20 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



W. A. Ragan (of Indiana). — Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

 it is a pleasure for me to be with you to-day, and although not personally 

 acquainted with but few of you, I feel as though I knew you well through 

 correspondence. I am no speech-maker, but a practical fruit-grower. I 

 desire to say that there are other delegates from Indiana, ladies, who will 

 be with you this afternoon. 



Upon motion, the Society adjourned till 1.30 P. M. 



FIRST DAY— AFTERNOON. 



The Society assembled at the appointed time, with the President in 

 the chair. 



TOPICS FROM OUERY-BOX. 



The regular order of business was taken up, the Secretary opening 

 the Query-box and reading the contents. 



After the reading, on motion, the Society voted to take up the 

 questions seriatim for discussion. 



The Secretary then read the first query : 



Query No. i. — Will some one name the contents of the little box 

 inclosed in this paper and tell what we are to expect from their work ? 



The Secretary stated that the little box referred to contained the 

 pupae of insects. 



On motion, the question, with the accompanying chrysalids, was 

 referred to the Committee on Entomology, wi'th request to report at this 

 session. 



Questioti No. 2. — Is winter a better season for grafting the grape- 

 vine than spring or summer? 



Mr. McWhorter. — I think it is better to graft vines ih winter than 

 in spring, as the vines will not bleed — the atmospheric influence upon 

 the vine itself is less at that season than in spring or summer. In reply 

 to a question, Mr. McWhorter said the vines would not bleed before the 

 frost leaves the ground. 



Mr. Minkler. — Does the bleeding damage the vine materially? 



Dr. Schrceder. — No ; the bleeding in pruning vines does not hurt 

 them much, but when they are cut off and grafted while bleeding the 

 flowing of the water prevents the cion and stock from uniting some- 

 times. You will have the best success in grafting early in spring, before 



