8 
DISEASE IN POTATOES.—ANNUAL MEETING OF THE N. Y. STATE AG. SOCIETY.—MISCELLANEOUS. 
weather is an important matter to the farmer, and 
it would be a great desideratum if it could be fore¬ 
told a few months in advance, if only in its gen¬ 
eral aspect. The barometer we have found a very 
uncertain guide, either upon land or at sea; and 
besides, its forewarnings are given only a few hours 
previous to the actual state of things, thus making 
the possession of it of little benefit to the farmer. 
We have no doubt that the weather is directed in 
advance by fixed laws, and that these will yet be 
discovered by man. The sacred writings occasion¬ 
ally allude to this subject. 
DISEASE IN POTATOES. 
We hear many complaints in various parts of 
the country, of a disease in potatoes, which causes 
them to rot with great rapidity, and throw off a 
very disagreeable smell. All those with whom 
we have conversed on the subject, attribute this 
disease to the excessively hot, dry weather of June 
and July, followed by long protracted rains, which 
set in the first part of August, continuing the re¬ 
mainder of the summer and during the fall; thus 
checking the root in the first instance, and then 
giving it a watery, forced growth, so long and late, 
as to prevent the potato properly ripening. In this 
diseased state they have been found very injuri¬ 
ous fed to stock; occasionally, even causing death. 
No better remedy is yet found to prevent the 
spread of the rot among potatoes, than spreading 
them out on a dry floor in a warm building, so 
thin as not to touch. But when the disease has 
broken out in a heap of potatoes, even this precau¬ 
tion to save them often proves abortive, and will 
scarcely pay for the trouble of doing it. 
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE N. Y. STATE AG. SOC. 
The annual meeting of the New York State 
Agricultural Society, will be held at the Society’s 
room in the Old State Hall, Albany, on the third 
Wednesday, (the 17th,) of January, 1844, at 10 
o’clock, A. M. 
Persons intending to compete for the Society’s 
premiums on field-crops, essays, &c., are reminded 
that their statements and essays must be sent to 
the Recording Secretary, Albany, before the first 
of January. 
Presidents of County Agricultural Societies are 
also requested to transmit the reports required by 
the statute, to the Recording Secretary, previous 
to the annual meeting. 
Luther Tucker, Rec. Sec’y. 
We hope to see a full attendance at the above 
meeting, for, in addition to the annual doings of 
the Society, several interesting and important pro¬ 
ceedings are anticipated. Among these, we un¬ 
derstand a memorial is to be got up, praying the 
legislature to extend the $8,000 now annually giv¬ 
en to Agricultural Societies for five years, to an 
indefinite length of time. We wish the amount 
might be increased to $15,000 annually. It would 
be scarcely over half a cent for each inhabitant in 
the state, and is a boon small enough t,o ask for 
the benefit of the most important interest of the 
country. 
The geological survey of the state being finish¬ 
ed, we think we ought now to have an Agricul 
tural survey ; and this should be conducted by met 
who unite the theory and science with the practi 
cal part of agriculture and stock-breeding. 
The founding of an Agricultural College or 
High School should not be lost sight of in the pro¬ 
ceedings of the society; and we think it important 
that a memorial be drawn up and presented to the 
legislature, asking aid for the same. 
Some of the arrangements for the next annual 
show ought to be altered, especially those of class¬ 
ing animals of distinct breeds together. Let them 
be exhibited hereafter among themselves. We 
respectfully suggest also to the society, to appoint 
a publication committee, whose duty it shall be 
to revise its transactions and those of the county 
societies, and cut off the verbiage which it is only 
a waste of ink and paper to print and bind up in 
its volumes. Most of the engravings in the last 
volume were disgraceful to the art, and absolute 
caricatures of the fine animals attempted to be de¬ 
lineated. We hope we shall see no more such. 
The Breeders’ Convention have another meeting, 
at the same time with the State Society, and if 
they conclude to give a scale of points for the future 
guide of the American breeder, they should weigh 
well their proceedings, as a single erroneous move 
will have a most pernicious effect in the country. 
Quantity of Butter made from Milk.— We 
find that cows vary from one tenth to one thirtieth 
in the quantity of butter produced from their milk ; 
that is, every 100 lbs. of the milk of one cow, 
will yield 10 lbs. of butter, while others will only 
give lbs. of butter from the same quantity. 
Scalded Milk for Butter. —In the Boston 
Plowman, we notice that Mr. Johnson of Framing¬ 
ham, scalds his milk during the winter season after 
drawing it from the cow, and then sets it away in 
the usual manner. The butter made from the 
cream is as yellow, sweet, and solid, as if made in 
June. The same thing is done by all good butter- 
makers in this vicinity, with the same effects as 
detailed by Mr. Johnson. 
Virginia Lands. —Considerable interest having 
been excited among our northern people regard¬ 
ing the eligibility of these lands for emigration, 
we shall feel much indebted by any communica¬ 
tions on their localities—present condition—means 
of improvement within reach, such as marl, lime, 
peat, and muck, for renovating them—price—cli¬ 
mate, &c., &c. We regret to say that our corres¬ 
pondent G. A. C., in our last volume, has been so 
occupied with settlement, that he has not had 
time yet to forward his promised communication. 
But there must be gentlemen enough at leisure, in 
the good Old Dominion, who will gladly furnish 
