the people were ready for something of the kind. He hoped this Legislature would not rise without passing a bill for this object.

The chairman, Judge BUEL, remarked that he was pleased to hear from every farmer who had spoken, that he was in favor of the proposed college. Such he believed was the feeling of every intelligent far mer in the State.

At the close of the discussion, the following resolutions, substantially those adopted by the Agricultural Society of Onondaga county, were read by Mr. JOHNSON, and were unanimously adopted, Mr. RANDALL seconding them :

Resolved, That this meeting cordially approve of the plan proposed by the commissioners appointed by the Governor, believing, that the establishment of such an institution would not only tend to the advancement of the science of agriculture generally and to the more rapid development of the resources of the State, but also that its benefits would extend directly or indirectly, to all classes in the community.

Resolved, That in our opinion it would be advisable to afford to the pupils in such institution the facilities for gaining a practical knowledge of the principles of mechanics, engineering, architecture, surveying, &c., in common with the studies proposed, by providing suitable apparatus, teachers, &c.

We give the following very appropriate suggestions from MYRON ADAMS, a farmer, of East Broomfield: "It may be expected that farmers will express themselves on the subject, and upon them should devolve the perfecting the details of a plan by which the mass of farmers may be benefited by the endowment of such an institution. Let the common farmer, the man who owns from 100 to 150 acres, feel that this is for the education of his sons, that he may be disposed to finish their education, which has been going on in its primary branches under his own eye, by sending them to this institution, and let their sons feel that to go through a course of studies at this institution will be a better portion with which to commence the great struggle of life, than a portion of the home farm, or $200 or $300 in cash. Agricultural societies and agricultural newspapers have done much to arouse the mind to thought and reflection, and great advances have been made towards good husbandry. They have been pioneers in preparing the way still greater improvements. We have been led by them to derive more light and still further application of science to the developing of our resources. But my particular object in writing is to hold up the idea prominently that this institution should be mainly for the education of the humble farmer, for the sons of him who feels unable to defray the [Assembly, No. 175.]

38

for

It should counteract the pre

expense of an ordinary collegiate course. vailing notion that if a young man would rise to office and honorable stations among men, he must become a lawyer or a merchant-it should attract them to the pursuit of agriculture as the most certain way of securing a competency, and of elevating them above the fluctuations of commercial life. The sons of the wealthy should of course have the benefits of the institution, but they may not always be prepared to submit to the spending of a portion of each day in manual labor-without which no one can become expert in the use of all agricultural implements and an adept in all the duties of the farm. The enthusiasm. with which many young men look upon the life of a farmer is very apt to ooze out at the ends of the fingers, when swinging the scythe or cradle under the scorching rays of a noon day's sun. If stern necessity has not in their boyhood taught them to stand at their posts both in sunshine and shade, they will be very apt to dispense with the practical part of every unpleasant duty, and prefer shade to sunshine when making hay."

Thursday Evening, March 7, 1850.

FRUITS AND FRUIT CULTURE.

Hon. Mr. HAIGHT, of the Assembly, in the chair.

Mr. JOHNSON stated that he had received from Mr. James Lennon, of Rochester, (through Mr. J. H. Watts,) a parcel of Isabella grapes, to be distributed among gentlemen present at this meeting. These grapes were represented to have been packed about the 15th of October last, in saw dust from a wood turner's shop, They were gathered and packed in barrels on the same day, and were then placed in a cool room, where they would not freeze. They kept well and are now selling at Rochester for twelve and a half cents per pound. They were pronounced of fine quality by all who tasted them.

Prof. HALL gave a history of a seedling apple called the "Slingerland Pippin," specimens of which were presented by him for examination. This apple was produced from the seed of the Newtown Pippin. The original trees are on the farm of the late Mr. Slingerland, of New Scotland, Albany county. About twenty years ago, the seeds, which had been saved from a barrel of Newtown Pippins, were planted. They produced many trees, three of which bore fruit of the same kind. The fruit produced by most of the other trees was nearly worthless. These apples resemble, in their exterior appearance, the parent variety; but the flesh is more tender, juicy, and of more sprightly fla

vor.

The trees are said to bear much better than the Newtown Pippin,

and to bear regularly every year. The seedling comes into eating in November, and keeps till April. It was unanimously pronounced an apple of the first quality for the season.

Prof. EMMONS, being questioned in reference to the theory of the "running out of varieties," said he knew of no principle of vegetable physiology which supported such a theory. He was aware that it had been advocated by KNIGHT and others, but he could see no reason why the scion or bud might not be propagated indefinitely. Individual trees have their age, undoubtedly, though their period of life varies with circumstances attending their location-as the adaptation of the soil, climate, &c.

Judge MILLER, of the Senate, had understood that old varieties of grapes produced less seeds than new ones; that the seeds diminish as the varieties increase in age. He practices letting grape vines grow from seed. He had raised many in this way, some of which had borne fruit, and he should continue the practice, in the hope of obtaining valuable native varieties. The Grey Tokay and Miller's Burgundy grow well in his garden at Rochester, and the latter will survive the winter without covering, but the frost injures the buds so that it does not produce half so much fruit as when it is slightly covered. He raises peaches, also, from seed; has a seedling Melocoton, which he prizes highly. He was in favor of giving grapes a strong root, as this increases their productiveness. The roots can be made as long as may be desired, by simply burying the vine a little below the surface of the ground; it will strike root at every joint.

