384 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Several members coincided with Mr. Chatfield in regard to pruning. 



Mr. Vail had some experience in pruning; would never cut a large 

 limb; would prune moderately when trees were young; told of a neigh- 

 bor's orchard pruned like Mr. Chatfield's, and had failed like his. Not 

 much fruit this year. 



Mr. Mellen would like to have some one bring a section of a big 

 limb that had been girdled; was of the opinion that the girdling process 

 was death to the tree ; they might possibly bear one or two crops, but 

 that was the end of them. 



Wm. Smith would like to ask Mr. Vail if his orchard was not injured 

 by frost? Northeast winds will sometimes blight fruit, but was of the 

 opinion that frost never killed fruit without killing the leaves. 



O. W. Barnard, in regard to pruning, would like to know whether 

 water-sprouts were cut out. Several members replied that when trees are 

 not pruned there are no water-sprouts of any consequence. 



Mr. Miner has two orchards ; trims some trees pretty well, and they 

 are dying; others never pruned are thrifty and bear well. Noticed that 

 orchards near the river are generally full, and bear well ; perhaps from 

 better drainage. Had one tree fourteen inches through, never had an 

 apple on it ; will try root-pruning in the spring. 



Mr. Mellen. — "I would girdle that tree ! " 



Mr. Bonvallet made some very interesting remarks on grape culture, 

 and the management of the vineyard in general ; he raises the very finest 

 of grapes and cherries on his soil, which is almost pure sand. The Sec- 

 retary understood him to say his cherries brought him four dollars per 

 bushel clear ; his finer grapes about eight cents per pound. Strawberries 

 not profitable ; thinks the rot in grapes is caused by phylloxera, whenever 

 it is too wet, too hot or too cold ; understood him to say we could raise 

 as fine fruit here as anywhere, by preparing the ground properly, and with 

 proper culture ; would not trim trees when large; he does his pruning 

 when trees are young; prefers wire trellis for grapes. 



Mr. Cooper had a tolerable crop of summer and fall apples, but no 

 winter fruit; his brother's orchard is bearing very well, the Russets are 

 full; noticed the orchards along the road, between here and Bourbonnais, 

 but saw very little fruit. Speaking of fruit culture in general, he said we 

 could not beat Nature, but we could aid her, and that is where such 

 societies as ours can do much good, by exciting competition, by compar- 

 ing notes, by discussing our successes and failures, the kinds of soil, the 

 best varieties to plant, best kinds of treatment, etc. The social feature 

 of the Society he thought was worth a good deal; this meeting together 

 and having a good dinner — and that we always have in Momence — tended 

 to draw us nearer together, and made us more charitable towards each 

 other. Speaking of floriculture, he said that more immediately concerned 

 the ladies, but he thought men did not pay enough attention to home 

 surroundings, etc. 



The Secretary regrets very much that he is not able to give Mr. 

 Cooper's remarks in full, as they were very interesting and instructive. 

 Mr. Cooper, in answer to a question by Mr. Mellen, about his brother's 



