PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB- 



The Report of the American Institute made to the Legislature 

 in the year 1860, contains the proceedings of the Farmers' Club, 

 up to and including the meeting of the 16th day of April, of that 

 year. 



On the 23d day of April, 1860, the Club convened at their 

 usual place of meeting, at the rooms of the Institute in the 

 Cooper building. 



Present fifty members. Mr. E. Doughty, of New Jersey, in 

 the chair. 



Judge Meigs, the Secretary, opened the discussion with remarks 

 upon the following important subject : 



PRESERVING POTATOES WITH LIME. 



He said : It has been proved by experiments made by shippers 

 of potatoes from this city to San Francisco, that two quarts of 

 powdered lime to a barrel of potatoes, placed on the top, so that 

 it would sift through the contents, has a remarkable preservative 

 effect upon the potatoes, entirely preventing the disease known 

 as the potato rot. It also prevents the tubers from sprouting, 

 and keeps them entirely sound, although they have to pass the 

 equator twice on the voyage. The Secretary remarked that this 

 fact was very important to masters of sea-going vessels upon long 

 voyages. 



THE PLANT APHIS. 



The Secretary said that the aphis had made its appearance 

 very early this year. The question is, did this insect secrete 

 himself on the inside of the bud, and there become developed ? 



Andrew S. Fuller, gardener, thought the insect crept inside for 

 shelter in cold, windy weather. 



