386 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



President Barnard had had some experience with raspberries. He 

 tried this plan, and thought if effectually done it would be a good winter 

 protection, viz.: drive down stakes on each side of the rows of canes or 

 plants, nail on strips of boards and then set up corn stalks on each side 

 in sufificient quantity to keep out the sunlight. 



Mr. Mortimer. — Where canes could be bent to the ground, a slight 

 covering of earth was the very best pretection, better than any kind of 

 mulch. 



Question by President Barnard. — What is the best covering for straw- 

 berries? In his own experience, prairie hay or slough grass, thinly spread 

 over the plants, was best. Straw was objectionable on account of weed 

 seeds. 



Mr. Mortimer spoke of corn stalks as good covering for strawberry 

 plants; laying the stalks lengthwise of the rows first, and then crosswise, 

 just enough to cover the plants, but not enough to smother them. 



General discussion was had in regard to planting strawberries. 



Most members recommended early autumn planting, if not too dry, 

 or if the plants could be well watered. 



Mr. Cooper inquired about manuring with well-rotted, fine manure. 



Mr. Small and others. — The effect would certainly be good. 



Mr. Miner sowed a peck of plaster on the end of a Wilson's straw- 

 berry bed — thought the plants did much better. 



Mr. Miner wanted to know how to renew an old strawberry bed. 

 How would it do to hoe out a portion? Barnard thought it would hardly 

 pay ; would plant a new bed every year. 



Mr. Stodard told of a man that plowed up his strawberry bed every 

 year, as soon as the fruit was gathered and enough came up for a bed the 

 next year ; always had berries. 



Mr. Small said we must recollect to do our cultivating the season 

 before w^e get our fruit. 



Grape culture and pruning was next taken up. 



President Barnard pruned two or three vines in the presence of the 

 meeting, on the spur system, leaving two or three buds on each limb of 

 this year's growth. 



Mr. Vail. — Would you take all the limbs off from three-year-old vines ? 



President Barnard. — No; leave two or three buds on this year's wood. 



Mr. Knox spoke of the renewal system of pruning. Said it was 

 practiced altogether in the wine-growing districts of Missouri. 



What is the best soil for the grape? 



Answer by President Barnard. — The Concord will grow on almost 

 any soil ; the Hybrids do best on a sandy soil or sandy loam. 



Mr. Small. — What time would you prune? 



President Barnard. — Just after the fall of the leaf, or any time in 

 November ; can prune in the spring, but would not recommend it. 



[To the novice in grape culture the illustrations given by the Presi- 

 dent in regard to pruning and management of the grape vine would have 

 been of great practical importance, but we cannot convey it in words 

 without occupying too much space. — Sec] 



