REPORTS FEOM LOCAL SOCIETIES. 115 



this discussion. In closing would say I have purposely left unnoticed the dif- 

 ferent varieties, and have spoken more of the cultivation of small fruits, as 

 that of itself is a sufficient subject for a much more lengthy essay than this. 



Mr. A. Hamilton favored growing strawberries in hills, and thought that in 

 drawing the earth away from the plants one would need to exercise a great deal 

 of caution. 



Mr. W. dimming described an implement for cultivating with a horse which 

 he thought would kill weeds and stir the ground without throwing it up in hills 

 so much. 



The Secretary being asked about the profits of strawberries, said they varied 

 so in different locations and in different seasons that it was almost impossible to 

 give correct figures, but thought they would at least pay as well as other ordi- 

 nary farm crops. 



Mr. Win. Corner stated that he had, in one season, from one-fourth of an 

 acre, shipped forty bushels, which brought him 880, besides supplying his family 

 with all they could use from the same piece. He also related some of his ex- 

 perience with currants and gooseberries, and other small fruits. He favored 

 the more general cultivation of small fruits throughout this section, believing 

 it would prove profitable to the growers and give employment to many others, 

 including women and children, who perhaps could in no other way so well earn 

 something for themselves. 



Mr. D. W. Wiley thought persons engaged in raising large fruits would find 

 it an advantage to raise small fruits to furnish an income while the larger kinds 

 were coming into bearing. 



Mr. J. S. Owen thought that berries among fruit trees would not injure 

 them, provided the soil was good, but thought the greatest objection would per- 

 haps be the difference in time of cultivating, for while berries need some 

 cultivation during the latter part of the season, trees, particularly the peach, 

 could not be cultivated then on account of causing a late growth, which would 

 be liable to winter-kill. 



M. B. Williams, who had grown strawberries among peach trees considerably, 

 thought if the berries were cultivated thoroughly as late as it would do to work 

 among the trees, that they might be left uncultivated during the remainder of 

 the season without material injury. 



After some discussion about the best variety of black-cap raspberry, the ma- 

 jority seemed to favor the mammoth cluster, though some present had purchased 

 varieties under other names which appeared to be identical with it, and whether 

 the same or not they considered them superior kinds. 



After a brief talk about blackberries the time expired, and the subject of 

 irrigation was taken up. 



Mr. A. Hamilton read an essay as follows : 



I shall not occupy much of your time in relating "what I know about" irri- 

 gation, indeed I believe it is not expected that I should, for when the Society 

 assigned to me the reading of a paper for the purpose of introducing the subject 

 of irrigation at this meeting, they were fully aware that I had no practical 

 experience to give, and consecpieiitly could only have expected me to present 

 my theory, if I had any, and thus draw out the opinion, perhaps experience of 

 our more thoughtful and practical members. To this end then, and in hope 

 that the discussion of this subject here to-day will result in the mutual benefit 

 of the members present, I beg leave to state that the subject of irrigation is 

 •one that has occupied my mind more or less ever since I came to this shore, and 



