man, nor can be excelled, so absolutely rational, 

 and, of course, scientific are they, 



MURRAIN IN NEW ENGLAND CATTLE. 



Alarm exists relative to this cattle destroyer. .The " Southern Planter," 

 for March, 1860, published in Ptichmond, Virginia, quotes the " Medical 

 Times," as stating " that in Holland there are assurance offices for cattle's 

 lives. One company has all its assured cattle vaccinated, as a preserva- 

 tion from contagious pneumonia ! Another company inoculates only 

 when the disease has invaded the animal's stall. The third company does 

 not vaccinate at all. It has been calculated that the first company has 

 lost six per cent of cattle ; the second company eleven per cent, and the 

 third company /or^y per cent. 



Mr, Meigs observed, that so much intelligent talk on agriculture now 

 exists, that instead of speaking of the lucern from his own resources, he 

 now would say a few words for himself : 



