TRANSACTIONS OF ALTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 299 



The subject of " \'ineyards" was freely discussed by Drs. Long and 

 Hull, and others. Close pruning was recommended by the best growers. 

 If success seemed to attend a more liberal course for a time, it was argued 

 that the folly of the course would appear by and by. 



The Committee on Vegetables was absent. 



Captain Hollister noted the fact that he picked the first ripe 

 tomatoes on the 26th of June, just sixteen days later than last year. 

 On the nth of June gathered the first cabbage, just sixty days after 

 setting. 



Dr. Hull inquired what his treatment of the plants was in hot-beds. 



Mr. Hollister replied that they were once transplanted in hot-bed, 

 and were good, strong stocky plants. The freeze in April came upon 

 them and changed the color of their leaves, but it did not seem to injure 

 them seriously. They grew right along, and made good cabbage in sixty 

 days, as stated. 



Dr. Long asked what was the comparative worth of vegetables this 

 year ? Were the prices received as good as usual ? 



Mr. Hollister — They are cheaper this year than usual. The rains 

 have delayed the crops, and somewhat damaged the same; He said that 

 he had received a letter from the southern part of the State, and the same 

 was true there. There were set in that part of the State some 180,000 

 tomato plants, but the harvest will be cut short by the rain, and bad 

 weather, which has prevented the fertilization of the flowers. 



Dr. Hull passed some severe strictures on their method of growing 

 tomatoes, and said it was strange that they had never learned any thing 

 about growing tomatoes. They make a great round hill and plant their 

 tomatoes upon that. The result is, they can not plow their tomatoes 

 properly. They allow the plants to fall over and lie upon the ground. 

 Dry weather sets in, and sun-scald and rot take nine-tenths of the crop. 

 The true method is to cultivate level, and stake and pinch the vines. A 

 given amount of tomatoes can be grown cheaper by staking than by this 

 slovenly method. The Doctor went into the explanation of the habits of 

 the tomato, to show the advantage to be gained by pinching the vines. A 

 plant with axillary buds, like the tomato, can be put under control, and 

 you can train it as you will. If you rub out a bud the plant has no power 

 to replace it, and you can have buds just as many and no more than you 

 wish. This is the true method of growing the tomato. 



Dr. Long wished to know if by this treatment the fruit would be 

 earlier. 



