186 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ALTON-SOUTHERN 



Mr. Riehl — I think I am just learning how to prune blackber- 

 ries. I have noticed that the small canes are always loaded with 

 fruit, while the large ones bear but lightly, and I believe that if we 

 would prune closer we would get more berries. I began this year by 

 cutting down the young canes to eighteen inches, then I cut the lat- 

 erals off about a foot from the main stem, and if they grow again I 

 cut them off about six inches long. By so doing you secure light 

 young branches on a good strong stem, and I am satisfied that they 

 will produce more and better berries. Besides, this will induce a late 

 fall growth which, I think, will stand the winter better than wood 

 grown earlier in the season. 



Mr. Davis — The crop of Lawton and Kittatinny this year is 

 mostly on second growth canes. It is a little late, but the berries 

 are fine and ought to bring fair prices. 



Mr. Jackson — I cut down some Kittatinnys that were rusty, 

 instead of digging them out as we usually do, and the young canes 

 that came up from the roots are perfectly free from rust. 



Mr. Riehl — I believe that if we will look about us a little when 

 in the woods we can find blackberries growing wild that will prove 

 better than any we now have. 



CULINAEY VEGETABLES. 



Mr. Pearson — This has been an excellent season for all kinds of 

 vegetables, and he who hasn't a good garden this year does not 

 deserve one. What is a fair per cent, of good heads on cauliflower? 



Mr. Browne — About ninety-five per cent. 



Mr. Riehl — I should like to have Mr. Browne tell us how he 

 grows egg plant. 



Mr. Browne — The main requisite for growing it successfully is 

 lots of heat. We usually sow the seed in hot beds about the latter 

 part of February; then we transplant in hot beds twice before plant- 

 ing out, which is done about the time when strawberries begin to 

 ripen. Before removing from the hot beds we flood them with water; 

 then cut the plants out in squares with a sharp spade, and remove 

 them with the earth attached to the roots, to the field, where holes 

 are already prepared for them. 



