The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-06-13
Horticultural Golulll,r.
Theory of the Effect of the Moor
on Plants.

Theory OF the Eject Of the moon
on Plants.
We take the following from the pro-
ceedings of the American Institute Far
mer's Club, as reported in the New York
Tribune:
Thos. Nelson, Of Winona, III. writes
as follows:
:" Be not among the first hy whom the new i.
Nor yet among the last to lay the old aside"
| have been reader Of the Tribune
for several years past, and do not re-
member having seen in the report Of the
American Institute Farmers Club any
decision, from experiment or otherwise,
on the effect of the moon upon vegeta-
ton. If this may not be considered all
kumbug, 1 know you would confer a
favor upon a credulous public by giving
some au'horitive decision Of the Club.
[ know that some of your members will
smile, but it is well known that beans
and peas planted at certain seasons will
blossom till frost, and have both ripe
and green pods at the same time.
A friend from Green county, N. Y,
once said to me he would give almost
anything if he had kept diary, or had
any means Of knowing the time he SOW
ed field to peas, as it was an enorm-
Gus yield without extra culture, and the
only good crop he ever had raised of
them.
A neighbor called on me a few days
since, and said he: l never have any
luck raising potatoes, while my neigh
Dor, an old farmer, who "plants in the
moon,' never fails, and is planting to.
day. OF course I left other work, and
went to planting mine. So much for
my own credulity. If you or any one
wishes will give the time and the
result Of the experiment in the Fall. I
also wish to ask your opinion, for the
benefit of the readers of the Tribune,
Of the effect Of the moon, and the signs
upon the weaving Of young stock, &c.
Perhaps this may draw out suggestions,
and other items Of similar class, with
answers to questions, which I need not
name. presume you get weary read
ing SO much trashy correspondence
asking so many foolish questions. If
SO, l imagine if you should request such
to enclose fee to entitle them to notice
their number would be perceptibly less.
SoLoN RoBNsoN-Mr. Nelson GER
tainly has not read all the proceedings
of this Club, Or he would have seen that
this moon theory Of effect upon animal
and vegetable life has been thoroughly
ventilated, and that there is mass Of
evidence to show that the moon has no
influence whatever. Numerous careful
observations have been made, all of
which go to prove that the effect upon a
crop planted at any particular period of
the moon is just the same as commenc-
ing a journey, voyage, or piece of work
on Friday; the result in both cases is
all in the Imagination.
JOHN G. BERGEN-Many years ago
my father determined to thoroughly test
this moon theory, then so prevalent
among the old Knickerbocker people in
this vicinity, and he planted, sowed and
did everything that he could in exact
accordance with the moon theorists, and
exactly the reverse, and finally became
fully convinced that the theory Of the
moons influence could not be sustained.
l believe that that the same result has
been arrived at by every careful inquir-
er after truth, uninauenced by precon-
ceiyed opinions.