REPORTS OF AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. 237 



sede the old and well tried kinds. A pleasing addition was made to this meet- 

 ing in the form of some nicely rendered music. W. A.Smith was requested to 

 prepare a paper on peacl) tree planting for the next meeting, wiiich was called 

 a week later. 



The meeting of January 30 was mostly occupied in listening to the paper 

 prepared by Mr. Smith. The ])aper was interesting, and was listened to with 

 attention. The views of the writer were that the only serious obstacle to the 

 growing of the peach again here was tlie yellows, and believed with proper pre- 

 caution we could again be successful in its culture. A short discussion followed 

 it being conceded by all that we should at once see that all diseased trees are 

 dug up and burned. 



The meeting of February Gth was given up to an interesting paper by Dr. 

 Winans, on "Artificial means of making trees fruitful." The writer, and many 

 who spoke in the discussion following, lavored root pruning or girdling of trees 

 not productive, and many successful incidents were cited in support of this 

 practice; others thought the process attended with too much risk to be advis- 

 able. The meeting was also favored with a paper on "Tree planting" by R. 

 C. Thayer, and several pieces of music. 



The session of February kOth was opened with a paper by S. Cook, on the 

 "Cherry." He claimed the lake shore was peculiarly adapted to the growing 

 of the tender, sweet cherries. The most successful kinds were Black Tartarian, 

 Gov. Wood, Yellow Spanish, Knight's Early Black; the Richmond and May 

 Duke were recommended for varieties of sour cherries. The paper drew out 

 quite an interesting discussion on varieties to plant, means of saving the fruit 

 from rot and the birds. 



Following this was a discussion on the raspberry. The Turner, Brandy- 

 wine, and, lor an early variety, the Kirtland were well spoken of by very many, 

 and are considered reliable and profitable. The Turner excelling in quality, 

 but being a little soft. Braridywine a very handsome berry, firm, and good for 

 long shipment. Reder's seedling is a very promising new variety, its origin 

 being St. Joseph ; sup})0sed to be a seedling of the Piiiladelphia. It is hardy, 

 large, firm, and very productive ; many who have fruited it would place it at 

 the head of the list of reds. The meeting adjourned for two weeks, with the 

 blackberry and pear chosen as the subjects for discussion. 



The meeting of March 6th was opened with a report from Mr. Jones, of 

 Coloma, of his visit to the State society meeting at Hudson. Mr. Cook read a 

 short paper on the pear, which was followed by a discussion on this valuable 

 fruit. The varieties found most profitable in our county, are as follows: 

 Doyenne Boussock, Clapp's Favorite, Bartlett, Howell, BeurreD'Anjou, Beurre 

 Clairgeau, Louise Bonne de Jersey. The Beurre D'Anjou seems to be gaining 

 in favor every year; the Bartlett has been, and is still, planted more than any 

 other kind, and is a deservedly popular pear. The rest of the session was given 

 to the blackberry. The two most popular kinds are the Lawton and Willson's 

 Early, the latter for the past few years being planted most extensively. Some 

 advocated the laying down of the canes in the fall to protect them from the 

 eold; a few favored planting the Snyder or other ironclad varieties, as more 

 profitable than the finer, but more tender, Lawton and Willson. 



At the following meeting, of March 20th, Mr. A. J. Knisely read a very 

 interesting paper on " highway tree-planting." There was considerable inter- 

 est awakened in this suliject; several of the most successful planters urged 

 the importance of cultivation the first year or two. The maple, chestnut, 

 eatalpa, ash, oak, etc., were spoken of as desirable trees to plant. The society 



