The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-05-17
Meeting OF tho Hooking Valley HOrtia
cultural Society.
HORTICULTURAL Rooms, !
LIMA Annrn Mnu 10ih 1863 I


The minutes of the preceding meet
ing were read and approved.
Mr.. Boving proposed the name of
Christian Rugh for membership, who
was duly elected.
Mr.Fctters presented copies ofmonth-
ly report and packages of seed from
Dept of Agriculture, which were dis
trbuted among the members present
Several members reported trial Of
coal oil for destruction of caterpillars,
resulting in failure. Mr.. Boving, how
ever, stated that by means of rags tied
to the end of pole, saturated with the
oil and set on fire, he was able to des-
troy 7 or s nests at one burning
Several members recommended soap
suds as effectual for this purpose.
A call being made for reports as to
injury by recent frosts, statements were
made by members generally, to the
effect that there had been no extensive
damage. The destruction of peaches,
and the injury to some kinds of cher
ries, had been effected during the win
ter.
A comparison of views then took
place in regard to the propriety OF
holding a June exhibition; after which,
on motion of Mr.White, it was resolved
that the Society hold but one fair this
season, and that in the fall : and that
all our energies be in the mean time
directed toward making it success.
A suggestion from Mr.. Fetters was
very favorably received, that it would
add greatly to the attractiveness and
success of our meetings, if the wives
and daughters of members, and other
ladies feeling an interest in the subject,
would attend, bringing flowers, &c,
in their season, for decoration of the
room and for exhibition.
The vegetable question being taken
up, Mr.. Fetters, gave his method of
cultivating potatoes. He thought he
had learned q good deal since he com
mcnced cultiyatng this root. Had
formerly been in the habit of planting
deeply, and working the ground from
time to time till after the plant was in
blossom. Is now convinced that shall
low planting and deep mulching is far
the best method The finest potatoes
are grown near the surface. He makes
his burrows not more than 2 inches
deep, covers 2 inches with soil, after
wards or 10 inches with bagasse or
other litter, and be the season wet or
dry, good crop of good potatoes is
certain. Where mulching material can
not be had, level cultivation is best
The ground should never be worked
after the plants are in blossom. This
will cause the sets already formed to
stop growing, and new ones will be
formedr thus producing two crops of
probably small potatoes.
Mr.. Black stated that last year he
planted his potatoes deeply, cultivated
level, and that they rottcd badly.
Mr.. Mithoff stated a method of cul-
tivation practised in Pennsylvania -
After deep powing to begin with, two
burrows are thrown together with the
plow, forming q ridge then with Il
shovel plow shallow cross furrow is
made, and at its intersection with the
ridge the seed is planted at moderate
depth. This seemed to- be the only
way Of successfully cultivatirg the po
tato in that region, and it would doubt
less be found a good method here.
Mr.. Weaklcy made n statement o.
his experience with the sweet potato
Last season he had cultivated both in
ridges and on level ground, and found
no difference in the. yield or quality.
Mr.. Clark bclieve ed in shallow plant
ing for potatoes, but not in mulching
He thought it made n heavy, inferior
potato. The practice of Mr. Innis, 8
successful cultivator Of Franklin coun
ty, was similar to that described by
Mr.. Mithof. Tho success of MIR. In
mis- had been shown by his taking al
unusual share of premiums at Stat'
and county fairs for this csculont. Bu
good soil is Tie primary and indis
pensable requisite.
Mr.. Fe!tcrs stated that he never ha(
finer potatoes than by the mulchins
,, plan. They were certainly far supc
rior to any raised in heavy soil.
Mr.. Boving coincidod with the view
expressed by Mr., Fettcrs.
Mr. Pence stated his practice, il
:, which he had been very successful
Ho plows with Michigan subsoil plow
breaking the ground ono foot in depth
Does not find ridging necessary wher
the ground has been deeply plowed
= Good soil is necessary. Plants at
moderate depth, having selected hi
seed in the fall at digging time, ant
by care in this respect has kept up
constant Improvement in his variety
+; Planting single eyes tends to produc
u uniformity of size. Any variety Wi
! degenerate, where the small, infcrio
D potatoes are selected for seed
Mr.. Dennis stated that tho blossom
end of the potato would produce tn
earliest but smaller in size-whlo tn
other end would produce later an
larger potatoes.
J. Mr.. Wiseman mentioned the case {
an Irish cultivator who throws ava
= the blossom end of tho potato as wortl
less for seed, producing only small an