130 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



How TO Keep Potatoes. 



Mr. Moses Gilman, of South Sangersville, Me., wants to know how to 

 preserve potatoes over winter, and into the summer, without having them 

 spoil by sprouting. If there is any plan, making it known will be bene- 

 ficial to many. 



Mr. John G. Bergen. — Keep the potatoes in barrels, in a cool, dry cellar, 

 and as often as once a week during the spring, and up to the time that 

 new potatoes come in use, empty the barrels from one to another, and this 

 will prevent the sprouts from getting headway. This is the course that I 

 liave pursued satisfactorily for a good many years. If the potatoes are 

 stored in bulk, shovel them from one side of the room to the other. This 

 course is very necessary with some of our early varieties, to preserve them 

 for seed up to the time of planting. I observe that the potato disease has 

 made its appearance on Long Island. Some fields of Mercers are badly 

 affected. It began to show itself about two weeks ago. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter remarked that the disease had also begun to afiect 

 crops in central and western New York. 



Mr. John G Bergen. — The excellence of the potato depends upon loca- 

 tion and soil. Sometime since one of my laborers persuaded me to import 

 some potatoes from Ireland, but the produce was not equal to his or my 

 expectations. Some years ago I was in Massachusetts: the potatoes there 

 I thought were the best I had ever eaten. I procured some for seed, but 

 they produced a different flavored potato with me. 



Advantages of Bee Keeping. 



Mr. 0. R. L. Crozier, of Grand Rapids, Mich., presented a paper upon bee 

 keeping, which he denominates an easy way to make money, and he says: 

 • " And as honest and honorable as easy. It needs but little capital, and 

 no unusual skill; neither great strength nor profound learning. It does 

 not depend on political favor nor the smiles of the rich. Rural, but not 

 rude; royal, but not rigorous — it asks but the smiles of nature and a quiet 

 spot. It makes by saving, and does not injure by taking. It requires 

 many operatives, but the business is so pleasant that they cheerfully work 

 without pay, and board and clothe themselves, requiring of their employer 

 only a cheap shelter and a place to store the product of their skill and 

 industry, ready for his use or for market. Yes, that's it. It's keeping 

 bees. You can do it almost anywhere, and make more money from the 

 same amount of capital and labor than in any other business. For 

 example: Mr. N. J., of Westchester county, had one stock last year, a bad 

 season, and it stored sixty-five pounds of honey in super boxes, worth $13, 

 beside filling the hive. Mr. C. S., of Putnam county, has had new swarms 

 make the first season seventy-five pounds, worth $15; and his neighbor, 

 Mr. E., has had new swarms make 125 pounds, worth $25. It is quite 

 common for a new swarm, the first season, to fill their hives and two 

 supers, being in all about 100 pounds of honey. Calling the swarm worth 

 $5, this would give a net profit of more than three times the capital 

 invested; although the new swarm has the premises to fit up and all their 

 comb to build, which would be equal to gathering from twenty-five to fifty 



