New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-20

valuable a, exhibiting mechanical ingenuity.
Mr.. BLRoTA. Of Long Island. thought az improve
ncnts in railroads deeply Interesting % ihi'"ei'' d
they have become very dependent upon 'hcn
An Indian Corg Herrcs'cr.-A model OF machine
that has been tested for cutting Inaan o"Ip wa cA
hbi,ed by Nj Coates, OF fhHIeipH'", " "Hch e'SnS
a,rrs da can he cut and left in gavels, by amsn and
~, Lo,c.s Tho machine appears "a wei cOntriyed
for The purpose for which Is designed a. the mowers
or respes Tor their respective purposes II will greatly
Facilitate The business of raising corn At the West aud
tighten branch OF tue laooi "a' requires men Win
TTs po,o,o Crop-GroriRg, Preserving and Cook-
,yr An Interesting discussion upon this subject came
nm aunorg the miscellaneous business. Among other
tiiDgs the -ubject Of preserving potatoes in the
forIn Of
Potato Mcoj.-Mr. Sr.RBUcx said thu, a machine
capable Of reducing 200 bushels per day will cost
a. 900 and that the operation is very simple aud that
the eXpcu,c vii not exceed seven cents bushe The
tubcrs must be carefully assorted and washed before
boiling or seemng. They cooked without pecllng,
snd then put IN hopper, from which they are sent up
on disc when ,he potato is crushed and the skins
conbed out. The inside falls upon a table where il is
opeated upon by heated air. Apples can be dried by
the same process and several other vegetables
He IL saDgune that the plan will cheaper food for
city consumption, isr will enable growers at great
distance to preserve and send their crops TO market
II requires about three cords Of wood to prepare 2VV
bushels Of potatoes.
The CHAIRMAN thought the process must be carried
on by large establishments instead OF by families. IL
will be an advantage that great bulk and weight OF
freight will bee saved; beside the advantage Of being
able TO preserve crop an Indefinite Tine.
Mr.. SIARBUC K-The same plan used 10 preserve pO-
tatOes be- used To- preserve Indian meal.
DR.. WJLLINCTOS-I am using potatoes at 81 a bar
rel while further of than Port Jervis they sell at
IS cents buhel. Besides, in the ordinary mode of
cooking, there il great loss So there is by freezing.
SOLOS ROBISsOS-There mr. ten times rs many pOta-
toe, spoiled III this city by light % spoiled by
frost II possible potato never should gee light. II
should be taken direct from the dark cell where it
grows 10 a dark cell for preservation and, If possible,
slways keep il in the dark and an even temperature
until il is taken ont to put in the pot ] have often
noticed in dark cellars that the potatoes that keep the
best are those under the spout where they were
dumped from the cart and partly covered with dirt.
The CHAIRMAN confirmed the view advanced, that
po;stoes ore preserved best in the dark.
DR.. SMITH, have often observed in Lancashire,
England with what assiduOus care the cottagers--
many Of whom are very dependent upon their little
crop Of pOtatoes-cover the potatoes soon as posi-
bic after they dug. II is not 10 keep them from
freezing but to keep them from the hight, as these
people well know that nothing Is more injurious par
icuisrly if the Gun is shining not upon them when
taken from the ground
Trof. NAsH-The. common practice Of farmers leay-
Ing potatoes the ground in hot October sun Is
one Of the most injurious things that could be done to
the CROP Some Of them ere half cooked, and all are
Injured by light and heat
Mr.. BERGTN said he had often been astOnished at
the quantity of potatoes consumed IN this city why
Sir the raise the more we may, at increased
and get three four times much per bushel There
must certainly be something very valuable in potatoes
g. food or there would not be so many eaten.
Solos RoBISsoS-No, Sir, that is not the reason
potatoes are largely consumed in this city. will
tel you why the people eat many potatoes, at y
time too when they are the dearest Of all kinds of
food. IL because nineenths of those we employ to
cock our food don't know how to cook anything else
but potatoes and that particular being that the pro-
verb says seLds us cooks, must be pretty well aware
that they don't know how to cook them, and cOnse-
queutly commit deal of sin in finding fault with
the potatoes when the principal fault is chargeable TO
the Stupid cooks and the more stupid dolts who have
had The care and the consequent spelling of these
valuable fruits Of the earth. l certainly should look
upon II as great boon if we could once more see the
day that we could sit down to q meal Of mealy pota-
toes.
Dr. SMIrH--Do people ever think of the immense
waste of potatoes they are treated in this city
Let me tell you how potatoes are cooked IN Lanca-
thre They are peeled first and boiled gently till near
" sof' and they the water il poured of and all the
steam evaporated, when they are poured into dish
ard few slices of bacon laid on top and brought hot
10 the table where they eaton with relish, and
90 good res,on-they truly good. Such people do
na eat much bread The potatoes are 40 dry and
meay that they excellent substitute for bread,
and very unlike the miserable waSy things that We
eat here.
Mr.. STARRUcK-I think the value of the invention
for preparing potato meal Increases as We proceed IN
this drcussiOn In country towns, merchants may es-
tahsh these machines and buy and prepare potatoes
for market.
Prof. NAsH-It is evident to me that great
must be used in the preparation of potato meal so as
pot TO get any dccayed parts of ubers into the mass
or it will be injured and unsuitable. i don't see any
reason why il will not keep as well rs flour.
SoLoN RoDINsoN-Ifit is made perfectly dry 1t will
keep of course and flour will not keep because 1t is
not dry.
Mr.. STARRUCK-The machine will make the meal
Perfectly dry and meal could be better dried by
Il than by the ordinary kiln gentleman inquiries If
pumpkin meal can be prepared by the same process
answer Yes, very easily, and an excellent article OF
food il Is.
The CHAIRMAS-If the plan proves successful il will
lessen the consumption of flour, which is now barrel
per annum for each person, or It's equivalent.
VEaf are The most Profitable Crops, Locality con-
sifercd1-SoLON RoBINsOS-FOr the purpose of open
hg discussion upon this question, | lay down this
Proposition. No farmer in the vicinity of this city can
afford TO use his land for anything excepting one of
these purposes For raising market garden crops for
daily sale. including of course, potatoes and other
root crops and fruit OF for the purposes Of milk
dairy. or tor grazing
No man can afford to cut grass and haul hay to the
CITY at double the price il sold for. Much less
can he afford to raise rye some do within two hours
Of here at three bushels acre, trusting to his pro
IN selling straw. ,e
Chal enge any one to dlsprONe these, 10 me, SEX
evident facts.
The CHAIRNAS-I shall not undertake the task, be-
cause fully agree with Mr.. Robinsons statement
Look at the land that might be producing fruit, in
ges3 Of living idle or worse than idle yet we see
every day that all Of fruits sell al enormous rates
pears at 81 to so cents apiece Bananas sell at to
lScents each An acre OF ground near the city, cul-
hvsied 10 almost any kind OF fruit, WAL produce a
yrcat return Still potatoes at present prices are
ihe besi-paying crop that grow. \ friend OF
mine that for 81 900 expenses he receives
regularly $4,000 ia cultyating market produce. Look
atih price OF rhubNrb cents leaf and other things
at the same rate. The net profit of rhubarb Is 500
an acre The price of labor is too high to pay, at
the preecnt rate OF 81 day. farmer must not keep
IDLE men OF idle teams horse will cost 500 or s!0o
. year for and keeping.
DIR. SSIrH-In England, near Manchester, there
are many garden and milk farms upon land rented at