The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-08-20
The Farnaers' Club.

unon which the members of this Club assemble at
the Institute, in the Park, for the discussion of CO.
lateral as well stipulated topics, connected with
the promotion of agricuture-the meeting was or
ganized by the appointment Of Dr. Underhill as
chairman, and Mr.. Meigs as secretary
The reading of the minutes of the last meeting
being dispensed with, the Club was opened for the
discussion of the hour OF any miscellaneous matter
that came within its provlnce-when communica-
ton was read from Mr. J. Van Wiske to A. B.
Allen, accompanied by various specimens OF mari,
produced from the pit Of the former gentleman, on
his farm at New Hamburger, Duchess county. The
specific combinations of each species excited an in
teresting discussion to the merits of the compo-
nent parts-their application TO various sos--and
their virtues in promoting the diversified objects OF
agriculture. Here, the various component proper
ties OF mari and the method OF testing the general
combination Of potash, soda, decomposed shells,
&c, were argued, each advocate claiming prefer
ence to that best adapted TO the deficiency OF the
soil that that substanceswas calculated to improve or
ren0vate.
DR.. FIELD entered into his favorte theories, with
regard to the efficacy OF muck, MS exempihed upon
his farm, and recapuated the process by which his
general crops have, through that medium of cutva-
ton, exceeded In quality and quantity, those OF his
neghbors. The absorption of the anionla might be
promoted by the application OF the use OF the mate
rails Of the hen ro0st.
COL CLARKE was of opinion that marls were dis
tinctly suited to distinct Soils One member sug-
gested experiments upon small scale, upon differ
ent portions OF farm while another advocated a
chemical analysis-the latter, as too expensive and
slow, was repudiated and the former system pro-
nounced more positive and eiiectual. The chair
man suggested several valuable processes, by which
alluvia-swamp auckland mari combined, could
be rendered servlceable to every soil, by the admix-
mr. Of li,,aa nd oil
MIR. MCDONALD, OF Alabama, was introduced at
this point 10 the members. This gentleman is an
agriculturist and planter He carefully examined
the specimens OF mari upon the table, and saw no.
thing in their appearance like the blue mari. His
plan of using the mari, was placing it in lot and
allowing the cattle to tread upon it,
Gov. HAMMOND failed in his experiments, by
spreading the mari broadcast. He drew out l0,OOC
bushels mixed it with pine strata, and upon thirty
acres obtained an unusual crop.
A communication was received from EMANUEL.
RUSSELL, upon the advantages of planting French
willows, as more flexible and lighter in manufac.
the plants, slips, OF IA to IL inches in length with
inches in the earth-to be planted in broad ditch.
es, from two and half to three feet apart.
The hour of miscellaneous conversation being
exhausted, the legitimate subject was introduced.
'Eisects and their Destructive Efects.'
The CHAIRMAN wished to correct an error which
had been attributed to him, of the influence of the
Hessian fly, and wheat worm, which he desired to
wheat only. After describing the havoc produced in
almost every vegetable by these nulsances, and i'm
pedlmeDs to tree existence and their destructive at
tributes, he recommended the ploughing OF the
soil III the spring the best means of obviatng the
future progress of these and the canker worm. The
blight in ounces and pears may IN the way be
resisted; he recommended the ploughing late, the
fall, when the insects dormant, and liable to be
finally Illuminated by frost-perhaps when grasshop-
pers are abundant, drove of turkeys amongst them
would be the best army of annlhllatlon.
Col. CLARKE produced a most venomous and de-
structive anlmalcula with four wings and sting.
that piercing any trees bark would ditfuse poison
through the entire peach plant; chloride of lime and
other processes were suggested, but none with any
positive certainty.
Professor MAPEs wished the subject to be defer
red until Mr.. Halsey could attend. In the mean
time he suggested the experiment OF Panlemon, OF
boring hole in the tree and plugging it with salt.
The PRESIDENT observed that brimstone had been
used In that way with success, but he apprehended
danger from rotting by perforatlon.
Professor MAPEs contended that no salt infusion
could be dangerous if it was derived from iron or
copper
Several very valuable topics of information and
instruction were suggested by Professor Mapes upon
subjects though not directly combined with the par
tcular objects OF the occasion, but were calculated
to enlarge the scope OF future investigation
and promote indirectly the purposes of the club
bacco, as fit subject tor the next meeting; but
prudent desire the part of the members, adapt
their subjects to the seasonable requirements OF the
farmers, induced them to substitute the proposed
more important topic, "The best method of pre-
pairing ground for the reception of fall wheat"
Mr.. MCDONALD produced a specimen of cotton
raised last year upon his own plantation, in Alabama,
which, tor virgin purity OF wheness and eXibilIty
OF texture, he announced commanding three
cents above the common staple