He had made some experiments to ascertain how grapes would do without pruning. A vine of the Lenoir variety, and which had a very strong root, and vigorous habit, was allowed to run over the top of a peach tree, and it produced so much fruit, that it broke the tree down. He had great hopes that hardy grape vines which grow on trees would do well without pruning. He thought the best mode of preserving grapes was to pack them in cork dust. If the dust is not perfectly dry, it should be kiln-dried, and the grapes should be dry when packed; if any burst their skins, they should be thrown away. He has had grapes keep all winter by spreading them on a garret floor, and covering them with "comforters." Cotton batting would probably do as well, but it is not as convenient to handle.

Judge M. related his experience in the use of salt around plum trees. His object was to prevent the destruction of the fruit by the curculio. It had not much effect in this respect, but he had a great crop of plums, though this fruit generally failed that season. He thought the salt was the chief cause of the unusual product.

Mr. CURTIS related his experience in grafting grape vines, in which he had been very successful. He grafts the Isabella on roots of the wild varieties. It is done in the common mode of cleft or "split" grafting. The roots are set in the ground so as to have the junction of the scion with the root fairly below the surface. They grow well, some have borne the same season they were grafted. pieces of roots fifteen to eighteen inches long.

He takes

Mr. JOHNSON read an extract from the statement of Mr. Poppe, in regard to his vineyard near Syracuse. Mr. P. attributes mildew to dust settling on the grape, which holds moisture from dews or rain. He recommends that hoeing round the vines in dry weather should be avoided, as it rises dust. Ante, p. 121.

Mr. J. also read an extract from the report of the Wayne County Agricultural Society, from which it appeared that the quantity of dried fruit exported from Lyons and Palmyra last year, was more than 30,000 bushels; that from Palmyra alone, there is annually exported about 60,000 barrels of fine apples; and estimating that Lyons, Newark and Clyde together, send off as much more, (which it is thought they do,) the aggregate amount of green and dried fruit sent from the county annually, is 400,000 to 500,000 bushels. This one example may serve to indicate the great importance of fruit in a commercial view.

Mr. MARKS, of Durham, Greene county, did not think dust was the cause of mildew in grapes. He has a grape vine which stands near a very dusty road, but it always bears well. He propagates grapes by layers; sometimes get them to bear the first year; will bear two or three years sooner than by cuttings. He cultivates several kinds of grapes. Had tried the White Sweet Water, but it mildewed badly; the Catawba and Isabella do not mildew. He had kept Isabella grapes in kiln-dried hemlock saw-dust till April, and they came out well. They were kept in a cool room where there was no frost. The past year, he used mahogany saw-dust. Pine saw-dust does not answer; the grapes will taste of it. Has found the Catawba grape keep best when picked just before it is dead ripe. Has had the Isabella and Catawba bear well when not laid down. Usually trims vines from December to February-leaves three buds of the new growth; there is not much danger of trimming too much, if it is done before the leaves come out, as it always should be; because, if done afterwards, the vines are injured by bleeding.

Mr. M. said that Mr. James Powers, of Catskill, had been engaged in the grape culture to some extent for nine years. He raises several hundred bushels annually. The Catawba is the principal variety. The

vines are preserved from drought by spreading coarse grass two or three inches thick, over the ground around them.

Mr. M. observed that his place was at the foot of the Catskill mountains. The climate is what would be thought severe for tender fruits; mercury sometimes sinks to 16 below zero. He had found no difficulty in raising apples of fine quality. The Spitzenburgh thrives very well in his grounds. Twelve years since he commenced the cultivation of peaches. Has always had an abundance of this fruit, except in 1848. That year the fruit-buds were destroyed by the previous winter or fall. He attributes his success in the production of peaches, to his somewhat peculiar management. After the ground is firmly frozen in the fall, he puts litter round the trees, four to six inches thick, and treads it down hard. This prevents the buds from starting prematurely. The trees are not so much affected by sudden changes of weather during the winter and early spring, as the covering keeps the roots enveloped in frost, and they remain so till the season is so far advanced, that no frost occurs after the fruit buds start.

In obtaining trees for a northern location, Mr. M. thought it best to take such as were raised in a similar climate. In his own experience, he had been much more successful with trees raised near his own place, than with those brought from Long Island.

Tuesday Evening, March 14.

WHEAT CULTURE.

S. S. RANDALL, Esq., in the Chair.

Hon. Mr. BREWER, of Tompkins county, had cultivated wheat for more than twenty years, and would give some of the results of his.experience. A part of his farm, which in 1830, was an open common, has been wholly devoted to wheat and clover since that time-having produced thirteen crops of wheat and eight of clover. The soil is rather a gravelly loam. His farm is on one of the hills, towards the head of Cayuga Lake, which it is said were burned over by the In dians every year. He had made various experiments in plowing at different depths, from three to seven inches, and has always hac the best crops where the furrows have been the shallowest. Usually plows but once for wheat; has sometimes plowed in May, but had no better crop than when he plowed in September, just before sowing. The yields he had obtained were from sixteen to twenty-six bushels per acre. On new land, stiff soils for instance, it might be necessary to plow more than once for a wheat crop, and in such cases, it might be better to plow deep the first time.