290 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Mr. Meigs adverted to the peculiar condition of sap in June — 

 it being inspissated, thick — so that an orchard of apple trees 

 barked in June by a villain — immediately made new bark, and 

 became none the worse for his felonious intent. 



I have seen an apple tree of about twelve years of age, stripped 

 of all the bark of the trunk, in June, make a beautiful new bark 

 before frost came. 



Branches of apple and other fruit trees girdled so as to away 

 the bark for an inch — bear better and larger fruit. Has not all 

 this something to do with the principle of summer pruning ? 



Hon. Mr. Bergen of Gowanus, on request, gave some of his 

 views on the subject of the market ordinances relative to gardens. 

 Washington market and Fulton market were, 25 years ago, about 

 alike; but now Washington market has become a great depot for 

 wholesale purposes, crowded with market wagons so as to be al- 

 most impassable. It was necessary to order the necessary open- 

 ings for passing. Some years ago, vessels loaded with sweet po- 

 tatoes from our Southern States used to deliver their cargoes at 

 Fulton market, now all go to Washington market, so that people 

 who want the sweet potatoes prefer going to that market. Much 

 has been said against what are termed middle men of our mar- 

 kets. I do not agree to war upon them; on the contrary — they 

 are necessary there as well in all other business whatever. I 

 know middle men who are as honorable as any other men. Few 

 farmers can stop to retail their produce, while the middle men 

 make it their whole business. 



The Chairman— It has lately been recommended to sell all farm 

 products by weight. 



Mr. Bergen — I see no objection to that — it would be equally 

 just to buyer and seller. That transfer of potatoes, &c., from 

 the farmer's baskets into smaller ones. 



Mr. Waring— The complaint is and has been, that country 

 wagons coming to Washington market, with the farmer's own 

 vegetables, &c., are apt to have their traces cut, linch pins drawn 

 out, and otherwise the annoyance operates to deter the farmer 

 from trying to sell his produce at the markets. Some articles, 

 for instance, lettuce, large heads of which, when first come, sell in 

 market by the single one, at even ten cents, while our farmer can 

 hardly get one cent for his of equal value. 



Prof. Mapes— Some heads of lettuce from my farm weigh 

 three pounds and more— and I cannot get for them more than 

 from 75 cents to one dollar for one hundred of them. 



