318 TEANSACTIONS OF VHE 



of years. Possibly this may be obviated by a system of judicious 

 mulching. The last orchard I planted I got two crops for my pains. 



On Berries Mr. C. B. Rockwell reported : Out of 4,000 straw- 

 berry plants, set in the best of land and receiving the closest atten- 

 tion, I have saved only about 50 per cent, this year. Raspberries : 

 Not a full crop this year, but have a good growth of canes for next 

 year. Blackberries : A signal failure as to fruit. Grapes have made 

 a healthy growth, and promise an abundant crop. 



Mr. C. N. Dennis — My plantation never looked better. 



Mr. C. C. Hoppe — For regular and abundant crops, especially 

 of the blackberry, we must mulch. 



Dr. Lyon — Cultivation is better than mulching ; plow deep all 

 season up to ripening. Plant six to eight feet in the rows, in order 

 to leave room for the plowman. 



Mr. Holt — I find my raspberry vines make a good mulch for 

 my raspberry plants, but thorough cultivation of soil is highly essen- 

 tial to the successful growth of the berry plantation. Next year I 

 shall test very early cultivation, to be followed by a careful mulch- 

 ing, using whatever I can get for this purpose. 



A grand basket dinner was spread at 12 noon, followed by a 

 social of an hour and a half. 



The afternoon exercises were composed of singing and addresses. 

 "Life and Its Adornments," by Rev. J. A.. Souders ; " Human Cul- 

 ture," by Dr.W. H. Githens ; " The Letter Carrier" (a recitation), by 

 Miss Myrta M. Robinson, of Wythe ; " Incentives to Mental Cul- 

 ture," by Mrs. M. J. Fulmer, of the Montebello Floral Society. 

 These papers, one and all, were of the highest type of excellence, 

 and were delivered with splendid effect to au attentive and appreci- 

 ative audience. 



The audience joined in singing " Sweet Bye-and-Bye," after 

 which an adjournment was reached, and the multitude attended the 

 grand reception of the Ladies' Floral Society in the grove near the 

 stand, and ice-cold lemonade and delicious ice-cream disappeared with 

 a rapidity and a relish that was truly wonderful, and the annual pic- 

 nic was voted to be a signal success. 



