REPORTS OF LOOAL SOCIETIES. 347 



J. H. Wetmore: I have what is called Steele's Eed. It is different 

 from the Baldwin or Red Canada. 



J. M. Granger: Will Mr. LaFleur give his opinion? 



Mrv LaFleur : The Red Canada has been called Steele's Red improp- 

 erly; it is only a synonym. The Baldwin at one time was called Steele's 

 Red, sometimes, by nurserymen; this too is incorrect. The name should 

 never be applied to either the Red Canada or the Baldwin. There is no 

 distinct variety known as Steele's Red, except some local name applied to 

 some variety, the true name of which is unknown. This misleads and 

 confuses. If we do not know the correct name of an apple we should 

 find out what it is before giving a local name. 



J. M. Granger was next called out, and he began by saying his theory 

 of starting an apple orchard was radically different from those marked 

 out by Messrs. LaFleue and Wetmore, and he thought would be much 

 more profitable, with but a trifling increase in outlay for trees to start with. 

 In the first place, he would seek ten acres of rich fertile land, somewhat 

 elevated, with a naturally dry soil, just rolling enough to .carry the water off 

 readily. As soon ii? spring as it would answer, he would plow it deeply and 

 harrow the surface fine, then stake out the ground so as to leave the trees 

 sixteen feet apart when set. He would set every alternate row to Wag- 

 eners and the balance to Rhode Island Greenings. Baldwins, Spies, and 

 a few of choicest varieties of summer and fall apples. He would set 

 * the trees about the same depth in the ground they were in the nursery,, 

 but in after cultivation would raise the earth up some around every tree, 

 so as to throw the water from them. At time of setting he would trim to 

 whipstalks, head back a little, and plant to corn for two or three years,, 

 giving clean tillage, and by using fertilizers keep up the fertility of the 

 soil. The third year from setting, the Wagener, I think, will begin to 

 bear. The fifth year I should expect to gather one fourth of a bushel 

 from each tree, or an average of that amount. The sixth year, one half 

 bushel; seventh, one bushel; eighth, two bushels; ninth, three bushels; 

 tenth, four bushels; making a total of lOf bushels to a tree — say three bar- 

 rels of first-class packing apples, selling at $1 net per barrel and If bushels 

 of seconds at 10c. , $0,175, making $3,175 from each tree, and from 1,600 

 trees (the entire orchard) the snug sum of $5,080 for the first ten years. 

 As fast as the trees get large enough to crowd each other, take them out, 

 beginning with the little Wagener and keeping this thinning process as 

 needed until you finally leave the trees 64 feet apart, freely admitting air, 

 light, sunshine, and all the recuperative forces in nature, to sustain a long, 

 fruitful old age; and as they yearly lay their rich fruitage at the door of 

 the husbandman, it will rejoice his heart and fill his purse. Mr. Presi- 

 dent, I have much more to say; but fearing I have already occupied too 

 much of your valuable time, will stop. Before quitting I would say,, 

 plant a row all around the farm, two rods apart. 



H. G. Buck: The first season after setting, I cultivate raspberry plants 

 and let them grow without much pinching off, but the second year I cut 

 back to within two feet, then pinch back; this induces plenty of laterals 

 ready for the next season's crop, keeps the plant stocky and self-support- 

 ing. I cut out the old canes in the spring; leaving them in over winter 

 helps support the new growths and keeps them in place. The Taylor 

 blackberry is one of the best. It is hardy and prolific, quality good. 



J. M. Granger: I think there is as much money in evaporated rasp- 

 berries as there is in selling by the quart from the bushes. Large quan- 



