New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-12
FRUITGROWERS CLUB.
January %, 1869.

THURSDAY Feb. 11.-Dr. Snodgrass, Chairman.
BoRERs IN FOREST TREEs.-To an inquiry, Mr..
Carpenter said that tarred paper would be protec
ton against MICE
Mr.. Cayanah-0oal tar itself is q preventive. l
had supposed it would kill the trees but such IN my
exnerienee has not been the case. Still, l do not
know as would recommend this method 1or trees
Mr.. Dodge-several years will be required to test
such experiments 80
PoTAToEs.~Dr. Hexammer read the following
paper: =, u -.
Reisig q Hexamer New Castle, Westchester CO., n.
Y.-So much has been said and written Withn the
last few years about potatoes that an agrculturst
may almost distinguish himself by not saying any,
thing on the subject From all that is written and
said about potatoes one might suppose that there
could be hardly anything regarding the cul-
ture of this crop left to explain or 10
invest gate; it may, therefore, seem strange,
| say that we have made but very little progress,
that we hardly know any more about the causes OF
failure or the conditions of success than we knew
many years ago. We not only do not know how to
prevent the diseases which destroy our crops but we
are as yet ignorant of their causes While III other
branches of agriculture, not nearly so important as
the culture of tho potato men of science have given
lifetimes investigation and research, there are
hardly amy capable workers in this field. and the
question naturally arises: Why has this Important
part of agriculture been so much neglected.
Ii cannot be from lack of attractiyeness IN the
subject for the scientific investigator all OBJECTS
of nature offer an equal amount OF interest; Inc
neglect is probably owing to the fact that If the ex
neTimenter would bring his researches to conclusions
Of practical value It requires not only sGeltiH nc
the cultivation of the crop itself attalnments when
are not often combined. Researches of this KIND re-
uuire much time attention. and expense For these
reasons most experiments, so far have been made IN
one and the directions they have been endeavors
to find new varieties which should be tree from the
diseases of the old ones and bring fortune 10 the
| originator. Experiments with view to ascertain
the best modes of planting, cultlvatlng, nanurlng,
with view TO render permanent, and to improve the
GOOD qualities of existing varieties the attainment OF
which would enrich the whole nation, instead OF an
individual have as yet been few, and have not yet
| produced the desired results
CULTIvATIoN.-Ihe principal cultivation OF the
potato consists in keeping the soil loose and free
| from weeds. Whatever process accompanies these
points best and cheapest is the best cultivation AS
soon as the potato vines appear above ground
furrOw should, with q small plOw, be plowed away
from the as close to the potatoes as possible
| moldboard pillow, is opened in the center between
every two rows, and repeated every two or three
weeks afterward, until the vines cover the ground.
| If the field is very weedy and the plow does not
destroy all the Weeds IL is necessary TO go over the
ground after each blowing aud hoe up the weeds lett
| by the plow. and also uncover vines occasionally
| covered by the pillow. After the blowing has been
discontinued very important part OF the Guilt
vation commences. In order to obtain o
full crop there should not at any time single weed
be visible in the field, and all weeds growing after
the last blowing should he pulled by hand. After a
rain when the soil is Gch and loose is an excellent
time for wedding potatoes, and u should have the
preference before any other farm work: The time
required is but very little compared with the adyan
tage gained. The labor saved in digging IN clear
field is more than is required TO pull the weeds when
they are small not TO add the increase OF the crop
We have raised large crops without the use OF the
hoe by simply 91o ars ana Pdda a 'o
that the ground can be plOwed twice before planting
this is probably the cheapest way to raise the crop
Had to make a selection Of six varieties TO plant
for marketing would choose. for early:
Earth K0Se because 70 is the earliest and best early
variety, having yielded 2G4 bushels per acre
Early Goodrich which, although it has not sue
ceeded well in the last wet season. IS, when grown
under favorable conditions, of excellent quality, of
good size, shape, and color productive aud free from
disease. For medium or main crops:
HdrS0n, because il is the most productive and most
profitable table potato in existence; OF white SKIN
from disease. Yield, $50 bushels per acre. Through
out the whole extent of our country no potato has
given more unanimous satisfaction than this variety
LGpstone Kidney for its beautiful shape and appear
ance 1t succeeds in soils where the Prince Albert
has failed. 1t is an excellent baking potato. and by
many preferred to any other. For late:
White Peachblow.-Because ii is, when matured, the
most sought-for potato in market uneaualed by any
other variety for its mealiness. The growing Of tho
White Peachblow has made many farmer rich, and
favorable seasons will no doubt improve 1t again, as
they have improved other varieties.
GLedSOR-FOr It's hardness. Ii IS surer crop than
any other potato Be the season wet or dry, be tho
land MANFRED with fresh manure or old, or none at
all used, the Gleason is certain TO grow, if it is
planted early enough and well cultivated. True, its
quality is not rstrate when dug but it improves by
keeping, ana IL quite accepLaDlo III KopJ tIl Aprl,
when other varieties no more fit for the table.
Should choose six varieties, in addition to those
characterized, | would name: Early Cottage, Dyke
man, Garnet Chill, Orono, Calico, and Andes.
The following sentiment was adopted:
Resolved, That the President Of the Fruit Growers
Club and at least other members TO DO appointed by
tho Chair who shall be charged with the duty urging
IN persop otherwise, upon the President Of the United
ss SSa %s q SRSPrs tie
Influence the necessity OF either enlargng the
insure greater attention to horticulture than possible
70 the present narrow scope Of ~ power, or else to
slvs powers 70 the end that the Constantly and rapidly
thing like that degree OF attention at the fostering hands
Of the National Government which they fairly denand
this being, In the Judgment OF tins Association an adj
vance step made especially necessary by the praecay
new field FOR horticultural enterprise 50 nvingy opened
In the Southern States with the promise OF both pro
bic and benehcent results not only to their people,
but the country at large.