408 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



" Kirkland seedling," a seedling planted by old Dominie Kirk- 

 land, missionary to the Indians about 1800. Grafts could be 

 procured by sending to E. P. Powell, Clinton, Oneida county. 



Mr. W. S. Carpenter said it appeared to be a very fine apple, 

 the flavor was very good, and he should consider it a valuable 

 addition. 



Mr. Pardee said that if eaten or bitten by mice in the cellar, 

 this would not destroy the apple as the remainder would remain 

 sound. 



Mr. Carpenter said in regard to the proposed remedy for the 

 potato disease, by drying, that it was nothing new; it had been 

 tried in this country and failed to some extent ; and it appeared 

 to him the theory was wrong. If the potato was dried, the 

 watery substance must be taken back again before it could ger- 

 minate. He was in favor of a rotation of crops. It was a set- 

 tled fact with farmers, that potatoes could not grow well many 

 times in the same place, they were more liable to decay. He 

 thought that our success in preventing this disease depended 

 upon a rotation in crops. He made it a rule to buy potato seed 

 at a long distance from home, and he was more successful with 

 his crops than his neighbors. 



Dr. Trimble said the rotation had nothing to do with it; this 

 was a specific disease, and we want to know what it is. That is 

 the question; then, perhaps, we may find a remedy. Some say 

 it is an insect in the plant, on the leaf, or on the tuber. We do 

 not know what it is ; a change of land or manure does not af- 

 fect it. 



Mr. Lawton said he agreed with the gentleman last up ; he 

 didn't think there had been the slightest approach to the cause 

 of the disease. 



He had brought some cuttings of the Althea Frutex, which 

 was a beautiful flower, though it had no fragrance. This was 

 double Althea, white and. red. It may be pruned to almost any 

 shape. It comes forward late in the season, but retains its bloom 

 and foliage to a late period, and is free from insects. 



Mr. Robinson said that Mr, R. Adams, on the north shore, at 

 Pillar Point, Jefierson county, had succeeded in protecting his 

 young apple trees by planting at the same time with the apple 

 tree, a gooseberry bush on the south side of each tree. The 

 bush seemed to operate as a natural mulch, and prevented sun 



