228 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ALTON-SOUTHERN 



In the discussion which followed: Oldmixon, Stump the 

 "World and Smock seemed to be the universal favorites. These 

 are about the only kinds that have paid well this year. The crop 

 generally has been much short of what the spring promised. 

 Fruit generally badly affected by insects, and the very frequent 

 rains have caused much rot. If by any chance, peaches should 

 escape being killed this winter, we must be prepared with our 

 curculio catchers for a vigorous siege against the bugs next 

 spring. 



Mr. Ehiel — Likes Van Zant Cling very much. It bears full 

 aud is a fine peach. It can only be got of the Stark nurseries at 

 Louisiana, Mo. Piquet's Late is a fine late free and promises 

 well. Salway, ripening a little after Smock, is another good free. 



Mr. Davis — Showed and very highly recommended a new seed- 

 ling. Thinks it is a seedling of the Stump ; much like it, a little 

 handsomer, a little larger and a little more acid flavor. Thinks 

 it an improvement on the Stump. 



Mr. Riehl — If I were to plant another peach orchard I would 



plant largely of clings. They grow better, handle better, ship 



better and are better in every way. They sell just about as well 



as frees if of good size. Clings are always better flavored 



than frees, and after people learn how to get them off the stones 



they prefer them. 



VINEYARDS. 



Mr. Browne — I am perfectly satisfied with the results of the 

 year's experiments in spraying. In some places where I did not 

 think it so important and did not follow up the spraying as close- 

 ly as generally, the rot was worse. Feel sure that if spraying is 

 properly done it is a perfect remedy. It is a very disagreeable 

 job, though, and if not very carefully handled the lime is liable 

 to take the fungus off the man as well as vines. 



SMALL FRUITS. 

 Mr. Riehl — Do not mulch strawbeiTies until the ground 

 freezes so that you can drive on the patch with wagons. We 

 need not mulch here to prevent winter killing, as it does not get 

 cold enough to hurt berries. Our mulching is done to keep 

 the berries clean and to keep the moisture in the ground when 

 the crop is ripening. Our soil does not heave enough to make 

 it necessary to mulch early for this. 



